Hello Summer

Natalee and I went on our first trip to the swimming pool today! She had a lot of fun, and I really liked the feeling of not weighing as much as a horse! She HAD to bring her mermaid and had tons of fun playing with her! There is a kiddie area that only goes to 2 ft 6 in (which she can reach in). We met a friend up there, Kristin (who is also preggo, due with a little girl August 4th) and her son...who will be 3 this summer. Lincoln and Natalee get a long so well, we always enjoy time with them. I am super bummed that I forgot to take a picture of the two of them together, to give me the benefit of the doubt...I was sitting in the water and my phone wasn't on me (obviously!). I see this happening again soon, so hopefully I can snap one of them then. Natalee loves the water! She wasn't too sure about mommy taking her into the 4 foot deep side, and was pretty scared...but then I realized, she's never been in water that she couldn't touch the ground in. She did well and let me get wet, but then she was ready to go back to the "baby pool." She had little arm floaties on and pranced around like she owned the place. I love that sweet girl...and I loved how amazing the water felt! Hello summer...Hello swimming!
Krystole

29 Months

My little stinkpot is growing like a weed! I can't believe that she will be two and a half at the end of June!? Where has the time gone? I know I say that about her a lot...but it is still so hard to believe. She is such a blessing to me, and I am really trying to soak in these last couple months with her as my only baby. Sometimes I wonder how I can possibly love another child as much as I do her. I know it will come just as naturally, but that is hard to comprehend!

 
 

 

We played outside in the early morning. The weather was gorgeous. No wind (that never happens!), we were pretty shaded in our yard and birds were chirping away. Trying to get a great picture of a busy toddler is almost impossible. She was literally charging the camera in this one (pictured above)! I love her sweet little smile and big brown eyes.She really loves the porch swing, as do I. She wants me to "push her big" on it. I can't wait to get our backyard in appropriate kid working order and get her a swing set! I know she will love it!

She just recently (thanks to her Grammie) started laying in the grass to look up at the clouds. She always asks, "What do you see Mommy?" I love her little chunky legs and her curiosity.

She has really started singing a lot of songs this month! She loves singing the wheels on the bus...here she is in mid "round and round." She knows all of the words to:

Wheels on the Bus

5 Little Monkeys

Jesus Love the Children of the World

Jesus Loves Me

The B-I-B-L-E

Twinkle Little Star

Itsy Bitsy Spider

There's Just Something about that Name (Hymn)

Oh yes, here are the flower buckets that I got for Mother's Day. We watered them, so I actually remembered to snap a picture! :) Aren't they pretty? I hope I don't kill them...I am not usually the best at keeping plants alive, although I have done better in the last couple years.

Krystole

24 Weeks

So, it's official...I am SIX months pregnant with the sweetest baby boys! I can not believe it! We had a doctors appointment today, and here are the updates:
Aiden is weighing in at a whopping 1 lb 12 oz. His heart rate was 157. He moved the entire sonogram! He almost did a flip, but just couldn't get all the way over. Barrett is weighing in at 2 lb 3 oz. His heart rate was 146. This was the first appointment that Barrett's heart rate was lower than Aiden's (B is usually the one showing off!), this was also the first time they weighed something different from each other. We've have 5 oz, 7 oz and 15 oz.
They aren't too concerned about the weight difference yet, but they did schedule another sonogram in two weeks to check up on Aiden. Hopefully he has put on some more weight, and we can put any worry behind us. The next sono is also the fun gestational diabetes testing! Yuck!
The doctor measured me for the first time...I am measuring 32 weeks. Yikes!! I am technically 24 1/2, so hearing 32 weeks was a shock for me! Oh well, it is what it is...and I already had stretch marks from Natalee anyway. She was worth it...and they will be too. I have gained a total 6-7 pounds, and I think that is pretty good...considering the boys make up at least 4 of that!
They were both moving and wiggling and doing whatever it is that babies do in the womb! It's always so fun to see them. Their heads were together...and they were both laying horizontal across my belly. Silly boys.
Gifts keep flowing in from friends and family. We now have two cribs, two high chairs, two mattresses and two bouncers...and we've only had to pay $55 dollars out of pocket for all of that! God is amazing...and so are our friends and family. It does help that we had one crib and one high chair...but it's just a blessing that we found the other high chair matching and used! YAY! The room is still a work in progress. My mom says she has just about every weekend in June to come down and help, so hopefully I will be showing you some cute nursery photos soon! The bedding finally arrived...but it was sent to my mom's house by mistake! So, I still haven't got to see it! That will all be changing in about 2 hours, because I am on my way to pick them up! I can't wait!! I will post pictures of the world's cutest pirate bedding soon!
Until then, I need to finish packing the van...we are headed to the lake (through Dalhart to pick up the bedding)! This will be our first camping trip this year, and we are all looking forward to it! I will update with pictures and lots of stories (I'm sure) when we return!

