A Full Moon and a Quiet Night

Pickle "Chip"

Well, what would be a trip to Florida without a medical run for Audrey?  Last year, it was the med clinic for antibiotics.  Now that she is MUCH more mobile, and acrobatic, and climbing/jumping/falling off everything, we had her first medical run (I say first because I'm sure there will be more in the years to come).  The culprit of this tooth casualty?  A princess beach ball.  Audrey was rolling over the ball and landed face first on the tile floor.  Ouch!  I picked her up expecting a bloody lip, and freaked out a bit when I noticed her chipped tooth teeth!  

I called the dentist back home thinking I could set up an appointment for when we return, but they recommended an immediate x-ray to check for an abscessed tooth/nerve damage. 

I asked, "What would happen if the nerve was damaged?"

Response: "Well they would then have to pull it"  

Really?

OK, so now I am thinking of my little girl with one one large, protruding tooth for the next 4-5 years.  

LUCKILY, there wasn't any damage, and after a little sanding and sealing from the Florida dentist, she was god to go without too much damage.

Even with chipped teeth, she still has her adorable smile :)

Sandy Toes and Salty Kisses!

We spent most of our Florida mornings building sand castles at the beach.  Alice was a a little bit braver this year when facing the ocean waves.  At the beginning of the vacation, she would put her feet in the water, and once (the one time Mommy went in the ocean) she let Daddy carry her into the water (for a few minutes) before having to get out and "rest" on the chair for a few minutes.  Audrey, to no one's surprise, had little if any fear of the ocean.  She would go out with Daddy-- splashing in the water and jumping over the waves.  It just amazes me how different those two are when it comes to facing danger.   

Grammy & Grandpa Bean catching some rays!

Matching hats

Ready for sandcastles (as long as someone else dips the bucket in the ocean for water :)

 

"If you want to know how much I love you, count the waves"

Ice Cream (in a cone!)

During Audrey's afternoon nap, we headed out for a quick ice cream run (thanks to Grammy for babysitting).  Alice and I decided to dress up like twins - Alice is always concerned about matching (such the fashionista!)



Who are you looking at?!?


Alice isn't one to break away from the "norm," but today she tried a new flavor, mommmy's favorite: mint chocolate chip (remember how she like match) in a CONE.  Her first solo ice cream cone (not sure why I chose a white tank top for this occassion).



Yumm. . . .sooo good!

Marry Me, Daddy?

 

All little girls want to marry their daddy, right?  At dinner tonight, Alice and I peeked in on a wedding reception hapening at the restaurant.  Well, that night in our condo, Alice was styling my hair, making my dress (with toilet paper mind you), changing my shoes, and getting everything ready for my wedding day.  Of course, she wanted to play the bride next.  In this picture, she is showing off her wedding attire (completed with her diamond toilet paper ring), and ready to marry her "Prince Daddy."  She decided on Daddy after her friend, Bryce, wasn't available to tie the knot this evening in FL.  Oh my, what are we getting ourselves into with this child??  

I Love the. .

I love the . . 

I love the sand beneath my toes,

 and in my ears and up my nose!

Seashells

If friendship could be counted,

Like small seashells by the sea, 

I would own an endless shoreline,

of the joys you've given me.

Top of the Mornin' To Ya!

We spent our Irish holiday feasting on Sheppard's Pie and enjoying the company of good friends.  Audrey wanted to put on a dancing show for everyone, she is such the little "Wisenheimer"  This video is a few minutes log, but shows her high-energy, peppy personality.  At the end of the clip,
Alice & Norah share an Irish saying they learned in preschool, "Top of the Mornin' To Ya!" 

Audrey is nearly 2 years old.  Some of her latest funnies. . . 

• When you ask her to say Thank You, she will say, "Thank You--Welcome!" in one breath.  Then, Alice and I crack up!
• She heard me sternly say Alice Catherine and now refers to alice as "Alice Catherine!"  This morning, she woke up in her crib yelling, "Alice Caaphhhreine"  
• As you can see in this clip, when you ask her, "What's your name?" she says, "PICKLE!"
• I tried to take her out of church on Sunday to put her in time out for leaving the pew. . . as I'm taking her out of mass to "time out" (in the lobby) she yells, "Bye-Bye Daddy" (loudly), says, "Hi!" to everyone she makes eye contact with, and looks at me saying "Kiss, Hug!"   - - Definitely a successful time- out  . . . HA!

