One day your life will flash before your eyes... Make sure its worth watching.

Our first assignment

2010-01-14T13:26:00.000-08:00

We received notification today on Drew's first assignment for the Army. After graduation on May 14, 2010 we will be locating to nations capital in Washington DC and will be stationed on Andrews AFB. This is good news. VERY GOOD news. For many reasons.

It was our top choice. We were told after submitting our top choices that Andrews AFB was the most sought after base on the list. This probably had to do with the fact that it was the ONLY North East base available, so that made it a hot commodity. For us to get the base is just amazing. I like to think its because of Andrews amazing work ethic and his ability to bring new light to the job. Hes just that good.

Secondly, it's a short 3 1/2 hour drive from our home in Johnstown PA. This means seeing more of family... this means having the KIDS see more of their grandparents, aunts, uncles, great grandparents, and mom and dad can see everyone plus friends more!

I grew up in Maryland so this means I can reconnect with all of my old friends!

I'm about to scream with excitement! Oops, i already did that 9asmy my co-worker).

Here's to the next step in our lives!

And we're moving to...

2010-01-08T14:43:00.000-08:00

HA! Tricked you!

We'd like to know the answer to that question, too!

I'm sure most of you are wondering when we are going to post about where they Army will be sending us once we graduate. We had to have our first list in at the beginning of December, only to have the Army email us right before Christmas and request a second list; this time we had to rank every open base from our favorite to least favorite. The email basically said that everyone had put down the same top 3 bases so now we had to re list ALL of them. FUN.

I'm not-so-secretly hoping for Andrew's Air Force base in MD still, but I guess they will send us wherever they want to.. it's out of our hands.

At this point, I just want to KNOW. I want to search for houses, I want to find an online group of moms that live on base, I want to search for preschools and playgroups. I just want to
K-N-O-W!

Back from ADT

2010-01-07T04:56:00.000-08:00

Daddy's home!

Trying to crawl

2010-01-06T04:55:00.000-08:00

Virus! Not the computer kind :)

2010-01-06T04:42:00.000-08:00

Tradd has a virus... not sure what it is. We took him to the Pediatrician yesterday and this "rash" is just the virus getting itself out of his system. Hes had a fever of 102+ for the past 6 days and then these red blotches on his hands and face started showing up... now it has spread to his legs. The Dr. said its a virus like Roseola or 5ths disease and there isn't much we can do. I'm running on "e" right now with the lack of sleep Ive gotten. Good news is that it should be out of his system soon.

New year, New Decade

2010-01-01T07:32:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! And Happy New Decade! Who would have thought the past 10 years would have gone by so fast. I wanted to honor the next 10 years of my life starting in 2010 with a recap of what happened since 2000.

2000- I was a sophomore in high school and the only thing I was concerned about was my boyfriend, my friends, and when the next party would be. And getting my learners permit so I could be sooo cool and drive my friends around!

2001-Junior in Highschool, got my licence in January and drove the COOLEST Chevy Beretta around. I started dating Andrew on 5/5/01. Andrew got seriously injured in a baseball accident on July 2nd (my 17th birthday) he was put in the ICU for 5 days due to a ruptured spleen. That's when I knew I was in it for the long haul... i spent the whole week practically by his side.

2002-Senior in High school, graduated in June. We found out earlier in the year that Drew would be attending The Citadel in Charleston, SC. Who knew what our future would hold for us since he was going to be so far away?!?! Drew left for school in August and I returned back to PA to start school at the community college. November 28th, Thanksgiving night, Drew proposed to me. We were inseparable.

2003-Not a year that I remember very well. This was my limbo year. I purchased my 1995 Dodge Neon which I loved dearly.

2004- graduated from CCACC, bought a 2001 Dodge Stratus due to totalling my Neon after hitting a dear on the highway with Drew and his brother in the car, I fractured by sternum and dislocated my thumb... good turnout considering what the poor deer looked like. In August I moved down to Charleston, SC to be closer to Drew. Got my first apartment at WestChase in West Ashley and was scared to death to be on my own. Got a job with Saks 5th Avenue and was loving life! Zoey was adopted in October of 2004 :) My first baby. Went through TWO roommates and finally lived on my own for 4 months.

2005- Moved to Fairfield Drive with my friend at the time Kate. Quit my job at Saks to become a CAR SALESMAN at Rick Hendrick Volvo. Loved it, for a while at least :) December 13th Drew graduated from the Citadel and we married on December 17th. I turned 21 this year also!

2006- Drew got accepted to Colorado State Veterinary School (among MANY others) and we decided to make the move out here to Colorado. I quit my Volvo job and started working for Enterprise Rent A Carin February. I found out I was pregnant in June... I couldn't wait to become a mom (after the initial shock)! We moved out to Colorado in august.

2007- Our beautiful baby girl, Evangeline, was born on February 18th. We celebrated milestones and also had many sleepless nights. Shes amazing none the less.

2008- The Phillies won the world series, and the same night I fould out I was pregnant with our 2nd child. In February we found out we were having a baby boy.

2009-Tradd Mason was born on June 24th. Drew took his National boards on December 8th and spent the remainder of the month completing his ADT in Savanna GA. We should soon find out where the Army will be sending us, and be moving there in June of 2010.

I promise there was more to this, but these were the importants in my life :)

Barn Star Ideas

2009-12-31T12:05:00.000-08:00

Today on my lunch break I went over to the Goodwill that is thisclose to my work. Their Christmas items were 75% off! I purchased a gold angel candle holder (which I will be spray painting black and storing for next Christmas) and another ceramic candle holder for $.25 cents EACH. I also got a ceramic Christmas house that holds a tea light in the top and a votive in the bottom for $.75, 3 candle stick for $1.99 each, (it was a big splurge but they are SOLID and will look great painted black), a spice rack for $1.99 (I got drew spices for Christmas... i'll spray paint it black also), TWO Christmas topiaries that are from target that sell for $30 each.. I got them for $4 each!

.... And my favorite steal is a Barn Star... for $3. That's right, in fact it was only $2.99... for... a ..BARN... STAR. New, they cost anywhere from $50-$75! I'm in heaven! I plan on painting it... possibly black (do you see a theme here with my painting? BLACK everything)! Right now it's an ugly gold color... yuck. But I don't know where to put it and the thing is HUGE.

Should I hang it in my living room? Above the mantle? Save it until we move and decide then? Keep it as a Christmas decoration? I just don't know! Help me! When Is aw it I thought "ohhh... I'm going to paint this black, and hang it in my living room!" But then I second guessed myself. Grrrrr

This isn't MY star (mine is much bigger) but this is what it looks like. Any ideas on what to do with it and where to put it?!

The Crafty Mom

2009-12-31T07:56:00.001-08:00

Oh how I long to be one of those moms who can look at an old piece of furniture, an imperfect discounted item, or a piece of fabric and just KNOW that I could turn it into something fabulous. I can't.... YET.

My favorite store over the past year has been Hobby Lobby. Haven't heard of Hobby Lobby before? Don't fret... I didn't either until I moved out here to Colorado. It's a craft store like Michael's but 100X better! They have furniture, wall decor, holiday decor, craft items, flowers... you name it, they have it. But the thing I like MOST about Hobby Lobby is their sales. Oh how I LOVE their sales! My first purchase from them was last year when they had their Household decorations on sale. I kid you not, I bought THREE heavy candle holders to go on our new table and two picture frames to go on our new dresser. The cost? Less than $10 for all 5 items. one of the picture frame's glass was cracked... but I put a black and white photo of our wedding in there and it gave it an old feel. One of the candlesticks had a chip out of the bottom, but turned just the right way, you cant even see it. And i saved 95%! The candlesticks alone were ORIGINALLY $19.99-$29.99... I got them for $1.40 each for 2 of them, and the larger one was $2.40! WHAT A STEAL!

My favorite deal from them is a wall clock i found for $5! Originally $49.99! It looks like a long rectangular picture that hangs on the wall, but its actually a functioning clock! I love it!

Right now Hobby lobby has some of their Home goods on sale again for 66% off... there are some AMAZING items there (like these purple shelves I want to get Evangeline) but they are currently $6.50... and I think if i wait just a bit longer, I can get them for cheaper... RIGHT?

OK, anyway, like I said before, I have this dream of becoming a crafty mom who can turn anything into a work of art. If you look at the blogs I am following, I have gotten great ideas from so many talented blogging moms! I cant wait until we move to our PCOS and I get to stay at home... I'll be crafting the day away!

Christmas!

2009-12-26T14:56:00.000-08:00

I'm sure you all are stalking my blog in anticipation of countless Christmas pictures of the kids on Christmas morning. Well, you'll have to wait until January 1st. Sure, we opened a few presents on Christmas morning, but with Drew being gone until the end of the month, we decided it was best to open family gifts on Christmas morning, and then gifts from Santa on the 1st :)

My dad is out until the 31st so he got to spend Christmas morning with me and the kids. Vang opened up a bunch of clothes from her nana (my mom) and her Uncle Steve and Aunt Nicole (my brother and my sister in law), and she also gota Vtech toy from Deb at Daycare. We opened up a kid scrapbook and stickers from MomMom (Drews mom), and Tradd got a steering wheel toy from my dad and a Lion ride on toy from MomMom and PopPop. We saved the rest of the gifts for January 1st.

Stay tuned!

Christmas Pictures

2009-12-23T18:24:00.000-08:00

Taken by me :)

UPDATES!

