Christmas is such an awesome time! I just love decorating and buying presents and giving presents... and, of course, Christmas traditions!
When we had Avery, I wanted to make sure we started some Christmas traditions, and each year we've added something else that we'll do the next year too.
I've already bought the girls' pajamas, which they will open Christmas Eve night and wear that night and Christmas morning. They also will open an ornament for this year and put it on the tree. I want my kids to have a good collection of Christmas ornaments to take with them to their own houses when they move out and start a family of their own.
We also had Horton, our Elf on the Shelf, show up and start a new tradition of our Elf on the Shelf breakfast. We started the Elf on the Shelf tradition last year and added the breakfast for this year. Avery loves Horton and it's a really easy way to make her remember to be a good girl for Santa so he will bring her toys.
Last year, I also added a book tradition. I collected tons (20) of Christmas-related books and wrapped them, putting them under the tree. For the 20 nights leading up to Christmas, Avery chose one wrapped book and we opened it and read it together around the Christmas tree. This year I was good and bought 5 more throughout the year, so now we can start it the night before December 1st. The book idea is great because Avery loves to read and also because a lot of the books talk about the real meaning of Christmas, which is Christ, of course, and it gives us a good chance to discuss that. We end the book tradition with reading The Night Before Christmas on Christmas Eve night before going to bed.
And this weekend we added another fun thing to do. We always go drive around and see the lights. Last year we visited Our Lady of the Snows Way of Lights, Rock Springs Parks' Christmas Wonderland, and also just looking at fun houses that have been decked out. On a whim, I decided we'd go to Rock Springs Parks Saturday night - a completely lazy day for us, as we had NOTHING to do. I should have taken a picture, but I didn't, but all 4 of us got into our pajamas (for those that hadn't gotten out of them all day, anyway) and put on our slippers and loaded in to the van. We ran through and got some food and ate our food and drove through the lights. It was a rainy, chilly night, and Avery just loved putting on our pjs to get in to the car - we've never done that before!
This Christmas is going to be so fun with her, as she is really getting it even more than last year. That also means lots of asking for presents, which we are trying to contain. Her grandparents and aunts and uncles don't help - she gets everything on her list and more! ;) That's why we always try to give back to our friends and neighbors, and this year I think Avery understands that even more. This Christmas season has already been amazing - I'm excited there's still about a month left! :)
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Horton Has Arrived!
Horton, our Elf on the Shelf, showed up Thanksgiving morning with a breakfast and surprise for the girls. Each girl got a letter from Horton and a scented stuffed animal. Horton brought snow covered donuts and hot cocoa with snow, Christmas cereal and reindeer kisses, and grape juice with bubbles in it for a really cool light-up cup. I'm excited to start this new tradition for our family. And Horton likes to hide in the funniest spots! He's a clever little elf... :)
I have to admit, this breakfast did not go as planned. In fact, it hurt my feelings a little bit because I put so much effort in to it and was so excited to see her face and she was just so mad (until she got her stuffed animal). I'm hoping next year is better. :)
But she had a reason for acting the way she did - Avery was running a low grade temp the night before and had a cough and scratchy throat the next morning. She was not in the mood for Horton. Luckily, some Advil put her in a good mood for putting up the Christmas decorations, which ended up being a lot of fun! While getting her little tree for her room ready, she said, "Let's do this; let's do this Christmas tree!!"
Here are some pictures:
This "North Pole Breakfast" idea came straight from Pinterest. Check out my pin by clicking HERE.
I have to admit, this breakfast did not go as planned. In fact, it hurt my feelings a little bit because I put so much effort in to it and was so excited to see her face and she was just so mad (until she got her stuffed animal). I'm hoping next year is better. :)
But she had a reason for acting the way she did - Avery was running a low grade temp the night before and had a cough and scratchy throat the next morning. She was not in the mood for Horton. Luckily, some Advil put her in a good mood for putting up the Christmas decorations, which ended up being a lot of fun! While getting her little tree for her room ready, she said, "Let's do this; let's do this Christmas tree!!"
