A Typical Monday Evening

Sort of...

I sat down to finally write a blog post and one of the littles had an accident. This is NO JOKE people. Writing on this blog is extremely hard to do!

A not so typical Monday night because Mike's working. However, it is typical for our family. It's almost 8 PM- bath time in this house. Dinner has been served and cleaned up, the kitchen tidy for tomorrows havoc that will surly strike promptly at 8 AM, Gracie pacing the outdoors as our friends come over for a late W.O.D., and our girls running like wild in the backyard.

I decided to grab the laptop, pour a glass of wine, and blog.

One has an accident, the other rarely lets her momma do anything without her. But here I sit.

Addie is riding her orange baseball bat like a horse, yelling "Giddy up, horse! Giddy up!" Morgan chases her, admiring her every move. We made chalk letters. Morgan, our brave soul, walks among the wood chips with her bare feet, learning which steps hurt and those that don't.

A day does not pass without me retiring the words "please share" and it's utterly exhausting. Yet, I wouldn't change a thing for the world. Some days my patience are short and I lose my temper (whether out loud or quietly within). Other days, I seem to have this never-ending peace and calmness over me....saying to myself over and over, "This is just a phase, soon it will be gone, and I will long to have these days back."

Speaking of 'phase'...little has decided she must sleep with mommy. I despise being woke up to her little feet kicking my ribs, but I know this will pass. She will not be 18 sleeping in my bed.

I am very happy to report that Addison and Morgan are playing together...almost non-stop all day every day. When one is sleeping, the other asks where she is. If one of them is out of the house, there are questions and inquiries about the missing sibling. I love it. I hope they grow a bond that nobody else knows or understands. I love my sisters with all my heart, but none of us were 21 months apart.

Well, there went my 10 minutes of free time. Ha ha ha- I still laugh at that phrase. I was high-fiving my daughter who was playing golf and baseball with a stick and a rock, as she exclaimed "I win!!", reminding little that sand does not mix well in our hair, and refilling my wine glass. I have toys covering my living room floor, 3 laundry baskets full of laundry to be folded and put away, and a dog that I meant to walk. But...those can wait until tomorrow. For now, it's bath time with my littles who one day won't be taking a bath anymore :)

AND...We're Back! Cali Style!

I'm seriously depressed that my last post shows our Miss Morgie Moo at 3 months!

So, here's to keeping up with my blog. I miss it. I am hoping to make time each week for a post. I need
to blog. It's the best kind of therapy!

I will back track on our life for almost the past year later.

For now, I want to update the world about my precious girls, our new living arrangements (no snow here!) and life as a mommy-daddy stay-at-home, go crazy duo!

Here are our girls in the past months:

{San Diego living has been rough- Sunday NFL Game Day in the sand}

{Morgan turns 11 months, Addison wants to participate too!}

{one of us is potty trained and still loving her 'magic shoes' (thanks to Auntie Mel Plouv}

{her eyes are green and she doesn't look too much like her Daddy- whew!}

{lil Miss Into Everything b/c I must do what my sister does}

As all of you know, we moved to San Diego, CA for a job opportunity Michael could not pass. We were timid. I cried hard when we were visiting. Thinking- this isn't home, we will never fit in here. It seemed so hard and cold and unwelcoming.

My gut told me to go. My heart told me to stay. Such a tornado of emotions. I am a wife. I cannot avoid backing up my partner in life. This is his dream. He had given presentation after presentation to the man behind this job several times, year after year. It had finally come. I should have jumped for joy! But I couldn't. I made a wonderful life in Chicago. I had an extended family that became my best friends. People I wanted to be with every.single.day.of.the.year.

That alone doesn't happen. Everything was smooth. Mike worked for the airline. Left for 4 days straight, came home and was a full-time Dad. I worked at a pre-school whose education surpasses everything I've ever know for its students. My oldest daughter attended school there...with me. I loved it. Like any mom, I dreamed of a paycheck flying into my bank account while I stayed home with my beautiful daughter. I was a hop, skip, and jump away from immediate family. I spent hours, days, weeks, and even months there. THAT is where I brought our first baby girl home to. Why/How could I ever leave?

Then December, 2012 arrived. Morgan was born. Michael accepted the job offer. My world went into a whirlwind of chaos.

Today is February 5th, 2014 (Happy Birthday to my niece, Ryane!). We have lived in San Diego for nine months. We love it. Most importantly, our girls love it. They throughly enjoy being outside to the f.u.l.l.e.s.t. I can't express that more. My husband is home more than I could have ever DREAMED of for the life of a pilot. I long for sunshine, in fact, I'd say that my body demands it. Sure enough- San Diego has ample amounts of sunshine. Gracie is happy to have a backyard. Off leash she can roam, lay, kick dirt, and peer at passerby's all day long.

That makes 5 for 5. A win is a win. And it's truly a W for The Buttenob family.

3 Months Mo

Miss Morgan Ann, you are now THREE months old!

Guess Who's TWO?!?!?

Addison Irene!!!  Mommy cannot believe you are TWO years old.

You have grown SO much and have a wonderful personality of your own.  I love watching you learn, change, and grow every single day.  It has been an interesting ride the past few months.  You have done considerably well with all the change and I hope the next few months don't create any negative attitudes.

Your little sister, Morgan, was born in December.  Addie, you love her more than I can express.  You still get jealous from time to time, but you are very curious about what she is doing most of your days.  I absolutely cannot wait until you can play together.  Lately, you have been teaching Morgan to talk just like Mommy and Daddy do.  When you wake up in the morning your first request is frequently, "I see Morgan."  Her name is now Morgie to you.  And you do pronounce the 'r.'  When she is on the floor, you are right there next to her talking to her.  When she's in the bumbo you love sitting right there next to her.  It's awesome when you two watch Baby Einstein together...it reminds me of when you were just a little baby girl.

