Snow Much Fun!!!

We had a blast playing in the snow for the first time! Colton kept scooping up handfuls and eating it.

Time Flies!

Where does the time go?! I remember my parents, especially mom, telling me how fast time goes when you get older, but I never could have imagined it going this fast! My babies are 20 months old already and in less than 6 months, they will have a baby brother or sister. Wow!

I can't believe all that they are doing now. Mom and I took them with us Christmas shopping Friday. Mom was pushing Nora in the cart and I was pushing Colton. We went to look at different things and all of a sudden Colton started calling for Nora, by name! It comes out "Ora", and is so cute! Any time we would separate or she got out of sight, he would start calling "Ora"! He even does it after he gets up out of bed and he wants her to come play with him. They are both starting to say a lot more.

They are both really into Christmas. They love the lights, trees, and all the "ho ho hos". Every time they see Santa (on TV, an ornament, decoration, or someone dressed as him) they start saying "Ho Ho Ho". We can't wait to watch them open their presents Christmas morning. Andy decided they didn't have enough to open, so he had to go buy them a few more things. I am beginning to understand how my mom felt when she was all done with the shopping and dad decided to go out and get a few more things. Not that I mind. And he did get some cute things.

We went to breakfast with Santa at our church and the kids loved seeing Santa. Colton had no issues sitting on his lap, but Nora held onto mommy with a death grip (even though she kept pointing to him and saying "ho ho ho") so mommy had to be in the Santa photo.

The munchkins playhouse arrived and they are loving it! Colton's new favorite thing to do is run into the back corner when somebody wants him to come to them because he knows we can't reach him there. He especially likes to do this when mommy wants to change his diaper or it is nap time. Nora's favorite thing to do is have Grandma (or Mamaw as she is calling her now) get in the playhouse with her and then she won't let her get back out. Any time mom tries, Nora will push her back in.

I managed to fix another meal that was apparently plate licking good. I fed the kids chicken casserole a while back and Colton proceeded to lick his plate clean while saying "Mmmmm". Last night we fed the kids spaghetti and meat sauce. They loved it and both proceeded to lick their plates clean. Boy did they make a mess, but they loved it. It was tubby night, so we didn't mind the mess.

The last pic is of Nora playing with "Aunt" Lauren's sunglasses. She had the best time with them!

Wow!

I was sitting here thinking about how, on Wednesday, Andy and I will have been married 3 years. 3 years and I am pregnant with our 3rd child. Wow! I can't believe how lucky and truly blessed I am (even amid all the chaos!)!

We have sick little munchkins again. I took both of them to the doctor today. Colton has had a runny nose and today it went from clear to yellow/green and he is all congested. Nora just started with the runny nose. Turns out Nora has a cold (but the Dr. wrote me a script for antibiotics in case she doesn't get better) and Colton has a sinus infection. Poor guy takes after his mama.

I'm sure the lack of sleep isn't helping, but boy are my hormones really out of whack with this pregnancy. I've teared up and cried at the weirdest things: the movie UP!, a commercial, a music video...the list goes on. I don't remember being nearly this bad with the munchkins.

I don't know where this year has gone. I have 18 days left in my 20s. Unlike a lot of people, I am looking forward to my 30s and can't wait. My 20s were so good to me, especially the last half, that I can't wait to see what my 30s have in store for me!

There are only 32 days left until Christmas! We ordered the munchkins big gift. It's a Little Tikes Endless Adventure Tikes Town Playhouse.

One side is a school house, one is a gas station, one has a basketball hoop and soccer net, the other is a grocery store. We think it will be a great toy for inspiring imagination play. I think Andy and I are more excited about it now than the kids will be. I also like that it is something that will grow with them and the next one can use too. We got them a couple other small things and they are getting a bunch of clothes (that they would be getting regardless of whether it was Christmas or not). I'm not sure what all we will wrap for them of the clothes. They have so much fun opening packages, but I don't want them to be overwhelmed either.

Well, we've decided to bite the bullet (I was ready a while ago) and we are looking at minivans. We are debating which kind. I love the Toyota Sienna, but I honestly haven't really looked at any others. I've been really happy with my Toyota and love the dealership that I deal with. Andy figures we will get one the end of December or in January. We'll let you know what we decide on!

Full of surprises!

