Signs of Spring!

We have some daffodils blooming in our yard! I am seeing the first signs of spring everywhere!

I had another SST meeting for Alex this morning. He has had a couple more bad days recently, so we brainstormed different things to possibly help him out. The administration recommended that I take his to his pediatrician for ideas too, so we have an appointment scheduled for next Monday.

Kaitlyn had ballet today and her friends Jeanette and Cecilia came over to our house to play afterwards.

We do have a bit of bad news. Jon's frog Giaya passed away today. He has been with us for around 4 years, so he will be missed. :(

She Rolled Over!!

She's done it! She rolled over for the first time unassisted! AND she rolled from back to front! She hasn't even rolled from front to back yet and most babies do that first! She is so smart and advanced for her age! She had a little trouble getting past her arm, but made it all the way over!

BBQ With the Knutsons

Jon's parents brought up some Bone Suckin' BBQ Sauce back from North Carolina, so we had the Knutsons' over for dinner. We grilled BBQ chicken and Katie brought some delicious spinach salad. We always have a good time when they come over!

Carrie's Bridal Shower

Tonight was Carrie's lingerie bridal shower. We snacked on chips and bustier cake. :) She gots lots of beautiful new lingerie for the honeymoon. Notice the panties hanging from her glittery, gold penis headband? Did I mention this is not for childrens' eyes?

My Latest Cake Creation

This is the bustier cake I made for Carrie's Bridal shower today. I was rather impressed with how it turned out!

Sock Hop

Alex's Sock Hop was this afternoon after school. He and I were in our 50's gear. I tried to wear my poodle skirt, but it was totally too small for my baby belly I still have, so I settled for jeans and saddle shoes. Alex had matching jeans and white t-shirt with spiked hair and a pair of Converse. He did NOT want his hair spiked at first, but once he saw all the other boys with spiky hair he was okay with it. We started in the gym for the dance and Alex and his friend Jacob Eller were dancing to the Monster Mash. Alex didn't want to dance at first, so he was standing against the wall while Kaitlyn and I were dancing. All the sudden he was right next to us, but informed me that he was NOT going to dance. All the sudden there he was dancing with Jacob after all. Silly. He ditched the girls and I pretty quickly after that since he had found a friend. I guess I will have to get used to that. (Just the other day he wouldn't take my hand at the bus stop because his friends were watching.) There was a moon walk and snacks, so Kaitlyn and I just walked around for awhile. I finally caught back up with Alex in the library so that he and Kaitlyn could get their faces painted. We had lots of fun!! Like always!

KoalaMommas

We had our first KoalaMommas meeting this morning!! This is the babywearing group that I started with my friend Christine for those of you that are not caught up. :)

www.koalamommas.com

Our first meeting went really well. We cross posted the information about the meeting at www.mothering.com , www.atlantamommas.com , and www.thebabywearer.com . We weren't really sure how many people would show up, but in the end we thought it was a success! There were people that we didn't know there which is good. Our friends are going to come no matter what! Everyone brought all their slings, so there were tons to try on and get a feel for. A couple moms were having issues with slings they already had, so we tried to help them figure them out. It was great! I just sold my old meitai and bought a new one that came with a free pouch sling. The one in the picture is the pouch. Isn't it groovy?

Who Says Big Kids Can't Be Carried Sometimes?

I got my new meitai tonight and let Alex take it for a spin. I think he liked it!

Freaking Out

I had to do a focus group today. I was determined to figure out a way to do it since it paid $100 for only an hour and a half of time. Tamara signed her girls up for Kaitlyn's same ballet class, so she agreed to take her there. I didn't want to be too far from Alyssa, so my friend Christine said she would walk Perimeter Mall with her since the study place was about 1 mile from the mall. What a good friend, huh? So I went to the study and they had overbooked and didn't even need me. I still got paid the same as if I had done the study, but I had to wait about an hour before they cut the check. I had never been away from Alyssa for more than about 45 minutes before and had never left her with anyone except Jon. Also, there was another lady waiting with me at the study place and she was being totally impatient. She was pacing back and forth and sighing really loud. She was sending off really bad vibes. While I was waiting for the check, I started feeling really anxious. It had gotten worse by the time I got back to the mall to get Alyssa. I had to drive all the way back to Acworth to pick up Kaitlyn. By the time I got there, I was having a full-fledged panic attack. I don't know for sure what caused it. I think it was a combination of being away from Alyssa for so long and that impatient lady. I am attached to Alyssa just as much as she is attached to me!

