Thanksgiving Memories

 The camera-evasive pilgrim.
Ha- I had the best time making these pilgrim hats for the boys & their cousins. 
Got the idea from the PBK catalog.  So the teacher side of me.

The itsy-bitsy pilgrim.

It was his 1st Thanksgiving!

Unlike his big brother, Colin had no issue with posing for some holiday pics.

Cuddles with Daddy.

Ethan joined us for his first thanksgiving feast- in the past he was conveniently sleeping away.

He loves cranberry sauce as much as his mommy!

Beary cute!

This was as good as a pic as I could get of these handsome brothers together.

Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving!

Colin is 7 Months Old!!

 Oh, Little Colin, Happy 7th Month!!!

 *At 7months you are not so little, you are still a growing giant:  25.4lbs, 30.5in+, about 115%+ for both weight and height.  Oh my, but your head is tiny (at least compared to your big brothers) in the 50%. You are done with 12mth clothing, and needing both 18month for tops and bottoms. I truly hope you'll wear them for a couple months.  But, I did have to get you a 24MONTH snowsuit. Your feet are keeping up, and already would fit in a size5 shoe.  What size will you wear when you do need your first pair?!?!  And, your tushie is in a size4 diaper, but could use a size5- Ha.

 *I just love this shirt on you.  EB wore it when he was the same age.  We only have it because it is our sweet friend's and she let us borrow it once again.

 *You are getting mobile, at least reaching/lunging while on your tushie, trying to sit up if you are laying down (finally getting an ab workout), wiggling around while I change your diaper.
*I don't think you'll crawl (at least if you are like EB), but you are also flopsie-wopsie when it comes to standing, so I don't see you going mobile for many, many months.  I feel like a physical therapist trying to get you to bare weight on those legs.
*You love the entertainer, as much as I do having a place for you to get some exercise and give my arms a break.

 Huck Finn, anyone?!?!!?    Ha.

I've just adored him in these 12mth PBK bibs the last couple months and thought they'd work for his month pic.  Mmmm, not so much (but I was too weeded to change him after I saw them hitch up his legs).  Obviously time to retire these cute things.

 * I love that you can now sit anywhere without falling over in a matter of minutes.  Unless, of course, big brother takes you out with his ever-so-often tackles.

 * You JUST started eating solids.  After Pedi's recommendation to really hold off on solids to at least 6mths, we finally gave you rice cereal.  You couldn't stand it (I don't blame you: nasty, bland food), and we held off on trying any other food.  Well you had your first veggie just the other day and looked at me like why didn't I give you the good stuff first.  Mmmm, yum.  Now you've had sweet potatoes, peaches, acorn squash, and oatmeal. 

* You're in love with tags right now. 

You'll just sit and stare at them, fumble them with your fingers, and suck on them. 

"Cheeeeeeese"

He won't let me get a single proper pic of him and Colin, but big brother tested his patience in waiting for me to finish with Colin's photo shoot, then plopped himself down right next to his baby brother.

I love it when I look in my rear-view mirror and see Ethan making funny faces at Colin, and hearing all the big and little laughter that ensues.  I adore when Ethan demands to give Colin a gentle 'happy' hug & kiss before his bedtimes.  It makes me so happy to have an extra pair of hands at home to pick up toys Colin drops on the floor or pushes too far out of his reach:  "Here you go, Ca-in".  I love that Ethan is incorporating/wanting Colin to play with him (cars, trains, blocks, etc), and that he knows which toys are okay for him, and which toys he needs/should keep away.  If he doesn't he comes to me and goes, "Ca-in okay??"  If I say, 'no', he'll repeat, "----  okay for E-ten, not okay for Ca-in".  You got it, bud.  It melts my heart when Ethan tackles Colin to the floor and I hear laughter, not tears, fill the room, and I know these boys will be best of friends, and that there's a reason why Colin is just growing so fast.

The Perfect Spot

I found the perfect place to hang our annual Christmas wreath from Aunt P.!!!!

Our front door just wouldn't look the same without it.  It brings me so much cheer.

Yes, a sneak peek how our house is coming along!



Our Big Boy...

Turned 2.5years old today!!!!!!  Happy 1/2 Birthday, E!  You are still Mommy's Little One.
Yes, I still called Daddy at work while I was driving home from the mall to remind him that our big boy was just about to turn 2.5years old in 36minutes. I can't believe that he is going to be 3 in six months.

