November 25th - Happy 17 months

Dear Nelia Jane,

Happy 17 months sweet girl!

The most exciting news this month is that you are finally walking!  November 5th was an exciting day in our household:)  You are practically running now, which has been so much fun!  You seem so proud of yourself and I think you love that you can walk - you just took your sweet time:)  We are so proud of you little Nuggie!

You are also talking a ton and saying so many new words!  Some of your newest words are: clean up (which sounds adorable!), dog, apple, more, please, daddy (instead of dada), milk, Santa, Bubba (our nickname for Roary), color, bird, duck, cow, horse, and help.  You imitate everything we say, which is also really fun.  You have learned a few new signs too - I love you (which is the cutest thing ever!), help, and all done.  In the last few days you have started doing something that daddy and I absolutely love!  When we put you in your crib to go to bed, you do the sign for 'I love you' and then you say bye and wave your hand.  Adorable!!!!  Gone are the days where you used to scream and cry when we left your room:)  Another cute thing you do is when we are out shopping and you see little kids (and often they are older than you) you say 'bayybeee' and do the sign for baby and then start waving. It is so cute!

In the last month you have started eating less at mealtimes and have become a bit pickier. Some of your favorites are: black beans w/ cheese, pasta w/tomato sauce, blueberries, apples, and grapes, turkey and chicken (dipped in ketchup or honey mustard), hash browns, cheerios, chicken nuggets, green beans, and peas.  You are still drinking about 20oz. of whole milk a day, although we are still having a hard time making the transition from the bottle to the sippy cup. I know that you will do it soon enough, but our goal is by 18 months.

You are just so much fun right now!!! Although this is probably the busiest and most tiring age, it is also the most fun!  It seems like you change everyday and/or learn something new everyday.  Right now you are really into imaginative play, which is adorable! You love to listen to your dolls/animals heartbeats with your stethoscope, you give your dolls/animals drinks of water, and food:) We bought you a doctor's kit and a little mini kitchen and they are your favorite toys right now. The other day I had a travel size body wash on the floor and you were feeding your baby doll a "bottle" with the body wash:)

Today is also your 2nd Thanksgiving, which has been really bittersweet. We miss Brent so much, but it has been fun watching you really experience a Thanksgiving - the turkey with gravy and pumpkin pie were your favorite.  We know that Uncle Brent would want you (and the rest of us) to all celebrate the day. We made some deviled eggs, which were Uncle Brent's favorite (and his specialty). You didn't really like your deviled egg, but we will be sure to keep trying:)  We went and visited your Uncle at the cemetary and had a quiet dinner with Nana.

We celebrated your 2nd Halloween this year too - you dressed up as a bumblebee:)  We had all of our family here for a Halloween brunch, which was lots of fun.  That night we took you trick-or-treating.  First stop was to Opa's house and he gave you a huge cupcake, yum! Then we went to about 10 other houses. You did such a great job walking to the door with either mama or daddy and then you would hold out your basket for your treat.

This month Uncle Brandon and Aunt Deanna came to visit - it was so nice to see them!!!  We all went to the pumpkin patch/farm, despite the pouring rain, and had a blast!  You rode your first pony, which you seemed to like, but you loved walking through the barn and looking at all of the animals the best.

You also really experienced your first snow just last week.  Of course it snowed last year, but you were too little to really play in the snow. This year we got you all bundled up, but you weren't a fan. Maybe next year:)

We are still keeping busy with playdates and Gymboree classes. We love all of our friends:)  We also discovered the Tacoma Children's Museum, which is super fun!  We even purchased a year membership because you really seemed to enjoy it.

Hard to believe you will be one and a half years old next month!  We love you so much Nelia Jane.

xoxo,
mama and daddy

Thankful challenge - day 25 and Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our family and friends! We are so thankful to have each and every one of you in our lives!

I am thankful for today - we were together as a family, we are all healthy, we had a day full of mostly laughter and smiles (and just a few tears), and we enjoyed a yummy meal.

We started off the day with a trip to Starbucks, we spent lots of time playing at home, we made deviled eggs in Brent's honor, we went and visited him at the cemetary and ate a few deviled eggs while there, and we picked up dinner at Whole Foods.  My mother in-law joined us for dinner and although it was just the four of us, we had a fabulous time! 

