An update from Last Year

Happy New Year!!!!  2009 came and went faster than expected.  This time last year, I had no idea I would be pregnant and have a baby boy before the year's end.  Ahhh...but this post isn't about last year or about this year.  I am so far behind and I have so many things to write about and show you.  I'm pretty sure I won't get to them though.  Want a sneak peak anyway....my possible future posts have to do with
~camels
~pizza cupcakes
~neices and nephews
~weddings
~organization
~and the crazy life as a family of 5

For now anyway, I'll share a few pictures from our very adventurous trip to the zoo last week.

Jeremy was blessed to be given last week off of work, and remarkably...he was only called a few times by his customers, so it was a real unexpected vacation.  We stayed in town because his sister and her family were down, and Justin came down for a few days too.  However, after everyone left, we had some serious plans for work and for play.  We worked very hard  on catching up around the house, finishing garage organization, laundry, getting rid of un-used decorations and clothes and so forth. And, we decided to take one day totally away and go to Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo.

We've been there before, but only Nicole remembers.  This time, Hannah was in on the fun too.  Next time, maybe Nathan will remember the trip. Soooo....here it goes......

It's about a 2 1/2 hour drive to the zoo.  The ride up was great, Nathan fell asleep soon into the trip, as did Hannah.  Nathan actually stayed asleep until just after lunch!  Unbelievable considering he doesn't like the car seat much (you'll hear about that later!)  The zoo was very busy, which made the crazyness seem all the more crazy!  After dealing with potty breaks, snacks, drinks, and begging for more snacks and drinks, there wasn't a lot of time for animals watching.  Actually...there was.

Hannah and Nicole both got to feed a giraffe.  We have a funny video of the video trying to lick Hannah (twice!) and it totally freaking her (me) out.  I can't get it on here though:-(

Nicole got to ride a camel (I whisked Hannah away so we wouldn't have a "that's not fair" meltdown). 

We found a pretty little place to take pictures of the girls. However, we couldn't get them to smile at the same time. 

So, we tried again...we said, "Nicole smile"

and again....this time we said, "Nicole, show us your teeth." So she did...and Hannah stuck out her tongue

and again...

and again.....

Nope, we couldn't get a good one.  Oh well.

Christmas

This year we had fun celebrating Christmas three different times.

Once in the morning amongst our little family of 5
Once later that day with Jeremy's family, including his sister Tiffany and her family, and granny
And, once the next day with my family, including my little brother and his fiance and my grandpa and his wife.  All three celebrations were filled with fun and family...they were great!

At home

We have tried not to go overboard with gifts.  In the past few years, we usually had a big gift for Nicole (a swing set one year I got for 50% off on black friday, a kitchen set we bought from our neighbors, etc).  This year we didn't really have a "big" item in mind, and we knew Hannah would be aware of what was going on.  Nicole's "special" gift was a digital camera! haha.  It's actually a kids camera, but it takes pictures you can upload onto your computer and it even takes videos too.  She likes to use our camera, so now she has one of her own that can take a beating if needed.  She also got some books and puzzles we bought at a children's consignment store.  Hannah got a little toy car, more puzzles and books too.  Then, the girls also got a game.  But, I think the "best" present for Hannah was the cow tail in her stocking (it's a creamed filled caramel type candy.

 Eating her cow tail

 

 Nicole opening her camera

 

This is the game the girls opened together. 

At Grammy & Gramps

In the early afternoon, we headed over to Jeremy's parents house.  Tiffy, Chris, Seth and Susannah were down for a visit for about a week, and we got to spend Christmas day with them, and Granny...Jeremy's grandma.  We had a  yummy lunch, opened presents, played games, watched football and just had a nice time visiting. 

 Nicole, excited about all the presents

 

This picture is simply to prove that Hannah does indeed have a beautiful smile:-) 

Jeremy got a football for Christmas and decided it was time for Nate to learn how to hold the ball. 

At Yaya & Papas
Saturday, we spent most of the day at my parents house.  We had another yummy dinner, opened more gifts, watched more football, and played an exciting game of Pictionary.  My little brother was down and it was great to see him!  He spent time playing with the kids and we enjoyed hanging out with him and Erica, his fiance (less than two months until they get married).  My grandpa and his wife Dolores also came over. 

 Uncle Justin and Nicole

 

 Justin and Jeremy always get a similar gift and this year it was this.  I don't know what they are...some sort of scary looking tool.  It's a guy thing I think.

