Holiday Fun

Wow, I can't believe Christmas is over and I am now looking 2009 right in the face! What a fast year it's been. I have a lot to update.

First off, we spent Dec 16th all day at the Children's Hospital for Abby's follow up procedures for her kidneys/urinary reflux. I was very nervous about the appt and how the whole cathedar/IV process would go, how she would possible sit still for the scans, etc. She did not like it, Mike and I did not like it, but we made it through. She cried until she passed out, but it was worth it because we received great news. Her urinary reflux is GONE! When they did the dye test they did not see ANY urine refluxing up into her kidneys at all. It was amazing becuase last year when she was a newborn you could see the dye on the screeen shoot right up into her kidneys on both sides right away. This time, it just stayed in her bladder and then she peed it out (or out it went into her cath...) like it's supposed to do! Hooray! Her right kidney is still a little enlarged and holding fluid a little longer than it's supposed to, so they think she might still have a twinge refluxing that we did not see, but it's very minor. We have stopped the antibiotics and then just have to do follow up ultrasounds every year unless she gets a UTI! What a Christmas blessing.

I have to laugh, though, because no sooner did we stop the antibiotics that she got very sick! A fever of 103 and awful cold/caugh symptoms. So back to the dr. we went and they wanted to make sure she didn't have a UTI and were going to cath her again! I said NO WAY! We attached a little bag to her and waited for her to pee. She had her first taste of juice in the waiting room from a juice box they gave us and the stinker would not pee! I was there for 2 horus, finially drove home, got her out of her car seat, and she peed! So we poured the sample into the cup and brought it back. No uti- just a virus. It has since traveled around the whole family and is still lingering. Emma's voice sounds like a truck driver- it is so funny.

Christmas Eve was spent at Auntie Janice's house this year! It was so much fun! The girls opened thier gifts, we ate a great dinner, and then instead of exchanging presents, we decided to just play games this year. We played the game Boxers and Briefs. It is so, so funny and a great family game. I reccomend it- I haven't laughed that hard in a long, long time. We brought Abby's pack and play and put her to sleep there so we could stay a little longer and hang with the family. It was a great night. When we came home we put Emma's cookies out for Santa and put the girls to bed. Emma did not sleep well, wanting to look out the window for Santa all night. This is such a magical age. Christmas has been so fun this year with her. Every little decoration sends her to the moon. "Look, mom a GOLD DEER! In the POST OFFICE!" "Oh my GOSH- look at that Christmas Tree!" It has been such a blast.

Christmas morning was great. Emma was so excited to recieve her Alexa and Leanna dolls (babrie's diamond castle- yuck) and her carriage with one horse! She also loved her new playdough, roller scates, ski clothes and helmet, and of course, she loved every one of Abby's gifts also. They are very lucky (ahem.....spoiled) girls. I was covered in hugs all day. Then we went to nana and papas for stalkings, more gifts, and a great dinner. It was so fun for the girls to spend the day with uncle Ross. Emma would not leave him alone. They do not see him to often, but when they do, especially Emma, she just lights up and loves him up all day. It makes me sad he cannot be a bigger part of thier lives right now, but he is still fighting his own battle to get healthy. Unfortunately, it has been too rocky of a road for him to be consistent in his role as uncle. But he was uncle #1 this Christmas, that's for sure, not for any gift, but just for being there.

Then after Christmas, we headed up to the cabin. We had so much fun playing outside in the snow. Going for walks through the snow, snowmobiling, tubing and skiing. It was so cozy inside the cabin and we read lots of books, played memory, and colored all weekend. Emma did great skiing and I am so, so sore from carrying her up the hill in one hand and holding onto the rope tow in the other....next time we need to head over to the chair lift. She was fearless and had a blast. I was so proud of her. We can't wait to go again and just went today and got a great deal on equipment for her. After skiing we went tubing and again she amazed me with her courage in going in her own tube down this CRAZY tubing hill that I was a little afraid of. Her little glasses were all I could see sticking out of the tube- expect for when she caught some air and her whole body popped out of the tube, with a gigantic smile on her face.

Mike had a great time on the snowmobiles and put on 50 miles, checking out all the trail systems and Pillsbury State Park. Emma had fun tooling around on the snowmobile too. Abby is now walking all over the place! She finially seems a little more confident and walked all around the cabin. It is bittersweet to me- it is so cute watching her walk and seeing how proud she is of herself, but now she can get into more trouble. Here is a link to a little video I made of the weekend. http://www.onetruemedia.com/my_shared?z=151f01399728defe1ea73a&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url

Holiday fun continues.....

