bye bye pappy

 

All three of my children have been pacifier babies.  Allison was pretty attached to her pacifier which she called paci.  My Alli-cat had most of her teeth by the time she was 10 months old.  We had planned to take her pacifier away but decided to wait until after her first flight to California when she was 11 months old.  A week after her first birthday the pacifier went in the trash and Allison never looked back.  Honestly she didn't care or notice.



 My baby blues AKA Cooper James was a little more attached to his pacifier which he called pappy.  Cooper was a late teether, by his first birthday he only had his front four teeth and it stayed that way until he was 20 months old.  We were so worried about his teeth not coming in that we took him to the dentist for x-rays.  Cooper was much older than Alli when we took the pacifier away he was 2 1/2.  That kid was addicted and loved his pacifier.  Those were the days before pacifier clips, and let me tell you we had at least 10 pacifiers all over our house.  We tried on several occasions to take his pacifier away but it didn't last long.  Finally on Christmas eve some how we couldn't find a single pacifier and at that moment we decided Cooper was done with the pacifier.  It was tough at first but after a few days of Cooper looking for his pacifier, and asking for it he eventually got over it. 







My BB boy was another pacifier lover.  We only bought one set of pacifiers, and thanks to the handy pacifier clip we never lost any.  I made all of Beckett's pacifier clips.  Beckett was so use to his pacifier clip he would tug on his shirt to look for it or to remind me to clip it on him.  As a baby Beckett was totally laid back, and such an easy going baby.  Boy how things have changed.  He might be the baby but he definitely doesn't act like it!  He has an opinion and he is not afraid to tell you!  Things changed when he started walking, once he became mobile he developed an opinion.  Beckett is a stubborn smart kid.  I have to remind myself how mischievous and defiant Cooper was, man he use to drive me crazy.  This stage is such a game changer and a molding time.  I made a choice to not take Beckett's pacifier away while we were in the process of moving and that was a mistake, a that point Beckett was still pretty laid back..  I feared taking his pacifier away, but I could tell it was holding back his speech and communication skills.  A couple weeks ago I had to go to Hobbs for an orthodontics appointment.  I was in such a rush get the kids ready for school that when we left the house that morning some how when I changed Beckett I never clipped his pacifier back on.  Now we had been limiting his use to only during naps, bed time, and while traveling.  But I knew we would be gone the entire day so I decided this was a opportunity to take the pacifier away.  The craziest thing happened Beckett never asked for it or seemed bothered with out it.  Days passed and everyday I would tell Richard we made another day with out it.  I was so worked up about taking the pacifier away, it turned out not to be a problem at all.  I cant believe my baby is so big, in a week he will be 18 months old.  

Christmas Day!

 

Christmas 2013 was a much different Christmas then 2012!  Last year we were so sick with the flu it didn't feel like Christmas at all!  I remember being so worried about baby Beckett with his constant fevers and sluggish personality.  This year was almost perfect.  Richard had to work so we were up at the crack of dawn to open presents at 5:30am!  I love the excitement and the reaction of Christmas morning, it such a fleeting moment.  Richard stayed until 6 and then went to work.  I opened boxes for hours.  I loved Cooper's reaction when he saw what Santa left him.  I enjoyed listening to Allison say how much she loved everything she received.  Beckett literally played with every toy, he was so quiet.  I finally made the kids stop so I could make breakfast and then for them to eat.  At ten my sister in law called with news that my brother in law was sick and asked if we could move Christmas lunch to our house.  I said of course and then began the craziest two hours.  We had so much wrapping paper and boxes laying around it took me several trips to the dumpster to clear everything out of the house.  Everyone came over at 12 and Richard came shortly after.  I enjoyed everyone's company so much.  It was so special to have everyone here.  Lunch was so delicious the ham was excellent!  I love having a full house.  Growing up with three sisters and know that were all married and have children I am use to a big commotion.  Having a lot of people over here was almost soothing and made it feel more like Christmas!  I was almost sad to see everyone go.  The rest of the day is kind of a blur.  Opening more gifts, playing with there new toys, taking Allison out to ride her new bike, and eating more good food. I even got to facetime my mom and sister and all long phone call with my aunt.  Even though I was totaling missing my sisters and mom, the day was pretty darn near perfect!  What a wonderful time of year to celebrate the gift of the savor.

