We don't like when Cody goes away on business trips. Only two more week long trips that we know of this spring and we are already ready for them to be done. It's the end of February and this is the 3rd full week he's been gone. To keep us from sitting around the house eating our hearts out and cryin our eye out, we try to stay as busy as possible. 

On Moday our fun activity was coloring and making story puppets. We also colored animals to sing "Old McDonald." I started singing it in a crazy voice. Ellie looks at me with this dead serious look, says "Mommy goofy" and rolled her eyes. She went back to playing as if I wasn't even there. If she is already emberassed in the privacy of our own home then I seriously feel for this kid because she has no idea what kind of a mother she has. (Insert evil villain laugh)

Tuesday I had the opportunity to help with a relief society lesson given at a retirement/nursing home. The lesson was beautiful, about how we are all important as individuals and that we need each other. The sister from my ward teaching it brought a big bouquet of flowers and pointed out that some were very loud and demanded attention while others were smaller ones with a purpose to fill the space. But each was necessary in making the arrangement beautiful and with out all of them it would not have been nearly as beautiful. We need all sorts of flowers or people to make a community (or in that case relief society) what it is. I got to sing "As Sisters in Zion" and it was amazing to be able to serve those ladies. I don't consider myself to be a good singer, more of a hide in the back of a choir kind of gal but its still fun to be able to be involved and share what little talent I have. 

That afternoon we headed to Twin for a girls afternoon. I've been watching for sales and for the perfect Easter outfits. Remember how I said we try to keep busy? Well this was one way to really help that. We scored major on their else aster skirts with coupons and sales and had fun with toys from the dollar bins at target. 

And whoever decided to put a Chic-fil-a in the target parking lot was pure genious. Either that or they just knew that I'm a sucker/lover of both! 

Wednesday we had a play date with friends outside. The weather was beautiful and made me almost believe that winter was over. Until I checked the calendar and realized that we aren't even into March yet. Yikes! 

Then it was off to volleyball with the young women's. My only goal this night was to make it through the night without Ellie throwing up. The previous week she threw up all over herself, me, and the stage. It smelled awful and I'm pretty sure a few people left just because of the smell. Well we made it safely this time, we even got serenaded half the night by Ellie belting "Let it go" from the movie Frozen. And Kate decided that she would scream if anyone tried taking her from me, we have now entered into the super mommy/daddy attachment phase. I'm sure Cody's absence lately has had no impact on that at all... 

Today we hit up story time at the library, we love it! And the fact that the library has disney movies to rent for free. Ellie usually falls asleep on the way home from story time but today she was wide awake asking the entire drive home if she could watch her Mickey Mouse show we rented. 

You don't need to know about the rest of our Thursday because it was pretty scary. Lets just say that both kids were in my bedroom by 8:30 and leave it at that. 

Some things make me feel like an adult (most of the time I still see myself as a kid/teenager, basically someone who doesn't have responsibility...). Pausing and reminding myself that I have two daughters is one of those things. Buying a house a few months ago did it to. But this weekend we did something else that made me definitely feel like an adult. We bought a puppy! This isn't one of those "Yes mom, I'll take care of it (and under your breathe you say for the first few days). 

His name is Tony and he is a boarder collie. He is an OUTSIDE dog, something I never thought I would have. Cody made him a house to stay all warm and cozy in except he prefers to sleep in the flower bed, a habit that we will definitely be working on to kick. Ellie absolutely adores him and constantly asks to go outside to play with him. She gets excited when she knocks that he will stand up and just watch her through the window. 

And a few pictures of Kate because she is the happiest, most smiling baby ever. And she has started giggling and laughing and it's the best thing ever. Ever. 

Ellie is a special girl. One of the things that we laugh at most is her throwing up. She does it every once in a while and every time it leaves us with a story that we can later laugh at.

We've taken her to the doctor for it but as far as we know there is nothing wrong. It has nothing to do with what she eats or any activities so it is completely unexpected. At the time it is not funny at all but afterwards we laugh a great deal. 

In the house we were renting there was only tile in the bathroom and everywhere else in the house was carpeted, yes the kitchen and dining room were lovely carpet. We had put Ellie to bed one night but she stood at the edge of her crib crying. Cody went to check on her and from my spot on the couch I just saw him jump back. She had just barely missed him but managed to get it all over the carpet. 

Another time she was sitting on the counter after dinner. She started to throw up on herself so Cody decided to move her over the sink. Well in this particular older house the cupboards didn't close all the way and she managed to make every single one of them her target!

A week and a half ago again she didn't want to go to sleep and was crying in our room. We were trying to calm her down and Cody picked her up to have her lie on his chest. As soon as his back hit the bed, she let it out. It somehow barely missed his face but landed all over his shoulder and the bed. That was one reason he decided to shave his beard. 

And that brings us to tonight. If you are still reading this, I am impressed. Its probably not very funny to others but just recalling Cody's face of shock and horror as she makes the beginning sounds is priceless! 

After dinner I took Kate into the living room to feed her while Cody and Ellenor were still in the kitchen. She started crying and Cody kept trying to get her to tell him what was wrong. There was a short pause before I heard it. The gurgling that rumbles through the throat before the big explosion. It sounded like he had dumped a gallon of water on the floor. And then he started calling for help. It was bad. And all over the kitchen floor. 

I am so grateful for Cody. I cannot handle the smell! Give me a dirty diaper and I can manage but he cannot. Its a good trade off. He had to use a dust pan to clean it up while I happily gave her a bath.