The Holleman House: 2009

Friday, October 16, 2009

Friday Flashback - Boy or Girl?!

I stole the idea of "Friday Flashbacks" on another blog. She was behind on blogging and decided to use Fridays to catch up on important things that had been passed by - whether it be years ago or just days ago. So I thought I'd try to do the same on Fridays. I don't think I'll have any problem finding stuff to post on Fridays.

Here's one I've been meaning to get up for a while...

On Sept 8, I had my 20 week sonogram where we could find out the gender of baby #2. We wanted to find out, but I thought it would be fun to have the sonographer write down what we're having and put it in an envelope. Then we would open it later that day at dinner with friends. I'm not sure where I came up with that idea, but I liked the thought of celebrating with good friends as opposed to a stranger. (no offense to the sonographers out there)

So Jason and I enjoyed every minute of the long awaited sonogram, capturing each movement and looking at baby #2 in amazement. Jason kept trying to sneak a peak and swore at first look at the baby that it was a boy.

I went into the appointment thinking it was a girl. My assumption was based on how I felt this pregnancy. First of all, very different from Preston, and not nearly as sick. Which was a huge blessing, but still - different. And the cravings I've had seemed to match up with all my friends that were having girls!

The sonographer turned off the screen at one point so she could take pictures of the gender "evidence" clearly and filled an envelope with a note and lots of pictures! In that moment I wondered what in the world we were thinking by waiting?!!

But wait we did, and it was so worth it. We had invited some close friends (and their kids) to meet us at a restaurant where I had reserved a room. We set up a kids table and adult table. I went ahead and put the party favors out on the tables...bad idea. Don't give children free access to pink and blue jelly beans. Let's just say they were gone before the meal came. I'm sure the parents loved me!

We ate dinner (well I nibbled out of pure excitement) and then Jason told the story of our first sonogram experience with Preston. Long story, but let's just say they told us we were having a GIRL!

We asked everyone to hold up the Hershey kiss color that corresponded with what they thought we were having...(blue for boy, pink for girl) and then

I quickly opened the envelope to find a note saying "It's a BOY!" and pictures that clearly credited him with being a boy! ;)

I was shocked, but thrilled. We feel beyond blessed and can't wait to meet baby boy! I could not have asked for a better way to find out what we're having. It was such a joyful evening - one to remember for sure!
Here's some pictures of the night:

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

School Days

Preston started school last week. (MDO) He seemed to do great. When I dropped him off the first day he ran to play with the trucks and never looked back! With his birthday being in May, he's one of the youngest in the class. Most of the other children in the class are potty-training. I'll be interested to see how this rubs off on him. At home Preston has shown no interest in it...to the point where I was just going to wait until bebe was here and settled before I started that adventure. But after 2 weeks of school now his teachers have said that he's really trying and watching all the others go on the potty is very intriguing. Enough potty talk, now pictures...

A little gift for his teacher on the first day

Got some new kicks for school

the classic 'first day of school picture'...he wasn't interested in smiling!

Sleepy boy...he's not exactly a morning person! ;)

And last but not least, I'm including a link to a post I read. It's about ceremonies and traditions (i.e. starting school) and so much more. It's encouraging and convicting...I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Here's a little excerpt:

If we chose to "exult in monotony," to embrace habitual ceremony, would we be inviting the same God who instituted the observances of feasts, temple ceremonies, the service of communion, to be our strength too?

Perhaps the repetitiveness of ceremony does not stifle the Spirit, but ceremony invites us to regular meeting places, places to commune with the Spirit.

Preston's birthday

As I said in this post, I have a lot of catching up to do! One of the events I wanted to recap was Preston's birthday. This year we planned a birthday party with a Firetruck theme! We were going to have it at one of the stations in town...complete with a tour and everything. Invitations were sent out, cake ordered, balloons bought, party favors made, etc. We were ready! Then 2 days before we get a call saying we could not have his party at the Firehouse because all public events in the city had been cancelled due to swine flu. :( We were bummed, and thought about just having a party anyway, but it didn't seem the same without going to Fire Dept. So, we might try again for birthday number 3! Hopefully his LOVE for all things Firetruck will stick around!

The best part about a cancelled party for Preston is that he had no idea! ;) So we had some family over to celebrate that weekend. Here's a few pics:

Mimi got you a very cool antique school desk! And you are wondering why I am taking your picture?!

Of course Mimi put gifts inside the desk just for you!

You got the hang of opening your gifts!

And you loved trying on your gifts!

I made Tres Leches cake for everyone else, but knew that you would love an Elmo cupcake because you happen to love everything Elmo!

Here's some fun things about you at 2:

You request to watch Sesame Street every morning while you eat your breakfast by saying, "Elmo Please!"

You have jumped up quite a bit on the growth percentile charts....growing 2 1/4 inches in 6 months.

If you fall down or hurt yourself you like to tell me exactly where it hurts so I can kiss it. And if you think I've hurt myself or am sad you will come over to me and pat my back. So sweet!

You love to jump off the side of the pool to us and could do this for hours on end!

Each time you see a Firetruck you shout EEEE-OOOO-EEEE-OOOO!

And just three short months later at 27 months:

You have become quite independent, saying the phrase..."I do it, No I do it!" This happens most often in the car where you want no help into your car seat.

You love to open and close doors saying Hi and Bye and you come and go. You have a much harder time opening doors than closing and I am so thankful for this. I am not ready for you to come and go as you please.

