Snow, Puzzle, and Potty

We actually made it outside during our 6-inch snowfall. Here's AJ trying to shoot some hoops. The kid loves his sports. He asks to watch football or basketball most nights. When the basketball didn't work out, we just ran around the yard until AJ landed face first in the snow. It was time to go in anyways!

So, AJ loves this dinosaur puzzle that Grandma got him for Christmas, and one night when I couldn't help him with it right away I told him to just dump out the pieces and start turning them over. However, when I came in to help him, I found that he had already put together the first 6 pieces ALL by HIMSELF!

I simply directed him with statements like, "Try another piece," or "Find a match..." and he successfully finished it!

Yes, we're in full potty training mode. AJ really does quite well with peeing, especially if you just make him go every couple hours. He is getting better about telling you, but he usually waits just a litttle too long and has the accident on the way to the bathroom. The pooping is a whole other issue, and I'm looking for any creative ideas to get my kid to poop in the pot. I honestly thought he might do it when I took this picture, but it was just gas. He'll hate this picture when he's older, but I couldn't resist with the book and all (slightly strained face included).

Christmas 2009

WARNING - Contains MANY pictures (finally making up for my lack of pictures lately).

What a wonderful holiday season it's been for us, with much of the time spent with family. It's actually been quite enjoyable and relaxing for us as we spread Christmas out over a week. We miss those we did not get to see, and wish everyone lots of love and happiness in 2010!

Many batches of cheesy potatoes were made from Thanksgiving on, and AJ has become quite the little helper in the kitchen.
AJ has become quite skilled at putting ornaments on the tree... notice that several of the lower branches have multiple ornaments on them. I LOVE IT!

We were able to take AJ to his first hockey game this month, and he took to it like he does most new events. Period 1 - sat and observed as he took it all in. Period 2 - relaxed with a box of popcorn and became quite interested in the lady making the play-by-play comments behind us. Period 3 - Loving every minute of it while shouting "Go Jackets" and jammin' to the music.

My sister and her family were able to visit for a week. This was the first time we got to meet baby Evan, and the week started with his baby blessing.

Nothing like gangin' up on Uncle Eric after church. This was a frequent event throughout the week in order to burn some excess energy.

Grandpa Joe introduced AJ and Megan to his trains. Of course, AJ was fascinated and spent quite a bit of time just laying on his belly watching the train go around and around

Megan and AJ also got their first foosball lesson from Brian and Eric, but it turned out to be a little dangerous as the handles were right at face and throat level.

No Christmas would be complete without cut-out cookies.

AJ and Megan had quite the fun week together trying many new things including jousting on the Wii. Let's just say Megan had the hang of it, and AJ just liked waving the controller around as hard as he could. He also couldn't keep himself in one place.

To AJ, everything is a garage for his cars... including the nativity. Apparently, baby Jesus was lost temporarily when AJ stuck him in his pocket to keep Megan from getting him. Ah, the joy of having cousins. They actually had a very good time together with very few, minor incidences.

On the Wed. before Christmas we headed down to Easton with Brian's parents for dinner at P.F. Chang's and to show AJ all of the lights (we banished the zoo trip due to weather and crowds). They have a small train display, which AJ loves of course, and this time one of the trains was decked out in Buckeye gear and roses!

AJ and Daddy in front of the BIG Christnas tree,

The best picture I have of my new nephew, Evan Hyun. He's big like the rest of boys!

McLaughlin family fun on Christmas Eve... food, laughs, and Wii.

Thanks to Emma and Tommy, the bonky-bonk tradition lives on. AJ and Megan caught on quickly and even terrorized Grandma with them.

Uncle Eric good again for more family fun!

Christmas morning before the ripping began. AJ made a direct beeline towards the "big" (fire) truck that Santa brought him, and then went on a rampage opening all the presents under the tree, including most of Brian's, mine and Nuge's.

My men and their Christmas underwear... a first for AJ who is now doing pretty well with potty training!

Nuge enjoying his "once-a-year" stuffed animal toy.

Yes, I got my son a baby doll (notice he's much more interested in his Buzz Lightyear), so he has his own baby to take care of when his sister comes.

This was the BIG hit. It didn't leave AJ's hands for two days. Lights, buttons, sounds and it's BIG.

Aunt Barbie, Brian and I laughed when we saw the towel was purple, but AJ declared to me today, "I like my towel!" He even posed for me in it, which he rarely does. Thank you for thinking of him. We love you!

AJ using his new easel and paints to make "birds."

The fun on Christmas day continued at the Glandon's with a comeback of the punching balloons.

Brian freshin' up on his baby-holding skills with Evan. More Wii... AJ was able to pretend to play along with his own remote. I think this was tennis.

AJ trying out Megan's new scooter.

And learning the finer points of Hungry, Hungry Hippo with Grandpa.

Mom, Angie, and I took Megan on a girls' day out to Build-A-Bear as part of her Christmas. Here we are showing off "Molly," her roller-skating, princess horse.

Family photo time, since we are rarely all together. The Sauer's (and the fire truck).

The Hyun's.

The grandkids (and the fire truck). The kids and the grandkids.

The grandparents and the grandkids. AJ once again with his fire truck. I wasn't kidding when I said it didn't leave his hands for two days.

The day after Christmas was spent with the Sauer's with more cousin fun!

Okay, so I just deleted the picture of AJ and Heidi opening gifts, and of course there's no way to insert it right back where I want it. Here's AJ enjoying one of Heidi's new gifts (the shoes).

Mamaw's little helpers... making Christmas dinner.

At the Engle Christmas gathering, Heidi decided that the tree needed topped with her ballerina Barbie.

AJ and Heidi were trying to help gather all the kids for a photo. TOO CUTE!

More Christmas fun with the Sauer's.

Mamaw braved the pile-on from the kids. She's under there and she did survive!

AJ and Heidi lounging in their new jammies listening to music on Heidi's Ipod-like toy.

Nuge enjoying his present from Santa. A new comfy, fluffy, soft bed that he can curl up into. The dog has to have a soft spot to lay.

Video comments in the order they appear: 1) AJ in the bounce house at Medflight's family Christmas party. There is a picture with Santa from this day, but I have to get my husband to email it to me. 2) AJ putting on ornaments. 3) Megan and AJ scaring Aunt Beth with their dinosaur roars. 4) AJ's reaction on Christmas morning.

Our Baby GIRL

This past Monday, Brian, AJ and I found out that a little baby girl will be joining our family. AJ has predicted all along that he is going to have a baby sister, and even though Brian and I were both leaning towards wanting another boy, I have felt that it would be a girl for that past few weeks. She's obviously meant to be a part of our lives - one of those best parts!

Everything looked perfect on the ultrasound, and she's quite the little mover! Our technician kept saying, "if I can get her to hold still," - didn't really happen. AJ enjoyed the show and behaved very well through the whole thing. You could tell he wanted to help move the little controller over my belly so badly. He has this way of gradually inching towards what he wants :)! My mom was also there, and of course she was super-excited to have another granddaugther to even out the boy/girl ratio. She's already in love!

Sorry there are no pictures yet... I am working on getting them scanned and saved in a way that you can actually see the baby. Our scanner at home has died, so I am going to have to get creative. Hopefully, I will get them up this weekend!