Santa!

I've tried twice now to get the girl's picture taken with Santa. I ended up with one of Camille and Santa. And that's fine. Bea wouldn't even sit long enough to get a quick picture. She was so excited about seeing him and telling him what she wants for Christmas, but once she got there she just freaked. She later said that she didn't like the green, she only liked the red. You see, Santa had his coat off and he was wearing a green Christmas-y shirt. Oh well... at least I got one of Camille. I was surprised that Millie went so easily. As soon as I started to lean in to give her to Santa I could feel her grip on me tighten. But she didn't cry. She just looked at him. I will post the picture as soon as I scan it... that might be a while because I've yet to really figure out how to set up my printer/scanner/copier to my MAC. I normally scan it to my old computer and then email it to myself! Such a hassle! Anyways... I'll try to work on that soon.

My tiny dancer

Here are some pictures of Bea's dance class. I guess one perk to having a child that doesn't want you to leave the room. I was able to snap a couple of photos on my phone without disturbing them. They did some warm up and then started to work on their Christmas dance. Unfortunately the pictures are out of order.

Ho ho ho, who wouldn't go.

up on the roof top click, click, click.

waiting to get their hula hoops.

pretending to sleep.

'What is Santa going to bring you!?' Pizza!

Doing the bicycle.

Walking on her tip-toes. (Though I didn't get her feet in the shot.)

Jumping like a frog.

Double the fun.

Tuesday I took the girls to see the doctor. At the same time. It wasn't that bad. It helps a lot that Millie can sit up on her own now. I just stuck her in our umbrella stroller. Bea insisted that she steer the thing, by herself. That was a little crazy. But all in all it was an okay outing. They both have colds and ear infections! :(

Last night Bea was in her dance class (yes, I was in there too.) the teacher went around and asked each girl what Santa was going to bring her for Christmas. When it was Bea's turn she said: 'Pizza!' Not sure where she got that from. Upon further prodding Bea finally said she asked Santa for Cinderella.

I'm hoping to get the girl's pictures taken with Santa today or tomorrow. We'll see how things work out.

Bea's Make-up

This morning Beatrice woke up early. I was still trying to do my hair and make-up. To get her distracted I asked her if she'd like to put on some make-up as well. She likes my purple MAC make-up. I offered her my glittery Sephora make-up, but she said she didn't like glittery make-up. (Is she my daughter!?) So I reluctantly gave her my MAC eyeshadow and a make-up brush. She then put some on her eye lids. When she was done she tried to look into the mirror. She can now stand on her tip toes and try to look into the mirror above the sink. I noticed she was having trouble seeing the shadow on her eyes. She then closed her eyes to look into the mirror. It was so funny! I then handed her my little mirror and suggested she close one eye to see how her make-up was. She closed one eye successfully, but then she turned to me and said: 'Mom the other one won't go.' It was so cute. Her trying to look into the mirror with her eyes closed and then trying to figure out how to shut one eye while opening the other... ah the things we take for granted right?

Disney Land!

Over the past weekend we took the girls to Disney Land! Gigi and Grandpy came with us too. I think it's safe to say that we all had a good time, despite the rain. I will post pictures soon.
We mainly stayed in Fantasy Land, but we did run over to ride Pirates. Beatrice didn't like that one so much. We had Mickey shaped beignets (did I spell that right?) at the Mint Julep bar. We saw two parades which Bea LOVED. We dined at Ariel's Grotto where Disney princesses came out to each table and signed Bea's autograph book and took a picture with her. Bea was totally amazed. We ended up sitting at the table where all the princess came to first. Belle was the first princess to come out and Bea was a little taken aback by her. She didn't expect to see her right next to her. Then Mulan came out, then Snow White, then Cinderella. Bea was besides herself and even ran over to get Cinderella's attention after she had made her rounds to the rest of the dinning guests. It was so fun just to see Bea interact with her.
We got some shopping in - Disney style of course. Beatrice picked out ears for us all, that is to say she designed them herself. She had to keep running out to get Mickey and Goofy's autograph and take a picture with them too.
Then on Sunday we had the character breakfast at Goofy's kitchen. She got to dance with Goofy, had ice cream for breakfast, and met Dale and Aladdin.
It was a lot of fun and I would love to take them again!!

