Big Smiles

So I finally got a video, but the file was too big to upload :(, so here's a picture of her big grin.
Bella loves SHOES and hiding, so mommy's closet is perfect.
Last weekend we went to Chuck E Cheese with the Oestreichs....Bella had to go to the big slide and of course Joel and I both took our turn with her...they are not made for adults.
Bella and Logan were not very impressed with the giant rocking horse.
On Monday I put water in Bella's pool in the back and Gabby lounged outside under her umbrella.

Well Bella has moved onto putting stickers on Gabby...and bracelets.
Yesterday, we went and visited Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa Shotton.
This morning Gabby was all smiles.
Then Bella wanted to hold her. She went and sat on the couch and then got off and grabbed the boppy and got back on...it was funny. She kept playing with her hands and toes

2 months

Well to say the past two months has flown by would be an understatement. Gabby had her 2 month appointment today and both was she the opposite of Bella (unfortunately). She screamed the entire time...from the time I undressed her she was crying and/or screaming. It was not a pleasant experience...I figure she'll hate getting dirty and getting hurt. Bella always takes her shots like a champ...has only cried once. Anyway, she weighs a hefty 11 lbs 15 oz and is now 22 1/2 inches. I thought she was bigger than Bella at this point, but has slowed down a bit and is shorter and a few ounces lighter than Bella. Despite the crying the doctor said she looked great. She's been really smiley the past few days and I've been trying so hard to get a good picture, but this one will have to do. She makes the funniest faces until she can get the grin out...trying to get a video of that one too.
After I posted the pictures on Saturday the door bell rang and Pappa and Granna had sent the girls a box of Christmas presents - Christmas in July. Bella thought it was so great to open presents and loves her new crayon/markers.
Sunday could have been Joel's all time favorite church service....because it was wear your jersey to church day...so in true Ohio State form the ENTIRE family had to wear OSU...let me just say we were the only family all dressed up...and Joel couldn't have been prouder. I still contest OSU fans are cult like...we went to shake hands during service and the people behind us started O-H...I-O.
I think Gabby was practicing being the "H"...since football season is right around the corner.

Bella has been her typical split personality self lately. I jinxed myself this morning because she was so good with Gabby and has been that I thought we'd finally turned a corner. She snuggled up with me this morning while Gabby was eating and Gabby was playing with Bella's hair which Bella loved...then when she was done we would make faces at Gabby to see if we could get her to smile. She's also been giving her kisses...then tonight everything was great (Gabby was pooped from her traumatic doctors appointment) until Gabby woke up and needed to eat and Bella lost it...it got so bad that I had to call Joel to come home, since both girls at that point were screaming hysterically. Bella kept saying Baby in swing and then up please (it was so sad...because she was trying everything possible to get me to hold her and put Gabby down) and Gabby was so upset because she was hungry and Bella was screaming...it was not fun. They both finally calmed down about 5 minutes before Joel walked in the door.

Anyway...here is our little diva helping me water the plants when we got home.
So this morning Bella held a long conversation with her monkey chair...it was so funny that I had record part of it. She is getting so talkative these days. She had another conversation earlier in the week with Nana and Papa T's clock. It had a plaque on it and it looked liked she was reading it.

Getting into a Routine

Well it has been a crazy couple of weeks...seems to be the story of my life these days. We did a software upgrade at the office, which didn't go as smoothly as we had hoped but we're getting there. We are starting to get into a routine during the week, since I'm now back to working (from home mostly). We get up and get ready...Gabby usually passes out in her swing while Bella and I get ready, then it's off to take Bella to school. By the time I get home I usually still have a good 1-2 hours with Gabby sleeping to get some work done. Then it's lunch time and playtime. She'll then take another nap and I can work a little more then we go get big sister. We have playtime dinner, baths, books and then Bella goes to bed. By the time Joel gets home around 7ish...it's his turn with Gabby and I finish up working a few more hours. It seems crazy, but I get to spend a lot of time with the girls separately and together.

