Try, Try Again and funny Xander Pic

Look at this picture of Xander...He absolutely loves that chair (it's Jayna's). I need to get him one for his room! He is always so comfy sitting in it.

On another note, Jayna...is just...hilarious. Daddy and her were grating cheese. Jayna kept doing it wrong, and it was starting to irritate Jason. He finally said "ok, Jayna just let me do it please", she said "but I want to help", he said (like we all do) "this is too hard for you, just let me do it please". Jayna says (in the cutest little-girl-grown-up voice) "But dad, I need to just try-try again." We all started laughing, and it put Daddy in his place. She continued on her lesson of learning how to grate cheese. I am so proud of her for her persistance :)

Baby Shower

Sunday (1/25) was my baby shower! It was fun! I had around 10 ladies plus lotsa kiddos show up, and got some really nice gifts :). I am getting so excited to have Sonja! Only two weeks left! I am scheduled for inducement on Feb 11th (well, technically I go in Feb 10th at 11pm)!

Tabitha and Carmen came to help set up (Tab bought the decorations and Carmen provided snacks), and Crystal (mom-in-law) came up with the games. Everyone seemed to have fun. It was nice to see everyone! I had my niece Myah take pictures for me- she had fun with it. Xander decided to be a little bit of a nuisance, but I think he just wanted attention and didn't understand what was going on. Jayna wanted "her own birthday party". Makes me think that both kids may be just a little jealous of baby-to-be!

I got a bassinet, which was much needed, and also a baby tub. After the shower I wrote down what else I needed and started looking for it on craigslist (second hand). I found a "boppy bouncer" and a swing, both in almost new condition for $20 each. I also have $55 in Target gift cards, so I am working on figuring out what to spend that on. This is fun :)!!! Can't wait to meet you, baby Sonja!

Bingo and a little lesson

Jayna and her Bingo Board

I took Jayna to a children's bingo session at our local library. I wasn't sure at first if it would be age appropriate for her, but she did great! She was the youngest one there so I sat by her to help her, but by the 3rd round she was doing it all by herself. I am so proud of her! She really is a smart girl.

We never did win, but still had a blast. Her favorite part was trading in her game board for a new one. She really enjoyed that for some reason haha. I'm really competitive so I was really anxious to win at least once, but it never happened. Oh Well!

When we left, I asked her if she wanted to go back. At first she said "No, because I never win". I really don't want my child to develop that kind of attitude. I am competitive, but it's still all in good fun and I think it's important to be a good sport. So I explained to her that if we don't go back, she'll never ever win, but if we do go again, she might win. In the end she decided she wants to go back. There are life lessons in everything!! And I love being able to teach them to my wonderful kids. It is so fulfilling!

Happy MLK Day

We had a good MLK day. We went to the Zoo this afternoon. The kids love going there. We only stayed about an hour because it was HOT (in January!!), and I am getting to that uncomfortable stage in my pregnancy and wasn't digging all the walking! But it was nice to get out of the house. 7 of us cooped in one house today was getting pretty insane.

Xander added a couple words to his vocabulary- rock and tree. He is doing so well, I'm so proud of the little guy.

Jayna had a ton of fun playing with her cousin Titus today. They for the most part get along really well- and they are only 4 months apart so that is awesome :).

Look at all I got for $26...

I am one of those crazy ladies that shops with coupons and finds the best deals...well I had so much fun yesterday getting great bargains I had to write about it. I know, I'm a NERD!!!

My shopping trip:

1st store- Walgreens. There was Revlon lipstick on clearance for $2.29, PLUS all Revlon items were buy one, get one free. Then on top of that, I had 2 coupons for $2/off. I was feeling a little greedy (haha) so I bought 4 of the lipsticks. My total for the 4 of them was $0.58 (not counting tax)!

I also bought Orajel- originally $8.49. Walgreens has a rebate deal going on that will make it free (they load my giftcard or send me a check), PLUS Orajel itself offers a rebate for up to $8.00. I had a $1 off coupon for Orajel, plus a $5 register reward (pretty much a coupon for $5 off anything). I threw in a candy for $0.88, and my total was $4.37 (not counting tax), and I can expect to get a total of $16.49 back through rebate!

2nd store- sprouts. I swung by sprouts to pick up the $0.69 blackberries, because Jason LOVES those (and so do the rest of us, really!!). I bought 6 of those and a bunch of bananas. Total was $5.31 (not counting tax).

3rd store- I needed a blender, so I went to Target, because I had $5 left on my giftcard (Target gave me a $20 giftcard for creating a baby registry). I got a blender that was on sale for $17.99, and used my giftcard to make my total $12.99 (not counting tax)

SSOOOO, MY GRAND TOTAL FOR ALL OF WHAT IS PICTURED WAS $23.25 (AROUND $26 AFTER TAX)!!!!!

I don't subtract my rebates from this price, because I end up subtracting it from future purchases when I use my gift card. BUT, nonetheless, I spent $26 and am getting $16 back :) that makes me feel pretty good.