SIX months!

Natalee at the doctors appointment.
She said, "Now it's my turn to see baby brothers' in my tummy!"

The first outfits I made for the boys!
I love my embroidery machine! :)

The second little outfits I have made for them!
These say "one month."
I wish I could get further along in this set, but have no idea how big or little they will be!

Krystole

No Place Like Home

Natalee and I came to Dalhart yesterday (for a late Mother's Day present to Grammie) and plan on staying through Saturday morning. I love coming home. Even though my room has been transformed into the "guest bedroom," it still feels like my room. Even though I have Natalee now, whose pack and play takes up most of the bedroom, it still feels so free. There's nothing better than the late nights of laughter or deep discussion that takes place between my mom and I. Those are moments I wouldn't trade for anything. I come home and automatically go back into "kid" mode. It's so nice to have a break and to see the special bond that my parents have with Natalee. We usually eat too much, laugh too much and sleep stay up too late! We watch movies, visit Aunts and Uncles, play at the park and yesterday, we got a snow cone! Natalee ordered her own, "Can I have a pink one please?" First she was saying that she wanted a "princess one," so I clarified..."Oh, a pink princess one?! How fun!" It worked...this year. LOL She is always saying something that just cracks us up. I am pretty sure she is the funniest kid I have ever met.
One of my favorite things to do in Dalhart (besides eating at La Espanola and The Grill) is going over to my Papa's house. He is just a pretty great guy. If you walked into his house right now, you wouldn't find him anywhere. I don't really know why he owns a "house!" He is ALWAYS in the garage and is ALWAYS sitting on the furnace...even when it's 80 degrees outside. His backyard is amazing. He plants the prettiest flower beds you've ever seen. The grass is always super green and mowed to perfection. The patio could use some new patio furniture, but there is a place for everyone to sit. When I was younger, we'd go over to his house for cookouts. SO fun. The whole family would meet over there and we'd spend hours playing in the HUGE pear tree in the yard. Tag, hide and seek, and the water hose kept us busy for hours. I wish we'd still get together like that as a family, it just seems no one has time for that anymore. I am pretty mad that I forgot my camera, because I planned on taking pictures of his backyard to share with you. Maybe next time, I guess. I love that little old man. He is so dear to my heart.
So...Dalhart doesn't seem near as cool as it used to. I am sure every generation has said that...and it actually just makes me feel old to know that I am, in fact, old enough to know what it "used to be like." We drove the drag, and were obviously the coolest kids in town. We went to the movie theatre, that has now been turned into a church. There was nothing (and still isn't) better than a crusty allsups burrito. I have to have one every time I come. The snow cone stands were in at least two places in town...no we are down to one. You knew everyone and everyone knew you, which I thought I hated...but realize now just how special that is. The smell of cow manure didn't bother you, you were just used to it. We rode our bikes every where. The swimming pool was $1 per person...and we were there like every day! 
There's just nothing like a small town. A great place to raise a family, or at least it used to be. So, now you know a few of my favorite things about my little home town. I love this place.
Krystole

Boys Room

So, I totally forgot to mention one of the other best parts of the baby shower (there were just so many!), my hostess gift was the other crib that we needed!! Yay! Now, we have both cribs, and they are all set up in the boys room.

We tried the cribs this way first, which was the way I really thought that I would like...but it really took up a lot of the room.

So, we turned them side ways instead, and I loved it so much more. It really opened the room up, and allowed enough room to fit the amazing chest in between. This will be perfect. Please excuse all the junk...our whole house has been turned upside down because of these boys!
So, let me take you on a little tour of the room!

This used to be the guest bedroom, so we are making some major adjustments! Currently all the windows, doors and base boards are getting a fresh new coat of white paint and new blinds have been bought (YAY, this was the last room in our house to buy the wooden fancy blinds for, can't wait to see them up!). The sheers will go away, and a pirate room will be right around the corner!

This is the worst texture job I have ever seen! How do they expect me to modge-podge sails and cute piratey stuff all over the walls with THIS?! I have hated this texture since the day we have moved in...but it was the guest bedroom, so not exactly first room make over on the list.

