Just another update...

Right now, I'm squished. Squished and so so happy. Two girls weaseled their way into my bed and are now sleeping peacefully. One with a "no Abby crib, Mama crib" and one with a few tears about going to school. So... for now they're right where they want to be... and so am I.

It seems like every day things are changing around here. Just little changes that you barely notice until you look back at pictures and realize how drastic they really are. Addison has officially become a "big girl." She is quite the talker and says phrases like "I did it!" and "Mess, Mama. Clean up mess." (and then she does!!). She wants to be like Lily and do everything herself, but still cannot be 2 feet away from Mama without a "Mama, I miss you! Snuggle!"

Lily has hit a bump in preschool. She loves it when she goes, but cries about it every night before. I only mention this to look back on it. Someday, I know I'll look back at this and smile remembering  her wanting to stay with her Mama. Today it's hard, but someday, it will be bittersweet. Once at school, however, she's flourishing. She writes all her letters, loves to do crafts and giggles when she talks about Jackson ("who's funny when he jumps up and down"). She also likes to start every sentence with "ahem" and loves to sing songs. 

Both girls love princess anything and especially love to sing the songs from "Frozen." Addison's favorite is "Do you want to build a snowman" and she sings about every 5th word. Lily belts out "Let it Go" with absolute pride and perfection. Some of my favorite moments are watching them play together. They love each other so much. Last night, while playing with her sister, Lily said, "Mommy, I'm sorry I knocked over the glass, I was just busy having so much fun." They also both love Winnie the Pooh and singing the "Up/Down" song. Do you notice a theme here? Clearly, we don't like to sing in this house!

Now, it's time for me to go back to snuggling my perfect girls. Tomorrow they'll be a day older, so I'm going to savor a few more moments of tonight.

Showers

Many a night I hurry to take a shower. I sneak in the bathroom, shut the door and hold my breath to see if the possibility of showering alone exists.

Last night, like so many that followed before, I had just begun to feel the rush of hot water when I felt a rush of cold air and heard a little voice. "Mommy, can I stay with you?"

As it always is, the answer was yes. Lily pushed the bath mat a little closer to the tub and tucked herself under the curtain inside her "tent" (as she calls it). Tonight, she was accompanied by crayons and a printout of Brave we had just printed for her. The whole shower she meticulously colored, sang and chatted with me. The results were beautiful.

Last night, was not unlike so many nights, but I can't stop thinking about it. I can't stop thinking about laminating her picture and the image of her tucked in her special place, legs poking out, that sticks in my head. 

I can't stop thinking about how much I'd love to shower alone, but am sort of glad I don't. I love to shower with my little best buddy, too. I love her songs. I love her chatting. And I will always love that laminated picture of Brave.

Addy Rose is 18 Months!

I'm behind. Really behind... in telling you about their greatness. Telling you how great Lily's doing in school and how happy she is to be 4. Telling you about how many great things we've been doing. But I'll get there.... (Someday soon, hopefully!) Right now, I'm going to tell you about a girl who's officially 18 months old today. Wow, does time every fly.

Newborn

1 year

18 Months

Where do I even start telling you about this silly, talkative, spunky little girl and how much she's grown? First of all, she's a chatterbox (but only when she wants to be). She says a ton of words and even phrases now, too. Her favorite things to say are "cheese" (did I mention she eats A LOT??!!), "Mommy" (constantly), "Yiyyee" (he favorite person), "Elmo", "Bubble" (Bubble Guppies) and "I don't know." She also says "yah" like she's from another country (a fact pointed out by Uncle Buddy).

"Cheese" always involves eye-closed happiness! (Addy loves to get her picture taken!)

Addy Rose is very much her own person. She's the happiest and maddest toddler you will ever meet. She loves to give hugs and play with Lily. In fact, she loves her sister so much that she cries when we drop her off at school and yells, "Yiyyee!" in the parking lot. Addy only wants to do what Lily's doing. A fact that both delights and infuriates her sister.

Addison reminds me of an elf. Always active. Cute and incredibly charming. And a little mischievous, too.  She is the the perfect completion to our family and we love her dearly. Happy 18 months, Addy Bug!

One day soon

One day soon my house will be spotless.

There will be no more barbies.

There will be no more books.

I won't step on princess clothes when I walk.

One day soon my house will be quiet.

There will be no more whining.

There will be no more yelling.

There will be no more shrieks of glee.

One day soon I'll eat a whole meal.

No one will cry.

No one will use my meal as play dough.

No one will want to snuggle me between bites

One day soon they won't need me.

One day soon I'll have time.

One day soon I won't be frustrated.

But God, no matter how messy, no matter how loud, no matter how hungry I am...

 I hope that one day won't come too soon.

15 Months

(Realized this never published...)

I can't believe it. My precious little baby girl is 15 months. Where has time gone? The crazy part is that Addison seems so much older than Lily did at that age. Maybe because she fights tooth and nail to keep up with every little thing her sister does. I swear this one is 1 going on16. I know everyone says that, but really... Sometimes I peek out the window to make sure she hasn't snuck out of the house with her dressed all in black boyfriend.

Today was Addison's 15 month check-up, and of course she's doing great. Length: 30.75" (50%), Weight: 21 lbs., 4 oz. (50%), head circum.: 48 cm (95%). Yeah, my girl has a big head. (Big brains, duh!!) Addison is full of spit and vinegar and cute as a button, too. 

Addison says "cheese" (both for the food and as the perfect precursor to pictures), "hi", "Momma", "Dadda", "Yiyi", "Doggie", "ball"  and of course her favorite (and most used), "no." She loves to pull her sisters hair and harass her, but most of all she loves to hug, kiss and play with Lily. She also loves dolls, slides and swings (both referred to as "wee") and anything Lily's playing with.

She's the perfect mix of sugar and spice and I love my Momma's girl dearly. Can't remember how we lived without her beautiful dimpled smile. We love you, little girl!

Lucky

I feel bad for the millionaires.

They're not as rich as me.

I feel bad for the lotto winners.

They're not as lucky as me.

I feel bad for world travelers.

They haven't seen the beauty I've seen.

I feel bad for the partiers.

They've never had as much fun as me.

They cannot buy the most wonderful girls.

Nor wake to them every day.

They don't see the beauty inside my front door.

Or dream of their giggles each night.

Love this life!

The lousy homemaker

When I die, people will say I was a pretty good Mom and a pretty lousy homemaker. I think I'm okay with that.

I have laundry piled up in my basement that's been gathering for weeks, but I'm pretty good at playing Dora's Dad.

I feed my kids nitrate free hot dogs and in the same day feed them pop tarts, but I rock at making imaginary meals.

My floors only get washed when something gets spilled on them, but I'm always up for finger painting.

My house is always cluttered with toys, but I've never shyed away from fun because it might make a mess.

My house may be full of dust, but my heart is full of memories. And I think I'm okay with that.