Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
One on one time
Laney has been a little out of sorts the past week or so (aka very grumpy and rather whiny). Ella and Laney have been picking at each other constantly, making the days drag on. I thought maybe Laney was in need of some good ol' one-on-one time to help get her out of her funk. I know I personally needed to spend time with just her in order to regroup and focus on the many personality traits I love about her.
Connor Prairie was the ticket! Although we have lived here 7 1/2 years, we had never been to CP until this past winter when the Willetts were nice enough to buy us a membership. We have used the indoor play area a few times and although we have enjoyed that area, I couldn't wait for the outdoor exhibits to open. Since it was raining today, I figured we would just play inside but when it stopped raining for a few minutes, we were able to go exploring outside. We only visited the barn and the old Connor House but it was nice to see some of the outside exhibits. I know this summer we will have many great outings there.
Laney and the sheep
Every girl needs to carry her purse, right?
Two day old, Polly
We were the only ones outside so any animal Laney wanted to pet or hold she was allowed to. Of course she said she wanted to see a puppy but alas, just good ol' farm animals were around. The CP staff were so energetic and excited to have the outside facilities open for the season.
The two week old baby chic
They had an exhibit outside where Laney could turn the wheel and make all kinds of things move (the train, balloon, ship, wagon). It was great!
Laney asked me to pose by the fake dog.
Anything for you Lane!
You know how we love the hot air balloons around here so Laney was excited to see the Connor Prairie balloon up close. Since we live across the street from CP seeing the balloon is an almost daily occurrence; I am thinking we will need to take a ride in it this summer.
This is the look she gave the guy we bought the cookies from.
Laney decided it was nap time
She was making silly snoring faces.
Connor Prairie was the ticket! Although we have lived here 7 1/2 years, we had never been to CP until this past winter when the Willetts were nice enough to buy us a membership. We have used the indoor play area a few times and although we have enjoyed that area, I couldn't wait for the outdoor exhibits to open. Since it was raining today, I figured we would just play inside but when it stopped raining for a few minutes, we were able to go exploring outside. We only visited the barn and the old Connor House but it was nice to see some of the outside exhibits. I know this summer we will have many great outings there.
Laney and the sheep
Every girl needs to carry her purse, right?
Two day old, Polly
We were the only ones outside so any animal Laney wanted to pet or hold she was allowed to. Of course she said she wanted to see a puppy but alas, just good ol' farm animals were around. The CP staff were so energetic and excited to have the outside facilities open for the season.
The two week old baby chic
They had an exhibit outside where Laney could turn the wheel and make all kinds of things move (the train, balloon, ship, wagon). It was great!
Laney asked me to pose by the fake dog.
Anything for you Lane!
You know how we love the hot air balloons around here so Laney was excited to see the Connor Prairie balloon up close. Since we live across the street from CP seeing the balloon is an almost daily occurrence; I am thinking we will need to take a ride in it this summer.
This is the look she gave the guy we bought the cookies from.
Laney decided it was nap time
She was making silly snoring faces.
Thanks for a great time, Laney! Although it was rainy, it did not rain on our parade.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Matthew is 9 months
On Monday Matthew turned 9 months and on Wednesday, we saw the pediatrician. His weight is 18# 6 oz (20th percentile) and height is 28 1/4 "(50th percentile). Although I have loved the girls being bigger babies and in general our country wants larger babies, I truly love having a smaller guy (he is so much easier to carry and my back thanks Matthew). Because he is thinner, I feel it has led him to be more mobile than some of the bigger babies (aka Ella and Laney). He sat up at 5 1/2 months, crawled at 6 months and pulls up like crazy these days.
There were no health concerns from the MDs point of view and was happy with Matthew's continued growth and development.
The next few pictures I entitled, "where oh where is the food hiding?" Sometimes my back up camera works great (like at the water park) and sometimes it disappoints (these pictures case and point). I need to walk the 5 extra steps and get the better camera out for these funny moments.
Loving cereal
Almost in my hair
My personal favorite: notice the Cheerio on his head?
Happy 9 months, Matthew!!!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Our second annual trip to the Great Wolf Lodge
This past weekend was our second trip to the Great Wolf Lodge in Cincinnati with our neighbors, the Powells. Last year, the girls had a blast but I was excited to see what an extra year of growth would do for their excitement level. The girls did not disappoint. We got there Saturday morning and Ella and Jason hit the big slides right away. Ella did every single slide other than the one she was too short for. She road the ones requiring inner tubes, ones where you went down on your back, others on your bottom and the large family inner tube water slide. Laney did just as much and other than the big splash at the bottom of the water slides, enjoyed them all.
Ella and Carly were inseparable. They went on every ride together and enjoyed shifting their time from the Powells to us (and honestly, it was great when they were with the Powells. Having one kid was a piece of cake) :) Thanks for being Ella's adoptive parents (she loves you guys!).
