Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Monday, December 28, 2009

And in the blink of an eye

it was over. Just like that.
Christmas that is.
It came on fast and if was over even faster. Why does that happen? It's like a wedding. It's months if not a year or so of planning and in one full day of fun, it's over. Just.Like.That. Done.

Ours was fast but it was fun. We spend Christmas Eve and Christmas at Grandma & Pappa Joes house. We left on Saturday (at nap time, of course!) and went to Grammy & Granddaddys house on Sunday (we left at bedtime, of course!) Christmas day started early and it took Q three times to open all his presents. He opened everyones. That is a lot of presents.

Christmas Eve Santa called and told Q he should get to bed.

Thank goodness for that call. Chad and I had a kitchen to build! It turned into a family project! We didn't ask. I am pretty sure it was either a PR move or they felt sorry for us?! But it was fun watching my dad and grandparents help. I wonder if that is what it was like when I was younger? I couldn't help but think it was. Everyone was laughing and smiling and enjoying the company.

While we built a kitchen Aunt Nina (wrapper extroidinaire) wrapped my presents for CP. You can always tell her presents. There is no tape to be seen and EVERY single present has a beautifully made bow! One day I too, will wrap like her.
We stuffed some stockings (LOTS of stockings) and set them on the hearth. We all laughed that I have NEVER in my 32 years seen a stocking full and hanging! Nothing could hold the stockings we make!

The stockings were hung on the mantle with care...

And then they were to full to hang anywhere...

The tree ready for her 2009 debut. For a family that does donations instead of gifts...there sure were a lot of gifts!


Santa came

Christmas morning Q was very excited to see his kitchen. We could have stopped there, but...we didn't. He got lots of fun toys and books. A cabbage patch doll and a set of pots and pans for his kitchen were among his favorites. Not to mention the Lionel train that Pappa Joe got him! Oh, and some fur lined crocs that he refuses to take off. Literally, he slept in them the first 2 nights!! I think B enjoyed his morning?!

Grandma got a Wii. I think that present was the most fun. Everyone had a good time playing with Grandmas video game system!

The boys in their new chairs! If I would let him Q would sleep in it!


Christmas in Greensboro was fun too! Q LOVES when he gets to play with his cousins. There are 4 older cousins and they are so good to him. He is extremely lucky they play with him like they do. They are very tolerant and patient. And for that I am so grateful!

There was a lot of presents!!

There was wrapping paper everywhere! There was LOTS of giggling and loud excited voices!! That is always fun to hear. It makes me giggle when they are all so excited! The big hit was zhu zhu pets?! Who knew? Apparently they are all the rage. I'm just excited I don't have to clean up after this "pet"!

B with Grandaddy


B & his favorite Aunt Michelle. He only has one so we can say that!

The girls and their baby


And now we are back home and trying to get ready for 2010. After the holiday it is back to the real grind. No more vacation days for awhile. I hope 2010 doesn't go by as fast as 2009 did! But what a year it was!!
Hopefully you enjoyed this rather unusually long post. But it was worth it to see all those pics, right?

I won't be posting tomorrow night. Auntie Jenny is in town from Denver! I think we will be sharing wine instead!

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

It's just a family tradition..

Maybe not the most appropriate song for a post about Family or Traditions, but now you can't stop singing it, can you?

I wasn't going to post tonight, because, I didn't think I had anything to post about. So after reading my friend Leah's blog (http://avenuesmom.wordpress.com/2009/12/22/tuesdays-nine-christmas-traditions/#comment-67) I realize I do have something to post about!

Christmas time family traditions! I love Christmas and I LOVE traditions. I love having them and I love knowing what other peoples are. So below are some of ours, do we share any of the same ones?

The Saturday before Christmas my entire family gets together to celebrate. We eat, exchange presents, watch all the boys (and a few girls) play football, and watch football, and laugh. We talk about family members that have passed and we dream about the family members that we will all add. We have a wrapping paper fight and we eat some more. And some of us mgiht just dance to a certain Mariah Carey song. And when I hear that Mariah Carey song at any time during the Christmas season, I may cry. But that would be silly, who does that?

