Granted, the fact that the highs yesterday were mid-40s and the sun shined helped melt the thin layer of snow we had covering our grass. And our front yard is still pretty covered, but it also doesn't get much sun shine. Now, if it would just wait to snow again until we're safely back in Iowa for the holidays, that would be great.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
For my dad
Last time I talked to Dad, he couldn't believe that we hadn't needed to pull out the snow blower yet this year. Well, Dad, at 10:55 this morning, this is what our backyard looked like:
Granted, the fact that the highs yesterday were mid-40s and the sun shined helped melt the thin layer of snow we had covering our grass. And our front yard is still pretty covered, but it also doesn't get much sun shine. Now, if it would just wait to snow again until we're safely back in Iowa for the holidays, that would be great.
Granted, the fact that the highs yesterday were mid-40s and the sun shined helped melt the thin layer of snow we had covering our grass. And our front yard is still pretty covered, but it also doesn't get much sun shine. Now, if it would just wait to snow again until we're safely back in Iowa for the holidays, that would be great.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Life Since Thanksgiving
Life since Thanksgiving has been chaotic. It has been a time filled with sickness (hence no posts). Amongst the four of us we've had the flu, viral diarrhea, ear infection, severe colds, and lost voice. As this weekend comes to a close, we're all just trying to rest up and be healthy for the holiday season.
Since Thanksgiving, Ian has performed in two Christmas performances. I'm pretty sure he preferred the show at preschool over the one at church. It was a bit long waiting for the older kids to do all their lines, so Ian took a seat during part of it. He and Zach, who's four days older than Ian, were the only three-year-olds, so I think everyone just let it slide. We thought it was great that he didn't cry. He actually missed the part where he sings the most because he had to go to the restroom. He sang the whole time during his preschool program, though I swear I caught him a few times making eyes at the girl next to him.
We also saw Santa. Ian was very impatient in line, but we thankfully averted a public tantrum. He was very serious during his time with Santa. Annaliese, however, didn't want anything to do with him. She started screaming instantly, and we never got a picture with both Ian and Santa looking at the camera.
Annaliese had her nine-month birthday and doctor's check-up. She was 28.5 inches tall and 20 pounds 8 ounces. We've moved her up to the convertible car seat, because she only had .5 inches to go before she would meet the height limit. I was concerned at her appointment with the fact she wasn't interested in standing, but that all changed when we got home and Darrin hauled out the leap frog table that we had for Ian. She may have leaned on it a lot in the beginning, but she's doing pretty good with it now. It's so cute when the music plays, because she'll bop her head around and dance with it. She's also crawling like crazy and can get pretty much anywhere
Ian's imagination runs wild now and it's so cute listening and watching him. He wears his Buzz costume and pretends Eeyore is Bullseye (the horse in the movie Toy Story), galloping with him around the room. Darrin also rolled him up in a quilt, saying he was a hot dog, but Ian turned it into being inside Santa's sack instead. He also just loves to help around the house, helping me tonight work on Christmas presents for his teachers.
Since Thanksgiving, Ian has performed in two Christmas performances. I'm pretty sure he preferred the show at preschool over the one at church. It was a bit long waiting for the older kids to do all their lines, so Ian took a seat during part of it. He and Zach, who's four days older than Ian, were the only three-year-olds, so I think everyone just let it slide. We thought it was great that he didn't cry. He actually missed the part where he sings the most because he had to go to the restroom. He sang the whole time during his preschool program, though I swear I caught him a few times making eyes at the girl next to him.
We also saw Santa. Ian was very impatient in line, but we thankfully averted a public tantrum. He was very serious during his time with Santa. Annaliese, however, didn't want anything to do with him. She started screaming instantly, and we never got a picture with both Ian and Santa looking at the camera.
