The Last 5 months...

I cannot believe that it has been 5 months since my last blog post. I am really kicking myself for not keeping up with everything, but I am just being honest when I say that it would have been more of a burden than a joy. Most of winter was spent being sick-- all of us. From bronchitis, to ear infections, and the stomach virus, we were all pretty much laying low. I guess I will start with Spring-- In March we loaded up the car and said, "Let's get the heck out of dodge," and took our first family trip to New Orleans. It was a much needed get away with lots of fun to be had by all. I met up with an old friend from college, we ate beignets, and played in the French Quarter.

After our trip, we came home and enjoyed spring. We had play dates with friends, took swimming lessons, went to ballet, watched the Grizz kick some tail in the playoffs, (until sadly they lost) hung out with the Easter Bunny, and started planning Charlie's 1st birthday!!

That is what you call the, "Cliff Notes" version of Spring 2013! It feels good to be back :)

Hello Everyone!!!

We're back!!

Blog post to come later...

This week in iPhoto...

Abby turned 3 and now needs a paci and a crib--this lasted about 2 seconds when she realized she was totally confined to the crib and couldn't get out! She also started swimming lessons with our sweet teacher, Grace Ann (she LOVES it), rode her new bike, and went to ballet. Charlie likes to relax in the tub, chug a bottle, bounce in his bouncy, and be rocked to sleep.

Sick, sick, and sick is what have been the last 2 weeks. Charlie had his first ear infection and cut 2 teeth all in the same week. Meanwhile, Abby's cold turned into a bad sinus infection that eventually turned into bronchitis. It was scary, and I felt so bad for her. I did have to laugh at the doctor after her breathing treatment when she was running in circles, laughing and throwing her lambie in the air--steroids make her hyper! The doctor gave Abby a breathing treatment and then sent us home with 4 prescriptions. She was by far the sickest one of all. It took all weekend and lots of rest, but by Monday she was feeling much better. Poor Daddy got the stomach bug after Charlie started throwing up :( Mommy, for once, was the only one that did not get sick!

Abby and Mommy got Valentine's flowers from the men of the house :)

Now that everyone is feeling better we have been bowling, played games at home, ate some ice cream and got some pizza...

and lowered the crib because Charlie can stand up!He is all of the place now that he can crawl and pull himself up. He's getting so big :(

Happy Birthday Abby!

Abby turned 3 on February 3rd. We opted for a small family party instead of a big birthday party. It worked out for the best since Charlie was sick with an ear infection. It was a lot of fun, and Abby now has a TON of Hello Kitty gear!

Loving her Hello Kitty balloons!

Opening present from Mommy and Daddy. Abby got a new bike, rain boots, toys, Candy Land, Playdough, etc. She loves her Princess bike!

Later that afternoon our family came over to celebrate. Abby didn't take a nap, so she fell asleep before the cake and ice cream. Lots of presents and lots of balloons!

Time for cake and ice cream!

Painting and getting our nails done for a birthday treat.

Birthday treats at school.

It was quite a birthday week! Thanks to you all for making it so special.

This week...

We bathed,

and played before bedtime.

Charlie partied in his crib and tried out a new highchair,

while Abby did a little painting.

Here is our life in iPhoto this week...

Swimming, sleeping, ballet, visiting new babies, and playing outside.

January 2013

Here is what we have been up to so far in 2013:

Charlie is teething like crazy which for a while affected his eating. For about a week he refused any solid foods which is very uncharateristic of our little "tub a lub, Chub." He normally eats anything in front of him and still nurses 5-6 times a day. What's hysterical is that while I was on the phone with the nurse at the Yukon Clinic, Brandon came running in our bedroom to tell me that he finally ate his rice cereal! Luckily, we are back on schedule, but still have not cut a tooth. You wouldn't know it from these pictures, but this was one of the fussiest weeks Charlie has ever had-- still smiling though :)

Another first for Charlie in January 2013 was school. He goes one day a week at Second Pres. I now get one day a week off with no kiddos. It's amazing how much you can get done with an empty house. I did ok when I dropped him, but cried a little later to my mom and sister. He' getting so big!

My nieces came in town after to Christmas and Abby loved every minute of their visit. Shelby got sick with the stomach bug the last day that they were here, so I took Elle and Abby to lunch, and then to get our nails done. After, we ate cupcakes at Muddy's, which is a big treat. Abby started back to school, and was excited to have Charlie go with her. I cannot believe that she will be 3 in just a few weeks. Her only request--a Hello Kitty birthday party! If you didn't know by now, Hello Kitty is everywhere! She is obsessed to say the least.

So right now... Charlie is sitting up, almost crawling, and chowing down on all of his food. His eczema is gone for the moment, so we are going to keep washing everything in free and clear, slather Aveeno lotion on him, and continue to hope for the best. He wears 12 month clothes and a size 3 diaper. We guestimate that he would weigh about 20lbs or so. Wowzers :) Abby is sleeping through the night now (for a few weeks before and after Christmas she was waking up in the middle of the night and having trouble going back to sleep) but is trying to give up her afternoon nap. Right now I have them both napping at relatively the same time which gives me some time to pick up, do laundry, etc, without kids. She is eating a lot, which makes me think that she is about to have a growth spurt. In the mornings, she is usually up by 6;30 or 7, and asleep by 8 or so. She loves her pizza, yogurt, cous-cous, buttered noodles, chicken, and any fruit. Abby loves to watch Max and Ruby, and play on the Wii. We bought Just Dance 4, and we play it like crazy- It's too cold to go outside, so this at least burns off some energy with all the jumping and dancing. Abby is getting so big, and I cannot believe that she will be 3 in a few weeks.

..."And to all a good night."

I cannot believe that it is the middle of January and I am still trying to blog about Christmas! Christmas for us started on Sunday with Grandma and Grandad. Monday was Christmas Eve so we went to church, had dinner, and unwrapped presents with Grams and Gramps. We had to make sure to sprinkle our reindeer food, and tell Ellis, our Elf, bye since he flew away with Santa back to the North Pole. Brandon and I unwrapped our Christmas presents Christmas Eve-- no kids- just the 2 of us, and it was great. Finally around midnight we put our weary selves to bed excited about Christmas morning. Abby woke up early, but not too bad. She laid in bed and watched the Grinch. Once it was over we went to see if Santa came-- he brought Abby and Charlie just what they wanted...a Barbie Jeep and some toys that make noise :) After we unwrapped presents, and played with our new toys, we headed to Granmommy and Pawpaw's house.

Double click on the photo collage to see the pictures in a bigger screen

Thank you all for a wonderful Christmas. We appreciate everything you did for us to make our Holiday so special.