Changes

I really didn't mean to coincide this post with the new year.  It just happened that way.  

There's a few things that have changed recently...

Kaylee isn't nursing anymore.  Below is the last picture I have of her nursing.  (Yes, I take pictures of her nursing.  I didn't have many of Ri and I regretted it. I don't think it's weird.  It's special to me and I wanted to remember it another way besides my ever-so-depleting memory.  I wanted to remember how long her hair was, where she put her hands, and the feeling of her cuddled against me for a few minutes uninterrupted).  

I suppose it's partly due to me being pregnant that she stopped.  Ri nursed until I was about five months pregnant with Kaylee (18 months old).  She never refused but I could tell she wasn't interested anymore and she never asked after I stopped offering.  Kaylee has asked a few times here and there but since it's been so long, there's not much there. Plus it probably tastes weird.  So she whines about it not being the same.  But it was her choice and I try to explain that to her.  After offering her sippy cup, she quickly forgets all about me - maybe a little too quickly for my liking.  :)

 Kaylee used the potty.  Once.  Apparently, it freaked her out because every time we talk about her using the potty now, she adamantly says "no!"  My goal is to potty train her this summer when Septtro is home right around her second birthday.  We'll see how it goes.  She knows a lot but is fairly stubborn.

Rilynn is becoming such a little girl so quickly.  We went to an indoor play place last week. And I didn't have to help her up to the slide. She did it.  All by herself.  Over and over.  She makes up songs in the car, can make believe anything into existence, and she will sit for hours and listen to me read her books.

 I am on an indefinite break from my cloth diapers.  I know - I am just as surprised as anyone.  Part of this started when I ran into some issues with my cloth diapers.  I just didn't wanna strip them again, replace elastic, try a different type.  Plus, it's really been good to simplify at least one thing in my life while I'm in the exhausted, not feeling so well stage of pregnancy.  I do eventually want to go back to my cloth diapers.  The cost savings just makes it hard for the practical side of me to ignore.  One thing I have noticed that I'd forgotten, is how quickly you can go through a box of disposable diapers!  Thankfully, I have a decent stash still from when I find good deals.

These two.  More and more, they are together.  They share a room and even tonight, Kaylee didn't want to go to bed without Rilynn.  She kept asking "where Ri Ri?".  That makes my heart glad.  They do argue.  But they love each other's company.  And I love that.  They watch shows together, race from door to door inside the house, and throw rocks in the creek together; among other things.  I hope they become super close.  I love that they have each other!

Christmas 2012

Reading the real Christmas Story

Happy Birthday Jesus!! (lovingly referred to as the "cheese-us cake"  :)

Ri got The Sound of Music and was absolutely delighted while watching it

 Septtro got the both girls a head light.  They always want to wear his when we have fire night at our house.  Kaylee wore hers almost all morning.

Snagged this princess tent for $5 - big hit!!

wearing the stockings

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!!

Bless a Momma from Newtown, CT

Remember that sweet nest necklace from my last post? 

Well the gal who makes them was contacted by a friend of a mom who lost her little girl in the school shooting a few weeks back in Newtown, Connecticut.  She's decided she wants to give every mom who lost their child that day the opportunity to have a necklace.  

Read more here.  

They will be sent out January 10th so please consider if you are able to give to this cause.  I know it would bless those mommas.  And of course, no guilting yourself if you can't help.  Prayer is very powerful and I'm sure they will need lots of prayer for quite a while.

On a happier note, we had a great Christmas.  I hope you did too!! (hopefully pictures of that to come soon)

Hint, Hint

link for nest jewelry 

That's right - two lines...on two tests (just in case!)  :)

A new little Sene is expected at the end of July/beginning of August.

Oh Christmas Tree!....

That's right.  Our Christmas tree is up before Thanksgiving.  Not that long ago, I would have said that's an abomination.  But Thanksgiving weekend has gotten busy enough and I'd rather just relax (plus we're usually out of town).  So the past two years, we've done it the weekend before Thanksgiving.  And I like it.  

The girls "helped" this year - Ri more so than Kaylee.  I'm sure there will be several times when we will have to remind Kaylee that the ornaments are not toys (at least they're not fragile).

Notice that most of the ornaments are on the same branch.  We are gonna leave it that way.  :)

My prayer is that our girls will come to realize what's truly important during this season: Christ and His sacrifice for us - and that it really is better to give than to receive.  

She's Got Moves You've Never Seen

We've come to realize Ri is a pretty good dancer.  I suppose it's in her blood  :)

This was October 26th, 2011 - she had just turned two

This was November 4th, 2011 at her Daddy's football game (probably my favorite so far)

Disney on Ice

We are taking Ri to her first big event soon - Disney on Ice!  My mom had mentioned it was coming to town but I wasn't quite sure she was old enough to pay attention the whole time and I didn't wanna spend the money if she wasn't ready.

But then, just yesterday, we found out if you took a few nonperishable items to a food drive, you would get free tickets (2 per family)!

So we got two tickets and my mom gave us one of hers since my dad isn't interested in coming.  :) (Kaylee will be free if we decide to take her)

I'm SO excited!!!  Apparently, they were having trouble selling tickets for this particular night because it's the day before Thanksgiving.  So that's why they did the promotion yesterday.  

The show will have characters from Cars, Toy Story, Tinkerbell, and The Little Mermaid - all of which I think she'll love (especially Toy Story since she's pretty much in love with Buzz Lightyear)

Total, we spent about $6 for all of us to go - can't beat that!  

