Haley's Haven

Well, we are off tomorrow to see the fam in California - we are super excited to see everyone - Haley can't wait to give Jude a big hug! When we ask her who we are going to see in 1 day, this is the order it goes.... "Haley, who are we going to see in ONE DAY!?" "Juju - ALRIGHT!" "Who else?" "Zawa!" "Who else?" "Unca Matt!" "Who else?" "Unca Jow!" "Who else?" "Unca Ashwee!" "No, AUNTIE Ashley." "Auntie Ashwee!" "Who else?" "PAPA GEEECEEEEEEE!!!" (I am not sure if she thinks they are one person..? :)

Key in on my "excited" face - I guess I must make this face a lot - no wonder Haley makes such strange expressions!

Well, I took the girls to the doctor yesterday for their checkups and shots and all (ugh) and 3 hours later we arrived home, in sour moods and aching legs (yes, they were the only ones who got shots, but I had aching legs from chasing them around - not really - they were actually really good). Anyway, here they are - and be sure to do some math - you may realize that though they are 17 months apart they aren't that different....!!!!! AHHH!!! Haley: Height - 32 inches (10th percentile) Weight - 27.3 pounds (50th percentile) Ana: Height - 27.75 inches (100+ percentile) Weight - 21.6 pounds (100+percentile) Head Circumference - 45.5 cm (100+percentile) Interesting, eh? Now I know why my back hurts all the time. What a beast.

We just COULD NOT be more happy for our friends Gabe and Andrea on the adoption of their new little baby boy! What great friends who having been waiting so long for a child. He is beautiful! Click here for pictures! www.staytons.com

Well, it was quite a time. We had about 20 kiddies show up - we had invited whole families but nicely the moms brought only the ones that were right around Haley's age so that was neat (mainly because I had visions of the older kids jumping accidentally on little kids heads and killing them..you know, mom thoughts). Anyway, it was great fun! Everybody devoured cake and ice cream, and it was a crazy melee (I like that word)! Sometimes simple is best - get to party, take shoes off, jump on mattresses, eat cake, open presents, more jumping, go home. I brought a bunch of Haley's toys in there like the pony and the car and the new sit on spin thing so that it could seem like a playground! Anyway, I think everyone had a good time and as you can see Haley got a lot of "help" (unsolicited) opening her presents. And I think the parents enjoyed how worn out their kids were afterwards...all in all, a big SUCCESS!

Here are some of our special kiddies - our Christmas program went really great - everyone was so cute! I also included the most heinous picture of Haley ever, so that one day she will murder me in my sleep.

Today is the big day ! We are having her party from 4 to 5 today, and yes, Mema , her cake has pink icing ! Wish us fun ! Pictures to come ! We invited like 50 kids so it will be CRAZZZZZZY ! (say "crazy" to yourself with a Nacho Libre accent and you will understand what I really mean!)

Haley was kind of a grump coming back from nursery yesterday, and so I was VERY happy when we checked our mail to see that we had a package - YESSS!! It was Haley's birthday present from Papa and GC - Haley is obsessed with her new letter game for the fridge - she can't stop singing the ABC song and dancing around, which in my 2x5 kitchen is kind of difficult to deal with. The funny thing is that for about a week now she has wanted to sing that song all the time, so when she pushed the button on her new toy and it started playing that song, this big smile plastered itself all over her face and the dancing began!

Sadly, we had to say goodbye to my dear old VCR last week. I bought it in 1996. She was a good friend. Here is something funny - I actually said to Matt - "Hey, maybe someone here needs a VCR" thinking that it still worked and all, except for the fact that it no longer plays movies...oh. (In respect to 1996, in which Maggie was bought, perhaps I should say "Duh".)

Here we are, hanging out indoors for obvious reasons. I decided to be brave yesterday and took the girls to the library - they have this neat house thing with toys inside and books for the kids, so Haley really likes going there. Anyway, I don't know if all of you know my living situation, but here is how things work when one wants to go out somewhere. 1) Get everyone ready (bundled up with special snowsuits and coats and hats and make sure all skin is covered except for what is needed to breath, and cover Ana's carseat with a blanket) 2) Get the girls into the double stroller (amid much protest) 3) Get onto the elevator 4) Push the stroller down the hall, past the laundry room and mechanics shop, to the side loading dock door. 5) Warn the girls of the impending freeze, cover Ana completely with blanket, and open the door, losing all breath in the process because of the icy wind 6) Push the stroller as fast as possible over icy and snowy patches of pavement to the parking lot b...

Poor Matt - driving buses at 6:30 AM does not treat him very kindly, especially when the wind chill is 16 below zero. And its only December!!!

And here it is...way too big, but she loves it!

Check out my friend Allison's site! Beautiful!!!!!!!

I thought to myself when we moved to Wisconsin...well, at least there will be snow! I was heavily rewarded today with 12 inches - YES!