The BIG 60!

Today is my mom’s (Aubre’s mom) birthday….drum roll please….she hit the big 60!  Happy Birthday mom!!  We love you very much!

 

On a side note…Gary and I saw the movie Slumdog Millionaire today.  I HIGHLY recommend it to EVERYONE.  It is fabulous.  Unique, deep, interesting, sad.  All wrapped up into one movie.  It was one of the best movies I have seen in a long time.  Don’t walk…RUN to see it.  You won’t be sorry.

 

 A heads up for those of you following my Weight Watchers journey.  I have had a horrible week of eating.  I mean HORRIBLE.And the weather has been terrible so I have had hardly any exercise.  All bets have been off and the cookies, cake, restaurant food, and everything else has been fair game.  I figure a new week starts tomorrow and I will get back on track.  I can’t lie, I have enjoyed every bite of grease, sugar, and everthing else….but am ready to get back on track.  I don’t weigh in until a week from tomorrow and I know it won’t be a pretty picture.  I am not thrilled about sharing this with everyone…but sometimes the truth hurts.  I went into this holiday with great intentions.  I just couldn’t hold steady around all the easy access to "bad" food.  I’m sure I have taken on a few pounds, I can feel the difference in my clothes.  But, life happens and you have to jump back on the wagon.  I intend to do this when we get home.  I won’t look back at this week and regret my decisions, rather, I will work on exercising more and eating healthier.

Happy Birthday to Aubre!

  Today is my birthday!  I am 34 today…wow, that sounds sort of old doesn’t it?  I had a wonderful birthday.  All of us (Gary’s parents and his sister’s family) went to lunch for my birthday….we braved the ice, rain, and sleet for a birthday lunch.  Then we came home to enjoy some yummy birthday cake and open gifts.  Then, Noah and mommy took a WONDERFUL, and much needed, afternoon nap.  Then tonight we went to Gary’s families Christmas party.  It was a busy day, especially for Noah.  He did so well with all the new people and places.  He was really tired tonight and ready for bed….just like mommy and daddy!  Thanks to my sister, mom, and dad for the very thoughtful birthday gifts.  I love you and miss you!!!

 

Before the birthday festivities commenced, Noah tried out his new Tadoodles toddler markers.  He wanted to eat them…so they quickly disappeared.  We will try them again in a month or so.

 

Noah giving mommy hugs and kisses for my birthday!

 

Opening gifts!  I got some great stuff….soft pants,photo albums, slippers, a calendar, magazine subscriptions, Starbucks giftcard, Michael’s giftcard, money (thanks dad, it is going towards our new Wii!!!)…..

 

I got a special gift from Noah that I wanted very much….a set of MP3 speakers for the stroller!  Now we can take our walks with music!  Thanks Noah!  You can tell, I was VERY excited!!

 

Noah and I getting ready to blow out candles…..and Noah in a cake (sugar) coma!!

 

My sweet family!  I love you and thank you for a wonderful birthday!!

Merry Christmas! Happy Birthday Jesus!

What a wonderful Christmas Day we have had!  We have had a full day of gifts, food, family, and fun!  Noah was up nice and early at 4:30 AM.  We got him back to sleep until 5:30 and then headed downstairs (loudly of course so as to wake everyone else). Uncle John joined us downstairs at 5:30 but everyone else wasn’t up until 7:00.  By the time everyone else was up Noah was primed and ready to start open gifts.  Uncle Gary had the task of handing out all the gifts….the pile grew and grew for Noah.  He literally had a mountain of gifts to open.  It is so nice to spend the holiday with Gary’s family…but I sure did miss my family today!  I love you mom, dad, Michael, and Erica!!!

 

First, the doggies (all 4 of them….our two dogs and their cousins) got to open their gifts!

 

Look at that pile for Noah!  Emily’s pile was pretty big too!

 

Everyone ready to start the opening!

 

Noah doing some opening….he really enjoyed pulling the paper and making a mess!

 

Mommy and daddy were very excited about the new toybox for Noah!  YAY!  A place for all his new toys.

 

Grandma crocheted some awesome gifts for the grandkids!  A doggy for Noah, pillow for Emily, and hamburger for Alan!

 

Mommy was very thrilled to get a new grill pan!  Thanks Marge and Ron!!  Watch out chicken, here I come!

