Dear Santa {2012}

Saturday morning we were off bright and early to get in line to visit Santa! Olivia kept talking about visiting him and telling him what she wanted for Christmas. But Ben and I weren't sure how this was going to go. We arrived at the mall 45 minutes before it opened and got in the already long line. We waited a total of 2 hours and thankfully it was well worth it.

When it got to our turn, Olivia ran right up to Santa and climbed up onto his lap. What? Last year she wouldn't go near him. Benjamin just loved him though and we got some great pictures.

Olivia's Wish List:

A Doll

A Robot

A Candy Cane

Happy Holiday's {2012}

Christmas Card 2011

ICE

Ben and I got a free night to enjoy some time with the other Morse kids. I know we almost forget how to behave when it's an adult night. We enjoyed a lovely dinner at the Columbian before heading over to Madagascar's Ice.

Actually Ben and I have been a very long time ago, before marriage and kids. I didn't remember how cold it was but it was down right chilly in there.

Holiday Lights

I have squeezed in every holiday activity I can into this season so we kicked off last weekend with a family date with the Baker's. We took the kids to dinner at what was told to me was a Character dinner at the Grand Floridian Cafe. It was not and to top it off the lady made my reservation for the day I called to book it way back in the middle of November. Jenni and I may have lost sight of the holiday cheer for a few minutes while we stood their being told that we would have to wait almost an hour to eat with 3 children who were starving and waiting to see Mickey!!! Yup I was close to showing that lady some Ho Ho Ho alright!

Once we got that all sorted out, we had a wonderful dinner with well behaved kids (at least as well behaved as 4 kids under the age of 4.)! After that we listened to the pianist in the lobby play Christmas Carol's while the girls danced and took pictures in front of their beautiful tree.

We ended the night with a trip around the monorail to check out the castle. Oh it was pretty magical.

Tough Mudder 2012

Again this year Ben signed up for Tough Mudder but this year I was able to tag along. It was so different to be there instead of hearing about it. It was pretty awesome to sit and watch some of the obstacles. Ben, his brother DJ, soon-to-be brother Wyatt, Kevin, Bryant, and 3 others began at 12pm after missing their start time of 10:40 because we were sitting in traffic due to it all. But that didn't stop the enthusiasm!!!

Shortly after arriving they were all checked in and ready to go. It took Ben about 4 hours, just under his time for last year, to finish. They all did great!

Before:

During:

After:



8 Month's {Benjamin}

No check up this month! But we did have to pay a visit to the doctor just before we left for Pennsylvania. So his current weight is 19lbs!!! Yes that is just 4 pounds less then his big sister.

Obviously this means he is happily scarfing down anything that we let him. He is still loving his food and bottles. We have even given him a new option for a snack this month and that is the Baby Mumm Mumm's. It took him about a week to learn that he could actually swallow the bites he took, before that he would just bite off some, play with it in his mouth, and then spit it back out again. This was a very messy time, as any of you that have had them before would know they dry like cement.

He is doing great still sleeping though the night mostly, only waking once for a bottle usually around 5am. If he wakes earlier then that we just let him cry it out as long as it's not the inconsolable cry. He seems to love his room and his crib. When he wakes up in the morning we can hear him just chatting away to himself and when we do go in and get him, it's all smiles.

As I said in the beginning he took his second trip to the northeast, we visited Pennsylvania for Thanksgiving and more importantly his Great-Grandfather's memorial service. It was a great trip and we enjoyed the very chilly fall weather and lots of family time.

He is crawling around everywhere which now allows him to get into so much more. He plays in Olivia's room with her and makes just as big a mess as she does. He even loves to pull himself up to see what else there is. I love watching the 2 of them, they have such a love for each other. He still likes to pull her hair but I am pretty sure its just payback for the times where she gets a little too rough with him.

The Return of Bernard

Thanksgiving weekend was our return to Orlando and also the return of Bernard, our Elf from the North Pole. He came back bearing little trinkets to show Olivia how much he missed her and welcome Ben to the family.

Olivia loved her chap stick!!!

Pennsylvania for Thanksgiving

This year we spent almost all of Thanksgiving week in Pennsylvania with my mom's entire side of the family. Even my cousin DJ who is in the military and has been in Japan for the past 3 years came home. Ben's parent's joined us on the flight up and stayed till Wednesday, just to be there for us. Unfortunately our trip was not just for the holiday, but we were there for my grandfather's funeral. He passed away 4 weeks prior and since he was cremated we were able to schedule it so that all of the Koch's could be there.

 We got in late Tuesday night but Dad made sure we had time to stop in Little Italy in Baltimore for dinner before we drove up to York, PA. Thank goodness he did, dinner was delicious. Olivia made a little friend while we were there and the 2 of them ran around the room we were sitting in for about an hour. Thanks to her Olivia feel asleep in the car moments after we pulled onto the highway.

Wednesday was a beautiful chilly day and it was also when we held Pop's service. All of us were there except Memom (his wife of 63 years), she was admitted into the hospital the day before for heart reasons. We were very close to getting her out just to come to the service but that didn't happen. Talk about a stressful holiday week. Pop had a military service and it was wonderful, the Chaplin even scarily looked like my grandfather.

