Peaceful Nights

I think I can now finally say that Lexie sleeps through the night. Yes, she is 13 months old, and yes, it has taken her this long to sleep through the night consistently. I have been asked if I let her cry - and yes, lots! One night she cried for an hour...then it took me an hour to get her settled down. Not fun! So I bought a space heater for her room, as there are two outer walls in her room and thought it might be chilly. Not sure if it is the heat or the fan, but she is sleeping! And has for over a week. Woo hoo is all I can say! :) The only "bad" thing is she is wide awake by 6:30. Those restless nights would mean she would sleep a bit later. Oh well - a rested 1 year old at 6 or 6:30 is much more enjoyable than a crying baby at 2am!

Busy Weekend

We had a fun and busy weekend away from home! We went to Des Moines Friday to cheer Daddy on in racquetball, then headed to Kansas City Saturday morning to spend the weekend with Andy, Allie, Tanner, and Dylan and to celebrate Dylan's baptism. The kids were so good - fun to have them all together. Here is a picture of Papa, Meme, and their four grand kids. Not sure the picture could be any better!

Happy Halloween!

We had a fun Halloween weekend! Our little lady bug and witch had fun trick-or-treating (well, Molly did) with their cousins. Ryan and I had a Halloween party as well - we even dressed up! :)

In other news, Lexie is officially walking. The girl is everywhere, and she has no fear!

Happy Birthday, Lexie!

On 10/29 at 10:29 am, Lexie Ryan Ratchford was welcomed into the world. Happy 1st Birthday to our sweet little Lexie. Mommy and Daddy love you lots!

Visit to Hartman Reserve

We had a picnic and a walk at Hartman Reserve today. I successfully used the timer on my camera and caught a pretty cute family pic.

It's Been a While!

Greetings, family and friends! It's been a while since I have made a post here. It seems with all the other means of communication, I have forgotten about this one! :)

The girls are doing great. Molly continues to amazes us each day with her constant chatter. A day doesn't go by where I do not wonder where she heard/learned that? She is growing like crazy! Just this week Ryan said he knew she is growing because she can turn the lights on and off by herself with a stool. Whoa! Molly loves to be outside - riding her bike and scooter and running around the neighbor kids.

Lexie is almost one. I cannot believe this. She is a big girl - almost 24 pounds, but is very tall, too. She is quite a bit more sassy and temperamental than Molly was at this age. She keeps me on my toes! Lex loves her big sister and her toys. She is a great eater and has become a much better sleeper (thank goodness!).

The girls started a new daycare this year. Molly's teacher from last year opened her own in-home daycare, so this is where the girls go. It is working out great! Both girls (usually) take great naps, so our late afternoons/evenings are not as challenging at home.

We are loving this beautiful fall weather and are looking forward to a visit to the Pumpkin Patch really soon.


Here is Lexie's 9 month picture, Molly's 3 year, and a cute one of the girls playing together. Enjoy!

Lexie is Mobile!

Here is a short video of how Lexie gets from point A to point B these days. For the longest time she was rolling everywhere, then she figured this out. I am waiting for her to get her belly of the ground and actually crawl! :)

New Things!

The days go by so fast! I am home with the girls all day every day, and I have no idea what we do all day! The weather hasn't been great so there haven't been many trips to the pool, but I hope that will change! We have gone a few times, and it went great. Lexie loves the water - she likes to sit and splash. Yes, she is sitting! And very well, with only the occasional tumble. :) Lexie is working on several teeth right now - not fun! I hope they are in soon.

Molly continues to amaze us with her conversation. She talks about anything and everything - I am sure she will lose her voice some day from all the talking! :) She has a new friend down the street, and is always asking if she can go play with Ava. Molly loves to ride her bike and scooter, play in the sandbox, and play with squirt guns and bottles.

Here are a few pictures from the last couple of weeks.

Lexie - 6 Months

Lexie was six months on October 29th - how fast the time has gone. Here is one of my favorite 6 month pictures I took of her:
This past weekend was a busy one - Troy graduated on Saturday so we went to graduation then out to dinner. Sunday, of course, was Mother's Day. We hung out at home (which I love!) then to Amy's to spend time with Ryan's family.