Fun Christmas had by all despite the nasty colds all 4 of us had/have.....we are up at the cabin for a few days, having some fun in the snow. I'm teaching Emma to ski today! Update to come once we get home with lots of pics :) Happy Belated Holidays to everyone!

Emma's Birthday Party

Emma had her 4th birthday party this weekend at our house. We had 7 of her little friends over for Christmas craft projects, a surprise visit from Santa (thanks to a great friend who was in costume anyway for a work party), princess castle cake, presents and crazy loud play, play, play! Chris brought over a big rubbermaid full of oatmeal and the kids got busy digging in it to find candy canes and run their trucks and shovels all over the place, flinging oatmeal all over my kitchen in the process, but having great fun. We had so many other kids we wanted to invite because of all Emma's new preschool friends, but I am SO glad we limited it to 8 kids. This was the first time all the parents dropped the kids off rather than staying. It was so loud in the playroom. The kids didn't waste time finding all the musical instruments and forming a band. I made Mike stay down there with the kids while I was getting the crafts ready. He taught them all some 80's dance moves and they all came upstairs doing the worm and the robot. I found out you can only fit 7 preschoolers doing the worm in my living room. Emma received some great books for her birthday and her most favorite, little pet shop playset from Hannah. It was a really fun day. The kids went to bed really early and Mike and I had a glass of wine and watched some great new DVDs on our new big tv!

Today it is freezing rain here and gearing up for a big blizzard. We went to Church and then came home and made our gingerbread house. Emma loved it. It is so fun to be able to do all these holiday things together. It makes this time of year so much more fun.

Messy Baby Days

Lately it feels like I cannot get anything done! Every mess I clean up, the girls undo or make another. I have been trying for what feels like forever, to teach Emma to clean up one mess before taking another toy out, crayons out, etc. She forgets or ignores.....so I have been reminding her by putting certain toys in "toy jail". Basically an extended time out for the toy. So far it is working. Usually if I give her a specific task she does ok "pick up 5 little ponies." But of course with Abby on the scene, all Emma's toys are much more interesting and the moment they go in the bins, her little hands dump them right out. Mike has been gone all weekend for a guys weekend in California. So, so jealous, but he really deserves it. He met all his high school buddies for a weekend of football games, going out and drinking. I was a little nervous about all these married fathers thinking they were 18 again and trying to out do each other in the bars....and sure enough, Mike was feeling no pain when I spoke to him the first night! It sounds like he had a blast and he is on his way home now. I have to say, I have NO IDEA how single moms do it! Mike has only been gone 4 days and nights and everything went pretty smooth, but I am just really itching for a little time away. Yesterday we were in the house all day and I was going crazy trying to get all these little projects done to no avail with the above mentioned little people following me....so I went to the gym and put the girls in the childcenter. Ah......2 hours of excercise followed by a steam, hot tub and long shower.....it was heaven and worth every penny of it's memebership fees. They were happy as clams, I went it to check on them a couple times and they were playing together happily! I think I have to win the best wife award this week. My dad and I went out together and I bought Mike a 42 inch flat screen HD TV, the blueray dvd player, and a new tv stand. He has been hinting at one forever. To me, a tv is a tv is a tv.....but I knew Mike was going to go out and buy one at some point anyway. Since I haven't managed to surprise him in the 10 years we have been together, I thought I would do this. My dad was so amazing to spend all day over here building the stand and setting it all up. So not only does Mike get to have an amazing, fun guys weekend in California, he gets to come home to a new big screen TV! Poor little Abby took a fall down the stairs this weekend. Yes, on my duty! Thank god we have a split level so it was only about 3 stairs, but she managed to scratch her eye on the wood railing. The thing is I was standing there watching her go down the right way on her tummy as we are teaching her and in about 1 split second, she turned and tried to sit up and rolled right down to me, scratching her eye in the process. Here is a glimpse of my messy baby and sassy 4 year old to sum up how my days are spent lately. Cleaning up Abby's face, hair, changing her outfit after what feels like meals every 2 hours, and trying to clean up Emma's attitude- you get the picture......





Ok- Could not get the video to load for some reason. Here is a picture of the new TV and Mike and Emma both fell asleep watching KungFu Panda. We are re-arranging the family room and the playroom. The girls just recieved a new table chairs set from Grandma Nona and have enjoyed having tea parties.

Let It Snow!

