Sisters

We got these cool t-shirts as a gift that read, "Big Sister Allie-Ann" and "Baby Sister Isabelle." I put them on the girls today and my intentions were to get some great shots of them but Belle wasn't having it, so it was a quick session. This is the website the shirts came from if you are interested...www.zoeyspersonalizedgifts.com  I thought they were really neat, thanks goes out to the Checketts for getting them for us. I've been solo this week with Kyle going back to work. It felt like the first day of school for me here too just trying to get adjusted to the three of us at home without another adult for company. It's been pretty calm so far but trying to get them both down for a nap at the same giving me a few minutes of my own has not be easy. Allie-Ann STILL does not take naps but she continues to have a quiet time to which she is pretty good about. She gets her one choice book and toy and has an hour to herself. Belle gets her one choice setting, bouncy seat, swing or crib....she wants the swing most of the time. Go figure, right? I will say that Belle is a champ at this nighttime sleeping. I worry all the time about if I'm doing the right things raising an infant. I usually put her down for her last feeding at 8:00pm....I still think this is really early considering Allie-Ann's last feeding about this time for her was around 11:00pm. But Belle is taking it and not complaining so I'm not either. She usually wakes up around 2:00am/3:00am for another feeding and then goes back to sleep till 7:00am. Another interesting thing about Belle is that I can put her in the crib wide awake and she is fine self-sootheing herself to sleep. It wasn't like that for Allie-Ann. So I guess the saying is true that no two babies are alike. But I'm enjoying this one...even if it doesn't last long.

I told you Belle wasn't into taking pictures this morning...but I had to get a picture of them wearing their sister shirts.

Notice that the screaming crying doesn't faze Allie-Ann...she just takes it all in stride.

I'm already getting the 'Ol Mom look from both of them

My little stinker

Belle is losing her hair if you can't already tell. Maybe she will be a blondie like her mommy was.

Short Beach Trip and Lesson Learned

We took a short beach trip to Isle of Palms to stay with Grammy and Aunt Debo. It was fun but at the same time stressful managing all the gear, diapers, clothes, and other accessories that are needed when traveling with a 5 week old and 2.75 year old. Man alive if you could have seen our house prior to leaving for the beach...I'll paint a picture for you. Allie-Ann is running around butt-naked, yelling and screaming. Her hair was in pig-tails but somehow one tail fell out and part of her hair clip was attached to the end of the falling tail. You couldn't even see her face from her hair covering it. Then you have Belle that is screaming crying for some reason that cannot be explained when dealing with an infant. I'm running around frantic trying to get everything together. If you don't know me then I will just tell you that I have OCD and have to have everything packed in order because I will freak out if Allie-Ann's clothes is mixed in with Belle's.....yes, it's an awful problem and one that I hope with having two kids will teach me how to let go. Then there's Kyle who had to take the dog to the kennel and managed to go to a grocery store 10 miles from the kennel in the opposite direction of our house just to buy diet cokes for the road. Needless to say he was NOT at home with all the craziness of getting ready to go to the beach....however, I don't much blame him...it was wild! Then we finally manage to get everyone ready and in the car...(bliss) and I will say that it was a rather peaceful trip until we got to Summerville and Belle lost it again....which results in us stopping at Chick-fil-A so I can feed her. Kyle gets everyone an ice cream to which Allie-Ann spills all over the place...I'm at a point where I don't really care and find it extremely funny. We make it to the beach and both girls are out....sweetness!!!!! It was a fun little trip and I just loved the big front porch with the rocking chairs and hammock to relax in while hearing/seeing the ocean. It just makes all the craziness of life all so worth the trouble when you can be at a place so tranquil. I think both Kyle and I are feeling the effects of the lack of sleep we are getting. Last night Kyle poured water into in his ice cream bowl...yes there was ice cream in the bowl at the time. And I pumped for 15 minutes without bottles attached.....so goes the life of a mom of two. I got some great advice from a friend that said you are a mom when you have a child but you are REALLY a mom when you have more than one child. I can so agree.

Here is Belle being rocked by her 'rocking' Grammy!!

Allie-Ann actually smiling for the camera...just not looking at the camera. Can't have it all.

Allie-Ann is not at the stage of ignoring her sister. She is CONSTANTLY around her and wants to touch her all the time.

First Road Trip for Belle

We took Belle on her first road trip yesterday. We went to see Kampa and Grammyma for the day. It was nice to get out and about but at the same time I was terrified about traveling 2 hours with a ticking time bomb Belle, but surprisingly she did really well going and coming. It was a crazy day but overall we survived and everyone is still in one piece. Here are a few pictures to share. 

Belle with her Kampa!

Aren't these girls just adorable!? This is Allie-Ann with her cousin Ella.

Say cheese!!

Allie-Ann playing with bubbles

Playing in the sandbox...a favorite.

Kampa giving the girls a ride in the bucket swing. I just loved this when I was little...do they still make these today?? I'm sure they don't or if they do they probably have plenty of safety buckles and harnesses.

Belle with her Grammyma...just a snuggle bunny!

Allie-Ann helping Kampa make homemade ice cream!

Bucket Head

I'm envisioning plenty of parent/teacher conferences in the future with our Allie-Ann. She is such a nut, and loves being a nut. Her sense of humor is uncanny for such a little thing. We found her in the sandbox like this the other day. Allie-Ann just cracks me up. This is such a fun age.

Belle took a nap in her own crib today!! What's better is that I had both girls in their beds for a nap at the same time, one took a nap the other didn't....can you guess which one didn't take a nap????

So....Allie-Ann has been very successful with the potty, however, teaching her how to wipe has been another challenge. We found our living room covered in toilet tissue. Trust me, we are trying to raise this child not to be so wild but we are failing miserably.

Belle is 1 month old today!

Our Belle is 1 month old today! I can't believe how fast this month has gone...but at the same time all the days seem to run together. Belle is doing well, she is such a sweetheart. She is nursing like a champ and feeds every 2 hours/ 3 hours at night. I'm starting to see some expression coming from her face...a little smile and she is following objects so the mobile might be coming out. We will also bring out the activity mat soon too. I don't know how much Belle weighs but considering how she is filling out, I'm thinking she is close to 9 pounds...maybe. I will say that it's been hard finding time to blog and do housework, run errands, etc. With taking care of Allie-Ann and her things, along with nursing Belle, I find having some time to do things very challenging. I've pretty much worn the same outfits and haven't even thought about using a hair dryer....this will need to change. Ha! I have been walking each day and trying to somewhat get in shape again. That will come with time too as I plan on training once again for a marathon....not anytime soon though because my priority is my baby. Here are Belle's 1 month pictures.

You Know You are From the South...

when you let your toddler run around in the sprinkler with just her undies on.

Allie-Ann continues to bond with her sister.

BIG, BIG NEWS!!!!

Allie-Ann is using the POTTY!!!!!!!! Yes, you heard me....she is stopping play to go to the potty all by herself. And who's to thank for all of this.......



You got it.....Kyle!!! But I do believe that I helped get her there too with the endless months of training. But Kyle was diligent in making sure she was going frequently while I was working with Belle. He used Froggy potty as opposed to the big potty and that seemed to work better for her. I will say that we still have some more work to do but she is consistently using the potty (the last couple of days) and we are thrilled for the moment!!!

A picture of Kyle bragging about his accomplishment!!

Allie-Ann reading to Belle