Annaliese had her nine-month birthday and doctor's check-up. She was 28.5 inches tall and 20 pounds 8 ounces. We've moved her up to the convertible car seat, because she only had .5 inches to go before she would meet the height limit. I was concerned at her appointment with the fact she wasn't interested in standing, but that all changed when we got home and Darrin hauled out the leap frog table that we had for Ian. She may have leaned on it a lot in the beginning, but she's doing pretty good with it now. It's so cute when the music plays, because she'll bop her head around and dance with it. She's also crawling like crazy and can get pretty much anywhere
Ian's imagination runs wild now and it's so cute listening and watching him. He wears his Buzz costume and pretends Eeyore is Bullseye (the horse in the movie Toy Story), galloping with him around the room. Darrin also rolled him up in a quilt, saying he was a hot dog, but Ian turned it into being inside Santa's sack instead. He also just loves to help around the house, helping me tonight work on Christmas presents for his teachers.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Thanksgiving weekend in pictures
It was a busy weekend, and I could write a blog post for each day, but this coming week is going to be extremely busy, too, so one post with lots of pictures will just have to do. One thing I learned while uploading and editing these is I need to have a steadier hand when shooting without flash/not on auto.
We had a DELICIOUS dinner at Brian and Jodi's house (they make the best turkey ever). Annaliese had her first bites of turkey and loved them, as well as the squash and mashed potatoes. The cranberry sauce, apple salad, and rolls were a hit with Ian (whose head is below the camera).
After lunch, Ian decided to burn some calories, and not even the frigid temps could keep him indoors. He had fun running around in the backyard and trying to get the dogs to play with him.
We weren't able to stay too long at Brian and Jodi's because we had to get to Davenport for Christmas at Great Billie's. And what's Christmas at Great Billie's without an appearance by Santa.
Ian got to help open the bag and pass out the presents.
Annaliese sat on Santa's lap for the first time and wasn't quite sure what to think.
As always, Santa Clause and Great Billie went a little overboard with all the presents. Ian couldn't wait to open them up and Annaliese didn't know what in the world to think.
Ian's favorite gift was this Buzz Lightyear. It wasn't out of his reach most of the weekend. We even had to write IAN on the bottom of his foot like Andy does in the movies.
Annaliese didn't wait very patiently to open her book. The hat couldn't have been better timed. Darrin and I had just talked about that morning how we really needed to get a hat for her.
The next day we went to visit my grandparents in Davenport. We ate a scrumptious lunch and the kids had a great time playing on the floor and with all the vehicles.
Ian absolutely loved playing with this train set (imagine that). He eventually added two more cars to it as well. My aunt told stories of how it never stayed together and they had to tie it with twist ties for Ian just like they did when they were kids.
He had fun teasing Great Grandpa by ramming his chair with the tractor, too.
Annaliese crawled all over the place and loved pushing the trucks around on the floor as well, or playing with Ian's ball.
And look at all her teeth! Her first one on the top is just starting to come through as well.
After a long day of playing trains, trucks, and bear cave with Grandpa Dave, Ian fell asleep within 5 minutes of leaving the house. How this is comfortable I have no idea. Luckily this trip wasn't very far and he figured out how to sleep more comfortably for the drive back to Omaha.
We came back from Davenport yesterday and spent the day trying to re-acclimate ourselves. Today was all about decorating for Christmas.
Ian helped with the decorating even more this year, though we had to teach him about placement on the tree. Otherwise all the ornaments would have been in one large clump.
He got to put the angel on the top of the tree.
Here's the one ornament that we didn't put up on the tree this year...
For some reason, he' thinks the stockings are Santa's boots, and we let him, because it's so darn cute when he wears them. He remembered doing this last year, too. His memory is amazing. He was asking us about certain ornaments before we even had the box out of the basement, and was able to set up other decorations all around the house without being told where they go.
All the weekend fun, plus the middle-of-the-night sickness we dealt with last night, tuckered the poor guy out and he fell asleep in Darrin's arms by 6:30 tonight. He never woke up as Darrin carried him to bed, either, which is even more amazing.
We had a DELICIOUS dinner at Brian and Jodi's house (they make the best turkey ever). Annaliese had her first bites of turkey and loved them, as well as the squash and mashed potatoes. The cranberry sauce, apple salad, and rolls were a hit with Ian (whose head is below the camera).
After lunch, Ian decided to burn some calories, and not even the frigid temps could keep him indoors. He had fun running around in the backyard and trying to get the dogs to play with him.
We weren't able to stay too long at Brian and Jodi's because we had to get to Davenport for Christmas at Great Billie's. And what's Christmas at Great Billie's without an appearance by Santa.
Ian got to help open the bag and pass out the presents.
