Christmas time is coming soon

I have been thinking about a tradition to start with Natalie. She is at the age where something special to start with a Christmas theme would intrigue her...but I'm not sure what to do. We plan to put up the decorations and tree with her and Hannah this weekend, but I want to do somethng that she'll look forward to each year. Some ideas I had were:
-Going and seeing the lights in KC then maybe some ice cream
-letting her decorate her own tree (maybe someday we'll do this-we have no room right now for a second tree
-making an ornament (if only I could channel some creative mindset for that)

what I have come up with is letting her pick her very own ornament. Hobby Lobby is chock FULL of cute ones. The ones I have now are a mixture-some special, some given to me for "fillers".
What other ideas are out there?

November woes-November goes

November came and went...Hannah has had two ear infections this month, so we're now talking tubes. We go in for consult with the same doctor who performed Natalie's procedure almost two years ago. I certainly don't want poor baby Hannah to suffer anymore than she already has :(
Natalie was upset at me the other day because I was on the phone while driving home and she wanted to tell me something. When I told her to "hold on", she got upset. So after I hung up, she was kind of crying and I asked what was wrong. She said, "Mom, I love you but I'm very upset at you right now". Funny big girl adult child
She is doing so well in her preschool class at the YWCA. She is a smart cookie and her teachers tell me so all of the time. She has known her alphabet for awhile now, but can now write it all out without seeing the letters, knows and can write her numbers up to about 50-she's starting to show interest in tying her shoes, reading and has been dressing herself and fixing her own hair.
Hannah is well on her way to walking...oh wait-no she's not! She has NO interest in the activity...at ALL! We've tried working with her, her wonderul teachers have tried...with no luck! I do love her teachers, Ms. Teresa and Ms. Marcie. They have been wonderful to leave my sweet baby with. Always asking questions, hugging and kissing Hannah. They treat her as if she were theirs and I know she loves it there. She wants out of arms and on the florr to play with her friends as soon as she is there. She has two teeth-and THAT is it! No more have come in yet, but they'll be here soon enough. This one is into EVERYthing! Natalie wasn't near this curious. Hannah pulls it all open, out, into her mouth, whatever she can get her hands on. She LOVES pulling open my drawer where we kee the baggies and saran wrap stuff...she a baggie at a time and watch it drop to the floor. She hasn't quite learned how to pick them up and put them back quite yet. :)
My babies are getting bigger...

A Time for Thanksgiving

As I reflect on the past few years and all of the life changing things that have happened, I can't help but feel nostalgic about my past and memories with my family. The "simple times" for my sisters and I were probably not so simple for my parents. They probably stressed about money and schooling and the future-just as I am now for my daughters. They had to have worried about things and yet I never once heard about it. We were not rich with money by any means, but we never went without-they always provided, always taught us, always fed us and clothed us. I never felt like we were "shorted" anything. But I was also taught that not everyone has food, or clothes, or a loving family.
I am thankful that I did. I have always felt full, cared for and loved beyond belief. I am thankful for my amazing parents who have always given-everything-for those they love and even those they don't know. I am thankful that they taught me to care for others and the well being of those who don't have the luxury of a loving family; I am thankful for my sisters who I look up to as strong, Christian women, who want the best for those around them. We were all instilled with so many things-compassion, generosity, love and forgiveness-and for all of those things, I credit the path my parents took and take everyday.

Tender heart

I'ma real crybaby when it comes to movies about: fathers/daughters, babies, friends, elderly, love...okay, I'm a crybaby about most movies. In fact, when I hear Russel Crowes voice, it makes me tear up. I don't even have to see the preview...just the sound of his voice. The movie Up-bawled like a baby...all three times. The movie Meet Joe Black, cried like a lil' girl. We just bought Toy Story 3 and guess what...cried during that too-but Natalie started it. There are several parts in the movie that are a little scary for 4 year olds ( in my opinion) she cried when the Big Baby cried and Lotso stepped on the BB heart; she cried when the toys fell in the dumpster...she's just a tender hear like me. And that's okay.

