Blahuary

Jackson and Brecken are now being sweet and playing with one another, but they are also pulling hair, taking toys away, throwing toys at each other and wrestling if you can believe it. Brecken is ALL OVER THE PLACE. He pulls himself up then falls to his bum and crawls to then next place that looks fun to pull up on and then repeat.  He pulled himself up on a wood weaved basket the other day only to have slipped and sliced his finger. It bled, and bled and bled for 45 minutes straight! Jackson has never even bled that much. I was mortified. He cried so much because I was putting so much pressure on his little finger, and every time I would take it off it would start bleeding again. I almost thought he might of needed stitches, but I guess that is me being a crazy mother thinking things are worse than they are.  He is so busy but never seems tired enough to sleep for more then 5 minutes. So no, he is not sleeping through the night yet. He is starting to crawl up the stairs and well fall down the stairs. That has happened twice but luckily it was only one or two stairs, and no hospital visits were necessary.

Jackson being silly! He loves to wear socks as mittens.

Poor Brecken after his finger injury. We had to keep a sock on it.

I had a day a couple of weeks ago that I really will never forget. Let me share it with you...

Brecken was up all night long or 6 times to be exact because lately I have been keeping track.  First thing after breakfast Jackson of course had some more bathroom drama. I'm becoming a pro at cleaning poop out of pants.  Then as I'm in the kitchen, doing something important of course, I glance to see where Brecken was.  When I didn't see him, I walked over to the living room/dining room, and the front door is wide open. There is Jack, Brecken and Ziki all out on the front porch. I was mortified, mad, scared...all emotions that you can feel at that moment I felt.  So Jackson took it upon himself to open the door for all of them, and I'm such a dumb dumb for not putting one of those door protector locks on there. We had a play date at my friend Shanna's house at 10:30AM so when we finally got it together to leave the house we were about 30 minutes late. And after 10 minutes of getting to her house Jackson pooped so massive that it was down his legs.  I swear to this day I have never seen so much poop before.  I couldn't even wipe him with wipes. He had to take a bath there. I remeber thinking that this can not be happening right now, but it did. It sure did happen. THEN he was a beast the entire time we were there. I had to take him away 3 different times during the play date for timeouts for hitting, pulling hair and just being naughty.  Brecken of course pulled a childrens standing tool set on himself and made my heart completely crumple because it looked bad. Even though I knew it was plastic and he could not have been hurt that badly, it was right on his neck as if it were choking him. I finaly left with my screaming child (Jack) wearing no shirt because he had pooped it, and since I took the time to run over there we had to run back home with no shirt on and him screaming. We looked classy.  I get home and fed Jackson lunch, and then he took the liberty of getting himself a yogurt smoothie and dumps it out on the living room floor. I thought I might lose it. But at this point it is almost 2pm. I finally get Brecken to bed.  Then I finally get Jackson to bed, and as I'm leaving Jack's room he says...Song mommy Song.. Kiss mom. Hug Mom. Then he wanted to shake hands, and then he said I love you. Everything I said or felt from above just got erased from my memory. This is the beauty of children and unconditional love.

Sweet moment. Hugs and open mouth kiss while skyping with G-ma and Pop Pop.

We are finally on the mend from ear infections, sleepless nights and a trip to Urgent Care (which is never so urgent) that included x-rays for poor baby Brecken.  At last Brecken is fine...our $300 bill reveals that he did not in fact swallow anything foreign. But he sure did look cute in that little hospital gown.

But not is all chaos here. We did have a super fun night on NYE with the Koehler's. We had a sleepover, and Jackson and Molly cheers all night and now Jackson constently repeats 3-2-1 HAPPY NEW YEAR along with asking to go "nite nite at Molly's house."  Of course we had "kid"night at 8PM, and then the real deal at midnight.  We left their house with new memories and having a dance off with Just Dance 3 to Robin Sparkles "Let's go to the Mall".  Kevin and I love How I Met Your Mother!!  We had yet another winery date with the Robbins and the newlyweds Lindsay and AJ and it ended in a late night at Bar O'Hare, which I have not laughed that much in a long time. Lastly we had an early Valentine's Day brunch last weekend, which included sharing wedding pictures between three families. It was so sweet and fun.  Jackson gets so excited about "parties" and asks to spend the night at his friend's house and when the song "Red Solo Cup" comes on he screams "PARTY!!". I love him.

3-2-1 Happy New Year! Cheers!!

She is so cute!

Me and Jacks!

Leah making famous lemon water at our Valentine's Day Brunch. Love this pitcher and picture!

