It was a date night!

Kurt and I had our first date night in - well a very long time! When Landen was Amelia's age I never felt comfortable leaving him, but Amelia has Landen and things are very different now. Neither of the kids care and have a great time with my sister Beck (who watched them - Thank you!!). I remember my mom always telling me - just wait until you have two, it'll be different. You can even imagine until you get there - but we are and it's nice.

For the date night - we went to this cute little Italian Restaurant that's new here in town. It was semi fancy, yummy and wonderful to have a night out without the kids. I love going places with them, but it's really nice to have a conversation and actually eat your food without someone throwing something, breaking something, yelling, wanting to be on your lap, etc, etc, etc. We enjoyed our nice evening and then walked around some of the stores around here - ending up looking for things for the kids. Isn't that how it ends? Not much, but well needed! I've been feeling more than anything a need to go out with Kurt. I think because things are a bit more chaotic here. We don't have our regular slow evenings of just talking and doing whatever. A lot of times I find myself going to bed before he does even (which doesn't happen here) because of homework. It was wonderful! I feel refreshed and hope to do it again before baby #3 arrives!

Examples

Yesterday we made our regular trip to story time at the library. I have to admit I do get sick of going every single week, but it's almost over and the kids love it. Amelia is already singing and loving the Tick Tock song, I think she looks forward to it more than Landen and she isn't even to the 18 month age that they start the kids at. It's just so cute!

Well I was surprised to have a local Children's Music place do the 45 minute story time. What they do is incorporate music into your child's life and it was geared towards children of that age. I absolutely loved it and so did Landen and Amelia. We sang, did all kinds of music with shakers, danced and I loved how the teacher kept instructing how parents are children's number 1 role models so if we're just standing there then they aren't going to want to participate. I know for myself at story time I get totally into it, we have so much fun and sing really loud. However, I never really pay attention to the other parents, until yesterday. The instructor kept saying it over and over - if you don't do it your kids won't and as I'm looking around people were just sitting there, intimidated to sing loudly and dance around. It just made me think about how people are so on that whole 'social' thing and I don't agree that your kids have to be around other kids to develop social skills and things. My kids are very social, but I think I'm pretty social. I'm not afraid to talk and jabber, or get down and do all the fun things even if I look like a fool. I know everyone is different, but have people ever thought maybe they aren't that social, that's why they're children are that way? Just like with manners - we always say please and thank you along with other things and we get asked, how come Landen is already on that, do you really get on him. No, not really - we use them and it's just natural. I know this could get into this big lengthy post, but we are the number one examples in everything, not just faith, but socialization too. =)

I loved the music for the kids and how she explained how music touches your whole body and then she was saying how you remember all these songs and you thing of that time when you listened to that. It's so true, there are tons of songs I listened to in college and they have no appeal to me now, I actually dislike them. That's for another time.. but I never thought of music that way. We listen to it all the time and it makes me want to try harder to find good stuff, not just my kids but for me too. =)

I really do have the sweetest children

I know we all think we have the cutest, sweetest, greatest kids and that's how it's supposed to be, but in my biased opinion I really do think I have the sweetest kids ever!!!

Does this picture not melt your heart? They kiss all the time because they love eachother and no I didn't tell them to kiss! Awww!

So, we've been busy

Kurt told me yesterday that people are going to think something happened to me since I haven't been posting like I regularly do. We've had a lot going on here to keep me busy and away from the computer. Spring is so here and spending more time outdoors is always better than being cramped in the house, doing computer things.

Sunday was my sister Mikyla's Confirmation, where she joined the Catholic Church. It was very pretty. They had it at the Cathedral and several different parish's were confirmed at once. I really like the Cathedral and only being there a couple of times makes it even more special. Sadly I didn't get any pictures. I was her Confirmation sponsor, making it literally impossible for me to be snapping photo's and I was feeling a bit preoccupied with leaving Kurt and my family the responsibility of keeping the children quiet for almost two hours, while I was sitting on the other side with Mikyla. I was in a bit of an owly mood anyway.. I hate when you feel like that on such a beautiful occasion. Then it didn't help when one of the ushers got snappy at me for having Amelia with me while I was asking where I was supposed to sit. Jake (my sisters boyfriend) told me I should have told her (when she told me I better have someone to watch that baby) No, I have a cage to put her in. Why are people so rude and mean when they are who people are supposed to ask questions too? Wouldn't they want to be extra nice on such a joyous occasion and with so many different people being there? I guess that's people in general.. most aren't all that nice when put in that position. On a happier note; Mikyla was looking beautiful, my entire family was able to attend, and the kiddo's were very good.

