My Little Runner

Ryan loves to "run" on the treadmill.  Although I prefer to run outside, some days I have to get my miles in on our treadmill because it is too hot or I am home alone with the girls.  Lately, I have done some runs while Ryan hangs out and watches a t.v. show.  I used to only run on the treadmill when the girls were asleep. Now that Ryan is older and able to listen to me when I tell her to stay back I am able to knock out 3-4 miles with her in the room with me.  She waits very patiently for her turn.  When I get finished she gets on the treadmill and I crank it up to a cheetah pace of 1.0 mph and she knocks out about 4-6 minutes of strenuous cardio.  She huffs and puffs and lets me know how sweaty she is getting.  It is so darn cute!    Emma also likes to get on the treadmill.  She has a little tougher time because she usually brings Zeebee and trips over him.  Chris and I both can't wait until the girls are older and we can all run together.

Play Doh!

We are having a blast playing with all the new birthday toys.  The girls love the play doh!

Forgot a few things about my Pea

Emma weighs 25 pounds and is 34.8 inches tall!  50th% weight and 100th% height!
Emma loves to bring you a book and plop down in your lap ready for you to read it to her and Zeebee. (Grandpa reminded me that I forgot to mention that she does this- it is his favorite!)
Emma does an awesome elephant impersonation. She uses her arm as a trunk and makes a big blowing sound.  It is my favorite!
Emma loves to wear sunglasses, upside down even!
Emma loves to steal Bunny from Ryan when she isn't paying attention. :-)

Sweet little blonde haired Pea getting her last vaccination until she is 4!

Celebrating the fact that she has Bunny!
And, she is jumping on Ryan's bed!

Looking down at Ryan, waiting for her to freak out!

Her nose pokes out of the little heart :-)

Paci Fairy Success

Paci Fairy

She came!  Finally! We had been preparing Ryan for months to expect a visit from the Paci Fairy on her third birthday.  She could rehearse exactly what was to happen with a smile on her face. "The Paci Fairy is gonna come take my paci away because I'm not a baby and big girls don't use paci's."  This gave me some hope that I would someday be able to forgive myself for this horrible act.  Maybe she wouldn't be as upset as we anticipated.  So, her third birthday came on a Saturday and Chris and I decided that the next day Paci Fairy would come.  I had anxiety about the party and the fairy all week. Sunday morning I dreaded.  We had some company so we decided to wait until after they left to start the process.  Then, Ryan got sick. She started running a fever, coughing and acting horrible.  This was about the same time that we learned the Paci Fairy's flight had been delayed (thanks Chris!).  We rationalized that we needed to wait until she felt her best and we also thought we would have more success if we waited until we had a few days to be home with with her and enforce the new rules.  Mamaw and Pa are not good at being the bad guy, nor should they have to.  So, we had an agreement. Friday was to be the day! Mamaw was heading out of town for California Saturday and Chris and I were gonna be home with the girls the whole next week.  It would be the perfect time we decided.  

Friday rolled around and Ryan was feeling better.  Chris and I were both off of work and we were ready to do the deed.  Here is how it all went down.

We tied Ryan's paci to three pink helium balloons.
We told her that we were sending the Paci Fairy her paci to give to
the brand new babies.

We told her that her paci was going to baby Paxton, our newest baby friend.

Bunny was right with her throughout the whole ordeal.

"Bye paci!"
And she let it go!

We watched until we couldn't see the pink balloons anymore.

No tears
(except if you count mine)

Waving bye to paci!

Our big, brave girl.

Ryan reminding us that Bunny will ALWAYS
 be with her and help her.

15 minutes later reality started to set in.

She had a few rough moments during the evening but was able to calm herself down when we reminded her how big she was.

Bedtime without paci

Look what the Paci Fairy left under her pillow!

A Brave toy for our brave girl!

Ryan ended up going to bed great that first night.  Shockingly so!  But, at 2:30 a.m. she woke up in a panic looking for her paci.  Chris brought her in with us because she was inconsolable. It was so sad.  She was begging me "Mommy, may I please have my paci?" through tears.  She was so genuine and using good manners.  It broke my heart to tell her no.  Chris ended up turning on a Mickey and I went to the guest bedroom (I had to wake up in a few hours to go to work).  Chris and Ryan were both asleep when I left for work. I learned later in the day that they were up until 5 a.m.! Ryan slept in until after 10 a.m. and Chris was a zombie all day.  We thought we were going to have to give up sleep for awhile.  I volunteered to be on duty the next night since Chris would have to go to work the next morning.  Ryan did AWESOME!!!!!  She never cried for her paci and she only woke up once asking for a chockey and a water and she went right back to sleep.  We are SO proud of her!  And, she seems to be very proud of herself too!  She woke up again last night asking for chockey and water so now we are considering a mini fridge in her room.  :-)

Friday Finger Painting!

Ryan got a lot of great gifts for her birthday and we have been having fun at home opening a new one to play with every day.  Friday we decided to bust out the finger paints outside on the back patio.  The girls had a blast!

Emma's first "stroke" was to her mouth!

Ryan took a lot of time on her artwork.

Emma got ticked when I wouldn't let Zeebee paint with her!

Emma's first finger paint masterpiece

Ryan's finger paint masterpiece