Friday Pictures - Random Style

I never really got into any sort of schedule this past week. Two days I was out of the office on travel and the other days were just a mix of kindergarten madness and trying to clean my house for Ashley's birthday party this weekend. To say my stress level has been high is an understatement, but I think I am finally come down from it. I am thinking I am feeling more like Audrey in this picture:
And on Wednesday, Ray was instructed to take a picture of Ashley getting off the bus. He did well considering he was holding a dog and dog poop and trying to use my camera. I plan on pretending that Monday is the real first day and taking more pictures. But damn, she looks so big in this picture.

The following pictures are my children performing as they do almost nightly now. Their songs of choice at this time? Camp Rock, the new hit made for Disney movie with the Jonas Brothers. My stepmom sent Ashley the CD and since then, the girls listen to it non-stop. Audrey knows ALL THE WORDS TO ALL THE SONGS. And she will prove it to you, complete with a hand on her hip and a pretend microphone up to her lips. I am in real trouble with this little girl...

It's been one of those weeks...

First off, Ashley loves kindergarten. She really didn't get the full effect yesterday since we have staggered entry for kindergarten here, and only 5 other students were with her yesterday. That and now she doesn't go back until Monday, but she still loved it.

I, on the other hand, was a wreck. I got the girls ready for school with a few minor hiccups (Ashley thinks tunics are dresses and I battled with her to wear shorts under her tunic that she thought was a dress...note to self, do not buy any more tunics). We got to her elementary school just as they were letting everyone in the school. I signed in and walked the girls down to Ashley's class. I made sure Ashley knew where she was going and she did. I did a quick goodbye and that was it.

Audrey and I made it back to the van and had to stop and look at all the school buses. Audrey kept saying she wanted to go on one, and I told her she would eventually (like she understood). I had held it together for the most part.

And then I tried to take Audrey to her school, and she screamed and cried and threw a fit. So there I was, in the parking spot closest to the school so that everyone could hear Audrey screaming that she didn't want to go. A neighbor saw my predicament, and came over to try and help and I started crying. I blubbered about dropping Ashley off and now Audrey was throwing a fit. We somehow got Audrey calmed down enough to walk to her classroom, and then her teachers did a great job of prying her off of me.

So there it was, the first day of school for Ashley. She rode the bus home and last night, she was wiped out. Everything ended in a crying fit when we were trying to get her to bed. We are going to start putting both kids to bed on time as we have let it slip the past few weeks to almost 9:00pm, and it's wearing on them and me.

Healthcare...

At my new job, my healthcare costs are 100% paid for by my employer. Unfortunately, the cost to cover the rest of the family was astronomical, so we contacted our insurance guy and for less than what I was paying out of my paycheck at my last job, Ray and the girls are covered for better coverage through the same health insurance company.

The only problem is that coverage doesn't start until August 1st, and Murphy's Law is that someone was bound to get sick. And that someone was Audrey. Last minute, we headed to Pinehurst, NC on July 4th to visit with our friends and hang out at their parent's house. They are on a golf course, there was a pool, multiple lakes (both kids swam in a lake for the first time...) and fireworks. Plus, with seven grandkids, their house was stocked with toys and things to do. Audrey started complaining that it hurt when she peed. We thought she had a diaper rash as she kept peeing in her pull-up. Then she woke up on Saturday morning and was pretty much inconsolable and crying and trying to go to the bathroom. Any of you ladies out there who have had urinary tract infections know just how painful it is.

A quick call to our pediatrician, and we rushed out of there and back to Raleigh to see the doctor. Of course they wanted a sample and when the nurse told me they would have to catheter her if she wouldn't pee in a cup, I started to cry. I gave Audrey a few minutes, and then bribed her with a lollipop and the prospect of peeing in a cup and she did it, just enough to confirm a urinary tract infection.