My camera is working better, but I'm still going to get a new one. I'm looking at the Canon SD750. Anyone have a bone to pick with this camera? The Canon SD870 looks really nice, but for just a few different features and almost a hundred dollars more, I think the other would suite me just fine. Thanks for all the information several of you gave, I really do appreciate it.

My brother Adam brought home so baby raccoons that Ethan and Eli are taking care of. They're so ugly they're cute and Landen really liked them. The boys are just like little mothers, feeding them with a bottle, loving them. They have a little heat lamp and everything. Lots and lots of work and they do it so willingly and loving. Such compassionate little guys. I love all these pictures!

*Click the images to view the coons better! Adorable.

Monday was our first class of kickboxing. I really liked it and it didn't hurt me nearly as much as I thought it was going too. Yesterday my arms were feeling a little sore but that was about it. I'm really looking forward to tonight, and since many of you said don't judge it by the first couple of times, I'll let you know what we think of it after tonight. So far though -- definitely something I'm going to be looking forward too.

My friend Teri had her baby Monday night! A beautiful little girl - Elizabeth! We went over yesterday to bring them some dinner and a little something we got for them. She was 8 lb 10oz, not small by any means but she still looked so teeny tiny, especially next to Amelia who isn't a baby when compared to a real baby. Watching her birth pictures made me want to have another baby. She had a water birth and it brought back all the good memories of that experience. I am so happy for their family. =)

Sick Update - Ooohhh a Tooth!

I think we're finally on the down hill battle with this cold we've been carrying with us for over a week now. It seems that we are all feeling somewhat better, for today.

Yesterday I was feeling very overwhelmed with it all though. It was like I had reached my breaking point - a sick baby, a toddler who constantly needed my attention, three hours of sleep, being sick myself and I felt like I didn't know what to do anymore. So, after Kurt got home I decided maybe we needed to take Amelia to the Dr. because she was throwing up flem and I was feeling so overwhelmed I couldn't think straight. I gave a quick call to my mom - who knocked me back into reality (in a loving way) and I did a baseline assessment (good ol' nursing skills) and decided to see what happened throughout the night. Well - she's so much better and was able to actually stay in our bed throughout the night (yes she was up every hour nursing, but that's okay).

Wanna know something else - ta da - a tooth appeared out of that little girls mouth. So on top of her feeling crappy from having a cold - she had a mean ol' tooth coming in. Phew! I'm glad we're done with that for awhile *crossing my fingers.*

So now that you all know we're still living here - we may have snotty noses, a slight cough and sound like we have sand paper in our throats, but we're getting over this. Woo hoo! Thanks to those of you who were keeping us in your prayers. =)

Being sick in the snow

With all the chaotic running around with Christmas we've all caught a cold. I can handle when I'm sick, it's not fun - but when the kids are sick it breaks my heart. I've been up with Amelia because she's been flemmy and throwing it up, with the barking dog cough. Landen's a trooper and coughing and has a runny nose but doesn't act like anything is wrong with him. So, it's not like we're on our death beds or anything, but it's no fun and I just want to be better so we can really get back to normal.

Here Landen and Amelia are taking a rest from the dreadful cough and snotty nose.

Landen and I ventured out into the snow yesterday morning. I wanted to take him out Friday afternoon when the big wet snow let up, but he didn't wake up from his nap until it was dark. I was bummed because I wanted to build a snowman and the next day the snow was already light and fluffy and wouldn't stick together. We had a good time anyway - for the 1/2 or less we were out there. We made snow angels, went sledding (sort of), pretended to make snow balls, but just ended up picking up snow and throwing it. Then Landen got snow in his face (oops - my fault) and snow in his boots so we came in for some hot chocolate with marshmallows

Here we are - Landen is on his snowmobile sled that I'm pulled and the other he's ready to come in, but grouchy because he didn't really want to come in.

