I can't wait

To eat something so sinfully sweet.... I look at chocolate and almost get sick :( It's going to be trouble when I feel better because I will have a lot of catching up to do. I'm getting a little concerned of my sickness, because I'm getting to the point of not being to keep most meals down. I so don't want to go on medication... but I so want the baby to be getting nutrients...


We had a really big scare today. We were all walking to go pick Teagies up out of the nursery. I was in front, Riordan was behind me, Mike behind him, and Caden was bringing up the rear. Just as I turned the corner I looked back and saw everyone, so I went in to get Teagan along with Riordan.. I turn back and Mike popped his head in and asked if I had Caden... I was said with a little panic in my voice, "No, is he lost?". Mike goes back out.. I quickly get Teagan and her things, Riordan is crying for daddy anyway and make my way back to where I last saw Caden. Thankfully, Mike was coming towards us with him in his arms.
Turns out he made a wrong turn (it is all outside for pickups and our campus is rather large) and ended up near the steps of where his class is under. Thankfully, a woman and her son had wise words and told him to wait there with her and he would be found.
Caden was a bit shaken up. He never leaves our side, it's Riordan we are losing, but he doesn't ever know he's lost LOL.
We told Caden that we were lost ;-) and that thankfully it happened where many people knew us and could get us back together. The look on his face was priceless when I said we were lost and not he. We did talk about staying closer together in the future and he agreed. Lesson learned I believe with him. Now if only RIordan had a little fear like that in him!!

Date night

While we didn't go to Mastro's up in N. Scottsdale, we were able to get a quick bite to eat at Streamer's and catch a movie!
I find that if I stand up and walk around, I feel ill. But the moment I sit down and stay still, my stomach settles. It goes along with my whole motion sickness problem.
I have been craving now, Caesar salads. I did this with Teagan too. Is this a sign? Who knows ;-) And fried cheese too.. so odd, I'm guessing it's the calcium and since I get sick if I eat anything sweet, I can't do icecream like I normally do for calclium cravings.
We went and saw "Music and Lyrics". It was of course predictable, but such a funny movie. Hugh Grant is so great with his always on time delivery of his one liners. I was so worried about going to a movie, sitting in close proximity of anyone who could be wearing cologne or perfume. It would have sent me over. But I was lucky and no one sat near us like that!

So niceeee......

It's so nice to have Mike back home. Definitely missed him!! 5 nights is way too long to be away from your family!!
So now I am resting as much in bed as he will allow me to or really his patience can take.
I'm so over already the different things that I can eat for the moment. I have a lot of food aversions right now.. all meats, whole wheat bread, ANYTHING sweet/chocolate just to name a few... today's craving is a subway sandwich... Monday was eggrolls, and yesterday was baked potatoes.
We are supposed to go to dinner tomorrow night, but I don't know if that will work out since I can't stand the smell of cooked meat LOL.
Today was a much better day, after my morning ritual, than the whole week has been. Maybe because I literally did nothing except once and drive carpool.
I am drinking a lot of decaf unsweet tea, since water makes me more nauseous.
The children have been very cooperative during this morning sickness! They haven't been as demanding and I think they feel sorry for me now. Caden is always asking how I feel or if I'm ok. If only he would ask if he could get me something ;-)
Riordan is just so darn funny and cute. I've been forgetting to mention that we have another "kay" in the family. Seems that is what Riordan has nicknamed Caden. I'm guessing that's how Aunt Kay got her name too, maybe from Grammy. Just too long to say it any other way. He is just so full of emotions!! Totally takes after his dad~ ha.
Teagan, or Teagie Weagies as Riordan calls her, has finally cut her 8th tooth as of a couple days ago. The fever did not turn out to be roseola.. just some bad virus. She still has a runny nose and a drippy cough. Yes I know they can all go together, but not that high of a fever.
Mike was out of town for his company's annual conference/employee appreciation or something like that. They give awards out at this function and apparently he came in a very very very close second place for Rookie of the Year!! I'm so proud of him and tell him all the time that he IS our Rookie of the Year. Seems that his bosses really fought so hard for him to be rewarded with this honor and they made a point to let him know. He's so happy with his job, it's so obvious. Of course stressful to make the number at the end of the month. But the company itself really takes care of their own and his bosses are outstanding.
Good t.v. tonite.. our main Directv isn't working on two satellites for some odd reason so now I have to figure out which shows I have to TIVO on the back t.v, watch on the front t.v. and go back and catch up online for the others. I have too many Thursday night shows to keep up with!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY MOM

It's actually a belated birthday.. It was yesterday!! I could barely sit at the computer and when I would think of posting then one of the children would need something... So HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM, one day late! Love you!

don't read this if you have a weak stomach!

