Christmas 101

Do you find yourself rushing the entire month of December?  Do you desperately want to rest, relax and enjoy friends and family without feeling the need to spend those last moments at the store buying that perfect gift?

Here are some tips on how I get things done (Thanks Mom for teaching me)..try them all or just a few.  You might find yourself enjoy the Christmas season without ALL that rushing

By the way, you have a little over 11 months to start planning for NEXT Christmas.

Christmas tip #1: Start saving $$ every month for your Christmas gifts. Set a budget on your spending. You don't need to max out your credit cards or empty your bank account for Christmas.

Christmas tip #2:  It's okay to hit those after Christmas sales NOW!  If you use wrapping paper/gift bags, name tags, bows, Christmas lights, etc, you can get them at 50% off starting the day after Christmas. You'll save bundles, if you need bundles. Oh and if you hit the stores early enough on the 26th you can get some good candy for 50% off too (like M&Ms).  But remember, to stick to your budget.

Christmas tip #3: If you have a big family and you usually buy gifts for all the siblings & sibling-in-law, try this instead...draw names.  Nieces and Nephews can draw names too. You'll save a ton!  You could also set a theme, example: board games.  Or you can set a theme like it has to be second-hand (from a garage sale or something - you can get some absolutely fantastic deals at garage sales).  Also, set a price limit, that way you won't feel bad if your brother-in-law spent a $150 on you and you only spent $20 for your sister-in-law.  Not everyone has hundreds of dollars laying around.  

Christmas tip #4: Start your Christmas shopping list now.  Oh, and start shopping now (hitting those after Christmas deals, etc).  If you have a place to store (even if it's under your bed, or in a closet), you CAN start planning ahead.  There's really no need to be shopping on Christmas Eve, especially if you plan ahead.  By the way, it makes it way more enjoyable if you shop a little here and little there, even if it's in the middle of February or July.  Again, be mindful of your Christmas budget (we use Crown Financial's Mvelopes budgeting program).

Christmas tip #5: Change your thinking.  Yes, your thinking.  We always think in the now; we're a microwave generation.  It's time to think about 11 months from NOW.   It's time to think Christmas 2011.  Plan a little or plan a lot, either way, it will help when Christmas 2011 comes knocking at your door.

There you have it.  There are 5 helpful tips for planning for a more planned out Christmas for 2011.  Keep an eye out for more Christmas tips.  

Christmas Baking with Kids

I tell you what, this Christmas season has been the best, by far.  The twins love the lights, decorations, Christmas tree, presents under the tree (they love shaking them) Christmas music that plays non-stop in the house and van, and the stories I tell about Jesus' birthday, oh and don't forget all the baking!

Joshua goes nuts when we talk about mixing; he knows exactly where we keep the two mixers.  Saray loves it too, she always asked for Daddy or Mommy to make it go "faster!"  They are learning about flour, baking powder, sugar and the other ingredients that may end up in the mix of things.

Well this Christmas season Jer, the kids and I have been baking up a storm around here.  I have lost count of how many different kinds of cookies/goodies we have made.  I can tell you that we have tried 6 new recipes so far, and that does NOT include the normal Christmas baking list. 

What do we do with all those cookies/goodies?  We give them all away, and of course keep a few for ourselves to enjoy as well, but for the most part they go to friends, family and anyone else that God lays on our hearts, like the mail-man, or a person living alone, etc.  It's been a tradition of ours since that first Christmas together.  We absolutely love all the baking and the giving.  We hope our kids will learn to love to bake, give and that they will carry the tradition when they grow up and move on with life.

A few favorites of mine:  Brazil Jubilees (brazil nuts, coffee and hershey kiss on top), Double Chocolate Biscotti (which I have yet to make...better get in it!), Peanut Butter Blossoms, Oreo Balls (a bag of crushed oreos, package of cream cheese rolled into balls and dipped in melted milk chocolate), Peanut Butter Balls a.k.a. Buckeyes (peanut butter, rice krispies, etc, dipped in milk chocolate), Pretzel Rolo Delight (small square or round pretzel, rolo and & m&m), Ritz Peanut Butter Sandwich dipped in chocolate (with add marshmallow creme)....that's just a few!

Here are a few pictures of the twins dipping pretzel sticks (they ended up just eating them).  They also got to enjoy the leftover chocolate from the Ritz Peanut Butter Sandwiches.  THEY LOVED IT!  Grayson on the other hand, did not get any sweets, but he did get sit by and watch the twins make a large mess for Mommy to clean up.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.  Give a little, or a lot, this Christmas!  Jesus is the Reason for EVERY Season.

