Snow!

This past weekend we got a monster snow for New Bern! We measured and had a little over 5 inches at our house. It started snowing around 9:00 pm on Friday and was already sticking in a matter of minutes. Todd and I were having a "date night" and we had to rush home so that our babysitters (Justin and Hannah) could get home safely. When we went to bed, there was already an inch on the ground. It was really magical waking up on Saturday morning to a winter wonderland. Abby was so excited, but was very patient as we had breakfast and got all bundled up to go outside. We enjoyed making snow angels, building snowmen, having snowball fights, and of course, making snow cream! Yes, we southerners find a way to make anything a food! We get snow so rarely, we have to take advantage of it! Abby is the perfect age to enjoy the snow. Tyler, on the other hand, was very overwhelmed by it all. He couldn't walk in it, which really frustrated him. He would take a step, and then trip over it. He spent a lot of time walking around on the porch with a broom hitting my porch furniture (hey whatever keeps him happy). I think an inch or two would have been better for him. Regardless, both of the munchkins played hard and took fantastic naps. Todd and I were pretty lazy that afternoon watching Remember the Titans and the Carolina game (and yes, the Heels actually won one).
Luckily the snow didn't linger too long. I love the snow, but I hate watching get all dirty and yucky. It didn't mess up roads/travelling too much either which is fine by me!
Enjoy the pictures of our fun in the snow!

Updated Pictures and Tyler's First Haircut

Today we took the kids to have their pictures made at Portrait Innovations. They were really good during the photo shoot, but were both very screamy while we were trying to pick out pictures. To their credit, it was an hour past lunchtime, so we won't hold it against them!



We also took took a family trip to the barber right before the new year to get Tyler's haircut. As much as I hated to see those precious curls go, he looks so good now. He looks like a little boy! You know it's time when strangers ask you how old your "little girl" is. Argghhh.

Happy Birthday, Tylerbug!

Amongst all of the Christmas activities, we celebrated two birthdays at our house in the month of December. My birthday was the 16th and then Tyler's was the 17th. He was my birthday present, 7 1/2 hours late :). The first year of life is so big developmentally and it has been awesome to watch the transition from a newborn baby to a toddler!

Tyler on December 17, 2008 at 8lbs 8oz



Some current milestones:
-Walking at 11 1/2 months
-FINALLY cut first tooth at 12 1/2 months
-Trying to talk. Says "mama" and "dada" clearly. We've heard him say some other words randomly also. I seriously think he said "cookie" the other night.
-FINALLY drinking out of a sippy cup. But the little booger still wants a bottle to help him get sleepy for night night!
-Staring to actually play with toys rather than always trying to eat them. They do still taste good to him on occasion.
-Fighting back with Abby. Not really a good thing, but a milestone nonetheless.
-Weighs 21 pounds

Tyler now, at 21lbs.



Here are some pictures from his first birthday that we celebrated with family and friends. Tyler was hilarious with the cake...that's why there are so many shots of it! Abby was very dainty with her cake when she turned one, but not Tyler. He had no trouble figuring that out. The other highlight of the party for Tyler was getting some boy toys! He had a few baby toys and there are lots of pink girlie toys around, but those just aren't as good for a little boy. Enjoy!

Christmas Festivities, continued!

Saturday, Dec. 18 was Riverside UMC's Christmas pageant. This year, both Abby AND Todd were a part of the production! Abby was an angel and Todd was Jesus. The pageant was cute as always, but Abby had a little difficulty with the whole standing still thing. As one of the angels, she was the second person to come in and had to remain in a standing-still position for the entire production. If you know 3 year olds, you know this is a very lofty aspiration! Needless to say she spent the whole time running around the choir loft. Looking back on it, I can laugh. But that night it was frustrating because I had Tyler in the pew and couldn't really do anything to stop her. After the performance there was a small Christmas party in the fellowship hall with another visit from St. Nick.

The next night we were able to participate in a live nativity. The Kings are some good family friends and they have hosted a live nativity in their yard for 19 years running. This is the first year I have even seen it, and it was precious! Tyler was too young yet, but Abby was able to be (you guessed it), an angel. This time it was very short. The kids just processed out while someone read the Christmas story, and then they processed back. Very simple, but a sweet way to celebrate the birth of Jesus!

