Fort Hiding Place

Jim flipped the picnic table so Logan wouldn't climb it - James turned it into "a Fort Hiding Place."

Safety First

Playing the drums can be dangerous -- practice safe drumming!  Although, my favorite is the megaphone stuffed into his waistband and the stickers :-)
Yesterday on the way home he said :: "Look at the full moon, Mommy! It's a circle.  Can we play hockey with it?"  Love him and his imagination! He must miss hockey as much as I do this season.

Outlined

Playground art - James thought he was so funny with his leg out t the side.

Last Day of Summer Break

Last day of Mommy's summer break :-( I picked James up from school early and we met up with Gma Chele and the Wehrle's at Pirates Cove for some amusement park fun!

ARRRR! Ahoy there, Matey!


By far, his favorite "ride" was the hand-cycle trains -- he went around and waited in line 4 times for them!

Abby, Bella and James



Last ride -- what a fun afternoon!



Defense mode

Sometimes you just need a break from playing with your little brother :)

Beef-a-Rama Spokesbaby

Logan has quickly gone from pulling himself to standing to climbing into trouble within a matter of a couple weeks. I don't know what the fascination is, but both of our boys have loved to climb into the dishwasher (which is still above Logan's knees, so good coordination Lowgs).

The front desk ladies at the allergist's office LOVE Logan and decided that while I was helping James because "the potties are coming!" they would make Logan a Birthday hat :-) As a bonus, as long as he stays healthy, we get to drop James' preventative puffs down even more to only 1 per day in a couple of weeks (baseline dosage is 2 puffs/twice a day, which he's been under for over a year now)! Wooo Hoo!

Puddle Jumping

James was super excited to put on his rain coat and rain boots and go on a puddle hunt (we're gonna find a BIG one!)! They did such a good job re-surfacing our sidewalks a couple summers ago that it made it difficult to find one that wasn't along the curb...but he had a successful hunt and was able "to get some exercise" as he says (PE teacher Mommy has taught him well).

Future Engineer???

My dad tried his hardest to get one of us girls to be an engineer like him.  Cass and I showed some potential by excelling in math (Kris is more of the writing type) yet he got a teacher, an amazing HR leader and an accountant :)Don't worry, Pops, there may be some hope yet - James came sprinting to me at pick up last week showing me the "diving board for the flippers" from the Olympics that he designed. He has a walking area (yellow), a climbing area (red) and the board (grey)...patent-pending. Then he had to take a pic of me with it :-)

Clean Puppy Dawg

Easton is loving his newly groomed self :-) Such a handsome dog when he's all clean and brushed (or it's just the super hero bandanna, not completely sure). James had to get a picture of him with E since Logan got one the day before :)

Play Dough Time

James is enjoying some time with Play Dough today! He has been entertained for over an hour straight...why didn't we bring this stuff out sooner?!? He's loving the fact that he doesn't have to share with any of his friends from school :-) and I have to give all of his teachers,  past and present, for having such strict Play Dough Playing rules.

Octopus Painting Project

After bowling, we needed an afternoon project to make waiting for Daddy to get home go a little faster.  James has been asking me if he could paint for about a week now -- I've been avoiding it at all cost because of time to set up, risk of paint everywhere and clean up time, but I finally caved today (not before getting him to go potty on the toilet, wash his hands and help clean up his playroom first)

 Found a use for old paper towel and toilet paper rolls :: paint and then cut slits into the bottoms to make them into an "octopus"

Logan got in on the art project action too -- I had James pick out 3 colors and put blobs of them at the bottom of an empty animal cracker container -- insert toilet paper roll and let Lowgs go crazy shaking/rolling it around

Our paint wasn't yet dry at picture time, but this may be as close to a "finished product" picture as I get :-)

1st Bowling Trip

Today Jamie and I embarked on a little adventure with the boys -- their first bowling trip!!! AMF Bowling lanes offer 2 free games/day in the summer (awesome), you just have to rent shoes -- score! James did great following rules and only almost double-bounced the ball off his toe when trying to put it away (we didn't even ask him to clean up). He started with trying to push the ball down the alley himself but then gladly took the ramp when the pro brought it over for him to use. Logan even got a couple of turns in (which were his brother's idea)! James got a 67 for his first game -- pretty awesome -- and decided it was time to go home for lunch after the 7th frame in game 2. Such a great way to beat the 103 degree heat today!

Santa 2011

The holidays just aren't complete without a visit to Santa! Thank you Cabela's for no line and our FREE picture with camo Santa and the roaming deer :-) James wasn't too thrilled with sitting on Santa's lap but the lady asked him to take Santa a card and managed to snap a picture quickly. Logan, on the other hand, could have cared less other then he was due for a bottle :-)

Sunshine x2

You Are My Sunshine :: Who is Who???? Good thing I bought this outfit on super clearance! I don't think it's going to make it to Christmas season either, but Logan sure did wear it well :-)

The best part was the stocking on the booty, haha! He hated the reindeer bib, the antlers kept getting in the way of him putting his hand in his mouth.

Answers :: First pic is James at 8 weeks, Second pic is Logan at 11 weeks

Gettin' Ready for the Big Man

Starting to get ready for the Big Man to make an appearance -- less then 50 days to Christmas, folks! I wanted to get some pictures of the boys in Christmas shirts and post them before the holidays because otherwise, it would just never happen. Also, Logan's are 0-3 months and he's getting close to the next size, so I wanted him to wear them at least once (this particular outfit is running a bit big, so crossing my fingers it will fit him for another month and we can get a picture of him and Sofia in their matching outfits).
Above :: James, always the silly man, successfully getting a smile out of his brother but not letting me see his face for the picture

James kept telling us there was a "snowman" on his shirt -- need to work on that one (I believe they were talking about snowmen at school one day). We're excited to bring out the Elf on the Shelf for this year as he loves hide-and-seek.

