Jen's mom opening presents and Jen's sis Connie and Carleigh.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Toy Overload!
Connie's living room looks like a toy store! My niece Brittany and her boyfriend Jeremy check out all the presents.
Opening Presents
Our Christmas Day wrapped up with opening presents from Grandma and Papaw Schmidt! Carleigh LOVES her Sit-n-Spin. Both loved snuggling with Papaw.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Christmas Eve
We spent Christmas Eve with Matt's family at his sister's house. Everyone had fun playing games, singing Karaoke (even myself), eating lots of food and opening presents. The main challenge was dealing with two toddlers without naps, but both took a catnap and were ok for the rest of the time.
Christmas Karoake
Everyone had a blast singing Christmas songs on the 'ole Karaoke machine. The Schmidt cousins had a blast and Carleigh was wondering why Aunt Michelle can't hit a tune!! Ha Ha Ha!
Friday, December 21, 2007
Christmas Break begins!
At officially noon today, Christmas break began for me! Words cannot express my joy! My class was really generous and presented me with gift certificates from Kohls, Starbucks, Circuit City, and Caribbou Coffee. I will definitely enjoy them as well as the other gifts of candles and candy.
Last night Cody reached another milestone...he was thirsty and drank all the milk in his sippy. While I was in the kitchen, he leaned over the gate and said "More!" Woohoo! Of course I gave him more milk and praised him for TELLING us what he wanted. He laughed and giggled when I gave him more milk. He was thrilled that we understood him and gave him what he wanted. I am just so proud of my little guy!
Last night Cody reached another milestone...he was thirsty and drank all the milk in his sippy. While I was in the kitchen, he leaned over the gate and said "More!" Woohoo! Of course I gave him more milk and praised him for TELLING us what he wanted. He laughed and giggled when I gave him more milk. He was thrilled that we understood him and gave him what he wanted. I am just so proud of my little guy!
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Mommy's Night Out
Last night, I met some dear girl friends for dinner at Olive Garden a little north of Dayton. My friend Jen, her daughter A, friend Andrea, my two kiddos and I met our friend Julie and one of her daughters A for dinner. It was a great time and I can actually say Cody and Carleigh did well. I was worried since we would have to wait for a table for awhile and keeping my two corraled into one area is not an easy thing to do! Waiting was a little hairy, but after we sat down and the children were confined to high chairs, things ran very smoothly! My dear sweet Carleigh is a salad fan! She loves cole slaw and lettuce, but I have never given her salad with Italian dressing before and she loved it! It was so cute to see her eating from her little plate and using her fork. She really wanted to be a big girl like Jen's A. In fact, she hardly ate any of the dinner I ordered for her but insisted on more salad!
Cody ate fries more than his chicken which is rare because he is such a meat eater. He did really well and on the trip back, he and Jen's A were having a good 'ole time squealing, laughing, and talking to each other. A really neat thing happened before we went out last night: Cody went into my bedroom where a picture of his preschool class was resting on my dresser. He saw a classmate's picture, pointed to the little boy and said, "Michael." This little boy is also in his class this year. I have NEVER heard Cody call anyone by their name other than our immediate family so it was sooooo exciting to hear him identify one of his classmates. He is really making a breakthrough in speech. It is so fun to hear him say new words. He understands alot of speech, but cannot say it back to us which is so frustrating for my little man. He has come a LONG way and we celebrate every little success.
I have three more days of school....ugh! Friday is a half-day thank goodness! My class is totally wild and their minds are not on school! We are having a lot of less structured activities which makes it more crazy. Is it Friday yet???????
Cody ate fries more than his chicken which is rare because he is such a meat eater. He did really well and on the trip back, he and Jen's A were having a good 'ole time squealing, laughing, and talking to each other. A really neat thing happened before we went out last night: Cody went into my bedroom where a picture of his preschool class was resting on my dresser. He saw a classmate's picture, pointed to the little boy and said, "Michael." This little boy is also in his class this year. I have NEVER heard Cody call anyone by their name other than our immediate family so it was sooooo exciting to hear him identify one of his classmates. He is really making a breakthrough in speech. It is so fun to hear him say new words. He understands alot of speech, but cannot say it back to us which is so frustrating for my little man. He has come a LONG way and we celebrate every little success.
I have three more days of school....ugh! Friday is a half-day thank goodness! My class is totally wild and their minds are not on school! We are having a lot of less structured activities which makes it more crazy. Is it Friday yet???????
Sunday, December 16, 2007
More snow and cute sayings!