We woke up this morning to the lightest dusting of snow that it teased us into getting out to play in it. Emma and I made snow angels and even broke out the sled. Emma loved me pulling her around the yard, up and down our driveway and little hill until my thighs were screaming at me. Our neighbors were laughing at us playing in our 1/2 inch of snow. I can't wait to wake up to a real snowstorm to play in! Then of course we eventually had to come in and enjoy some hot chocolate.

Thanksgiving was really nice at mom and dad's. Emma and Abby had fun playing with all the aunts and uncles and we ate too much as usual. I am making soup today with the leftovers. On Thanksgiving night we spent the night at my mom and dad's and then woke up at 4:30am (yes,crazy!) to get up and go shopping to help get Santa started and get some deals on some electronic gadgetry for Christmas gifts. We did get some crazy deals and all our shopping is done and all thats left are the handmade treats I will be making. But I think I will leave that early morning trip for Mike next year- The crowds were unbielevable.

Emma was off school all week and had some fun playdates with her buddies. We are looking forward to getting back to school this week.

One of Abby's top teeth poked out and although she looks a little silly with 3 teeth (2 on bottom, 1 on top) we are so happys she seems back to her sweet cuddly self. She has really been snuggeling up to Mike a lot this week. Oh, no, not another daddies girl???

Fun Weekend!

I am getting so excited the Holidays are here! I know a lot of people get exhausted and stressed during the holiday season, but I have always just loved it. Particularly after having kids and now that Emma is of an age where she gets the whole Santa thing and starting to understand the meaning behind the holidays, her excitement just rubs off on me. I love starting to create new rituals and traditions for our family during the holidays. I love thinking about Emma being all grown up and looking back to her childhood holidays and having really fun memories. Although I really miss seeing Mike's family and spending the holidays with them, it is so nice not to travel during such a hectic time and be able to spend Christmas morning in your own house. Emma and I have been busy crafting this week. Yes- I said crafting! We made thanksgiving turkey napkin holders for thanksgiving dinner at moms this week. Then we decorated bags with all kinds of Christmas glittery things and made an advent calendar to count down the 12 days of Christmas. I am going to hang it up with a close line and we painted clothespins in Christmas colors to attach the bags. Each of the 12 days of Christmas when Emma wakes up, there will be a little surprise in there for her (I think Abby is too little this year.) I will take a pic of it once it's done. I can't take credit for the idea though, it is from this month's Wondertime Magazine.

The girls saw Santa yesterday and took a hayride. We met Nana and Papa at Otten Brothers Nursery for their holiday open house. This has become one of those traditions for us. Rather than waiting in crazy long lines and paying ridiculous prices to visit a mall santa, we always go here. They have a fantastic, authentic looking Santa (real beard!) and its free and never crowded. Abby just stared up at him in awe, very close to freaking out, but she held it together. Emma babbled on and on about wanting Alexa and Leana dolls and a horse drawn carriage, and a basketball hoop. She asked Santa if his elfs know how to make those things. It was cute. Then we all went on a horse drawn hayride and then out to lunch. A really fun day. Santa visit- Done! I also managed to get a pretty good picture for our holiday cards.

Last night we had a babysitter for Emma's & Abby's school fundraiser. It is called an Evening Out and it's drinks, food, silent and live auction and games. It was a blast. I won $250 by playing a game called heads or tails. They flip a coin and you put your hands on your head if you think it will be heads, hands on your behind if you think tails. The last person standing gets $250 and that was me! I kept my hands on my tail the whole time! Mike loved the joke about my "tail being worth more than $250......" We won some baskets at the silent auction and donated some money to the school. It was a fun night had by all. The money goes to improvements for the school and also to fund at risk kids so they can attend ECFE or preschool classes. Such a great program and I am so glad to be a part of it.

Ladies Night

I had a really fun week this week. I was lucky enough to have some fun time with my girls, some fun time with my girlfriends, some time alone, and some time with the hubby. It just felt like a really well rounded week. Emma had a great week in school and seems to be coming out of her sassy three year old self a very little bit. I am getting glimpses of what I hear 4 years old should be- the magic age. Abby had her one year visit. She is 23 pounds and almost 31 inches. About 75% weight and 90% height. Gosh, I hope she keeps that height going for her. I always have to laugh when I see how close Abby is to Emma's size already! Only 8 pounds difference in the 3 years between them! Her doctor showed me her two top teeth poking through. So that explains a lot and I feel much better about dealing with her fussiness now that I know the reason. We did the flu shot and the varicella (chx pox- Mike has not had it) but decided to wait until 2 years old for the MMR. She is meeting all her milestones and looking great. I love our pediatrician. She spent a whole hour with me at this appointment. I do need to work on getting Abby off the bottle and onto a sippy cup. So far this has not been a success. She is on all whole milk now though and seems fine with that.

