EMME'S 6 MONTH CHECK-UP

Emme the beefcake had her 6 month check-up on Monday. She weighed in at 17 pounds and 26 1/2 inches long. She is in the 70th percentile for her weight and 80th percentile for her length. The Military healthcare was lacking, but I won't get into that. I'm just happy that we have a very happy, healthy and perfect little baby girl!

OCS Update or shall I say Wound Update!

So, Matt is going into his 5th week of OCS. They are working so hard, physically and mentally..ok, physically. Just this past week they had a 4 mile ability run, a 4 mile release run, a 7 mile road march with a 70 pound rucksack on his back and they did weapons PT one morning, which means everything they do, they have to carry around a 12 pound mock gun. He's losing weight (still!) and has blisters that would make a grown man wince and they are! He has been home every weekend even if it's only for 24 hours. Next weekend, they'll be doing community service, it's all part of the "learning" process I suppose. He is tired, but in good spirits. We should be learning his job and duty station within the next week or two. Feel free to drop him a line, matthew.j.skirpan@us.army.mil. Have a good week. HOOAH!

LIL' FLIRT!

Today, Rylee was standing in a trance staring at the TV because Little Bear was on and they were singing a nice song. I said, "Do you like this song Rylee?"....Rylee says "No, I'm not singing....I'm just staring at all of the boys!" She's 3 years old PEOPLE!!!! Oh Boy, we're going to have our hands full!!!

SUPREME CLEAN

Ok..I know that I officially have NO life, but I wanted to tell everyone about this cleaner that I've been using. It's so great. It says it's a bathroom cleaner, but I started using it everywhere and love it. Hunter, our disgusting mutt, pukes on our carpet daily and this stuff gets it out!!!!!!! Usually, Matt has to pull out his beloved steam cleaner every time Hunter pukes. And, the smell is nice, usually cleaning product smells are a sure-in to a migraine. It foams up, so if there's a stain on the carpet from Hunter of one of my little darlings...I just spray it on, let it sit for just a minute and then scrub, it does say scrub free, but let's be real. Just wanted to share. And it's CHEAP!!!

MARLEE NEVAEH

This little girl is so funny and so freakin' smart it's unbelievable! She is constantly challenging me on a daily basis, she is way too smart for her age. Anyway, the girls' are learning about right and left. They are always putting the wrong shoes on the wrong feet and switching each others shoes, so I starting using left and right with them and believe it or not, they do pretty good. I mean they have a 50/50 chance of getting it right. Well yesterday, Marlee hurt her finger, which of course, is a major tragedy. I said, "Marlee, on which hand?". She said, "this one...is this the right hand Mommy?".....I looked over to see if she got it right this time and she did...I said "yes Marlee that is your right hand"....then she raised her left hand and said "mommy, is this the wrong hand?"....I couldn't stop laughing.....she's so funny and analyzes EVERYTHING!!! It's her world and we're just living in it!!!!

6 Months old.....can't believe it!

It feels like just yesterday I was being ripped open and puking my brains out in a little container. My little baby girl is 6 months old today. I can't believe it. I still remember being pregnant with her. Heck, I still remember being pregnant with Marlee and Rylee. It feels like just yesterday I was peeing my pants in puking in random places. Oh the joys of pregnancy.....but oh so worth it!! I love you baby girls! Thank You for completing me!

Please note the strawberry onesis. A little shout out to the Berry's. I miss you to pieces. And Mom, I'm getting 3 tiny strawberry's tattoed on my foot.....ok? ok!

FUN IN THE SUN!!!

We were told by a friend that I met at Gen and Mike's July 4th get together (Erin-Thank You) about this awesome pool that is only about 10 minutes away from us. So, today I ventured out...by myself. Towels and 3 different kinds of sunscreen in hand...I packed up the girls and the mommy mobile and we headed out. Then....roaring and rolling thunder started....it started down pouring like I've never seen before...I mean I couldn't even see right in front of me. Rylee asks.."Mommy, why is it raining?"...as I laugh hysterically at my luck. Literally, it takes me at least 6 or 7 hours to prepare for such an event...ok, I exaggerate a smidge. So, as it downpours on us and people are pulling over on the highway. I continue trudging thru with my mini-van, determined to give my babies a good day. I get to the pool, it's raining, but there are people there. The only take cash to get in. Any body that knows me knows that I NEVER HAVE CASH ON ME!!!! So, I get back on the monsoon highway to find an ATM, which isn't too far away, but it is a $2.50 fee assessed since I still have a Pittsburgh bank. I get my $20 plus my $117.42 fee and head back to the stupid pool. By this time, the sun is back out?! Ok!! I can do this....we get in....the sun in shining like heck. Here we are. It's beautiful here. I didn't want to leave. We can't wait to show Daddy this special pool.

Emme's 1st sippy cup....

As with the girls' at 5 months, I put them in their highchairs and handed them a sippy cup with water in it. I remember reading an article in an Enfamil magazine (which I LOVED and can no longer get my hands on) to give them a sippy a 5 months old, that they probably wouldn't know what to do with it, but they have to learn how to grasp a new object other than the bubba. Honestly, Emme kinda sorta knows how to hold her bubba, but why do it when your Mommy does it for you?? Anyways, today I gave Emme her 1st sippy, she went to town. Rylee was having a panic attack because it was dripping everywhere. She's so obsessive compulsive!!! And Marlee, was in her own little world the whole time and just "wanted her picture taken Mommy!"

Marlee is learning about our Nation's 1st president....

She is sooooo hilarious!!!! She is so observant and has pretty successfully imitated George Washington's face of the dollar bill....she's trying not to laugh in this pic, so it's not as good as she does it in person, but you get the idea!!!!

STREAKER ON THE LOOSE!!

Ok....Emilee is having a hard time keeping her diaper on! She's 5 months old people. She can't stand them!!!!! I clearly remember when Marlee and Rylee finally figured out when to take off their diapers, and smear poo all over the spokes of their cribs, they were about 18 months old. Emilee hasn't flung poo at me yet, but she has no interest AT ALL in having her vajayjay covered!!! Uh Oh!!!! Matt and I are in trouble!!!

I NEED YOUR HELP!!

Can anyone identify or explain these pictures? I LOVE them sooo much. When are they from? Is there a story behind them? I want to cover all of my walls with these framed images!!!!

Matt update!!

Just to give everyone an update on my hubby....Matt...yeah, that's his name, right? He was able to spend the weekend with us, which was awesome. Mike and Gen had a cookout, complete with water balloons, water guns and fireworks. Seriously, what else could I ask for? Well, actually there is one little thing, I miss my family...immensely! The girls' had soooo much fun and met some new friends. And so did I. I met some more really nice people. Anyways, back to that Matt guy...he's back in OCS now (Officer Candidate School) for the week. They have a History test coming up which he's not looking forward to. He's been the Company XO (commanding officer) last week and will continue this week. He enjoys being in control..in case you didn't know that about him ;) He is losing weight like nothing, he lost 8 pounds in one week. I wish I could that and lose some of this boom-boom-pow!!! He's soooooo skinny, not fair!! Anyways, I'll try to keep everyone updated with what's going on over here in this neck of the woods..ok? ok!