It is Winter?!

It is about to be January... man, where is my Winter? 64 degrees in Ardmore right now!! I am so mad! I want snow... I want freezing temperatures... I want a WINTER! I moved 100+ miles away from Fort Worth--- wishing for a colder, snowier, winter season and despite the fact I'm in another state, I am still experiencing "Texas weather"!

You'd think on "nice" sunny days like these the kids & I would be outside soaking up some sun & fresh outdoor air. NOPE! We are indoors pouting (well Mama is, anyway) because I hate the heat... I hate summer... and most of all- I HATE "Texas weather"!!

I think I did enough complaining..... for now. (Checks tomorrow's forecast) I'm sure I'll have more to say soon enough...

But for now:
Here is an example of the artwork I am blessed to receive from Hunter. This one shows us sitting on the couch- imagine that- watching Spongebob. Exciting! It amazes me how much better his writing has improved since he started Kindergarten in September! Such a smarty pants!

Avery got a ride-along for her birthday & is still trying to master how to get on & off by herself. When we push her, she kicks her feet up high & enjoys the ride... We are going to have some problems with her ;)

She is getting so big! MAKE IT STOP!

... but with the type of day I'm having today, I'm sure she'll "master" something new soon & I'll regret saying that.

To all those lucky bloggers out there that actually have winter weather, snuggle up close to a fire for me tonight with a mug of hot chocolate, pretty please? With marshmallows on top :)

Home is Where your Heart is...and your daughter sleeps

Christmas just hasn't been the same being a "grown-up"... but it sure is nice seeing my brother & sister... Oh how we have grown! My little sister (not so little, eh?) has outgrown me... and my brother did that a couple of years ago. I can't believe that we are so old already! Where did time go?? Just a little less than 5 years ago, my brother, sister & I would line up on Christmas morning in age order (yes, I was always last) to run into the living room & find what Santa had left us. As annoying as I thought this was back in the day- now more than ever do I wish that tradition was still alive.

But now, I have a family of my own (I have for 5 years now, but this year really sunk in because we had our own house- not apartment- and lived in a different state than our families) we are creating our own Christmas traditions. Or trying to at least. It is hard when every family wants us to be at there house at the same time as the other family. As the years go by, we try to figure out what the best plan is but yet we always end up running around all of Fort Worth all day long dragging our exhausted kids & begging them to be on their best behaviors! (Too much to ask for from kids who just opened the presents of their dreams at the wee hours in the morning, huh).

Man, do me & my sister look like my mom here, or what? No matter how hard I try to convince myself that I was adopted, you can't deny it here... or when my brother or sister remind me "That's what mom says" when I blurt out a silly phrase. Well, at least I didn't ever have imaginary friends. HA

For Christmas morning, we were at my in-laws' house in Fort Worth. Santa decided to vist Avery here... She loved opening presents & snuggling with Minnie :)

Although I really enjoy going home (to the Fort Worth area) Avery DOES not like sleeping anywhere but her own bed in her own room. So every trip is miserable & we hardly get any sleep. Driving home, she cried the whole way--- we were so happy to see our little rent house!

If you don't already know, Hunter's new obsession (besides video games) is Legos. This particular set Melinda, Cody's mom, got for him. It took Cody, Hunter & I a little over an hour to put this together. And this is just ONE of the many boxes he got for Christmas from several people! Oh Lord!

Avery got a princess tent for Christmas from a family member. Since we only have a 3 bedroom house for now, we have the kids' rooms packed tight with toys & such so we had no other choice but to put her tent in her room as well. A day and a half passed without her going in it. Finally, after Hunter brought 5+ stuffed animals & blankies, it looked comfy enough for my diva of a 1-year old. Wonder where she gets that? ;)

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas holiday!

Much love from The Baetz/one little Frazier household :)

My Walkin' Girl

Yupp, Avery is now a walking machine! She has chosen to take her sweet little time, but finally it seems as if she is ready to begin walking... Hunter started walking around 10 months or so -so I started getting a little nervous when Avery hadn't around that time... then even more nervous when we arrived at a year, but on her birthday she took a few steps- and hasn't stopped since... Here we go! Whoo!

