Happy 2013: Bring on the 2's!

Happy New Year! As a day of resolutions, it seems appropriate that I take a little time and try to catch our blog up! I don't think I can say "where does the time go" with enough meaning or enough times - because seriously, where does the time go? Two years ago today I got to meet our sweet angels (note that this endearing name is not frequently used these days). I've never felt such awe, anxiousness, relief, and happiness all at once - my miracles had survived and graced us with their presence. Our world has not been the same since - and I wouldn't change a thing... well, a few things, but not much! Let's look back a moment:

Look at my GINORMOUS hands changing Byrnley's diaper

Miss Hadley Marie - so tiny yet already full of spunk!

And then there was our sweet Ryann - who was the first born and the first to be a unicorn!

   I look back at these pictures and can't help but tear up... my how they've changed! I think last year at this time I was amazed by how much they'd changed in just one year, and here I am again just as amazed! They've become little PEOPLE, not babies, but people with their own personalities and opinions. And like their parents (and grandparents, aunts, and uncle) they have BIG personalities and BIG opinions - which are sometimes very fun, and sometimes very tiring! Along with their shining personalities, their vocabulary seems to be growing by leaps and bounds these days. I think I can understand why so many parents think their toddlers are geniuses - it's truly amazing to watch their vocabulary and understanding expand exponentially on a daily basis. While the girls may not be geniuses - they are certainly way smarter than they should be! Below are a few play-by-plays on each of the girls along with a few pictures. As always, for the full photo feature, visit our shutterfly site (pleggmiles.shutterfly.com) which contains more pictures than I know what to do with!

   BRYNLEY CADE: What can I say about Bryn? She's hilarious these days and actually has the biggest vocabulary of the three - and knows way more words than I can count or list. My favorite words you ask? "Binby" (aka "Brynley and SUPER cute when she says it) and "Yes" (new this week and I'm LOVING it). Brynley likes to name everyone in the room. Often. And if someone is not in the room (e.g. Dada, Grandpa, Eli (friend's baby)) she asks about him/her often. It's kind of cute and kind of annoying all at the same time. I do find it interesting that she takes such interest in who's who! Bryn is also starting to learn her letters (maybe she is a genius...) She knows the letters: 'O' (no idea why they love this letter), 'B' (for Brynley), 'H' (for Hadley), and 'R' (for... you guessed it: Ryann). She sometimes get's 'M' (for mama) but isn't as consistent. One afternoon I showed her and since then she's got them - even tested her on different toys (wasn't sure if she was just memorizing a pattern - I may be somewhat suspicious due to my students). Bryn has also mastered jumping - feet leaving the ground... before she'd just kind of bend her knees and pretend to jump, also very cute. Bryn has some of the funniest expressions and knows how to work a crowd - our prediction of class clown still stands!

Pirate Bryn

Sweet Bryn

Fun in the Iowa snow!

Papa helping ride!

Check out the look she's giving me - Love my Bryn

New Kawasaki wheels

You're telling me I'm going to be 2 tomorrow?!

   Okay, before I move on to Ryann I have to share a quick story about another (new) skill they've mastered... Last weekend we were at the cabin - we put the girls down for a nap at the usual time (around 1:30). However, while Hadley went to sleep (and obviously became my favorite that day), Bryn & Ry continued to chat and play for awhile - this is fairly normal. I went up after about 30 minutes to rescue a lovie and paci and Bryn informed me that she had "pooped". So, after a quick change back upstairs she went. Ry and her CONTINUED to laugh and play - and we kind of figured, well at least they're not screaming, so in the cribs (pack n plays) they stayed.... UNTIL I heard "Uh oh" followed by a "Hep hep" (translation: Help Help). This plead for help came after an HOUR AND A HALF of when they had gone up for their nap - I ran upstairs to see what was going on and was met with a sight that had me doubled over laughing. Apparently learning how to take off their shirts became much more important than actually napping. Bryn had gotten hers off and I'm sure was helping Ry with hers - whose unfortunately must have gotten stuck for a bit on her head since the neck was stretched out like you wouldn't believe! So, what I was greeted with was two half-naked babies bouncing in their beds. As you can imagine - no nap for them!