We get an ornament with each childs name and date each year or if we travel to some place new. After we pick up our tree we go to Hallmark and the boys will pick out their own yearly ornament.

Christmas Eve dinner is our big dinner. And Christmas morning...oh Christmas morning!! It used to start very early and then I got older and the morning started later. But I have a feeling that Christmas morning is going to start early and will continue that way for the next 18 years or so. Stockings are first. We have never been able to only fill one stocking. Everyone has an overflow bag under their stocking! Stockings RULE! Then it's time for presents and then breakfast! Mimosas, bagels and lox.

Somwhere there is always chocolate/peanut butter fudge. We also have our new advent calendar!!

My dad and I used to do stocking shopping on Christmas eve. That stopped for several reasons a few years back...but this will return next year. I hope he is prepared! He got a train for Q (&B) and has decided that Santa needs to add to it every year. Q LOVES it! Maybe he was hoping this would get him out of shopping on Christmas Eve, because honestly, who wants to be shopping on Christmas Eve?


And since we now have kids we will be adding a new tradition: assembling things on Christmas eve! Oh boy?! Is that a good idea?

My neighbor and I have decided that we will store eachothers Santas presents at the others house. That gives us an excuse to get together pre Christmas and drink wine and wrap presents. Yeah! A new tradition!

Oh! We always put up a tree!

I am sure I am missing some...but now it's late and I am tired. I also have a baby that is not feeling 100%. Therefore mommy needs her sleep so she can be prepared for what the night may bring.

So tell me...what are your family traditions?

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Too much of a good thing?

Is too much of a good thing..a good thing or a bad thing? I believe that everything in moderation, is a good thing and therefore you get to have a little of everything! And that my friends is a positive thing!

Today my 14 week old got to enjoy an exersaucer!! He loved it! Q liked showing him all the cool toys attached. This toy is my new good thing! I new distraction for B to enjoy while I get to cook dinner. All while listening to him coo and squeal. Too much of this...an absolutely delightful thing!!

And tonight while I nursed that absolutely adorable good thing to sleep, I thought about that piece of advice that says "You should never nurse, rock, hold, etc your baby to sleep or they will never learn to get to sleep on their own". Wow! That poor sad person. Really? They never did this for their child? I am pretty sure I was rocked, nursed, held, & hugged many a nights until I fell asleep in my amazing mothers arms. But for years I have been falling asleep on my own. Q is doing pretty well at falling asleep on his own now. I believe I will continue to put my babies to sleep my way. This is a good thing and I can never get enough of it!

What about dogs? Q & B are already getting good dog love. But too much? Not possible!


And then there is the smell of clean....mmmm Clorox! I am sure too much of this can be a bad thing. Which my poor family is suffering from tonight. Potty training is tough and Q is learning to tell when he is done. The bathtub is drenched in bleach. I love the smell of bleach! Pretty sure you don't need any more details!

And being a mom. Now that...is a good thing!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Monday, December 14, 2009

Have you missed us?

Well we haven't been anywhere. We've been right here. But we have been busy! Is that an acceptable excuse or do I have to admit how lazy and tired I have been?!
In the time that we have been "gone" B has slept through the night for a whole entire week and is now back to waking up EVERY TWO hours!!! Yes, I am serious!! What happened? I was so excited! My whole first week of work, it was like he knew, how drained I would be. I guess he figured I got caught up on all that sleep and it was time for him to get back all that mommy time he had missed! SO believe me when I say, we have been making up that time. Mommy is T.I.R.E.D!! Tired, I tell you.

We got our Christmas tree. Q decorated it. We have about 500 ornaments at the bottom front of our tree. And you know what...this control freak likes it that way! I think it is beautiful and that is how he likes it. We haven't done a thing outside. Not one light! And you know what else...I am ok with that too. It's been raining and dark! It is so dag-on dark so dag-on early!! I barely have any decorations up inside! But that will all change tomorrow night!! You know why??? Because my fireplace (that horrid green marble and cream mantle) is now beautiful and I can't wait to hang some stockings for Santa!! Look for that picture on Wednesday!

