Merry Christmas to ALL!!!

Merry Christmas to ALL!!!

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We just want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas...or as Preston says "Happy Merry Christmas"!

The Days Before Christmas...

The Days Before Christmas....

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The Days Before Christmas have been filled with lots of activity in preparation of the BIG day....My sons were dressed in the dreaded (but cute) matching sweaters....

and we went to a "Christmas Birthday Party" as Preston calls it with our BFSG group last week...and they exchanged gifts and ate lots of yummy food...Definitely our kind of party! Funny how I kept trying to correct my son that it was a Christmas Party not a Birthday Party....only to realize he was actually right if you think about it...it is after all a celebration of Jesus' Birthday...I think we have a genius on our hands....Here is the group...minus Ms Lucy and Zoey...

We have also had lots of cold and snowy weather...Preston BEGGED to put on his snowboots and go outside during one of our recent bouts of snow...Obviously, not worried about needing snowpants...don't worry Mommy took the time (30 minutes) to get all bundled up...for 2 minutes of play in the snow before Preston was "ALL Done"...We didn't even have time to take a picture...He informed me he did not like the snow and it was time to go in for a snack...Honestly--It didn't bother me, Mommy does not like the snow either!

After realizing none of us like the snow...we came up with a new plan for the next frigid day that involved eating...a love of everyone's in this house...We built a Gingerbread Christmas tree...It was a team effort...and every bulb was placed by Mr P...We were quite impressed!

and Daddy and Ashten have been doing a lot of this lately as they prepare for the big day...yes, they need their energy to open all the fun gifts!!

Mommy has been having a blast out amongst the crazy shoppers looking for last minute things on the christmas list...Yes, I am nutty because I truly do love the madness and chaos...only though when I am by myself and I can swoop in and out...it is my own little private paradise of fun...

Ashten's Two Month Check-up

Ashten's Two Month Check-up

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We had Ashten's two month check-up on Monday...yes it seems late to me too as he is what almost 2 1/2...but anyways we braved the cold weather (3 degrees) and Mommy got to experience life in a Dr's office with P man and A man...let's just say Preston entertained the entire waiting room...

Here are the stats:

Height: 24 inches-75%

Weight:11lbs 11oz--45%

Head-95%

The Dr says Ashten looks amazing and is doing very, very well...She is extremely pleased with his weight gain and other growths...she has no concerns at all...in fact she says he seems to be ahead of the curve..just like his big brother....lifting his head so well and in holding his own on the conversational side of the exam.....I cannot tell you how fast time is flying with Ashten...he is already sitting up on Daddy's lap and cooing and laughing at anything we do....He is so sweet, loves attention....and MOTION...suprise, suprise!

How Many Days til Christmas???

How Many Days 'til Christmas???

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So Christmas is arriving a little sooner than Mommy and this family anticipated this year...where has the time gone...I guess that is what life is like with a newborn and a toddler...or so they tell me...I am obviously not ready and doing more fretting than anything about...Daddy has been very busy lately working and thus leaving little time to get out and get things done...oh well...all will be done in time I am sure.....

My two little reindeer getting ready to set up the tree....

Preston helping Daddy put up our glorious fake tree...sorry Mommy has no time to deal with a real one...

Ashten doing his fair share of the Christmas decorating...

and the final product with my big boy....crazy how they grow up so much in one year!

We also had our first Christmas party .....my two boys sitting for a great photo op!

and the big group!

and one final "cheese" from Preston...He is totally in this fake smile mode these days and whenever the camera is around he says "1, 2, 3 ..cheese"....Absolutely adorable...

Thanksgiving Break

Thanksgiving Break

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Turkey Day was DELICIOUS as always...and as always we ALL ate way too much....It was a great trip to see the grandparents, do some christmas shopping and hanging out with family and friends....and unfortunately we misplaced the camera and therefore took very few pic's...Sorry for lacking in my mommy duties...Here are the few we did get....

Nina, Preston and Ashten in a little cuddle time...

Papa and Ashten working on taking their afternoon nap...

Preston giving Godfather Chris some love...

Preston helping his buddy Jace down the steps...he thinks now that he is a Big Brother..everyone smaller than him needs his help...

Preston and Ashten also got to spend a lot of quality time with his other Grandparents and Daddy while Mommy shopped, but there was not one photo taken by Daddy (we already had a talk)...but they did have fun exploring in the woods behind their house and going to the Lighted Parade...

Mommy would just like to note that Thanksgiving or...er..the Day after has got to be becoming one of her favorite days of the year...On thursday...we get to relax, eat yummy food, remember all the blessings we have to be thankful for....scavange the sale ads...and Then on Friday it is fun, fun, fun shopping madness all by herself...thank you daddy for letting me have my day..

