Chloe & Hannah Update

Chloe is almost 2 years old, but a lot of people mistake her for already being 2 because she is tall like her daddy. She is very quick to learn right now and she repeats everything she hears. She can count to 10 with a little help, but is still learning colors and letters. She refers to herself in third person most of the time, so she calls herself Chloe, or she'll ask herself a question as if she is prompting you to ask it. For example, she'll say, "Hungry, Chloe?" or "Me help you, Chloe?" or "Cookie, Chloe?" and then she'll smile real big and say, "Okay, Chloe" to answer her own question. She makes it sound like it was all your idea in the first place. 

Chloe LOVES to be outside, go on walks, play with balls, look at cats, try to climb trees, watch the boys on our street play ball (She'll point to them and very excitedly say, "Boys!!"), run around and fall in the grass, play at the play ground, play with her baby dolls, watch me cook dinner, draw and color and dance with Daddy. She has a good imagination - she has started making her farm animals talk to each other and she plays "mommy" to her baby dolls(*** see story below). The other night a neighbor brought over their 4 week old kitten to show Chloe. They named the kitten Chloe after my Chloe (their dog's name is Grace, like cousin Grace, and the boy's name is Scott, like Uncle Scott - Chloe is quite confused with it all, I'm sure). Anyway, Scott brought a football with him and Chloe paid no attention to the kitten; all she wanted to do was play with Scott's ball! I think we have a little tom-boy in the making! When Matt is home on the weekends, she gets so excited to watch football on T.V.! 

***Matt, Chloe and I were in the living room hanging out together. Chloe picked up her cabbage patch doll and started patting it's back. She whispered, "it's okay, baby. it's okay. sorry, baby, sorry." We thought it was odd that she was saying sorry to baby when she had done nothing to it and she was being so sweet. Then, all the sudden, she raised baby above her head and whacked its head on the coffee table!! Matt and I were laughing so hard (silently) that we were in tears! We didn't want to encourage this behavior so we tried to keep her from seeing us laugh but it was soooo funny! Then, Chloe made her sad face and picked up baby and patted its back again saying, "it's okay, baby, it's okay." She definitely did not learn this from me just in case you were wondering. I do not condone banging your child's head on the coffee table!***

Hannah is growing fast! We looked at pictures of Matt last night of when he was 3 mths old and they look exactly alike! I plan to scan one in and post it next to her picture so you can see. It is amazing! She is working on rolling over right now but has a ways to go. She has a very pleasant spirit and smiles and coos at me all the time. She has started to notice Chloe a little more which is exciting because that means she'll stay entertained! She is the exact opposite of Chloe, as in Chloe did not like to be rocked to sleep; Hannah can't fall asleep without it. Chloe did not want to be held all the time; Hannah always wants to be held. This means Chloe has never been a cuddler, but Hannah is all the time! Chloe was/is very independent so it'll be interesting to see how her personality shapes Hannah's personality. 

Sorry that there are no pics with this post. I just wanted to give a little update on how the girls are doing since my last few posts have been just pictures. 

Random stuff because it's easier to post that way...

With the second kid, and thereafter I'm sure, you have to make it a point to take pictures. I was looking at my pictures of Chloe from the last (almost) 2 years, and I have them divided month by month for her first year; then after the first year, they are divided by event. Poor Hannah... her ONE folder is called "Hannah pics". 

Anyway, here are some pictures of our last few weeks. Keep in mind they are in reverse order.

This is what happens when a baby has a big sister. You come back into the room finding either less or more on Baby than when you left the room. Hannah didn't seem to mind the headband too much at first, but then it started poking her in the eye. At least it matches, right?

Chloe wanted to wear her own headband also. She could be a Rocker from the '80s... except for her Darby and Pooh shirt.

This is what happens when Hannah is with Daddy... always, without fail.

Matt's mom says Hannah looks exactly like Matt did when he was a baby. Chloe's and Hannah's baby pictures no longer look very much alike. Chloe was so much a mixture of the two of us that you couldn't tell who she looked more like. Hannah looks exactly like Daddy, but is short like Mommy.

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Trick or Treat!

