Kate's First Friend

My sweet college friend, Amy, stopped by last weekend with her family.  Natalie and her oldest daughter, Elliana, are three months apart.  Kate and Avalyn are two weeks apart.  It was wonderful to visit and to meet one another's newest additions.


Meet and Greet...

 Getting acquainted...

 Avalyn & Kate

 Elliana & Natalie

Scott played well with all of the girls and told me that Elliana was nice and fun to play with when she left!  (He was asking me earlier in the week why he couldn't just marry Natalie someday.  Perhaps Elliana could be his second choice!)

Thanks for making us a part of your travels, Max & Amy! :)

All good things must come to an end...

Two week ago, Jon had LASIK.  (It was actually LASEK instead of LASIK- which supposedly is the latest thing, and Jon can better explain the difference.  Anyhoo...)  He originally thought it would be a short recovery and that he'd only miss a few days of work.  It's a long story, but his recovery has taken a long time and due to the nature of his job, he just now received the clear to return to work.  It has been SO nice to have him home!  I quickly got used to the extra help, and the kiddos enjoyed extra time building train tracks, doing puzzles, and playing outside (no matter the weather) with Daddy. 

 We made Jon a "Happy Lasik" cake the night before his surgery when he was at work.  Scott came up with the idea to decorate it with eyeballs.  :)

The kids weren't looking too chipper in the picture below since I told them we'd need to present the cake to Daddy the following morning instead of digging into it before bed.   (I later got hungry and changed my mind. We nibbled around the letters & eyeballs...Jon still got the gist of the message.  It's the thought that counts, right?!)

We've certainly loved our extra time together and will miss him being home so much.  I'm already going through withdrawal.  His first day back will be tomorrow...unless, that is, the eye gremlin visits tonight while he is asleep. (hee, hee, hee)

No, No Natalie!

Natalie,

Please stop...

-Using the orange marker to color in your belly button
-Spitting on your hands and calling it hand sanitizer (gross!)
-Playing with your spaghetti instead of eating it
-Screaming, "Oh no!  A big elephant!" each time I walk in the room
-Destroying Scott's ______ (insert project of the day)
-Getting yourself stuck in Kate's exersaucer
-Making us smile when we are trying to be stern with you
And the list goes on and on...

 A couple of Natalie stories...

One day, she and Scott were getting into it.  Natalie got frustrated and wanted to insult her brother.  She thought for a moment and then said, "You're...you're...you're smaller than David and I'm bigger than Goliath!"  It made both Scott and I laugh...not the response she was wanting!

Yesterday I was talking to the kids about some foods being okay to have in moderation.  Scott asked what moderation meant so I tried to explain.  After my definition sunk in with Natalie, she wrinkled her forehead and whined, "Noooo!  I don't like moderation!"  It was funny (and somewhat appropriate) to hear that come out of my two year old's mouth.  And for the record, Natalie, I don't like moderation too much either!

Four Month Rites of Passage

The four month milestone is a big deal around here.  Always has been.  All pictures below were taken within the week of the child's 4 month birthday.  It's so fun for me to compare. 

Four months is the age that we break out the exersaucer...

Scott

Natalie

Kate

It's the time when we switch to some cute outfits instead of wearing sleepers all day...

Scott

Natalie

Kate

It's also the time when I dress my poor kids in this bumblebee costume...(they have all been equally thrilled about the process)

Scott

Natalie

Kate

And finally a couple more...because I just can't stop myself.  Aren't you glad I don't have six kids?

Scott

Natalie

Kate

Eat your giraffe...or else!

We went out to lunch last week with another family, and we watched their four month old son gnaw on this popular little giraffe all throughout the meal.  I've heard a couple of other moms mention that their babies have enjoyed theirs, as well.  In the past, I have always held out and refused to purchase this expensive little toy.  However, after reading the rave reviews the other night on Amazon, I just had to get one for Kate.  Scott learned about needs vs. wants last week during Sunday School and has been correcting us all week on the difference. THIS was definitely a NEED, if there ever was one. How in the world did I survive the teething process with my first two without a Sophie the Giraffe? This giraffe was sure to give my sweet baby much satisfaction, soothe her aching gums, and perhaps clean my house during it's downtime.  I couldn't wait for it to arrive.  

Today was the glorious day!  Sophie arrived a whole day earlier than the expected delivery date...I just knew it was working it's wonders already.  

We ripped open the package, I gave it a quick wash, and Jon handed it to Kate.  We all gathered around to watch the magic take place.  

What happened next still baffles me.  Little Kate discarded the rubber giraffe within seconds and began to fuss loudly.  Scott grabbed the giraffe's head, Natalie grabbed the hooves, and a tug of war screaming match broke out between the two of them.  Jon turned to me and said, "How much did you pay for this giraffe?"  I just stood there bewildered.  This is not what I had envisioned at all.  How could this be happening?  Did we get a defective one?

After the jealous siblings went to bed, Kate and I tried the giraffe again.  "You WILL like this giraffe!  You WILL like this giraffe!" I told her as I shoved a hoof in her mouth.  It may take some more coaching, but I think there is a bit of potential.  She seemed to be getting the hang of it, and offered me a half smile...at least that's what I'm telling myself.  We will try again tomorrow.   

Well, that never happens!

Guess what woke me up this morning?

Mr. Sunshine!

I couldn't believe it when I woke to the sun peeking through our curtains and a super quiet house at 7:21.  I'm normally greeted by little feet or a small cry at a much earlier hour, so I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't still dreaming.  I sprung out of bed with a full tank of energy and pondered the idea of going for a brisk morning jog before church.  (Okay...not really.  Instead, before the clock struck 7:29, I was holding Kate while Scott and Natalie stood there staring at me with "hungry for breakfast" eyes.  However, it didn't matter.  I got to "sleep in" and wake up on my own accord this morning, and it feels GREAT.)

Let the day begin!

 

Our Most Celebrated Valentine's Day Ever

We've never made such a BIG deal out of Valentine's Day.  This year, however, it seems like we've been preparing for it for weeks!  It all started when my friend, Molly, came to visit a few weeks ago.  She brought a Valentine's Day craft to create with the kids, and Feb. 14th has been on our minds hearts ever since.  

Molly and the kids with foam hearts, stickers, and glitter glue- oh my!

The kids decorated treats with my mom. 

Natalie got a new Valentine's Day apron which came in handy when the kids decorated cookies with Jon's mom and grandma.  Brave women! :)

 

Grammy created special cards with the kids yesterday afternoon.  Scott has also come up with a few other Valentine's day "surprises" which he has hidden under his bed.  He's been talking about giving them to me tomorrow.  :) 

Jon and Scott also brought home a big Valentine's Day cookie from Marsh that we enjoyed.  I would have taken a picture, but it didn't last long enough. 

So it seems like we've celebrated a lot already even though the big day is still a few hours away.  We will ignore the fact that Jon wished me "Happy Valentine's Day in advance in case I forget tomorrow!"  No worries here...the kids won't let him forget.  :)  

Hope you have a lovely day!