Friday, December 30, 2011

The Grand Christmas Day Post

And finally Christmas day arrived! The cousins first had to gather on the stairs for one last group shot before the stockings. Great picture, huh?!
I couldn't get a single picture of Lincoln looking at me since his new toys were more interesting. He loved everything in it and it took forever to go through his stocking since he wanted to stop and play with everything!

Grandaddy and his two youngest grandsons

Sweet boy ready for more pictures

More matching outfits. We bought these last year right after Thanksgiving so I am glad they all fit. Not sure how we will find 6 outfits next year!

Nena and Grandaddy with their crew

Our sweet little family.

This Christmas was a blast and Lincoln LOVED the time with his cousins. He keeps asking about them and I think he is already a little bored of just me. I can't wait until next year when we have a 3 year old and baby girl Lola here. Oh what fun that will be!

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

The Great Cookie Decorating Event 2011

Decorating sugar cookies has been a tradition with my family since my parents were married. We usually decorate dozens of Christmas shaped cookies on Christmas Eve and leave a few for Santa. Some years we have many beautifully decorated that are almost too pretty eat and some years the cookies are taken over by the littlest hands in the family. The last few years my mom's entire extended family comes over for dinner and decorating. This year the cookies were decorated mostly by the kiddos, ages from 8 to 2. It was quite the sight to see.

Lincoln LOVED the cookies. When we ask him what his favorite part of Christmas was, he replies "Cookies". He is definitely my child!

Look at that sweet concentration.
Lincoln's cookies could be easily identified by many sprinkles or M&Ms.

Phoebe's cookies were also works of art. She took her decorating skills very seriously too.

More sprinkles!

A quick sampling of one of his cookies.These were his cookies and his workstation.


I have always loved decorating cookies and I am giddy to share this tradition with Lincoln.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Pre-Christmas Festivities

This year was the Jolly Christmas so we were with my family. Lincoln loves the time he gets to spend with his cousins. He loves them all but he was especially close to Phoebe "Fe-fe" this trip. He would do or go anywhere with her.
All 4 cousins playing outside to burn off some energy.

Thursday night we headed to Grand Prairie Lights to see the 4 million light display. Lincoln is amazed by lights this year. He screams "kites" anytime we see a house with Christmas lights. This evening proved to be magical for him.



He was able to help his daddy drive which I think helped the excitement of the night.

We had a fun few days before Christmas spending with our cousins. Christmas festivities coming soon!

Monday, December 26, 2011

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Christmas Eve was celebrated in matching jammies and playing with cousins. The three little elves (with one girl elf who needed a skirt so she could be different than all the boys) and the Santa boy.
The first picture is the best I got from the hundreds I was snapping away.

This is a better picture of what was happening. Haha! Got to love 4 kids aging from 8 to 1 and we are adding two more kids to this bunch!

We read our new Christmas books.



Then tracked Santa's whereabouts online. They were all pretty interested even though they had no idea of the places.

The kids were all snuggled into their beds with thoughts of Santa and reindeer in their heads!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Gingerbread house...will it be a new tradition?

Christmas is full of traditions so why not add one more thing to do?! I bought a gingerbread house kit and decided to see how much Lincoln would enjoy it. It was easy to see, he LOVED it!

Shane spent the first part putting the house together. Full concentration on his part.
I didn't read the directions first so I did not realize that you needed to wait about 30 minutes for the walls to set. So Lincoln and his daddy played a little game of soccer.

Once the walls were in place, Lincoln was sent to work decorating his house. He concentrated on his work and had to put every piece of candy on that house.

So proud of his work!

It was a fun project especially after a rough few days of Lincoln having croup.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Oh, you better watch out!

you better not cry,

you better not pout

i'm telling you why....
santa claus is coming to town!

Lincoln was not a fan of Santa this year. He has seen him twice and both times wanted nothing to do with him. So I got to be in the picture too! He did manage to tell Santa that he wanted cars and trains for Christmas.


Maybe next year, he and Lola will be a little more excited to see the big man dressed in red!

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

He's the big 3-0!

Today is a big day for my husband! He turns 30! He thinks 30 is old but I disagree.

As a tribute to him on his special day, here is a list of 30 things you might not know about Shane.

1) He is the oldest of two boys. He was a surprise baby.

2) He grew up in a TINY town in Kansas, like he graduated with 24 in his class. He never thought he would move away from KS but I am glad he did.

3) Shane was a very calm and easy baby/ child. He would play by himself and be content for a long time.


4) Shane has worked the oddest assortment of jobs ever. From the lawn and garden man at WM to working at a Xmas tree farm. He has worked from when he was young, probably why he has such a great work ethic.