The girls were off!
My dream house will have a lazy river around it.
Wouldn't that be divine?
Lilly pad time
While talking to Jen, I had turned my back to Laney and the lilly pads. She was standing in line with all the bigger kids "demanding" she was big enough to go on it. I didn't think she could as she couldn't even reach the rope but in true Laney fashion, she proved me wrong. She crawled from slippery thing to slippery thing and smiled the whole time.
Told you so, Mom!
My best friend from high school, Karen, was able to join us with her husband and two boys. They live about 5 minutes down the road from the Lodge but had not been there yet so I was incredibly excited when she said they could come.
Jack wasn't much for the water (ok, he wouldn't even get in) but here he was helping the girls out with there inner tubes.
Time for a towel break: Carly, Laney & Ella
During one of Laney's snits. What was this one for?
Well, she had just finished an inner tube ride with Jason, and we were waiting for Ella and the Powells to come down the family water slide (where up to 5 people can sit in one large inner tube--one of my favorite rides). As they came down the slide, you could see Jack was crying. As he got out of the inner tube, Laney started crying. I asked her what was wrong and she said "I don't like Jack anymore. He cried!" Wow, I guess real men don't cry, right Laney? She is feisty!
Troy, Carly and Ella
Betty, Jason, Laney & Stan
Brennan going down the slide. For just turning 2, he was rockin' the slides. He did a great job.
The blogger and JP
Carly looking ever so cute in her life vest.
This is the last picture I got of her top tooth
as she lost it 2 days later.
Love the tongue, Laney :)
Smiles with Nana
Scott, Karen, Brennan, and Hayden Pirk
Thanks for joining us and hopefully the Pirks can join us next year!
She always wanted to make sure that daddy was at the end of the water slide to catch her.
Ella coming down the slide
I love this picture! Jen took the three girls up to the top of the slide but she obviously had to get down. So she took the water slide but when sitting up she didn't get enough speed and actually got stuck. It was hysterical seeing Jen just
run down the water slide.
Although I had to twist their arms (HA!), my mom and dad watched Matthew so we could take just the girls to the water park. Although he woke up once in the middle of the night for a bottle (what's that all about MJ?), all in all he did a great job.
He is into everything, which my mom quickly found out :)
Thanks, Mom and Dad, for watching Matthew! What a relief to not have to worry about him at the water park. Also thanks to Stan and Bettye for joining us at the water park and getting us a great deal on the room!
Can't wait until next year.
Ella and Carly were inseparable. They went on every ride together and enjoyed shifting their time from the Powells to us (and honestly, it was great when they were with the Powells. Having one kid was a piece of cake) :) Thanks for being Ella's adoptive parents (she loves you guys!).
The girls were off!
My dream house will have a lazy river around it.
Wouldn't that be divine?
Lilly pad time
While talking to Jen, I had turned my back to Laney and the lilly pads. She was standing in line with all the bigger kids "demanding" she was big enough to go on it. I didn't think she could as she couldn't even reach the rope but in true Laney fashion, she proved me wrong. She crawled from slippery thing to slippery thing and smiled the whole time.
Told you so, Mom!
My best friend from high school, Karen, was able to join us with her husband and two boys. They live about 5 minutes down the road from the Lodge but had not been there yet so I was incredibly excited when she said they could come.
Jack wasn't much for the water (ok, he wouldn't even get in) but here he was helping the girls out with there inner tubes.
Time for a towel break: Carly, Laney & Ella
During one of Laney's snits. What was this one for?
Well, she had just finished an inner tube ride with Jason, and we were waiting for Ella and the Powells to come down the family water slide (where up to 5 people can sit in one large inner tube--one of my favorite rides). As they came down the slide, you could see Jack was crying. As he got out of the inner tube, Laney started crying. I asked her what was wrong and she said "I don't like Jack anymore. He cried!" Wow, I guess real men don't cry, right Laney? She is feisty!
Troy, Carly and Ella
Betty, Jason, Laney & Stan
Brennan going down the slide. For just turning 2, he was rockin' the slides. He did a great job.
The blogger and JP
Carly looking ever so cute in her life vest.
This is the last picture I got of her top tooth
as she lost it 2 days later.
Love the tongue, Laney :)
Smiles with Nana
Scott, Karen, Brennan, and Hayden Pirk
Thanks for joining us and hopefully the Pirks can join us next year!
She always wanted to make sure that daddy was at the end of the water slide to catch her.
Ella coming down the slide
I love this picture! Jen took the three girls up to the top of the slide but she obviously had to get down. So she took the water slide but when sitting up she didn't get enough speed and actually got stuck. It was hysterical seeing Jen just
run down the water slide.