We also went to a Holistic Moms meeting this evening. The kids worked on puzzles while a speaker spoke to the moms about Attachment Parenting. We practice a lot of AP principles, so I was interested in learning more. The lady didn't really discuss anything I wasn't already aware of though. It was fun for the kids though. They put together this huge firetruck puzzle together. Good teamwork!

Presidents Day

Today was a school holiday, so we spent most of the day at home. We went to Tamara's house for a little while and all the kids played. Here is a picture of Alyssa in her Fuzzi Bunz. I love these diapers! She has them in five colors right now, but I just sold some of our AIOs (all in ones) to buy some more FBs (Fuzzi Bunz). I ordered her one in hot pink!

The Children's Museum

Jon's cousin Morgan was in town from Myrtle Beach, SC so we picked her up in the morning and took her to the Children's Museum with us. I love that place. I think it is one of the coolest places in the city to take kids. It was good to see her since it has been a couple years. We went to R. Thomas after the museum. That is one of my favorite Atlanta restaurants. All organic vegetables and free range meat. It is open 24 hours, so Jon and I went there a lot when we were first dating. We also stopped by my grandmother's house after eating. My dad was there doing some cleaning and he gave the kids and I some chocolates for a late Valentine's present. I took Morgan back to her hotel after that. Jon was home from work by the time I got back to Marietta, so he left shortly after to spend the evening with Morgan and her boyfriend. They went and got drinks at the Sundial restaurant on top of the Westin Hotel. It is on the top floor and spins around slowly. You can't even usually tell it is moving though. Next time we will have to visit her in Myrtle Beach! I am always up for a beach vacation!

Georgia Aquarium

We went to the aquarium again today. This time the kids and I went with Jon's parents. It was their first time going. They wanted to go with us the first time since they bought the kids' annual passes for Christmas, but couldn't get off work. We decided to go on a school holiday so that Alex could go. Boy was that a mistake!! It was CRAZY there! Everyone else had the same bright idea because there were tons of people there. Tons. We still enjoyed seeing the fish, but I almost think it would be better to take Alex out of school and go when it is less crowded. Alex said his favorite part of the aquarium is still the hammerhead shark. When I asked Kaitlyn her favorite part, she said "the fish". Duh. I asked which fish and she replied, "the big ones". I think she is talking about the HUGE whale shark, but I am not totally positive. The aquarium is so cool. Even when it is crowded, it is definitely a great place to take the kids.

Trying To Roll Over

Alyssa was trying so hard to roll over today! I took her diaper off so she could have some naked time and for some reason it inspired her to try to roll. She never quite made it all the way over. She would get to her side and then not be able to roll over her big arms. Alex was a chunk too and it took him quite a while before he rolled from back to front too. I try putting her on her tummy to get her to roll that way, but she hates it. I think she is too fat or something because she cries everytime she gets on her belly. Little fatty. :)

Oooops!

Jon always parks behind me in the driveway because he gets home late. He goes to work before I leave every day except Thursdays when he is off work. Well, this particular Thursday Alex and I were running late for school because Alex is a slow poke in the mornings. I was rushing and forgot that Jon was parked back there and scraped the whole side of his car and took his passenger side mirror almost completely off. OOOOPS! I went ahead and took Alex to school. When I came back, I went into the bedroom where Jon was still half asleep and told him I was very sorry. He looked at me and said, "You hit my car, didn't you?" He was upset to say the least. He went outside and I heard a series of expletives. Later in the day, my friend Tamara asked me to ask him if he thought it was funny yet. He still says that he doesn't think it will ever be funny. He hit my Altima once when we lived in Duluth, so he couldn't be too mad at me. At least not for long.

Preparation For The Wedding

My friend Tamara and her kids Jeannette, Cecilia and Luke AND Christine and her daughter Catie came over to play today. Tamara brought some Valentine's cakes that she had gotten on sale at Publix for everyone to eat. Jeannette is totally in love with Alex. She is always telling me that it is almost time for THE WEDDING, meaning hers and Alex's. We decided to practice for the real wedding cake cutting with the Valentine cakes. Alex was okay with cutting the cake with Jeannette, but he balked when she tried to feed him a piece. He will only play along for so long when it comes to the wedding game because he says he does NOT like girls! (We all know he secretly loves Jeannette as much as she loves him.)

