Power Outage

During the big wind storm, we lost power like most everyone else. Fortunately, ours was only off for about 12 hrs. We still have friends who are in the dark!

So, how do explain this concept to a 2 year old? Poor Elise wanted to listen to her music so badly. She kept asking for "George music please" (Curious George soundtrack is her favorite- we like it too). We tried explaining that the power was out so George music wouldn't work. She brought me the remote and said, "Here you go mama, here the remote". When all else fails...give her candy. She forgot all about the music!

Big Sis and Little Sis

I had a matching onesie made for Mallory to go with the dress that Elise wore to announce our pregnancy. I'm not a big fan of big bows, but the lady was very generous and included bows for the girls for free. I had a hard time getting Mallory to look at me because she was so mesmerized by the black and white skirt! She looks a little scared when Elise was holding her (we were scared too:).

Blue Eyed Girl

Last Saturday when I worked, Brian stripped Mallory down and took her outside for her 3 month photo shoot. He is going to make a "precious parts" collage similar to the one we had done for Elise. This is one of my favorite pictures that he took- I just love those amazing big blue eyes! And by the way, the little squirt started rolling BOTH ways last Monday!!!

3 Months Old

It is so hard to believe that Mallory is already three months old! She is doing great and growing like a weed. I have gone back to work and the poor thing hates the bottle. She only took less than 2 ounces my first day away! She seems to be doing a little better with it this week though. I think she looks so much like Elise in these pics- especially in the "I absolutely hate tummy time" one! She is always chomping on those hands and drooling!

Terrible Twos

I was trying to get Elise to sit down for a picture, and in true two-year-old fashion she told me, "I no want to sit and say cheese". At least she is honest, right? I took this picture anyway and she wanted to see it. When I showed it to her she said, "That Elise, she need be nice". Could she look any more rotten?

She is the cutest little thing. She if very stubborn like her mama, so we have our fair share of meltdowns and time-outs. Most of the time though, she is amazing us with her language and learning abilities. I know everyone thinks their kid is smart, but she really catches on and just loves to learn. She talks like you wouldn't believe and knows a ton of signs. Sometimes she will tell me something in Spanish and I have no clue what she is talking about until I see it on Dora or Diego.

Some of our favorite Elise sayings are:
"Daddy, you need to eat somefin?"
"That so stinkin cute."
"Go lay down buddy, you drive me crazy."(She remamed Wyatt)
"Daddy, you wanna play kitchen? Of course" (She answers for him and in a different voice)
"Mallory's sad, she need to eat boobies." (Yeah, this can be a little awkward)
"Mommy stinky, she need a shower." (Sometimes I run in the morning and can't get my shower until later. You moms know how it is).

"Mommy needs coffee!"
"I know, lets play stacking blocks".
"How about a sandwich."
"I feel betta."
"That so beautiful."
"It's dewicious!"

Elise and Julia

Katie and I usually get the girls together once a week. Elise always looks forward to seeing her little friend and if I ever say the word "park", she automatically says "I go see Julia". Katie and I get to drink coffee and talk, and she likes to get a baby fix with Mallory. Here are a couple of pics of the girls swinging- they look more and more alike the older they get. A lady at the mall play area thought they were twins... I had to convince her that they were not even related and that Elise was 4 months older!

OMG- I Have a MySpace Page!

I really feel like a tweeny-bopper now! The girls at work have been giving me a hard time about being so uncool and not being on MySpace. I finally did get an account, but only so that I could view a photographer's pictures. That made things worse because then I was told how lame my MySpace page was and how sad it was that Tom was my only friend (I ignored all of their friend requests). I promised them that before I came back from maternity leave I would have it done, so I finally did it with a week to spare! Now you all have to resend your friend requests!

Afternoon Tea

Look how little she was last year!

My big girl!

Elise even got her chocolate milk in a teapot.

Mallory slept the whole time:)

Last year we took my mom to Central Perk in Oakwood for afternoon tea. It was such a fun experience, so this year we did it again. This time we went to this posh little bakery called the Bonbonerie in Hyde Park, which was again so much fun and the food was amazing. Everyone got a kick out of Elise because she brought her Backyardigans tea set. We will definately have a tea party with the girls every year!

