Family Visit

Two of my sisters came to visit this past weekend. It was so nice to see family and just be able to relax. It was also a great excuse to go shoppping and out to eat. You never realize how limited your choices are in Kirksville until you try to take others out to eat. While Ruby Tuesdays may be exciting to us, it certainly is not all of the rage in St. Louis. So of course, dinner was at Pagliai's and breakfast was at Pancake City. Might as well break out the fine china for family.

My girls worship their aunts. They always have so much fun. They make me miss being young and carefree. It's not like I can really go out and jump on the trampoline when there is laundry and dinner to cook, besides entertaining a month old baby who wants to be held at all times. They also always look so good. Highlighted hair, in-style clothes, etc. Makes me miss St. Louis.

Jamie and Julie loved holding Lake and it was nice to have a break every once in a while. I actually ate with two hands when we went out to eat. They carried the car seat for me everywhere we went. I could really do the "nanny" thing. Also got to visit some great antique stores. Hopefully this visit got the "baby urge" going with Jamie (hint, hint).

Uncle Jeff came over to visit also. He is like a human jungle gym to the girls. Poor guy never gets to just visit. He looks so cute holding Lake. He would make such an awesome dad. I just realized how bad this picture looks with the cute little purse sitting next to him. He might kill me for this one.

Seriously, no one has played this game for years, but as soon as my sisters arrive, the board games come out. Makes me feel like such an inferior mom. I read with the girls, does that count?

Hannah's New Bed

Ok, so miracles do happen. Hannah has not slept in her own bed since she was born, although this is no fault of her own. Before we had kids, we always said they wouldn't sleep with us. I remember thinking our friends had strange beliefs because their kids slept with them. Then we had kids of our own and of course they slept with us. Sort of like when you go to Wal-Mart before you have kids and wonder why a mom can't handle her child who is screaming. Then you have a child of your own and understand completely. Anyway, Hannah has been begging for a loft bed. We told her she could have one when she started sleeping by herself. When Lake was born, Hannah started sleeping on the floor of our room. We thought this was a big step. Then some friends of ours offered us their loft bed because their daughter didn't like it (Thanks Bartigs!). Hannah has slept in her own bed since the loft went up. Meredith then decided that she should sleep in her own bed too. Now, you would think we would start Lake out in his own bed so we don't have this battle again, but we are gluttons for punishment I guess.

Pumpkin Patch

The corn maze. It was really long and cut in
the shape of a train, which could only be seen
on an aerial shot. LaPlata is known for its train stations.




We went to the Pumpkin Patch this past weekend with our family and Josh's sister and her two kids. They had a really neat corn maze, but the kids got scared half-way through, so we took a short cut out. There was also a haystack maze, bounce house, corn cannon and hay ride. The kids had fun, but the adults realized that the pumpkin patch really is meant for entertainment of kids. It just doesn't have the same appeal anymore. 80 degree weather probably didn't help much either. The kids were pretty worn out though, which makes any event worth it.

Splish Splash

It's amazing the things that change with your third child. With Hannah, we had two different types of bathtubs that could grow with you. Meredith used them second hand and poor Lake gets his sister's lap. The girls take turns holding Lake while we wash him. They want to take a bath every night just for the opportunity to hold him in the water. It just didn't seem worth the effort to buy a baby bathtub that he would outgrow in a couple of months when you have two girls who can hold him for you.

Lake Turns Three Weeks Old

I can't believe that Lake is already three weeks old. Time is going by so fast. Yesterday was his actual due date, but that is hard to imagine. He is growing by leaps and bounds and is becoming so much more alert. He sleeps less and is really beginning to focus on your face when you talk or sing to him. The girls are falling more in love with him everyday. We are working on putting him down more and getting him to take a bottle now and then, so that our transition to the babysitter goes well.

Rollerblading

Here's a shout out to Monica and Julie. Do you remember our rollerblading days? I doubt I could even do it anymore. When I watch Hannah, it doesn't even look fun. The streets are rough and it looks like your ankles should hurt.

Fall has hit Kirksville

I can't believe it, but it looks like summer may officially be over. It has been 40 degrees the last two mornings. I had to hurry up and pull out some fall clothes. For some reason, it doesn't even seem like we had a summer. It rained for so long in June, July flew by and August was a blur. We have had so much rain lately that even the garden looks horrible. I bet I only had to water the outdoor plants, herbs and garden three times all summer (well actually Josh and Hannah did this for me). Maybe we will have a really long fall season with a short winter. Just dreaming!!!!!!!!!!!

WEBKINZ Mania

My kids are obsessed with Webkinz. Hannah owns eight of them and Meredith just got her first one. For those of you fortunate enough not to have children playing with them yet, I'll give you a heads up. Webkinz are stuffed animals that come with a secret code. The secret code is entered into Webkinz World on-line. You are then responsible for feeding them and making sure they are happy and healthy. You earn/win money to buy them toys, food, clothing, etc. Each animal has a meter that tells you when they need something taken care of. Hannah is very good at taking care of hers and it keeps her busy. Meredith, on the otherhand, needs constant help, so I wind up playing. I have actually found myself logging on in the middle of the day to earn her more money or to take care of her frog. Good thing for high speed, wireless internet or we would have even more of a nightmare on our hands.

Two Weeks Old

It is so hard to believe that Lake is already two weeks old. It's harder to believe that he really shouldn't be here for another ten days. He already looks so different from when he was born. I can't get enough of holding and snuggling with him. I want to savor this time with him, since I know it will go by so quickly. When I look at Hannah and Meredith, I can't believe that they were once this small. Lake really is a great baby. He barely ever cries (Josh would disagree, but he usually gets him at just the wrong time) and he is so happy when he is awake. He is awake for much longer periods of time now and is so attentive to his surroundings. Meredith and Hannah have not tired of him yet and are constantly arguing over getting to hold him. Hannah has been the biggest help with him and he just adores her.