Baby Love

OK - so I am having too much fun with this video thing. Anyway, I caught Elizabeth talking to Jacob yesterday and thought I needed to get a video of their interaction. She loves her brother so much - almost too much sometimes. I only hope the love continues and sibling rivalry doesn't start too soon!

Flu Season

After dealing with a case of bronchitis with Jacob and several days of fevers and crankiness with AJ, Elizabeth came down with the stomach flu this weekend. As much as I hate to see my kids sick - I enjoy the cuddling and taking care of them. She was so sweet and basically didn't get off the couch all weekend. She bounced back in full force by yesterday afternoon and was the old bouncing, energetic Elizabeth that we all know and love today. I can't wait for the sun to start shining again so we can get some fresh air and hopefully get rid of all of these winter time bugs!

So proud of my Dad!

I know most of you look at this blog for glimpses of the kids but I thought I would share a little with you about my Dad. As most of you know, my parents live in southern California which comes with great weather and beautiful beaches. My Dad went to college at UC Irvine and lived on Balboa Island but never took up any water sports through out his younger years. In the past couple of years he has decided that it is never too late to learn to surf. He has spent almost every weekend for the last two or so years out on the open water figuring out his balance and working hard at trying to "catch the perfect wave." The serenity that he describes while he is out there is incomparable. I can only hope that when my kids are grown and gone that I still have the ambition to take on great tasks and learn new things. I am so proud of my Dad!

And the countdown begins...

We are all anxiously awaiting the end of the AFIT thesis. Mike will be defending on Friday and then we hope to be able to resume our normal life again!

Look Who's Talking

Jacob has been our most vocal baby yet! My mom got to experience all he has to say while she was here. I tried to catch a little of it on video but he got a little shy when he saw the camera and of course AJ and Elizabeth wanted in on the action too. Anyway, I figure I would let everyone get a little glimpse of the happy boy "talking" as he does almost all day long.

Dancing to The Beach Boys (Just for Pappy)

Look at them go!

The kids love to dance and I find it is a great way to get their energy out when they are getting a little crazy. Our neighbor's little boy, Ethan, was over today and got to partake in the fun. Pappy (Carrie's Dad) just gave the kids a Beach Boys CD and they are in love with the music. Elizabeth asks for the "surfing music" all of the time. I have included a short little video below. All you have to do is click on the play button in the middle. Enjoy!

Oh! The Artistry!

Now that we have been trapped inside for quite some time because of the cold and snow - the kids have learned to explore their creative sides much more. I have had to limit TV time or else the day would be consumed by it so they have figured out that coloring is a lot of fun - it also keeps them quite and entertained for a good amount of time. It always amazes me how much their coloring progresses over time. I can't believe that it wasn't that long ago that Elizabeth was making scribbles and now she is drawing pictures that are easy to figure out. AJ has gone from making straight lines and scribbles to TONS and TONS of circles. I hope they continue to have creative desires!

Well....We're on the move!

It looks like we will be heading out to sunny California a little earlier than original (Yeah!). Mike will be graduating AFIT on March 22nd and then we are going to try and get to California before he has to go to Alabama (SOS) on April 16th. Wish us luck that we get our house either sold or rented!

Missing Husband Syndrome

When Mike got accepted to AFIT, I was warned that his time would be monopolized by the school. After the last couple of weeks of having a missing husband, I have come to realize that we are in the home stretch. Mike's thesis is almost done and he has his defense on March 1st and will graduate on March 22nd. I am counting down the hours until I get my husband back and I know the kids can't wait until they can have some good wrestling time with Daddy. We love and miss you Daddy!

Snuggling with Gamma

My mom - or better known as Gamma - came to visit us out here in cold Ohio. The kids have really enjoyed her. I have loved having her around while Mike is busy at school finishing his thesis. Today, Elizabeth found time to snuggle with her on a big fluffy down comforter. I can't wait until we move closer to family and are able to see them more often.

Three months old and counting...

