2 months

 Its hard to believe but it's true! Abagial just turned 2 (months that is, but it was going to rhyme without the months part.) She has started to fuss less, but not really sleep more. I can't wait for her to start letting me sleep more! Lately Jon has been out of town lots for work so that makes for one extra tired mommy. Luckily at least she is better behaved during the day so I don't lose my mind! Kate is totally in love with her sister. She gets a sweet high pitched voice when she talks to her, and is always worried about where her sister is and making sure I take good care of her. I think I might be getting used to having 2 kids, or I'm just better at ignoring the crying ;) But sweet coo's and smiles for Abigail make it worth it!

My turn

This picture sums up my life in a nut shell. Two girls sitting on my lap every 3 hours all day long. Breast feeding is great and all, but MAN sometimes you just want some space. And Kate decided that she needs to cuddle with me while Abby eats....good thing my AC works great! You will also note in this photo the haggard-ness of my appearance. The bags under my eyes haven't gone away for the 7 weeks of Abby's life! I generally stand far enough away from all mirrors to try and pretend I don't see the bags. Abby is sleeping ok.....but still not great. Her fussy times have gotten somewhat better, but still generally the same. I look forward to a day when I get to sleep uninterrupted all night long. That however may not happen for quite some time. It looks like we will be once again moving. Jon's work is changing it up on us. I SO DON'T want to move again. I love it here, it is my home now. But alas, I have to go where the work is....so yay. I'm not ready for the many joys that moving brings--packing, moving, unpacking, leaving friends, making new ones, change of address, new city, all of it. And to top it off Jon will be going to the new city at least 5 days a week until we move (or so is the plan now...unless something changes) so I get the single mom of 2 experience on top of trying to sell my house and pack. Wish me luck!!

Kate's latest

 Kate has adapted to having a new sister around the house by taking care of all of her wants and needs herself. She is forever dragging chairs around the kitchen so she can help herself to whatever it is on her mind at the moment. So far nothing is safe. Like knocking back a bottle of 'beer' or brown drink as she calls it. I found her like this on a Sunday morning while I was packing the diaper bag. Her nursery leaders said she was abnormally hyper that day....

 Kate is still very interested in her sister. She is always worried about 'Habigail' being too cold, or her tummy hurting, or being hungry. Lately she has decided that laying and cuddling with her is a great idea....and I try to let her until she starts laying ON her. Abigail is going to be one tough cookie.

Kate and I survived our first babysitting gig post Abigail. It was for a short hour, but still-- it was an accomplishment! Kate and Dallin did great, they made sure to share the whole time, except the keyboard--but everyone always wants to play solos. Kate and Dallin were cuddling on the couch while Kate 'read' Dallin a few books. It was sweet....but since they are both 2 this blurry pic is the best I could get!

Sneaky Smiles

 Abigail has officially started smiling! And try as I might, I can't seem to get a good picture to prove it! She usually stops cooing and smiling as soon as I hold up my phone for a shot. But I promise these aren't gas related, because she will keep smiling off and on as you talk to her. Its exciting for me! Her little actions help me see that she really is growing--and one day will sleep through the night! She has also started to spend more time awake looking around and checking out the world she lives in. Its fun to imagine what she is thinking.

 This is the best picture of her smiling I have managed....the little tease stuck her tongue out just to taunt me!

The Glasses

 Yesterday we decided to head to the park for a little sunshine. Kate asked me to put two "hur dews" in her hair. She was very excited by her pretty pig tails. Then, as we continued to get ready she told me she was going to bring her backpack. And to complete the look she frantically told me to "WAIT A MINUTE MOMMY" as she ran to her room to get her glasses. She of course picked the pair that she popped the lenses out of...instead of the other 3 pairs of sun glasses she has that still have lenses. I thought she looked TOO funny. She marched around that playground like she owned the place. You could just see how proud she was of her look for the day. This girl totally cracks me up. So much confidence, she had no clue that really she was dressed more for nerd day than the runway. I hope she doesn't lose that confidence as she gets older. And then the glasses made their appearance on Abby. I think the caption to this photo should be "Solving the world's problems one nap at a time" My girls just look stylish in anything!