Next up, Abby and Tyler's babysitters hosted their annual Christmas party. This is a large event, complete with a large spaghetti meal, lots of treats to eat, and opening presents of course!

Christmas Festivities

This December we have been so blessed to enjoy many Christmas activities. The first weekend in December we went to a country store called ZAKS Mallardtown for their Christmas open house. They have a Santa there, complete with elves. There was a Christmas craft for the kids to make and refreshements too. The best part of all...you get to take your own Santa pictures and you don't have to pay a pricey photographer! I was even able to buy a few Christmas presents while there. This sounds great, right? Well, both of my kids have decided to be scared of Santa this year! At first I was frustrated because I was really banking on getting a good Christmas card picture. But I got such classic shots that I really couldn't be upset for long.



The next day was the Trent Woods Christmas parade. The school I work at pulls some kids from this neighborhood so we had a float in the parade. Abby and I rode in the float. It was a really nice Christmas parade! I really enjoyed being a mini celebrity for the day and spending that time with my Abby. She enjoyed it, but it was during her naptime. She spent much of the time half asleep! Todd and Tyler watched the parade at Garber UMC and were near our friends Sara and David with their cutie kids Jacob and Shannon. When we got to this point, I dropped Abby off with her Daddy so she could watch some of the parade.



Uncle Ryan the firefighter was nice enough to invite Abby and Tyler to the Township 7 Christmas party. It was a fun time for all! They served a yummy dinner followed by a visit from the Big Man himself...Santa! He even had a present for each boy or girl there. We were able to convince Abby to sit on his lap, but definately not Tyler. He clung to me! The firefighters were also given a gift in honor of their wonderful service to our community...a huge flat screen TV!



I'll post more later with our church activities and Tyler's birthday...our boy is one now!

Our Birthday Princess

On Monday, November 16 we were excited to celebrate our Abigail's 3rd birthday. This is also Todd's birthday, but in his words "I don't have a birthday anymore." He's good natured about it, thankfully! She was his 25th birthday present and I tell him all the time I will never be able to top that present! I cannot believe how the time has flown. It seems like yesterday I was bringing her home from the hospital. Over the last year she has really done a lot of growing and changing. Over the last year she has become a big sister, been potty trained (woohoo), and has had multiple vocabulary explosions. Her time as a two-year old was a wild ride in our family filled with a lot of crying and tantrums, but also a lot of love and laughter. We can't wait to see what this year holds for her!

I think she really enjoyed her birthday party, which we held the Saturday before her birthday. We had many friends and family there for her "Hello Kitty" themed party. She received many wonderful gifts, but by far her favorite was her "Princess Ano." This is Abby-speak for a Princess Musical Lighted Vanity. She saw this in the Christmas wish book about a week before her birthday and just had to have it. We sent Uncle Justin to the Toys 'R Us in Greenville to get it, but they didn't have it. We called Target and Walmart, no luck. Todd and I ended up driving to Jacksonville the night before the party to get it at the Toys 'R Us there. It was so worth it to see the look on her face when she opened that present. We just pray that there are no last-minute Christmas requests!

Not related, but here is an exerpt from a conversation I had with Abby this past Saturday morning:
Abby: Mommy, I'm really tired.
Mommy: Me too. I didn't get enough sleep last night.
Abby: Mommy, you really need to take care of yourself.

Where she got that one, I have NO idea!

I will post pictures soon when I have a few minutes to upload them.

Tyler updates: He is almost walking. He has taken a step or two, but I haven't seen it. Todd and my dad have seen him do it. He is now finally saying "mama" but I think it's just when he's hungry. Funny how he still associates me with food even though it's been 3 months since I've nursed him. He loves cars and likes to "drive" them around. More updates to come on him because his birthday is approaching quickly too!

Welcome to the World, Caleb!

On November 4, 2009 my good friends Kara and Christopher welcomed a sweet baby boy, Caleb Hadyn to the world. He was a teeny guy, weighing in at 6lbs 4oz. After my two chunky babies he seemed especially tiny. I went up there to visit and get my hands on that precious boy the following Sunday. Here are some pictures from my trip!