Ella wanted to hold Eva this morning and was really sweet with her.

Then Ella wanted to shoot her own photos.

She insisted we make cookies this morning then hijacked the sprinkles.

Eva’s getting so cute and expressive. She was really awake a lot today.

We tried out the bumbo for Eva. She’s pretty good in it. And Ella got her haircut by the way!

Tried to get a group self portrait shot. Someday I’ll use a blowdryer and makeup again, I swear.

So cute in her Hello Kitty knee pads and helmet.

And there are those delicious cookies we made. Yum!

So, we started a batch of oatmeal/peanut butter cookies until I realized I didn’t have enough peanut butter. So we put that project on hold until we could get some more at the store.

And now we’re back from the store, where Ella got her haircut, we got peanut butter, a helmet for her to ride on her scooter later, and some stuff for our lunch/playdate tomorrow.

But now it’s “quiet time” — which really means mommy needs a break time, and those peanut butter cookies will just have to wait. As will that laundry I washed earlier. And some cleaning that needs done. Sometimes I feel like I never can finish anything around here. And on that note …

Then once Eva went down for her nap, Ella and I made some Chocolate-Chocolate Chip muffins. Yum. They’re kinda like the healthy cookies I like so much - they have applesause and oats in them. You can find the recipe here. It actually calls for peanut butter chips - but I used dark chocolate instead.

Eva’s been sleeping pretty good lately. Usually just up twice a night. And last night she slept from about midnight to 6 a.m. That is awesome.

I’m very happy to have some time to myself now though. Got my laptop and watching SNL from last night. Zack Galafianakas hosted. So funny. One line he said was “My girlfriend just wrote a thesis on Contemporary Feminist Theory, and I gotta tell you. It’s pretty good. For a girl.”

Yesterday we stocked up on birthday supplies. We’re having a small party with family this weekend for Ella on Saturday and then Eva is getting baptized on Sunday. So it is going to be a busy and fun weekend.

It’s nearly 50 degrees out today. So nice. Maybe after we rest we’ll go for a walk. Hope we can get our new windows installed soon just in time for spring.

OK, must drink more coffee and enjoy the silence a little more …

Oooh, and I just remembered Oscars are on tonight. Maybe if I talk up the pretty dresses I can get Ella to watch.

Eva didn’t sleep well - both girls have ear infections now. And she wants to be held all the time. Including during the night. So, the last few hours of the night I slept with her sleeping on my chest. It was pretty sweet, although I wouldn’t do it unless I had to. I know it’s not the safest thing. Anyway, she’s been super sweet today and she loved having some tummy time.

Ella got up at 7 a.m. and it was all I could do to turn on a cartoon for her so I could sleep a little longer. Desperate times call for desperate measures. (Is that how it goes? I usually get these sayings wrong.) Anyway, time seems to be flying and even though it’s hard being sleep deprived and having two little ones I am fully aware how quickly they’ll be older.

Ella is so big these days. I can’t believe how tall she has gotten. Sometimes I have trouble lifting her. She’s now registered to play t-ball this spring with her cousin Finn. How fun it will be to go watch her in a sport. I’m thinking of maybe signing her up for something else too — ballet or gymnastics possibly? She said she wants to do ballet so we’ll see about that.

Although she seems big sometimes she reminds me of how young she still is. She still thinks I can’t see her if she hides her eyes under her blankie. And then she giggles when I pretend I can’t see her anymore.

So we’ve been home mostly all week since the girls have been under the weather. I bought Ella some new craft scissors and she just loves to sit at the table and cut up construction paper. She said she was making me a birthday card today.

Well I think I’ve already forgotten half of those things I wanted to write about, so I’ll just have to end it there, and go get some new material …

Anyway, I wrote a pretty long post then my Internet froze, so I’m going to just skim over the weekend with a few points:

• Both girls have ear infections. I was proud of myself though for going with my instinct to take Ella to the doctor even though she screamed half of the ride there. They’re both on antibiotics and Ella is acting better but Eva’s just now getting really congested and coughing a lot. It’s so sad.
• Had a great birthday weekend with a party at Nate and Rachel’s Friday night and a super date with my hubby Saturday night. We ran some errands at the mall, grabbed a quick margarita, then saw  the movie Crazy Heart. Good night. Plus I woke up on my birthday to an awesome gift: a box of truffles from DeBrands and Sarah Jessica Parker’s perfume I wanted (OK, I had to actually exchange it for the right one because she has 5 perfumes out, but that was pretty awesome anyway he took note) Good job honey!
• Eva had her 2 month appointment today. I can’t believe she is 10 pounds 10  ounces! I thought maybe 10 pounds. She’s just 21.5 inches long though and only in 10th percentile for height! Hope her height catches up a little!
• Ok, that’s it. Met with a trainer tonight (despite being desperately tired) and learned a leg/ab routine. I can tell I”m going to be hurting already from lunges.

We went to Kalahari last weekend (biggest indoor waterpark in the country). It was really fun. There were 10 adults, 4 kids and one little baby.

