A handmade Christmas

I can finally blog about this now that every one has their christmas gifts. This year I went a little crazy with hand made gifts. EVERYONE got one!

My boys each got a cand made item. I crocheted Sammy a triceratops! It took me forever, but was so worth it. I got the pattern out of those little books they sell in the yarn isle at michael's. it was very easy to follow. I started it when Jake was first born (like 3 weeks old) I finished it when jake was about 2.5 months old. I crocheted between feedings but then started nursing jake and crocheting at the same time. I got pretty good at that!

I made Jacob a plush cube. I crocheted 6 squares of the basket weave stitch. Sewed them together, stuffed it, then tied the centers of the opposing sides together to make it look more like a cube. If you dont tie the opposing side together it looks like a ball. It works great because it's soft, and squishy. And big enough for him to grasp.

My brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Josh and Amy, have a cute little dog named Bella, so for them I crotchets a doggy sweater dress! I made it super girlly by adding ruffles and a bow, and flower buttons. I can't wait to see a pic of her in it! I hope it fits!

My other brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Shane and Kate, received hand made Christmas tree ornaments. I crocheted the first letter of each of their names, including one for their son Michael. They can be hung on their tree but can also be displayed elsewhere.

I had my brother in law, Josh, make my brother's Christmas gift. It's a wood cut out of a wildcat on a UK basketball. You can see more of Josh's work HERE. http://www.etsy.com/shop/RhoadesScrollWorks

My mom and mother-in-law both got calendars that I made on shutterfly. Each one is different. I put everyone's birthdays in it and a bunch of pictures of the boys and us! i even made one for me and Jesse.

For my dad and father-in-law we made cute little foot print crafts. I turned the boys' foot prints into reindeer. I saw the idea on Pinterest. Sammy was super excited to make foot prints like dinosaurs so I can't wait to do more foot print crafts!

Hand made gifts make the holidays super special in my opinion. I'll do it again next year! I think I'll start earlier though!

It's a new year!

Hands down, the best thing about 2012 was becoming a mommy again. It is great. I feel so special, like I'm the only one to ever have been the mother of boys,that's how special they make me feel! So in honor of them I've decided we Weill do a lot of learning and playing this year! We are going to potty train Sammy, and I found a blog about 75 activities you can do with small children and we will attempt to do all 75! (http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2012/02/75-tv-free-activities-for-toddlers.html)

Most resolutions are about ourselves...this year, mine is for them!

HO! HO! HO!

We just had an amazing Christmas with our families! We just got home from our 2 week trip to our parents' homes in Indiana and Illinois! We started our Christmas celebrations at home a week before we left on our trip. We let Sammy and Jake open the presents that Jesse and I got for them. Sammy got dinosaur decor for his room (pillow and curtains) and a dinosaur train train set. I also crocheted him a triceratops. Jake got a play gym, play mat, and I crocheted him a plush cube. We did this a week before we left so they'd have time to play with their new toys!

We spent our first week away at Jesse's mom and dad's house. Sammy told his grandma and grandpa (gma and p-pas) all about dinosaurs (we are slightly obsessed). He made them watch Jurassic park WAY more than anyone should have to watch any one movie. They got to see how much Jacob has grown! The last time they had seen him he was a 9 pound newborn, now he is a hardy 17 pound 4.5 month old.

Our second week was spent with my parents (momo and popo). They were also informed on the dinosaurs' ways of life, and they also had to watch Jurassic Park.....a lot. This was my dad's first time meeting Jacob. It was great to see them together!

Now after our long journey we are back home, Jacob's first Christmas was all we could have hoped for, we all had an amazing and even though we are glad to be back home we are very sad to have left our family behind.

We love you, and miss you all!

A Halloween and Thanksgiving Special

Our Halloween left much to be desired. I bought Sammy the BEST Sammy costume ever. A dinosaur (of course). We took great pictures at the local pumpkin patch but when it came time to put on the costume to go trick or treating..... Sammy lost his mind! Screamed and cried, would not put on the costume. We did not go trick or treating. It was a HUGE bummer!

On a brighter note...