First Dress Up

 Kate loves to play in her room, and lately likes to dress up when she is there. She is very into the dress up stuff, and making herself and mom pretty. The other night we all were playing in Kate's room, and Kate decided 'Habigail' needed to dress up too. It was pretty funny. Kate was so proud that she made 'Habigial' look so 'cretty'. I've officially decided that Kate's 3rd birthday party will be dress up themed-- with the book Fancy Nancy as the inspiration. Kate will adore it. Adore is a fancy way to say love.

 My goofy girls. I just love them. They will make us broke when they are teenagers, but we will love them anyway!

 Kate has been embracing the role of big sister. She prides herself on how well she can look after 'Habigail'. She will come running to tell you that she gave Abigail her pacifier, or that she got her to stop crying, or that she gave her a blanket. She is such a good helper that even when you tell her to leave Abby alone to let her sleep, this is what you will find:

All the while Kate is saying, "I be quiet mom, Habigail sleeping!" Such a helpful and loving sister.

Role Reversal

This morning Jon told me that he was planning to go mow the yard. This instantly made me sad! I didn't want to be stuck inside with 2 kids again. So I decided I would mow and Jon could pick up the house. Once I was dressed and ready Jon explained how to start our mower and I headed out. Sadly after 5 attempts I couldn't get that bad boy to start. I had to come get the man to start it. Then I was on my way. Not even 2 minutes later Jon came out with my baby wrap to have me show him how to put Abby in. We both decided that we aren't good at role reversal....we need each other to make it work.

Random note about mowing
It makes me feel like a teenager again! It brings back lots of memories of me mowing my parents yard. With the help of Pandora's 90's station I spent a blissful hour reminiscing while working up a sweat.

Daddy Loves his Girls!

 Jon is such a great father! His girls really love him and he loves them. Still the best person to get Abby to stop crying is Jon! I am lucky to have him as my partner in this journey we call life!

Finger Painting

 My mom is full of fun projects to do with Kate! One day she pulled out finger paints. Kate was a fan, even though she kept trying to make it body art instead of painting the posters. Kate loves anything active and messy...so this was right up her alley. I see us repeating this activity lots in our future!

 Uncle Zachs masterpiece.

 Look at that artsy grandma! Sometimes her artistic ability makes me a little sick ;)

Messy hands! Kate and my mom are super buds. My mom is currently flying home today from taking care of us. She will be greatly missed, but I love how involved she stays even from far away. We talk on the phone or computer almost daily. I love that my girls get to grow up with such a strong relationship with my parents! They are such a blessing.

Uncle Zach

 I've already said that my brother got to come visit us for a few days. It was fun to have him, though I think his number 1 fan was Kate. Abigail really seemed to like him too. Mom and I were able to ditch the girls with Zach a few times during nap time even! I was finally able to get a picture of Abigail's "blue steel"face from Zoolander with my brother's help. Maybe it is because he is the only brother I have, but I think he's a pretty awesome dude! Today he is back in Idaho starting another semester of school. Good luck Uncle Zach! Date lots of cool girls so we can have an aunt to play with too!

First Bath

 For being such a colicky baby Abigail sure likes bathtime. She will sit in the tub super content and just enjoy the water, and her own reflection in the mirror. She does the same thing if I take her in the shower with me. Something about the water soothes the girl.

Hanging around my town

 Grandma decided she needed to work on her tan while here in Texas. She took Kate to a friend in our ward's pool one morning, then the next day they ventured to the backyard pool for more Vit-D.

And this week my brother Zach came down here to meet Abigail and play with Kate. So far he has been the most dedicated playmate ever! Kate can ask him to do anything and he will! As photo proof, Kate asked Zach to put on his purse and go "shopping" in the house with her. They made a cute pair running around fake shopping in their super cool purses. It sure brought out Zach's feminine side!