Merry Christmas!

Chloe with her bag from Santa full of toys
Chloe and Zach out on their first bike ride courtesy of Grumpy & Grammy
Cousin Allie pushing Chole on the pricess car

We had a fantastic Christmas! I love Christmas and am one of those annoying people that have their shopping done weeks in advance and wrapped under the tree the beginning of December. I love everything about Christmas. This year was even more exciting because the older Chloe gets the more she will learn to enjoy Christmas as well.

This year there was lots of talking "to" Santa. Zach and I both had different experience with Santa so we had to decide, along with Santa of course, how Santa was going to deliver gifts to our children. My Santa would pile up a stack of our gifts in nice little piles with our stockings in front so on Christmas morning each of us three girls would know which pile belonged to who. Zach's Santa would spread the presents around the tree and then on Christmas morning they would be handed out to everyone. So because each of us thought the other person's experience was ridiculous we came to a compromise and decided that Santa would put Chloe's gifts in a big Santa bag with her name on it and leave it by the tree. This way the gifts are all stacked nicely in one area like I wanted, but it was something different from what each of us had growing up. Then after Christmas we would "mail" the Santa bag(s) back to the North Pole so Santa would have them next year.

My parents came in town for a bit to have an early Christmas. We celebrated Christmas with them on December 17th and then had a great visit with them after that. We picked dad up from the airport and of course Chloe would not look at him. I don't know what it is about him but she has always been a Little resistant when it comes to my dad. It didn't last long because by the first night he was able to play with her and hold her, which before would take a few days. Chloe had lots of time to play with my parents and her cousins. She liked to ride on a little princess car that cousin Allie had while Allie would push her all over the house. She also learned more of the motions to pat-a-cake as she will throw it in the pan by putting her hands up in the air. She also was getting better at walking. She still has only taken one step at a time without holding on, but her balance has gotten much better when we walk with her and she is down to holding on with one finger. Hopefully she starts walking before this baby comes!

After we had a great visit with my parents it was time for our Christmas. Each year we have done something a little different depending on where we are at and especially since we had to think about Chloe. This year on Christmas Eve we went out for a good lunch and had this amazing strawberry dessert. Chloe even tried to dig into it a little bit. Then we came back put Chloe down for a nap and when we woke her up we opened up gifts from Zach's side of the family as well as my grandparents and aunts and uncles. Chloe wasn't too interested in opening up the gifts, but she did like to see them and if they were hers she wanted to open and play with them immediately. After we had our nice time opening up some of the gifts we went out and looked at Christmas lights. We would say "ooohh" and "ahhhh" and "how pretty" and then Chloe would make noises too and stare out the window. Then Zach passed down a few houses and said that they were grinches because the houses had no lights on them and it was right at that moment that Chloe decided to blow raspberries. It was perfect timing as it was like she was telling the homes that she didn't like them either. After we went around looking at lights we came home and played a little bit then put Chloe to bed. After Chloe was fast asleep we watched Christmas Vacation as you just have to do that on Christmas Eve. Then on Christmas morning we all woke up opened up our gifts from each other and then went to my sister's house and spent some time with them opening more gifts and watching the kids play with their new toys. It was a great Christmas!

As much as I love Christmas and everything that it includes I am also ready to take down the tree and decorations just as quickly. Now it is time to start looking ahead to the new year and the new BABY!

Bring on the holidays!

Chloe dressed up in an outfit from her Grammy & Grumpy

Zach and Chloe at our Flagstaff Hotel

Chloe "eating" the table at the swanky Flagstaff restaurant

Cousin Allie giving a cheesy smile after "eating" her fries and ranch

Zach's masterpiece

Chloe helping with the decorations
The finished product

We've had a great and busy few weeks. After all the visitors were gone and Chloe was a year old it seemed liked a lot of things clicked with her. She started clapping, which I was very excited about as we've been trying to get her to clap for at least a month. Then she finally started saying "Ma Ma". This was huge as all she would ever want to say is "da da" or "daddy". She has also started giving kisses out and blowing the occasional kiss. Chloe isn't walking yet, but she is so close. She is pulling up and starting to let go from everything. Her hair is also finally growing. We still can't decide what color her hair is as sometimes it looks blond and other times it has a red tint to it, but I'm sure just like my hair it will change colors the older she gets. We did notice after her hair air-dried after a bath there were a few curls starting to form at the back of her head. Who knows what her hair is going to be like.

We've also decided on a theme for the new baby's room. I told Zach that I let him off the hook because with Chloe the minute we found out we were having a girl I put him to work on setting up her room. We've decided it will be a car theme, not the movie Cars but actual cartoon like cars and trucks. It took a lot to decide as there really aren't a whole lot of really cute boy themes that don't have monkeys in the theme. Once the holidays are over I will really start to get the room in order and paint on the walls. The baby has been moving around a lot more and Zach has been able to feel the baby a lot more. We have been slowly gathering some outfits for the new baby which makes it all seem more real to actually shop for him. Now when we go to the mall it is filled with stops to children stores and the baby department rather than for us.

