I hope you all enjoy our new site! I am going to try to stay on top of things so that everyone gets to see the girls as they are growing. Living so far from family makes it hard for everyone. I am hoping that we can feel a little more connected this way! Feel free to leave comments!
We finally gave out little boy his first haircut! Wow, does he look different! On March 15 we cut his hair...he is 6 months old! You can see some before and after pictures in the March 2009 album. Also, the girls are trying out their new dresses and microphones! They love to sing!
TJ had is 6 month check-up yesterday. He is 17 pounds 7 ounces. She forgot to bring the length board so we will have to wait to see how tall he is getting until he 9 month check-up!
Tim surprised me and came home from work early on March 3rd and said I had 23 hours to pack for a week vacation for all of us. I had no idea where we were going or what we were going to do. I finally figured it out that we were going down to Anchorage, but knew nothing else.
The first night we were there we stayed on the Airforce Base. It was very nice...it was like an apartment. Two bedrooms, and upstairs/downstairs, kitchen and laundry. The girls had fun running around. That night Tori got sick. She was throwing up! The next day we went to the mall and did a little shopping...and Tori threw up again! My poor little girl! I kept asking Tim what we were going to do that night. All I knew is that we had to be at the place we were staying at around 5.
We were driving out toward Girdwood, but I had no idea where we were going. Then finally I saw Alyeska Ski Resort. We didn't stay at the resort, but instead we had a great little cabin in the woods. It even had an outdoor hot tub! Trista had fun "swimming" Tori just watched since she wasn't feel all that great.
The next morning I still had no idea what we were going to do. We were driving towards the resort and I was watching the chair lift and the Tram go up and told Tim how I would be afraid to go up on that. He said "really, because that is what we are doing today!" We took the Tram up to the ski lodge on top of the mountain and had lunch! It was alot of fun and the girls did great...as did Mommy!
That night Tim said we had to go back into Anchorage. I was trying for the life of me to figure out what we were going to do. I came up with some pretty crazy ideas! Then we drove past the Alaska Aces Hockey Team Office and I said a hockey game! Tim was surprised that I guessed, but really I was just guessing and had no idea. It was a great game with lots of fights, a player even got thrown out!
The next morning we drove down to Nikiski to visit some friends. It was nice to just relax sice the kids were sick! We left there Monday morning and headed back to Anchorage. We were going to go to an indoor waterpark, but Tori was WAY to sick! So we just hung out at the hotel.
They all did really well on our drive! We got home on Tuesday night and the girls had a terrible cold and cough. And now Mommy has it along with TJ! Hopefully we will all be healthy again soon!
I can't believe it is already going to be Valentine's Day! Not that I really ever celebrate it, but it is nice to do something special for your loved ones! So far, this year has been busy it seems. I am not sure what all we have been doing, but I feel like I never really just sit down and relax. Oh many that is because I have 3 kids 2 1/2 and under! I love being a stay-at-home mom! I will admit that I am not the best house keeper, but I am so grateful that Tim helps out! Or should I say he just does it! Thanks sweetie, I love you!
It is my goal this year to take better care of myself! And I challenge you to do the same! Not only will you feel better, look better, and have more confidence...but you will be a better husband, wife, mother, or father! We only get one chance to make the best of this body that God has given us! Since November I have lost nearly 30 pounds and still have some to go, but I already feel better. I feel better about myself, self-esteem, and enjoying wearing something other than sweatpants! I am trying to make time for myself. Whether it is 30 minutes on the treadmill or getting up an hour before the girls and having my coffee. It feels good to treat myself like I am important! Because I am! And so are YOU!
Recently we bought a juicer. We got the Jack LaLaine Power Juicer www.powerjuicer.com I have been hearing of the great health benefits and thought we would give it a try. So far, so good! The girls like to pick out their fruits and veggies for the juice.
