World Class Babysitters

Saturday night was a first for us ... we had my parents and the Geuder's come over and babysit Jackson, Brendan and Isaac while we went out with Lori and Scott. It's been so crazy with the two little guys that we really haven't had a chance to sit and chat with them. We decided on making a big trip to the Hawk's Nest in Hamilton. After giving our "babysitters" instructions we made our way to the restaurant. Despite trying to drag out dinner... we were all done within 45 minutes and then tried to drag out sitting at the table longer ... we only made it 15 more minutes.... and then returned home. I think we shocked the Grandparents (they hadn't even eaten their dinner yet!) but it was fun being able to chat with them too. Next time we decided that we're going to go farther away for dinner (even though our dinners were great!). It was great seeing Isaac and Brendan together too. Being only 2 months apart, I have a feeling that they'll become good buddies:)

Spring Break

It is officially spring break!!! The thing that I now love most about spring break is that extra time that I can spend with my boys. School can be a bit chaotic at times and when I get home I am exhausted and the evenings go so quickly but spring break is my time with them. I think that I appreciate the time so much more now that I've been back and experienced the craziness of working full time with 2 kids!

We decided to take a little weekend trip (Luke wasn't keen on my idea of a week in Florida this year!) to Portage, Indiana (about 15 minutes west of Michigan City). We had gone there last year with Edings and loved it so much that we figured another trip there was definitely worth it. We couldn't have asked for a better weekend ... other than the fact that the Nykamps couldn't make it because they had sick kids:( We were all bummed that they weren't there.

The hotel we stayed at had a wonderful kids pool and so the kids spent a lot of time there. On Friday, we drove into Chicago and went to Navy Pier, Rainforest Cafe, American Girl Doll Store (for Breanna... the only girl) and the Lego store. The weather was fantastic and the kids were extraordinary! No crying or whinning! Saturday, the girls (plus Brendan) went shopping to the outlets in Michigan City but were back in time for the game (which was too sad to watch!).

Of course the weekend went by too quickly but it sure was nice to go away for awhile and Jackson had such a great time that he cried when we left. Now our week at home begins and I'm sure we'll have many stories as potty training has begun.....

4 months

I can't believe that my baby turned 4 months last week! Where has the time gone? On Friday we went in for his 4 month check up and all looks good .... but he didn't do well with the shots this time. We refused to sleep afterwards and was really fussy. Thankfully it was a weekend so we could just spend time cuddling with him.

Friday Betsy and I made a ton of baby food for the boys. It was so nice having someone to do that with and even more fun seeing the boys take care of all the kids! After making all that food, we decided on Saturday morning to try some rice cereal and he actually didn't make too much of a mess. He's got the idea of swallowing the food but would rather sit there smiling at us. It's crazy to think that we're already at the solid food stage though!

1st Stroller Ride

I can't even begin to say how happy we have been at our house with the weather getting warmer. It seems like such a long winter because we stayed inside so much with Brendan. Thankfully it seems to be changing and spring doesn't seem so far away. Sunday was such a wonderful day with the sun and no wind so we put the boys in the stroller and went for our first outdoor stroller ride with Brendan. He loved looking around and was so happy during the ride. Jackson enjoyed it too because he had his new "Soft Lightening" along with him (Grandma and Grandpa brought it earlier that day as their peace offering since they had been in Florida for 2 weeks!). We are hoping that the weather now stays this way so we can get out more often.... now if only that snow would melt!

Unexpected Days Home

So I go back to work for a week and then am home for two days with SICK boys! Ick! Jackson came down with a fever on Tuesday and both he and Brendan have been coughing. I ended up going into work on Tuesday for a few hours and then came home with them. I really struggled because I knew that I needed to be at school because I had been gone for so long but my first priority is my own kids so we had some extra "home" time. Jackson was seriously not himself and did a lot of laying around while Brendan just kind of hung out (the kid is so content!). We did pull out the exersaucer though and it was so surreal seeing him big enough to use it! Time sure flies!

Brendan's Visit to Blue Star

Last week Tuesday was my first day back to school - I can't believe how quickly the time went! Prior to coming back I spent some time here getting ready and took Brendan along so Luke and Jackson could have some play time together. Of course Brendan was such a good little guy here and I got lots done but I also took some pictures of him around the room to show my kids that he had been here.

I still can't believe that it's already been a week back in the schedule but we have all adjusted well and evenings have become pretty precious now. I love spending time at home with "my boys" (all 3 of them!) and definitely don't take that time for granted anymore.

And I promise that now I'm back online I'll start to post more often:)

Where has the time gone?

I can't believe that Brendan is already almost 11 weeks old and that I go back to school in 2 weeks. Time has flown yet I feel like I've been a stay at home mom forever. Although I'm anxious to go back and get back into the routines, I will really miss being home with the boys. Jackson and I have learned about each others routines and Brendan and I are loving to snuggle. Here are some recent pics of the boys.