Valentine fun.

After all the candy, cards, and gifts {thanks everyone}, this is what Presley liked best. The stickers that came with the $1.00 box of Valentines she sent her friends.




Stella did not like them near as much!

We've been sick.

After all of Chris's travels these past 5 weeks you would think we deserved a break and some good "family together" time. Instead we each had a version of the 24-hour stomach bug and have spent the better half of last week in bed and recovering.


Poor Presley was so wiped out she fell asleep on the couch. She was so confused the first time she threw-up, it was so hard to watch (and smell, and clean up, and repeat). For the rest of the week she has carried a bowl around to barf in.

Stella didn't get the bug--not even a bit--thanks to breastfeeding, I am sure! We are all healthy now, and plan to stay that way.

Presley logic.

• Presley needs 2 of everything "Because I am 2!"
• "When I get up, the sun will come up." She says this in the morning if it is still dark outside when she wants to get up.
• As she takes a toy from Stella "Look, I am sharing!"

I suspect things will only get better as she gets older. On a side note I signed Presley up for preschool in the fall. I can't believe how fast she is growing up. More proof of that--she now knows all the letters, their sounds, and she can sound out words and tell me what letter they start with.

Accomplishments.

In January, after looking at Presley's teeth I decided it was time for her to stop sucking her thumb. The front right tooth just kept poking out and it was apparent that it was only going to get worse. I prepared for the worst and asked Presley if she would stop sucking her thumb--to my surprise she said "Yes!".

After nearly a month of not sucking her thumb (not even once), a few struggles to fall asleep, and a nearly lost nap (I can't believe it is just about gone) Presley has STOPPED! No drama, no fuss--we are all very lucky! As an incentive Presley got to take a trip to Toys R Us to pick out any 2 toys she wanted for accomplishing the task (2 toys because she is 2, Presley logic). After much deliberation and a tour of the entire store she picked out an ice cream food set and a Hello Kitty doll.


Not to be out done Stella has also had her share of teeth drama. After what has seemed like an eternity of 'teething' Stella finally pushed out two little bottom teeth on the 2nd of February. They only poke through enough that you can barely see them but if you stick your finger in her mouth you can definitely feel them. Stella can't stop playing with her tongue and lips--she even makes a popping sound, not to mention all the drool and 'raspberries'.

Dog drama.

Poor Roxy. She went in for a routine vet visit and came home with 3 less teeth!


It turns out that after x-rays to verify the damage, 2 loose teeth had ligament damage and were removed to stop any additional damage to neighboring teeth. The molar that was removed had an abscess and was slowly decaying--removal was the only option.

Boston Terriers and other dogs with short mouths/snouts often have too many teeth and crowding can cause damage. Hopefully this will offer up a little more room and no more damage. Also a vow to brush her teeth DAILY will help.

Studio.

One of the projects I helped Krista with was setting up a studio in the largest spare bedroom. She is getting a background stand and light box to go with the big lights she already has. Krista's mother in law helped her sew the background we used for Stella's portrait.


We always have so much fun taking pictures of the kids. Doesn't hurt that the finished product is always so cute (says her mom).

Firsts.

Raising a family there are a lot of firsts (and seconds, thirds, etc.). This week Stella had her first airplane trip--out to NC to visit with aunt Krista for a week. Dad stayed home with Presley (a second). There aren't too may pics from the trip--we were simply too busy with hanging up art around the house, booth time at a bridal fair, shopping, dining out, and spending time together.

Krista snapped these pictures as Stella and I were checking in to fly home.



Presley and skiing didn't mix well this first time out. Perhaps it was the pressure/expectation, but I am willing to bet it had more to do with the fact that Wendy and the princess skiing trip didn't happen. Could have been the snowy day too.

This first picture says it all. But she sure is cute!



In a couple weeks, with better weather and no dad, we will try again. Fairy wings, princess wand, and Wendy!

Winter swim.

We go swimming several times each week during the summer--but for some reason (maybe it is the cold snow) I forget we can use the indoor pool in the winter. The night after Chris had returned home from his 12 day business trip, we took the girls swimming.


Presley had fun as usual. And amazingly, she didn't have a hard time when it was time to go home. This was Stella's first dip into a pool--preparation for the upcoming summer!

Words.

With reading a lot of books to Presley comes a whole new world of vocabulary. Here is her latest:

Presley: "Dad, what is all this smoke??"

Dad: "It is car exhaust, not smoke."

Presley: "Exhausted means tired Dad, this is smoke!"

What a smarty!

Sick baby.

Well, for about 9 weeks we have been healthy so it was about time for this to happen--I just hate it when it does. Presley and I came down with little colds and poor Stella has the worst of it.


A croupy cough and congestion along with a runny nose and so much drool from two teeth trying their hardest to push up through her gums. Hopefully she will be back to her happy self in the next 4 or 5 days.

It is just the worst when your babies are sick.