Goodnight My Little Ones. . .

Bedtime can be tough with now two little girls trying to manipulate us.  Audrey wants me to hold her and sing "Rock-a-bye-Baby" MANY times, followed by lots of Elmo books in her bed.  Tonight she insisted on wearing both her monkey and Hello Kitty Jammies.

Alice, wants all the books we read before bedtime (what we call our "book party"), her special friends (each night it's different-tonight it's her little circus elephant - "Sheridan"), and of course a "sip of water" which gets Audrey screaming for her WAA-TER.


Regardless of the bedtime manipulation, Andy and I always sneak in after they are sleeping for one last peek.

They are so peaceful, adorably cute sprawled out in their beds, and peaceful (did I mention that already?).

Every night I peek in and am overcome with love, so proud of my beautiful girls, watching them in their slumber, with their deep breaths, feeling almost under their spell.

From one of our favorite bedtime books, Guess How Much I Love You?, I love you (Alice &Audrey) to the moon AND back!!

What? With This Cute Face?

Me: "One of these days, we will look back on this moment and miss this."

Andy:  "Doubt it!"

Audrey sure knows how to test our patience.  Today, she refused to put on socks or shoes on the way to church.  After a three "pin her down" holds, we got her shoes on only for her to kick and scream them off in the car.

I tried, unsuccessfully, to put the shoes on a 4th time before church, but found myself walking her into church (32 degrees outside) without socks or shoes.

Me: "Fine, you'll walk!" (As I set her down on the cold pavement - only to realize this was probably not my "mom of the year" moment picking her up shortly after)

Stranger:  "Ohh, her poor little feet!"

Me: "Yeah, I know" (thinking  .. . if you only knew).

I was, however, determined.  I marched into the lobby, and tried again to put on the shoes-refusing to let her walk around barefoot.  Audrey is now thrashing her head again the window (that pain didn't help) and screaming at the top of her lungs.

Andy (to Alice sitting in church):  "Do you hear that crying in the lobby?  That's your sister out there screaming."

Alice:  "Audrey?"

Oh yes, Audrey.  She's quite the stubborn one. 

I've forgotten about the terrible 2's.  Not that I mind them at home - happy to leave her screaming and kicking on the floor until she settles down, but to the other mom's out there with little ones, how do you handle this in public? 

I keep thinking back to the Alan Jackson song, "Remember When" which sings, "Remember when, the sound of little feet was the music we danced to week to week."

I love that song, and nearly tear up every time I hear it.  I know I will miss these years, terribly, but for now, I just wish the sound of little feet would include the sound of shoes (in public!)

Some Things Never Change

August 2009

February 2012

Winter Ballet Review

Alice had her first dance recital yesterday evening.  Her dance class in Sheridan is a satellite studio of Noblesville Ballerina's Academy.  The winter ballet review was for ALL students.  36 dances in which Alice was number 33.  We got there an hour early - realizing we could've arrive a few minutes a few hours late as her dance wasn't until 8:45 pm!

Alice was great, waited patiently, and loved watching all of the other dances.  Audrey, on the other hand was, well, just Audrey (spend most of her time running the hallways!).

By the time Alice was on stage, she was REALLY tired, not the usual energizer bunny dancer, but we couldn't have been prouder.  She looked just adorable on that big stage.

We know she felt good about her performance as she announced in the car on the way home, "I did a GREAT job!"  

Yes, you did Alice!

So thankful Grammy & Grandpa Bean were able to join in the fun!

Waiting patiently for their turn!

Both girls with their teacher, Miss Jennifer!

Love Alice

Alice is 4 years old so mature, and learning so much at preschool.  

She LOVES to color and draw - and spends quite a bit of time every day coloring in her princess books. She made this Valentine's card for me.  

So proud of my little 4 year old!