Christmas fun

Again, it's been too long since I have blogged! Here's the catch up for the last month!
Bridgette-
She has really attached to a bean bag baby version of tigger. HOWEVER, she is convinced that it is winnie-the-pooh. So she asks for her "Baby Pooh" and we carry it with us everywhere. It is too funny. She loves the book "Donald's Christmas Gift" and calls it "Donald's Surprise". We read it over and over again. She wants me to tell her stories still at bedtime, however, now we don't even make it through "3 Little Bears and Goldilocks" until she is snoring. :) She also really likes the story of Pinocchio and calls it "Pino-cin-ock".
Aunt Mal and Uncle Robert are in to play with us for Christmas and we have really run Mal ragged. Play-dough, bounce house, playroom...all over the place.
Mason-
He has gained weight and grown taller. He is now 18 lbs and 26.5 inches long. He is wearing 9 or 12 month clothes depending on the maker. He is still nursing every 2 hours ATC and it is exhausting, but I love him and will continue to nurse him when he is hungry. He is holding his head up really well, sits up with support with no problem. He babbles a lot and loves to be lying on his back. Ceiling fans fascinate him. He had another cold (Thanks Bridgette) but is doing remarkable with it. A little saline, humidifier. He is good. :)
we did start some cereal on him this month (to try and encourage less freq BF), but it did not extend time between AND he has battled constipation since. So, I will hold off again for awhile, and start him on some fruits and veggies like I did Bridgette. He really liked eating and really paid attention to it much more than she, so he probably is ready for solids.

Ok- on to Christmas. We had a packed event! On Christmas eve, we went to Newport to celebrate with the Buda/Sparks family at Gmom's house. We had a terrific dinner, followed by gifts, then a candlelight church service. My personal favorite. Mason and Bridgette really had a ball. Bri got a Dora power jeep and a elephfun (I think) butterfly game that we have played nonstop. Mason got the cutest outfit to look just like Granddaddy when he is on the farm--can't wait to debut it.
Bridgette has loved opening the Advent Calendar and seeing what was inside. She loves her Baby Jesus and the farm animals included and this has been a source of anticipation and fun for us at dinner time.

Christmas morning was just like any other morning for us. Bridgette noticed the presents, but sat down to watch Dora and drink her milk without any fuss. We waited for the Marley GPs to come over before presents. We opened gifts and laughed for over an hour, then made a DELICIOUS brunch. Then Santa left another special present up in the playroom--a climbing dome. Unreal amounts of fun here. Bridgette played and climbed and swung until she nearly fell asleep haha. Then we went on to celebrate Jesus's birthday at GB and Grandpa's house in Parrottsville. We always have an Italian feast there. this year was no exception--the food was outstanding. We opened gifts and played a white elephant game that really had us rolling. Mason had so many fun toys and bridgette got books, princess dresses, movies. Outrageous.

So, this morning has been dedicated to cleaning up! and playing hard with lots of new toys. We have had a splendid holiday. trav is unfortunately back at work. :(

4 months old!!!

My sweetest little boy is 4 months old today! As much as time has flown, it also seems like we've never been without him. We are so blessed. His little personality is so happy and passionate- he can be really happy and really mad too! His gorgeous smile just melts me. I am very in love with him. He is focusing on everything and everyone. He LOVES to watch football and ESPN haha. Seriously he seems memorized when that's on. He talks a lot. He grasps things and reaches for toys. Everything to the mouth! He is drooling a lot, but no sign of teeth-thank goodness. :) He can sit supported with no problem, and he is trying to sit up on his own. he has done it once so far! He loves to nurse and is growing like a weed. He has started to wake up every 2 hours at night for the last couple of weeks to nurse. He is voraciously hungry each time. Wears me out, but he seems to be doing very well, so I will just grin and bear it. :)
Bridgette is still very in love with her brother. She looks for him always and plays with him so sweetly. He always "needs" a toy and she supplies it of course. She is growing into such a sweet little lady. She says please and thank you regularly. She knows our mealtime prayer and recites it so sweetly. She loves to play with us but does great on her own too. We are working on sharing haha. She is definitely going to be like her mommy and love Christmas. She carries around Baby Jesus at home sometimes and talks to him. She loves to sing Jingle Bells and Happy Birthday Jesus. I love that little girl so much.
Daddy has been home so much lately and has had so much fun putting up Christmas decorations with us. We all watched Elf the other night and laughed so hard while putting up the Christmas tree and eating cookies. Truly a priceless evening.
We have all recovered from a terrible GI bug, and poor baby Mason had an ear infection during it. He has stopped his antibiotics, but his little tummy didn't like them much--mommy's been doing a lot of laundry.... Hopefully he will get better quickly now. Otherwise, he is in good spirits.
Merry Christmas!!!

