Early Presents

A few weeks ago when we went to buy new lights the babies couldn't stop playing with the push button snow globes. So, OF COURSE Grandma had to buy them each their own globe, and OF COURSE she couldn't wait until Christmas.

They LOVE them!

and who am I to deny them happiness?

Especially if it allows me to get a shot like this! Do you know how hard it is to get a picture of them together??

FYI: They love them so much they brought the globes to bed with them.  I have no doubt they will travel with us today as well.

Turkey Treat Tradition

It has become a Thanksgiving tradition to bake the day before turkey day.  Who am I kidding, I bake for just about every event.  I think the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is a little extra special because of how grateful I am to have my two mini-bakers with me.  Not only to bake with, but to share special moments and memories with =)

We started out with baking a brand new cookie: toffee chocolate chip.  We will see how well it goes over tomorrow.

Miss Hailey loved the cookie dough....and just kept trying to sneak one more bite.

 Next we made 2 carrot cakes from SCRATCH!

 We really worked as a team.  Kyle and Hailey even took turns with the mixer.

It was another fun and unforgettable day before turkey day.  I hope everyone enjoys the turkey day treats we baked because Kyle and Hailey worked really hard.  If they are good I will take all the credit!  But, if its not so good, Kyle and Hailey made it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Kingdom Kuts

In honor of the festive holiday season rather than trim the tree I noticed by children could use a trim of their own....they were looking a little scruffy.  I didn't feel like driving to Natick so we tried a new "kiddie salon".  We went to Kingdom Cuts. 

Kyle was a little grumpy as I woke him from a restful slumber and he does not enjoy getting his haircut.  In his words "no no no haircut Mama."  Caillou on the television did help though, and after a few minuted of crying and breaking my heart he was my handsome baby boy again =).

Miss.Hailey has had her bangs done before, but not at an "official" salon.  So I guess today could be called her first official beauty day.  She did well in the chair.  She sat still and pensive and cried a bit.  Once we held hands she was fine.  The stylist was very impressed with Miss. Hailey Bug.  After she was fully quaffed it was time for her first official haircut photo, but all she could do was pout in the chair. This is not like my little girl but it was adorable and so she snapped and we captured the moment.

Thanks Kingdom Cuts! I think we will be back =)

Family Resemblance

      

When Hailey was first born she looked just like Jason's Uncle Kevin.  Literally!  In fact one of the first things I said after seeing her was "Oh my God Jay, I gave birth to your Uncle!"

When we are with my family everyone always tells me how much Hailey looks like me when I was a baby.  It made me smile inside because when any of Jay's female cousins hold Kyle you would swear she was his mother. All I ever hear is how much they look like DeVincents (which I love) but I had a little bottle of happy, yup she resembles me...UNTIL one of Jay's beautiful cousins sent me the middle pic above!  I guess Hailey is ALL DeVincent!  Good thing I love 'em all and think they are beautiful people inside and out =)

No matter who she resembles, or looks like more, she is still my angel baby girl!

The 2nd Pain of Christmas

If you know me, then you know I LOVE Christmas!!!  I love decorating the house.  The first night we have our tree up and the living room decorated, we have a little camp out.

However, my husband isn't as into the season as I.  He does accept all my ridiculousness without hesitation or argument, but there are times he can be a little bah-hum-bug, Grinch like. BUT I think this year his heart may have gown a size or two, maybe even three.

Our last 4 Christmases in our home have been great...on the inside, but outside....our decor was a little lack luster.  Compliments of the DeVincent Grinch.  We would put lights up, but only on our bushes.  We did use inflatable decor as well, but nothing near comparison to what inside our home had to offer.

This year is a whole other story.....we bought a bunch of lights and hung a lit up wreath, we even bought a new inflatable Rudolph!  Not only that but Jay did it all with a smile and a Christmas spirit in his heart.  OK maybe it was not Christmas spirit.  MAYBE it was a little bit of competition, now that we have neighbors across the street that set up beautiful light decor on their house.  I would like to believe that it is because we have kids and the spirit of the season has finally bit his ass!

The pictures don't give it enough justice.  It is beautiful!  I LOVE it! Though I think it originally may have been motivated and come about with a little friendly competition, in the end I think the Spirit and Excitement of Christmas is coming alive in Jasons heart.  He even came in and watched a Christmas movie, per HIS request!!!

This may be the best holiday season yet!

Hailey and her Bro!

Hailey loves her big brother.  She loves him so much she has to do everything he does.  Often times this leads to fighting.  Hailey bothers him, he retaliates, she cries, goes in for round 2...etc. etc. I am no silly mama though.  I know Kyle annoys and causes drama in her world too.  But sometimes she isn't such a bother...