Gorgeous Molly. I like that we have contained Roo in the jumper. It did not last long.

OMGosh. I can't stand it how much I love these girls! She was most content eating converstation hearts. I believe that is what Jackson had for brunch as well.

Love!

An O'Hare Christmas

  

I know I have said this before but I love reliving my childhood through my own children.  I love starting traditions and remembering the old ones. My mom's house is complete chaos Christmas morning. My sister and her family come over, and one person hands out presents. In about 10 minutes everyone is happy and hyper with large stacks of unopened or opened gifts in front of them. It makes me smile thinking of how happy this must have made my mom feel every year having so many children in her home every year. After the mad chaos of unwrapping all the gifts we would have homemade cinnamon rolls, sausage and orange juice then a BIG dinner again that night with everyone usually with ham or turkey. Kevin's house is completely different than what mine was. Less chaotic and the present opening is usually done in the late afternoon and it is usually very peaceful. I'm sure when Kevin was a child it was a little bit more like the chaos in my own house, but as adults this is what its like. I love that everyone has a different way they like to do things, and that is why for me I want to take a little bit of my family and a little bit of Kevin's family and make our very own.

The days leading up till Christmas were almost unbearable for me. I kept asking Kevin if the kids could open up one present, and his answer the same every time....no, no, no. He is such a scrooge. We spent Christmas Eve getting ready for dinner and for Christmas Day so we wouldn't have to do anything but play with the kids. After Jack woke up from his nap we opened 2 presents from Mom and Dad. Brecken got a Little Tykes mailbox and Jackson 6 cars from the Cars 2 movie and the DVD. We watched the movie, fed Santa's reindeer, and set out milk and cookies. It wasn't exactly as magical as I dreamed up in my head, but I'm sure the subsequent years will have a little bit more excitement. After the kids were asleep and dreaming of sugar plums I'm sure, Kevin and I ate the most amazing meal I have ever had. Prime rib, balsamic and bacon glazed asparagus, potatoes Au gratin and trifle for dessert. It was all from scratch and the best part about it was it took less then 30 minutes to prepare and make. Okay the trifle took a little bit longer, and poor Kevin sat over a stove for about 45 minutes stirring the custard that morning!!  We opened a bottle of wine that we purchased in Italy a few years ago.  It was the FIRST time I had ever tasted wine that we bought from there because as some may remember I was 7 months pregnant when we went. We had a pleasant night being "Sansa" (as Jack calls him) and remembering what it was like for me as a child on Christmas Eve. 

Christmas morning was sweet. Jack woke up around 7:30AM and the first things out of his mouth were Santa eat cookies and milk? Buddy bye byes?  (Buddy is our elf and he went back to the North Pole until next Christmas). We went downstairs and when he saw the 60 inch bear sitting in front of the Christmas tree he immediately got down and sat on him but then got right back up because he wanted his snack and milk. But once we got him opening presents we were finished in about 1 1/2 hours. It was not overwhelming as I thought it was going to be for Jackson, however Brecken was INTO everything. I'm afraid we have another paper eater on our hands. My favorite memory of the morning was Kevin singing into Jackson's stand up microphone Blue Christmas by Elvis and Jackson laying on the bear with his hands under his chin watching Kevin lovingly. Kevin and I were laughing so hard we were crying and before I could get the camera Jack got up and started running in circles and falling. But Kevin and I both will remember that look forever. I'm so happy to have made such great memories such as that one. He was so in love and in awe with Kevin singing. It was the best CHRISTMAS ever.

We ended our beautiful day with our friends Michelle and Brian who were sweet enough to have us over for a feast (I had two helpings of EVERYTHING) and the best cocktail that has ever laid on my lips. Cherry mojitos!!! Yum yum!

All in all we had such an amazing day but I will say there is something to be said about your extended family. We so missed our families. It would have been really nice to share our day with the ones we love the most but we made the best of what we had in front of us as we always do.



Jackson singing lollipop lollipop on his new microphone.
(if you get this via email you will not be able to view the videos unless you go directly to the blog!)





Boxing day came, and I went shopping for some more Christmas decorations (like I need more)... It was SO MUCH FUN and I found amazing deals. I'm so excited to decorate for next Christmas. When I finally returned home I put all the new stuff in boxes and well one thing lead to another and my whole house was packed up. Kevin was annoyed that I put everything away so quickly. Jackson cried when he saw that the tree was gone, and he just kept pointed to where it had been and crying "back mama, back".  I guess I know what NOT to do next year. So now my house is naked and I am feeling refreshed as we enjoy the last few days of 2011. What a year it has been and I can't wait to reach my goals for the next year. As always I know that this year will be better than the year before.

