Happy New Year!

Tonight, on New Years Eve, sitting at home with my family, I have been thinking back about how fast time flies. It seems like holidays and birthdays make you reflect on what or where you were a year ago from that date. Tonight, watching the count down on TV they have been talking about how tomorrow starts a new decade. I hadn't really thought about it in that way, but its true. Its hard to believe that 10 years have come and gone so fast. It seems like just yesterday that there was the huge Y2K scare. I remember sitting at the gas pump on New Years Eve 1999, and getting gas, because, supposedly the next day, the world wouldn't know how to function with 2000 as a year in the computer systems. I never make it to midnight on New Years Eve, but that year I watched it with friends, almost on the edge of my seat, waiting to see what big tragedy was going to happen at midnight. Well, as we all know, nothing happened. Just a bunch of hype. Like I said, that is hard to believe that that was 10 years ago. In 1999, I was a senior in High school, only 18 years old. So naive and unaware of what the future held. A lot has happened in my life in the last 10 years.

I have graduated from high school and from college. Lived on my own in a new and big town, Nashville. Got married, have 2 kids. Have had 9 jobs (some I have had more than one at a time). Lived in 4 different towns. Moved more times than I can count. Have made life long friends, and have had broken friendships. Been in 5 weddings. Owned 4 cars. Lost a good friend and my Grandpa. Known true happiness and joy and have cried many tears.

The last decade was full of great memories. I would say some of the happiest years of my life, thus far. Some years were good, and some not so much. All in all, I had a blast! I come out the end of the decade in my late 20's, not sure of what lies ahead, but knowing that whatever the next ten years hold, I will have friends and family to see me through the good times and the bad.

Here's wishing everyone a happy and blessed 2010!

1999

2009

What a difference 10 years can make! (nobody better laugh!)

Photo Shoot

Today I took Paxton to get his 1 month pictures done. I am bound and determined to make sure this kid has just as many pictures as Adriana does. Picture People are having a great deal, so I decieded to take him there to get some pictures done. I want to get some more taken with both Adriana and him, but today was all about him. He did really good and I was really pleased with how they turned out. Here is a link so you can see our hansome little man for yourself.

http://www.picturepeople.com/sso/publishconfirm.sso?data=jOMGi1zwk5Pk6h54P2OJk7j%2f3I5h%2fg7MzDW%2f0zmveQAH9BPI4rWLqkz6m%2bpZmdJmDbyPB7DT5a5SorAsJQhhjQ%3d%3d

Our Christmas Day

This was our first Christmas at home. With our own little family and with Adriana, somewhat, understanding about Santa leaving some presents for her by Christmas morning. Although, I don't know that she full understood. We told her all week, that Santa was coming to our house on Friday and she kept telling me that she wanted him to play in her room and play in her toy closet. She thought he was actually staying to play. I tried to explain it the best I could, I would love to know what goes on in that mind of hers. Anyway, we were anxious to see her open her gifts and see her reaction, as most parents are on Christmas morning. I have to say, she was more excited about her stocking stuffers that cost a $1, than she was about anything else.

We only get her a handful of gift, so she won't lose sight of the real meaning of Christmas (and we won't lose all our savings on gifts!). Her main gifts included: Candyland, Cooties, Memory, a puppet that sings and a digital camera. I thought she would LOVE her camera, since she is always walking around using ours, but like I said, she likes the $1 items more.

After we opened gifts this morning, my parents came over to spend the day with us. We had a nice brunch and opened some gifts that they had brought over. We pretty munched laid around and let Adriana play with all her new stuff. We played a fun game of "Catch Phrase" and laughed our heads off.

It was a lazy day that was full of fun and excitement. We had a great Christmas and hope that you and your family enjoyed yourselves on this holiday.

Now, onto the after Christmas sales! (Ryan's so excited)

Adriana opening her gifts from her stocking.

Adriana and her new camera.

Santa Baby

Mimi and Paxton rocking.

Pa kidding with Adriana.