So yesterday was a very rough day for me morning sickness wise... I pretty much was sick all day long. My friend Christa brought me saltines, Monica brought me egg rolls (they are the only things that sound good to me lately) and for the rest of the day we were home except for the little over an hour we went to Rolly Pollies in the early morning. It was a lot of fun for the children, but a lot of running around for me really did me in for good.
Dinner time came and went, we were winding down, and I was eating a small thing of cereal when Riordan came to me crying saying "Ewww" Yep eww here is poop, and he had it on his hand. Now he has a bad gag reflex like myself and can't stand the smell or site of his own eww without gagging. So he begins. I scoop him up and take him to the sink. He does his thing and then I begin to get sick. Caden is laughing! And then after all this I have to change the eww which makes me just as sick!! I can't wait for Mike to get homeeeeeeeee....
We went to bed very early last night, and Teagan slept through the night till 9 am!! She would have slept longer probably but I just had to check in on her and of course it woke her up.

Like Father Like Sons

So the sickness started today.. I've been fighting it for almost two days...
I was doing the dishes this morning, which I've never been able to do while I'm pregnant or take out the trash for that matter, because all the smells kick me in the rear... so back to the dishes... I was already feeling pretty quesy even though I ate crackers and sat in bed with the boys for a good 20 mins to help settle my stomach...
Then I began to lose it.. so I ran to my bathroom and did what you have to do when ones stomach takes over. RIordan began laughing and mimicking my sounds! Mike would laugh at me on my first time with all the children and since he wasn't here to laugh, Riordan has taken his place. Caden was concerned, asked if I was okay, so I got out a yes, and he began to laugh as well! I can't believe it! They are just like their daddy!
Teagan still has a pretty high fever, woke up at 2 am and was hot, so gave her more medicine.. this time she didn't want much to do with her bottle. Just waiting on her to wake up again...
My friend Marcie, who by the way is expecting her fourth in April ;-), said I could still drop off the boys for Megan's party this afternoon. I'm so glad because Caden was not dealing with it well, and Riordan loves Ryan, Megan's baby brother, well not baby for long!! She is such a good friend!
It's a rainy day in Chandler, overcast.. a good day for pictures if it weren't wet...

I think it maybe roseola

Yep, still fever and in the high range today.. 103.6 when she woke up from nap...
It's been sooo long ;-) since I had an infant that I forget the proper dosage for children's tylenol and advil..
Thank you so much Ask Dr. Sears for providing this information for all medicines!! (medicine cabinet link)
I call Dr. Sudha just in case, I am so thankful that I can have her paged if I doubt myself! She's just so amazing!, and wants her to come in on Monday if she still has a fever. I am almost positive it's roseola. A few mores days should determine that once the fever breaks and a rash appear.
She hasn't had it yet and it's exactly the age when Riordan got it a year ago October, Caden got it right at 6 months.
She acts pretty okay, smiling and laughing and crawling around, but just more tired than normal. Still has an appetite too!
Just feel so bad for her, but I am loving the love sessions we have had today.. a lot of cuddling going on!
So needless to say, we can't go to church now, contagious, or Megan's birthday party, contagious, and mostly no Rollie Pollies on Monday, contagious :( Will see how the fever does tomorrow to give the final decision...
Today was fun with Caden! However, I am feeling pretty icky!! But what can ya do but grin and bear it... it comes in waves.. some waves quite rocky but haven't tipped the boat.. and I hope not at all ;-)

Now it feels like home

We had the house painted this week. It looks amazing. The company we hired really came through for us, and I'm so pleased with the palette of colors I choose. I love choosing colors and decorating. What's really neat though is seeing it all together now! I did a few accent walls and more creative coloring in the children's room. Mike admitted he was a bit nervouse about my choices but absolutely loves it!
While it was being painted we stayed at a hotel to escape the fumes. It was nice to be on semi vacation from the house. Nothing to clean really, but the laundry has backed up.
Mike left for Boca today until Wednesday. And I had a really great week with no nausea, but interestingly tonite it hit me hard. I think it had to do with waiting to long to eat.. Nibbled on some crackers and nilla wafers and I feel pretty good, I don't feel the urge to run to the bathroom! LOL
Caden has a soccer game tomorrow morning and a birthday party. Just he and I are going and Kate is coming here to keep Teagan and Riordan. Then we have Megan's 3rd Birthday party on Sunday afternoon. Busy week ahead, hopefully it will help with Mike gone. Church on Sunday morning too. Monday morning we are going to Rollie Pollies for MOMS Club, Tuesday school, Wednesday MOPS, Thursday school, and Friday I think we are down time? I need to find my calendar. I have been so absolutely terribly forgetful lately. So if I have plans on Friday, I'm sorry, let me know! LOL And I will check my calendar.
Now the downtime will be putting the house back together. It was like moving all over again!! Gotta hang everything back up and put all my decor back in place.. oh and probably shop more for more accent pieces to all these great colors ;-) ha ha Mike!

