Pictures!

Hi everyone. This is Jessi's sister-in-law, Erin. I had a lot of pictures of the girls on my camera from when they came to NY and also Richie and I got to come back with Jess and the girls to Texas to help them get settled into their new home. I'll let Jess fill you in on the trip and the move later, but for now, here are some pictures to enjoy.....

Bathtime

Adventureland

Waving to Pop pop!

Livy getting silly at the restaurant.

Making playdoh.

Fun in the pool with daddy.

Motorboat

Sing a long

All New

Sorry for the lack of pictures but I am leaving for NY in an hour so I will have to post them later. But as for our new news, we love the minivan, love the new house and will be excited to move in when we get back from NY but the best is.......we are having a BOY!! We are really excited and a little intimidated because I don't know what to do with a boy but I am sure that will pass. Now we are keeping our fingers crossed for Kevin and April and hoping they get their boy too! Also hoping I can sleep again since I couldn't sleep this week for some reason, which is totally strange for me. Maybe just too much going on but I am so excited to get to NY and relax and have fun! See some of you there!

2 Weeks

We have a busy and exciting two weeks ahead of us.

1. New car by the 25th

2. Close on our new house on the 30th

3. Find out the sex of baby #3 on the 31st

4. Leave for NY for three weeks on the 1st

I still have to pack the rest of the house and torture Rachel every day with swim lessons! Luckily we have all of August to get moved into the new house. We have rented our house out and they move in here September 1st so it works out great that we have so long to move, considering I will be gone for most of August.

Another update, both girls are now in semi-big girl beds. It is just the crib with the front side removed to become a toddler bed but it's a big change. They are doing better than expected in them and it is so nice not to have to lift them in and out any more. If anyone has one of these convertible cribs and doesn't want to spend the $80 on the rail that is made for the crib to turn it into the toddler bed (and then is not use able when making it into a regular bed) here is a tip. I read online to get a pool noodle or roll up a blanket and put it under the sheet along the edge of the bed. It us just a little barrier and works great. We did that and it has worked great. Hope it can save someone a little hassle!

These pictures are of the girls in my old dresses. My mom had given them to me when they were born and I forgot I had them in the closet. I was packing stuff the other day and found them in perfect timing while they still fit. Not too bad for 25 year old dresses! Thanks mom!

It's Been a While

They have me on the up and downs of motherhood again. Although it seems to change by the hour not the week. Maybe it is just my hormones. One minute I am putting them in the corner and so frustrated, the next almost crying because they say or do the funniest/sweetest thing. What a ride. It is wonderful though. Their latest thing is saying "no" to everything, and with an attitude. So Eric had had enough of it and started putting them in the corner every time and raising his voice enough to make them take him serious. So I have been trying to tell them, we don't say no, we say yes sir or yes ma'am. Anyway, they are doing a little better. Rachel is using the yes sir, but that is it. It is seriously funny and I just laugh every time. Any time I ask her something she says, yes sir. She doesn't get that that is for a man, but I will take what I can get!

Smiles from the girls. I try very hard to get a picture of them together that they are both smiling but it doesn't seem to work out. Here are some pictures from the backyard lately just swimming and stuff.

I am sure both girls will be a big help when the baby comes but Rachel is way into babies and taking care of them. Lately she has been doing different stuff with her babies, teaching them how to throw a ball, holding their hands and helping them walk, etc. It is so fun to watch them learn more and grow up.

See what I mean, best one I got with them together.

Livy's new face when I ask her for a smile.

Rachel was putting the hose on Livy and saying "it's just like a bath Niny, you'll like it." They entertain me all day with the things they say. I love how they care for each other and are almost all the times so sweet to each other and Pebbles. Always petting her and asking if she is OK or telling her she is a good girl (or boy)!

4th of July weekend Eric, Jeff, and I went to South Padre Island. They were going on a scuba diving trip and I was just there for the vacation. This is a picture from right before we left. Brenda and Alan watched them for us which was wonderful. You don't feel too worried about them when Grandma is in charge! Thank you so much for watching them, especially all that you had to do! On Sunday just as we were getting ready to head back (six hour drive) we got a call that Rachel had been throwing up all day so far. Of course I was extremely anxious to get home to her and I felt terrible that Brenda and Alan had to deal with throw up all day. But everyone survived. Thanks guys! I had a great time even though I was by myself all day and ate dinner with the guys. I read a lot and went to the beach. What else could I ask for? I guess I should have taken some pictures. Oops!

