Luke & Laura

Well, Luke has now made it clear that he likes his crayons, markers, etc. One of his stocking stuffers for Christmas from his Grandma and Grandpa Toosley were bath tub markers. He loves them. He'll sit in his tub and just scribble all over. The great part about them is that they wash off almost instantly. This was the best picture I could get of them before they started to wash away.

I do have to say that these two kids are more like Greg than he knows. All three of them love their bath time. Greg is a major bath tubber. He loves to sit and soak and read in the tub. Luke loves to sit in the tub and play, play, play. He gets very upset when he has to get out, but he's all pruney and the water starts to get cold. Laura is now the same way. She will sit in her whale tub for as long as you let her. She likes to look at herself in the mirror and splash the water around.

Laura is now able to sit in her bouncy toy (with the assistance of some of her dad's old medical books). She's not real sure about it yet, but it really shocks her when she puts her feet down and stands up.

Laura's Room

Every princess needs a chandlier in their room!

The dresser is a little messy!

I forgot to put this in a long time ago. For those of you that haven't had a chance to see Laura's room, here it is. It is very girly (something I thought I would never do), but she seems to like it. Luke likes to play with her toys in her room too (as you can see in the pictures). My favorite part is either the chandlier that we put up for our little princess or the cover that my mom made for the changing table. I really didn't want to buy a different one, and I didn't want to paint it because it goes with Luke's set. So my mom made a cover to go over it so it now matches Laura's other stuff. Thanks Mom!

The curtains have green polka dots on them that match her bedding

Luke's New Work table

I didn't realize how much I needed a little work table for Luke. Andy and Lisa got him one for Christmas, and he absolutely loves it. He pulls out the chair and sits down and then proceeds to either color on the giant coloring pages or the table. I'm just glad that this stuff is washable (including the markers and crayons) because I have found blue and purple colors on my tan and white walls. I find myself taking pictures of his artwork before I wipe it off the walls. I would keep it up, but it doesn't really match my decor.

Christmas 2010

Wow! Christmas was more fun this year for us because Luke was able to enjoy it more. Laura really didn't care what she got. I guess an 8 week old can't enjoy Christmas to much. Luke on the other hand loved it. I really think he was more impressed with the boxes and wrapping paper. Eventually he did tear into the toys. I have laughed more in these past few days than most of the year watching Luke. Our days look like this. He wakes up to play with his race track. He has learned that if he stops my car from going down the track, his car wins everytime. He look like King Kong standing their swatting at my car. Then we have to go into the living room and race his remote control car and his Chuck the Truck (thanks mom and Suzie). I (of course) get to control the cars while Luke runs around catching the trucks. Then we move onto the golf set from his Uncle Boog. Here again I do most of the work. Luke likes for me to putt the ball into the hole while he stalks the ball and grabs it before it goes in. Then he chases me around with the clubs. We then go downstairs to play with his horse and new tent. He looks like a little jockey riding his horse from his Grandma and Grandpa Ross. He holds on tight, and rides as fast as he can. Then we have to go sit in the tent and crawl through the tunnel as many times as we can. I caught him napping in the tent while I ran on the treadmill (sorry I didn't have my camera). Then we go back upstairs to bowl down the hallway with his new bowling set from Carson and Brady. He likes to play in the hallway so he can use the walls like bumpers. After that we go into his room to play with his basketball goal, and then to color on his new worktable (thanks Andy and Lisa). Then we try to wind down with a little Blues Clues or Wow Wow Wubzy (we really don't wind down), and some leaptop time (thanks Dan and Whit). There are some meals, treats, and a naptime in between all of this (for me and Luke both). He also goes into his sister's room and decides to play with some of her cool new toys too. To end the day after baths and sleepy tea, both kids lay down with their Scout and Violet dogs listening to the soothing songs to dream land! Boy my days are busy. I think Luke needs a brother to play with so I can have a break. Wait I must be exhausted because that last statement would just mean even more work for me.

Baa Baa Black Sheep

Luke has really come along way with this song. His grandma Linda got him started on it. She would sing it to him to get him to go to sleep. Now he enjoys singing it for you. He has had the Baa Baa part down for awhile. Now he gets the first songs of Black and Sheep, but doesn't have the words out yet. The rest of it he just fills in whatever he likes because he knows the songs continues.

Haircut Before and After

Luke was in such desperate need of a haircut. I took his Christmas pictures anyway because I was running out of time for my Christmas card pictures. So I finally made it to Fulton this past weeklend. While we were there Luke got a haircut. The ladies couldn't believe how much hair came off, and in the end how he looked like his dad even more now.

