Annual Santa Pics...

Here's our 2008 Santa pictures. Daxton did not want to sit on Santa's lap, that's why he's sitting with Xavier, it probably worked out better that way anyway. This is the photo we used for Christmas cards this year.
These are the things the kids told Santa they wanted this year:

Xavier- Power Rangers. Xandria- Hannah Montana barbie. Drake- Jungle Fury Power Rangers. When it came time for Christmas, Santa didn't disappoint.

Of course, since it was Ziana's 1st Christmas she had to have a photo with Santa all by herself. Second year in a row that we have had a new baby at Christmastime, and NO it won't happen next year :)

I plan on posting more pics later, when I can get them uploaded!

Pieces of Ziana's Room...

you can click on picture to see more detail

made by my husband :) I LOVE her room!!! It's has an Alice in Wonderland theme. I LOVE the dark pink and black...it has turned out so nice!

These pictures just show a little peek into her room...I plan to take more photos to hopefully show it all, but these are the two things that Nick built for the room. The wall unit is so beautiful and it has so much storage! I got the idea from Pottery Barn Kids...I saw it in white on their website. The only problem was it was $1,000 (!!) and it was only 5 FOOT TALL!! Holy cow, that was crazy!! I showed it to Nick and of course he says "I can make that" and he did :)

The top halves of the cabinets have two doors that open up with 3 shelves in them. The middle section has one shelf. And the bottom halves have two big drawers (they are hard to see in the picture). Under the window is a seat that opens up for some storage and under that is 3 open spots where I have the containers. I plan on getting some pillows to put on the bench...if I knew how to make some I would. Sometime I will get hardware put on the cabinets, but I want to wait because Daxton would really love to pull them open!

Nick stained all the trim in the room black and the crib also.

The second picture is a dollhouse/bookshelf. Same story...I saw it at Pottery Barn Kids, showed it to Nick and he said "I can make that.", and he did :) The picture isn't the best because I had to use the flash.

He also made a doll bed that I used when I had her newborn photos taken.

Nick really wants to get into making custom cabinet/items, it's something he loves to do. He really amazes me with all that he knows how to do!!

Her room is 98% done. I just have some frames I need to fill (ones in the cabinet) and some I want to buy and there is a vent cover that needs to be put on.

In True Xandria Form

So, a couple days ago Xandria came home from school and was talking about a kid (D.), and she was saying how he doesn't like her and was teasing her about a scratch on her forehead...though I didn't see a scratch anywhere. She said she didn't like him. I told her that sometimes if a boy likes a girl instead of being nice to her, he will be mean to her and pick on her and act as if he doesn't like her, but in truth he just really has the hots for her :) She said no that he just doesn't like her. I told her that she couldn't be too sure of that.
We all know how little boys are.
The next day she came home from school and says to me "mom, you were wrong." Wrong about what? "D. doesn't like me. I asked him and he said he didn't like me."
Leave it to Xandria to actually go ask him.
Then she proceeds to say "He doesn't like me. And I don't like him."
That's her. Not one to hold back anything!

She went to the dentist today for a check up. No cavities!! Afterwards, she was supposed to go to school, but she ended up getting sick. I could tell she hadn't been feeling well the past few days...she wouldn't even eat a cookie the other day! She's pretty much stayed in bed...looking at papers and playing with her tic tac toe that she got from the dentist. She hasn't gotten sick since this morning, so hopefully she will be fine to go to school tomorrow...they have their Chirstmas party and I know she wouldn't want to miss out on that.
Well, I'm off to shower since both babes are sleeping and it's almost 4!

Daxton...

is cute as can be :) Everyone says he looks just like his grandpa (Nick's dad). Now has hazel eyes like Drake.

Figured out a couple months ago how to open the lock on the gates Nick made. He reaches his hand up in there, flips the lock up and slides it over, then opens the gate. Nice. He usually won't go up the stairs anymore after he does it, but wants to make sure you know he did it. That boy figures things out so fast!

Has the cutest, cheesiest grin when he wants to be really silly. I love it!! Now he has his 3rd little bottom tooth popped up to join the other two.

Likes to clap....especially when you say "Yay!"

Eats everything...or at least tries to!!

