Busy day

Yesterday was a busy and fun day. I woke up early and went to Home Depot and got the paint to finally paint Deuce's room. When I walked out it was starting to snow!!! That was very exciting but I don't know what was better because afterwards I went over to the new Starbucks to treat myself and found that they had a drive through! Now your probably laughing but we don't have a Starbucks close to my house that has one and that's a big deal when you have kids.
Nicole came over that morning and gave Alyssa her Christmas gifts from her and her Aunt Lisa and Uncle Mark. They were the cutest gifts. Nicole got her a Ms. Potato Head and Aunt Lisa and Uncle Mark got her this cute little back pack with a puppy attached to it along with a book. All very cute! Afterwards, Nicole and I tackled .
the bedroom and got it all painted. I'm so relieved to have got that all done. Today I'm going to tackled the crib and get that put up. I'll take some pics soon and post once I get it more decorated.
Last night we went to Warm Beach and saw the Christmas light show. It was a good time. Amazing what they do with the lights. It was freezing but it was nice to actually get outside and walk around. Alyssa enjoyed it but at the end started to get pretty fussy.

Randomness

Not much going on but I have some cute pic's of Alyssa that I thought I would share!
Baby Deuce is doing well have my next appointment on Monday morning bright and early. Cory and I have finally decided on a name, I'm so excited about that! Cory only had two days left of work next week and than he is on vacation! Woohoo! We are hoping that we get some snow in the next few days. It makes us laugh listening to people and the news freak out about the weather. We have a lot of stuff coming up between now and New Year's that I can't wait for. Will try and keep updated from now until then!

Our tradition continues

This morning we got up bright and early and faced the very chilly air and headed down to Seattle to go get Alyssa's picture taken with Santa Claus. Now you may be asking why did we head down there? It's tradition in Cory's family to get pictures with Santa at the Nordstrom downtown. It started with his mom, Cory and his brother, and now Alyssa and soon to be baby Deuce.
I was a little nervous about how long we would have to stand in line. Actually we got there a little after 0830 and were out of there and headed up to Grammy's apartment by 0930. It wasn't bad at all and we didn't have to wait outside this time! I wasn't sure if she was going to want to sit on his lap but after her cookie and watching several other kids on his lap, she got right on there without a problem. Santa asked her several questions which of course she just stared at him and she refused to give him a hug. She did very well sitting on his lap and didn't cry. We got some pictures, none of which she was smiling, but the photographer did get one and I can't wait to see it.
Afterwards we headed to The Bay for breakfast and had a great talk with the waitress there. Some of the guys Cory works with and him used to go there for coffee and she recognized him. She let him know how much she appreciated all their work they do. It was fun talking with her. Alyssa left with her two grandmas and Cory and I headed out to do our Christmas shopping. I have to say except for some stocking stuffers we are done! WOOHOO!! Alyssa must have told Santa what she wanted because she got some great gifts! I can't wait for her to open them.
When we got back to the apartment Alyssa hadn't slept at all, much to my surprise. We packed up all her stuff and headed home where she quickly fell asleep after having a very exciting day.

Cory's 33rd birthday

Monday was Cory's 33rd birthday. He enjoyed the day going golfing with some good friends and having beers afterwards. Than we went into Seattle and dropped Alyssa off at G. Grammy's and we headed to Salty's to have dinner. My parents had got him a gift certificate there for his birthday. Our problem than was solved as to where we were going. I so benefited from that gift! Although I think there are many better seafood restaurants in the Seattle area we had a great meal and walked away stuffed as usual.
They had the place all decorated with their nutcrackers which are amazing. I can't wait until I can take Alyssa, to the nutcracker that is! Our waitress brought out some champagne and cider for us to have a toast. It was a nice relaxing dinner.
Alyssa on the other hand was entertaining herself. G. Grammy was having some friends over from church and when we got there she was running all about and showing off. It was kind of funny to meet all these people who already new so much of us but we had no idea who they were! They were celebrating someones birthday and Alyssa was all excited about the candles and cake, of course!
Last night I went out with some friends and learned how to make chocolates. It was amazing and so easy. I think this might be a bad habit! Baby Deuce is doing good. I'm getting bigger and he's letting me know when he is awake by kicking like crazy! We have been discussing baby names and I'm getting ready to paint the bedroom. I'm so excited to get that all put together.

Our Thanksgiving trip

For Thanksgiving this year we headed down to Longview for four days. Cory and I stayed at the hotel and Alyssa got to stay at my parents house for the time we were there. She had a blast and was spoiled a lot! I think she got ice cream every night!!!!!!
Thanksgiving day we spent it at my parents house with family there and had a feast! My mom really out done herself with everything. We had all the usual fixings along
with my favorite a seafood salad that was delicious. Alyssa was a little tired when I went and woke her up from her nap early, but everyone wanted to see her. She didn't eat much of her dinner but loved the pumpkin cheesecake that my mom made.
The next day I got up and went and did a little shopping since our hotel was at or by the mall. I got a great deal on a winter jacket for Alyssa and some clothes for
baby Deuce, even though I think I will have to take those back. After that we went and spent the day with Cory's family. We had a great time as well. Cory and his brother went and played some golf while Alyssa and I hung out at the house with his mom, sister in law and her son. It was fun to get the cousins together since they never get to see each other.
We headed home Saturday and once we got home spent the rest of it decorating for Christmas! I'm so excited I love this time of year. This next month is going to be so very busy and I'm so excited with all the stuff we have planned.

