Today is a jewelbox of a day.

I’ve been logging time with the double jogger as much as I possibly can. Something about my ipod blasting Beyonce and the wind in my face as I hoof it has truly been life-giving for me. And the side effect to all this walking/pushing two babies around (not too mention two sessions with Tamme a week)?? It just so happens that I’m wearing my pre-pregnancy jeans as.we.speak. Hallelujah!!

Speaking of Hallelujah’s, as a Christ-Follower, Easter is about as important a day as you can get. On Good Friday, Jesus was crucified on the cross…but on Easter Sunday He rose again and we are so thankful that He did!! All of this life-giving fresh air has me thinking about the struggles some of our close friends are going through, and it’s even more reason to be grateful for God’s faithfulness.

I feel like I’m emerging from many months of darkness, both literally and figuratively. With the help of a little drug called Wellbutrin, my darling and most patient husband, and of course the persistent hand of the Lord I feel renewed. I still have a long way to go…but I’m getting there, one stroller ride at a time.

This sweet outfit is from one of my favorite lines, Deux Par Deux. Anything with a bustle on it, I’m in.

Charlie also got a haircut at Snippets yesterday. She was such a big girl and never fussed! We spent the afternoon running Mommy/Daughter errands and she was rewarded for her good behavior with a sucker and pizza for dinner. I should also note the possible development we’ve had today on the potty training front. Charlie has never been super interested in the potty, in fact her little potty has been more of a storage unit for toys, so I figured she’d let us know when she was ready…and quite frankly, pushing it off until Ella is a bit older is easier for me. Today, she announced that she wanted to go “poopy in the potty”, which is kind of a big deal. Unfortunately, she had already gone by that point, but she did sit on the potty for a bit (I had to inform her that no, people don’t sit on the potty all day long, and we needed to move on down the road after 10 minutes) and wanted to read a book about the potty. Who knows if it will be consistent, but the interest in going on the potty is certainly noted. Are we ready for this??

We’ve had some fun celebrations lately, but also some sad goodbyes. Charlie’s very good friend Olivia (Ya-Ya) and her Mommy and Daddy moved to Jacksonville, Florida last week. We had one last playdate in the square and the girls each got to pick out a cookie. Charlie misses Ya-Ya a ton, and we miss Ms. Alisha and Mr. Stephen so much we can’t wait to plan a trip down there to see them.

Charlie also got a chance to wish her pal Lindsay a happy birthday at her Elmo-themed party last weekend. Nothing like a little cake and a little Elmo to make any toddler blissfully happy!

Charlie and Ella had their respective 2.5 year and 4 month appointments with Dr. Monroe last week. Luckily, they A. could be scheduled at the same time and B. Vann was there to help corral. Here are the latest stats:
CharlieHeight: 35 inches, Weight: 27 poundsEllaHeight: 23 inches, Weight: 12 poundsI didn’t write the percentages down but I think Ella is just now past the 10% mark, and Charlie is still longer than she is wider. In the picture above, Miss E is wearing a sweet Zutano dress, gifted by Ms. Jen…

Charlie’s been wearing a ton of Matilda Jane recently. I’ve stockpiled the stuff in a size 2 since the very first time I did a show, and I love the fact she can wear it all now! Still one of my very favorite brands for my tomboy/free spirited little gal…

I know. It’s been awhile, hasn’t it?

So, here’s the scoop: Arizona was wonderful. How did I keep myself busy while Vann was working? Easy. Shopping, afternoon matinees, cupcakes at Sprinkles, and lunch out without toddler food/bibs/bottles/etc. It was divine. A little too cool for the pool (except for the last couple of days), which was fine by me because apparently W hotels actually HIRE beautiful models to “pose” as sunbathers…you know, to get more business. And let me tell you, I’ve never seen bodies like that, at least not in real life. These chicks were stacked up in big girl shoes, and I’m talking 5 inches at least. What’s with wearing heels with your bikini, anyway?

Anyway, THAT was enough to have any self-respecting normal girl shaking in her flip-flops. When this gorgeous wife of a sales winner told me SHE wasn’t going to be caught dead out there I was greatly relieved it wasn’t just me. The hotel had many other amenities though, including a fantastic sushi restaurant, Bliss spa, where we had the most amazing massages, and the coolest lobby/bar/nightclub you’ve ever seen. I could get used to this!!

