Baby Avocado-week 16

So this week I think I am having a boy. I think this because I am still nauseous and feel like I am carrying very low. That's all.  I go to the doctor tomorrow.

My Little Shrimp-week 13

Baby # 3 is the size of a medium shrimp this week.  I love the shrimp week.  My nausea seems to be getting a little better although brushing my teeth still makes me gag. The girls like to give their opinions about the gender of the baby when I ask but it seems like whichever I say last is the choice.  I say, "Is mommy gonna have a boy or girl?". Answer girl. "Is mommy gonna have a boy or girl?". Answer boy. Grace did tell me the other day that I couldn't eat anymore grapes because the baby would choke which I found very advanced for her age.   It will be very interesting to see how the girls react to their new sibling. Anyway, at the last doctor visit, I got to hear the heartbeat which was really exciting.  Here is a pic. Hopefully better ones to come. I look ugly!

10 Weeks... Baby # 3 Updated!

So the baby is the size of a Kumquat this week!  WAhooooo!  I am still very nauseous every day.  I eat all day long or I am starving and feel sick.  AWESOME!  I had my 8 week appointment during week 9 and not too much to report except that my uterus is big.  That's good news, huh?

Here is a link to ExpectNet.

http://www.expectnet.com/game.php

The name for the game is Round3

Let me know if it doesn't work.  TOODLES for now!

Grace's First Day and What About Char Char?

Grace went to her first real day of preschool today and I got a full report from her on the phone while I was at work because I couldn't wait to hear until I got home.

According to Rita who went with Paul's mom to drop her off, there were at least four kids crying, none of whom were Grace... whooo hoooo.  Apparently, they were again the first ones at the school and were greeted outside by Sister Maria.  There are a set of 4 year old twin boys in her class as well, (the 3 and 4 year olds are combined) who apparently would not stand in line and were picking up bugs and not listening.  Sister Maria had to lay the smack down.  She also had to physically take a crying kid out of his mom's van.  Hahahaha.  Grace's backpack was in our truck which went into the shop (long story) so she had to bring her back up princess bag.  Well apparently this was a good thing, because another girl had a similar one and they were comparing their bags.  Grace went into the building smiling and was good to go.

When I called the Augles at about 11:15 Grace picked up the phone.  I didn't even recognize her voice since she never wants to talk to me on the phone.  She told me that she learned about story time and she got "this," whatever that was.  I can only imagine she was holding it up and talking on the phone at the same time.  Then she told me that she had her snack.  I asked her if the other kids were nice and being good today and she said, "No, the boys got in trouble.  One boy stole my carrot."  Then she told me that she got in trouble.  I said, "What did you get in trouble for," to which she replied, "No, I just got in a little trouble because I was missing you."  I can only imagine what happened however with a response like that, what can I even say.  She talked non-stop and apparently kept telling Charlotte, " I go to school now," as if that makes her superior.

Speaking of Charlotte.  They all walked to the school to drop Grace off and apparently Charlotte was mesmerized by what was going on and all the kids standing in lines.  She did not want Grace to go to school and apparently she was very bored without her today.  She was very excited to pick her up and play with her.

Grace already has homework.  Because she is first on the class roster, she is the first "Student of the Week," and we have a project to do, due Tuesday.  Better make sure I am on my game!  Gotta set the standard high!!!

Nauseous

Enough said!

Grace's Pre-School Orientation

We went to Grace's preschool orientation today.  She was so nervous once we were in the classroom.  She made us go everywhere with her.  She had a seat with a name card on it and Paul literally had to pick her up and sit her in the chair because she was clinging to us.  We were the first to get to the classroom so at least she had a few extra minutes to get warmed up before other kids showed up.  She loved the idea that she gets to hang her backpack up and that she has a spot for her supplies that we brought.  Once we left though, she wanted to know where all of her stuff was because her backpack was "empty."  Tomorrow is the full time which will be from 7:30 to 11:00 so I hope she does well.  She started shaking a little bit when she had to go potty.  I'm really hoping she asks her teacher and doesn't just get scared and have an accident.  Wish us luck.  Here are some pictures from today.  While we were listening to a presentation by the teacher, Sister Maria, the kids were coloring and playing with blocks.  Grace made a picture that was titled, "First Day of School," and had a school house on it.  When we got back to the Augle's, I hung it up so it wouldn't get ruined.  Then I had to leave to go back to work.  Grace ran to the fridge, grabbed the picture, and said, "Mom, can you take this to your school and hang it up?  I made it for you?"  I almost started crying it was so sweet.  I love that little girl!

Back to Work

Well, today is my first day back at work.  I have mixed feelings about this.  I'm going to be interviewing for a new job by the end of the week so I am more stressed than anything.  7 weeks as of yesterday and I am feeling nauseous every day and very very tired.  Hopefully this doesn't cause too many problems.

