Tomorrow is Lincoln's 2nd Birthday (**pause** for brief freak out...okay, I'm better).
We have big plans for this weekend, which is also why Jason and I frantically got our hands on a pair of antibiotics last night to ensure a full load of energy.
A few weeks ago, I was randomly talking to Lincoln about these "big plans" and he caught me off guard with his over-dramatic enthusiasm as I mentioned each detail of what we were going to do. The huge expressions in his eyes, the way he through his hands up in the air and gasped with glee, the jumps up and down, the roll-call (asking who all was going to be there), and then the even more excited glees when I you give a "yes, uncle Na-Na's gonna be there, too...".
So after that day which brought extra warmth to my heart, we made it tradition - pretty much daily - going over all the details of his birthday and what he's going to get to do and who will be here to share it with him.
His reaction never ceases to disappoint...each and every time.
If you ask him about his birthday, he exclaim, "I'm gonna be two!! Cake! Cake! Chuck E. Cheese!!" and then he'll proceed to tell you everyone who is going to be there.
So after two weeks of doing this, I wanted to make tomorrow morning extra special and give him no doubt that this was the day.
Therefore, when Jason gets home from work, I am going to go get tons of balloons filled with helium and put them throughout the livingroom area, then buy some separate packs of balloons to blow up and have in the floor (he's a balloon kind of kid), and hand streamers from his bedroom door. I also, of course have plans to cook his absolute fav breakfast (pancakes, eggs, fruit, and milk). We're also going to have his presents from us set up/wrapped so he can dig into them in the morning. I might be more excited than him!
I'm excited for him to burst out of his room in the morning (typical Lincoln fashion), get excited for all the balloons and realize this is the day we've been talking about for TWO WEEKS!
So what are the big weekend plans???
Tomorrow night, it's family birthday time at Chuck E. Cheese, then Saturday will be his party in the park with some friends, then on to Sunday festivities with more friends (this obviously isn't part of his birthday, but he'll probably think so nonetheless!).
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Little Blessings
It's next to impossible to capture a picture with both kids together + smiling + looking in the semi-direction of the lense. Thus, this picture makes my heart leap with giggles. :)
And this one is a close second.
In other news, my little sis's baby shower for Baby Tucker was yesterday! I was super nervous I wouldn't make it because everyone was still sick, but Jason got better by time of the shower!! I would have gotten sick all over again if I would have missed this!! I just get giddy thinking about baby Tucker's future and what God has in store for this little angel. :)
And this one is a close second.
In other news, my little sis's baby shower for Baby Tucker was yesterday! I was super nervous I wouldn't make it because everyone was still sick, but Jason got better by time of the shower!! I would have gotten sick all over again if I would have missed this!! I just get giddy thinking about baby Tucker's future and what God has in store for this little angel. :)
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Yuckiness
Well, I have a long night ahead of me...no more DVR's to watch, nothing good on TV, have been update on all facebook status's and blog reader, so I guess it's time to write a post about why tonight's going to be a long night. :)
Thursday afternoon I was dressed, ready to go run at the gym, when about 10 minutes before we were planning on going I started feeling pretty bad. My body started aching, I was spacey, and my head hurt.
Fast forward 6 hours and I was puking with all the fun trimmings (insert "fun mental picture" here).
And just when I thought "it was over"...well, it wasn't.
And before I go on complaining about how it was the worst I can ever remember being sick in my life (even though I've been blessed to get this nastiness sparingly), I will take a moment to share of my blessings - cause that's what we're suppose to do when we're miserable, right?
Blessings:
1. MY HUSBAND. Oh. My. He's a freaking trooper. If any of yall ever get sick, you should hire this guy. He's truly amazing. He'll clean your house, disinfect the whole house, go to the store countless amounts of time to get you what you need, throw away your nasty stuff that didn't make it in time (over and over again), feed the kids, bathe the kids, change the kids, play with the kids, and smile the whole time he's doing it. He should start a business.
2. In case you didn't get how amazing #1 was, let me paint a more vivid picture for you (warning: it really is more vivid): Lincoln has a touch of this fun stuff, too (could be where I got it from) and his diapers EVER-SO-MUCH represent this fact. For instance, He woke up this morning with the big "D" (or #3, as some households call it) running all out his PJ's and had saturated his bed with it. When the lovely hubby went to change his clothes, whole kernels of corn and green beans fell out of his pants in heaps - disgusting. And yes - the hubby changed countless of those diapers in the past 24 hours.
