It's All About the Cake...

So the party was a big success. We didn't really get any action shots of the pool but we had lots of toys and inflatable rafts for the kiddies and it was fun had by all. We had the entire place to ourselves. Of course I am most proud of my LadyBug production. Five minutes before the party started Veda took a knife to the cake. Luckily we were able to hide the carnage with the landscaping which somehow looks intentional. After we had cleaned up we were headed home to unwrap presents with the Soffins. Veda was sitting in a chair and refused to come to terms with the fact that her party had ended - not even the promise of presents would sway her. No Daddy - No Go!!!!

Two Years and One Day

Veda had a big day. First thing in the morning I gave her her present from Mom and Dad... Fingernail Polish!!! She sat patiently while I painted each of her toes and then finger nails. Then I treated her to a smoothie at McDonalds.... "Donalds Ice Sream." THEN we went to daycare -- we brought Rice Krispie birthday treats with pink sprinkles. Veda peed in the potty twice at daycare - just for fun. Todd came home early and we took her the Tepan grill. Todd was able to snap a photo just as the Wasabi made it to her mouth. We didn't catch it in time and it didn't go over well. The staff at the resturant thought she was choaking - she was crying and clawing at her mouth - poor thing but she recovered eventually. Our Mexican Habachi Chef told her not to eat the Guacamole;) Then they brought her a "punkin" for her birthday and sang to her. She even got to wear the dirty bunny hat - which was cute but really really gross. Overall - day was a success.

I went to get Uncle Ryan at the airport after Veda went to bed so she was super excited to see him when he came in this morning and brought her presents;)!

Happy 2nd Birthday Sweet Veda - WE LOVE YOU!!

Exactly this time two years ago I was getting ready for my epidural. Waiting impatiently as the anesthesiologist worked his way to my room. I will always remember Veda's birthday as the best day of my life. The day that we realized how much love and happiness we would have in our lives.

Bouncing Baby

Top Gun

We went to the airshow at Port Hueneme on Sunday with BJ, Melissa and the kids. I knew the jets would be too loud for Adele's delicate ears so we left her at home with the babysitter. It was loud enough that Veda allowed me to put wax earplugs in her ears... never thought that was going to happen. She was excited about the Thunderbird fighter jets for about 5 minutes but the real party was playing in the dirt with Savannah.

Handy Manny

We realized the other day that our toilet has been leaking... probably for months. Todd took it apart and was in the process of reassembling with the screwdriver when Veda asked "Dada doing?" to which Todd replied, "I'm fixing the toilet." She then brought him the plunger and said "Here you go Daddy, Veda help."

Two Two Two

Veda is super excited about her birthday party next weekend. Perfect that her favorite number is 2! She has mastered the 2 finger peace sign in response to "how old are you?" and she has demanded that there be presents, balloons and most of all... birthday cake! So... I'm going Ace of Cakes style and making a ladybug (fondant and all). I've arranged for extra babysitting this week as I'm sure this project will require my undivided attention.

Ugh Dell - Give Mamma a Break!

So Dell (Veda's name for Baby Sister) started rolling over about a month ago. Back to front. She can't get front to back which is clearly the easier manuever. So... this is how it goes. We started her in her crib when we got back from Iowa. Bed around 10 and she starts stirring around Midnight or 1am. She rolls slightly to the left and flips over in her sleep. It's sleep rolling. It's like she doesn't even have a left arm. Then once she realizes she's laying on her face she wakes up and starts screaming. It has happened twice that I went in to check on her and she was laying on her face and didn't wake up. Scared the shoelaces out of me. This goes on every couple of hours all night. Sooooooo.... we are back to the bassinet and the positioner. I'm about ready to tie her down. Mama needs her sleep.

Pretty

Todd was at an awards outing yesterday in Hollywood and he won a box of Crate and Barrel wine glasses. Veda gasped when she saw them and very dramatically said "Oh my Gosh, Pretty".

BINGO

The report from daycare this morning was that Veda is an Ace at Bingo. She was able to identify all the pictures on her board. I'm not surprised given her sudden improvement in speach. She is talking up a storm. Yesterday she got mad at me for turning off Sesamestreet.org where we were playing the toddler games. She said "Daddy, pay Mommy puter pleeeeeeeeease!". There are a few things she says that crack me up so I just don't even bother correcting her like, "Mickey House and ErnieBurd". I STILL can't get her to identify colors though... everything is still Green... and an occasional Purple (because it's fun to say I think). She is getting good with her counting but always starts with 2. She can count from 2 to 6 very clearly. Seven is a bit iffy. I always start with "one" and she responds starting with "two". I can't get her to start with me so I guess I should start at "zero"... now look who's smarter than a 2 year old;)

Neighborhood Heat

I hate to be the cop on patrol but when Veda picked up a piece of horse size poop in the yard the other day I lost my mind. A new family has moved in down the way with a German Shepard. Every morning the boy (probably about 12) walks the dog. I haven't been able to witness the crime but I'm getting close. This morning after dropping Veda at daycare I pulled in and he had just left for his walk. I threw Adele in the stroller and took off after them... I was hauling... poor Adele had a slight look of fear. Somehow he evaded me. I caught up with him just as he was returning home so I went off to scour the hood for a smoking turd. I figured that would be evidence enough to approach his parents. I came home empty handed and defeated. Tomorrow I may wear my heat sensor glasses.

