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!

11/6/10 - Start To Another Busy Weekend

Today was a good day! I got to sleep in until 9:00AM, and it was wonderful. Amelia and I spent the morning hanging out. She ended up taking a pretty early nap, so I pulled out all of the kids' clothes from storage...time to pack up the 18month, 24month and newborn clothes, and pull out the 3-6month stuff. Amelia is still too small for her 3-6 month stuff, but I figured we might as well see what we have. Turns out, even though they are opposite seasons, we won't need a ton. Just a few sweaters to wear over the short sleeved outfits, otherwise, we're good to go. We already have a couple "snow suits" for her to wear outside, so she really doesn't need much. YAY!

Christian was called into work this morning (a WHOLE day of OT...very cool). Olivia had fun spending the morning with Grandma. They were very busy, which must have led to a nice long nap. She came home after nap time and got there around 4:00. She was SO excited to see us, and it was great having her back home. She's crazy, but I sure miss her entertainment! Christian got home from work just before Olivia got home, and took right to the yard. He trimmed the plants and bushes for the winter, and started packing up the hoses (hopefully he'll get the water turned off soon since we've already had a few below freezing nights already!). We all hung outside for a little while to take in some of the nice weather. Amelia sure enjoyed it...a little sun does a little body some good!

It started getting dark, and us girls were getting hungry, so he came in to take over kid duty while I made dinner. We all ate, played for a while and hung out. It was great! After baths and bed, Christian took to the garage. Yet again, my car needs fixing. This time, the transmission fluid is leaking. His dad is coming over tomorrow to help fix it, but he's getting a head start tonight. Oh the joys!

Here's Amelia, enjoying the fall weather all bundled up!

11/5/10 - Fail=DirecTV

Today was my Friday off work, so I spent the day with my girls. They both slept in to a pretty decent time, which was nice. Amelia was extra clingy today for some reason, that made things a little more difficult than usual. But, we survived. Amelia took relatively early nap today, so that gave me some alone time with Olivia. We had some snacks, and played downstairs in the play area. She was finally starting to seem tired, and I got her down for a nap just as Amelia was waking up. Ugh, that was horrible timing! Luckily, she was content by herself for a little while so I could grab some lunch and pay bills.

Once Olivia was up from her nap, we all got dressed and were on our way to drop Olivia off at Grandma's house. It sounds like Christian is going to get to work some overtime tomorrow, so she's spending the night over there tonight so I can get some stuff done while he's at work. Christian had to work EXTRA early today because he had his second ear appointment today. It's not looking any better to me, but they gave him another shot and he'll be going back in a few months for his final one. We met back up at home around the same time, ate some dinner and spent a little time together.

We have been having a HORRIBLE experience with DirecTV ever since canceling with them in September, and today was no different. When I logged in to check our accounts, I found out that they had taken money from Christian's account to pay an "overdue bill" - which was not really even due until 11/11. We've been going back and forth with them for the last week over this bill (it ended up being for a UFC fight we'd ordered 2.5 years ago, but were never billed for), and had explained that we would pay it next time we got paid (which was well before the due date). Well, apparently they took it upon themselves to just take the money, even though we are no longer their customers, the bill wasn't due and I was never enrolled in automatic payments or anything like that to begin with. Anyway, I'll spare you all of the details, and just say I am SOOOOO happy to be done with them. You could not pay me to go back to them...I've never been so disgusted with a company like I am in them right now. So, if anybody is wondering, I would NEVER recommend DirecTV...never!

Here's a picture of Amelia having a nice chat with Minnie Mouse this morning (Olivia would NOT be happy is she knew Amelia was talking to HER Minnie!).

11/4/10 - Typical, Yet Busy, Thursday

Today was just another Thursday for me. Like usual, I was swamped trying to get things done before the weekend...I ended up leaving work 30 minutes late! Ugh, I hate when that happens. Christian had to work a little early because he had a dentist appointment this afternoon. He got a clean bill of health, yay!

We met up back home and invited his mom to stay for dinner with us. Today was her last day watching the girls at our house...I'm sure she'll be happy to be back in her own home now! So, she ended up preparing most of dinner, while Christian grilled and I fed Amelia. After dinner , Christian and Olivia brought his mom home and helped her with a couple things around the new house while I gave Amelia a bath and put her to bed. Once they got home, Olivia just went straight to bed...she was exhausted! Apparently she just loves the new house and was running all over! Christian has to work VERY early tomorrow, so he quickly took Chuy out, and passed out once he got home.

We have a very busy weekend ahead of us, and I'm not looking forward to daylight savings time being thrown into the mix, but we'll see how things go! A couple weeks ago I was led to a website giving out free pink headbands for breast cancer awareness month. I finally got it in today and had to try it on Amelia right away...she loved it (gotta love this face)!

11/3/10 - Who Dresses Their Pets? We Do!

Well, I really don't have anything interesting to post about today! It was just a normal day for each of us. Christian brought his mom home right away when we got home from work, while I fed Amelia and started dinner. He finished up dinner when he got home and we all just hung out. That's really it, nothing too interesting.

It's been pretty cool around here lately (but, it supposed to get really nice again this weekend!), and we finally broke down and got Chuy a sweater! He's so little (still less than 6lbs), and barely has fur, so he just freezes outside (which makes him not want to go out there, which is NOT good). So, we finally put his sweater on him. He likes it! He bites at it here and there, but he hasn't been shivering as much lately, and has been going out. I'm nervous about winter though still! I know, we are now THOSE people, who dress their dog, but...better that than have him freeze to death! Here's a pic, he's cute :)

11/2/10 - 22 Months!