The weather here in Ohio is so unpredictable! Yesterday, we got about 3 inches of snow and then it rained for the rest of the day. The forecasters were calling for snow today but all we got were flurries! I am not complaining though because Cody & Carleigh had a Christmas party in Sunday School and our Couples Sunday School class honored us for adopting. Each family bought toys or clothes for the kids and Matt & I received gift certificates. It was really nice! And we had a delicious breakfast.
This morning after I put Carleigh in her red velvet Christmas dress, she runs to Matt and says "I am sooo cute!" She is definitely a girly, girl. Every time that she wears a dress, she usuallys says "So pretty!" On the other hand, she is a tomboy because she loves playing with cars, trucks, and trains. Thursday night, Carleigh was playing with an Elmo toy, when she put the microphone up to her mouth and sang "La-lalala...Elmo's World!" So cute! Cody started chiming in after her solo. Friday night, I went shopping with my sister Connie and my sis bought Carleigh a snowman balloon, well, she started beating Connie with the balloon half-way through the shopping...what a sight to see! (I think now Connie has learned a lesson on how not to buy balloons at the BEGINNING of the shopping trip with Carleigh.)
Cody's "Holiday" party is Thursday which is his last day of school until after the New Years. He helped me buy gifts for his teacher and teacher's aide. I can't wait to hear how the party goes. Also, he got his first ever invitation to a classmate's birthday party. My little guy is growing up so fast! I cannot believe that he will be 4 years old next month!
This morning after I put Carleigh in her red velvet Christmas dress, she runs to Matt and says "I am sooo cute!" She is definitely a girly, girl. Every time that she wears a dress, she usuallys says "So pretty!" On the other hand, she is a tomboy because she loves playing with cars, trucks, and trains. Thursday night, Carleigh was playing with an Elmo toy, when she put the microphone up to her mouth and sang "La-lalala...Elmo's World!" So cute! Cody started chiming in after her solo. Friday night, I went shopping with my sister Connie and my sis bought Carleigh a snowman balloon, well, she started beating Connie with the balloon half-way through the shopping...what a sight to see! (I think now Connie has learned a lesson on how not to buy balloons at the BEGINNING of the shopping trip with Carleigh.)
Cody's "Holiday" party is Thursday which is his last day of school until after the New Years. He helped me buy gifts for his teacher and teacher's aide. I can't wait to hear how the party goes. Also, he got his first ever invitation to a classmate's birthday party. My little guy is growing up so fast! I cannot believe that he will be 4 years old next month!
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Festival of Lights
We went to the Festival of Lights at the Cincy Zoo Saturday evening. My parents, Matt's sister & family, and friends Mary Ann & her family went with us also. Mary Ann has a membership to the zoo and got us in for free! The kids had a blast seeing all the animals and the lights were great. Cody LOVED the tunnel of flashing lights...his little face just lit up. When we went into the cat house, Carleigh shouted "meowwwwwww!" Despite the rain and cold temps, it was a fun night.
Today, I baked 9 dozen cookies for our Christmas cookie exchange that some of the teachers are having afterschool tomorrow. Everyone bakes a dozen for each teacher and then we come home with a dozen of each kind. I made snickerdoodle for the first time ever and they came out really well. My kitchen smelled of cinnamon and sugar all night.....yum!
I will post pics of the Festival of Lights after I get new batteries for my camera and when Mary Ann sends me some pics that she took.
Today, I baked 9 dozen cookies for our Christmas cookie exchange that some of the teachers are having afterschool tomorrow. Everyone bakes a dozen for each teacher and then we come home with a dozen of each kind. I made snickerdoodle for the first time ever and they came out really well. My kitchen smelled of cinnamon and sugar all night.....yum!
I will post pics of the Festival of Lights after I get new batteries for my camera and when Mary Ann sends me some pics that she took.
Update to Cody's IEP Meeting
Cody's IEP meeting was Thursday morning and it went well. His speech therapist grabbed me and asked what did I do to Cody because he was a different child than last spring. She called me a miracle worker and I was just shocked! It was not me, it was ALL Cody! He just wanted to learn and I gave him the things he needed TO learn. They were all amazed at how much he learned over the summer: his ABCs, his numbers, shapes, colors and words that he can say. We developed a new IEP that will last for another year.
I followed his teacher back to the classroom where school had just begun. It was neat to see Cody sitting at the circle rug listening to the calendar time and then singing and dancing to their morning song. I got to see the sweetest thing: a little girl (on-target developmentally) came over to Cody, grabbed his hands and then they jumped together when the song required jumping. During the IEP meeting, his teacher and therapists had told me about M who decided all on her own that Cody needed help jumping, so she started taking his hand and jumping together. They also told me that M walks Cody up the ramp and into the classroom every morning! It just warms my heart to know that he is making friends and going into the classroom every day just like the other kids!!