Updates

So I'm finally not hurting. I've got this weaning process down a bit so I feel like a somewhat regular size. I haven't pumped in a while. I'm only nursing Camille at night now. She is no longer sleeping through the night though. On a good night she only wakes up once. Perhaps she wasn't fully ready to wean?? Well then she shouldn't have bitten me so many times!! I'm still recovering! She's been taking food and the baby yogurt really well. I can't imagine that it will be a big deal if I start her on whole milk early?? We'll see. Frankly, I'm surprised she even takes a bottle at daycare. I tried giving her one a couple of times at home and she hardly drank it...

In Beatrice news, she apparently has been very naughty at daycare. Grabbing a boy by his hair and yanking on it. Scratching a girl down her arm. Taking toys away from the other kids and running away with them. Taking a bat at play time outside and trying to swat at all the kids inside the playhouse... She has also been lying. (This is all according to her teacher.) Her teacher also likes to give me unwanted advice as to what I need to crack down on with Beatrice.... (insert eye-roll here.) I'm dealing with it. I'm not too concerned about the lying just yet. That just means that she's thinking creatively. As for the being mean... I don't know, is this the terrible three's rearing it's ugly head already!?!?

Video clips

I took some videos of the girls this past weekend. Bea was singing into the top of her bedpost (my old bedpost - I used to do that too.) Sorry the clips are so short. :( And I was able to get a video of Camille dancing!

Enjoy!!

Well that was a bust!

The last two dance classes I've taken Beatrice to have been disastrous! It's so disappointing! She was so excited about starting the class and now for some reason she doesn't want to go. She says she doesn't like it. I really don't know why. The only thing that changed was me not being in there. Next week I will try another class, maybe it's the teacher?? I'm going to finish out this month and then call it quits. I'm not going to force her. Maybe she just needs to be a little bit older...

Camille's ears are all cleared up! That's good news. She really loves to dance. I've yet to post some footage of her rocking out to some music. It's the cutest thing.

I'm getting into full party planning mode, what with Camille's birthday party right around the corner. I've planned out the menu, and when to prepare it... decorations... Ugh! I have so much to do! I really wish I could go decorate the club house now and just leave it that way till the party! (lol)

I've also yet to finish Bea's invites... I've been working on those too. Hopefully I can get those completed before Christmas. We shall see.

Millie Walking!

What a day

Yesterday was Bea's second day of dance class. As you can see from the previous post they had a mini recital. It was very cute. I was actually IN the class while they were 'rehearsing' the dance. I was actually filming the 'practice.' After the 'practice' the instructor called in all the parents to come in and watch. Most of the parents had their cameras and were snapping pictures of their little ones. Beatrice noticed I wasn't snapping away and said: "Mom, take a picture!" She told me this twice! She's so funny. At the point in the dance where they go to hold hands some how Beatrice ended up not having a hand to hold. Either the girls didn't want to or what. She got so sad! She looked around and said: "Hey!" then walked over to me with her head down. But once the girls made their way back to their dots she ran over to her dot and finished the dance.

The evening was a bit stressful because I have a bad habit of double booking myself. I don't know why I do that. Maybe I think I'm Wonder Woman and I can do it all? I mean, I like to be busy but sometimes I really push it! I had a massage that was super nice and relaxing but then I had to rush and pick up Bea from school and then take her to her dance class. We were a few mins late, but it stressed me out nevertheless. That with the cupcakes from a couple of brilliant mom's, and some miss-communication regarding dinner... it was sort of crappy evening.

I've learned my lesson for sure! I will not double book... if I can help it. ;)

I've also decided to try to wean Camille. It's her fault! She's been biting me! And she keeps doing it. It's like during the day she's just distracted and not that interested and she bites... at night she doesn't. I've been nursing her before bed and this week she's been waking up in the night, usually around 11:45 and 3ish. I've nursed her then as well. We'll see, it's been a bit of a rocky road, what with the aches and pains that go along with trying to wean. I'm confident that I have enough milk saved up to last us through December. I'll just play it by ear I guess.

Bea's Halloween Dance

This is Bea's second day of dance... but she seems to be at the same level of the other kids that started learning this dance two weeks ago.

