Wow.

Emma said to me this afternoon, "I can't wait to meet the little baby girl"

"What baby girl?", I replied.

"Our baby girl".

"When is she coming?" I asked, to see what she would say. . .

"Today." Emma said without hesitation.

"I don't think she's coming today, Emma, I don't even have a baby in my belly".

She thought for a minute and then said, "She'll come when Heavenly Father gives her to us."



Wow.

I am in no way ready for another child right now. In fact, I get all sorts of looks when I am out and about with them like "what in the heck were you thinking!" I know- I feel the same way, too, half the time!

Our trips to the library always seem to bring out those looks from people. I go to the library because the books and videos bring us all a measure of sanity here at home, but getting them can be a little hairy at times.
This last trip to the library started off rough because Grant was tired and fussy. I had hoped he would fall asleep in the car seat on the way there and that he would just sleep through it, but no such luck.
So, this is what we look like going in: I have the double stroller with Grant in his car seat clicked in to the back part and the front seat holds our HUGE bag of books and videos to be returned. You'd think it would be wise to strap the 2 year old in, but truthfully, I can't hold that big bag of books for long and she hates being strapped in anyway and the protests bring more looks. So, I have to make both girls grab a hold of the side of the stroller to keep them safe since I can't steer and hold their hands in the parking lot. A motley crew for sure.

So, we make it safely inside (Luckily no one gets hit by the automatic door opening- ya- we did that before- screaming ensued.) Arianna bolts straight for the childrens' section. Emma follows a little more slowly and Grant is still fussing. I am still hoping he might drift off. No such luck. The girls start playing with the Giant Panda bear who sits on a chair next to the Children's librarian's desk. I remind them not to pull him off the chair, but rather just to say hello. Then they move on to the other toys and begin to play. (They don't pick out any books or videos at the library any more- they are more interested in playing.)
I finally pick Grant up to try to calm him a little, but realize I can't pick out books if I am holding him. So, I find a board book to keep him occupied and luckily it works. I quickly pick out the books and try to lure the girls away from the toys by letting Arianna hold my key chain with the library card on it. Emma was jealous, however, so I took the little light I have on my key chain off and let her carry that- reminding her not to shine it in anyone's eyes. We get up to the counter and start the check out process and I turn around to see Emma shining the light in Grant's eyes! So, I swiftly take it away from her and she starts screaming. At this point there are about 3 or 4 people in line behind us as well. Great- more looks.
Arianna, meanwhile is crawling around under a table nearby trying to find a way to swing from a cross-beam. At least she is close by and in sight.
We finish up and I load all the books back in the bag attached to the stroller and try to get out of the way of the next person in line with Emma trying to dig through the books to carry one- of course, she is indecisive and is undoing my packing job. I park where I think I am out of the way to put the books back in and try to keep Emma happy. I am apparently not out of the way because people keep asking me if I am in line to return books! NO! Just trying to pack my stroller!
Meanwhile, Arianna is taking off again. She heads back to the big bear. I can't see her because the childrens' librarian's desk is in the way, but I see an adult looking down at her somewhat amused and kind of trying to figure out how to intervene or at least figure out who the responsible party is. Yup, she has dragged the bear out of the chair and it is making its way out of the children's area into the main part of the library with Arianna yanking on it's arm. So, I try to move Emma out of the way so I can get to Arianna and the bear.

I finally get them out to the car after a small battle over putting the coats back on. Phew! It's a little exhausting, but we all survived and we have a new stash of entertainment for the next few weeks.

Last time we went to the library for story time Arianna pressed the call button in the elevator and got the fire department on the intercom. Lovely. We were only going one floor, so by the time the operator came over the intercom for me to explain what is happening, the elevator door is mad at me for keeping it open for so long and starts to make that horrible noise and starts shutting, not before I can get the long double stroller out and the front wheels got stuck. A couple of Nannies came to my rescue and we finally got it loose. (There are very few moms with the kids in the library and at the parks around here. Usually it is me and the nannies!) What an entrance! I think the girls liked story time at least and amazingly that time Grant slept through the whole thing!
The other day at play group one of the other mom's with only one child said to me, "Wow, you get a workout simply going from point A to point B."

So, WOW is right! I am definitely not ready to have another baby anytime soon. Sorry, Emma!

Arianna's Birthday Celebration

Arianna asked for a Winnie-the-Pooh cake for her birthday this year. I was not up for creating Pooh with frosting tips, so I decided to buy a figurine to place on top of the cake and then she could have it to play with afterwards, too. (You'll notice in the "Emma's favorite pass time post Arianna has it on the desk next to her-it's her new favorite toy.) We saved Pooh until the very last minute, but had told her he was going to come. She was so excited when she saw him!

