Happy Birthday to My Baby!

Happy Birthday to my sweet little Chase. I can't believe you are 2!  We celebrated a few days early this year at Nana and Poppy's house and we had so much fun!  We can't wait to Grandma and Papa to come home so we can celebrate with them too!

You used to be this little!

Now you have grown so big I can hardly believe my eyes.  You like to play with you toys.

You like to open presents (when you are in the right mood).

You love your Mom and Dad.

You love your Nana and Poppy.

You love your aunties too!

You also LOVE cake!  Especially this one because Aunt Boppy made it for you!

And you really know how to bust a move!

Baby Havens #2

We are very excited to share that we are expecting baby #2 around May 17th!!! More updates and details to come!

My Little Guy Lately

I just thought I would post a few pictures that I have recently taken of Chase. I can't believe that he is going to be 2 in November! He is learning to much! He can already:

*Count to 20 (with a little help)
*Say all his alphabet letters and recognize every letter when pointed to.
*Link 3-4 words together to make sentences that we can understand.
*Sing lots of songs! (I think he's going to love music when he gets bigger).
*Brush his own teeth (with a little help sometimes)

His Favorites (at the moment):
*Show- Yo Gabba Gabba
*Food- Banana & Mac n' Cheese
*Stuffed animal- Monkey
*Toy- Balls (Any shape and size) - He likes to throw things... especially things he isn't supposed to throw.

He is such a smart boy! I love him more and more each day. We have been truly blessed :)

Some New Crafts!

I have been working on a few projects lately while the kiddos are napping :)


These are reusable, washable snack bags.


They have waterproof nylon on the inside for easy cleaning.


This is my "On the Go Organizer." It has pockets for everything!




Here is a pleated shoulder bag I just finished yesterday.

Klesick Family Farm

Last Tuesday as I was driving down my street I saw a van drive by with the name "Klesick Family Farm" on the side of it. I thought, "what a great idea to have fresh produce delivered to your doorstep!" I decided to inquire about it and went to their website, www.klesickfamilyfarm.com and I was so impressed with their different options to choose from! They have everything; fresh organic fruits and vegetables, bakery goods, dairy, meat and a lot of other cool grocery items. My favorite thing is their "box of good" which is a box of fresh produce that they deliver to your doorstep. You can even have a box sent to your local food bank. I chose their "small" box which is for a family of 2-4 people. It was full of so many delicious things that are in season right now.

I have to say that I was so impressed by the amount of food and the quality. Here is what I received for $24:

2 plums
3 peaches
3 starkrimson pears
an avocado
a lime
a head of garlic
a large bunch of carrots
2 large heads of broccoli
cilantro
green onions
a bunch of tomatoes
and a loaf of sourdough wheat artisan bread (which they included as a thank you for trying their products)

It all came in a cardboard box that they reuse, so you just leave it on your doorstep on the next delivery day and they pick it up! Everything that I have tried so far has been delicious! I highly recommend trying them out. I will be ordering again soon!

Naptime is Craft Time

I have been having way too much fun crafting lately. As soon as the kiddos are down for a nap a break out a new project to work on. I have been making accessories of all kinds: necklaces, earrings, hair pins and purses. Check out my shop at Etsy.com and see if there is anything you like for yourself of a friend! You can click on my link at the right side of my page. My goal is to have a booth at the Edmonds Farmer's Market next summer to try and sell some of my crafts. Here is a headband I just made yesterday :) I used a polyester/nylon mix fabric to create the flower, and I sewed it securely to the elastic headband. Sorry for the bad picture quality, but you get the right idea :)

Exciting News!

KYLE GOT A FULL TIME FIREFIGHTING JOB!!!

We are so excited! After a very long year for both Kyle and I, he finally landed a great job with the Bainbridge Island Fire Department. He starts May 3rd! We really couldn't be more thrilled!

Mmmm... Cookies!

Since I have been working from home, I have had more opportunities to bake (and eat)! I have the little kids on the same nap schedule so sometimes I have a little time during the day to make something scrumptious such as these...






These are macaroons that I found in my Taste of Home cookbook. I thought it would be pretty and tasty to add some chocolate too, because who doesn't like a little chocolate?

Here is the recipe for anyone that wants it:

1 1/3 cups flaked coconut
1/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 egg whites
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

*In a small bowl, combine the coconut, sugar, flour and salt. Stir in egg whites and vanilla; mix well. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto greased baking sheets. (I used parchment paper).

*Bake at 325 for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

*Makes about 1 1/2 dozen cookies.

* I melted some dipping chocolate in the microwave and spooned it into a plastic Ziploc bag. I cut a small piece of the corner off so I could neatly squeeze the chocolate on top of the cookies.


NOTE: IF YOU DON'T LIKE COCONUT, DO NOT MAKE THESE COOKIES!

Bainbridge Island

Katie and Josh came to visit for a few days, and since Saturday was so beautiful we decided to go on a day trip over to Bainbridge Island.




We thought the reflection of Chase's balloon complimented Josh's sunglasses very nicely.


Chase was really enjoying the ferry ride. He especially liked drumming on the table.




I wish my camera could better capture the beauty that is the Seattle skyline. I always forget how pretty it is since we don't come to Seattle often.


There was a cute shopping center on the island, and Chase got to see a real bunny at a children's clothing store. He wasn't too sure what to do with it!


He got a balloon too! He was playing peek-a-boo with grandpa.


Boo!


Awwww!


Here is a recent family photo. Not the best, but it will do!

Over all we had a really nice time. My only complaint would be the hundreds of high school students riding the ferry to attend a dance in Seattle. I was shocked that every single girl (except one) was wearing a VERY short dress. They all looked so uncomfortable!

