subject in observance finds a new and defiant way to protest

As luck would have it, the day Annie turned 2 also became the day she was oh so terrible. Usher in the terrible twos with a defiant nap refuser.  Over 3 hours of me trying to get her to sleep and twice I walked in to discover she had stripped down to her birthday suit!

As long as I didn't make her take a nap, she was a darling birthday girl.

She loved her new birthday outfit and was so excited for birthday photos.

 

A few days ago Annie said she wanted cupcakes (like the ones on her pj's).

Luckily (or lazily) the banners from Meg's bridal shower way back in May have remain intact.  I added our family Party pendent and Happy Birthday pendent, pulled out Annie's birthday posters, and WALLA, instant party decore!  Annie loved looking at her baby photos but she kept saying that most of them are Violet.

 

Annie invited Megan, Taylor, Mark, and Kell to watch her open presents.  It was a small birthday affair.

 Annie was most thrilled with a few new clothing items from Ma Indy (Grandma Cindy).  We were sad none of her grandparents could attend.

Mom and Annie open the big one.  It was difficult holding her off on this one all day. Three seconds after she woke up, she had opened 2 of her little presents so I had to lift all of her gifts way up high until her official party that night.

And the very next day...This is what Annie is doing right now on our back porch.   She is soaking wet and loving life.  The only problem is she keeps climbing up into the basin and trying to slide down the mini water slide.

 

 Of course I can't leave you without a Violet update.  Here she is today during a rare moment when she was awake.  She is doing so much better since I eliminated dairy (ug) and it has only been 2 days.  I did, however, eat no less than 3 of Annie's cupcakes so this respite may end.  Still fussy but not like before.  I do have a feeling it's going to be another all-nighter with her day-long nap today.  Wish us luck.  I need to make it to church tomorrow now that I am finally feeling normal.  It is just so tempting to stay home during that time since it is the only time Violet usually sleeps well and I can send Annie away with Q.  I can't believe I've come to this.

I just want to snuggle this little bundle all day!  Hmm- A few last weeks or freedom.  I think I will.

Fortitude but not Will Power

 Or I could blog...  because after all, it is a fine and rare occasion when both my girls are asleep at the same time.  Why would I waste these few precious minutes on cleaning?

 My parents are Flying Alaska.  No really- but unlike that Discovery show, they have more wits about them.  Seriously, who is going to pay Ariel to take them on a private flight in a small plane over Alaska?  They are gone forever.  Good for them, boring for us.  I am super spoiled living next door to my parents.  They always have something going on and now all is quiet.  Well- quiet plus a LOT of baby crying at our place- Annie included.  Before they left, however, we spotted this amazing rainbow out our front door.  The summer thunderstorms this week have been terrific!

 You may also thrill with delight to discover that I have started exiting the building!  That's right- feeling human again and I am slowly venturing out. I have even taken the girls on a few walks which Violet loves.

 Annie remains spirited to say the least. Her sleeping patterns are about as bad as Violet's and we are going crazy with all nighters.  We finally had to split up the duty between girls.  Q takes Annie and I take Baby V. Neither one of us has slept in a month.  Help!  Muphy's law: the girls are also NEVER sleeping at the same time so when I'm flying solo, absolutely nothing gets done.  Yesterday it took me 3 tries each to get the girls to sleep.  That's 6 tries total of coaxing one girl to sleep while the other is screaming.  At one point I heard a huge thud in Annie's crib.  Thuds are extremely normal to hear coming from Annie in her crib but this one was followed by a particularly loud shrill.  I walked into to blood.  I still don't know how she injured her eye.  All she will say is,"sleep, hurt! huh?"

We think Violet is lactose intolerant- which may be why she is so fussy.  I am super depressed about it because what is life without milk?  I honestly don't know if I can do this.  I've got a lot of fortitude but not a lot of will power.  This could be rough.  Sweet little girl though.  I am such a lucky mom. Two girls in a row and close together!  My wildest dreams come true.  

What a guy!

Quinn took Annie to the Enterprise Rodeo this week.  She loved it!

