Merry Christmas!

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. Things didn't always go exactly as planned, but that's the joys of Christmas time. We spent Christmas morning home with our family. We really enjoy spending some quiet time together before things get too hectic. Then around noon, we headed over to Ricky's parent's house. We were greeted by Joanna (my sister-in-law) reading my mind and making the most delicious cinnamon rolls! Thanks again! We then had a yummy dinner and opened gifts. It was a really nice, relaxing day. On Saturday, my family came up here to celebrate Christmas. It snowed on Christmas (my favorite thing on Christmas day!), so the boys got all dressed up in their snow suits and played in the snow with grandpa. It was really fun to watch them. My camera won't let me download the pictures right now, so stay tuned for the cute pictures of all our adventures.
For now, I will post some shots of the kiddos in front of our Christmas tree. They were not cooperating very well, but kids will be kids! I just loved their outfits and had to get some pictures of them. I'm trying to get over a cold right now, so I'll post more details next time. Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!(you gotta love that "I didn't do anything" look!)

6 Years and going strong

Ricky and I celebrated our 6 year anniversary on Sunday. I can't believe that we have already been married for 6 years! It has been a fast 6 years, but the best ever! We celebrated by going to Olive Garden on Friday night. We had our babysitting swap, so I thought it would work best to just take advantage of the free babysitting.

Saturday, the kids and I went to Indy to spend the day with my mom. Dylan got to help us and we made 5 different kinds of cookies. It was really fun and relaxing, just the kind of day we enjoy during the holidays. Dylan really enjoyed spending time with his grandma. It's times like this that I really enjoy being a stay at home mother to take advantage of family time.

Dylan went to time out for not obeying and this is how I found him 2 minutes later! That's probably why he wasn't obeying!Lauren was enjoying the cookies we made!

Lauren woke up this morning with a double ear infection and an eye infection. Poor girl. Hopefully she will be feeling better by Christmas. The doctor started her on antibiotics and eye drops, so I hope she will feel better soon. It's not fun being sick or taking care of a sick little girl.

Dylan is going stir crazy around here. He has so much energy and likes to torment his little sister. I guess it's worse than normal because she is easily irritated and not feeling well. He has been my big helper getting ready for Christmas. Hopefully he will still enjoy helping when the baby comes!

Jingle Bells

I had the dreaded glucose test today. Yipee! The orange drink is just disgusting. Glad it's over, just hope I don't fail the test and have to do the 3 hour test. Everything is going great with the pregnancy. The heartbeat was about 160, which has been normal for this little boy. Dylan got to feel him move this morning. It was really cute. The baby is very active in the morning, so it was neat to have him feel his baby brother already. I am 26 weeks along today. I can't believe that time has gone by so quickly. It seems like just yesterday I was 20 weeks. The doctor said that everything looks great, which is always a good thing to hear. I am very blessed to not have any complications with the pregnancy so far.

The kids are just getting over colds this week. They came down with the colds on Sunday, so Ricky stayed home to take care of them while I took care of the kids at church. They have been sleeping good at night, just really fussy and whiny during the day.

Dylan is so cute. We have been listening to Christmas music in the car and now Dylan sings along with them! He even asks for specific songs. We had playgroup here on Friday and we got out the bouncy house. He had a blast and wants to play in it all the time, now! It was definitely a great Christmas present (last year). He was invited to Monkey Joe's for a friends birthday this week. He had a blast and came home so excited! I didn't get to go with him, so it was a little different. My little boy is growing up! He started talking back to me recently. I'm really hoping it's a phase and he'll outgrow it soon. It can be very annoying. I guess he is just testing my parenting skills.

Lauren started physical therapy today. The therapist said that she is on her way, but we have her first set of homework to do until the beginning of January. Lauren was doing great today and wasn't even shy! I was a little surprised that she went strait to the therapist when she had never met her before!

I have been in the baking mood lately! I just love this time of year! I made Ricky's favorite, white chocolate covered pretzels with red and green sprinkles, white chocolate covered Oreos, 6 dozen cherry cookies (for a cookie exchange tomorrow), banana bread, and muffins. Lauren has been very picky about what she'll eat, so we have been making muffins and bread for her. I still have some more to make, but that's the start of it. Last night, we got most of the presents that we needed, so I think I'm almost done! Yeah! I have to wrap the ones from last night and then I'll be caught up. We also got an early needed Christmas present tonight. Ricky's dad helped Ricky install brakes in the van. They were very worn and he said they would have only lasted about a week or so more. Good thing we got this taken care of! On a side note, the outside Christmas lights will have to wait til next year. Ricky just doesn't have the time to get them hung on our house. We already decided that next year, they will be hung before Thanksgiving. I think that's all for tonight. I hope everyone is enjoying the holidays as much as we are!

