Why I hate glass sliding doors

Some of you guys know that we had an incident with our glass door being open in the middle of night, even though we left it locked and closed. We found out about it when a police officer knocked on our door to let us know- they noticed it while they were looking for someone in the back. Well, last week, someone knocked on our glass door in at 2:30am. It totally freaked me out. Obviously, that was not nearly as bad as the last glass door scare, but I still hate that door.

Our neighbor a few glass doors down said that someone knocked on hers as well. I guess it was just some prankster. She said she turned on all her lights, and went to the front room. Out in front were the police with their lights in. Nice. Where the police out back (again!?) looking for someone? Was the guy trying to find someone who would let him in? Who knows.

We do have a stick in the door so it cannot be opened at all. Mike also has his golf clubs there ready to go. (: I do not feel safe in Golf Pointe with that door! I wish I could go back and move into an upstairs apartment. Oh well. That is something to put on my house wish list- no glass doors! And if there is one, it cannot be in our bedroom!

Christmas dresses

Mike finally caught her beautiful smile on camera! What a cutie!





This year I made hair bows to match their dresses. Bailey is finally old enough to want a bow in her hair, and actually leave it there. We are grateful that Grandma buys them gorgeous Christmas dresses every year.

O Christmas Tree

We let Bailey decorate the tree first- she had a great time. I'm just glad she didn't say anything after we re-did it.

Like father like daughter

One of Bailey's favorite games is playing doctor.For some reason, Daddy's stethoscope is so much cooler than her own (which is pink, by the way). She takes your "arm pressure" with the "mynometer" (aka sphygmomanometer or better yet, blood pressure cuff) and gives you multiple shots. I'm a little scared of her reflex tests though- her doctor kit doesn't have a hammer so it ends up being whatever is in her hand. And she's not that soft...

Co-sleeper

Avery is our little snuggle bum. She refuses to sleep by herself. After nights of me being squished and sore from being stuck in the middle, we bought the co-sleeper. The concept is nice, the baby is right next to us without actually being in the bed with us. Of course, it's not good enough for Avery. She wants in the bed. I guess it's not too bad right now (except for the wiggling and lack of space), but what about a few months from now when I want her to sleep in her crib?

What have YOU done?

I tag you if you are reading this!To participate, just copy and paste in your own blog, and bold all of the things you have done.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris- but I really really want to!
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch-digital scrapbooking
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty- I've seen it though
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon- something I would like to do someday...
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language- Mike wants me to learn Spanish
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie- my mom has
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class—does turbo kick-boxing count?
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason- I'll have Mike work on that one
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person-I was born in AZ, you would think that I would have
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox- and shingles
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous- ask Mike about Bishop Burton
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake-don't want to, gross
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Seen Mount Rushmore in person
101. Learned to play an instrument

This has reminded me of all the things I want to do!

Babies!

In our ward, there were lots of babies born around the time Avery was born. This last Sunday, we were at a friend's house and four of the babies were there, all happy and awake. They are in order of their birth: Derek, Chase, Avery and Sophia. Even though Avery is not the youngest, she is the smallest already. I just have to remind myself that Bailey was really small too. We just have little girls I guess.

P.S. Coming soon- pictures of Bailey and Avery in their Christmas dresses.

Guinea Pig

Last night we said farewell to our guinea pig, Pretty. We had her for a year, and we were tired of cleaning her cage. A guinea pig is about as low maintenance a pet you can ask for- I think that we are just not pet people. Maybe it would have been different if Bailey was actually interested in her guinea pig. After a whole year, she was still afraid to touch her. When she fed her, she would take a handful of pellets and throw them into the cage, not into her bowel. Sometimes she would come and tell me that Pretty bit her, even though Pretty has never bitten anyone, and I'm pretty sure Bailey did not stick her hand in her cage.

Mike and I were kind of sad to see her go. We didn't think we would miss her, but we do. There is no one to squeak at me in the morning, or when I turn off the TV. This morning Bailey said that Pretty was hungry and squeaking at her, even though I had already reminded her that she had gone to a new home. Our living room feels empty and quiet without her. She was a good little guinea pig, and I hope her new owners play with her more than we did.

What nobody tells you before you have kids

Before you have kids, nobody ever tells you how much you talk about their pooping habits. Seriously, Mike and I talk about it every day.

Mike: “Has Bailey had a poopie diaper today?”
Me: “Only little ones.”
Mike: “She needs to have a big poopie.”
Me: “I know.”
Mike: “Make sure you give her lots of fruit.”
Me: “I will.”
Mike: “How about Avery?”
Me: “Still no poopie diaper.”
Mike: “How many days has it been now?”
Etc. etc. etc…

I’ve decided we talk about it so much because as parents, you have to worry about something. (But really, if you had Bailey and Avery, you would worry about their pooping, or lack thereof, too.) I remember thinking, if only I could get Bailey to eat, I could stop worrying. Once that problem was solved, there was something else to worry it.

