Jordyn's First Birthday

Friday the 23rd the three of us headed for Sioux City for the weekend. I had plans to hang out with my friends to celebrate a slew of birthdays and Mike played domeball. We both had good times with our friends but were both home pretty early as neither one of us were feeling the greatest.

On Saturday the 24th, it was Jordyn's first birthday and her party! We all had a good time eating, hanging out, and watching the kids play. Jordyn got lots of great gifts. She also enjoyed her first birthday cake so much that she needed a bath afterwards. Libby decided that she needed one too. Both of the girls played together very well. There were only minor melt downs the whole weekend.

We left about naptime on Sunday. Libby was super tired because she slept the whole way home.

Libby's playroom

Since Libby has gotten so many new toys for Christmas and her birthday, we had to turn our living room into a play area. We didn't really have any furniture to put in there anyhow. She got a new table with 4 chairs from us for her birthday. Her new favorite thing to do 5 or 6 times a day is play "tea party" with her babies. Mimi and Papa gave her a wooden birthday cake that she loves to serve to her babies. Libby is VERY particular about the cups, saucers and spoons matching. I mix them up just to get her to show me she knows how to match colors-she doesn't appreciate that too much.

On another note-we have had a little bout of the sickies at our house. Mike and I haven't been feeling the greatest for about 10 days but are finally starting to feel better. I don't think Libby was feeling like herself either since she was VERY cranky for a few days but is doing much better now. Maybe the terrible twos aren't FULLY upon us yet-only when it comes to getting dressed. It was impossible to take her anywhere last week but today we went to the mall (in pajamas) and she was an angel.

Libby's birthday part 3

On Saturday (January 10) Libby had 2 birthday parties! Taylor had to be back in Sioux City early for a Girl Scout swimming party so the Niemeier family came to Omaha early. Libby's party theme was "Blue's Clues". I made 2 paw prints cakes so we could have one for each party. Libby wore her very pretty blue and brown dress, we ate cake and opened her present. After all that excitement Libby was tired and ready for a nap. She slept until right before her 2nd party began. She woke up pretty cranky and refused to wear her pretty blue dress again. She insisted that she wear her santa pajamas. What can I say-the girl LOVES her jammies! The party was great despite Libby being a little fussy and clingy. A big thanks to everyone for the cool presents and making her 2nd party a success.

Mimi, Papa, Uncle Nick, Aunt JJ, Jordyn, and Aunt Jacque all spent the night. Brady and Lea stayed late into the night hanging out with us but spent the night at Aunt Joyce's. We were all super loud but the little girls slept though the night. I guess that is one of the big advantages of having a 2 story house.

I guess our holidays are officially over. We have no more parties to plan, food to prepare, or overnight guests to get ready for again for quite some time. It kind of makes me sad.

Libby's birthday part 2

On Friday (January 9) I picked up Caleb while I was in Sioux City and brought him back to our house to spend the night. This was Caleb's first overnight trip anywhere without his big sister along. We picked him up at Tina's who was Libby's sitter also. It was really sad but Libby didn't remember going there. All the kids are different now so that was some of the "newness". She ran around and played with the toys while I visited with Tina a bit. Caleb was very anxious to go so we didn't get to stay very long. On our journey back to Omaha, the 3 of us stopped at McDonald's in Onawa for lunch and a potty break. I was also hoping that the kids would sleep after lunch since it was naptime. Libby slept for about 30 minutes but Caleb did not. I was a little concerned about driving by myself with the two kids but it was fine.

Back at our house was a little more stressful. Neither one of the kids would lay down to take a nap despite being super tired. This made me a little tired since I need a break too! I did manage to take a shower and get ready to go. After Mike got off work we took the kids to "The Amazing Pizza Machine". Caleb had the time of his life! The kid had never been to a buffet before and had never been to a place where he could have 5 different kinds of slushes! Uncle Mike played a bunch of games with Caleb while I chased Libby around. Caleb was so good! It is amazing how different that kid acts when he is away from his parents and sister.

After we got home the kids took a bath. Libby is usually terrified to take a bath with Caleb but this time she was fine with it. Both of the kids slept well that night. It was a good thing too since Libby had a big day ahead of her!

