1st Haircut

Before:

During:

After:

Quite the improvement, don't you think?! I think it looks so cute on her, and she did really well!! Love that little bug!

Maui

This was by far one of the most fun, and relaxing vacations I can remember. I LOVED being with Anton, and we had a ball with my parents. Everything about it was perfect. No wonder it was so hard for me to come home (I cried the night we got home). Some of my favorites:
Relaxing by the pool or at the beach * Sunday Brunch at The Four Seasons * Swimming/snorkeling and seeing whales and sharks * Nightly runs to Lapperts Ice Cream * Laughing, a lot * Road to Hana * Volcano * Shopping * Eating the most delicious meals * Sleeping in (slept almost 13 hours my first night there!) * The toads at night * Watching Anton body surf...he is right at home in the ocean * Meals at the Grand Wailea * Having it be just the four of us.
Mom & Dad, thank you for one of the most fun, relaxing and memorable trips!! We love you!

So many people asked me when I got home if I missed my girls...am I bad mom because I didn't?! It was such a nice break. And, it was SO nice and easy to leave them knowing they were loving being with Grandma and their cousins. Thanks so much Nicole & Deb!!

Hard Work

Being a mom is honestly so tiring, and such hard work. But, I couldn't love it more. My girls are so busy, and keep me moving all day long. It has been very interesting not being able to get around very easy. I have taken my good health for granted. The process of getting up to grab a toy, change a diaper, put kids in the car seat...basically every day things, has been at a lot slower (sometimes painful) pace. I am getting the girls ready to go visit grandma, and it has taken me about 3 days to get everything together! Every time I get ready to pack a bag here, I have to go pick up a mess over there (yesterday it was a whole bottle of fish food, this morning it was cupcake smeared and scattered all over the living room floor). Craziness, I tell you! Anyway, I am so glad I am on the mend...and really looking forward to a break from this crazy, tiring, life of being a mom!

The Surgery

Well, the knee surgery was successful! It was better than we hoped, and also a little worse than we hoped. The nice thing is that it is a permanent fix. I won't have to go in to have them "repaired" again in several years, like we originally thought. The hard part is the recovery has been much more painful and harder than what was originally expected. I went in after years and years of pain in my legs. Thinking the problem was from playing tennis most of my life, the doctor decided to do a scope on both knees to clean up some cartilidge problems (which he thought was most likely the problem). When they got in with the camera, they found that I had some tissue that needed to be removed. Oddly enough, the tissue had never completely severed when I was a fetus. So, I had these two big peices of tissue attached to my knee caps, with nerve endings and the whole nine yards. So, because these never severed completely, they were what was causing so much pain my whole life. So, they shaved those off...which is making the recovery so much harder. I am SO glad I did it. Knowing that I won't have the nightly leg aches, and that I can actually go for a run without wanting to cry from the pain is the best feeling. In the meantime, I am hobbling around the best I can. It is giving wonderful entertainment to Anton!

This and That

1. It was a BUSY Christmas. We had a lot going on, but it was so fun!! I was telling Anton this morning that this is the first year that I am kind of sad that the holidays are over, and we have to get back to the usual grind. That's saying something since me and the girls do so much better on a routine (which goes right out the door over the holidays).
2. Anton gave me the very best Christmas yet. I couldn't believe how thoughtful and sweet he was to me this Christmas. I absolutely adore him.
3. Lilly and Claire both got sick over the holiday. Claire started off with Croup, and after a couple days was not improving so finally I took her to the doctor and she had ear infections, her oxygen was really low and her lungs were full of junk. So, it was a big bummer. Poor baby. Since the antibiotics and steroids, she has been SO much better. That's the first set of ear infections I have ever had to endure...let's hope it's not a regular thing.
4. My parents are taking me and Anton to Hawaii really soon. I can't wait!! It will be the first time we have left Claire, but with how busy she has been lately, I am thrilled for the break! We are so excited!
5. I am having my knees operated on tomorrow. I am not going to lie, I am having a lot of anxiety about going under anesthetic. Wish me luck!
6. Anton and I weren't big nerds this year, and actually stayed up passed 12:00 on New Years!  Thanks to our friends. They came over and introduced us to the fabulous game of Ticket to Ride. That game is SO fun. In fact, we had so much fun, we made them come back the next night and play again. That makes two nights in a row staying up passed 12:00! We are such old nerds.
7. Lilly bug is finally getting passed her three year old attitude. Anton and I keep commenting on how sweet, and helpful she has been. She is truly a delightful little person to have around.
8. Claire is so funny, and such a stinker. I don't remember Lilly being as busy as Claire. She has the most quirky personality and makes me laugh and want to rip my hair out all at the same time. Love that little squirt!

Christmas Morning 2011

Look at the pure joy on Lilly's face...

Christmas morning was even better than I had hoped for! It was most definitely a very Merry Christmas!

Over the past week...

1. Snuggles with Coopey. Such a cute little guy.
2. Zoo Lights.
3. "Lilly, don't you think those tights are a little small?"..."No Mom, I think the fit just perfect!"
4. Christmas party at Nana & Pops house. She has worn her princess dress every single day, all day long.
5. Miss Claire got the perfect present....more books! She LOVES books.

So excited for Christmas this week!