Swimming Lessons

We decided it was time that Mya enroll in swimming lessons. I was a little nervous about how she would react to being in the class. This is the first time she was going to have to be in a class without knowing anyone.  I tried to get her excited by buying her a new swimming suit (new clothes always make me feel better!)... but it didn't work. From the get-go she was resistant.  Thankfully, I dropped Luke off at the YMCA daycare before taking Mya to class. This was the wisest decision I've made in a LONG time! She completely freaked out and refused to go into the pool! The poor lil' 15 year-old teacher had no idea how to handle the situation. I tried staying out of sight, but Mya just screamed louder.  Finally, I rolled up my pants, and walked into the pool with her.  She finally warmed up to the idea and ended up enjoying her class.

Unfortunately, we had to skip last week because I took the kids to my parents' so Matt and I could take a mini-vacation to Florida.  Even more unfortunately, I realized as I am typing this that we FORGOT about class tonight. UGH! CRAP! Maybe we can do a make-up class tomorrow?!!?

Not so excited to get ready for lessons! But... how cute does she look???

Very hesitant

• Even the lifeguard was trying to lure her in!

YAY!!!

She even jumped in!

We Love Projects

We've been keeping busy with some projects....

Valentine for Daddy

First things first, get Duke in one position and entertained.

Gluing is Mya's FAVORITE!

 Making a HEART crayon

Peeling crayons kept Mya busy for at least 15 minutes while I made dinner.

I thought we goofed here.  When I took it out of the oven it resembled...well.... a piece of heart-shaped poop.

But, wahla! The otherside was beautiful!

Marshmallow Building

Aiden came over to play too. I think they ate more than they built!

 Finger Painting

I spelled MYA with painter's tape.  Then, let her finger paint all over.  After the paint dried, I peeled the tape and there was her name! (we had a little leakage...this always happens to me when I paint too.... what am I doing wrong???)

Nine

My little Luke is 9 Months Old... I can't believe it! I would say he has made a HUGE transition over the last month.  He went from his quick, quick, quick army crawl to his GET THE HELL OUTTA MY WAY crawl! He is a constant mover! He wants to go, go go!  In addition to crawling like an ole' pro, he is also pulling himself up to a standing position.  This completely keeps Mommy, Daddy, and Mya on their toes! Mya is so nervous when he stands up on things that she runs out of the room! When we ask her why she left, she replies, "Because I don't want to see Lukey fall and get hurt."  Guess she doesn't have much faith in our supervision! He LOVES standing against the TV and turning the power on and off... drives me crazy!

He is still a GREAT eater! He's a bit of a chunky monkey! Let's just say he's very "solid."  ALL BOY! I think he may be our superstar linebacker.  He doesn't want much to do with baby food. He much prefers table food.  He will pretty much eat anything and everything we give him! He's still taking 4 bottles a day.  One before each sleep period and one when he wakes up.

That brings me to his sleep......... Ugh. Overall he is a great sleeper! He naps like a champ and really can function when being deprived of good sleep (kinda what happens when you have an older sibling that needs dropped off, picked up, gymnastics, swimming, etc.).  He takes his 9:30 am nap and his 2:00 pm nap.  He goes to bed between 6:30-7:00 pm.  Here's the stinker... he was getting up at 5:00ish. UGH! This about killed me.  Usually he would go back until 7ish.  But, not Mommy... I couldn't go back! We decided to let him cry it out and see what happened.  Great... he finally was trained to sleep until 6 am! BUT... then he was up. For Good.  YUCK.  It was like pick your poison.  The good news is that the last few days he has slept until 6:45-7:00.  YAY! Keep your fingers crossed that it maintains. 

Lukey got those 2 top, front teeth that I predicted.  They really did a number on my happy boy.  He was pretty miserable for about a week.  His poor little nose was so runny too! He pretty much had boogers on his face at all hours of the day.  Luckily they both came in the same week.

Here are the stats for this HAPPY, SMILEY, ADORABLE, LOVE BUG!

weight: 22 lbs. 4 oz (76%)
length: 30.25 in (96%)
head: 44.7 (35%)


Here are his 9 month pictures! Now, keep in mind this kid is constantly moving! The usual green chair pictures didn't go very well considering he wanted to take a giant leap head first off of it!

