Me Me's Birthday Party

Yesterday our families came over to our house to celebrate my Mom's birthday. We had a great time hanging out and eating chili and cupcakes. The cousins really had a great time together! Jacob and Chad spent most of the evening playing "pets" on Chad's bed. The "pets" game consisted of them wrestling and jumping on the bed while throwing and smacking each other with stuffed animals. Fun, huh? Avrey spent much of the time quietly playing with a rocking horse we have or chasing after Ollie. They also spent some time outdoors on our little plastic playhouse.

Kylee and John

Avrey preparing to slide
Chad looks like he's posing not about to slide

Jacob and Chad playing rings (well...trying anyways.

Chad wanted all the rings)

My Mom Debbie and Chad

First attempt at a family photo

(notice my brother Josh's expression)

From left to right: Bill, Lynn, John, my Mom, my Dad,

Josh, Mandy, Kylee. At the table: Avrey, Jacob, and Chad

Second attempt: Josh still making a goofy face after I said in a

little sister whiny voice "Josh...quit messing up the picture!"

Oh well....it still turned out good. Next time though..I'll make him be the photographer!

Enjoying his cupcake as usual

Jacob and Chad playing the "pets" game

Avrey in Kylee's room

Ollie giving her kisses

2 Month Update

Today, Kylee had her 2 month check-up. She weighed 12 lbs 4 oz and was 23 1/8 inches long. Both John and I went to the appt and somehow thought we heard different percentiles. I believe she is in the 75th% for height and 90th% for weight but it could be the other way around. She received 4 vaccines, one oral and 3 shots...which I hate. Luckily, it was time for her to eat afterwards so she only had the screaming red face for a moment and then in with the bottle. Eating always makes me feel better too:) For this update I thought I would add some accomplishments both kiddos have made recently:

Kylee:
1. Smiles all the time....her nickname is Smiley Kylee
2. Makes cooing noises
3. Follows noises and voices (especially Chad...she's fascinated with him)
4. Bats at toys but doesn't grab on to them yet
5. Lifts head off our shoulders but not a big fan on tummy time
6. Usually sleeps from 10pm to 5am give or take (slept until 7am this morning..woohoo)
7. Loves being held and talked to

Kylee in her 2 month pose

Chad:

1. Will eat in a booster seat instead of a highchair at home

2. Talks all the time and can pretty much say anything although he can't say "L's" "F's" or "R's"so he puts different sounds in those words. For example, he always says "p" for "f" so its "pish, powers, pix, and poggies" for "fish, flowers, fix, and froggies. He says "waw" and "weed" for draw and read; "ky-ee" for kylee; "pank-to0" for thank you; and "i want to" for i love you.
3. Getting better at going to sleep at night and sleeping through the night. We started a "bedtime sticker chart" and when he sleeps through the night he gets to put a sticker on it and at the end of the week if he sleeps all night, he will get to pick out a toy or book of some kind. He still cries for about 10-15 minutes after John leaves the room but so far (2 nights) he has slept through the night.

4. Throws a great tantrum by falling to the floor and kicks and screams if doesn't get what he wants.

5. Loves to play with monster trucks, dirt, anything that has to do with water and the outdoors, and kicking and throwing balls

6. Gives the best hugs and kisses his mommy and daddy could ever imagine!

Random Pics

Kylee snoozing in her pack 'n play

She really looks like Chad in this one
(both at 6-7 weeks old)

Chad with his squirt guns again :)

Enjoying the outdoors in the travel swing

Chad has finally upgraded his seating...from highchair to booster

She looks a lot like I did as a baby in this pic

My two babies...but getting big soooo fast!

(Chad loves kitties and picked this Webkinz cat. Now he

has to bring two kitties, two blankies, and his paci wherever

we go....oh no)

Both at 6-7 weeks

Another Day at the Park

Its been so long since I've updated, I think this trip to the park was about a month ago. Weather was great, kids had fun especially on the swings, and Chad choked on a pretzel, but recovered quickly:)

Ashley and Cooper

Coop lookin' cute
Ashley's not sure why she was the one who
had to share her swing

Charlotte and Chad

Cooper and Kylee finally gave in and fell asleep. That's

what happens when you're the baby...you get stuck in the stroller

while big brothers and sisters get to play!

A Family Gathering

Yesterday, my Aunt Tina, Grandma Connie (my mom's mom), and her husband Vern came to visit us and see Kylee for the first time. My brother and his family also came over. It was so great having everyone together! We talked, laughed, played cornhole, and grilled out. I wish we could all see each other more often. Love you all!

Four Generations: My mom, grandma, kylee, & me

My Grandma Connie and Kylee

Vern & Kylee

My grandparents having fun playing cornhole

My mom and Kylee

First time at Monkey Joe's

On Tuesday, we met up with some of my girlfriends from work and their kiddos at Monkey Joe's. I had never been there or to any of the Bounce Zone/Bouncer Town places before. Chad was a little hesitant at first but once the other kids showed him the way, he was eager to follow. We had a blast and can't wait to do it again soon!

Chad on one of the slides

Kylee

Chad bouncing on the crocodile

Charlotte, Chad, & Averi

Crazy kids Chad & Emma Kate and Ashley in the background

Lil Miss Ashley sitting pretty

Kylee's 1 Month Old

So here's my little story about this 1 month picture deal. With Chad, I took pictures all the time and never had a true "month old" picture sitting place and pose. However, now that I have Kylee I wanted to take her "month old" pics in the rocking chair in her room next to a stuffed animal. I've seen this done many times before and think its adorable, especially when there is a stuffed animal or something next to the child to see how much he or she has grown over time. Well, July 18th rolled around and do you think I had anything to sit Kylee next to? No. Plus, it happened to be a new record on the coldest day in July (it actually was) so I really didn't want to have her 1 month picture in long sleeves and pants. But I had to take a picture of her on her true 1 month "birthday" and intended to take another "pose shot" another day. So on Thursday, I finally decided to go ahead and take the 1 month picture even though I haven't had the time to get a stuffed animal to sit her next to. I ended up using her puppy dog blankie embossed with her name and date of birth...which actually worked out just fine. I can't believe Kylee is already over a month old. Time flies and she's getting big so fast!

Kylee at one month

The "1 month old" shot (actually one month, 5 days)Next to her puppy dog blankie
I think she looks like a little baby doll

Couldn't go without a picture of Chad fixing something

My friend Michelle visited last Sunday from Ohio