A LOOONG Thanksgiving week

Well, let me start by saying that we have had a GI bug at our house that has certainly kept me busy. Bridgette and Trav started it off the night before Thanksgiving (which was at our house), and we were up for HOURS cleaning it up and taking care of Bridgette, who was so pitiful and sweet. She kept apologizing. :( So we were exhausted that day. It was a wonderful Thanksgiving though! We had such a nice time with family. We ate and ate, then watched football and relaxed. What a great day.
The next day, we went to the Fantasy of Trees. Bri really enjoyed it, even though she was a little tired and fussy. She loved the carousel and the craft stations and trees. Mason was enamored with the lights!
Mason is basically sitting up. He tries so hard to pull himself into a seated position and when he gets there, he very easily balances himself for close to 30 seconds. It will not be long before he is sitting unassisted.
Last week, he was diagnosed with his first ear infection. :( He has been on antibiotics. he does seem to be doing better.
Travis and I are doing so great. We went to see the Nutcracker this weekend, and surprisingly we both loved it. It was really neat to enjoy the "arts" together. We definitely need to do more things like that together.
Just a quick note- I am 3 lbs away from my normal weight! YAY!! I certainly have some toning to do... :)

SO MUCH TO SAY!!!

Warning: this will be a LOOOONG one!
Bridgette has really started up with the imagination! I love it so much. She tells me that the big bad wolf or the wicked witch are trying to steal her "goodies" so she is hiding them somewhere for "safe keeping". Hilarious. She also "grrrrrs" at the witch to get her to go away. Too funny. She loves to tell me stories and read what she perceives a book to say or mean. She labels EVERY character as "he's nice" or "she's mean". She also really gets going and talks out of the side of her mouth. She bobs her head like she really means what she is saying, but she will catch my eye and grin, as if she knows she is being really cute. :) Her favorite stories right now are "The 3 Little Pigs" "Goldilocks and the Three Bears", "Jasmine (Aladdin)", "Beauty and the Beast", and "Llama Llama, Red Pajama", and "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Adventures". We read them over and over.
Something hilarious she said this week: Her daddy had just woken up and was a bit groggy. He came into the living room and sat on the couch. Bridgette was so excited to see her daddy was awake and said, "Let's go to the playroom!!". Travis said "Honey, let daddy sit down for a few minutes and wake up." She quickly responded with, "There is a couch in the playroom you can sit down on." So needless to say, he got up and took her to the playroom. Too funny.
A few nights ago, Bridgette, Mason, and I were sitting on the couch watching "winnie the Pooh" and Bridgette was snuggled up to me, Mason on my lap, and Bridgette was holding Masons hand. Precious moments.
Something else Bridgette is doing is dancing a lot and gallopping around and jumping. I really hope to catch this soon on video as it is something I desperately want to remember her doing. It is so sweet and genuinely joyful.
Ok on to Mason:
He is really working his tongue around and wants to talk so badly. He watches his sister talk and he just tries to make words to tell her something back. He is also trying very hard to sit up. He pulls himself easily if you hold his hand and he just leans forward constantly. He is developing the sweetest and calmest personality. However, he can really belt it out if he is upset. It's strange to see him be so calm 90% of the time, but then scream bloody murder if he is upset. Our family has a minor cold at the moment, and he screamed something terrible this AM. I could not believe it. This has been his first cold, and for this, I am so thankful.
He is still sleeping about 5-7 hrs straight at night, with a terrific nap in the daytime, 2-3 hours. He sleeps more of course, but those are the long stretches.
I keep hearing about these babies and children who love to be in the car. Where exactly are these children???? My sweet son screamed at least an hour of our drive each way to Nashville this weekend for Mal's bachelorette party!! I got a girls night out this weekend- went to Spaghetti Factory (fabulous), then out to the Wild Horse Saloon for a little line dancing and live music. I truly had a fantastic time out with my 2 sisters and Mal's friends. Travis watched baby Mason and Mimi Kay had Bri. It was great.
Mason is still nursing very often during the day, and really has some incredible toots. I am trying to see if my diet is causing it. Whew. :)

Some Mason videos

My big boy!

