Happy 3rd Birthday Sweet Patrick

Wow, my baby boy is 3!


A lot has changed in 3 years. He has grown into a strong, independent, smart boy.

He loves to run out side, almost skipping as he goes.

When he is outside, the lawn mower isn't usually out of his hands. He works so hard on the yard, it puts us all to shame. This past winter the lawn mower became his snow blower.

Inside his favorites are his tools. He'll fix anything. He also takes any cord and plugs it in all all the couches.

He loves to eat a variety of things, but loves fruit, pizza, peanut butter sanwiches, Arby's roast beef sandwiches and is very excited to eat cupcakes at his party.

He has become so verbal. He is able to express feelings now. "I'm sad, I'm scared of the Lion, Dinosaur, Easter bunny, I'm mad at you" He also comes up with the funniest things. In the car he asked me to go faster then said "Kick it!"

He loves firetrucks. They have ladders and hoses, two of his favorite things. Each day that it gets warmer he asks if it is time to get out the hose yet!

He loves his baby sister. Many times when she isn't in the room he'll say "I miss my sister" so sweet.

His laugh is infectious. He can giggle and giggle until you do as well. He is also little stinker and can also play us pretty well.

At night he loves to read stories. If it is a Curious George book or a "pig" book (Richard Scarry) he is good to go and will sit there all night and listen if you let him. He has most of them memorized and can practically read them all to us now.

Then right before bed he will sit and sing with us. Stuball, Wheels on the bus, 1,2 Firetruck, Twinkle Twinkle

He is such a joy to us each day. He makes us laugh, run and experience a world that only a 3 year old can show us!

finally an update

and some long awaited photos. Last post: march 22, probably the longest since I started this! Ok ok, so here it is.

Annika was sick. again. no ear infection this time (she has had 3 now?) but we were close and had to deal with a crazy fever lasting 3 days!
Of course she didn't mind taking a break from being sick to play a little dress up.


It's finally getting nice enough to go outside. Patrick thought he better get some gas put into his mower and get started on the outside work!

Spring also means spring cleaning. I am so tired of the stuff in our house and at least needed a new way to organize. Ryan worked on putting some shelving together with the help of two very involved assistants.

He was rewarded with kisses though!

Patrick was in heaven with a project that he could use tools on.


The kids are on complete opposite napping schedules, which on Wednesdays means lots of time at home waiting for the other kid to wake up. Here Annika and I played while Patrick slept.


Annika sported her first ponytail this week. So fun! and she doesn't mind a bit to have me fussing with her hair.


Next week we have a whole bunch of birthdays to celebrate. My little boy will be turning 3 and Annika will be 9months! I promise to share lots. Here is the little invite that we sent out:

And a collage of the fun day we had at our "photoshoot"

Patrick will be 3 soon!

A little taste of the fun to come next month!


and a short little video for you!

Happy Patrick's day!

I couldn't possibly believe he is a saint at 3! Pretty cute though!

8 months!

And she is off! 8months!

A lot has changed in 8 months!
Annika is now on the move. Not just crawling, but standing against objects, cruising, walking while holding our hands and she is getting faster by the day!

She is also a talker. She babels a lot and tries to out sound her brother which usually just ends in a big screaming match.

She smiles a lot and is into everything! She loves to play with all of us, but especially Patrick. Here they are enjoying his "tent"


She has been a sick little girl this year, so here is hoping she has had her last ear infection we are on to more health as Spring approaches.
While we were at the dr. we found out that she weighs in at:
16.4 lbs and 25in
25% for weight and 12% for height

She is a great eater. Today she enjoyed some cantelope and pancakes. She has had pears, apples, squash, spinach, peas, sweet potatoe and lots of cheerios. She is doing well drinking from a sippy cup during meals and has fun putting everything else in her mouth (including the cat's food earlier today!)

I'm putting in my prediction that she is taking steps in her 9th month!

me and my girl and a little of my boy!

I have to remember to hand the camera off once and a while. Here are a couple with me and my girl.

We have had a really rough winter. Lots of running noses, goopy eyes, throwing up, fevers, coughing and what not. I am soooo ready for spring. I want to breath in fresh clean air and open my windows and let the sickies out! This past week was no exception. With both kids sick, it has left us all without sleep for far too long. Here is to hoping we are finally on the mend!

This kid just cracks me up. Here are a couple gems lately.

Ryan eats a caramel roll and asks Patrick if he would like some. "no thanks, it's too good for me"

or just this morning when he looked up at our sun catcher and wondered why there were no rainbows. He figured it must be because the sun's batteries ran out.

oh and see this kid? He has been dry at night for quite a few weeks now so we are now completely diaper free!!! our pocketbook thanks him.

a day in the life

Annika showing off her mad crawling skills

And being silly

Patrick and Ryan enjoying a little George
pulling up on everything

Counting beans err.. money

Playing with my old doll that Patrick found

Being such a little "man"


And lastly, I woke up to this in my fridge one morning while trying to get some milk for my cereal.


If you are wondering. I rescued the dolls from the first pic by the time I took the second. And what is that in the drawer? A bike pump, some coasters, misc toys and who knows what else!