Saturday, December 29, 2007

Christmas Fun and Memories

We had a great Christmas. The kids really had fun this year. I love this picture of Regan! She is just such a little munchkin!! It was amazing how easily they went to bed on Christmas Eve. Santa brought Jacob a "Guitar, with Real Strings" Which he has been playing a lot. His Uncle Dan told him that when he gets really good, he can write on it....Not sure about that one, but that is what Jake keeps telling me. So far, I've been able to keep the markers, pens, and crayons away from it...Because of course he thinks that he is "really good" now. Santa brought Sydney a "Princess Chair" and dress. The dress she immediately put on and wore most of the day. Jake went and got himself a chair so he would site next to the "princess". Hopefully all of this princess stuff doesn't go to her head! She is having fun dressing up though. Her Nana got her a few disney character dresses that she has had fun wearing also.
Jake also got the Smart Cycle. (It hooks up to the TV, and you have to ride to make the game work) Which him and Sydney have been taking turns riding. I need to get to ToysRUs to get a few games for it though. The free one isn't too great.

Until today, I had left all of the new toys spralled all over the house. Mostly because I have no idea where to put them all, and because the kids have been playing with them. Tonight I started trying to put some way.
We really enjoyed seeing all our family! So much fun. My dad was also in town from Florida. He came over last night to visit, it was nice to chat after the kids went to bed. I wish we were able to see him more.

Monday, December 24, 2007

Christmas Traditions

I want to start some this year. So, I asked Jake what traditions he would like to do on Christmas. This is what he had to say:
1. Celebrate Jesus's Birthday
2. Bring Family Presents
3. Sing Songs
4. Go on Santa's Sleigh

I thought that was pretty good for a 4 year old!

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Cancer....

It has always been one of my greatest fears in life. I think mostly because it took my mom at the young age of 39, leaving my dad to raise 4 little girls. I was only 8 years old, 3 when she was diagnosed. In some ways that seems like a really long time ago, and in other ways not so long.
Recently two friends that are my age have been diagnosed with cancer. It just seems crazy. Both of their prognosis are very good, thankfully.
For the past decade I have been very into health and nutrition. More recently I've been very interested in "eastern" medicine and more holistic type treatments. I personally have found some to be very effective.
I started reading a book tonight called "Avoiding Cancer One Day at a Time" that so far has been very good and informative on things all of us can do to protect our bodies from harmful toxins and other things from assaulting our health and life, that can produce cancer. Cancer is ruthless. I want to educate myself and those close to me of the things that people can do proactively to reduce the probability. This book has been very interesting so far, I'll probably post tidbits as I read along.

Avoiding Cancer One Day At A Time: Practical Advice For Preventing Cancer (Paperback)by Lynne Eldridge (Author), David Borgeson (Author)

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Presents in the Mail

I absolutely LOVE getting the mail in December. It is like receiving little gifts. Opening Christmas cards, and seeing updated pictures, and stories of friends and family during the past year is so great! I was a little lazy this year, and didn't write anything along with my card.....but I thought about it. Next year, right!!

I haven't wrapped a thing yet....ugh! But all of my shopping is done. I know what I'll be doing the next few nights after this kids go to bed.

Monday, December 10, 2007

The Excitement of Santa

Well, we went to visit Santa in Afton this past weekend. There were no fears or tears this year. Sydney was SOO excited, she was jumping up and down and just couldn't get enough of him.
Jacob asked for a "guitar, with "real" strings."
Sydney asked for a "skirt. a pink one."

So Sweet!!


Friday, December 7, 2007

Gray Hair

Yah! Lots of them. I am not sure when this happened, but suddenly I have a lot of little gray hairs lurking under my top layer of hair on my head. Maybe its all whining that I've be living through lately.

**Note to self...schedule highlight ASAP!!

I've never forget the day I spotted my first gray hair, at the young age of 26. I was working at Target downtown Mpls, and I was washing my hands in the Ladies Room. I looked up, under the florescent lights, and their IT was...I promptly yanked it out.

Oh Well....

Monday, December 3, 2007

Big Weekend

Well, it was a busy weekend around here!! Usual Sat. workout class, it was great...lunges, YES! Mild soreness began Sunday evening. Right when we got home, Jake and the coffee table had a major collison. Lots of blood and crying. We sure if we should take him in for stitches, so we just put a band-aid on it. Right above his right eye, close call.

My niece Bella had her 1st birthday party on Sat. afternoon. The kids all had a blast, I think there were 11 or 12 under the age of 4. It was a fairy theme, so all the kids had fairy wings and skirts to prance around in. It was pretty cute.


During the party several people encouraged us to bring Jacob in to the ER to had his wound checked out. So, at 9pm during the 1st snowstorm of the season, Jake and I were headed to the ER. Long story short, he needed stitches or glue. I picked the glue. He was very brave!


