Sleeping beauties

I couldn't resist snapping a few pictures when we checked on the girls before we hit the hay. Seriously. What angels. 

And not just because they're silently sleeping...

Good night...

...seep tight

Hold still!

The other night Keely was ticked off about something; she was kicking, pushing, rolling and punching like she had something important to say. 
Perhaps that something important is that she's squished and just wants to stretch out her legs and arms?
I captured a little video of her going to town. Around seconds 17 and then again at 34 is when she gives the biggest thumps (she's pushing out with her rear); you can see it best if you look near the top, just under the remote. It'll likely gross some people out, but I know the moms out there will appreciate it and will likely remember the times when they had their babes in their bellies and got to feel them squirming all around. It truly is an unforgettable and magical experience. 
Click (here) to see it and enjoy our third edition of wildness. 

Wordless Wednesday

Destiny

Some men are put on this earth to be Daughter Daddy's. 

And if the daughters are lucky, they get a Daddy like Jake.

There are plenty of guys in this world that could stand to learn something from him.

So blessed he's all ours.

School belle

Today Ashley received a letter in the mail from her new pre-kindergarten teacher. Midget is so excited about the start of school that it helps me to be positive about it too. Last week she and I spent time shopping online, picking out adorable new clothes. If it's possible, I think she's more excited than I am about her new threads!

Oh the changes. They're headed our way!

One excited and proud Midget

Didn't we *just* play this game?

No, this isn't the same blog post from July 17. The one where I was raving that Jake and I got to mark another first off of our list: 2 minis, each with bronchitis? Yeah. This isn't THAT post again.

But it is the same story, only 5 weeks later.

2 minis.

Each with bronchitis.

Each enjoying the wonders of Zithromax.

No, I am not even kidding.

"The look"

Sometimes the mini's can flash a look that says a thousand words. Here's one of Natty letting us all know what's on her mind.

Even though it's pushing 100 degrees outside, she still felt the need to rock her snow hat

Stage fright

The week of Ashley's Vacation Bible School (VBS), all she could talk about was the Thursday night concert. But once her July 19 performance finally came around, she was less than willing to show us what she had learned.
Maybe it was because she was still recovering from bronchitis? 
Maybe it was because they upset her by making her wear the VBS shirt over her dress (it's the *first* thing she said to me when she saw me "I have to wear THIS shirt and it's covering up my pretty dress! That's so naughty of them!!")? 
Maybe it's because she's all talk and no perform?
Whatever the reason, there was no way Midget was going to participate in her concert. Thankfully since her stage fright debut I bought her the VBS CD and she's happily entertained us evening after evening with the songs and dances of VBS 2012.
I guess she's already perfecting the demanding celebrity: she performs when and where she wants to. Period.

Beautiful girl in a beautiful frame she made at VBS

That look tells me she's unhappy about her current wardrobe

Not sure she wants any part of this

At one point we thought if she stood by her buddy Chase she'd perk up (I even let her take her shirt off), but no dice

Throwing in the towel and sitting with Grandma

What makes Midget happy? Daddy!

Proud of the cross charm she made - too bad we forgot it at the restaurant 

Come to Ashley Mister Tasty Milkshake

Even Lincoln got in on the slurping action

Ashley with her 3 favorite boys: Chase, Lincoln and James

Proud of our Midget no matter what sort of performance she puts on

With a thump, thump here....

...and a thump, thump there,
Poor little Natty couldn't seem,
To keep herself in bed.

After falling out of her bed not once but twice last night, we had to Jimmy-Rig a system to keep her in. Already Natty has fallen out of bed one more time than Ashley ever did. 
I suppose today I'll be picking up a toddler bed rail?

Hoping this little "system" will keep her up and in

Embrace it

At 37 weeks pregnant, all I can really do is embrace the bump.

Even the street signs are talking to me

The sound of silence

Aaaaand Natty's down for the count. 
Nap 1 is underway. 
And I only had to go in once and give her a beat down....

The morning after

It started exactly as I had expected, but ended much, much better!

I knew the girls would be psyched to be in the same room, which would mean plenty of giggling, running around and playing. Between Jake and I, I think we'd gone upstairs 2 times each to talk to the girls and put them back in bed. The last time I went in, Ashley was irritated and declared "I don't want Natalie in here any more. She woke me up!" Thankfully that was the last time either of us had to go in because it wasn't too long after that when Natalie finally gave up the fight and drifted off to dream land.

Success!

I expected Natalie to get up at least once during the night, but she pulled an all-nighter and instead woke up at 6:15 this morning instead of her normal 7:15. But I think she wore out Ashley who is still happily snoozing at nearly 7:30.

