Lauren and Miley

Today we hung out at Grandma and Grandpa's house while Mommy ran errands. We had so much fun....so much that I did not even take a nap! Thank you Grandma and Grandpa and Auntie Kaleigh for playing with us. Grandma introduced me to ketchup! I really won't eat french fries so Mommy never thought to give me ketchup...but Grandma...she knows all the tricks! She taught me how to "dip" and then "lick"....cause I'm not eatin' that french fry! I wasn't to sure what to think!

I have however decided that I will eat a grilled cheese sandwich....at least I am getting my dairy. Mommy is getting pretty desperate trying to find foods that I will eat! I seem to have issues with texture....so....is that a big deal?

Hey Grandpa....who is that cutie??

Today when I woke up my Mommy thought I finally look like I am back to my healthy self!! I am enjoying my breakfast...I am having some toast with Peanut Butter...I hate meat so Mommy and Daddy are trying to get some protein in my diet...I really don't like Peanut Butter either...UCKY....that is what I say! When I am done, I like to toss everything on the floor! I have been told that I should hand it to Mommy or Daddy....like that is as fun! But since the camera is out....here you go Mommy!

A banana is usually no fail! I rarely turn them down...

Even though I know it is gross, I like to at least try the peel every time! Then I say "Uck"...

Want some???

We are sorry that we have not had a lot of exciting updates for you.....we have all been sick for about 2 weeks now! Mommy had the flu...thank goodness Daddy was home to take care of us! Mommy was stuck in the bedroom for 3 days trying to keep the germs away from us! Mommy said that having the flu is terrible, but not seeing her cuties for 3 days was even worse! She could hear us hanging out with Daddy but did not come out to see us because that was one nasty flu and she did not want us to get it! Mommy even shed a few tears because she just missed holding us and giving us lovies all the time! She has never been away from us that long and does not know how Daddy does it all the time! Daddy ended up with a sore throat and cold as he was leaving...and left it behind for Mommy...who later gave it to us! Yucky germs!!! Then, Lauren had a reaction to her MMR shot and ended up sick and had a rash all over her body from the Measles vaccination....it was ugly! Mommy would have taken pictures but she was too sick herself! We are still wiping noses and coughing....but feeling much better! Thanks Grandma and Aunt Care for the goodies you brought to us to make us get better quicker!! We appreciate it so much!! Mommy does not let me feed myself with utensils too often and she finally realized why not.....

She just cannot stand the mess it makes! Haha....I love to watch her squirm when I get food everywhere!! I really do a pretty good job if you ask me!

And besides....it is pretty entertaining too!!! Oatmeal not only tastes good...it make a great toy also!

Not only can I feed myself...I even try to stand up in my high chair! If it weren't for the straps I would be on the tray too! When I finish feeding myself, Mommy takes my PJ's off right in the dining room and says "Step Up"....I love it! I get to go upstairs and take a bath!!! YIPPEE...more fun! I think Mommy is trying to get me to feed myself more with a spoon because Miley is about ready to start on cereal soon...no pressure though! I can eat oatmeal with my fingers....I've done it before! I mastered finger food a long time ago......cause I am so old and all!

I did pretty good huh Mom!! .....yes Lauren....Mommy is always proud of you! You are quite the little girl! Mommy counts her blessing every day! Our family has so much to be thankful for!

Ahhh....fresh out of the tub....ready for a spin on my crazy turtle!!Look Mommy....Crazy Turtle smiles too!!!

Such an innocent "Crazy Turtle" driver I am....but don't get me wrong....

I do (on occasion) get "Crazy Turtle Rage" also!!!

Don't push my buttons...I am IRISH you know!!!!

I am going to stay away from her and that turtle....YIKES!!!

Raise your hand if you have been a good girl today.......

I like to hang out under my Jungle toy when my sister is driving that crazy turtle all over the place! I'm glad Mommy is quick because I do not want that speeding turtle running me over any time soon!!!

AHHH....Life is great!

The sweet taste of success! I did all I could to get this elephant in my mouth....and man is it good!

I do not know why my Mommy does this to us!! She keeps laughing while she is trying to take pictures of me wearing this ridiculous hat that they all think is sooo cute....so cute why don't you all have one on your head??

Oh well....when you're cute like me, you can pull anything off!

Aunt Care...don't smile like you think it is cute...I don't see you wearing one either!

We are sad to announce that we have lost a very dear family member this week...Daddy's Grandmother...our Great-Grandma Carline has passed away. She was such a beautiful person inside and out! We will truly miss her as will anyone who has ever been blessed to have her touch their lives! Lauren was so fortunate to get to fly to Palm Springs, Ca. at just 10 weeks old to meet Great-Grandma Carline! We went to visit her several times during our short stay and Lauren was quite a hit at the retirement community that she was staying at! Grandma Carline insisted that we wash Lauren's hands as soon as we got back to her room because of all of the attention she was getting from others! Mommy found that to be quite funny....a germ-a-phobe just like Mommy! We love you Great-Grandma and Lauren will be sure to tell Miley all about you when she gets a little bit older! We will always cherish the Grandma book you filled out for us and look forward to sharing it with the girls when they grow up!

PS. We know you love doggies and kitties just like us so will you please give all of the pets in heaven lovies from us too!!!

