Beginning of June 2012

June is here and so is the summer weather.  We spend most of the day outside, and if we are inside, Gwen's usually at the door asking to go outside.  Adam is still working hard to complete all the stuff on our house, so Gwen likes to watch and help "fix it" as she says.

 Gwen got her permanent cast.  Luckily, it is waterproof.  She doesn't look too happy in this picture, but the cast hasn't bothered her at all.  In fact, I think she has forgotten that it's abnormal to wear something on your arm at all times.  

 We made a day trip to Chicago to visit some of my college girlfriends and take our kids and my friend Katie's little boy, Tucker, to the zoo.  We had a really good lunch at Andrea's condo, then walked to the zoo.  All the adults and kids had a really fun time!

 We got a pool pass again this year, and we have been going on the mornings I don't work.  It's perfect because we can time it so I feed Leo, then we go for an hour or so while he sleeps in his stroller, then we can make it home before he even needs to get out to eat again.  Gwen LOVES to go and usually throws a fit when I make her leave :)

Katie and her kids came last Friday.  We went out to lunch and for frozen yogurt, then Gwen, Tate, and Ellie played in the hose and pool in our backyard.  I don't think Gwen has ever had so much fun.  They were all soaked, but she loves Ellie and "Tater Tot" (we don't think she even knows his real name is Tate).

 Adam's brother that lives in North Carolina, Eric, came to visit with his family.  Carissa turned 4 during their visit and Olivia is 2.  Gwen and Olivia are a lot alike.  We spend one day/night at our house, then spend Father's Day at Robin's house. 

I love summer so much!!!!!! 

Gwen's Injured Elbow

A trip to prompt care in Champaign to see why Gwen was saying "Owwwie" and not using her right arm turned into an x ray showing a fractured elbow, a trip to the Children's Hospital in Peoria, more X rays, a night in the hospital, an MRI, and now waiting around to see if she needs just a cast or surgery!  We should know tonight.  Gwen is a tough girl because she falls so much, we don't even know what exact fall caused the fracture. 

Memorial Day Weekend

 Rachel's graduation party in Indiana with the Ralphs; Tate's bday party in Morton with the Erwins

Moved into New Home!

Recent Events

 Emily came to visit a few weeks ago.  She got to meet Leo, snuggle Gwennie, and catch up with me!  We went to happy hour with Adam and the kids, made dinner at home, and were so happy she got to come!

 Gwen is silly as ever.  She says the funniest things and loves to "perform" for people.  Her new thing is to stand on my mom and dad's fireplace mantle like it's a stage and dance or sing (as good as a 1 year old can sing). 

 We have made 2 trips to Morton without Adam, since he is busy busy finishing our house. 

 Kristie came to visit from Texas.  I was so happy she came.  She helped a ton with the kids!  We got to take Leo over to her brother in law's house, whose wife had a baby boy 3 days before Leo.  They both are boys, both are bald, and look a lot alike. 

 Leo is 1 month old now!  Time flies, he is awake a lot more and focuses on your face (eyes crossed sometimes :) and tries to listen to what you are saying.  Adam has a hard time staying awake since he works about 20 hours/day between his job and our house.  We will both be SOOOO happy when this is all over!

 I have been trying to take the kids on at least one outing per day since Leo has been born.  I get bored staying home all day and Gwen does too.  She thinks going somewhere is called shopping, so she asks to go coffee shopping (to the coffee house) when she wants to leave home.  We have been going to the library, MOPS, Target, etc.  We had a playdate at McDonald's playland yesterday with Makayla.

Finally, we spend a lot of time in PJ's; me drinking coffee, the kids drinking their appropriate milk.  I love morning time with them.  Leo's usually awake for a good hour or two and so happy, Gwen's in a good mood after a good night's sleep, and I am happy to have such a great family!

Easter!

We had a fun Easter at the Pletcher's house with the Ralph Family. Almost everyone was there, Gwen had a blast hunting eggs and playing with her cousins!

She also got to do the Mahomet Park District Egg Hunt. She loved it! What fun now that she knows how to celebrate holidays!

Visitors!

Gwen got to see lots of people she loves and Leo got to meet them too this week! Grandpa Erwin came to work a lot this weekend, so before Adam went to work with him on his birthday, they got to have a breakfast together! Love how they have matching morning bedhead :)

We had Darah, Kristen, Mara and Parker here. So happy to see them. It's so cool to have one of my best friends have kids the exact same age as mine. I hope they have as much fun growing up together as Kristen and I had!

The Bates' came too. Gwen loves Leighton! We also got to have Shawna and Makayla over, but I forgot to take pictures!

Gwen got to have a few playdates at Aunt Robbie's house, which is her favorite place to go! She calls Leo "Baby Brother" or "Baby Lo" and is more and more loving to him each day!

Busy Busy Family of 4

Life's going good for us, but busier than ever. We had Leo's newborn pictures, a few doctor's appointments, I had to go to the DMV, Adam's working on the house and working his main job, plus everyday things like taking care of the kids, cleaning, cooking, etc. My mom got here Wednesday and is leaving today but has been a huge help. We have managed to make some outings with both kids for lunch and to the coffee shop. I also have got to spend some 1 on 1 time with Gwen running errands, going outside, going for walks while my mom watches Leo. Adam and I even got to go out to dinner for his birthday. Wish me luck as tomorrow is my first day alone with both kids! Gwen's adjusting really well and I don't think having a little brother has been too traumatizing for her :)

Out for lunch outside
Gwen waiting patiently while Leo got his part of their pictures done

Matching Frog PJ's

My Little Rockstar

I caught her first time hugging him on camera, melts my heart!

Home!

Leo came home on Friday and we have had a good time as a family of 4 on "family vacation" since Adam is off from work. We have had visits from my parents, Adam's dad and Carol, the Pletchers, Adam's cousin Alicia and her daughter Tes, and our babysitter Joanna. We have made it out and about a few times; to the coffee shop, out for lunch once, to the doctor twice. He's been a very good boy and Gwen is adjusting well to being a big sister.

Leo's first 5 days...all of the pictures:

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