Splish Splash

Who knew all it took was 2 buckets of water to keep the kids entertained for an hour?!?!

I think it's time to introduce Lukey to the water table.

The poor-man's swimming pool???

Lukey did NOT like that Mya was in his bucket! What a face!

1. Hmmmm....

2. Up

3. Up

4. Soaked!

How to Eat Fried Worms

Mya is typically terrified of anything that resembles a bug. In fact, just yesterday she came to me screaming and begging me to get a bug off the bed.  I ran in, only to find a feather from my down comforter moving ever so slightly.  I am constantly reminding her she's a "Jannusch" and we aren't wimpy girls.  So, it was to my surprise when she came to outside and informed me she had found a worm. Normally, she would be terrified and ask me to move it so she could walk within 10 feet of it. She took it upon herself to get my gardening gloves (let's not get too excited...you didn't think she ACTUALLY held the worm) and pick the worm up.  She quickly bonded with the worm and didn't want to let it out of her sight.  I found a little boat from the kids' water table and it became the little guy's new carrier.  Mya took him everywhere.

Oh... I forgot to mention.... the worm wasn't moving.  As in, it was dead. I didn't have the heart to tell Mya. She kept telling me to be quiet because he was sleeping.

Worm got a ride in Mya's jeep.

Worm took a nap next to Mya.

Worm rode in the car to the hair salon.

Finally, by dinner time, Worm had become increasingly crispy. He reminded me of that book, "How to Eat Fried Worms."  I decided it was time to "dispose" of him.  I told Mya he was REALLY missing his mommy and needed to go back in the dirt to find her.  After much persuasion, Mya finally agreed.  We decided to put him into the planter out back.  As Mya looked away, I had to scrape him off the boat! She dug a little hole for him and wished him luck finding his Momma.

Look Mom, I found a worm!!!!

This was right before his adventure in finding his Momma! Crispy as can be!!!!

Mya covered him up so he could find his Momma!

Shaving Cream Fun!

We had Ethan and Aiden over for a little shaving cream fun!!!

A Crawler and a Rainy Day.... Testing My Skills

My Niece, Brittany, asked me to take some pictures of her and her beautiful baby boy, Jameson.  She is graduating from University of Wisconsin Parkland and he is turning one so she wanted a good picture for a dual party invitation. I suggested we turn it into a mini-photoshoot since I'm practicing my photography skills!

I loved photographing for my neighbor's senior pictures because let's be honest, she's 18 and listens to instructions.  However, I was a wee bit nervous about photographing a 10 month old! If he's anything like his cousin, Luke, he never sits still! On top of that nervousness, the day turned out to be a terribly cloudy, rainy day! My nerves were in full force! Where will we go to get a good shot? Will the baby sit still? Will the baby be too cold? Will Brittany be panicky about her hair getting wet? The list goes on....

Lucky for me, Jameson was a TOTAL smiley, happy, sittin' still kind of baby! And, Brittany... she didn't complain even once about the conditions! So, the location could've been better and the weather could've been nicer but I think we got some good pictures! All my "great ideas" will have to be put on hold until June when I do this adorable little guy's 1 year shots! :-)

Thanks Craig. You're Quite the Problem Solver!

We needed a table for our newly finished basement. 

Problem:  No money in the budget

Solution: Good Ole' Craigslist

I recently found a posting on Craigslist for an antique dining room table with 4 small chairs = $85. I emailed the owner and it was still available! SOLD! I drove to Roselle the following morning to buy this beauty! It needed  a little TLC and it is PERFECT for our basement! 

After a quick trip to the fabric store I was ready to recover these nasty cushions!

Before:

After:

The table itself is in pretty good condition.  It's "antique" so flaws just add character! ;-)

Before:

After:

What a difference a little pop of color makes in a room! I am so happy with the way it turned out! Add some beautiful tulips in my Grandmother's pitcher and it makes the room just perfect! 

ELEVEN!

Well, we are at month 11 and my baby boy is quickly becoming a toddler! He is ALMOST walking.  He can stand up on his own for a few seconds and pushes his toy "walker" around like a madman! I think it will be any day now that he can walk! I'm not sure if I'm eager or terrified...or both!

Luke has 6 teeth (top front 4 and bottom front 2). He loves food and will eat almost anything presented to him. Lately, he's been loving peas and cottage cheese.  He also enjoys his daily breakfast of a waffle and sausage.  He's my eater, that's for sure!

He is still a good sleeper.  He continues to take 2 naps (9:15-11:00 and 2-3:30).  His bedtime is around 7 and he sleeps until about 6...if we are lucky.  I think he may be my early riser....yuck.  He takes a bottle before each sleep session and one in the morning when he first awakens.  I know babies are suppose to stop bottles at 1 year.  The idea of this terrifies me.

Luke has started to say Mama and Dada. My heart melts each and every time. 

Luke is into EVERYTHING. You'd think I would be losing inches off my waist by the day considering how much I move! He loves to climb the stairs, get into cupboards, make a fast break for an open toilet bowl, or pull and tug on any toy his sister is interested in.  The sibling rivalry has already begun. I regret to inform that I think we know who the "bully" will be. 

Hint: Rhymes with Duke.

My Handsome Lil' Man

Getting 11 Month pictures was nearly impossible! He really wouldn't sit still for more than a millisecond.  Here's the best I got.  Notice he's looking up.... I was acting like a complete fool with a stuffed puppy on my head. Worked for a second until he lunged forward to get it!

I had to include this. I had about 12 pictures like this...because he was ALWAYS on the move!

He's the best frowner. Ever.
Please Mom, stop taking pictures of me.

I decided to trap him into his highchair so he couldn't move.
How big is Lukey?  SO BIG!

Oh all right... I throw you a bone! CHEESE!

1 more month Duke and you will be 1!!!!!

What About Me?

I realized as I was trying to take pictures of Luke for his 11 month pictures, that I have really dropped the ball on the updates on Mya.  She may not be "changing" each month, but she is definitely changing.  She has really become an energetic, inquisitive, talkative, beautiful little girl. She's no longer my baby or my toddler.  She's a kid.  She's an amazing kid.

Mya: 3 years 7 Months Old

Some things she loves....

She loves practicing her letters with window markers.

 She loves playing in the sink.

She loves using the squirt bottle and "cleaning."

She loves riding her "big girl" bike.

She loves eating candy from her Easter basket.

She loves her Mommy and Daddy.

She loves doing crafts.

She loves watching her "shows" (Dora, Caillou, Arthur, Curious George, Berenstein Bears, Mickey Mouse)

She loves her brother.

She loves dress-up.
*Oh boy, I really hope this isn't a glimpse into the future.

She loves going to Home Depot just so she can ride in the car.

She loves her jeep.