Makeup, Swimming and Football

The girls seem to be growing up so fast. The other morning Gabby wanted my powder, so she took it, said "Thank you" and then proceeded to put it on the bathtub and put it on perfectly...she just picks up things so fast. Now when I say let's change your diaper she'll go grab one and then lay down on the floor next to the wipes.

Bella has learned to swim!! She's not a fish but she'll go a few strokes by herself. Joel took her to swim lessons two weeks ago and she cried the whole time (which is rare) she said there were dolphins in the pool. The next day we went over to Papa & Nana's and she was holding her breath across the big step from one end to the other, then she started swimming from Steph to Chad to Me. So last week at swim she did it! Her teacher was so proud! I'm going to try and get a video this weekend.

I just loved Gabby's hair in this picture :)

Bella has been having fun in the bathroom...and I always worry since the dish rag down the toilet incident a few weeks ago. The other day I walked in and she had made a beard of bubbles. That night she also put a whole roll of toilet paper and was trying to flush it. Luckily it was all still on the roll so it wouldn't go down. What is it with little ones and toilets?!?

It was picture day at school this week. She wanted to wear a dress and I sent clothes that matched Gabby's to change into...but I don't think that happened. I guess I'll see when I get the pictures. She did let me curl her hair.
Gabby is just sprouting up and can now reach the handle to Nana's snack closet.

Eating some of Papa's popcorn.

She is starting to love purses like her big sister...getting ready to go to church! I love this little leopard dress.

It is football season and the girls have quite the Ohio State wardrobe. Gabby even says OH-IO.

Gabby wanted to snuggle with her sister.

A funny story - I said "Oh Crap" the other day when Michigan was coming back to win the Notre Dame game. Bella quickly responded "Mommy don't say crap", I said "Crap is not a bad word" and she reprimanded once again "Mommy I don't want to hear that out of mouth again"

Things have been insanely busy like usual, but I helped mom raise money for one of our pastors whose wife is battling her 4 time with cancer. We held a silent auction and benefit concert and raised almost $20K. It was a little bitter sweet as my great uncle passed away the night before the concert from prostate cancer. We went to the memorial service today. I am always fascinated by what my grandparents and their siblings have gone through and how much has changed in the world in the past 80 years.

Bella went to the dentist for the first time and she sat so still and got great xrays. Her teeth were great (I was worried since there are so many article of little ones having more cavities these days from sippy cups), but they were nice and white. She also had a recheck at the ENT and I was hoping the other tube had fallen out. It hadn't but the ear that did wasn't looking great. She had no cold symptoms and it was infected, so it looks like she will be getting a new set of tubes in a few weeks. I thought I may be able to hold off on them, since we do allergy testing I figured if she had allergies I could give her allergy drops and it may help, so we tested her yesterday and not one allergy...so off to get tubes. We tried to do Gabby to maybe help her wheezing but we couldn't find a vein so after two pokes we decided to scratch test her on Monday. She started on some more meds so I'm hoping in a few days they will kick in and start helping her wheezing...and that she will have allergies and the drops will help and she won't end up with asthma...here's hoping.

Work and life just hasn't seem to slow down since the beginning of the year. I keep thinking I'll get some reprive but it hasn't happened yet. Mom and I go to Italy next week and I am looking forward to being far away to reflect and re-energize. Many things have happened with our family lately and I think getting away will help gain a new perspective as I am emotionally just drained. I am thankful that Auntie is coming to watch the girls. I will miss them (and Joel) but we have set up Skype so I should be able to talk & see them through the computers. We already practiced Skyping Granna and Pappa last weekend.

Sorry this was so long (that's why I put all the writing at the end).