Feelin' Ready...

Lia continues to make us smile with cute things she says and the funny way she says them. There are a lot of 'w's in her words and "Look at my legs" can't sound any cuter than "Wook at my wegs". There are "woodles" too, which we like hearing, and sometimes more than one thing has the same sounding name- like "candles" could be referring to sandals, or handles (on the stroller) or just candles. "Pountains" could be fountains or mountains. Tonight, though kind of gross, but had us in stitches, was her questioning our main dish- the beef, in the gravy, for beef and spaetzle. She asked if it was chocolate, which was cute, and we told her no, it wasn't. So then, she says, "Is dat popos?" We laughed so hard. I'm sure beef and spaezle will never be the same at our dinner table.

These are shots of my snugglies after naps...they usually watch a show when they get up. Lia prefers to lounge on mommy and daddy's bed. We had fun today, celebrating daddy's birthday. They helped me make the cake this morning, and yesterday, we had wrapped up his presents. Ellie was so eager, she had to show him the present right away. They were really cute in the store picking out a card (a musical one, of course) and wrapping paper. We were in the party section, and Ellie was very adament that we had to have special plates for the cake (I had an idea to make Bill's favorite, a coconut cream pie, but was outnumbered), and she picked out "Cars" plates. We would have had the party hats too if they'd have had them. (Bill breathed a sigh of relief :) It was fun to celebrate together. When I talked with them to ask what we should get daddy for his birthday, last week, Lia said "an airplane". I thought that was really perceptive. We did incorporate her idea in a neat watch we found that had a plane on the band, and looked like the instrument panel on the face.

I had been working to finish the girls' room, but then changed gears to finishing the baby's. So now, I'm back in here, and finishing it up. Other than touch up paint in some places on the wall, I only have the tent fabric to redo, and it will be complete. It really has turned into a great space for them to play, and I'm really pleased with it.

This was the final touch in the baby's room- getting some hanging space in the baby's closet. Since there is so little storage space in our house, we really had to keep some in this closet for our things, so I incorporated a wall of shelves that went into the deep space on the left. To access that, and the storage space for us up top of the whole organizer (you can see the top in the next pic), plus the fact that the wall of the closet backs the laundry room and the dryer vent, etc, I had to get creative with including hanging space. Ta da! I had imagined up this design, and it worked! I was so pleased. It sits on one bracket, and hangs down to include a second hanging bar, and can be removed completely when you need to get at the shelves. I was so proud :) I told Bill that I could rent myself out next year... "Chick with a drill", and he says I'd need a byline- "She brings spackle." (Yeah, that is pretty handy stuff ;)

Almost set...

This past week has been a busy one, checking off the "to-do-before-the-baby-comes" list. I'm thankfully feeling pretty good still, so I've been able to take on some big projects, like the closet organizer in the baby's room. It's all finally feeling like it's coming together, and I've made a lot of head-way. I know it doesn't all need to be finished, and perfect before that big day, but I know it will be quite some time afterwards before I'll be able to get to any of it, so I'd like to get to the big (and important, like car seats) stuff. The girls have been dolls and have patiently found things to play together while mommy is running around the house cleaning like crazy, and have been good on our outings, picking up needed things. I've tried to balance what I'm doing with taking them out for play, and here's a moment having some fun in the water.

Only one project left, and the girls' room will be complete... these are their new lights, and an addition to their "kitchen". (Presented by her royal highness, Princess Ellie (which she refers to herself as at times). She had us trying not to laugh before naps the other day, presenting a dance to all of us (we had to sit down and watch), where she twirled, and raised her leg...all with one eye scrunched up and closed. It was kind of like a pirate ballet :) We have no idea where she got that from, that you dance with one eye closed, but it's hilarious- a bit deranged, but hilarious. I guess I'd better get this girl into dance lessons!

And...ta da! The baby's room is 95% complete. Aside from the crib and rocking chair in our room, the closet organizer is in (ok, almost all of it), the changing table is ready and stocked with teeny tiny little diapers, the dresser is full of clean baby clothes, the baskets are arranged and categorized, and Aurie's name now dons the window top (an easy switch from the "Ell" to "Aur"). I added some lanterns for something new for our new little girl, to make it hers. I love it all, and can't wait to be rocking her in there.

More Adventures

We've had a lot of fun showing Auntie Tanya and Peyton all our favorite spots around town this week which included a wonderful morning at the baby pool. It is so perfect for them since it's only knee deep. Ellie has enjoyed going there since she could walk now, and Lia had a blast this first time going for this summer. She was a bit hesitant at first, but by the end was so proud of herself (you'll see the proud grin) when she could sit on the bottom by herself and then get back up again. She'd do it over and over, throwing me a big proud grin each time she plunkered down. I'm not sure if it was her cute antics, or her absolutely darling new suit that had me darn melted. I just could stop smiling at her :)






And then, there was the mall. Who knew that a simple visit to the mall could turn into a whole event- it was like an amusement park :) We started at the carousel (with Peyton's first ride!), and then checked out the bunnies at the pet store...

For four quarters, Auntie Tanya and mommy got off easy :) and they had fun on a "ride"...

(She still has some darn cute legs :) )

The fountains were very entertaining...

And then, dinner at The Rainforest Cafe had everyone wide-eyed!

Our evening ended with a last spin on the horsies, much to their delight (though Lia opted to watch from the sidelines)...

(Pressin'some letters on the computer with daddy)

Splash!

We enjoyed a trip to the fountains yesterday with our friends who are visiting from Windsor. The girls had a blast, with Lia who has been hesitant in the water so far this summer even joining in. She had a new suit on that I could have gone to nibble her in :) Check out that ruffled bum! It's my favorite place too since it's fairly small and you can sit on the sidelines and just enjoy watching them.

Lia has had this funny habit lately of pursing her lips. I'm not sure if she's chewing the inside of her cheek, but it seems to be an absent minded thing, and rather cute :)

My little dolls :)

This one is mid jumping...check out the pig tails...and those little legs...want a nibble? :)

Ellie, daddy's little engineer was figuring out how to make a trapped spout. It's so neat to see how she really does think like Bill, quick to try to see how things work.

Movie Stars...

All dressed up for an evening out...

The "princesses" dancing their hearts out...