Happy

We spent all day being very busy. The girls are asleep. John is at our new house with Josh and they are painting the girl's new room. That needed to be done tonight. I took a few breaks with cleaning to just enjoy the house. Every time I go there I love it more. I'm waiting for the time to go and find fault with it but I don't. I can see things that need fixing and changing but I love this house! I cannot wait until I can buy furniture and light fixtures and curtains and tile and everything that it needs. This house speaks to me... it's won me over completely. I cannot express how wonderful it was to sit outside and listen to the trees sighing with the breeze. There were squirrels and birds! I have 8 trees in my backyard! I can see many many happy years pulling into that driveway. We are so very blessed.

We are now homeowners!!

The signing went well. It was very interesting seeing the listing agent. She seemed very uncomfortable being there and had no idea how to take our Debra. The owner was of course nice and it turns out that her "good friend" actually taught John in high school. Afterward, we went and John signed the insurance papers. We took a look at the house by ourselves and then went and picked up Maureen, Nana, and the girls. (we took a load in the van and the Pilot) Maureen and Nana then went home and John and I took the girls home. Now, we are waiting for Curtis and Maureen to arrive with the refrigerator and we'll go over there for one last load. Maureen will watch the girls while they are sleeping. Today, a neighbor stopped by to introduce herself. Her name is Tammy and she's the one who lives in the big house with the pond out front. She apparently has grandchildren Aidan and Ainsley's age. She seemed very nice outwardly but frankly I got the vibe she 1- blames us that her friend sold the house "so low" and 2- she was just being nosy. I'm not sure how it is to work out with these neighbors of ours. They seem very tight-nit. We're very excited to have a new home though.

Recap

The real estate agent came by to see the house. I'm not sure she even stayed five minutes. We both agreed the landlord needed to paint the house. Also, she told me that we are supposed to just give the keys to her. That's it. Once we are out.. we give the agent our keys. Apparently, we are to have no contact with Mr. Amadeo. Fine with me. The woodwork looks really good and the hall looks and smells good as well. I love bleach sometimes.

My thoughts are going all over the place. I don't know what to do with myself. I am so excited about tomorrow.

In 12 hours

In 12 hours John and I shall be meeting our Realtor for breakfast. Afterward we will proceed to our house to do a walk through... then John will sign a lot of papers. Thus, we will have bought a house. I am so excited. Of course I'm anxious as well. Thoughts such as "have we made mistake?" go through my head. We chose a house completely unlike what we were looking for and did not choose a house exactly like we were looking for and was exactly in the area we wanted. What is wrong with us? I hope and pray that it all works out and that we will be very happy with our choice. With the economy being how it is... we may have to stay for a long time.

Headache

I have a bad headache. The fumes from the paint and the putty dust have gotten to me. I've done a good job fixing all the woodwork in the house but I'm still not finished. I'll finish tomorrow..... I think I'm depressed.

Breathing slowly

Okay, perhaps we will not be moving this weekend. It depends on how much closing costs are going to be. Apparently, we have to pay a lot.

2 MORE DAYS!!

Tomorrow I can say "I'm buying a house tomorrow!"

So sunny and bright

Bright afternoon
Waiting for my guest
The baby is so tired
and so is sleeping
Here we are
Aidan and I
watching Little Bear
again

3 day countdown!

3 more daYS UNTIL CLOSING!!!

Quiet Morning

Last night I had a good night's sleep. It has been a while since I could say that. When I woke up this morning I felt refreshed and my back felt great. What a difference in attitude I have when I feel this way. Ainsley fell off the bed again. We really cannot keep putting her on the bed but frankly it is so convenient! I'll figure it out. Today is our Anniversary. We've been married 3 years now. Partly, it feels like it's been more than that. Partly, it feels like it has been less. I have not gotten John anything yet. Call me Mrs. Procrastinator. I just am not in the anniversary mood. I thought we'd skip it this year (well, I mean say "Honey, love you, happy anniversary etc) but John wants to go out tonight. So, we're going out. George is coming to visit tomorrow. I hope Aidan warms up to him.

