It could be worse?

I really do try hard not to complain too much on my blog, but some days I just can't help it. Last week Abby was sick. She is still on her antibiotics, but is feeling and acting great. I think she got Trevor sick. He hasn't eaten hardly anything since last Friday and has been running a high fever. Kim took him in and they said he has a viral infection, so no antibiotics - just Tylenol and rest. Well, of coarse Ruby is sick now. Yesterday she looked like someone punched her in the eye. It was swollen, red, and gooping with puss. I brought her in to the doctor and she said she has a bacterial infection that has settled in her eye and an ear infection with over 103 temperature! She has been so pathetic. She just sits on the couch and every now and then will get up and try to play, then she tells me she needs to take a break. At least we have antibiotics, eye drops, and Tylenol! Besides a high fever this morning, she seems to be a little better today. It is so sad, but I am trying to pack for 4 people because our plane leaves at 9:00am tomorrow morning to go to my sister's wedding. Kim, bless her soul, is watching my girls and I am whizzing through payroll to hurry up and get back home. I guess it could be worse... she could have gotten sick the day of the wedding? Wish us luck and I'm sure I'll have tons to post when I get home.

Fun, fun, fun!

OK, a little weird, but if you are a parent, you understand:)))
Squirrel hunting at the park!
Pool time at the Allen's.
Aubrey would not take off this hat, she is too cute!
We thought it was awfully quiet upstairs... they took every book down!

It seems like these weekends just keep getting busier. Friday night we went to Kim's for afternoon pool time and ring around the rosie - see Kim's blog, the video is soo funny. Saturday morning we met up again at the park. It was way too hot for us and even for the kids. They pretty much stayed in the shade the entire time. Abby climbed up the fire engine and went down the slide by herself - it was hilarious because she got totally sideways going down. I think they had the most fun walking back to the car and "hunting for squirrels". They were so cute running around and yelling at them. That night we had a girls night Bunco at Kelly's friend, Casey's house. I actually wasn't very excited about it. I've never played before and didn't want to make a fool out of myself. Boy, was I wrong! I had a blast, the game was easy, and even better: Kim and I split the pot - $100 each! After the game we all sat around and exchanged parenting/birthing/baby stories. We stayed a little later than we should have, but it was worth it. Casey was an awesome host and Kim and I are already trying to figure out how to match it - we host next. It's like American Idol - no one wants to go after the best singer!
Sunday morning we went to Schooner or Later for Anthony's cousin Greg's birthday. Happy Birthday! It was so beautiful and early enough that we didn't have to wait very long. The girls were so well behaved (thanks to a little help from the portable dvd player:)) that I actually got to eat my breakfast HOT! We had a great time visiting with Anthony's family - his aunt and uncle, Fa and Rick, were way too generous, they bought us all breakfast and even got the girls a book - which Anthony read to Ruby before bedtime:) Thank you!
After breakfast I went to Kim's and we packed all the kids in her car to head to the Allen's. The kids played in the pool and destroyed the house - sorry Ang! Abby got her first fat lip, but only cried a little bit - she tumbled down the hard wood floor stairs - I tried to really monitor her, but she is not one to be contained. Angie had mimosa's and chocolate covered strawberries - YUM! We headed home and spent the rest of the evening inside. I hope Trevor is feeling better... we had a great weekend and are excited for Jessica and Dan's wedding this weekend in Oregon!

Poor Abby!

They had me put this gown on Abby and she looked so stinking cute!
Goofing off
I think this was the last smile of the day:(

FIRST NOTE:To back track a bit, Abby has gotten up at 4:45 for the last couple of days. I had a small inkling she may be coming down with her usual cold/ear infection or that maybe she was just going through another "stage". Yesterday was her one year old check-up and, of coarse, she had a fever and another ear infection! ENOUGH! I feel so bad for her. The last few nights I keep waking up to her whimpering. They gave her a stronger antibiotic, Sulcor, that we need to give her once a day for ten days. We got it down successfully yesterday, but today she puked it all up! On the up side, the doctor thinks all these colds/ear infections are caused by allergies??? So, at her 18 month app. she will do blood work to try and figure it out. I hope they can help her. I know it is not that big of a deal, but my heart breaks every time she has to deal with this. She is such a trooper!

