December 28th, 2008

We had a fabulous Christmas and I have to say now that Chase is older, I am enjoying the holidays even more. I began explaining Christmas to Chase and he was very eager to learn more. He was a little confused by the fact that it is Jesus' birthday, especially since three days earlier we were celebrating Clayton's birthday. That then led into another discussion about birthdays, and Chase now knows that his birthday is May 9th. When you ask him when his birthday is he simply says, "May Nine!" At least that is a start. Chase attended the midnight service with me on Christmas Eve and believe it or not he stayed awake and listened as the youth group performed the service. He highly enjoyed lighting the candles and singing Silent Night.
Santa made a surprise appearance at Mom and Dad's and Chase was so excited that he clapped the whole time and beamed as he sat on his lap. Clayton on the other hand wanted nothing to do with him.

Boys!

Boys or as Chase refers to them "The Dudes"! Craig spent the last two weekends deer hunting and we found oursleves answering many questions from a two year old about "Why is daddy shooting the deer?" As Grandma Patti helped explain, we shoot the deer because they eat Papa Mark's corn and that makes Papa Mark very angry. Good enough. Chase accepted that answer and accepted his dad shooting deer. I was planning to run errands and Chase and I would enjoy a relaxing weekend. Not the case at all. Chase was asking about his daddy and Uncle Corey non stop....... then the phone rang. When Craig asked to speak to Chase I knew we had gotten a deer. Chase said hello and then paused, and then did the cutest "Uhhhhhh" with a huge smile on his face and then proceeded to scream across the room "Daddy got a deer Mommy!" He was so proud of his dad and immediately wanted to go and see the deer. So that is exactly what we did!

Today Chase joined the "Dudes" as they were cutting up the deer that they had caught on all the outtings. Reports from his dad and grandpa are that he was the hit of the show and only copied two cuss words. I did not ask which two...... I figured I was better off not knowing. I was also told that Chase had no issues carrying the bones and heads to the scrap pile. YUCK!

Santa has continued to visit... today was nerds. Not a good choice. I now have nerds all over my kitchen.

December 9th, 2008

We had a great Thanksgiving and are busy trying to get ready for the holidays. Santa has already left a few presents in Chase's stocking, which he absolutely loves. When anyone asks him what he would like for presents he tells them that they do not need to get him anything because HO HO will bring him presents! At NorthPark two weeks ago Chase was able to sit on Santa's lap...... he did not want to leave and as we were strolling away he proceeded to yell "bye Ho Ho, bye!"

Chase is a typical two year old, full of questions and comments. He fell last Tuesday at the babysitters (December 2nd) and complained of a hurting elbow all night. Craig and I could not tell if he was truly hurt or if he was enjoying the attention. After a sleepless night I knew that there was more wrong than we could see and was just hoping his elbow was not fractured or broke. The x-ray did not show anything, but after Dr. Dixon messed with his elbow and then the orthopedic specialist, I thought Chase was going to hit both of them because of the pain. When the orthopedic specialist was messing with it, he stopped and commented that he thought he had just popped it back into place. Sure enough it had been dislocated that whole time.

This is very typical at his age and we just need to be careful as now his elbow is all stretched out and this could easily happen again. Chase is back to his old ways and has no fear, even though we are repeatedly reminding him to be careful so that he does not get hurt again.

Craig and Chase have taken up a new hobby of making cookies. Well, we don't actually make the cookies, we just eat the cookie dough. Craig adds the ingredients and Chase is the mixer. I don't have to do anything except help eat the cookie dough!!!!! I love listening to Craig as he is so patient with Chase, even when he turns the mixer on too early.

Happy Halloween!

Chase is Spiderman this Halloween. He runs around the house doing the spiderman dance and singing! We will trick or treat in the neighborhood as well as Charlotte and that will be plenty of candy!

Chase is in the mode where he loves to read. When we are on the potty we read...... and we read...... and we read some more. We are also in the stage where we love to color and write. We count to eleven and then we get mixed up, but at least that is a start!

I am currently finishing another graduate class and will begin my internship in the Spring. I hope to be done with my classes and internship by next December! Yeah! Craig has a kitchen remodel and a basement remodel going on right now and lots of projects to finish around our house.

I am looking forward to the holidays and being able to put my Christmas tree up in my new house!

We're In!