A White Chirstmas

Well, we were all excited last night with the anticipation of having some snow for a white Christmas. The weather people in these parts normally get the forecast for snow wrong. They love to hype everyone up for a winter storm and nothing normally happens. Well this time wasn't any different. They had scared everyone with the forecast of 6-8 inches of snow around here. Yeah, well, in the last few hours before the storm was to hit, they moved us from a half a foot of snow to a "dusting" of snow. What a disappointment. Well, they at least got that part right. There wasn't anything more than a dusting. Nevertheless, it still appeared as a white Christmas, which is nice. It was bitterly cold outside and windy. Ryan got a sled from my parents for his birthday, so he was dying to use it. So, he and Adriana bundled up and went outside to play. It took longer to layer up Adriana so she wouldn't be cold, then the time it took them to play outside, but they had fun.

Our backyard "covered" in snow.

The view out the front of our house.

Adriana all bundled up, ready to play.

I wish I could have gotten a close up of both of

their faces, they were having so much fun.

Christmas Eve

Well today is Christmas Eve, its actually just an hour away from being Christmas. Its so hard to believe that Christmas is almost here and in 24 hours, it will almost be over. It just goes by faster and faster each year. I'm actually just getting in the mood to celebrate the season, and, well, its almost over. I've been so tired and busy this year, it has made it more work than pleasure, which bums me out a little. I still have enjoyed it, but not to the extent I normally do.

We were planning on leaving for Alabama on Saturday, to celebrate Christmas with Ryan's family, however, after much thought, we have decided it would be best to wait to make a trip down there at this time. We will miss seeing his family right now, but just think it would be a more enjoyable trip when Paxton is a little older, and we aren't so tired all the time. With it being a 12 hour drive, we are just not up to it right now.

Today we took a day trip to Jefferson City to see my family. It was a lot of fun, even though it was a quick trip. We were worried about this big snow storm that is to hit tonight, so we didn't get to visit as long as would have liked to. My parents and our family, all piled in our van and headed up there. We first stopped off at my mom's parents house and got to see my grandparents and they got to meet Paxton for the first time. It had been so long since they saw Adriana, it was nice for them to see her again too. We enjoyed seeing them and Adriana enjoyed playing games with Grandpa. Here are some pictures from our visit with them.

Grandma Veltrop with her great grand babies.

Grandma and Grandpa Veltrop

4 Generations

After visiting with them for a little while, we went over to my great aunt Dee's house for a mini Christmas celebration with my Dad's side of the family. We were so bummed out that my aunt Leasa and her family couldn't make it today, due to the weather. We were looking forward to all being together, since we don't get to see them but once a year or so. Anyway, it was us, Dee, my Grandma and brother that were there. It was a lot of fun to see all of them again and visit.

Its sad that we don't get to see family as much as we would like to, but days like this are nice to be reminded how lucky we are to have such a loving extended family.

Here are pictures from Dee's house today.

Adriana and her new Ariel Dress.

She loved the dress so much, she

wore it all the way home.

Dee and Adriana

Grandma Bowen and Adriana

Uncle Chris and Adriana

(She was LOVING the chance to take pictures

with everyone, in case you couldn't notice)

Daddy and Adriana

While we were gone today, Mrs. Claus came by and left Adriana a present under the tree. It was a new pair of PJ's and she loved them! (This is a new tradition I want to start, where Mrs. Claus brings new PJ's on Christmas Eve. I stole this idea from my friend Susan's family). Here is Adriana in her new Ballerina PJ's. She loved them.

The Pj's that Mrs. Claus delivered.

We would like to wish everyone and their families a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year.

P.S. Its snowing outside, so this means a WHITE CHRISTMAS! This is the first white Christmas for Ryan, so he is very excited. My parents bought him a sled for his birthday last week, so hopefully we will get enough that he can get out there and use it.

Christmas Program

Note: This blog post was written to be posted on December 18th, but due to technical difficulties, I'm just now getting it put up. Sorry for the delay.

