Update

This afternoon when this:

happened for the third time in three days, we decided we had had enough Christmas tree cheer. That's right, our tree is already put away and it's not even December 26th.

Bah Humbug!!! :)

P.S. Speaking of Bah Humbug. . .

I have been in a seriously Grinchy mood all month. Partly because we didn't have a tree, partly because it was snowing and I hate the snow, partly because we weren't able to be with our families for Christmas, and, I'm sure, partly because I'm pregnant and that just makes me grumpy.

It seemed like no matter what I did I just couldn't get in the holiday spirit. Last night I was feeling extra bitter because we read Luke 2 as a family and I was wishing that we were with everyone else during this time of love, joy and togetherness. Any how, I realized that I hadn't written my annual Christmas letters to Ty and Leo. (It's something that my dad used to do that I really loved. Basically it's just a little letter highlighting some of the milestones that happened during that year and expressing love.) Well, I was in such a bad mood that I thought, "Just forget it. I really don't feel like doing that this year." But then as I thought about it more I decided that I should just do it and even if they turned out crappy, at least I wasn't breaking the tradition. It turns out that writing Christmas letters is a great way to get in the holiday spirit. As I sat down and thought about all of the things that have happened this year I realized that I have a pretty amazing life. I have an awesome husband who I adore. (Honestly, I still feel lucky every day that he chose me.) I have a healthy, active and adorable son. We have a great place to live and we're progressing towards our goals for the future. As I expressed my love for my boys I was able to feel Gods love for me in such a real and profound way. Sometimes I forget that God most often expresses His love for us through our many blessings and the people in our lives who love and support us. I truly have been blessed with so, so much and, especially right now, I'm feelin' the love in a big way.

Hope everyone had an awesome Christmas!

Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas everyone!

I thought I'd post this early for our out-of-state family. There will probably be more to come. . .

We ordered a little tree from Amazon.com and accidentally had it shipped to Ty's parents in AZ. So, until it got here this is what we had. Slightly pathetic and more than a little depressing, I know.

Our tree arrived on the 23rd. Hooray! We immediately set it up (while listening to obnoxiously loud Christmas music.) We then spent the next two days trying to keep Leo from eating the ornaments/knocking down the entire tree.

Christmas day finally arrived! Leo found the sucker in his stocking first thing and it didn't leave his side all morning. (If you pay attention you'll notice it in the pictures of him.)

Ty got his very own shotgun this year. (You can't tell from this picture, but he's pretty excited.)

Here's Leo with his xylophone. (He's playing it in the background as I type this.) We were really happy to catch him making this face since he's been doing it a ton lately.

He really does love this thing. Hopefully I don't get sick of it too soon!

Here I am with my new pistol. (It's a Styer MA1. We have a picture of me with the actual gun, but the face I'm making is quite terrifying. I decided to spare you the trauma.)

Here's another one of Leo with his new stacking toy. It was pretty cute to watch him figure it out. It took him a minute to realize that he needed to find the hole on the top piece before he could put it on, and another minute to get that he had to put it on last or he couldn't get the rest of the rings on. He figured it out all by himself though. Such a smarty!

And finally, my favorite. We got Leo some one-piece puzzles. He's really great at taking the pieces out (notice the one he's flinging through the air) but we're still working on putting them back together again.

I guess that's all for now. There were a few more presents but Leo was too preoccupied with what he'd already opened to really be interested.

More Yumminess

I found another really good recipe. This time it's for Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies and I got it from notwithoutsalt.com. (That's where I got the picture too.)

Chocolate Chip Shortbread

adapted from Ina Garten

Ingredients:

3/4 pound butter, softened (I used margarine and they turned out just fine.)

1 cup sugar, plus extra for sprinkling (I didn't sprinkle because the recipe never says to.)

1 tsp vanilla

3 1/2 cups flour

3/4 tsp salt

12 oz bag mini chocolate chips (I thought this was a lot of chocolate and would probably use less next time.)

Pre-heat oven to 350

In a bowl combine butter and sugar and mix until combined and creamy. Mix in vanilla. In a separate bowl combine flour and salt. Add to butter mixture. Mix on low speed until the mixture begins to come together. (I was using a hand mixer and actually had to do this last part with my hands because it wasn't sticking together.) Add the chocolate chips until just mixed in. Roll into a log about 2 inches in diameter. Wrap in parchment paper and refrigerate until firm.

Cut the log into 1/4 inch cookies and place on a parchment covered baking sheet. (I didn't use parchment and they didn't stick at all. Also, they don't expand at all so you can get quite a few on each baking sheet.) Bake for 11-13 minutes, until edges begin to brown. Cool to room temperature. (Seriously, don't try and eat them hot. They're soft and totally un-shortbread-like. Really gross. I actually threw mine in the freezer for a while.)

Big, Black Eye

So here's a picture of Leo's latest shiner. He did this at the mall today while I was shopping for maternity pants. It's pretty sad looking!

I'm a Phoenix!

(Or at least I will be soon.)

That's right folks.

I'm going back to school.

(Finally!)

And I'm ever so slightly terrified.

I mean, I've never done school from home before.

(It seems like the kind of thing I'll suck at.)

Plus, I've never done school with a baby before.

And especially not with two babies!

But, I'm also really, really excited.

Not only will this give me something to do with my loads of free time,

But I will also, FINALLY, be able to be over and done with it all.

I'm sick of being a junior in college.

Bachelors degree, here I come.

P.S. I was talking with the school counselor about whether I should wait until after Jay Alvin is born to start and she said, "No. University of Phoenix is flexible. All we ask is that, once you start your program, you finish it in 7 years." All I can say is, "Holy Hell! This had better not take me seven years!"

More Snow

Until now we haven't had a great experience with Leo and snow. Every time I take him out in it he's crying within 5 minutes. The kid just hates to be cold. And I would totally be thrilled about this (because it would mean that I didn't have to go out in the snow) except that Leo gets a little bit crazy when he's cooped up inside for too long. (Read: He turns into a destructive maniac.) Any how, we finally figured out how to get him to like the snow.

A really warm hat and water-proof mittens.

When we first went out he was still really careful not to touch the snow. (The thing he hates most is when he gets it on his hands.) Here's Ty trying to teach him how to make a snowball. (Really he's just trying to get him to touch the snow and see that it's not cold through the gloves.)

Leo kept reaching down and almost touching the snow. Then he would pull his hand back and look at it for a minute, and then almost touch the snow again.

He finally realized that he could touch it without getting cold and wet and then he took off. We were wandering around outside for a good 45 minutes before we made him come back inside.

I showed him how to suck on icicles. He's a big fan. (Though he did have a hard time keeping hold of them with his gloves on.)

So, I guess now we'll be playing outside a lot more.

Joy.

Snow and Belly

We woke up yesterday to several inches of snow on the ground and decided to take Leo out in it. He's not a huge fan. (Hallelujah!)

He slipped and got snow on his hands and that was the deal breaker for him.

We got several more inches today so Leo and I have been bundled up inside.

It's been nice except for the fact that Leo gets a little stir-crazy,

and that makes me a little regular-crazy.

I think it's going to be a long winter.

Any how,

Here's updated pictures of my baby belly.

Our new couch from the dumpster is way better than our old couch from the dumpster.

(Does anyone else find that statement hilarious?)

And F.Y.I.

Carrying a large couch up a hill, up a flight of stairs and into an apartment, then carrying a slightly smaller couch out of the apartment, down a flight of stairs and down a hill is not so much fun. Especially when you're pregnant and it's snowing outside.

That's all.