It has begun

As of last Friday night, coming home from Caden's soccer practice.. the feeling of nausea.. it's faint most of the time, but I know it's there...
We have been prepping the house for the painters! Even filling in all nail holes, so that the only prep they have to do is tape off and begin to paint. They said it would be 3-4 days. I hope so. We booked a room at Pointe South Mountain, A) because I need a place for naps and B) fumes, even though we are using an eco friendly paint. Some of our colors can't be used in that manner so there will be fumes.
Thing is it's high season here. Hi prices, and low availibilty. I coudn't get a room for Tuesday night, but I'm thinking since it will be a big taping off day that there won't be that much painting going on. So we have a room for Wednesday night and if it looks like we will need it Thursday night then we will add it on.
It's funny how we choose the same colors we liked when we painted the condo. While our taste in furniture and decor has changed the colors have not ;-)
The boys room will have three colors. Navy blue, stripe of red, and then celadon like green for the top. Teagie's is chocolate brown and soft pink with an ivory stripe in the middle. The playroom and hallway will be the same green in the boys room as will our bathroom. Our kitchen and great room will be a warm yellow with the bar and tv wall being the brown from Teagan's room. Our master bedroom, guest room, and hallway bathroom will be a warm brown-yellow. And the lavatory in our bathroom will be the brown as well as the foyer to our bedroom and an accent of yellow where there is a niche for our poppy painting. Oh and the same red from the boys room will be our french doors! It's going to look so much more homey and feel so cozy!
I'm excited to stay at the hotel. They have an incredible water park, that only guests can use. So we can check it out to see if it's something we would want to do in the summer for a break from the heat.

Oh yeah

Teagan has cut her 7th tooth as of two days ago!
The 8th is not far behind either!
Mike has been traveling a lot and now seems to have the flu out in New Mexico. He is not feeling very well, fever, is actually freezing.
I broke his sunglasses today!! Well it's Riordan's fault ;-)
He got them and left them on the floor and I stepped on the, didn't see them, before I knew it they went crunch!
So really it's Mike's fault because he didn't take them on his trip.
Rule number one : It's never the wife's fault!
Rule number two: If it's the wife's fault, see rule number ! ;-)
Words to live by! Ha!

God has Blessed us again!

It's 6:30 am and I'm listening to the silence of sleeping children, the hum of the dishwasher, and enjoying a cup of coffee.
I am tired.
But it's a good tired.

Because we are expecting again!!

I know shocking right?!
I had huge signs the weekend before, remember when I was saying I couldn't get warm? Very typical of me when I'm first expecting. I have had an endless appetite and insane cravings already. I had sushi (cooked) Tuesday night. It was so flavorful and delicious!! I knew I was that day, but the test was still showing negative. I took another one on Wednesday and the most faint, practically not visible line appeared a few hours later. Mike said he couldn't see it!
So took another one Thursday morning and the same faint line showed up in 3 mins!!
And so typical of me, I took another one Saturday morning and it's a wonderful bold line immediately showing that my HCG levels are doubling like they should ;-)
I was in complete shock Monday and Tuesday and was a bit snappy because I was constantly thinking about it, but children are a direct blessing from God. We are so happy and excited!
However come Oct 2nd, my due date, I won't be able to ever leave my house again! LOL
We are still going to do Disney in December. The baby will just be sleeping all the time and when he/she is a bit older it would be harder. So on with the plan!
I have split intiution on what the sex is. I would really like it to be a complete surprise in the deliver room.
I'm hoping too since Grammy and Papa are retiring this year, that they would want to come down around the due date and Grammy can see a grandchild be born ;-) How neat how life works out this way.
I'm PRAYING for my sister Jennifer to conceive, my SIL Amy to conceive, and my friend Tracy to conceive. They all three came first to my mind with our wonderful surprise and I wanted to protect their hearts. I know how I felt when I was trying to conceive Riordan and then my friends around me were being successful. I'm just very sensitive to that. So I let them all know before I posted this. They were all, of course, so excited and happy for us and it was reassuring.
How fun it's going to be for this baby to have cousins so close in age!
Caden told me two weeks ago that I had another baby in my tummy. He did that with Teagan as well. Children are so amazing, so intune and a direct open wave link with God.
We went to Chris Tomlin Friday night, and even though we couldn't stay for the whole performance, it was an amazing chill bump experience. I have a hard time explaining the details because I get lost in it. But Pastor Louie Giglio showed an embryo at 8 cells and I began to weep. How amazing! I have always known how life starts but to see it on a 15ft screen was breathtaking. Even Mike was moved as he began to nudge me.
So here we are, already planning if it's a boy, if it's a girl names, where he/she will sleep, and thank God I found Kate who is my other blessing for helping with the children. We told her Friday when we got home and she was so excited. She loves little babies!
Caden by the way told me it's a girl but I don't know if that's because he wants another Teagan, which are his words.
So keep us in your prayers for a healthy, happy, beautiful, baby AGAIN!
My 1st appointment is February 20th, and I will be 9 weeks exactly.

