Making Valentines

Anna is definitely into making "projects" lately. She's a very crafty kid so, this was right up her ally. After working on one of the projects I had read about using finger paints Anna decided to make her own. I was very proud. She made a couple of Valentines all by herself. I did absolutely nothing. Well, except tell her how to spell "love". She cut, glued, colored, and wrote all by herself. It was very sweet.

Even though Jaden is "all boy" he doesn't really like to be dirty - at least not his hands. I had to keep a wet washcloth nearby for frequent cleanings.

Jaden thought he would experiment with the paint. The first place he tried was actually his mouth but that didn't work out to well. Next, was himself. Eventually, after much coaxing and instruction, he stuck to the paper! Thank goodness for non-toxic, washable finger paints. At least I think they're non-toxic!

International Pancake Day

Today at Story Hour at the Library we learned that it was "International Pancake Day". I guess if you went to IHOP you could get a free stack of pancakes. Daddy had to work late so we made our own with a special twist - we had heart shaped ones!

Top 10 things I've learned from being a Mom

Okay, so I've been "tagged". My friend, Dana, has passed this on to me. My job now is to make a post with my top 10 things that I've learned from being a Mom. This should be fun!

Here we go:
1. I've learned that being a Mom is way, way harder than I ever could have imagined.
2. If you think "opinions are like a#*holes and everybody's got one" you just wait till you're a Mom. Most people have many and they aren't afraid to let you know about them. Get used to it. Thank goodness that's not a physical possibility too (Moms don't get to spend nearly as much time in the bathroom as Dads do)!
3. I've learned to be much less judgemental towards other Moms. Most are doing the best that they can do with whatever circumstances they are dealing with at the time. And most are making decisions with love for their child at the core.
4. I've learned to choose my battles.
5. I've learned not to spend money on "good" furniture or clothes until the kids are grown and to not stress over possessions because chances are they all will be peed on, puked on, scratched, colored on, or otherwise damaged. You just have to accept that if you want to relax and actually enjoy your kids.
6. I've learned that childhood passes by way too fast and the time I spend with them is more precious than gold.
7. Considering #6, I've learned that it is also very healthy (and should be encouraged) for Moms to have some time away from their children to spend alone and with other people they enjoy doing things they enjoy that has nothing to do with kids from time to time. It's just good for your soul and makes you a better Mom.
8. Trust your instincts. Mothers generally do know best.
9. I've learned I need to be more careful about what I say in front of my kids. If you do slip up its very likely that your child will hear you and will repeat it in front of company and you'll be embarassed. Sometimes even innocent things can come across the wrong way out of the mouth of a child and you'll also be embarassed. I like to blame it on Dad (hee, hee).
10. The most important thing that I've learned is how incredible it is that you can love one person so much you think your heart will burst only to find out there is just as much love when #2 comes along, then #3....

I know tag: Debbie, Kelli, and Tangee

Scroll down - birthday posts have finally been added!

We need your help deciding on a baby name

We have been having such a hard time deciding on a name for a little girl. We still don't know what the baby will be but are trying to get prepared since time is winding down. As of this moment a little boy would likely have a name (we've agreed on that already) but if it's a little girl she would probably have to be called "Baby Girl Tyree" until we could decide on something. We've narrowed it down to 3 - well, as of today. Anyone who's talked to me knows I've changed my mind on the names and the number in the running many, many times over the past few months. So far we've got 1. Sofia, 2. Alexa, 3. Lauren. We think these are all very good names but we can't think of middle names to go with them. Maybe if we can figure out some middle names to go with these we may be able to figure out which one would fit best. I'm guessing the baby will still be born without a name if it's a girl because with all the thinking I've done about this I almost want to meet her before I decide which one suits her. It's kind of fun wondering what sort of surprise is awaiting us!
I have made it to 33 weeks today! Every day I feel better about carrying this baby to term. Jaden was born at 32 weeks so, this baby already has 7 days longer in the womb to grow and get stronger. Things are looking good - there doesn't seem to be any reason to think this baby should come before it's supposed to. Despite having had an abruption with Jaden the doctor assures me that the chance of that happening again is very slim - especially since it was very unlikely with Jaden as well. But, we've still got six more weeks to go so, continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

Face painting or war paint?

Today we visited the Children's Museum in Houston. Both kids had a great time. These folks planned it out well - there were activites to keep Anna interested and Jaden entertained. I was pleasantly surprised at what they had available. There was a wonderful toddler/baby area that was full of things to stimulate little minds and challenge little bodies. I would like to have a room modeled after it in my own home. Jaden and I hung out there for a while to give Chris a chance to take Anna around to all of the different interactive exhibits and to explain them. I give him credit for trying to explain "viscosity" to a 5 year old. I'm sure he did it much better than I would have.

In the middle of the hall they had stations for the children to play and "create". One of them was a face-painting station. Anna love, love, loves to put on make up so I thought this would be right up her ally. Even though she said that she was having fun her face was SO serious. She looked like she was getting ready for battle. Jaden cracked us up! I don't think he could believe we were actually letting him color on himself with free reign.

