Smiles Around the Corner

Ella's a really funny baby. Lately she has wanted to do everything Suzanna does, play with what she plays with and just be by her side. One cries, the other cries too. She makes this little grunt if Suzanna pulls out toys and doesn't offer any to her. How can someone so little (8 months) have such an opinion??
Peek-a-Boo!!

Ella's warming up to Casey more and more (although he still things Ella's a Mama's girl). She sees how excited Suzanna gets when Daddy gets home....Ella has began to kick her little legs and start to make these noises if he doesn't pick her up and give her kisses too. She tries to compete with Daddy right along side Suzanna.

Bah Humbug!

First it was Ella, then me, Casey and lastly Suzanna that caught the virus caught during our last Tennessee trip. That's mainly why I haven't posted. I've been whipping noses, soothing coughs and trying to figure out how to help a toddler with a tummy ache. I've realized how easy it is for an adult to combat a cold. I feel bad for babies who can't take anything for what they have. Bah Humbug....we caught another bloody virus this season!

Evenings

One of my favorite times of the day is getting ready for bedtime. This is the hardest stretch for Ella, if she had her drathers, she'd be asleep by 6pm. We try to hold her off until 6:45pm. Last night was no different than any other night. Suzanna takes her turn reading to Ella.

Car Ride

Yesterday we were in the car as a family. Ella had fallen asleep. Casey and I were trying to whisper and Suzanna said "Shhhh guys, baby sleeping". We both laughed at that....I guess we are one of the guys.

A Slow Icey Day

The ride home as not as we anticipated. We were thinking it might be an extended 7 hours of smooth sailing as it was coming down to Tennessee (before a newly potty trained girl and a baby it took us about 5.5 hours to get there, that's with stopping only once). Now we have to stop almost every two hours. As we stopped two times that morning Suzanna wouldn't use the bathroom (it made us nervous, she was in her undies) it took total trust, I tell you! We later found out why. She had more business on the pot than just wet business. The third time we stopped we pulled out the little potty and put it in the front seat of the car. 40 min. later we had a dirty and hit the road. Here is the family waiting patiently. It was bitter cold outside, so we let Ella stretch her legs inside the car.

We pushed it our last leg. Ella was really fussy because of hunger and later we found out a pretty bad diaper surprise. It's nice being home.

Ella caught a virus the day we drove back. That night she was up a few times and the next day with a runny nose, runny eyes and just feeling horrible. She napped 6 times yesterday. Last night we didn't hear anything and today she's doing a bit better. Thank goodness it was only one of us, I can manage one but when it's more it's a bit tricky.

This is what all of us girls did this early afternoon.

I put Ella down for naps at 8:30 and by 9:30 I just went to snuggle under the sheets (I was cold). Suzanna came in to talk to me and the next thing I knew we were both asleep. Wow, all three girls asleep at the same time....that's what I call a good nap!

We've got ice and some wintery mix. I'm wondering when Spring will come. I think I'm done with winter! It's currenlty in the single digets out there.....brrrrr!!!

Attack on Baghdad

Baghdad was attacked yesterday. Colleen emailed and said she felt it but she is okay and safe. She wrote that the guys who have been down there 4 times were undaunted. Nevertheless it was a prayerful evenging for her. Thank goodness she is safe.

My Dad just emailed an expereince he had while in the 1st Golf War in response to her email. I thought it would be interesting to share.

This kind of instant communication reminds me of when I was in the 1st Gulf War. The satellites would see a SCUD missile fired and almost instantly we'd get the red alert signal. We'd then don our gas mask and charcoal suits and run to our shelter. If the attack occurred while I was on duty then my shelter was the command post where I worked. Since we had satellite TV with CNN on 24/7 all we had to do was listen up and the brave CNN newsman standing on his hotel balcony would tell us exactly where the SCUD landed. That's all we needed to yank off our masks and breathe cool air again. For those out in hardened shelters, they had to wait for the "all clear" to come from CENTCOM. And that usually meant waiting another 10 minutes or so.

Thank goodness for instant communications!

Walk to the Horses Again

During our visit with Great Granny, Grandpa took Suzanna to feed the horses. She really liked feeding them.

Ella Snuggles

Casey's Dad dropped by right before Ella woke up from naps. Suzanna engaged him in a game of Crazy Eight's (did you think she'd tire of this game....no!) and soon after Ella woke up. She was a snuggle baby.
This afternoon Ella was really, really snuggly.....especially with Casey. This has been the first time she's really snuggled him since he's gotten home. It was really nice to see her snuggle him even if mama is around.

Love

Isn't it nice being loved?

