Monday, February 27, 2012

HUNGER GAMES!


Everyone has raved about the books and yes, I got addicted!  Just like I did with Twilight, but in my opinion these are way better.  I read the first book in 5 days no joke!  I give thanks to my buddy Julie for getting me hooked.  We're going on a double date to get dinner and go see the movie when it comes out.  Should be a fun time.  Now Craig has to hurry and read it by the end of March.  So if you're up for a good book and fairly easy read-get it. 

Saturday, February 18, 2012

We're flying to Utah!  I know it's sparatic and last-minute but we are excited!  Craig is off Monday for president's day then he leaves bright and early Tues to New York for court.  Then he flies back Friday.  Then we leave Monday right after work to Dathan & Kel's house to sleep over and drop off Izzy and back to the airport bright and early with our flight leaving at 6:20 am!  Kinda bummed we only get a day and half to visit family but I'll take it.  Then we are driving Wed night to Twin Falls, ID (3 hours) sleeping over, waking up the next morning for an 8 hour drive to Oregon/Washington area to look at houses until late Sunday when we fly red-eye back home.  Kinda crazy right?  Lots of pics to come after the trip since I won't have time to blog and won't be taking my laptop.  And I'm also stoked that we're bringing Jaycee.  She's so excited!

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Random Things

Jaycee has quite the personality; there isn't a day that goes by that I'm amazed what she picks up and also that I'm laughing at stuff she says.  Her and I have become best buds since we're home everyday together.

On one of the shows she likes to watch it teaches her days and months with a calendar.  So this morning I showed her our calendar and counted the days until we go on the airplane.  Then I show her the day we're going to see the temple.  She was so excited probably because we talk so much about temples and she hasn't been to one that she can ever remember.  She looked up at me "We're going to the temple so I'm getting married?"  Ah, silly Jaycee...NOT YET! But hey, she's got the right idea.

Craig and Jaycee have such a good relationship.  Especially since Hadley has come into the family.  In Pittsfield, there is no garbage trucks that come around.  You take all your own garbage to the dump and recycling center.  Jaycee loves going with daddy.  She gets to sit up in the front in the truck (bench) since it's only about a mile away.  Every time she gets in she'll say, "Daddy; rock, candy, mountain song"  He has the O, Brother Where Art Thou CD and she's come to love that song as they drive to the dump.

The other day driving home from the dump Craig was telling Jaycee when they get home it's time to take a nap.  We often will say, "Jaycee, look at the clock.  You know what it says?  Time to brush teeth"  And we'll say it for different things.  So after Craig told her it was almost time to take a nap she says, "Dad (pointing to the clock in the truck) the clock says, it's not nap time; it's time to play with Haylie" 

Hadley will now sleep from about 11-6 am (which is wonderful!) so I usually feed her for about 20 minutes and then we go back to sleep until Jaycee wakes me up.  She's come to know that mommy needs 5 more minutes.  So this morning she came to wake me up and climbs in bed.  I roll over and say "Jaycee just a few more minutes k"  She patiently lays there or sleeps, I don't know what she does.  About 10 min go by and I start to get up.  Jaycee says, "Mom, stop!  You forgot to stretch"  So we both laid in my bed stretching. 

Last one: We were at the doctor on Monday for Hadi's 2 month check up.  The dr walked in and automatically Jaycee starts being really shy.  But then Jaycee realizes that she remembers her (it's her dr too) and they start talking and Jaycee tells her all about the room decorations of Earth and the planets.  The dr looked at me shocked that she knows that.  (Thank you Backyardigans and Godzilla ha ha)  So we're doing the appt and Jaycee starts freakin out and crying to take off her boots.  I told to keep them on until we get in the car.  She seemed irritated by something so I said Fine.  She takes her boots off, rips off her socks and says, "That's better, I needed to scratch my toe"  haha. 

I just love her!

Hadley is now 2 months old (9 weeks) and here are her stats:
Weight 9 lb 15 1/4 oz.  25%
Height 21 1/2 inches (I don't know how accurate they are because when she was born she was 21 and at her 2 week visit she was 21 3/4 inches...I don't know how a baby can shrink)  20%
Head 15 cm  25%

Hadi is looking great and very proportionate.  Her and Jaycee are just about the same height and weight at this age.  Although I think Hadley is a little taller than they say.  She's officially out of her newborn clothes and wears 0-3 months.  She sleeps most night of 7-8 hours and sleeps in her swing like Jaycee did.  She eats every 3-4 hours during the day.  And mostly she loves to smile and coo.  We just love her so much! 

