We want to congratulate Nikki on getting a new & really good job as a dispatcher at Union Pacific in Omaha. Here's to a new career with Choo Choos & to a big fat wallet!
Congratulations!
Saturday, February 24, 2007
The working mom...
Well, I am preparing to leave for Arizona tomorrow. I am all sad today because I do not want to leave the girls (and Topher, too). Preparing Addison is just exhausting since she is still nursing. Chris is having the Grandmas come and help throughout the week so the girls do not have to go to daycare. Today I will spend the day cleaning, packing, preparing meals, etc. I would rather just cuddle with the girls all day (if I could only get Alivia to sit still to cuddle), but gotta do what you gotta do when you are a working mom, right.
Still waiting for the invention of the red mommy cape (for super mom).
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Babies Cry
I thought it was common knowledge that babies cry. That is just part of being a baby, right? Perhaps I am totally wrong here, but I do not think so. Last night we went to Ash Wednesday service. Because of the time of the Mass, Alivia and Addison were not in the best of moods. Addison cried out loud maybe 4-5 times during the Mass (which is a lot for her actually). Her cries were brief, though. I would stand up and walk to the back of the Church and she would stop. That should be the end of my story, right. Oh, no. You should have seen all of the stares I got! The last time I walked to the back (which was 10 steps from where we were seated), I said aloud quietly to Addison, "It is like people have never seen a baby before, Addison," as the woman next to me moved over like I was diseased (it was standing room only so there were a few people standing in the back without seats). These people are supposed to be good, church going people I thought. There is not a cry room at our church. I have been in churches that have cry rooms and they are a joke. The parents just let their unbehaved children run wild. Okay, why bother going to church if you can not even hear anything? At our church, we can go into the entryway of sorts where you can still hear the service. There are maybe 4 chairs scattered about and usually 10 or more parents with crying or wild children. I did go out there briefly last night, but the parents act like it is social hour. So I was missing the service which was the reason we were there.
So, thought I would just post a reminder that babies cry, just incase some have forgotten. Happy Lenten Season!
Monday, February 19, 2007
Happy President's Day!
Why can't every day be President's Day...a day without commerical work (housework alone I can do) and filled with the laughter of my kids, that is.
After the weekend, it was nice to have an additional day off. On Saturday night we went to Aunt Pat's for Grandma Austin's 80th birthday party. It was nice to see everyone. Sunday the temperature finally came around, so I took the girls outside to play for a while. Alivia misses being outside so much. Unfortunately, both Alivia and Addison have come down with bad colds this weekend. Alivia got hers on Friday night and Addison got hers on Saturday night.
Addison is working on her crawling and has started to stand alone. She wants to cruise along the furniture, but I am not ready to let go of her yet. I just don't want her to take any first steps while I am away. I missed Alivia's first steps...I do not want to miss Addison's! Addison is now completely off of the bottle and taking the sippy cup with Bmilk in it. We are still waiting to hear her first words and see those first baby signs.
Yes, that is right. Sunday is when I leave for Tucson. I am not looking forward to it. I am having to gather milk for Addison - so that is a lot of work. I think I have more than enough in the freezer now that I could sell it on EBAY (No, I would never do that!). I think working, not sleeping, and getting the extra milk for this trip is why my skin is so bad and my hair is fallng out. I look like I am 80. Nice. I worry about Addison because she will probably need the bottle before going to bed at night. We have the Grandparents coming to help Chris since daycare is not opened when he leaves for work. I am sure they will do fine without me.
Well, I better get ready for gymnastics. Have a good week all...
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Move to our neighborhood...
Just FYI: Some of our pictures & posts are private to our neighborhood only...so please sign up and make the move to our neighborhood, so to speak.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
The Austin Family Album
I have been working on this project for a couple of months. I finally have it completed and ordered. I highly recommend doing an online scrapbook! Enjoy!
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/project/8EbNmblo3bsZ0/landing
Bye Bye Naptime?
Whatever happened to naptime? When are kids supposed to outgrow naps? At 2, I would think it would be too soon, but perhaps I am wrong. Alivia took a nap everyday until Addison was born. Then, she decided she would miss something by taking a nap and started fighting us. She naps everyday at daycare, so I selected AM preschool in the fall even though the afternoon session would be much easier on my schedule. Now we say goodbye to Alivia's nap. At least Addison still takes one.
Chris and I will really have to make use of our 2 hours of alone time at night now!
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Addison's Crawling!
Today, just one day after turning 7 months old (or a few hours since she was born just before midnight), Addison started crawling. She has been scooting and doing the army crawl for a while...but now she is seriously mobile. It is so cute to watch her. She is gets so excited to reach her sister, Mommy, or her baby doll from Grandma Bet. For security she now falls to sleep with a tag (any tag will do) in one hand, and her thumb in her mouth. It all started with the tag on her blanket she goes to bed with.
Now, the fun begins...chasing after her!
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Addison is now 7 Months old!
Monday, February 12th marks 7 months since Addison was born! She has changed so much in the last month. She is now mobile...scooting her way around. She army crawls a bit. She is up in the crawl position, but falls back down and scoots. You can see in her eyes how much she wants to be more mobile. We have a little walker and she runs after Alivia and then comes back to see what I am doing. It is so cute. She is eating solids well now, but she tends to be a little picky. She is now working on mastering the sippy cup and giving up the bottle. To view Addison's 7 month pictures, go to http://capturetoday.photosite.com/Album43/.
Also, if you are awake on Monday, February 12th around 5:53am, Addison's 7 month birthday will be announced on birthdays on the 7's on Channel 7.
Happy 7-month Birthday Addison Rose!