Well, I should have done this post yesterday, or at least A post. I feel so bad. Yesterday was Ryan's 31st birthday, and I did NOTHING for him and got him nothing. I feel like such a bum. There are just not enough hours in the day to get anything done these days and I feel like I'm just running in circles chasing my tail.

To my wonderful husband: Sorry I dropped the ball this birthday. I know it wasn't fun and exciting, but I hope you still had a good day. You are the best father and husband to me and the kids, we are truly blessed to have you in our lives. Thank you for all that you do. You are the best and I love you so much!

Yesterday was also Adriana's first Christmas program at school. It was so cute! I love watching little kids on stage, you never know what is going to happen. Adriana was so cute up there, we enjoyed it so much. I had to download this video to YouTube, since the file was too big. Click on the link below to see:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60eqwkSAjpA

Visit from Poppop and HeeHee

This last weekend, we were blessed with a short visit from Ryan's parents, better known as PopPop and HeeHee. They were able to fly up here for this trip instead of the dreaded 12 hour drive. They came up on Saturday and left on Tuesday and we all had a great time. HeeHee couldn't wait till Christmas to see her newest grand baby, so they came up for a short trip. It was very relaxing time and was great to get to visit with them. Adriana had a blast of course. She loves her grandparents and loved the one on one time she got with them. Here are some pictures from this weekend.


Adriana and HeeHee. She didn't like sharing
the attention with Paxton, but she had a great
time.


PopPop and Adriana.


I think this picture turned out so great.



HeeHee and Paxton.


P&P- Pop and Paxton

The last night they were here, we decided to go to Chuck E. Cheese to play some games and eat pizza. We were leery about taking Adriana there again, since the last time we went she had a huge melt down, but she did really good. We invited my parents to come along too, since they had NEVER been to C.E.C. before. I'm surprised, but they actually played some games. Here are pictures from that adventure.


A Group Shot. Sorry Paxton, Mommy
cut you out of the picture.


Adriana with the scary robotic band.
I could see where these characters
would give kids nightmares.


Adriana and HeeHee playing games.


Ryan playing the football game. He is very proud
that he has the highest score on this game.


Pa and Adriana riding on the big rocking horse.


Mom playing Deal or No Deal


Dad Playing Deal or No Deal


Jim giving Deal or No Deal a try.
(We all played this game, and none of us did
very good, but its a very addictive game.)

The grandmas talking, holding Paxton.

Bad Day

I have just a few minutes to write about my day. The little one is about to rise and want to eat.
Today was my first day on my own. I have had the kids by myself before, but this was the acid test. Thursdays are my errand days. I go the bank, get gas, go to Wal-Mart and pay bills. It seems to be a trying day for Adriana, because my attention is split between all of these things. Today was my first day to do all these things by myself. It started out good. I got all my bills paid last night, got my grocery list made up, and was ready to roar. The bank was a good stop and I thought I would treat Adriana to McDonalds for lunch. This is where it all started to unravel. She didn't really do anything wrong, but the child LOVES to people watch and this takes all her time and energy. Not good when you are on a timeline with an infant. After eating a cheeseburger for an hour, I was loosing my patience really quickly. I knew I was a on a tight time crunch for Paxton and when he was going to be needing to eat next. This was my bad, I left the house today without a bottle. I should have known better. Silly me. I thought since we left the house around 10:45am, that we would be home in time to feed Paxton by 1:30pm. WRONG! By the time we wrapped up at McDonalds, and got to Wal-Mart, I was pushing 1pm or so. He was not a happy camper. After his screaming, Adriana trying for my attention, and people staring, I had had enough! I got the few groceries I had and checked out. I was so upset. I think all 3 of us were in tears by the end of our little adventure today. I now know, not to leave the house without a bottle and not to eat out with Adriana when I want to get something done that day.
Guess where I'll be heading back to tonight? Lets hope it goes a little better than earlier.

Random Thoughts

I have taken some different photos lately, so I thought I would share them. They are a variety of different things "laying" around the house.

