O Holy Night

Monk got this CUTE Little People's nativity for Christmas. I was really excited about it because my nativity was brought home from Israel and I really wanted Monk to be able to play with it. This allows him to play with a nativity set all he wants and I don't have to worry about anything getting wrecked. I also thought I would start the tradition of letting him set up the scene himself every year. This was his first attempt. Some things are a little hard to see, but in the corner of the manger is the baby Jesus. Monk's crib is the corner of his room like that so I am assuming that this is the reason that he placed him there :). I think Joseph is hanging out with the wise men, as is typical for men, leave the baby in the barn, it will be fine for a minute. Mary is by the animals, despite just giving birth she has to feed the animals as well. Little does she know that Joseph has left the baby alone. Joseph must be really trusting of those sheep around that baby... This made me laugh and I cannot wait to see what is in store for next year's manger scene.

Couldn't Ask For Anything Better

This Christmas was exceptionally great! There were so many things that I loved and was thankful for. The biggest thing that made me enjoy it the most was the fact that I finally found relief to some sickness that I was having. Feeling better made me able to enjoy my family a whole lot more. I also enjoyed having my brother home for the holidays. It has been almost two years since I have seen him last so this was a HUGE treat for me. He is the kind of person that makes everyone around him happy, Monk just loves him to pieces and now every time I mention going to Papa and Nana's he chimes in with, "Chris?" We had a busy holiday with Christmas Eve at my parents, Christmas afternoon with my mom's side, and Christmas night with the three Tripp musketeers. Above is a picture of Monk in his new frog rain gear. The look on his face is from the anticipation of getting to hold the frog umbrella to match. Even though he had a turtle neck and a sweater on he still insisted on wearing this rain coat and boots for awhile that night.

Christmas cookies made by an aunt and some cousins are truly the best Christmas Eve treat especially at almost 11 o'clock at night.
Here is Monk's most prize possession from this holiday. He got a new trike from Papa and Nana. On Christmas morning the trike was still in the car, Fisherman went and got Monk from his crib and brought him into bed with us. The first words out of his mouth were, "bike?" So here he is Christmas morning in his Christmas light jammies with his milk in the trunk of his bike. This new ride is complete with a horn and a personalized license plate. One of the things that I found myself thinking throughout this whole Christmas process this year was all the awesome gifts we were getting and how I could not possibly document all of them. So many were special and unique for the person they were bought for. I found myself struggling with what pictures to take and how I was going to be able to fit everything on two creative memories pages. This made me feel so incredibly blessed and I found myself telling Monk how blessed he was too to have a Grandpa, a Grandma, a Papa, a Nana, a Mama, a Daddy, Uncles, Aunts, and Cousins all that love him dearly.
This last picture is a hat that I gave to Fisherman, but he was unable to try it on for a long time after it was opened because Monk was "Cowboy Tyrone." Little things like these make us laugh and we are reminded of the joy that our kids bring us. This year for Christmas we got Monk all little gifts because his main gift is a kindermusik class that we enrolled him in for after the baby comes. We thought this would be great one on one time with him. There were so many pictures that I wanted to post because I love them, but I made myself choose a few of the highlights. Monk loved this Christmas. He loved opening the gifts and once the paper was off the first words out of his mouth were, "open pease." He loved singing Happy Birthday to baby Jesus and saying Merry Christmas. Hearing the words baby Jesus coming out of an almost 2 year old mouth is heart melting. Fisherman and I ended the Christmas Day tucking our wonderful baby boy into his crib and watching the Nativity Story. This was the best way to end the night because we were reminded of the miracle of Christmas. This movie was all the more special this year because I was also pregnant and to think that Mary felt the same things I am right now. I was in awe at the things that Mary and Joseph had to sacrifice and the joy that the little baby brought them. We hope that your Christmas was as bright and as meaningful as ours.

Critter Barn

A couple of weekends ago we visited the Critter Barn and it is absolutely adorable this time of year. They have a live nativity that I would love to see, but the two year old that we take care of had a different idea, like petting the bunnies.
There were baby chicks and baby ducks.
I would have to say that feeding the goats was the highlight for Monk. I loved seeing the smile on his face, but the whole time I couldn't think of anything other than his hand being bitten off. Another great holiday activity.

Seven Months

Last week Tuesday marked my seventh month as being finished. I am officially in the eighth month. I cannot believe how fast this pregnancy has gone. When you already have a child to tend to pregnancy sometimes is the last thing on your mind. Except maybe when your back hurts and you can't sleep at night :). I had a doctor's appointment this morning and everything is looking good. Doc is looking to take the baby a week earlier than my due date because of the babies size. I don't really care for being induced and would love to know the feeling of going into labor by myself, but I also want to avoid a c-section at all costs and so delivering a little early will make the chances of that happening a little less. I can't wait to meet you little one. Only about 7 1/2 weeks to go if you come a week early.

