84 degrees and sunny

We're never coming home. It's too warm and beautiful here! Jack has loved Lion Country Safari and Parrot Island. He wasn't too thrilled about standing in the ocean but loved all the boats he saw. He's in love with Aunt LaNae (nae nae) and Uncle David's (Dude) dogs- Sonny and Bonny. He'd also like to take one of their 5 cats home! We're having a blast and not missing the snow one little bit!

Merry Christmas Eve!

We've spent the morning doing some last minute shopping and wrapping. While we were at the mall we attempted a picture with Santa... Jack's still not too thrilled about the whole concept... here's the result.

Notice the "I'm not amused" look on his face? At least he didn't totally freak out like he did on Saturday at the Family Christmas in Chicago! Pictures from that event coming soon....

We're headed to the children's pageant at church this evening. Jack can be in it when he's 3. I think he'll get to be a sheep or something. A quiet dinner at home and then straight to bed to await Christmas morning!

Buried

We're feeling like we're buried up to our eyeballs in life around here! School has been beyond busy, we have Christmas shopping to do each night, a house to manage, a dog to take care of, and plans for our trip to Florida to make. Plus the million other little details like calling to check on my HORRIBLE health insurance, rescheduling doctors appts, etc. AAAAHHHHH!!! I'm so ready for winter break!!!! Here are some random updates and thoughts....

~Only a half day of school tomorrow- should be positively insane. A pizza party, too much junk food, and adios kids! See you in 2008!

~ My coworker, Pam, was sick today (the stomach flu!!!) so I had to manage the field trip plus all the parents who came in to see the projects the kids have been working on for weeks- all by myself!!! Talk about a crazy day! The field trip was awesome. We went to the planetarium. Gotta love the planetarium! The parent thing was good too- the kids did power points on a polar regions animal they researched with me, and researched and did posters on a planet with Pam. The parents were impressed, the kids were happy, and all the cookies were eaten at the end! A good time was had by all. Thank god it's over!

~We're about halfway done with our Christmas shopping. We've been out every night this week getting stuff done. How does this deadline of Christmas Day seem to sneak up on us every year???

~We love our little baby. I know I haven't posted about it much- or at all really. How different it was with Jack. I'm just so busy and distracted that I just don't take the time to post about it. I'm feeling good. In maternity clothes now- and looking forward to being out of this "Is she just gaining weight?" phase! Jack picked out some onesies and a super cute sleeper for the baby at Kohl's the other night. He carries them around with him and hangs the hangers up on various door knobs throughout the house. When you ask them who they're for he goes, "bebee!" We have an appt right after we get back from Florida, and then my big 20 week ultrasound is scheduled for the end of January. It'll be here before we know it!

~Jack had been going through a phase of not wanting to go to sleep at night. He'd cry and scream as soon as we put him in his crib and shut the door. We were at a loss about what to do- how can a kid go from lying down and falling asleep like an angel all on his own every night to this?? We spent the past several nights sitting on the floor by his bed holding his hand till he fell asleep- that was fun! Then Brandon said the other night he was really holding onto Brandon's hand for dear life, not just casually holding his hand. That made me think that maybe he was scared- so last night I put him to bed but left his door open and our bedroom light on. I went about my business folding laundry and stuff- and what do you know? Fell asleep all on his own! So now he's going to bed with the door open and the bedroom light on. Problem solved! Until the next one of course!

~We can't wait for Florida!!!!!!!!

~I've been craving eggo waffles!

~We FINALLY got a family picture taken- it's going to be a new years card- and Finley won't be in it. He just WOULD NOT sit still and be normal for the picture. So he's not dead, just not in our card this year!!! :) Expect those cards in your mailbox by March at the latest!!!! :)

That's it for now- pictures to come soon!

23 Months

Holy Cow! Next month you'll be 2! You are more fun every day- we love our family hugs! Happy 23 month birthday Baboo!

Love,
Mama and Daddy

SNOW DAY!

No school for me and no school for Jack! So far we've watched Lady and the Tramp and played outside in the snow. Our afternoon plans include long naps for both of us! Hooray!!!


I bet all of my Olathe teacher buddies are enjoying their day off too!!!!

Who did it?

Two words we have purposely not encouraged Jack to learn are now being used WAY too frequently around here. Who taught him "No!" and "Mine!" ?????? Somebody better confess!

**And FYI those comments from "anonymous" are really from my brother. He tries so hard to be funny.**

Can you repeat that? I didn't hear you

I have a perforated eardrum and an ear infection. When the nurse practitioner looked in my ear her quote was, "Wow". I guess it looked pretty bad.

I'm now on an antibiotic (safe for the baby) and Tylenol.

It'll take around a week or 2 for the plugged up feeling to go away in my ear- so could you speak a little louder till then? Thanks.

Home Sick

It must be an ear infection. My right ear is all plugged up and it hurts so bad I didn't sleep much last night. I'm calling for an appt. at 8:00. I hope I can get in right away. Add the flat tire that I had on the way to school on Monday and this week has royally sucked!

'tis the season

To be sick, sick, sick! Just when Jack was finally feeling better, I came down with a horrible cold on Thursday night. I even ended up leaving school at 9:00 on Friday morning, I felt so horrible. As soon as I got home I went to bed and slept till 3:00. Too bad it didn't cure me. I felt absolutely terrible yesterday. I've spent the past 24 hours with gobs of Vicks Vapo Rub under my nose and on my chest- and it really seems to be helping! I'm thinking I might actually make it to school tomorrow.

Aside from being sick all weekend, we did manage to have some fun. My parents came over to get "snowed in" with us. We got our first winter storm of the season- about 4 inches around here- and it was fun to be all together. Jack got to try out his brand new snowpants and boots- around here they actually let the kids go out and play in the snow during the school day!! We bundled him all up and took him outside- he totally hated it! The wind was really blowing and he wasn't sure about walking in the snow so he stuck pretty close to his Aunt "Sizzy". It's a good thing she loves him so much, she ended up carrying him all around!

We also bought our Christmas tree this weekend. It seems like we do that earlier and earlier each year. We bought it from the boy scout troop that sells them out of the parking lot at Jack's school. The boys really had no clue about trees- but we were happy with what we got. Jack was really into the "twee" this year. He helped his Daddy and Uncle Timmy do the decorating and even got to put the star on top. He talks about Ho Ho Ho all the time and he keeps telling me that he wants "manimals" and "hoo hoo" (a train) for Christmas. We'll see what Santa delivers!

We told Jack that Mama has a baby in her tummy and now if you ask him where our baby is, he'll point to me. Then again, he also points to himself, Daddy, Puppa, and anybody else in the room so maybe he doesn't quite get it yet! I can't wait to see him as a big brother. He's such a loving and gentle kid, I really think he'll do a great job with the baby. I've finally been feeling better. The "morning sickness" is about 90% gone. It started almost instantly this time but seems to be ending quicker too. Now if I can just get rid of this cold and the gagging reflex that happens every time I cough I'll be in good shape!

Only 3 weeks till Christmas break around here! We're REALLY looking forward to our trip to see Auntie LaNae and Uncle David in Florida. I can't wait to show Jack the ocean and take him on all the adventures they have planned for us. Brandon is looking forward to rearranging our flights so we can catch KU in the Orange Bowl!

Enjoy some pictures...

all bundled up
Jack and Auntie Sizzy

Grammy in the snow


Family picture. Ugh! Soooo not the Christmas card! Sickly mama!

Puppa lovin'

Calling Moe Moe to talk about the new shoes from Grandpa