Grace would not put on socks this morning (in all fairness, she hasn't worn them all summer) and she wouldn't buckle herself in the truck (yes, she knows how to do this well).  I suppose it's because she's tired.  Yes kiddo, you are back to waking up at 5:45 a.m.

Grace starts preschool this week and we have parent night tonight.  Time to get on the ball people.  This is it... I'm nervous about this too.  Her orientation with Sister Maria is Wednesday and Paul and I are both going to take her.  Paul is taking the day off but considering it's my first day, I'm going to work and then going to the orientation and then back to work.  Ahhhhh.

Charlotte was easier this morning.  She came running in to see me when Paul got her out of bed so I am expecting a happy response when I return home from work today.

A few things that she has mastered this summer besides what I've already written:

Charlotte now has a very active imagination.  When I ask her to get something, instead of actually getting whatever it is, she scoops her hands at the carpet and hands me "pretend" whatever.  She and Grace have both been pretending to bring us Brandy, the dog.

Char-Char has also found a way to combat her sister.  She tries to fold her arms together, and then points and says, "Stop" to whomever she is getting mad at the moment.  When I laugh at this she does it more and tells me to stop over and over.  Hilarious.

Grace on the other hand has found a way to combat Charlotte right back.  She simply just stares at her.  I mean this can go on for a few minutes and Grace doesn't falter even when Charlotte starts taking swings at her.  Obviously this is the point where I intervene and tell them both to stop.

Well... wish me luck.  One more week and I will start posting belly pics before mine gets out of control.  I have a feeling I'm not going to be small this pregnancy.  Oh, and I'm guessing this is a girl based on my aversion to meat products and only being able to eat small meals at a time without getting sick.  Plus my face is really oily.  I'm pretty sure this is how I was with Grace.  Toodles!

Charlotte: Colors, Counting, and Being Serious!

Charlotte likes working on her colors these days, however she only likes to respond with green and if we say, "No, it's not green, what color is it?" She responds with, "Yellow."  She then repeats whatever color we tell her it is.  Her counting has increased.  Now she says, "1,2,3,4,5,6, I say 7, 8, she says, 9, yellow, 13, 19.  Huh.  If everything is green and yellow is a number, we have a lot of work to do with her.

She hasn't lost her serious face though and she has started pointing at me and scolding me when I do it to Grace.  HAHAHAHAHAHA

Grace's Beautiful Drawing

Grace has been making me some wonderful drawings this summer.  She is getting quite creative.  I can't wait to display them at work.  She also is learning to write her name.  She can recognize it when she sees it now because we have been practicing.  Here is my favorite drawing from the whole summer:

Do you like reading my posts out of order?

If I blog about Minnesota before the end of Disney World would you still be interested in reading?

Seriously June was the last post? Where is Time Going?

I have so many things to blog about.  I wish I had blogger on my phone and when I spoke, the words would just show up on my blog.  It would sound something like this.

Charlotte: "Mommy!"

Me: "Charlotte."

Charlotte: "Mommy!"

Me: "Charlotte, yes?"

Charlotte: "Grace...mine.  I want it."

Me: "Grace...come here.  What does your sister want?"

Grace: "She wants fill in the blank...it doesn't matter and I had it first!"

Me: "Find her something else to play with and be nice."

Grace:  "Ok mommy.  Come on Charlotte!"


And REPEAT!!!!

Sometimes I feel like it is groundhog day, over and over and over.  I also feel like feeding time is like an assembly line.  Kids in seats, bibs on, cut up food, kids eat some, others land on floor.  Get milk in cups, clean up floor, clean up kids, clean up what fell off kids onto floor while cleaning them up.

However, I am very sad that I go back to work in three weeks and that Grace is starting preschool the same week I'm back.

My next couple of weeks looks like this.  Class work, Galena, prepare for Rita's shower, get school supplies for Grace (can't believe preschool has such a long list), work Freshmen Orientation which I hope I can just use my presentation from last year, and probably do more school work in that time.  This Masters is going to kick my butt.  Oh and I'm pregnant!

Grace

Three days in a row of Grace not taking a nap... and she isn't acting terrible.

Yesterday we went swimming in our neighbor's pool for the first time and when our neighbor Rebecca got out of the pool to grab a raft, Grace yelled, "Hey, neighbor... can I have one too?"  Oh boy!  On a side note, she learned the names of the neighbor's dogs, Lily and Cooper, without fail!

She also is letting me braid her hair these days.  She would much rather run around with messy, unkept hair, but if I force the brushing issue, she is willing to let me style it.  Progress people... progress.

Charlotte... Baby or Toddler?