Tea Party with Cousins

This afternoon was the tea party with the cousins. Great Granny Betty was there along with the little great grand children. It was a little cousins party! Suzanna was a great sport as far as wearing the party attire. She kept it on the enitre party (I was impressed

The little girl party was a hit. Mimi and Kristy really pulled off a fun little Tea Party. Well, it started out that way and ended up being a full blown party. Needless to say, the cousins really enjoyed it and we all enjoyed watching them. Casey and Dean went out for a much needed brothers day out during the girly girl party.

Yummmy, being loaded up on treats. She was really wired by the end of the night. Sugar over load. And where was Mama at this time? Aunt Angie, you're fired! :) Earlier today Angie came bearing gifts for the girls. I think they were perfect for a little 2-year-old. It was a little box of dress-ups. Suz actually wore the too-too, hat and shoes (is that how you spell it?) the entire day. I asked her if she wanted to wear her dress (the matching one with Ella) and she said "No, THIS pretty dress". Okay, it made it easy on the potty. By the way, she hasn't had an accident since week one....doing great Suz!

The party really began with the balloons. Silly girl hugging a pink one. We were all pretty impressed how well she walked with those little play shoes on.

Mimi with Ella. Very sweet.Suzanna enjoyed sharing her pop-pop with Aunt Kristy. I think she was the first to finish her bag.

Great Granny Betty, Aunt Angie and Ella enjoying the party.Ella's second cousin had a real interest in her. It was cute to see all the little kids coming around to see and talk with her. It was fun to watch them interact from the sidelines.

Love the pose half pint!

Princess Coach

Last night Suzanna had a girls night out with Mimi, Angie and Kristy. This morning the fun continued as Suzanna played with the princess couch. Kiki was invited to lay with her on the couch.
So fun!

Dean and Kristy's House

When we come into Tennessee to visit with Casey's family we always stay with his brother. It's a beautiful home they built. They have a loft and a room behind it. When we come into town, we pretty much take over the upstairs. We are blessed they let us stay with them. It is always very nice of them to host our wee family. The room has no windows and it helps the girls sleep pretty well with that and the white noise. Last night I didn't get much sleep (never really can with everyone in the same room). Suzanna kept popping her head up before midnight and Ella woke up around 3am and 5am before she offically woke up at 6am. Good thing she can pop that paccy back into her mouth. So, I didn't have to get out of bed but I was woken up by every little noise. Casey's lucky he isn't use to hearing for the girls (since he got back from Iraq) nor does he hear them for the first little while they fuss. That'd be nice at times. I'm so conditioned.

Suzanna worked her little magic and got Dean and "Kiki" (as she calls her) to play Crazy Eights.

There's going to be a tea party tomorrow! Here's a sneak peak:Looks like twins.

Visiting Granny's House

This morning we headed off to Granny Shockley's house. It was nice to visit with her. She cooked her country fried breakfast and we caught up with Casey's Dad there too. They haven't seen Ella since she was 3 months old. It's been a huge jump from that age until now. Ella greeted Granny with smiles. We had a nice time. Suzanna really warmed up to Dad when he offered to take her to see the horses across the street. She loved that!

Granny Juanita and 8 month old Ella.

In Dad's truck. Suz instantly became buddies with him once she knew he could take her for a little ride to see the horses.

Casey, Dad and Suzanna going for the walk down to the horses. It was a beautiful day today. Very nice compared to the weather we left in St. Louis weather. I'm not up for the extreme single diget weather and the sharp wind. St. Louis weather is very similar to that of Estonia.

It's been a good day. It was nice coming to Tennessee where they were getting a warm weekend. We didn't even wear jackets, it was a nice 56 degrees with no wind. Great outside weather.

Tennessee

The normal drive of about 5.5 hours to Tennessee took us 7 hours. It wasn't bad at all. No accidents from the newly potty trained toddler and Ella took a nice long nap (as well as her sister). Other than having to stop ever hour (for Suzanna to use the toilet) it was uneventful. I think the hardest part of it all was packing for three (me and the girls). It took a lot out of me to organize it all (and we only have two kids!) Can't imagine how many days early you have to pack for a family any bigger!

One of These Things Are Not Like the Other....

One of these things is not like the other. Can you tell?

50%

I Found this cute shirt at Target. It's a bit hard to read in the light. It says "50% Mommy + 50% Daddy = 100% Cute!
Even Ella agrees!

Sunday Morning

This morning I gave Ella a bath in the kitchen sink. Suzanna insisted on joining in on the fun. It was really cute how they both were in the double sink.
Ella's happy face.

Our Family Day

Today was one of those days we got a lot of things done around the house. Lots of laundry, dusting, vacuming, shopping at the thrift shops as a family, trip to the park and a night out to eat. We are all tired from the activites. Ella was begging to be put down at 6:30 and Suzanna at 7pm. I'm ready for bed now myself. Great day.
Ella loved watching Suzanna and Casey swinging on the big swings. It was pretty amusing....they kept laughing hard.

