Done!

And just like that, it's all gone! Christmas has come and gone, the decorations, the trees and the presents are all organized and put away. We did it all in a matter of hours this morning. The way I figure it is, the faster I put stuff away, the less I mourn for the holiday. We had a great Christmas. Hayden was so excited about all her toys. She hasn't stopped playing with them yet. Even at bedtime (and she loves her sleep) she gets upset when we have to leave all her goodies. Santa, and my family, was good to her and she deserved every bit of it!



We spent to morning opening gifts while my mom cooked us breakfast. Then we went to Kathy's to see what Callie and Colt got, and ate lunch with them. After Hayden's nap, we all piled in the car and went to Raleigh. We ate at Fortune Palace off of Capital Blvd. They cook authentic Chinese food, which was the highlight of my day!



Another year has gone, while a new one begins. This upcoming year should be interesting and as blessed (I hope) as the years before.

Here comes Santa Clause, here comes Santa Clause

What a day! It's been a great Christmas Eve. I was off today and spent the whole day at home with my sweet girl. We made cookies for Santa and wrapped presents for friends and family. We both took a 3 hour nap! Now that she's asleep for the night, I probably won't be able to sleep at all. But... I'm as snug as a bug in a rug, updating the blog and watching The Christmas Story in between. I LOVE that movie. I watch the marathon on TBS every year.

We went to the Moss' for dinner. We've started this Christmas Eve tradition three years ago and it's the best. Hayden loves Tanner and they play so well together. She was so excited about going tonight that she actually threw up a little bit after her bath and peed on the floor in the kitchen before we could get her diaper on (I'm not exaggerating). It was so exciting to see her that excited. I remember getting that excited about going over to a friend's house and Santa coming on Christmas Eve. I remember trying to force myself to sleep so that Santa would come. Oh! and there's nothing like Christmas morning. I want Hayden to be just that excited also!



Tammy had her house decorated beautifully. I wish I were more motivated to decorate, but that will have to wait until next year!

The kids were so excited about the presents under the tree that we went ahead and let them open their presents.





Tanner gave Hayden a cute jacket and hat (Tanner is modeling in the pic above), a Mrs. Potato Head (my favorite) and cute Dora Christams pj's (thanks Aunt Tammy because mama forgot to get her some). Hayden gave Tanner a backpack with his name on it, bath toys, and a book.



For dinner, we had steak, potatoes, garlic bread and salad. Tammy made an awesome blueberry pie which we got to take home. The kids had fishsticks.





"Whoa Aunt Meiling! You're kinda in my personal space!


The night came to an end too fast!





When we got home, Hayden put her Dora PJ's on. Then we made a plate of cookies and sausage balls and a cup of milk for Santa. Hayden, with my help, wrote a little note for Santa also.



Hayden had to make sure the milk was good enough!




A little more of Hayden showing off her new PJ's!






I'm so excited to see what tomorrow has in store for us! Merry Christmas!

@#$%^&* !!!!!

Do you hear what I hear?

I sure hope not, but some of you might if you're close to our house. It's the sound of a frustrated daddy having words with the toy car that will soon occupy his sweet daughter. Little will she know of the sweat, tears, blood (literally) and obscenities that were shed while assembling this "Little Tyke". Daddy put the wheels on backwards, so while trying to pry them off and turn them around, he gashed his forehead with the flat head screwdriver. To make matters a little more interesting, this is only the first of three that is "self assembly required". Hopefully I will be able to help with the other doomed sets that need to be put together. It is funny how as soon as I came to help, WA la, it was easy as pie!

Please take the time to enjoy these priceless pictures.....








At least he was a good sport and let me take pictures for the blog!


On a more pleasant note, Hayden and I enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Monticello's with some dear old friends. I did, however, forget the camera (amateur blogger), so couldn't get any good pictures of Hayden and her pal Georgia.

I've still been braving through this first trimester. Did I say braving? I meant whining...... every hour on the hour. Poor hubby.... With all my whining, and him taking over most of my responsibilities, I don't know whose more ready for the summer to get here.

So my mind keeps jumping from one thing to the next. Kind of like it does when I'm trying to fall asleep. Has anyone heard that Crocs are going out of business? I have heard it several times, but I don't think I want to believe it. Mom and I went to Crabtree Valley Mall on Sunday and bought Hayden two pair. I was too chicken to ask the rude cashier if they were closing down. Looks like I would just look it up on the internet.








Well, three more days until Christmas. I promise to bring my camera!

Look what I found!

Just had to throw another post in even though I just finished one. I found this pic on my camera and couldn't resist!

LOOK AT MY SWEET BABY! She was just born!


Mommy loves you Hayden!

Owww!

Ok, I'm once again out of commission.

Friday night Spencer and I (thanks to my nausea medicine) were able to join some of my very best friends for a birthday dinner at The Chef and The Farmer (www.chefandthefarmer.com), located in Kinston. It was Shannnon's birthday and we all piled in the car for a road trip to an excellent eatery! The food and atmosphere was amazing.
Saturday night Spencer and I went to a beautiful wedding. We weren't able to make the reception because I was just pooped.

So after a weekend full of festivities and a poor choice of boot wear (is that even a word?), I have a swollen right foot. Which means I am at home with my foot propped up and not at work where I really need to be. The doctor looked at it and said I just needed to rest it. I am really trying hard to count my blessings, but it seems my body is falling apart. I bet it's a way of slowing me down so that I can update this blog ;-). Wonder what the next seven months are going to have in store! I just pray the outcome will be two healthy babies for me and my family to love.

