Silly Faces

Playing Hookey For The Royal Wedding

Well, not really. Brooke has a fever so she is missing school today. We have been watching the royal wedding and talking about princesses/princes and weddings. Its a bit slow moving, so she gets quite bored during the down times, but it has kept her interest at points.

As William and Kate entered the balcony she was pretty interested. She wanted to know why everyone was cheering. I talked about the prince and princess and she had a different thing on her mind.

"I want that hat" she said, pointing at the television.
This is who she was pointing to.

Brooke has never really been into the princess culture, but who knew she was such a fashionista?

Ryan Feeds Himself A Cracker

He's growing up so fast!

Ryan Learns An Important Lesson

Brooke supports the "what's mine is mine, what's yours is mine" philosophy.

Sugar High Aftermath

Sunday She Said

"Daddy, dont say no to me. Thats not very nice"

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Driving past a random, out-of-business restaurant with boarded up windows...
Brooke: What happened?
Mom: It closed. It's not there any more.
Brooke: I miss it so much!

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Trying to remember the word "obstacle"...it became "lollipopsicle"

First Dentist Visit

Brooke waits to see the dentist!

The dentist said her teeth look great. She was AWESOME. I was warned kids usually cry with their first cleaning. Brooke didn't even flinch. We decided to go out to lunch to celebrate. (also, Ryan passed out so we took advantage of the sleeping baby and dragged him to a restaurant so we could enjoy today's beautiful weather)

To make our day complete, after Ryan woke from his little snooze we put his bouncy seat outside and decorated the sidewalk with chalk art!

The Eggs Are Ready...

BEFORE

AFTER

River Works

Brooke learns about the river at the Peggy Notebart museum!


Ryan just hangs out, as usual ;)


... And then passes out, as usual ;)

Spring Brunch

We went a week or so ago to an Easter Brunch and just got the pics today. You can tell the kids are pretty thrilled with the Bunny ;)

Ladies Man

Ryan spent his morning at a playdate. He was the only boy. He is feeling pretty good about himself right now.

A Princess Seat

On our way to meet Brooke's friends new baby sister and stopped off at a new Starbucks. Brooke declared this seat a "princess seat" and immediately staked her claim.

Sunday She Said

"Stop talking and eat your dinner!"

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Listening to the radio...
"Mommy not sing it! Turn it a little louder."

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A dentist visited Brooke's school and she was very excited. On the way home we talked about it.
Mom: What did the dentist talk about?
Brooke: Um, talked about driving.
Mom: The dentist talked about driving?
Brooke: Uh huh. (pause) Driving and kissing.

I hope this was one of her creative stories and not actually the subject of the dentists visit ;)

Ryan Rolling

Ryan thinks his sister gets all of the spotlight since she can do so many neat things. He can do stuff too! Well, he can do this at least ...

PJ Day

Brooke is rocking brand new Dora pj's for pajama day at school!

Guess What I Ate?

Brooke's school had a "family potluck" party tonight. We all went and had some yummy food while hanging out in Brooke's classroom. She had a tough time eating because all of the food was sitting out on the table. She had her eye on a purple cupcake from the moment she entered the room, and continued to ask for it. Finally, we relented. All she did was lick of the frosting and left the rest of the cupcake sitting on her plate (of unfinished food).

The Letter A

Brooke has some serious Spring Fever. She is having a hard time understanding how it can look so nice and sunny out, yet be so cold and windy! We finally had a day that was as nice as it looked. So, we grabbed the chalk and ran outside!

Last summer Brooke wanted us to draw while she watched. Now, things are a bit different. In fact ... the exact opposite. She demands your full attention to witness each creation.

She wrote the letter A! You might think its a fluke, but she did it again several more times :) I have a feeling the sidewalk will be covered in letters by the end of the summer.

Many activities exclude Ryan, but he isnt too little to enjoy the nice weather! We pulled out a large box and used it as shade. Both kids got to have a little fun in the sun!

Chatting Over Coffee

Brooke and Mommy bonded at Starbucks while Ryan snoozed in the stroller.

