Look out below!

We enjoyed an early Christmas party with family this past weekend. The highlight was our little tubing party. I love having a fun hill so close to our house.







Ready, set.

go!

Patrick missed out on all the fun. Next year!

*Don't forget that at the very bottom of my blog are my flickr photos. There are usually more there than I post.

A Sledding Party!

Saturday morning I invited some friends over for a sledding party.

Addie and Patrick enjoyed eating the snow. We helped them learn the difference between yellow and white!

Danny and James came over from down the street.

The parents got the real workout getting the kids up and down the hill.

After sledding the kids made us some hot cocoa in Patrick's new kitchen. Ok, not really but they did enjoy some hot cocoa!

oranges and bbq?

Apparently that is all this baby wants. I can't get enough of either!

Gaining the freedom of choice

My boy made his first decision this morning. Ok, at least the first that he could verbalize. I started getting a bowl out for cereal and asked him if he would like cereal this morning. His dad came up and said, "unless you would like a waffle". Patrick nodded his head and said "wapple" So a waffle he got. So fun to see him making simple choices and verbalizing so we know what the heck he is trying to tell us!

10 weeks

So, I thought I would try to post some belly updates this time around with my head. I am already regretting this decision though, because who really likes pictures of themselves? While pregnant? At night before bed? oh well, I really couldn't tell what I looked like last time with just a belly to compare, so here I am in all my glory.


Here is a close comparison to Patrick at a similar time. Not even close! They say you show quicker with the second, but really? Oh well, I should be able to skip past the "she looks fat lately" stage and hop right over to "oh, you are big, are you due soon?"

With the exception of Monday, I've had a good week and had more energy, let's hope it keeps up!

20 months

So yeah, I'm a little late, but only by a few days! I've had a little going on. working, getting ready for christmas, announcing the new baby bliss!

Where is Patrick at these days and what is he up to?

A typical day:

Wake up around 6:30 or so after a mostly restful night. "Mama, Mama" he cries. I lift him from the crib and we crawl into bed together with his sippy of milk. I try to fall back asleep, but the snuggle and warmth of him keep me awake soaking it all in.

After we roll out of bed yelling "kitty!" and "Dada!" then it is off to breakfast. He is really good at eating these days, not about what he eats (he is still really picky) but how. He'll eat a bowl of cereal with a spoon, hardly dropping any or pancakes with a fork. He only likes big forks and spoons though, so the toddler-ware is no more. He also enjoys "juice" with his breakfast which means anything from milk to juice. "Water" is water most of the time!

After breakfast he will give us the most pathetic eyes and say "Ah-Coo" which unfortunately means Vacuum. If we say anything besides no, he nods "dat" for yes as he is full belief that we will be walking to the vacuum with him to pull it out and play with him. If we happen to decide that the answer is no, we are met with a large tantrum, jumping, crying and some sort of bird call. Sometimes he'll even through in a hit and tap our "nose" for no. He still thinks nose and no are interchangable. funny kid. Once we move him in another direction he does ok for a bit until we get the eyes and "Ah-Coo?" again.

We then get dressed for the day where Daddy plays the best games of "Wee" or as we call it This little Piggy, identifying body parts "elbow, nose, eyes, ears, tounge, belly button and hair".

Then it is off to the bathroom to brush his teeth. He enjoys sitting on the counter lately to do this and then dipping his toothbrush into the running water.

During the weekday I get kisses, hugs, blown kisses and a "buh-bye" with a wave and he is off. Weekends we continue to play with the vacuum, go play in the snow or "no!" or enjoy other games like taking all the silverware out and throwing it all over the kitchen. He is pretty good and also cleaning up after himself and will even initiate this at times.

Lately in the am, he has looked at me and said "poop?" I ask if he wants to sit on the potty. "no!" ok then. 2min later he is squatting and grunting. When we do get him on the potty at night, he usually goes. We'll try this potty training thing in the new year. Sure would be nice to have 1 in diapers only!

For lunch he likes any kind of pasta and fruit. He has been super frustrated lately when he can't get the pasta or fruit on his fork. Sometimes the fork ends up on the floor. We're working on patience to go along with his determination. After lunch he is super good at bringing all the items from the table and placing them on the kitchen counter.

Naps are good mostly. He'll sleep for about 1.5 hours and then sometimes for another 1-1.5 hours. Giving us a much needed afternoon break.

We try to get out and about in the evenings, visiting friends, going to the mall or anything to keep us warm. At the mall he loves to run around the play place or go "vroom" in the trucks. Who needs a quarter when you can pretend?

Patrick let's us know it is night time by slowing down about 7:30. After picking up some toys and putting away the vacuum, he'll many times start walking up the stairs himself.

He likes his baths and will typically try to climb in with his clothes on. After bath we go to our bedroom for stories. Patrick will pick out his favorite books to read "ABC's and Dimity Duck" and then snuggle in with his blankie to read them. He'll always pick from the stack which he wants first and when they are all done, he'll pick one again and say "more?" so sweet.

Before bed it is hugs and kisses for kitty (when she isn't there he tries to look all over for her!) then hugs and kisses for mommy and daddy. He has had a rough few nights of waking early in the evening, but he is doing much better and sleeping most of the night.

He is a joy to be around and such a delight to watch him change and grow.

The Littlest Bliss

Here we go again! The newest baby bliss is scheduled to arrive July 16, 2010. We had our first glimpse of this peanut this morning. 158bpm heartrate and looking great so far. A little less active then Patrick was, but that is just fine with us! If you would like to read up on how things have been going so far, Click Here.

