Grandma Carter

Somehow, I didn't get one good shot of Grandma Carter while she was here with the boys.  We just put Grandma back on a plane after a fun 2 week visit.  She came to be here for Co's 3rd birthday and just to see her boys.  She has pretty much been here for almost every birthday of both of my boys and I think the only exception was Co's second birthday, because we were leaving for Hawaii a few days after and they were meeting us there.  There are too many things I could say about her that I could actually go on and on and bore everyone to death, but overall, I just wanted to remember how grateful I was that she was here.  I never get sick of her (which as far as house guests goes, is very rare!), she understands all my weird quirkiness and loves me anyway, she is the best listener, she adores my boys (even when they are sassy), she is a huge help around the house without making you feel like you don't do things good enough, you can ask her to help with anything and not feel bad for asking, she is good company and I know she is happy to be here.  I can't say enough how much I love her.  I am grateful the boys have a relationship with her and get to experience what having grandparents is all about.  I really wish that they lived close, but I think that it is even better sometimes, because when she is here, she stays with us, and we get her undivided attention.  We already miss her so much, and I always realize how much she does for me after she is gone, because somehow, my house always looks perfect when she is here and after she is gone, I realize no one picks up toys and clothes, but me and her!  We love you to pieces Grandma!  Thank you for loving our boys!

(Landon and Grandma on his 1st birthday)

Cohen's 3rd birthday party

So I have always felt super guilty when it came to birthday parties and Cohen.  By the time his birthday rolls around, we have just gotten past the holidays, and I am on my post-holiday, emotional let-down.  And on top of that he has never really cared the way that Landon did about his birthday.  Well, this year he totally got it, so I told him to pick whatever he wanted to do and we would do it.  Of course, he picked Pump-It-Up.  I love that place, but I swore after Landon's party there last year, that because of cost, I would never do that again.  Well, never say never!  He had the most incredible time.  We kept it to the smallest party we could, and it was perfect.  He really wanted a Dora party, but I convinced him that Diego was way cooler and so I did a Diego cake and Diego invitations, but I let him have a few Dora figures on the cupcakes, just so he got what he really wanted.  He got the coolest gifts, had so much fun with his friends and Grandma Carter even flew all the way here to celebrate with us.  I can't believe my baby is 3.  I am so grateful for his incredibly sweet personality.  He has a tight, tight hold on my heart.  I hope you enjoyed your birthday as much as we enjoyed celebrating it with you.  Happy birthday, BIG brother! (he thought he has to be 3 to get to be the big brother.  Too cute!)

3rd birthday stats:

height: 41 3/4" tall

weight: 40 lbs.

Seriously!!!

So I went to see the Dr today and we will just say that I have been having nightmares about the size of my baby.  It didn't help that my good friend who is in the world's most amazing shape (a professional bodybuilder, no less)  and is only around 5'3" delivered a very healthy 10 lb. 11 oz. baby about a week ago.  So much to my dismay, my Dr. confirmed that indeed, I am HUGE!  I am already measuring 2 weeks ahead of my due date.  Oh, and he doesn't believe in inductions!  WHAT?!?!?!?  I am getting more and more stressed and am back to considering having this baby with my induction loving Dr in Arizona!  At 27 weeks, my wight gain is really good, but my belly is BiG!  I refuse to push a baby that is bigger than 8 1/2 lbs out of my body!  Aaaahhhhhh!!!!  Help me!!!

First Day of School for my 2nd Child!

Today was the first day of school for Cohen.  He has been DyInG to go to school for a while, but since he potty trained in November, it has been a constant battle to explain why he can't go to school.  He was so excited to go this morning.  We got ready in a huge hurry (no naps on Sunday with church being at 12:30 now is going to kill us!!), I had to wake him up with 10 minutes to go until we were supposed to leave.  We dropped Landon off at his class and then bolted to the preschool corridor.  

His class is at the same school, just in a different area.  I knew as soon as we got to his class that leaving him was going to be harder than he had made it sound.  He was chewing his fingers till they were raw, hiding behind my leg and clinging to me without a chance of letting go.  The good thing is that we did this at the same school last year with Landon.  His teacher is super sweet and so I stayed about 10 minutes until I could sense he was getting less apprehensive.  I had to go pay tuition for the both of them (OUCH!!!), and give them Co's medical form so I told him I would be back in 5 minutes.  He thought about it and decided that would be fine.

When I came back this is what I saw.  Peering through the window, he was quietly playing by himself, and checking out what the other kids around him were doing.  Of course, through the window is a terrible picture, but it was so sweet to see.  I popped my head in and told him I was leaving.  He wasn't sure what to do, so he just sat there.  I blew him a kiss and ran out before there were tears from either of us.  When I picked him up, his teacher said he did great.  He cried once, but only because he thought they were going to make him participate in something that he wasn't sure he wanted to do.  All in all, a huge success.  He says he wants to go back, but not tomorrow.  I asked him if the next day would be good and he said yes.  Perfect!! (since it is MWF!)  The biggest bummer was they didn't get to go to recess because of the rain today.  He told me first thing that he didn't get to go to his playground.  Hopefully the rain will cooperate and he will have even more fun on Wednesday.  I got a ton done, including my first pedicure without having to have a husband or babysitter!!  Amazing how fast 3 hours goes, but it was so nice not to have to haul them in on those tedious 5 second, run in/run out errands, that we all know, if it was safe, we would TOTALLY  leave our children in the car to do!  And best of all, I am so excited to have my one on one time with him again tomorrow.  