Have I mentioned that I uber love my husband?! This isn't a great photo (I have updates coming, don't worry!), but this is the new texture! He has textured almost every room in our house, so he's pretty much a professional. This was some of my mother's day present. I have been talking about this getting done for a couple weeks now. He's such a good hubs. Now, I can walk in and picture those amazing sails on the walls, take that ugly texture! The bedding has been ordered and I am stomping my feet patiently waiting for it to arrive. Jeremy has a little more texture to go, but then he will be done. I however, have a lot more painting to go! So far, I have gotten one out of the three windows completed, and that's not even including doors or base boards! I want this step done soon...because I know that once the bedding arrives I will be chomping at the bit to pick a paint color and get it painted!
Such fun and excited stuff is right around the corner for this room!
Krystole

Mom's Day

So, I haven't blogged in a while, I have been busy with a lot of little projects here lately. I can't go any longer without talking about Mother's Day. We kept it low key (that's kind of what you do on a one income budget!). We got up, went to church and came home. Jeremy cooked a huge and yummy breakfast for me...and technically for Natalee and himself as well. Pancakes, bacon and eggs were on the menu. SO good. I got a new pyrex dish, which to some of you may sound like one of those gifts close to a vacuum cleaner or a blow dryer, but I loved it! Before the boys come, I am really hoping to prepare some freezer meals...like 365 of them would be amazing. In order to do this, I really need more than one pyrex dish! So, the hubs came to the rescue.
 I got the greatest tip from a friend about freezing foods, and thought I would share with you. I have always thought (when freezing food) that I would 1) need gallon sized baggies for the food to be frozen in to or 2) need a million and one pyrex dishes with the lids to store and stack them in. I personally leaned towards option number two, just because it's already in the dish and ready to go straight into the oven. My friend told me to cook the dish in the pyrex, freeze it for a day or so, take it out and run some hot water on the bottom and then the frozen food will pop right out...and store that in a gallon size baggie. Now, when you are ready to cook the meal, it's already in the shape of your pyrex and you can just pop that baby back into its sweet little casserole home and cook! The other plus is that each meal you freeze will be the same shape and will also stack well. This was seriously like the best tip ever. Now, if I could just get some extra time and extra money to start baking some extra stuff...not to mention some extra energy too!
We also started what I think will be a Mother's Day tradition...buying flowers for the porch. Every year, about this time, I get porch envy. There I said it. I am not proud of it, but I just can't help it!! I am so much like my dad in the outdoor area! I dream about the day that we will be able to redo our flower beds (right now they are full of box woods), sand and repaint our porch, tear up the asphalt looking stuff and maybe do some stained concrete and also re-stain the porch swing. This is not even mentioning the backyard, which is pretty much like a desert waste land as of now. I am really hoping to put up a privacy fence and plant new grass by next summer. This momma is going to need a place for the kiddos to play, where I can feel they are safe. There's just something about the flowers that make me feel happy. So, the other part of my mom's day gift were four hanging flower pots! I can't wait to see them grow and bloom. We bought these last year (or maybe the year before) and I just remember feeling like our porch was now located in Hawaii or something. I told Jeremy that I would be MORE than happy to receive flowers or pretty pots or whatever kind of outdoor pretty thing that he could find every year. Now, I have it in writing, so I will be able to show him that we really talked about it!
Anyway, it was a great day. Nothing big, nothing fancy...but just how I like it. Family time, God time and outdoor time...Happy Mother's Day to me. Of course we had a Mother's Day photo shoot...it wouldn't be right of me to miss these moments!

Krystole

A Pirates Life for Me

My baby shower was held this past weekend, May 6th. I am still blown away by the amount of love we were shown. The theme was pirates, of course. It was decorated SO cute. I am so blessed to have amazing friends...seriously, they are awesome.

Here is a picture of the table, decorated like a ship of course. It was SO cute. It had two diaper cakes, with the boys initials on it with treasure glued on and chests on the top. I loved everything about it!!

Here is a picture with my first little treasure. She was excited to go to baby brother's party. She helped open gifts and of course ate lots of goodies, her favorites being the jellybeans. She had to bring her mermaid to the party...I guess it is fitting...mermaid and pirates. :)

A picture of my beautiful mom and I. I am so glad to have shared these experiences with her. She is the greatest Grammie in all of Texas, just ask Natalee.

These were the hostesses with the mostesses. They made it all happen. I love each and every one of these girls, and am SO glad that I have been blessed by them. Three more girls are missing in the picture. They did such a great job making my day special.

They thought of every detail. These lemon bars were SO good...along with the delicious home made cookies and fruit kabobs on little swords! The punch was ocean blue, and tasted so good.

Feast your eyes on this little beauty. I walked in and loved it...and then they told me I got to KEEP it as part of my gift!! I was so excited! I couldn't wait to show Jeremy, because it is an antique (they found it at an estate sale). The stamp date is 1880! How awesome is that?! The detail on the trunk is beautiful. I cannot wait for our little pirates to get some use out of this fun treasure.