Monday, February 13, 2012

The first few pics were on my camera and thought I'd share:

Jaycee getting ready to go play
 Jaycee ready for church in her new dress from Grandma & papa Radio
 Jaycee's YMCA pass expired so we made the most of it the last couple times.  She had such a blast and burned some energy for mom haha. 




 HADLEY'S SPECIAL DAY!
I was so excited for this day to come!  As I was feeding her right before church I looked at her and thanked my Heavenly Father for such a special, beautiful little baby girl.  The other thought that crossed my mind: is Craig going to change her name?  ha ha.  There's a story to that so ask if you're interested he he.  Here is a pic of Hadley all ready to go to church.  I made her headband, Grandma sent her special bracelet and Grandma Allen made the dress she's wearing (it was Jaycee's-it's an extra special dress to me)
 The group.  I was so thankful Dathan and his family spent the time to drive up to our house, again, to spend this special day with us.  I had asked Dathan to go in the circle as well as asking our branch presidency.  It was absolutely perfect.  I don't like when there's billions of people up there and it begins to look like a popularity thing.  Craig did such a great job on giving her a name of Hadley May Parker and giving her a special blessing.  He talked of how she was sent to our family and to rely on our family.  A lot of her blessing talked about our family and how special she is.  When he sat down I gave him a huge smile and felt very overwhelmed in my heart for my perfect family.  I wouldn't want it any other way and I love how close we are and have become.  I love my family and am so grateful that I've been given 2 beautiful girls and an amazing spouse to help raise these little ones. 
 My girls.  They are best buds already! 


 We spent the rest of the day eating yummy sandwiches, veggies, chips and snicker salad for lunch; then we played Ticket to Ride together and even Bray got to play with us.  Hadley got to share her special day with Haylie because it was her birthday.  She turned 4.  The kids loved playing together and wearing birthday hats.  Jaycee and Haylie are best friends and they get along so well.  I love when they get to play because Jaycee has no girl friends.  They've been better too because they let Kamryn play too (at first they wouldn't)
 Haylie opening her present from us---Zoobles.  Toys now days for kids are strange, right?  But hey, they sure love them.
 Blowing out the candles

 More sugar!  They sure loved them though.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAYLIE
 Kami digging in too-well at least the frosting
It was a great weekend and there's plenty to come.  With moving soon we've gotta get our "Allen" time in to make up for the next years until they move back west.  We sure love their family and the time we get to spend.  It was crazy how it all worked out that Dathan and Craig both got job offers at the same time.  Dathan was either VA or Boston; they wanted us in PA but we wanted Maine since it was affordable.  It just worked out perfect that Dathan moved to Boston and us to Maine only 3 hours away.  Now if that wasn't meant to be?!  I know it would've been a lot harder leaving our families if it wasn't for having them out here.  We get along so great and have so much fun together.  We will miss them dearly!

Friday, February 10, 2012

Frustrations!

So I posted on f/b that I was frustrated and ppl are asking so here's the scoop...  And I'm only writing this because if not my fingers are gonna fall off from texting!

Background:  So at work a while back Craig was working on a court trial about some engineering.  He was supposed to go to New York for the hearing back a couple months ago, but then it got canceled.  Did you know they do that at Kleinschmidt is have expert witnesses?  It's pretty cool that Craig got involved and gets to see another side to engineering.  He really enjoys it.  Also there is a conference in Oregon on Feb 21-23 that he had signed up for.