Yikes!

Has it really been a week since my last post? I'm overwhelmed to say the least. It's been a month since I've had to take care of both of the girls by myself - thanks to all my wonderful helpers - I forgot how hard it is. Trying to get back to our routine, unpack and keep the kids in order has been exhausting. Todd went to sleep a half hour ago and it's only 9:45!! Here are some pics from our last days in Iowa.

Annual Shrimp Boil

Yum - Thanks for breakfast Dad

I think I got a big one with my super cool Barbie pole

Mom - This is why you have to strap me in... I'm an escape artist

Joe Heather and the kiddos stopped on their way to Okoboji

Family pic with the kids wearing their Clear Lake gear

Veda at Adele's baptism. I wish I could get away with putting bows in her hair all the time... usually she pulls them right out though.

Veda and Ryan jumping on the bed at 10pm... good luck getting them to sleep. At least we got to sleep in the next morning... since I consider 7:30 sleeping in;)

This is a keeper. The main house doesn't have a bath tub so we are still using the utility sink in the laundry room for baths. I thought Veda was growing out of it but we were even able to fit her little buddy in there with her. I think she has another year or two before she needs to get over her fear of the shower.

Nemo on the deck by the lake and eating sweet corn... Heaven.

Silly Stuff

Last night Kel and I were home alone with the girls for a bit. Veda found one of Kel's old Build-a-Bears in the closet and demanded that we derobe it and put the baseball outfit on her. Kel and Veda are singing songs from Sesamestreet.com in the pic. Then Veda wanted to wear the Bjorn and walked around the rest of the night hauling her doll. She is so dramatic these days.

More Lake Fun

More fun for Veda and crew. It was over 100 yesterday for the RAGBRAI fun... Veda took a dip in the lake and Adele had to make her debut in her swimsuit. Then the crew (minus moms and kids) headed uptown by boat to watch the thousands of bikers. We made a short trip to the Tike Bar and watched one of the bike teams take part in a wedding... everyone in the wedding party was wearing a dress - men too - typical RAGBRAI mayhem. Today we walked to the market for ice cream and stopped to pick tomatoes on the way home. Veda helped with the corn. Sweet Corn is one of her new favorite foods... and words.

Life at the Lake

We all arrived Saturday and Veda got her long awaited boat ride. Then we had the baptism on Sunday and the arrival of Kel, "Uncle Tis", and "Baby Ownen". Monday we got to play in the lake shoveling sand and then the Ice Cream truck made an appearance and Veda got to pick out a Spiderman Pop. We woke up this morning to a scalding hot day so Veda helped me cook and then jumped in the pool afterwards. Her job was to hand me a marshmellow as I wrapped them in cresent rolls and apparently I was going too slow. As you can see there was a little marshmellow log jam. She kept saying. "Veda and Mama Cooking. I make. I have fun."

More to come... RAGBRAI is stopping through town tonight so we will be vacationing with about 20,000 of our closest friends. Ha ha. I'm sure a tiki bar stop will be in order after the kids hit the hay.

Adele's Baptism

Too much of a good thing?

One of Veda's most used phrases is "Where are we Mama"? I'm sure we will hear it often tomorrow as we load up the car and head to Clear Lake for the reunion with Todd, Adele's baptism, and a week with the Laabs and Ehlers clan. It's been a whirlwind tour the past few weeks and I am just whipped. I'm not the only one. Nana and Bull have admittidly had enough. They didn't know what they were getting into when they agreed to the long-term babysitting. The nights without sleep and the days of non-stop action are catching up with them. As my Mom would say... they aren't spring chickens anymore. I am more grateful than they know for all their help and more importantly I'm grateful that the girls got the bonding time with them. I'm sad for them that they won't get to see each other for another couple of months but I'm sure that Nana and Bull will wecome the rest.

Girls Weekend

What a treat to get to spend some quality time with my girls in Chicago. Love you. Miss you.

The Other Baby Holder

I'm relieved that Adele is finally in her Exersaucer. She loves it and I'm dragging this thing to Clear Lake next week for sure!

Baby Holders

I have enjoyed all the freedom I've been given the past few weeks. Mom and Dad have been super and I have gotten sleep and even taken a shower every day;) I'm still overwhelmed with all the travel I've been doing... I really don't know how I could keep my job if I didn't have their help!