Lauren's 3rd Birthday

Lauren turned 3 on 9/4. We always celebrate over Labor Day weekend with family and friends but gave her one present on her actual birthday. I wrapped it up in lots of different boxes and was expecting to get more of a reaction from her, she just kept opening without a peep. 

one of my favorites! She loves books with Caldecott's on them!

We spent the morning eating chocolate chip PB banana pancakes and being silly

Over Labor Day, Yorkville always has a festival and 5K we participate in. Here is our "before" shot (Amanda, Kyle, Tami, Me, and Erin)

Kyle and Amanda have a little competition each year to see who can be faster. Amanda gets closer to beating him each year, maybe next year. But...she was the first female to cross the finish line and got a trophy.

Miles enjoyed himself too. See Erin's medal too? We are going to sweep the board next year!

Our "after" shot, check out those medals and trophy!

Lauren's party was later that day. She had a pinata at her fiesta party last year. No one was able to crack it open so it came out this year too. Lauren wanted to bust it with her princess baseball bat.

We brought out a massive stick instead!

Our friend, Megan, makes cakes. Lauren had a bubblegum themed birthday. As a joke, I told her she couldn't have gum until she was 3 so she would quit asking for it at daycare. She completely obsessed about it and told everyone she could have it when she was 3.

singing Happy Birthday to herself

Here are some of the best present reactions from her

she told Grandma she wanted cracker jack for birthday after reading about it in an Arthur and Violet book. My mom couldn't find it at the store when she was there and had to order a CASE!! We saved a few and brought the rest to our friend, Frankie's, baseball themed birthday party the following weekend.

3 year old stats:
33 lbs
37 inches

Heidi

My sister sells Usborne books so between parties, her, and my mom...we get a lot, plus I sold them 2 years ago so I already have my fair share! One of the books that Lauren received for her birthday from my Mom was the Usborne Illustrated Classics for Girls. We already have the Grimm Tales so I knew Lauren would love the classics. I HIGHLY recommend the Classics, even over the Grimm tales. There are pictures on every page and the story line is accurate but condensed and tailored to children. 

Tonight, I read "Heidi" to Lauren. I wasn't sure if she would quite understand it but told her that we could watch the movie after supper.  The movie is 3 hours long so we watched Part 1 tonight. Anyways...after the first part ended, she cried that she wanted to finish watching it because she wanted to see Clara walk and Peter push her wheelchair off the mountain (apparently she was listening during the story). I promised her we would finish in the morning when she woke up. About 15 minutes after tucking her in, I could hear her talking back in her room. Thinking she had gotten out of bed and was playing, I crept into her room and saw her kneeling on her bed with the curtains drawn and talking out the window. I asked her what she was doing and she said she was talking to God like Heidi did at her Grandfather's house. I stepped back and listened to her ask God to help Mariann and Howard (our neighbors). She then put the curtains back and laid down. 

I think I really under-estimate her sometimes...

On another note, Miles sat on my lap during the entire story cooing. Sorry buddy that your first chapter book had to be "Heidi". I think I foresee getting the Usborne Classics for Boys soon :)

7 Weeks!

I can't believe my little (BIG) man is 7 weeks...soon to be 8! Oh how time flies by with a newborn, I cannot imagine having to go back to work at 6 weeks. Miles is such a little character. 

His alert time tends to be in the morning and right after big sister goes to bed. 

He LOVES being sung to and we have made up our fair share of songs in the past few weeks to entertain him. 

If I could, he would prefer being carried or held ALL day long. Thanks to our baby carriers, it makes it much easier. I just need to perfect the back carry with a wrap so I can bathe big sister better :)

His vocalizations are increasing so much, he is smiling A LOT, and he is learning to tolerate the car seat better. 

He has Daddy's dimples but I am seeing more of me in him everyday. Everyone says he is so serious all the time but it seems like some of his funnier side is emerging. 

I can't wait for his next pediatrician appointment to see how much our chunker weighs; any guesses out there??

3

A few days old

1 year old

2 years old 

3 years old

20 Questions for Lauren: 9/4/2012

Favorite...

1. Color: pink

2. Toy: Tigger from Uncle Tyler

3. Fruit: grapes

4. TV show/Movie: The Lorax

5. Lunch: noodles

6. Outfit: "sun" shirt

7. Game: Hi Ho Cherrio!

8. Snack: apples

9. Animal: giraffe

10. Song: ABC's

11. Book: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

12. Friend: Gabby and Miyah 

13. Breakfast: pancakes

14. Thing to do Outside: play on the tractor

15. Drink: lemonade

16. Holiday: Christmas

17. Thing to take to bed: KiKi (her blanket)

18. Dinner: noodles

19. Season: Winter

20. What you want to be when you grow up: a bone doctor (Chiropractor)

6 Weeks

What a STUD!

Miles at 6 weeks, roughly 13 lbs.

Lauren at 6 weeks, roughly 9lbs.

We went to visit one of my social work co-workers who also had a baby this summer. 3 of the 4 social workers in my district welcomed little ones this summer! This is Alivia and Lauren

Liam and Miles in their matching outfits. Liam was not to excited about this picture or he is doing the thriller dance, not sure?

They don't look like it in this picture but they are roughly 5lbs. apart

Sisters and brothers!