Riding a bike

Lauren is finally ready to learn to ride her bike without training wheels. All her friends mastered it early this summer. As in normal Lauren reaction, she wanted nothing to do with it because I was asking her to learn to ride without training wheels like her friends. Finally this week she has expressed interest. Bradley has taken the lead on this one (due to my poor back) and has been helping her. Last night at sunset she was so close. I felt terrible making her come in the house when she wanted to keep trying but it was dark outside. I really dislike the early evenings!!! Hopefully we'll get more good practice sessions in this week!

All boy

I'm starting to understand the meaning of this phrase. Blake is such a go-getter! Lately he's been crashing and burning more than I like. The problem is he uses his push toys in the house to walk, or should I say run. This is easy to do on the hardwood floors we have and an open floor plan. However when we go outside it's a different story. I struggle to keep him indoors because he loves being outside so much. But when we are outside he tries to push his toys at the same pace he does in the house which leaves him with his upper body going much faster than his feet! The result is falling HARD on the concrete. I just can't react quick enough to break his fall. I feel so terrible everytime he breaks his lip open or scrapes his face! The most recent fall is so bad, I can't bring myself to take pictures of it. You know its bad when everywhere we go everyone asks, what happened? Little boys....... definitely different than girls I'm finding!

Missing Daddy

Bradley has to be out of town this weekend for a conference. He is the featured speaker tomorrow morning. We wish him the best and know he'll do a great job.

I hate weekends when he is gone. It's just not the same. Although we have plenty going on (soccer, alum board meeting in Urbana, IL, fall decorating, etc) the weekend is a bummer without daddy.

Lauren has her first soccer game tomorrow. She's scared, anxious, and excited all at the same time. Which means tomorrow morning is going to be rough. I wish he was here to help with her when she's overly emotional!

Everytime Bradley is gone, I stay up too late trying to get caught up on stuff. Then I'm dragging the next day. I'm not sure why I haven't learned this lesson yet but I haven't.

I guess it's good practice for us to be alone on the weekend (we're used to it during the week) because in November he's gone for two weekends in a row on a 12 day trip to China. That one is really going to be rough!

I'm not complaining because it could always be worse. Just wishing it was better I guess! I just pray he is safe while he's gone.

1st Fieldtrip

Lauren had her first field trip on Wednesday to Eckert's Apple Orchard. I was fortunate enough to go with her with the help of Grandma Vernitta rearranging her schedule to keep Blake. It was a great day! The weather was perfect and the apples are amazing! Super juicy and very large. We had such a great time and I can't wait to go back in a couple weeks to get more. Our first batch of apple crisp is GONE!

Coupe Car

Blake got a coupe car from G&G Wolter for his birthday. Grandpa put it together this week and the kids have enjoyed it. Since Blake is too little to power it himself, Lauren has pretty much taken over the toy. However, she does oblige every so often to pushing Blake in it so he can have a turn.

Blake's 1 year check-up

Blake had his one year checkup and shots on Tuesday. I absolutely hate getting shots. Blake is one of those kids who turns blue and won't breath when he's really upset which is hard to take! So after the first shot in his arm really upset him I traumatized him with two more shots in his thighs. Poor little guy isn't done yet, he's got the flu shot next week! Yuck!

Here are his stats

25 lbs 8 oz - 80% percentile

33 inches - 97% percentile

18 3/4 inches head circumfrance - not sure on this percentile

Here are Lauren's stats at one year for comparison

21 lbs 12 oz

30 1/4 inches

17 3/4 inch head

Thank you God for blessing me with such healthy children!

If there isn't any question, he's going to be a big boy!

Happy Birthday Blake!

We marked Blake's 1st birthday today with a relatively quiet day. Tonight after Lauren's soccer practice we celebrated with sugar cookies and ice cream at Grandma and Grandpas.

Blake took two steps today on his own, the most he's ever attempted! I'm anxious to see how long it will be before he takes off. For now, I'll enjoy watching him motor around the house with his array of push toys.

Tomorrow, I'll turn his car seat around and let him enjoy his new perspective on the world!

Happy Birthday Buddy!

Allergies

We've all been suffering at our house the past couple weeks with nasty allergies. I've had a terrible sore throat because of them but it's starting to get better. Lauren has been hanging in there with her daily dose of zyrtec. Blake has now shown signs he has seasonal allergies too when he awoke on Tuesday being hoarse. I have never heard a baby being hoarse before but he is. I took him to the dr. to be for sure he didn't have an ear or throat infection, thankfully he didn't. So now the little guy is getting a taste of benedryl each night- fun, fun. It could be worse though - I'm thankful seasonal allergies is all the allergies we have to deal with!