Story time: K so when they told us we could go ahead and move Craig talked to HR about the expenses etc and was told they would fly us both out there to look for places to live.  But they did tell us to look for conferences so at least Craig's flight could be billed out and only would have to pay for my flight.  They also told us to make it as cheap as possible.  So we worked really hard to watch  flights and found some good deals and booked everything.  We were flying out Sunday Feb 19 and coming back Sat early morning.  We weren't taking Jaycee since we only had a week to look at homes and 3 of the days Craig would be in conference so we had to make the most of our time.  Also didn't want them to have to pay for her ticket.  Kellie and Dathan were so kind to watch Jaycee and Izzy for us.  We've talked with our real estate agents and have houses picked out and next week we start booking to when to walk through the homes.  I have all the snacks for Jaycee bought and pretty much we are ready and so excited to go.  WELL........2 days ago the guy *P that Craig has been working the New York case comes up him telling him he has to be in court in New York on Feb 22-24!   The same EXACT time that he supposed to be in Oregon with his family and in an important conference pertaining to their office out west.  Craig told him it wouldn't work because we've had this trip planned for at least a month and he told Craig to call the lawyer to see if maybe he wouldn't need to go.  So TODAY, yes 7 days away from when we head to NH, the CEO and VP get with Craig and tell that they are very sorry but he needs to cancel the trip.  They are very sorry that it ruins the family trip and plans, but he is the only one that can go to this hearing.  Even better they say, well don't cancel it yet cuz at the last minute it could change.  So pretty much they want us to be in limbo for a week not even knowing if we go, or the court hearing gets canceled last minute.  They did say that "they'll do us good" since we're canceling a family trip and a lot of things are gonna have to get canceled: dog sitter, baby sitter, hotels, car rental, agents, etc.  It's frustrating to me that they can do this so soon to when we go and not even consider having someone else go.  Craig is frustrated because to him it shows that family doesn't always come first to them...obviously.  So we're sticking it to them.  We will postpone our trip and they'll do us good all right.  Our baby sitter obviously (kellie) is gonna fall through so Jaycee will come now and they can pay for her flight.  We will stay out for 5 days so we can see all the homes.  We will not find cheap flights and their receptionist can find it all and book it.  And Craig's vacation time is not going to be used for this trip since he was going to get his 40 hours with fly time and being in the conference.  That'll show you!  ***Ah feels good to vent***

Deadlines: Here's another one for ya.  Craig has been involved in a huge multi million dollar project outside of Chicago since he's worked here.  When we planned on moving we were told any where between the 3rd week of April to July.  In July construction starts on this big project and Craig can't take a week off work to drive across country in case they need something from him.  So therefore we had the window to move.  Well Wed he was told that the engineering has to stop for a bit because of $ and now no more deadlines.  I took it as a GREAT thing cuz now we can put offers in on homes and once we hear back, we're gone!  Craig was really frustrated because he's been stressed and busting his balls to meet these deadlines to just say, nevermind.  So pretty much our initial move date of June 1 is prob not going to happen.  Once we see homes, put in offers, hear back and get the movers out here to do their thing, we're leaving on closing day!  Be on the lookout for a date.  I guess gotta fly to OR first to see the homes.  ha ha. 

So there ya go.  The frustrations we're dealing with. 
Jaycee's pass to the YMCA expires today so the past month we've been going down once a week to play.  Jaycee is getting quite daring now on these slides.  The video shows her twirling down.  Pretty funny girl.  On another slide that wasn't so tall she jumped right off the top of it.  It's fun to see her not be afraid, but she got in trouble because then the other kids want to copy her and it's not safe.


We love to play the dancing game, in fact Jaycee has gotten quite good at it.  Here's a video of her favorite one she likes to play.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Church!

Sundays have been DREADED Sundays the past 5 weeks.  We Need Help!

So here's what's going on.....Jaycee has 3 friends in nursery Dale, Savion & Mikey (all boys)  Well on Jan 1 they all got to advance to Sunbeams since they are 3 as of that date.  So who's left is nursery is Jaycee, Sariah (barely 18 mo), Johnny (18 mo) and Squire (18 mo).  She hates it!  She also got a new teacher about 2 months ago so that doesn't help.  So the first Sunday without her friends she was curious where they were and actually did okay being in there.  About 30 minutes left in church Jaycee comes in from nursery with *K! who tells me that she was hiding under the table and though she needed to come to me.  I didn't really care until I asked Jaycee why she was under the table.  "I'm playing in my castle mom"  She was fine and having fun!  I even heard from the teacher that they play pretend castles and boats.  So therefore, Jaycee came into primary and saw......Savion, Dale & Mikey her friends.  There was no way she was going back in that room alone with the little kids.  That was week 1!

So the next week comes and it was rough trying to coax her into going to her class and she even cried a bit, but she stayed.  Again....an hour later *K! brings her in saying she was under the table again.  At this point I was frustrated that she keeps bringing Jaycee to my class knowing that Jaycee is just playing.  And again, she sees her friends and wants to stay.  I tried taking her back and again she cried so I didn't fight her.  Ugh!  I knew I prob should say something to *K about it to quit bringing her in the primary room and just to let me know instead.

