St. Louis Trip

Emma and Aunt Carrie swimming

Well - we made it! I took Emma and Chase to St Louis last Thursday to meet up with my mom and dad, Carrie, Allison and Andrew and baby Tyler. We decided to make a family trip when I found out that Zach was headed to the Superbowl for 9 days and I was going to be stuck at home - did I mention the 9 days...ugh - that's a long time! So anyway, everyone decided to meet me in St Louis since I decided that 5 hours was as far as I could go with 2 kids under the age of 2 by myself. Yes - by myself. I was feeling slightly crazy as I packed the car the night before and neither kid made it easy to get everything done and out the door on Thursday. But both kids were AMAZING in the car both ways!!! We stopped at one rest stop on the way to change diapers and feed Chase and then I had to stop quickly for gas. But those were the only stops and there was not any crying or anything the WHOLE trip!

Aunt Carrie relaxing with Chase and Emma

Aunt Carrie met us Thursday night at the hotel and we went swimming and ate pizza before Grandma Denise and Grandpa Knute got there. Emma was up until at least 11 pm every night, but was a champ with little crying and fits during the day. And I have to admit - I enjoyed the cuddling at night even though I got kicked most of the night! Friday we went shopping while Grandpa Knute watched Emma - I think she wore Grandpa out more than he did her - but they were both trying to nap when we got back! Friday night Aunt Allison, Uncle Drew and baby Tyler met us for dinner and swimming. Saturday we went to my Aunt Ruth's house to eat pizza and play. We had a great time catching up with our cousins and the kids all did pretty well! After that we did a little more swimming and just hung out at the hotel.

Emma napping after playing with Grandpa




Emma putting George to bed with her and Grandpa


We had Emma's birthday with my family and she Loved opening gifts - of course. She got some great stuff including more Clifford books and a new big wheel motorcycle and colors for the bath! She was not so thrilled with our singing of Happy Birthday - she ran screaming and covering her ears...I guess we're not that good of singers??? And really didn't want to blow out any candles - but we ate cake anyway!



New Shoes - she really likes them - Thanks Grandma and Grandpa

It was a great trip - but most of all we REALLY REALLY miss our Daddy! We can't wait to see him this afternoon. Now - snow snow go away - come again another day - or at least after 4 pm! How's that for a little positive thinking mom?!!? Get home soon Zach - we miss you and I'm really tired!!!

Emma Loved the pool - so that's where we spent a lot of time. She is such a water baby! I Love it! She learned to swim on her own (with her life jacket of course)! What a Big Girl!!!

I wrote this all last night and now this morning it looks like the snow didn't cooperate. We've got 4 inches - which for you Iowa people is nothing but it will completely shut down Louisville since it's still snowing now at 8 AM. Don't think this is going to help get our Daddy home - but we're still crossing our fingers!!!

Always Something Going On...

So there is always something going on - but I guess not much to write about recently. Zach was out of town for 4 days for national meeting and is now back out of town again working the Superbowl. Great for him in warm and sunny Miami - Bad for us stuck here in the house since it's cold outside! We miss him and can't wait for him to come back home, but we're enjoying the short videos he's sending us!

So recently Chase has really started to grow. He Loves sitting in the walker and jumper now and wants to stand all the time. He is very tickelish under his arms and is a screamer - but I guess that's the only way we'd hear him over all Emma's talking. He's eating lots of baby food (squash, sweet potatoes, green beans, carrots, applesauce, yougert and cereal) and really loves it. He is still not sleeping through the night but is getting better. He also still eats every 2-3 hours during the day even with the extra baby food so I'm anxious to see how much he has grown by his 6 mo check-up.

Chase in his Walker

Doesn't he look so big!

Emma helping Daddy feed Chase - she's not too bad at it!

Emma is in full "Terrible 2" mode. She knows exactly what she wants and isn't affraid to tell you. She is resisting naps frequently - mostly because she can find plenty to do in her room instead of sleeping. She's showing all signs of getting ready to potty train and does go on the "big girl potty" but not consistently. She loves playing in the snow with Zach and had her 1st hot chocolate last weekend after being out to scoop the driveway. She thought she was pretty big! Even though she is a little crazy girl and sometimes naughty - she is a very sweet and loving girl as well. She is really good with Chase and truely loves him. She is always making sure he has toys and doesn't like to see him cry. She is doing great with her numbers and colors and every day amazes me with something new she can do. (I'm wondering who is teaching her all this stuff because I know I'm not that good of a Mommy!Hehe)

Emma making snow angels

Shoveling with the dust pan!

