St Louis (twice in a week)

In April alone I made 2 trips to St. Louis! Actually it was within 1 week that I made the 300 mile trek to my "home" state. I was born in Missouri, and most of my family remains there so I still sorta consider it my "home" state. I first set out BY MYSELF with both girls. We were headed up primarily for a photo shoot with my cousin who was driving in from Chicago and wanted to take some pics of of the girls. We met up at the Botanic Gardens and got some good shots. Im still waiting to see the final product, and when I get a peak I will certainly share them with you.

In addition to the photo shoot we spent time with one of my good friends from college. We played soccer together and have kept in touch ever since. She has 3 little ones (5 year old girl, 3 year old boy, and 1 year old girl). Her baby is just 5 days younger than Ainslee. She offered us her house, and was even kind enough to give us 2 rooms! We had a BLAST! It was so awesome getting to hang out with her again and basically having a play date everyday. My girls slept so good while we were there simply because they got so worn out during the day everyday. We were able to work together to get things done. It was like double the hands for everything: chores, cooking, caring for the kiddos, it made the everyday grind so much easier all around. It was so fun, and we will definitely be doing that again.

I cant lie, I was really dreading the drive, I have made that drive about 150 times in my life, but I had never made it with 2 children by myself. i was worried about stopping, eating at a restaurant, them being entertained in the car, them sleeping in the car, and just about everything. But the trip when surprising well, we stopped once on the way up and once on the way back. We ate at Lambert's on the way up (im not sure why I picked there considering I could hardly eat anything on the menu (including their famous throwed rolls).

Here she is holding up 1 finger for her 1st time at Lambert's

I made another stupid decision on the way home stopping at Ruby Tuesday. Why in the world did I think stopping at a buffet was the best option when travelling alone with children? I had to tote BOTH of them with me each time we went up to the salad bar. It was crazy, but fun, and the girls did great with it all.

Here are 4 of the 5 kids that were in the house, I think Ainslee was down for a nap when we took this

My girls both love to swing

Suzannah is 5 days younger than Ainlsee, what a cutie

Ella and AW on TOP of the house. Ella is striking a pose, AW thinks he is the king of the mountain


Ainslee and Suzannah cruising the streets.
side note: this photo was taken about 4 seconds before Ainslee redecorated their car in throw up. Im not sure what happened but something obviously didnt agree with her, and she puked EVERYWHERE!

We were in St Louis from Monday to Friday, and Friday morning when we were packing up to head home I received the news that my uncle had passed away. I knew we needed to head home, and the funeral arrangements were yet to be determined due to his quick passing. So we drove home, narrowly missing the crazy storms that were heading our way (you know the ones that hit Nashville and other areas so hard that it was declared a national disaster area?). Then once funeral arrangements were made I decided to head back up to St Louis on Sunday afternoon. My mom, dad, 2 brothers, sister, and my myself loaded up in 2 cars after my little bro's baccalaureate and drove up there again. We stopped to eat, and at the hotel to change clothes before going to the wake. It was really weird to see so much of the family together again. It has been YEARS since we have had some much family in one place at one time. I remember Christmas' and weddings from the past where we would all be together, but this time it was different. We are all grown up now with children of our own. And it was strange seeing the faces of the people I havent seen in so long. The next day was a short service just for family at the funeral home, then the procession to the church for mass, then the procession to the grave site. I was amazed at how many people showed up, my uncle had touched a lot of peoples lives, some 700+ people showed up to the viewing. After the burial, we went to my cousins house for the reception, and then headed home. This trip, although it was shorter, was MUCH more difficult than the one with 2 kids by myself: physically, mentally, and emotionally. Lets just say i would rather drive across the country by myself with both kids before I take another trip with my immediate family again. (too much drama to even mention it all here)

During both St. Louis trips I was able to pay visits to my only living grandmother. She is 93 years old and still kicking. Man how I love and admire that lady! Here is a shot of all of us with her. (dont ask me what the heck is up with my hair)


While in St Louis i realized just how important it is to me to move closer to a city where things are close by, and a neighborhood where my children can build friendships. While staying at my friends house we were just a few minutes from everything. We were able to load the kids in the car go for an hour or so and be home in time for naps or lunch or whatever. Fun things were nearby and it wasnt like we had to plan to be away from the house for the entire day. And she lives in an awesome neighborhood. There are so many children for her kids to play with. For example when we were leaving there were 12 kids at her house, all from the cove she lives in. It was SO fun! And the moms were awesome. One night they all came over and we sat outside sipping wine, eating hummus, and talking about whatever. It was therapeutic and great and something I wish I had in my own life at home!


