Wii Play

Daddy has introduced Hannah to the Wii.  It's a great way to spend 30 minutes on a rainy day.  She likes some of the sports games (but she doesn't really get them enough to play by herself) and Mario Kart, and has been declared "underweight" by Wii Fit but really likes the balance games on it.  It is hilarious to watch them play together, especially Mario Kart, because Hannah is really into it (and refuses all offers of assistance from anyone) and she just drives into a wall or off a cliff and often goes in the wrong direction.  Jon usually laps her a time or two and if she crosses the finish line (going the right way or not), she declares herself the winner.  It's too cute!  

 "vroom vroom"

 Lauren doesn't quite know what to make of these "gamers."

Crashed

 Lauren is worn out!

Happy Birthday Grandma

Since everyone was in town, we celebrated Sally's birthday.  We got a cupcake cake (and with 8 adults and 2 kids, every single cupcake was eaten this evening) and she got a few presents. 

 "Happy Birthday Grandma"

(Hannah picked out the cake decorations)

 Hannah is eagerly waiting for her cupcake

 Rachel discovers that nursing moms CAN have a glass of wine every now and then!

 "Cake, did someone say cake"?!?!?

 Gavin really wants his cupcake

 Grandma Woolley opening presents

Grandma was enjoying her card that sings the song, "Celebrate!"  When we were in the store, Hannah insisted that we buy Grandma a "music card."  She even picked the song.

Grandma received a framed picture of all four grandkids from Jon and me.  Josh & Danila and Rachel & Ryan got her tickets to a Beth Moore event here in Columbus later this summer.  Sally said it was some of the best presents ever, so I think we did okay in that regard!

Swingset Fun!

For Memorial Weekend, the Woolley side of the family was in town to visit.  We all had dinner together tonight -- Josh and Danila made a great grilled steak salad and grilled stuffed tomatoes (delicious!) for everyone to enjoy!  Here are some pictures of Hannah and Gavin enjoying the evening playing out on the swingset.  We love our swingset -- we play on it just every day when the weather is nice.  We still go to the park down the street too, but probably only once a week.  It's so nice - especially when family is in town - to just run out back and let the kids run around.  They definitely had a good time tonight!

 Gavin & Gracie

Sprinkler!

Now that it is (finally) warming up, I got two sprinklers for Hannah to play in the yard.  The first (that I didn't get any pictures of) is a flower that grows with the water pressure and spins.  I was afraid that Hannah would be scared of it, since last summer she wasn't a fan of sprinklers, but she actually did play with it a little bit.  I didn't take any pictures, but then we got out the ladybug sprinkler.  It is a little more her speed -- it has a bunch of little holes in the top of the tube, so the water doesn't move around, but just goes straight up.  She loved playing outside in the water!  (and so did I) 

Checking it out

Licking the water

Running through the water!

 

Poor Lauren didn't get to play in the water -- she just enjoyed her exersaucer in the shade.

I hope Jon enjoys sprinkler time this summer....even if it means a patch of grass in the middle of the yard grows faster than the rest of the grass  :)

Circus

We got tickets to the Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey Circus in the firm's suite.  We took 3 other families with us and had a great time.  We ended up with 7 kids and 6 adults enjoying the circus in a confined space, which was especially good for the kids!  They were able to run around and play and we didn't have to worry about the kids bothering people or getting lost.  Not only did we have great seats, but we had a lounge area and a private bathroom.  This is definitely the way to enjoy a show with kids.  We ordered a basket of popcorn, which proved popular with the kids, along with the Capri Suns...that required multiple refills in the fridge.  Enjoy the pictures.

Rachel is looking forward to everything starting

Jake gives Hannah a big hug

Rachel, Jake & Hannah

Lauren woke up part way through and wanted to check things out

Jake holding Lauren

The Kids!

(minus Lauren, who was asleep in the stroller)

Rachel & Reagan

Brady, Rachel & Reagan

Jake and Hannah enjoying the best part of the night -- POPCORN -- or at least that is what Hannah told us was her favorite part of the circus when we got in the car to go home.

Long night for Rachel....

Motorcycle rider on a tightrope

Trampoline

Grand Finale

Eye Appointment

Hannah had her first real eye appointment today.  She had to be screened at 3 years old for possible retina problems based on her prematurity (Retinopathy of prematurity - also known as ROP).  Fortunately, her exam came back fine and she has no eye problems from being born so early.  She did, however, inherit her mother's eyes, so the doctor told us that at some point she will be nearsighted and need glasses.  These days they can measure a kid's eyes and predict how the eye will grow over time.  Totally amazing. 

Hannah did great at the exam.  It was much longer than I expected.  We got to the office a little after 9am and didn't leave until almost 11am!!!  We saw a nurse, a doctor, another nurse (for dilation) and then had to wait in the waiting room and play for 30 minutes while the drops took effect.  Then we saw the nurse and doctor again.  Hannah was good about matching the letters she saw on the screen to the card and answered all of the questions that they asked.  She was even really patient about sitting in the big chair.  As a reward, she got a donut on the way home! 

I'll do it myself!

And I thought Hannah was independent....Lauren is already attempting to feed herself with a spoon.  She has only been eating rice cereal for a month....and other food for less than two weeks!

Lovin' it!

Lauren - 6 month pictures

I took Lauren to get her 6 month pictures taken this morning.  She was so smiley and happy.  Here are the shots we took.  Since Kiddie Kandids changed the way they let you order pictures, I can't combine images onto one print, so as soon as I get one good one, I might as well stop taking the pictures so I don't have to choose!  With Hannah I'd get a bunch of good shots and put them on 3x5 prints that I could give away, but now if you want to combine, you can only get an 8x10 (and they're expensive!).  I'm disappointed with the change, but the one good thing is that I spend less money getting pictures done!

6 Months Old!

Six months have gone by since Lauren surprised us with her entrance into the world.  She is now Miss Smile!  She is still a bit of a mommy's girl and will fuss when I'm not around (or when I am and she wants to get my attention).  She can sit up on her own (the doctor told us that she sits better than most 6-month old kids), but doesn't yet roll (in any direction).  Lauren is happiest when she can see what is going on (and when I'm in view) and she loves to laugh and smile at her sister.  She also absolutely LOVES her toes and anytime she is on her back, chances are that she is holding on to them (or trying to eat them).

She is a chunk!  At her check-up she weighed in at 17 pounds, 13 ounces (by comparison, Hannah was 17 pounds, 4 oz. at her 12 month check-up).  That puts Lauren in about the 75th percentile for weight.  She is 26 inches long, with is the 50th percentile.  As for clothes, she's wearing sizes all over the place.  There are some 3-6 month things that fit her, some 6 month, and some 6-9 (or 9) month stuff.  

Lauren is now eating rice cereal and oatmeal on a regular basis and finally figured out (just a few weeks ago) how to proficiently use the spoon....she was attempting to "nurse" it when we were starting out on the solids, but now has the hang of it, so we've moved on to some vegetables (sweet potatoes, peas, carrots) and fruit (apples, pears, bananas).  The first time we tried "real" food, she gave me a really funny look, but now is quite the little bird and has her mouth open the whole time - and she'll protest if you don't go fast enough.  She is enjoying the food!

Enjoy the pictures I captured during a little outside photo shoot!

All Smiles!

Profile Shot

Mom - the sun is in my eyes!

Lovin' my toes!