Last week, Mike asked me if I thought we would ever stop talking about our daughter’s bowels. I don’t think it will be anytime soon. We still have potty training ahead of us. But even if we do, I’m sure something else will easily replace it. Maybe when they’re older our conversations will be a little more thought provoking...

"Why?"

I had heard about the “terrible twos,” and now I am experiencing it. Bailey’s latest and greatest has been the why game. I know that all kids do that, but I had no idea it could be so annoying. Here is an average conversation right now:

Me: “It’s time for lunch!”

Bailey: “Why?”

Me: “Because our bodies need food to grow and play.”

Bailey: “Why?”

Me: How do you explain physiology to a two year old? “Because that’s how Heavenly Father made us.”

Bailey: “Why?”

Me: “Because.”

Bailey: “Why?”

Me: “Just eat your lunch.”

Bailey: “Why?”

Me: “Because I said so.”

Bailey: “Why?”

Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad if every conversation didn’t go like that. Some days I feel like I am going insane. So, I am writing this blog to remind myself some of the reasons “why” I love Bailey.

• Her imaginary friend is Hagoth. I’m not quite sure why she loves that story from the Book of Mormon, but she loves it so much that he’s her new friend.
• When Avery is crying, she goes and gets her own blanket and gives it to her to help her stop crying.
• Even though dad is number one in Bailey’s book, when she is really sad or sick, she wants me.
• She asks if she can have a little friend come over and play with her.
• Her favorite game right now is “grocery shopping.” She gets her baby, her diaper bag, her stroller and then gets her shoes and coat on.
• She goes around the house singing “Once upon a dream” in a falsetto voice.
  

All in all, Bailey is a wonderful little girl. I’m sure that the “why” game won’t last forever. Hopefully it will end sooner rather than later!

My Twilight Review

Last night, I went to the 12:01 showing of the new Twilight movie with our book club. I don't know what we were thinking- a lot of us have newborns. I know that the movie isn't getting great reviews, but I loved it! I think they cast the characters very well, Alice especially. They stuck closely to the book and that made me happy. I liked the way the movie was made, it was kind of artistic. I was not disappointed by the movie at all. I was pleasantly surprised, usually the movie is never nearly as good.

There were a few things that I wished they would have done. I wish that there was more conversation between Edward and Bella, they really only talked about vampire stuff. I feel like the movie didn't convey the same intensity that existed between them in the book. However, that is hard to do in a two hour movie. Maybe we'll see more of that in the next one.

As we were leaving the movie, Sarah and I were looking the people who were there. Most of them were high school girls. Sarah said that we didn't belong there- we have kids! It's true. I haven't done anything like since I got married. It was worth it- even if I only ended up getting only three hours of sleep. It's a good thing the next one is not coming out anytime soon... Now I just have to take Mike to the movie!

The sleep blog

It is finally cold enough here for Avery to wear her snowsuit. Whenever we put her in it, she almost always falls instantly asleep. The first time she wore it, she slept almost four hours before I woke her up. When Mike is watching her, if she needs a nap, he puts her in her snowsuit. I can just see it this summer- need a nap Avery? Here is your snowsuit. Who cares if it is ninety degrees outside? Luckily, she is becoming a better napper even without the snowsuit.

We moved Bailey to her toddler bed this week. She figured out how to climb out of her crib, and she would not stay in it. When we put her in for timeout, she would just climb right out. I think she also figured out how to put the side of her crib down. Ironically enough, now that she is in her toddler bed, she doesn't get out. She still waits for us to come and get her in the morning. That was a pleasant surprise. I can't believe how grown up she is!

Seven weird/ funny things tag

• I don't drink the last swallow of anything
• I wash my hands a million times a day
• I love reading medical books- even ones about cadavers
• I think raw chicken is really really gross, I hate touching it
• I can't smash bugs because I hate the crunching sound, and I get grossed out thinking all their insides are being squished
• I won't eat meat with bones in it
• I love going to school

I tag Sarah J., Sarah C., Lori, Val, Kayce, Shannon and Bergen. Post a comment so I know that you know you've been tagged!

Avery is two months old!

Our little baby is not so little any more! Avery is already two months old. We still haven't caught her smile on camera yet, but we are getting close.

Avery is our little angel baby. She already sleeps five or six hours straight from the time she goes to bed. She hardly ever cries.

Avery loves to be touched on her face, but does not like it when you touch her hands. She can already roll over from her tummy to her back because she hates it so much. She has found her hands, and sucks on them all the time. She loves to look at you and smile. She loves it when you give her attention- she will even talk and coo when Bailey "plays" with her. (Bailey still needs to work on the being soft thing. This week she was into Avery's eyes.) We love our little girl. It already feels like she has been with us forever, we can't imagine our family without her.

