no my birthday party

Pearson's new thing these days is say "no my______" to whatever we tell him......whether it makes sense or not. 

Pearson, let me help you. "No, my help you".  

Pearson, let me get your booger.  "No, my boogers." 

Pearson, do you want some milk. "No, my milk."  

Today when we told Pearson we were going to Parker's birthday party, can you guess what he said?

No, my birthday party!!

Pearson is loving going to birthday parties these days though, even if they aren't his!  If we mention a birthday party he immediately starts talking about cake!! That is the most important part of a party though, right? All of his little friends from our ABF are all just turning one so we have been having fun celebrating them all the last few months. Today we had Parker's birthday party.  

They had his party at the Rec Center in one of their open rooms.  When we first walked in Pearson saw Parker's two big gifts, a Cozy Truck and a Radio Flyer Trike.  I knew there was no way I was going to be able to keep him off of them so thankfully Michelle didn't mind Pearson test driving Parker's new presents.  

Once all the kids showed up to the party, the truck was the hot commodity.   We showed David and Michelle that this toy was definitely one and two year old approved.  These boys loved it!!

Matt and Pearson had some fun with the balloons, or "gwoons", as Pearson calls them!!

Parker looked so cute styling his birthday bib and birthday hat made by my Mom!! I thought the little monster design turned out so stinkin' cute!!

When it was time to sing Happy Birthday Pearson went to get a front row seat.  He was so cute holding on to David's Daddy and watching everyone sing Happy Birthday.  I stole him away when Parker starting eating the cake so they could get some family pictures without my little guy in all of them! Ha!!

After presents and the smash cake, it was time for Pearson's favorite part of the party!!  But would you believe he didn't want a thing to do with the cake.  He wouldn't even take one bite!! Crazy toddler!!

What a fun afternoon celebrating our little friend Parker!

Thanks David and Michelle for inviting us to Parker's 1st party!! 

The food was delicious and we had a great time!!  

pumpkin patch field trip

Today Pearson had his first field trip at school.  It was the perfect field trip for a 2 yr old class because they just walked to the pumpkin patch across the parking lot!!

 It was so fun to see him following directions, doing whatever the teachers would ask him, and interacting with his classmates.  

 Before we walked through the pumpkin patch they had a few tables of activities set up for the kids.  The first table they talked about all the different sizes, shapes, colors and textures of the pumpkins.  On the second table the kids got to stick their hands inside the pumpkin and feel all the ooey gooey stuff inside. 

At the last table the kids got to look at pictures of the life cycle of the pumpkin.  Pearson and his buddy Logan were very interested in the pictures. 

Our last stop before roaming the pumpkin patch was sitting on hay bails and singing some pumpkin songs.  Pearson knew all the motions to the songs they were singing and it made his Momma super proud to watch him!!

Roaming the pumpkin patch was definitely the kids favorite activity.  

Pearson tried to pick up just about every single giant pumpkin.  He would wrap his arms around it and say "heaby punkin".

He loved feeling this little bumpy pumpkin. 

He spent the rest of his time saying, "How bout dis pumpkin" and "How bout dat pumpkin".  He wouldn't have taken them all home if I would have let him!!

At the very end of the trip they had a smaller pumpkin patch where the kids could take one little pumpkin home.  It didn't take Pearson long to pick his.  He knew just which one he wanted!!

Such a fun morning with Pearson's class!!

where the wild things are

Tonight Pearson and I went to our church's annual Fall Festival.  Matt ended up having to work late so he wasn't able to make it this year.  We sure did miss him.  

Our theme this year was "Where the Wild Things Are".  We decorated our car like a monster and we all wore our PJ's.  

It worked out perfectly for me and Pearson because we stayed at home all day in our PJ's.  Pearson has been feeling a little under the weather lately.   (Don't worry we showered and put fresh and clean PJ's on before we headed up to church!)

I didn't want to spread any of Pearson's germs so I kept him content in his stroller with snacks.  When our snacks ran out we moved on to a little bag of M&M's.  He was one happy boy. 