I followed his teacher back to the classroom where school had just begun. It was neat to see Cody sitting at the circle rug listening to the calendar time and then singing and dancing to their morning song. I got to see the sweetest thing: a little girl (on-target developmentally) came over to Cody, grabbed his hands and then they jumped together when the song required jumping. During the IEP meeting, his teacher and therapists had told me about M who decided all on her own that Cody needed help jumping, so she started taking his hand and jumping together. They also told me that M walks Cody up the ramp and into the classroom every morning! It just warms my heart to know that he is making friends and going into the classroom every day just like the other kids!!
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!
We received 2-3 inches of snow today! Woohoo! For Cody, he had a day off preschool due to the snow. I had the day off because I had taken a personal day. All the other teachers had to drive in the snow this morning and I am thankful that I did not! Cody's new glasses are fixed (the stem needed adjusting) and he is wearing them fairly well. (If Carleigh keeps her hands off them!) Hopefully he will wear them better and see the need for them.
Carleigh and I went outside to play in the snow for a few minutes. She loved it so much that she did not want to come inside. She kept saying "Snowing!" "Snowing!" Last night, my mom and I were getting ready to go shopping. Carleigh hears us talking, grabs her little black purse and heads to the door saying "Go shopping!" She was a bit disappointed that she didn't go, but she had Pappaw to keep her entertained.
The other day was eating Cody was singing "Quack, Quack, Cockadoodle do!" and did the motions to the "Wiggles" song. It was so cute!
Carleigh and I went outside to play in the snow for a few minutes. She loved it so much that she did not want to come inside. She kept saying "Snowing!" "Snowing!" Last night, my mom and I were getting ready to go shopping. Carleigh hears us talking, grabs her little black purse and heads to the door saying "Go shopping!" She was a bit disappointed that she didn't go, but she had Pappaw to keep her entertained.
The other day was eating Cody was singing "Quack, Quack, Cockadoodle do!" and did the motions to the "Wiggles" song. It was so cute!
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Busy Times
December seems to go at a lightning pace! Our family is busy with Christmas parties, IEP meetings, and other fun activities. Today, I managed to get our Christmas card created and ordered. This year, I chose 3 photos, two of which were taken during Carleigh's adoption finalization day and one was a photo taken today in Christmas clothes.
Cody update: He is progressing well! We have to update his IEP this Thursday and he will be getting new glasses (need new stems). We had a scare today. He somehow cut and bruised his ear. It is a little scary looking and I hope it looks a little bit better before school tomorrow. He has given me lots of gray hair already!
Carleigh update: Her new latest phrase is "What you doing?" Yesterday, I was re-plugging the lamp into the electrical outlet, when she comes up to me and says "Mommy, what you doing?" As I was putting on her dress this morning she replies "Cute!" "Pretty!" She is starting to answer questions and follow lots of commands. We will start potty training with her after Christmas because she is now telling us when she needs to be changed.
We are half-way through our Christmas shopping! Woohooo!!!
Cody update: He is progressing well! We have to update his IEP this Thursday and he will be getting new glasses (need new stems). We had a scare today. He somehow cut and bruised his ear. It is a little scary looking and I hope it looks a little bit better before school tomorrow. He has given me lots of gray hair already!
Carleigh update: Her new latest phrase is "What you doing?" Yesterday, I was re-plugging the lamp into the electrical outlet, when she comes up to me and says "Mommy, what you doing?" As I was putting on her dress this morning she replies "Cute!" "Pretty!" She is starting to answer questions and follow lots of commands. We will start potty training with her after Christmas because she is now telling us when she needs to be changed.
We are half-way through our Christmas shopping! Woohooo!!!
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Cutest phrases
Yesterday, Carleigh walked into Cody's bedroom as Cody was walking out and down the hallway. Carleigh yells, "Cody, come here!" (So cute!) A few minutes earlier, I was trying to open a really difficult jar, once I finally popped it open, Carleigh claps her hands and says "Yay!" Her favorite phrases are "I do it!" and "Do it again!" She chimes in when I sing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town." And the last cute thing she does that I will share is that whenever she closes a book, she will say "Amen!"
Saturday, November 24, 2007
My Shopping Marathon Day
I now know why I do not shop all day long...boy was I exhausted last night! Normally, I am at the stores by 5am, but my sister talked me into not starting until 7am. I was ok with that since I was sick half of the night. Well, we started the day off at Walmart, then off to Target and Old Navy. After breakfast with Jerry, Britt, and Jeremy we stopped off to unload the car. (I had to sneak the presents through the backdoor due to curious toddlers. Then we headed for Kmaart and Walgreens, another Target (because Britt needed us to get something for Jeremy that she forgot to tell us to get) and I found the Barbie Doodle Pro that was sold out at our Targets.
