We have not been as good about teaching Lily sign language as we were with Ava, but have been trying to be better. We have consistently been using the sign for "milk" when preparing a bottle and before feeding (the sign - open and close your fist like you are milking a cow). Well, she caught on! She now will do the sign when she is fussy and wants a bottle or when she sees you prepping one and gets excited. Yeah! So cute - and a great way to communicate. We loved using sign language with Ava and are excited to teach Lily more.
Power Outage and Field Trip
We had a couple of exciting events already this week. Tuesday night Elliott had just gotten home and sat down to eat dinner (the girls and I had already eaten) when the power went off. When we went outside to investigate we discovered that it was our entire street. By the time that I got through to the power company their message informed me that it was almost our entire corner of the world, several blocks surrounding the freeway. So for an hour and a half we entertained ourselves by candlelight, trying to get Lily to sleep during that time (finally!) without the use of a nightlight or noise machine. Elliott almost had Ava in bed when the power came back on, so in the end we weren't without for long. The girls didn't seem to mind at all (in fact I think Ava got a kick out of it), I was just a little worried to leave the room with candles going. Who wouldn't be when Ava knows how to climb up on the kitchen counters?
**You know, my friend Melissa pointed out about flashlights (in the comments). We DO have a really great Black and Decker flashlight that shares the drill battery. I knew exactly where it was, got it safely, was sure the battery was charged - and the battery was dead. (I forgot to include this part of the story.) Arrgghhh! So back to the candles. But yes, I should probably get a few more flashlights. **
Wednesday the girls and I had fun with a field trip to the local fire station. Of course Ava was so excited to go, even asking to go see the "men" (firemen) when she woke up, but got super shy upon arriving. They allowed us to tour the station and climb in the firetrucks. You would have thought I had super-glued Ava's lips together, you couldn't get a peep out of her. She wouldn't say hi to the firemen or check them out when they were suited up or go anywhere without holding my hand. What a doll! I still need to catch on to this "mom" thing though, because I think I was the only mom in the group who didn't have their camera. Bummer! I will learn (I think) and try to remember to bring it for our next outing. We are going to the Ethel M Chocolate Factory next month, so hopefully I can score some pictures of Ava covered in chocolate. Oh fun!
**You know, my friend Melissa pointed out about flashlights (in the comments). We DO have a really great Black and Decker flashlight that shares the drill battery. I knew exactly where it was, got it safely, was sure the battery was charged - and the battery was dead. (I forgot to include this part of the story.) Arrgghhh! So back to the candles. But yes, I should probably get a few more flashlights. **
Wednesday the girls and I had fun with a field trip to the local fire station. Of course Ava was so excited to go, even asking to go see the "men" (firemen) when she woke up, but got super shy upon arriving. They allowed us to tour the station and climb in the firetrucks. You would have thought I had super-glued Ava's lips together, you couldn't get a peep out of her. She wouldn't say hi to the firemen or check them out when they were suited up or go anywhere without holding my hand. What a doll! I still need to catch on to this "mom" thing though, because I think I was the only mom in the group who didn't have their camera. Bummer! I will learn (I think) and try to remember to bring it for our next outing. We are going to the Ethel M Chocolate Factory next month, so hopefully I can score some pictures of Ava covered in chocolate. Oh fun!
Out of the Mouths of Babes
I really need to try and jot things down here every night as Ava keeps spouting more and more funny anecdotes each and every day:
* Ava usually has some funny idea about where daddy even as she asks me. I always answer "daddy's at work" but she always has some other answer. Remember when she thought he worked at McDonald's? Well, the other day after I told her daddy was at work she insisted that daddy was sleeping on a couch somewhere. And nothing I said could convince her otherwise.
* Ava has started adding "won't that be fun?" to the end of her requests, similar to what I say to her. "I go to the park today. Won't that be fun?"
* Ava has also been adding "to-DAY" to most of her sentences. "I have juice to-DAY. to-DAY." (Seemingly not tomorrow, to-DAY!) I suppose it comes about since one of the methods I try and employ is "ask me tomorrow", but she is one smart cookie and has caught right on. "No mommy, to-DAY!"
