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!

Zoo and Museum Trips

The one nice thing about having all your Christmas shopping done and wrapped early is that you finally have time to do some fun family things. This past weekend, we went to both the zoo and the museum.

The Cincinnati Zoo holds their Festival of Lights every Christmas season. Ryan and I went a few years ago when Toyota was having a holiday get together there. Unfortunately, that was when Kris was travelling to Mexico and his flight was delayed, so he didn't get in on time to join us. We've been members at the zoo for 3 years now and this was the first time Kris had ever been there (I actually got a single parent membership knowing this!). It was cold out, but we enjoyed the Christmas lights everywhere and the lights that danced to music. There were a few animals out that we got to see, but mostly enjoyed spending time together.

On Saturday, we went to the Cincinnati Museum Center. They have a holiday train display that we went to last year (but Kris had to leave early, so he didn't get to see the trains) which the kids loved. They were able to push buttons to make trains and other things move, as well as ride a little train. We also went to the Children's museum, playing in all the little areas. Emma got banned (by me) from the water table after putting too many things in her mouth and trying to drink the water. But we all had fun and were exhausted by the end of the day.

Ryan's Christmas Program

Thursday was Ryan's preschool's Christmas program. And as last year, he ended up getting sick that morning. I think it was more his cold and phlegm, but he was feeling bad for a little bit and then better as the day went on. Although, I didn't send him to school, we took his up there to sing with his class and play for a little bit. Nana had driven down (second year), so we really wanted to see him sing. Kris even took some time off work to come and see him. His class sang 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town' and all the classes sang a few songs together. Ryan didn't look all that well, but he sang a little and had a great time with his friends playing afterwards. Emma even joined his class. We were so proud of him and he now has a very favorite Christmas song!

Breakfast With Santa

We went to have breakfast with Santa this morning. I'm not sure how they can call it breakfast when they give you (each child) 2 donut holes and an ounce of juice. This year, they doubled the price from $5 per child to $10 so you would have thought they might give out a whole donut - but no. While it's still cheaper than getting a picture at the mall, I think there are plenty of free places around here to do it and we probably won't next year.

In the past, Ryan has been way too freaked out to go near any of the people there, especially Santa and tears were usually involved. This year, he was hesitant, but did sit on Mrs. Claus's lap, while Emma got off Santa's lap and ran back to me within a minute. Ryan got more comfortable with the other characters as time went on and eventually joined a group dancing with Frosty. Emma hung back, not sure what to make of anything and found that playing with the balloons was the most fun. Unfortunately, I think my thumb changed the setting on my camera, so the one with Santa was blurry (also could have been a 1 year old charging me). But here are a few of the pics.