Tiny Dancer

I have been looking for a dance class for Beatrice for a while now. I was so excited about the thought of her being able to do something on her own without me. Unfortunately, it seemed that the majority of the classes this valley has to offer were at 4 or 4:30. I'm sorry, but I work till 5 there is no way I can make a 4 or 4:30 class. What, most mothers who have their kids in a 4 p.m. class don't work?? Anyways. I found a dance studio that offers TWO later classes for Bea's age group. I took her on Thursday and Bea was a bit apprehensive. She wanted me to stay with her initially. She didn't want to participate in the warm up, she kept saying it was because she didn't have a ballerina outfit on. (Of course all the other girls were dolled out in ridiculous poufy tutus.) Once the class joined hands and did sort of a ring-around the rosie, Bea wanted to try it. She ran to the little empty square of carpet the teacher set out for her and preceded to join in. I was really impressed with the teacher and the steps. They're really learning the building blocks of ballet and it was neat to see it 'translated' for little kids. Bea did very well for her first class. She had to go to the bathroom halfway through so we ran out and used the restroom and when we got done she ran into her dance studio and shut the door on me. I took that to mean that she was fine without me. I got to kind of watch through the windows. I'm excited that she seems to like it. Over the weekend Izak and I got Bea her ballerina outfit and just last night we took her to get her ballet shoes. Beatrice was thrilled when we showed her the leotard we bought her. She wanted to put it on right then. I'll be trying a different dance class for her tomorrow. It's at a later time, a time that would be a lot easier for me to get to on time. I hope the teacher is just as cool and she enjoys it just as much.
I'm a little concerned about all the 'dancing' mom's. There are so many characters there that I just don't know if I'll mesh with any of them. The majority seem to be the pageant type mom. (Yikes!) It's pretty comical though.


I'm sure you guys have all heard by now that Millie had slight pneumonia and both of her ears are infected. She's been on medication for the last week and is acting and sounding a lot better!


We've got a busy week ahead of us, a few Halloween parties to go to. Beatrice can't wait to go trick-or-treating.

Millie in the ER

Where do I begin!? Late Friday afternoon I get a call from daycare. They said Millie had a slight fever. When I went to pick her up... well there was nothing slight about it. She was on fire! So hot to the touch. It freaked me out. I immediately drove her and Bea over to Quick Care. I called my dad on the way over hoping he could come and corral Bea, which he did. (Thanks a TON dad!) The doc or PA, or whatever she was, on duty clearly was not comfortable diagnosing a infant. All I knew at that point was that Millie had a temperature of 104. The doctor suggested I swing by in the morning, apparently there would be a pediatrician in. I gave Millie Pedialyte and Tylenol all night. I had both girls in bed with me, that was quite tricky. Saturday morning Millie's temp was down a bit, 101. I arrived at the doctor's office before the pediatrician even got in. I wanted to be the first and I was. But sadly the pediatrician didn't seem to know what was wrong either. She had the nurse check for strep, and some other thing where they swab Millie's boogies. Both of those tests came back negative. So she had blood work done, and a chest x-ray. Both of those didn't tell her jack apparently. She did give Millie a prescription for some antibiotics and she also gave me a copy of her chest x-rays and blood results saying: 'just in case you end up in the emergency room later today.' I'm sorry, but WTF?? You're so NOT sure of your diagnosis that I may end up in the emergency room? Millie's fever kept slowly climbing and by 3:30 my mom and I were freaked out enough to take her to the emergency room. Sure enough her temp was 105! :( They gave her some Tylenol and Motrin and we just waited. They took her temp again and it was slowly going down. They did a nose swab for flu - that was negative. They also took a urine sample thinking it was a UTI. Nothing. They just said to give her Tylenol and Motrin and watch the fever. Camille's fever has been slowly going up and down. Early this morning she was finally cool to the touch and I was able put some clothes on her. I just don't understand how people in the medical profession can NOT know what is going on with a baby! I have an appointment with our pediatrician late this morning and I'm hoping to hell she'll have an answer.

*I would like to thank my Mom and Dad for ALL their help this weekend! You guys really helped me not to stress and worry about Bea, I knew she was in good hands. :) Mom thanks for your company in the ER.

**I'd also like to apologize (again) to Dez for missing Adam's 3rd birthday. I was really looking forward to it too. :( We will have to meet up to give Adam his gift.

Pumpkin Patch and bull riding!

