A Ride on The Polar Express

Mommy and Ayden before the train ride started.

Ayden has become obsessed with trains and had a lot of fun riding Thomas the Train in September so we decided to take him on the Santa Express train ride at Boone. We were supposed to go last Thursday, but it was postponed until last night because of the blizzard last week. The kids were supposed to come dressed in their pajamas just like in the Polar Express book. The train was kind of cold so Ayden had on layers of pajamas, a sweatshirt, and a coat. The ride lasted for about 1 hour and 15 minutes. We made a stop at the "North Pole" so that Santa could get on the train to greet each child and give them a present. Each child got a bell just like in The Polar Express. They also handed out a cookie and hot chocolate to everyone. On the way to the "North Pole" they read The Polar Express out loud for the kids. After the kids received their bells we sang Christmas carols and Ayden was ringing his bell to the songs just like when we use bells in Kindermusik. Ayden loved the train ride and was pretty upset when it was over. I'm hoping it will become a tradition that we do every year around Christmas especially now that we will have two little boys!

Here comes Santa!


Not a very good picture, but here is Ayden and Santa.


Ayden checking out his bell.

Ayden pretending to go to sleep on the train.

New Hobby... Sewing!

Shortly after I found out I was pregnant I started making some fleece-tie blankets. First I made one for Ayden and then picked out a gender neutral one to make for the baby. Well, there are only so many of those you can make before you get bored. I wanted to do something else crafty since I like doing that sort of stuff. I've tried knitting several times, but it never goes well or looks right. When I was younger I sewed some projects for 4-H and in Home Economics in middle school, but I haven't done anything since then. I decided to try to make a John Deere pillowcase for Ayden's pillow. My mom helped me and gave me a refresher on how to use the sewing machine. It turned out pretty well. Next, after finding out we were going to have a boy I picked out a bunch of flannel in cute patterns so I could make some blankets. I ended up making 6 flannel blankets and other than a few problems I had getting the bobbin to cooperate it was actually fun and relaxing.

Here a few of the blankets I made, and then all 6 of them...

Next up is what I'm really looking forward to making. Nursing covers! The one I used with Ayden has been washed so many times that it has shrunk and is becoming see-through. Instead of spending $35.00 each (plus shipping) for a name brand Hooter Hider, I decided I am going to make a few of my own. I got all the materials and it was so cheap! Only about $8.00 each, and I love the material I picked out. It doesn't look too hard, and hopefully sewing all those blankets will help. After that I plan on making some taggies blankets. I found some cute fleece and lots of cute ribbon on sale a month ago. Hopefully I get everything done before the little guy arrives!

Ayden the Elf

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

The Search for the Perfect Christmas Tree

On Sunday, Joel, Ayden and I went with Joel's mom to cut down a Christmas tree for her house. We have an artificial one with the lights already on it and love it. Growing up, we always had an artificial tree so I was curious to see how the tree searching and cutting experience would be. We met Joel's brother Brett and his girlfriend Tia at a tree farm in Cambridge where they planned to cut a tree too. The place was huge and there were a lot of trees to choose from. Ayden had a blast running around and grandma chased him around. He also kept wanting to pick up abandoned branches and drag them around behind him. It sure was cold though! It was about 22 degrees and there was a breeze. After an hour of walking around (and a little driving) to look at trees we found one and Joel cut it down. Then Brett and Tia found one they liked. We went to pay and found a cute wreath for our front door. They also had free yummy cookies and hot chocolate. It was a fun, but cold experience, and after that we drove home, had lunch, and took a nap :)

Visiting Santa!

We took Ayden to visit Santa at Jordan Creek last Friday. I wasn't sure if he would sit on his lap or not. The past 2 times we took him (when he was 6 months and 18 months) he did really well. There was only 1 person ahead of us in line so Ayden waited patiently and stood in line to check out Santa. When I asked him if he wanted to go see Santa he said yes. I asked him what he was going to ask Santa for and he told me choo-choo, truck, car, and tractor. When it was his turn, Joel put him on Santa's lap. Santa read a book to him and we took some pictures. He looked so serious and would not smile for the camera, but at least he didn't cry! Later on when we passed Santa in the mall on our way out Ayden said he wanted to go see Santa again:)

Family Picture

We decided to take our holiday family picture ourselves this year to save the hassle of going to Portrait Innovations, which is where we usually get pictures taken. Joel's brother came over and took our picture in front of the fireplace. We were planning on having Bailey in the picture too if she cooperated, but we never got the chance to see if she would because we were having enough trouble getting Ayden to cooperate. He didn't want to sit still, and if he was sitting Joel was having to hold his arms down because he would put them in front of his face or in his mouth. Finally, we took a break and gave him some milk and tried again. Finally, we got one that was pretty decent. Here are some of the outtakes, and then finally, the one we chose.


Finally, a decent one!!

Thanksgiving

We hosted Thanksgiving at our house on Thursday for my parents and my sister and brother-in-law. It was our first time hosting Thanksgiving and making a turkey on our own for other people. We made a turkey for Thanksgiving years ago when we lived in Germany, but that was just for ourselves. I made one in the oven and Joel smoked a turkey. Unfortunately, the smoked turkey did not finish until everyone was done eating. There were lots of leftovers! My parents took Ayden home with them that night because I was scheduled for another ultrasound and my 24 week appointment the next day and we didn't really want to bring Ayden with us. It was our first overnight away from him since we left him for a night when he was 6 months old. My mom said he did really well though and went to sleep without a problem and even slept in!

The ultrasound went well and they were able to see the heart and all the chambers which they couldn't see last time because of his position, and reconfirmed that we are having a boy. We didn't get a good look at his face again because of his position. The tech tried to get him to move, but said he was just too content where he was. Hopefully this means he will be a content baby:) The rest of my appointment was pretty uneventful and I go back on Christmas Eve for my 28 week appointment and the hour long glucose test. Yuck! Not looking forward to that part. I remember feeling so sick last time after drinking that stuff.

After my appointment we drove to Independence and then had Thanksgiving with my family including my brother and his family on Saturday. The kids made turkey cookies which Ayden seemed to enjoy.

It was fun seeing him interact with his cousins. They are a lot older than he is, but he was chasing around Cassidy (who is 7) and following her around and trying to copy her. Once again, there was a lot of food, but it was delicious. We headed home on Sunday and unpacked, did laundry, and relaxed. I can't believe it is December already!