10 months.

Logan Sweet Logan,
Please stop growing so stinking fast.
This little nugget seems to have grown waaayyy faster than sister did. Either that or Im just getting old and cant remember back to when sis was this small.

   between 9 month and 12 month clothes
   size 3 diapers (next box will be 4's)
   goes to bed at 8pm and still wakes once to eat (between 2 and 5) then goes back to sleep until 7 or 8
   if we are home he will take a long morning nap, otherwise he can still cat nap in the carseat
   takes a 1.5 to 3 hour afternoon nap
   all formula now and eats at the table for lunch and dinner most days
   loves cheese, bread, raisins, noodles, pretty much anything we give him
   starting to get the hang of a sippy cup
   I have seen him crawl but only for something he REALLY wants (like my phone)
   otherwise he is very content sitting and only playing with what is in arms reach
   will scoot around on his bottom mostly
   loves sissy and anxiously awaits for her to wake up each morning
   mommys boy all the way
   says dadda dadda dadda all the time
   can wave bye bye
   says ba ba (bottle)
   no real interest in saying momma
  
Such a sweet boy. This little guy is going to be the lover of the family. Wants to be held and touched all the time and I am only all too excited to give him all the attention he could want.
We love you so much nugget!!!

Festival of Trees

Last weekend we ventured out to the Goodwills Festival of Trees.
At least a few times a week, during that dreaded witching hour after naptime before daddy gets home, we head to target so Kinsey can "look at Christmas." She loves walking through the Christmas decor isles and just looking at all of the pretties and sparklies. She is truely a girl at heart. So precious just watching her in love with all of the decorations and trees.
So I thought for sure that a place with 100+ pretty decorated Christmas trees would be a win. Well not completely.
First off we walked by and she caught a glimpse of Santa. Cue total scream and freak out mode. We finally got her to let us hold her and from a really far distance she just stared at him. Do not take one single step closer to him though because freak out mode will start again. Dont think we will be getting any pics on santas lap this year:(
There was also a clown there making balloon animals. He got the same reaction as santa.
They did have a childrens area where she got to get her face painted, put on a tatoo and there were girls from a salon there and they curled her hair. Too precious. Decorating a cookie with daddy was by far the highlight.
All in all she had a good day and Logan was super content looking at everything from the stroller.
This is a maybe on our list for next year.
Here are some pics:

What a fun week

Last week was just one of those really good weeks.
The kids were in good spirits for the majority of the week.
December was almost here!
Just all around a good week!

Upside down tickles with my little man while big sis slept! I will never tire of this sweet smile!!

A little sneak peak at sissys perspective! Always a suprise to see what fun pics she takes!

Logan has had some crazy moring poo lately!! In effort to not wake big sis we have had a few 6:30am baths in the sink. Its a good thing hes cute!

Love this weather!! Playing with friends never gets old! These two crack me up!

Leo the elf made his debut! Kinsey really likes him and anxiously searches the house for him in the mornings!

Throw a little work in there! Its good for my heart!

Festival of Trees. Such a good time!!

Thanksgiving 2012

Wow what a great break from the norm to have Josh home with us for the long weekend.
We ate, napped, rested, decorated, laughed and hugged a TON!
On Thanksgiving day we drove to Manhattan and spent the day with Joshs family. They cooked a great meal and the kids soaked up all of the attention they were getting. So precious to watch Kinsey lounge around with Aunt Meg after a big meal. The girls chatted, the boys watched football. Does it get much better than that people?

 

On Saturday we celebrated with my family. Everyone came over around noon and we spent the afternoon cooking, chatting and sipping on white russians:)

I soaked up all the time spent with them. Dinner was FAB and we finished the night up with the 1980's movie Planes, Trains and Automobiles! Kinsey could not sleep the night before becuase she knew uncle Tommy was coming and even set out a special outfit to wear for him:)

Aunt Meagan got her a jayhawk tatoo and she was in heaven spending the whole day with them!!

Grandpa tickled and threw her in the air and even got to stay up extra late. Total score for her!!!

 

This year I am thankful for the usuals....family and friends. But I am especially thankful for the opportunity to stay home everyday with my kiddies. Its amazing how that plan was not even in the cards when I wrote out the script for my life a few years ago and now I wouldnt change it for the world.

 

What are you Thankful for this season?

