The Babies

...that is what we call them. Not Addison and Brielle or Addi and Brie or the girls... just the babies. Unless we are referring to them separately and then it is Addi Boo or Boost or Booster  and Brie or Brielley or Brielley Smelly. (which at some point she will really hate) but I digress...

Together they are the babies, because that is what they are, my babies. They fill up all of my days and the middle of my nights. They wave bye to the school bus with me in the morning and run to wrap their arms around brother and sister at the end of the day. They are the "dwink pees" to my mornings and the "dank ooo" to any snack time. They are the splashes in the tub, the dollies down the stairs and the crayon on the walls. They are the "bukwles" to my shopping trips and the "ta mon mamma, wets DANCE!" in the middle of every batch of cookies. They are the reason for my laughs...and most of my tears. --But above all they are mine, and I'm just so grateful for that. 

They are mothered and loved by big sister and they adore her in a way only a little sister can. They both randomly shout "Teecee" and wrap their arms around her. Besides mom and dad, Taycee's was the first name Brielle said.  Addison asks to sleep  in "Teecee bed" every night. Taycee is happy to oblige. One night I heard faint lullabies coming from their room followed buy a quiet "luv you Teecee" and then found them snuggled together asleep in Taycee's bed. They are blessed with the best of big sisters and she is blessed with them.

Addi has been in speech therapy for about 2 months now and although I find it to be a large waste of time her speech improves daily. As with all things thus far in life she just decides when it's time to learn or do things. Up until now she has not seen reason to speak and so she hasn't. However recently she has noticed things go a lot easier when she uses words. New phrases like "Of course mom!" "I can't see it anywhere." and "This is AWESOME!" pop out of her mouth and I am reminded that as with all things in life she may be slow to do it but do it she will.

She still loves all things Dora and was stuck on top of a box yesterday and yelled "HELP MOM! AYUADAME!" (which is spanish for help me) She also loves to color and will spend a significant amount of time with a piece of paper and a crayon box. Phoebe (the dog) puts up with her constant pestering (can you count being carried in a choke hold as pestering?) and still snuggles up right next to her on the couch.  Addison will not however tolerate anyone coming within a foot of wiping her nose and screams and flails her arms as if someone were trying to poke out an eyeball.

Addison's favorite foods consist of 

1. Cold Cereal ( mostly Captain Crunch but others will do)

2. Granola Bars, she asks for a bar every morning

3. "Samich" aka Sandwich which usually just means a piece of bread

4. Grapes

5. Cheetos

6. Any form of a treat. Which ever since Halloween she calls "trick or treat"

 Addison's least favorite foods are

1. Any form of meat, although last night she did eat a tiny bit of ham

2. Bananas

3. Mash potatoes

4. Anything with similar texture to above listed items.

 Addison will NOT perform. If asked to repeat or sing or do anything she will just stare at you with a blank stare or adamantly shake her head and say "nope". I have to secretly record her singing around the house or talking to me during lunch time to prove to others that she really can do things. Unlike her older siblings the spotlight is where she wants to be the furthest from. She much prefers daddy's lap.

Her strange illnesses continue and about 2 weeks ago her ear was separating from the side of her head. Seriously. It was the most bizarre disturbing thing. It was one of those things that I should have been quite concerned and rushing her to the doctor for, and definitely something you take a picture of. But being Addi Boo's mommy has toughened me up against strange and odd body ailments. so I didn't panic or take pictures. Ha. Luckily with some sterilization and a few creams whatever was eating at her skin was cured and her ear is fully intact and looking normal again. Chris and I were saying just the other day that 3 has been her healthiest year yet. I am not sure if it has something to do with the change in location or if 3 is just a magical number but we will take it either way.

Boost,

  Being your mom has made me grow and learn in ways that none of your other siblings have. I thought I had the mom thing down (ha! like that ever really happens) and then you came with a whole new set of challenges and blessings. You have made me more patient, more compassionate, and just a better mommy. You are the sweetest most loving little lady and there is a light that shines through your whole body.  You take life one step at a time on nobody's time frame but your own. I love everything about your little person and am just so grateful I get to be your mommy.

xoxo- Momma

 In stark contrast Brielle wants to take this life in leaps and strides. I beg and plead her to just slow down a tiny bit but she has no interest in that. Her only speed is really really fast and I desperately miss the days I kept her tied to my chest.

