Words of Advice From Abbie...

I am working really hard today to get my house back in shape after being sick last week. Trust me when I say it's a doozie!

While attacking the mountain of junk on the coffee table, my daughter struck up this conversation:

Abbie: "Mom, I need to fix your hair so you won't look like a disaster."

Me: "Well thanks."

Abbie: "You should surprise Daddy by not being in your jammies."

Me: "Well, Mommy's been sick. So, she's been wearing her jammies a lot lately because they are comfy."

Abbie: "Your feet are really dry. It's embarrassing. You should try to look more like a bride."

Me: "I'm sorry you are embarrassed. I'll work on it."

Abbie: "Seriously, can we pull your hair out of that ponytail and do something with it?"

Shortly thereafter, she came into the living room with a dress, some make-up, and a brush to do my hair. She's my own personal Oprah.

Just another day Being Billingsley...

Another of Abbie's Tremendous Talents...

Abbie does hair! She actually specializes in coiffures for male figure skaters.

After all the hard work Abbie put into getting James' hair all fixed this morning, James said he's pretty sure he's getting the gold.

If you watched much male figure skating this year, you know that between his hair and the amount of sparkly spandex in his wardrobe, James CAN'T lose.

Just another day using Olympic amounts of hair gel and Being Billingsley...

Well, The Bastard's Back!

I guess that stomach bug Abbie had last week had some unfinished business with the good people of Chez Billingsley because I got it, and I got it bad.

Good grief, I haven't been sick like this in a good long while.

Just another day Being Billingsley...

The Princess Is Five

I cannot believe my girl is 5 already!
Abbie trying out a new smile.

The poor thing was EXTREMELY sick on her birthday with a stomach bug that was apparently showing off for his stomach bugs friends. It was particularly cruel, but Abbie eventually showed it who was boss. We think she has officially kicked it.

We had to reschedule the official birthday party with her friends, but we knew it was the right thing to do. We were selfish and didn't want to share our little stomach bug with others!

Abbie did get to celebrate the day with her very brave Gigi and Pops. We all ate a very nice dinner while Abbie watched us, and we all enjoyed the birthday cake that Abbie couldn't eat. So sad. She did, however, have no problems opening the excellent gifts Gigi and Pops brought and a few other special gifts.

My friends Cheryl and Anna both brought gifts to the house. They both quietly left the gifts on the front porch and ran back to their cars before any germs could leak out the key hole and get them.

My girl Anna made Abbie her very own sketch pad. She also gave her the coolest crayons and markers for Abbie to work her creative magic.

Abbie posing with the excellent hop-scotch game from Cheryl.
When we are 100%, I want Cheryl to come over and show Abbie how it's done!

Abbie, you are hilarious, strong, brilliant, kind, and extraordinarily talented... not to mention gorgeous. I love you so much. Happy Birthday Girl!!

P.S. Please don't get me sick!

Just another day Being Billingsley...

Happy 7 Months, Girlfriend!

My how time does fly! I can't believe you are already 7 months old. Girlfriend, you are good times!

I made this picture black-and-white because your nose is so ORANGE from eating all the yellow veggies. I didn't want you to be embarrassed. You're welcome.

A few things you were into this past month:

• Sleep. You likes your sleep. You are content to go to bed at 8:00P and sleep until about 8:00 the next morning. I tried to cut you down to two naps, but that was a no-go. You still require your 3 daily naps.
• You are eating 5 times a day now with two solid meals thrown in. At breakfast you will eat a bowl of cereal and a stage 2 fruit. For dinner you will eat a meat (ewwwwwww!) and a stage 2 veggie. So far, you will really eat anything, but you would really prefer not to eat peas.
• You finally decided to start sitting up. You actually sat up on your own for the first time when we were taking pictures with Mr. Goudeau of Goudeau Photography. I really think you did it in response to my saying, "This is a lazy baby. You'll only get a picture of her laying down." I stand corrected.
• Shortly after sitting up, you decided to get on all fours in an attempt to crawl! I'm not ready for that just yet. Whenever I see you do this, I run over and turn you on your back like a turtle on its shell. However, it doesn't seem to be discouraging you from trying again. So, I will buy you a pony if you will wait a few months to start crawling. I'm begging.
• You started drinking from a sippy cup. You are doing great!
• Your little temper is developing nicely. If things aren't just the way you like them, you make sure the house/neighborhood knows about it.
• Favorite words: "Mamama," "dadada," and "nanana" are still colloquial favorites. Your new favorite is "nein." It's a fitting nod to your German heritage.
• I experienced your first fight with your big sister. I know as your Mom, I should have jumped right in there and stopped it with obligatory hugs and "I'm Sorries," but it was hilarious. So, I decided to see how it would play out. You two worked it out, and for the record... you have one really sweet sister that endured your little outburst like a lady.

