So big.

My kids are just getting too big. I remember when I bought this table. Aidan was a baby and I got it at a garage sale. I remember thinking it would be forever until I would have two little ones sitting in it. But yet, here they are, eating their dinner, and watching a Christmas movie. I can't tell you how much this makes my heart smile.

So He Says....

Conversation taking place after a series of noises coming from Aidan:
Me: Aidan, do you have gas?
Aidan: Nope, that's just fireworks Mom.

Seth: Aidan, would you like to have a new baby brother or sister sometime? (No, we are not pregnant!)
Aidan: Can we sell Nora?

Zoo Day {11.26.11}

We took the munchkins to the zoo today. I am so thankful for a zoo membership and we have used it well.

The trip was actually quite short because the kids were on the cranky side (hence there being no pictures of Aidan), Nora had the blowout of the century in the stroller (Seth was the unfortunate one to pick her up and get it all over his shirt), and I started having a horrible sinus headache.

We still had fun though. I brought extra pants for Nora so that worked well and we still saw the aquarium, which is usually the highlight of the trip for the kids.

Even though the trip was less than what we expected, the kids took great naps for once and Seth and I enjoyed a leisurely late lunch while watching Downton Abbey.

These are the best days

Here's how we spent Thanksgiving morning...

Coloring on our bellies, watching the Macy's parade, and eating Goldfish in our pajamas. It doesn't get much better than that.

We had a lovely Thanksgiving dinner with friends and a long night up with our kids who apparently had too much of the festivities and forgot that nighttime is for sleeping.

I am so blessed.

14 months

Nora,

You are turning into more of toddler than a baby these days. This past month was a big one for you in many areas of development.

You are a communicator. You are constantly adding words to your vocabulary and use lots of hand gestures to let us know what you want/need. Your newest words are: keys, pumpkin, go, sit, Jack (a dog), kitty, "ee ee" (monkey), candy (thank you halloween), drink, ice, all done, night night, book, and many more. You also nod yes and no when we ask you questions. You understand everything. I can say, "Do you want to push your baby in the stroller?" and you will find your baby and then look for your stroller and start pushing it. Or, "Go give this to so and so" and you do. You follow instructions very well and seem to respond well to "no" and "come." You definitely cry and scream when we say "no" to something you want to do, but you usually stop doing what you are doing. You also can point to your nose, teeth,  and toes.

You still are a busybody and love to play. When you are feeling well (which you haven't been as much lately) you are so happy to play alone and explore.

You love snacks. Your new favorites are raisins and apple sauce. You are generally a good eater, but again, not so good at it when you aren't feeling well. You also love to feed yourself. You eat much better if we give you a spoon and you do a pretty good job at getting it into your mouth. I usually just give you your food and know that you will sit and eat until you are done.

You've had a nasty cold, ear infection, and molars pushing through which has led to a lot of sleepless nights and fussiness this month. You are sleeping well when you feel good and that has been a relief to this tired momma.

Your favorite things right now are: bathtime, playing outside, riding with Aidan on his "car", riding on the rocking horse, sliding down the slide, babies, eating snacks, dropping Aidan off at preschool, going to the library, animals, cuddling, rocking, nursing, music, and dancing.

You do not like: riding in the car, being hungry, being bothered by your brother, getting your diaper changed, being told "no", sitting in the stroller, and putting yourself to sleep.

We are still nursing 3 times a day and sometimes more. You don't seem ready to quit and I am still nursing you to sleep at naptime and bedtime most nights. You are learning to go to bed without nursing if need be, so that's been helpful.

You are so much fun and add such a sweetness to our family. We love your scrunchy face smiles, your silly dances, your giggles, the way you lay your head on our shoulders, the hugs you give, the way you love your brother, and so much more.

You are loved.

Mama

More Is Better

I am realizing every day the importance of siblings. I can't imagine if we had only one child. And I don't know how many more we will have, but I am so grateful that these two have each other.