Office visit: $85 (not bad considering there was a culture for her urine in that cost)
Drugs: $95 (but we have a $20 rebate we can mail in for)

We have to go back in a week to have her checked, and then as a precaution, they want to do an ultrasound of her kidneys as standard procedure for any child under the age of four who gets a UTI. We can wait and do that after we have insurance. I am betting she is fine...I am guessing she is like me. I had many UTI's as a kid, and was even hospitalized at one point. So all in all, it wasn't as expensive as we thought it would be. And the main thing is that she is feeling better, although I am pretty sure she has eaten her weight in gummy bears in the last three days...(which she only weighs 25 pounds...)

Three Favorite Things

I get really antsy when change is coming, and I think Ashley starting kindergarten is making me that way. I can't really pinpoint what I am feeling at this point. Part of me is excited, and the other part is wondering where in the hell the last five years went.

With the unsteadiness comes my inability to finish anything I have started - I can't begin to list the projects I need to finish. I am slacking in my schoolwork, I can't keep up with my personal email, the dining room still has curtains to sew from weeks, maybe months ago at this point.

But unloading pictures off my camera, I came across this one, and at this point, all that matters are these three "things" in my life. No matter what change is coming, this is my family.

Tootley Bugs

I often forget to mention we have a dog. She wasn't a puppy when we got her, so she really doesn't make that much work for us. Unless you count the time she ate the plate of cookies or when the week Ray was in Atlanta she peed on his pillow. And yes, I did toss that in the trash.

The kids love her. I mean really, truly love her. Ashley begs us to let Tootles sleep with her, but Tootles is sort of attached to sleeping in our big bed where she burrows under the covers and keeps me feet warm. We have affectionately started calling her Tootley-Bugs.

And thanks goodness Tootles is a good dog, because the way Audrey is with her sometimes is a little rough. Audrey pretty much gives her hugs that choke her, and tends to hit her instead of petting her.

Tootles has made a home on the back cushion of our chair. It's the only thing I don't like, that darn dog is ruining the cushion.
See the choke-hold Audrey has on her?

But still, Tootles was a great addition to our family. Even if she does pee on Ray's pillow.

Friday Pictures - Memorial Day Weekend (Yes, I realize these are late)

I finally downloaded and weeded through all the pictures from our mini trip to Virginia.

First up, Grandma Mocha (Ray's Mom) and cousin Aiden, who as you can tell, can pull his own weight. Or in other words, doesn't miss a meal. He turned one in February.
And he weighs more than Audrey...
We attempted a family picture...
And had dinner with old friends and played "Battle of the Sexes" where unfortunately the girls lost.
The men worked hard on figuring out what to ask us.
And the kids crashed on the couch watching Scooby-Doo.
And we had dinner with new friends, where the girls rocked it like Hannah Montana.
And when I say rocked it, they did.
Oh, and I love their dog...I just can't remember his (or her) name.
Emily was so cute...
When these girls are on American Idol in like 20 years, you can say you saw them here first.
Love Abby's smile! Emily was just too quick for me to photo....
And Ashley just liked all the cool stuff Abby had.
Our last stop was Kings Dominion, an amusement park in Virginia. My twin brother met us since Ray was on his way to Atlanta at that point and I knew there was no way I could do it alone. Plus, the girls love "Crazy" Uncle Mike. This was the first ride of the day.
Audrey was beyond excited.
Somewhere there is a picture of my brother and I on this very same ride when we were little.

Uncle Mike and Ashley (the last car) on the Avalanche ride.

At least I knew who this character was...I didn't know some of the ones we encountered that day. Hey, don't judge, I am just a Disney person (although we own enough Backyardigans videos).


And I promise never to mention Memorial Day again. Pinky swear...

She Totally Has My Number

So my little punk Audrey...last Friday we had an event at the girls' school. I saw one of Audrey's teachers and told her about my failed attempt to potty train her. She said no big deal, they would continue to work with her, and to try again in a month or so.

When I picked her up from school yesterday? She had stayed dry all day in her pull-ups and went on the potty. She completely has my number.

Two year olds are smarter than we think...

Friday Pictures - Thursday Night Bedtime

So Ray has been out of town all week - hence the additional lack of posting and reading as I decided to use up some leave at my now "old" job prior to starting my new job on June 9th.

