Thursday, July 28, 2011
Cincinnati Children's Museum!!
Another great present we got for our Birthdays! I've lived in Cincinnati for going on 12 years now and this is my first visit to the museum. First we went through the Children's Museum which was a lot of fun. If you are one of our local friends, I absolutely suggest this as a place to take the kids, especially since it is an indoor activity away from the summer heat.
Cars say beep beep!
Maggie shopping!
She loved this part and I had to pry her away to get her to see the rest of the museum.
Ballerina in our future?
or canoeing?
or bus driver ?
or dump truck driver?
Surprise!
After the children's museum we ate lunch, reclined our stroller seats and went through the Cincinnati History Museum. I hoped that since it was nap time walking through the quiet museum would help them take a stroller nap. Maggie fussed and fought for just a little bit, and then crashed. Jack did not. He was really good though. He sat in his seat and either looked at different things, waved at people or shouted happily.
Maggie sleeping soundly
Jack happy as can be
It was a fun trip!
Cars say beep beep!
Maggie shopping!
She loved this part and I had to pry her away to get her to see the rest of the museum.
Ballerina in our future?
or canoeing?
or bus driver ?
or dump truck driver?
Surprise!
After the children's museum we ate lunch, reclined our stroller seats and went through the Cincinnati History Museum. I hoped that since it was nap time walking through the quiet museum would help them take a stroller nap. Maggie fussed and fought for just a little bit, and then crashed. Jack did not. He was really good though. He sat in his seat and either looked at different things, waved at people or shouted happily.
Maggie sleeping soundly
Jack happy as can be
It was a fun trip!
Stroller for baby Carol
Cousin Carol gave Maggie a new baby for her Birthday. Thus we have named the baby, Carol. She is adorable and Maggie absolutely loves her. At their party a friend brought their baby stroller and Maggie loved pushing it around. So with some Birthday money Maggie bought a stroller for her new baby. Jack bought a shopping cart.
Unfortunately the stroller is a bigger hit for both kids than the shopping cart. So we made a return trip and Jack got a blue baby stroller. Don't be fooled though, babies don't go in his stroller. If you put anything in his stroller he will immediately toss it out! They are quite funny pushing their strollers around the kitchen island. Maggie does shop with her baby using the shopping cart.
Unfortunately the stroller is a bigger hit for both kids than the shopping cart. So we made a return trip and Jack got a blue baby stroller. Don't be fooled though, babies don't go in his stroller. If you put anything in his stroller he will immediately toss it out! They are quite funny pushing their strollers around the kitchen island. Maggie does shop with her baby using the shopping cart.
Summer Birthday, means outside toys!
Jack & Maggie LOVE playing outside. How they do it in the extreme heat and humidity we have been experiencing is beyond me. For their Birthday they got a backyard set of toys.
Swing set
Play house
Picnic table
Swing set
Play house
Picnic table
Our 2nd Birthday Backyardigans Party!
We had the party in a picnic shelter at Symmes Township Park, and it turned out great! It was hot and humid, but everyone had a great time and we celebrated Jack & Maggie turning 2! It was wonderful sharing their 2nd Birthday with our friends and family. Thank you everyone that was able to come out and help us celebrate!
The kids were all over the place, well my kids were, our friends that came to play were well behaved and stayed near the party. For some reason Jack & Maggie were both more interested in going on nature walks. I did get a couple of pictures in their Birthday finest, thank you to Aunt Carol and Cousin Andrea for the better pictures!
Our Korzep family brought their big bouncer! It was a big hit for the kids. Thank you!
Cake!
Presents! and yes, we did have a wardrobe change after cake (well, after cake and each kiddo fell in water/mud)
And then it was time to go back to playing in the ice bucket. Once they found that they at least stayed put in the picnic shelter.
The kids were all over the place, well my kids were, our friends that came to play were well behaved and stayed near the party. For some reason Jack & Maggie were both more interested in going on nature walks. I did get a couple of pictures in their Birthday finest, thank you to Aunt Carol and Cousin Andrea for the better pictures!
Our Korzep family brought their big bouncer! It was a big hit for the kids. Thank you!
Cake!
Presents! and yes, we did have a wardrobe change after cake (well, after cake and each kiddo fell in water/mud)
And then it was time to go back to playing in the ice bucket. Once they found that they at least stayed put in the picnic shelter.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Pillow talk
Not between Brian and I. Rather, when I put each kiddo down to sleep we have our own little time alone and it is one of my favorite parts of each day.
