This Christmas.

Wow. What a weekend.

We spent Christmas Eve with Lee and his side of the fam which included opening presents at Karen and Lesters, a visit out to see Grandma Norene and dinner at Aunt Tammys.

Christmas morning started no later than 5:30 in the morning with 2 anxious kids climbing into bed with us to announce that Santa had been here.

The kids got way to much as usual and even Ava got spoiled with gifts.  (The stash of outfits, blankets, diapers and baby stuff is quickly piling high in the closet.)

It was a great (but exhausting) day.

Now that the craziness is over, the clean-up begins.

Oooh fun, fun.

That "what is it?" wait is over.

Introducing: Ava Reese, our sweet baby GIRL:

--I was so proud of myself for actually consuming the 32 ounces of water that they ask you to drink before an ultrasound. In the past I am known to just drink a little (I kinda hate water - unless it has crystal light in it) and always have to be sent back out into the waiting room to drink more. Lee just loves it. Not.

--When the tech first started the scan, little miss Ava would not cooperate. At all. She was laying face-down curled up in a ball with no desire to move. Even with all the nudges and shakes that were going on to shift her... nope, she just wasn't having it.

--We took the kids along and they were so interested in it all. They asked alot of questions and I was thankful to have such a sweet technician that didn't seem to mind at all. She explained everything she was doing. While she measured, she even told them what everything was. (That was really nice for me too, since I usually can never tell what I am looking at on those things.)

The foot:

The hand:

The proof:

--After the initial "it's a little girl" announcement, Layton became very quiet. Lee asked him if he was okay and he just shrugged his shoulders and said: "well, I won't be able to teach her anything." (Somebody had high hopes for a baby brother.) He has been pretty quiet today ever since, but just came up to be and gave me a random hug and then patted my belly. I am hoping that this is a sign that he is getting used to the idea - cause there is nothing we can really do about it now.

--I was told to get up and use the restroom (in hopes that she would move) and layed back down to see that she hadn't. I then had to roll to my left side, then my right, then onto my back again. Finally, all the moving got her to flip over. Even afterwards though we couldn't get a great profile picture of her because she prefered to have her foot in her face and her hand almost in her mouth the entire time. I joked around and said that I really hope this girl isn't a thumb-sucker. You watch, she will be.

--She is weighing in at about 11 ounces and according to the tech at this stage she should be about 9 ounces so she's just a little on the bigger side. I have this hunch (and have since the beginning)  that she will be closer to early-May rather than mid, but we shall see. Either way though, I just can't wait to meet her. I know she is going to bring our family so much joy. Heck, she already has. 

The contract.

The other night, I was super pleased that the kids were playing together and actually getting along.
It seems like these days all they want to do is argue so when they spent over 2 hours playing nicely - I wasn't complaining.

I went into check on them and let them know that it was time to start cleaning up and let me tell you it was beyond a mess. Every toy out of every bin was on the floor including the toys from Kaylees room.
It was clear that they had fun.

Kay came out of the room a little later and was sitting on the couch. I look and see that Layton is slaving in his room to pick everything up but he wasn't saying anything about her not helping (which never happens.)

This was our conversation:

Me: Kaylee? Why aren't you in there helping him?
Her: I don't have to.
Me: Um, yes you do.
Her: No, really. I don't have to. He signed my contract.

She hands me this:

((Well after I read it, of course I laughed.))

Me: Okay, first, this is not okay. This is something your Dad would have done to your Aunt when they were kids (I guess the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree.)
Get in there and help your brother. NOW.
Her: Fine...

Later, I explained to her that half the things on the list benefited her just as much as him and that was why it was extremely un-fair for her to make him do all the work afterwards.

She just smiled, laughed and then said: Oh, I know, but it was sooo worth a shot mom.

Wow. Really? [SIGH] This girl is our handful, that's for sure.

So out of the 'baby' loop.

It's obviously been awhile since we have had a baby in our house, and the fact that this one and Layton will be 8 years apart actually makes me cringe a little when I think about it. I have a feeling it's going to be an interesting transition, but one I am thrilled for of course.

The other day I decided to browse through the baby department at a few stores and was feeling a little lost to say the least. Some of the things that they have out now, had me scratching my head. I think they had at least 30 different types of pacifiers if not more (even something that looked a lot like a mouthgaurd for a football player - I still haven't figured out what its purpose was), a bottle warmer that reminded me of a coffee maker, an infant carseat that actually cost over $550 and they even have a baby swing that converts into a bouncer, and a highchair. Um.... okay? Smart thinking, I guess.

I stood there feeling a bit overwhelmed. I won't lie.

One thing I also have been hearing a lot about lately are these super, duper CUTE  leg warmers for babies that they didn't have when my kids were little.

I love them so much that my I already have a few pairs (for both boy and girl) picked out and in my shopping cart ready to be ordered as soon as Friday rolls around and we finally know what this little bean is.

Oh, baby shopping... It's right around the corner. Eeeek!!

He's not big on sharing.

Bentlee loves to ride in the car. He prefers to go with us everywhere and in the morning when I take the kids to school he knows that he always gets to go with us.

