Ready for the big boy bed

Last night we moved N into his big boy bed. The bed was actually our full-size guest bed. N had slept on it by himself a time or two when he's woken up too early but didn't want to go back into his crib. While I knew he was ready for it and would do fine I wanted to wait to transition him over until we had done our traveling for Christmas and could settle back in at home for awhile.


He was so excited when we brought him up to his room and told him his big boy bed was all set up. He did great, slept all night and took a good nap in it today. Hubby and I laughed to each other this morning and afternoon as it was a little funny to hear him open the door on his own after he had woken up. This morning he came straight to our room and proudly shouted, "Hi!" We're so used to having to go and get him from the crib that it's hard to believe how much N has grown.

What a big boy!

Christmas recap - Part 2

We headed to Arkansas to spend Christmas at my parents home along with my brother and his beautiful family. It was so fun to all be together and to see the 6 nieces and nephews loving on each other and sharing special memories together. Oh how I wish we lived closer.

N decorating some Christmas cookies. Some of the sprinkles made it onto the cookies, and a lot of it made it onto the tray.

By the time it got to our family photo the kids were starting to melt down. As a parent I think you eventually say, "That's good enough," and move on.

Christmas morning arrived and N had no idea what to do with all of the presents under the tree. Thank goodness he had a willing niece and nephews to help him out!

And who needs presents anyway? The wrapping paper is good enough for me!

Our sweet Little Miss. Her first smile was revealed on N's birthday when a friend of mine was talking to her. Like her big brother, she has the best smile that warms our hearts.

My niece is so kind and caring when it comes to taking care of her cousins. She already makes a wonderful big sister and will make a great babysitter some day. N was in love with her and was calling her name out even after her family had gone home.

Thank you family for spending your Christmas with us. We love and miss you already!

Christmas recap - Part 1

I suppose I should start my Christmas recap off by saying Happy 2010! I'm not really in to making New Year's resolutions, however I do enjoy thinking of things starting fresh in the new year, taking note of the things that I'd like to change and work on in my life and set goals in order to achieve them.

Before Christmas we left for a weekend to chilly Prescott, AZ to look at twinkly lights and open a couple of presents with just our family of four. We hit the world's largest gingerbread village first and I must say I was a tad disappointed. I think I had in my mind that the displays would be done more professionally than what they were. We had fun all the same.

Isn't she cute!?!

The displays were done by groups in the community. I remember trying to do a gingerbread house from a kit a couple of years ago. It didn't go well.

N eventually got bored with the displays but thankfully the motorized train kept his attention long enough for us to finish looking around.

Watching the train go by in our awesome double stroller. I highly recommend this one if you're in the market for one.

On the road again.

Looking around at the twinkly lights in the cold. He refused to look at the camera and I had to laugh when I saw I caught this moment on camera.

It was nice to visit some cooler temps for a bit and have it *feel* a little bit more like Christmas. Mid-70's didn't quite cut it where we live.

Choo Choo! Look Who's Two!

I can hardly believe my little baby is two years old. He has been such a blessing to our family and we love him more with every passing day. I thank the Lord for trusting in us to raise him into a God-fearing man and my prayer is that He will grow up to serve God in amazing ways.

We went with a train birthday party theme this year as that is pretty much all we hear about from our little man. It's an understatement to say that he is obsessed.

I managed to find these cute wooden train whistles and train suckers to go in the goody bags that went along with the train theme.



I wanted to keep things somewhat simple this year and just focus on N getting together with a few of his little friends for a play date at the park. Hubby was able to take a couple of hours off of work to join in on the fun.

The spread.

I had the idea to make a personalized placemat for all of the kids. I was able to snag some Thomas & Friends images from online to print out and laminate. Almost all of the boys were into Thomas so I figured it'd be a huge hit! Oh, and check out the little conductor's hats I found for each of the boys. I was so excited about these but when I went to give one to N to wear he ran from me and refused to put it on. Go figure.


One of the boys looking cool in his conductor hat.

Little Miss got into the birthday spirit as well by wearing her cupcake outfit.

The birthday boy!

What is better than getting messy with a truck and some sand? Let's just say most of us needed to undress our boys before they went into the house.

A few of the boys.

N attempting to blow out his birthday candles.

The gang. Five 2-year olds and one almost 4-year old. Fun times! I couldn't help but laugh when one of the boys grabbed a toy and yelled "mine" and within seconds you hear several of the other boys repeating him yelling "mine" as well.

We opened gifts as a family later on in the evening once Hubby was home from work. I promise I didn't even ask N to put the bow on his head. He's a natural.

We love you Noah! Happy 2nd Birthday!

What a beautiful day.

Sweet pics

A sweet friend took some photos of Little M as a gift to us. They turned out so adorable and of course I had to share them with everyone! I'm saving my favorite until I get all of the baby announcements mailed out.


Look at that pout. Boy are we in trouble.







And then of course we can't forget N. I was offered a free portrait session from a local photography studio. I took them up on the offer of the free session plus one free 8x10 portrait. Check out that handsome fella.

Finally...an update!

I can't believe our little girl is already a month old. Time has flown and boy has she grown! Yep, I can rhyme. N is quite the proud big brother. Just ask him to show you his t-shirt.

He does a great job with Little M and cries out "sister" or "mon" when he sees her.

M is such a sweetheart and such an easy baby. She definitely has us wrapped around her little finger already. And I don't mind at all.

N is also very proud of his trains. It's what we hear about all. day. long. Unless, of course, he takes a break and talks about his cars.

Apparently the play mat can be used for kids of all ages...

LOVE these sock monkey flannel pajamas that some friends gave us. Very cuddly.

The day after Thanksgiving we got the kids in their pj's, loaded up the car and went with Hubby's parents to ride on the Polar Express. I figured given N's love for trains he'd be thrilled to ride on a real one. While he did have a good time, I think the lack of an afternoon nap and the fact that we were nearing his bedtime left him in somewhat of a zone for most of the train ride.

The train goes straight to the North Pole to see Santa. Here's N staring out the window at all of the Christmas lights.

Unfortunately N was still afraid of Santa this year. I think once he catches on that Santa = presents he'll run to sit on his lap.

When Maddie was first born I instantly saw N in her face. She's changed so much over this last month and I'm noticing the resemblance less and less. Can't wait to see who she becomes!

Grabbed a photo of our family just before leaving the Polar Express. So happy to be a family of four and are counting our blessings this Thanksgiving.

After my first day home with two kiddos by myself, Hubby took N out for an errand and came back with a bouquet of flowers as a thank you for "being a good mommy." Makes my heart happy.