Sunday She Said

"Gotta hurry! Storm clouds are coming!"

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"Don't cry Ryan. It's just baby food."

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To Daddy...
"Stop pressuring me!"

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We had someone come over to look at pipes up in the ceiling. He climbed a ladder and put his head into a hole in the ceiling...
Brooke: Oh No! I not see his head!

********** Random singing outburst ...
"Happy Birthday to Nothing!"

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Rollin, Rollin, Rollin

He finally did it! Ryan rolled over - and he chose the hard way (back to front) versus the more common way babies first roll (front to back). He was really determined to do it and it took just a few tries once he set his mind to it ;).

Now we have to start worrying about mobility - he now has the ability to roll off the changing table or bed! Each little milestone always means more fun ... But more challenges too.

Egg Hunting!

Brooke went to "Eggstravaganza" today, an Easter event held by the Chicago Park District, with her friends Alexis & Evan. She got to see the Easter Bunny ... But despite her excitement, refused to sit in his lap. She got to take part in an Easter craft, get her face painted, and went on an egg hunt.

The event was a bit chaotic and could have been run better, but that's an adults opinion. She seemed to have a blast, and that's all that really matters ;)

Dear Ryan,

It's getting a bit old, this waking at all hours of the night thing. I know you love your Mommy, but do you really need to see me at 10, 12, 2, 4, 5:45 and then again when you get up at 7:30?

You are lucky you are so cute. It's pretty hard to resist that face (and even harder to be mad at it).

5 Months Old: The Good And The Bad

Height:?
Weight: 18lbs 13 oz

Ryan is 5 months old today! The good news is that he didn't need a middle of the night feeding. The bad news? While he dust wake to eat, he woke (and was awake) the majority of the night.

His sister woke (think screams of terror ) at midnight. She was back, sound asleep, by 12:10. He woke at 12:15 and was up until 1:30. He was up again at 3, for about 1/2 an hour. Then he was up at 4:45 for about 1/2 an hour and up for the day at 6:45.

While it's great he doesnt need to eat at night, I'd rather feed him 10x a night then to endure these repeated all night ragers ;)

Late To Bed ...

Ryan had a tough sleep day yesterday - with three naps by 3pm ... None of them really long enough to be called a nap. We had a choice: put him to bed at 5 or shoot for nap 4 and a later bedtime. We decided to go out to dinner and have him catnap while we ate.

He slept for an hour and wasn't waking - so we woke him up finally at 6. He didn't go to bed till 8 (compared to his 630 bedtime). Then, at 5am he woke ... Ready to party! After 30 min of coaxing I got him back to sleep, he slept in till 730 :)

We all had breakfast together...


Then went to Starbucks!

We came home and it was time for Ryan's nap. He slept from 930-1200 - 2.5 hours! Guess he had to compensate for yesterday a bit ;)

Sunday She Said

"I don't want to take a nap. I want to stay here with my faaaaaamily."

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Random observation from the back seat of the car...
"I dont like salad"

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Mom & Dad: Are you done with dinner?
Brooke (with finger wagging): This is the last meal. No more food! No more snack!
Think we got this into her head well enough?

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Entering a department store, Brooke heads right to the mannequins
"Hi Guys!"

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And THAT Is Why I Dont Try Baby Food

I have friends that try all of their baby's food. The logic is something along the "I wouldnt give them any thing I wouldn't eat myself" line. Personally, I wouldn't touch that stuff with a 10-foot pole ;)

Things are different with 2. Brooke isn't really a baby, but it wasn't too long ago when she was one. She is interested in all things Ryan ... And wavers between wanting to be a "big girl" and a baby.

Today Ryan had his first solids - rice cereal. Brooke was very curious. She wanted to help feed him, but we werent too sure we should let her stick a spoon in his mouth. Instead we let her try it.

She dry heaved. Twice.

That must be some tasty stuff :)

More Cookies!

Uncle Tim came over today, and Brooke decided that we simply must make cookies for him. He was lucky enough to show up just in time to decorate!