One tired turkey...

I made it through Thanksgiving, barely, but I made it!  My family wasn’t even out of the house good, before I was climbing in my bed.  All I could think was, I had a small window to take a nap, before my little diva woke from her's.  Pretty sad, I know…  But I was up with two sick kiddos throwing up the night before, and it was after 1:00 in the morning before I got settled on the couch (after washing two different loads and having to handwash two blankies), to be woke up by the husband wanting to know why we were sleeping the couch…  Really, can we talk about it later!

***Waiting on family to arrive***

Our Thanksgiving was very nice!  My husband out did himself getting all the side dishes together.  I know he was beyond tired himself since he worked the night before and didn’t get home until 5:00 in the morning.  But he we pulled it off.  It might not have been with the same class of my Nana’s, but we were all together, and everyone left with full bellies .

***Sissy getting to sit at the kiddie table for the 1st time***

I truly have so much to be thankful for, and sometimes I (like most people) lose sight of what is important at times.  It’s easy to do when you're feeling sorry for yourself.  But at the end of the day, I’m always reminded, by two sweet babies, what is important.  I try not to take my blessings for granted, as I’m so thankful for them all.

Yesterday morning as I was getting the kiddos ready (half asleep), I was talking to them about all the things that we are thankful for.  I’m pretty I was talking to myself, and that they didn't understand one word I was saying, but hopefully one day they will.

Family traditions are very important to me, and always have been.  I’m trying my best to following the traditions that my Papa & Nana put in place, as family get togethers are now being held at our house.  As the food and company are the same, it is so different not have the holiday dinners at my Papa & Nana’s house.  But, I’m so very thankful that my Nana was able to be with us yesterday.

Hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving yesterday!  No Black Friday shopping for us…  I have a wedding I have to start getting ready for.  I just hope I can fit into the dress still, after all the food I have consumed.

Cheers to it being Friday!

xoxo, Shanna

The photographer and his model...

Bubba, are you helping sissy with her portfolio...?

Looking adorable as always sissy! 

I think sissy has something else in mind…  I know that smile, and what it means...

Bubba she is getting closer…

You better watch out…

I believe I will take this if you don’t mind…

Thanks bubba, but I will take my own photos…  Poor little man, he got his camera taken away by a 6 month old. 

This morning started pretty early.  I was hoping my kiddos would let me sleep in, but it was just wishful thinking!  The little man woke up pretty demanding this morning.  Within the first two minutes of him being up, he wanted his milk, waffle and nana (banana).  Which that's all great, but I was still trying to wake up and open my eyes, and lets just say I wasn’t moving fast enough for him.  So he started screaming, nana nana nana…  Okay, I got it!  Little turkey butt!  So we ate our breakfast and watched a little George.  That is our morning routine.   

It was another gorgeous day here in Texas!  M & I went outside to play this morning while sissy took her morning nap.  I couldn’t believe how warm it was already, and how good it felt to be out in the sun.  The little man had fun getting to play outside with the dogs.

The little man played some basketball…

 Izzy chasing M, she wanted her tennis ball…

Little man, why are you sticking your tongue out at mama!?!

Mama, I have a new game…  Let’s throw the ball over the fence, and then use the golf club to get it…  Sure, why not!

You’re such a clever little man!

Way to go little man, you got it!  We did this several times this morning…  And each time, he wanted me to clap & cheer with excitement, as if it was the first time!

I love you so much, my sweet baby boy!

My grandparents come over today, along with my Aunt & Uncle.  It was nice getting to visit with everyone.  I always enjoy the help and company on Saturdays.  After M woke up from his afternoon nap, we took the kiddos back outside, but it was little too windy for my baby girl, so she had to play inside.  My Uncle took M to the park, and according to my Uncle, M was in heaven getting to run around with the other kids.  Goal accomplished, he was wore out!

On Saturdays I usually cook dinner.  I've been trying to cook a new dish each week, but this week I didn't have time or the energy to find a new dish, so I fixed everyones favorite, tomate sauce with cream.  So here I am, fixing dinner for five, when my Aunt & Uncle tell me that they have to go and won't be able to stay for dinner, which I totally understood.  But then my husband tells me, that he isn't going to eat dinner with us either.  It was just M & I for dinner, with a dinner that would feed a small army.  I guess the upside to this is, we have dinner for tomorrow, and I will have lunch for Monday.  This dish is always better the next day anyways.  But if I would have known it was going to just be M & me for dinner, I sure wouldn't have gone through the trouble of cooking tonight.  But I will say, it was so very Y-U-M-M-Y, we both enjoyed the dish!