Catching Up...

First of all- Happy Holidays!! So much has happened since I blogged last... where to start? Thanksgiving was great. We went back down to Ft. Worth and saw both families. Cody and I weren't able to do the Black Friday shopping like we did last year throughout the night, but we did manage to get out a little bit that day & get some done :)

December came way too fast to me. I had been trying to put it off for so long, but it was inevitable... December came. Avery turned 1! It happened so fast that I couldn't totally soak it in- it still hasn't totally sunk in that my baby girl is a 1 year old already...

For her birthday we went down to Ft. Worth and celebrated with family and friends. It was a Minnie Mouse party & we had lots of fun! She absolutely LOVED it when everyone sang Happy Birthday to her- it was just adorable.

Hunter had a blast at the party as well. His best friend, Heather, is my best friend's daughter :)

So, now it was time to focus on the upcoming Christmas festivities... first and foremost: a picture with Santa! Avery didn't have it... I figured that she wouldn't, but hey- it was worth a try!! Hunter looks as handsome as can be, though... such a big boy.

Hunter brought me home a present from school-- yes my first hand-made Christmas gift. I love it! A picture of him and Santa & an ornament with his fingerprints... can't wait for more of these precious gifts (the best ones are always hand-made)!

We hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday. I will try to blog a bit more than I have been- after Christmas is over, it will be a lot easier!

Avery has learned to throw fits... real fits- those kind where they throw their body on the floor & scream... yes, it has begun already. Whatever happend to the terrible 2's? Why is it all of a sudden... the terrible childhood years ha ha!? She gets her temper from her daddy (shh- he says she gets it from me, but we all know that just isn't true) :)

Must attend to my fussy 1-year old now... more blogging later.

October Updates

Happy Halloween! These are our pumpkins we carved last night! The one on the right is a vampire :)

Avery was scared of the pumpkin insides and had a fit when Hunter put some on her! It was too funny!

Avery is now almost 11 months old! I am currently trying to plan her first birthday! I can't believe how fast time has flown by. Everyone tells me it goes by fast (and I have experienced it, of course, with Hunter) but I didn't remember it ACTUALLY going by this fast!

She now has 3 teeth! The other night I was brushing her teeth & afterwards I let her chew on her toothbrush for a little while. I noticed her lip was bleeding (or so I thought). Actually, she was cutting her 3rd tooth right in front of me!! She's such a big girl!! I can't believe it!

Hunter is LOVING Kindergarten! He helped me create a cute picture frame for his first school picture :)

On his second field trip, the class went to a pumpkin patch. They met fireman, launched pumpkins across the pond (which scared both of my kids), and got to pick a pumpkin to take home. He had lots of fun! He is on the bottom row in orange on the right next to two girls... imagine that! haha

Avery isn't walking yet, but she "super" crawls everywhere! Her & Hunter play crawling tag.. they are so cute! She just loves him & everything he does.

Hunter will be at his dad's for Halloween, but I will take pictures of the kids before he goes. Hunt is going to be a Star Wars Clone Trooper & Avery is going to be a little black kitty cat :) I hope everyone is enjoying the nice weather. It is currently 66 degrees here in Ardmore & we love it! Will post Halloween pictures as soon as possible!

Hard choices, good decisions..

So this last week or two has been crazy! Avery is trying her hardest to get a tooth! 9 and 1/2 months old an no tooth yet! Hunter got his first tooth when he was around 5 months old, I know every child is different, but come on! HA HA!!

Living in Oklahoma now, we expect to have some good storms, which we did have! Our street basically flooded and me, Hunter & my sister-in-law were out playing in the street :) Of course there were sighted tornados around (hey, it's Oklahoma) but we were nice & safe with a few thunderstorms & heavy rain!

Avery wore her first piggy-tails--- notice our BEAUTIFUL pink tiled bathroom ;) both my mother-in-law & Hunter's grandma both said our bathroom reminded them of their grandma's bathrooms! HA HA

All of these updates were cute, funny, or interesting, but now I must talk about my hard decision of the week.

