Lockdown

So this past week we have essentially been in lockdown. After Travis' birthday he came down with the flu and a nasty cold at the same time. The poor guy pretty much just vegged on the couch until Thursday - almost an entire week. Whitney never got the flu but hacked a lung all week. Her only hope was sucking on Jolly Ranchers - my kid friendly substitute for cough drops.

So with both kids sick Aaron took off on Tuesday to Miami on a business trip. I am just grateful that I only got the cold and nothing more. I can only imagine if we were all sick and trying to survive! Even though being sick is never fun, it's our first and hopefully our last time experiencing sickness this winter - so I really can't complain. Plus, I think it prepared me a little for what is coming. I've enjoyed over 2 years of freedom, going anywhere almost anytime with two kids in tow. Two kids that are very easy to deal with.

This past week I was reminded what it was like after having a baby. You don't go anywhere, do anything in fear of sickness - and the fact that I'm usually a walking zombie who feels like a cow nursing every two hours. Oh the fun memories!

Honestly though, despite being in lockdown all week - where "going out" meant going to get the mail. It really wasn't so bad. It felt good to slow down and enjoy my kids a little more, snuggling on the couch and watching a few movies. I even got most all the baby stuff washed and set up. Baby Hailey's room is practically functional, with about 3 and a half weeks remaining.

So, now we are mostly healthy again, Aaron is back home, and I'm disinfecting the house. It's fun to see Travis eat, run, and smile again. It's nice to see the kids play together and make each other laugh. It's nice not to hear both of them coughing through the night and checking on them to make sure they are breathing o.k. And although I'm going to enjoy the freedom (although freedom of mobility is significantly small) I have over the next couple weeks, I'm excited for our new baby to come. Hopefully we can just relax and enjoy the new addition - freedom will come some day in the future right? right?

Travis is 3!

Wow, the first year creaped by and the last two have flown. I love this kid. He has me won over in too many ways. Here is a brief summary of Travis.

-He loves disney cars, playing with cars and pretending to ride cars

-He loves playing the role of dad and "going to play basketball" while wearing his bball shorts.
-He is Prince Phillip fighting the bad guys half the time or pretending to be an animal the other half.

-He loves playing with friends

-He loves nursery

-He loves to snuggle

-He is still my mr. senstive

-He's become pretty good at puzzles and coloring - keeping up with what his sister is doing

-Him and Whitney are the best playmates (most of the time :))

-He still talks like he is 5

-He has become a lot more brave over this last year - learning how to swim, pedal his bike, and do the obstacle courses Whitney makes

For his birthday we went to Chuck E. Cheese. He was so excited that Aunt Bethany, Grandma and Grandpa Rasmussen and his cousins Brookly and Spencer came to join the party.

I tried to talk Travis into a different themed birthday cake - but to no avail. He gave me pretty specific instructions of the cake he wanted. So here is my science fair project - the scene of cars where "Doc and McQueen are racing and McQueen gets stuck in the pokies and Mater has to fish him out."

We had a great time. Travis was way past wasted after celebrating. Here's props to my little buddy - I wish I could freeze you at this stage, you are just to stinkin' cute. Thanks for being my little snuggler and warrior. You bring so much excitement to our home and Whitney sure enjoys a constant playmate. I love you buddy.

January

It's always a celebration for me to see January come and go. This January honestly went by pretty fast for us. It was a crazy month. I think if it's going to be cold outside then it should at least snow and have something to play in. But that didn't happen.

Aaron was on business trips the first two weeks of the month. How did we keep busy? We've seen a lot of movies, had a lot of popcorn parties, done a lot of kid puzzles, and of course coloring. The past two weekends of the month Aaron has been working on building some "man space" in the basement to retreat to (office). It has been fun to watch, but a lot of work for him. The kids have been awesome this month and we're excited that we're now that much closer to baby Hailey coming. Here are our highlights:

-seeing Princess and the Frog: This is when I realized the level of freedom I have now in my life that will soon leave. Both kids plopped on their seats and were thrilled to watch the whole movie at the big theatre. Whitney had her massive popcorn bucket and Travis had his candy.

-library story time and pajama night

-building a fort and sleeping in the family room night: I wondered how this attempt would work out. Aaron was on a business trip and so we pulled a mattress into the room and built a fort. Kids actually slept great.

-Shopping sprees with mom: Whitney got a skirt and Travis got bball shorts that they have worn pretty much every day this month.