Our Weather

It's some kind of phenomenon. It has truly been winter here. For weeks now, kids can't really go outside and play.. If they do it's a lot of bundling up. Our temps have barely reached the 50's for the day and mostly stayed in the 40's. Low's at or below freezing. Every single house you drive by has a fried tree, bush, plant or all because our plants were planted for freezes here and there, not every single night. We had SNOW just 30 mins north of here in N. Phoenix/N. Scottsdale. Woke up this morning to once again frosted grass, glass, and other parts ;-)
It was quite funny when we left the doors for the church on Sunday, almost in unison, everyone together said it looks like it could snow.. Those were the clouds that snowed just slightly north.
We should see a couple of 60's the end of this week. Funny how fast you miss the warmth of the sun in the afternoon. What is going on with the nation and this weather?! Every night I have to put on layers of clothing I'm so cold... But then again, I just wish we would get one snow.. it's been about 20 years I hear since it has snowed this low in the valley.. BUT it's happened!

Making the time ;-)

I have been wanting to post so much, but time just isn't there!
So here's the latest from now and then going back ;-)
We have decided to have Teagan's 1st Birthday Party on March 17th at 10am, yep St.Patty's Day! How poetic right?!
I have ordered (now that shouldn't be surprising) all her birthday supplies that have pink, princess, and 1 all over it!
A cute little tulle to go on her highchair, a Birthday girl shirt with cupcake tassles on the sleeves, a Princess Cupcake stand, and tons more! It will truly be a Princess Party! Now to work on the guest list.. boy we have so many great friends in AZ!
Caden started soccer this weekend and absolutely loves it! He at first said that's all he wants to play but then said he'd love to do both T-ball and Soccer.. Whew! I thought my whole Vintage Baseball theme for the boys room was going to be thrown out the window.. well I could save all the stuff for another room if we ever moved, NOT ANYTIME SOON!
Caden and I had a date yesterday and went to see Charolette's Web. When Charolette died Caden wanted to go home. He said he wasn't sad or scared, but I think maybe just confused? He understands what dying is to an extent, but maybe this filled in a few more blanks for him and now he understands mourning. It was a great movie and he wants to go back and see it 'tomorrow' as he says.
Riordan has just been such a joy lately. Gone more are his grumpy mornings, days, and nights, with an exception of a few and here are lots of giggling, communication!, and just a flirt. He is such a good boy and so helpful and concerned when it comes to his brother and sister. We can rationalize a lot more with him too. It's so great to be at this stage. Seems we were at the tantrum stage for so long. Now don't get me wrong, we still have thoughs, but not for lack of understanding, but because he's not getting what he wants. Easy to deal with I guess when I know why it is he's screaming as loud as he can and throwing knives with his eyes at me.
We interviewed a sitter on Saturday, Kate. She is awesome! We are so excited to have someone to rely on again. We miss our Amy and Kelly. But life takes on a new role with a wonderful new job and new baby!! Completely understandable. I keep saying we have great fortune with our sitters, now if we can just hold onto one for a while ;-) Kate just got married last July, lives close by, is in nursing school, and just an intelligent, beautiful woman and we feel so great leaving her with the zoo. She runs the nursery at her church, so I'm sure she can handle our three... Caden and Riordan were all over her. Yes Riordan! I know see?! he's moving out of that phase! Caden is counting the sleeps til we see her again!
We are going to Chris Tomlin this Friday night in downtown Phoenix. She's going to keep the children then. Yay!
Mike is out of town to Texas on Thursday and Friday, again Monday and Tuesday to New Mexico, and then again the 9th-14th in February to Boca Raton, FL. I couldn't have found her faster!
And what is up with all this traveling?! I thought we moved to AZ so he didn't travel?! LOL
We have been getting estimates for painting the interior of the house. I'm tired of white walls and feel confident that we are here to stay ;-) So that is next on our list. Hopefully to have it down the last week of February.
It will be nice to have it done before my mom and Mike's parents come for their visit in March. I keep forgetting we are going to Atlanta in April! Maybe I'm just blocking out the travel part and waiting to think about it once we get a lot closer.

