Pre-K Bound!

Remember when you were applying for colleges and how exciting it was to get that big envelope in the mail? Well, as a parent, it is just as exciting and nervewrecking getting a Pre-K acceptance letter in the mail! 

Braeden has a spot in Pre-K for the Fall!

Upon opening, we discovered Braeden will be attending a Pre-K at a local elementary school that is about 5 minutes from our home in the afternoons.  This will work out great!  I can drop B off at school, make a quick stop at the Wegmans across the street if we need any groceries and get home in time to put the girls down for their afternoon naps.

I am reluctant about going the public school route, but I have decided to use our Pre-K experiences as a way to test drive the public school district.  If we are not satisfied, we will strongly consider going the Catholic school route instead.

A First Time for Everything

I love how exciting FIRSTS are!  

Braeden and Ashlyn's first experience bowling did not disappoint!   

She looks so tiny compared to that big ball! 

Braeden waiting for his first turn at bowling EVER! 

Daddy is a great football coach, and now I can say he also makes an awesome bowling coach! 

The ball was too heavy for Ashlyn so we used this handy contraption! 

Braeden quickly got the hang of bowling, and he couldn't wait for another turn. 

There was a mini meltdown in true 3 year old fashion.

The Final Standings! 

Ashlyn definitely had beginner's luck with a winning score of 106!  Triple digits?!  I can count on one hand the number of times I have actually bowled over 100!  It cracks me up that Chris came in last because he is always super competitive, but I will add that he and I allowed the kids to bowl our frames halfway through so the scores are not reflective of his true bowling skills. 



Updated Pictures!

It's been awhile....here are some updated pics of the kiddos:

Snowbunnies

Mommy of the Year Award

My Mommy of the Year Award has officially been revoked:

Disclaimer: No toddlers were intoxicated in the making of this photograph. No actual alcohol was ingested. Alcohol was not served to anyone under the age of 21!

I was looking through Christmas pics and found this gem. B chugging a Blue Moon! I promise that the bottle was completely empty, and Chris was right there about to take it from him. I would never serve some underage alcohol...especially when the kid in question is only 21 months! Nevertheless, this pic is pretty funny....

Happy Birthday PaPa!

Happy birthday PaPa!! WE LOVE YOU!

Another Neuro Appointment

Ugh, I have been neglecting the blog again. I still have to update with Thanksgiving pics, Ashlyn's half birthday, and my birthday posts. But right now, I just want to ask for prayers. Braeden has to go to the neurologist today. I typed that right....Braeden, not Ashlyn! There is a concern that he might be having a form of seizures (absence or petit mal). Let's just pray that mama is overly paranoid and neurology obsessed.....

Happy Thanksgiving

This year I am thankful for FAMILY.

I am thankful for Ashlyn who continues to amaze me everyday. Hard to believe that late last December we were told by a doctor to consider termination! She truly is my inspiration.

I am thankful for Braeden who is the sweetest, most loving big brother. He may be entering the terrible twos early, but he is still my favorite little guy in the whole world!

I am thankful for Chris, my husband. He is a wonderful husband and an even better father. I am extremely grateful that he is such an awesome dad. He is very involved in every aspect of their lives. From playtime to doctor's appointments, he is there for the good times and bad, the hugs and the temper tantrums. It is great to have a partner when things get stressful with raising 2 under 2. I don't know how I could do it without him. Single moms out there, I am in awe of you!

I am thankful for my mom. She is my best friend and always so supportive of me. Now that I am a mother, I have come to the realization that I am my mother's daughter. I might joke that I am turning into my mother....but you know what? That is not a bad thing! Although I was not able to spend Thanksgiving with her this year, I am thankful that she was able to be in California instead. She treated herself to a trip to Cali to visit my brother. Speaking of my brother....

I am thankful that my brother (AKA Uncle Chris) is a Young American doing his thing on the West coast. He has a great role in the "new kid show," is making new friends, and seems to be very happy even though he is super busy now. I am very proud of my little brother!

I am thankful for my dad. I am very proud of him because he has finally kicked his nicotine addiction! YAY, no more tobacco!!! Braeden and Ashlyn need "Bop-pa" around afterall. As a nurse, I am know the importance of quitting, but I also understand how hard it is. I am also thanful for Chantix (tobacco users talk to your doctors about trying it...I have heard from quite a few people who finally found success quitting with it).

I am thankful for my in-laws. In-laws don't always get a great rap....but mine are pretty awesome! I feel right at home with them. I remember when I first met them when Chris and I started dating, and I was so shy and timid....not anymore!

Posterchild for Abstinence

Yesterday, I made the mistake of attempting to Christmas shop with Braeden. I had the elderly shooting us death stares....the young single adults trying to avert their eyes and certainly making a mental note to remember to take their birth control pills and stock up on condoms ASAP....and the fellow moms with their double strollers, messy hair, and bags under their eyes offering me the most empathetic (albeit pathetic) look. Oh the joys of toddlerhood!

Halloween Party at Strong National Museum of Play

Sibling Rivalry?

No way! Braeden has become the most overprotective big brother. We cannot leave a room without him asking for "sissy." Cute, albiet annoying when I end up lugging a napping baby around in her boppy chair throughout the house!

Bop, Bop, Bop!

Say Cheese!!

Braeden says "cheese" for pictures now. At lunch at Sticky Lips on Sunday, he was being extra cheesy! Here are some of the cute pics:

Pumpkin Patch 2009

On Sunday, my family went to Stokoe Farms Pumpkin Patch and had an afternoon of fun!

Corn maze:

Pumpkin Patch:

My Pumpkin:

Annabelle, the cow, was born on June 1st just like Ashlyn!

Papa and Braeden riding the train:

Now Daddy's turn:

Playing in the hay:

Mommy and B:

Mmmm....Fried dough:

Road Trip!

Last week, we took an impromptu drive up to Canada to see the Niagara Falls with the babies. It was our first "day-cation" with the babies, and I must say went quite smoothly!

Chris looks thrilled....

Braeden being a happy camper in the backseat.

Mommy happy to be getting out of the house on a random Thursday! Braeden kicking daddy in the crotch....

We later switched over to the double stroller for fears of future fertility problems!

Checking out the Falls!

The ladies!

Me and my girl

Beautiful!

Whoops....left zoom on!

Take 2....Hershey Store....

We left without buying anything! Yay, willpower!

Starbucks Break

Time for B to stretch his legs!

Awwww....B's first girlfriend!

Okay, he just wanted to steal her juicebox!

The girls!

Daddy's little princess

Crossing the border where we witnessed racial profiling at its finest....

Braeden passed out before we got back to the States!

One random story from our trip.....While Braeden was running around the park, Ashlyn got hungry so I started breastfeeding her right in broad daylight. Now, I normally do not breastfeed in public, and when I do I use a nursing cover. However, I didn't have a cover with me, and I felt liberated being in a different country so I went for it. I was not flashing my boobs around...I was being discreet about it. As Ashlyn is eating, three Muslim men walk into the park to do their afternoon prayers. I felt so awkward and worried I was offending them! Luckily, they didn't seem to care or notice. But I have learned a valuable lesson, I am modest and am not the type that is carefree enough to just whip my boob out without warning! Timed perfectly, the very next day, the babysteal of the day was a hooter hider for 50% off....I snagged on without thinking twice!

Newest Pics

Ugh, I need a new camera....the quality of these pics sucks.....