* Ava spent most of Sunday morning climbing on me while I was trying to get some work done. She would then grab my hair, yank my head backwards and say "Guess what mommy? I love you!" then giving me a kiss. Just like I like to do to her, minus the hair yanking.
* Ava was making a cave (or "cage" as she kept calling it) out of throw pillows the other night. I tried to up the ante and make a fort out of a throw blanket and chairs. I think Lily got more of a kick out it than Ava, but it made for a fun night's activity.
Lily too has been trying to keep up the pace of growing up all too fast. Her quest towards walking keeps moving forward. This past week she has mastered standing on her own. She can balance herself (even raising herself from a crouching position) and just enjoys standing there, getting a kick out of her new skill. She will try to take a step, but doesn't have much success at this point. But still, she laughs and laughs at her own face-plants and picks herself up again.
Lily even is trying to make the switch to only one nap. I really don't mind the switch, as it makes morning activities out and about that much better since Lily can stay awake for it all. But the days when we are home are a little more difficult, as the girls like to tag-team me on their naps, where one will be asleep, then the other, which gives me little time to myself. Oh well!
* Ava usually has some funny idea about where daddy even as she asks me. I always answer "daddy's at work" but she always has some other answer. Remember when she thought he worked at McDonald's? Well, the other day after I told her daddy was at work she insisted that daddy was sleeping on a couch somewhere. And nothing I said could convince her otherwise.
* Ava has started adding "won't that be fun?" to the end of her requests, similar to what I say to her. "I go to the park today. Won't that be fun?"
* Ava has also been adding "to-DAY" to most of her sentences. "I have juice to-DAY. to-DAY." (Seemingly not tomorrow, to-DAY!) I suppose it comes about since one of the methods I try and employ is "ask me tomorrow", but she is one smart cookie and has caught right on. "No mommy, to-DAY!"
* Ava spent most of Sunday morning climbing on me while I was trying to get some work done. She would then grab my hair, yank my head backwards and say "Guess what mommy? I love you!" then giving me a kiss. Just like I like to do to her, minus the hair yanking.
* Ava was making a cave (or "cage" as she kept calling it) out of throw pillows the other night. I tried to up the ante and make a fort out of a throw blanket and chairs. I think Lily got more of a kick out it than Ava, but it made for a fun night's activity.
Lily too has been trying to keep up the pace of growing up all too fast. Her quest towards walking keeps moving forward. This past week she has mastered standing on her own. She can balance herself (even raising herself from a crouching position) and just enjoys standing there, getting a kick out of her new skill. She will try to take a step, but doesn't have much success at this point. But still, she laughs and laughs at her own face-plants and picks herself up again.
Lily even is trying to make the switch to only one nap. I really don't mind the switch, as it makes morning activities out and about that much better since Lily can stay awake for it all. But the days when we are home are a little more difficult, as the girls like to tag-team me on their naps, where one will be asleep, then the other, which gives me little time to myself. Oh well!
100th Post - and it's a good one!
100 posts already! Wow, time has flown around here. And I can't think of anything better than to share a couple of videos of moments that have been making us laugh. Enjoy!
Lily saying "uh-oh"
Lily saying "uh-oh"
Lily trying to walk (if she would only focus!)
What's New With Us
The other day I was thinking that it had been awhile since I had posted an update on our life. Then I thought "nothing exciting has happened!" But today I realized, so what? I am pretty sure most of the other stuff I post here isn't the most exciting either, but it is who we are. So without further ado...
Elliott and I have been enjoying a few more date nights lately, which is a big improvement over the zero date nights we had been having. Ha ha! We have been swapping babysitting with both Josh & Lizzie, as well as our neighbors Ashley & John. We try to make it easy by going out after the kids go to bed, so usually Elliott and I plan on a late dinner followed by a drink somewhere. But last Saturday we actually went out in the afternoon while Lizzie watched the girls. Not being overly excited about any particular movie, we decided to just head to the Strip to do some people watching. Boy, time sure flew by for us as we hit a few different casinos but we finally ended up in a lounge at the MGM Grand to see what people would walk by.
