Today our little boy turns 2! His birthday seems to have come so fast this year. He has grown so much in the last few months. His vocabulary has taken off. There is little he won't say. It isn't always clear to everyone, but he does pretty well for a kid that didn't say mama until 15 months! He is active, loves to climb, can kick and catch a ball, not to mention almost hit one out of the yard. He hasn't even needed a tee since this summer! He loves the moon, tomatoes and can't wait to be a big brother to his soon to come little brother. (even if he insists that we name him apple!)
We have lots of pictures to come of Christmas and birthday festivities. Stay tuned for more, but for now....HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU GAVIN! We love you buddy.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Dos Reales
Since I have been pregnant, the boys have taken to pretending that they have babies. They pick some random animal and carry it with them, feed them, put them down for naps and get their babies toys. It is pretty cute. A couple of nights ago, Liam informed us that they were going to take their babies to Dos Reales ("dos ralls"). This is a mexican restaurant that we go to frequently with Lynn and Richard, which is a favorite! They set up an elaborate tablescape in the dining room and took their babies and had a lovely meal (which Dane and I were eventually invited to join).
I love listening to their imaginations at work. Liam leaves no detail out. Not to mention how fun it is to watch the boys playing together. They are best friends and I hope that it stays that way.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
And the Tree is Up
Last week Dane had two work trips to Washington and New York. The boys and I decided that we would get the house holiday ready while he was gone. While they ate their standard breakfast waffles, I carried all of the boxes up from downstairs. They were so excited to see all of the things that we had to put out for Christmas.
Luckily, last year (for the first time) Dane and I were smart and bundled and labeled the tree parts so it only took me about 10 minutes to assemble. I laid lots of ornaments out on the floor and the boys had a great time hanging 3-6 on one branch at a time. They were interested in who each ornament belonged to. We listened to some Christmas music while we hung the stockings, finished the tree and spread out the eclectic mix of things that we have to decorate the house.
I thought that this year would be a little easier and require less patrol of the tree. Everyone is a year older and wiser, right? Wrong. Gavin's excitement and curiosity could not be contained and we had 4 ornament mishaps in the first 5 hours of the tree being up. SInce then, his interest has been equally spread between the tree and all of the things that play music. The tree remains intact, my sanity is not. I am hearing the songs in my sleep.
They were excited to show daddy the results of our hard work when he came back home between trips. Just like any other day, it ended with a game of "tackle" in the living room.
Luckily, last year (for the first time) Dane and I were smart and bundled and labeled the tree parts so it only took me about 10 minutes to assemble. I laid lots of ornaments out on the floor and the boys had a great time hanging 3-6 on one branch at a time. They were interested in who each ornament belonged to. We listened to some Christmas music while we hung the stockings, finished the tree and spread out the eclectic mix of things that we have to decorate the house.
I thought that this year would be a little easier and require less patrol of the tree. Everyone is a year older and wiser, right? Wrong. Gavin's excitement and curiosity could not be contained and we had 4 ornament mishaps in the first 5 hours of the tree being up. SInce then, his interest has been equally spread between the tree and all of the things that play music. The tree remains intact, my sanity is not. I am hearing the songs in my sleep.
They were excited to show daddy the results of our hard work when he came back home between trips. Just like any other day, it ended with a game of "tackle" in the living room.
Monday, November 30, 2009
"Ha-pee Tukee Day" -Gavin
We were fortunate to have the holiday off and travel to spend Thanksgiving with my family in STL. Gavin has been getting car sick the last few times we have driven to STL, so the first thing we were thankful for was him making it through the ride without a need to dismantle the car seat and clean the car! We spent Wednesday evening at Chuck E Cheese with my parents and Tom and Jen. The kids loved the games and were so happy to turn 400 tickets in for silly plastic snakes.
In addition to Tom and Jen, Terry and Andrea also made it in, so all 8 of us bunked at "Hotel Weber" for the 3 days. That was probably the easy task for my mom and dad, considering they hosted a delicious meal for 28 on Thanksgiving. We had a great time seeing everyone. The kids got to play with cousins and we got to catch up with family that we haven't seen for awhile.
