Christmas Eve

Her favorite

Nadia in dance class

Independent Times

Nadia has been testing her boundaries much more in the past couple weeks. I understand that this is normal but that doesn't make it easier to deal with. I am not used to her throwing a complete tantrum over anything, sometimes when things are even going her way. It's just draining on everyone, but it has to be draining for her too. Her vocabulary has just exploded so I have been encouraging her to use her words. It is amazing what a two year old can try to tell you! She is definitely turning into a little lady and is feeling her independence. It has been nearly a month since she has had her nuk (pacifier). Teething one day she chewed one up, then the next. After that one I decided that was it, no more. When she asked for her nuk I showed her one she chewed and told her she couldn't have it anymore, it was yucky. She continued to ask every once in a while but soon she forgot about it. I am so happy that we were able to get rid of it under such peaceful terms :) Now I cannot go without asking her to do anything without her asking -Why??- So we are entering some very fun times!

Nadia had her last dance class until the holidays are over. It was family day so we were allowed to sit in class and observe. Nadia does pretty good in class although I wish she would follow the teachers directions more. As her teacher said today though, she has come a LONG way from how upset she was just a few classes ago. It is nice for other people to put it in perspective for you sometimes!

Nadia's first dance recital

Nadia had her first recital this morning. I know we are all more nervous than she! She has been fighting going to bed lately, wanting to play until 10 at night. So, it was a bit tough to have to wake her up so early today. We were all dressed and off to dance at 8 this morning! When we arrived we checked Nadia in and left her in the hands of the dance studio. I was especially nervous about this since I really haven't left her like that before. I suppose she did well since the teacher did not call my phone! It was so cute to watch all the little ones do their routines in reindeer and candycane outfits. I can't wait to see Nadia as a reindeer next year! You will see in the video that Nadia runs off pretty quickly. There is one Mom that always has to stay in class or near her child and of course Nadia always wants to go sit with her. So, when you see her run off that's where she is going. To be with the other Mom... sigh. It is such a distraction for her, but after all, she is only two :)

Happy Thanksgiving

We had a small get together for Thanksgiving this year. We were hoping that some of Jacobs family might make it out but they were unable. Since it was planned that I would cook and the food was all bought we went ahead with our plans of having Thanksgiving at our house. We missed seeing my brother, his family and his wife's extended family; we always have so much fun with everyone! Nadia always loves to see all the kids, so I did feel like she got a little gypped in that department. She loved having Oma and Opa over to her house and showing them all of her toys, tricks and dancing. She just brightens our day more and more the older she gets. She is just a little lady now. Saying full sentences, using logic, it all amazes me!

I prepared our turkey in a brine the night before so the turkey was so moist and tender. Thankfully over the years I have learned how to properly make a juicy turkey. I do not like handling raw poultry though, gives me the heebie jeebies! So it was a bit of mind over matter while preparing it all. I made my moms stuffing with hot sausage, that never gets wasted, EVER! Sweet potatoes, Garlic and feta mashed potatoes, steamed sesame green beans and a double layer pumpkin cheesecake. I had my parents come over early to munch on the deviled eggs and spinach artichoke dip. All in all, there was a TON of food and we had a great time. Oh! I also found a couple new favorite sweet red wines for myself, yum!

Nadia had a holiday dress that came with a matching baby dress. This is what she choose to wear for Thanksgiving. Sadly, we didn't get any photos as a family. I will post what I was able to get.

Busy October

What a busy month we have had! Earlier this month the Rocks came to visit for a couple days. Nadia always loves to see them but kept asking where Ashlyn was. It amazes me that at this age she remembers children that she only sees a couple times a year.

The Realtors association that I belong to holds an annual Oktoberfest. Our company sponsored a booth and was determined to take home a title. They chose desserts from around the world so I offered to make strudel. The only problem... had to be cut into bite sized pieces. Cutting strudel into bite sized pieces doesn't work very well, but I cooled it overnight and managed. Our booth took home the "Best in Show" award, yea for United Brokers Group! Nadia had a lot of fun people watching and wearing her new outfit with a "fur" vest.

Just got home from Momma's work Oktoberfest

Nadia has been going to dance class every Wednesday. Each day she goes she starts to participate more. She still doesn't want us to leave in the beginning but once the door is shut and class has started she calms down. We still have at least one throw-up incident each time.... poor girl works herself up to the point of gagging; she gets this from me. I am hoping that as she becomes more comfortable this will stop. The class of 2 year olds are performing in "The Nutcracker" recital as candy canes. I can't wait to watch the little munchkins, they are so comical! We will definitely post pictures and a video when the time comes.