...And in other thank heavens for Quinn occurrences....  This morning I was moody.  I mean really rage-against-the-machine sort of stuff.  I couldn't stop targeting Q with all this frustration about stupid stuff like a shelf he didn't build in the bathroom or the central vac getting plugged up from our wool rugs. So Q really stepped it up. He just looked at me and then started cleaning!  I mean, he really cleaned!  He swept and mopped the floors, even moved the fridge to get underneath.  He washed the baseboards and window seals.  He cleaned the windows and did the dishes.  He shop-vacced the fireplace and dusted the entire upstairs. I think he may have even tackled some grout.  All this while I sat on the chair rocking a fussy baby that never let me put her down once today.  It didn't stop there.  After he cleaned house, he went outside and hosed off the porch, cleaned up the yard, and mowed the lawn.  I told my aunt who stopped by to visit that I didn't know whether to feel super elated or super guilty.  Either way, the floors are so clean we keep sliding around on them and I'm feeling much better.  What a guy!

With a capitol H for Hemorrhoids!

So I'm just going to go ahead and say it once and for all.  I am dealing with a horrendous hemorrhoid issue and I'm just plain ready to be out of pain! It's been 2 1/2 weeks and when Q suggested he borrow one of my 800 mg Motrin for a headache, in my mind I was picturing carting him off to the loony bin.  Poor Q,  not his fault- I keep thinking I'm done with them and suddenly, with a vengeance, comes all things hemorrhoid-horrendous.  Save me.  Then there is the issue of growing almost half my blood back.  Sluggedy-slug-slug-sluggish is my world.  How about some good news:  I get my pension back this year and 1 paid personal day!  And some good moments for your viewing pleasure:

Also, Annie now cuddles upon request... usually.  It is thee best thing ever.

We are all loving our Violet.  She is so different than Annie already.  Hates being wrapped up. Loves being naked.  Loves having her diaper changed. Always furrowed eyebrows.  Sings when she eats.

 And to our astonishment, we discovered last night that Violet absolutely LOVES baths.  She could have stayed in the water all night!  Perhaps it is our swankety new PUJ tub.  May I mention that it is the best invention ever.  Every now and then I think about things that should earn their inventors Nobel peace prizes.  This tub is one of them. It even hangs flat to dry. Seriously worth every penny.  If you're going to have an infant, get one.

 Annie, on the other hand, is totally into showering by herself lately.  This is way too grown up for my taste.  I  desperately need her to freeze in time and remain little forever.

Oh look:  am I wearing the exact same outfit another day in a row?

And in bleak and dismal news, we said goodbye to Buster the Dog today.  He has been part of our family for 16 years.  Wow.  I remember when I was pregnant with Annie he followed me around everywhere I went wanting to snuggle.  She calls him "Uster" now.  How sad to think he's gone for good.  What sad decision.  Good bye little Uster.

"One is an accessory, two is a lifestyle" -Jana

 Alana once told me, "One's an accessory, two's a lifestyle."  She coined the phrase from her sister Jana and she was right.  You can mold your first child around your lifestyle, but for two- you have to change everything.  I have decided to enter my life again starting tomorrow.  Violet will be 3 weeks old and I can't play hermit forever.  Well, maybe I can-at least until August 15th when school starts.  Oh the anxiety over that!  Violet is a good baby at night so far.  During the day all she wants to do is cuddle and eat so my house remains amiss.  Who wants to clean when you can re-watch Downton Abbey and snuggle with a cute little pink bundle of love.  She even sighs when she eats. So cute.

 Annie is a hoot and a holler.  She is extremely social, has picked up a few choice swear words from Q, demands to be held when he is mowing the lawn, and sings all the time.  She is quite opinionated and keeps packing bags and telling us goodbye, she is off to "Powell."

 I  took the girls on their first tandem stroller ride this week.  Violet already likes riding is the stroller way better than Annie ever did.  Our consolation is that Annie loves her new stroller seat.  Maybe there is hope for future outings.

 

Porter took one look at Annie and said he loved her new "Zoo Keeper Outfit."  I bought this way back when we lived in NYC- before Steve Irwin died.  I thought it could be Annie's croc hunter outfit.  Either way, it's her first purchase from Daffy's.  I can't believe we finally get to pull it out.

 Yesterday Annie wore her jamies the entire day.  Violet required holding virtually the entire day and Annie is sick so staying in PJ's was allowed we decided.  We went to Ydnic and Nor's for dinner and a few fireworks.  Annie is obsessed with fireworks.  She also loves singing.  If only we knew a song about fireworks.

 I have some intense guilt over no photos of violet yet!  I have GOT to find someone to take some photos and stat!  Know anyone good?  Poor baby-V. 

 And speaking of advice- has anyone tried the MAMAROO?  Does it work?  Is it worth it?  Want to sell me your used one?

Earlier today.  Annie had new crocs!  She loves them and is tickled to show anyone who will watch just how many types of terrain they can walk on.