The girls all went shopping on Black Friday. I scored a few great deals to put away for Christmas presents for Liam and Gavin. We had a fun game night between siblings on Friday night, and shipped out Saturday morning to spend the day in Columbia with Beth, Gary and Connor.
The boys loved running around their land and playing with their daddy's old toys. Gavin even brushed up on his ping pong skills. We headed back to KC that evening and had pizza with Lynn, Richard, Laura and Jay. It was a busy few days and the boys were spoiled with constant attention. I think in the end they were happy to return to their toys and their beds, but are already talking about seeing everyone at Christmas.
Bad news: although I remembered the camera, I never pulled it out for a single shot the whole trip! Very unlike me!
In addition to Tom and Jen, Terry and Andrea also made it in, so all 8 of us bunked at "Hotel Weber" for the 3 days. That was probably the easy task for my mom and dad, considering they hosted a delicious meal for 28 on Thanksgiving. We had a great time seeing everyone. The kids got to play with cousins and we got to catch up with family that we haven't seen for awhile.
The girls all went shopping on Black Friday. I scored a few great deals to put away for Christmas presents for Liam and Gavin. We had a fun game night between siblings on Friday night, and shipped out Saturday morning to spend the day in Columbia with Beth, Gary and Connor.
The boys loved running around their land and playing with their daddy's old toys. Gavin even brushed up on his ping pong skills. We headed back to KC that evening and had pizza with Lynn, Richard, Laura and Jay. It was a busy few days and the boys were spoiled with constant attention. I think in the end they were happy to return to their toys and their beds, but are already talking about seeing everyone at Christmas.
Bad news: although I remembered the camera, I never pulled it out for a single shot the whole trip! Very unlike me!
And Baby Makes 5
We are excited to announce that we are expecting Baby #3! I am 13 weeks pregnant and due June 5, 2010. It seems far away at the moment, but I know that as soon as the new year rolls around, it will fly by. Nausea hit me early on...something that I did not have with the boys. The last week I have felt more energetic, which I will need with Christmas around the corner.
The boys are so excited to be getting a new sibling. Liam is convinced it is a girl, but I know he would be happy with another brother. Gavin points to my belly and says, "baby" several times per day. Liam came with me to my last doctors appointment and got to hear the heartbeat. He had a big smile when he heard the swooshing and has been telling everyone that he "got to take care of the baby and hear the heart."
Our big ultrasound will be December 23rd. We will hopefully find out the gender. Dane and I are very excited and hope for healthy no matter if the blue streak continues or if our world will be turned upside down with a girl. Stay tuned for more updates!
The boys are so excited to be getting a new sibling. Liam is convinced it is a girl, but I know he would be happy with another brother. Gavin points to my belly and says, "baby" several times per day. Liam came with me to my last doctors appointment and got to hear the heartbeat. He had a big smile when he heard the swooshing and has been telling everyone that he "got to take care of the baby and hear the heart."
Our big ultrasound will be December 23rd. We will hopefully find out the gender. Dane and I are very excited and hope for healthy no matter if the blue streak continues or if our world will be turned upside down with a girl. Stay tuned for more updates!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
A Sneak Peek
Here is a peek at the boys' costumes for this year before I add the last of the details. Liam is an elephant and Gavin is a lion. Although, I do not know how to sew, I pieced it together and got them made. The boys enjoyed their "fittings" and getting to see the costumes come to life from a plastic bag of supplies.
Liam has always been fascinated with elephants, and Gavin has been practicing his roar. I do not think that they will disappoint come October 31st!
Pumpkin Patch
We took the traditional trip to the pumpkin patch a couple of weekends ago. However, it was ridiculously cold and windy. The activities around the farm were great with lots of animals, a fire truck, a hay house and playgrounds, but the weather permitted the shortest of trips to the patch to pick our pumpkins and head back to covered areas. My parents were in town and got to go with us. Despite the cold, it was a great day.
