The Girls Top Ten List - Winter 2015

OLIVIA JEAN
2 Years Old

10. She is in love with the Frozen movie and soundtrack- dancing to the songs with her 'cape' on. She calls it "Go" from the song and her favorite is Olaf (O-E)

9. Her and Lauren officially share a bedroom - and most nights they even enjoy sleeping in the same bed. Matt and I find this most adorable!
8. When she hugs you, it is a big gripping hug and sweetness galore! 
7. She loves dancing around and just running all over the place, always moving
6. She recognizes a bunch of letters, thanks to watching big sister learn to write them. She knows: O, L, D, W, M, E
5. She still loves Ellie Night-Night and when she is out of sight she sadly calls for her until she has been located "ELLIE!!!! ELLIE!!!!" and will often sing to her "Rock a bye Baby" - it is beyond precious!
4. She sings "Rock A Baby" to Ellie and loves when you sing it with her too
3. Wearing big girl undies and using the potty all the time!
2. "NO ME!!"- She wants to do everything herself, we're working on "Me, please" She loves putting on her own coat, shoes, and clothes
1. New words- she says like 2-4 new words everyday, it's amazing to watch!

LAUREN SHEA
4 Years Old

10. She is very interested in the soundtracks to movies and has learned to use the Ipod and CD player. She enjoys watching Bug's Life with just the music on.

9. Her and Olivia officially share a bedroom - and most nights they even enjoy sleeping in the same bed. Matt and I find this most adorable!
8. She is becoming the best big sister in the world. She helps Olivia and has fewer moments of selfishness and more moments of inclusion and sharing
7. She is learning to write and can spell a few words on her own- WOLF is a favorite at the moment. She can write her full name with some help with spelling the middle and last name.
6. She loves dance class and no longer needs one last hug but heads in on her own.
5. She loves reading and will memorize her favorite books and 'read' them back to herself. It won't be long...
4. She can zip her own coat and button big buttons all by herself- all of which she taught herself to do
3. She takes showers and washes herself, still needs help with her hair
2. We see less and less toddler and more and more big girl behavior- she's often a big help to mommy and daddy
1. She still prefers being "where everyone else is" and loves that her little sister follows her everywhere (so do mommy and daddy, finally a break!). It takes her a bit to warm up to people but once she knows you, she LOVES you- ask all the ladies at church.

Our Easter

TOP TEN LIST:
OUR EASTER THIS YEAR

10. Lots of Easter Egg Hunts- and they must be done with eggs containing treats or it just isn't as fun

9. Dying Easter eggs with a one year old makes for a little craziness
8. Teaching a 3.5 year old about Jesus' death and resurrection has made for a lot of interesting questions and conversations
7. Both girls have enjoyed all the 'bunny' decor around the house and Lauren has requested it stay up a little longer this year- Olivia has toted around the baskets on her arms like purses, always asking for both baskets, when she sees them
6. Nothing beats making a nice Easter meal for the family only to have our 3 year old toss all the effort out the window with the words "I don't like this dinner" - ugh...
5. Reading the Easter story as a family before bed on 'Easter Eve'
4. Lauren requesting the bunny hide her basket in a "really hard spot"
3. Waking up Easter morning to see the smile of pure joy on Lauren's face when she realizes it's time to look for her basket
2. The sugar consumption that was off the charts for a 24 hour period when all they could think about was their Easter treats
1. Spending time together as a family and celebrating our risen Lord!

 Our church's Easter Egg hunt- Olivia was an ol' pro and filled her basket with lots of eggs!

 Here the girls are checking out the treats inside their eggs- too cute!

 Here they are at home preparing the eggs with treats so daddy can hide the eggs and they can hunt for them.

 Here's Lauren finding the eggs- it was too funny to watch this each evening- as Lauren would sit in her chair facing the shed, as to not see where the eggs were being hidden- but she would be informing Matt or I where to hide them. Sometimes I cringe as I see myself in her, oh she's too much!

 Here we are dying the eggs!

 Lauren was so good and did them mostly on her own with some help from Daddy.

 After finding their Easter baskets in the bathtub they both enjoyed opening the eggs and seeing/eating all the goodies. 

