"Sing, sing a song..."

I just had a flashback to junior high when my mom would drive me to school with oldies on the radio. Ha! Anyway. Thanks for all of the suggestions on strollers. Now, I just have to decide on the one and we'll be all set for more sane outings:)

Mallory has taken up singing in the last few months. It's really amazing how quick she catches on to the songs that we sing to her. Her repertoire includes: Jesus Loves Me, The itsy bitsy spider, ABCs (or ABCDs as Mallory says), the chorus from the David Crowder song, "Oh, Praise Him", the Barney clean up song...I think there are more, but I can't remember. She used to sing almost all of the words, but now she gets a little lazy. And, getting her to sing on video is next to impossible lately. First of all, she is like Brad. She doesn't do anything "on command", which means she won't smile for the camera or do any of her tricks when we ask her to...like when the grandparents want to hear her sing on the phone (this drives me bananas!!). And, she has figured out that you can look at the pictures right after you take them, so all she wants to do it "Looook!" But, I figured out that on our bigger video camera, I can turn the screen and she can watch herself sing. Perfect. Last night, I got this on video while she was distracted in the bathtub.

And, since I'm on a video kick, here is one of Morgan. She found her upper lip the other day, and it was pretty cute. She might have the same tendencies Mallory does, when asked to do something for the camera...

I need advice from some mommies out there!

After an "exciting" trip to the mall yesterday with Mallory in the umbrella stroller and Morgan in the Baby Bjorn, I am needing some suggestions on double strollers.

Before Morgan was born, I thought for sure I'd get a sit-n-stand. But, after yesterday's trip, I just don't think Mallory is big enough yet (she'll be 2 in June). She doesn't mind the stroller at all. She still sleeps in it, eats in it and enjoys being in it while we are out. I don't spend a whole lot of time out and about (at least right now), but I'm thinking for when Morgan gets bigger and we have more outings this spring/summer I'll need something.

I never thought I would want a tandem stroller (I've steered one before and they are HUGE!), but we tried a couple out at a store the other day, and actually liked them. We also tried out a side by side umbrella stroller. That was good, but it didn't have any cup holders or trays for snacks...and you can't put an infant carrier in it. And, we'd have to wait until this summer for Morgan to fit in it. How easy is it to really get through doorways with those? Plus, it is pretty close quarters for grabbing hair, pacifiers and whatever else they don't want the other to have (hopefully they will get along great, but they are sisters!!). I found a stroller that can convert to a sit n stand after you are done with the tandem style. That might be an option.

I also found this one (Contours options tandem) :

It seems like a really good stroller (you can change the way the seats face, remove a seat to accommodate an infant carrier etc.), but I can't find it in any stores to try it out before purchase. Has anyone ever used this stroller???

Basically, I'd love all the input because I am the WORLD'S WORST at changing my mind and not being happy with what I purchase. I (and Brad) really want to be happy with what I decide on.

Bring on the suggestions!!

A new look and a sweet hubby!

Okay, before I gush over the AWESOME new blog template that my new blog friend Shauna made me...I must talk about the previous post first.

Brad gave me WAY too much credit, but I guess he thinks it's all true:) He literally broke into my blog (sneaky, sneaky) by making me change my password (I was wondering why I randomly got an email from google asking me to change my password earlier that day...). We had our "official" Valentine's celebration last night, hence the romantic post from him! I love him for his random days of being sappy, his humor (he can make me laugh more than ANYONE), his love for our girls (Morgan, get ready for some serious tickle fights!), his love for the Lord and his love for me! I guess you could say "I did good!"

And, onto the new header/blog. Shauna just started doing these and offered to snaz up my blog for me. I LOVE IT and have wanted something catchy like this for a while. I have no clue how to even begin to make a header, so I welcomed the help! I think she did a great job and it was a fun "email marathon" during nap time today!

Another exciting thing happened today. I got a library card! I know, I'm a bad mommy (and I feel like a dork because that was exciting to me). We've lived here for over a year. Secretly, I fear going to the library. I don't know if I remember how to use the card catalog! Isn't that sad?? At least all of the toddler books are in one place:) Anyway. Mallory and I started going to story time at the library last fall. It's been a while since we went last, and I have been really feeling guilty about Mallory spending so much time at home playing with the same toys and reading the same books EVERYDAY, so we attempted it today. 10:30am on Wednesday is my nemesis. I just can't seem to make it out the door on time for the life of me! Today, we were late (again), but I went anyway. She enjoyed the last 2 minutes of singing and then some socializing with kids at the activity tables. She sat with a couple of older girls (about 4 years old) and just stared at them. Wouldn't say a word! It didn't really surprise me. On the way out, we got our card and checked out a couple of books for the bookworm.

I also made a super tasty tomato sauce from a recipe my mom gave me (from scratch people! It's not as hard as I thought!). I think I have enough sauce in my freezer to have spaghetti every night for a month!

Mallory has emptied all of the pens from the cup. I better go before she has ink everywhere!

*For some reason, there aren't any breaks in my paragraphs and spell check isn't working...sorry!

I Love You!!!!

Shannon Leigh,

I wanted to break into your blog world and let you and everyone who reads this know how much you mean to me. I am a big, dumb animal and never have the right words to say that will do my thoughts justice. So I will try now...

