Snowy Days, Snnnoowwwy Daaaayyyys!

This is Zack's snow cave, he is sure Grayson will love playing in it.

It is made from all the snow he has shoveled off our driveway so I can get out of the garage and not drive out onto ice.

The back way into Rood Bridge park where we went to sled again today

Headed into the trees. So pretty.

Me or a Polar Bear?

This bridge is usually under water by now but since its been snowing instead of raining its not. Otherwise we would have to go around to the park. It will for sure by under after the snow melts.

To the hill we go!

Jesse sledding the stairs!

The boy can't "steer" for crappa, he always ends up sideways.

Zack's snow beard from the snow flying up as he sleds.

Where are Grayson's legs?

Me sledding. I got "brave" this year. Usually I am a total chicken! Maybe next year I will do the stairs!

Jobs, life update

I realized today that I have not really just updated on life lately. So we are hanging in there, but by a thread. Zack is still looking diligently for a job. He is online and the phone for close to 8 hours a day most days and still nothing. I chalk it up to being the end of the year and budgets and the holidays. We are hopeful. He has had a few interviews and some interest. But still nothing yet. Unfortunately since he was self employed we are not able to get unemployment. We are using the last of our cash and then we are out. It's looking pretty bleak. He is still waiting to hear back from his last interview so we will see, if not, hopefully quickly after the first of the year.

I am also looking back to work. I am looking for a nanny position I can take Grayson with me to. So far I have found something for Friday's only. But most people want to pay $2 an hour on Craigslist but then when you ad in that I want to bring G and and they want to pay less. I just hate the idea of leaving his in daycare to go watch someone else's children. ugh. I keep looking everyday but again with the end of the year/ holidays thing and not many people are highering. I am trying to work with one of the agencies I previously worked with but its hard to place when there are nannies own children involved. So my question for you dear readers Do you know anyone looking for a nanny? I need full time- any hours (I'd like mon- thur but can cancel my fridays if I have to) Thanks!

Jesse (my brother who lives with us) is looking as well now as he was laid off a month ago or so. He has been looking everywhere but so far nothing has panned out.

Anyway, that is us in a nut shell. I am trying to be optimistic but its a lot stressful when I know the money runs out soon and then what? Fingers and toes are crossed that some thing happens soon. Please say a little prayer and cross all your parts for us too. :) I know there are many people out there who are in a similar position and the economy sucks and while I feel better knowing I am not alone, it doesn't help that there are so many other people looking for jobs. Oregon's unemployment rate rose to 8.1% in November which is up 50% over the last 6 months. Not good.

Sigh. I hope all of you are faring better than us. Hug your loved ones tight this holiday season and hang on tight to your jobs.

Another day in the snow!

While it has for the most part stopped snowing in Hillsboro, it has stayed more than cold enough to keep it here. It was about 20-25* today and a wind chill. We pretty much holed up in the house only venturing out to play once or twice.

Pink cheeks!

Late in the evening, two of my neighborhood friends came by to see if I could come out and play. We went sledding and for a nice chilly walk. It was lovely to play in the snow without the kiddos.
(We have to do that again girls!)

Yeah a SNOW DAY!

We hardly ever get any good snow. The few times a year it gets cold enough in little ol' Hillsboro it rarely sticks long enough to really play in. But this weekend is the start of one of the coldest times here in 10 years- or so they say. We got a few inches and it is supposed to stick around for a few days. As soon as Grayson got up and had his snack we got all bundled up and headed over to the park down the street. It was gorgeous, a true winter wonderland!
Here are some of the pictures I got.

Here is the hill we sledded down. I went right into a dried up blackberry patch and got some thorns in my bum.

Us

Zack being burried in the snow. Grayson kept putting it on his face.

Grayson sleding by himself- he was less than amused.

Grayson and Mommy all bundled up.

The lights in the Window

A few people have asked for the pics from the outside of the house. Here is the tree. Outside at night with the iphone is not so great but you get the idea. :)

Crafts and Children- something has to give!

For anyone who has seen my craft room, they might say that I am a bit of a craft-aholic. One might say I have spent way too much money and time on my crafts. I say I have many useful skills that at times like these save me a bundle on Christmas gifts.

Today I had to run some Christmas errands. Zack and I decided we could scrounge up $40 to shop for each other (he sold some tools to be honest) and so after I ran the errand for him*, Grayson and I went to Joann's. I wanted to get yet more fabric this time for other people!