-seeing Alvin and the Chipmunks

-Going to Grandma and Grandpa Rasmussen's for FHE, playing with cousins and snowcones!

-Having Lindsay, Jared, and Bethany come and play. Making cookies with Lindsay and Jared at their house.

-seeing Cloudy with a chance of meatballs.

-AND THE BIGGEST EVENT OF THEM ALL - TRAVIS IS POTTY TRAINED!!!!!! He has been for a couple weeks now. I guess the bribe of walkie talkies and candy were worth it because after about a week of training he was good. I'm so happy it was easy, it's over, and I'll only have one set of diapers to worry about when the next kid comes!

All in all that made for a pretty dang good January.

Mucho Luck =

LOTS OF CLOTHES!

Alright, crazy post, but I'm too excited about this (and aaron doesn't share my enthusiasm for spending money:)). Yesterday I won a very cherished coupon from old navy - 50 dollars off a purchase of 100 dollars - essentially half off whatever I want. These coupons are so hard to get that if you aren't on the site the second it uploads, fat chance you'll get it, within 30 seconds they are all out.

So I was estatic last night when I won this coupon... but my luck got even better today. Apperently starting today Old Navy has an additional 50 percent of their clearance - newly set out clearance. I hit seriuos jackpot. I stocked up on pants for Travis for the next two years - why not at 2 dollars a pair + the fifty free dollars worth at the end. I could go on and on about the steals I found for Whitney, Travis and even maternity clothes for me - but I'll let pictures do the talking. In the end I spent $58 - saved myself $144 (coupon + additional 50% off clearance).

Here's the truckload in the bags still

And hung up all together, I think I did some good "stocking up"

Merry Christmas

We had a great Christmas this year. Life is so easy and exciting with two kids who are at a stage to understand and get excited for Christmas. We started off Christmas Eve with a nice dinner/birthday Celebration for Aaron. We played pin the nose on the Snowman, treasure hunted for our Christmas Eve present pajamas and played Grandma's Twas the night before Christmas present game. We somehow fit in birthday cake and presents too. It was really fun having Grandma and Grandpa over to add to the excitement.

My favorite part by far was seeing the excitement in the kids for Santa to come. While tucking Whitney in she asked if I would leave the Christmas lights on so Santa could find our house easier. I of course scared them by saying how if Santa comes when your awake then he'll leave without bringing presents so he doesn't get caught. Whitney was pretty worried and asked if she drank from her sippy cup that night if Santa would come. I told her "of course" to which she replied "but mom - it's really noisy when I drink it he'll hear me." Too cute.

I wish I could always remember the excitement on the kids' faces when they got up. Whitney snuck a peek and saw a glimpse of what Santa brought - she about freaked out in adrenaline. It was so funny to watch them wiggle on our bed for 2 minutes waiting to go see what their presents were.

Everything went smoothly, the kids and us had a blast, Santa brought what they wished for, and our day couldn't have been better. I'm so thankful for another magical Christmas. Christmas was always amazing growing up - and now that I get to watch my kids, it's just as exciting! Merry Christmas - here's a few pics off Aaron's phone camera, since our flash on our camera decided to die the first picture I took Christmas morning.

My Nativity

I know most people's favorite decorations are usually the Christmas tree, lights, ect... but my favorite decoration is my Nativity set. Of all the many decorations I have collected, my favorite box to open is my Jerusalem box. To me, this is not just stuff, but physical evidence reminding me of my experiences I had in the holy land. I love the smell from the box, the pictures, souveniers and other treasures I find inside. Funny how something so simple could bring so many emotions.

I could sit and stare at this nativity for quite a while. It's simple - nothing extravagant by any means. But it's what I loved for what I could afford at the time. And to me - it's as perfect as my memories from my experience. It enriches Christmas for me that much more because it reminds me of everything that matters - my faith and testimony in Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas!

My Beautician

Whitney was so kind to do my hair for me on Sunday...
I think it by far passes any beauty that an Easter bonnet could provide. ..
There would be no need for hats on a bad hair day...
and no one would notice that my roots are a different color than the rest of my hair....
And this picture is posted in small on purpose...

She liked the hair do so much that she did it to herself the next day, I don't think her date approved.

She's obsessed with princesses, make-up, dress-ups, and now... hair, oh great!! Where did this daughter come from. She's going submit my name to total make0ver as soon as she can read and spell!