tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12635480459272619722024-03-21T17:34:56.538-05:00The Williams FamilyKaren and Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863421497104302975noreply@blogger.comBlogger200125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263548045927261972.post-42676147896689729392021-06-25T12:02:00.001-05:002021-06-25T12:48:17.808-05:00<p>today I was swinging across the counter and the island and I fell on the floor and I had to get stitches and </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtzkGLdUQtQc5HFlAcwOPOZH455RqCHbEe8iwNE5c1eNKv5mliGL176Nwd6pnCAeGroNTRSQL-Tg6ZxYhlCUHTkSfvhY-Ovz0CeCvdwXCElpW68-QoKSz-Z4GomYw8-zGoiimIbCRgQjN/s4032/IMG_8465.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtzkGLdUQtQc5HFlAcwOPOZH455RqCHbEe8iwNE5c1eNKv5mliGL176Nwd6pnCAeGroNTRSQL-Tg6ZxYhlCUHTkSfvhY-Ovz0CeCvdwXCElpW68-QoKSz-Z4GomYw8-zGoiimIbCRgQjN/w169-h251/IMG_8465.HEIC" width="169" /></a>i didnt woat to git stitchies.</div>I got stitches.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_iOPigjRXGwMrLG-IZjay7t8RV326_PAdUCK5QCijw_WhvDxnFxfV-ZIr1Mgys3MiHIIEs8y4bIIYeUXiOJJWixvQJiQ0x96RtzcjAVEnMAKDb9W7_o_nHkKK-ZOjNjuZXshXnx_yNTyU/s4032/63130453757__31746BF3-C725-4FD9-A912-C15A24A5C6CC.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_iOPigjRXGwMrLG-IZjay7t8RV326_PAdUCK5QCijw_WhvDxnFxfV-ZIr1Mgys3MiHIIEs8y4bIIYeUXiOJJWixvQJiQ0x96RtzcjAVEnMAKDb9W7_o_nHkKK-ZOjNjuZXshXnx_yNTyU/w263-h197/63130453757__31746BF3-C725-4FD9-A912-C15A24A5C6CC.HEIC" width="263" /></a></div><br /><br />we got are dog Bear. he was very very small and very very cute. we got to hold Bear.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20a1mjk8i8NoZVgDXwwBRXBFc3zh8IdfiH-MlrFgeSMgdRtGlb3LPwcCkKzkyV5hE0Ofmn6q0xMDVAVij6RCOuGwU5HUSN2uSXa7v1zsytHZ-d9qD4JN-BeFKcqlcdyaeIzYlIFXQz-UB/s4032/63476813606__FBFA7DBE-0F7C-4313-87C2-36C511AFE272.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20a1mjk8i8NoZVgDXwwBRXBFc3zh8IdfiH-MlrFgeSMgdRtGlb3LPwcCkKzkyV5hE0Ofmn6q0xMDVAVij6RCOuGwU5HUSN2uSXa7v1zsytHZ-d9qD4JN-BeFKcqlcdyaeIzYlIFXQz-UB/w207-h276/63476813606__FBFA7DBE-0F7C-4313-87C2-36C511AFE272.HEIC" width="207" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Karen and Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863421497104302975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263548045927261972.post-82489455024619829422014-03-07T14:16:00.001-06:002014-03-07T14:16:27.718-06:00Month 7 and 8Boy oh boy do these months fly buy! They go so quickly I forget to blog before the next month! So, I will recap the last two months together. These two months were very eventful and filled with some fun firsts for our baby girl.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7WezQ_eqtaSaROfOirrHIWyFNVchoisTN4mQ7xWWOMAcJgrbybRWPglxhB510n32-FfU2kmtk2lk9j-98A1fSySOt9TGurbec9zMQydoTTjOR2qkt7rHugGkQFM8eJCOWndAV8SE0Ysu/s1600/DSC_0160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7WezQ_eqtaSaROfOirrHIWyFNVchoisTN4mQ7xWWOMAcJgrbybRWPglxhB510n32-FfU2kmtk2lk9j-98A1fSySOt9TGurbec9zMQydoTTjOR2qkt7rHugGkQFM8eJCOWndAV8SE0Ysu/s1600/DSC_0160.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a>At 6 months I commented on her mood because she was so fussy and that was so out of character for her. Well that continued a little longer. I decided to start supplementing with formula. I would send formula when I was away from her or at work and when I would breastfeed I would give her a bottle as soon as she was done eating. There were times she would drink a whole 4 oz after breastfeeding. Poor girl, I think she was hungry. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">After having a baby we have to regulate my thyroid meds again and I read that having a low thyroid (my problem with out medicine) can cause a low milk supply. Since I had a high thyroid with the other two I had no idea that this could happen! </span><br />
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Over the past two months she has perfected sitting up, rolling, she has gone to sitting from her tummy a couple of times and she gets on all 4s are rocks back and forth. She is not crawling yet but is very close! Although she can't crawl she can get to anything she would like. She rolls from place to place and spins to get were she needs to go. This is not an efficient way to travel but it does get her from place to place. I am sure life will really change here in a few weeks!<br />
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Ama<br />
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ya is starting to learn how to be funny. She makes this funny face where she scrunches up her eyes, nose and mouth and breathes really funny from her nose. It makes me laugh every time so she does it again and again. She also loves to play peek-a-boo. She does this with her blanket or just on the floor. She puts her head straight down on the floor and ways for you to say "Where is Mya" then up her head pops with a little giggle. She thinks its funny when the kids crawl around her too. Ayden and Ahnie are really starting to have fun with their sister these days!! I can't wait till we can get outside and take her to the park for the first time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbZrnc6E9q2tPfbn955z92AK8SeOryxpA050ftX6NGe-akTbl3JKTSClgyueLCb175QL_jmQeeeuG474fvCnmLpPq1S4EYIbp7qsVHfu7myblDCQbnWOiB-iKDZjMwICLHh3UXs9jES4E/s1600/DSC_0187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbZrnc6E9q2tPfbn955z92AK8SeOryxpA050ftX6NGe-akTbl3JKTSClgyueLCb175QL_jmQeeeuG474fvCnmLpPq1S4EYIbp7qsVHfu7myblDCQbnWOiB-iKDZjMwICLHh3UXs9jES4E/s1600/DSC_0187.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a>Amaya is now completely on formula and usually drinks 4 six ounce bottles. She is also eats 3 times a day and usually has a snack after her afternoon nap. She is pretty predictable these days and has been much better with her schedule while I am at work. She gets up around 7 drinks a bottle and eats breakfast. Naps around 9 then has a bottle and lunch at 11. Naps again at 12:30 or 1 until about 3. Then has another bottle and sometimes a snack. Eats dinner around 5:30 and a bottle before bed at 7. She sleeps great at night!!! We lay her down at 7 and she is out right away! She loves to sleep on her side or tummy and cuddles with her blanket. She is sooo sweet when she sleeps. We lay her in the pack n play in our room until Ahnie is asleep then we put her in her room for the night. This sometimes gives me a good reason to cuddle her before I go to bed. She is still so cuddly and I just love that!!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUcolVV7mlYFgUIgTIph2a6g8CmAMKUQlBHjshTIPHAH8ggLR6lQUwzLfgdIQIXzY76SKzhk9Nh_YOIW9ozfyGEoohr6red5wJpYgjwAMqf_J_QTS9r8NX5XUOfJu-_sIUBq_fnVdQwFs/s1600/DSC_0170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUcolVV7mlYFgUIgTIph2a6g8CmAMKUQlBHjshTIPHAH8ggLR6lQUwzLfgdIQIXzY76SKzhk9Nh_YOIW9ozfyGEoohr6red5wJpYgjwAMqf_J_QTS9r8NX5XUOfJu-_sIUBq_fnVdQwFs/s1600/DSC_0170.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a>Amaya wears size 3 diaper and is mostly in 9 month clothes but is moving into her 12 month stuff. Her hair is getting so long and now we have to put it up in a pony most days. I have even gotten it in pig tails once. So cute! It is always the first comment everyone makes when they see you! Its always, wow she has a lot of dark hair! I think it will lighten up as soon as it gets warm enough to play outside. The roots are pretty light so the rest will lighten up soon! Karen and Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863421497104302975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263548045927261972.post-29380862568320383702014-01-28T22:24:00.001-06:002014-01-28T22:24:59.437-06:00What Will I Do With a Daughter?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDHrfZnU47YTUXTUUhiS36ThwTMpkuQbK4jmu5lSxcNGIwJSTZIe5H4vJtlkwQfhzhxIZMVWxHonTACMdYoD7AWqO8mDCX2rP6vkoyq5sIqITrRSkaFF2vdgBsLqstLxlB3UOs0cgIJRaG/s1600/IMG_3634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDHrfZnU47YTUXTUUhiS36ThwTMpkuQbK4jmu5lSxcNGIwJSTZIe5H4vJtlkwQfhzhxIZMVWxHonTACMdYoD7AWqO8mDCX2rP6vkoyq5sIqITrRSkaFF2vdgBsLqstLxlB3UOs0cgIJRaG/s1600/IMG_3634.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
I remember back to when I found out Ahnie was a girl, I was surprised and unsure if I knew how to raise a girl. I spent most of my time from age 9 on babysitting for a family of all boys. Actually most of the families I babysat for were boys. I had always thought I would have boys, not for any particular reason I just thought that way, so when we opened the envelop that read "It's a GIRL!" I was a little unsure what that would look like. <br />
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Well, let me tell you! Its lots of PINK and PURPLE! Its cheerleaders and princesses (even though I always said I wouldn't let the P word in my house haha you should never say NEVER). Its drama! Its hair pretties, bows and tears when we comb her hair. Its giggles and tutus. Its nail polish and getting into moms makeup. So many fun things I can't even write them all down! God new what he was doing when he blessed us with not only 1 girl but 2 girls! I can't wait to do all these fun girly things with Amaya too when she gets a little older!<br />
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I feel like this week I have slowed down a little bit and forget my to do list and just enjoyed being a mom for a few minutes and really embrace raising a girl!<br />
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This weekend I was in the mood to just go shopping! Not looking for anything in particular but just go shopping. While I decided Ahnie was getting to the age that she could come too and we could just shop! She LOVED it! I quickly realized it was all about her and I didn't get to look at my things for very long but we had so much fun together! We finished our shopping date at Applebee's enjoying lunch together. I hope that is something that we continue to do together!!!<br />