Natalie is funny #107

My baby girl, Natalie Joy is funny-I've said that befoe, but she really does just crack my stuff up. This morning she complained of not feeling well (she had the night before, so I kind of believed her)so shewanted to stay at home-Andy just happened to not be feeling well either, so she got to stay with Dad all day. Before I left for work told her that sick kids have to stay in bed all day and they are not allowd to watch tv, movies or eat anything fun. Her eyes got really big, but she said, "I won't Mom, I'm just tired and sick and I'll be in bed all day with my fever"
When Andy called at 11am I asked how Natalie was, and when he told me that she'd been up since not long after I left, watching tv, I asked him to give her the phone. I said, "Natalie, what did I tell you before I left this morning?" She said, "That sick kids have to saty in bed all day, but Mom, when I woke up again, my fever was gone-so I thought, I better watch tv to saty better"-she got in trouble :)

uh-oh

So lil' Hannah banana has always had dry skin issues, but Sunday morning as I was changing her, I noticed something a little more disturbing. several round patches on her legs. I just knew it was ringworm, so I asked our friend who is familiar with the fungal junk and he confirmed what I had guessed. UGH! Where di she get this?! I asked her daycare the next morning and they said no other parents has said anything and they've never had a problem like that. SO I called her doctor (because by Tuesday morning, it had spread) and took her in...Dr. Nichold said it's not ringworm, but poor baby will have eczema for the rest of her childhood. I get to go and buy only Cetaphil and Eucerin lotion...at least it's not ringworm...that freaked me out.

Hello November!

Its hard to believe that it has been almost a month since I posted the last time-but I hope to post more now since I have joined the 21st century and gotten internet at home. I think Andy is more excited than me-no more looking at tiny phone internet with little to no pictures :)
So many things have happened since October...lets see... we celebrated my 30th, our 7th Anniversary, a wedding, another 3 anniversaries, a baby shower (Jennifer Bauer and he upcoming arrival TBA), a new career and Halloween/Arkalalah.
Arkalalah is a fall festival in Ark City- and not just ANY ol' fall festival-this is THE fall festival where all Ark Citians go every year toi see old friends, family, eat fried delish food and watch a 3 hour parade. NAt, Hannah and I went down to Ark City on Weds and stayed until Saturday afternoon. We sat down for the long parade and after about 20 minutes, Natalie says, "Mom, I'm hot and I'm done being here, let's go home" SO we piled in the car and headed back to Perry. It's alwys good to see my family and spend time with them, but you have to agree, there's nothing like going home...wherever that might be.

Happy Birthday! (to me)

Yep-I'm officially in the "dirty, flirty, squirty, purty 30 club" -Natalie is learning how to rhyme-so we rhymed "30" with every word she knew. Since we celebrated ast weekend, I don't expect a lot for this weekend. I am honored to share my birthday with our dear friends, Dustin Cox and Audra Asher, who are becoming husband and wife tomorrow. We then celebrate Andy and i's 7th wedding anniversary. Somedays it seems like 10...in a good way of course! So thanks to all who wish me a happy birthday and to those who have helped me celebrate. May there be many more in my life.

My LAST week

So I've resigned from my job at Visit Topeka-the one job I have truly loved for the last 5 1/2 years. I love most of the people I am co-workers with and loved being able to meet with new clients daily and help them see Topeka through new eyes. I can't say that I'll miss everything-there is a reason I quit and although I hope things change, it's bittersweet to leave.

Falling into Fall

It's here! My favorite time of year! Cool weather, changing leaves, pumpkins, apple crisp and my birthday/anniversary! Who could ASK for a better month?!
We celebrated my 30th a little early this year due to some dear frinds of ours getting married this weekend-Congrats Dustin and Audra!
Natalie is getting excited for Halloween-but I'm not sure who loves the celebrations more, her or Andy :) Natalie hasn't decided what she will be dressing up as-a "superhero known as "Hit Girl", or Wondergirl (thanks to the band Sell-Out for that inspiration) Hannah will probably end up wearing a second year hand me down ...but she won't care a bit.
Some cute things Natalie has said that crack Andy and I up...
"When I turn 5 and I get a bunkbed, you can't sleep with me anymore Mom. You're too big and we'll crash down and crush Hannah, and that won't be good-to have a cute little crushed baby. I need to start practicing sleeping by myself"
"Wait for it, wait for it-*burp*-I about died laughing on that one :)
"Oh my gosh! Was he shot?!" (after seeing a dead squirrel on the road)
"Mom-I think I have a fever because my head hurts" (Me: "why does your head hurt?" Nat:"Well, Mom, I had a long day" (as she dramatically holds her head)

Trip to Ark City/Ponca City

Septembersaywhat?

