You Better Watch Out…

I braved the mall so Abby could get her picture taken with Santa. I took Kate to the same place for her first Christmas and I love this Santa. I dressed Kate in case she’d take her picture since I didn’t do one last year. Apparently she is still not over her fear since she wanted nothing to do with Santa. I thought this year would be better since she understands who he is and talks about him all the time. Santa was nice and said I could put Kate on his lap even with her crying. I didn’t want to do that to her so we only got a picture with Abby. Abby did great. She was very interested in Santa for a little bit and then she started reaching for me and trying to climb out of his lap.

 

I had to convince Kate Santa wasn’t going to show up to get her to take these pictures!

While waiting in line my Dad took Kate to play and to ride on the train. She was so cute and would wave to everyone the train drove by.

After Santa we ate lunch and then Kate rode the carousel with my Dad. Again Kate was waving to everyone as it rotated.

This is what Abby did…

Abby

My baby is 9 months old!

Abby is the sweetest, funniest little baby. She is crawling ALL over the house. Standing on everything. She has excellent balance. Pretty much never falls and can bend over and pick up a toy all while standing. She says MaMa, DaDa, ByBy, Hi, and some other babble. She loves to pat-a-cake and play peekaboo. Wakes up way too early for my taste but goes to bed early also. Abby and Kate have started to really interact with each other and it’s adorable. I’m starting to see the benefits of siblings entertaining each other.

Weight: 18.5oz (50%)

Height: 27 1/4cm (50%)

Head:  44 1/2 (50-75%)

Love You Babe

Happy 6 year Anniversary to Us! Jason surprised me with a date to the High Museum to see the Dali exhibit then to a fancy dinner. He knows me so well! (I will write another post just about the exhibit because it was incredible/mind blowing/fantastically amazing)

I love that we have so much fun together! I am a very lucky girl ;)

A Gingerbread Masterpiece

My very talented friend Melissa showed us how to make a completely edible gingerbread house from scratch. Again, EVERYTHING was made from scratch and EVERYTHING is edible! The dough was made, rolled out, then the pieces of the house were cut out. The house was attached with caramelized sugar, which also was used to make the windows. The decorations were attached with homemade icing (made by Melissa).

This is my new favorite tradition. It was so fun hanging out together and I loved decorating the house. I think I ate  more candy than made it onto the house Melissa not only shared her talents but helped keep our kids from going crazy while we decorated.

TA-DA

My Wreath

Completed house with Santa and his elves on the roof

The Answer is Still NO

Abby loves dogs and giggles whenever she seems them. Luckily we’re occasionally around dogs or we really would be the cruelest parents for not buying them a pet.

She’s so fun!

Dance Baby Dance

The kids playing Dance Central at Jason’s parents. Love my immediate/extended family!

Growing Up

SERIOUSLY!!!

“Look Mom, I’m standing”

“This is the greatest thing ever!”

  “What?”

“You know I’m cute!”

 

In other recent Abby news we seem to have entered a clingy stage. She’ll be content for a little bit then she wants me to hold her. If she even sees me she reaches and then clings to me. I’m hoping this is just a stage because it’s hard to do anything!

*We will be lowering her mattress ASAP!

Tumbling Toddler

Awhile ago I bought a gymboree groupon for a month of classes. I finally signed up for a class this week; the expiration deadline was quickly approaching. Kate absolutely LOVED going to the play/tumble class. The teacher couldn’t believe she’d never been to a class before. She even answered all the teacher’s questions to the class at the beginning. It turns out she actually is learning some stuff at home! The only trouble she had was when they did circle time or played a game following instructions. She kept trying to run off to play. I shouldn’t be surprised because that’s how she is at home. On one hand I wished I had done this earlier considering how enjoyable it was for her, on the other hand I still think it’s way over priced and not worth how much it costs. We probably won’t continue when our month is over but as she gets older I will put her in something, probably gymnastics. I wish Jason could see her there because she is definitely in her element and it’s fun watching her “shine.” She was probably the most energetic child in the class. Surprise, Surprise :)

Halloween Girls

We had a crazy Halloween weekend.  The weekend started with a Trunk or Treat at our church. Kate was a little uncomfortable with so many people, especially with any costume that was even remotely scary. She preferred to spend most of the time outside with Jason who was getting the trunk ready for the trick or treaters. Holidays get better every year because the older Kate is the more she enjoys all the festivities. Kate did win cutest costume; I really think it was the hair!

Saturday we had to stop by our neighbors for a pumpkin carving contest. We then went to our friends party in their neighborhood. Sooo much fun, even with the piñata mishap!

Sunday we went trick or treating to a couple of homes in my parents neighborhood then back to our neighborhood for a little more treats. Luckily we ran into our neighbors which made it more fun for Kate since she’s a little hesitant when she’s by herself. Abby was her adorable self but stayed back for our neighborhood trick or treating since she was so tired.

Little Bo Peep and her Lamb

  

 

Into The Wild

We actually went camping for two night/three days with two kids. Yes, we’re crazy! It turned out to be a blast. What made it a success were a couple of things: Great friends, a big tent we borrowed, a heater for the tent, lots of equipment/stuff, lots of food, and again great friends. We never could have done it without a tent heater. The days were perfect but that meant super cold nights and mornings. It got down to freezing. I had the kids layered and bundled and they actually slept really well. Abby was in the pack-n-play, Kate and I were on a small blow up mattress, and Jason was on a mat. Yes, we were all in the same tent smashed up together. I don’t know if they slept so well because they were exhausted from the day, it was cool, or because you could hear the creek by us but whatever it was it worked.