Chase loves the lake!

We took Chase down to the lake yesterday afternoon to play for a few minutes. Kyle showed him how to throw rocks into the water. (They didn't go very far). He thought this was very fun!




Then we found a stick, and Chase thought it was even more fun to hit the water with it.


I just want to get one thing clear... My son does NOT have a rat tail, even though it may look like it in this picture. He just has thick hair on the back of his head and really needs a hair cut!

Lundeen Park

While it is so nice to be working at home, I haven't gotten out of the house much. So yesterday after Kyle got home, we went to the park near our house to play for a little while. It was fun to see how Chase was climbing all over the toys and sliding down the slides.

Crafting time!

For those of you who know me well, and probably even those of you who don't, know that I LOVE to craft! I was lucky enough to get a Cricut Expression for Christmas this year from my family, but the lack of time and money have kept me from crafting as much as I would like. I did have the opportunity to do a Valentine's Day card making activity with the Young Women at church and it was so much fun! I forgot to bring my camera that day so I could take pictures.

I also made a bunch of these little fairy wands for some little girls that I know! I thought they turned out cute!

New Beginnings

This week was the start of new jobs for both Kyle and I. Kyle is now working for Tri Med Ambulance which is based out of Kent (kind of a drive, but I guess it's not too bad for a 24 hour shift), and I am now watching Sophie (13 months old) full time at my house. It has been a good week so far. I have really enjoyed being at home, and I know Chase really likes it too since he gets to play with his own toys and sleep in his own bed.

I still have an ache in my heart however, because I really miss Maceon and Isabella. I know I will see them again, but I feel like every time I do see them they have grown so much and I have missed a lot. I guess I have a difficult time adjusting to change, especially when I have an emotional attachment to something or someone. Things will get better soon I hope :)

It's been a little while since I posted, so here are a few recent pictures:


Okay... Not the best picture, but I am alone all day with no other adults who can take a picture of me :)

He's so goofy sometimes, and he knows it!

Awww... I love this one, because it is a VERY rare occurrence that Chase will sit still and snuggle for more than 10 seconds.

Happiness

It took a while for me to feel okay with losing my job. I had such a strong attachment to those children, and I really do miss them :( However, I am a very strong believer that everything in life happens for a reason. I feel now that losing my job was a blessing in disguise. I have found a new little girl named Sophie to watch at my home, and she is so sweet!



Not to mention that her parents are great too! I think Chase enjoys being at home, and so do I! The thing we are struggling with now is learning to share toys, and deal with the tiny bit of jealousy that I have seen in the past 2 weeks.



I think it's going to take some time, but this will be good practice for Chase for when he has a sibling.

I have been saving money by not commuting to work, and I just feel really happy and less stressed out. Things are good :)

A New Chapter

I have finally come to realize that when one door closes, another one will open, and a new chapter starts in my life. Last week was very bitter sweet for me. I ended my job as a nanny for a great family that I had been working with since August 2007. The economy has seriously effected so many people negatively, and now it is my turn I guess. It's not like I will never see these people again, but I have experienced so much over the last few years and they have been a part of it. It's very difficult to explain the bond that you develop with children especially when you spend 40 + hours a week playing, teaching, and growing with them.

Now it is time to move on and start something new. I was lucky enough to find a little girl to watch full time at my house! Chase will have a little friend to play with, and we will get to be in the comfort of our own home. I hope that these kids remember me as a positive role model and some one that loves them very much!






(Please excuse my over exposure of pale white skin! This was on one of the days when it was over 100 degrees!)

Teething sucks...

Help! I have a toddler who is getting multiple molars at one time!!! He seems okay most of the time, but every once in a while he starts crying hysterically and nothing I do seems to help. He doesn't want to be held, he doesn't want to sleep, he doesn't want to eat. He just wants to cry :( Poor little guy.

I miss my husband...

It is finally Friday and I'm happy to bring this week to an end because it has gone by so slowly. I think I have seen Kyle for a total of 8 hours this whole week (aside from sleeping time). He has been lucky enough to get shifts at the fire station recently. I'm so happy that he is finally getting to do the job that he has been working so hard towards, but it has been an adjustment for me having him working 24 hours at a time. This week he was scheduled for three 24 hour shifts. So basically he is gone all the time. When he's not at the fire station, he is doing his paper route and working at his grandpa's shop. He works so hard and I love him! I have a wonderful husband, but I wish I could see more of him.

Hangin in there!

Wow it has been a while since I posted to our blog. For those of you who look on a daily basis (aahhemm... Molly Rogers) I am truly sorry for disappointing you. I will try harder, I promise! It has been a very crazy couple of months. Lets go over the highlights:

*Chase had his 1st birthday- My mom made the most adorable monkey cake, which he savored for about a half hour, while saying "Mmmmm, Mmmmm." I think he liked it! My in laws were so kind to let us use their house, seeing how ours is about the size of a shoe box! We had a great time with our family and close friends.



*Holidays- We seriously have the most thoughtful friends and neighbors! I don't think I have felt more blessed in my life. A beautiful holiday wreath left on my front door, an entire Thanksgiving dinner from our church family, a Christmas tree left on our front door step, an anonymous check we received in the mail, and some gifts from "Santa" that were also left on our door step, are all just a few of the blessings we received! Thank you to everyone!

*Walking- Chase started walking about a month ago, and hasn't stopped since :)

*EMT- Kyle finally received his EMT certification and has since started working part time at the fire station.

So there are a few things that have gone on over the past few months. We have been so busy working all the time, and trying to keep up with the fast paced lifestyle of a 1 year old. Hopefully things will slow down a little and we can take it all in and relax for at least 5 minutes.