here we go again

As usual life has picked up speed as is the norm during the holiday seasons! I feel like I've seen my suitcase more in the last month and a half than in the previous 9 combined. We went to  Pumpkin fest, Niagara Falls, Homecoming at MVNU and Thanksgiving. I'm ready to be home and have a normal schedule instead of catching up on laundry and packing it again!

MVNU Homecoming



Thanksgiving





Addiston is still crazy cute and smarter than I want her to be at 2 1/2 years old, She's getting back into the potty training thing-probably because she loves her Disney Princess big girl panties! She's discovered she's strong enough to open the fridge now and gets her own sippy cup and snacks. Sometimes she pulls the wrong handle and opens the freezer!



Isabella is growing slowly but surely and amazes me at how easy of a baby she is but I don't want to jinx it so knock on wood! 



I'm done with shopping and wrapping, the halls are decked and we've enjoyed plenty evening fires, Church programs are half complete (Isabella still has to play Baby Jesus twice this coming sunday!) there are a few fun little things I'd still like to squeeze into this happiest season of all, (gingerbread houses or trees, cookie baking, and snow angels-if the south ever decides to recognize the season formerly know as winter) Cards still haven't been sent and travel plans have yet to be finalized but we're getting there.

decking of the halls



Addiston's first taste of hot cocoa


(she wanted to "taste" it about 10 times)

The Lighting of the Christmas tree downtown



Church Childrens production



Addiston was Mary


excuse the horrible washed out lighting, spotlights ruin my very meek photography skills!

Last week Addiston caught the stomach bug that seems to be making it's way through every family we know and she was nice enough to share it with me. We've both been feeling a little punky since but are on the mend. Friday night was our Sunday school christmas party to which I owe Jared props because he did 80% of what needed to done to get ready since I was bed ridded most of the day. Needless to say I pushed a little to hard trying to host a party when I wasn't back to capacity yet and saturday morning resulted in no motivation to do anything (even pour a bowl of cereal) so we finally used the IHOP giftcard my grandma sent us for our anniversary and went out to breakfast! On the way home there's a holistic pet supply store and they just happened to have an animal rescue in the parking lot hosting a pet adoption day. Since it was a redlight and we were sitting there scouting out all the cute puppies I convinced Jared we needed to go look at them. Against his better judgement he pulled a U-turn and long story short, Addiston got an early Christmas present!



but if you ask me he was excited too!



We've named him Roman and he's doing great so far! Wish us luck, because something about a 2 year old, baby, and a puppy just sounds a little crazy!!

I need a bubby

When I was younger we lived in a cute little suburb in downtown Harrison! There was a sweet family that lived next door with a daughter my age and a boy about 5 years younger than us! We called him bubby, I'm not sure why but I do know that until I was in middle school I didn't know his real name! Anyway bubby used to come over and kill bugs for my mom when my brothers and da weren't home!

So it's half an hour before Jared is due to be home. There is a huge bug in my downstairs bathroom. I called Jared to see if he could come home early which I know he can't because he takes the train downtown to work so we blockade the door and hope the creepy crawly creature doesn't escape downstairs bathroom.

Fall Leaves

A few days ago we took our annual leaf pictures! We have a HUGE tree in our front yard that likes to cover our front yard at least 3 times during the fall season and I just love the colors so I can't resist!








I just love Addiston at this age. I wish I could bottle her up! She is so smart that I can't seem to keep up and don't know what to teach her next! She's getting more and more independent and sometimes I swear she's entering her teen years. When she's playing alone in her room and I check in on her she says "it's ok mama, I'm doin nofin!" She is such a sweet big sister and I love how excited both of my girls get when they see each other! I can't believe they're mine, I feel so blessed by them and pray that I lead them in the right direction!

4 months and shots all 'round

Yesterday was Isabella's 4 month Birthday! She's so sweet and seriously the easiest baby! I don't want to jinx it and I know that it's all relative but she sleeps through the night. Eats on an amazing schedule that can be easily altered with little repercussion and travels like a champ! She does like being held but she's totally fine in a bouncy seat or on her play mat! 

She puts everything in her mouth, her hands, her toys and whatever her big sister "shares" with her. I went out and bought my new favorite thing for her. It's called chew beads and it's a necklace that I wear that is actually an teething toy for her. It doesn't look babyish at all, it's black and grey, BPA free and dishwasher safe. I don't have a picture but it's a beautiful invention and I would recommend it to any mom! 

Today we had her 4 month check-up and she's growing slowly and steady! She's in the 60% for height and 8% for weight! Long and lean just like her daddy and big sister! She had to get shots and when we went as a family because I can't handle when one of my girls get shots so I make Jared hold them during then I swoop in a save the day (in my head at least) Well when Addiston heard that Isabella had to get a shot she demanded that she needed a shot as well, and as any mother knows kids don't often ask for shots so when they do you oblige! I asked our nurse to look up her shot record and see what she  was able to get since she technically isn't suppose to get shots again till she's 3. She was eligible for a hep B shot so a hep B shot she got! only a little yelp, no tears and then it was Bella's turn! And now they have matching pink band-aids on their right thigh. 

Lunch with Daddy

When we moved to Nashville 3 years ago we anticipated moving back to somewhere in Ohio in 3-5 years. We often talk about this fact and are still very unsure where we will end up. We just know that our Nashville story isn't finished yet. We jokingly keep a score card for Nashville vs. Ohio and today I think Nashville earned a point or two!

Today my favorite food truck was a block from Jared's office downtown so the girls and I decided to meet him for lunch. Addiston was so excited to see daddy in the middle of the day and it was absolutely beautiful (70 degrees-in November) so we found a good spot on "the green" by a fun fountain and enjoyed some gourmet grilled cheeses!



All the business men got a kick out of Addy yelling how excited she was to see daddy and the "mountains"-fountain and get lots of grilled cheesy's! And I might add that whoever thought to put pumpkin in a grilled cheese is on the short list for my new best friend!

She likes to cheers anything that matches; cups, napkins, toys, and apparently sandwiches.



After we ate I decided why not play in the fountain so we had fun splashing and trying to grab the water and running through when the water was low!


(excuse the yoga clothes I had a self defense class this morning-I usually don't rock the workout clothes outside of a gym!)



Addiston loved playing in the water but was a little intimidated to go by herself. she prefers "flying" through the mist with mom or dad.


After half an hour of playing in the fountain someone got brave and decided to run through on her own

we may be a bad influence as a family because a few tourist families' kids tried to get in on the fountain action and got a swift scolding to step back! OOPS! Sorry we like to have fun with our kids!

This little one was so good the whole time, she just sat in her seat and cooed and smiled!


Nap time was approaching for the older girl and the little one needed to eat so we had to tell the daddy goodbye but not till after a quick stop at my favorite coffee shop!



+1 for Nashville