Bringin' In 2015

Happy New Year, friends!  We hope 2015 is filled with lots of love and adventure.

Love - The Ladniers

Sweet Little Monster

Party planning for Ayden's 3rd  birthday has commenced!  

I am technically going to start out behind on my resolution since according to it I should have had everything planned and ready during December...  Guess I'll have to work extra hard to catch up for the next month. Luckily, all we have going on in February is Valentine's day and we don't really go over the top for that one...

Ayden has requested a monster theme so I've got a prett fun board on Pinterest going. 

The boys' naps were offset today. Logan is in a stormy period and a little more clingy than usual. I have been wearing him more and he can't help but fall asleep when I do so he had an early afternoon nap and woke up just in time for Ayden to go down for his. I feel like it's win win either way for me because when they line up I have quiet productive time. When they don't, I get some rare, quiet one on one time with this sweet boy!

This evening I got dinner in the oven an then we went outside for to take Ayden's 3 year photos. Here are a couple is sneak peaks: 

I love these sweet boys so much and LOVE freezing them in time with these little photo shoots. I'll be sure to share the finished product after post processing! 

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "Little Artist"

And two years ago today: "Date Night"

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Dirty Minded Husbands

We had such a good time at play group today!  I think everyone needed some play time (moms included) after all of the holiday hustle and bustle. We talked about so many things ranging from what everyone got for Christmas to how we all just want to wear elastic waist bands after holiday indulgences to our dirty minded husbands. We had some good laughs and great conversation. The kids all played so well together too. We can really see some shifts in dynamic as they are all getting closer to three. Less parallel play and fighting over things to cooperative play and talking things out. It is really neat to watch them all grow!

Here is some Logan sweetness from today: 

I have forgotten to show some house progress photos the past few days so here goes!

We try not to think too far into the why behind all of this warm for December weather and are just enjoying and taking advantage of it. It's supposed to be getting really cold by New Year's Day though!

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "11 Under 6"

And two years ago today: "Misery Loves Company"

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Resolution Radar

As December comes to a close I have the new year on my radar. Who do I want to be?  What would I like to accomplish?  For 2014, I wanted to be more of a forward thinker. There were several other resolutions but this was what I really focused on and I feel like I made a lot of progress in that area. This year, I want to take the same resolution even further.

{via}

I was talking to David after Christmas and reflecting on the whole thing. As a parent, I like to do extra things here and there to make it all extra magical for my kids and I'm pretty sure I am not alone. My mother did it for us and because of my experience as a child, I want to pass the same magic down to my children. 

Homemade gifts, shopping for gifts, wrapping said gifts, baking cookies, Christmas PJs, etc etc. some of these things aren't necessary but they are what make it the most wonderful time of the year... for the kids. For the parents, it makes it the most tiring part of the year in most cases. Well I want to have both. I want to provide fun traditions and magical memories for my children but I also want to be able to relax and enjoy it all as it unfolds. 

My resolution this year is going to try to be at least a month ahead for every major event that takes place in 2015. For example, Halloween costumes put together (homemade or not) in September, Christmas gifts assigned and purchased throughout the year but completed and wrapped in November. Shopping lists, bucket lists and a calendar for Christmas fun planned out and everything ready to go the first of the month (unless it's super parishable) so we have everything we need without taking precious time to make extra trips to the store. 

It is difficult for me to work on things when I don't have a serious deadline so I am going to *try* to train myself to have much earlier deadlines for these things so that when the actual events roll around, all I'll have to do is pull some stuff out of a closet and then enjoy them with my family. 

If I can't make this happen, none of it will be worth it. This year will be sort of a test. If I can pull it off then I will continue to make homemade things and have lots of traditions. If I can't then I'm going to have to let some things go. Extra things that make holidays, birthdays and such so magical won't really have the desired effect if I am not able to be present (and rested enough) to happily experience and enjoy it with my family. If someone truly wants something, they'll make it happen, right?  