1 Extreme 2 the Next (in faces that is)

Most of the time this kid is happy...but this one time, I just happened to catch the "sad to happy" transition.  By the way, Merry Christmas!

The Lack of Hair

For being a family of five we sure are short on hair around here.  I personally choose to have short hair due to have that it's easy and manageable.  Josh has short hair cause his hair is still extremely thin, and it's easier.  Gray has short hair cause his hair is finally growing back in.  Jer keeps his hair short cause he is losing his hair, not by his choice.
Saray on the other hand could have long hair but she twirls, pulls and sometimes eats her hair after it gets beyond the 3/4 inch clipper mark.  This time last year we had to clip her hair due to the fact that she had a large bald spot on the side of her head from twirling and pulling it out.
A year later we are still dealing with this issue.  We just clipped her hair again (oh and she HATES getting her hair cut...you think she'd learn...), shorter than Joshua's, due to the fact that she was twirling, pulling and sometimes eating her hair.
It makes me so sad as I would love for her to have longer hair so she could wear hair clips or pig-tails.  But nope, for now I get to wait this out and pray that she outgrows this silly and annoying habit; for now I will deal with the comments about my daughter having short hair and the fact she is often mistaken for a being a boy, regardless of what she wears.

Please, Saray, stop twirling, pulling and eating your hair, you silly girl.

Bath Time, Bed Time and Everything Else in Between

Most of my days are consumed with bath time, bed time and everything else that is related to my kids.   I run from one thing to the next, or from one request to another, I hardly have time to breathe, and that is what's it's like when my kids are HEALTHY!  Triple the work when everyone is sick. 

From the moment my kids rise I am on the go, period.  There's always something to do, or someone to care for.  There are baths to be drawn, books to read, fights to referee, clothes to be washed, folded and put back in drawers before the laundry bin is tipped over or little hands get a hold and undo the work that has been done, boo-boos to be kissed, kids to hug and kiss....and that is just the tip of the iceberg!   

A mother truly does have to be willing to give and not expect to receive anything in return.  Oh and you must learn to juggle about 10 things at one time, especially when it comes down to meal time.  All of a sudden my kids start fussing and I haven't even thought about dinner, which then leads to a mad dash to the kitchen to prepare a meal for little mouths.  At that very moment everything puts a demand on me: the oven is beeping, the stove top is trying to burn whatever is on the burner, the kids are now screaming and fighting, Grayson is crying cause he's hungry too, and my own tummy is growling, oh then the phone rings. While my whole little world is making loud requests and demands, I am tripping over toys that have found their way to my kitchen (in my own little perfect world, toys would not be allowed in the kitchen, period, especially those with wheels or little balls.) 

Right then and there with all the loud noise and all those iron rods in the fire, I stop, and just breathe in the strength and grace of the Lord.  In the midst of the craziness I am reminded that I am a servant of the Most High GOD and I am doing all this work onto HIM alone.  Wow, am I ever so thankful for the quiet whispers from God.   I am reminded also of the days where I longed for days like these, well maybe not EXACTLY, but I did long for the sound of pitter-patter from little feet running throughout the house and for the little ones to raise and help fill my days. 

Lord, keep that memory of that longing at the forefront of my mind, especially when I am being pulled in several different directions at once and tripping over toys that I just want to throw away that very moment.  What an honor it is to be servant of the Most High God and also to raise little people into men and women of God.  Thank you for your constant strength and grace in my life.  You have given me the greatest, and most challenging job out there, and I realize day in and day out that I cannot do this by myself.   I am so blessed to be called Mom and Servant of God. 

Grayson - 5 months old

Grayson has become such a squealer/screamer.  He squeals whenever he is happy, excited, or being tickled.  I love it!  It makes me laugh every time I hear him squeal.

He is really outgrowing the "little baby" stage and is headed full swing into "baby, headed to toddler" stage.  He is always wiggling when being held, like he's saying, "Let me down, I want to explore my world."  Grayson constantly wants to engage with Joshua and Saray...I don't blame him!  The twins are always doing something and to him it looks like a ton of fun.

