11/13/10 - Hello Winter!

Well, Winter is definitely letting us know she is well on her way! It started snowing around midnight last night, and will did not stop all day! It was SO beautiful. I just love waking up to the first real snowfall of the year, it's such a great feeling. It's all so new and it glitters and makes everything look lit up. I think it's supposed to snow into tomorrow, then fade off. I highly doubt the snow we get will really stick around for good yet, but it's fun while it's here.

We woke up this morning, and she was so excited to see what had happened overnight. She kept staring out the window saying "Uh, Oh". I couldn't wait to get her out in it to play! Christian was offered some more OT today, so he was off to work bright and early. Amelia kept me up ALL night, so she ended up sleeping WAY in, so it was just Olivia and I all morning. I was getting anxious to take her out to play in the fresh snow, then, realized we are horrible parents and had completely forgotten to get her new snow boots! Ugh, no way I was taking Amelia out in it (it was VERY windy, wet and a very heavy, rainy kind snow), so we couldn't go until Christian got home from work. By the time he got home, the snow had piled up quite a bit, so he had to plow the drive way. Finally Olivia and I were off to Target. Target was PACKED, and everybody in the store was in the shoe section. Apparently we are not the only ones unprepared for this first snowfall! We picked up a pair of snow boots, and a pair of "dressier" boots - super cute, and on sale! By the time we got home, it was just too late, and it was quickly getting dark. So, we missed the first snowfall. Hopefully we'll make it out tomorrow. And, hopefully it won't be quite as slushy and icky tomorrow anyway!

We all just hung out indoors the rest of the night. Christian got the water to the outside turned off. We still have some plastic to put up, then we will officially be DONE preparing for winter. Such a process! It's probably going to be a pretty early night for us. Christian is beat from work and getting stuff done outside. I'm exhausted from NO sleep. Such is life!

Here are a couple first snow pics! A couple from the front yard, and Olivia getting a glimpse of the snow :)

11/12/10 - Monday/Friday

Well, my poor mother had another rough day with Amelia today. It was her day to watch the girls, and Amelia was definitely NOT on her best behavior. She was really fussy and wouldn't sleep again. I don't know why she gets like this. Everything I read says that a baby's digestive track usually works out any kinks between 4 and 6 months, so I really hope she starts feeling better in the next few months. I feel so bad for her, and I feel so bad leaving her with anybody else! Listening to a crying baby is hard enough for a parent, let along other people.

Work was good. It went by fast considering it felt like another Monday! It seriously felt like we had two Monday's, and two Friday's this week! Our office was pretty well staffed, but the building as a whole was DEAD! I kind of like it that way though. I flew home after work to relieve my mom, and Christian dropped off some dinner to me because he was going to run and grab dinner and a beer with a coworker. I finally got Amelia to eat and nap for a while...I know this is going to backfire and have me up all night, but the poor thing needs to sleep! Christian got home around bedtime. We spent some time playing, then got the girls to bed.

There is lots of rain and snow in the forecast for this weekend, so Christian quickly ran outside before bed to store away Olivia's outside toys for the winter. He got out there just as it started to rain too, so it's a good thing! I think it's safe to say we have had our last "nice day" of the year! But, personally, I am super excited to see the snow start flying!

Here is a picture of Amelia trying out the jumperoo! Looks like she likes it :) And, of course Olivia had to try it out as well.

11/11/10 - Thank You Vets!

Today is Veteran's Day. As a wonderful Government employee, I get the day off to spend with my girls. Thank you to all of the amazing service men and women, past and present, for the sacrifices you make for all of us!

Today was a great day. The girls and I got to sleep in a little bit, and we all just hung out around the house. Amelia took a little cat nap in the morning, giving Olivia and I some time to go play outside. The extended forecast is looking like lots of rain and snow the next few days, so we wanted to take advantage of the still decent weather. We piled up leaves and went jumping, she and Chuy chased each other around the yard. It was lots of fun, and she was exhausted. We finally went inside, she ate a quick lunch while I fed Amelia, then they both went down for their REAL naps. Olivia actually walked herself into the crib (with Mickey, Minnie and Blankie in tote, of course)...that NEVER happens. And, they proceeded to take a GLORIOUS 3 hour nap! It was wonderful.