I'm Dreaming of A White Christmas (said in a deep manly tone!) Ha ha

Friday morning my sister Sara came and we baked cookies. It was so much fun! We made scotcheroo's, peanut clusters, chocolate covered pretzels (dark and white), those peanut butter cookies with a chocolate kiss on top, and Reese's peanut butter cups. Yum, yum, yum! We're planning on taking them to Christmas Eve at my parents house. We've been doing pretty good at staying out of them and just eating the defects if we need a chocolate/sugar fix.

I so enjoy when my sisters come up and visit. Sometimes it's a bit hectic when everyone is around at my parents house, but when it's just a few of us we always have some good talks. With several interruptions from Landen, of course. He's quite the entertainer and is always around for a good laugh. Sara got in trouble by him for touching Amelia's head - she has a soft spot, duh - and he let her know it. =) That was our fun on Friday.

Yesterday we went to Wal-mart to get the basic things we needed to take for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day that I had forgotten or was just told we needed to bring. What is it with people waiting until the weekend before Christmas to get their Christmas shopping done? Not the food, the presents - ahh! I seriously would freak out on someone. I'd just grab whatever I saw and get out of there as fast as I could. I was just trying to get through the aisles to get food, without hitting someone while pushing a lop sided, defective cart. How do I always manage to get those carts? And why wouldn't my husband trade me? Yes, we now have to take two carts.. lol! I have Amelia and the cart with the stuff we actually need, Kurt has Landen and the cart with the things we don't really need. Oh.. how things change once you have children!

Now I shall go and finish the laundry, make a peppermint pie, iron clothes for tomorrow, get things around for tomorrow (all the junk we have to take with us), and try to load presents up so Kurt can't take sneaks at his gifts and figure out what they are. =) If I'm not on here again before Christmas. Have a Blessed and Merry Christmas!

Swinging Monkeys

Yesterday we met with our friends Rebecca and Ashton for a little Burger King play land fun. Not that this particular Burger King is all that fun, but it's 1/2 way for both of us and something the kids can run do while we visit. Landen was particularly goofy with Ashton. They're very much alike, running, crashing, screaming, swinging like monkeys, pushing, hugging, a few kisses that Ashton was a bit surprised about, but overall it was a great time.

Then we headed to my parents house. Landen got to play in the snow - finally! He had a grand time and when we got home was repeating everything he did outside. Snowballs, sledding, snow angels, running and whatever else. He wore his snow suit for sometime when we got home while doing all the above. Kurt made me laugh because he said Landen looked like the kid from A Christmas Story - I can't put my arms down! and actually got Landen to say that to me while having his arms out. Ha ha!

Anyway, I guess I thought there was more to our fun yesterday. Maybe it was just nice to get out for something exciting instead of sitting home or going out for groceries or something. I don't like to go out in the cold. Brrr! Well I suppose I should head off and finish my long list of yuck to do around here now that Amelia is asleep.

A goofy looking kid

As I was taking a break from my long list of chores to nurse Amelia this morning - Landen comes in and says "mommy look me." Maybe this picture isn't all that funny to some, but he just looked so goofy!

I'll probably be back later to post about all the fun we had yesterday!

Chocolate is yum, yum in my tum!

I made my first ever chocolate dipped pretzels Sunday afternoon. They turned out quite yummy! Some are white with sprinkles, some are brown with sprinkles, and the others brown with white drizzled on top. They're addicting so Kurt is going to take them to work tomorrow. I can't control myself with chocolate anymore, so it's better to have a few and give the rest away then sit and literally eat an entire tin of them in one day. =) I also tried some snow covered chocolate balls - ick! I have a feeling they might get tossed - ha ha. Kurt had the ingenious idea of putting marshmallows inside them so they'd taste better, that didn't help, just made them hard and the marshmallow all leaked out. He did come up with a brilliant idea of chocolate covered rasins - yummmmm! Landen and I have them about all eatten already. He he! I'm planning on trying peanut butter cups this week - as soon as I get the ingredients. Yummy!

