Christmas 2011

Christmas has been a whirlwhind of family, traveling, fun, and lots of firsts.  Obviously it was Rilyn's first Christmas so that was tons of fun and I loved every minute watching her enjoying all Christmas has to offer.  It still amazes me that I can just sit and watch her do the most simple things and receive such immense joy. 

Highlights of Rilyn's first Christmas

• Rilyn was very particular to pull all the wrapping paper off of presents and hand it to one person (daddy).  She also liked ripping it into very small pieces to hand to Tyler.
• Rilyn's smile when she realized she had a couple new toys Christmas morning left by Santa.
• Rilyn loving on every single Decker on Christmas Day after her nap for an extended amount of time.
• Rilyn's babble on her pretend cell phone
• Just knowing she is happy, loved for, and there will be even more fun things to do with her throughout the season.

Although, our Christmas didn't go exactly as planned I think it turned out great.  We were supposed to head to Montana (as you should have read in Tyler's last post) and since we didn't make it we spent Christmas Eve at our house with just the 3 of us.  Tyler and I decided long ago that when we are not in Montana, Christmas Eve is just our little family time.  We cook tons of yummy appetizers, bake and decorate some amazing cookies, open gifts, drink yummy drinks, and watch It's a Wonderful Life.  It was so much fun and I love just spending time with Tyler and Rilyn and focusing on us.

On Christmas Day, we went to Tyler's parents house for yummy food, good conversation, and gift opening.  I love that Tyler has so many siblings and they have amazing significant others because it makes for some really great conversations and just tons of fun.  We did miss his brother Clint and his wife Megan though :( .  We are all going to get together again in January to have another Christmas celebration since Megan and Clint couldn't make it and we were supposed to.  Yea more Christmas!

The next day, Rilyn and I headed to Montana and made it in 9 1/2 hours.  She traveled pretty well.  We had Christmas with my family that day, and it was a lot of fun watching her cousins "help" her open her gifts.  We have been helping my mom who had surgery on her foot a week ago, visiting, and lots of playing/cuddling/talking to papa.  Oh and Rilyn took her first steps today!!  She took 2 steps one time and 3 steps another time. 

We also celebrated Cyrus's 5th birthday today at The Reef, which is a really cool indoor water park here.  Cyrus seemed to have tons of fun and I was happy we got to celebrate with him. 

We are headed back to Denver tomorrow morning, and I am so excited to see my husband and spend some time with him.  Being away from him helps me see how lucky I am to be married to someone that does so much with Rilyn and just in general for me.  I absoultely need him and cherish everything he does!

I will post a pictures post soon, but for now I need to get to bed and get some rest before that long drive tomorrow!

Santa Photos

Today we went to see Santa.  Let's just say the day before Christmas Eve is not the best day to go as everyone is trying to fit it in, but we avoided meltdowns from both Tyler and Rilyn so that is good.

I was pretty sure we would end up with an awesome screaming baby photo but apparently Rilyn does not discriminate at all when it comes to men and cuddling.  For awhile now anytime someone holds her she will lay her head on them and suck her thumb for a total of 5 seconds.

Well, Rilyn loved Santa and just wanted to cuddle...no smiling for the camera...just loves.  At one point even Santa fell in love and said we could just leave her.  The impatient cranky elf taking pictures was not so smitten nor patient with the mother who kept saying, "oh she loves Santa" "look how cute she is" "I can't decide on the picture." Yep, lots of dirty looks from the elf, but really who cares about the elves?  Santa is the boss and Rilyn is definitely on the good list!

December Ramblings

For a very long time, my most hated state has been Utah.  That has officially been surpassed by Wyoming.  See, the only reason I'm even here to write this is because of the stupid state of Wyoming.

Yesterday we began the trek for Christmas with the Pitsch family expecting some ice for about 75 miles.  Seemed completely doable.  Turns out, Wyoming owns 1 snow plow truck for the whole state and somehow missed I Freaking 25.

So yeah, we had to turn around, and this will be year 3 that Anna hasn't been able to see her family for Christmas.

I think I'm going to start a business selling bumper stickers.  We only sell bumper stickers with 1 saying.  NUKE WYOMING.

Now, you're thinking that I'm being a bit over-reactive.  I assure you that I am not.  My first trek through the state of Wyoming I ended up getting pulled over just a bit outside Casper.  The police officer asked if I knew why I had been pulled over.

"No", I let him know.

"Going a little fast there".

"Really, I was trying to keep it under 80" (The speed limit was 75).

"Yup, got ya at 79".

I got pulled over for going 4 over.  I think he suspected I was a drug mule.  Hopefully he felt like a heel once he realized we were driving a hatchback Nissan Versa and had 3 dogs in said hatchback.

Again...NUKE WYOMING!!!

A couple notes on the vegetarian front. 

It's a bit of an adventure eating in a restaurant, and really makes you feel appreciative when a restaurant doesn't blantantly put a sign up that says Eff You Vegetarians.

I was recently at a high end (as in 30-40 a plate minimum) restaurant for a Christmas party.  I elected to go with the vegetarian option.  As I saw the other meat eater dishes come out, I started getting excited.  The place really knew what they were doing.

And then I received my pasta.  Now I've had some awesome pasta dishes, but the way to impress a vegetarian is not Prego marinara with cold mushrooms and asparagus.  Just saying.

I'm also a feign for green chile, but have been getting more and more frustrated with the crazy things restaurants put in their vegetarian chile.  Like corn.  And black beans.