 

 Goldie also enjoyed celebrating.

 

 Don't tell her she's not a reindeer.  She won't believe you!

From the grandparents and family, the kids got lots of arts and craft supplies (play-doh, paint, paper, and other assorted things), more books, and some fun toys.  I would venture to say that this was one of the best holidays ever.  It was fun to watch Nicole and Hannah open their gifts (small piece by small piece), we got to spend a lot of time with our whole families, and everyone was in great spirits.    I hope you had a Merry Christmas as well!

At Yaya's and Papa's house

The kids and I had to miss church yesterday because miss Nicole had a fever and we didn't want her to be around the other children in the nursery (fever is gone now...she's fine).  So...we went over to Yaya and Papa's house for a couple of hours.  They had been out of town and hadn't seen the kids in "months" as my mom said (it was a week...but you know how those grandparents are:-)

So....we had a lot of fun.  And, of course we took some pictures and got some really great shots. 

Nicole & Hannah....I liked this one because Papa got out the camera, and Nicole went right over to Hannah, put her arm around her and smiled.  It was so sweet.

Hannah laughed when she saw this picture of herself.

Just the girls

Papa and His girls

Nathan is starting to smile a little bit.  It's hard to capture it right now though.

Speaking of Nate...he had his 1 month check up today. 
He was 10lbs 10oz and 24 inches!  Off the chart in length...no wonder that boy is always so hungry...he's growing so fast already!

Hannah also got a shot at the Dr. Unfortunately, just before the shot, she fell down and wacked her nose and cheek pretty hard on these big plastic bins that hold toys.  Poor little girl...she's always falling down and hurting herself.  She cried more from her fall than from the shot.   She also threw a royal, kicking screaming tantrum when her lolipop fell on the floor and I threw it away.  The nurse gave her another one and she very pathetically said "Thank you" at which all the Drs and nurses were amazed! haha. 

Nothing as sweet as a sleeping baby

I LOVE sleeping babies (especially mine:-)  I love to watch them sleep.  I love to listen to their little tiny breathes.  I love to watch their faces as they "dream".  I love the feel of their breath when they are sleeping in my arms.  I love to kiss their little faces when they sleep.  I simply love sleeping babies and I really do think there is nothing quite as a sweet.

So....here is my sleeping baby.  The pictures are dark because I turned the flash off.  I didn't want to wake him.

I love his little face.

And I love his little feet (OK. they are actually pretty big).  I love the little wrinkles.  His feet are VERY sensitive.  He does not like it when I touch them, even if it's by accident when changing his clothes.

I wanted to just take a picture of his hands, but it would have looked a little funny, so I had to get his head and body in this picture.  But, I love how his hands are cupped upward.  They're so cute!

Oh goodness...I just finished writing this post and went to go check on the girls.  Look at what I found

Hannah fell asleep in the chair, "reading".  She doesn't look to comfortable though

My amazing laundry room that my Amazing husband built for me.

I had three posts in my head to write today...here were the titles

For my friends who think I've "got it together"
I don't think I'm humble enough to share just what has happened in my home today nor how I responded to any of the incidences...good or bad.  BUT, if your insanely curious, call or e-mail me...or maybe I'll be more humble tomorrow because...whew...I could write a book from today's events!

Potty Training Mishaps Part 1 (because I'm sure parts 2, 3 ,4 and more will be coming soon)
I think mishap number 1 just may be to gross to share on a public blog....but I'm sure a few of you would laugh (Teri...that would be you....AND....probably you Amanda!)

My amazing Laundry Room that my Amazing Husband built for me
Yup...this is the one I'm writing about for a few reasons....
1. I get to brag on Jeremy
2. There is nothing gross that may make a few of you gag
3. It's not about me, so no humility needed.

So...without further ado....

We have been working on organizing our garage.  Before Nathan was born, Jeremy and I (yes I) took two weekends to repaint the walls and floors, and his dad helped him build shelves that we placed large bins on for "organizational purposes".  Part of our garage project however was to build a laundry/storage room for me...and whew....I think it was a bigger project than either of us thought it would be.  BUT...it's done and FANTASTIC!!!!

 I purposefully took pictures while I was working.  I am pleased to say that the ironing board is put away, as is ALL the clothes (and children) you see in this photo.