Updates

Is it already December 10th? Where has the time gone? This month seems to be flying by! I guess that's how it goes in December when there are a ton of things to do! I got all 50 Christmas cards done and sent out! Yeah! We got our Christmas tree up with all of the ornaments! I love having a real Christmas tree! It smells so good! Dylan and I started baking cookies, yum! I need to start taking some pictures of all our adventures. I just realized that I don't have any from the past 2 weeks! Sorry!
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It is freezing here! We got snow yesterday and then the temperature dropped to 12 degrees! The wind is what is so brutal! We have to bundle up really well to go anywhere. I guess it's nice to have an excuse to stay home and keep warm. (I'm more productive that way and I spend less money!)
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We went to the store today and got some great deals! I got some hot cocoa for free, the blue-ray DVD of Santa Dogs for $4.99, and chocolate chips for 87 cents! Yeah! As an added bonus, Dylan was really good and Lauren didn't cry! Yeah! I love those trips to the store! It makes my day!
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Lauren will be starting with a physical therapist within the next 30 days. FirstSteps came back and said that they recommend having her come once a week until she gets the hang of things. Lauren is getting more confident and taking more steps, but she will only do it with someone she trusts. She seems like she wants to walk, but doesn't want to put in the effort. Silly girl! I just hope she walks before the baby comes in March! Keep your fingers crossed for her!
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Dylan is getting so big. It has been a lot of fun having a little helper around. He wants to help with everything (which can be frustrating)! It has been great this holiday season with making cookies and wrapping presents. I really like the interaction and giving him the one-on-one attention that he craves. He is also getting smart. He can spell his name and points out letters that are in his name. It's going to be different without school for 4 weeks!
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I am doing great. The pregnancy is going well and no complications. I am getting a belly, but people still tell me that I'm small for 6 months. I honestly can't remember. I think I was bigger with Dylan, but he was also huge. I love listening to Christmas music. I find it so relaxing! I am working on some fun crafty projects for Christmas. Hopefully I can get them all done!
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Ricky is keeping busy at work and school. He is almost done for the semester! Yeah! One down and only lots more to go! (That's how it goes when you are only taking one or two classes a semester!) He is the best dad and really helps out a lot. We really are lucky!

First Few Steps

Lauren took a few steps yesterday! Yeah! My parents and Ricky's parents came over for dinner and to celebrate my birthday. She started walking between my mom and I and would take 3-4 steps. She still lacks the strength in her leg muscles, so it might be a little while before she walks on her own. It was so nice to have them all here. It had been a while. Ricky made me my favorite, a homemade ice cream cake! Yum! It was very delicious, and even though it's cold outside, it tasted great! Thanks baby!
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I taught Dylan's Joy school today. The kids were great and we had a wonderful time. I had them make snowflakes out of paper with scissors. The kids love to cut paper. Then we made cookies for their Christmas Party on Wednesday. They really enjoyed that. I guess I am getting better at teaching, because it is a lot easier now. I enjoy it more and know what to expect. We are going to continue even though we are loosing 2 girls. There will only be 4 kids until mid-March and then only 3.

My 27th Birthday!

I can't believe that I am 27 today! The only thing I ever associate with the age of 27 was my mother's age when she had my little sister. And now I am going to be having my third child at age 27! Crazy! I had a wonderful day thanks to my family! Ricky made me breakfast and then had to work, so the kids and I went to Moms and Tots at the church. We made cute little Christmas ornaments for a nursing home. It was really fun. Then we picked Ricky up and went to Applebee's for lunch! Yum! I love their food! By the time we were done eating, it was nap time! My favorite part of the day! Both of the kids went down and didn't fight it! Thanks kids! I was in the mood for potato soup, so I thought fresh bread would go great with it. I started making the bread, but it didn't get done in time for dinner. Bummer! Apparently I need to start it in the morning to make it for dinner! I guess I know for next time! We'll just have to have some yummy french toast for breakfast! Yum! After dinner, I was in the mood for some cherry cookies, so Dylan made them for me! They were great! Then he sung Happy Birthday to me! What a little sweetie! Now I am just finishing off the day by checking my e-mail and blogging! What a great birthday! Thanks to my family for making it a great day!