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Today was Valentine's Day! Alex didn't have a party at school, but they did exchange Valentine's. He had totally cool Power Ranger Valentine's that you stick a pencil through. They came with Dinosomethingorother Power Ranger pencils. Again, what is up with a valentine not being enough? :) He also participated in the Jump Rope for Heart at his school. That is a good activity for Heart Day!

Kaitlyn had ballet and we went by her friend Jeannette and Cecilia's house on the way home. They played dress up and put on makeup. Jeannette was coming IN the back door when Kaitlyn was trying to go OUT and the corner of the door smacked Kaitlyn in the head. She had a HUGE goose egg right in the middle of her forehead. :( Poor thing. She seemed fine after Tamara offered her a popsicle and a bandaid. Funny how the little things can make everything better.

Jon came home from work early, so we had some extra family time. He brought me some roses and I got him a big Reese's heart. I was planning to make something special for dinner, but Jon and the kids really wanted pizza. We ended up having Domino's and eating Valentine's candy for dessert. After the kids went to bed, Jon and I watched The Saw II. How's that for a romantic Valentine's movie? Nice and demented. Just like us. HA!

Kaitlyn's Valentine's Day Party

Kaitlyn had her Valentine's Party at her school today. They snacked on red foods like strawberries and heart-shaped jello jigglers. Of course Kaitlyn finished ALL of hers. The made little Valentine's bookmarks with thumbprints. They played pin the heart on the Valentine's bear and almost all of the kids cheated. They passed out their Valentine's to each other. Kaitlyn gave out Berenstein Bear valentine's with heart bendy straws to her friends this year. She got lots of Valentine's, but was more interested in the candy attached to them. Whatever happened to kids just giving out Valentine's? Now they have to have "stuff" attached to them to be cool.

The baby had a little cough today, so I went ahead and took her to the doctor just to be on the safe side. The doctor told me that she just had a little cold. I explained that Kaitlyn and her had both had been coughing and had runny noses, but Alyssa was definitely SOUNDING worse. Well, she went ahead and checked Kaitlyn too--and she was the one with an ear infection! Her ear wasn't even hurting! She got a little of the pink medicine, so all will be well again soon!

Joshua and Carrie's Wedding Shower

Today was Joshua and Carrie's Couples Wedding Shower. We had lots of tasty food and played a version of the Newlywed Game to see how well Joshua and Carrie REALLY know one another. They both scored pretty well though. :) Kaitlyn dressed up in a red skirt and her ruby slipper shoes, so it was a good time for her!

Reading Books

Daddy read some books to the girls tonight. Kaitlyn is currently going through a serious Berenstein Bears craze. My grandaddy used to read those books to me when I was just a little older than her. I love them!

Valentine's Craft Playgroup

Today we went to a Valentine's Craft Playgroup. The kids decorated shoe boxes to deliver to sick kids in the hospital and cookies to EAT! The boxes they decorated were very pretty. They also played some games and ate pizza. It was a fun way to spend a rainy day.

Cloth Diaper Playgroup

We had another cloth diaper playgroup today. There are several cd fledglings in AtlantaMommas, so we passed around different types of diapers, talked about the pros and cons of the different ones. It was great! I think it was very informative all around. My favorites are Fuzzi Bunz pocket diapers. All-In-Ones are supposed to be easiest, but I totally think Fuzzi Bunz are cuter, just as easy to use, AND look more comfortable for Alyssa. Toward the end of the playgroup, a couple of the kids were dancing to the Wiggles. It was so cute! Cuter yet was when one of the moms joined in. :)

Sisters

I never had any siblings, so watching the relationships that develop between all my children is absolutely amazing!

A Crazy Wednesday

We had a crazy busy Wednesday today. Alex was at school like normal and Kaitlyn went to her preschool. In the morning, Alyssa and I attended our La Leche League meeting. It seemed like much of the meeting we discussed co-sleeping. We still cosleep with Kaitlyn and Alyssa. Sometimes Kaitlyn sleeps in Alex's bottom bunk, but for the most part she sleeps with us. It definitely makes nursing with Alyssa much easier when she is right there next to me. Here is some good info about co-sleeping.

https://www.askdrsears.com/html/7/T071000.asp

After my LLL meeting, I picked up Kaitlyn and we went to our friend Mark's 1st Birthday Party/Playgroup. The kids played and we all ate cupcakes.

