(Not) A Lazy Sunday

(Not) A Lazy Sunday

------

Okay, Back to trying to "Ketch up" on the week with Nina....It started with "Boo at the Zoo" on Saturday and led to a Not so lazy Sunday....as it was Cousin Ainsely's 4th Birthday Party!! It was a Dora Bash....I think she like the decorations and all the Presents...Mommy loved the yummy cake and delicious Pizza!!

Of course my two Boys take after their Mommy and love the food as well!! While all the other Mommy's try to make their kids eat ALL their dinner, my son is asking for thirds....seriously--the kid eats EVERYONE under the table!

Afterwards, we headed back to the neighborhood for our Halloween Parade! The weather was horrible...very cold and windy--thankfully they both had very warm costumes...and Ashten was snug as a bug in his warm stroller...

Preston at the snack line with good friend, Danielle--she lives across the street and think she may have a slight crush on the P Man...she is a cutie and so very very sweet!

and Preston with his best buddy--Jack-Jack....aka "the skunk"

Nina opted to stay back at the house and cheer us on as we strolled past the house...yes she was the smart one!

RED ALERT RED ALERT

RED ALERT RED ALERT

--------

Preston went POTTY on the BIG BOY POTTY

NOT once

NOT twice

NOT three times

BUT SEVEN TIMES TODAY!!!

It was his first time ever having a successful attempt and was so excited each time...he just kept doing it...Mommy mentioned last week in passing to Daddy and Nina that she thought he might be getting close to being ready....but that Mommy really wasn't quite ready yet with a newborn in the house and all....but today for whatever reason --I thought heck with it...Let's give it a go and see what happens.... (WHY, I have no idea--since Daddy wasn't home to help and Ashten has been VERY needy lately....)...But With lots of treats, juice and Halloween Candy Preston was not too hard to convince....He exclaimed " I did it, I did it" after each successful try... and insisted we take his picture next to the success (sorry if you are quesy--but I have seven of these photo's now--I will only bless you with one) and then we would clean the potty, flush the potty, wash our hands, put our big boy undies back on....and get a piece of candy....

Mommy was Ill prepared and after two successful attempts in the AM- we made a mad dash to Walmart for some big boy undies--like Daddy....and much to Mommy's suprise--He picked the spiderman ones..I honestly thought we would have taken to Thomas the Train or Cars, but he really wanted spidey-undies...go figure....

He sure does look cute in them though....

I will note that we did have one accident ONLY throughout the ENTIRE day...and poor little guy was in utter shock when it happened...and went hysterical....so with that...I am not sure if he understands the "feeling" of needing to go...and perhaps we are still a little too early...We will give it ago again tomorrow and see what happens....but atleast he now knows what it feels like to successfully "go potty"....he has only been sitting on one for the past few months now...

Nina Arrives!!!

Nina Arrives!!!

------

Nina arrived on Saturday for her week long visit...and Mommy desperately was looking forward to her coming...It is always nice to have a helping hand with two little ones..and we got a lot done!! Nina and Mommy found fabric to make a curtain for Preston's room and found a rod to hang it (Nina sewed it up as if it were nothing), We picked up letters to put Ashten's name on the wall (now it just needs to be painted by Daddy), We found photo albums for both boys and put their pictures in them and a new memory box for Ashten to fill in the coming year, We finished and framed both Ashten and Preston's cross-stich that Mommy did while she was preggers, We painted frames for Preston's pictures, did lots of laundry and cleaning and shopping...but we also did a lot of fun stuff too....Such as taking the boys to storytime (twice), having a Halloween Party for his PT playgroup, going to Carolyn's Pumpkin patch for some outdoor fun, going out to eat and just doing some good ol shopping... I am sure I am missing a "million" other things that we did...but simply it was nice to have Nina around...and Mommy got to have a little breathing room for the week...and we were of course spoiled...

Preston opening one of a trillion "Nina treats" he got all week....

Ashten and Nina hanging out on the couch....he did NOT want to let go of her hand...like all infants...he loves being the center of attention and is completely happy as long as it remains that way--therefore why it is hard to accomplish much without assistance!

Preston and Nina hanging out on the couch (do you see a theme with my boys--they both LOVE hanging out!) I personally love the crossed legs and hand under the chin....this is commonly the way my son likes to watch TV....

and both of my boys LOVE to talk--Nina and Ashten carrying on a conversation...

(Seriously--I wonder where they get this from..not Mommy, right?)....

and Preston and Nina doing the same over lunch..

---

Thank you so much for coming down and hanging out with us this week Nina--We miss you already!! and wish that you lived closer so that we could all do this more often....We so appreciate ALL that you did for us this week and ALWAYS...you know you are more than welcome to do this again...anytime!

Boo at the Zoo

Boo at the Zoo

-------

Prior to Nina's arrival on Saturday..we decided since Daddy had a rare day off and it was a gorgeous day--we would venture out and take the boys to "Boo at the Zoo"....our last Zoo experience was not the greatest...so Mommy had mixed feelings but decided to give it another try...(Hey-last time it was only 100 degrees and I was 9 months pregnant!!) We had a Magnificant Day!!! It has been too cold here lately and we ALL needed to get out! It was perfect and Preston and Ashten were both on their best behaviour--hence they both missed nap time...and Mommy and Daddy were okay with that! The Zoo was totally decked out with Halloween decorations, trick or treat booths, and special shows...Preston loved getting a chance to "trick-or-treat" at the different booths within the zoo...why wouldn't he...he loved wearing the costume...and getting candy!!! It was a good way to get him used to going up and asking for candy and saying the all important--Thank you!His favorite animal he claims was the Hippo...but all day long he only talked about wanting to see the Tigers. I really thought there were a lot more animals out and about this day than last...perhaps it was just all in my head because I really enjoyed the day much more than last time!

