1st Easter Egg Hunt!

Easter Egg Hunts are fun! Well more fun when you actually find some eggs. Max had his very first hunt on Saturday morning with every other child in our area. There were a lot of kids so it was hard to find eggs, but it was still a good experience. Max was able to find one egg on his own and then someone else gave us some more so we could go re-hide them so Max could get the idea. After finding a few hey really started having fun. Yipeee...4 Eggs where found! Before the "Hunt"
1st Egg found!
Now what?

Daddy, Uncle Garth and Auntie
I found one...
I liked this picture...
Headin to throw rocks

We live in a beautiful place!
I love to THROW rocks...

Daddy loves to throw them too.
Time to go!

Bath Time!

The Huysers came over for dinner last month and Max and Elsie always have a lot of fun together.

Giving Hugs...

I think this is such a cute picture of little Elsie JoySplish, Splash
A regular in our house...
The mama's have fun too! (Amy and I)

Succuss for me! Oh it feels good!

Hello friends! It has been a very successful week at our house. We purchased and set-up the boys bunk beds, though Cole won’t be sleeping in them for a couple years; they are still both of theirs. I’m so excited because yesterday I was able to (with the help of my best friend, Andrea) get both of their rooms cleaned and organized; I even managed to go to Goodwill and drop stuff off…I felt very accomplished. Max in going on his second night of sleeping in his BIG BOY BED! It’s so exciting. I picked out and will hopefully purchase Max’s quilt this weekend. A couple more things need to be done in Max’s room but for the most part we are finished. I will post pictures next week for sure, but right now I have to go get ready because Andrea, Max and I are leaving for the weekend to go visit my mom while Loren and Andrea’s husband are going to Eastern Washington to work on the “Short Bus”.

More to come, but wanted to update you all on our week. Have a great weekend!

Max is sleeping...

So figured I would blog! Not much is happening at the Ellingson household. Loren is working this weekend which is a bummer but at least he is at home. I am watching "Say Yes to the Dress" on TLC because if it’s about Babies or Weddings...I like it. Ever since I planned my own wedding I have been obsessed with wedding shows! I don't know why, I just love it.
We celebrated my Grandpa’s 80th Birthday yesterday! What an amazing person he is and I’m so glad to know him and that we were able to celebrate him and his life. At the celebration my cousin who recently moved to DC called and told us she is ENGAGED, which it totally exciting. They are planning an August wedding here! I couldn’t be happier for her and I am anxious to meet my future cousin-in-law!

Potty training is going well. Max likes to go potty in the potty and it is becoming a daily thing when we are home. We are happy campers!

My weekend retreat last week wasn’t what I thought it would be but it was a great weekend away with friends. The more I hang out downtown Portland the more I love it. It’s a beautiful city with very friendly people. Though my mom lives there I haven’t spent a lot of time downtown. They have a lot of fun shops and its so easy to get around town…love it.

In pregnancy news…I passed my glucose test which made me very happy! Baby Cole is doing well and I’m measuring a week ahead which really means nothing, but I’m happy to be measuring ahead rather than behind. We are trying to get Max’s new room ready so we can move him over and make a couple updates/changes for Coles room. Trips to home depot and babies”R”us are in our future. Though we still have 4 months left, I like to have things done early so I can enjoy them and don’t feel stress. Plus I really want Max to be adjusted to his new room and bed before Cole comes, a couple months before would be great. My back is starting to hurt which I had a major problem with last time, but I’m hoping for regular massage appointments which make a HUGE difference. I’m still very comfortable minus getting down on the floor with Max or bending over. I do think that putting shoes on and off will start to get a little more difficult among other things that just get harder to do as the belly grows. I have to say though I really enjoy being pregnant and I feel like I’m very lucky to have very boring pregnancy’s which is a blessing…hope that continues.

I’m grateful for the amazing weather we have been having and wishing it could stay, it makes the day so great. We have been going to the park with friends and just enjoying it as much as we can. Oh and another thing…tomorrow I register Max for a local Co-op which starts in the Fall…I hope he can get in the class for his age group. I’m really excited for him to meet new kids his age and start a structured class, really fun for us.

New Blogs added! Fun!

