First snow of the season

On Tuesday we woke up to surprise snow.  They forecasted we "might" get some.  And with the schools on a 2-hour delay, Lauren's preschool cancelled their last day before Christmas vacation.  She was pretty bummed.  So we made a little time to play in the snow during sister's nap time.

 While I was clearing the deck, Lauren continued to play with "Frosty".  Until his entire second and top parts fell off the deck!  She cried and cried....then we had to go inside and watch "Frosty the Snowman". 

 A little snowball fight with mommy......

 Her Superman pose!

 Love this!

 And of course her "tough" look!

 After we came inside a little spike showed up.  Just so happens he came 3 days after the end of deer season. So he got a 2012 pardon.  Don't think he'll be so lucky in 2013 if he continues to behave like this!

Adalynn and Biscuit

Biscuit loves Adalynn and Adalynn loves Biscuit. However this is how Lauren and Biscuit's relationship started....until she started to MOVE!  We are sure this will change.  But Biscuit will get close enough to let Adalynn pet her.  Then once Adalynn starts to tug, she just licks her until she lets go....smart defense mechanism.  No matter what, their time is always supervised!

Santa!

Hopefully by now you all have received your 2012 Christmas Card.  If not, then I don't have a current address for you.  We went and saw Santa at the mall in Oly this year.  Pretty exciting!  Lauren was pumped.  Adalynn was apprehensive but at least she didn't cry.  I didn't realize the grip she had on Santa's coat until we got home!  It's cute and always a highlight for Lauren each year.  I'm sure Adalynn will be just as excited next year!

Our Christmas Tree!

A couple weekends ago we ran out to Brewer's in Shelton to get our tree like last year.  It started out a nice morning, so we took advantage of it and got the girls ready to go.  Heading north, we noticed we missed our window!  It was black and already pouring.  So Lauren made quick work of it and Adalynn didn't even get out of the truck....she'd fallen asleep anyway.  Here's the tree she picked out.

 A 7 ft Nordmann.  Yes, its' a Nordmann.  They are originally from Turkey and look a lot like a noble. But it makes a gorgeous Christmas tree no matter it's origin.

 We didn't over load the tree with ornaments this year....kept it minimal.....less work to take down!  But here it is decorated.  Lauren is pretty proud of herself on this one!

Adalynn's First Tooth!

Adalynn turned 6 months while Lauren was sick.  So not only did we have a sick 4 year old but we had a teething infant.  Wow!  Nov. 19th she woke up with her first tooth breaking through.  This pic is during Thanksgiving just a few days later.  And #2 broke through just a couple nights ago after taking a week!  Dr. Jiang said at her 6 month appointment that she probably has 3 more that will come in within the next month.  So 1 down....2 to go.  Lauren didn't get her first tooth until 8 months, so she's a little early!

We were 11 days late for her 6 month check but she was 27" tall (85th percentile) and almost 19 pounds (91st percentile).  Dr. Jiang also said that her head is off the charts so they have to say 99th percentile.  She could tell I looked a little concerned and said in her oriental accent "Big head equals big brain. She's smart!" Phew! And for those curious, she's about 1.5" taller and 1.5 pounds heavier than Lauren at 6 months.

 Since turning 6 months and being off antibiotics for an ear infection/bronchitis (thanks to Lauren and Preschool we all shared it) we were given the go ahead for food.  We tried bananas first.  It didn't go very well.  I have a video to add later that is proof!

 Post bananas....at least she was happy!  Rice cereal was an epic fail, oatmeal hasn't been much better.  Carrots are a NO!  Sweet peas and yams are the top choices at this point. This is only after week 1, we have to do it slowly to make sure she doesn't have an allergic reaction to anything.

 And here's a super cute picture of Adalynn and Dada watching the Beavs.

Wolf Haven

A few weeks ago, after Lauren had been cleared from her illness the first time, Lauren, Adalynn and mommy ran out to Wolf Haven International in Tenino. We had been before with the Mom's Club when we first moved to Washington. We went back last year to make a meat donation....you know, all those parts of the cow you get when you butcher: hearts, liver, etc.  So we did it again this year and they are always so grateful of our donation.  This year we timed the weather perfectly and we also got a one-on-one tour.  

Here's is Lauren scoping our London and Kiawatha's enclosure. 

 London and Kiawatha woke up and wondered over for a photo op with Lauren.

This is Shadow.  He is always looking for attention.  We didn't get to see Mommy's favorite, Caedus.  His enclosure was being cleaned.  And we were saddened to find out that Cricket, the wolf that was sick the last time we were out, had died. Most of these wolves are taken from some sort of inhuman "pet" lifestyle. 

 This is one of the Mexican Grey Wolves (I think Diablo) we saw as well.

It was a short visit but fun for Lauren. It was probably the last true sunny and warm day, I think we saw 64 that day and no rain!  

Happy Thanksgiving!

With both of the girls sick, we found it hard to travel this year for Thanksgiving.  So we spent it at home this year, just the four of us.  Pretty uneventful, but we needed it to recoup and get well!

Here's a few pics I took of the girls today in their fall outfits.  I bought them with the intentions of traveling to Oregon.....but they still look stinking cute at home too!

Hope everyone is enjoying their thanksgiving with loved ones!

Halloween Photo Shoot

For Halloween this year Lauren decided to be her favority Lalaloopsy doll, Bea.  For those that don't know Bea, here's a picture of her.  She has a pet owl Lauren has named "Closey"....it doesn't really have a name but Lauren thinks everything should have a name and since one eye is closed....tah dah!....it's Closey.  And of course who better to be Closey than her baby sister! 

So I found a photographer that was doing mini costume sessions in Oly in mid October.  (I just got the pics, that's why we are so late with these!) The girls were both sick...that's another story.  So I was disappointed in their cooperation but we got a few good shots.  Just wish our serious Miss Adalynn would have smiled it at least one....but I guess Owls are wise so she was taking her role very seriously!

So the following day I took them both to the doctor.  Lauren was diagnosed with bronchitis, bronchitis induced asthma and an ear infection.  Oh boy!  Adalynn had a cold and was teething.  And things still haven't got any better.  Lauren's been in preschool 2 months and I think has missed more days that she's attended!  Her immune system is so compromised from all the bugs, she picks up just about anything out there she comes in contact with.  YUCK.  And brings them home to share with us.  Double Yuck!  I'm hoping after Thanksgiving things will start looking up for our sweeties!

Adalynn's first rice cereal

So at 4 months we got the go ahead from the Pediatrician to try some rice cereal.  However, since with Lauren it was stressed to wait until 6 months, we weren't comfortable.  But after trying formula, which has been an epic fail, we gave and attempted rice cereal at 5 months.  Compromise, right.  She had also licked a drop of ice cream that wound up on her hand, which she smacked her lips continuously.  And has been giving us both the stink eye when we eat in front of her.  So we thought "it's time".  It had mixed reviews. 

First Bite.... 

 Ok, maybe I'll try more.

 Notice the hand on the bowl.....not interested in the spoon per say but definitely the bowl.

 Wait, it's all gone?  Let's throw it on the floor for Biscuit!

 I'm still not sure how much she ate.  There was quite a bit on the table, hands, mouth, hair and elsewhere!

 But she seemed to be very happy post feeding!

 This is her "Whasssssuppppp!"

So it seemed to sit well on her little tummy. Just waiting to see how her little digestive track handles it.  She's been a little stuffed up too.  We are hoping to get some rice cereal going to help her sleep longer at night, which was Dr. Jiang's intentions on the early introduction.  Or I should say "Mommy is hoping!"  Cross your fingers!