How is it that Charlotte can clearly now count to five and run and jump in the baby pool, but she walks around dragging her blanket and sucking on a pacifier?  Hmmm..

April 14th, 2012 Animal Kindom

Yes, I know that it is almost July but here goes the next Disney post...

The third day in Disney we went to Animal Kingdom, which I had never been to before.  We started at 8 a.m. and the park was nearly empty because it was open from 8-9 for only resort guests.  We immediately went on the Kilimanjaro Safari where the animals were right near our vehicle.

 Then we rode the Kali River Rapids and Grace got soaking wet.  Charlotte was too little to go on so we waited behind.  Paul said that Grace looked at him with her eyes wide open when she got soaked.  He started laughing , and she joined right in.  Whew... however as I was using the bathroom dryer to dry her shirt, she said she didn't want to get wet anymore.  

We went on several other rides that day and had a blast.  The Festival of the Lion King was by far one of the best attractions in Disney World.  The girls were amazed by the performances and dances and sang along... well I mean I did and they tried. 

We had lunch at the Tusker House Restaurant with Donald and Friends and it was so cute.  Charlotte loved seeing the characters and interacting with them... Grace just loved seeing them... from a distance. We went to Finding Nemo- The Musical after lunch along with some other attractions and that was the breaking point for Charlotte.  Paul had to take her out of the theater and so afterwards we were going to meet at the entrance, go back to the hotel and regroup before dinner.  I made it out... but Paul got stuck by the afternoon parade.  Hahahaha.  He was already all paraded out.  Good thing I had Grace and he had Charlotte who could at least be entertained by the parade and Grace sat with me and waited so well.

 

Epcot Part 2

As we continued through Epcot, along with going on a few more rides and attractions we also spotted Belle and the Beast.  There was a park just across the way so Paul took Grace to play while Charlotte and I hung in the line.  She slept for the first part of it if I remember correctly.  Then when she got up, I got her dressed in her Belle outfit.  The first picture here is one of my favorite. Bow on, map in hand, and pacifier in her mouth.  It looks like she really can read it.  Ha.  Grace was less than enthusiastic at this point but Charlotte was clearly loving it!  I'm pretty sure when we had the Disney photographers take a picture, we didn't have Grace in it because she didn't want to be.  Ha.

We also saw Snow White and were among the first in line to meet her.  This was Charlotte's sweetest moment.  She went right up and gave Snow White a hug and personally I though Snow White was the nicest character in any park.  She spent a long time with the girls and I loved it... probably more than them.

Later in the evening we had reservations for a Princess dinner in Epcot's Akershus Restaurant.  I really could have done without this dinner and Grace had a major meltdown because she didn't want to wear her Cinderella dress.  Now... I would not have tried to force the issue except that Amy bought the dresses for the girls and I really wanted to be able to show her a picture.  Well, let me tell you... I gave up and said, "Forget it," as Grace screamed in the bathroom and wouldn't put it on.  About ten minutes later, Paul took her to the bathroom and, "Voila" the dress was on with no tears.  What the ?  Really, our girls could have cared less about the princesses at this point but we were still able to eat with them entertained.  There aren't any good pictures of Grace and Cinderella by the way...

We stayed in Epcot and went on a few more rides that night, and then we saw the Illuminations presentation when it was dark.  We got Grace a hot chocolate, a few coffees and enjoyed the evening.  Charlotte fell asleep in the stroller.  What a dream child!

The first video is from Journey Into Imagination with Figment and the second is from The TGra Fiesta Tour with the Three Cabelleros.

Charlotte-18 month babbler

Charlotte clearly repeats every word we tell her to say.  She is now 19 and 1/2 months and clearly uses phrases such as "I love you," "See you later," "Please," "Thank you," and "Welcome."  When I sneeze, she says, "Bless you," and it is the sweetest thing.  When I say, "What do you say?" she says Please or Thank you depending on which is necessary, confusing them sometimes making us laugh.  Along with the very expanded vocabulary comes a lot of whining.  She and Grace have a very interesting Love/Hate relationship.  One minute they must take care of each other because "It's my sister," and the next minute they are knocking each other down stealing toys.  Yesterday I put them both in Timeout because Grace did something to Charlotte and Charlotte pulled her hair.  I yelled at both of them and then I told Charlotte to say "Sorry" to Grace which seems to be the one word she struggles to say (I think she's a genius) and Charlotte rubbed Grace with her foot instead and they both starting cracking each other up and then hugged.  I mean are you kidding me?

