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!