Day 365

Well, it's New Year's Eve. I did it! An entire year of blogging. I might not have done it very well, let's face it, the first month of the new year's about to be over and I'm barely finishing this. But I still did it and will love looking back on all the good times 2013 brought us.

I posted and wrote this on my instagram today:

I'm always saving pictures, blog posts, etc. about women brave enough to post pictures like these. I've never been one for New Year's resolutions, but now that I'm done having babies, I'm hoping to learn to love and embrace my "Mommy body." The place that grew and was the first home to my three greatest accomplishments. I don't want to look at my saggy skin and stretch marks and think about what once was, I want to look at them and be reminded of the greatest journey I'll ever take, the one into Motherhood. Without this body, I wouldn't be so blessed and surrounded by love. It won't be easy, but posting this is progress. Maybe this summer I'll even rock a bikini, weird belly button and all!"

This inspired from the "Fit Mom" Maria King, I'm sure everybody's heard of her. She's super healthy and fit, after three kids. She posted a picture of her and her boys with the caption "What's your excuse?" and got so much backlash. It's awful. She recently posted a picture of her abs and next to it, she did a close up (I think she was bending a little) and you could see her saggy skin. That is so inspiring to me! A real woman, not airbrushed.

I'm thinking I'm going to start working out again soon. I want to feel healthy again. Working out does so many things for me, I feel better about myself physically and mentally, when I see what I can push through. Hopefully that motivation hits me soon and hard!

So, here's to a healthier me in 2014!

Happy New Year!

Day 364

AJ woke up today with a sore throat, he hardly ate and slept most of the day. :( What a bummer way to start his last week of vacation.

I put Asher in his moses basket in our room for bed, so he could be away from the germs.

He looks so big!

Day 363

My mom bought the boys matching sweaters for Christmas!

Soo cute.

Day 362

My baby loves taking selfies. :)

Day 361

These crazy kids woke up at 6:30 today, ugh!

I made them reindeer pancakes and we had a very loud breakfast!

(I don't like how my walls look lime green in pictures! When I look at them in person, they're dark green. Sometimes I wish they were a light color again, but not bad enough to repaint!)

 

Adrian was here til around 4, when Rachel picked him so they could head out of town to take him home. It was a craaaazy day!

Day 360

The kids spent the night at my parents' house last night. I really wanted them to be home with us on Christmas night, but they wanted to stay over there with Adrian so badly, how could I say no?

We picked Rian up this morning, then my mom took the boys out for a movie and park date. We went to Lowe's to order a new door, from the kitchen to the garage (our Christmas gift from my parents) then we took Rian to a new Chinese food buffet. I'm not usually a fan of buffets, I don't like touching the spoons other people touch and I never eat my money's worth, but you can bet I did today! It was SO good.

My brother and Tatiana left today, they had to get back because they're buying a house and the inspection is today. Adrian wanted to stay, so my parents are taking him back this weekend. Aiden was going to spend the night with them again, but the boys wanted to have a sleepover at our house. I was glad Adrian wanted to come over!

Watching "Planes"

 

I was lucky that they were all tired from the night before, so they weren't hard to get to sleep.

Day 359

I only slept five hours last night! Even though I was totally pooped, I was way too excited. We were both up and laying in bed, waiting for the kids to wake up. Aiden woke up right at seven and came into our room, Rian came in a few minutes later. Since it was still dark out, Steven was trying to convince them that it was still nighttime and they needed to go back to sleep! They believed him too, Aiden said, "Okay... but I don't feel tired anymore." :)

Best I could get because my flash was blinding them!

 

Before the kids started opening, Aiden said, "What's this?!" and when I looked up, he was holding a cookbook by the Pioneer Woman. She is my absolute favorite! I've tried quite a few of her recipes and they're a huge hit every single time. I was so excited! After gifts, Steven handed me an envelope with a paper from Bed, Bath and Beyond saying my new pots and pans would be in the next day. I've been wanting stainless steal, but no way was expecting them anytime in the near future. They were a huuuge surprise! My stocking was full of other kitchen gadgets: meat thermometer, new spatulas and whisks, etc. He was really sneaky about the whole thing, I was awake almost all night! The year he goes all out, I didn't get him anything. I felt so bad. :\

 

So pretty!

 

 

 We always go pretty simple for the kids. And they always get so excited about new tooth brushes, toothpaste and underwear! It's so funny. After we finished unwrapping presents, Steven made us breakfast, then we got ready to make our Christmas rounds!

My beautiful babes ready to go!

 

First stop was Grandma and Grandpa's. I made both sets of grandparents cute ornaments, with the kids' thumbprints as reindeer faces. I made one for myself too, of course! I love them. Sad I didn't get them calendars this year though.

 

One of their favorite things to snack on with Grandpa.

AJ yelled, "Pistachios!"

These spoiled little kids got their own tablets!

 

I was very skeptical about it, but they've actually come in handy around here. They're only allowed to play on them at night, if they've been good allllll day long. No second chances. If they fight or are mean to each other, they lose Nook time. (They don't get to play on them every single night either though, even if they are good.)

