Heard of Olivia?

Reese decided to form his own band, similar to Olivia in Olivia Forms a Band... notice the bells on the feet. Since the picture we've added more instruments to his band.

On another note... One of those days. Carsten is somewhat congested so he slept for a half and hour at naptime. This means we all got up and continued on our day, no nap for mommy or Reese. Today I NEEDED the time alone, quiet, peaceful, without kids pulling on me... not to be. Earlier in the day we headed out to do errands and Reese had a meltdown about wearing a jacket in his carseat--I couldn't take it anymore and turned around and headed home. We ventured out after the failed naps instead. I wonder if it is the winter time weather, attitude, stuck inside business setting in, or what??? The kids have been on my last little thread of a nerve lately and I'm really trying to be nice. Hopefully the holiday gaiety will set into my hard heart and I'll turn back into a good mommy... we'll see.

Growing Up...

Our neighbor outgrew his little two wheel bike, so he passed it on to Reese. Reese is so thrilled! He wants to ride it any free moment and we have to take it with us when we go to grandparents, etc. I was just noticing today that Reese can reach light switches that he previously couldn't--I believe he is growing...

Without Oma...

Without Oma here I haven't had time to post! Pathetic I know... Here is a little of what's been going on here...

Our two cute little boys...

We went to Nana Wendy and Bob's this weekend and Reese got to play with Cole! His special buddy. They get along very well--wish we lived closer!


Reese couldn't get enough of the fishing pole and outsideiness of Jim and JoAnn's backyard. I was over taking pictures of their grandkids and my two were in outdoor heaven.

Carsten trying his hand at fishing in the grass...

Bliss...

I believe I mentioned in an earlier post about how a new pair of shoes makes my day... I need to say that I have now found something much better, bliss--a visit from Oma. Having Oma here means a few things--I haven't unloaded the dishwasher once in the past three weeks (my least favorite house keeping duty), I get 3 hours a day of freedom as she naps with them. I haven't given one bath, I rarely change a diaper or get someone dressed other than myself. She even let Jim and I go to the midnight release of Harry Potter last night! Oma is going home tomorrow, Sunday, and I'm going to go through withdrawals, depression, sadness, and having to deal with grandchildren that miss their Oma...

Too Much...

Well, it seems that just daily life is too much... I can't seem to do the laundry, pay bills, cook, clean, bathe children, pick up, go to doctor appointments, read blogs, AND keep up my blog.
We are still around and we are doing fine. Oma is here and keeping us sane, so I can try to do all of the above, but I am still sinking some days... Each day we try to accomplish something else on our list and we do, but we also add a couple more things each day. Oma is here until Saturday and then she is going home... (how will I do it???).

We had a great visit from Wendy and Callie--can't get enough of those two... Might just have to go and see them again before Callie leaves. It was Wendy's birthday, so we got in on a birthday celebration which is of course of one Reese's favorite things.

Both boys are doing good. Carsten had his one year shots yesterday and his fourth molar is finishing coming in so that has got to be painful. He signs now for; more, thank you, all done, and milk. He says, "woof" for a dog and he claps for everything.
Reese continues to say the cutest things even though I can't come up with one at this moment...

The 4th, Camping, Friends...

We went camping the weekend after the 4th with Jim's family. We got to try out our Suburban with the trailer--it did quite nicely. Oma was with us and we had a very good time. Reese and Carsten enjoyed the amount of dirt that surrounded us and were quick to cover themselves... not really, but it was a dirty weekend. Both boys were doted on by all the adoring relatives and we ate ourselves happy.

Carsten learned how to *pick* his nose. He really just figured out where his nose is and realized that by putting a finger in it all the people surrounding him would make a big fuss.

Abigail (Terry and Sara's girl) was there and she and Carsten tootled around together.



4th of July we spent with Steve, Barb, Heidi, Siena, Remy, and Oma. We went to a small town parade (which was way better than the circus) and then back to Steve and Barb's for lunch. The kids played with multiple water toys--a wiggly hose, water mat thingy, and a Elmo water spinner deal... Fun was had by all.

Bibs, New Shoes, The Circus...

So, Carsten refuses to wear a bib at meal time, but yesterday and today he has worn a bib all day long just around the house. He pulled some bibs out of the drawer and tried to put them on. I helped him and he was satisfied and trotted off. Kids are really weird.

New shoes... Nothing makes my day more than a new pair of shoes. Especially clearance ones. These Keens are very comfortable and I think quite cute...