Jaden the Joker?

Jaden got ahold of one of Anna's markers (fortunately, they are the washable kind) and decided to color his face. He may have thought he was putting on makeup because he's been watching his sister do lots of that since Christmas. Chris caught him before he got very far but thought he looked like the beginnings of "The Joker".

Can't take your eyes off him for even a minute

On this day while I laid down on the bed and Chris was getting ready for Church Jaden systematically took out each and every piece of clothing in this drawer then climbed in! I guess that's our sign to either bolt the dresser to the wall or get drawer locks!
I swear I was only distracted for 3-5 minutes. I went into the kitchen to make a cup of tea and return a phone call. When I was finished I went to look for Jaden and found him on the stairwell in the process of creating his masterpiece. He was caught red handed with the evidence in hand - a black crayon. (when I looked closer at the wall I saw some yellow too). He looks a little guilty in this picture but its just a ploy - he was smiling when I found him. Very proud of himself!

Unfortunately our paint comes right off if you try to wipe it with a damp cloth so we'll be repainting. I highly recommend washable paint on walls to anyone with children (it's the builder's fault we don't have it - we will have to paint lots and lots of feet of wallspace to fix this error on his part and we haven't been up to the challenge yet).
A closer look at Jaden's artwork. Maybe he'll have the same creative flair that his sister has???

29 & 30 week update

At my last doctor appointment I was 29 weeks (1/4/2008). My weight gain was up to 12 lbs. That didn't worry me at all - I thought it was pretty good especially since I had only gained 4 lbs. since my last appointment which included the holidays. What did concern me was the fact that I was now at the exact same weight that I was when I had both Anna and Jaden. I gained 19 lbs. with Anna and 13 with Jaden but I started out 6 lbs. heavier with Jaden and he came 8 weeks early. This time I'm starting out one pound more than I did with Jaden and I'm hoping to make it until my scheduled surgery time. It seemed so strange that I weighed exactly the same when I had both Anna and Jaden that I started to wonder if that was my threshold. I certainly didn't want to have a baby at 29 weeks this time. Right now I'm getting close to 30 1/2 weeks so, I'm inching along.
I found the measuring tape and decided to see just how big I am. My belly measured 41 inches. I found some notes I had written in the back of my "What to Expect When You're Expecting" book when I was pregnant with Anna and Jaden. It turns out that when I was 29 weeks with Anna I had gained 12 lbs. and my belly measured 39 inches. Pretty close.

The best birthday present ever!

Anna got a trampolinefor her birthday! She was sooo excited. She has been asking for a trampoline for over a year now. She's been outside jumping every moment she can. I have noticed a change in her appetite lately - she's actually eating really well - I guess its because of all the energy she's burning off jumping. If I can just convince her that vegetables make you jump higher....

The test bounce: Anna had to try it out as soon as the trampoline was set up. She couldn't wait until the safety netting was in place. Yep, it works!

Jaden had to lend a hand when he saw tools involved. At some point during this process while we were distracted putting the trampoline together Jaden managed to give himself a big cut on his forehead that looked like it came from a screwdriver!

All work and no play makes Jaden a dull baby. He had fun working on his gymnastics skills on the trampoline frame while we were figuring out how to put on the springy part.
How many engineers does it take to put together a trampoline? We're not sure but we had 3! Chris got some much needed help from Laura and Jay Johns. We are very thankful to have them right down the street. They've been very good to us!

Anna was such a patient little girl. She sat here and played in the empty box while we were putting together her present. She has never had a problem amusing herself.

The Birthday Princess

For her 5th Birthday we celebrated at Libby Lu's. Anna and Nicole got new princess dress ups and princess make-overs including getting their hair done, make-up, nail polish, and topping it all off with lots and lots of glitter! They also got to make their own body spray and sparkly lip gloss.

Afterward, the little princesses sure were hungry! Anna has been asking to go to the "Fire" restaurant since we left WV. To translate, this means a Japanese Hibachi restaurant where they cook in front of you and do some fancy tricks. Fortunately, there was a Bennihana very close by and we all filled our bellies and enjoyed the show.
When dinner was finished we all went back to Aunt Kelli and Uncle Mike's house for some cake and ice cream (since they only lived about 15-20 min. from where we were). Anna had a beautiful Giselle cake (from the movie "Enchanted"). I was worried that she would be disappointed because she had picked out a Bratz cake. When I went to order the cake they didn't have the pieces to make the Bratz cake so, I had to make an executive decision. It worked out just fine - thank goodness!

My baby turned 5!

Anna then (1-5-2003):





My Big Girl now (2008):

I took this birthday pretty hard as a mother. For me, 5 seems so grown up. Anna must be feeling the same way. She keeps telling me "I can do it by myself - I'm 5", "When can I do what I want to do - I'm 5 now, you know".

