Snow 2010

Between Friday and Saturday we got about 6-7" of snow. It is strange having all this snow this year when we haven't seen it in so long! Seriously, it's been 10 years since we've had more than a dusting! William worked all day yesterday so today was the 1st time we were able to get out in it. We all went to mom and dad's and played outside. We pulled the sled behind the 4-wheeler. Chey had a great time riding with Poppa and sledding with Nana! I had fun too. I got to sled for a while. Felt like a kid again, that is until I came inside and dealt with Cheyenne's tantrum, but that's a whole other post. It's been pretty, but I've had enough for a while!

My family

Mommy and Chey sledding!

Miss Emma
Nana and Chey sledding!

My daddy and me. The best in the world. :)
William and Hailey

Chey and Poppa

Chey's Sick

Yesterday Cheyenne woke up from her nap with a fever. 101.2 fever. I gave her motrin and once it broke she seemed to be feeling okay. I gave her more before she went to bed. She woke up around 4am coughing and calling for me. I checked her, and she had a fever once again. This time of 102. She just couldn't quit coughing. I got her some juice and put some vapo rub on her chest. She was coughing so much she was gagging. After taking a sip of her juice she said "thank you mommy, I love you mommy." I fely my heart ache when she said those words, unprompted. I layed down with her and rubbed her head to help her get to sleep but she was just coughing too much. I made her some warm juice and put a little honey in it and that seemed to help so I left her and she fell asleep for about an hour before waking up coughing again. She feels awful. You can tell. She hasn't eaten or drank much of anything all day and it just sitting around on the couch. I put her down for a nap around noon and she's just in there coughing. She may doze off for 15 minutes or so but then starts up again and whines. I feel so bad for her. Sleep is usually the best medicine and when you can rest it makes you feel so much worse. Hopefully she'll get better real soon. Say a little prayer for her. Either way I guess we're stuck inside because of the 6-8" of snow we're supposed to get tomorrow afternoon...Oh Vey.

Painting

I got the urge to paint my "office" last week. So I had Katherine's good friend Carol come over to help me pick out a color. Carol has been an interior decorator for years and she's so good! She chose this color. I told her I wanted something light and airy that would make me think of the beach. I haven't gotten all my pictures and what not put back up yet and still have some organizing to do but here it is! Love it!

Strawberry Smoothies

Cheyenne woke up from her nap coughing and with a 101.2 fever. After giving her some Motrin I thought I would make strawberry smoothies to help soothe her throat from all the coughing. I saw thing on Noggin and wondered why I hadn't thought about it before. Especially when we had TONS of stawberries this spring after going strawberry picking! Here's the recipe.

Cut up strawberries and put in blender.

Add a container of vanilla yogurt. I used Dannon Light and Fit. Add a splash of orange juice and 3-4 cubes of ice

Blend!

Enjoy!

Sunset Pics

I have been taking a photography class on Tuesday nights at the Sawtooth Enrichment Center in Winston Salem. I am learning so much! The weather hasn't been too cooperative lately so I have been able to get outside and shoot. This evening the sky was beautiful so I braved the cold and went outside for about 10 minutes. I shot these 2 pictures in full Manual mode on my DSLR. Meaning I chose the shutter speed, aperature, ISO, etc. The camera did nothing "for" me. I was pleased with the results. What do you think?

Nucking Futs Mama

www.mama2point0.wordpress.com

Check out this blog. Nucking Futs Mama. I love to read her stuff. She's hilarious.

Hailey Can Sit!

In the past few days, Hailey has gone from tumbling over after 2-3 seconds of sitting to sitting up for 5-10 minutes at a time before getting tired. It's amazing to see her change so dramatically in just a few days. I remember Chey was the same. My babies are growing so fast. Slow down girls!

Welcome to the Family B.O.B

I sold my single B.O.B. on craigslist last Friday and bought the Duallie B.O.B.

We took him for a stroll today. It didn't last long because the wind has been fierce today. The girls loved riding! It makes walking so much easier than pushing a single stroller and Chey's push car at the same time. I'm one happy momma.

Cheyenne is 2!