Friday, February 09, 2007
Is it time to quit?
This is a question that was asked on the front page of YAHOO! today, and it just happens to be one I ask myself daily. I have wanted to quit my job and stay home with our girls since I became pregnant with Alivia more than 3 years ago now. Chris has said all along, just quit and we will figure it out. Oh, I wish I could do that. I have a daily internal (and external) struggle over this decision. If the question were between $ and our girls...I would pick our girls everyday. It just is not that simple unfortunately. I am too much of a planner I guess. I asked Alivia and she wants to stay home everyday. But, if I ask her if she would rather stay home with Mommy or have toys...she picks toys (but this is from a 2 year old's perspective). Like my Dad would say...don't ask questions if you do not want to hear the answer. I have concerns about the future more than anything. I would quit for only a few years...but could I get a job in this industry again since they are really difficult to come by. What about saving for college for the girls? Would Chris and I retire EVER? So, the question remains and the struggle continues.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Away from the cold
The last week we have been doing anything possible to stay away from the bitter cold. Friday I took the day off to baby my babies. Addison was suffering from a cold she just could not shake - so I thought I would keep her home. Well, my old home that is. We went and visited Grama and Boppa in Iowa. Alivia and Addison had fun playing with my old toys, especially the choo choo train! Addison took a much needed nap while Alivia, Boppa, and I went and visited Great Grandma Vera in the nursing home. Grandma Vera hates her new home, but was very alert and doing much better, I thought. It is so sad to see her there, though.
We skipped open gym on Saturday because I just did not feel like going outside. We did, however, go out for confession and Mass Saturday night. I thought it would not be as cold then versus Sunday morning. Mass for 1 1/2 hrs long. So, with confession we were there 2 1/2 hrs. Addison squeeled through much of the Mass, so I did not get a thing out of it. She squeals when she wants out, usually. So I guess she is not a fan of Mass yet. Chris made dinner before our eventful night (see previous post).
Today was the big Super Bowl. We do not watch football. But, we are a fan of funny commercials. Nikki came over and brought pizza so she could watch the game on our TV (she is too funny).
Addison is getting so big! She is now eating much better. Alivia likes to help feed her, too. As you can see in the picture, Addison eats with one hand in the air. It is so adorable! This week Addison gets her 7-month pictures taken a little early. Alivia can now do a somersault (or a forward roll as they are now called). She can't wait to show her teacher in class tomorrow.
Have a good week!
Super Bowl Funny...
Super Bowl Tradgedy Joke Bob received a free ticket to the Super Bowl from his company. Unfortunately, when Bob arrived at the stadium he realized the seat was in the last row in the corner of the stadium. He was closer to the Goodyear Blimp than the field! About halfway through the first quarter, Bob noticed an empty seat 10 rows off the field right on the 50-yard line. He decided to take a chance and made his way through the stadium and around the security guards to the empty seat. As he sat down, he asked the gentleman sitting next to him, "Excuse me, is anyone sitting here?" The man said "No." Very excited to be in such a great seat for the game, Bob said to the man next to him, "This is incredible! Who in their right mind would have a seat like this at the Super Bowl and not use it?!" The man replied, "Well, actually, the seat belongs to me. I was supposed to come with my wife, but she passed away. This is the first Super Bowl we haven't been to together since we got married in 1967." "That's really sad," said Bob, "but still, couldn't you find someone to take the seat? A relative or a close friend?" "No," the man replied, "they're all at the funeral!" http://www.yikers.com/funny_joke_super_bowl_tradgedy.html
Oh what a night...
No, I am not talking about a night out on the town barhopping (did Topher and I ever do that?). We started night potty training Alivia again last weekend, and it has been a big challenge. She has started to sneak into our room at night and, when sleeping in our bed, has an accident! After having her accident last night, I cleaned her up, we changed our sheets and took her back to bed. It took nearly 2 hours to get her to go to sleep (oh, and she woke Addison up, too!). Anyone have any suggestions for a child who will not go back to sleep at 2 am? I need to buy her a t-shirt that says, "party in my room at 2 am." I thought this started when she was 16 NOT 2.
Oh, Daddy and Alivia are still sleeping.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Movie Review: The Illusionist
Well I finally had a chance to sit down and watch a movie this past weekend (something quite rare these days, my movie watch list is growing out of control, I don't think I will ever catch up!). Anyway, I've been eyeing The Illusionist for quite some time now, and I have to tell you that this is an amazing movie from beginning to end.
The Illusionist stars Edward Norton as Eisenheim, a stage magician (who may or may not have supernatural powers) who amazes the audiences of 1900 Vienna. He becomes so popular and mystifying that he draws the attention of the power-hungry Crown Prince Leopold, played by Rufus Sewell.
When the Crown Princes' mistress, Sophie, played by Jessica Beil, assists the magician onstage, Eisenheim and Sophi recognize each other from their childhoods. A hidden-away love affair is resurfaced, and the romance continues all the while Chief Inspector Uhl, played by Paul Giamatti, is commanded by the Crown Prince to expose Eisenheim.
Anyway, without giving too much away, many twists and turns are thrown at you and Eisenheim prepares to execute his greatest illusion yet, which was pretty jaw-dropping for me.
I was drawn into the story and characters throughout the entire movie. The acting is captivating (especially Norton, and Giamatti) and the story line unpredictable and very well played out. The Illusionist is a must see for anyone who loves mystery and suspense.
I give The Illusionist a 5/5 - Excellent! I will add this one to my collection for sure. Rated PG-13. Run Time: 1hr. 49min. Release Date: August 18th, 2006.
Until next time, Topher out!
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