I know there is a lot of water pictures here but we haven't been swimming or outside even that much because it is just too hot. On this day Rachel was standing at the door after 10 minutes telling me it was too hot outside and she wanted to come in.

Some cooling off in our blow up pool with some popsicles or as Livy says "pock-a-syls".

Singing together and sliding. They are getting more into singing now. They love Raffi (kid song singer). My brother Danny listens to it a lot so they have heard it at my parents house each time. They love his songs. I tried another kids CD and they wouldn't have it. They say they don't like this song. When Eric puts his music on they say the same thing "I don't like this song, I want the monkey song."

They have lots of fun together and I love seeing that. It is so cute to watch them play together and really nice for me that they do. Except I have to say it does kind of hurt my feelings when they kick me out or tell me to go back down stairs. They love playing in their rooms and upstairs now. We took the front of Livy's crib off and made it into a toddler bed so they climb in and out and pile all their stuffed animals in there. They were doing it with the crib too, just climbing in and out so now at least I don't have to worry about them falling. She has adjusted without any problem so far. Rachel doesn't want hers like that just yet so we'll wait a little bit. She is lighter so it is easier to lift her in and out, only a few pounds but it seems to make a big difference.

One of their new favorite things to do is shower. Usually they want a bath and shower but at least they are clean!

15 weeks

People have been asking how much they girls understand about me having a baby. Not much. They know you can't hit mommy's belly because there is a baby in there. And sometimes they try and look down my shirt to see it. The other day we were getting their pajamas on and we dress them on our bed which is kind of high and perfect height that it kicks us in the stomach if they are excited or whatever. So Rachel kicked Eric in stomach and we said, no kicking Rachel, immediately Livy chimes in with "don't kick daddy, he has a baby in his belly." And Eric doesn't look like he does so I guess they think everyone has one in there!

17 weeks. I seriously look a lot fatter in this picture too. Next time I will be more aware of what I am wearing in the picture! It's definitely growing but this picture is up close compared to the other so take that into consideration too. I have an appointment this week but I won't find out the sex of the baby until I get back from NY in the end of August (1st-19th yea!). I know it stinks but what can you do!

Happy and Healthy

Yesterday was a day of firsts for the girls. We went to their first movie and they did pretty well. Rachel would have stayed the whole time but Livy lost interest and wanted to run around so we lasted an hour which I consider a success! We got popcorn and they loved that part! Rachel sat in here chair with popcorn on her lap the whole time and rubbed my arm telling me "it's ok mommy" when their was a part she was scared of. Livy was up and down from her seat 20 times a least, only sitting to eat and then get up again.

I think holding the tickets was their favorite part! But I hope they enjoy it because it is going to be a weekly summer activity. The theater near us has free movies M-Th at 11am for kids. It's an older movie, this week was Madagascar, and it changes weekly. It is another great activity to beat the Houston heat. Which is ridiculous already, let me tell you.

Another first for the day was painting. I know, I am so lame and never had them paint yet. I don't know why we just never did it. Anyway so I finally bought some paint and they loved it.

They both experimented painting their bodies a bit but they were entertained for quite a while. They kept saying they were painting happy birthday for someone: Swiper, Cinderella, Hannah, etc.

They loved painting and then we went outside to play in the little pool and wash it all off. Worked great, except for today they wanted to paint again so I get them all set up and they paint their bellies real quick and then say they want to go in the pool. They tricked me! But it was still fun and they enjoyed it.

Here is my first belly pic of this pregnancy. I am 14 weeks now and feeling much better. No more sickness really and things are going good.

Last night when I was getting dinner ready for them I made a comment that I am so lame because I don't even cook them real dinners. I was feeling not so great (I think it was too much movie popcorn from earlier) and I am not a big cook to begin with. The kids had a bowl of rice, piece of cheese, strawberries, and carrots. That was dinner. At least it wasn't a cupcake and crackers, right? I ate a bowl of rice since I wasn't feeling great. That left Eric on his own which means take out. On his way out the door, my sweet husband gave me a hug and told me I wasn't lame and all that matters is that they are happy. And they were. They are happy and healthy and that is all I could possibly ask for. As I watched them eat, talk and laugh with each other I felt overwhelmed with the blessings in my life. I am so grateful for the blessing that these two sweet girls are in our lives and can't believe that we are going to be blessed with another little one! What an awesome responsibility to be blessed with the care of some of Heavenly Fathers children!