On Monday we went to the pumpkin patch. Gigi and Grandpy were able to join us. Bea had so much fun running around with the wagon and picking out a pumpkin for her and Camille. Later we went to Big Bubba's. It's a restaurant that has a giant tree house in the middle of it. I have to confess that I have always wanted to go into this tree house but I thought people would think I was weird going in there with out any kids. So I was glad to go there and have a reason to go in the tree house. Beatrice loved it! There is a bridge that crosses over to the upstairs dinning and then the kids can either go back over the bridge to the tree house or walk through more dinning and down some stairs. Bea tried this. I was a little bit behind her. She was so excited to be on her own playing with the other kids that she missed a step and rolled down two steps. I freaked out! I quickly ran after her trying to think how I couldstop her from rolling down the rest of the steps. I wasthinking I'd just throw myself down and hope for the best. Luckily she either caught herself or I caught her just in time. I was pretty startled. The whole time as I watched herroll I was thinking: She is NOT going to die in this restaurant! Alright, enough with the dramatics....

Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Also at the restaurant there is a mechanical bull there. Bea saw some girls get on and ride it and she wanted to ride it to. I tried to tell her that it was for big people but she put her hand out to me, as if to say stop, and she said: 'No! I am big! I want to ride it!' She even pouted a little bit and sat down and looked disappointed that she couldn't ride it. I figured she could at least sit on it. So we went to go sit on it. Izak got kind of a crappy picture but oh well. You get the gist of it. Bea was only slightly upset when I told her it wasn't going to turn on. She kept trying to get it to move. Oh well. When she's older I guess...

This Morning.

This morning Beatrice had on her flowered sunglasses, drinking her cup of apple juice while we drove to school. We arrived at school and I got out of the car and opened her door. I undid her seat belt and I started to grab her to carry her out and into school, but Bea stopped me. She said, "Mom, I can do it." And she proceeded to slide out of her car seat onto the floor of the car and then slide out onto the sidewalk. She also wanted to open the gate by herself and then the front door by herself. I just stood back and watched her. She then took of her classes matter of factly and said, "Mom, here." It was so cute. She can be such a little diva. I'm still continuously amazed at how fast she's growing and how independent she is and wants to be.

In Store shopping vs. Online shopping

Last week the girls and I went to the mall (with the help of Uncle Sergio.) We were searching for a gift for Ava's birthday. I found a super cute sweater dress at Old Baby. I liked it so much I got one for Bea too. Unfortunately the store only had one pair of leggings. But I thought, no problem I'll just get online and get some for Bea. Well! I went online to get the leggings and guess what!? That same dress was on sale for a $7.00 difference! I texted Sergio outraged! He suggested I email the company. So I did. They sent me this blah, blah letter back but basically saying I could take my receipt in and get the difference. I was determined to do so. I mean after all I am still unemployed and every little bit helps. So today I took the girls to the mall. First off that was a big mistake to go by myself without the double stroller. Millie was fast asleep, but Bea made a run for it as soon as she could. Anyways. Once I had Bea in hand. I tried to tell the sales girl my situation. I even showed her my email... she said she could only give me money if the item went on sale IN the store. It had by the way only a $4.00 difference... I was like whatever... I took what I could get. In the future I will just buy online and never take Bea to the mall unless I have an extra set of hands and/or her buckled up tightly in a stroller.

The park.

Yesterday the girls and I went to the park with Sergio, Ava, Brandy, Dezi, Adam and Chris. The kids had so much fun and I'd venture to say the adults had fun too. It was such a nice day we all brought a picnic lunch and some blankets to sit on. Bea loved playing on the slide and the swings. She didn't want to go home. She kept walking around singing the opening song from Beauty and the Beast. I'm so glad we were all able to meet up like that and I hope we can do it again.


Last night I was getting Beatrice ready for bed. She had picked out her pajamas and I was trying to help her put them on and she said: 'No, I can do it by myself Mom.' So I watched her as she put her shirt on all by herself and I sat there just amazed at how big she's getting. I even started to cry. She asked me why I was crying and went and got me a tissue and asked me not to cry anymore. It was the cutest thing. I love her and Camille so much!

Tomorrow we have Ava's birthday party to go to. I had so much fun shopping for another little girl. :) I'm looking forward to getting out of the house with the girls and socializing!

