Monday, May 17, 2010

Actually being able to spend some time with each other: Priceless!

It's mostly just pictures this post. The kids crawl all over me the moment I sit down at my computer and when I'm lucky enough to find myself free while they are sleeping - well - I do other stuff. This is just a quick update for those of you I haven't talked to in a while. Jerret has been working less which has been a nice break for all of us! We are able to have some fun and trade off bedtimes, etc. with the kids. I could get used to this!

Bruce is such an amazing little boy. He's quickly learning to communicate well and learns many new words daily. Some of the latest phrases: "May I please have _____?" and "Mommy, what does a [insert animal or vehicle of your choice here] say?" and then he proceeds to provide the answer. He talks almost constantly. He can count to ten (and sometimes uses his own creative methods to reach ten) and loves to name animals and construction vehicles and whatever else he can think of. He is learning to use the potty and keep his diapers dry most of the time as long as we provide him opportunities to go. Yay! He attempts to teach Autumn almost everything he does throughout the day. He tries to teach her sign language, which she finds very entertaining. It hasn't caught on yet but he tried to teach her to crawl and she does so I have confidence she'll pick it up soon enough. He gets so excited when she wakes up from her naps and runs in to see her and reminds me that "Au-ti want diaper changed". Thanks, Buddy! :)

Speaking of Autumn, she is fully mobile. She can crawl but most often finds it faster to scoot from room to room on her tummy. When I vacuum, Bruce rides his little train and follows me around. Now there's a parade - me with the vacuum, then Bruce on his train, then Autumn scooching along. Very cute. She is now eating a variety of foods and has moved a bit closer to solids. She doesn't have any teeth yet so we have to choose carefully! Still the happy little thing, she loves to watch her brother, bounce, and move anywhere she can. I venture to say she's even more cuddly than Bruce was at this age and that's saying something! She's an early riser which we're working on, but is a pretty good sleeper otherwise. She even sleeps in her own bed most of the time now! :) Her hair is just barely long enough for an itty bitty pigtail so I have been taking advantage of that. It's a bit of overkill, but whatever. These kids won't be little forever!

I am doing well and enjoying my full-time mom job. I try to balance keeping up with the kids and household while making sure to cherish these precious days. Though I can't imagine it now, I know they'll grow up before I know it and I will miss the crazy days of raising young kids. Sniff sniff...



Fishing At The Lake


B learning the ropes


Autumn and I trying (unsuccessfully) to stay out of the heat



The guys feeding the ducks



The girls checking out the scenery




"Wow, pliers!" Even just holding tools makes you cool.



Riding the Forest Park Train

By the engine (he calls them all Thomas)



Bruce was enthralled - by the train ride as well as a helicopter that was taking off and landing just across the river.


The Fam (Autumn just barely in the bottom right corner)






Other Stuff We've Been Up To


Bruce having fun "painting" with our playgroup



David and Autumn enjoy playing together while the big kids work on their craft



Bruce and John playing in the sand at the lake (very serious business!)



Placing the flowers at the Vietnam Memorial on Memorial Day



Trying out the Deuce and a Half (too bad my dad wasn't here for this one - these are his fave)



Cuddling with GG on Memorial Day



Testing out the swing on the new Fort Cummins!



Wheeeee!



Thanks for sharing your new toys with us!



Back to ride the train with our playgroup. He's an expert now!



Apparently being an expert includes touching the engine and coating your hand with black engine grease! Lesson for the moms out there: baby wipes are excellent for removal of engine grease - and maybe put some distance between the kid and the machine. :)



Being the cutest is SUCH hard work! Sigh.



Passed out on the couch again (Where's the responsible caregiver? Who DOES this?)



Decked out for Father's Day. His shirt says "My Dad Rocks" - so true! :)

Sunday, April 25, 2010


Bruce turned 2 years old last month! Wow. That went so fast! He is quickly blossoming into his own person, which is increasingly evident through the new words and phrases her learns. For example, one of the most recent is "no like that". He's learning to let everyone know his preferences. He has become quite the little chatterbox. On our way back from the zoo, he talked for an hour and a half non-stop! He still enjoys his role as big brother. He now will find a toy for Autumn when she is playing and offer it to her. He also tries to entertain her and helps cheer her up when she's fussy.




Autumn is growing well and becoming more and more interactive each day. She's 7 months old already! She is working on crawling but for now just scoots around on the floor - backwards only for now. :) She is eating a much larger range of foods and seems to enjoy participating at the dinner table with the rest of the family. She is just the happiest little thing. Unless there's a problem (or she's lacking for social interaction), she is content. She thinks her brother is hilarious - even when he's doing something he shouldn't be! She loves watching the pets and laughs at them even when they're just sitting there.

Seeing the zoo from the front seat of the limo stroller



Happy girl in the back seat



Watching the elephants ("a-pi-tas")



Turtles



Discussing the ducks



Gila Monster



Playing with Mommy in the zoo sandbox (could've probably saved the admission fee and done this at home)



Watching the "daffs"



B woke up that morning talking about seeing the zebras, so here they are!



It's rough being the baby!



Cuddling with Great Grandma




The Fam at B's birthday party



Eating birthday dinner with Daddy



Serious about his cupcakes





"What are you looking at?"



Learning to sit up on her own



Waiting for Daddy to get home from work



The backhoe is still his very favorite vehicle.
This is bigger than getting a picture with Santa Claus!



Doing crafts with his buddies Walt and John



Holding hands with David



Showing off the butterfly he made



"Hmmmm..."



Oops - we picked a few



First pigtail ever!



"Holding" his little sis



"Rood ta ta!" (red tractor)



So peaceful



He wanted to "hold" her, but wasn't excited about having his picture taken



Laughing girl