We didn't really do much other then spend time hanging at my aunt's house and traveling back and forth between there and the hospital (Memom ended up staying there just over a week). But I stocked up on time with my cousins, aunt's, and uncle's!!!

 

Thursday was Benjamin's first Thanksgiving and boy did he eat, his food and he even got a little mashed potatoes and turkey from the big table. I have never felt more grateful for my family, every single member of my side and Ben's. It was a sad but wonderful trip.

A Christmas Tree

Sunday when Ben and I returned from our weekend in Sarasota it was time to get busy. Most of the house had already been decorated for the holiday's but we still had a major piece to fit in. We need to get a tree!!! We had been going back and forth between getting a real tree this year or simply putting up our fake tree. We decided to go REAL.

Off we went to one of the lots and decided they were a little too far out of our budget. So we decided to try Home Depot, and we got a great deal on a beautiful Fraiser Fur. Now we will get to decorate it and enjoy that amazing smell for the next 4 weeks.

The Season to be SICK

It never fails that before a trip or the holiday's someone in our house will be sick. So we began our Thanksgiving week off by a trip to the Doctor's office for both kids. Luckily I was able to go with my Mom so I didn't have to try to wrangle both kids. Olivia hasn't been fond of the Dr. office since she had her ears pierced over 1 1/2 years ago.

Weighing in at:

23.1 lbs -- Olivia

&

19.1 lbs. -- Benjamin

I was so proud of Olivia this time, she let Dr. P do everything he needed to with no tears and no whining. It was a pretty stress free visit. It turns out that Olivia has allergies which we knew, but it had turned into bronchitis. Poor kid has been coughing her head off for a long time. She was put on antibiotics and after 7 days is feeling much better. She is such a trooper espeically when it comes to taking her medicine.

Poor little Benjamin he just has a little cold. He is pretty good about being sick, not to fussy and when he sneezes he gets rid of all the snot. Saves us from having to suck his nose out, which he isn't too found of.

Race Weekend

This year Ben and I were very lucky to be able to join his family in Miami for the last race in the Nascar Season (if that is what you call it). It was also the first time that I have been away from the kids for a whole weekend.

We drove down Friday night and checked into the hotel pretty late. Saturday morning we were rested and ready for our Dolphin Adventure. There is nothing like getting into freezing cold water on a chilly day. But it was worth it to get to splash around in the water with another friendly mammal.

Once we were back on dry and warmer land Darla, Vicky, Julie, and I left the boys to go shopping and have lunch. We were on a mission for sushi and Kardashian's. Found the first one and had a delicious lunch at the Aventura mall which I have never been to. We even ran into a very very good look alike to Hugh Hefner. Unfortunately the Kardashians were no where to be found. Of course then the boys needed a ride because they had a little too much fun at the bars on South Beach.

That night we had a Sprint Dinner to attend and we knew that it was set to be a memorable night. Julie and Wyatt got engaged before dinner out on the balcony. It was sweet and a great way to remember our trip. Of course we had to celebrate with more drinks after dinner in the lobby. We are so excited for what the next 9 months will hold.

Sunday was the big Race Day out in Homestead. We were spoiled with a police escort out to the track and back, which was a blessing since the traffic was HORRENDOUS. I only had a few small anxiety attacks as we watched the police motorcycles force people to the other side of the road and several of what looked like they could be brushes with death while we drove down the wrong side of the road and people wouldn't get out of their way. Once we got their we had a great time touring the pits, meeting drivers, and watching the race from the comfort of a Sprint suite.

The Last Morse

I know it has been awhile and I have a lot of blogging to do! So I will start with some very amazing and long awaited news.

Julie (my sister-in-law) is engaged!!!

Wyatt asked her to marry him while we were away in Miami 2 weekends ago. It was Saturday night while we were at a Dinner reception for Sprint (we were down their for the Homestead Nascar Race). He pulled her outside on the balcony and got down on one knee. I was able to snap a couple photos.

It was wonderful to be a part of such a special moment for the two of them.

This group picture was taken just a few minutes before they got engaged!

A Future Makeup Guru

Last week Olivia was hanging out in the bathroom while Ben was showering and she was being awful quite. When Ben peeked out at her, he found her applying my mascara...to her eyelashes. Yes, correctly minus a few streaks above her eyes she did a damn fine job.

I guess watching Mom put makeup on almost every day has taught her something. Of course we had to follow up that look with a little chap stick.

List's, List's, & More Freakin List's

With 3 upcoming trips, decorating for the holiday's, and Christmas shopping to be done you can say that I am about drowning under a million lists. Packing list's, To Do List's, Christmas List's, and Cleaning List's galore.

Yes, that is my packing powerpoint! Don't judge, you know you like my organizational skills!