Graeter's Ice cream

For those of you who have come out and visited us, we have probably taken you to the chocolate factory tour. It's free, and you get a chocolate peanut butter buckeye at the end. Bailey and I have been on the tour more times than I can remember.

Good news, we have found a new tour! On Bethel Rd. there is a Graeter's ice cream tour. Well, it's not really a tour. Their factory has open windows, like the chocolate factory, with signs telling you how they make the ice cream. It is actually pretty interesting. They only make two gallons at a time, and hand pack each pint. (I won't tell you anything else, in case you want to go). They don't give you a free sample at the end, but you can try all flavors of their ice cream before you buy a scoop. The best part of the tour is that there is a playground in the store. Bailey had a great time playing with her grandpa instead of eating her ice cream.

Born to shop

My dad took these pictures of Bailey while he was in town. They capture one of Bailey's favorite things to do- shop. It doesn't matter what kind of shopping, she wants to go.



She loves to try clothes on, and ask if they are cute.



She also likes to hide in the middle of clothing racks. That is not so fun. Luckily, she's so loud we can always find her.




When we were with Mike's parents at the outlet mall, she found a shirt that she thought was cute and told Mike. He told her it was too big for her, and she said, "Not for me, for mom!"

She's only two, so we might be in trouble. Right now it's pretty cute, but in ten years... it's a good thing Mike is going to medical school!

Trick or Trunk & Trick or Treat

This Halloween, Bailey decided she wanted to be a pumpkin. She also wanted her grandma to be a pumpkin, and her grandpa to be an alligator. Everytime you asked her what she wanted to be, that's what she said. So, her grandma got Bailey, Avery and herself pumpkin costumes. For some reason, they couldn't find an alligator costume. Here are some pictures of our pumpkin patch:

Avery is one cute little pumpkin!

This is what Bailey does when you ask her to say cheese.

We had a fun time trick or treating this year. At first, Bailey was very tired and super shy. Once she realized she was getting so much candy, she warmed right up. I'm pretty sure Bailey got extra candy at some houses for being so cute. She would tell people about her little sister, the little pumpkin. She could hardly wait to get home and eat her treats. Lucky for us, she has been very good about sharing her candy. Maybe next year Mike and I will have to dress up with our girls.

Circle S Farms

My blog is fairly new and already I'm behind! Here are some pictures of us at Circle S Farm the weekend before Halloween.

Bailey love-love-loved having her cousins in town. She cried when it was time for them to leave.

They had this really fun hay playground inside a barn. While Bailey was walking around in there, the hay went up to her knees! I'm not quite sure how anyone could breathe in there, but the kids had a great time.

Pumpkins and Ponies

On Saturday Mike was on call, so Bailey, Avery and I went to a farm that was down the road. We went on a hayride, which dropped us off in a corn maze. I wasn't expecting a corn maze, and Avery was in her carseat. Managing the corn maze carrying that thing around was a little tricky. Bailey loved the maze. The corn was so tall- we really felt like we were lost in there. Once we got through the maze, we got to pick a pumpkin. They spread out lots of pumpkins in a big empty field. Bailey was a little trooper. She picked a little pumpkin, but it was still too heavy. I was loaded down with the carseat and my pumpkin, so I couldn't help her with hers. Every few feet she would drop her pumpkin and take a break. Finally, the guy who drove the tractor helped her carry her pumpkin. She is usually pretty shy with strangers, so I was surprised when she kept talking about the "really nice guy" who helped her carry her pumpkin.

After we rode the tractor back, Mike met up with us. Then, Bailey went on a much anticipated pony ride. We had been talking about it for a while, and she made it clear she wanted to ride a little pony, not a big pony. When the time came, she was pretty scared. I put her the pony, and she really wanted to get off. Once the pony started walking, she felt a little bit better about it, but she would never actually touch the pony. Holding onto the saddle was about as much as she could handle. She thought it was pretty exciting.

We love fall in Columbus. There are so many fun things to do!

Bailey's First Haircut

On Monday, Bailey got her first haircut. I put it off for as long as I could, I didn't want to lose those beautiful curls. She has seen Mike cut his hair many times, so she wanted him to do it, but he only knows one style- his.

I took her to a place called "Cookie Cutters" that specializes in toddler haircuts. I wanted it to be a fun experience for her, and I wanted her to get a cute style. Bailey got to pick the car she wanted to sit in, and a show to watch. After her haircut, she got candy and a balloon. She looked great! It was weird seeing her with her hair different. She has always looked the same. It has taken us a few days to get used to it. We love her haircut, and the best part is, she still has her curls.