Playing with pasta

Today has been a lazy day as most Mondays tend to be. Instead of playing with the same old toys I decided to try something new. I was going to fill two containers full of dried goods. One with rice and one with pasta. I didn't have enough rice (thank goodness) so I just filled both with spiral pasta.

The boys did a great job keeping the pasta in the containers and not making a mess...initially. After about 30 minutes Jack decided it was fun to dump the pasta onto the floor. This, of course, drove me crazy. If it was an accident, no biggie, but when he did it on purpose he went straight to time out. I was thanking my lucky stars at this time for not putting rice in one of the containers.

This activity kept the boys busy for well over an hour, especially Blake. We will definitely be doing it again. Now I need to come up with other fun ideas since we will be stuck inside all summer due to the heat and me not being able to pick them up to run errands. :) I'm thinking shaving cream on cookie sheets but I'm afraid they may still be a little too young for that one.

Here they are right after I gave them their containers. They thought they were in heaven.

My little engineer was happy as a clam.

Jack loved filling up his Elmo container with the dried pasta.

For some reason this picture keeps posting this way. This is right after we started playing when Jack was still concerned with making sure the pasta stayed in the containers.

It's a...

GIRL!!!

We are beyond thrilled! I am only 15 weeks but my sister-in-law (who does my ultrasounds) said that she would be willing to bet money on a girl and would be shocked if it turned out to be a boy. So, we are going with that. I stopped at Target on my way home from my appointment and bought her her first tutu dress. :)

We are naming our precious daughter Kathryn Kaye Erbele. Kathryn was my grandmother's name (my mom's mom). I adored my Mimi and couldn't think of anyone better to name my daughter after. Kaye was my mom's middle name. Clearly I was such a Mama's girl and loved my mom so much, so nothing makes me happier than for my little girl to carry on her Mimi's name.

Every time I think about this baby being a precious girl makes me tear up. I was so incredibly close with my mom and have had such a huge void in my heart and life for the last 4 1/2 years, so I am ecstatic that God is blessing me with a daughter of my own that I will (hopefully) have the same relationship with that I had with my mom.

Here is my 14 week belly shot.

Here I am at 14 weeks with the boys. Not too much bigger (if any) than I am now.

Sweet profile shot.

It is amazing that at just 14 weeks, 6 days my little girl looks like a little person. God is soooo amazing. I love seeing the skinny little arms, legs, hands and feet.

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: 14 weeks at time of ultrasound, 15 now

Size of baby: 4 ounces

Total weight gain: for my eyes only :)

Maternity clothes: bottoms but not tops

Gender: GIRL!! Kathryn Kaye

Movement: not yet, it is still too early

Sleep: AGH!! I am not sleeping well at all. I can't get comfy and I wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep.

What I miss: Picking up my boys along with the occasional glass of wine or a beer (especially in this hot weather)

Cravings: anything sweet!

Symptoms: the occasional ligament pains

Best moment of the week: finding out that our boys were going to have a baby sister!

Father's Day/Anniversary

Garrett and I celebrated our 7 year anniversary this past weekend. We were able to get away for the night on Saturday and headed to the Waterway Marriott, the place of our reception. Yes, it was just 20 minutes away from home, but with two 2 year olds running around we will take a night away no matter how near or far. We went to Flemming's for dinner and then went to a movie. Ironically (and very romantically) we watched the Hangover 2, we realized that we had seen the first Hangover when we went out for our 5th anniversary. I guess I am a really cool wife that doesn't make my husband take to me some sappy movies on our anniversary. Lucky Garrett. :)

Sunday we woke up and met my dad, Margie and the boys for a Father's day brunch. We ran a couple of errands and the boys napped. When they woke up they were total grumps for the rest of the day. I felt bad for Garrett that the boys were so moody on his special day. Even with our grumps, Garrett had a wonderful day that we spent relaxing as a family of 4 1/2.

Blake, Jack and baby #3 are so incredibly lucky to have a daddy like Garrett. He loves them so much and to see the looks on the boys' faces when their Daddy walks in the door is priceless and melts my heart. Garrett loves our little guys more than anything as they do him. We all love you Garrett!!

The boys wouldn't put their snacks down long enough for a good picture. But with the way they were acting yesterday, we took what we could get.

Jack giving his Daddy kisses.

Blake getting kisses from his Daddy.

