Forty Weeks - Thankful for my Children

This weekend we went downtown Rockford to take some pictures. My plan was to take Addisen's 9 month photos and Brody's 4 year photos - however, I didn't plan on it being a Penn State Pep Rally :)

Today I attended a memorial service for my friend Erica's daughter (I wrote about her a few months ago). They were only able to hold Grace in their arms for 1 day before she went to God's arms. Standing there today looking at the family of three, reminded me so much of Jim, Brody and I before Addisen was born - this really could have been us that had to experience the heartache. I truly am so lucky to have my children and grateful to get to hold them everyday. There are definitely moments in the day when I feel like I could scream because Brody is running around like a madman or the house has toys thrown everywhere - but in the end I am so thankful that my house isn't perfect everyday. I hope we can all learn a little bit from the loss of Grace - don't forget to look around you and realize how lucky you are.

It was a bit of a challenge to get Brody and Addisen to smile and look towards me at the same time. Overall I think that the pictures turned out pretty nice.

Addisen started crawling on Wednesday! It was so exciting because she crawled towards Brody (to get his sword, but still towards him). He was so happy to run and tell Jim and Addisen had crawled to him for the first time.

We now have our hands full trying to keep her corralled and get the housework done - it was so much easier when she stayed sitting in the same place!

This morning Jim was up with the kids first and he told me that he set Addisen down on the floor and turned a TV show on for Brody. Before he knew it Addisen was crawling full force towards the TV and turned it off - I wonder if she knows that she is already tormenting her big brother!

When we were downtown on Saturday morning they were having "Harvest Days" and had a station where you could make your own Scarecrow. Brody picked out the clothes - including the scariest sweatshirt I have ever seen! He was very impressed with the "bad guy" superhero that he built. We placed it in front of our house and every time I walk by the window it takes me a minute to realize there isn't a person standing out there!

Thirty Nine Weeks - First Trip to the Zoo

Addisen enjoyed her first trip to the zoo yesterday (as a tag along on her big brother's play date!). It was a beautiful day to spend outside.

Addisen's first experience with the goats. I tried to get her picture with the cow, but he wanted nothing to do with us - and this guy looks headless :) Brody was busy in the petting zoo making sure all of the goats were brushed.

Brody and his best buddy Mackenzie. He was very excited to get to spend some time with her.

This bear just cracked me up - it must be the life to just sit around and watch your surroundings (actually it sounds a bit boring, but after a day like today I am first in line to sign up!).

The three "big kids"

Addisen enjoying her ride around the zoo. I couldn't believe that she didn't take a nap - she must have been entertained by all of the little kids running around.

We stopped at the playground after the zoo. Brody enjoyed running around and swinging on the big swings. He has been reluctant to switch from the toddler swings over, but he is finally getting the hang of pumping his legs.

Addisen is SO close to crawling. She is always up on all fours and looks like she is going to crawl towards you and then she sticks her leg out and goes back down to her belly. It is so exciting to watch her discover new moves, but honestly I'm not ready for her to be on the move. We have a lot of baby proofing to do and a lot of Brody's toys that need to find new homes out of Addisen's reach. She is also able to sit herself up from the laying position now, so if she doesn't think it is time for bed it is pretty difficult to get her to lay down :)

Brody learned the "Flamingo" in Yogi the other day, or actually he said he was doing "Yogi Bear"! Yesterday he had the chance to see the flamingo's and show them that he could stand on one foot too!

Thirty Eight Weeks - Frontier Days!

Jim and Brody enjoying a hot dog before the Frontier Days Parade starts.

We headed to my parents for the annual Frontier Days celebration! It was a bit rainy this year, but luckily the rain stopped right before the parade started. Brody was ready to collect some candy!

During the parade Brody decided to show off his dance moves!

Jim decided to try out the 5K race! He decided the morning off to participate, and to his amazement he came in 3rd in his age group and 10th overall! There were a little over 200 racers, so I think that is a great first showing! I think it has him thinking that 5Ks may be the way to go - which would be okay with me because that would require a lot less training :)

Addisen really enjoyed her first Frontier Days Parade - she was AMAZED by the bands! She watched them and clapped along! Must be the musical talent comes from Jim's side of the family!

Posing for Bobo's camera

The landscaping has brought on some of my worst enemies....butterflies! I knew that we were planting a butterfly bush, but I didn't really think this many butterflies would come! This afternoon when we got home there were about 30 yellow butterflies all lined up in front of the bush. Brody ran straight to them with his "gun" and started taking care of business for his mommy! You can barely see them to in the dirt on the left side of the picture - but look closely and you will see those scary little yellow guys!

Thirty Seven Weeks - Labor Day!

Addisen had her 8 month well child visit last Thursday. She continues to be in the 90th percentile for height and weight (28.25 inches long and 20lbs 11oz). It appears her weight gain has slowed down, but her head growth had increased! I guess Jim and I just make big headed kids!

Jim was excited to get the kids in their Penn State gear on Saturday! I now know what I have to look forward to for the next few months!

Addisen is getting so close to being on the move. She sits up really well on her own now, and you can tell that she is trying to figure out how to get crawling. It's funny to watch her as she attempts it, she is pretty much doing push ups instead of bending her knees!

Brody is starting to realize that Addisen enjoys his toys more than her own!

Addisen's other major development is her ability to clap on demand. She loves to sit there and just clap along or give you high fives! It is so fun to watch her develop - although I am often wishing she was just my little baby again when I am rocking her before bed. Time just goes by too fast!

My mom and dad came to visit this weekend - well actually work! I had asked my mom if she would watch Addisen while Jim and I worked on our landscaping - it turned more into Addisen watching us and my mom working hard in the yard!

I don't think the pictures truly show how much improvement we made in our yard. We had a landscape architect develop plans for our 2 acres and have just barely scratched the surface of changes!

I was a bit naive to how much work this would require. I thought that mom and dad would be able to head home on Sunday morning, but instead we were really just getting started! Saturday was so hot and humid I thought Jim was going to quit on me! Luckily my dad came after he got out of work Saturday night and offered to help with the rototiller.

Sunday morning we were up early to finish the project and luckily the weather got a bit cooler. We were done around 8:30pm on Sunday night and only had to finish with the mulch on Monday morning. We could have never completed it without all the help from my parents! I am guessing they will be thinking twice next time I ask them to come and "watch the kids!"

Brody was a big helper during the whole process. Saturday night when we were all dying from the humidity he was running around the house with the hose. I wish I would have gotten more pictures over the weekend - but honestly I was just too tired and sore to think about anything else!

I think his favorite part was riding in the trailer with Grandma (and Bobo, but I didn't get his picture!). Jim and Bobo would let Brody ride around in the trailers as they moved things around the yard. He really was a good boy during the whole thing!

Addisen was a trooper too - she took great naps on most days and on Saturday when she didn't want to nap, Bobo enjoyed some quiet time with her.

We hope everyone else had a much more relaxing Labor Day Weekend!