Catch the Moment 365 ~ Week 51

It's finally Christmas week! The anticipation has been killing me. Bailey has been so excited this holiday season. Her eyes light up every time she sees Santa. Tyler has been questioning things this year and I'm afraid it might be the last year we have with him before he finds out the secret of Christmas. I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts!

December 19, 2014:  We made it to the doctor office today. Bailey has a double ear infection with a ruptured ear drum. Poor thing is such a trooper! She told us last night that her ear hurt and by the time we made it to the doctor today it had already ruptured. Her ornament from Grandma and Papa is keeping a smile on her fact though!

December 20, 2014:  I pulled out Hunter's quilt again today to try to figure out what to back it with. I didn't get that far, but he must like it because he stole it from me!

December 21, 2014:  Little Mr. Explorer. He finally made it to our slider and found Zoe outside. They sat nose to nose for a while. I think these two will be best of buds in no time!

December 22, 2014:  This dude is making me go broke! Today we were teasing him because his front tooth was crooked and funny looking so he went upstairs and pulled it out! Perfect timing for Christmas. "All I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth..."

December 23, 2014:  Sugar cookie time! My mom started this tradition with my brother and I when we were little. The kids love to frost our cookies for Santa!

December 24, 2014:  I'm a total procrastinator! We had most of the gifts done, but I needed to finish a few. Bailey had to help wrap. She actually did a pretty good job! I'm glad we bought the good paper with the grid lines, it gave her some great fine motor practice!

December 25, 3014:  Hunter wasn't at all interested in opening up presents this morning, but he sure loved rolling around through all of the paper! The cutest reindeer on the block right here!

There's only a few days left in Catch the Moment 365 for the year. I hope you'll join in on the fun and link up next year!

Catch the Moment 365 ~ Week 50

I can't believe the year is almost done! This project has been a blast and I can't wait to take all of my pictures and put them into an album. What a wonderful memory for years to come!

December 12, 2014:  We shipped the kids off to Grandma's! Well, at least 2 of the 3. Bailey was waiting for Papa to load her up in the van.

December 13, 2014:  Hunter has loved all of the attention this weekend. He's still not really enjoying solid food, but is at least taking a few spoons full each night.

December 14, 2014:  I took some of my quiet time around the house this weekend to work on the front of a minky quilt that I've been working on for Hunter. I love the soft texture!

December 15, 2014:  Bailey and Tyler have returned from Grandma's house and brought some gifts with them from their Great-Great Aunt Karen. Hunter wasn't too sure of what to do with his.

December 16, 2014:  I work at the most amazing school! One of our custodian's gave EVERY child in our school a Christmas gift today. She is the most amazing person!

December 17, 2014:  We've had a couple of sick little one's on our hands this week. Both Bailey and Hunter have colds and Hunter was running a low grade fever today.

December 18, 2014:  I stayed home with both of the little one's today. Bailey started complaining about an earache tonight so I think we'll be heading to the doctor in the morning. Bailey managed to find a few of Tyler's stuffed animals while we were home today. They like to hang out and watch tv on our couch downstairs. It wouldn't be so bad if they didn't have to sit in my spot on the couch!

I'm looking forward to Christmas next week and hopefully getting the two littles over their colds.

Catch the Moment 365 ~ Week 49

Have I mentioned how much I love this time of year? Christmas is such a joyful time. The excitement in the kids just amazes me. With all of the festivities that are coming up and going on around us, we sure have been busy!

December 4, 2014:  Our tree is up and the house is beginning to resemble Christmas. I noticed as I was editing this one that you can totally see me in my bathrobe taking the picture. I'll call this one my selfie for the year since I never did manage to get a picture of me.

December 5, 2014:  We had a fundraiser event at school today and Santa came! Bailey was much better this year about talking to him and even went up all by herself!

December 6, 2014:  A little brotherly love tonight! Hunter is becoming quite the climber. He loves his jungle gym brother.

December 7, 2014:  First of all, lets completely ignore the fact that Tyler refused to get out of his pj's today. Who doesn't like a comfy day? These 3 are making an apple pie together for dinner.

December 8, 2014:  Tyler hit his face on a slide at school last year and killed one of his front teeth. That black tooth has been bugging me ever since! Today, it finally fell out. I love his new toothless grin!