I can't believe how fast these years have gone by. I've heard from many, many people ever since I was pregnant with her that one day you'll blink and she'll be married. And I've taken that to heart. I've tried to cement each and every precious moment in my mind and heart because they are such a treasure. Even though I often struggle with my decision to stay home today I am more thankful than I can express for this blessed time that I've been able to share with her as her Mommy. This fall she'll be starting kindergarten and she'll be spending 30-40 hours a week under someone else's care and supervision. I'll have to trust that they are taking good care of my baby. And I know that her teachers and friends will become more important figures in her life and they will start to crowd the area in her life that has been solely occupied by her father and me. I only hope that I've done a good job this far teaching her at least the core values she'll need to be a happy, caring, and productive person. I'm not saying that I think my job is over - I know it is far from that. It's just that I've been paying attention to all of the advice I've been given about how we parent our children from birth to 5 can have the greatest influence on them throughout their lives.

I spent many years and worked very hard preparing for my career as a Behavior Analyst (and still do!). I thought that was the hardest thing I've ever done. Nothing could prepare me for my job as a parent. I could not have guessed how hard this would be. There is no mistaking that this is by far and wide the most amazing and rewarding thing I've done in my life but it is also by far and wide the hardest - emotionally, physically, you name it! I am thankful every day for this gift that I've been given (I can't believe God is trusting me with 3!) and every night I pray to God to help me to grow and do better the next day. I am by no means the best at this and I'm not "a natural" but I try to keep learning and growing so that I can give my children all that they deserve. By that I don't mean necessarily all the things that they want (e.g., all the Barbies in the world, candy galore, etc.) but the things that make them feel loved, secure, confident. When they look back at their childhood I hope their memories are filled with two parents who lavished them with their attention, hugs, and "I love yous". I hope they remember special stories we read together, silly songs we sung, funny games we made up, times we spent taking walks, riding bikes, playing at the park, visiting museums and other cool places that nourish their minds and bodies. I hope they remember us teaching them to use good manners, to show gratitude for the things they've been given, and to appreciate the blessings they have. I hope they know that money isn't everything and it doesn't make you happy despite all of the messages they are bombarded with from every angle in our society. I hope they know that nothing can compare to the time you spend with those you love and that their two parents love them more than anything in the world.

This time that I've been given to not only have my children but also to stay at home to take care of them has been the most precious gift I've been given. I know that I have taken that for granted from time to time. Also, I probably don't tell Chris enough how much I appreciate him for working so hard to allow his children to have their Mommy home with them. It is definitely a sacrifice for the both of us but I couldn't think of a better reason for it, oops 3 reasons! We certainly gain much, much more than we give up.

Santa on a firetruck

It's a Follansbee tradition for Santa to go all around the town delivering Christmas treats to all of the children on Christmas Eve. Anna has got to see Santa on the firetruck 2 years in a row now. It was FREEZING out - especially when the wind blew- but the kids were so excited. They had heard the sirens and were outside in a flash waiting for Santa to arrive. The cold didn't seem to faze them. They got goodie bags with some candy, fruit, and a toy. Jaden kept going to the door pointing and grunting to go out to see Santa again. It was really cute!

Christmas Eve at Grandma's House

It is our family tradition to celebrate Christmas Eve at Grandma's house. We all got cleaned up and went to the 5:00 pm family mass. I waited too long to get a picture of everyone dressed up. I got one of Jaden but unfortunately he had already gotten into the chocolate fudge Grandma had sitting out.

Afterwards, Uncle Kicky, Aunt Kellie, and baby Hayden came down. Then, some of Grandma's friends came. Uncle Richie and Aunt Clarice even surprised us with a visit.

It was fun to eat the yummy food Grandma made (Anna really loved the wedding soup, Jaden loaded up on fudge!) and spend time with everyone. Then, we opened presents and Anna and Jaden put on their Christmas jammies. They looked very cute to wait for Santa to come.

The kids had to wait until we got back to Texas to see if Santa had come to visit them. We left to come home on Christmas day. We stopped for Chinese food before coming home from the airport because we were so hungry! This is the second year in a row that we've had Chinese on Christmas day. The kids must have been very good this year because they found lots of presents waiting for them under the tree!

Jaden and Hayden

We haven't seen my nephew, Hayden, since June. He is 8 months old now and has gotten sooo big! In this picture he's wearing a toboggan that was Anna's when she was a baby. It looks very cute on him!
Jaden is as mesmerized with him now as he was when we last saw him in Philadelphia. He just kept smiling and pointing at him and wanting to pat him. It was very sweet. Hayden didn't know what to think at first -I don't think he's used to a little person in his face - but he started getting a great big smile when he would see Jaden. When we put him in the "Johnny Jump-up" and he was able to move around he would try to grab Jaden whenever he was in range. It was so funny! He would let out this squeal because he was so excited - especially when he caught Jaden (although he had lots of fun just trying!). You can tell that he wants to move so badly. I don't think it will be very long at all. Watch out Mom and Dad!