St. Paddy's Day

3/17/22

I wasn't planning on going all out for today. We had cereal that turned the milk green and I thought that would be good enough haha. That wasn't the case. Addie came home from school today as excited as can be. She told me how a leprechaun had gotten into her school and caused so much mischief. Chairs were on desks, things were upside down and many things misplaced. She told me how the leprechaun even went into the violin room and made a mess in there. As she was talking I could see where this was going. This was going to be another elf on the shelf situation and I braced myself. She told me how her teacher even caught it but then it escaped before any of the students could see it. She was so hyped up. As soon as we got home she started making a leprechaun trap, wrote a note and drew it a picture. So, I guess now I need to figure out if a leprechaun is going to appear before the sun goes down.

"Dear leperchaan, will you plese be in the jar?

Yes / No

I have candy in the jar for you?

Yes / No

Will you be my fiend?

Yes / No

How long can I cepe you?

Plese!!!"

 

 

Then Hudson wanted his picture taken with a little art project he had done at school today. This is his current go to face and stance when we take pictures now. I'm not sure why haha but oh well. Hudson is such a cutie. And of course Grant wanted a picture taken. He had been wearing a green shirt earlier today and has since changed his clothes. He changes outfits two to three times a day. It's not fun as far as laundry is concerned. Also I'm not sure why he's not wearing pants.

 

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For dinner we had grilled cheese sandwiches made from green colored bread. I think the color threw the kids off a little bit and it wasn't as exciting as I imagined it was going to be. That's okay though. You win some, you lose some. The babies could care less though and ate everything so that's great. We had donuts for dessert that Danny picked up on his way home today. That gesture of course was a win with the kids. I had asked him if he could go to the bakery to pick up green donuts but of course those had all been gone by the time Danny was able to go. No complaints here though. Donuts will always be a hit regardless of what color they are.

 

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I had told Addie that I didn't think a leprechaun had a chance to even stop by because someone was always near the trap (it had been on the kitchen counter all day). She agreed and I thought I was off the hook but she believed that since everyone was going to bed that there was still a chance for one last visit attempt.

Everyone is in bed now and of course my holiday loving heart knew I was going to do something about her cute little trap. Plus how could I not respond to that adorable letter she wrote for it? I'm not a monster. I definitely knew I was going to somehow respond to that. I got rid of her green little candy and tipped her jar over. Luckily we happened to have some left over green sprinkles from Christmas that she didn't even know about and I spread that across her note and left some in her jar. I changed my handwriting so she wouldn't recognize it and left some notes on her note. I know this isn't much at all but hopefully it's enough. Now we just wait for her reaction in the morning. I now know to be better prepared for next year. You would think that the Felix situation would have taught me that now that Addie is in all day school she's exposed to way more traditions and wants to experience them as well. She's definitely paving the way for all her younger siblings who's going to benefit from new traditions that Addie isn't even realizing she's starting haha.

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3/18/22

She loved it! She ran straight to the jar first thing this morning. She was excited to tell all her friends about it, since I think she felt a little left out when they were all telling her about their leprechaun visit yesterday morning. She also came home with these pictures she colored at school and was pretty excited to show me them.

Double Trouble

 This is what happens when you take your eyes off two busy toddlers for five minutes.

Yuck.

Rare Disease Day

Today is National Rare Disease Day. On my Instagram stories I opened up a little more about my sister and her condition and asked if anyone had questions. I'm posting screenshots from some of those questions here on my blog. I hate she has this disease and I'm grateful for the ability to talk about it in order to bring awareness to this awful life ruining disease.

*I realized after that the picture of Addie was actually taken at Shawn's funeral. Different uncle that passed away just three weeks after uncle Eddie.

All About Our Babes

Baby girls I love you so so much. I didn't do the best this time around with keeping track on what happened every single month individually. We were just trying to keep you sisters alive with the little sleep we got those first few months haha. You both have been such a joy though these past twelve months. I'm still wrapping my head around the fact that you girls are one years old! Happy birthday Ryles and Quinnie!

Here are some things about them that I just don't want to forget.

First 12 months for Rylee and Quinn:

One month - They slept alllll day. We wake them up for feedings every 2-3 hours throughout the night but I bet they would sleep longer stretches if we'd let them. Since they're preemies if they skip a feeding they don't have enough energy for a full feeding at the next cycle so we have to stay on top of it and help them by waking them up ourselves. It's exhausting. They also started napping in their own cribs this month.

