New Wheels!

Okay, so it's not new, but it's new to us! For those of you that don't know what this is, it is the Step 2 Choo Choo Wagon, and for what ever reason they no longer make them. But a very wonderful women who has identical girls and a boy (just like us) told my sister that she was going to get rid of hers, and I couldn't resist! I honestly had put the dream of owning one of these behind me (if you look on eBay these things are going for some serious coin). But because this women is so amazing, and just wanted it to go to a good home like hers, we got it for a steal. She could have tripled her money if she would have tried to sell it on eBay! Now, Adam was not as excited as I was about this. I think he grumbled something like this, "Great, one more kid thing taking up space." But I think he is already over it. I mean come on, how could you not, they look so stinkin' cute in this thing!

Left to Right: Hannah, Olivia, Hayden, and Jonathan

(Is it just me, or is Olivia's hair always crazy?!)

Hayden absolutely loved it! She had such a good time. Every time I looked back she was smiling just like this!

Hannah liked it, but she is cutting some teeth right now, so I think she will enjoy it a lot more once she is done with that.

Olivia finally letting Jonathan have a ride in it, but only so that she could pretend to pull it.
(1st Rule: Only mommy's and daddy's can pull the wagons!)
(2nd Rule: Sun hats and sun screen on at all times.)
Jonathan does have sunscreen on but he was riding in the covered stroller before. I never thought Liv would actually give up her seat for Big Boy to get a turn!

Now we need to find one more wagon to hook on to it so that EVERYONE can ride ALL at the same time.

Linda, if you read this: Thank You, Thank You , Thank You, Thank You! We all absolutely love this, and are having a great time with the wagon!

Thanks Blank Park Zoo and The University of Iowa Children's Hospital

We were invited to the Blank Park Zoo two Saturdays ago by the University of Iowa Children's Hospital due to the babies stay in the NICU last year. While they were a little too little to get it all Olivia sure did have a good time!

Liv getting her first glimpse at the lions! She was very excited!

Standing on the stroller to see!

Here comes the giraffe.

She even got to meet Cinderella, Tinker Bell, and Snow White!

Cheese dad!

Waiting in line to get our food. Hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, and a drink.

The babies killed 4 hot dogs and a bun. Olivia, well, she ate a bag of chips and and had a bottle of water. I wish i could get this to eat something! Anything, even a Hot Dog!

Liv playing with her free souvenir.

The next day at our hotel after breakfast. Olivia having a great time just running around inside.

Hannah

Hayden

Hayden and Hannah watching big sister run wild.

Jonathan getting tired just watching her.

Watch out! Here she comes!

Okay now I should tell you that as glamorous and wonderful this trip sounds and looks, it started off a little rocky and ended a little rocky, but we all survived and Adam and I are still talking. :)

Blankies, Fingers, and a Thumb

The other night it was about 6:20 pm and I had already finished bathtubs. The babies were starting to get a little cranky and since they generally don't go to bed until after 7:00 I couldn't put them down yet, so I brought their blankets out to them. (Something I never do.) They calmed down almost immediately and then after about 5 to 10 minutes they were back up and running again. I love blankies!

 

Left to Right: Hayden, Jonathan, and Hannah

Hannah coming to get me!

Jonathan trying to steal Hayden's blankie.

 

Hayden giving up and taking Jonathan's blanket. You can't tell but when she finds the silky on her blanket she starts to suck her index finger upside down.

When Jonathan finds his silky he sucks his thumb.

And when Hannah finds her silky she sucks her ring, middle, AND index finger.

Hayden

Fun fact.

They usually wait to suck their finger(s) or thumb until they find the silky part of the blankie.

15 Months Stats

Monday the kids their 15 month check up and here are their latest stats.

Hannah Alexis

Weight: 18 lbs 4 oz (3%)

Height: 30 inches (40%)

Hayden Sophia

Weight: 18 lbs 15 oz (3%)

Height: 30 inches (40%)

Jonathan Austin

Weight: 23 lbs 7 oz (35%)

Height: 31 1/2 inches (60%)

Our Pediatrician is very pleased on how they are developing and says that they are doing great. The girls are still on the small side, but they are eating very well and their other stats were up so she was not concerned at all.

Sun Hats and Sundae Cones

Hannah, Jonathan, and Hayden (L to R) in their new sun hats.

Jonathan trying to take his hat off, and Hayden checking out Hannah's hat.

Hannah getting a bite of Nicole's Sunday cone.

Hannah in Ice Cream overload!

Hayden getting a bite.

Hayden asking Hannah if she will share with her.

Hannah not sharing, and Jonathan is wondering what is going on up there!

The Weekend Review

We had a pretty good extended weekend. Friday night we had the suite at the Kernels Stadium so we took the whole family for their first minor league baseball game. It went pretty well, but by 8:00 I had to have my mom take the babies home. They were starting to get a little cranky since it was an hour past bed time. Olivia on the other hand had the time of her life! We invited some other friends to join us so their were lots of kids to play with. And of course I forgot my camera. I tried to take pictures with my new phone but it's just not the same.

On Saturday Adam's 9th graders had a baseball scrimmage in the morning and then we he got home he offered to watch the kids so that my mom and I could get out for a while. Of course I immediately took him up on this offer, and mom and I went to Williamsburg to find some sun hats for the kiddos.

Sunday, we took Olivia to church, grilled hot dogs and brats for lunch, and then that night Olivia went to Nana and Papa's to spend the night. After the kids went to bed we set up Liv's new sandbox on the deck. (We weren't sure if we should put it up there or in the back yard by the swing set, but I figured she would use it more if it were on the deck and then I can keep a better eye on her.)

Monday, Olivia came home and my sister, Theresa, and her kids, Rachel and Matthew, came over. Liv loves her new sandbox and has already played many hours in it! (And I'm glad we put it on the deck!)

Hannah playing with the wiggle ball. She thinks it feels funny!

Jonathan

Rachel and Hayden

Olivia and Matthew playing with bubbles.

Liv's new "picnic and sandals".

Liv and Matt's Fun in the Sun

Since it was really nice out last weekend Olivia wanted to see if her cousin, Matt, could come over and play in the sprinkler with her. And as luck would have it, he was free!


Matt and Liv going down the steps to the back yard.

Matthew watching Olivia, wondering if she is actually going to run through it.

Wait, are they going through it? Nope! They are just running around it.

I love Matt's diaper in this picture. My sister, Theresa, kept asking if he would let her change it, but he wouldn't have it. When it was time for our sprinkler party to end and he finally let her change him, I swear that diaper weighed 10 lbs. It was definitely absorbent!

Liv and Matt had a great time, and we are looking forward to many more sprinkler party's this summer!

And where were the babies during all this fun you ask? Nap time!

Oompa-Loompas...No, Those are My Kids!

This is what happens when you let your kids eat spaghetti by themselves!


Notice how clean Jonathan is compared to the girls. He is a very neat eater and... prefers that his food be fed to him.