I wish there was more time in the day

Don't we all right?
I can't do hardly half the 'down time' things I enjoy so much due to taking care of the children and the house.
I find myself MUCH less on the computer and MUCH more doing laundry, dishes, or simply cleaning up after Riordan who dumps everything including food, drink, whatever he can get his hands on.
Teagan has self weened herself last week. It was a hard couple of days missing that bonding time, but she has put on a few pounds now that she is fully on formula. Nice and healthy, plus she eats us out of house and home! I thought Riordan was a garbage disposal but she out does him by a mile! She is crawling around so fast, but still the army crawl. Likes to pull herself up in the crib, but can't seem to get a handle anywhere else. Completely on table foods for a month now, dispises mushy baby food. Still gets up two to three times a night. But I've increased her ounces and it seems to be one or two times a night with Mike gone.
Mike is in NYC right now, so he normally helps and does most the dishes and laundry, sorry Mike for domesticating you! :-)
Riordan is potty training by his own decision. I have had seats and stools ready to go in both bathrooms and last week we were eating lunch and I off handedly asked him if he'd like to go potty and he said 'Yep!' So off we went! Nothing happened on that trip, but for Mike he went "ewww" in the potty that night!! He was so proud! He hadn't visited it since then, but last night getting out of the bath he was doing a dance. Caden said he needs to go potty! I asked him and he said Yep! Ran for the potty and went pee pee in it! I know the little things right? I thought for sure though he'd be more like 2 1/2 before he thought of attempting it. So I reward him with Bob the Builder Pull ups and a treat. He is talking up a storm! But does he have the typical terrible two's! He loves to screech as loud as he can.
He had his first dentist appointment yesterday. No cavities! However, he didn't really want to be in the chair, so we had him sitting towards me, and then he layed back with his head in Dr. Welch's lap. A little prying and crying but we were able to see in there and then after barely two minutes he was done. He wanted to play after the appointment and I knew it was going to be a fight. So for five minutes we played and then I tried to get him to leave on his own. Nope he wanted to stay. So I warned those within earshot, that he was going to scream. He didn't fail me and I still can't hear in my left ear.
He also was throwing tantrum after tantrum at Storytime on Monday at the Library. I can't do that again without Mike until Teagan is much older. Just too much to handle, thankfully my girls we there though to hold her while RIordan had his many moments. But he's into cuddling now. He loves to pat your back when giving a hug and gives out kisses when you least expect it. He steals all my mom friends hearts with his bashful yet playful grin. Can't blame them!
Caden begins soccer soon! A nice break from sports and this time we are parents with a child. Not coaching or team mom. It's only 6 weeks long and begins on the 20th. He is reading Bob Books and really can read a lot of words! It helps now that they are learning to read at school as well. He is so impressive. He brought home a worksheet where he wrote 'turtle'! He just turned 4! We register for Kindersteps in February which is Kindergarten but he won't move onto 1st grade even if the teacher thinks he's ready. I would rather him be an older student, even though Mike and I were 17 when we graduated from High School. Plus keeping him at the age group he's intended to be in will keep him with his friends. Caden is my helper and I consider him a master at the internet, as long as it's Noggin, Nick Jr, or Disney ;-)
Mike and I will be beginning a new study at church called Life 360. It will be every Sunday and Wednesday at the church until the first weekend of March. We are really looking forward to it.
I have been doing a lot of home decorating and Mike has been doing home improvements for us! Yep you read that right! He changed out our light in our breakfast nook, and will soon be hanging new lights in both the foyer and foyer to the master bedroom. We want to get the interior painted next. So next I need to set up appts for estimates. I'm so thankful that we can continue on making our house a home. It just helps with our appreciation that much more and I find that I work harder to keep it clean as possible. I'm also EXTREMELY thankful for my Norma! She comes every other week and really gets the surface clean and I can keep up better. She is just so great and the children adore her!!
We have our friends, the Messners, coming over for dinner this Saturday! That is going to be so great. They have three as well, all boys! We both have Cadens that same age and our babies are same age pretty much too, 3 months apart for both sets. They have an older son who is 8, while we have our little wonderful two's Riordan ;-) They play together so nicely!
So I'm off to look for shot cards so I can get them to Dr. Sudha's office to be updated for school. I'm going to try and get Riordan in a preschool this year as well. Caden will be every day, so that should give Teagie and I two days a week to have girl time.