SECOND NOTE: REALLY, do they have to give them 4 shots at one time? This time they even gave her one in her arm, actually behind her upper left arm into the triceps! I asked why before she did it, but she just said that was procedure now because it's too much to have 4 in the legs. I was thinking she was crazy, the arm seems way more painful. I was right. She cried the first three in her legs, but the one in her arm seemed to devastate her. I must say, it devastated me, too. There is nothing like a mother watching her baby be hurt. And, yes, I know it is for their own good... When we got home we both slept on the couch together, with her face right in mine, while Anthony took Ruby for a 20 minute bike ride.

LAST NOTE(on a lighter side): When the nurse weighed and measured Abby, she had to double check that it was her 1 year app., and not her 18 mos. She is 27 1/2 lbs. and 33 inches! Then when the doctor came in, she pulled her chart and asked how tall Anthony was. The look on her face actually worried me a bit. I said he is a little over 6ft. tall. She didn't use the word "abnormally" big, but she showed me her growth chart, and Abby is about 10% over the 100% mark on height and somewhere in between 95-100 in weight. I HAVE A BIG BABY. My response: "well, actually doctor, I am a month late for her check-up. she is really 13 months old". Nice try... she said there is nothing to worry about because her height weight ratio is even. Then, even funnier - I love the girls doctor - she said "Gosh, she sure is different from Ruby?? I think Ruby will be running around with princess dresses and she is going to be your Tom Boy!" OK, I get it... she's big and a Tom Boy... and I couldn't be happier about it!

P.S. Anthony, Kelly and I are finally going to a Dodger game tonight!!! Go Dodgers!

Birthday Parties & more

Happy Birthday Jack!

This weekend was a lot of fun... for the most part:) Friday night Kim and Kelly and the kids came over for pizza and salad. We like to get together on Fridays to vent about our week and at the same time the kids play and have lots of fun. Saturday morning we went to Chick-fillet for lunch, a car wash (Kim's idea:)), and let the kids play on the Toddler park. Abby is so daring, she climbed to the top and stayed up there the remainder of our stay. When we had to leave, I kept telling Ruby to put her down the slide. I could here her yelling at Abby to get out, but I don't think a 13 month old understands. So, I had to climb up there, tubes and all to get her out. First and last of all... it was disgusting... there was old fries and chicken crumbs all over the place. Parents: just don't think of it next time, I guess. It was Jack's big 2 year birthday party. They had tons of friends and family over, a great bounce house with a slide(see video), and delicious food. Brady the Brave started a slide revolution for all the kids. He was jumping, rolling and somersaulting off the edge. Well, everyone had to join in, and surprisingly, so did Ruby. If Abby could have figured out how to get up the ladder, she would have been all over it. At one point she was rolling and jumping around in there and she fell out. There she was on the ground, stuck between the bouncer and the step... laughing. The parents around were so concerned and a mother picked her up. I strolled over to let them know she was fine, then put her back in before she squirmed out of my hands. Sunday morning my mom and I took the girls to Seal Beach. It was beautiful!! It was way too crowded, but we stayed for about an hour, then headed home at 12:15. Abby fell asleep right away and Ruby did about 10 minute before we got home. I was sooo excited... could it be possible for them to take a nap at the same time? Anthony wasn't home. Was I really going to be able to sit in peace and quiet and watch the end of the Dodger game? NOOOO! They both decided that that was their nap! I think we were all cranky the rest of the day. Ruby had an accident on our area rug that prompted me to rip it out, crazy woman style, through it in the back yard, vacuum, and deep condition our hard wood floors. The I took them outside to play and Abby stands at the edge of the driveway(I'm nearby watching her out of the corner of my eye) and waits for me to look at her, then starts walking into the street. By the fourth time :<... I spanked (more like patted) Abby's bottom. Really... Ruby will be 3 this summer and I have never had to spank her. My spanking rules: harm or danger. They are SOOO different and that makes me SOOO happy! I don't think I could handle 2 Ruby's or 2 Abby's and for totally different reason! Thanks for the fun party, Shannon!

