Sleep in? What is that?

Well, my parents have graciously taken the kiddos for the weekend so I can rest up and turn back to nice mommy instead of cranko-potomus mommy! So, one would think that if I am free of children that I would sleep in? WRONG! Its like my brain has this automatic alarm set for 7:00 a.m.! I guess that is a good thing.. I wouldn't want to get use to sleeping in til 10:00 this weekend and turn back into a cranko-potomus.

Yesterday I had a complete "ME" day! Went and got my hair done, took myself to dinner, did a little shopping (ended up buying a super cute outfit for Andrew). :)

My parents are taking the kids to get their pictures taken today.. I can hardly wait to hear how it goes. My bet is Isabella won't even sit there to get her pictures taken! We will see.... :)

Well, off to relax some more :) How do I do that again?

*YAWN!

Well, it has been a taxing couple of days! Andrew has decided that naps just aren't his thing! Makes for the longest day ever for mama! I have to admit that I just couldn't take one more moment of his crabbiness today so I just put him in his bed and let him cry. My heart was breaking, but within 15 minutes he was sleeping. I did just order some darkening shades for his room, so I am hoping this will solve our problem!

Isabella has said some pretty cute things the last few days. She was wiping my shoulders the other day and told me she was trying to get the dirt off. I told her that it wasn't dirt, I had freckles. She told me to go take a bath and get rid of them! If that wasn't hysterical enough, I was on the computer the other night and she walked in the room with her hands on her hips and said, "Mommy, I am so mad at you." How could I not burst out laughing? She cracks me up!

Andrew is still trying to crawl. He has getting up on his knees mastered. He is starting to get frustrated. He has the determination and my prediction is he will be crawling within 2 weeks! I will be posting pictures of him trying when I upload them to the computer.

I have made a physical appt. for Monday. I am having a lot of bruising with a ton of fatigue, so I thought it would be best to get things checked out. Hoping it is nothing major. My guess is my iron is low. We shall see!

Well, I guess I am going to use this quiet time to lay on the couch and try and get a few winks in myself!

It has been a while!

Andrew enjoying music class in Atlanta!

It has been quite a few months since I last blogged! A lot has happened.. I guess the most important thing that has happened.. my little girl turned TWO!!! How has two years gone by already? She is in full force by the way... the girl talks up a storm, knows how to throw a mean fit and at the same time look into my eyes and just make my heart soar to the moon! Isabella is full of personality. She loves to sing. Her favorite artists at the moment are Lady Ga Ga and Taylor Swift or "Taylor Switch" as she calls her. I can't believe what a little person she is becoming. She knows what she wants and knows how to get it. When asked who her best friend is she replies "mama".. how sweet is that? I hope she continues to say that as the years fly by. In just a few short months she will be starting PRE-SCHOOL! I know she will just thrive! She is such a smart little girl and funny too! I think one of my most favorite things she told me the other day.. she threw her stuffed cow out of her bed because he wasn't being nice to her! I asked what he had done and she said that he wouldn't stop crying so she gave him the boot!! We recently went to the cottage over Memorial Day weekend and she had mini muffins.. my aunt was going to take her outside and she looked at me and said, "Mama put my name on them." We all just burst out laughing.

Andrew is going to be 7 months old this week. How is that even possible? I guess I am finally realizing the saying.. Enjoy them now because before you know it they

will be off to college! Andrew became a big boy at 6 months and started sitting up on his own! He is so proud when he sits too! He claps for himself! Andrew has finally overcome his reflux issues. He is just a joy to be around. He has the biggest smile and the cutest belly laugh! I can't get enough of this little fellow. His eyes are as blue as the ocean. He is rolling all over the place! I think in about a month we will have a little crawler on our hands. He is just starting to get up on those knees. I know I will be in trouble once it happens! He is going to be one quick little guy!

We took our first family vacation down to Georgia of all places! It was my lovely idea to drive with both kids (NEVER AGAIN) We did it in two days.. and those were really two days too long. Once we got there I felt like we were home again. Amber was so nice and let us stay with her and the family. Isabella and Evan picked up right where they left off. They played so well together. It was nice seeing everyone again. We got our fill of our favorite restaurants and we were able to visit Vanderlyn. It was so nice to see everyone. Andrew upgraded from his infant seat to a big boy car seat on the way home. I must say.. he was a much happier baby on the way back! When we returned home I decided that we were weening from the breastfeeding. I made it to my goal of six months and couldn't be happier about it. Andrew has transitioned well to the formula. He loves ALL food! Everything we have given so far he has loved (he did make a face with peaches) but all is good now :) I still can't come to grips feeding him meat out of a jar... I couldn't do that with Isabella either. He just started eating puffs and he LOVES them :)

This summer is going to be busy for us! We start music class in a week! I am so excited. We actually tagged along with Amber and Evan to two music classes and Andrew just loved it. He is a natural singer! He sang along with the teacher. I think she secretly hoped that we would be there each week so she could see precious Andrew sing his heart out :) I am hoping to sign us up for swim class soon too! Isabella absolutely loves the water! When we stayed at the hotel in Kentucky she turned into a fish. She even had Doug dunk her under water.

Doug and I are heading up to Traverse City again for our anniversary. We have decided to make this a tradition! I can't wait. The kids will be staying with Grammy and Papa. We will be gone for 3 days! I am hoping to get some amazing pictures. I have actually taking a huge liking to photography . I am going to try and eventually be a children's photographer. I have a lot to learn. I am going to sign up for a class in the fall.

Lastly, I finally broke down and hired a babysitter to come here 2 days a week. Her name is Laura and both kids love her. She will be here on Mondays and Wednesdays for a couple of hours. Doug's hours are so unpredictable, that I just need someone here to take care of the kids while I get stuff done. I will actually get to clean house (those of you that know me pretty much know that isn't my thing) I figure I will have the babysitter during the summer, and during the fall and winter months I will get someone to clean the house.

Well, I have made a vow to myself to be better and update this if not daily.. weekly. I have loved looking back already at things I have already forgotten that have happened. :)