Jack is always ready for bed first, whether nap or at night. So Maggie will sit downstairs and either continue to quietly play or watch a cartoon. Jack and I sit in the glider and sing together. Usually he sings "Baby Mine" with me, though recently when I've switched up the song I've noticed he is learning those too. Often in the middle of singing he will look up at me, smile big and then start giggling. Usually for no other reason than because he knows it will make me smile and I have to work really hard from giggling myself. Then he nestles in super close, hugs me one last time and says night-night. And that means I put him in his crib and walk out of the room. That is it, Jack is sleeping. Couldn't be easier!
Maggie has been taking some more finesse when it comes to going to bed. She asks for her "paci" when Jack starts getting tired and cuddly, but then seems to get an extra boost of energy right around the time for bed. Recently I've been encouraging her to just sit quietly and either watch a cartoon or play and that seems to help her calm herself down. Once Jack is in bed she and I go into her room and while I sing to her she whispers about all sorts of things . We talk about her baby, her "paci", her Daddy, etc. When she starts playing with either her or my hair, then I know she is really tired. Sometimes I lay her in bed and she is up jumping up and down minutes later. On those occasions I simply tell her to lie down (sometimes she shakes her head no, which makes me smile) but then will lie down and usually goes straight to sleep.
Until we sell the house and move we are keeping them in their cribs. Neither one has shown effort in trying to climb out, and I'm completely content leaving them contained for as long as possible!
Jack is always ready for bed first, whether nap or at night. So Maggie will sit downstairs and either continue to quietly play or watch a cartoon. Jack and I sit in the glider and sing together. Usually he sings "Baby Mine" with me, though recently when I've switched up the song I've noticed he is learning those too. Often in the middle of singing he will look up at me, smile big and then start giggling. Usually for no other reason than because he knows it will make me smile and I have to work really hard from giggling myself. Then he nestles in super close, hugs me one last time and says night-night. And that means I put him in his crib and walk out of the room. That is it, Jack is sleeping. Couldn't be easier!
Maggie has been taking some more finesse when it comes to going to bed. She asks for her "paci" when Jack starts getting tired and cuddly, but then seems to get an extra boost of energy right around the time for bed. Recently I've been encouraging her to just sit quietly and either watch a cartoon or play and that seems to help her calm herself down. Once Jack is in bed she and I go into her room and while I sing to her she whispers about all sorts of things . We talk about her baby, her "paci", her Daddy, etc. When she starts playing with either her or my hair, then I know she is really tired. Sometimes I lay her in bed and she is up jumping up and down minutes later. On those occasions I simply tell her to lie down (sometimes she shakes her head no, which makes me smile) but then will lie down and usually goes straight to sleep.
Until we sell the house and move we are keeping them in their cribs. Neither one has shown effort in trying to climb out, and I'm completely content leaving them contained for as long as possible!
Monday, July 18, 2011
2 year old check-up
Today Jack & Maggie saw the pediatrician for their 2-year check-up. This was the first time I took them to the doctor solo and boy, 2 on 1 is exhausting. I felt empowered walking into the office with each on one hand. They were perfect angels in the waiting room. Jack walked back to the room following the nurse with ease, Maggie lost it! She began screaming and clinging to me the minute we entered the hallway. Once we got inside and I tried to set her down, she got even worse. Jack must have sensed her unease and was suddenly uncomfortable with the nurse. Then it was a matter of releasing Maggie's grip, helping Jack calm down to get his vitals and then dealing with Maggie to get her vitals. Where are the 2 year old little people on the charts?
Jack- 23 lbs 32"
Maggie- 21 lbs 32.5"
That's right, we are officially over 20 lbs and 2 years old, which means when we are ready we can move to forward facing in the van! Doesn't seem like that big of a deal, but it's a milestone nonetheless. The doctor was very pleased with their growth. We talked about other milestones and then it was time for the worst part of the visit, shots! I was able to get Maggie calm by this point and she sat while Jack went first. He got pretty upset, but calmed down quickly so we could move onto Maggie. Pretty much the same story. When we were finished she kept repeating "It's alright, all done, all done." Poor things got their TDAP which leaves their legs sore for a day or two. When we got home I gave them each something for pain and they were definitely sore the rest of the day.
I'd say all in all the visit sans a companion went very well. Should this heat ever let up (it's been in the upper 90s and ridiculously humid) I'm ready to take them to King's Island. For now it has been so hot even being outside playing is unbearable. That's summer I guess!
Jack- 23 lbs 32"
Maggie- 21 lbs 32.5"
That's right, we are officially over 20 lbs and 2 years old, which means when we are ready we can move to forward facing in the van! Doesn't seem like that big of a deal, but it's a milestone nonetheless. The doctor was very pleased with their growth. We talked about other milestones and then it was time for the worst part of the visit, shots! I was able to get Maggie calm by this point and she sat while Jack went first. He got pretty upset, but calmed down quickly so we could move onto Maggie. Pretty much the same story. When we were finished she kept repeating "It's alright, all done, all done." Poor things got their TDAP which leaves their legs sore for a day or two. When we got home I gave them each something for pain and they were definitely sore the rest of the day.
