Gingerbread Houses

Every year we make Gingerbread houses, this year we left it until Christmas Eve. The kids thought they were in candy heaven and ate so much I think they had belly aches! I made homemade frosting and Riley loved helping me this year. We usually make one house each, but since the kids can't quite do it themselves we made one family house instead. It turned out...well, interesting. Riley loved piling the candy on and piling cracker upon cracker. Lets just say she won't be designing our home if we ever build one! Lincoln was no help really :). He sat there, watching and eating a TON of candy...but, he was one happy little guy!

They thought they were in heaven!

FINAL PRODUCT!

Naughty or Nice?

We took the kids to see Santa at the mall, like we do every year. Riley wouldn't have anything to do with him. I even tried being the mean mom by making her sit, but I couldn't pry her off of my neck. She was literally screaming...not crying, but screaming at the top of her lungs and everyone was looking at us so I gave up. She's a strong little girl. Lincoln wasn't thrilled either, but we were able to "make him" sit on Santa's lap whether he wanted to or not. Classic. Now every time we go to the mall Riley says "I don't want to see Santa" :)!

Does this picture remind you of THIS ONE??

Lincoln @ 19 months

DISCLAIMER: When I get around to it, I'll add pictures!

Things have been busy since our move so I'm getting to this a little bit late. But better late than never, right??

Lincoln is now already 19 months old and my how he has changed. He has turned into the sweetest, gentlest and, of course, cutest little guy! He's talking quite a bit now, but still not a ton. He has probably 15-20 words which include hi, bye, duck, momma, dadda, up, down, please, go, baby, fish, where'd it go? (random, right?!) and many more. He's not putting many words together yet, but I'm sure it's coming soon enough. He also knows and uses quite a bit of sign language--probably 15 signs. It definitely helps me understand what he wants better.

At his 18 month appt. Lincoln weighed a whopping 24 lbs. and was inches 30.5 inches long. He's still on the very lower end of the growth chart, but he's growing well. He still hasn't gotten a haircut frankly because this kid has no hair--except for his awesome mullet! Yeah I probably should get that cut :) He's still wearing 12-18 month clothes and even some 6-12 month clothes and wearing a size 6 shoe. All of a sudden, since it's gotten colder and since we've moved Lincoln's skin has gotten very, very dry and his cheeks are chapped. I hope he doesn't develop eczema like I had.

His absolutely LOVES playing with Riley. They are best buds. Riley daily says that Lincoln is her best friend. They play so nicely, I am lucky!

Lincoln has almost always been a good sleeper (except when he went through those few months of ear infections) and he still is to this day. He continues to take at least a 2 hour nap and sleeps from 7pm-7am. I LOVE that the kids nap and go to bed at the same time. (Yes, Riley is back to taking naps). It gives Ty and I one-on-one time in the evening and it's definitely when I get things done around the house. Not much gets done when the kids are awake. He's still in his crib and isn't showing any sign of climbing out...yet--cross your fingers, I know I am!

I thought I'd never love having a boy as much as I love having my girl, but I have to admit that I absolutely love having my little guy. He's quite the momma's boy and he loves to cuddle. Even though he's a momma's boy at heart, he loves when Ty walks in the door from work. He gets so excited when Daddy gets home. He knows it means lots of wrestling and spoiling!

Decorating the Tree

Usually we try to decorate the Christmas tree the weekend after Thanksgiving, but with us moving that weekend it didn't happen. So we waited until the first weekend in December--once we were move settled into our new place. The kids were SO excited to put the tree up, but got distracted pretty quickly (mostly Lincoln). Riley is at such a fun age right now. She understands what's going on and really is a good helper. She and Ty put most of the tree up while I took pictures and watched Lincoln. Once the tree was completely put together (yes, we have a fake tree--I'm allergic to the real ones) we went to decorate it and soon realized that we completely forgot to pack our lights and ornaments. We store much of our stuff at Ty's Grandparent's house and we forgot them there. So we took a break, listened to Christmas music, drank hot chocolate then I made a quick run to Target to get ornaments and lights. I got back, we finished decorating.

