Saturday, September 29, 2012

Lovely DC wedding

Tonight Aunt Hillary babysat so that Ben and I could attend the wedding of two of his friends from highschool. It was at the W Hotel in DC and we had a blast catching up with old friends and enjoyed a fun night out celebrating Sidney & David's wedding.

My favorite part of the night was the photo booth they had rented. It printed one for us to keep and one for the bride & groom's scrapbook. I wrote: "This is what 9 years of marriage looks like! Congratulations!!!"


We had so much fun!!!


Thank you Aunt Hillary!

The effect of too many political ads on children


they begin to identify with a political party waaaay too early!

(We had received that mailer and Owen was carrying it inside when he dropped it. I asked him to pick up the junk mail and he proceeded to name the presidential candidate, much to my surprise. I guess that's what we get for living in VA where every single commercial these days - radio as well as TV - is political.)

Friday, September 28, 2012

Vivian's new skill ~ she's getting there


She's been practicing a little every day and keeps getting better. It's so fun to watch her master a new skill. :)

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Wouldn't it be nice

if toddlers could change their own diapers?

Told Vivian we needed to get a clean diaper on before we left the house this afternoon, turned around to do something else quick before changing her, came back into the room and she had everything set up for her change.


Isn't she helpful???

On a side note, we definitely need to work on potty training her, because I do think she's ready. I just struggle with trying to juggle working part-time, shuttling them to MMO and preschool each day, keeping everyone fed, clean and happy, that adding potty-training to the schedule is a little overwhelming. I'm thinking we may do another Thanksgiving week boot camp, where we lock ourselves in the house for five days, put her in big girl underpants, and set the kitchen timer for every 30 minutes with the Signing Time Potty Time DVD playing on a continuous loop. 

Sounds fun, right?

Well, it worked for Owen and he had a number of other issues at the time which luckily Vivian doesn't have, so I'm crossing my fingers it works for her too. She's already doing well, it's just a matter of ditching the diapers and not looking back. 

Here's to not having to buy diapers in 2013!* 
*for Viv

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Shoe shopping with Mommy

Vivian was the hit of DSW tonight as she went around trying on shoes alongside me. It was our first fun shopping experience together.


Here's to many more to come, Baby Girl. 

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

We love the playground on a sunny day

Spent the afternoon walking the kids to the playground in the double stroller. Had it all to ourselves and it was glorious (to quote Andrea)! :)


Can't believe summer is over and we're already into fall. Doesn't really feel like it on these warm days, but I think the weather is changing and we'll be wearing boots and sweaters in another week or so.

Monday, September 24, 2012

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Good to the last drop

Ben fed the kids this morning while I got a few extra minutes of shut eye. As I'm walking into the kitchen, this is what I see.

Me: "Hun, did you teach the kids to drink the milk left in the cereal bowl this morning?"

Him (in the family room, on the couch): "No, why?"


I guess it's just an innate behavior. 

Thursday, September 20, 2012

4 Shots & the playground

Today Owen had to go back to the pediatrician for his annual shots and his flu shot. That meant he was going to get two in each arm. OUCH.

In hopes of avoiding a complete meltdown of screams, kicks and tons of tears, I went over with Owen what was going to happen that morning and also on the drive over to the doctor's office. I told him he was going to get four shots, but that they would be over quick and he should be brave so that he can get stickers at the end.


This kiddo was a rock star. No tears, no screams, nothing but a very brave little man. Here he is showing off his awesome cartoon band-aides that he most certainly earned.

That's my boy.

The nurses were so impressed. Vivi ~ watch and learn. You're up in less than 3 months. 

Then we headed to the playground so that he could work out his arms to lessen the pain for tomorrow. We did the monkey bars. Vivi just hung around looking cute on the swing.



Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Happy 4th Birthday Owen!

This morning we had special birthday chocolate chip pancakes with sprinkles!


Followed by Mom's Morning Out at The Zoo, lunch, and then preschool in the afternoon when Mommy (and Vivian) got to come in at the end to read one of Owen's favorite books to his class. (They don't do birthday treats anymore in school because so many kids have food allergies. Boo! But it was fun sharing a book with his class.)

When Daddy got home from work, he was excited to give Owen his birthday surprise from us. He forgot to wrap it, but Owen didn't seem to mind. Just meant he got to see what it was that much faster:


Happy Birthday, Mister Owen. We love you to the moon and back (not sure your rocket will make it that far, but here's to hoping).