I'll sit for just one moment....

Gotta go!



Watch Mom, I'm gonna jump!



Poor Jasmine, she takes the grunt of Luke's aggression! (more on that later)

Buddies

Oh, I could just eat him up! LOVE!

Getting into trouble....

Teething... notice the boogies!

LOVING his dinner (Ignore the pink bib.. Real Men Wear Pink)

I think he likes them.  This party ended quickly when he rubbed his eyes.  We immediately headed to the bath!

VIP Day

Mya's preschool hosted a VIP day last Saturday. She was able to bring in a VIP to spend an hour in her classroom. Guess who she took? DADDY!!!

Hmmmm... see any type of resemblance?

Need an Idea?

Hey Moms-

Do you need an idea to keep your little ones busy? 

Mya LOVED this project and spent almost an hour working on it!

Materials:

Large piece of paper

Glue

Paint brush

Container with all kinds of "things"

Put lots of glue on the paper and let your little one "paint" it all over the paper.  I also had a cup of glue for her to dip her brush in.  I will warn you, some of the glue dried by the time she was ready to stick her items. But, the gluing was her favorite part so she spent most of her time gluing, gluing some more, and then regluing!

Have your little one decorate the paper with all of your odds and ends items! She made quite the collage by the end of this project!

Hookem' Horns- Texas or Bust

Last weekend I went to Austin, Texas ALL. BY. MYSELF! I was so excited to be able to visit my best friend, Sarah! She doesn't have kids so I knew this trip was going to be Fan-tastic! (nothing against kids I just wanted a relaxing trip!) When I arrived, Sarah asked what I wanted to do.  I responded something like, "I don't care. I just want to be Rachel...not Mommy or Momma!" I adore my kids but I must admit I really needed a break! Luke had been teething prior that week and Mya's whining got so bad that I had to create a behavior chart. 

Unfortunately, Texas had a nasty wintery weather forecast and of course, they received their once a year snowfall! Luckily that didn't stop us from having a great time! In fact, we had such a good time that we didn't take ANY pics! I realized it and took one picture at the airport before I left! May I add that it was sunny and 75 the afternoon I left?  Figures.

Our weekend was filled with clothes shopping, antique shopping (check out Sarah's awesome antique booth on her blog Barn Chic Antiques), drinking, eating, massages, and even a little Salsa dancing (well maybe we just watched it but I'm sure I shook my hips just a little)!

Thank you, Sarah, for showing me this Mommy can still have fun! I needed the time away and can't WAIT to go back to visit!

Sportin' his new UT shirt! HOOKEM' HORNS!

Future UT fans? 

Baby Got Back....

Backed up that is! I am SO behind in my posts! So, these are going to be short and sweet! Lots of pics and little talk!

Ice Skating

Matt has been waiting for this day! He finally bought Mya (and himself) iceskates! Our good friends' (and neighbors) dad just bought a house on Lake Zurich (SCORE!). So, Matt and Ben took the kids iceskating.   

Auntie's House


I know this seems like a strange picture, but it totally captures how the kids were all week.  Completely engaged in playing with eachother!! It was awesome!



Reading books and cuddle time before bed!

 Playing with Aiden

These 2 can't get enough of eachother! Seriously... they beg their Mommas everyday to play together!

 Mya and Luke


Oh boy.... 2 peas in a pod

 1st Day of Preschool at LZHS 

Mya started a 2nd preschool. Lake Zurich High School offers a wonderful preschool program. There are more high school girls than kiddos, so each kid has at least one-on-one attention. So, Mya now goes to Messiah on Tuesdays and Thursdays (9-11) and LZHS on Wednesdays and Fridays (9-11).  I wouldn't have put her in 4 days a week if she didn't LOVE school! I must admit, I LOVE her being at school! ;-)

 BEING SILLY

My WHOLE family went shopping....at a MALL... to find Daddy some pimpdaddy clothes for our upcoming nights out and vacations! Are we crazy? Here's Mya modeling his new outfit and trying on Mommy's new shoes!