One of the best things about having children...

This is the basket we use to hand out candy. It was empty before Sasha came home (I made sure of that). And now it's filled AGAIN, almost to the top. Sasha's bag was almost too heavy for her to carry. It is also holding Wonder Woman's wrist bands and headband. Well...she was tired!


...is that you benefit from their cuteness. This is Sasha's loot from Trick-or-Treat tonight. Our neighborhood LOVES her and so if she goes to a house 2 or 3 times, they don't care. In fact, they tell her to come back later. And, yes, as responsible parents, we could discourage that, but if they have good candy, how could we say "no"?

My girls

So remember, Matt and I talked Sasha into her Halloween costume this year. It could be the last year we get to do that. And I had thought that Eliana was going to be a flower until I found a Supergirl bib for her! Sasha was so excited. Just the other day we were talking about how we hoped it didn't rain for Trick-or-Treat and she said, "Ellie and I are a team and we'll stop it

The Cutest Girls, EVER!, Right Here

Happy Halloween!

Puppy Love

Murray likes to read, too!

Pumpkin Patch

Well, not really, just a tent in a church parking lot, it was hot and rainy, but still....

Signs

"Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Do you know how loved you are?"
Check out my other blog, Raindrops on Roses to see how straight I hung Eliana's name and to learn more about these gorgeous signs. Seriously, I'm very proud of myself.

Just Another Cute Dudley Picture

HIIII-YAAAAAAAA!!!!

Sasha is now taking karate classes 2 times a week. It was time to try something new so we went to a trial class and she loved it. Maybe, just maybe, it will help her with her coordination!

My Llittle "Helper"

What is it about dishwashers and babies? Eliana loves to play in the water (it's the clean water, Matt). She also likes to push the tray back and forth and back and forth and back and...

I Love My Big Sister

Prune Face

You can never call anyone "Prune Face" again (have you ever called anyone "prune face") without thinking of this picture. She was eating prunes and had just run her dirty hands through her hair. Yikes!

Bathtime Fun

Eliana is fascinated with the bathtub. If she hears the water running, she crawls as fast as she can to the bathroom. She can't wait to get in.

She's not a big fan of sitting still for pictures though.

Tastes Like Chicken

No, Murray can't be bothered to stand up and eat it.

Yep. Pureed chicken still tastes like chicken. Eliana wasn't too pleased with the taste but the dogs sure did like it. Of course, I made enough to feed an army so we're going to have to figure out a way to disguise the chicken!

My Princesses

Sasha went to a Fairytale Princess birthday party today. Much to my delight, they also had baby princess dresses. How could I resist?

Trouble

Sasha's birthday is at the end of April.

Tonight, she said to Eliana (because she was chewing on one of Sasha's shoes), "Eliana STOP! You're not going to be invited to my birthday party."

Oh no! How will we handle that?

Seriously though, I had to leave the room because I was laughing so hard.

Easily Amused

All it takes is a simple metal mixing bowl. Hey, it's one of the few things that has been recalled, lately.

Michael Jordan?

No, it's Eliana. She sticks her tongue out when she is concentrating. And before, my mom or sister comment, YES, I used to do that too.

Please excuse the food all over her. She is also pulling off her bib as soon as you put it on.

Family

It was nice outside the other afternoon. It was nice enough to lay in the shade. Eliana wasn't interested in having her picture taken.

Who is having more fun?

Mommy, Eliana or Sasha (who is taking the picture)?

9 month stats

Eliana had her 9 month check-up last week. She is 20.3 lbs (75%ile), 29 3/4 inches long (90%ile)! So it seems as though both of my children will be taller than me. Oh well, good for them!

We are going to have Eliana tested for milk and soy allergies. We haven't had much luck with dairy products and it's coming up to the time when we need to stop the formula. Poor baby.

The doctor was late and Eliana and I decided to play with the paper on the table. What else were we going to do?