Pretty Snow!

She loves playing in the snow!

We love you and miss you Daddy -

Come home soon!!!

Chase Rolls Over

Zach's out of town for business this week so it's single mommy and her 2 kids this week all alone. Day 1 Emma dropped her Magnadoodle on Chase's eye and boy was he not happy about that! Day 2 Emma and Collin were dancing to some music and Emma (as graceful as she is) fell into the coffee table with her cheeck and boy is it black and blue. So we're on Day 3 - my luck I'll fall down the stairs and break my leg or something. Boy - it's a rough house these days! Zach comes home late Thursday night and we can't wait to see him.

Chase finally slept through the night for the 1st time 2 nights ago. But last night it was back to our usual - up every 4 hours. I can't complain though because he does go right back to bed.

Last weekend Zach and I got away from the kids on Saturday night and went to Glenn and Kelly's wedding in Ohio. We had a great time and the wedding was beautiful. Grandma Barb spent the night with the kids at our house. They had a great time playing and I'm sure enjoyed mom not being here! Thanks again Grandma Barb!

He's been doing this for a while now and trying to do it for almost 2 months now - but here you go!

Chase 4 Months Old

Okay - so behind as usual - but here's a 4 month picture of Chase! He's getting so big. He's 13.8 lbs and 24 3/4 inches long. We are still not sleeping well - but getting better each night. We started 4 months off by sleeping only 2-3 hours at a time at night. But with an 11 day trip home and odd sleeping arrangements - I think he got a little spoiled! So now we're working our way up to sleeping more hours at a time with a little crying at night. Right now at 4 1/2 months he's sleeping from 9 pm or so until about 3:30 am. And then we eat and sleep again until usually 6 am and then it just depends on whether he'll go back to sleep or not without eating. Definately better than the 2-3 hours at a time - but at this point Emma had beem sleeping through the night for almost 2 months!

Chase also started eating cereal and veggies this month. He loves sweet potatoes! And the biggest news of all - we're rolling over!!! I'll post a video later, but he finally got it and rolls both ways now. He had been rolling to his side and almost over for more than a month now and the other day he just figured it out! He still gets made that he can't get to his toys once he gets rolled over, but that's okay because I'm not ready for a crawler yet!

Other than that we're just getting back to normal here. Emma's back in Mother's Day Out 1 day a week, Zach's busier than ever at work considering it's his off season and I'm still home with the kiddos and looking for my next new career!

All Giggles!

We are FINALLY giggling! I have tried and tried to make this kid laugh but nothing - so finally Zach got him going last night! Enjoy!!!

Happy Holidays

Well - we're finally home from our 11 day holiday tour. It all started last Friday when Emma and Chase decided to wake up at 3 AM and never went back to sleep! So we all got up and hit the road (a little later than expected since Zach and I were grasping for just 15 minutes more of sleep that we never got!). After an 8 hour trip (and only stopping once for the kids to get out - beat that travelers with infants!) we met Grandpa Randy, Grandma Donna and Grace to drop a tired Emma off with them for the night. Then we headed back down to Warrensburg for the annual "Not So Silent Night" party with our friends. We had a great time and Chase did well, but of course decided not to drink from a bottle so I had a little less fun than I had planned! On Saturday, we picked up Emma and went back to Warrensburg for a day of fun at the Ward's. The boys cooked an AMAZING dinner and have a new shopping trip story with Emma and Ella that you'll have to ask them about! Who doesn't love taking a 2 and a 3 yr old shopping! We had a great night playing with all the kids and we can't thank our Warrensburg FAMILY enough. You truely are family to us and we love you all!

The girls eating at the Ward's

Gracie holding Chase - she's going to be big help mom when that little boy arrives!

On Sunday we headed back to KC and spent the entire day at Grandpa Randy and Grandma Donna's. Emma and Chase made out with all their gifts! We knew we were in trouble right away because there was no way all this loot was going to fit in the car for the ride home! And of course - a few rounds of Scrabble were a blast - even though I never win! I swear Donna cheats - who could possibly know all those words!

Chase and Emma checking out Chase's new toy

Which one do I play with - kitchen or microphone - tough decisions!

Hanging out at Dad and Donna's house

Emma feeding her new baby - Thanks Grandma Donna and Grandpa Randy

Monday we hung out with Grandma Debi and just relaxed. Tuesday we hung out with Grandma Debi again and then went over to see Zach's cousins and thier kids. Emma had fun running wild in thier basement and playing with the girls. Of course we came home with presents and even some puzzles and a purse for Emma - She Loves them! That's what's she's playing with as I type this now! On the way home we drove by our old townhouse in Blue Springs and then hit Walnut street for the lights. It was perfect for Emma and we heard "pretty lights" over and over again!