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Tonight I was busy scrubbing the floors (something that doesn't happen often enough) and Ahnie kept coming in with different dresses on and telling me she was going to go to West City and going to a wedding! She was so excited and kept twirling around. I asked her if I could come and she said yes. I quickly finished scrubbing the floor and went into my room and put on a bridesmaid dress I had in my closet. Ahnie was sooooo excited when I came out in it. She lit up and couldn't wait to go to the "wedding". She told me to hop in the bus. (AJ always goes to "sports games" and has to take the bus which in our house is the stairs) I decided to take it a step further and tell her we needed to get in the limo! She loved it and I went and got champagne glasses with water and we pretended we were in the limo! So much fun!!! I need to remember to enjoy raising my girls! These years are going to slip by and before I know it we will be shopping for Prom and her Wedding! Karen and Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863421497104302975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263548045927261972.post-19415051243678724022014-01-15T22:19:00.000-06:002014-01-15T22:19:42.770-06:006 Months Old<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGr1t6Fkts5P2-CKdC3Tu2_AIXn6RDukongeXfDnYrCJWHFS0IviksAHgmt7wKLS7X0XKLx5eiFbEatQd3c2Mu7KDhbk3a2w8eZFFB0rbgVXpYDRiQyMaSDKclxvJoBLmvqfdix8laRVzS/s1600/IMG_3728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGr1t6Fkts5P2-CKdC3Tu2_AIXn6RDukongeXfDnYrCJWHFS0IviksAHgmt7wKLS7X0XKLx5eiFbEatQd3c2Mu7KDhbk3a2w8eZFFB0rbgVXpYDRiQyMaSDKclxvJoBLmvqfdix8laRVzS/s1600/IMG_3728.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
I can't believe in 6 months we will be celebrating our baby girls' 1st birthday! She is changing and growing so quickly these days! This month Amaya has been working on sitting up like a big girl and grabbing at everything!! She loves to chew on anything she can get her hands on. She loves her big brother! When he comes over to her she just stares at him with a big smile! She LOVES the jumperoo! I feel bad because the music and lights don't work any more but I think she loves it even more than the other kids. It might be because the lights don't work so jumping is the best part. At the end of the month she started to be able to roll off her tummy. She is not a pro at it yet and will cry before she tries to roll to her back but she can get it when I am to busy to help her. Sorry baby girl. :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZXBrx-CdT0BNHKi_YIFw53fkw0N5FqmxaQAewpvHZ7LiUoJnjoGdq94LqphuZRBtIWfkq0XTjXF_gi0ZCRV_54Dojv9jPMAN1UxsOjTWKSRZa05A6GPxTf3uSL1_rLQshnwGArXaBH05/s1600/IMG_3731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZXBrx-CdT0BNHKi_YIFw53fkw0N5FqmxaQAewpvHZ7LiUoJnjoGdq94LqphuZRBtIWfkq0XTjXF_gi0ZCRV_54Dojv9jPMAN1UxsOjTWKSRZa05A6GPxTf3uSL1_rLQshnwGArXaBH05/s1600/IMG_3731.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEQ3_QTtMmfC-WB46BGSo26y3yx9KETU-wffJQta9ByXnu3gLhzybUZDPotlhLSdf9Jlx_-79qLgOvD9UhFANvZMvaY7R6xSeooepazlOSzxQDZ6NW3Fkk0fu0lEcRk_1rIUOIcdyVW8U/s1600/IMG_3724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEQ3_QTtMmfC-WB46BGSo26y3yx9KETU-wffJQta9ByXnu3gLhzybUZDPotlhLSdf9Jlx_-79qLgOvD9UhFANvZMvaY7R6xSeooepazlOSzxQDZ6NW3Fkk0fu0lEcRk_1rIUOIcdyVW8U/s1600/IMG_3724.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a>This month has been interesting as far as her mood! She has been the most easy, laid back baby we have had and thats saying a lot because all of my kids are pretty easy going. This month was a much different story! She cried non stop for a good couple hours one week (once for me, once for Brett and once for Kristen) so I decided to take her to the doctor. They could not find anything wrong with her. This kept up most of break and into January. I waited until her 6 month check up to rule out an ear infection. Dr. Vansickle said that she had the best looking ears all day I have not started to wonder if its because she is not getting enough the drink. Since I am still breastfeeding I never know how much she is getting and I have felt like my milk supply has been up and down. Dr. Vansickle did remind me that even a little breast milk is beneficial so the last couple days I have been supplementing with formula after I feed her. It can be a pain but I will say her temperament has been much better! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-I5D5bHWsuvmpgnS63yrFIDcsC_jFYgytYSwAu4fg1VgrEd-ig9a5bKyYTeOR1AlNEFHTg-VdxvYdG1f2P79xkgDFje1OCxe8eZ48NrT5-hyvQuD8OJEXRkdcPYNmLGAdbtb1Quyer-G/s1600/IMG_3737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-I5D5bHWsuvmpgnS63yrFIDcsC_jFYgytYSwAu4fg1VgrEd-ig9a5bKyYTeOR1AlNEFHTg-VdxvYdG1f2P79xkgDFje1OCxe8eZ48NrT5-hyvQuD8OJEXRkdcPYNmLGAdbtb1Quyer-G/s1600/IMG_3737.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a>At her 6 month check up she was 25 1/4 inches long (50%) and 16 lbs 11 oz (50-75%) and 16 3/4 inches in her head (50%). She is much more proportionate than her brother and sister were. They were always 90% in height and weight and 20% in the head. She is our little peanut and I love that she gets a little more wear out of her clothes before going to the next size! <br />
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Amaya has started to find her voice, but, a little different than most babies I would say. She blows raspberries all the time and has just started this squawk, it sounds like a pterodactyl! I call her my little dinosaur! Its so funny. I keep saying consonant sounds at her and she just smiles and squawks back! It is quite funny!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4LP-OfDhpGN4zuaQWxyU4zk39XxjEtDPc73U7CdCYlqtlP9Jxp34aw9idphh_HC7w5y_koMwTmuJ5LsI0YQMQfoVEglshQ0BiM7Fc6qXbWgij1ccT6gkHi1PDqW97aqdVaBkZrmL5w5T/s1600/IMG_3739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4LP-OfDhpGN4zuaQWxyU4zk39XxjEtDPc73U7CdCYlqtlP9Jxp34aw9idphh_HC7w5y_koMwTmuJ5LsI0YQMQfoVEglshQ0BiM7Fc6qXbWgij1ccT6gkHi1PDqW97aqdVaBkZrmL5w5T/s1600/IMG_3739.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a>I must also add that her pictures look a little funny this month because about a week before Amaya turned 6 months old Ahnie thought it was a good idea to get our Amaya's stickers. Well she ripped the 6 months and the sticky part was almost gone when I found her. She felt very bad! I didn't bring it up again and when I told Ahnie that Amaya was 6 months old she quickly ran over to her and said "I sorry Mya about your stickers!" Mya did have lots of fun playing with the sticker this month though!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCeOZSVfW5Q3QV3GRd7l7hH8NLxlwJaiTWPWXO12E_Xo9Cg7d-gRAUQzJ4Ck4T3BWhhsEp608kJI2cSVL54Ke2bOLA0e5vuseMzJ8f8vD_E2tuJ1ImBNZCoGS8KqXlxMPlFUxZ926I7Zn/s1600/IMG_3741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCeOZSVfW5Q3QV3GRd7l7hH8NLxlwJaiTWPWXO12E_Xo9Cg7d-gRAUQzJ4Ck4T3BWhhsEp608kJI2cSVL54Ke2bOLA0e5vuseMzJ8f8vD_E2tuJ1ImBNZCoGS8KqXlxMPlFUxZ926I7Zn/s1600/IMG_3741.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a><br />
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Karen and Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863421497104302975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263548045927261972.post-63469836112016216152014-01-03T17:43:00.005-06:002014-01-03T17:43:47.887-06:00Months 4 and 5!These months seem to fly by lately so I will write months 4 and 5 together. I am not combining them because of the lack of things to write as baby Amaya is changing so quickly! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP68E6HDadroIp46A7DYD_yqlP7MPVfo_q_FnUSeSbt7Kn4aKOzsRD7g5WQ7I8cJUJ02TAAvS-lPnm0RjBLAAF9LXaPPV-7c0Zz81q0V6oGnA8VIKke7LYbMVgKn5sFXx0sHYWw7NTTBPx/s1600/DSC_0030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP68E6HDadroIp46A7DYD_yqlP7MPVfo_q_FnUSeSbt7Kn4aKOzsRD7g5WQ7I8cJUJ02TAAvS-lPnm0RjBLAAF9LXaPPV-7c0Zz81q0V6oGnA8VIKke7LYbMVgKn5sFXx0sHYWw7NTTBPx/s320/DSC_0030.JPG" width="214" /></a>In the last two months we have some first!! You now can roll over from you back to your tummy. You don't love being on your tummy for a long time but it is a new fun trick and you will play there for a little bit, then you are ready for us to flip you back over. You love your floor mat still and you just found the mirror and that is your favorite part these days! You will lay a pull on it and talk to that pretty girl in the mirror. If we prop you up you will sit for a while! You love the new view of life! You love just watching your brother and sister! I am sure you will be right on their heels one of these days! The other new toy you are enjoying is our Jumperoo! Again it gives you a new view of the house! We have that downstairs so you get to jump around while seeing your brother and sisters silly games they play! You also get a good view of the TV from the Jumperoo! You favorite show so far is Micky Mouse Clubhouse. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5TiGU18CkNGVP-Q2jmTtLUcbJ0oiORIwMCz4jWkmPSWXpVuXeM2DqMhyIXy4pCu7rv5K7MNphDEK0xBv7H52bCuT5IGVCBBO4cr7BMW2liFofju7I1KEE1XbQCPQFFCsZ9OLDzPO44aC/s1600/DSC_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5TiGU18CkNGVP-Q2jmTtLUcbJ0oiORIwMCz4jWkmPSWXpVuXeM2DqMhyIXy4pCu7rv5K7MNphDEK0xBv7H52bCuT5IGVCBBO4cr7BMW2liFofju7I1KEE1XbQCPQFFCsZ9OLDzPO44aC/s320/DSC_0016.JPG" width="320" /></a>You are not as cuddly as you once were! You love your bed and blankie when you are tired. I just lay you down give you your blanket and you are out sometimes before I leave the room. You are finally getting a very predicable schedule no matter where you are for daycare. Also at night you now go down at 7 (in mommys room in the pack n play so sissy won't wake you up) then we move you to your bed once Sissy is sleeping. You sleep through the night and wake around 7. <br />
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You are in 6 month clothes and wear size 2 diapers. Everyone comments on how big you are but you are definally the peanut of the kids. Ayden and Ahnie both weighed in at 16 lbs at 4 months and you were right at 15 lbs. You had your 2nd round of shots at that appointment and these were a little harder on you. Kristen text me the next day saying you were having a hard morning and a slight fever. I forgot to tell her you had your shots because you didn't have any of those symptoms the last time. <br />
