Christmas 2016

Wow - first opps for falling so far behind.

So this Christmas was a little different. Tim is deployed so we celebrated as a family before he left. We put the tree up after Thanksgiving. The kids had a blast doing the ornaments and both of them did fantastic. The boys had a blast. They each got a new iPad mini so they can each have their own and I will be taking back the original one they used to share. Owen got an awesome blaze toy that turns blaze from a monster truck into a race car. He absolutely loves it. Leiland got connect 4 which he needs more practice with and they both got a couple other small things. Tim took Leiland to get me a gift. So freaking sweet and Leiland picked out a kitty. They couldn't take her home that day, so when I called the next Monday about coming to get her they basically said the foster family was keeping her. Bummer.

So because Tim would be gone the kids and I came to Michigan. I planned the trip to leave on the 16th after Leilands 1/2 day of school. I really struggled to get everything I needed to done before I needed to leave. The day before Leilands teacher invited us to his class party. We had a blast but it delayed me packing some and so we got on the road a bit late. We had planned on stopping halfway which we were able to accomplish. The second day we had to stop early but then got the rest of the way and arrived in time to celebrate with my dad and Kris. The next dad we celebrated with Nana and Papa. We had a blast. We went to see Santa. Leiland asked for a bell from his sleigh and Owen was nervous but excited. He wouldn't sit ON santa but did sit beside Leiland and proceeded to talk to Santa the entire time. I was pleasantly surprised by this.

Through the week we tried to visit as many as we could. We arrived with Leiland having a cough which turned into Owen being sick by Christmas and now Elissa has caught the bug. We head home tomorrow and honestly I am so ready to be home. Its so very hard to travel and stay with other people with a fussy baby and sick kids. I miss home thats for sure.

So as far as Christmas goes - oh it was fun. Christmas eve the kids had a blast with the whole family here. Owen was quiet and shy till Anna arrived. He was so happy to see her. They loved the treats. Presents were kinda crazy and overwhelming. Leiland was so excited and happy about everything he got, thanked everyone, and was just a joy. Owen fell asleep around 3 and napped till I tried waking him at 530. Then he wouldn't wake till around 6. He opened his gifts and is SO in love with his new blaze toy and thomas mini's. Ellie was gifted some gorgeous little outfits and I can't wait to put a few on her. The big kids were excited about putting cookies out for Santa and went to bed great. Leiland passed out right away. Kayla got up as stockings were being filled. Oops. Then James got up a bit later. Owen was up all along because he slept so long. He finally went down around 11pm. The next morning the kids got up. Leiland didn't wake me first but thats ok. He came to get me and I woke Owen. Owen took awhile to get in the groove. Leiland LOVED his stocking. He got so excited over every little thing and wanted to show everyone how great it was. Santa brought him the bell from his sleigh and Leiland was overjoyed. Santa also brought Leiland a little art set with an easel and paints. I can't wait to do that when we get back home. Santa brought Owen a very cool big stuffed blaze which Owen bruised off that morning but now loves. Ellie slept through all of it but she was brought a beautiful little bunny. We spent the day hanging out. My mom, Dave, Anna, Jason, and William came by in the afternoon. WE played the wii quite a bit and then we had some Chinese food for dinner. YUMM. We also played quelf and I won. Thats rare. Owen fell asleep early again. He passed out at 4pm on me. I laid him on the couch to not sleep too long but that didn't work. So I put him to bed and he got up for the day at 1am. My bad.

So now Christmas is over. Laura went on vacation right after Christmas and so we stayed at her house till now. So now we are heading home tomorrow. The boys are ready to be home. So exhausted. Ellie is sick and just not feeling great. But she's cute as can be and being so sweet with everyone. She is starting to laugh now which OMG its so precious.

Its crazy to think this time last year is when we conceived her. Yes we were trying but never in my wildest dreams would I expect for it to work. My Christmas wish come true is in my arms this year.

Ill add in pictures once home and caught up a little.