What a good little sleeper!   Gray is sleeping from 7pm til 5am, wakes for a quick feeding then is back down til 7 or 7:30am. He takes one two-hour nap every day, and another 1.5 hour nap, along with a 45 minute nap at around 4:30 or 5pm.
The books "Healthy Sleeping Habits, Happy Child" and "Becoming Baby Wise" are packed full of helpful knowledge getting your babies (toddlers, and older) to nap and sleep.   I have learned so much from reading, and re-reading these two books, like just how important it is for infants to get good naps and what sleep actually does for their brains.  And also how to get your kid to sleep through the night, earlier than a year old.  I believe that is why to this day I have 3 good nappers, and night sleepers.   I am a strong believer in sleep training...and no I am not just "lucky", I am a mommy that is willing to train my children, even in the area of sleep.


We just started introducing solids with Grayson a few weeks ago; we've been taking it extremely slow, mostly due to the fact that solid feeding 3 times a day, even one time a day, is added work to my already hectic schedule.  But at the same time, I realize he is ready, there has been no forcing on my part.  So far we have done avocado (mixed with breast milk to thin it a bit), oatmeal, and banana in a teether feeder (which is LOVES).    He so enjoys eating; hopefully that will continue into the toddler years...maybe then I will actually have at least one really good eater!

We've been enjoying some fantastic Autumn days; we've been going to the park on a regular basis, and without coats and hats I might add, and it's Nov 3rd!  The kids (and Jer and I) are loving the extra time outside, especially since we know Winter is right around the corner.

Enjoy this holiday season!
 

Late Autumn day at the park

Loves books already

 

What a great smile!

He loves his Daddy

He loves being able to see what's going on around him...

Funny face.

So happy!

Toes, delicious!

Grayson is generally a happy baby, but this moment he had had enough.

He loves being carried in the Beco front carrier.

Peek-a-boo

And Now Toddlerhood begins

I have been so busy these last 5 weeks that I haven't even had time to think of blogging.  We've been on the go so much, trying to soak up as much sun as we can as we know that Winter is right around the corner.  Normally, by now we have had a taste of Winter, but not this year.  We've had incredible Autumn weather (days still in the 60's-70's and nights still staying above freezing).  The kids absolutely love being outside, so we've been going to all the local parks, Fish Hatchery and playing in our own backyard.  How in the world will my kids handle being shut inside for long stretches during the winter?  How will I handle it?!  I guess we'll deal with the long days when they come, but for now we are enjoying the sun.

My twins are two...TWO!  How did that happen?!   All of a sudden they are becoming more independent and trying to run more and more of their own lives (as much as a 2 year old really can).   Along with that is a rise of "free will".  Free will to say no to anything and everything that Mommy and Daddy ask them to do.  Wow, I am so not ready for this stage.  But at the same time I am so excited to watch my kids grow up, even if it comes with a lot of "no's".

We had the twins' 24 month wellness check up and I am proud to announce that the twins have FINALLY made it to the twenties in the weight department.  Saray weighs 23 lbs and Joshua weighs 21 lbs.   What a relief!  I have worked very hard to get the kids' weight up.  Oh, Saray (32 in) is still two inches taller than Joshua (30 in)...they may be like this for a long time.

Miss Saray Anne is such a talker; she will repeat anything you say and after that it's locked in her memory and she can and will use it (hopefully not against you).  Her vocabulary is astounding and I am constantly amazed at what she knows and how she can put sentences together so perfectly...sometimes even better than myself.   Saray sings constantly; she loves singing "Jesus Loves Me", "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star", "You Created Me", and "Over in the Meadow", just to name a few.  And she sings them almost word to word.  It's also quite fun singing with her, if you stop in the middle of a song, she will carry on with the right words.  Amazing! 

Mister Joshua James is really starting to come out of his reserved shell.  He is starting to talk a lot more and is really starting to pick up on the whole singing thing.  He is so into books right now.  He comes at me and throws me the book he is currently holding and as he's throwing it, he says "Read it, Mama."  I think he would have me read books all day if we both had the time and energy.  Joshua is such a music/beat man.  He has amazing rhythm.  He can feel the beat before we (the parents) hear it, and once he hears it, his little feet start moving up and down in perfect time to the music and his little hands start swaying while his little pointer fingers are pointed up as if he's directing the band.


Along with all the fun stuff we have had our share of not so fun stuff; like battles with eating, baths, nap time, listening, obeying...but all this is normal (at least I HOPE it is...).  Each day I try and remember that this is still a pretty easy stage and that with each stages comes challenges and joys. 
Help me Lord to focus on the joys and my three little blessings.

