Future Gymnast???

Ok, she probably wont be a future gymnast but she is learning! She is my daughter and if you know me, I am NOOOOOOT graceful one bit :)

Madison has been in Gymnastics for 3 weeks and has been practicing her summersaults and has finally "mastered" it. I am using "mastered" very lightly because its still rough and its looks as though she is going to break her neck but she is SO proud.

Last Saturday Madison decided she was ready to do them all by herself! I got them on video...hahaha! Just so you know its a rough video and my voice is just annoying...so I apologize but I wanted to share Madison's new skill.

Daddy is so proud :)

TJ and his duck and geese calls...oh JOY!!! Lets just say he usually has to practice his calls when he is going to work so I won't kill him. It is loud and ANNOYING!!! Well he brought them out on Monday...yippeee! Of course Miss Madison wanted to try it and Avery thought it was HILARIOUS!!! For as annoying as those things are it was funny to see how much fun Madison had using them!

Look how excited Avery was to take a picture :)

Here is a video of Madison using the calls!!

Good Morning Everyone!

Hope everyone has a good morning!

Here is Miss Mad this morning in a GREAT mood...going shopping and holding her baby! Although, Daddy said she can NEVER shop at that store ;)

**Sending a prayer out to Grandpa Gene!

Weekend Flash Back!

Hope everyone had a great weekend! Our weekend flash back!

On Thursday (aka St. Patty's Day), we went to the local elementary school and went to an open gym. Madison had a fun time just running around, going down slides, jumping on mats, climbing on tunnel type things, going down a glider, swinging...all in all it was fun! We were there for an our and it was fun and Avery had fun taking it all in! We will be going back again :)

On Friday we went to a local bar/restaurant for the all you can eat fish fry! OHHHHH heavens to Betsy was that delicious! All you can eat Fish...yummy! We will be going back! Lets just say both my kids ate SOOOOOO well! Avery has been so picky lately and has been such a hit and miss kiddo! She would eat really well one day good and then the next gag on food! Well, she proved me wrong on Friday. I brought food I know she would eat in case. She first started eating a hamburger (kids menu) and I don't know ate about a 1/4 of it by herself and then ate some fish! She was a miss piggy and was so happy that I got her to eat some normal "human" food.

Saturday, Madison had gymnastics/tumbling and had a good time! TJ and I went on a date night. Thanks Mar and Todd and Shel for watching the girls! Glad they were good! They had a movie night and watched Toy Story 3 and Madison had a WHOLE bowl of popcorn and watched the movie! She was so excited and asks all the time to have popcorn and movie! So I am thinking if there is a movie that comes to theaters that is VERY kid friendly, I may venture out and take her. I of course will have a large thing of popcorn, Icee and candy... :)

Sunday we did our normal weekend Target run. We got Madison her first pair of rain boots...pictures to come a different day! She was so happy and proud of them. She said she is going to jump in the water. She is too cute! We got some lunch at Chipotle and lets just say that was a DISASTER! Madison and Avery would NOT touch their tacos and I only had half of mine...it was a failed attempt but now we know not to take the kids to Chipotle.

AND if ANYONE wants to know...AVERY TOOK HER FIRST TWO STEPS! I about pooped myself because I was so excited. I was getting her ready for dinner and she is always standing by herself with out holding anything and I backed up and said "come on". She took one step and then took another and then I started screaming. I thinking I scared everyone and her too! Then of course after I scared the crap out of myself, Avery and everyone else she wouldn't do it anymore! Such a proud moment! I do have a feeling it will take a while because she seems happy crawling and she is QUICK! So I will keep practicing and maybe one day she will start doing it more! I was just SOOOOO excited!

Someone is Excited

Avery just hanging and watching other kids run around!

Madison was a climbing machine!

Can you tell she is tired and ready to go home...aka not listening to mom and dad :)

2nd Week of Preschool Time

Madison had "school" on Wendesday...her second week! She was very excited! Daddy even got to go with us this time and she enjoyed that company! This week Madison was not as shy and interacted with other kids! She is still learning that she needs to share a bit but did VERY well!

I can tell that she is the older child and doesn't like older kids trying to tell her what to do or if she is doing something wrong!