Days, Plans, Weekend

Wedding is over. It was very pretty. Today I went and returned the suit and then brought the girls to soft play. At first Aidan wanted to sit with me but then she went and had fun. John met us there, we ate dinner at Taco Bell, and then went home. The landlord has contacted us. We're emailing back and forth. I believe he'll raise a fuss about Sept. rent. I hope it just doesn't get ugly. Tomorrow we'll be cleaning up the house and packing things. I'm very tired.

Getting ready for a wedding

Went to rehearsal dinner tonight. I was over at their house all day...after I took Aidan to the doctor. I was helping with everything. I'm very tired.

Pause

I love the sounds of giggling in the bath
I love the strands of hair
that look like a spider web
I love watching
the water cascading down her head
she is so busy
I love the splash splash
that quiet sound
I love the smell
of a fresh-from-a-bath
little girl

Quick Bath

I decided to bathe Ainsley in the sink tonight. It is a lot easier when I need to be quick.

.......

........

Aidan decided she had to bathe in the sink too.

I think this is So funny. She is so big!!

Not so Bad

Okay, well we've decided to use our deposit for the last month's rent. I'm not sending a second check. I'll just have to put a stop payment on the first. The chances or our slack landlord giving back our deposit is slim. We can't even get in touch with him and neither John nor I feel like fighting with him. I am really surprised that it is two weeks until October and he hasn't contacted us. Our agreement was to rent it for 12 months starting last October. I told him we would be moving. He agreed to it. Yet, here we are, one week from closing and no word from the landlord. I don't want to just walk away and abandon the house but if his parents don't get him to step up... there is no other choice. John sent a letter today to his parents house saying "hello, we're moving... please contact us." (not in those words of course). We got a call yesterday by his mother. I realized after thinking about it that she has no clue we're moving. So, when we talk to her later tomorrow... I'll make sure to let her know. I'm thinking when she realizes she'll be stuck with the mortgage payment...he'll contact us.

Excitement!

Regardless of what is going on right now with everyone, I am getting so excited about the move. I just now reserved a truck from Uhaul. In one week and four days we will be closing on a house. John and I together will walk in the front door and know that it is ours (as long as we make the payments on it) We'll know that we can do whatever we want to it... no one can tell us different. Much of my day is spent thinking about what will go where, what I am going to buy to go here, how to remodel this room or that room. I cannot wait to get settled in and have everything put away and unpacked and cleaned and start shopping around for the things that will make the house OURS. I am so EXCITED!

Oooops

I've been bad and didn't write this weekend. Mutti's been here and I've been enjoying having her here. I enjoyed the reunion. I wish I wish....
I wish Mutti didn't have to leave.
I wish Aidan would go to sleep at night.
I wish John would get some sleep.
I wish Bridgett will be perfectly fine.
I wish the landlord would contact us.
I wish ... well?.....a lot of things.

Is it Friday already?

Today Mutti is coming home. Things have been odd without her here. Of course, she's only staying throughout the weekend but still.... Aidan and I are watching "letters." She still likes it so far and I know she is learning. We might have a visit from the landlord tomorrow. That's scary. I really hope it doesn't come to that. Mutti is getting here at the right time. I think that Ainsley will probably be crawling any day now. Yesterday she was crawling 2 or 3 "steps." Good Job, Ainsley! It looks like she's right in line with Aidan. Aidan crawled at 7 months and walked at 9. I'm curious to see how Ainsley compares.
We have a very busy day scheduled.

Aidan Has a Food Allergy!

I'm not sure what caused it but today I gave Aidan Apples and Cinnamon Oatmeal for breakfast. Her entire mouth became swollen and red... as well as her cheeks or any other parts of the skin that touched it. I feel so bad that she ate the whole thing without me noticing it...esp since I was sitting right next to her eating as well. I've given her some antihistamine medication and plan to watch her for awhile.
She's had cinnamon before so it shouldn't be that.

I Finally Found Them!

I have been looking for a certain toy that was in the preschool I worked at. They were gridded plastic squares that connected together to make things. I have not been able to find them since Aidan was tiny. Well, I found them today! They are made from Little Tykes and are called Wee Waffle. Little Tykes discontinued them (which is why I couldn't find them) and now this set is back. They sell only from www.littletykes.com and are $17.99. However, the shipping adds another $8.95 so that makes it $26.94... which I just cannot spend right now. Man! I'm so happy these are here but I've already spent the allotted money for Aidan's birthday. I really wish I could get these for her too. She doesn't have any manipulative toys like these. I am definately getting them for Christmas though.

