Softball

Grandpa and Grandma came to town this weekend and we all got the chance to go see Mark (Daddy) play a softball. He plays on Grace Community Church's team. Alaina was dressed so cute, I tried to get some pics of her while we were there. Unfortunately I over exposed some of them, but a few turned out alright.


Mark is having fun playing and it's been fun getting to watch him play. Before this summer, I had actually never seen him play. He used to play a lot before we met for Parkview. I think he's pretty good and am so happy that he can do something he enjoys. I also think it's good for our girls to grow up knowing that Mommy and Daddy have hobbies and interests outside of them. And I get to chat with the other players wives that aren't playing, so it really is win-win for us. Besides the fact that I am no good at this sport.

First base is his favorite position to play.

Grandpa and Grandma got Paige some M&M's. That girl makes a mess, no matter what she eats. She cannot be the spokesperson for "They melt in your mouth, not in your hands!"

Grammy entertained Alaina during the game.

Here is Mark's cheering section.

I don't get the chance to show off my husband very often. Not because he doesn't do things that are worth showing off, but because it's just easier with photographic proof. He's a very good athlete and really excels at most sports I've seen him play. (Minus the time I beat him at basketball, but I won't mention that.) And I think he looks awesome in his uniform.

By the way. . . They won! So far they are undefeated.

Twice in One Day

I am scared, no TERRIFIED, of mice. They make me cry. Literally! I loathe their existence. I have told my husband on numerous occasions that if we have a mouse in the house, I'm not living here. And I don't say that flippantly.

So yesterday, I thought I would be kind and mow the lawn for Mark. I needed done before it rained again and I knew Mark was tired from being on call, and going in early to work. I started with the back yard, over by my garden. And there, between the garden and the park ran a tiny little mouse into a little hole by my garden. I froze. Do I keep mowing, as the mouse ran where I had yet to mow, or do I quit? Isn't it the thought that counts. As I was deep breathing, I decided that I could do this, and kept going. I didn't see said mouse again, but thought I deserved some serious bonus points for my work.

Fast forward a few hours, we put the girls to bed and decided to enjoy sitting on the deck. I happened to look over where our air conditioner is attached to the house and see another, noticeably bigger, mouse run under the deck where we were sitting. I have not seen a mouse on our property in 5 years. I could have gone 50! So we are now going out to buy traps, poison, and whatever else I find on the shelf that will destroy our infestation. God help us if one gets in. Please pray for me, or better yet, Mark!

Wordless Wednesday

Landscape Photography

Mark took this picture Sunday evening. He has a great eye for landscape photography. I must not be very creative because I just cannot seem to get a decent shot of nature. I much prefer people. I would rather take pics of people and expressions than a flower or a cloud. Someday I'll post some more of his photo's. They are pretty impressive. (And I'm sure he'll wonder why I chose to post this picture from the bunch he took. I'm sure he would have picked a different one that is much better. What do you do?)

City Park Round 2

We decided to go to City Park Saturday night. Mark hadn't gotten to go with us and Paige was wanting to ride the rides in Kalona, so we promised her we would take her City Park to ride those rides that evening. I think Mark had as much fun as Paige.

Alaina loves (well, I don't know about LOVES) to watch and wave to Paige.

They also got to ride the train and that conductor was booking it around the track. It was a lot faster than I remember it being a couple weeks ago when I sent her by herself.
She loves riding these fish. Can't you tell?

"Hi Mom!"

She is getting so big, she rode the ferris wheel all by herself.

After the rides, we went to feed the ducks. They came right up to her.

All Things Paige

"Mommy, scoop over." Paige speak for Mommy, scoot over. 

Parade and Pony Ride

We went to Kalona for the Kalona Days Parade on Saturday. It was very hot and sunny, but fun at the same time. We sat by the Millers, so Paige had fun watching with her friends.

Alaina was very content to watch from the stroller (as long as I kept giving her goldfish). It was great because I didn't have to worry about the sun.
She had to be persuaded to go get candy, but was very proud of herself when she got some.

