Slowing Down

This weekend we are doing a whole lot of nothing at the house.  Beckett has had a cough and runny nose for the better part of the week, and I finally got some antibiotics after waiting for 2 weeks for my sinus infection to flush itself out without meds.  Chad thought he felt a little ill this morning, but it turns out he just needed to get outside to wash and gas up the van, put in new wipers and visit our storage shed. 

With only 3 weeks left until the baby gets here it's been hard for me to actually do nothing.  I finished my packing and calling list, ordered a baby book like the one we have for Beckett, cleaned off the carseat bases, painted our mirrors so they look a little 'bronzier' (yes, I know it has nothing to do with the baby!), put the snuggle sack in the carseat, put the straps back to their lowest position and finished some work for school.  Chad has encouraged me to take a nap, but how can I be expected to sleep when there is still a lot to do?! 

At least I am doing this post in the recliner with my feet up.  =) 

Goodbye Mr. T

On Saturday night Chad and I attended my work Christmas party. We had Chad's party the week before - a catered meal and tickets to the comedy club. Chad asked me who was paying for my Christmas party and I reminded him that I work in a school and taxpayers probably wouldn't foot the bill for going out to eat. "What about a teacher's union?" he asked. Really? Apparently he forgot my displeasure with the union beings I have to take unpaid days just to get my 6 weeks of maternity leave thanks to their contract negotations.

But enough of me complaining, right?! It was nice to go out together and hang out with my co-workers outside of school. The night included a white elephant gift exchange. While getting things ready in the nursery I ran across the Mr. T doll that Chad received in a family white elephant exchange several years ago. It felt like the right time to pass him on, and Chad was surprisingly OK with it. And the decision was confirmed the next day when I left Beckett and Mr. T in the same room and he came running out and wrapped himself around my leg. I couldn't figure out what was going on, but it became obvious that Beckett was terrified of Mr. T when he started yelping and scooting away when I set him on my bed next to Beckett's trains.

So now Mr. T has a new home with our school art teacher. Thanks for the memories Mr. T!

A yoga pose or asking "why me?"

Boy in a Barbie World

Angela told me about a funny conversation she had with Beckett today at daycare.

Beckett: I need help.
Angela: You need help?
Beckett: OK
Angela: What can I help you with?
Beckett: I can't get Barbie's pants off.


Apparently he was working very hard at making every Barbie naked and upsetting the girls that were working so hard to dress them up.

Since I bear no resemblance to Barbie, I think we can safely assume Beckett has not seen this behavior modeled at home!

Inside Our Casa

Chad hung up all of our blinds today, so I thought if he worked that hard I should take some pictures documenting his work and the inside of the house!

Beckett's room.

Toys, books and trains... all of his favorite things.

Baby's room. Continuing the sock monkey theme.

The glider is still at the in-laws, but picture it in the corner (hopefully it fits!)

Living room. Look at those bare walls just taunting me.

Another living room view. Beckett's horse, Sonny, in the background.

Me and Chad's room.

We're Still Here!

We are in the house - we actually spent the night for the first time last Friday night but I haven't gotten around to posting anything. The perfectionist in me wants all the decorations and finishing touches up before I take any pictures to post... we'll see how long before I take some!

Here are some pictures from playing with play doh earlier in the week.

Setting out all of our supplies. Beckett received some neat play doh accessories for Christmas.
Notice Thomas, Percy and Salty the trains are on hand to watch!

Daddy was a good sport and played with us too!

Can my next kid even be as cute as this one?!

These two are so cute when they are playing together.

Playtime for Mommy and Beckett

During Christmas break Beckett and I had a chance to visit the Visual Arts Center at the Washington Pavilion here in town. It's basically a big room filled with things for imaginative and creative play - and a change of scenery when the winter weather has us inside quite a bit.

It didn't take Beckett long to find Clifford.

Showing off his cutting skills at the art project table.

Instead of putting the puzzle pieces together Beckett uses tools to fix them.

Beckett's first experience with a kaleidescope. He kept trying to open it.

How cool is this Lego-sided house?

Almost Home

On Tuesday, we will officially be home owners again and be able to start the move in process! The house is complete with the exception of a few things that need to wait until Spring, and a few touchups. We are excited to enjoy our new home, and I am very, very anxious to nest!

Carpet! First line of business is ordering our blinds. I'm having a difficult time finding a color that matches our wood "just right."

Entry way and stair spindles. The little blue specks are spots that need touch ups.

View in to the dining room and kitchen.

Appliances! I wish I could get as excited about cooking as I am about the appliances. Maybe that will come?

Christmas Past

Christmas is over and I think all of our celebrating is too! We were able to have all of our gatherings except for the Salberg side with Grandma Marilyn (weather wasn't cooperative). Here are some pictures from the Eilts and Paulson gatherings.

Mom and I decorated sugar cookies - supplies and talents are the perks of her working at a bakery again!

Someone brought helium and balloons, and Beckett was in heaven.

I hate this picture of me (darn water retention!) but everyone looks so happy, I decided to get over it and post it.

Great Grandma Ardis has the full attention of boys waiting for gifts that Santa left.

Beckett is not ready to give up the Thomas puzzle he got from Grandpa and Grandma.

Always ready to help, Beckett is assisting Brooklynn with her present.

Trucks, trains, a farm set and horses will keep Beckett busy for quite awhile.

Next up will be moving Beckett's birthday and Christmas loot in to the new house and trying to find a place for everything!

Daycare Pictures

'Tis the season for reflecting on your blessings, and we have been very blessed that Beckett is able to go to Angela's. His days are full of play, reading, art activities, learning, exploring, dress up, and interacting with the other fun kids at daycare. Beckett probably wouldn't know his ABCs or be able to count in English and Spanish were it not for Angela and Karsyn!

To make things even better Angela keeps us up-to-date on his days through pictures, and it's obvious to see how much fun he is having and how much he is loved.

Potty time with Maddy.

Apparently Karsyn thinks Beckett's hair needs a little work. Nothing like multi-tasking!

Beckett loves to dress up and I'm told this orange hat is his favorite.

But he rocks this rainbow one pretty well too.

The appeal of Ring Around the Rosey never dies!

I keep saying I'm going to get him dress up clothes....

Beckett has the same Target toy magazine at home, and we saw this scene many, many times before Christmas.

Santa brought Karsyn, Houston and Chase a new kitchen!

"Hello? Well, I'm kind of in the middle of something right now."

"It's for you."

Closing Delayed

Due to the winter weather our carpet wasn't installed this weekend as planned, and turns out the bank will need additional time to get an appraisal and paperwork done. Soooo, we won't be closing on the 30th as we thought and don't have a set date yet. =( It would have been nice to be able to move while on break, but I guess we'll just appreciate our space even more when we do move! Here are a few recent pictures.

The master bath. All the plumbing, fixtures and lighting is finished.

Master bedroom - all trim is finished as well!

Main bathroom.

Dishwasher and sink installed! Molding and hardware on cabinets to be finished Monday.

Other half of the kitchen - the refridgerator comes Monday too!