You are always asking what something is or what the name is. So you learn new words everyday and it's amazing to hear you repeat things that I didn't even know you knew.

When you count out loud you like to go back and forth between 2 and 3 over and over.

When you see that Bella's bowls are empty you pick them up and help get her more food.

Our car rides consist mostly of spotting planes, diggers, and buses...where you ask each time if we can "ride the bus!"

When we pass a Chick-fil-a you like to say "Fries!" and when we pass a Wendy's you say, "Ice Cream!" (frosty). Not because this is what you get each time, but because this is what you WANT each time! :)

Preston, you are loved and cherished and it's a joy to be your Mom!

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Big Boy Bedroom

We survived. After 48 hours of almost no sleep, Preston is sleeping in a "big boy bed!" Here's what he looked like when we told him with great excitement about his new bed. I should have known the night would be long just based on his expression. So after taking turns laying down with him, singing, praying, and more praying he fell asleep. Wow, that wasn't that bad - I thought...then he woke up countless times that night and for the next 2 days. He would not only get out of bed, but also sneak around our house in the middle of the night. We found him in the hallway, playing with toys in different rooms and he even went and got Bella out of her cage where she sleeps at night...I guess he was lonely. Ha! We had to laugh, but then quickly put a gate up in his doorway.
Let's just say we haven't been that sleep-deprived since his Newborn days.

Like I said...not really thrilled about the new bed!

BUT, here's proof that he does sleep. I took this during one of his naps.

Here's the other bed in his room. I have some fun "cow" material that we are going to make pillows out of and put on the beds also. His room has a cowboy theme, but I didn't buy much...it's really just a random collection of what we had around the house. The white shelves are from Pottery Barn and we got them when we got married. I bought the cowboy sheets at Target and the bedding is by Woolrich. It's no longer carried at Target so I bought them off Ebay.

The bed he sleeps in. The bed rail saves him every night! :) or else he would be hitting the floor. I highly recommend them! Curtains from Wal-mart...and were also used in the nursery.

Tea towels I bought in Canton. They were WHITE so I soaked them in a pot of tea to stain them and make them look a little more "antique."

These little windows I got in an antique mall after college.

We had this stool but Jason painted it. Rug is from Target.

Rocking Horse was given as a gift from the grandparents for his 1st birthday...it's also an antique.

Vintage wallpaper that Jason's mom had framed.

A little antique tri-cycle that I begged Jason to find a way to hang from the ceiling. He did so good! :) I just think it's fun.

Book shelf from Ikea...we've used that shelf all over our house, and it's been many colors! ;) I should have straightened up the bookshelf before the pic, but you get to see how it really looks with a toddler! :)

View from the doorway.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Bedtime

I know I have much to blog about (see last post) but I'm feeling sentimental so I thought documenting this milestone might help! ;)

any guesses? No, it doesn't have to do with the shiny thing in his hand.

That's just a pinwheel that he found at my Mom's house and has fallen in love with. It goes with him around the house, in the car so he can let the AC from the vents blow it, and of course to bed with him.

See...he's giving you a closer look!

Back to the point...here's a pic of Preston's own little jumping session. Problem is..he can't have those in his NEW bed! That's right, we are taking the crib out and (hopefully) he will sleep in his twin bed tonight!

I'll let you know how it goes...because as you can see he can get a little crazy! ;)

But eventually he lays down and gets the blanket( night night) in perfect placement! And then he's off to dreamland. I'm praying he does the same in a bed. I mean, he can't always stay in a crib, right? ;)

Assuming I get some sleep tonight..then I'll post some pics of his "big boy" bed tomorrow.

"When you lie down, you will not be afraid.

When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet."

~Proverbs 3:24

Sweet Dreams.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

May & June Recap

I have not posted in so long that it's pathetic. So before we head out of town (again!) I thought I would throw some pictures of our summer up here to somewhat summarize what we've been doing...although it doesn't capture every event...it does make me feel a little better about my lack of blogging.

Preston turned 2 on May 1st. This deserves its own post. But I will go ahead and tell you we did a little celebration with family after his firetruck party got cancelled due to Swine Flu! what?

This summer we've been reading...here he is checking out a book.

My dear friend Amy has been helping me (she's really doing all the work...I don't know how to sew)make some much needed pillows for our couch. we needed to add some color to our living room.

There's the couch with no pillows...see, told you! :)

Trains still keep us very entertained

and sometimes we swing...if it's not 104 degrees outside!

We've been to the lake twice...and these will get their own post too! :)

I turned 30 in May!

And the same week we found out we are expecting a second little one in the New Year!! It was a wonderful birthday present!

As another birthday gift, Jason surprised me with a weekend get-away! This will also get its own post! Can you tell how behind I am on blogging? :(

Preston loves to play at the playground down the street!

In May, we also had to cut down 5 of our pine trees. I'll post more on this too!

I had my first Mooyah burger experience. It was quite tasty I must say!

We have swam A LOT this summer. It's been HOT. Most of the time we swim at the gym we belong to, or we swim at friends' pools!

We've been able to fit some "down-time" in too!

Did I mention the trains? Oh yes, morning, noon, and night! Here he is building his own track.

We've had play dates with friends. Miss Lily dresses up to ride the pony!

And of course, we've had silly times too!

I better hit "publish" or I will never get this done. Even though I just remembered I didn't post anything about our 5 year anniversary! wow, another post. It's never done! ;)Happy Summer!