gag

Apparently our daughters have incredibly strong gag reflexes. I fed audrey avocado the other day and this is how she responded:

Remember when I tried to feed poor annika ground up chicken here...

In other news: we got a deuce! Couldn't be more proud. 

big girl

People, we are biting the bullet and have decided to start potty training miss Annika. We decided it was time for 3 reasons:
1-annika can't stand to be wet or dirty for longer than 5 minutes
2-we are tired of spending over $50 a month at costco for diapers (you don't get as many big girl diapers in a pack)
3-I had some time off work and had the energy to go for it.

We've been talking about the potty for quite a while now trying to get our girl ready for the big day and Eric's mom got annika some really cute panties (sorry lynds-she hates that word). So last week annika really wanted to put her new panties on. I got really excited and thought, man this is going to be easy. Then within 30 minutes Annika had wet 3 panties and had two accidents right next to the toilet. So, we called it quits that day and started anew yesterday.

I was totally dreading our first day...mainly because it means we have to stay home ALL DAY LONG. I asked my sister for advice because thats what I do instead of reading parenting books and reading parenting blogs...in my opinion they will only make you crazy. Besides, I think my sister is doing a great job raising her kids, so I figure she is a good person to ask. Anyway, she suggested that I take annika to the bathroom every 10-15 minutes and offer her a treat (candy, stickers, whatever) if she goes in the potty.

Yesterday, day 1 of potty training, began at 8 am. Every 10-15 minutes until 1 pm we ran to the bathroom and tried to go potty. We failed and failed and failed until about 12:00. By fail I don't mean accidents, just failure to produce...and let me tell you, there wear giant alligator tears...major meltdowns people...every time we failed. Oh the drama! At this point I was hating all those people that say that potty training was just easy for them...

So with one success, I put our big girl down for her afternoon nap, diapered of course. First words out of her mouth after her nap were "wet, icky." Nice, I thought, she's getting it. My sister suggested I hydrate her a little more in the afternoon so that we would have more successes. Lo and behold our little girl went 5 times in the big girl potty. 5 times and NO accidents.

I was still dreading today, but it proved to be a much better day. 7 times before lunch people...and again NO accidents! Granted, I am still reminding her every 5 minutes.

All that said, we are committed. Hopefully this doesn't take long, but I know we are at the point of no return. I will spare you all the details from here on out and just let you know when we've got it:) I pray that it happens soon!

girls, girls, girls

A couple of weeks ago Heather and the girls stayed over at our place for the night. So much fun to have all those girls together! 

Doesn't get much better than this...

Thanks for the visit miller girls! We love you!

baby love

Audrey Leigh,  how did you get so big so fast?! 

our sweet audrey. 5 months and one week today. 

my buddy

I now have an artichoke eating buddy. Love you baby girl.

fun family visit

A few weeks ago we were blessed to spend a few days with Gramma Great (Van Essen) and Auntie Marcia (one of may dad's sisters). It was so great to spend a few days with them. Lynds and I just kept talking about how nice it would be to have gramma great and aunties closer. The kids loved all of the attention and we loved catching up. Since you left Annika has been walking around with your christmas card talking about your doggie aunt marcia. I only have a few pictures, but check out the schenk's blog for more of all the california greats. We miss you guys! Thanks for all the love (and haircuts)! We love you! grandma, working on the pictures...just email me and ask me about them if you don't get them soon;) you have to stay on me!

It's Spring (New Video)

Somehow winter passed without a new video.  Life moves fast!