Busy, fun-filled weekend!

We started the weekend by relaxing and playing boardgames at home on Saturday. Then Saturday night, Dave and Jill came over and took us out to dinner at Cheesecake Factory to celebrate Michael's 31st birthday.

Sunday morning, we headed to Modesto to celebrate a belated birthday with my mom. Poppy and Mimi had set the backyard up with all sorts of fun water toys for Connor to play in, including a big pool, mini pool to slide into, and a sprinkler. He had a blast and stayed out there playing with them for hours! Even Maddie got her feet wet in the pool. We had a fiesta lunch which was delicious, followed by cake an ice cream. Happy Birthday Mom! You bless us each and everyday and we are so very thankful for you!

One blessed Mama!

Pictures of Maddie

This is a hand-me-down outfit from Sophia Christy. Maddie looks so cute in it!

Maddie is loving sitting in the Bumbo (another item borrowed from a friend).  We often put it on top of our dining table and she sits with us at dinner time. She's such a happy girl!

Being Creative At Art Beast

On the days that Connor is home with me instead of going to preschool (usually Mondays and Fridays), I try to do at least one outing that is geared towards his interests. Sometimes it's the zoo, the Children's Museum, Fairytale Town, The Bounce Spot, or the park, but this last Friday was a trip to Art Beast. Auntie Mal came along too and we had a great time. Madeline came along and participated in her own way, mainly watching Connor. She did enjoy playing dress up and playing with the musical instruments. We left with our hands full of Connor's creative masterpieces, including paintings, abstract glue art, and painted garden stones. He's very creative and seems to enjoy crafty things... must get that from his mama!

Easter 2012

We had a wonderful Easter once again. The Bollengier family, Michael's parents, and my family came together to celebrate. We had a pot luck brunch with delicious food. The kids dyed hard boiled eggs and went for an Easter egg hunt. Connor also was showered with gifts from his grandparents and the Easter Bunny. Maddie even got some new clothes too! Poor Madeline was sick for her first Easter... stuffy nose, watery eyes, cough, and mild temperature. She was still in good spirits, just not her smily self. Hard to believe next year, CJ and she will be running around for the egg hunt. We are thankful for wonderful friends and family to celebrate Christ's resurrection. Glory to the Lord for all of our blessings.

Mommy and her boy!

Connor with Poppy and Mimi

Connor... very excited over all of his Easter gifts!

Daddy showing Connor his new Toy Story t-shirt from the Easter Bunny!

Cayden finding his easter basket in the dryer.

Auntie Mal with Cayden. Both are such cuties!

Mimi with her grand-babies!

The Louis Clan

Easter brunch with the Bollengiers

Egg Dying

Grandma Jill with Madeline  

Connor on the egg hunt! 

Poppy with Maddie

Baylee and Connor enjoying dessert at the kid's table.

Happy 3 Months to Baby Maddie!

Easter Egg Hunt with Friends

We had our 2nd annual Easter Egg hunt with our wonderful friends, Danielle, Heidi, Kirsten. We met at Danielle's home for a play date, followed by a walk to the park, a picnic lunch, and a hunt. We are blessed to have such wonderful friends! We had a great time, although Connor got hurt (I think he knocked the wind out of himself for the first time) on the playground which kinda put a damper on the rest of the outing for him. He's a trooper though! Just another fun tradition that we have with these wonderful girlfriends!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

We had a lovely St. Patrick's Day this year. Grandma and Pops came up for the weekend and we celebrated by spending the day in Old Sacramento and watching the St. Patty's Day parade. Maddie slept through the parade, but Connor enjoyed every minute of it! We feel pretty lucky to have such great grandparents for our babies!

Here are some pictures from the last few weeks. We've been having fun!

Aunt Diane and Ron came to visit and meet Maddie

Madeline is fairly tolerant of tummytime... especially when Connor entertains her.

Connor loves to cuddle Maddie in the mornings.

Connor and Mimi making brownies

Poppy snuggling Baby Madeline

Madeline is 2 Months Old!

It's hard to believe Madeline Emma has been here for 2 months already, yet it's hard to imagine life before our family of 4. She is such a joy... smiling and cooing so much now. She really brightens our lives.  Connor and Daddy often get the best smiles from her and she seems just on the verge of laughter. She's still a pretty content baby... She nurses well, usually around 8 times a day. We try to give her a bottle once every few days just to keep her willing to take it. She's sleeping well at night, usually falling asleep around 8pm and sleeping until 2 or 3am and then sleeping again until 6am. She sleeps in a cradle right by our bed, but she's a quiet sleeper for the most part so it's not too bothersome. I feel very blessed to be getting a little sleep. Connor is still an amazing big brother... helpful, loving, patient. He just adores Madeline and wants to protect her and make her happy.

We had Maddie's 2 month appt on 3/8/2012. She weighed 11lbs. 1oz and was 21.5 inches long. She's perfectly healthy and growing like a champ! The only issues noted were some dry areas on her skin including cradle cap and a plugged tear duct on her right eye. Minor issues that will clear up quickly! We are so blessed!

Madeline's birth announcement

Our happy, smiley girl!

Toy Story on Ice!

Grandma and Pops treated us to Disney on Ice... Toy Story 3! Connor was so very excited! When the characters came out, he yelled, "Are you serious!!!???" Michael and I both said that his reaction was absolutely priceless! We had a great time, and Grandma and Pops spoiled Connor with treats, photos, and toys at the show.  Madeline was a gem and slept through most of the show.

Happy Valentine's Day!