I think we've created a monster...

This past week my mom was in town visiting. Now, I don't blame her or anything:), but we created a little monster when she was here...a joke monster that is! My mom taught Isabel a few jokes while she graciously watched her for us several times. Then we took a trip to the library and checked out some joke books. Now she wants to "read" the jokes in her books ALL the time. She's memorized most of them, but pretends to read them. Then of course she has to ALSO recite them to us! So this is just a plea to please be gracious if my daughter randomly starts telling you "funny" things. We are still working on her delivery...ya know, WAIT a few seconds before she gives the punch line. You never know, you just might be witnessing the next Brian Regan...after all I did marry her dad because he 's funny...at least that's what he says.

Our new addition...

No, not the baby just yet. Our new wheels that will soon help transport the additional little one. I must say it's a little bittersweet. It meant the sale of our Scion, the first car we bought together as a married couple, the car we had so many memories in, etc. Okay, enough being sentimental (I am pregnant remember). The good news is we are selling it to some friends so will see it around every now and then.

Here's the new wheels (well new to us)

Some things...

Just some random things I've been thinking about or wanting to remember:

Since the removal of Ana's paci, she has become miss chatterbox. I want to actually remember this time when I can ask her to obey and she says, "obey" and quickly does what I ask. I hope it is not short lived, but I'm sure will come to an end before too long.

Ana also will say "yes mama" or "yes daddy" when asked to do something. The other day Isabel was telling her to do something and how does she respond, "yes mama." Yes, she does have two mothers sometimes.

I think I felt the baby move the other night, but maybe it was gas. Looking forward to days ahead of feeling lots of little movement and kicks.

I officially switched out my closet to maternity clothing.

My heart continues to break for the people in Japan. Lee has a friend from college who lives there with his family and we've been reading updates on their blog. Every time I watch the news I get emotional. I've talked with Isabel the last few days about how we have a nice/warm house to live in and lots of food to eat and how blessed we are. We have so much here and yet complain so much more. I wish we could do more for them.

The warm weather has lifted my spirits and I think the little ones in our home. To enjoy God's beauty outdoors has been so nice.

In less than a month we'll be headed to Seattle for Lee's little sis' wedding. We are so excited! Not only will be get to celebrate the wonderful occasion, but we'll get to see lots of close family. It should be a joyous time.

Isabel knows how to appeal to her daddy's weaknesses. When tucking her in bed she says, "Daddy, how about in the morning we wake up, get dressed, and go...get...donuts...(smile)?"

I love how kids take things literally. I was telling Isabel both she and Ana definitely got their daddy's cheeks. She said, "Mom, no, daddy has his own cheeks."

Ana wants to do everything Isabel does. Tonight Isabel accidentally tripped. Then Ana made herself trip to be like Isabel.

We've started teaching Ana a Bible verse. In the verse it has the word "no." She won't ever say it though because she thinks we are saying "no" to her. As in "no don't say that."

I guess that's all the "some things" for now...

Our little trooper

I was sitting on the couch reflecting on what a nice day it was and how blessed I am. Lee and I had done some major cleaning over the weekend and had washed, folded, and put away all the laundry. It was basically a free day for me. I could just sit back and relax.

All that of changed quickly when my two little munchkins were chasing after a balloon. The littlest munchkin, Ana, tripped and gashed her head open right on the corner of the wall. There was blood and lots of it. I got the bleeding to stop after awhile and searched in our first aid kit until I could find some butterfly stitches.

I think the worst part was calming Isabel down. She was so upset about the situation and kept saying, "mommy, it was my fault." I think she thought she tripped Ana. I kept telling her accidents happen and tried to get her to help me with various tasks to calm her down.

In the mean time, I called Lee and told him I didn't know if she needed real stitches. I couldn't get a hold of my mom (a nurse) so ended up calling our Drs. office. Since the gash was still open somewhat and I couldn't get it pulled together tight, they recommended we take her to the ER for stitches. Lee met me there and took Isabel out for a "special treat," a great distraction for her.

I must say I was really impressed with the ER. They got us in right away. We didn't have to wait at all. The only time we had to wait was for 30 min. when they put a numbing cream on so she wouldn't feel getting the stitches put in. She was a brave little girl and did SO well. She has always been mild mannered that way. We watched Elmo on youtube while we waited and she got a sucker at the end so she was happy.

So here's our little trooper. This is a less bloody, happier (cheesy) picture of her...

Budding Artists

My friend posted this picture, but I had to post it myself. I was just too impressed. We were doing school and the kids were taking a break. They called us to show us this, their combined effort in drawing a tree. It's one of those times when they say it's a tree and REALLY DOES look like a tree. Creative 3-year-olds I'd say!

Celebrate Recovery

Ana is doing great in her recovery from her life long addiction to paci's. She is actually doing amazing! The first day we were skeptical. When we first showed her the "broken" paci, she asked for "another kind." Then when they were ALL broken she said, "fix it." Well, you saw the video and if you didn't she was not happy. She actually wasn't crying in that video. When it took her 50 min. to fall asleep from her nap, which normally takes her about 2 min, we were about ready to throw in the towel...but we persisted. Today it only took her 10 min. to fall asleep for nap, and both last night and tonight she didn't cry at all. She did ask for it tonight and I just said, "it's broken," and that seemed to satisfy her, although she continued to talk about the broken paci for awhile as she drifted off to sleep.

So how did we celebrate our big girl? We got donuts for breakfast. That's pretty much how we celebrate everything. Then this afternoon we took a trip to Jungle Jim's, probably the most amazing grocery store I've ever gone too. It's a huge and I mean HUGE international food market. When you think the store is about to end it keeps going. They have food from all over the world, including Lee's Filipino soy sauce. I will admit it DOES taste better than the soy sauce you can buy at your local grocery store. I love to see all the people from different cultures and hear people talking in different languages. It makes me want to be able to be a better cook. I wish I knew how to use all the amazing international foods they have there. It's also a great store if you are pregnant. I got these amazing pickled baby corn. SO GOOD.:) The girls loved going there too because there is just SO much to look at. I mean, what kid wouldn't want to go to a grocery store with this (this is a stock photo, you're not suppose to take pictures in there):
My only complaint is that it's too far away (about 40 min.). I do wish it was closer. It was a great afternoon of celebrating Ana's paci recovery success and just great family time too.

the time has come...

Time to be a big girl!! almost as funny is Lee's voice on this...