A whole lot of nothing

Today we did nothing. We have been battling pacifier weaning and bad dreams and upset stomachs and haven't had much sleep this week, so we just laid around and watched movies and hung out.

We all got naps. We ate leftovers for lunch.

We did tell Emma if she stayed dry all morning we would all go swimming after her nap. She did and was SO excited to go. We all got in our swimsuits and loaded up to go. But when we got there a swim meet was taking place so we couldn't go. Emma was devastated.

So we came home and Emma and Madelyn went "swimming" in the bathtub with their swimming suits on. Then we had a picnic in the living room and played games(red light green light and duck duck goose).

If she keeps staying dry there might be some ice cream involved by the end of the day.

It was a perfect day, and it isn't even over yet. :)

We know it's January.

But this morning we decided to pretend it wasn't. After a fun class at the YMCA, I took the girls to the park across the street. Maddie has never really been on a swing like that and loved it! Emma kept asking me to give her "rrdogs"(underdogs).

Empty nesters?

After a difficult day Friday, Jared's mom called to check in and see how potty training was going. Apparently she could hear the frustration in my voice because she called back 5 minutes later and said she would meet us in Rupert and take the girls for the weekend. I feel so guilty having other people watch my kids, but she asked at a good time because I desperately needed a break. So we met up with them and handed over the kids(along with underwear and the potty chair.)

We came back to Twin and went to eat at Johnny Carino's at 9pm. When is the last time you and your husband have left the house together after bedtime? We NEVER do.

We were so excited to sleep in, but were both up well before 8. We decided to go the gym to a spinning class(ouch! I'm so sore now!) Afterwards, I cut Jared's hair, he took our oven apart to see if he could fix it. He ended up slicing his finger on a piece in it and we almost went to get stitches(I still think we should have). I made a spring cleaning list(I know, and it's only January!!) and we divided it up and got SO much done at our house. Now if I can just upkeep with my new cleaning schedule. :)

Stake Conference is this weekend, so Jared had meetings from 4-6. I was at home completely by myself. First time in 2 years that has happened! Then we got to go to the adult session together and got our grocery shopping done after.

Today, not only do I get to have Jared sit BY me in church, we get to listen to the speakers. :)

Anyway, it has been a GREAT weekend. Very productive, and nice to spend some time with Jared. I spent a lot of time cleaning and organizing the girls' room. It looks great! At the end of the day, though, my house feels so empty, and I feel as though I have no purpose without them. I miss their giggles and smiles, their hugs and kisses. I miss reading them stories and eating together as a family. I really just want to cuddle with them.

I guess what I realized is that as much as it feels sometimes like my kids need a lot from me, I need them more than they will ever need me. I can't wait to see them tonight!!

8.5 Months

-So close to crawling. She can go from sitting to her back to her stomach and back to sitting very quickly. She gets up on her hands and knees and rocks, and can scoot backwards until she scoots under the coffee table or couch and gets her leg stuck.
-She is enjoying the same food as us. Somedays she gets disappointed if I try to give her baby food and will refuse it.
-She is sleeping from 8pm-6am and then we give her a bottle and she goes back to sleep for another hour or two. That is, of course, on our best nights. She still sometimes randomly wakes up.
-Things she loves right now: attention from her sister, kisses, cuddles, jumping in her jumper, going outside, mashed potatoes, her singing dog toy, paper, baths, stories.

22.5 Months

In case it isn't obvious, she didn't enjoy our first sledding expedition. Maybe because she wouldn't leave her gloves on?
-Started potty training 2 weeks ago. Yesterday at Grandma's, she only had one accident and took herself potty without any prompting once. She is so smart!
-Is using understandable words more. She can parrot just about anything we say.
-Her newest phrase this week is, "No, Mom."
-Things she gets excited about: going to see the temple, "calling" people, helping me cook, Elmo, Belle, getting stickers for her potty chart, taking care of her baby(doll), listening to the "Potle"(Apostle) on computer(I've been watching the general conference addresses), her portable DVD player(she would sleep with the thing!), ramen noodles, fruit snacks, her "sista", Hop 2 It, and getting in bed with mom and dad first thing in the morning(I secretly love it, too).

I'm just sayin'

If you haven't tried Zumba yet, you should. A-MAZING. And fun!
PS- I'm very sore. It works.

Smarty-pants

Monday Emma was totally accident-free potty training. So my plan today was to slowly start extending how often I take her to the bathroom. This morning she woke totally uninterested in it. And she can hold it for over an hour. I guess that is good, right? We just skipped my carefully planned steps? Either way, I'm very proud of her! Today we even went and grabbed a pizza and she and Olivia stayed dry the whole time!