A new cousin!!

Monday, April 2nd, 2012 brought another new cousin to this crazy five-some. :) Auntie Tora (Kora) was dilated to a 9.5 soooo early in the day that we all thought she would have the baby by the late afternoon. . .we were wrong! Little Miss Nina Christine Minton didn't want to make her arrival to the chaos until almost 8pm that night!! The cousins all waited as long as they could in the hospital to meet Nina but by the time Kora, Nick and baby were able to have visitors it was almost 11pm!! Abby was determined to see them though so she just fell asleep for a bit before going in for the big visit. . .which ended up being a quick hello and back to sleep. :)


The new Mama and Baby Nina--exhausted after having her water break at 2am, hanging out at the hospital w/ contractions all day and pushing for 4 1/2 hours. Even though my recovery time after my c-sections was a little longer I think I'm okay with not having to go through all of that--we were in and out and enjoying the new babes in no time. :) The nurses said Kora and Nick were a good team and that they can tell Nina is a feisty one. . .hmmn, what Hussey girl doesn't have a little "feist" in them. :) It's to be expected I think.

Beautiful Nina Christine weighing in at 6 lbs. 11 oz. and only a wee 18 1/2 inches long--much smaller than we all thought this baby was going to be! Kora and Nick are the tallest in our fam and they had the shortest baby. . .I love it. I'm sure my babes will stop growing in the 6th grade and their cousin will continue to sprout long after that! HA We also thought little Nina was going to be a baby boy so it was priceless when Nick came out to tell us all the news. . .we all jumped up and down with excitement and disbelief. I even scared poor Ty because I couldn't hold in my excitement. I already sent a bag of Abby's old clothes to Nina. . .we couldn't wait to share.
We love you little Nina. We all can't wait to see you again soon and be able to spend more time with you!

4 months old today!

So much fun stuff today! Not only did Ty turn 4 months but we also toured a pre-school for Abigail and I think she (and Zach and I) really liked it. It is called Vaulting Frogs and it is a gymnastics based preschool so there are three rooms--1. has toys for playtime 2. has tables etc. for art and learning and 3. a big room for gymnastics which Abby loved. She bounced on a trampoline for the first time and had so much fun! Zach and I even left her there to see how she would do and went next door to a place called Tot Spot Cafe which is a coffee shop that has a huge play area in the middle for kids to play. It is internet friendly so I plan on going there w/ the kids and the computer to get some work done while Abs is entertained. It's only $6 for an hour to play there or $10 for the day. Abby whined/cried for a second while we left but when we got back she was in a smock and painting away! It was so dang cute. When we left she said bye to Miss Jenny. . .soooo, I think we will try it out for the next few months til the school year is over. 2 days a week from 9-11:30. I think it will be wonderful for the both of us.

After we did the tour I let Abby go next door to play for a bit since I had been telling her we were going to see "toys" and we weren't at Vaulting Frogs for very long. . .She. Loved. Tot Spot! We were there for about a half hour and she played and played and didn't even care if I was there. It is such a cool place for moms (and dads) to take their kids. . .especially on a rainy day like today!

When we were done with the tour and Tot Spot we then headed over to the doctor's office for Ty's 4 month check up. He is doing great developmentally and of course was just as happy as could be the whole time. He cried for one second when he got his shots but that ended as soon as I picked him up. . .such a good little boy. He is 26 inches tall (84%), 14.6 1bs. (30%) and his head is 35th%. I was surprised to find that he was only 30th% for weight cuz I think he is a chunker dunker but I guess he is my little skinny minny!

It's been fun pulling out the new stations for him to play in. Every time I bring out the bumbo Abby wants to sit in it. :) Ty does okay in it but doesn't always look totally comfortable so I never leave him in there for very long. . .I'm sure as he continues to get stronger he will do better in it.

I can't believe the roller coaster of emotions you go through after having a baby. . .it has been stressful and more difficult for me this go around BUT this past week and half has been REALLY good and I find myself admiring my children in ahhh so much. They are both so cute and I just love them so much. . .we had a big family hug the other day and every time I think about it I could just cry. I'm definitely at that spot again where I am so happy that I just feel like I could burst. . .oh how much better life is when babies go to bed easily. :) Both Abs and Ty have been awesome at bedtime and that makes for one happy Mama and Daddy!

Today was a good day. . .

