Total Mom Makeover

A friend from high school (who has four children) suggested a book to me last week. I love getting suggestions from fellow moms and wish I heard more! The way she talked about it "changing" her was very inspiring. I looked it up on Amazon and ordered it (it was only 6 dollars). It arrived on thursday and because life is always busy I just sat down to read a little today. After reading the first part I asked a few people to join me in reading this book-I would love to get more people as well! So far I have had positve feedback from the few I asked:) I am excited and and I am even more excited to share some of the "changes" that I hope will happen.

The book is called, "Total Mom Makeover" written by Hannah Keeley. She starts of the book by explaining her situation-living in sweat pants, not losing those last few pounds...and I especially liked when she talked about how times have changed with moms. Our grandmothers were able to focus there time and energy into their homes and children, while our mom's were having to explore life outside the home (at times) and now us! We have so much to balance (even if you stay at home) times have changed and I want to make the most out of being a mom! My favorite line so far that has inspired me was "A total mom is a woman who is changing the face of homemaking and motherhood. Caring for her home and family is not something she does on the side. It is a priority for her, and she loves what she does. She is smart, energetic, powerful, confident, balanced, and sexy. She doesn't sit around and wait for things to happen. She MAKES things happen!"

Isn't that refreshing? Well this is a six week adventure and we shall see where things go. On top of this I am planning on embarking on another adventure-running. The first 5K race is on March 26th-Mark and my parents have been very energetic about working out, so I don't think it will be hard to do. Wish us luck!

Here is Hannah Keeley's website: http://hannahkeeley.com/

Mack and Avery Spend time with the 'other' Watsons

Aunt Heidi and Uncle Scott offered to watch Avery and Mack while we went out to dinner for my birthday. I was really nervous to leave both of them because they are a lot of work and I always feel guilty having someone else take care of them. It was great though! They both were happy and didn't cause any trouble ;) Avery LOVED having a buddy-Cohan! Cohan started walking recently which made it even more fun! They got to eat dinner and play together. Soon Mack will be catching up (there is only 6 months between Cohan-on BOTH sides:))and these three are going to have so much fun-I always grew up thinking my cousins were like my siblings and I hope we provide that same feeling for our kids. Family is the best! I can't wait to have more stories to share about them!

I also have to mention Uncle Jack stopped by for a visit!

Always trying to help...

Not this time! She was enjoying the ride:)

Can you imagine what these two have to say?

For my birthday celebration Nanny and Papa H offered to take BOTH kiddos. It was the first overnight with them together. I knew they were in great hands, but it was really hard for me because (again) there are two of them and Mack is six months old and it was the first time to leave him. Luckily it was great as well. They both took naps and went to sleep on time and slept in! Whew! They were both so tired after such an exciting event.

Thank God for such wonderful family members. Thank you again!

Our Newest Addition!

This week has been a whirlwind! Valentines Day, My birthday (which will be its own post), and most importantly our new baby niece. When we were told that Sarah was going to be induced on Friday the 18th, it seemed so far away, but then the morning came. I am not sure I will ever get over the excitement of a new baby coming into the world. I text Sarah early in the morning and heard they were heading for the hospital around 8:00. All day long the phone calls and text messages were flowing through the family...FINALLY at about 6:00 in the evening we got the cutest picture of Gretchen Olivia! Unfortunately, we had planned a party the next day, so we decided to head to St. Louis on Sunday morning. To our surprise they were already heading home. We headed straight to their house (with our exhausted babies-they were at Nanny and Papa H's house the night before (that is another post)) and spent the day with the whole family. What a day! It was well worth the trip-she is beautiful!

He is so happy all the time!

Mack was wondering why we were taking pictures! He is huge next to little Gretchen:)
The girls enjoyed lunch outside

Here she is...So cute

It was 70 degrees so we walked to the Botanical Garden. Avery was Miss Independent.

It was time to say goodbye...Cheers to Gretchen!!!!!!! We can't wait for many more family times!

My Birthday Weekend in St. Louis

Turning 30 has many mixed emotions, but if my 30's are anything like my 20's then bring it on. To begin my celebrations I went home this past weekend to visit my family. My mom and dad treated me to a shopping spree! I am finally getting into my old clothes and need new things that fit.