We are coming back and more thoughts

We are so excited! We are going back to Atlanta in April, so if you didn't get a chance to see us here it is again!
I can't wait to see my dad again!! He is so excited too!
The boys don't know yet and won't until we get closer to the date... It would be all that we hear about!
We are doing the same flight into Birmingham, 3 hours is about all we can handle with three babes 4 and under,
and then driving through the night to our hotel in Kennesaw, since we will still be on AZ time. Lots of coffee and an early afternoon nap will do us just right ;-) I hope!
Nothing on the agenda yet, but I'm sure something will come up that we will just have to see...
When the children are older we will do Boston again. We just can't imagine what it would be like on a 5 and 6 hour flight with them right now. Plus imagine the poor people around us!
Teagan is getting her own seat this time, so hopefully she will go to sleep and not cry half the flight.

We are off for bike riding today at Caden's friend's home. They live in a cul du sac which has only 4 homes in it, so it will be much safer than most places around here ... Then back home for naps and I'm going to the movies tonite with some girlfriends.
I have been in house decorating mode finally. I feel safe that we are moving any time soon, so I've been accessorizing and I got a new dresser and bookcase for the boys room. Doing a vintage baseball theme in there. Next up, painting! Going to start with estimates next week.

Christmas

Catching a breath here, we were so busy coming back from Disneyland. We had all the children's well checks the next morning at Dr. Sudha's. Caden's 4 year, Riordan's 2 year, and Teagan's 9 month. Thankfully Daddy was able to come with us.
Caden had to get 4 shots, and Riordan one. Teagan none.
Stats are:
Caden 42 inches tall and 38 pounds (my little beanpole)
Riordan 37 inches tall and 32 pounds (he's gonna be a stud!)
Teagan 27 inches tall and 18 pounds (such a peanut)

Christmas Eve we drove around our area and looked at Christmas lights and then headed to our neighbors for a little cocktail and appetizers. Then once we got the children down, Mike and I put toys together and wrapped. Santa brought Caden an air hockey, fooz ball, ping pong table with chess, checkers and backgammon. Mike was a bit frustrated with that, so while he did that I put together Teagan's Discovery playhouse, her matching Pottery Barn Kids Chair, and wrapped the rest of the gifts.
Caden's rule was that he had to stay in bed all night or Santa won't be able to come and leave presents. He said though, if Santa already came then he can sleep in our bed, which we were trying to get him to stay in his. So sure enough about 3 am, he comes into our room and says "Mommy! Santa came and he brought me air hockey!!" and then he layed down and passed back out! LOL It was absolutely adorable!
Santa brought Riordan an acoustic guitar. He lovessss his Daddy's guitar and always for over a year wants to play it. So it was a no brainer for us this year. He too woke up in the middle of the night. Mike was with Teagan and heard him get up. Riordan went to the tree and went straight for the guitar (it was not wrapped). He just knew it was his and he began to play it. Mike scooped him up and took him back to bed, as he screamed " 'tar, tar tar!" He did go back to sleep but he was right back at it in the morning and had no interest in unwrapping any gifts. So Caden helped him out by unwrapping them.
It was a wonderful Christmas morning. Caden had also asked Santa in Disneyland for a toy gun. Preferably a BB Gun. However, Santa guided Caden to more of a toy gun explaining he was too young for such power. Thank you Santa! So both he and Riordan got Buzz Lightyear guns, and boy can they get loud sometimes!
We had dinner with our wonderful neighbors. The food was all so yummy and Carol's table was decorated so beautiful.
It all seemed to go by so quickly. We have been creating some wonderful memories.
I have pictures that I'll post tomorrow. I just needed to get my wording down before I lost it all...