Christmas Pictures 2010

Well, I finally got the kids in for their Christmas pictures. I like to take them to the Sears portrait place in the Chesterfield Mall. It's never busy so I don't have to make an appointment. They are really good with kids, and the prices can't be beat. So I got the kids ready early. I figured that they would both be in better moods in the morning than in the afternoon (they both go down for a nap around 12:30 or so). Luke is a bear if he doesn't get his nap in. So it was like a mad house trying to get everyone ready and in the car. Luke decided to play with Otis while I got Laura ready, so I had to lint roll the dog hair off of him. We finally got to our destination. We walked right in, and got ready. Laura (believe it or not) was wonderful for the first 20 minutes. Luke on the otherhand (who loves getting his picture taken) decided he didn't trust the camera lady and kept running over to mom (which deep down made me feel good). Then we got our pictures, and were back in the car headed home. When I got home the kiddos were fast asleep. I carried Luke to his room and put him in his bed. Then I carried Laura in and set her seat down. I walked over to the answering machine and played the messages. It was my dad saying that he got a phone call from Sears at the Chesterfield Mall saying they found my phone. I won't insert the bad words that came out of my mouth at that point. So I repacked up the kids, and headed back to the mall (which is a good 40 minute drive). To make a long story short (to late I know) I got my phone back and went home. Merry Christmas!

The Faux Hawk & Tummy Time

Luke is in desperate need of a haircut. My little brother wants me to let his hair grow out for the shag look, but I now have a little girl so I don't think I need 2 kids with long hair. Anyway, this morning I decided to put his hair up in a mohawk. It is now so long that it just curls up instead of sticking straight up. We both thought it was very funny. Miss Laura on the other hand has more of a mullet going on. Her hair is really long in the back, but almost none existent in the front. She has been enjoying her tummy time more. I really only put her on her mat on the floor while Luke's asleep because he doesn't watch where he's going and has almost stepped on her several times. I keep telling myself that he wouldn't do that on purpose, but looking at the smirk on his face after it happens well I'm not so sure.

Thanksgiving Day Fun

This year we didn't split family time for Thanksgiving. We decided to spend Thanksgiving in Fulton with the Toosley family because we always spend Christmas Eve with the Ross family. I think that's a fair deal. We had a great time together. Of course we ate way to much. We laughed through a good game a Balderdash, and then it was time to go back home because Greg was on call Thanksgiving weekend. The Black Friday annual shop fest was still carried out by myself and my mom the next day (she was nice enough to come up here so I didn't have to get out Luke and Laura so early). We didn't get out early enough to see the mad crowds of people, but we still managed to find some pretty good deals. The people watching was good too.

This was Luke ready to go shopping with his mom and grandma Friday morning!

I Love My Kids!

I have to say that Luke defintely makes me laugh more. We play all day. However, Laura is now starting to get a little personality (besides the crybaby that we didn't care for)! She talks to me while I hold her and smiles and laughs. When she's in her bouncy chair or swing she talks with whomever will listen. I had to laugh tonight while we were watching Dancing with the Stars, Luke likes to clap for all the dancers when they're finished and Laura decided that was very funny and laughed at him. I thought it was priceless!

Farmer Luke & Peaceful Laura

My mom and dad came to the rescue again this past weekend. The Ross clan wanted to go out as a family for Boog's 30th birthday. So my my parents came down to watch the kiddos. Funny, how they don't think twice about saying yes, but before the kids were here we didn't see them as much. So I dressed Luke up in his new overalls, and Laura in her "I love my grandma outfit". I couldn't resist these cute little overalls for Luke. I know he's not a baby anymore, but these were just to cute. Just a note, cute does not mean easy to change diapers in (I didn't think about this when I bought them). He played in them with my dad most of Saturday night. They chased each other up and down the halls until they were both wore out (I think they have similar bedtimes). Laura stuck with my mom most of the time. She just hangs out in her arms watching everything. The next morning, I woke up to Luke and my dad still playing, and my mom holding Miss Laura.

Laura's 1 Month Check up

Well, Laura's 1 month visit to the Dr.'s office was eventful. Luke decided to hang out in his stroller while Laura stayed in her pumpkin seat. When we first got there Luke was not happy until he realized it was not his day to see the doctor. So he became a happy camper and jammed out to the music from his cell phone. He now has the doctor's office figured out (and he does not like them). Laura on the other hand did not have a clue. She was sleeping happily when we got there. Then I had to wake her up, and take her down to a dry diaper. Then we waited in the room for about 30 minutes (it wasn't so bad with Luke playing ACDC and Bryan Adams while we waited). Then she got a shot in the leg. Other than that everything was good. She doesn't have colic. She just has bad reflux. Hopefully, the change in formula will fix this.