 

 

 

 

Christmas Eve

 

 

This Christmas Eve will have a special place in my heart.  Richard had to work and Beckett was up at 7:30.  I had one last Christmas movie for the kids and I to watch Home Alone 2.  I made breakfast and we watched the whole movie with out interruption.  I had all three of my babies surrounding me on the couch intently watching the movie, it was perfect.  The entire day was wonderful.  I bathed all the kids, did some laundry, washed dishes, and cleaned house.  I got to have a long chat with my sister Courtney.  I also baked most of the entire day in between things.  I made sugar cookies for Santa with both big kids.  I made chocolate puppy chow, peppermint brownies, and chocolate cheese cake. 

At the end of the day we went to eat dinner and open presents at my sister in laws house.  Dinner was absolutely delicious, funny side note I had so much food stuck in my braces lol!  Then it was present time!!  My favorite part of watching the kids open presents was watching my great nephew laugh at this dancing chicken, awe it was the cutest thing ever!  The kids loved these race motor cycles that there Aunt and Uncle got them.  I got a new crock pot, I need a new one since Beckett broke my old one.  How blessed we all are with so many gifts.  After all the festivities we went home and my poor Beckett who was hours past his nap went straight to sleep while we decorated cookies for Santa.  The kids went to bed and the parents stayed up way to late preparing for Santa's arrival.

December wrap up

Its hard to believe the month is nearly over.  I was just telling Richard weren't we just in Fort Worth, wasn't it just Thanksgiving.  This month has been a busy one.  We've enjoyed celebrating our Christmas traditions with each other.  Frosty our elf on the shelf came back again this year the day after Thanksgiving.  Our elf is not mischievous he basically just moves around everyday and reports to Santa every night.  The kids were so excited every morning to find were Frosty had moved to.  Towards the end of Frosty's time with us Beckett finally became aware that he was around and would start looking for him too.  When he would find Frosty he would laugh!!  This school year I am the room mom for Allison's class.  Which means of course that I was in charge of her school Christmas party.  I told Richard that I never want to be the room mom again lol.  Its just to much dang work, and people aren't always willing to help.  I think planning the party for me was just to much added stress to the already busy Christmas season.  The party did turn out to be a success. The main event at the party was the Christmas photo booth I made.  The kids would dress up and I would take there photos.  Then I printed out the pictures and I also made frames for the kids to put the photos in and take home.  They also got to play some Christmas games and eat a ton of goodies.  Poor Cooper missed out on his Christmas party this year, he was home sick.  But I was able to stop by his kindergarten class and pick up his goodies.  I was also in charge of creating our church children's Christmas presents.  I went simple since there are 72 children and I decided to buy Christmas bags to fill up with goodies.  It took me days to buy and put together, and I also glittered all the children's names on each bag!  I was relieved when I was done and all the gifts were distributed!  In between all these activities I managed to make some Christmas crafts.  Pinterest was a big help for Christmas craft ideas I made a framed wrapping paper tree, a Christmas card wreath, and a wreath for our door.  We were fairly consistent every night by reading verse from the bible, watching Christ related videos, and adding to our giving tree every night.  Allison and I continued with watching Christmas movies every night and everyday we jammed out to Christmas music.  My favorite music was listening to Allison practice her three Christmas songs these last two weeks.  We were also able to attended Richard's work Christmas party thanks to Richards parents for babysitting.  Richard was in charge of taking couples pictures at the party, it was a fun way to get to know everyone since Richard's the new guy to this facility.  A few days ago we managed to get Richards parents to babysit again to sneak of to the movies to see the new Hobbit movie.  What a blessed busy month of December we had.  I am hoping January is a slower month so I can relax!!

