The Year In Review: The Ladies' 2008

We began with endless days of laying around because that was all we really knew how to do.

But you quickly learned that in our house you have to hold on tight to your things.



And then we ran out of pajamas that fit you and decided to start dressing you and getting out a little.


In small steps of course. Like out to the yard in the beginning.

And to visit daddy's work.

But mostly in the safe backyard.

Where the mud puddle was ever present last summer and we had a ball.

Higher ground was a red wagon that you adored being pulled around in.

We spent many early mornings together. And many late nights too.

We got rid of that gate.

We got out to see some sights.

We made it to your well visits and not too many sick visits.

And we wondered if you were identical or not many times.

But it doesn't really matter.

And more and more we find you together. In the evening every night for the past week you have set up tea together on the play airplanes in your room while I ran down to get your milk, and you chatter like you are old friends catching up.

Now. Off we go to the new year girls. We can't wait to see what you get into.

The Year In Review: The Stuberoo's 2008

We started out the year with a bang and a tornado warning, which made us rethink our preparedness plan around the house.

Then your dad left town and we all got nasty, nasty sick and stripped off our clothes no longer even pretending we'd stay clean.



Then we took a road trip for Easter, and Alida, you kept an entire hotel awake the entire night. At least it felt that way as we let you climb around on top of us for three hours in bed.



Then your dad had to be gone once again, and the sun came out and getting Stuberoos clean meant group bath time straight out of the yard.

And then your dad came home, and that was a happy day.

And we continued to make very good use of the back yard.

And the girls learned about the pool.

Then we took a train trip to Minnesota, and that was one for the record books. We've already booked our tickets for this coming year guys, and we're strangely looking forward to doing it again--Dramamine in hand this time.

Daddy got you a new bench that fit you all for this one season only.

And the girls turned one and rode in style.

Mark and Jennifer and Emily and Granny-E came over more than a few times to give mom a break and take some really good pictures.

And if that wasn't enough, the King clan even went on public outings with us.

Then we had a haphazard Halloween with one very fevery little Elaine devil, one unusually good natured skeleton Alida, and 2 classic skeleton boys who fought over the first skeleton costume so I had to return the Frankenstein costume to get a second of the same. Believe it or not the plan was to have Frankenstein, a skeleton, a bat and the devil there. Alas. With my new Christmas sewing machine, I'm sure I'll be whipping out the future requests in no time.

And the weather started to cool so we jammied up and settled in for some good movies--Iron Man, Batman, and Marvel Man really.

We took a miserable trip to Pigeon Forge.

And we ended with dinner and a movie that went amazingly well with many thanks to the Veggie Tales movies and new table and chairs we got for Christmas. More on the dance party that followed a little later.

Happy New Year little ones, who aren't so little any more. It tickles me to see the growing ability for good natured interaction amongst you all. We'll do all we can to encourage that along the way.

The Year In Review: Alida's 2008

You were working on sitting up at the beginning of the year. It didn't take you too long to reveal your plan.

You were lunge-crawling in no time in order to get to the toys with small parts and chew on them.

And then crawling made you a happy girl.

Until you revealed that you had plans to take over the house.

You were the first baby to dump herself in the pool during the split second that no adult was watching.

Sitting down on the boat was such a struggle that we finally found it safer to let you stand there than thrash around fighting us to get you to sit down.

And then just like that you were walking.

And you decided to make the leap to climbing the playground equipment quickly.

One of your latest crazes is jumping off of things toward an adult, whether that adult is aware or not. Remember when we left that hotel room and it's big step leading to the in-room jacuzzi girl? That was in no small part because you decided to leap into my lap while I was unaware that you were leaping.

Find the boys; find Alida.

You mastered going down the stairs on your belly before I could even think to teach you. Now you are attempting to go face first girl.

And Christmas morning just wouldn't be Christmas morning without you sitting on the edge calmly pushing your limits girl.

Off we go careening into the new year girl. Can't wait to see if it is you or Nicholas that lands us in the emergency room first.

The Year In Review: Elaine's 2008

Well girl. At the beginning of 2008 you did not sit up by yourself, you didn't eat solid food really, you could not crawl, let alone walk, and you certainly did not sleep through the night. You started the year with a very long to-do list.

Smiling, you already had down.


Pushing up was a good start. But that opened you up to being messed with by your parents.

Sitting up was good. And I quickly learned that dresses on the newly-crawling were kind of mean really.

In no time you were experiencing all kinds of motion.

And crawling and discovering were wonderful in the grass if not a bit messy at times.

And you got this attitude and a whole bunch of teeth.

And then it was all over for us as you began walking. We spent all of that time encouraging you to learn and we suddenly had four little people crashing around our house.

And you charmed us with your ability to amuse yourself and you often sit and play all by yourself as the chaos unfolds around you.

And then it was time for the 15-month appointment and you got all serious for the camera and refused to entertain us.

And then you got really serious in a kind of beautiful way.

And Christmas rolled around and happy goofball returned.

We can't wait to see what adventures come our way in the coming year girl!