Christmas

Christmas recap:  Here are a few of the things we did and the boys experienced over Christmas.  I would say it was a huge success.  Santa did good.  But, boy am I glad it's all over!!  

(you will have to click on any picture you actually want to see, since I made all the pictures too small by accident!)
Letters to Santa and vice versa:

 We used a family home evening night to do our letters to santa with the boys.  Since they are too young to do their own letter, I made one up and gave them both space to list 3 things they really wanted.  Landon started coming up with the most random things "a red shirt with a nike swish on the front", "the monkey from kung fu panda movie"..., so we let him pick one random thing and then had to start "guiding" his list, so that Santa didn't have to do any last minute revisions.  They both got 2 things off the list and then Santa left them both a letter.  I always got a letter from Santa, and I still remember how fun it was to read.  So I will contiue that tradition with my boys.

Christmas Eve Jammies:

 One thing we did growing up in my home was new pj's on Christmas Eve.  Steve and I have always done this for each other and now for the whole family.  The boys think it is fun and we all get started on the present opening early!  The boys loved their motorcycle jammies, and Steve got me the best Juicy jammies ever and new slippers.  He got some new black pj's and slippers as well.  I will say that Christmas is the one time that I try not to get what I call the "ugly jammies" for the boys.  No superheros, no velcro capes, just cute pj's.  

Treats for Santa:  

We were supposed to make cookies for Santa, but at 10pm, we had nothing to leave him.  No oreos in the pantry, no Christmas treats we could reuse, so my quick and easy white chocolate/candy cane marshmallows were the best option.  It still took a while, but Santa loved them.  

The Notorius Blankets:

One thing Steve really wanted to do for the boys this year was make them their own blankets.  For washing sake, I don't let them pull up their comforters because the washing is way too hard for those occasional accidents.  Landon had swiped the blanket I made Steve about 4 years ago, so we decided to make them ones they would love.  I despise the superhero fabrics, but Landon LOVES his batman/spiderman blanket.  As he should, I was up until 2am finishing it, since againt my better judgement I waited for Steve to "help".  Cohen loves his because it matches his room and the white fabric is the same as his barefoot dream "blankets" that he has to sleep with.  Neither one will go to sleep without them now, so for the long hours, difficult fabric, and sleepless night, it was worth it.  I wasn't super happy with how Landons' turned out, it just isn't how I envisioned it, but because he loves it so much, I haven't thought about it since. 

Christmas morning:

Landon was up long before Cohen on Christmas morning.  The mean parents that we are, let Landon go look at what things looked like and if Santa really came, but then we made him stay in our bed for almost a whole extra hour until brother woke up.  We wanted them to experience the excitement together and we there was no way he was waking Cohen up (after they didn't get to bed until almost 11pm!).  Landon could hardly contain himself, but he was so good.  I think next year I am going to start the tradition of letting them have a "camp out" in one room.  How fun would that be for them to be able to be in the same bed and talk about all the things they are thinking.  I also think this will be a good bonding thing for all of them over the years.

The Bike:

Cohen got the bike he wanted.  That was the first thing he went to on Chirstmas morning.  It only took 2 days of having a bike in the house to get him to FINALLY be able to ride a bike.  I have been begging Steve to get him a tricycle that he could keep in the house, so that he could finally figure it out, since that is what we did with Landon, but he wouldn't go for it.  We setteled on a regular bike that will definatly be outside as soon as it is warm.  He rides it all day long every day since he figured it out.  Too cute!

Spiderman gear/roller skates:

Landon is obsessed with superheros.  He changed into all his new spiderman gear (socks, new jammies/underwear/ gloves) as soon as he took it out of the stocking.  So fun!  Steve thought they would love roller skates.  I thought they sounded like a lot of work for me.  Landon had to get them on as soon as he saw them, and long story short, after 5 minutes with daddy he has never put them on again.  We will be taking those back to the store.  Sorry daddy!

The excitement:

These boys had so much fun on Christmas day.  We always open one gift at a time.  We go around in a circle and let everyone take a turn.  That way everyone can see what was given, we can try it out, thank the gift giver and just enjoy the day.  This annoys my parents to the Nth degree, but we made them suffer through it.  I love how appreciative the boys are of every thing they get!

Cooking with Papa:

While my parents were here, I had asked my dad to think of some things that he could do with the boys.  One thing I always remember doing is cooking with my dad.  Christmas Eve we had cheese fondue and so my dad asked Landon if he wanted to help.  It was so cute.  The things that us moms would NEVER let our children do, my dad patiently helped him do.  He peeled onions, chopped onions, stirred stuff over the hot stove, but with my dad by his side I was totally comfortable.  Well, then my dad caught a wrapper on fire, decided to pat it out with his bare hand and got severe burns on the palm of his hand and several of his fingers.  All while my five year old stood watching with HUGE eyes.  Oh dad!  How do I love you!

The big bellied LaDy!

So this is a terrible picture of me, but it shows my big belly.  I think the way I am leaning back, my belly looks bigger than it really is, but here I am in all my glory!  3 months to go!!