Our Royal Domain

An Update on Life

2009-01-28T07:09:00.000-08:00

These are a quick picture parade of what we've been doing the past few months...We've gone to the Renaissance Faire in Bristol...Lizzie finally got brave enought to get her face painted, but she screamed while the lady painted a butterfly on her cheek.

We had a lot of fun going apple picking in October at Royal Oak Farm Orchard. Lizzie and Nikki had a great time picking apples since the trees are short enough that they can both get at the apples. Lizzie followed the "twist and pull" rule very well. We also got our pumpkins as well there. We even bought apple cider donuts, apple cider sippers, and apple pie.

Lizzie celebrated her 3rd birthday with a request for a snowman cake. Auntie Pam and Daddy made it while I worked bingo. It turned out really cute until Lizzie put her fingers in it and squashed part of it, so some emergency repairs were made. Her birthday balloons spent most of their time attached to her staticy hair.

Christmas was busy as usual....lots of baking cookies and cheesecakes. Lizzie and Nikki both got Advent calendars that Pam and I made for them. They are filled with ornaments for a teeny tree.

Nikki's second quarter report card was straight A's...and she got first honors. We got it late due to the one day we had off because of super cold weather.

Feeding the Ducks in Long Grove

2008-07-31T14:19:00.000-07:00

This is how you feed the ducks.... Not this way.....running after them screaming "DUCKIES!!! DUCKIES!!! FOOD!"
Sharing a quiet moment at the duck pond.

We went to Long Grove last week and Nikki wanted to feed the ducks. She complained that we forgot the bread, but the restraunt that the duck pond is near put in a coin-operated feed dispenser, so they were all happy to put quarters in the machine and get duck food. Nikki just threw the food around and Lizzie wanted to chase them around screaming at them. We also stopped and got some yummy treats at the Confectionery. Then we walked around some more and then went back to the duck pond to feed the ducks some more.....they had a good time.

A Day at the Beach

2008-07-31T14:13:00.000-07:00

Mmmmm.....this is good ice cream. Lizzie enjoys her Dora ice cream bar at the beach. Ice cream break!
Nikki swimming in the lake
It was a nice day at the start of June, so we went to the beach. Lizzie didn't want too much with the water, but Nikki dove right in and enjoyed herself. WE played in the sand, building castles and knocking them over. We even stopped at the ice cream truck for a few yummy treats. Lizzie got most of her ice cream all over her. After a couple hours we went home slightly-and in Nikki's case really--sunburned and tired. It was a fun afternoon.

Silly Picaso

2008-07-31T14:10:00.000-07:00

Lizzie and Nikki were playing in the little splash pool in May and Picaso decided to join in on the fun....it took a while for him to get his feet wet, but after a few tentative splashes, he jumped in with gusto and was wet all over. He really enjoyed drying off in the sun.

First soccer game of the spring season

2008-04-19T21:12:00.000-07:00

Nikki's soccer season was supposed to start with a game on the 12th, but that was cancelled because of the weather. So for her first game of the season her team won today 7-2! Nikki scored a goal and was all happy about it. Lizzie wasn't so thrilled and kept on asking to go home. She did play soccer with her Dora soccer ball on the sidelines for a while, but that got old and she wasn't a happy camper.

Random Musings

2008-04-19T20:53:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy few days. We've been outside more and Nikki has been bugging to ride her bike, so we filled up her tires and off she went. Lizzie had to join in on the fun too and was asking for "Lizzie bike! Lizzie bike!" She is learning to ride--more of me pushing her on the bike and her trying to pedal...she can pedal....kinda. Maybe 1 or 2 pushes and she's done.

Lizzie has become a total ham...when she has a microphone to play with she walks around to everyone holding it up to them and we have to say our names and then she follows us and says "I'm Lizzie!" Too funny.

The robins have again built a nest in our pine tree and every morning Lizzie has to go say "hi mama bird" and follow that up with "mama bird sit eggs" in a whisper since I told her if we were too loud we would scare the momma bird away.

We did have an earthquake here in IL yesterday morning....4:36 am thereabouts...at least that's what the clock said when the closet doors were rattling. So we felt it here at our house.

An early spring adventure to the zoo

2008-04-06T20:04:00.000-07:00

Since the weather was so nice, we went to the zoo on a Saturday. It was packed, but that didn't deter us from having an adventure! We rode the carousel (Elizabeth didn't want to ride an animal...she only wanted to sit in the chairs) and even had lunch there. All the animals seemed to be enjoying the return of spring. We paid a special visit to the baby camels. Elizabeth was excited about the babies--she kept on pointing at them going "baby camel!" We had a fun day!

Don't I look so cute sitting pretty? Miss Nicole actually having a not-silly look on her face.
Here's the baby camel.....he was born at the end of February.
Elizabeth painting her face.

Happy Easter!

2008-03-27T12:30:00.000-07:00

This is what we do for Easter when there's a foot of snow! We make snow bunnies! Happy (snowy) Easter.

Aww......doesn't HRH look downright gorgeous? She's waiting for the Easter bunny to fill her basket!

