Ainsley Isabella

Happy 1/2 birthday Ainsley Isabella! I can't believe you are 2 1/2. In less than a year you will be 3, out of diapers completely and in pre-school. How is that even possible??? You have been such a blessing to our family. I couldn't pick a better final piece to our family's puzzle. You amaze me every day and there are so many things that I love about you.


* I love your laugh! Everything with you is about fun a laughing. When you laugh you laugh with everything you have!


* I love that you are a rough-houser. I know I don't always show my appreciation for this particular characteristic of yours but I love it all the same. You are a dare devil and when you want to take a risk you take it. This is something I hope you always hold on to!


* I love your little voice. While it assists you in getting out of trouble many a times, it also suits your small frame. Although it might be small it can certainly be mighty!

* I love that you love to snuggle. You are a cuddler and it's an activity that I cherish!

* I love seeing new things through you. Experiencing you at this age was different than Kaylee as with you, probably because with you at 2 I don't have a newborn. So it's as if this is a whole new age to me. You are always so excited by the new things and I love the enthusiasm you show.

*I love that you are always wanting to help. Doesn't matter the chore, generally you ask to help. I also enjoy when you don't you respond by saying "No stank you".

*I love that you are very relaxed and easy going. You are happy to be with others and you are content to go off and do your own thing. You have always been pretty happy go lucky, very go with the flow. I admire this about you as well.

*You are always ready for an adventure, whether it's a 4-wheel ride, playing outside, going for a walk, doing a craft project, etc. Whatever the activity you are ready to participate.

*I love how you love your big sister. I also enjoy that you are the one that picks on her much of the time. She needs someone to ruffle her feathers now and again, and I love that you like to do that.

*I love that 97% of the time you call me "Mama".

*You are a sweet, sweet girl. Your heart is big and your soul is soft and free. I look forward to watching you continue to grow and develop. I just ask that you stop doing this so fast! If you could slow it down a little your Mama would sure appreciate that!

Here are some of my favorite pictures of you.

You were born May 1, 2007 and weighed in at 6lbs 13oz and you were 19 inches long. I have all of your newborn photos on the computer downstairs and for some reason they are in a program that I can't seem to figure how to transfer to the laptop. So I'm starting with a photo from your 9 mos. photos. While your sister's looks changed a lot in the first couple years. You have pretty much stayed consistent. I love your beautiful brown eyes!

This is you the summer you turned 1. Again with those sweet, sweet eyes! This is from the same summer as above. This is one of my favorite photos of all time. You and your great-grandma Duffy. I think the photo says it all. No caption needed!

Again from the same summer. This photo shows just how happy and care-free you are!

This is another favorite activity of yours. Sitting in things that aren't meant to be sat in. Doesn't matter the size of the box in correlation to you. If it has an opening you'll try to sit in it. This was from last winter.This is a favorite for 2 reasons. One because of the way you are sitting. The other is because of the onesie you are wearing outside of your pj's. This was from last winter, you were around 19 mos. You were always taking your clothes off after I would put you to bed. Luckily I still have to check on you every night before I go to bed so I could re-dress you. This, however, made it so you couldn't get your clothes off! Not so fashionable but practical.This was this past Easter. You are 23 mos. here. You love flowers and to smell them. Thankfully it was nice and we were able to get out and smell some flowers.This was taken May 1, 2009, the day you turned 2. Although we had a joint princess party for you and Kaylee you still got your own cakes on your birthday. You love Elmo so it was a perfect cake to make for my sweet Baby A. From the look on your face I think you liked it too! Such a big girl in your big girl room! You were so excited and proud of your big girl bed that "Daddy built you", you still make comments about it even now.
An example of how you love to help. You helped to make some brownies by mixing, and washing the bowl by sampling and washing in the sink.

This past summer you started to enjoy fishing with Daddy at Mee-Maw and Paw-Paw's pond. You aren't big on holding the worms or the fish so Kaylee helps with that. You hamming it up on your rocking horse. You usually ride on him every night. Sometimes before I put you to bed and sometimes after I have left your room I can hear you on the horsey. You definitely have a lot to tell him!

This was taken early this past fall. One of the many dress-up times that go on in our house. You were quite proud of the ensemble you had picked out to wear and really wanted me to take your picture, and as usual you then asked to see it. I was glad I did because it turned out quite cute!

This is a more recent photo from the Schelle Christmas over Thanksgiving. Again so happy and a photo that just makes me smile!

Kaylee McKenna

Well since I'm somewhat behind in birthday posts we'll go for 1/2 birthday posts! Happy 1/2 birthday Kaylee McKenna! You are 4 1/2 years old. I can't even believe it!! You are 1/2 way to Kindergarten. I know that you are more than ready but your mom on the other hand will spend the next several months dragging her feet as much as she can. I still vividly remember the day I found out I was pregnant with you, the day I had you and even those first few months. I can think of an age and picture you at that age. I have enjoyed every minute of you, yes, even the challenging ones. You truly are my mini-me and for some of that I apologize, but for all of it I'm grateful! Here are some of the things I admire about you:

*Your incredible memory. I'm also thankful for this as you help me to remember things I soon forget.