On Sunday, Dave took Jacob skating for the first time. Jacob was so excited to wear his skates and "play hockey". Well, he certainly wasn't playing hockey...but he was wearing skates on the ice. Let's first get moving on the ice with skates mastered!! Dave focused on form and had Jacob skating behind a chair pretty well before it was time to head home. Jacob was VERY pleased with himself. It was fun to watch. There were a lot of other little kids were super fast skaters, I wonder when they started skating, because they all looked so small to me.



Regan is 5 months this week. My little peanut! Here is a pic from Thanksgiving.

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Sydney's a BIG girl!

The other morning I came out of my room, and Sydney was sitting on the couch with just a pair of underwear on. Much to my surprise!!! (I didn't know that she even knew where they were) I asked her if she was ready to be a big girl, and she said YES. That was a few days ago, and she has done very well. Only a few accidents. But she has been staying dry at nap and bedtime. Wow!

That was MUCH easier than when Jacob was learning to use the potty. I'll skip the details on Jacob if you didn't hear the stories back than....YUK!!

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Organized...


Well, today I spent the morning getting the kids rooms organized.

Moving clothes that are too small out, purged some old toys, and organized everything that was left. I am trying to get Regan's room ready, so she can make the move soon :) It was just Regan and I today....it was SOOO quiet!
My bed is calling my name...it is too late for me to be up.

Monday, November 19, 2007

Good Food and Movies

Our weekend was about good food and movies!! Nice and relaxing :)

Friday night we went to an Italian Wine dinner at the Afton House Inn. The food was excellent, I didn't really have any wine because I was driving. It was nice to get out!

Saturday night we watched a movie, made popcorn and had some yummy chocolate treats...We just had Regan and Sydney to put to bed. Jake was able to go on a road trip to Iowa. Napa and Papa took him to see his Great Uncle. From the stories I'm hearing, it was a great time. Which included special treats in the car and staying up late! It was a lot quieter around the house. He had so much fun, he didn't want to come home...Sydney kept asking where Jake was, He was definitely missed!

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Giggle Factory

Well, I took the kids to the new "Giggle Factory" that opened in Hudson. They had a blast running around, and both were red faced fairly quickly. Jacob's favorite spot was the super fast purple slide. We stayed too long, which I knew because as were leaving Sydney was flopping on the floor like a fish....she got TOO tired :)

Someone asked me the other day for a picture with all 3 kids...and I realized I hadn't even taken one yet! Now, how pathetic is that... (well, minus the one in the hospital bed the day Regan was born) After taking about 20 pictures, this was the best one I got. Trying to get everyone looking at me, with a decent expression on their faces was tough...
Went to Dr. Alenov's today, and got the all clear on the battle Regan's had going on in her tummy!!! Hooray :)

I still have reading to get done tonight for my group study in the morning...nighty nighty.

Monday, November 12, 2007

Jacob is getting BIG!!

So, I attempted to pick up Jake today. (which I did) But, boy is he getting heavy. I think we weighs about 40 lbs....I found myself feeling kind of sad. He is getting so big, when I was holding him his feet were practically hitting my knees. I asked him if he still liked it when I picked him up, and he said "Yah!" And put his head on my shoulder and asked me to carry him to his room.....ahh sweet! He is my little man :) He is carrying around a little wallet that his Nana gave him yesterday, stocked with coins and picture of his Papa.












Sydney just adores being a big sister.

Saturday, November 10, 2007

A Little More Sleep....

Well, Regan only woke at 3am last night...so we're making progress. She was such a great sleeper from weeks 6-12. She slept a good 10 hours straight!! Heaven
We'll get there.

Regan had her 4-month appointment this week. She weighed in at 11 lbs, and 23 inches. Which is 50% for weight, and 25% for height. I stayed strong, and said no to the vaccines. I'm still thinking about the meningitis one. Her little tummy seems a lot better this week than it has been....so she has been pretty smiley.

Yesterday we were driving in the car, and out of the blue Jacob said, "I miss Grandma Betty, she has been in Heaven too long." And then asked if she'd be there when he went to Heaven....I had to hold back the tears. I told him yes! It has just about been a year since that tragic day.

Jake's been asking me lots of random questions lately! He is very curious to learn how everything works. The latest in the car; "What does red taste like?" I said it depends on what your eating that is red....he again repeated the question, "What does red tast like?" My answer must not have been good enough :)

Thursday, November 8, 2007

My First Entry

So, this is my first entry. I set this up a while ago...but like most things for me it has taken awhile for me to get started. I am excited to have a central spot to put information, pictures, stories and just day-to-day thoughts.

As I start this Jacob is 4, Sydney 2 1/2, and Regan is 4 months.


Life is busy, but fun! I feel very blessed by many people in my life. I look forward to capturing our journey.