2009-12-22T08:30:00.000-08:00

Im horrible at updating recently. My excuse is that Drew is gone for the month to do his ADT (Active Duty Training) in Georgia, so I am at home with the kids by myself. My day is like this: wake up, get both kids ready for school, out the door by 7:25, at daycare by 7:30, have to be 20 miles away by 8am for work, work until 4:40, leave to pick the kids up by 5, baths, dinner, bottles, clean, and by that time its 9:00 and I havent had a second to breathe. I guess thats why Im only TEN pounds away from my pre-preg weight, because im ALWAYS on the run.

Here's a rundown of what has happened this month:

Purchased our 1st NEW CAR (Volvo XC90) on December 5th.
Drew took his national boards on December 8th
Drew left December 9th for Savanna GA until the 30th of this month.
Our 4 year wedding anniversary was on December 17th
December 18th we got an email from the Army saying we had to REDO our station list
December 24th my dad comes out until the 31st
December 24th Tradd is SIX months old
Drew comes home on the 30th
Celebrating "Christmas" as a family on january 1st.

Tradd is now: sleeping 10 hours a night
ZOEY is sleeping in Evangelines room
Tradd is on his hands and knees rocking back and forth, crawling soon?
Tradd can now sit unassisted for a short period of time.

I have SO many pictures I need to add here. I will do that, TONIGHT. I mean, TONS.

Also, I have been thinking of ideas of what to do when i become a SAHM mom and I have millions and millions of great ideas, and thanks to the NEW SEWING machine drew grandparents got me (YAY! THANKS!) I can finally start my crafts!

Ok, thats all for now! WHEW!

Peas Please!

2009-11-17T06:01:00.000-08:00

This past weekend we tried to give Tradd avacados... he was not a fan. So, it was to my surprise, that he absolutely LOVED peas! He ate the whole thing PLUS 2 cubes of peaches PLUS cereal!

Millions of peaches... peaches for me!

2009-11-12T18:59:00.000-08:00

Tonight I was giving Tradd his regular rice cereal before bed and he did NOT want to have anything to do with it. The other day I made TONS of baby food (peaches, pears, avocados, and sweet potatoes to start) so I decided to grab a cube out, nuke it, and mix it in with his cereal to see if he liked it. The second that sweet peach touched his mouth he was HOOKED. I couldn't get the spoon in his mouth fast enough. We finished off 1 peach cube with some cereal which was about 2 oz of food, and the little man wanted more! So I ran to the freezer, popped another cube in the microwave for 15 seconds, mixed in some cereal, and started feeding him again. He devoured it! This whole time the poor little guy just wanted some REAL food with some FLAVOR! I am so excited to be officially started on...... SOLIDS!

YAY!!!!

Not so "healthy" HealtheTrim

2009-11-11T13:42:00.000-08:00

NOT a fan.

I started taking these again on Monday. Everyone I know that has taken these said they have had good results with no side effects. I am the opposite. 3 days and im UP 1/2 a pound and have KILLER headaches right after I take them. Needless to say Im going to return them for a full refund (minus the shipping and handling). I guess I have to lose the rest of the weight the old fashioned way... DIET and EXERCISE.

!!!!COMMENTS!!!!

2009-11-10T15:20:00.000-08:00

I dont know if anyone has been TRYING to leave comments, but I just realized my comment page wasnt working! Errrr how irritating! ANYWAY, I changed the format so now you should be able to leave comments... and PLEASE DO!

Swing Video 2

2009-11-10T08:41:00.000-08:00

Swing Video 1

2009-11-10T08:40:00.000-08:00

Cereal and Big Helper

2009-11-09T03:23:00.000-08:00

Vang helped take these pictures of me feeding Tradd, and the she wanted me to take pictures of her feeding Tradd. ((((((((SIGH)))))))) shes such a good daughter, and a great big sister!

Healthe Trim Update

2009-11-08T16:58:00.001-08:00

I started HealtheTrim on Sunday, November 1st and really only used it for 3 days. I got really sick this past week so I figured it wouldn't be best to start a new diet trend when I felt like a Mac Truck was running me over. SO, now that I'm all better, rested up and feeling great, tomorrow is a new day. I plan on eating healthier, working out at least 3 days a week, and taking my Healthe Trim everyday. Wish me luck!

OH, Ps, in those 3 days I dropped 2 pounds.... hmm, hopefully that's a sign that I'm on my way to a skinner me!

Cereal!

2009-11-08T08:41:00.000-08:00

We're starting solids!

BathTime!

2009-11-07T20:40:00.001-08:00

Giving Tradd a bath and of course Evangeline wants to help. Its a daily fight with her. But I love it

Complete overhaul

2009-11-07T10:24:00.000-08:00

Drew and I decided that for the next 6 months we were going to have Tradd sleep in our bedroom instead of trying to get both of the kids to sleep in the same room. This is a good idea for two reasons...
#1- Vang wont wake Tradd up when she has her night terrors/nightmares/sleepwalking/sleep talking episodes.
#2- Tradd wont wake Vangie up when he gets up at 5am to eat.

I'd rather have him wake ME up than his sister. Plus, we are going to be moving in May, so really its not too much further away, and I like having him in our room... he's a good sleeper!

Anyway, today was the overhaul day. We moved Tradds crib into our room, took out the dog crate and bassinet to make room. Dog crate is now in the basement. Bassinet is in the box. Tradds crib is by the window and the changing table... he has his own little area. Evangeline's room is now her OWN room. I moved around the furniture and she has so much more room. She hasn't come out of her room since she realized its ALL hers. I kind of like this idea. Kitchen is spotless. No clutter. The basement is now organized and clean. Whew. And its only 11:30 :)

Pics to come!

THANK YOU DREW!

2009-11-06T18:42:00.000-08:00

I just want to thank my amazing husband for really stepping up the past few days and helping take care of the kids. If you read my previous post you would know that Ive been a little under the weather recently, and even though I'm sick, I still have to do my motherly duties. The kids wait for NOONE :). Drew's been on vacation this week and he has gotten up EVERY morning with Tradd... he has done all of the morning feedings, and 1/2 of the time Tradd will go back down and sleep a few more hours, but then there are mornings like today where he's up and happy at 5am. So, Thank You Drew for letting me sleep in and get my rest so I can go back to being super mom and super amazing wife (haha.. ok just super mom I guess).

For his efforts, I promised Drew that I would get up both Saturday and Sunday morning. Better go to bed early I guess!

New Blog Layout

2009-11-06T07:48:00.001-08:00

I'm sick of my blog. The owls were cute for a whole 2 min. and now Im done with them. Does anyone have any good sites for blogger templates? Let me know! I NEED a change!

Sick

2009-11-05T03:13:00.001-08:00

I started feeling yucky this past Saturday which of course was the night I decided to go to bed early (Tylenol Warming made me sleeeeeeeeeepy) and of course that was the night Drew got called in for work. Anyway, Ive had a nagging cough, which turns into a headache because I cough so much, which in turn makes me lose my voice. Right now its Thursday morning at 4:14 am and I am awake because #1, I am nauseous and have the chills, and #2, I have a baby who refuses to sleep well recently. My boss will be getting a call this morning letting him know the only place I'm going today is back to sleep.

Quotes on Parenthood

2009-11-04T08:13:00.000-08:00

I never thought that I could love another human being as much as I love my children. Being a parent changes your perspective on absolutely everything. From the way you watch TV (yes, it IS OK to cry for you to cry at those commercials!), to the news you read daily (she did WHAT to her child?), to the "10 min you wish you had to yourself" and when you finally get it all you do is think about your kids... absolutely everything changes. Being a mom is the most rewarding AND the most frustrating thing I have ever done.

I know one day I'll look back and think:

"If I had my child to raise over again, I'd build self-esteem first and the house later.

I'd finger paint more and point the finger less.

I would do less correcting and more connecting.

I'd take my eyes off my watch and watch with my eyes.

I would care to know less and know to care more.

I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.

I'd stop playing serious and seriously play.

I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.

I'd do more hugging and less tugging.

I'd see the oak tree in the acorn more often.

I would be firm less often and affirm much more.

I'd model less about the love of power And more about the power of love.

--Diane Loomans

I want to enjoy the little moments now, while my kids still want to me around me!

Tradd's first injury

2009-11-03T08:29:00.000-08:00

November 2, 2009 marked the day of Tradd's first injury. It's inevitable that something will happen along the way... bumps, bruises, skinned knees... they are all a part of childhood. With Vang, her first real accident was rolling off the bed. It scared the living daylights out of me and still to this day I get the chills thinking about it. You learn from your past mistakes though. Tradd is never left alone on furniture, especially now that he's rolling all over the place. His first accident was different.

Drew is on vacation this week so he was nice enough to get up with Tradd at 6am while I got to sleep in a bit longer. I took my time taking a shower, and dilly-dallyed around on the computer while Drew took on daddy duty. I went upstairs to get dressed for work and noticed that the trash hadn't been taken out, and remembered immediately that it was trash day! So I yell down to Drew and we both gather up the trash and he goes to take it outside. Tradd was laying on his blanket on the floor doing tummy time/back time/rolling around... exercising all of those tiny muscles! Well, the dogs saw Drew go outside and they got frenzied and ran into the living room to see what was going on. Well, I guess they didn't notice the little happy bundle of joy on the ground because ONE of the dogs stepped on my little man! And to make matters worse... it was in the face, in the eye. A 60+ lb dog! my little man Screamed bloody murder as I ran downstairs and scooped him up and that's when I noticed the blood tricking from under his eye! It was already puffy and turning black and blue. "I'm the worst mom on earth" I thought and went straight into panic mode. I grabbed my phone, called the pediatricians, only to get the "on call nurse"... and she says to ME in a condescending voice "You'll have to call back at 8:30 to schedule an appointment"... Didn't she know who I was! My baby was hurt and I needed to help him! So I said a few choice words to her and hung up.