Disneyland

What an amazing time we had in Disneyland!!
Our drive there was about 6 hours and it seemed that time flew by and we were there. So we checked in to our hotel, room wasn't ready, but they gave us our keys, the bellhop had our bags and we headed to lunch, since we hadn't had a really good meal that day. We headed into the park after lunch and arrived just in time to get primo seats on Main Street to watch the Christmas Parade. I loved watching the reactions on the boys faces, more than watching the parade itself. It was everything I had imagined and it was just the very beginning!!
After the parade, our room was ready so we went to our very convienently located hotel at the Grand Californian, and rested for a bit. We decided it would be best to order in for dinner and let Riordan and Teagan go to bed, and Caden and Daddy went back out to explore Disneyland together at night. They rode Dumbo, Teacups, and It's a Small World. Soon they were watching the Fireworks while it 'snowed' on them. The Park was so beautifully decorated for Christmas.
Our first morning we had Breakfast with the Chip and Dale and Friends at the Storyteller Cafe, in our hotel (where we actually had lunch the day before) It was so cute to watch all the characters, mostly from Over the Hedge, come up to the kids and actually get chased down by Riordan. He wanted to hug them all. We had Mickey waffles, tons of bacon and juice and got our first autographs! Teagan was so adorable as she took it all in with such curiosity.
We went back to Disneyland and rode rides together as a family. We rode the Carousel, Dumbo, Storyland, It's a Small World, I watched the Malloy boys on the Teacups, and then made our way into Mickey's Toon Town to meet Mickey in his house! But not before we sat with Santa Goofy and took a picture ;-) We then met up with our friends, The German's, at Casey Jr.'s train ride for a bit to say hello and catch up. Had some yummy cheeseburgers and headed back to the hotel for naps.
We were here for 4 nights and 5 days and it was absolutely perfect. We never felt rushed and if we didn't get to something one day we could always get it the next day. Caden had a birthday dinner at Goofy's Kitchen and a cake decorating party at The Plaza Inn with Mickey and Minnie. We laughed so much and walked so much. Teagan did develop a fever while we were there and some not so fun diapers, but she was such a trooper. I held her mostly in the baby carrier and she slept a lot.
The last night, Riordan got sick, in Caden's bed none the less and he, Caden, slept right through it!
But before that, there's so much!, we had a famliy photo with Santa in the downstairs lobby that night. We then put the children in their pj's and headed to The Craftsman's Guild Room (Concierge luxury room) and sang some Christmas songs, and then Santa came in and read ' Twas the Night Before Christmas' !! This Santa was so amazing and he sounded identical to my dad. I wasn't going to say it, but Mike actually did first! We are so blessed to have taken the children on this amazing family vacation. We had such an incredible time that we booked before we left for the next year at the same time.
Oh and before I forget, I know I'm all over the place, we met Pastor Joel Osteen. For those who know us well, we have been watching him on TV for almost our entire relationship. We have always wanted to see him in person when he tours but never were able to match up to his dates. Well we were walking back to our hotel on the second night through Downtown Disney and Mike goes, that was Joel Osteen we just passed. I practically turned the double stoller back around on two wheels and said 'Oh we are so meeting him!' He was with his daughter, just strolling along so I called out to him and he turned to us with that wonderful warm smile, shook our hands, had a small conversation and he was just so wonderful. We realize he was on vacation and felt so special that not only did we see him while we were there, but he didn't seem to mind the slight intrusion on his family time with his daughter. We did keep it short, and it is one of Mike and my favorite memories.
So it took me a long time to post this because my Sony Vaio is freaking out, yet another virus. So I'm now working from my brand new MacPro! I love it, so back to Disneyland.
We got a long special time with Captain Hook! He was just so awesome and played with the boys and was so sweet with Teagan. I haven't heard the boys laugh like that in a few months. He really got them going. We never made it to Peter Pan or Buzz Lightyear rides, but we will next year. Caden and I did go out by ourselves at night, but because of wind we didn't get to see fireworks. We did however ride Autotopia together and he loved it, as did I. But his most favorite ride is It's a Small World. I can't even remember how many times we rode it. Riordan loved every ride and would always cry when we got off of them and bang his head. He would get so mad it was over. Mike and he rode the Matterhorn Bobsled ride. It went pretty well until it went through the water at the end and he did not like that part. Teagan got to ride most of the rides with us and again she was just incredible. Big smiles, cuddles, having the time of her life at her young age of 9 months!
So the following link is to over 300 pics. View at your own risk and when you have time. I hope they are pretty much self descriptive!

Disney Photos
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Peter Piper Pizza Party!

We had the boys joint birthday party last night at Peter Piper Pizza.

We had such a great time with all our friends and are so thankful to those who could attend and help make it the best birthday yet! The surprise look with Riordan and me is because during his birthday song, he kept trying to blow out the cansles. Well he blew one out and it lit right back up! And then we looked at each other and hence the picture ;-)

Caden had a Dinosaur Cake and Riordan had Go Diego Go cake.

Both very cute and very yummy! The only thing that went awry is goodie bags. I wanted Peter Piper to do them and plum forgot about them due to the pain in my mouth and they for some reason didn't have us marked down for them. So we will be doing them when we get back from Disneyland.
Peter Piper Pics

