Sneak Peak of Jack's 2 Year Pictures!

Thanks Lis with Miss Prissiness Photography!

Hello 2012!

So another month has flown by and we're now in 2012!  It's crazy to think we'll be adding an addition to our family in exactly 12 weeks!!!  December was nuts.  We had stuff going on every weekend and it all included lots of time with family and friends (just like it should).  A couple things I have to brag on because if I don't I'll forget: Jack is getting so big!  He's 22 months old and still my cuddle bug.  He knows all of his colors (red, yellow, blue, green, purple, orange & brown) and will point them out any chance he gets especially when we're playing with legos.  He sings to me every night when we get ready for bed.  His favorite songs are "I love you" and "You are my sunshine".  He loves kissing sometimes it borders on inappropriate (not in the style) just in the length of the kiss and only with Mommy :)  He know Lily is in my belly although doesn't know what Lily is and the other morning he had his head on my stomach and she kept kicking and moving around.  He moved his head a few times but finally he turned, looked at me and said "STOP MAMA!" as if I have control.  It was hilarious!

Save the date: We're having a Mickey Mouse themed 2nd Birthday celebration for Jack on Sunday, Feb. 19th.  Invitations will be sent out in the next couple weeks.

Our wonderful neighbors invited us over for a cookie decorating party.  Colin looked adorable in every picture but this is the only look Jack would give me.  He was more interested in icing his cookies verse posing for pictures for mom.

Oh Patrick...you make me smile :)  He kept this on the entire time!! 

Can you tell we had fun?!!

We had Christmas with Terry's parents and brother on Thursday before Christmas.  I got to host my first holiday dinner and use my wedding china (2nd time in 3.5 years).  I got all the food from Sam's holiday selections and I have to say I will be going that route for future parties and large gatherings.  Totally easy and really good!

This was the best pictures I good get of Jack and his Grandpa and Nana - almost 2 year olds rarely pose for pictures (augh!).

We went to the Braun family Christmas on Friday afternoon at Gigi's house.  Jack got a basketball hoop and it is probably his favorite present.  Daddy and him play with it every night in the basement.

Jack and his cousin Caroline - he adores her and she enjoys bossing him around :)

Jack kissing a mini-Mickey Mouse doll that came with miniature books

Jack helping Daddy open the 'BEST' gift ever - a gorgeous all leather messenger bag that I managed to score a major deal on at Banana Republic.  Terry has only been mentioning that he wanted a leather bag for the past 6 years...I finally found the perfect one (and for a steal)!!!

Cutie patootie!

We went to Kirksville for the Gordon celebration on Christmas Eve where Jack was pleasantly surprised by a puppy!!  No it wasn't for him (it was my brother Ben's gift) but he did have a great time playing with Sparky all weekend.

Jack eagerly awaiting for Papa to finish putting together his new Little People Zoo!

Santa brought him a Mickey Mouse candy cane in his stocking - this was a major highlight!!

Baby Lily update (fun quiz I found online):
How far along: 26 weeks (in this picture - now at 27)
Total weight gain: 17 lbs
Maternity clothes: Yes however looking for another pair of skinny jeans to wear with all my boots
Best moment this week: Working on Jack's big boy room to get the nursery emptied out and ready for Lily's stuff
Movement: Like crazy!  Especially after I drink a large glass of cold water
Food cravings: not really
Gender: girl
Labor signs: no
Belly button: in (always has been even with Jack), it's abnormally deep (tmi?!)
Stretch marks: not that I can see
What I miss: sleeping on my back and my stomach
What I'm looking forward to: a bottle of wine

Last but not least, I finally got a gorgeous camera bag (thanks Ter) to store my prized possession!  I love the hot pink lining.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!

We kicked off our Christmas traditions this past weekend and boy did we have fun!!  Saturday morning we started the day by having breakfast with Santa at Jack's daycare.  He did much better this year (verse the trauma in 2010).  Then we went to Little Gym where Jack actually participated in the para shoot activity.  Up til this point he's absolutely refused - progress people!!  We had lunch at First Watch (my fav) and came home to decorate our tree.  Jack was a big helper and as soon as I gave him his own "Jack Tree" he pretty much left mine alone (yeah!).  Funny tidbit: He'll point at both trees and say "Mama's tree, Jack's tree, Daddy no tree" it's hilarious!!