I finally buzzed Landen's hair. I've been cutting it for along time now, but I thought we would try something more like his dad's hair cut this time. It turned out - okay. I'm not sure how to blend the longer top hair into the buzzed bottom hair. Does anyone know how to do this? It doesn't look bad, but I need to learn how to actually do it correctly for next time. He looks different though! He needed a hair cut really bad before we did this anyway - but before it was just short all over his head.

Before and After

He's such a little trooper when he gets his hair cut. He hates the hair in his face, but for the most part he'll sit in his chair and watch a movie and be really good. Anyway, that was my other task for this weekend. I can't wait for Amelia to have longer hair so she can wear braids or pig tails. I just have to learn to do a french braid - they look cute in little girls hair. =) Mine are always really loose and look like you've slept on it for a few days without doing your hair.

I still want uh hula hoop

Yesterday Kurt and I went and finished our Christmas shopping. My sister Rebecca came up and watched Landen for us so we could get his presents and actually be able to take our time and look around. I have to admit I really missed the little guy. He gave me a hug and kiss when we left and said - "bye mom and dad". He was so happy to spend time with Rebecca - he was actually waiting and waiting for her to get to our house. I'm glad I have someone a truly trust to watch him. I have a hard time leaving him, especially for that long of a time and having us so far away.

We spent our $50 Gordman Bucks. We got more Christmas gifts and a few things that we probably didn't really need. Then we went out to dinner - to Lonestar. I wanted a steak so bad. We got entirely too much food and brought stuff home for lunch today. I couldn't even tell you the last time I've been out to somewhere like that. We usually do the fast places because we have both the kiddo's with us. Amelia was okay at the restaurant. I ended up apologizing to the people that sat around us - however everybody (and I mean everybody) around us said they liked her little crying/cooing and she was adorable. That made me happy that nobody was bothered by me attempting to nurse the squirmier and enjoyed seeing a little one, being a little one. =)

Kurt took half day off of work today. Unfortunately he's been sick most of the day with one of is head aches. I suppose the Netti pot is probably not going to do what I was hoping it to do. Landen and Amelia are already sleeping as well. I guess it's just me an my lonesome to do whatever I want to do. I probably won't be on the rest of the weekend (well who knows) so everyone have a wonderful weekend.

*Maggie, the picture above of Amelia is all for you*

The flap jack king

We brought the exer-saucer up from the basement this past weekend for Amelia to try out. I wasn't all that enthusiastic about it, but Kurt thought she would like it. She likes it for a few minutes, if someone is playing with her. Landen has been getting a kick out of helping her play with the little toys on it. I still think she's a bit young yet, but once in awhile for something different to do, it's fine! Here she is having a good time.

Then of course I have to mention the tossing pancake king- Landen! We were having pan cakes and Landen gets up from eating, goes into the kitchen, gets a spatula and starts flipping the last pancake we had left. Here's a picture of the pan cake flying near the dishwasher. He had fun, until it started falling apart.

I might take too many pictures

I'm off to play with these two little ones who keep hitting the buttons on the keyboard.

Fala lala la Lalala la!

We finally made it out in all the hustle and bustle for a little bit of Christmas shopping Friday. It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought but took a lot longer in each store when you have two little ones to tote around with you. Neither Kurt or I got grumpy at each other, Landen and Amelia were excellent, and we won $50.00 in Gordman bucks! Woo hoo! We got a lot of stuff for family, a little bit for Landen and what other odds and ends we needed. I can't say to much, because family reads this (anyway I think they do) and I don't want to give anything away. =)

I found a children's nativity for Landen. The people are finger puppets and it came with the the stable (that sings), angel, wise men, shepard, some animals, Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus and it all velcros up so it doesn't get lost. Landen's been having lots of fun with it.

