Thursday, December 30, 2010

Random Thoughts from both of us

Both of the girls seem to be picky eaters right now. There regular diet seems to consist of pasta and dairy. They would choose to eat cheese and yogurt or drink milk over pretty much any other food with the exception of cookies and candy. The most they get of any other nutrition is the bite or two they are forced to try of other foods.   ~ Stacey

We try to teach the girls to not call people mean names and use general terms that aren't nice like stupid, dumb, fat, etc. It's funny to hear them correct you even when you are using the term in a manner that's not necessarily calling someone dumb. Drea corrected Pappaw during the bowl game when he referred to a play as "dumb." She said "Pappaw, that's bad manners." I figure if she reminds us not to use the words even in a different manner it will simply help us sound more positive about situations. Another funny aside to this thought...tonight at the dinner table, I said my piece of meat had a lot of fat on it and Drea said "Mommy, that is not a very nice word."   ~ Stacey

Charlotte is like a little old Italian lady, she is always trying to feed you, ever if you are not hungry. ~ Andy

One of my favorite things Charlotte is doing right now is at bed time.  After we leave Charlotte in her crib, she has been screaming I love you, to whoever laid her down.  She doesn't stop until you finally tell her it's night, night time.  ~ Andy

Yesterday we were letting the kids play at the Morgantown Mall play area and Andy sat and talked to a man sitting beside him who is a stay-at-home dad. He is always jealous of stay-at-home dads and thinks he would love to be one. They apparently got to know each other really well because Andy knew his life story and told me all of it on the way home from the mall. All I have to say is...don't get any idea, Andy. ~ Stacey

While I sitting with the stay-at-home dad, I was watching Charlotte and Drea play.  So this 4 yr old girl that was there all of a sudden starts getting in Charlotte's face.  I feel like its a good idea to let the girls handle things on their own.  Anyway, so I just sat back and watched.  Apparently, Charlotte did not like it, she grabbed the girl by her hair and the little girl started to cry.  I am not condoning pulling hair and being mean, but the girl deserved it. ~ Andy 

Drea has been so excited about turning 5 but I have to admit it seems unreal to me. I remember when my friend's child turned 5 and I thought I wonder what it will feel like to have a 5 year old. Well, I'll let you know next Friday when my baby turns 5.  ~ Stacey

Stacey and I take turns putting each of the kids to bed.  One night I put Drea to bed and the next night Charlotte and vice versa because Charlotte doesn't sit well for Drea's long stories yet. For some reason, when I put Drea to bed, she always wants to kiss me good night like a dog. I thought Charlotte was the one that wanted to be a dog, I guess it is both of them. ~ Andy

Drea's three favorite phrases:" I promise ya," "Here's the rule," and "Daddy, I got an idea." ~ Andy

Organizing my new planner every year is one of the most satisfying things to me. I'm not sure why I love it so much maybe it's the way I try to write super perfect and in the beginning of the year the planner still looks neat and pretty. Maybe it's transferring all of my addresses and phone numbers. Maybe it's filling in all of the pre-scheduled doctors appointments and such that had been penciled in the year-at-a-glance section and waiting to get on the next real, full calendar. So, I'm not sure if you can understand how I feel about my new organizer but just know it brings me great joy. ~ Stacey

The gateway connector is finally finished.  It is really nice and convenient for us.  We really like it.  Now we are just waiting for a 6 digit offer from some business to want to build here. ~ Andy

I wasn't going to mention it...but I could so be a stay-at-home Dad.  The girls and I have had so much fun for the past 8 days I have been off of school.  If I can only get them to double Stacey's salary. ~ Andy

Friday, December 10, 2010

Thanksgiving

Some of you may know that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  I love the fact that family gets together and spends time together.  I know sometimes when family gets together it doesn't always go as planned, but it's family and no matter what it is wonderful.  That is one of the best things about being married to Stacey.  Not only do I get to be with her, I get her family as well.  However, this year instead of being in WV for Thanksgiving the Niessners piled in the car and headed to NJ to spend time with my family.  We missed everyone back in WV, but it was great to see my family and spend time with my sister and her family.


Drea and Brynn playing Disney DVD bingo


Charlotte and Lydia playing, too.
 Brynn, Drea, Lydia, and Charlotte had a great time seeing each other and spending every possible minute together.  I don't recall talking to Drea in the five days we were there because all the kids did was play.





The girls jumping on Noni's bed
 Now I would be lying if I didn't say I love Thanksgiving because of the food.  Who doesn't, Thanksgiving food is the best and then there is leftovers.  It doesn't get better than that.  Charlotte would agree.

 
Could Charlotte have more plates in front of her



Cousins: Lydia, Charlotte, Brynn, and Drea
 We had a wonderful time at Thanksgiving and it was great seeing my family and spending the holiday with them.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

September Photo Session: The ones that wouldn't make it

A friend of ours took some pictures for us of the girls in September. You can see one of these photos as the header of our blog. While looking through them to decide what to order I noticed that I love a lot of them...most of them, because the girls look so sweet and many just because my friend (Marci Cochran) is an exceptional photographer. Then I started to realize how many I love that wouldn't necessarily end up framed on the wall. They are the ones that wouldn't quite make it but I think they are great because they capture some great family moments. Below are some of those shots. The ones that I might not put up on the wall but I can't wait to have a photo book made that can have the good shots and the shots it took to get to the good shots. ~ And they are still great shots to me.

