Saturday was the Stomp out Stigma walk for the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan. Although it was cold and sometimes rainy, the event went really well. Thank you to everyone who sponsored us and to those that walked. What a great way to raise money and awareness. The girls absolutely loved it. Ava was just jabbering the entire time and looking around, while Grace just leaned back and ate snacks the whole time. It was also nice to see that even though I haven’t exercised in quite some time, the three miles seemed a whole lot easier than when I did the walk when Grace was 4 months old.
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Today at church, Nick and I signed up to become covenant members and I turned in my ‘application’ to volunteer in the nursery. I would love to help with the real young babies or be the person that greets the visitors. I had such nice people help us when we first brought Grace and Ava, that I would love to return the favor. Grace used to get nervous when we talked about going to church and when we would drop her off at her room, but now she runs to it. No really, she really runs to it. You get an identification bracelet when you go and she wants to race sissy and see who can get theirs first. I guess we are all started to really feel comfortable there. I remember thinking that I could never feel a part of a congregation so big, but Nick was right, we just needed to get involved more.
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Nick and I have been trying to work on the garage and attic for a few weeks now (we put shelves in the attic), but haven’t gotten much done with the girls home. We can’t exactly work on it while they are sleeping because it involves a really loud saw. Nick’s mom was great and took the girls for a few hours today so we could finish. They always have so much fun while they are over there. Grace has been talking about ‘Grandma Rocky’s’ house all night. I am happy to say that we are almost finished. We only have a few things left and those can be done with the girls playing outside.
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So Nick has always wanted Grace to sleep in our bed…and he has it…now he doesn’t want it! Since she came home from the hospital, Grace always slept well and went to bed in her room. Just a month or so ago, she got sick and felt better in our bed. It was easier for us too since we didn’t have to keep getting up or risk waking Ava. Well, now she only will sleep in mommy and daddy’s bed. The routine has been for her to fall asleep in our bed, and then when we are ready for bed, we move her to her room. A few hours later I awake to this tapping on my shoulder and a sweet look that melts my heart. I let her in our bed and then we sleep until the alarm goes off. Nick decided enough was enough and that she was going to sleep in her room. We’ve tried a few times to do the “Nanny 911” approach and that just tears my heart out. She screams as if we are hurting her. I know that it is important for her to sleep in her room and know that these painful times of getting her to bed will not last long, but it hurts so bad to see her scream.
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As I type this now, I am making some cakes to test out some new recipes for Ava’s birthday party. So that I don’t eat them all, I am going to bring them to work and see what they all think of them. I’ve never made cake for a large party before, so this should be interesting. The rest of the week will be filled with Ava’s party planning as well. I’ll try hard to keep up with the blog.
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Good night!

Tub Tub Time!
Awww...

See how Ava just knows how to bug Grace?! I love Grace's face. Just afer this you hear "no no Sissy!"

Most of the time, Grace just gets a kick out of dumping water on her head. Here is another great emotion shot.

They were sliding together back and forth

Ava washing Grace's hair.

Then it got back to Ava bugging Grace. She kept poking her eye!

Grace loves to say "I love you" in sign language. She learned how to do it with both hands (normally is better). Here you can see her saying it after bath time.

A little messy after nap time, but you can still see her piggy tails. What a happy girl.

She is the loudest baby I have ever heard. She just talks all the time and super loud.