Loved No More

Here is Baby Rose in all her horribleness. Makes me so sad. In the baby bed, all alone, while Baby Chloe is off enjoying the swing and having a ball.


















I will cherish how Laurie loved you, brought you everywhere, slept with you tightly clutched in her arms. She called you Baby Enh Feh until I could convince her to call you Rose. We strolled you in the dog park. You went with us on our vacation. Laurie gave you bubble baths, dressed and undressed you, took you grocery shopping, and refused for anyone else to play with you. Laurie shared meals with you, loved to sit you everywhere Anna Fair sat. I am blown away that you have only been with us since last Christmas. You were her first best friend and I will not forget you.

What a far cry from this:


















Don't worry, Rose, you can come play with me.

New Babies

As you may have heard, poor Baby Rose has met with some unfortunate circumstances. After numerous entreaties to fix her, and Laurie herself giving Rose many baths, Laurie was over it and back to life as usual. But it was breaking my heart to see Laurie walk around with this blue baby doll. OK, I know, I am the only one upset, I had visions of holding onto her first baby love forever. But, ya know, she's blue. We need a new one.

Thanks to Bebe and Grandma Betty, we headed off to Toys R Us to pick out a new baby today. Bebe and I poured over each and every doll, comparing all, being completely weirded out by some of the WAY to lifelike crying, squirming, talking dolls. Laurie was totally enthralled at being surrounded by so many babies and fully intent on purchasing one of each. After convincing her she could only pick out one, she of course picked out a baby with a pacifier. Why didn't I see that coming?

Nothing doing, but Anna Fair needed a baby too. I just picked out the one I liked best. I especially liked a sweet faced baby, and then realized you squeeze its hand and it cries and coos and its facial expression moves around. Cree-py

On our way home, with baby safely ensconced in her arms, we asked Laurie what her new baby's name is. She said, "Cooey." Who? Did you say Chloe? No telling what she really said, but we welcome new Baby Chloe into our family with love. Poor Anna Fair's baby is yet nameless. Rose and Chloe and happily sleeping in Laurie's baby bed. I think nameless is on the floor somewhere.

















It took us about 3 seconds to put Baby Chloe in the bouncy chair to 'swing' her.

WHY?

Bebe sent Laurie and Anna Fair a package of goodies: new dresses, hair bows, books, dvds, stickers, even a watch. All fun and wonderful and much appreciated. And also, apparently a package of magic markers. As I discovered this in Laurie's room:



















On her face, hands, arms, legs, bottoms of her feet, the sheets, books, pjs, even poor Baby Rose. WHY? Why would you do that? Why did I not notice there were markers in the box? Why would someone give a 2 year old magic markers? Why did I not check on her in her room sooner? WHY?
























She is at this moment, whining because the marker is not coming off poor Baby Rose. And I am too, a little bit.

Where's Laurie?

We've been in Natchez for the last four days visiting Bebe, Grandaddy, and Mini Pearl. Mainly Bebe, Laurie thinks Bebe is the bee's knees. She was less than pleased when we loaded up in the car to head home. Very unpleased when we pulled into the driveway. And downright ugly when we saw Daddy and cried to see Bebe. But at least she must be happy to see her stuff. No toy will be left uncuddled.

Laughingstocks of the Dog Park

Our two year old is opinionated. And once she's made up her mind, there is no changing it. Sunday, we decided to take a walk in the dog park (the McGowen property at the end of our neighborhood, that we lovingly refer to as the dog park) Laurie loves to stroll in the dog park, though you never know what new thing she is going to insist on. Stroller, no stroller, riding, no riding.

So, when she insisted on taking Baby Rose, I caved. When she insisted on bringing her in the shopping cart, I caved. With her baby blanket and play food and purse, I caved. You get the picture. In my mind, it just didn't seem worth the fight I knew would come. So this is the little shopping diva we were proudly strolling with. I would love to know what everyone we passed thought of us. I am sure they were laughing.

Hanging With Meg

Meg came over for a play date this morning. Laurie enjoyed having some company over and I enjoyed seeing them interact. I learned a few lessons in parenting. Like, having 2 of everything is a must. 2 purses, 2 strollers, 2 dolls, 2 pots. If we didn't have 2, it ended in tears for someone. Meg, I promise next time you come over, we'll work more on sharing.

The girls were sweet to love on Anna Fair as well. Anna Fair wasn't so sure she needed that much attention.














































According to Laurie, they needed to stroll to the dog park.














Again, and again.














Laurie does not tolerate anyone else playing with Baby Rose, but we do have a second doll for Meg to play with.
Meg: What my baby's name?
Me: How about Baby Lily? (and a few other names)
Meg: Uhmm...nooo.
Me: (with thought I came up with what I knew would be a winner) How about Baby Olivia?
Meg: (with a huge grin) Yeaaah.














































You know it's been a successful date when you get such a sweet hug at the end.