Monday, September 17, 2012

4-yr well check

This kid is so happy to push the buttons in the elevator.


Mommy wished she would have scheduled his appointment for his actual birthday because now we have to go back later this week for his shots since they wouldn't do them today (you know, because two days before his actual birthday isn't close enough, sheesh!).

Oh well. Just means this little man gets twice as many stickers and gets to push twice as many elevator buttons! :)

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Picture overload: Owen's 4th Birthday party!

We had so much fun hosting Owen's 4th Birthday party at the Ashburn Fire Station! We arrived 30 minutes early to set up the tables and chairs and to decorate a little. Owen was all decked out in his fireman outfit from Grandma & Grandpa. Our guests started arriving and the kids had a ball running up and down the room which was so funny to all us moms. But hey, anything to wear them out so they have a good nap, right?




Once everyone arrived, Firefighter Faith took us outside to check out the ladder truck. She was in the middle of showing Owen the inside of the truck, when an emergency call came over her radio. She didn't have to respond, but her colleagues did - less than 2 minutes later, one of the other trucks in the garage pulled out of the station, lights and sirens, and was on its way to respond to the emergency! It was so exciting!



After the excitement settled, she finished showing the kids the truck. Everyone had a chance to climb through and check out the inside.


The kiddos ran around a little more inside, and then we decided to sing Happy Birthday and cut the cake! We kept the party simple with just cake & ice cream and drinks since it was in the 2-4pm timeframe. We had a small cake for Owen to blow out his candles and make a wish, and then cupcakes to give everyone - chocolate and vanilla - from Wegman's. (Again, kept it simple so that meant Mommy wasn't baking up a storm this year and I will say that even though I have enjoyed it in year's past, it was worth every penny to not have to stress over it this year.) :)



It was a great afternoon and we want to send a huge thank you out to all our friends and family members for helping us celebrate Owen's special day!

Saturday, September 15, 2012

In four days he'll turn 4


I'll never forget the moment I became a mom. 

It was the scariest, happiest, most intensely emotional moment of my life. Ben and I had actually created a tiny little person. It was incredible and deeply overwhelming. We were now in charge of this tiny miracle in our arms. 

He made me want to be a better person. He gave my life so much purpose. He made my heart explode with love every time I held him to my chest. 

Little Man, your Mama loves you more than anything in the whole world. 

Over these past four years you have become such an inquisitive fire-cracker of a preschooler who challenges me to the core each and every day.

And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Your laugh makes me smile and within seconds I am laughing right along with you.

Your energy keeps me motivated to run along with you.

Your love of books and reading together makes me want to read you twenty books every night before bed (although there is no way I'd be able to stay awake for that many, seeing as I'm usually yawning all the way through the second book each night.)

Your eyelashes make me so incredibly jealous.

I love the way you protect and love on your baby sister. You are so good to her and she loves you and looks up to you so much. 

I get goosebumps when I see how happy and confident you are when you're in the water. You are such a fish.

You are so passionate about fire trucks and fire fighters that I wouldn't be surprised at all if you become one someday.

Having you in my life is one of the most magical miracles I have ever experienced.

Singing you Twinkle, Twinkle every night these past four years is my favorite way to end the day.

Happy 4th Birthday, Little Man.

Your Daddy and I love you so so much.

xoxo

Friday, September 14, 2012

Vivi's first day of Mom's Morning Out

Owen & I dropped Vivian off this morning for her first day of Mom's Morning Out at Little Sprouts. She didn't flinch as a few of the other kids were in the middle of crying fits as their moms were dropping them off. Vivi took her shoes off and put them in the cubby. She watched her brother do it so many times - she just knew exactly what to do before she could run and play.


She was grinning from ear to ear when we picked her up too. Good day. :)

After school we play


Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Brotherly love

Caught these two watching cartoons this morning like this


I wish I could say it lasted more than two minutes. 

Monday, September 10, 2012

Salad stealer

I usually feed the kids lunch and supervise while they eat (you know, make sure they eat their veggies rather than throw them on the floor) and then once they're finished, I'll sit down and am able to enjoy my meal while they play together.

Vivian had eaten her entire lunch, but I guess she was still hungry. She climbed into my lap, took my fork, and started eating my salad.