So I mentioned I had a couple ladies nights this week and they were both fun- but both very different. Last weekend Laura organized a moms night out. We all met and had burgers at the bowling alley and then off to Inn Kahoots in Hamel ( a total dive- biker bar) for a cheezy band and some beers. A very fun, laid back night. Then Wednesday night, I met another group of mom friends from Emma's preschool class last year. We met at Gianni's steak house on Lake Minnetonka- a very upscale, overpriced, see-and-be-seen restaurant. Quite a different group of ladies, and I have to admit I think I identify much better with the first group, but it is fun to get dressed up and treat yourself to a really nice dinner. These groups of ladies may have quite different interests and hang out in very different places, but it was funny to me how similar our conversations were. Moms of preschoolers must all have universal concerns over the same things. No matter how intent we are on getting away from the kids and talking about our lives as something other than mothers, we inevitably end up talking about the little ones. I feel very lucky to have such great mom friends to share concerns and laughs with- there are times I have really needed it these past couple months!

I am debating giving Abby her first hair cut. It is getting like Emma's where the top is very long and now needs to be pulled back every day. I am not looking forward to having to do crazy pony tails like I do with Emma every day so I am thinking I may cut it now and give her bangs. Here she is trying to comb her hair.

Busy Bees

It's been another crazy week. Emma woke up after Abby's birthday party throwing up all night. It was so sad- she has only done that a few times in her life and it always confuses her. She got sick in her bed in the middle of the night and was so so upset that she dirtied her sheets and really did not understand why. "im sorry mommy. are you mad?" Poor thing. I tried making her as comfortable as possible, changed the sheets and put a big bowl by her in the bed. Let's just say I changed the sheets 4 times that night and went the next day to buy new pillows. She just couldn't make it in time. How do you clean down pillows? It obviously went through the pillowcase. I just decided to chuck them and buy some new ones-probabally cheaper than having them dry cleaned. I heard her in bed the next morning telling her tummy to "stop hurting me, tummy!" Mike also was very sick and laid in bed the whole day. He actually called in sick for the 2nd time in the 10 years I have known him. So now I had 2 babies to take care of. I did all the laundry in the entire house, nursed the babies with gatorade and pedialite and sanitized all the surfaces in the house with Abby on my back. It was nice enough to open all the windows (74 degrees in November!)

So we are all back to health now. Emma has started a sports class at the gym and she just loves it. I am so excited to be done with ballet and onto new things! Much more my style! Last week she played floor hockey and soccer. She is already talking about playing soccer this summer- YIPEE! I am trying so hard to get her out of the princess phase. We tell made up stories every night and she always wants the character to meet a prince, find a castle, etc. My versions always have the heroine living in her own castle, becoming a scientist who loves magnifing glasses and microscopes, and decides she doesn't need a prince to make her happy. Emma does not like those endings so much and always wants the princess to live happily ever after with someone. It's a work in progress......I have kindly requested a moratorium from any princess/barbie toys from the relatives for the holidays in place of more active, imagination freeing toys. There is a very interesting (and scary for all you moms of girls) article in this months Family Circle about 7 being the new 13. http://www.parents.com/teens-tweens/health-body-issues/body-issues/girls-growing-up-too-fast/ Thats the link if you are interested.

Abby has entered the separation anxiety phase big time and it has been very difficult to get anything done around the house. I guess it is a good reminder for me to slow down and lower my expectations of house work, etc....anytime I put her down she cries and crawls over and pulls herself up on my leg. It seems pretty out of sync for her personality to be so whiny and clingy- but I am hoping that is all it is. It's times like these I feel like I loose my mothering instinct. Is it teething? Is she allergic to the milk we just started to introduce? Does she have the virus Emma had? Is it a UTI (we have to watch her closely for these due to her urinary reflux)? Or is this just normal for this age??? I spend so much time analyzing her every symptom and behavior that I forget that a lot of this is just normal for one year olds. She goes for her 1 year well visit tomorrow. I have a lot of questions. I have decided after much debate, to delay some of her vaccines, specifically the MMR. I know what the science says, what the AAP says, and I am, for the most part, pro-vaccine. BUT.........when you read those stories of children who stop talking, stop making eye contact after the MMR vaccine ......it just scares the crap out of you. Someone told me once that those who choose not to vaccinate are riding on the coat-tails of those who do. The reason your kid will be protected from those diseases is in part, BECAUSE most other children DO vaccinate, preventing a resurgence of those diseases. I'm not sure about this. I do think it is a very controversial issue and one I have not quite made up my mind about. So, I don't think its fair to give Abby the MMR until I really have made up my mind about this. Moms out there- any thoughts about this? No pictures to post- our new digital camera is in the mail on it's way to us. Yay!

