Christmas 2011.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with our families was very busy! Colin is seriously so spoiled and he knows it. Evan took in all the noise around him and had a great first Christmas himself! With a week old baby everyone came to us this year which was a big help! Even Tucker passed out after everyone left!

looking back.

2011 was a crazy year to say the least. Keeping tradition from last year below is a short video of all our favorite 2011 moments. I can't wait to show the kids these when they get older.

Hope everyone had a great 2011!

Evan.

Welcome, Evan Graeme Smith! December 15, 2011 : 9 lb 2 oz : 20 inches: 8:06 am

It's hard to believe a week has passed since Evan was brought into our world. Anticipation of being a family of four was overwhelming but Evan has been such a sweet sweet boy and is so patient with all the chaos that surrounds him. Colin loves his baby brother. He shares everything with him including blankets, goldfish, paci's.. you name it. Colin says "baby" first thing in the morning and "baby" as soon as he walks in the door in the afternoon. I am so glad they will both be able to have playmates. It's a great feeling raising a family.


I was running out of time with the sleepy phase so I took these this morning at exactly a week old. We are very much looking forward to Christmas with our crazy toddler and new family of four! Thanks for every one's well wishes! Merry Christmas!

house projects.

We finally put up some backsplash in the kitchen. It's amazing how just a small change can impact an entire space. Everyone may have thought I was a little crazy to go with glass blue subway tile...it was a risk but a well worth it one!

Colin meets Santa.

we avoided the long lines at the mall and waited for Santa to come to the neighborhood. Probably a good call. Maybe next year. Maybe.

gingerbread mess.

Colin decorating (eating) his gingerbread house...


and a quick video :)

work.

I am so blessed to be able to work from home. All of you mommas that go into the office pregnant I BOW down to you. Honestly you are saints and your husbands should rub your feet every single night. This is my snug little spot as I await the arrival of this child. At least I get a shower every morning... I can prepare myself for the non sleep about to be thrown back my way but it's the days of non showers when you're on maternity leave that are hardest....

toddler life.

Most of our weekends it feels like we are up earlier than the rest of the world. Justin and Colin head to the grocery store every Sunday morning at seriously 7 AM. By the time they get home most places still aren't open. Saturday we killed some time after we picked out our tree at Brambleton Town Center before Johnny Rockets opened. 30 minutes there and we still had the restaurant to ourselves. Either our child has lots of energy and everyone else sleeps in or their children let them be lazy. Colin loves to be out of the home... so we try our best to be creative :)

thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving destroying kitchen @ Carney house
Thanksgiving running wild @ Smith house

We have been busy trying to mark everything off our list, get Christmas shopping done, homework for Justin's last few classes and house things done. I am ready to have this baby and am wobbling my way through these next few weeks! Colin is having fun playing with all the baby items scattered throughout the house and says baby as he points to the car seat next to him in the car. I can't wait to introduce him to his brother and playmate. Stay tuned!

it's a girl!

Saturday we celebrated Baby Girl Hoy's upcoming arrival. Mom did a great job with the decorations and we had so much fun pulling and shopping frilly and pink things. Meghan is due mid January just a few weeks after me. We are going to keep everyone very busy! Can't wait to meet her!

19 months.

Colin has loved everything about fall and he loves being outside. Meghan had her shower this weekend and Colin killed some time playing around in the leaves out back. Nothing seems to burn this child's energy. More to come on Meghan's ADORABLE baby shower!

starting early.

Colin stands mesmerized by the girls. He loves to stand on the front porch and say "hiiiya" to cars, dogs and kids walking by... but if a loud truck comes by he goes running. My poor boy gets so scared so easily.

weekend naps.

Naps these days are spent on the couch which is fine by me. Especially with some snow falling in the background and a couch to nap on next to him.

pumpkin carving.

Colin wasn't so much into the carving or the guts part. In fact he wanted nothing to do with it. As much as he is all boy he doesn't do weird messy textures. He is my child I suppose :)

lately.

- Colin is becoming more independent and his favorite word is "no" with a huge pronunciation on the nnnnnnnno.. complete with attitude.

- Justin finally turns 30 on Friday and I no longer have to hear that I am older than him for those few weeks!

- We are hanging in there but I think I may be more excited for Justin to graduate in December than he is.

- My family threw me a small shower this past weekend and I suddenly panicked. I suppose I should get my rear in gear since he will be here any day.

- Justin and I have a tossed a few names around but we seem to be on the same pace and can't commit to any name- although I think we may know.

- I love our bedtime routine and snuggling with Colin before he goes to bed. I know all that is about to change and I am trying to get in as many sweet hugs and cuddles from him as I can.

- I am on bedrest. Which is anyone knows is impossible for me. I was in the hospital for a few days while they monitored some crazy contractions. He's staying put for now but I've been told to take it easy. Are you laughing too?

- We got trees!! Justin and I went to a tree farm and picked out some landscaping for the backyard and I love it and so glad we got it done this fall. Justin has been talking about that for months and it makes me happy to have him so giddy over trees and bushes!

- We are so excited for Halloween and some of the holidays coming up!

18 months.

I can't believe how time has passed so quickly since his first birthday. The toddler stage is fast pace and time passes you by so quickly. Nobody ever really prepares you for how much work a child can be but nobody can explain just how much all that work is worth. I love this crazy child. And yes I bribe with graham crackers. he's a toddler.. he doesn't sit still.. only when eating (sort of).
pictures are apparently exhausting...