We used our last bit of extra tile to tile the floor (although we had to frantically search nearly every tile store in town because we were short 8 tiles!....we tried to be frugal).  I found some "oops" paint at home depot that I got for $5 (unfortunately, I had to color match it because we ran out and it ended up being expensive paint.  oh well...I tried to be frugal).  We were given shelves by Jeremy's parents who just took them out of their pantry (but we had to buy more and found out they were more expensive than expected too...oh well...we tried to be frugal....have I already said that?)  I have the same wonderful washer and dryer that are working very well, and the same old water heater that we hope will work for years to come.

So...what is this room?  It's for my laundry, complete with detergent, hangers and rods to hang clothes on.  I LOVE this feature because I am hanging all of the clothes and simply walking them to the closets afterward.  This has cut WAY back on my folding/putting away time (I hate to put clothes away....I'm ok washing and folding, but then they end up in piles on the floor)

Obviously this wall isn't finished...it needs some serious TLC in the patching department.  But that's ok, it's not a need...just a "when there's time" kind of project.

This is my sewing room...complete with a very cool sewing machine GIVEN to me by an incredibly sweet lady I met at Jo Anne fabrics a few months ago.  I'm hoping to start on a project, tonight actually.

This is our craft supply room, which the kids already love.  Nicole has access to all the construction paper she can get her little hands on, to cut up and glue to her heart's desire.  Everything else is just out of reach so I can be in control of glitter, glue, paints...you know...the messy stuff.

This is my over stock/pantry (can I get a woot woot?!?!)

And this is my storage room for whatever else I need to put up (still working on that right now).

I have had fun using this room and the girls like it when I'm doing laundry too.  I put their little table out there...so they have been busy coloring and watercolor painting.  It's so super great!

Even Nathan got in on the action today, sort of...he slept through it. 

Soooo....what do you think?   Once the garage is actually cleaned out and organized again, I'll post pictures of it too...it's pretty super as well!

Life with 3

....has been busy!  In the words of the great Dr. Seuss from his inspirational book "Hop on Pop"...

PLAY
DAY
We Play All Day

FIGHT
NIGHT
We Fight All Night.

Ok, ok...we don't fight all night, but we do play all day...and come nap time (my usual blogging hour) I am exhausted and in need of a break...well, usually a nap.  I find that my days go better with the kids when I have activities planned so we aren't just sitting around making huge messes, picking up messes,  fighting and getting stressed.  SOOOO...we've had a lot of fun baking and making crafts .  We've made several dozens cookies, made crafts like snowman bags (to put the cookies in for our friends/neighbors), candy cane crafts, painting Christmas ornaments and soon we'll be decorating little stockings (tomorrow maybe?)

We had a  VERY BUSY day yesterday.  We had 10 little people over here...all under 4 (well, one 4 year old) to decorate cookies and do crafts with us.  It was actually a lot of fun.  I don't know why I'm always asking people over with little kids.  Really, children are not my gift.  It has been a great area of learning for me to not get stressed over messes that other people's kids make, scratches that appear on our floor once they are gone, spit up my couch and poop in my trash cans.  BUT....I'm getting there!  I love my friends, and I like their kids...but it's hard for me...I'd rather have a house full of middle schoolers rather than pre-schoolers...weird I know!  But, that's not the stage of life we are in right now, so I am learning to love other people's kids AND their snotty noses and stinky diapers (thankfully the moms are usually here to deal with the last two:-)  I want my girls to remember our house being full of friends.  I want them to learn hospitality...and especially to learn that things don't have to be perfect for you to be hospitable.  Sometimes the best way to practice hospitality is to invite someone over despite the mess in the house or the dust on the bookshelves and NOT apologize for it:-)  Ahhh...I digress....maybe another day.  SO...fun fun fun yesterday.  But, I *thought* our camera was at Grammy and Gramps house, so I didn't take any pictures (I found it this morning in my purse! OYE!)  However, two of my friends took pictures...hopefully they'll send some over this way so I can share. 

My excuse for not blogging is that I'm tired when my "break" comes.  Jeremy has been so gracious to me...helping me in the evenings and even encouraging me to rest at nap times...because...we NEVER know what the night will be like.  MOST nights are great. Nathan wakes up, eats, goes back to sleep...usually twice (last night it was three times).  HOWEVER....there are those *other* nights.  You know the ones...when little sweet angel face baby is up ALL NIGHT LONG!  That would be the "We Fight All Night" from above.  Those nights do happen (last Sunday)....so I try to rest during the day, just in case that's what's in store for me later.  Hence, my lack of blogging.