When I grow up....I am going to get my Mommy back for taking these pictures!! I have been giving my Mommy "signs" that I know I am going potty in my diapers. Needless to say, she was telling people about it and wanted their opinion if she should get me a "Big Girl Potty" or not....everyone says..."Why not?" so here I am! Tonight while I was getting ready for bed, I grabbed my diaper and said "Dah!".....(my sign apparently) so Mommy took me to the bathroom and set me on my cute new pink "chair"?? I sat there and said "Rock"...which made Mommy laugh! For some reason this chair does not rock.....
I wasn't quite sure what was going on....I just held on to baby Carol for a little while.....Mommy kept saying "Potty".........what is she talking about?

Then I read a little.....

Then all of the sudden.....I felt something....I stood up and showed Mommy.....Look!!!!! I went POTTY for the very first time in my new Pink Potty Chair!!!! I even pointed at it to show her just what I did!!! Too bad she was too busy taking pictures....she may not have had to wash my hands like three times to get the pee-pee off of them!

Mommy made such a big deal about it that I clapped for myself too!!! (what exactly is the big deal I wonder?)....Mommy is well aware that this is pretty early to tackle such a project, but who knows....maybe I will like the potty chair....maybe not! Either way....It was a pretty exciting night!
Daddy was driving home from Minneapolis so we called him to fill him in!! He was just as excited for me!

Today was such a fun day with Grandpa!!! He can really appreciate the "daredevil" in me!! He came over before I was even out of bed and made a snow slide out in front of our house! It was great!!! I was able to enjoy a nice day because the temperature was so warm that I did not even need my heavy coat! We played outside for quite a while and it was a blast!!!He did teach me how to make a snowball....but then the REAL fun began!!!!!

Oh yah baby.....let me loose!!! "Go" Grandpa "Go"

Hey Mom....make sure you get this on camera will ya! Look Grandpa...the neighbor kids are watching! I bet they wish they had a Grandpa like mine!!

WHEEEE!!!!! Look at me....no hands....nobody holding on to me...and I didn't even fall! I love this! Mommy and Grandpa were laughing so hard because they just could not believe that I was able to do this without even holding on! I was going pretty fast and was able to balance myself!!

Yeah....so I'm cool....just ask me....I'll tell ya' how it is!

It's like surfing on the snow....Daddy tells me that Grandpa Steve was quite the surfer (in his day!) but I would have to see it to believe it! It could be hereditary....but I have to give most of the credit to Grandpa teaching me step by step how to do this...he even showed me how to place my legs on the sled so I would not tip over....well I did a few times...but got right back up on the hill! This was so much fun! Thanks Grandpa!!! Can we do it again??

As soon as I got to the end, I wanted to go back to the top and when I was ready...I would tell Grandpa "GO!"

While my sister was out "surfing in the snow" I opted to hang out with Grandma! Don't get me wrong, I did watch Lauren for a while, but lets be real....a girl can only watch her sister having fun for so long when you can't really join in on the fun yourself! Don't worry though Lauren...I will be out there with you next year! And besides...Grandma is much more fun...and she is warm and snuggly!

I am just as sweet as the candies on my hat....well that's what Mommy says!

What do you think Grandma.....wouldn't you like just a little nibble to see if Mommy is right!

I love to play "Mooey Cow" with Grandma...it makes me smile and even makes me laugh too!

This little smile is going out to my Grandma, Grandpa, and Auntie Kaleigh....they have all had a terrible flu along with my Uncle Ron ....but he is better now! I cannot wait until you guys get better so you can come over and give me lovies!!! I miss all of you! Hmmmm....I wonder what my Grandma Elaine and Grandpa Steve are doing right now! I wish I was in Palm Springs visiting them! I have my swimsuit all ready to go....just waiting for Mommy and Daddy to decide when we are going! I really want to meet my cousins too! My sister told me I will love them! She said they have really neat rooms....Emma apparently loves Pugs and Bulldogs and Tyler has all kinds of reptiles!! I can hardly wait to meet them!

I am quite proud of myself....I decided I am going to suck my thumb today!!! I had my shots yesterday so I am a little under the weather and I think it is helping me comfort myself!

Mommy cried with my sister and I when we had our shots! I am not sure why she was crying...we were the ones in pain! Ouch! I do not like them one bit! Daddy even said he had never heard me cry like that! I am a pretty quiet baby but let me tell you...when I have a reason to cry....I am going to! My sister on the other hand....she is a noisy one! We recently went out for pizza to celebrate Daddy's birthday...she screamed so loud in the pizza place that she and Daddy ended up out in the van watching Veggie Tales.....Mommy and I hung out while she fed me. Mommy later realized what the ear piercing screams were all about....she had cut her second molar...whatever that means!

We are growing so fast!! At my 4 mo. appt. I am one inch shorter and two pounds lighter then my sister was at 4 mo. I now weigh 12.7 lbs and am 26.5 in long. Lauren had her 15 mo. appt at the same time and she is now 22 lbs and 33 1/2 in. Everyone keeps telling us we are so tall....none of us see it but apparently Lauren is off the charts in her height and I am at 95%...all we care about is that we are very healthy and that is the greatest blessing of all!

Ok Mom....you can stop with the pictures....I told you I am not feeling so well!