Happy Birthday Sweet Abigail

Abby is one year old today. It was one year ago today at 11:42 am that Abby came into this world and I cannot imagine life without her. I look at her all the time and feel so blessed that she is here and really completes our family. I approached a 2nd pregnancy with such hesitation after such a complicated preganancy and premature delivery with Emma. I think it was a hard decision for Mike and I to even have another baby, but I just never felt complete, never felt done until now. And then to become pregnant so easily with Abby and I was on cloud nine, thinking, of course we were meant to have another child. And then came those scary months when things were not so certain. I will never forget the words of the dr. when he tracked me down in Connecticut and told me to get on a plane home for an amniocentis to confirm diagnosis so I would still have "options." I would love to have invited him to Abby's first birthday party today and would have asked him to reconsider his bedside manner when talking to terrified parents who would never even consider another "option."

Anyway, we had a great gathering of just family and very close friends today and Abby was loved upon by all. She LOVED her chocolate cupcake and dove in face first. Emma and her big kid friends helped her open her gifts. It was a great day. Abby was exhausted and chilled in Kate's arms, holding her glow worm, for a good half an hour, enjoying a cozy birthday massage from Kate! What a lucky Girl. Happy birthday, abs, my sweet heart.

Halloween was a blast. Emma had so, so much fun. Again, the runt of the litter, keeping up with all the big kids. She filled her pumpkin and was such a good girl. A big group of us went from house to house and got to catch up with a bunch of friends and neighbors, old and new. It was great. A really, really fun weekend.

Abby's Baptism

Abby was baptized this past Sunday at Trinity. It was a great service. Emma sang Jesus Loves Me with the other 3 year olds and then joined us for the rest. It was a little hard keeping Abby quiet the whole time, but we managed. Auntie Janice is Abby's godparent- just like she is mine! Abby did great being baptized- when the congregation clapped for her, she giggeled and clapped for herself also. She also reached down and dipped her hand in the font after watching the Pastor do it while baptizing her. Very cute. Abby was able to wear the same gown Emma wore that was given to us from Grandma Nona. It obviously fit Abby quite differently, but she looked beautiful. Afterwards we had brunch at Nana and Papa's house with Janice and Tom. It was a great afternoon. We decided not to do a big thing for the baptism because we are having Abby's first bday party this Sunday.

Other than that, it was a fun weekend. The girls had a sleepover at Nana and Papas on Friday night. Janice, Tom, Wyane, Kriss, Mike and I had dinner at the Sunshine Factory than went to see the comedy show, Defending the Caveman. It is a one man show about gender differences- it was hilarious. Emma ended up sleeping in bed with nana and papa! Wow- she is spoiled! We have to get her sleeping habits back on track from Disney- she seems to be sneaking into our bed quite often too. Sometimes I don't even know she does it until I feel her hot little body pressed up against mine in the morning.

Saturday night Nichi invited us to this magical Halloween walk in the woods. It was so cool. The trails were all lit by jack o lanterns and you walked around and saw all these little skits about mother earth, fairy tails, stories, etc. It was so nicely done! Emma and Sunny had fun- Abby not so much! She was tired (past her 6:30 bedtime!) and was really loud. It made it a little difficult, but it was fun.

Where did my babies go?

Emma in the Nicu- Dec 17, 2004

I attended curriculum night at Emma's preschool this week. This is the first time I have had no idea what is going on in her classroom. Up until this year, I have been with her one day a week and always knew what the weekly theme was, what was in the sensory table that day, etc, etc. I have really missed that this year. Especially because Emma does NOT like to tell me about her day. The only details I get are what was served for snack. I know this is a normal process of growing up- but I felt so out of the loop. So the curriculum night was really amazing. Emma is really being treated like a student-being expected to raise her hand, take turns, and call her teachers by the appropriate title Mrs.-----. She has an assigned seat for group time (a frog tag with her name on it) and she says "here" when attendance is taken. Sniff, sniff- where did my baby go??? Emma is in an integrated classroom, which means there are some children with special needs in her class. There is a very low ratio and there are a lot of specialists in the class- like OT, speech, physical therapy, etc. It has been a great experience for her. I am volunteering in the classroom next week and am very excited to see what really goes on. I am told Emma is the "diplomat" of the class and tells Mrs. Herring everytime kids are fighting or not taking turns. I think we used to call this a tattle-tale, but whatever. At least she is not the one instigating it- although I am sure she does this her fair share of the time, also (when she isn't bossing someone around.)