Ryann - after nap time, but still practicing taking her shirt off

Bryn was a pro - and showed her sisters how it's done

Hadley figured she'd give it a go - I think I put Bryn's shirt BACK on 20 times that day

What's more fun than jumping on a bed?! Ryann & Hadley

RYANN GALE: My sweet independent Ryann - what all can I saw about her. Thank goodness she's as mellow as she is because her sisters give us all a run for our money! Ryann is the most soft-spoken of the three, and is our independent observer. She picks up on things quietly and quickly - and knows many more words than I often give her credit for... probably because Brynley is so LOUD (definitely got the Pleggenkuhle gene on volume). In the last few weeks she has found her "NO" and is quite content telling me "NO" when she feels like it. Somehow it's still somewhat funny coming from her - almost like she's jokingly saying it... not sure how long that will last! Ryann loves puzzles and books - she'll sit for up to 30 minutes reading book after book by herself... it's amazing. When I ask the girls which video they want to watch, for a long time she basically got her choice because Hadley would always answer: "Baby" (aka: Baby Signing Time) and Brynley would always answer: "Emo" (aka: Elmo). Therefore, Ryann was the tie-breaker and always got to watch what she wanted. That's changed recently since she always wants to watch "Choo Choo" (Thomas the Train) - guess that means it's mama's pick! Ryann's still our giggliest girl - her and her Daaady have a pretty special bond. I love watching them giggle together.

Is that a penguin eating breakfast? Nope - just Ryann!

Not now Mo - I'm busy

Ryann - Such a happy girl

Taking the Kawasaki for a spin

Ry and Grandma

She preferred to walk the trike

Sledding the Gama & Grandpa was the best!

I'm ONE!!!

HADLEY MARIE: My spunky spitfire Hadley... this girl is FAST and will be keeping Travis and I on our toes for the next umpteen years. She is just plain nuts - and hilarious and exhausting. She loves her baby dolls and our Fisher Price Little People and anything her sisters have. Hadley tends to take whatever Ryann or Byrnley is playing with - I guess her philosophy is that the grass is definitely greener on the other side... Both her and Brynley are pros at time outs - they consider it their duty to test us and our parenting skills. Hadley LOVES to dance and boy does she have some moves. My favorite is when she starts waving her arms (up and down slow-motion fashion) while bouncing. Then there's her booty-pop, not sure where she picked that one up from! I think she might have a pretty fun time at Aunt Hilary's wedding in May! Hadley can be quite demanding should she not get what she wants - and hit the "2's" earlier than both Ry and Bryn (who have since 'caught up'). However, she loves to laugh about as much as Ryann does and loves to tickle her sisters. I'd have to say she's probably the most dominant of the three - but having three probably helps in that department since it's much harder to dominate two as opposed to one! Hadley loves to eat - definitely our best eater, and is the first to fall asleep for her nap or at night. I attribute that to knowing how to play hard - she's exhausted by the time it's nap/bed time!

SURPRISE!

My little reindeer

Hiiilo (hello) Mom!

And she's off again (repeating theme)

Riding her trike with Papa

The snow's kind of deep to be walking!

Brrrr - but pretty! Gama & Hads

She was in [fake] meltdown mode and would not tell me how old she is/was!

   I really am going to try to be a little bit better about updating this - I often think about what I'd write while going to sleep... it's just finding the time! We have our hands full - and love [almost] every minute of it. In other news - Travis is still working at NatureWorks up in Blair and I'm still at UNO. Travis has had a very busy holiday as they're implementing a new system at his work which translates into working a ton of hours over the holidays! He's looking forward to getting things up and running. I have a relatively short break - we start classes again on the 7th (better get that syllabus done). We're starting to make some plans for trips this spring/summer - and if you're ever in the Omaha area we'd love to see you! Now... on to our Holiday cards... (told you there's not enough time!)

HAPPY 2013!

If they'd only stay there longer than 3 seconds!

HAPPY 2013!