Chloe went as Darby from My Friends Tigger and Pooh (the little girl who replaced Christopher Robin, for those of you who are not up to date on your Disney shows). We put her in our neighbor's wagon and piled all her Winnie the Pooh characters around her. She did very well. Matt would walk her, hand-in-hand, to the door and tell her to say "Trick or treat!" She wouldn't say it. The next day we were going shopping and Matt made her hold his hand in the parking lot and she all the sudden said, "Trick or treat!" in the meekest little voice! Little Love thought we were still getting candy! 

In the above picture, you'll see Chloe's hands folded together. That's her new thing while she is waiting or riding in the stroller or the car. She'll sometimes twiddle her thumbs too. 

Chloe and her neighbor friend, Sara Kate, are inspecting their loot. We went to Sara Kate's house after trick or treating for their annual chili cook-off. I didn't make any, but we had chili originating from Texas, Georgia, Alabama, and California. I have to say I like Tanya's (Sara Kate's mom) the best, even though she is from Georgia. ;) 

Chloe stole my Broncos jersey. I had to post this picture because it's one of the few times she was actually smiling for the camera!

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Month of Birthdays

The month of October was filled with 3 birthday parties for Chloe's friends. Sara Kate's was first at Pump-It-Up and then Aiden's was at the same place the next weekend. Chloe was last there in March when she was about 15 mths old. Now she is 22 months old and she enjoyed it so much more. She wore me out though because she wanted to do the most difficult things over and over and over again, including the ladder below. It was part of a bigger obstacle course that ended in a steep slide. She had no fear. I have realized that although she is very adventurous, she is careful and is very observant before she tries to tackle something. It's like she runs it through her mind before doing it. 

Above is sweet Sara Kate. She has such a darling personality. She ADORES Hannah and constantly attends to her when she is with her. And she is so good at sharing her toys with Chloe. Soon, SK will have her own baby brother to love on!!!

Chloe's friend, Aiden was way too fast for the camera to get any good pictures.

The last party we went to was a little girl in our playgroup who is Chloe's age. Her birthday was on Halloween and we had a fun party of pizza and cupcakes! (I couldn't get my blog to upload any more pictures for some reason.)

Picture Post

Chloe & Mommy making cupcakes

Hannah & Aunt Amy

Chloe LOVES spaghetti!

Mommy & Hannah - she kept trying to put her hands over her face so I had to hold them down.

Aunt A & Chloe

Grammie teaching Hannah how to play Settlers

Hannah fell asleep with her head resting on Pop's hand

Chloe in Pop's shoes

Chloe didn't want Daddy to read TO her... 

She wanted him to read WITH her.

Two peas in a pod. :)

Happy Day, Gracie Girl!!

We hope you had a fun weekend with Grammie and Pops and at your birthday party!! You are such a sweet, joyful spirit and I wish we could know you better!!! One day, we will never have to be apart!! 

Happy Birthday, Gracie Girl!

Random Picture Post

Hannah Elizabeth

Mommy and Hannah hanging out on the couch.

Special Grammie and Hannah time.

Chloe decided she wanted to "play" with Hannah so she climbed in beside her.

Chloe's first attempt at assembling Mr. Potato Head, aka "Toe Head", by herself.

Chloe sporting a cool outfit which include a few of her favorite things:

Aggies, America, and Bob & Larry

"You can't resist me, Mommy."

Hannah at about 5 weeks.

Chloe somehow knew instinctly that you are supposed to climb trees, so Gramma helped her get up into this one at the park. Chloe likes to play with dirt, climb trees, and throw balls. I think we have a little tom-boy developing...

Oh, and she loves to watch football with her daddy! Go Broncos!!

Chloe enjoying the swing. I took it from a long way away so it's pretty fuzzy.

Mommy and Chloe watching the other kids play at the park and enjoying our beautiful weather.

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

Is anyone else reminded of the song "My Humps" by Black Eyed Pea when you read the following Dr. Seuss excerpt? Yea, you just try to read it now with out that beat in your head...

"Bump!

Bump!

Bump!

Did you ever ride a Wump?

We have a Wump

with just one hump.