Girls Just wanna Have Fun

A couple of weekends ago I packed my bags and headed out of town! Ok well it was only about 24 hours I was gone but soooo worth it.
A good friend planned a girls weekend for some of us. Becuase we had been gone the three previous weekends I decided to only go for one night.
Left Saturday around noon and got back late Sunday morning. Shopped, got all prettied up, had some cocktails, sang, danced, had some good girl chat. What an escape. Escaping from the constant neediness of everyday life. I could breath easy and not have a care in the world. Although my slightly scheduled personality found it hard to let loose and not have a plan. Oh well......does my soul good to get out of my comfort zone. Something I need to do WAY more.
Anyway I just love gal pals. That relationship between women of open, genuine closeness. I pray Kinsey gets to experience the fierce love girls can have for one another as she grows.
Thanks for making my weekend awesome ladies!!!'

9 months of adorableness

The time has flown by once again and my little prince charming has turned 9 months old. He is completely changed and is definitely not a baby. Sadly he is seeming more and more like a little boy. His little personality is shining through and I feel like each day I am getting more of a sense of what this little man will be like.

Here is what handsome man is up to:
  Size 9 month - 12 month clothes
  Size 3 diapers
  Just now stopped nursing so hes eating 8oz of formula every 4 or more hours
  Eats 1-2 meals a day with us at the table
  Has tried raisins, green peppers, cheese, rice, pastas, yogurt, applesauce and many others that Im forgetting
  Loves his paci
  LOVES Kinsey and is completely entertained by her
  likes to watch tv
  Semi content sitting on the floor with toys (for about 20 mins)
  Cant scoot around on his bottom a little and rocks back and forth on his knees but not really interested in crawling
  Says dadda and various other babble words  and tries to say momma but doesnt really have that mastered yet
  Josh swears he says "babba" when he sees his bottle but Im not convinced
  Claps his hands a lot
  Loves his mommy and loves to be held
  Was sleeping well but recently has started to wake around 2 and be up for awhile then again around 530. Hope this ends soon! But eats once a night.
  Still no teeth....maybe this is what is causing the recent poor sleeping?
  Loves to be outside and loves looking at the dogs
  Sleeps with "cookoo bird" at night and his lovey

Is overall such a sweet little boy. Its amazing how similiar yet different his is to Kinsey. We love you like crazy little man and cant imagine life without you!!

Halloween 2012

Halloween this year was such a blast. Its amazing how much more one year makes a difference in how much a child will enjoy it.
The Monday before Halloween our neighbors and awesome friends had a party for the kids. So cute to see all of the neighborhood kids dressed up. There were tons of games, candy, food and awesome decorations. You totally out did yourself Tori. Think we may get lucky and she will do it again next year? ;)

The day of Halloween we thought we would do some old fashioned trick or treating. Kinsey has been talking this up for quite some time now but I totally thought she would chicken out.  Joshs parents came over early in the evening and spent some time with Dorothy and the Lion.  My parents came over and we trick or treated throughout our neighborhood. I set my goals low and said we would probably only go to a few houses before Kinsey got bored. Wouldnt you know we went through the whole neighborhood. She even overflowed her bucket and we had to use her actual Dorothy basket to store candy in. She did such a great job!!
The Lion rode in the stroller and was asleep by house number 2. Not going to lie, I would probably fall alseep too being all cuddled up in his lion outfit and pushed around in the dark!!
I love how excited Kinsey got about dressing up in her costume and cant wait until next year!!

Pumpkin Patch

Tuesday Josh took off work so we could hit up the pumpkin patch. We decided to go to Applejacks this year. Way better than Cox Farms. Because it was a week day we pretty much had the place to ourselves. It was super windy, but other than that a really nice day. We skipped nap time for this adventure and suprisingly Kinsey kept it together. For her, the highlight was the big slide. I think Josh climbed the hill no less than 10 times!! Way to go dad!
Logan was a real trooper and just hung out in the stroller and saw the scenery. Kinsey loved feeding the goats and looking at the rabbits. She jumped on the big bouncer and did lots of swinging on the playground. The hayrack ride was a big hit and she loved going over the big bumps! After picking out her pumpkin it was time to leave. I think we will go back to Applejacks next year.
Thanks for taking the day off and spending some qt with us hubs!!!
FYI: lots of pics to come!!