 We decided not to walk around and do any of the activities this year since we were alone.  I let Pearson have a quick dinner though and then we headed home to see Daddy.  He normally gobbles pizza up but he spent almost his whole dinner time going back and forth from his chair to his candy bucket saying "Hooooooow 'bout dis candy" or "Hoooooooow 'bout dat candy".  Needless to say, he  didn't have much dinner.  

 You can't really tell from this picture but he had chocolate all over his face.  And you definitely wouldn't be able to tell by his face that he was a little under the weather. Candy makes everything better!!

I can't wait until next years Fall Festival.  I think Pearson will finally be at the age where he can really have a good time and we'll have another little man to bring with us!!

You can see our past Fall Festivals here.....

2009 2010 2011 2012 

project nursery

My Mom and I had SO much fun designing and making Pearson's nursery that we decided to do it all over again for Nash.  My Mother in law even joined in on the fun and helped my Mom do some sewing for Pearson's room.  I can't for us to all get together again and having a baby bedding making party!! Today all of the fabric came in for Nash's nursery and we are ready to get started.  

Here's just a sneak peek of all of Nash's fabrics......

First up on my "Project Nursery" list is to get his room painted.  My amazing neighbor (who has picked out all of the paint colors in my house) is coming over on Tuesday to help me paint.  After we paint, we'll be able to set the crib up and then we can get the ball rolling on making the bedding!!

DMB Date Night at Starpower

Last Sunday night Dallas Moms Blog hosted a FREE date night at Starpower.  

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This date night was right up Matt's alley because it was essentially an indoor tailgate party watching the Dallas Cowboys play on all the big screens in the store!!  

They a chef cooking lots of yummy tailgate food in one of their test kitchens.

Since it felt so great outside we ate our dinner out on the patio while watching the game on one of their outdoor TV's. 

via

For dessert they served up some Nothing Bundt Cakes.  OMG......so delicious!!!

via

We actually ended up scoring one of the media rooms to watch most of the game.  There were only three seats in the room so we had the whole room to ourselves.  The sound system was amazing so we felt like we were right at the game. 

 I don't normally watch the Cowboys games, but if we watched every game in this atmosphere, I could get used to it!!!

Such a fun date night with my handsome hubby!!

bunco

A few months ago I joined a Bunco group joined a Bunco group in my neighborhood.  Two of my friends from my ABF, Carissa and Jenica, are also in the group.  We have such a fun time once a month playing with our Bunco group.  It a random assortment of ladies of all ages but we have the bst time together.  It's always a night full of good food, good conversation and lots of laughs!!  So far we have had a Fiesta night (no dressing up, just a food theme), a PJ party, and Monday Night Football themed night.  

If you are in a Bunco group, what are some fun themes that you have done in the past?

big brother in training

A few weeks ago we had a big garage sale at my grandma's house.  My sister in law's sister came over with her new little baby boy.  Pearson was so interested in him.  He kept calling him baby Nash.  It was the cutest thing ever.  He also loved rocking him back and forth.  Sometimes he would rock him a little too hard but for the most part he was really gentle with him.  I hope that he will be the same way when Nash is here.  I can't wait to see my sweet boys together. 

birthday freebies

If you follow me on Instagram you saw a TON of food pictures of birthday freebies back on my IG feed back in September.  I took all those pictures so I could write all about birthday freebies tips and trick on Dallas Moms Blog.  

You can check my post out here!

Hope this help you make the most out of your next birthday!! 

Enjoy!!

meal planning monday

Monday: Dad's Birthday Dinner

Tuesday: Chicken Spaghetti, Salad, French Bread & Layered Lemon Dessert
Snickerdoodle Bread for breakfast as well
(doubling to take dinner to a friend with a new baby)

Wednesday: Fall Festival

Thursday: Penne  A La Betsy, Garlic Toast, and Sauteed Green Beans

Friday: Dinner @ The Ansells

Saturday Breakfast: Chiloso

Saturday Lunch: Mini Meatball Subs & Chips

Saturday Dinner: Potato Corn Chowder

Sunday Lunch: Last Sunday Lunch @ The Hjertstedts

Sunday Dinner: Pei Wei

putting on the brakes

Knock, knock......is anyone there? 