December 9, 2014:  Bailey is all about dolls of every kind and bags to contain her things.

December 10, 2014:  I dug out the kids' old set of stacking cups for Hunter to play with this week. He loves them! This picture isn't the best, but I love the drool string that I caught in mid air.

December 11, 2014:  He is never far from our tree! His favorite activity is to pull the tree skirt out from underneath it, but he likes to just sit and stare at the tree too.

I'm so excited for the upcoming holiday and holiday break! We still need to bring all 3 kids to see Santa at the mall and I have a ton of shopping to do yet. Hopefully I can finish it all up this weekend.

7 Months ~ Hunter

Independence. That's been our word for the month, independence. You've discovered that you are your own person and are no longer interested in just laying around. In just a few short days you went from my super snuggly little man, to a guy on the go. I'm not sure that I like it yet, but you sure are proud. Over Thanksgiving break you learned a ton of new skills! Thanks for waiting until Mommy and Daddy could be home to watch you!

This month we were blessed with a visit from your Great-Grandma and Great-Great Aunt Marilyn. It was great to see them, and I know they enjoyed seeing just how much you have grown since they came down in May.

Sleep:  You're still sleeping in your crib during the night and at nap time, but you aren't sleeping as well as we would all like. Daddy keeps threatening to kick you out of our bedroom, but I'm just not ready to let go! You'll sleep for about 5 hours and then are up to nurse every 2 after that. It makes for some long days and nights!

Likes:  You love to be tossed around! I think you might be a roller coaster rider when you grow up! You also enjoy playing peek-a-boo. Your big brother is your favorite person, whenever he walks into the room your little eyes light up and the grinning and talking begin! You also love car rides and get super excited as soon as you get strapped into your car seat.

Dislikes:  You hate to be left out. It would be horrible if you missed something!

Favorite Toys:  You love the taggie blankets that Mommy made for you! You also enjoy anything that makes a crackle sound and your teething toys.

Eating:  You are eating about 16 ounces while at daycare and nurse every 2 hours pretty much around the clock when home. You started solid foods this month and so far have had sweet potatoes, peas, and applesauce. You aren't a fan of solid food in general, but definitely do not like the peas!

Milestones:  Where to begin?!  This month you have become a solid sitter, started crawling, can sit up from a crawling position, pulling up to your knees and feet, and can say mumum and dada. We've had to baby proof and move your crib down to the bottom position.

Tooth Count:  0

Words/Sounds:  You are full of of sounds this month! Mumumum and Dadada have topped the list! You have also mastered yaya and many other consonant/vowel combinations!

Firsts:  You celebrated your first Thanksgiving this month! We traveled down to Grandma and Papa's in SC for dinner. We also took you on your first Christmas tree hunt! You loved being outside and walking around the mountain with us.

We love you sweet boy!

Catch the Moment 365 ~ Week 48

We had a wonderful holiday weekend with our family. I love sharing some of the same traditions I had as a child with our kids. We've started many of our own as well! This year, we chose to take the kids up into the mountains to cut our own Christmas tree. They enjoyed the experience, but we need to find a better farm to go to for next year.

November 27, 2014:  Thanksgiving! We had a great time at my parent's house for Thanksgiving weekend. It's always nice to get away for a few days and just relax!

November 28, 2014:  It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without a round of Trouble between Grandma and the kiddos!

November 29, 2014:  Hunter is still a little unsure of Grandma, but he's starting to warm up to her. He's also getting pretty good at this crawling thing.

November 30, 2014:  We got back home today and started setting up our Christmas tree. Bailey is so excited for Christmas this year. I just love to see the magic in her eye as she learns about all of the festivities to come.

December 1, 2014:  The tree is up, and now it's time to add some twinkle to the outside of the house. It's so different to hang lights up when it's warm enough to wear a short-sleeve shirt!

December 2, 2014:  This one is going to be trouble with the tree this year! I was hoping he wouldn't become mobile until after the holidays. No such luck!

December 3, 2014:  We limit Tyler's time with his technology, but it still seems like that's all he does most nights!

Thanksgiving is done, and now the Christmas rush is on! I love this time of the year, but it goes way too fast. I have a ton of shopping to do still and don't even want to begin thinking about how few days there are left between now and the big day!