3 months and 2 1/2 year pictures

So, as promised here are the JCPenney's pictures that we took last week. Keep in mind, the scanner doesn't do well with darker colors, so the darks look a little strange. Noah's hair is not as dark as it looks when scanned. And Sam still has stark blue eyes. That being said, no amount of scanning is going to diminish Sam's hair and his big ole man nose. The first picture is my favorite of him. I can already hear 19 year old Sam begging me to please not get this picture out for his girlfriend...

We did manage to get a couple shots of the boys together. I really wanted to capture the 2.5 year old with the 3 month old. I know this time will fly by and they will be 15 and 13 before I know it. I think they turned out pretty cute...

I love that in this next one you can see the difference in eye color. It took awhile to get this one because Sam's face kept getting squashed up against Noah. Finally I had to hold him up, that's my hand just under his chin...

I wasn't originally planning on doing any of Noah by himself, but when the kid gets in front of the camera, he knows how to pose. We went pick up the pictures yesterday, and he asked, "mommy I get my picture taken again please?" They all had a good chuckle at the studio. I mean, how many 2 year olds actually want to cooperate with pictures?

Yes, Yes, I realize that in this next picture are kids that are NOT my children. But you know their mother is too busy making awesome spooky CDs for my eldest while simultaneously canning and storing homegrown/homemade baby food for my youngest. So I took the liberty of sneaking this one into the scanner (which she gave me too!) to post on my blog. Besides, how dang cute are her kids?! Yes, Philie, go ahead and just link folks from your blog. I'll keep posting pictures of your kids :)

Random shots from last week

It's seems that we've had a very busy month! But we've had a few fun moments at home as well. Noah has gotten into making bubble beards for himself while in the bathtub. I love that he juts out his chin to show it off for the camera.

Sam has been doing phenomenal lately. Aside from refusing a bottle from everyone except Aunt Michelle (baby whisperer) and still having fussy periods, he is doing great. Sleeping through the nights most nights (like 10pm-6/7am) which is fantastic! His little personality is starting to come out more and more. As Mike said last night, "glad to see you're on board now buddy!"

Last week Philie and I took all 4 boys to Penney's for pictures (yes I'll scan and post them soon, I pick them up today). After a very ridiculous lunch at Red Robin involving wardrobe changes for Fred, Calvin, AND Philie we went back to our house. Look at how sweet Fred was playing with the little ones...

For a rough-and-tumble guy, Fred is too sweet with the babies. I love it!

Samuel Dan, Holy Man.

We baptized Samuel Dan this weekend at my home church (First United Methodist in LaGrange). It was funny to me as I remembered Noah's baptism and how we posed for formal pictures and made sure to take lots. This time around we were lucky to snap a few while Noah was cooperative. Not as formal, but at least we have them!

The boys were both great during church. Sam was awake to be baptized and then promptly fell asleep in my arms making me sweat profusely during the service. Noah bounced around from Aba Aba (mike's mom) putting stickers on her face, to my parents whispering "HEY, THERE'S KIM & JOE!", to Mary Kate and Meg messing around with miniature flashlights. But we made it through.

My parents hosted a lovely, relaxed lunch where we had a giant sub sandwich and watched the bears game.

Uncle Josh came too! And was forced to do the obligatory Uncle without kids of his own now forced to hold 2 wild boys picture...

Mike's parents came to the church, Noah was so excited to have all his grandparents there!

My dear friend Jessica (aka Philie) served as Sam's godmother.

Sam's Godfather is our good friend Cliff. Unfortunately, he was in Puerto Rico for work this weekend. But we know he'll be teaching Sam lots of good lessons. And yes, I purposely picked out a picture of him wearing a beer shirt...
Lots o cousins came...

Mike was so worn out he promptly fell asleep during the bears game, probably just as well considering how poorly they played.

The day ended with Sam receiving my family's traditional signature quilt. Which, of course, I did not take a picture of. Sometime, I promise. But it was a wonderful day. Thanks to all who attended!

Bugs, BoxMan, BOYS...

So I do realize that I have 2 boys. I do realize that the next 18 years of my life will be filled with boy-like things. And I'm not one to stereotype as evidenced by Noah's play kitchen downstairs, his baby doll, and his choice of tinkerbell stickers at the doctors office. However sometimes I have days where I just throw up my hands and say, "I'm surrounded by boys and messes!" And it's only going to get worse! The other day Noah and I found this cool bug out on our porch. I'm not too squeamish about bugs, but this thing was a good size (see picture). Noah wanted to pick it up and play with his new "friend." I said no!
Noah is also obsessed with superheroes (no shocker there). If you are wondering what the alter ego names of Aquaman, Blue Beetle, Plastic Man, and Silver Surfer are, I know because I had to look them up on Wikipedia today. Anyway, Noah has started making up new superheroes. Below is a picture of BoxMan. His new identity. And I've become "Purple Momma" because of my purple hooded sweatshirt that I can pull over my eyes.

Noah also helped Daddy rake leaves this weekend. Or should I say helped do the exact opposite of what Mike asked him to do, then got filthy dirty playing...

But come on, is there anything cuter than boys in footie pajamas. I mean, seriously!

3 kids....???

This week we began the great baby swap! Michelle's daughter Evie will come here on Thursdays for us to watch. Then in 2 weeks once Michelle gets settled with work, my boys will go to her house on Tuesdays. It's a nice way to have free, quality childcare without feeling guilty about using your friends! So this past Thursday was our first Evie day. It was SO fun and better than expected. Some folks seem to think Michelle and I are nuts for doing this, but I think it will be great for the kids. Noah was a great helper and seemed to enjoy having another little one around. Evie was wonderful! She takes a bottle MUCH better than her counterpart Sam. And she took a 3 hour nap in the afternoon! At one point Noah was asleep in his room, the babies were both asleep on me, and I got a quick cat nap in. I know not every week will be easy. But this was a good start!

Squeakers

Here's a little video of Sam "laughing." He's starting to do the same squeaking, inhalation laugh that Noah did. It's so cute! Notice the 2 year old off screen asking for his backpack to be photographed and eventually grabbing the camera at the very end. Such is our life!

2.5 months and 2.5 years

We recently went to the doctor for both boys' check up. Sam is 12.5lbs and 22.5 inches. Noah is 32.5lbs and 36.5 inches. Both are developing right on track for their ages. Both received some immunizations. Noah ended up with 3 shots, Sam ended up with 4 shorts and an oral vaccine. Thank goodness Uncle Josh was there for backup/distraction. Noah again picked out the matching clothes today. Figure we'd better take pictures while they're little because dang they are growing up fast!