Need to go back to work

Well, today was the first day I took Braxtynn to the sitter. Both Carson and Braxtynn did wonderful. Me, on the other hand didn't do so great....not because I had a hard time (it won't hit me until I go back to work) dropping her off but because I shopped from 9 until 1. For the most part I behaved, however, Michaels was not a good place for me to shop. I ended up deciding I was going to try and make my own hairbands for Braxtynn since they are so stinking expensive when I go to buy them. This was the result....

Not to bad for my first bow huh! I had a blast making it and can't wait to make more. Cory's only comment was "She is going to have bows in all the time now isn't she?!?!" Guess he will have to wait and see :)

Holiday Week Activities

Our Holiday week started out last Saturday where we took our first plane ride as a family. Cory and I were a little apprehensive as we just knew going through security would be a nightmare but suprisingly it was non eventful. The kids did great on the bumpy flight and slept most of the way which was good since we had a week filled with activites in MO and family bonding.

Saturday night, my mom's sister and her family came over from Chillicothe for a visit. It was nice to see them as it has been probably 4 years since we all have been together.

Sunday, we spent the afternoon celebrating Peyton's birthday at Monkey Cove the inside waterpark in St. Joe. The kids sure did have fun swimming in the middle of winter when it was -6 degrees out and snow on the ground.

Monday, we headed to KC for a family picture. My mom and dad celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in Nov and us kids thought it would be nice to all get together for a photo since the last time we did this was at their wedding 25 years ago. The pictures turned out good considering there were 17 of us.

Tuesday, we went to my dad's side of the family's Christmas get together. The group sure is dwindling down over the years but it was nice to see those we haven't seen for some time. Carson and Peyton sure did have fun on the hockey table.

Christmas Eve, we spent with my immediate family. Mom and Dad made a fabulous dinner, the kids enjoyed playing and opening presents, and us big kids had a few good games of spoons. It's amazing none of us ever loose our competitive side. That night, Peyton and Carson put their new Christmas jammies on and made cookies with Aunt Marci for Santa.

Christmas morning the boys woke up and were happy to see that Santa came. They both got Elmo Live's. They enjoyed dancing and listening to Elmo's stories. Sometime over the night I had caught a 24-36 hour bug/flu and was not feeling well at all. Fortunatley, I had help with the kids and was able to get some rest. We headed up to Grandma Schooler's for lunch. She made a delicious meal and enjoyed spending time with the kids. I am really glad that Carson and Braxtynn are able to enjoy their Great Grandma's and are able to see them. I only wish we were closer to see Grandma Schooler and Grandma Bennington more often.

Friday, we packed up and came back to NC. Carson slept from the time we left Nani and Pop's house, through security and getting on the plane, and didn't wake up until about 15 minutes before we landed. Nena picked us up and we got home around 8:30. Cory and I had second winds and stayed up until about 2 in the morning unpacking and getting ready for Santa to visit our house.

Saturday morning, Nena and Grandma June came over to celebrate our Christmas here. We had a great breakfast and enjoyed watching Carson open up all his gifts. Unfortunatley, Braxtynn woke up not feeling well and by the end of the day Carson was sick also. I was so exhausted that I went to bed around 12 last night and Cory stayed up with sick kids until 3 this morning. Then it was my turn :) I had them both asleep at around 7:30 this morning so I was able to get about 2 hours of sleep. They both are still not feeling well and sleeping so I think I am going to go and try to take a nap.

Cory and I had an absolutley wonderful, safe, and blessed Christmas. With everything going on in the world, we truly are fortunate to have the family, friends, and blessings we have.

First Smiles

Braxtynn has started smiling and I have to say it is really cute. She tries her best to talk to you but nothing comes out yet.

Mendy's Graduation

Geez, it has been a week since I posted last as things have been crazy as usual...that is why I am blogging at 1 am in the morning ;)

Last Friday, Braxtynn and I hopped on a plane to KC to surprise Mendy for her college graduation. We had a great weekend as it was nice to be able to be there for her big day! We then flew back to NC on Monday morning.

I am now currently preparing for all 4 of us to get on a plane and head back to KC on Saturday morning for a week. I am anxiously awaiting Peyton and Carson getting together as they will have a blast playing. Sounds like we will have a jam packed week with Peyton's birthday, family pictures, Mom's family visiting, Dad's family Christmas get together, our immediate family (17 of us now) Christmas, and then getting up to the farm to see the Grandma's. I would also like to spend time with friends that I haven't seen in the free time we have. We head back to NC next Friday night and then will celebrate our Christmas with Cory's mom and grandma on Saturday morning as Santa will be dropping by our house a few days late ;) I am really looking forward to all this excitement and am sure I will be looking forward to it ending and us getting into a routine. I will have 2 weeks once we get back to get all of us in a routine that works before I head back to work.

Gingerbread House

Last night, we made a gingerbread house. Carson truly enjoyed doing this so much that I think we may have to do one at Nani and Pop's house so he can show Peyton how to do it.

I'm training him good!

Here was the conversation I had with Carson last night while I was putting laundry away in our room. Carson was looking at pictures on the dressers.

C: Mommy, who id dat?
M: That is Nani when she was a baby.
C: OH otay
C: Who id dat?
M: That is Great Grandma Schooler and Great Grandpa Wayne
C: dust like me - I'm Tarson Wayne Peers
M: That's right just like you.

C: (Looking at a picture of Cory and I on our wedding day) Mommy?
M: Yes Carson
C: Dat is you mommy. You were dressed like a tween in your princess dress.
M: Oh Really - like a queen?
C: Yes, Mommy...like a bootidal princess.

You just gotta love this kid!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Braxtynn at 6 weeks

No one ever told me that having a girl would be harder than having a boy...and that she would be EXTREMELY high maintenance. She has truly been my challenge for the last week. After putting her on 3 different formula's, eczema on her head, gas, fussiness, an irritable bowel syndrome medicine we finally figured out she has a milk allergy. Therefore, we just started her on full soy milk and by Wednesday she was a completely different kid. Only to wake up a 3:30 Thursday morning with a rash all over her body. She had her 1 month appt yesterday so we talked to the dr. She has had some type of allergic reaction which we think is related to dryer sheets and not the soy. So I came home from the Dr. washed all her blankets and clothes and we hope that does the trick. She still has the rash this morning but it appears to be better.

On a more positive note....we finally got her to sleep in her crib after buying this amazing vibrating thing that you put under her mattress. (Have I ever mentioned she sleeps really well as long as she is being shaken by her bouncy seat or moving) You can program this little machine and if she starts crying it will kick on and start vibrating the mattress...AMAZING!!! She has slept through the night 2 nights since having it.

Braxi is definitely keeping up with her brother on the height thing but outdoing him on weight. She is 22 3/4 inches (95%) and weighs 11 lbs (95%). Dr. said she looks good and we should expect to see her start smiling in response to us in the next 2-3 weeks....that definitely makes it all worth it!