Cheyenne turned 2 today! She had school this morning. We took Chick-Fil-A mini biscuits for her class to have to celebrate her birthday. Her teacher said they loved it! Here she is all ready to go to school this morning. She is loving wearing her rain boots ALL THE TIME.
She managed to get the child lock off the pantry door and get into the cannister of raisins. As you can see they are all over the floor. Cheyenne has started this year off getting into all kinds of trouble. While Chey was at school this morning, Hailey and I went to the store and got Chey a giant cookie to have after dinner for her birthday. This afternoon I put Hailey down for a nap and come down the stairs to find this:

Things she did today that I didn't get pictures of:

-peed on the floor, RIGHT BESIDE her potty

-hit Hailey on the head with her Dora figurine

-while she was supposed to be napping, took all her clothes off as well as her diaper, when I went to get her up she was laying on her bed naked ( I had to laugh at this one)

I'm sure there were more but that's all I can think of. She is most definetly starting the terrible two's! But while she drives me crazy, I love her to death. She's so sweet when she says "I love you mommy!" and when she says "yes please" and loves to say the blessing at dinner. She has changed so much since last year. At 2 years old she can have a conversation with you, is almost potty trained and loves school! She weighs about 29 lbs and is wearing 2T-3T clothes.

Reba/George Concert

2 Years ago for Christmas I had bought 4 tickets to see Reba McEntire in concert. 2 for my mom and dad for Christmas and 2 for William and I. Well Cheyenne decided to make her apperance on January 25th, the same night as the concert. So we missed it. So I got them tickets again this year. Funny that it ended up being on the same day as Cheyenne's birthday party. William, myself, mom and dad went to see Reba and George Strait last night! Leann Womack opened for themI really enjoyed Reba's part of the show. I was really disappointed with George. He played probably 5 songs that I knew and 10 that I didn't. I don't know why he wouldn't play his good, popular stuff. His encore performance was singing 2 Johnny Cash songs. Now while I have nothing against Johnny Cash (I love the movie "Walk The Line"!) But I came to see him and hear his music, not Mr. Cash's. Anyway, it was worth every penny to see Reba and for her to come out in that red dress for her encore and sing Fancy. Love it! ( I have a pic of mom and dad at the concert but mom will probably kill me if I put it up :) )

Changed into the fancy red dress to sing "Fancy!" I love Reba! She's is an amazing singer/actor!

Lee Ann Womack opening

Clip of singing "Strange"

Hailey 6 Months

Hailey is 6 Months! She is sitting up somewhat. She can sit for 10-20 seconds before toppling over. I have a feeling within a week or so she'll be sitting up like a champ! She weighed 18 lbs when I took her to the doctor on Friday. She's getting to be a big girl! No where near what Chey was at this age. She is loving solids having breakfast of fruit and cereal and lunch or dinner of a veggie depending on how our day goes. She is still nursing, having maybe 2-3oz of formula a day if I need to supplement. Some days I'm not even having to! (I'm really proud to say I've made it to 6 months because it has not been easy!) She has recently found her feet and loves to "eat" her toes. Too cute. She loves to laugh and smile at Cheyenne, especially when Cheyenne is making a scene. Hailey thinks it's the funniest thing. She regularly get up at 6:30am and goes to bed between 6:30-7:15 most nights. I would rather do a 7:30am-7:30pm but she didn't ask my opinion on the subject. She still loves her jumperoo and is napping pretty decent most days. Sometimes 2 long naps and 1 short, sometimes 4 short naps. You get the idea. We just have to go with the flow with Hailey since we have preschool runs, playdates, grocery shopping etc to do. I love this little girl. She is growing so fast. It makes me a little sad.

Cheyenne's 2nd Birthday Festivities

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My Amazing Sister

I haven't had a good nights sleep in over 2 years. The last such night was probably sometimes in my 2nd trimester of my pregnancy with Cheyenne and even then it was the kind of sleep that was disrupted by all manner of first pregnancy anxieties. Since then, it's been one long battle of sleep-averse children, parental insomnia, second pregnancy discomfort and anxiety and and just general household chaos, all of which work against sleep.

So yeah, I haven't slept in years.