I am going to continue to work on all of my other resolutions from last year too because they are all still applicable to me and our family. Have you given your resolutions for 2015 any thought? If so, list them below!

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "Breakthrough!"

And two years ago today: "New Year's Resolutions"

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Dinner and A Movie

Nothing too exciting to report today which means it was a pretty low key and relaxing day. 

We spent the early morning enjoying Ayden's Christmas gifts. We went to the farmer's market where we picked up some chili along with our usual items and brought it David and his dad at the building site for lunch. Then the boys took naps while I worked on the house. 

When David got home we had a fun night out together as a family. We went to see Night At the Museam at a dinner and movie theater. Ayden wanted a "salad sandwich" and if that request wasn't funny enough, they actually had an option to get a couple of their salads in pitas. What are the chances??  Logan slept in the Moby for most of the movie  and nursed for a while when he did wake up. He didn't make a peep, but we were pretty certain he wouldn't.   

The forecast is supposed to be rainy tomorrow so David is going to spend some quality time with the boys while I spend some quality time with our house!  

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "Christmas Extended"

And two years ago today: "Mama Knows Her Baby"

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A Walk With Ayden

Ayden's toy shelf has been restocked with Christmas goodies! 

We had a pretty relaxing day today. 

David and his dad spent the day working on the house, the boys my mom and I ventured out to Hobby Lobby and then we spent the rest of the day at home. I got a lot of snuggling in and NOT a lot of housework and that was just fine with me!  When David got home we all went out for pizza. 

A few days ago (Christmas Eve Eve maybe?) I took some video of Ayden while we were on a walk. Just wanted to share the cuteness:

The house is a wreck so other than the farmer's market, it's my only to do tomorrow!

Flaskback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "

And two years ago today: "

Merry 1st Christmas, Logan!

Our day some how ran smoothly from start to finish.  Naps ran late and there was NO predictability (along with a little sugar sprinkled in here and there) and we somehow made it through the day with only a couple of very typical toddler moments.

We weren't sure how Ayden would be with opening gifts this year.  We were prepared for an opportunity to teach lessons about graciously receiving and the joy of giving but Ayden did not need our help.  He was excited to give gifts to his grandparents and was filled with grattitude and warm fuzzies for every gift he opened.  He took his time and wanted to explore each gift before moving on to the next.  We will prepare for possibly teaching the same lessons for his upcoming birthday and again for Christmas next year but for now, he's doing great all on his own and we feel so proud of him.

Logan was his wonderful, mellow self on his first Christmas even though he didn't get a decent nap in until the afternoon.  We didn't get home until after 10pm and somehow both boys hung in there without any major meltdowns and both went right to sleep.  This year's Christmas was another magical day for the record books!  I've put together some video clips from our morning (along with a couple bonus clips from Daddy making Logan laugh at bed time) and a slide show from all of the photos we took over the last couple of days.  They are long but if you are interested in watching I hope you enjoy!

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "Merry Christmas 2013"
And two years ago today: "Baby's 1st Christmas!"

Thank you for stopping by Life With the Ladniers!

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Logan's First Christmas Eve

This time last year we were preparing to announce Logan's pregnancy to our families at Christmas dinner.  Hindsight makes that announcement that much more special.  

We are so lucky that this little boy is ours!!

Ayden is still not so sure about Santa.  He keeps saying he wants "Christmas without Santa."

Maybe he'll change his mind in the morning ;).  

We are all excited for Logan's first Christmas!!

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "Christmas Eve {take two}"

And two years ago today: "Christmas Eve!"

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Wrapping Up

Wow...  When I reflect on our day today I am a little surprise by how much we fit into it!

We ran a couple of morning errands and then packed the afternoon with holiday fun.

We made the rest of our sugar cookies!

Logan was there too :)

1st try at royal icing.  Super cool stuff!

We made some hand/foot print Christmas keepsakes:

One of his footprints looks twice as fat as the other.
3 month olds are wiggly subjects...

