Here are the girls playing outside a few days ago!

Here is Uncle Steve with the girls--they love Uncle Steve!  The pop can is closed, by the way. 

Here is Olivia reading to Norah.  How cute is that!  Maybe she's trying to explain why Norah needs to grow some teeth, LOL!  Oh, and also notice the crossed feet.

And finally, hair a la Stephanie!  Well, at least inspired by Stephaine!  What a grown up baby that is!

Just because she started doing this in response to me!  She has been doing it for the last couple of days, but just for fun.  Today she was doing it when I did it to her and asked her to do it back! 

So since Livi is in the big girl bed, we sidecarred the crib to our bed for Norah.  That means we took off one side and pinned it between our bed and the wall, so there is more space for her to sleep or take a nap.  Now they both think it's the most fun place ever to play.  Here they are!

And here is Norah crawling out of the crib onto our bed.

Speaking of that...

I told Catherine this story last night, and she said I had to blog about it, so here I am. 

A couple days ago I had sliced up some avacado and sprinkled it with salt for a snack.  I was sitting on the couch in the living room eating it when Livi saw me chewing and came at a run, saying, "Livi bite?  Livi bite?"  I said, "Sure!" and stabbed a piece for her just as she reached the couch.  I held it up for her to eat, and she opened her mouth wide.  It was almost inside her mouth when she stopped, backed up, and shook her head back and forth, saying, "Nnnnnn..."  I said, "Don't you want a bite?"  She said, "No."  I thought she was just being wary of a new food (though it was her first, lol), so I said, "Look, see it's yummy!" and took a bite myself.  I stabbed another bite for her and held it up.  She said, "No," and shook her head again.  I asked her, "Why not?  What's wrong??"  She shook her head again and said,

"No. Frog."

I about died laughing, and said, "Oh no honey, it's not frog.  It's an avacado.  See Mama likes it--it's yummy!"  She said,

"No.  Mommy frog."

Poor kid!  I may have a two-year-old vegetarian on my hands...LOL!

It's been a busy couple of weeks!  Sorry for the delay, but to make up for it, here are a ton of pictures! 

First up is Olivia's new big girl bed!  She picked it from IKEA (luckily it was Mama's favorite too).  She loves to lay on her back and look at the stars.  Look very carefully, and you will see a lader on the left side.  When she gets older, we can flip the bed upside down and it becomes a loft!  Then she can have a super cool hideaway underneath, or very possibly another twin mattress and her little sister!  The canopy fits right on top of the loft.  Who wouldn't have loved this bed as a kid???

And the rest of Livi's new big girl room, complete with all her toys, and no more guest bed. 

Here is Olivia stuck in a sweatshirt, lol.

Livi in her ladybug apron and matching do-rag.

Norah in her new jammies, size 12 months.  We could only find ones we liked in the boys' section!

Silly jammy picture!

Here are some pictures from Tim's change of command ceremony, which the girls and I attended in Mankato with Uncle Steve.  Joel and Courtney were there too!  Thanks to Courtney for taking the pictures, as my hands were a little full. 

Here are the kids playing ball with Uncle Steve before the ceremony.

This is right before they passed the flag.  Tim is the one facing the camera.

Passing the flag - Livi crumpled my program, and I was listening while trying to keep two kiddos quiet, so this could be a little off, but the flag is passed to signify several things: the last act of service to the current commander, the final duty of the current commander (to the officer above her), passing command and showing confidence in Tim as the new commander, and Tim's first act as commander.

Here is Tim taking command of the troops:

We had a great time and enjoyed being able to show our support for Tim, Jessie, Carter, and Christian.

Later in the day the girls and I had a nice visit with Rachel (katogirl), and then with all the Rustads at Tim & Jessie's house.  Livi played outside with all the boys (Tim, Joel, Steve, Carter, and Carter's friend) for two hours!

The next day was Thanksgiving at Kristine and David's house.  Seven of the nine Rustads were in attendance!  I was so amazed and impressed with both girls.  Olivia recognized all her cousins and spent most of the day playing with them downstairs.  Norah was a bit of a Mama's girl for the first two-thirds of the day, but spen the last third actually letting other people hold her!  She even smiled and was happy!  Amazing.   

Thanksgiving Pictures!!!

And that's all for now!  I will try to be back sooner than last time.  Leave me comments to inspire me!!! 

The Inchworm

Starring......Norah!!!

It took ages of looking at all sorts of different kitchens, but we finally decided on one for Olivia's birthday/Christmas present!  Norah's too, really, since she will get lots of play out of it later, and is a little young to appreciate gifts this year.  We bought it from Hearthsong, which I cannot recommend as a company right now, since they shipped the set incomplete, the stove was missing a piece (that we haven't received yet), and the handle fell off one of the pots (which they said they are going to replace).  Their customer service department has yet to return my four phone calls.  Grrrrr. 

Anyway, Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas Olivia and Norah from Daddy, Mama, Gramum & Grampum Rustad and Grampum John!!!

The flu bug has arrived.  Puking and diarrhea everywhere...  Saltines and Gatorade abound, though breastmilk seems to be the preferred method of rehydration in this joint.  Good thing the mama milk just keeps on pumping out!

Here are some pics I tried to upload last night...

Olivia modelling her birthday present from theFiebigers--a dolly mei tai and matching hat!

Seahorses from our trip to thr zoo with the Fiebigers.  This is the first time we've seen them!

Mary's first birthday party--check out the adorable Robeez in her hand.  Snazzy!

Livi openning her birthday present from Jenny, and Jenny's & my head.

Livi and Steve; such good buddies!

Livi modelling her birthday shirt from Auntie Jess--cute as a button!

Saturday I was at my Bright Beginnings social (mentorship program for teen mothers), and I was sitting on a couch nursing Norah.  There was a young girl next to me--not sure if she was a mentor or a teen, as she was holding my teen's baby.  Anyway, she turned to me and said...

"So how long have you been breast-milking?"

I about died!  I was laughing so hard in my head, but I knew I couldn't laugh at her, so I kept a very straight face and said, "Well, two years now, because I have an older child at home."  I was so proud of myself--I only smiled!!

Moo.

Reverse it!

Norah has had a fever for the last two days, so she's pretty much been in arms.  Livi has become a very good prep cook--she helped me make dinner tonight and didn't spill anything!  Here are some pictures I meant to post but got busy and didn't.  Enjoy!

The chef:

Olivia decided to take a nap on the couch, complete with pillow and blanket!

Daddy & Norah doing the same thing.