Hello from the Big Guy

This Week

Flip flops.
Toilet.


Cheerio.
Up nose.


Charlie.
Tall enough reach door knobs and open.


Only the strong survive.

Daddy Saves the Day

{I cannot bear to throw away any of her "art". It's always the best scribbles I've ever seen}
{We've got a smiler on our hands}
{Proud sister}
{Tummy time turned into nap time. It happens.}

2 months

This little man is 2 months old today! Teddy seems like he is the along-for-the-ride type. He doesn't fuss too much when his sister throws her jack-o-lantern bucket at him or when she crawls into his bouncer with him while he's sleeping.

He is in the 50% for all categories and is sleeping (feeding twice at night) and eating like a champ. Teddy, keep this up and we'll just have to keep you!

It's Beginning to Look...

{Found Charlie "reading" a book to herself}

{need two little stockings to complete the collection}

A lot like Christmas!

Turkey Re-Do

I made a Shepherds Pie, turkey-leftover style tonight and it was delicious! Mixed leftover turkey, one can cream of mushroom soup , a few tablespoons milk, and a combo of onion/celery/carrot/peas. Then I piped the leftover mashed potatoes on top...Baked @ 350 for 35 minutes and then added cheese at the end and broiled to make it brown. Yummmmm.

27th

Between the new sewing machine and the Kitchen Aid mixer I am jumping into my 27th year as a domestic wonder!

Both kids are sleeping...What am I doing blogging??? I need a shower. See ya later ;)

What does a cow say?

One Month

Theodore is one month old! He is gaining weight rapidly, now just about 9 lbs. (Put on 3 lbs. in one month) I am excited to see how he grows over the next few months!

We feel blessed to have had so much amazing help over this last month from my parents, my brother ,and Jordan's parents. It's crazy business with two very young kiddos and we have kept our sanity thanks to the extra help!

A Pictoral Recap

Theodore E. Duvall

~Theodore Edson Duvall ~

October 1st, 2011

6 lb 7 oz. ~19.5 inches

Needless to say, Teddy is here and we are navigating life with our 4-person family! It's been nothing short of insanity...a blur of diapers, feedings, sippy cups, naptimes, laundry, and lots and lots of LOVE.

Teddy is a relaxed, sleepy, easy little man. He is the Yin to his sister's Yang and for that we are grateful ;) Charlie is infatuated with her little brother and says his name and kisses him every time she walks by. She has had some trouble understanding my divided attention and has been extra spicy lately. All in all, we are sleepy but doing well. I am reminding myself to enjoy this time because, for better or worse, it will all be over in the blink of an eye. I thank God for this precious blessing he has given my family.

A Pending Arrival

***

***

Seven Wants

1. A larger car. 3 rows.

2. To sit a watch The West Wing (our latest TV show addiction) for hours with the hubby.

3. To meet baby Teddy.

4. Chocolate chip cookies or cherry pie. Either will do ;)

5. For Charlie to learn to say please...the grunting is getting old. She is starting to say something that resembles "please" so we're headed in the right direction!

6. The Euro Trip Jordan and I have talked about since we got married... sans kids (we'll drop them in Denver and hope at least one set of grandparents will take them in;).

7. To meet my newest nephew Harrison ... Hopefully right after the New Year!!!

8 Fears

1. Heights. This has been a new development in adulthood. Makes me feel queasy.

2. Anything bad happening to Charlie. I just don't let my mind go there.

3. The deep ocean. We once watched the Planet Earth series on the dark ocean and it freaked me out. I know those are all God's creatures down there, but they scare me.

4. Being a momma to two kids under 1 1/2. I just hope I can keep it cool. I keep repeating, "Keep Calm and Carry on"

5. A burglary. My family was burglarized when I was little and it was a traumatizing experience for me (we came home from church while the burglar was still there.) So, I have always been freaked out about the thought of it happening again.

6. Over-baking cookies. Uggg. It's the worst.

7. Not making the right decisions for my kids. As a first-time momma, I find myself constantly second guessing if I am doing the right things. I think most of us feel that way, yeah?

8. Here's a totally honest one. I fear feeling inadequate. Most days I don't feel that way but there are some, we all have them, when you don't feel you've been a good enough wife, or mother, or friend, or daughter. You just have to love yourself through it and be better next time!