So Lindley if you are reading this THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. You opened your home and your heart to us and we are truely grateful. My girls love you and had a wonderful time. Please let me know when we can come back.

So much to say...

...that is one reason why I have written in so long. I feel like I never have the time to write and when I finally do have time I either have too much to say (and I hate to start something I know I cant finish right then) so I don't even start my post, or I get time to write and I COMPLETELY forget what I wanted to write about. So I decided to just write about what is on my mind today with no real direction to this post and we will see where it ends up. Hopefully I will get back on blog track and post more regularly again, but the demands and pressures of summer are quickly approaching so I'm not making any promises.

here is a little run down on Ainslee - she is getting more teeth (7.25 to be exact, still waiting for the 8th to completely break through, HA!), sometimes I wish her top front 2 teeth wouldnt come in because I like her fang look. She loves to blow kisses, is still a mommas girl, does all her poopies in the potty and most of her pee pees too, her hair is curling up more and more even when it is not wet, spends the night out with ease, laughs ALL the time! She is already a jokester, wants to be like her big sister, still eats everything in sight (unless she is cutting a tooth then she starves herself for a couple days), does NOT like milk, loves ice cream (you think if I let it melt then I can consider that her milk intake for the day? or maybe i should just freeze her milk?). When you say "time for bed, she goes RUNNING for her room," sometimes I wonder why she is so eager to go to bed. She sleeps from 6PM SHARP to somewhere between 730 and 9, loves riding the plasma car, not a huge fan of water (she likes it just doesn't LOVE it.........yet), taking a swim class with mommy, MT and Ms Katie next week. Loves her Amma and Abba very much, has picked up more words and even more signs, knows 3 animal sounds and a couple body parts, knows the sound of the spoon scraping the bowl and begins to sign "all done" and clapping before her last bite has been delivered to her mouth. She has begun exploring other uses for her teeth besides eating (biting Kaylee seems to be the most fun thing to do with her teeth at the moment), still grunts when something doesn't go her way or to basically tell me Kaylee is pissing her off, she is patient and sweet, LOVES to put away her toys (she does so without me asking most of the time), she can follow directions, she listens to everything and knows exactly what I am saying, and my most favorite thing of all is seeing her eyes light up with pure joy/ delight/ excitement/ love whenever Marcus, Kaylee, or myself walk into the room. She wants hugs and kisses from Kaylee and me ALL the time and is not stingy with them at all. I enjoy every minute of her!

I guess since I did a run down on Ainslee I better tell you a little something about Kaylee - she is growing by leaps and bounds both physically and mentally. She amazes us every day with the things that she says and does. She is a fabulous big sister (most of the time), loves play dough, LOVES watching Curious George, loves riding her Power Wheels (and running into things, she is going to really love it when she can drive bumper cars). She is still having some nighttime issues but not AS bad, has developed a dislike of spending the night out (boo hoo), has pushed her bedtime back to around 7 or 730, can't sit still or quiet to save her life, doesn't get mad or freak out when told NO (this is one of my favorite traits about her and I am especially thankful when I see the kind of fits other children throw when they are told NO). She loves loves LOVES the water and can't wait until the day she can spend hours each and every day in a pool (I told Marcus I wouldn't be surprised if she moves to the beach at first chance), buckles herself into her car seat, thankfully she has NOT mastered the UNbuckling part yet, got her teeth cleaned at the dentist for the first time and did amazing, is a people watcher like her daddy, like her sister she already has a tan despite the layers of sunscreen I have applied (white girl momma is slightly envious of this), would eat 20 pieces of fruit a day of I let her, finally developed a liking for sleeping with me (this is more of an accomplishment on my part than hers, we had tons of practice while on our road trip, more on that later), has had tiny samples of gluten over the last couple of months (still primarily GF), sucks her thumb WAY more than I would like, can make anyone laugh at anytime, would make a very good hostage negotiator, has almost given up naps some days are such a struggle to get her to rest for at least an hour and other days she surprises me with these 2 hour naps which make her mood so much more desirable in the evening, she can recite some of her books so precisely it is as if she is actually reading them, and what I love most about my little girl is that she is one of the most fun people to be around and there is definitely never a dull moment when you are in her presence, I love my little girl for all she is!