As my dear auntie pointed out, it has been WAY too long since I have updated my blog. Life has been chaotic and full of surprises in the Dickerson household. The munchkins are growing like weeds and getting into everything. They are both getting better about signing and have started giving hugs and blowing kisses alot more. They had a blast trick-or-treating for the first time. Nora had the routine down after 2 houses and would get really excited as we started to approach a house. Colton decided towards the end that he wanted to sit down on one of our neighbor's porches and start going through his bucket. Here are some pics of them all dressed up:

The last 2 months have also been full of surprises. Some surprises you just have to see to believe, and even then you still aren't sure you believe it. Take a look at the picture below and you might understand:

Are you sure you are ready???

Positive?

Wait for it....

Yep, we thought we were done with 2, but apparently God had other plans for us! Nora and Colton are getting a baby brother or sister. I just had an ultrasound this morning. We originally thought I might be 10 weeks and due May 31st, but turns out I am only 8weeks and 1day and due June 13th. We will know more when I see my OB next Monday. After all we went through to have Nora and Colton, this pregnancy definitely came as a BIG surprise, but you can't get a better surprise than this! Now you know why it has taken so long to post. I don't think I could have written anything without spilling the beans! (Do you forgive me Aunt Margie? :-))

No new pics yet

Yes, I realize it has been a while since I have posted. We have had A LOT going on and probably will until after we get back from Tennessee next month. We think my computer has a virus, so I am not downloading pictures to it until it is fixed and am currently using Andy's since mine won't let me online.

Nora and Colton are both running around like mad now and climbing on everything! Nora has 10 teeth and poor Colton still only has 5! He is trying like mad to cut some threw though.

Unfortunately that is all I have time for now. I will try to update again soon!

Munchkin Moments!

If it's not one thing, it's another!

Life at the Dickerson household has been quite chaotic lately. Our air conditioner decided it wanted to stop working on Thursday the 11th. Thankfully, it wasn't too bad outside and our house is equipped with a whole house fan, which works wonders! Well, unfortunately, we weren't able to get our new system installed until Friday the 19th, which wouldn't have been hateful if it wasn't for my allergies and asthma. I had a lot of running to do on Thursday, which was one of the hotter days and apparently closed up the house at the right time because it stayed a comfortable 75 most of the day. Friday, I took the kids the my in laws, where they stayed until Saturday evening. We all ended up spending the night there. They started to install our new HVAC system (we replaced all of it since it was original to the house) a little after 2pm. They finally finished at 12:40am on Saturday. I am very thankful they were staying until it was done! We now have a very comfy house again!

Saturday, Andy and I got to do something we have not done since well before the munchkins were born. We got to go out to eat ALL BY OURSELVES!!!! Now, we are not big on going out to eat, but I must say, it was a very nice and much needed treat! We also stopped at a second hand store and bought the munchkins some extra swimsuits since our pool is now a very nice temperature and we have been getting in it alot. They had all of their swimwear 50% off. We purchases Colton 4 suits, Nora 3 suits, and a life jacket, and it was under $15! Can't beat that!

Both of the munchkins had been a little fussy and not themselves the last few days. At first we thought it was from being without the a/c, not sleeping well in the heat, and then also being at my in laws and just off schedule. Well, last night Colton didn't really eat dinner and was very clingy. The boy normally doesn't sit still, so I knew he wasn't feeling well and he was running a low fever. Then Nora was really whiny. So I decided after they got up this morning and weren't acting right or eating well that I should take them to the Dr.'s. Turns out Nora has a double ear infection and Colton's left ear is infected. I am hoping after their doses of medicine today, I might finally get a good night's sleep again! Keeping my fingers crossed!

Yay!!!

Besides Mama and Dada, Colton said his first word today! He said "Yay!" This morning, we had both Nora and Colton playing in the Rec Room. Colton was walking around and playing with his toys when all of a sudden he started saying "Yay!" to himself. Not surprising since he hears us saying it to them when the do something new. Just thought you would all like to know!

A walk on the wild side

So I have been really bad about updating. My apologies! As many of you know, we were extremely busy getting our house and yard ready for my parents' surprise party. That was pretty much all we were doing and I obviously couldn't blog about it since Mom reads my blog (and has been harassing me for not updating it)! She wants new pictures. Don't worry Mom, you'll have some by the end of the blog.

Let me just say how happy I am that my in laws live so close and have a basement. Andy and I were just discussing how there have been more tornado warnings near us since the kids were born than in the entire time we have been together. It's nuts! Sunday evening/night, I think the tornado sirens went off here 3 times and then yesterday we were watching the news when one of the reports was saying that rotation and a debris cloud were spotted on the leading edge of a storm not far from us and that he thought he saw something on the ground. Needless to say, we grabbed the kids, loaded them in the car, and high tailed it up to the front of the neighborhood to Grandma and Grandpa D's. We have determined we need to clean out under the steps and have some emergency supplies in there, just in case. Here are some pictures of the hail we got:






In munchkin news, Colton is now walking!!! He is so proud of himself too. He's now started walking with his hands in the air (as if he is doing "so big"). It's too cute! One of his new favorite things to do is to climb on top of their picnic table (pictured below) and stand on it. Problem is, he hasn't figured out how to get down without falling off. He'll learn eventually.

