Let's go Wisconsin Nani...Drive!

My parents were in town for a long Thanksgiving weekend and each good bye seems to get harder and harder on all of us, but especially little Ana.
This time Ana accompanied Nani and Gagi to their car and climbed in sitting on the back seat, pulling the seat belt over stating matter of factly that she was going to go with them to Wisconsin and that Nana was to get in and drive. It went something like this:
A: Come on Nani let's go Wisconsin
N: Ana you don't have a car seat
A: That's OK Nani, get in. Drive Nani
N: Where are we going
A: Wisconsin

This type of conversation went on for 5 or so minutes until she saw Justin and I come out, at which time she waved good bye and began picking out music for the trip.

Now..this might sound oh so cute, and it was until we had to get her out. Then we all started crying b.c she was so very sad to have to say a real good bye.

All day yesterday and today she has been out of sorts, moping around and crying out of the blue for Nani and Gagi.
This is going to be a long 3 weeks until the 3 girls board the plane for Wisconsin.

Trimming the Tree

Happy Holidays

We have kick started another glorious holiday season.
This year with our newest addition, little baby Tay Tay- who isn't so little anymore.

Naughty or Nice

Santa took a little break from toy making this year to meet the kids in our neighborhood. Ana was pumped to see Santa and the girls were all dolled up, looking festive as ever. Ana was excited to be "at a party" and it was going great until.....SANTA ARRIVED! Poor Ana was so scared!

As you can see, Tay Tay just loved all the hoop-la and attention- totally Amazed by Santa, but look at scared Ana. Have you ever seen her like this?? We couldn't get a smile, but sure produced a lot of frozen stiff looks and fear ridden tears. Here are some shots to share the moment with you all.

Aren't they cute?!?!?!?

Happy Thanksgiving

In spite of being away from home and missing you all dearly we had a top notch Thanksgiving this year. Nani and Gagi (Ana's new terms for my parents) came into town and Shelby, Craig and Even (new friends) celebrated with us. Ana really enjoyed the day. She helped cook up the stuffing, mixing away, and enjoyed the beautiful fall weather playing out back in the "leaf pile", as well as showing off her "suzy spider shoes" (what she will forever refer to her black shoes as). She ran around the house tapping and pointing her toes, more excited than ever! And then, during meal time, she gobbled up the turkey and stuffing like nobody's business. Then it was party time as Evan and Ana played until the wee hours of the morning (well...only 9:30 PM, but for those of you who know Ana, you know this is REALLY LATE- she is a strict 7/7:30 crasher. )
Taylor did great too. She got sweet potatoes for the first time and inhaled them, grabbing the spoon and shoveling more and more into her mouth. She slept a lot of the day, so sorry Tay Tay but we only got a jammy shot. She was OH SO CUTE in her coordinating sisters dress.
This year we do have a lot to be thankful for, but most of all for our precious girls. Also for family and friends who travel far and wide- by car, phone and e-mail- to stay close to us, even while away. Thank you and we love you all.

4th and running out of bins

Translation: We now have packed away 3 bins (0-3, 3-6 and 6-9) and dove full speed ahead into bin #4 (9-12 mo). Just to remind you, Taylor is barely 5 months old. She is 5 months old, but wearing- tightly I might add- 9-12 mo clothes. At this rate her and Ana will be in the same size in 3 months. How convienent will that be? The lucky thing for us is that Ana was in 9-12 months during the holidays last year, so the few cute little Christmas onsies we bought her will HOPEFULLY fit Taylor for the holidays this year. However, most of Ana's cutest 9-12 month ensembles were cousin Addy's. Good thing we're giong home soon- time to raid the Kluths bins again. Then again, who knows if she'll even be in that size still considering she's been blowing through sizes about one every month (4 sizes 5 months). THAT'S CRAZY.

Yet still, every feeding brings heart palpatations b.c she just won't eat.... obviously she does. When did I become such a stress case?!?!?!?!?!??! Sorry family!

November 18th, 2006: tooth #2

I KNEW that second one was right around the corner. This girl is blowing away her sister in development.

Now, if she could only catch on to her sister's sleep habits we'd be in business. For now we continue to wake and console her every 1-3 hours. And I was worried that I wouldn't have one on one bonding time. HA!

Don't worry Taya. I'll still bond with you, even if you don't get up between the hours of 10 PM and 6 AM. I promise.

Playtime gets better by the day

Here is Ana teaching Taylor all the tricks of the trade and trying out "Taylor's new toy" on loan from some friends in hopes of keeping our girls occupied a little longer!

Ana: "Look Tay Tay. This is a square top"

Yes, Ana is very proud to share her new found skill of labeling basic shapes in her world. She's still trying to master those colors, but is very determined. And Taylor loves to come along for the ride with anything Ana is will to share with her.