New blogs added. My friend Amanda H. just created a blog. She also does very cute baby gifts called "it baby"...bibs, towels, burp cloths and more that can all be custom made. She has amazing talents and I have ordered some from her for gifts and they are amazingly cute and original which I love. I love that she can also personalize the items with initials which is really cute.

I also added couple more of some more friends the other day too. Enjoy!

Retreat...

I'm sitting all ready to go away for the weekend. I am really looking forward to some down time to relax and eat out without a 2 year old. I'm going to a womens retreat through SOMA, the church we are currently attending in Tacoma. Thought it would be a great way to get to know some new people.

In other news, Max and I celebrated over ice cream the other night that he went pee-pee on the potty 5 times, 5 times....isn't that great? We thought so and what better way to celebrate than with ICE CREAM! We are really excited in this new development of his potty training. I know this brings in a new world of challenges, but to get the hard stuff in before baby Cole comes home would be most helpful.

As far as pregnancy goes, I'm feeling good! My belly is getting bigger each week (pictures to come in the next few weeks) and I'm feeling him move around a lot more. Its so funny to watch your belly move and know that there is a little baby in there. I bought a couple things this week, nothing really exciting, pacifiers, a very cute knitted blanket and a protective crib sheet. I figured I would start slowly buying things instead of one big shopping trip at the end. When your pregnant you'r mind is automatically thinking future...I keep thinking July and September are right around the corner which is funny to me. It is still crazy to me that in 4 short months we will be adding to our family and meeting this precious little baby boy. I'm anxious, excited, and anticipating Maxwell's thoughts of his brother and how he will treat him. Of course I'm very curious to find out how are day to day routine will be. The unknown is always a little scary, but exciting too. I know many people have done and do this all the time but when life change is about to happen for you...its so different. I'm grateful that we have many family and friends to help us out which is so nice. My mom isn't working anymore so she is planning on coming up after Loren goes back to work to hang out with us for a bit which will be a tone of fun. When Max was born we laughed so hard that we peed our pants...more than one time...it was funny. Most of the laughs were from jokes about the breast pump which we thought and still think is so funny.

I'm taking my camera this week so I will hope to post some pictures when I return. I still can't believe the March is tomorrow, WOW! Time is flying by! We have really been enjoying the great weather we have had and it makes us anticipate Spring and Summer so much more!

Enjoy your weeknd and I will talk to you after my weekend away!

I think baby brother...

will be named...

Cole Loren Ellingson

This is the name for now. I have been hesitant to put anything in writing because until he is here we will see. When we were having dinner with Loren at the Fire dept. (he is pulling shift tonight) tonight he was introducing us to his fellow fire fighters and said that we were expecting a new little baby boy and pointed to my belly and said his name is Cole, that was the first time I had heard him say it out loud. It was nice to hear.

Wow, pregnancy hormones are very real and people need to watch out. Whewww...I don't remember feeling like this last time and I really have a hard time blaming my crazy mood on things like "Pregancy Hormones" but I do I think its time to admit they are real and are very much a part of my day right now. I broke down crying the other day for no reason...what the heck, what is wrong with me. My patience level is, well...it really isin't even there right now. I'm just in awe of this because I really don't remember anything like this last time, you hear people talk about it but it never happened to me! I'm thinking having a 2 year old can probably effect those hormones a little more. I am hoping these are "Pregnancy Hormones" because the thought of my attitude and another child in the mix could be a very unhappy situation. I'm sure it is, but it is scary to think about. Please pray that God will help me stay saine and appreciate this time as well. Max is at a fun stage, but difficult at the same time. He is learning so much and I love it, but can be very strong willed which can be challenging. He cracks me up and makes me want to cry too in the same hour, wow these emotions are CRAZY! I'm sure I'm not alone but when you feel like this you really do feel like you are. I have talked to some of my family and friends and they are very supportive and agree that it is totally pregnancy related...

Hope this is ok to blog some of my feelings! Just have to write things out sometimes. I have some pictures from the last week when we hung out with some friends so I will post those soon.

Hope you are all having a great week and we will chat with you later....

Not the news we were hoping for...

Gods will is sometimes a lot different than what we hope and pray for.