Carsten also has new shoes since he's a'walking.

Reese can never be outdone, so here are his new shoes that we got on clearance over a year ago, but that are fitting him now.

And... THE CIRCUS... What to say??? We thought it would be fun to go to the circus with Reese, so we took them on Monday night. We can honestly say we were disappointed. It was expensive--$20 for each adult--children were free, but good night that is still a lot of money. Especially when each item in the circus (popcorn, cotton candy, slurpies, etc.) were all $4-. The music was extremely loud (we were trying to cover the boys' ears). The performances were just okay, and there was a lot of wasted time. I don't remember circuses having advertisements, but every few minutes they would stand in the ring and show some new toy, drink, etc., and say that they wanted the kids to promise they wouldn't go home without one... oh boy. The crowd was fairly low class and the set-up was cheesy... the last performance was motorcycles in a globe deal going around and around--how exciting. We don't recommend the circus. period.

Boys, Sun, Water...

Our little park here in our development has lots of picture opportunities... I love the tunnel. This was Carsten's second time in it and he was just as excited as the first time...

Summer is here and the sun, water, and boys go quite nicely together. My two could live outside all day as long as there is an endless water supply. Did I mention sand and water go together as well??? If I'm not watching the sand box and water table get very mixed up and you can't tell which is which!

3 Years and 1 Year Pictures...

I finally got around to taking the boys pictures and here they are... I redid the header using them too, but it is not fitting quite right--oh well.

Doctor, Vehicles, Boys...

We've had a fun evening... We ran around all day, had a doctor appointment, etc... When we got home we went for a walk/trike/stroller ride and then the boys played in the front yard with their vehicles. Carsten was thoroughly enjoying sitting on Reese's tractor and putting the scoop up and down. The picture above is of him laughing after putting the scoop down... he thought it was a riot. It also shows the wound he got by this walking thing... he fell against an end table and it left a dent--seriously a dent! He is now walking everywhere and loving it. Oh, boy.


On our walk we saw a different looking lawn mower and Reese pointed it out. I said that it must be an electric mower... He said, "Maybe that is the way God made it, maybe (shrug, shrug)."



Today was the boys' one year and three year check-ups. They both weighed/measured fine. Carsten is 21 pounds and in the 25 percentile in weight and height. I opted to wait on Carsten's one year shots as he is just getting over being sick and it seemed unfair at this point (for both of us--me having to put up with a cranky baby and him having to feel cranky).

Carsten also has tooth number nine. It is another biggie on the top. He seems to be getting four molars right now. Yick.

Teeth, Talking, Anniversary...

Carsten now has his 8th tooth... He really broke it through on Monday. His third on the bottom, a big one near the back. He is also walking a lot now--fun to watch him teeter along so proud! Reese usually makes us all clap if he is paying attention...

Reese is still making us laugh with his language usage...
We were driving to Grandma Paula's and Papa's house and Reese had to go to the bathroom, "Real bad.." We were almost to their road so we asked him to wait. Once we stopped Jim asked him if he'd like to help drive down the driveway. Of course he did and he also no longer needed to go to the bathroom so desperately. When he climbed on Jim's lap to drive, I said, "Just hold it Reese". I meant for him to hold in the pee... He said, "I can't, I have to hold the steering wheel."

This morning... Midway through my shower I hear, "Mommy, wipe me..." Decisions... I told him to wait, or try himself. He did both. I had some cleaning up to do.

Our 11th Anniversary today!

Don't we look cute???

Weekend, Birthdays, Runny Noses...

My awesome brother gave me a new (to me) laptop for my birthday... I've been getting all the programs I use put on it and so I've been lax again in posting. Lots going on here it seems...


This weekend my parents came to help celebrate all the birthdays and they are heading on a trip and we were on the way. We were sure glad that they were here as we added two more little people to our herd. Jim's cousin, Tom, and his wife Rae Ann had a funeral to go to and we watched their two girls for Friday night and Saturday. Reese and Stella had a blast. There were bikes to be rode, bubbles to be blown, toys to be investigated, baths to be taken, snacks to be eaten, and water everywhere! Carsten and Ivy did a lot of sibling watching as the little whirlwinds ran around. Fun cousin times.