Our THINGS!

 What could they be...

 ...but THING 1 and THING 2!!!!!!!  (from Cat-in-the-Hat)

They had this costume already picked out for them before C. was born ;)  And, the names stick- sometimes refer to them as such- Ha.

 Thing 2 reminded me of a Cabbage Patch Kid ;)

 A Special Treat!

Daddy got to join in on this year's Trick-or-Treat fun.

 Mommy & Thing 2.

He stayed awake for the first couple of houses, then fell fast asleep.

No, that's not the flash missing from this pic, but darkness setting in.

We were actually out for over an hour this year!  Ethan was having THE BEST OF TIMES and we just kept going until he was 'done'.

 Found these perfect match treat bags a few months back while we were vacationing in Wisconsin.

 These socks were also a perfect find.

Too cute.

 We enjoyed some pizza, treats and these cupcakes E. helped to decorate.

For all the candy he got, Thing 1 has managed to go another year without wanting candy.

(I'm putting off letting him have candy for three reasons: he's sweet enough, if he's anything like Mommy & Daddy he'll be a candy addict, and for the sake of his pearly whites- Ha.). 

He was also big into sharing this year- he gave candy back to people, and he collected a bag of candy for his cousin after he wanted to head home.  Way too sweet!  (Mommy & Daddy were very proud of him.)



**have a video, but having issues uploading it.  Hopefully have it uploaded soon.**

Double the Sweetness!

 Our good friends Liz & Chip are expecting their first child....  make that TWO!!!!  We are so incredibly thrilled for them because, after years of frustration and being there through both of our pregnancies, they are going to be having two beautiful baby girls!!!  Liz is a co-worker of B's, and along with some of the other managers, they threw a baby shower for the expectant couple, and I got to help decorate (all things 'girl').

The sweets.

Liz has a fetish with pirates/skulls so I even found some girlie ribbon and bling-bling skull stickers.

 Double the Sweetness.

This was my first craft project since the fire, and I even still have my scrapbooking scissors ;)

 The girls have already been BUMBO'd!

We even decorated them with glitter skull stickers- Ha. 

We love the Bumbo so much- after about three months its the only piece of baby equipment you need taking up your house:  gets the baby off the back of its head, full support to non-sitters, can move all around the house, works as a booster (some even use it for a highchair with the tray) for older kids, supposedly they now come with a toilet seat accessory(??), great to let the kids sit out in the yard, it can go anywhere.  Yes, we are fans of the Bumbo.

 The very excited, pregnant Mom & Dad!

Liz looks like she's at 25weeks carrying one child at 28 weeks with two- she looks great!

Check out her blog for more pics Liz's blog

 I was excited to have an excuse to decorate with pom-pom ball since everyone is using them.

I was going to make my own but ended up buying a tissue-paper kit.  Think they were pretty cute.

Ethan had a blast with his buddies, especially this boy (B's boss's oldest son).

And he was into giving tons of kisses and hugs to the boss's 2-year old daughter, but after smothering her with hugs & kisses a couple of times, she was in tears- Ha. 

He was just practicing his hugs&kisses for the two girlies ; )

CONGRATS, Liz & Chip!!!!!!

Half a Year Old!

 Six months ago, this little one was nestled inside of me... I miss it, but I just adore holding him in my arms, and his giggles & grins. 

 We thought E was a big baby, but C surpasses him hands-down.  C is the size of a 12-18month old at 6months of age.  Need to update the stats, but he is 25+lbs and wearing 12-18month tops, and needing 18month bottoms (his thighs and tushie are gigantic).  We are blown away by just how big he is, since neither of us are big/tall (must take after his granddaddy).  He is his own, just wondering if he is going to continue at this growth rate.  He might just be passing clothes down to his big brother in about a year.