This morning, around 11:20 a.m., Jesus took Whitney’s hand, and welcomed her into His presence in Heaven. Though we are at peace that she is not in pain anymore and is in a far better place than we can even imagine...death is such a difficult thing to deal with. Please pray for her family during this time of pain and loss.

I had posted for prayer a while back...for those of you who aren't aware of the situation you can read earlier posts.)

Boys!

Boys! And some of my feelings on having boy(s)… Max when he was 1 week old!!!

Before I was pregnant with Max I had always secretly hoped for a baby girl. What girl doesn’t right, cute Bows, dresses and cute little bonnets…so fun and cute, right? Pink, girly flower bedding! When I found out I was having a Boy…for some reason I was a little surprised but not disappointed because of course I knew it could go either way. I think with girls you just figure you will know exactly what they like and love since we all were little girls. I do vividly remember thanking God because I loved that he gave me something I didn’t even know I wanted. He planned and intended for me to have a boy and I rested and was excited about his plan for my life and not my own plan. So here I am 2 years later and some months w/ Max and another precious baby boy on the way and I really couldn’t be more thrilled. I was very prepared and thought through that our 2nd could be either a boy or a girl and wanted to be excited for either one and when the ultrasound tech said “Boy” I really was so happy and excited to have two boys.

Max and I in the hospital

So why this blog you’re asking? Well because I find myself getting excited about fire trucks, Trains and school buses…why, well because Max loves them and I love to make him happy. I never cared about trucks and cars but now I find myself looking for them to show Max…boy how boys can really change a mom’s life! They make you see things that you wouldn’t have if not for them and I love it. It’s so funny how you kind of live another childhood when you have kids of your own. I love playing with playdo, swinging and doing fun things that kids get to do…yah I get to do them too now that I’m a mom…how much fun is that? So again I thank God that he gave me something that I didn’t even realize I needed, God is good! I’m really looking forward to meeting our new little baby boy and to see Max and him grow up together enjoying a lifelong brotherhood for life.

October 2006

Boys rock and so do fire trucks, cars of all kinds, trucks, trains….anything and everything boy. Its crazy how you don’t teach them any of that boy stuff, they just learn to love it all on their own! It’s fun to live in a little boy’s world and see it through his eyes. I love it and would never trade it for anything in the world.

Baby Brother in the Belly!!!

I'm showing a lot more at this time than with Maxwell. This is my first belly picture for this pregnancy and I figured I needed to start somewhere. I love seeing people's prego pictures, I think its so cute. I like to track my growth through pictures...just not sure I will share them all. I usually decide to take the pictures at inconvience times, when no one is around and I have to prop the camera on something...hmm can I train Max to do this...that is a thought!

Ok, so there is my heart about my boys! Can't wait to meet this little one. We are still trying to figure out names. The most current name we are thinking of right now is Cole...I really like Cole Alexander Ellingson. We will see if that sticks...Loren is the final say in all of this. My favorite name is William Gordon Ellingson and we would call him Will. My maiden name is Gordon so I love the whole name, but of course Loren is not in love with it like me....Bummer, big time. Oh if the mom's could name their kids without feedback from the other person involved in this whole baby making thing life would be a little easier!

I love feedback and idea's for names, I should offer a reward for anyone who gives me a name that could work and we both agree on....hmm, another great idea.

Diapers? Maybe not for Max anymore?

Yes, yes...the Ellingson family had a lot to celebrate today! Max went POTTY on the POTTY today, twice...twice. I was thrilled. I think Max wasn't sure what to think when I reacted, but how could I not be thrilled? I have been telling him for so long that when he pee-pee's on the potty he will get candy. Well why I would think anything would be different today since everyday since I have shown him the potty and talked about candy he has wanted to sit on it thinking he would get candy even though he would never pee in the potty. This morning I was taking his night diaper off and getting him dressed and as usual he wanted to go potty so he did and to my surprise there was pee in there....oh it's weird I know that I get so excited about pee in the potty but the thought of only having ONE child in diapers is so thrilling to me, not just the FREE time it will save me but also the $$$! So for the moms out there I know you will understand it and for those who don't have kids yet, you will understand how exciting when your turn comes around...it is weird I agree, but it's really exciting. Now I'm realistic that tomorrow he might not do it at all, but just the 2 times he did it today gives me hope that my goal of potty training before baby #2 is here could be a reality! A mom can wish! Well whatever happens this is a day to mark on your calendars, ok well maybe I am the only who will actually be marking my calendar for the joyous occasion, but had to share the happy news.