I was called for an interview at a law firm here in Ardmore and decided to go-- not expecting I'd actually be called back the next day & offered a job! I was so excited! The office was beautiful, the people were nice, it was laid-back and the perfect hours. So what's the catch? I had to find Avery a daycare by today (Monday). Friday I was desperately calling daycares in the area & even outside Ardmore. They were full, not accepting infants, or just didn't answer all together. I was disappointed and stressed. Then, my mother-in-law called with great news! She had talked to a daycare and I could go look at it asap...

Long story short--- the outside looked abandoned, the people inside were too busy to talk, the infant teacher was barefoot!, and I started getting depressed. I didn't want a stranger taking care of my precious baby. And that was that. My decision had been made in my head, Avery would not be going to a daycare & I would not be accepting this job.

Two days later, here I am, at home with my baby- who happens to be napping at the moment. I feel like I have a new start, I am very very happy. I know this decision is right for Avery- who comes before what Cody or I think.

Hope you guys enjoyed my weekly update. More news asap :)

All Grown Up

Yupp, that is a picture of my baby boy, well not so baby anymore, at his first day of Kindergarten!! Wednesday, September 1st Hunter started his first day of school. He had pinky promised to me the night before that he'd let me dress him for his first day (thus, the cute collared shirt hehe) and that he would let me take cute pictures with him, well he decided to be difficult that morning, of course. But I did end up getting a few cute ones!

His school is called Will Rogers Elementary and is exclusively for Pre school-Kindergarteners and is still PACKED! These first few days have been crazy... He came home the first day and of course I was asking how his first day was and this was what he had to tell me:

1. He already has a new girlfriend (besides my best friend's daughter, Fergie (the girl singer in the band Black Eyed Peas) and Miranda Cosgrove (iCarly) haha)

2. But he couldn't remember her name (discovered yesterday that her name is Jaiden Jones, cute, huh?)

3. If the kids talk too much, the teacher will put them in hot water (haha which is I'm sure some kind of exaggeration of a joke the teacher said)

4. He HATES walking in the halls with his hands on his hips (Heaven forbid he has to walk without flailing his arms about)

5. He wishes he could ride the bus and begs me everyday to let him (we live too close, so he's not allowed to -even if his way-overprotective-mom would let him... in his dreams ;) haha)

6. His gf (Miss Jaiden Jones- I think that name is just too cute!) had to move her desk yesterday because SHE was talking to Hunter too much... hm, let's think about that!!

So Hunter is all settled in at school and I have a potential job possiblity with the state, so we shall see how that goes. As far as Avery, she is crawling EVERYWHERE and getting into EVERYTHING! Go figure... No teeth still :( boo! But her gums are super swollen so I'm hoping anyday now... She says "bububa" and "daddada" and "yayaya" but still no "mama" so that is what we work on everyday ;)

Cody has an amazing job that he loves and he's being such a good dad & husband! Our family is doing great in Ardmore. The weather has been awesome and it has just been a great week all around! I hope everyone else has been having a great week and I hope everyone has an even better holiday weekend! Good night!

Thundering Tuesday

YAY! It is raining up a storm here in Ardmore! I sure love the thunder :) It gives me a safe, comforting feeling... That is our backyard (not fenced in just yet, will be soon!)

I registered Hunter for Kindergarden, man do I feel old! He starts on the 1st of September. His school is called Will Rogers Elementary and is literally 2 blocks away from our house! He is also going to be doing flag football at the Y out here!! That'll be fun!

Cody was in Fort Worth laying tile for his parents' house (they are in the process of selling their house & building one up here). My mother-in-law & I drove down there to go shopping & get Cody. We decided just for fun to stay the night at a hotel. Cody & I have been together over 3 years now & this was our first time to stay in a hotel together, and Avery's first hotel stay as well! It was fun, we swam & just relaxed!

I applied at a new daycare center across the street from Cody's sister's school (Dickson) called Kritter's Learning Center! They only have 8 kids enrolled there at the moment, but will be giving me a call soon for an interview. That way I can make a little extra money & Avery can interact with other babies/people.

We went to Avery's cardiologist last Thursday & everything is going great! She doesn't even have to go back for a whole year!! She weighs 17 pounds & 10 ounces, little chubster :) and is 27 3/4 inches long! What can I say? She likes to eat haha!