Here is a funny and interesting story:
There was a boy who is about 2 years older than her and been in the program for a over a year so knows everything very well! He is also knows "everything"! Of course Madison who is very stubborn and also knows "everything" was playing with a tent type of a fire truck thing. It has a door that is a flap-type fabric thing and Madison was "pretending" it was a blanket and this boy was telling her it "WAS NOT a blanket, it is a door" and was starting to get really upset that she didn't get that! If anyone knows Madison she isn't quiet and of course she yells back "it's a blanket"! This went on for a minute. Then the rest of the time this boy would try to correct Madison in everything she was doing. Madison then would holler back at him and was getting upset. I don't blame her one bit because I would have done that same thing. But as a MOM, I didn't want her to get mean or yell stuff back at her so I tried to tell Madison that she needs to keep her voice down and then tried to redirect her to a different activity. It was quiet humerous seeing Madison stick up for herself and wasn't going to back down. TJ even stopped me a couple times and told me to let her go she can do it herself...that was hard! I wanted to "save" my pumpkin from her getting upset! She held her own and we were quite impressed! Other than that she had a good time and I glad that TJ got to see his big girl do such big girl things!

Here are a couple pictures of Wednesday!

She was making TJ and I coffee and was VERY careful at keeping the cup on the plate! She is such a little mommy!

Reading "Gifford" aka Clifford the Dog!

Avery's 9 Month Stats

Well Miss Avery is growing wonderfully and continues to be OVER the charts in both height and weight!
She weighs: 24lbs
Her height: 30in

We address her continuing respiratory problems and the use of all the steroids that she uses for opening her airways. She has restricted airways which causes Bronchilitus/Pneumonia. Her doctor does not think she has anything serious because she is growing and developing so well! She does want Avery to go see a pediatric pulmonologist to discuss what's going on and if we are doing everything correct. I think this is a good appointment and will put our minds at ease and hope its just a rough winter for Avery and she will grow out of it! So say some prayers that she has a good rest of the month and no more colds/sickness till her next speciality appointment.

Here is our little miss shamrock!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Ok...I REALLY tired to get some cute pictures of the girls this morning.

It was NOT a successful shoot:
First, Madison will only smile NICELY for maybe 1 second and then by the time I can get Avery to smile, Madison stops and does the smile below :)!

Second, Avery was more focused on the TV and then giving us a crazy smile!


So all in all it was a fail of shoot but I had to post because it is St. Patty's Day...plus they are still cute :)
I also did NOT buy anything St. Patrick's Day specific but dressed them up in green!
I also LOVE this day because Green is my FAVORITE color and I had about 6 different choices in shirts and boy was that a tough choice...hahaha!

Tumbling Class

Sorry this is a bit late...better late than never right!

Like I explained in my previous post, Madison has joined a tumbling/gymnasitcs class every Saturday! It is something she LOVES! It gets her out of the house and just let her energy gooooo! She has so much fun and also allows her to meet new friends! So here are pictures of Madison and some of Avery enjoying watching Madison run around! Madison is excited for Saturday! Its daddy's turn to run around with Mad and I watch Avery play (we take turns)!

Avery loved seeing Madison run around!

Yes, that is Madison, she decided to run around and then realized we were all in the tent and came running back in! It was funny!

Madison swinging from the rings!

Picture is kinda blurry but Madison enjoying flipping over the bar!

Avery loved to pound on the glass

Yes, Miss Avery already meeting friends! TJ said the minute he put her down on the ground she went right over to the boys and started playing!

Avery having fun with Daddy

For you that have wondered, yes TJ came home on Monday from his work trip to New Jersey. He was not a big fan of it and was glad to be home. His flight got delayed an hour and then sure enough when he got to the car in the parking ramp...FLAT tire! To put it nicely...he was NOT happy ONE bit! He put the spare on and drove to a tire place and since it was a new tire they fixed it for free :) After all his shannigans from his trip to his trip home he was glad to be home

The girls were SO very excited to see him. Avery is starting to get a "tiny" bit more towards a daddy's girl (but she is still obsessed with me)! She had fun with him. He was playing with her on his legs and she was laughing and its always so fun to see her laugh and smile! She has such a pretty smile.

Tomorrow is her 9 month check up so I will post the results of her stats then. She is becoming to be such a fun baby! She is copying things that we say or do. Her new one is if we "roar" (like a lion) she will do her own "roar"! Its adorable! She loves watching her sister but will be the first one to push her face away from her if Maddi is bugging her! She is FAST at crawling and always right behind me when I am around the house! She is saying MOMMA! YIPEEE! About stinking time right :) She has said, momma, dadda, numm numm, papa/bopa (I think I heard it)...

