Halloween Ready

We are finished with the Halloween festive decorations.  Our witch, Esmeralda, is out front to great our visitors.  Bring on the Trick-or-Treaters!

Home

Call us crazy, but who would want to stay in the hospital when you can be at home.  We jumped at the opportunity to go home after 24 hours.  We packed up all our things, and we were waiting on Ridley's testing to come back.  Right at 24 hours, she was cleared and discharged.  Hooray!

We washed her hair and dressed her in the special going home outfit.  She looked absolutely precious, and my old pink smocked bubble was perfect on her.

Our close friend and neighbor, Kelsey, brought decorations for our home.  A girly banner and pink balloons for the mailbox.  So festive.  Love it!

She loves her right hand by her face.  This is something I noticed on the ultrasound, and I think it is too sweet that she does it now.  This is her first nap in her bed.

I just can't help myself when I see these two being so sweet.  I have to take a picture.  Sweet daddy and daughter.

Fun outside

We started the day at Parr Park in Grapevine.  The boys were a little cautious of the splash pad when we first arrived, so we headed to the playground first. 

 

 

After sliding and climbing for a little while, the boys were hot and sweaty.  The splash pad looked a lot more appealing, so they ran over to cool off.  The first moment they hit the chilly water was too funny.  It was almost like they were in shock. 

 

 

We spent the entire afternoon playing in the backyard at home.  I love to watch them play on the swings and dig in the sand.  Reed ran over to say, "I love you to the moon and back the mostest".  (Our special little saying.) He then disappeared back into the sand box with his brother.  

 

We wrapped up the evening with a cold popsicle, and Ryland did a little jumping. It was wonderful to have Ryland and Reed at home.   I missed my boys so much, and I am so happy they are back!

Cabinet trim

It isn't a holiday break for us, unless we work on some sort of home project.  We completed a small one today that we have been talking about for a while.  The kitchen cabinets were plain along the bottom of the upper cabinets, so we added a small piece of trim to give them a more finished look.  I am very happy with the finished look.  It is a small addition, but it gave the cabinets a heavier, custom look.

 

After

 

 Before

 

 After

 

 Before

Outside Christmas decorations

The lights are up, and we are decorated for Christmas!  The outside that is.  We pulled out all the outdoor decorations that we haven't used the past two years and added lights to the house.  So very merry!

Relaxing with Pops

John Chris and I packed and loaded the truck with all our suitcases and the boys' new toys. It was time to hit the road for the trip back home. Reed was obviously worn out. I didn't think he would even make it to the truck before falling asleep. We had a great visit and hope to see everyone again soon.

Happy to see Daddy

The boys and I had a great visit in Texarkana, but it was great to get back home. It is a little difficult to travel with the two of them alone, and I always feel like we destroy the house we visit. John Chris was happy to have us back home as well. He said the house was just too quiet while we were gone.

Happy to be home

What a grin! I try to catch him smiling and take a picture, but the minute the camera comes out he hides his face or stops smiling. Today, he was happy as a lark. He told me a thousand times how he was happy to be home. I am sure I told him a thousand and one times how happy I was that he was home. He had a blast playing with all his toys and being silly.
I think Reed was happy to be home as well. I missed him so much. We all had a great day of playing and laughing.
I am so happy they are home.

Coming home

We have been released from the hospital, and we were anxious to get home. We loaded up all our stuff in a hurry, and the boys piled in the truck. I snapped a quick picture of the boys in the backseat. It will never be the same again.

When we arrived home, Cooper was quick to check out the new addition. He was very interested and wanted to sniff Reed. Cooper was wonderful, as expected.

Nana had balloons on the mailbox and inside tied to a blue bear. It was a great welcome home for our family. She had cleaned the house, and it felt wonderful to come home. It was one of the first times we had been away since we moved in the house, and it truly felt like coming home.

My dad sent roses and a stuffed animal. Ryland thought the animal was for him, and he enjoyed playing with the balloons.

One of many of the thousands of diapers I can look forward to changing over the next few years.

Leaving the hospital

After being in the hospital a couple days, we were all itching to go home. The doctors came in for our last checks and gave us the good news that we could be discharged.

