Go Outside!

Blogger seems to be acting funny about my photos this afternoon, so you'll have to wait for more...I finally have tons...but for now here is some documentation of Reina's most recent obsession, playing outside. With the advent of spring and summery weather lately, playing outside has surpassed watching Monsters as the activity of choice. Thank goodness.

Our back yard neighbors have older kids, and trampolines. Not my favorite child's toy/instrument of death, but Reina loves it. Every day she begs to bounce and is fine if supervised and by herself on the thing. Other outdoor activity favorites include blowing bubbles, playing "soccer ball" and talking walks or riding her bike. Even getting the mail is an adventure to her. She also adores flowers, more specifically, squishing them.

More often than not, Liam is asleep during our outward bound-ness, but accompanies us in the baby bijorn when we head further afield. As for him, he's happy if he's not too hot and his pants aren't too wet. At nearly 7 weeks old now, he is starting to be more interactive, smiling and cooing at us. He watches his sister and is intrigued by his jungle gym playmat friends (I have photos of these things to try to post later!). He has slept up to 6 hours in a stretch at night but has been trending closer to feedings every 3 hours again this week. I've tried to increase the volume in his bottles to extend the time between but have only ended up wearing more spit up thus far. Found some in my hair yesterday...wish I could say it was the first time! Glamours of motherhood.

Other things we've been up to: Liam's 2nd Reds game, a beautiful evening but I think the team lost; starting to organize our move in early June, have I mentioned I never want to move again? We haven't even done the back breaking part yet but we are so excited about the new/old house!

Bill's return to the ICU this month plus his travel to New Orleans for a conference (where he is presenting!) will certainly put a heavy load of the moving hassles on me, but it's ok, I'm angling for HUGE Mother's Day acknowledgement this year! Just kidding...but the new washer/dryer does not count, FYI. :)

Not sure about her form here, she knows the "no hands" rule though.

squish squish squish

Desperately trying to get those bubbles out!

My view of Liam when in his bijorn...one happy laddie mcboy!

Weather forecast today, rain. With a chance of awesomeness in those frog boots and jammies.

Monsters

Move over Elmo, there's some new monsters in town. Monsters, Inc. to be precise, has replaced the lovable Muppet as Reina's favorite media entertainment of choice...this week...everyday this week. There are few other monsters around here as well. But before I get to that, I'll fill you in on the week.

We returned from a nice but busy weekend in Kiawah, South Carolina where Bill, Liam and I attended friends John and Natalie's wedding on the beach. Gorgeous day and fun fun time! Congratulations guys. Reina, got to spend the weekend at Nana and P-Ga's doing more in a few days with them than we do in a month. No doubt they are still recovering.

While you may have noticed we are the only people in America to sell our house at this time, we are now also blessed to deal with home inspectors, failing radon tests and radon abatementers, window repair guys, general handymen, mortgage brokers, building permit inspectors and sewer experts. Ahh, the joys of moving. We haven't even started the packing or address changes yet! We feel very fortunate and know these are all just little speed bumps along the way until we're settled in the new-old place. Life will return to normal again in...mid June? July? Just in time for Bill to start his new job?

Ok, back to the monsters. Reina. Sign. She's got some opinions these days. And is very independent. I'm proud of all she can say, do and accomplish, I just wish there were fewer tears involved as she tries so hard to get her point across. At least bedtimes are looking better again. Less begging and bargaining. She's just plumb wore out!

The other monster: Liam. He's a good, good baby, only waking usually once a night to eat. All that sleep isn't hurting his growth, however. At the pediatrician yesterday, he weighed exactly 9 pounds and was in the 25th% for both height and weight, 50th% for his big old noggin. Ok, so not really a monster, but bigger than his sister was. He is starting to act like he recognizes me and maybe has a hint of a smile. And is hard to put down...so cuddly. Reina loves to talk to him, rock his chair and stroke his head. She says "pick him up" when he cries and tries to help with diapers and bottles.

On to the photos. Some are fairly old, and they are not in order. Imagine it as a snapshot of my normally orderly mind/way of doing things. Not happening just yet. I'm thankful for the little things right now, like going to Kroger with both kids and coming home with both still happy. Like having no one crying and both actually asleep at the moment. I am charging my camera battery now. Memory card is empty, clean slate to create more organized memories soon! Thanks for the patience...

Natalie and John

Sleeping 2-Headed Monster

The only decent photo of Reina in her Easter dress.

Look at her devious grin, enjoying the lawn tractor a little much!

"Cincinnati Daddy" got to take his family of 4 to a Reds game. This was AFTER the game and no naps.

RMK's first ice cream bar at the baseball game. No sharing. Ate the whole thing.

Die hard fans. Liam and I went inside for the all-you-can-eat stadium food.

This monster likes her toenails courtesy of Aunt Andrea. The shoes aren't my fault either.

sweet.

SOLD

Flurries

FOR SALE!

Happy Opening Day everyone! To those of you not drowning in a sea of baseball lore and fanaticism, today is historically/officially the "1st Day of Baseball Season" which up until recent years was celebrated nationwide with an inaugural parade and game in Cincinnati. Woo hoo. Weather forecast for today calls for temperatures in the mid 30's with rain and snow flurries. Have fun at the game Bill! I'm not sure he'll care too much. I cannot confirm whether or not he has watched his annual pre-baseball prep films, Field of Dreams, Major League and of course, The Natural. However, he seemed to be fairly eager to go, since he left the house at 6:30am for a 1pm game!

In other flurry news (man, I've become very pun-y on this blog...must be taking after Pepere), we've been scrambling to spruce up this house in order to take advantage of the spring housing market. We had our first showing on Saturday, although unofficially on the market. We got great feedback and are hopeful this won't be too painful a process considering current economic conditions. We are lucky enough to be working with a family friend who gives us helpful and realistic advice. Please wish us luck...and pass out our MLS number once we have one (by Easter)!

We are all doing well, Liam has finally met and surpassed his birth weight and is becoming almost tubby. Sleep, uh, well, is as good as can be expected, sometimes for 4 or even 5 hour stretches. He has been moved to his "big girl bed" as Reina calls it (the crib) and I understand now the luxury of which parents speak, having both kids asleep in their own rooms! Reina loves her brother, giving unprompted kisses to foreheads, lips and toes, sometimes remembering to cover her mouth when she coughs. She still hungers for extra attention and is having some control issues, but it is hard to say whether this is due to Liam's arrival or her own phase of two-dom.

Ok, cute picture time: I couldn't decide which one of these I liked best, so you get them all!

No, that isn't a doll. Yes, she really tried to change his diaper...could come in handy.