Here are some pictures:
This "North Pole Breakfast" idea came straight from Pinterest. Check out my pin by clicking HERE.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Hadley's 4 Month Update
Hadley had her 4 month appointment on Monday. I prefer only Monday and Tuesday appointments, so that I can take her, so we were a little late going, but just by a few weeks.
Hadley weights 14lb14oz. She is in the 25-50th percentile for weight for her age.
She is 25 3/4 inches long. She is in the 75-90th (closer to 90th) percentile for her height.
I can't remember her head circumference, but I do remember that it's in the 25th percentile. Wait... what?! Say that again.... she has a HUGE head. Well, according to the doctor, she does not. She has a little head for her body. Bahahaha I can't help but laugh at this - girl has a big head. :) Maybe it's just because she's bald, but it sure looks big to me.
We started rice cereal a few weeks back and Hadley will be enjoying a Thanksgiving dinner of apples this year, made fresh about a month back.
I am also attempting my first Thanksgiving dinner for our family of 4. Really excited about this.
Also, tomorrow morning a little Elf named Horton gave me a heads up that he will popping in and hanging around until Christmas day. I'll have my camera handy to snap some pictures of Horton and the girls. We'll also be putting up our Christmas decorations, so I'm just really excited about the day with my family tomorrow.
And shopping commences at about 8:30pm tomorrow night - can't wait! Love going with my family! :)
Hadley weights 14lb14oz. She is in the 25-50th percentile for weight for her age.
She is 25 3/4 inches long. She is in the 75-90th (closer to 90th) percentile for her height.
I can't remember her head circumference, but I do remember that it's in the 25th percentile. Wait... what?! Say that again.... she has a HUGE head. Well, according to the doctor, she does not. She has a little head for her body. Bahahaha I can't help but laugh at this - girl has a big head. :) Maybe it's just because she's bald, but it sure looks big to me.
We started rice cereal a few weeks back and Hadley will be enjoying a Thanksgiving dinner of apples this year, made fresh about a month back.
I am also attempting my first Thanksgiving dinner for our family of 4. Really excited about this.
Also, tomorrow morning a little Elf named Horton gave me a heads up that he will popping in and hanging around until Christmas day. I'll have my camera handy to snap some pictures of Horton and the girls. We'll also be putting up our Christmas decorations, so I'm just really excited about the day with my family tomorrow.
And shopping commences at about 8:30pm tomorrow night - can't wait! Love going with my family! :)
Thursday, November 17, 2011
They're On To Me
Operation Ruin-Mommy's-Night-Away-From-Us has commenced... and it is currently The Girls = 1 and Mommy = 0.
Tonight, for those of you that could care less or live under a rock, is the midnight premiere for Breaking Dawn: Part 1. Yes, I'm a Twi-hard, or whatever it is they call it. After the first movie, Twilight, came out, I was sucked into reading the books - literally, sucked in to them. New Moon was read in one day, about 8 hours to be exact, because it was a car ride to Oklahoma City. After that fascination, I went to the New Moon midnight movie and I chose to skip Eclipse's midnight movie (I really can't remember why - except maybe I remembered how crazy it was the time before and I couldn't handle it again. Too much time has passed now and I've forgotten. Apparently, it's like childbirth and pregnancy. You just forget how absolutely stupid and painful it is to stand in line, or wait in a movie theater for hours before your movie even starts. All you remember is how awesomely awesome it was seeing the dang movie.). May I add that I've been to midnight movie's before; back before they were all wait in line for 5 hours before being seated, then wait in your seat for 3 more hours for your movie to start. I remember seeing Spiderman 2 at the midnight movie at Eastgate and I'm pretty sure we showed up around 11:00 to be seated. (We also were the dorks then that had Spiderman shirts on, pajama pants.... masks and gloves, ha.) I've also seen movies that aren't that exciting at midnight just because I could: Devil, Halloween II. I like seeing a movie that I want to see as soon as it comes out, I just dislike the crazy masses of people on opening night. And tonight is like the worst of the worst. The only other movies I know of that cause this much ruckus are the Harry Potter movies. Thank God I never got sucked in to those too.
