We had a Merry Little Christmas

Me and Tony at Mom's house

Jack with his new bulldozer toy

Thank goodness for the timer on the camera


Audrey riding her new blue bicycle

What is it???

Christmas morning with his new Cookie Monster

Jack with his dancing truck

Oh, Christmas tree, Oh, Christmas tree....

Audrey at Uncle Jeff's on Christmas Eve

At Uncle Jeff's house

Our Christmases are getting more fun each year, now that we have the kids. Audrey had a blast opening up all her presents everywhere we visited. She was so excited that Santa brought her a new blue bicycle. We visited several places-Papaw and GiGi's, Uncle Jeff and Aunt Rosemary's, Nana's, and Mamaw and Papaw's-over the holiday week. Audrey was amazed that Santa ate all the cookies and milk we left out for him. I cannot wait until next year when she and Jack will be older and more into it than even this year. It has been so nice having Tony home with us. He doesn't go back until the 7th, I think. I hope everyone had a great Christmas!

Playing Along

I really wasn't tagged, but saw this on my friend Heather's blog and thought it would be fun to play along.

Play the picture game. The rules are:

*Find the 6th picture in your 6th folder.

*Pray that you remember what it is about.

*Blog about it.

*Tag others to do the same.

This picture was taken in October at the Pumpkin Patch. Jack was looking at the fuzzy chickens, and I think he isn't so sure about them. There was a rooster running around too that kept making noise, so I think he was a little leary of them.

Christmas has Already Started

Jack opening his first Christmas present (he was too small last year)



Here's Audrey opening her first gift of the year



Tony & Audrey at the Christmas party


Audrey (opening her Play-doh that she LOVES), Jack, and Megan

Last Saturday we went to my friend Susan's house to exchange gifts. Susan, Angela, Cameron, Sheila, and I have been friends since we all worked together 10 years ago at the Fazoli's Corporate Office. Somehow, we have kept in touch and try to get together at least once a month. Susan has us over to her house at Christmas and the kids join us for some fun. Saturday evening we went to my sister-in-law's parents' house for their annual Christmas Party. It was a good time. Monday, my friend Heather and her daughter Megan visited us so the kids could play and exchange gifts. Christmas has already begun......

Holiday Pictures

(my arm was cropped out)

(didn't order this one but thought it was cute of them)

Here are some pictures we had made today. Jack wouldn't be still so we really only got one good shot of the both of them together. Audrey was so good and acted like a little lady. Audrey's face was chapped some, but I think they turned out okay. Be looking in the mail for your pictures! I took them to the post office tonight on the way to the parade.

Happy Thanksgiving

Audrey and cousin Lyndsey

Getting ready to go to Nana's

We had a nice Thanksgiving. Thursday we ate at Mom's and Friday we ate at Tony's parents'. It was such a relaxing time. We didn't have to go outside of Mt. Sterling, so that made it easier. I hate that we didn't get to spend any time with Dad's side of the family, but they were having dinner the same time as Tony's mom, so we couldn't. I am so thankful for all of my family and friends. What would I do without them?

Tony & I went to his friend Mike's 40th birthday party Saturday. It was a 1960s themed party, so we found these shirts on ebay. I wore some blue eye shadow, big headband, and turqoise jewelry and that's about it. We had a good time, though. Audrey had a 24-hour bug over the weekend, but she's back to her old self now. Hopefully Jack doesn't get it. I am so ready for Thanksgiving. Mom is cooking on Thursday and Tony's mom is cooking Friday. I love when our family gets together. We don't have huge get-togethers at either of those places, but it's still nice.

I love my MOPS Group

Jack & Audrey going to church last Sunday

For the past several months I have been going to the MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) small group at our church. Getting there is the hard part, but after I go, I feel so inspired and fulfilled when I leave. We meet every other week and discuss our book that we have chosen to study. Right now it is "The Power of a Positive Mom." If you haven't read it, check it out. I can't remember the author off the top of my head, sorry. Isn't it hard to remain positive as a mom some days? I think we can all agree that at least once a week (for me once a day is more like it) I feel so worried, upset, or stressed about something. Through the study we get tips, ideas, and guidance on how to remain more positive in such a negative world. I am so glad I have decided to go to the small group. The adult interaction I get with these other moms has helped me a great deal, and I am starting to make some friends that I know will last a lifetime.