By this point Tradd was settling down but his eye was still bleeding... a million things went through my head... "did the dogs scratch his eye? Is his cheekbone broken? Does he have a concussion?" I made Drew get a flashlight and check his pupils to make sure he was dilating... he was. No concussion. Whew.

8:30 seemed to take FOREVER. I had to go to work so I sat by the phone until it was time to call... the pedi had an open appointment at 9:20 so I booked it. Only 50 min until I know my little guy is OK.

So Drew takes Tradd to his appointment, and to my delight, he came out with a clean bill of health. Well, almost. He still had the bloody cut, and was bruising up and alitle puffy, but there were no broken bones, his eye was fine, and mom can finally relax :)

And look, its even less puffy 12 hours later, which means its ALREADY healing!

4 month check-up

2009-11-02T20:21:00.000-08:00

Friday marked Tradds 4 month check up (almost a week late, too)! His stats are below:

Weight: 15pounds 5ounces (60%)

Height: 25 inches already (55%)

Head: 16 3/4 inches (55%)

We also talked to the doctor more about Tradd's problem with spitting up. The past month or so, his spitting up has gotten a little out of control. It seems he spits up almost an oz to 2oz out of each bottle, and unlike before, he is not a "happy spitter" any longer. He has been clicking his tongue inside his mouth and when I mentioned it to his pediatrician, he said some babies will do that because the reflux is bothering them, so they are constantly trying to swallow... hence the "clicking" of the tongue. The Dr. prescribed Prevacid which is an acid reducer. We are still waiting for the insurance company to decide whether they would like to pay for it or not. If they don't pay for it, its $92.... BS! However, November 15th prevacid is going over the counter for $8, so we might just have to wait a few weeks if the insurance company denies it. Its always something or another!

Halloweenies!

2009-11-02T07:09:00.000-08:00

Jen, myself, Danny, Nate, and Principal Glen!

12Fm gals!

Crazy shot

Vote for Prom king and Queen!

We had an 80's Halloween party at work on Friday also... I couldnt find a thing to wear so I improvised! I cut an old pair of pantyhose that I NEVER wore before, and used them to make my "gloves" and "leg warmers" and then I just used an off the shouldr shirt, some spandex pants, and some bright pink pumps... accesorized with goddy jewelry and there ya go! 80's prom! It was a blast!

Tradd wore a pumpkin outfit that Drew wore when HE was a baby (he wasnt very happy about wearing it)! And Evangeline was of course, a Princess! It was very cold out, so we had to bundle up the kids... you still get the idea though! Drew even took Evangeline grocery shopping in her costume... how sweet!

My beauty Queen!

We're in trouble with those eye lashes!

Not so happy pumpkin lol

All bundled up in his stroller!

Exersaucer and some cupcakes!

2009-11-01T07:47:00.000-08:00

Tradd in his exersaucer and my "dirt and worm cupcakes" I made for the kid's daycare!

Healthe Trim

2009-10-31T17:14:00.000-07:00

I know... diet pills are bad for you. I get it. I'm desperate though. After this weekend of nonstop eating thanks to my best friend getting married (love you... and love you family's AMAZING food), I packed on 4 pounds. That puts me at 154lbs. WHAT??? At one point I was down to 147... Ive almost gained 10 pounds back. Thats 21 pounds heavier than my pre-pregnancy weight. If you read my post before about my daily routine after I get home from work, you'd realize I dont have much time to exercise, let alone really even have a second of down time to myself! So, I'm frustrated. My babyfit.com friend turned me onto these pills. She lost 14 pounds in one month and she had a friend who lost 22 pounds in one month. The rules are prtty simple. Take 1-2 pills each morning with a full glass or water. Wait 3 hours before you eat. Then eat normally (and by NORMAL, it means a well balanced diet). You do have to limit your caffeine intake since these pills do contain some caffeine, so that shouldnt be too hard for me since the only caffeine I really drink is my morning cup of tea. I havent received my pills yet, but Im assuming they will come this weekend. Monday will be my 1st day! I will let you know how it goes!

So, along with the pills, I will also be doing Weight Watchers again. Monday is the day! And this is probably the WORST time to be dieting... going into the Holiday Season. I can do it though!

If you want more info on these pills, go to:

http://www.healthylifesciences.com/healthe-trim-home3.asp

Juice Plus+

2009-10-31T12:05:00.000-07:00

Andrew's Grandparents started a vitamin Program called Juice Plus+. Juice Plus+ is basically a healthy vitamin made strictly from the dehydrated powder that comes from fruit and vegetables once they are dried. Many people don't get their full serving of fruits and veggies each day, and this is a good way to ensure you get those needed servings.

Here's a little snippet about the pills:

Juice Plus+® is whole food based nutrition, including juice powder concentrates from 17 different fruits, vegetables and grains. Each ingredient is specially selected to provide a broad range of nutritional benefits.
Juice Plus+ is a complement to a healthy diet. Juice Plus+ is the simple, convenient, and inexpensive way to add more nutrition from fruits and vegetables to your diet, every day. Juice Plus+ is supported by clinical research conducted by researchers at leading hospitals and universities around the world and published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Juice Plus+ is recommended by thousands of doctors and health professionals around the world.

Sounds good, huh? After reading the literature and watching the movies, Drew's grandparents decided to start the program, and boy are we happy they did! Included in THEIR program, is another program or kids that they get for free for 2 years. You get a shipment every 4 months of the Juice Plus+ gummies for children. Evangeline LOVES these. We give her 4 a day (2 in the morning-- 1 veggie 1 fruit, and 2 in the evening). We make sure that she eats fairly healthy as it is, but this just ensures that she gets enough servings of her fruits and veggies. Can't hurt, right?? And we also got a few of the pills ourselves, so I'm going to test out the program on my own! I strive to live a healthier lifestyle... one day at a time!

Thanks Don and Joanne (or GPA and GG!!!) for showing us this AMAZING product! Can't wait to see the results!

Where did my good sleeper go?

2009-10-30T12:27:00.000-07:00

I know babies' sleep patterns normally change around 4 months old. Its during this time that babies take longer to finally reach REM sleep, with their longest period of sleep being in the early stages of the night (bedtime-6 or 7 hours later) and then the lightest sleep is around 5-6am sleep.A t the same time, their bodies are telling them "hm..... milk just ain't cutting it anymore! Lets get some real food in this tummy"! I know with the combination of both of those things, it was inevitable that Tradd wasn't going to be THE BEST sleeper forever... but oh, how I wished! A "normal" night, he would go down between 8 and 9 and wake up between 5:30 and 6... sleeping completely through the night. The past 5 days, he has been getting up once or twice and eating like a horse! He is taking in probably 36-40 oz a day now. He's just so hungry! So, he has a pediatricians appointment today so we will see what the Doc says. I'm also going to bring up the fact that I KNOW my little guy has reflux... and its getting worse. So I'm going to see if we can get him on something to clear up his reflux... the poor thing spits up 2oz out of every bottle! No wonder he's hungry all the time!

Where the hell have we been?!?! :)

2009-10-30T11:51:00.000-07:00

I know I haven't posted in SUCH a long time... work is hectic and the time spent at home is even more hectic. I am now working full time, so by the time I pick up the kids and get home its already 5:15. Then my evening FLIES... I have to cook, clean (which I don't do much of... ask my house... its BEGGING for a little scrub-a-dub-dub!), baths for both kids, lotion, jammies, movie and quiet time for E.Grace and tummy time for my little man. By this time, its 7:30 8:00 and then I have me time for a fraction of a second. Then its pee pee time, brush teeth, and story in bed before lights out around 9pm. Tradd needs a bottle and a little mommy loving and he's in bed around 9. Ive been showering at night recently so I normally do that around 9:30 and I try to be in bed (at least LAYING in bed) by 10ish. That's how every night goes. So I apologize if you've been checking for blogs and I haven't written any in a while... I'm just pooped!

Heres what Ive been up to, so look for these posts:

Evangeline is now taking these vitamins called Juice+. Her GG and Gpa started a new program and she gets to try these out for 2 years!

Drew will be doing his ADT (Active Duty Training) from Dec. 9-30th... so we are spending Christmas without him. Duty Station is still to be decided.

Drew bought me a new wedding ring for Christmas... cant wait to share pics!

Drew also got me Omaha Steaks gift set for Christmas... since he will be gone, we get it today! I love meat!

October 22-25: I was in JTown for my very bestests wedding! CONGRATS Linds and Andy! It was a fun filled weekend of reunions, GOOD food, and of course a beautiful wedding! I was also childless for 4 days :)

October 30: Daycare Halloween Party...Evangeline was a PRINCESS, Tradd was a pumpkin!
--Work Halloween Party... we did an 80's Prom Theme (Prom Night of 1986!)... it was fun and I got to dress up with big hair and blue eyeshadow!

I also ordered these new pills called Healthe Trim... my friend lost 14 pounds in one month and HER friends lost 22... If that's the case for me, I will be in pre-preg weight in no time!

Pool Time in Vegas!

2009-10-19T15:33:00.000-07:00

He's talking more!

2009-10-19T07:33:00.000-07:00

Zoey's Baby

2009-10-18T18:35:00.000-07:00

We've been busy!

2009-10-18T18:26:00.001-07:00

So for the past 2 weeks we have been SO busy! We went to Vegas for Drew's brother's TWENTY-FIRST Birthday!!! WHen we got home, Drews grandparents (and the kids GREAT Grandparents) were in to visit! We had a hectic but fun two weeks!

