Get Together

Yesterday we had Mark, Cheryl, Sara, Claire and Lavon over for dinner. We had not seen Mark, Cheryl and the girls since Christmas so it was definetly time to see them. The girls all change so much that it is nice to see each other from time to time.

We had a nice dinner that Richard so lovingly cooked for us and then Lavon provided Angel Food cake and berries for dessert. I tried raspberries and blueberries for the first time. I like the raspberries but did not care for the blueberries. Hey, atleast I tried something new (one of my resolutions).

We played a couple of games that I think we will have to add to our collection after playing them. The first is Pictureka! It is similar to Where's Waldo but with some twists. It was a lot of fun and I kicked butt. The second was Apples to Apples Jr. (They have an adult version out I am told). It is hard to explain, The "judge" says a word and you have to pick from your cards which card best suits that word. Example: The judge's word is Creepy. The card I put in was Barney. Everyone puts in their cards and the "judge" pick the ones that they think best suits the word. It is ofcourse very subjective but still fun just the same.

We had a very nice time and hope to do it again real soon. It was wonderful watching Evelyn playing with Sara and Claire. She is so much more interactive and can actually play with them. It was fun to watch. Man they grow up fast.

More Pics...

Sweet Camille

Pretty Girl

Happy Sisters.

Where's Evelyn?

Couple of Pics...

Evelyn giving love to Camille


A kiss between sisters.


Thank you Amy for the wonderful pictures from our playdate.

New President

I hope that he can bring good change to this country during the time he holds office. I will not put my own views in but I do hope that he does right by this country. This country is going downhill fast and needs some major changes. Let's hope that he can do them.

Meeting the Great Grandparents

My grandparents from Las Vegas came up for a visit this past weekend. They hadn't seen Evelyn since Scott and Nicole's wedding and had not yet had the chance to meet Camille. We had a great time. Evelyn enjoyed reading books with my grandmother and she enjoyed the funny noises that Grandpa Fred made. It was fun to watch her interact with them.

Camille was good while they were here and they thought she was a cutie. It is amazing how fast they change. I remember when my grandparents came to visit Evelyn when she was 3 weeks old and now a year and a half later they are visiting my 6 week old. Time sure does fly.


Here are a few pictures from this weekend...


Evelyn reading with Great Grandma Yvonne.




Great Grandpa Fred trying to calm Camille.


Evelyn and Camille.



**Cutest thing just happened. While typing the captions, Evelyn was standing next to me, she saw the pictures and started blowing kisses. So darn cute that girl is.

A few Pics...

Evelyn playing in Kelly and Keane's backyard with Heidi.


Evelyn and Emma


Camille getting a bath.

Grandma Lavon holding the girls.

Grandma Lavon reading to Evelyn.

Camille and Evelyn

Camille - She is just over 5 weeks old and is doing good. She weighs 9lbs 13oz and is 21.5 inches long. She is growing well and eating good. Her liver enzymes are at 69 which is slightly elevated. We looked it up and we think 40 in the normal high. She has to get more lab work done next week and we will go from there. If it is still rising our dr. will recommend us to a specialist. Keep her in your thought please.

Otherwise she is great. She smiles now which lights up our hearts. She is sleeping 4-5 hours at night but then is up for 2 so that is nice but then a little hard. She is getting better about sleeping in her pack n play which lets me get better sleep. All in all she is a happy baby and fun to be around.

Evelyn - What can I say about Evelyn other than she amazes us everyday. She is talking more and more everyday and is learning new words all the time. Her newest words are apple, thank you, meal (Camille), and the sound the elephant makes. I am sure there are more but those are a few. Evelyn absolutely loves Camille and kisses her goodnight everynight and is always coming over to kiss her. It is the cutest thing. Evelyn loves to dance to toddler tunes and the latest Pink songs. She is very into books and playing with her dolls. She feeds them from her sippy cup, wraps them in blankets and puts them in the swing, carseat or highchair. It is really cute.