This is a typical day in our house. Drea usually tries to love on Charlotte
and Charlotte always acts like she's annoyed.
Charlotte trying to get on my lap, I think.


My girls climbing all over me. I seem to be a human jungle gym and most days
it makes me giggle...not every day...but most.

Attempts to get the kids set-up in the grass for a picture ended up in a tickle match because that's what usually happens in our house when Daddy lays down on the floor.


I think Charlotte wants to see what Marci is seeing.


Attempts at another family shot but Charlotte has the same face in every one of them. She was not enjoying herself.




Thursday, November 18, 2010

Pictures

Andy didn't post my favorite picture from our trip to Rich Farms.
Drea took this picture of Andy and I when we all went on the hayride.

Two of my other favorite pictures that I love from Rich Farms are below:


 

Couple Trick-or-Treat pictures. Drea was Princess Tiana, Charlotte was Tinkerbell, Barrett was a dragon and Tyler was a shark. I was very proud that I didn't have to spend a dime on costumes. The girls wanted to be costumes we already had in their dress-up box! 

 




Tearing up the carpet in our bedroom. Charlotte loves to be a big helper! She helps with everything. I love it and it's starting to rub off on Drea.



Just a cute picture of my girls hanging out together.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Our visit to the Farm

Every fall the Niessners go to Rich's Farm in Smithfield, PA. Here are some pictures of our trip this year. I was having some issues posting these pictures and adding text. I decided just to leave it as it is and hope you enjoy just the pics.















Friday, October 22, 2010

Mom jeans

So I always wondered at what age and why people start wearing mom jeans.

The other day I looked at the pants I had on at work and realized they come up above my belly and almost all the way to my waist. And a thought struck me...I think almost every pair of pants I own come up this far! I immediately realized that I have now entered the "mom jean" era. I now know that after your belly has stretched to be the size of a basketball and then shrunk back (almost) to the original size...twice...among other weight fluctuations of 20lbs up or down, it seems appropriate to cover that extra skin that may never be taunt again with pant material otherwise known as "mom jeans."

The only other thing I can say about this random blog is thank goodness for Spanx. For my few pair of pants that are still sitting below the belly button on the hips, my spanx keep it all looking sucked in. (By the way, I really don't spend a gajillion dollars on Spanx, I buy the $10 Wal Mart kind.)

Oh and at least my pants are not pleated, pegged, tapered, or elastic waist. I still look semi-modern and I can deal with that.

Stacey

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

The Girls

Here are some recent cute stories and videos about the girls.

DREA:


Drea making a silly face


Here are some random Drea stories:

1. I would say about once a month, maybe a little longer, while putting Drea to bed and after praying, we discuss a few things. Sometimes I remind Drea that she can come to Mommy & Daddy about anything. I may tell her things like she is my favorite 4 and a half year old. Other times I will tell her she can be anything she wants when she grows up. Usually when I do this it sparks a conversation. The other night was no different. She went on with the usual things that she wants to be, Mountaineer, cheerleader, doctor, etc.... Finally, she stopped and said, "Daddy, Do you know what I really want to be?" "What", I asked. Her response, "A Dolphin!"

2. The other morning I was getting dressed and I was wearing boxer briefs (hope that wasn't TMI). Drea says, "Daddy, what are you wearing?" and then laughed. I guess it wasn't a good look for me.

3. Drea gets a lot of joy in changing our answering machine message. She also thinks she is funny. The other night she is messing around with the answering machine and she changed the message to say, "This is the Niessners we can't get to the phone right now, we are on the potty, bye." I made her change it.


CHARLOTTE:

Charlotte has been talking so much more lately. It seems like she says something new every day. She is really into saying one word phrases. One of her favorites is, "Mine!" She is also a fan of "Hey!" So we were very excited when she learned another one word phrase. Watch and listen to this video:


Here are two more videos of Charlotte talking and having a good time at the dinner table.





Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Annual Niessner Labor Day Zoo Trip

Momma and her girls looking at....I don't remember. Maybe the lions.

My brother, Chad, my sister-in-law, Jody, and my nephew, Barrett met up with us at the zoo. The kids had lots of fun...playing on the rocks. Next year, we are going to make it an annual trip to a rock because they have just as much fun playing on the rocks. Except I believe this was right before Barrett fell off of the rock onto his face. He couldn't seem to stay on his feet that day. 

Looking at the monkeys. Pretty sure Barrett and Charlotte are coming up with a plan to help the monkeys break out of this joint.

Awww, sisterly love.

Cousins.

Again, found a cool tunnel to play in. I think it's really a bear trap or something.

They do have cool little playgrounds at the Pittsburgh zoo. The kids always really enjoy them.

It's a face-off between Barrett and Charlotte. My money's on Charlotte...what do you think Jody?