Finally I am on my desktop so I can add some random picture of the last month or so. Enjoy... My neice Natty and Max on Nat's 4th Birthday Dinner...she was helping Max look at the camera! She is such a great big cousin. Max's face cracks me up!

The new thing Max is doing since we took the rail off his crib is to get all his books, toys and whatever else he can grab and fill the crib with it. Nap time is so fun now! I had to get picture of this because it makes me laugh. Right by the red book in the lower left corner...a clock...yah anything and everything! I was taking a shower and I came down to this...this has never happened before. I guess I just fill his day with many fun things.We had a blast at the Olympia Children's Museum...and Max loves this truck. Erin and I...the boys loves playing at the Museum and we loved cacthing up. Fun Times... In the middle of playing Max likes to take a break for some music...it makes me laugh becaus its in the gift shop and he will just walk over and play and then go back to checking the rest of the museum out. He is a funny boy.

I have a doctor’s appointment on Wednesday which is always a highlight. As of today I am officially half way through this pregnancy which is crazy to me, but very exciting. I have started taking Max and Marigold out on the days that I watch Marigold and it is helping me get excited and used to the idea of 2 kids. It’s so great to be able to feel like "Ok, I can do this" I'm not as afraid since I'm getting some great practice in. I’m feeling great and at times I don’t even feel pregnant which is amazing. I love feeling the baby kick, I know I have said that, but I will probably continue to say it. Max never moved that much and I’m thinking this little boy is going to be a mover in the belly which as of right now I hope so and am looking forward to it. I’m sure I will take that back when I’m not sleeping and he is in my rib cage, but as of now…those our my thoughts. Hope your all having a great start to your week.

Take care and chat with you all later.

Hello, just sitting here

Hi Friends! Just had some time and figured I would say HELLO! Max is sleeping and Marigold, the little girl I watch just left. My favorite time of day is nap time and bed time, not because I love it when Max sleeps... it's just a time for me to relax and unwind, you know what I'm talking about right.
Some exciting news, the baby has starting kicking stronger the last couple of days. I have been feeling movement for a little while now, but very light and last night in the middle of the night I was awaken by his kicks...I LOVE IT. Today he was kicking and it was very obvious kicks...there is nothing better then seeing & hearing the heartbeat and feeling movement inside and know that it is life inside of you. God is amazing. Yesterday someone had sent me a link to youtube and it was National Geographic - In the Womb. There are are 9 episodes that are 10 minutes long...its amazing. God is amazing!!! I can't believe all of that happens! Its a beautiful thing.
I must be having the nesting bug or its that I am getting nervous about what 2 kids will do to my house...either way, stuff is happening at the Ellingson house! I am getting rid of stuff that I have held onto for way too long, many goodwill trips to drop donations off. The best thing is that I am parking in the garage. We haven't parked in the garage since we were newly married. We can only get 1 car in there due to stuff in the garage and the yukon is too big. I love that Max and I can stay dry while we are getting loaded up. I have told Loren we have to do this when both kids are here and to my surprise...it happened a lot earlier than I though it would. We are making progress...yippeeeee! We are also cleaning out the office which will be Maxwell's new room. In this process I have been reminded why I want a new, bigger house because we have NO, and I mean NO storage here. I am getting creative and using spaces that I have not used wisely before. My thought process is with 2 kids life will not be easier so I need to simplify and get rid of stuff so there will be less for me to worry about, plus with no extra room, there is no where to put stuff. I am feeling free and excited about this, less clutter, more simplified lifestyle!
I'm getting excited to put Max's big room together. Did I tell you we took one of the sides off his crib so he is sleeping in what we call his "Big Boy Bed"...figured it would be a great transition before a bigger bed. He did fall out a couple of times but Loren put one of the crib bumpers on the side and it has been great. I love that we know what Max loves so we can create a room for him, just him. When your creating a babys room you don't know them yet so you can't totally personalize it so this is fun that we now get to do this for him. We have found a really cool fire truck toddler bed that Max would LOVE! We will be doing all of that when I get the room totally cleared, which I still need to figure out where to put everything, but we are on our way and every day we get closer. Fun times, fun times.