Libby's Birthday events part one

On the morning of Libby's birthday she slept until 10am! This very rare-however I didn't mind because I had to get ready to leave for Sioux City. We left a little after 11am. Our first stop was Dr. Amir's for Libby's 2 year check up. Yes, I know I need to find a doctor in Omaha. I just really like her doctor and their office. Libby weighs 26 lbs and is 33 inches tall. She is in the 50%ile for her age so I guess that means she is pretty average. She has grown 2 inches and gained about 4 lbs in the last 6 months. Libby had to get a flu shot and was very brave-she didn't even cry. Dr. Amir gave her 3 Mickey Mouse stickers for being good.

After her appointment we went to Mimi and Papa's house for a nap. While she slept I ran some errands. Libby has a rash on her belly so we had to get a prescription for a cream. After Libby got up, we went to Jeni's to play with her kids for a little while. Libby loves to play with all their toys because they "new" to her. All the girls then went to eat at the Olive Garden. Sadie was very excited since she hasn't been on a "girl date" with us in quite a while. Libby ate a ton because noodles are her favorite. It is a good thing that Libby slept in so well because she didn't want to sleep that night at Mimi and Papa's.

Sick Day

My baby is sick. Last night before Libby went to bed it felt like she was running a little fever. Being that she gags when you show her the Tylenol bottle-I decided not to give her any. She woke up at 3:30am (which she doesn't do very often), I changed her diaper and gave her some milk. A little after 4 I heard her coughing and whining. She had vomited milk everywhere. I woke Mike up, he gave her a bath and I changed her sheets. I tried to let her lay with us, then I tried the couch, then finally at 5:30 she fell asleep in her own bed with a sippy cup of water. She was up at 7am. I brought her in our room because I knew she was still tired and Mike was getting up for work. She drifted in and out of sleep until about 7:45. I turned on the TV, gave her some crackers and milk. At 8:15 she vomited again. So Libby had another bath, I piled up more laundry, and we had lots of snuggling on the couch. She seems better now, just a little tired. We ate chicken noodle soup for lunch (but NO milk) and she seems to be holding it down...so far.

In the next couple of days I promise I will post pictures from Libby's birthday party.

Libby spreads the New Year cheer.

Happy Birthday Liberty Isabelle!!

At 8:19pm my baby will officially be 2 years old! It seems like just yesterday she was born. Yet so much has happened with our family in the past 2 years it sometimes feels like a lot longer. I am going to put a picture of Libby on the day she was born, a few weeks old, her 1st birthday and then recent pictures. It is so amazing how much babies change in the first two years. However, I was looking at pictures of Libby when she was one and she is still wearing some of the same PJ's. I guess we will find out today how much she has actually grown in the last year.

Happy New Year

We decided to have a few people over for New Year's Eve since we aren't much for going out. During the morning of New Year's Eve I picked up Austin to come hang out with me and Libby for the day. He played with Libby while I did some cleaning and took a shower. We also played Guitar Hero during Libby's nap. Jacque and Angie got here around 6:30, others started rolling in around 7. There were a bunch of little girls here for Libby to play with. She had a ball! She shared her new toys very well and just kept running until I grabbed her about 10 and put her to bed. She didn't fight me and fell right asleep. We all had a good time just hanging out, eating, and playing games. The party broke up shortly after midnight. I guess we are all getting old and can't stay up that late anymore.

Jacque and Austin hung out with us on New Year's Day. We got a pizza and watched the Nebraska game. I did sneak up to my room to take a shower and watch a couple episodes of the Twilight Zone. This was after the half time/Guitar Hero break.

On Saturday Mike and I went to a Husker's Basketball game. The game was good and the seats were awesome. Unfortunately, the weather was pretty icy. We decided to venture home even though stores, churches, and some roads were closing. We must have been in Lincoln long enough because it wasn't too bad driving home. Libby stayed with Aunt Joyce for the afternoon. She had a good time playing with Kobe and Aunt Joyce.

Sunday Mike and I took down our trees and decorations and did a little organizing in the basement. We have so much to clean up in the basement before we finish it. I am planning on having a big rummage sale in the spring.

Christmas 2008 part 2

On Friday morning I got up super early and went shopping with my friend Jeni. We went to Younkers, Target, Walmart, Kohl's, Old Navy and then out to lunch. Shortly after we were done eating Sophie joined us. Sophie is Jeni's baby. She is getting so big and is super cute! She was good while we went to K-Mart and then home to nap. Jeni and I found tons of great bargains! There were not very many shoppers, I am guessing most people had to work since it was a Friday. It was great to hang out with Jeni and get some shopping time without Libby.

