Happy 1st Birthday, Tucker!

Tucker turned 1 year old yesterday.  Such a big boy.  And a little stinker, I might add.  We didn't do anything crazy since Jason is traveling.  My family got together and went to Happy Joe's to celebrate.  The big celebration will be this weekend at our house.  I can't wait!  Jason was bummed he didn't get to see him on his actual birthday, but Tucker won't remember. 

Tucker's walking around like crazy.  He took his first steps at 9 1/2 months, so he's had a few months to practice.  :)  He's a solid little guy and is pretty tough.  He does get his feelings hurt quite easily when his brother is mean to him.  For the most part, he's the happiest little guy you'll ever meet.  He has a smile on his face the majority of the time.  He's a pretty special little boy.

Happy 1st Birthday, Tucker!  Mommy, Daddy, and Cooper love you so very much! 

Christmas #1

We celebrated Christmas with Jason's Mom and Don this past weekend.  They came down Friday and we had to open presents that evening.  Cooper is super into the present action this year and wants to open every single one, even if they're not his.  :)  He got some really nice gifts and loves them all.  Tucker got a fun little car to ride on and he likes to do it side-saddle.  They both are enjoying playing with everything and had a great time visiting.  Thanks again!

Saturday morning we had family/1st birthday/3rd birthday pictures taken with Angela Wyatt.  We have only seen one and we're super excited to see the rest!  Can't wait!

Yesterday we went to Santa Brunch and Cooper was star struck by Santa.  He kept making an 'O' face and wouldn't talk at all.  This was the best picture we could get.

 

 

This photo was taken from a couple weeks ago when the boys went to see Santa at Bass Pro in Peoria.  They were both less than thrilled to see hin. 

 

 

 

Yesterday afternoon into last night we had some snow!  Cooper was super excited to see it and we have yet to go out in it as Daddy thought it was too cold out.  Hopefully soon we can get outside and make a snowman!

 





New

Well, it's new to us anyway.  We bought a fridge!  Jason had seen an ad on TV for fridges marking them down almost 50% and he was tempted.  Turns out, those fridges were waaaaaaay too big and although a good deal, wouldn't work for our space.  We looked at fridges that would fit our space and they were the same, if not more money than the bigger size ones.  I looked on Craigslist for one and it was meant to be.  We found one in Muscatine, the correct size, stainless steel, and for less than half what the stores were asking.  Granted, it's been used, but it's in great shape.  It's a Jenn-Air, 4 years old, and no scratches/dings whatsoever.  We love it and since the fridge cost was way less than we anticipated, we are going to get a stove and microwave to match!  Yahoo!  We love it and it looks much better than our white one.  The white one works great, it's just not pretty to look at.  We're keeping the old one and Jason's going to use it when we build a garage out at the farm this spring.  The stove and microwave will also go out in the garage too. 

Merry Christmas to us! 

(Don't mind the smudges...this was after it was moved in and I hadn't cleaned it yet. :))

11

Tucker is 11 months old.  Walking like crazy.  Loves his big brother and get so excited each morning when Cooper comes downstairs.  Getting a little attitude.  Doesn't like the word 'no' and will let you know.  Eats a ton.  And he's the happiest little guy. 

Cooper is potty training.  And it's going well.  We've had a few accidents, but he can feel the sensation when he needs to go and lets me know.  I don't have to constantly ask him.  To be honest, I was terrified to start the potty training thing.  It gave me huge anxiety since I had no clue where to start.  Thank the Lord for our sitter because I think he's getting the hang of it and all due to her.  He's acting so much older and surprises me sometimes with the things he says. 

I love these two so, so much and miss them like crazy when I'm not with them.  They make any day better and constantly make me laugh.  Enjoy the pictures of my guys!