Avery and Mack had so much fun being with their Papa, Grammy, Uncle Brent, Aunt Sarah (who is due any day with our new baby girl niece-it never gets any less exciting), Millie and Lucie!

On Friday we headed out and got there right before bed time. Saturday Mark took them to visit a friend while my mom and I went shopping. Then we all went to a fabulous dinner at Gios. It was great because we had our own room and the kids could run around together. I have never seen Avery interact the way she did with her cousins. She stayed up until 10:00 jumping on the bed and watching t.v.! It was fun to see how she has changed so much! They are going to have so much fun as they grow up together-there is a true bond between them.

These three have such a blast

Our wonderful family

Papa and his little man

Papa, Mark and Mack

So what would a birthday be without your mommy to make you a cake. Yep...she did it when we got home from dinner! She was determined to do this-it was the best cake ever! Thank you Mom! Also, thank you to my wonderful dad! Brent and Sarah you also made the weekend extra special-so thank you as well! Oh course Mark is always there to make all my birthdays special and so far he has been full of greatness!!!!! Can't wait for the big party on Saturday.

More Sibling Love...

Mack is loving his Johny Jump up! Avery loves it too, but tends to love it a little too much. She is all over him when he's in it. Like always, Mack is just happy to have his sister to look at. The other video is us outside on Sunday. It was finally warm out and felt great to be outside enjoying the weather. Mack loves to face forward in the stroller!

Valentines Day at the Watsons

To many Valentine's Day is a hyped up holiday made by Halmark, but to me it brings back some of my best memories. I remember all the years growing up making Valentines for my friends and family and getting little gifts from my parents. I also received flowers from my dad every year. It also meant my birthday was coming soon! This year we had a blast celebrating it with our kids. That is what it's all about! We did have to induldge in a wonderful dinner, but most of all we gave Mack and Avery a special day.

Mark arranged for flowers to arrive at the house and my work. Avery and Mack each got a rose with a stuffed animal and a balloon (big hit). Mom got a beautiful arrangement at work and Miss Mallory got flowers from Mack and Avery. Everyone was very happy. Mark received a double batch of chocolate covered strawberries and lots of candy!

Avery only cared about the puffs they got-nothing else! Mack got a new cup (he will soon be drinking out of one). Avery got forks because she really wants to feed herself.

Oh and Mack is sitting up-with some support.

What would Valentine's Day be without making cookies. Miss Mollory did these with Avery. As you can see they didn't get to finish the decorating because somebody couldn't keep her hands off them! It was pretty funny to find them with bites taken out. She takes after her daddy with the sweets.

Overall, it was a very special day that we hope will be the beginning of many traditions with our little family of four!

What can you do when you are snowed in?

Well we are going on our third day snowed in the house! Hopefully, we will be able to get out tomorrow. We have had a great time together and now that I am back at work I cherish these times together. They are so fun and cute!!!! It has been an adventure and I am going to try to take you through our journey. Most of our time was spent in our PJS and exploring with things like; cookie dough, Jell-O (which was a hit), rice with pom-poms and much more!

This is her busted face! I found her in the living room hanging out on her stool by herself.

Mack is always happy and is even more smiles having us all together!

WOW Avery says as she looks out her window!

I was inspired to use this time to work on portraits

This one is my favorite

We are starting him young:)

I can't get over how handsome he is

After getting them dressed up for these pictures we started the activities. First was baking cookies (Mack was asleep during this time)

We had to stop once it was up her nose! Very fun and even more fun to eat it!

We have gone to cloth diapers and they are so cute! They just happened to have on matching diapers last night:)

JELLO...I should have stripped her out of the white outfit

This has been an ongoing activity. I put rice into a bowl and filled it with pom-poms to work on her fine motor skills. She loves the feeling and works with it everyday!

I was asked today why Avery can't just play with her toys? She has been mobile since about 10 months old, but nothing is the same once they become independent with walking. Now, every drawer/cabinet I walk by has been opened and emptied (luckily she feels the need to hand everything to me instead of eating it). Cooper is getting double the food because she has learned to open the food and feed him. So the need for organized activities has become essential to my sanity. Soon I will have two mobile and it will be even crazier! For now we are just enjoying finding fun things to do as a family. Well I have to get off her because right now Avery is crying due to bordom...off we go!