Football is OVER!!! And other happenings



Septtro and I...together at 3:45pm on a weekday! :)



So Septtro's team lost last Friday.  It was actually a close game - back and forth. But they lost.  It's over - no more meetings, Spring practices, summer workouts, film sessions (seriously people, football has got to be the one sport that requires the most time from coaches). 

 I am a little sad for Septtro.  I know it's bittersweet for him.  He wants to be home.  But he does love football.  But he'll be coaching some of the boys this Spring for track and field and I'm sure he'll keep in touch.  Plus, who knows - maybe in 5-10 years, he'll make a coaching comeback. 

A few weeks ago, we went down to Columbia for the State Fair.  Septtro and I had been once when we were dating and we split a turkey leg and just walked around (mostly laughing at others trying to win the rigged games).  But this time, we were treated to rides and food (thanks Papa Sene and Grandebbie!).  The girls both had so much fun and seeing Ri's expression while riding rides was priceless!!

We went trick or treating on Halloween.  Ri was Cinderella and KK was pretty much the cutest lil pig you've ever laid eyes on.  They had a great time at a nearby church festival and, of course, we got a TON of candy! 

Last night, we had a camp out in our backyard.  I was nervous - and I'm not a huge fan of tent camping.  But our house was so close.  To my surprise, both girls conked out by 10.  But a bit before midnight, my face was freezing and I was concerned about the girls being out all night.  And I knew I wouldn't sleep much because I'd be so concerned and want to check on them all night.  So we took them inside.  And they went right to bed again.  We'll definitely have to try it again when it's warmer.  They loved it!  

I do love where we live, despite being a bit further from a grocery store than I'd like.  Example: a tractor cutting grass along our road = entertainment for at least a good hour - and for free!

Also, I'm pretty excited I can actually do crafts with Ri now.  Sometimes she doesn't do them quite like I'd hoped, but at least she's interested!  (this one was from Family Fun Magazine)

Happy Saturday ya'll!!!

I Hate Football Season

I'm still waiting on my husband.  It's 8:18pm.  Football practice ends at 6:30.  Also, the school is about 35-40 minutes away.

He has lock up duty again this week which means he has to stay until all of the kids are gone.  And a lot of these parents don't really care when they show up to pick up their kids.  Thanks a lot - so thoughtful of you.

I hate football season.

But next year, I can like it again.  Septtro has said this is his last year coaching.  I can't tell you how incredibly thankful I am to hear this.  Both of my girls have been born during football season (well, Kaylee was born a week before it started - Rilynn was born at the end of September).  We'd like to have more kids.  And I really don't want to be husbandless with a newborn again.  Plus, Ri asks where he is often now.  He's such a great dad.  And a great husband.  He's getting his masters to replace the football income.  

That's a big sacrifice for him.  He's not a fan of school.  And he's the greatest coach I know.  He loves football and those boys.  But he's stopping coaching for me - for his family.  

There's two more weeks of the regular season and possibly some post season playoffs depending on how they do. 

I can see the light.  

But right now, I still hate football season.

Lately

I've tried a new facial cleansing routine - the oil cleansing method.  I like it.

The weather has been much cooler.  If this were Spring - as my mom pointed out - everybody would be in their shorts and t-shirts.  But because everybody is ready for cooler, hot tea and blanket weather, we are donning sweatshirts and jeans. 

And boots.

I went to a sidewalk sale at a local grocery store.  They do it every other Saturday in their parking lot.  Tons of food and household products are set out in banana boxes.  Grab what you want, put back what you don't - repack your box and pay $8 a box. 

This was my loot from last Saturday - everything I got came out to 25 cents a piece.  It was my first time so I learned a few lessons I'll try next time but overall, I think I did pretty good.  :)

Oh, and this is my new favorite pictures of my Kay.  It's very her - sucking those fingers and clutching her beloved lovie.  

I'm so thankful my girls have cousins who live in town.  I love seeing them enjoy each other and become good buddies.  I thought it was funny I captured a picture of the two younger sucking their fingers and the two older ones sucking their thumbs.  :)

Ri, to my surprise and delight, ran the bases correctly and pretended to hit a ball.  I've heard there's a three year old t-ball program in town.  I think I may look into it.  

We have been spending A LOT more time outside - especially going on walks - and we may or may not break out in a sprint every now and then.

It just wouldn't be right to not cuddle in fuzzy, footie pjs now would it?  

Sisters.  I love that they will have each other growing up.  

Ri is THREE!

I know I'm a bit late posting but last week was busy.  Ri's birthday was September 25th (last Tuesday) and Septtro's was September 28th (last Friday).    

I think this might have been the first birthday that I wasn't sad...sad that time was going too fast.  Instead of dwelling on how quickly she's growing up, I actually enjoyed what a fun, little girl she's becoming.

We went to the park and played with her cousins per her request.

snack time at the park - only time they were still

 On her actual birthday, we let her choose what to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Which included: monkey bread, McDonalds, and Chick fil a.  I got her a cupcake and she blew out her candles after eating dinner.

birthday breakfast, lunch, dinner

Of course, she had to have a Buzz-themed cake.

just look at how big she is!

my birthday girl

We had a party for her this past Saturday.  She got a lot of Toy Story themed toys and a big girl bike!  Now we just have to get her a helmet....and maybe a mouth guard so we don't lose any more teeth! :)