So.... we have finally moved in and that is my excuse for not posting. Terrible excuse but it will have to do. Chase loves his new house and never wants to leave. Stay here is always the response we get when we ask if he wants to go somewhere. Debo is very excited to be back, except for when Chase runs after him for ten minutes straight. I am waiting for the day that Debo decides to run away because of the pesty two year old. I promise to post pictures soon of the house. I have been busy trying to decide on curtains and colors. Slowly room by room we are getting there. Our master bath is still in progress.......

Today we enjoyed watching the Haweyes win 42-0. Mark Jr played and had a sack that created a fumble. Yeah! We taped it because we were so excited...........

I start my second year of graduate classes next Saturday and will go to school the next four weekends (yuck) All I keep telling myself is that it will be worth it. The nice part about having a terrible September is that I am done by the end of October and will be able to enjoy the holidays with no stress.

Chase is amazing me everyday. Currently we are counting.... right now we can get to ten pretty consistently. We are independent and dress ourselves and insist on helping with everything. He loves to color and write, expecially with mommy's pens and paper. He loves his babysitter and all of his friends. As we enter Fall I am hoping we can continue to battle colds and allergies.

July 19th, 2008

This past week Chase, Clayton, Michelle and myself took a trip to Niabi Zoo. Clayton would have rode the train all day, Chase on the other hand loved the animals. He particularly liked the Bears and Tigers! I promise I will post pictures soon!

Chase continues to amaze me...... we are working on batting left handed (like Tyler Howe who played for the University of Kentucky) we are very curious (every time I talk on the phone, when I hang up he asks,"Who dat?" I tell him and he responds,"Oh!") we have grown hair (Craig shaved Chase's head about a month and a half ago, and his hair is coming in very thick and bleach blonde. He has a little tan with a shitty grin.) we tell white lies (Chase had an accident yesterday and when I asked who had an accident he proceeded to tell me "Papa", and then I stated that was interesting because Papa was not around, he then tried to blame Clayton, Baby Claire, and Daddy. He never ended up confessing, we just cleaned him up and went on working at the house.)

HOUSE UPDATE: Appliances and cabinets are in..... we are measuring for countertops today. We are close, and hopefully within the next couple of weeks we will be moving!!!!

July 6th, 2008

We had a great 4th of July and hope all of you did as well. Chase really enjoyed sparklers and loved to watch the fireworks from a distance. We went to the Dewitt parade and he came home with way too much candy.....especially since he is such a sweet tooth!

As for the house, we put the last coat of "chocolate" colored paint on the living room Friday night. Yes, I said chocolate.....at first I was very concerned it was too dark, but it actually looks awesome against the white ceilings and eventually white trim. Craig has tiled the guest bathroom, and we hope to get carpet laid soon. My cabinets are not in yet, but as soon as they are we will be putting them up. We are so close and I am so ready to be done with the process. I get a daily reminder from Craig to be patient, as I want to try to get everything done in one day. He is much more realistic on the situation and knows that I need to chill out and he is not afraid to tell me so. Guess that is why he is the contractor and I am the teacher!

June 28th, 2008

Where did June go!?!? I feel like I have not had a chance to enjoy my summer yet..... that will change this week when softball is finally over.

We are in the painting process at our new house. Chase's room is two tone blue and he will have a sports theme. Yeah I know, not very original, but that is what he wanted. Besides, I plan on converting him to a big boy bed when we move in and am hoping this will motivate him. The guest bathroom is a caramel with chocolate tile, and my office is a deep burgundy. We have lots of color with white trim....... My cabinets are not in yet, and hopefully carpet and tile will be done soon! The other night I asked Chase if he wanted to go live in the new house, and he was pretty clear is saying "NO!" He refers to the new house as "Daddy's house" because that is where he is always at. When I try to explain that we will be moving there soon, and grandma and grandpa will be staying at their house, he is not happy. I fear this is not going to be a fun transition for anyone (Chase or Grandma and Grandpa) Chase continues to sneak back to potty in papa's potty and then runs and teases papa. When we are outside he potties on papa's tires!!!! Chase and Papa Donnie's garden is growing like crazy, and Chase helped pull radishes and potatoes last night. They were so yummy!

Pretty Girl!

For mother's day, Chase enjoyed playing dress up with Cenady Soenkson. Doesn't he make a cute girl?? Needless to say Craig was not at the party to stop the fun. These pictures will haunt him some day.

