Merry Christmas Eve.

I wanted to share what the girls have left out for Santa's treat tonight...

So there is the expected milk and homemade cookies. Brady did however, state that we can't put too many out because we don't want to make Santa sick since he has other houses to visit. Well, just like last year (without us saying a word) Brady insisted that Santa needs one of 'daddy's sodas'. I said why does he need that, her reply is that when Santa is done with the milk he likes to drink the Coke. That was her response last year...interesting. Lastly, of note is the shredded carrots. A couple years back we left out 'baby carrots' and the next morning one was left with a bite out of it. In her 2.5 year old mind, Brady decided that one of the reindeer tried to eat the carrot, choked on it and had to spit it back out. This year (2 years later) she insisted on the shredded carrots so the reindeer don't choke. I love all the thought put into Santa's treat!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!

2011: Year in Review

This year I didn't have the energy to Christmas letter written and stuff in the Christmas card envelopes. So I am going to review this year here on the blog. Lots of events are linked to previous posts, so you can enjoy details of this wonderful year in the life of the Orthner Family.

• We have two two-time champions in this family. 
• Karl once again was named Instructor of the Year for Naval Aviation Schools Command. 
• Dewy once again beat out all wiener dogs in his weight class to be the Champion of the Weiner Dogs Races in Pensacola for the 10-15 weight class (which is 80% of the dogs)
• Magic was felt by all in our August/September trip to the Happiest Place on Earth: Disney World. 
• Reese started preschool and ballet.
• Brady starred in her first ballet recital.
• We found out our family will be expanding next June.
• Brady started reading three letter words. 
• The girls watched their idol from row two at the Taylor Swift Concert in Greensboro, NC.
• Christy lead the Montessori School of Pensacola middle school MATHCOUNTS team to the state level competition.

But most importantly we had fun! We enjoyed each other and relish to have each new day. We had an awesome year, no it wasn't free of struggles and obstacles, but these only made us stronger as a family. 

Happy Holidays to all my friends and family! If this is your first visit to our blog, welcome and feel free to come back anytime!

Tiggerific Fun

This past weekend we celebrated Reese's birthday with a Tigger themed birthday party at a Bouncy House Party place, Jump-N-Party. I remember as soon as I found out I was pregnant with her and she would be a December baby, I immediately worried about how to make her birthday special each year since it is ten days before Christmas. I debated whether I would have to delay decorating for Christmas, etc. Well, this year Reese was beyond excited for her birthday, and at her party she showed so much pride in being the birthday girl which made me very happy! 

Reese, as always, was giving us a hard time about getting dressed, but look how adorable she can be even when she gives us a run for our money.

 Tigger did lots of bouncing at her party!

 I love this sweet photo, the little girl with Reese moved from being our next door neighbor right after the party. This may have been their last chance to play and I love the display of affection!

 I still can't believe how social Reese was at the party. She is pretty much an introvert in large groups. But here she is sliding with 3 other girls, and at one point 6 of them slid down together!

 Tigger themed items are hard to find these days, so I did a lot or orange and black striped things. We did attempt to make some tigger tails with marshmallows and melted chocolate. I have to thank my mom and sister for all the hard work they did for me while I went off an a Christmas party date with Karl. They saved me by preparing for this party! I love them both dearly!!!!

 I love this and wish I had enough room on this blog to post a series of 8 pictures. When Reese tries blow out candles she ends up blowing her bangs. So I have all these photos of her blowing her bangs ;).

 We used all the toys Karl's mom had gotten him as a teenager for centerpieces since these was no party stuff to buy.

To fill the time when they normally allot for opening gifts, I read a Tigger book to all the kids, while Reese sat in the blow up chair.

 Karl and I both wore our Reese's Peanut Butter Cup shirts (that we bought before we had kids).

 We really had a blast at Reese's party and enjoyed celebrating our new three year old.

Thursday was her actual birthday and we treated her to a pedicure.

Friday was an extra special day at preschool! First of all, it was Reese's day to celebrate her birthday with the class. She got to be leader of the day and have her timeline read as she walked the sun. It was also Grandparents' Day at the school. I was excited that my mom came in town for her birthday party but would also get to participate in Grandparents' day too. Aunite Andi joined in the fun as well (one girl told Reese she loved both of her grandmas)

Before 'line time' when she gets to do her special timeline, she did two pieces of work: play-doh and jelly rolls. With the play-doh she enjoyed cookie cutting shapes and making balls that she would proceed to stick her fingers through. The jelly roll is a slice of bread that she flattens, spreads on jelly, rolls it up and then slices it. I loved it becuase she made Grandma eat 2/3 of it.