Mommy has been home since December.  I was supposed to go back to work in February, but Daddy got a new job.  So, now we both work for CrossFit.  Daddy is the pilot and Mommy gets to work from home.  We are moving to San Diego within the next month (this has been pushed back several times, which is stressful, but we are eventually going to leave South Elgin).  It breaks my heart b/c I know this move is going to be hard on you.  I hope we get to San Diego, move into a house as quickly as possible, and begin to meet new friends for you.  I want to enroll you in a preschool where you can meet friends and socialize.  I think that has been the hardest part of us being home for three and a half months.  However, this has been my dream and I do love being with you all.the.time.  I will not lie though, it's tough and it has been a change for all of us.  Daddy is also home more than he has ever been before.  We are really getting quality family time and I cringe at the thought of it being any different.  That's because your Mommy is selfish :)

Those are the two biggest changes for you lately.  You are a little spit fire.  You have an attitude about you...but I love it.  You are most certainly two (even as I type this you are on the floor throwing a fit about wanting the pine cones outside...the same ones you didn't want two minutes ago).  You were a size 4 diaper, but we are experimenting with potty training.  You can go all morning with no accidents. However, you would rather not worry about pulling down your panties.  We spend most of our mornings without clothes on your bottom half :)

Your birthday party was Minnie Mouse themed.  And since it's also St. Patrick's Day, we just had a small family celebration.  With all of the madness around the move, I thought this was best and low stress for you and Mommy!

{Minnie suckers}

{Mommy's first try with fondant and Auntie Kim's icing}

{trying to show Mommy '2'}

{goofy birthday girl}

{the table}

{your bestie, Valerie}

{showing us '2' again}

{singing happy birthday}

{Nate and Valerie}

{We Love You Baby Girl}

{giving hugs after opening presents}

{SO sweet}

{Great Grandpa got kisses too!}

{even Uncle Tom got a hug}

{an Elmo potty book! yay!}

{hugs for Nate}

{hugs for Dee}

{and Uncle Scott too!}

It was a mellow low key day.  You took a late nap, so it was an early evening party.  Auntie Kim made corned beef with potatoes, carrots, and cabbage.  We had quite the feast.  Your cake was red velvet and super yummy!  You loved it :)

At your two year checkup you weighed 24 pounds.  You are still in the 10th percentile...our little midget!  You got a shot in your leg, but didn't even flench.  Yay Addie Lou!  You still eat like a bird, but when you are really hungry, you eat great.  You like broccoli still...however, it's clearly not the best.  You like hotdogs and mac n'cheese like most kids.  You are enjoying pizza more often- thankfully.  You seem to be drinking more milk and still love your apple juice.  It's so cute to hear you ask for it.  Now, you love orange juice and "orange" which is Orange Crush.  Anything in the can, is the best.

At this point in your life, you love being outside.  For your birthday we bought you golf clubs, a bat, and a glove with a ball.  All are PINK of course!  You speak very clearly for someone your age.  You already use verbs in your sentences, which is ahead of most two-year-olds.  Addie, you're one smart cookie.  You pick up and repeat everything.  I called Daddy a 'dummy' and sure enough you repeated it.  Thankfully, you haven't remembered that word.  You are constantly learning.  You love the big slide at the park, but are leery when walking across the bridge b/c it suddenly moves on you.  It's cute to watch you explore.  Addie, you have begun inventive play and imagining things.  Pretend play happens at the kitchen, in the park, and when playing with your babies.  You LOVE your babies.

We usually go for pizza on Thursdays with the family.  Last week, you sat on these bleacher seats and told me what number was on each seat.  You can count to 10 and say your ABC's.  Not always in order.  I feel like you are missing out on singing songs...all of your friends at school are singing, but we will work on that little girl.  Colors and shapes tend to be difficult, but we practice all the time.  Daddy thinks you are going to be a lefty.  The other day he was drawing with you and you preferred your left hand to your right.  He has pictures for documentation :)  You so love doing art.  Mimi bought you some coloring books, crayons, and paint.  It's a fun activity to do together.

You are an amazing little girl.  You are such a joy in our life...we are SO lucky to be your Mommy and Daddy.  We know you will go far in life baby girl :)

Phone Photo Purge (PPP)

{the poster at school letting all the families know the info on our baby girl #2!}

As I was clearing out some of the 300+ pictures on my phone, I stopped and realized that some of them were not put into the computer.  SO SAD!  But I guess I kept the 'important' ones.  Still...heartbreaking really.  So here is the past couple of months in iPhone photos.  Enjoy :)

{just born, so tiny}

{tears in my eyes as I was doing laundry...when did Addison get so big?}

{leaving the hospital}

{sisters.forever.}

{rocking out}

{many faces of Morgan}

{one.month.}

{Addie on the left, Morgie on the right}

{Morgan on the left, Addie on the right}

{Addie on the left, Morgan on the right}

{sleepy smiles}

{this.stinker.} 

{she got a banana out of the toy machine. so proud}

{big sister. helper.}

{bubble in our bath}

{hugs for G}

{think.think.think.}

{zebra hoodie, little girl, pigtails}

{smiles}

{always.smiling.}

{first bath together!}

{THE LOVES OF MY LIFE}

{Addie insisted on putting her arm around Morgan, then was talking to her, and giving her kisses}

{hi pretty}

{told you, always smiling}

{2 weeks till she's 2 :( tears}

{G is either protecting, or smothering}

{we eat snow for snacks up North!}

{bows}