I'm not complaining. This baby girl just loves to eat! :)

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Saturday, September 8, 2012

August pool day

Found a few pictures from a pool day with Kayla and Ryan last month and wanted to share.


Missing summertime!

Friday, September 7, 2012

First day of Preschool!

Owen had his first day of preschool today. First, to start off the day, Vivi needed a trip to the pediatrician since she woke up sounding like Darth Vader. So Mommy was with her at the doctor until 8:30am while Daddy stayed home from work with Owen.


Once she had her meds, she definitely started feeling better. We took Owen to get a haircut so that he'd look sharp for his first day. Then we had to run to Mommy's eye doctor for a quick follow-up visit. We rushed home for lunch and then packed up Owen's backpack and took some pictures before heading out for his big first day.


He had a great first day! It was also Grandma's birthday! We had a chance to talk with her at the end of the day to wish her a Happy Birthday and look forward to celebrating with her soon when she and Poppy come to our house for Owen's birthday.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Told you so

Look who woke up this morning with a 101 fever...


Lots and lots of extra snuggles and cuddles for my two babies today. (Owen is definitely on the mend, thankfully. Now just need to get the little miss back to 100%)

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

From okay to not so okay

After cupcakes, Owen relaxed on the couch watching some shows on TV. Vivi had woken up from her nap and she and I were playing when I noticed he had fallen asleep. I let him nap while Viv and I read some books. But he woke up suddenly a few minutes later and was coughing pretty bad. He was able to catch his breath, and when I felt his forehead I knew right away that his fever had come back.


I gave him a dose of Children's Motrin and set him up to do a breathing treatment. Vivi climbed up onto the couch to keep her big brother company. He finished the treatment, but a few minutes later another coughing fit came on and he couldn't catch his breath. It was awful. I raced him upstairs carrying Vivi on my hip. I started the shower in the kid's bathroom and put Vivi in her crib while I tried to calm Owen down. The bathroom steamed up pretty fast and he was able to breathe better, but the pediatrician still wanted us to come in since his throat sounded so closed up. 

A few minutes later we were at the doctor's office. She said he's got croup and put him on a 3-day steroid to help his throat open up. 


Fingers crossed the little miss doesn't contract it. 

But I'm not holding my breath.

Let's bake cupcakes!

Owen was feeling a little better this afternoon, so while Vivi napped, I decided that he and I should bake cupcakes to take his mind off being sick. We used a Devil's food mix I had in the pantry and followed another Pinterest recipe which said to add nothing but a cup of Greek yogurt to the mix, then bake. Well, the Greek yogurt was tough to mix into the dry cake mix, so I added about 1/2 cup of almond milk to help stir it up. It baked up nice and then we whipped up a Reese's chocolate icing to go on top.


Then I gave Owen a few different toppings (leftover candy from Kayla's b-day party goodie bag!) to decorate his cupcake with. He had more fun decorating it than he did eating it. The little man only ended up taking a few bites of the cupcake itself.

But almost all the candy from the top disappeared somehow.

Monday, September 3, 2012

Sick little man


Owen had a temperature yesterday, but it went away and we thought he had fought off whatever he had. Unfortunately, no. It came back late this afternoon (103!) and he was having trouble breathing. I suspected croup, but he's only ever had that after a bad cold. We went in to the Urgent Care place tonight because he couldn't breathe well at all. Poor little man! Hope he's better soon.

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Our anniversary tradition

When I mentioned to Ben how I remembered how we had so much fun on our 5th anniversary when he cooked dinner and we read through our old cards from each other, he took the liberty of planning that night again. We put the kids to bed and had a late dinner tonight and it was just as fun as it was 4 years ago. :)


Saturday at the boat


There was a fun BBQ competition, so we had some ice cream and walked around for a bit before heading home. It was so great to catch up with Aunt Hillary who just got home from a school trip to Africa for two weeks. She brought fun presents for everyone and Owen quickly became attached to his sock monkey who he named Boden. :)

Pinteresting pancakes

I saw this idea floating around Pinterest and decided to try to make it for the kids this morning. They were a hit! Just make silver dollar sized pancakes and skewer them together with sliced strawberries and blueberries, sprinkle with powdered sugar and viola!


Instant breakfast happiness.


The leftovers made mommy pretty happy, too.