Knitted Rabbit

I found this pattern for a knitted bunny rabbit and decided to make it for my niece who is due to arrive later this summer. Squeal! Luckily, I was able to finish it when David was here visiting for the boys' birthday. I picked a dark pink yarn (popsicle) which matches some of the fabric Kelsey chose for the nursery. The body of the rabbit has a tennis ball in the middle. I thought that was pretty clever of the designer.


I loved using my new yarn bowl, purchased from this Etsy store. I had no idea these existed until I spotted one on the same website where I found the rabbit pattern.

Splish Splash Version 3.0

As the giver of the baths, I've been contemplating whether I could finally give the boys their baths at the same time. I always have someone here (either Eric or one of my parents) to help entertain the non-bather, so I thought I could just move the helper upstairs with me. I was also looking for a way to give Reid some extra splashing time. Eric went back to work after being home for 18 days (Waahhh!), my dad was at the Rockies games, so my mom was here to help. It worked pretty well. I'm so used to doing everything twice, it was a nice change.


Tonight, Reid was saying Maa-ma instead of Mom-ma. I told my mom that must be his word for Grandma. Of course, we couldn't get him to say it again. After some lessons from Eric, Aiden is now saying hat. He prefers to whisper it and puts a lot of emphasis on the "t". "Ha-T". When we ask him where his head is, he raises both arms up and pats his forehead.

Today

Today Eric texted me to let me know I should look out the window at the end of my classroom wing. He was playing golf on the course just down the hill. I was hoping to catch a better picture of him when he was on the nearer side of the pond, but my lunch break was over. You'll have to trust me. Here's Eric:


1-year photos:
(Aiden spent most of the time trying throw the chick and the sheep out of the crib. Reid preferred gnawing on the crib rails. Good thing we put the teething guards on top of the rails.)












Our pediatrician warned us that we'll have to be extremely careful to keep the boys safe. He said they'll be acting like a couple of monkeys who get into everything and have no sense. (Sound familiar, cousin Adam?) Here was my attempt to get my monkeys to pose for a thank you picture. I'll have to try again this weekend.




Trying to capture a new Facebook picture for grandma.



I vote for this one, Ma:


Eric and I have taken to sneaking into the kitchen to eat supper while the boys play. Otherwise, they are relentless in trying to eat half my food. This evening the boys started playing hide-and-seek/chase. Aiden usually tries to get Reid to chase him. He'll crawl away from Reid and then stop every so often to see if Reid's following him. Listening to their giggles and squeals of delight cracks us up.






Next activity- opening and closing the shades.


Finally, Reid played with my nursing pillow while Aiden practiced walking.



Things that made me happy at school today:

I think I'll be able to sign up for "calculator camp" (Texas Instruments' teacher workshop) being held in July. Can't wait to get my hands on the new color graping calculator.

All of our juniors took the ACT yesterday as part of our state testing. Many of my college algebra students reported that they thought the math portion was much easier because of the material we've covered in their class. Let's hope that translate into high scores for them.

1-Year Checkup

Exactly one year ago, Eric and I had just survived (barely) the first night at home with the boys. Our pediatrician wanted us to bring the boys in for a weight check and make sure they were doing ok. Today, my mind was flashing back to those first few days at home. That day in particular was so hard. We just wanted to stay home, yet somehow we managed to make our way to the doctor's office. I think we started preparing for the trip 3 hours before we actually left. We were nauseous with tiredness.

365 days later, we (Eric, me, the boys) have progressed so far. Our doctor asked if it's easier now, even with the boys' mobility. Absolutely. Mainly because we're getting so much more sleep. Eric brought the boys to the office and I met him there. Neither one of us could have managed a solo trip a year ago. We're quite a bit more competent in our parenting skills, not that our little monkeys don't do their best to keep us on our toes.

The official 1-year stats:
Reid: 21 lbs, 10 oz. and 30.5 inches
Aiden: 21 lbs and 30 inches

Getting Aiden ready:
Reid, aka Joe Cool, waiting for the doc: We put the boys in their new car seats today. Here's Reid testing out the car seat, astronaut lift-off style:
Aiden flashing me a smile before I went to school:
My guys arrive at the doctor's office. First time in the new car seats:
Finally, we can see where we're going:
Ahhh, check out all this leg room:
Hanging out in the waiting room in our new umbrella strollers:

The days are long, but the years are short.

So true:

I feel like I've been sprinting a marathon, but this year has been one of the best years ever.

One question: If I check myself into the looney bin, will they let me nap whenever I want?

Happy Birthday, Aiden and Reid!

We've been busy the last few days.

Video chatting with Grandpa and Grandma Brusven in Ohio:

Uncle Shane and Reid:
Aiden and Auntie Jennifer:
Aiden working on his fishy face while Reid boogies with the piano:

Cousin Jordan and Aiden:

Aiden and Uncle Shane:
Birthday cake from Costco:
My mom and brother David:
My friends Annessa (with her son Andrew) and Sophia:
Reid lounged on Kacey's lap for about a half an hour, as content as could be:
Aiden playing with Cousin Jacob:
Cousin Jacob collecting some blocks:
Aiden and Reid with my friend Sandy and daughter Kacey:
Getting the party hats on:
Ready, Aiden? It's time to eat some cake!
"Happy Birthday, Dear Aiden and Reid.... Happy Birthday to You!"
Yah! Clap, clap, clap.
Our family of four:
Both boys were shy to get started on the cake. Reid made the first move:
Aiden, really unsure about all this frosting:



The following pictures are pretty telling of their personalities.

Aiden, after:

Reid, after:


Aiden and Dani:
My friends Sandy and Sophia:
We survived the first year:
Opening presents: Reid thought it was a blast:
Aiden kept his emotions in check:
Reid getting the phone numbers from the cute girls:
Aiden enjoying more books to read:
Opening family presents after supper:

Happy Easter:


Cousins:

Uncle David, Aiden, and Grandma Starrs:
Last of the presents:


Airplane ride with Daddy and Reid:
Checking out the new car racer with Aiden and Auntie Jennifer:
Aiden trying to give Uncle Shane a hat:
Uncle David practicing for when he becomes a daddy at the end of the summer:
From Uncle David's camera phone:

What a great weekend!