Usually later in the evening is a really fun time to see what people have in mind when they try and "dress up." But this particular afternoon Elliott and found it highly amusing that the ratio of "pretty people" to "average joes" was totally off. The Consumer Electronics Show was in town and everyone in the casino that early evening was either a vendor or a customer. So, needless to say, the "average joes" were out in higher numbers. So high in fact that I think there was only one other female customer in the lounge besides me. Just an amusing anecdote of our life. We thought it was funny anyway.
I suppose that the other highlight of last week was that we hit the local casino buffet for Sunday brunch with a 2-for-1 coupon. Have I ever told you how much I love Sunday brunch? Love it! What's not to love? All you can eat pancakes, biscuits and gracy, bacon, and so many other goodies. Speaking of all you can eat pancakes, we might be hitting up IHOP this weekend for their new promotion. Mmmm....
As for the girls, they continue to grow up so fast. Ava has become more dramatic than ever. She has started throwing herself on the floor or banging her head on the door, then crying out "I fell down!" or "I hit my head!", all of which she perpetrates herself. She is extra sweet though too, loving to dole out kisses very liberally and cuddle up with you on the couch.
Lily's vocalizing is also getting better. Yesterday she started mimicking "uh-oh" when we would say it to her. So funny! So we spent the entire day saying "uh-oh" back and forth to each other. She sleeps better at night too. She still gets up once, usually around 12:30am, but after a quick bottle she's back out. The past few days she thinks 6am is when it is time to rise and shine, but hopefully this too shall pass.
Well, that's life here on this front. Elliott and I will be enjoying another lovely date night dinner this evening sans girls (yeah sushi, here we come!) and the weather this weekend is supposed to be lovely, so hopefully we will also get to the dog park like we did last Sunday.
Elliott and I have been enjoying a few more date nights lately, which is a big improvement over the zero date nights we had been having. Ha ha! We have been swapping babysitting with both Josh & Lizzie, as well as our neighbors Ashley & John. We try to make it easy by going out after the kids go to bed, so usually Elliott and I plan on a late dinner followed by a drink somewhere. But last Saturday we actually went out in the afternoon while Lizzie watched the girls. Not being overly excited about any particular movie, we decided to just head to the Strip to do some people watching. Boy, time sure flew by for us as we hit a few different casinos but we finally ended up in a lounge at the MGM Grand to see what people would walk by.
Usually later in the evening is a really fun time to see what people have in mind when they try and "dress up." But this particular afternoon Elliott and found it highly amusing that the ratio of "pretty people" to "average joes" was totally off. The Consumer Electronics Show was in town and everyone in the casino that early evening was either a vendor or a customer. So, needless to say, the "average joes" were out in higher numbers. So high in fact that I think there was only one other female customer in the lounge besides me. Just an amusing anecdote of our life. We thought it was funny anyway.
I suppose that the other highlight of last week was that we hit the local casino buffet for Sunday brunch with a 2-for-1 coupon. Have I ever told you how much I love Sunday brunch? Love it! What's not to love? All you can eat pancakes, biscuits and gracy, bacon, and so many other goodies. Speaking of all you can eat pancakes, we might be hitting up IHOP this weekend for their new promotion. Mmmm....
As for the girls, they continue to grow up so fast. Ava has become more dramatic than ever. She has started throwing herself on the floor or banging her head on the door, then crying out "I fell down!" or "I hit my head!", all of which she perpetrates herself. She is extra sweet though too, loving to dole out kisses very liberally and cuddle up with you on the couch.
Lily's vocalizing is also getting better. Yesterday she started mimicking "uh-oh" when we would say it to her. So funny! So we spent the entire day saying "uh-oh" back and forth to each other. She sleeps better at night too. She still gets up once, usually around 12:30am, but after a quick bottle she's back out. The past few days she thinks 6am is when it is time to rise and shine, but hopefully this too shall pass.
Well, that's life here on this front. Elliott and I will be enjoying another lovely date night dinner this evening sans girls (yeah sushi, here we come!) and the weather this weekend is supposed to be lovely, so hopefully we will also get to the dog park like we did last Sunday.
Out of the Mouths of Babes
I like to believe that I am aware of everything I say to Ava, and other times I don't notice my words as much until they come back to me in the form of her little voice repeating it back.
Today, after our awesome shopping trip to Walgreens, we were getting back on the road when she piped up from the back seat, "I'm so proud of you mommy!" Yes, I puffed with pride just a little bit.