It can really depend on the day, but most of the days around here are not all that lovely or sweet. Some are intermixed with hugs and kisses for each other and then screams, cries, and taking of toys. But the days where there is a steady stream of laughter and enjoyment of each other just about bring me to tears (happy tears that is).

The kids have both been sick. They are snotty, cranky, suffering from ear infections, and the nasty side effects of antibiotics on their little bodies. That basically means that this mamma is rolling her sleeves up, wearing messy clothes, and trying not to worry about anything but getting through these days. Aidan has been staying home from school, so we've had a lot more time with just the 3 of us than we normally do.

We stayed in our p.j.'s today. It was nice and lazy. About midmorning, I heard giggles coming from my room and I went to see what the two munchkins were doing. They had barricaded themselves in a corner between my dresser and the wall (where I stack all my old magazines) and had stuffed pillows up as a little door. The lighting was horrible, but I managed to snap a few photos. They stayed in there for awhile, sitting next to each other, laughing, and holding hands at times. It was absolute sweetness.

And then they rolled out onto the pillows. These photos are horrendous because they were a quick take to capture the moment. I think I'll keep these forever to remember their silliness though.

I also found them (actually, I heard them) in the bathtub playing. It was empty and they were in their clothes dancing and laughing.

Then later again they were on Aidan's bed bouncing. (I nearly had a heart attack) I heard them laughing, but figured they were just having a good time in Aidan's room and didn't want to interfere. When I did go in there I was shocked to find Nora on Aidan's queen size bed. I think she probably got up almost all the way and then Aidan helped her. I am definitely going to have to keep my eye on those two. Aidan did tell me that he was "watching her and making sure she wouldn't fall." I was so relieved. :) Not. He was also jumping into her and pushing her against the wall which she didn't mind one bit.

This is how they ended the day.... playing in the sandbox....and then later playing with Halloween candy. Who would have thought that we could have so much fun with candy? Aidan has been dumping it out and putting it in various places and containers and then putting it back again without even asking to eat any. Nora had fun helping him tonight, but she was trying to hide some pieces to snack on later. :)

I am so blessed to have these two precious children. I can't wait to watch them grow up together.

The day they dressed up...

Okay, so it's been a week since Halloween and I have yet to post pictures of the kids in their little get-ups.

Basically, our week has been somewhat crazy. Nora was diagnosed with an ear infection the day after Halloween. She has been on and off cranky. We had a busy weekend and Aidan now has a severe double ear infection. So, crazy times.

Here's my Spiderman and little monkey:

Aidan and his friend Adam

The "real" Spiderman

Nora clapping...she was totally
 excited about the whole affair.

Happy girl (with an ear infection). :)

Pink bow to add some girlie to the costume

Aidan getting candy!

This pretty much sums up the night:

Aidan yelling "prick or preat" (he can't say his "t" sound with an "r") enthusiastically and running as fast as he could to each house

Aidan tripping a million times

Nora laughing, clapping, and saying "ee, ee" for her monkey

It was fun. This was the first real time we took the kids trick or treating. Since I didn't really grow up doing so, it is a weird little holiday to me. I'm not sure how we'll celebrate in the future, but the kids had fun dressing up. I think I'd rather have a costume party and give out candy next year though.

Pumpkin Carving

Our pumpkin carving experience in pictures....

 Here they are!

 Beautiful pumpkin

 Nora and her big brother's hat...it was a cool day for playing outside.

 So sweet!

 "I want to do it myself!"

 What is inside?

 Aidan showing Nora the seeds

 This is what happens when 1 year olds are involved....

and that is why I dressed my kids in old clothes.

 And now we sit in the mess...

 Very enthusiastic helper--not surprising.

 Very disgusted, "don't want to get my hands dirty", observer--also not surprising.

The finished product....which the observer was oh so proud of and couldn't stop talking about.