I snapped a quick picture of Reed after he came back from his "boy procedure". You can't really see what finger he is holding up, but it is the middle one. We dressed Reed in one of his Daddy's old day gowns.

The Allison family is about to go home!

Nanna takes another look at Reed before saying good bye for a week. She helped out with Ryland while we were staying at the hospital, and she will be coming back to visit soon.

Reed gets buckled in his car seat with the help of his big brother.

Reed looks like a little pilgrim in his keepsake bonnet. The tradition is the bonnet will be given to his bride on their wedding day. The bonnet is made of a handkerchief with a blue tie. It can serve as something old and something blue. John Chris snapped this picture of me as I was being loaded in the the wheelchair. I was very ready to go home.

Making chicken nachos

Ryland helped make chicken nachos for dinner tonight. He was really curious and was saying "up, up, up" over and over, so we put a step stool next to the island for him. He helped sprinkle the cheese for us.

Just like a true chef, he had to taste his masterpiece. He loves cheese.

Working on the laptop

Apparently, Ryland had some computer work he had to finish up tonight. He looks so serious like he is really working on something.

Busted! He was shopping at Toys R Us.

Napping on the stairs

We removed all the carpet on the stairs and are replacing it with wood. John Chris and I have been working long hard hours, but it seems like Ryland is the one that needs the nap. And what better place to take a nap? The stairs looked comfy to him.

Poor little man. This picture says danger all over it. Child napping on the stairs, nail gun, cord, boards stacked against the wall. The mess is definitely keeping us on our toes watching at all times.

My office progress

Oh my gosh! The wood floor is all in and filled in my soon to be new office. I have a little painting left to complete on the ceiling and over one of the bookshelves. I am super excited, and I can't wait to see the wood stained and my desk in the room. I am super happy!

Saying goodbye

We finished moving the few last minute things out of the house today in the pouring rain. Of course we were completely drenched and worn out. All our of stuff is finally loaded, and our old home is empty.
Saying goodbye to our old place was sad, and I had to keep thinking about how great our new home will be. I just kept telling myself that I will love the new place even more.

We are homeowners again

Our new home!

We are absolutely thrilled that we found such a great place to call home, and we are looking forward to renovating and moving in soon. The house needs some work, but it is in a great neighborhood with exemplary schools.

We are no longer homeowners!

The deal is done! Our house is sold. We just received word from our agent that the funding has been processed, and the transaction is complete. John Chris and I are both overwhelmed with happiness and excitement. The stress we have been experiencing over the past few weeks is over. It is time to celebrate!

Open house

John Chris and I decided to go ahead and list our home with a REALTOR. We thought that listing our home would get more showings and visibility online. I also was worn out on refilling fliers, taking phone calls, and scheduling appointments. We are hoping that it will take a little of the stress off of us, and speed up the time it takes to sell.

Our agent, Karen, set up our first open house this Sunday. John Chris and I worked really hard to make sure the house was in great condition, so it would show nicely. Karen put out lots of signage and fliers in hopes of increasing visitors. We were excited to see what kind of response we would have.

Unfortunately, we did not have one visitor come to the open house. The signs had been taken down over night and all of the fliers had been removed from the box. We were so very disappointed.

My friend, Sarah, has told me about a St. Joseph statue that she used to help sell her home in New Orleans after Katrina. I had looked it up online a few times, but never took the time to order one. While with her mom in Illinois, they found a statue and bought it for us. Sarah mailed it to us, and we got it right after the open house. John Chris and I immediately opened the box, read the inserts, said the prayer, and buried it in the yard. St. Joseph is the saint of real estate, so we are putting our trust in him and hoping for the best. We will keep you all updated.

Evening silly time

The evenings during the week are some of the best times at our house. Ryland and Cooper are so excited to see John Chris after work. They love to bombard their daddy will all kinds of love and attention.

This particular evening, Ryland wanted to climb all over John Chris as soon as he walked upstairs.

Ryland shows John Chris his sofa swing with his putter. Watch out!

Wheels on a highchair make for some serious fun. Ryland knows how to unlock the wheels and move his chair all around the kitchen.

I think he found a new spot for his chair. I love how Cooper just sits there and observes.