We have been very lucky with Evelyn being so independent with playing while I am taking care of Camille. She has transitioned so well and we are so proud of her. She is back to sleeping well and can now nap in her crib or laying on the couch. She just curls up and falls asleep which is handy when I am feeding Camille and can't lay her down.

She is no longer on bottle and doesn't take anything to drink before naps or bed. We just do her routine and then lay her in her bed with her blanket and she goes to sleep. It is nice for us and she knows what is coming next.


Life with 2 girls is amazing and we look forward to the many years to come. We are truly blessed with a wonderful family.

Jumping on the bandwagon

Other people have been posting the New Year's Resolutions so I thought I would as well. Like they said, maybe it will make me stick to them more.

1. Have better posture. I am always slouching which I know is not good. So I vow to stand taller and straighter.

2. Have the TV on less when Evelyn is awake. I am good about this at night when Richard is home but not during the day. She doesn't watch it but I do and therefore am not paying as much attention to her as I should be.

3. Try new foods. If you know me, you know I am picky. I am hoping to try more so hopefully I will like more and then there are more options for me.

4. To let me children figure out for themselves what they like and don't like. I need to make an effort not to place my feelings about foods and activities on my children and let them decide for themselves if they like something.

5. Cut back on the amount of soda I drink. This is a good one for everyone as soda is bad for the teeth. Sometimes I do good others I don't. I just want to cut down on the amount particularly the caffinated ones.

That's it! Do you think I can do it? I do. Here's to a great 2009.

Sick babies...

Having two sick babies is NOT fun to care for. Camille can't breathe well, particularly at night, which makes feeding her hard. They both have running noses, congestion and Evelyn has a slight cough. Evelyn's nose is a constant stream of snot that she will not let me wipe much anymore because it is getting sore. Today is better than yesterday as far as their moods go. Camille has been up more at night which is hard on both of us. Here's hoping they get better soon.

On a side note, Camille's bili levels are normal but her liver enzymes are elevated. We have to get more blood work done and hopefully will have more answers. Please pray that it is nothing serious and will resolve itself.

A couple of pictures...

Camille smiling for the camera!

Sisters!

Evelyn smiling after saying "Cheeessee"

Happy Anniversary!

It has been 5 years since Richard and I got married and it sure has been fun. I cannot believe how fast time hs flown and the things that have occured in that time frame. I have finished (most) of my schooling, got a wonderful dog, had Evelyn and became a stay at home mommy and then this past year added Camille to our family. 5 years a dog and 2 kids later I wouldn't ask for anything more. I look to the future and see nothing but brightness and happiness for us.

I love you, Richard now and for always.

Hapy New Year!

I hope that everyone had a great and safe New Year! We partied until about 10:30 and then went to bed. We woke up at midnight said Happy New Year and then went back to sleep. Such is life with two small kids

I hope that everyone has a great 2009. Happy New Year!!!

Happy Holidays!

We hope that everyone had a great Christmas. We sure did. We got some alone family time in the morning, spent the afternoon with Richard's family and the evening with my family. It was a long day but was great that we were able to see everyone. Evelyn enjoyed Christmas and all the gifts.

Here is her is her outfit from Great Grandma Yvonne and Great Grandpa Fred. It is the cutest thing I have ever seen (if I do say so myself).

How cute is this?

Playing the piano.

Day 2 of no bottles...

Evelyn has been without bottles for 2 days now and is doing great. She kinda weaned herself from them when she didnt want to take naps with having one before anymore. We decided to try at bedtime as well and she does great. Now we just cuddle and/or read and book before laying her down in her crib.

Hopefully this continues and we will no longer have to clean her bottles just the little ones from time to time.

Have a good night.

One more thing there was an explosion a few miles from our house today that I felt and scared the you know what out of me. It was so loud and such a huge bang I thought someone rammed into our house. Here is the news link http://www.kcra.com/news/18354980/detail.html

Scary. I hope everyone is safe.