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Amaya, we just love you! Your cheeks are so kissable and your smile is contagious! You are such an easy baby and go with the flow! Your brother and sister always want to hold you and get you anything you need and you just eat it up. You are very even kiel and you don't get very mad or happy at any one time. You are very content almost always! <br />
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Karen and Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863421497104302975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263548045927261972.post-91143475731787586282013-12-14T13:13:00.001-06:002013-12-14T13:13:10.525-06:00Christmas Tree Tradition <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I just love Christmas time, as it is a time to celebrate traditions new and old! A time for Brett and I to remember back to our childhood and decide what traditions to continue with our kids and what traditions we want to make new for our children. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsON9rbc-RN7fe4vz1xRBj6Cwjfr_DanEwmvD6cHpzyk9wvpcmKqeQ7I8fnNOOXpNOGXGWduxIxKba7OZFAphX4MFE6zEfXrW8GstmWavScro1z1M4k3p8RmafvcxHGR1v7KgVMyMplFXx/s1600/IMG_3433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsON9rbc-RN7fe4vz1xRBj6Cwjfr_DanEwmvD6cHpzyk9wvpcmKqeQ7I8fnNOOXpNOGXGWduxIxKba7OZFAphX4MFE6zEfXrW8GstmWavScro1z1M4k3p8RmafvcxHGR1v7KgVMyMplFXx/s320/IMG_3433.jpg" width="238" /></a>One of my favorite memories as a child is all 6 of us hoping in our big station wagon and going to pick out our Christmas tree! We always had a fresh tree but we just went to the tree farm and picked one that was already cut down for us. I love the smell of pine in my home and I love the imperfection of a real christmas tree! Its fun to look and see which one looks perfect and would be perfect for our space year to year. <br />
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Since I was pregnant with Ayden we started going out to Kris Kringle and cutting down our own fresh tree! They have lots of fun things to do while you are there. Most years we go out quickly on a week night after we are done with work. This doesn't leave much time for the extra fun or else its too cold to enjoy the fire. This year was different! It was about 40 degrees and a great afternoon! We headed out and the kids were able to run around from tree to tree! They were hiding the jumping out at us, throwing snow balls and just having fun! Brett and I a little more serious about finding a tree while the kids just enjoyed the open area and fresh air! Its so funny how hard it is to find the right tree when you are in the middle of a hundreds of them! Then you find the best one and walk away and can't remember which one it was. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNJk620QL19OiCXc9azPz-cQRA1PE7L1u01eHFfvqB0c9iSdpWEvivhyphenhyphen06TOLgsxeaFsZmh4T31V2umPXjBBDT_6Ujfpt8oNVd_dJSDlmkO7KI6kQNVV00hFtAJnCEHSgvnifB0cLic8L/s1600/IMG_3448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNJk620QL19OiCXc9azPz-cQRA1PE7L1u01eHFfvqB0c9iSdpWEvivhyphenhyphen06TOLgsxeaFsZmh4T31V2umPXjBBDT_6Ujfpt8oNVd_dJSDlmkO7KI6kQNVV00hFtAJnCEHSgvnifB0cLic8L/s320/IMG_3448.jpg" width="239" /></a>Once we found the perfect tree we got it tagged and headed in for some fun! Santa was there and Amaya sat on his lap and Ayden stood next to him and told him all about his love of sports. Ahnie wasn't so sure so she just waved and kept her distance. We got hot apple cider and a cookie (which the dog ate from Ahnie) then we headed out to the big fire and roasted marshmallows for a yummy s'more (which the dog also ate from Ahnie). We ran into our friends the Pauli's while we were there. They live is a house that has really tall ceilings so they got a HUGE tree! It was funny to watch them shake it! haha<br />
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It was a great afternoon and so fun! We got the tree home, put up the lights and decorated the tree! The kids loved looking at all the ornaments! Our tree is very far from being featured in any magazine but I love it because we picked it out, decorated it together and get to sit by it each night and read our Christmas stories! It is like each of us, far from perfect but fits so wonderfully in our family! <br />
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Karen and Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863421497104302975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263548045927261972.post-91396936421792332622013-12-01T21:59:00.000-06:002013-12-01T21:59:10.463-06:00Holiday Hoopla on Main!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I just LOVE this time of year and I love the fun things we have to do in our community. One of my favorite things to do is go downtown for Holiday Hoopla the Friday after thanksgiving. We don't play up Santa very much in our family (the world has done a pretty go job at it this year though) but this night reminds me of how magical the Christmas season can be. Its a fun night! Christmas carols sung by live bands and the chipmunks then Santa comes to town a different way each year. Once he is here he climbs in his sleigh with Mrs. Claus and they drive down Main St. over the bridge, light the Hoopla Christmas tree and then their are fireworks to end the night. Ayden and Ahnie were very excited but sadly by the time we got down Main St. Ayden was asleep in the stroller. Ahnie was all smiles and thought it was a pretty cool night just a little cold!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ahnie and Mommy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mya and Mommy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fireworks and the Tree!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa in his sleigh</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Sleepy Boy</td></tr>
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Karen and Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863421497104302975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263548045927261972.post-10982717122327932692013-10-26T13:37:00.002-05:002013-10-26T13:37:21.473-05:00Amaya at 3 Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Amaya turned 3 months old on Oct. 3rd. She is starting to smile more and is finding her voice. She likes to coo at her animal friends in the bouncy seat and on our play mat. She is quite the 3rd child! She is very laid back and can usually wait for most things. But, when it gets quiet and the house starts to settle down I think it might be her favorite time, cuddle time! We love this cuddle time together! It seems weather I have fed her for the last time or not she finds herself cuddling with either mommy or daddy. For her sake if we laid her down in bed her sister would probably wake her up any way. I love this time because in our day it is one of the few times I can have just her! <br />
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By 3 months old she had started to stretch her feedings to 3.5 hours. So her schedule looks something like this: 7 am eat, play until she naps at 8:30. 10:30 eat play until she naps again at 12:30, eat at 2 and play until she takes a final nap around 4. 5:30 eat and stay awake and play until you are tired then I feed you until you fall asleep. Then we usually get to cuddle until about 9 or 9:30 and you let me lay you down and you finish your night in your bed! You sleep through the night and often even sleep in until 8 on the weekend! Seriously what baby does that?!?! You are amazing Amaya and I often look at you in ahh that you are ours! She fits into our family perfectly and I can't wait to see her personality mold into the girl you are meant to be! <br />
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Amaya is holding on to her dark hair for now. I think it is becoming a little brownish red and it just keeps getting longer! It has thinned a little in the back but everything else is staying as of now! That is always every ones first comment when they see you. <br />
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Amaya is in a great schedule at daycare! She spends Monday morning with her grandparents, Tuesday and Thursday with Kristen and all the fun kids at her house and then Weds. and Friday with her Daddy at home. I love the schedule we have and I love that my kids get an opportunity to be with each of these people while I am at work! It makes going to work most days much easier!!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amaya has not rolled over yet but she love to roll to her side. Often times she sleeps like this.</td></tr>
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Karen and Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863421497104302975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263548045927261972.post-41195567256966473082013-10-10T19:56:00.000-05:002013-10-10T19:56:01.446-05:00BrosI asked Ayden what his favorite part of the day was today and he said play Bros at school. I had to ask what this was and he said like house but only bros. His best buddies at school all pretended to be brothers and play together. He then said that he wanted a real bro. I asked like you mean another baby in my tummy? And he said yes! I will pray to God for it tonight. And sure enough at the dinner table he asked God for a baby bro. <br />
