the big guy 2014

**I know, I know, Christmas is over.  It's so over that most stores don't even have any Christmas clearance stuff anymore.  But, I'm STILL playing catch up on my blog.  Two kids hav really been kicking my butt these days, and I just can't get my act together to get totally caught up!!  I think this is the last of my Christmas posts and then I still have a pumpkin patch post I need to whip out along with a whole DOC Band experience post (which was way back in August)!!  So while I know most of you have moved on to 2015 and Valentine's day, I'm still hung up on 2014.  I'll eventually get to 2015!!  But for now, enjoy these pictures of my boys when we went to go see the big guy!!

For the past 3 years we have gone to see Santa at Northpark.  The Northpark Mall is such a fun mall to go to during the Christmas season.  Plus, I think their Santa is the best looking Santa in Dallas.  

We always go see Santa on a weekday the first week after Thanksgiving.  This has always worked well in the past because we don't have to deal with it being over crowded with school aged kids because they are all still in school! I think it was a little more crowded than in the past because we went on a Friday.  I'll have to remember to avoid going on a Friday next year.   My Mom came with me this year. We arrived at the mall a little after 9am to get our ticket.  We were number 82 and told our picture would be taken around 3pm but could come back earlier to see how things were going.  Their system is so confusing!! I used to like it, but now it's just plain confusing.  We strolled the mall and did a little shopping until Santa's Storytime at 10:30.

Pearson is still singing the little jingle that Santa sang in his story…..

"With knock, knock, knock and a stomp, stomp, stomp, stomp.  Santa, Santa, Sannnnn-ta-Clause!!"

During story time, I strolled around with Nash and got him to take a little nap.  

After storytime, we had to kill some more time so we walked around and looked at all the sights to see! We LOVED looking at all of these gingerbread houses.  

I was loving our morning at Northpark until it was lunchtime and the holly jolly spirit in me just flew right out when the crowds came.  We grabbed a bite at Chipotle then went to check in to see if we could squeeze in before Santa's break at 2pm.  

We got lucky and we were able to get in the line because there weren't any people with lower numbers waiting.  We quickly texted Matt to come join us.  He at a work Christmas party at Maggiano's.  

Pearson was really excited about Santa this year.  He knew exactly what he was going to ask Santa for.  

It worked out perfectly that Matt was able to join us for this fun little event!!

When the boys first go into Santa's lap, Nash couldn't take his eyes off of him.  

When Santa started talking to Pearson, he got a little shy and wouldn't look at him.  He quickly told him that he wanted a bike for Christmas.  

I love how Santa takes time to talk to the kids (as long as they aren't screaming) and doesn't just take the picture and move on. 

Since it was Nash's first Christmas I wanted to get a few quick shots of him all by himself with Santa.  I was pretty sure Nash wasn't going to scream because he is a happy little guy.  I was just hoping to get a few of his sweet smiles out of him.  He was mainly just in awe of the big guy!!

I'm wondering if next year will be a screaming picture!! I wouldn't be sad if it was.  I sure do love a good screaming Santa picture!!

Of course, every year I splurge on the $21.95 professional picture because it's just so much better than the ones I take.  

Here's a look back at our Santa pics over the years!!

meal planning monday

Monday: BLT's & Chips

Tuesday: Brisket Tacos & Black Beans

Wednesday: Hamburger Soup & French Bread

Thursday: Chicken Parmesan w/ Spaghetti & Garlic Knot

Friday:  Mississippi Roast & Carrots & Mashed Potatoes

Saturday Breakfast: Hobo Pancakes & Bacon

Saturday Lunch: Leftover Soup

Saturday Dinner: Brisket Quesadillas, Guacamole & Black Beans

Sunday Lunch: Sonny Bryan's Giftcard

Sunday Dinner: Roast Beef Sandwiches w/ Au Ju Sauce & Chips

#thelinkhomeeveryday2015 {week 1}

Last year I successfully took a picture everyday!!  I've tried a few time but never been successful.  I posted all of the pictures on Instagram (@katylink) with the hashtag #thelinkhomeeveryday2014.  I started out the year posting them weekly on my blog as well, but when life got crazy and I kinda quit blogging, I got really behind.  I tried to catch last week but somewhere in the middle my numbers got all messed up and I can't figure out which pictures go with which week.  This year I plan to stay caught up on the blog and make sure I stay on the right number so there is no confusion!!

If you want to follow along on Instagram, the hashtag this year is #thelinkhomeeveryday2015!!

{Day 1}

Thankful for a little boy who will play Candyland by himself since I woke up New Year's day feeling like death. 

{Day 2}

Officially diagnosed with the flu. 

{Day 3}

Nash and I are recovering from the flu while Daddy and Pearson go on a chilly bike ride. 

{Day 4}

What a stressful game! So glad the Cowboys won the playoff game!