Daddy Gets a New Office Assistant

Taylor: 5 months

Solids: take 2

After waiting a month from our 1st trial, we started our 2nd attempt of solids with Taylor last week and it is going down as a huge success. She is gobbling up the oatmeal and prefers it over the rice cereal. She is even grabbing the spoon and pulling it into her mouth. Next on the list is avocado, then bananas and pears...all of which I have nicely cubed and frozen ready for Taylor consumption.
Again, I wonder why anyone buys this stuff. It's so easy to make and use....I'd have to argue that it's 10X easeir than staring at rows and rows of jars to pick just the right ones, purchasing, carrying and storing all those annoying little jars (come on you know every mother has dropped her share of baby food jars onto the grocery isle floor)!

Nov. 9, 2006- Taylor's 1st Tooth

4 days earlier than Ana and the 2nd one is right under the surface. And, surprisingly (sorry Tay Tay), but she is being quite the trooper. I'm thinking it must feel like no big deal compared to all her tummy aches and frustrations with life.

Taylor, you're getting so big so fast.....18.75 pounds big to be exact! For those of you who don't know baby sizes, that's HUGE for a 5 months old. For perspective, Ana wasn't even that big at 6 mo.

Row Row Row yur Boat

Here is the row row row your boat shot

Fall is Here

Our lovely wooded lot has proven to be the perfect toddler and baby play yard. The girls had a blast helping with yard work and playing in the leaves this weekend. Nice when all you have to wear is a vest! Look at how much fun they're having.
And, the best part it that this left me a decent amount of time to make up a few months supply of baby food! Can you BELIEVE it's that time already!!!!!

Retro Classic meets Mondern Convenience

Check out our new ride....the ultra family wagon by Radio Flyer. This thing rocks! Ana loves is and played all day in it while Daddy got yard work done.

Simple and Sweet is our Taylor

Desperate for Tummy Time Tolerance

I'm pulling out all the tricks, even baby einstien and you all know how I feel about videos. Bitter sweet as you can see, Taylor didn't fall for it!

"ooo, Nana so pitty"

Ana had fun putting "pitty bows like Addy" in Nana's hair during her visit. Isn't she pretty?

"What are you doing in there?"

Ana, getting her you's and I's confused, has lately taken to hiding in funny places and asking us what she is doing...it's quite funny and nice to see her explore with her bodies boundaries...a very new thing for our little torticollis girl (who by the way, is still quite tilted...guess she will be a lifelong flirt)

Ana: ha,ha,ha...I'm too big for Taylor's chair

Please tell me this is the camera angel and my baby IS NOT getting this big already.

Photographer in Training...photojournalist?

Taylor was all smiles for Nana

Ana: I love money. I need it. I need the money

One of the many past times Nana teaches Ana.

Our latest and greatests

We've had a boom of funnies lately here. Ana is becoming quite the teacher and comedian and oh such fun. And little Taylor is full of giggles
ANA:
Ana's newest game is hide and go seek. She covers her eyes (while peaking out) and counts to 5. Then runs around looking for me, laughing oh so hard when she finds me. Seriously...where does she learn this stuff. She also is into a few new phrases that are the funniest yet.
"I need it" "Mom, I NEED the _____" "I love it" "Oh I love ____, I need it" How funny is that?
And my favorite, while en route to Target. "I LOVE Target", While passing Target, "Mom, go to Target PLEASE, I LOVE IT. I love Target!"
Make beleive is still by far her favorite past time, but it has progressed so far. She now makes her people have conversations with one another, build things, enact many different games, help each other, and tell each other how much they love them. It's so fun to sit and watch (or get something done while she entertains herself)

TAYLOR:
She sits up for hours and hours belly laughing away. Her favorite is when you kiss her neck repeatedly. Deep belly laughs. Just so fun. She also cracks up at Ana. And Ana eats it up. The 2 of them are already finding ways to play together, which gives me a little light into the future and I can't wait. The other day, Ana grabbed Taylor's arms, while facing her, and rocked back and forth singing, "row, row, row your boat. How cute is that?!?!?!?!? They also are LOVING their bath times together. Taylor no longer goes in a seat, just lays right there on the floor of the tub (good thing she isn't rolling yet) and watches Ana teach her all the letters. Ana, "here Taylor. This is an H". SHe does this for all the letters. Taylor thoroughly enjoys this as she munches away on them!
AND...she is cutting her first tooth. It hasn't fully broken through yet, but you can see and feel it well. Perhaps she'll be like Ana and cut her 1st tooth on her 5 mo. b-day

OOOO "beluga whales'

While Gaga was in town, Ana took him to the GA Acquarium. She loves that place and Gaga had yet to see it. They had a great time and she was a top notch host...showing him the "otters", "beluga whales", "penguins", "Dori and Nemo fishes", "sea lions", "whale sharks"....the list goes on and on. I think she has that place memorized by now!