Lessons for Charlie

We recently enrolled Charlie in a few lessons at the YMCA which is two doors down from us. He goes to "biddy ball" on tuesdays and they learn how to kick a soccer ball, run the bases, play basketball, and hit a ball off a tee. It's really cute and Charlie's favorite part is that he is allowed to run inside!
We also enrolle dhim in swim lessons. He was in swim lessons when he was 18 months old but after a few months we pulled him out because his asthma was getting worse and worse. Our wonderful pediatrician informed us that indoor swimming pools often aggravate asthma as the chlorine fumes are airway irritants. No clue! I did some research and found that this is in fact true! So now that we are off asthma meds two years later and he's been healthy through several colds, we decided to try again. This time it's him and the instructor (and a few other kids). I sit on the sidelines and watch. He did surprisingly well and was only the slightest bit tearful in the beginning. He was afraid that if he got tired of holding onto the side he'd fall under. Then he discovered that he could touch the bottom and it was smoothe sailing!
Here's the instructor taking them for a ride to the deep end. Charlie is strangling her from the back!

All three of the other boys had taken this class several times so they were pretty comfortable, but Charlie will get the hang of it! We do swimming on thursdays...I can't imagine what it'll be like when Aaron and Charlie are both doing things!

Happy Birthday Bode!!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY BODE! WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!

Birthday fun for Bode!

We celebrated my nephew Bode's 2nd birthday last weekend! I made a fun Elmo cake for him and we had an absolute blast!
The party was at a rec center near my sister's house in Lititz. We had pizza, ate cake and then swam in the indoor pool!

he boys all had a blast but Aaron especially loved the water. He loves the bath so I wasn't surprised but man did he love the pool!

Bode with his cake. Last year I was taking it easy so I could go to work and make money since Alex was unemployed and I kept having complications with the pregnancy. It was decided that driving 1.5 hours to go to Bode's party was not worth the risk of something happening that far away from my doctors. So I didn't get to participate in his one year birthday. Little did we all know that Aaron would be born less than a week later!

I was thrilled to be a part of Bode's birthday this year and so excited that he loved his cake! When Christy first showed it to him he said, "Elmo scary"! Hahaha...but Elmo is also yummy!

Notice the bump on my sister's middle...she's preggers! Having a little girl in a few months!

Aaron with his devilish grin!

Snuggle time!

Sorry!

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted but I've been busy enjoying this cuteness and going stir crazy in the house. yes, I'm sure you have all heard (or are well aware b/c you live here) that we had a ridiculous amount of snow dumped on us recently. Last weekend it was 28 inches, and then tuesday through wednesday another 18 inches...not to mention the 26 inches we got in december before Christmas...yes we've had record breaking snowfalls this winter...woo hoo! Great for us, I guess. I'd be alot happier if the city had managed the streets better. It's downright miserable driving around here!
So anyway, the boys are stir crazy, Alex and I are stir crazy, but we're managing alright. I worked through both storms so Alex bore the brunt of the constant children dealings, while I dealt with that some and was trying not to die while getting to and from work! Fun times!

Aaron is still super cute but is in the process of getting 4 teeth at once which makes for shorter naps and some more neediness. Still nothing compared to his newborn period, but a little extra fussy.

Here's Charlie in our garage during last weekend's storm. It continued to snow for another 11 hours beyond this accumulated amount if that gives you any ideas of what 28 inches is like! He had fun helping Alex and I shovel, but our snow shovel broke and there are none to be found in the city!

We did not bring Aaron out in this, which I'm sure is terrible, but he doesn't have any real snow clothes. He got to watch from the warmth of the house!

Aaron is doing much better feeding himself lately, and eating human food, not just pureed stuff. He's almost one years old! Makes me sad and excited all at the same time!

Charlie decided the other night while I was painting my toenails that he wanted his done too. Normally he asks, I say ok, and he says nevermind. This time he wanted it, and when I only painted one he got upset and "wanted all 10 done mommy!"

I obliged thinking it was pretty hilarious, but I hope others don't think it's inappropriate...it's not like he's walking around in flip flops right now!

Oh well, he's pleased with them!

Aaron got his first taste of the please touch museum last monday since he's been mobile. He had a great time!

Everything went right in the mouth which is expected and not as gross to me since he's my 2nd kid!

His first on camera nose pick! Actually he was just pointing to it, we're working on body parts...you know, "where's Aaron's nose?..."

Hope everyone is faring well in the snow! Happy Valentine's day!

Aaron's first haircut!

Before (see above) but what you can't see is the two inches of mullet mania going on in the back! It needed to be done!
I cannot get over how innocent his eyes are!

Charlie SCREAMED through his first haircut! Aaron sat on a booster seat and really just hung out!

After...so handsome!

Happy Birthday Alex!

34 Years ago today (Groundhog Day), my hubby was born way too early to a very sick mom. He fought hard and beat all the odds and grew up to be the amazing man I married. He's been through it over the years but continues to be the funniest and most positive person I know.
He's an amazing daddy and my boys are so lucky to have him. I am also so lucky to be married to my best friend! Happy day hubby!

A picture of the home made carrot cake (take 2) that I made for his b-day celebration this weekend at my mom's...yummy!