Caught by the papparazzi

2008-03-13T19:09:00.000-07:00

NEWS FLASH....The elusive Elizabeth T. was spotted sitting on the arm of the parlor sofa sporting her new Ariel sunglasses. She was cooperative for 30 seconds of picture taking and then was whisked off to a private undisclosed location for a much-needed diaper change.....sources indicate that the diaper was in fact a poopy diaper. Elizabeth denies the alleged poopy diaper. (her sweatshirt says "Am I cute or what?")

A trip to the zoo on a chilly day

2007-11-17T11:40:00.000-08:00

Nikki had a day off of school, so she decided that we would go to the zoo...we haven't been there in a while, so we packed up a lunch and off we went!

We rode on the carousel (as usual--it is open only if the weather is nice now) and wandered down to see the animals. We saw all the lions and tigers and then had lunch. On our way to the play zoo, we stopped to see Hudson...see him over there? Sleeping so peacefully. I really like this picture of him.

There is a cool picture of the giraffe too, but I can't get it to upload....another time then. He was standing right at the edge of his pen eating the bushes on the other side of the fence. That was so cool to see him up close, of course 2 seconds after I whip out the camera to take the picture, he walks away. SIGH.

We had a great time, even though the weather was a bit chilly and we were all wearing our coats. Pretty soon we'll be wearing our heavy winter coats to the zoo and wishing for warm weather!

Trick or Treat!

2007-10-30T16:01:00.000-07:00

Nikki and Lizzie went out to see how much candy they could get. We went around all our neighborhood and got a fair amount. Lizzie wasn't too happy about it. She decided to skip her nap, so she was attached to me most of the way. She liked the idea of going to the door, she just didn't want to go with sissy alone.
Nikki was a witch this year and Lizzie was a butterfly.

The Royal 8th Birthday!

2007-09-18T11:49:00.000-07:00

HAPPY 8TH BIRTHDAY PRINCESS NIKKI!!!!!

The 10th was Her Majesty's 8th birthday. She got most of her presents early, but we are going to hopefully have a few of her cousins over in the next few weeks, so she could still get more.

On the other side, she visited the Royal Physician for her checkup. She is now 4' 7 3/4" tall and weighs 113#. She's off the charts for both. So of course I got the usual speech about not letting her eat junk, portion control, etc that I get every year. Oh well. She's just taking after her daddy.

Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes!

2007-09-09T19:42:00.000-07:00

OK, so I don't know that whole head, shoulders, knees, and toes game but I do know where a few parts of my body are! I can show you my: eyes, ears, nose, mouth (which I usually have my suckie in), feet, toes, and my personal favorite my BELLY BUTTON!

Did you all know that there's that belly button down there? Wow every time I lift up my shirt or dress it's there. I really like to show it off to people (total strangers usually)...it makes Mommy cringe some, but I don't get it...are we supposed to show it off or not? It's fun to show off my belly button to people...they think it's funny and smile and laugh at me.

A trip to the zoo with the whole family!

2007-09-09T19:25:00.000-07:00

We went to Brookfield Zoo with the whole family (and Auntie Pam too)! Sissy got to have a friend along. They had to bring Frogger with them (Frogger is their class social studies project....they have to bring Frogger to special places and then take pictures of themselves and write a paragraph about what they did with Frogger to turn in along with the pictures) We had a blast. The girls all rode the carousel. This time Daddy went on with Lizzie instead of Mommy. No big deal there. We also went to Stingray Bay to pet some stingrays (they're slimy!). Daddy really wanted to see Stingray Bay. We had lunch at a picnic table and ate PB&J sandwiches along with some chips for lunch. Lizzie's lunch was some chips, a piece of chocolate cookie, and a couple biter cookies. HEalthy selections there....but it was all I could get her to eat. Everyone also got their faces painted at the Hammill play zoo and Lizzie enjoyed seeing the tank of goldfish. The girls also played vets at the animal hospital. Overall we had lots of fun.

Don't worry sick aminals! Dr. Lizzie is on call! Hmm...what's wrong with this one?

Here's me and Daddy on the carousel...I rode the panda!

These are cownose stingrays. They are slimy and live in saltwater.

This is Sissy (R) and her friend Brianna (L) with Frogger at the frog statue right outside the zoo's gate

Some of my new words

2007-09-09T19:23:00.001-07:00

I've learned a few new words! here they are in no particular order

boon (balloon)
ane (airplane)
eaf (leaf)
bird (i finally added the "d" sound to my previous "bir")
suckie (ok so I'm a paci addict)
piggy

First soccer game of the 2007-2008 season

2007-09-09T19:18:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Nikki's first soccer game of the new season. It was a great game and Nikki scored a goal from almost mid-field. She's got quite the kick (that was mentioned by several people sitting near us at the game...along with how tall she is). The main excitement was one of her team-mates getting sick on the sidelines and the ref stopping the game for around 15 minutes to tend to her. We saved the day by giving our coach some of Lizzie's wipe to clean her up.

