Little Random Big Things

I was reminded by my fellow blogger that there are many things in the course of just a single week that go without recognition because of the millions of other little things that happen in the same time frame. Some of those things are much more significant than we give them credit for and really should be mentioned.
- The girls eat everything. This isn't new information, I know, but it still amazes me. From Eggplant Parmesan to Mac & Cheese, they are the easiest kids in the world to feed and their healthy appetites make cooking around here pretty simple (not that I was prepared for the grocery bill).
If the amount they eat now is any indication of what they will be eating as teenagers, I better start going to medical school too! It's gonna take two doctors incomes to feed our household by then!
- Macie can spell her name. She is working on the letters thing- but she can spell it out. She is learning how to spell Ella's name too, but is very proud of knowing her own.
- Ella can't fit her 12 month onesies anymore. When we brought the girls home, both of them were in infant clothing. Ella was wearing 12 month cloths (at 18 months) and Macie was in 18 month cloths (at 3yrs 1/2yrs). Now Ella is fitting into 24 month old cloths and Macie is in a 3T shirt. They are getting so big and we are doing our best to keep up! I'm thankful we at least have hand-me-downs for one of them!
- Both the girls love spending time with their Daddy. There are no more tears and no more struggles when Daddy takes them on errands or keeps them at home while Mommy goes out for a while. This is HUGE for us. I can't tell you how difficult it was to struggle through that phase of attachment. There just aren't words.
- This bug has finally been eradicated from our house. We thought we got rid of it a while back, but apparently we didn't catch it before it was lovingly shared between siblings and got to the rest of the family. Now, I am all too happy to say it is gone and our little bodies are able to absorb more of the nutrients we have been feeding them.
- Macie covers her eyes when she prays. I love that. It was something she did before she was brought home and she does it still. It is humbling to watch and often brings tears to my eyes.
- Ella can pull her pants on now -and yes- she can pull them up ALL the way! I know it has been a question you all have had when you have watched those crazy home movies. I couldn't help myself though. We have been working on it for a while, but there were days when I just couldn't crush her pride. She was so proud she could get her legs in the right holes and pull the front of her pants up that I just let it go. Knowing she would get it soon enough, I figured I would enjoy one of the cute little things in toddler life. Now I miss seeing that little diaper hang over the back of her pants as she tromps around the house.

- Macie is officially potty trained. She loves going potty and isn't afraid to say so. In fact, when we visited the aquarium the other day, we were in the bathroom and she was sitting pensively on the potty when she suddenly looked at me and stated in her not so reserved voice "Oh my goodness" and then proceeded to go #2 at a volume that I am fairly certain, could be heard by those OUTSIDE of the bathroom. I was trying to hold back a giggle when the woman in the stall next to us let out enough of a chuckle that I couldn't help but join her and before we all knew it, the entire bathroom was filled with the sound of three separate, and very loud, giggling females.
-Ella is a flirt. She blinks her eyes (both of them) when we are in big crowds, in order to get the attention and adoration of others. Garrett and I will be wandering down an isle in the grocery store and we'll hear someone utter something like "ahhh, she is so cute" and we will look into the cart and see Ella grinning from ear to ear and blinking her eyes in their direction. She loves making people laugh and has quickly identified herself as the entertainer in the house. "Ella funny!" is the common phrase escaping from the mouths of both girls these days.
-Chores. We are working on them too, believe it or not. Macie seems to thrive when she is asked to help or do something, so she was recently assigned the chore of feeding Dudley in the morning and evening. She was given a little chore board and has stickers she is given when she remembers. Which, by the way is NEVER a problem. The other night, we were headed home late and she kept herself up reminding herself and us that "Macie feed Dudley" was critical to the end of the evening routine. Every day so far is full of stickers. Dudley is her new best friend too!
-Books. The girls can't get enough of them. They read to themselves, to each other, to baby dolls, to mommy and of course, their favorite, they love to be read to. We have had a few struggles with torn pages and pop-up book pieces, but we are working through that and are thrilled just to have them love books in the first place.
-Play time upstairs. I love it. Their little imaginations wander and before you know it a world of adventure and giggles is echoing it's way down the stairs. I am so thankful for the time they enjoy together.