Christmas at the cabin

This past weekend we went to visit Grandpa and Grandma to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary as well as Christmas. Monk had a great time with his cousins and loved opening all the presents. This year he is far more interested in unwrapping the presents so it makes for a fun time.Daddy and Monk having a good time.
A remote control car!!!!!

Monk loved having some fun with his uncles and aunt.

And stocking stuffers are always a hit. All in all a great weekend. I love being at the cabin when the snow falls and this weekend was perfect for that. It fell almost all night Saturday and some on Sunday morning. Monk and I even stepped outside to catch some on our tongues. It just made it feel all the more like Christmas.

New Room

FINALLY blogger is letting me download my pictures. I have been waiting so patiently and the hour has finally come. Last weekend we moved Monk out of the nursery into the basement. It was a hard move for me because now my bedroom will no longer be right next to his.
I wanted him to get used to being in this room well before the new baby arrived so that he wouldn't feel like the baby was taking everything away from him.
Things have not gone as planned. This probably was not the best time to make the transition since he has had ear infections galore. He has not been wanting to go to bed and has been rising at the butt crack of dawn. So this means less sleep for his pregnant mama.

I know that this is something that he will have to get used to and it may take some time, but it has been a little hard on everyone. Hopefully he will get used to it soon and that his sickness will go away.

Twenty-Two Months 12/8/07 - Monk

Tomorrow little man you are twenty-two months old. This past month I have often found myself looking at you and thinking about the little boy that you are turning into. Part of me is rejoicing because of all the new things that you have accomplished and part of me is sad because everyday that passes you seem to need one less thing from me and lets face it, as much as I get annoyed being needed by you to get your milk when I am lying on the couch, it makes me feel whole and loved.
I am realizing more and more everyday that it is in the "mundane" things of life that you are changing more and more. Things that would be easy to pass by and be left unnoticed because they seem so normal. My prayer is that I will never overlook these "everyday" things and that I will be able to hold them in my heart. Things like how your kisses have evolved from barely touching my cheek to an all out wet sloppy mess left behind or how instead of using one or two words together you are putting three or more together.
Your greatest love in the past month is art. You could sit and color, paint, or play with play-doh for hours. I have now hidden the play-doh, not because I don't want you to enjoy yourself, but because you seem to want to play with it at the most inopportune times like right as we are about to eat dinner. Along with the things you like there is always something you don't and sleep is it for this past month. Not only are you going to bed later than you used to, but you are waking up earlier. You are so tired by 10 am, but when your nap rolls around you lay down for a short hour. Being pregnant with your baby sister or brother I have not been so thrilled about this new development, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that you probably wouldn't posses some of those traits that I love oh so much if you slept more than you do. What I am trying to say is that you just wouldn't be Monk.
Last night while we were eating dinner as a family, which by the way is one of my favorite times of the day, I looked at you and thought of you as one of my best friends. You are the person that I spend the most time with and although we can't hold a conversation that I could with an adult you are always there for me and love me no matter what. So as funny as that may sound to have a 22 month old best friend, I think it's true. I love ya kid, more and more each day.
Love, Mama

Favorites

I love Christmas ornaments and the beauty that they hold. Here are my favorites of each family member. This Christmas tree is a Christopher Radko ornament given to me by my parents and has been my favorite for a long time. It doesn't really hold any special meaning, but every time I take it out of the box it gives me a warm feeling.
This ornament is my favorite of Monk's. It is a Waterford Crystal Baby's First Christmas ornament. It was hard for me to get a good picture of it. It you can't tell it is a rattle. It hangs on a crimson string with a tassel holding it together and it's box is almost as wonderful as the ornament itself.
This is my favorite of Fisherman's ornaments. I am not sure who made it, but it is hand made. A glass ball with hand painted trout on it. The most amazing part is that the painting is inside the ball.

This is Monk's Christmas ornament from us this year. He is going to have a truck birthday for his second birthday and is really into trucks so we thought this would be fitting in remembering this year's Christmas.

Oh Christmas Tree!

This weekend we went and got our Christmas tree. First off here is our little man hanging the stockings. I wanted this picture to be the last picture, but blogger was being a snob today and this is the only order I could get them in. Monk looks so big boy in this picture, I can hardly handle it. I thought it would be a good idea for him to put up the stockings, but now I am regretting my decision a bit because the stockings are not staying in one place, but rather are up and down all the time.
On our way to get the tree. We had to drive to Muskegon because we get a Frasier fur from one of Fisherman's friends. Monk just had to wear his boots in the car. We had such a nice time as a family during this trip. Monk was happy in the backseat with the Veggie Tales Christmas playing over the radio. Fisherman and I were in the front seat laughing at the Veggie Tales Christmas CD and when we laughed, Monk would too. Moments like those make having children priceless. As much as I dread doing the work that is involved with putting up a tree, I really love the memories that it creates. We all worked together to get things done and shared lots of laughter. I also loved when I walked into the living room after everything was all finished and my nose was filled with the smell of fresh pine tree. MMMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmm.

