We are Thankful for so much

We went to Illinois for Thanksgiving last week. We had a great time and the trip went very well. As you know Mallory has been potty training and it's been going great. She didn't have any accidents on the way out or back...she had a few while we were there but that is because she got distracted w/ all the new people and things going on. Part of that is my fault because I also get distracted and forget to ask her if she needs to go. Most of the time when we are home she will go in the bathroom and go by herself w/out telling me until after she is done. I am so proud of her for being a BIG girl.
Daddy and Chloe taking a nap




















Josh and Mallory got our tree last week. Isn't it beautiful















Mal checking out the decorations.




















Last Wednesday we went to Nana's to help her decorate her tree.




















Aunt B holding Chloe




















Mallory playing w/ Chloe's playgym















These are pictures from Thanksgiving...they are out of order so bare w/ me.
Saturday mom, Chloe, Mallory and I went to the farm to visit G&G Edsall. Mallory and Colton playing w/ blocks















4 generations picture: Grandpa, Oma, me, Mallory, Grandma and Chloe




















Grandma Anne loves those babies. She held Chloe then entire time we were visiting. Chloe enjoyed grandma's soft, fluffy lap:)




















Sue Farr (family friend) stopped by to meet Chloe. She was a great rocker and got Chloe right to sleep.















Om and Mallory reading a Tinkerbell story and Mallory's new Tinkerbell dress















One of her favorite presents from Oma and Gpa: Tinkerbell dress















Opening up her ball pit from Oma and Gpa















She was so excited to get a princess bubble nightlight















Helping Oma open presents















Mom teaching Mallory about the meaning of Christmas: Baby Jesus' birthday. Mallory is really into birthdays right now. She loves to wear hats and sing Happy Birthday. This year for Christmas we are going to make Jesus a cake and sing Happy Birthday to Him. She loves to randomly say "Happy Birthday Jesus" and throw her arms in the air.















Post bath picture of Chloe. She isn't too long but she is getting wider. We have finally finished the diaper cake we got at the BFPG. Thanks again girls for the diapers...it's been heavenly not to buy diapers















Oma giving Chloe her 1st bath at the Bidney house




















Some family friends joined us for Thanksgiving: Jen and Austin. Mallory was slightly in love w/ Austin. She followed him around everywhere and kept saying 'that's Austin'. He was a great sport and let her sit by him all day.




















Ashlyn holding Chloe, Mallory and Austin















Two old bitties in the kitchen...just kidding. Grandma Anne and Oma getting the T-day dinner ready to eat.















Colton (who just turned 20) has never held a baby...besides his baby sister so we had to capture him in the act.




















Jen, Chloe, Mallory and you guessed it Austin. Look how she is starring at him longingly















Mal and the grandpa's















The week before we left Mallory and I did a lot of hard work and got the leaves in piles so daddy could burn them. She was a great helper and loved running through the piles after she raked them up.








































Mallory and Oliver playing in their fort.















Josh and I splurged on a game called Singstar for PS2. Basically it's karoke w/ scoring. We had a blast breaking it in...Mallory even got into it.
Here is Mallory w/ her microphone singing along.




















Josh rocking out.




















Things have been going well lately. Chloe is still eating about every 3 hours. Lately she has been going about every 2...I think she's trying to up my milk supply. It's been rough at night lately. We will get her to sleep and lay her down and about 15 min later she is awake again. I don't believe she is ready to cry herself back to sleep so I have to drag my butt (and sometimes Josh does...depending on the night) out of bed and rock her back to sleep again. Usually after the 2nd time she will sleep for a longer period. It is very exhausting. Sometimes I find myself standing at the kitchen sink ready to break down in tears for no reason. I just wish we could get past this stage and she would give me a longer stretch of sleep at night. I think it might have something to do w/ the fact that she is usually in the swing during the day and we lay her in the crib at night...so not having the motion is hard for her to adjust to. But I am stubborn and refuse to put her in the swing at night because I think she should get used to the crib. Oh well, it will all work out one of these days.
Mallory on the other hand has been kind of a pill lately. When we put her down at night and 'she' isn't ready to go to bed she will get into her drawers and change clothes...I mean take the pjs off plus the diaper (she isn't in panties at night yet...she doesn't wake up dry) put underwear and different clothes on all by the light of a nightlight. Then she will lay down on the floor by her door and yell at us through the crack. It's pretty frustrating because Josh and I are exhausted and usually getting ready for bed...then it takes another 15 minutes to get her back in her pjs and into bed. Sometimes she won't put any clothes on...just be naked. It's pretty funny when you think about it. I have stopped going to the door everytime she calls our name...unless she says she has to go potty. I have told myself that it's just a stage and she will soon (hopefully) grow out of it. Sometimes you just have to laugh about it.
Josh's hours at work got cut back to 25 hr/wk. He is looking for a part-time job to hold him until he can get a different full-time job but the way it's looking the market is pretty competitive even for a part-time job. We have been talking about me also going back to work full-time but there isn't a lot out there that doesn't pay more the $8.50/hr. If you could please keep us in your prayers. Luckily we both still have jobs but I'm so afraid that it won't last.
I don't want to end on a sad note so everyone have a wonderful week. I will be posting later this week w/ Chloe's 2 mo stats...she has her apt on Friday:) Have a great day.