Our Adventures with Buddy- Week 1

I'm not sure who has had more fun with our Elf on the Shelf Buddy this week, Reagan or myself!

A couple of weeks ago I made a calendar schedule to help me organize where Buddy would be hiding and what activity he would have planned for Reagan each day. I keep it on the fridge (since Reagan can't read yet) and it helps me whip Buddy's "scenes" together each night. I first plugged in the events or special activities our family has planned on the calendar and then tried to tie in Buddy doing something similar. Buddy's "scenes" are not set in stone. If I see something cute on Pinterest, blogs, or Instagram I can switch. I also typed each note and cut them out in advance so I don't have to worry about it each night!

Here is a little recap of what Buddy and Reagan were up to this past week:

Saturday

You can read all about Buddy's arrival and Breakfast with Buddy here!

Sunday

Sunday morning, Reagan woke up to find Buddy brushing his teeth in the bathroom.

Buddy's note told him to write Santa a letter.

He was so excited to do this letter as his activity that night.
 I love how he writes his name! Such a mess!

Monday

Monday morning Reagan found Buddy playing games with his friends.

Buddy also left Reagan a LONG note about his behavior. I had to rip up the original note and retype a new one to reflect his behavior. This little boy is being quite the stinker!

Reagan's activity that night was to play games. We taught him how to play Uno and he loved it!

Tuesday

Tuesday morning Reagan woke up to find Buddy by the TV. 

Our activity that night was to watch Rudolph as a family and make his Rudolph craft using his hands and feet!

Wednesday

Wednesday morning Reagan woke up to find the Christmas stockings in his underwear drawer.  So we  went to put the stockings back and found Reagan's undies hanging up instead!
Reagan got quite a chuckle out of this one! 

"That little Buddy is sure naughty!" Reagan said.

Our activity was to find 5 toys that Reagan would want to donate to children less fortunate. This was the first time he had really done anything like this.  At first he was overlly generous and wanted to give his favorite things away. (That would have been a disaster!) Then he realized what was being asked of him and found some toys and games he was okay with parting with. He didn't quite understand the concept of less fortunate and kept wanting to give him to his friend Jacob. Trust me, Jacob is very well taken care of! I don't think he needs Reagan's toys! But it was so sweet of him.

Thursday

Thursday Reagan woke up to find Buddy with a tray of hot chocolate goodies. 

 The note said that later that night we would enjoy some hot chocolate.  

Reagan has never had hot chocolate before, so I was excited for this one. But Reagan was horrible last night! Wow. Temper tantrum at it's finest. I had 3 screaming kids at the same time. So I took away the hot chocolate. I caved later that night and ended up doing it. I'm such a soft mom. It's terrible I know.

He didn't care for the hot chocolate at first. He thought it was too hot. 
So we added cold milk to it and he LOVED it. 

Friday

Today Reagan woke up to find Buddy roasting marshmallows on a candle. I saw this one on a friend's Instagram and thought it was adorable! 

Tonight's activity is to attend our church's "Follow The Star". I will post more about it tomorrow!

I've loved seeing all of your Elf on the Shelf ideas!
Stay tuned to see what Buddy does next week!

The Twins at 2 Months

I can't believe it's been another month!

The twins have changed so much already.

It really is amazing to see.

They both have really filled out! Haven't they?

Both babies are eating 4 ounces at each feeding. (2 ounces of breast milk and 2 ounces of formula). We've switched formulas this past month.  Harper was having some major gas issues and was really unhappy after many feedings. So we thought we would switch her formula to see if it helped.  My niece has a very sensitive stomach and uses Gerber Good Start Sensitive, so we gave it a try. Sure enough- it worked! So Hudson finished off the Similac that we had and now both babies are on the Gerber. (Hudson doesn't seem effected by the new formula.) Harper still gets really upset tummies when I eat anything spicy. I miss my Mexican food!! Boo.

The babies are still eating every 3 hours during the day. Their last night feeding is at 8:30 pm before they go to sleep for the night. The past few days they have been waking up at around 4:00 am but fall back asleep when we put their binkies in and haven't needed their early morning feeding. It's so nice to not have to worry about the 2:30 am feeding! Let's hope this continues! We are really quite happy about the way they sleep at night. They have been sleeping in their cribs since 5 weeks.  They are sharing a crib and still sleep swaddled. We really haven't been sleep training yet. They both struggle falling asleep at night and want to be rocked to sleep. I know it's a bad habit to get into, but I'm so afraid that their crying will keep Reagan awake, I tend to just do whatever will get them quiet! (Any tips out there?) 

They are both wearing size 1 diapers and size 0-3 month clothes.  They still fit in some of their newborn outfits, depending on which ones!

