Splash Universe

This weekend, we met Mom, Dave, Ben, Aunt Kathy, Tom, Joella, Randy, Carson & Ava at Splash Universe in Dundee, MI. We all had a great, but exhausting time. Zoe rode all of the slides, even the big ones.

A New Way to Sleep

We've been struggling with Nate and his sleeping for about a week now (a very long week). It started last Thursday night when he screamed for hours & hours - even while you were holding him, nothing would comfort his. I ended up holding him for four hours while he slept & then Tony took over & he did sleep in his crib for a couple of hours. We are not sure what this was about, but he did have a little bit of a cold. Teething, maybe, no teeth yet. (He had night like this when he was a few weeks old.) Since that day getting him to sleep has been quite a chore, especially now that he can roll to his tummy. He doesn't stay swaddled anymore, but he can't comfort himself if he isn't swaddled. His hands are out of control & pull his binky out. Last night, we decided he has to learn to fall asleep on his own, not swaddled. After about 4 hours of crying last night, he finally fell asleep. Today, he fell asleep pretty quickly for his morning nap, but it took him an hour of crying to fall asleep for his afternoon nap. Both times, he has fallen asleep on his tummy. Hopefully, he will quickly adjust to sleeping without being swaddled.

"Why did we get rid of our housekeeper?"

This is the question Tony asked last Friday while "cleaning" the main stairs in our house. He was hosting poker that night & I was sick & tired (from being up with Nate the whole night before - because he was sick too), so it was up to him to make the house *poker worthy clean* - a relatively low standard for cleanliness. Anyway, I again asked myself this same question this week as I was cleaning the stairs that lead to our basement. They are by far the dirtiest part of our house (truly, even under the fridge is cleaner). They only get cleaned a few times a year & as a result the cleaning takes a significant amount of time due to the buildup of sawdust, drywall dust, cat fur, cat food & just plain old dirt that collects here. So, to all who have noticed my dirty steps - notice my now clean ones. They are sure not to last...2 kids, 2 cats & a basement still being finished are sure to messy them shortly. I will enjoy them while I can.

Nate Rolling Over - Part Two

Nate has learned to roll over from his back to his front. At the moment, he can only roll over to his right though & he hasn't quite figured out why that doesn't always get him where he wants to go.

Zoe's Nails...

Surprise!

Happy 40th Nancy!

Happy Valentine's Day

Yummy 1!

Yummy 2!

We had a pretty low key Valentine's Day this year. I slept most of the day & Tony ended up going to Nancy Fulcher's 4oth birthday party alone while I stayed home with the kids. Nate & Zoe enjoyed their presents.

Zoe's Valentine Bag

At preschool today, Zoe exchanged valentines with her classmates. This is a photo of the bag she made to hold them.

I hate returnables...

Yes, I must admit that ever since moving to Michigan, I have detested the fact that I have to return pop cans to get the deposit back. I rinse them as best I can, but it still is a dirty stinky, sticky chore. This is about 1 week worth of cans & I haven't returned them since before Christmas. One of these days, I will load them all up in our to take back to Meijer.

Ahhhh......

Zoe was feeling at little under the weather today & actually fell asleep on the couch. A miracle - both kids sleeping during the day at the same time. I got to enjoy my book in complete silence for a little while...

Zoe's Recital Costumes

Zoe got her costumes for her recital today at ballet & tap class. She definitely has the attitude for the tap costume - that pose was all her own.

Nate in Car Seat

This weekend, we transitioned Nate from his infant seat to his new car seat (Zoe's old one & of course she is quick to mention this fact). Nate really enjoys his new seat. He loves that he can see out the window & watch Zoe. No more hissy fits when you put him in (at least for now). If you look closely, you can see his reflection in the not-so-clean mirror.

Dominoes

This afternoon we played a game of Dominoes which, as usual, Zoe won.

Happy Birthday Ava!

Today, we helped Ava celebrate her 3rd birthday.

A Little People Line-Up

Zoe lined up all of her little people today so they could watch the king & queen have a race. I know it's hard to tell, but each animal has a little person standing behind them. She is nothing if not organized.

