Apple

I was trying out the settings on my new camera. Just thought these were cute!

Update - August '09

Again, I have been blog MIA! Sorry! You know, work, family, summertime = Busy!

And from here at my work computer, sadly, I have no pictures to include in this post...but I know you'd like an update anyway!

Let's see what have we been up to? Mostly the usual suspects....the zoo, the pool, talking walks, local festivals, etc. We have taken up a couple of Chicago Fire soccer games...we always have to leave early before the girls get too crabby & out of control (!) - but it is still fun for a while!

Lorelei is walking all over now! And she is getting smarter by the minute! Learning and saying more words every day. She talks more than Brooke did at this age, but I imagine it is because she is learning from her sister. She knows what she wants and doesn't like if she doesn't get it, but overall, still the calm and happy little one she's always been!

Brooke has been potty training & is doing great. Only a few accidents here and there now. She is very independent as always. She "over" loves her sister with full body bear hugs & thinks that pushing Lorelei down is just fine! But overall, they get along and laugh together...they just also like there "alone" times when one is sleeping and the other is up!

Kevin & I just celebrated our 5 year anniversary...can't believe it has been 5 years already. It sure has gone by fast!

Nothing much else really to report on. We are blessed & lucky to have a happy and healthy family!

ONE YEAR OLD!

I just can't believe my littlest one is ONE YEAR OLD! An entire year has come and gone. So fast!

Here is the latest on the recent Birthday Girl!

She went to the doctor for her 1 year old well check...she is 18 pounds, 5 ounces & 28 1/2 inches tall. Almost exactly the same as her big sister at that age. Weight is about 10th percentile and the height is about 30th. Doc says she is perfect in every way!

Also, since it is the popular question at this age...Lorelei just took her first steps yesterday! A 4th of July to remember for her! I even made sure she did it again today to make sure it wasn't a fluke! But it wasn't! So, the real walking will be coming in no time I am sure! Look out world, here she comes!!!

It's all about the cake!!!

Five Things...

Five things about the girls right now...

Brooke Madeleine 2 years, 5 months & approximately 29 1/4 pounds

1. Loves to go outside! One of the first things she asks to do after she wakes up!

2. Becoming a little parrot! Better watch what you say!

3. Got her hair braided for the very first time...by DADDY!



4. Got her toe nails painted for the first time this summer!



5. Learned that she can use her rocking horse as a step stool!





Lorelei Grace 11 months & approximately 17 pounds



1. Starting to talk. If you ask me, she says Dada & Uh Oh!...and maybe just maybe starting on mama!

2. Just had her 6th tooth come through.

3. Is standing all on her own with great balance! I think those first steps are coming soon!

4. Is starting to eat lots of table food!



5. Climbs the stairs like a champ!

Spring Happenings

I didn't mean to take a blog hiatus in May...but you know how it goes. Life, in general, is busy. Many times I say tonight is the night I am going to update...but then, a child wakes up, or the dishes need to get done, or I am just plain tired! So, I did give myself the goal on this long holiday weekend, to find some time to update. And, here it is...

What has been going on this spring? Mostly, just regular old life. But there are always a few cute moments to share!

The girl's cousin, Kathen. Could she be any cuter?! She is 6 weeks older than Lorelei. They are both happy little cuties!


The girls are just mesmerized when watching Daddy mowing the lawn! They do this every time!


Brooke looking adorable! I am so glad she is back into getting her picture taken. Now she loves saying "Cheese!"


On the blog, it is harder to tell, but this is not only a sweet picture of Lorelei, it also shows her one fang that came in!


What kind of mother allows here kid to go outside on a rather too brisk May evening like this? Well, what can I say? She has a jacket on doesn't she?!!

St. Louis - the rest!

The last installment of pictures of our St. Louis trip. From the Anheuser Busch tour and the St. Louis Blues vs. Columbus Blue Jackets hockey game we attended.

King of Beers


The Famous Clydesdales

One of 2 Dalmatians that live among the Clydesdales.
So sweet!





Lorelei enjoying the bar. I mean the "hospitality room"!


Daddy enjoying hockey with his girls. Both girls loved the game. Daddy is so proud!!!!!!

The Magic House

St. Louis - Part 2

The Magic House (St. Louis Children's Museum) just added on a 25,000 addition. It is huge! And a great place for kids of all ages!

The bubble room


Giant Legos!




Every one's favorite - the water play area!




Wow daddy - look at that!


Aren't I adorable??!!

St. Louis Zoo

I think the last time we went on a road trip was a year ago when we went to Cleveland before Lorelei was born. It sure was nice to have a little get-away. We did a lot in a few days - but I have lots of pictures, so I will do separate posts for different St. Louis activities.

First up, is the St. Louis Zoo. I really liked it. It seems you were closer to the animals than at Brookfield here. See:


And its a big zoo too. We quite enjoyed it.

We got there in time to grab the last free carousel ride of the morning.

Lorelei with a fake penguin

Real penguins

Brooke on a big gorilla

Having fun on a giant beetle


Does anyone else find this display interesting & a bit disturbing?!


Little Lorelei doesn't "get it" yet, but she still enjoyed the zoo!


Kevin also enjoyed himself!


My favorite picture of the day!

Gymnastics

Brooke is taking her second round of gymnastics. The first round ended the week before Christmas. The new round started in mid-March. In those three months, I can see how she's matured. The class starts with all the kids getting together for stretches with the teacher before the open gym. In the first round, she basically never did that. She's just take off - or I would just make sure we didn't get there until about 5 minutes late! But now, my little girl is growing up more and more everyday, and now she actually sits in the circle and does the stretches with all the other kids!

Brooke stretching with the group!!!

Brooke having fun at gymnastics!