So we are keeping our fingers crossed and double crossed that she is over her cold/bronchilitus stuff. I stopped using her neb on Sunday night....so far so good! Say a nice prayer for everyone that has had a rough winter with the sicknesses. Its not been a good time for a lot of people!

Here are some close ups of the girls right after they woke up...just had to share! Hope everyone has a great week! TJ and I are looking forward to a date night this weekend. Its much needed :)

Who is stealing Madison's and Avery's socks??

I would really like to know who is stinking stealing all my girls socks. I can be SOOOO careful and make sure I put both socks in the laundry basket and I ALWAYS end up with a bunch of missing socks. It DRIVES ME NUTS!!!! I don't get it. Who ever is stealing them...please bring them back because the other sock is lonely and needs its match :)

After two loads of laundry for the girls...these are all the socks that didn't have a winning match! In to the stack of non matches they go :(

Time Change Sunday

So we had to set the clocks ahead an hour. I will miss that extra hour of sleep but I DO LOVE that it stays light out at night time!

The girls slept till 7am...well technically 6 but with the time change it was at 7am! That was a GOOD time of nice sleep! Neither of the girls woke up at all last night...it was a GOOD night! I am OK with the our lost because they slept through the night with no problems!

Its also a lazy day. I am in my pajamas still and its 12:45pm and I am OK with it! I finally put away the laundry for the girls! The only thing I plan on doing today is vacuum the basement and clean the girls and our room!

OH and I also dressed the girls...that was better than yesterday...they were in the jammies all day :) Avery had a GOOD morning nap and Madison has been such a good girl! Its been a good day so far! OH and guess who comes home tomorrow......Daddy!!!! Yaaaaaaaaaa!

OH and I won one of the brackets for State Boys Hockey Tourney...I get to be queen for the day and NOT DO ANYTHING and be waited on!

Here are some cute pictures while I was putting laundry away and a video to daddy!

Avery playing and looking cute!

Love this face!

Madison wanted Avery to sit in the basket with her!

Madison playing in the laundry basket!

Madison found her hat...and can you see that small hand...its Avery ready to grab her head...hahha!

Here is a video for Daddy from Madison Jo :)

Can't Wait for Monday

I am looking forward to Monday BECAUSE my lovely hard working husband comes home.

My husband (TJ) recently accepted a promotion at work back in September. He now travels once or twice a month. At the time of the promotion offer he was about to start the police academy. It was a hard decision for him to make and we supported his decision. Lets just say I am proud of him and all that he is doing for his family. I do know that when he does go away for work, he feels bad and doesn't like to leave his girls but in the end it only betters us as a family, him and his company! He is GREAT at what he does and continues to succeed! He doesn't get much credit and I want to make sure he knows how much he is appreciated! Just know honey, I love you and all your girls miss you and can't wait for you to be home!

Its been an adjustment for me when he goes for 5 days at a time (up to twice a month). It is all ME that does everything. We are all surviving :) It can be very tiring, draining, exciting, fun, testing and loving! I try to make the best of it and try my best! I know I am not perfect and my limits are tested and my voice raises but in the end the girls go to bed at the same time every night, fed, bathed, loved and perfect! I always have to remind myself that the reason why he is working out of state is to better us as a family and better his career at work! I just can't wait for him to come so I can sleep and shower...hahaha...just kidding dear :) Another good thing that has come out of his traveling is that "the absence makes the heart grow fonder". I believe that when he is away it really speaks volumes of how much he does for us when he is home and how much I miss it. I also believe that when he is away he truly can't wait to be home with his girls/family...no matter how crazy and loud it all can be...he misses us and we miss him!

I do KNOW one thing is that I couldn't make it happen if it wasn't for family that have offered to help while he is gone! I have such great family offering to help where ever it is needed! With out family I would fall apart! It makes it a bit easier for TJ leaving for a few day knowing family is available and always willing and offering to help.

And to end this post...how can you NOT love spending every second with these two gorgeous girls. They are full of personality and love its crazy!

"We miss you daddy!"

Just fartin' around

I was just playing around with the camera while the girls played in their room!

This girl REFUSED to eat supper tonight...

The dark grey/blackish used to be light grey...This is what happens when you live in Minnesota! I love my Shox but hate how they get dirty so fast!

Mommy and Madison Jo

She can reach....

the PIANO...great now we will have two kiddos pounding on the piano!