Since I updated you on the girls I guess it would only be fair if I told you a little about Marcus too. He is still working at FedEx which takes up the majority of his time! When he is not at work or on his blackberry he is spending time with us or trying to keep up with the yard work. He has more ideas/ visions of the yard and flower beds than he can keep up with. He has taken some much needed days off over the past couple of weeks and it has been really nice having him around the house more and I think he liked getting to do/ see some of the things he usually doesnt get to. He is really bummed (as am I) that the U2 concert we were planning on going to this summer has been postponed, so that trip has be cancelled altogether. He is very proud of the gas mileage he has been able to get driving the Jetta to and from work, at 52 MPG that aint too shabby. He can fall asleep within 5 seconds of his head hitting the pillow, a trait that I am MOST envious of, and am trying to learn myself. He is still trying to convince me to stay in this house, and I am trying to convince him that staying in this house is NOT an option........maybe it will sink in to that thick skull of his one day that we need to move! Overall he is such a wonderful husband and awesome daddy!

Here I am

Here are a few pics from April (well the beginning of April). I am still trying to dig myself out of the near 2 month hole I have dug for myself on this here blog of mine. I cant believe it has been so long. But feast your eyes, cause the Martinez girls are growing up and are nothing short of cuteness!...

The look on Kaylee's face in this picture CRACKS me up!

My friend Bethany took these pictures, I wish I had her talent!

Bethany's daughter is so used to the camera in front of her face that she has mastered the art of posing, she follows directions when Bethany says "turn this way, lean that way, do this, do that." What ever the command Bella listens and obeys. Sometimes Bella has her own idea of "poses" and Bethany just rolls with it and snaps beautiful pictures. So we found this bench and wanted to get some shots of the girls, Bella sits down puts her arm on the side and poses ever so delicately. Bethany get some wonderful shots and then tells Kaylee to hop up. And this is how MY child "poses!" UGH! But she sure did make us laugh!

Gotta love the fish lips

She crossed her legs on her own in this one, maybe just a few more "posing" lessons from Bella and she will be a much better model for Miss Bethany.

Kaylee is whispering their plan of attack, and Ainslee is soaking it ALL in!

I've taken up a new hobby.......hope it doesnt kill me!

I need more practice

Marcus and his protege, he cant wait until she is old enough to do this by herself

Had to throw in a video of Ainslee too

Videos

Im sure you all get REAL sick of seeing all these videos of my kiddos.......but I dont! So here are a few more

Yesterday when we were playing outside, Kaylee asked for her drink (that we had made but left inside). The back door was locked, because we went out through the garage door, so I had to walk around and open it. I waited until Ainslee had gone down the slide, ever so gracefully as she ALWAYS does (insert laughter here), then I made my break for the drinks. It took me all of about 15 seconds to make my way around to the kitchen, I looked out the window to check on her and in 15 seconds she made her way from the bottom of the slide to the stairs, UP the stairs, and was playing on the steering wheel. I almost died! Up until this point she has not even been able to figure out how to get her fat little feet on the 1st step, let alone up them by herself! I couldnt believe she had done it by herself so I had to check for myself, I watched as she climbed it again, then I went in to get the camera.

Here is a shot of one of her "graceful" slides

One day last week while we were at my mom's house, waiting for the fish fry to start I decided to take the girls for a walk. We ended up walking to a local park (oh the joys of living in CIVILIZATION!!! I can not wait until we can be close to everything!) But I didnt tell Kaylee we were walking to the park we just kept walking and walking. Every 5 steps she would ask me "where are we going?" I would say "somewhere special" or "it's a surprise!" and she would ask "are we going to a restaurant?" or "are we going to get something to eat?" I swear all that kid thinks about is food!

I took this video of the girls playing on the playground......note another one of Ainslee's "graceful" slides

I started letting Ainslee feed herself with a bowl and a spoon. I have been giving her food in a bowl or on a plate before, but this was the first time I gave her a spoon. She thought the food would magically jump onto her spoon when she put it in the bowl. I had to help her scoop it on, but then she had NO trouble getting it into her mouth!

I have been telling myself for days, ok maybe weeks, now to get the Easter stuff out of the attic and I finally did the other day. Better late than never I guess. In the Easter box, which is actually the "spring" box, was the Valentines and St Paddy's stuff that I obviously never put out! Oops!