"You're a big helper mama"

The girls are always trying to "help" me do stuff. Here I was trying to scrub the shower door with baking soda to remove the hard water stains (worked but not all the way-any suggestions would be great!) Anyway of course Rachel wanted to help so she got herself a rag, dumped the whole box of "sugar" as she called it (baking soda) in the shower and started working. It was too cute so I had to stop and get her picture. I should have videoed it instead because really the stuff she was saying to me was the funny part.

"Get some sugar on your rag"

"Not too much"

"You're a big helper mama"

Here is one of their new things to do, be monsters or dragons. This Max and Ruby DVD they watch has Max being both so they like to make the "monster noise" and run around. Strange choice as their monster attire, baby cribs, but it was their first attempt dressing as a monster as well as making the noise.

Pebbles getting in on the action. She loves playing with them and mostly just barks at them but they enjoy it.



Enjoying some free ice cream at Jason's Deli. Rachel only dropped hers on the floor once!

Swimming with Savannah and Kylie. We haven't swam as much the past two weeks but hopefully we will get back into it more soon. We miss all of our swimming buddies, some have been away and some with new babies! They love the pool though and are fearless, Livy mostly. She scares me sometimes but they do good with their tubes on. I wonder how they will do with the ocean this year. Hated it last year but I think we might have a chance this year.

What They Say

I'm struggling with posting lately as you can tell by my lack of posts. That is mainly because I have been slacking on my picture taking. But they have still been saying new funny stuff that I want to remember so I will write down a few here and update you on the rest of our life.

1. Our new nephew McKay was born on June 1st at a healthy 9 lbs. 1 oz. He is so adorable and most importantly healthy. We are so glad he is finally here!

McKay Alan Williams

2. We are buying a new house! It's very exciting and nerve wracking at the same time. Closing is the end of July when I was going to be in NY so I still have to figure my trip and house stuff but it's on its way!

3. Eric went on a 4 day boys trip to Lake Amistad which is right near Mexico. He says it was beautiful and wants to take us back there sometime. They spent the first day driving and stopping at a job and then the next few camping and boating. Here are some pics of Eric on the knee board enjoying the beautiful lake!

A picture of the lake and surroundings.

Getting a little daring and trying to touch the wall while knee boarding.





4. 12 weeks! I am 12 weeks pregnant now and starting to feel the morning sickness lift. It seemed to be gone for a week but then returned this week. Oh well, it is definitely getting better and on its way out. My belly is showing already but I just feel fat. I'll get a picture soon. Other than that everything is going great so far.



Now onto the girls. They are so funny and make me laugh constantly at their use of words.
Livy: It's not "yers," it's "mys"
That is her new favorite thing to say. Especially when I touch one of their toys or something like that. Her paci is the funniest because she tells me that and says "you a big girl" like I try to tell her in trying to get her not to use it.
Rachel: "not me"
Her new favorite thing to say. She uses it everywhere. When we were looking at the new house Eric tripped going down the stairs so we were talking about it and she had to keep saying, "not me". It's her new "no". Do you have poopy? Not me.
"Nin"
Now Rachel has shortened Niny (Livy) to Nin. It is pretty funny. She sounds so grown up. "Wheres Nin?" or "Here Nin".


They are starting to tell me things I tell them too. Like..."don't touch that mommy, it's not yers" and they like to put stuff in certain spots "to keep it safe" although I don't recall telling them that but whatever, it's funny. If they drop their snack or lollipop, they don't pick it up and eat it anymore, finally they say "it's dirty."


And I had to start using the guilt card on Livy. Every time we go out to the car she wants to run down the block. So now I say, "Livy don't go down there, you'll make me sad, I'll cry." And it works. She runs back and gives me a hug and tells me "It's OK mommy." So cute and so sweet, I almost feel bad doing it to her.



And I have to write how sweet they are most of the time. They say thank you for everything and it is adorable to hear them say "thank you mommy" even just for putting medicine on their boo boos. And they always ask if others are OK. If someone falls or coughs or anything they ask if they are OK. Sometimes there is even a pat on the back. They call me sweetie sometimes too, "hi sweetie", it's quiet funny. They are so adorable and I love being with them everyday to hear all this great stuff.