This video cracks us up. Kenneth and I watched it over and over again that night just to hear her talk about Winnie-the-Pooh coming to sit on her birthday cake. What a funny girl!
Also, thanks to our dear friends who came to share in the celebration!

Arianna is 2 Years old!

Arianna turned 2 years old today. She is my sweet, crazy, funny, outgoing, fearless Wild Chicken! We are so grateful to have her as a part of our family and I can't imagine life without her. We had her 2 year old check up today and she is healthy and thriving. She weighs 27.2 pounds- that pits her just over the 50th percentile for weight. Her height is 34 3/4 inches- 75th percentile. She is 3 pounds heavier than Emma was at this age!!
She was born so quickly that we almost didn't make it to the hospital. She came out like a rocket and has been full-speed ahead ever since! Here are a few pictures to celebrate her little life!
Arianna was only 5 pounds 14 ounces when she was born- so tiny!
Emma peeking in at her new little sister
2 weeks old- taken by a very talented friend in Liverpool.
She didn't stay tiny for long! She chunked right up!
Such a happy baby!

She always has enjoyed a lovely Summer afternoon!
Arianna loves to play with her sister!
Baby's first Christmas!
Happy First Birthday!
She sure did enjoy that cake!
She always has enjoyed mealtimes.
Little Blue Eyes
Sisters
Fourth of July with Dad
First pig tails
Smiley girl
Silly lady
Always wants to walk- no stroller for her (if she had her way all the time that is!)
On her 2nd Birthday (yesterday) I cut her bangs earlier this week. her hair was constantly in her face!
Opening her present from Mom and Dad. She loved it!
Arianna, we love you so much! You are growing up so fast and are such a smart, beautiful little girl!

A Saturday in Our Nation's Capital

Last Saturday we spent the day downtown D.C. We had a great time with the kids, even though it was a little bit like herding cats at times! The girls always get so excited to ride the Metro. We walked to the front of the White House and then went to the National Museum of American History. We were quite a sight; we had the double stroller with Grant in his car seat and one of the girls in front and then an umbrella stroller as well. (Emma still can't walk that far without complaining.) (Arianna would want to walk if we let her, but she is all over the place!! We seriously consider getting a leash for that girl!)
The highlights of the Museum were seeing the Star-Spangled Banner (the original one that inspired Frances Scott Key to write the Star-Spangled Banner) It is quite large and in a huge chamber with the words of the song projected above it. Emma asked me what it said. I got all choked up as I read those words to her. I am so thankful to live in this wonderful Country. What a blessing!
We also saw the Lunch Counter from the Woolworths in Greensboro, NC where the Sit-in occurred during the Civil Right's Movement. Wow. I can't even imagine what a different world it was back then.
We saw Kermit the frog, the Ruby Red Slippers from The Wizard of Oz and the First Ladies' dresses from the Inaugural Balls.
There is also a really great area called the Spark Lab where the kids spent a couple of hours and had a wonderful time.
All in all it was a wonderful day. Arianna had a melt down on the way out of the museum. Lovely. I guess that is to be expected when you are almost 2 and didn't have a sufficient nap.

The caravan- waiting to get on the Metro Elevator

The Washington Monument in the background

The White House

Kenneth and Arianna in front of the White House

Emma, Heidi and Arianna

Little Grant Man bundled up in the stroller

A dollhouse at the Museum- the girls loved it!

Arianna loved the Legos!

Daddy playing with Arianna

Climbing on a canoe in the kid's section.

Grant giving Daddy kisses

So cute! I sure love these 2 men in my life!!

More evidence

Found more evidence today to fully convict Emma of being the Mother Hen we always knew she was. Get a load of this. . .

Under each one of those blankets is a doll or animal who is taking a nap. Emma carefully monitors who wakes up and is constantly in and out of their 'bedroom' to check on them or retrieve them, whatever the case may be. Then she proceeds to feed them 'out of her belly' (Her understanding of nursing). Then she changes diapers and dresses and undresses them, or shall I say I end up dressing them as she can't do the buttons and snaps very well. I tell you I spend more time dressing animals and dolls than I do real children (and that, of course, is something, since I have three small children!!).

70 cents well spent!

So, we went to a thrift store the other day and I happened to buy this random bag of pom-poms and some little craft birds and stuff just to have it on hand for various Joy School and other projects. Little did I know these things would turn out to be the toys of choice for the week!! Emma and Arianna had a blast playing with these for hours!

They each had one of the little birds which they would cover up with that little piece of cloth (thanks, Mom!) and use one of the pom-poms for a pillow. Then they would make nests and all sorts of things. What a riot!

Arianna randomly decided to wear this dress-up outfit for a good portion of the day.


Busy and happy!