Will give the baby her pacifier when she's crying...though he can't get it in her mouth. He usually just puts it up to her face :)

This is how he touches her...with his one finger. He does it very gently. He likes to rub her hair the most, but will touch her face or hands or feet. It's so cute to see him do it :)

Loves splashing in the sink. Yes, it's probably time he be in the tub, but I guess I got used to bathing him in the sink because when I was pregnant I couldn't bend over to bathe him in the tub. He does take them more in the tub now though. In this picture there isn't even a plug in the sink...who needs one when your tush can do it ;)

This boy can trash the house like no other!!! He also likes to empty his toy box out and put all the toys in his bed. He still eats alot. He drinks even more than he eats...he LOVES his cup! Pacifier when he goes to sleep. Listens and understands what you're telling him. Loves to try and get in Drake's room. Stands up in his highchair when he knows he's not supposed to. Loves to play with mom's cellphone and sometimes calls daddy with it! Loves to play with the toilet and stick things in it. That's all I've got right now.

One Month

One month ago today our little Ziana popped out. I wanted to use this post to jot down the things I don't want to forget about her in her 1st month.

Your big blue eyes and dark hair

Your hair always sticks up all over when you have just recently had a bath.

You have gotten some chubby little rolls on your legs that mommy loves.

That your eyes go crossed. I think it's funny, Daddy doesn't like it :)

Your little foot is the same length as my middle finger. I told Daddy I wanted just one of your feet to put on my keyring, he said it might be okay, since I only want one ;) Love those little feet and toes!

Your first Thanksgiving. You looked so cute in your turkey dress and turkey headband.

The look on your face when you had your first real bath. You weren't too impressed.

• You have your tongue stuck up almost to the roof of your mouth alot.
• You like to make a little o shape with your mouth sometimes and I think it's funny.
• You have a love/hate relationship with your paci. Usually you love it, but sometimes you will push it out of your mouth only to take it a few seconds later.
• You make a uh uh uh sound when you get your arms and legs moving around.
• Sometimes when your fussy, I will put you up on my shoulder and you will enjoy looking around and quiet down.
• You have started holding your head up...mainly when I put you on my shoulder.
• Your face turns BRIGHT red when you cry...reminds me of how sister was when she was a baby.
• You have started drinking 5oz.
• You wear 0-3 months clothing.
• You like big, warm blankets the best.
• Your eyes get big when someone talks to you, especially Mommy.
• Your usually snoozing when Daddy gives you your 1st nighttime feeding, so it takes you longer to eat.
• Just above your tush, you have a patch of dark hair :)
• You are loved and adored by your siblings and your parents!!
• Your nickname so far is Girlie Girlie...well that's what mommy calls you.
• Your hungry right now so I have to go!

Happenings

Not too much has been happening around here. Well, other than feedings, an endless supply of diaper changes, sleeping, bathing, clothing, pacifying, cleaning, laundry, picking up, Christmas present stressing (I never know what to get anyone!), and some bickering thrown in (Xavier and Xandria), being sick sunday and monday, Drake puking. That pretty much sums it up around here. Oh and a certain relative bitching about Nick putting on her screen door...in the inches of snow, nonetheless!
I think I'm ready to get out of the house today. Yea probably. We are going to go do a little bit of shopping done tonight. I'm ready for the fresh air...even though it's cold out! I'm so lucky that my father in law has been picking the kids up from school for me!!! That is great, because otherwise I would have to bundle up 3 little ones to go out in the freezing cold for ten minutes to pick them up. So glad he has done that for me since the baby came :)
The kids were at my parents this weekend and when Nick brought them home on sunday, Drake came upstairs to see me. He didn't look good. I asked him if he was alright and he said yes. Then he went downstairs and got sick on the floor. Poor boy. He was up a couple times at night and just went into the bathroom to get sick...he was in there crying a little bit and I felt so bad for him :( Monday he still felt bad, but if you would ask him how he felt he would say "good." Tuesday he was finally able to eat supper. He definitely made up for lost time!! I was nervous he would get sick, but he was fine.
Xavier has his first basketball practice afterschool today. He's been looking forward to it...I have been a little bit also...now him and Xandria won't be bickering as soon as they get home from school. Those two have really been driving me crazy with that lately!! They are fine with the other kids and everyone else gets along fine, but not them together! I don't know what it is! We've been working on getting it resolved, but who knows! Anyway, it's his first year playing basketball, so we'll see how it goes. He's really excited though!
Xavier also plays Nick's old trumpet in the 5th grade band. His teacher told him he's doing really well with it and he can play Hot Cross Buns.
Xandria still goes to gymnastics once a week and loves it!
Daxton is 15 months old now! It's funny to see him next to Ziana. He's such a monster next to her! He weighs 30 pounds and is 31 inches tall!!
He's busy, busy, but since the baby came he wants loving and to be held alot more :) Before he would never have time for any of that business! I love it and soak it up!! He hollers "mom" when he wants something or sees me...cracks me up! If I don't put pants on him, he will pull his diaper off and it drives me crazy! The boy still has to put everything he finds into his mouth...cardboard being one of his favorite things to munch on!
Well, I need to hop in the shower while both babies are sleeping!