Vacation, flu, first tooth, and daddy's home

Oh boy. So Leiland, owen, and I set out for Georgia on December 27th. Stayed in a hotel half way. Leiland wasn't feeling well and seemed feverish. We swam before bed then in the middle of the night the fire alarms woke us. I quickly poked my head out as most guests were doing. No clue what was happening I put shoes on, put my sweater on with keys in the pocket, grabbed the boys (owens pants he crawled out of), and Leilands shoes. When we got to the lobby it appeared there wasn't a fire so we stayed in the lobby. Fire trucks arrived and firemen in full dress filled the lobby and halls. After about 50 minutes they got the alarms off and we were able to go back to bed. Exhausted. Owen nursed and both boys went to bed. Leiland was burning up though. So in the morning we did breakfast and found a Walmart. By then his body felt like it had cooled off some. I got a thermometer and tylenol and his temperature was 101.2. 

So off we went to drive another 6 1/2 hours. Overall they both did great in the car. We arrived a bit late but no biggie. Boys were so excited to see grandma, grandpa, and auntie Nicole. We hung out for two days not doing too much. One day we tried to be adventurous. It was raining and we wanted to go to hobby lobby and Kroger. When we left Leiland reminded us that he wanted to go to the park and we said we would if it stopped raining. So detour to the park. Right as I was walking to the swings I got a whiff of owen and his poopy diaper. So back to the car. I popped the trunk and changed him. Put the trunk down (using the button on the door) and immediately realize my keys are inside. Shoot. So I immediately call usaa roadside assistance and we wait for someone to come u lock my doors. Oops. 

On New Year's Eve at 4am we got ready and headed to the airport to get Tim. We arrived an hour before him however couldn't find the international area puckup. We finally found him and Leiland was SO happy. It's adorable seeing my boys all back together. 

The next morning (New Years day) we celebrated Christmas. I brought some of Leilands gifts to open up here. He had a good time and played a bit. We did a whole Christmas dinner that was amazing. So nice to be able to celebrate with Tim home and his family. Leiland is loving his grandma and grandpa. 

Slowly but shirly Leiland starts feeling a little better while the rest of us start getting more sick. Grandma got hit pretty hard and I got really bad body aches. Tim got it too. I've now spent 4 nights sleeping on the couch because owens been up crying so much. Two nights ago I finally got him down and went to bed at 1130. At some point he woke and joined us in bed. Wouldn't settle so I came to the living room. I never got back to sleep. He tossed, turned, and fought all night. He seemed pretty hot so I was giving tylenol and Motrin because with just motrin he was still up about 103°F. On both alternating he would sit around 100-101°F. Owen has also been teething. I've watched as his gums began to swell and redden. Well yesterday sure enough his first tooth popped through. It's his bottom left. Today it's not as red and swollen but I do see the other bottom tooth looks like it coming soon and his top two look red and swollen. 

Tim still feels sick and so do I. Last night was a little better with owen and I hoping tonight is better then last. I need sleep. This girl is exhausted. 

I don't know if we have the flue but that would be my guess. Poor owen has it the worst but I think it's because he's teething too. Poor kiddo. 

Christmas Teething Biscuits

Leilands Christmas Cookie teething biscuits. I decided to use the Christmas cookie cutters I used to make out cookies, and they are so stinkin cute. I added bananas to them and hope he likes the flavor. 

 

Ingredients:

1 cup flour
1 cup dry infant rice cereal (lavored or unflavored infant cereal)
3 tablespoons cooking oil
ice water

3 ice cubes bananas

Directions:
Preheat oven 425F
Mix flour and cereal.
Gradually stir in oil. Mix a little ice water at a time (start with 1/4 cup) until dough begins to form a ball and pull away from the bowl.
Roll out to the thickness of a cracker on a floured surface and cut into desired shapes.
Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet 10-12 min. or until lightly brown. Cool completely.

Store in an airtight container. (you may want to try 1/2 plain and 1/2 flavored baby cereal as the taste when using full flavored baby cereal is very strong.) Let cool before storing

Recipe was modified from one found on www.wholesomebabyfood.com