Sadly Nikki's team lost 5-3. Oh well, there's always next time! GO WILD CHEETAHS! (that's their new team name this year. Nikki's suggestion was the Lions)

Random Ramblings

2007-09-09T19:08:00.000-07:00

Well this has been a busy few weeks! I've learned to make music on Sissy's recorder.....that annoys Picaso (see him hiding under the table?) and Doby and then they join in singing too! Silly goggies.

Sidewalk chalk makes EXCELLENT makeup! I got bored of using the chalk the right way and decided to do a little makeover for myself....and you can't see, but my entire body is COVERED in chalk...I had lots of fun rolling in the chalk drawings that Sissy was making on the driveway. That was the first time I've had a bath before dinner!

Giving Mommy a few gray hairs here. See I can sit pretty on the ottoman. OK I confess--30 seconds later I was trying to stand up on that same ottoman. But see I'm cute and innocent! I have a very shiny halo!

OK thanks all for reading this....bye-bye now. Sending plenty of Lizzie kisses your way.

One more big-girl step!

2007-08-17T15:32:00.000-07:00

Well fellow Snugglers, I've made the switch to that place that mommy calls the "big-girl bed." Let me tell you...not so fun. Last night I ended up falling out of bed twice and once ended up UNDER my bed--that made calling Mommy necessary to extract me from under there. (that was 5 am)

It was a lot of fun watching Mommy and Sissy try to take my crib apart so that they could make my big-girl bed. It's now got butterfly sheets on it...very cool to go along with my butterflies that are already on my wall.

So far I haven't given too much of a complaint over switching. I just need to learn how to stay IN my bed!

Petting Zoo Fun

2007-07-31T19:43:00.000-07:00

OHH...if I kiss this piggy, will he turn into a prince?
WHEE!!! I figured out how to work the bouncy thing at the zoo park.
MOMMY!!! GET THIS BIR OFF ME! I don't like bir's sitting on my head....I just like to look at them!

For the fourth of July we went to visit Pam in WI. It was a lot of fun and we went to her local petting zoo....Elizabeth and Nikki got to pet lots of baby animals including a lynx, bobcat, skunk, and a timber wolf.

We also shot off a lot of fireworks that we bought.

18 months old

2007-06-29T12:03:00.001-07:00

Wow...I'm 18 months old already. Where has the time gone? It seems like yesterday that I was so nice and cozy in Mommy's tummy. Mommy took me to that evil doctor person (again). I don't like that place too much, but mommy says I have to go. I got poked and prodded and I didn't like it one bit! I screamed at the doctor and didn't want any part of getting weighed...you NEVER ask a girl her weight!

I got shots too.....3, count 'em..3! I hate shots too. I did like the walk to the doctor's office, that was nice and enjoyed pulling my pigtails out of my hair to see how many times I could make mommy put them back in.

Since mommy says all her friends want to know.....I weigh 27# 9oz and am 33 1/4 inches tall. I haven't gotten any new teeth in quite a while, but I'll start a week teething nightmare for mommy and then be done.

Mommy also tried to take me for pictures. I had other plans....scream my head off at the photographer and make mommy look bad. (heheheheh) So mommy told the lady to delete the pictures that she took of sissy and hopefully we'll try again later.

Crimes of Lizzie Cuteness

2007-06-29T11:58:00.000-07:00

Here I am, sitting in the dog crate. Sent to jail for crimes of baby cuteness and I'm no where near old enough to go to jail. HELP!!!!!
OK Picaso, you can come in now, this is your kennel after all.
Just like daddy....got my remote, a drink and Wuffy! All set to lounge and watch some Blue's Clues!

Random Lizzie pics

2007-06-16T19:42:00.000-07:00

OK.....not my most flattering picture, but here's me in full-blown tantrum mode! Mommy wouldn't let me play with her camera...or sit on Picaso's head....or eat the earring back I found on the floor.....OK so I was a grumpy Princess today!
Don't I look proud of myself? I figured out how to use a slide today!
WHEEE!! Slides are fun!

Undefeated!

2007-06-09T13:26:00.000-07:00

Nikki's soccer team finished the second half of the season undefeated with one game cancelled due to weather (too cold for the game's start time of 8 am). She got a trophy engraved with her name on it and some treats from her coach (along with a picture of her team with him since her team pic that the photographer took didn't have him in it since he wasn't there for that game).

It was a fun game today and Elizabeth is slightly sunburned (poor girl). Nikki is looking forward to next season!
GO THUNDERBOLTS! (so it's the last time we'll say that--next year will be a different team name)

A rare sight!

2007-05-27T19:54:00.000-07:00

Today we were treated to this rare sight...a fledgling American Robin (T. migratorius) getting ready to make his or her grand entrance into the world from the safety of his mother's nest in our pine tree.

I'm not ready to fly yet...but I'll sit here quietly.

This is the third year that we have had a nesting pair of robins in our front yard pine tree...way cool for Nikki to watch the female construct her nest (we've never caught her in action, but we look at the results) and watch her incubate her eggs. This year they had 4 hatchlings that fledged.

Watching these nesting birds has given us great practice in watching birds. QUIET is the main word in approaching their nest....Mom and Dad give plenty of warnings when they think that their babies are being threatened (they think they look menacing...but it's really hard to do when you're 8 in tall).