And then the star...


Speaking of Santa, we made a really cool video for Q to watch at the Portable North Pole. If you have little guys I recommend checking it out! Easy, fun & WAY cool!

B is squeling up a storm! He "talks" A LOT!! I LOVE it! It makes me (and all the other y's in my house) giggle!
This past weekend we celebrated Christmas with the Phillips'. We went angel tree shopping and then had a yummy dinner and opened our first presents of the season. Q loves that B can't open his own presents yet!

Check out all those beautiful faces!!


We have a big weekend ahead of us..'Tis the season. Friday Q's attendance was requested at Grandma and Pappa Joes office party. He was a big hit last year. I will be taking B as well and hope he doesn't steal too much of Q's thunder. And Saturday we go to Richmond to celebrate Christmas at our White House. There will be tons of cousins and tons and tons of presents. This is my favorite Saturday of the year!

Remember those dances I told you about? Now we have a new one. The Skateboard. And I have pics!! The word "Skateboard" became a popular voacabulary word after Grandma used it describing how she got some holes in her favorite jeans. Q didn't like that she just got them from washing them. So she told Q she fell off her skateboard. And because Q is fascinated with all things "Grandma" he is now fascinated by the skateboard!


Watch out Tony Hawk!! (there's that tongue again!!)
And now my fabulous blog readers, it's time for this mommy to get some sleep!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Santa Claus

is coming to town!!

Well in 25 days!! Grandma presented Q & B with an advent calendar! First it is very pretty, second it is filled with candy! Who wouldn't like that?! There is even a biscuit in each box for Porter. That Grandma, I'm telling you she is something! Something great!! When I asked Q to tell me about this very special calendar he pulled out the 24 box and told me that this is the day that Santa would be here. He catches on quick!



Q got to feed B his bottle for the first time today! He is my big helper. If it involves B, it involves Q. He is still madly in love with his little brother!

Photo Courtesy of Grandma

Monday, November 30, 2009

Hi Ho Hi Ho...

it's back to work I go.
Today was Monday November 30 and my first day back at work since leaving so suddenly on Wednesday September 2nd. 12 weeks since having B. It was the second fastest 12 weeks of my life. I can't believe my baby boy is 12 weeks old. He is so big and handsome and just awesome. Q still thinks he is the greatest thing on earth!
Going back wasn't too hard. It wasn't easy and I would have rather stayed home and nuggled with my boys but alas, it wasn't too be. Last night I was doing circles in the kitchen, wondering what time do I get up, do I nurse or pump, what do I wear. I had a list of things to not forget mainly my pump and my laptop!! Leaving either would have made for a miserable day!
B stayed home with his grandma, where he will be all week. I'm pretty jealous of that too! Wish I could stay home all week with grandma! I knew he was in good hands, but boy did I miss that sweet smell, those amazing cheeks, and fuzzy hair.
I came home to the sweetest two year old waiting for me at the door, a clean house and dinner cooking!! Um, hello good life!
And then it was bath time!!! I LOVE bath time!

Happy Water Babies

B in his lamb(ie) towel (for you Aunt Kelly)

Q told grandma today that he was fragile! It's a word we have been using quite frequently in the past 12 weeks.
Thank you Grandma for helping with our first week transition!! We love you!

Friday, November 27, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving!!

What a happy thanksgiving at the Phillips' house! We went to Uncle Todd & Aunt Sarahs house. There was LOTS of food and fun and LOTS of love!!
We are very thankful. We have a warm home and food in the pantry and jobs that supply all of those. We have TONS of men and women willing to spend time away from their family and defend all our our freedoms. True heros. They are amazing and I am grateful.

B with Cousin Josh and Aunt Sarah

I am also greatful for more frivolous news. My friend Jessica is engaged and my friend Julie is expecting her second baby! A true surprise and miracle! Life is amazing.