Then at line time she got to walk around the sun after a timeline of each year was read. Reese may have walked around more like 15 times, so she aged a little during the ceremony ;) Then the kids sing her happy birthday in English and German. Then she gets to blow out the candle (remember she needs assistance on this).

Then lastly, to celebrate we brought the books Reese collected in lieu of gifts to the Children's Home Society of Florida. She collected 46 new children's books to give to children in need. Gay, who collected our donation, was very patient and kind with Reese. She made Reese fell very special for bringing these in. 

Happy Birthday sweet girl! I loved celebrating with you!

My Baby is Three!!!!

Yes, Reesey Poo is three today! For the longest time she told us she was going to turn one, but we have finally convinced her three is pretty awesome.

Three best things about my three year old:

1. She is our comic relief. That girl makes me laugh more than anyone else in the family.

2. She is my challenge. Meaning I have to stop and think how to properly parent when it comes to her. The stubbornness, the tantrums, the EXTREME slowness in getting ready. But all these things (although difficult at the moment) make me love her beyond imagination.

3. She has a very kind heart for her family. She is always the first to share her food or toys with us. Also, she gives the best hug!

December 15, 2008

December 15, 2009 (that was during our move)

December 15, 2010 (again traveling, this time by choice)

December 14, 2011 (I had to fudge since I wrote this post the night before her bday)

You will get better pictures once I post about her celebrations! 

Reese, I have greatly cherished these three years with you. Thanks for all the laughs! And yes, even after number three comes, you will always be my baby!

Wordless Wednesday: New treeskirt tradition started (fyi: this is the back of the skirt I already had)

A few little laughs

I have a few stories that make me chuckle every time I think about it, so I want to share them but also write them down so I can laugh in the years to come....

-Last night, Karl went to check on Reese sleeping and turn off her overhead light. When the lights were off, he noticed that Reese was glowing! He walked over to see she had a fake tea light candle turned on and put inside her PJ pants. He came to get me so I could laugh with him. I reached down to pull it out. It was inside her underwear! When I got it out (remember she is asleep) and sure enough she was still glowing. There was another in there!!!! Got the second one out....still glowing. There was a total of four fake tea light candle inside her britches while she was sleeping. The things my almost 3 year old does!

-I shop for groceries at the commissary, which is the grocery store on base that has AMAZING prices. However, with that you deal with thick crowds and frustrating times. Parking is sometimes an issue. There is a spot marked "expectant mother" that I knew about but have avoided since I am not really showing. Today there wasn't really another option but to park there. I was kinda nervous about it since I have a loose coat on and you really couldn't tell I was pregnant. I went to get the girls out of the van, and immediately a man rolls down his window and starts to yell at me...my fears realized! He says, "You are going to get a ticket by parking in that motorcycle parking spot!" HAHAHA...I guess he only saw the MOT of mother and assumed it was motorcycle. SO I went from being the embarrassed one, to sending off a red faced gentleman when he was told what the spot really said.

-Another grocery store story.... Like I said the prices are AMAZING! But they play games. For instance, today the larger box of cheerios was a dollar CHEAPER than the smaller one (I am not kidding). I started to pick up the smaller ones out of habit since I always have multiple coupons. Then I saw the pricing and switched out. I explained to the girls what they did and how we always have to check prices. Lesson seemed as though it was learned (especially by Brady) or so I thought. On the way home, Brady was recounting all the interesting things that happened at the grocery store. When she got to the Cheerios story, she ended it by saying "Mommy, that was a boy that priced them that way, right?" I asked why she says it was a boy. Brady replies, " A girl would have priced them right!" I guessed she learned early!!! HAHAHAHAHA

Since I have been pictureless for a while, here is one of holiday cheer! Can you believe that cutie on the right turns 3 in 4 days?!?!?!

A Man Worth Bragging About...

Yep, my man is worth bragging about! Besides the fact that he has been very patient with this pregnant momma, we got some very exciting news yesterday. Karl for the second year in a row was given the honors of "Instructor of the Year" for Naval Aviation Schools Command. I am very proud of him, and glad that all his hard work is being appreciated by others. Congrats Karl!