In a few weeks, mom will be back to lay her second clutch of eggs this season....hopefully another successful one for her.

for more info on robins visit: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/American_Robin.html

Mommy and me

2007-05-25T19:01:00.000-07:00

It's mommy and me! Ignore Picaso's tail and my Sissy....the most important thing is my Mommy! Mommy says my shirt says "DRAMA QUEEN" who me? NEVER!!! Oh maybe she's talking about those temper tantrums that I throw when I don't get my way...or when I try to climb on top of the coffee table or try to go downstairs by myself....don't know.

Happiness is a shared bowl of Fishies!

2007-05-25T18:59:00.001-07:00

Nikki had a bowl of Goldfish crackers as a snack....of course Elizabeth wanted some too. So Nikki was very nice and shared some of her fishies with her sister.

Happy Easter!

2007-04-15T05:12:00.000-07:00

Like the dress? Too frilly for me, but thanks sissy for picking it out for me. I like purple!

After getting out of that frilly dress, sissy set up an easter egg hunt for me.

Easter was great. Pam came down to visit and we had turkey this year instead of lamb (due to Chris having a gallbladder attack that landed him in the ER at 4 am tuesday morning). Nikki an d Elizabeth were both good in church and sat quietly most of the time. The lamb cake came out again this year and I was frosting it as usual at 11pm the night before.

Nikki and Elizabeth both got nice easter baskets. Nikki got a starbucks cup, the new Barbie movie, and a stuffed animal along with a few chocolates. Elizabeth got a stuffed animal and a baby Einstein movie (no chocolates for her). Nikki zipped through her easter egg hunt quickly and was in to count her loot.

After we got Elizabeth out of her frilly dress Nikki set up an easter egg hunt for her. Elizabeth really didn't want to put the eggs in the basket...she walked around and grabbed the eggs and wouldn't let them go. She was trying to figure out how to walk holding on to all those eggs (she had 2 and was trying to pick up #3).

That's the other thing...Elizabeth can walk now all by herself! She started Easter Sunday..what a great Easter treat for us. She walks around now with one hand behind her back(?) or waving her hands around while walking as if to say "look ma no hands!"

Meet the new family member!

2007-04-15T05:09:00.000-07:00

Meet Picaso. He's our newest family member. He is a weimaraner/lab mix (born 2-15-2007)that we got from a farm while visiting Pam in Wisconsin. So far he is a good boy and is learning the rules of the house here....the most important is be nice to Doby-dog.

My 15 month checkup

2007-03-21T18:26:00.000-07:00

Hi all! Mommy took me to the doctor today. It was very rainy so I had to wear my jacket even though it was a nice day (around 50 when we went and I wore a sweatshirt). We got there on time and I enjoyed helping hold the umbrella (that's a thing that keeps you dry in the rain). When we got to the office I played with the office toys while mommy signed me in.

That nurse lady called me and I hung onto mommy - I didn't want to go in! I reluctantly walked all the way to the door and refused to go any farther. Mommy picked me up and carried me into the room (my favorite room--room #2!) I was left to entertain myself while mommy and the nurse talked about me. I got weighed and measured after mommy took all my clothes off (how embarrassing to be paraded around the office in just your diaper!).

Then the doctor guy came in. He looked at me too. Counted my fingers (why did he have to do that? they are all there) and looked in my ears. The ear infection that I was in to the doctor for last Wednesday is healing! My pretty blue eyes are nice and clear (did I mention that I also had an eye infection too?) I really didn't want that doctor guy looking in my mouth (I have 12 teeth now 8 middle ones and 4 molars--those hurt coming in in case you didn't know!). I showed him Wuffy--my other main man in my life (besides Daddy).

After much poking and prodding that I didn't scream through this time he said I was a healthy little girl! He says that I'll probably be a risk-taker (like many second borns) after mommy told him that I needed DNA testing to see if I was part monkey (I can climb stairs and am attempting climbing on the coffee table).

I then got 2 shots! NOT FUN!!! DON'T GET SHOTS!!! Fellow Snugglers (if you or your mommies read my blog) sign a petition to ban shots!

Well here's some lists:

Likes: my Amazing Animals train (mommy has bought more of them for me), Wuffy, mommy's crochet hooks and yarn, Sissy, Daddy, blocks, peas, cheese, waffles, pasta, strawberry milk, bananas and apples

Dislikes: green beans, not getting the cable remote, long car rides, diaper changes, getting dressed

And my numbers (mommy calls them stats): I am 26# 2oz and 31 inches tall. My head has grown to 47 cm (to make room for more climbing and walking baby brain cells no doubt)

And lastly but most importantly (since it's WAY past my bedtime) to my fellow Snugglers--to get a hold of me just grab mommy's cell phone, hit some numbers, and hit the green button! (I've already done this trying to call someone--not sure who I called though)

Coloring is some SERIOUS work!

2007-03-21T18:20:00.000-07:00

Hey I'm coloring here! Do you mind NOT flashing that camera in my face?