Grandma Debi and Chase are all smiles

Wednesday Zach and I met up with our KC Centerplate friends and had a few drinks and some good laughs while Emma played with Grandma Debi and Chase hung out with Grandma Donna. Both kids enjoyed thier own time without us around I'm sure!

Thursday we spent a rushed Christmas Eve with Grandma Debi and Randy, Sharron, Andy and Charles. The weather took a turn that morning and a Winter Blizzard was headed in so we ate, opened presents and headed to Iowa before the storm got too bad. We hated to rush but didn't want to miss getting to spend time in Iowa either. The drive home was very long and tense for Zach - 50 mile an hour winds, blowing snow and icy roads. But we got home just in time before it got too bad. And after drinks and stories - Zach and Carrie decided it was a perfect time to go sledding.

Getting all geared up for the cold - nice blue snow pants babe!

Partners in crime - don't they look cute and warm - for now at least!

Snow angel on the drift on the deck

My attempt to catch the moment on camera - too much blowing snow. It was COLD!

We had hoped to attend Christmas Eve church this year - but it was canceled (the 1st time ever I think) so we hung out with Grandma Denise and Grandpa Knute instead. Christmas day we actually postponed our large family Christmas too - so dad plowed his way over to pick up Great Grandma Pete and we had our immediate family all day snowed in for our own Christmas - also a 1st! With more presents and more food - how could anyone complain. We stayed snowed in on Saturday and just spend time with the family. Carrie, Zach and I decided to take Emma sledding - I think she liked it but who could tell with all that stuff on!

Emma opening her gifts from Santa - she was so excited!

Grandma Denise and Chase hanging out while opening Christmas presents!

Tyler's 1st bath in Grandma Denise's kitchen sink - he seemed to like it!

Emma for the 1st time in real snow!

Emma's 1st time sledding - I think she liked it but how could you tell with all that stuff on!

Chase and Aunt Carrie - I think he helped her win.

Sunday we had baby Tyler's baptism in the morning and then we had our large family Christmas with all the Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and Grandparents. Baptism went well - no babies cried and Tyler did great up there. Zach and I were sponsors so when we went up front - Emma noticed us up there and everyone heard "Mama - Dada - Ifford (Clifford - the big red dog which she's obsessed with). At Grandma Pete's we had Great food, way too many presents, and lots of fun. It was great to see Emma and Lauren (who are pretty much the same age) play and run around. I can't wait to see it next year when Tyler and Chase are big enough to join in!

The whole family at Tyler's Baptism

Lauren and Emma at Grandma Pete's

Daddy and Chase

Emma, Me, Great Grandma Pete, Chase and Grandma Denise

Emma and Lauren kissing goodbye

Grandma Pete and all the kids

Grandpa Knute and Chase

Monday we headed home. Sad to go but ready to be back in our own house with much less Christmas cookies and treats around! It was a long drive - but in the end not too bad for traveling with 2 kids under 2 for 11+ hours. It only took us less than an hour longer than it does mom and dad when they only stop once - so not too bad!

Christmas Cookie Time!

So the other day Zach and I decided that it was time to make our Christmas sugar cookies!!! We baked them while Emma was napping and then got ready to have her help decorate with us when she woke up. Well - she never did nap, but after playing in her room for way too long - we were ready to go. She was so excited. And suprisingly - she did a great job. Zach gave her the 1st cookie frosted and then some things to decorate with. She even got the cookie decorated pretty well before she just started eating. I think she decorate/ate 5 cookies! Sugar overload!!! She helped sprinkle the ones we made while making her own creations. We had a great time and our cookies turned out great. In fact, I think they're some of the best we've ever made. We're having no trouble eating them! Enjoy the pics!

Before figuring out how good they taste!

Happy with our decorating this year!

Just a few of our creations - yummy!

Big sis and her little bro

Dad and Chase hanging out

Chase watching TV

And the last thought for today - We just wanted to tell our Rhodes "family" how sad we are for thier loss. Today Zach is in Warrensburg, MO for the Celebration of Life ceremony for Dusty Rhodes. Dusty passed away last Friday and he will be Greatly missed. We just want to say to Josh, Jason, Barb, Jess and the rest of the Rhodes family that we miss you and love you. You're in our thoughts and prayers each day.