Little girl growing up

A few weeks ago we went out and were visiting Great Uncle George and Great Grammy and I came across these pictures that were taken. Lately every time I look or watch Alyssa I see her doing something that amazes me and makes me realize how quickly she is changing. The pictures that I got of her with her backpack on I love but made me sad to think soon she will be running off to school! I get to see her tomorrow after being gone for a week. Although it's been nice to catch up on stuff uninterrupted I sure have missed her!

Baby Deuce's baby shower and week ahead

Last weekend Nicole and I headed to Longview where her and my mom gave me a baby shower. It turned out fantastic and they went to a lot of work. The food was fantastic like always, my mom is a wonderful cook! I got to see two of my Aunts whom I haven't seen in a very long time along with an old friend from high school. It was great seeing her and catching up. I got lots of great gifts for Baby Deuce as well as diapers. We headed back up to Seattle afterwards and Alyssa stayed down in Longview with her Grandma Gail for the week. I have been missing her like crazy but it's been nice to get some stuff on and to try and catch up on some much needed rest!

We turned Alyssa's crib into a toddler bed and I can't wait to see how she does in it when she comes home. Im sure it will take some getting used to but hopefully she is not getting up too much! We also moved the changing table out of her room and into the baby Deuce's room. I thought about starting to potty train her but I don't feel she is ready for it yet. We read books on it and she flushes the toilet and stuff but to fully start I think would be pushing her at this point. Although it will suck having two in diapers it will only be for a little while.

Baby Deuce's room is all done! I still have some things to get, as for a new monitor, clothes hamper and some baskets to put stuff in. Other than that we are ready to go and anxiously awaiting his arrival. I had my doctors appointment today and everything is look very good. Im so thankful for that. Although I wished I was done Im going to really try and enjoy these next few weeks, which are going to fly by!

Alyssa's second birthday is coming up and Im so excited for it. I can't wait for her to get her birthday present which she is absolutley going to love and for her party. Cory and I got her a play kitchen for her room. She has so much fun playing with all this stuff when we go to her friends house or the museum. I just hope it fits ok in her bedroom! I still can't believe she is going to be two years old and what a remarkable little girl she is becoming!

All about ME!

We are almost a month into the new year and I have decided that this is the year that I'm going to start making things about me. Some of you may be laughing especially knowing we have a toddler and another baby on the way. Obviously my children come first but I have decided that I'm not going to get lost in that mix and have made several resolutions that are about ME and my well being.

The first thing that I vow to do is get into really good shape. Since I'm a SAHM I have absolutely no excuse to get into the gym at least four times a week if not more. One of the things I want to start doing is running. Again for those of you who do know me, your probably laughing because I hate running. A friend of mine took it up this last year and is doing amazing. My goal with this is to run a half marathon and work my way from there. Especially since this is on my list of things to do before I'm 40. I think chasing after two little ones will also burn some calories. The other thing that I'm vowing to do, which is going to be crazy impossible, is to keep junk food out of the house. Although good, we don't need any of it. My downfall is going to be that I love to bake and I love chocolate. So maybe I will just say to cut back.

Secondly at least once a month I'm going to take time to pamper myself. Now I'm not talking extravagant outings to a Spa Resort that will break the bank but anything from taking an hour or so for a hot bath, with no int eruptions such as "mama" or questions from the husband, to getting a pedicure, facial, massage, hair cut etc. I don't consider myself a real girly girl BUT I do love to get pampered.
The other thing that I guess would fall into this category is to look put together every time I leave the house. I'm excluding working out from this. I know with having two kids your clothes get spilled on, spit up on and etc. but I want to at least look like I have it going on even if the inside I'm a scattered mess!

Next I'm going to start writing again. Now, Nicole don't think I'm copying you because I'm really not. I used to write a lot, wrote for the school newspaper and even considered a career in journalism but several things changed my mind with that. I have several ideas for some short stories etc. Besides writing this blog I really miss it, even if it's just me that will be reading them.

Reading is something that I also want to get back into. I have joined a book club and I'm enjoying that so much. We take turns picking books and for the most part I have been very happy with the selections. There have been several I would have never read and have enjoyed so much. It's really opened my mind to other authors and topics than what I normally would read.

There are several other things such as, golf, cooking, gardening (no comments from anyone on this one), not driving and talking on cell phone etc. that I want to improve on. As well as being the best wife, mother, daughter(in-law), sister(in-law),friend, person that I can possibly be. We will see where this list of things takes me. Hear is to another wonderful challenge that will probably be out the window within the next hour or so!

