Sunday, December 2, 2012

Elf in 'da house!

I first learned about the Elf on the Shelf last winter and I thought it sounded so fun! I tried to find one after Christmas on clearance, but no luck. No fear though - I snagged one on Black Friday this year (and got a $5 gift card for buying it - score!).


The elf is basically used to bribe kids to be good so Santa will come. Santa sends his little elf to spy on kids and report back with their behavior. You name the elf and can even register it online. We decided that our elf will go by "Elf" (yes - our creativity is mind blowing) this year. We'll let Redmond give him his official name next year because, let's face it, a toddler is going to come up with a much cooler name than a couple of thirty-something's would.


Elf made his debut yesterday. Redmond spent the night at his grandparents house Friday, so we wanted Elf to be ready for him when he got home in the morning. So, we decided to hang him on Redmond's bedroom doorknob. Nothing says "welcome home!" more than a creepy looking doll hanging from your bedroom door!
Come on in.....

Of course, Redmond doesn't really "get" the whole elf thing, but we'll continue putting "Elf" around the house until Christmas. I think he'll be into it next year. For now, it's more for my benefit. And I'm okay with that ;)

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Redmond is TWO!!

Hard to believe that my little man is two years old! It's also hard to believe that he's only been in our lives for two short years.


We had a small Sesame Street themed party for him this year - he got so much great stuff! So thankful for all the great people in his life!
 



Still wasn't a fan of the cake. At one point he had three different pieces in front of him, but refused to take a bite.



We were in Virginia for his actual birthday, so the lucky boy got two celebrations. We had cake for him and his cousin Hannah at his Aunt Nicole's house on his actual birthday.


Redmond, you bring us so much joy every day! We love watching you grow and seeing you become a little man. You are such a little comedian and are a great big brother! You are really starting to love trains, cars and trucks. Building blocks and making things go "boom!" is also a favorite. You know at least ten colors and have for a few months. You recognize all the letters of the alphabet and we're working on singing the ABC song. If you're in the mood, you can count to at least seven (that's the highest daddy has gotten you to count). You love pointing out shapes - red octagons are your favorite :) Elmo, Barney and Blue's Clues are your favorite shows. You LOVE music and dancing - you ask mommy to play music on her iPad every morning while you drink your milk and she has her coffee. We go to Kindermusik and the library every week and you love them both. You have really become more comfortable in strange places and whenever you see strangers you look to daddy or I and say "nice people?" You're currently getting your canine teeth and two of your two year molars. Once these teeth come in you just have two more molars to go! Your favorite foods are "hot eggs", fruit, pizza, pb&j, pasta, bread, red peppers, cucumbers, cheese and pickles.

I could go on and on about you Redmond. We love you so much and can't wait to watch you grow! Love you buddy!!

Weekly Menu

Time to get back on track! We spent last week at my sister's house in Virginia. I pretty much ate like I've never eaten before. Had a great time with my family, but glad to be back home.

Weekly Menu
November 25 - December 1

Sunday:        Cheesy Basil Stuffed Chicken, Jasmine rice and roasted vegetable medley
Monday:       Three Bean Chili and Cornbread
Tuesday:       Dinner at the in-laws
Wednesday:  Pierogi's with sautéed peppers & onions and salad
Thursday:     Stuffed Peppers and salad
Friday:          Jason's company Christmas dinner
Saturday:      Smoked pork shoulder, sweet potato fries and roasted asparagus

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Halloween 2012

Last year, we had a hand-me-down costume from my sister which worked out great.  This year I had to buy one :(  Redmond has been obsessed with monkeys lately, so I was super excited to find a monkey costume on sale at Old Navy - I also found a little newborn skeleton onesie on clearance at Carter's - score!


Redmond still doesn't trick-or-treat (he'll go next year), so I was glad that the Library had a little Halloween party so he was able to wear his costume somewhere other than just to my in-laws.  We started going to Storytime every Wednesday at the library back in September and the wonderful librarian who hosts it, Ms. Linda, said she was going to have a Halloween party for the little kids this year - it was great!  Crazy to look at pictures from his first Halloween last year compared to this year - he is SO much bigger!

He wore his costume there, but we took it off when the snacking/crafts started.  He got a cool pair of glasses and had his first donut - he didn't like it at first, but came back and gobbled it up :)

Ashlyn slept the entire 2 hours we were at the library.  Once we got home she ate and passed out again.  Oh, the life of a baby :)

Friday, November 2, 2012

Mini Babymoon

Obviously, this post is a little late considering Miss Ashlyn is 2 weeks old already (2 weeks - I can't believe it!), but I still wanted to blog about it.

I planned this overnight getaway back in July and managed to keep it a secret up until 2 days before.  Now, I consider myself a good secret-keeper, but I am shocked I was able to keep this from Jason for three months. 

It was nothing spectacular, but special nonetheless.  I decided to book the same suite that Jason surprised me with on our wedding night at a local Bed & Breakfast - Chicago Pike Inn.


The suite we stayed in was The Garden Suite - and, as you can see, is appropriately named.  

I got a bottle of champagne for Jason and a bottle of sparkling Pomegranate & Apple juice for myself.  We talked, laughed, and just relaxed.  Being nearly 39 weeks pregnant I couldn't wait to get in the jacuzzi tub. 