Who would have thought 8 years ago (or so) I would make the most important phone call of my life. I called Lori!! Thankfully,some of your friends are just as ditzy as you are and agreed to meet me and my friends. From the moment I laid eyes on you I was "diggin' yo chili". Let the hookup begin! (not really...for those who don't know it took much persuit and begging to get her to look my way) I really believe that if it weren't for my sweet '94 Chevy Beretta I wouldn't have stood a chance:) I didn't mind being used.

Wow! We have now been married for 5 years and 8 months and have 2 beautiful daughters! God has been good to me. I now have such a deeper love for you! Why?


* you're stinkin' hot! Are you kidding me? You've had 2 children!

* You are a coach's wife - A brutal and often lonley position. You not only married me but my profession and have been my biggest fan. You love my players like they are you own boys. You are a soccer fan! You love me through wins and loses. You understand my time away from home (in-season and recruiting). You have to sit on the sideline with parents and fans...which I am sure is a bit uncomfortable at times. You pray for my team and players before every game!

* You have delivered 2 little babies. There is something about seeing you in labor and all the hard work that goes on and the joy you have on your face when you see our little baby girl. Indescribable!

* You left a job you enjoyed, a church you loved and a best friend all for me and my job. As we began to pray you allowed yourself to be open to the move even though it was terrible timing. I can never thank you enough for your sacrifice!

* You take care of my little girls while daddy's at work everyday. I will confess...my job is so much easier than what you do daily. Not only do you have to tend to the needs of a 20 month old and 2 month old girl you find time to keep the house up and cook.

* I know I say this all the time...You are the opposite of me! You are good looking and I am not so attractive! You are nice and I am a sarcastic jerk! You are good to others and I can't even remember names. You plan and I have no idea what I am doing tomorrow.

* Most importantly, you love the Lord! Your desire to know and seek him out encourages and often challenges me to do the same. I am blessed to have a wife who prays for me daily and walks side by side with me as we follow Jesus!

Please know that everything you do and all the sacrifices you make do not go unnoticed! Thank you! I LOVE YOU!

2 months old!

Sweet Morgan is already 2 months old. I can't believe it!! I thought it all went by fast with Mallory...this is crazy! We went to the doctor this afternoon. Apparently, Brad and I make large kids. Mallory was always in the upper percentiles for weight and height. It looks like it is running in the family. Morgan is 12 lbs 8 oz (75th) and 23 inches (90th). She had a really pitiful and sad cry during the FIVE shots she got. Poor thing. This picture was taken before:)

At 2 months, Morgan really likes: eating (she's got at least 2 chins I think!), being rocked to sleep, her big sister, her pacifier and smiling! She really dislikes: waiting too long to eat , anytime the car stops while we are driving, sitting in her bouncy chair for too long (she is getting better) and sleeping consistently through the night (she can't seem to make up her mind: 5 hours one night, 9 hours another night, then only 4 the next night)

8 hours of sleep = a happy mommy and daddy

and I hope this little cutie keeps it up!

Our family keeps getting bigger...

...no, I'm not pregnant again!!! Brad's brother and his wife had their baby boy on Monday! Johnathan Lawrence was born a little before 3pm, weighing 8 lbs 11oz! I am mad that I didn't think to charge my camera battery, so this is the only picture we have of him before the battery died:

Hopefully we will see and hold him again soon! Brad's parents had all four grandchildren in the same room togethe at once. We should have got a picture of that. Oops! Check out Johnathan's white hair! He looks a lot like Julia did, except for that hair. The only blonde grandbaby so far.

Mallory and Julia had a blast playing in the waiting room together. It's crazy how much more they are enjoying playing together even since Christmas. Mallory told Julia all about being a big sister and that it was lots of fun...especially since you get to play with their toys before they do!! Don't they look excited for me to take their picture right in the middle of playtime??

I meant to take a picture of Morgan and Johnathan next to each other (they are 7 weeks apart), but you already know the battery was dead. So, instead, here is a picture of Morgan the other weekend at my parent's house performing her new trick...smiling!

I'll end with a funny Mallory story. We have been praying with Mallory at night before bed for a while now, but just recently Brad has been having her repeat it. It is usually the same, "Dear God, thank you for (insert family members names). Help me sleep good (for my mommy and daddy!). Amen!" Well, the other night as we were cleaning up, she was being goofy and wanted to pray again. So, she bowed her head and said this: "Dear God, thank you for...five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten!" So sweet!

The first haircut

A big first happened last weekend while I was at my parent's house (besides making the biggest fool out of myself ever!). Mallory got her first (and much needed) haircut. Her tresses were beginning to resemble the timeless do of the 80's...a mullet! Her hair wasn't too long, but the back was a little uneven, hence the mullet. I was a little nervous since I didn't know exactly how she would react to a stranger coming at her with scissors. But, I did know that she would do this through the whole thing:

That is the infamous "Mallory stare" she has had since birth pretty much. Check out the furrowed brows!!

We brought along her favorite "ideo", Veggie Tales, her pacifier and her blanket for backup. The lady was fast (which was good) and Mallory got to sit in a super cool red car with a bell on the front. She hardly even watched Veggie Tales and told the lady thank you after it was done.

This is Mallory and the hairdresser. I didn't actually intend to get a picture with her and Mallory. When I said, "Let's get an after shot", the lady stood by Mallory and posed for the picture. She said, "Oh, if I had known I was going to be in the picture, I would have done my hair!"