Coloring sure does make a girl thirsty! I'll get a sip of my apple juice...note the color-coordinated sippy cup with my outfit.

OK Mommy all done---want some Lizzie kisses? And look at all my teeth!

My new friend

2007-02-21T17:20:00.000-08:00

Hi there! I'd like to introduce all of you to my new friend.....his name is Wuffy (he's a wolf). Mommy bought him for me at Brookfield Zoo when we went on Monday when Sissy didn't have school.

I grabbed him while mommy was in the gift shop getting her membership package and wouldn't let him go. So I now have a new friend. He's cuddly and soft and I just love him!

So if you see me around with Wuffy be sure to introduce yourself to him. He's kinda new here--just like me I guess but I'm already 14 months old. I wonder how old Wuffy is. Wow--it's way past my bedtime....so goodnight all.

The Plague Strikes!!

2007-02-14T17:26:00.000-08:00

This hasn't been the most pleasant 2 weeks. To start with last week Nikki came home with the plague from school....it then passed on to both Elizabeth and me. Right now I'm left over with an eye infection and sinus infection. Hooray..NOT!

The girls are better, but Chris and I aren't. So it's pretty much me trying to keep things together while I take my antibiotics and not nap all day. Lately I've been getting up around 1 am not being able to breathe and then getting up every 1/2 hour afterwards.

My new best friend is my Lysol can....I can just kiss it! It's the only thing safe to kiss in this house right now. I've been Lysoling everything when I feel like it.

Sick or not--the housework must go on. So I try to do a little every day.

Anyone have an anti-germ module for the house that just sucks the sickness out of people so that we don't pass the plague around here?

Random Pics of cuteness!

2007-02-06T12:54:00.000-08:00

Hmm...what is this magazine about? There has to be some stories for me in here.

Mommy and me...and me and Sissy too. Don't I look thrilled to have my picture taken with Sissy. I sure love my mommy-person!

Go Bears!

2007-02-06T12:44:00.000-08:00

Ok so the Bears actually LOST the Superbowl--but I still cheered my lil heart for them. How do you like my spiffy cheerleader outfit mommy bought for me?

I had a really good time trying to figure out what to do with my pom pom that Sissy gave me...I really didn't want to go to bed, but Mommty said I had to. So hopefully next year Bears fans--next year we will win theSuper Bowl!

She walks!!!

2007-01-26T18:50:00.000-08:00

Elizabeth has finally taken her first two tiny steps all by herself! No hands needed. Of course she fell after those two steps right on the dog (who didn't mind at all). Nikki was very excited and was trying to help Elizabeth take more steps after school.

She has also learned the real crawl as well. No more rolling for the little princess here. The only rolling that happens now is when she gets her diaper changed....then she gets away as fast as she can so that I can't change her...she usually leaves with an un-diapered (very cute) butt and thinks that I can't get to her to slap a new diaper on her.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!

2006-12-27T16:41:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday to me! I'm a whole 1 year old! WOW! I didn't think that this was such a big deal, but apparantly the grownups think that it's a big deal, so we're having a party for me. I like parties....lots of presents and people to worship the Princess Elizabeth!

I ate my chocolate birthday cake...it was yummy and I was way hyper until after 10 pm...poor Mommy was very tired--I wasn't--I was ready to play...see here how I got cake all over my face (and you can't see but all over my pretty white dress too)

Mommy offered me a shotglass (ok it was a medicine cup in honor of me being sick), a silver dollar, and a rosary. I guess that this is some sort of family tradition...I picked the shotglass for a partying life! PARTY ON SNUGGLE BABIES!

Our Family Vacation

2006-12-15T15:44:00.000-08:00

We spent months planning for a family vacation to Florida with FIL and SIL. We were going to go to WDW and the other Disney theme parks. After much planning, we finally had the big trip. We left on a Monday and got settled into our time-share that we swapped from SIL's friend. Tuesday we hit Animal Kingdom...that place is WAY COOL! We got to see lots of animals and rode on a safari. Wednesday we went to Kennedy Space Center to see the shuttle sitting ready for the 12-7 night launch (which was scrubbed due to weather and rescheduled for Sat night). The tour is really cool and we got to see the shuttle sitting ready and all the work that they had to do to get things ready for launch. Thursday was our WDW day and we had reservations for the Princess character lunch (Cinderella's Royal Table--HIGLY RECOMMENDED it's cool--make reservations 6mo in advance as it's quite popular) where HRH got to meet all the princesses and get their autographs and Elizabeth screamed at the Fairy Godmother.

We stopped to see a show and then ride Space Mountain (which HRH braved) where our vacation came to a screeching halt as FIL was passed out after the ride. He spent the next few days in the hospital and I tried to keep the vacation as normal as possible as DH and SIL tried to figure out what was going on with FIL (he had a heart attack). We went to EPCOT Saturday and had some fun and Sunday was the hardest day of all as FIL passed away. We did manage to go home Monday and are still trying to cope with this loss.