 

 

Flooring

I am more than excited to type this.....we actually a) went and looked at flooring and b) we actually bought flooring!  So, super duper excited that we get the flooring next week, although it won't be installed next week.  The husband wants to finish the kitchen (painting and back splash) before we tackle another project.  Makes sense....I guess.  ;)  I am just thrilled that it's not something that we can continue to talk about, but rather it's just a matter of time before it can be installed.  We went Sunday to look at Lumber Liquidators, Home Depot, and Lowe's.  We knew Menard's didn't have any wood laminate that we liked, so we went to those 3 places.  And in 2 hours, we knew exactly what we wanted.  We ended up buying the wood laminate floor, Warm Springs Chestnut, from Lumber Liquidators.  Way less expensive than the other places and the only place running a sale.  The sales person was super helpful and very knowledgeable.  We absolutely LOVE what we picked out and can't wait to see how much it changes the dining room, kitchen/breakfast nook, and entryway.  Once this all gets installed, carpeting is next for the living room, steps to the entryway and upstairs, upstairs hallway, and possibly the bedrooms upstairs.  This is also our Christmas present, but it's something we're both ready for and have been wanting for a long time.   

Halloween!

This was the first year Cooper went trick-or-treating.  He was not thrilled at first, started crying, wanted Jason to hold him, but after he got the first piece of candy in his bucket, he was good to go.  :)  He was still our shy little guy and would say 'trick-or-treat' very quietly, but he got the hang of it.  We went trick-or-treating on Sunrise Circle this year and it was perfect since it truly goes around in a circle.  Tucker hung out in the stroller, but looked pretty cute if I must say so myself.  ;)  Although it was cold and it sprinkled on and off, it turned out to be a good time.  We had to end up putting Cooper's winter coat on, so you couldn't exactly tell what he was, but he still carried around his fishing pole and had his boots on.  Enjoy the pics of the little guys!

9 & 10

I've failed as mother to put my littlest one in his onesie with the monthly stickers.  But, I'll still talk about the big little guy. 

He had his 9 month check-up last month in which Jason took him since I didn't have any leave.  He's doing well and is 24lbs 5oz (the EXACT same weight as Cooper was at this age) and is 29 inches (2.25 inches shorter than Cooper at this age).  So, he's still a little chubby, but nothing to be concerned about.  I think he was 98th percentile for weight and in the 70th percentile for height. 

He turned 10 months old yesterday.  This is going even faster than it did with Cooper.  Having two children is so much fun, but things just go by way faster.  Tucker started taking steps at 9 months and takes way more now.  He walks pretty good if you're holding his hand, but he doesn't have the confidence yet to really take off.  I think part of that is because his older brother likes to pick on him sometimes.  :)

Cooper is the typical 2 year old.  Sweet, wild, kind, crazy, you get it.  He will do anything to go outside and play.  His new obsession is owls.  He thinks one sits outside his window each night....I have no idea where he got that from.  But, we have to remind him every night before bed that there is no owl waiting out there for him.  We're taking him to Disney Junior Live tonight and he's super pumped to see Mickey Mouse.  To tell you the truth, I'm super excited to go too.  :)  It will just be Cooper, Jason and I and he really needs some Mommy/Daddy time.

In other news, the shutdown is over.  Thank the Lord.  However, the budget crisis is still in effect and who knows what will happen in the future.  I'm just taking it day by day and hoping for the best.  That's all I can do.

My sister, Jenna, had her 20 week ultrasound a few weeks back.  The baby is healthy, which is most important, but they found out she had a complete placenta previa.  She was told to not lift more than 5 lbs (which meant not lifting Maggie at all), she would deliver early by c-section which meant she wouldn't make it full term, and she would probably go on bed rest around 32 weeks and receive steroid treatments.  Well, she went back in just yesterday to have another ultrasound and her placenta has moved and she is basically 100% all good to go!  Her doctors say that it is less than 1% or something in which this happens and my sister is very lucky.  We are all so very thankful.  And also yesterday, they bought a house!  They close Dec. 6th, so just in time for the baby to get here.  :)