We have been working on potty training the girls and I have to say they are going quite well! I really believe in positive reinforcement! Once I told Tori that daddy would be happy if she didn't wet her panties she has only had one accident. They are growing up so fast! Trista is quite the little singer. They are a big help with TJ.
I am taking a break from sewing right now. I was getting burnt out from spending hours and the sewing machine not spending time with the girls and not making any money. I still have my things online at www.kuddlebugzthreadz.etsy.com I have taken on a new adventure! I have become an Independent Avon Sales Representative. In other words....I am the AVON Lady! I am really enjoying it! Trying to not spend too much money myself...that is the hard part! Even the girls are picking out things that they want. They are too cute!
I hope you are all enjoying the start to 2009! Feel free to call us or drop us a line!
907-374-7078
P.O. Box 58683
Fairbanks, AK 99711
Wow, it is hard to believe that it is now 2009. The holidays just flew by! The girls really enjoyed Christmas this year. I made gingerbread and sugar cookies with them. They had a blast decorating them! I had the girls each wrap a present for each other. I told Trista to not tell Tori what she was getting, but as soon as Trista ran to the living room she said "Tori, it's sweat pant." Kids are just too cute! The had to help everyone open gifts! TJ was a great sport. He just sat in between the girls and watched!
TJ had his 4 month check-up a few weeks ago. He is now 15 pounds 13 ounces and 23 inches long. We also had the girls weighted and measured. Tori is 24.7 pounds and Trista is 25.2 pounds. They are both 33 inches tall.
The girls had been having fun learning to sing their "ABC's" and "Jesus' loves Me". Trista really gets into her singing! Tori is so cute, she will lift her hands when she sings and says she is "church singing." They love to practice jumping and trying to do summersaults. Tori really enjoys sitting with TJ on his blanket and playing with him. Trista likes to have "story-time". She will read to her baby or TJ!
We have been working on potty-training. For the most part, I would have to say it has been a success. Tori is able to stay dry during naps now and she cries when we put a diaper on her for bed time! Trista is not wanting to wear her "big girl panties" all the time. So I am trying not to push her. I figure when she is ready she will let me know! At least we are using less diapers already!
TJ is starting to get mobile! The other night he was playing on his blanket laying on his back. He was carrying on and Trista came to me and asked "what is TJ doing?" I looked at him and he was off his blanket heading down the hallway! She said he wanted to come play with them! He is such a screamer! It doesn't matter if he is happy or mad! He is just loud! And he thinks it if funny!
Hopefully, I can keep this updated a little better. I will be adding more pictures soon! Have a great day!
What a busy year this has been! It is hard to believe that it will soon be the start of another! Our year started out with a surprise! We found out that we were going to have another baby! Our precious little boy, Timothy James, Jr. was born August 28, 2008. He was 8 lbs. 15 oz. and 21 ½ inches long.
In April we moved into Fairbanks (we were living out in North Pole). It was not much fun to be moving while dealing with morning sickness and two sick kids. It seemed like someone was always sick in our house for a few months! But now I am happy to say that everyone is healthy! It is nice to be in town. We have a big fenced in back yard which allows the girls to get out and run around. We even put up the tent one night and had a camp out in the back yard! We walked to the park several days. The girls love the slides. Tori loves to be on the swings, but Trista isn’t too sure about them.
In June we went on vacation to Washington to visit family. The girls had their first camping experience at Lake Wenatchee. They enjoyed playing by the water and just getting dirty! Tori had her first canoe ride with Daddy and Grandpa Stoothoff! Trista wanted to stay on the beach and just watch! I think the girls had a lot of fun playing with cousins this year!
When we got home from vacation I was trying to get ready for the baby. I was busy sewing to get a good inventory for the fall craft fairs. Tim played on the church softball team this year, so we were busy going to games. The girls loved to go and play in the dirt! They definitely are not afraid of mud! We had plans to go on a camping trip in August, but it was pouring rain so we cancelled it. Instead, we went drove up north one day to do some blueberry picking. The girls had so much fun picking their own blueberries! Whenever we use some of the berries they always tell us that they picked them. But I am not sure how many of their berries made it into the bowls! I think they ate most of them when we were out there!
