Creative Thinkers

Since we moved a few weeks ago, the kids have enjoyed being outside. We're now on a cul-de-sac rather than a busy street, and we don't worry about them as much. As a matter of fact, there are only five streets in our subdivision, four of which have cul-de-sac's on each end and the fifth is the street that goes through the center and dead-ends into the fourth street. No through traffic! YAY!!!!

So I came outside to see what the kids were up to and what do I see:



I asked Frances what she was doing and she said, "Talking to the bus, of course." She was very matter of fact about it too. *snicker*

And then... Marshie joined in! lol



You can see why I thought all of Marshie's "soot" was from talking into the tailpipe. Even now I can't believe she was ingenious enough to figure out how to open the engine cover. I'm still stunned!

Our Engineer?

After snapping this cute picture of Marguerite, we found out what she'd REALLY been up to.....

The little turd had unlatched the inside engine cover on the bus (no small feat for us adults I might add) and started exploring the diesel engine and transmission! No wonder she's so dirty. lol

Frances Funnies

I think this may become a regular blog post for me. She comes up with the funniest things!

Today -

Frances: Look! Look! Mama, that car tripped. (She was pointing to a car hooked to a tow truck - on the freeway. The front tire and fender were hopeless bent in.)
Mama: Oh really?
Frances: Yep, look, look, it tripped and hurt itself. See the boo boo? Look! LOOK!!
And of course I was giggling by then!

Then we get home and she says: Mama! Look, there's a crab on my slide!
Me: (thinking it's a bee or spider): Hey, don't go near it. It's not a crab.
(As I'm walking towards the slide) F: Yes it IS a crab! You can see his claws!!!
OK - upon further inspection I realized it was just a cicada, but she's still insisting it was a crab. lol

The following picture probably only makes sense to those of you with BIG families and more than one toddler. I think we managed to get a pretty good picture of the four of them together -- after about 25 or so shots (each) and TWO cameras.

Check-ups

I've been away for a while, but I realize I need to do this blog -- for me and for my little ones. : )

Frances turned 3 on Sunday (the 14th). On Wednesday she had her 3 year check up and Robby had his 6 month. Both got shots. ICK! Info below their pictures.

Frances Audrey
3 years
Weight - 33.5 pounds
Height - 38 inches
Nicknames - FancyPants,Franny-girl,
Princess, & Cutie Pie
Interests - Playing dress up, playing
in her new kitchen (she loves cooking for
all of us and then washing up), playdoh,
helping care for Baby Robby,
and saying the funniest things

Robby
6 months
Weight - 17lbs 10.8oz
Height - 24 1/2 inches
Nicknames - Little Guy, Microchip, Buddy,
and recently dubbed by Godmama Boo
"Hooch" (think drooly)
Interests - cooing, drooling, crying,
rocking back and forth on hands & knees,
learning to eat, taking his bottle,
(and up-chucking said formula),
and the dragon (alligator???) toy
Ms. Elise gave him for Christmas

Both kiddos got a clean bill of health. Frances is tall, but well proportioned. She was so good.... she didn't cry when they gave her the shot. Of course, that was because the nurse had promised her a trip to the "toy treasure chest". She decided on a Thomas the tank engine sticker and a lollipop. Normally I don't let her have candy, but getting a shot changed my mind.

Robby is finally getting back into his growth curve. He was 75th in weight and 80th in height. His reflux is still causing him to vomit his formula at times and he spits up after every meal. He's finally taking baby food too, though I had to skip step 1 - it was too thin and he hated it. lol (I really need to learn to make my own baby food. It would be better for him I think.)

Dr. K also told me not to interfere too much with interactions between Robby and Frankie - unless Robby's getting hurt. lol That's what I've been doing, but it was nice to hear that. I want them to grow up close, and for that to happen they have to work out their places -- between themselves. Frankie will be closer to Marshie, no doubt, but that's a twin thing.

Christmas Pictures/Update

I know it's a little late for Christmas pictures, but this is the first chance I've had to blog in FOREVER! lol And guess what I have recent pictures of? hahaha

Robby in his Daddy's arms


Robby on Mommy's shoulder - 3 weeks & 1 day old (This is currently my favorite photo of him)


Our little Christmas present - Desse put the bow on his head, and I couldn't resist taking a picture


Marshie sitting in front of the tree and presents - she insisted on wearing the dress she had just unwrapped


Frankie in Desse's santa hat - I caught this shot mid-step, but it makes it look like he's doing some sort of jig lol


Frances and Mommy (yes, the girls have matching dresses now lol)


Frances with her new dolly, Kit


Last, but not least, our family photo. (from l-r 1st row Michelle-Steven's girlfriend, Steven, Gwen holding Frances Audrey, Grandma Frances, and Isaac. 2nd row Rob holding Frankie, Me holding Marshie, Alex-Desse's girlfriend- cradling Robby and, of course, Desse hiding behind her.)

We had a very joyful Christmas. Steven and Michelle came up from Houston on Christmas night. The kids (of ALL ages) really enjoyed the small gifts that they received. Frankie and Marshie were most interested in the idea of giving and receiving gifts, but of course they tired easily. We had a lovely Christmas dinner together in the afternoon. All in all, our day was fill with much love and laughter.

The following day, Friday, we all started coming down with a stomach virus - one that many of us and our friends are really just starting to recover from. Even with sick kids, a sick husband and friends, I will still say that this Christmas was much blessed. I hope everyone else had such a wonderful time with family and/or friends.

Lots of love for the holidays -------

Baby Robby Announcement

Robby IV was born at 8:22am Wednesday morning weighing 9 pounds even and 19.75 inches long. My sweet boy is doing well -- nursing, sleeping and just being a quiet little thing. I just can't seem to get enough of him!

Here are a couple of photos. The first two are from Wednesday evening after he was born. Big sister, Frances, got to come up and visit for a few minutes (and yes she refused to take off her coat lol). The third one is of Robby from last night showing his pretty eyes open.










And my apologies to everyone who has been wondering where I was. I had a few hard weeks prior to Wednesday's delivery and just never could seem to get online to post. Thank you for your well wishes. And MAN do I have a lot of blog catch-up reading to do! lol

Two-Fer Twos-Day

Yep, it's that time again! lol Hop on over to Deanna's Place to see who else is playing along today.

Frank and Marguerite turned 14 months old on Sunday, so they are my two-fer duo today. This picture was taken when they were just 1 month old. Marshie is the one waving. The "What the Hell???" look on Frank's face is because, in the previous photo, Marshie had smacked him upside the head. This is one of my favorite early shots of them together. I just can't help giggling when I see it.




And I failed this month with the 30 posts in 30 days. I didn't get to post last night as I was having some serious contractions. :( They're better, but still with me. I can't have the baby until after Rob gets back from China tomorrow though, so..... lol (Not like it would happen anyway. I've never dropped a baby early, including those two up there. *snicker* If we want to talk about having babies late though....) I'm still going to try to post everyday anyway as I like it.

Just because -- Frances got a Happy Meal yesterday (which I don't usually buy, but I thought 'eh what the hell') and in it was the Hippo from Madagascar II. She's been going around showing everyone her talking "Peeppo". She CAN say hippo by the way. She just chooses to make up names for things. lol She's a VERY creative for a 2 year old.

Happy Tuesday everyone! :)