My baby is 6 months old. I can't believe it. He is such a happy boy, as long as he gets his naps. He loves to scream (happily). He loves his blanky. He loves his sister. He loves to eat and if you don't feed him fast enough he lets you know! He is just getting the hang of rolling over and has started sleeping on his belly with his bum in the air. I love it when I find him sleeping like that. It's just so cute!

This shirt is from Aunt Jenna. Daddy has one like it that says "This is how I roll" with a roll of toilet paper.

My little girl graduated from preschool last week. Her preschool had a little ceremony where they walked down the aisle with caps on, shook the teacher's hand and received a diploma. I have never heard of preschool graduations but nevertheless, there I was with tears in my eyes as my little girl walked down the aisle, all smiles, and wondering where the last 5 years went.

Most of you know Leif and I went to Hawaii for his brother's wedding. We went to the Big Island and had a great time. Nate and Jenna were married on May 12th at the Hilton in Waikaloa. Congrats to the happy couple. Here are a few pictures from the trip (we took almost 300).


After Nate and Jenna's Wedding

At Waipio Valley Overlook

Rainbow Falls near Hilo

On our snorkel cruise at Kealakekua Bay

At A-Bay Beach near our condo.

Apple Juice

Abby's sick. I'm sick. I am trying to pack myself and the kids for vacation. We are leaving them behind and I am a little nervous about it. It's been a long day. Well, Abby asked for some apple juice. She went to the fridge and got out the brand new 3 quart bottle of apple juice I bought today. Just as I was saying, "Abby that is heavy. Be careful," it slipped out of her hands. The lid broke off and apple juice went flying EVERYWHERE! It was on the wall, the carpet, all over the kitchen floor and quickly moving towards under the fridge. This is the second major spill in the last 24 hours (last night it was red slushy) so I am running low on paper towels. Abby ran to get a towel and threw it down on the apple juice and said "It's a good thing I'm here!" and was very proud of herself. Fast forward 15 minutes later, mess is cleaned up and there just happens to be a little bit of apple juice left in the bottle. I poured Abby a cup and sat it on the table for her. Then Abby says "Mom, I don't feel like drinking apple juice anymore."

5 months!

This is spidey. Luke loves to chew on spidey.

Luke turned five months old yesterday (on tax day). Even though he has gotten bigger he still seems like my little boy as he moves along at his own pace. He just found his feet today. He finally tolerates his baths and has even given me a couple of smiles during bath time. He loves chewing on blankets and having them touch his face when he falls asleep (which mommy doesn't like). If he doesn't have a blanket he will pull his sleeper up and chew on that. He doesn't suck his thumb or take a paci. No rolling over yet, just laying under his play gym or sitting in the bumbo. One of his favorite things right now is getting his diaper changed (don't ask). He LOVES it! He also likes mommy talking to him and giving him lots and lots of kisses!

Happy Birthday Abby!

I cannot get her to smile for a picture. She thinks showing her teeth is a fake smile!

On Easter with her Luke!

Abby and her cousin Darian

Abby's "kiki" She still sleeps with it.

Abby turns 5 today and I can't believe how time has passed so quickly. I can remember snuggling with her in the hospital bed after she was born, staring at her thinking how perfect she looked. I simply could not believe she was my child! I am proud the little girl she has become. She has a kind heart and is always thanking me for the littlest things. There is always a smile on her face, a song in her heart and a wiggly, dancing body to go with it. She has a silly sense of humor like her father and is definitely her daddy's little girl. I love how sweet she is to her little brother and how she looks up to her cousin, Darian. I love her imagination, her laugh and those rare moments when she will sit still long enough to let me snuggle up to her. I love it when she calls me "mommy" (it's mostly "mom" now) and asks me to carry her to bed. At night when I'm tucking her in she says "don't forget the special phrase." That means I have to say something like, "Well, Daphne (or whatever character she is pretending to be) you must be tired from searching for clues all day. I'll let you get some rest now." And then she'll close her eyes as I walk out of the room. Happy Birthday Abby! I love you!

Story time

Leif was reading the kids a bedtime story the other night and I just had to take a picture. Luke was enjoying story time with Daddy and Sissy. I think Abby had just got done crying. She had been on the receiving end of a little discipline. Leif is such a good daddy and I am blessed to have him by my side as we raise our children together. Soon after this picture Abby was laughing and enjoying herself too.