Wow...is this year FLYING to anyone else? It's the middle/end of September already! Busy month-they seem to all be busy anymore for everyone...I yearn for the days of relaxation and quiet-oh wait-when have I EVER had that? :)
Natalie is loving school and learning how to write words and read-She'll read signs to me on the way home-simple things like "s-t-o-p says stop" but she's just brilliant I tell ya! Hannah wants to be just like her and to prove it, no longer eats ANY baby food....she will spit it out if it's mushed or she can't put it in her mouth all by herself. This has made it hard in fixing her things to eat. She eats a lot of fresh fruit, peas, steamed carrots and potatoes and bread. She tried a turkey hot dog the other day-miniscule bites-she kind of gnawed on them with her gums because she STILL has no teeth! They are under those gums somewhere...just not poking out just yet. She LOVES her daycare-which makes my life SO much easier. She doesn't cry at all when Natalie and I say goodbye to her in the morning. She just smiles and turns to play with her friends. It makes me feel good that I am leaving my children in capable and loving hands. Hannah's teachers, Ms. Marcie and Ms. Teresa are wonderful and they all love her so much! She's alittle spoiled! Natalie is loving her teacher more everyday as well and recently informed that "Ms. Patricia was one of her very favorite people"

August videos

Pics from August

Some of my fav pics from this past month

Life in August

First of all-I can NOT believe it is August-Actually the end of AUGUST! Summer has flowen by. Natalie started daycare with HAnnah at the YWCA and they are both doing so well. I wasn't sure Natalie was going to like it...after the 3rd day, she shared with me that her teacher was mean. I had to admit, her teacher was a little "rough around the edges" and so I asked about her to the Director. All is well now-we have an "understanding" of each other and she now knows what I need out of her-as does Natalie. She is learning new things everyday, and not a day goes by whe she doesn't make me giggle about something. Her latest "funny" was-the other day, I saw her doing the dance, so I asked her if she needed to go potty, "No Mom, this isn't my potty dance, these are just my moves" :) When I laugh out loud at her, she says, "stop", so I have to cover my giggling with my hand and look away.
Hannah continues to grow and amaze me everday as well. She started crawling this month-I know it happens around 8 months, but she is growing up too fast for me to feel like I see it. AM I missing too much? I go back and forth all of the time aout wha to do. I love being a working mom, and not sure I could be a great stay at home mom...but I don't know.

July 2010

Can you believe that July is over? One of the longest months of the yera, and I don't know what we did! Actually I have a few pictures to prove we did do SOMETHING! :)

Summer time fun

Natalie's first race

Last week on Facebook, I saw the upcoming event, Tour de Lawrence-with a kids fun run in the morning. So I signed Natalie up, thinking she'd ahave a great time. We got there a little late-thanks in part to the fact that Natalie wouldn't wear anything but a skirt, a necklace, bracelet, pretty sandels and a tank top to run in. And in part to Mom and Dad being slow at getting around. Anyway, we missed her age group race. I really didn't think she'd care about it, but boy did she! She started to cry and said she wanted to "run fast", so we ran to the registration table at Gribble's and begged them to let her run in the next age group. Then we ran back to the start and she lined up with a bunch of 7 and 8 year olds. The guy there was SO nice...when we arrived (me panting BTW)he kind of looked at Nat like "she's a little small?" and I said, "she REALLY wants to run (and whispered)she REALLY doesn't care about winning-I mean look at her" and he laughed and said, "Hey there! We've been waiting for you!" So they shot the gun and off they went. I tried to run back to Andy and Hannah to get some pics of her. Andy shot a video-SO CUTE! She waas the hit of the race! Even the announcer said when she passed him, "Hey honey, as long as you look good, that's all that matters" ;) I caleld my Mom the next day so that Natalie could tell her all about the big race and I was saying how Natalie really enjoyed all of the cheering and clapping from everyone. When I mentioned how she was grinning from ear to ear and it was almost as if she was saying "ahhhhhhh", she interuppted me and said, "No Mom, I wasn't saying that, I was saying Thank you, thank you very much, thank you" !