Jackson playing with Brecken's new toy and singing his ABC's!!



                Brecken needs corrective lenses so we decided to try out couple different styles.....



Creating stress

This kid makes my morning, day and night.

About 4 years ago my girlfriend Holly had hosted a ornament exchange, and even though I knew no one at the party I had a ton of fun. Since then I have always wanted to host one of my own, and this year I finally buckled down and did it. We had a cookie and ornament exchange, and to my surprise even though it was in the middle of the week I had a full house. Kevin and I perfected my candy cane martini,  nailed out the menu and made up our left/right game for the ornament exchange by personalizing it  with who was going to be at the party.  That Kevin..he sure is a big help and a great poet. :)  I was fortunate enough to have my girlfriend Melissa come over a few hours early to help me. I was thinking that she would be helping me drink some martinis before the party, but what actually happened is I put her to work. I swear I would have never gotten any food served if it was not for her. Thank you Mel!  Getting ready for any kind of party with two children is almost impossible, and in the midst of it I wonder why I do this to myself. It is so stressful!! Kevin sat upstairs with the boys, but once Jack heard the commotion downstairs there was no way he was hiding out. He is such a charmer and wanted to be in the middle of the action, which I can't blame him with all the pretty ladies that were around.  So we  had bungee corded the doors shut so he would stay up there with Kevin, and the look of his face was a bit heartbreaking that I almost changed my mind. But as you ladies know sometimes we all just need some GIRL time.  But when everything was said and done I had a blast laughing and being silly with my girlfriends, eating way too many sweets and taking straight vodka shots (whose idea was that anyway???)  that I hope to do this every year!!

This was the ornament I exchanged. I made it out of sparkly modge podge and newspaper (obviously) . I loved it but when I showed it to Kevin he thought it was hideous. So lucky or unlucky for Lindsay, she is the one who ended up with it. :)

Last year we had a progressive dinner with our friends here in the neighborhood. At the 1st house we did drinks and appetizers, 2nd house was the main course dinner and 3rd house was desserts and after dinner drinks. It was so much fun we decided to do it again this year but with a little bit of a twist. We added one more house AND decided just to do an appetizer, drink and dessert at each house. We started at 3PM, and it ended about 11PM. It went by so quickly, and even though I had some (or a lot of )  alcohol I did not even get a buzz... I guess that it what happens when you finally get the kids settled and yourself at one house then to turn around and get everyone back into the car to the next house. Exhausting but exciting. With my love for Christmas and Holiday decor one of my favorite things  to do is see everyone's houses all decorated. Everyone has a different style, but its all very beautifully done. I feel like Christmas just makes everything a little bit more cozy. We were the last house this year, and we really got to try out our new bar that Kevin built. It was the first time that we had all the adults in one room and the toddlers in the playroom and they actually stayed there. There was no fighting, no whining, no nothing. They just played hard while we drank and laughed.  We succeeded in what we wanted this tradition to be about.  Getting friends together over the Holiday and really enjoying ourselves. We left this year's annual get together with some inside jokes and well some more inside jokes. Thank you Jack for your never ending bathroom drama and for Caleb's accomplice in it, Brian for not knowing how to pour his own drink out of the keg or make it stop and Natasha's absolute LOVE for some homemade cranberry lime vodka.....I guess you had to be there for any of this to be funny but I assure you I will be laughing about all of these for years.  Thank you Michelle for all these wonderful pictures you took!!

Brian, Scott and Kevin at Bar O'Hare

Jack, Lera and Teagan...Lucky guy.

Here we go! All the toddlers.

One of my all time favorite pictures of Isla and Michelle. Both stunning!

Scott, Brian, Kevin and Dave

Shanna, Natasha, Michelle and Me

Natasha and sweet Brecki.

You may think these are burgers but you would be wrong. They are all dessert. I can not tell you exactly what is what but I am still amazed about these wonderful treats that Dave and Shanna whipped up. I know for sure the "bun" is sugar cookie.

Tired Brecki.