Favorite PJ's

I love little footed pajamas. I will be sad when Audrey outgrows them. Oh, I'm letting Audrey's bangs grow out, so her hair is always in her eyes when she doesn't have a bow or barrette in.

Cousin Caitlan's Birthday Party

Kaitlyn & Caitlan

Caitlan & Jack wanting to go out

Dad & Caitlan (love her little dress)

My big girl Audrey getting ready to go see Madagascar


Caitlan visiting with us last week

Sunday we went to my niece Caitlan's 1st birthday party. Audrey & Jack had a great time. They love their little cousin. I'm so glad Jack & Caitlan are so close in age. She and Lesley visited last Thursday, so we got a picture of all 3 together. Audrey talks about Baby Catie all the time. I took Audrey to the movies for the first time on Friday. She was so well-behaved. I was worried that we would have to leave early if she got too loud or bored, but she did great. The only thing was where she was so little, the stadium seats in the theater kept folding up on her. So, she sat in my lap about the whole time. What a great day!

Potty Training isn't so Bad

Well, I thought Audrey would never want to go to the potty, but the past two weeks or so, she has been going, and is doing so well. The past two days she tells me when she needs to go, and tonight she even did #2! I am so proud of her. She has decided she will only go on the big potty, though, and not on her little potty, but that's fine with me. I will probably get her one of those seat covers if she continues to want to sit on the toilet, so she won't accidentally fall down and decide she's never going to potty again! We even go places with her wearing her panties now and no pull-up, because she is doing so well. I hope she continues to do so. She had an accident yesterday, but today she was perfect. She even told me she needed to potty while I was giving her a bath, so she wouldn't pee-pee in the water. I cannot believe my little girl isn't wearing diapers anymore.

Happy Halloween

A Warm Fall Day

Baby billy goat

This is the picture I got after she decided to get her finger out of her nose!

Corn maze, Audrey loved it

Jack always has his fingers in his mouth

Walkin' around

I took Jack & Audrey back to the pumpkin patch last week, because we had such a warm few days. Audrey decided this time she would climb through the hay bales and check out other animals besides the fuzzy chickens. We bought two more pumpkins for the porch. Saturday we visited Papaw & GiGi's house, and the kids got to play with cousin Caitlan all afternoon. She and Jack had a big time I heard. She is such a good baby girl, and I can't believe she will be 1 soon. I went to Toys R Us to start some Christmas shopping while the kids were at the grandparents', and ate dinner at my friend's house with some other girls I used to work with. Today we went to church where I kept nursery for 9 kids (including my own), and went to Nana's and Court Day. Jack slept the whole time while Audrey held her Elmo toy Mom bought her. We came home and had some good steaks on the grill at Mamaw and Papaw's. Audrey crashed when we got home at 8:00, after bath time, and Jack went to bed, after some screaming, shortly after. What a busy weekend. I'm going to bed, on that note.....

Jack is Walking!!!

Jack took his first step on Sunday, September 28th. Since then, he has been taking about 5-6 steps at a time, walking from person to person. I would guess by this time next week he will be all over the house. He is so proud of himself when he gets up. He just laughs and chuckles, and makes sure we are watching him.

Here's a picture of me and Tony going to a costume party at our neighbor's house. What a couple we are!

Busy Week

Last Sunday I took Audrey to Bounce U for a birthday party, and she loved it. I cannot believe how much of a daredevil she is! As soon as we walked into the play area, she made a beeline for the huge slide, and was trying to climb up the ladder by herself. I had to get her up it and go down the slide, and man am I out of shape! It was like climbing Mt. Everest. The next couple of days my arms were so sore from carrying her in one arm and pulling myself up the ladder with the other. I was glad to hear the other parents who had to help their kids say they could barely make it up. The little kids could fly up it, but us adults were struggling! I am thinking about having Audrey's birthday party there next time, depending on how much it would cost us. Our house is too small for as many people as we have in our family, and I think the whole set up that they do is very convenient. So, we'll see as the time gets closer.

