~22 months....continued~

Since I posted Dax's 22 month update, I have thought of quite a few things I forgot to mention. Rather than going in and updating my previous post, I figured I would just create a new one.

I had a few pictures that I snapped over the last month that I thought was really cute. It seems like lately Rylee and Dax play so good, but they also seem to fight a lot more too. I never thought an almost 2 year old and a 5 year old could fight so much. But when they are getting along, its great! They have so much fun together and will sit in their rooms and play together or chase each other around the house. They love each other so much and are so cute together. Rylee is such a sweet big sister when she wants to be.

Whenever she sits at the computer to play her game, Dax has to come over and sit on her lap so he doesn't miss anything. And even though you can tell its tough for Rylee to play with him on her lap, she doesn't seem to mind one bit.

They love to play like they are camping out in Dax's play tent, or use it to hide in or play cats and dogs in. I snuck in and got a few pictures of them the other night while they were in playing like they were sleeping in the tent.

Over the last month Dax has become extremely independent. He will not let you feed him at all anymore. If you ty to feed him he just gets really mad and upset and will not eat. Then if you sit him at the table and let him feed himself, he is as happy as can be. One day Rylee had a can of pringles out and he wanted some, so she gave him a chip and he got so mad and started crying and screaming. I thought he wanted her chip instead, so to stop the loud screaming I asked her to just give her chip to him and get herself a new one. So, she did, and he screamed more. Finally, I thought maybe he wants the can. So I handed the can toward him and all he wanted was to reach in and get his own chip. Grandma Judi learned this the hard way when she kept trying to feed him spaghettio's the other day and I kept telling her that he probably won't eat it that way because he is so independent. She tried and he got mad, she tried again and he yelled, and the third time he just started crying and came in to tell me. It was pretty funny. Then I tried putting a dish towel around his neck like a bib and he was not happy about that either. I have learned that he wants to do it all on his own and does not want to be treated like a baby at all.

As much of a big boy as he tries to be, I am happy to say that he still loves to give hugs, kisses, and to cuddle. That makes me very happy. He is such a little lover boy.

He loves laying in our bed or Rylee's bed to watch movies and tries to get us to let him sleep in them at night for bed, but I am not ready to take him out of his crib just yet. He just seems too young and I cannot imagine that naptime would be so easy if he was in a bed that he could easily climb out of. So for now, we will stick with the crib. (Maybe in another 6 months or so.)

He has a big box of all kinds of trucks, cars, four wheelers, bikes, and diesels to play with and he loves them. All day long I am picking up cars. He drives them all over the house and wants us to all join in. He makes the perfect "vroom" noises for each vehicle too. I love it. He is such a cutie!

Some of my favorite things to hear him say is "I Love You", "uh-oh spaghettio's" and the cutest ever is when he says "Schaugaard". It is so funny because we were all just talking and I said something to Rylee about spelling our last name and when I said Schaugaard, Dax started saying "Stou-dard" "Stou-dard", over and over. It was the cutest thing ever and to this day I think he loves to say it because any time he hears us say it, he has to repeat it a few times.

Another milestone I must mention is that he finally dares to take a shower. He has always been so terrified of showers. When Rylee was a baby we would take her in the shower sometimes and she loved it. We tried with Dax and he was terrified. Every once in a while we would try again and he would scream in terror, so we had to get him out. He just barely got to where he is not scared of them and loves them.

He LOVES to dance and boy can this kid dance. He has got some rhythm too. He gets all low and gets all into it. He pulls this serious, rockstar facial expression. I cannot really explain it, but he looks like a rockstar, it is hilarious. And while pulling this face he is getting down and dancing. It makes me and Brett laugh every time. Rylee loves to dance too. So of course any time we have music going at the house, we have two cute kids dancing around to the beat.

Dax is still very shy when we go places where there is a lot of people, even if its people he knows. He is not a fan of huge groups of people I guess. It takes a good 45 minutes just to warm up enough so that me or Brett can even put him down. My nephew Jayden was amazed at how shy he is at big gatherings versus how he is at home when Jayden has come over. It is like night and day. It is definitely the big crowd thing that he doesn't like though because even when I go to watch Rylee dance and there is just a few "strangers" there, he will get down and try to play ball or trucks with the other people there with no problem.

He has this big Tonka truck that he got for Christmas and one day I went to check on him and he was sitting in it just playing with his toys. Brett decided to push him around in it and now he loves to go for rides in the Tonka. He had Brett, Dylan and me all pushing him around that day.

I could go on and on. He has such a cute personality and is such a sweet little boy. Although I do have to mention that he is still a daddy's boy. He loves me and wants me, but if daddy is around he usually chooses daddy over mommy. Some days I am lucky enough to be the favorite and I love those days. Maybe its because he is home all day with me and by the time Brett comes home from work he is needing some daddy time. It is pretty funny though because for some reason he seems to think that only Brett can touch the remote. If we are all watching t.v. and I pick up the remote at all, he will come and take it from me and take it right over to Brett. Same with Brett's phone. He knows which phone is Brett's and if I touch it, he will take it from me and take it to Brett also.

He is one silly little boy and we love him to pieces!