Here I FINALLY got Kyle to eat some breakfast and there he was eating his oatmeal and playing with a toy when along came.....LITTLE SISTER.  Of course she HAD to have the toy, and rather than use another chair she HAD to sit with him.  Only this time there was no fight...

There were laughs, and giggles, inside jokes, hugs and kisses.

Maybe she isn't all that bad afterall..huh Kyle?  I mean really, what would our worlds be without her!

Mommy Moment

There are some moments as a Mom I really love: like when my babies are sleeping....

But I love even more when they snuggle together and I capture it =)

Binkie Update

There are NO MORE babies with binkies in this house.  It has officially been 9 days since a baby has used a bink!

Kyle truly shocked me with how easily he adjusted to the change. I whole heartedly thought he was going to be a holy terror wanting and needing a binky.  He was so darn attached.  Kyle doesn't even ask for it anymore.  He hasn't asked at all since day 3...Go Kyle!

Hailey on the other hand...well she misses the binky and still asks for it.  Though she is not difficult about it, I do feel maybe it was a little early for her.  My heart would so love to give her one, but I know if she gets one he will want one.  It just comes with the deal of having them so close together I guess.

I have to admit I have not yet thrown the binks away.  I also have to admit I had a really hard time throwing out the binky holder that was attached to the diaper bag, and I teared up a bit when I finally got the strength to put it in the trash.  WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME??  I guess the next intervention in this house will be MINE with the binkies......in the trash, so sad =(

All Alone

I recently caught a cold.  Its not that bad but with it came a sore throat and laryngitis.  My little ones have colds, Hailey worse than Kyle but they are both sleeping rather well and in good spirits throughout the day.  Me on the other hand I am exhausted! I have been up all night...for several nights.  Yesterday my loving husband took the kids out for the day and gave me a day to rest...ahhhh.

When I woke up this morning my voice was not more than a whisper and I felt awful.  With a beautiful sunny day ahead my brother and husband were looking forward to going fishing and I felt guilty about Jay taking the kids again and missing what could be the last opportunity to fish in 2010.  Thank goodness for my mother!  She agreed to watch the kids for the day and allow me to rest. She was more than happy to come over and watch them, but I would have felt bad and been out there with them so Kyle and Hailey are at Grandmas playing and spending the day.  Jason is fishing. I am home alone.

We really all win in this situation...even though I feel lonely and very unproductive. I have to admit though, it is nice having a day in bed to watch lifetime movies and sleep!  Thank goodness for the family I have!  Maybe I should ask for help more often =)

ANOTHER computer

So after 3 nights of no sleep because we all have colds I woke up bright and early yesterday (4:30am) and began my day.  I played on line, watched the news just chillaxed until the kids woke up.  Then the day really began. 6:00am we played, watched some TV, ate breakfast, and then finished out Thanksgiving Day craft.

There I was using the computer to print up pictures.  I went downstairs to get them off of the printer and when I came back up....my computer screen was cracked!  I have no idea how or when it cracked but it did and I was MAD!

 

So I rushed about to get the kids and myself dressed which was a feet in itself because not only was I exhausted, but I was sick with a cold, and so were they.  We were out the door and on our way to Best Buy. Got there bright and early for opening....9am, but they did not open until 10....YAY!

 

We finally got in the store where I was politely told my damage was physical damage and not covered under the very expensive warranty I had purchased along with my computer.  Really, what the hell do the warranties cover?  This is my 4th computer in 4 years!!!  Why, because whenever something goes wrong, it is not covered under the warranty!!  Argh!

 

So off I was to the back of the store to buy a new computer.  I waited and waited and waited for someone to help me....to PLEASE help me....I had 2 tiny humans running around and just wanted a computer.  I FINALLY got someone and I could SMELL Hailey.  So, I excused myself to go out and change her very messy diaper.  Came back in, waited for assistance again (and it wasn't even that busy) when I then smelled Kyle. Excused myself again so I could change him.  Came back and FINALLY got this computer =)

 

I then had to address the "geek squad" again so they could get some things off my old new computer where I was ripped off yet again......$100 for that. PLUS a fee for them to recycle the computer.  They wanted me to leave my new computer with them for 2 weeks to transfer the old data....obviously that did not happen!  So in 3-5 days I will have my old data on some CD's.

 

I am not sure if this post is necessary and it does not clearly signify all the ridiculous antics of my children.But the day was an adventure and one to keep on record =)

This Helmet

Kyle has been finding things lately and then fixates on them a little.  For instance last week his "Book of Colors" had to go with him everywhere: the car, the store, to bed.  This week it seems to be his Red Sox helmet.  He sleeps with i,t wakes with it.  This week he is loving the helmet!

and when Hailey wanted it he told her 'No" but gave her a big hug to make up for it.

Thank goodness I had my camera!