Molly was scared of Troy in his cap and gown - she thought he was a mean witch, therefore, she would not go near him!

Here are some fun pictures of the girls from the last month. It is so cute to see them interact - makes my heart melt! They love to lay on the floor and giggle together. Ryan and I end of laughing with them - it is infectious! :)

Lexie is Baptized!

Today Lexie was baptized. It was a perfect day - most of our family was here, church was good, weather was great.
Lexie, unfortunately, has had an ear infection now for 2 months - yes, that is about 60 days. April 28th she will have tubes put in her ear. Molly has had them twice, so I guess we are pros at this. Hopefully it goes as well as Molly's have gone. We are looking forward to this as we know she is in pain. Poor baby... :(

We have been enjoying the nice weather and even a bought a new stroller today for both girls to ride in. The first stroller ride was a success!!

Lexie is 5 Months

Our Little Lexie was 5 months old yesterday. She is such a big girl! Lots of new things in her world - she rolls over both ways, is sleeping through the night most nights (yeah!), and LOVES her food! She has now had cereal, bananas, applesauce, and sweet potatoes. It did a couple different cereals to find one she likes, but all is great now! She is on a bit more of a schedule than before, but she still does not take very good naps during the day. I was spoiled with Molly who took 2 or 3 naps at the same time every day for 2 or so hours. Lexie sleeps about 30-45 minutes 4 times a day. Makes it hard to get things done, that is for sure!


Molly is growing up so much. It is unbelievable! She beat me in Memory today, and I would say she legitimately beat me. I might have helped her once or twice, but she is good! She loves to talk - talk about anything, and is so fun to chat with. I always have smiles on my face and am in awe of what she says and what she remembers...which is everything! My mom and dad tell me she is a lot like someone else (hmmm, is that me??).


We are looking forward to the Spring weather and being outside. Molly is enjoying her new scooter, along with her bubbles, chalk, swing....

Easter will be very fun this weekend! We hope the weather is nice so we can do our Easter egg hunt indoors and outdoors. Molly is going to love it...and we are going to love watching her love it!

Go Panthers!

It's March!

Hard to believe it is March this week. Time definitely goes faster with 2 little love bugs to occupy my time! :) Molly keeps us on our toes, that is for sure. She doesn't miss a thing and always has questions for us. She is all about "choices", helping with Lexie, and wanting our constant attention. Yes, a bit of jealousy is coming out! We are looking forward to being outside once this snow melts!

Lexie is such a good baby. She loves her bottles but isn't a big fan of her cereal yet. She is still waking up once during the night to eat, but she eats quick and is back to sleep. Pretty painless! I am lucky that Ryan shares this duty with me - we take turns getting up with her. She is just learning how to grab at a toy and put it in her mouth. She gets pretty excited when she gets it there!

Ryan and I spent this past weekend in Des Moines as Ryan played in racquetball tournament. We enjoyed doing some shopping and having dinner together without an agenda. Something we are not used to! :) Molly and Lexie spent the weekend with Papa and Meme (my parents).

Enjoy this pictures from the last month!

Molly in her Panther gear before the game Saturday - GO PANTHERS!

Tanner spent 5 days in Cedar Falls while Andy and Allie were in Mexico. Here are Molly and Tanner hanging out on Molly's bed. They had a blast together!

Mommy and Molly got new hair dos - do you like the? :)

And last but not least, Miss Lexie.... :)

Lexie is 3 Months!

Matching

Where has the last few weeks gone? I went back to work last week, so we had to adjust to a new morning routine...one that involves me getting a shower before 10am if I'm lucky! :) Back to work has been good. Lexie is doing great at daycare - all the ladies love her and want to hold her, so she definitely isn't lacking attention. Molly loves having her little sister across the hall. She gets to visit Lexie whenever she wants. She was in Lexie's room one day last week when I went to pick them up.

Here are some recent pictures of the girls in their matching clothes. Lexie is looking more and more like Molly - so cute!