Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down - 2012 #2

Hope your year is off to a good start and your resolutions haven't already gone by the wayside! I have quite a few resolutions this year, most notably to get back in shape and fit back into my pre-pregnancy clothes. Mike has also set a resolution for both of us that we will go on 12 dates this year. That is pretty lofty considering we went on 2 dates last year and none that I can think of the year before! Hopefully we can meet that goal and it doesn't end up as the '12 dates' of Christmas by the end of the year!

My big helper with his new Dyson from MiMi and PaPa!

Jackson looks like a big boy in his clothes - growing up way too fast!

Up:

• This week was Mike's 31st birthday! I failed to get a picture of him with the cake because I was feeding Kennedy, but here is the cake after I finished it. It is tradition on Mike's birthday to eat Pepperoni Rigatoni and German Chocolate Cake; something his Mom started years ago. 

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• My Fabulous kids have been sleeping great this week. On Tuesday Jackson slept 13 hours (you'll see why below) and Kennedy slept 8! It gets better, on Friday night JP slept 14 hours!!! I'm sure with Jackson this will be short lived until he is completely well, but one can dream!

Kennedy after 8 hours of sleep!

Down:

• Unfortunately our year did not get off to a great start. Jackson and I have a nasty respiratory virus. It started the day after we got back and doesn't seem to be leaving anytime soon. It hit Jackson pretty hard on Tuesday and after he woke up from his nap he was crying uncontrollably. He kept saying, " not okay," and screaming intermittently. I seriously thought something really bad like a seizure was going to happen because I've never seen a child act like that for so long. It wasn't from a fever because his fever had broken at this point, but we went ahead and stripped him down to his diaper and just held him until he eventually stopped. Then Kennedy and Mike have had some type of conjunctivitis of the eye where it mattes shut and is very red/irritated.

Favorite Thing:

I thought that I would start something new on the blog this year. I'm always big on finding products/things that I enjoy or make life easier. Each week I plan to feature one of my favorite things. This week's favorite thing is Dreyer's Frozen Yogurt in Carmel Praline Crunch flavor. Everyone is trying to watch their weight this time of year, but it's hard to curb sweet cravings. This frozen yogurt is low in calories (120 for 1/2 cup) and has all the probiotic benefits of yogurt. The best part about it is the taste; in no way does this take like yogurt, it is rich, creamy, and delicious. We don't have the luxury of Blue Bell in this neck of the woods, but this yogurt is the next best thing.

Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down - #1 (New Year & a new count)

Not off to a good start this year with an already belated post! In all fairness, I have been really productive in the other aspects of my life since arriving home.

Happy New Year!!

• We started off this past week with the 'Major' family Christmas. It was so much fun to have everyone at my parents' house. It was the first time in 5 years (since Mike and I were married) that everyone was home. We've added 3 more children into the family since then! Here are some pics from our celebration:

Check out Kennedy's new scuffs!

• On Tuesday, the 27th, my parents celebrated 35 years of marriage. They are such an amazing example to us and I wish them so many more blessed years. 
• Also on Tuesday, our baby girl was baptized! It was so great to have Kennedy baptized at the same church Mike and I were married in and Jackson was also baptized in - St. Elizabeth's. Obviously this church means a lot to us because that is where Mike and I met. Kennedy looked so beautiful in my old baptismal gown! We were also blessed to have many family members join us for the special occasion. Afterwards we went to Ruby Tequila's for fajitas and cake!

Kennedy surrounded by parents, grandparents and godparents - Aunt Marva Bichsel & Uncle Dave Hefferly!

Wearing my baptismal gown! 

Beautiful little girl!

• Wednesday brought friends to our house that we don't get to see very often. It was so great to catch up on everything and they got to meet Kennedy!
• Thursday was Mike and I's 5th wedding anniversary! Hard to believe it's been 5 years. I'm so lucky to have Mike in my life and we've had so many blessings in our short 5 years of marriage. Looking forward to many more great years. Mom and Dad watched the kids and Mike and I had a whole date day. That hasn't happened since before Jackson was born. We had a couple's massage, lunch at Abuelo's (the best Mexican food ever), shopped around and topped off our date with a mini blizzard from the DQ!
• Friday we celebrated the Hefferly Family Christmas! Everyone was there, but Mike's Dad who was working. It was a short visit, but it was great to see everyone and meet our newest nephew Grant though he is already 6 months old.

Mike with his siblings - Andy, Dave, Pat, & Laura!

Jackson with his favorite uncle - Pat!

All the cousins together (extremely rare) - Kennedy, Kolbe, Jackson, Grant, Reagan, & John! Next time we are together there will be a new addition, Baby Will!

