B.'s "Artwork"

It seems yesterday I was trying to catch up all day. I worked on Tuesday and didn't make it to bed till 1:30a.m. and probably got 5hrs. of sleep. Enough to function and get through the next day, but not enough to feel myself. But it always takes me at least 2 days to really feel like I'm not a walking zombie. Yesterday afternoon I layed A. down for a nap and seized the opportunity to lay down also, maybe catch some much needed z's. B. didn't feel like taking a nap, so I though fine. I'll just let you play and hopefully I'll get a 30min. power nap in. She was such a good girl. Played in her room quietly with her door shut not making much noise. So I'm thinking, great, maybe I can get some sleep. About an hour goes by and I hear her open her door, come into my room and attempt to get on the bed. After realizing she is not going anywhere I get up and to my surprise, i find her bottom half looking smurf like, open her door see that she had colored on her walls around her bed, making sure to get every wall tagged, her bed w/green and blue markers scribbled on the cover, and both markers laying on her pillow w/two big green and blue blobs. Inside I'm laughing b/c it was my own fault for letting her have free range while I lay down, but trying not to get too upset. So I say to her "why did you color on your walls and on yourself. Mommy is upset, you don't do that. What do you think should happen? should mommy give you a spanking?" Her big puppy dog eyes welled up w/tears and her bottom lip curled and started to quiver, ever so slightly. I think she knew she was in trouble and that was punishment enough.

So, I strip her swim suit off, (she even managed to get marker on that), and proceeded to start the bath, came back to her room to strip the bed, and found an empty box of wipies.

It was completely full earlier in the week. but I can say that at least she tried to clean herself up as best she could.

And after the bath A. was screaming for food, so I put B. in a diaper and while feeding A., B. came out all dressed up in my boots. From the side she looked like one of those half goat half human mythical creatures. Even watching her trying to walk was hilarious.

Fall photos

I don't know why they call Chicago the windiest city in the U.S. when really Great Falls is #1. And its hard to plan anything outside without at least counting on putting a whole can of hairspray in your hair. Even that doesn't hold it in place. But today we took the girls down to Giant Springs park to hopefully get some pictures of the two of them together. Since this would probably be the last "nice" day to do it. Plus an extra set of hands is always a must finagling a 2 1/2 yr. and a 6mo. old. I just couldn't see myself trying to pose and take pictures of them. Probably wouldn't have been very successful.

cute little A. I wish B. would have cooperated w/me in what I wanted. But what can you do with an energetic child that just wants to run?!

My favorite of B. Not many of her smiling. Such a hard day pleasing mom and dad. She just had had enough by the time we got here. Which was probably 45min.


Especially with two, and the fact that B. just wanted to run around in the leaves (yea freedom!) For the most part she did great. But with the time change and not getting a nap, we lasted about 2hrs. give or take. Which overall was fun for us to get out of a cramped apartement and some fresh air. Fortunately the ones that we got of them together turned out ok. So my two princesses enjoying some freedom outside.

Sweet sisters

About 2 weeks ago we went to get pictures taken at Sears. I am SSSOOOO glad that Tom was there to help me. I don't know what I was thinking when I initially set up the appointment for 3pm. Thank goodness I moved it to when I would have help. And boy did I need it. We first took pictures of B. she was pretty good until the spotlight was off her. We at least got 2 good pictures of both the girls together. B. is such a good girl! But I am glad my husband was there to help b/c all B. wanted to do was run around. 2hrs. later we were done. A. was not cooperating, plus it was hungry time for her so that put us back. But the photographer lady was so patient and she worked with me. I told her everything I wanted and she did it all for me. Tom was pretty spent after 2hrs. I guess I could compare him being at the mall with me being in home depot with him.

A week in Idaho

Over this past weekend we were able to bless little Ava in Idaho. Most of our family could be there, which was awesome. It was so nice to be "home." And to see all of my brothers, and most of Toms in the circle participating in the blessing. She looked so beautiful in her little white dress. I am so grateful I have a husband that is worthy to give our baby a blessing. It was special to see him walk up the isle holding our tiny daughter. Along with everyone that participated.
I was able to spend a week down with my family before Tom joined me over the weekend. It was cute to see my neices dote over her. None of them could get enough of her. but I think my mom was the worst of them all. She offered to keep the kids until we came back down in August for Tom's brothers homecoming. I just smiled. It's too bad we don't live closer I can make the drive by myself if I wanted. Maybe one day though. Brynn just loved all the attention she got while we were there with all of her cousins. they kept her occupied, and up late at night. Just too busy playing to go to bed.

taking a bath with my sisters 18mo. Kameren. Both having fun in the water



Ava's first bath at home

Baby Ava

She's Here!!!