This week we ventured out to see the spectacular singing bears. I have heard so much about them, and I thought Jack would LOVE it.  It was an  animatronic orchestra (robotic bears). We left thinking we would get there a bit early maybe to get a coffee and not be rushed. Needless to say it was an absolute disaster trying to get there. Driving there was not the issue for me which is unusual because this is why these sorts of events are usually a disaster for me.  The problem was that the building I wanted to get to was connected to about 5 other buildings and I had NO clue where to go AND I had my mega monster double stroller AND there were no elevators, just stairs. At one point I called Kevin and yelled at him. Why? I don't know.  It makes me feel better to act like its his fault that I'm stressed out and lost. He must really love me because I wonder what I would do if the tables were turned. Probably not answer the phone. :) I have to tell you this because its actually quite funny now.  When I got to my first set of stairs I was completely dumbfounded.  #1.  I couldn't believe I was going to be late and  #2. How was I going to get my sit and stand stroller down these stairs. I asked two elderly ladies how to work a handicap elevator that was next to the stairs. They had no clue, but luckily one of the nice ladies offered and helped me carry my stroller down the first flight of stairs. I was really very nervous that she was going to fall backwards and 911 would be called. So at my second flight of stairs I decided to take Jack and Brecken out...fold up my stroller carry Brecken in one arm and my stroller in the other and have Jack running in front or behind me while we went up and down probably 3 more flights of stairs. I was so overwhelmed and stressed when I got to my friends at the singing bears I wanted to cry but instead I swore I would NEVER be doing this again. But after seeing Jack, Molly, Bethany, Breck and Landon love on this absolutely unforgettable orchestra I know I will be doing this again and again..I will just be better prepared and without a stroller.

Me and Brecki

Leah and Landon!

I LOVE this hat of his.

My sweet little Molly.

Jackson made a girlfriend...well he actually made a few friends up there. This kid is NOT shy.

THE SINGING BEARS!!

Its begining to look a lot like Christmas!

Santa Baby

Our house has been transformed. There is nothing like a string of Christmas lights to make your house instantly feel cozy and warm. I LOVE sitting on the sofa with all the lights off, drinking hot cocoa/tea or a glass of wine and taking it all in. It's one of my happiest times of the year. Since Thanksgiving came and went I have been busy on pinterest getting plenty of NEW decorating ideas for the house, and I love what I have found!

Here are some of my favorite things that I have created, and I must add these pictures just do not do any of them justice!

I have four of these going up my staircase! I used real holly in there. :)

Kitchen island.

My dining room. I used the same centerpiece as I did for Thanksgiving.

Christmas Card holder! Yes I made this. Plywood, paint, burlap, clothespins and a decal.

My breakfast table. I loved this centerpiece. Mason jars and candles with salt. Love it!

To start the month off we were invited to an Elves Breakfast! My friend Michelle did an amazing job on such a memorable event for our children. The idea behind all of it was introducing the "Elf on the Shelf." She hosted the breakfast, and the kids played their little hearts out. Everyone got to wear their pajamas, and the children had hot cocoa and the adults mimosas along with a unforgettable delicious breakfast! Michelle sent the kids home with a cute reindeer cup that was like a snow globe, reindeer food to sprinkle on the lawn on Christmas Eve and cute little socks. It was a sweet morning to introduce our Elf, Buddy (Thanks Aunt Dumpy!) and ever since then he has been watching over Jackson and Brecken and making sure they have been nice and magically moving from place to place during the night.

Buddy

The next generation of playmates! Liam, Isla and Breck.

Isn't my friend Shanna gorgeous!! I think so!

This weekend we made a special trip for Jackson and Breck to see Santa. We went to the winery that is close to our house, and a friend of ours was actually the one in the Santa suit!! Jackson was unsure of him, but to our surprise he sat there for about 5 minutes without looking at Santa once but we at least got some proof that he did actually sit there. When you ask Jackson what he would like for Christmas his response is "Money's!!" Does he even know what money's is?? :) What a crack up.

Mr. and Mrs. Claus! Our friends Brandi and Mike.

Sweetest picture ever! I love this and will treasure forEVER!

This is our first family picture with the four of us. Sad I know. Its too bad Kevin has a blanket strapped on and the Bjorn, and we all have our jackets on!! But I still love it.

We ended our weekend with a Christmas brunch at our friends house that has been much over due! My girlfriend Melissa and I have been through a lot together. We used to carpool and work together, got pregnant at the same time, got laid off at the same time and we lived just minutes from each other. In the last year and a half we moved and then she moved a little bit further away. So we are now living 35-40 minutes away from each other and on top of  the kids in school, we barely see each other :(...So the kids reunited today and played hard and the adults drank, ate and talked about everything and nothing at all. I can't believe how much all the kids have grown. I've known her children since they were born and now Kaden is starting Kindergarten next year! Crazy how fast life can be.

This makes my heart melt.

Our first year with putting lights on the house. Nothing specatular by any means and I understand why some people just DON'T go through the trouble. What a chore!

My beautiful Brecken. I love him so much I had to sneak this picture in.

Thanks for reading!!