Back to Operation Ruin-Mommy's-Night-Away-From-Us:
Last night, I was in my bed for about 8 hours. Of that 8 hours, I'm lucky if I got 3 hours of sleep total, not consecutive. The girls took turns being up. Seriously. I had to rummage for a pillow for the big girl. Get her in to her pallet on the floor next to us. Explain to her how to work her blankets (a long story, for a different post). Settle her down. Settle myself down. Get up to put the pacifier into the little girl's mouth... about 10 times. Rewrap the little one. Shush the little one. Pray for my head to stop pounding. Leave Andrew with the whiny, not-so-tired little one. Go to the bathroom. Feed the little one. Put my pillow over my ears. Shush the big girl. Put the little one back to bed. Rewrap the little one. And then lay in bed for the next hour and a half before my mind finally shuts itself off enough to fall back to sleep. The night before the craziest midnight movie I've been to in a while. Yeah. The Girls have definitely got an edge on me. I'm ready to pawn my ticket off to someone else that has no kids and the energy to sustain themselves properly for a midnight movie.
Which means that Operation Accost-Daddy-At-The-Door-With-Two-Girls-So-I-Can-Squeeze-In-A-Nap is currently in effect.
Tonight, for those of you that could care less or live under a rock, is the midnight premiere for Breaking Dawn: Part 1. Yes, I'm a Twi-hard, or whatever it is they call it. After the first movie, Twilight, came out, I was sucked into reading the books - literally, sucked in to them. New Moon was read in one day, about 8 hours to be exact, because it was a car ride to Oklahoma City. After that fascination, I went to the New Moon midnight movie and I chose to skip Eclipse's midnight movie (I really can't remember why - except maybe I remembered how crazy it was the time before and I couldn't handle it again. Too much time has passed now and I've forgotten. Apparently, it's like childbirth and pregnancy. You just forget how absolutely stupid and painful it is to stand in line, or wait in a movie theater for hours before your movie even starts. All you remember is how awesomely awesome it was seeing the dang movie.). May I add that I've been to midnight movie's before; back before they were all wait in line for 5 hours before being seated, then wait in your seat for 3 more hours for your movie to start. I remember seeing Spiderman 2 at the midnight movie at Eastgate and I'm pretty sure we showed up around 11:00 to be seated. (We also were the dorks then that had Spiderman shirts on, pajama pants.... masks and gloves, ha.) I've also seen movies that aren't that exciting at midnight just because I could: Devil, Halloween II. I like seeing a movie that I want to see as soon as it comes out, I just dislike the crazy masses of people on opening night. And tonight is like the worst of the worst. The only other movies I know of that cause this much ruckus are the Harry Potter movies. Thank God I never got sucked in to those too.
Back to Operation Ruin-Mommy's-Night-Away-From-Us:
Last night, I was in my bed for about 8 hours. Of that 8 hours, I'm lucky if I got 3 hours of sleep total, not consecutive. The girls took turns being up. Seriously. I had to rummage for a pillow for the big girl. Get her in to her pallet on the floor next to us. Explain to her how to work her blankets (a long story, for a different post). Settle her down. Settle myself down. Get up to put the pacifier into the little girl's mouth... about 10 times. Rewrap the little one. Shush the little one. Pray for my head to stop pounding. Leave Andrew with the whiny, not-so-tired little one. Go to the bathroom. Feed the little one. Put my pillow over my ears. Shush the big girl. Put the little one back to bed. Rewrap the little one. And then lay in bed for the next hour and a half before my mind finally shuts itself off enough to fall back to sleep. The night before the craziest midnight movie I've been to in a while. Yeah. The Girls have definitely got an edge on me. I'm ready to pawn my ticket off to someone else that has no kids and the energy to sustain themselves properly for a midnight movie.