More Playing peek pictures

2006-11-12T19:11:00.000-08:00

See...Sissy put a smiley face stamp on my forehead. Silly Sissy. Mommy wasn't too happy about it, but I seem to be just fine with it! Check out my pretty smile and big blue eyes!

OK Mommy...I'm here...we're only playing peek...I didn't go anywhere...you didn't have to get so worked up when I hide!

Mommy---you need to take a sucky break....put that camera down and take a break. Life is more fun. And by the way...I need a snack too so can you get me a wagon wheel? Please?

Some Random Pictures

2006-11-12T19:07:00.000-08:00

Here's me and Sissy all ready for Trick-or-Treating. Daddy took us and Mommy handed out the candy. I didn't get any candy, but enjoyed the ride in my stroller and Sissy got a big haul of candy.

Mommy and I were playing peek. I just made this face at her when she asked me where the baby was! Silly Mommy.....I'm right here...geez those big people are so silly sometimes...can't even find one baby like me.

Soccer Season Part 1 is Over

2006-11-02T04:22:00.000-08:00

Just a quick update right now. HRH's soccer team (the Thunderbolts) finished the first half of the season at an AWESOME 6-1 with 1 rainout. Let's hope the second half goes just as well. It starts in late March or early April. GO THUNDERBOLTS!!

Scenes from the Pumpkin Patch

2006-10-25T17:50:00.000-07:00

We visited Auntie Pam for a weekend. We went to her company's pumkin fest at a local farm. We all had a lot of fun. I tried to eat my mini-pumpkin and Sissy tried to pick the biggest pumpkin possible. I had to wear my coat and hat and gloves...I look like Nanook of the North--not ready to pick pumkins.

I'm 9 months old!

2006-09-25T14:45:00.000-07:00

Wow where has the time gone? I'm 9 months old now. I love to eat pretty much anything (except for peaches!) and am working on trying out new sounds besides "da-da." Mommy took me to the doctor today and I didn't scream this time. Well, I did a little when the nurse gave me my shots, but shots are no fun.

I am now up to 20#7.5oz and 29 inches long....mommy says that's a gain of 13#6.5oz and 10 inches since I've been born. I don't know if that's good or not, but I'm a-growin' and getting cuter every day...I plan on taking over the world with my powers of baby cuteness! (I have big plans already)

I love to roll everywhere and annoy Doby-dog. I refuse to crawl, and daddy says I'll be walking soon..as I love to stand and try to move my feet. (Gee...I didn't know those things were down there...they appear to be useful appendages)

Nikki's Soccer Games

2006-09-23T08:59:00.000-07:00

Here's how I spend my time at Sissy's soccer games. It was chilly that day so I was wrapped up in mommy's blanket. I need to remember to bring my jacket! It was naptime, so I was getting really cranky but I liked watching the game. This soccer is confusing...a bunch of girls in red or blue chasing after a little white ball. What's the point?

Here's Sissy and her team. Sissy has a lot of fun playing and her team won that day 8-3. The referee had to pull a player off Sissy's team since they were winning by 5 by the second quarter.
GO THUNDERBOLTS!

Announcing the Royal Birthday

2006-09-10T11:13:00.000-07:00

Nikki is 7 years old today. Where has the time gone? It seems like only yesterday that we were bringing home this little teeny baby and she has somehow become this amazing little girl. HAPPY BIRTHDAY NIKKI! We all love you lots here and can't wait to see what you grow up to be.

She did get lots of cool presents including 2 videos, a Game Boy game, a digital camera, a fishing pole, marshmallow launcher, and a Bratz doll. All in all a pretty good haul.

I can sit!

2006-08-15T17:53:00.000-07:00

Wow! I can sit now. Oh the new possibilities that this opens up.....more stuff to try to grab. Don't I look proud of myself?

A day at Bristol Faire--pictures

2006-08-15T17:44:00.000-07:00

We went to the Renaissance Faire again this weekend (8-12) since it was so nice---not over 90 and humid like it's been here. I had a lot of fun just looking at the different people and having everyone make a fuss over me! A French lady made sissy a princess and told everyone to bow to Princess Nicole. That's silly. Sissy got a new flower crown to wear and mommy's happy that the flowers won't end up all over her room.

There was a bit of excitement as I made my first bid at freedom--note to self--do NOT make bids for freedom while propped up against a tree! I kicked in my stroller so hard that I made it get off the tree mommy put it against and it just rolled down the hill with me in it! YIKES! I tipped over and bumped my head on a rock. Mommy didn't see me go, but some very nice ladies rescued me and I smiled at them. Mommy took me to the first aid area so that the paramedics could look at my head. I have a hard head--I just have a bruise there and it was already going away Sunday.

Gotta love those Puffs!

2006-08-06T10:16:00.000-07:00

Mommy got me a treat! She got those puffs that I've been hearing about. I guess I'll have to try them. I have banana flavored ones, but mommy told me that they come in cherry, sweet potato, and some other flavors. I really love bananas. See right here where I'm pointing? It says "bite size" Am I bite size too? Dunno....gotta go ask Daddy about that.

