Halloween

Figures the only picture of both smiling is from the trial run a month before!



She could hardly wait!


Trying to get a picture...one is always on the move!

A few pics of our puppy dogs from Halloween:) Skylar loved his costume until it was time to leave the house. Then he kept trying to take it off. Elaina was beyond excited about the idea of getting candy which would be "so yummy in my belly"! Once Skylar figured out he could ring the doorbell, well his attitude about trick or treating changed. He lasted about a half hour and only had to be retrieved from inside two or three houses. Elaina could have gone for another hour but we figured we should call it a night. This might be the last year we get a say in what costume they wear. But they were oh so cute dressed alike once again!

June fun

I hate that I haven't been blogging more since I have been out of school. I think that it is not only fun for our family and friends to read and see pictures but I love to look back through old posts. So I pledge to try harder and blog more in the second half of 2o1o!!

In mid June Aunt Barb (aka BoBo to Elaina and Skylar) came to help my mom recuperate from back surgery. The day before the surgery we enjoyed getting out and playing in the water fountains at Tillas Park. It is such an awesome park...totally redone and so much better than when we were kids and played there. But it definitely is a place I can't take the kids myself. They seem to get out of sight very quickly!

After climbing and sliding, they hit the cool music toys.


Skylar posed for a picture with MoMo. I think he adores her more than anyone else in the world...including me and Jon!


And finally cooled off in the sprinkers while BoBo and I watched!




Elaina loves her BoBo! She talks about her all the time and can't get enough of her when she visits us. Elaina told her the first day, "I love you, BoBo." Paused and said, "I missed you BoBo!" Please move here, BoBo!


Anyone who knows us knows we are total Cardinal fans. We used to go to many games each year but with the kids it is not quite so easy. Finally we had tickets to an early evening game which we knew they wouldn't last through but at least we could take them for a bit. It went about how we expected.

Elaina was excited to go because we told her Fred Bird would be there.


It was a ball giveaway game so the kids got a souvenier that we didn't have to buy! We wandered around and they took in the crowds. Skylar clapped and cheered after the National Anthem. Having no interest in attempting to reach our seats, we headed to the part behind the bleachers to eat. Skylar was thrilled that we brought some fruit snacks and Capri Suns.


Elaina dug into all that plus the nachos!!


Skylar charmed us with his adorable face, right before finding a nearby puddle and sitting down in it and splashing while we were packing up. Oh course, his sister joined in the fun!


The only way to distract them was to point out Fredbird who was taking pictures nearby. Elaina loved him almost as much as she loved meeting the Easter Bunny. She sleeps with her Fredbird Build a Bear and talks to him all the time. She is definitely a Cardinal Fan. That is until World Cup is on and she watches with Daddy who taught her to yell "Goal!!".


Sometimes they fight but more often than not, they are the best of friends. Watching the rain from our front porch, they stopped to hug a couple of times. Sweetness:)

Some indoor fun

Skylar's hair is LONG. He actually let me comb it and I slicked it back. He looks so funny to me!!


Snuggling with Daddy after baths.



They were anxiously watching out the window for Mo Mo to arrive.


Skylar is making lots of progress with his therapy. When I have more time, I will write more about what it all entails cause it is pretty neat if you aren't familiar with any of this. One of the things we are using for him is a swing. It was causing major meltdowns because they couldn't be in it at the same time. Skylar's awesome OT showed me how to rig it so they both could fit. They LOVED it and snuggled for about 30minutes.


Another thing we have been working on is dinner time. Skylar struggled a lot with sitting in his chair, we gave in, let him out, and the cycle continued. After lots of work he is doing so much better. Tonight I was finishing up dinner. Jon was in Elaina's room playing with the kids. Skylar walked into the kitchen and I told him it was almost time to eat. He happily went into the dining room, climbed in his chair, and buckeled himself in. He didn't last the entire time but we are making progress!!

Spring Break

How does 10 days off fly by by a five day work week seem to crawl by?!? It seems like we just started spring break and I have to go back to work in just two days:( We didn't go anywhere as a family since Jon had started a new job and, well, after our Thanksgiving travels to Gibson Island, I swore I would not travel with the kids again until I took them to college. But we still had lots of fun and were so lucky to have amazing weather so we were outside a lot!

