December is busy, busy, busy!!

Thanksgiving marks the end of fall in my head and December marks the beginning of winter and all things Christmas!!! December is notorious for being jam-packed with activities and traditions but I enjoy all the extra family time that we get!!

We couldn't enter the holiday season without decking our halls with Christmas decor to enjoy. 

Instagram tree is back!!

 The kiddos enjoyed watching Polar Express in Morrilton with grandma to get ready for their Branson trip....

It isn't Christmas time without a trip to the Fayetteville Square to see the lights...

Every year since Braxton was born we meet Ansley, Danielle, and Travis in Rogers to see Santa!! This year we also added dinner and gingerbread house making afterwards!

Besties

 Cookie making fun at grandmas! Somebody (Braxton) kinda needed a nap and wasn't the sweetest but the kids had fun!

Aprons from Aunt Amber:)

Ava's 1st birthday party was a BIG success! Her Winter Onederland was adorable and we really think she loves her new chair!!

Working on our cup!!

Sweet Ava

Best picture of these two we could get!

Random pictures from our month....

First and only snow so far this year

Checking on Beckett Allen

Big Brother in training

Nap time at school!

Beckett Allen Hill

Happy Birthday Daddy....We finally got our positive test on Luke's 30th birthday! We were excited but anxious about all the things that could go wrong. Luckily we have an amazing doctor who is sensitive to our hopeful yet anxious hearts. She allowed us to come every 1-2 weeks throughout my first trimester just to check in on our lil one with an ultrasound. 

The first trimester brought with it significant fatigue and some nausea. I would rest on the couch after work while Luke wrestled with Braxton on the floor so I could still at least watch. Ha! As the 2nd trimester started I pretty much was feeling like my normal self. In September, at 16 weeks gestation we were able to find out that we are being blessed with another little boy! Beckett Allen Hill would be here March 8 or before!! 

We had to have a little fun revealing the gender to our families so silly string it was. Our plan was faulted though because Braxton was not strong enough to hold the trigger down on his own. 

Mommy helping Braxton get Daddy

Daddy helping Braxton get Mommy

We are well into the 3rd trimester now with a little insomnia and heart burn but no real complaints. Beckett loves to dig under my rib cage just like his big brother did while a resident of my belly! He is growing right on track and we have had several more ultrasounds to check in! We were given the option between VBAC and repeat C-section....I hate decisions! Currently my plan is no plan....if I go into labor on my own in the upcoming weeks we will go with VBAC. If not, B2 will come via a scheduled c-section somewhere between 39-40 weeks gestation. We will for sure be a family of 4 by March 8, 2015!!

North Pole Breakfast

Last year for Christmas, Braxton received the Elf on a Shelf book from his DD. Luke has been so excited about starting this tradition with Braxton Cole ever since. Braxton and Luke started reading the Elf on a Shelf book at bedtime in November and Braxton caught on to the concept pretty quickly. We decided a special ceremony was needed for the debut of the elf. 

On November 21st, Braxton woke up to a North Pole Breakfast to introduce him to his elf. His breakfast consisted of snowman pancakes and fruit candy canes along with chocolate milk. Braxton loved finding his elf on a shelf and when we asked him to name him, he quickly replied Gobbles!

So this is our new friend Gobbles! Follow along and I will post all about his adventures around the Hill household! 

Operation Big Boy Room: Crib Eviction

With Beckett on his way in March, we had no choice but to begin the crib eviction process with Braxton. This only meant one thing for Braxton Cole.....a big boy room! I knew I wanted Braxton's big boy room to be navy and grey which meant daddy had painting to do. I also hunted long and hard for a vintage twin sized wrought iron bed for Luke to paint. 

Braxton testing out his new bed

While exploring his new bed, this happened!! Jeez....talk about a heart attack. I added a bumper from his crib at the bottom so his noggin can no longer fit.

Luke knew that he wanted to keep Braxton's barn doors intake and a deer mount would make his dreams come true. Ha! With these things in mind, we started the process of making Braxton a super cool "big boy room" so he wouldn't bat an eye at the thought of losing his bed. 

 Braxton started sleeping in his big boy bed on October 25th. That night I found him curled up on the floor on the blue rug. He never made a peep so I have no idea what happened. I assume he either fell out or he climbed out and could not get back in. It broke my mommy heart to think my baby slept on the floor. The next day I bought a safety rail and we have had no more issues. Sometimes we find him with his head on his nightstand but he rarely wakes up. Apparently he still doesn't know he can climb out without permission;)

Now that Braxton sleeps in a big boy bed, we do bedtime stories and snuggles in the bed instead of his chair. The chair has since moved to Beckett's room and as a replacement we did an art corner with table, chairs, magnet board, and art supplies. Braxton likes sitting at his table to do his "work" and I love how the corner turned out!!

Braxton helping to hang his magnet board

Braxton kept his dresser so the shelves on the hutch needed a little TLC to be big boy suitable. 

After all was said and done, I LOVE the way Braxton's room turned out. It is functional with plenty of floor space for Braxton to play. Plus it's super cute in my opinion!!!