Picture Princess Entry {shabby apple} Bella

My Bella is your girl! She has more personality than any little girl (or boy) I know. She takes great pictures. Her gorgeous brown eyes capture the light. And her big beautiful smile makes her impossible to say no to. Using Bella as your Picture Princess will be a lot of fun.

I would put Bella in this dress.

Picture Princess Entry {shabby apple}

My 8 month old twins, Paislee & Kailia are just who you need! It would be a two-for-one deal. They are identical, but can also look very different according to mood. Their personalities are so different. Kailia can be a sassy diva. Paislee is usually sweet and mellow. You are bound to have at least one happy baby at any given time for photoshoots. You will get a lot of different looks between the two of them. And besides, how irresistible will they look in your gorgeous dresses?!

I would put Kailia in this dress, and Paislee in this one.

Where did the sunshine go?

We were so loving all the beautiful park days last week! What happened?

Better Sleep and 3rd Time Potty Training

The twins have been sleeping in separate cribs now for about a week. The first three nights weren't that great. I guess I was expecting them to sleep magically or something. But they were sick and stuffed up. It felt like I was up all night because Bella was having a hard time sleeping too. Levi's parents were sweet enough to come over and make us dinner and take care of the girls so I could take a nap. I didn't feel so much like a zombie. Then, the next day Levi's sister star and mom came over for like 5 hours and brought dinner and cookies, played with the kids, and cleaned up. wow! I felt like I was on a vacation. I am sooo spoiled! It was wonderful though. I took a long, uninterrupted bath & a kid-free nap. Ahhhhhhh! Wonderful. Relaxation.

Paislee and Kailia are now used to their separate cribs. They really stretch out their arms and legs when I lay them down and enjoy their new found space. Their noses aren't so crusty anymore which is a bonus.

Bella...third time potty training and this is it! I read the book, "Potty train your child in less than one day" last night. It was old school-- from 1979 but the tips and techniques were great. They really seem to empower Bella. Instead of me nagging all day I am asking her every hour, "are you dry?" She checks and tells me and I praise and give approval. We also have been talking about the long list of friends and family who are very excited and happy for her. We talk about how proud they are and that they are big too. They don't wear diapers, they wear BIG GIRL UNDIES. (even the guys! ha ha) The book is all about making sure you follow through, are consistent, and tells you how to give clear directions. It also answered all the questions I had. Being the 3rd time we've tried, I thought I had traumatized her. But it is happening. It didn't take long- just a few hours. AND NO ACCIDENTS TODAY! WAHOO!

Bella has been giving attitude lately. We were trying to get her to leave Nana's and she says, "Dad, I want to stay here. You don't get the point." Hello?! Where did she get this from? (Probably me.)

I am loving the time I have been getting to spend with my husband and girls. Time is too precious and we don't ever get it back. Once it's gone it's gone. My goal this week (and this year) is to enjoy the moments more and let the unimportant things go!

Pay it Forward

1. Be one of the first THREE bloggers to leave a comment on this post, which then entitles you to a handmade item from me (hooray for handmade!).

2. If you are one of the first three to make a comment, you are a winner! And you then agree to post this challenge on your own blog, meaning that you will pay it forward, creating a handmade gift -anything!- for the first THREE bloggers who leave a comment on YOUR post about this giveaway!

3. The gift that you send to your 3 friends can be from any price range and you have 365 days to make/ship your item. This means you should be willing to maintain your blog at least until you receive your gift and have shipped your gifts. And, remember it’s the spirit and the thought that count!

4. When you receive your gift, blog about it! If you are not one of the first three to comment on this post, you can still play along. Go ahead and start your own Pay It Forward chain, and encourage your blogging friends to do the same! It's all about paying it forward.Enjoy!!!!!!!!

time to separate & is it happy valentime's day?

This morning I was woken up to Kailia crying. I tried to ignore it hoping she would go back to sleep. Finally, I got up to check on her. She and Paislee were squished onto one side of their crib. Paislee's feet were at Kailia's head. Poor Kailia was getting kicked! Paislee, who was squawking in delight, was having a fun time. Then, it happened a second time when I put them down for their nap. They start off on separate sides of the crib and somehow end up squished together. I think it might be time to put them in separate cribs. It breaks my heart to do it, but they will probably sleep better and not beat each other up.

Bella has been talking so much lately. I love it.

This morning we had just woken up and were sitting on the couch together while I was feeding the twins. Here are a few pieces of the conversations we had.

Bella: "Mom, what happened to your hair?!?!?"
Me: "I slept on it funny, I guess."
Bella: "We gotta fix it fast!"
Me: "Thanks Bella"

Me: "Why did you wake up last night?"
Bella: "Cause I wasn't feeling good."
Me: "What was wrong?"
Bella: "Well (pronounced 'wehw') my boogers kept coming back!"

Bella: "Mom, is it my birthday?"
Me: "No, your birthday will be when it is really hot outside."
Bella: "Mom, my birthday is on Saturday!"
Me: "Oh."
Bella: "Mom! Is it Happy Valentine's Day?"
Me: "No. It isn't."
Bella: starts crying....
Me: "Okay, it can be Happy Valentine's Day."
Bella: now smiling really big

Bella really needs a holiday or a birthday party to look forward to!

That Why's & Other Cute Nonsense

"I bonked my melon that whys it's no fun" ---Bella (yep, that's not a typo. she say's "That whys" instead of "That's why" thanks to her cousin Jayce)

"Bella, it's time for you to take a nap."
"But mom, I want to stay with you forever."
How am I supposed to say no to that?!?!

"Dad, I love ya in the whole world"
Ahhh

While squinting eyes: "Mom, can you clink?"
Bellationary translation: 'wink'