5) He is an extrovert. You might not know because he is a boring extrovert but he can find anyone at any occasion to talk to. He acts like he can't but he does. But he is boring because he will always chose to stay home over going somewhere.

6) He loves his parents very much. Not many 20 year olds talk to their parents at least once a day but he does. That was one of the things that made me like him because I knew he valued his family.

7) Shane can make almost anything. He makes these plans to build or fix something and he pretty much always does in a somewhat quick timeframe.

8) He HATES taking pictures! Like all capital letters. He has gotten better since we had Lincoln and he knows I am going to make him keep taking them until he looks decent. But he hates them. Please if I die, someone needs to document my children's lives or no one will.

9) He is a master of dreaming up things to make money. Apparently he has always been this way and its thing that links he and his Grandpa Nimz. They are both money makers. Shane will constantly come home with a new idea to make some extra dough. Sometimes they are pretty good ideas (he is redoing some coffee tables to sell soon and they will be fabulous!) and sometimes all I can do is roll my eyes.

10) I don't think Shane has any love language. There are seven love languages (mine are gift giving and quality time) but none of the 7 fit him. I know he loves me but he falls in the 8th category.

11) Shane can go hours without eating. He never eats breakfast unless it's a Saturday morning breakfast and he can do all day until dinner without eating.

12) He is a clothes hoarder. Really he has more clothes that he never wears and more than most women. He says he wears them all but since I do all the laundry I know, he doesn't. When we married I made him throw out clothes from high school.

13) Shane is an impulse buyer. He knows this and will admit it. I sometimes hate going shopping with him because one quick stop turns into hours. I don't take him to the grocery store because he totally blows my budget. I am pretty sure it was way worse in high school and college but you wouldn't think he was but he is.


14) He is a football lover. His favorite teams are Colts, KC Chiefs, and UT. He hates the Cowboys but will watch them anyway. He will pretty much watch whatever team is playing just so he can watch. I have accepted it and I am thankful that football is not year around.

15) He is a meat and potatoes kind of eater. He is not happy when I make soups more than once a week because he calls is bird food. He can cook (and is willing to) but there is almost never anything green with his meals. Again if I die young, make sure my kids eat vegetables and fruits.

16) Shane truly loves and accepts my family as his own. I was worried that whoever I married would never love my family as their own but he does. He can talk HOURS with my BIL (really don't get sucked into a convo with them two) and he is always willing to hang out with my parents.

17) Shane is a master at cleaning the kitchen. Really, he does it more than I do. He gets our stovetop cleaner than I can and he can fit more dishes in the dishwasher than me. He doesn't complain about cleaning it either so most of the time he cleans it.

18) Speaking of cleaning, he is pretty OCD about it. I know many women would love to have a man that is but it can be annoying. In our old house, it drove him crazy where I piled my stuff when I got home. Stacks of stuff drive him crazy. He feels like the living areas need to always be clean but the bedrooms can slide a bit (total opposite of me). But I have never seen him clean a bathroom.

19) Shane is a worker. He has worked from a young age and is always working on something. He doesn't sit still very long. This is another trait that I love about him and hope my kids pick up from him.

20) Shane doesn't really have a style when it comes to a home. He likes the contemporary look like white couches and glass tables but he would love to live in a log cabin in the middle of nowhere. Not sure how those go together.

21) He is has more friends from high school and college that anyone I know. He talks to some of college buddies on a weekly basis. He doesn't see them very often but it is not uncommon for him to call them on weekends to catch up.

22) Shane is funny. There are times when I get so mad at him but he will make me laugh which makes me more mad. He tells me stories from college and high school that have me rolling even though I know none of the people.



(I love this picture of us. It was early in our dating relationship and I can already tell that this couple has aged. Oh to be young with no worries.)



23) He hates the feel of cottonballs. He makes me take the cotton out of the top of pill bottles or uses tweezers.


24) Shane is not a sweets eater. He doesn't LOVE sweets like I do but does eat them if I make them. If he had to chose a dessert, he would chose either red velvet cake or cherry pie.


25) The only kind of books that Shane will read are financial books (like starting a business) or how to build something. I have never seen him read anything besides that.

26) Shane is a terrible sleeper. I would say on average he only sleeps through the night maybe twice a week. And this is not due to having babies in the house or a wife or moves/ talks in her sleep, he just has a hard time falling asleep then staying asleep. I feel bad because I am a GREAT sleeper but luckily our son has taken after me in that department.


27) Shane is a fantastic dad. He loves Lincoln more than anything and would do anything for him. I rarely have to ask Shane to do something when it comes to Lincoln and he rarely complains.