June 14th

We are just weeks away from having our new house completed and I am very excited. If weather permits we should be able to be in by July. We need to poor the basement floor yet (yes this is backwards and should have been done first.) With all of the ice this winter, the flatwork was scheduled three different times and had to be cancelled each time due to ice storms. Craig got frustrated and started building anyway. Now we need to get cement trucks around the back of our house, which is very hilly and get can get muddy. If we can get some dry weather we are hoping to poor it in the next two weeks. In the meantime we are putting the second coat of mud and tape on. Mom and I are in charge of the screw holes. Chase helps by keeping it light hearted and he loves to play with a screw gun.

June 8th

School is out and I am so relieved. Chase and I are enjoying getting to sleep in..... him more than me. I am enrolled in two grad classes this summer as well as writing curriculum and taking a class at CHS. Chase will still spend time at the sitter's house this summer. He is happy about this as he gets to see his friends and his little girlfriend Katlin. Katlin just turned one (he is a cradle robber) and he has her picture hanging on grandma's fridge. He grins from ear to ear when you talk about her. I have lots of things to accomplish this summer and they include: finish potty training Chase, read two books a month, convince Chase that he does not need a pacifier, and move into my new house. I will keep you posted as I accomplish these goals!

May 24th

School is almost out and I can't wait. I plan to enjoy the summer with Chase, help Craig with the rest of the house, and just enjoy not having to work! I am coaching freshman softball which is very fun, but also frustrating. Graduate school is going well.... I am currently in Law class trying to learn how to keep from getting sued. Very interesting!

Craig jumps between working at our house, other tile jobs, etc. I know he is anxious to get done, but is delayed because availability of help. I have learned to be patient with th whole process and when it is time to move in I will be ready.

Chase loves going to his new house to "hammer." He knows right where his room is at! He is a busy busy two year old, and especially loves to help Papa Donnie in the garden. Once gardening is done, he then helps feed to dogs. He knows all of the dogs name...... his favorites are Rebel and Inky Dinky Doo.

2nd Birthday!

Chase was two on May 9th! We celebrated with the family at Geno's in Preston. Grandma Patti made the cake, which was a huge hit especially since it was "La La" playing ball. Chase was spoiled by all of his aunts, uncles, cousins, and godparents. We plan on hosting another party when we are in our new house.

April 26th, 2008

Chase will be two on May 9th, and he is very excited. Craig and I don't know if we will have a big party now, or if we are going to wait until we are in the new house. That would mean we would try to celebrate Craig and Chase's birthday together in June. If the weather is nice mom has aggreed to let us have a party at her house on the deck....we will have to wait and see!

I have noticed a big change in Chase in the past month or so. He talks so much and repeats everything. Daddy has to be careful with his mouth and he even mimicks aunt Bethy. His newest thing is when he passes gas he yells "fart" We are trying to get him to say "toot" but he has decided it is much more fun to yell "fart" I am not sure if that is the Christiansen side or the Mahmens side??? You can decide!

He has taken a liking to writing. He will sit for hours and color and write on paper (he usually wants mommy's school papers) He tries to draw pictures of balls, so he makes lots of circles. We are doing awesome with potty training; except for pooping on the toliet.

Craig is busy with the house...... I don't ask much but I do know that he is wanting to move in this June. That would mean we are about a month behind our goal of May, which isn't bad considering the Winter we had.

I am in the midst of coaching 7th grade track at WMS. I am really enjoying it. We have 28 days of school left, but who is counting.

Welcome!

I am taking a technology class as part of my masters, and one of the things I had to do was create a blog. It was so much fun, and so easy that I am going to attempt to keep a blog going on our family.

We are still living with mom and dad, as dad is starting to think we are never going to move out. Craig is hoping to have the house done so we can move in June. I am very excited about our new house, but know that Chase is going to have a very difficult time leaving grandma and grandpa. He is very protective of them especially when Clayton and Claire visit. Even though he denies it, I know Papa Mark will miss us when we leave; especially the good-night kisses and hugs (from Chase, not Craig).

Chase is in the process of potty training. We have been working at it for awhile. He wears big boy pants all the time, except for naps and bedtime. He hates to poop in the toilet and will often go missing when it is that time. One time he hid in the closet, and the next he hid downstairs. I am trying to be patient as I know he is doing well with his age.

We were hoping to have his 2nd birthday party in the new house but don't know if that will be possible. The terrible winter has really set us back...... good thing we have understanding landlords!