We actually really debated going since our baby is so young and would need so much attention. But it went really well. She was so good. She never had any fussy time. And she slept really well. We did take our big swing for her to sleep in, but we had plenty of room for it in our car - which was another concern. So, good trip. Lots of fun. The chocolate shop might have been my favorite part. It. Was. Awesome.

Anyway, Eva is getting so cute lately. Really cooing like she’s having a conversation with you. And her little smile is so stinking cute. I’m excited for the next year of cute babyness. And she is sleeping a big better now. Getting up about twice a night regularly. That’s probably helping me enjoy her more now too.

Had my initial assessment at my new gym last night. They tested my body fat and cardio health and flexibility and strength … it was pretty cool. I was fair to moderate at everything. Room for improvement. Except excellent at flexibility. For some reason I have always been flexible. Then a trainer showed my a good arm workout to do and told me a lot of things I didn’t know. So glad to do that. Hopefully I’m on my way to prepregnancy weight and being more toned.

OK! Back to work. Computer unfroze.

• Went back to work Thursday after 8 weeks off. But I’m only working 2 days a week and some hours from home. It was really good to be back. Even though it is super busy and kinda frantic it still seems like a lighter task that raising two human beings. But it is so tiring!!! I love seeing my coworkers. We’ve had lots of laughs already.
• I’ve actually arrived early at work each day. I am so concentrated on leaving the house on time and getting all three of us ready, that I’m earlier than I ever was - and I’m just getting up at 7:30. That is not bad at all.
• Ella developed a rash and bumps after dinner Thursday night. And as the night progressed more patches appeared. Steve ran her to Redimed while I stayed with the baby. The doctor said it was a hives reaction, from something internal. They were gone the next day. We’ve been trying to figure out what she would have eaten out of the ordinary that day, but can’t come up with much.
• We got Ella in to the preschool we LOVED. And we got the Monday, Wednesday schedule that works great with my work schedule. We are so happy. This place had such good philosophies and was structured but super fun and Ella really wanted to join in the activities when we toured the place. Steve arrived nearly an hour early for the open house and was fifth in line. I had no idea preschool was so cutthroat. Luckily I was able to take off early from work to pick up the girls.
• I’m so glad Steve hasn’t had to travel for his job since the baby has come. We definitely are both needed these days! He does have one coming up though …
• Eva’s sleep is still a mixed bag. Sometimes good - with a feeding around 1 or 2 a.m and a feeding around 5:30, but sometimes she’ll be up for an hour or two in between. I’m trying not to wish this time away … but man, it’s so much more fun when I’m rested.
• OK, speaking of rest, good night!

Eva really knows my voice now and smiles for me a lot. Love it.

Guess I need to hide my makeup from this one. I was impressed that she knew what each thing was for. Her aim is just a little off.

Yesterday we went to storytime at Barnes and Noble, then to a toddler area and lunch. Lots of moms showed up so I had a lot of company and there were a lot of little girls Ella ran and ran with. Today we went to another storytime at the library and Ella was really good. Once she reached over a lady to get a book and said “Excuse me.” The lady couldn’t believe her good manners. I was so proud of her!

During storytime Ella sits right up front and talks more than anyone else. I think she is one of the older ones - it’s for 2-year-olds and she is nearly 3. Anyway, today the teacher read a book about a dog who got a ball for Christmas then asked the kids if any of them got a ball for Christmas. Ella said “No, I did not! Because I am not a dog!”

I went to the gym last night and I am a bit sore. I love it though. Now that I have two kids it’s hard to get any “me” time, so it’s nice to just go out and do something by myself. And all the cardio machines have their own tvs. So I can watch the show I want. Uninterrupted. I did a half hour on the bike just so I could finish watching The Office. Who knew that was the motivation I needed.

Well, I go back to work this week. I’m not dreading it as much as I did with Ella because this time I’m working way less hours, so I’ll still have lots of time with the girls. And they’ll have fun with the other kids. It is more work getting all three of us ready in the morning though. I think I’m going to need like 2 hours to feed them and get us all dressed.

Well, I better get to it … nearly time to get dinner ready.

Went to my sister’s work today for a visit at her new office and a quick lunch. Had a fabulous time and had fun talking to her coworkers (hi Stacy!). Stacy assured me that in just 19 years my baby should be sleeping like a log. Wow. And Ella was given all sorts of treats from people she visited, mostly candy, but one embossed seal from a man who didn’t have any. Funny. She liked it though.

Next we headed to Chic Fil A, which is great for kids with their little playroom. And hello, their chicken is delicious. And as Sara pointed out, it’s delightful how they always say “My pleasure” when serving you.

Now we’re home and I was just thinking about how the last two nights of good sleep has given me a whole new happy perspective and I am PRAYING that Eva starts sleeping good every night. Last night I was only up 1 1/2 times and the night before: 0. AWESOME. So, please cross your fingers for me.

P.S. My mom got me a vacuum for my birthday yesterday. I wanted a second one for the upstairs of my house and I am utterly thrilled about it. Is that weird? Or just sad?