Just hanging at home

We spent the evening laying low tonight. We went to the zoo today (see previous blog) and now we were just being goofy tonight at home. Drew is teething pretty badly, so he's chewing on his teething toy. His hair is still standing up most of the time and it seems he may have some nice curls (kind of like what Cailin used to have before she pulled it all out).

Cailin, being a feisty two year old, likes to do the opposite of what you ask of her a lot of the time. Don't get me wrong, she's a very good kiddo, however, she is two. Soo, she tests her boundaries a bit. Everytime we have the camera out and say 'SMILE', she either frowns or tries to grab the camera. She's quite the pistol. So daddy was silly and decided to ham it up with her feet since Cailin wasn't willing to smile. Well, you see here what the result is. She's quite funny.

There is no sound better in this world than your child laughing. It's something that will always be burned on my brain. - It's wonderful!

Three days in Nelson

Mommy, Cailin and Drew just got back from visiting Oma's house. Oma is out in Washington DC visiting her newest grandchild, Michael Matthew, so the three of us went to house sit, dog sit and chicken sit.
Daddy was supposed to go to, but at the last minute, duty called, and with a new install at work keeping him here in the cities, the three of us went down for a few days.
I was very busy trying to keep up with two kids and keeping the house running, so we did not get any pictures of the three days in Nelson.
It is a different way of life in the country. No one locks their doors, people are very helpful and nice and there is still a 'mercantile' in Wabashsa. Wierd. Kind of a switch from the cities (or as John says 'inside the beltway'.)
We enjoyed ourselves. Cailin was a bit timid with the chickens, she preferred to watch out the window instead of going out to help. She did love the dogs though. She was very careful to be gentle and quiet when around them. They weren't too sure of what to do with her though. I don't think they are used to a loud, busy two year old.
Drew did pretty well too - he was intriqued by all the activity and loved being the center of attention.
All in all, it was a good time. We're home now, and all pretty tired, but settled back in.

Johnny Jump Up

So, remember before when I said that Cailin likes to play with Andrew's toys. Well, the Johnny Jump up is no exception. We thought, 'oh she's way too big to be in that', only to realize that she's only three pounds bigger than Drew. So we just let it go.

She likes to sit in it, walk around in it and sing the entire time. She's quite the ham.

Mama took us to the Zoo today...

We decided to go to the zoo today. Cailin has been to the zoo once before with Auntie Rayna, and she loved it then. She loved it again today too. We got there kind of late and had just an hour to roam the zoo today.

Cailin seemed most intriqued by the huge tropical fish tank and several of the four-legged cat-resembling animals. Drew was also very taken by the large fish tank. He sat motionless, watching the fish swim by. Seems we have two animal lovers in the family.

We're happy to say that we joined the zoo today with a yearly membership, so we'll be taking several other trips there over the next year hopefully!

Cailin rode in style in the stroller, Drew got a more eye-level view while riding in the Baby Bjorn (his favorite way to travel), although at 22 lbs, he is a might heavy and hard on the back, if you know what I mean.

What's old is new

Since Andrew was born, we've been pulling out old toys, infant toys that were Cailin's when she was a baby. Cailin thinks they are super fun to play with, and spends more time playing with them now, then she did when she was a baby.

Since she's two, she is having issues with 'mine' and the whole concept of sharing. So we spend a lot of time reminding Cailin to share, even the baby toys. Drew, in his easygoing manner doesn't seem to mind sharing quite as much as Cailin does (actually he usually just watches her with awe, even during a temper tantrum, and he smiles).

Visit from Grandpa and Grandma Friary and Katrine too...

Two weeks ago, Grandpa and Grandma and Auntie Katrine stopped by for a visit. They were in town for a family wedding and stopped by afterwards. Drew has found a soft spot with Grandpa, he sure likes to hold Drew. Drew loves being held, so it's all good!!

Cailin, as you all know, still LOVES her Care Bears. I think now after Christmas, we are up to 10 bears. She likes to keep them in her crib, but will also put them on the chair in her room when she gets up in the morning. It's one of the daily 'games' that we play (Cailin has several, ok dozens of 'games' that we do every day - several include reading...).

Andrew is continuing to grow (and eat and eat and eat) and loves to jump. He also likes to move around in the walker. He has mastered going backwards, but is still working on forward movement. He has two teeth now, but is working on the top two, so he is chewing on EVERYTHING. He will chew on something so hard that he will start crying, poor guy. It's wierd but to us, he looks so different with his two bottom teeth.

Time to go

Sorry it's been so long since the last update. Things have certainly been busy around our house. This picture shows the increasing independence that our 2 year old is showing. She is thrilled that she can open up the doors and she also gets that she can turn the deadbolt to make it open. Although she can't quite get the lock undone yet. She also knows that it's cold outside, she'll say "brrrr", so she puts her hat on and sometimes will even put her coat on, or mommy or daddy's coat. Whichever is closest.