Just a reminder of 2010

This is a random picture for my dad because he wanted to see Jack in his cowboy boots with jeans (sorry it was taken in the bathroom).

Putting the tree together - yes we're now fake tree people (they're so much cleaner)

I don't think he could be any cuter!!! LOVE :)

Framer!

Can you see him?! He was playing peek-a-boo with Daddy.

Accepting a candy cane from Santa (I'm not posting the Santa pic because it might be our Christmas card).

Each room had a different activity - the craft was to decorate an ornament.  Jack was very proud of his!

One room had face painting but Jack only sat long enough to become Rudolph and then it was on to the peppermint play dough - much more exciting!

Admiring Mama's tree, if you look closely you can tell he's staring at himself in a glass ball.  

Mama's tree & Jack's tree 

My ultimate favorite Christmas decoration - the Willow Tree Nativity Scene (thanks Mom & Dad!)

Jack passed out like this around dinner time because he refused to take a nap on such a fun day (can't say I blame him)

Since neither of us like ginger bread, we decided to make and decorate Rice Krispy Treat houses.

 I personally think Jack did an excellent job on his icing - don't you?!

Last but not least, enjoying Christmas cookies with Daddy before bed time.

Boots & Trains!!

We just got back from Papa & Mimi's house and boy did we have fun!  Yesterday Papa took Jack to the store (my dad owns a True Value Farm & Home) and he got his first pair of cowboy boots!  He strutted around the store for a solid hour as if he owned the place.  It was so funny.  He was saying hi to everyone and touching all the tools, ropes, chainsaws (blades were off of course), etc.  He also picked up a cowboy hat (which is too small because he has a HUGE head) and a toy horse.  Of course my dad was loving every minute and probably would have even bought Jack a tractor if he had asked :)  Then we all went out for pibba (pizza) and Jack got a free balloon at the restaurant.   He did not take a nap at all on Saturday and literally fell asleep at the dinner table.  It was such a great day :)

Today before we headed home, we stopped by my grandparents house (they're in Texas) and picked up my brothers' train table and all their Thomas stuff from when they were little.  This is no ordinary table, my grandpa built this table for Ryan and hand painted the top.  The pictures do not do it justice - it's gorgeous!!  And they are sweet enough to let us have (for the time - it's really Ryan's) the table and trains for Jack's new big boy room.  My grandma had the great idea of setting up the table in his new room. Therefore over the next few months he'll want to play in there and eventually when we move his furniture it won't be such an adjustment.  Smart lady :)  Thank you grandma & grandpa - he ADORES the table & trains!! He was literally squealing as Ryan was putting it together for him.  The two of them spent the remaining hours today playing with it (yes Ryan too) until it was Jack's bedtime.  

It's a GIRL!

We were thrilled to find out last Thursday that we're expecting a baby girl and her exact due date is Easter (April 8th).  There hasn't been a girl on the Tonsing side in a very long time therefore everyone was a bit shocked and pleasantly surprised. Both our mothers cried & screamed - awesome reactions! 

 Help me now - I might need an intervention!  Girl clothing is sooooo cute!!

 This is a dress that Nancy brought over last weekend - isn't it just precious?!!  I have a feeling Miss Lily Anne will be wearing this to cousin Katie's wedding in August.

 We decided on the name Lily Anne since it encompasses both my Grandma Lillian & Grandma Mary Anne's names. The best part was Lily had always been a favorite girl name of Terry's so even though he said he was choosing this baby's name it totally worked out to my benefit too!

 Are these shoes not adorable?!!

 I also got Jack a matching shirt to go with his sister's holiday outfit for next year.

Drum roll....our basement is finally complete after 3 and 1/2 months.

 Family Room

 With a play corner

 Hallway w/the softest carpet EVER and now I wish it was on the 2nd floor in all the bedrooms.  Someday...

 Guest room was moved to the basement away from the kids' rooms allowing privacy & silence in the morning :)

 My favorite part - built in shelves in the storage room

 Guest Bath that also has a linen closet behind the door when you walk in the room

 Last but not least, we had some leftover wood from the main floor therefore we carpeted the stairs but put wood on the landing and it really looks great!