 

Asher napped, then we went to my parents' house. We haven't had Christmas all together in six years! Back when Adrian was just a couple of weeks old and the only grandchild. My mom has been waiting for this to happen for so long. I was so happy for her.

 

All of us!

Eek!

Baby's first Christmas

 

Merry Christmas from my (notso) little family!

 

Day 358

Christmas Eve! As excited as I am for Christmas tomorrow, I'm also a little sad that it's here and about to be over. There is something so special and magical about this time of year, I've probably said that so many times on my blog, but it's the truth!

Every Christmas Eve I bake chocolate chip cookies for Santa. The kids usually help, but this year they were busy playing outside with Steven. (Who gets off at 1pm every year. By the way, we are loving that his new position comes with paid holidays! His regular day off this week is the day after Christmas so we have him for a whole two and a half days! :))

 

A few Christmas Eve's back, I was somewhere with the kids, so Steven grabbed Church's chicken for dinner. When he got home, he told me there was an older couple there who ate it every Christmas Eve, it was their tradition. I am allll about traditions! So we decided to make it one of ours too. I think this is our fourth year doing it.

We usually watch The Santa Clause on Christmas Eve, but we'd already watched it this year, so we chose A Christmas Story.

 

Aiden spent his day tracking Santa on the computer. He probably would've sat there all day! We had to make him get off a few times, but no matter what he was doing, he'd run back to see where he was. At one point, he was somewhere in Canada and he bolted to the front window as fast as he could to see if he could spot him because: "He's on our side now, Mommy!"

Believe.

 

We read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" and as soon as I knew the kids were asleep I got busy. Steven had fallen asleep on the couch by this time. Pretty sure he does this every year. Boo. I got a little sad saying bye to Jacob, he always leaves the kids a Goodbye note. But I was very excited for morning! So excited that I knew I'd have trouble sleeping. Christmas as a parent is so fun!

Day 357

Aiden and Rian both rolled over when they were three moths and fifteen days. Until yesterday, Asher hadn't even tried to roll to his side. He just stayed on his back, so I wasn't expecting it to happen anytime soon. He got onto his side one time yesterday and that was all it took. He was set on making this rolling over thing happen!

 

And today he did it! :)

Three months and nineteen days!

 

 

Day 356

Today we woke up with a four-year-old! I can't believe it.

 

Birthday girl!

My gorgeous girl!

 

That evening when we went over to my parents' for dinner, Rachel was putting the booster seats in the chairs and Rian said, "I don't need that! I'm four!" it was so funny. :)

 

This spunky little girl came into our lives quicker than we expected, but she fit right in. She's wild, free-spirited, silly, loud, stubborn and full of love. She isn't afraid of anything. She loves reading, riding her bike, (on two wheels!) taking care of her baby dolls, (especially Allison) singing, drawing and writing. Sometimes I see myself in her and other times, I realize we're completely opposite. And boy, does she like to challenge me. But she is my sweet spot, my weakness, and I couldn't imagine life without her as my daughter. She's taught me more than I could possibly ever teach her.

 

Happy Birthday,

Rian Makenzie-Leigh

Day 355

I was lazy with Aiden's birthday party this summer and super lazy with Rian's today. I usually love picking a fun theme and crafting for them, but these last two I have no energy for all that! I walked down the birthday aisle and let Rian pick some decorations for cupcakes with the grandparents. She chose Doc McStuffins, of course! I always get them birthday shirts as well, for Aiden's, I ordered him a "5" patch and loved it. It was so cheap and easy! But with Rian I was extra, extra lazy and didn't even do that! I felt bad, but thankfully remembered seeing a Doc shirt at Old Navy and prayed so hard they were still there.

 

Celebrating this wild child.

It's taken me quite a few birthdays to be able to sing Happy Birthday to my babies without wanting to cry. But today, I was back to it. I don't know what it was, but I got that lump in my throat and my eyes burned with tears as soon as the singing started. I just couldn't. So I stood there smiling like a big dork.

She was giggling the whole time, it was the cutest.

This picture made me laugh when I uploaded the pictures to the computer.

Aiden blew out her candles and Rachel snapped the perfect reaction photo!

We relit them for her!

Four. (tomorrow)

Unreal.

 

Two things:

1. I'm kind of loving this easy (lazy) party thing! It's stress-free and just as fun! People ooh and ahh over all of the crafting but really, it takes so much time and sometimes money for all that. I'm starting to realize I like the simplenss of just a few decorations, even if they are store bought! That's all that matters to the kids anyway. And people coming over to celebrate them. And of course, the presents. ;)

2. The night of her party last year, I instagrammed that I was fighting baby fever so bad. And Asher was already in my belly! We just didn't know it yet...

Day 354

Asher loves looking at himself on the forward facing camera. (The colors on this uploaded so weird!)

Got one of him yawning.

Love baby yawns.

