My boys...

...Melt my heart.

Stir Crazy

Today Anna and I decided to make homemade playdough.  It was a great project for the following reasons:

1) Kept her entertained for more than ten minutes, she's been getting cabin fever for sure
2) Provided a great lesson in counting and measuring
3) Didn't have to go buy anything or spend money
4) Easy to clean because I can just throw it away when we are done
5) Most importantly quality 1x1 time with Mom while Zach, who still recovering from traumatizing shots yesterday, napped; which has been lacking with everything going on lately (pregnancy, surgeries, baby, grandpa...)

We used a combination of several recipes from http://www.playdoughrecipe.com/.  Basically I used 1c salt, 2c flour, about 1/4c baking soda, 4tbsp cooking oil and 1c boiling water.  I mixed the dry ingredients first and divided into 4 small bowls.  Then I added a different color food coloring and 1tbsp oil to each.  I then measured about 1/4c boiling water (I actually boiled about 4 cups and just dipped into it w/ measuring cup) to the first bowl and mixed.  I did this part one by one so the water was still hot when I added it.  The playdough turned out great!  Most of the recipes called for Cream of Tartar, which I did not have.  We'll try one of those next time and compare.

  

Like brother, like sister

I guess I just make small babies.  Here I am thinking that Zach is getting SO big and is SO much bigger than his sister was at this age.  Think again.  He is getting bigger, up to 8lbs 13oz from his low of 5lbs 6oz but still in the bottom 5% for height and weight.  He will be 8 weeks old on Thursday and took in 4 shots today like a champ.  Other than being small, he is doing great.  Almost sleeping through the night now (about 9pm-6am with a 2:30am feeding), playing, rolling over, cooing, smiling and being sweet. All traits very similiar to his loving big sister. 

It's Official...

I am now a SAHM (stay at home mom).  It was definitely a bitter sweet decision, but ultimately we decided it is for the best for me to be at home for a while and take care of our family.  I am so excited to spend more time with the kiddos and be able to walk Anna to kindergarten on her first day. It was a little sad packing up my desk though. One day I will return to the working world... For now, I will be taking care of my babies and going back to school, two of my favorite things.

Precious

Babies are precious, end of story.

Sit. Stay....... Rollover?

Sit... Not too far down the road
Stay... For now
Rollover?  Yes, Zach can already rollover. In fact, he has been doing it for a few weeks. This kid is on the move already.  Every time we have tummy time, he ends up on his back within a few minutes.  He is so strong. He could practically hold his head up on his own from day 1.  Crazy. I love watching him develop and look forward to these miles stones, but them seem to be happening so quickly.  He smiles in the morning after he eats which is probably the best part of my day most days because it is just so sweet.  You forget how it melts your heart to know that they are smiling just for you.  I have to remember and enjoy every moment because they grow so quickly.

Anna is enjoying her new school and has been making huge progress with her eating habits.  For those of you who have ever had, I mean tried to have, a meal with her, you know exactly what I am talking about.  For the last few years her diet has been about 5 foods.  They would change occasionally, but every meal had to be prepared separately for her.  We tried everything.  The doctors tried everything.  The kid refused to eat.  When I was put on bed rest during my pregnancy I made it a goal to focus on breaking through to her.  Finally, we have done it.  We now require that she tries new foods and tries what Danny and I have for dinner each night.  If she doesn't like it, that's OK, but she has to try it.  This has been going very well, except she won't admit to liking anything.  Now, we are getting to where for lunch she can pick what she wants, but it has to be a "new food", or something she doesn't eat every day.  Next?  Actually eating dinner with us every night and having the same thing.

Love

Because I love my kids. Because I love to take pictures.  Because I love to take pictures of my kids, here is what I did today.  Zach is 5 weeks old already and Anna loves him more and more each day. 

Just because

I love the smile I captured this morning even though it was on my phone (my actual camera was too far away). 

Preschool, Again.

I pulled Anna out of the preschool she was attending a few months back and put her on a waiting list for a new one we liked much better.  After months of waiting, we finally got the call that a spot had opened up for her.  Today she started at St. Luke's preschool and love, love, loves it.  I have no doubts she will do great and have a blast with her new friends. 

Zach's first month...

What a sweet, sweet boy I have.  And what a sweet, sweet girl I have too.  Zach is a great baby most of the time and it has been so much fun getting to know him.  There have only been a few rough nights.  Most of the time he is relaxed and observing everyone with a suspicious look on his face.  Maybe its because he knows what just happened in his diaper.  Maybe he is plotting something.  Maybe its just baby gas.  Regardless, he is pretty awesome.  Anna has been a great big sister too.  She is always asking questions about him, watching him and about once a day tells me how cute she thinks he is.

New Mommy

As expected, Anna has been playing Mommy with her dolls more now that Zach has arrived.  She has been a great big sister as well.  She still keeps her distance and doesn't get in Zach's face (which is a blessing since she has been sick for the last month) but she likes to watch while I take care of him.