Avery in the jumper

Avery loves to push herself around with her legs, so we got her a jumper. I don't think she's quite big enough for it yet. At least she liked sucking on it. (:

Good morning Bailey!

This is the best bed had Bailey has ever had! She calls it her crazy hair. It might be time for another haircut...

Barack Obama

As many of you already know, I voted for Barack Obama in November. (I also know that many of you did not approve). I was excited for the inauguration, as was the rest of the country. And then I missed it. I'm not quite sure what happened- most of the news stations were covering it all day, U2 was even there. Sometimes I feel like I'm on my own little planet. I'm pretty sure Fablehaven had something to do with it. And maybe having a house full of two year old girls.

I admit, that as much as I like Obama, the amount of attention and craziness that accompanied his inauguration had me worried. The media has been treating him like a rockstar, not a president. I hope that he can stay grounded.

Today I had a minute to read the speech he gave, and it reminded me why I voted for him. I think it is great how he talks about what we have to do, that the government can't fix all of our problems. I love how he wants to bring everyone together. His speech made me excited for the next four years.

Here is a section from his speech that I thought was very powerful:

"For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter’s courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent’s willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.

"Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends – hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism – these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility – a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.

"This is the price and the promise of citizenship.

"This is the source of our confidence – the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny."

Let's hope that he is not a wolve in sheep's clothing or a guy with a great speech writer. I really think he wants to make America better, and that his intentions are pure. I hope that he will be as great as the speeches he gives.

The Second Child

Poor Avery. Poor second child. With Bailey, we were anxiously awaiting every single mile stone. This time around we are surprised when she does something new. She rolled over? Really? When are they supposed to do that? Bailey I rocked and rocked to sleep when it was naptime. With Avery, if she won't go to sleep quickly, she just doesn't get a nap. When I dropped off Bailey at a babysitter for the first time, I was worried about her every second I was gone. When I left Avery with a sitter, I felt free and only kind of thought about her. Time seemed to crawl slowly by with the first one, and now, it's flying bye so quickly I can't believe it. Where did the last four months go? It's no wonder middle children have such issues (so I've heard, I'm the oldest).

I feel kind of sad that I can't spend the same amount of time with Avery as I did with Bailey. On the same token, I feel sad that I can't be with Bailey as much as I used to. I still have not figured out how to balance my life with two little ones. I'm wondering how people handle more than two...

I just have to make the most of the moments that I get with each of them. I'm learning again to enjoy each stage, it will be over before I know it.

I'm back...

It's been a long time since I posted, but I'm back. When I got back from Christmas break I got sucked into the Fablehaven series.



If you are looking for a book to read, this is the great one. It is series of books about a preserve for magical creatures. I won't tell you any more about it, in case you want to read it. The next one comes out in March, and I can hardly wait Until then, I have to take care of my neglected children, husband and house.

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.