Fort Hiding Place

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

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.

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!

Weekend Pics

Finally caught a picture of James giving his brother kisses!!!
All dressed up and ready to get his bug spray (these mosquitoes are ginormous this year! Of course, the village took spraying for them out of the budget)!

Helping Daddy mow the lawn

James loves to climb up and lay with "my Daddy" -- going through a phase where he's very protective of his Mommy and Daddy

Brunch for Cash

Laura S. was kind enough to want to celebrate Cash coming to join our world. She thought he needed some of his own things that weren't hand-me-downs from James -- what a great idea!

The Group of Celebrators :-) Even Aunt Lu made it....and it may have been Sofia's first party!

Grandmas

Laura, Dani and Jamie

Got the hook up for some new Illini gear!!! He'll be here just in time for football season!

James came to hang out with Uncle Ed and keep him out of trouble ;-) Daddy and Pops were working in the basement re-doing the closet where we had the flood, which wasn't exactly a James-safe environment

After eating some Goldfish (during which he needed to watch "Nemo") and playing in the basement, James and Uncle Ed went on a fly hunt outside -- better watch out, bugs, you're no match for these two!

James wanted to hold Fia, then said "Take Picture!" when he knew just how cute they were together :-)

I couldn't help but post this picture of Sofia -- LOVE her facial expression and the tongue out

July Randoms

Above :: light vs. dark colors
Below :: 1st drawing described to me by James as "Our Family" -- used the Doodle Bug app on my iTouch (I feel this one is a huge milestone, very proud)!

Practicing those fine motor skills with some stacking at school

Daddy making a James burrito with my yoga mat -- James thought it was a riot!

Trying to get a picture of him and Brother -- of course, kept missing the extra cute photo ops. I think I was about 34 weeks pregnant here.

"No pictures, Mommy"

Playing around with Dad

Swimming Day

The summer sure is heating up! We took some weekend time to go for a swim and cool off.
Jimmy got out the underwater protector for my camera -- pretty snazzy look at our swimming Bug.

The best "family" shot in the pool that we could get out of James. Note :: I'm only 1 more week pregnant from the last bathing suit shot -- look how that belly has shifted and popped out more (I'm seriously questioning how much more my stomach can handle, forgot how crazy the body is)!

Uncle Ed, I want to go back in the pool. No, I don't care that my lips are blue and I'm shivering beyond belief, please take me to the stairs.

Getting a shoulder ride from Daddy was pretty much one of the coolest parts of the day

Arlington Park with A. Cass & U. Brian

Aunt Cassie and Uncle Brian came up for a weekend of Chicago fun. They went to the White Sox game on Friday after they got here (Easton loved this as he got some play time with Ollie). On Saturday, we went to see "horsies runnin' " at Arlington Race Track.
A brave, very trusting, very fast, 2-year old is tough to chase after all afternoon!!! I took him down to the free country music show in between some of the races -- he was entranced :-)

After a tough day of picking winners (he is pretty good at it), James finally fell asleep and gave us all a break from chasing him down in the crowds. We all had a great time and both Jim and I ended up winners for the day after the Belmont Stakes race -- WOO HOO! That never happens!

Play Date

Above :: Enjoying some warm weather on one of the few nice days we've had this spring.
Below :: hiding his eyes from the sun on our way home from school -- he really doesn't like it very much when the sun is in his eyes

On our way to Evie's house!!! James was soooo excited to go see Evie's house -- he talked about it (and counted cars) the whole way there :-)

Toddler Heaven :: a humongous kitchen! Evie and her parents were so kind as to have us over for some indoor playing, lunch and outdoor playing. James loved climbing up the wall and going down the slide.

Baking Cookies

Again with the glasses from the medical kit -- James is so goofy -- hysterical when he gets his laugh going -- man, we are in trouble when he gets to school :-)
Gma Chele came over to cash in on her Christmas sugar cookie mix that James gave her. She made the dough and let it chill while he finished up his nap. It took a few minutes for James to get over being dirty and having his hands messy, but then he couldn't get enough. He first helped roll out the dough.

Then he used cookie cutters to cut shapes (airplanes, circles, stars and hearts)

..and a "flipper, Mommy" to put them on the cookie sheet. He was very patient while he watched them cook in the oven.

Grandma and James showing off (and diving into) their creations :-)

Eddie's Football Game

How cute are these pajamas?!?! I love them on him -- they even have pretend cleats on the footie!
OBSESSED with his belly button lately -- he says "phhssssss" to fill it up

All ready for the Colts game! Thanks, Aunt Kiki and Uncle Larry for the sa-weet outfit!

Everyone was actually up at a decent hour, so we joined Jamie while she watched Eddie play flag football. The weather was actually nice, just a pretty strong breeze on the open field. James had his breakfast "to go" while enjoying the action.

Uncle John and Aunt Bailey walked over with Duncan and Nanuq :: Uncle John was nice enough to take James for a walk too :-) James thought it was hilarious and couldn't stop giggling!

Then he wanted Mommy to pretend to be the dog...that didn't last long.

Eddie's team didn't win, but it was nice to get out of the house and a start on the day.

We'd been talking about s'mores for awhile, so Jim got the fire pit going and some of the neighbors joined us for a mid-day s'mores feast.

Uncle John's new training technique