Another great thanksgiving this year! Jesse wanted it to be part thanksgiving celebration and a festivis celebration. We had a mighty feast. Our second year making a tur-duck-en. We also had sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, and home made pumpkin and pecan pies. YUM! Then came the airing of grievances. That was mostly just Jesse venting. Haha. Then came the feats of strength. We played Monopoly. We invite grad students who are from out of town and can't go home for break (a lot like us) to celebrate with us. This year Gabe (from Alaska) and Adam (from California) came over. Gabe won the Monopoly game. Sammy behaved himself and Jake made lots of cute faces.

3 months...

I'm a little behind because we've been sick. Jacob turned 3 months old on the 10th! Where does the time go?!?!

Here's and update on us:
Jacob now smiles AND giggles!! It's the best. He loves to watch his brother play. He's been putting himself to sleep at night. He's still breast fed!! This was one of my goals. The first goal was to bf for at least a month, then 3 months, now lets see if we can make it to 6 months. I may or may not go a full year but I'd like to go until the end of winter.

Sammy can put himself down for a nap and bedtime all by himself. He's such a big boy. He loves Jake and tries to give him toys to play with. I can't wait until Jake is big enough to play with Sammy. It'll be so great. His favorite show is Dinosaur Train. I actually really like it myself, I've learned a lot. You can def tell he's 2! His communication and sentence formation is growing everyday! He's awesome!

I've been teaching activity classes at UND. I've started my research for my thesis. I'm back to pre-baby weight and my wedding ring fits again!!! I also got a new car!

Jesse's been working hard! We appreciate all he does for us! Because of him I get to spend time with my babies!

We are gearing up for the holiday seasons. Thanksgiving is coming up next week, and we are having a tur-duck-en again this year!! And that means Christmas and a trip back down south is right around the corner. So much to do!!

What a difference

I really wish there had been a person blogging about the first month after Sammy was born. Just so that other first time mommies could see that they aren't alone.

If I had been able to blog in that first month of Sammy's life I would have had bogs that talked about being awake All. Night. Long. I'd have had frustrations about not being able to put him down without him crying. Failures in breast feeding. WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING?!?!?

I remember asking Jesse (my husband) "who's bright idea was it to let us bring this child home??" I had no clue sometimes. I literally changed my first diaper (yes that's EVER) in the hospital with Sammy. It was Jesse's first as well. My mom just sat back and watched us get poop everywhere and then get peed on. We learned a lot during that first diaper change. And I mentally thank her for letting us learn on our own. Then offering tips afterward.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you are a new mom or an already mom with a new baby, it's ok to feel overwhelmed. There is always help, just ask. It's ok to cry as loud if not louder than your baby. Take advantage of advice from mommies. Also take that advice and make it work for you.

We all have to start somewhere and we always have room to learn more.

Moms are HUMAN!

I read a blog called even moms make mistakes... After reading it I think it should have been titled Even mom are human. I didn't think they look like mistakes so much as how people deal with things that happen.

Have you ever forgot to pack the diapers?

I have! I have gone places with Sammy without extra diapers in my bag. And once we are at a doctor's appointment and I smaller something stinky and had to run all the way home to change him. I've also for got to bring diapers when daddy had to watch him for class.... He had to ride home with no diaper... And mommy crossed her fingers for no accidents. It happens... And they survive.

Have you ever given your child a cookie just so they'll eat SOMETHING?

I have! "mommy, I hungee to eat" it's lunch time so I fix some chicken and bananas and he won't touch any of it. I try crackers and he eats those but they don't fill him up. I offer something else "no way" ahhhh!!!!!!! stopping at the drive through for chicken nuggets...when he eats it I'm happy. And he survived.

Have you ever been so busy that washing dishes or laundry is LAST on your list of important things?

I have been! The dishes are piling up, Sammy's on his last clean t'shirt. And I've been wearing the same pj pants for 3 days.... It happens. But eventually dishes get washed, clothes washed folded and if you are really ambitious put away! And we all survive!

Has your child ever hit their head on the floor and said "shit" because he heard you say it earlier??

Mine has! I have a potty mouth (so does daddy) it's something I try to watch... But when he repeats those words I try not to laugh (so hard to do) and shake my head. He rarely repeats what I say but it happens... And we survive!

Have you ever felt like pulling your hair out?

I have! I've had to put a crying baby down walk away... Take a few deep breaths... Cry.... Then back to being mommy... We've survived.

Mommies are human! If you arenot a mommy, be nice to them... If you are a mommy, be nice to yourself!