Once the ornaments were on the tree Lincoln was all of a sudden interested in the tree...but not in a good way. We wouldn't leave the thing alone. He kept taking all the ornaments off the tree and hoarding them. Every time we told him not to touch he got VERY upset. Needless to say he cried for about 2 hours straight and now our tree is only half decorated (the top, of course). Whatever works. I wasn't about to deal with him crying and undecorating the tree for 3 weeks!

We're Here

Well, we've been here for just over a week now and are completely unpacked (thanks to Ty) and are starting to get settled in. We made the 8 hour, turned 9.5 hour, drive on Saturday morning. We left around 5:30am. The kids did wonderful, especially since we didn't have a DVD player for them. We decided at the last minute that the only way for us to fit the stuff the movers didn't take into our cars would be for me to take the kids in the Cadillac and Ty to take the Explorer. The Cadillac's cigarette lighter doesn't work, hence no DVD player (it's the dual player which doesn't have an external battery). Anyways we made 4 stops for the kids to play/eat and got down here around 3:30, the movers unloaded us and we began unpacking. Oh how I despise moving. But loved that we had a moving company, what a difference it makes!

Ty starts work today and I know it will start to settle in once he's gone more. I already feel a little cabin fever and like I can't get out much since I don't know the area, but in due time I'm sure I'll get it. I really hope he likes his job, I know he'll be great at it! They are lucky to have him.

We really like our new place. The garage is awesome because we have a TON of storage space and the kids LOVE the stairs leading to their bedrooms. Speaking of bedrooms they both have their own room now and both kids (esp. Lincoln) has been sleeping SO well. Going down at 7pm and waking up at 8am or later. I can handle that. None of us slept very well when he was in our bedroom, but I didn't think it would make this much difference.

I really miss all my family and friends back home, but I hope we can get home to visit often. My sister is coming home for Christmas (from AZ) so the kids and I will drive back up Dec. 27th and stay for the week because there's no way I'd miss seeing her. I, however, am NOT looking forward to the drive again...lets hope there isn't a snowstorm on my drive back.

Posts with pictures to come soon...I didn't take one single picture all last month, what was I thinking?!!

Slacker

I have been a complete blogging slacker! I'm usually pretty good at keeping updated, but we've been so busy and so much is going on it's been hard to find the time. I haven't even been taking pictures lately, what the heck is wrong with me!?!

Anyways, we are moving in 9 days! YIKES! I cannot believe the time has come already. Ty and I went down to WV last weekend to look for a place to live and the kids stayed with my family (Riley with my Dad and Lincoln with my Mom) so we could get more done. Our goal was to find a place to live and that was it. We were looking for a 3 bedroom townhouse to rent or even a house to rent. We found one that we looked at and the guy said "these are the nicest around you won't find anything better" so I had high expectations I guess. He took us to the place and it's not that they weren't nice, but to me they were just decent and if we're moving all the way down there I don't want to settle for something I'm not completely happy with. So once he showed us around we got back in our car and I started balling. I didn't like the place at all and I told Ty if this was the best we'd find then I didn't want to move (I know that sounds bratty, I was just emotional I suppose)

After my meltdown we looked at the next place and I took a deep sigh of relief. It was just what I was hoping we'd find. It reminds me a lot of what we're in now except that it's bigger. We've now got two stories, a two car garage, lots of storage, and three bedrooms. Other than that it's pretty much the same. They are only 4 years old and very modern. I feel better about our move now, but am still very nervous! We've got movers who are packing, loading and unloading us coming the 24th and we'll be down there the 29th.

Once we get settled and get to know the area better we'll start looking for a house to rent. We don't want to buy because we don't know how long we'll be there! Anyways, keep us in your prayers!!

To Nap or Not to Nap...