Nora is dying to walk. She keeps having me help her walk to me so she can dive into me like Colton does and get praised. She loves it.

Colton got his 2nd hair cut just before my parents' party. It is growing so quickly! We are just letting Nora's hair and bangs grow out for now.

May 17th was a big day for our family. We officially became members of Southminster Presbyterian Church and Nora and Colton were baptised. Their baptism took place during the 8 am service and they did great. Andy said it was the first baptism he's been to where the child being baptised didn't cry. Heck, they both wanted more water to play with!

They also are both no longer taking bottles (Yippie! No more formula!) and are eating what we are eating. They both love berries! Colton is comical and practically pounces on them when you put them on his tray. You would seriously think we never feed him by how he eats! He is so messy too. Nora is dainty and meticulous in her eating. It's so funny how different they are!

Writing this blog today has made me realize I need to get some more pictures! Homework for myself. Hopefully I will get some new ones posted this week. For now, here are 2.

Can you tell they like their picnic table?!? They put themselves there!

A year ago today

A year ago today, life as I knew it changed forever. After years of wondering if I would ever become a parent, I became the mother of a daughter and a son within one wonderfully terrifying minute. We had travelled down a rough road to reach this wonderful moment. We wanted so much to hold a baby in our arms. We went through months of medicines, test, shots, and procedures to fulfill our dreams. Little did we know our dreams would be fulfilled bigger than we had imagined. We weren't being blessed with one baby, but with two.

It seems like yesterday when I was being rushed into the operating anticipating our first meeting. Even though you were 6 weeks early and I knew what problems could arise from you being so early, I was overwhelmed by a strange sense of calm and relaxation. They brought you both over for me to see you for a brief moment and then they whisked you off to the NICU. I never thought I could love someone so much!

Our first year with you has been filled with joy, worry, sleepless nights, love, stress, patience, giggles, and smiles. I have loved every minute of watching you grow, change, and learn new things. Some days I feel like I am living a dream, and I am. I can't remember, or imagine, life without you. Happy Birthday my little ones. Mommy and Daddy love you both!

Easter

I wanted to share some pictures of the munchkins from Easter and other recent events with you all. They are both doing great. Colton is now standing without holding anything on occasion, only for 15-30 seconds, but it is still on his own. He also has one of his top teeth through and the second isn't far behind! Nora is about to cut hers through too! Enjoy the photos and I hope everyone had a great Easter!

"Helping" Mommy clean!

Our 1st Easter Egg Hunt

Playing with our goodies in our Easter baskets from Grandma and Grandpa Dickerson

Family photo

Nearing a year

Well, it's April. I can't believe Nora and Colton are almost a year old or how much my life has changed in the last year. I've found myself reading my journal posts from dailystrength.org from this time last year. A year ago today, Andy thought it would be funny to call my mom up and play a prank on her. He told her that I was having contractions and we were on our way to the hospital. Little did we know, that night, I would start having contractions. Keep in mind, my due date was May 24th, so even though we knew I would likely deliver early, we never thought I would start contracting so early. Our little ones had other ideas! Christ Hospital became my new home. I even had mail delivered there, no joke! And now, I have two little miracles who are getting into everything and loving every minute of it!

Speaking of getting into everything, on Sunday, Andy was watching the munchkins while I was getting some paperwork done. I was in the room with them, but he was watching them. We hear them behind the chair laughing at each other, which they do from time to time. They just kept giggling for a few minutes. All of a sudden Andy jumps up. He realized why they were laughing. One of them had gotten the box of tissues off of the end table next to him and they were pulling the tissues out of the box, and of course trying to eat them! They had half of the box emptied!

Nora has now pulled herself to standing up. She isn't doing it constantly, but she can do it. And she has definitely mastered crawling! That girl can move when she wants to! Colton has now realized he can flip over his toy tub and climb on top of it to get to things. What can I say, he is his father's son!

Both of their ear infections are cleared up now. I had to take Colton back to the doctor on Monday because he was covered in a rash. Turns out he has a viral rash that is caused sometimes when they have a virus or are getting over one. It's not contagious and looks like it is clearing up already.

