The Kitchen Redo

Today we finished the kitchen redo that we've been working on....and nope I don't mean our kitchen, I'm talking about Rilyn's play kitchen...her Christmas present that has been a work in progress for about 3 months now.

I kept seeing these really cute kitchens that people have made out of random furniture like end tables and entertainment centers.  I realized that I was definitely not that talented nor did I have the time to actually complete one of those projects so I went on the search for a used kitchen that I could just buy.

And then I found the used kitchen, but boy did it need some work.

Rilyn and I spent some time cleaning it, which she really enjoyed, and then I hid it from her so she wouldn't see it again until Christmas.

So, it's been painted, fabric has been mod podged to the back, new burners, a new faucet, and some knobs later - we have a kitchen....

I don't love the faucet, it's much bigger than I thought it would be.  I also have some little details I still want to add eventually like maybe a chalkboard on the side like this:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mycrayonbox/3999677018/in/pool-1000474@N22/lightbox/

Either way, I'm happy it's done and excited to give it to Rilyn.  

Ryder - 4 months

Last week Ryder turned 4 months old.  He is growing so quickly, and it amazes me that he is already so old.  He is definitely a baby now and not a newborn.

He loves to be held, loves hearing Rilyn and mommy sing songs to him, is starting to attempt to play with toys, and has enjoyed his first ride in the jogger stroller.

He is still eating every 2 hours during the day, but only has 1 helping which means the time it takes to eat is about 1/2 of what it was a week ago.  That's been really nice to have that extra time during the day.  He still spits up tons, but we don't think the reflux bothers him so he isn't on the medicine for it.

As far as sleeping goes we are doing much better.  He is going to sleep around 6:30 PM and will wake up once between then and 1:00ish for a pacifier.  He eats at 1 and then gets a pacifier again around 4 and then will eat around 5 or 6 when he is then awake.  We were trying to not give him the pacifier during those two times and let him "learn" to put himself asleep, but he won that battle.  He is also napping really well...as long as he is in the Wombie.  He takes 3 naps a day anywhere from 1 - 3 hours long each just depending on the day.  We lay him down awake and he puts himself to sleep and it is great!

Stats:
Weight: 15 lbs 13 ounces (55%)
Length: 24 inches long (85%)

He laughs and talks all the time and is way more talkative than Rilyn was.  He rolled over once, but hasn't done it again so I don't know if we can count it or not : )

He is such a fun and happy little boy and we are enjoying him tons.  Rilyn also still adores him and she is such an amazing big sister!

Egg Farm

Last week, the kids and I went with Stacey and Grandma Decker to visit the farm where we will be getting our eggs.

Tyler and I have been buying eggs from Grant Family Farms for a year now, and have been purchasing free-range organic eggs for a few years.  We rely on eggs for a lot of our vitamins and minerals as well as omega-3s and protein.  Factory farmed eggs just don't provide those because the chickens are not well taken care of.  You can not only taste and feel the difference you can see it.

Yvonne found a woman who has about 25 chickens and was looking to sell her eggs.  Her adult daughter takes care of the animals and gets the money.  The daughter has some varying needs so now we are not only supporting a small farm and humane chickens, we are helping give this lady a way to earn some income!

The family invited us out to visit the animals (they also have goats, a pony, dogs, a horse, and a barn cat named Barny).  It was pretty cool to watch Rilyn feed the chickens that produce the eggs she eats.  She wanted to kiss all the animals except the rooster who made it known that he did not like her by kicking her in the back as she walked by him.

We had so much fun and can't wait to go back!!

Snow Day

Today we has our first real snow.  We probably got around 4 inches, and Rilyn, the dogs, and I got outside to enjoy it before it's gone.  It's been such a mild winter that we've missed out on some of the winter fun you might usually have in Colorado.  We loved looking out our window today and watching the snow blow around.

We got all bundled up...that only took about 30 minutes!

Rilyn tried throwing a snowball but for one it was really powdery and two she can't really throw with her mittens on because she couldn't wrap her fingers around it so this is what happened when she tried to throw it....

We made snowballs, played with the dogs, made snow angels, and just had tons of fun.

Licking her lips after eating snow

Rilyn's snow angel

Of course we also had to have some hot cocoa and cookies afterwards!

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Last weekend the kids and I went to the Children's Museum to see Santa.  I love a free Santa picture and anything beats the lines at the mall.

We definitely want to teach the kids about Christmas and the reason we celebrate Christmas is to celebrate Jesus, and we are searching ways to best work that into our family with all the commercialization of Christmas.  However, we still love the magic of Santa and plan on having him around for awhile.

Rilyn was very excited to go see Santa because she thinks he looks like Grandpa Decker.  I wasn't too worried that she would be scared.  She walked right up to him and tried to cuddle.  He was trying to get her to sit up and take a picture, but she would have been just as happy laying in his arms and sucking her thumb.

Ryder could care less, but I am guessing he is not going to be as social as Rilyn so next year we might get a screaming kid picture.

 Later that evening, we met Tyler (he had to work that whole day...boo) at the park in Larkspur for the Christmas tree lighting.  They had a large bonfire, Santa, hot cocoa, and treat bags.  Many businesses sponsored trees, decorated them, and now our whole park is lit with Christmas trees.  We LOVE our little town!

Sibling Love

Rilyn loves her little brother so much and it is amazing to watch him learn to love her too.  Ryder gets excited whenever Rilyn comes into the room.  She does a great job of entertaining him for me, and she kisses him 100 times a day!

Of course, there is some sibling rivalry happening already.  Rilyn is almost 2 and I'm guessing that means that the volume of her voice is on the same level as a freight train.  Poor Ryder is constantly startled by her and the little dude is a wimp so he puckers his lip and lets out a wail until he is cuddled and feels safe once again.

Don't worry he gets her back with all his spit up.  She does not move out of the way very quickly and often gets covered.

Reading to Ryder

she loves to cover him up with her blankets

holding his hand - this melts my heart

Thanksgiving

We had a relaxing, family-filled, and full Thanksgiving.  Carly and Ryan again hosted and we were spoiled with everyone's favorite dishes, lots of yummy pie, and good conversation.  Plus, I always love the holidays so I have an excuse to dress up the kiddos!

Watching the parade 

Ryder and Grandpa

Ryder getting snuggles from grandma

Our family photo

We are thankful for so much this year!  However, I've never been a fan of the idea of just taking one day a year and giving thanks.  Almost every day I wake up and thank God for all the blessings in our life.  They are abundant and deserve to be recognized every day!!!

We have amazing, supportive families that LOVE our children, a beautiful home, the opportunity for me to be home with Rilyn and Ryder, 3 pesky dogs, eachother, friends that care for us like family does, and of course Rilyn and Ryder who steal our hearts every single day!