****************************************************
My New cleaning supplies

I bought myself a new broom/dust pan, a sponge mop, and a wood floor duster thingy today.  First of all...the broom is GREAT!  My other broom was 6 years old...I figured it was fine, still had the bristles, what's so fancy about a new broom?  Seriously...I wish I would have bought a new one a LONG TIME AGO!  I really like it.  I realized this afternoon that I've just been pushing dust and particles around my house rather than actually sweeping them up!

My mop....is quite possibly....Broken!  Jeremy doesn't like it when I talk badly about myself...but, I seriously must be quite dense.  I can not, for the life of me, figure out how to get the mop head back on.  This is why I usually just get on my hands and knees and use a sponge.  But, I thought I'd try something "easier".  Hmgh...I'll have to wait for dear hubby to get home and help me, unfortunately my soapy water will no longer be hot:-(

Speaking of cleaning supplies....I bought them today at Target....yes, I ventured there, all by myself with three little ones in tow (ok...one in my handy dandy moby wrap (I'm getting it Teri!)).

AND NOW FOR THE STORY....

I had a cart full of stuff, had just finished checking out. Hannah was sitting in the cart seat, Nicole was walking beside me, and Nathan was waking up and crying in the carrier (my moby wrap).  I was trying to hold Nicole's hand, my purse and push the cart with one hand.  We were going out the doors and hit a bump.  My broom, and mop both went a tumbling to the ground.  There were two men walking about behind me, and a lady behind them.  So...here I am, with  (at this point) a screaming baby, an obedient 3 year old who would not let go of my hand, a concerned 19 month old who was yelling "uh oh" and pointing to the floor, and  a mop and broom on the ground.

What do these every so kind and sweet men do?

Stop
Let out a frustrated breathe of air
Step to the side
And
help Walk around me!

Never once offering or even consider stopping to help me pick up my things that fell to the ground.

Thank you kind gentlemen for your concern.  I greatly appreciated it.  It was the perfect opportunity to teach my pre-schooler that we should "do unto others as we would have them do unto you" and explain that it would have been really nice for you to stop.  However, since you didn't, we embarked upon a learning experience to look for others who may need a hand and help them out in the future. 

Oh yeah, the lady just walked around us too (and they had a tight fit to get around a large shopping cart, a lady with a baby strapped to her front and a little girl who has no idea what "personal space is")

And that my friends is why I'm going to go "rest" now:-) 

I'll try to get some pictures up again soon!

2 weeks and 5 days

Seriously...I feel like Nathan has been part of our family for FAR LONGER than 2 weeks and 5 days.  I have to remind myself daily that he is still so new!  Today we went to visit my midwife and he got a weight check.  He is now 10 lbs 8 oz!!!  That little boy has gained a pound and a half already!   He's grown out of newborn clothes (for the most part) and was only in newborn diapers for a couple of days.  Unbelievable! 

The girls simply adore him.  I caught Nicole just standing, looking at him today, with a smile on her face.  Hannah is always kissing him, bringing him things, and asking to hold him.

I think he'll be well taken care of.  I will choose not to comment on his sleeping.  Last time I did, I jinxed myself and had a bad several days.  Let's just say we are rested, for the most part and I'm not complaining.  Again...he's not even 3 weeks old!

Meeting his great-grandfather for the first time.

Nathan in my Moby wrap at the Christmas parade the other night.  He was just starting to wake up and I think he forgot he was all safe and snug...he sort of freaked out, haha.

Here are some random pictures of the girls that I thought were cute.

I don't know why, but I'm a sucker for messy braids and a serious look.  I LOVE it!

Check this one out, she doesn't Always look like a pirate when she smiles:-)

BUMing around

So....I'm getting low on my disposable diapers and feeling bummed that Nathan is just not quite big enough to be in the cloth diapers fully time.  There are two reasons for this...#1, he's still just a little to small, needs to "fatten up" a bit, and #2...my diapers are pretty stretched out from being used on two toddlers, one of whome (to remain anonymous of course) is a bit of a chunk! haha.  So...I'm afraid that once Nathan is big enough for the cloth diapers, that they won't fit him well because the elastic is stretched (anyone know how to fix elastic?)