Grayson - 4 months old

Our little Grayson is such an added blessing to our family.  It's hard to imagine what life was like before he arrived.    He just adds spice to our already flavor-filled life. 
He is such a smiler; he gets so excited when he sees a familiar face that he can hardly contain himself.  He just puts on the biggest smile possible and his hands start waving as if saying hi.  Oh I love this kid.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Joshua and Saray!

2 years ago we were just beginning this new journey called parenthood, parents to twins, nonetheless.  I can still remember being at the hospital, recovering from my vaginal delivery and c-section, staring at my two beautiful babies in our arms.  I was had a mixture emotions that I was feeling, from being nervous, excited and overwhelmed with the idea that I was going to be taking these two very helpless babies home.  I wondered how in the world I would get through the early days of nursing two babies...
But here we are, 2 years later, well adjusted to life with twins (and Mr. Grayson, the 3rd baby).  We survived the sleepless nights, learning how to nurse two babies (this is by far a lot more challenging than just nursing one baby) and still have a life, how to manage a decent sleep schedule...all our hard work is paying off...and now we are headed into the the toddler years.

It seems like since their birthday(s) they have changed, how, I can't really put my finger on it, maybe it's just the fact that they are 2 now.  They sure are little explorers.  We ended up going on a hike thanks to Joshua's leading and the kids have inspired us to go and do things that we may not normally do if we didn't have two (three) little sponges.   We have gone to Reptile Gardens twice this Summer and plan on making at least 2 more trips.  The kids absolutely love the snakes, alligators, lizards, and birds.  I also find myself more willing to get the mixer out more often (Joshua and Saray's absolute favorite kitchen tool) just to watch the kids get all excited and full of smiles.
One sure can learn a lot just from being with a child...I wouldn't trade my kids for anything (I may be willing to trade the tantrums though).
There is so much whirling around in my mind about the kids, I can't quite find the words to describe my heart's thoughts.  All I know is that these past 2 years have been so full of God's blessings and I am rediscovering the world around me through my kids' eyes.  Children truly are a blessing from the Lord. 

Saray's 2nd year photo book

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Joshua's 2nd year photo book

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Grayon - 2 months old

My last post on Grayson was in June!  Yikes!  That just tells me that July was INSANE!   I hardly had time to even think about posting a new blog, let alone writing a few new blogs.  Life with 3 kids is just so much more full and busy.

Grayson is such an amazing little baby; he takes great naps and sleeps at least one 6-7 hour stretch per night now, including a 3.5 hour stretch on top of that.   So that means I am only getting up once during the night and it's generally around 4:30 or 5am.  We're all a little happier, a little more content and more rested.
Letting Grayson cry himself to sleep a few times and getting into a routine of soothing himself has been the biggest helper.  I can lay him down for naps or bed time and within 5 minutes he is out like a light.   

He is really starting to get interested in everyone around him, especially Joshua and Saray.  While nursing he'll stop to listen or strain his neck to see if he can spot them.  It won't be long before he's off running with the twins.

Saray has taken a real interest in Grayson, especially now that he's smiling more and "talking".  She thinks it's absolutely hilarious when he smiles and coos.   She even will lay down on the play mat with Grayson and point out things on a certain toy.  Grayson just soaks it all in.  It's amazing to watch their friendship grow.

Grayson and Joshua are starting to develop a bond as well, it's been a little slower, mostly due to the fact that Joshua is a bit more of "doing my own thing" kind of kid.  But he does really enjoy giving Grayson a good push in the baby swing, sometimes a little too good.  And at that moment you can hear me saying from across the room, "BE GENTLE!  Not sooo hard!"  At that moment I feel bad for everyone involved; Grayson cause he has no control of the situation and for Joshua cause learning about differences and opposites.
 
At Grayson's 2 month check up he weighed 11lbs 7oz and 22 1/4 inches long.   When Joshua was 2 months old he weighed 7lbs 11 oz and Saray weighed 8lbs 2 oz.  No wonder I felt like the twins were in preemie, newborn and 0-3 month clothing for long!  Josh at 4 months old was still in 0-3 month clothing!  I have already had to pull out some 3-6 month clothing for Grayson.

 
Such a happy little camper (literally)

The kiddos :)

Saray helping Daddy burp Grayson.

Saray and Grayson

Daddy and Son

Grayson and Joshua

Where in the world did he get those dimples?

He's settled on the two middle fingers on his left hand.

Working out...

Enjoying an evening stroller ride with the family.