Which means that Operation Accost-Daddy-At-The-Door-With-Two-Girls-So-I-Can-Squeeze-In-A-Nap is currently in effect.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Life Story Binders
For those of you that know me, my newest online addiction is Pinterest. I am actually using the site too, not just to look at stuff - I've been using cleaning tips, organizing tips, recipes galore (especially for my slow cooker), ideas for activities for the kids, and now Life Story Binders.
Check out my pin on Pinterest here and link to the blog I got the idea from.
Avery's baby book is awesome. I'm pretty sure my sister Deanette picked it up for me when I was newly pregnant at Walmart. Alas, this time with Hadley they no longer sell that exact baby book and I've never been able to find it again. Someone gave me an extra baby book when I was pregnant with Hadley, so I decided to use it, but it is SO different from Avery's, it kind of made me sad. So I picked up the Walmart baby book (not the same as the old one) and started using it... but it leaves out so much that Avery's includes (I'm kind of obsessed with Avery's baby book). Anyway, it doesn't include half the milestones and year-to-year info that Avery's does, and I must admit I'm a little disappointed.
Step in Pinterest and Life Story Binders.
Life Story Binders are binders with sheet protectors that you can insert all sorts of information into. You could make your own baby book. For me, I started the Life Story Binders because we have birth certificates and social security cards just floating all around our house, never finding a permanent place for them.
The first few pages of our brand-new Life Story Binders include birth certificate, social security card, the footprint/"birth certificates" they make and give you at the hospital, savings bonds, birth announcements, Christmas cards and other misc. semi-important pictures or documents (like the baby dedication certificates from church). However, I also decided to make a milestones page, with all the milestones and dates they hit them, along with the weight and height for every well being visit , and starting when they are three another idea from Pinterest: the 20 questions about themselves. (I also plan to include our previous questions that I asked and posted to here, starting when they're 3.)
Here are Avery's 20 Questions:
Avery - 3 years old - 20 questions (2011)
1. What is your favorite color? Black
2. What is your favorite toy? Toy Story toys
3. What is your favorite fruit? Bananas
4. What is your favorite tv show? Dora the Explorer
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Mac & cheese
6. What is your favorite outfit? Dresses
7. What is your favorite game? Twister
8. What is your favorite snack? Fruit snacks
9. What is your favorite animal? Zebras
10. What is your favorite song? He Loves Us
11. What is your favorite book? The Cat in the Hat
12. Who is your best friend? Aubrey
13. What is your favorite cereal? Cheerios that has colors on them (Fruit Loops)
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? I love to play.
15. What is your favorite drink? Milk
16. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Daisy stuffed animal
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Panny cakes
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Red Lobster’s legs (crab legs)
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? A doctor like Dr. Hill.
Check out my pin on Pinterest here and link to the blog I got the idea from.
Avery's baby book is awesome. I'm pretty sure my sister Deanette picked it up for me when I was newly pregnant at Walmart. Alas, this time with Hadley they no longer sell that exact baby book and I've never been able to find it again. Someone gave me an extra baby book when I was pregnant with Hadley, so I decided to use it, but it is SO different from Avery's, it kind of made me sad. So I picked up the Walmart baby book (not the same as the old one) and started using it... but it leaves out so much that Avery's includes (I'm kind of obsessed with Avery's baby book). Anyway, it doesn't include half the milestones and year-to-year info that Avery's does, and I must admit I'm a little disappointed.
Step in Pinterest and Life Story Binders.
Life Story Binders are binders with sheet protectors that you can insert all sorts of information into. You could make your own baby book. For me, I started the Life Story Binders because we have birth certificates and social security cards just floating all around our house, never finding a permanent place for them.
