Operation One Nap & Sleeping in (MAYBE)

So. The girls sleep hasn't been bad. Don't get me wrong. I don't ever want it to get to that point that we were at before. No thanks. 

Previously the girls schedule has been like this.

6am wake time (girls would fuss from 515 on, sometimes would scream and make us get them at 530). 

Nap 830-10

Nap 130-3

Bedtime 7pm

We tried putting them to bed at 8- still up at 530. 

 

*** Please do not tell me to put them to bed later. It doesn't work for us. I'm so sick and tired of hearing this. we've tried. It doesn't work. Why would I not let them get an hour extra of sleep if they wake up at the same stinking time?!? I may blow up at the next person that tells me this. Good for you - your kids go to bed at 10pm and wake at 10am. That's just not feasible for us when I have to work and take the girls to my moms by 7. ***

Okay. I'm done. 

It just drives me nuts people telling me what I should do. Shut it. 

The girls are restless at times during the night and way too early wake time. 

We are trying to slowly adjust the nap times and create one nap. 

My mom tried it on day 1 (Monday) - they stayed up until 930 (at my moms they could go until  9 so half an hour). They slept 2 hours!!! Until 1130. They were pooped by 2 and Bria slept about 45 minutes and E slept 15-20. That was one of the best nights of sleep recently! Bria only fussed once, which she usually NeVER does! Ella who is restless 3-4 times a night for a binky, only had to get up once. Slept from 7pm to 6AM!!!!! I was amazed! 

Next day (with Stacy) they make it to 945, until 1125. And slept from 2-3. Went down at 7, didn't make a peep until 615!!!! Well Bria did once but Ella did not. 

Wednesday was a little different they acted exhausted at 930 so I put them down then and they woke up at 1040? Really? So they slept from 2-3. 7-6 again. 

Thursday was a little different. 945-1145. No second nap. Andrew said they fell asleep on the way home from my parents. I got home at 5 and they were screaming . Bloody murder. They were exhausted. Thank god it was trick or treat and there was stuff for them to do. But that definitely didn't work. They were up a little through the night for binkys and Ella wanted up at 515, but she ended up sleeping until 615. Bria woke around 6. 

We will see how today goes! It's going to be a long process, but I think it will be worth it!

Since this is about sleep. :) 

Fall Family Photos!

I was nervous. Generally because of Ella. She has her own mind and it's afraid to let us know she's over it. 

Case and point- fall family photos. 

This one is the best! Shockingly not a bright yellow/orange typical WV fall but nevertheless- the weather has been odd. It was 80 yesterday and Saturday we have a chance of snow?! Whatevs. 

These girls are beyond Mommas girls. It's actually crazy most days especially if I have to work Saturday but picture day- perfect for me. 

Ugh Ella. 

Bad for Daddy. 

Luckily I can work the camera a little and usually Daddy is in all the pictures- not momma. 

Bria's face is this one:: 

Freaking love. Attitude in Pigtails! 

Bria girl. Please. 

Ella refused. Adamantly. 

Thankfully our photographer was nice and felt bad and offered to get more of the girls and I'm SO glad we did! 

Baby models? Yes please! 

Dying here. Seriously. 

This was basically what Ella did the entire time. She's something else. 

But then she sent me these: 

I melt. She's so perfect to me like her sister. Even if she's not smiling. 

Mom fail on these piggies. 

How lucky am I ?! These girls are super gorg and have their own personalities. And it's awesome!! 

Thankful for Kara Emily Photography and her willingness to take on these two twice! 

Fall is HERE!

Is there such things are perfect days?! I mean really- this fall I am having so much fun with these girls! Not that the summer wasn't fun, but with both girls walking it's amazingly fun to watch them explore. & to all of you who said "just wait until they walk". We freaking LOVE it over here! Plus it's so much easier leaving the house by yourself!! 

So, besides the beautiful cool/warm fall days of fun... 

We've been able to attend a fall festival at our local elementary school! 

We did our first trunk or treat!! & no lie!!! The girls KNEW what to do!!! Bria took the candy and put it in their bucket! It was precious!!!!!!! 

My best friend Megan and I made their costumes and a friend from work helped me do the bones (she made the template) which I was thankful for! I freaking love how they turned out!!!! I ordered the club from Amazon and that little girl carried it around the whole time!!!!!!!!

I am freaking in love!! Can I use that work too much?! I mean- come on! Everyone loved them and I was so happy that they all knew Ella was a girl!!!!!!!! She can be wearing hot pink pants at Walmart and they always say he or a boy! I was so glad! It was a tad unorganized but I'm sure as the years go by it will be much better! 

Then we went to the Pumpkin Patch at Richs Farm! I know the girls had so much fun and so did I!  It was a picture perfect day of parenting! We left at 9am so the girls would sleep. 945 we arrive and the girls wake up. 10am it opens! 

We start by stopping by the pumpkin patch on our way to paint pumpkins 

Of course Ella won't look. But Bria! Oh my goodness! 