Oh my goodness, we have been so busy around here at The Link Home.  You would think with all of our "busy-ness" I would have lots of fun posts to update you on what we have been doing, but not everything has really been a "blog-able moment".  We've just been busy with lots of random things.  Last week we were only home one evening.  It's was crazy.  

This week we are putting on the brakes and slowing waaaaaaaaaay down.  I'm looking forward to a week with not very many plans.  I can't wait to spend some time at home with my little man during the day and with both of my boys in the evenings this week.  Hopefully I can find some time this week to catch up on a few things we've been up to the last few weeks.

baby no. 2 {22 weeks}

how far along? 22 weeks

how are you measuring? I forgot to ask at my last appointment

size of baby? size of a spaghetti squash

heartbeat? 156 bpm (at our 21 week appointment) 

total weight gain/loss? 8 lbs (We both had a growth spurt this week....or maybe just I did!! Ha!)

maternity clothes? A mixture of regular clothes and maternity clothes.  I hate getting dressed in the mornings because it's so hard to find an outfit that fits right.  

stretch marks? No new ones! 

sleep? Some nights are good, some nights are bad.  Early this week I was dealing with a UTI so I was up going to the bathroom a lot. Now I'm dealing with  yeast infection from the antibiotic....TMI, sorry, but pregnancy isn't always rainbows and butterflies! Some nights I sleep hard and then some nights I'm up for 2.5 hours in the middle of the night.  I'm just already feeling so uncomfortable because of round ligament pains.  We've got a long way to go if I'm already feeling uncomfortable. 

best moment this week? Picking out a paint color, ordering/buying fabric for the nursery, buying a double stroller off craigslist, meeting my new doctor, and setting our c-section date for February 17th. We actually did this a few weeks ago but I forgot to write about it, but we got our little babymoon getaway planned.  I got two free nights stay at a hotel in San Antonio from Dallas Moms Blog.  I was also asked to test drive a car for GM so we will be driving a test car down to San Antonio.  We are so excited to spend a weekend away and get to see our friend that moved to SA last year. 

movement? Yes! He is moving all throughout the day now. 

food cravings? Halloween candy.....which explains some of my weigh gain this week!!

gender predictions? BOY!!!! Nash Matthew Link

what i miss? Sleeping on my back and being able to move from position to position without any pain. 
what i'm looking forward to? Getting started on our nursery!
how are you feeling? I'm still getting a cramp in the side of my butt.  I seem to get it after relaxing on the couch in the evening.  I started having some Braxton Hicks contractions this week.  Round ligament pains seems to be my worst pregnancy symptom though.  I feel like I can barely move around at night without pulling a muscle.  Also, wee met with my new doctor this week and I'm feeling much better about making the switch. Obviously I would love to stay with my doctor but it just wasn't an option financially.  The office we went to was really nice and the doctor really took his time to get to know us and catch up on 20 weeks of pregnancy. 

comparisons to last pregnancy? My Braxton Hicks didn't start until atleast 24-25 weeks with Pearson.  I'm already feeling them with Nash.  My body is definitely feeling the aches and pains of pregnancy much more this go round.

Here I am 22 weeks with Pearson and 22 weeks with Nash.

pirate day

Pearson had Pirate Day at school today!!

  I was so excited because we had borrowed a precious pirate costume from a friend.  Pearson loves pirates and talked about his costume all leading up to Pirate Day but the morning of, he decided he wanted nothing to do with his pirate costume.  This was the only picture I was able to get of him in his costume. 

I had to take his costume off in the car before he would even walk into school.

The event was technically a Daddy & Me event, but Matt wasn't able to get off of work at 12:45 that day so I went in his place.  It was a little disastrous, so I'm glad Matt didn't work his schedule around to come become it wouldn't have been worth it.  Although he had a few little fits and didn't want to leave some of the stations, overall I think he had a pretty good time.  

 These pictures are terrible because they are with my iPhone but I didn't have my camera with me so it's all I was able to get. 

Swabbing the deck

Throwing cannons (newspaper wods) out of the ship.  

 Fishing

 Digging for Gold

We have been SO incredibly pleases with Pearson's preschool.  They have had so many fun things going on lately.  Yesterday they had a firetruck visit his school, tomorrow they will take a field trip to the Pumpkin Patch and next week they will have a Costume Parade and a Halloween Party! We couldn't be happier with our choice to move him to this preschool.  

