Better late than never… March 31, 2009

We finally did it!! We started solids with Kaitlyn.  And I guess that by the third child, you may think that the novelty of ‘firsts’ have lost some of the appeal.  However, we enjoyed every bite that Kaitlyn took!!  Especially because Kaitlyn is the only one of the three that actually ate the first time!  She really got into it and ate everything that we made for her.  It was a ton of fun.

Then Kaitlyn decided that she was going to help me…

And then she decided that she was going to do it herself!

We really cherished this ‘first’ for Kaitlyn…

4 States in 1 Day March 29, 2009

Gigi (Nate’s mom) was at a conference in Philadelphia, and we were lucky enough to get to spend the weekend with her after she finished.  With Gigi in Philly, the kids and I went to New Jersey first to have lunch with Grandpa.  We had a really nice time. Then we headed to pick up Gigi in Philly and thought that the kids could use a good stretch.  So we decided to go to the Please Touch Museum.   It is a FANTASTIC museum which has two floors and tons of things for the kids to explore. Check out their website for more information. Here are some of the pictures from the museum…

After Philly, we went to have dinner in Delaware with Nana and Pop Pop.  We had some delicious pizza!  Then we headed back to Maryland where Nate helped get the kids in bed.  It was a very busy, FUN day!!

Time to Try Something New March 26, 2009

So what do you do with a Saturday morning, when Nate is working and you have three kids to entertain?  Go with Kelly and Nicole (and all of the kids) to a new (to us) museum.  The Children’s Chesapeake Museum is located in Annapolis and sounded like something fun to try.  Their mission is to “to create an environment of discovery about oneself, the peoples, the technologies, and the ecology of the Chesapeake Bay area for all our children and for the children in us all. “  I would have to say that our kids did not get much out of it as far as the ecology of the Bay, but they did have a ton of fun playing.

Rachael loved playing in the doctor’s office.  She was very busy filling out forms, using the fax machine and playing on the computer.

AJ was in love with the train table.  And I do mean in love…

But both kids did stop long enough to touch a turtle…

AJ did comment that turtle was saying ‘Let me out! Let me out!’.  Both kids have asked to go back, so I guess that means that they had fun.  And Kaitlyn just hung out with mom!!

I think this is how Dad does it… March 23, 2009

So this is what AJ said, ‘I put on shaving cream like Dad’…

The problem is that Triple Paste, a thick diaper rash ointment, is not the same as shaving cream.

Trying out the new wheels March 20, 2009

Rachael has been so excited to ride her new bike.  So a couple of evenings ago, we decided to go for a walk with the kids.  Which means AJ has a scooter, Kaitlyn in the Baby Bjorn, and Rachael on her new bike.  She truly loves her new bike!

And AJ has been a pro at his scooter for a while.  He will actually switch his power foot while riding.  It is pretty impressive.

It was nice to see was that the two times that Rachael fell off her bike, while crying, she got right back on.  The two of them make a cute pair.

And Kaitlyn was just really glad to get home and be able to stretch out!!

Behind Closed Doors March 17, 2009

When we found out that we were pregnant, we knew that Rachael and AJ were going to have to share a room.  And for the first SEVERAL weeks when we shut the door, we would then listen  to them talk and sing for hours!!  Then Rachael gave up naps.  And well, it made bedtime easy because she was so tired that they no longer talked.  Now we are at a  new stage with the bedroom sharing.  They like to sleep together.  Nate and I went into their room before we went to bed and found them cuddled together.  We  thought that it was so cute , we decided it was worth using the flash on the camera to get the picture.

However, at 1:30 in the morning when they were both awake because Rachael had to go to the bathroom, it was not so cute anymore.  After putting them back to bed five times, I was relieved at 3 am when they both fell back to sleep.  Needless to say, they were very tired in the morning…

But after their bath, they did fine the rest of the day. 

Lesson learned:  Take the ladder for the bunkbed out of the room until they both fall asleep and then put it back in!!!

The almost impossible combination March 15, 2009

There is no secret that we take a TON of photos in our house.  If our kids even see a camera, they now smile or at least they walk around saying ‘cheese’.  In fact, Rachael’s camera was one of her favorite Birthday gifts!  And given the pure love that Rachael has for Kaitlyn, we have a ton of pictures of the two girls…

But AJ and Kaitlyn, that is another story.  So the other day I asked AJ if I could get their picture together and he could even hold Kaitlyn.  He thought that it was a good idea.  So he jumped up on the couch and grabbed the boppy.  He was ready to hold his little sister.  And of course, Kaitlyn was very interested in AJ.

But finally I was able to get Kaitlyn sitting up, so they could both see the camera.  Here is the other problem, every time that AJ says ‘cheese’ it is so loud that it scares Kaitlyn and she cries. 

But every once in a while it does happen…. And then I know that it was worth all of the failed attempts!

Timeless Baby Products March 13, 2009

Some of the baby items we are using for Kaitlyn we have been using since we have had Rachael.  The products are perfect for entertaining, comforting, and pleasing babies as well as slightly older ones. 

Here Kaitlyn is in the Bumbo.

And here she is in her exersaucer (aka the Circle of Neglect).

And you cannot forget the ‘Prince/ess Chair’ that all of the kids have slept in for numerous nights.

AJ took all of the baby products to a whole new level as you can see…

The Bumbo

The exersaucer

And of course the ‘Prince/ess Chair’

Oh the places they will go!!

What a dollar can do March 11, 2009

Every time we go to Target, we ALWAYS walk through the dollar section.  And as you know, they change the stock all of the time.  Well with Easter quickly approaching, Easter ear headbands were on sale.  So AJ and Rachael put them on in Target, and hopped around the store.  Not wanting to leave Kaitlyn out, we got three of them.  Needless to say, they were a hit with all!!

In fact, even Kaitlyn enjoyed her new ears…

And when one set is not enough, what about all three…

Rachael’s 4th B-Day- Part 3 March 10, 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!  Once again, it was time to celebrate.   A typical morning includes the three kids hanging out together…  A hard picture to get.

After her cupcakes at preschool we made a homemade cake.   I made her the pink icing that she requested.  After AJ went down for a nap, it was time to decorate.  So of course  I started with ‘Happy’ with a gel, and it was not looking great, but I finished.  Then it was time for some pink sprinkles and  Rachael really wanted to help.  So I had to let go of my control issues and let her have fun.  The cake looked great!!!

  We told Rachael we could do anything she wanted for dinner.  Rachael’s first response was shrimp, but after Nate suggested the Fuji Steak House, she jumped on the idea.  So off we went for a dinner that both kids love.   Just a reminder about this restaurant; a year and a half ago when we went there Rachael was terrified and wanted nothing to do with the ‘fireman’.  How times have changed!!

All of us enjoyed a great meal!

Jax, my best friend’s son, also shares Rachael’s Birthday.  So we ventured for our first round of dessert at Nicole’s house.  He was adorable!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAX!!!

And then the party continued at our house.  A couple of our good friends were able to eat some delicious cake with us!!! What a great day!

AJ is always interested in dessert…  This night was no different.

 

Oh, and  I should mention how excited Rachael was to get 4 pink tulips from her dad for her 4th Birthday!!