The first few pages of our brand-new Life Story Binders include birth certificate, social security card, the footprint/"birth certificates" they make and give you at the hospital, savings bonds, birth announcements, Christmas cards and other misc. semi-important pictures or documents (like the baby dedication certificates from church). However, I also decided to make a milestones page, with all the milestones and dates they hit them, along with the weight and height for every well being visit , and starting when they are three another idea from Pinterest: the 20 questions about themselves. (I also plan to include our previous questions that I asked and posted to here, starting when they're 3.)
Here are Avery's 20 Questions:
Avery - 3 years old - 20 questions (2011)
1. What is your favorite color? Black
2. What is your favorite toy? Toy Story toys
3. What is your favorite fruit? Bananas
4. What is your favorite tv show? Dora the Explorer
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Mac & cheese
6. What is your favorite outfit? Dresses
7. What is your favorite game? Twister
8. What is your favorite snack? Fruit snacks
9. What is your favorite animal? Zebras
10. What is your favorite song? He Loves Us
11. What is your favorite book? The Cat in the Hat
12. Who is your best friend? Aubrey
13. What is your favorite cereal? Cheerios that has colors on them (Fruit Loops)
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? I love to play.
15. What is your favorite drink? Milk
16. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Daisy stuffed animal
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Panny cakes
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Red Lobster’s legs (crab legs)
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? A doctor like Dr. Hill.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Christmas Decorations!
Although I already have a few of our traditional Christmas Eve gifts for the girls, I start officially Christmas shopping next Saturday with some wonderful ladies! I'm so excited and can't wait to get started!
Also, due to the way family dinners for Thanksgiving falls this year with the Carlton and Naylor sides, it looks as if we will be home together on Thanksgiving, just the four of us. And I'm going to attempt to make my first turkey and traditional Thanksgiving dinner! Last year, my attempt went pretty well, but we did ham, and I must say it was delicious. So I'm looking forward to seeing how my turkey dinner will go this year.
....being home Thanksgiving day also means: Christmas decorations! I was tempted to put them up early this year, but since we'll actually be home together - we're making a day of it! I also believe that morning will be our North Pole Breakfast and our elf, Horton, will make his first appearance of the year. I'm super excited to plan this and get it ready for the girls. Pictures to follow! :) :)
Also, due to the way family dinners for Thanksgiving falls this year with the Carlton and Naylor sides, it looks as if we will be home together on Thanksgiving, just the four of us. And I'm going to attempt to make my first turkey and traditional Thanksgiving dinner! Last year, my attempt went pretty well, but we did ham, and I must say it was delicious. So I'm looking forward to seeing how my turkey dinner will go this year.
....being home Thanksgiving day also means: Christmas decorations! I was tempted to put them up early this year, but since we'll actually be home together - we're making a day of it! I also believe that morning will be our North Pole Breakfast and our elf, Horton, will make his first appearance of the year. I'm super excited to plan this and get it ready for the girls. Pictures to follow! :) :)
Friday, November 4, 2011
Avery's Christmas Wish List 2011
We've been getting catalogs to Walmart, Kmart, Toys R Us, Target, etc. for Christmas stuff - and Avery loves the toy catalogs! We have been trying to stress to her that she should only pick a few things because Santa has to take toys to lots of boys and girls, not just her. There have been times she'll open a catalog and say, "I want everything on this page!" Besides the fact that we can't afford it all, she doesn't need it all. So I've been making her create a list about once a week so I can figure out what it is she REALLY wants, not just sees that day or something. I also thought it would be funny to post her list so we can look back in a few years and remember what she wants. Plus, since I'm typing/writing this list up, she always gives a long explanation for stuff she really likes. So, it's funny. :)
A new DV player in my room. New CD player (she calls it a DVD player) in her room because her old one needs to go in her playroom so that when Aubrey comes over and they play down there they can still listen to music and have a dance party.
