Random...

It's been sunny, but still chilly. We've been outside a lot for walks and to just be outside. Livie discovered the ginormous sand box that we have acquired with the house... I wasn't sure that I liked it, but the more I think about it, I think I'll like it. Claire has been fitting into all of her hats now. I'm excited about that. I think we have about 20 hats. I know, it's ridiculous, but when ya have bald babies...

This is Olivia's latest look. She rolls her eyes ALL the time. It is funny, but at the same time a bit worrisome. She will hurt baby Claire in some way shape or form and when I make her apologize she will, but soon after turn around, sigh and roll her eyes. Oh brother...

A Smile from Claire

Daddy-O is 30!!

Yesterday was Brett's 30th Birthday. YOWSA! We never knew 30 could look so good ;) Brett told Olivia we would go ice-skating for his birthday. He hoped she would forget... but she did not! So, we went. I forgot to bring in my camera- I was so irritated that I forgot. So, by the time I got it Olivia was DONE on the ice. Really, she only went around once on ice skates and once in her tennis shoes. She didn't really like it. She had a blast playing on the bleachers and watching us skate through the glass though!

My little "Clarito Burrito"

Claire gave us some of her first real smiles just the other day. She is finally more alert and starting to interact a little. She is a noise maker. She grunts, growls and makes funny squeel noises a lot. She is not a quiet baby. If she's not sleeping, she's making noise. She's a sweet pea! We love her.

Valentines and Party time

Daddy gave the girls roses for Valentines Day and Olivia a purple dress. She LOOOVED it. She danced around and spun in her dress for like an hour. She tortured her rose and it broke after 10 minutes, after which she said "I'm sorry Daddy!"

We went to PF Changs for Emmies birthday. It was fun- Olivia just loves visiting "Emmiegisco" (Emily and Francisco)

Our friend Kadee gave us this idea! What great fun!

We Quit

It's official- we are failures! We are quitting potty training, alas, I don't think Olivia is quite ready. After 2 weeks of poop and pee on the floor ALL day long, every stinkin day... WE QUIT! Yesterday she had NOTHING in the potty. She peed on the floor all day long. She doesn't seem to understand when she needs to go. The only time she makes it is when she has been sitting on her toilet already (since I made her sit on it ALL the time, even though she said she didn't need to go). Anyway- I am sick of it.. it is absolutely making me crazy.
In better news...
Claire slept 8 hours last night!!! I've been doing some sleep training (thanks to Natalies great advice) and it is WORKING! AMAZING! I thank the Lord daily for letting Claire and I sleep!!! YEA!!!!

Getting Ready

We are ready for Emmies Birthday party tonight!!!

A Few of My Favorite Things

Claires' 'Nettie Quilt'

This is a "Nettie Quilt". At least that's what we call them in our house. Nettie is my sister in-law. She is AMAZING with quilt making. I LOVE her style and I LOVE that she makes quilts for my babies ;) Olivia has a quilt and now Claire does too. They are so beautiful and I love to stare at them looking at the different fabrics and stitches. They are great inspiration when I am making quilts!

Claires' pink knit blanket- made by Grandma

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the blankets we get when we have babies... My Grandma has knit beautiful blankets for both the girls, and we love them! The stitching is perfect- it makes me want to knit too. My stuff looks nothing like hers though. She has also knit us our Christmas stockings and I have blankets she knit for me when I was a baby. I think they are really special and I think of her every time I see them ;)

A Visit from some of our favorite people

Hannah and Olivia


This is Bryson- there latest addition! (gotta love that shirt!)

Our friends and old neighbors the Roaches came to visit! We just love getting to see them again. Olivia LOVES playing with Hannah, and I LOVE talking to Natalie. She one of those moms that does it all soo well, so there is much to be learned from her! We miss them lots... it's too bad they didn't move with us!

Happy Birthday!

For Grandma from Sarisker on Vimeo.

Potty Update

Olivia is doing pretty good. She has accidents daily, but usually 1-2 success stories too! She almost went #2 in her potty last night, but she kept her panties ON when she sat on her toilet! aaaah rats! Anyway- we used Dr. Phil's potty training method. He says it works in 1 day.... umm, I think not Dr. Phil. It did get her on the right road though. Olivia is VERY patient in all of this. She practices using that toilet about 30 times a day- then she'll say "I'm so proud of you Wivies!"

It's just beginning...

Potty Training Olivia from Sarisker on Vimeo.

Nursing

Olivia nursing 'Baby Camille'

If anyone knows me well- they would know how awful my experience nursing was with Olivia. We tried and failed at nursing. It was really a BAD, painful experience. I was VERY nervous about nursing Claire, but thought I'd give it one more try. Thank goodness I did- nursing is going great! Although still a little painful, it is leaps and bounds better then with Liv. Claire is a good eater. She will even take a bottle. She nurses 98% of the time, but when she is extra hungry she gets a bottle and takes it pretty well! We are SO happy with how things have turned out this time! YAY!