Finally on August 28th TJ was born! At first the girls were not too sure about him. They thought he cried a lot! But now they like to hug, hold, and kiss him! He is growing so much. Now I understand why everyone would say the girls were so small! He is 3 months old and wearing 6-9 month clothes! At his 2 month check-up he was 13 pounds. It won’t be long before he catches the girls! I think they are only about 25 pounds. He has started to roll over some. He loves his swing and attention at all times!
Tori and Trista are now 2 ½ years old. They are so busy all day doing something! They both love to help in the kitchen, or should I say play in the kitchen while I am cooking. Trista loves to help fold and put laundry away. She is a Momma’s girl. Tori is Daddy’s little girl! When she is sick or hurt and he is at work all she wants is her Daddy to come home and hold her. They love to “make” us food in the kitchen. Usually it is cookies! They both love to sing and dance! They are so entertaining. Never a dull moment in our house, that is for sure! They know their colors and have been working on counting and ABC’s. I plan to start doing some preschool work with them after the holidays.
I have started a web page to keep everyone updated on the happenings from Alaska. If you send me your email address I can add you to the list so you will get updates sent to you when I add any thing to the page. Here is my email address
toniannanderson@hotmail.com and the website is www.tntstoothoff.shutterfly.com I try to keep new pictures of the kids on there! Also, check out my sewing things at www.KuddleBugzThreadz.etsy.com.We wish you all Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Love, Tim Toni Tori Trista & TJ
I have been busy making new items for my shop! I did a Bazaar a few weekends ago and things went great! I am doing another one Thanksgiving weekend. Please stop by my shop or blog to see my latest creations! www.KuddleBugzThreadz.etsy.com or www.KuddleBugzThreadz.blogspot.com
Thanks everyone!
Wow, what a very month it has been! Sorry, it has been so long since I last updated the site. It seems like we have been very busy with the kiddos lately. The girls are adjusting quite well to having TJ around now. As you can tell in some of the pictures they actually want to hold him and kiss him! TJ is growing like crazy! Last week he was 12 pounds at 7 weeks old! He is growing out of most of his 0-3 clothes! It is so strange to have such a big baby! He is starting to be less fussy since we got the swing out. He enjoys being in there most of the day. He is a great sleeper at night! Lately he sleeps 6-7 1/2 hous straight! I know, I can't complain about him crying in the day since he lets me get sleep at night!
As for the rest of us...Tim has been busy doing an EMT class, and I have been busy sewing! I just finished one craft fair and will be doing another in a month. I recently added baby slings to my line of gifts for mommy's! And soon nursing covers! I am excited about how things are going! I have been taking special orders also for booties and diaper bags. So, I have been learning to manage my time much better this time around! I have actually found time to work out too!
The girls are so active this day and SO talkative! Their favorite thing to ask is "what are you doing Mommy?" I think I hear this about 100 times a day! And when Tim is at work, the girls will talk to him on the phone and ask him the same thing! They love to help me cook and set the table. They are great little helpers! (on most days...I mean they are 2) They love going to church so they can go to their Sunday school class. They go out half way through the service (Tim takes them up to their class) and they say "bye-bye Mommy" and away they go to class. When we get home they ask if they can go back to class!
Well, I had better get the girls up from their nap and finish up the laundry and get dinner for the munchins! We would love to hear from you!
Sending our love!
The T's
Yep, that is right! We had our first bits of the white flakes today! Not enough to stick to the ground but I did see the snowflakes falling! The girls kept saying they wanted to see the snow! I hope you all are enjoying for FALL as we are at the start of WINTER!!!
Wow, how time flies! I can't believe it has been a month since TJ was born. I am so blessed to have been able to spend all that time with him AT HOME!!! It has been so different than with the girls. They were in the hospital for 20 days whereas TJ was in the hospital for only 20 hours! The bonding is totally different!