Annaliese sat on Santa's lap for the first time and wasn't quite sure what to think.
As always, Santa Clause and Great Billie went a little overboard with all the presents. Ian couldn't wait to open them up and Annaliese didn't know what in the world to think.
Ian's favorite gift was this Buzz Lightyear. It wasn't out of his reach most of the weekend. We even had to write IAN on the bottom of his foot like Andy does in the movies.
Annaliese didn't wait very patiently to open her book. The hat couldn't have been better timed. Darrin and I had just talked about that morning how we really needed to get a hat for her.
The next day we went to visit my grandparents in Davenport. We ate a scrumptious lunch and the kids had a great time playing on the floor and with all the vehicles.
Ian absolutely loved playing with this train set (imagine that). He eventually added two more cars to it as well. My aunt told stories of how it never stayed together and they had to tie it with twist ties for Ian just like they did when they were kids.
He had fun teasing Great Grandpa by ramming his chair with the tractor, too.
Annaliese crawled all over the place and loved pushing the trucks around on the floor as well, or playing with Ian's ball.
And look at all her teeth! Her first one on the top is just starting to come through as well.
After a long day of playing trains, trucks, and bear cave with Grandpa Dave, Ian fell asleep within 5 minutes of leaving the house. How this is comfortable I have no idea. Luckily this trip wasn't very far and he figured out how to sleep more comfortably for the drive back to Omaha.
We came back from Davenport yesterday and spent the day trying to re-acclimate ourselves. Today was all about decorating for Christmas.
Ian helped with the decorating even more this year, though we had to teach him about placement on the tree. Otherwise all the ornaments would have been in one large clump.
He got to put the angel on the top of the tree.
Here's the one ornament that we didn't put up on the tree this year...
For some reason, he' thinks the stockings are Santa's boots, and we let him, because it's so darn cute when he wears them. He remembered doing this last year, too. His memory is amazing. He was asking us about certain ornaments before we even had the box out of the basement, and was able to set up other decorations all around the house without being told where they go.
All the weekend fun, plus the middle-of-the-night sickness we dealt with last night, tuckered the poor guy out and he fell asleep in Darrin's arms by 6:30 tonight. He never woke up as Darrin carried him to bed, either, which is even more amazing.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Week in Review
It was a pretty tame week/weekend for us. Nothing major happened, except for the fact that Annaliese waved bye for the first time, even accompanying it with a "buh", and that Ian successfully poured milk into his bowl of cereal and got his coat on all by himself. We spent our time hanging out in the house and being completely lazy. Which means I have to get a lot accomplished in these next few days before the holiday. I stopped being lazy long enough to make a little something on the sewing machine, but tis the season for secrets, so it won't be revealed until later. On to the pictures:
After church today Ian said he wanted to color when he got home. He drew a picture of Marlena, Noah, and Walter (in Noah's arms). He refused to pose in the picture himself, though.
Ian also enjoyed his first cup of hot cocoa for the season this week. He's had one every day since, though sometimes he just eats the marshmellows out of them.
Annaliese is really displaying her independence at meal time, wanting to feed herself. We started Cheerios this weekend and had bite-sized carrots and bananas, too. She loves to eat!
And she loves to make noise. The xylophone has become one of her favorite toys. Perhaps she'll follow in my footsteps.
After church today Ian said he wanted to color when he got home. He drew a picture of Marlena, Noah, and Walter (in Noah's arms). He refused to pose in the picture himself, though.
Ian also enjoyed his first cup of hot cocoa for the season this week. He's had one every day since, though sometimes he just eats the marshmellows out of them.
Annaliese is really displaying her independence at meal time, wanting to feed herself. We started Cheerios this weekend and had bite-sized carrots and bananas, too. She loves to eat!
And she loves to make noise. The xylophone has become one of her favorite toys. Perhaps she'll follow in my footsteps.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Reflection on the weekend
So I didn't accomplish everything I intended to this past weekend, but I do know that without posting that list to my blog, practically nothing would have gotten done on it. It forced me to think about the purpose of everything I was doing; Is this something I can cross off- if not, is it worth not crossing something off? By Sunday night I was pooped and didn't care about crossing things off, but oh, how it helped on Friday night and Saturday. So don't be surprised if you see another lengthy list in future weekends.