Hope your enjoying your week! Until next time...

Its still a BOY!

We had our big ultrasound on Friday and were able to verify that baby #2 is for sure a baby boy. He is healthy and weighed a whole 10 oz. There is nothing like seeing your baby on the screen as you watch them move around and reality hits you that there is for sure a baby in there. Its very surreal! I love that I am finally able to feel him move around in there, though its not a lot every day nor very strong, but either way...its a sweet reminder about this special gift. We are still deciding on names, we have a couple idea's, well Loren has given a maybe since I have many choices but he seems to like nothing, very difficult picking names out that you both agree on. I wish I had a scanner so I could show you the pictures, but if you have seen one u/s picture you have seen them all.

My mom was in town for a couple days this last week into the weekend which was very nice and she even got to go the u/s with us which worked out great. Friday night my good friend Andrea, my mom and I went to Stanley and Seaforts for dinner, fun night to just get out while Max stayed home with my friend who was kind enough to watch him on a Friday night. I love dinner out after a long week. Dinner out without Max is always a treat...I feel like I can eat without the stress of trying to make sure he is happy. Fun night with the girls.

Loren went to Eastern Washington to work on "The Short Bus". Have I not told you guys about that? Loren and some of his buddies bought a short bus for tailgating at the Seahawks games. I love it, I really didn't think they were serious about it but now that its paid for and he's spending the weekend cleaning it up...yah it's the real deal. They are going to paint it blue and redo the floors and seats. It will be all decked out in Seahawks stuff....inside and out. It even has a handicap lift for the BBQ and cooler. Its a fun project for him and it makes me laugh. I will post pictures with the final product. If you are a hawks fan you will have to meet us down in Seattle next season for some hotdogs and some fun.

Thanks for all your prayers for the family I had written about earlier this week.

Hope you are all having a great weekend!

Update on Prayer Request...

"As of last night at 11:30 pm. The family was sitting outside of ICU where Whitney was being cared for. Whitney sustained multiple injuries as she was hit broadside at highway speeds by another vehicle. She fractured her hip, suffered broken ribs and a collapsed lung, and multiple head/brain injuries (fractured skull, broken eye socket). At that time, Whitney was heavily sedated to control the pain, but they were going to back off on the meds to look for signs of purposeful movement and reactions in order to assess the extent of the injuries. Her parents are naturally upset but were relieved to arrive and find Whitney alive. They thank everyone for their continued prayers."

Praise God she is alive! Thank you for continued prayers and I will update you as I hear more!

Please PRAY for our family friends!

Just got word that some family friends that attended the church I grew up in, their daughter, Whitney was in a very serious car accident this afternoon in Oregon. She was transported to Salem, Oregon hospital (she is a college student living in Oregon) and underwent CatScan and tests. It was determined that there is a brain stem problem and brain trauma. She is being flown by helicopter (as I type) to Emmanuel Hospital in Portland, Oregon (the Trauma Center). Her family is driving down to Portland from Seattle. Please pray for safe travels for them as I can't imagine having to make that drive knowing what they know. Also pray for Whitney and healing. I can't imagine getting this news and figured the more people praying, the better.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM

Yah, she is 52, doesn't look it though...

My mom would love this picture, if she saw it! She would love it even more if she knew I was posting it, it cracks me up! What a fun dinner that was. It was a first of many things or at least some first for a long time. My mom lives in Portland, Or. so its very rare that we actually spend birthdays together, but this year we did. Another fun thing was that all of us siblings were together which is such a rarity these days. We had dinner at my favorite restaurant..Stanley & Seaforts in Tacoma. My mom and Pat had never been so it was fun to show them this yummy place. We laughed and just enjoyed our time together and celebrating this special day with my mom. My mom totally makes me laugh and as I get older we become better friends. Love her and love spending time with her. Its freaky that we are so much a like but I didn't grow up with her...guess I was just born with it. It was fun to see Sam and Andrew too. They are both getting so much older and growing up...crazy!
The "Sista's"(Sam, me and Railene(sister-in-law)) Mom and PatMy Brother Andrew...he is so cute.
The siblings and mom Loren and Andrew..being totally spontanous!!!Sam and I...also being totally spontanous...oh you were taking a picture of us???
The crew...fun times.