You are hilarious, and everyone thinks you look just like your daddy still. I think you are really starting to look just like your sister did at this age... what do you think?

Abbie

Lila

I love you crazy girl! Happy Birthday!

Just another day Being Billingsley...

I'm Kind Of A Big Deal...

That's right folks... I'm kind of a big deal!

Today I got not just 1 but 2 blog awards, and to make the honor even greater, they came from two of my very favorite people, Anna and Alison!

These awards require that I share a few things about myself and then pass the awards to other deserving bloggers. So, here goes...

1. I married the man-of-my-dreams and have two of the most gorgeous girls in all of creation. At least once a day (occasionally more), I will hand our baby to my husband knowing she has a loaded diaper. I pretend that I forgot something urgent... something like, "Oh no! I forgot about the water boiling on the stove!" Then, I run toward the kitchen.

He's so enamored with his youngest that he hasn't yet discovered my ingenious strategy that makes him handle more than his fair share of dirty diapers. He also hasn't yet asked me why all the boiling water. Shhhhhh..


2. I can recite every single line from the movie StepBrothers. Hilarious.

3. I love a vodka tonic with extra lime. My oldest daughter refers to the drink as "Mom's grown-up juice."

4. In my unwrinkled years, I starred in a national Chevy commercial. I was "girl who longingly stares at the Chevy Silverado." It was one day of work, an excuse not to go to Thursday classes, and I received residual checks for that little gem for a year. Sweet gig.

5. I LOVE to scare people...which is why Halloween is one of my very favorite holidays. I love to hide in a dark room, jump out, and yell Boo!! It is particularly fun to do with my 5-year-old. I've also been known to scare my husband as well. The problem is that my family is used to it and hardly reacts anymore. So, I'm always looking for new victims.

Abbie and Lila on their first Halloweens.

6. My favorite time of the day is when my girls wake up in the morning. I get Lila out of her crib, and we sit in my bed until Abbie wakes up. She brings her pillow, a book, and Fluffy the dinosaur into my room, and the three of us chat, laugh, and plan our day while cozy under the blankets.

7. I am terrified of birds. I once seriously pulled an ab muscle and a calf muscle by jumping out of my chair, turning it over, and running from a pigeon who was ridiculously close to me while I was enjoying lunch with my friend Cheryl. Afterwards I think I cried while Cheryl laughed, and the damn pigeon mocked me by coming back for more.

It is now the time you've all been waiting for...

I would like to award The Beautiful Blogger Award to April, who writes the most beautiful posts about her sweet baby girl, and I would like to give the same award to my girl Mary the Swiss because she's incredible and has used her blog beautifully to describe her new adventures... and I'm hoping it will encourage her to blog SOMETHING since it has been weeks!

The Honest Scrap Award goes to Cari because we share the same feelings about candy hearts and to Kelly because her "Sound Off" features always make me yell"You Go Girl!"

Congrats ladies, and remember to give us a list of things about yourselves and then give the award to two other deserving bloggers. (Technically the BBA recipients should give us 7 things about themselves, and the HSA winners should divulge 10.)

Just another award winning day Being Billingsley...

Look At These Adorable Children

We recently had a photo session for Abbie's fifth birthday and Lilia's six month birthday.

I think Joel from Goudeau Photography did an excellent job. This was no ordinary job for him. I mean we are talking about Abbie here.

We took these pics on a local college campus, and my girl insisted on having a conversation with every single student walking the grounds. The conversations were mostly about the red coat she was wearing, but she often asked if the student was pleased with his or her choice of backpack. So, imagine the patience of this photographer!!! He really was great.

I've said it before...I'll say it again....These girls must have one good looking Mom.

Just another day Being Billingsley...