Then we paint pumpkins. That lasted a whole 2 minutes. 

Ironic Ella is the big sister and picked the big pumpkin! We tried to take pictures before the day got too crazy 

Then we played in the bounce houses 

I'm obsessed with the black and white ones between the cords! 

Ella was such a daredevil as usual!

Then their favorite part! & my fav too! They looked like such big girls! Hello they are only 14 months. I saw and heard parents of 2 year olds say their kid couldn't ride on there because they were too little and would never sit still and MY girls loved it! 

We then rode the hayride! 

Swoon! 

Here you can see Ella's boo boo from falling in the pumpkin patch. 

Next year will be even better- mid hair die they stop and there is a playground and pond! It will be so much fun for them! Wedecided  against it- it was a tad cold and 20 minutes waiting for another hayride we didn't know how well they would do. 

It was such a great day! The girls slept on the way home and Kayleigh and Lylah came over to play that evening! 

This week is trick or treat and I'm EXCiTeD!!!!!!!!! 

These are THE days!!! 

Happy 14 Months Baby Girls!

Well I'm only a tad behind ;) 

14 Months seems SO UNREAL. 

Ella Faith, 

You are getting sweeter by the minute. (Not to say you don't still throw your infamous fits). You absolutely love all babies and little kids and you immediately want to "love" on them and kiss them all over (with your forehead of course). You love your sister so much and are actually very sweet to her even if she pushes you away. You constantly bring Bria her binky or monkey or give her one of your snacks. It's really too cute! You always want to love on her and lay your head on her but she isn't convinced you won't steal whatever she has yet! 

You girls are even more challenging but even more fun! You definitely have your own opinion and you aren't afraid to let us know when you didn't get what you wanted. In the form of a fit! :) 

You love snacks, food, shoes, your binky and monkey, being outside, going for walks, pushing all the toys, babies-especially your cousin Lylah! , you love the kitty, mommy and daddy, the rocking horse. Your favorite snacks are cheesies, little crunchies, string cheese, bananas, Rice Krispies and bread. 

You don't like being told what to do, getting in your car seat, changing your diapers and clothes, waiting for your milk in the mornings, watching mommy leave and being stuck inside all day. 

You are getting great at running, screaming, talking back, no real crazy words this month, you can point to your head when we ask, dance around in circles when we sing round and round and round. You recognize familiar places and what you have previously done there. You can meow when we ask what a kitty says, and you know to look for a puppy when we ask. 

We are going full force with utensils and you sometimes get it- sometimes you don't. You have a new love for ketchup and want to dip everything in it. And you just lick the ketchup off. 

You are strong, independent, beautiful, oh so sweet, raspy voiced, a mommas girl, cuddly, monkey loving, blonde hair and blue eyed baby girl! 

I love you more than you will ever know and I can't wait to see what these holidays have in store for us!! 

Bri Bri, 

Gosh how much you have changed recently!! You are full time walking and doing it SO SO well!!! We couldn't be more proud! I feel like you have a new found freedom and your sister has found a new love for you. Seriously seeing you two together is so much fun. You laugh and giggle and run from each other. On the hard days, it makes everything that much sweeter. 

You, girlfriend, are an eater. You eat anything and everything. There's truly not much that you don't like. Initially it was cotton candy and now you've decided it's okay. You snack all day, everyday. Our grocery bill has went up 50$ atleast each month because of you two! But watching you eat and love new things is so much fun! When you see found you immediately say "mmmmmmmmmm" and want a bite of whatever it is! Your favorite snacks are cheesies, veggie straws, string cheese, Rice Krispies, cereal, little crunchies, bananas, and just about everything else! 

So far, you are still pretty hesitant about Ella affection for you. She is getting tone a good sharer and shares her monkey, binky or snacks with you- all important things to a 14 month old. You, however, don't like to share, especially if you are cuddling mommy. If Ella tried to cuddle mommy at the same time, you hit and push her away. And cry. We are still working on that. 

You are so smart. You walk in circles when we say "round and round and round and round". You dance when we say dance. You sign for all done, all gone and more. As soon as you see a puppy you make a barking, woof noise! You get so excited when you see animals! So cute! You look for a kitty when we say kitty. You know where your head is if we ask and sometimes your nose. 

You love your monkey, cuddling, your binky, sissy, Mickey Mouse clubhouse, country music, snacks, track the kitty, being outside, and you now love ketchup! It's so fun to see you discover new things and you live dipping your fries, etc in ketchup and to lick it off! 

You hate being woken up, when momy or daddy doesn't hold or cuddle you, clothes or diaper changes, milk in a sippy, when your sleepy and watching mommy leave. 

You are sweet, loving, beautiful, talkative, smart, high pitched voice, a monkey loving, cuddling, dark blonde haired, blue eyed mommas girl! 

I love you more than you will ever know. It's been so much fun lately. I cannot wait for the read of the holiday season with you baby girl! Love you to the moon and back!