Sewing, Tutus, and more, OH MY!

2009-10-04T15:38:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my babyfit friend, Dani, I am hooked on making tutus! I made Evangeline one today and I think it turned out pretty well! I was bummed to find out that the BLACK tulle I thought I had bought was really BROWN tulle, and that I made the tutu a bit big in the waist... but for my 1st try I think it turned out pretty good! And it was VERY easy to make! It took me 45 min from 1st cute to Evangeline wearing it, so Im sure I can make these quicker next time. I'm going to start making more and more and give them out as gifts for photo shoots or pretend play... and I will even do custom colors if anyone wants! Im also going to try to make shorter, fuller ones, and also a tutu dress!

Im also going to try to dip my hands into sewing (if I can get a machine at a reasonable cost). I found these prince/princess crowns that I HAVE to make for Evangelines birthday, so I better start looking now!

He laughs!

2009-10-03T17:43:00.000-07:00

I just want to kiss him he is so adorable! Listen to his little giggle!

10 Ways on how to stay young

2009-09-23T14:07:00.000-07:00

I have this list hanging in my cubicle at work... it can't be more true.

An Inspirational Thought How To Stay Young
By: George Carlin

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. - This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctor worry about them. That is why you pay him/her.

2. Keep only cheerful friends. - The grouches pull you down.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening whatever. - "Never let the brain idle." "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. - The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. - Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: - If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips. - Take a trip to the mall, to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Finding His Voice!

2009-09-21T13:16:00.000-07:00

Tradd is starting to "find his voice"!

New Layout

2009-09-21T09:19:00.000-07:00

So what do you think about the new layout?!?!

"My Husband Rocks" Friday! (2 days late)

2009-09-20T07:39:00.000-07:00

OK, so I may be a few days late... so shoot me. Ive been getting my days mixed up and before I knew it, BAM, it's Sunday. This stinks. I go back to work on Tuesday and my heart is aching with every second that passes. How did I let these past 3 months fly by me? Why didn't I do more this summer? I had so many plans, but it just went too quickly.

My husband rocks this week because he's one week closer to being done with school. He rocks because he found out that the Army stations should be posted in the next week, which means we get to choose our top three sooooo soon! My husband rocks because he takes his Boards in just a few months, and has been studying very hard for them. My husband Rocks because he yelled at a driver to SLOW DOWN that was speeding down our road.. even though I got mad at him because he practically ran in front of the car and almost got himself killed... he was still looking out for the neighborhood.

Under Construction

2009-09-16T15:00:00.000-07:00

If you're looking at my blog and are noticing that something is different.. its because it is! I have been playing around with new backgrounds and fonts and ended up getting myself lost and don't know how to get back! So, my page is currently "under construction" while I try to find some time to edit it and make it more Armstrong like :) Every time I try to change the background color or fonts, a baby cries or a toddler needs me, and I come back and don't remember what I did! So check back soon and hopefully there will be an update!

One Week Left...

2009-09-15T07:58:00.000-07:00

I have one week left until I have to go back to work. The past 3 months have been AMAZING. I really feel that I can be a stay t home mom and be a great one at that. I have already started printing out preschool lessons so that when I do get to stay at home, I can do a lesson a day for both kids. On top of that I have been following my cleaning schedule and the house looks great! My sink is never full of dirty dishes, the floors seem to have less hair, the beds are always made... it just looks nicer!

In honor of my last week on maternity leave, Ive decided to try baking. This morning Evangeline and I baked chocolate chip banana muffins... they were SO yummy! The recipe and pictures are below :) I'm also going to make weight watchers bread and homemade soft pretzels!

INGREDIENTS :

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup sugar 1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 egg

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup plain yogurt (I used 1/2+1tbs of milk)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1

1 cup mashed ripe bananas (i used 2 whole bananas- i think 2 1/2 would have been better)

3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, combine the egg, oil, yogurt (or milk)and vanilla. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in bananas and chocolate chips. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 350 degrees F for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.

Evangelines breakfast, strawberry yogurt, grapes, and a muffin (she ended up eating THREE!)

11weeks 3 days :)

2009-09-14T08:53:00.000-07:00

"My Husband Rocks" Fridays!

2009-09-11T07:10:00.000-07:00

Although I am not "feeling the love today", Im still going to post why my husband rocks.

My husband rocks because he is working SO very hard on his last year of Vet School. At the moment this includes working a 7 day, 10 hour, 10pm-8am overnight Crictical Care Shift, coming home and sleeping all day only to get up at 4pm to START his day. It means he has to take in emergency patients all night, make sure that they are given their meds and vitals are taken.

My husband rocks because in a few short months, he will finally be done with Vet School and will be Dr. Andrew J. Armstrong, DVM! At that same time he will be named Captain Andrew J. Armstrong in the Army. So his official name will be Dr. CPT Andrew J. Armstrong DVM. LOL. It makes me proud.

My husband rocks because, with the help of me, makes BEAUTIFUL babies :)

My husband rocks because he teaches my daughter silly and disgusting things to do or say (like pee in the drain when shes taking a shower) and thinks its funny when she runs around the house screaming "Im naaaaaaaaaaaked!" And then watches as I shake my head and try to explain the proper way to do things.

Blessings

2009-09-10T06:00:00.000-07:00

I never thought that I could love anybody as much as I love my children. I am SO blessed to have such perfect, beautiful, healthy kids and I don't want to take for granted a single second that I have with them. They are my entire world.

*Being a mom means that my heart has the ability to expand, not divide. *

I have so much love to give... do we REALLY want to be done having kids?

Oh Sleep, How I've Missed You!

2009-09-09T07:08:00.000-07:00

Evangeline was never a good sleeper. The first six weeks of her life was her best sleep time... and that's only because babies that young sleep around 20 hours a day, so its hard NOT to sleep then. We tried the Ferber Method with her (which is also known as the cry it out method) and it worked wonders. After 3 nights of blood curdling screaming, she would sleep through the night....... AND THEN, she would get sick. Her first year of life she had croup a few times and it was hard to get her to sleep through the night when every 4 weeks she was getting sick again. And we of course didn't want to deny her of any fluids if she was sick, so the second we would get her sleeping through the night, we would have to start all over again. This was vicious cycle that lasted until she was about two. Evangeline would wake up 3-4 times A NIGHT asking for milk, wanting to cuddle, and so on. Still to this day she will wake up twice a week and come into our room and ask for water. My favorite though is when she wakes me up just to say she loves me... oh my it melts my heart!

ANYWAY, Tradd is different. The kid LOVES to sleep. He slept through the night his first day of life. On average, he will sleep about 6 hour stretches at night (from about 9-3) , but it seems recently he has been sleeping for longer periods. Three nights ago, he slept 8 hours and 45 min, ate, and went back to sleep! Two nights ago it was only 5 hours, but then last night it was another 8 hours and 30 min! He went down at 9pm, woke up at 5:30 and drank a bottle, and went back down to sleep... and guess what? He is STILL asleep. It's 8:15 and he's still in his bassinet. Oh sleep, joyous sleep... how Ive missed you!

We planned on moving him into his crib and OUT of our room when he got close to sleeping through the night. Evangeline and Tradd will be sharing a room for a few months and we wanted to make sure he was sleeping well so he didn't wake her up. I hadn't planned on doing it so soon! I'd say probably by his 4th month he will be in his own crib and sharing a room with his sister!

These pictures were taken this morning, of my perfect little SLEEPING man!

Let's Get Organized! (edited)

2009-09-08T08:55:00.000-07:00

I realized during my maternity leave that I really don't have a rhyme or reason to the way that I run the household. Typically, the kids go to bed around the same time, but thats pretty much the only schedule we follow in the house. Bath, quiet time, book, teeth, bed. When it comes to cleaning, I am all over the place. Some days I clean the whole house, others I do a bit of cleaning, and then there are days where I dont want to do a thing! With me having to go back to work and Drew now in rotations, I decided that I need a daily cleaning schedule to follow to make sure my house stays clean. It also help the house stay fairly clean each day so that on the weekends I can spend my time with my family, not cleaning! Here is my House Cleaning Checklist!

NOTE: I edited the picture so hopefully you can click on it and get a better idea of my schedule!

Signatures!

2009-09-07T07:00:00.001-07:00

I got a new signature... what do you think?

Princess

2009-09-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

Evangeline REALLY thinks shes a princess. Daddy is the king, Tradd is the Prince, and mommy, of course, is the queen! Everyday she wears one of her princess dresses... and its gotten tot he point where I don't argue anymore... if she wants to wear it to the grocery store, then who cares! In fact, she wore the whole kit-and-kaboodle to Walmart and kids were pointing at her and telling their parents "look! Theres a princess here!"... Vang was very flattered. LOL

Below is a picture of Evangeline in what was SUPPOSED to be her Halloween costume... Cinderella (her Aunt Erica wore it 20 some odd years ago)! She's worn it so much that mom mom is making a new dress!

Was it really THAT easy?

2009-09-06T20:41:00.001-07:00

Minus a few accidents, Evangeline did SO well being potty trained.... almost TOO well. I knew by her strong personality and her determination that once she decided to become potty trained, she would just do it on her own.... but was it really THAT easy? Within a week she no longer wore diapers, was staying dry at night (and still is), can hold it for hours if needed, and tells us when she has to go. I'm impressed by this little girl! And I am happy that I don't have TWO kids in diapers! So, we have officially been potty trained for weeks now... and it is wonderful :)

"My Husband Rocks" Fridays!