Don't speak too soon

Remember how I said I've been feeling really good lately? Yeah, that's over. Lost my breakfast today and barely moved off the couch last night. The break sure was nice while it lasted. My first midwife appt today! I can't wait to see that little heartbeat. What a relief it will be!

Snow day!

I can't wait for real snow days, but we decided to take advantage of our recent snowfall to have a litle fun in our backyard. I am not a huge fan of having hills in our yard, but for days like this, it is perfect!

Patrick wasn't sure what we were doing at first, but I think he picked up on the fun quickly!

After hauling him up and down the hill, we were tuckered out, but Patrick was ready for more!


He really didn't get too cold until he took his mittens off and played in the snow a bit. Then he was ready for some hot cocoa inside!

9ish weeks

I actually have to look online to find out what week I am in lately. So weird compared to Patrick.

Here are some highlights lately.

I have really felt great the last couple of weeks. It had me totally worried, but then yesterday it came back again. Ended up gagging and lying still so I would feel better. I haven't thrown up though, so very thankful for that! If all is good with this pregnancy, I sure will look back and realize that it really wasn't all that bad. Still get tired and nauseous but really able to continue my life!

I decided to drag out my maternity clothes this past weekend. There are already some shirts that are too short and I am down to only a couple pairs of comfy dress pants. I definately have a little belly, I'm probaby about 2 weeks ahead of where I was with Patrick.

I think most of the world knows by know, so I am anxiously awaiting my first appt tomorrow. We are hoping to hear the heartbeat and know that everything is going ok for me and baby.

I am excited to enjoy Patrick as much as I can before the baby comes. He just gets cuter every minute and I don't want to miss any of it!

Competitive?

I'm not talking about Patrick. He doesn't have much competitiveness in him. Nope, talking about his Nana, the one that still thinks she can win in a wrestling match at 70. She also thinks she can win at baby basketball, against Ryan who plays ball regularly.

Well, guess what. She did. twice.

Don't take her on unless you are willing to loose!

Miles and Patrick

We have had a pretty awesome week this week. We had a couple days with mom helping out with meals (love that!) and then we got a couple nights of playing with Miles (love that!)

These boys are really getting fun together. Of course they still have their individual meltdowns, but I don't think they ever have them because of the other.

They both like to get into things, which I'm sure will just continue as they get older. It is fun though to see them just have to look at each other and giggle.
I think they are even starting to get closer to the same size. I guess my peanut is growing!

Patrick vs. the Vacuum

A creature has invaded my house and turned my toddler into an an obsessed crazed lunatic. It's called the Vacuum or "Ah-Coo" Patrick goes to bed with dreams of the vacuum and says Ah-Coo as soon as he wakes up.

Then all day long he can't be far from this creature. Although when he does play with it, it causes him great distress and frustration. You see this creature is bigger than he is, but he has a tenacity and need to overcome it. Many times he will ask "Bo-Bo?" This means turned it on.

The minute we do, Patrick finds the comfort of a lap and cuddles until Ah-Coo is turned off and the cycle starts again. I can't wait until he is sick of this toy. The constant asking for it out of the closet, whining when it won't do what he wants it to and frustration when it needs to be put away for dinner, are driving me nuts!

So, top on the X-mas list this year? a toy version that may give us all a little sanity in our own house!

He keeps me hopping

Ryan is such a cool dad. He is full of energy, fun and so calm. He is also funny. He makes me laugh daily, which in the end helps me to be a better mother.

We decided to get a kitchen for Patrick for Christmas (shh...don't tell him!) I found a couple that I was interested in and decided to ask Ryan's opinion. This is the email that I got back in return.

I think the first one is FAR superior to the second one. The first one has four enclosed cupboards in which to store things, as opposed to the horribly inefficient and possibly unsanitary open design of the second one. The first one has a stylish island extension with a larger cutting board. The first one also has the convenient storage area (bread box?) next to the microwave. The sink on the second option looks rather shallow. I’d hate to have him splashing water all over the floor every time he runs the faucet. My only concern is that it the first one doesn’t have as big of an oven as the second one, which would be a concern if Patrick wanted to cook a larger item, such as a turkey. But I’d say that the price savings between the two would more than compensate for this minor shortcoming.

yep, he keeps me on my toes!

P, P on the P!

Patrick Pooped on the Potty!

What a funny kid. Sorry, but I have no pictures to prove it. (you'll thank me) He typically goes pee on the potty before his bath, but last night I got him out of his bath and he said "poop!" I immediately put him on the potty. He sat their grinning for a while then plop. (you love the play by play right? he'll thank me later I'm sure!)

He was so proud of himself. Later he told daddy, "Poop!" He really cracks us up.

Hanging in the studio

I was trying to take some photos of Patrick for a photo contest, but decided not to use these. Still too cute not to share. The second one, Ryan took the camera while we sang Itsy Bitsy Spider together. Patrick knows all the actions now!

And then of course just the two of us.


*hehe, I accidently put this up on my photo blog. oh well!

Here comes Christmas!

Our home is beginning to take shape for Christmas.

Holland decided to help decorate by becoming an ornament in the tree.

Patrick was thrilled with the lights. He keeps touching them and saying "Hot" while blowing on his finger.

We haven't decided yet if we will decorate the tree. With a 19 month old and a new kitty, they are just a tad too curious! The lights for now are entertaining enough.