But

we know a man

called Mr. Gump.

Mr. Gump has a seven hump Wump.

So...

if you like to go Bump! Bump!

just jump on the hump of Wump of Gump."

How can I read this book to Chloe now without "My Humps" song getting stuck in my head? I can hardly make it through those two pages now with out bobbing my head to the beat. Then, I realize what I'm doing and start laughing. I'm glad Chloe remains clueless because I'd hate to have to explain that song to her...

Good bye, my dear sweet friend...

My dear Ally... we miss you already. Lucy does too. You were her best friend, and you were always there for me. You were our first "child". I remember the day we found you in the pound in College Station; you were shaking from fear and you would not move; you were skin and bones. What drew us to you? I don't know, but we knew we wanted to rescue you, love you, and protect you. You wouldn't move from the same spot on the floor for days. Then, you eventually moved to the couch. You wouldn't eat out of a bowl because you were afraid of it so for a good 2 years you ate directly off the floor. Goofy, dog. :) You always had your quirks. You would not go to anyone but me for a while and then, you finally felt safe with Matt too. We made a small family and you allowed us into your circle of trust. You allowed me to cry to you through the years of a difficult marriage, then miscarriages, anger at God, and moves, and you were in my circle of trust. You heard things that I never told anyone else. Your circle widened to include my whole family as they showered you with love over the years. You eventually became our little hostess when people came over, sitting so politely as if you wanted to join in on the conversation. You went from being introverted and fearful to being loving, compassionate, playful and sweet. 

I will miss your sweet presence, your peace, your hand shakes, your snoring, the way you would hop around before we went on a walk, the way you'd stop abruptly in the middle of our walks to lay in the grass in the shade.  I will miss the way you flattened your ears out to the side and, with your tubby body, looked just like Yoda. I will miss your contagious smile. Anyone who really knew you would agree that you were the most well-behaved, disobedient dog. You knew the rules but you did only what you wanted to do. 

I can't thank the Lord enough for the season of life that included you. Now, that season is over and we have to move on... as little as I'd like to move on without you, my friend. I personally don't believe that dogs go to heaven; I believe that your job is specifically for here on earth. But I have no doubt that you guys are used by the Lord to minister to people, that He uses you to touch our lives. Through you, He did. Thank you for your friendship, your loyalty, and your love. Thank you for loving my girls. You will always be in my heart. 

I love you, Ally. I miss you.

Sweet Sisters

Chloe on her Birth day

Hannah on her Birth day.

Just so you can compare them. I think they look like sisters. :)

Chloe loves Hannah. She wants to be near her, looking at her, pointing out her body parts, giving her a blanket, anything she can do! She looks at Hannah while she sleeps and whispers, "Sleeping." Chloe tried to pick her up already (which we know she can do because she started picking up Matt's 6 lb weight ball this week and throwing it. Maybe she's watching too much of the Olympics. :), but thankfully, I stopped her. The two pictures above are actually amazing because it is very rare that Chloe will actually look at the camera and smile!  We'll update with more pictures and some videos as we have time and energy!

WAAAAAAAZZZAAAAPPPPP HANNAH!!!!

Hannah is here! She arrived at 8:33 Wednesday morning to this bright world; 4 weeks before her due date. She was perfect, 10 fingers and toes, 6 lbs 9 oz (exactly the same as Chloe) and 18in long. She has great strength in her neck and muscles (from Matt's sculpted physique of course); she is nursing super well, and the nurses are stating she doesn't even look like a preemie! We're glad she came early or we might have had a 9lb baby instead!

A special thanks to the Grandparents. Grandma Trombley had agreed earlier to watch Chloe when we went into labor, but I'm sure she didn't expect to get the call at 2:37AM!!!! She was awesome though, and made the trip (normally 15-20min) in 11 minutes from the moment we called!!! She watched Chloe all day for us while we took care of Momma and Hannah and she did it all with a smile, and lots of sweets for Chloe! :)

The Achgill clan also rushed into action, going into work super early (4:30 am) to be able to drive over and meet Hannah and take over for Grandma Trombley last night. All three of them even kicked in to help clean a bit since we didn't quite have time to straighten up at 2:30am. 