2009-09-06T10:44:00.001-07:00

"My Husband Rocks" Friday was designed to celebrate the one you love each and every week! You can read more about it here, but here is just the gist of it (taken from Katy Lin's website).

"No husband is perfect and it doesn’t really matter. What matters is how I set myself up to think about him. If I focus on his failures, his annoyances, or ways in which I’ve felt hurt by him, then I will interact with him as a hurt and frustrated and disappointed wife. That makes for miserable living for me and my husband and those around us. But if I focus on his strengths, his potential, and the ways in which I feel blessed by him, then I will interact with him as a forgiving, blessed, and contented wife. And there’s no greater need a man has than to feel respected by his wife. If he feels like all he does is hurt, disappoint, and frustrate, then the same atmosphere and the same actions will be perpetuated. But if he feels that his wife can be happy and responsive regardless of his shortcomings, he feels respected and empowered. Then a positive atmosphere is perpetuated and actions, once destructive, can improve in an environment that is rich forcultivation and growth into deepened respect and intimacy"

Join me every week and proclaim why YOUR husband rocks!

Where have I been?!?!

2009-09-06T10:21:00.000-07:00

Paige and Evangeline -- Savanna's Birthday Party

Paige, Vang, and Savanna! The 3 amigos! -- Savanna's Birthday party

Mom at Horsetooth Reservoir

Me and my handsome little man

Evangeline, Savanna (middle), and Paige at Savanna's birthday party

Me and Vang on our way to Savanna's

The love each other!

Holding Hands

Paige and Vang at the daycare party

Vang getting her face painted at the daycare party

Riding the miniature horse!

Miss Sass :)

My beautiful baby girl

Well it's been about 2 weeks since my last post. I haven't posted because there has been SO much going on! Every weekend since the beginning of August has been booked. We have had house warming parties, end of summer daycare parties, birthday parties... parties parties parties! The first weekend in August Tiffany had a house warming party where Evangeline literally played the whole time! It made me cry because her personality is really starting to shine through and shes starting to make friends on her own. The 2nd weekend Evangeline's daycare had an end of summer party equipped with a bounce house, pony rides, good food and lots of friends! The following weekend Angela had people over at her house for a little BBQ. We ate the BEST chicken and pork (her husband is Puerto Rican... they KNOW how to cook)! The last weekend in August Evangeline went to her first EVER birthday party! One of her best friends, Savanna, was turning three and they had a birthday party at one of the local parks. The park was huge! It had so many different play structures, pavilions, sand boxes, and even a splash park! It was a cold day out, but it was still fun! Finally, my mom made the long trip out here to Colorado this past week to see her grandchildren. Between visiting with friends and family, cleaning the house, and of course spending my last few weeks at home with my amazing kids, I don't really have much time to do anything else! Tradd has also hit a few developmental milestones! He can now lift his head, is sleeping between 6 and 8 hours at night (last night it was almost 9!), he's smiling cooing and laughing, he can follow objects, and hes eating more at one sitting!

Freecycled clothes!

2009-08-13T21:15:00.000-07:00

I am a member of this group called "Freecycle". Its an online group where people offer up unwanted items or post items that are needed. I read about freecycle on a babyfit.com message board almost 4 years ago and decided to see if Fort Collins had a chapter. Within the first week I was overwhelmed with the number of items that were being listed for free. I can't remember what my 1st freecycled item was, but over the years I have gotten baby items, baby clothes, highchairs, outdoor toys, dressers, mattresses (never been used of course!) toddler clothes, toddler shoes, exersaucers, baby bath tubs, a swamp cooler, an air conditioner, a shelf turned into a shoe rack, and the list goes on and on and on. Its a great program if you are also looking to get rid of items as it keeps your unwanted items out of the landfills and into other peoples homes. As the saying goes, one persons trash is another persons treasure! Ive also given my fair share of items as well. About a year and a half ago Drew and I did some major cleaning and got rid of a bunch of things, including about 4 trash bags full of his clothes... nice, name brand clothes. We offered them to a family who had 3 teenage boys and a husband and couldn't afford to buy clothes at even a second hand store. The woman I gave it to was eternally grateful.

Anyway, I posted a few days ago that I was looking for baby boy clothes from 3-12 months so that I could make sure Tradd had enough clothing until Drew graduates from Vet School. I got an email from a lady today who offered me box upon box of boys clothing... and get this, she had twins so a lot of things I have double of! I went through and there are brands such as Carters, Osh Kosh, Baby Gap and Gymboree... and even a pair of Robeez shoes... all GREAT quality clothing! Now I am eternally grateful to her. Below is a picture of the HUGE pile of clothing that I got. Its going to take about 5 loads of wash to get through them all... and then about a day to sort, fold, and pack up!

SMILE!

2009-08-13T11:33:00.000-07:00

I took these pictures this morning on my camera phone (that's why the quality is so bad). Every time he's smiling and I run to grab the camera, he stops by the time I get back... so I prepared myself with my phone and captured these great pictures!

Don't you just wanna eat him up!??!

Tradd's Milestones

2009-08-12T18:05:00.000-07:00

Tradd is 7 weeks old today and I still stand by my claim that he is SUCH an easygoing, happy baby! He's going to be a little heart breaker! (we all know Evangeline will be a heart breaker too.. with those LONG eye lashes and breathtaking smile)! Tradd has started to grasp things in his hand and is smiling more and more each day. I wanted to share those special moments with you :)

Smiling at the sound of mommy's voice

Sleeping on mommy and daddy's bed :)

Grasping my fingers!

Again

We're Potty Trained!!!

2009-08-12T17:57:00.000-07:00

Today was a glorious day! Evangeline went poo on the potty ALL by herself, without telling ANYONE she had to go! I was very impressed considering that our "potty report" from daycare wasn't as I had hoped! Deb had caught Vang mid poo and threw her on the potty... so she had 1/2 poo in her undies and 1/2 in the potty. I thought that this was a setback since she hasn't had any accidents in so long. But I guess Deb told Vang that she gets chocolate every time she poos in the potty, and Evangeline LOOOOOOVES chocolate! So when we got home, that's when she pooed on the potty all by herself! SUCCESS!

My loves

2009-08-10T20:27:00.000-07:00

Some updated pictures of my loves taken today 8/10/09

sleepy baby

Vang loving on hr baby brother

handsome little man!

I think he looks like my brother

my little guy!

She loves him so much!

Yay for being a big sister!

my two boys

Video

2009-08-09T09:05:00.000-07:00

I posted here about video tapingTradd on his 6 week Birthday... and for some reason the video I WANTED to post wasn't uploading. So I had to settle for this one (it's not as long) :)

My poor poor garden!

2009-08-05T15:40:00.001-07:00

REEEEEEEEEEEF!

I'm going to kill him! Ok, not really, but I was VERY mad! This morning I went out and watered the garden, let Reef and Zoey out and came back in. They were in and out all morning. After my nap (yay!) I woke up and let Reef out and noticed he started chewing on what looked to be roots of a plant... so I got closer and noticed it was the remainder of one of my pepper plants! I turn to the garden and see pure destruction..... he ate, literally ATE 3/4 of our garden! He dug up the plants and ATE them! What dog eats hot chili pepper plants and bell pepper plants?!?! Well, so long to my first garden!

Happy 6 Week Birthday, Tradd!

2009-08-05T10:03:00.000-07:00

Tonight at 11:40 PM Tradd will be 6 weeks old! I video taped him today to always remember what a small, happy little boy he is! Happy 6 Week Birthday little man!

Prepregbody.blogspot.com

2009-08-04T07:50:00.000-07:00

Warning... This website isn't for the faint hearted!

I finally decided to follow through with my idea of posting my weight loss success or non-success on a new blog. The website is: http://prepregbody.blogspot.com/. Andrew and I got this awesome punching bag from a friend, and we also got an elliptical machine/stationary bike. Its too cool! Anyway, Sunday night I started working on out the elliptical machine... and I LOVE it! I've been doing crunches and pushups, but that's mainly to tone... with the elliptical and bike, I'm ready to start working that cardio! So if you want to read about my journey, check out my other blog. Warning though, I will have un-edited photos of my stomach (stretch marks and all), so if you're disgusted by stuff like that, I would just stick with reading this blog!

Potty Training!!!

2009-08-04T07:40:00.000-07:00

Who knew that such a brilliant, independent little girl would be so hard to potty train?!? She KNOWS when she has to go to the bathroom, but finds it much easier to go in her diaper and have someone else clean up her mess. I've tried bribing her with candy, food, toys, even getting her ears pierced! Nothing has worked. However, this weekend Evangeline decided, ON HER OWN, that she wanted to use the potty. She also decided that if she goes on the potty, Santa Claus will bring her a present. WTF??? I have no idea where she got that from, but I'm going along with it! On Sunday we decided to put on her BIG GIRL undies.... it was scary for both her and I. Last time we tried wearing underwear, she ended up peeing on the couch... but that's a different story. This time, it was a success! She ended up going on the potty the rest of the day... no accidents (well, one minor accident... but we wont count that)! I even took pictures to document it :) I sent her off to daycar today with a handful of pullups and a daddy who was supposed to tell Deb that "we're ready to be potty trained"! Let's see how it goes :)

(she's going to kill me when she's older for posting these pictures!)