And just now, I walked through the dining room where Ava is coloring after working in the kitchen. I stopped to admire her handiwork, gave her a pat and said "You're doing a good job." She replied "you're doing a good job too mommy." Well, I'm glad you noticed!
Today, after our awesome shopping trip to Walgreens, we were getting back on the road when she piped up from the back seat, "I'm so proud of you mommy!" Yes, I puffed with pride just a little bit.
And just now, I walked through the dining room where Ava is coloring after working in the kitchen. I stopped to admire her handiwork, gave her a pat and said "You're doing a good job." She replied "you're doing a good job too mommy." Well, I'm glad you noticed!
I hope my neighbors aren't reading this...
Can you believe what I plucked from my next door neighbor's trash last night?
* dog not included *
* dog not included *I just couldn't believe it! Neither could Elliott. It is a perfectly clean and working Kolcraft bassinet and a beautiful Moses basket. Regardless of anything, I just think it is absolutely wasteful! If you don't want it, fine - but don't just throw it away! I haven't figured out yet what I will do with it, but I rescued it. That's enough for now.
Recipe - Fake Jambalaya
I adapted this recipe from Martha Stewart, who of course made it the real way with fresh tomatoes, long grain rice, andouille sausage and cayenne pepper. I don't like spicy things, so I substituted summer sausage and paprika (to keep the color) nor did I like all the work of cutting up the tomatoes, so I substituted canned tomatoes. Maybe you will like this too!
~~~
Fake Jambalaya
1 T. oil
1 green pepper, diced
1 med. onion, diced
3 stalks (or more) celery, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 t. paprika
14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes, NOT drained
2 c. instant rice
1 c. water
1 lb. med. shrimp, deveined and peeled
9 oz. summer sausage, sliced and halfed
Heat oil in large skillet (in needs to be large). Add green pepper, onion, celery, and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally until onion begins to soften, 5-6 minutes. Stir in paprika; cook until fragrant about 1 minute. Add tomatoes, rice and water to skillet; cover and simmer until rice is cooked and water is absorbed. Add shrimp and summer sausage to skillet and cook covered until shrimp are opaque, about 3-4 min. Remove from heat and serve hot.
~~~
Fake Jambalaya
1 T. oil
1 green pepper, diced
1 med. onion, diced
3 stalks (or more) celery, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 t. paprika
14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes, NOT drained
2 c. instant rice
1 c. water
1 lb. med. shrimp, deveined and peeled
9 oz. summer sausage, sliced and halfed
Heat oil in large skillet (in needs to be large). Add green pepper, onion, celery, and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally until onion begins to soften, 5-6 minutes. Stir in paprika; cook until fragrant about 1 minute. Add tomatoes, rice and water to skillet; cover and simmer until rice is cooked and water is absorbed. Add shrimp and summer sausage to skillet and cook covered until shrimp are opaque, about 3-4 min. Remove from heat and serve hot.
Christmas #2 - Our Utah Celebration
We had a wonderful, wonderful time with all of Elliott's family in Utah. We had clear driving weather both there and back, which in this time of unpredictable snow and sleet was a true blessing.
Christmas day held all the craziness you can imagine: Grandma & Grandpa, all five of their children plus spouses, and seven grandkids all under the age of four. Whew! That being said, Elliott's dad did an excellent job of playing Santa and keeping us all on track - even if it did take all morning (there are just that many presents!). We even took a break in there to take a full family photo (which you will not see now, but I hope to get a copy of soon).
As I sit here trying to type up the fun details of our trip I draw a blank besides all of the good meals, great family time, and hours of games being played around the kitchen table. (Besides, Lily is trying to take over the computer and I seem to be fighting a losing battle.) Suffice it to say we had a great time seeing all of our family which we had gone too long without seeing, and were sad to leave them knowing it will be awhile before we see them again. Ava is voting for moving to Utah (seriously, she said she wants to live in Utah) so maybe the future will hold that possibility for us. Until then we are always grateful for the moments we get to spend with everyone and wait anxiously until the next time.
I hope everyone had as great a holiday season as we did. And as for this Kay family, here's looking forward to another year filled with with great blessings and memories!
HAPPY 2009!
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