Thursday, February 16, 2012

February Update and Photo Shoot

Lots going on around here. Nothing too exciting, but we're generally happy and busy! I did a little photo shoot with the kiddos today, so I'll put their pics with their updates. Fun!

Ezra talks now. His favorite words are "GET DOWN" said with emphasis. Sometimes he tells me this because he wants to get down from something he's strapped into (high chair, stroller, car seat) and sometimes he'll climb up on top of a chair, table, or bed and stand teetering while shouting "Get Down!"


He's constantly helping to put things in the right place, delivering diapers and shoes, and climbing all over things. He is SO FAST. We were at Zeke's gym class this week and Ezra takes off dribbling a soccer ball better than most of the 3-4 year olds in the class.


Zadie. This little lady made me very happy this week. .

After 15 months of sleeping in bed next to me and nursing ALL NIGHT LONG, she has successfully moved into her own room and now SLEEPS 12 HOURS each night. Without nursing. Without crying. It was no small feat, but over the course of the past month, we've worked hard to establish some solid bedtime routines, get her attached to some little stuffed animals, and finally move her crib to her own bedroom.

Next step is getting her to drink from a cup, bottle, or something besides me. She spent a lot of time gnawing on an empty 2 liter bottle of cherry 7-up this week. Maybe that will be her favorite "cup". The pediatrician warned us that she might choose something strange when she was finally ready. We'll see.


Zeke is in his prime these days. He's pretty much done with afternoon naps, so bedtime happens pretty easily. About a month ago, he moved into Ezra's room and he LOVES sharing a bedroom with his little brother. He's super excited for the day that they can get "bump beds" like his cousins have. I keep reminding him that Ezra needs to sleep in a crib for now, so it will probably be a few more months (years) until the bump beds, but he's still enthusiastic.

We toured a preschool this week. Starting in September, Zeke will go to an awesome little preschool 2-3 mornings per week. He's so excited about it. This kid never lacks in enthusiasm.

Tom and I are great. We got a little love seat at an antique store last weekend (used in photo shoot today). We had so much room in our bedroom once the crib was gone (!) that we've been able to turn it into a great little seating area. It's currently the same celery green as our walls, but the wall color will be changing to a lilac/grey color this weekend. Fascinating, huh?

Also, Tom took me on a wonderful surprise Valentine's date this year. I thought that my mom had actually texted last minute to offer her babysitting services so Tom and I could run out for a quick meal (I was thinking Qdoba, Chik Fil A, or something equally gourmet, given it was V-day at 6pm and we didn't have reservations anywhere) It wasn't until we were inside the theater that I realized Tom had planned a special dinner theater date at the Rogers Little Theater. Full dinner, dessert, chocolates, a rose, and Hairspray. Great job, Tom! (And thanks Mom and Dad for babysitting and being in on the secret!)

FINALLY- Here are the outtakes of my attempt at a photo of all 3 of my cherubs. The best shot I got all afternoon is first. The next two show how it really went after that. 3 kids, 3 and under. Oh well- I'm sure they'll sit still someday!




Thursday, February 2, 2012

Happy 3rd Birthday Zeke!

Today marks Zeke's 3rd birthday. Happy Birthday, little buddy!
On Saturday, we had a small party with family and one of Zeke's friends. A few weeks ago, Zeke requested a tractor birthday party, so we ran with the theme.

We looked out the window to discover that some crazy hens had escaped from their pen and laid some (candy-filled) eggs in the yard. Zeke and his friend had fun discovering all the hidden eggs. The parents and grandparents had fun eating some of the candy.

Then, we played Pin the Wheel on the Tractor. Everybody won.

Finally, it was on to presents and cake.



I'm no cake boss, but I did have fun decorating my first "shape cake".


All in all, it was a fun party. Today is his "real" birthday and we'll continue to celebrate Zeke's life all day long!


Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Zadie's First Year Photo Book

After waiting too long to do it, I finally put together Zadie's First Year- a Photo Book. Shutterfly is always sending out email offers for free albums, but you almost have to have one ready made in your account. Enjoy if you'd like to see it!

(Ezra will get one too- when the next free book offer comes around!)

Click here to view this photo book larger

Visit Shutterfly.com to create your own personalized photo book.


Thursday, December 29, 2011

Same Same, But Different

Ezra in a sink. 13 months. Rogers, Arkansas.


Zeke in a sink. 13 months. Atlantida, Honduras.



Safari!

Grandma Jean came to town to visit us just before Christmas. We had a blast! Whenever someone comes to visit us we like to try to do a new activity. This time we drove out to the Wild Wilderness Drive-Through Safari, about 30 minutes from our house. One might think that a safari in the middle of nowhere, Arkansas might be a bit tame. We were delighted to find that there was no crowd, but lots of really cool animals to see up close.

We started in the petting zoo area. One cool thing was that we weren't asked to buy handfuls of food to participate in the petting zoo. All is included with admission. They just gave us 2 big loaves of bread to share with the animals.

This pig was huge and had at least thirteen chins! I see a New Years resolution with more exercise and fewer carbs in his future.


A highlight of the safari for all of us was petting the kangaroos. I had never been this close to a kangaroo before and they were incredibly soft and so gentle. Neat!



The next part of the safari experience was the drive-through. We followed a narrow road through beautiful pastures, ponds, and woods where we saw hundreds of animals roaming freely.



Some animals felt very comfortable coming right up to our car! The signs throughout the drive warn us against rolling down windows or feeding the animals. We could understand why.

If anyone else wants to come for a visit, we'd happily head out to this safari again!

Monday, December 12, 2011

Santa Visit

We went to see Santa at a special brunch yesterday. Zadie and Ezra were not thrilled. Strange man with a big beard wants to hold them? Not happening. Maybe next year or the year after.



This year, Zeke was ready to talk with the big guy. (Unlike last year) He planned for 2 weeks what he was going to say to Santa. Clear as a bell, he climbed into Santa's lap and said "I've been a good boy this year. So I would like a toy monster truck and a trumpet."


Santa told Zeke he'd see what he could do. He reminded Zeke how important is was to wake Mommy and Daddy up VERY VERY early on Christmas morning. Thanks, big guy.