Happy Easter

 Happy Easter from our house to yours! I couldn't narrow down some of our favorite Easter moments so I just put a ton of them in:)

 We had a whirlwind of a weekend, but a great one.  I can't believe how sidetracked and how much there is to do when you have two young children (both in diapers/we are getting there!), a dog and cat, and endless chores to do!  Then there was an Easter Egg hunt to prepare for and have, Easter baskets to open, Easter dinner to prep, and to top it all off they say it's a good idea to actually sneak a shower in here and there.  I wouldn't trade it for the world though. These two are in such fun stages I wish I could just freeze the time and enjoy every single day for a month:)

 Kieran and Svea enjoyed opening their baskets this year. They both got some jammies, cloth backpacks, eggs, and other little trinkets:)

 Minnie Mouse jammies.  These are Svea's first pair that don't have feet. 

 Larry and Darcy gave the kids some spring outfits and the dress they gave to Svea screamed Easter.  She also got one from Grandma and Grandpa D that I absolutely LOVE, but we decided this one had more poof to it and couldn't be worn many times.  I can't wait to show off the other spring/summer dress many times soon!

 Our Easter egg hunt had to be held indoors this year.  Svea totally got it and had a blast finding her eggs with stickers, fruit snacks, and coins inside. She'd look around and when she'd find one take off running to grab it and throw it in her basket.

 "Another sticker", she'd say! Dan found her shoes to go with her dress.  I LOVE them!

 He is getting so big and looking older!!!

 Little guy looked so handsome!!!  I love his springtime shirt!  I even put some size 2 shoes on him for the first time. He was great at church and enjoyed flirting with the people behind us in the pew.

 Don't know if you can tell, but Kieran's eyes are still bright blue.  We think they're here to stay!

 Posing in her Easter dress before we left for church. She was so excited to put on her dress.  As soon as Gaga and I started to get dressed she had to too!

 I know Kieran doesn't look great here, but I can't help posting that goofy grin!

 Goofy girl and sweet boy with Gaga after church!

 Family shot #1

 #2!

 Svea was all about getting a picture with Kieran,  She loves to hang onto him...and sometimes a little too tight:)

 Family shot #3

 One last Easter look!  Our favorite part from this Easter was sharing the Easter message with Svea. She knew the Easter bunny brought her stuff, she had a blast searching for eggs, she loved wearing her new dress and smiling for pictures, but when you asked her what Easter is all about or who it's all about she'd shout, JESUS!  That's right baby girl....Jesus is what it's all about.  We are so thankful for our savior.  We are so blessed and lucky to be loved so much! Kieran had fun too even if he doesn't experience all of the magic like we do yet:)

8 Months Old

Happy 8th Months Baby Boy!  Just spending time with you and seeing these pictures makes us so happy!  You are just a happy guy!  Here's what you have been up to this month. You are so busy I couldn't get any good pictures with you in your crib this month.  We had to continue our shoot down on the floor.

You are wearing size 3-6 month clothes and 9 month sleepers and onsies.  You do have random articles of clothing though that are 12 months that fit you as well.  You aren't as "big" as you once were.  You've slowed way down in the growing department.  At a dr. appt. the other day you were 17 lb.s and some ounces with clothes on.  You nursing has slowed down (except for at night, ahem!) and you aren't interested in eating until it's been at least 3.5 or 4 hours. When you take a bottle you have about 5.5 ounces. Last night, however, you went 7 hours....your longest stretch yet.  I know, I know....you should be doing that plus longer consistently, but it just hasn't worked out that way yet.  One positive is when you are waking up at night you aren't hysterically crying right away.  You whimper and try to put your self to sleep at least.  Progress my son! You go to sleep anywhere from 7-8 pm and wake up anywhere from 7-8 am.  I am praying for more nights of only up once or none at night:)

We are getting more consistent with solids.  You are finally getting used to cereal, sweet potatoes, green beans, apples, blueberries, but all in baby food. You also love trying to get your puffs into your mouth.  If you resist getting into your highchair I just have to show you those and you immediately are excited to sit down and tackle this fine motor thing. You'll play around with a sippy cup, but aren't consistently drinking from one yet.

You are babbling quite a bit now.  B's, w's, m's and g's are sounds you like to make.  You've also started the classic "chewbaca" call that your sister perfected around your age.  You are still crawling all over, pulling up, and now starting to creep along furniture.  Not a ton, but a little!  We have a music player in your crib and you like to stand up and turn that on and watch the animals inside float around.  Because of your physical capabilities and that music player it's gotten somewhat tough to get you to go down for naps lately.  You just want to hang out like a monkey in your crib.