That is the Question! The past few weeks have probably been the most frustrating weeks since I've had both kids. Today was probably one of the worst. Let me explain. The past about 2 weeks Riley decided that she doesn't want to nap anymore. Fine. If she doesn't need a nap, then I'm okay with that and she can just have quiet time in her room for an hour. However, this girl needs, and I mean absolutely NEEDS, a nap. I will put her down for a nap and she will stay up forever without sleeping. As long as she's in her room playing I don't care, however, usually about 10 minutes after she comes out of her room she's SO whinny and rubbing her eyes and saying she's tired. Well, what the heck? You were just in your room for at least an hour or more, you were suppose to sleep then!

I get SO frustrated with this whole refusing to nap thing. If I didn't think she needed a nap it would be a different story, but she needs it. I know this first of all because by 3 in the afternoon she's about falling over she can barely walk she's so tired, she whines NO STOP, and if we go anywhere she falls asleep in the car within seconds of the car being in motion. Plus, at night we put her down at 7:30 but she never falls asleep until at least 9 and wakes up with Lincoln around 6:30. That's only 9.5 hours of sleep and that's NOT enough for her. I have tried emptying her room of toys, literally her bed and her dresser in her room. I was so frustrated one day I chucked EVERYTHING into her closet and it still didn't work. Just when I didn't think she didn't have anything to play with she ended up getting into her dresser and playing dress up.

Honestly, I feel like she doesn't know how to calm herself down enough to fall asleep. It takes her an hour and a half even at night to fall asleep even if she hasn't had a nap. If you've been around Riley you know that she goes a million miles an hour all day long and NEVER, literally, never stops. I really think that I think she doesn't know how to take it down a notch, lay down, and close her eyes. It's like she thinks she's going to miss something by sleeping. I've tried to get her to take deep breaths and it works sometimes, but other than taking everything away I don't know what to do. Any suggestions??

Happy Halloween!

I just realized I forgot to publish this post...

We're not huge Halloween people, but we do enjoy many of the fall festivities. The kids (well Riley at least) love to dress up so this year I decided they were going to be Tinkerbell and Peter Pan! I'm definitely not against trick-or-treating, but at this age we just decide to take them to the Richland Township square where our church and many other businesses participate. They have a petting zoo, bounce houses, lots of games and their own version of trick or treating. Last year we had a blast and this year we had fun too, but it was so cold we didn't stay long. Riley wanted to stay longer, but she was literally shaking. Lincoln was very bundled up, you couldn't even tell that he had a costume on. He ended up falling asleep in the stroller too while we were "trick or treating". We walked by the bank and it said it was 37 degrees out and it was SO windy!

We had a great time and once we left we stopped by Big B's and got hot chocolate to warm ourselves up. I have to admit though, when I got home, I was a bit disappointed in the candy this year. Not the kind of of candy, but the amount...it's definitely not going to last very long :). Good thing the kids have completely forgotten about it and now it's all mine :)!

West Virginia here we come...

Looks like this...

... is going to be our new home state for a while. Ty got the job in WV last Monday, but since the papers hadn't been signed until today I hadn't announced it yet. We're excited, scared, nervous and anxious about the move, but have been really praying about it and feel like it's the right decision. Sure, we're not thrilled about moving away from all of our family and friends, but we're hoping the experience can open even more doors and eventually bring us back "home"! Plus, the offer was just too good to pass up.

Ty will be their account manager. Essentially he'll be managing their local and national accounts. He starts December 7th, so we'll be moving down at the end of November. Ty and I will make the trip down soon to find a place to live and hopefully get more acquainted with the area. Thanks for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers!

Carving Time!

We left Pumpkin carving to the last minute this year (the night before Halloween) and since we only got 2 pumpkins instead of 4 we only carved one of them this year. It was just easier that way because the kids really needed to get to bed. I was shocked that Riley and Lincoln both stuck their arms in and pulled out the guts. AND they didn't mind either. Riley said "it's yucky" at first, but then kept going, so I wasn't going to stop her. Lincoln enjoyed stirring the guts more than pulling them out though...can't say I blame him!

Everytime I tell Lincoln to smile he screams instead, this time Riley followed suit.

