Oh my...

I guess I kinda fell off the blogging train for a bit! The problem with blogging to chronicle our lives is that when I run a little behind, then I feel pressed to "catch up"! And then I think, "Well, I don't have enough time to blog now." And then more things happen and I fall farther behind....anyway. On to the catching up!

Noah had his "end of school" program (the equivalent of him and his classmates singing three songs, during which Noah just sat and stared, occasionally placing his fingers in his mouth, singing four syllables of the entire program---it was adorable and worth skipping out of work early for). :)

 And then we got to have colorful popsicles....and then we went home. (I've definitely been to more exciting programs, but he's only two so I probably shouldn't have been too surprised!)

Love this boy to the moon and back! So thankful God chose me to be his Mommy! Even when he only sings four syllables at his program....though he sings himself to sleep for every nap and bedtime for anywhere from 20 minutes to two hours! :)

In other big news, I recently quit my job at the hospital. My little guys (and my big guy!) were missing me too much. We always felt like we were scrambling from on thing to the next without very much quality time at all. So Daniel and I decided it was time for some changes. I was working a few hours a week at a private clinic near our home, and the owner had been begging me to take some more clients. So after a few discussions, I've increased my hours there to 20 a week and get to spend the rest with my family. It's only been a little over a week and we are already much happier. I made a weekly calendar that hangs on our fridge and each night Noah and I look at it and talk about what will happen the next day. He has quickly figured out which days are "hang out with Mommy days" and is excited to ask me in the mornings what we will do that day. We've enjoyed our cooking projects, outings to the park, Grant's Farm, and hanging out with friends. Can't wait for more time with my favorite people! My new caseload at the clinic is challenging, as the articulation and language disorders are much different than my NICU feeders and neuro cognitive patients, but it's a good growing time, and totally worth the payoff!

The new job and schedule also made it easier to help this poor sweet girl, who has spiked a fever and has an "impressive rash" (per our friend Emily when Daniel took her to the doctor this afternoon) all over her face and torso. We're praying it's just a virus and she gets some good sleep tonight!

Lindbergh Spirit Festival

The school district had a festival this weekend--activities for the kiddos, a parade, carnival rides, food booths, games...the fun went on and on. Emily and I took the kids while the dads were out camping, and we all had a blast. We parked at one of the schools and rode a school bus to the Early Childhood Center. I think the boys would have been happy enough to just ride the school bus for the day! I didn't capture as many pictures as I would have liked, since I had both Noah and Lyla (I just didn't have enough free hands!) :) but we did capture a few fun moments. The weather couldn't have been more perfect and made for a beautiful day (and a really good nap after we got home!!).

Playing on the playground at ECE. 

Riding the train. 

These pictures are in reverse order for some reason...the first time on the tractor ride is pictured farther below. These were definitely going pretty fast, but Cole and Noah both loved them! My normally cautious child was willing to try all the rides and didn't appear scared once!  

This was the first time on the tractor...He just sat almost looking bored the whole time! Emily and I were cracking up. 

Noah's (and Lyla's!) first time on a school bus! 

Videos

Finally made the little girl laugh!! We've been trying to do this for weeks!! I'm glad I caught it on camera, because Daniel was out camping with some guy buddies from church, and she is hesitant to repeat the giggles. Daniel was just as thrilled as I was when I showed him the video. We keep watching it over and over. 

And then...Noah was watching me record Lyla, and kept asking, "I wanna see me!". So I turned the camera around and let him see himself. He didn't know I was recording, but thought this was so intriguing. We love watching this one over and over too. It's nothing special, but just makes us laugh every time! 

5 Months

I guess I never posted Lyla's 5 month pictures. 

Likes: the first 3 bites of spoon feeding, a crinkly book, getting picked up from daycare

Dislikes: not being able to see what Noah is doing, going to sleep without a pacifier

She is much calmer for car rides these days and is falling asleep easier for naps (though still prefers to not take them in her bed). Sleep stretches can be up to 10 hours long, but are more often interrupted for a feed after 6-7 hours. 

First time swinging, watching Noah play T-ball. 

Life Lately

I've probably used that title before, but that's what happens when you blog for three years. Sheesh. Three years. Doesn't seem that long sometimes! 

My friend Becky came to visit last weekend. These are the only pictures I got of her...

 ...and she took those herself! She was playing with my new camera (I wonder how long I will call it "new"....it still feels so new to me!) so she could teach me some tricks. (I have several more of those on my memory card, but I thought I'd spare you!) :)
She did take some cute ones of us while she was playing around though. Too bad I happen to be wearing a 10 year old t-shirt!

 So then I had to play around, too.

 

 Play time with Daddy...

First time sitting on Daddy's shoulders.

Lyla (just turned 5 months)

Noah (6 months)

If I could only photoshop the next two photos together...the perils of trying to get two children to look at the camera and smile at the same time!

Love them!