You know what goes in green chile?  Green chiles, tomatoes, onions, and that's about it.  Trust me, I wish I could put some pork in there as well, but don't try to make me feel better by putting corn in my green chile.

The sad thing is that I've realized I have no choice.  It's either learn to love green chile with weird things in it, or continue ordering the veggie melt for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Anna and I are also trying to find ways we can cut down on the money we spend, and I came up with a brilliant idea after seeing some friends and family members whose wives cut their hair.  Anna should do the same. 

Our first attempt did not go very well.  I think she was nervous knowing that one of my redeeming qualities is my thick lustrous hair, and if she were to ruin that, she may not like the results.

I tried my best to not be critical, but here's the thing.  When she said she was done, and that she "thought it looked pretty good", I knew for a fact that there were hairs on my head that had not received a proper trimming.  That's not entirely correct.  I knew that there were hairs on my head that had received no trimming at all. 

After confirming my suspicions in the mirror that I did in fact look like a hobo, I had no choice but to shave everything off, so yeah, I guess I'm shaving my head until Anna gets some skills.

Now, for the news you've all been waiting for.

Anna...

Is...

Pre...

Occupied with this dang baby of ours.

I can't get no attention in this house.  Seriously, I'm about to start acting out.

In all seriousness.  Hope everyone has a great holiday season.  I'll be planning on spending as much time with friends and family as possible, and to the Pitsch clan, I promise we'll get up there for Christmas next year...even if we have to spend an entire month to avoid the inevitable snow storm that wrecks our plans every year.

Zoo Lights

Last night we went to zoo lights at the Denver Zoo for our 4th annual trip.  It was very surreal bringing our baby with us.  Rilyn was really interested in the lights and the animals.  Our favorite part is always the giraffes because you get so close to them and they are just amazing!

Tyler was in charge of the camera, hence the lack of pictures.  It was tons of fun and we can't wait to take her again next year!

We are headed to Montana on Thursday evening for Christmas and are super excited to see my family!!

Christmas Decorating

The Christmas season is at full speed in this Decker household.  We've (meaning Rilyn and I) been listening to Christmas music, lots of Christmas shopping, making some Christmas gifts, and trying to enjoy every minute!  Tyler is not one for the above mentioned activities; however, he participated in some massive decorating last weekend.  Including putting lights outside in some very cold weather.

Of course, I still feel like I have nothing done and I am pretty sure Christmas cards will be at least a week late, the homemade gifts will actually go unfinished, and the perfect gifts I've been trying to find will be replaced with things I can find on amazon or gift cards.  But, it is definitely not for a lack of trying more like a lack of time!  It is amazing how little time I have now that I have a baby.  I'm lucky to get 1/2 hour to an hour every weekend day to just relax and that means everything else gets down in between feeding the baby, changing diapers, cleaning, chasing her up the stairs, cuddling with her, laundry, chasing her up the stairs, feeding, laundry, etc.....

Rilyn was and is not really interested in the Christmas decorations.  We thought we would fight her with the tree every minute but she has rarely touched the tree.  Apparently, the stairs are still way more interesting and her favorite thing to do.  And she really doesn't love Christmas music that much.  We have discovered that Reggae music is her favorite so Bob Marley it is....

Here are some pics from the last couple weeks. 

cuddling with Trixie

our Charlie Brown Christmas tree

Tyler's super anal but efficient light organizing

Getting ready to hang up her first ornament

Of course Porter is in the spirit

helping daddy hang lights

needing a break from all the hard work

trying to get a family picture...not successful

 

Happy Thanksgiving Part 2

Today was a wonderful day with family!  We have so much to be thankful for including gracious hosts who let us bring our messy and loud baby to their clean home!  Thanks Carly, Ryan, and Harpo for having us. 


My belly is full and I think it is time for an early bedtime so just pictures not many words.

Reading Rilyn's Thanksgiving card from grandma and papa

loving on grandpa

Hanging with Uncle Ryan

Harpo the newest addition to the Decker family

The only "disaster" a glass lid exploded into the vegetarian stuffing...bummer for us it looked delicious!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Rilyn wants to wish everyone a Rockin Thanksgiving!

10 months old

Rilyn is 10 months old today!  I can't believe that in 2 months I will be throwing a birthday party.  I know I say this every time but seriously time flies. 

At 10 months old.....

Rilyn eats 3 meals a day plus snacks.  This kid just loves food and will eat anything except Avocado.  She won't even touch the stuff!  Her favorite food is probably sweet potatoes (prepared anyway) and yogurt.  She drinks water from a sippy cup and straw cup.  She is nursing less about 5 - 8 times a day just depending on her mood.  She does have 5 teeth now (3 on the bottom and 2 on the top ).  The two on the top are on the sides not the middle so she actually has fangs.

Rilyn goes to sleep very easily. We just put her in her crib and give her a lovey.  She goes to bed between 6:30 and 7:00.  Rilyn wakes up between 3:30 and 4:30 to eat and then again between 5 and 6 in which case she is up for the day.  She naps a little different for all her "caregivers."  At home, she naps twice a day usually around 10 and 3 for anywhere between 45 minutes and 2 hours. 

Rilyn is all about playing right now and her favorite game is "go up stairs, mommy or daddy chases me" repeat.  She likes toys but is not that in love with them.  Instead climbing and playing with the dogs are a lot more fun.  She just started trying to go down the steps on her belly.  She closes doors and loves her loveys (those little blanket animals).

She is just a really fun girl and we LOVE spending time with her.