Also, Karl surprised Brady, Reese and I with something special today. This past weekend, we decorated for Christmas. However, things went slower than planned because I just don't have the energy anymore. Thus we never got to the outside decorations, but it is very important to Brady that her house be "fancy" inside and out. Karl came home from work early monday so that we could decorate outside. Literally, we put on all our shoes walked outside and it started to rain right then...ugh! Today was out of the question, because it is a packed day and I don't get home with the girls until 5:20 every Tuesday. But boy did we have one nice surprise when we got home...a fancy house! Brady's reaction is classic. This video is shot after 5 minutes of her running around, you can tell because she is out of breath! I am talking to my next door neighbor who was in his driveway watching her excitement! I love having a four year when it comes to magical things!

Sorry I can't get this video to go straight into the blog but here is the link to it...

https://picasaweb.google.com/109641429782022091262/December2011#5683234464334309730

Some things never change!

 Both of the girls have picked up the habit of falling asleep with the overhead light on. I did it when I was a kid and completely understand the sense of security it brings. But I love it because I get to see their sweet faces after they fall asleep. I have taken so many pictures of them sleeping lately since the lighting is good enough to snap a picture. I have a lot of Brady sleeping with a purse on her shoulder and cuddling with her baby doll. Reese like mentioned in other posts finds the craziest poses to happen to fall asleep in. The other night Karl told me to go look how sweet Reese looked. When I walked in I immediately flash backed almost exactly three years ago.

The baby picture of Reese was taken probably the first week after she was born. So right before Christmas 2008. The older picture was taken two days ago on the 2nd. So they are three weeks shy of being three years apart. 

Either that tan bear, AKA "blue", has either gotten a lot smaller or Reesey Poo is growing too fast!

Ps: Another thing that makes me laugh when looking at the two pictures, is the contrast of color. There isn't a single drop of pink in the baby pic, but it is on her PJs, comforter and water bottle in the toddler pic. I used to think I would have tomboys, but I certainly love me girly girls (more than I would have any tomboy)!

Baby Bump: Week 13

Sorry for the absence blog world! I have been just trying to catch my breath each night that the computer is the last thing I want to look at. I have SO SO SO much I want to blog about, but once the girls are in bed, I just crash. Here's to hoping I can get back in the swing of things.

Today I am 13 weeks pregnant and VERY thankful for that. I have been feeling a lot better for the last couple of weeks. I was able to enjoy thanksgiving without feeling like I have the flu! I still have headaches and am completely exhausted but otherwise doing a whole lot better.

Here is my updated belly shot at 13 weeks...remember I post all the others for comparison afterwards.

 I think my face puffed up more than my stomach over that last 4 weeks....YIKES! As always the girls wanted to join the profile shot, I just love these cuties!

I went last friday for my 12 week checkup. They went to use the doppler to listen for the heartbeat. I was kinda of excited because this is the first time they had EVER in all pregnancies used this on me. WIth my other two pregnancies I got an ultrasound every two weeks. Ironically, they couldn't find the heartbeat with the doppler and ended up having to do a ultrasound anyways, which is way more fun. 

The head is center and the belly is up and to the left. If you look carefully you can see the white strip that curves up for the spine and there is darkness in the head which I believe is the jaw line with the teeth buds. Poor dale already looks squeezed in there. The OB said right now things look perfect! However, she did say she expects me to develop pre-eclampsia again, UGH!

Still have boy feelings but recently find out my friend is having her third girl (all of her girls are within 5 months of my three kids) so that kinda made my boy feelings weaker.

Hope to get some posts up soon of all the holiday fun we are having lately!

"Just means we live"

Today in the car I was listening to Scotty McCreery's CD when the words to this song jumped out at me. I highlighted my favorite lines. It reminds to appreciate what I have and that some of the 'annoyances' in life are a product of the things we love so much and wouldn't trade the world for. My husband has a secure job, that I am very thankful for. The result of this secure job is his deploying for months at a time, but I love that I never stress about an impending layoff or downsizing. And boy do I have dirty dishes lots lately, but I love now that I can think of this as a reminder that 'we have enough food to eat'!!!!

Dirty Dishes by Scotty McCreery

Mama hollers, "Supper time and don't make me tell you twice
Wash your hands and wipe your face
The table's no place for your toys and try to use your inside voice
Don't dig in 'til we say grace"

So we put down our forks and bowed our heads
And then she prayed the strangest prayer ever said
"I wanna thank You, Lord, for noisy children and slammin' doors

And clothes scattered all over the floor
My husband workin' all the time, draggin' in dead tired at night
My never endin' messy kitchen and dirty dishes"

We all got real still and quiet and daddy asked, "Honey, you alright?"
She said, "Dear, ain't nothing wrong"
Noisy kids are happy kids and slammin' doors just means we live
In a warm and lovin' home

Your long hours and those dishes in the sink
Means a job and enough to eat

So I'm gonna thank You, Lord For noisy children and slammin' doors
And clothes scattered all over the floor
My husband workin' all the time Draggin' in dead tired at night
My never endin' messy kitchen

For my little busy bees beggin', mama, mama can you please?
Always wantin' me to call their name
Loads of laundry pilin' up, crayons crushed into the rug
And those little sticky kisses and dirty dishes, and dirty dishes

What hassle do you have in your life that really is a reminder of how great you have it?