Today was a mid 60 degree weather. The clouds were so bright and the sky so blue. It was one of those days you just have to marvel at what a beautiful world God created for us. I just love my little family. So sweet, so sweet.

This was a substitute for Ella's nap. She's a tired girl but really enjoying the swings.

Who’s behind the smiles? You guessed it....Casey!

How did we stay out so long with Suzanna newly potty trained? Well...we brought along the potty. (Should have taken a picture of that!) At Target we put it in the back of the car and she sat in it while I nursed Ella and Casey ran across the parking lot to get us a table at Applebee's. Great day! Happy, SO happy Suzanna is doing a fabulous job!

First Graham Cracker

Ella had her first Graham Cracker this week. It's been 6 months of milk, the last month of oats, bananas and veggies for this little girl. We thought it was time for her to try something on the yummy side.

Now that's a satisfied customer if I've ever seen one!

Iraqi Rug

Casey came back from Baghdad with an Iraqi rug. It's really nice and soft, especially if you take off your socks and feel it. The other day Casey put Ella on there with only her diaper. She loved it! Her expressions are really cute, she feels it and inches back and forth.

Violin Student

I've had this student for a year now. She's only 5 years old and does such a great job. I'm really proud of her!

Bunny Foo Foo

Little Bunny Foo Foo goes a long way back. I've had him (her?) since my first Easter in 1978. It is the only stuffed toy of my childhood. We really weren't into stuffed toys, we were allowed to keep two (two times 6 is a lot when you're a military family and have to worry about house hold goods and weight limits). It makes me smile to see Suzanna playing with Bunny Foo Foo.
It's also one of her favorite songs.Update on big girl undies:

Doing great! Went out for the first time (to teach violin lessons)....she's doing great yelling "POTTY" and pulling down her undies by herself. I'm very proud of her; I didn't think it would be this easy. Suz is a quick learner. Our next goal is to go a few days in a row without accidents.

Good Giggles from the Girls

Oranges and Spatula

Our favorite treat lately has been oranges. Suzanna can eat an entire orange by herself. Little suction cups got her hand on a few so we had to put something in her hand as well. A spatula worked.

Potty Time Day #4

Day 4

Suzanna is getting better and better every day with toilet training. She's almost a pro. Yesterday she went the entire conscience day with no accidents (the one was during naps). Pretty good if you ask me. She's on a roll today and brings the potty to me where ever I am and says "Run, Mama....potty!" Suzanna has no fear of the dirty on the potty....so we're in good shape. Okay, enough of the potty talk!

I've had her in undies for the last four days. Today was a bit chilly, so I found her long stripped socks. I think it's really cute....too bad we don't have more than one pair.
Even Ella is proud of her....she's cheering Suzanna on!

Thanks Mimi!

I was trying to get a recording of Suzanna thanking Mimi for the Christmas dresses. This is how the video turned out.....it makes me laugh really hard every time I see it.

Hooah Colleen!

So my little sister is in the Army. She barely missed Casey in Baghdad. She's in Kuwait right now, waiting to continue on to Iraq. We are SO proud of you!!
BNOC school she just completed. She's up for her E-6 soon. You go, Colleen!

Back to the Crib

Such beautiful weather we have now. We opened all the widows and turned on the fans. Ella's room is actually light (without the shade). We spent a good chunk of the morning playing in her room. The girls like sitting in the rocker side by side.
She's such a good baby.....such a good play buddy. She's 7 months old here.

Suzanna has discovered how to climb back into the crib. This is something she did not attempt when she was the occupant (thank goodness), and it's also a good thing Ella is too little to follow after her. Shhh....she's sleeping. (Suzanna loves this game!)

As of lately they've been mimicking one another’s screams. Sometimes you can't differentiate who is who unless you are looking.

Day 3 of Potty Time:

Great! No accidents yet and it's already 1pm. She's really doing well so far....I can't even get her off the pot....very interesting.

Sisters

These two just love each other. I love to watch them together....oh, sisters!

Lots of Snow

It's been snowing nonstop since yesterday. This is our second snow fall of the season. It's much more enjoyable with Casey here, I must say. We've got a few feet of snow accumulated in our yard. Casey didn't go into work today, so we called it our "Snowman Day".

The snow was really powdery and light. That made it a bit difficult to start our snowman. Nevertheless, this little one was very excited to begin, even if the weather was nippy and her cheeks pink. The snowman ended up having a uni-body...but that's okay. We really enjoyed the time spent as a family.

Maybe we should finally break down a buy a snow shovel.