My neverending to do list

I am a chronic obsessive compulsive list-maker. Ever since the twins became mobile, I have felt my "To Do's" piling up higher and higher. I laugh at the scene on Cat in the Hat (bella's newest movie obsession) where Dakota Fanning's character is making her To Do List: "Today's To Do List: Number One, make a To Do List. Number two, practice coloring. Number three,research graduate schools. Number four, be spontaneous. Number five, create lasting childhood memories. Number six, make tomorrow's to do list." Well, here are a few things on my to do list...

1. Finish the hand impressions of bellya and the twinnlings
2. 8x8 digital scrapbook books printed
3. The www.tippettsconstruction.com website pictures
4. tippetts construction business cards printed
5. take a big bag of clothes to kid2kid
6. make Shilo's famous Poppy Seed Chicken recipe (harass her to post the recipe, because it is to die for!)
7. Frame and hang up all the updated pictures from the last 6 months....
8. Create a blog for my photographs.....DONE!
9. Finish painting the dresser black for the guest bedroom
10. Post Bella's bday pics
11. Post Twins' bday pics
12. Post pics from the summer
13. Nicole's collage

a couple little bella-isms to remember

Bella is painting at her little table and says:

"Mom, I'm done art'n"
Me: "Your done art'n?"
Bell: "Yeah, I'm done art'n. We can put away my paints and markers now."


Mom: "Whatcha doin Bizzle Biz?"
Bell: "I'm NOT a Bizzle Biz."
Mom: "What are you then?"
Bell: "I'm a MEAN QUEEN!"



Bella takes little catch phrases and slang and sometimes changes a letter or two to make it all her own. This is one of them:

"Whoops-a-gay-sie"

It's probably my favorite. I love it when she says it!

Ahhhhhh!

I can officially sigh a big huge sigh of relief! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

I will tell you why. I started a "Little" project last Wednesday and am now just finishing.

We did a very stupid thing when we built our home. We put in travertine tile floors in the kitchen, dining room, mudroom, laundry room, and master bathroom. WHY? Because it was "popular" at the time.

Do I recommend this flooring material for your own home? No I do not, unless you want a ton of work to keep it looking nice.

Since we built our home 2 1/2 years ago, we have had to steam clean every little crevice on it to seal it three times. Because travertine is a natural stone, it sucks up every little particle of dirt.

Hopefully we have sealed it for the last time. We found a product that will seal it for 30 years. It is the same sealer they use in the LDS Temples (so it must be good, right?) It also gives it a "wet" look so it's all shiny and pretty.

I am just relieved we have finally finished! I have spent at least 4 all days scrubbing, grouting, cleaning, painting (don't ask) and sealing.

But, AHHHHHHHHH. I'm done. So worth it.

I will post some pics in a couple days when we can walk on it. Yeah, our table has been in our living room for almost a week now!

A quickie update

Bells is continually cracking us up on a daily basis with the hilarious things that come out of her little mouth.

"Corn on the Hog" = Corn on the cob

"Horn dogs" = Corn dogs

"Rainbow ice cream" = snow cone

"a tongue of fings" = a ton of things

"I do clips" = I do clicks

"Coss it to me" = toss it to me

Last fourth of July, she kept calling the earplugs we got her "Plug-ears"


I still need to post about her birthday. Am currently experiencing more laptop problems and have to send it in to HP. So it will be sometime next week. Grrr...


Haven't written much about Tinies lately. They are both standing pretty well. Kai can stand longer then Pais. They both love standing up in their high chairs and we've had a couple close calls. So we finally fixed the straps on our hand-me-down highchairs and I am happy to say that they HATE them.

I can't believe they are going to be one in a few weeks. It feels like just yesterday *tear* *sigh*

Whoever thinks it's cute to help them walk, is going to get their butts kicked. Let's just let nature take it's course. Hopefully they don't start walking for a while. (When they start walking I am screwed!)

Kai does the cutest jibberish "Doy doy doy". Paislee screams at the top of her lungs and lately fake cries.

Kai shakes her head "no". Paislee points her finger "no".