10 Years ago....

11-11-01 A very handsome man brought me out to Golden Corral (for free Veteran's Day food) with some of his military buddies and then told me it was time we did something with just the two of us. We went to the theater and saw Monsters Inc. (main character is BOO). That night I received my first kiss from this VERY special man.

Ten years later:

• I can get all the kisses I want from him
• Lived in five different cities with him
• Adopted two amazing puppies with lots of compassion
• Said two very very hard good byes (proud of my own veteran)
• Gifted with our very own BOO
• Life then got sweeter with Reese
• Now await for Dale. Third times a charm?
• Learned more about life then I had in the previous 20 years
• Have my soul mate there for me every single day of the last ten years (even if he isn't always physically there)

To my better half (or three quarters) I love you and appreciate every day of the last ten years. Thank you!

Can you believe it has been ten years?

Art Spotlight: Brady

Recently the paint station has been opened at the preschool. One of the first days after it opened this was in the 'going home' folder.

 Well the next day I received this in the going home folder...

 Got this later on....

 Picked this one up today...

The teacher laughed with me and then said, there is another one drying right now!

I love love love it!

Art Spotlight: Reese

Reese recently created this drawing:

In the bottom, you can see the backwards RE which is her 'signature' on artwork. She created this while under someone else's care. So I asked who the person is. Brady pipes in for Reese that it is mommy. Then Reese corrects her and says "no, no, that's Nana"!

I love it! What a sweet way to remember Nana.

First Baby Gift

My dear and sweet friend of mine recently gave me "my first baby gift" for this third baby. I just love that she thought of me and it cracked me up.

Baby Dale now has Dale playing cards.... TOO CUTE!!!!

Baby Bump: Week 9

Here is my new profile picture I took today. We have made it to the nine week mark. I also followed with my first profile shot so you can compare. Dale's sisters wanted to be in this picture.

Facts about the last 4 weeks. I have very sick for 3 of the 4 weeks....still going. Eating large amounts of 'heavy' food seems to be about the only thing that gives me energy. Currently, my fav is a foot long sub. A few days ago, I ate a total of 4 bagels with cream cheese in one day, but the next day I wanted nothing to do with the cream cheese. About two weeks ago, every morning I woke up wanting McDonald's biscuit.

So yes, I crave certain foods, but nothing weird. I do have dump cake in the oven right now! And yes, it is 9x13 all for me, Karl doesn't like it and the girls are in bed. I look forward to the next few nights. I also made myself a green bean casserole today and I am the only that eats that. Hey, don't judge, I have to do something to keep me happy in this first trimester.

Dale's other family members: The girls are still taking their same stance. Brady is uber excited and Reese still think I am making the whole thing up. They do enjoy my weekly update on the baby's growth and getting to find out how big the baby is now. We are currently at the size of a grape. :) As for Karl, he is being extremely supportive and PATIENT.  I know it has to be very difficult to be married to me right now and he hasn't complained one bit.

I will leave you with another sweet picture of Dale with his sisters.

Baby's First Picture

We got our first ultrasound today! YAH!!! We saw one little heartbeat, which is exactly what we wanted. It made all these days of sickness seem worth is seeing that little blinking spot on the screen. There is nothing like that feeling, my first connection with my baby. The heart was beating 178 beats per minute, which is high but apparently at 9 weeks the heart averages at 175 and then drops.

The baby is right on track in size so they are sticking with the due date of June 12, 2012...yes that is Brady's birthday as well. For the first time, she showed some discord when talking about the baby. She doesn't want to share her birthday. She said it is okay if the baby is born on the 11th or the 13th, just not the 12th. I said I will try my hardest to make that happen.

Happy Halloween

From Chef Minnie (who loves to cook cupcakes) and Daisy Duck/ Cinderella

I know this is a lazy uninformative post, but like I told you bare with me for the next couple of weeks.

Thanks Grandma for the awesome costumes...you really out did yourself this year! Ready to make costumes for three kiddos next year?