After naps, we snacked and hung out, waiting for Dad to get home. We had a very exciting dinner of chicken nuggets and tater tots tonight...hey, sometimes you just need a cooking break! After dinner, we took apart the swing and packed it away downstairs. Actually...that's not true...Olivia decided she needed to keep the seat part of the swing to sit in. Whatever makes her happy I suppose! Amelia never uses the swing, she does not like it, so we decided it was time to go. I think it's time to break out the jumperoo already anyway! WOW, it's going to fast.

Here are some pics of out outdoor fun today! I just love this girl!

11/10/10 - Friday?

Well, today is my Friday, kind of, but not really. I have tomorrow off for Veteran's Day...but then I work on Friday. So really, I have two Friday's this week. But, I kind of have two Monday's as well...that's no fun!

Today was a pretty low key day. Our computer systems at work pretty much died on us towards the end of the day, so the few of us that were left in the office got to sneak out a little early. YAY. Our bigger news, is that Christian was approached with a bit of a job offer today at work, and we have no idea really what to do...

Christian started at his job working the overnight shift. Early in my pregnancy with Olivia, his union went on strike. Unfortunately, we couldn't afford for him to remain on strike (we had JUST bought our house, and just found out I was pregnant), so after 2 weeks off he returned to work. They moved a few guys over to the day shift to make up for the strikers, and when the strike ended, a few people didn't come back, so he was able to stay on the day shift. Part of the return to work deal was a pay freeze for 5 years, so he's been pretty stuck for a while. However, he gets quite a bit of OT...usually at least an hour every day, and a Saturday here and there (especially during the holiday season). At his work, it is VERY hard to get on the day shift, and even harder to move ahead in the company. The company is full of "lifers", so they don't go through many changes. Well, yesterday one of the managers approached him, boasted about the great job he does and how they appreciate his willingness to help out and everything. And, asked him "hypothetically", how he would feel about taking a Supervisor role...on the night shift. Ugh...ALMOST the perfect offer.

There are so many pros and cons. I mean, we're not in the poor house or anything, but we definitely live paycheck to paycheck, so if the position offered a substantial raise, it would be really nice. It's really hard to move ahead in the company, so these offers don't come along very often. He really does deserves the recognition for everything he does. But, at the same time, I'd be home alone with the girls EVERY night (and have to get them ready in the morning all on my own). They would still have to be in daycare because he can't watch them all day after working all night. He would only see us on the weekends. And, it would be really hard for him to ever get back on the day shift.

Ugh, such a hard decision. Well, not really a decision as there hasn't been any formal offer or anything yet, but still. So much to think about! Right now, I'm thinking it's not going to happen...I think the sacrifice is far greater than any potential gain, but we'll see. It would really come down to what kind of pay they would offer. I'm guessing the supervisors don't work the kind of OT the staff does...so if the pay didn't make up for the OT he gets now, and then some, it would not be worth it at all. But, we'll see...

Other than that, it was a pretty low key day. Christian ended up picking up the girls today...and we got hit with a mega thunderstorm out of nowhere just as he was picking them up. So they stayed there to wait out the storm, while I got some cleaning done and dinner cooked. It was great getting stuff done for a change! Tomorrow I'll be spending the day with my girls, can't wait!

Here's a picture of Amelia enjoying some tummy time tonight...she's getting so big! And, also a video of her being a little giggle machine! I just love ending my day like this!

11/9/10 - Flattery Will Get You Everywhere!

Today was a pretty good day! We both had pretty busy days at work. Christian was already told he needed to start an hour early all week...hopefully he doesn't work late on top of that! We already know he'll be working on Saturday again. It's good, but bad at the same time. Cuts into the little family time we have together!