Bike Rides & the garden

My peaches!!!
Ruby's garden... she loves it and keeps telling me how much it's growing.
Heirloom tomatoes
Green Beans


This is so stinking cute! Anthony bought this seat for Ruby when she was 6 months old! We just attached it the other day. Ruby LOVES going on rides around the block with Anthony and I think Anthony loves it even more. He watched this video about 20 times last night. We haven't taken Abby, yet, but we will tonight and I'll let you know what she thinks. The only problem is: Anthony read the warning label and the weight limit is 30 lbs!!! He asked me how much Trevor weighed because he wanted to take him next time he came over. I said he weighs about 40 lbs, so he was bummed. Then I informed him that Ruby weighed 36 in early December! Should we not take her anymore??? NAH! I just told him we will buy one for behind, then put Abby in the front and Ruby in the back and I will be guaranteed at least ten minutes of peace and quiet and I'll sneak a glass of wine.... he-he! Also, I am so excited about my garden. There are about 20 peaches on the tree and I can't wait to taste the heirloom tomatoes. I hope everyone has a WONDERFUL DAY!

It's been awhile...

Papa and Ruby
Jess and the girls... Ruby would you look???!!!!!
Me and Chrissy
Jessica and Bridesmaids Mindi, Kellie, and Danielle

OK, so I haven't blogged in awhile... between bridal showers, being sick, and birthdays it seems like time is flying by way too fast! Last weekend was my sisters bridal shower. The shower was a lot of fun and I enjoyed catching up with my childhood bff Chrissy and her mom Diane. It is almost eery how similar are lives are today: she also has 2 girls, emergency c-section with the first, natural with the second. It was so good to see Jessica, but so sad to say goodbye. The girls love her and Ruby can't stop talking about taking a plane to Auntie Jessie's wedding! Sunday we took the girls to BBC and Shoreline village. Ruby got a kick out of all the boats and birds with Papa. The next few days I was sick, but Friday was my birthday and we celebrated ALL weekend! After pizza and beers on Friday night, a bbq on Saturday with friends and family - kids in the pool, we topped it off we a girls only champagne brunch on Sunday at Duke's. It was beautiful, the food was great, the champagne was delicious, and sitting around and chatting with Kim, Ang, and Kelly was the best! After getting home at 4:00(he-he:)), we packed up the girls and spent the evening at the Young's for a bbq and I got to hold baby Addison for awhile. She so darling, but Ruby was worried that I was going to take her home... she is so sensitive! She kept asking if she was my new baby and if I was going to take her home. Abby got a little jealous, too. So, it's monday and I'm back to the slave grind. Thank you to my love, Anthony, my family, my girls, and my best friends in the world for caring about me and my birthday... you guys are the best!

Ruby & the Potty

It is so hard to get a good picture of Ruby smiling. This one I got because I told her that if she didn't look at the camera and smile, she was going to bed(it was 7:30pm).:) It worked! Potty training is going amazingly well. She goes 2-3 times a day, is letting me know, and is proud of herself. I guess all the hard work and persistence paid off this time: 3 weeks. I know that doesn't sound long, but when you are trying to make dinner and keep a 1 year old happy, it's so time consuming to sit in the bathroom half the night. And yes, I am going to wait one more week and put the potty back in the bathroom. She goes potty at my mom's house, too... in the bathroom. We are so Proud of her and Lucky to have such a wonderful daughter! Abby has been great, too. The baby babble is slowly turning into meaningful words... not many, though. She says mama, daddy, Hi, uh-oh, and(just like Ruby) no. She is starting to really mimic, too. She does it when I say "tick-tock" and "swing-swing" - not super clear, but it's funny. Kids, and I mean this as a general statement, are truly amazing to watch grow and develop. They are all so different and all so special in there own way. Ruby and Abby are completely different, and I love them and adore them with equal passion and intensity!