28) Shane is terrible in the gift giving department. He waits until the last minute (I'm talking shopping on Christmas Eve or buying the LAST Valentine's card on that day, both have happened) and I think he will always be that way. I can give him a list and he will follow it but I am afraid to see what would happen if I didn't give him a list. Not only is he bad at buying gifts, he won't make lists of what he wants either. Every Xmas and birthday, family asks "What does Shane want?" and he always says nothing. And truly that is what he wants. I think it goes back to the impulsive buying. If he wants/ needs it then he buys it.

29) He looks exactly like his dad who likes exactly like his dad. I know what Shane will look like when he is in his 40s and 70s. Really it is almost scary how much the three look alike.

30) Shane is a supportive husband, wonderful friend to me, great leader of our family and a fabulous dad. He was meant to husband and father (even though he didn't think he would be in college years) and Lincoln and I am lucky to have him!




HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY SHANE! WE LOVE YOU!

Sunday, December 11, 2011

We finally have a name!

Baby Girl finally has a name. I know we still have a few months but it was killing me not having her name picked out. Actually, I have always had her name picked but Shane was hesitant.

Baby Girl Nimz will be named Lola Claire.

I have liked Lola since we were pregnant with Lincoln but Shane wasn't sold on the idea. He finally gave in and agreed and knows he will love her name once she is here.

I like naming the middle name after someone in our families that we admire. When we found out we were having a girl, I knew I wanted her named after my sister. She is the most creative, loving, compassionate girl I know. She loves my kids like her own and is willing to do whatever for her family. She has more strength than anyone her age and deals with the struggles of life beautifully. I love my sister very much and I pray that Lola grows up to be liker Aunt Jo-Jo (Lincoln has started that lovely name for her!)




We did not purposefully want all L names it just worked out that way. When/ if we have a 3rd child (still up for discussion in this house), he/ she will not be an L name.




So that is it, Lola Claire. I am relieved to finally have her name decided and out there for the public.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

25 Weeks

How far along: 25 weeks

Size of the baby: Baby girl is the size of an eggplant.

Maternity clothes: Same as before. I did buy a maternity dress that has some room to grow.

Gender: GIRL! Her name post will be coming tomorrow! It deserved its own post.

Sleeping: Still sleeping the same. Hopefully these good sleeping patterns last awhile.

What I miss: Nothing really.

Symptoms: I have started having the tightness up by my ribcage when I do too much. It sometimes gets worse when I sit for a long period of time. I am getting more physically tired the later in the days so I am ready for Xmas break.

Cravings: Nothing in particular.

Best Moment: Finally deciding on a name. We had the name picked out and nursery close to do with Lincoln at this stage but I guess this is what happens with 2nd babies. I felt like we needed to decide on a name so we could start using it with Lincoln. Name post coming tomorrow!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Midweek Ramblings

This post has no real meaning or reason but I have time so I figured I would share some thoughts. Get ready this is pretty exciting stuff!



  • Feeling pregnant has come in full force this week. I feel her consistently and I am feeling the anxiety if having NOTHING done for her. At this point with Lincoln, I am pretty sure we had his name picked out, nursery done (or at least close), and he had clothes hung in his clothes. This poor child has an empty non-painted room. Soon though, it's coming!

  • I have 13 Xmas presents to buy for my family. So far, I have bought 2. Yes, you read that right, 2! I need to get on the ball but I have no energy and no desire to take a busy toddler with me shopping. I am hoping to get out this Saturday or next and knock them all out! Lincoln is officially done though.

  • I love this time of year. I love the Christmas music playing. I love all the red, green, silver and sparkly in the stores. I love seeing all the lights on people's houses. I love how Lincoln "ohhs" and "ahhs" over the tree when I turn it on every day. I love the hustle and bustle.

  • I am so ready to have my family together Christmas. 4 cousins all under 8 who love to be together makes me happy. I am counting the days!

  • Bow making has become my newest hobby at night. I am not great at it but I am impressed with how well my first few have come out without working too hard at them. They are still not the big 'ol Texas bow that I am working towards but they are pretty cute.
Lincoln is my model for now. His daddy was thrilled by this picture.





  • I have been getting more sleep lately since NONE of my favorite shows are on right now. But I discover today that one of my favorite shows One Born Every Minute has started again. Love it!

  • (Disclaimer, don't read if you are going to get offended.) I get a little irritated with all the SAHM moms' posts about how busy they are with errands to run, grocery runs, cleaning, crafts for gifts and all the other things that need to be done. Yes, I have those same things to do but add in there 40+ hours of work a week. We all have to do them but you get to do them on weekdays when stores are not chaotic so hush down on those complaints. Really, they drive me crazy and make me want to block your FB posts. (Seriously if this offends you, I am sorry but it's my blog and my life.)