Spring Break started with Aunt Barb coming in town for a visit. Elaina warmed up very quickly and was calling her BoBo almost as soon as she was here. Mom, Aunt Barb, and I went to the Ozarks to go outlet shopping for the weekend. The weekend started with us driving and talking nonstop and then about an hour into the trip I decided to take a nap. I told them the exit to look for and fell asleep only to wake up in Columbia...which is about 3o minutes PAST our exit! You see there are really only three roads to get on but the O'Leary girls were too busy talking that they missed it!! We pulled over, I got directions and took over driving. When we finally got to the outlets, we hit the ground running. Lots of shopping for the kids! We checked into our hotel and then headed out for Mexican food and of course margaritas (which were the weakest ones I think I have ever had, but that is probably a good thing since they give me hangovers!). We all crashed early. The next day we finished up shopping and then headed home. When we got home, Elaina was happy to see me and of course MoMo and BoBo. But Skylar...well, all he cared about was his MoMo. It was like I wasn't even there!

On Monday we took Skylar, Elaina, and Olivia to the zoo. The highlight was definitely the children's zoo where you can pet the goats.

The rest of the week was just a lot of time spent outside. We went to Suson Park for the first time with friends and it was GREAT! Spent time at our favorite park, Longview. Played in the yard and got the outdoor toys out. Went to the early childhood center playground and burnt off lots of energy.

We also had several appointments for Skylar over break. He received his first visit from the Developmental Therapist who I really liked. She is working with us on some of the behaviors like eating, tantrums, but also incorporates sign language and some of the sensory tactics. He also had his first visit from the speech therapist and I wasn't quite sure what to expect. But after talking to a few people their experiences are similar. It is play based for now and she is also working on boundary setting so he learns who is in charge and can follow directions. It was at times a struggle for him to not be able to do what he wants. Whereas we would probably just let him have his tantrum and not give in, the therapist does that PLUS makes him do what she has asked. Often it is hand over hand so he learns what to do but with time he should be able to do it more independently. Our last appointment was for a sensory evaluation. Sensory Processing Disorder is something we are just learning about and my experience has always been with autistic children. In my reading, frequently children who are diagnosed with autism have sensory issues but the reverse is not always true. Everyone we have talked to does not think Skylar has autism which is such a relief. We will get the report from the evaluation soon and find out what we need to do next. In the meantime, our little guy is signing "more" like crazy (usually when he wants more milk, chips, or pushes on the swing). He is babbling new sounds and "talking" to himself when he goes to bed at night. He is so expressive with his face and his sounds, we are just anxious for the words.

It is funny that all our pictures from break are inside since we spent so much time outside but oh well. Enjoy!

Elaina decided to sticker herself and her bunny. She was so proud of her work!

Watching tv together


Skylar realized Elaina didn't have her sippy cup so he was trying to give it to her. They might fight but they do take care of each other like this all the time!


Enjoying a snack in the kitchen while wearing Elaina's boots (which he brought to me to put on!)


A better view of the look


Blackmail pic in 20 years!

Resting on the couch before lunch since she had been up since 4am. Mommy didn't have the luxury of resting at this time!!


Elaina and BoBo


Elaina asked for a kiss and got one:)


Skylar not wanting to sit still.


With MoMo


Coloring in the basement


Bubbles!


He is getting the hang of it...


And now he wants Daddy to do it too!


Elaina walking around with a tunnel on her head.

September Fun

Elaina LOVES corn! Diapers the day after...not as fun:(

Skylar is not a fan of eating like his sister is but he can sure drink his milk!

A pretty normal picture of Skylar post nap. Crazy hair and dangling sippy cup.

We went to Powder Valley and took a walk before hitting the nature center. Skylar hadn't been feeling well and crashed on us.

Love this picture Jon took!

Elaina was wide awake and loving her time with just Mommy and Daddy.

Checking out the leaves below.

Labor Day at Momo's. We figured out we can stay later if we give them their baths there. Only took us 21 months to get that one. Plus they love being in a different tub. Here is Elaina playing with Momo's new cat and cousin Olivia.

Skylar and Olivia

Cousins Elaina and Olivia

Elaina giving Skylar a ride in his rocker. Whatever keeps them occupied, happy, and not fighting is fine with me!


Eating ribs that she stole from her Daddy! True Texas girl! We got to spend time with our friends from DC who also adopted their son from our agency. It is so fun to get together.


Skylar playing in the basement.

Elaina and Mikey..it is a long distance romance that his mom and I are determined to keep alive.

She loves coloring these days!

And "talking" on the phone.

Chasing Vaughn (and feeding her) is a favorite of Skylar's.

Wild hair mama!!

He is a climber! Up on the chair and just banging the shoes he picked up along the way. We often find him on top of the table. It only takes a second and he is up there. Good thing he is so cautious when he climbs.