And this concludes the thankful challenge:) The best part is that I still have so many things that I am thankful for that I wasn't able to include in my challenge.  Doing this was such a great way to really think about all the things in my life that I am thankful for - some things that I don't even realize and take for granted.

I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday! And with that, here are some pictures from our day:)

Playing with Nana

Our pretty little girl:)

Getting the tickles:)

Peek a boo Nana!!!

Boooooo!

Checking out the crystal candle holders

Time to eat!

The food

Nelia loved the turkey with gravy, green beans, pretzel salad, and pumpkin pie

I hope YOU have a Happy Thanksgiving:)

Pretzel salad - soooo yummy!!! Diane's speciality:)

Thankful challenge - day 24

Today I am thankful for our families, both immediate and extended.  Patrick, Nelia, and I are so lucky to be surrounded by some many people who care about us. 

Thankful challenge - day 23

There isn't one thing in particular that I am thankful for today - I am just thankful for a fun, relaxing snow day!

It began with a snow playdate with Stephanie and Grace.  It is so fun having neighborhood friends - it makes playdates super easy!  They live just a few minutes away so it was a quick drive in the snow.  We got the girls all bundled up and went outside.  Grace loved the snow! Nelia, not so much:)  She loves looking at it from the window, but I think she is fine with not playing in it. She wouldn't even eat it! Silly girl!

Then we spent the afternoon at home playing, reading books, and relaxing.  Nelia napped and I did some online Christmas shopping, which is always fun!

We were invited to dinner by the Opsahls to celebrate Denise's 30th birthday:) We had a yummy dinner and just had a great time hanging out. The girls always have so much fun together and it was fun celebrating such an amazing friend!

Giving Sampson some tea:)

The girls watching Mickey Mouse while the adults eat - that lasted about 5 seconds:)

Eating dinner together like such big girls

Kisses for Sampson

So, overall, just a really great day!

Thankful challenge - day 22

Today I am thankful for my wam, cozy house:) 

We woke up this morning to snow!

It has been the perfect day to grab our blankets, books and magazines, and camp out on the sofa watching the snow fall and some of Nelia's favorite TV shows. Oh, and the eggnog latte delivered by Patrick was an especially nice way to enjoy the day:)

Thankful challenge - day 21

Today I am thankful for traditions.  I am thankful that Patrick, Nelia, and I will be able to start our own holiday traditions this year.  Unfortunately the holidays will be much different this year, but I look forward to finding ways to make them special for us.  Sadly we won't be surrounded by very much family, but we are trying our best to stay positive and to make it a fun experience. I know that my brother wouldn't want it any other way. He wouldn't want us to not celebrate - he absolutely loved Thanksgiving and Christmas.  For that reason we will be having deviled eggs on Thanksgiving. They were Brent's favorite. Although they won't be nearly as good because he didn't make them, but we will try our best for him:)

So far we have decided on Christmas Eve to make cookies with Nelia to leave out for Santa.  We will have my brother in-law and sister in-law here and will get to share this tradition with them.  We are still thinking about other traditions, but this is what we have for now.

What holiday traditions do you have?

Thankful challenge - day 20

Today I am thankful for happy memories.  Losing my brother has been the hardest thing that I have ever gone through.  However, I am so thankful that I have so many memories of him that I will hold close to my heart forever.  These are what keep me strong and these are what I look forward to sharing with Nelia and her siblings. 

Brent was like an uncle to his best friend Danny's little boy Aaron.  I remember Aaron's birthday last year as if it were yesterday.  I remember taking Nelia and being so excited to celebrate Aaron with my brother.  I am certain that Nelia and Aaron were two of Brent's most favorite people in the world! Anyways, tomorrow we will be celebrating Aaron's 3rd birthday. Here is a letter I included with Aaron's gift and a memory I would like to share with all of you:

Early January of this year, just after Christmas, Brent, Nelia, and I went to Toys R Us. Brent wanted to take Nelia and let her pick out a new toy. We all know how much Brent loved Toys R Us so the trip was for him tooJ We spent at least an hour going through every single aisle. I remember Brent getting so excited about all the toys that Nelia would be able to play with as she got older - and how excited he was to play with all of these toys with her.

After we went through all the girl aisles for Nelia we headed over to the boy aisles, which of course was super fun and exciting for Brent! I remember him pointing out certain toys that Aaron had that he thought were super cool and fun.