Today, nothing else

Not much happened today. John was very sweet and because he knew I was excited to get them... he went and picked up the pictures from Sears today. Most of them are really good but one or two of them are actually fuzzy. That was unexpected. Err!
Aidan had only one accident today and that was right after she first woke up this morning. I'm so proud of her. She is so independent which I love and which I hate for various reasons. She is also doing such a great job with talking. Examples of words she has learned this week are "water", "happy", "me", and "wet." Examples of sentences she is using are "Dee Dee NO nap!" (Dee Dee is what she calls Ainsley) "Mama! Help(holp) please." and "Please, Mama, more cookies?"
Ainsley is really ready to crawl now that she can sit up. She gets in the right position but just doesn't move yet. She is also trying to climb everything.
I caught Ainsley looking out the window from her crib today. It reminded me of Aidan. I got a little emotional.
Aidan and her are best friends right now. They play together throughout the day... esp. when they're supposed to be sleeping! Aidan is so nice and kindly brings Ainsley toys for her to play with. Ha Ha Often I'll catch them peeking at each other through the crib... laughing hysterically. They laugh a lot together and when they first see each other after a time they scream with delight. "Dee Dee! Dee Dee!" Aidan yells. "AhhhhYEEEHHHH!" screeches Ainsley in return.

Potty Training Day 7

Yesterday with us dragging Aidan out everywhere (shopping, dinner) she was put in Pull Ups and was not diligently taken to the bathroom. So, today she has had a lot of accidents. She has used the potty a lot as well.. but I'd say it's been fifty-fifty. Let's just say I'm glad we hadn't steam cleaned yet.

Milestones

Ainsley has learned to sit up today. She did it once yesterday and apparently did it while in the crib. Immediately as Maureen was telling me about it, Ainsley did it and continued to do it. For about half an hour she kept sitting up and lying down and sitting up and lying down. She was obviously practicing. Sometimes she is a very odd child-- as odd as Aidan but in a different way. One thing is for sure... she's just as smart (if not SMARTER) than Aidan. John and I don't have stupid children.

Packages

Today I am expecting the paint set to arrive. It is being shipped through UPS and they always deliver later in the day. In addition to that I received the Meet the Letters DVD which we are now watching. Let me tell you... it is really annoying. It IS just a repeating of the letter names. They don't even alternate the voices. The woman's voice is rather irritating. (I believe it is the woman who came up with the idea) However, Aidan is entirely engrossed with it so I suppose I will just put in on as background noise. It might teach her things. Right now she's repeating a lot of what they are saying. I'm surprised by how well she is doing. I think perhaps if I don't wear it out... she'll continue to like it. I also received the two Marfan Syndrome books I had ordered. So I'm getting a lot of things in the mail today...which I really enjoy.

Breathe

Meredith came over last night. I wish she could have stayed longer. With this trip I felt like we didn't get a chance to talk or hang out much. We we're all too tired. Anyway, we've been stood up AGAIN. We were told that the in-laws were coming over and now it is after 2:30 and we haven't heard a thing. This is the FOURTH time this week. Errr! I'm not exactly sure what the game is.. but I'm tired of playing it. Speaking of games. Miss Aidan and Miss Ainsley has decided not to nap the last few days. They keep playing in their room. Aidan who has always stayed in her bed is now being caught up and playing with toys. So now I have to discipline her to get her to stay in bed. She is just WAY too young not to sleep. Ainsley.... I have no idea how she did it... but she stayed up practically all day yesterday. Okay Ainsley... you're only SEVEN months old!