Meal planning Monday

Monday: Me: Bunco Boys: Navajo Tacos

Tuesday: Dinner @ The Havard's

Wednesday: Grilled Chicken, Baked Potatoes & Salad

Thursday: Matt: Work Mtg Me & P: Taco Soup

Friday: Steak Fingers, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Green Beans, & Biscuits

Saturday Breakfast: Brown Sugar Biscuits

Saturday Lunch: Wings & Potato Skins

Saturday Dinner: Tortellini Soup & French Bread

Sunday Lunch: Tasty Turkey Bagel Sandwiches & Chips

Sunday Dinner: Chili over Cornbread Waffles

baby no. 2 {21 weeks}

how far along? 21 weeks

how are you measuring? 3 days ahead according to the sono about a week ahead with the doctoring measuring my belly

size of baby? size of a pomegranate

heartbeat? 147 bpm (at our 18 week appointment) 

total weight gain/loss? 5 lbs 

maternity clothes? A mixture of regular clothes and maternity clothes.  I'm really missing all of my skinny jeans.  I've got to go get some maternity ones this week

stretch marks? No new ones! I'm not doing a very good job lotioning up this go round

sleep? Sleeping fine. 1-2 bathroom trips in the night. Must sleep with a pillow under my belly.  

best moment this week? Making $300 at my garage sale and celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary

movement? Yes! And they are getting stronger each day!!

food cravings? Honeycrisps and Ice Water and candy!!

gender predictions? BOY!!!! And his name is Nash Matthew Link

what i miss? My fall wardrobe, mainly my skinny jeans.  I feel like I have NOTHING fashionable to wear. 
what i'm looking forward to? Picking out a paint color for his nursery, arranging his furniture and getting started on his nursery.
how are you feeling? Cramp in my butt, charlie horses at night, round ligment pains, but that's about the worst of it.  I'm feeling pretty good.  I definitely have more energy these days but having a toddler and being pregnant is still very tiring.  Also, I've been a little overly emotional this week.  Our insurance changed with Matt's new job and we found out this week that we were going to be spending 75% out of pocket to stay with my current OB. I'm having to switch doctor's mid-pregnancy.  It really stinks because I love my OB but we would much rather only have to pay 10% out of pocket. 

comparisons to last pregnancy? His kicks are way stronger than Pearson's were at this point.  I keep getting the same cramp in my butt that I had with Pearson.  I am smaller and have gained less weight this pregnancy but I still feel big. 

Here I am 21 weeks with Pearson and 21 weeks with Nash.

5 years

I can't believe it's been 5 years since I walked down the aisle and said "I do".

5 wonderful year down.........many more to go!!

10 on 10ish {october 2013}

I totally missed 10 on 10 this month, so this month I am just going to post 10 pictures from our everyday life that happend around the 10th.....hence the "10 on 10ish" title!!

 It makes me so happy to see notes like this come home in Pearson's folder. He loves his music class.  He is always coming home singing new songs! 

 For some reason MOPS Mondays always start like this.  He actually loves going, but getting there is always a battle.  This particular morning I think the coat is what really ticked him off.  He did not want to wear it but it was 46 degrees!!!

 A typical "school day lunch" for P-Man.  He usually eats almost all of it. He is such a good eater. 

 Our HUGE four family garage sale that we had at my grandma's house.  All together I think we made a little over $1,000.  I made almost $400 by myself. I was thrilled!!!

This is the crib and matress I got for $50 for Nash's room!! It's so cute!!

 And then I totally lucked out and got this dresser/changing table for $75.

I've been making Trader Joe's Chai Tea Lattes in the mornings that have been cold.  So yummy!!

 This kid loves cucumbers and ranch!!!

Pearson had a tea party at Lolly's house while I went to my new OB.  The next morning he asked me if we could have a "Tea Tea Party"! Ha!!

Pearson and Oliva hanging out in the car while I was picking up my double stroller off of Craigslist.  Pearson kept saying "Wooooowww!" since the sun roof was open.