Plane, Two Showers, A Baby Blessing and WAY TOO MUCH SHOPPING!!!!!!!!

The girls and I traveled to Utah for a week via plane. It was Lydia's first out of the womb flight and I was so nervous about it. She was my lap child and handled it fairly well considering she had to sit still enough for 2 hours.

 I love the tables that are at the airport for the little kids. The girls made pretty good use of them too.

Me and Lydia enjoying the lap riding... not! Just kidding. The two guys to the side of us (that you can see in the picture) were very understanding.  They entertained her too.  Thank you pure strangers!

 Arlee enjoyed all the snacks, sitting in her seat, taking off, the apple juice, entertaining Lydia and looking out the window. Oh and like any child asking if we are in the air yet, raising her hands for take off, clapping, giggling and just being plain silly. She is really easy to fly with.

Arlee was so excited about all the snow there. I made sure that I brought her stuff so she could go play in the snow. (While we were there in November I didn't even think about packing it. And it was very much missed.) The snow was so deep that they couldn't really walk in it. They opted for sitting and playing instead. Arlee had something in her mouth so she took off her glove. Kasiah tried putting it back on, but wasn't successful. My mom went out and put it on for her. After it was on she decided that she wanted to come back in. They had fun in the ten minutes that they were out there. Now I understand why my mom would get upset at us when we would come in pretty quick after going out. It is a lot of work for that little of play. They had a lot of fun though. I guess that is all that matters.

 We bought Leili a matching outfit and gave it to her when we saw them. I have to say they both look pretty cute! Leili was trying to eat Lydia's hand and Lydia really wasn't wanting to sit there with her. But we managed to get a picture or two worth posting.

 Me with the two kiddos.

The next day was Hans' sister's bridal shower. The house was packed and she got a lot of great gifts.

 Abbie's baby shower was a couple days later. The theme was BABY and it worked out great! So cute. Lyndsay did the invitations, but was unable to be there for it. Kali and I did the shopping for the food and the presents. It was a great turn out and a lot of fun.

 The BABY shower spread.

"Thank you for helping us shower the new mom to be who is about ready to POP!" We gave Tootie Pops for party favors.

 BABY carrots and BABY tomatoes

BABY pizzas (sugar cookies with cream and a strawberry) BABY muffins

 Diaper cake

BABY mush (Fruit dip) BABY skewers

 Diaper Cake

It's a baby girl!

Flower made of onesies, 4 wash cloths- match the hooded towel that we made for her, two pairs of pants and some snap pj's

 Abbie's mother-in-law gave her a soccer outfit for the baby. She thought it was perfect. Abbie is my soccer sister. I miss playing soccer with her. We both love to play and have been on the same teams before after I was 18.

Next up was Ryker's Baby Blessing. Jens did a great job.

Random picture of Lydia sitting on a chair that Stine got from the bridal shower.

Abbie with the girls. I wasn't able to see my niece, Harper or my brother's girlfriend, Sarah (Harper's mom), they were sick and didn't want to risk getting us sick. It is going to be a really long time before we see them again. They are moving to New York this month. : ( Maybe someday we will get to see them. We will wait and see when.

Too much shopping you ask?

Since Hans' sister is getting married I was given the assignment to find a purple dress. Not a big deal right? Wrong! They are so many shades of purple that it is actually really difficult. No place has a basic purple either. Example: It is either more of a blueish, pinkish, lavenderish purple. I hate shopping for a specific thing. Anyway, after several hours of online shopping, two days of store shopping and one dress purchased. It is not the right color purple. You have got to be kidding me. So if you see a "flat purple" dress anywhere that is modest, let me know pronto! The only one that I have found is $250! OUCH.

The NEW Arlee Nichole Hoge

Ever since we have moved Arlee in her own room she has been making it very clear that she doesn't like her new room. She wants to sleep with Lydia. So cute, right? Well I would cave, but you see it is too cute of a room to waste and Lydia has been sleeping much better. Lydia's sleep and Arlee's cute room wins. She is going to have to get used to it. Maybe I am a mean mom? NAH!!!

Also Arlee has been taking Lydia's pink blanket everywhere. If she doesn't sleep with it than we have to listen to her cry about it forever. What would you do? At this point I almost went and got her one of her own, but than I would be feeding the fit frenzy. I fight with myself on a daily basis about this one. She has been really hard the last little bit.

Is it because she has a really cute room? Ha! Ha! Is it because I am not giving her enough attention? Is this ever going to go away? Holy Crap Child! Seriously, this is the end of the world as we know it. So if this is the end; what are we going to do about it? Still not sure...

Oh and don't even let her see anything pink and expect her to be okay with the pretty purple, yellow or red one. The pink trumps all; because "pink is my favorite color" Said with a know it all tone. Oh and don't forget the hip and head shake and a click of her tongue. It is to die for- just ask her.

3-2-1! 1-2-3! What in the heck is bugging me?

Ah, I feel better...

I love my little Arlee Bug!

Sincerely,

The Mother who feels like she knows nothing at all

Arlee "Bug's" Room and Bathroom Pictures

Okay are you ready for the before and after pictures? Here they are

Before.... Dark blue ceiling and two pink walls and two blue walls. Also a really old light fixture and old blinds.

The walls have been primed in  the picture below.  

 Applying the first coat of ceiling paint with primer

Arlee was such a good helper whether it was keeping Lydia occupied or helping paint a little she was so helpful.

The new light fixture.

AFTER...........

We went to Target and get the decals for the walls, The pink coat hooks we kept from the previous owners.

We bought the pink lamp @ Target

The curtains were ours from the town house that we were in before. They never had doors on the closet before and we have not decided which ones we would like to go with so we put up the curtains that we are no longer using. Plus they match pretty well.

 The bedding, A-R-L-E-E letters, photos we already had. We added the valance, blinds, lady bug canvas and changed out the plugs and cover to white. I have to say that I am a bit jealous on how cute her room is. She loves it too. At first she wasn't happy that we covered up the blue ceiling and PINK walls, but now she doesn't even care. She loves her room.

As you can tell she is more than happy to show it off. TA-DAH!

While we were in Salt Lake in November we got this picture of the temple and framed it. It reads, 'If this is not your Castle than you are not my Prince.' Arlee loves to look at it and imagine when she will get to go to the temple.

Close up of the photos that were taken when Arlee was 6 months old and the letters that have helped her recognize her name anywhere that it is.

 Kind of dark, but the valance ties the room together nicely.

Finally the Bathroom- that we have not done anything too really. We put up the decor that I already had. The colors worked so well together too. Red, Green, Yellow, Black and White.

I love how older homes have so much storage. The bathroom has so much too. In the closet there is a laundry shoot, which we use instead of a laundry basket.  Love the idea, but I hate putting them in there when I change my clothes. Talk about lazy, I know!

The closets are two baskets deep. I have had these baskets for two moves now and they have served their purpose in a few different ways. Got to love reusing the same stuff to execute different ideas of storage. Makes me happy.

We love our place and the things that we have been able to do. I will post more pictures as we get stuff put together. Stay tuned.

Promise Fulfilled

Before Christmas Hans' mom was making candies while we were talking to her. Arlee asked, 'Can I have some?" She told her that she would send some to her. Well the package came today and it was the highlight of Arlee's day. She was pretty excited and wanted to try some right away. Thank you Grandma Ulla!