Flip OUT!

A few weeks ago, my boss brought my attention to this cool little gadget called a Flip video camera. We ahve been talking about getting one for awhile and so I called Andy, asked pretty please and we bought one! I LOVE it. I can get those cute moments I always wished I could, super easy! I've reccommended it to everyone I know and should probably buy stock in it as much as I've "sold" my great experience to other people!

Here is one of my many short videos of the girls

Territorial Days 2010

Every June brings us to Lecompton for Territorial Days. This year was no different...rides, food and HEAT! Man was it HOT! We tried to keep cool by sitting in some friends shade for the parade on Saturday, then headed home for lunch and a much needed (by all) NAP!

Birthday party, Beach and BBQ's

This past weekend was Memorial Day weekend AND Natalie's 4th Birthday Party (one of the good/bad things about being born around Memorial Day)
It started Friday night where we met up with the Cottrell fam and headed for the Topeka Zoo-had fun watching the elephants paint, the hippos eat watermelon and playing "I Spy" in the rainforest.

Saturday morning we got up early to run some last minute errands and came home to eat lunch, take naps and get some yardwork done bfore the big party!
Natalie had to try out the new pool before everyone else, so we got that out and filled it up with some nice, COLD water! Hannah stuck her feet in, but wasn't feeling it, so we watched happily from the sidelines.

After a great birthday party with friends and family on Saturday, Sunday brought us to the beach at Perry Lake...the water was cold and Natalie had a blast walking up and down the beach in the water-only up to her waist until our friends the Cottrells showed up and the beach/water experts, Ceci and Finn showed her how it was done. Hannah and I beached ourselves at the waters edge and let the waves come to us...Hannah had a blast and squealed when the waves hit her toes.
After an hour or so there, we went back home, ate some lunch and then headed into Gma and Gpa Meyer's house.
Andy and I took off with our friends, Dustin and Audra for some much needed adult time in the boat on the lake-for only about 40 minutes-astorms rolled in and we had to get off pretty quick
Monday we spent hanging out at home and relaxing from the already long weekend-until we had friends come over for a swim/bbq
Man it was a busy weekend!

Natalie turns 4

My oldest baby is 4! I can't believe JUST how FAST time flew by! It's crazy!

She wanted a bike for her birthday and so the Gmas and Papas pitched in and got her exactly what she wanted...a water bottle with a Princess bike ;) So cute! She has taken it for a ride several times already and loves it!
She also got some new Little Miss Chatterbox shoes and a horn for her bike from Mom and Dad. We're having a birthday party for her on Saturday night-should be a good time.

In BIG trouble

Natalie hasn't been acting herself at her daycare/school lately-she's been crying getting in trouble-she even had to go to the Directors office (which she liked-because of the stickers and coloring she got to do)
I made her apologize to her teachers for acting the way she did and told her that if she acted that way again, she'd be in BIG trouble at home. WELL...guess what-after the second day of acting that way, she was in BIG trouble! Afetr we got into the van and started to head hom, I told her that if she continued to act that way, they would kick her out of school-she started crying and I asked what she was sad about, she looked at me and said, "That's going to hurt!" Oh man...I have a HARD time not laughing at that girl!

Funny little things

I think I've said before on here just how funny my 3 almost 4 year old is...
Here are some funny things she has said lately...


"I can't do nufing? Not nufing?" After being told that when she gets in trouble at school, she is not allowed to have anything special to eat (treats/candy) and she's not allowed to anything "special" (watch movies, play with friends)AND it's while crying, so it's even more sad to watch

"You're mylittle precious booger boo, yes you are sugar, buger wuger"-said to her baby sister who eats it up ;)

"Look Mom, a cavity! It came out when I was brushing!"
After I was telling her about what cavities look like...small and black and stick in your teeth. She must have eaten something with pepper in it. It was funny!