Thank You Camille

Dear Camille,


Thank you for sleeping in your pack n play all night last night. Mommy needed the sleep laying down and not worrying about you. I hope that this trend continues as I am sure we both sleep better.

I love you and can't wait for Christmas morning with you.



Love,

Mommy

Gearing up for Christmas!

Christmas is only a few days away and we are ready ( I think). We have everything bought and wrapped so it is just a matter or passing them out and celebrating. My family is coming up Thursday or Friday and will be here for the weekend. I can't wait.

Christmas morning we are spending alone as a family. I want this to be a tradition in the years to come. We can get up, open presents and have breakfast all in our pajamas. I am looking forward to Christmas this year with our two girls. Evelyn will lots of fun opening gifts and Camille will probably sleep but look like an angel while doing so.

There is not much left to do other than clean house. That should go fairly quickly, nice thing about a small house. I will try to do a little each day while the girls let me and by Thursday hopefully there will be nothing left to do.

I wish everyone Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Holidays! Please be safe!

Dear Camille,

Mommy would like to start sleeping lying down. If you could please go and stay asleep on your back I would really appreciate it. I love you and I love holding you but sleeping while holding you is hard on mommy. Is there any way I can help you sleep on your back, if so I will try anything. I love you.



Love,
Mommy

1st Day ALONE!

Well, I survived the first day alone with the girls. Richard went back to work so I had them both all day. I did great if I do say so myself. I didn't even cry or get frustrated at either of them. It is still a transition but we are doing great, if only I could get Camille to sleep on her back in the pack n play.

I am also proud to say that I ventured out into the world with two kids on my own. We went to the grocery store and Costco. I did ok but still have to figure out the best way to get both girls in and out of the car. In time I will master that as well.

Hope everyone is doing well. I will try to take and post more pictures soon.

Evelyn's New Favorite Toy!

Last night Richard was making dinner and I was doing laundry (I know let the house work go, but I can't), Evelyn was eating a few Cheerios before dinner and the next thing I hear is "noooooooo" and the sound of the Cheerios being poured out of the box onto the floor. Evelyn loved it and thought it was hilarious. Here are a couple of pictures.

Otherwise, things are going good. We are trying to get Camille to sleep in the pack n play instead of on me, so hopefully that will be easy. She is doing good and eating well. We have to get some followup blood work done this week but otherwise she is doing great. We are enjoying our TWO girls.

Camille Karen

Camille Karen was born December 3rd, 2008. She weighed 9lbs 3 oz (big girl) and was 20 inches long. She is absolutely beautiful.

My labor was great and I was in the zone (according to Richard and Cheryl). I was able to go without meds again and had another great birth experience. Sometimes I think the birthing is easier than the parenting.

We are doing ok. Tired but okay. We are happy to have her home with us. She had to stay in the Special Care Nursery while we were at the hospital because of some complications but she is well now and doing great.

Evelyn is adjusting well, but doesn't like it when Camille cries and if she is sleeping wakes up because of it. This makes for short naps. We will get there. Next year at this time we will have a one year old and wonder where the time went.

We are in love. Here is the link to some pictures we have uploaded. More to come soon. Enjoy!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/burstiner_family/sets/

No baby yet...

but there is an end in sight. I had a dr. appointment today and although there is a little (very little) progress and the babies head is low not much else is happening. My dr. is not comfortable with me going more than a week past my due date so we are scheduled for an induction Wednesday, December 10th at 7:30 in the morning. I am praying that it will happen before than as I do not want to be induced. So please wish, hope, think, or pray that this baby comes on its own before next Wed. Everything else is going great.

We had a great Thanksgiving and Evelyn is wonderful as always. We are spending as much time with her as we can before the baby comes. She is an amazing little girl and we feel so blessed to have her in our lives.

We will keep everyone informed and hopefully we will have a baby soon.