The Nature of Blogging

2009-08-03T14:50:00.001-07:00

It's come to my realization that a lot more people read my blog than I had previously thought. AWESOME! It makes me happy to know that people are interested in whats going on in my little world! However, it has also come to my realization that sometimes my blogs can offend people by things I say, pictures I take, people I mention or don't mention, and so on. A blog, to me, is a journal, a diary of sorts, to capture the moments in life that I find important, frustrating, exciting.. it's a way for me ot look back and say "Do you remember when we did that?", "Can you believe you were that small once?", "I can't believe I wrote that! What was I thinking!". One minute I may feel a certain way about something, and the next I feel completely different. So I ask all of my loyal readers to understand that my blog is my way of noting my feelings, my emotions, a way for me to journal my life. It allows me blow off steam sometimes, and it also lets me brag about the ones I love! If something I write offends you, I'm truly sorry. Its not personal or intentional, I can assure you of that. It's my way of voicing myself without actually technically voicing it... I guess! So, what I am trying to say is, read my words with an open mind and know that tomorrow is a different day! My life is constantly changing (for the better!) and I'm going to be writing about it each step of the way!

Love you all!

A very rare picture....

2009-08-02T13:33:00.000-07:00

A very rare picture.... ME! Im normally the one TAKING the pictures, so to my surprise, Drew agreed to take a picture of me and Tradd!

The Fair!

2009-08-01T21:26:00.000-07:00

We went to teh Larimer County Fair today and Evangeline rode her 1st carnival ride! It was "2 tickets" (each ticket costs a dollar) and lasted 30 seconds... but damn was it the best $2 we spent! She even put her hands in the air... shes a rebel. It was a good time!

Hi Handsome!

2009-07-30T18:26:00.000-07:00

Here's a video of Tradd resting tonight. He's starting to smile more (as you can see!)
Isn't he such a handsome little man?!?!

Picnik.com!

2009-07-29T16:05:00.001-07:00

I found this new website that allows you to edit your photos for free! Its Picnik.com and i love it! You can do your basic photo editing on there and for a small fee you can upgrade and get things like blemis removal, airbrushing, changing eye color, and so on! I haven't paid any money (yet) for an upgrade, but its fun to play around with it and see what I can create!

**Before**

**After**

**Before**

**After**

REEEEEEEEEEF! The Joys of having a puppy

2009-07-29T13:49:00.000-07:00

It seems now a days all you hear around the house is "REEEEEEEEF! Drop that! REEEEEEEEEF no"! I forgot what it was like to have a puppy in the house. Especially a puppy who is losing his baby teeth and growing his adult teeth. SO you know what what means... TEETHING! It wasn't bad until the past few days... and now he is getting into anything that he can get his little mouth around! Shoes! Clothes! Socks! Bags! Toys! The stairs! The Carpet! THE HOSE! Its driving me insane! He spent the whole morning in his cage because he chewed a hole through our garden hose. I let the dogs out for 5 min while I went downstiars to do the laundry and I come upstairs to find him with the whole damn hose in his mouth! What a little stinker! Zoey went through this phase, and I know it shall pass, but I can still bitch about it while its happening! Sneakly little thing! :)

Our hose

The leftover peices from a magazine-- the whole thing was shredded to peices this small!

1/2 of Vangies toy--the ends are chewed and theres no handle!

Why So Serious?

2009-07-28T10:23:00.000-07:00

I'm sure Ive mentioned before that Tradd as a baby is completely different than Evangeline was. Evangeline was independent from the start... always wanting things her way and making a fuss if she didn't have it. Its an amazing trait to have, and I have no doubt that she will be a leader instead of a follower, but as a baby it was very difficult. Tradd is more of an observer. He very rarely cries and is contect with sitting alone taking in his surroundings. And he ALWAYS has such a serious face on. Hes taking in what hes seeing, processing it, and storing it away for future use, and you can see it on his face! Below are some pictures of our little observer.

Taking in his surroundings.......

Processing it...

Storing it away!

The reason I dislike Colorado

2009-07-26T12:32:00.000-07:00

Don't get me wrong, Colorado can be a beautiful place to live! They have mountains and plains and all four seasons... very rarely do they get a bad storm, and there is no humidity. Most people move to Colorado and love it. I, don't. I live at the base of The Rocky Mountains... where there really aren't many mature trees, during the summer its dry and the grass is brown (and if you want green grass you have to water 2X a day) and where there is no water! We are hundreds if not thousands of miles away from the nearest coast, and the only water here are man-made lakes or reservoirs which to even play in, you need to pay some sort of money to the city. I grew up always belonging to a pool or having a pool at my house. And then when I moved AWAY from home, I moved to a city where there was a beach! So, im sure you can imagine why I am having the Colorado blues right now. I have ALWAYS been around water... im a water baby! All I want is to enjoy a nice long swim in the ocean, pool, or hell, even a lake. I want to go tubing, I want to sit on a flotation device and soak up the sun, I want my children to splash around in the water and learn to love it as much as I do! I hate sitting inside from the hours or 12pm-5pm because its So hot and dry out that you can't go outside. We are so much closer to the sun that you get burnt easier too. I guess Im also bummed because there is no beach vacation for me this year... and since I don't live near the beach anymore, I look forward to that vacation every year!

Anyway, here is a picture of the "Horsetooth Reservior".. the only place in Ft Collins that you can really go swimming. Looks appealing, doesn't it? (Note the sarcasm).

Tradd Mason

2009-07-26T10:35:00.000-07:00

Here are some new pictures of Tradd!
(click on the picture to make larger)

Adventures

2009-07-24T17:06:00.000-07:00

If you look closely, you can see Vangie swimming!Swimming at loveland lake

Our sling! I LOVE walking with Tradd in this... makes holding him so much easier!

My Best Friend

2009-07-24T17:05:00.001-07:00

Evangeline came up to me the other day and said "Mommy, you're my best friend"! I just HAD to share!

I love, love, LOVE her!

10 pounds and one month

2009-07-24T15:22:00.001-07:00

Today marks Tradd's one month birthday! Exactly one month ago on June 24, 2009, my little boy entered this world! So far, he has been a completely different baby than Evangeline. Around this time, Evangeline started getting colicky and was very fussy pretty much all day everyday. She always wanted to be held, and we ended up sleeping with her in our bed way more than we would have liked. Tradd fusses only when he is hungry or wet, or when he gets overly tired and just cant seem to sleep. The only exception to this is if he has horrible gas and we all know that does not feel well.. so can you blame him?! So far, he is a pretty good sleeper. For the past 2 nights Tradd has woken up twice, eaten, and gone back to sleep in his bassinet. The night before, he slept until 1 am and then we were up until 5am. Silly me didn't GO to sleep until 12:00, so needless to say I had a very long night! Thank goodness Drew let me sleep in that morning while he took the kids. But the norm for him is to eat around 11, sleep until 2 or 3, and then again at 5 and we are normally up around 7:45 -8:00.

Anyway, I weighed my little man yesterday and can you believe he is already up to 10 pounds! No more newborn clothes for him!

I alsp weighed Evangeline and can you believe she is already up to 32 pounds!!!! She is wearing 2T clothes still but they are getting snug... so on to the 3T clothing!

Oh, I forgot to mention in earlier posts another difference between the kids that we noticed right off the bat. When Evangeline was born, her head circumference was ALWAYS in the 97th percentile... OUCH, I know. With Tradd, we went for his 2 week check up and the doctor said his head was only in the 35th! THAT'S why my dleivery was so easy! LOL.

I wanted to end this post thanking my husband for giving me two of the most beautiful children around. I don't know how I even had a life before they were in it. Sure, it can be stressful and tiring... but it's also the most rewarding thing I have ever done. Evangeline surprises me everyday with her ability to learn so quickly, her bright smiles and contagious laughter. Even her independence, sassiness, and assertiveness lets me know that I must be doing something right (and trust me, she expresses her feelings A LOT). Tradd is the observer... he lays by himself and observes the world around him... probably thinking to himself "what the hell is going on here! Its chaos!" But that's our life, and I wouldn't have it any other way!

"Take me out to the baaaaaaaaaall game"

2009-07-24T15:18:00.000-07:00

My little girl is growing up! She can sing songs by memory now and is picking up on different songs so quickly! Since baseball/softball is in her blood, its only natural that she learns "Take me out to the ball game" at an early age! Im sure we will be to plenty of games over the years so its a great song to know!

A big girl bed for a big girl!

2009-07-22T10:40:00.000-07:00

Drew and I received FREE mattress and box spring set that was never used from a wonderful couple here in Fort Collins! The mattress set was in their spare bedroom that was set up for their daughter, but she came to visit them only a handful of times and usually slept somewhere other than the bed... so it is in perfect condition! We couldnt turn down a free mattress set! We decided it was time to give Evangeline a REAL big girl bed and get her out of her toddler bed. So yesterday (July 21) we got the mattress set and went out and bought her new bedding and set it up while she was at daycare. When she came home and saw her NEW princess bed she was ecstatic! She played in her bed all night! Here is a picture of her new room... hot pink satin comforter, princess sheets, and a hot pink pillow with a crown on it... couldnt be more Evangeline if we tried!

Little Man is 3 Weeks Old!

2009-07-16T09:51:00.000-07:00

Here are some recent pictures of the family... can you believe Tradd is already 3 weeks old?!?!

Bathtime at the Armstrongs-- Vang wanted to help!

Cheesing for the camera

Bath time for the little guy!

Asleep in his bouncer

Such a sweety

"play time" on the floor... not much playing going on!

After a morning of swimming she was down for the count

Sleepy

Daycare Fun! The way ALL princesses should ride!

The Armstrongs Come to Visit!

