{My Girls}

A quick post with a picture of my little ladies...

I cut Lexi's hair this week. It was her first real cut, and I had planned to have a friend cut it for us... but Lexi asked me to cut it and I didn't want her to get nervous about it, so I did it right then and there and I LOVE IT! Its great for her, too... but makes her look so grown up.

Abbi & Millie are getting too big, as well. Such a great picture of my three little ladies.

First Day of School!!

Where has time gone?! It seems just yesterday, we were finally bringing Abbi home from the hospital...and today we brought her to her first day of pre-kindergarten! She was so excited, as was I. Lexi was sad... her favorite playmate was gone!

Abbi greeted me this morning in only her panties, ready to jump in the shower... and surprisingly, her enthusiasm never wavered. I helped her into her classroom and then asked, "Are you ready for me to leave?" and she said, "Yup!" I was so proud of her.

The only sore point of the day was after we picked Abbi up, while walking to the car we were nearly run over as the mom of a schoolmate backed out of her parking spot. Not a good way for that mom to make new friends!

In other news, Millie is 4 months old!!! Yay!

Many more pictures to come... its been a hectic, fun summer.

Major Milestones: First Dental Appointments and NO MORE PACIFIER!!!

I know Abbi should have been to the dentist some time in the last 30 months. I KNOW that... but its one of the things that keeps getting pushed to the back burner. I asked for recommendations, but no one LIKES their dentist...well, except for our family doctor... but that dentist doesn't take our insurance. Anyway, excuses, excuses...

So, today they went for the first time. I talked it up big time... how exciting it would be! how great their teeth would look and feel! The new toothbrushes they'd get! (plus, I bought them each a new brush and new paste) Surprisingly, they were both pumped up for it! Not nervous at all... Well, Abbi was a *little* nervous, but not so much that Lexi caught on.

Abbi was the first in the chair. Sat in there alone for x-rays like a pro. Let the dentist poke and prod her teeth and enjoyed the cleaning. Even did okay for the flouride treatment! I was so proud... Then, it was Lexi's turn. She almost JUMPED into the chair. She tried to cooperate for x-rays, but we know Lou... she's TINY. And she has a tiny mouth, too! The x-ray slides wouldn't stay in her mouth! Then the dentist came in to look at her teeth and she said to him, "I see the dentist! He looks at my teeth." The dentist chuckled... probably not the reaction he's used to from a 2 year old. She even sat through the full 60 seconds of flouride, despite the hygenist telling me she probably wouldn't be able to. SO PROUD!

Afterwards, they picked out their presents from the gift chest and talked about how FUN the dentist was. I was amazed.

In related news... Lexi has kicked her paci habit. On a whim, I asked her on Monday to give me her pacifier to give to Millie... and I told her, if she gave it to me, I'd buy her a present. She said she wanted a toy and a snack. Okay! Since then, she's asked for her pacifier 3 times - twice when she fell and one day when she was really sleepy. But, each time, I've reminded her that she gave it to me and that we'll be buying a toy for her. Once, she said, "I want it back," and I replied, "I don't know where it is." She listed some usual places, "Ummmmm...how about the table? how about your hand? how about the diaper bag?" And when I said I couldn't get it, she dropped the subject. This was actually MUCH easier than I'd expected and we'll be buying her a new Princess Presto doll tomorrow (from a current fave, "Super Why").

So, here are pictures from today's dentist visit.... Unfortunately, I won't be able to document Russ' visit tomorrow... his first in years. My visit is a week from tomorrow, and I'm hoping to go into it with the same enthusiasm as the girls!

Like sand, slipping through my fingers...

Summer is slip-sliding away... which is why, although I have 600 new photos on my hard-drive, I have yet to share them with you. And why, although I am recently back from an AWESOME vacation, I have yet to tell you about it! I'm trying to enjoy every beautiful day outside with the girls, and when we're stuck inside for whatever reason, I'm catching up on housework and working to get my photography business off the ground...

But anyway, about that vacation... *sigh* wish we were still there!

On Monday, July 6, the girls and I (and Russ!) headed to Wisconsin Dells. We stayed at the Wilderness Resort for 4 nights with my mom, and my brother Erik & his family. Jason & the crew were also supposed to come, but last minute, Tracy lost her vacation time (jerk of a boss!). Samara & the gang are too busy this summer...and they were missed.

To start our Dells adventure, we caught up with my long-distance pal, Heidi! Stupid me, brought NO camera! Then, it was sun, sun, sun (a little touch of rain) and WATER for the rest of the week. See the slideshows below to experience it with us - wave pools, water slides, swimming, sunning, sleeping... My birthday was absolutely fabulous (the big 3-0!) and it was great to spend some time with not only my mom (of course!) but also with my brother, whom I rarely see.

Then on Friday, we traveled a mere 30 minutes from the Dells to Castle Rock Lake, where Russ' uncle has a summer home. Besides his aunt & uncle, we spent the weekend with my mother-in-law, brother-in-law (and wife & daughter), and Russ' cousins Mark & Chrissy (and C's hubby & daughter). We did a sunset cruise, trips to the beach, campfire (with s'mores), and fishing... Abbi & I got to ride the wave runners and Russ took Abbi on a speedboat ride. All in all, it was a trip of many firsts for our big girl, Abbi!!!! And it was SO MUCH FUN!