I'd say all in all the visit sans a companion went very well. Should this heat ever let up (it's been in the upper 90s and ridiculously humid) I'm ready to take them to King's Island. For now it has been so hot even being outside playing is unbearable. That's summer I guess!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Two, already?
My sweet little babies, you are two years old today! It is very hard to believe we have come here this fast, I still remember the moments you were born. You were so tiny and although we had a rocky start, you proved to be strong and look at you now!
Maggie,
You are a mommy's girl through and through. You are also quite the spunky little girl. I enjoy sneaking up into your room when you are playing quietly, it is fun to watch you cooking at your kitchen, reading books or nurturing your babies. You are becoming a little mommy, and it is especially cute when your baby cries and you comfort her. You talk all the time, and have started to repeat a lot of stuff we say. Your curiosity and desire to learn all about the world is fascinating. Loud noises frighten you and you are very shy around strangers. You eat macaroni and cheese like it is going out of style, drink the pool water like a puppy dog and give the most warm hugs and kisses. I love you my sweet, sweet little girl! Happy Birthday!
Jack,
You are my goof ball little man. It amazes me how much you are always on the move. From the moment you wake up until the moment you crash, you are constantly moving. Doors, wheels and anything with parts intrigue you. You will examine a toy and I can almost see the wheels turning in your brain. You talk more, but count all the time. You will count stairs, steps, taps, jumps, etc. You love to count! When you are tired you will cuddle sweetly next to me and let me rock you. When you are ready to sleep, you say night-night and lie down in your bed. When lights are out, you sleep like a champ. You warm up to people very quickly, and will smile, wave, etc at strangers where ever we go. You like to poke holes in your food when you eat, you drag your lawn mower all over the backyard and even into the playhouse and still love your doggy as much as ever. I love you my little monkey! Happy Birthday!
Maggie,
You are a mommy's girl through and through. You are also quite the spunky little girl. I enjoy sneaking up into your room when you are playing quietly, it is fun to watch you cooking at your kitchen, reading books or nurturing your babies. You are becoming a little mommy, and it is especially cute when your baby cries and you comfort her. You talk all the time, and have started to repeat a lot of stuff we say. Your curiosity and desire to learn all about the world is fascinating. Loud noises frighten you and you are very shy around strangers. You eat macaroni and cheese like it is going out of style, drink the pool water like a puppy dog and give the most warm hugs and kisses. I love you my sweet, sweet little girl! Happy Birthday!
Jack,
You are my goof ball little man. It amazes me how much you are always on the move. From the moment you wake up until the moment you crash, you are constantly moving. Doors, wheels and anything with parts intrigue you. You will examine a toy and I can almost see the wheels turning in your brain. You talk more, but count all the time. You will count stairs, steps, taps, jumps, etc. You love to count! When you are tired you will cuddle sweetly next to me and let me rock you. When you are ready to sleep, you say night-night and lie down in your bed. When lights are out, you sleep like a champ. You warm up to people very quickly, and will smile, wave, etc at strangers where ever we go. You like to poke holes in your food when you eat, you drag your lawn mower all over the backyard and even into the playhouse and still love your doggy as much as ever. I love you my little monkey! Happy Birthday!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Bad, bad blogger
It took me forever to post about our vacation, and there has been so much new in the 2 weeks since then. I've been terrible about posting!
Very big news! Brian got a new job! We are so proud of Daddy. He is working at Liberty Mutual Insurance and he actually had to start the Monday after we got back from CA. Since he has returned to work, I am again a stay-at-home Mom. I of course love being home with the kids and we transitioned back into a good routine very easily. It is certainly different than it was 9 months ago when I started working at Ohio National.
Now that I am home I will try to post on a much more regular basis. :)
Here are some random photos from the past week
For 4th of July weekend we went to the Schneider's house for a grill out. This is a quick photo of the kids all together playing. Missing is the newest member of the Schneider family, give her a few months and she will be right in the middle of all the action!
Very big news! Brian got a new job! We are so proud of Daddy. He is working at Liberty Mutual Insurance and he actually had to start the Monday after we got back from CA. Since he has returned to work, I am again a stay-at-home Mom. I of course love being home with the kids and we transitioned back into a good routine very easily. It is certainly different than it was 9 months ago when I started working at Ohio National.
Now that I am home I will try to post on a much more regular basis. :)
Here are some random photos from the past week
For 4th of July weekend we went to the Schneider's house for a grill out. This is a quick photo of the kids all together playing. Missing is the newest member of the Schneider family, give her a few months and she will be right in the middle of all the action!
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