Dorothy

Last week when I ordered Beatrice's costume online I kept telling her, "any day now it will come in the mail, we'll have to keep checking the front porch." So every day she'd check and it wouldn't be there. And she would hang her head down and be sad for a minute or two. Then yesterday I knew that it was there, cause I was tracking it. I told Bea, "it might be here today we'll have to check when we get home." Well once we were home she ran to the front window and screamed: "it's here! it's here mommy!" She was so excited that I wish I had gotten it on camera. She was running back and forth from the door to me, just bursting. She couldn't wait for me to open the front door. And as soon as we opened the box she wanted to put it on right away. She even let me do her hair!

This is Bea this morning... I have to make her take it off when she eats and sleeps. She'd be in this costume all day and night if I would let her.

The Land of Oz

I love to watch Beatrice watching The Wizard of Oz. She is so enthralled with it. Dorothy and her friends approach the emerald city and are trying to get in. Bea is so intent watching it, so serious When the gate keeper finally realizes they were sent from the good witch of the north, the look on her face is so cute! She's just smiling and watching.

In Camille news, she has TWO little biters coming in! I saw them yesterday. She's getting so big so fast! It makes me sad. :(

Got it down

I must say I think I've got handling the girls down to a fine art. We have our little routine. On Thursday morning we went to Target. I had initially planned to have Camille in the front section and Beatrice in the basket portion of the cart but when we got there Camille had fallen asleep. So I wedged her carrier into the basket and stuck Bea in the front section. I was very surprised Bea was great. She normally wants to get out and 'hold me.' But this time she didn't. Maybe it was because I gave her things to hold?? I was able to wedge the rest of my groceries around sleeping Camille. She did wake up, when we were almost done shopping but she was chill. It was a pretty good outing and I'm getting more confident with going out with them by myself. Thursday after school I dragged them to Joann's Fabric store and they were perfect!

Yesterday we gave Ruggers a bath out in the back yard. Bea helped me while Millie was in her bouncy thingy. I got so ambitious that I decided to clean out Rug's gross water bowls... and there were several shiny black widows that came out and I hate spiders in general but I couldn't just let them live! So I ran and got my hiking boots on and dried to mash them. I hope it worked. I'm only slightly worried cause the grass was already wet so I don't know if they were pretending to be dead. The bug guy comes in a couple of weeks and I will definitely inform him of our black widows. But with the black widow scare it made me want to clean off the patio just to be safe. So I did that yesterday as well. After that we came inside the girls watched The Wizard of Oz while I worked on Millie's invitations and sketched out Beatrice's invitations. Beatrice wants to be Dorothy for Halloween and she loves The Wizard of Oz so I decided to throw her a Wizard of Oz themed 3rd birthday party. I've been consumed with that since Halloween stuff is out and I need to think of everything I might need for her party that I might not be able to get in December! We had a full morning and then we were able to relax at Gigi's and Granpy's for homemade lasagna! Yum!

Greek Festival

Yesterday, Uncle Sergio and I took the girls to the Greek Festival. We had gyros and Greek fries, they were so good! Beatrice got to jump in a bounce house and she got to go on some other bounce house like thing. She didn't care for the gyros but she loved watching the people and kids. She 'got' to use the port-a-pottie (yeah that was an adventure.) She didn't quite understand why it didn't flush. As we were walking out of the festival she announced that she needed to use the potty again. I really didn't want to walk all the way back to the potties and I asked her if she could hold it. I didn't really get an answer but I drove to the next town over, maybe like 20 mins away and we stopped at a Baskin and Robbins where she got to use the facilities and picked out a scoop of strawberry ice cream. It was kind of a surprise to me that she chose that. I'd just never gave her the option before, besides one other time at a yogurt place and she chose vanilla. Of course I had to explain to her that she wasn't getting a bowl of strawberries. She ate all of her ice cream and was somewhat well behaved. But it was an interesting day and I would totally go to the Greek fest again.

Millie's Milestones!

This has been a crazy week of milestones for Camille. She's now mastered getting into the sitting up position all by herself. She can sit up all by herself. She can clap and she's even crawled! (Not just her normal army scoot.) She's also determined to stand up. She's been pulling herself up while holding on to things and she doesn't just stop there at sitting on her knees. Oh no! She just stands up, taking some time and lots of thought of course. I've decided that her crib is not safe! She's already gotten her arm caught twice in the thing just tonight!

Millie

Tutu Tucson Pictures

The pictures are out of order but...

Here's Millie's second plane ride. I totally forgot to take pix on her first flight! I don't know what I was thinking!

Bea wanted to take this baby home. But I explained to her that it didn't belong to us.

