Growing Up Way Too Fast

Today my baby turns 6 months old:( I can't believe how quickly Zander is growing up. It makes me sad, yet happy at the same time. I am excited to see him meeting his milestones, but also know he is my last and don't want him to grow up. He is a great baby, althought Casey might disagree as Zander is definitely a momma's boy:) He is rolling over both from back to belly and vice versa, smiling up a storm, blowing bubbles, and eating yummy fruits and veggies (and now loving them!)

Zoey also turned 20 months this weekend. She continues to be a "busy" little stinker to say the least. She isn't talking much, but we know she is just being stubborn about it as she understands everything. She says a few things, but if you ask her to say something, she turns her head and will not do it. Wow, how stubborn can you be!?! I think Zander weighs almost as much as Zoey now.

Although Maizy doesn't turn anything more this month (once you get past 2, It is easier to just go by the years) I can't leave her out. Maizy is doing great in Preschool, especially being a year behind the others. She is a great big sister to both Zoey and Zander and is a big helper to mom as well. She also has a defiant string in her, but is cute as a button, which makes up for that most of the time

Being "Frugal"

So, like my old roommate and friend, Nancy, I decided a while ago that I was going to try to be a little more frugal. Some weeks I take the time to follow the ads and clip coupons, and other weeks I am not so great. I have not taken any classes yet (although it has peaked my interest) to get the full use out of deals/coupons. As you can see above, it is quite the table full of food, and the grand total.........not quite $80. Now, some of you might be saying that isn't such a great deal. Well, some of the items were on the "deal" list, and a few items were just plain necessities. Like the frozen meals...they are necessary for me to take to work and were on sale, but not as good as they could have been. Best deal...the big thing of bottled water regulary almost $8...I got it for $2.79. Ignore the junk food. Sue me, I have kids...and I also have a sweet tooth! :)

First night

First, my baby turned 5 months old a few weeks ago and I never got around to posting. His bib definitely fits him this week...he has been a monster to say the least. He is usually so laid back and easy going, but not this week. I hope his sisters aren't rubbing off on him.

Here is Maizy sleeping in her new bed in her new room for the 1st time.
Ahhhh, I love them when they are sleeping:)

Zoey is so peaceful. She is loving having an actual bed of her own instead of a crib mattress on the floor. Look at those adorable rosy cheeks.

I know Zander doesn't care, but the color of his room is great. Old Olive for those of you familiar with SU colors. Somehow we have to get Zander out of his bundling phase. He doesn't sleep without it.

Almost Complete

I was nervous about the color scheme, but I am happy with the colors.
The exterior should be all done today.
This is the main bathroom that the kids will be sharing.

Here is the girl's bedroom. Like I said, lots of Pixie Pink, but I think it will be fun for them.

The master bathroom is not quite finished.
They still have to install the surrounding shower glass.

Our carpet was installed today. Unfortunately, they screwed up and have to fix it. We had ordered the same carpet in 2 different grades (upgraded carpet for our room and lower grade for the kids room). Obviously the idiot who installed it didn't pay very close attention to what the order said. Our room has the lower grade with the kids playroom. Both Zander and the girl's room has the upgraded carpet. I am not very happy about this. They are supposedly going to fix it.

This is the front room where my long lost baby grand will be.

Here is our gorgeous railing so my children can't fall down the stair hole anymore.

And last but not least, my beautiful kitchen with the new appliances that were delivered yesterday. I can't wait to use them all!!!
We should be having our final inspection done on Monday, but I do not know how long the appraisal and loan will take. According to the bank, we may not be able to close until the 2nd week of March! :(

House Update

So, here is the progress. They are putting up the rock today...Yeah!!!! They are hopefully going to put the color on the top tomorrow.

Here is my beautiful kitchen. I am so excited about my cabinets.

This is the other side of the kitchen (family room)

Here is our master bedroom that I just finished painting.

We are making progress. Hopefully it will be done in less than a month.

Update

So I figured that since the picture of Zoey's nose looked pretty bad, that I had better update. It is looking much better although still injured. The previous picture didn't include the black eyes that developed, but those bruises are now yellowing. She has been acting normal...which means naughty and a huge pain in my rear. LOL:)

I also never updated on Maizy and Zander's doctor appointments. They are of course bigger than ever. Zander weighed in at 16 lb. 9 oz. (78%) and was just over 26 inches (85%). His head (the biggest of all my kids) measured in at the 72nd percentile. My kids always make their own growth curves. Maizy weighs in at just over 40 lbs (84%) and is 43 3/4 (which is off the curve)...meaning Maizy is going to be tall. Big shock right? Zoey turned 18 months and we go to her doctor appointment next week. Another post to come.

Gymnastics

Some of you know that I am a huge fan of the UofU gymnastics team. I have always liked watching gymnastics (obviously I am not a gymnast), but never went to a meet until 7 years ago. Jami introduced me, and I have loved it ever since. It started with just the 2 of us, and our group seems to grow more every year. We make these our fun "girls night out" with fabulous dinners out on the town. Jami and I have also taken a girls trip annually to follow the team to Nationals. I have seen places I never imagined I would see (Lincoln, Nebraska: Auburn, Alabama: Corvalis, Oregon: of course UCLA in good ole Cale: Athens, Georgia). If we are able to go this year financially, we will return to Lincoln, Nebraska.
This picture is of the fabulous 4 babes that were all born within 15 days of each other. They are up and coming fans of the Utes!

(left-to-right) Michelle's baby Brylee, Zander (the only boy),
Jami's baby Anna, and Mandy's baby Evelynn