Kennedy and Grant getting acquainted!

• Saturday we woke up at the crack of dawn to drive to Amarillo and catch our flight home. Thankfully, both Jackson and Kennedy slept the majority of the flight.

Down

• While we were home we went to see my Grandpa at his assisted living facility. For those of you that don't know, my Grandpa has Parkinson's Disease and it has recently gotten worse.  It is hard to see him that way because I still see him as the vibrant, full of life person I've always known him to be. I love him dearly and pray that he is not in much pain. He has lived a full life though and I know that the he is ready to go to his heavenly home whenever he gets the call.

Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down - #21 (much belated post)

\So I began writing this post before we left for Texas, but literally I never got my computer out the whole time we were home to even post it. Sorry for the delayed holiday wishes!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I hope you all are had as merry a Christmas as our family did and got to spend it with those you love. I'm so thankful that Mike is home with us this Christmas after spending over half the year away from us. I know others are not so fortunate and I want to say thank you to all you military families that are separated during this holiday season. 

Up:

• Jackson had his first Christmas program this week with his Mother's Day Out class. He did so great and was so fun to watch. It made me think of all the Christmas pageants I was in when I was little. I can't wait for more fun things like this in years to come. Here is a small portion of Jackson's class singing Jingle Bells:

• As mentioned two weeks ago, Kennedy turned 2 months old on Dec. 19th. I didn't get a chance to take her pictures until the next day because she was not in the best of moods after getting her vaccinations. Isn't she beautiful?! Jackson felt left out and wanted in the pics too!

• Always so great to spend time with family that we are separated from most of the year. We had a great time with my family up in Groom:

Sitting with my niece, Katherine, and Kennedy waiting on Santa to arrive!

Jackson got a miniature John Deere 4 wheeler from Santa! It has been a longstanding tradition in Groom that Santa visits on Christmas Eve after mass and brings presents to the kids.

Christmas morning with the kids in our PJs! Then we all went to checkout the snow - a white Christmas! They didn't even get any snow in Idaho while we were gone - haha, ironic!

I beat my Nephew Carson on the wishbone challenge!

Down:

• Flying with babies is always a challenge. Thankfully Mike took Jackson and I had Kennedy. Kennedy was good as gold as slept on both flights out to Texas; Jackson on the other hand, was down right awful. It didn't help that we couldn't sit on the same row (their aren't enough oxygen masks for two lap children on one row in a full fight). To top it off, when we finally got to my Uncle's house that night, Jackson didn't sleep well at all. Can you say EXHAUSTING!
• There is never enough time to get all the visiting in that I would like to when we go back home. 

Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down - #20

Up:

• I went to pick up Jackson from Mother's Day Out this week and he was asleep in the corner. My child who wakes up at the drop of a hat at home, was asleep while everyone else was picking up their children and making lots of noise. It was a break through!
• Mike and I were able to have a night out at the squadron Christmas party without the kids! They survived just fine despite all my worst fears and we had a great time too! We might actually be able to go out on an occasional date now without me freaking out!
• We celebrated our Christmas yesterday because it was Mike's only day off before we travel back home before Christmas. Jackson wasn't really into opening the presents, but he sure has enjoyed playing with them. We now need a bigger house to accommodate all these new toys! Kennedy slept through everything, so I guess she was happy too! Then Mike cooked us a fabulous meal of prime rib and twice baked potatoes!
• Kennedy turned 2 months old yesterday! She is up to 11lbs. 7oz. and 23 inches. My little precious is growing so quickly!

Down:

• As mentioned above, we are busting at the seams in this house. I really am so ready to move. To be honest I have had the itch to move since Mike left for the deployment. We still have at a minimum one year here. I'm trying not to complain and enjoy our time here, but if you know me, clutter is not something I do. I'm pretty OCD when it comes to organization, but there is only so much I can organize when there is no space.
• Kennedy is having issues with constipation. I'm sure this is TMI for most of you, but this is a significant 'down' in our lives right now. The doctor gave her Lactulose and he thinks she may have to be on it until she starts on baby food. I want her to be pain free, but I just wish her body could regulate all of this on it's own. We'll see how it goes.

Jackson's new easel from Santa! He was more interested in the Mickey Puzzle!

Santa used our play pass to get Mike, Jackson and I bowling balls and shoes. It hasn't all come in yet, but they custom cut the holes to fit your finger and everything! The play pass was given to all deployed families and Mike already used part of it to get a set of golf clubs. It has been very generous for us!

Had to set the ambiance with our 'fireplace'. Kennedy is awake here, but not for long!