Today I spent the day with my boys. The morning we hung out in our pajammies. Lots of snuggling taking place in mommy & daddys bed! Then we went to Home Depot for all our paint supplies! Time to paint the last big room in our house!! The den and kitchen!! First the wallpaper MUST come down!! Hoping to have all of it down today and start repairing the walls and caulking around windows and doors tomorrow(Sunday). Maybe by Sunday night we can start priming and cutting in?? I can't wait! Then the last room is the half bath downstairs!! Then we are D.O.N.E.!!!

CP taking down wallpaper!


We also found time to watch the movie Happy Feet. Q loved it and was dancing up a storm. Mommy may have done a little dancing herself. I do love a good beat! There is even a tap dancing lesson at the end! Thank goodness he doesn't own tap shoes or we would be in trouble!! Speaking of beat...Quinn decided to beat box today?! FUNNY STUFF!!

Monday I go back to work. I am ok with it. I love my job, and my team and the company I work for. I do not like my commute but I guess it's a small price to pay to like your job? I am interested to see how the transition goes. Getting two kids to daycare and to Durham by 830 should be all kinds of fun! Especially when Q decides he doesn't want to listen! Those are interesting mornings!!

Well, this post has been long enough without saying a thing! I should go before I ramble some more, plus, I have wallpaper that needs to come down!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

DIY Day!

Do you like green marble? Either do I!! So, I pulled it off the mantle and the wall!! And soon my mantle will be replaced and the walls will no longer be pink. I mean "Bermuda Sand". I may have said this before, but if they thought Bermuda sand was tan, they were wrong. Bermuda sand is P.I.N.K!! I guess this is the part where I must admit that we have lived in this house for 4 years and are just now getting to the largest & most lived in part of the house!! I must also admit here that I believe if you are going to do it, do it right. The FIRST time. So it has taken us awhile to do the top floor and the front half of the house. There are still plenty of things to change and upgrade but all in good time!


Speaking of upgrading...we got a new fridge today!! Partly because our old fridge/freezer was too small. So we wanted something better looking and we wanted to put our old one in the garage. We did and now B's breastmilk is safe and sound and there is room for more!! As well as a frozen pizza or 2 and some cassaroles. That of course would require making some...

And definately check back tomorrow night, as it is One Word Wednesday. If there is any post I shouldn't miss it is that one (it take the least amount of time!)! And of course on Thursday I have to post something. If nothing else I will let you know all the wonderful things I am thankful for!

I should get to bed, I have to go pick out some more paint options AND fabric tomorrow! Two of my favorite things to shop for (besides kids clothes!)

Friday, November 20, 2009

The whole point is to post

Q here, my mom can't get it together enough to post so I will. We are at grandmas. I will let her visit and I will post. You have to see some of these pics from our visit!
This is my Pappa Joe with B. B really likes him!


I made cupcakes with Grandma


My Zanney came to visit too. She brought me a book!! I LOVE books! Here she is with B. He seems to really like her too!!


Here I am entertaining B while everyone finished breakfast! I like telling him my secrets! I know, I am a GREAT big brother!


I LOVE going to grandmas house! We get to cook in the kitchen and take walks and look for deer. I even get to go on boat rides. Even in NOVEMBER!
Isn't life grand?!

Monday, November 16, 2009

This blogs for you...

I knew when I started this, I would run into this problem....I'm really busy and blog lazy! Don't worry I have all kinds of excuses. It started with a visit from Aunt Kelly. She came up on Halloween for a whole week!! And while I could have blogged while she was here, I frankly was trying to get in every minute I could with her!! She lives in FL but if you ask Q, she lives at the airport, (bc that is where we always pick her up!!) It isn't that far of a journey to FL, but I don't seem to make it there as often as I would like or should. I think she understands, she still calls?! :) Now with 2, I think it just got a little further away! I would love to go by myself sometime, but don't think she would appreciate not seeing the boys?! Our ultimate wish is that she moves here! A girl can dream, right?!

This would be Farmer Q. B was a cow, but it was way too hot for his costume!