OK, I'M DONE BRAGGING!!! HAHA

Dr Appts

Today Jason and I took Jayna and Xander to their yearly checkups. They are both great!
Jayna is 41 1/2 inches tall and 34 pounds (3 years, 9 mos old). That is 95% for height and 50% for weight.
Xander is 33 1/2 inches tall and 25 pounds (19 mos). That is 75% for height and 25% for weight. He's thinned out a lot since he started running, climbing, jumping, and otherwise terrorizing everyone hahaha.
The kids were PERFECT for the doctor. I was so proud. They sat up on the patient table together, and were still and compliant. When the dr had them lay down, Xan just lay there limp smiling up at her..it was so cute.
Jayna has been playing dr with me at home, so she was familiar with the whole routine. Her face totally lit up when they checked her heart and blood pressure.
Xander had to get 3 shots (we missed his 15 mos ones...bad parents!), and Jayna started crying because she didn't want them to hurt her brother. It was so sweet! I am so happy that they love each other.
Now next week is the dentist for them...I have a feeling things won't be so "perfect" in that area..hahaha

Dr Appt

I really need to post my 3D pictures of Sonja...they aren't on this computer, but when Jason gets home I'll try to remember. Today was my 34 week appt! Only a month to go [until I will be induced]. Everything is going great... me and baby are perfectly healthy! I have gained a total of 23 pounds. Its funny because with the other 2 I gained a total of about 35 lbs, and usually you get bigger with each pregnancy. But this one I am a lot smaller. I'm not complaining! It's going to make it easier to get back to normal afterwards.

I'm having my baby shower on January 25th. I am excited about it. It's scary that I only have 4 weeks left! I got rid of everything after Xander because we thought we were done, and now I have nothing! I hope I can scrounge it all together by the time baby gets here!!

Xander's Words and a cute pic

brother and sister on their horses! So cute!!

Before I forget them, I need to write down Xander's vocabulary! He talks so much more than Jayna did at his age, and I think it comes from having an older sis!





momma


daddy


sis


ball


car

Nana (banana)

Shoes

Go

uh-oh

truck


bubbles


bath


no (he uses this on a LOT!!)


uh-huh (that is his "yes", I count it as a word!)


I don't want to (his famous phrase)


I want that (another famous phrase)


Where go?


juice


cheese


papa (grandpa)


baby (he rubs my belly and says "baby"..however, I don't think he really gets it at all)


help


down


out


up


choo-choo (his word for trains and tractors)


'Mon (come on)


please


DayDo (thank you)


More


Dog


Robbi (his new word! He loves his uncle)


Eye


Don't touch that (he loves to be mr boss)





I think that's about it...he does try to imitate any word we tell him to say, but I don't really count that because he doesn't say it on his own.

Time Flies.

It really does! We have encountered so many changes in the past 2 months, that it seems like we have almost a totally different life! The only thing that remains the same is that we all have each other, which is the only thing I really care about, anyhow.

We are now sharing a home with Jason's brother, Robbi. It is the best financial decision for all of us during this rough economical time. It is really a relief to cut our bills in half...because we have only been having about 1/2 the work as we used to. I am so thankful that we have the opportunity to do this. It is definitely a blessing...even if it doesn't always seem like it.

The kids are growing up so fast! Xander is talking like crazy..which seems amazing for a 19 month old. He says about 30 words, and besides that can pretty much mimic any word (or at least try). He is just completely BOY- he loves cars, trucks, balls, and trains. He is such a complete joy to be around, and is the absolute center of attention everywhere we go. I never thought that having a boy warm me to the soul. I never could have imagined the mommy-son bond- it's miraculous.

Jayna is becoming a little girl...no longer a toddler at all. At 3 3/4 years old, she just seems so grown up! She is a total diva/princess (she really doesn't get that from me, I am a little more on the laid back side!) and I love every second of it! She loves to dress up and have me fix her hair and put on makeup. She is so smart and intuitive it really shocks me. She can sit down and do her "school" without much help at all...we're talking letters, numbers, writing and typing her name, and basic math! She is the master of shapes and colors. She loves art- that is her forte!! I love my little princess so much! I am already sad at how big she is getting! Don't get me wrong, I am thoroughly enjoying this stage, but I can't help but think that it's only 1 1/2 years til Kindergarten:(!!! My baby!!

Baby Sonja Jordyn is due in just a few weeks! I cannot believe it...like I said...time flies!! I cannot wait to meet my new girl. I know that she will be just as special as my other 2 kids.

Last but CERTAINLY not least...an update on Jason :). We are doing awesome as a couple, especially considering the "rough" circumstances! I swear, we can pull through anything (for those that know us well, you know our rocky time..which was only 4 years ago...seems like decades!). He is my best friend in the entire world. There comes a point where you just know that you most definitely made the right decision in your mate- and I am there. We just work, it takes a lot of hard effort and even compromises, but we are an amazing pair, and I love him to death. Jason is still fighting to keep his business afloat, and honestly, even as slow as we've been, we're making more than he would at any other job. He still loves football...and has recently becomed obsessed with a fantasy type game called Goal Line Blitz. I hear about it at least a dozen times a day! I actually made my own players so that I can at least know what the heck he's talking about haha!

That's about it for now! I will try very hard to write in this more often! It will be great to look back on!