A clean kitchen

I spent quite a bit of time today cleaning the kitchen, including cleaning all of the appliances and such. It is nice to enjoy while it lasts - which won't be long.

Artwork

Zoe's wall of art...

Health Exploration Station

Today, Zoe & I went an a field trip with her preschool class (Nate stayed home with Daddy) to the Health Exploration Station. Zoe had a good time learning how to be healthy.

Testing her flexability

Travelling through the large intestine. At the end, there was slide that ended at a toliet - I kid not.

A post for everyday...

So, I've decided to try and post something everyday starting at the beginning of February & thus far, I've not been very good about it. But, I have taken photos most days in an effort to have something to post...

A Family Photo

Pictures of all us at around 6 months of age...

A new grooming...

Tony & I were thinking of shaving our cats like a poodle, so we experimented with one of Alex's legs.

Actually, this is where Alex had his blood drawn & an IV placed for his all expense paid overnight stay at the animal hospital earlier this week. After three days of vomiting (for a reason still unknown), he needed rehydrated with an IV. He is home now on a restricted diet, but otherwise is doing well. I think this trip has convinced him to never vomit again.

How quickly it goes by...

Today was Nate's half year birthday & we celebrated by...going to the doctor for his 6 month check-up. His stats were:

Weight: 15 lb. 15.5 oz (25th percentile)

Height: 25.25 inches (95th percentile)

So, he is long & lean, just like his sister was...

He did not enjoy his 3 shots, but otherwise the visit went well.

Whose that girl?

I convinced Zoe to let me put her hair in pigtails & we almost didn't recognize her without all of that hair in her face.

Your made up name...

Today's lunch conversation...

Zoe: "Mommy, your made up name is heart."

Mommy: "Why is it heart?"

Zoe: "I don't know, that's what Poppa Bailey said it was. And, Grandma's made up name is Klipp."

Mommy: "Oh. My maiden name is Hart."

Zoe: "That's what I said."

Silly me. Of course, I should have realized what she meant since this was a call back to a conversation that Zoe had with Tony's dad...before Christmas. I am amazed at what she remembers.

Nate Rolling Over

Well, Nate seems to have figured out how to go from his front to his back pretty regularly now. I believe learning this was a move out of desperation to avoid dreaded tummy time.

No Running on the Stairs, Mommy!

My splint on my foot - after my fall on the stairs - nothing broken luckily

Zoe told me that it was her fault because she should have reminded me,
"No running on the stairs!"

Our last Christmas...

Well, with a visit from the Messners this weekend, we've officially finished Christmasing. Zoe had a great time playing with Bailey & Tanner. Bailey & Zoe spent most of Friday night having a sleepover with no sleeping. They were not asleep until after 11pm, were both downstairs at 2am for some strange reason - I think they might have both been sleepwalking & at 6:30am, Tony & I heard Bailey yell, "Snowball fight!". The girls were both tired Saturday & even took naps - something Zoe hasn't done for over a year.

Zoe had fun showing Bailey how to play tennis, baseball & bowling on the Wii. After the kiddos went to bed, the adults had some fun playing guitar hero with a newly acquired second guitar. It is safe to say that we will all be keeping our day jobs.

Zoe's Snowgirl

Zoe & Poppa made a snowgirl today whose name is suprisingly, Zoe!

Sledding

Preparing for a ride down...

Daddy waves to his fans...

The ride up was pretty easy on Zoe...

Poppa & Zoe going down backwards...

Zoe was a little cold by the time we got to the car...

That's snow stuck in my hair - for some silly reason, I didn't wear a hat, only earmuffs.

Zoe, Poppa Dave, Mommy & Daddy all headed out to the hill today for some sledding. It was great, but cold, snowy fun! We all enjoyed our hot chocolate afterwards.

A *Captive* Audience

Zoe & Nate "playing" under the table.

Notice how Zoe has strategically placed the chair behind him, so he can't escape.

Zoe has decided that she really likes it when Nate is in his walker. She can move him wherever she wants & make him watch her play.

So Close...

Well, at least we looked good in our OSU wear. Actually, Tony & I both enjoyed watching the game (especially, because the kids were in bed). Even though the Buckeyes ended up with another BCS loss, at least it wasn't as embarrassing as years past.

Happy New Year!