When I ask Charlotte now what happened when she is crying playing with Grace, she says, "Gace" and pulls me to where Grace is.  Hilarious.  When she answers yes to something, instead of saying, "Yah" or "Yep," she combines them into "Yahp."  I add the "h" in there because it is an extended Yah-p.  It's funnier to hear than read obviously.  She very much needs her afternoon nap and somedays will sleep for 4 hours.  She has been down to one nap for a while so she definitely needs it.  She is back to going to bed at 7 ish so that is good news too.  If we put Charlotte in her bed with a book, she reads it and then lays down and goes to sleep.  What an angel.  Paul is actually the one who started that trend which I love.

She is very interested in potty in the bathroom, however has no interest in actually peeing, she just likes to sit on the toilet, wipe and flush.  Well, not bad for a beginner.  Ha.

Grace- 3 Year Old Crazy Person

Grace is the most independently fearless child I have ever seen.  She is sooo good sometimes and then I realize that she is going to be the death of me and give me anxiety.  For anyone who didn't hear already, right before her 3rd birthday she cut her hair.  Well it gets more interesting.  Earlier this week we were at Amy's house, Charlotte and Luke were taking a nap and the rest of us were outside by the pool.  Grace is awesome in the pool with a Puddle Jumper on and plays great.  She was jumping off the side of the pool and having a blast.  Clearly, I had my eye on her the whole time.  After about an hour and half, there was a period of time where she kept wanting her Puddle Jumper off and wanted to dry off and sit with me, and then put it back on and get back in the pool.  Well the last time, she was just sitting across the pool from Amy and I next to Michael and they were taking turns using a squirt gun.  She didn't have her Puddle Jumper on and I was sitting up talking to Amy just starring at them... not taking my eyes off of them for a second.  All of the sudden the squirt gun ended up in the pool and Grace stood up and jumped in after it.  WHAT THE...  I was in my bathing suit fully prepared to jump in and grab her except I hesitated because she was bouncing her foot off the bottom with her head ABOVE the water, holding her breath and swimming towards the squirt gun.  Amy yelled... "Go Go," and I jumped in and grabbed her but she hadn't swallowed any water at all and was acting like I was crazy for getting her.  I made her sit on the side and explained to her why she needed her Puddle Jumper on and that she is never to go into the pool without it.  Swim lessons are a must... and judging on how she is now, I don't think it's going to take her that long to master it.

Dreaming about Blogging

I have had several dreams and thoughts about the things I should be blogging but haven't sat down to do it. I'm not even finished with Disney and now I have Minnesota to blog about.  Hmmm... I'm going to give it a genuine effort tonight.

Day 2: Epcot

Before I get into the Epcot day, I forgot to mention that when we got back to the hotel room before dinner to shower on the first day, our room was cleaned.  On our bed or table there was a picture of Mickey Mouse with his signature.  I showed it to Grace.  She said, "Mickey Mouse was here and cleaned our room?"  It was the cutest darn thing ever so I didn't correct here.  I said, "Yep, and he left you a picture, isn't that cool?"  So the rest of the trip, everytime we would go back to a clean room, she would say something about Mickey being there.  Awesome

Day 2- Part 1
April 13:  We started out early again and there is a new ride, Soarin' at Epcot that the girls are too little to go on but I wanted Paul to be able to.  We went straight to that ride and since there was such a short wait, I said I would just walk around with the girls in the stroller.  I happened to walk by Epcot's Character Spot where you get to meet the "Big 5."  Apparently Daisy does not count in Disney's Big 5 anymore.  Don't ask me why.  Anyways there was NO line which was AWESOME!  Usually strollers aren't allowed but since I was on my own and there was nobody there, we were able to bring it inside and the girls and I got pictures will all of the Mickey and Friends characters.  The girls once again made me hold them and would not walk up to the characters.  Grace did show Minnie her light-up Mickey toy that she got the night before at the Magic Kingdom but when it came to taking pictures they were apprehensive.  Grace loved the fact that we went from character to character and kept saying, "Let's see, who's next."  I mean it makes sense.  Why would an almost 3 year old want to have some giant characters touching them.  They don't speak and it's probably better that they are slightly nervous.  Either way, when we were done, Paul was just getting out of the ride and was shocked when I showed him the pictures and that we were able to accomplish that task in that period of time.  Seeing that the line had become very busy at that point, I think he was only slightly disappointed that he missed it.  Plus he said the ride Soarin' was awesome and that I had to ride it. 

As we continued on through Epcot, we went on the Nemo ride, saw Turtle Talk with Crush, and played in the area that contained many fish tanks.  The girls could have stayed all day.  The rest of our morning we walked around and saw all of the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival.  This may sound boring but it was amazing.  Grace loved taking her picture with all the characters that were made out of trees and flowers.  Let's be serious, they couldn't move and they still looked like the characters she loves.  You can tell from her complete change of expression that she clearly thought this was more fun than seeing the real deal.