 Olivia's goodies- she just kept sneaking candy when I wasn't paying attention, her cheeks were packed with goodies the whole time we were going through baskets. Then at church she passed out during Sunday School time while she was in the nursery- can we say sugar crash!

 Both girls all dressed up in the super pretty Easter dresses! 

I can't tell you how precious these two little girls are. They are both growing up so fast. The things Lauren says and the stuff Olivia is understanding- I'm just in awe of the wonder of God's love.

Our traditional family photo.

Giving my Hubby some props

So if you follow my blog at all, then you know that I've been working on changing my perspective and being the person God intended me to be. One way I've been doing this is by intentionally showing my husband how much he truly means to me. You know how it is, in the hussel and bussel of the day and in the stress of life's moments it's a lot easier to get caught up in the crazy- and forget to really lift up and support our spouses the way we should. Why it seems so much easier to do it with the little ones and not our spouses sometimes baffles me. So here I am lifting him up and sharing with you:

TOP TEN LIST:
TOP TEN REASONS MY GUY IS THE BEST...

10. He does the dinner dishes! 

9. How he tolerates my backseat driving and even jokes about it, I know I'm working on this one ;-)
8. The way he's a big goofball and just does the silliest things with the girls and me 
7. When he holds my hand in church as we listen to the sermon
6. The way his hug can melt away the rest of the world and make me feel safe and loved
5. His ability to be selfless- and put others first without hesitation 
4. Helping me out all. the. time. with our crazy life - he's a great partner!
3. Being a great father to our two girls- everytime I catch an 'outsiders' view of him with them it makes me fall in love with him all over again
2. Being able to make me laugh, really laugh, even when I'm tired and cranky
1. Loving me unconditionally, daily and sharing this journey with me

Summer Top Ten List

TOP TEN LIST:
TOP TEN CRAZY THINGS THEY'RE UP TO THIS SUMMER...

OLIVIA

10. Standing up with help- her extra chubby legs are just too much 

9. Enjoying the exersaucer and doorway bouncy seat - so much fun!
8. She's not a big fan of the pool - it takes her some time to warm up to it 
7. This girl loves our Baby Bjorn, being close to mommy & watching everything going on around us
6. Only nursing 5 times a day
5. She adores her big sister and Lauren gets the biggest smiles around here
4. Eating solid food - peaches and pears are her favorite 
3. Teething has begun, so she's drooling & putting everything into her mouth
2. Rolling onto her side
1. Laughing, Smiling, & Laughing some more!

LAUREN

10. She's starting to understand how to play with others, but still likes being an onlooker as others play around her 

9. Enjoying Sunday School at church
8. We have to use conditioner on her hair, it has gotten so long now 
7. Folding laundry - this girl is a pro!
6. Playing picnic with her stuffed animals & green blanket
5. Playing dollhouse with her bouncy balls and any other random toys
4. Her vocabulary is astounding - this girl can chat with the best of them 
3. Sitting at the dinner table with no booster seat - such a big girl
2. Asking questions about anything and everything
1. Swimming, Swimming, Swimming - she's our little fish

How Having Baby #2 Has Changed My Mommy-Style

TOP TEN LIST:
How Having Baby #2 Has Changed My Mommy-Style

10. I walk around with spit-up on me and think it's not necessary to change my clothes just yet- it's not that bad 

9. If my kids are mismatched or wear pj's all day I'm not horrified 
8. If Lauren's braid is still in from yesterday that means I don't need to do hair today 
7. The kitchen floor can collect a lot more crumbs than I ever imagined
6. Getting out of the house in under ten minutes should allow me a spot on the mommy wall of fame
5. Having both children asleep at the same time and me using the time productively should put me in front the promotion board for sure
4. I have learned to do many things while I nurse, like help Lauren onto the potty, and others that I never even thought possible before
3. I can somehow get lunch on the table while one child yells "I'm Hungry! I want lunch!" over and over and the other cries her head off in the high chair and I do not explode
2. Matt and I seem to have developed this bargaining deal to try and get the less needy/cranky kid to look after before the other one does...
1. My heart has swollen twice the size it was before when our two little girls flash their sweet, precious smiles at me and my brain somehow erases #10-2 from my working memory

6 Weeks and Lovin' It!

TOP TEN LIST:
OLIVIA'S TOP TEN LIST AT 6 WEEKS...

