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!

Stroller Change

Yesterday we were headed to the hardware store and I decided to convert the stroller from the sitting to the standing position for Paige.  We have the BabyTrend Sit and Stand double stroller which converts so that the older child can stand on a platform or sit on a little open bench.  I think Paige actually misses the chair part of the stroller but enjoyed the freedom of being able to get on and off easily.  However, I'm not sure how it'll work out for a mall trip.  It might be too much freedom for right now.  I suppose a trip will need to take place to know.  Don't see one in near future so perhpas it'll give Paige time to adjust.  I suppose a walk around the block would be best for all instead!

Before

After

Stars

Now that the days are getting shorter, it is dusk when we get in the pool for an evening swim and dark by the time we get out.  The girls and I were star gazing the other night while swimming and Hailey loved it.  Tonight we were out having dinner on the patio and Hailey kept pointing to the sky.  I realized that she wanted to look for stars.  I took her out to show her that they weren't out yet because it wasn't dark.  Then when we got in the pool she immediately looked up at the sky for stars.  So we again star gazed.  She seems to really like it.  Brian has the SkyView app on his phone that tracks the stars using GPS and the compass and camera (called augmented reality) to identify the stars in the sky when you point the phone towards them.  It's pretty fun.  I think it's cool that Hailey likes the stars.  Perhaps she will be an astronaut or an astronomer?  I hope the later because this mama would be a nervous wreck during each of her space missions.  It's looking like her name fits her (when I was a kid a science camp I got to see Halley's Comet...I always liked the name.  She will be 51 years old when it returns and I, 87.  Oy.)  Will there be a Hailey's Universe or Hailey's Planet?  Whatever she does for a profession, I just want her to be happy and to be able to support herself.  But in the meantime, it's fun to predict.   

It's time for another Who's Who? Which is Which?

I love this little Gymboree outfit.  Very teenagery. 

Hailey

Paige

Jammies

I really, really like Halloween. I usually pull out the decorations on October 1. But this year, I couldn't wait to dress the girls. They wore their Halloween jammies last night. Hailey has pumpkins & Paige has a black cat. So fun!

Gymnastics

I took Paige for a free trail of gymnastics this morning.  She LOVED it.  I have her in dance class right now, but I think she is more of an athlete than a dancer.  She did really well with all the "events" they had her do which included jumping into a giant foam pit, trampoline, tumbling on mats, balance beam and a bar.  I was amazed.  The instructor said Paige just needs work in listening to her, but what 3 year old doesn't need work in that?  I think I'm going to switch her from dance to gymnastics, just need to figure out when do it.  Hailey went too to watch, but really wanted to join in.  Very sweet.

Jumping into the foam pit

Balance Beam

The Bar

Just a Good Day

I love days like today.  Paige usually has dance class on Wednesday mornings, but because both have runny noses and I have a cold, I choose to stay home so we didn't spread our germs.  The weather is finally cooling down, in the 80's today, so we played outside this morning.  We've been having rain storms as night so the grass is really wet, but I brought all the play toys onto the patio.  The girls had a blast!  They played on their toys, swung in their swing, and colored with sidewalk chalk on the patio.  I'm really looking forward to the fall weather and being outside with them.  I'm scouring Craig's List right now for an easel and a picnic table so they can paint outside and have lunch outside for the season.  Also looking forward to planting the fall garden.  They also both had great naps today which really makes for a nice evening when Brian gets home.  Good, good day. 

9/11 Remembered

Yesterday the US recognized the 10 year anniversary of the US terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.  I've tried to do something on that day every year.  Last year the girls and my mom and I went to Tempe Town Lake where they have a flag flying to represent each person that was killed in the attacks.  It is a beautiful site.  I took the girls again this year.  Though they were not born yet when the attacks happened the event will still shape their world and how they live day to day.  I hope by taking them to remembrances like this it helps them to understand one day why our world functions as it does, from airport security to terrorist threat levels to world politics.  I also included some pics from last year. 

9/11/10

9/11/10