Ten to go and counting

I had a check up on Wednesday and was anxious for it because I was going to find out the results of my three hour glucose test and to talk with the doctor about how I had been feeling. Everything checked out normal so I was really excited about that and all my other issues are just normal pregnancy issues that I just need to deal with. I did inform the doctor that I was done and he just laughed and said well the baby wasn't and I would have to stick it out a little longer. Im currently 30 weeks along, almost 31. It's starting to feel like anytime now and Cory keeps reminding me he needs to pack his bag. I laugh because I don't know what he is so stressed about but that's my OCD husband for you!

Baby Deuce's heartbeat was nice and strong like normal. I haven't been sleeping well again. I wake up when Cory goes to work around 2 a.m. and than I'm up for awhile before I fall asleep only to get up at 6:30. Thankfully Alyssa doesn't get up until around 8 - 8:30. I have been getting lots of Braxton Hicks contractions, which I don't think are a big deal at all. Granted they can be uncomfortable at times but are nothing like the "real" thing.

Alyssa went to Gymboree on Monday and played at their open gym time. She had so much fun there. She amazes me how she is growing and turning into a little girl. I have her birthday already planned and can't believe she is going to be turning two! She has also been enjoying feeding her little brother. It's kind of funny. She will bring me her tea pot and pour into my belly button. Than she will hug and kiss my belly. She is going to be a great big sister.

We are heading down to Longview on Friday for my baby shower on Saturday. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone, especially those I haven't seen forever. My friends in Alyssa's playgroup gave me and one of the other ladies in the group a shower last week. It was so much fun. We just went out to dinner but they showered us with some amazing gifts.

Random thoughts and happenings

So not too much is going on but getting back into our routine. Which pretty much consists of busy weeks! I'm working on plans for Alyssa's second birthday, which I'm looking forward to and trying to figure out what to get the kid who has everything, well almost!

I have been having all these thoughts lately about people parenting and kids. One of my biggest pet peeves is parents who do not discipline their own children. Than just blame it on their gender! What!?! Just to let you know it has nothing to do with gender. Yes there is a difference in how little girls and boys play and such but if they misbehave, like they all do, discipline them for gods sake!

My friend Jamie, who is in our playgroup, is having a little girl in February. Her and I decided to swap clothes since she already has a boy who happens to have been born in March. So our children of the same sex will be born in the same months and it worked out perfectly! I was so excited when I saw all the clothes. Our little Deuce is going to be a well dressed kid. I have realized that I'm pretty picky when it comes to my children's clothes. Something I knew with Alyssa but didn't think I would be with a boy, but I am. Thankfully I have a little while when I still have control over it. The clothes that Jamie gave me where just to my liking!

Last week after Christmas I was exhausted and started feeling pretty sick. I had talked with a nurse who wanted me to go into Triage and get checked out. I was pretty nervous but everything came back OK. My blood pressure was up but it eventually went back down. I'm still pretty nauseated and feet hurt. I was told that I need to take it easy and I probably over did it during the holidays, and if I didn't it could lead to bed rest. UGH! Anyhow, I go back to the doctor next week and we will see how everything looks. I have to go back on Friday for a 3hr glucose test. Which is horrible. I was so hoping I didn't have to but am not surprised. I was high with Alyssa too but after the 3hr one was OK. They just want to double check because I came back high this time as well. Which leads me to my other thought. I have been getting all these fun pregnancy related things and the onething I have really wanted I haven't got, big boobs! Now why couldn't I have to deal with that!?!?!

With all that being said I'm just very thankful that both my children and husband are healthy and we had a great 2009. We are very excited for 2010 and all the things that we have planned in the coming year!

Man Hug

It's become kind of a joke in our family with Cory about man hugs. It all started about two and half years ago or so when my niece graduated from her masters program and we all went out that night. My brother in law gave Cory a big hug in belltown and Cory didn't know what to do and was very uncomfortable and embarrassed. Since then we have joked about at his expense. He thinks they are "gay" and men shouldn't be giving other men hugs.
Well at Christmas his mom was getting pictures of everyone and got one of him and my dad. My dad put his arm around him and yelled out "man hug!" I loved this picture, I thought it was great. Although it wasn't a full man hug it was close enough and Gail got it captured. Two of my favorite men!