I am not sure when it happened but sometime recently my sweet calm little shopping buddy turned on me. He now has ideas of his own, like not staying in the stroller or cart. And darn it he has enough words that I understand when he says ALL DONE! Waving his hands wildly as he signs the same thing. Grrr. Today he refused to stay in the stroller. I pulled out all my best tricks; candy, fruit snacks and oooh oooh. Nothing. So while we waited for the fabric cutting counter he was able to get out.

And back in it would seem

What is wrong with this picture when the child is in the basket and the fabric is in the chair? I bet I look like mother of the year! Not the first or last time I am sure.

Such a sad day. My good little shopping buddy is long gone it seems! *sniffle* At least today he was willing to hold onto the stroller while he walked. Wonder how long that will last?!

*not saying cause he is still trying to get it out of me and I refuse to be foiled by my blog!

Showers

Someone said to me once that it was too dangerous to shower with your babies. What if you get all sudsy and drop them?! Well I guess I am amazing or lucky (HA!). I have showered with Grayson since he was about 3 months old, if that. He has always loved it. I would just wash myself first, leaving him naked but covered in his bouncy seat or with Zack and then when I was ready I would bring him in. I always held onto his thigh so if I accidentally got to slippery and he slid I would have a good grip.

We have never had even a near accident.

Then when I was done washing him, back into the seat or with Zack until I was in a towel and then I would get him diapered and dressed.

I still shower with Grayson, at almost 2. Only now he gets out after me more often than not. :) He loves to play in the shower long after I have gotten dry and dressed. (No he is not in the bathroom alone- Zack will come in while I go into my closet, or I stay in a towel if he is not home)

Yesterday he decided to stay in the shower but instead of playing with his toys he was sleeping. He kept saying "Nigh Nigh" when he would lay down. It was only 9 am so I am not sure what that was about but it was cute either way. I am glad I have such a sweet comical little boy. He is amazing and while I may not sound it in other posts I am truly grateful for him and our life with him.


And this just shows you how tiny our shower is! That is the one thing I hate about this house. The bathrooms are purely function. No flair, no decorating elements, and the shower is tiny. For us to shower together I have to stand in the corner huddled up against the wall with the nozzle pointing up high because like me Grayson hates the water in his face (is that genetic?! I tried to make him like it!) Usually he just wants to be held.

Anyway, all this just to say "isn't this pic cute?!"
Enjoy. (his butt is heart shaped! haha)

Procrastination, I love procratination

Fa La la laLALA! Oh tis the season to sit on my ever growing fat ass and read blogs. And that is exactly what I have been doing. I meant to bake tonight and work on the Christmas gifts that are now going to be late (Sorry parents- they are going to be late- I suck :) I sat down to check my email and eat dinner at 7. Oops, its 1040. Doh. Anyway, I got caught up on all of my friends blogs and it was quite lovely. My friend Erin is preggers and going through the same fears and tears as most pregnant woman so I wrote her a novel of an email too. I have known Erin since Jr high- or is it elementary... I think elementary but I could be wrong. That is a long A$$ time.

I have had some wine. Wine is good. :) this is why we don't blog on wine. Its like drunk dialing but there is a semi- permanent record of your transgressions. Oh well.

There was a point to this blog, I am sure of it. ummm, right, oh yes, procrastination. I have been feeling so blah this year. I guess it could be that this is the worst year of my entire life. Or that we have no job so I can't spend anything on gifts like before. Either one of those could do it but together... and then you ad on top of it that I should still be pregnant! I should be looking down at my Huge tummy rubbing my baby and planning a future. Instead I am not. I am looking at the fat belly that is left behind, the only constant reminder that I just gave birth 9 weeks ago. I feel like my body should at least get to snap back (as if it did that with G too! LOL) but it seems that is not in the cards either.

Someday I am sure our luck will change and we will possibly be happy again but for now not so much. So here I sit procrastinating even more. Hoping that the season for giving and receiving will give me the gift of moving on by. This year I get the gift of a morgage being paid before the money runs out next month.

Bah humbug!

Oh Christmas Treeeeee! Oh Christmas Treeeeee!

This last weekend we went to one of Zack's friends tree farm to pick out our tree.

Here she is- isn't she gorgeous! Look at those curves! Ha, I crack myself up. :)

How many men does it take to cut down an 18 foot tall tree.

Here is us with our kill!

Grayson was a tired boy! Here he is with his hand still in his fries and nuggets- sound asleep.

Zack up on the ladder showing how tall it in in the windows. We "beat" the neighbors in the cul de sac who had it up into the second panes, we got into the third panes! Again I crack myself up!

And here she is all dressed up! SO pretty.