The rhino, zebra's and giraffe's here were also pretty funny and active....it was probably Mommy and Daddy's favorite part of the day...

Little Ashten also really seemed to enjoy the day out for a stroller ride...he didn't wear his full costume...only his "ghost" shirt because it was too nice of a day...doesn't he just look "spooktacular" too! This was by far one of the best days we had as a family of four thus far...we couldn't have asked for better behaved boys...and a great time was had by all...and the day was only going to get better bc when we got home....Nina was there!

..

Ketch-Up

"Ketch-Up"

------

We have A LOT to update on since our last blog...I do apologize for the lack of posts, but in my defense--I have a newborn and toddler (both are doing great...you'll see) and our WONDERFUL "Nina" was in town....Therefore Mommy utilized the extra help as much as possible to get things done around the house and in taking care of these two kiddo's! We had an action packed week...Nina arrived last Saturday and just left today--we are all in mourning at our household...and Mommy is back to making it work on her own...I am sure we will survive, but having Nina here spoiled Mommy to death...she loved it...and so did the boys!! So here is what we have been up to:

Daddy's Back to Work

Daddy's Back to Work

---------

Daddy returned to work this week...a sad day for all of us but one that we knew would be coming...it brought with it though a few unexpected suprises though...such as Daddy's car not being out of the shop and Mommy getting to Load/Unload her two Boys out of Bed at Midnight Twice and then preceeding to get them up out of bed early the next morning to pick Daddy up...not to mention the many times she was up during the night for feedings...nothing like breaking mommy in easy...

Daddy's return to work also brought about Mommy's first outings with the two boys by herself...We braved Target one day for wipes as we had none in the house...and I find it quite interesting that a screaming newborn in the store attracts so many people to want to stop and see the baby...no one bothered us until Ashten decided to clear his lungs...then as Mommy is trying to make a mad dash out of the store as quickly as possible--EVERYONE (ie complete strangers) thought they should try and stop us so they could "coo" at my little screamer..

We also had to visit the Doctor on Wednesday for Ashten's two week checkup --needed to verify he was back to his birthweight--and boy was he!! 9lbs 4 1/2 oz...this kid really knows how to eat!! There is certainly no question about Mommy's supply! We also then went to Preston's Wednesday Playgroup so that he could see his friends...it was a short visit...But he and Mommy loved catching up with our friends..

While Daddy was away our BEAUTIFUL new MEGA stroller arrived! Of course, Preston and Mommy were super pumped about the new ride and were dying to see what it looked like...However- much to our suprise when we opened the box -it still needed to be assembled...this is not Mommy's specialty and was going to leave it for Daddy--but Preston had other ideas...He REALLY wanted to see his new stroller and Super Mommy kicked in again and put it together..I do have to say I am quite proud of this accomplishment...It was however quite cold this day and I had no intentions of going for a walk, but once again Master P had other ideas....this was HIS stroller and he was not going to let it go until we took it for a short test drive...and boy does it drive well!! We love it and try to get out as much as possible in it before the weather turns bad...

Daddy's going back to work has certainly been a challenge for all of us...but the thrust or giant push into reality (as Mommy refers to it as) has really not been too bad...at least there hasn't been a major meltdown yet...there is still a lot of adjusting we all need to do...Preston has taken it a little harder this week with Daddy gone...and Mommy is learning that she can be "Super Mommy" and do a lot more than she thought she could...However--I am counting the days until Nina returns to help (5 in case you were wondering) and provides a little relief...

A Busy Weekend

Busy Weekend

----------

Ashten met his other set of Grandparents this weekend and had a wonderful, but very busy weekend! He is definetely getting used to being passed around quite often and having many little voices screaming while he sleeps...Therefore may perhaps be why he insists on having a little one on one time with Mommy at Midnight and 4am...watching TV no less....oh well, atleast Mommy is able to catch up on some of the new programming that she has DVR'd this past week and a half...

Meeting Gramma Chris and Grampa Steve

Preston and his cousin's with their Halloween treat-a cookie- from the grandparents

Ashten pondering one of life's many questions

A family BBQ

And a little snuggle time with Daddy

Ashten is doing very well adjusting to life with us...as we are with him...He is starting to wake a lot more and be more expressive in his opinion's....He is also perhaps slightly confused on night and day--which is not too much of a big deal for me at this time...Preston continues to love on his little brother and wants to help in any way he can..this of course is sometimes more of a hinderance than a help--but his intentions are good. Daddy is hoping to get a little more time off of work and we would certainly love to have him home a little longer if possible...Mommy is still a sore and not getting around as well as I did the first time around, but as Daddy and the Dr keep reminding her--it takes time....and Ashten was after all a 9lb plus baby...it may take a little longer...I am just very eager..and it is so hard for me to try to relax when there is so much I want to do and to get done...