  • Lincoln went potty for the first at school yesterday!!! Cheers all around! I am not pushing this before baby comes because I don't want to fight something that he isn't ready for but we may take a stab at it over Xmas break. Have I mentioned before how AMAZING his daycare is?!! They are starting this huge leap for me and I am oh so grateful to them.

  • 7 1/2 more days until Xmas break. I am counting the days. I can't wait to stay in my jammies for a few days.

  • I love this cold weather but I don't know how people live in really cold places. I took Lincoln with me after school to Target and between the coats, our bags, and his snack, I was worn out after that!

I think that is all the crazy, jumbled mess of my head. My life consists of work, playing a bit with Lincoln and going to bed early. This might change at some point like when I don't have kids in my house anymore!


Tuesday, December 6, 2011

3 years since we said "I do"

This picture will always be my all time favorite of Shane and I.
It not only represents how our wedding was but also who are together.

Shane and I will celebrate 3 years of marriage today. To some that seems like a short time but it feels longer than that to me. Not because it was a crappy, rough time but because we have packed a lot in our journey in that time.


We married, found out we were pregnant (very soon), dealt with the hardship of a baby with a birth defect in the NICU, trudged through the days having a new baby to raise, various job changes, moved to a new house (that puts stress in any relationship, worked out the "kinks" of parenthood (this is will be ongoing for about 18+ years), and the ups and downs of everyday.


There is no one else I would rather take that journey with. He celebrates with me on my good days and loves me on my worst days.

I know he is committed to this marriage and our family. He puts us before everything and is willing to do anything for us


I am thankful for so much on our anniversary. God for laying the path to us meeting, both our parents for showing us what it really means to be in a committed marriage, my friends who set us up, and Shane for loving me everyday.


I love looking at our wedding pictures. I miss our wedding day. I never felt stressed and never had a Brideszilla moment (at least that I can think of). I loved having my dad marry us. I loved having all my family and friends in one place for a night. I loved sharing that special day with Shane. I loved that we kept with so many traditions like not speaking or seeing each other until I walked down the aisle. I loved dancing with him and family at our reception. I have been known to tell Shane that I want to get married all over again and do it the same way again. He just rolls his eyes.


Here's to many more days of love and laughter! Love you Shane!

Sunday, December 4, 2011

24 weeks

How far along: 24 weeks

Size of the baby: Baby girl is the size of a papaya.

Maternity clothes: Same as before. My shirt choices is getting a little more limited so I am thinking I will have to break down and buy some maternity fall/ winter shirts soon.

Gender: GIRL! We have almost decided on a name so maybe I can post it soon. I told Shane she HAD to have a name by Xmas.

Sleeping: I am still sleeping pretty good. I am not waking up on my stomach anymore which is nice because it hurts when I do.

What I miss: Nothing much except maybe more of a clothes collection.

Symptoms: It is getting a little tougher to do little things like getting off the floor without something to help me up.

Cravings: I can't think of anything. I am wanting soups more but I think that has more to do with the winter weather.

Best Moment: We finally got her closet cleaned out. Her room used to be the "catch all" room. I knew when we moved in that it wouldn't stay a guest room forever so I never decorated it or put much thought into it. The closet was JAMMED packed but not anymore! I am hoping to go fabric shopping with my mom next weekend then buy paint. I feel so behind with this baby but I guess that comes with the second one. Can't wait to plan a PINK room!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Thanksgiving 2011-Nimz style

This year we celebrated Thanksgiving with Shane's family in Kansas. We left Tuesday and didn't come home until Sunday. Spending that many days makes the 8 hour car trip not so hard. Plus, Lincoln did FANTASTIC! Really, he is the master car trip taker! He never got fussy and we only stopped twice!

I never take enough pictures when I am there and pretty much all my pictures are of Lincoln alone and no one else. I promise there were more people there and I am sad that I didn't take more pictures.

The weather was nice, cool but manageable outside. We let Lincoln play outside quite a bit since it wasn't too cold. Shane's parents, Gigi and Pappy, have bought many great outside toys that will entertain this boy for a long time.

He loved the new play cabin outside.
Very thankful for these two boys!

He was in love with his toy race car. He has been in it before but always needed help pushing the pedal but not this time. He could reach by himself and he was all about this car. He was not happy when he needed to share. We will definitely have some sharing issues in the future.

Lincoln also discovered this lawnmower in the barn and it was attached to him from this picture on. He has one at home but this one was more special and it went EVERYWHERE with him! He had to keep it outside his room when he napped.

Thursday night, Shane's cousin and her kids joined the fun. Lincoln felt like a big kid with these two around.

We spent lots of time resting (I took a nap everyday we were there), shopped at midnight for Black Friday, visited his grandparents, ate so much, celebrated Christmas and threw Shane a surprise 30th party (post coming soon!) It was a lot packed into those 5 days but very worth the trip.