I dug the spring box out from the tiny crawl space/attic, it was the LAST box in line. I decided that I should let Kaylee "practice" finding eggs. I mean her Easter egg hunt at school was THE NEXT DAY! Once again, better late than never. I kicked her out of the play room and hid all eggs that were in the box. When I was finished I invited her back in to find them. She went for the talking egg first, obviously it was the easiest to find cause it wouldn't shut up. "I'm hiding" "come find me!" "i'm over here!" it would repeat over and over. Even after she put it in her basket it kept talking. Finally she looked at it and said "you're not hiding, I found you all-re-ready". That little egg was a gift from a friend of mine last Easter, Kaylee was a bit too young for it then, but this year it is already a hit. She slowly but surely found the next couple of eggs, then got distracted and frustrated so she wanted me to TELL her where to find the rest. I helped her by giving her directions and telling her which way to look and turn, we really need to work on some independence here.

After she found all the eggs she immediately wanted to play again, I thought to myself "you barely played that round, now you want to have another go at it?" Lunchtime was approaching so I told her we would bring the baskets and eggs downstairs and we could play while I got lunch ready. She was going to hide the eggs for me first. When she was ready she instructed me to find them. And after very little looking, I found them all piled in one place slightly out of sight. "man, that was easy!" We are going to be doing a few more trial runs, oh and maybe even some outside since the weather is so nice!

Kaylee and I were eating lunch, nachos with chicken, black beans, and cheese. I love me some pepper jack on my nachos, and Kaylee used to like it too. But lately she has not been too keen on spicy cheese, but she sure does like when Marcus gives her his Tabasco sauce. Explain that one to me? She got a nacho with too much spicy cheese and went for the water. In between the drinks and chews she said "I don't like picy cheese anymore". I said "yes you do, you are Mexican you like spicy food". She asked "I AM Mexican?" I said "Yes, you are Mexican!" Then she asked, very inquisitively, "Are you Mexican? Is Ainslee Mexican? Is Tahoe Mexican?" It was so cute!

She told me the other day when she was sitting on the potty, "Mommy I am getting bigger!" I nearly cried.

She has spent the last 2 nights away from home. First with my mom on Monday night, and then Tuesday when we went to pick Ainslee up from Ceire, she basically told Ceire that she was going to spend the night......so she did! It was an awesome little break from the bedtime/ middle of the night CRAP that we have been going through.

Wordless Wednesday (sort of)

We had a nice day outside the other day, the weather was just too awesome to stay in. After 3 hours we were ALL ready for bed (except Kaylee, ha!)

As if the dog hair isnt enough......

and this is one of her favorite ways to go down the slide, it doesnt surprise me considering it is her favorite way to get around......on her left knee

Kaylee is dreaming about the where that jeep will take her one day. Ok maybe not THAT jeep, but i'm sure if she bats those big blue eyes, when she is 18, at her daddy he will buy her any car she wants.

These girls are going to be best friends


Her smiles are getting better, still not normal, but better

Ainslee: "Kaylee, wait for me!"

Ainslee: "I promise one day I will be able to keep up with you, and then you will be sorry you were ever mean to me!"

Kaylee: "come on Ainslee I will help you"

Ainslee: "thanks! I knew I loved you!"

My Big Backyard Pictures

This little play house was so cute, I wanted to take it home with us. It had a little loft the kids could climb up in and then they could step on a chair to see out of this tiny window.

playing dress-up


Then she wanted a picture with her model

Taking a rest on the giant wormy

check out her ginormous eye

chrysalis swing

getting some practice hanging clothes out to dry

daddy and Kaylee chillin' in some Adirondack chairs, sippin' on some lemonade

Some videos

Ainslee is like a lab puppy with a tennis ball when it comes to match box cars. I know that sounds sort of weird, but you have to see this video



It is so fun to play on daddy's beer. Oh and you gotta love the sound she makes when something pisses her off.

Girls playing in the bath, watch at the very end where Kaylee tries to get Ainslee to put the "mask", I wish I would have kept the video rolling for about 5 more seconds.

And here is Kaylee limping because she got 2 booboos on her knees at her friend MT's house. She was so pitiful for DAYS afterwards, I swear she has major injuries that dont phase her then little scrapes on her knees are like the end of the world.


Ainslee's primary means of transportation. Gotta love the 1/2 walk + 1/2 crawl version. We like to call it the left knee scoot. She is wearing out the left knee in all of her pants.



You think I talk on the phone too much? When the phone rings Ainslee screams and points to it for me to answer it, maybe I should start letting her answer it......she seems to be mastering the techinque.