My two boys!

P.S. We are no longer able to listen to anything else in the car other than Veggie Tales Christmas because if we turn it off say to listen to Free Beer and Hot Wings in the morning, a voice from the back seat repeats AGAIN AGAIN until you surrender and put Veggie Tales back on.

Kozy Time

Now I know I look absolutely AMAZING in this picture, but I just wanted to share one of the things that got me through Monk's ear infection. He wanted to be held constantly while he was sick. Being pregnant, 27 pounds got to be a little heavy and I was also unable to get anything done. For the last couple of nights I was able to get dinner made with the help of this little kozy carrier. Monk was able to help and stay close to Mama. I don't like when kids are sick, but the cuddle time sure is FANTASTIC!

Christmas Parade

On Monday we went to the Christmas parade. We were lucky to get Monk to wear his boots and his mittens. I am not sure how this child is ever going to be able to play outside this winter because whenever you put layers on him, he cries and says "tickle." Waiting for the parade to start was the problem. I don't think that he was feeling a hundred percent yet and so we dealt with a toddler with an attitude until the parade started.
Once it started though he was pretty interested and loved all the candy that they handed out.
His favorites of the night were "frosty" and the horses. Monk LOVES Frosty! He would watch the movie 5 times in a row if we let him.

Thanksgiving Weekend

We hope that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. This year in our house we are thankful for hugs, kisses, toddler boys with blue eyes, and a new little one in mama's tummy.Thanksgiving weekend was not all that it is cracked up to be for the Monk I ended up taking him to the ER on Saturday morning because he woke up with a fever of almost 104. He had a fever all day on Friday and when it spiked as high as it did, the mom in me panicked. He ended up having an ear infection so all weekend we dealt with an overly tired boy who didn't want to sleep because his ear hurt. As you can see in the picture above he is smiling, but his eyes say it all. On Sunday morning he had a temp of 104.3. I never knew that ear infections could cause such high fevers, but I have a sneaking suspicion that this one has been brewing for awhile. Some GREAT things about the ear infection were that I got to spend lots of time cuddling with my bean. We stayed close to home and he spent lots of time in our bed. Today is a new day though and he seems to be in much better spirits so the antibiotic is working.

Just Kidding!

So I had another doctor's appointment today for baby #2. I am no longer in the range of normal for measurements, I am measuring about two weeks ahead, just as I was with Monk only I started measuring larger with him earlier on. Part of me longs for that little tiny baby, but I guess that I need to realize that nothing under 9 pounds will ever happen for me. I don't care what size the baby is because health is the only real thing that matters, but I find myself a little sad/worried. The fear that I had with Monk is all coming back to me. I am afraid that I will labor only to find out that the baby is too large and a c-section will have to be done on top of all the laboring that I did. Another thing is I REALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLY want to be able to nurse this baby. Big babies require lots of food and my low milk supply is not conducive to this situation. I know that everything will end up just how it is supposed to be and nothing will matter once I hold that little nugget in my arms, but I just can't help having some worries.

We will miss you Angler James!

Angler went to a foster home this weekend so we are officially dogless. It feels so weird to not have to go downstairs when we get home or not step out unto the freezing cement floor right before going to bed to let the dogs out. Not only will we miss this white dog, but Monk will for sure. Monk loved Angler probably because Angler didn't care what Monk did to him. Yesterday when we got home from church Monk ran down the hall into our bedroom calling for Annler. My stomach dropped and I was so sad that Angler was gone and that I had to explain this to my two year old. We will miss you Angler. We hope that you find a great home with lots of love.

Six Months

Well I have to admit that I am starting to get a little antsy. Up until the last couple of weeks I have been fine with carrying this baby and the time has gone super fast, but lately all my mind can say is "three more months!" I am glad that the baby will be in my tummy during the holidays because most mom's know that it is a lot easier being pregnant than having a newborn :), but I am just so anxious to meet this new little person. I have been preparing the house a little bit here and there with some new organization and soon I will wash all the little 0-3 month old clothes. It just gets me so excited for what is to come. I know that the time will go fast, but I am just way to excited to sleep on my back again and not get sick every other week anymore. So here is to a good last three months.