"Look at this stuff, isn't it neat, wouldntchathinkmycowectioncompete" she LOVES The Little Mermaid-one of the only Princess Disney movies she doesn't have...and she sings it SO well ;)

Family Fun Night

Saturday night was Perry Prides first Family Fun Night. We decided that there should be something for families who didn't have anything going on (Prom was the same night)to do..so we came up with a "fun night" and BOY did we have fun! Around 50 Perrians, Lecomptoners (?) and surrounding areas came out...we had face painting, bean bag volleyball, board games, food, cards, Twister, crafts (courtesy of PAT) and airplane making going on...all at ONCE!
Natalie hada great time...her scary pink tiger was a hit. I took her into the barthroom twice to see her face. Afetr awile, I went looking for her-I saw her heading into the bathroom again. Somewhere she had found a chair and drug it into the restroom so that she could look at her face as many times as she wanted.

Week of one child...again

Lst Monday my Dad called to tell me taht my Grandma Ryel wasn't doing well and was in ICU. So Andy, the girls and I headed down to Ark City to see everyone and visit her. Natalie ended up satying there to have some fun with my sisters and their kids-and of course Gma and Gpa! She LOVES her cousins, Jazzy, Zander, Jessyca and Carson-hopefully she was good for everyone who helped take care of her! Meanwhile, Andy and I were parents of one child again. Hannah had some quality time with Mom and Dad-something she hasn't had since she came home from the hospital. We had a good time but all missed Natalie until she came home Friday night-bringing the Hutchison's with her. We had some fun at the mall and then even MORE fun the next day at the Zoo. We even stopped to see our good friend, Kyndol, play her first soccer game!

Easter 2010

We were a part of not one, not two, but THREE Easter egg hunts this year! Natalie got to start off Saturday morning at the Lecompton Easter Egg Hunt with our good friends, the Cottrells, and she cleaned up-literally! They hid eggs in the playground area and threw candy all over the ground right in front on a little hill. Once they rang the bell-totally cool-the kids ran right past the candy heading to the eggs. Natalie looked at Andy like, can I pick this up? She was so excited, she didn't know where to start. SHe gather a half easter bucket full of candy! PLENTY for the little girl! Then we headed over to get some pancakes at the Lecompton Pancake Feed at the Methodist Church-YUM!
That afternoon-after a much needed nap, we headed to our friends, the Golders for an easter dinner and ANOTHER hunt! Jason, Charlie and Chris outdid themsleves! They hid them so well, we were finding them an hour later! The girls (Katie, Ciera and Natalie) had a blast. Poor Hannah just watched with Mom and Dad from the sidelines. You could almost see her wanting to be out running with them...that'll come too soon!

The third egg hunt was in celebration of Easter and Olivia's 3rd birthday. After lunch, we stayed inside while Nolan and Josh hid the eggs...then Nolan counted down for them to run and find some eggs. They all had a great time!

Make up

Sometimes in the drive to Topeka, Natalie wants to put on makeup. So (like a total nerd) I let her and she thinks she gets to do it whenever! This morning was no different, driving to school she asked if she could have some make-up. (eyeshadow and lipstick)I hand it to her, she puts a little on and we go in to her school. When I bend down to kiss her, I get a little lipstick on her forehead, and thinking it was a perfect opportunity to be "sly" I wipe it off and rub a little of the eye make up-which usually ends up on the top of her nose. She flips out..."MMOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM you wiped off my makeup..." Tears came instantly (that has always amazed me) and I had to take her outside to get more make up so she could look pretty for her Easter Party today. I. Am. In. Trouble!

Happy St. Pat's Day

Yesterday at school they must have learned about St. Patricks Day because when I picked Natalie up...she informed me that if she didn't wear green "those stinkin' leprecauns will find her and pinch her!"
Not sure what happened, but this morning, when I went in to wake her up with a "Happy St. Patrick's Day" she said, "Mom! I'm not celebrating!"
Boo!

