Pink Bows and Pigtails: The Milestones of a Two Year Old

I can't believe it's been so long since I have last blogged! Sorry to anyone who checks this frequently :)

We have all been doing well. Hailee and Hannah are rolling everywhere now, all across the room like Ella used to. Hailee is sitting good and Hannah is getting much better. They go through about 35-40 jars of baby food per week. They just love it and cannot get enough! They eat about 6 oz every 4 hours, still half breastmilk and half formula (I am starting to wean however, pumping is getting TOO old!).

Ella is the child which whom I have my hands full with. I believe there are 3 major milestones we will have to conquer with her this year. We put her in a toddler bed a few weeks ago. That is going ok. She doesn't get out during the night, but does get out each morning and after naps. If I don't hear her to get up there quickly, I can guarantee that her dresser drawers will be emptied and she will be laying on the floor trying to change her own diaper by the time I get her. Ella HATES dirty diapers now. This brings us to our second milestone...potty training. I have tried the whole "put them in underwear and let them go" idea a few random days. Ella peed all over the floor more than a couple times. She got so upset, cried, I cleaned her up, and she did it again. I will probably have to stay in and not go anywhere for a few days for that method to really work. I really do think she is ready, she loves her undies, hates being wet, especially poopy. I just have to find the time to get it done. Our third milestone will be getting rid of the darn paci. Yes, Ella still has it for naps, nighttime, and when she is upset and crying. I hate it, I know it has to go, I just don't know if I can handle her throwing tantrums and stealing her sister's paci's on my own. Paul is not ready to go through it either. I have a feeling I will someday just get so fed up with it that I will pitch them all and just let her throw a fit for however long it takes.

Besides Ella getting in to the "terrible two's", she is just so hilarious now. Yesterday we were at a friend's diaper party, Ella had already ate 4 chocolates, 3 cookies so we told her no more sweets! She went up to this table with cupcakes on it and took a big bite of one sitting right on the side of the table! Didn't even pick it up. Frosting was all over her face. It was so funny, but we of course had to yell at her. People around were cracking up. Her newest thing is that when she doesn't want to listen to me, she pretends like she is sleeping. For example, I tell her to pick up her toys, or that we have to leave a friend's house...whatever the case may be, she will lay down on the floor or wherever, close her eyes and ignore me. Where does she get this stuff?! It is hard to discipline such an adorable, funny little girl! Paul does better than I do with the disciplining part. :)

Ella and her friend Adelynn go to gymnastics together on Thursday evenings. Ella loves it. She loves being with her friends. She still loves dress up, especially heels and necklaces. Ella's favorite things are Dora, Elmo, and her baby dolls. She loves being outside. She LOVES her sister's and that they can somewhat "play" with her now. She gets them belly-laughing and it is seriously the cutest thing I have ever seen.

I wish I could think of other funny things Ella has done lately, but of course while I am sitting here thinking, I can't. There are just so many that I always think "Oh, I'll have to blog that" and then of course, I forget.

Other than our kids, everything else is going well too. Paul's work is good. He's been SO busy! My photography business is going great too! I've had people referring me to other's which is fantastic! I am now photographing people who I don't know at all, which is good! I went from friends, to friends of friends, and now I'm starting to do friends of friends of friends...if that makes sense. I just took some Halloween pictures of my own kids yesterday and will be sending out little Halloween cards to friends and family. Just wait until you see my little pumpkins ;)

Here are some photos of our afternoon at the park this past weekend. Ella's friend Jack is the little boy in some of the pictures. Jack and Ella were born only a week apart from each other.