Nine Loves

1. This guy. I love him. He is my main squeeze, my right-hand, my biggest supporter. It goes without saying that I love Charlie and Teddy too, but it all started with Jordie.

2. Baked goods. Oh dear. This is including but not limited to cupcakes, cookies, cinnamon buns, bread, croissants, and muffins.

3. Fall. Love the cooler weather, the earthy colors, the cozy feeling.

4. Colorado. I have such a huge sense of pride when it comes from being from CO. I love it because it's beautiful in an indescribable way, most of our family lives there, and it's just plain cool. No matter where we live, I will always consider it "home base".

5. This football-shaped platter. I bought it in college for $2.00 and have used it every year since then. At the time I bought it and made spinach dip with a sourdough bread bowl and totally WOW'ed Jordan and his housemates. It was not hard to impress that bunch with my mad cooking skills.
6. A freshly bathed and pajama'ed baby.

7. Having things to look forward to. Daily, monthly, yearly. A brownie for dessert, a visit from Grandparents, a baby, a trip next summer...keeps life fun!

8. Musicals. I know, dorky. I love musical theatre and don't go to shows nearly enough.

9. Pedicures. Hope to get one before Teddy's arrival. Lord knows, I have not been painting my poor toes in a while.

And We've got Ourselves a Belly

Here's a picture of the naked 38 week belly I'm working on. It's growing by the minute.

{My hand is covering the wonderful stretch marks on my side, but notice the little one a few inches below my belly button, that's a new addition, thanks Teddy!}

My apologies for the non-stop posts about babies and bellies etc...Honestly, it consumes our daily life. Right now, especially, all that's on my mind is preparation for Teddy's arrival and how best to make this an easy transition for all parties involved ;)

I am in mid-renovation of Charlie's room and am LOVING where it's headed. Here is a sneak peek!

She may be my child?

Jordan and I were looking through old pictures last night and I came across this one and thought, hmmmmm, maybe she does look a little like me? This is one of my favorite pictures of my brother and I :)

In the meantime..

I am working on my Nine Loves and Eight Fears, etc...in the meantime, here are some new pictures of the family! Enjoy.

Love her face.

She's looking a bit "Bon Jovi" lately ;)

Getting very close ~ C-Section scheduled for Oct. 1st, 2011!

Ten Secrets

1. I had a tattoo at one time. It was a neon pink heart on the bottom of my big toe, but since the skin there doesn't absorb ink permanently it was gone after about a month.

2. I don't enjoy reading. I wish I did, maybe someday I will. But if it is longer than a People Magazine, I fall asleep. I don't want you to think I have never read a book, I just am not the type to finish a book and move right on to the next one.

3. I am not very organized. Jordan really takes the cake in this household when it come to organization and tidiness. I am eternally grateful that he is this way!

4. Jordan and I broke up twice (once when he left for college-1 week , once when we were in college- 1 month) before we got married.

5. I am half-way through this thing and am trying to think of five more secrets. I may have to start telling Jordan's secrets ;)

6. In high school I was VERY involved. I'm talkin' VERY involved. I was co-captain of the cheerleading squad, student body president, copy editor of the yearbook, in a million other clubs, etc... Jordan still makes fun of me but that's only because he was too cool to join clubs in high school.

7. I eat dessert almost every night. Whether it's a popsicle, a piece of candy, a full-on brownie sundae, I almost always have something sweet after dinner. Preggo or not!

8. I want to go on vacation. Now. Unfortunately, since we are awaiting Mister Teddy's arrival there is no vacation in the works for a while. :(

9. I am jealous when I drive past the swimming pool and see the girls sitting in peace and quite listening to music. Pool time has dramatically changed since having a baby, and I miss the way it used to be.

10. I'm glad I'm done with 10 secrets!!! Up next, Nine Loves! This one will be easy!

10 Days of You

I am stealing this from my sister-in-law's sister-in-law, Kristy! I struggle finding anything to talk about that does not revolve around "the kids" these days, so this will help! Like Kristy, I am not promising to do this every day, but I will finish all 10 days eventually!

Under Construction

My blog is undergoing some minor reconstruction...I just have to be smarter than the template and we'll be in business . Please bear with me.

40 Years

This last weekend marked 40 YEARS of marriage for Jim and Jill!

What an incredible family you have created... one that I am very proud to be a part of.

Congratulations to you both for so many wonderful years,

and CHEERS to so many more!!!

We love you!