While Jeni and I were shopping, Libby stayed back at Mimi and Papa's with Daddy. She got a bath, played with her toys a little and watched cartoons. Daddy took her over to Uncle Nick's to play with Jordyn and so the boys could play PS3. Mimi took Libby back to her house since it was nap time and left Daddy to play with Uncle Nick. I also took a nap the same time as Libby since I had gotten up so early. That night Nick, JJ, Jordyn, me, Mike, Libby, Mimi and Papa all went out to dinner and then back to Nick and JJ's to hang out until bedtime.

Saturday morning we all went to Perkin's for breakfast. Libby was kind of cranky until she ate, then she was crazy. We hung out until she started getting tired. She slept the entire way back to Omaha. All the go, go, go was catching up with her. When we got home Mike and I unloaded all of our presents, luggage, and new purchases. We then put together Libby's new kitchen and doll set. About the time we finished up-it was time to go again.

We went over to Jacque's to watch Austin open his Christmas presents from all of us. He was at his dad's this year so he didn't get to come to Sioux City. He got a bunch of really neat presents. We ate and played Scene It until Libby got tired.

Sunday the 3 of us got up early. We got ready and went out to spend all of the gift cards we had received for Christmas. We went to Bed, Bath and Beyond so I could get a new bathroom rug and a few other things. Next was Best Buy. Mike didn't find anything special that he thought he needed to have (but has since gotten Guitar Hero-which I am addicted to but that is a different post). We then went to Pier One. I have had a gift card since May and decided it was time to find something to purchase. I found some AWESOME curtains for the living room. They look so nice and are just what I have been looking for. After our big shopping spree we went out to lunch at Olive Garden and then home for naps. We lounged around for the rest of the day trying to rest up from the week before and to get ready for the week to come.

Christmas 2008

So my laptop is still in the shop. Hopefully I will have it back tomorrow. I have decided I had better start writing a post a day and add the pictures later so I don't forget anything.

On Christmas Eve we left for Sioux City around 12:30. Libby napped most of the way so our ride was pretty peaceful. We mostly just hung around at Mike's parent's waiting for everyone to show up. We ate our traditional salad, toasted ravioli, and lasagna dinner. Libby went to bed shortly after that since we ate dinner so late.

We didn't get up too early on Christmas morning. We drank coffee, ate breakfast and waited for Nick, JJ and Jordyn to arrive. We opened presents for about 2 hours. Libby opened all of hers within the first 20 minutes. She wanted us to open every box so she could play with each present. We tried to divert her attention since we didn't want to open everything before we got home. Libby got lots of stuff! She got a new kitchen, some food to go along with it, a Cabbage Patch Kid, a Care Bear, a princess CD player, a Fisher Price doll set with a crib, stroller and swing, a couple of puzzles, a bye bye Choo Choo baby, a sleeping bag, a memory game, tons of stocking stuffers-I am sure I am forgetting something. Before Christmas she got a Sit and Spin from Aunt Joyce. My dad also bought her a Dora bike/big wheel that I put together a little early for her. Mike and I also faired very well with the gifts. We can't complain-Christmas was good this year.

After Libby's nap that afternoon, Libby and I went to my sister's house. We opened presents with Taylor and Caleb. Libby got a Little Einstein's bath set and a play tool box full of tools and screws. Kim made us dinner, the kids played with their new toys and Kim, Matt and I played their new Wii.

Libby played with her new toys a little bit after we got back to Mimi and Papa's. She was over tired from all the excitement from the day and she didn't want to go to bed that night. She cried in bed for quite a while-which is not like her. Nick, JJ and Jordyn were over (everyone else had to leave that day) so while the kids slept, we all played Nick's new game for PS3-"Buzz". It is super fun. If we didn't already have a couple quiz games for Wii I would probably want it.

SO SORRY!

I sincerely apologize to all of my loyal readers for not updating about our Christmas celebration. We got home from Sioux City on Saturday afternoon. That night I went to turn on my laptop and I couldn't get on the Internet. I had already downloaded all the pictures to my computer. As soon as I get my laptop back from the shop I will post about Christmas, New Years and everything in between.

Happy New Year to all!!