Christmas Eve and Day and after

The holidays are finally winding down and what a whirlwind it has been! I'll start off with Christmas Eve first. That morning I got Alyssa up early and packed the car up and took Harley into the kennel and we headed into Seattle. G. Grammy was going to babysit while I went to see The Rockettes. Cory's parents got me tickets to go see them at The Paramount Theatre. It was a phenomenal show! Gail and I headed downtown around ten in the morning and did some shopping and lunch. I got some of the cutest clothes for the baby. I'm getting so excited! After lunch we walked to the theatre for the show. It lasted for about two hours and was worth every penny.
Once we sat down, which our seats were great, eighth row, the lady next to me asked me if I had ever been to a show before. I told her I hadn't and she told me her son was one of the dancers. We started to talk and she was talking about the life of a dancer. It's amazing the work they put in, the hours, and years of school and tryouts. After that we headed back up to Grammys where Cory had already picked Alyssa up and I visited a little while with Tyson, Amanda and Nolan. Once I got home I was exhausted from being up since around 5:30 in the morning and walking around. I was hoping to get a good nights sleep but I was wrong!
Christmas morning came way too fast! I was up and showered by 6:30 and already getting the house prepared for the family.
My parents showed up early and I was so thankful for that. My mom helped me get my applesauce going, she pealed all the apples. We all hung out until Alyssa got up and we started to open presents, which we ended up doing throughout the day, because of her big hall! Cory's parents and brother's family arrived early morning and we had a good time hanging out until the rest of the family arrived. Later that afternoon G. Grammy, G. Uncle George, and Aunt Judy and Uncle Tony all arrived. It was a great day hanging with the family and watching the kids play and opening all their presents. The last of the family ended up leaving around seven or so and I was exhausted.
Two days of being on my feet all day was starting to catch up with me. My legs were aching from the knees down, feet swollen, throbbing and red. They still hurt today!
The next day we met my parents and Cory's for breakfast at the hotel and afterwards said goodbye to mine while Cory's stayed for another day. Gail and I ended up cleaning house and putting away all the Christmas decorations. It feels so good to get the house back to "normal"
Cory and I both thought this was one of our best Christmas' in a long time!

Happy Birthday to me!

My birthday was yesterday and originally Cory had to go back to work that night/morning so we were going to celebrate on Monday instead.
He had been asking me what I wanted to do and since being pregnant a lot of the stuff I do enjoy doing is somewhat hard to do pregnant or I can't/shouldn't do at all. After much thought I decided I wanted to go see the movie Avatar at IMAX/3D at the Seattle Center and go out to dinner afterwards. I know it's dorky but it really was an amazing movie. Not so much the movie itself but the effects. Just to say we were probably the most "normal" people there. I felt like I was at a Star Trek convention or something. No offense to anyone out there who enjoys that type of thing. Afterwards we went over to Racha and had some Thai food and afterwards to the Melting Pot for their dessert. Which was amazing as always!
Last week Cory received an email from his Sgt. that one of his denied vacation days
was now approved. We were really excited because that meant we could go out on my actual birthday as well! We spent the day running around doing errands, baking, cleaning, and basically getting ready for Christmas. That evening though we had a family dinner out and Alyssa and Cory surprised me by getting an ice cream cake for me. I haven't actually had a birthday cake for years and it was a nice surprise!
On Christmas Eve I get to go see the Rockettes, which I can't wait for, which was a birthday present from Cory's parents. It's been a fun week and I can't wait for Christmas morning for Alyssa to see all her goodies from Santa!

More fun

Yesterday, I took Cory and Alyssa to the Snoqualmie Gourmet Ice Cream shop in Maltby. They make the best ice cream! We had lunch there and than Alyssa and I got some pumpkin ice cream that was fabulous!
Afterwards we went to Cory's friends house who is a cop for BNSF, and lives nearby. His wife wasn't around but we hung out with him for a few hours and he became Alyssa's best friend after bringing her a plate of cookies. Alyssa promptly took one and started eating it and claimed each one by taking a little bite and putting them back. The plate was completely for her. Doug and his wife had also got her a Christmas gift. Alyssa hasn't stopped playing with it. It's a cute little car that of course makes all kinds of noise.
Today we went to the Everett Children's Museum and had a blast. Alyssa loves that place. She ran all around and was surprisingly in a good mood considering she hadn't had her nap yet. After about two hours we left and on our way out decided to get a membership there. It's such a great deal money wise and it's so close to our house we couldn't pass it up.
I have decided that Alyssa is going to have her birthday party there this year. It will be so much fun. I can't wait or believe that she will be two in two months! The time sure has flied by. We are gearing up for a very busy week, with my birthday celebration, shopping, and Christmas. I can't wait for it all and will keep you all posted!