Happy Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year. Last Sunday, we went over to Ricky's parent's house to have a great dinner with most of his family. Kris and Joanna came up and joined us and we had some really yummy food. Then on Wednesday night, we went to my grandparent's house in Illinois. My grandma got to come home from the nursing home and spend the day with us. It was really nice spending time with family and remembering the old times of celebrating Thanksgiving. (There are a few more people since most of us are married and have children now!) Since Ricky had to work on Friday, the kids and I stayed with my mom and sister at my aunt's house and my dad and Ricky came home. My sister, cousin and I were those crazy shoppers who decided to hit all the stores when the opened. We started at midnight at Toys 'R Us. We got some good deals, but nothing worth the wait for me. It was just fun to see all the excitement from the other people and spend time with my little sis and cousin. We got done around 2:30 and tried to hit up Old Navy, but they didn't open until 5 since they were in the mall. We headed over to Kohl's next and went in at 4am. (I know, we are crazy!) I got some great deals at Kohl's since they did their Kohl's cash and I had an additional 15% off. Next, we headed over to Walmart, which was a joke. Not going there again. It was too chaotic and not worth it at all! Target was our next stop and landed us the best deals. We got a 32 in. Sony TV for $250! The adrenaline was running, so we headed over to the mall to Old Navy and Bath and Body Works. We got the great deals there too, and then went home. My sister and I were out from 11:30 pm to 10:30 am! Luckily my mom offered to watch the kids for us so we could be crazy! We came home and crashed for a while. We enjoyed the rest of the weekend by playing card games and relaxing with family. The kids did great and played well together. It was a little busy with 8 kids ages 1-7, but they were great! Thanks mom for letting me be crazy and enjoy Black Friday!

Motivation

On Saturday, I didn't have any plans, so I called my mom and invited her to come hang out. We went to the craft show at Harrison High School. It was really good and we were impressed with the prices. We had a great time and the kids even cooperated so we could shop a little. Yeah! Then we came home and started making strawberry-raspberry jelly. I was really excited to try it again and ended up making 18 containers of it! I guess I need to make some room in the freezer!

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We had to wake the kids up the other day, so I wanted to get a cute picture of Lauren sleeping. I love the sleeping pictures!Ricky got Dylan up and he was being really cute, too!

One of Lauren's many looks. She was looking at a rabbit in our back yard. I think the rabbit's back for the winter. She was here last winter, too. Dylan wanted to give her some carrots. I don't think she'll leave if we feed her carrots! Lauren standing up. Still not walking, but up on everything! (and as an added bonus, you get a side shot of my belly!) We are all doing great around here. No more sickness for the momma which makes a happier home! I've been in a cooking mood, but not a dishes mood which can cause some problems! I need to clean up before I start making another mess. I have a lot of ideas running through my head, but haven't started them. I am almost finished with my Christmas cards. I just have to glue one more piece on. Yeah! I also made a tu-tu for Lauren the other night. It was really easy and very inexpensive. I already have orders to make some for Christmas presents! I got an idea from the craft show on how to make them look a little nicer than my first one. They are really fun and make me feel more crafty! You'll have to wait until after Christmas to see it on Lauren (she's getting it for Christmas!).

Family Pictures

I am very impressed and love them! Thanks Jaime! You are the best! I'm looking forward to ordering a canvas print to put on my wall!

All alone

Ricky and I got a wonderful weekend without any kids! Well, mostly. Saturday morning we had my wonderful friend Jaime take our family pictures. Too bad Lauren was being a little stinker and wouldn't look at the camera. I guess it just shows her personality! After the pictures, we headed to Indy to drop the kids off at my parent's house. My mom offered to watch them for the weekend. It was so different and nice being alone for the weekend. Ricky and I ran some errands on Saturday and noticed how quiet it was in the car! Then, we went to see the new movie 2012 at the theater. It was so nice. We used to go to movies all the time before we had kids. Now it is so hard because of the times they play the movies. It took us back to old times. Don't get me wrong, I love my kids! It's just really nice to get away without them for more than a few hours. Sunday we had to drive back to Indy to pick up the kids, but it was well worth the weekend of quiet and relaxation. Ricky and I got to enjoy each others company without any whining or interrupting. It was so nice. Thanks again mom!

