"The Wheels on the Bus"

Oh what a fun day we had today! The one morning the boys decide they might actually sleep past 7:00 was the one morning we had plans at 9:00 and had to wake them up to get ready! We went to the St. Paul Children's Museum where we met Chloe and her parents. We took Blake a year ago, but this was Chloe and Luke's first time there. We had such a good time we all bought annual passes...it pays for itself with just 3 visits. And note to other parents of small children...Sunday mornings at 9:00 (right when they open) is PERFECT!

There were so many fun moments to capture. They both loved driving and riding on the bus that was in the little village section. They also enjoyed delivering mail, being in a music video at the recording studio, shopping (and working) at the grocery store, and cooking at the restaurant. The water activities were a hit, as was "Ball-o-rama", the nature area and the pretend factory. There was so much to do and we can't wait to go back. I think one of the funniest moments at the museum was when we were in the water area and the intercom came on to announce that Story Time was about to begin...Blake ducked down and started looking around at the ceiling with this look of absolute amazement. He had no idea where the voice was coming from! It was hysterical!

After the museum we went to lunch at Cosetta's - an authentic Italian restaurant/grocery. A funny thing happened while we were waiting for food...Chloe has this little lion she carries with her and today she also brought a little stuffed bear that Blake was playing with. So she was taking "Lion" and making it kiss Blake on the cheek, but every time she did it he would take the Bear and growl at her. It was so cute and went on at least a dozen times. I guess gender roles form very early!

After we got home I asked Blake what the best part about the day was. I was sure he would say the bus, but his response was "Chloe." And if that wasn't a melt your heart moment, I asked him what his second favorite part of the day was, again assuming the bus was going to be his answer, and he responded "Daddy." I told you he was a Daddy's boy! That won him brownie points for a few days I'm sure!

Counting Our Blessings

We have so much to be thankful for this year...our cup definitely "runneth over" with chubby cheeks, smiles and laughter!

We are so blessed to have welcomed another beautiful, bouncing, baby boy into our lives. I did not add "healthy" to that description, because he is yet again under the weather with a double ear infection. But that's okay, because he is so perfect in every other way. His little belly laugh and huge grin can make you smile at all hours of the day! We call him the "cat napper" because he takes all of these really short naps during the day, but at night he will sleep like a champ (most of the time). We have discovered that he has 2 moods, really happy or REALLY MAD! As much as they look alike, he and Blake are definitely 2 different little boys. It will be so much fun to continue to watch him change and see his personality come through.

Blake has had a great year too. He is changing everyday and getting so smart. He knows everything we say now which is dangerous! He "read" his first book to me last night. Which basically means I have now read this book so many times that his little 2 1/2 year old brain has finally memorized it and he can now recite it to me using just the pictures. He loves to sing, dance, wear our shoes and read. He is doing great in school and enjoys getting to see his buddies every day. Oh and he is 100% a Daddy's boy!

We are definitely thankful to have each other too. I can't imagine this life without the support that each of us provide to each other. We have a whole new respect for parents with two or more children!

And not to be forgotten we are thankful for our precious little Molly. She is always there to keep our feet warm at night! It's about the only contact she can get these days poor thing!

Flat Stanley...

came for a visit last week. My nephew Drew who lives in Indiana has been reading about Flat Stanley and thought it would be fun for Stanley to come to Minnesota for a visit. Here are some pics of Stanley during his stay.

PS - Drew, Stanley is on his way home and will be back in class next week!

What's better than turkey?

Oatmeal, if you are 4 months old! Luke had his first taste of some "real" food this week. On his first taste, he sort of liked it. Was a bit confused and didn't know what to do with his tongue. He only had a few spoonfuls before he was all done. It was funny to watch him practice using his tongue the rest of the day though.

Second taste, was a whole different story! I seemed to have forgotten that it's a good idea to introduce a new food to a baby when they are not STARVING! Boy, he was mad! So we got a few more spoonfuls in before we gave up for the day.

We'll keep trying though! It's hard to believe he has already ventured into the real food phase.

"Miracle on Ridgedale Drive"

Well it wasn't quite the same as the movie, but there was definitely a twinkle in this Kris Kringle's eyes that makes you wonder...

This was the first time we have taken either boy to meet Santa and as you can see he and Luke bonded immediately. It was so cute. Blake on the other hand had an indescribable look of fear on his face and clung to Kurt like super glue. Maybe you have to start the Santa thing earlier than 2 1/2. He did however have fun riding all the cars at the mall.

And I have to note a funny conversation Kurt and I were having the other day about Santa, but if you have children that can read you might want to cover their eyes.

So, we were discussing whether or not you wrap the "Santa" presents and how many the boys should get. I said "no and only 1", he said "yes and why just 1?" I said you can't have more than one because how do you explain to your children how Santa and his elves can wrap, fit into the sleigh and deliver all of those gifts in one night? Kurt's response, "is it any easier to explain how he can wrap and deliver 1 billion presents in one night versus 2 or 3 billion?" Point taken. :)

Luke's New Trick

Here it is! Don't blink...he's pretty fast!

Happy 4 Month Birthday Luke!

This was a big month for you in a lot of good and bad ways. You got your first report card and had your first parent/teacher conference at school (which you passed with flying colors)! You've had your first cold, double ear infection and stomach bug (and yes, thank you, Mommy has been as sick as a dog the last 3 days as a result). You are just a little jabber jaws and Mommy and Daddy get such a kick out of hearing you "talk." Your status as my champion sleeper has changed a bit as a result of your recent ailments, but I have no fear that someday you will reclaim the title.

And the biggest news yet...you rolled over for the first time on Sunday! Daddy got to see it first, which made me kind of sad, then I remembered that I saw Blake's first so now we're even. You look so cute when you do it...like you know you've done something really impressive (which it is by the way). So you have now mastered the front to back roll and I think the back to front isn't far off since you are pretty strong. I'll post a video of it in the next blog.

You have your 4 month check-up tomorrow so I will have to add your most recent stats to this post once I get them. More shots tomorrow - sorry I know they hurt, but know that we are only trying to ensure you live a long and healthy life. The controversial "thing" now a days is about whether or not to vaccinate. The alternative is far too risky from a health perspective in our opinion. And besides, Mommy and Daddy had all of our shots growing up, and we turned out just fine (though you might not agree in 16 years or so)!

Here's a clip of you laughing and smiling...Happy Birthday little L!

New Chair

Luke got a new chair today...the Bumbo! Just when you think you have everything you need for child rearing they introduce some new "gotta have it" item. They've been using one at school and they said Luke really likes it. So, call us suckered, but we shelled out the $50 for one at Target (we thought the one with the tray would come in handy once baby food starts). So here is little Luke in his new chair. Blake had to try it out too...to which he accurately proclaimed "I'm too big!"

Goose Egg...

Here is a picture of Blake's first goose egg. It's a little hard to see, but he has a knot and a bruise right square between the eyes. Poor little guy. Sadly to him, the story book Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed is now a biography.