She's such a good swaddler.

Millie getting sleepy...

Working the cash register.

Millie made the drum work with her heart beat through her hands.

Future vet??

Playing with the train set.

Making hand prints.

She's got the African beat down!

Coloring.

Playing scrabble with Tutu and Zachary.

Lunch with the cousins! Jayden, Zachary, Gracie and Bea. (Josh wasn't there yet.)

Tutu Tucson

Over the weekend we went to Tucson to visit our Arizona cousins! This was Bea and Camille's first trip out there and Camille's first plane flight. They were both perfect on the way over. On the way back was a bit of a different story. I know they were just irritable because they were both tired. It was a long day for everyone.

Our first day there it was fun to see the kids warm up to each other. Beatrice loved it! Saturday morning she woke up wondering if she would get to see her 'friends' again, she later started calling them her cousins, and she also wanted to wake Tutu up. Every morning she did that. It reminded me of when I was little and wanted to do the same thing.

Friday night the kids ended up in Tutu's room unattended and one of Camille's diapers got flushed down the toilet! It was the funniest thing. I walked in there to get something and Gracie says: 'We flushed one of Camille's diapers down the toilet and it worked.' I said: 'That's because it doesn't happen on the first flush, it happens on the second one.' That might have been the wrong thing to say because all the kids then ran to the toilet and flushed it again! They said that it still worked but I could see the water rising. It was so cute and it reminded me of all the shenanigans I got into with my cousins.

The kids had so much fun just playing, swimming, setting up a pretend store and playing boys against girls. One of my favorite memories is when Gracie was going to get her swim suit on and as she was walking down the hall she was saying: 'Tinkerbell is my favorite' (her suit had Tinkerbell on it.) Bea was fast on her heels, her little head down and she said: 'I like Tinkerbell too.' They both disappeared in Tutu's room and when they came out they both had their swim suits on. Grace had helped Bea get her suit on!

Sunday we went to the Children's Museum. The kids had so much fun. Bea loved the dinosaurs and shopping area. There was so much to do there that it was hard to pull the kids away from one section and move on to the other.

It was a lot of fun just to get away and just hang out. Thank you to my Arizona family for such a great time! I love you guys!

Big Changes

Well. As you may you know, I have been laid off. I feel it really has been a long time coming. (Those of you that know the whole back ground can see why.) Anyways. I'm not going to say it was my favorite place to work and I'm not going to say anything negative about it. It is what it is. So today is the first day of.... of what? Of being a stay at home mom? Of hitting the internet for job openings? I really don't know yet. I am just gonna cool it for a few weeks. So I can feel what I feel, try to get over things. Regroup, plan... we'll see. I feel very stuck right now. But I'm just gonna let myself be stuck for a while. Right now I'm going to enjoy the sweet faces of my girls and spending time with them.

Zoo

This morning we took the girls to the zoo with the Brantley's. It was a lot of fun and we left before it got too hot! Bea got to see a lot of animals. This was our first big outing with the whole potty training thing. We only had to pull over once on our way to the zoo, only to find out she didn't really have to go. :( Then we had to pull over again on our way to lunch, she did pee then! Izak took a lot of video footage and I only got maybe two pictures. Now we're trying to get the girls down for a nap. Not an easy feat.

There she goes!

I forgot to mention that while at Lowe's Beatrice had her first public bathroom experience. She announced to us: 'I have to pee!' so the two of us rushed to the women's restroom and got in to the big handicap stall. She wanted to touch the toilet! I showed her how to put down the seat covers and then I held her on the toilet and she went! She loved washing and drying her hands with the automatic sensors. We even had to go back a second time (she had to pee again.) It was quite comical when I had to use the facilities. Leaving her out of her stroller was not a good idea. HA. I guess that's what makes memories right?

Changes

Well, where do I begin?

Beatrice is doing GREAT with potty training! She's been going all day at daycare and at home. With only a few accidents. I am SO proud of her!

Camille is this close to crawling. She can scoot around so fast!

The other day there was a home invasion near our neighborhood. It totally freaked me out! I heard it was a mom with her two kids and her eldest, who was two, opened the door. Just this Monday I realized that Bea can unlock and open our front door. Yesterday Izak went and got one of those knobby covers that the kids can't open. And today we went and purchased a security door. It won't be installed for another week but just the thought of it makes me feel safer.