A Little P and A

A Little P and A
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I am not sure how or why this has started but it has come to my attention we often call our kids P and A....perhaps it is just that life is hectic and busy and to fully state their name would take too much time...Daddy and I are serious about making full use of our time and that saying the full name might take too much time or effort...Anyways, we may work on correcting this in the future so that the kids know their real names ...but until then...Here is a little P and A cuteness for you!

My two boys hammin it up for the camera...they seriously love LOVE each other already...it is craziness in my opinion....I would think A would like P to leave him alone...and I would think P would wish A would leave as he got more attention before.....

I have heard the second child is the "troublemaker"...here he is already starting in....sticking the tongue out for the camera....

Mr A doing the superman pose....He likes to be swaddled only when he is tired and cranky...otherwise he loves to flare freely and most of the time without clothes on...

He has also been hamming it up as much as possible lately...he is loving the attention he gets from smiling and cooing...

Mr P checking out his first credit card (with his pic on it)....Yes, Yes...this is from the one and only Chuck E Cheese..It was a reward for how AWESOME our Mr P has been at Potty Training...Do you still call it Potty Training when they are doing so well???? We have not had an accident in a long time...He is going on his own (without us even knowing) and then finding us to let us know "He DID it"....He is adorable and such a BIG boy...We are very Proud of him and his efforts....

One Month Pictures

One Month Pictures

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Okay, so it is almost time for our two month pictures but we just received these the other day...and are too cute to not post a few of the favorites.....

"Is this my good side??"

"Maybe the head down a bit..."

"Seriously, try to avoid my double chin--okay"

"How about a relaxed shot"

"the thinker look..one hand under the chin..."

a little collage with the footsie's...

"Would you like one where I stare off at the stars..."

Yes, yes....mommy loves all of Mr Ashten's Pose's!

6 Week Check-Up

6 Week Check-Up

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So Mommy had her 6 week postpartum check-up and was not committed to the insane asylum...so all is good in our home! No, seriously this is good news...Okay, I am kidding (slightly) but the Doctor did say that ALL appears to be well with Mommy and the family...so I thought I would give a sort/of update on everyone at this point.

Ashten-6weeks old:

-Pretty much knows his nights from his days

-Gives Mommy a good stretch of 5-8 hours of sleep at some point during the night

-Purely Breastfeed baby, but does take "pumped" milk from a bottle (2-3 oz approx every other day)

-Is definitely smiling and now even making cooing sounds in response to things we do

-started the "superman" pose while sleeping (see above pic)

-fists are open more open (not cletched) while awake

-more aware of surroundings and insistent on having his surroundings changed (thus--Mommy and Daddy must move off the couch and walk around)

-Has an opinion on a lot of things (ie: Lets us know through his great vocal cords quite often)

-We have no idea of his measurements (weight or height) -will check into this..He seems so long to me though...

Preston-25 1/2 Months old:

-Is a very PROUD Big Brother (LOVES his brother still ) and BIG BOY--he will tell you so himself!

-Has been potty training for the past week and a half and is doing great, very few accidents or just "mini's " as we call them as he catches himself in the act...really none with number 1, just number 2's.

-No diapers or pull-ups!

-Sleeps 12+ hours at night and 2-4 hours for a nap (closer to 2 at this moment bc we are potty training and get him up immediately when he stirs-thus not allowing him to fall back asleep.

-Pretty much eats anything and everything...major sweet tooth like his Mommy!

-Speaks in sentences

-Is working on his alphabet, colors and counting-and seriously doing very well.

-Loves to spell his name for you (usually messes up the "T" and calls it "I")

-Passed his Parents and Teachers exams with flying colors...

-Cutest thing he says in my opinion is "what honey?" or " I love you ..."

-Is extremely loving and affectionate...very well behaved and mannered..

-No idea on measurements but will find out soon

Mommy and Daddy -6 Weeks Postpartum

-Mommy feeling pretty good at just having a baby, but can't wait to "finish" getting back into shape...Daddy says I am already there (You can tell he is trained...right?)

-Mommy and Daddy both need to learn to relax a little more...and that everything does not have to be perfect....

-Daddy has returned to the road and is much happier-; Mommy's feelings are still up in the air

-Both feel extremely blessed at having two of the sweetest and most wonderful children in the world!

-Both wonder "what the heck?" when our sweet and wonderful children have not so sweet and wonderful moments!

-Blessed that we have a healthy family and our struggles are insignificant when compared others..

Trick or Treat Time!!!

