SK8R Girl

Tonight marks another first for this brave' girl. It was family skate night at Bonaventure for my school.  So, I dug out my teal-wheeled speed skates from the 80's and off we went.  My students love when I go.  Allie was so excited.  It's a win-win. 

 

Allie wanted the skate trainer and used it for a bit.  She got a little more brave as the night went on.  Then...she totally ditched it...right in the middle of the roller rink.  Luckily, one of my students was out there with her and brought it back...Allie just LOVES when my students take an interest in her.  Allie participated in her first race and got a special drink to top it all off. 

 

Allie left when I told her to go...but not very willingly.  The whole way home Allie asked when we could go back...and when she could get her own roller skates like me?  I think we may have an item for her birthday list.

 

Santa 2014

Tonight there was a special FROZEN event at the mall...and Allie was all about going.  Olaf balloons and a Frozen sing-a-long...it was SNOW much fun!

I think Allie was more excited to wear to new Christmas dress more than she was about the Frozen festivities. These two little Christmas cuties were dressed for the their visit with Santa.  Ayden is not all about posing for photos lately.

Allie is FINALLY comfortable with sitting on Santa's lap.  She climbed right up there and told him she wanted an iPad for Christmas this year. Ayden, on the other hand, told Santa the only he wanted for Christmas was to get off of his lap!!!  I'm pretty sure he was saying between all those screams, "Someone SAVE ME!"

Sorry, Santa...it's going to be another couple years before the Hammerick's cooperate for a photo with you.  Ayden has mega stranger danger right now...and Santa, you are no exception. 

Ayden is 14 Months

Ayden decided he was all done nursing this month!  I was NOT expecting that at all!  He has a great appetite.  Some of his favorite foods are waffles, mac-n-cheese, yogurt, ice cream and cheese.  Ayden grew his third tooth.  Some of Ayden's favorite things to do are climb the stairs, jump on the trampoline in the playroom, and play with puzzles.  Ayden loves to hear the song "Hush Little Baby," before bed and will lay his head on my shoulder when I sing to him.  Ayden got the second half of his flu vaccination this month...he only cried for a minute.  Ayden learned how to jump.  His big sister taught him.  Ayden continues to go to swim class and likes to splash in the pool.  He dislikes going under water.  He will cling to Todd or I when he sees the other kids start going under water. 

All Tucked In

"Don't worry, Ayden. I'll be right in my room, okay?  You'll be okay. You go na-night. I'll see you tomorrow. I love you..."

These were the words Allie told Ayden tonight before she headed off to bed...after procrastinating with every excuse possible. Melt my heart...I have the sweetest kid ever. At least tonight I do. 

My Little Model

This cute little yummy face will be now be seen by millions!!  My sweet Ayden is one of the new faces appearing on the Sticky Bellies packaging and advertisements.  Back in the spring, Sticky Bellies put out a casting call for some adorable, happy babies.  I immediately responded and sent in Ayden's photo....AND HE WAS CHOSEN!!!  At this point, there was no guarantee he would appear on anything.  But, I figured some fun photos of the cutest baby ever would be worth it to me.  So, off we went to the photo shoot. 

Ayden cooperated pretty well.  He smiles some and sat up really well.  These were some of the photos taken of him.

Months passed when I finally receive the email that Ayden was chosen to appear on SPORTY SHORTY packages of Sticky Belly stickers...

...AND on the Facebook page!  I'm so proud of how well Ayden did having his photo taken...although he does get a lot of practice with his momma.  This modeling gig might be the very beginning of his future modeling career...maybe Todd and I can retire now!!!

My Little Pony

Well...this is the first week completed of Allie's new sticker chart.  A sticker chart to earn a one-of-a-kind, VINTAGE, My Little Pony...a My Little Pony that I once used to play with.  Allie has been giving me the hardest time in the mornings on the days she has to go to school.  I'm responsible for getting myself and two kids up (one was nursing until just recently), dressed, teeth brushed, bags and lunches in the car, kids buckled and on the road, and two drop-offs before myself W-F (and Wednesdays are staff meeting days that I CANNOT be late for!)  Usually Allie will wake up, complain she doesn't want to go to school, or her belly hurts, or some other excuse that she is using to procrastinate going to school.  This usually ends up with me doing whatever I have to do to get her in the car (she is usually crying the whole time).  I walk her in to he classroom where I then drop her on Ms. Dee's lap as she sobs and I make a run for it so I can get Ayden dropped and myself to work on time.  Of course I feel HORRIBLE the whole drive to school.  I wait a bit and then call to find out if she is still crying.  Fortunately, she stops soon after I leave and will have a GREAT rest of the day.  Todd picks her up and receives raving reports about how happy she was ALL day!!!  This has been going on since school started.  I get the sucky end of the deal!

So, last week I had enough.  I found a sticker chart on-line and pulled out one of the many Disney sticker sheets we have accumulated from the doctors office visits.  I bribed my daughter that if she didn't cry in the mornings when I dropped her off at school, she would get a sticker...and if she filled up a weeks worth of stickers...she would be rewarded with one, new to her, My Little Pony (her new favorite thing!) 

SUCCESS!  Allie was THRILLED to get her hands on Blossom today after school.  I have about 15 other, new-to-Allie, vintage My Little Ponies hidden away that are ready to come out and play...one week at a time!  Maybe by Christmas Allie will have enough My Little Ponies to fill up that pony stable I have hidden away too!

Cut Off

Ayden cut me off....completely...without any warning.  I'm so very sad about this.  I was the one to break the ties with Allie.  Now, I'm regretting it.  She probably would have hung on a little bit longer.  It's been a whole week since the last time Ayden and I had our special bond.  Today I decided to finally give up.  Every morning, after school and before bed for the past week, I've TRIED to nurse my baby boy...my very LAST baby!  But each and every time, he shakes his little head "no" at me.  My heart is hurting. 


I knew my special time with Ayden wouldn't last forever.  However, I thought I would be the one to call it quits.  My over all goal was to make it to a year...Ayden is 13 and half months old.  My mission is accomplished.  I just can't believe it's over.