Oh boy, Olivia is 22 months old! I have officially begun planning her 2nd birthday party! It's going to be a gold themed party for her big golden birthday. I can't wait, and I can't believe how quickly it's coming. My baby is really not my baby anymore.

She continues to grow and learn everyday. She's getting very good at putting things away/back now, which is fun. We're trying to get her into picking up after herself...some days are more successful than others! I downloaded a bunch of kids songs on the iPod a couple weeks ago, so we listen to those on car rides now. I think they really are helping with her memory skills...she responds to the songs and copy's what they say. She's still not into her ABC's or 123's really, but we're not worried about that. She does have "two" down though...strange. She still won't have another doctor appointment until January, but I'm getting anxious to hear her stats and where she falls in line now. Basically, she's still crazy, entertaining, amazing and completely full of life! Love her!

Other than that, today was just a pretty busy day. Christian brought his mom home right after we got home from work, then stopped in to FINALLY get the oil changed in my car. It was SO overdue! He finally got home and we all just hung out around the house for the night. Cooked, ate some dinner, played. Just another day!

I'll have to come back and add Olivia's 10 month photo (oops)...

11/1/10 - Hello November!

It's November! The "busy time of year" has officially in begun. Halloween is over, now it's time to start planning and thinking Thanksgiving, and Christmas shopping! We're pretty much at a complete loss for Christmas gifts this year...better start thinking! I am very excited for Thanksgiving though...hopefully everything turns out as well as it did last year!

Today was a pretty busy day. Christian's mom is watching the girls at our house this week since they haven't had a chance to unpack or setting into their new house yet. It's going to be a little strange having somebody in our house all week long, but it's really nice not having to get the girls up, pack them into the car, drop them off, and repeat after work.

We were both pretty busy at work today. I ended up leaving an hour early to do our weekly shopping since I didn't have time this weekend. Christian's mom "joined" us for dinner I say "joined" because in all reality, she got roped into making dinner! It was very tasty :) After dinner, Christian and Olivia brought her home while I cleaned up a little and played with Amelia. Now, the week and November are in full swing, here we go!

I didn't take any pictures today...since yesterday was Halloween, I'll do a flashback to last Halloween. Our little chicken, my how time flies!

10/31/10 - HAPPY HALLOWEEN

It's here! It's Halloween. And, the last day of October! WOW!

Today was such a great day, and so much fun! I spent the morning doing a little cleaning, and finishing up our laundry. Christian was on kid duty most of the morning, which was a nice break for me!

Luckily we were able to get the girls down for naps, at the same time, pretty early, so we were able to get ready for the "Harvest Festival" going on at a church by our house. We didn't really know what to expect...but it was free, and close to the house, so we figured we might as well check it out. My mom stopped over to see the girls, and decided to join us for the party. The girls finally woke up around 2:30, so we got Olivia in her Costume (and wanted to pass out she was SO cute), and got Amelia in her Halloween outfit (her costume is not car seat friendly, so we decided against it all together), and were on our way. The festival ended up being very cool! They had all kinds of food and beverages, all free. Games and rides for the kids, all free. A little petting zoo and a "hay ride", free! And people just walking around handing out candy. We got home with a full bucket before we even went trick or treating! It was very cool, and we'll definitely be going back next year!

As soon as we got home, Christian's parents came over to see the girls in their costumes, so we got Amelia in hers (and again, wanted to pass out over the cuteness!) and we all visited for a little while. Kari, Jay and Andrew showed up around 5:30, and our parents headed home so we could all get ready to head out trick or treating. Olivia did so great! She said "trick or treat" and "thank you" at every house and just loved it. She got pretty exhausted from walking, but she did so good. Now, I have a house full of candy! Ahhh, what am I going to do!?!?

I never cared for Halloween, but now that I have the girls, I just love it! It's so much fun :)

10/30/10 - Getting Festive...

Today was a good day!

Olivia was pretty excited to have us and her grandparents there to play with when she woke up this morning...I don't think she quite understood what was going on. We were treated to a yummy breakfast by Christian's mom...YAY for that! Christian and his Dad did some work in the garage, hanging up racks and trying to get some stuff up off the ground (of course, to make room for more stuff....). I managed to get a few loads of laundry done and get the girls down for their naps. It was quite a productive morning!

Finally, his parents got the go-ahead to move into their new place around 1:30, so they were all off to get the truck unloaded, while I showered and got ready, and got the girls ready, for tonight's Halloween festivities!

Kari, Jay & Andrew, along with Kelly, Nixon and Meeka came over to carve pumpkins! It's our annual tradition, but is much more about the kids now, which is just that much more fun! Kelly brought some Mr. Potato Head like things for the girls to use on their pumpkins. Olivia was much more interested in running around with Andrew and playing. Of course, 6 year old Andrew is much more on par with her type of "playing" than poor little Meeka...Olivia is just far too rough for her liking! Poor thing. Eventually, everybody headed out for the night, which Christian and I cleaned up and relaxed. I actually stayed up and watched Saturday Night Live...I haven't done that FOREVER! Now we're all just SUPER excited for Halloween tomorrow....we just can't wait!