 

Grandma and Grandpa loved their homemade gift from Aubre.  Here are some before and after pics of the project.  I found the window on the side of the road and thought it would make an awesome wall hanging with the right poster!

 

Marge loved the photobook that we made her.

 

Noah got an awesome art easel from Aunt Dawn and Uncle John!

 

Noah got a wooden train set from Aunt Dawn and Uncle John.  He is quite the happy boy now.  Grandpa is going to help us make a train for it.

 

Daisy enjoyed spending some time with Noah’s new doggie, Max.

Christmas Eve

We took Noah to Children’s Wonderland today.  It is an indoor lights display for kids that is close to Gary’s parents house.  It was really beautiful and very detailed.  It has a bunch of Christmas scenes set up, a big ride-on train, Santa (of course), and lots of lights!  Noah really seemed to enjoy it….although he was a bit scared of the snowman that was walking around greeing the kids!

 

We also were reminded by Gary’s mom that today is Noah is 18 months old!!  WOW!!!  I can’t believe how fast time is flying by.  Before you know it he will be in college…..well, at least Kindergarten.  I have to admit I had a little tear thinking about my baby growing up.  Sweet boy.

 

Gary’s sister and her family arrived today.  We had a nice Christmas Eve dinner all together and then we all headed to church for the Christmas Eve Service.  Noah lasted about 5 minutes into the service and then wanted to get down and run around.  So, Gary and I took him out to the church lobby area and let him run around during the service. 

 

We let Noah open one Christmas Eve gift….mommy and daddy got him a Little People Carnival set. 

 

Children’s Wonderland.  This was a HUGE gingerbread house made of tons of BIG cookies, one of the Christmas scenes (yep, that’s a UFO), and Noah and Grandma

 

Noah wasn’t too sure about the life size Frosty, Noah and Grandpa looking at the Raindeer!

 

Mom, you would have loved the dollhouse scenes they had set up.  Each one was different and had lots detail!  The candyland display was my favorite!

 

Mommy, daddy and Noah

 

Christmas Eve dinner…

Christmas Vacation Officially begins….

We just got to Gary’s parents house today.  We left a day early due to bad icy weather approaching the Ohio area.  We made it safe and sound and are enjoying the beautiful snowy scenery.  We have been enjoying playing with their new Wii, and have decided we are getting one the minute we get home!  It is SO fun, and really good exercise.  We have also been enjoying a nice fire in the fireplace, and of course watching Noah dance around (and steal things off the Christmas tree).  I just got Noah down for bed and am hurrying to post so I can get busy on the Wii!

 

Grandma and Grandpa have our room all set up and it looks just like home…complete with a toddler bed for Noah!

 

Some pics out of Gary’s parents dining room windows.  So beautiful!

 

Their house…and the backyard.

 

Snuggling with grandpa, daddy, and grandma

 

Noah investigating the Christmas Tree….it’s been a challenge explaining to him that the "ball ornaments" are not actually "balls to throw"

 

We cheated and opened up the Christmas gift from my sister early.  Sorry Erica!  The dogs were VERY excited about their new bones! Thanks Auntie Erica and Uncle Scott for our new bones!  They are both sitting patiently starring at their new bones in the picture below.

 

Noah opened his gift too from Auntie Erica and Uncle Scott…..

 

Grandpa showing us how to play the Wii!

 

Daisy enjoying the warm fireplace!  Yes, our dog is spoiled.

Weight Watchers – Week TEN!

Wow, Week 10.  I made it to week 10 of my weight loss journey.  If you aren’t familiar with the WW program, it is in 10 week intervals.  When I started this program 10 weeks ago I would have never imagined losing 18 lbs in 10 weeks.  I am proud of myself and am happy to be starting the New Year with momentum.  I am excited to see what the next 10 weeks will bring.

 

I must admit though, I chose not to weigh in this week.  WW members get one "free pass" to use when they choose.  The free pass gets you out of one week’s weigh in.  I had a rough week.  After being really sick last Monday I sort of stepped off the WW wagon.  I didn’t count my daily points as I should have, I ate food that weren’t the best choices, and I didn’t get out for much exercise due to bad weather.  It was just one of those weeks.  I have been having a hard time getting back on track and am so glad I was able to attend my WW meeting tonight.  It helped me to gain some perspective and realize that "life happens" and things will come up to derail my program….what matters most is how I will deal with the hiccups that get in the way.  I am going into this holiday week with a "most of the time" mindset.  Realistically I know that I will eat foods that I wouldn’t normally indulge in…but I am going to do my best to make good, healthy choices most of the time. 