 * C is teething, and his bottom teeth should be coming in soon.  The drooling has started.
*  He SQUEALS so loud that we almost need ear-plugs.  He has something to say....
*  He is just SO happy (except when he's kept from his milk).  I love all his giggles and the dimples in his cheeks.
* He ADORES his big brother: watches him wherever he goes, what he does, loves it when E wants him to join in, puts up with the daily tackles and ever-so affectionate hugs and kisses.  Meal time has become a bit of a distraction:  C just giggles away at E eating his food, and squeals with amusement.  I've had to feed C separately just so a feeding doesn't take 45min.  We can see that they are just going to be such buddies and keep us on our toes.  It is an absolute delight of mine have two boys close in age, to know that they will always have each other.  Something so special about Brothers....  It melts my heart.
*  C's appetite is immense (goes without saying).  He has 4 8oz bottles during the day, 2 at night (yes, he was sleeping just fine through the night, but that has changed).  He still seems hungry so we started him on rice cereal, but he has NO desire to take a spoon (unlike E), so we've just been adding some rice to his bottles.  It worries me, because with his appetite, we really need/want to be transitioning to solids right now instead of all formula.
*  Wears size 4 diapers (Ha- the same as E's overnight diapers).  But, his tushie could use a size 5.
*  He is getting better at sitting up for longer period of time by himself, but I find that I am more layed back with not trying to push it this time around (also have my hands full).  We got rid of his baby swing and are enjoying a entertainer to keep him off his head and to start developing his leg muscles.
*  C really lacks leg muscles (or at least it seems that way since E was standing solid at 2months).  C collapses after seconds, and I just don't see him standing, cruising or walking for a long time.  Maybe it's normal, but E was so solid on his legs and 'wanting to walk'.  I'm really hoping he doesn't walk/cruise till we get back home.
*  C reaches far for toys, and tries to reach for things well beyond his grasp.  Big brother is having to learn to give C a different toy if he wants to take one.  We are also reviewing which toys/cars are appropriate for C to play with (all 3 of them).
*  I wish time would just stand still with C, and that I could somehow be able to keep him like this- no videos or pics can capture how soft and giggly he is, how fuzzy his hair feels, how his cheeks puff up and dimple when he smiles....

  Oh, My- seeing red!  We have no ideas where this hairline comes from.

He has the cute swirly curl center-back, but the front just begs for spikes (when he does grow some hair).

Just like the boys- Best Buds!

This pose was all E's.  He suddenly left the photo shoot, and came back with both of their teddys, set them up like this, and told me to take their picture.

(side note:  E's teddy is the darker brown.  We purchased it from Walmart a day or two after the fire since he lost his and we figured he needed something to cuddle. Not nearly as special as his other ones, but the second he saw this one in the store he was instantly attached and hugged it tightly.  I'm just glad he found another bear to love just as much- it makes me cry.  It already smells like his old teddys- graham crackers).

Oh, Happy Day! -Fire Update

I got a text picture from B around 8:30am this morning:  A bulldozer pulling up to our 'old' house!!!!!

They have finally begun the teardown of our burned-out house, and with each picture update that I am sent, they are tearing down the sadness as well.  I can't express how much I/we have been waiting for this day- to tear down what remains of a horrible night, and to begin rebuilding.  5 Months Later....  we worked tirelessly emailing/calling/shouting about how long it took to get the permits/contracts worked out between all parties (association, city, contractor, utilities, etc. )- finally this day has come.

We are SO HAPPY!

Apple Picking

 Apple picking at Valley Orchard, and eating some too!

We enjoyed our trip there last year so much that we have made it our family's annual apple-picking hot-spot.  Love that it is no-frills, just pure apple picking fun!

Oh so tall!

The boys figured out how to get to the ones way at the top.

 Wiggle Worm.

 This stack of hay is so much fun!

"This is my fifth apple and it's starting to wear me out." 

Good thing he's pretty much using the toilet, because the apples eventually got to him, and I even thanked him that I wouldn't have to change one of those diapers- Ha.

 C. wanted to eat some apples too.  He has an appetite for everything.

 Double-fisting it Daddy-style.

 Had to get a pic of C. enjoying the festivities.

The four of us.

It was a perfect morning for apple picking!

 YUUUMMM!!

We also went back to Valley Orchard this year for these donuts as well- they are divine!

Think we brought home 5bags (some to share) of these donuts, along with 3bags of apples.

Last year's apple picking memories: 

Ethan was almost 1.5yrs old.  It was all the boys' first time apple picking- little Colin was even along for the ride in my belly ;)  (I am so grateful that we still have all of our old pics.)