A cloudy day for Little Miss Sunshine

Ellie has been nicknamed Little Miss Sunshine due to her never ending smile. It is rare that she even cries or fusses. If she does become fussy it is with good reason. A hungry tummy, a tired body, a stinky diaper, or something hurts her. The other day Ellie was not a happy camper. A combination of the purple bags under eyes and the faucet of drool coming from her mouth were a fine indicator that Ellie was teething. All it took was a good dose of ibuprofen, and a nap in daddy's arms to clear the clouds for Little Miss Sunshine. UPDATE: Those teeth still haven't poked through, but the sun is shining.

Fashion Week In Paris...Fashion at Home

It is currently fashion week in Paris. I love watching updates of what will be in style. Some of it makes sense. Some of it I don't find appealing or understand for that matter. Like this little creation by British fashion designer John Galliano during his spring-summer 2009 ready-to-wear collection presented in Paris over the weekend. Who in their right mind would actually step outside thinking they look good in something like unless they were four years old, or part of a not so conventional profession?

This now brings me to discussing the fashion of a four year old. Abbey is currently at the stage where she likes to dress herself. Tiaras tutus and fairy dust are a must in her style. Sometimes I just have to put my foot down and force her to change her clothes. What can I say, Cinderella attire ( cheap taffeta and plastic high heals) just won't do when we go grocery shopping. Our little family of five draw enough attention when we go places, I can only imagine what it would be like if Abbey wore her dress up clothes.

This morning, Mark went to run some errands and took Abbey and Cari with him. I told Abbey to go get dressed and she came out in her purple ballet dress, pink tennis shoes and black sweatshirt. And a dishonorable mention for her favorite accessory. That brown, raspy old security blanket (NANA DEEDEE) she brings with her everywhere. I shook my head in disbelief at the creation Little Miss Abbey picked out. Oh the horror!! I then took a large gulp of lukewarm coffee, and thought that there are worse battles to fight for. I sent her back in room to put some leggings on (IT'S COLD HERE) and put her in her car seat.

SCORE: Child 1. Mom 0.

We're Going Home

It will be seven years since we bought our house. We brought three babies home, and met a lot of wonderful people in our community. some who I am sure will be friends for life. Despite this, this area has never felt like home. Mark has been commuting for 2.5 years now to the Milwaukee area with hopes that when the opportunity presented itself we would head home. One thing lead to another and M and C decided to move to North Carolina just in time to miss the Wisconsin winters. Once they put their house for sale it got us thinking that it is time to attempt to sell our house. We put our house on the market with little optimism that it would sell. Well, four days later we recieved a reasonable offer, a closing date at the end of October, but no place to go. Not even a community picked out. Well, lots of stress and lots of heart to hearts later, Mark and I picked a community and now have an accepted offer on a house. I love the big bedrooms, the large kitchen ( not the layout), and an awesome laundry room with a stationary tub. I do not love the pink master bedroom, or the mauve counter tops in the bathroom. Nothing a little paint, knocking out a few walls, and a complete kitchen remodel won't take care of. Oh, and since M and C will be taking their Jimmy Buffet Margaritaville Margarita Machine with them to North Carolina, Mark and I will need one of those too. It is good to be going home after all these years.

Gotcha Day.....6 Month Aniversary

Six months ago a scared and frail infant was placed in Mark's arms at the JJ Sun Hotel in China. Even though the days can be a bit long (especially the final hour before the girls' bedtimes) time goes by so quickly. It is amazing how this little girl became my daughter in every sense of the word.

Ellie turns Seven Months old

On February 26, 2008 at 12:09 PM Ellie came into the world. While 15 days early, she was a healthy 7 lb 14 oz and 21 inches long, Maybe a bit skinny back then, but she has since made up for it. At her 6 month visit she weighed in at 19 lb 4 oz, and was 28 inches long. You've come a long way baby!!!

The Apple Orchard...Years Past

The Apple Orchard

Every year since Abbey was one, we take a September visit to the apple orchard near our house. It has become our little tradition each year to eat the Macintosh apples off the tree, and pick our pumpkins. Abbey was very excited to show her sisters how big girls pick apples. And again, after numerous tries, I gave up trying to get a "good" pic of all three of them together.