Snow Day Cookies

For most of January, we've seen weather in the 40s and 50s. Not that I've minded, but I've really been looking forward to seeing Ian enjoy snow this winter.
As if to answer my wish, God sent us some beautiful snow! Lots of it too, and I'm quite excited. However, at a mere 19 degrees (Yesterday was 54!) I thought it best to keep my little guy warm inside.  This doesn't mean we didn't have fun though.
After his nap today, Ian helped me make Snow Day Cookies!

Of course, above you only see pictures of the finished product, but there was quite a bit of fun in the baking process.

As Mommy was mixing the batter, Ian figured he would contemplate the cookie topping. Sprinkles look pretty good.  I rolled out the cookies, and Ian figured he would help me decorate. I won't explain...just watch. :D

After that snafu, we got a batch baked, and Ian could finally eat his cookie. (Can you tell which one was his from the first set of pictures. p.s. - It isn't the really big one). I thought he would shove the whole thing in his mouth like he typically does with cookies. He sure surprised me.

He started picking the sprinkles off the cookie! I guess he really liked those sprinkles! After he got them off, he decided to poke at the cookie. Haha. Silly guy.

Although I've made quite a few cookies in my time, I don't know if I've had this much fun doing so in a long time. When you have a 1 1/2 year old as your assistant, I suppose he will make everything more enjoyable. I think sprinkle face had fun with it too. :D

The Great Battle of the Nap

I know this video is dark, but let me set the stage for you. Right now, Ian is supposed to be laying down for his nap. You are looking at his door. Hopefully you can hear a little bit of the activity of what's going on inside. This little boy is a trip.  Enjoy...

This is probably the 5th time I've caught him out of bed at nap time.  Oh, the times of transitioning from a crib to a toddler bed. I tell you what...it's something else. I have to keep reminding myself not to laugh at his antics, thus reinforcing his nap evasion behavior. It is kind of funny though to see what he tries to come up with to fight off sleep.

I will say though, that last night went better than the first night. The first night, between the hours of 4 and 6:30 am, Ian decided he wanted to get out of bed every 10-20 minutes and run into Mommy and Daddy's room.  Daddy finally camped out with him, because he wouldn't stay in bed any other way.  Last night, we put him down around 9 pm, and didn't hear a peep from his little pitter pattering feet until almost 9:30 this morning!  

I'm just hoping nap time today doesn't reflect what tonight is going to look like.

The joys of parenting - even with all these "battles", I wouldn't have it any other way.

Just for Fun

Ian has mastered a new word...

So far it's mostly cute. Let's just hope he doesn't get all sassy with it. :-)

A Letter from Mommy

Hi Ian.

It's a couple days before Christmas, and I just wanted to take a moment or two to write you a note and try to tell you just how much I LOVE You!

Christmas is one of my very favorite times of year, Ian. I think you will like it a lot too as you get older.  As you know, it's a time when we get to celebrate Jesus' birthday.  I hope that Daddy and I will properly convey to you as you grow just how incredible it was that Jesus came as a little baby to live with us - and how awesome it is to be able to celebrate Him!
I also love Christmas for the love that surrounds the season. The time we spend intentionally thinking of others, the time to spend with family (like grandpas, grandmas, aunts, uncles, and of course each other!), the effort put forth to beautify the house by decorating with trees and ornaments, stockings and lights.  It's a beautiful time of year.

I know this is your 2nd Christmas, Ian. And from the first day I knew of you, I've always seen you as my gift from God.  My boy, you make mommy SO happy, and I love you more than words can describe. I love to watch you grow and to spend time with you. I love what you are learning and love watching you explore your world.  You are truly a gift - I think that every single day, even days when you're a stinker. :]
Although I am always see you as a gift, I've been particularly thankful for you in this Christmas season.  We've told you a little bit about Adaiah. I know you are too young to understand now, and that's ok.  Mommy misses Adaiah, buddy. Even though he/she wouldn't have been with us yet this Christmas even if he/she were alive, I still miss having our little baby around for this holiday.  I would have loved to celebrate with Adaiah. Maybe you would get "big brother" things. Maybe you could help us decorate a new nursery for your new little brother/sister.  I know you would have had a lot of fun - and I know you will make a GREAT big brother someday.
Ian, even though Mommy misses Adaiah, I am extra thankful for you because of the joy that you bring.  I thank God extra for you, because if I didn't have my Ian-gift, I think I would be a great big mess (even more than I already am).  I am so thankful that I have you to hold and cuddle, to play with, to sing to, to read to, to go for walks with, to feed, to change diapers, to go on car rides with - to enjoy every moment of the brightness you bring to my life.

I will tell you every single day that I love you. I promise to convey to you every day what an incredible gift from God you are. And I promise to do my very best to help you appreciate the meaning of Christmas - the love that brought Jesus down to be a baby, (just like you were), so that we can know God and enjoy all the incredible gifts He's given to us.

Merry Christmas, Ian!

Love,
Mommy

Halloween Fun

I realize I'm a little late on this, but we had quite a bit of fun this Halloween season.

Our little pumpkin hit up 2 trunk or treats (yes, I spelled that right) and the city's Safe Halloween. He has more candy than any 17 month old would ever know what to do with!

He loved playing the trunk or treat games.  Especially the washer one; he kept going back again and again.

Now the trick is, keeping him from eating way too many treats. I have to find all these new and innovative ways to hide the basket. Ian sniffs it out like a pro!

On a different note - I've been trying to do much better with taking pictures, so hopefully I'll be more consistent with posting Ian's Antics. He's an active little boy, so I won't promise posts every day or anything, but I'm at least aiming for more than once a month. :-)