After dinner, David took Ayden to a trampoline park for some fun and left me to do some more gift wrapping.

Gift bomb ground zero...

I'm having a lot of fun so it's worth it!

I stayed up waaay too late and am going to be feeling it tomorrow.  It'll all be worth it to make Christmas even just a little more magical for my boys.  Merry Christmas Eve Eve!

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "Erin Condren Life Planner Unboxing And Giveaway"
And two years ago today: "Day With My Boys"

Thank you for stopping by Life With the Ladniers!

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5 Happy Things: Happy Holidays

1) Having a festive home:

2) If she fits, she sits. 

3) Sharing some love with our play group friends. 

4) Pinspired gift wrapping techniques. 

5) the ever growing bond between these boys. 

What were your 5 happy things today?

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "The Real Mccoy"

And two years ago today: "Winter Break Has Begun"

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Cotton Headed Ninny Muggins

I FINALLY found my Christmas spirit. Today we did our annual tree trimming tradition. We made hot chocolate, watched Elf and decorated our actual Christmas tree. 

We even got some gifts wrapped and under the tree. Now we are officially ready for this boy's 1st Christmas!

David and Ayden watched Muppet's Christmas Carol before bed while I worked on my gifts a little. 

Ayden will turn three one month from today!!  Craziness...

I am excited to host play group tomorrow!

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "The Little Merman"

And two years ago today: "11 Months"

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Man Night

Today we had 4 things on our to do list. 

1) Go buy our ball and burlap Christmas tree (we've had a table top cut tree as a place holder since live trees are not happy inside for so long). 

2) Logan's 3 month photo shoot

3) Make apple cinnamon ornaments so they will be dry in time for our play group friends to decorate when we host on Monday: 

4) Have some fun!  Mommy and Logan went to a Christmas party for the dance studio at my parents' house and Ayden and daddy had a man night. They used their shovels to dig a pit, cut some wood, built a fire and cooked their dinner over it. 

David put Ayden to bed and Logan and I didn't get home until 10:30. Logan was a trooper and all of the dance moms were fightig over who would get to snuggle him next. I took honey for the white elephant game and it was a big hit. I just LOVE sharing our honey so I was happy to have another reason to do so. I needed a new robe and lucky for me, one of the gifts was the softest, coziest robes ever with a $15 iTunes gift card tucked into the pocket. It was like bartering...  I traded a jar of honey for a much needed new robe. It was a fun night. 

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "Party Time for Mamma"

And two years ago today: "Team Work"

Taking Notes

David and I talk a lot about how different Logan's life is already in comparison to how Ayden had it as an infant. He has a little les of us than Ayden did but at the same time he has more because of Ayden.

Watching the big kids play at play group.
He's totally taking notes.

As of right now he is a quiet observer and we can just see the wheels turning while he's taking notes. Ayden did not have constant access to other children to help mold and model for him. Ayden does and will continue to play a huge roll in what/how Logan learns and who he will become (along with all of Ayden's friends). There wouldn't be a way around that even if we wanted it. 

I have mentioned before that birth order fascinates me and I resist the urge to go out of my way to do things exactly the same this time around. Part of me feels the need to do that out of "fairness" but the reality is that Logan is his own little person and there is absolutely nothing wrong with him leading his own little life. We will keep things as even and fair as we can as time passes but we will also try to remember to let life be what it is for him. 

I will take the time to document milestones and such for Logan as I did for Ayden (I am a stereotypical 3rd born with only a fraction of childhood photos compared to my sisters) but other than that we are just going to live life the way it is and try not to feel guilty about how much less one on one parent time that Logan gets when compared to baby Ayden. There are pros and cons no matter where you fall in birth order and it all evens out in the end (hopefully!)

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "Little Buddy"

And two years ago today: "Big Boy Stuff"

Thank you for stopping by Life With the Ladniers!

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