With all the new things going on with Chloe and the new baby the holiday season has begun. Christmas is my favorite time of year. I love to listen to Christmas music and I love all the decorations and just the feeling in the air. For Thanksgiving we went up north to Flagstaff to spend a few days with my sister and her family. We stayed at a nice hotel that had hot breakfast and dinner for free as well as an indoor pool. We went to the pool the first day and Chloe was clinging onto Zach as it was too cold for her. The pool may have been indoors, but the cool outside was in the pool. After about 10 minutes Chloe started shivering so she and Zach moved to the hot tub. The hot tub wasn't too hot, but we still just had Chloe put her legs in to and splash around. She had fun and was much happier than what she was in the cold cold pool. The Friday after Thanksgiving we went to this swanky restaurant right next to the hotel. When Adam first checked out to see if it was open he didn't notice how swanky it was. Luckily it was not busy at all because I'm sure if the normal crowd saw a table with 2 six year olds and 2 one year olds they wouldn't have appreciated us. After looking at the menu and realizing there was no kids menu we kind of all looked at each other and wondered if we should just get up and leave. We ended up staying and all had great food. We then left and did a little Christmas shopping/browsing at the local mall. It was a very small and old mall, but you have to go out the day after Thanksgiving to do at least a little bit of shopping. Then on the Saturday on our way home we went out to our local mall and stores and got ALL of our Christmas shopping done!

Finally the Christmas decorations are up! Normally they are up the day after Thanksgiving, but I was a little slow this year. Zach had up the lights in perfect timing, but it took me about a week longer than normal to get the tree done. We've moved the tree upstairs to hopefully help Chloe and the dogs keep off of it during the day. We also switched out the old glass ornaments with the shatterproof plastic ornaments. Now it is time to wrap wrap wrap!

Grandparents Visit

Chloe, Grumpy & Grammie Round 2 w/Grammie & Grumpy. Don't let the mess fool you, she still didn't eat the cake! I just couldn't resist posting this :) Grammie & Chloe on the Carosel We've reached our destination on the hike...the waterfall?

We just had a great two weeks and over those two weeks Chloe's grandparents came out for a visit. Steve and Ermine came in late in the evening on Chloe's birthday to spend a quick weekend with her over her first birthday weekend. We went out for a walk/hike in the nearby mountains, had a picinic at the park, visited the Phoenix zoo and had a belated (only by a few days) birthday cake/celebration for Chloe and an early (only by a few days) birthday cake/celebration for Zach. Chloe also actually enjoyed some Texas Roadhouse bread for the first time. She normally isn't too fond of breads, but she actually took some. She also started saying "Thank You", not necessarily at the right times or all the times, but we are working on it.

Chloe, Mamaw & Allie

Chloe, Sabrina & Allie on Santa's lap at the National Adoption Day Event
All of us with the Judge at Allie's adoption finalization
Chloe and Mamaw on Mamaw's last day

A few days after Steve and Ermine left my mom came for a visit. It was suppose to be just a few day lay-over on her way back from Bankok, but the trip was cancelled so she just came out anyways. It was a busy and great trip. I'm always shocked to see how well Chloe takes to my mom, especially since she has some issues with my dad, but this trip was like all the rest. Chloe would crawl right up to mom for her to pick Chloe up. The first morning Chloe was a bit timid and playing shy, but after she had some breakfast she was ready to play. We went out to dinner with the Fischer clan at a great BBQ place for Zach's birthday (well really for my mom because it is her favorite). My mom also offered to watch Chloe for an evening so Zach and I could go out to a movie. That is always a nice surprise! Then on Saturday we spent the morning at the football field to watch Calvin & Wes win the flag football championship and were able to go to the courthouse to watch Allie's AZ adoption be finalized on National Adoption Day. Then we did some shopping and playing in the park with all the kids.

Both grandparent vists were great and I'm sure that Chloe enjoyed visiting/playing with her grandparents as much as they enjoyed it. We also enjoy watching the interaction and seeing Chloe get to know her grandparents since they all live so far away!

Next up....Thanksgiving!!!

Chloe all tuckered out after her two big visits with her grandparents

The Results Are In....

We are having a BOY!!!

We went to the doctor this week and it is very clear that we are having a boy. Zach has been convinced the entire time it was a boy and he was correct. The ultrasound tech said that the baby was very active and looked good. There was nothing that she was concerned about so we were very happy about that. She also said that our boy was not shy at all!

Now it is time to start narrowing down our names and nursery ideas.

1 Year

Jenna's 1st B-day...giving the same look as Chloe was giving.