Good Bye to a Grandma Dog

In August Fisherman and I made the decision that it would be best for the dogs to go to another home. This was probably one of the hardest decisions that I have ever had to make because I love these dogs and they have a been a huge part of our lives for so long, but with two small children, me working part time, and with Fisherman putting in lots of hours we just couldn't do it anymore. They were not getting enough attention or exercise so they were starting to act out a bit by chewing Monk's toys and going to the bathroom in their crates. We were also running into a lot of problems if we wanted to go away. No one wants to have two big dogs at their house and we couldn't' really pay for them to be kenneled. After a lot of time of weighing the good and the bad we decided that it was right for us to give them to another deserving family. The cool thing about Compassion for Greyhounds is that you have to give the dogs back to them and then they find a good home for the dogs. So I know that they will not end up at the humane society or something. I had to drop of Sincerely off this past Saturday and boy did I cry like a baby. I didn't realize how hard it would be for me. I know that she is going to a better family that has a huge fenced in back yard and older kids to play with, but I still had a really hard time. We love you and will miss you Grandma Dog.

What would you Bring?

So I went to bed last night thinking about the fires in California and what I would pack if I had to leave my home knowing that it may burn down to the ground. My pregnant brain then went wild and came up with a crazy dream. My family and I had to leave town because something was taking over. I am pretty sure that this something was people that wore masks sort of like Darth Vader and rode around on horses, but I can't totally remember. Anyway I had to choose the things that I wanted to take and I practically took nothing other than the people that I loved. Another crazy thing about the dream is that we didn't leave in our cars like probably a normal person would, but rather on a tractor with a flat bed behind it. Kind of like a hay ride, HA! There are a couple of things that I own that are priceless to me like all my creative memory albums, my camera, the jewelry that Fisherman gave to me, and some heirloom stuff, but other than that all the junk that I have in my house does not matter at all compared to the people that are in my life. I found myself wondering why I love to shop so much then. So what would you bring if you had a half hour to pack?

Twenty One Months 11/08/2007 - Monk

Tomorrow you have been a part of our life for a total of twenty-one months. Each month that passes I find myself saying that this is the best. When you were three months I felt like things were great. At six months I thought that things could not get better than this. At nine months I swore that this had to be the best. As you got older things got more and more fun. I think the reason for this is that I fall deeper and deeper in love with you every day. Each day you give me another reason to love you more.
One thing that has made me love you even more this month is that you repeat everything that I say to you. Even if you have never said the word before you always give it a try. What a great stage in life to have no inhibition and to be willing to try anything even though you don't know what the outcome is. My prayer for you is that you will always be able to do this because as you get older it gets harder and harder for you not to take into consideration what others think. My favorite words that you repeat is, "love you, monk." I say this to you several times a day and you are always my little echo. I hope that these words are used CONSTANTLY in our house and that we always know how much we love and care for each other.
All of your teeth are through except your two year molars. I am so excited about this because getting teeth causes you to be a bit of a whiny grouch. We have been having so much fun together because you are no longer in any type of pain in your mouth. One crazy thing that I love about you is your obsession with comfort. If something doesn't feel right on your body you refer to it as "tickle." I often find myself going from your coat, to your hat, to you shoes, and back again trying to figure out what the "tickle" is. I have to admit that I get a little frustrated at times, but all in all it makes me laugh because this OCD trait came from directly from me.

The last thing that has made me fall in love with you even deeper this month is your kisses. I look forward to those little pecks on my check. It melts my heart every stinkin' time and I can tell that your dad enjoys them as well. As I think back on this past month, I find myself thinking again that things could not get better than this, but I know I will be blown away by new little things that you learn next month too. I love you kid, more and more with each day.

Love, Mama

Never Fails to crack me up!

New Ride

Strollers are not really Monk's favorite place anymore, but for some reason he liked this one, which is good because he is going to have to get used to it with his new baby brother or sister coming. So I guess this is going to be us now. You will see us in the mall running over people's feet and clipping their legs with a newborn crying in the back and a toddler whining in the front. You know you have all seen them.

Happy Halloween from a FROG

Great News!

I had a doctor's appointment this morning and just wanted to let you all know that there were no abnormalities found. I am so relieved. I have been feeling good about it, but hearing those words made it all the better for me. Also I am measuring on target so far. This is EXCELLENT news for me because I don't want another huge baby. This little bean does have three more months to grow, but so far so good. I am aiming to keep it 9 lbs 5 oz and under. At this point in my pregnancy with Monk I was already measuring a lot larger.

Moose Jammie Monday

It's the GREAT Pumpkin

Grandpa and Grandma grew this HUGE pumpkin at their house and brought it over for Monk. We had so much fun carving it. First you need to draw a face on with a pencil.
Then you scoop out the guts.
Lastly you carve out the face and put a little light in it. Just to let you know right now Mr. Pumpkin is sitting on our kitchen floor with some odds and ends in it. Some candy, a couple pipe cleaners, and a plastic frog. We tried putting the pumpkin outside, but you see this was not acceptable in the toddler mind.