That is supposed to be sung/rapped. Gangsters Paradise I believe :). Hee hee
Anyways, another phone post--I've been trying really hard to keep Abby entertained w/ age appropriate activities lately such as a rice station, baking, well helping and then taste testing, and of course visiting Barnes and Noble and the library. She is sooo ready for preschool which we have a tour tomorrow and I am so excited to see how she reacts. Lately she has been so excited when other kids are around. "mommy, kids!". I love it.
Ty rocked his Johnny Jump Up for the first time today and loved it. He has his 4 month check up tomorrow as well. Can't wait to see how big he is. He also has been dealing with his first cold. . .doesn't hardly phase him which is great. A little snotty nose for a few days and I think he is already getting better-Yah!
Here are a few pics of my babes in action. I just love these little guys so much, epecially since they have been going to bed so much better lately! :)

Good times!

I have to admit that the past 4 months have seemed really crazy to me adjusting to life with two children especially when one of those children is a toddler but I think we are finally getting some structure and routine down which is helping. Bed time has been going a little better this past week and the tantrums aren't lasting quite as long. . .I'm working really hard at staying calm :) and consistent w/ how I deal w/ my sweet girl and it seems to be helping. These pics are in newest to oldest order but let's get rolling w/ what's been up at the Wyckoff home these past few weeks. . .

When Zach takes Abby to the grocery store she gets the special treat of riding in the car! She loves it. . .when she goes to the store w/ me I just give her whatever she wants to snack on in the cart--HA. . .that thing is just too big for me to push around.
Not only is Abby driving the cart at the store but she also loves to drive our car in the driveway. She makes the car noises and really thinks she is cool. Again, this is something Dad introduced to her so now when we get home she tries to hop into the front seat for awhile before going inside.

I had to go out to Alderbrook for a site tour on Friday and decided to call up Amy and the kids to join us for an overnight. It was quick (and Grammy stopped by to help for a bit) but we had tons of fun at the pool and playing on the luggage cart. The kids kept acting like it was a train and yelling "all aboard!".

Ty is sooo big that he can no longer take baths in the baby tub in the sink. I got this great chair that goes in the regular bath so now Sis can enjoy bathtime w/ Brother--they love it. . .and so do I. The kids are soooo cute together.

Grandma and Grandpa bought Ty and Abigail a membership to the Children's Museum so we can go to most of them throughout the US. Abby's first visit was in Tacoma and she had so much fun. I am getting so excited for her to start pre-school soon. We have a tour at one this week and I really hope we like it!!

The water tables were her favorite of course! She could have played here forever.

I had a conference in Tacoma last week so Grandma came and stayed with us. Ty got to sleep with Grammy while Abs slept with me. I secretly think Grammy loved snuggling next to Ty each night even though she always acts like she will never share a bed w/ the kids. :)

When we were in Olympia last Saturday Joe and Janice had a surprise to tell us. We were all so curious as to what it was. . .engagement? baby?. . .nope, NEW puppy! Everyone meet Roca!

Me and my little man all dressed up for Auntie Kora's shower. He for sure steals the girls' hearts with his cute little smile.

Here's Aunt Kora at her shower for Baby Minton. We went with the Hungry Caterpillar theme since that is how they decorated the nursery. It looked so cute w/ a cake and banner made by Amy!

Seriously, love this pic of the little man. He looks like such a bigga boy!

My sweet babies! Abby loves to sit next to and play w/ her brother all the time. She is very protective of him and all of his belongings.

Here she is showing him the airplane flying overhead. . .

Leah and Drew came to visit for a few days so we could host Lorissa's baby shower. Drew and Abs had lots of fun playing together and Leah and I had lots of fun too. . .even though we were primarily "parenting" our children. :) I soooo wish my BFFAE lived closer so we could get together more often. Maybe someday.

Another shot of Abs and Ty playing together. Ty usually looks a little worried about what is about to happen while Abby is all grins.

hmmmn, my little terror getting a bowl of cereal. She is VERY in to wanting to "help" with everything! "Abby help" "Abby do". . .it's seriously all I hear these days and boy if I don't let her do it herself she gets soooo dang mad so I usually have to be patient and let everything take much longer than planned. oh joy! :)

Abby's 1st trip to the library!

Yesterday I loaded up the kiddos and walked to our local library for storytime. I was a little worried about Abby sitting still to listen to the stories but I soon realized that wasn't going to be a problem. . . The stories were very interactive, the kids got to sing songs w/ hand gestures, they got to dance and wiggle and make a craft. Abby LOVED it and it made me excited for her to start preschool! I think she is really ready for that type of environment. When we were done I let Abs loose in the library. She was more interested in the puzzles, alphabet and of course, the computers than she was the books. We will definitely be going back!
(this was a post from my phone-kinda a test)