{Day 5}

Having fun with our Christmas present from Ethan……a stomp rocket!!

{Day 6}

This big boy had his last night in his crib. 

{Day 7}

Brrrr…..it was way to cold and windy for us to get out today.  Shoulda thought twice about getting out, but our free pizza for Ashley's birthday was worth it!!

big boy bed

After three and a half years of being in his crib, last night was FINALLY his last night to sleep in his "baby bed".  I honestly can't believed he has stayed in it this long.  

 He has never, not once, tried to climb out of his crib.  I have never even seen him hike his leg up to try to get out.  When he was about 18 month old, he accidentally lifted himself up over the top and fell out (at least that's what we think he did) and scared himself to death.  He did that again.  

 Shortly after he turned three, we tried to convert his crib into a toddler bed but it was missing a piece so we put off a big boy bed a little longer.  

It was definitely time for us to let our big boy be a big boy and sleep in a real bed!!

Over the holidays I found the perfect bedding to match his room from Zulily.  I had about $45 in credits so I only had to pay $25!! Score!! New Year's Eve we finally broke down and went mattress shopping.   

We were told the mattress would be delivered sometime between 4-7pm today.   I told Pearson his bed would be here after nap time. The second he woke up from his nap, he asked about his bed.  He asked all afternoon long too!! 

 It finally got here right at 7pm.  We quickly put the baby to bed so we could get to work on converting his crib!!  Pearson was an eager little helper.  

 He was so excited he could hardly contain himself.  

 I have never seen him so excited to go to bed.  

 I think the thing I am most excited about is being able to lay with him while we read our bible stories and say our prayers.  

Our big boy went right to sleep and hasn't moved a muscle.  Now let's just pray he stays in bed all night and still calls for us in the morning.  And most importantly, let's pray he will still take a nap!!!

nash {11 months}

Dear Sweet Nash-

Oh little brother! You have kept me on my toes this month.  You are fast and on the move and super curious!!  You are such a happy go lucky little guy!  I am truly in denial that my little 6 pound 10 ounce baby boy is almost ONE.  How in the world can that be???

 

Sleeping: 
Oh brother, sleeping is just constantly changing for you.  We get a couple of great nights and then a couple of "bad" nights.  I say "bad" because they really aren't bad at all, but you are 11 months old so I expect you to sleep all night just like your brother did at this age!!  Most of the time when you wake up it's because you are sick.  You had another ear infection this month and you also had the flu.  While you are sick, I get up with you and rock you back to sleep.  I haven't nursed you in the middle of the night in forever.  What's frustrating is that you wake up screaming (and sitting up) and the second I pick you up, you are asleep.  If I lay you down though, you wake right back up……which results in me having to rock you for a little while until you are good and asleep.  While you still wake up a once in the nights some nights, you go down SO easily.  I lay you down and you fall asleep without a fuss.  Naptimes are the same way.  It's so easy for you to fall asleep on your own which is so nice!!  Naps have been pretty short this month, almost never lasting more than an hour.  You nap around 9am and 2pm.  Bedtime is at 7pm now, because you are my little early riser.  You wake up between 6-6:30.  It doesn't matter what time we put you to bed, you always wake up early!!  While I don't enjoy waking up early, it's nice to be able to nurse you in bed lying down while Pearson is still asleep.

Eating:
Most days I still nurse you 4 times a day, but a few days a week I am starting to give you a bottle at 10:30/11am after your morning nap.  That will be the first nursing that we drop.    You eat 3 meals a day around 8am, noon, and 5:30.  You love every single thing we give you to eat.  We haven't found anything you don't like.  This month you have tried (and liked) ground beef, roast, mac N cheese, pears,  cheese, lunch meat, sweet potatoes, greek yogurt, & french fries!  I'm sure there are more things, but that is all I can think of.  You still love eating babyhood and can suck down a pouch in about 5 seconds.  We are slowing moving you to all table food, but for now you still get baby food occasionally.

New Tricks/Activities/Accomplishments: 
Your biggest trick is pulling up to your feet.  You crawl so so fast, especially if you are off to get something.  You are babbling a lot and love to try to repeat any sounds that we make.  I haven't taken very good notes of the sounds that you are making.  Your main "word" is bu-buh and da-dah, however I'm not totally sure you know what they mean.  Anytime we shake our head yes, you do it really big back at us.  It's adorable!! You can feel the beat when you hear music.  You love to bounce up and down when a good song is on.  

Likes:
Opening and closing doors, remotes, phones, iPad, puffs, playing with cars in the hall, spashing in the tub, praise baby video, playing with tupperware, playing with Pearson's toys. 

Dislikes:
Diaper changes, pulling clothes over your head, hats, hoods or anything on your head, when you run out of puffs, when no one pays you any attention, when you are overly tired, getting your nose wiped.