2009-07-07T06:39:00.000-07:00

When I started dilating, Drew's mom, Anita, decided to fly out here to Colorado to make sure she could be here when the baby aas born. Little did we know that it would take an extra TWO weeks for little Tradd to make his grand debut! She was such a great help though and we really appreciated the extra hand (especially with Evangeline)! Anyway, Drew's dad, Dave, came out over the 4th of July weekend and they got to spend some time with their grandchildren. We drove up to Estes Park one day and even though I only got to snap a few shots before it started to rain, they turned out to be some good shots!

My favorite picture! Vangie and her pop-pop!

Vangie and pop-pop again!

My in-laws!

Happy Birthday to me!

2009-07-02T10:57:00.000-07:00

It's official... I am half way through my 20's! I couldn't have imagined the 1st half being any different... I got married to a wonderful guy that Ive been with for just under a decade, have two amazing children that make my everyday worthwhile, and have made some great friends along the way! So, today, I am saying Happy Birthday to me and remembering all of the things in life that I am so thankful for!

Tradd's Birth Story

2009-06-30T19:19:00.000-07:00

I wanted to post my birth story while it's still fresh in my mind. All in all, it was a very easy delivery and I was up and walking around hours after he was born!

My last day of work was Wednesday, June 24th. I had decided that was going to be my last day for a few reasons. A.) If I didn't have Tradd by the next Tuesday I was going to be induced, so I thought a few days off would be nice to get the house in order, and B.) I was just done with work! So, I only worked a half of a day, and when I got off I decided to go to Walgreen's where I saw a breast pump on sale for $15! It was a Playtex manual pump, and even though I am undecided on how long I plan to breastfeed for, I decided for that price I would buy it and give it a try! So, I got home and decided to try out the pump to make sure it worked. Although my milk was not in, I wanted to check the suction on the pump to make sure I didn't buy a dud. After trying out the pump, I actually felt some pretty strong contractions... which I knew would probably happen since the pumping released oxytocin into my body which is a natural labor inducer. ANYWAY, since my mother in law is in town, we decided to go out to the mall so she could get a haircut, and then we went to pick up Vangie from daycare. The whole time, I was having mild contractions but nothing really consistent or strong. When we got home from picking Evangeline up from daycare, Drew was already home which almost never happens. He has been on anesthesia rotation for 3 weeks and he very rarely was home before I was. I would soon realize that this was a sign that Tradd was supposed to be born that night! So, I told Drew about how I bought a pump and how after I tested out the pump, I started having contractions. He told me to go try it again and maybe it would kick start some stronger contractions. I went upstairs and tried out the pump for about 15 min, and had 2 strong contractions while pumping. I came downstairs and sat down on the sofa, and about 5 min later, felt a strong contraction, a painful one. About 4 minutes later I felt another contraction, this time a bit more painful, and felt Tradd jump and heard a "popping" sound. I thought it was weird, so I told Drew I was going to go up to the bathroom to make sure everything was OK. Well, it turns out that strange popping noise was my water breaking!!! I was officially in labor! Doctors typically give you 24 hours to deliver after you water breaks, so we knew withing 24 hours our little man would be here!

SO... off we drove to the hospital!

We got to the hospital around 5pm... since my water had broke, the forced me to ride in a wheelchair ALL the way up to the Labor and Delivery floor! UGHH... I hate feeling helpless. When I was in labor with Evangeline, I walked myself right up to the Labor and Delivery floor myself... stopping every 3 minutes or so for a contraction. I was in labor, not dying! Sorry to go off topic... ANYWAY... we got to L&D and as soon as I was checked in I was told to put on a hospital gown and get into bed so they could monitor my contractions. About 6:30 or so they tested the fluid to make sure it was my water that had broken, and sure enough it was... I was in labor! Because my water had broke, my contractions were intense and VERY strong. They were actually so strong and painful, that I ended up breaking some blood vessels in my eyes because I was squeezing my eyes shut during each contraction (see picture). Throughout the entire labor they were always about4 minutes apart lasting around 50seconds each. I asked for the epidural right away (I'm a second time mom, I know how this works) and got it around 8:00. I couldn't feel a thing after the epidural.. it was wonderful! My contractions started to double up... I would have a strong one and as it was coming down, a smaller one would start right back up... and they continued like this for a little while. But thanks to the epidural, I could only tell I was having a contraction from looking at the monitor. Around 8:30 the nurse checked me and I was only 3cm dilated and around 80% effaced. When she checked me again at 10:30 I was 8.5cm dilated and 100% effaced... my body was moving quickly! She said that within the next 30 minutes I should be able to start pushing. Around 11:00 she checked my cervix and her estimate was right... no cervix in sight! Tradd was ready to come! So, I started pushing around 11:00pm every 4 min with each contraction and he was delivered at 11:40pm... 40 min of pushing! Although the epidural was mostly worn off by the time I started pushing, it wasn't as painful as my labor with Evangeline (probably because her head was in the 97th percentile)! We welcomed Tradd into this world weighing 7 pounds 10.5 ounces and he was 20 inches long. Although his head was on the larger side, 75th percentile, his big sister has him beat by a landslide!

I am SO happy to have such a great family. My beautiful daughter has been nothing but wonderful to her little brother; always wanting to hold him and hug and kiss him. And Tradd has been nothing but a great baby thus far! He is sleeping in 4 hour stretches at night, so I only have to wake up once. Let's hope this trend continues!

More Pictures!

2009-06-28T19:19:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to add some more photos :)

Welcome to the World, Tradd!

2009-06-26T16:06:00.000-07:00

Tradd Mason Armstrong made his grand debut on June 24th, 2009 at 11:40 pm. He weighed 7 pounds 10.5 ounces and was 20 inches long. I'll post more about the birth story later. For now, I wanted to upload some pictures!

Shitty Day

2009-06-23T09:47:00.000-07:00

I just typed a LONG post about how shitty my day was going and of course, of COURSE, the computer gave me an error and didnt save it. AWESOME. Lets just add THAT one to the list of shitty things that can happen today!

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Feeling Down Today

2009-06-23T09:33:00.000-07:00

I found my long lost post that I thought I lost... it's still a shitty day.
**********

I'm not the jealous type. Really, Im not. I tend to think I have my head on my shoulders and that there are some things out of my control, so why worry about them? However, the past few weeks have been frustrating. Im pregnant, Im hot, Im ready for Tradd to come. I'm READY. Maybe I wasnt AS ready before, but Im so ready now it's not even funny.

I have a bunch of friends who are pregnant and due around or after my due date. So why do I find myself being just utterly jealous and pretty much pissed off when one of the have their baby and I am still sitting here being all big and pregnant? I got a text from one of my girlfriends and she had her baby last night... 7lbs10oz and did I mention she is due 2 days AFTER me? The ideal way to handle this would have been to text her back right away, say congrats, can't wait to see more pictures, and ask her tons of questions because it is her day. What DID I do? I sat at my computer and cried. I didnt just cry though, I sobbed until I couldnt breathe. I sobbed until my eyes were bright red and puffy, and then I blogged about why I am so upset. Im JEALOUS! How can this be? My thoughts are "this isnt fair! Why can't I have MY baby?? Why is EVERYONE having their babies before me? IM READY!" Oh, my boss also has his twins this past weekend... big, heatlhy twins, spent a fraction of a second in the NICU and are coming home today. His wife was due two weeks after me. Once again.. not fair. Sorry to be a Debby Downer today... I just can't get over the fact that I have had contractions since 14 weeks and am STILL pregnant. sigh.

Ready to be DONE!

2009-06-19T09:54:00.001-07:00

I'm sitting at work, procrastinating, surfing the web, posting on my blog, and not wanting to be here! I'm doing everything BUT working. I should just go home. I'm ready to have this baby! I've been having more consistant contractions, nothing painful though. I'm hoping this little guy makes an appearance soon! I can't wait to stay at home with my little ones for the summer and actually get to experience the life of a SAHM (stay at home mom)!

Baby Progress

2009-06-18T09:32:00.000-07:00

I had my 37 week appointment yesterday and am still measuring about 38 weeks. I was only 1.5 cm dilated and only 50% effaced but the doctor told me that women who have already had babies seem to have a longer cervix for a longer amount of time. He felt Tradd's head which is in position and ready to go. I had some pretty strong contractions after the exam, and was hoping that the doc jumpt started my labor... no such luck though. I'm hoping that those contractions did dilate me a little more... so hopefully in the next few days our little man will be here!

Phone Pictures!

2009-06-12T14:28:00.001-07:00

Princess Vangie!

This is a typical morning for Vang... wake up, put on her "Princess" or new "Cinderella" shoes, get on her jewelry, and start her day!

Having fun in her carseat! We were singing to each other :)

Vangie's 1st pigtails!

This picture was taken about 5 months ago... but it proves that she IS getting hair!

Sorry I haven't updated in a while...

2009-06-11T13:55:00.001-07:00

Things have been pretty hectic recently. Drew convinced me to adopt an adorable 3 month old Blue Heeler/Australian Cattle Dog a few weeks ago, and on top of that we have been trying to get ready for the baby to come. We named the puppy Reef and he is a complete sweetheart. He listens very well and plays well with Zoey and with Evangeline.

I am 36+ weeks pregnant and am hoping Tradd makes his appearance within the next week and a half. That would put me at just a few days shy of 38 weeks, but since I am measuring further along that would put my measurements at 40 weeks!

Evangeline the cuddle bug

2009-04-28T08:38:00.000-07:00

Oh the joys of living in Colorado! One day its 80 degrees and you're wearing shorts and a tank top and the next day it's 30 degrees and snowing! Ugggggh so frustrating!