The kiddos are in bed, it has been a pretty active day for everyone.  I’m enjoying the peace and quiet, but my cat is looking at me, as if it is time for bed.  I guess she wants to cuddle.  Hope everyone enjoyed their Saturday! 

Goodnight sweet angels!

xoxo, Shanna

My sweet little angel...

This afternoon, my sweet little angel got sick, and hasn’t been able to keep anything down since then.  I can’t stand, when my babies are sick.  All she has wanted to do is sleep.  And all mama has wanted to do, is hold her tight, and kiss that precious face!  I hope by tomorrow morning, you are feeling much better.  I want to see your smile, and hear you laugh!

  

Before A got sick, we were having a really nice day.  The kiddos played pretty well together this morning, which was nice.  We got M the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse movie last night, and he was excited about getting to watch it this morning.  And it was a nice change for mama.  Mama loves George, but mama also gets tired of watching nothing but George!  My little angel was all over the floor this morning, getting into everything.  I just wish I knew what caused her to get so sick.  If she still isn't able to keep anything down tomorrow, we will be taking her to the doctor.

Hey bubba, can I play too…

Are you listening to me!  I said I want to play too!

Bubba, sissy wants her toy! 

Bubba, can we please play together…

Sweet babies are holding hands…

Look at sissy, she has the arm up, blocking bubba from

 getting her toy…  She is too funny, and she can hold her

own when it comes to M.

Bubba, I will share…  Can we make a trade…?

Not a chance!

Remember I said they played pretty well together, not they

played well together...

My Aunt & Uncle came over today, as they do every Saturday.  I’m thankful they were able to be here today, to help out.  The little man was pretty wound up this afternoon, and it was nice having an extra set of hands, since A needed some one on one time, and special attention, since she was sick.  Sometimes I wish I had 10 of me, I know nobody else wishes that, but I'm pulled in so many different directions, it is hard to keep up, and give everyone what they need.  I feel like I constantly have someone pulling at me…  I’m physically & emotionally drained.  Welcome to mommyhood!

I did try a new dish tonight, I made Fettuccine Alfredo.  It was pretty good, but I’m more of a red sauce kinda gal!  But M and everyone else liked it, so that makes me happy!  My Aunt also made me some more Peppermint Bark, and I have eaten so much of it today, that I think I have made myself sick.  I just can’t stay out of it!

This dinner got two hands up!

Mama’s glad you liked it…  Say “cheese”!

My sweet angels are in bed, and that is where I'm headed...  Looking forward to our family day tomorrow.  Hoping to do nothing but relax, and hang with the husband and kiddos!

Sweet angel, I sure hope you feel better come tomorrow!

Goodnight sweet angels!

xoxo, Shanna

Our favorite day of the week...

I would like to introduce the many faces of A, the girl can go from sweet, to lovable to sassy to mean in no time…   She has attitude, and she isn't afraid to let you know how she feels… She will not be taking crap from anyone, I don't think. I do love capturing her facial expressions.  She reminds me, of me...  I have always had strong facial expressions myself. I feel like I'm looking in a mirror, when I watch her sometimes.

Someone woke up on the wrong side of the crib…

What’s wrong A!?!

I’m sorry, I can’t hear you!

Oh, now you are going to be sweet…

Nope, I spoke too soon!

A, mama loves you!

Are you going to give mama a kiss… 

Hey sweetie, here is my sweet angel!

Baby girl, you are so B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L! 

I finally have some peace and quiet in my life…  The kiddos had another rough night last night.  Not sure why both of them are waking up and crying like they have been the past few nights.  I’m hoping tonight it will be a better night for both of them.  It makes for a long day, when mommy is up with two kiddos all night.   And I’ve been doing this since Wednesday. 

My Aunt & Uncle came over today, as they do every Saturday.  Everyone in this household looks forward to seeing them on Saturdays.  One might say, this is our favorite day of the week…   I enjoy the help, and of course the good company.   My Aunt & Uncle took care of the kiddos today, while I did pretty much nothing most of the day.  I didn’t clean really (I did clean the kitchen, but that’s it), I didn’t do laundry, nor did I finish A’s room.  I did cook dinner though, and everyone seemed to like the dish, thank you Tasty Kitchen.  This is the third weekend, I have cooked.  I’m on roll…

M had seconds, and so did daddy.  That makes me happy!

xoxo, Shanna

M gave mama a thumbs up!  Yes, I’m aware it is his index finger.  But daddy said thumbs up, and this is what he did.  It was cute!  And again, that makes me happy!