Christmas 07', just gets better.

I have to say this Christmas I was so excited, not for gifts for me or anything but for Max and the idea of Christmas through your childrens eyes. I was realizing that the coming years are going to be more and more fun with our family and as the kids get older. I think its probably because of the memories I have and the excitment that Christmas brought and knowing that our kids will do the same thing. I loved getting Max's stocking ready Christmas Eve and putting his gifts out with Loren, so FUN! Its still crazy to think that next year we will have a 3 yr old and a 6 month old. Fun times! Yes this post is late, but again...not on the desktop as much, please don't judge! Grandpa Pat, Max and Nonnie (my mom)
Christmas Eve night...
Max opening up his stocking
Um, yah I was excited. Don't be jealous that I look so amazing w/o make-up... I'm just one of those lucky ones...yep, thats right! (Yah, I'm totally joking about that...)

Play dates with school mates!!!

Today I got together with some friends from high school. It was so fun to catch up with friends and see all the kids play together. It’s crazy to think that we all have grown up, gotten married and had kids. I love play date’s with friends, great time for the kids to play and the moms to have some mommy time. The "Moms"
The "Kids"

Trying to get a picture of the kids....not the easiest thing! But for sure worth it!!!

The "Today Show"

Tomorrow Loren's company is going to be on the Today Show! Tune if you can...sounds like it will be on around 7:40am. We are hoping this will help get their name out there and a better understanding of who and what they do. Feel free to check out Redfin in regards to the "Today Show". We are really excited to see what is going to happen with the interview. Also if you get the news tribune, next Sunday...Dec. 23 there will be an article in the paper about Redfin. Someone from the tribune shadowed Loren for the day and is comparing a Redfin agent to a top 1% agent in Tacoma. We are hoping its a postive story for Redfin and for Loren! Its always great if they get more business and that people understand what they are all about. Redfin does not do advertising as of now, so this kind of stuff can really HELP. So exciting....

I'm "Positive"

I'm "POSITIVE" that I am pregnant! Yes, I have been waiting to post this but it's always good to wait until you in the safe zone to make it officially public! Thought it’s hard to tell to the naked eye, but all of these tests are positive!They really are though! I'm not patient so I take tests early and get a very faint line and continued to take them over the next week and was so happy to see it get darker with each test! We are due June 23! Today we went for an ultrasound for some tests and were surprised to find out this early that we are having a BOY! Yes, that is right at 12 weeks we already know which is so exciting to me. No I'm not disappointed in the least and was never expecting one or the other. We are thrilled to have another boy and truly are not sad that it wasn't a girl. I love that God gives you what you need and I am totally excited that he blessed us with another sweet little BOY!
Many people that we had already told totally thought we were having a girl so it was fun to call them today and surprise them with the news. Everything is looking good and I would have loved to post the pictures of the ultrasound but couldn’t get them scanned, maybe later. We went in at 6 weeks for an ultrasound due to some bleeding (sorry if that’s too TMI) and it didn’t look like a baby yet, but 6 weeks later it is a BABY, well it looks like one a lot more then at 6 weeks. Hearing the heartbeat is the most amazing thing and seeing them on the ultrasound is so crazy and I LOVE IT! I am very excited to have a summer baby! The only problem is Max’s clothes will be off as far as season goes, but most should still work…and I have a TON!!! Now we need to decide on a name and I really have no idea…Boy names are hard. Any feedback on names is much appreciated!!!

God is amazing that he allows us to carry a child for 40 weeks! It’s a true miracle and I feel so blessed that I get the privilege of this amazing thing called LIFE! I love it and am very thankful to God for this gift! Please pray that the next 27 weeks go well and the baby continues to grow! We are incredibly grateful!

It really is Christmas time?

Merry Christmas! Wow, seems like it comes faster every year. Just 2 weeks away now!