Naughty Naughty Naughty

I knew Madison was causing some trouble because it was awfully quiet in her room.

This is what I found when I opened her door...

Naughty Naughty Naughty

WAY excited...

BECAUSE look at what I can do to Avery's hair now! It is finally long enough to put in a pony! It may not be 100% thick but WHO stinkin' cares because I have been waiting to do this for SO long! Yipppeeee!

"Preschool Time"

Last night was the first time for Madison's new class! I can't believe my "baby" girl is growing up so fast and already doing things like this. We even discussed Preschool for next year-fall...yikes!

It was fun and different for Madison! She was a bit shy but it was a NEW thing with all new toys and she just walked around exploring everything! She did water colors and colored! She played with: babies, kitchen, books, cars, blocks, music stuff, puppets, farm animals and the sand bin! She also had the opportunity to play/run/jump on a slide, trampoline, mats, balance beam type things! Then the last 15 minutes we all get in a circle and sing songs!
She enjoyed it...she even said goodbye and thank you to the teacher and said see ya next time :)

Here are a few pictures...I just used my cell phone. I didn't want to be that mom who brings out my big camera on her first day, so I snuck some pictures of her playing. Give me a couple more class sessions and maybe I will be "that" mom!

It was fun and something Madison will look forward to going on a weekly basis!

Playing with some cars

Taking a BRIEF momemt to read a book or just the cover :)

Playing more cars

Of course Madison playing with the babies and the kitchen! She will be such a good mommy when she gets older! She loves her babies!

Madison playing farm...she actually sang "Old McDonald" while playing :)

Fun things going on...

We have been very busy lately and I have been slacking on the posts. Here is whats been going on...

• Traveling: TJ has been busy traveling with work the last few months. It will slow down after this trip...he is in Jersey till Monday! Ya!!!


• Sickness: Avery has been getting sick back to back. She has had her second bought of Bronchilitus in the past 3 weeks. We were affraid she had pneumonia. Thankfully it wasn't that or else she would have to have some tests done as to why she is getting sick so much and all respiratory junk. BUT for now, she is a stronger oral steroid and also having to use a nebulizer with two different medications for the neb. I hope this will kick whatever she has. I just hope its nothing serious causing all of this and she will grow out of it soon! I am lucky its nothing serious but as any parent you never want your child to be sick!


• Gymnastics: Madison is been a busy bee. She is starting a gymnastic/tumbling class on Saturdays. She had her first class last weekend and LOVED it! She needed to get out of the house and RUN RUN RUN! It will be a fun bonding thing for us on Saturday! Avery LOVED to watch through the window and of course was "that" child who bangs on the glass while watching her big sis :) Also like the last post...her finger tends to go to nose ALL the time...gross :)

• Preschool Time (ecfe class): Madison is going to a class once a week (starting tonight) and she is SO very excited! Everytime she sees a school bus she gets so excited! She always says she is going go and paint. She is too cute! She also got a new cute small play backpack from her auntie and LOVES it! It has her new found obsession...princesses. When I told her she will go to school on Wednesdays she gets this excited face and says, "BACKPACK"!!!! She is going to have to much fun. Stay tuned for an update...hoping it will go well tonight!


• The BIG ONE: Avery will be 1 years old soon....YIKES! I am trying to plan her party or get it figured out and where to have it! I know its only a 1 year olds birthday party but she a bunch of younger aged cousins and I want them to have a blast too! OH the things you do for your kids to have fun :) I also tend to go overboard and try to make everything perfect!
• Deals: I also get VERY excited when I can get a GREAT deal on things, especially for my girls! I get an email EVERY morning from http://www.6pm.com/ telling me all the shoes/clothes/accessories (for men/women/kids) that are on sale. Yes, its a hit or miss most of the time but on those couple times I get some GREAT deals! If I had the money, I would have SOOOOO many shoes :) I just realized that Madison's tennis shoes were too small and old. Of course I got an update that Nike was having a sale and WALA I got her shoes for WAY cheap! She was very excited for her new shoes. I let her wear them with all the wet and dirty snow outside, BUT I carried her to and from the car...haha! Sorry for the blur...it was done by the phone camera!

Just had to share a cute moment...don't mind the cords behind the TV or the camera quality (phone).

Avery's New Thing

I keep telling her that is not how we make friends...hahahhahaa! How can you just not laugh and giggle when you see that face and that finger in her nose :)