Well, we woke up to the most beautiful weather today. It was AMAZING. My mind immediately started racing, trying to figure out what we could do, where we could go, to enjoy it. I quickly declared I was in the mood for a picnic, and that we should go to Minnehaha Falls for the day. Christian was not super excited about the idea, but I think his sore mouth was leaving him a little apprehensive. Nevertheless, I told him it was happening, and we needed to get ready. So, that we did. We all got cleaned up, dressed, packed our bags and were off. We stopped in quick at the grocery store to pick up a few picnic items, packed up the cooler and were on our way to the Falls.
I know it was going to be busy, but had no idea just how busy until we got there! Of course, there was some bike race going on, so that didn't help. But, after driving around for a while, we found a pretty great parking space, loaded up the wagon, grabbed the cooler, and searched for a picnic spot. After we ate, we were on our way to the falls, only to come to the realization that we could not get the cooler and wagon and kids down all of the stairs. Oops, didn't think that out too well. We were too far to walk to the car and back, so we ended up risking it and leaving our stuff propped up next to the bike racks, hoping with all of the people sitting around it would be OK. The only thing I was SUPER worried about was Amelia's car seat, so I was a little anxious while we were away.
We spent a good amount of time watching the waterfall and the rapids. It was just amazing because the water levels are so high right now, so beautiful. We also spent some time in the river, and Olivia really liked that, especially with all of the rapids. She definitely thought it was cool.
Finally, we started our trip back to the car. Thankfully, all of our stuff was sitting there, waiting for us. YAY for trustworthy people! The girls passed out halfway home, and proceeded to take a great nap, so mommy and daddy did too! Then, we just spent the rest of the night hanging out, watching some TV and relaxing. Christian started a fire while I was putting Amelia down, but I was far too tired and not interested in sitting out there, so that went to waste. Instead, we watched a little Saturday Night Live before passing out. A great family day in the books!
Here are some pictures of our fun at the falls! 
Today was my Friday home with the girls. It was just another typical Friday. It's very warm out though, it's the beginning of a little heat wave, so we'll see just how hot it gets! Needless to say, the AC was turned on immediately when I woke up and the house was already 75 degrees!
After some breakfast, hanging out and a quick little rain storm, we got *slightly* ready, and went on a nice long walk to enjoy the weather. The girls loved being out, eating their snacks and walking around the neighborhood. I, was sweating my butt off, so I suppose that's good for me! We finally arrived home, and we were all pretty hot, sweaty and tired, so we relaxed for a while. We continued to get little rain storms on and off all day, but it never provided any relief from the heat. Christian had filled the pool before he left for work, and finally by late afternoon, naps were over, the rain had stopped and we spent some time outside splashing around. Amelia tried out the "water slide", and thought it was hilarious, so that was fun to watch. They were finally worn out and done with the water, so we headed inside, got dressed, and ate a late lunch.
Christian finally arrived home, finally on time (YAY for no OT for a change!), we ordered some take out and hung out the rest of the night. He did come home with some interesting news. His work approached him about working in Eau Claire all week...and seeing that they work 2-10, he'd have to stay out there because it really wouldn't make sense to drive back, and get home at midnight, for nothing. I was not thrilled at the idea of single parenting for the whole week on top of work, but, his work is a little different that your run of the mill workplace. There, if they "ask" you to do something, they aren't really asking. They have a reason for choosing you, and you kind of have to do it unless you have a compelling reason not to. Plus, it does speak volumes that they chose him, and it can only help his position in the company to do it, so while they gave him the weekend to consider it, he most likely will be doing it. They actually presented the idea of him moving out to that warehouse. Now that, will not happen. He would have to stay out there every week, and I'm just not down for that.
He also came home with a sore tooth...at his last dentist visit, they again approached him about having his wisdom teeth removed, and he hasn't yet, and he's thinking one of them is pushing his other tooth out of place. So, apparently he'll be having them removed VERY soon. Ouch. I had all 4 of mine removed a few years ago, and I was not a fan. I actually had to be put to sleep beacuse I was so freaked out by it. Gross.
After the girls went to bed, we spent the evening doing some random things. I ordered tickets to a comedy improv show we're going to for my birthday next weekend, and ordered tickets to the Father's Day Twins game, which we're really excited about. It's kind of our tradition, and the girls are going to love it. We also spent some time researching baby monitors...the one we had crapped out on us a long time ago...so, we're using a very old school video monitor somebody gave us, that only works half the time (and, we can't take it outside or around the house with us). So, it's time for a new one. We're sticking with a video monitor, because with both the girls in the room, it's nice being able to really see what's going on. I think we found the one we're going with (here), it can pan the room and everything, so we have to order that soon.