Christmas with my sisters!

 

My sister Jamie and Jacinto flew in from Kazakhstan last week and stayed at my moms for a few days before driving into Midland on Thursday.  My sister Heather and her family came into Midland Friday.  It was so nice to have a full house.  Heather's youngest son Marcus and Beckett are nine months apart and they were very interested in each other.  Saturday night we celebrated Christmas all together.  The kids were so excited to spend time with everyone and especially to open presents.  After a huge meal and desserts we opened gifts.  We let the kiddos play for a while and then it was time for the Christmas photo booth.  What a great time we had dressing up, the kids even joined in too.  But the adults really had the most fun.  After the photo booth we played a bunch of Christmas trivia games.  My sister Jamie and her Husband left because they had another Christmas party to go to. We decided to end the night with going for a drive to look at lights.  The dads stayed home with the babies and Heather and I took the big kids to look a the lights. 

My heart was very full Saturday night.  I felt so thankful to have half of my family here, it was almost perfect.  Living back in Midland is biter sweet because its my home town but yet its missing my family.  It was wonderful to host my family here to cook meals, watch movies, laugh, chat, and just watch our kids play together.

Sunday morning after another big breakfast and watching a movie Heather and her family left.  After Church later on in the day Jamie and Jacinto came back over for dinner before they left town.  I was so glad we got to spend some time with both of my sisters.

Christmas Piano Recital

Instead of an official Christmas recital Allison's teacher set up a time for all of her students to play at the Cimarron Retirement home for there family night.  Allison had been practicing her three songs for two weeks.  She was very nervous to play in front of a crowd.  I had to warm her up to the idea of playing.  She was so excited about her grandparents, aunt and uncle coming to watch her play.  According to Allison the piano wasn't tuned and was missing a few keys, but she was still able to play beautifully.  I am proud that she faced her fear and played, she even volunteered to play first.  Afterwards we went to dinner with Richard's parents.

More Christmas Activties

This past Saturday was a full day of Christmas activities.  I was so bummed we had so many things planned and Richard had to work.  We even missed out on Richard's family Ski Trip!  To start off our day I took the kids to our church breakfast Christmas party.  It would have been so easy to stay in bed that early morning but I am so glad I got my crew out for this event because they had so much fun!  My kids have so many friends at church the were so excited to run around with them.  Beckett on the other hand kept me busy running out of the gym over and over again!  I finally got some food and candy canes for him so he would stay in his stroller.  The big kids had fun decorating ornaments to fill the churches tree, and they also sang Christmas carols as a group.  I loved listening to them sing, Christmas songs it always brings out the spirit of Christmas for me.  Santa even stopped by for a visit, Cooper jumped in line and was one of the first kids to sit on his lap!  Allison and her friends set back and discussed how familiar Santa's voice sounded, and if it was the real Santa his reindeer would be on the roof! 

After Beckett's nap we went to the annual Christmas event at the Museum of the Southwest.  The Christmas tree exhibits were beautiful.  I enjoyed looking at all the trees but the kids were ready to go to the children museum.  Hours flew by there and we stayed tell closing.  It was Beckett's first time there and he went crazy and was all over the place.  I rarely saw the big kids but made them check in  with me every few minutes.  There was also a activities room where the kids could decorate cookies and make ornaments.   The kids are already asking to go back to the museum! 

We went home for a quick dinner and Richard came home from work.  Beckett went down for his second nap.  I stayed home with Beckett and Richard left with the big kids to watch the Christmas parade down town.  I loaded them with blankets, gloves, and double jackets.  I also sent them with bags to put candy in that they caught from the parade and boy did they catch candy!  It was a full day of Christmas activities!