TJ is such a joy to have in our lives! He is such an active little guy. And VERY loud! He only fusses when he is hungry or when he wants Mommy and he lets us know! I am glad that he isn't a twin because I would be deaf! He has a very strong neck for such a little guy. He is doing great at holding his head up! I had him on the floor one day and he actually rolled over 3 times! He is growing like crazy! He was weighed 4 days ago and he was 9 pounds 9 ounces. He has his one month check up on Wednesday so we will see how big he is then! He is already out growing some of his clothes! Such a different experience this time around!
The girls are still adjusting to having a baby in the house. At times they love to be my helper, but at other times they just want my full attention, which usually happens when I am feeding TJ. They both enjoy holding and kissing him. It is fun to see them nurture their baby dolls as well. I have let them use some of TJ's clothes and diapers for their dolls. They think that is the best!
Tim is still home with me, which has been a HUGE help! He has done so much for me! I just can't thank him enough! I honestly don't think I have done any laundry since TJ was born. Or much house work at all! He has been helping the girls when they need it as well. Marilyn, you taught him well! He goes back to work on Friday, which I am getting a bit nervous about. I am thankful that I made myself a baby wrap so I can carry TJ around and still do things with the girls. Hopefully that will help with his crying when it is just the kids and I at home.
Thanks to all of you who have sent cards or gifts! We truly appreciate it!
I will hopefully keep you all updated on the happenings from up north!
Timothy James aka TJ was born 8/28/08 at 6:35pm. He was 8lbs 15oz and 21 1/2 inches long. We were able to take him home yesterday, so he was only 20 hours old! We are doing great, but tired and sore. I will post more pictures later. Please feel free to call or stop by! 907-374-7078
Toni and family
Okay, so I finally got around to taking some beautiful pictures of my belly! I thought I had better get some taken before the little one decides to enter the world! The girls normally love to hug and kiss the baby, but were a little stuborn at picture time! I also just got a new hair cut! I am so excited...I actually like it!
I had a doctor visit today and she said maybe in a week or two the baby may be born! Yikes, I said! I am not ready. I still have to organize the clothes, blankets, get the craddle and car seat out! So, when the girls and I got home today we hung up the baby clothes and washed the blankets. I feel much more prepared now...I just need to start thinking about what to put in my hospital bag!
Yep, it is FAIR time again! Hard to believe that...it seems like the snow was just here and we were awaiting the summer! However, the summer hasn't necessarily been much of a summer! People are saying this is the rainiest summer in 4 years! And I can believe it! It feels like we are in Kodiak!
So, we took the girls out to the fair. It was a bit overcasty and it did sprinkle on us a bit. We found some yummy treats to eat and Tim took the girls on a few rides. Trista was not so sure about the rides, but Tori had much more fun! There were a few animal barns for us to see, too. The girls enjoyed seeing all the different animals!
Hope you enjoy the photos from the day at the fair!
I am starting something new with KuddleBugz Threadz! I am going to be running a contest every month so you have a chance to win something great! The contest will be run on my blog. To enter all you need to do is leave a comment on my blog! Come check it out! Good luck and thanks for your support! ~Toni
http://kuddlebugzthreadz.blogspot.com/2008/08/august-giveaway.html
Wow, what a crazy summer it has been! I had these great plans for the girls and I to be outside, but the weather has had a different plan. Before we went on vacation we did have some nice sunny days and we tried to take advantage of them. We would take the girls on walks to the park or just play in the back yard. However, since we have been back from Washington I don't think we have had a nice day yet! The temperature has been chilly...mostly in the 50's. Today, it is only 48 degrees! And it has been very gloomy...rain, cloudy, and windy! I didn't like we were still living in Kodiak, but maybe I was wrong!
The leaves have already started to change colors and fall off! I know it seems so early, but they say we get frost in August! And then snow in September! Watch out Jenn and Amanda, you might get to see some snow up here!