What's Up With Anna Fair?

Our sweet baby grows more and more. Laurie seems to get so much more attention, but well, that's because she's so much busier. But Anna Fair is working hard to catch up. I tell people all the time that I still think she's an infant. Only to be shocked when she starts talking and crawling. Where did this big girl come from?

Her eyes are getting more and more brown. Which I love. Laurie looks so much like Will. The more AFB looks like me, the happier I am.
















She has such a funny sense of humor. AFB smiles all the time. A big huge, open mouth, two sweet teeth showing smile.
















If not smiling, she puts everything in her mouth. Including her thumb. And trash off the floor. She loves the attention. After doing something particularly cute, she looks around the room to see who is looking. And sooo vocal, AF blows raspberries and babbles so much. She has Momma down pat, though I am not so naive to believe she knows how to use it. In the last few weeks, she has gotten really attached to momma. Drop off in the nursery used to be so easy, but now I get to listen to her whaling as I walk back down the hall. :(




































She is not afraid to make a play for any of big sister's toys. Big sister is working on sharing. My favorite, I am dead set on having at least one girl that will let me dress her hair up.
















I don't know that I would say she is crawling. Ok, definitely not crawling. But if Anna Fair is dead set on getting something, she can manage to get from point A to point B. It may not be pretty, but it gets the job done.






























While snapping photos of AF, Laurie asked me to take one of her and Baby Rose. With her mouth open wide, screaming CHEESE! Who taught her that? "Cheese" doesn't really make for a very pretty smile.

Caught in the Act

While Laurie was at Bear Camp last week, Anna Fair took the opportunity to love on Baby Rose every chance she got. Does she want Baby Rose because she is so cute? Or is it because Laurie likes her? I don't know, but I do know that Laurie would have blown a gasket if she knew what goes on while she is away.

Big Girl

Our girl is growing up faster than I care to think about.

First up, big girl bed: Will and I were not ready for Laurie to leave her crib. But she was able to get in and out of her cheap, rickety, poorly put together crib at will, so...it was pretty much time.

It has been something of a success. We were worried she would be wondering the house at all hours of the night, but I guess we already fought that battle when she was getting out of the crib. Course, we have had problems. Her room is a wreck in the morning and post nap.



















And sometimes you find her not in her bed at all.















Next, big girl britches: Not nearly as successful. I have no idea what made me think it was time to potty train. No idea at all. And whatever it was, I want to take it back, I sincerely apologize. I think I was just curious to see if she were ready. Which she's not. Generally, when I ask her to sit on the potty, she tells me it's taking a nap. Hmm, huh.

I feel like tt has touched every square inch of our house. And why would I even want to potty train her? (well, other than the financial benefits) Diapers don't bother me and neither of my girls have ever been inside a public restroom. Again, why? Back to diapers it is!

We Love Our Babies!

Baby Anna Fair, Baby Rose, and Baby Pearl (l-r). In case you weren't sure who is who.

3 Months and 2 Years

Last week we had two big occassions, Anna Fair turned 3 months and Laurie turned TWO! What a fun time we've had. It still blows me away how fast our family has grown, in some ways it seems they've been with us forever, and in others, when did they get so big?!




















Laurie loved her cake, we were so proud that she figured out how to blow out her own candle. We've been teaching her to say "TWO!" for the last week. She can't quite manage to get up 2 fingers, so we just hold up one on each hand. It works just as well.















During Christmas, Laurie figured out opening presents. There is always something pretty good in there. It is so sweet to see her joy and enthusiasm over each gift, even when she doesn't seem quite sure what the gift is!

Baby Love

Baby may be the best gift ever. Laurie loves her new baby, I asked what baby's name is and Laurie replied, "Baby Ehn Feh". How nice to have two Anna Fairs in our house! Laurie was enjoying playing with her new Mrs Potato Head when it occurred to her that the eye glasses are a perfect fit for baby! Now Baby wears them everywhere.

Laurie has been having trouble falling asleep at night lately, even before Anna Fair was born. She still naps like a champ, but will lie awake in bed for hours. So, I've started letting her taking things to bed with her. (I know, Momma is a wimp) First juice, then books, now baby. Soon, there won't be any room left in the bed for Laurie.

Christmas Day

Anna Fair was sure to have us up extra early Christmas morning. It did give us time to have everything ready for Laurie. Daddy finally had to go in to wake her up. What wonderful fun to see her open her gifts with such joy. Next to Aunt Fair's for brunch and more gifting. It was chaotic, but great chaos, like being in a wrapping paper tornado! And finally we headed to Natchez to see my family. Bebe announced we needed to open gifts post haste! Laurie took one look at her Dora books and wanted to go no further. My favorite gift was the Dora doll Bebe gave with high hopes, only to have Laurie say it was not Dora and throw it to the side. I guess Dora does not translate well in to 3D.