I have been taking Audrey and Jack to Tot Time at the local library. Audrey really loves it. They have craft time, story time, and dancing time. I think it helps Audrey to get out and socialize with other little kids, since she doesn't go to daycare. Thursday, I had my MOPS group at church (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers). I love going, and they do have childcare for the kids, but Audrey refuses to stay without me, so I had to bring her in with me. At least she is quiet the entire time, and just sits on my lap and listens. Next time I go, I am going to have Mom watch her. Jack will stay, but she won't. I know I should let her cry it out, but I hate to do that to the one watching all the kids, because we're there such a short time. She won't stay in the nursery at church, either. I know, I spoil her, but I can't help it. She'll eventually go, surely to goodness.

I have been going to the chiropractor twice a week lately, also. I have pain in my back and neck. My back has been hurting ever since I had Jack, and I was hoping it would go away, but it doesn't seem to be getting any better. I have a mild case of scoliosis, but I really think it's my muscles that are the problem not my bones. I may be getting an MRI soon, since the chiro. isn't helping much. He is helping my neck, though.

Tony has been off work the past few days, just taking it easy, using up some vacation days. It's so nice having him home to help! This morning we all went to a few yard sales, and visited the pumpkin patch. Audrey and Jack both loved it. I am planning on going back before the end of the month. I heard this is the last year that Two Sisters will be open, so I am very sad about that. I was hoping this would be our little tradition to go, but looks like we'll have to find another place to go. We watched UK lose to Alabama today when we got back home. I am hoping to get to go to my first home game of the season next Saturday. It has killed me not being able to go much the past couple of seasons, but hey, babies come first, right??? 7pm game times are just too late for the kids to be out, and Mom isn't used to putting them to bed, and they aren't used to anyone else but me or Tony putting them to bed. Soon, though, it will happen. I am hoping Tony & I can get a night by ourselves soon, now that Jack is sleeping through the night. At least most nights he sleeps all night, but since he's getting new teeth he has been waking up about every other night.

Tomorrow we're going to the Hartgrove family reunion in Bath County after church. It's supposed to be a pretty day. I made pumpkin cake with cream cheese icing to take. YUM!

Well, hopefully I haven't bored you to death with such a long post. Just a lot going on!

Audrey picking out a pumpkin

Jack just stared at everything

Sittin' on the wagon

Me and my babies

It's already Fall?

First time down the slide at the park

Soon Jack will be walking. He lets go of things now for long periods of time.

My baby girl is getting too big!

Where does the time go? I can hardly believe summer is over. Yes, we still have warm days, but the evenings are getting so cool. I love this weather though, the time you have right before you have to turn on the heat to warm the house up. I am looking forward to taking the kids to the pumpkin patch in the next week or two. Audrey is going to be so excited. I think Jack will enjoy looking at the animals. We have one just right down the road from us that is very nice; it is called Two Sisters Pumpkin Patch, for those of you that are interested. They have some animals, hayrides, a little area to climb through rolls of hay, and last year they had a corn maze. It's all free, and the pumpkins are pretty inexpensive, too.

More Birthday Pics

Such a big boy. This was a couple of days before his party.

Hurry, Daddy, we're ready!

I think I like it, or I at least like to play in it

Birthday boy, on his "real" birthday, August 31st

Jack is now sleeping in his own bed, and he hasn't cried much at all when I put him down, knock on wood. I put him down when he's still awake but groggy. I thank God that it has been fairly easy to get him to sleep the past two nights. Last night was the first night-he cried just 20 minutes before falling to sleep, slept 7 hours, woke up and I gave him a bottle, then slept about 2 more hours. When I put him back to bed after giving him the bottle, he kind of whimpered for about an hour, but it wasn't a screaming fit or anything. He just has to learn to soothe himself to sleep. Tonight I put him down, he cried about 5 seconds, then went to sleep. I am so proud! I would have done it sooner, but I kept putting it off, and where his crib was recalled, we just procrastinated on getting him another one. We got one from Mamaw's house that she used for Lyndsey and Audrey when they were babies, so we wouldn't have to buy another one. We're supposed to get a voucher to get a "free" crib soon, due to the recall, but I'm hoping that we can get something else with it. Why buy a new one and put it together, when we already have one? So, needless to say, I got a good night's sleep last night. When I would wake up, I would look over to check on him, but then I remembered he was in his own bed.