Maui 2012

Our first vacation as a family. . .what an experience! :) It was definitely different traveling to Hawaii with children. I am used to laying by the pool all day with a cocktail in my hand. . .and that was NOT in my agenda this time. You can barely even tell I was out in the sun. That's okay though--I had a wonderful time and I know my family did as well. Abigail LOVED the beach, the pool, being there with her cousins, uncle, aunts and Grandma & Grandpa, and having her Mommy and Daddy's attention 24/7 with no interruption of a computer! It was her heaven for sure. :) It was soooo nice only having to focus on my family without any worries of work. . .I only wish I could have stayed even longer--it was the life!A few of my fave pictures from the trip. . . above--Abby and Griffin playing in the sand. Griff could have been on the beach in the sand all day. Below--Daddy and Abs in the pool at our condo at The Whaler. It was a standard pool very close to the beach and our building so I could see them from our deck. Abby loved being able to wake up and head down for a morning swim.Best decision we made for this trip was bringing our double stroller. We used it every day a ton either for Abs and Ty or Abs and Griff. Griffin had a hard time staying awake at dinner most nights so would end up in the stroller w/ his side reclined. It was perfect.Amy celebrated her birthday while we were on vacation so we made reservations at Kimo's for the entire crew. Always a bit chaotic when you get all the kids together for a meal (well anytime Abby goes to a restaurant its a bit chaotic) :) but we had a great time and delicious food! Zach ate his 32 oz. prime rib again. . .pretty much all he wanted to do since we booked this trip was get back to Kimo's! :)The Old Lahaina Luau was so much fun even though we got down poured on for about 5 minutes. It was so horrible that all we could do was laugh. Here is Abby before the rain looking so cute in her Hawaiian shirt that was a gift a year ago from our neighbors, Tom & Carol. She looked so cute in it!The cute cousins. . .My beautiful family--wish you could see Ty better but he basically lived in the front pack this vacation. Every time I put him in it, he would zonk out. He really enjoyed being all snuggled up next to mama.My cute boys!The rain was not going to stop Z from getting his drink on. He was on a mission to get as many free cocktails as he could before we potentially left because of rain. Thankfully it stopped and we got to enjoy the show. . .a little wet. :)The rain also didn't bother Abby one bit. She just hung out and ate all her food. . .soup style! HAWe had beautiful weather aside from the last day of our trip but being from Seattle a little rain wasn't going to ruin our day. We still went to the pool and played. The kids (and Uncle Zach) loved it. Ty and I stayed under cover though.Uncle Zach (and Daddy) taking the kids on rides under the waterfall--they thought it was so much fun!But all that swimming and sun really wore the kids out. As mentioned earlier, Griff had no problem falling asleep in his chair at dinner.The last night of our trip--Abs slept great the entire vacation. The sun, the salt air, the beach and playing hard wore our little babe out every day. . .I LOVED IT!I can't wait to plan our next family vacation and I think we will highly consider adding more nights to our stay. . .we were definitely not ready to go home.

Check out all our pics from Maui 2012 on my Kodak Gallery--http://pix.kg/p/529163852507%3A1778125737/scl

A big boy bed

Since Abigail transitioned so nicely to her big girl bed I finally got to put Ty's room together! I love it so much. The colors are primarily blue and white with a splash of red. It is just so cozy and my new Land of Nod rocking chair is awesome. I literally could just sit in here and veg all day long. . .that is if I actually had the opportunity to do that--yah right!

When we got back from Hawaii Ty slept in his bassinet one night and then I did the big transition to the crib for him at night and he did great! He sleeps the whole night through usually waking up around 5am or 6am for a quick feeding and then back to bed. I only wish he would sleep that well during the day! My little guy really likes to sleep and snuggle on mama during the day which doesn't work too well since I am supposed to work and also take care of his sister. Every time I put him down he sleeps for about a 1/2 hour and then wakes up. :( Sooo not okay with this and will continue to work on his sleeping schedule. I am really trying to get him and Abs to take a nap during the afternoon at the same time. . .we'll see if that ever happens.

Now I just need to get the bassinet all cleaned up for Kora and Nick's little arrival! Kyle and Amy passed it on to us when Griffin outgrew it and it has been so nice to have for our little ones the first few months of their lives. It is a slim little thing so it fits nicely in our bedroom. . .we've actually had a pack n play and the bassinet at the end of our bed since Ty was born because Abby loves to play in her Joovy while watching movies on the big screen in our bedroom. Can't wait for the day when we have our room completely back to ourselves. . .will that ever happen??? :)

So before you look at the pic below I'll warn you--I let my child sleep on his tum. . .I know, I'm crazy and shouldn't and when the nurse asked if he was sleeping on his back I flat out lied and said yes. . .but he doesn't. Please don't judge. . . :)