You love your sister, checking out the dog, and Meeko.  You love to crawl after the cat, but we have to watch you closely because you will grab onto him and hang on for dear life.  Poor Meeko...I think he likes you too though.  He is pretty patient with you.  You LOVE to follow your sister everywhere and get into whatever she is playing with.  She is getting quite possessive and sometimes you give this little smirk like you know just what you are doing trying to get under her skin.  You love to tackle and wrestle with her. You are getting more of a strong will.  When we take away something you shouldn't have you turn on the waterworks or start in with this every so cute pitiful cry. You're a great car rider.  Either I'm more relaxed or you just love hanging out observing thing wherever we are.  You were a greeter at church with Mom on Easter Sunday and you did great checking out and giving occasional smiles to people.

We love you little man.  I just love this age when you are so snuggly and interactive with us. Thank you for being you.  We love your sweet personality and love you just the way you are!  Happy 8 Months little guy!

Random Moments

These are all just random shots from the last week!

Nom, nom, nom!

Trying on old jammies!

Ham!

After church one day, Svea tried out a pony tail, but it's already falling out. 

Eating puffs!

I love my Meeko!

Happy!

Superhero Svea

Love

I wish these two loved each other:)

 Kieran loves to tackle his sister.  If he sees her on the floor he makes a bee line for her and is ready to rough house, pull her hair, or suck on her face.

 Most of the time she loves it.  This time she obviously did:)

On another topic, this is Svea copying a mailing that went out to our whole community from our church advertising Easter worship services at PLC.  Svea found ours and wanted to re-create the picture.  The slogan says, "Find More Than Eggs This Easter". 

Reading, Pony Tails, and Cars

I know, I know, I am the queen of amazing blog post titles.  My creative juices stop short of clever titles and stuffed animal pals of our children:) Here are a few pictures from the past week.

 I think we were reading "Clifford", which is the newest fad in books around our house these days.  It's a singing one and at the end it says, won't you sing to Clifford too so Svea usually sings him the ABC's.

 She let me put a ponytail in her hair for the FIRST time this past Monday when we were all home together for a SNOW DAY! She still has hair that won't make it, but I'm thinking by summer ponytails will be a staple for her. Looking at this picture make me see her as so grown up for 2. 

 Kieran doesn't look too enthused, but he was sick so we'll give him a break:) Keep that in mind in the photos coming up.  He's got a paci in his mouth in each one.  He LOVES his paci's so much that instead of snuggling with his "puppy" he chooses to hang on to a paci when he is trying to fall asleep!

 Another ponytail shot.  This is her latest too....Svea loves to stand at the sink and wash her hands, drink water, or brush her teeth. Sometimes I'll walk in and she'll say, "No mama, go out of here. I brush my teeth".

 Oh, there we caught a smile.  Poor guy has had this virus since last week Thursday.  He broke out in a horrible diaper rash from it and has run a low to moderate temperature for days along with a wet hacking cough.  He is slowly getting back to himself although even up to Monday he was still needing a lot of snuggle time.  Totally enjoyed our snow day doing that! I chopped my hair too.  There is now that much less of a chance that Kieran can reach my hair and pull with all of his might!

 We eventually turned this box into a miniature house drawing in couches, rugs, tv, and animals.  Svea used her guys and plastic eggs to play pretend with it.

 Dan taught Svea to ask Meeko permission before she does things with him.  We were both sitting in the living room and she came up to Meeko and asked him if he would like to snuggle with him.  She grabbed the blanket for him and decided to read him a book too:)

 I don't know why we didn't think of it earlier, but Kieran sure enjoyed the car.  I tightened the straps and helped Svea push him all around the house.  He gave out a few smirks and smiles and seemed to enjoy it.

Sick Kids

 Both kids have a virus that is really got them down:(  Can you tell who got it first and is almost over it?

 He's all smiles again and into EVERYTHING:)

Don't think I've posted a picture of him standing up yet???
 He liked to hang out here today and put one arm on the ottoman and one on the couch.  He wants to take steps so bad, but he gets stuck on his tip toes and can't figure it out yet.

 Svea fell asleep on the floor after her bath tonight.  They have coughs and fevers among a few other symptoms.  We are practicing our tag teaming for taking off of work so we can stay home and snuggle these two.

 Even though Kieran is almost better he still has a slight cough, isn't interested in eating a ton yet, and sometimes refuses to nap unless you snuggle him on your shoulder.  We're taking advantage of that one!

 Pray that they feel better soon.  Dan is taking off in the morning and I've got the afternoon tomorrow.  I hate when they are sick and wish I could take it away for them:(