Another sick vacation

Ricky had some leftover vacation time that he had to take before the holiday season, so he's off for another week! Yeah! It would be even better if Lauren didn't have an ear infection. Poor girl was up all night crying and we had no idea. Luckily she is a trooper and taking it very well! Once she started the antibiotics, she was fine. We are enjoying eachothers' company and I am getting some organization done around the house. I love getting things under control around here. I just wish we had an attic to put some of the un-used totes in. That is one thing I will definitely be looking into before we buy our next home. I guess you live and learn, right!?! We are looking forward to a weekend away from the kids. My mom offered to watch the kids so Ricky and I could get away for the weekend. We are really excited to get away, if only we knew where we are going! The joys of being spontaneous! You'll have to check back next week to find out where we went! :) On a side note, here are some more cute pictures of Lauren walking around with her walker and my heels. She loves her shoes!

Happenings

I taught Joy School again this week. It went a lot better this time. Maybe the kids are getting more used to the schedule, or maybe I just got better and knew what to expect. Either way I really enjoyed it this time. The kids seemed to have fun and I know Dylan loves it!

We have just been hanging out around here. We've been going outside everyday since we have been having such nice weather. It has been in the 60's and 70's lately. Very unusual for November, but no complains here! Dylan loves riding his bike and his scooter. Lauren loves to ride in her wagon, so it works out great for everyone.

Lauren still isn't walking yet. She shows all the signs that she should, but something isn't clicking for her. The doctor suggested we have First Steps evaluate her, so I hope everything is ok. She'll be 16 months old next week. Crazy how the time flies. Oh yeah, I have her 15 month stats:

Weight: 22 lbs. 2 oz. (25th percentile)
Height: 32 1/4 in. (90th percentile)
Head Circumference: 46.8 cm. (50th percentile)
She is getting bigger by the day and we love having her around. She is talking like crazy! I only wish we knew what she was saying. Some of her words are very clear, while others are just gibberish. I think it's cute! Her newest obsession is with shoes. She loves them. Any shoe works great. They go on her hands as she is crawling or she will sit and try to put them on her feet. Silly girl! She gets them on every once and a while. She thinks she is pretty funny!
Her hair is getting so long! I had to trim her bangs the other day because they were in her eyes! I put her hair up in a little pony tail and she absolutely hated it! She cried the whole time, but I think it looked cute! We'll have to try it again soon!
We went to the park the other day with my mom and her friend. The kids were really cute and we had a wonderful time. Here are the best shots I got!Lauren was so cute playing peek-a-boo around this tree!

Happy Halloween!

For Halloween this year, I thought it would be fun to make pumpkin pancakes for breakfast. The kids loved them and I think they turned out really cute! One of my friends suggest them, so thanks for the idea! I'll have to start getting more creative for the holidays! We decided to stay home and trick-or-treat with our neighbor friends. Dylan and Chloe, their daughter, are really good friends and had a blast together. We walked around with them last year, too. It was really nice to just hang out around home and then pass out candy. There were a TON of kids walking around our neighborhood. I guess we lucked out and got a great family friendly area! I tried to get a few shots of the kids before we left. Lauren would not look at the camera at all! Dylan, on the other hand, was cheesing it up!

Here are Dylan and Chloe walking away from a house. It was really cold outside, so we were very glad the kids had fleece costumes! Lauren thought it was fun to take a piece of candy out of the basket and drop it into her basket. It was too cute! She actually said Thank you by the end of the night, too! This morning, I had to get a picture of the kids with all of their loot. Dylan was throwing a fit until I gave him a piece of candy before breakfast! He was happy after that! I love how they are smiling as they look at all of the candy! Lauren didn't know what to do with all of that candy! She started throwing it behind her after I took the picture. At least she is looking at the camera!

Dylan with his goofy grin. It's amazing what candy will do for a 3 year old!This is one of the traditions that I started when Dylan was a baby. Overall, we had a wonderful day and enjoyed spending time with our friends.

Pumpkin patch

Yesterday, we went to the Pumpkin Patch about 15 minutes away from our house. It is really cute and had a ton of fun activities for the kids to enjoy! We started out by going to see the animals in the petting zoo. Dylan was really excited to feed them.

Then we rode around on these little buggy type things. Dylan had a blast with daddy and then Lauren got a turn with me.

We then headed over to the pumpkins to pick one out. We let Dylan pick it out this year. He did a great job and thought they were all really neat. Lauren was just excited to be sitting next to them. She would not look at me for anything!

We had to get a family shot before we left. I think it turned out great and we really enjoyed being there together as a family!Hopefully we can make this another one of our traditions to get there as a family each year!