Jeans

Eliana's first jean wearing day

Unfortunately for her, the jeans fit the way mine do, great across the tushy and huge around the waist. She has a diaper that fills up her tushy so what's my excuse?

Think Pink

Sasha got a haircut today. Our salon is selling pink extensions to benefit Breast Cancer so we both got one! What a fun thing to do for a great cause.

I wanted to try to explain to Sasha why we were doing this because she is the type to expect it every time. I told her that the money we paid for our pink hair would go to help doctors find good medicine for ladies who are sick. I explained that sometimes ladies get sick in their breasts and it's hard for them to get better so hopefully our money will help them find a way to get better.

Sasha then said, "Yeah, like my friend Jillian at school is sick so I have to give her my money."

Don't say I didn't try!

That's my girl!

She loves books. Mostly she just sits and reads them, although, sometimes she does try to eat them.

This is why I drink....

....coffee when I pick up Sasha after school!

NaNaDaDa

Eliana is more of a mover and a shaker than a talker. Finally, just the other day, she decided to give "Nanananana" a try and a few days after that started "Dadadadadadada". Video here.

Please remember, however, this video. Her first word was "Mum".

It seems like forever.

Two years ago today, we were granted custody of Sasha. It seems like she has been with us forever. All the tears that I shed and all the anger I had through the infertility suddenly seemed silly. In an instant, I forgot about the mounds of paperwork we had to prepare for Russia and the frustration of waiting and waiting and waiting. Two years ago today, I officially became a Mommy! While I was climbing the walls, waiting for my cell phone to ring to hear our lawyer to say, "It's official," Sasha lounged by the pool.

OUR FIRST FAMILY PHOTO

I need you to step outside, M'am.

Sunday morning, 7:27AM

Something made me open my eyes (guess my supersonic hearing kicked in) and I saw Sasha peeking through our door. Then, she turned around and ran out of the room. Sasha runs everywhere so I took my time, stretched a little, gave Murray a kiss---his feet were in my face so I had to, and sat up in bed. Just as I sat up, I heard the click of the lock on our back door and then the security alarm went off.

Well, I leaped out of bed and ran for it. Sasha was outside on the porch. I grabbed the phone because I knew the security company would call us to see if everything was ok, and then turned off the alarm.

While, I was waiting for their call, wondering why it was taking so long, I took the dogs out and got their breakfast ready. The phone finally rang but the caller ID said, "City of XXXX". I answered. "M'am this is the City of XXX police department and we have an officer outside your house. Could you please step outside?" Shit! I laughed and said, "Oh my daughter accidently set off the alarm but we're ok." She replied, "I need you to step outside, M'am and talk to our officer."

I went and got Matt out of bed because I still had on my pajamas. He went outside and assured them that everything was ok and I waved, in my robe, from the window. The alarm company had called but for some reason, it went straight to voicemail so they called the police.

Sasha, when asked why she went outside without asking, replied simply, "I was going to catch a frog and bring it in to surprise you."

I think I'd rather have a police officer on my front porch than a frog in my bed. Wouldn't you?

Just a little Mommy post

I just got this skirt and I LOVE it! It is so me! It is handmade and I thought I'd help out the Mama who made it. Well....and she and I have worked out a deal so I can order a pair of pants from her.
Click here to see the gallery of her projects. She makes adult and children's clothes.
Click here to shop.
If you order something from her, tell her that SunshineK sent you. (Of course, if you know my real name, you can tell her that instead.)

Happy Belated 9 Month Birthday Eliana!

Eliana turned 9 months on Thursday. I didn't have time to post because she is on the move. I can't turn my back for just one second. She's recently discovered a love of climbing the steps and she's very good at it, I must say. So, everytime I put her down, with a giggle and a scream, she makes a beeline for the stairs.

Here is my baby at 9 DAYS old.

And, here is she is at 9 months old, picking on her big sister, another thing she is very good at.