Seattle Childrens Museum

This last Friday Cory was off and we decided to head into Seattle and take Alyssa to the Seattle Center and go to the Children's Museum. We picked up G. Grammy along the way to go with us. I was really excited because they had a Sesame Street exhibit going on that I knew Alyssa would like because she LOVES Elmo!
We had a blast! Alyssa is at the perfect age now where I don't have to help her as much and I can let her run around and explore on her own. It was so much fun watching her. She got to crawl through whales, play in water, look at "real" fish, play in boats and cars, make noise on the drums, and go down Sesame Street. Her absolute favorite was playing in the grocery store. She grabbed the cart and was gone. She just started putting grocery's in it and when I asked her to put a specific item back she grabbed exactly that. How brilliant!!! After about ten minutes in there I decided it was time to move on. I should have ran that by her first because she was not ready to go yet. She threw a little tantrum. I think I know what we will be getting her for Christmas though!
We spent a couple hours there and afterwards went upstairs and had lunch at the restaurant. She spent her time coloring and actually broke her first plate! The waitress was so nice she didn't seem fazed and even brought Alyssa some cookies with whipped cream on them. Alyssa loved the whip cream!
We finally left after lunch and headed back home after dropping off G. Grammy. Alyssa and I were both exhausted. I can't wait to take her back and spend the day there this summer when the weather is a little nicer. We all had a blast and I think G. Grammy especially. She used to take Cory and his brother there when they were little so Im sure it brought back a ton of memories.

Spending time with Daddy

I was out running errands the other day and when I came home Alyssa and Cory were napping together on the couch. It was very cute except for by the time I went and got the camera Alyssa had of course woke up!
Cory and I went out for two dates this last week and had a great time. The first one we went out downtown Seattle and went to the Bodies Exhibit. It was really amazing. The part I enjoyed the most, and not to sound sick, was the fetus'. They had them all the way up to twenty weeks. It was sad but in the same sense amazing to actually see what the progression is up close instead of just a picture. Afterwards we went out to eat at Palomino in Rainier Square. It was delicious and afterwards we went and did a little shopping at Pacific Place. Our next date was just dinner and hockey and it was also a lot of fun. When we were leaving the weather was crazy. Hailing, thundering, raining, snowing, and sun. The game was great and we got to see a couple of good fights.
This next week or really until the end of the month we are swamped. We have so much going on. Alyssa has a bunch of activities planned, I have my book club and some nights out with friends and than we have our Thanksgiving vacation. We also have another doctors appointment for Baby Deuce.

Locked out

The other day I was heading out to get the mail and on my way back Cory was getting into his car to go to the gym. No big deal, so I had thought, until I got up to the front door. I found the front screen door wouldn't open. I didn't think it was locked for you have to pull it closed to lock it but it was stuck. Alyssa was standing there crying because she wanted to come outside. I saw Cory at the end of the road turning out of our development and thought, CRAP! I ran next door and used my neighbors phone and called him and had him turn around and come back.
Once he returned he opened the garage door and we realized that nope the door wasn't stuck and she had actually locked it! We couldn't believe it. She has watched me do it so many times when I have the door open so she can't wander out I guess I shouldn't be surprised!

Halloween

Friday the day before Halloween Alyssa and I went trick or treating with our friends from our MOSS group and went to an assisted living home. Alyssa was a little shy with all the people who lived there who kept coming up to her but once we started to go around and get candy she perked right up and learned what to do very quickly. It was very cute to watch all the kids in their costumes. I was a little bummed because I had wanted to take pictures but once there I realized I didn't have the SB card for my camera...ugh!
Later that night we were invited to a friends daughters Halloween party. We went and had a blast! Alyssa just jumped right in and was wanting to play with all the girls. They aged from around 7-9 and Alyssa and Jianna were dressed in similar costumes. It was very cute! The food was great had lots of treats and were sent home with a lot of them that Cory loved since he was unable to go because he had to work. The girls played lots of games and had a great time. I look forward to doing that stuff with Alyssa as she gets older. We were exhausted when we got home and had an early morning the next day.
That next morning we were going to get our H1N1 shots. There was a place really close to us at a church that I decided to go to. They didn't open until 9 and I got there around 8 and you already had to park blocks away and the line was wrapped around with no cover. It was pouring outside. I decided I would just skip it. So we headed to Walmart to pick up our Christmas cards that were done. As we were leaving there I noticed there was a pharmacy that was giving the shots right by the Walmart. So we popped in there and waited 2 1/2 hours and got our much needed shots.
That Halloween night we actually ended up staying home and handing out candy. I made a nice dinner for us and dressed Alyssa up so the trick or treaters could see her and we just relaxed. Cory was off for the first time in a long time on Halloween. It will be so much fun in the years following taking the kids out and having party's for them on Halloween.