 Her most frequently used words and phrases are "mom, dad, uh oh, hi, lu yoo (love you),  uh oh dwop it, (uh oh dropped it), this, jooooos (juice), by by, Teecee, up, mmm good,  dank doo (thank you), wekom (welcome) and all done."

She speaks in jibberish most of the day and is rarely quiet. She loves to torture Addi and they spend a majority of their day poking and pushing and sitting for short stretches in time out.  She also likes to carry the poor dog around the house and we are very lucky Phoebe must love them as must as they love her.

Church is my least favorite 3 hours of the week because Brielle has absolutely no interest in sitting on my lap... or anywhere for that matter, let alone doing it quietly. We walk the halls for 3 hours each week. However in 2 weeks she will go to nursery and I will at least have 2 hours of baby free attendance.

Brielle's Favorite foods

1. Everything

Brielle's Least Favorite foods

1. Nothing

This girl eats... and eats and eats. We joke that wherever she goes she leads with her belly. Green beans top her favorites and carrots take a very close second.

I still pick her up every day and think my heart might explode. Being a mom is the most constant job there ever was, yet loving someone this much is the easiest thing in the world. She speaks peace to my soul and I am addicted to her soft plump cheeks and bright blue eyes. I have said it one thousand times, but I will say it one thousand and one. I needed her.

She has recently mastered to pointing to most of her body parts upon request and nothing melts me quite like her chubby hands blowing kisses. She has also started somewhat singing her ABC's with Addi and me and does the best "sssss" sound when we get to the letter S. Peek-a-boo and shape sorters are among her favorite games and she belly laughs when she is tickled under her chin.

 As of late she has entered a very naughty stage. There is no safe cupboard or drawer. We even invested in the baby proof latches witch took her all of a week to figure out. I try to never let her out of my sight but she is fast and I do have other little bodies to watch and care for. She got ahold of a glass cup last week and fell with it in her hand shattering the glass and leaving two tiny cuts on her palm and finger. To date that is the worst lasting damage but I fear for her future.  She is (for now) adorable though when she giggles hysterically upon hearing me say "no, no Brielley". When I try to give her a more stern "no" she makes direct eye contact with me raises one eye brow a bit, gives half a smile, shakes her finger and says "uh uh uh". After which I quickly turn away before bursting into laughter. She rules me, and at 17 months she  knows it.

My Miss Brie,

    You have grown up so much in the past few months. Gone are your baby days. You have fully embraced the toddler stage with all of it's freedom, new experiences and tantrums. There are still moments when you lay your head on my shoulder or fall asleep on my chest and I breath in the smell of baby. Those are the best moments. You loves shoes and phones. The first time you held my phone up and said "cheese" I knew you and I were going to be the best of friends. I can't get over how my heart needs you and your giggle and finger shake. You have my whole heart baby girl.

xoxo- Momma

Together the babies are a dynamic duo. And although some moments they are the worst of enemies  seconds later they are the best of friends... and there is no truer sign of a sister than that. 

In All Things Give Thanks

Our Thanksgiving plans were up in the air this year. At one point we were going to Tennessee, then it was D.C. then we were hosting at our house and at the last minute all those plans fell through. We were so blessed to have The Woodbury's, some friends in the ward, invite us over to join their Thanksgiving feast. It worked out perfectly because Taycee adores the Woodbury's daughter Taylor and follows her around like a baby chick. Kaden and Spencer are also buds so the kids were thrilled to spend the day with them.

I decided to "throw together" this little turkey favor.....6 hours later I had 18 favors.

The men were frying the turkey outside when all of the sudden it started to hail. Chris had thrown our awning in the car just in case. I wish I had captured pictures of them frantically putting it up but all I got was a picture of them holding it down and waiting out the storm.

The turkey turned out beautifully and was probably the most moist turkey I've ever had. So I guess it was all worth it. 

There is always so much to be thankful for, but always ranking top at that list is family and friends (who often feel like family). Although we were far from so many of the people that we love, I am  immensely grateful to have so many people to miss and for an upbringing that has made my heart yearn to be home.

Taycee Lynn

My Tasty Sweet,

  You have decided you don't like that nick name any more and say "I am NOT TASTY!" but I call you that anyway because I just can't stop. (I try to stop dad from calling you Tasty Poo but I think that name is also here to stay. Maybe if you ignore him it will go away by your teen years.) You have been my little Tasty Sweet since the moment you were born and although there was a year or two in there that you were more my Tasty sour, those days have past and you are my best little friend. 