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Oh boy! I need to get used to my 3 before we even start thinking about that... Karen and Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863421497104302975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263548045927261972.post-53209380206534667722013-09-12T14:11:00.004-05:002013-09-12T14:11:56.759-05:002 Months Old!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Amaya turned 2 months old on Sept. 3rd. These past two months have flown by and we are finding our new normal! This month was full of firsts. She started smiling and cooing. She loves to be on her changing table and will always smile and coo at the wall. This might be her favorite place in the house!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOeH1VFXTi54G0m4vQhiagJlo51LxmuLilu-oO0VQqZHnLAIJtduhr8EbBS7MaS_Ev2oFZjbSdzP3pVJexKCYSvtV1Mfqz9M54X2i-1Si9c2ZcyR9jS3gjQtKOd-1zHDurc-hH4JWmWjZ/s640/blogger-image--1200242147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOeH1VFXTi54G0m4vQhiagJlo51LxmuLilu-oO0VQqZHnLAIJtduhr8EbBS7MaS_Ev2oFZjbSdzP3pVJexKCYSvtV1Mfqz9M54X2i-1Si9c2ZcyR9jS3gjQtKOd-1zHDurc-hH4JWmWjZ/s640/blogger-image--1200242147.jpg" /></a>Amaya also started sleeping in her room when she was 5 weeks old. She has been a rockstar at night! At the end of her 2nd month she is sleeping through the night till 6 am. Brett, Amaya and I took a weekend trip up to Duluth for my class reunion and those were the first nights that she slept until 5am both nights! She must have known Mommy was out late and needed her sleep! In Duluth she met many of my close high school friends and we stayed with the 3 boys I babysat. They were like my own kids growing up and I have know their family for 20 years now! It melted my heart to see each one snuggle with my own baby! Their family watched Amaya so Brett and I could enjoy the class reunion. I knew they were in good hands and Jodi owed me :) Amaya was also a very good traveler! She was patient to eat when we were finding ok places to stop and nurse. She was a champ!<br />
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This month Amaya also started to get a little more personality. Right at the end of her 2nd month she would wake up happy and Ahnie loves to crawl in her crib. Amaya will give her big smiles when she does this. She has started to like her new floor mat and even her bouncy seat some days. She even pulled the lion ring (a big milestone in the Williams and Hoffert households). Tummy time has gotten much better and she now can lift her head up to a 90 degree angle. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ITsLE_lu_OgDZkk1ruNZqfn3vbCml-69IaaHfgtrDFslck2q3P21LVfj21DTc0ow0BMlG06WoIqlqj6NUcSYf2IBWWM0wTcbOD8QxIg_B1DBJFKufdez6BxobIVCcmuYxTlD9hqXtIYM/s640/blogger-image--1386890331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ITsLE_lu_OgDZkk1ruNZqfn3vbCml-69IaaHfgtrDFslck2q3P21LVfj21DTc0ow0BMlG06WoIqlqj6NUcSYf2IBWWM0wTcbOD8QxIg_B1DBJFKufdez6BxobIVCcmuYxTlD9hqXtIYM/s640/blogger-image--1386890331.jpg" /></a>Amaya started to fit into her 6 month clothes and is now in size 2 diapers. I forgot to schedule her 2 month check up at her last apt so we will not see Dr. VanSickle until the end of the month :( I think she is around 13 lbs but we will see when we go to our apt. She eats every 3 hours and takes bottles very well. She will eat anywhere from 4-5 oz if she is having a bottle and nurses for around 20 minutes. <br />
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Amaya is such a fun addition to our family and I love to see her grow. This month I also had to go back to work. This has been a harder transition that it was with Ahnie. Ahnie was 4 months old when I had to go back and Amaya was only 6 weeks. This has caused me to hold her a little longer and love that cuddle time when the two big kids are in bed! I hope that that saying "You can't spoil a baby" is true. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tate holding Amaya</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josh holding Amaya</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kale holding Amaya</td></tr>
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<br />Karen and Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863421497104302975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263548045927261972.post-58728086416325220412013-08-26T16:17:00.000-05:002013-08-26T16:17:40.171-05:00Ayden's 4th Birthday Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ayden turned 4 on July 27th. I still can't believe my baby is 4 years old! This summer (just like summers past) he has been obsessed with Baseball! He LOVES to spend time at the field with his dad weather it is at practice, helping him with the field, playing in the cages or hanging out with the baseball players. Many days you can find him out in the yard playing his baseball games! We have games "scheduled" every day and most days we have more than one game! Ayden also was able to start T-ball this year. After sitting at his first game I thought to myself, what better birthday party for my little guy than to just invite friends to a baseball field to play baseball!Well once I realized that I would have a 2 week old at his party we would go easy this year! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home Run!</td></tr>
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We had his birthday this year a week early because Brett was still planning on going on Caravan which left on his actual birthday. We invited some friends out to the tiger baseball field and we played a game of tball! Everyone had a blast including the dads and grandpas! We then had some fruit cups cake and ice cream and opened presents. When the party was over we headed home with both sets of grandparents and Ayden's cousin Jake from Wisconsin! At our house we ordered pizza and Ayden opened his present from us....a new bike!! After dinner and when all the guests left we headed up to the high school to practice riding our new bike! Everyday he gets more and more comfortable at riding!! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kyler's big hit!</td></tr>
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It was a great birthday party! Most years the grandmas are stuck in the kitchen and I am running around making sure everything is going well. This year everyone was able to play and visit with each other. There was absolutely nothing to take care of and we were just able to enjoy everyone coming together to celebrate our little mans birthday! By far the best birthday and I will be continuing the tradition of easy birthday parties! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">JoJo and Ahnie</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">JoJo running for home!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Norah all ready to play!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cake time!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opening Presents</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kyler autographing the ball!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brett had all his friends sign his baseball!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jake playing 1st base!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiger baseball players and coaches! Thanks guys!!!</td></tr>
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Karen and Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863421497104302975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263548045927261972.post-83191871671113854952013-08-19T22:22:00.004-05:002013-08-19T22:22:24.305-05:00Amaya is 1 month old<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9YN6m9ITNbe507SuvcbdsTdw6Mm-VsAZ7cgFGGgTimZrSt5yNVZWY5e8mpw3tcoRQYhu2VSC2NGOXeRvkMwzSSclzhX2-aFwHfYdDjt35g2nprB_7QbgUiof3cHYGbE3IrO6mR64Y8Tt/s1600/DSC_0105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9YN6m9ITNbe507SuvcbdsTdw6Mm-VsAZ7cgFGGgTimZrSt5yNVZWY5e8mpw3tcoRQYhu2VSC2NGOXeRvkMwzSSclzhX2-aFwHfYdDjt35g2nprB_7QbgUiof3cHYGbE3IrO6mR64Y8Tt/s320/DSC_0105.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Our sweet little girlie, Amaya turned 1 month old on August 3rd. Her first month went very smoothly and she has been a very easy baby. She goes with the flow and fits the 3rd child well. She is oh so cuddly and also is good at sleeping just about anywhere! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpGLGT30JYd-TaVg6jkJhIGN1X_l8ZnlqiP89-LfYeNRgQ8OptMnilAbl5J7dhJ-ixjioIA1aS6pJDWlD0Ec396qsKTw2NhhuwrNKff8TCCaKSWapa6ArGjT0-Z0cffpgRhLF8JukLJZT/s1600/DSC_0075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpGLGT30JYd-TaVg6jkJhIGN1X_l8ZnlqiP89-LfYeNRgQ8OptMnilAbl5J7dhJ-ixjioIA1aS6pJDWlD0Ec396qsKTw2NhhuwrNKff8TCCaKSWapa6ArGjT0-Z0cffpgRhLF8JukLJZT/s320/DSC_0075.JPG" width="320" /></a>At one month old she was waking up usually 2 times a night and would do a 5 hour stretch and a 4 hour stretch. She slept in our room the whole first month. I really grew to love the mid night feedings because I could relax and it was just us! Something that is very far a few between when you have 3 kids 4 and under! <br />
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Amaya passed her birth weight and was 8 lbs 14 oz at her 2 week check up and a week later we got her weighed again and she had gain almost a full pound! She was 9 lbs 13 oz. Just like her brother and sister! She is in 3 month clothes and wearing size 1 diapers. <br />
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She is on a good 3 hour schedule and typically can stay awake for a short time after each feeding. The later it gets in the day the more sleepy she gets and by evening she spends most of her time sleeping. <br />
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Amaya likes her swing, and laying on the floor. She also likes to sit in her bouncy seat while I shower (its about the only time she likes to sit in there but she loves the dark/light contrasts in our basement bathroom). I love it because I can actually get a decent shower and she just looks around happy as can be. <br />
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Ayden and Ahnie have loved on her from the moment they met her! At about 3 weeks old Ahnie started to realize that Amaya was here to stay and started saying things like "Mommy you not hold Amaya, you hold me?" if I would ever hold Ahnie. That is when we started taking Ahnie on some special trips to the store or a few dates by herself! She never once took it out on Amaya but we could see that she needed some special time too.<br />
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<i> Amaya, you have fit right into our family! We all love to give you kisses! Ahnie loves to tell everyone she sees that she has a baby sissy and her favorite thing to do it hold you! Ayden loves to hold you too! Usually in the morning he will ask to hold you and he will cuddle you for a while! You are soo sweet and both your mommy and daddy love your cuddles as well! Everyone that meets you comments on your beautiful, full head of hair! We wonder if you will keep it. We are excited to see you grow and change in the next months. Love, Mommy</i><br />