Our new little girl was born this morning at 5:36 AM. It was a long night but everyone is fine. Her name is Ava Jean Bigelow, 7lb 2oz, 21in. Pics to come. I think she is adorable, but I am also her Daddy.

Happy b-day Tom

My hubby turned 30! And has not been looking forward to this day. He kept saying "i'm an old man. You're married to an old man now" I'm not sure if he's going through a pre-pubesent midlife crisis or not. But he's hit 30 and is feeling "old" Anyway I wanted to do something special for him since it was his big day coming up. There wasn't anything he wanted, or that he already bought what he did want. So I was out of options. Surprise b-day anyone? Thanks to my friend Lindsay for hosting Tom's surprise b-day party. I told him we were going to try this steak restaraunt 45min away and that she was going to babysit for us. Thankfully the beans weren't spilt and we showed up at their house to drop Brynn off. Only he didn't realize what was going on, even after eveyone yelled surprise. He still thought we were going to the steakhouse....silly boy! I had to break the news to him that there weren't any dinner reservations and that we were here for his surprise b-day party. He was kinda bummed but the bbq was yummy! happy b-day sweetie I love you!
Enlarge the 1st pic. and no this gift was not from me. My friend Lindsay was sweet enough to buy Tom some depends :)

markers,markers,markers

One night while I was at work Tom was "watching" our little girl and found out that she had "prettied" herself up. She cannot get enough of coloring. Nursery has corrupted her. Ever since she started going she loves to color. Be it on herself (this is the worst I've seen of it......so far)on our apt. walls, books. you name it she will want to color on it. There are some spots on our walls that are definately going to need some touch up work before we move!

Brynn's 2nd b-day

We now have a 2year old in the family! How the time goes by. I cannot believe where it's all gone. My baby is growing up and too fast! she wasn't sure what to make of her special day. Mostly she just enjoyed playing with her friends at mcdonalds. We're still figuring out the presant part. She loves tearing into them, but doesn't understand they are specially for her just yet. We love you little one!

just for fun

Brynn decided she wanted to eat breakfast with her baby. She LOVES her baby and carries it with here everywhere, along with her blanket. It's just too cute. Then later she decided to be a big girl and put on makeup like her mommy

Oh the joys of "potty training." Brynn had taken her diaper off after lunch (she likes to do this a lot lately) so I thought I would let her run around for a little while. She hasn't been doing too badly, but then we haven't tried very hard either. It seems pull-ups are too much like diapers b/c she still wets in them, and underwear, well she realizes when she's wet...and after 10min the second pair is wet. It's a war wtih underwear. Anyway I was on the internet and I hear an "uh-oh" Great I'm thinking. another mess to clean up......only this time as I went to investigate and get cleaning supplies I realized it wasn't pee! She happily displayed what she had done saying "uh-oh" many times. And I explained over and over that we go on the potty. After cleaning that mess up I went into our bedroom to get ready for work (thinking she was done). she is intentively watching me begins to squat on the floor saying "potty,potty" AAAAAHHHHHH, my efforts were too late. So yet another mess to clean up. I have to keep telling myself that things will improve. I know she knows to go the bathroom on her potty b/c we reward her with candy. But lately bribing her with candy while she sits on the potty doesn't seem to be doing the job. She just gets frustrated b/c she can't have it.
Just another fun filled day with my daughter and the moments you just have to laugh at. Although I'll have to admit, the mess could have been much much worse.

Pretty as a Princess

This morning Tom was taking care of Brynn since he didn't have to be to work till 9:00. So I took full advantage of sleeping as much as I could, considering last night was rough--tossing and turning, throat is sore, coughing that sort of thing. When it was time for him to get ready to go he and Brynn came in and the next word I hear her say was too much not to laugh considering what she had just done "pitty, pitty" as she looks at me with mascara all over her eyes. Like a little racoon. It's amazing what kids do and pick up on. Thankfully it's just the $5 mascara and not the expensive $15 eyeliner. But I can't say that has not happened either. Occasionally she likes to use them as crayons :)