Disneyland

The next three posts are of our crazy, jam packed weekend! We rented a 15 seater van/bus and went to Disneyland, San Diego Zoo and Sea World! Not an easy task with a toddler and a baby...who don't sleep! It's amazing how much stuff you need to pack! It was a fun weekend with My mom, dad, Byron, his girlfriend Hayley and the girls.

Our first stop was Disneyland...Marci, Jordan, and my niece Emily joined us. The park was crowded but we were still able to go on some rides and it was Katelyn's first time on Pirates. She is tall enough to go on Matterhorn, but I haven't taken her because I am afraid it will scare her to death!

Somehow Marci and I fit inside the "O" with all the kids. Katelyn became obsessed with the letter and wouldn't move from her spot. So, I took a picture!

San Diego Zoo

Next was the San Diego Zoo! This is a gorgeous zoo...but it's HUGE! And we walked A LOT! The bus tour saved us, and Katelyn crashed on my lap (which has NEVER happened since she was born!)

This day was especially hard because Taylor was breaking in her first tooth that day (great timing!) and was not a happy camper. The heat didn't help either. She threw up and had diarrhea throughout the day. Poor thing! Her tooth finally came through that night.

Sea World!

Our last day was at Sea World! It's too bad we were completely exhausted by then because this was the best park and Katelyn's favorite. Katelyn absolutely loved seeing all of the animals and using her own digital camera to take pictures! I bought her a camera and she loved walking around taking pictures of everything she saw.

She got VERY frustrated though because she wanted to swim with every animal, feed every animal and pet every animal, and didn't understand why she couldn't. I can see her as a dolphin trainer when she grows up!

Her favorite was the Shamu show...I have never seen her so excited! She kept pointing at Shamu saying, "Look Mama! Shamu is jumping in the water!" What a joy to see such joy in her eyes!
We hit the road at 5 to head back, and Katelyn crashed as soon as we left! Taylor did much better this day...her tooth broke and she was in better spirits.



Katelyn and Grandpa taking a rest! Too cute!

Katelyn's Sink

Today I received in the mail one of those "amazing toy purchases" for Katelyn. You know, the kind that you know your child will love and play with every day for a long time. Most toys I buy she will play with for 10 minutes and then get over it. Not this one!
Katelyn has always been obsessed with water and playing with it in the kitchen or bathroom sink. It has always been the one thing that would entertain her for long periods of time. She could transfer water from one cup to another for hours!

Then I saw this play sink online! It is brilliant! It recycles the same water and actually pours out of the faucet. It comes with cups, and is just the right height. When Katelyn saw it her mouth gaped open and she said, "A sink!" She is hooked and I am glad! Something to keep her busy outside that doesn't involve TV! If your child likes water...this is a gotta have purchase!

And she is even more excited that her uncle Byron is in town to play with her! This Thursday we head off for our crazy weekend...Disneyland, San Diego Zoo and Sea World!

Katelyn & Grandpa

Hands down, the biggest blessing from me moving back in with my parents is the bond and relationship that Katelyn and Taylor are creating with their Grandparents. I am so blessed to have them as my support, and they give the girls so much love. Katelyn has become Grandpa's little girl and loves to sit on his lap and play the "Tickle Machine" and "Itsy Bitsy Spider". Every morning she has to run into their room and jump on their bed and climb under the covers with Grandpa. I just love to watch them...I never knew either of my grandfathers and always wish I had. I know I will cherish these memories, and so will Katelyn.

I bought these costumes from Disney.com on clearance. Katelyn loved being Tinkerbell! Then she saw Jordan get into his Buzz costume and decided she liked that better! Jordan was nice enough to let her try it on and she ran around the house flying! She prefers Buzz over a princess or fairy any day!

Taylor's new trick...waving! She was waving at me and smiling hoping I would pick her up and when I didn't she started crying!

Busy Week!

It has been so nice to have the last week off! I am dreading going back tomorrow! We have had a full week...going to Disneyland, the park, swimming, to an activity in Moorpark, shopping, etc. Here are a ton of pics of our week!

The City of Moorpark puts on the best family stuff! This activity day was awesome and filled with at least 25 stations of cheap, creative fun things for the kids to do...and they gave you all the recipes so you could do it at home! Katelyn absolutely loved it!

Katelyn ready to go swimming! My water baby!


A much needed girls night out for Melissa's Birthday!

