Chalk stains and funny faces

Over the weekend our flowers and trees started blooming--a true sign of spring. Today we enjoyed the beautiful weather by playing with some chalk outside. Then we took it inside and played together. Thomas enjoyed making silly faces for Oliver and before we knew it was House and 24 night in our house. Since I am wrapping up classes it felt great to relax together instead of working papers and homework. So here is to counting down my last days of being a full time student!

Best Friends!

The boys were pretty cute today. We headed to the mall to visit the Children's Museum and went golfing. The best was before we left though. The boys had tummy time together, it was super cute, thank goodness I am always taking pictures!!! Every day the boys "play" more and more together. In the car today they were laughing at each other the whole way to the golf course. It was funny! One would laugh and then the other would laugh back and it just wouldn't stop. They are best friends and they make us so proud!

Catch-up Friday!

Yup, I have not wrote on here in a few days! (Bad blogger, you know better!!!) So to catch everyone up, this week has been super busy for me. Classes are winding down (hooray!) and my senior project of 40 pages is *almost* done. Which basically means I am taking a break from editting that to post this!

Oliver has been such a big boy this week! On Wednesday we tried letting him sit up by himself to find that he can sit up on his own for up to 5 minutes! He had been sitting in his Bumbo but now doesn't need it. During Oliver's nap on Wednesday Thomas and I did some crafts. Thomas painted and made the cutest "fishies" art work. He is pretty proud of himself!!!

On Thursday we bought him a jumperoo from ToysRUs and he loves it. I wish I had taped his reaction--it was priceless. He instantly started babbling and bouncing around. He got mad at me today when I tried to take him out of it. He definitely likes being mobile and seeing everything around him. On a funny note, he is having some mommy attachment issues. He is rejecting the bottle and will cry when I leave the room. Breaks my heart! But its pretty funny that if I leave the room he will cry and then if I poke my head back in the room he will giggle and get excited.

Today the boys and I had lunch out with Mary and Lindsay at Hamburg Inn. Thomas was excited to have pancakes for lunch. Tonight we also watched the Red Wings win in game 1 against the Ducks. I was a little worried the Wings were not going to pull it off when the game tied up at 2-2 but finally we scored in the 3rd. I hope that we just had a slow start and can pull the next one off easier. GO RED WINGS!

Hanging out in the stroller at the ICM

Showing off his artwork

The infamous train table

Sitting up all by himself!

Love those blue eyes! He is trying to get me here!

Reaction to his jumperoo, just look at that grin!

Bouncing baby boy!

Me and Ollie! (The bib is just for you grandma Patty and Kim!)

Hockey night! Ollie our future goalie was learning some tricks.

Oliver's 4 month check up!

Oliver had his 4 month check up and is OFF THE CHARTS! I knew he was a big boy but 100th percentile for height and 18 lbs is crazy! The doctor said he is growing more and more with each visit. He was 100th percentile in height, 98th in weight, and 97% in head circumference. He also had his shots (poor baby) but is being a champ and holding up well. Our doctor said we are good to go on starting him on solids, so in the next couple of weeks we will maybe test out rice cereal and see how it goes. She was also impressed to find out he can sit up for extended periods on his own and is able to scoot around the floor. She commented on his stuffy nose and said its likely due to allergies as well as a flattened bridge in his nose from childbirth that makes him more sensitive to allergens. Usually kids outgrow it after 12 months so we will keep an eye on it. Although it is likely both boys will have seasonal allergies like Brent and I do since it runs in our family history.

After the check up we visited the Iowa Children's Museum at the Coralville Mall. Thomas had a blast and Oliver was happy to nap after his visit to the clinic. We even were able to sneak in some Whitey's ice cream which was a real treat. When Brent got home the boys went golfing and Oliver and mommy hung out at the house and enjoyed some alone time. Oliver wanted to play and we discovered he will blow bubbles back at you. He really likes to mimic us right now. Every day I just cannot believe how much he grows. He is not a baby baby anymore. I miss it terribly! I think I need to just accept already that I can't keep either of my boys little forever. They grow up too fast.

Our Anniversary Weekend

A quick update about our weekend.

Saturday Brent and I started our day out normal and spent time with the boys and went on a hunt for an exersaucer for Oliver. Oliver LOVES to stand and seems ready for a jumper or exersaucer. We had no luck finding one at our Target and Walmart but are hoping to make a run to Des Moines some time soon to the BabiesRUs to get the Baby Einstein one there. Since Saturday was our Anniversary, Reid and Jessie came to town from Des Moines to watch the boys for us. We grilled out a late lunch with them and later in the evening had a night out as a couple. Our evening was fantastic, Brent and I dressed nice and enjoyed a dinner out followed by our first movie in a longggg time. We saw 17 Again and it was really cute! Definitely a good pick for us! We then had a night away from the boys. It was nice to get a break but I am happy to be at home again with my boys. It was hard to "leave" them even with two great people like Jessie and Reid. I missed them!

On Sunday we started out with a slow morning indoors since it rained the night before. However, the weather turned out very nice and we went golfing. Thomas saw lots of things on the golf course. We saw frogs and fish in the pond and lots of geese and ducks. And of course lots of dirt as boys somehow always find because Thomas decided to muddy up his pants a bit! We got home before the thunderstorms popped up across Eastern Iowa. Up north there was a tornado but we were no where near any of that. Since it was still nice out for us, we grilled out again. Actually, I have been cooking a lot less around here. Brent is the "grill master" and has been grilling out every chance he can get. No complaints here, I will always welcome a cooking break!

Today (Monday) was rainy so we were stuck inside. But Lindsay came to the rescue and made caterpillar crafts with the Thomas and baked brownies. Brownies are Thomas' favorite right now and he is always begging to lick the bowl so I know he had a very good day! I tested out some new spring recipes. I made some old fashioned potato salad and turkey sloppy joes. Brent and Thomas gave me their approval and ate them up so I think that will be one we make again sometime very soon! And to end our night we had our weekly House/24 night. I won't give the endings away but the 24 writing staff are really good at twisting the story line and keeping me guessing who the next "bad guy" is. Can't wait to watch the next episode!

Jessie and Oliver
Golfing

Our future Tiger Woods maybe?

Taking a moment to be thankful...

I want to take a moment to thank everyone for wishing us a happy anniversary! Brent and I enjoyed a wonderful 1st wedding anniversary.

Thank you Reid and Jessie for babysitting Oliver and Thomas, we could not have had a night out without your help! And thank you my beautiful boys for not being TOO rough on your uncle and future auntie. ;-)

Thank you Todd and Kim for the hotel room suite with the champagne and treats, that was not at all necessary but we thank you very much!

And thank you Gigi for the card, and we are also happy to hear that you are enjoying our blog. This blog is here for all of our family and friends and we have it to keep veryone posted and connected to us so we are glad someone is enjoying it too.

And thank you to everyone else who wished us congratulations and happy anniversary! We are blessed to have you all thinking of us!

And last but not at all least, thank you Lord for our beautiful kids and home that you have allowed us to build together. In times like these we are lucky to have what we do and it is all because of you.

1st Golf Outing as Family of 4!

The weather was awesome today. 87 degrees in Cedar Rapids!!! So we took advantage of how nice it was and went golfing after Brent got off of work. Both boys loved being outside. Oliver really liked looking out of the golf cart.

We think we want to get a season golf pass to the course. It would be nice to golf as a family this summer. The course was great, it was very nice and not at all crowded. Plus they have a driving range which is AWESOME because after tonight I know I need some practice! Thomas might be a better putter than me. ;-)

Enjoy the pictures!