Snow-Round 2

We got our 2nd big snow storm of the season over the weekend.  They started out predicting only 4 inches but changed their tune Friday evening saying we could get anywhere from 8-14 inches.  It started snowing early Saturday morning and was blizzard like for most of the day on Saturday.  When all was said and done we had about a foot of snow.  Usually I love a good snow but this one caused us to cancel Juliann's 2nd Birthday party.  : (  We've rescheduled it for next weekend and are hoping that the additional snow they've mentioned for next weekend holds off until Sunday or Monday!  We had a great weekend and Juliann actually enjoyed the snow a little today!  We borrowed a sled from a neighbor and took a walk around the neighborhood, making a stop at the playground for Jules.  She was a little scared at first but liked sitting safely in the sled much more than walking in the snow.  Now, instead of saying, "I not like snow" she occasionally says she likes it and wants to touch it!  Progress!  Hope all those who are off of school on Monday enjoy their snow day! 

walking around Ash Creek

playground fun with Daddy

30 weeks

I promised I'd post another belly picture.  Here's the baby bump at just over 30 weeks.  Notice Juliann in the second picture showing her belly too-she's convinced she has a baby in her tummy too!  :)

Here's another cute picture of Juliann from today!

I have to mention how well Juliann has been doing the past few days with potty training.  We've been working on it for a while (seriously started trying to get her to use the potty around Thanksgiving) and its finally working!!!  I know she's young so we've been patient but all the hard work is finally paying off!  For the past few days she's only worn pull ups when we run errands or when napping/sleeping.  The rest of the time she wears her big girl Elmo undies and we have had only 1 or 2 small accidents.  Usually we ask her if she needs to go but occasionally she realizes she has to use the potty and goes all by herself.  We're really proud of her!  Way to go Jules!  :)   

Almost 2

Although its hard for us to believe, Juliann will be 2 on Monday!  She celebrated with her friends at her sitters on Thursday and then again with her playgroup friends on Friday.  She's a huge fan of cupcakes and has asked for one at every meal since!

 getting started on her cupcake

Kendri chowing down

Because Kendri's parents are in Hawaii (so jealous of them right now) I picked up Kendri from her Grandpa and brought her with us to playgroup on Friday.  The girls are as close to best friends as can be expected from almost 2 year olds and are absolutely adorable when they're together.  I took Jules in with me to get Kendri and then put her in the car first.  She thought we were leaving Kendri there and was beside herself because she wanted Kendri to come with us!  No amount of explaining calmed her down and it wasn't until she saw me putting Kendri's car seat in the car that she calmed down.  Then, on the way to playgroup, they had the cutest conversations!  At one point, Jules said, "I see water over there!" and pointed to a lake with a fountain in the center.  Kendri responded with, "Yeah, water.  Ducks in water."  Juliann then said, "Yeah, ducks in water swimming."  And Kendri replied back, "Yeah, ducks swimming.  Quack quack!"  It was absolutely ADORABLE!!!!  I was so amazed and impressed with both girls vocabulary and connections and enjoyed having the two of them together for part of the day.  Although juggling 2 kids, 2 diaper bags and Juliann's cupcakes wasn't easy-it was a sneak peak of what life might be like with baby #2!  I survived and so did the kids!  :)

Today was supposed to be Juliann's 2nd Birthday party but but we ended up canceling it due to the weather.  They started out calling for only 4 inches so we thought we might be okay.  But by Friday morning they had changed the accumulation totals to 4-8.  We didn't want people driving in that much snow so we made the decision to move it to next weekend.  Thank goodness we did because by Friday evening they said we could get 6-12 and when we last checked we had close to a foot of snow!  We didn't venture out today so I'll try to post some pictures of our snow later.  Hope everyone is enjoying this latest round of snow!   

January

We finally had a warm enough day yesterday to let Juliann ride her bike outside (instead of inside the garage). She looked like such a big girl with her hair in a ponytail trying to make the pedals move. Hope everyone is taking advantage of the slightly warmer weather for a few more days (it’s supposed to get colder again next week) and getting outside for some fresh air! 
Things are going well for us here in Richmond. David is keeping busy at work and I’m doing my best to manage working part time with caring for a 2 year old and being pregnant. Things have definitely been different this time around and I’d really like for April to hurry up and get here! I’m trying to take it easy (doctors orders) to avoid either being put on bed rest or the baby coming early. It’s a challenge for my Type A personality but David has been a huge help since the holidays. Jules tries to help too by putting away her toys and cleaning up after herself. Daddy has also trained her to turn to me and say, “sit down Mommy!” She’s become such a big girl and is sleeping so well in her new room in a toddler bed and getting better at potty training with each day. However, I’m still having a hard time with the fact that she’s going to be 2 in just 2 weeks-crazy! That and the fact that we’re getting ready to start all over again in just a few months! :)  Hope you’re all doing well!

Christmas 2009

This holiday season was such an exciting time for our family.  Juliann was really involved in all aspects of Christmas this year, which was very different from last year!  She helped us decorate the tree, enjoyed singing Christmas songs (we still sing Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Rudolph and Jingle Bells from time to time), talked constantly about Santa and his reindeer and LOVED opening presents!  It was amazing to watch her experience all the things associated with Christmas and it made me enjoy the holidays even more than usual!     

helping Daddy put the angel on the tree

hanging ornaments on the tree

We headed to Amherst this year for the holidays and had a wonderful time with my family.  However, our usual Christmas Eve traditions were put on hold this year.  Instead we spent the evening visiting Grandma Sugars, who is recovering from H1N1 and a pretty bad fall, in a rehabilitation facility.  We made her a plate of food and took her presents to open-I know this made her evening and we all really enjoyed seeing her!  When we got home we ate quickly and began opening presents.

Let me just tell you-Jules was one VERY lucky girl this holiday!  She got a radio flyer bike, an Aquadoodle, a phonics toy, new lunch box, a baby doll (complete with a stroller, high chair, and bassinet), an activity tent with a tunnel, a giraffe stationary bike that practices her alphabet, counting, and more, lots of things Elmo, clothes, shoes, and so much more!!!  And this was just from our family members-we also gave her a radio flyer wagon, kitchen set, a toss game and new books!  Can you say spoiled?!?  We had so much stuff that we had to make two trips to get it all home!!!! 

her new lunch box from Uncle Ry and Aunt Meredith

with PopPop

using her new Aquadoodle

Sunday morning we headed up to Lexington to spend the day with David's family.  Again, Juliann got more gifts that we were unable to fit in our already packed car!  When we came back to Amherst on Tuesday we drove up to Lexington to get the rest of our stuff.  I'm still not sure how we've managed to find places for everything in our house! 

her new bike from Uncle Peter and Anne

her giraffe from Oma and Opa

We had such a wonderful holiday this year and are very thankful for our family members who made this Christmas holiday so special.  We love you all!  We hope you all had a great Christmas too!