3. A doctor who is also a friend (able to get speedy phenogren to the house!)
4. A child that, even though his diapers would conclude that he is sick, acts extremely happy and lively
5. That same child slept 5 hours today
6. While child #2 slept 4 hours
7. Today I was not nauseated, but unbelievable weak - but that when the great hubby starts running a fever this afternoon, followed by my symptoms two days prior, I all the sudden have all the energy in the world (thank the LORD!)
Yes. Ten loads of laundry have been done today. I am feeling better. Kids are bathed and in bed early. Husband is lying in bed with fever and stomach-wrenching pain.
Looks like I'm about to get my shot at "super-mom" and see if I can match up to "super-dad".
And why the long night? Jason gave me the whole bed when I was sick to writhe in my pain and dispose in peace (let's face it - not fun to hear)...so I'm doing the same for him. I would sleep on the extra bed in Lincoln's room, but this is what Jason did 2 nights ago and he said he would wake up from a dead sleep with a toddler's face right next to his giggling (happened like 3 times!) - that's just creepy. :)
Thursday afternoon I was dressed, ready to go run at the gym, when about 10 minutes before we were planning on going I started feeling pretty bad. My body started aching, I was spacey, and my head hurt.
Fast forward 6 hours and I was puking with all the fun trimmings (insert "fun mental picture" here).
And just when I thought "it was over"...well, it wasn't.
And before I go on complaining about how it was the worst I can ever remember being sick in my life (even though I've been blessed to get this nastiness sparingly), I will take a moment to share of my blessings - cause that's what we're suppose to do when we're miserable, right?
Blessings:
1. MY HUSBAND. Oh. My. He's a freaking trooper. If any of yall ever get sick, you should hire this guy. He's truly amazing. He'll clean your house, disinfect the whole house, go to the store countless amounts of time to get you what you need, throw away your nasty stuff that didn't make it in time (over and over again), feed the kids, bathe the kids, change the kids, play with the kids, and smile the whole time he's doing it. He should start a business.
2. In case you didn't get how amazing #1 was, let me paint a more vivid picture for you (warning: it really is more vivid): Lincoln has a touch of this fun stuff, too (could be where I got it from) and his diapers EVER-SO-MUCH represent this fact. For instance, He woke up this morning with the big "D" (or #3, as some households call it) running all out his PJ's and had saturated his bed with it. When the lovely hubby went to change his clothes, whole kernels of corn and green beans fell out of his pants in heaps - disgusting. And yes - the hubby changed countless of those diapers in the past 24 hours.
3. A doctor who is also a friend (able to get speedy phenogren to the house!)
4. A child that, even though his diapers would conclude that he is sick, acts extremely happy and lively
5. That same child slept 5 hours today
6. While child #2 slept 4 hours
7. Today I was not nauseated, but unbelievable weak - but that when the great hubby starts running a fever this afternoon, followed by my symptoms two days prior, I all the sudden have all the energy in the world (thank the LORD!)
Yes. Ten loads of laundry have been done today. I am feeling better. Kids are bathed and in bed early. Husband is lying in bed with fever and stomach-wrenching pain.
Looks like I'm about to get my shot at "super-mom" and see if I can match up to "super-dad".
And why the long night? Jason gave me the whole bed when I was sick to writhe in my pain and dispose in peace (let's face it - not fun to hear)...so I'm doing the same for him. I would sleep on the extra bed in Lincoln's room, but this is what Jason did 2 nights ago and he said he would wake up from a dead sleep with a toddler's face right next to his giggling (happened like 3 times!) - that's just creepy. :)
Thursday, October 21, 2010
My Little Mess
Today when Noah went down for his early nap I wanted to some kind of activity with Lincoln. I pulled up the website I often get ideas from and check in the October section.
And, to everyone's surprise, I decided on the messiest activity for the month of October (I generally HATE messes and try to avoid them at all costs!).
We got daddy's shaving cream out, coupled with our big pumpkin and a handful of kitchen tools, and had fun! The activity was "shaving the pumpkin"...not sure we ever got to that part, but it sure was fun!
At first Lincoln didn't like getting it on his hands...then I put globs on his toes - he didn't like that either. But after 5 minutes or so, he was LOVING it all and going to town on this project.
