New addition to the house...

The other day I got to a point I didn't think I'd ever get to living in this house. I got SO SICK of washing and putting away dishes A-L-L D-A-Y L-O-N-G that I was willing to sacrifice my largest cabinet for.... You got it babe - A DISHWASHER!

I'm very grateful to have a handy husband... Good-bye space for pots, pans, baking dishes, silverware drawer, and plastic storage containers. We'll figure out what to do with you later!

It also helps that my father-in-law was/is an electrician... Eric did a good job matching the new little cabinet with the rest, don't you think?

Voila! We even in typical Fichtner fashion got a GREAT deal on in. In fact, that is what pushed me to it. We were walking around Sears and they had all their last year's models for 50% off. Deals like that make me giddy. Especially with tax returns making it all possible... Ahhhh..... I LOVE it and feel so grateful for the extra time it gives me in my day to do what I love -

play with my babies!

My Little Ty Russell

Is 1 year old today! Happy Birthday!!

1 day old... mommy loves to kiss the softest skin lips have ever felt

1 month everything is so new, not sure what to think yet

2 months bald little man discovers he has hands!

3 months learns his fingers make him feel calm when mommy's not there

4 months learns to sit up and grab things to play with

5 months discovers toes

6 months discovers his inner Happy


7 months realizes that he's a pretty cool dude

8 months old and can manuver around all on my own - wooohoo!

9 months wants to feel the wind outside

10 months discovers he can squirm away from sister's grasp... And further discovers Happy self

11 months loves to walk with the help of the play house and anyone who will hold my hand!

... And try to convince mommy with my cute smile that I'm not trying to eat her slipper...

.... And further discover Happy self

... And that he is still - A Cool Dude.

I love you sweet baby Ty! You are my happy and sweet baby. You are so good. You are a joy and pleasure in my life. I knew I loved you forever from the moment I felt your little body on my chest and you looked up at me and I at you... Love in an instant. Happy Birthday.

Getting back on track

This week has been a little crazy. We are in transition time and it just throws off my day. Ty is sooo tired in the morning, but will only take one nap now. I try to keep him up, but it only results in a whinny crying baby. Which then Noel tries to compete with. No fun. So he naps in the morning and then not in the afternoon - and Noel is phasing out a nap all together. I was just so used to our routine - and now I don't know what to think! I feel all mixed up and without a plan. The kids are good kids, I just don't know what to expect in the day. I feel like I'm floating as far as, what are we accomplishing today? At least before it was up around 6:30/7, Ty nap by 9, mom showers while Noel watches tv, go out or play at home, lunch between 11:30 and noon, nap for Ty 12:30, nap/rest for Noel 1, exercise time for mom, kids up around 2/3, play at the house, dinner at 5/5:30, PJs, and bed by 6:30/7. There were things to count on - now I feel like, who knows what's next? Anyway, I know it seems silly. I guess I like predictability. We started attending some fun activities at the library on Tuesday mornings. I should see what else they have going on during the week. I want to start pre-school with Noel (www.letteroftheweek.com) I just have to get organized. Which involves times without interruptions. *sigh*
What are some of the things you do with your kids to keep your days organized?