After that, I picked Alex up from school and took him to his clay class. He had a double class today to make up for one he had missed when Alyssa was sick. While he was in class, we went over to my friend Allison's house down the street. Kaitlyn loves playing with her kids Gabby and Colin. I can't wait until Alex can start taking home some of the sculptures he has been making. They are amazing!!

The Ikea Experience

We got our tax refund the other day and one of the things we were planning to buy was a new bed. We have had the same bed since we met--including the mattress. Lately when we lay down, we both roll into the middle. :) Also, we have been co-sleeping Kaitlyn and Alyssa in this full size bed. TOO SMALL for four people! So we decided to go to Ikea, so we could find something affordable. I had a particular bed in mind that I had seen on their website www.ikea.com . Jon liked it too, so we decided to go with it. We got the bed, mattress, 2 nightstands, a dresser, hanging basket thing, tupperware containers, a quilt, and a quilt cover for under $1000. It was awesome! I thought their customer service was lame, but who can really complain at these prices? We all slept soundly the first night in our new HUGE bed.

Snow!!

This morning when we were leaving to take Kaitlyn to school....it was snowing!! Of course it didn't last long or stick to the ground at all, but any snow can be exciting here in Georgia!

Cecilia's 3rd Birthday Party

We also went to Cecilia's 3rd Birthday party. The theme here was a Berenstein Bear party. Another example of a crafty mom--Tamara sent the invitations along with Berenstein Bear t-shirts that SHE MADE HERSELF on the computer for all the kids to wear to the party. She even made a onesie for Baby Alyssa. The kids had lots of fun and certainly got their fill of birthday cake today!

Josiah's Birthday Party

Today was Josiah's 3rd Birthday Party. This kid has been in LOVE with guitars for as long as I have known him, so he had a rockin' guitar party. His grandmother made his this awesome stuffed guitar. I swear, this is the most artistic family that I know. Katie, Josiah's mom, made the guitar inviations and actually put real strings on the guitar pictures on the fronts. Amazing. It was a fun party, but we couldn't stay long. We had RSVP'd to another party already for the same day, so I tried to make it semi on time. :)

Babywearing Playgroup

We had another babywearing playgroup today. Some moms need instruction on their current slings, some moms are looking to buy new slings, and some moms just want to hang out with their babies in their slings. I love these playgroups. They are always lots of fun. Christine and I are in the process of starting a babywearing group. We both love wearing the children, so it seemed like a good idea since there is only one babywearing group currently in the metro area. It is all the way down on the southside of Atlanta too, so it is way too far for us. Our group is going to be called KoalaMommas, so stayed posted for developments! Since there were other moms with meitais (sling pictured), I borrowed Tamara's and wore both of my girls at the same time. Boy were they heavy!! Probably close to 50 extra pounds! I could carry them that way if I had to, but only if I didn't have to go too far. :)

Groundhog's Day

Today was Groundhog's Day! Since it was Jon's day off, it was my bright idea to get up before sunrise and go out to the Yellow River Game Ranch and see the groundhog. I have never done anything like this with or without the kids before, so I thought it would be fun. Especially since it was free admission if you got there before 9:00am. We got up really early and started over. We called to make sure we were going to get there in time to see the groundhog. They said "Sure! Come on over!" Well, we got there and I saw people leaving. Hmmm....I asked someone and they said the groundhog had already come out--OVER AN HOUR BEFORE! Those losers. They totally lied when we called. It was okay though because the ranch is totally cool. We walked around and saw the animals and fed them crackers. Alex's favorite animal was the rabbits at the end. Kaitlyn says she liked the panda bears. Ummm...there were no panda bears. :) My favorite was the baby goats at the beginning. AND at the end inside the rabbit area was a chicken. Jon called me over to look at her and just underneath her was a baby chick peeking out. Jon crumbled up some crackers really small and put them by her and all the sudden four or five little chicks popped out and started eating. It was the cutest thing!

Alex's First Clay Class

Alex has started taking an art class to learn to make things out of clay. I tried to get him to play sports, but apparently art is more his bag right now. I dropped him off in the class and Kaitlyn and I played on the adjoining playground. When class ended, he took me inside to show me what he had made. He had sculpted the most beautiful cat!! He always amazes me at how artistic he is! His stuff certainly looks better than anything I could do--that is for sure! They still had to glaze and fire it, so there will definitely be pictures to follow when we get it home.

We joined Costco this morning. Going to be saving big bucks there soon! Or spending big bucks and just having lots of food? I guess it depends on how you look at it. :)