I also purchased a new door bell off of etsy. I can't wait to get it. And I'm planning on slowly re-doing the girls bathroom. I'm still keeping it nautical, I'm just tweaking the theme from light houses to mermaids. Changing the color and doing a few other things. I hope to keep a picture blog of it. Like you care right? :)

Anyways. We have a busy weekend this weekend and I'm looking forward to it!

Riding the potty train.

So far things with the potty have been going really well. Sunday I had a break through with Bea. She was so excited that she peed in the potty. I was too! I told her she could pick out anything she wanted from the toys Izak had gotten her. Out of a Snow White, Belle, or Sleeping Beauty Barbie, and a Disney Princess coloring 'desk' she picked the tea set. The rest of the day found us running to the bathroom every 30min. (when my timer went off.) Before long she was telling me: 'Mommy, I got pee!' And we'd run to the bathroom.

Yesterday she stayed with Gigi to continue the training but mainly because Millie had a doctor appointment and I could just see me trying to pick her up without Bea and then dropping her off again.

Camille is perfect and healthy! She's 17lbs - still light. She's growing so fast though. When I went to pick her up she was sitting back holding and drinking her own bottle. She looked so big I almost started to cry! :(

This morning I was late for work again because Bea was on the verge of tears wanting to give me one last hug and kiss before I go. She also asked: 'you'll pick me up?' I said, yes. I always do. Mary had to drag her away from me. I felt so sad. Later Mary called to tell me Bea didn't cry this morning and that she peed in the potty!

Fingers crossed that this potty thing sticks!

Potty trained or bust!

Looks like it's gonna be a bust. :( Yesterday I had Bea without pants on all day. She peed. But not on the potty. :( I even sent Izak to get some really good goodies - dolls, a tea set etc. to entice her. That didn't work either. She at first got upset that she couldn't have the toys and ran into her room and shut the door and started crying. Then she wanted to just look at all the toys inside their boxes. After a while I just hid them. I don't know what to do. I'm trying her pant-less today again and doing the 'potty train' a friend suggested. She hasn't peed all morning! :( And she's had a cup of apple juice and waffles... I know something is bound to come out. I just don't know when or where. UGH! I wish this was easier for me and for her.

In between running to the potty I'm working on Camille's first birthday invites. I know, I'm early, but I like to get a head start on things. :)

Two year olds CAN be reasoned with?

This morning Beatrice fought back tears. Mary told her that if she cried she'd have to go sit in Mary's office until she was done crying. Beatrice was very reluctant. She shed two tears, walked me to the door, held my hand, gave me one last kiss, then like a big girl she walked to the table. I walked out the door and I didn't hear her screaming. That's a good sign right?

Yesterday I kind of explained to Bea that the cemetery was like a big park for dead people... but underground... um... that didn't come out right did it?

Musical Theatre

Yesterday I took Bea and Millie to see Bye Bye Birdie at the Encore Theatre. Gigi, Uncle David, and Brandy came with us. We were right up close next to the stage and the band. Bea and Millie loved it! When the band started the overture Camille was just enthralled by them, she just watched them the whole time. Then once the actors came on she was equally enthralled by the actors as well. She did fall asleep though, but throughout the whole thing she was a dream! I'd venture to say more well behaved than Beatrice. :) Bea started getting antsy towards the end of the first half. But when intermission came around and she was able to get popcorn that kept her satisfied for the rest of the show. She does like to talk though and it's hard to get a two year old to whisper! I think it was better for Bea at Encore since the audience is able to eat there. Bea was so cute she had a bag of M&M's and she'd be intently watching the scene and eating her M&M's and then when it came time to clap she'd gently put her bag of M&M's down and clap, then she'd pick them back up again. It was so cute. I really think I enjoyed watching her reaction to the show more than the show itself. To see her smiling at the action on stage. It was the cutest thing.
At the end of the show we got to see my friend that played Rosie. Bea, without any prodding said: Good job! Then as we were walking away she was waving and yelling: Good bye Rosie! Good bye Rosie!

In other news the last week Bea has been awful when I drop her off to daycare in the morning. She cries and screams and throws a fit! It makes me feel so bad, I just want to cry. I don't know what to do. And more importantly I don't know why she's started this. She's never done this before - not to this extreme - on a daily basis.

I've also got to seriously think about setting time aside to get Bea potty trained. I was just kind of hoping she'd take to it on her own. But alas, no luck there. Geesh.

