Baby Girl and the 2 Year Old

So I have been meaning to take Abby's 6 month photos. Now that she is 8 1/2 months old, I got around to it. I guess that means I can skip the 9 month photo shoot, right? I can't believe how big and grown-up my baby is getting. She really is the best baby ever. She is super content and always smiling. She rarely cries and is a champion sleeper and eater. She loves to be entertained by the troops and to go on walks in the stroller. She loves the Johnny jumper and toys that make sounds. She even started eating puffs! This freaked me out a little bit as it means she is getting older. We all love our happy Abby and could look at her pretty blue eyes all day!


Luke has been 2 for awhile and continues to keep us on our toes. You never know from day to day what new thing he will figure out. His favorite thing these days is to remove his diaper, especially at bedtime. I stole a trick from my friend and cut off the feet of his sleepers and turned them around and cut a triangle by the neck. I love this because he can't get it off to remove his diaper. Genius. Luke is still very particular though and will go in his room and randomly change his clothes. The other day he came out in his gray t-shirt and James' plaid orange shorts and rain boots. I laughed. The kid is stubborn and looks a mess. I took these pictures this morning and failed to comb his messy hair. I really did wash his face, but due to his allergies, cuts and scrapes, he looks a mess. I can assure you he is a happy child though and can be super endearing as he is the one who will help out the most if you say you need something. Ahhh Luke!

Trike Time

When your little two year old legs aren't quite long enough to push the pedals, this is how you cruise...

Love this kid!

Jump Abby

Nothing makes you smile more than a happy baby! Obviously I am concentrating on her and not the disaster in the background...

The Biker

James received a bike for his birthday back in November. He attempted to ride it in the garage a couple of times, but let's face it, its just not bike weather. For Christmas he received a razor scooter and has taken every opportunity to ride it as he used to ride Lizzy's. He has gotten really good at it and can fly. His balance is amazing. Our goal for James this year was to learn to ride his bike. Now that we live in a flat neighborhood we new it would be a lot easier to accomplish. Saturday was beautiful and we decided it was the day. James got on his bike. Adam barely started him before he pedaled off like he has been doing it forever. He would go about 20 feet before slamming on the brakes, which he thought was fun. It was frustrating because we could tell he could do it no problem, but he just wanted to ride his razor. I did what any good mom would do and bribed him. I told him that if he could ride around the entire culd-a-sac around the corner from our house without stopping once we could go to red robin. Sold. He didn't do it Saturday, but we had some extra time yesterday. The first time, he went and stopped. I pumped him up saying, "are you gonna do it?" and he would yell, "yes!" That was all it took. Red Robin was yummy. Now to get him to start pedaling on his own...

In other news, James has been attending preschool and learning to write his name. I thought he only knew a few letters, but I came into the office and found this precious paper on the desk!

6 months already

 It's hard to believe, but Abigail turned 6 months yesterday. Where oh where has the time gone? She really is the best baby in the world and we can't ask for a cuter girl. This girl is always smiling, rolls back to front, got her 2 bottom from teeth (not so cool), loves to laugh and best of all sleeps through the night. I really think she is the most easy going of all my kids. Love her so much!

He's 2

Our little Luke has turned 2. It is hard to believe, but at the same time it is a relief. Our Luke is always a busy man. We believe he says very few words because he could care less and wants to concentrate more on other things (as in what kind of trouble can I make for my mom?). He really is a sweet boy and likes to help when he is in the mood. He likes to play with Abigail although sometimes a little rough and still loves to wrestle James and can still kick his trash. If he could live solely on gogurt he would. Otherwise he likes to play with his trucks and build block towers to destroy them. He is stubborn, independent and inventive. If he wants something, he will find a way. If he sees you put something "out of his reach" all you have to do is turn your back and he gets what he wants. He has "matured" the last few months which has made life easier. He no longer bullies every kid he sees which is a relief and when it comes to cleaning up you can count on Luke to be your best helper. He finally started liking books! I used to try to read to the kid all in vain. Now, he will bring you a book and sit on your lap. Very cute. He really is a sweetie and a funny kid and we are happy he is in our family. I can't "wait" to see what this year will bring!

The "Big" 4

My sweet James had his birthday this past Saturday. Can I just tell you how much I love this kid? He is always happy....I mean always. He wakes up so happy that it makes me either try to be happier when I wake in the morning or sick that someone can always be that happy upon waking. I appreciate his bright, teasing smile. He is full of personality and is always making us laugh. When people used to ask him how old he was he would say, "The Big 3". We then asked him, "how old will you turn on your birthday?" His reply was "Big 4". To celebrate his birthday we went to his favorite place on Friday: the zoo. Just as we left the lion viewing area, he started making noise. The kids stopped dead in their tracks and said, "what was that?" The lion, I said. "We better check that out" they ran back to see and hear the lion roar. awesome! On his actual b-day we took James to see Wreck-It Ralph and then to dinner at his favorite restaurant, red robin. His preschool teacher had made him a birthday crown and he insisted on wearing it so they would know to sing to him. After dinner, we went home with grandma, grandpa and aunt Megan for birthday cake. James loves to watch discovery channel type shows and his current favorite is monster trucks so he had a monster truck cake. I really wish I would have recorded him opening presents. He was so animated and excited for every single one including the chocolate bar from grandma. The kid LOVES chocolate. I am so happy James had a great birthday. The next day at church he told everyone he saw he was going home to play star wars Lego's with dad. I loved how I got the boot when Adam came home from a meeting and he informed Liz that it was a boy project and that she could play another time. He is becoming more assertive and has a huge heart. Love  you James!

P.S. I apparently exceeded my photo limit so I need to figure it out. Until then, enjoy the other photos on my blog.