I don't have pictures of this part, but the activity ended with him stripping his clothes off, smearing it all over his body (while hackling of course), then chasing mommy in the yard with globs of shaving cream. When I'd let him catch me, he would smear it all over my pants and belly laugh...it was pretty fun (once I surrendered to the absolute mess!).
And, to everyone's surprise, I decided on the messiest activity for the month of October (I generally HATE messes and try to avoid them at all costs!).
We got daddy's shaving cream out, coupled with our big pumpkin and a handful of kitchen tools, and had fun! The activity was "shaving the pumpkin"...not sure we ever got to that part, but it sure was fun!
At first Lincoln didn't like getting it on his hands...then I put globs on his toes - he didn't like that either. But after 5 minutes or so, he was LOVING it all and going to town on this project.
I don't have pictures of this part, but the activity ended with him stripping his clothes off, smearing it all over his body (while hackling of course), then chasing mommy in the yard with globs of shaving cream. When I'd let him catch me, he would smear it all over my pants and belly laugh...it was pretty fun (once I surrendered to the absolute mess!). I know these pictures look like he's having a blast (which he was), but when it was time to take a bath, he cried and wailed the whole time going "But my pumpkin! My pumpkin!!"
We need to work on endings apparently.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Baby Transitions
Yall know I'm typical on the back end of transitions. I'm not a fan of them with the kids - especially when things are going so well! So I tend to start a lot of things later than normal (whatever normal means, I guess) including: starting solids, introducing fruits, giving them real food, letting them eat sweats, switching to sippy cups ONLY, carrying the child in instead of the child-in-the-carseat, etc.
And then there's the transitions (that some think I'm already behind on) that I'm still holding on to: Paci's, Diapers, Crib-sleeping.
My philosophy is (and has been), why push transitions if they're really not necessary? Yes it's necessary to have your child potty trained by pre-school, as an example. But is it that big of a deal if they're not drinking solely out of a sippy cup by their first birthday?
I've always been on team "not-a-big-deal".
Someone (can't remember who) once told me - in regards to potty training - not to do it until your child is ready, to go on their timing.
So you can pretty much say I've adopted this philosophy to all transitions. It keeps baby sane, but more importantly, it keeps me sane!
So when Lincoln went to his big-boy bed (in our guest bedroom that has been set up for a few months now) and got in the bed, asked to pray, and told us "nigh-nigh" two days ago, I took that as "he's ready"...right?
So far, so good! He slept perfect the whole night, didn't come out until 8:00am, and when he did come out, he BURST through the door with a huge smile on his face, yelling as he ran around the kitchen. It was hilarious. It was like he was so proud.
Night #2 came last night. I held my breath, and once again, a little burst of energy comes popping through the door at 8:00am on the dot.
So today I decided to completely transition their rooms, hang pictures, and make them "their own". It was a daunting task, but it was fun. Pack n play is packed away and Noah officially has his own crib.
So today's nap was the first time I've let Lincoln nap in his big bed. I was nervous about doing this because he is such a great napper and I didn't want to mess that up.
But it's been 30 minutes, and so far so good!
I'm super thankful at how easy this transition has been so far! I was dreading it because I thought it would mess up Lincoln's great sleeping antics.
Now if I can just get him to initiate potty training on his own and throw all his paci's in the "tash" by himself...hmm...that would be amazing.
And then there's the transitions (that some think I'm already behind on) that I'm still holding on to: Paci's, Diapers, Crib-sleeping.
My philosophy is (and has been), why push transitions if they're really not necessary? Yes it's necessary to have your child potty trained by pre-school, as an example. But is it that big of a deal if they're not drinking solely out of a sippy cup by their first birthday?
I've always been on team "not-a-big-deal".
Someone (can't remember who) once told me - in regards to potty training - not to do it until your child is ready, to go on their timing.
So you can pretty much say I've adopted this philosophy to all transitions. It keeps baby sane, but more importantly, it keeps me sane!
So when Lincoln went to his big-boy bed (in our guest bedroom that has been set up for a few months now) and got in the bed, asked to pray, and told us "nigh-nigh" two days ago, I took that as "he's ready"...right?
So far, so good! He slept perfect the whole night, didn't come out until 8:00am, and when he did come out, he BURST through the door with a huge smile on his face, yelling as he ran around the kitchen. It was hilarious. It was like he was so proud.
