More snow and more snow

We had another 3 snow days this week. Well one of them was Presidents day, but it would have been a snow day. So 3 days with Ryan home. By Thursday, we were ready for school to start (no idea what I'm going to do over the summer). We played a lot around here. We broke out the Moon Sand, which the kids loved - I don't think the carpets did though. We've danced a lot and played bus. But mostly Ryan did things he shouldn't and we end up cleaning a lot. Oh well. Life with a 4 year old with no impulse control. Last night he dumped a bottle of soap all over his carpet and chair in his room. The night before he had dumped an entire bottle of soap into the bath (seems to be a trend).

By Wednesday, we were dying to get out of the house, but since Emma was sick........... Anyway, a great friend of mine offered to take Ryan to the museum with her boys. He had a great time and we were so thankful for the quiet. Emma is still getting back to her normal self. Not much of an appetite and still cranky, but eating and no more puking!

As for Nick. We think he's going through a growth spurt. A couple of nights ago he was up every hour between 1 and 7. Lots of fun for me!! But then last night he slept great. Who knows. He has a little cold, so I elevated his head and hope that helps. Right now, he's about to wake up from an almost 3 hour nap. It's quiet - the other two are sleeping as well.

I put him in the only 'outfit' that was 3 mo that Ryan every used (not a lot of need for long sleeves for a July baby). He looked so cute and Emma just wanted her picture taken (way above). Above are pics of Nick and Ryan in the outfit. They look a lot alike (but Ryan was 3 months in the pic and at least 7 lbs heavier by then). Below are pictures of the two on the floor also (Nick on left, Ryan on right).

Snow Days for Mo Days

Yes, we are having more snow days here. Today and they've already called it for tomorrow. While I know I should be planning something to keep everyone busy, I'm writing here! At least if I get some things done tonight I won't be trying to do them tomorrow!

As I am finding, keeping three kids happy is hard and almost impossible! Both Ryan and Emma have been doing some not so pleasing things to get some attention. For Emma, it's climbing all over me and over kissing the baby. For Ryan, it has become more destructive. On Friday, Ryan pushed over his book shelf (I know we need to tether it). Books were all over the floor, but luckily no one was hurt. I told him he had to clean them up and this time I wasn't helping! Well he still hasn't cleaned them up, but they are no longer in his room also. Eventually, he started ripping books up (which he knew I would be mad about since he had done it the night before with the same response). So all his books were taken away. Then he was told to clean up the mess and given his garbage can. Since it was wicker, he decided to tear it up and then proceeded to get the vacuum cleaner out to clean it up! After I finally sat in his room while he cleaned, it was all picked up. Now he is earning 5 books back a day and hopefully, he'll have them all back by the time we move Nick into his room - since that is where I put them! Of course, he got out the vacuum again today - not sure why - but he figured out quickly that I wasn't happy.

Ok onto funnier things. Friday, the kids were playing in my bathtub - dry -and I asked if they wanted to take a bath later. Ryan's teacher was visiting soon, so we couldn't do it right then. They loved taking a bath in the middle of the day and just being able to sit and play. I have some pics here. In fact, they loved it so much, that they decided to do it themselves yesterday in their bathtub. They forgot one thing - to take their clothes off (and to use warm water)!

As I said, we have snow. Kris took Ryan out to play on Saturday, so after watching it snow today, he really wanted to go out. So after I got Emma and Nick down for naps, we went out and shoveled the driveway and played a little bit. Kris took Ryan and Emma out after he got home from work also, so there was a lot of outside time today. Hopefully, it will wipe them both out and maybe Ryan will sleep past 7:15 tomorrow.

As for Nick. Well he doesn't do too much. Sleep, nurse, poop. What a life. He is pretty good though, with some crabby times. He likes a pacifier, which I was hoping to avoid. If you keep moving him to see new things, he's pretty happy. One month already, where does the time go?

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Kris celebrated his 35th birthday last week. He was excited that his mom would be visiting us and he asked her to make his favorite lasagna for his dinner. Emma helped me make a carrot cake with cream cheese frosting at his request also. He got some great gifts. Besides curtains for Emma's room from me, he also got tickets to the monster truck rally this past weekend. He and Ryan had a great time - although they said they'd bring ear plugs next time. They got there early enough to get to go see the trucks on the floor.

We're almost done with our visitation times after Nick's birth. Grammie will be leaving tomorrow. We are so happy that my mom, Kris's mom and Robin have been able to come out and help us out. Here are pictures of what they did (aka - hold the baby).

Ryan and Emma have been keeping us busy. One of Ryan's favorite things to do when there is company is be 'Mrs. Nickell' - his preschool teacher. He gets a chair, puts a cushion on it and a stool in front and reads books to us. I'm still trying to get it on video, but I did get a picture.

And in case you're interested in how Nick is doing. I've included a pic above. He's doing well. Eating and sleeping pretty well. He has his one month appointment next week. So we'll get to see what they say. I've tried to weigh him here. On the big scale I got about 11 lbs, which I didn't think was right. So I put him in some Tupperware (fun stuff going on in our household) and put him on the diaper scale we have for our diaper study and he was 9 1/2 lbs. I can't believe he'll be a month on Saturday. The time flies!

