Vampires do exist

She freaking bit me!!!! We were sitting in the living room playing, she cralled into my lap and we were goofing around. Then, out of nowhere, she lunged towards me and bit my freaking chest. What the hell is wrong with this girl???

12 Month Check Up

22 pounds 6 ounces, 31 inches

I love my little blue-eyed midget. Today we had his one-year check up. All is well, his growth has slowed but he's on target devolopmentally. The doctor was impressed that he's beginning to walk and even more impressed that we're still nursing six times a day in addition to solids and table food. My poor little man ended up with five shots. He cried from the first needle until I picked him up. Then once the nurses started cheering for him he smiled and started clapping. It was pretty cute.

My Little Valentine's

We had a low key Valentine's Day. It's not like we really celebrate it anyways. This morning we visited the chiropractor (love) and then ran to Zona Rosa to do some sunglasses shopping for the kiddos. Adam is set on buying them glasses with UV protection but the Sun Glass Hut didn't have what we were after and I was not paying $100.00 for these really adorable glittery flowered Ray-Bans for B. I noticed that right across the street was a Children's Place. We scored there! They had their glasses on sale for BOGO. So we paid $4.90 for two pairs of 100% UV protection glasses. Of course they didn't have any that really fit Evan and he won't leave them on anyway. So Arabella got a pair of pink glasses detailed with hearts on the frames and a pair of sand camo glasses (Adam's pick). Then we spent a quiet afternoon at home. I made some yummo Tex-Mex Taco Salad for dinner in which Evan actually ate. Then I put the kids to bed. Sadly I forgot to give Arabella her stickers, gummies and candy necklace I bought her at Target yesterday. Oops, guess I'll do it in the morning. But I enjoyed my afternoon with the babies toddlers and I even got a work out in. Not too shabby of a day.

Fun at Cabela's

Are we there yet?

Not too long ago we had to make a trip to Lawrence and on the way back we decided to spending some time at Cabela's. We made a deal of it, window shopped, took in the walk through aquarium, and ate dinner at the restaraunt. It was a lot of fun. The kids were amazed by the huge catfish and Arabella particularly loved the turtles. Pardon the poor picture quality, my camera phone isn't that good indoors.



I want this one for my birthday Daddy.




Feeding the fish.

December Mama Meet Ups (Pic Heavy)

Max & Bella doing some pre-brunch coloring.

I realized I never updated about our most recent Mama meet ups. At the end of January we had the pleasure of meeting our PA Mama, Kristen, while she was in town on business. Kimberly arranged the whole thing and then couldn't make it because of her older son's birthday, but we still had fun without it. Heather, Walter, and Max met up with us too.



I want that crayon! Someone mentioned it looks like he's stroking her cheek. :)

We had some good food, great conversation and a lot of fun watching Max & Bella interact. The hadn't seen each other in over six months and it seemed as though they'd been life long friends the way they played.

Bumpin Noggins

Of course before we could leave Kristen had to give her baby gender prediction to Heather for her second child. Kristen is our resident gender predictor with a near 100% accuracy. We have to wait if the ultrasound was wrong on a recent predication. ;)



The all mighty "Seeing Kristen" predicts it's a girl.

And of course before we could leave we got together for a group shot. It was a fun time and we cannot wait for Kristen to come back and visit. Perhaps next time we can make it a girls night out.

After brunch we ran across the street to the Oak Park Mall to wander around. We stopped by some kiddie rides, seeing that Evan was asleep in the stroller, we let Arabella jump on in. The jeep was her favorite.

Following out meet up with Kristen and Heather, we had Evan's birthday party. Kimberly and Shane were able to make it. I must say Shane is growing into one handsome little man. The last time Bella and Shane saw each other they were a year old. It's great how they get along so well. Shane wouldn't actually say good bye to B, but she managed to steal a hug before they left.

Stay tuned because I have a feeling that you just may see us December Mamas pop up in the Omaha Zoo this Spring/Summer!

Nothing Much

It feels like it's been forever since I've updated anything. But in my defense Arabella & I have recovered from a recent bout of food poisoning, and I'm focusing my energy on my own healthy and fitness goals. So I've been a bit preoccupied by that. But soon enough I'll have twelve months stats for E man. Our appointment is next Thursday. I'm also about to endeavour my last two days at work tomorrow and next weekend. So....that's about it for now. Stay tuned!

Evan's Par-tay

Yesterday was Evan's first birthday party. Being cold out we obviously held it indoors so it was a smidge crowded. I'm not sure what we'll do next year, whether we'll throw a party in the summer or try to find a different location? Either way Evan had a blast, as did the all the other kids that attended. 

Adam picked the theme of John Deere and I'm not sure who loved it more. We decked out the house in colorful balloons, which included tractor balloons. Everywhere you looked it was yellow and green. Fun times. Evan loved the attention but he really wasn't into the whole opening presents aspect. I mean, you open a toy and then someone takes it away and puts another package in front of you. Not exactly fair to a one year old.



Are we done with presents now?

Once we moved on to the cake he was happy as a clam. He devoured it, smeared it, and flung it. He was way more entertaining than Arabella had been. Unfortunately I think he devoured a little too much sugar. He was up all night and would not sleep for anything. I even tried letting him watch a few cartoons, and ended up making him cry it out. That of course didn't work, so after an hour of screaming I made Adam try to put him down. Around three in the morning he crashed, and slept until ten. I'm so glad we won't be doing smash cakes anymore, if that was in fact the cause.



Oops!



Adam made the mistake of taking the tray off the highchair before he was actually ready to get him out, which led to a foot grabbing session. Messy little boy.



I don't want my picture taken.



Breastfeeding...still

So, Evan is a year old now. And for, oh I don't know how long, some of the grandparents have given us the age old "Well as soon as you wean him let us know so we can keep him overnight for you." Well, I hate to disappoint you family members out there, and please take no offense, but it isn't going to be happening any time soon.

Arabella and I made it to nearly 8 months, but that was cut short due to the impending birth of Evan. With Evan we struggled out of the gate and we kept re-evaluating and things worked themselves out, with the help of speech therapy, and my ultimate goal was one year. Well, the goal was reached yesterday. We have been nursing for a full 365 days. I AM SO FREAKING PROUD OF US. Never in my dreams did I truly think I'd be able to breastfeed for that long, let alone EXCLUSIVELY, due to my reduction. But we did it. We set a goal and we reached it.

So, now what? Where do we go from here? Well, I'll be honest; I'm not ready to give up breastfeeding. Evan isn't showing signs of giving up either. We still nurse at least once a night and usually 5 or 6 times during the day, this is with solids and table foods. I will also mention that the AAP recommends breastfeeding be extended for at least the first year of life and beyond as long as it is mutual. So are we quitting any time soon? No. Until he decides he's done, we'll keep on trucking.

I'm proud to say that we are extended breastfeeders, and ever so happy that I can give my child such an amazing gift.

Happy Birthday Lil Man

One year ago today around 1am I knew this would be the day you would come into our lives. It has been a rollercoaster ride with you and your sister this past year but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I have loved you from the moment you were laid on my chest. I have enjoyed watching you grow and thrive and develop this amazingly happy personality. I have loved watching you interact with your sister and I am certain you two are going to be best friends. Your sister loves you more than anything in this world, and so do your parents. Thank you for choosing us Evan, you have no idea how much you mean to us.

Tooth #8

For my first birthday I think I'll cut another tooth!