Light up Ariel vanity. Ariel Magical Talking Salon - a light up vanity for her playroom so she can do people's hair.
The Birds movie. No, she doesn't frequently watch scary movies. She means Rio DVD.
The Princess & the Frog movie.
Cars 2 movie.
A little Woody doll.
A Barbie doll with a big pink dress. Barbie Charm School doll.
Baby that eats. Baby Alive Baby All Gone doll.
A little girl doll with a purple hat like Aubrey has. This was a McDonald's toy. Tell Santa how he can pull that one off...
Belle tea set.
Princess dolls. Lots of princess dolls and toys. This is pretty vague, so should be easy to find something. ;)
Rapunzel dress.
Olivia chair.
Princess dress. I think this was a Disney Princess ballet tutu. I hope so anyway.
Pop game. Pop the Pig game she saw on TV.
A really special Minnie and Mickey purple house.
Although there are more, those are the main concentration of what she's picked out. I'm sure thanks to grandparents, Santa won't have to get her all of the stuff on that list. :)
(Still deciding on when decorations come out and Horton our Elf on the Shelf makes his grand entrance!!)
A new DV player in my room. New CD player (she calls it a DVD player) in her room because her old one needs to go in her playroom so that when Aubrey comes over and they play down there they can still listen to music and have a dance party.
Light up Ariel vanity. Ariel Magical Talking Salon - a light up vanity for her playroom so she can do people's hair.
The Birds movie. No, she doesn't frequently watch scary movies. She means Rio DVD.
The Princess & the Frog movie.
Cars 2 movie.
A little Woody doll.
A Barbie doll with a big pink dress. Barbie Charm School doll.
Baby that eats. Baby Alive Baby All Gone doll.
A little girl doll with a purple hat like Aubrey has. This was a McDonald's toy. Tell Santa how he can pull that one off...
Belle tea set.
Princess dolls. Lots of princess dolls and toys. This is pretty vague, so should be easy to find something. ;)
Rapunzel dress.
Olivia chair.
Princess dress. I think this was a Disney Princess ballet tutu. I hope so anyway.
Pop game. Pop the Pig game she saw on TV.
A really special Minnie and Mickey purple house.
Although there are more, those are the main concentration of what she's picked out. I'm sure thanks to grandparents, Santa won't have to get her all of the stuff on that list. :)
(Still deciding on when decorations come out and Horton our Elf on the Shelf makes his grand entrance!!)
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
2nd Child Syndrome
Everyone told me that once you have your 2nd child, you never do all the pictures and stuff like you did with your first. This is so true, but not because I want it to be! I am trying to take pictures, but with 2 kids there is just TOO much going on!
Would you believe this is the ONLY picture I have of Hadley at a pumpkin patch - and we visited one twice?!
At least I got one.
And thank goodness for iPhones - practically the only way we get up to date pictures!
We start solids this week! I was actually going to do a different approach this time and wait until she was six months old (we gave Avery only rice cereal for the first month at 4 months), but she has been extremely interested in whatever I'm eating, so I figured we'd see how it goes. She's gonna be my good eater. ;) Our pediatrician told us that most 2nd babies don't get any solids until 6 months or so because parents forget about it or don't have time - at least we aren't the only ones with "2nd Child Syndrome"!
Pictures to come of her first solids soon (promise!).
Would you believe this is the ONLY picture I have of Hadley at a pumpkin patch - and we visited one twice?!
At least I got one.
And thank goodness for iPhones - practically the only way we get up to date pictures!
We start solids this week! I was actually going to do a different approach this time and wait until she was six months old (we gave Avery only rice cereal for the first month at 4 months), but she has been extremely interested in whatever I'm eating, so I figured we'd see how it goes. She's gonna be my good eater. ;) Our pediatrician told us that most 2nd babies don't get any solids until 6 months or so because parents forget about it or don't have time - at least we aren't the only ones with "2nd Child Syndrome"!
Pictures to come of her first solids soon (promise!).
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