Halloween was a lot of fun this year. Nadia didn't know if she wanted to be a fairy, a princess or a butterfly. We settled on butterfly although she was telling everyone Halloween night that she was a fairy. We have so many children in the neighborhood that Nadia and Daddy sat outside and handed out candy or "trick or treats" as Nadia calls it. She is such a smart little girl and is amazing us everyday at the new words she picks up. Pumpkins are now on her mind all the time. All she wants is to go see pumpkins! We went to a local pumpkin patch and picked out our pumpkins. She was in heaven, running around to all the pumpkins. The only part she didn't like so much was cleaning them out. She is like her Momma and doesn't like to be dirty lol!

On to other news. We also got a new car this month. I will admit I am a little sad, I loved my Escape. It was the car we brought Nadia home from the hospital in and I just really liked it. I am super excited that I can fit whatever I want in the new car though! It is much more roomy and comfortable. Nadia can't reach my seat to kick it, this makes driving much less aggravating :) I also have noticed that the spot in my back that hurt all the time doesn't anymore. Must have been something the drivers seat did to my posture to tweak it all the time. So, we are VERY excited about our new car.

This post was just all over the place! In time I hope to get into the habit of writing more frequently so everything is not crammed together.

Nadia and Dax

She was so excited the wind was blowing her face :)

Nadia's first day at dance

I have been looking into activities for Nadia and I found a class for 2 year olds. It is a ballet, tap and tumbling class. Lets be realistic here, it's so she can have fun and learn to interact. I'm not expecting any pirouettes, but it is adorable to watch! Nadia was able to try a class today before we enroll. The only other place I have ever left her besides family is our babysitter who gives her a lot of attention. While Nadia usually doesn't have a problem meeting new people I was curious about what her reaction would be. They said not to worry about bringing any tap shoes or ballet shoes the first time; that was my first mistake. Nadia is a bit of a shoe freak, perhaps she gets that from me?! So right away she was wondering why she was only in her stockings. I was able to leave the room as soon as class started, she was sitting with the other girls getting stickers on their "sticker" feet. She watched a bit more than participated and was fine until half way through. She was looking all around for me and started crying and crying. I even mentioned to one of the parents -Oh, I hope she doesn't throw up! - She did.... I was then let to come into the room and sit on the floor with her. Poor girl! I felt awful for the poor teacher but she seemed to handle it quickly and move on. So, while she may have had a hard time today I am going to enroll her. The teacher said we will just start the same way as today and eventually she will be fine. I know my little Nadia is such a social butterfly so I am sure that once she is secure she will have a blast.

Nadia's 2nd Birthday

Nadia's birthday was on Friday and unfortunately Jacob had to work very late that day; which has been happening a lot. I was able to put her down for a late nap but she still only got to spend about a half hour with him. She got a few presents delivered that day. Flowers from the Kizk family (which I found out was a much smaller bouquet than they had ordered.) and a laptop from my sister Monica and her husband Joey. Nadia was so excited to open the door and see that presents came for her! Nadia loves flowers, she walks around our yard and my Dad's smelling the pretty flowers, so she was especially excited when they came. The laptop my sister bought her is a leaptop. You program it with songs and her name, even emails. It is awesome the things that they come up with and how personalized you can make it!

Jacob had the weekend off thankfully so we spent Saturday getting the yard ready with my Dad. I also worked on all of the last minute food and Nadia's cake. If you read my twitter posts, you know that this dang cake was an experience! Not that I had a hard time making it, I had a hard time keeping Jacob and Dax from eating it! I did homemade strawberry and chocolate cakes. Finally all of the cakes were made and I moved on to the fondant. It was much easier for me to work with it this year after having some experience from last year. I really didn't have any kind of plan for the design though. I wish I would've spent more time figuring that out, but I just winged it last minute. Jacob and I stayed up late doing all of the little details.

We were so pleasantly surprised with how many guests we had for Nadia's birthday party. We must have had 25+ people at our house. It was a very special day and we are so thankful for everyone that came to celebrate!

We rented a princess bounce house for the backyard along with a bubble maker and sno cone machine. It was 103 out, it doesn't matter how used to the heat you get that is hot! We had misters going and shades up which helped some. The kids had so much fun, I was happy that Nadia had some children to play with. We had a few friends over with their babies and Nadia kept asking where Elai was. It is amazing that she can remember her little cousin who was out about a month ago! After cake and presents everyone started filtering out. A few of our good friends hung around and we were able to visit. Nadia had a great day not to mention all of the presents she got!