And She is off!

Today we hit 20+ steps. She is so proud that she starts clapping as soon as I praise her. Evan asked if she can talk yet. He must equate walking with talking. I think I'll be in trouble if she talks half as much as Evan does.

The basement was carpeted today. Evan kept telling me this is the best basement ever. He loved being able to run! I will love having a place for the toys. Now we need to get a gate for the bottom of the stairs and install one at the top. The one on the top is so I can leave the door open and Evan can play down there alone and the other is to keep Sara down there when I'm down there. We still need to move the treadmill and possilby gate that also. Marc will help me move it this weekend. No more exercise excuses!

We had Evan's third birthday and it was a blast. Our house has turned into a train station and we have every Thomas train imaginable. He loves them and spends so much time playing with them. They are his imaginary friends. At the end of the party he had a very sad look on his face and told my Father in law "Grandpa you didn't give me pankings" Grandpa didn't understand. Once we translated to spankings, I told Evan he had to bend over so Grandpa could give him his birthday spankings. He grabbed the edge of his train table and Grandpa gave him some birthday spankings. Never in my wildest dreams did I think my son would ask for spankings! Marc told him all week that Grandpa was going to give him spankings. I wish we would have had it on video.

First Steps

Sara took a few steps today. She went from standing alone to walking to me and from the edge of the couch to me.

I think I've held my children to much, Evan didn't walk until 15 months, and Sara will be 14 months on the 27th. Thats okay after waiting this long for them every cuddle has been a gift!

Sibling rivalry is setting in. Evan plays in the living room with his train table and the minute he hears Sara on the hardwood floor (our kitchen and foyer) he comes racing out yelling I'm going to trap her. Then he tackles her and lays on her. She begins to scream - probably thinking what did I do wrong? Yet when we are upstairs and they are bouncing on his bed he is mad at me for taking her downstairs. I hear don't you want to play Sara, come hide with me. It is so sweet to see them play happily together.

Yesterday was a tough day. Its been 6 years since we lost Rachel. I teared up a few times, but didn't realize how upset I was until I woke up this morning. I had tossed and turned all night and must have been clenching my teeth. This morning my head, neck and teeth killed. Luckily some Tylenol and Ibuprofren did the trick. Its amazing that day and night play through my head like a movie. I can see every detail, the wallpaper, the tv, the details of the room, the expression on Marcs face and my moms. I can still feel the warmth from her in my arms. Life can never prepare you for losing a child.

I have met a handful of friends that have also lost children. Its not the club we expected to join but these are woman I never would have met, and we share so much. They have been such great support and have become such wonderful friends. The good news is we have all gone on to have children. My Dr. put me in touch with Katie last spring, she had lost her daughter at 8 months. Katie is scheduled for an induction in 30 days and came to visit me yesterday. I can't wait to meet her little Dani and I look forward to play dates in the future. I know the anxiety she is facing this month and pray that it goes quickly and she is holding her daughter soon!

FInal Christmas

Faith Hope Family Religious Christmas Card

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Holidays

Evan woke up looking for Santa. He thought because we put the tree up Santa had come and brought presents. He told me he love Christmas. He has been helping to decorate the tree. So far Sara has been okay and hasn't done any damage. She has pulled a few ornaments off and touched the lights.

Christmas shopping for the kids is done. I still need to pick up a few gift cards and ship out Grandma S and Aunt Teri's gift.

Shutterfly Valentine cards

Love Dots Valentine's Day 5x7 folded card

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sara 6 months

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If you know me well you know I'm a picture junkie. My kids have dozens of photo albums and never live on camera for long. Well Shutterfly is offering free photo cards to people with blogs. I love sending Christmas cards of the kids. Shutterfly is a regular package that the mailman brings to our house. Check out their cards, there are plenty of designs to choose from. I love the Most Wonderful Time card.

Hopefully I'll get picked and you'll be getting one of our beautiful Christmas cards in the mail. Now, to capture the perfect picture of Evan and Sara! Last year we has Sara's birth announcement and Christmas card printed by Shutterfly. Remember when she was this little?

During the year I have made thank you cards, birthday cards and Fathers day cards. Shutterfly often has a promotion where you can get three free cards. I love these promotions!

I am hoping there will be some great promotions like previous years. I'd love to make my in-laws a photo calandar of our family.

If you have never tried Shutterfly, now is the time. They offer fantastic coupon codes during the holidays and its a great way to get some personalized Christmas gifts.