29 and Holding!!!

I have officially turned 29 years old. That means only one year left until the big 3-0! I don't know why but thirty just sounds so old to me. I don't feel that old. And I guess that is what really matters, right? I have always said that I am only as old as I feel and act, so I would have to say that I am forever in my upper 20's. I guess as long as I feel great, then being so close to thirty really shouldn't bother me. So, here is to my last year in my twenties!!!

I had a really great birthday. For lunch, my sisters (Andrea, Shanda, & Brinne) and my mom took me and my kids to lunch at El Mexicano. They are so sweet; I love them all. I just love getting to go spend time with all of them, whether its for my birthday or one of theirs. Later that night Brett's parents took the kids and Brett and I went to have a nice enjoyable dinner at Steve's Steakhouse where I also had the best piece of cheesecake ever. Afterward we went and saw the movie "Little Fockers". It was funny, but none of them will beat the first one, "Meet the Parents." That was and still is my favorite one. Then we picked up the kids and went home and relaxed together. I had a really fun time with him.

I got some really great gifts on my birthday. I got 3 pairs of pajamas and some yoga pants from Victoria's Secret, a really cute black long sleeve shirt, a super cute hand-made magnet board, some sweet birthday cards, money, and from my sweet, loving, and wonderful husband, I got a new Nikon D3000 SLR camera, which I was extremely excited about. I have been wanting a digital SLR camera for a very long time now.

My day turned out great thanks to everyone! I don't have any pictures from my birthday, but here is a picture of my new magnet board.

~22 months~

I cannot believe that my baby is almost 2 years old. Where did the time go? We just love him so much and have enjoyed the entire 22 months with him. He is the funniest little boy ever! Rylee adores him and he adores her. He loves to play with her, it is so cute. He says more and more words. He has always been really good to repeat just about any word I say, but he is repeating more and learning how to ask for things by name rather than just taking me to them. He easily can say 50-100 words. He loves to help me pick up so I will hand him something and tell him to take it to his toybox, or Rylee's toybox, or the dirty clothes hamper and he takes everything and puts them where I say. He LOVES pickles still and pretty much any kind of fruit. I cannot cut up an apple without him eating half of it. His favorite foods definitely have to be anything Italian. He likes things with spaghetti or marinara type sauces; such as, Spaghetti, Ravioli, Pizza, Parmesan Chicken, and spaghetti-o's. I always know that any time I make Spaghetti or my Italian Bake, he will eat really good those nights. He loves milk and wants his cup refilled all day long. It is amazing he even has room for food as much as he enjoys his milk. Some of his favorite cartoons are Yo Gabba Gabba and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Some characters he also likes is Spiderman, Spongebob, and Buzz and Woody. At 22 months he weighs 28.5 lbs. and is 35 inches tall.

Before we know it, we will be celebrating his 2nd birthday!!!

I took some 22 month pictures of Dax with my new camera. It was a great way for me to try out my new camera and also get some practice with photoshop.

~It's a New Year~

It's 2011 now and I am looking forward to whatever it may have in store, as long as it is spent with my wonderful family then I am HAPPY! I look forward to all the fun activities we get to do each year together from birthday parties, visits to the lake, the dunes, camping, traveling, playing at the park, and even just sitting inside eating popcorn and watching movies. I love my LIFE and am thankful for each person in it.

Almost every year my new year resolution is to lose weight and get into shape for the coming summer. This year is not a whole lot different, but instead of just wanting to lose these winter pounds I packed on, I also want to start eating right, exercising, and drinking more water. That is a big one since I am horrible at drinking water. I know our bodies need it, and it makes our skin look better and younger and less dry, but I still struggle at doing it. Well I am determined, starting TODAY, to drink more water, eat healthier and stay active. 

Another goal of mine this year is to be a better mommy and wife. Really just a better person in general. Now I know if my husband read this he would probably say something like, "Babe you already do the best job you can as a mommy and a wife," but I want to do more. I want to make sure that I enjoy the little things with my kids more often, have even more patience with them, get to laugh at all the silly things they say and do even if I am stressed about something else, I want to stop and take the time to play around and be silly and not just with my kids but with Brett too. I want to take the time to enjoy the little moments with Brett, even if its just getting to watch an hour of tv together before he goes to bed or cuddling in bed on the weekends and watching a movie. I just want to stop and enjoy each moment and each person I get to spend it with.

I am looking forward to a great 2011.....

Christmas Joy~2010

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house;

Two creatures were stirring and laughing about.
The stockings were hung on the door with care;

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

Then we tore open our Christmas Eve gifts with "Ooh's and Aw's";

How exciting, its pajamas and the movie "Santa Paws". 

The children were nestled all snug in their beds;

Watching their new movie with their tired little heads.

Special cookies were made and set out with some milk;

Now Rylee lay in her bed made of cozy soft silk.

For she knew the sooner she went to sleep;

Santa would arrive with some special gifts for her to keep.

The excitement was almost too much for her to bare;

So she asked dad to snuggle and asleep they soon fell as a pair.

Soon we were all snug in our own beds;

Santa visited with a sack full of toys and then he fled.