Here are some things the list didn't capture:
It snowed here Friday night (about 2 inches) and Ian was jumping up and down with excitement. He asked me if he still had mittens and wanted to know where the parts to the snowman were. Granted, by the time he got outside the next day, it was mostly gone, but he still got to enjoy it for a bit.
On Sunday I went to the quilt show at Lauritzen Gardens. They had some of the smaller quilts interspersed in their chrysanthmum show, and others on display in the adjoining room. The quilts all had to be nature themed. There was one quilt there that was entirely one sheet of fabric, but not a cotton. It had a metallic sheen to it and had the most amazing quilting on it.
My Two Monkeys
Baker's Assistant
Fascination
Here are some things the list didn't capture:
It snowed here Friday night (about 2 inches) and Ian was jumping up and down with excitement. He asked me if he still had mittens and wanted to know where the parts to the snowman were. Granted, by the time he got outside the next day, it was mostly gone, but he still got to enjoy it for a bit.
On Sunday I went to the quilt show at Lauritzen Gardens. They had some of the smaller quilts interspersed in their chrysanthmum show, and others on display in the adjoining room. The quilts all had to be nature themed. There was one quilt there that was entirely one sheet of fabric, but not a cotton. It had a metallic sheen to it and had the most amazing quilting on it.
My Two Monkeys
Baker's Assistant
Fascination
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Forcing Myself to Get it Done! (edit Sun. morning)
I have had a mental to-do list for the last, oh.... 5 weeks. I just keep pushing the list to the next weekend, and when that weekend shows, I do a bit of it, but not enough (insert time on the computer, watching tv, etc), and promise I'll do it after work on Monday, only to push it to the weekend again. Enter me blogging about it, so that hopefully the 5 people or so who read my mundane writings will ask me this weekend how things are going, or will see me on Facebook and force me to get off. So, here's my list for the weekend (red is a must, green is an it'd be nice...)
Friday Night:
Clean the kitchen (sweep, mop , scrub, etc)
Finish freezer meals: 90% finished
Make some baby food peas are done
Find patterns for baby gifts
Saturday:
Pick up Darrin's Christmas present (thank you Craig's list)
Avoid playing with Darrin's Christmas present (yes, he's getting it early)
Meet Meeghan for lunch (YEAH!) I even ran into her again later at the mall :)
Shop at Younkers (send me your Christmas list now)
Shop at Target (I guess I could shop for Christmas here, too)
Install new car seats assembled, but not instlled
Get fabric for baby gifts
Sew fabric baby gifts
Vaccuum, dust
Laundry (UGG!) five loads down, 3 to go...
Clean bathrooms (Double UGG!) 50% done
Book Annaliese's pictures
Sunday:
Play bells at church (YEAH!)
Eat ham balls for lunch with great friends (YUM!)
Go to the Botanical Garden to see the quilt show
Sew!!! (I have really lacked all motivation in this department lately...)
Figure out Christmas lists
Friday Night:
Clean the kitchen (
Finish freezer meals: 90% finished
Make some baby food peas are done
Find patterns for baby gifts
Saturday:
Avoid playing with Darrin's Christmas present (yes, he's getting it early)
Install new car seats assembled, but not instlled
Get fabric for baby gifts
Sew fabric baby gifts
Vaccuum, dust
Laundry (UGG!) five loads down, 3 to go...
Clean bathrooms (Double UGG!) 50% done
Sunday:
Play bells at church (YEAH!)
Eat ham balls for lunch with great friends (YUM!)
Go to the Botanical Garden to see the quilt show
Sew!!! (I have really lacked all motivation in this department lately...)
Figure out Christmas lists
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Surprise Visitor
I got a phone call today from my Uncle Dan that he was stopping in Omaha for the night and wanted to get together. I don't get to see him much, as he lived in Michigan most of my childhood. Now he drives semi, though. We met up with him and had a great time at supper talking about kids and catching up on family. Ian even got to tour the semi- he turned us down when we asked if he wanted to sleep in it. He was impressed that he was hauling Kit-Kats, as Ian had just had one from his Halloween bucket for a snack after school. I hope Uncle Dan has the chance to stop by again for supper on his way through town.
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