All in all, not a terrible first night. Next on the agenda of the BGB? Getting Natalie to take a nap...

Out like a light

Priceless

Sleep tight

So while the girls and I were out and about today, Jake was busy at home with a surprise that would change the game plan for everyone.....

Natalie is not only officially moved out of her room and into the room she and Ashley will now share (Ashley's room), the crib tent has been removed AND her crib has been transformed into a daybed. 

That's right, folks. She's free.

Lord help us.

Expect a full report in the morning of how our evening pans out.

The picture is blurry, but there's our Natty Batty in her big girl bed (BGB)

Frolicing at the frolic parade

There are some things we just can't miss; the Philomath Frolic Parade is one of those. 

Giving the truck driver the universal "pull your air horn" signal - happy to report it works every time!

Never too young to learn respect

Maybe next year she'll get the correct side?

Candy mongrels

Me n' my girls

Showing off their monster muscles 

The best part of the parade as far as the mini's are concerned; Papa on a float!

Showing those Shining Stars how it's done

Spunky scored not one but TWO toothbrushes from the local dentist - talk about thrilled!

3...2...1.....

BLAST OFF!!!
When your Aunt Katie is the education gal at Evergreen Aviation, it means you get to play with really awesome aviation stuff, including rockets!

Rocket made? Check! Now let's get down to the business of blast off!

Watching them fly!
PS Yes the mini's are half naked - don't act like you're shocked

Love, love, love Aunt Katie

Watch your footing there, Jake. One slip and it'll mean a family of 5 for life!

How high can you fly?

No she's not angry, she's counting down 3...2...1...BLAST OFF!

It wasn't long until Jake was attempting to launch non-launchable items. BIG surprise there.

Worldless Wednesday

Showers in the forecast

Last month my 2 wonderful sisters (with help from the loving and giving Jessica!) honored me by throwing a Triple Crown themed baby shower. 

IT.WAS.PERFECT!

Well, it was HOT, but aside from that, it was pretty much perfect.

Lots of gifts. Lots of pink. Lots of frill!

And, as of today, not one single thank you card has been mailed. Whoops. Here's the problem......While Shawna was perfectly on step keeping a gift list, I wasn't quite as diligent at actually keeping the list someplace safe. This being said, I would like to personally thank each and every person that came out and celebrated alongside me. I am hopeful that as I dig through Keely's gifts, I will come across "the list". And when the time comes that you do finally receive your thank you card, if it's pretty generic, you'll know the list was never recovered....

Cake pops, complete with crowns

"Looks who's ready to POP!" popcorn balls - Mm Mm Mm!!

Extra tasty spread, including homemade black bean humus and pita chips (I'll love you forever for that, Jessica!)

Nana getting squeezed by Midget

 Midget's first mocktail - or at least it better have been a mocktail!

Good to the last drop!

She must be mine; she's already put down 3 popcorn balls

Bottom's up!

Getting instructions on how to play the BEST baby shower game, ever! Not only did it involve copious amounts of candy, it was also Triple Crown (horse race) themed!

Little stinker refused to smile

Team Spunky

 Team Thirdling

 Team Midget

The final race results:

1st place: Team Midget

2nd place: Team Spunky

3rd place: Team Thirdling (our horse was having an off day - time to fire her trainer and find someone new!)

Come to mama yummy, pink, J&J lotion (just don't let Aunt Shawna see)

 GO BEAVS! hooter-hider AND a nursing stool - thank you Jolina and Kelly!

 Someone got a little emo - apparently my tear ducts still work?!

Big Sister explaining to Mommy how the toy works - everyone needs a big sister as awesome as our Midget

"My Aunt is Hot and Single" - brought to you by Aunt Shawna (and also very true in case anyone knows a tall and spry, good looking young man...)

Beautiful afghans made by Aunt Marsha

And there's Shawna keeping that list so perfectly

Beautiful ladies - should have stepped out from under the green awning so we didn't all come out looking like second-cousins of the Incredible Hulk

Looking good Nana, looking G-O-O-D!

Love you, Mom

Happy Nana could make it

Ash needed in on the photo-fun - 4 generations of greatness!

Midget took off for the playground and the next thing I knew she had some random boy giving her a ride back to the party grounds. What was even greater was when they rolled up and she hopped out and said "Okay, I'll drive now!"

Some of her winnings from the Tripe Crown horse race

Smile Aunt Angie!

Dallas City Park is the perfect place for pictures - I'll have to remember that for when we're an official family of 5

THE Big Sister

Love these ladies

Sandwiched between awesomeness 

The behind-the-scenes man whom we all love