What a week

What was going to be a pretty smooth week for us turned into not so smooth! Mike and I had our teeth cleaned on Monday and I had previously set up an appointment to get a cavity filled for the week after Christmas. It had started to bother me and the dentist and I agreed it was a root canal tooth at that point. He gave me some antibiotics to help prevent infection if the pain became a bit more constant. Well it did and I began my antibiotics on Wednesday morning.
That night I went to our Mom's Night Out, which was an ornament exchange at my friend Michelle's house. My tooth was still painful at times but was bearable. We had such a great time and I got home about midnight. Still earlier than a few girls! :-) When I went to go lay down the pain was intensified and it was throbbing. I hardly slept a wink and we called the dentist first thing in the morning. They told me to wait and see until 3 pm, hoping the antibiotics got a chance to do their thing. So Mike went to work and I layed in bed. My friend Christa took Caden to school and Mike was back home about noon.
The pain was still present and not fun at all. We went to Caden's school for his school birthday party. Cupcakes that were rainbowed swirled with sprinkles at his request. Back home and I went to bed, but not before calling my dentist and saying that the pain was still there. They scheduled me the next morning for an 8 am root canal.
They don't work on Friday's so I expressed my gratitude since they knew we had our big Disneyland trip on Sunday. They called in a prescription for the pain, which never really worked, however plain ole Tylenol PM helped me sleep.
So I had the root canal done the next morning, on the same day as the boys birthday party, and I thought I was doing pretty good. Came home about 10 am, started to make some food for MOM's Holiday Party, threw it in the oven, and then went to cut Caden's hair. The novocaine started to wear off and I was in tears. The pain was so intense. I finished Caden's haircut and crawled back into bed. Mike took the children out for errands and lunch at Chick-Fil-a. I tried to sleep, but instead just dozed in and out for a bit.
I made it to the boys birthday party to Peter Piper Pizza but in some pretty good pain still. It was so hard to not laugh and smile, ouch ouch, and hugs to everyone and getting pressed on the check. Nice and swollen. I couldn't wait to go to bed. Took my tylenol PM and I was down for the count. This morning all I thankfully have no pain but just some soreness and tender spots! So instead of packing for Disney tomorrow I had to finish up what I was behind on with our blog ;-)

Polar Express

The Polar Express Train Ride to the North Pole in Williams, AZ was just so much fun! We headed up the day after Riordan's birthday about 10 am.

The children hardly napped at all they were so excited as were Mike and I.

We arrived at 2pm and were able to immediately check in. Williams is a small town, reminded me of home growing up before the 'expansion' began. The hotel had a big fireplace in the lobby and was all decorated for Christmas. The staff was so amazing and nice. We dropped off our things and went exploring. You could tell the lights that were strung every where were going to be so beautiful at night.

We met the German's for dinner about 4:15 at Max and Thelma's, and it was a bit stressful. Teagan had had it, she was so tired and the boys were too. So we went back to our room to give her a quick nap and began to dress the boys in their special Polar Express PJ's. Our moods started to lighten and the excitement came back! They were so cute!

We went back out at 6pm, it was dark, everything was lit, it was cold, and it was so pretty! It was like we stepped in a magical wonderland. We took some pictures and then headed to our train that was about to board. Coach F on the Polar Express. Hanging out the door was our 'chef' talking to people passing by. Caden at this point started to get anxious. He keep saying he didn't want to get on, and to take him back to the hotel. He was under the impression the train ride would be like the one in the movie. So we board, Caden crying, and me trying to console him that I promised it wouldn't go fast.

Once everyone was boarded we began to pull away from the depot. Caden started to calm down and cookies and hot chocolate came out and he was perfectly fine. He started to tell us how much he loved the train ride. We brought our copy of the book to read along as it was read on the speaker prerecorded by Liam Neeson. Riordan was a bit of a wiggle worm, but he shared his cookie with Teagan. SO sweet. And Teagan was an absolute wiggle worm and wasn't happy if she wasn't eating a cookie or attached to me in the baby bjorn.

The ride to the North Pole was about 30 mins. When we pulled up Santa was on his sleigh waving to everyone! Caden and Riordan were so excited!We were there only a few minutes and we turned back. Our chef told us that Santa would be visiting soon so let's sing his favorite song, "Santa Claus is coming to Town".

As soon as we started to sing, in came Santa! He was so beautiful!! The look on the boys faces were absolutely priceless and worth every little aggravation on our trip. Santa handed out bells to each child and they were a big hit with the Malloy's. Even Teagan got one. Santa then proceeded to the next car. After that we sang Christmas carols the rest of the way back. Our chef was really into his singing and made it even more fun.

We tried to stay up a little later once we walked back to the hotel, but all the children had had it. So off to bed we went. It was a restless nights sleep though, everyone was coughing (I think our room was actually a smoking one, it was very stale smoke smelling) and I had a stuffed up nose.

We left about 8:30ish but not before we got to see the SNOW FALLING!That was the icing for sure on the trip. We did drive through Sedona on the way home which was very beautiful. I finally feel I have done some exploring after living here a year. We initially were going to go to the Grand Canyon, but because of the snow we were pretty sure it would be too cold and we wouldn't be able to see much.

Polar Express Pics and More