Missing Some Sleep?

We sure are! Nicholas went from being a great sleeper to a NOT great sleeper! Last night, he was up for hours just looking around. Drove us both batty! Luckily for me, I got a nap in today. Besides that we're doing great around here. Nick is growing - he was a few ounces over his birth weight at 2 weeks. He looks so much like Ryan did. He loves to be cuddled and kept really warm. We went for our first walk outside and he liked my wrap. Hopefully, he'll start to like my new ring sling - since I washed it and got the yucky smell out.

Ryan and Emma are doing great with Nick. Ryan helps when asks and wants to hold him, but besides that isn't too concerned. A little more strapped for attention, but seems used to it already. He's acting out a little since my mom has been here - but that is something we are used to. Emma loves to give Nick kisses and point out all the facial body parts. His nose is of great interest to her. She loves to try to help but usually ends up getting in the way.

Emma got moved into her new room last weekend. Kris had finished painting it around New Years and we got the curtains and roller shades up. I finished up with new sheets and duvet cover. Kris tethered the dresser and bookshelf and we were good to go. Emma has done fine since the move and Ryan has decided that it is a great play room. We have had to put a door handle outside so Ryan will stop waking Emma up in the morning - she sleeps longer than he does and really needs that extra sleep! Plus, we've found Emma out of her crib once and the crib moved across the room once.

Nicholas Patrick Harper

"Hey everybody, what's up??"

Baby boy Nicholas Patrick Harper, born at 9:05am this morning, 8lbs. Everything was as uneventful as possible, and everyone is well. Here are some additional pics.

Owwies and fun....

Happy New Year!

We're having a lot of fun around here. But keeping Ryan busy without school is not an easy task. We're still going to the gym, Kris took him swimming there yesterday. We've done some shopping. But mostly we've been hanging around the house playing with our new toys and driving each other bonkers! We played with Playdough a few days ago and as you can see had a lot of fun!

Kris has finished painting Emma's new room. We have to move the furniture back in, build the other crib and get curtains for the room, but it looks great. We are really pleased with the color and the kids are loving having another room to play in (especially one that is empty).

Last night, Kris and I went out with our friends Shannon and Jeff to celebrate the New Year and our anniversary. Amazingly, it was the first time, we actually went out on New Years Eve, besides my Dad's suprise birthday party a few years ago. The kids are getting more used to Michael our babysitter who lives across the street. And while, I found Emma's diaper on backwards this morning, they did great. They love that he gives them M&M's as a snack! We had a good time also seeing Loni Love at the local comedy club and having dinner there. We were just so thankful to be able to go out and celebrate! The kids had helped me make a chocolate cookie cheesecake to be able to eat last night. They had a great time smooshing cookies and mixing stuff and mostly licking the bowls - as you can see. We didn't end up eating it last night, so we'll have it as dessert tonight!

I almost forgot about Emma. On Sunday, she fell off a chair in our office and hit her head on our desk (we're assuming, since no one was in the room). We had just come home from church and had managed to get changed but not had lunch. It was a deep cut right on the eyebrow. So off to the urgent care we went. She ended up with 4 stiches, which will come out tomorrow. They had to papoose her to get her to stay still and she still struggled and cried at the top of her lungs. But we're glad she'll be ok. Kris has been calling her 'Scarface'.

As for me, doctor appointment yesterday put me at almost 3 cm. So 1cm movement in 2 weeks! I'm expecting another 2 weeks. We go back in another 1 1/2 weeks. Kris has to go out of town on Thursday and Friday this coming week, and I refused to bring both kids with me so they are letting me go a little longer before another appointment. Tired of being pregnant though. Lots of Braxton Hicks contractions, but nothing substantial.

Merry Christmas!

We hope that everyone out there had a wonderful Christmas!

We sure did! My parents and sister came down to spend Christmas with us this year, since we are unable to travel. We all had a great time. We did a little shopping on Christmas Eve as well as Robin and I getting our nails done. My dad read The Night Before Christmas for everyone before bedtime, with Ryan cuddling right up to him to hear it! We opened some gifts that night too - and got a Wii! Something we totally didn't expect!

On Christmas, we opened gifts for over 2 hours - we all got way too much. My mom wasn't feeling good, so she ended up sleeping most the day, but the rest of us played with all the new toys and had a great turkey dinner that Kris made.

My dad and Robin took Ryan to the movies to see Alvin and the Chipmunks the day after Christmas. He loved it and has been quoting it ever since. We were impressed he did so well. Kris and I even got to see a movie too. Then we all went out to celebrate my dad's birthday. Sadly, my family had to leave today to go home and back to work (at least my mom and Robin do).

We thank everyone for the great presents that we all received. Everyone was way too generous and thoughtful! We all hope that everyone enjoys everything they received from us as well and had a wonderful holiday!