Potty Training Day Four

I am so proud of Aidan I could burst! On day one.. she didn't use the potty at all. I literally had to hold her down on the seat and I gave up halfway through the day. On day two she had about a 50% success rate with going to the potty. Yesterday, she mostly used the potty but still had a few accidents. Today, however, she had only ONE accident and that was probably because John didn't help her quickly enough. Since yesterday she has gone from crying and fighting it every time she goes to calmly walking over and doing it herself. Today she even pooped in the potty. And she didn't fuss! The thing about Aidan is that she has always fought going. I think it was a control issue. Today, however, she would stop in the midst of playing and go and do it herself. She still needs help of course.. if she's wearing clothes... but if you leave her naked... she just tells you afterwards.... "See?" she'll ask while pointing in the potty. Then she'll clap her hands and look for approval. Some part of me thinks.. wait wait... can't we put this off until we get to the new house?... this is BAD TIMING. But, unfortunately, she has decided it's time and does not want to go in a diaper or PullUP... even if she's sleeping. Something has clicked on in her head and she believes this is what she SHOULD do now. So there is no turning back now. My Aidan will be potty trained before two.....

FrYDay!

John does have class this weekend so he wont be here today or tomorrow. So, I shall not have the internet until later in the evening. In between taking care of the girls... I'll just be packing.

Need to go to Bed

Today was a long day. I got chores done but no packing. Aidan used the potty A LOT. I am so so proud of her! I guess she decided it was time. As for Ainsley- she has such a temper! My little redhead makes my heart smile. Is it wrong to smile when she throws a temper fit? I guess I find it somewhat endearing. She gets so MAD! Earlier today I had left her in her crib because I just couldn't get to her. She was crying at first but then calmed down and started playing with her animals. However! As soon as I walked in the room and said something to her... she screamed! Not a high pitched scream but a deeper, "I AM SO PISSED AT YOU MOM!" scream. Boy was she loud! She yelled AT me even after I had picked her up. After I talked and played with her for awhile... I went to put her down and she bursts into a mad sobbing with tears streaking down her cheeks. Seriously, this child needs to be on TV she is so dramatic! I really find it funny sometimes just because it is so over-the-top but, yes, it worries me at the same time. I imagine all sorts of issues when she's older... emotional issues... anger issues... Well, I suppose if it ever comes to that...that's what being a Mom is about.. knowing what issues your kids have and helping them to learn to handle it.

Potty Training

Aidan's potty training was put on hold due to various reasons... one of which was because I was being lazy... However, yesterday I decided to cold turkey her with the diapers. So, I took them off, put her in underwear and.... well?... just cleaned her up as necessary. She did not use the potty at all yesterday. Today is another story. When she first got up... I put her in underwear. She had three accidents. She'd run to me crying and would tell me "Mama Potty!" She would then sit down on the potty. (Yeah I know she had already gone but it was for reinforcement) Well, after the first three times... she'd try to stop herself from going and would wet herself a little bit but then go in the potty. Now, the last three times... she was able to wait and has been going ONLY in the potty. Right now she is asleep but soon after I had put her down for a nap she called out for me, "Mama Mama." I opened the door, she said "Potty!" and got up and went in the potty without wetting her PullUp. Of course, for sleeping I've put her in one. I think if I am not lazy with keeping it up... we might have a little girl that's potty trained before she's two.

Danger.. Have Card...Will Use it..

I have now discovered the joy of ordering something offline and having it show up at my door. I almost feel like I haven't actually spent anything. Ha Ha I just now ordered a DVD for Aidan called Meet the Letters. I looks really educational and the reviews say it works. Hopefully, this will not be a bad purchase. If so...well...I only spent 13 bucks ...that's with shipping. What can I say? I've gotten on a kick to teach Aidan the alphabet.

Me and My Sister!

Labor Day 100th Post!

Today, Mutti went back to N.C. for the next month or so. I really hate the fact she has to go up there. I wish I could take her place. If it wasn't for the move....
I hope it is not too stressful. I cannot imagine the amount of stress Bridgett is under...
After Mutti left and the girls woke up from their naps... we went over to the in-laws. It was a really pleasant visit. I talked a lot with Maureen and Angel. Angel and I were talking about names and baby stuff. The girls were being cute and sweet. Andrew was there for dinner. It was funny watching him. He pays a lot of attention to the girls and what they're doing. Ainsley thought he was great and got a kick out of wearing his baseball cap. I'm not sure what was appealing about it but she wasn't happy if he took it off. It was a good visit. I was happy to see Aidan talking and interacting with everyone else.
Oh, and it was Curtis's birthday today. He got two cards from us... nothing from anyone else.
It must suck to be Curtis.