I can pick them up all by myself, I try really hard to get them in my mouth. Here I'm actually not trying to eat them, but serving them to Doby-dog. Mommy foiled my plan...she picked them up before Doby-dog got a chance to eat them. And as you can see I'm now sitting in my high chair for my meals. I'm growing up. (and I have more baby-fuzzy hair too now)

7 months old today

2006-07-21T07:19:00.000-07:00

I'm 7 whole months old today! Isn't that exciting......so exciting in fact that I'm asleep in Mommy's arms as she's typing this. Good mind control huh? Gotta practice if I'm gonna help Curtis in the BWDM.

I have finally mastered the rolling over thing! It's my most favorite trick. Mommy likes to watch me sleep at night now since I have learned this new trick. I'm a little crib monkey now. I'm all over my crib at night. I'm secretly practicing my escape routine...but those dang bars are in the way! I have one tooth now and am working on another one....this teething thing isn't too fun. It hurts. Maybe mommy can put some of that yucky orajel on my gums...that stuff makes it better.

A day at Bristol Faire

2006-07-13T13:37:00.000-07:00

We went to the Bristol Renaissance Faire this past Saturday (7/8). It was opening day, so there were tons of people. We had to go visit all our friends there and introduce Elizabeth to them.

Elizabeth loved looking around at all the people and we enjoyed lunch there. HRH had her traditional turkey leg. We bought a few things for ourselves and DH got his three girls their yearly roses (he buys us each a copper and brass rose every year). HRH picked out a switch plate for her room from the pewtersmiths...it has fairies and purple crystals on it. Everyone thought Elizabeth was very cute and the pewtersmith commented that it must have been a busy year last year since everyone he knows has brought 3-6 month old babies to visit the faires that he goes to.

It was warm, but with the breeze it was very nice....even though it was hot in the sunny areas. Later in the season we hope to present Elizabeth to the queen at the faire (since the queen is Elizabeth I, so we have named our new child after her majesty). Nikki and Elizabeth have matching dresses....to cute numbers in lavendar and pink. When we all dress up pictures will be posted, but as the only one to dress up was HRH, (and I forgot the camera) so y'all will just have to wait to see them.

Another day at the zoo

2006-07-12T17:48:00.000-07:00

We were at the zoo again today. It was a muggy warm day, not too sunny. We got a late start on our trip out, so in my opinion things seemed rushed today. At least we got a good parking spot--close to the gate and more importantly under a tree for shade.

Again we were on the carousel...HRH rode on the cassowary and Elizabeth got to ride a manatee. Elizabeth smiled and giggled and even figured out that she had to hold onto the pole in front of her...that made her bonk her head, but she never cried. We ate our lunches by the fountain and then went to see the animals. We went to the Hamill play zoo and HRH did an art project (fabric collage) while Elizabeth watched. Elizabeth even saw her "friend" one of the workers that was pregnant at the same time I was...she smiled so big at her and displayed that shiny new toofer for all to see.

HRH was good and didn't bug me for stuff every 30 seconds.

It was a fun day at the zoo and we will be there plenty more times in the future! I like going once the fall comes and there are some cool Halloween things to do ("Boo at the Zoo") and come end-of-November the Christmas trees go up for decorating for their Christmas celebration ("Holiday Magic"-includes a night-time christmas light display that they start putting lights up for in mid-September). Of course, there are fewer people there, and on some days as we walk around the zoo in the winter I have to wonder if we are the only ones there. Those are nice times too. I think that this year we will go for Holiday Magic, as it is Elizabeth's first birthday and we have to celebrate.

First big trip

2006-07-05T17:12:00.000-07:00

Well, I got to go on a long car trip to Wisconsin to visit my aunt and grandpa for Fourth of July weekend. It was a long ride and I was pretty good. I had a few crabby periods in the car going there. But when I got there...WOW!! Auntie Pam had a bed made up just for me--it has butterfiles on it. And Sissy got new covers too--they have flowers on them and she has a butterfly pillow. Pretty cool. I surprised mommy by actually sleeping in my crib there and not putting up a huge fuss. I even slept through 2 nights of fireworks going off in their neighborhood.

Doby didn't like those fireworks....I thought they were OK. Mommy and Daddy lit some off for me to see while I was awake. They were pretty. I also got to meet some funny-looking things that mommy calls "cats." They look like Doby--kind of....but different. I touched them nice then tried to pull those whisker things off their faces--note to self--they don't like that!

I had a good time. Mommy filled Sissy's pool and I tried to swim in it, but it was too cold! I cried to let mommy know I wasn't happy about that cold water. I watched everyone eat their dinners since we ate outside--just like a picnic! I tried to eat mommy's food..but mommy said that I couldn't have any of her food.

Sissy had fun playing with the new toys that Auntie Pam bought--Barbies and some Disney princess foam craft stuff. She played in her pool for one day and then used it for her Barbies after she got done with her Barbie pool.

Pictures are forthcoming as soon as Auntie Pam can get them off her camera and send them to Mommy!

I'm 6 months old!

2006-06-22T19:35:00.000-07:00

I'm 6 months old. Don't I look thrilled about it. Well you wouldn't be either if your mommy told you that you had to go to the doctor for a checkup (and shots! I HATE shots!)

