Little Cowgirls

Here are some pics of the girls playing "cowgirls" in the driveway & our neighbors yard with their ponies.  They are just too silly sometimes.  Jessie is insistent that Ella always wants to play cowgirl every afternoon...don't really know where she got this, but it's funny.  Enjoy & have a great weekend ;)

Cutie pie :)

Not as into showing off on one of the ponies...but still cute in her "cowgirl" dress

Jessie's 2 & 1/2 yr checkup

Jessie's check up went well, although, she just does not like the nurses at our peds office.  She was upset to say the least & did not like being treated like a baby.  She hated being weighed while lying down & did not like to be measured while being held down...I think she was a little too big for this, but I just went with it.  She's healthy & thriving by everyone's growth charts & assessments. Here are the stats:
Height: 37 inches..although I'd guess taller since she was kicking & rolling around (75th percentile)
Weight: 29 lbs 11 oz (50th percentile)
Head Circumference: 50 cm or 19 inches (50th percentile)
Still tall & skinny like the dr. said.  We discussed potty training & I think even the dr was surprised to see her in her little undies at the appointment, but as I explained to him...she does well at home, we need to practice outside of our home.  He didn't even bother asking about her language development as she was a total chatter box with him & was telling him about her new Halloween socks.  Here are a few pics of my 2 & 1/2 year old to enjoy!  So very proud of her, although it's bitter sweet to see her looking & acting so big....

Love it ;)

Also love her little smile here

I know her foot is blurred, but I loved her face

This is so Jessie

Totally love, probably going to get a large print of this one

So proud

Most of my posts are dedicated to my kiddos, but my man is also noteworthy.  Recently, he got a big grant from the NIH & he just happened to get a news spot also.  For those of you that haven't seen it, here's a link to his you tube video.  This aired on a Sunday morning news program in our area.  I think he did very well & of course, he looked handsome as always.....and yes I did select his outfit for him (I'm his wardrobe consultant).  Michael, I'm so very proud of you for all of your accomplishments, but most importantly for the Godly man that you are....I love you!  Also, here's a recent pic of us together from our friend's wedding.

Not too bad for an old married couple *wink, wink*

Playing in the "stream"

The stream is down from our home in our woods.  Lately, the girls enjoy going to visit the stream & throw rocks & sticks into it.  Now, I grant you "stream" may be a generous term for the puddles of the dried up run-off ditch, but to the girls it's a stream.  Enjoy a few candids of them playing in the stream & on the bridge.

16 months

16 months has marked a real change in Ella to me.  She now loves, loves to read & will actually sit to do this and flash cards.  Her signature move is to "back it up" to get into your lap to read.  She backs her little self right into your lap...whether you want her there or not.  She also now runs after her sister all the time.  She has thinned down a lot & is so strong.  She can walk up the stairs by herself, although, of course, I'm extremely cautious when she is trying to do this.  She knows most of the common animals/animal noises & we are working on colors.  Here are a few other things to remember for the future:

• Loves to be naked like sissy & often removes her own diaper
• Loves mac & cheese
• Dislikes green beans, but likes peas
• Still takes a bottle or ba-ba at bedtime--I know I need to work on this
• She has many words including:

1. Cup
2. Ba-ba for bottle
3. Kitty
4. Pup-pup
5. Woof-woof
6. Cow
7. Hat
8. Wa-wa for water
9. Milk
10. Cook-cook for cookie
11. Mama
12. Dada
13. Sissy
14. Bebe-for baby
15. Bath
16. Num-num for food
17. Hot
18. Cold
19. Blue & she does know how to recognize this one
20. Momo for Jessie's monkey
21. Mimi for her monkey
22. Elmo--it's close, but she does for sure know who he is
23. Cheese
24. Fishy for fish
25. Ice
26. Bear
27. Car
28. Chair
29. Deer
30. Shoe
31. Boo-berry for blueberry
32. Nigh-Nigh for night-night
33. Bye-Bye

When the PA I saw at her doctor's office almost fell out of his chair when I said she knows at least 20 words...I just looked at him & smiled, I said "she's very verbal."  I know he thought I was lying, but truly, she does know how to say these words.  Although, she no longer seems like a baby at all & I do miss cuddle time with her, she just gets more interactive & fun.  She & her sister are especially hilarious together as two little playmates.  They definitely keep me on my toes as they are around the house & back & forth between the front/back yard all day.  She is clearly the less serious & more funny of the two...I guess she's the typical younger sibling in that way.  Just precious with her belly laugh & her giggles--I truly never get tired of spending time with her & watching her grow.  Now if we could just get past the late night teething problems....life would be grand!

Couldn't decide if I liked it better regular or matte, see below--I grant you she's eating a plant, but the color  is pretty

Airing my dirty laundry

Well, I guess it's not technically "dirty" laundry as this bra was clean out of the hamper, but look at what Ms. Ella thought was funny.  She was hilarious prancing around in my bra.  I should note that she put it on this way with no help from me or sissy (that I'm aware of).  No words for this one... :)  I hope this is not too risque for the blog, but I just thought it was so cute, I couldn't resist.  Happy Friday!

Yes, those are all the pillows off my bed she & sissy pulled them all off onto the floor...don't know why I even try