Emma 3 years old

Abby- 3 hours old-

Nov 2, 007

Abby is crawling, standing and cruising all over the place. She will be 1 in just a couple more weeks! I cannot believe it. This has been the fastest year of my life (with the expection of the first few crazy postpartum months which dragged on forever for me). She says some words now- Dada, Up, Doggie, Uh-oh, and occasionally mama if I am lucky. But mostly everything and everyone is dada for now. She ate meatloaf last night for dinner. Meatloaf! Where did my baby go??? I had a playdate with a girlfriend with a 5 week old this week and he is the first newborn I have held since Abby. Don't get me wrong, I am DONE with kids (Mike took one for the team to ensure that) But the strangest feeling washed over me holding that little tiny baby. It was a mix of nostalgia, saddness to be done with all that, and relief to be done with all that. So soon you forget how tiny and sweet and needy they are. I feel like I have spent the last 4 years listening to adults tell me, "enjoy this now- it goes so fast..." and just nodded along, not really understanding. I understand now. Now that the infant days are officially done, and Abby is fast approaching toddlerhood, I understand how much emotion is behind those words when people say how fast it goes!

Disney Survivors!

Okay, we did it. We survived Disney with a 3 year old and 11 month old. I know it does not sound like a big deal, but let me tell you, the statement about needing a vacation from your vacation is so true. Actually, the girls really exceeded my expectations and we all had a blast! We saw all the parks except Epcot. I carried Abby in the ergo most of the day and she was able to sneak in some naps, allowing us to do the parks from 9 am until 2 or 3, which was plenty for all of us. It was very warm and sunny and Abby and I sweated together with her strapped onto my front for hours in and out of lines, rides, safaris, monrails, and all other park attractions. The experience for Emma was amazing. To see her face when she met Ariel (who called Emma her little starfish and that is now what she insists I call her) and Cindarella was so priceless. She loved all the rides until we took her on Snowwhite's scary adventure and from then on she was a little more selective. Some of her favorites were the flying Dumbo with Papa, and of course, Cindarella's Golden Carousel. I think she totaled 6 times on that one.

It was so wonderful to see MaryAnn, Nancy, Dan, and all the kids. Emma had a blast with her cousins and already misses them a lot. It was also so fun for Emma and Abby to have BOTH sets of grandparents with her all week. Pam and Elizabeth were able to join us at the parks too and get us in for free since they work for Disney. Thanks Pam- that saved us about a grand- no kidding- it is SO EXPENSIVE there! We also loved the resort pool and spent a lot of time playing Ariel and starfish there. We did a princess dinner and met Cindarella, the evil stepsisters and stepmother. Abby did fantastic. She was a little fussy on the plane, but once I popped her in the ergo and walked around, she fell asleep. But it was a lot of work. Traveling with suitcases, pack and play, stroller, 2 car seats, and of course the children- we were quite the traveling circus. And then of course, packing the diaper bags everyday with baby food, powdered formula, diapers, and various other necessities for the girls. Emma's whine fest followed us to Florida and we have really set some new rules now that we are home (no, you can't have ice cream for dinner at home- only in Disney...) One night mom and dad watched Abby and we took Emma for a big girl date night to see Arabian Nights Horse Show. She loved it! She was our little lady all night and decided in addition to being a cooker girl at Papa's Factory, she will also be a horse trainer. Love it!

By the 5th day we hit the Magic Kingdom again and I snapped a little bit. It was so crowded and so hot and humid, the girls were crabby, every ride had at least a 30 mn wait and I could not walk 1 foot in front of me without someone hitting or bumping into me. We were just DONE. Yes, there was SO much we did not see but we left and spent the rest of the week at the pool and had way more fun and were all much more relaxed. I don't think I am really much of a theme park person, but it was so fun to see how much Emma and Abby enjoyed it. I know they say babies don't get much out of Disney, but Abby would get so excited, clap and giggle everytime we went on a ride or saw a show. It was cute to watch. I have so many pics I could post, but will try to limit to my favorites. Glad to be home......