Bella is starting to like being a big sister and I think they'll be great friends soon. Since Gabby is more alert and watches her, she's getting better with her. The other morning Bella got in bed with me (Gabby was already there) and Gabby looked at her and gave the biggest smile to Bella. Gabby grins a lot but a big smile is hard to catch it usually happens really fast.

Well here are the pictures from the past couple weeks. Joel asked the other day to look at the ones I had taken this week...he didn't know that there were about 150. Yes, I have a problem with taking pictures, but they grow so fast I just want to capture every moment I can. Bella was all about saying cheese now when she see the camera she won't look at me! Anyway here they are. Bella at school. I love seeing her sit in the little chairs.
How cute is that face...you have to take a picture of it. Sometimes it freaks me out because I look at Bella and I see me (well she looks like my baby pictures) and then I look at Gabby and see Bella and me...it's crazy.
Bella has enjoyed showing Gabby her animals and teaching her their noises.

Gabby is getting stronger and stronger. We go for her 2 month check up this week, so I'll be interested to see how much she weighs! Look at her beefy arms.
Last night we had our open house at the office...it's not too often I actually have time to get ready. I've lost almost all the weight from Gabby (so that's exciting)...now I just have 20 more pounds from Bella to lose! Getting there a lot faster this time...chasing Bella and eating just salads for the most part have helped drop it really fast.
Bella hung out with Chad and Steph most of the time...every time we turned around Steph was giving her another little cake to eat! Steph said it was because she kept saying please so she couldn't say no (Bella sure has her number...Nana's too) I think she had eaten about 10 by the time daddy took her home.
This is our lobby...the picture doesn't do it justice, but the office is beautiful (thanks to Ryan and Mom).
So our sprinklers are broken (see the dead plant in the background) and we haven't had time to get a repair man out, so I've been watering the yard usually after Bella goes down in the evening...but she helped the other day and had so much fun...and was drenched by the end of it.

I wrapped a towel around her and she started spinning...it's a pretty cute video.

Gabby and her curly hair after a bath....look at those cheeks.
I love Saturday mornings....we all get to hang out together. Usually Joel goes to McDonalds for breakfast and then we watch cartoons. This morning Bella was snuggling with Gabby and then went over and just planted one on her...it was too precious, and she did it again once I got my camera...of course she did have her nu nu in her mouth the 2nd time.
I love Gabby's pjs...there are little bears on her feet.
I attempted to put Bella's hair in a ponytail...I got most of it since I was chasing her around trying to do it. She looks so grown up...I can't believe how big she's getting.

Well that's it for now...I guess I have to do some work now!

Lots of Pictures

I started work this week, so I am exhausted trying to take care of Bella & Gabby and get work done...I can't wait until she sleeps longer! Anyway here are pictures from the past week or so...as you can tell I've had my camera attached to me...they are both so cute it's hard not to take pictures.

Bella and Uncle Chad playing the piano
The other morning Bella used the lotion bottle as a spray bottle and was washing her car before school.
Gabby is so attentive...still working on getting her smile on camera, but the other night I looked down and she was just grinning and I thought it was Bella...it still amazes me how much they look alike.

Gabby and I met Joel for lunch last week...so we had to get her dressed up with a bow to meet everyone at his office.

4th of July
Bella was watching Happy Feet, but it looked like she was taking notes on the couch.
Stars and Stripes swim suit...but it looks like a wonder woman suit.
Playing Wheel of Fortune
Papa teaching Bella to eat corn on the cob. She got the hang of it and we started to clap, so then after every bite she would clap.

Sunday we went to church for the first time since Gabby was born...so we (I) put on matching dresses...never thought I would be that mom...but they looked cute even if Bella didn't want a picture taken.
Today, I put Gabby in an outfit I bought her...it's one of those cute outfits that has no practicality to it but is just really girly. Bella was having fun being the big sister tonight...and Gabby loved to watch her.
I tried to get pictures of me and the girls tonight...this one I like only because Gabby is so intent on looking at me.

Gabby had enough pictures...so Bella held her hand.