Hunter's 5th Birthday is this weekend (Sunday the 29th), his party is going to be on Saturday. We are going to have a bounce house & pinata, make hot dogs & have some cake! I cannot wait, but I think I might cry! I cannot believe he is already 5!

The kids are just growing as fast as they can & I just want them to slow down!

Going to go finish my alone time while Avery is napping & listen to the soothing rain! Hope everyone has a wonderful Tuesday!

Busy, busy, busy

Well, my last post I showed you guys our rent house that we were renting from Cody's cousin. Well, in a matter of a week or so, we have moved to a new house. Cody's cousin ended up wanting to sell her house, fine by us because we just so happened to come across a cute, & cozy home in the northwest part of Ardmore. The house feels so much more like home, so the whole moving again thing didn't bother us.

For now, Avery will be sharing a room with us, Hunter will have his own room & Cody's mom (my mother-in-law) and Cody's sister will be staying here in the 3rd room while their house gets built just about 10 minutes away from ours!

So, I have mostly unpacked everything, a lot of stuff had to go into our two-car garage ;) yeah, that is exciting! We have a huge front & back yard! There is a nice field behind our house so no other neighbors & it is a nice, quiet neighborhood!

The house has hardwood floors throughout the entire home except the bathrooms & kitchen are tiled. Lots of natural lighting and a huge laundry room (my favorite part).

We really love it here & hope to be here for a while!

I have a possible job at the local hospital & Cody is working with his uncle still... so things are going pretty good.

My best friend's daughter is over here for 4-5 days & we are just having fun! Except, Avery woke up this morning with a cold :( So hopefully, she'll feel better soon!!

Oh, how could I have forgotten? Avery has accomplished a few things since being 7-8 months old. First, she now pulls up to a standing position on everything! Toy boxes, shelves, drawers, THE ENTERTAINMENT CENTER!, her bed, etc.... I had forgotten how much your house really isn't baby-proof until you have a little one crawling (or army crawling, still) around!! Avery says "bubububu" now, for "BUBBA" that is what we call Hunter! It is too cute! Also, she's been making little kissie faces with her lips, so we have been trying to teach her how to blow kisses!

Man, time is flying... Hunter's 5th birthday is on the 29th! I think I might cry that day... it has gone by too fast!

House Life...

WOW! Who knew all the up-keep a house needs! Especially an older home. We made it to Ardmore and are settling in Cody's cousin's house. It is located in a cute, older neighborhood right near the city. It still has its original hardwood floors, windows, and even a cute swinging kitchen door!

It may sound like a fairy tale (it did to me at first) but yesterday we began to find out exactly what it takes to have a home... Firstly, my sister goes to take a bath and the faucet won't budge, the water woudn't turn off!! So, we call our plumber (who has been here twice already for this silly faucet) and he is supposed to come today to replace some parts. WHEW! Check that off my list...

Then, after my sister and I had unpacked all of my kitchen stuff (food, dishes, etc.) we leave to go to the store, come home and there are those little tiny roaches EVERYWHERE in my kitchen!!!! OHHHH NOOO!! Of course, I freak out & Cody "goes to town" on the roaches, (his phrase for completely demolishing any bug life-form). So, the exterminator came yesterday and now all I see is dead bugs, so I have to sweep & mop every room all over again...

To top it all off, I haven't quite figured out the right temperature to leave the thermostat on, it's either hotter than _____ (you fill in the blank) or cold enough feel yourself shivering!!

Oh the joys of having a home... I'm sure I haven't experienced the half of it, but I'm sure I will. Now, enough of being a procrastinator, I must attempt to find my way around here to apply for a few jobs. Hey, I am from Fort Worth, if I can make it around there, I can make it anywhere :) Hope everyone has a wonderful week!!! Love you all!

WOW- updates!!

Hey blog world!

I have no time anymore, and no time now, but I figured I'd write a small little update.

Cody, AKA my husband, if you needed refreshment, has been working in Ardmore, Oklahoma this past week. I have been home with the kids and work... and I have got to say, all you women out there (Aunt Liz) who do this on a daily basis, I salute you. Seriously. I am worn out, stressed, moody, and upset after just 4 days of doing everything by myself.

