2010 here we come

2009 was a great year.
I've read some great blogs recapping the last year. I decided I should do the same, at least for my own reflections. I didn't blog often until later in the year, so my recap isn't going to be as thorough as some others'. Here goes...

January- I had one post that summed up the whole month. Last year, we rang in the new year on the San Antonio Rivewalk, just me and my wonderful husband. This year, we're celebrating with a quet evening at home while our 2 babies sleep soundly in their rooms.

Febraury- I was getting adjusted to life with a toddler.

March- I was 8 months pregnant, therefore not too comfortable.

In April, I was 9 months pregnant and just wanted to sit on the couch or sleep. On April 30, my precious little boy was born. We went from parents to one little baby girls to a family of four. I never imagined how much adding one more child would make a difference. The act of juggling your time and energy between two babies is not an easy one. I don't know how parents of multiples do it. So, I didn't blog during April, May even though it was only my 2nd Mother's Day and I had 2 kids, or June even though I celebrated my 6th wedding anniversary and my 30th birthday.

July- I finally posted the first pics of my son. We went to Albuquerque for 2 family reunions during July 4th weekend.

August- I finally wrote about my 30th birthday (which was in June). And I posted more pics of my cute kids.

September- This is when I got serious about blogging. I found SITS and started reading other blogs. I started posting Wordless Wednesday pics of kids...the first of my little girl's portraits in her PJs. I also made the tough decision of pulling my daighter out of daycare because she was repeatedly being bitten. MiMi (my mother-in-law) started watching her instead.

October- I went on a business trip to San Diego, CA, and I missed my kids like crazy. We visited the pumpkin patch. Now I know not to wait til the last day because all the pumpkins are gone and you just get pics of your kids next to empty crates and rotten pumpkins. My mom was in and out of the hospital and we were relieved when she was finally able to go home and we knew she was gonna make it. *L* started a new "school" (aka Mommy's Day Out). She looked so grown up wearing her backpack and carrying a lunchbox. I almost lost my mind on her first day. *L* dressed up as a fairy for Halloween after mommy decided to make her costume. At 10pm on Oct 30th, I took of to Walmart for tulle, ribbon, and glitter spray to make a cute fairy tutu. Mommy didn't get much sleep that night. Good thing *S* already had a pirate onsie and goes to bed early or I'd have had to make 2 outfits! oh, and I got an iPhone!

Novemeber- My dad turned 70. My grandma turned 90 and we made a quick trip to Salt Lake City for her party. Right before we left, it started snowing. We tried the 3-day method and failed at potty training. Well, I only tried for a week and decided she just wasn't ready.

December- We got cute portraits taken for *S*'s 7 month pic and *LS's 2 year old pic. And we had lots of fun with all the holiday festivities.

2009 was all about the transition to a mom of 2. It was tough, but I survived and learned A LOT about myself and about raising kids. So, 2010...whatever you got...bring it on!
Best wishes to everyone for a year filled with love and laughter!

Holiday Memories

I've been gone so long

Things just got really busy during the holidays both at work and at home. I didn't have time to turn on the laptop in the evenings. So, I haven't been able to post in a while. Next week, I'll try to get caught up while the kids nap 'cause I'll be home for vacation!

Fun Foto Friday

I was trying to get pics of *L* in front of the Christmas tree, but since it was cold outside we let Duke come in. He was ruining our photo shoot, so *L* bumped his head to try to get him to go away. Made me laugh!

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Tips: Decorating

Today's stress-free holiday tips are just a few ideas to help you decorate your home without feeling overwhelmed.

1. Get creative so you don’t have to spend a lot of money. Use candy canes on your tree. Use natural décor. For example, grap some twigs from your backyard, tie them together with festive ribbon and add a couple sprigs of holly or mini ornaments. Place on a mantle or bookshelf. Have your kids create some holiday art work. Frame it and hang for seasonal art. Store it with your Christmas decorations and you’ll have keepsake art that can be reused for years.
2. Stay organized. Keep ornament boxes or buy an ornament container with dividers for breakable pieces. If you take down any everyday décor, store it in the containers where you keep your holiday décor. When you take your Christmas decorations down, you can put the usual stuff right back up.
3. Choose a color. Pick one holiday color to use throughout your home. Decorate the tree with red ball ornaments. Fill a glass vase with the same ornaments. Buy everyday red towels instead of splurging on holiday towels. Use red ribbon on glass candleholders to make them look more festive.

Me on Monday

I finished most of my Christmas shopping two nights ago from the warmth and comfort of my couch. We decided to do as much online shopping as we could. I’m so glad I didn’t have to fight the crowds. I still have to head to Toys R Us to buy gifts for L and S, but my plan is to go during the week before or after work so it will be less crowded. I also need to go with a list since I won’t have much time to browse. This will help me stick to a budget anyway. I also still need to put together some homemade gifts. But having the bulk of the shopping done is such a relief. Now if I could just get caught up on the rest of my Holiday To Do’s…take a Christmas pic, make Christmas cards, make keepsake ornaments, print gift tags…got a lot to do this week. Oh ya, and plan L’s birthday party!

Family Foto Friday

Here are a few recent pics of the kiddos from Thanksgiving Day.

I was trying to take a picture of *S* sitting up on his own with no hands (yeah!!) and *L* wanted to make sure she was in it, too. She came and sat right in front of my camera. I had to get her to scoot back some so I could make it look like she just wanted to be next to her baby brother.

My nephew put his hat on *L* and she looked so cute walking around my brother's house wearing it!

My neices decided to dress up as superheroes and they even let *L* join them.

My little girl enjoyed Thanksgiving with the family!

Wordless Wednesday

*S*'s First Christmas Tree

Photo taken Friday, Nov 27th

Tuesday Tips: Stress Free Holidays

I decided to make Tuesday Tips a series for the month of December. I know you don't have time to read long blogs. Well, I don't have time write long blogs, either. So, every Tuesday will be just a few tips to help make the holidays less stressful.
Today’s Tips are about Shopping:
1. Try to go on weekdays when there are less crowds. Parking will be easier to find. Salespeople will be friendlier. New inventory usually comes in during the week, not on the weekends.
2. Look for coupons or discounts. Especially if you have a list, you can search for coupons or online discounts for products you want to buy.
3. Stick to your budget. It may seem easy to pull out your credit card to pay for gifts, but this will only create a very stressful January and maybe even February. It’s just not worth it.
4. If shopping online, look for free shipping or shop on websites where you can buy several gifts for one shipping cost.
Have a safe and stress-free shopping experience.