Kai will rest her head on your lap if she is feeling lovey and tired. Paislee will touch her forehead to yours.

Kai dances. Paislee claps and watches.

Kai seems to be the "climbing the stairs leader". Paislee follows and has fallen down our stairs twice now.

Kai sticks out her long skinny tongue. Paislee does clicking noises.

Now I need to start planning their 12 month pictures. Does anyone want to lend me their nice camera?

Bella, it's your birthday! Happy Birthday Bella!

I really cannot believe it has been three years. Bella is my best little friend. I have been with her every single day and night (except when the twins were born), for the past 3 years. We have a special bond. She is such a special little person. Her tribute is going to be difficult because there are so many things I could say about her.

I am going to sum up my most memorable moments of her life:

1. The first time I saw her heart beating on the ultrasound. We just miscarried a few months before and were holding our breath. I bawled my eyes out when I saw her heart beating. What a miracle!

2. The first time I held her. Again, bawling my eyes out. Those big eyes staring up at me in wonder. Like she knew me already. I didn't want to ever let her go.

3. Watching Levi hold her in the hospital. I can't describe it. Words cannot express how complete I felt and continue to feel with them in my life.

4. The day we brought home the twins. She immediately was attached to them. She protected them from day one. She was so excited to finally meet them and hold them. She kept saying in her squeaky little voice "Ohhh! So cute!"

My favorite things about her:

1. She has the enthusiasm of an entire cheerleading squad. She expresses this with every inch of her- jumping up and down, yelling, smiling, even her eyes show her excitement.

2. She is sooo cheesy. And I LOOOVE it.

3. She is so quick to forgive. I can be the meanest mom in the world and the next minute she says "mom, you gotta be more patienter." or "it was okay. accidents happen."

4. She expresses her love frequently. I can't get enough of "I love ya in the whole world." and "I love ya in the deep blue sea." or "mom, ya know what? I love you! Your the best mom ever." followed by the best hug and kiss.

5. How much she loves her dad. The very second he gets home she is climbing on him like a monkey climbs in a tree.

6. She is the best big sis ever. Kai and Pais absolutely adore her. Their eyes light up when they see her first thing in the morning. They are very good friends. Bella is the best at getting them to giggle!

7. How brilliant she is. I am not just saying this cause I'm her mom. She remembers things after just one time of hearing them. We are constantly amazed.

8. She has the biggest heart in the world. She loves her sissies and puppy so much. She is always talking about things she can show her cousins. She loves her grandmas and grandpas and always misses them. She is heartbroken if she accidentally hurts anyone. She is a sweetheart.


I am so blessed to be Bella's mom.

Happy 3rd birthday Sweet Pea, PickleHead, Bizzle, Iza-my-bella, Bell Bell, Jingle Bells!

{the tricia way} hair straightening tips

I hate doing my hair. I hate straightening even more. It takes forever. Most of the time it ends up looking NOT how I want it to.

I asked my hairstylist how she gets my hair so perfect when she straightens it. I have been completely out of the loop on this one. Maybe you are like me?!? So I will share.

These are the fabulous tips she gave me:

After washing and conditioning hair

1. Blow dry.
Only round brush the top. It's a waste of time to do the underneath too. Use a regular brush or your fingers on the rest.

2. Flat Iron.
Use a small tooth comb to comb out 1 inch sections at a time. Go through each section one time slowly with the flat iron. If needed, go through the section a second time.

Tricia swears by the comb. Tricia is so good. Thank you Tricia!

I want to buy a really baby

Bella finds a penny on the floor....

B: Look mom, a money!
M: Oh! Are you going to put it into your piggy bank?
B: Yeah!
M: You are getting lots of money in there. What do you want to buy with it?
B: Hmmm...I want to buy a really baby.
M: What do you mean a "really baby"?
B: Well, a baby like baby sisters.
M: Aaahh...that's a good idea.


Bella would like a baby for the following things:

1. to torture it
2. dress it up
3. make the baby move how she would like it to
4. tickle the baby whenever possible
5. feed the baby
6. carry the baby everywhere
7. pick up the baby
8. Kiss it all the time