This week

Reese has made the transition from crib to bed very smooth. She is still very willing to go to bed and sleeps great, I am very thankful for that. Today was the first day that instead of napping she just played in her room the whole time. She is waaaay too young to do that, but we'll let it slide this once.

This week has been sunny and freezing. It means we get to play outside and we love it.

Chillin' at the park

My girls love their baby dolls

 We also celebrated Presleigh's birthday by a little play time at Chuck E. Cheese:

Argh matey!!

She kind of likes cupcakes

Bria and Kenzie

 The girls had so much fun and Randi was smart and did it during the week at lunch time so we had the place almost to ourselves. The kids ran around the whole time and had a blast. Two days before was Presleigh's actual birthday so we helped celebrate it with bowling, PF Chang's and ice cream.

Using good manners 

By the PF Chang horse

 The girls had fun bowling too, it was cosmic bowling time which was pretty fun.

Bria loves little Charleigh

Randi and Charleigh

We always have fun celebrating birthdays. And of course the nights ends with the girls running around on a sugar high then crashing in bed. Awesomeness.

Put away the crib for good

A few weeks ago we packed the crib up for the last time. It was bitter sweet. I love entering new stages with the girls and seeing them grow, it is so much fun. But saying goodbye to the crib was saying goodbye to the baby stage forever. Which is easy to get nostalgic about when you aren't in the baby stage. I mean, little sleep, crying, baby proofing, diapers. It's exhausting.

But babies are so stinkin' cute! 

At least I took a million pictures of my girls as babies.

So here is Reese's new big girl room.

 My vision is purple and teal/turquoise. The turquoise will have to wait a little, thinking of painting the dresser white and putting turquoise chevron contact paper on the drawers. It's a pinterest idea and I'm scared, but really want to try it.

 Also need to figure out something hang on that big empty wall...a canvas of the girls? Like it.

Have a seat, take a load off

One of the things I love about our house is that we have a family room and living room, so basically we have a separate playroom where we can keep the toys. I love it. However, the playroom, which is right off the kitchen an dining room, is an odd shaped room so it makes furniture in there a little difficult to figure out. But that hasn't been too big of a problem because we didn't have another couch or even chairs to put in that room.

When we first moved in, this is what it looked like:

Eventually we moved the computer desk to the formal living room and added a shelving/cubby storage thing from Ikea:

But what we really wanted were places for people to sit. The Tegner's saved the day, they are rearranging their upstairs rooms and brought us their sofa and chairs! I cannot tell you how ecstatic I am. I played around with the furniture and I think I found an arrangement that looks good:

 I did end up taking out the blue chair on the right, it was too much furniture for the room. I am seriously in love with this room now.

I want to lighten it up and make it all cozy. Of course I go to pinterest for inspiration, here are the ones I LOVE:

The colors are so warm and relaxing

Obsessed with the neutrals and candles in this one

I like the touch of blue and the sparkle pillow

However, obviously the shape of our room and fact that we can't paint hinder our ability to make it look like these. But I can lighten it up with different frames and some pillows for the couch. I would love to find some cheap, sheer white curtains to hang too.

What the ....

Reese is my sleeper. I LOVE it. She loves her naps, goes down easy, and sleeps all night. In fact, she has been sleeping through the night since she was 6 months old. It's been awesomely fabulous. A few nights ago she woke up a few times and in the morning I realized she had a fever. I looked in her mouth and realized there was a new molar coming in, even though she handled her other teeth somewhat well, these must be causing all sorts of pain. Well, here we are 5 days later and she is still sleeping like poop. During the day she seems to be fine, besides her 2 year old tantrums and occasional neediness. Last night was so sad, she woke up at 11:15 pm or so and did the saddest sobbing cry you ever heard. No matter what we did. And we had given her Tylenol before bed. I went in there I don't know how many times to cuddle her, sooth her, and every time she would calm down and then tell me to go. Seriously. I'm not lying.
Finally at 12:15 am I had enough and couldn't stand to listen to her pathetic whimper cry any longer so I asked her if she wanted to come sleep with us, she said yes. She fell asleep on me for a few minutes then woke up whimpering and crying like she was in pain. She thrashed around and finally fell back asleep on Brian. Then woke up again a few minutes later and wouldn't settle down so Brian rocked her in the chair until she was sound asleep and put her back in her bed where she slept the rest of the night. She was up bright and early before 7 am this morning. She is very needy but overall seems fine. It's a mystery. A mystery I hope is solved today so we can go back to having an awesomelytastic sleeper, cuz that was just all sorts of wonderful.

Aside from sleep issues we are doing well here. We have started working with Bria on tracing letters and numbers. They do it at preschool but since there are 16 kids in her class it's more just a cluster of kids goofing off. Also, our goal for Bria this year was to work on her frustration. She gets frustrated super easy and starts crying. After working with her these last few days I have realized just what a perfectionist she is. When she can't do something exactly right the first time it makes her so discouraged that she wants to give up. So our goal is to reassure her that as long as she tries it's okay if it's not perfect. It kind of works but you try telling her it doesn't have to be perfect...it's not really that effective to say the least. But she is making progress and we will keep at it.

Brian is busy at work these days, it's a good busy for him. His boss rocks and that makes a big difference. Brian is killing it at work and although it doesn't surprise me, I am beaming with pride. He is just amazing when it comes to thinking outside the box and solving problems, it baffles me daily. I am such a rigid, inside the box kind of person so when he comes up with things I look at him in bewilderment. He is going places.