Having 16 hostesses, it's a little hard to buy them pearls like I had planned (insert wink), but I did find something pirate-y...gift card to a place called Bahama Bucks (snow cone/smoothie place). I thought it worked perfect as the gift to them, although I owe them so much more!

The sign in table had a cool looking treasure map, my pregnancy scrapbook, a picture of the sonogram, and the sign in sheets. There was also a balloon bouquet, not in the picture, with red and black balloons and a huge pirate ship.

Let the fun begin!! The boys got so many cute clothes! By seeing everything coming out of the sacks in doubles, I was reminded that I am for real FOR REAL having twins. I know, I know...I am already half way through this pregnancy, almost in the third trimester, and it is STILL hard for that fact to set in!

One of the special gifts that the boys received. Hand made quilts with ships on them and their initials in the corner. This was super exciting to see. I love stuff like this. I cannot wait to lay the boys on them!

Double vision is exactly what I had...or so I thought. I loved these outfits! I am a sucker for little footed jammies...not to mention these are little whales, so they go along with the whole pirate theme....extra love. Just a side note, I am also a sucker for themes.

Happiness on a hanger! I am biting my nails already with anticipation of seeing them in these! Our little treasures are going to be decked out in pirate studness.

Just another cute picture of the person who brought me into this world. See how much joy I bring her? LOL I only hope and pray that Natalee have as special of a bond.

The day of my shower also marked 22 weeks! I can't believe it, and I know I say that every time. The boys are beginning to be VERY active and it is starting to get a little more uncomfortable to sleep at night. I figure that is God's way of preparing you for your new little blessing. I might as well get used to less sleep now, because it is coming my way! We have a sonogram at the end of the month, so I don't really have anything else to update on.

Last but not least, a picture of my best friend and I. What would a shower be if you didn't have a best friend to share it with...and write down your gifts because she has awesome hand writing?! (Not the only reason I wanted her at the shower though!)

We feel super blessed and super excited. Third trimester is right around the corner, and our little boys will be in our arms before you know it. Natalee announced her little brother's names at the shower....Aiden and Barrett. We still don't have middle names picked yet, but we still have time, right?

Krystole

So PINteresting

Well, it's Wednesday again...and time for another PINteresting post! In case you missed the last post about it, these are just a few of my favs on pinterest that I plan on doing, when time and cost allow!

THIS makes me so happy. I only have about sixty ten of these lovely storage totes in our garage, and I love all of them. What I don't like is trying to find the ONE that I am looking for (even though they are labeled) in our jumbled mess of a garage. I have tried stacking them, but it never fails, the one I need is on the bottom! SO irritating! I came across this beautiful mess and I plan on implementing this in our garage, once we can actually walk in there. I am pretty sure the show Hoarders is right around the corner for us and our garage...but I swear I have a good explanation for all of it! I can't wait to clean it out. We've been slowly cleaning out our house, and anything we didn't want, we've been throwing in the garage to prepare for a garage sale. So, needless to say....our garage is crap. But one day, I will walk in there and it will be organized...and this little system will be staring me straight in the face. Here's the link:
http://studio5.ksl.com/?sid=5148165&nid=61

These are the most adorable things I have ever seen. They are created from an old t-shirt. I read through the blog, and it didn't seem that complicated. The other way big bonus...you can wear it as a super cute bracelet! So these are perfect for people with our without kiddos. I kinda want to make a feet pair for me. I think they would look cute at the pool or the beach....not that I will be seeing much of either with this big ol' belly this summer! I kid, I kid....the water will feel amazing and I will feel light...two YAY's for the price of ONE! Anyway, read the blog...fall in love...and cut up some t-shirts! Here's the link:
http://www.u-createcrafts.com/2012/03/t-shirt-baby-sandals-by-tutus-tea.html 

This is such a smart idea! I love focusing on the good that children do, and not the bad. I want to get this made pretty quickly. I know we are constantly trying to focus on the good choices that Natalee makes. There are days that I wish she would make a lot more of them, but she is a two year old ya know. As parents, we try to give her the decision making skills that she will need as she grows. When she is in a tizzy, we will give her two choices: "Natalee, you can either pick up the blocks and put them in the bucket like mommy asked you to, OR you can sit in time out for not using your ears to listen. Which choice are you going to make?" 8 out of 10 times, she's ready to make the right choice and carry on with our day. I'd love to have a little treat for her and commend her on her good decision. The problem I see with this idea is finding the balance or limit for the treats. Will she get a treat every time? Do I set a certain number per day? Do I only use it in crazy tantrum times? In any situation, I think it is still a great idea. Oh, and this doesn't just have to be filled with candy either! Stickers, pencils, rings, dollar store raid...imagine the possibilities! Here's the link: http://www.teachingblogaddict.com/ 