Our Anniversary

Bradley and I celebrated 7 years of wedded bliss on the 7th. Blake's party was the night before and we had lots of overnight guests yet so needless to say there wasn't time for celebration on Monday! Instead we'll celebrate this weekend as Lauren attends her first sleepover and Blake is spending the night at Grandma and Grandpas. Then in October we're headed to the Dominican Republic for five days without the kiddos. I'll miss them immensly and will be sick without them but honestly I can't wait to have time with Bradley!

Peek a boo!

One of Blake's favorite games!

Little Green Monster - aka Blake Eating Cake!

I can't believe how quickly one year has passed by. Tomorrow, Blake will be one year old! In honor of the little guy, we had his party on Sunday. Blake was showered with lots of love and affection. He is one spoiled little boy. Selfishly, I'm happy to have some new toys in the house as the old ones were starting to get a little dull. He has deemed his favorite being his new John Deere push/riding tractor. He has already put miles on his legs doing laps around the house. Thank you Uncle Keith and Aunt Leslie for this hit! He got lots of other fun things that we are enjoying as well.

Of course the highlight of the evening was Blake enjoying his cake. His first reaction was to do what he normally does with any new food, pick it up and throw it on the floor. However, the icing just wouldn't come off his finger! So instead he decided to try it, and sure enough it was good. So he indulged in more, and more, and you get the idea - he loved his cake!!! The icing was blue and yellow so by the end of the experience we had green goo in our hair, ears, and all over our belly! I'm just glad he enjoyed it since only one time in your life do you turn one and enjoy cake and icing for the first time!

I'm not sure about this....

This is good stuff!

The green moster has had enough!

Preschool is tough...

Bless Lauren's heart, preschool is wearing her out. It's been a big adjustment for her to give up her nap and go to school every afternoon. In fact we're all adjusting to the new schedule. She has tomorrow and Monday off for Labor Day so I'm hoping she can get caught up on her rest. Here she is tonight, sacked out on the couch. I couldn't even manage to get her jammies on her!

Our Big Boy

We are celebrating Blake's 1st birthday this weekend. In preparation for his party, we've been practicing walking. Although he won't be walking by his first birthday (mind you Lauren walked at 10 months but no comparison) he's getting stronger and more confident every day. He actually took his first step tonight to Grandpa without holding on to my hand! So precious!

We've been working on having Blake hold up one finger to tell us how old he is. Of course he'll do this for Grandpa but no one else. Blake has definitely become a Grandpa's boy in the last month or so and will do just about anything to be with Grandpa. Blake definitely has Floyd's number.



Tonight before bed, Blake got another hair cut. I think this is number five alreay but his third that Bradley has done at home. It went REALLY well tonight with Blake sitting still the whole time. I think Grandma and Grandpa are going to have to be around everytime he needs his haircut now!

Green Seats

On Tuesday evening, we had the opportunity to sit in Bradley's company's green seats. We usually get the chance one or twice a year which is such a very nice perk that he receives. I hardly ate all day anticipating the large amount of food available to us that evening. Of course I overate but it was so much fun! The seats are amazing, second row behind home plate! I sat five seats down from Mr. Ted Drewe himself. Pretty cool I must say! The game was great as well with Pujols and Holliday both hitting home runs! The Cards beat the Brewers 7-6. Thank you to Grandma and Grandpa for babysitting and allowing us to have the night out!

Christmas Already

Lauren is very anxious for Christmas. Everything she sees on TV, in a store, in a catalog, etc she wants. So to put her mind to work, I asked her to start making a wish list. She has been working diligently now for 2 weeks cutting pictures out of magazine and catalogs and having me print things off the internet of things she wants for Christmas. Needless to say we have a lot of American Girl stuff and many, many halloween costumes on the list currently as those seem to be the majority of the catalogs we've received! I can't believe the dedication she has given this project! Now I just hope Santa is good to her........

The Windy City Highlights

As a gift to my in-laws for their 40th anniversary, we spent the weekend in Chicago. We had a fabulous time together. Lauren loves the city and declared that she's living in the city when she gets older! She even asked if we could move there - NO of course was my answer. I dearly love to visit but I have no desire to live in 450 square feet on a regular basis.

The kids were absolute troopers! They slept whenever they got tired in the strollers and we were able to go all day wihtout going back to the hotel. The weather was perfect and overall it was an amazing trip! I can't wait to do it again.

Some of our highlights as depicted in pictures:

Riding Amtrak from Centralia - fun for everyone!

The American Girl Store!!!

Visiting the Shedd Aquarium, Navy Pier, and taking in a show

Singing Happy Anniversary and eating great food!

Traveling to the 94th floor of the John Hancock Building and looking out over the city. Blake enjoying his freedom from the stroller!

Making the trek back home via Amtrak - thank goodness for the kids, we got to go in the front of the line!