Dear Harper Grace,

My little sweet pea.  You have changed so much this past month.  You have a very serious face with most people but give me the BEST smiles. I love our playtime each morning after our first feeding. You "talk" to me and smile so big. I love that you recognize my voice and when you hear it, your face totally lights up.  You get so excited when you see your bib before each feeding.  You pant happily like a little puppy. When you are sad or mad you grunt so loudly. It's pretty funny. You like tummy time and really hold your head nicely. You love to reach for the hanging toys on your playmat too. You are a great sleeper and sleep very soundly. Your brother's screaming hardly ever wakes you up. You crack us up because if you are awake in your crib we'd never know it because you just lay there quietly. Today you had your 2 month well baby check.  You have gained just over 2 pounds! You are now weighing 10 pounds 7 ounces.  Your weight is in the 28th percentile.  You have stretched out in length 2 more inches - now at 22 inches. Your length is in the 25th percentile. The doctor was very impressed with your head/neck strength but noticed that you prefer looking one way over the other.  So we need to start feeding you from the opposite direction and trying to engage you on the right side rather than the left. I can't begin to tell you how excited I am having a little girl. It is so much fun!

Dear Hudson Brooks,

My handsome boy. You are still a big time Momma's boy. You prefer being in my arms more than anything else.  You are still the first one to wake up from each nap and you scream bloody murder. The second I pick you up, you smile and giggle. It's like you know that you have wrapped around your finger. You love your binky but still manage to cry/scream with it in. You had a serious case of baby acne this month but seems to be clearing up. You are finally enjoying bath time. You are quite a flirt already. You make these flirty little smiles and tilt your head- so cute! Even today at the doctor she commented on how you flirted with her. It was pretty cute.  She was checking your sister and you coo-ed and stared at her until she noticed you again.  When she did, you smiled so big at her. Little ladies man on our hands here! You also gained 2 pounds since last month's appointment.  You now weight 10 pounds 12 ounces.  You are in the 17th percentile.  You also gained just over 2 inches in length since last month- 22 1/4 inches.  This puts your length in the 15th percentile for boys. You really are growing more and more to look like your big brother Reagan.  It will be so interesting to see if you continue. Ps- I just LOVE your old man hair. :) 

Meeting Santa

Monday we took the kids to meet Santa.

I was pretty nervous about the thought of Santa holding the babies, but once we were there I just handed them right over. He was really nice and seemed to have an easy way with them.

Obviously the babies could have cared less but Reagan was excited.

I love how the picture turned out. 

Hudson looks a little odd, but whatcha gonna do?

Let me tell you a little bit about how the visit went.

Reagan had a rough weekend. Whew. Tantrums like you wouldn't believe, refusing to eat dinner, etc. So our elf Buddy left him a note saying Santa was sad and disappointed. I told Reagan he was probably on the naughty list which meant no presents. (Totally thought this would put the fear of God in him. No such luck.)

 This little stinker walked right up to Santa and asked him what list he was on.

Santa replies "Well, the nice list of course."

I shot Santa a look and butted in... reminding him how Reagan was behaving.

He still didn't get the hint.

"Oh but you are such a good big brother!"

Come on Santa. I need your help here!

He then proceeded to have Reagan tell him what he wanted for Christmas.

Reagan went on and on about this bug vacuum he wants. 

(Oh ya. Mom fail. The one present we didn't get him or tell relatives to get.) 

Santa looked disgusted. Yes, Santa. Me too. 

I made a little collage of Reagan's visits with Santa below.

It does make me a bit teary eyed to see how he's grown.

How were your visits with Santa this year? 

Snow in Scottsdale

Saturday night we went to one of our favorite shopping places for a little holiday fun.

We met my sister Meg and her little girl Charlotte.

My sweet family of 5.

This was our first real outing with all of us and no outside help.

We survived and actually had a lot of fun! :)

First we listened to Mrs. Claus read some stories.

Reagan loves his cousin.

Next, we danced and sang along with the band.

Last, we played in the "snow".

The kids thought it was so exciting!

It was a great way to start off the holiday season!

Breakfast with Buddy the Elf

Our friendly elf Buddy returned to our house on Saturday December 1st.

He brought with him a delicious breakfast straight from the North Pole.

Buddy surprised the kids with the table all set for a holiday meal.

He made Santa Claus pancakes with extra sugary toppings!

He also brought Reagan a few little presents (The Elf on the Shelf movie, holiday socks, a Christmas tree for his bedroom, and ornaments for the tree).

He also wrote him a little letter.

Buddy is writing little notes each day and giving Reagan a special holiday activity to do each night.

Buddy had Christmas music playing when Reagan woke up to set the mood.

This little guy was so excited.

It was so precious.

Reagan loved his breakfast with Buddy.

Harper enjoyed watching us eat. Next year she can give it a try!

Hudson slept throughout the entire breakfast.

Hopefully next year he will be awake! 

The movie is so cute!

Reagan loved decorating his own tree.

The tree is full of red, white, and blue ornaments that match his All-American room.

It is so sweet to see him laying in bed, falling asleep as he watches the tree.

I love creating these special memories for Reagan!

It's going to be even more fun next year when there are 3 little ones in on the fun!

Don't forget to link up with Leah and Emily for their Mommy and Me Monday!

Here is a photo of me and my little boys this weekend!

Welcome December!

We are so excited to welcome December at our house!

On Friday November 30th, we said goodbye to November and welcomed December!

I wrapped new Christmas jammies for the kids and took some sweet pictures of my babies.

We have so many fun family holiday traditions coming this month.

We can't wait!

My 3 greatest blessings!

Reagan loving on Harper.

Reagan loving on Hudson.

I sincerely hope that you and your family have a wonderful December!