 

Onward to another week of good choices, healthy foods, and exercise.

Blood Test Results

My doctors office called today, I have to admit I was a bit concerned as I waited for my results to come back.  Everything was normal and my pregnancy test was negative (I already knew this would be the case).  I am relieved to start the holiday knowing I am healthy.  It certainly was an answer to prayer.

 

We are headed to Gary’s parents tomorrow afternoon.  We are excited to spend time with family this holiday season.  We wish you all a safe journey wherever you may be traveling!  Merry Christmas and remember….Jesus is the Reason for the Season!

 

 

Cooking with Mommy and Other Fun Stuff!

Making Poppyseed Bread for the holidays is a tradition in my family.  It is my mom’s recipe and it is just fabulous.  Let me just say the recipe has almost as much sugar as flour.  That’s how you know you have a darn good sweet bread recipe!  I thought it would be fun to let Noah help "cook" (especially since daddy was home to help).  It was a fun, but messy, experience.  Lucky for you we have video for you to enjoy!

 

 http://s210.photobucket.com/albums/bb272/noahsmommy1/?action=view&current=CookingwithMom.flv

 

http://s210.photobucket.com/albums/bb272/noahsmommy1/?action=view&current=MixingwithMom.flv

 

Future chef?  It’s possible!

 

Yum!  Our finished product!

 

Look at someone’s adorable snowpants!

 

We went yesterday for Aubre’s free birthday burger from Red Robin.  Yum Yum yummy! Nope, this was not on my Weight Watchers plan…but was worth every calorie!

 

Daddy got some new Ohio State dishes from his boss at work!  We are now the proud owners of a huge Ohio State platter, Ohio State plates and tumblers.  Noah was trying out the new tumblers. Thanks Paula!

 

Noah loves having daddy home on the weekends!  They get to have special morning reading time.

 

We went tonight to a community Winter celebration (fitting since it was the coldest night of the year…8 degrees), and then drove around to see some lights.

Special gift from Grammie and Jaime

Today was the day for Noah to open his special gift from Grammie and Jaime.  They sent it all the way from Tucson, AZ.  Again, I had to figure out how to wrap it!  I think I did a pretty good job of wrapping, if I don’t say so myself.  We learned from yesterday’s gift opening craziness to lock the dogs in the bedroom while Noah is opening presents!  Daisy and Ebony just love to rip and tear wrapping paper!  Thank you Jaime and Grammie for the special gift!

 

Opening Grammie’s/Jaime’s special gift

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ducUqjiHPIg

 

Daddy putting the tricycle together!

 

Finished product!  We love the adult handle on the back so we can push him along.  Don’t laugh at my adorable bunny pants.  I love them.

 

Playing with his new toy.  It was below zero wind chill today…so we had to try out the tricycle in the house!

Christmas Gift from Grandpa!

Noah’s grandpa in Tucson, AZ (Aubre’s dad) sent Noah’s Christmas gift a few weeks ago.  We have been excited about letting Noah open it!  We decided that Saturday was a good day to let Noah open his special gift from Grandpa.   After Noah went to bed last night I had to figure out how to wrap it!

 

Hmmm, how do I wrap this?

 

Well, it isn’t the prettiest wrapping job, but it’s at least covered in paper!

 

VIDEO’S!!!

  Noah opening his gift….with a little help from the doggies!  As we expected this year, he really likes the wrapping paper!

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpY3l02XWQk

 

 Testing out the New Toy! 

http://s210.photobucket.com/albums/bb272/noahsmommy1/?action=view&current=DadandNoahonNewToy.flv

http://s210.photobucket.com/albums/bb272/noahsmommy1/?action=view&current=DaddystealingToy.flv

 

 Noah playing with daddy this morning on the kitchen floor!

http://s210.photobucket.com/albums/bb272/noahsmommy1/?action=view&current=PlayingwithDad.flv