3 Weeks

Ziana turned 3 weeks on tuesday! Monday Nick took her to the doctor for her first check up since leaving the hospital. She now weighs 10lbs 7oz!! So she's gained pretty much 2lbs since she was born...she had even lost 3oz after she was born! I knew she was getting bigger. She's now 21 inches long...she grew 1/2 an inch. Doctor said she's doing great and not to change a thing...not that we planned on it.
Here some things about her at 3 weeks:

• She eats every 3 hours, but at night often will go at least once to 4 hours.
• She loves to stretch out her legs, and when she does she will stretch out her toes also. Too cute!
• She likes to be in the swing, and will sleep in the Moses basket. Daxton hated the Moses basket and would cry just about everytime he was put in it.
• Her cord finally fell completely off last friday.
• She had her first bath in the tub last sunday. She wasn't too impressed with it, but she loves when her hair is washed under the faucet.
• She always has a collection of lint in her hands...not sure how it gets there!
• When she's awake she likes to be held or talked to. I swear the second I leave the room and she's awake, she's crying or fussing!
• She likes to fall asleep with Daddy.

That's all I've got for now...someone needs a diaper change!

This Boy of Mine...

Kisses for baby sister

Reading to baby sister when she was being fussy.

absolutely melts my heart :) He is the sweetest, most loving little guy EVER!! Since I don't have alot of time I will just do a bullet post of the sweet things I love about him:

• He's been SO excited to have a new baby sister from the moment we told him. He LOVES being a big brother!
• He was SO excited when he saw he for the first time at the hospital and was ALL about her...especially her hair! He had to keep lifting up her hat and rubbing her hair, saying how soft it was.
• He's my right hand man around here...always telling me when the baby is crying, giving her the paci, helping me with everything.
• He's very sensitive. If he gets upset, it takes awhile for him to calm down and will often go in his bed with his blanket until he is better.
• He has the prettiest eyes...they are different shades...with green and have blue around them.
• He's into everything his big brother is...that includes Pokemon, legos, books, Bakugan.
• He likes to sit up in his room at night and look at his books.
• When he knows he supposed to be sleeping he will come down to the living room where I am and say how he forgot to give me something. Usually that's a sticker, kiss, or a hug.
• If I ask him for a kiss he will say he's all out, then he will say he only has this many (whatever number he picks) left, and give me all of them.
• He still likes me to sing Rock A Bye Baby to him at bedtime.
• He says how Ziana is so pretty or so cute.
• He will read books to Daxton or Ziana.
• He's always chasing Daxton around trying to give him a hug or a kiss.
• He was the first one of the kids to feed Ziana a bottle and he loves to hold her.
• He never wants to get in the bath, but once he finally does, he doesn't want to get out.
• When Daxton wakes up he will go in his room and give him toys to play with.
• When you asks him what he wants to be when he grows up he says "a dad" and he told me he wants 16 kids :)

I know there are some other things I want to remember, but right now I can't think of them. I will probably come back and add to this list as I remember them.

Our family is so blessed to have him and his sweet spirit. I tell him all the time I want to keep him in a bottle, so that way he can't get any bigger or become a stinker ;)