Here it is again "Ahhh...this is the good life"...Riley's signature saying right now.

Pumpkin Pickin'

Gull Meadow Farms is a very popular place during the fall and especially around Halloween time (hence the reason we usually make multiple trips during the season, this time we brought Daddy with us). We took the kids to play in pumpkin lane, pick out pumpkins and have cider and donuts. I would love to tell you all how much fun we had and how the kids were so good, but to be honest the kids were horrible. We ended up leaving early with only 2 pumpkins instead of 4, no donuts/cider and timeouts times 2! Neither of the kids got a nap and Riley especially cannot handle herself without a nap. That's another post, though, at another time...I'm sure soon :). Anyways, if the kids are smiling in these pictures they were probably faking it! Our fun family outing ended in a lot of frustration, on both ends. We live literally 2 minutes away and both kids were asleep before we got home!

Out of all of the pumpkins, this small one is the one she just had to have...

Daddy with both kids going down...

FINALLY after 2 years we got Riley to go down the slide!! Lincoln was so excited to go down and Riley, once again, wanted nothing to do with it....but then she saw Lincoln do it and wanted to also. They LOVED it and were not happy when they shut it down.

Lincoln and I went down the slide together--definitely not good when you have a healing tailbone! (Yes, it still hurts...bad!)

Riley literally sat down on the bench, put her hands behind her head and said "Ahhh...this is the good life..." We were cracking up but have no clue where she got that one from.

Checking out the pumpkin heads. I love to see what new "scenes" they have each year!

Family picture, at least most of us are happy.

Riding the bus together!

The real 96 lb. pumpkin!

Halloween Party

We had a really great Halloween playgroup party for the kids last week, although I can take no credit for it. Erin did everything--all I did was help frost cupcakes. She went all out, from the snacks to the decorations to the fun games. The kids had a blast, got all dressed up and ate a bunch of junkfood! Lincoln stayed home with Daddy since he was sleeping which, to be honest, was kind of nice. Every once in a while it's great to just have one child to focus all of your attention on! Here are a few pictures for your enjoyment :). Riley dressed up as Tinkerbell and Lincoln is going to be Peter Pan.

I'm pretty sure they really were holding hands while "bobbing for apples"...they love each other!

Bean bag toss. She's cheating, that's my girl...find a way to win :)!

Feeling the brains or some other body part!

Bobbing for apples again, this time with Lydia!

Mandy, Erin and I decorated these. They turned out cute. Erin is so creative.

Big kids' table.

Gymnastics Class

Riley had her first gymnastics class on Monday and she loved it--okay, not at first, but once she got warmed up she loved it! She was so excited when their group got called to run into the gym with her bud Nolan, but once she realized that I was on the other side of the glass she wasn't' the least bit thrilled. The kids were warming up and Riley was in the arms of her teacher, crying, telling her "I want Mommy". The poor teacher carried her around like that for a good 5-10 minutes. I tried to hide in the other room so she couldn't see me and she finally calmed down enough to participate! They stretched, did bars, the balance beam, the trampoline, obstacle courses, and other things. I think Riley's favorite was the trampoline.

I was worried with how Riley would do because she's not the most calm child and she tends to run off (she is getting better though). This girl just cannot sit still, not for one single second. She did fairly well except for when she ran off and her teacher didn't notice. I noticed. My friend, Mandy, who was in there with her 1 year old noticed. But the teacher? Nope. She did not notice. For a good 10 minutes I kept trying to get her teacher's attention and let her know that Riley was "missing" (although I could see her). Mandy kept trying to get her attention to tell her Riley was missing, but it wasn't working. Finally I had to go into the gym and let her know that Riley was with some other big girl's group (probably 10-12 years old) jumping on the trampoline. She was being catapulted into the air because the girls were bouncing her. She didn't mind, in fact I think she had more fun doing that.

Even though this week didn't go too terribly bad, I'm hoping next week is even better!

In these two pictures I said "Riley, can you please stand there and smile for me"...not quite what I had in mind but whatever!

Stretching

Beam

Bars