A day away

It seems like it has been forever since Josh and I have had a night without kids. Well probably because it has been almost a year and a half. When I stop and think about it, its pretty much crazy. So to say we were overdue is an understatement.
Last weekend we took a short overnight trip to KC with some great friends! Much much needed. Left early Saturday morning and came back Sunday afternoon.
Lots of great car talk.
Eating without having to cut someones food up.
Stopping whenever we wanted.
Staying up late.
So so much fun!!
We shopped Saturday afternoon.
Napped.
Went to an awesome dueling piano bar Satuday night.
Slept in Sunday morning.
Late breakfast.
Headed home!!!
Thank you's to my bro and soon to be sis in law for keeping the kids Sat night and Joshs parents for taking them all day Sunday! You guys rock!
Crazy as it may be, I missed those nuggets like crazy.
But you gotta keep that hedge up in the marriage and a night away was just what we needed
Enjoy some pics

13.1 Baby!

I did it!
Last weekend was the Prairie Fire Half Marathon. Boy did I not realize 13.1 miles would kick my butt like it did. I liken it to child birth. Sounds like a great idea. You spend all of this time preparing and getting ready. In the midst of it you swear it was a bad decision(the pain part, not the precious babe part), right after you say you will NEVER do that again(the pain part again, not the baby part), then as a little time goes by you forget all of the absolute misery part and think to yourself......I think I just may try that again.
I am now at the point to where I am so proud that I finished (ahead of my goal time) and think I may have it in me to do another.
Sunday was perfect weather. Couldnt ask for better running conditions. I met with a girlfriend who was running the whole marathon and we rode downtown together. It was our intentions to get there with very little time to spare in order not to stir up extra nerves. Well we parked about 3/4 of a mile away from the start of the race and ran down to the start. Right after we got down to the main start area of the race I realized I forgot my bib. OH CRAP. They just announced it was 3 minutes until start time! With tears streaming down my face I ran as fast as I could all the way back to my car and while running back to the start line I heard the gun go off for the race to start. CRAP CRAP! I ran as fast as I could and everyone was well past the start line. I started behind everyone and was completely winded from sprinting to my car and back. What the heck!! How am I now going to run 13 miles! Im already exhausted. Not to mention I had lost everyone I was going to run with and am now going to have to face this long run alone.
I quickly changed my attitude and now my goal was to get done with this race as fast as possible. My super sweet hubby made this big sign that said "Run Momma Run" and told me he would meet me first at douglas and hydraulic. This was about 2 miles into the run. What a refreshing sight to see him, the kiddies and my in laws cheering me on! Kinsey tried to run out into the street and run with me. Super cute but she screamed when daddy came and told her she couldnt run with mommy.
I saw them again about mile 9 then again at 10.5 and then again at 12.5. It was so awesome to see them 4 times!! He must have hustled fast to get to see me that many times. I also saw another friend and her husband about mile 6. The support that people give to runners is amazing. I even saw a beer station where you could grab a small drink of beer at mile 10! I was tempted but didnt want to puke everywhere!
I crossed the finish line and all I could think of was "Im so glad thats done!"
No runners high
No real thoughts except Im ready to leave and go home
I felt pretty crappy the rest of the day
The next day I felt an awesome sense of accomplishment and very empowered. The next day I felt great!!! That feeling is what makes me think I may want to do it again! Not too soon though!

Checking In

So its been 38 days since I quit my job and I have discovered a few things through this short time.
1. Absolutely no regrets. These 37 days with my littles have opened my eyes to exactly how much time I was missing with them.
Before quitting I was a ball of nerves. Was I making the right choice? What if I wanted to pull my hair out being smothered by 2 little ones all day every day? What if I actually sucked at being a mom day in and day out? These 37 days have been awesome. Sure there have been a few not so great days strung in there but I can see my relationship with both kids changing with all of the extra time we get to spend together. These very short and few years will go by so quickly. I feel so thankful that I have had this opportunity to live their little lives with them. To clean up yogurt from the floor for the millionth time, to change a hundred diahrea filled diapers, to put 17 bandaids on the same boo boo within 2 days......So a big thank you needs to go to my hubs. Without him this would not be possible.
2. I need to work just a little.
The 12 hours a week that are spent away from my kids and working for the college and with the future paramedics of this world are much more meaningful to me. I can cherish this time with adults, in the working world, discussing things and doing a job that I really do love. Being at home full time has made me appreciate my career so much more.
3. EMS is in my heart.
I love love that job to the end. It truely is the job for me. I strangely miss putting on my uniform and dealing with the unknown that I was called to each day. I really do miss it. Right now is not the season for me to be working full time with EMS but I pray that I may be able to return to it part time soon and maybe even full time once my kids are grown.

In the end I have learned I need to trust God more. Trust His plan for my life. Faith that He knows my needs and the needs of my family.

What a change this last month has been for me and the kids but a change that I get more excited about each day!!

Have a great weekend!

