A Little Grown Up

Yesterday I took some pics of Tristen. As I was editing them, this one struck me. Tristen looks like a little man. He's not a baby anymore.....if I blink my eyes I feel as though he will be a teenager, putting on a tie by himself. Wow. Life is already going so fast and it's only gotten faster with children. Little boy, don't grow up too fast :) 

We've been quite tired lately with travels and early EARLY morning clinicals that Aaron has had to drive quite the distance to attend. I've had strange bursts of energy (like yesterday, randomly deciding to touch up paint in my house) but they are followed by moments of extreme fatigue. The internet has been one of the last things on my brain lately but here I am, with a tiny burst of energy, checking in. 

I think my burst of energy is gone though since no other words are coming to me. I think I'll pick up The Help and read myself to sleep....Good night (and goodbye, January! Hello February!)!

When You're a Mother.....

....you don't get sick days. Ugh. We had quite the weekend. Tristen was already sick with a cold so he required extra care but little did we know that by the end of the weekend, we would ALL be sick and trying to take care of each other. We were supposed to visit family this weekend but the flu bug had different plans. *sigh* Not quite the weekend I had envisioned but thankfully we're over it now....I replayed our vows in my head numerous time "In sickness and in health" :) as we tried to take care of each other and Tristen. I only wish Sadie could have taken care of us :) HA!

I hate being sick. Like, really really hate it. Here's to hoping that the flu has officially left our house and we have a healthy week!

Roses & Thorns

Time for another roses and thorns list to recap our week:

Rose: 

It's snowing! Yay! 

Thorn:

Tristen has been teething all week....he has 4 teeth for sure popping through and I think another 2 on the verge! Poor guy!

Rose:

We made a decision about our sonogram appointment! We're going to find out. I have two very different ideas for a shared bedroom based on if it's a boy or a girl so I decided that I really wanted to know! And, we're going to tell people....but, I think we'll wait at least a few days to tell just for fun :)

Thorn: 

On top of teething, Tristen has a bad cold....so sad to see him suffer all week and not much I can do about it!

Rose: 

Due to the sickness, it's been a cuddle sort of week :) I think we've been through all of his books.....two times.....because that's all he wants to do :) We haven't minded one bit! 

Rose: 

I can finally eat three meals a day! Haven't been able to do this since October when I first found out I was pregnant.....I think I'm finally over the "morning sickness" (although, in comparison to Tristen, this "morning sickness" has been nothing! But, three meals a day is still exciting!)..Yay!

Thorn:

Yesterday was SO cold.....I never remember it being this cold in Minnesota when I went to college....but maybe I was too busy socializing that I didn't have time to check the weather? :) But, seriously, the last two years have had BITTER cold days...however, not complaining about this year. If yesterday was the only cold day, I'll take it!

Thorn:

Our pastor is leaving this Sunday....it's always so hard to see people that you admire and love leave. We are so going to miss them :(

Rose:

It's Friday! Hello weekend!!

Cuteness for the Day

Just in case you need a little cuteness today.....

(Photos courtesy of Lindsay Kinnick)

If You Want a Good Deal...

...this is the week to get 'em! I am a major bargain hunter....I have gotten such great deals over the years that it's actually hard for me to pay more than $5-10 for anything (and, I'm partial to $3-$4 things!) I splurge occasionally for important, quality things, but for the most part, I love me a good deal :)

So, I knew this week was coming....THE sale after Christmas. They tease you with the "after Christmas" sales the day after Christmas but this week is when you can hit a jackpot.

Case in point? Old Navy today. 50% off clearance. Try 6 shirts and 1 tanktop and I spent a whoppin' $25 total.  Did I mention some were sweaters for $4 and the tanktops are now $1.24? (Minnesota prices without tax on clothes that is) If you need to stock up (and, like me, saved your Christmas money until now!), Old Navy has some great deals.

I had approximately 1 1/2 hours to shop this morning so I power shopped and headed over to T.J. Maxx next. A few good deals in the baby department but nothing to write home about :)

Target....their huge 70-75% deal is coming (on clothing and toys) I've heard but so far they have kid boots 50-70% off which makes for great deals (and I'm okay if they're not high tech quality since they're for kids and Tristen will wear his a total of.....a few hours) :)

Hobby Lobby (at least in Mankato) has all their Christmas stuff 90% off now....I stock up on ribbon, candles, and any other decorations I find fun. You just can't beat ribbon that is 40 cents :) Although the selection by this time is dwindling, I've still found good deals over the years (CUTE dollar stockings anyone?)

There you have it....how I spent my 1 1/2 hours and I hardly made a dent into mine and Tristen's Christmas money. Love it!

Tristen in his super cute new boots (and new snowpants, hat, and gloves!)

It snowed today....just a light dusting but it was enough to get outside and play in it :) Tristen's getting closer to walking but still needs a little help!! We need quite a bit more snow for a snowman....but seriously that spring-like weather yesterday was gorgeous. I wouldn't mind if it returned :)

Almost Halfway

Today we got to hear the heartbeat of Baby #2.....such a sweet sound. :) At today's appointment, they already scheduled my 20 week sonogram. Wow....for real?? I'm already almost halfway?? Unbelievable. My appointment is scheduled for the second week in February which means we have 4 weeks to decide:

1) If we're going to find out if it's a boy or girl. We've been changing our minds lately and wondering if it would be fun NOT to know this time. Last time I wanted to know for sure...no questions about it! This time....we're not so sure.

2) If we find out, should we tell people? It would be so fun to have our little secret but I know that we probably couldn't go a week without telling family, so....

3) If we find out and tell family, should we just tell everyone then?

I'm thinking it will be either option 2 or 3 and I'm really leaning toward Option 2 (just telling family) but we shall see. :) 4 weeks will hopefully give us enough time to decide.

Onto to other things.....a pic from our Christmas last night! My side of the family didn't get to celebrate until yesterday due to the arrival of sweet Iylah but it was wonderful to celebrate last night! It still felt like Christmas even without a tree, no snow, and 2 weeks after the Christmas season!

Hope you're all having a fantastic Monday and start of the week. It feels like spring in Minnesota and as much as I love snow, I would have to say that I would be totally fine if this weather kept up :) So beautiful and we were even able to go for a walk this weekend :) Love! Happy Monday!

Meeting Iylah

This week flew by. This was Aaron's "Christmas" break and we spent this week relaxing and spending time together as a family. When tomorrow hits, his break will be over and back to work and school it will be! But, during our relaxing week, we were able to meet our new niece! She's adorable! Tristen doesn't quite understand that he has a new cousin and his toys looked way more fun to play with than the newborn baby :) But, they'll be friends someday...I'm sure of it :) Well, that's it for today....enjoy the pics!