Merry Christmas! 2011

Christmas was great this year! Christmas eve was at our house. We told everyone we were expecting at the party. Everyone was very surprised, as were we. We had lots of food and lots of fun. The kids were wild because they were excited for Christmas.

On Christmas morning, we started at our house and opened presents. Alden loved all his toys.



Then, we went out to Lyndon's parents house for breakfast and to open presents with them. Alden, of course, got toys from Grandpa and Grammy Haines. :) He had a good time.



After Lyndon's parents house, we came home and put Alden down for his nap. When he woke up, we went to my parents house for Christmas dinner. Alden, again, got some great presents!

We then went to Lyndon's great grandma Donnas house. This is Alden's great-great grandma. We gave her the news that we are expecting again. She is hoping for a girl this time.

We had dinner with Lyndon's family and a friend of their families house in the evening... and opened more presents.

It was a VERY busy day, but very fun!

SURPRISE!!! HERE COMES #2!!!

A couple weeks before Christmas, this was what we found out....




This was a VERY big surprise to Lyndon and I. Alden and the new baby will be 19 months apart. Are we CRAZY!? Maybe. But, what a blessing.

I am currently 7 weeks pregnant. I am having Morning Sickness like crazy. This is one of the first signs that I was prego. I thought I had the flu. But after a few days of it not stopping, I figured I would take a test.... Just to make sure I wasn't... HA!

I am expanding faster this time. It took me to about 10 weeks to really feel the effects of pregnancy... In my jeans. My pants already are feeling a little snug.

We haven't gone to the doctors office because it is too soon. Of course, like last time I will keep everyone updated on this pregnancy!

Nothing Beats This....

A sleeping baby...

The Festival Of Trees

As the owner of The Next Step Dance Studio, I had my first performance at the beginning of December at the local Festival of Trees. I had 4 classes perform.

Ballet A (4th Grade- 8th Grade)



They performed "The Waltz of the Snowflakes" from The Nutcracker. They did an amazing job.

Ballet B (1st grade- 3rd Grade)



They also did a routine from The Nutcracker. They were soldiers.

Tots (Kindergarten)



They performed "Jingle Bell Rock"

Mini's (4 years- 5 years)



They performed "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree"

All the classes did an amazing job. I was very nervous because this was my first performance as the owner, but everything went smoothly!

11 Months

Alden is 11 months old! Next month we will be having his birthday party. I have already started planning it. (Pathetic, I know.) Here are some updates...

GROWTH: Weight: 24 lbs Length: 30 inches
He hasn't changed much in weight or length within the last month.

EATING: We are down to about 3 bottles each day. He is still on formula. He is eating 3 meals a day and snacks in between. He eats mostly adult food. I will fill in with baby food if I feel like he didn't get enough to eat. He's not fond of baby food because there is no flavor. He hasn't had anything really new this month.

CLOTHING: 18 month size DIAPERS: Size 4

DEVELOPMENT: He can Moo like a cow and make monkey noises. He will also make car noises and siren noises like a fire truck. He isn't walking on his own yet, but he will walk back and forth on the couch. He can build 2 blocks on top of each other and stick a cylinder inside the circle hole with his blocks. He can roll balls and kick balls.

Thats all the updates I have for him this month. See you next month for his last official monthly update. Then, it will be every few months. :)

Thanksgiving 2011

This year, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We went to my parents for dinner this year. My mom wanted everyone to make a side dish for the dinner, so I decided to make a Macaroni and Cheese bake. I know that it doesn't sound festive, but it tastes AMAZING! The only problem was... It didn't turn out right. The sauce was too thick when I baked it, so it was kind of dry. Then, I didn't have fresh parmesan, so I used the nasty dried stuff. The stuff that sits on tables at pizza restaurants. BAD IDEA! It was not so good.

Other than that, it was a great day. I made my Homemade Oreos, since I had a request from family to make them.


Alden REALLY enjoyed his first Thanksgiving. He sat at the table like a big boy with us and ate. It was so cute.



He had his own little plate, fork and spoon. He double-fisted the whole meal. He's doing amazing with his eating skills.

After dinner, everyone sat around, talked and watched football. Alden sat with my dad, Papa, and played with the kitty, but they both eventually gave up and fell asleep. :)



It was a wonderful Thanksgiving. :) I hope everyone had a great one too!