Then we went to Kohls and then off to Waynesville. For those who don't know, Waynesville is a quaint old-fashioned town with lots of little shops of crafts, primitive items, fudge, toys, etc. I bought Carleigh two plush animal puppets that make sounds when you close their mouths. (She is obsessed with puppets these days) I also bought a few other gifts. We did not get home until 6pm. We rested for a few minutes then off to dinner with Matt and the kids then grocery shopping. My marathon shopping day started at 7am and lasted until 9pm....14 hours! Whoa!
I was wanting to put up our new Christmas tree, but fell asleep on the couch! So, I am getting ready to put it up while my two are taking their nap. Our ircicle lights are up on our porch and we just have to put up our spiral Christmas trees and the icicle lights on our carport to be finished with outdoor Christmas decorating! I do not want this weekend to end...I have really enjoyed my long break from school.
Then we went to Kohls and then off to Waynesville. For those who don't know, Waynesville is a quaint old-fashioned town with lots of little shops of crafts, primitive items, fudge, toys, etc. I bought Carleigh two plush animal puppets that make sounds when you close their mouths. (She is obsessed with puppets these days) I also bought a few other gifts. We did not get home until 6pm. We rested for a few minutes then off to dinner with Matt and the kids then grocery shopping. My marathon shopping day started at 7am and lasted until 9pm....14 hours! Whoa!
I was wanting to put up our new Christmas tree, but fell asleep on the couch! So, I am getting ready to put it up while my two are taking their nap. Our ircicle lights are up on our porch and we just have to put up our spiral Christmas trees and the icicle lights on our carport to be finished with outdoor Christmas decorating! I do not want this weekend to end...I have really enjoyed my long break from school.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Happy Thanksgiving!
Matt, Cody, Carleigh and I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving! We have SO much to be thankful for this year:
1) Our Lord and Savior!
2) Both adoptions were finalized in 2007.
2) Matt found a job.
3) We have a good babysitter!
4) Our friends and family!
1) Our Lord and Savior!
2) Both adoptions were finalized in 2007.
2) Matt found a job.
3) We have a good babysitter!
4) Our friends and family!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Raking leaves
Matt wanted to rake the leaves before the rain hit this afternoon. After making big piles, Carleigh and Cody decide to jump in them and scatter leaves everywhere. Carleigh grabs the rake and says "I do it!" It was so cute watching her rake the leaves and check the mailbox. She wants to be a big girl in alot of ways.
0 what a night!
Last night around 2am, there was a party going on here! Not really, but Cody started crying uncontrollably and woke EVERYONE up and yes Carleigh too. So we were up watching a Sesame Street video trying everything to calm our little guy down who couldn't tell us what was wrong. We think it was his ear as during bathtime, Carleigh thought it would be fun to pour water on Cody's head. So, we gave him some pain reliever and he started to calm down so everyone went back to bed around 3am this morning. Then, I started feeling sick around 6:30am and felt like a zombie, but finally feel back to sleep. We woke up around 9 and woke the kids up at 9:30am (they NEVER sleep that late!). Thank goodness today was a day off for me. I can't imagine teaching with about 2 hours of sleep and then being sick. *yikes*
We are excited here because Matt may have Friday evening off which means two straight days off that we (or should I say "I") get to see him!! Yeah!
And yes, I am going shopping early the day after Thanksgiving for Christmas shopping, but I am NO WAY being at a certain store at 4am! No thank you!!
We are excited here because Matt may have Friday evening off which means two straight days off that we (or should I say "I") get to see him!! Yeah!
And yes, I am going shopping early the day after Thanksgiving for Christmas shopping, but I am NO WAY being at a certain store at 4am! No thank you!!
Monday, November 19, 2007
Christmas Shopping
We got some Christmas shopping done this weekend! Yeah! I am just amazed at how God does truly provide! Christmas was going to be tight this year due to some unexpected expenses (Carleigh's adoption being one of them), but we received a check for some money owed to us and therefore we will be able to shop comfortably for the 12 people we buy for each year. God is so good!
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Loving Santa
We bought Cody and Carleigh a little plastic Santa Claus at the parade. It brought back memories of my childhood. I vividly remember a plastic Santa Claus a little large than theirs, and carrying it around the house. My mom took photos of me holding it. I wanted to do the same for my two and they really like their Santas.
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