Carsten is one today!!! Can hardly believe that my baby is one... He is an amazingly happy little guy. He always wakes up happy--whether he gets woken up or wakes up on his own. Hardly a grumpy moment for him. Just this weekend he has decided that walking is okay. He has taken steps before, but now we catch him walking places instead of crawling. Carsten is still our bulldozer, crawling over any obstacle and not too afraid of falling. He climbs on anything he can--he loves standing on Reese's chairs and then letting go--no hands! I think that he is bigger than Reese at this age--I put some of Reese's shoes from this age on him and they are too small...

Reese got a, "scootcase" for his birthday and a sleeping bag. We've been camping on the floor this morning. Carsten got a little car and that has been the *toy of the moment*--they both want it.

Now we are sick... Carsten has a gooby nose, I have a sore throat, and Reese has a runny nose... we've put a call into the doctor. It is disgusting to be sick this time of year as it is so nice outside and feels like you shouldn't be sick. Mondays are laundry and bath day, but we might just skip those...

Birthday Presents...

Reese's new ride...

Reese getting his birthday present from Papa, Grandma Paula, Aunt Alicia, Uncle Todd, Daddy, and Mommy...

Happy Birthday Reese!!!

Yesterday was Reese's 3rd birthday... He got taken to breakfast by Jim and JoAnn and then we all went to lunch together at his favorite pizza place. We then had cake and ice cream later with some friends.

We find it hard to believe he is so big! Reese's most recent accomplishments are riding a trike (around and around the block), wearing big boy underwear, fascinated more and more with books (although he will tell you that he cannot read, he just has to look at the pictures), dresses himself, and still loves his brother (for the most part). We love you Reese--you are a great 3 year old...

We told Reese that after singing last night and having cake that he'd be 3 years old (he was born at 7:45pm). So after we'd sang and eaten cake he came up to me and sadly said, "Mommy, I'm not any bigger, look I still can't touch the ceiling."

We put Carsten's name on the cake too as he is nearing 1!
A little Carsten update--he seems to be doing fine after his little adventure. He is coughing more (they told us that he'd probably have a croupy cough). It seems that Reese, Carsten and I all have colds, so we are laying low here for a couple of days...

BTW--I hope everyone knew that the financial donation request was a joke? Jim was worried someone would take us serious... We don't really want to know how much that battery is going to cost us, but he is worth it!

Reese with his adopted grandparents--Jim and JoAnn

Potty Stuff...

Ok, funny story...
We had a little toilet overflow issue (sorry, but gdiapers sometimes don't all go down here at our house...another story). So, last night Reese went in and went to the bathroom and came out to ask me, "Mommy, why is the toilet so full?" I went in and very wisely flushed it again--big mistake as water started to flow over the edge of the toilet. I frantically shut off the water supply and ran to find Jim (after shoving a rug under the door to at least try to keep the water contained). Jim was on the phone, but after the look on my face he hung up and came to see the disaster. As Jim was entering the bathroom Reese came running out and was yelling, "Run for your life!" We broke down in stitches and it made the cleanup a little more tolerable. I must add a little awesome husband award here as he offered to clean it all up and mopped it afterwards as well! I was offering to do the cleanup to save my gdiapers, but he refused.
(The run for your life comment comes from an Arthur book we check out frequently at the library--Arthur's First Sleepover.)

Other recent Reese talk...
Reese told Jim, "I'm a good ride biker." Jim said, "Oh, you are a good ride biker!" Reese responded, "Yes, I are." Later Reese said, "I am a good bike rider." He then told Jim he was supposed to laugh. Jim said, "The reason I laughed before is that you said you were a good ride biker, not a good bike rider." Reese then said, "Oh well, it's similar."

Some Old Pictures...

Some old pictures that were on Reese's camera... Carsten getting his hair cut at the place Reese loves near my mom and dad's house...

He didn't mind at all... She is quick and did a great job.

Reese asked later the same week if we could go get another haircut... there is something about getting your hair cut in a Hummer.

Reese's first experience in one of those restaurant play structure deals. He mostly sat on the one bench inside the tube--until another child helped him climb to the top. It then became a convincing game of getting him down... He finally agreed to let an older girl come down the slide with him. A weird feeling of not being able to get to him when he wanted me to... Once on the top he enjoyed playing the "plano" as he calls a piano. It was a xylophone type thing. Anyway, he finally came down the slide as I said earlier and we were able to go home!


I keep forgetting to take pictures of Lamby and Lu Lu--Reese's favorite animals. They sleep with him and he likes to drag them with us when he remembers. Recently he has wanted Lu Lu strapped in the carseat with him. I had to take a picture to document the unsafe practice of strapping a stuffed animal in with your child... the things we do to keep them happy...