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<br />Karen and Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863421497104302975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263548045927261972.post-85380975952714552922013-07-12T13:38:00.000-05:002013-07-12T13:38:22.562-05:00Amaya Kay WilliamsAmaya Kay was born on Weds. July 3rd at 2:43 in the afternoon. She weighed 8lbs 5.6 oz and was 21 inches long! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKZhtLJjyBUTeQDPka2idI8bzqf_4UAx0mcyPizEEGvjBBh83SO1uHK83XQuh9HAfbuwAKGfZyjUORXOMi6NICSE7y-ceRTMkdDVpByC0RZSgw8klEzrnzkfFfzGqcmVXVXgpGpFC6ntS/s1600/DSC_0181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKZhtLJjyBUTeQDPka2idI8bzqf_4UAx0mcyPizEEGvjBBh83SO1uHK83XQuh9HAfbuwAKGfZyjUORXOMi6NICSE7y-ceRTMkdDVpByC0RZSgw8klEzrnzkfFfzGqcmVXVXgpGpFC6ntS/s320/DSC_0181.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61kCcVismhOzoGkLAFOemWvNEcHH2qdX8Qtj0pWKtSlCHLLutJXGcINf6eYes9BFcUm4MWekjfi_dPOxGIaU7KR37F_YJuhAOYq_ld_Tu4FmnO7gILUbP3ilgGkf2mI_r5UkglJY6eiEm/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61kCcVismhOzoGkLAFOemWvNEcHH2qdX8Qtj0pWKtSlCHLLutJXGcINf6eYes9BFcUm4MWekjfi_dPOxGIaU7KR37F_YJuhAOYq_ld_Tu4FmnO7gILUbP3ilgGkf2mI_r5UkglJY6eiEm/s320/DSC_0006.JPG" width="320" /></a>Amaya, along with all of my labors, was a scheduled induction. Our day started out with an early alarm so I could shower and get ready then we took the kids over to Brett's parents house. We arrived at the hospital at 7:30 and got checked in and met our nurse Brenda. Typically an induction starts with Patocin but I have never needed it so I talked with my doctor at my last appointment about it and she was fine with my plan of having my water broke first and see how it goes. When we got to the hospital both Brenda and the Dr. on call, Dr. Gerardi, were happy to go that route. I really felt like I was listened to and I really appreciated that! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGa-WTut_UiU4MEHD9yHNjeIan5QlBWpCQEzgA6djLlwwy3BCZyeyhCbIYtLG6_MLguP9U_E0drBB8vT_1UQSepi4fju5lXQLVTjjYr2SsF9adCoOer6eLe5-0lEe4jVctcLCQyjrGuUeO/s1600/DSC_0095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGa-WTut_UiU4MEHD9yHNjeIan5QlBWpCQEzgA6djLlwwy3BCZyeyhCbIYtLG6_MLguP9U_E0drBB8vT_1UQSepi4fju5lXQLVTjjYr2SsF9adCoOer6eLe5-0lEe4jVctcLCQyjrGuUeO/s320/DSC_0095.JPG" width="320" /></a>I was at a 3 when I checked in and they broke my water at 8:20. Brett and I were able to walk the halls for a few hours. I had never done that with either of my other labors. It was nice to not be stuck in the bed the whole time! Around 10:30 or 11 we decided to get put on the list for the epidural and good thing because we had to wait a while as I was #3 out of 5 in labor and all wanting epidurals! Once the epidural was given now it was just time to sit and relax and wait... The nurse and Dr. left us alone quite a bit and didn't really check me much during the morning. Finally, around 1:30 I was at an 8. She said it would probably be in the next two hours (by this point in the morning Ahnie and Ayden were both born so I was like 2 hours?!). About 20 minutes later she came in quickly and said she was going to check me again. I was kind of surprised because they hadn't really checked me to much and she told me 2 hours so she did and I was at a 10 and ready to go. They called Dr. Lapinski in and all the other nurses that were going to help out. I started pushing around 2:15. I would say I had to work pretty hard for her! Towards the end of pushing I was not feeling good and didn't know how much longer I could go for. Brenda, told me I got really pale and she knew I wasn't doing very good. Luckily Amaya came after a couple more pushes! Brenda quickly ran and got me something to drink and the hospital comes around with warm cookies at 2:30 each day so I had a cookie right away! That made me feel much better and I was ready to meet my little girl! <br />
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After I felt better and they were done checking Amaya and I we called the grandparents to share the news and sent pictures to the Aunts and Uncles! My parents were able to come meet Amaya right away and Brett's parents had the kids in the pool so they came shortly after. <br />
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Both Ayden and Ahnie were excited to meet their sister but they came and made sure I was ok first! They have been so great with her since the minute they met her! It has been so fun to see their excitement for her and love for her grow! <br />
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Here are some pictures from our stay at the hospital. We got a new camera the day before she was born so Brett spent the whole time figuring it all out! <br />
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Karen and Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863421497104302975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263548045927261972.post-11904151738683654782013-06-30T13:45:00.000-05:002013-06-30T13:45:02.322-05:00One More WeekAs I sit here, Ahnie in her bed not quite asleep for her nap but in her bed. AJ downstairs resting on the couch with Brett, again not asleep but quiet I can't help but think what our lives will be like in a week! <br />
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Our life has been crazy since we found out we were pregnant. Everything from Closing on our first house, moving again 2 more times before making it into our new home, AJ in his first year of preschool, Ahnie starting in an in home daycare when normally she was at our home with a college student, Ayden deciding that napping is over rated, finishing the school year with my job for next year a little shaky (now knowing that I will be doing the same thing), getting into the swing of summer to find that our kids both think going to bed is over rated and some nights our wonderful sleeper (Ahnie) would be wide awake at mid-night, taking a summer course that was everyday for two weeks, Brett busy with baseball games and practice daily, AJ's Tball schedule and now the week that we will hopefully meet our precious baby girl! <br />
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We have been blessed by so many things this year but also having that feel of being in the middle of a whirlwind... As soon as I think we are at a new normal something would change. It has been a busy season in our lives. I am so excited to welcome our newest baby girl into our family. So excited for a newborn to slow our lives down a bit. Keeping us a little closer to home and little closer to a schedule and hopefully it will be a great thing for our family! I love having summer babies because we can still make it to the park for a bit and they are so easy to come along where ever the big kids need to go because the only schedule they have is eating and sleeping. I am hoping for a few more days at home, calm just us, and enjoying our lives together. <br />
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It has been so fun hearing Ayden and Ahnie talk about the new baby. Ahnie has loved all the baby things that have been put together for the baby. You can find her babies in the bouncy seat, swing and bassinet daily. I am often told that I need to be quiet because her baby is sleeping. She is constantly talking about her baby sister and her clothes, diapers, binkies and blankets. Right before bed it never fails, she looks over at me and say Mommy, I love ______ (baby). She talks about her so much that I think many have figured out her name. Ayden on the other hand has been curious and asks great questions about the baby. He will rub my tummy and ask if she is moving so he can feel her kick. But has not been to excited about the physical stuff like his sister. I have noticed him become so gentle when our friends with new babies come over. He has been very interested in them and wanting to hold them, read to them, make them smile/laugh. Then he quickly asks if his baby will do that. He still has yet to say the name but I think he is over making up names for her and just calls her "baby". I can't wait to see how he is when he first meets her. <br />
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Dear Baby Williams, You are so loved even before we have set eyes on you! You are talked about daily and we are very anxiously awaiting your arrival. You have a big brother and sister that already adore you and can't wait to see you! Their life will change when you come but I am so excited to see how we all become a family of 5!!! <br />
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Love,<br />
Mommy Karen and Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863421497104302975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263548045927261972.post-43165372248661792492013-05-30T14:43:00.002-05:002013-05-30T14:43:57.536-05:00Potty Outside...The other day we were over at our friends, the hofferts house. All the kids were outside "washing" their toys and were all soaked! Emily had just laid Taylor down inside and sure enough Ahnie needed to go potty. To keep her wet and dirty self outside of Emily's house and to let Taylor rest in quiet I took her over to the side of the garage and pulled down her pants. I told her to stand with her legs apart and she could try to go potty outside. She did what I told her and tried. Then she looked up at me with a question look on her face and said "But Mommy, I no have a penis." I agreed and we went inside to go potty. Karen and Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863421497104302975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263548045927261972.post-85750225318301725232013-05-22T15:30:00.001-05:002013-05-22T15:30:14.270-05:00Happy Birthday Brett<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When we got engaged and were looking at a spring wedding Brett quickly noticed that his birthday fell on a Saturday. He was very excited at the idea of having our wedding on his birthday. I went a long with it and it has been great but the only problem is we usually celebrate our anniversary on that date then his birthday kind of gets pushed to the side. Now that our kids are getting older I want to make Brett's birthday a little more of a celebration that they can be a part of. <br />
