Sunday, October 31, 2010

Halloween Weekend

We had a wonderful Halloween weekend with Todd's family in town. They arrived late Friday night so the boys didn't see them until Saturday morning. We slept in and then went to the mall to do a little shopping and let James ride the carousel. We enjoyed a super cheap lunch at the Hereford House from a Dealbug coupon that I got. For $2/person we each got a bowl of their steak soup, unlimited rolls and free soft drink refills. What a steal! Saturday afternoon we toured some model homes while the boys napped in the car and then headed to a local pumpkin patch. We have been to Whitetail patch the last 2 years. We like that it is local, not crowded or commercialized, and they actually grow their own pumpkins on the farm. I don't think this was "our" year for pumpkin patches. The patch was empty and there were hardly any pumpkins left. Usually we get great pictures there so I was a little disappointed. The patch owner said that it was a really bad pumpkin crop as you can see from the pictures. At Carolyn's patch we almost go blown away and Whitetail was an empty patch. Maybe better luck next year! Here are some pictures from the scarce patch! James loved rolling the pumpkins around!




Saturday evening we had Jack over to spend the night and Tatiana stayed with Gillian at my parents. The boys carved 2 pumpkins. Jack did one all by himself and was so proud. I was very nervous about him holding the knife but he did great!





For Halloween we had a monkey and a bumblebee. James loved everything about Halloween including ringing doorbells, saying "trick or treat", and eating some candy.




Here is James taking inventory!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Pumpkin Patch

We went to a local pumpkin patch yesterday, but the STRONG winds kind of took the fun out the trip. Blake and I spent most of our time inside to avoid getting blown away. I did capture a few cutes pics/videos. We are hoping to possibly go to a different patch this weekend right by our house to get some pictures of the boys.








Saturday, October 23, 2010

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

While Mom was away......

While I was away this weekend James got to go to his first high school football game

While I was away this weekend James got a new haircut

While I was away this weekend James helped Dada with some yard work



Santa Barbara

Blake and I went a trip to Santa Barbara this weekend for my cousin Rebecca's wedding. We had a great time and he was a wonderful traveler for the most part. It didn't hurt that I had some extra help either! Look at these two proud grandparents!

We made it!

Here is the cute little bungalow we stayed out. It was recently remodeled by two film producers. It was amazing. 3 bedrooms, all with king sized beds.




After we arrived on Friday we quickly dropped our luggage off and headed to the hills. We did some wine tasting at a local winery and then had dinner in Solvang. It is a Danish community and I didn't get any pictures, but it was adorable!!
Saturday morning we just relaxed around the house, got donuts, drank coffee and watched some football. Blake loved getting to see his cousin Sarah and Aunt Shelly.


Saturday afternoon we went to the beach and enjoyed some amazing Mexican food! Fresh pico and gaucamole. It was soooo good! Blake also got to put his toes in the ocean for the first time!


Sunday it stopped raining just in time for the wedding. It was a beautiful wedding and Rebecca looked stunning!

Monday, October 11, 2010

Blake has a tooth

Much to my surprise, Blake has a bottom tooth that poked through this morning. I thought I saw it yesterday but couldn't feel it so I wasn't sure. I hope his teeth don't bother him too much! 1 down, 19 to go!!! I was surprised because James didn't get his first tooth until 6 months so I wasn't really expecting it yet.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Blake's 4 month check-up


Blake had a great check-up and just cried a little for his shots. While we were there we also got the flu mist for James. I have decided I'm going to try really hard to NOT bring James to the dr for Blake's next well check. He was a handful and getting into everything he wasn't supposed to. Even though we spent time at home packing toys, books, and snacks in his backpack to bring to the office so he would have something to do he wanted nothing to do with any of it! I left exhausted and ready for a massage and a vacation. Instead though, we headed home and made waffles together for lunch. Of course, James stirred the eggs! BUT, the most important thing is that Blake is a healthy boy and his growth is right on track!

Blake's stats are:
Height 27 1/2 inches (99%)
Weight 15 lbs 9 oz (60%)
Head 42 cm (39%)

James at 4 months was 26 3/4 inches and 17 lbs.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Baby in the mirror

Blake is always laughing and smiling. He is such a joy to have around!

