Christmas 2012

We had a wonderful Christmas at our household and hope you did too! Christmas Eve was spent celebrating with my side of the family at our house. It was a good time of family, food and presents. The kids got many wonderful things including a train track for Baron, awesome blankets for everyone and an adorable book that is read by my grandparents via recording.

 

Christmas Day we stayed home and had family time. The kids really enjoyed their big presents; a cozy coupe for the twins and trike for Baron. There has been many hours spent riding already which is exactly what I was hoping for! I gave Grant a crock, coat and some slippers while he gifted me with a pair of boots, hair dryer and some wine among other things. We finished off the day with an extravagant meal of duck, homemade stuffing and brussel sprouts. 

 

 

A Boy Named Brady

Our newest nephew, Brady Jonathan Younger, was born on 12/22/12 weighing 9lbs 4ozs and 23 inches long to my brother Travis and sis-in-law Katie. He was 12 days overdue and has a head full of dark hair. He is perfect and very loved!

Playing Catch Up Yet Again

Here is a quick recap of our activities since I last posted:

The Week of Thanksgiving:

• Grant had the whole week off = FABulous
• Two fun-filled nights of friend time (Great seeing Dan/Elizabeth/Addy & Kyle Adrienne/Luke)
• Wonderful Younger family time on Thanksgiving!
• Family time on Saturday for our Webster Thanksgiving - alwaying entertaining to have the 7 cousins together!
• A little ER visit at 1:00 am Sunday morning because Maverick pulled his g-tube out while sleeping and by the time we realized what happened, I couldn't get it back in (the pediatric surgeon wasn't kidding when they said it starts closing up immediately). Thankfully we were able to come up with a temporary solution until Monday when we had an appointment at Doernbecker's anyway and they got us squared away. Whoosh.....

And the most exciting news of all (drumroll please!)........Baron is now potty trained!  It happened the week of Grant's vacation and only took about 3 days. It is amazing what can be accomplished when I have a buddy (Thank-You Grant) and I am ecstatic to only have to change 2 diaper butts!

 

As for December, we have been waiting impatiently for Baby Younger to make his appearance. He was due on 12/10/12 and so far he is a no-show. We are enjoying our Christmas tree (decorated from the middle up), lights on the house and the decorations that are out. Shopping is almost done and I am looking forward to seeing three little faces on Christmas morning. I think Baron will get it this year and the twins always follow suit, so it should be fun!

 

Elliott & Maverick (19 months) and Baron (33 months)

 

Random Cuteness

Here is a little tidbit on how cute a two year old is. Last night we were out and about running errands. We came to a stop light and were waiting to turn left but our light was red. The lights to go straight thru the intersection were green however and apparently that was all Baron could see from his spot in the back seat. He kept telling me "Mommy, green means go". When I realized what he was seeing I tried explaining that our light was red but he just kept insisting "but mommy, green means go".  Total cuteness from my big boy.

Lazy Bones

Yesterday morning Maverick slept in until 9:30 and he is still sleeping today (it's 9:31). This is unheard of around here! We are lucky to get everyone sleeping until 8:00 and usually everyone is up by 7:30. Still not too shabby for three toddlers but 9:30?!?!  He must be growing!

 

Yesterday Baron and Elliott weren't quite sure what to do without him. A few times I had to not so quietly pull them away from his door because they wanted to check out what was up.  Where was bubba???

So we had some homemade applesauce (after breakfast snack and the new fave around here)......

And some computer time....

 

 

Until finally Mav decided to join the party. These three obviously love and adore one another because it's just not the same when one is missing :)

One Nap or Two?!

For the last 6 months, I have been looking forward to the day when all three of my little children will nap at the same time. I have worked hard at keeping the twins on the same schedule but let's face it, it doesn't always happen. Someone is grumpy and needs an early nap one day, someone else sleeps in or takes a 3+ hour nap another. Some days naps just don't mesh and on those days, mom gets no break and that can be exhausting. I have received many comments on how people hope I get some time to myself daily, to be sure to nap or how they hope all the kids sleep at the same time. Me too folks, me too!

Lately I am starting to see a little light at the end of the tunnel. Baron is a champion napper and will sleep about 3 hours every day, usually going down around 1. The twins take their morning nap around 10:00 and then an afternoon nap around 2:00-3:00. About 2 weeks ago they started fighting the afternoon nap and when I say fighting I mean laying in their beds throwing baby fits. After about a week of this, I decided they just weren't tired. But they still want to go down for the morning nap at the same time which means they are then up from 12:00 to bedtime at 7:30 or 8:00 with a full on meltdown because they were just too tired. No Thanks! 

So we are working at keeping them entertained during the time they would usually go down (trips to Grandma's, to the store, new activities) and putting them down closer to the time Baron goes down. So far we are doing pretty good. A few days have been a no-go but more than a few days have been great! It allows me to pick up the house or eat lunch or bake cookies or......the possibilities are endless ;)  And no, I don't ever nap. It never fails that if I try to lay down somebody wakes up within 10 minutes of me falling asleep and I usually get a headache. I also enjoy that occasional quite time. It has taken 18 months for me to get it!!  