Mallory's Two Month Post

She discovered her tongue and thinks that it is so much fun!

She totally has my crooked smile!!!

She barely fits in her bouncy seat!

Giggling:)

She has been able to use her Bumbo since she was 5 weeks old.

Mallory was 2 months on August 2nd. She was 11 lbs, 9 0z and 23 1/8 in at her check up (both 75%). She has the cutest little flirty personality. As soon as she catches your eye she gets so excited and just grins from ear to ear. She is starting to do the cute little belly laughs, especially when we move her legs and make her "run". We can't believe how big she is getting! The other morning Elise went up to her and said "Hi Chub-a-dub!"- it was so funny. We never have a dull moment with these girls.

Props to Daddy

For those who have not seen Mallory's birth announcement... here it is! Brian bought his first professional camera a couple of months ago and has been having so much fun experimenting with it. He takes some awesome pics of the girls and follows them around like the paparazzi. He took the pics and designed the announcement. Good job Abe!

No Ties to Family Ties

I just have to put this out there...

Yes- I did watch Family Ties (Hello, who didn't?!).

No- if we had a boy, his name would not have been Alex.

No- if we have another girl in the future, her name will not be Jennifer.

No- I did not realize that the mom was Elyse (I must have been focusing on my Michael J. Fox crush. Please note the difference in spelling).

No- we do not want the Family Ties box set for Christmas.

No- we are not the new Keatons.

Yes- these are all FAQs.

One Month (ish)

So, Mallory was one month old on July 2nd and I have to hurry and do this post because she will be 2 months next week! She is getting so big! At her 2 week checkup she was already a pound over her birthweight and at 5 weeks she was over 10 lbs! We always called Elise "Peanut" and now we joke that Mallory's nickname should be "Pork Chop". However, the nickname that seems to be sticking is "Mallory Moo" because she is always eating. Mallory is generally very happy and laid back. She just loves to interact- she gives the best smiles and coos.
Elise likes to hold Mallory and give her a "fiver" if she cries. Elise has been keeping busy this summer with playing outside. She loves swimming, doing play-dough, and playing with the neighbor kids. She has to burn off some of that energy! Anyway, here are some pics of the girls and I will try to post again soon.

More Visitors

Papa

Steph and Selina

Aunt Sarah

Aunt Rachel

Mandy and Shannon

First Visitors

Since Mallory came so quickly, Brian's mom was the only one who was there when she was born. Jamie got there about 15 minutes later and my mom got there about 3o minutes later. When we had Elise, my mom was the only one who made it to her birth. We keep saying that with the next one, Brian will probably miss it!

From Belly Buddies to Roomies

My friend Diana was due three weeks after me. We thought for sure that I would deliver first, especially since I had Elise early. Diana was scheduled for an induction on Monday, June 2nd, but she went into labor on her own and had Matthew on Saturday. Mallory and Matthew got to hang out for a while in the hospital.

Our Girls

Our first family picture

Elise greeting Mallory when we came home

Of course Wyatt also had to check out his new sister

Our first week home with Mallory has gone surprisingly well. She is a very laid back baby and Elise acts like she has always been here. In the hospital, Elise kept calling her "it" or "brother", but now she knows that she is her sister and she says her name very well (Mallory is quite a mouthful for a two-year old). I am thrilled to have two girls, especially since they are so close in age.

It's A Girl!!!

Finally after a long 41 weeks, Baby Mallory decided to make her grand entrance Monday at 2:00 am. She weighed 7 lbs, 13 oz and is 20.5 inches long. Let's just say things didn't exactly go "as planned"- we barely made it to the hospital in time, but we are all doing great!

Surprise Baby Shower

On Saturday I thought I was just going out to dinner with the girls from work, but the little sneaks had arranged for a surprise baby shower! I was truly shocked- I was not expecting it at all! Everyone was so generous and I am thankful to work with such a great group of gals!