Maybe this gloomy, yucky weather means we will have a nice winter! Or at least it is wishful thinking. One thing good about winter is that it is usually sunny everyday! For at least the 3 hours of daylight we get!
So you would think that with the weather keeping us inside, I would be all ready for the baby to arrive. Well, I found the baby clothes the other day, but still have not washed them. I was surprised to see how much stuff I got rid of! We will be needing some sleepers and such for the baby! I have been trying to get a good inventory of KuddleBugz things before the baby arrives. I plan on doing 2 craft fairs this fall, so I would like to have most of my sewing done before baby comes.
Well, the girls and I are off to my doctor's appointment this afternoon and then to Wal-Mart to work on the baby registry, and Tim is busy working! We would love to hear from all of you! Drop us a line any time! toniannanderson@hotmail.com or stootwheat@hotmail.com
So, now that we have are home from vacation and back from Anchorage things have been pretty quiet around here. Tim has had a few softball games, which I have added some new pictures to the Softball Album. We took the girls to a parade last weekend. It was for Golden Days! The girls did okay, the loud noises scare them some. However, once they realized they could get candy things changed!
The weather hasn't been all that great this summer, so we haven't done as much as I would like. My plan was to take regular walks with the girls to the park, but it has been rainy most days. We did take the girls swimming at the pool again the other day. They did much better than the first time we went!
I have been busy working on KuddleBugz stuff. My plan is to have a good inventory before the baby comes for the upcoming craft fairs. I started making diaper bags, both large and mini ones! Please stop by to check out my shop!
Other than that we are just busy hanging out with the girls and anxiously waiting for the arrival of our new bundle of joy! For those of you who were wondering we are registered at both Wal-Mart and Target!
Once again we were able to travel to Yakima, Washington to visit family. Days before we left we were telling the girls we were going to fly on an airplane to go to Grandma and Grandpa's. They couldn't wait to ride on the airplane! Once we were on Trista was so concerned because she wasn't buckled up! I thought that was pretty cute. She did get scared on the take off, but other than that they did great.
The annual Family Camp-out was Friday through Sunday at Lake Wenatchee. It was very hot for us and the bugs were terrible. So we were lathered up with sunscreen and bug spray! We went swimming a few times at the lake and went for walks with our new stroller! When we were on our walk we saw a deer laying in the woods. We made smores one night, but it was strange for me to be making them in the DARK! I am so used to having light into the wee hours of the night. The girls enjoyed playing with their cousins and having Grandma's Cookies!
The remainder of the trip was more relaxed. We did go up to Moses Lake to the Water Park one day. I am not sure who had more fun, the girls or Tim! We all had a great time. The girls played on the little kid water slides and eventually really got into swimming. Tim went on the big slides and the surf wall. All of us went on the Lazy River a few times. That was fun, but difficult for a pregnant lady to get in and out of the inner tube! I am sure a few people had some laughs!
One evening we went over to Everet, Washington for a wedding for a family friend with Mom and Dad Stoothoff. Tim was able to see a few old friends he hasn't seen in years. They girls were good on the drive except for the fact that Tori wanted to be with her Daddy all the time. She is definately a Daddy's girl! I am so proud of the way Tim interacts with both of them!
On the 4th of July we celebrated Jonas's Birthday. We went to the arcade to play a few games, went on go-carts, and bumper boats. I was the photographer. Trista wanted to ride the go-carts with Tim and she had a blast! They came in 2nd place! Then Tori went on the bumper boats with Tim. And boy did they get wet! That evening we went to see fireworks with a some friends.
Our trip was shorter than usual, but we had a great time! We are looking forward to seeing family again! You know you are all welcome to come visit us too!