We spent the days just hanging out and eating. We did do a small hike to a waterfall. The kids all played together and we joked that it was like Lord of the Flies because they were running around wild. I now feel like we would be depriving our kids if we didn’t take them camping again considering how much fun all the kids had. I also don’t think it would be worth all the effort if we didn’t go with a big group. It just made it more fun. The site we were camping out was beautiful. There is nowhere prettier than NC in the Fall.

   Everyone hanging out

Abby getting choked, I mean hugged, by Lucy :)

  

There’s nothing wrong with putting a baby in a cage with a dog as long as they’re happy right?! (Brighton and Nixon)

Night View

Kate walking Nixon. She had so much fun playing with all the dogs and has a pretend puppy ever since we came home!

Just walking off into the woods, luckily Nixon knew the way back since Kate’s sense of direction is a work in progress

 

Wild Kids

 

The Village

Some Girl Time

Some Daddy/Daughter Time

Baby Blues

This is a random picture I took today. It’s not a very good picture and no editing has been done. Look at those eyes! I wonder if they’re going stay this blue. I really hope so!

Abby LOVES the airplane swing we have in our backyard. She can sit in there forever. It’s really cute because sometimes Kate will stop playing to go push her and never seems to get jealous that Abby gets a turn a swinging.

Never take a hungry toddler to the store and watch out for the puppy

After Kate woke up from her nap, I fed Abby and then took them to the store without giving Kate a snack. We were in the produce section when I see her pick up 2 plums and take a bite out of them. I tell her no then turn around to get a bag for the plums when she sneaks an apple and takes a big bite. She lost her walking privilege and was put into the cart while I got another bag so I could buy all the half eaten fruit. I did feel a little bad when I got in the car and saw it was almost dinner time and she never even had a snack. She was just hungry! I know the feeling since I always buy way too much junk food when I go to the store hungry, apparently this advice also applies to 2 year olds.

Kate has a pretend puppy. (I know I’m an awful Mom for not getting her one, but a pretend one is good enough. Someday, we will get a dog but it will be when our kids are older). She whistles for him to come and feeds him and we even have to kiss him goodnight. It’s so cute when she asks for her puppy and then “finds” him. She can also take a simple stick and make it a baby/Daddy/Mommy/gun/food/phone/juice… I love her imagination. This is such a fun stage. I love how she’s so excited to see us and calls us “my daddy” and “my mommy.”

She’s growing up so fast but I’m enjoying each new stage we hit. Minus the occasional tantrums, could do without those.

~the reason she whistles for the dog is because Jason would whistle to get her attention so now when she wants our attention she does her pretend whistle. I know I need to stop it but every time I can’t help but laugh.

Abigail

I say this with every stage, but I can’t believe Abby is 6 months old! She is a wonderful baby. At 6 months she is sitting up and at 6.5 months she is crawling backwards. She has been sitting for awhile but has become a pro at it within the past month or so. Abby loves to hug and cuddle in your shoulder. She is definitely a mama’s girl and will start laughing and smiling when I walk in the room. She is chubby as ever and I love love love it and hope it sticks around :) She “talks” and “sings” ALL the time, nonstop. Looks like we’re going to have a family full of talkers. Poor Jason will never be able to get a word in. Occasionally she sleeps straight through the night but usually she still wakes to eat once a night. I should probably do something about that but if the girl wants to eat…  Here are some pictures we took when she was almost 6 months old.

  

How I Use My Parents

Lets be honest here, nobody wants to hear endless stories about your kids. Nobody, except family that is. Which is why I have to call my parents almost on a daily basis to update them on the latest cute or smart thing Kate and Abby have done. Because really I’m pretty sure Kate is the smartest 2.5yr old ever. She truly amazes me and seems more like a 3.5 yr old in her knowledge and cognitive abilities. Of course I also think she’s the cutest little girl ever. The same goes for Abby. Have you ever seen cheeks as cute or a baby so cuddly and loveable?! Jason is luckily around every evening but a lot happens during the day. Occasionally I have to call Jason to relay an incident because I’m amazed at what happened or can’t stop laughing. However, I can’t call him every hour at work, but I can call my parents who totally appreciate my stories. I guess being a parent never ends; just how you parent changes. It makes me feel better to know that even when Kate and Abby are grown they’ll still need me to listen to all the stories about their adorable babies whom I’m sure I will think are the cutest and smartest babies ever :)

Over the Hill?

Happy Birthday Jason! He’s now 31 yrs old! Totally kidding about being over the hill but remember when 30 sounded so old? I know everyone says this, but it really doesn’t seen like we’re any older…

Jason’s carrot cake that I made from scratch. Katherine helped me make and decorate the cake.

 

I like how Jason and Abby are looking straight at the camera

 

Presents are very tempting for a 2.5yr old!

 

Jason chose to spend part of his Birthday washing my car with Kate. He’s such an awesome Dad!!!