And the biggest kudos goes to Mary. She was AMAZING! She took on her contractions head on and showed them who was boss! When it was time to push, Hannah came out so fast because Mary pushed soooo well. Hannah took slightly longer than Chloe to come, but Mary did so well I think she's ready for 10 more! :) Just kidding. 

Anyways, we are getting to know Hannah, who may look like Chloe but has her own Hollywood smile and funny faces, and trying to recover from one of the greatest moments of our lives. 

Welcome to the world 

Brennan Ezekiel!!!

We love you and can't wait to meet you!!

Love, Aunt Mary, Uncle Matt, Chloe, & Hannah

Weekend Picture

A picture Amy took during our 4th of July weekend with Grammie ("MiMi"), Pops ("Bops"), and Amy (Amy is actually "Amy")... 

Chloe and Bambi

(Such a great picture, Amy! Thank you for getting it!)

Some Anniversary Fun, Father's Day, and a Few Videos

Matt and I had our first weekend away last weekend and stayed downtown over night. Saturday morning, Gramma, Matt's mom, came over to stay with Chloe and we went to lunch, then headed downtown to find our hotel and spa. We had a couples' massage Saturday afternoon. They offer a couples shower or sauna before the massage, which I explained to Matt beforehand. His response to this was, "But I already took a shower today." So romantic.... Anyway, the spa place wouldn't let me do either anyway since I'm pregnant. This was Matt's first massage and thankfully, his went well. I think my girl was afraid of me (being pregnant); she bruised me on my neck and shoulders and barely touched my legs and feet, so I didn't enjoy mine too much and wouldn't recommend the place to anyone. Matt did enjoy his and says he would go back. It took me 8 years to convince him he'd like it and now he's talking about what kind of massage he'd like to get next time. :) If only our husband's would listen to our advice the first time! 

After the massage we saw a movie and then checked into our hotel; it was just too stinkin' hot to be outside and enjoy the Riverwalk. We headed to Ruth's Chris steakhouse for dinner reservations; they seated us downstairs in a secluded area and called us by name and everything! It was so nice! They give you a complimentary cheesecake for dessert with "Happy Anniversary" written in chocolate on the plate. Everything was so delicious and we were stuffed by the end of it! Those are the only pictures we got of our weekend unfortunately as seen above in the slide show. We tried walking down the Riverwalk afterwards but we were so hot and it was sooooooooo crowded that we could not even walk next to each other or talk. We finally went up to the street to avoid the bigger crowds. Just like an old married couple, we retired to our room by 10:00! 

Sunday, we woke up late enough to make it to Pappasito's just before the crowd came so we could get Matt his Happy Father's day mug. Even though we were without Chloe, we still decided to go. We then saw another movie and headed home afterwards to spend sometime with our daughter before the day was over. All in all, it was a great weekend and nice to be away for a night. I had to literally keep myself from thinking about Chloe, or I'd start missing her so much. 

Thanks, honey, for the lovely weekend. I enjoyed just being with you no matter what we did!

When we got home, Chloe was taking a nap so I was chomping at the bit for her to wake up so I could hug her! Matt and I went in to her room to surprise her and the first person she asked for was Gramma!!! Though I wish she had missed me more ;), I am so thankful she is attached to Gramma and loves to be with her. It does make leaving her so much easier. When Gramma went home, Chloe cried her eyes out! 

Chloe and Matt shared some time together after she gave him her gift and card. Chloe loves to sit and stand on Matt while he is lying down. Whether he is on the floor or on the couch, she treats him as her own personal jungle gym. She plopped herself on his stomach on Sunday and wanted to read books with him. 

Then they enjoyed a lovely picnic together at the coffee table. Chloe rarely ever wants to be away from her daddy's side when he is home. She follows him from room to room. She also calls him on her cell phone when he is gone. Chloe LOOOOOOOVVVVVVES her daddy!!

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Sally asked me recently to post videos of Chloe so here they are....

This video is of Chloe and Daddy playing together.

Chloe loves to go get Daddy's socks for him and this time wanted to put them on since Daddy had just put his on.