My thoughts

I've been thinking a lot about time lately, and what it means to truly be present in the "Now". Often I find myself a slave to the past or the future and often find myself frustrated, angry or overwhelmed in the present because I am dwelling in the two time periods that don't even exist for me at that moment. I have been reading another amazing book called "A New Earth"-the one Oprah is raving about...and it has made me think...a lot. Here are some excerpts that have been weighing on my mind...

"People believe themselves to be dependent on what happens for their happiness. They don't realize that what happens is the most unstable thing in the universe. It changes constantly. They look upon the present moment as either marred by something that has happened and shouldn't have or as deficient because of something that has not happened that should have. And so they miss the deeper perfection that is inherent in life itself, and is always already here. Accept the present moment and find the perfection that is deeper than any form and untouched by time."

We need to find JOY in just BEING. JOY in the present moment and in our present surroundings. I am striving to do this everyday and it is hard! But when I stay in the present I feel great joy and peace and less frustration and impatience. The greatest gift we can give our children as mothers is to JUST BE PRESENT with them.

The perks of living in So Cal..Disney again!

My mom, Marci and I went to Disneyland again...this time it was REALLY crowded and we went on only 2 rides. We spent most of our time on the Pirate Island and just sitting around, letting the kids run around.

We went to CA Adventure, thinking it would be less crowded there, but even that was crowded! We saw the new Pixar parade and it was adorable! The kids loved the day regardless, so it was definitely worth the trip!

My college roommate and dear friend Tammy met up with us there and is was wonderful to see her! It was a little crazy though...5 adults and 8 kids under the age of 4!!!

Hey Locals!

I was about to buy a bathing suit from Lands End, and then I spoke with my friend Shay and she gave me a catalog for Modbe clothing. You have probably heard of it. Anyways, they have adorable, modest, trendy bathing suits, along with cute clothes. Check it out at: http://www.modbeclothing.com/
So, I am going to host a party for this stuff! Shay has everything available to try on so you aren't just ordering and hoping you like it! If you are interested in coming let me know so I can send you an invite, or if you just want a girls night out and away from the kids let me know and you can come and play with us! I am planning on having it on Thurs May 1st. Thanks!
*Also, I got this coupon code in the mail for GAP, and won't be using it. If you are planning on shopping online before April 27th, here's the code for 15% off at GAP- PVM21V4C9D1L
First come, first serve...once someone uses it, it is no longer valid

Spoiled Kids

A couple of days ago we went to the park, and Katelyn discovered a small power wheel Dora motorcycle of another little girl, and rode on it forever! (Thankfully the little girl didn't mind) When it was time to go Katelyn threw a fit and wouldn't leave the car. My mom of course couldn't let that happen, so she said "Let's go and buy her one!" After much arguing, we headed to Toys R Us. We found out that the weight limit on it was exactly Katelyn's weight, so it didn't make sense to buy. I thought we were off the hook and then my mom decided to get Katelyn one of the big 4X4's! And then she bought Jordan the small motorcycle. These two kids were SO excited! They have been riding them, and are finally getting the idea of steering down. My mom sure does love to spoil her grandkids!

Odds and Ends

Today I was finally able to take Taylor to a specialist, and FINALLY spoke with a doctor who knew something! He was great and really took his time with me, educated me, asked me questions, and LISTENED to me. It was such a relief. He decided that Taylor had both reflux, and constipation issues. He prescribed Prilosec for her reflux and a powder for her pooping problems. We will see how they help in the next couple of weeks, and then I am going back to check up. Hopefully this does the trick and they won't have to run tests.

I am done nursing! My body has shut down, in one day!...it is a good thing though, and I need to be done nursing. I have next week off of week and I am really looking forward to it. I am taking the girls to Disneyland next Weds with Marci and Jordan and that should be fun.

Taylor is growing so fast and will be on the move soon! She is dying to get around with Katelyn and is getting so wiggly in my arms. She now says, "BaBa, MaMa and DaDa" and reaches out her arms to me to pick her up (that's my favorite).

Katelyn LOVES Taylor, and takes great pride in being her big sister. She has never attempted to hurt Taylor and is very protective of her. Whenever Taylor cries Katelyn says, "I'll get her!" Then she runs in and immediately gets Taylor to stop crying. Here is a picture I took tonight of them in the tub. Katelyn always sits behind Taylor and wraps her arms around her because she is afraid Taylor will fall over! Today Katelyn said something really funny...
Me: "Katelyn, why are you crying?" (Katelyn was throwing a fit over nothing)
Katelyn: (yells) "For no reason!"
I couldn't stop laughing!