Night #2 came last night. I held my breath, and once again, a little burst of energy comes popping through the door at 8:00am on the dot.
So today I decided to completely transition their rooms, hang pictures, and make them "their own". It was a daunting task, but it was fun. Pack n play is packed away and Noah officially has his own crib.
So today's nap was the first time I've let Lincoln nap in his big bed. I was nervous about doing this because he is such a great napper and I didn't want to mess that up.
But it's been 30 minutes, and so far so good!
I'm super thankful at how easy this transition has been so far! I was dreading it because I thought it would mess up Lincoln's great sleeping antics.
Now if I can just get him to initiate potty training on his own and throw all his paci's in the "tash" by himself...hmm...that would be amazing.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Two Little Pumpkins This Year (our list keeps growing)
Why is it that I never went to Pumpkin Patches (not even ONE) until I had kids?? They're super fun and festive!
This was last years event...as you can see, I had both of my boys with me - just one was being carried at all times. :)
There wasn't a whole lot Lincoln could do last year except sit where I plopped him. He had just started walking but not good enough to take off on his own.
Enter 2010 family getaway to the pumpkin patch - a whole different story.
There were barrels of corn to sit and play in...
Or stand and throw (take one guess where that corn was heading!)...
Hay tunnels to run through...
Hayrides to embark on (though when we learned this one lasted 40 minutes, I "bailed" off the back and Jason tossed the kids over)...
Samurai Swords to be found...
Hot dog buns to munch on (Noah's first taste of real food not pureed)...
Cow trains to be hitched (this was Noah's personal favorite - he giggled the whole ride)...
Marshmallows to be roasted and crammed in one tiny little mouth...
6'5'' shoulders to hitch rides on...
Grumpy bulldogs to laugh at...
Slides to race down...
"Pumpkin Ball" to be played (of course we had to do this first)...
Hay to be tossed all over mommy ...
By Mr. Lincoln, of course...
Oh - and hay to be eaten...
And of course, lots of pumpkins!!!
This was last years event...as you can see, I had both of my boys with me - just one was being carried at all times. :)
There wasn't a whole lot Lincoln could do last year except sit where I plopped him. He had just started walking but not good enough to take off on his own.
Enter 2010 family getaway to the pumpkin patch - a whole different story.
There were barrels of corn to sit and play in...
Or stand and throw (take one guess where that corn was heading!)...
Hay tunnels to run through...
Hayrides to embark on (though when we learned this one lasted 40 minutes, I "bailed" off the back and Jason tossed the kids over)...
Samurai Swords to be found...
Hot dog buns to munch on (Noah's first taste of real food not pureed)...
Cow trains to be hitched (this was Noah's personal favorite - he giggled the whole ride)...
Marshmallows to be roasted and crammed in one tiny little mouth...
6'5'' shoulders to hitch rides on...
Grumpy bulldogs to laugh at...
Slides to race down...
"Pumpkin Ball" to be played (of course we had to do this first)...
Hay to be tossed all over mommy ...
By Mr. Lincoln, of course...
Oh - and hay to be eaten...
And of course, lots of pumpkins!!!
I LOVE (adore, cherish, anticipate, relish, you get the ides) FALL!!!!! I prefer the name "Autumn" cause it sounds do much prettier, but nonetheless, this season is fantastic. Now if the weather would stay a consistent cool temperature, all would be perfect.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
On Working Out
"Routine" implies regularly...right? Not sporadic...not when I feel like it...not when the weather's nice...not when I actually feel as if I have a smidgen of energy...
And then , not just after a few days of doing something, but...after 2 weeks of consistency, maybe? Does this now qualify as routine?
I'm going out on a limb and answering that question with a big, fat (or hopefully skinny and fit) YES.
You see, in my golden (pre-kids) years, I was a fit little gal. I worked out 7 days/week, usually running between 3-5 miles/day, and in the rare occasion I "took the day off" that actually consisted of walking fast for an hour (which has been my "workout - at best - after having kids).
So 2 weeks ago, it hit me that I am well past birth-giving experiences (this is a good excuse people that I have milked!), am not pregnant (another fantastic excuse), nor have any intent of getting pregnant for a good long time. I did work out (walking) through pregnancies, but I'm talking my long lost love for running.
No more excuses.
Plus, I miss those days...I used to love running. And I finally realized I had lost heart because I wasn't nearly as good at it as I used to be (um - another excuse. we're up to 3).