Then we came across this police car. We all know how much Brent wanted to be a police officer and he loved all things law enforcement related. So his eyes lit up when he saw this car. In fact, he was so excited that he almost bought it for Nelia, but then he figured she was a bit too young for itJ Then he almost bought it for himself because he thought it was that cool. He eventually decided that he would wait and save it if he had a little boy someday. Or he thought he would wait and buy it for Aaron.

So, of course it was my mission this year to find this police car for Aaron. It is his gift from BrentJ I hope Aaron likes it and finds it as cool as Brent did.

I also remember Brent always buying Lego’s for Aaron and I wanted to continue that tradition for him. So, I hope he doesn’t already have this set.

Happy Birthday Aaron!

Thankful challenge - day 19

Today I am thankful for a very lovely group of women who I met when I was planning my wedding.   We have formed an amazing community and I feel so incredibly blessed to know these women and to have them in my life. 

We have been friends for over 5 years and have shared so many happy moments together, we have laughed, cried, shared stories, sorrows, joys, and sadness. We have had babies, adopted furbabies, started new jobs, lost jobs, gone through divorces, started businesses, offered much fashion advice, answered frantic parenting concerns/questions, lost people close to us, and celebrated successes.  Through it all we have been there for eachother.

Ladies, you know who you are:) Thank you so much for being in my life! Love you all!

Thankful challenge - day 18

Today I am thankful for my phone - sounds kinda silly, but here is a list of everything I was able to accomplish using my phone today:

1. I was able to take pictures of Nelia throughout the day documenting different things that we were doing.  The camera phone is convenient and easy to use if I don't feel like carrying the big camera. Here is a picture of her opening up a box (Christmas presents). Someone was a little excited:)

2. My SIL Deanna and I texted back and forth about manis/pedis on Christmas Eve (which btw, the appointment is booked! Yay!  Talk about a fun Christmas Eve tradition.)

3. Denise and I texted back and forth and figured out a location for her birthday dinner next week. Yay!

4. I found a babysitter for Nelia and we were texting back and forth about upcoming dates/times that we would need her.  Yay again!

5. I had a lovely text conversation with my friend Yolanda, who I don't get to talk to or see often enough!  Her son was in my class a few years ago and Yolanda and I became great friends (and her son was an awesome student!). She is a wonderful person who always makes me smile:) She is such a positive person who truly cares about those in her life.  Thanks Yolanda for being so awesome!!  You are such a great example of a loving mother, friend, grandmother, etc. I am so lucky to have you in my life. xo

6. I had a great phone conversation (which doesn't happen often these days with Nelia) with my good friend Melissa.  Again, another person who I don't talk to or see often enough, but like always, we just pick up right where we left off. Melissa was my first friend I made when we lived in Spokane.  She is such an awesome, talented, genuine, caring, creative person and my life is so much better with her in it! Oh, and her family is awesome too - they were like our second family when we were living in Spokane. Thanks for a great talk Melissa and I can't wait to see you this weekend!

In our matching outfits for Bloomsday 2008:)

Aren't we funny getting ready for the race??:)  The girl in the middle is Danielle, Melissa's sister, who is also really awesome!

There were several other things that I used my phone for yesterday, but this is the short list:)  So, thank you Blackberrry for assisting me in keeping in touch with those I care about:)

Thankful challenge - day 17

Today I am thankful for my years as an elementary school teacher. Ever since I was a little girl I had always wanted to be two things: a teacher and a mommy.  My years as a teacher were fun, busy, stressful, inspiring, amusing, growing, and challenging.  I LOVED being a teacher and met so many wonderful colleagues, students, and parents.  I knew when I was pregnant that I would be leaving my position as a first grade teacher. It isn't something I regret because I love being home with Nelia, but I certainly miss many aspects of teaching and I especially miss the students. 

I know some of my readers are friends I met through teaching, past students, and parents of students so thank you for being such a important part of my life!

For fun, here are some pictures of my classroom at the beginning of the school year!

Thankful challenge - day 16

Today I am thankful for my cozy, comfy boots:)  They aren't the most stylish shoes in the world, but they are so comfortable. It's almost like wearing slippers:)

Thankful challenge - day 15

Today I am thankful for playdates!  Nelia and I are so lucky to have so many friends to spend our time with during the week.  Not only is it fun for me to visit with other mamas, but it is great for Nelia to socialize with her little friends:)  Thank you to all of our playdate friends for making our weeks so much fun!!!!  We love you all!

