Growing Up

My girls are quickly growing up around here!

The most recent newsworthy event is that Belle has finally given up her pacifier!  I had been really talking up the Paci Fairy with her.  I told her how if she left all of her pacis on the table overnight the Paci Fairy would come pick them up and leave her a present.  The pacis would be given to new babies who didn't have pacis yet.  Belle was instantly interested when she realized she would get a gift. 

I was finally able to get Belle to make the plunge by letting her know that I spoke to the Paci Fairy and she promised to bring Belle two Barbies.  We even made a phone call to the Paci Fairy (thanks to my dad who played a pretty good fairy for us :-) ), and Belle told "her" she wanted to give up her pacis.

Our first night wasn't awful, but it sure broke my heart.  I put Belle to bed and as I sat downstairs I started to hear her cry.  She was crying to herself in her room and genuinely sad.  She said she went to find her paci and then realized it was gone and asked if she could have it for "this many more minutes" (while holding up five fingers).  I totally felt like she had said goodbye to a really good friend she had for the past three years.  She eventually fell asleep and we got through that first night.  The next morning she was MORE than thrilled with the Paci Fairy's gift.

Since then there have still been a few tears, but overall Belle has officially moved beyond her pacifiers.  Evie takes the same ones, and she hasn't even tried to sneak hers, although she did ask me if she could have one of Evies.  It has really not been as painful as I anticipated, and she has done so well!  Now, if we can only get her to quit peeing her pants....

As far as Evie goes, she has been quite the communicator lately!   Yesterday I brought her downstairs and as soon as she saw Paul she exclaimed, "Dada!"  Tonight she was crying in her crib and when I walked in her room she said "Mama!"  I truly believe she knows that those are our names, and it isn't just her babbling anymore. 

I am learning that Evie is a very headstrong child.  This may also be her age, but that girl can throw a tantrum.  I really need to video it some time, because it is quite the performance.  There is insanely loud screaming, a ton of stomping, arm waving, and throwing herself on the floor.  Really, I can't help but laugh.  Her tantrums are almost choreographed. 

Evie is learning to communicate to us what she wants more and more.  Today she brought me a water bottle and then walked over to the sink and made some whining noises to get my attention because she wanted me to fill it with water.  I LOVE that is is getting easier and easier to figure out what she wants.

My girls are growing quick. Each stage has its pros and cons.  Some stages I am happy to see pass, and there are others I feel a little bittersweet watching go.  Either way, I'm glad I get to hang with these crazy girls all day and get my own private concerts like this:

Living Up To My Blog Name

I just read a blog post of a friend of mine where she showed everyone pictures of her house and it's mess.  It was awesome, and inspired me to do the same.

We live in a world where we so many of us strive for this ideal concept where we have to have an immaculate home, an amazingly healthy dinner on the table when the hubs comes home, flawless bodies, and children who behave perfectly.  I have to admit that I took a picture of Evie today and quickly moved some toys, a spoon, and a rag because I didn't want people to actually KNOW I had a messy family room...and *gasp* let my children play in it!

Now, I understand that MANY people are gifted at keeping a tidy home, and this is definitely something they are really good at.  The rest of us are all jealous of you :-)  My sisters and my mother are natural housekeepers.  Things are clean, tidy, and have a specific spot.  I, however, was not gifted in this area.  Clutter doesn't bother me as much, and for the life of me I CANNOT seem to find a place for every random piece of junk that enters my home.

I have learned different systems to keep things manageable in my house.  My house usually looks like a tornado during the day, has a nice quick picked up look to it by the time Paul gets home, and by the time I got to bed I try to have all the toys put away and counters cleared.   It doesn't always happen like that, but if my kids are alive and the hubs is happy it's a good day, right?

The pictures below were literally taken 10 minutes ago:

My counter looks like this daily.  Random pot, book, markers, Meijer bag...and I am guessing I am hoping the flowers detract from the disaster. 

This is actually pretty good for my family room during the day.    Evie:  "Mom, would ya clean up my mess?"

Our side room.  This room is easy to walk passed without looking in.  Today Evie wanted to play with the beads, and apparently throw them everywhere.  The towel is left from cleaning up the dog water that she spilled, and the cards are what she decided to pull out of our craft cart.  Walking tornado.

My sink.  I guess I am hoping the candle takes away from the smell of soggy Lucky Charms.

Oh, laundry room/bathroom.  How I despise you.  Belle likes to drop trou  here,  and I believe that is a diaper Evie pulled out of the garbage and dropped there.  On top of the dryer is my hair and make up.  Obviously the laundry room is the best place for that.

My TV stand.  Yes, that is a can of Cream of Chicken soup on top of it.

There ya have it.  How my house looks today....well my main living area.  Hopefully I made some of you feel better about your mess, and hopefully I didn't give others of you anxiety attacks.

Oh, and if anyone wants to chip in for a live-in housekeeper, or just someone to follow Evie around all day to pick up after her I am all for it :-)

Things I Never Said As A Kid

There have been so many times lately I hear Belle say things and I think to myself, "wow, there is something I never said as a kid."  I finally decided to write some of them down.  Please feel free to comment with your own!  I know there are more, but this is all I could come up with at the moment.  

1. "Mom, you need to find it in the App Store"
2. "Can I bring the iPad up to my room to read my book?"
3. "I have to wait because it is loading."
4. "Are you checking your email?"
5. "Is that your Facebook, Mom?"
6. "Can I play a game on your phone?"
7. "Mom, will you type in the password?"
8. "Can I watch a movie in the car?"
9. "They have Dora on Netflix."
10. "Mom, are you downloading that?"
11. "Let's FaceTime Elmo."
12. and, she swipes her finger across EVERY screen she sees, because she thinks everything is a touch screen.