12 weeks and surgery

I cannot believe that my first trimester is already over! Time is really flying during this pregnancy. We got to see our little nugget on Wednesday for my 12 week ultrasound. We were hoping to be able to determine the sex but it was just too early. However, we are leaning towards a GIRL!!!! We could tell that Blake was a boy at 12 weeks without a shadow of doubt (Jack wasn't positioned correctly). So, this is making me believe even more that it is a girl. We shall see...

Yesterday I had a minor procedure done to stitch up my cervix. Since I was put on bed rest with the boys at 29 weeks due to my cervix dilating from the inside out, we thought this was a good thing to do as a precaution. Sadly, my doctor told me that I am no longer allowed to pick up anything heavy for the remainder of my pregnancy and he considers the boys heavy. I broke down a little bit after my surgery upon hearing this news and I am still really upset about it. But now Garrett and I are turning into brainstorming mode and trying to figure out how to get through life with two 2 year olds without picking them up. Lots of prayers please!!

Here I am during my 12th week. Below it is me with the boys. At this point there isn't much difference, but looking ahead to future pictures of me with the boys, I better not get that big again! :)





Here is our precious baby! Look at that adorable profile!


I love these 3D shots. The head is still alien-ish but this baby is just perfect in every way, boy or girl.

I have a follow up appointment with my doctor in two weeks where I get another ultrasound to make sure everything is ok. Hopefully we will be able to better tell if this nugget is a he or a she.

Pump It Up

We had the boys' birthday party at Pump It Up on Saturday. It was so much fun and a wonderful experience. The workers there did so much to help the party run smoothly, I would highly recommend it.

About 18 of their little friends came and jumped with the boys. Everyone had such a great time, I was sad to see it end.

Here is our day in pictures.

The boys helped me make the cupcakes for the party on Friday.



Garrett and I sang 'Happy Birthday' to the boys on the morning of their birthday, before their party.

Blake always claps after we finish singing. So sweet!


Blake and Jake sliding down with Garrett.

Jack had so much fun jumping.

I made the cakes and Garrett did the Mickey heads out of sprinkles.

Yummy cupcakes.

'

Blake wasn't too sure what to think about all the singing and the lights out.

He did applaud after the singing though.

Jack loved every second of the attention he got while we sang to him. He also applauded a song well sung.

This picture cracks me up. As he blew out the candles, spit went all over the cake. Thank goodness it was just for him!

One proud Mommy and her Jack.

One proud Mommy and her Blake.

Monster bite!!!!

Lovin' it!

King Blake

King Jack

The birthday boys.

Our very happy family.

Two for two

Ok, so I am about 4 days behind, but better late than never. Right??

The last 4 days have been a whirlwind. My babies, my teeny-tiny, five pound babies turned two years old on Saturday! How has time gone so quickly?

Blake and Jack are the absolute light of our lives. We are totally and completely crazy about them. I can't believe all that has happened in the last year of their lives. How they have grown and turned into little boys. It makes me so happy and so sad at the same time.

They are both finally starting to really talk (Jack more than Blake). They still have their own language that they use to speak to each other but they are repeating more and more of what they hear, good or bad. :) Their personalities are so funny both independently and together. It is obvious how much they love each other, even though the fighting has begun. They are constantly calling out to the other to come and play in the playroom. It is the cutest thing and just melts my heart.

We went to the doctor yesterday for their 2 year check up. The doctor said that they look perfect, of course I already knew this. :) Here are their stats:
Blake:
weight-29 lbs. 4 oz. (66%)
height-34.5 inches (53%)
head- 50 cm(83%)

Jack:
weight-26 lbs. 6 oz. (29%)
height-34.5 inches (53%)
head-47.5 cm (21%)

Garrett and I had a good laugh about the difference in their head percentages. I also had the nurse measure Jack's height twice because it is very obvious he is taller than Blake but when they are laying on the table and a pen is used to measure them, it can't be too accurate.

Blake and Jack, Mommy and Daddy love you so much and are so grateful to be your parents!

Blake and Jack in the hospital. I will never forget constantly holding and snuggling these little guys. I'll never forget their sounds or their smell. This was the happiest day of my life.

My happy boys one year later playing in their cozy coupe.

Now, here we are, 2 years old. A head full of hair, a mouth full of teeth, a personality full of tantrums and more love of two parents than ever thought possible.