Monday, October 4, 2010

This is what 2 1/2 looks like!

James, You are 2 1/2 today!!! I had good intentions of taking your picture this morning before school, but my camera battery was dead. I went to pick you up from school and you looked like this...

You tried to jump on the curb on the way back from playground time and missed the curb. Your teacher Ms Shayla said that you were very brave and didn't cry. You just wanted ice for your owey.

It didn't phase you too much as you were all smiles once we got home.

YOU are a busy, independent, energetic, loving, stubborn 2 1/2 year old boy! We love you so much and you make us laugh everyday! You are becoming quite the talker and saying short sentences now. Some of your favorite things to say are:
"Mine, I do it, baby Blake spit ups, stir eggs, dada fix it, open please, help please, soaker soaker(wet diaper)."
You are very good about saying please, praying at meal time, and clearing your dishes from the table.
You love to be in the kitchen and help stir eggs. You don't understand why some recipes don't include eggs!
Your favorite word is NO! You say it atleast 100 times a day. We usually give you two choices and that helps with the NO!
You get so excited when you see a jet in the sky, horse in a pasture or a school bus on the road. Nothing makes you happier than seeing multiple buses! You say, "2 buses Mama".
You still let me take you on walks in the double stroller, but you have figured out how to unbuckle yourself and climb out if you really want to. While we are walking you say "2 laps" a lot because you only want to go around the neighborhood twice(each lap is about a mile). You also LOVE to go visit the 5 horses in the pasture that border the subdivision. You like to take the horses apples too.
You have been sleeping in your "big boy" room since the beginning of August. We had a rough few weeks when you were coming in to our room multiple times a night, but for the last month you have been doing much better. The last few weeks the only time you have woke up in the middle of the night are when you hear Blake crying. Otherwise, you are staying in your room and sleeping. You have a toddler bed in your room, but you refuse to sleep in it so you are currently camped out on the floor with a bunch of blankets.
You are a typical 2 year old and REALLY want to get your way. If you don't get your way you sometimes have a meltdown/tantrum. You can get so mad if you don't get what you want. If we let you cool off for a minute or two you are usually back to your sweet self in no time
You love to test the limits and see if you can get away with something. You think you are pretty sneaky sometimes.
You really enjoy your school days and every morning to wake up and ask if today is a school day. You currently go to school on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. You are so sweet when I drop you off and I always get a big hug and kiss before I go.
You love to play with your trucks/cars, little kitchen, and train table. Your favorite thing to do is line up all of your trucks, cars and choo choo's in a long row.
You love to wrestle with your Dada. He can really get you wound up!
You LOVE your baby brother and always let me know if he is awake, sleeping or has the spit ups. You love to entertain him and he loves to laugh at you! You like to help me give him a bath.
You are no where near potty trained. You wear size 6 diapers and I hope they continue to fit since they are the biggest size.
You weigh around 38 lbs and wear 3 or 4T clothes. You have to wear elastic pants or otherwise they are uncomfortable for you and your cute tummy!

Friday, October 1, 2010

BLAKE is 4 Months

Blake, you are 4 months old today! You are still a really happy baby and getting more personality each and every day!
What have you been up to the last month??
-You are VERY happy and go with the flow. Most people say they never hear you cry. You rarely cry and usually just when you are tired or hungry.
-You are content to be alone and play on your blanket, but you also love to be around other people. You especially like to watch James.
-You love to read books when we are doing bedtime or naptime with James.
-You laugh, smile, giggle and talk all the time.
- You still don't have a daytime schedule. You usually take 3-4 naps during the day.
-You were sleeping 10-11 hours straight at night up until last week. You have been waking 1-2 times at night and been VERY hungry. I think you are having a growth spurt. Hopefully, you will go back to sleeping 10-11 hours straight.
-You are still sucking your thumb.
-You are just now able to go in your bumbo seat and exersaucer.
-You still like to take naps in your swing.
-You hair hasn't been falling out as much the last 2 weeks. You must not want to be a baldy. You have lots of blonde hair coming in underneath.
We love you so much!!
Here are some pictures and video taken on Blake's 4 month birthday!