So, peruse the pictures at your leisure while YOU try to enjoy your summer to its fullest!!! I'll try to update more soon - returning to work 2 days a week, Millie's incredible progress with her bp injury, Photography by Kimberli going legit, and all-too-soon, Abbi starting preschool!!

Its finally summer!

Although it is a chilly 50-something degrees right now and very wet out, the weather is finally warming up. Sunday was the nicest, warmest day we've had in a while, so we took advantage of it and headed to the Campton Hills Splash Park in St. Charles. I LOVE that place. For $3 per child (parents and babies are free) we get to splash in the water (geysers and fountains, dump buckets and sprays, all on a soft foam floor), play in the sand, and lounge. RELAX. Now that Abbi & Lexi are old enough to play alone in the sand, I sit on a lounge chair with Amelia and read, people-watch, and just chill.

It was also Amelia's first time out in a summer outfit. Cutie patootie! I love when she can show off her chubby arms and legs! She loved laying in the warm breeze.




Oh no!!! Lexi has "caught" whatever Abbi has... the performing and posing "bug"... I'd be worried, but as a photographer, I'm just going to enjoy her willingness to be in front of the camera for now!!!

Settling in...

Well, its been six days since Amelia joined us and I have to say, things are going well!! She's an amazing baby. Although she has an attitude about nursing (mainly, that its not easy enough for her!), we're persevering...most of my days are spent pumping, nursing, then bottle-feeding. Oy... I'm tired. Her arm is doing well, as far as we can tell. We won't see the pediatric orthopedist until June 8, but in the meantime, we're just pinning her right sleeve to her torso, which stabilizes the arm. And other than me picking her up too roughly this morning (half asleep), she rarely seems to be in pain. So far (knock on wood) she's my best sleeper... I'm enjoying 5 to 6 hours of sleep a night (in two shifts).

The girls are doing so great with her! Surprisingly, Lexi is willing to share me with her baby sister. She loves to watch me pump and ask questions about what I'm doing. She's a little too wild around the baby, but I can't blame her. She just doesn't know. Abbi is my little helper - when she wants to be. She likes to hold the bottle when Amelia eats and is willing to run around to get diapers or burp cloths when I can't get up. The best part is when they both sing a lullaby to Amelia. The windows shatter and the neighborhood cats howl in approval, but its a beautiful gesture all the same...

The plan is to take Amelia's newborn photographs within the next few days (I need a happy, sleepy, well-fed baby), but in the meantime, here are some pictures from coming home and Abbi's first time holding the baby.

More Amelia - and the big sisters!

Amelia joined us in our room around noon today, and her sisters were able to visit her shortly after. So, I took a couple quick pics and Russ got one of the girls and me sitting on the bed. I can't wait to photograph the three of them together! Abbi thought her sister was very cute and gave her some smooches. Lexi was unsure of who was sitting in HER spot on mom's lap. But, she was happy to share my lap when all was said and done.

We'll be going home tomorrow! I can't wait...

She's almost 2 - my big girl, Lou!!

Two short years ago, at this moment, I was in my 12th hour of induced labor... wondering when my stubborn Lexi would arrive. Who knew I still had 4 hours to go?! Yes, Lexi was born on Friday, May 4, 2007 at 12:40 a.m. I can't believe those two years have flown by so quickly...

So, today was her birthday party. We just planned a small get together with close family and a couple friends, and it turned out very well... very relaxing and we had plenty of time to chit-chat and watch the kids run around.

The calm before the storm...

The cake... Lexi LOVES animals. So, we bought a plain cake and I decorated it quickly before the guests arrived. Thanks for the cake, Jan. It was yummy!!

Lexi opening her first gift... from her godmother Chrissy. The #2 animal for her birthday train! Cute!

Excited about clothes! Let's all treasure this moment!

Reading the card. I love how both my girls read their cards prior to attacking the gifts.

The hat is cute, but...

...the sunglasses were waaaaaay better! Love the expression!!

Abbi was such a great helper! Not too eager, but handy when Lou couldn't figure it out.

What's in the bottom of the bag?!

Showing off the fort/tunnel from Uncle Jay! Awesome gift!!!

Daddy went downstairs to get the last gift...so Lexi was watching for him.

ALL the kids loved the final gift... a basketball hoop for my little lady!
Daddy is excited, too... it extends to 6' high.

Lexi was less than thrilled about everyone singing to her.
She was ready to grab the spatula and dig in to the cake...

...she tolerated Daddy showing her how to blow out the candle, but still left the job up to him!

When she was given the OKAY to rescue the animals off the cake, then she was happy!

But, she was happiest eating that cake...

Don't let the facial expression fool you... she enjoyed it! I just think she's in a sugar coma.

It was unfortunate that we spent a beautiful day inside... by the time we ventured outside to see the last of our guests off, Lexi was exhausted and ready to go back inside.

She cuddled with mommy for just a moment or two... and then she was out.