Week 3-We actually missed this week because not feeling so hot and the new baby so didn't have to deal with it.

Week 4-Jaycee fought going to nursery.  We kept saying she needs to go to her class.  She ended up taking Hadi's blanket with her which calmed her down and she fell asleep I guess.  About an hour again, *K comes to tell me she's crying.  Jaycee's a really bad wake up most the time and I guess the little girl in there woke her up so she was crying hysterically.  I couldn't leave her in there and make the teacher deal with my crying kid, just so I can try to get Jaycee to stay in her class.  I brought her back with me to calm her down.

Week 5-TODAY!  UGH!!!!!!!!!!  So I go to drop her off and automatically the crying starts.  Craig decided to take Hadi and I would take Jaycee since she's usually really good with me.  Oh she cried and screamed!  We sat in the room for a good 10 minutes of her screaming and not listening to a word I said. I was losing patience and felt really bad because her screaming and crying led to the little girl crying.  I took her out and told her that she needs to stop.  Oh my gosh.  She kept screaming and crying and kept yelling for Dad.  Well Craig heard her and came to the rescue and we traded off cuz I had to go teach sharing time.  Craig ended up taking her out to the car for 15 minutes while she cried the. entire. time!  He told her she needs to stop her tantrum (yes she's VERY good at those) and stop the crying.  She lost cake for the day, going straight to bed when she gets home and couldn't take the suckers to her class (for valentines).  They came into singing time and she was calm and there was no way she would go in nursery without yelling again.  She saw Savy (her best buddy) and went and sat by him.  Oh her face lit up.  She was so quite, stayed in her chair and even attempted to sing the songs.  When it came time to separate the classes I took her and asked if she wanted to go with the sunbeams in Savy's class.  Of course she did.  And I was told after the 40 minutes that she was the best one.

So what do we do?  Do we let her go to Sunbeams with her friends and where she's learning and likes?  Or do we try to fight over this and get her to nursery kicking and screaming?  I know there's been a lot of change lately but most of all she wants to be with the kids her age.  Dale is 2 months older, Savy is 4 months older, and Mikey is almost a year older.  She loves being with them and even acts more mature then some of those kids.  I'm torn.  I want to follow the rules and make her go to nursery even though she'll scream every week.  Or part of me says, don't hold her back and let her learn.  After all she's so good in sunbeams and pays attention and wants her friends that are her age.  Ugh, I don't know.  I'm thinking maybe we pray about it.  Any suggestions?

Oh and BTW Hadley May is getting blessed next Sunday, Feb 12.  She'll be exactly one month, and just a day shy of 9 weeks.  I'll post pics of her big day.  I can't wait

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Hadley likes to coo and smile.  It's so fun.  Little moments like this make everything worth being a mommy!  I just love my little girls so much.

Here's another fun video of right when Hadley was born and Jaycee was so eager to help change her diaper and make sure she was okay.  Such a good sissy

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

8 Below

Last year we got 8 Below for free from disney movie club for our one year membership.  We haven't watched it because it was a blue ray.  Well we ended up getting a player for Christmas so we decided to watch it last weekend.  Jaycee was so excited.  She loves watching movies and especially ones with dogs.  So as we're watching the movie Craig and I look over and notice Jaycee is teary eyed because of the dogs.  When she wasn't intent on the dogs she was asking a million questions about them.  "what's their daddy's name?"  "Where'd the daddy go?"  "Why'd they leave the dogs?"  It was kinda annoying, but then again made me laugh because she was so curious.   So if you've seen the movie you'll remember the part where the dog, Max I think, finds the killer whale to eat.  All of the sudden out jumps the leapord seal.  Oh Jaycee freaked out!  She busted out crying because one it scared her and two it was trying to get the dogs.  So after that part, we asked her if she wanted us to turn it off.  NO!  So after that she's super emotional and pretty much crying over everything in the movie.  We kept asking if she wanted to turn it off, but that would've made her even more sad.  So here's a video I got while she was watching: (I took it on my phone and I can't figure out how to switch the screen so you have to watch side-ways...sorry)


And here's a video of her after the movie trying to act like a tough girl.  ha ha.