They are both loving the weather and going outside and going places. It's comical. They get excited when I bring their jackets to them and when I carry them to the garage door or go to put them in the car or stroller. I'm glad they enjoy going outside or going places. It makes it so much easier!

Our first sick visit...

Today we had our first sick visit to the doctor. Considering they are 11 months old, I think we are doing pretty good! They have both had runny noses and were congested, which I halfway thought was from teeth, but Nora was coughing more, so I thought I should take them in just in case. Well, good thing I did because 3 out of 4 ears are infected, both of Nora's and Colton's left ear! They really aren't acting sick or like their ears are bothering them.

On a good note, I was emailed their pictures from Target, so I can share some of them with all of you! I can't wait until I can pick them up this weekend!

It won't be long now!!!

We are in trouble now...Colton is pulling himself up to stand by himself and Nora's not far behind!!! They are getting around and getting into everything. Nora's new favorite thing to do is to try to climb onto her brother. I think she thinks he is her own personal jungle gym. They are both trying to cut more teeth and are having runny noses and getting a little congested at times, which is making for very interupted sleep for Mom and Dad. Hopefully we will be over it soon!

We are in the process of planning their birthday party. I can't believe they are almost 1! Everybody told me they grow up too quick, but I never thought it would go this quick!

We have forward motion!!!

Wednesday afternoon, Colton mastered forward motion! He is now crawling like crazy. The comical part is that Andy and I noticed for the first day he was doing it, he would stop anytime Nora would start watching him. He's seeming to not care today if she sees him or not. Nora has been getting on her hands and knees a lot more too. It won't be long before she takes off!

Yesterday, Nora and Colton had their 1 year photos done. Yes, I know they are only 11 months old, but I wanted to have their pictures in time for their party and the photographer at Target told me 1 year photos are normally taken between 11-14 months. The pictures turned out amazing! I had such a hard time narrowing them down and I spent too much money, but this is only the 2nd time I have had their photos professionally taken, so I don't feel too bad. There is already one pose I wish I would have ordered one more sheet of. As soon as I get the online link, I will post some of them. They are precious!

1st Haircuts!

Yesterday, Colton and Nora had their 1st haircuts. Colton was long overdue for his. The hair around his ears came to the bottom of his ears. I took them to the Warren County Career Center's Salon. Andy's cousin, Ashley, is going to school there and cuts my hair. They only charged me $1 for each of them. I only had an appointment scheduled for Colton, but we decided to go ahead and cut Nora's too. Her bangs we getting long and didn't want to stay out of her eyes.

Colton enjoyed sitting in the big chair while I got my cape on.

He started out sitting very well, but that didn't last long.

He was too busy trying to watch everything Ashley was trying to do and didn't like when she messed around with his ears.

But we got it done....(I ended up having to give him the camera case to chew on and play with.)

Colton, with his new haircut, and Ashley

Doesn't he look so much older?!

Nora was pretty easy, except that she wanted to keep bouncing on my leg (she was getting excited).

I ended up having to stand up and holder to keep her from bouncing as much.

Obviously, she still moved around. She was loving all the attention!

She ended up taking the comb from Ashley to chew on. She refused to give it up! Now she is looking like a big girl!

10 months already!

Well, the munchkins are 10 months already! I've already started planning their 1st birthday party. It will be here before we know it! So much has changed in the last month and it has been crazy! We spent a long Valentine's weekend in our favorite cabin in the Smokey's with my mom and dad, Corrine and Adam, Kyle and Lauren, and Matt. It was great! Andy rigged up the doorway bouncers for Nora and Colton. It was quite entertaining watching him do it. Here is a picture of how he had to "hang" them up.

Nora and Colton loved that they could bounce and swing. They also loved the new pool house! They got to swim and splash and play in their new pool toys we bought them and falling asleep in the old ones.

We have learned new tricks now too! Nora does "So Big" and claps and occasionally sounds like she is trying to mimic "Yea!". She has been saying "Mama" for a while and has just started saying "Dada". She is also starting to wave, with both hands at once. She has also FINALLY cut two of her bottom teeth! She still has not mastered rolling from her stomach to her back, but is getting close. She will get on her hands and knees on occasion.

Colton has been saying "Dada" for a while. He gives Andy "high fives". He, too, has finally cut at least one tooth (he won't let us look, but you can hear and feel it hit on silverware). He is "crawling" backwards and, just the other day, figured out how to go forward! He hasn't mastered it yet, but it is only a matter of time. He also just started sitting himself up! I walked away for a moment this morning while he was on his stomach and came back to him sitting up in a completely different location! Lord help me! He will be into everything before I know it!