Lessons Learned

Kyle recently figured out he could move the chairs around to get what he wants from up above.  2 weeks ago while I was taking a shower Kyle climbed up and got the Lysol from the back of the counter; and when I got out of the shower I came out to Hailey crying and caught Kyle spraying her. It is now locked up!

He got in a lot of trouble for that and the next day I found he taught Hailey:

 Silly me for leaving out the chocolate chips in what I thought was a high safe place.

Now, Hailey even moves the chairs around by herself.

and Kyle found a chair that's a little lighter and a little easier to move.

The days get more adventurous!

Pet Names

I find it funny:  Hailey knows Kyle's name.  She can say Kyle.  She will often refer to herself as "Kyyllee" when she wants to play hide and seek.  However she refers to him as "yayey" and he responds.  I think it is a little pet name.  I wonder how long Kyle will be called "yayey".

Bye Bye Binkie....

I am not sure if it is a happy day or a sad day in the DeVincent home.  The binky fairy has visited our house and taken all of the binks to babies that need them. 

 I was expecting the WORST!  I thought the kids would be miserable!  Especially Kyle, he has that bink in his mouth all the time which is exactly what made me say "it's time for the binky to go".  I know, I know the binkies should have gone by 9 months no later than 1 year....OK sooner than 9 months but we didn't do it.  Sure we have our rhymes, reasons and excuses...and we did try once before but after a day of screaming gave in and said they are not ready.  Which is why I expected the week to be pure hell.

Kyle and Hailey have both asked for a binky.  However, once I explain the binky fairy came and took them away, they calm down and seem to get over it.  Last night at bedtime they asked for it once and that was it!  I was SHOCKED!  The ONLY one looking for a binky today was Hailey; which was another shocker because she seemed way less attached to the binky.

I am proud of my tiny humans for being so strong and cooperative in this endeavor.  I on the other hand am kind of sad.  Looking at their little faces and not seeing the binky in their mouths means they are growing up, and I am not handling that very well.  I like the binks, I think they are cute.  I know all the arguments...their teeth, bad habits, etc. etc. I knew this day would have to come sooner or later.  I know it should have been sooner, but I wish it could have happened just a little later.

Thank you Nuk Binky.  You have been there for some happy times and some super tough times, and you always made it a little easier on all of us.

It stinks Mama!

We all have our embarrassing and silly moments and this one covers both categories.

We were out and about spending the day shopping and getting some errands done. I could feel that I had to use the ladies room to pee but truly try to avoid the public restroom scene, especially with little ones.  I thought" I can hold it". UNTIL we got to "The Christmas Tree Shop"  I HAD to go! 

I strapped the kids in their double stroller and I darted to the back.  Where I found a woman standing by the ladies room door.....talking on her phone.  I assumed there was a line.  I wanted to ask the woman but her conversation seemed to be quite deep and I felt rude interrupting.  Besides, how could SHE miss ME.  I am pushing 2 adorable kids in a double stroller, standing in a shared confined space doing the pee pee dance.  She SAW me and if she were not in line she would tell me....right??? NO!!!! That BITCH stood talking on her phone for a good 7 minutes after making eye contact with me and FINALLY asked "are you waiting for the ladies room?"

FINALLY!!  I swivel my stroller around her and her cart which was taking up way too much available space and made it into the bathroom where Kyle yells "It stinks mama!" and my daughter has to follow with "P.U".  I tried to shusch them but really that just made it worse.  I made it into the handicapped stall with the kids in their carriages where they continued to shout "Mama it stinks in here". "P.U mama"  I found it hilarious, embarrassing, and oh so silly all at the same time.

It was one shopping experience I will never forget.  And to the woman who stunk up the bathroom...sorry!!!!

Trick or Treat

Halloween 2010 was GREAT!  We got 2 full days of celebrating, a bunch of yummy food, and tons of candy and sweet treats.  I began on Saturday with a party at Rhonda's house.  Unfortunately not everyone made it...but we did and we had fun!

The next day...party at OUR HOUSE!  What began as my brother and his kids coming over to trick or treat turned into a big family bash.  My parents, Jays parents, all of our siblings, our nephews and our neighbors came over and we celebrated the day!

 After a full day of food and fun came the part I was kind of dreading....trick or treating!  So we "glowed up" we all put on glow bracelets and glow necklaces changed the kids into their costumes and headed out.  I was super excited to take Kyle and Hailey trick or treating...it was their FIRST time!  I was dreading it all because I thought my kids were going to be grumpy and tired.

I was WRONG!  My babies LOVED trick or treating!!

Kyle couldn't wait to go to the next house!

It was one of the BEST Halloweens I have EVER had.  Seeing the kids having so much fun.  It brought back so many fun memories, and made for one more special moment.  I didn't want to go home!

Alas the night had to come to an end.  It was tubbies and jammies....a little candy too and then bed for my 2 glowing skeletons =)

I love Halloween!

Trick or Treat =)