But when I think about that and put it in perspective, I think about Jen. Jenny probably has it much worse. Jen is pregnant with her 2nd daughter, Ryleigh. She works 3rd shift in the NICU of Women's hospital and cares for her 1st daughter, Emma during the day. I do not know how she does it. Her pregnancies have not being easy. They have been full of complications but she always seems to have a good attitude about it and gets through it, no matter how much pain or discomfort she is in. I want her to know just how much I love and admire her for what she's doing. She is contributing to her family working and is doing the best thing for Emma staying home with her. I commend her immensely. Jen and I have recently gotten closer than we have been in awhile. We both had some bottled up feelings and finally aired them and it's made us get along better and much closer, I think. I have no problem asking her for advice and know that she'll do anything for me. I thank God that we were able to move past everything. I love you Jen and think you are an amazing person and mother. You are always thinking of others and putting them first, even when you haven't slept in days, you would rather spend time with your family. You're awesome! :)

School (kinda boring)

Been doing alot of thinking about school the last few days. For those of you who don't know I've been in college since I graduated high school 7 years ago. I got a certificate in Early Childhood Education but decided I want to pursue teaching. Here are the classes I have completed:

-Expository Writing
-Argument-Based Research
-Intro to Literature
-Art Appreciation
-Critical Thinking
-General Psychology
-Developmental Psychology
-Intro to Sociology
-Western Civilization
-American History
-Principles of Biology/Lab
-Conceptual Physics/Lab
-Fit and Well for Life
-Intro to Computers
-Public Speaking

Not to Mention these courses that I took before deciding to pursue teaching:

(Early Childhood Certificate)
-Creative Activities/Lab
-Health, Safety and Nutrition
-Child Development I and II
-Child Guidance
-Early Childhood Administration
-Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Guidance

(When I thought I wanted to do medical transcription so I could work from home)
-Word Processing
-Office Software Applications
-Medical Terminology
-Keyboard Skill Building

These are the classes I have left to take before I can transfer to UNCG, Guilford or another 4 year University and complete the degree and student teaching:

-Survery of Mathematics
-College Algebra
-American Literature I & II
-British Literature I & II
-Intro to Education
(The literature courses are for my 2nd concentration that is required-I chose English major)

So you see, while I have accomplished so much, I have a ways to go. I feel like I should have something to show for all of this! But honestly, I don't know how I've done what I've done so far, gotten married and had 2 children. I guess I just wanted to do it the hard way subconsciously. Anyway, sorry of this was boring. I wanted to get it all down of what I've done and have yet to do. Hope it was educational!

Stream Of Consciousness (ie. random thoughts)

Cheyenne is at school. Hailey is napping. I'm making baby food and thinking about school. I had a photography class last night; can't wait for next weeks class. Cheyenne and Hailey both woke at 5am this morning. I think they are conspiring against us. I've had a cold for 2 days and can't sleep. I need to get the house clean for Cheyenne's birthday party Saturday. I need to get Cheyenne a birthday present. Hoping William doesn't have to work late again tonight. I love M&M's and wish they weren't in the house. I sure spent too much on groceries this morning. I hope Cheyenne naps and isn't whiney this afternoon. I guess that's about it.

Dear Cheyenne

Dear Cheyenne,

I love that you are outgoing and love to run about and play. I love that you have so much energy (at times I do anyway) and I love that you aren't the least bit shy. I love your big blue eyes and your contagious smile.
I do not, however, love you standing at my feet whining constantly (especially when I'm trying to put your sister down for a nap and she's crying as well). I don't love that you have now started throwing the biggest tantrums I've ever seen over something as silly as a cookie. I don't love that you have not napped for 5 days and you bang on your door (waking your sister) when you are supposed to be sleeping. I don't love that you took a PERMANENT marker to the steering wheel of the van and crayons to my walls. But I do love you. I always will, no matter what you do. But could you please tone it down just a notch?

Love,
Mommy

Meet Bob

Meet BOB. He's great! I love him so much. He's the best stroller ever. He goes anywhere and everywhere and is so comfortable. I miss pushing him along. But now there are 2. And BOB has been left alone alot lately. Hailey loves riding in BOB and Cheyenne is jealous that Hailey gets to ride in BOB and she doesn't. So we need BOB's twin brother. Meet BOB's twin brother. Double BOB. He would love to be a part of our family, but as it stands Double BOB is kinda greedy and wants too much money for his services. So unless we can adopt him from another family who no longer wants him, looks like we'll have to live without him. But oh how I would love Double BOB.