10. Her sweet baby smell, oh I could sniff her all day 

9. She L. O. V. E. S. the bouncy seat
8. Houston we have a farter! 'Nough said. 
7. The projectile spit up makes for a fun clean up at 2 am in the morning
6. Her creamy bottom, oh so many creams and still not all healed, poor thing
5. She loves her tummy to be patted or her legs to be played with
4. Her chubby little cheeks and soft hair 
3. The sweet way she snuggles after she nurses
2. Her sweet noises, she has a cute cry that says "hey mom, I'm over here"
1. When she looks at us and smiles

Lauren and her Shenanigans

TOP TEN LIST:
Lauren's Shenanigans at 27.5 months

10. Playing with her animal friends and pretending with them. I enjoy listening to this over the baby monitor, even if she should be sleeping instead.

9. Running each night from her room to the nursery and then asking daddy and Sharky to come find her (even though she's in the chair every time)
8. Laying in the tub face up listening to the noises dada makes on the tub wall
7. She's been more independent (a blessing and a sad thing) as she wipes herself after meals and after using the pot
6. Being nervous of the dark and noises she doesn't recognize.
5. Helping mommy wash dishes and vaccum and putting her dishes in the sink when she's done with them
4. Playing games, especially Candy Land
3. She is in LOVE with Kroger and the car carts
2. Being a big sister, all the up and downs that go along with it
1. Saying "I love you mommy/daddy" and giving the best hugs in the world!!

My Big Girl at 23.5 Months

TOP TEN LIST:
WHAT MY BIG GIRL LAUREN SHEA IS UP TO...

10. Having her daddy wrapped around her little finger. Bless my heart it is the most precious sight. 

9. She's obsessed with finding things in the store and she has the eyes of a hawk. Her favorites to locate are Hello Kitty, Thomas, and Cars.
8. Doing crafts: sticker, coloring, painting, school crafts, etc. 
7. Pretending while playing- it's so magical to watch 
6. Learning her numbers and counting. She's got "1" and "2" down then we go to "6" or "8"- when prompted she'll say "3"
5. Hopping around the house, still only gets one foot of the ground so it looks more like limping but she's so cute it's sick.
4. Sleeping in her big girl bed!!!!
3. Running- She's all over the back yard. Just yesterday she picked up some leaves and her ball and they ran with her as she announced "Ball running, Leaf running, Lauren running."
2. READING!!! Yes, you read that right, my sweet girl can read the book "Freight Train" (from memory of course), but wow- you go girl!
1. Talking and repeating everything you say. Her vocabulary is amazing and I'm so proud of her!

Silly Little Lauren at 19.5 months

TOP TEN LIST:
WHAT LITTLE LAUREN SHEA IS UP TO...

10. Holding her hands in the air and saying "bup" when she wants up 

9. Putting her baby dolls in the pack-n-play or crib, closing the door while she says "Shhhh" to anyone who will listen
8. Swimming like a "Ish" in the bathtub and blowing bubbles 
7. Telling you the sounds all kinds of animals make 
6. Trying so very hard to jump, which often is just her on her tiptoes 
5. Taking chairs or stools where she needs to get up to see or get at things (yikes!)
4. Putting her clothes away in the hamper when prompted
3. Running from you when she knows you want her to be someplace - like to get her diaper changed, silly girl
2. Fish, Eggs, and Bah (her bunny) rule her world!
1. Giving kisses and hugs. There is nothing like our little girl running up and hugging you just because she loves you!

Lauren's Top Ten at ~18 Months

TOP TEN LIST:
WHAT GOOFY LAUREN IS UP TO NOW...

10. Making weird noises with her tongue when she talks with herself 

9. Giving Good-bye kisses to everyone
8. Painting, Gluing, or anything else crafty she can get her hands on 
7. Eating at the table, no more tray on her highchair 
6. Pulling every book she owns off the shelf and carrying them around the house
5. She's in L-O-V-E with her Dada (he thinks she's pretty cool too)
4. Playing with Dolly Baby- feeding her, loving her, throwing her (not sure why)
3. Going poop on the potty (not all the time but hey she's not even two!)
2. Trying on her big girl underwear- just like mommy has!
1. Talking- too many words to list but she's got a lot! Some of my favorites are bubbles, Mama, dirt, Matt, bowl, Go-Go (for Goldfish)...)