Aunt Kelly and Q after too much candy (for BOTH of them!!)

Aunt Kelly and B

This posting is mostly about Q! We are having good and bad days of being 2. The scary thing is: I keep hearing 3 is worse!! Yikes!!
First; the funnies
He likes to sing. This makes me smile! Not only can he entertain himself, but I like to guess what he is singing based on the few words he remembers. B.I.N.G.O ends with "and bingo was his name bone". Today he was singing down by the bay. Those are about the only words he remembers with a few others scattered in there. Aunt Kelly taught him "Farmer in the Dale". That's my southern boy!

He has two new dances. The Q dance is all fours on the floor and he lifts either leg in the air and pumps his body up and down. Sometimes the legs are on the couch and lifted from there. I have tried and tried to get a picture!! The newest he calls the shoulder dance. This is where he rocks and moves side to side while pumping his shoulders up and down. Today he sang "GO Q, It's your birthday" while doing "the shoulder". I hope he gets a little more rhythm as he gets older or he will be standing against the wall at school dances!
And I forgot that he also likes to tap dance while doing the arm moves to "the hustle" These also make me smile!

Some of his newest phrases that make me smile:
"I would love that". "Sure you can" (I love it when he says these in response to things like "Q, can mommy sit down and snuggle with you?") My favorites are "I love you so much" when it is said on his own instead of a response to my "Q go sit in time out!" I love when I pick him up from school and he says "I'm so happy to see you" because he has NO IDEA, how happy I am to see him!!
And the last new phrase that makes me smile but I hate hearing it is "I wanna listen". This comes as he is getting sent to time out. I am telling him to sit on the steps and he is following me around the house. This is ALWAYS followed by, "You say you want to listen, but you aren't even listening to me now!!! I told you to sit on the steps" It's inevitable and it is heart breaking and it is just a phase. So "they" say!

A week ago we made zucchini bread for our neighbor. Q told everyone we made bikini bread. Seeing as how she just had twins, I'm sure she doesn't want to see any bikinis for awhile! And let me just say Nathan Thomas and Blake Christopher are gorgeous AND a healthy 6lb 6oz ea!! She is amazing!

One last Q update: He got his first soccer medal!


And as for B, well he was 12 lbs and 22" as his 2mo check up!! We went when Aunt Kelly was here. We all go into the room and I start asking the Dr about the H1N1 vaccines. She says they just got them in, run out there and make an appt (for Q). I do. I hear B screaming. I walk in and Aunt Kelly was holding him as the Dr was putting band aids on shot sites. Thanks Aunt Kelly! You are a true sport. I wonder if her tears have dried yet?! And today, yup, just today his eyes have turned from blue to hazel. I know he will be beautiful no matter his eye color, but I loved the blue and hazel would be cool! And if they are brown, he will be the most handsome brown eyed boy in the world! Here he is just this morning (questionable) blue eyes and gorgeous "smile"!

And according to the Dr, it's bumbo time! Seeing as how he doesn't like tummy time, this should help with those neck muscles! This was taken this afternoon..see the eyes (and of course Porter is never far behind!)??


Well, I hate it when people post these huge post so, in order to avoid an even longer post I'm going to bed (that and Big Bang Theory is over, which also means it is wayyyy late for me to be up!). I'd rather just read an update that is done on a more regular basis. I'm sure you would too, but suck it up, at least I posted lots of picks to help you keep reading, right??

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Thursday, October 29, 2009

DIY DAY!!

I Love the grey walls in our "formal living room". They were pink, and I didn't paint them that color! This is going to be the playroom so I also need it to be a fun room. That is why I added the green pom poms to the cornice boards. I also LOVE lime green!? Of course the baskets weren't black, that would have been too convenient!! And notice that P? It's the same font we used at our wedding! Cool, huh?!
Below is a picture of the little details for this room. Waiting on the built-ins and I have committed myself to recovering my old steam trunk, again, but this time in brown alligator "skin" wallpaper!

Thanks again, to my mom, the seamstress! Still haven't gotten that sewing machine out!