And they can play together

It is so nice when they get along.

Jack

Jack's latest method of falling asleep requires Doug or I (usually Doug) to hold his hand. He is such a big boy, yet still my baby all at once. Right now I am holding his hand. He has been asleep for about 10 minutes already, but I can't think of what else could be more important right now other than continuing to hold his little hand.  So here I sit.

Talking

I love how much Abby talks. I could fill a page with all of her words. Just tonight she said sticker. She has about 2-3 new words a day.  It is such a treat because Jack only had 5 words at 24 months and she has so many at 18 months. Jack could sign a whole bunch of words where Abby never picked any up.  Then tonight Abby said (as we were getting ready to nurse) "mama, nah(nurse) I love you".  Then when she started nursing she reached up to hug my neck. I love these times.

Jack's first Blizzard

Oreo, of course. It was a big hit.

Kids!

So I make yummy cheesy pasta stars for dinner. It involved pureed carrots, stewed tomatoes, grated cheese, etc. Something both Jack and Abby like.  Will they eat it?  Hell no, so instead they are having cheese crackers from Trader Joe's.  For dinner. And I don't care.

Family time on a Sunday morning

Who needs a jungle gym when you have dad?  Abby has been super huggy lately.  Love my sugar.

Mommy and Jackie time

Jack is cutting and glueing while I make bows.  And no, glueing is not a word. It's a good thing I am homeschooling Jack and Abby.

Adenoids?

So, I am now trying to figure out if Abby has enlarged Adenoids.  Nothing is ever easy in life. These are her symptoms:

-7 ear infections in 6 months last winter
-2 bouts of tonsillitis this winter already
-Lots of runny noses (but she is a 2nd child)
-Snores
-Recent started gasping at night while she is sleeping, scary to hear
-Coughing awake, woke up after 50 min nap yesterday due to coughing
-Low weight gain (she has gained less than 4 lbs since she was 6 months old, although she was 22.5 lbs at 6 months and is almost 26 at 18mon)
-Horrible eater, likes to nurse or drink yogurt drinks
-Stinky breath

So, in light of these symptoms I will call her ENT.  I was suppose to call them if she got an ear infection this winter.  She did, right before Christmas, but I opted not to call them.  I really don't want tubes, her adenoids removed or anything, but my baby needs to eat and sleep.  Parenting it so difficult.  There is always something going on.  It is constantly giving me a new respect for my own parents.  Heck, I only have 2.  They had 50% MORE children than me!

Snow day 39

Today we are doing art.  We tried to leave but skidded onto Scott blvd. Thankfully I had called Doug to stop traffic before we hit a car.

Fighting cabin fever

Jack and Abby are ready to kill each other or us. Nothing a tent and tunnel can't fix.

The blender

Doug has named Abby "the blender".  When she eats she leaves a mess that looks like someone turned on the blender and forgot to put the lid on it.  She throws food, plates, sippy cups, etc.  She will take a bite and throw a bite.  This is all new to us.  Jack was the NEATEST eater, ever.  Only, we didn't know how neat he was until we had Abby.  I have to sweep the floor after most every meal.  Here is a lovely shot of Abby throwing her bowl of rice.  She is such a gem.

Playdoh

Abby played with playdoh for the first time ever.  She really liked it.

MORE SNOW!!!!!!

It snowed last night.   A LOT!  I need to get pictures from my neighbors as we had the whole hood over sledding this morning.  I will just post our pictures first.

Boy am I glad I bought the kids snow suits and boots.  Now if I had just thought to buy myself some!  Abby wasn't so sure of the snow.  Jack loved it.

Not so sure she wants to come out

Jack wanted to go sledding

Abby isn't convinced

To the slope!

It was deep.  My feet were freezing.

First run

Abby just wanted to swing

Mama and Jackie

Down the hill

Aunt Dellie came to sled

Mee-maw too!

Great picture!

My wonderful family

Jack's head was sweating when we took his suit off

Abby needs better gloves and gear

My crew

Smores!

We had a fire last night and made smores.  Jack was very excited until he realized he hates marshmellows.  The fire was fun though.

Visitors

We had some visitors this past weekend at the Mathews' house.  First, Nana came and spent the night.  Then the following night Alexis came over for a girl's night out.  We had a great time!

Fire

We decided we needed to make smores before the big blizzard of 2011.

FIRST TIME EVER!

This is the first time EVER they have both looked at me and said "cheese".  A modern miracle.

Understanding my desire for a VBAC

This article is well written and helps explain my desire for wanting a VBAC.  I am so thankful to my OB, Dr Tate for believing in me, even when I didn't.  Abby was 15 days late.  Unheard for even first time moms.  I am also so grateful Doug stood by me during all of this and was so supportive; along with my family.  I have a lot of friends who had to make the journey alone.  It isn't easy.  My new journey is helping women avoid the first cut.

http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/emotional_impact.asp

Ear protection

My children hate loud noises. Luckily they love ear protection.

SNOW!

We had a white Christmas this year!  The first time in 100 years!  We were at my mom's house but I came prepared with sleds and warm clothes.  We bundled up the children and headed outside.  Jack really liked catching snowflakes with his tongue.  He was also a master sledder, as was Abby.  She cried the first time going down, but laughed the next. 

Abby out playing

Even Pearl was there!

Jack catching a snowflake

Auntie Lex bundled up and joined in the fun

So did Uncle Chris!

Heading to the hill!

Mama and Jackie had a good run

Nana came out too!

Daddy and Abby.  It was cold enough that she wanted her mittens.

Nana got the snow out of Jack's jacket.

Nana should be wearing my hat

A picture of POPS?!!?

Last family shot in 2010

Merry Christmas!