I love this "movie ticket" box! As a scrapbooker, I have about fifteen seventy-five of these things stashed in a box. This would be so fun to display in your family room, or movie room as it is appropriately called at our house. When you are feeling very poor and like you can't do anything with your spouse (we know nothing about this! LOL), you can take a walk down memory lane and make an evening of remembering past dates. I don't know about you, but I really do like thinking back on our old dates...I think that still makes us newlyweds or something. This is one thing that wouldn't take up much space, but would be such fun to see it fill up. Cute idea...that's all. There's no link to this one...pretty self explanatory!

Oh my goodness! If our backyard wasn't crap, I would be gathering up some rain boots! This is so cute and would bring a great splash of color to any place that you put it! I personally love it on the fence. I love Spring and Summer. I wish the Panhandle would have more of a Spring though. It seems as though Spring and Fall last about two weeks here, and then we just have Summer and Winter. We've had a ton of rain this year compared to last, so my hopes for Spring hanging in there a little longer are still pretty high. I can't wait to redo our backyard. I love looking at yard ideas on pinterest, there are some definite keepers! I am crossing my fingers that we get to install a privacy fence next summer and then we need some grass. I'd love to say we are going to get roll out sod and have insta-yard in an afternoon, but I haven't checked on prices at all. Luckily, our backyard is really tiny (also a downside!), so neither the fence or grass should cost much at all. Until next year, I will stare at this picture and dream of my backyard-to-be. Here's the link: http://www.recyclart.org/2012/04/garden-boots/

There aren't words to describe how precious this is! I love everything about it...minus the cost probably...canvas pictures are pricey! However, there are tutorials on DIY canvas pictures, so maybe there is still hope for me. I love all the sweet moments. Moments that slip away so quickly. I will say that I am also a picture fanatic! Anyone who is friends with me on FB will agree. I just can't help it. Although I don't plan on doing this in the boys room, I am still in love with it. When you get two babies in the mix, it just gets confusing! Not to mention that above their cribs will be a sail and mast if it works out the way I am dreaming. So, grab your camera...and snap some photos! No link! :)

So, since I mentioned spring, I figured I might as well link you up with spring cleaning tips! I do love that clean smell, but hate working to get it that way! This blog has lots of links to help you accomplish different tasks, easier! Who doesn't want that? Speaking of cleaning blinds, I actually did this about a month ago! I was so proud of myself. It was an all day event with 19 windows...but wow, it really did make a huge difference! Happy Cleaning! Here's the link:
http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2012/03/friday-fun-list-15-spring-cleaning-tips.html
That's all I have for this week...actually I could have posted more, but I really need to get busy!
Krystole

School Bells

So, Natalee started "school" today, out at Boys Ranch, where my hubby works. There is a daycare available for employee children only. We decided now would be a  good time to enroll her. She can make some new friends (only 3 other kiddos are in her class), eat lunch with her daddy, and give mommy a day to herself for the time being. She is only going once a week, I don't know if I could bare being away from her sweet angel face more than that. This will also be great when the boys arrive. I will have at least one day with just the two of them. All in all, I think it is a great decision.
She was so excited to go to school, especially with her daddy. He checked in on her through out the whole day, and called me to update. I missed that little stinker.

When she got home, I asked her how her day was....it went something like this: "Miss Lynn had to tell me no ma'am (while pointing and shaking her finger). A person pushed me and had to sit in time out (true story, bruise under her right eye). I colored a lion, nope, a tiger (brought home a tiger mask she had made). I had cereal for snack (apple jacks, daddy saw her eating). I didn't want to go down the big slide by myself. I played with babies."
I think that pretty much sums up her first day of school. Even though it was sad to see her go, I really did enjoy running all the errands that I needed too, without the loading and unloading of the cute kid. Not to mention my back loved me a whole lot more too. This big oh belly is well....big!
On my first day off, I....got a haircut, bought some new maternity clothes, ran to the UPS store, cleaned the van (like dusted, everything out, vacuumed), tried to take some newborn photos for a friend, but the baby was not having it, went to the grocery store (and could think straight), got me some food that I had really been wanting...and came home exhausted and took a little snooze. I think I might need to keep Natalee home, just SO I don't do that much! I had a great day, and only thought of her four seventy times. Today daycare, tomorrow kindergarten, next week...college.
Krystole