The tree and presents!

Daddy showing Jackson how to use the new rug with his Mickey cars!

The disaster that was our home after opening presents.

Mike and I at the squadron Christmas party. It was a lot of fun and great food!

Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down - #19

Up:

• Christmas Shopping is FINISHED!! Yea! Mike and I got the last of the gifts this weekend, now all that's left is to pack and go back to Texas! Can you tell I'm ready and excited to see family and have a vacation?!
• Kennedy has been doing really well on soy based formula and her colic doesn't seem as bad. 

Jackson is such a great big brother!

• Jackson has been sleeping in his 'big bed' for a while now, but still napping in the crib. Now that we won't be having house guests for a while, we started letting him nap in the bed too. It's worked out great! He acts likes he's been napping there this whole time. 

Down:

• Jackson has started just randomly screaming for no reason. He has this awful high pitched scream and it is so embarrassing. We tried to have a nice meal at Olive Garden on Saturday and he was awful, the kind of kid everyone dreads having in a restaurant.
• After Jackson's last haircut, Mike said he would be able to cut JP's hair just as well as the barber and it would be free. Well it was time for another haircut, so Mike got his clippers out and gave Jackson a buzz - a buzz! My poor child that took forever to grow hair now has a buzz cut just before Christmas pictures. Can you sense the sarcasm in my voice?!

Jackson - not enjoying the new haircut!

Jackson and Daddy watching the Holiday Parade on Friday. Jackson was not a fan of all the sirens, but the candy seemed to make everything better.

Mike and Jackson enjoying some Topsy's popcorn. Mike's parents always give us a tin for Christmas just like Pope did for them.

Kennedy's Nursery

Many people have asked to see pics of Kennedy's nursery, so here goes. Decorating Kennedy's nursery was somewhat cathartic for me while Mike was gone. I would get started on one project which would lead to another and another. When it was Jackson's room it was Pottery Barn Dr. Seuss. I tried to keep a lot of the red that was already in the room and just add the black and white to it. I am very happy with the results. Let me know what you think.

This is the inspiration for the entire nursery. While I was staying with Mom & Dad, I took my first quilting class in May and made this! I like using the red and black, but with a bunch of different fabrics!

These bumpers were a beast. I sewed them from a pattern which was designed to fit a crib that is open on all sides. Of course, I didn't discover that until I was completely finished. I ended up having to shorten 4 of the 6 panels to get it to fit correctly, but I love the cute little flowers! 

This diaper stacker pattern came from this blog which is where a lot of my ideas came from. The flower hook from Hobby Lobby matched perfectly!

I purchased red gingham curtains to match the bed skirt that we already had. I would have attempted curtains, but around here you need blackout curtains for the summer and it was actually cheaper just to buy them. The curtain tie back came from the same pattern as the bumper pads. 

This little bag has all of Kennedy's headbands in it!

Boppy Pillow cover from pattern.

Another blog idea that was originally for a wipes container, but I thought it would work for a wipes warmer too!

Carseat Canopy which was another blog idea. I opted not to put in the peek a boo window. 

This just shows you the contrasting fabric underneath the canopy as well as the new strap covers I made to match. 

I made a matching diaper/wipes bag from a pattern book I have.

Here I covered the back of the shelves with a horizontal red, black, and white striped fabric and recovered the lamp shade with embellishments. Obviously I need to get pictures for the frames, but that will have to wait until after Kennedy's arrival. The diaper cake was from my baby shower and the tote on the bottom has all of Kennedy's 'baby friendly' toys; I decided to separate them out from Jackson's toys!

This just shows the growth chart, also from a blog. I made one just like it for Jackson's room too.

I have a feeling this Bow Hanger will fill up fast. I just put this together based on ideas I'd seen on etsy.

These beautiful letters were painted by my cousin's wife, Shenee. She is so talented and they turned out so much better than I'd imagined. She matched each alternating letter to the crib/quilt fabric perfectly! Originally I wanted the letters to hang over the crib, but they were too big since she has such a long name. I needed to fill up this blank wall anyway, so I hung them here and put the wall decal chandelier above the crib.

This is Kennedy's dresser/changing table. The Changing pad cover was a gift from my sister-in-law, Laura, but she makes and sells them on her online store if you want one for yourself!

This is just a covered cork board bulletin board inside a fun frame.

This is the canopy above Kennedy's crib. She also has a wall decal chandelier hanging from the center of the canopy. I would say she is a little princess - wouldn't you?!

That is all! I hope she likes red & black! For now she is still in the cradle in our room, but it won't be long and we'll move her over to her very own room.