Before we left that morning Kurt found the pacifiers that we had from Landen (that he didn't use) and decided to see if Amelia would try it. Sure enough she took right too it.. I wasn't exactly happy about it, but we decided to have one in the car in case of emergency use. A lot of times if I can't stop I'll just let her have my pinky (yuck I know) but with it being flu season and being out in the stores I didn't want to do that. So we brought it along. Well we ended up using it in the stores - every time I looked down at her it made me feel bad. Something was actually pacifying her and it wasn't me. I really don't like pacifiers either, I have absolutely no problem if other people use them, but I don't want my children using them. As soon as we got home it disappeared - I really have no idea where it is. Kurt probably did something with it because Landen was in love with it (strange child) and he knew I didn't like Amelia having it. It's a good emergency usage for the car though. I know I'd give it to her in the house if it was around instead of just taking time out to nurse and let her suckle. =/

Not much more on shopping - of course we have more to do and I have to go back soon to use my $50 Gordman Bucks!

Lets make believe

I love Landen's little imagination! Today he's been in this box with two spatula's paddling his boat. LoL! What's even cuter is that he keeps asking that Amelia (mel-ia) gets in and rides with him. The other day he had a pot and was using it as a hat!

Today we were also playing trains - he loves trains! Of course we all had a turn with the two trains. Even Amelia! Sometimes he's not very good with sharing with others, but lately he's been very good with Amelia. Always wanting her to play with him... cars, trains, hockey, etc.

Right now, he has the rods from the dry rack (that he takes apart - what is it with boys taking things apart? I remember my brother Adam taking everything apart - now he's really good at fixing things so I suppose I shouldn't worry about it!) and is playing guns with them. Earlier he was fishing with them. Using them as poles and catching fish... got that from little bear.

Here are my two little sweet hearts!

Uh Oh - She's Off

Amelia has decided she no longer likes her infant seat. Today she scooted herself right out until her head was were her little tush was supposed to be. Hmm! I think she's a little young for this. A couple days ago she scooted herself as far under the couch as she could fit.. which is only to her butt.

She also has decided that by screaming when she looses her toys (which she has just started playing with) she gets her way very quickly. =) She is now asleep again so I can finish cleaning up my mess from making all that delicious food.

The baby girl in her drooled on pink shirt and quirky smile!

Rest Time is Over.. Before it Began

Today as we were trying to have Rest Time - we used to use nap time and Landen would think we said bath time and run to the bathroom, rest time works much better. As we were on the couch watching a movie, Landen jumps up and informs me that he is - "awake mom - see my eyes are open". As he's holding his eye brows up with his finger - "see momma... eyes awake." LoL! He can't fool me - he's awake and not in a mood for a rest or nap. He's off playing cars. =)

Lets make something fun with... play dough

Today I discovered that Landen loves play dough! After talking to a friend this morning, she was telling me that her son loves to play with it and will play until she says it's time to put it up. He's almost a year old than Landen, but I thought we'd give it a try. A Success!!! Only problem is - we have one color (that we got at the library) and no fun tools to go along with it. I gave him some silverware and he's been having fun for 45 minutes now. We've been making birthday cake with candles! I have to go now because the cake has to be cut - again!

The Babes!

Last night Kurt discovered that Amelia does very well being propped up to look around. I remember when Landen got to this point. I was comparing the two this morning after downloading the pictures. Landen was a lot bigger than I thought. Here's a comparison - both at four months! You can't really tell he's that much bigger, but he is. They sure change fast.

The Super - Boom Boom

I haven't posted a picture of Landen or Amelia in a little while, so I had to post this one. I know it's controversial about letting your children play guns. As of right now we think it's fine if he wants to play. Lately he's been shooting the deer.. he creeps and sneaks up on them. lol! Here's a picture of the little goon! Check out that face, he put this hat on and got his little squirt gun on his own.

Oh, and why I'm thinking about it - he's wearing his Superman pajama's. These are pretty special - why you ask? Because now that he wears these, he considers himself a super. He wears the towel in the picture below (and others we have like this) over his head and runs around the house calling himself a super. Yes, I get to be a super once in awhile too. LoL! This picture is from last year because I haven't taken one of him this year running around as a super! He's really changed. Look - he has no wrists!!!!!!