Mason has made so many changes lately. He is just growing up. He holds his head up really well. He is talking all the time "ah goo" "mmmm". :) He has also started sucking his thumb pretty often! Just like big sister, who he seems to idolize :). We had his 3 month pictures taken and so far I LOVE THEM. Don't have them all back yet, though. I love that little boy so much. He holds my heart in his palm.
Bridgette has done some pretty sweet and cute things lately. She tells me that she is going to "workout" and proceeds to get on her hands and do mountain climbers. Hilarious. She also has started to cry when I leave her at Mothers Day Out...but she says that she likes school, but she just doesn't want Mommy to leave. Thankfully the teachers tell me she has a blast at school. WHEW. I really like the half day to get some things done!
Here are some of Mason's pics.

the aquarium :)

We spent a fantastic afternoon at the aquarium! I loved it, and Bridgette really loved it! :) Mason followed the jellyfish around. It was amazing how much he could see and follow. Mimi Kay went with us and played. Bridgette really was amazed by the sharks. Afterwards we went to eat at Best Italian...YUM.
I love this time of year, when the air is crisp, the leaves are gorgeous, the sun is shining. The best time of year brings the best holidays of the year! Yay Thanksgiving and Christmas!!!
Mason is smiling and cooing so much. He picks up his head and follows voices, especially mine. He is getting really good at nursing (finally) and sleeping 5-7 hours still at night, then another 2-3. It's very nice.I love my little babies.
Travis and I had a great date night at Market Square. We have so much fun together and it was much needed. :)
Last, my little Halloween pumpkins got dressed up to trick-or-treat, and Mommy got the day wrong haha (we were going to a church function and got the day wrong). So we dressed up, drove to Newport, got treats by our Buda/Sparks family, then came back home. Here are some pics of my little Minnie mouse and Buzz Lightyear. I would have assumed that a 3-6 mo costume would fit a 2.5 month old...but it was a tight little muscle shirt. WHOOPS.
Last, Bridgette decided that she was "fart" ("Smart") and I caught it on tape. HILARIOUS.

Loving life

Life is so good. I hope I always am reminded of my blessings. My family is so special to me. God has blessed us in incredible ways. Bridgette is growing up to be this sweet, loving, gentle girl. Mason smiles all the time and exhibits the sweetest disposition. Travis enjoys his job, and I feel like I was made to raise these children.
Bridgette speaks so well, and surprises us so often with what she knows. The funniest moments though are the true "rugrats" moments where she says a word that is so funny and remarkably close to the actual word-- it just makes sense to her. Her latest word that I still haven't figure out is: "gokie-gokie". Anyone? Haha. She mostly says it In reference to certain pink necklaces she has, but also refers to a teddy bear rattle as this. Hilarious.
She loves her baby brother- this am while getting ready for preschool, she wanted to be sure he was comfortable, so she brought him a toy and covered his toes with a blanket (saying "keep your tosies warm"). Kissed him then said she will miss him today. Precious girl. Then she loved on me :)
Mason is holding his head up really well when on my shoulder. He is also following my face around, then turning towards people when they talk. He smiles all of the time. Such an easy baby. He will sit in a swing and look at the mobile while I get work done. He goes to sleep on his own-- amazing. I just wish he would nurse without fussing. Why couldnt I have babies that nursed calmly and enjoyed it? Neither have. Always fussing.
We had a pleasant visit with Travis's dad, stepmother, and sister Gina this weekend. They played so much with the babies. Bridgette had a blast and was truly enamored with Pappy Jim. She just went in step with Gina and Nana Lee like she had always played with them. It was great to see them.
Travis and I had a much needed date night last night at markets square. I love that man so much. We always have such fun together-- it was nice to relax. Thanks to Mimi Nina and pawpaw Marshall for keeping the babes. :)
Tonight Bridgette is with her Mimi Kay and papaw billy. She has a blast with them. Just got back from gparents farm. I'm spending the evening loving on my son. Love having some one on one time with him. Always miss Bridgette though. Here's some pics!!

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY BRIDGETTE

Well, 2 years ago 2 was the most exciting, scary, and wonderful day of my life at that point. Getting married was wonderful and exciting, but not scary to me. Having a darling daughter was all of those things and more. I was very nervous and had a difficult delivery (but a wonderful pregnancy). But when I FINALLY got to hold our sweet baby...there are no words about the level of love that I was experiencing. It was soooo good. I cried, I laughed. I was swelling inside. Travis and I felt like our life had just been completed and our love increased amazingly.
Bridgette- we are so happy and our lives are so much better now that you are here. We love you with all our hearts. Your smile and laugh makes our day. THe sweet and funny things you say are so amusing and very often way too smart! I look back over these last two years and I just wish you would have the capacity to remember some of the sweet moments. When I was nursing you late at night and it was just the two of us. Quiet and so happy. When you took your first steps. When you truly became a daddy's girl (and need to help him fix things all over the house). Reading "booka-bookas" at night. When you saw your baby brother for the first time and commented on his "little toes, little eyes, little nose" and told him you loved him. As I am writing this I am tearing up. So many good times. When you were learning to talk you would wake up and say all of your words "puppy, milk, daddy, mommy!" in no particular order haha. The first time we took you to Disney and you just were amazed by the animation. There are so many moments I cannot begin to name them all. I am just so proud of you and who you are becoming.

