going to the zoo

Papa and Emmie went to the zoo (Mommy and Anabelle were there too, but my camera died before we were even half way through, so limited pictures).

She had a blast. Loved the giraffe, lions, monkey, elephants and panda. It was actually the first time my dad had ever been to the zoo. We had a blast.

This is my favorite

Where is Emmie?

the good stuff

Anabelle enjoyed her first taste of rice cereal...

She gobbled it up and loved licking it off her fingers...

But hated getting cleaned up...

Anabelle is only eating 4 times a day now, and she doesn't look like she is missing any meals. She slept pretty good prior to cereal, but now... she is sleeping like a log!

Emmie thought it was the best thing she had ever seen and was soooooooo excited A-belle got to eat "ceweal".

growing vocabulary

Things are changing around the Nichols house and today was a prime example. Each day I pick Emmie up from school I ask her if she had fun. And she always says "yeah". Now she even asks Brent when he gets home from work, "Have fun at wook daddy?". Too cute. Well, when I picked Emmie up from school I of course asked her if she had fun and then asked her what she did at school today and she replied... "saw Maggie, ate potatoes, chicken and turkey." I almost fell out. Did she really just answer my question? Ha! She then proceeded to say "Mommy keen up dis mess." I have apparently become her maid too. And then to top it off, "Hey mommy, what time is it?". What?!

She says the darnedest things lately and is really putting so many words together. We aren't proud, but she did say her first curse word... thanks to daddy. We were looking back at some pictures and reminiscing the other day. It is truly amazing how much these little things change in such a short period of time. Just from when Anabelle was born and Emmie was 18 months old.

4 months later and she has grown so much.

We still have to work on her aggressiveness, as Anabelle indured a battle wound yesterday and left her with a 2 inch scratch on her face. I can't bare to show you a picture because I don't want you to think I just let these things happen. But she is starting to repeat and (I think understand) "hitting is not nice" and "scratching is not nice." I have a few friends who have kids near Emmie's age and after talking with them it makes me feel better that they are dealing with the same issues.

My next challenge is potty training. I am hoping by the New Year to have tackled it. I don't think it is an outrageous goal. I just have to find the time!

Goldfish

What is the importance of this one, small, pretzel goldfish? Well, I will tell you. I laid Anabelle in her room to play on the floor while I put the clothes from the washer into the dryer. Emmie was playing in the family room, out of sight. Well, I peeked my head into Anabelle's room to check on her and found Emmie sitting next to her. Emmie was eating goldfish and had a look on her face like "I didn't do anything". I immediately freaked out. Of course with Anabelle having the chunkiest cheeks in America, it is hard to tell if something is in her mouth. So, I did the ole finger sweep and this was what I found!

Beware moms out there! This could happen to you. Never turn your back. I almost had a nightmare on my hands. I should have put her in the crib...

4 months

Oh, my little butterball. She is a chunker. 15 1/2 pounds and 25.25 inches. 90th percentile for height and weight. Atleast she is proportional. Emmie was always like 10th percentile. How can they be so different.

Anyway, Anabelle makes a million different coos. She rolls over, has found her feet, laughs, smiles (nonstop), sleeps through the night, takes great naps, and loves her hands. She loves watching sister, but likes her own space. She will let sister know when she has had enough of the in your face business.

She really is so good. She defeinitely cries and has her moments, but for the most part, she is a true sweetie. Emmie never napped like Anabelle or slept like she does. I don't even know what to do with myself sometimes. Oh wait, yes I do... chase after Emmie and make sure she doesn't burn down the house, or tackle Anabelle. I did actually catch Emmie trying to pick her up the other day. Ugh! Yikes!

She likes this position

Back to Anabelle, so cute, so sweet. I feel like these 4 months have gone by so fast. I am about to start her on rice cereal and I can't even believe that the time has come. I felt like it took forever to get there with Emmie. It is just flying by. I need to hit the brakes, but I don't think that is possible.

trick or treat

Halloween was fun this year. It started with a party for Emmie's class, which I was in charge of. She wore her costume to school and went trick or treating with her friends. After naptime, I showed up with the "goods". Kids this age go crazy over "cheesy poofs", cookies, marshmallows, fruit... anything sweet. Well, Layne made some super cute cookies for the class. Everyone was pretty impressed with my performance to throw a party after they saw those cookies. I had to make a good impression- as we are new to the school.

Emmie never leaves any snack on her plate. And is usually the first one to the snack table.

Then we got to watch UGA get beat by the Gators. But the kids all came in costume and man was it worth it. I am just glad we will have these pics forever. They are classic!

Here is Belley-boo in her ladybug costume

Jack, Anabelle, Mary Julia and Will- someone is not happy...

Then we got to enjoy trick or treating with the Hinsons and Fannie Bradley. Emmie had a blast!

Daddy and daughter

The Nichols girls

I know I ruined this picture, but if you can just squint and make out the faces, I love it!

If you are wondering what you are looking at... Emmie has Anabelle in a headlock!

Not sure who Henry is, but Emmie is stifling through his goodies!

Trick or treating in style... and maybe a bit tired (or just lazy). Her first treat ever, and Almond Joy!

Some may call me crazy...

One of the hardest parts of being a mom of 2 under 2 is time management, especially if hubby is traveling. Trying to figure out when to feed Anabelle so it doesn't interfer with Emmie's time or so that she will nap during Emmie's bathtime. Or making sure Emmie is napping so I can spend some time with the Anabelle. Blah, blah, blah. I could go on and on. It isn't much different than trying to figure things out when you are a first time mom, just times 2. So here is my new big accomplishment. Bathing the 2 at the same time. Some may call it unsafe as Emmie is trying to cover Anabelle's face with a washcloth, but all in all, it goes fairly well.

And here is a pic of a cutie pie after a bath that she survived.