And now for a little catching up on photos:

On Brian's birthday we brought him chocolate cake for lunch :) The girls were in heaven seeing where their Dad worked.

Future Intel employee

 Last week we had two date nights, wahoo!!! The first was for Brian's birthday, we went to Red Robin (his choice) with the Buell's and then to Target. You know you are good friends when you all want to go cruise Target together after dinner :)
Then on Saturday Heather watched the girls and Brian and I saw a movie.

Movie night!

 The girls currently love doing my hair, and not only does it feel good when they play with my hair, but it reminds me of all the times we sat and did my Mom's hair as little girls.

Bria's version of a braid :)

 And last but not least, I found a bunch of pictures on my phone of Brian and I watching tv, apparently Bria was playing paparazzi :)

A night out

I was blessed to be born into an awesome family. I have two older sisters and despite what some might think, my Dad was not disappointed when I came out and the doctor announced, "It's a girl!" which was the third time he heard that. Then 6 years later we were blessed with Lance. Him and my Dad have a unique bond and are very close. And also he has lots of "moms" to tell him what to do, he loves it. 

Anyway, we were long past due for a little girls night. Not just a few hours, but an overnighter. I headed down to Albany Saturday morning (this was a week ago now, I'm behind) and Kayla (sister-in-law who fits in perfectly, it's like there was always a missing piece and she completed the puzzle), my Mom and I went for a hike. Afterwards I took a little snoozy and then we got ready for Happy Hour at the Vault. 

We had fabulous drinks and ran into to no other than my high school cheerleading coach whom I absolutely adore. I wish I would've thought to get a picture with her! 

 We had a fabulous time and my Mom and I learned that we do NOT like spicy cocktails, while Jenny and Kayla do.

After that we went back to my Mom's, got in our comfy clothes, and settled down for lots of chit chat. My Mom made us drinks, got us blankets, and was always making sure we were comfortable and had everything we needed. She is the hostess with the mostess. 

"You want one?"

"Nah, they iz mine!"

We made it until midnight which is super awesome. I got to sleep in and enjoy a quiet breakfast with my Mom :) Then her and I watched the Heat, hilarious!!! And too soon I headed out so I could go get some Jax time in with the Tegners.

On my way home I stopped by the Heritage Mall because I haven't been there in forever. I did a little shopping alone and then drove home. 

I had such a great weekend and I want to do it again ASAP. Brian and the girls had a great time and when I got home Reese didn't want to leave Brian's side. Daddies girl for sure.

Last week I made a chore chart for the girls, I feel it's time to instill a little responsibility in them. Mainly Bria, but Reese can kind of tag along and learn too :)

"Ta dah!"

 I got the girls a little broom to do sweeping and the rest of the chores are pretty simple: Make bed, clean up toys, wipe (wipe down kitchen cupboards, baseboards, that kind of thing), homework, clean room. It's working pretty well but we need to get into more of a routine so this week I will be writing up a little daily schedule for us.

Yesterday Jenny and Kyle drove up to drop off a couch and chairs they no longer need. I have been dying to have some sitting room in our playroom so I was thrilled. Plus, we got to see Jax!

We put him to work right away ;)

 And the teeth monsters are visiting Reese right now, poor girl is miserable. She handled most of her teeth pretty well but I believe these are the two year molars coming in and they are doing a number on her. She just wants to cuddle and is not sleeping well at night.

Aunt Jenny didn't mind the cuddles

Alright, I need to go be productive and stuff!

He's incredible

Today is a special day, 37 years ago Brian was born and the world changed forever.

 I have never known someone who is more curious or hilarious than him. He is always asking a million questions, touching everything, and taking everything in he possibly can. It's the reason he is so smart.

 As a child and young adult he was challenging to say the least ;) I think he gave his Mom many sleepless nights and lots of stress, I feel for her! But it all led to the amazing man, husband, and father he is today.

Brian is very social, he absolutely loves people and can talk to anyone. I am always taking notes in social situations, remembering all the questions he asks and his naturally outgoing nature.

 I admire that he is never afraid to be himself. He is confident and ambitious and it's a very attractive quality.

 He tells it like it is and you know he will be honest with you, whether you like it or not ;)

 Watching him become a father was surreal. He dove in head first like he does with everything. He took it seriously and is always wanting to do right by his girls.

 I am so incredibly lucky, he knows when I need a break and steps in with ease. He encourages me to go spend time with my family while he gets some quality time in with the girls.

 The girls are obsessed with him. They have to give him multiple hugs and kisses every morning before he leaves for work and they prefer to walk him out to the car...despite cold or rainy weather. When he comes home they want to wrestle him and jump on him and just hug on him.

 I love how supportive he is of me staying home. He is constantly building me up and making sure I know his appreciation for what I do. I honestly couldn't do it without his constant affirmation and grateful attitude.

 After 7 years of marriage and 10 years of being together we have learned a lot. It hasn't been an easy road at times, we've hit bumps and detours. We have both been frustrated and at our wits end, but this last year has been an incredible one in our marriage. We grew so much and have rediscovered what it is to put your spouses happiness first. We choose each other every day, we choose to be married and work on our relationship.

 I am truly blessed to be married to this amazing man. He is everything I could want and then some.

 He is funny, ambitious, smart, sexy, handsome, confident, fun, and I just love him.

 I am grateful I chose him for my husband and for my children's Dad.

 He loves us unconditionally and tells us daily.

Happy birthday Brian, I love you.

*This video was my Christmas present from him last year. He did it all on his own and it means so much to me. I cried a lot while I watched it.