First snow.

It actually did snow last night, even if it was only one inch and it only lasted until about noon.  Watching the news this morning, you would have thought the world was ending.  I couldn't wait for Rynnie to experience her first snow.  Unfortunately, she was up screaming all night (I think it was the teeth) and she FINALLY fell asleep around three in the morning.  Thus, she slept in until 10:30 (why oh why did I wake up at 7???).  So, as soon as she finished breakfast brunch, I threw her coat and boots on over her PJs and we enjoyed the last few millimeters of slush.  She mostly enjoyed the sound of it under her feet.  And eating it.  And in case you were wondering, she hasn't shed a tear all day.

Video 1: Slushy slushy!

Video 2: Yummy.

February

Okay, so I guess I'll just call this post "February" because I know I've been absent this month.  We will sum it up in one big update.  Well, we closed on the house on January 25th.  We immediately jumped in and got started on completely redoing all of the floors, to include new hardwoods in the entire house, new carpet in the bedrooms, fresh paint on every single surface to include the cupboards, and brand new appliances.  Kevin has been working with his buddy (also Kevin) to install the floors and paint, and he has learned a ton about home improvement in the process.  We are both learning that home projects always take longer than projected.  But our new furniture was delivered today and we stocked our fridge and thus we are well on our way to actually enjoying our new place.  Rynnie has had no trouble adjusting and loves the vastly increased square footage!  While Kev was sweating over construction projects and single handedly improving Lowe's stock worth, Rynnie and I escaped the dust and paint fumes (not healthy for a toddler and our unborn son) and went to California to hang with my family.  We even brought our friends Jenn and Oskar for a little sun, swimming and adventure.  I can't say it was relaxing, as Jenn and I both learned that traveling sans husband is not easy with a toddler.  We had a fun week, so much in fact, that Ryn and I returned the next week for a repeat performance (while Kevin continued to slave away).  Needless to say, though we had a fabulous time in Palm Desert, we couldn't wait to get back to the man in our lives and our new home!  We hope you all visit soon!

Pic 1: Jenn took so many wonderful pics, including this blue eyed beauty.

 Pic 2: Had to put on my new shades to greet Nana at the airport!

 Pic 3: Kevin and I were so surprised the other day when Camryn grabbed an apple and just started going for it.  She really does eat it, even if her bites are tiny.

Pic 4: Off to the pool!

Pic 5: Bubble bath with my man Oskar.

Pic 6: Bathing beauty.

Pic 7: Did I mention that her hair has gone through a recent growth spurt?

Pic 8: Another new talent: coloring!  Needs some redirecting to the actual paper, but she gets it.

Pic 9: We paid a fun visit to the zoo.  I brought my double stroller to test it out.  I lost count of the number of people asking Jenn and I if they were twins.  I'm sure you can guess what they thought about us two ladies together...

Pic 10: My ad campaign for birth control.

Pic 11: The zoo had a sandbox that kept Rynnie super busy.  

Pic 12: She's off!

Pic 13: Nothing can keep this girl away from the water hazards.

Pic 14: Swimming with mommy.  This kid is so fearless, she repeatedly tried to jump into the deep end.  I think I had about 27 heart attacks.

Pic 15: She jumps in all by herself!

Pic 16: Long hair = new hair styles!

 Pic 17: Another new hair style (after the pig tails were removed).

Pic 18: Baby brother at 24 weeks!

Pic 19: Handsome Daddy's new work photo.

And some videos!!!

Video 1: New talent: putting on lotion.

Video 2: Jumping in the pool.

Video 3: Give me more ice cream now!

Bring it on!

So much going on in the Schjei household!  Unless you've been living under a rock (or in a grass hut in Zambia) you have probably already heard the exciting news that baby #2 is sure enough a little boy.  We are so excited.  Petunia is clueless.  We are already imagining all the trouble she is going to force her little brother to get in; "Sure!  Mom said it was totally fine if we: take all the feathers out of the pillows/move the mattress outside so we can jump from the roof/start a worm collection in my closet/fingerpaint on the bathroom wall.".  Also last week we FINALLY got the keys to our new house.  Now the fun part begins.  We are currently elbows deep in paint, ripped-up carpet and wallpaper stripping.  Official move-in date is February 12th.  I took a ton of "before" photos and I'll post them alongside the "after" photos in two weeks when the work is all complete.

Pic 1: Last week's belly shot.  Halfway there!

Pic 2: New trick gives Daddy a heart attack.  Climbing.  Usually followed by dancing.  Not sure what part gives Daddy more of a heart attack: the climbing and potential skull fracture or the tabletop dancing?

Pic 3: This kid is a performer!  Here she is with her beloved kitty karaoke machine.  She LOVES singing into the actual working microphone.

Pic 4: Singing.

Pic 5: Where's Camryn?

Pic 6: Testing out the sweet new double stroller with my boy Oz.

Pic 7: The renovation fun begins!

Pic 8: Grandpa Jerry joining in the fun!

My Daddy just cracks me up!

A bunch of cell phone pictures.

Not the best photo quality here, just moments I've captured over the past few days. 

Pic 1: We were invited to dinner at our friends' house in Salem on Monday night.  They have five year old twins and needless to say, an endless supply of fun toys.  It was absolutely fascinating to watch Rynnie play at the kitchen.  She was seriously "washing" dishes, pushing buttons on the microwave, and "mixing" food in bowls.  Someone has been paying attention to Mommy!

Pic 2: Love this light saber. 

Pic 3: Hey guys, check me out.

Pic 4: After three weeks of a mysterious face rash that spread to her whole body on Monday night, we decided to visit Dr. Smart on Tuesday afternoon.  Poor Rynnie just can't win.  Now she has Fifth Disease.  It's no longer contagious, and viral, so there is nothing we can do to treat it except wait a few more weeks for it to clear.  Luckily it hasn't affected her mood at all.  In fact, I don't think she even knows she looks like this.  Poor baby.

Pics 5 and 6: Rearranging the furniture while waiting for Dr. Smart.

Pic 7: Mom made couscous for dinner after we came home from the doctor's office.  This is how you eat couscous without a spoon.  Like a chicken.

Pic 8: As you can see, goofy girl is not affected by her diagnosis.  New game: climbing up the side of her chair and flipping off the front.  Over and over and over.

Just hanging out.

Impromptu play date with Oskar this afternoon followed by a serious dance session before bed tonight.  I just had to share.

Video: It's obvious that she gets her moves from her mama.

Sneaky sneaky.

Ryn...is it you that stole the blue M&Ms???