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This year while Brett was working we went out and picked out his presents. Ayden and Ahnie each got to pick out something for him and then I got him a movie he had been wanting. We then got home and made a yummy dinner on the grill for daddy and wrapped his gifts. (Ayden wanted to hide them as well...I think this came from us hiding his easter basket but who knows...we went with it) We also made Brett a cheesecake and fresh strawberries. <br />
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We had a great night! Ate dinner, opened presents after Brett found them, went for a walk with the family and then came home for cheesecake! I think fun was had by all and Brett loves his birthday so I think I finally got it figured out how to celebrate both well!!! Karen and Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863421497104302975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263548045927261972.post-2870074564833378182013-05-03T13:12:00.000-05:002013-05-03T13:12:04.815-05:005 Year AnniversaryI can't believe its been 5 years since we said "I do" yet I think back to all we have been through and how our family and relationship has developed and changed and it seems like we have been together for much longer! In 5 years we have bought two homes, got a dog, had two kids and expecting #3 in July, both changed jobs, along with many other wonderful memories we have made it through. I am very excited to see what the next 5 years brings us!!<br />
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To celebrate our anniversary Brett's parents offered to take the kids for the weekend! We took them up on it because after baby #3 comes who knows when we will get a weekend away alone. We looked at all the big cities in driving distance (Brett looked for baseball games, I looked at my weather app). Well there were no home baseball games that weekend and anything North, East or West was too cold so that left us with Kansas City or St. Louis. Since Kansas City is a little closer we decided to go there. It was so nice to get away with no schedule and just be able to spend time together! <br />
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We got to Kansas City at 6 just in time for dinner. We decided to find a new BBQ restaurant that we had not tried. We decided on Aurthur Bryant's. It was pretty good but I still love the famous Oklahoma Joes. After dinner we checked into our hotel just in time to watch the stand off of one of the Boston Marathon Bombers. We watched that until he was captured and then decided to head out for a little desert. We stopped at TJ Maxx and Kohls quickly to see if Brett could find some Royals gear then hit up Cheesecake Factory for desert (for me) and a beer for Brett. <br />
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The next morning we slept in until 9 am which was AMAZING! Then got up and went out for breakfast at another local restaurant. This was a dinner that specialized in southern breakfast food. I had french toast made with biscuits. It was sooo good! Then we headed for the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. This museum is also attached to the Jazz museum so we went through both. It was very cool looking at all the history of both Baseball and Jazz. I love learning about that era. It was so fascinating. Then we spent the majority of the rest of the day at Plaza. It was a beautiful day! Sunny, tulips were blooming we we were able to shop and look at many high end shops. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcr0nyf2livPy-Z9UQw2s1Z17zeo3C4MI8qTUt_kDufYyOPoe5JMc_wKD5qAwGkIAXPvThK_MvnLWegLA3xSG9AHclWnTW5IMp55ZuHnH0TZyQZ4OJAZiYYVQ7R5AWSE5QpElptpyO3HUV/s640/blogger-image-864439349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcr0nyf2livPy-Z9UQw2s1Z17zeo3C4MI8qTUt_kDufYyOPoe5JMc_wKD5qAwGkIAXPvThK_MvnLWegLA3xSG9AHclWnTW5IMp55ZuHnH0TZyQZ4OJAZiYYVQ7R5AWSE5QpElptpyO3HUV/s320/blogger-image-864439349.jpg" width="239" /></a>We ended our day at the Melting Pot for dinner. This is a much more upscale restaurant than we are used to eating at and it was fun to splurge a little. The Melting Pot is a fondue restaurant that specializes in 4 courses, Cheese, Salad, Main Course and Chocolate. The fondue is made at your table and it comes with many dippers. We choose the southwestern cheese that was a little spicy then had a salad. For the main course I got Chicken, Steak and Shrimp and Brett got 3 different varieties of Steak. It all come raw and you cook it in the fondue pot at your table. Finally was the chocolate course. It was amazing!! They had almost 12 different varieties of chocolate that you could choose from and came with soooo many different dippers. My favorites were the rice crispies, strawberries, marshmallows and bananas. Brett like the strawberries, bananas and the cheesecake. The other funny highlight of our dinner was we were put in "lovers lane" and had a curtain at our booth. We laughed when she shut it the first time...Like what do they think it going to happen in here... We decided it was in a hallway so it was to keep us away from any commotion in the hallway. HAHA<br />
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On Sunday, morning we woke up early headed to a Church that a friend of ours goes to and then headed the the Outlet Mall. It was another beautiful day to walk around outside and get some shopping done. we took off around noon picked up some lunch and hit the road. We were very excited to see the kids after being away for the weekend! I think its so important for couples to get away and just spend time together to work on their own relationship and then it always feels so good to get back home! Its also so great for our kids to get extended time with their grandparents without us around. Some of my favorite memories are with my grandparents spending a week there without my parents! <br />
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<br />Karen and Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863421497104302975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263548045927261972.post-40296466735293603832013-03-28T22:04:00.002-05:002013-03-28T22:04:39.195-05:00Discipline and LoveThese past few weeks I have been feeling like the "No Police"! I feel like I would tell AJ to do something he would do the opposite. I would take away something he would have a tantrum or yell and scream, we were constantly at odds and I just felt my patience go out the window day after day. Ahnie has been watching and as she told me two days ago "Mommy don't say that to me!" also listening to her brother. I just felt defeated. <br />
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Well I was on Pinterest one night and came across a pin that took me to this blog: http://www.notconsumed.com/2012/05/02/consequences-for-little-hearts/ <br />
She talks about having natural consequences for your children. When I read it I was thinking wow that sounds great but it would never work for my kids. The biggest thing I have taken away from her blog post was that she has one rule "always show love". When I read this I quickly thought, what about the no throwing balls in the house, or pick up your toys before you get something else out, or obey your mom and day?!? But she quickly describes how everything comes back to love.... While I read this and went on with my days until I came to one of those situations with my 3 year old and I felt like the love idea would work so I tried it. I can't remember the exact example but he looked at me and did what I asked and we were over it and had moved on. I was amazing but also was like well yeah that fit perfectly but it won't always happen like that. So I tried it again (luckily my son has given me lots of time to practice in the past week) and it worked again. Here are a few examples I can think of that we have dealt with in the past few days; Ayden yelling because I asked him to put on his jammies and he didn't want to take off his jersey. "Ayden can you try telling me that again but using loving words". Ahnie pushing her brother. "Ahnie are you loving Ayden right now? How can you show Ayden love?" Ayden got a time out at school for throwing blocks in stead of picking them up. "Ayden were you showing Ms. Sarah love my not picking up and throwing blocks? Were you showing love to your class that could have been hit by those blocks?" <br />
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This past week I tried this with out telling Brett what I was doing. I just want to see what would happen. I really wasn't sure but liked the idea of it. Well, it wasn't until last night when my small group and I went out with Corey Peters to hand out groceries and offer prayer for people in our community. Before we left he was talking to us about how he talks to people about Jesus and the bible and eventually asking them to ask Christ into their life. He was talking about how the bible says that we are to share Christ with everyone we meet and that is not always by talking to them about Christ but just by showing love to them. That was when it all came together and put a meaning behind this idea! If I truely want to mold my children's hearts to be followers of Christ and to share Christ with others the best way to do that is start by showing love. Ayden and I were able to have such a great conversation today about why Love is our main rule in our house and how Jesus came to this earth and showed love to everyone he encountered. We also were able to tie that into holy week and how Jesus showed us love in the biggest possible way, by obeying God and dying on the cross for our sins. <br />