I was going to post pictures of my outing at Julie's house, I will have to save those for next week. I am too tired tonight to edit the 100+ pictures Ray snapped that evening. Hence why I don't give him the camera much.

A few things I have learned from staying home this week:
1) My kids like to fight. And Audrey likes to pinch. And Ashley likes to push. And I don't like to act like a referee.
2) Potty training sucks. End of story.
3) But taking away sippy cups all of sudden became a piece of cake.
4) Grocery shopping with two kids in a Harris Teeter with both of them pushing around their own sized shopping carts also sucks.
5) The days go by way too fast. I thought they went by fast when I am at work all day...I can't believe it's already Friday.


In addition to Ray being gone, I actually have a band concert at a function at their school tonight. I had to round up babysitters (thanks Edie!) for that as well as for the Thursday night practice (thanks Matt and Wendy!). So we got home kind of late from Matt and Wendy's house last night, and the girls crashed. Hard. Check out the "diva" with the High School Musical sheets and her Hannah Montana eye cover thingy.

Yes, she is asleep, and no, the flash did not wake her. Although it did wake up the next one who refuses to sleep in the bed. I asked her if she wanted to get in her bed, to which she said no.

Day One - Success

To say the kids were tired from our crazy trip is an understatement. Ashley slept until 8:30am this morning, Audrey was up at 7:30am only because of the dog. (I found Audrey in the hallway asleep at 7:00am and put her in bed with me and when Tootles discovered she was there, she started to lick her).

And so far the plan to potty train has been successful - no accidents, and she looks damn cute in a big kid underwear.

She caught onto the sippy cup thing and threw a fit. I decided I would stick to potty training for now, get rid of her sippy cups later. Maybe Ray can fight that battle...

Memorial Day and Beyond...

On the way home from the wedding we attended on Sunday night, we heard a tear inducing story about a female soldier returning home to applause at the airport. Ray said that when he went to San Diego last month, there was a gentleman in first class who gave up his seat to a soldier. It's those stories that touch my heart and make me believe in the American spirit. God Bless all Service Men and Women today...

On an unrelated note, we are not back home yet from Virginia. I am still here, Ray is back in North Carolina. And I am off all week, so tomorrow I am taking the girls to an amusement park on the way home from Virginia. I am making my brother come with me to help out, even though it means Mike has to rent a car to do so (Thanks Uncle Mike!!).

I have grand plans for the rest of the week - really finish potty training Audrey and get rid of all sippy cups. Not sure why I do this to myself, but what the heck, may as well make the week exciting. So if my blogging this week is spotty, that's why...

Friday Pictures - A Video Instead

Watch out Broadway...


Audrey Singing from Amy W on Vimeo.

What happens when I actually go to bed at 10:00pm

Monday night Ray went to the gym while I put the kids to bed. It sometimes is easier if one of us puts them both to bed instead of me doing one kid and Ray doing the other. They seem to like us reading books to them together.

I read the allotted two books and sent them off to bed. By this time, it was close to 9:00pm and I retreated back to my bedroom to watch Dancing with the Stars. Audrey continued to come out of her room and bring me things - her pillow, her blanket, toys, whatever she could find. I finally convinced her to stay in her room and I finished my show and turned off my lights. I was exhausted from our weekend, and normally one night a week I tend to crash early (if 10:00pm is early). I checked on Ashley who was dead asleep and I peeked in on Audrey who was in her bed, just not asleep yet. I figured I would check on her in a little while to make sure she was covered up. I went to bed and promptly fell asleep.

I woke up at 11:00pm to look down the hall. I saw Audrey crouching down by her bedroom door. Then I notice she had no shirt on, so I got up to help her get dressed and back in bed. Then she stood up and she had absolutely no clothes on, nor a diaper. Little punk got completely buck-naked. So I march her back in her room where she proceeds to tell me she peed on the floor right after I stepped in something wet. Lovely. Not only did she undress herself, she peed on the floor and then very matter-of-factly told me so. Ray came upstairs and helped clean up the pee on the floor while I dressed the little devil and got her back in bed. She finally fell back to sleep.