Ok a little about your party- you had a blast! It was Dora themed (shocking) and you LOVED the cake :). There was a singing Dora balloon that sang Happy Birthday when you touched it and that became a very fun activity for you. The amount of gifts you received was insane haha, and you have played with them all so far! You got a red trike that you have climbed all over and played with. Perhaps the most exciting part though was the bounce house we bought for the basement. you and your friend Carys Bible jumped and laughed for a very long time. You were worn out after haha.
I loved watching you :). You would jump so excitedly, then run and dive face first off the slide and scream "slide!!". Too funny. You spent the night with your Mimi Kay and PaPaw Billy. You had a wonderful time, then the next AM you went to your Grandad and Grandmoms

Aunt Momo was your first birthday phone call today. :)

smiling pics

Mason is smiling :)

SO MUCH to report!! First off, Mason slept 6 hours straight last night, praise the good Lord! I am so happy and hope this continues! His spitting up has significantly decreased.
He is gaining weight and growing so much. He is now wearing 3-6 month clothes and he is 2 months old! WOW.
He has started smiling and he smiles most at Bridgette! He just loves to sit and stare at her. She plays very well with him. For some reason she wants to touch his eyes. Whew.
Mason and Bridgette have very active social lives. :) We have several play dates and always have family coming in and out of the house. The kids just love it! Bridgette is still doing great at preschool. They say she is really good.
We went to the zoo this week with Mimi NIna, Daddy, and of course the three of us. WE had a blast! I will post pics as soon as I get them off the camera. the cutest thing Bridgette said was, "Where's the 'cracker-dile'?" (Crocodile). Too cute. Also in the gift shop, she bypassed all the cuddly bears, elephants, and went straight for the alligators and snakes. Ah well.

Bridgette's antics:
She has a hole in the back of one of her chairs and today she got a large sticker and covered it, then came to get me and said "Look! I fixed it!!" She loves to help her daddy "fix" things around the house. I think it's so cool that she understands that covering the hole "fixed" it. :)
This one is a little late, but really cute. Last week we went to Cracker Barrel to have brunch with Daddy and she couldn't decide what she wanted to eat. Everything we asked her she said no to. Her father eventually said "Do you want a pinch on the hiney?" (A popular phrase in our house) and she laughed. The waiter came and we looked at Bridgette and said what do you want? She looked very serious at the waiter and said, "Macaroni and Cheese, and a pinch on the hiney." Classic.
Pics to follow!!

Dollywood with Mimi and Pawpaw Marley

Had a blast at Dollywood this past week! The weather was perfect! We took the kids to play and to show Mimi Nina and Pawpaw Marshall Dollywood--they all loved it! Bridgette loves the playgrounds!
We also had a little photoshoot before church. Lovely children :)

Mason 6 weeks old

Mason had his 1 month doctor check up yesterday and we received some surprising stats :) He is now 11 pounds 9 ounces and 22.5 inches long. That is 3 pounds and 2 inches longer than when he was born. HA!! He is a GOOD eater. And to think i was concerned...
He is sleeping pretty well now. Gives me 3-4 hour stretches at night. SOMETIMES I can get him to nap the same time Bridgette does. If I am holding him, he will sleep, but I do not sleep very well. I love to co sleep, but I love it when they are old enough to move around a bit. Up until then, I do not sleep well, due to awareness of them in the bed or in the co-sleeper. He does have some reflux and stays congested in his nose from it. So, he sleeps with his head elevated and this helps (in a nap nanny). He also has blocked tear ducts and his eyes are gooped up every morning. I hate it. We are giving him drops now. But he is such a sweet baby. just looks around and focuses so much. He still rolls over when he is finished with tummy time. I just cannot believe he can do that. Of course, he is the size of a normal 3 month old hahahaha.
In other news Bridgette is so funny all the time. Her latest: I sneezed, she said "Bless you, Gesundheit." Too funny. She loves her brother. Is always reminding me not to forget him haha.She has a precious little birthday coming up...I cannot believe it. 2 years already. She is such a joy. God has blessed us with the best babies on earth. Travis and I are so incredibly happy.