Cody was supposed to get this really good job at a local hospital, but now they are going back on their word & the whole process is just taking way too long. I only work part time, so we need some type of income. He decided to go up there and work with his uncle building and remodeling houses. So, he is also looking for more work while he is there. And now, we have found a rent house (thanks to Cody's cousin) that is perfect for us.

Guess what? We are moving to Ardmore, Oklahoma in less than 2 weeks! I am scared & happy & excited all at the same time. I have never lived anywhere else besides Texas (scratch that, I have never lived outside of Fort Worth ha!)

So, amongst missing my husband, doing my wife duties, doing my mother duties, working, and now packing, I am straight exhausted.

I do have a few pictures of the kiddos. They sure are getting big! Hunter will be starting Kindergarten on August 13 (the elementary school is only a few blocks away, we can have a nice walk to school) and is turning 5 on August 29th. He is having a Star Wars themed birthday party with a bounce house & stuff. It is going to be a blast!

Avery is scooting away as fast as possible. She hates sitting for more than 10 seconds at a time. She is definitely going to be a busy one! She loves graham crackers & eats them faster than you could imagine! I cannot believe she is almost 8 months! Where has the time gone!?

Hope everyone is doing great! Love you guys!

Runny noses, coughs, and diaper rashes...

I haven't had the time or the wish to write recently. First the kids got nasty coughs, those went away. Then our car started making a high pitched squeaking noise when the A/C was on (perfect timing, right? Since it has been 98 degrees outside?) Found out it's a small part that can be fixed by my father-in-law, thank goodness. Then, I get sick. Sinus infection/ fluid in my ear/ sore throat/ body aches... GREAT! So I am on an antibiotic, a decongestant, pain killers, an expectrant & nasal spray. (Let's hope this is safe ha)

So there is more, Avery's spitting-up is progressively getting worse and Cody calls me when I am at work saying she just won't stop crying and he's going to the hospital. I go too, and after 2 hours of basically being told we are crazy & she will grow out of it, we are right back where we started, a fussy baby & soiled laundry piled up so high I can't see straight.

To top it all off, Avery went from having a small diaper rash to a bacterial infection on her bottom, now she is on antibiotics (only 1 hour later at a different hospital, being scolded for not taking her to Cooks- the first hospital that told us we were crazy).

So here I am on Sunday, being extremely lazy & bored out of my mind ranting about our life the past week, but I can't help but feel bad for other people.

People who seem to have everything handed to them, never struggle, always get what they want. Those kind of people.

I MIGHT have it hard now, struggling everyday for my kids & my family, but one day, with some help from God, our lives will turn around for the better. I know it...!! I have faith.

Well, I guess I am done ranting for the day. Time to entertain the fussy baby, eat dinner, then go on a walk.

P.S. I will talk more about this later, but I have decided to lose weight. I don't think I am over-weight by any means, I just don't feel good about myself. I am ready to eat healthier & smaller portions, drink ONLY water & exercise as much as possible. Will post more about this soon!!

Hope everyone had a good weekend!

Chicken Enchiladas... yum

Okay, I'm just gunna come out & say it... I'm no Betty Crocker. Honestly, I was never taught how to cook so I never really was interested in wanting to learn. My poor husband has been suffering long enough through countless boring meals, so I have decided to try new things. This time it's Chicken Enchiladas... I know, I know, no big deal, right?! All of ya'll can probably make PERFECT enchiladas, well poo on you! HAHA. I'm learning so hush. :)

The recipe I used was something simple I got off the internet (Betty Crocker webiste to be exact haha) which called for Cream of Mushroom soup. Didn't really think much of it until I was spreading it on & Cody goes "Don't you use Cream of Chicken?" Hm. Who knows?! I sure as heck don't. So I keep on spreadin'.

Needless to say, they turned out pretty scrumptious... I made some rice & powdered sugar strawberries, yum.

So my first "grown up" recipe turned out pretty good. Next time, I will used the other soup though.

Just wanted to share with ya'll my wife-ly experience. I'm proud of myself. :)