Laura's 1 month Stats Luke's 1 month stats
weight = 9 lbs. 10 oz weight = 11 lbs
length = 21.5 in length = 21 in
* believe it or not there head circumference were almost the same

Relaxing Weekend (mostly without kids)

This weekend was much needed. It started off on Saturday morning with Greg getting a buck. After that, my mom came down on Saturday to watch the kiddos. It was awesome! Greg and I had so much fun just the two of us. We has some drinks by the fire. Then we went out to eat with friends, and then on to bowling. It was nice to just not have to think about diapers, feeding, and bath time. I love my kids, but time with just Greg and friends is so nice. Then on Sunday we spent the day at Grandma and Grandpa Ross's house. We played all day. Then we got together for dinner. It was great until Laura decided she didn't want to be there anymore and cried. It was funny because as soon as we got home and took a bath, she was fine.

Little Outfits

I have had so much fun dressing Laura up in her outfits. This is one that my mom got her because she's such a big fan of pink and brown.

The Green Eyed Monster

Luke has finally decided that Laura is here to stay. He has come out of the closet (literally) and the fridge. However, now he thinks that he will sit in her bouncy seat (which was his originally), pour out her bottles or want one too, and push her swing. I think he's trying to reclaim his old stuff. Sorry Luke! This picture was taken right after I caught him using the bouncy seat to climb up to the top of the cabinet to grab the TV remote. Now when he sees me he just sits in it like he isn't doing anything he's not suppose to. Boy this kid catches on fast.

Monkey Man

Luke finally napping after a battle to stay in the crib!

Luke has really turned into a climber. First, I found him hanging from one of the pantry shelves (because the box he was using to help him had turned over). Then I found him dancing on top of the coffee table while watching the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. After that (during naptime) he had one leg on the top rail of his crib really trying to break out. Finally, I rescued him from falling off the topside of the couch. It's a full time job just rescuing him from himself! Luckily, Laura sleeps most of the day so I don't have to worry about her while my little daredevil is trying his latest stunt. Poor Otis just sits and watches in disbelief.

Laura happily bouncing in her chair.

Otis watching TV (not so happy).

I would show you a picture of Greg, but he has been absent from our home due to hunting season. I didn't want to wait until dark to take his pic (because that's when he gets home).

Halloween Weekend 2010

This year for Halloween we had Elmo and a ladybug. It wasn't a very exciting holiday for us because we didn't go anywhere. Greg really wanted to get into the woods to hunt, so we didn't take the kids to Fulton to see Grandma and Grandpa Toosley. They understood why we didn't come, but I know that they were disappointed. We did make it over to see Grandma and Grandpa Ross. That was our only Halloween stop. We didn't take them trick-or-treating because we really thought that they were just to small still. Luke wouldn't go up to the doors, and he can't say trick-or-treat either. We did go to a great bonfire and hayride at the Branson's on Saturday. Luke absolutely had a blast. He ran around with kids for a straight hour. He was so excited to see his cousin Carson. He was asleep before we even pulled out of the parking space.

Doctor Visits

Luke had to go back to the doc's office because last time he was to sick to recieve his shots. Well, yesterday was a different story (all though Luke probably wished he were sick). Everythign was fine. My mom came up to manage Laura while I went in with Luke. She really didn't want to be the bad guy and take him in while he got his shots (understandable). I still haven't mustered up the strength to fight back the tears as he looks at me and screams. I swear if he asks for something at that very moment, I would probably go out and buy it for him.

Here are his stats: 75% tile in head circumference

80% tile in weight

90% tile in height

I'm hoping that maybe the height percentile will mean that he'll be a 7 footer some day!

Laura's stats from her first appointment were good too. She was 25% tile in head circumference, 75% tile in height, and 25% tile in weight. She looks like she's going to be the petite one of the bunch. I'm interested in seeing how much she's change at her next visit.

Long Time No Blog

Well, with these two kids running around I haven't really made time for my blog (thanks mom for letting me know). I guess I should put some new pics on here of the kids. Not much has been going on. We did have a great time this weekend in Fulton with the family. The MIZZOU win was fantastic, and Greg's oral boards are no finally taken and over. Maybe now things can go back to normal. Oh wait, never mind, it's deer season!