We are in the Potty Chair Phase!!

Sophie, our little 21 month old, has entered a new phase....THE POTTY CHAIR PHASE! Those of you who are parents know the excitement of this phase. Not only does this mean she is growing up but it means no more buying those expensive diapers!! Yesterday she came running into our family room while we were playing the Wii telling us she needed to go potty. Of course we rushed her to the bathroom to sit on her potty chair and what do you know....she really did have to go to the bathroom. We all applauded and screamed with excitement! We are so proud of her!!

A Merry Hoagland Christmas!!

Well, Santa came to the Hoagland household bringing lots of wonderful surprises. He brought roller skates for each of us, an MP3 Player for Gracie and a new dolly and high chair for Sophie. It's so fun watching the kids go over all their gifts. I love the way Sophie gasps everytime she opens a gift from us or sees something Santa brought. However, as I go over all the presents from Christmas the best gift of all has been the Wii. We can't stop playing. Even Gracie is hooked!! It's almost an addiction. Opps, it looks like I'm up to bowl. Gotta Go!

My Motto for Christmas!

Those Dreaded Words

Yesterday, I got a phone call at work from Karen at Sophie's daycare with those dreaded words, "We have a problem....". Yip, every parent dreads those words. Karen informed me that they were having problems keeping Sophie awake at school and that she was running a fever of 101. Oh...and she was vomiting. LOVELY! Quickly I contacted my family to go and rescue her. While they were enroute to the daycare I contacted the pediatrician on-call. They agreed to see her and good thing because her fever had shot up to 104 degrees. The diagnosis......a double ear infection. The doctor sent my parents home with a heavy-duty antibiotic and recommened lots of Tylenol and Motrin. Hopefully we got the medicine in time so that she can have a holly jolly Christmas! I will keep you posted.

The Baker Family Christmas Party

Another Christmas tradition our family has is getting together with my mom's side of the family. Usually my mom hosts the party with all my cousins and their children at her house, however, this year it was hosted by my grandma at Mounds Park in their Pavillion . What can I say....it was a BLAST!! My brother-in-law is a DJ on the side so he set up his equipment and we rocked the night away. He played everything from the Cha Cha Slide and Electric Slide to Bing Crosby singing White Christmas. It was so much fun seeing all the kids, as well as the adults dancing and singing. How many families do you know that all get up and do the Electric Slide? Thanks Grandma....we look forward to doing this next year!!

A Christmas Tradition!

Back when my family lived in Mustin Manor we lived next door to the Norris clan. Our families lived next to each other on Roby Drive for 28 years until both families moved away. Years ago we started the tradition of spending a night together celebrating Christmas. I have such fond memories of this tradition. Each year the other neighbor would host the party. This year it was the Norris' turn. As usual Shelia tempted us with tasty treats like Christmas Wreaths (which my sister loves), Buckeyes, Cherry Cobbler and Fudge! As I looked around the room and saw everyone sitting together, talking and laughing it was like we just started where we left off......on Roby Drive! All of us being together just makes me realize how much I really do miss the old house.

We Are Finally Online!!

After noticing everyone else had a blog online, I finally decided it was time for us to join the pack!! I will be posting updates shortly. I thought I was doing well just getting this far...ha! Have a great weekend everyone!