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I need to read her blog a few more times to get the natural consequences down that she talks about but I have been amazed by this idea of showing love at all times and that being our main rule in our house. I love it! I hope if anyone of you are struggling with discipline like we are this might be something to think about for your family. Karen and Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863421497104302975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263548045927261972.post-26185294797840176542013-03-11T14:17:00.000-05:002013-03-11T14:17:00.071-05:00Bedtime PrayersAhnie has started to insist that we pray before we leave her room at night. She always looks at us and says "I pray Jesus!" With her hands folded so tightly and a cute little smile looking up at us. Then we ask her what she would like to pray for or thank Jesus for.<br />
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Today at nap she was having a hard time staying in bed so I put her back and bed and asked if she wanted to pray. She said yes and took off with it. She said "I pray Jesus for baby _____(correct name inserted)." I said yes we need to pray for our baby sister. What else would you like to pray for. She replied "I pray Baby _____ love me!" Melted my heart! I too pray that all of my children love each other! I just thought it was so sweet that she thought of that and I never want to forget my precious almost 2 year old praying for her baby in mommys tummy to love her! I sure know she loves this baby too!!! Karen and Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863421497104302975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263548045927261972.post-2544603510128395082013-02-10T23:29:00.001-06:002013-02-10T23:29:47.193-06:00My ValentineTonight AJ and I were laying in bed and he asked "when is my valentine's day party at school?" So we counted the days. Then I told him your valentine is some one you love. I asked him who he wanted his valentine to be? He quickly said "you mommy! I love you and want you to be my valentine!" Melt my heart!! Then he quickly asked "mom I don't love anyone at school can I still go to the party?" I told him our baseball valentines aren't ones that talk about love so it will be ok! <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGn7UigrfNYX8_AMEQ_ttnfVJ5yPhElBZnf6FDJGFu9t-v2S8qGHQzZmsNxsNyaTLvqW2nKQ40Zsqlj-SUo36mxikmVxACKOX5HT3STttA2Wwr0qeturxo3I9KXOVd6xcX5KEkevPHWxmS/s640/blogger-image--1866632398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGn7UigrfNYX8_AMEQ_ttnfVJ5yPhElBZnf6FDJGFu9t-v2S8qGHQzZmsNxsNyaTLvqW2nKQ40Zsqlj-SUo36mxikmVxACKOX5HT3STttA2Wwr0qeturxo3I9KXOVd6xcX5KEkevPHWxmS/s640/blogger-image--1866632398.jpg" /></a></div>Karen and Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863421497104302975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263548045927261972.post-5320367766384696782013-02-03T22:36:00.001-06:002013-02-03T22:36:11.656-06:00Baby Excitement!!I just don't want to forget how precious both Ayden and Ahnie are with all the new excitment of my growing belly. They are constantly asking about the baby and randomly giving baby a hug or a kiss. In the past week I have started to feel the baby move and it is becoming more common and when ever I share that with Ayden he gets so excited! I can't wait for him to feel it for the first time. He has been asking the best questions about the baby! It is amazing how a 3 year olds mind work. <br />
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Ahnie is in love with babies and she is loving my belly as it grows. She also thinks she has a baby in her tummy. I will say our tummys are a little comparible right now but I have a feeling she is starting to thin out and I wish that was the case for me! :) But I think this baby is going to keep growing!! She loves to ask if my baby needs a binky and when she is cuddling with her blankie she likes to share. <br />
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As I watch the excitement both our children have for the baby they have only heard about I can't help get more and more excited too! They are at a good age where they can help me when I need something as well as play on their own too. I am sure they will offer lots of extra hands when this baby does arrive and I am sure it will be a little overwhelming as we all get used to being a family of 5 but we are very excited for this new chapter in our family! <br />
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Last monday I have my 16 week check up (I was 17 weeks tho) and we all were able to go. They got to hear the baby's heartbeat and Ayden really thought that was cool! The next appointment will be on Feb. 25th and we will get to see our baby again on the ultrasound. We will be finding out if this baby will be a little brother or sister. Currently we are tied 2 girls and 2 boys in our family. I wonder who will become more dominate the boys or the girls?! So fun to think about! I have had feelings of both so I can't wait to know. Karen and Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863421497104302975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263548045927261972.post-38071814299631503532013-01-21T21:23:00.001-06:002013-01-21T21:23:05.799-06:00Ahnie is Potty Trained!!!So, this weekend was the weekend that I had planned to potty train Ahnie for a while now. It was a 3 day weekend and we didn't have much going on. When we potty trained Ayden I had used this approach <a href="http://www.3daypottytraining.com/">http://www.3daypottytraining.com/</a>. The idea of the 3 day potty training approach is where you start talking about going potty in the potty a few weeks ahead of time! Start planning, talking and buying things just for your child! Buy lots of juice boxes, special snacks, food with extra fiber (to help with #2) and let them go out and pick out some special underware (lots of underware! They recommend 16-20 pairs I think). We also picked out special stickers and M&M's. Then you are supposed to throw away all your diapers the morning of the 1st day during a special breakfast then put on underware and a shirt. Constantly ask your child if they are dry (and praise them that they are), remind them to tell you when they need to go potty, and if they start to go you run them quickly to the potty so hopefully they can finish in there. The child never leaves your sight and you are constantly praising your child! The idea is they have lots of accidents the first day less the 2nd and hopefully none the 3rd day. This is a e-book that you buy and after you buy it you can go on and get help from the author along with a guaruntee. <br />
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We had to try this 2 times with AJ and I remember the first time being so tired at naptime and by the second day AJ was at the door saying "I go outside" and me crying to Brett on the couch saying I want to go outside too!! He was clearly not ready after having something like 12 accidents on the first day... I don't remember but the 2nd day was not much better and I think by the 3rd day we got our diapers back out and said he would try again later. Then we tried again last winter and it was much better! He was potty trained with peeing by the 3 day and it took a few months before we didn't have any more poopy accidents but we got through it. <br />
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So, thinking about potty training Ahnie started back in probably October. My parents were here watching AJ and Ahnie while I was at work and when I got home my mom informed me that Ahnie had gone poopy on the potty twice that morning! I remember looking at my mom thinking "are you kidding me we are trying to pack get moved, find a new house and now your telling me she is ready to potty train" haha I was excited but a little overwhelmed (which I think discribed myself most of this fall!). So after that we got out our little potty and if she asked to use it we would sit on it. Very rarely did she actually go but it was a fun game. Since Christmas break and moving into our new home she became more interested in sitting on the potty and was actually going sometimes. I decided then that MLK weekend might be a great weekend to do the 3 day potty training. We started getting ready and started buying all of our goodies! The weekend before Ahnie got done eating breakfast and quick said potty so we sat on the potty and she went! Then we put a diaper back on ran some errands got home played then ate lunch. After lunch she said potty so we ran to the potty again. I took off her DRY daiper and she went again. This definally affirmed that I need to do this! Then this past week leading up to our big weekend she would randomly tell me she needed to go potty and she would go! <br />
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So, Saturday was the day! We had talked a lot about going potty on the potty and at breakfast we talked about putting underware on. When we got done we went to the bathroom sat on the potty and she went and we put some Dora underware on. All morning we kept asking if Dora was dry and she was! We went potty 4 times before naps and didn't have an accident! One thing I remember AJ stuggling with was going potty a little bit very often which they can do in diapers and its not a big deal. Ahnie would not go potty any closer than 1 hour between. I could tell she had really had that down which was huge! At naps we put on a pull up (which the 3 day potty training says is a no no but we do it at naps and bedtime!) and when she woke up she was crying potty and I went and scooped her up and she had a big wet warm pull up! Shoot we missed it! But I don't count it as an accident if she was sleeping. We switched to underware and went on with our day. She kept doing great! She really started to get tired before dinner so we ate quick. Then we sat on the potty, she tried to poop on her own and a little came out! We were all so excited!!! We put underware back on and I came into the toy room to her crouched down on the ground and she wouldn't stand up... Shoot she had her 1st accident about 10 minutes before I was going to put her to bed! <br />