Sooo....I've been dreading the time when I run out of disposables and have to buy some.  But, I think I've found an alternative, and I'm psyched about it!  You see, there are these little diapers called "g diapers".  They are a cross between disposable and cloth diapers.  They are cloth on the outside, but come with an insert that you deposit in the potty and they basically break down.  I've never considered g diapers because they are extremely expsive because you have to keep buying these little inserts.  These diapers are for people who are trying to help the environment, which is honestly not my main goal in cloth diapering.  I want to help our wallet, you know...save money.  Anyway....the other day at Target, I found an opened box of g diapers, for weight of 8-14 pounds.  I decided to check them out and got a GRANDE idea!  You see, like I said, they are cloth on the outside.  Then there is a little (non)plastic liner that those disposable inserts lay in.  Well...they are exactly the right size for my cloth, washable inserts that come with my bumgenius diapers.  So...I decided to try something....

I bought the box (on clearance) for $6 (less than a pack of diapers) and I got two cloth diapers, with 3 (non)plastic liners and 10 of those disposable insert things.  I've been laying my cloth inserts into the liners and using them just like I would use my cloth diapers.  So far, it's working!  I'm psyched, because this will be a nice alternative for us until he can fit full time into my real diapers.  This will cut WAY back on the number of disposables I'll need to use.  I really like cloth diapering because I think it's a good way for our family to save money.

Isn't he cute with this little diaper on?

The little g on the back is cute too.  I love how these are SO NOT bulky!

 Here is the g diaper with my cloth insert in it.

Oh....on the same note...I found something cool out.  Remember those cloth diapers I found at Good will a few months ago and bought for a dollar a piece.  Well...they didn't work so well for us.  I didn't like the brand and the size was to big.  Well, the place I buy my diapers from, Cotton Babies, buys back gently used diapers.  I sent in those 8 diapers and got a $62 credit at their store.  This was enough for me to buy a few more BumGenius diapers, the ones I like, and a new wet back, which I Needed (I had to pay a few bucks extra).  So....anyway, I was pretty excited about this nice little kick back.  They are also a Christian owned company that offers cloth diaper scholarships to missionaries abroad who have children or work with children.  Pretty cool if you ask me.  So...that's my cloth diaper news of the month.  Anyone still reading? hehehe.

Random pictures

I have a few random pictures I'd like to share.

We went to a winterfest this weekend.  They offered sleigh rides on the ice rink (I believe it was a quarter of the rink, a bit dinky!), visits with Santa, free bounce house and other fun activities.  There was also "snow".  Do you see it?  It's in the background of this picture.  It was all of 2 feet high and 3 feet across.  The poor Florida children were throwing "snow balls" at each other.  Pretty silly.   Anyway....I thought this was a cute picture of Nicole.

Sunday we laid the girls down for their nap.  I put them down at 1:00 and went to do something for just under 10 minutes.  Then, I decided to go check on them...and this is what I found.  Hannah got out of bed, but didn't make it past the door.  She is laying on a (dirty) floor mat.  Poor girl...she was so pooped out she couldn't even make it to the living room! hahaha.

Jeremy came home psyched up for his softball game last night with eye black on.  Immediately Hannah wanted some.  Then, we talked Nicole into it.  So...daddy and his girls, wearing eye black.  Aren't they cool???

Daddy/Daughter date to....

Home Depot...where else?

Jeremy has been looking forward to taking Nicole to the kids workshop that Home Depot hosts the first Saturday of each month.  He has been talking it up all week to her and I believe it was even better than he hoped.  The two of them met their buddies, Bryan and Peyton, for a morning of building fun. 

Nicole & Peyton

Nicole was given an orange Home Depot apron and materials to make a wagon, with the help of her daddy.  The kids are also given a pin to put on their aprons.  Jeremy said there were some kids with their aprons full of pins....I'm quite certain he wants Nicole (and later Hannah and Nathan) to have their apron full of pins:-)

She even sat on Santa's lap for the first time (she just learned about who Santa was yesterday.  We don't really talk about him, but there's no hiding her from it, so she might as well have an idea of who he is and why she sees him everywhere right now).  Jeremy said he heard the other kids asking for iPods, iPhones, Batman caves(???) and other various items.  I don't think Nicole asked for anything... I don't think she knew to, haha. 

I loved how excited these two were to spend the morning together.  Hannah was a bit upset she wasn't invited, but she's just not big enough yet (although we all know she *thinks* she is).  I look forward to hearing about many other fun times these kids have with their daddy...all by themselves.  It's so important, and so special.  I'm thankful my children have a father who love them and treasure them so much.