So I decided, it's time.
You see, where we live, we're blessed with an awesome fitness facility a few houses up the road in our neighborhood that i have free access to - don't even have to join a costly gym. A few years back I would have already worn the place out.
My plan? To start out slow (so I don't get frustrated at myself). So a few weeks ago, I set my alarm every morning and went up to the treadmills and ran before Jason went to work. It's really not that early (7:30) so I found myself sticking to it quite well.
There are a few days he has to leave very early (they're random) and on those days, I pay $5 to go to the super nice gym down the street (that also provides child care) and work out there. I go there at least once/week and LOVE it. Don't love the monthly costs of joining but I've always been a sucker for gyms (especially those that watch your kids!)
So here we are - 2 weeks later - and I've totally stuck to it! I'm not doing the 7 days/week...but 5-6. And I have been running 2 miles straight this past week so I'm super pumped about that. My goal is three consistently. Regularly. Routinely. And I'm seriously having so much fun.
The payoff so far? Last night Jason and I had a date night. We went to Pinnacle to shop and enjoy the weather after dinner. I told him I wanted to try on clothes. I hadn't shopped since being pregnant and just wanted to try stuff on for fun (we had no money to shop). I found a super cute pair of jeans (so cute they are now in my top 2 favorites - I've only owned 3 favorites in my entire life so this was a HUGE deal). I explained to Jason how normal it is to have "good" pairs of jeans and how RARE it is to have favorites - big difference.
Then, before I knew it he had bought them for me! What?! I asked how he got the money and then I realized he used a gift card he had since his birthday that he hadn't used - for my jeans! Love him (for more reason than the jeans!).
An added bonus?? They were the size I had always worn before the kiddos.
Loving the running routine!!!!!!
And then , not just after a few days of doing something, but...after 2 weeks of consistency, maybe? Does this now qualify as routine?
I'm going out on a limb and answering that question with a big, fat (or hopefully skinny and fit) YES.
You see, in my golden (pre-kids) years, I was a fit little gal. I worked out 7 days/week, usually running between 3-5 miles/day, and in the rare occasion I "took the day off" that actually consisted of walking fast for an hour (which has been my "workout - at best - after having kids).
So 2 weeks ago, it hit me that I am well past birth-giving experiences (this is a good excuse people that I have milked!), am not pregnant (another fantastic excuse), nor have any intent of getting pregnant for a good long time. I did work out (walking) through pregnancies, but I'm talking my long lost love for running.
No more excuses.
Plus, I miss those days...I used to love running. And I finally realized I had lost heart because I wasn't nearly as good at it as I used to be (um - another excuse. we're up to 3).
So I decided, it's time.
You see, where we live, we're blessed with an awesome fitness facility a few houses up the road in our neighborhood that i have free access to - don't even have to join a costly gym. A few years back I would have already worn the place out.
My plan? To start out slow (so I don't get frustrated at myself). So a few weeks ago, I set my alarm every morning and went up to the treadmills and ran before Jason went to work. It's really not that early (7:30) so I found myself sticking to it quite well.
There are a few days he has to leave very early (they're random) and on those days, I pay $5 to go to the super nice gym down the street (that also provides child care) and work out there. I go there at least once/week and LOVE it. Don't love the monthly costs of joining but I've always been a sucker for gyms (especially those that watch your kids!)
So here we are - 2 weeks later - and I've totally stuck to it! I'm not doing the 7 days/week...but 5-6. And I have been running 2 miles straight this past week so I'm super pumped about that. My goal is three consistently. Regularly. Routinely. And I'm seriously having so much fun.
The payoff so far? Last night Jason and I had a date night. We went to Pinnacle to shop and enjoy the weather after dinner. I told him I wanted to try on clothes. I hadn't shopped since being pregnant and just wanted to try stuff on for fun (we had no money to shop). I found a super cute pair of jeans (so cute they are now in my top 2 favorites - I've only owned 3 favorites in my entire life so this was a HUGE deal). I explained to Jason how normal it is to have "good" pairs of jeans and how RARE it is to have favorites - big difference.
Then, before I knew it he had bought them for me! What?! I asked how he got the money and then I realized he used a gift card he had since his birthday that he hadn't used - for my jeans! Love him (for more reason than the jeans!).
An added bonus?? They were the size I had always worn before the kiddos.
Loving the running routine!!!!!!
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