Soccer

Paige had her first soccer practice today.  It's through Soccertots and they learn basic drills and movements for soccer.  She did fantastic and really seemed to have fun. 

Soccer Stop

Team Cheer

Reptiles

For the Halloween Carnival at Paige's school they had reptiles come in to be shown.  He shared a shink, a rhino iguana, and 2 pythons.  The kids got to touch them too.  Paige was really excited to see them and went right up to pet them.  Very cool experience. 

Waiting to pet iguana

Rhino Iguana

Petting albino python.  16 feet!

2nd Pumpkin Patch

My aunt is here visiting for Halloween and my Mom's birthday.  It's super nice when she comes, not only because we get to see her and visit with her, but also because she will sit with the girls ANYTIME.  On Friday, we all went to a pumpkin patch.  This one was really nice, super clean and for $7 per child they also got a pumpkin.  Plus it had a petting zoo, hayride, bounce houses and a chance to decorate your pumpkin all included in the price.  Loved it.  We will definitely return to this one next year.  In all, everyone had a great time. 

Nanny & Hailey

Auntie and Paige

Decorating pumpkins with Nanny & Auntie

Auntie & Hailey

Nanny & Paige

Nanny & Paige

Auntie & Hailey

Paige

Hailey

PPD

I've debated about posting this subject or not, but feel that if I keep quiet about it, it would not be helpful to others.  So here I am.  I noticed a change in hormones and emotions right away when Hailey began self weaning at 15 months.  It was awful.  My emotions were all over the place.  But I figured it was a natural thing and it would soon go away.  When she finally fully weaned I began an full strength birth control pill because goodness knows, we do not need more children.  I would love to have them, but we don't need them.  As the days and months went by, I was still having strange feelings that were not controllable.  They ranged from complete euphoric happiness to complete depression.  There is absolutely no reason for this, as I have a husband who completely loves and supports me, two beautiful, happy, healthy girls and a family who would do anything for us.  So I was confused by my feelings.  But again, I just thought, oh, I'm tired from lack of sleep and it's just part of being a mom/woman.  Well, the feelings grew worse.  I would pick arguments with Brian for no reason and was just completely unhappy.  "Why?!"  I yelled at myself.  I have no reason for this feeling.  Finally I did a little research and found that post partum depression can occur after weaning even 15 months later!  So I made an appointment with my GYN immediately.  Yes, this was the diagnosis and she gave me some meds to help me feel better.  Also by just telling me it's not my fault, it's not something I can control and it's a natural thing and diagnosis that some women go through made me feel better.  It's a chemical imbalance that needs adjusting.  So, I'm on the road to feeling better.  I still have moments of uncontrol and depression with my emotions, but I definitely am starting to feel more "even" if that makes sense.  No really big highs or lows as often.  The feeling of not having control of how you feel is horrible.  But the support I have from Brian and my family helps.  And, most importantly, it feels good to know that I will be back to normal soon.  As I have EVERYTHING to be happy for. 

Nanny & Hailey

Every night after bath the girls have milk & a story.  This night, Nanny got to read Hailey her story.

Pumpkin Patch

We went to a pumpkin patch on Sunday as a family.  I LOVE HALLOWEEN and going to the patch is one of my favorite things in the year to do.  We will probably go to another one this year, but I wanted to get pics early to mail to family and friends.  The girls had fun riding a train, playing at the petting zoo, running through the corn maze and picking a pumpkin.  They just got little ones since it's early in the month.  It was a really nice afternoon. 

In the corn maze

Sisterly Love

Extremes

Fall is upon us in Arizona.  It's still warm in the day, in the 90s, but starts to cool off in the evenings.  Okay, okay, cool for us desert dwellers anyway, in the 60s.  The girls were swimming in the pool at 4pm.  We have a cover on it so it's still 90 degrees. 


Then wanted to play outside after swimming and dinner.  So they put on their "warm & cozies" and enjoyed the evening. 

Fresh cut grass

I mowed the lawn today and the girls had so much fun playing tonight on the grass.  At one point Paige was rolling on it and gazing at the stars.  I can't think of too many things better than being 3 years old, fresh cut grass and watching the stars. 

Trikes

After Hailey woke up from her afternoon nap I had both girls outside.  The weather is so much cooler that we can enjoy it.  In fact tonight I made sure they had on sweatshirts and pants since they are Native Arizonans and can hardly handle any weather under 90 degrees without getting sick.  They both got on the trikes and I was able to snap a few pics. 

Fingerpaint

I got some fingerpaint for Paige to use on her easel outside.  She loved it!  I gave her red and blue and right away she combined them to make purple.  She played with it for about an hour while Hailey napped and I enjoyed some time surfing the net.  It was a great morning. 

Hailey's 1st Haircut

Paige was almost 3 years old before her first haircut, probably because she is so good about leaving barrettes and hair bands in her hair.  Hailey on the other hand will not leave them in.  Two minutes after I put them in they are out and if she sees them, forget about even trying to put them in.  So she got a haircut at 18 months.  Just a bang trim, but a haircut nonetheless.  Hailey doesn't have as much hair as Paige did at 18 months.  I suppose she is taking after me, I had none till about 2 myself.  She cried during the trim, but I think because I pushed nap time a bit for us to run up and get it cut.  However a sucker helped to stop the tears.  She looks very cute and we can actually see her pretty face now. 

Getting ready for her trim

Sitting in chair

All trimmed!