So, lots of fun things coming up, and I'm really excited. Here are some swimming pictures from today.
I don't have a ton to report on today. Things at work are the same...crazy busy for me, still can't catch up. Christian is still working an hour or two of OT every day, so things are busy on his end as well. We still have no update on the layoffs or budget progress, so everything is still in the dark there. We will be getting our layoff notices next weekend though if nothing is resolved. STRESSFUL much?!
After work, I was off on a much needed date night with the BFF. As usual, we went to Khan's for some deliciousness, and had lots of time to catch up, chat and get lots of laughs in. It was nice to be out, and spend a little quality time with her. While we ate, Christian's mom took him and the girls to dinner so he got in a little time with his mom. Of course, you know, when I'm not home, he CAN'T be home alone with the girls, LOL.
We met up at home around the same time, I did a little cleaning up around the house, and then it was pretty much just time to put the girls down and go about our usual nightly rituals. We are officially calling one of our pots of plants DEAD as can be. Our pot of Pansies did not survive the cold snap we had after potting them, and we just can't get it to come back to life. So, we're just going to report that one with some more inpatients...we seem to be successful with those. And, the bunnies keep eating the Hosta we planted...of course EVERYBODY says it's impossible to kill Hostas, and we would be the ones that could do it. Ha.
The girls pulled out all of the books tonight, and had a big reading session before bed. LOL
Well, the countdown to being laid off officially begins! 30 Days to get the budget in place...while it seems like an impossible task at this point, and I'm 98% sure it's going to happen, I'm trying to stay optimistic about it. Got all my limbs crossed. Or, hopefully if it does happens, it's just for a week or two. I can handle that, but not much more than that. Then, it would really start to hurt us all around. Waiting game continues....
Christian was called into his supervisors office late this morning, and requested to go to their new Eau Claire warehouse. Apparently, nobody out there knows what they are doing, and they need some help. So, he's heading out with a couple other people to help straighten them out. At that warehouse, they work from 2-10, so he was not home until VERY late. And, almost all of his normal work time was was OT, so YAY for that. He seemed pretty excited about the opportunity, and just being asked to do it, out of everyone at the warehouse, says a lot. My man, such a hard worker!
So, after work I was off to pick up the girls, and it was just the three of us tonight. We didn't do a ton...just ate some dinner, did some dishes, and hung out for the evening. Luckily both of them went to bed with little fight, and I was able to crash at a decent time myself. Christian on the other hand, is definitely going to be tired tomorrow after his late night!
Amelia is officially a climber now. She climbs on everything, and anything. Tonight, it was the overturned "toy box"..usually, it's the rocking chairs. She's even (finally) figured out how to PROPERLY get off the couch. Growing so fast! I also painted Olivia's nails for the first time tonight. She thought that was VERY cool. The little things in life....
Well, May comes to a close. As we enter June, we are still waiting for an actual spring to show up in these parts. We’ve had a bright day here and there, but overall, we had a pretty crappy spring follow up the super crappy winter. “Good News” is that bad winters are supposed to mean hot summers. I just hope we can get away from the eventful weather we’ve been having…not just here, but EVERYWHERE. It’s definitely been pretty crazy…hoping for a calmer summer!Today was a decent day. Amelia yet again wouldn’t sleep. I actually ended up keeping her in bed with us because she just wouldn’t go down. So frustrating! I’ve pretty much decided that we will need to get her in for the sleep study one of these days. Her breathing is not getting better…in fact, it seems the more active she gets, the worse her breathing gets. And, her snoring is bad as ever, including waking herself up several times a night, and gasping for air in her sleep. I was reading up on sleep apnea the other day…it sounds a lot like the issues she has, and one of the “side effects” of apnea in babies is failure to thrive, which could be part of the reason she’s not growing. Although I’m more convinced it’s something with her tonsils and/or adenoids, it does have me thinking, and of course, worried. As I think more of the sleep study, I just hate the thought of it. I can’t imagine seeing my little baby, hooked up to all those wires, all night long. Expected to sleep, freaked out and not understanding what is going on. I’m pretty sure I’d get to stay the night right there in the room with her, at least I would assume so, but that doesn’t ease my mind at all. That’s not even thinking about what could come after…when the results come though. I just hate the thought that there could be something seriously wrong with her…and the thought that it could be something requiring some kind of surgery…let’s not even go there! Christian doesn’t really seem to want to talk about it, and tells me to stop reading stuff on the internet…but I can’t help it. We’ve been debating when to deal with it or what to do next, but I’m guessing getting in for the study sooner rather than later would be better for everybody. But, now I have to deal with the shut down stuff…what if I get her in, and then lose my