Not much to report, well a couple things. You moms will apprecaite or sypythize with me on this. This last weekend was my birthday and me and some friends and been planning on going to the ocean for the weekend to have a "December Escape", just getaway, relax, sleep, eat, watch movies, play games and just hang out...well due to I-5 being closed and power outage on the Oregon Coast, our plans got cancelled. I was so bummed...I just really wanted to sleep in! That was sad, but we still had fun and hung out on Saturday and made cookies and ate dinner together.

It is sooooo cold outside and I don't love it. I know some people do but it makes me want to just stay in all the time. I am happy that its not raining.

Max is eating some yogart and I'm waiting for Loren to get home so I can head out to bible study. Oh Max is bringing me spoonfuls of yogart to share...what a sweet little boy. Still amazed at how much he is growing and learning. Its so much fun! He is playing and talking and just amazing me. Its shocking what kids learn in the first 2 years of life! Did I tell you Max turned two? Yes, he did on Nov. 26th. He just makes me laugh and I feel so happy to be home with him fulltime. Oh I also started a new job? Yep, I'm watching my friends baby...Marigold who is 2 months old! Monday was my first day. Its perfect because I only watch her 4-8 days month during the week. My friend Diana's husband is a firefighter so he is home most of the time, only works 9 day a month. A great way to make some extra cash, help out a friend and when we have a 2nd baby Max and I will both be used to the idea of a baby. Max has been really sweet with the baby and its been neat to watch. Have gone through the baby stage with Max and now that he is a toddler...I will for sure say that the baby stage is such a breeze and the toddler thing is for sure more difficult...I would never have thought that! You just assume it will get easier as they get older and though somethings for sure get easier...many things get harder.


So sorry I haven't posted pictures lately...I'm always posting on my laptop and all the pictures are on the desktop...hopefully soon I will post some!

Hmmm, whats that you say? Christmas Shopping? Me....

I looked for a picture with a stroller but couldn't find one, but these work too! Yes, that's right Max and I ventured out today to do some early Christmas shopping...in November, yes that's right! I honestly didn't think I would get much done due to the fact that my friend and I went out the other night and um yah I will admit it...I bought most everything for me! But I needed boots, and sock, and earrings! I really did, 3 pairs of shoes where purchased, but really its not that bad, I needed them all...yes I did. Oh wait I did buy some cologne for Loren at his requests, I could oblige!!

Isn’t that how Christmas shopping always starts, you start buying things for yourself? Well that is usually how it starts for me and I'm really not kidding.

I must admit that I hate crowds and crowded parking lots, I kind of get overwhelmed! Well not kind of... I do. The pressure of getting in line before it gets crazy, not having products in stock that I want...oh the idea of it doesn't put me much in the Christmas spirit. Not too mention that my favorite radio station only plays Christmas music after Thanksgiving, I do love Christmas but also don't need to be bombarded with Christmas songs all month long...am I alone with that thought? Boy I am getting off track, but isn’t that what blogging is? Anyways back to me and my amazing, proud day today. In the history of my life I really don't think I have even thought about Christmas shopping until December...thought about it in the early part but actually did the shopping a couple weeks before. Realizing that things are going to get a little crazy after Thursday (Thanksgiving) I decided I had an open day and figured might as well go try.

I was really happy when I stepped foot in the mall and saw Santa, again wasn't even thinking pictures with Santa this early but no line and remembering my 2 hour in line experience last year that ended up with a crying baby in the picture, guess you always have one of those! I decided to make a quick call to Loren and he agreed it was a great idea! So happy me quickly ran up to Santa picked out what package of pictures I wanted and was happy to hand a smiling Max over to Santa to have a no crying child, happy to see Santa. I was really lucky until the perfectionist side of me came out and had to fix his Boston shirt so it was straight, obviously that wasn’t important to Santa! After that Max lost it probably because he thought I was going to leave him with this guy. With the crying and only one picture being taken before the crying started I decided to accept it. The workers their said it was really cute, they obviously don't have good taste, Max wasn't even looking at the camera or Santa so I declined to take it which they said was totally fine. So though my morning didn't start off perfect it ended on a great note due to all I accomplished after that. I walked into a toy store to see if there was anything for Max's birthday which I found a Mr. Potato head and a school bus! Score, not sure who is going to have more fun with Mr. Potato head, me or Max? Does it matter though? Boy I am really rambling...hmmmm.