Some of my favorite things to do now are squealing and crinkling paper. The pediatrician told mommy to expect ma-mas and da-das anytime now (along with my first tooth) As usual, befitting my baby princess status I screamed through my checkup and shots. I had to get my anemia test again--still low, but rising (I have to take those foul-tasting vitamin drops YUCK!) There is now 16# 3 oz of baby princess to love (and I'm now 27 3/4 inches tall) I don't particularly like getting examined...baby princesses like me are not meant to be poked and prodded!! I screamed at the doctor lady when she wanted to see me practice sitting--yep I've got baby princess attitude too!

Pool time pictures

2006-06-15T09:48:00.000-07:00

Here I am, all ready to go swimming...don't you love the bathing suit? Grandma Sasha bought it for me in Hawaii (where is that? Grandma says it's far away) I don't know if I'll like this swimming thing or not, but I'm sure ready to experience anything.

Here I am in the pool...that's me, Grandma Sasha, and sissy. What a nice warm pool...Grandma calls it her hot tub...well it is warm, not hot so why is it called a HOT tub? I really liked the water...just because I'm not smiling doesn't mean I didn't like it! It was LOTS of fun and I hope that Grandma lets me back in her pool again.

Hangin' on the couch

2006-06-15T09:30:00.000-07:00

Well, look at that....I'm hanging with my big sister on the couch to watch cartoons. Boy do I feel like a big girl! It's not often that I get a cool treat like this to hang with my sissy on the couch. Of course with mommy hovering over us taking pictures, I didn't want to hang with sissy too long. I'm definitely a mommy's girl. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE MY SISSY! She's the bestest big sister in the world. She will play with me and sings silly songs to me...some of which she says she learned at school (whatever school is--I don't know!)

At the zoo

2006-06-13T17:28:00.000-07:00

We went to Brookfield Zoo today. It's a lot of fun. There is a new carosel that just opened a few weeks ago. It is beautiful with lots of hand-carved wooden animals. Nikki loves to go on it and Elizabeth today was shrieking with glee when she saw we were going to go on it (for the third time). Now that she is more alert, she loves to watch all the people and of course the animals are interesting too. The butterfly exhibit gives her a bobble-head as she tries to watch every butterfly flit around. Too funny.

Today there was a little chipmunk foraging around where we were eating lunch. The people at the table next to us had some nachos, so the dad took a chip and broke a piece off and threw it to the chipmunk...he ate it all up. Then his older daughter tried to get him to take a chip out of her hand and that little chipmunk came up, put his paw on her hand to take the chip and she freaked out and scared that poor little chipmunk away.

Today's trip was marred by a phone call telling me that the website I host was down. So we had to leave early (we left at 1:45) when we would've normally left around 3 or 4. Of course I couldn't do anything when we got home, since I didn't know what to unplug and what to re-plug in. Maybe next time I'll leave the cell phone at home so I can enjoy my day more.

Of course I have to bring all the baby stuff-bottles, formula, toys (she usually doesn't play with them), a paci, and blanket. Plus our lunches, so I end up carrying a ton and pushing Elizabeth in the stroller. Maybe the last of the weight will come off and I will be down to my goal weight.

My first time swimming

2006-06-12T19:18:00.000-07:00

Well, being 5 months old means that everything is a first! Mommy put me in my cute little purple swimsuit with flip-flops on it and I got to swim in Grandma Sasha's hot tub...it was nice and warm and I liked to kick my feet in the warm water. Grandma said I was a very relaxed baby....well wouldn't you be if you were dunked in a nice warm hot tub? Nikki tried to splash me and I didn't like that too much. Grandma wants me to like being in the water...not to be afraid. I wasn't afraid...I had mommy, sissy, and grandma there to keep me safe!

Where to begin?

2006-06-12T19:00:00.000-07:00

Well--at the beginning of course! HRH was a surprise addition to our family after only being married 3 months. Nicole Alexandra was born by c/section after 22 hours of labor (belive it she was only 7# 4oz and 21 inches at birth) on 9-10-1999. When she was around 2 years old, we decided to start trying to make her a big sister.....we were trying and trying....and trying some more....finally near the end of May 2005, I found out I was pregnant again (and due New year's eve). I was going to VBAC, but this little one was very stubborn and was mostly transverse or breech. She turned a few days before my scheduled c/section. We found out that we were going to be having another girl in August. HRH was very pleased...she told me that if it was a baby brother she was going to give him back! After an uneventful pregnancy, Elizabeth Blackmore was born by repeat c/section 12-21-2005 (7# 1oz, 19 inches). We are still up in the air about adding a third child to our family..there are days that I am so against it and there are days that I would love 2 or 3 more. HRH has requested 2 more sisters and 2 brothers....I think I would be pulling my hair out with 6 kids.

Welcome to our domain!

2006-06-12T09:02:00.000-07:00

Hi all! Wow--we're on the web now. So welcome to the royal domain of Princesses Nicole and Elizabeth. Hopefully this will be full of wonderful news about our family shortly.