Jacob's 3 month stats:

15lb. 3oz.
25 inches

What a big boy Jacob has become. He loves to "talk" to anyone willing to give him attention. He has started to light up at the sight of people he recognizes and loves to hear his big sister and brother talk to him. He has started to play a little and we are hoping that he will gain more control over his head here soon so that the play can progress. Every day, I just love to sit and enjoy what a happy, peaceful baby he is. Who knows what he will be doing in the next month?

Happy Valentine's Day!

So this is how our Valentine's Day went . . .

We wake up (or should I say are woken up by three kids at once) and it is time to start the day. Well, by the looks of it outside (9" of snow and 2" of sleet on top of that) we won't be going anywhere. Mike ends up having to work on his thesis from home because we can't get out of the driveway - literally - we tried! Anyway, the story continues . . .

Time for a morning snooze!

We should get dressed for the day...don't I look cute?

Time for a little play - my mobile really intrigues me!

Just an example of how much snow we got (take a look at our bench).

Daddy decided he needed a "slacker break" from his thesis to play in the snow.

AJ's friend, Ethan, came over to join in the fun!

Elizabeth standing - or should a say fallen into the snow.

Daddy made a hole to hang out in too!

Trying to make a snow angel . . .

Boy! These guys are crazy!!!

I hope everyone had a special Valentine's Day - I know it was nice to spend it with the family!

Playgroup Introductions

I thought I would share with everyone our little neighborhood playgroup. They are a big part of our lives and the kids have found wonderful friendships with all of the other kids. The mothers have also had a great time getting together as well - it is nice to talk to another adult every once in a while. Anyway, we had our Valentine's Day party today. The kids played, made crafts, ate a great lunch and traded treats. I am going to miss everyone when we move and I know the kids will miss their friends terribly.

The whole group: top left- Elizabeth, Megan, Katie, AJ;
bottom left - Jacob, Evan & Anna. Missing are Ethan & CJ


The girls - Elizabeth & Katie What good buddies!


Playtime!


Lunchtime! Evan, AJ & Megan


Lunchtime! Elizabeth, Katie & Ethan in the background.


Elizabeth making her mailbox for her Valentine's.


Megan finding letters to put on her mailbox with her mommy, Melissa's, help.


Tara & her beautiful daughter Anna. What a cutie!

Proud To Be An American

In my attempt to recreate a picture that I took of AJ when he was a baby, I think Jacob's came out a little better - but they are both adorable at any rate! What do you think?

AJ - August 2005

Jacob - February 2007

The Discovery

Jacob has been looking at and talking to toys for a while now but today he figured out he has some control in their actions. After a while of being propped in the exersaucer, he realized that his hand actually moved the rolling thing. Look at that concentration! He is changing so fast!

Snow Day!

After two days of bitter cold we finally got some snow yesterday - about 8". All of the kids in our neighborhood were anxious to get out of the house and play in it. I have decided it definitely takes longer to get the kids bundled up to go out than the time they actually spend playing!

Elizabeth thought it would be fun to try and throw snow on

AJ as he tried to crawl out of the snow - oh feel the love!

AJ hasn't quite figured out that you don't have to mow in the winter.

Elizabeth made a total of about 15 snow angels.

My little teddy bear, Jacob, watched his crazy older

siblings from the stroller in the garage where it was a little warmer.
Doesn't he look toasty?


P.S. Please leave comments if you are looking at this blog - we really appreciate them!

Brrrrrrr... It's cold outside!

The view out our back door

I can't believe how cold it has been here these past couple of days! You know when you get up and it is -5 then it isn't going to be a day to get out. The kids have been a little stir crazy but the snow on the trees out our back windows is beautiful. I must say I wish it would warm up just a little though. Edwards isn't looking so bad anymore!

What A Big Boy!

AJ made the transition to a big boy bed last night and did great! He stayed in it all night long and didn't get us up once or fall out! I do have to admit, we tried it in Elizabeth's room but I guess making that transition and sharing rooms at the same time didn't work too well. We decided to put his big boy bed in his room and on the first night it was great! One step at a time, right?

Ahhh! How sweet!

Rub-A-Dub-Dub Too Many In The Tub!!!

In an effort to save time and water, Mike and I decided that bathing all three kids at once would be much easier. I think after all said and done, we are out of room! What do you think?