Sophie and Addison - we see these girls (and their wonderful mama Denise) several times a week.  I love that we live just a few minutes away from eachother and we have fun doing anything, whether it is a shopping playdate at Target, a comfy pants (our favorite!) playdate at one our our houses, or a trip to Costco.  Our week is always better when it includes these three:) 

Grace - we met Grace and her mama Stephanie through our neighborhood mom's group and we are so lucky to have met them!  The girls share the same birthday and always seem to have fun together. It will be fun watching these two grow up together.

Hunter - we met Hunter and his lovely mama Lindsey at Gymboree.  We quickly became really good friends and we always look forward to seeing these two. Hunter and Nelia love eachother too - in fact, they had their first kiss a few weeks ago:)

Stella - Brysann, Stella's mama, is one of my close friends from my teaching days.  Stella is Nelia's youngest friend, but we always look forward to seeing them.  We are getting excited for Stella to become more mobile.  I am sure soon enough we will be chasing these two around the house:)

Ethan - we don't see Ethan and his mama Martha very often, but they are two of our bestest friends:)  They are just about a month apart and like playing together. We look forward to seeing them in a few weeks!

Thank you friends for being such a huge part of our lives:) xoxo

Thankful challenge - day 14

Today I am thankful for a relaxing and fun girls weekend with my sister in-law Deanna.  We met in Boise, stayed at a fabulous hotel, ate delicious food (including our first ever chocolate souffle), drank some yummy drinks, spent an afternoon at the spa, had good conversation, and just relaxed.  So awesome!

I remember growing up and always wanting a sister. Of course I was more than happy to have my brother, but there is just something about sisters, right?  I will admit that I have a few girlfriends who I would consider like a sister, but I was thrilled when Deanna became my sister in-law!  Even more thrilled that we got along so fabulously!

I love Deanna because she is so genuine, caring, and sweet.  She is the type of person that everyone would want as a sister.  She has been there for me through many good times, but she has also been by my side during difficult times.  My life wouldn't be the same without her!  Thank you Deanna for a great weekend!

No camera this weekend (how did we both forget a camera???), but here are some pictures from the past:

Halloween 2010

Wedding Rehearsal 2005

2006ish in Shoup

2007 at Christmas

Thankful challenge - day 13

Today I am thankful for 60-minute massages.  Somehow I have been lucky enough to have had two massages in one month!  Pure bliss! 

The massage therapist today was able to figure out what side I normally carry Nelia on based on how tight and knotted up my back, shoulders, and neck were - interesting, huh?!  Needless to say, by the time my massage was over I was feeling so much better!

Thankful challenge - day 12

Today I am thankful for our two furbabies, Roary and Ramona.  Over the years they have provided us with so many smiles, laughter, and snuggles:)  Our lives wouldn't be the same without these two furballs:)

Roary joined our family in 2005, just after Patrick and I got married.  He loves drinking the milk from our cereal bowls, loves toys that dangle, is an avid user of his scratching post, and loves causing trouble in the middle of the night.

Ramona, who we mostly call Mona, joined us in 2007.  She was a foster kitty and within seconds of meeting her, she was curled up in Patrick's lap. Of course we had to bring her home! She is a little girl with a ton of energy, loves snuggling (sometimes a bit too much!), her favorite toy is the laser, and she only eats wet cat food.

These two together are the best of friends.  Often we find them curled up together, cleaning eachother, and causing mischief together. But like any siblings, they also have an occasional fight, but luckily they have more love for eachother than anything else.

Their little worlds were completely rocked when Miss Nelia joined our family.  Over the year they have grown to love their new sister.  Roary is very patient with Nelia and will even let her pet him and give him kisses. Mona on the other hand wants nothing to do with her and will usually run away.  No matter what though, they are always close by, keeping an eye on her.  Secretly, I think they really love her:)

Thank you kitties for being such an important part of our family:)

Pictures - 16 months!

Checking out her loot after trick-or-treating, which she loved!

Taking a rest break on her block:)

Look what Opa put in her trick-or-treat basket, yum!!!

Of course she went straight for the frosting:)

Play-doh!

I love it when she sits like this

Homemade ball pit using her swimming pool - so fun!

She loves to share:)

She is currently obsessed with that toy cookie in her hand...she calls it her 'cooooook'

This mess was created in about 5 minutes:)

This was created in about 2 minutes - and the result of me looking away for a few minutes:)