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Sunday, she woke up and Brett went in to get her and she had already pooped... So, the rest of the day was pretty easy. No accidents and she was telling us when we needed to go! She really did a great job all day and was starting to learn she got M&M's every time she went potty.<br />
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This morning went very well we woke up and went potty right away. All morning was great and went like the last two days until right before lunch. She came over to me said poo poo and squated down. I tried to get her to the potty but we didn't make it. Then after naps I thought I had a doctors apt that we were going to meet Brett at. Right before we got there I remembered that it was on the 28th and today was only the 21st. So we ran to Toy R Us by myself because I wanted to trade in a carseat. I then thougth I should let her pick something out for doing a great job. I knew I was getting myself in trouble and when we were playing with the leapster tablets she started crying say potty. Her first real pee accident and she was not happy. We ran to the bathroom got cleaned up and headed home. We later went to the OP and no accidents there! So in 3 days we had 3 accidents only 1 being a pee accident. I will call that pretty good! <br />
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Ahnie was so proud of herself though all of it! Some of the things I want to remember is her asking us if we were dry everytime we would ask her! And how excited she would get when she got to pick out her own M&M or sticker. She would change her mind about 10 times and would get made if you pushed her to just pick one! I would definally say any method I would have used would have worked for Ahnie just because I think she was so ready but I would also recommend the 3 day potty training because it did work for AJ and he was a much harder case. <br />
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I am so proud of my little girl! She is not a baby anymore!!!! Good thing we have one more on the way or else I would be pretty sad :)<br />
Karen and Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863421497104302975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263548045927261972.post-89005789725218100612013-01-21T20:31:00.001-06:002013-01-21T20:31:10.602-06:00If I Write It Down...Today we were waiting for Brett to get home from work so we could go out for dinner for the Tiger Basketball fundraiser. Brett was going to be home any minute but AJ insisted that he needed to wear his cleats until Brett got home. I told him I wasn't going to tie them because we were going to take them off in a few minutes. He said then I am going to write it down! I didn't know what that meant but he went down stairs so Ahnie and I kept looking for Brett out the window. Next thing I know AJ comes running up stairs with a piece of paper he wants to show me. Its our cell phone bill and he held it up and it had the letter A a few times on it in marker. He holds it up and says "Mom! You see this! It says you have to tie my shoes and since I wrote it down you have to do it!" So I agreed and tied his shoes... <br />
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I guess sometimes you just have to give in! I am very glad I kept my mouth shut when I first saw our cell phone bill colored on to hear the whole story! I can't make this stuff up! I just love this little boy and all his tactics that he thinks will help him get his way...Karen and Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863421497104302975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263548045927261972.post-17758274998589129512013-01-21T20:22:00.000-06:002013-01-21T20:22:41.303-06:00Aaron RogersIf you have seen us lately it is no surprise to you that AJ loves wearing his jerseys!! He has one on everyday!! One of his favorites is his Aaron Rogers Packers jersey. He loves it so much the front numbers have wore off. <br />
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Well last week we went to Walmart and the first thing he did (well he always does this as soon as we get anywhere!)...he had to take off his coat so as he says: "everyone can see my jersey!" So while we are there everytime I ask him to follow me or tell him its time to go to the next isle he says "Call me Aaron Rogers!" And he held to it! He would not listen until I called him Aaron Rogers! He wouldn't go for Aaron, Rogers, AR or any other combination except the full name Aaron Rogers! You should have seen the looks I got from every person we saw!!! Gotta love 3 year olds!!Karen and Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863421497104302975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263548045927261972.post-44710689897924187622013-01-08T14:35:00.003-06:002013-01-08T14:35:55.496-06:00I'm Back!!!Wow, is all I can say for the last 2+ months... Well I don't want to forget my feelings and how everything went in the last crazy months of 2012, so here goes....<br />
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I guess it all started back in Sept. when we finally made the plung after looking at many many houses and we decided if we were serious we needed to get our house on the market. After our first open house our relator, Tony called us and told us to stay away for a few more hours because he had a potential buyer coming back to look at it. Well, we did as we were told and by that evening we had an amazing offer in our hands!! We were very excited but the house we put an offer on was not available any more so we accepted ours with a contigiency on us finding a house and the date to close would be Nov. 9th. Well we looked and looked and looked!!! (My kids lately have been asking why we don't see Tony any more, they were so used to seeing him because we spent sooo much time looking at houses!!) <br />
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Well, the day came that we had to make the decision to keep the offer or ask for more time. We didn't want to loose the offer so we decided we would just rent and take the offer set to close on Nov. 9th. Well, much to our surprise it is very hard to find cheap rent, month to month and who allow pets! So, finally our friends were looking for renters and we were looking for a place! It worked but they were going to continue to find renters/owners and we had finally found our home! So we thought it would work out great for everyone! We were scheduled to close on our new house Dec. 7th. So, we moved into our friends house Nov. 1st. and spent the week cleaning our old house so we could close on Nov. 9th. Along with closing we also found out we were expecting baby #3 (I was already 6 weeks along!). The next week we found out that our friends found a renter and we would be out Nov. 30th. So we had to plan to move again! This time is was only going to be for a week so Brett's parents graciasly let us stay with them for a week. We (I should say Brett and his parents) spent the week taking everything we own and cramming it into Brett's parents garage!! And we got all settled at Grandma and Grandpa Will's house. Shortly after we moved in we got word that the paperwork would not be ready in time and we were not sure when we would be able to close on our new home. They told us Monday or Tuesday... We decided to postpone our U'Haul for that Thursday because our week was already busy until then. Well Monday and Tuesday came and went and no word. Finally, at 3:30 on Weds. I called Brett and asked if he was going to cancel the truck for the next day. He said Tony said not until he says and as we were talking Brett quickly said I have to go I'll call you back. Well, he called back saying that we would finally close sometime the next day (Thursday Dec. 13th). So, we kept the truck! <br />
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So, Thursday came, I worked like normal. Brett picked up the truck at noon we had great friends come help use load the truck and I went to a doctors appointment I didn't want to reschedule. When I got home I picked up Brett and we went and closed on our home got the keys and call our parents to meet us at the new house with the truck! We meet them there and lots of high schools students and friends to help us moved for the LAST TIME!! We didn't stay there that night but we did the following night. We were finally in our home sweet home!! <br />
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I had learned a lot over those stressful 6 weeks. I learned once again I am not in control. I love how when I think I can plan everything down to a T God comes in and shows me that it is not in my time it is in his! I will say that now almost a month in our new home I am finally starting to feel like we are starting to reach a new normal I can live with :) My kids sleeping arrangements changed many times, our schedule was all over the place, we had to learn how to live out of boxes for weeks! I am finally starting to get caught up on the day to day routine of washing the clothes, getting the dishes done, having both kids sleep or have quiet time, meal planning, figure out a new bedtime routine that works for our family, and just plain get through a day feeling like it was worthwhile! I learned that I can not do this life on my own and when I do it does not work! I finally remembered that I needed to turn to God to help me get through each day! My kids were acting out and I was far from being consistant. I felt scattered and spread very thin. But, once I put my trust back in Gods plan and started believing that it would all work out and fall into place is when I was able to think clearly in each area of my life! The last few months hav ebeen a struggle but we made it thought and learned a lot though it!<br />
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I am excited for what 2013 has in store for us! A new baby to welcome into our family, a house we get to make a home and I am sure so much more!!! Glad to be back blogging! Hope I can get a caught up soon!Karen and Bretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863421497104302975noreply@blogger.com0