Paigey tentatively picking up some candy.
We topped off the morning with the promised pony ride. She was so excited to FINALLY get to ride a pony. She has been asking for weeks to touch a horse. It was well worth the $3.

Monsoon?

On Friday, there was a brief period that seemed like a monsoon was rolling through town. I looked outside and the wind was just incredible and the rain was almost blinding. After it settled down, I looked out the window and we had ourselves a pond in the back yard. It NEVER does this when it rains. The drain just couldn't keep up.

We later went out to find our tree was almost completely bent over, some of my vegetables in the garden were sideways, the chairs from our front porch had "jumped" the railing and were in our front yard. It was crazy! Of course I didn't think to take pics of those things. It was still raining when I took these.

Paige had fun watching from her new perch.

All Things Paige

 On the way home from the park Paige was making Alaina laugh and announced, "Alaina's laughing on me!" How precious! 

Ear Infection Round ????

Here we go again. Alaina has ANOTHER double ear infection. She spiked a fever yesterday afternoon, so I ran her into the after hours clinic. I'm not so fond of that place. I was the only one in there and we waited 30 minutes in the waiting room and another 20 in the exam room. Ridiculous! Only to be told by a PA that Alaina's ears were pink, but not infected, and that she probably has a virus. Thanks! Thanks a lot!

She just got done taking meds for a double ear infection a week and a half ago. I know I should have had her rechecked, but she seemed to be fine and med that she took was a pretty strong one, so thought we were fine.

She woke in the night with 102 and climbing fever, so I knew I needed to take her to her Pediatrician this morning. She also has a bad yeast rash on her bottom, which she always gets with ear infection. So I made an appt with the Dr. who saw her the last time (3-4 weeks ago). He checked her ears and throat and told me her ears look pretty nasty and are full of fluid. GREAT! He also had to clean a bunch of wax out of the left one, which was the worst, to see it. So pretty much the PA from last night didn't have a clue. I know that ears can be checked and found normal, only to have them be infected a few hours later, but seriously, he wouldn't have even been able to see in the left ear.

So, the plan is another round of Omnicef, recheck in 3 weeks, and depending on how they look, we may be refered to an ENT Dr. to talk about tubes. Poor baby, she still plays, and smiles, and eats, and sleeps. She really only looks sick when you look at her eyes. Please pray she grows out of this soon and we won't have to go to tubes.

Where or Hair?

"Hair we going now, Mommy?" The phrase I hear 18 times a day from Paige.

Sunshine and Wagons

How cute are is this picture! We had Swap here today and the kids had fun playing outside. This is Zach and Alaina getting a ride in the wagon.
They had fun waving and saying "hi" to everyone.

They are so adorable!

Aubrey giving them the ride of their young lives.

Cameron pulling Austin and Hannah in the wagon. I think Hannah is trying to make is load a little heavier by grabbing Aubrey on the tricycle.

Paigey pulling Austin and Hannah up the driveway. It doesn't look so easy. Those kids were sweating so bad. Baths for all tonight.

My big girl riding her big bike.

All Things Paige

 We went potty 4 times at JC Penney's today. Once to potty, twice to pass gas, and once to poo. 

All Things Paige

Today Paige stuck all of Casey's food down the vent. Lucky for me it was closed. Unlucky for me, she poured all of Casey's water down on top of it. 

Cloth Diapers???

Call me crazy, but for a while now I've been wanting to switch to cloth diapers. For several reasons, the top two being the savings on buying disposable, and also I don't love the chemicals that are in disposable that sit against my child's bum 24 hours a day. I've been looking and asking around for which cloth diapers people like and why. Overwhelmingly, Fuzzi Bunz, seem to get the best reviews. But can I tell you that to buy them new is like $16 or more a diaper. I just didn't think I wanted to invest that much, especially since Alaina is probably our last baby.

