THANKS UNCLE MIKE!

Uncle Mike surprised Owen with a cute little four wheeler just his size a couple of weeks ago. Owen was able to ride with Aunt Amber b/c she was visiting at that time. Owen of course loved it.

Ugliest Gingerbread House Ever

Owen and I attempted a Gingerbread house today on the snow day that doesn't have any snow. Yes, I decided not to take Owen to MDO today because it was supposed to be snowing by now. Is it? NO. Yes I am upset. Anyways, the House was our big activity instead of building a snowman.

If you ever decide to enter a Gingerbread House contest do not let Owen or I compete with you. The roof keeps falling off, the chimney is on upside down and will not stand up, and The Men will not stand up. Nonetheless, Owen had a good time sneaking candy and icing. I'm sure we'll have a great nap today :)

Cute Alyssa Picture in New Razorback Hat and November 28, 2006 Blog

Alyssa is doing well other than the fact that she sometimes does not want to eat when she is supposed to. This results in her waking up at random times in the night hungry. I am ready to rip my hair out with this situation. Anyone have any suggestions? The most critical bottle is in the 7pm hour when she usually is so tired she can't stay up any longer. So obviously I offer her a bottle before we put her down. This week she is not wanting this bottle (or much of it). She is just a free spirit and does not want to be on a schedule.

Owen got a flu shot today. He was ok when we went through McD's and got a cup of "niya" ice cream.

Robby has a few very critical things happening in his worklife right now that could either be great in three weeks or very stressful. Please pray for these situations.

Thanksgiving Dinner with Robby's Family - November 25, 2006

We had T-giving Dinner w/ Rob's Fam in Conway at Billy's house. We coupled this with a surprise Birthday party for Sissy.

Hampton - November 24, 2006

The day after Thanksgiving, we traveled down to Hampton to spend time with Robby's Grandparents. They had not yet met Alyssa. Owen enjoyed hitting Grandpa Kenneth's golf balls and playing with Grandma Bonnie's cars (there were 6 huge buckets full of them).

Owen's Birthday - November 17, 2006

On the night before Owen's Birthday my parents came up and we went to Marketplace so Owen could get his free Birthday Chocolate Mess (we have become addicted to these as a family over the summer). The next day Owen woke up and opened his first present - a disposable camera that he could use to take pictures of his big day. He did really good with it and got some really good photos. That night we had his big Lightning McQueen Birthday party. Owen invited some of his buddies over and they all had a big time. His reaction when he unwrapped his John Deere Gator that Robby and I got him was priceless.

Halloween 2006

The kids had a ton of fun on Halloween this year. They were Mickey and Minnie Mouse. First we went to Robby's office and trick or treated there. Then we went to see Uncle Mike at his office. Next we went to Angie's house on Carley Rd and then to Harbor Meadows. We went door to door there for a street. Alyssa had enough at that point so I took her home while Robby and Owen went to the Church for a carnival. Robby said it was so much fun. They had an awesome time. Today I am sick from eating too much candy. The kids are good - Alyssa is rolling over in her bed now - to her tummy, and she screams b/c she can't get back over. This new development is making for some very tiring nights.

Ok. I know, 2 blogs in 1 day is overkill but we took the cutest family pictures in our little pumpkin patch in front of the house. Just wanted to share . . . .

First Meal!!!

Alyssa ate her first bowl of cereal today! I was so proud of her. She loved it. Every time I put the spoon on her mouth she would open up and let me shove it in. Maybe this will help us lengthen our nights out more.

Turkey Trot

This weekend was the 61st Annual Turkey Trot Festival in Yellville. We attended this festival and had a ton of fun. We saw old friends, ate tons of junk food. Owen played games and caught candy at the parade. We are definitely all Trotted out and glad to be home. We got to spend time with our families and really enjoyed that as well. Alyssa did great away from home. She adjusted well to her bed at mimi's. Owen spent the night with Sissy and B Friday. He loved every minute of it.

My brain cells are depleting with lack of good solid sleep. You can put than on your prayer list for me. Alyssa is still waking up 1 or two times a night. Its exhausting. Fortunately I have not had to feed her in the 4am wakeup time. I just swaddle her up and she goes back to sleep until 6 or 7. She is doing pretty good otherwise. She's talking alot. Owen got sick over the weekend with a fever. He watched too much tv and now I am paying for it. Why is there a direct correlation b/tw bad behavior and too much tv? It puzzles me, but Robby and I both have noticed this. Right now he can only watch one show when he poops on the potty. Robby and I have determined that TV is bad and not worth the trouble. Robby and I went to a marriage seminar Friday night by Clay and Renee Cross. It was so good and focused on the effects of Hollywood, Movies, TV, and Entertainment in homes and families today. Robby and I have been focusing on this subject lately and firmly believe that we need to be very cautious as to what we watch and bring into our home. Their website is holyhomes.org. I have not checked this out yet but plan to soon. In the pictures are Owen and Alyssa with Mimi and Papa before they left for Russia. And Brodie and Alyssa - How Cute!!!!

What a fun weekend! We had some friends - the Spruells - come stay with us. They moved from Fayetteville to Houston 3 years ago. It was awesome to see them again. Their children are beautiful and sweet. Owen met his match with Luke who is the same age. It was a great learning experience for him. Now maybe he won't beat up on other kids in MDO and church. Alyssa was definitely worn out on Sunday. She let us know about it that evening.

Here is a shout out to all moms of infants -
Today I am totally struggling with it all. I am just frustrated and feel like I just can't get it right. I have been trying so hard for 12 weeks to do my best at getting her on a schedule and sleeping through the night. Neither of which are happening. Her naps are never consistent or the same from one day to the next. I can't get her to eat more than 4 oz. Lately she is wanting to be propped up on her side to go to sleep at night. She also wanted this today at nap and I didn't realize it until finally on the 3rd nap of 30 minutes I was like - you have to go back to sleep - so I propped her up and she did. Within like 2 minutes. Insane!!!! I am just so full of baby brain I can't think of anything else. I am constantly going over all of this in my head trying to figure out what I can do to make things better. Anyways, I had to gripe somewhere so I decided to do it here.

First time ever to blog! I am excited to get all of my pictures up and show everyone what the Bader's are up to.

Today, I had my bible study. I am doing the Beth Moore Daniel. It's really good. Owen and Alyssa go to childcare while I am in the study. Today we broke up into small groups. I have some old good friends - Michele M., Michelle C., Julie; and one new friend Ramona. Next week is supposed to be the movie week.

Robby is getting home late from a meeting so I am quickly doing this blog while Owen is watching Dora. He gets to watch a tv show when he poops on the potty - which he did at church today. I was so proud of him. However, he did get pee pee all over his pants b/c he wasn't quick enough. Potty Training is still going. I just have to stay on top of the pee pee. I just end up making him go. He doesn't want to stop what he's doing all the time to go. But he is doing well on the pooping (I think b/c he wants to watch tv). Our lives have definitely changed since we can openly discuss pee and poo with our children.

Alyssa has extended her nights from about midnight to 5am. We are pretty excited about that. Even though I have had to get up in the middle of that time to reswaddle her. She also has her first cold. But she is feeling better now despite the stuffy nose. S at. and Sun she was feeling terrible. It made Robby and I feel terrible too - for her.