Now it wouldn't be long before the kids would awake;

With excitement and smiles there would be pictures to take.

Please enjoy our Christmas pictures, they are out of sight;

Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night!!!

 
CHRISTMAS MORNING

Rylee woke up around 6:30 am on Christmas morning and came into our room. I didn't even look at the clock, but I know it was still dark, so I told her to climb into our bed and go back to sleep for just a little longer. Soon I noticed it starting to get light and I had tossed and turned a few times. Apparently Rylee was still awake also because she said to me, "Mom, this has been the longest night ever, hasn't it!?" Then we both went back to sleep. Around 8:45 am Brett woke her up and said, "Rylee its Christmas". She was so tired from laying awake for so long that she told him to give her a minute because she was still really tired. She is so cute!

Within about 30 seconds, I think she must have realized what he had said and she woke right up. I came out and plugged in the tree lights and got the camera ready while Brett and Rylee went to get Dax up. Both kids were super excited when they came walking out. There sat matching Big Wheels. A pink one for Rylee and a red one for Dax. They both had to try them out really quick. Well except Dax, he just wanted to keep playing on it. Rylee went right into opening presents, but Dax had to be convinced at first. Once he realized there was fun things inside, he just kept opening them, pausing for a moment to play with each one. Rylee did so good at reading each tag and then showing me so I could confirm who it was to and from.

Rylee had a hard time deciding what she really wanted this year. Everything she thought of was just smaller toys. She asked for a talking Jessie doll from Toy Story 2 and 3 and she also asked for a Rescue Pet mommy dog with puppies in her belly. She got both of those from Santa and also a Zhu-Zhu pet, some Moxie doll's and stuff for her Moxie dolls, coloring books, crayons, hair stuff and headbands, and a whole bunch of candy. Dax got his Big Wheel, trucks, motorcycles, coloring books, and candy.

Some other stuff Rylee got was a spongebob doll and blanket, Baby Alive, newborn baby, big Minnie Mouse stuffed animal, Easy Bake oven, bean bag, Moxie doll head to do her hair and makeup, Aquadoodle, Lalaloopsy, lots of clothes, shoes, overnight bag, movies, littlest pet shop stuff, and lots of art stuff.

Some of the other stuff Dax got was a lot of trucks, diesels, big Tonka dump truck, Tapout shirt and beanie, a few toy guns, woody doll with a blanket (he loves Toy Story), movies, clothes, shoes, remote control car, and a tool box full of his very own tools.

Santa brought Brett and I a flatscreen TV for our bedroom. We were really excited. Brett and I also got lots of clothes, pajamas, bedroom set (for both of us), knife cutlery set for the kitchen (which was desperately needed), some dish towels that grandma Schaugaard makes us every year and I LOVE them so much, a handmade picture frame/shelf that my father-in-law surprised me with that I wanted very badly (I posted a picture of it with the blocks I made-I LOVE the way it all came together) and with his craftiness he pulled it off, and money which is always extremely helpful during this time of year!

Afterwards we had a really nice sized mess to clean up, but it was all worth watching the excitement that these two cute kids had on their faces. I loved every minute of it.

We all had a really great Christmas and we are so thankful to be able to spend it together as a family. We are all so lucky to have each other.

After the clean-up, I made a big breakfast and then we sort of just hung out most the day and played with all the new toys we had got. It was a nice relaxing day that ended with a nice ham dinner and then cuddling in together to watch our new movies.

We hope everyone else had a fun and safe holiday....Merry Christmas!

 

 

Christmas Party #2

On December 19th we had our Christmas party on my side of the family. We had it at my sister Andrea's house and as always there was a lot of people, which makes it fun for th kids. There ended up being about 22 kids there. We had a big lunch with everyone and then while the kids were playing, Santa came walking in. Rylee had told me on the way that if Santa comes to this Christmas party she wanted to make sure she let him know that she wanted the talking Jessie doll from Toy Story 2 and 3 since she had forgot to tell him the time before. When Santa called her name she hopped right on his lap and told him that she wanted the Rescue Pet mommy dog with baby puppies and forgot to tell him about Jessie again. I told her it was a good thing that we have Buddy the Elf watching over her and reporting to Santa each night if she was good or bad that day and letting him know the things she wants for Christmas. She made sure to go right home and let Buddy the Elf know she really really wants a talking Jessie doll.

Now Dax was a different story. He is already a bit shy and nervous at my family get togethers because there is always so many people running around and being loud that he wants to be held by either me or Brett the entire time and will not let anyone else take him. So when Santa called his name and I took him up there, he screamed so loud. He was terrified. I tried moving him from one hip to the other so we could attempt to at least get a picture or see if he would take his present from Santa, but he clung onto me like a little monkey with suction cup hands and feet, while screaming at the same time. We did get one picture, but you cannot see Dax's face and my head is cut off. It was about all anyone could get in the dramatic moment. Poor little thing.

Both my kids looked so cute for both the Christmas parties this year. I just love these kids so much and think they are the cutest little things ever.

I love getting together for the holidays and having these family parties. Family, friends, food, fun, and Santa....it doesn't get much better than that.