The first one is of Paxton taking a nap on the couch. I love his little lip how when his chubby cheeks are smashed down how they make his lip pucker. I took him to his 2 week check-up last week, and he gained 1lbs 1oz, since his 2 day appointment. His doctor told me at his 2 day appt that he had lost too much weight since birth, he had lost 10 oz. So we have upped his feedings and before you know it, we have us a 10lb 4oz baby at 2 weeks old.

This other picture was taken last night at dinner time. The dinner I made was a flop, so we got a pizza instead. We don't ever eat in the family room, but since the finale of "Biggest Loser" was on, we sat in the family room, eating our fating pizza and watching people loose weight(yes, I see the irony in it). Anyway, as we were almost finished, Zoe came in a joined us. Don't get grossed out, she didn't come any closer to the food than showed. I thought it was funny, Ryan thought it was gross, so I took a picture.

This next picture is of Adriana laying on Ryan as he is working out. Ryan has been hard core working out for a little over 2 months now and has been losing some serious weight. I am proud of him for sticking with it as good has he is. I knew he was serious about it, when he didn't go for seconds on Thanksgiving. :)

Anyway, Ryan was trying to do a sideways sit up and Adriana came up and laid on him to make it more challenging.

This last set of pictures is of all our Christmas trees. I normally love decorating for Christmas, however this year, has been pretty tough for me to decorate with a new little one around.

Our "fancy" tree. I wanted a tall

tree for upstairs, since our ceilings

are vaulted and I found this one

at Goodwill for $11. I was very

excited.

Our normal tree, however, this

year, since I had my fancy tree,

I made this one the "fun" tree.

My "Candy" tree. I have suckers, and gingerbread

men hanging from this tree. I thought it was a

cute theme.

New Pictures

Sorry to leave you guys hanging. Man, I don't have time to do ANYTHING these days. Any free time, is taken up by chores, or a nap. Naps are very rare for me these days. Its like Paxton knows how tired I am and waits for me to lay my head on the pillow to take a nap, and literally within about 1-2 minutes, he will wake up and be ready to go. So, I don't have a whole lot of time to do anything "fun", like my blog.

I took him to the surgeon on Tuesday and they will do the surgery when he weighs more like 12-15 pounds, just so he can be a little bit more stable for the medication. Its an outpatient procedure. I'll be happy to have it taken care of and have it behind us. I take him for his 2 week appointment on Monday, so we'll see how he's doing with everything.

I wanted to post some new pictures. Adriana is doing a lot better with him, although still tends to act out if we are giving the baby too much attention, but she is getting better. Here is a picture of her holding him the other night. She has only held him 2 times, this one being the second time.

This other picture I took this morning. Ryan was pooped out from being up with him for about an hour and half this morning at 4am. I thought it was cute, that both men are sleeping the same way.

The next series of pictures are from today. We took Adriana to go see the "big cow" (as she calls him) at Chik-fil-A. I knew that he was going to be there today, and that you could go and get your picture taken with him as he was dressed as Santa. Adriana was THRILLED to death about the idea of it. We told her days ago that that was what we were going to be doing, and she couldn't wait. Every time we go to Chik-Fil-A she thinks the cow is going to be there (and of course he isn't), so she was pumped about seeing him this morning.

She went right up to him and gave him hugs and wanted to sit on his lap. There wasn't hardly any people there, so she got to have him to herself for a long time. After getting some pictures with him, we got our breakfast and sat down and low and behold, the cow came over and sat with us during breakfast. Adriana was SO happy, she couldn't stand it. It meant so much to her. She couldn't stop smiling. She kept wanting her picture taken with him, it was funny. Here are pictures from that.

Family Photo with the Cows.

Adriana eating with the Cow

She kept wanting to hug and sit on the cows laps.

She also wanted them to play with her and sing

songs with her, it was too cute.

Paxton sleeping through the whole

ordeal. I thought it was cute how

his legs were crossed.

This weekend was special. I got to see 2 of my best friends, that I rarely get to see. Susan came up for a few days and our friend Jen came over one night too. The three of us were attached at the hips in high school and it was good to be with them again, even if it was just for a short time. (I'm bummed I didn't take any pictures, too tired to think straight).