You find wonder in the smallest of things, and still belly laugh when you find things funny. You excel at everything you try. You're kindergarten teacher has a hard time keeping you challenged in class and you are usually the classroom helper. You love reading and your eyes light up when you see words on signs or buildings that you recognize. I often find you leaning over my shoulder reading whatever I may be typing or texting. 

You have the tenderest of hearts. At parent teacher conference your report card was perfect but what really made my heart happy was when your teacher said "she is such a good friend to everyone." You often tell us at dinner time about the boys who aren't very nice but that you tried to be like Jesus anyway. I would wager that your brains will take you far in life but your kind heart will take you further.

You are a natural nurturer and will be the best mommy someday. There is a small (teeny tiny, itsy bitsy)  part of me that wants to have another baby just because of the way you love to cuddle and cradle and care. You are the best big sister and I often find you singing to Brielle or helping Addison. Last week I asked you to watch Brielle in the bath while I helped Addison. By the time I came back you had washed Brielle  got her out of the tub wrapped her in a towel and you were carrying her to her room to get her dressed. You have a knack for knowing when I am feeling overwhelmed and always rush in and say "mommy I will take care of the babies" then you usually proceed to dance with them in the living room or sing them songs on the couch. 

You are strong willed and determined. For awhile those traits made me quite certain we would never be friends but you have grown into those qualities quite beautifully. You have yet to set your mind to anything and not accomplish it, including convincing daddy to have the "heel" boots you so desperately wanted for your birthday.  You aren't afraid to work for what you want and aren't discouraged easily.

You love being "pretty" and would wear heel boots and a petticoat to any event. Thursday's are your least favorite day at school because it is gym day and you have to wear tennis shoes. Doing our nails together has to be one of your favorite activities although you equally love peeling off the paint once it dries so your manicures never last long. Everyday you ask to wear lipstick and putting sparkle on your cheeks is right up there with Christmas morning in your book. 

You have sass girlfriend. It fills up every inch of you. Someone at grandma's house saw a picture of you and said "Is she as sassy as she looks?" and the answer is "Every bit... and more!" But you are also loads of fun. You tease your poor daddy to no end. You learn quickly what makes people squirm and you don't forget it. Your latest weapon is Jordan, your "husband" at school. You play house together at Recess and you are certain you will marry him when you get older. He broke up with you about a month ago. You came home and said "Jordan said he broke up with me this morning" you didn't seemed phased though. That was short lived and you are his girlfriend again and you take every opportunity to remind daddy about that. I have had to have several secret conversations with him about how his reactions feed your teasing. He is working on it. I also had to promise him that your idea of a boyfriend isn't his idea of a boyfriend... yet.

You are my first little girl and you have surpassed all of my hopes for what you would be. You are a chaser of dreams, and boys. You are a comforter, and the master button pusher.  You are the "Sing me the goodnight song mommy" at the end of every day. You are the bouncing yellow curls down the hallway and the cartwheels across the living room floor. You will always be the first one who brought sparkles and hair bows into our house. Watching you grow from a little 5 lb baby into a beautiful little girl has been a privilege and I am so grateful the privilege is mine.

Taycee Lynn 6 years old

xoxo- Mom

Birthday shenanigans

Taycee requested a frozen cake for her birthday this year and although I wasn't sure exactly how to pull that off I promised her I would try. I spent the better part of two hours making icicles on the the side of a blue spray-painted cake. 

I make a sheet of candy glass broke it into shards and we had Frozen goodness. 

Taycee invited Ava her best friend from school over. I think she was more excited to bring a friend home on the bus than any of the party activities. 

We headed to Monkey Joe's (a large inflatable play park) for a couple of hours.

And ended with the long awaited frozen cake. 

On Taycee's actual birthday I was running my boutique at a craft show. She came along and we got to spend the entire day together. She was an angel and had no less than 5 people give her free things just because she was "too adorable" or "too sweet". She thought everyone just magically knew it was her birthday so they were giving her gifts.

 When we got home that night she opened up her presents from the family. 

I was worried about spending her whole birthday at a craft fair, but she didn't complain once. When I thanked her for coming with me she said "I couldn't let my mommy be bored all by herself!" She really is such a tender hearted little lady and I am so grateful she is mine.