Another thing he loves about riding in the car is the front seat. I swear he thinks he's human and he usually just sits there staring out the window content as can be. But, when Kaylee is with us they like to 'fight' over who gets it. She usually wins this battle by tricking him. He gets in first and takes his spot in the passenger seat. She then opens the back door and calls him. He gets excited, jumps in the back, and she quickly jumps in the front. Usually, it works like a charm and normally he just shoots her a look like 'Gaww, she got me... again.'

However, the last few mornings he has refused to settle for the backseat and instead they ride to school looking like this:

Kaylee gets to complain the entire time trying to get him off of her, but he just sits there. Happy as a clam, like nothing is wrong in the world. 

It's a good laugh... everytime.

The holiday funk.

I'm not exactly sure what is wrong with me this year, but it has been super hard to get me in the Christmas spirit, and for me? This is strange.

Afterall, I am the girl who gets crap every year for having her fake tree up before Thanksgiving and more crap again, when it isn't down days after New Years.

Not this year. This year Lee had to tell me that we needed to get it decorated. I just grumbled but did it anyway. (I will say, I did enjoy it once we got going) but now I am already dreading taking it down.

Thankfully, our Christmas shopping is almost done. (Just three more presents to buy - YIPPEE!) Now, this part I always enjoy, because I absolutely L-O-V-E the giving aspect of Christmas. I seriously can't wait for the 'opening presents' part.
But, as for the 'wrapping them all' part? Well, just see my post from last year.

Ahh yes, some things never change.

[Preggo] UPDATE.

So, my sweet friend Sarah gave me this idea to document stages of my pregnancy. (I was inspired after I read a blog post of hers last week.) What a great way to be able and remember all of the ups, downs, joys, and occasional freak-outs that come along with this amazing journey.

So, here goes:

-- Just when I thought I was over the 'throwing up every day' thing, it slapped me in the face again last week. HARD. I had to go back on my medication for nausea and the last couple days have been a huge relief. It sure beats walking around feeling sea sick 24/7.

-- I scored a doppler from my friend Bree and am now in the habit of listening to babys heartbeat everyday (Okay, and sometimes more than once a day. Why lie?) It makes me feel connected and gives me a sense of reassurance.

-- This belly of mine is getting BIG. I find myself even being a bit self-conscious about it when people compliment me. I feel like I am almost too big for how far along I am. (Lee has to keep reminding me that at every appointment the baby measures bigger - meaning I am going to look bigger.) I'm not exactly sure why I am bothered by it. Maybe I'm just worried that I will have a huge baby? My friends wife just had a 10 pounder. Um, that better not be me.

-- We have decided on names. We thought we had them well over a month ago but something kept bugging me about our choices. So, the last few weeks we have been working out the kinks and have 2 names finally locked in. If we have a boy (which almost everyone is certain it will be) his name will be: Landon McCoy. If it's a girl (which I am certain it will be) her name will be: Ava Reese. We find out in 12 days and I can hardly wait. I need to get this 'planning and shopping' show on the road.

-- Baby is moving around a lot and I can finally feel it. It's the best. Sometimes we even play a little game with the flashlight. I shine it on my tummy and move it around and the baby responds everytime. It's pretty amazing.

-- Layton is obsessed with rubbing my belly. I have noticed lately that he will even do it self-consciously sometimes when he's just talking to me. It's adorable and I love it. I just know that he is going to make a great big brother.

-- I started a breastfeeding class last week and made the bestie come as my support person. In the past I haven't been successful and this time, I am determined. I am super excited about it.

-- I have this crazy craving for red, white, and green gummy bears. (I have to eat all 3 flavors together) and refuse to share them. The kids always get the leftovers: yellow and orange. Lee bought me a 7 lb bag from Costco the other day and it's already half eaten. Mmmm. I love them.

-- (This may make some people want to punch me in the face but I have to say it anyways because it is part of my documenting.) I have not gained a pound... Instead I am down 10. (Makes me kind of sad actually, if I am being honest.) For me though, this is the norm. It was the same with both Kaylee and Layton and I get to thank the lovely morning sickness for that. No worries though - I usually start packing on the pounds at about 6 months.

The little gentleman.

Ever since he could walk we have always tried to instill good manners in this boy of ours.

We taught him at a young age the 'ladies first' rule and I even remember him in church when he was super little - always letting the girls first in line.

Now lately, he has been obsessed with holding doors open for me. It can be anywhere. At the store, when we get home, or the favorite - my car door. Every morning when we go out to get in the car for school he runs to my door first, opens it, lets me climb in, shuts it, and then hops in the back.

He sure knows how to make my heart melt, and I have a feeling that if he keeps this up? In just a few more years, he's going to have no problem impressing the ladies. *SIGH*

Listen up Oregon,

If you are going to be 20 something degrees morning, noon, and night could you at least do me a favor and just SNOW!?

This going outside to warm up the car every morning (or even worse, when I forget and I have to stand out there in my thin pajama pants, flip flops and t-shirt scraping off my windows while I freeze to death) is getting a little annoying.

Its obviously December and CLEARLY cold enough. So, c'mon - just give me a break.
Us at the Frakes' house really want to make a snowman.