While M took a nap today, my Aunt made me some Peppermint Bark, and it is so good.  I love Peppermint Bark.  Thank you so much Auntie Pat!  I'm sure it will be gone by tomorrow.

Things finally calmed downed after my Aunt & Uncle left, and I was able to get some quality time in with M.  This is two nights in a row, that we have gotten to cuddle.  I cherish this time.  Since having A, I don't get the time with M that I once did.  And I truly miss it. 

Here is M, and his best friend Ty.  I have to say, this has to be the best dog.  He lets M do whatever he wants to him.  And M just loves him.

M & Ty watching George…

You are my sweet little boy!  And I sure do love you! 

I'm off to bed, and hopefully the kiddos will have a better night, and let mama get some much needed rest.

Goodnight sweet angels!



What a day...

What a day...  My day started at 4:30 this morning, when our dogs decided they wanted to bark, at who knows what.  That makes for a long day, when you are woke up that early.  So, I automatically, wasn’t in the best mood.  M & A, actually got up at their normal time.  But for whatever reason, they too were in a bad mood, which leads us to, WHAT A DAY! 

Our little man M, can now officially climb out of his crib.  When we put him down today for a nap, he wasn’t happy, and was throwing a tantrum.  I gave him a few minutes, and then looked at the monitor and saw him running around his room.  I just assumed his daddy got him out of his bed, to try and calm him down, since he was upset.  On my way to his room, my husband comes out of our room, asking what was going on.  At that point, we both realized M had climbed out of his crib.  The look on both of our faces, I’m sure was priceless.  We both go into M’s room, and ask him to show us how he got out of his crib, and sure enough, he showed us.  Again, the look on our faces, I’m sure was priceless.  I was hoping we were going to be able to keep him in a crib for at least a few more months.  I’m not ready for him to be in a toddler or full size bed.  M was too excited about being able to climb out of his crib, that we weren’t able to get him down for a nap.  We tried leaving him in his room, thinking he would eventually just pass out on the floor, but no, he just pulled all of his clothes out of his dresser.  I wasn’t too happy about that.  And at this point, I was beyond ready for M to take an hour or so nap, I needed a break.  What mother doesn’t look forward to nap time!?!  Especially after a rough morning with two kiddos.  All I have to say is thank you Auntie Pat & JR for coming over today!  Our little man finally crushed this evening at 8:00.  Which I have to say is nice.  M hasn’t been to bed by 8:00 in almost a year.  And our little girl is in bed too, so I finally have some peace and quiet. 

Somedays, you wake up and everything goes as it should, or as planned.  It's what I call those award winning days.  They don't happen often...  And today, I can honestly say, nothing really went as it should, or as I had planned in my head.   

But on a positive note, last week I had made a pasta dish I came across on The Pioneer Woman’s blog.  For starters anyone that knows me, knows I don’t cook, EVER.  So, when I told my husband I wanted to cook dinner, he wanted to know if I was running a fever, and what happened to his wife.  The pasta dish looked pretty easy, so I gave it a try, and all I have to say is Y-U-M-M-Y!  Everyone enjoyed the dish so much, my husband asked me to fix it again this weekend.  Here are some pictures of M last weekend, enjoying the pasta dish:

Sweet boy, I sure do love you!

I love to see you smile, it makes my day!  You & your sister have the sweetest smiles!

LOVE IT!!!  I will be finding more dishes for me to cook.  So I hope each dish puts a smile this big on your face, each time!

Part of my new years resolution this year, is to try and cook more.  My husband has always been the cook, and I know he gets tired of always being the one that has to cook dinner for our family.  So far we are off to a good start. 

As I was loading pictures this evening to our computer, I came across the following pictures of M:

I love

when I

come across

these pictures!

M loves getting ahold of the camera, and taking pictures of himself.  They always put a smile on my face.  At the end of  the day, no matter how stressful it started out, I always reflect back on the day, and tell myself, I wouldn't have my life any other way.  I'm truly blessed, with a wonderful husband, and two amazing beautiful kiddos.  I'm still learning and growing as a mother.  But I always try to do what is right, or what works best for our kiddos.

xoxo, Shanna