most wonderful time of the year

This year for Christmas and our holiday break, we decided that we'd stay around here instead of travel to see family.  We decided this back when we first found out that we were pregnant, because last Christmas it was a little overwhelming driving over 2,400 miles in 2 weeks.  So, we enjoyed our very first Christmas with just our little family and I'd say it was fantastic.  A little weird to not be surrounded with family, but we enjoyed having our own little traditions here.  So, to start out with the fun, here is what we did:

I had heard from a friend of mine here that the Coca-Cola Semi-truck comes driving around near Christmas Eve and is completely lit up with Christmas lights and plays music.  After she told me, I knew I had to watch out for it because I'm sure it would be cool not only for Josh to see but for everyone.  So, two days before Christmas Eve, I kept hearing this loud honking (almost like a train honk), so I kept dismissing it because I can usually hear the trains here on a regular basis.  But then it kept going.  About 10 minutes in I decided to run outside just to see if I could find where it was coming from, and sure enough the Coca-Cola parade passed right in front of our house. 

So, I went back inside and grabbed Josh out of the middle of eating dinner and we ran back outside to catch it.  (Jake was gone running errands at the moment, so he wasn't there, which is why you should picture me running with a toddler in my arms 30 weeks pregnant in my pajamas and slippers. NICE!) 

I ran all the way out the street, so that I could see where they were headed.  Luckily, they were in a neighborhood nearby and we didn't completely miss it.  At just about this moment, Jake came home and I ran back to the car telling him to stay in, then ran inside, took dinner out of the oven so it doesn't burn, grabbed Josh again and we all hopped in the car (Josh on my lap wrapped in a blanket).  It was so funny!  I'm sure that Jake thought I was crazy, but after a little driving, we found it!  It was great.  I'm so glad that we didn't completely miss it.  Josh definitely did love it and kept responding once he heard the horns.  Every time, he'd make a noise back.  Too cute!

On Christmas Eve, we have made it tradition in our family to have the opportunity to open one of our gifts.  We also have the tradition of having Christmas PJ's for the kids.  We were pretty excited to have Josh start opening gifts, and it turned out he was more into it than we thought he would be.  His Christmas Eve gift was the Semi-Truck/Car Hauler.  As soon as he started ripping paper he was so excited.  Kept ripping more and more, and as soon as he saw that it was a car, he wanted that car out right that second.  He played with that car for the rest of the night, and carried it up to bed with him.  He bawled the second we took it away.  Too funny! So glad to see that he was excited to open gifts.  It made our anticipation of the morning even higher. 

Jake and I had a lot of fun being "Santa" this year.  Joshua is a very spoiled boy and we could have ended Christmas with his car he got the night before.  We knew that we would have to take Christmas in stages because Josh would be preoccupied with other things before we could move on.  So we took the day in about 3 different stages with him and he really enjoyed opening all of things that he got.  Between all of the gifts and getting the skype with all three families, we are continually grateful for our supportive families and the blessings that we enjoy in this life.  We were grateful to spend some time at church Christmas morning reflecting on the blessing of our Savior and remembering the reason for the season. 

Christmas morning on the stairs

my sewing adventure

Between being busy with working for my friend Laura and her bearded beanie business, being a mom, and preparing for the holidays, I've been starting up my own little business like I mentioned here. 

Since that post, I've created my facebook page and my etsy shop and am awaiting my first customers.  I think that this is something that could grow a little, but not go out of control, which is just what I want.  

It's been a lot of fun thinking up ideas of how I can grow my shop and coming up with different ways to customize my superhero cape.  Because some things have been sent out as Christmas presents and I don't want to spoil any surprises, I will get pictures of the changes up shortly. 

In the mean time, spread the word about these sweet little things! They are definitely fun to make and to watch the little ones play in.

thirty weeks

Not the greatest picture, but it was on my mind and that's the only time I would have gotten it done.  Maybe I can get a better one out soon.

Anyway, I've just about reached 30 weeks! I can't believe that it's been going by so quickly.  Seems like the first 20 weeks crept by, but the last 10 have zoomed by so fast.  It scares me, because I'm not feeling ready by any means for this little one to come. I'm excited for her, but scared/nervous, etc. etc.  I still feel like there is so much more to do before she arrives. 

Doctor says that everything is looking great.  She's a big mover and it has just started to reach the point where it's no longer little kicks, but big rolls and pushes.  It's been a lot of fun to watch this progression.  I'm always surprised by her strength!



I'm still feeling really great.  I've just started to get uncomfortable and limited in my movement.  This will be interesting to experience this time around as I'm taking care of a toddler.  I hope that things continue to go just as well.

Joshua - 19 months

This little man is fantastic!! I love him more than I could ever imagine and he has been so much fun to have around lately. He's been learning so many new things and has been a joy to watch. He can certainly be a pill, but he's fun.

He enjoys playing hide-and-seek and getting surprised! He has started "jumping" which consists of him squatting down really low and then popping up as he takes a step or two, but not leaving the ground. He loves to make all of his animal noises. He enjoys reading books, playing with cars, and has a blast at nursery on Sundays.

He can say "bye-bye", "mama", "dada", "wadizit" (what is it?), "wazatt" (what's that?), "wow", "wishe" (where is she?, often times while shrugging), and understands just about everything that we tell him. Pictures on the wall are all "mama" and he likes to unload the dishwasher and put everything in just one of our drawers (where the measuring cups & spoons are).

He is going to be an excellent big brother! I definitely hope that I can give him the attention that he needs when that time comes. That is one of my biggest worries as her due date approaches.

Besides being the pickiest eater on the planet, he's a great child! He's happy, adventurous and playful. I'm looking forward to what's ahead for him. I'm looking forward to hearing him talk and watching him learn even more.

Oh, Christmas Tree!

It is time for a much needed update! I can't believe I've let it go this long without any sort of update.  But it's funny because it seems like yesterday that I just posted something on here.  It's amazing how quickly time flies, especially when you are busy with holidays, final days before school is out, being a mom, and work. 

Right after Thanksgiving, we went to cut down our Christmas tree with some friends (Robins & Heals) We had  a great time hiking through the woods looking for that "perfect" tree.  We've wanted to cut down a Christmas tree for the past few years, but because of circumstance either haven't been able to or just didn't.  So we've been used to really full trees that you buy from Home Depot or Lowe's.  It was a change finding one in the woods, but we had a great time.  Joshie enjoyed hiking around in his pack, and I know our friends' children were the same way. 

Over the next few days, we decorated the tree.  Joshie has done a great job with not touching it very much.   He's taken off some of the ornaments, throwing them like they are balls, but I've been surprised by his good behavior when it comes to the tree.  It has been fun to watch him get excited and say "Wow" when I turn on the lights every night. 

 
We've also enjoyed our advent calendar.  This is a tradition that I loved having around growing up, and so last year my mom purchased an advent calendar for our little family.  Joshua has loved putting the ornaments on the felt tree and getting the candy every day.  We've also added in reading a scripture about Christ each day.   I know that reading that has definitely invited the Spirit more into our home this Christmas Season. 

I've always loved Christmas and it will be a lot of fun to celebrate at home this year.  It's starting to feel a little weird not being around family, but I'm sure that we will enjoy our time together as a little family a lot.

We've also enjoyed incorporating traditions into the family.  One of which has been making sugar cookies to give out.  Using Jake's mom's recipes, we have made over 180 sugar cookies to distribute among our friends.  It has been a lot of fun making them and even more delicious eating them.  Joshua especially enjoyed it!  

Merry Christmas!  Enjoy the Season!