This week's update...

Good morning, sunshine! Mishayla has started to laugh, because everyone knows that when you laugh, the world laughs with you! Sunday eve. pancake making session. Orange, cranberry and oat. Yummy! Melania was so into stirring that she wouldn't look at me and smile. This just in - a Spencer update. Just don't call him "Little Spency." My other sister, Karen, was admitted to the hospital late this afternoon, so maybe more baby news to report on by tomorrow! Melania was not feeling well when she woke up yesterday morning. Here she is working the system. Pillow, blanket, kitty, book, and pacifier. (Not necessarily in that order...) Normally, the pacifier is reserved for bedtime only, so this was a special treat! You can still tell Melania isn't feeling all that great when you look at her eyes. Here she is eating grapes. Grapes are delicious. MmmmmmmmmmHer hair has been in braids for quite a few days. So, today, it was F-R-E-E.

And, a video for your enjoyment. These take forever to upload!

,

Singing the birthday song to Caroline

Caroline, I tried to upload the video of us singing to you at your birthday party, but after an hour and a half, I gave up. It was a special day for a special girl, and I will put the video on a CD for you. We all miss you, and we look forward to seeing you soon. Please click on the word comments for more from me.

(Thank you everyone else for understanding that this comment is just for Caroline!)

Hi, Caroline!

Just wanted to say "Hi" to Caroline in case she is checking in from her new home.

Babies keep busy!

Another check-in from the tub, and to think that I was once considering buying a house with only showers! Melania's tub toy - an old NAU cup from my college days. Do you still have any of these, Lisa? Two thumbs are better than one. The new baby with his big sister and brother. Does anyone else think Carmen should start a blog? This is the special baby that "went" to Ohio with his mom to help me when Mishayla was born! 3 months old, and all smiles. Please, can't you see that I am very busy here, and I don't really have time for pictures? Still very helpful, and so loving when it comes to her baby sister. Melania's pretty hair in the morning. Somehow it escaped the braids last night. Wendy and Blaine shared this picture of Melania talking to Gma at her 2nd birthday party. I had already forgotten how puffy her ponies were getting to be before we changed hairstyles!

Valentine's Day

Guess what you get to do if you come to our house and Melania finds out that you know how to read?

I think Joel might have left out a word here.

Happy Valentine's Day! The girls were very happy to receive their gifts this morning. Melania was not convinced that her box of candy hearts was actually a rattle for Mishayla. "Mmmmmm, yummies," was her response. Thank you Gpa and Gma! Thanks also to Uncle Blaine and Aunt Wendy for the cute cards and to Great Grandma for the pencils. Caroline gets to sharpen and use her pencils, but Melania will be keeping her pencils just as they are! She was busy learning her colors and sorting them into white, pink and red piles. Oh, look! It's Mishayla in the tub again! I guess it allows everyone to see how quickly she is growing!

The kids at play!

Would you believe that this is right before bedtime? Looks pretty tired out to me.

Lovely "nogurt" mustache.

This smiley girl now reaches for dangling toys and grabs a hold.

Love the hippo, except when I rotate the picture Mishayla looks like she has a new set of ears.

Brianna gets attacked by Melania. I'm glad she didn't roll down the stairs. Melania, Brianna and Mishayla (2 1/2 months) Mishayla in her "Bumbo" seat. She loves to sit up and watch the action! Both hands AND a pink kitty paw into the mouth. Jeff and Teresa came over for dinner Sunday evening. Melania decided Jeff had to read "Skippyjon Jones in the Doghouse." Melania loves these books about a naughty kitty boy.

Teresa feeding Mishayla.

Welcome, Baby Spencer!

I've been doing a terrible job of updating my blog. Sorry. I expected to have time this evening to update pictures, but it didn't happen. I've been trying to stay off the computer if Melania or Mishayla are needing my attention, and it's a really busy time for me right now. Some of you may know that Caroline will be transitioning to a new family this weekend. She is looking forward to it, and I am happy that it appears to be a good fit for her. They live close, so I expect that Caroline will be a frequent visitor with June and me. Caroline is looking forward to having a mom, dad, brother, and several pets, including 3 dogs, 2 parrots, and 2 cats. Congratulations to my sister, Carmen, and her family on the addition of a new baby boy. Spencer Russel was born this afternoon. He weighed 9 lb. 9 oz., and that is about all I know so far. Mom and baby are doing well! Melania is practicing saying "Spencer", and I attempted to video it tonight for the blog. All for now, and I will try to post more pictures soon. Happy Valentine's Day!

Water Babies

My kids seem to spend a lot of time in the tub.

It's a happy place, so why not!

A mirror and a towel. What more does a girl need in the morning? You just have to tell Melania, "No smiling!" and she can't quit.Clean, happy baby! This picture is from last week. I think she's already grown some more.

Just pictures until I have time for a "real" post.