After that I went and found more gifts, keep in mind I honestly had no idea who or what I was buying but I totally scored and thought I was really creative and found some great things for numerous people and even got things for those people that I never know what to get for them! I felt so accomplished feeling it motivated me to come home and do my first Christmas order online at Amazon. A real treat was $.99 gift wrap for each gift, HELLO I will take it! Wheww...I feel so proud of myself. So I might be lazy when it comes to putting clothes away or unloading the dishwasher, but Christmas shopping...not a chance. I really think I have 40% of it done!

So proud...so proud.

Thanks for letting me ramble. Merry Christmas and good luck to all of you with your shopping...oh boy it can be challenging!

Am I the only one?

Yes, yes, sometimes I think I am? So yesterday I claimed I wanted to clean and organize my room! Did I do anything...NO! Why, well I will be honest, I'm lazy. I put Max down for his nap and I always feel like that is my time to relax so the only thing I did is move the clothes that were supposed to put away on the other side of the bed so I could lay down. Oh and then before bed last nght I moved them from there to the ironing board that was next to the bed, hmmmm how can I fix my lazy issue. I always have good intenions of wanting to clean, cook and be totally oranized, but it never happens. I'm always so envious of those wifes and moms who do it all. I feel so lame sometime because of my lack of things I do. Its just hard when you aren't feeling good, your tired, the majority of my day is chasing after a 2 year old. I deserve to relax...right? How do you all do it? I feel like I need a system, a way to do things better. I'm very grateful that my husband doesn't complain about any of this but when I do make dinner he is so happy. He is easy to please!!! Thank goodness. Quick, yummy recipes are always helpful! If you have any good ones...let me know. Anyways, Max is taking a nap now and I'm writing this...way to solve the problem huh? Just trying to stay up to date on my blog.

And of course I'm on the laptop so no pictures to post! I love pictures and always prefer to see pictures when I'm reading something.

Until next time...

What to write?

Doesn't seem like much has happened lately so I haven't posted. We went to Portland last weekend to visit my mom which was fun. We even got to go see a movie with my mom and Pat while my brother Andrew babysat! Seeing a movie is such a rarity these days, just doesn't seem like there is engough time. This last weekend we got to hang out with a great friend of mine, Erin. She has a little boy who is 7 weeks older than Max and we try and get together and spend the day together everyother month or so. Our husbands usually watch the kids so we can have some one on one time but this time Loren came up and the 4 of us went to dinner while Erin's sister watched the boys. It was a fun day and night. I love relaxing with great friends and ending the night with my husband on a date! Fun times.

I can't believe that Thanksgiving is next week! Can you? Seems like the holidays come earlier each year. I did have a crazy thought this weekend...I thought about going Christmas shopping to get a few things...Crazy, yes I know! But wouldn't it be great to get the shopping done before the rush, oh the pressure relief it would bring! Maybe someday that will happen, but I doubt this will be the year. I always have good intentions though!!!

I'm already missing summer, well the clear skys is what I miss and the dry slides that the kids can play on. I will see that I see the beauty of fall more clearly each year...it really is a beautiful time of year. I just dread the short days, the cold nights, and the wet days! Oh well, guess it makes me look forward to spring and summer more. I just wish we could have fall with clear skys and dry days.

Max is drinking chocolate milk and a chonga bagel from starbucks...have you guys had those? Highly reccomend them...they are the yummiest things ever! Get it toasted with cream cheese and you won't be sorry. Its a little scary that Max always says coffee when we drive by Starbucks and he wants chocolate milk...what a big boy. Yah, its scary that he isin't 2 yet but already get the coffee concept idea...SCARY! Loren is working from home today which is always a special treat and he even got Max up and let me sleep in a little bit...love those mornings. Plus he went and got us bagels and coffee this morning....good stuff.

Ok so much for not having much to write. We are going to head to the gym today, I want to clean and organize our room oh and Max is turning TWO!!! November 26...can't believe it! Two...seems so old. He is talking all the time...it cracks me up the things he says and just to see his personality come out more each day. He is a fun little boy and I'm so gratefule for him.

Ok reallly I'm done...I will write and post pictures later. I always end up writing these posts on our laptop which has none of our pictures.