Trick or Treat Time

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The week with Nina would not have been complete without a little "Trick or Treating" ...and in Preston and Ashten style--we couldn't just do this once--we had to do it twice...with Trunk or Treat one night and Trick or Treat the next...Can anyone say "Candy Coma"? Preston's friend-Julia and her family invited us out to enjoy "Trunk or Treat" with them at their local PDO place...it was a first for us and a GREAT time....Very safe and enjoyable experience for the kids...and a lot less walking....

An Adorable pair, eh?? Seriously, why is Preston always flirting ...and where does he get this from...

Can you tell who the real Ashten is??? How random that one of the cars had this prop...and it certainly freaked out a few of the trunk or treat parents....think they thought we were letting the little girl carry around our "real" baby....DFS was probably called...

and no night of Trunk or Treating is complete until you can check out the loot...and yes we checked out the loot over and over and over....again....

On actual Halloween Night, we went over to our Neighbors for their Annual Halloween Get together....It was our second year and I think the number of kids doubled from last year....check the archives....:) and yes, I think Preston is once again flirting...this time with little Mia...

and Preston doing his two other favorite things....Eating (of course) and hangin out with one of his best buds....Parker!

Yeah--a family photo....I think this might be the first and only one we have since Ashten's arrival to us....too bad you can't see Baby Ashten...and P man is in a costume...we will have to work on this....

and finally getting to the real deal...Trick or Treat! Preston loved the experience and really did not want to go home...and why would he...Lots and Lots of candy was attained...and ingested...we still have two large bowls full...Nina and Ashten did not have as good of a night however handing out candy--Daddy had to be alerted to come serve as back-up as Mommy and Preston were way too caught up in their Sugar high....

Halloween Parties!!

Halloween Parties

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Preston and Ashten were pleased to host not one but TWO Halloween Bashes at their house in the past two weeks...The first was a Parents as Teachers Bash--Nina happened to be in town and was a great help snapping this picture for us...what a fine group, eh?? Funny how most of us now have or are expecting a second child...the group keeps growing and growing!!!

Preston was a giraffe for Halloween, but decided that he wanted to be a construction giraffe...He is all boy and loves his tools! Check out the cool pumpkin he decorated with stickers too...

They also had the third Annual Halloween Bash at our house for his BFSG group!! I cannot believe how much these kids have grown ...again we have gone from 6 to 10 (which I always forget!) and are expecting number 11...craziness!!! We are missing Lucy and Zoe in this picture...quite sad...but they were under the weather...

Preston's friends got to see him in a different costume this day too--Super/SpiderMan....Yes, my son ran around like this all day and has been since we have started Potty Training...Mommy has a theory on how to make this work....we'll see if it works...thanks to the other mom's for not caring my kid ran around in the underoo's all day...

Finally, Ashten also got to meet his future gf--Chloe ....she is absolutely beautiful and despite the size difference is only 6 days younger...That's okay, he is going to be her protector...heaven knows he is getting used to being tough with having a Big Brother around!

Pumpkin Patch

Pumpkin Patch

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So I didn't lie when I said we did ALOT when Nina was here...We also made a trip to the local Pumpkin Patch (which is something Mommy and Daddy didn't think we would be able to do this year) but thanks to Nina's help and free tickets from a friend we took advantage of a gorgeous day.....and went out and enjoyed an awesome pumpkin patch and farm....

Preston and Nina hand in hand....

I couldn't resist getting this photo op...hopefully we will come back in the years to come and see how we have grown...although the pumpkin patch we went to last year was equally as fun...not sure Mommy or Daddy has a preference....but maybe every other year....

Preston and Mommy feeding the goats...and trying not to get our hands eaten...yes there are signs warning of this....and Mommy, Nina and Daddy scared little P man as we thought his hand was going to get eaten on one occasion...the kid is fearless though and after only a tear or two...he went back to feeding the animals...

Nina and Ashten strollin....Ashten once again was on his best behaviour with Nina nearby....he really did love being with her....just like Preston does...it must be something about Gramma's...if only my boys were ALWAYS on their best behaviour with Mommy and Daddy...

Daddy and P checkin out a pig...Preston was as grossed out as mommy and wanted nothing to do with him...who can blame him...

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Unfortunately, all of these photo's came from our first 15 minutes at the pumpkin patch...We just got a new camera and had no idea we needed to charge the battery so soon...and it died...Thankfully, Nina was prepared with her own camera and we got some great shots with the pumpkins, out on the wagon ride and train ride...or just playing on the great toys they had out on the farm..bad news...Nina hasn't sent these to me yet so I can't post any of them...Anyways, point is--Both boys (and Mommy and Daddy) had a great time....it was another Awesome family memory and we were so happy to share it with Nina...thanks Nina!!!