The girls had a great time at their respective grandparent’s houses…I swear Charlie came back with about 25 more words and Ella had grown an inch. After we returned, Vann kept the girls last weekend so I could venture to Grand Rapids, Michigan, with Auntie Em for a girl’s weekend. Destination: my girlfriend Angela’s wedding. I’m proud to say that I myself braved some 4 inch platform pumps (although NOT in my bikini) in a new dress that actually made me feel pretty decent. I am so blessed to have a husband willing to brave 48 hours of juggling so I can get in some glasses of wine with sweet Ms. Jen and Auntie Em, watch my girl Ang get hitched and have all that car time to cover every topic imaginable. Man, did we laugh. Good for the soul. Love you girls.

Here’s a belated St. Patty’s day pic of little E. As you can see, she’s holding up pretty great in the Bumbo. She still hates tummy time, so that’s our biggest challenge as of late, but she’s getting stronger every day and is just the sweetest little pea.

Oh, man, I am counting the seconds until my flight tomorrow. Vacation is so close, I can taste it. After a very spirited playdate with Ya-Ya (Olivia) this morning, I’m relieved Charlie is finally down for a nap. She was a major pill, very territorial today and absolutely unwilling to share. Between her attitude, cleaning up messes (babies and cats), and trying to finish packing for all 3 girls in this house, I am pooped.

Not only that, but I was unable to score us tickets to the “Glee” live tour this morning. The presale tickets sold out within minutes. Then, when I was attempting to backup my Itunes library, I erased the whole thing, which sent me into a moment of sheer panic. Luckily, it looks like when I plugged it back in, my purchased songs where still there. Thank the Lord, because you know 211 songs x $1.29 a song = a very unhappy husband.

Last night we had ice cream cake with Charlie to celebrate my 32nd birthday, which isn’t actually until the 11th, but you know we Bischoff’s like to stretch these things out. No big party this year…I’m afraid my 4 month old took center stage this time. Poor Vann, he really gets confused when it comes to gifts for me. Gifts is in fact my love language, which means that I love to give (and receive) gifts. I especially love it when people put real thought into things, and I love it when I’ve put real thought into a gift and the person I’m giving it to loves it. It’s how I show those important to me that I love them!

I have been blessed with some awesome gifts from my sweet husband this year, material and not, so I am not ungrateful for the small things. Between my training sessions with Tamme and our upcoming massages I know I should be set for a couple years, but I have to admit I’m longing for another pair of Lululemon “groove” pants. I’ve bought a new pair every year around this time and I’ve been living in them lately. So comfortable and easy. We’ll see if a little shopping might be in my immediate future. It’s been awhile since I’ve bought anything for myself that doesn’t involve pregnancy and/or getting back in shape, so I’m anxious for a little “newness”.

Probably won’t be blogging for a bit…please pray that Ella and I have a safe flight to Texas tomorrow and for Charlie and Vann’s drive to meet his parents on Sunday. Also pray that the girls have a ball (and you know they will!) and Vann and I have a relaxing reprieve in Arizona.

See ya!

This was a sweet “Sunday Best” pic before Charlie decided to go digging for gold. I realized I never posted this…it was two weeks ago, before the colds and coughing entered our home for the millionth time this winter and rendered us a pajama-encouraged zone.

Today is definitely one of those days. Sweet Ella was up every two hours last night, congested and struggling to breathe. Poor baby. Charlie seems to be on the upswing, which is great. I’ve been having some “mommy guilt” lately…worrying that Charlie is the last to get any attention around here and noticing how much she plays on her own (which Mimi says is a good thing)…but I also recognize it’s still winter and cold and dreary and once it starts getting warmer we will be outside doing things and going for walks and spending tons of time outdoors.

TV is just a reality when you have two…or at least I’m relieved to know it’s not just me. Thank goodness for vacation, for all of us. I suspect the time Charlie spends outside in Tennessee will far make up for all the time spent indoors these last few months. Ella will have a willing grandmother to hold her and Vann and I will have a much-needed reprieve. Is it bad that I’m counting the days?