And when I peeked in on her the next morning before going to work? She was asleep on the floor. Hopefully it didn't smell like pee.

Minor League baseball rocks...

This past weekend, we decided at the last minute to go to Myrtle Beach for the weekend. It was the end of Biker Week 2008, but really, all those Harley riders are pretty nice. Plus, we don't stay on the main drag, so we don't even really see them much. My only regret for the weekend was the fact I FORGOT MY DAMN CAMERA. I didn't even have my Canon Powershot in my purse.

Saturday we spent time at the beach, then headed home for a quick nap for Audrey. We were back out of the house and off to Broadway at the beach so the girls could ride some rides before dinner. This is becoming a must for our trips there, and it is driving Ray nuts. Anyway, we went to dinner at a local Mexican restaurant (where Ray orders pizza, go figure) and we were off to our very first (except not really as we took Ashley when she was six weeks old to a game) Myrtle Beach Pelicans Baseball game.

They had these seats called "The Beach" and it was like sitting on the beach complete with sand and beach chairs. The girls had a blast running around and playing in the sand while we enjoyed part of the game. We only stayed until the 5th inning as it started to get chilly and I didn't bring any sort of jacket for me or the kids.

But really why minor league baseball rocks? We walked out of there with two coupons for a gallon of windshield washer fluid and 10 coupons for free donuts from Dunkin Donuts. They were giveaways in certain innings for not letting the other team score a run and striking out someone. And we got 10 coupons for donuts because the guy at the gate said we had two small kids and we needed more donuts. I am not sure if he meant we needed more or the kids. Ashley was a little confused as she thought they were actually going to give us a donut on the way out.

All in all, it was a great weekend away. Now we have to get geared up for this weekend's trip back to Virginia to visit family and friends.

I love baseball. I love watching baseball. I love eating the food at baseball stadiums. I love minor league games because they are so freaking funny sometimes.

Audrey is so not the forgotten child

I love this age, where everything is done with freedom and something as simple as the moon in the sky can make Audrey scream with excitement.
Despite her weekend full of snot, she has had so much personality lately. I think what I love the most is how much she interacts and wants to interact with her sister. Everything is sister this or sister that. I am trying to teach Ashley to say "no thank-you" when Audrey offers her stuff, which she is constantly doing. And Audrey is doing things so much faster than Ashley did, which is actually kind of scary. There is the Hannah Montana and High School Musical watching (High Musical to Audrey). There is the mostly going on the potty. Last week, she came home counting to ten in spanish.
There are still issues with her bedtime routine, which Ray will tell you is all my fault and that they go to bed just fine for him. She is constantly coming out of her room and giving us stuff, like her blankets and pillows. I assume it's just an excuse to get out of her room. This past weekend, she slept in bed with us when she wasn't feeling well. The one night we had the fan on and it was cold to me. But I could not get her to stay under the covers. You would think someone as little as she is would be cold and want to be covered up, but not her.
Saturday we were playing and I thought she was pooping and asked if she was. She responded that she wasn't. I told her she was lying and she said, "I not Lying, I'm Audrey." And she was very adamant about it.
On our quick outing on Sunday, we went to the bookstore and through the drive-thru at Starbucks for Mother's Day. If there is one thing Audrey will eat, it's french fries. We pull up to order, and Audrey immediately starts screaming out, "I want french fries Mommy!". We had to convince her it was not a french fry shop.

How someone so little and who eats so little has so much energy is beyond me...

Horrible, horrible child...

The horrible child? Me. Friday was my Dad's birthday and he reads this as does my Stepmom. But did I bother to wish him Happy Birthday here? Nope. Left him a message at his house of which he was out of town for the weekend and I didn't call his cell phone because I didn't know he was out of town until today when Ray told me he called when I was out of town this week and told Ray that he was going to be out of town. Get it?

Anyway, Happy 53rd (I think??) birthday Dad. Here's to many more.