Chloe looking at Allie while Allie was enjoying Chloe's cake

]Chloe is now 1 year old! We've had a busy week and a busy couple of weeks coming up. On Chloe's birthday we had a nice family day and that night Sabrina, Adam and the kids came over for some Buffalo Wild Wings and cake to celebrate Chloe and Zach's birthdays. Chloe did not care much for her cake. I would have to say it wasn't the prettiest thing around, but she wouldn't have cared if it was prettier. Zach put some icing on her lips and that still did not help. She did get icing in her hair, on her dress and all over the table, but that was just because she was trying to get it off of her fingers. Chloe shared some icing with Allie and she liked it much better than Chloe did. Zach had an ice cream cake and Chloe preferred that one much better. She did get a lot of toys and a new "big girl" carseat. It was definitely a big day for her!

Now we have Zach's parents, my mom and then a Thanksgiving trip up north to get ready for this month!

October Festivities

October has been a fun filled month. We spent a day at the Arizona State Fair and then two days celebrating Halloween. Lets start out with the State fair.

Ever since we moved to Arizona we always say that we are going to make it out to the state fair. Every time we drive by and see the large ferris wheel Zach sighs and longs for a smoked turkey leg and funnel cakes. We finally made it out this year. We had to scope out all of the food stands and walk down the aisles so Zach could choose just the right turkey leg stand with not too long of a line. So Zach got himself a turkey leg and we sat down and ate. Then we went over to the animal barns. It must have been sheep and cow week as that is pretty much the only animals besides chickens and ducks. Chloe was fascinated with the animals. She watched with bright wide eyes at all the animals. There was one little sheep that was bahing and so then Chloe said in a real quiet voice "ah ah ah". It was cute. Then after the animals we walked around people watching and Chloe was staring at all the lights. She did so good and had a good time. Zach was able to get his funnel cake on the way out so all in all it was a good trip.

So after our State Fair stink wore off it was time to get ready for Halloween weekend. We looked through alot of costumes and because it is still in the 80s outside we didn't think a large furry costume would be a good idea. So we decided on Minnie Mouse. We only had to get the ears and a pink shirt as we already had the tights and skirt. I just had to sew on white circles and BAM she was Minnie Mouse. Then Zach was wondering what he should be and he decided to be Mickey. We just had a get a few things for him and I sewed on large white circles for buttons and yellow felt on his shoes. It was then his idea to paint his nose black. I'm pretty sure Zach had the better time dressing up as he was all smiles while Chloe barely gave any smiles while she was dressed up.

On Saturday we went with Sabrina and the kids to the local ballpark for a Halloween festival. It was fun. The kids and Zach were in a costume contest/parade and there were a ton of rides and bouncy houses for the kids. Chloe and Allie pretty much stayed in the wagon, but we still had a fun time. Zach went on a ride with the boys too. We spent a couple hours there and then we went through the drive through at McDonalds. Zach was still in full costume with ears and all. The people laughed and he was pretty proud of himself.

On Halloween night we went over and met the Fischer family to go trick or treating in their neighborhood. Zach pulled the wagon with Allie and Chloe while the boys ran from house to house getting candy. Chloe was holding on for dear life in the wagon. It was really funny. Allie was just talking up a storm. Finally the last few houses Chloe and Allie started talking to each other and Chloe loosened up her grip a bit. It was a great evening. Chloe got Zach and I a lot of candy to eat.

It has been a great month of festivities and November will bring another great month. Chloe will turn 1, my mom will be out, Zach's parents will be out here and we will find out if we are having a girl or boy the mid-end of November. Another great month to look forward to!

11 Months

At the Zoo w/cousin Allie
Chloe pushing around her Monkey in the dog bowl

Our little Chloe is growing so fast. She now has 8 teeth that have popped through the gums and she is just talking up a storm. She is letting go a bit when she stands up, and likes to stand and walk when you hold her arms, but she is not quite brave enough to try it on her own. She wants to try and eat anything that we have and drink anything that we have, but when we give it to her she shares with the dogs. Its a slow process, but one thing she does love is Cheese Balls. She loves to drink out of straws and swap sippy cups with Allie, but she still would rather we hold her bottle.

We've had a great couple of weeks. The weather has been beautiful. It took a break from the triple digit temps to go down to the 70s and 80s. We soaked up every minute of it. We went on walks, went "hiking" up the White Tanks and went to the Zoo. I can't wait for this weather to be permanent as we are back up in the 90s which means we are back inside for most of the day.

Chloe has quite the imagination. Sometimes I think she thinks that she is a dog as she loves to look out the doggy door, chase the dogs, laugh at the dogs when they wrestle and when they eat she likes to go back and watch them. She has even picked up a bad habit from them. Buster likes to knock over the food bowls and then scoop the food into the corner. Then when the bowls are empty Daisy likes to play with them. So Chloe has put them both together and now she dumps the food bowls out and pushes the empty bowls around the floor. She doesn't just push the empty bowls she uses the empty bowls as a a vehicle for her stuffed animals. We would first get onto her about dumping out the dog food, but then when we see her push around her toys it is just too cute so now I just let her use her imagination and use the bowl as a vehicle. Buster and Daisy always eventually clean up the spilt dog food.

I just can't believe Chloe will be a year old next month!