insurance and we can’t even actually treat anything because I lose my insurance? Ugh, too much to think about!I ended up picking up the girls after work today, so Christian could take care of the lawn. So, once we finally got home, I started picking up the disaster that has become our house [again] and making dinner. After we ate, we just hung out. Olivia was OUT OF CONTROL again tonight. She would not listen to a word we said, she as acting out really bad towards Amelia, hitting, throwing stuff….just, the definition of an out of control two year old. I finally had enough, and put her in her room for time out. After some yelling and crying and tantrum throwing, she came out and was much better (not great, but better) the rest of the night. We are truly reaching our wits end with her. I just wish we could get through to her, but I have no idea what to do. Like always, time outs do nothing, yelling does nothing, taking things away from her does nothing…she just does not give in to discipline whatsoever. People say “oh, she’s just being a two year old”, but I don’t believe that. It does not seem normal to me…and of course, leaves us wondering what we’ve done wrong to make her act like this, which is just that much more frustrating. And the way she is with Amelia, I just don’t get. Every once in a while, she shows a glimmer of that wonderful big sister I know she can be, but 95% of the time, she’s just horrible towards her. I mean, COME ON, it’s been 10 months, and she just refuses to chance her attitude towards Amelia. I just don’t get it.Anyway, here is a picture of said two year old. Looking sweet, and innocent and perfect as can be. Now, if only per personality matched that!!! (PS, she is wearing the same thing as yesterday [just in case you notice]…her outfit had to be washed after the popsicle mess, and then she insisted on wearing the shirt again. LOL).
Well, it's Monday night. Our long weekend together comes to a close today. It was fun while it lasted, but it's time to head back to reality in the morning. I'm not looking forward to how much work I'll have to do when I get back to work...especially since this week is my Friday off, so that's even more pressure!
We really didn't do a whole lot today. We usually spend Memorial Day with the in-laws, but I was happy to spend it relaxing at home instead. We have a little heat wave moving through right now, which comes with LOTS of humidty...so, it didn't take long to shut down the house this morning and turn the AC on. How quickly that transition from heat to AC happens! It did rain overnight, but slowly but surely the sun started coming out, and it turned into a very warm, sunny, summery day! We filled up the pool and the girls spent a little time in it....Amelia's first pool experiene. She LOVED, LOVED, LOVED it. She was actually rolling around, splashing and having the time of her life. Olivia would do little cannon balls into the pool, and Amelia would laugh and laugh. It was so fun watching them play with each other and splash away. Just loved it.
After a little swimming and lunch, the girls went down for a nap. However, Amelia decided she would only nap in mommy's arms today (I even tried having her lay down with Christian, and she wasn't having any of that!). So, I was FORCED to sit down, relax and take a little nap myself. Oh, darnit anyway!!
After naps, we ate some dinner (taco night, YUM YUM), then headed outside to enjoy a little more of the beautiful weather. The girls each ate a little bomb pop, Olivia helped water the flowers and we just took in a little sun. Finally, it was time for bed. It was a long, fun, family filled weekend, couldn't have asked for anything more!
This is the best kind of Sunday...a Sunday that is not really a Sunday!! YES, no work tomorrow!!
Today started off quite gloomy. Little rain showers here and there, lots of clouds. We planned on grilling today, so we spent the morning with our fingers crossed, hoping the weather would change.
In the meantime, we all ate some breakfast, did a little light cleaning around the house. I worked on laundry on an off all day. While the girls napped, I was off to Target to do our weekly shopping. Nothing too exciting this week, pretty much just the basics (that's no fun!). Throughout the morning, the weather got better and better, but never amazing.
The Madrid's came over around dinner time to hang out for the night. Christian grilled some yummy chicken, corn and potatoes, while the rest of us hung out with the kids and tried keeping them under control. Olivia and Meeka really go back and forth...they are all laughs and giggles for a while, then they fight over everything and anything for a while, then they ignore each other for a while, then they are BFF's again. It's exhausting, but makes me laugh at the same time. After dinner, we had a little relaxing movie watching time so the girls could calm down a little bit, then we headed outside for a little bonfire and some s'mores. I seriously drool over the thought of s'mores. Kelly found some GIANT marshmallow's too, which just made them that much better! YUM YUM!
While we were outside, the girls played with some sparklers, Amelia became obsessed with the slide, and the jumed in the jump-o-lene for a while. Finally, the Madrid's headed home the girls were off to bed, and we were not far behind them. Exhausting day, for sure! Glad we have Monday to recover! Amelia did not sleep well again last night, poor thing. She has 3 more top teeth starting to poke through, so add that to her breathing and sleeping issues, it makes for a long night!
Here are some pictures from our playtime. And, my new favorite video, Amelia and the slide. Love it!