And Happy Mother's Day to all the Mom's out there, whether you are a Mom to a dog, cat, or a child, I hope it was a good one. We played it low key here today. I got a Photoshop CS3 book to hopefully improve my abilities. You know, when I have time to sit down and actually look at it. I worked for a while on the curtains I am making. Hopefully in the next six months I will get to show them to you. Or not. The goal is to finish them by the end of May. I am really good at setting goals.

Audrey is sick. We actually ended up taking her in to the pediatrician on Saturday morning. She is completely stuffed up and running a fever off and on. With her asthma, we have to be careful with this kind of stuff. The doctor said it's probably viral, but gave her medicine anyways. It's so sad to see her bad off, especially at night. I know how miserable I am when I can't sleep when I have a cold, and she has ended up in our beds the past few nights.

The only other major event from this weekend (besides the whole Mother's Day thing...) was the launch party for the site I am featured on weekly for our local newspaper, the News and Observer. They had it at the kids museum Marbles in downtown Raleigh. We had a little meet and greet time we were obligated to be there. It was cute, and I took Ashley with me so Ray could take Audrey to the doctor. Here is a really random picture from the cake cutting...the lady (Sarah) in the middle is who runs the site and picked the bloggers. This picture is Leigh's daughter, Ella, who Ashley became instant friends with. They are close in age (Ella turns 5 this month, Ashley turns 5 in July), and they bonded immediately. We have determined we will be doing some pool playdates this summer as I see this as a friendship that can only get better.

And yes, that would be a Hannah Montana shirt she is wearing. Thanks to my Mom who sent her two more shirts. Now she wants to sleep in them.

Strawberry Picking

Last Saturday morning I took the girls to a local strawberry farm while Ray stayed home and did yard work. Ashley and I both love strawberries, and with the rain we have gotten the past couple of weeks, the strawberries are huge. Audrey won't eat them, but she had fun too.

What made it more fun was the ice cream shop they had there. Nothing like ice cream at 10:30 in the morning.

Hopefully I will have some good pictures from this weekend - I am playing at a festival in the next town over with the band tomorrow, and we have our annual block party as well. Have a great weekend...

Friday Pictures

At some point, I will buy a book and learn to actually do things on my own in Photoshop. When I am not making curtains/enjoying the nice weather/potty training a 2 year old/having 4 band concerts in one month/entertaining houseguests. The list could go on and on and on.

Instead, I am relying on Pioneer Woman's actions that she graciously let us download off her site. Here are some examples (the first one is always the shot straight out of the camera, and no, I don't remember which actions I used on each shot...it was late last night...and Ray was waiting for me to watch Lost):

Pretty cool, huh? I am going to print some of these today, I will let you know how they turn out. Have a great Friday everyone....

Friday Pictures - Water Play

Last Friday, it was warm enough that Ashley wanted to get in the sprinklers (it is the same weather this Friday as well). So new bathing suits on (except for Audrey, her bathing suit from last year fit, and yes, I do feed her) and into the water.

I got Ashley's at Old Navy...

Not sure what she's doing here.

Audrey loved it. I gave birth to water babies apparently.

Oops, Audrey. Where are your bottoms?

Boy, am I glad I married the one that has hair...(that's Ray's brother Sean on the right, 8 years younger than Ray and bald).

Photoshop

Warning - I have Photoshop now...


Although I don't really see that much of a difference, I am still learning. If anyone has any good tips, pass them along.

Potty Training 101

Here's the deal: We didn't really have to potty train Ashley. Since we knew we were going to through a bunch of changes her way in a short amount of time (Audrey being born, moving to another state, starting a new school), we waited until we were in North Carolina before we potty trained her. She was almost three years old, and the first Friday I was off, I told her she wasn't going to wear diapers anymore, and that pretty much was it. She knew what to do. She was even dry at night.

So now Audrey is wanting to go on the potty. And she does. It's mostly at night when she is stalling to go to bed, but she goes potty in her little potty seat.

I have two problems. The first is she doesn't want to go on the big toilet, just on her little one. And my other problem is when should I really start trying. Is she ready now? Do I do pull-ups? I know, I really should know the answer to this, but Ashley was so darn easy, I just don't know what to do. And I know you guys will know what to do...