Getting Crafty.....

A few fun things I've made for Sam and the baby...

** For Christmas 2011, a Nativity Book **

** A onesie and booties for the baby **

** Activity Book for Sam (last year) **

So many other projects I want to do.... need more space to spread out and more time :)

Just random....

 My two children at home :)

Yesterday, a first at bath time for Sam - Way more excitment than mom needed!  I know... gross....

At work, I was SURPRISED again with a baby shower for Baby B - I reminded them it was only necessary for the first baby!  It was very sweet - cake and ice cream, some new outfits, and some very generous Target gift cards.  I brought the extra cake home for my two boys - Sam loved it as you can see!



Christmas 2011

We had a wonderful Christmas in Minnesota this year with the Backstrom family -The festivities started with the annual Christmas Eve dinner at Tom & Bevs with good food, the infamous White Elephant Dice game, and lots of activity! Sam came to life with all the party and festivities and even got "The Wave" going!

Christmas morning we went to church and hung out at home - Sam opened his gifts from mom and dad - some new books and puzzles.  The grandparents keep him well stocked in all the fun toys so we don't need to!

Christmas afternoon and evening we went to Papa and Mema Backstroms for a more relaxed afternoon and evening - Sam got to open a bunch of fun presents from Mema and Papa - he especially LOVES his new farm!

Sam playing with his new toys!

We also got lots of wonderful stuff for Baby B!  A pillow pet, a new fancy outfit, blankets, and gifts from Grandma and Grandpa Vander Stelt and lots of new outfits from Mema and Papa Backstrom and Mary and Dave Clark.  

It was a fun Christmas with family - a lot of low key family time just hanging out at home as well!  I think we wanted to take advantage of some sleep and lazy time before we have a newborn in the house.

Baby B

So, we officially have a date for Baby B #2, 

unless she decides to come early, which I don't expect (yet Bradley predicts)!  January 17 is the scheduled date and I can't believe we are less than 3 weeks away - we are excited and relishing our sleep until then (at least mom is).  

I can't wait to see what Sam thinks of his new little sister and I can't wait to meet her!  He does try to look under my shirt to see the "Be-Be" and will play with my belly button and pat/slap my stomach.  It seems like when he is crying or talking she moves and kicks a lot so I think she'll recognize him as much as all of us!

We haven't taken many Pregnancy pictures, but we have to have at least one on record - Mom at 36+ weeks.

This pregnancy has been similar in many ways to Sam - pretty smooth - a few differences - better skin, more heartburn, and a couple more pounds!  Maybe because I don't have the time or agreeable weather to go on two 3-mile walks a day like I did with Sam :) 

 

 The only baby gear we've added is a NapNanny which mom is SO EXCITED about - Sam loves to climb on it!  It is the one thing I saw after having Sam that I felt I needed / had to have!  Here is Sam climbing in it!

We are also getting a double stroller and have bought some clothing, but we have gotten a lot more hand-me-downs and clothing gifts than I expected. 

Grandma Vander Stelt has made some beautiful blankets for the baby, which we love, and lots of gifts from Mema and Papa Backstrom as well!  We are blessed!

We are still debating on names - stuck between two - I'm having a hard time on this one!  Maybe it will come down to the wire.

Entertainment for the weekend - Big boxes and packing peanuts!

Sam loved helping me open and unpack
a big box of gifts from Grandpa and Grandma Vander Stelt.  He loved carrying the presents around and especially loved playing with all the packing peanuts!  
It was quite a messy ordeal 
but worth all the fun!

 

After cleaning up the mess, the box made a perfect fort!

Sam loving the peanuts in the box!

Playdate with Isaiah

 Sam enjoyed having Isaiah over for an afternoon!

 

Trouble times two!

 Sam "helping" Isaiah with his lunch!

Just chillin

Sam's Favorite Food - Mac N Cheese!

Sam devouring his favorite food - not the best table manners but no help from Targets private brand mac n cheese shapes which fall apart!  The cutest part of the clip is the very end where Sam shows off his "cheesey grin!"