Anyway, we went to the park this weekend and Vangie made some friends. Of course they were little boys... the boys just LOVE her! And she doesn't mind getting rough and dirty with the boys too. We're in trouble :) She is getting more adventurous when we are at the playground too.. she wants to play on the "big kids" equipment which scares me to death. She likes to climb up these steep ladder things that are taller than I am.... but I let her do it... she's gotta learn sometime!

Other than Evangeline growing up WAY too quickly for my liking, I must note that she still does enjoy the cuddle time with mommy. She will sometimes cuddle with daddy, but she's definitely a mommas girl.. and I'm OK with that! I know there will come a day when she will be embarrassed to be seen with me so I am embracing every minute of it that I can. We normally cuddle on the couch before bed and I make sure to ALWAYS give her lots of hugs and kisses... I probably tell her that I love her about a gazillion times a day. That's OK too though :) Also, her and Zoey are getting along MUCH better these days. Not that they really had an issue before, but now that Evangeline can play more, Zoey loves it! Every night they wrestle with each other and I do have to yell at both of them occasionally to stop being SO rough... someones gonna get hurt! Zoey likes to pin Evangeline down and lick her face... Evangeline squeals which makes Zoey revved up even more. Evangeline pulls Zoey around the house by her "necklace" (her collar) and then decides to jump on her. I love it! Its like having 2 kids already (3 of you count Drew... which I do).

Another Weekend

2009-04-17T07:41:00.000-07:00

It's finally FRIDAY! I'm sitting at work right now looking outside the window and wondering if we actually are going to get the two feet that the weather man promised us. Yes it is the end of April... and yes we have already been in the 70's this month... but that's not going to stop mother nature of Colorado from trying to get one last big snow storm in. As for me, I am done with snow... in general just done with it. I think drew is too. He told me the other day he would love to live somewhere where it never snowed (like CHARLESTON) and then we could visit the mountains for a vacation. Sounds like a good plan, huh?

Anyway, our morning started out with Evangeline getting up at 5:45 (which is fine with me because she has been sleeping SO well recently that I actually get a full nights sleep too). Her routine is as follows:

Get out of bed, close her door, come into our room, close our door, come over to MOMMY's side of the bed (because if she went to daddy's side, she would be ignored because he can sleep through an earthquake), says "hi mommy", I put her in between us, she asks to watch TV, I turn on Dora, then she asks for the following: a bar (fruit bar), apple juice, and a vitamin. And the word "ask" is an understatement... she normally DEMANDS a bar, apple juice, and a vitamin... but she doesn't get them until she finally asks nicely and says please :) So groggy, sleepy mommy goes down stairs, gets her her morning goodies, gets back into bed and cuddles until its time to get ready for work. :::Sigh::: I wish I could say cuddles until she has to get up and start house work because shes a stay at home mom! One day though :)

NOTE: I Promise I will update pictures VERY soon! I have been neglecting my Nikon D40 and I think I am way past due to take some pictures... maybe this weekend will be a good starting point :)

Foot Stomper alert!!!

2009-04-14T15:46:00.001-07:00

Ohhhhhhhhh boy are we in trouble. The past few days, Evangeline has been showing us how MAD she is by stomping her foot. And its not a little stomp... its the kind where she lifts her foot up until she almost loses balance, and then slams it on the ground... just to make sure we heard it. I have to admit, the first time I saw her do it, I kind of laughed because thats SUCH a kid thing to do. But then I realized she was doing it for everything... she wanted her apple juice, NOW (((stomps foot))), she wanted to watch mickey mouse (((stomps foot))). needless to say, its getting old pretty fast, and I'm sure shes not liking the fact that we just ignore her when she does it. Hopefully if we ignore her enough, she'll grow out of this phase and move on to the next obnoxious thing :)

I'll try to take a video of it so you can be as amused as we were :)

Happy Easter!

2009-04-12T07:52:00.000-07:00

We decided to make Evangeline a small Easter basket this year since she also got one at daycare. We knew her daycare basket was going to be filled with lots of sweets, so for the basket that the Easter Bunny brought her, we decided to fill with more practical things (and less sugary)! She did get some lollipops, a chocolate bunny (a MUST for Easter), and of course her favorite, Hot Tamales. But we also got her a new pair of sunglasses, some sidewalk chalk for the summer, and some child friendly gardening tools so she can help us outside!

We also wanted to have a small Easter egg hunt for her, but it was going to be too cold out this morning, so last night after Evangeline went to sleep, we placed plastic eggs around the house. When she woke up this morning she was SO excited to see that the Easter bunny came! We had our Easter egg hunt and she found all of them! And then for the next 30 min she played with her basket. I'd say it was a pretty successful Easter morning!

Drew isnt big on celebrating holidays, but I am determined to make sure we atleast do something small for each Holiday to show the importance of celebrating together as a family. So we bought a ham last night and for dinner we are going to have ham, mashed potatoes (home-made of course), green bean casserole and probably some stuffing. Nothing too fancy... but enough for leftover this week! Yum!

I hope everyone has a great Easter... we wish we could be coser to family to celebrate!

Friday April 10

2009-04-11T06:27:00.000-07:00

Yesterday (Friday April 10th) I had another doctors appointment. Evangeline's daycare was closed so I got to spend the whole day with her! We started out by going to my ultrasound... at 27 weeks and 3 days Tradd weighs 2lbs 7 oz.... right on track! And although I was measuring a bit big, they weren't too concerned at this point. My doctor did mention the option of possibly inducing at 39 weeks... since Drew will be pretty much nonexistent starting next month, we were beginning to get worried that if I go into labor during the day, he might not be able to make it since he will be on anesthesia rotation. So the thought on inducing me would be to have a set date and time so that we know Drew can be there and we have a sitter ready to watch Evangeline and Zoey.

The doctor's office was unusually slow, so the ultrasound tech decided to do a free 4d ultrasound for us! It was great to be able to see Tradd move in 4D! I can't wait to meet the little guy! He's a lot more laid back than Evangeline was too. He has definite patterns of movement... normally early in the morning from around 7am-9am... and then a few random times during the day... but he is the most active from about 7pm-midnight. Anyway, Evangeline did surprisingly well at the doctors appointment It was the 1st time she came with me alone... so I was nervous that she would be running all over the place... but she sat in the chair for the most part, read her picture book, and asked a bunch of questions; "Whats that mommy?"Afterward, we went shopping to kill some time, and bought some new nail polish and hair clippies... not for me of course. Evangeline HAS to get her nails painted every weekend... of course the color of choice is... you guessed it... PINK. Shes such a little girl! She loves it when I trim her nails, buff them, and the paint them. SO that's exactly what I did. We hung out with daddy (who is still sick) during lunch time, and when he went back to class, Evangeline and I took a nice long nap from 2:30-5pm.... both of us! I really needed it and I guess she did to... I actually woke up before her which very rarely happens... I LOVE my sleep! Drew came home from class and still looks like poo. I feel bad for the poor guy... he's been sick going on 5 days now and just find the energy to do much of anything. So, me being the nice wife that I am (sometimes-ha) I got up with Evangeline this morning to let him sleep in as long as possible... I hope that helps!

Oh, here is a video of Evangeline a few nights ago at dinner time :) Enjoy!

The first of many!

2009-04-09T08:38:00.000-07:00

I have played around with the idea of starting a blog to keep friends and family members updated on whats going on in our lives out here in Colorado. I finally caved in and decided to give it a whirl! So I guess I'll start out by updating everyone on what's going on with The Armstrong's up until now:

Drew's in his 3rd years of Vet School. He starts his senior year in the middle of May and I can not wait! Although he won't be home nearly as much as I'd like, there is also light at the end of the tunnel. It seems like he has been going to school forever, but time has also flown by! We should be finding out where we are going to be stationed first anywhere from December of 2009 through March 2010. I'm excited for the next chapter in our lives to start!

Evangeline turned two back in February and she is just amazing us everyday with her vocabulary. She can speak in full sentences now, and knows plenty of songs by heart. Her favorite color is officially "PINK"... go figure, huh? Everything is PINK... "mommy I want the PINK vitamin", "I want the pink pants"... everything pink. And on top of that, anything that sparkles is definitely a plus! She's the only girl that I know that loves to dress up and make sure her hair looks nice and her nails are polished, but then will jump in the mud and play with bugs. I guess we have the best of both worlds with her! She really is a good kid... and although she tests our patience almost everyday, we know that its because she's advancing so fast that sometimes she gets frustrated because SHE knows what she wants and sometimes we don't.

Now on to me... well, there's not too much going on in my little world here. Still working and still growing a nice little baby! Tradd should be here at the end of June or beginning of July which is the perfect time to take off my maternity leave! His official due date is July 7th but I know he will come early. I have had braxton hicks contractions since 14 weeks and each week they get stronger and stronger. So I have a feeling one of these days (hopefully later than sooner) the braxton hicks contractions will jump start actual labor! I know what to expect this time around though! On to my personal life... well, I spend most of my time taking care of the family, cleaning, cooking... you know, all of that fun stuff. Now that the weather is getting nicer, we have been going outside more... thanks goodness! Being cooped up during the winter is NOT FUN. I did read a WHOLE book series in a week and a day. It was the Twilight series... and I actually found myself being obsessed over the books. The story is amazing, almost like I wish something like that could happen in real life. Now that I'm done with the series, I don't know what to do with my free time!

Other than that...this week, Drew has been very sick. We don't know if its a stomach bug or the flu... but he has been very sick for almost 3 days now... I'm hoping her gets better soon!

Well that's pretty much it for now... check back for more posts soon!

Love Kris