I Know I'm Going to Miss This

There are some days that I about go nuts. Just ask William. There are days when he walks in the door and I'm almost in tears, Cheyenne is whining and Hailey is crying. I just hand him the baby. I think to myself how am I ever going to survive? Somehow, I do though. At 8pm, when Cheyenne is tucked into her bed and Hailey is fast asleep in her crib, I finally have a moments peace. I treasure those 10 hours or so of relative peace (when Hailey decides she wants to sleep that night).

But I also treasure other moments. One night recently, William was still at work when I was getting the girls bathed and put to bed. I nursed Hailey and put her in her crib for the night. I got Cheyenne into her PJ's and brushed her hair while she watched Dora. I took her into her room and she layed in my arms while I read her books. Every few minutes she would look up at me and say "I love you mommy" and kiss me. So while I'm reading as fast as I can so I can get her in bed and finally be alone, I find myself wanting to read another book. And another, because she'll let me. She wants to sit with me and let me hold her. She wants me. I let my mind wander to the future. Cheyenne is about 15 years old and the last thing she wants is her mother tucking her in or reading her books. She hibernates in her room and barely speaks to me, as teenagers often do. So I decide that I'm going to hold her and kiss her as much as she'll let me. I'm gonna miss this. My days are chaotic to say the least. And sometimes I have found myself wishing Hailey's 1st year away. Let's just get through the teething, lets get through the sleepless nights, I can't wait until she's down to just 1 nap so I don't have to fight her to get to sleep. As I held and rocked her this afternoon and sang to her before I put her down for a nap, she looked up at me and smiled and her big blue eyes sparkled. I thought about Cheyenne when she was that little. Now she's so big I can hardly pick her up anymore. Hailey reached her hands up to my face and I kissed her hands and said I'm gonna miss this.

Pictures From This Week

Swingin'
Making a Funny Face

Jumpin'
Sittin in the Bumbo

Cheyenne's Christmas Party

Cheyenne and Mrs. Tara Cheesin

Singing "5 Little Monkeys"

Today at school Cheyenne had her Christmas Party! Yes, I realize Christmas has come and gone, but their party was cancelled because of the snow we got. So they had it today. It was alot of fun to see Cheyenne sing songs! They sang the Wheels On the Bus, ABC's, 5 Little Monkey's and sang a prayer before their snack. Cheyenne was so loud when she was singing! One of the parents commented to me that she is ready to do a commercial! Ha! Anyway, she definetely is the most outgoing one in her class (don't know if that's a good thing?). I had Hailey with me in the Moby and had my camera so it was hard for me to do much of anything when it came to keeping Cheyenne from going back to the snack table time and time again, taking a bite of everything and putting it back. Anyway, it was great to see what Cheyenne does at school. She is such a smart little girl, and I'm not just saying that! She's not quite 2 years old and sings her ABC's (leaving out a few letters, but still!) and can count to 10! I didn't know that she could until yesterday when I heard her in the back of the car counting! She's learned so much!

What do you think?

What do you think? Do I have what it takes?

Hailey's Morning

Hanging out in her crib

Watching her butterfly mobile while I got Cheyenne cleaned up (see previous post!) Flying with daddy!

Terrible Two's Two Weeks Early

Chey has been quite the troublemaker this morning.

First, she was being sneaky stealing some grapes that I had just washed... after I told her she had had enough...Then she snuck upstairs and somehow managed to get the childlock off my undersink cabinet and pull out my body oil and poured half of it all over herself. Then I put her in the bathtub to wash all the oil off of her and I stepped out for 2 minutes to check on Hailey and Cheyenne and poured everybit of this bubble bath into the tub. (It was brand new. Just bought it yesterday) So needless to say the tub had about 2 feet of bubbles in it and that's $3.50 down the drain, literally.

It Fits Chey! I Had My Doubts...

The BumGenius diaper on Chey! It really fits her too!

Hailey In Her Walker