Baking cookies

When the Christmas lights are twinkling on the tree, and its cold and snowy outside, I always feel like I need to bake. There is just something about cooking in the winter time that is so soothing-- the aroma that fills the house, the warmth of the oven, and the pure deliciousness of eating fresh baked cookies.
So whipping up a batch of sugar cookies was the perfect fit for the day-- Nick was home from work, the boys were looking for something to do (or maybe I was looking for something for them to do!!)and perhaps my growing belly and appetite figure in as well. Regardless, these sugar cookies were just right.
So... I made the dough and put it in the fridge to chill. Then we set up an assembly line.

Isaiah and I rolled the dough into balls

Nick and Joshua covered the dough balls with colored sugar

We lined them up on the trays

And then waited patiently for them to come out of the oven. These ready hands (Isaiah's) could barely wait to try one (or two).

Christmas!!

A few pictures from our house on Christmas Eve. Enjoy!!

Anticipation

Yesterday morning, my 3 year old sat staring at the presents piled up under the tree. He then looked up at me and said, "Mom, I think its time for me to open my new car."

I started laughing and asked, "Are you expecting a new car for Christmas, Isaiah?" He looked confused for a minute and then grinned like a cheshire cat-- as if to say, "I thought all presents were toy cars, Mom!?!?"

I love the childlike joy and anticipation of cars on Christmas morning. I don't know that he's getting a single one, but it makes me smile to think of him imagining all the boxes under the tree to be cars of different shapes and sizes. Because after all, cars make the best presents.

And no, this is not a hint for my husband (who reads my blog) to buy me a new car for Christmas.

Little Angels

These are the boys who smile like little angels, who beam innocently at their mother, and grin in delight. These are my boys.


These are also the boys that "washed" each others hair with hand soap one evening while we entertained guests. Playing a little too quietly upstairs, the "suspicious mom" in me quickly ran to check, and discovered not only soap in their hair, but also on their clothes, the mirror, and in their eyes. Things changed from quiet to loud quite suddenly.


So into the bath we put them, to wash all the tear causing soap. After making sure they were settled, we hurried back downstairs to bid our friends farewell. In the moments we were gone we heard laughter and glee, and our stomachs sank. Before we even arrived back upstairs we knew what it meant. And as we suspected, these "little angels" had been at work again. Water covered the floor, the bathmat, and everything around them.

Yes. These are the faces of my little angels.

Getting round

While I LOVE the end result of pregnancy and holding my beautiful babies, I still dread getting big and round. I am such a self conscious pregnant woman!! :) While most people notice the little basketball in my belly, and that "pregnancy glow," I instead get focused on the water retention and the clothes that don't fit.

If I'm honest, I've really done remarkably well keeping the weight gain to a minimum. I've been exercising every day and watching my diet. Despite my efforts it always seems that before my belly really gets round, my face shows off the pregnancy roundness first. :) I love the irony!!

Ah well, the good part is that I'm doing well, eating well, and the baby is growing strong and healthy-- thats worth all the facial and belly roundness in the world!! (just don't look for too many more pregnancy pictures)

16 weeks (4 months) and just starting to show

22 weeks (5 1/2 months) and obviously pregnant

Photo's by Isaiah

Everyone's been asking for pictures of me---and as most of you ladies know, we're usually the ones behind the camera, not in front of it. While these may not be the pregnancy pics you've been waiting for (perhaps I can coerce Nick to snap a few tonight??), I thought you'd enjoy the artistry of my 3 year old, Isaiah.

Yes. I sat in front of the Christmas tree, taught him how to take pictures, and sat still while he snapped a few. He had a great time, and most of the pictures turned out. The funniest and sweetest part about it, was that when our little photo shoot was over, Isaiah asked me, "Mommy, would you like a treat for being so good?"

Book Boys

The boys take after their parents--they really love books. They love reading, they love looking at pictures, they love being read to. And since I love reading and am happy to develop the same love in my children, I say that books are one thing we can't have to many of.

Until today.

Well, no not really. The mess was a little daunting, but the photo op was there and so was the evidence of my children's keen interest in books.

Oh well.

If this is the price I have to pay, its worth it. Reading develops language and vocabulary, builds intelligence, creates conversation topics, and as we discovered today, it also causes tornadoes...

Couldn't resist

I know. I really shouldn't post pictures like this. But... I couldn't resist.

Home again

Just a quick update after a few weeks of being absent! We made it home yesterday night after 1400 miles in the car on our way back from Nana and Papa's house. It was such a long trip, for those of you that have entertained little ones in the car for 20 + hours, you know just what I'm talking about. But the long trek on the road was worth it. We had so much fun!
We spent our time:

• talking and catching up with relatives
• looking through photo albums
• making Christmas cards
• drinking Starbucks
• SHOPPING
• decorating Christmas cookies
• refreshing morning walks (in the wonderful warm weather!!)
• eating, eating, eating
• laughing at Isaiah and Joshua's antics
• and generally enjoying each others company

What a great trip!! We were spoiled rotten by Nick's family each and every day:

• Nana never came home from Starbucks without a peppermint mocha for me.
• My sister-in-laws provided more free babysitting than I've ever received
• The boys were showered with love and attention by each and every relative
• I relaxed and did things like making cards and baking pies without distraction
• We came home with a car full of gifts
• Megan even CLEANED our room and made our beds one day while we were out!!

To add to the spoiling, we came home tired, hungry and cold (it had just started snowing as we pulled in) to find a warm cheery house waiting for us. Nick had taken care of everything while we were gone. (As a side note, Nick was able to fly out for Thanksgiving, but had to head home for work on Monday).

• he planned the menu and did the grocery shopping
• he completed a huge "honey-do" list
• he cooked dinner (and baked COOKIES!!!) that were hot and ready for us as we came in the door
• he vacuumed, dusted, and cleaned the entire house (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
• he paid the bills, did the filing
• pulled out the Christmas tree and decorations and...
• had Christmas presents wrapped and ready to be put under the tree

On top of all Nick had done, we also were thrilled to see many Christmas newsletters and cards from friends, and best of all, a box from Grandma with all kinds of goodies (e.g. maternity clothes (yes!!) and toys)

And now... back to business. Being spoiled rotten for two weeks has repercussions:

• 500+ emails to go through, respond to, and delete
• mail, ads and coupons to look over
• unpacking
• laundry (!!!!!)
• Christmas decorations and gift wrapping
• baby shower planning (tomorrow!!)
• and lots and lots of detail work, phone calls to make, letters to write etc etc

So yes, being spoiled has its downsides, but I'll take what I can get! What fun!! :)