New 2010 Christmas Ornaments

One of the best traditions of Christmas for my family is the yearly Christmas ornament.  My mom started this tradition for me by giving me a new ornament each year.  She would find hand made ornaments from crafters and have our names and years placed on them.  I do love these, but I also have always adorned the Hallmark ornaments.  This year Hallmark had a pink ballerina Barbie ornament.  I fell in love with it.  She was beautiful and fitting for Reagan at age 3 who is taking dance, loves pink, and received her first Barbie doll for Christmas.  

I also bought a foam make your own ornaments pack at Michael's this year.  We shared our craft with our neighbors who graciously took pictures of all the kids and printed them out.  It was very fun for all the kids and I thought they turned out pretty cute!

Reagan's 2010 Ornaments

I also bought a family ornament this year.  This way when the girls are grown and take their ornaments I will still have a few to decorate our tree.  This year our family has really loved Michael Jackson's video "This is it."  Reagan and Madison love to watch it and dance.  Reagan even knows a lot of his songs.  Andy and I grew up fascinated with Michael and his music.  He has always been on my ipod ever since I've owned one.  My greatest memories growing up with my older brothers is dancing and pretending to catwalk like Michael across our kitchen floor.  I still laugh remember my brothers and their gloves, hahaha.  We are saddened by his death and hope his family finds peace soon.

Family 2010 Ornament

For Madison, I found a Dora ornament.  I really wanted a Baby Einstein ornament but couldn't find one anywhere.  The next two things she is into right now is Diego and Dora.  I also couldn't find Diego so Dora it was.  She knows when the show comes on and runs from the play room to our living room to dance.  At this point, she is only interested in the show's opening music before she runs back to play.  When I saw the Dora in the store I knew it was for her, especially because it is made of plastic and she could play with it without it breaking.

Madison's 2010 Ornaments

Finally, we packed up this week on the snow day.  Luckily we had a chance to have a free day together without the kids to pack up all the decorations and clean the house.  I love how freeing it feels when it is all in the boxes ready to go to the attic.  I do miss the beauty of the lights, but it is a great feeling to have a fresh house for the new year.  I haven't even put the pictures back up yet.  Now that I have cleaned it all out, it gives me a chance to do something different.  Just don't know what yet.

Taking down the decorations also makes our house seem so bare.  However, it also is nice because it feels like a fresh start to the new year.

One Kid, Two Kids, Three???

I've always known that I wanted at least two kids.  I never really thought about how far to space them out until I had my first.  You can read about all the benefits of each in magazines and other moms will give you insight of the hardships.  Our girls are almost 2 years (-6 days) apart.  I love how Reagan adores her little sister and how much Madison continuously watches her run around the house.  However, they are both very jealous if they feel that one gets more attention or love and will whine for my affection.  The hardest part is that they both need a lot of help doing almost everything from playing to eating.  Of course, Madison needs the most but Reagan needs help getting started on a project like play-doh.  They both need me for the basics: food, bathroom help, sippy cups, cleaning up, and baths.  Then on top of of that Madison needs for me to hold her after not seeing her all day while Reagan needs me to play with her.  This is where it is tricky.  It would be great if they both were hungry at the same time.  Of course that never happens.  So, while one child is starving for food expecting me to cook the other either wants me to get out her markers or hold her.

My mom told me that when your children reach 3 life gets easier.  I believe this to be true as it is nice when I have alone time with Reagan.  I love being able to take her places without needing a diaper bag.  I end up taking her on outings much more than Madison since it is easier and we are able to interact.  I hate that I don't get more of this one-on-one time with Madison.  There are things that I did with Reagan simply because she was one child and not with Madison because there are two.  (walks to the park, play time in the pool, play-dates, travel)

HOWEVER!!! None of these things that my children are missing out on because it is too hard for me with the both of them compares to the life they have with each other.  Having a sister to share your life with is the best gift, play-date, field trip, exploration partner, and friend that I could give my kids.  

It's so fun to watch how Reagan sets up a stage just for her sister to come to her show and watch her perform.  And if Madison gets up and walks off, Reagan definitely gets upset.  Her sister's opinion matters even at 3.  I often joke with Reagan when she gets upset with Madison that we should just give her to someone who doesn't have a sister because they would love her more.  Not once, has she agreed.  No matter how upset she gets when Madison tears down her almost completed puzzle or rips her favorite picture, she still loves her dearly and would never give her up!