A girl at work today came up to me and out of nowhere said "I feel like you look skinnier". Seriously, best compliment ever! Anybody who knows me, knows the weight battles I've had. It's been such a struggle my entire life. And, having 2 kids in less than 2 years does NOT help with that battle. I've been working my hardest to watch what I eat and stay as active as I can, but it's such a slow process. It felt so great to have somebody actually say something positive to me. Then, after work, some creepy guy in the parking lot winked, nodded and waved at me (you know the kind of wink, nod and wave I'm talking about). Sure, he was a creepy stranger, but it was still nice :) Makes me want to work even harder!

After work we all just hung out around the house. Thanks to daylight savings time, it's dark when I leave in the morning, and by the time we get home from work, it's dark again. So, from this point on, we will definitely be banned to the house during the week.

Amelia has been doing great with her hand/eye coordination and her motor skills lately. She can grasp and hold onto just about anything, and is really becoming interested in toys these days. If you lay a toy in her lap, or next to her, she'll grab it and check it out. It's amazing watching them learn these little things! Here, she spotted her musical fish, who was really interesting.

11/8/10 - Monday's Come Too Fast!

Here we are again...it's Monday, again! Why, oh why do you show up so quickly!

Today was a LONG day at work. Monday's just seem to drag on, even though they are always busy. My work has a Holiday on Thursday, which means LOTS of people will be taking off Friday, so we're in for a hectic couple of days before everybody is gone. I am looking forward to getting a day with my girls this week though, so hopefully the days pick up the pace!

After picking up the girls, I dropped Christian's mom off at Walmart and headed home. Christian ended up inviting her over for dinner, so he picked her up when she was done and we all hung out and ate. I think she's still having a hard time adjusting to her new place, so she gets pretty lonely there. After dinner, he took Olivia with him to drop her off at home, while I fed Amelia and got her ready for bed. He ended up helping her try to figure out some issues they're having with their cable, and didn't get home until pretty late, so it was straight to bed for Olivia. Hopefully she's not too crabby in the morning!

Here's a cute picture of our little peanut. I also included a flashback photo of Olivia from about the same age....they sure are starting to look more alike every day!

11/7/10 - Wait, I Thought It Was November?!

OK, we are having the most wonderful weather! It's more like September than November around here! It's so great.

Thanks to daylight savings time, the Duran household was up and at em' pretty early. I was off to Target bright and early because we were out of Olivia's diapers (how that could ever happen, I have no idea!). So, I quickly fed Amelia, made up our menu and my grocery list for the week, and off I went. Doing the menu and list has REALLY helped me stay within our budget these last few weeks, so it's working great! Target was already pretty busy...everybody must be working an hour early today! I ended up grabbing a couple gifts for Olivia (birthday or Christmas...who knows). We've decided to just slowly pick up gifts over the next few weeks, as we think about them. Today I got her a few wood puzzles and a Mickey Mouse book set. We aren't sure what "big gifts" we're getting the girls yet...kind of depends on what their grandparents get I suppose!

After Target, we quickly put everything away, I fed Amelia again while Olivia ate breakfast, then we all headed outside again to enjoy the beautiful weather some more. Christian finished packing up the hoses and bagged the trimmings from yesterday. He moved all of the patio furniture and the outdoor toys under the deck, so we just need to cover them. Now, we are ready for winter! I'm guessing the lawn will need to be cut one last time, but that's probably it...then the snow can fly!

Finally, the girls went down for a nap (well, it took me a few tries, and a lot of work with each). I watched the Vikings BIG WIN over the Cardinals while Christian and his dad worked on my car. It went a lot quicker than I expected, which was nice. We were finally able to eat some dinner, and I was able to do the dishes and clean up the house a little. We tried keeping the girls up until their usual bedtime...but the crabbiness started in a tad early, so it was time for baths and bed slightly earlier than normal. Hopefully the transition to the time change goes quickly!

Here's our little Vikings Fans! We finally got Amelia some Vikings gear, she must have been their good luck charm!