*I love your passion for learning. You continue to amaze me daily with your vocabulary, your new found love of spelling as many things as you can and your ability to begin to read to me.

*Along with the above I love that you enjoy watching medical shows and other educational shows just because you want to know about everything.

*I love that through my recent medical issues you were such a grown-up girl and took care of Ainsley and that when I thanked you for it you rubbed my head and said "No problem, little buddy".

*The expressiveness in your face when you tell me things.

*Your love of infomercials, not the hour long ones, but the 1 minute commercials. I also love that you repeat them to me as an explanation as to why we should buy whatever they are selling.

*I love to hear you walk around singing, at the top of your lungs. Some times the song is familiar and some times it's a Kaylee original.

*I envy your willingness and enjoyment of looking for bugs and not hesitating to pick them up.

*Your willingness to always help others who need it.

*That you play with everyone regardless of who else is, or isn't, playing with them.

*While it's a battle at times I do get a kick out of your thoughtfulness to what you are going to wear.

*I so enjoy watching you continue to grow and change. You have a flare for the dramatic, High-maintenance Barbie, and a sensitive soul. I hope you continue to follow your own drum and your willingness to explore everything from arts, to dance to sports. I know you will find your niche and you will be unstoppable. I could never be prouder of you!!! Thanks for being my first-born!

Lastly, some of my favorite photos:

Kaylee McKenna

Born May 17, 2005
Here we are getting ready to go home.

5 months old, lovin her veggies!

9 Mos. old, love the eyes!

18 mos. old, just hanging out.

This was taken this year in Florida. We were at the zoo on a boat ride. Again with those eyes!

Playing outside this past spring. Love the hat, more proof of being my mini-me.

Princess Kaylee at her 4th Birthday party. Can you guess what the theme was?

The first day of the Montessori school year 2009.

Who would have thought?

Who would have thought that all it would take is a little blood loss, a little surgery and a little time off work to get me to catch up on my blog?HAHA! Well I must seize the opportunity as I'm hoping this type of opportunity, the whole medical part, doesn't come a long again. Enjoy the updates and have a great Thanksgiving!

St. Jude 2009

I have to admit that I'm so behind in my posting I had to double-check that I had not already blogged about this yet. So almost 2 1/2 mos. late here it is.


This year Brad and I participated in the St. Jude Bloomington to Peoria run. The difference this year from previous is that I ran. Yes, you read correctly I ran. I started "training" around the end of May. I would walk 1/2 mile and run 1/2, then built up run/walk 1 1/2 miles, 2 times a week. Finally one day as I was heading out I thought eventually you are going to have to start off running, so I did and ran a mile, and after many run/walk distances I was running 2 miles at a time pretty comfortably. I was O.K. with this because I knew that many of the run legs were 1.0 to 1.5 miles.


I'd hoped that once I began doing this on a regular basis I would really start to like running. I've heard many say that in the beginning it's hard but once you get used to it you start enjoying it. I can honestly say that didn't happen. There were a few times when I wasn't able to stick with my normal routine and felt guilty about that, but I can't say I was excited when it was time to go run again. However, St. Jude is a powerful and very motivating force and that organization is really what pushed me.


Race day came and I was excited. I thought maybe I would be nervous but I really wasn't. The weather was perfect for running, especially since it was the first Saturday in August. It was over-cast, and sprinkled a little that day, and unseasonably cool. I thought it was great! It is such an amazing experience and I highly recommend anyone try it. In fact next year some of us are thinking about starting another team. The more the merrier, right? So if you are interested keep it in mind. It's always the first Saturday in August. The great thing is you don't have to be an avid runner. There are so many people who only run this one day and some don't even train before. Obviously they are a little more sore over the next few days, but it can be done.


I was pretty proud of myself I did 10 miles over all, Brad did 22. I did 2 legs that were 2.1 miles, and the rest were 1.0 to 1.5 miles. Towards the end of the day my left hip joint and knee were hurting but that's what happens as you age and overuse your body in a way it's not use to.


I didn't get as many photos as last year, since I was running, but my mom took a few once we got to Peoria and were running into the civic center. I do want to say THANK YOU to everyone who donated, whether to our online account or by sending a check. The Bloomington-Normal teams raised a total of $210,000. We are up from last year which is amazing considering the economy this past year. It just goes to show how worthy of an organization this is. I think of it as one of the best places available that I hope I never have to use. For every person who donated you had a part in that grand total and you had a big part in assisting these families! We hope we can count on you again next year! The great thing about St. Jude is no amount is too small every little bit goes to a child to assist in the fight of their life! So again I say THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!