Other Random Facts:

• We had to move your crib to the lowest setting since you started pulling up to your feet. 
• You are starting to understand NO! We are constantly having to tell you to not mess with power cords.  You are always going for them.  
• Lots of sickness this month…….ear infection, the flu, and lots of congestion. 
• You love playing in the tupperware cabinet and opening and closing any and all doors.  
• You nod your head and agree with us if we nod our heads really big.  
• You have really started to interact with Pearson more this month and I am just loving watching you two play together!
• You shove food in your mouth with both hands. We literally can't feed you fast enough.  
• You always have something in your mouth…..a paci, your fingers, or a toy.

Happy 11 months baby boy!!

Love-

Your Mommy

{11 month Stats}

Weight:    23 pounds 10 ounces

Length:  30ish inches???

Eating: nursing 3-4 times a day (around 7:00am, 11am, 3pm, & 7:30pm) along with 3 meals a day (around 8:00, noon, & 5:30) I am slowing start to drop the 11am feeding and give a bottle instead.  

Bedtime: around 7:00pm

Awake: around 6:30am

Naps: usually 2 45 minute-1 hr 15 minute naps around 9am and 2pm

Diapers: size 4's

Clothes: a few 12-18 month, mostly 18 months and 18-24 month hand-me-downs

Teeth: 1 new top tooth (4 total: two bottom & 2 top)

Here is Pearson at 11 months and Nash at 11 months.

Look how you've changed.

new year's day :: take 2

{via}

Most of you are a few days into your New Year, but I declared today, January 5th New Years Day for me!! The first 4 days of 2015 were a wash since I had the flu so I'm starting fresh today!! Nash and I are on the mend and feeling much better.  We just need this dang congestion to go away!!

I just love the start of a new year! I'm not one to make huge life changing resolutions, but I do like to set a few goals for myself.  I especially need some goals this year as I have felt kind of lazy this year.  Sometimes I feel like the only thing I did last year was feed three hungry boys three meals a day and keep two kids alive!!  While I know that's huge……I would like to accomplish some other things in my life this year!!

Here are my goals for this year……

1.  Catch up on the blog AND stay up to date! 

2.  Date my husband!  Go on monthly date nights using Parent's Night Out at Church as well as some intentional time together after the boys go to bed.  

3.  Unload the dishwasher and get a load of laundry started first thing in the morning! And to add to that I want to put all the dishes in the dishwasher right away after I use them and fold the laundry immediately after I pull them out of the dryer!

4.  Read ONE book! Yep, you read that right.  Just ONE.  It's been an embarrassingly long time since I've actually read a book other than a children's book to my boys.  

5.  Grow my nails out again and maybe even polish them every now and then!

6.  Organize/Clean-Out my computer, iPad & iPhone. 

7.  Work out at home 2 days a weeks.  Yep, you read that one right too!  Just TWO.  Trying to be realistic this year!!

8.  Stick to our budget. Spend less. Save more.  Always ask myself, "Do we NEED this?" before I make a purchase.

9. Memorize scripture together as a family!

10. Have one craft day and one outing day planned a week! 

So there you have it…….my 2015 goals!! Looks like I have a busy year ahead of me!!

What do you hope to accomplish in 2015??

meal planning monday

Monday Dinner: Chicken Pot Pie

Tuesday Dinner: Out w/ my Parents

Wednesday Dinner: Beef Stew & Cornbread

Thursday Dinner: Pork Sliders & Chips

Friday Dinner: Parent's Night Out

Saturday Breakfast: Eggs in a Basket & Bacon

Saturday Lunch: Chicken Tender Salad

Saturday Dinner: Balsamic Pork Roast, Roasted Rosemary Potatoes, & Green Beans

Sunday Lunch: Sandwiches

Sunday Dinner: Spicy Sausage Pasta (Add Grilled Chicken for me!)

Happy Flu Year

Oh 2015…….

I am not liking you very much right now.   We aren't really getting off to the best start.  I had high hopes of spending my New Year's Eve and New Years Day catching up on the blog once and for all, but I went to bed on NYE feeling pretty crummy.  Then, I woke up feeling like death and pretty sure I had the flu, but our doctor's office wasn't open so I had to suffer through it.  Plus, Matt wasn't home all day because he went to the Cotton Bowl…..which they lost in the last minute.  Like I said, we aren't off to the best start.

I got my official flu diagnosis on Friday morning.

Then to make things worse, shortly after Matt took Nash to the doctor and he was also diagnosed with the flu.  Poor baby.

We are all four on Tamiflu and hopefully on the mend.  I'm finally feeling better today, but still so congested and really weak and tired.  As I am feeling better, I'm going to try to finish catching up on my 2014 posts.  One of my New Year's Resolutions (which will be posted at a later date) is to keep this little ole blog up to date!! I'm so tired of being so behind. 

Hopefully 2015 can only go up from here!!