Joint Birthday Party

It was a great celebration for Ethan and Jillian turning 3 and 1 respectively. We moved the party from the park to our house as the weather turned out to be a wopping 46 degrees outside! I set up different stations around the house and the kids kept busy playing as you will see. I have so many photos but these capture the main hightlights best. Thanks to all who helped make the day so special for the babies we LOVE so much!

Jen did hand make the Rocket cake as Ethan has wanted a Little Einsteins rocket cake for months now. thanks to my mom and Aunt Paulette for making the awesome cupcakes.
blowing out their candles

Jillian had no problem diving right into a cupcake!

she loved all the attention, too

Eric, Jillian, Jen and Ethan eating cake!

the painting station in the garage was a huge success-Ethan with neighbors John and Emma

Ethan's train table probably got the most attention-I think everyone played here at some point.

the little ones loved the ballpit and Jillian pals around with William and Michael

more train tracks for Bryson, Raymond, John and Ethan

the big kids enjoyed the hammock-Averi, Jack, Emma and Alex

Julia's turn on the slide

Macie taking advantage of the bubble wand table being free

Michael and J play with a Sesame Street toy so cute together

the boys were hilarious watching a thomas the train dvd during presents. Look how little E looks in the front.

Ethan ecstatic to open the Wonder Pets Flyboat!

Enjoying opening presents-these are mini soccer goals!

Girl's Day Out

Recently Jillian and I got to spend the day with my great friends Christine and Chrissy and her daughter Scarlett! We had lunch in the little town of Celebration, FL and it was such a cute area. Jillian refused to cooperate for the group picture and mommy can barely open her eyes b/c she forgot her sunglasses. But what a fun time catching up.

downtown Celebration (near Disney)
A slightly more interested Jillian

meeting Christine for the first time

She insisted on being a big girl and wearing Chrissy's glasses

most of you have seen photos of and met Scarlett's brothers Addison and Everett but here is the little lady for one of the first times on our blog!

Jillian turns One

Here is Jillian celebrating her special day-her first birthday. Unfortunately we were all so sick and were pretty homebound for a few days, but she was a trooper. We got outside a bit for some bubble blowing and of course had treats after dinner to celebrate. I promise to post the birthday party photos this weekend, but there are a lot to sort through!

How big is Jillian? SO BIG!
Grandma and Grandpa sent these awesome Jillian candles!
She wasn't so sure about the candles all lit up.

But she sure devoured her cake when the candles were gone.

I love this photo b/c it show how neat and clean my first child is and how the second one doesn't care how messy as long as it's tasty. Ethan helped his sister by eating a few cupcakes for her! In the morning he went with me to get her from her crib and said "good morning. your big brother is here. happy birthday." he is so good with her.

Growing Girl

Happy first birthday to our beautiful baby girl. Jillian had a check up with Dr. Dekle today and we are surprised that she weighs 19 lbs 15 ounces and is 30 inches long. This is a drop in weight to the 25th percentile and a burst in height up to the 75th percentile! She is developmentally way ahead of schedule and the only set back another ear infection to help her get rid of. Not looking like such a baby anymore these days. boo hoo for me.

Happy Valentine's Day

It was a low key Valentine's morning until the sugar rush kicked in! The kids opened their cards and a few goodies from mom and dad. Also, Happy birthday to mommy's uncle Doug whose birthday is Valentine's Day!

cute cards
Jillian loves jelly beans and Piper is hoping for one in the back.

Skittle boy enjoying his morning cartoons.

Ever since Wonder Pets Christmas episode they are obsessed with snow globes, so we found them for the holiday! Yeah Walgreens.

Walking

It's official-Jillian is doing a lot of walking these days! She is not completely proficient but takes 6-7 steps at time now before she plops down. She is so proud of herself and we are so proud of her. Can't believe her hair is in her eyes and she needs a clip already!

Almost one year
I couldn't resist reminding everyone of what Ethan looked like when he first started to take off as this has brought back so many memories! Look at those cheeks.

Ethan's stats

This past week Ethan had his 3 year check up and he was very happy not to get any shots for the first time in a LONG time! He weighed in at 32 pounds and 38 1/2 inches which are 50th and 75th percentile respectively. Dr. Dekle says his vocabulary is amazing and she was very impressed at how close he is with Jillian (as they both sat on my lap and played together). Soon to come pictures of the joint bday party!

Fire trucks vs. trains

So just when we think Ethan is now obsessed with trains he asked about Mr. Steve's firetruck. So, the morning after his birthday when I had a day off work we went to visit the fire station. Jillian was shy for all of 5 minutes and then wanted Steve to hold her!

Jillian in the driver seat
Ethan having a blast-

Ethan is Three

Ethan had the best 3rd birthday ever when daddy took the day off of work to spend with him. They went to a train station, a train store to pick out some bday trains, and McDonald's for lunch! We met back at the house after I got off work to open some presents and do cake. He was so HAPPY and just all SMILES in every picture. He tells you "I'm not 2 anymore, I'm free!"

Union Station in Tampa-Amtrak
excited to find trains

cute as a button

a little wave for the camera

my favorite picture

"Oh yeah=coke in my cupholder"

The boy loves trains and had a blast opening new wooden ones for his Thomas collection

E was so surprised by the Thomas cake I picked out-made our day!

Baby Girl

I have so many good photos to post, but life has been so busy these past 3 weeks I can't even believe it. Jillian is growing up so fast and is becoming such a little lady these days. She loves purses and make up and bead necklaces, but also wrestling around with her brother. Here are some highlights from around the house this week. She is so close to walking and is a little chatterbox. Ethan birthday photos to come shortly!

Look at that static hair inside their tunnel.
The ball pit is one of her favorite toys and she'll tell you to take her to it.

This walker IS her favorite toy for sure!

look at the determination

She thinks it is funny to run into things and say "bonk"

emptying Mia's make up bag over and over again

She is good at sitting on the bench now and here she is looking into a mirror! what a face.