The solid food experience

Luke is four months old and growing like a weed! He had his first taste of rice cereal and wasn't sure what he thought about it. I forgot how much fun having a new baby is. There are so many "firsts" coming up and it's exciting to watch him grow.

Monkey bars on St. Patrick's Day!

I took Abby and Luke to the park at Sharon Woods on St. Patrick's Day. As you can see from Abby's outfit (bright pink) I forgot that it was St. Patty's Day until we arrived there. Everyone was wearing green. I told Abby about the day and that if you don't wear green you get pinched. I gave her a light pinch and she gave me one too because I had no green on as well. She started to run out to play, turned around and came back. She said, "I am kinda nervous to go out there. I don't have any green on." I assured her that no kids would pinch her and she decided to go ahead and play. Anyway, this video is of Abby's first time going across the monkey bars all by herself. She has been trying to do this for awhile and was excited to finally make it.

Monkey shirt

This is Abby's new favorite shirt. It is a hand-me-down Justice shirt from her cousin Darian. She really wanted me to take a picture of her in it.

Abby and Luke

Luke and Abby were laying on the floor together and they were both laughing and happy. I know there are a lot of pictures here but I couldn't choose which ones to post because they were all so cute.

Tummy time!

Today we practiced rolling over. Luke was actually enjoying being on his tummy today so I thought I would take some pictures. What a big boy!

He is really checking out the blanket.

A Winter Walk

We enjoyed the somewhat warmer weather today and went for a walk. This was Luke's first time in his stroller without being in his carseat. He didn't hate it but didn't love it either.

Sleepy baby

I think Luke looks so big here. It was late and Luke just couldn't stay awake. Of course I love snuggle time!

My new haircut

My head definitely feels lighter but I'm not sure about the bangs...kind of annoying!

Collections...

Three new posts in one day...I think it's a record for me. Anyway, I had to post one more thing about Abby. Lately she has been into collecting things. Everything gets turned into a "collection." It all started with a snow globe she got for Christmas. She wanted to start a snow globe collection. Recently she received this post card in the mail from her cousin in Texas. She said, "This can be part of my collection." "What collection?" I asked her. "My collection of pictures of animals that come in the mail!" she said. It's been on her shelf in the bedroom ever since. You will also notice a little bead below the post card in this picture. I tried to throw it away today but Abby wouldn't stand for it. She said, "You can't throw that away Mommy. It's a beautiful bead and I am going to have a beautiful bead collection."

Like mother like daughter

This is one of Abby's new favorite things to do. She has discovered My Little Pony website, Pixie Hollow (thanks to Darian, her cousin), Littlest Pet Shop and Webkinz. She is now able to do most things on her own which gives me some free time. Ok, maybe not free time but time to nurse Luke or do some laundry. The only downside is that I find myself anxious for her to get off so that I can check my email or look at everyone's blog! She is taking after me and becoming a computer lover. Who knew I would be fighting for time on the computer with my four year old!

Snow day

Abby has been wanting to play in the snow soooo very bad. But, with a sick baby and Leif being out of town, she has not been able to. Today Leif took her out to play and she was so excited. I only have indoor pictures because I didn't actually make it outside!

Abby-isms

Everytime I get out a pair of scissors Abby asks, "Are those Cutco scissors?" I don't know where she heard of Cutco.

Today Abby colored a picture of a My Little Pony for her daddy. She said, "My daddy will like this because he is into ponies."

She is also obsessed with the type of car people drive. When someone picks her up she always wants to know what car they will be driving. The other day she asked "Will Grandma pick me up in the Envoy?" I just think it's funny she remembers types of cars.

My sweet little Abby has been really funny lately, developing her own sense of humor. Her imagination continues to keep me busy and often off in pony land. The other day Abby put her pants on backwards when she dressed herself. She wanted to keep them that way and thought it was funny. She asked me to take a picture. She also loves to dress herself each day. A lot of the times the clothes don't match. She will leave it on in the house but if we go somewhere she'll ask for me to help her match.

pictures of my big boy!

Well, Luke is growing. He weighed 14 lbs at his 2 month check up and outgrowing his little clothes fast. I love his hair right after I wash it. It looks fuzzy and sticks up in a little mohawk. He has started trying to suck his thumb but he doesn't quite get it in there. He is smiling more every day and makes the cutest little baby squeaks and noises as he finds his voice.