My Biggest Boy

Man I love this kid.....enough said!

 



Me and my boy

 

Who doesn't love a sleeping baby big boy??

This kid LOVES popcorn!

Twin Love

Almost 18 months old, my twins aren't really babies anymore. I can really see a change just from July to now. I try to keep my camera ready since they change so fast and I want to capture every chaotic moment :)

 

 

Newest obsession: computer nursery rhymes in October!

 



 

Double the fun in September.

 



August and matching pajamas.

 



4th of July with Great-Gram! We love her enormously!

Halloween 2012

Tonight was the first time our little Webster Family has gone trick or treating together. What a Blast! Baron started out timid and ended the night well saying "trick or treat" and "thank-you". Another great family time together for the books!

Happy Halloween from Mickey, Dumbo and Mr. Bones!

 

 

 

Busted....

And he was having so much fun.

With a face like this you can't stay upset for long :)

Some of My Favorite People!

We've had another fun, busy weekend around here. My younger brother flew in from San Diego for a weekend of family, football and crappy weather.  Grant took me to the football game on Saturday and we had a great date night. Sunday was Katie's baby shower and Monday I took Tyler to the airport (I had to keep reminding myself we will see him in 2 short months).

 

And the biggest news of all......Maverick has started walking! What a stud:)

 

We actually remembered to snap a photo since we were all together. So here are my incredibly good lookin' siblings ;)  Definitely some of my favorite people!

My Little Reader

A girl after my own heart!

 

Oh.......and she likes to climb too ;)

Happy Birthday Hudson

Happy, Happy Birthday Hudson! Our youngest nephew turned 4 last week. He is such a character and so much fun to be around. Baron adores him and we know they will have a blast getting into trouble, growing up with each other. We love you Huddy!

Busy Little Beavers

As the kids are getting older they are becoming more manageable which allows us to get out of the house a little more and try new things. As a result we have had alot of fun-filled activities/trips as summer winds to an end!

 

 

The last half of August we got a visit from Aunt Shannon, Uncle Joel and the fab four (cousins). We got alot of cousin time in at Gram & Grandpa Webster's, a great day at the farm in Monroe and made it to the Art & Air Festival for night glow on Friday night and the hot air balloon lift off early Saturday morning. This was Baron and Hudson's first time experiencing both and they had a great time together! 

 

In the midst of the Raper's visit, the kids and I ventured out for our second annual trip to the State Fair. We had a great time with my sister Tia, niece Bailey, Aunts Kathy & Sarah and cousins Jason & Lindsay. It was the same group as last year minus my sister Tara and she was missed! We got to experience the petting zoo (which made my germaphobe side cringe), look at all the big animals, play on the rock wall and look at the fish. Good time had by all and I kept thinking how much easier it was with a pair of 15 month old toddlers than a pair of 3 month old babies. I look forward to next year!

 

A week after the Raper's returned home, we headed up to stay at their house in WA. We arrived on Sunday and returned home Thursday. Grant & Joel got some fishing in while Shannon and I manned the kids at casa de Raper. Baron loved the kid sized 4-wheeler and he played outside with Hudson as much as he was allowed. Elliott did great from the get-go but it took Maverick a couple days to really warm up. By the time we left Mav preferred Shannon to me, so that's really all that matters ;) We had one night of roasting marshmallows over the fire pit, another with dinner on the boat and got to see the big kids off to their first day of school. An awesome trip all around and we can't wait to see them again soon!

 

 

 

 

The next activity was a trip to the zoo with Papa & Nana (my dad and step-mom), Gram & Pop (my grandparents), my brother Travis, sister Tia and niece Bailey. The weather was a little warm but the animals were out and not hiding. The kids enjoyed the different animals but the highlight was getting out of their strollers to run around when allowed. Baron got alot of walking time in....my brother is incredibly patient and allowed Baron to push the stroller with him. My grandparents liked pushing the double stroller together (talk about adorable!) and the twins love them, so it was a match made in heaven :) We finished off the day with a train ride around the park. Baron loved the ride but hated the whistle, Elliott loved the ride and would have stood on the railing if allowed and sweet Maverick enjoyed the ride lounging on Tia's lap. Thank You Dad and Deb for planning a wonderful, memorable day!

 

 

To round out our Sept, we headed to beautiful Yachats this past weekend with Travis and Katie. Arrived late Friday, enjoyed the beautiful sunny weather on the beach and football on Saturday and headed home on Sunday. One of the highlights of the weekend was feeling my baby nephew kick. Katie tells me that I am the only one that has felt him besides Trav so far :) Thank You Neuschwander's for letting us stay at your lovely beach house!

 

Now I am looking forward to October with fall weather, family visits (Raper's and Uncle Tyler), football, Katie's baby shower and Halloween!