It was a great mini getaway for the two of us.  Just in time too - I went into labor just 5 1/2 days later!


Monday, October 22, 2012

She's here!!!


Miss Ashlyn Kate made a very speedy entrance into the world Friday, October  19 at 8:45pm.  She weighed in at 7lbs9oz and 20 inches long.  We got home Sunday morning and, so far, Redmond loves his baby sister :). I'll post a full birth story soon!




Thursday, October 11, 2012

38 weeks!!!

Had my 38w check up today and I'm dilated to 1 cm!!!! This is quite exciting for me because I didn't dilate at all with Redmond until I was in labor. The end is in sight!!

I've had a few random cravings this week - hot chocolate, garlic bread and stuffing. I had hot chocolate (twice!) and garlic bread today....wonder if I can wait till Thanksgiving for the stuffing...

I have been nesting like crazy - organizing, cleaning and tossing. I have put the label maker to VERY good use!

I'm ready to not be pregnant and meet our daughter. I'm also ready for jeans that button and zip and a glass of wine ;)

Friday, September 14, 2012

Baby's room is coming together!

Jason got the dresser/changing table put together the other day and is now working on the crib.

Just over 5 weeks to go!!!

Monday, September 10, 2012

Go Lions!!

Jason went to the Home Opener Lions game yesterday and came home with these goodies for R and our baby girl! Not bad for someone who absolutely loathes shopping :)

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Hardwood Floor: 1, Redmond: 0

Our house in MD has all hardwood floors which I love and hate (just like carpet).  It's especially easy to hate when you have a toddler.  All of their falls are that much harder and, in this case, painful.

There's a reason why we tell Redmond he can't stand, walk or do his patent 'spin move' (which his father proudly says he learned from him) on the couch.  Because, inevitably, something like this is going to happen:


Trying to show off for his doggie pillow pet, poor little dude fell face first off of the couch onto the hardwood.  It actually didn't bleed nearly as much as I was afraid of and I think me trying to clean it pissed him off more than anything.  Some cuddles, kisses, a lovey and paci made everything all better and it was as good as new in a few days!


P.S.  He still stands/walks/spins on the couch every chance he gets (aka - when we're not looking).

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Who's the baby!?

Redmond is making himself right at home with all the baby stuff. Guess he better get his fill in now before his little sister gets here!

Sunday, July 29, 2012

My new toy!!!

I've been wanting a bread maker forever. I thought for sure I was getting one as an anniversary gift, since when asked what I wanted that's what I told Jason, but I got a ginormous electric griddle instead (which I LOVE).

Yesterday we were out shopping and I asked if we could just go and look at the bread makers (ulterior motive? I think not!). We saw this beauty and it just happened to be on sale (and I had a coupon!). Jason took one look at it and said "let's get it!". I sure love that man!

Trying it out tonight!

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Third Trimester!

I'm 27 weeks today - finally in the third trimester!  I can not believe that I only have 3 months left before our little girl is here.  Unbelievable!


I didn't realize just how big I was until I looked at this picture.  Holy crap!  Oh, and don't mind the dark circles :)

Monday, July 23, 2012

I have been waiting for this moment....

I knew this day would come and I've been waiting for it. Thankfully, he's just pretending and didn't actually eat any of the food.....I'm still waiting for that day too ;)

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Washington Monument State Park - June 14, 2012

For the final day trip for our anniversary week, we went to Washington Monument State Park.  This is yet another park that the Appalachian Trail runs through.  There isn't a whole lot to the park itself, and where we parked it was just a short (easy) hike to the monument.....which we were thankful for after the almost 6 miles we walked the day before!



The monument is made entirely of stone and is the first monument ever built for George Washington. 



It's located at the top of South Mountain, so of course it offers great views.



We ventured up to the top of the monument, where the views were even better.  Oliver loved going up to the top, but wasn't too sure about going down the steep set of stone steps :)


 

After we spent some time enjoying the views, we made our way back down the trail and stopped at a little playground they had in the park.  Redmond (and Oliver!) loved climbing, Redmond loved the slide too.





Another great day in the Great Outdoors!


Saturday, June 16, 2012

Gettysburg National Military Park - June 13, 2012

Like I mentioned in my post the other day, we decided to take a couple day trips for our anniversary this year. Jason has really been wanting to check out the Gettysburg National Park so we decided that's what we'd do on our anniversary :)

My favorite shot of the day - we loved the old school fences.
We didn't do any paid tours or look at go through the museum; we wanted to be outside and explore on our own. 



I admit, history was NOT my favorite subject in school, but Jason was happy to give me little history lessons along the way :)



This was a nice change from our normal hiking, since Gettysburg is all paved, we were able to put Redmond in the stroller and even let him be free and walk a little bit - Jason and his back appreciated it! He did spend a little time on Jason's shoulders - he had the best view!



It's amazing how much history lays in this one area. And how just one battle or decision could have totally changed the outcome of America. It just blows my mind to think about.  The place was full of monuments and cannons, but just looking on to the battlefields was so humbling. The number of men who lost their lives right where I was standing......mind blowing.


We ended up covering over 5 1/2 miles in about 2 1/2 hours and didn't even put a dent in everything there is to see.


After we made it back to the car, we ate some lunch, loaded up and drove through another part of Gettysburg while Redmond napped.

Good company, good exercise, and good lesson in history made for a great anniversary!