So, we thought we would test the waters to see how the girls would do in the tent! Well, needless to say they slept better than us. We finally got everything set up around 11 pm then we came in for desert. Yeah, I know that is pretty late for desert, but the girls got ice cream from the ice cream truck and we had some left over pie from Father's Day. Once we were in the tent, the girls thought it was so much fun! We even had a robin land on the top of our tent! They were all over the place. I was about to pass out from exhaustion! Tim finally came in the house and got the girls some books to read. At last, they were getting sleepy! It did rain on us during the night, but we didn't get wet inside the tent. Tori's coughing and the dozen of trains that went by, kept Tim up all night! I was so tired I didn't even hear Tori coughing. The girls finally woke up around 10:30.
We decided to take them swimming that day too! We went to the pool on base. The girls we not too sure about it at first, but after a little while Trista was having fun being a "motor boat" and kicking! We helped them jump off the side into the water and they thought that was funny. They got to watch Daddy dive off the high dive and Mommy swim a few laps. Overall, we had a great day, but we were all exhausted! We all fell asleep early that night!
Not sure if you heard or not, but on Friday I had a regular Dr. appointment. But it wasn't so regular. I only saw the nurse practitioner that day since my dr was at the hospital. I have been experiencing some contractions already so she checked me...and the nurse said I was dialated to 1 cm already. Which isn't good since I am only 27 weeks! So she sent me to the hospital to be monitored. I was there for about 4 hours. They said that they baby seems very healthy and that I wasn't having contractions then so they sent me home. Today, I went to see my regular Dr. she said everything looks fine. But I need to be sure to DRINK my WATER! I have been not so good about that this time! So Tim and the girls keep telling me to drink!
Thank you for your prayers! I was scared driving over to the hospital, not knowing what to expect. But God is good and everything is how is should be! My next appointment is on June 25th before we leave.
Wow, has this been the year for the girls to have colds or what! It seems like I always have a sick little girl to tend to! It seems like they are catching something from the nursery at church. I did call the nurse and she said that during the toddler years, after you stop nursing, a child is sick around 8 to 10 times that year. So, I guess we are on track! With having 2 toddlers they pass it back and forth and on to mommy and daddy! I am keeping my fingers crossed that the we are over the "sickness" phase when the baby arrives! Just thinking about being up with a newborn and 2 sick toddlers makes me tired! :)
Trista seems to be much better. She still has a runny nose and a cough, but she is playing more. Tori is still struggling some with a runny nose and a terrible cough! Sleeping has been difficult for all of us. Your prayers are much appreciated!
Memorial Day, a time to spend with friends and family and to remember those who have gone on ahead of us. Many celebrate with picinics, BBQ's, or perhaps doing yard work! I (Toni) remember spending Memorial Day at the lake. It was usually the first time we would go water skiing for the year! Things are not quite like that up in Alaska!
This year Tim had to work on Memorial Day. The Firehouse had a BBQ for the families, so the girls and I went out there for the festivities. The weather was a bit on the chilly side, but that didn't keep the girls from wanting to go outside to ride bike, play with the other kids, and to pick dandelions. As you can tell from some of the pictures, they had fun picking and "smelling" the flowers! They had yellow all over their face! Overall, it was a good day!
Pictures: Tori is in the pink jacket, Trista in purple.
We have uploaded some pictures from the girls baby dedication! We also have a video of if you would like to see that, I think I should be able to email that to you! The girls were given hand-made blankets from the church. They love their new "duck" blankets!
So the weather has finally started to get nice here. Or should I say warmer, we have had a few overcast days with a few sprinkles here and there. But we really need the rain! I have been trying to take the girls to the park at least once a week. I would like to go more, but I have been busy sewing. I have had some wholesale orders! I am so thankful for that! The park that we go to is about 1 1/2 miles from our house. So, it is a nice walk. The girls love going for walks and looking for puppies, cho-cho trains, and owls! Trista loves to see the plastic owls in peoples yards.
I am going to try my "green thumb" this summer! Tori, Trista, and I went to Fred Meyers the other day and got some plants and flowers. I got some tomatoe plants, pepper plants, strawberries, and a variety of flowers. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the girls don't just pick all the flowers! We also have some raspberry bushes in our backyard!