Well, today I had no more excuses. I went to a garags sale just a few houses down from my own. There, I spied a whole crate of Fuzzi Bunz covers and a whole crate of inserts. I thought they were probably asking way more than I was willing to spend, but thought I would ask anyway. Well, the husband was the only one outside and he said they wanted to sell them as a set for. . ."I better go ask my wife, maybe $10"!!!!!!!! Are you kidding me?! She came out with him, then and said, "Oh, I don't know $25?" I asked if they would take $20, they said yes, and I am now the proud owner of 14 size small, 18 size medium, and 9 size large Fuzzi Bunz covers and lots of inserts. This has to be the best deal EVER. It cost me less than the price of a box of disposables. So sorry honey, we are entering the world of cloth diapers. Any supporters out there?

Happy Birthday Mark!!!

Happy Birthday Honey!

Thanks for being such a wonderful husband and Daddy! It is so fun to watch you play with the girls and see how much they absolutely ADORE you! It is so great to share my life with my very best friend. I appreciate you and all you do for our family. It doesn't go unnoticed, even if it seems like it sometimes. You make me proud to say you're mine. I love you more than words can say.

Melanie

Updates!

Paige Elizabeth:
Thanks to Nana and Aunt Amber we got a jump start on potty training. (Yes, again! We had started a month or so ago, then she got sick for like 10 days and we were back to square one.) Paige is wearing panties now, except for naps and at night. She is doing fabulously. She even took herself pooey yesterday. Yay!!!! We did have one accident yesterday, but it was during a time-out and I really do think it may have been punishment for me for disciplining her. I don't think we will go back to pull-ups during the day at all. I'm pretty sure it would confuse her now and we would regress. I say this because we were at a friend's house to play today and the first time I had Paige go to the bathroom she asked for a diaper. She didn't want to have to stop playing to go. Now we just have to work on her taking herself instead of being prompted. We'll see how that goes. I'm so proud of her!

Paige also has become a big help to me and loves to be my "Helper". She loves to help water the garden and the flowers, gets things for me and Alaina, clears the table, and really would do much more if it was safe and we allowed it. She really is growing up.

Alaina Kate:
Alaina is walking now 100% of the time. I think it is just adorable to watch her toddle around, especially when she walks around sucking her fingers and rubbing her belly button. She even has been eating with a spoon some. She gets it, but gets frustrated with it being slower and resorts to using her fingers.

I'm am truly enjoying my girls right now. They both are at great ages. It seems that Paige and I have worked through some of our issues, or maybe I worked through mine, so I have a different outlook on hers. The girls are really starting to play well together. I think now that Alaina walks, it is easier for Paige to see her as an equal, instead of all baby. It is fun to watch them develop into friends and laugh with each other. I love you baby girls!

Fun at the Park

Is it just me or does Paige's face look just like the fish's?
I didn't realize City Park had these great rides for the kids and very cheap, too.

Abby, Jaclyn, and Paige (When did my baby get to be so big?)

We even got to feed the ducks. Thanks Kim, for bringing the bread and for sending me these pics since I didn't have my camera.

Congratulations James and Jenna!!!!

I just have to post Congratulations to my brother James and sister-in-law Jenna on their news. . . my girls are going to have a Vigneron cousin!!!!!! I am so, so, so excited for them and can't wait for January!!!

Kane and John's 1st Birthday

I went to FD last weekend to go to my twin cousins' 1st birthday party. It was a lot of fun seeing them and sharing the party with them. It is nice for my girls to have kids close to their ages to play with when we go visit Nana and Papa. Alaina is almost exclusively walking now. Way to go Baby Girl!
Kane and John on their 1st birthday! They are not identical, but everyone sure has a hard time telling them apart.

Paigey enjoying her cake!
Papa and Alaina

Alaina enjoying her spoon. She thinks it's hysterical to bite the spoon when I feed her (which isn't often anymore).

My cousin Ashley holding her brother Kane, and me holding Alaina and John.

Paige and my cousin Tiffany. It is so strange that my cousins are younger than my kids.

Great Grandma and Grandpa Garber with Alaina and Paige