    Stats: Rylee 6 lbs 14 oz

              Quinn 7 lbs
Two months - They sleep in four hour stretches before we wake them to eat at night. Rylee had an ultrasound on her hip and will need another one soon because the results didn't come back normal.
     Stats: Rylee 8.8 lbs (3.2%)

               Quinn 8.8 lbs (3.2%)

Three months - Made the switch from newborn clothes to 0-3 size clothes. Quinn discovered her fists and now loves sucking on her thumb. Quinn gives smiles freely while Rylee will jibber and jabber away. Rylee was seen by a pediatric orthopedic and was cleared for hip dysplasia for now! Both girls have consistently slept through the night since April 26th!
Four months - Quinn still loves her thumb and it's the cutest thing ever. They both love when Daddy sings Hello by Lionel Richie and will smile so big every time. They went to the zoo for the first time and have also recently decided they prefer the bottle over nursing because it's easier for them. Both are trying so hard to giggle but haven't quite gotten there yet.
     Stats: Rylee 11.8 lbs (6.9%)

               Quinn 12.4 lbs (13.8%)
Five months - Have still slept through the night since April! Finally graduated from 0-3 month clothes. Rylee is getting really close to rolling over but hasn't yet. Quinn has twice but hasn't in awhile. Both are rockstars at tummy time and holding up their heads.
Six months - They have officially switched to full time bottles. They have been supplemented with a mix of pumped milk and formula for awhile now. They both roll over all the time and Quinn especially loves doing it during diaper changes. Both girls says Mama!
     Stats: Rylee 14.6 lbs (21%)

               Quinn 15.1 (29%) 
Seven months - They really enjoy baby food and being outside. Still sleep through the night consistently since four months old. They full on laugh and are more aware of each other.
Eight months - Both girls are now sitting and scooting around. If there's something they see on the floor they'll get to it. They both dealt with croup and bronchitis but are feeling better. Rylee had her last pediatric orthopedic appointment today for her hips and she's looking great with no issues!

       Stats: Rylee 17.1 lbs (32%)

                Quinn 16.7 lbs (27.3%) 
Nine months - They both were sick again a lot this month and currently both have ear infections. Once they started teething and getting sick they broke their sleeping through the night streak which has been rough. They have hit cute milestones though such as clapping, waving and now saying Dada. They are definitely more aware of each other now and try to make the other baby laugh which is the best thing to watch.
Ten months - They are better at holding their own bottles which is a game changer around here. Their scooting around is full on crawling and they are fast about it. They have six teeth. After a long time with zero teeth they started growing them like crazy the last two months. Rylee is pulling herself up to a standing position and has started walking along furniture. Quinn loves being held by Mama and will give our smiles more freely. Rylee makes you work for smiles but she's also more willing to be held by people she doesn't know where as Quinn is way more hesitant with that. Both babies prefer real food vs baby food and we've stopped buying those baby foods and just feed them what we're eating now.
Eleven months - Rylee loves to walk with her push toy. She also discovered today how to stand up unassisted. Quinn has started walking along furniture now but has no interest in the push toy because it moves too fast for her.
Twelve months - We all survived their first year!! 
     Stats: Rylee 19 lbs (37%)

               Quinn 19 lbs (37%)

List of Rylee's current words:

Mama

Dada

Grandma

List of Quinn's current words:

Mama

Dada

Hi Dad

My super talented sister kept up with tradition and made both of the girls their own birthday boards.

ALL ABOUT RYLEE

Her Favorite Foods- Raspberries, Blackberries, Nuggets and French Fries

Her Favorite Shows- N/A
Her Favorite Songs - Hello by Lionel Richie

She Can - Stand unassisted, walk with help, fake cry, clap and wave.

She Weighs - 19 lbs

She Stands - 27.5 in

Teeth - 8 teeth

Nicknames - Ryles, Rye Rye, Smiley Rylee, Rylee Mae and Froggy

She Loves - Sink baths, being teased, and the stairs
She Dislikes - Getting her ears checked by the Dr

ALL ABOUT QUINN

Her Favorite Foods- Blackberries, Bananas, Cheese, Avocados, and Quesadillas

Her Favorite Shows- N/A
Her Favorite Songs - Hello by Lionel Richie and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

She Can - Shake head yes or no, clap, wave, and climb stairs

She Weighs - 19 lbs

She Stands - 27.5 in

Teeth - 8 teeth

Nicknames - Quinnie, BBQ, Q, Quinnie Rue and Grinny Quinnie

She Loves - Sink baths, the bathroom, food and Mama
She Dislikes - Sharing Mom's lap

It's been an amazing year being their mom. I lucked out with the perfect pair of babes. They are the most patient easy going little humans and I can't believe I get to be their mom. I love them both so much and I'm so glad we get to have them be the cabooses to our family.

Happy birthday girlies. We love you so much.