12/26/11 Pump it Up

On Monday 12/26, my mom and I took Leah, Michael, and Amber for a night out! Perkins and Pump it up- any child's dream date! The kids were worn out! Amber still needed some help climbing up the stairs for the big slide, so I guess I got my workout in while we were there. Leah was excited that her writing teacher was there! She is not used to seeing one of her teachers outside of school. We had a great time. Well, I had a great time except for the time that I lost my balance and used my open camera to catch myself. Yup, I broke my camera. Ugh! So, thankfully I had my iphone and was able to get some pictures with that. When we got home, Joe fixed my camera - or so we thought (stay tuned for continued camera drama).

12/20/11 "I'm on the nice list"

Leah was so excited when Santa sent her a message from the North Pole via my email telling her that she was on the "nice" list. She asked about Amber after she saw her video, luckily, Santa also sent Amber a message that told her she was also on the "nice" list! Way to go girls!!

Joshua and Tucker 12/21/11!

Our wonderful friends, Mike and Sara, welcomed a beautiful new addition to their family on Wednesday 12/21! Along with big brother, Michael, they welcomed Joshua Thomas into this world. We are so happy to finally meet this handsome boy! At 6lbs 15 oz, he is a little peanut, but so darn cute!! Congrats to a well deserving family!!

On the same day, Wednesday 12/21, our other friends, Sean and Jody also welcomed a baby boy to their family. Tucker joined big sister's Morgan and Bailey. A beautiful family!!

Christmas Day 2011

Christmas Day:
We spent Christmas day at Joe’s Aunt Karen’s house with many of his relatives: Karen, Chris, Cherice, Lance, Fran, Michael, Patrick, Rae, Maggie, Molly, Pat, Nikki, Cory, Emilee, Mary, Shorty and Us. It was a fun gathering with lots of chatting, eating and more presents! Leah had so much fun playing with the older girls – Maggie and Molly, as well as playing with Emilee (almost 3). Amber was tired, she spent most of the time with mommy or daddy. She did start to warm up to the puppy (she loves puppies- from afar!). She was petting her by the end, and even said “bye bye puppy” as we were leaving.

Some of Leah’s presents- clothes, movies, creative room pockets, xbox kinect games

Some of Amber’s presents – puppy guitar, pillow pet, clothes, learn through music (fisher price game), crayons

Another fun day spent with family. Joe and I also came home with some great gifts. Thanks to all who made our Christmas Day a special one!!

We had a great Christmas weekend. Both girls were (and still are) exhausted. We said goodbye to Joe’s dad on Monday morning, and he made it safely back home Monday evening. We are still organizing the house, and I think we will be for some time. Leah and I have gotten a good start on her room this week. I am off through Wednesday. Joe is back to work and working out of town again this week. The girls and I have been playing. We went to Pump It Up yesterday, swimming and haircuts today, and cookies tomorrow with my mom, Tiffanie, Thea and Delila. Fun times! I will post more on those activities later this week (I hope)!

Christmas Morning 2011

Christmas Morning:
I got up Christmas morning to find Leah and Joe downstairs. Leah already opened all of her Santa gifts and stocking. I gave Joe the 3rd degree because he let her open them before I was up. But, I was put in my place when I learned that Leah had gotten up before Joe (we think it was around 5 am), and she went downstairs, by herself, and started to open her presents!! We didn’t put up a tree this year (because of the “destroyer”), so Leah had me leave a note so that Santa would know where to leave the presents! Amber got up around 8:30. She was most excited about the candy. She really could have cared less about what else she got. She opened her presents one handed because she had Reese’s pieces in the other hand!! Oh, and then we let her have a candy cane which was followed by cereal that stuck to her hands and face as she was so sticky from the candy cane!

Leah’s gifts from Santa – candy, wallet, pillow pets (small and big pink and purple lady bug), hair binder, big pen, cars

Amber’s gifts from Santa – candy, wallet, hair clips, coloring books, and cars

Santa was pretty good to Joe and I as well – dark chocolate for me, I Tunes gift card and jelly bellies for Joe!

Christmas Eve 2011

Christmas Eve:
Shorty, Joe’s dad, came to visit. He arrived from Michigan on Thursday, Dec. 22. Leah was excited to see him, but Amber had to warm up to him. It didn’t take long. She was calling him “papa” by Friday morning!

We spent Christmas Eve at my parent’s house with Dan, Tiff, Thea and Delila. We spent the day opening presents, making Ravioli, going to church, eating, and opening more presents. The girls were opening presents throughout the day and made off with quite the load of gifts. They also had great time playing with each other. It was fun to watch Leah and Thea jam to the music after Leah opened her Ipod.

Some of Leah’s gifts: Ipod (fully loaded and ready to go thanks to daddy), DS with games (Leah is really getting into the DS now), American Girl doll horse, guitar/microphone, clothes/hat, craft activities, nail polish

Some of Amber’s gifts: puzzels, crayons, felt purse, legos, clothes, big stuffed puppy, bike helmet

What a crazy, fun, enjoyable day. Joe and I made out pretty good too! Thanks to all who made this day so great!!

Amber may be 22 months, but she is still my "Baby"

So, my “baby” is now 22 months! I still call her “Baby.” I guess that is my nickname for her. Although, it the last couple of months, “destroyer” seems more appropriate! She is picking up on so much and learning new words daily! She is excited about Santa. She loves her big sister. She is still a “daddy’s girl”

Here are some other highlights:
*Knows some animals and animal sounds – puppy, kitty, cow, and horse
*Very opinionated - that doesn't sound like another little girl I know :)
*Has a very specific bedtime routine- we have to read 4 books: How do dinosaurs clean up their room (dinosaur), Goodnight moon (moon), Chugga chugga choo choo (choo choo), and Mommy hugs (baby). She will usually say “again” to read the books again, but will settle for just one – usually choo choo. Then, we take a couple of rocks, she looks at me and says “nih nih.” She is laid in her crib with the following: lying on pillow pet, in the corner – 2 bears and dolly, her musical puppy, and 4 crocheted blankets over her which are laid on top of her : 1 blanket, 2 blanket… Then, without a peep, she goes to sleep! Well, I guess this is what goes on when I put her to bed, it may be different for Joe!
*Has used the potty chair successfully 1 time, but loves to practice sitting on the potty chair
*Still does not like me to fix her hair, but she will let the lovely teachers at daycare put pigtails in her hair without a fuss!
*Does not like having her nails clipped, hair combed, or teeth brushed (she can do it herself, do not try to help this independent little girl)!
*I am amazed at her vocabulary, though there is still a lot she tries to tell us that we have not a clue what she is saying!
*She takes off her pants multiple times through the day. And now she can take off her shirt and diaper too! Look out – naked baby on the loose!
*Getting better at using a fork and a spoon, but still finds it easier to just use her hands!
*Puckers her lips for kisses--“muhaw”
*Seems to love her music, just like daddy and big sister: she dances and sings along!
*Loves to help cook- wants to participate in the entire process
*Wants to pick out her cereal- wants to be placed on the counter to pull the box out by herself!
*When you get the camera out, and she is in the mood for a picture – she looks at the camera, smiles and says “cheeeeeese.”
*Still sleeps in some funny positions!
*She is pretty much independent in the stairs.
*She is working on door handles now- but she has figured out if she closes the door, then pounds on it hard enough, someone will open it for her!
*She loves attention!

*Says "pease" and "tank you"

*loves to "olor" - but also loves to eat the crayons, markers, pencils!!