Although I had to twist their arms (HA!), my mom and dad watched Matthew so we could take just the girls to the water park. Although he woke up once in the middle of the night for a bottle (what's that all about MJ?), all in all he did a great job.
He is into everything, which my mom quickly found out :)
Can't wait until next year.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
The tooth fairy has been here!
Ella's front two bottom teeth have been loose for at least 6 weeks, and she has been anxiously awaiting for them to fall out. Well, last night during dinner she got her wish. As she was eating a raw carrot, she said "ouch, my tooth really hurts." It started bleeding and then it wiggled right out. Yay, the tooth fairy is coming!
The tooth is so small! I hope the tooth fairy doesn't lose it.
The fairy dust the tooth fairy left.
Ella was excited to see the tooth fairy's path from
the window sill to her pillow.
My mom found the most adorable tooth fairy birds for all three of the kids. Ella picked the pink color (surprise, right?). I have never seen a tooth fairy bird but it fit her tooth perfectly :) Thanks, Mom!
Ella got 3 -$1 gold coins, patterns for her beads,
and the book below
When Laney woke up this morning and saw what the tooth fairy brought Ella, her tooth started to feel like it was loose too. Nice try Laney, I am on to you :)
The tooth is so small! I hope the tooth fairy doesn't lose it.
The fairy dust the tooth fairy left.
Ella was excited to see the tooth fairy's path from
the window sill to her pillow.
My mom found the most adorable tooth fairy birds for all three of the kids. Ella picked the pink color (surprise, right?). I have never seen a tooth fairy bird but it fit her tooth perfectly :) Thanks, Mom!
Ella got 3 -$1 gold coins, patterns for her beads,
and the book below
When Laney woke up this morning and saw what the tooth fairy brought Ella, her tooth started to feel like it was loose too. Nice try Laney, I am on to you :)
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
A typical morning
Matthew is everywhere! Whenever I am in the kitchen, he is too. He is in the cabinet pulling out things to cook with (his favorite is mandarin oranges), he is at the side of the refrigerator pulling out the brown bags or he is in the refrigerator pulling out whatever is on the bottom shelf.
It sure makes breakfast, lunch and dinner time interesting!
I guess some secret recipe calls for tuna fish??
Or some Worcestershire sauce
It sure makes breakfast, lunch and dinner time interesting!
I guess some secret recipe calls for tuna fish??
Or some Worcestershire sauce
I know I am biased but really, isn't he adorable?
And now that he is sleeping 12 hours + at night
(yay, yay, yay!) we are all happier!
And now that he is sleeping 12 hours + at night
(yay, yay, yay!) we are all happier!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
A visit from a great friend!
One of my best friends from college, Liz, was able to visit with us this past weekend. If you are able to have a friend like Liz in your life, then you are very blessed. A friend who has seen you at your best, your worst, your happiest, your not so happiest and loves you through it all. She is a friend that you pick up with exactly where you left off and there are never awkward moments. Although she got maybe 5 hours of broken up sleep while she was here (errrrr, thanks Matthew) I hope she had half the fun we had. The girls loved having a new friend to play with and they affectionately named her "Uncle Liz". When we were eating lunch, Laney turned to me and said "where is Uncle Liz?" It was so funny the name stuck :)
I love that I got his fish face caught in the picture
Ella concentrating on making a necklace from a friends' birthday party earlier that day.
Thanks for some of the below pics, Liz!
Liz was so sweet to bring the kids some gifts. But seriously, what is cuter than a baby in a box?
The girls love, love, love playing Twister and were so excited that Aunt Liz was more than willing to play with them.
Exploring--what he does best!
This game on Liz's knees lasted a while. Great for the girls, but not so great for Liz's knees. The girls were loving it!
Having fun playing on Liz's lap
Liz has this fun feature on her Nikon where she can make a picture look like a drawing. I like that the above picture gives Laney Angelina Jolie lips :)
We had built up quite an appetite with all this playing.
Glad Laney was making us some lunch.
Liz and Matthew
I love that I got his fish face caught in the picture
Ella concentrating on making a necklace from a friends' birthday party earlier that day.
Thanks for some of the below pics, Liz!
Liz was so sweet to bring the kids some gifts. But seriously, what is cuter than a baby in a box?
The girls love, love, love playing Twister and were so excited that Aunt Liz was more than willing to play with them.
Exploring--what he does best!
This game on Liz's knees lasted a while. Great for the girls, but not so great for Liz's knees. The girls were loving it!
Having fun playing on Liz's lap
Liz has this fun feature on her Nikon where she can make a picture look like a drawing. I like that the above picture gives Laney Angelina Jolie lips :)
We had built up quite an appetite with all this playing.
Glad Laney was making us some lunch.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)