A fun week.

So we have had a pretty fun week. The week started last Saturday when we went to the Minnesota Zoo with Matt, Angela, and Grant, and got to take Pooh Bear and his Honey Pot with us. We spent several hours seeing the other kids dressed up, visiting, and trick-or-treating. After that, we headed home to nap before Matt, Angela, and their son Grant headed over to our house to watch the Iowa game. It was a tense game but came with a win so all of the adults were happy, and Tyler and Grant had a BLAST playing the entire game. Both made it through the entire late night game, though Kevin crashed after the first quarter, and Tyler was very sad to see his friend Grant leave.

Sunday brought a quiet day and before we knew it it was Monday. Monday morning arrived quickly and Tyler, Kevin, and I headed off to the Children's Museum for their Spooktacular event. Tyler dressed up as Pooh Bear and once again had a blast trick-or-treating and seeing the other kids. And it turns out that Pooh Bear loves driving the big bus, shopping in the grocery store, and playing in the town as much as Tyler does. Most of the time we spent in the kids world pretending to play at the bus, grocery store, or post office. And occasionally we would venture over to the other areas, including some spooky woods that Tyler decided was too scary for Kevin (grin) and a play area for Kevin, which Kevin LOVED!

When we got home, Adam reminded me that Kevin was nine months old that day! I totally forgot after spending the whole weekend reminding myself to take nine month pictures. Ugh. I felt so badly because I had planned to take some pictures outside. So, before we laid Kevin down for bed, I had to take a few pictures. The only problem is that these days, Kevin does not sit still. At all times he is crawling, squirming, pulling up, or pushing a laundry basket (his favorite new game) all over the house. So I took lots of pictures, and realized that no good sitting still for extended periods would happen. At least he was happy that night!

Tyler wanted his picture taken.

Trying to get a picture of both boys....but Kevin wasn't having any part of sitting still when a laundry basket was nearby. He just loves to stand up and push it around! And it is a very stable walker, so it is fun to watch him explore standing up.

As for Kevin. At nine months, he LOVES to stand and slowly cruise around with a laundry basket. He shocked Adam, Tyler, and I when we all went in to see him Thursday morning and he was just standing in his crib chewing on a handrail! He is just ready to go...and we think that we have Tyler to thank for that, since Tyler never stays still himself.

Kevin has three teeth currently, but another two (on top) are about to break through. He isn't a very chatty guy, but is VERY happy and has become an amazing sleeper. He loves to cuddle still and has just the best snuggle. He loves to laugh at his daddy and Tyler, who are always trying to make him laugh. He no longer likes his stationary toys (jumperoo and swing) and prefers to be let loose to just play with Tyler. At the gym, he cries if left in the baby room with the stationary toys, and so they have started letting him into the big area where he can watch the kids play and move about himself.

It is hard to believe that nine months has passed already. Kevin has done a heck of a lot of growing and learning, and is such an amazing "chicka chicka" (his nickname at times since we were reading a TON of Chicka Chicka Boom Boom when Kevin was born, and calling him chicka chicka always got a smile or laugh out of him). I

I do have to comment though about Kevin's FAVORITE toy....it drives Adam and I bonkers since Tyler always ignored them...but any electrical plug or cord. It is like a magnet drawing Kevin in and we are always on the lookout for his quick roll or crawl towards one. It is amazing how fascinating they are for him!

Our week also included a couple of trips to the Gym, and "play class" for the boys. They have really settled in at the Childcare Center and both seem to love their time there playing with other kids and all the toys. Kevin also had his nine month appointment. He weighed in 18 pounds, 4 ounces which is great because that puts him at almost two pounds in a month (Kevin lost weight the previous month and so we were told to up his food and start giving him some formula in an attempt to gain weight, and prove that no medical conditions existed) and is 27 inches tall. The only thing that the doctor commented about was his lack of communicating, since Kevin just does not talk...but the doctor agrees that it could be because Kevin is so focused on mobility or because big brother is always talking that he just doesn't feel the need quite yet.

And then we finished off the week with a special trip downtown to have lunch with daddy. Tyler was beyond thrilled to see daddy, and really enjoyed the trip to the candy store after lunch to go pick out some ice cream. We took the ice cream back to daddy's office and Tyler was beyond excited to look out the window, see his desk, phone, chairs, and of course eat ice cream. Uncle Bruce also stopped by to see the boys, and Tyler enjoyed talking to him and Kevin had some big smiles. Leaving was hard, as Tyler cried the entire walk home because he wanted to stay and help daddy work in his office. It was tough to hear, but eventually Tyler settled down when I promised him that we would go downtown next week to eat with Uncle Bruce and daddy again.

Randomness.

Just a few pictures.

Pooh bear happy to have a honey pot.

A happy honey pot.

Pooh bear with his honey pot.

Kevin watching Tyler play in the backyard.

Keeping an eye on big brother.

Checking out Tyler's swing (Tyler was batting with his baseball tee).

Tyler showing off his Iowa jersey.

"I"

"O"

"W"

"A"

Go Hawks!

Posing with his friends Pooh bear and Herky.

Kevin proud to be a Hawkeye.

Kevin with another fun smile. Such a happy guy.

Jack-O-Lantern Cake

Just wanted to share a cake we made to celebrate October and approaching Halloween. Needless to say, Tyler taste tested a lot of the leftovers. :)

Little People

The boys are once again both sick with runny noses and coughs....so no going out for us. We managed to make a quick trip to the grocery store, but no gym or play class or other out-of-the-house fun today. Instead, we did a lot of puzzles, played with the dogs, and played a LOT of Little People. Playing with the Little People has become our number one activity during the day as both boys can play and seem to enjoy it. Kevin likes to pick up people/animals and put them in cars/airplanes or just chew on them. Tyler gets a kick out of role playing more, and it is fun to listen to what he makes up (as it usually mimics real life). Since it has become a big event in our daily routine and Tyler's room is getting taken over by them, I thought that I would take some pictures of us playing.