The actual smile was fantastic -- execution of picture taking by Mom :: failed; thus, the picture of Logan looking hammered...or maybe it was Logan imitating me sticking my tongue out at him :-)

Pull Ups, Here JamesE Comes

James had a great day of sprinting to the bathroom and sitting forever when he had to go on Friday at school, so his teachers said they'd be "fully on board" with trying pull ups. James is totally stoked about them, calling them "underwear" and correcting me every time I call them diapers. We tried on Sunday and he did great -- recognized his body signs 3 times and had successful "sous sous," as he calls it (an Indian dialect for pee-pee that he picked up saying from some friends at school). He was so proud of the stickers he got to put up on the poster Aunt Jen and Uncle Dominic got him for potty training....the poster is almost ripped to shreds from him taking it on and off the fridge and dishwasher (which we just figured out was magnetic) and carrying it around :-)
I haven't picked him up from school yet, but we'll see how it went! Hopefully this is the beginning of a quick training session since he's making the decision to start now and he has some uber-cool Cars underwear waiting for him when he's ready (please? fingers crossed extra hard). Now just have to get him to not be terrified to poop in the potty.....even a new remote control race car incentive isn't helping with that one.

Halloween 2011 :: Execution

James was excited to go to school and dress up "in a costume" today. Logan and Mommy were able to join him for a parade through the attached school (which had all the students and faculty ooh-ing and ahh-ing at the Young Preschool and two tag along Infants' adorableness). I'm happy for maternity leave as Logan and I were able to get to school in time to participate as this is probably my only chance to attend an event like this because my school district usually schedules a Teacher Institute day on Halloween (and you don't miss those in these tough times of RIF-ing teachers). Ms. P told them all to grab a teacher or a buddy's hand and off we went! They were actually very good at walking and staying together, you can tell they've been practicing.
After the parade, Logan and I headed home for him to eat and to let James enjoy learning the rest of the day (they had dry erase boards and black paper w/ chalk out when I left for practicing writing skills; also, he was excited to get a turn wearing the astronaut dress-up as I believe they are talking about astronauts this week). The rest of the day was hectic trying to get things done at home, finish up a training session for school (didn't have to do them on maternity leave, but don't want my name on any "list," especially with a new principal who may not know I'm on leave) and then back to pick up James. Gma Chele was at home when we got back, she helped me get James into lion form and I moved a (finally) sleeping Logan into his puppy costume and into the stroller (had a tough afternoon). Daddy got home from work, got his camera and adult beverage and we were on our way for some trick-or-treating :-) Gma Chele was nice enough to stay at home with Easton and hand out our goodies so we didn't eat all the left overs :-) Uncle John surprised James with a visit too on his home from work!

Now the hunt begins for next year's costumes!

Halloween 2011 :: Preparation

Going to blog out of order to keep current and eventually will go back and catch you up on fun things between Halloween and our last post :-)
James :: the designer, sketching out his pumpkin's face

Daddy :: production; (with the hovering designer keeping a watchful eye to make sure it's executed correctly)

Logan :: manager, making sure the other two play nice and work efficiently

My Boys!

So the computer doesn't like it when I upload pics to my camera, email them to myself and then download them to the computer -- I keep getting these half-loaded pictures. Usually it corrects itself if I try it again, but honestly, this is the first time I've sat to blog in how long (Logan's almost 6 weeks old and these pics are from when he was 2 weeks) so I better just put them up and hope that one day I'll get around to fixing it. The important parts of the pictures are there for your viewing pleasure.
One of the million kisses Logan has gotten from his big brother James :-) So sweet!
Jimmy and his boys (Logan :: 2 weeks and James :: 2.5 years)

Logan's First Week

Logan's first week was filled with visits from family and friends and lots of sleeping (for him) and eating (also for him). He is eating about every 2 hours, which equals one tired Mommy, especially when he needs to be supplemented after each feeding (until next dr. visit) and then I have to pump to keep the milk supply up. Logan and Mommy have been staying downstairs as much as possible for Mommy's incision to heal from the c-section and to keep it a bit more quiet so James doesn't wake up at night. We have gotten into a nice little routine and my TV crush on Jimmy Fallon has been renewed :-)
Logan v. Teddy :: Week 1
Logan's belly is almost the size of Teddy's, must have just eaten!

Love those chubby cheeks -- just so darn kissable :-* MWAH

1st sponge bath from Daddy! We've been lucky enough that Jim could stay and work from home for the first two weeks. He has been amazing at doing pretty much everything non-Logan related around the house (and some of that even, too) and working almost a full day. What a trooper! We Love you, Jimmy/Daddy!!!

I sent Jim to the bi-annual re-sale they have in Hoffman with a very specific list. He did a fantastic job finding clothes for both boys (James and Logan are different seasons, so not all the hand-me-downs work this time around) and found this Maclaren double stroller at quite the bargain! Got it for under $100, normally at least $180 used and $290 new. Is very gently used and was only missing the rain cover and possibly a drink holder -- SCORE!!! James was soooo excited to share a stroller ride with his brother, so we attempted a family walk down the street before dinner on Sunday (James was restless from being trapped inside all day). The boys all did great, I only made it to the Wehrle's house and had to stop w/ belly pain and asthma (allergies have been nuts and it was my first time moving lots outside -- also put two and two together later to determine I'm probably allergic to tiger lilies, which were in the beautiful bouquet of flowers Jim and James got me in the hospital and was now in our kitchen -- kept wondering why it only triggered in the hospital and when by the kitchen sink! Happened with James too -- only breathing issues once those tiger lilies opened up)! I can't wait to use this stroller more, it did the trick!