Luckiest Girl

I feel so blessed and just plain lucky to be surrounded by so many people who show me such love. My birthday festivities started yesterday with yummy take out from Stonefire Grill and good times with two of my very special girlfriends, Kelsi & Melanie. The kids played, we snuggled babies, and laughed. There was a moment of clarity when in the midst of the madness and I said, "Guys...between the 3 of us we have 6 kids. WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN!?" It seems like yesterday we were camping out at the Kern River with our Single Adult Ward.

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Note: Don't let a 3-year-old take pictures of three women who are recently post-pardum and scrunched down in a couch. EEEEEEK! It turns out looking something like this:

Kelsi made me such a great gift. An adorable Happy Birthday banner made out of fabric so it is actually permanent! This picture does not even remotely do it justice. It's best idea ever! We get to hang it now for every Birthday. I hung it in the living room last night and when Noelle came downstairs she was so excited squealed with delight, "MOMMY! MOMMY! Look at all the letters!"

This morning started off with Birthday muffins, fruit and juice with more good friends. I had such a great time. I decided I did not want to go straight home because I would just do housework and who needs that on their birthday? We spent the afternoon over at Auntie's house. Noelle played, Madeleine napped (after her all nighter) and I played Guitar Hero (all by myself!) I completed a lot of songs and did not have to share, it was a blast!

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This evening was dinner with my dear, sweet husband. He made reservations at an Israeli restaurant in Encino that he does business with. It was so fun! Look at all of these little plates of all kinds of vegetables, salads, and breads. I ate the BEST, BEST, BEST, cauliflower....it was unbelievable. They won't tell you what's in it, either! We counted 27 different little plates and that did not include your main course. Aaron had a steak and I had salmon. It was to die for, such fresh delicious food. The whole experience was fantastic.

Look at all the loot I've collected!

I just have to reiterate what great people I have in my life. Every gift were things I said in passing during conversations and they remembered. A package arrived from Texas yesterday with a wok because I had told Amy, "My fried rice never turns out...I think because my pan is too small, I really need a wok." Now I have one! Plus, a Chinese and a Thai Cookbook.

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I asked Jo if I could borrow her book, The Flat Belly Diet, instead she bought me one. (It's not a gimmick either, written by the editor of Prevention Magazine.) A good friend is one who will by you a diet book!
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Julianna brings me daffodils and fresh blueberries because I always buy frozen, they're so much cheaper. I can't wait for the day when I can just walk into Costco and by the fresh ones without feeling guilty.

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Liz gives me luscious cream and special moisturizing socks because I just adore stuff like that. Especially for my feet!

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I sent Aaron a text telling him exactly what I wanted from Costco including the price so there would be no confusion (the lessons I've learned over the course of our marriage!) He came home with a cupcake holder and the world's most comfortable flip-flop-memory-foam-things that are perfect to wear on our tile floors. Plus, some tulips to make the whole thing 'more personal.'

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Now is time to reveal the BIG KAHUNA...the thing that brought me to tears. Because someone I love so much wanted me to experience some Birthday Magic, and be giddy over a complete surprise!

Now I get to buy a Wii Fit, YIPEEEEEE!

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Last but not least I got to be with my special Angel Baby Girls. How could your Birthday not be the best when you get to haul this around with you? No picture of Noelle today because she was just too busy. I love the fact that Madeleine is currently immobile.

And it's not even over! Tomorrow night is a birthday dinner with Auntie and Unc. I'm being spoiled rotten and I love every minute of it!

Night Away

Last week we were at Auntie's house and when it was time to leave Noelle begged to stay. They finally got their own car seat so they said they would be happy to bring her home in the morning. Alright! It was a very interesting evening with just the three of us. I made dinner so fast without my 'sous chef.' Noelle and Unc meanwhile had a blast riding their bikes in front of the house for over an hour. By the time her bath was over and they were at the dinner table she was pooped. One bite and she said to them, "I need to sleep." She got her pillow and blanket that she loves, crawled on the couch and was OUT!


Madeleine did not have the best night so we stayed in bed and dozed until late, it felt great! Nice change from hearing, "I NEED to watch Playhouse Disney!" 80 times over and over until you give in and turn the TV on.

Once we were awake I decided a photo shoot was in order. WARNING: I could not decide which pictures I like best so I posted most of them. Madeleine just has the sweetest personality and I can see it in these pictures.






Then she got all of my time for a leisure bath, if it were up to her she would have stayed there all day.