8 months

Little man turned 8 months old on Saturday. Que the monthly tear fest. I sure do find myself babying the heck out of Logan. Not too sure why. He isnt going to be our last child. I think I just really know, deep down, that this isnt going to last forever. So I find Josh whining to me that I hold Logan way to much and that I am causing him to feel like he needs to be held and when I am not home he is having a hard time consoling him. To which I reply, "Whatever!"
I just really dont care. If I want to love on this little guy all the time I will. If I want to carry him around all day I will. If  I want to let him nap while laying on me I will.  I just find myself less structured with our second born. Less anxious. More able to spend time truly loving him at this very moment.
Anyways.......Here is his handsome 8 month picture

What a cutie right???

Here is what Logan is up to this month:
  Size 9 month clothes
  Size 3 diapers
  Babbling like crazy but still sticks to dadadada
  No teeth yet (wah wah)
  Can get up on all fours but thats about it
  Not real interested in learning to crawl
  Loves his jumper in short intervals
  Big sister is the best source of entertainment for him
  Loves the bath and sits up in the big kid tub
  Sleeps from 8pm to 7am with one night time feeding
  Naps a little better during the day, usually a good afternoon nap
  Nursing at bed time, middle of the night and early morning
  Formula for all day time feedings
  Im still not too consistent about solids yet, does really well with cheerios
  Mommas boy all the way
  Pretty laid back temperment, when hes fussy its for a reason

We just love the heck out of him and cant wait to watch you grow baby boy!!!

PS had to add this extra picture.....you cant take a picture without big sis in it!

Rainy day fun

Yesterday, after a night of storms that kept the kids awake, we woke to a dreary day. One of those days you just want to stay in bed all day.
Both kids had different ideas.
Both woke up early (early for my kids:)) and were itching to go!
Yesterday was a day I totally wished Kinsey had rain boots. I told myself it would be dumb to buy them, that she would never get enough use out of them. Well yesterday was one day she would have worn them.
I got both kids dressed and bundled up and we went out to stomp in the rain puddles. (Well actually Logan only got to watch from the stroller......lame, but your time will come little man).
Much to my dismay the puddles were actually pretty lame so I guess we have a pretty good drainage system?! Anyway, we stomped in the ones we could find and just enjoyed running out some morning energy.

 

Then the day got WAY better when she got to go for a school bus ride!!! Since she has started to notice school buses she has been begging me to ride one. Sorry little lady but in my day I learned bad things on the school bus and as long as Im able to this momma is driving you to school!!

Breanne babysits the kids all the time and we just love her and her mom to death.

Super sweet people.

Well Breannes mom Michelle drives buses for the Maize school system. She is so stinking sweet and was able to schedule it to where she could bring the bus by our house and pick up Kinsey, then go pick up the Kindergarteners at the school and bring Kinsey home!

What an awesome thing for a 2 year old!!

We talked all week about riding the bus. She was pumped.

Then the bus pulled up to the driveway.

Cue the screaming and tears.

Suddenly shes not so excited to ride the bus.

After a short little talk and some encouragement from her friend she was ready to get on.

 

After getting buckled in they were off for the much anticipated school bus ride.

When Michelle dropped her off it was so cute to see the big kids wave goodbye from the bus.

I was so happy that she was so happy.

We met Josh at his work and she ran up to him screaming "Daddy I ride the school bus!!!"

This dreary day turned out to be a super fun one!!!

 

1st day of school.

On Monday Kinsey had her first day of school. Our church has a great program called Kids Day Inn. Sort of like a pre preschool. She goes one day a week from 9:15 to 1:15 and I can have some alone time with Logan.
Kinsey won the lottery this year and all of her friends are in her class. (Poor Miss Wilbur:))
I found myself a little sad. It is amazing how grown up she is and it is so true that time really does go so fast. I am so proud of the little girl she has become and I love watching her experience these new things.
Daddy stayed home for the morning and we woke her up early and made a special breakfast.
After a tummy full of pancakes we headed off to school.

Daddy drew this fun little picture! (Pretty good right??...)

 

We met our friends in the parking lot and after sharing lots of screams of excitement we were headed in to class.

 

Daddy walked her into class and I followed close behind with my camera in hand

 After a rather uneventful goodbye Josh went back to work and Logan and I headed to the gym and then did some shopping. (Yikes! Just saw the terribel shadow in the pic above......ignore that)
When I picked her up so was so happy and told everyone she rode the school bus to school. Wrong, but good thought! Then told me all about a boy she met.......guess this is where is starts....Geesh!!!