You would think with car trips to Myrtle Beach (3 times) and  Key West, a flight to Boston, Train trips, and a flight back to Orlando (all within the last 6 months), I should be a damn pro now of traveling with 2 small children after all the research I have done. I have sorted through Pinterest and other blogs with Mom's tips and tricks on what to pack and how to keep a kid occupied on flights and long car trips. What would I have done in the days before the internet? My anxiety would be through the roof (for those of you who don't know I am one of those OCD people who pack weeks ahead of time and then repack 3-5 times before I leave. Let me tell you my In-Law's think it's hilarious). To say I am a planner is an understatement! Anyway's I digress.

I still feel stressed to the max about forgetting something (like; car seats, strollers, toys, bottles, diapers...the list could go on and on.) So I live by lists and lots of them. Now let's add something new into the mix. For Thanksgiving we are traveling to Pennsylvania via plane. Not so bad right? That is until you think,

Hey Crazy Lady. Aren't you from Florida? You know where the weather

is hot and sunny most of the year. Don't you know it snowed there yesterday?

Yup this is one of those times where I wish that you could just snap your fingers and be there with all of your belonging's. Because between 4 people I'm sure that one suitcase isn't going to cut it. Especially now that I have to make sure my kids stay warm enough to come back with all their fingers and toes.

Yes, we (or should I say me) are working on getting organized about Christmas this year. With 2 kids and tons of family to buy for, we need an early start. That and my children aren't hurting for anything so trying to decide what to get them is a challenge. It's about things that stimulate their minds, things that encourage pretend, educational items.

As the days go on I will continue to change, update, and make new list's!

Trick-or-Treating 2012

Wednesday night we took the kiddos Trick-or-Treating around a couple streets, by the third house Olivia had it down pretty well. It was a beautifully cool evening so our little ones were not sweating in their costumes, like every other year.

Pickin' Pumpkin's

Better late then never, we finally made it to the Pumpkin Patch with the kids. Olivia had a blast just running up and down the aisles full of pumpkin's saying, "this one?" to all of them. Benjamin just enjoyed sitting amoungst them all picking the grass.

Here are some pictures from our trip.

7 Month's {Benjamin}

Really it's been 7 month's? I wish that I could stop time.

He is still the happiest little baby I have ever seen, so content to just hang out with everyone. He loves to be talked to and played with, but he also loves to sit in the pack and play and interact with his toys. His favorite toy is his jumpy seat, he could be in that thing for hours. Benjamin is still teething like crazy, he chews on anything and everything that he can get his hands on. He likes to drag things across his bottom teeth so they make that squeaky sound.

Benjamin is a mobile little man now. Friday October 12, he was off and crawling across the room. Before then he would crawl 2 little crawls and then sit up on his hiney.



He talks non stop, but I guess in this family you have to keep up to compete with Mommy and Olivia. He says Dada and Mama so far and it sometimes sounds like he is saying Hi.

Benjamin is a pretty good sleeper. He takes 2 naps during the day, about 1-2 hours in the morning and in the afternoon. Sometimes he squeezes in some in the car too. He goes down for the night between 8-8:30pm usually waking between 12-3am for a bottle and then he is up for the day between 6-7am.

The day that this boy can have big people food, I think he will be in heaven. If he sees anyone eating he is right there with his mouth wide open and hands trying to grab for anything. We have gone though all the baby foods now and his favorites are any and all of them. Including the chicken and ham which I find disgusting. We still aren't fast enough getting the food from the container to his mouth. He just sits there with his mouth wide open waiting for that spoonful of goodness. It's hilarious. He gets 2 meals a day breakfast and dinner, he was getting 3 but he wasn't taking enough milk so we had to cut one out.

I also stopped pumping so we are now almost through our stash and in the next 2 weeks he will be moving over to formula. We will see what changes come with that switch.

I owe you and myself his 7 month pics, coming soon.

Happy Halloween

Sharky & Bones

Olivia loves watching Jake and the Neverland Pirates especially when she gets to sing along. Papa even took her a few weeks ago to see them live at Downtown Disney. She also loves to make her brother laugh and this particular video shows her signing the pirate song to him.

Chatting with Olivia Part 2

Conversation #1:
10 Minutes after she fell asleep she came in the kitchen to find me having cereal.
Olivia: What you doin' Mommy?
Mommy: Having a snack.
Olivia: I want some.
Mommy: You were just sleeping!
Olivia: I'm done sleeping.

Conversation #2:
Mommy: Papa will pick you up from school today. Then Mommy will pick you up from Mommom's after work.
Olivia: Ok that will be great!

Conversation #3:
Olivia: I have great news!

Conversation #4:
Mommy: Say 'Hi' to Gigi
Olivia: I'm busy.

Conversation #5:
Olivia: Mommy do you have macaroni?
Mommy: Yes.
Olivia: Do you have cheese?
Mommy: Yes, would you like some macaroni and cheese?
Olivia: Yes, Mommy!

Conversation #6:
Mommy: Good Morning Princess
Olivia: I made a pumpkin in school.
Mommy: You did?
Olivia: I made a pumpkin for YOU!!

A Night With Daddy

Wednesday I had to work a golf tournament in Tampa so it was a night with Daddy in charge! Here are some photos and video that he sent me.