But in the midst of all the fun AND pain, I managed to snap a few quick photos of my precious one and her pigtails. I am so excited her hair is long enough!



She looks older with her hair done that way. I also got a few pics of my tree. I have 3 in all, and they are all crooked! Even the little one in Hayden's bathroom is crooked!





Well, eleven more days until the BIG BIRTHDAY! Then a whole week off to get my house and head straight, if that's possible. Till the next time!

New News!

So I've been a bad blogger! Hayden, I promise that I will try to do better at updating our blog in the future. You change so much everyday that I should be updating at least once a week.


Hayden, you will soon be 21 months (December 13) and you are all over the place. You are so full of life and the absolute joy of our lives. Some things you're doing now are running at full speed, dancing, singing very clearly the ABC song, you can count to 10 (or I think you can), watching Dora and Blue's Clues on a regular, still sleeping great, you love to brush your teeth (I hope that lasts), going to Beth's, a very picky eater, you love cookies or anything sweet, you talk A LOT and I can make out some of your sentences, every morning when you wake up, you yell for me and your daddy to come and get you, and among many more things that I can't list right this minute, you're going to be a big sister....twice! Mommy is having twins! Only 9 weeks along, but it feels like 6 months since we found out, not to mention I look that way too.
You will always be my baby, and I love you with every inch of my being. You have made my life meaningful and I am so proud of you.

I love you ~ Mommy


We are so excited and overwhelmed at our news! The babies are due in early July, but of course twins usually come earlier. I just have hope that this will be an easy pregnancy, like my pregnancy with Hayden. I also hope the babies are healthy like their big sister. I've been very sick this first trimester. At the last appt (last Thursday) I begged Dr. Michalak to give me something for the nausea (which he did) and then we had an ultrasound, where we discovered there were two babies. Spencer and I want to know the sexes of the babies, so hopefully that will be soon. They have very different rates of heartbeat. One is 185/min and the other is 145/min.

With all of the chaos comes Christmas. It's only 2 weeks away! I'm leaving work early today to TRY and finish some last minute shopping. I know it's not really last minute, but it will be that way if I keep stalling. Our house is decorated and now all we need are the presents.
Thanksgiving was nice, except for the nausea I've had for the past month and a half. We went to Spencer grandparents for lunch and then to my mom's for dinner. Great food and company. I feel like time is passing through my fingertips. Even though I'm wishing away this pregnancy sickness, I don't want to lose any time.

I guess that is all for today! I'll be back soon!

Addicted.....

I am addicted to my laptop!! And now it's not working properly because I dropped it on the pavement while RUNNING to my car through the mini hurricane we had last week. So I'm using my old caveman 17 inch "laptop" (which I'm grateful for at this moment) to update my long, lost blog! The mouse pad on this thing is so sensitive.

We had a good weekend! Saturday night Rebecca and Jason had us over for a wonderful dinner and Hayden got to play with her buddy Berkley. Sunday, she and I went to Ava's birthday party. I also got to catch up with some old friends that I don't get to see often. Needless to say, we had a great time and didn't want it to end. We have had beautiful weather compared to last week!

This coming weekend should be FUN! Lots of Christmas shopping planned with the girls and a Christmas photo shoot. I can't believe Thanksgiving is only a week away!


Ok.... so here are some old pics I found on the ancient laptop....


This is a pic right before she had tubes put in her ears


My brother and dad with Hayden on her birthday weekend


Dad and sister

The Smell of Victory

"The Smell of Victory" was the sermon that Dr. Cloer preached today. I am sitting on my couch, typing this post. It is cold and rainy outside, Spencer is watching ESPN, and Hayden is in her room playing with her toys. This smells like victory. "The Platform of Victory is Calvary", victory is through Jesus Christ. I have been so blessed and after living a brief period, lost, I have once again found victory. I have heard a few of Dr. Cloer's sermons, but this one felt so comforting.

OK, so I am feeling a little full of life, full of the word, and full of the chicken sub that I ate for lunch!

Thank you Lord for all that you have given me. I am thankful for You, for my family, my friends, and my job. I am thankful for the roof over my head and the church I attend, the clothes on my body, and the food that nourishes it. Thank you for more that I could have ever asked for. Amen.


My sweet pumpkin...




Hayden as a flower last year 2008...

My how she's grown!





On Friday, the Crayola Moms had a Halloween party at Liz's house. There were almost 20 kids there! I enjoyed it for the most part, until I realized I "lost" my keys. Spencer had to bring me another set. I remembered, after I had left of course, that I had on a vest, which I took off, and my keys were in the pocket!






On Saturday night, for Halloween, Spencer, Hayden, and I went with Rebecca and Berkley to her church trunk and treat festival. There were tons of people and lots of candy (which we only got a half of). Then dinner at Texas Steakhouse before heading home.


Berkley was Moses. So adorable!

Showing some love!


This could be a problem in the future! :-)








We had dinner with friends for Amanda's birthday Friday night at Jac's. I love getting together with them!



I guess now I'll catch up on some reading and NFL football! Hope everyone has a great week!



Now thanks be the God, which always leads us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
2 Corinthians 2:14