Random: Bea has dress up shoes and for whatever reason she calls them 'daughter' shoes. Not sure why that is. :)

Conversations with Bea

This morning, as Beatrice and I walked out into the garage we could hear a noise. Beatrice asked what it was. I said I thought that maybe it was a weed whacker, and that we'll have to check it out when we back out of the garage. I asked her who do you think it could be? One of our neighbors? She replied: 'Prince Charming?'

If only. HA!

Cinderella

Last night Bea went into Cinderella overload.

She comes running out of the game room with the pink prom dress on that auntie Mel got her for Christmas. (Mind you she had this dress on with her head through the arm hole.) She comes out and exclaims: "look at this dress that the birds made me!"

I was thinking: "Birds??" Then I realized she was thinking about Cinderella. Haha! It was the cutest thing! (She also insisted on wearing this same dress to daycare today and she was giving Izak a hard time last night because she wanted to wear it to bed.)

Beatrice also started calling me the mean step mother... (should I be worried?) But she was calling me that while I was helping her put on yet another dress.

Then Bea decided that she would play the 'mean girls' and I'd be Cinderella and she'd rip my clothes to shreds. Lets just say Bea got a little too much into character! She was very believable as a 'mean girl.' She kept 'pretending' to rip my clothes and rip my invisible necklace off... I must say it started to hurt after a while! She got so into being mean that she even smacked Millie in the head a couple of times. Camille wasn't fazed, maybe Bea wasn't hitting her hard enough?? I was furious though. Poor Camille had a little red spot on her head. :(

During all this Izak was getting Bea's bath ready and he called her to come take a bath and she said: 'just a secky minute.' (that made me smile cause apparently I said something similar when I was little.)

Finally Izak drags Bea to the bathroom and all I can hear from my spot in the family room is: 'No! The dress the birds made me!!' She clearly didn't want to take the dress off. :)

My six month old...

I can hardly believe Millie is six months old already. :( It makes me sad!! We tried some rice cereal last weekend and she wasn't having it. She kept trying to blow bubbles in it, getting it EVERYWHERE! I'm hoping by adding some apple or pear sauce she'll like it better. Who knows maybe she'll go straight to table food??

Funny things and last weekend.

Beatrice will 'read' a book out loud to herself and she'll say: 'You have to go to bed, Mommy sayd.'



Yesterday she was talking about the witch again in Piggies & Paws. I said: 'The witch in Piggies & Paws?' She said: 'Yes, she took the girl's dog!' It was then that I realized she meant Wizard of Oz. (hahaha!)



Last weekend was super crazy for the Du Toit's. Friday night Izak had a company dinner that we had to attend and right afterwards we hopped in the car and drove to San Diego for Tina's baby shower. We stayed the night in Valencia then drove to S.D in the morning. I was late to the shower but better late then never right!? We stayed at the Rancho Bernardo Inn and I just love that place. I seriously wish my house was in that Spanish style and that I had someone to go around and dust everything!
On Saturday I went to the baby shower with the girls and it was so fun to see everyone again and catch up! The food was delicious and the setting was so nice. Verlyn always throws such nicely decorated classy parties. Beatrice and Camille were so well behaved the entire time too. Once we got back to the hotel that was another story! Izak and Stacey went to pack up Stace's belongings for her move to Colorado while the girls and I 'rested' at the hotel. Bea was a monster! She was so cranky because she was tired but refused to nap! As soon as I got her to put her head down on the pillow she was out. Camille on the other hand, after having napped in the arms of Tutu and Auntie Stacey at the party, was ready to party again! So I was up with her. Like I said, no rest for the weary. It was such a fun yet quick weekend. I wish we had more time to stay and enjoy it all. I felt so bad for the girls because we were basically in the car the whole weekend. Oh well, such is the life of a traveler. ;)

Pictures!

Ok, well I still have to get used to the way this thing uploads photos. They're a little mixed up.

Our first trip to Disney Land!

Beatrice watching the celebration parade.

Camille taking it all in on the Small World ride.

Beatrice looking to see what's ahead for her as we enter the Small World ride.

My big baby. We pulled this out for Camille to enjoy, but of course Bea wants to be in it too.

Camille LOVES the exerciser!

Another part of our L.A trip. My Dodger girls!

Me and the BFF and her sis at the Dodger game.