And then here is the newest addition to Tyler's room. He LOVES it an during his quiet time I just listened to him talk to the Iowa football team and Tyler Sash (as he thinks that he see's Tyler Sash in the poster).

Finally, here is a Curious George puzzle that Tyler did yesterday, and several times today. It is significant because this is the first time that Tyler has sat down to do a puzzle, and without help has completed it totally on his own!

Getting Colder. . .

Today has been a snowy, dreary day for most of the day. We have stayed inside as both boys are once again sick with colds, despite Tyler's constant requests to put on our snow boots to go out and clean up the snow. Thankfully, he is easily distracted with playing games with Kevin and I, and so no battles over cleaning up the slushy snow yet. ;) I did finally turn the heat up when I noticed that poor Ellie was shaking. She is just not made for colder weather, and once the heat got turned up she found a nice place to nap. Ellie is known for always being under a blanket or in front of a register during winter, so I couldn't resist a snapshot of her first nap of winter by the heat register.





And then two sweet pictures from Saturday. Tyler decided at one point that he was a dog and needed to go to his crate. His "crate' was the couch upstairs and it required him to be covered up with Kevin's blanket. He played this game of going to his "crate" to sleep for awhile before coming back out to tell us that he was going back to his "crate" for quite awhile. He even talked in his high-pitched imagination voice reminding us that he is a doggie like Ellie and Carlie. I long for his imagination....he has got a good one.

Snow surprise.

For those that don't know, Tyler LOVES winter. At least that is what he told me throughout the summer when we were reading books about snow and winter, or when he would find his snow boots or winter coat in the closet downstairs. He would always tell me how he can't wait for snow so he can go outside and clean it up, and of course wear his coat and boots.

Well, early this morning we got a fun surprise when Adam discovered there was a light dusting of snow on the ground when he woke up early to let the dogs out. We both doubted that it would still be there when Tyler awoke, but sure enough a few hours later Tyler awoke and upon hearing that it had snowed, he darted out of bed and ran to the back window. There were lots of "oohs" and "ahs" and he was just pointing out everything that had snow, including his two slides that are still in the backyard. He kept telling me as we sat there that we needed to go out and clean everything up (including the grass, rocks, and even the neighbor's house behind us). He asked me a few times if we could put on our snow boots and go outside...and finally I agreed.

I grabbed our snow boots (as Tyler insisted that I wear mine too) and my camera and we headed out into the front yard (thinking that we could avoid playing on snowy slides) so he could explore. Obviously, he must not remember winter as he was so excited for such a small amount of snow and couldn't seem to grasp what I was talking about when I would tell him that someday the snow will be as tall as him.

At least we know that living here the odds are very good that soon enough he will understand that there can be more snow to play in. But for now, we had a few quick moments of running through the snow, stomping in our boots, watching Carlie walk around, and of course me constantly explaining that there is no need to get out a broom and trash can to start cleaning it all up...that the sun would take care of things. ;)

Once I got some pictures, we headed inside. It was too cold for me, and despite Tyler's enthusiasm, it was likely too cold for him too since he was still in his pajamas. :) We were planning on going to a pumpkin patch today to pick up some pumpkins and maybe apples, but with it being colder and Kevin getting sick, we will likely pass. But, if for some reason we do get out, I will try to get some pictures. For now, I need to run because Tyler is trying to tuck Ellie in on the couch with a blanket he got.....thank goodness she enjoys being warm! :)


Checking out the snow on his new snowboots. He was excited to see that this year he has black ones because now his blue ones from last year are too small (he loves knowing that he is a "big boy").

His smile when I asked him if he liked snow. He has a Pluto sticker on still from last night (when Adam got home, he got Tyler a surprise sticker to wear). Oh, the joys of being two! He is so excited about this sticker!


Staring off, when I asked him to smile. Must still be sleepy. Or just two. :)

Asking Carlie to run with him in the snow. She wasn't too sure about the cold ground, but did enjoy the freedom of the front yard (a rare treat for her since she is barky...but since she is more loyal than Ellie, she gets the opportunity once in awhile).

And Kevin. He is eating some Cheerios here and just watching the chaos around him. :) Still hard to believe that he can sit in his high chair and eat Cheerios all by himself!

Kevin

A few pictures of Kevin from this afternoon. He is once again sick, hence the drool, but fun pictures all the same. He is getting so big!!!



Not a lot happening here today. We went to the gym this morning where Tyler proceeded to tell EVERYONE hi, including those in the administrative offices with their doors cracked (he would peek in). Everyone seemed to get a kick out of him as he was telling them hi and then asking if they had a good time at the gym. ;) Fortunately, almost everyone stopped to chat with him and got a kick out of him asking what treadmill they ran on (this is what I tell Tyler I do while at play class). Some would respond asking Tyler how he liked the gym, and he would quickly remind them that "Tyler don't go to the gym, he go to PLAY class". ;) Thank goodness it is a kid friendly place because he LOVES to talk to people.



Kevin had a harder day. He didn't want to nap and has generally been fussy. He is drooling a lot and once again congested. Not sure if he is getting sick or whether it is just teething, but if I had to choose I am guessing sick. Hopefully, a weekend of relaxing, naps, and some nose suctioning will help get him on the mend quickly. Other than that, he has spent the day being pretty clingy, but during this clingliness (yep, this may be a new word..go me) wanting to practice pulling himself up and down. He just gets such a kick out of standing up.

He is upset here, but you can see two of his three teeth! So, I thought that the picture was worth posting.