Here we are getting ready to run around the block and into the parking lot across from the Civic Center. They make us spread out here because a lot of teams arrive at the same time so it helps avoid a traffic jam.

Here we are getting closer to the corner that we turn onto to run into the parking lot. There are always a lot of people gathered, from all over, to cheer on all the teams.

My mom took these. After the teams come into the parking lot we all go to the baseball stadium, or Civic Center, and use the locker rooms to shower and get dressed in our matching shirts. Every town has a different shirt with a different color. Ours were red this year. As the teams run into the Civic Center through the people they are announced and their total amount raised is announced.

This is our team. I think Brad and I were in the middle of the pack somewhere. I would like to note that in this photo, the young girl who is in the middle, of the 2 women in front, is a cancer survivor. She and her dad ran last year as well. An inspiring story with thanks to St. Jude for their service!

Congratulations!

As many of you may, or may not, know my brother Brian is getting married. He and Sarah got engaged on July 14th, easy to remember as it's my wedding anniversary. The wedding plans have gotten well underway. The girls in the family are enjoying this and are excited to help out. The boys are your typical boys when it comes to the discussions...but I'm sure deep down they are enjoying all the wedding talk(she writes with sarcasm) The wedding will be November 6, 2010. We are very excited for both of them and look forward to their big day and sharing in it.

Congrats Brian and Sarah!

Storytime

I have been wanting, and needing, to update our blog for quite sometime. I finally have a little time today, however don't have access to the photos I need. So, I thought I would do a little story time. The girls continue to grow and change on a daily basis. As they do there are some funny, and not so funny, moments that come too. I thought I would share some examples:

Story #1 (and the most recent as it happened last night):

I put the girls to bed. Ainsley first, then Kaylee. It wouldn't matter if I had Kaylee go to the bathroom every 5 minutes the hour before she went to bed she would still come out, minutes after I have left her room, to ask to use the bathroom. So as part of our "normal" routine, I left her room, walked into mine and was about to go downstairs when I hear her door open, and there she is asking to go to the bathroom. I say "yes", she heads into the bathroom in our room (for some reason this is the upstairs bathroom of choice, probably because it's farther away from her room and therefore allows her to be out of her room longer than if she would use the one in the hallway by her room). I am now in the kitchen and can hear Ainsley, in her room, right above me, doing her nightly antics in her room, while she is suppose to be sleeping. All of a sudden I hear a very loud crash. I head back upstairs and as I get closer I can hear Kaylee crying. Honestly, my first thought was she was sitting on the toilet playing around and fell off. I walk in my room and she comes out of the bathroom. Here's how the conversation goes:

Me: Kaylee, what happened?
Kaylee: I broke something. (crying)
Me: Take a breath...what did you break?
Kaylee: (still crying) I didn't mean to.
Me: What did you break?
Kaylee: (walks into bathroom to show me as I follow and points to wall): that.
Me: (looking at the wall, by the shower where a towel rack use to be, but now only one of the rod holders is still in place), how did that happen?
Kaylee: I didn't mean to.
Me: I understand that, but how did that happen?
Kaylee: I was swinging on it.

So we went down to tell Daddy. We all had a discussion on how we don't swing on things like that, and thanked her for being honest, and restated that it's important to be honest and take accountability for wrong choices. Then she went to bed.

Story #2:

Daddy decides to go for a walk on one of the trails in our subdivision. He asked the girls if anyone wanted to go on a walk through the timber. Ainsley agreed. She was down in the basement playing and came upstairs, when she came up she had brought a toy with her.

Ainsley: I ready to go.
Daddy: What's that?
Ainsley: It's Diego animal rescuer for the animals.
Daddy: Are you taking it with us?
Ainsley: Yes, I rescue the animals from the forest.
Daddy: Ok, let's go.

Upon their return:

Me: How was the walk?
Daddy: Good.
Me: Ainsley did you see any animals?
Ainsley: No, baby jaguar was in the trees.
Me: Did you rescue him?
Ainsley: NO! I said baby jaguar was in the trees.
Me: Ok.

She can be a bit bossy and a bit blunt.

Yes, I do still blog!

I can't believe my last post was from July. Well, maybe I can, but still where has all that time gone? As summer is winding down and we are looking ahead to fall activities I am reminded about things that I still am wanting to blog on. Some catch-up sessions are definitely in order! Since we have a 3 day weekend coming up I'm hoping to get caught-up, at least a little bit. Here are some of the things I need to work on:

• Individual posts for Kaylee and Ainsley in honor of their birthdays, 3 months ago!
• St. Jude Run
• Random summer fun!

Please check back soon and hopefully you'll see a refreshed, and updated, blog!