 

We were just hanging out, waiting for Steven to get home. The kids were invited to spend the night with grandma and grandpa, Rian actually wanted to go. I told her if she went, they weren't brining her home when she started crying, like she usually does. She agreed and I held my breath. She actually stayed! It's been almost a year. One step forward! Since they were gone, I was able to get all my birthday and Christmas wrapping done. We never go all out for either occasion, but wrapping felt like it took forever this year!

 

Ashy in the tub. Ever since I started bathing him in the big tub, he stares that duck down! He even gets excited when he first spots it. :)

 





Day 353

I've been so lazy this year, I haven't gotten around to taking a picture of the kids for Christmas cards. I decided that I just wasn't going to do it this year, I was pretty bummed, but I figured I could post the picture on facebook since a majority of the people I send them to are on there anyway. Going the cheap route this year. :)

I got some pretty cute pictures! Here are just a few:

Love.

This is the one I chose, my favorite!

I have an 8x10 up in the living room now.

:)

Rian makes me laugh in this one.

For some reason when I printed pictures, I came up with 9 of this one!

So some family members will be getting a copy of it.

 



Day 352

Waking up to the kids instead of an alarm and snuggling in my bed in the mornings has been so nice. I love it.

My lazy morning crew!

 

Day 351

Have you ever seen a cuter baby?!

Seriously.

Day 350

Watching Elf. :)

 

Growing up, we spent the whole month of December watching any and every Christmas movie. Now I do it with my kids, I go through the guide and record everything I possibly can, just like my mom did, she still does it! 

Day 349

Aiden was pretty big the first half of his first year, then he slowly started getting skinny. He was 4 months old on his first Christmas, so it wasn't a surprise when the size 6 months jammies that my mom bought him fit. But it was a big surprise when they fit my itty bitty Asher!

 

(Steven's dad said he had this picture up at work and everybody thought it was the same baby.)

 

PS: Four years ago today was Rian's due date!

Day 348

I'm not as excited for Christmas break anymore. Those two blurs in the background have been at it allllll day. Thank God for my sweet little Asher! Enjoying his calm presence before he's right there with them.

Day 347

I love him!

 

Three whole weeks of sleeping in, being lazy and having my biggest baby home! I'm so excited! Plus its Christmastime. The most wonderful time of the year.

Day 346

Christmas Spirit Week at school, today's red and green day.

He is so, sooo handsome.

Day 345

Asher has his first cold. :(

At least he's looking cute in this Christmas jams from Auntie Beck, she got these when he was brand new in my belly!

 

After dinner we did another one of our traditions, driving around looking at Christmas lights! Every year this holiday gets more and more fun. the kids are sooo into it this year!

 

Steven having his day off in the middle of the week is taking some getting used to. He's had the same schedule for five years, off Sundays and Mondays. Now he's off on Sunday and some other random day during the week. I'm so confused! When he's home, I think its Monday and the next day when he's back at work, I think its Tuesday. He's loving his new position though. :)

Day 344

 

Rian dropped a quarter, so she moved the couch across the living room til she found it.

Day 343

It was freeeeezing today! The Kindergartners got to wear their pajamas to school and watch The Polar Express! How fun. Since AJ gets our early on Mondays, I pick him up, instead of Steven's dad like normal. My car said it was 44 degrees. At 2pm!

We had hot chocolate and cookies while we watched The Santa Clause.

 

We're so ready and excited for Christmas break!

Day 342

Every year while at my parents' house for Sunday dinner, we help decorate their tree, listening to The Chipmunk's Christmas, of course! Then have appetizers for dinner. Yum.

Under Nana and Papa's tree.

One of the best Christmas presents I've ever gotten!

Day 341

I look forward to this Saturday every year. Steven's work closes so all the salesman can go out of town for the regional Christmas party. We got to go to it one year, when the entire store was invited, because they broke a bunch of sales records. It's soo nice! At a fancy resort, where you get to dress up and eat delicious food! With Steven's promotion, we were actually supposed to go this year, but I'm not even close to being ready to leave Asher. So we missed it. And had the best day!

Steven and his dad took the kids to a Home Depot workshop, while Asher and I finished Christmas shopping.

 

Steven hung up the Christmas lights, then took AJ for a haircut. Then he cooked them lunch:

They chose eggs.

 

With them fed, we went to lunch at our favorite local restaurant. I'd been craving a big, juicy cheeseburger forever! It was sooo good.

 

The kids spent the rest of the day outside, then we baked and decorated sugar cookies.

 

 

One of our traditions. :)

 



Steven and I stayed up late catching up on our favorite shows. Such a good day! Even though I know going to the Christmas party will be fun, I'm a little sad that we won't have this extra day with Steven in December anymore.

Day 340

I could eat him!

He's so perfect.

Day 339

With Steven's new position, that means I have to drop Aiden off at school. It's actually not too bad, except this week it has been freezing in the mornings!

Asher has awful gas, I've cut things out of my diet and I'm pretty sure it's coffee or creamer. Boo. The good thing is, he doesn't seem bothered by it. I'm the one it bothers, he smells SO bad!

So cold this morning, I couldn't resist a cup.

Stinky boy for the next couple of days!