Lauren's Top Ten: January 2012

TOP TEN LIST:
SWEET THINGS I SEE AROUND THE HOUSE FROM LAUREN...

10. Teething, poor baby - most likely your molars 

9. Saying "Bah-Bye" on the phone or when we're leaving some place
8. Pretending to talk on the phone when you see mommy or daddy on the phone 
7. Only taking one nap a day, but a nice two hour nap
6. Gathering things that are similar-  especially books of the same size
5. Lifting your shirt to show us your "Bee-Bo"
4. Singing along with the Gilmore Girls theme song
3. Coming up to mommy and daddy and hugging our legs
2. Snuggling with mommy before bed
1. Walking!! 

Lauren's Top Ten of December 2011

TOP TEN LIST:
THINGS LAUREN IS UP TO THESE DAYS...

10. Laying and playing in her crib to go down for a nap or after waking up
9. Reading her books in the car and carrying them around the house to read
8. Kissing us and Annabelle, as well as making the kiss noise 
7. Jumping up and down in her crib with excitement when I go in to get her
6. Dancing when she hears music playing
5. Being silly in the bath, playing with her turtles and sample shampoo bottles
4. Dumping toy bins and baskets throughout the house and sometimes playing with the toys
3. Using her signs to get what she wants
2. Walking along furniture & with her walker (even taking a few independent steps)
1. Giving hugs for no reason, other than she loves us 

Top Ten Things that rock because I'm home

TOP TEN LIST:
THINGS I LOVE ABOUT BEING HOME...

10. The sleep schedule
9. Being my own boss
8. Talking with my sister and mom more
7. Enjoying my time with hubby in the morning, and not feeling rushed
6. Having time to pray and do Bible study and not feeling like it's just one more thing on my list
5. The quiet- one baby makes a lot less noise than 25 children, that's for sure
4. Having time to get stuff done: shopping, cleaning, phone calls, cooking, etc.
3. The lack of stress is heaven sent!
2. Having the time to make "Homemade" meals for my family to enjoy
1. Watching my baby girl grow up day by day

Top Ten Things Lauren is up to...

Top Ten List:
Top Ten Things Lauren is doing these days...

10. Pulling out every CD from the rack and book from the shelf in the office
9. Sliding down the slid on mommy's lap at the park
8. Crawling on her knees
7. Chasing down Annabelle and "petting" her or yelling in her face
6. Being silly with daddy and laughing at his antics
5. Sleeping without a paci
4. Reading her books (okay maybe she's just babbling at an open book, but I call it reading)
3. Following mommy throughout the house
2. Using a sippy cup and straw

1. Giving the best hugs on the planet!

Top Ten List: Lauren

Top Ten List:
Top Ten Things Lauren is doing these days...

10. Putting everything in her mouth
9. Swinging in the swing at the park
8. Splashing around in her outdoor water table
7. Sleeping on her side and snuggle her night-night
6. Enjoying the bath, even without water when mommy needs to blow dry her hair ;-)
5. Run jumping in the doorway jumper
4. Playing peek-a-boo
3. Standing really well, especial next to the ottoman when Annabelle's laying on it
2. Talking/Screaming to get our attention
1. Smile-Laughing, which is the cutest thing ever!

Top Ten List: Teaching

I was washing dishes yesterday and I thought of this. Enjoy!

TOP TEN LIST:
THINGS I WON'T MISS ABOUT TEACHING...

10. "Mrs. Bennett, we need your attendance"
9. Field trips
8. "I wasn't the only one talking."
7. What was the purpose of this assembly? Oh well, at least I get to sit down for a minute.
6. How thirty minutes for reading lasted FOREVER and thirty minutes for specials was over in the blink of an eye.
5. Repeating myself over and over only for a student to ask you the question you had answered 10 times already.
4. Have you turned in your data spreadsheet and benchmark narratives?
3. Taking longer than 10.2 minutes to inhale my lunch
2. Noise level- enough said.
1. Being able to use the bathroom when I feel the need!