Then it was time to get dressed. When I would see Dr. Tabsh while I was still pregnant, I bought her this little outfit from the gift shop where they have the CUTEST baby clothes on earth. They are normally really expensive but this was on a clearance rack and I had to have it. She looks just edible!

Sisters Playtime

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Yes, Noelle is wearing her pajamas and they are in fact on backwards and inside out. This was on St. Patricks day, both girls were in cute green outfits. Noelle got some water on her shirt and decided that she couldn't possibly wear it anymore. So, she got herself some pajamas out of the dirty clothes and that is what she wore for the rest of the evening.

We did have a YUMMY St. Patty's Day dinner. Corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, fresh squeezed lemonade (with green food coloring) and green swirled homemade rolls. Auntie and Unc came over and we ate and ate!

Sunday Best

Noelle looked precious for church on Sunday, but the little stinker would not stand still for a picture. she kept running...

Back...

...and forth

She stood still for about a nano-second and I got this one.

Thanks Liz for the outfit!

Free Street Sweeper

Aaron was cleaning out the garage on Saturday afternoon and, of course, he had a little helper. Noelle created this little contraption all by herself. I think she's pretty smart!

After all the hard work she and Daddy went and got their usual Berry Smoothie (she actually got her own and had no problem drinking the whole thing!)

Funny

Funny Things Noelle has been saying:

She bites into a very ripe, brown banana, "MMMMMM, this tastes very fresh!"

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Noelle: "Ummmm, Mom?" (when did she start calling me that?)

Mom: "Yes?"

Noelle: "There are BEES flying in the tree!" (our orange tree is in bloom)

Mom: "Ooooohhhh, they are really neat! Do you see them getting the pollen?"

Noelle: "Oh, the bees are very hungry for the pineapple!" Turns to the tree: "You bees keep eating the pineapple, I'm going back to Mommy. OK, then? See you later! Bye bees!"

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Noelle: "Sister Jones?"

Mom: "To you, my name is Mommy."

Noelle: "No, I call you Sister Jones."

Mom: "Actually, I'm Mommy."

Noelle: "Sister Jones, what are you doing? I'm hungry."

American Idol's Youngest Fan!

She just loves watching it. Look at her, she's glued to the screen!

What? It's a good show!

Duh, Mommy!

Noelle: "Mommy, can I go outside and play?

Mommy: "No, baby. You already have your jammies on and it's raining outside."

Noelle: "Welllllllll, I just need my umbrella then."

I just looked at her for a minute. Where did the little baby go and how'd she get so smart? I got her an umbrella and she was giddy that she got to go outside in the rain with it. Of course, she had to get her sweater with a hood on, too.

Matchie-Matchie Photo Shoots

The best thing about having girls? Well, besides them having a best friend to grow up with and all that. Matching clothes! I love it! Aaron does not. I said "Too bad, buddy! I gave birth to them, I get to decide what they wear." I'm so reasonable, Aaron is lucky to be married to someone like me.

I got these cute dresses at Gymboree for $3.99. Yep. Could not believe they had both of their sizes. It was meant to be. Noelle is a stinker when it comes to sitting down and taking pictures when I want her to. After taking about 50 of Madeleine and making her think it was her idea she finally sort of did it.

Noelle throwing a toy because, "She need to pway wif it!" Picture caught it mid-air.

Renee (family friend) got them these matching outfits. A rainy Monday is the perfect day to wear a shirt that has a little chick wearing rain boots and holding an umbrella. Right? Madeleine's is way too big but we worked it out.

Thanks to the outpouring of support from all my friends and loved ones regarding my, let's call it, 'moment.' I'm really fine now! I love them and no one at our house is in any sort of danger. I'm glad to know that you all have my back, though.

I Might Freak Out *Updated*

I am having a crappy day. I had a horrible dream last night and woke up frustrated. I wasted $20 because I'm dumb. Noelle is driving me absolutely batty and standing in the kitchen sink in her panties trying to wash mud off. Talking to her is like talking to a brick wall. If I had one wish is would be that she would heed the word 'stop.' She would not get out of Madeleines face so she spit up in her eye. I want to go shopping alone. I have no patience. I need to do laundry and my house feels cluttered. Aaron has basketball practice. Telemarketers keep calling.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr.

I was hoping this would make me feel better. We'll see.

**Aaron got home around 8:00 and I went to the fabric store (alone!) and found all kinds of cute fabric for 50% off. Really made my day. :) Last night and a lot of today has been spent making cute things for cute babies. Including this sweet blanket for my sweet baby Madeleine. I have made many, many baby blankets and such for so many of my friends but never anything for my own girls. Here's the first. I love it!