Hannah

Benefit Fish Fry

Sunday was a benefit fish fry for a Perry community member-Jayden Souter-who was diagnosed with a Wilm's Tumor in June of 2009. She's only four and even though I don't know Erica, her mom, very well, I consider her a friend. Plus, Jyden is 4 and that's too close to Natalie's age. If I were in their shoes, I know I would appreciate ANY help from anyone!
ANYWAY...they hosted a wild game and fish fry at the Perry Pub and we went around 2:15. The place was PACKED!!!! We left and came back with our neighbor friends, Wade and Megan Cottrell and Jessica Hammes, to a still packed house, but there was at east a few seats. They had a band-"A Country Mile" that started to warm up and Natalie immediately stood up and started taking her jacket off. Andy asked her what she was doin and she said, "They are going to play music and I'm going to dance!" While she waited, she ate 3 pheasant legs! She said, "This is the best chicken ever" We won't tell her! She doesn't know the difference anyway.
Afetr a few songs up front, we moved closer to Jessica and the Cottrells where it wasn't SO loud and Natalie played with Ceci and Finn (Cottrell) until all of the sudden, the band started "Redneck Woman" You would have thought there was fire in Natalie's pants the way she pushed people out of her way to gett o the 3 feet of dance space available to tear it up on the floor! She cracked us all up! She definitely has her Momma's moves! Minus the cyclops! ;)

Work-out buddy

Andy and I started P90X last week-it's a rough one...especially when I get up at 5am to do it. I admit, I've been a slacker not doing the full program each day...but come one, they are an hour (at least) each! I don't have that kind of time!

Anyway, this morning I got up with Hannah around 5am to change her feed her...usually she'll go right back down, but since the time change-she's been totally opposite and going to bed earlier (rather than later) She sleeps great and usually sleeps later than that, but today she was bright eyed and bushytailed ;)
So I turned on the legs and back first and while I did the moves, I noticed that Hannah would look at me and then the TV and then kick her legs...like she was doing the moves too! So cute! Then when I put in the abs DVD, she started kicking and "running" to the music and kept looking at me, then doing some more...definitely made my day!

Bedtime Stories

So Natalie and I tell each other stories every night before bed. Usually she'll cut in and take over. This is how hers went last night: "Once upon a time, there was a princess named Isabella and she had a prince who wanted to marry her. The Prince would say, "Oh please won't you marry me, Isabella" But she said, "No, I want to go to school first" So she went to school and loved learning. Then one day, the Prince came to Isabella and said, Oh please won't you marry me? and Isabella said, "Okay but you have to buy me flowers first" and so he did and they got married at Chuck E. Cheeses and lived happily ever after. The End


Too cute! It's hard to keep from laughing when she starts telling me these stories!
Plus... Princess Isabella has to finish school before marriage? LOVE IT!

Oh my...

So-I've said this before, but Natalie cracks me up! She says such funny things. Sometimes it's due to the fact that she doesn't pronounce some letters correctly. For example, she can't say her "F's" properly yet. They come out sounding like "epp"...here are some things she has said lately...funny girl!

"Mom, Hannah can't walk because her wittle wegs"
"You need to go paster Mom, my tummy is talking loud"
Last night, I'm sure Andy helped with this..."Mom, hurry up, I'm not getting any younger in here"

She also starts sentences like I do..."Well, Mom, I guess we can do that"
I love that girl!

Hannah Grace

December 14th at 10pm something or other (it had been a long day/night) Hannah Grace came easily into this world. She weighed in at 7lbs 11oz and was 20.5 inches long. She came out screaming! :)
Needless to say that her big sister, Natalie was a little more than THRILLED to meet her "new baby". She's loved her from the start!

Late night

So last night was our first trip to the ER with Hannah :( She started developing a rash around 6:30 and by 8:30 I was worried so I called her Doctors office and they suggested, because of her age, to get her to the ER. SO...we waited...for almost 4 hours for the doctor to come in and tell us that it was something called "viral exanthem" meaning there was really nothing to be done about it except watch and wait. If fever comes, we ned to call again, but otherwise she was fine.
Thank you God!

It's been a while

Hello...I'm back (at work I mean) after a short 6 weeks away, I'm back at work full-time today :( Boo!
I was doing well and actually looking forward to it until this morning, after dropping Hannah off at Ashley's I come back to the car where Natalie is crying saying, "I want my sister...where is she?" I tried explaining that Ashley was only watching for the day and we would see her later...she replied with, "I thought you said we were going to keep her?" UGH....SOB! I started tearing up then too and we had a little cry. She cried all the way to her school...BUT I made it to work on time! We'll see how the rest of the week goes!
Pictures will come soon...I forgot the USB cord to my phone