Princess BBQ

Tonight we had Hannah's friends Maya, Josie ( not pictured) and Eleanor over for a BBQ.. with their parents of course too! The girls ran around the yard, and played princess as always.

And later, after Maya and Josie left, Hannah and Eleanor decided they wanted to be "twins" so they put on Hannah's tinkerbell and princess night gowns and snuggled up on the floor with pillows watching their "kid shows" as they call them. They were really funny having a great time together. Another fun Saturday!

Drew is 10 Months Old!

I can't believe it, 10 months old, his first birthday isn't all that far away. It really is crazy how fast these 10 months have gone by. I have realized with baby #2, it really does go fast. You are so busy with two kids you have to stop and remind yourself to cherish the moments and the milestones.

Drew is still an amazing little guy. He started walking right after his 9 month birthday and is now full speed ahead. His unsteady wobbly little walk has caused a lot of bumps and bruises this past month, but all part of growing up I guess. I often joke with my friends how much easier my life would be if I could just put a mouth guard and helmet on him and let him go do his thing. It would be less stressful that is for sure. He continues to have one of the best laughs I have ever heard. Like clock work, Todd and I pick up Hannah and Drew from school, and generally in tired/ bad moods from a long day at work... we get into the car, and within 3 minutes Hannah has Drew laughing so hard that we start laughing and the long day at work is quickly forgotten while we are instantly reminded of what matters in life. Those giggles are therapeutic.

We continue to love Drew's perfections and imperfections.. I love his floppy ears, silly laugh, funny hair swirl, and gap in the middle of his two front teeth. They add character to his silly little personality that just make us love him all the much more.

Drew's 9th month was much better than his 8th! We got tubes in his ears and no ear infections since! He also hasn't had a cold in over a month so I am sure that helps too. A happy, healthy 9th months. We are still working on trying to figure out why Drew won't eat finger foods. He has yet to actually swallow anything. It makes meal times somewhat stressful and frustrating. In the mean time, we keep trying different things, and we go through A LOT of purees. If there are any moms reading this that have any ideas, please send them along! The good news is that he has stopped gagging on purees... progress right? We have been trying avocado, soggy noddles, gerber puffs... nothing seems to work. Help! I would like Drew to actually eat some of his first birthday cake, we have two months to figure this out :)

Happy 10 Months Drew!

We love you to the moon and back little buddy.

Wayzata Bay

Last night was a fun relaxing night. We got home for work and headed to Wayzata for dinner, I mean ice cream. Ok, it was one of those nights that is just seemed easier to get served ice cream from Ben and Jerry's than to figure out dinner. Off we went. Indulged in cookie sundae's and time at the play ground in front of the water. It was a beautiful evening and Hannah loved playing in the sand, and splashing in the water at the bay. Todd and I loved watching all the boats go bye, wishing one day that will be us waving to the bye standers on a Friday night. It is a quiet weekend, with not one plan to hold us back on anything... a little yard work, a little sunshine and a little R&R until Monday.

Little Chompers...

I just wanted to show everyone Drew's little "toofers" as I like to call them. Another one poked through this weekend too... Maybe this will help him figure out how to actually eat :)

All in a day's work...

To have a little girl....

and a little boy.....

is a ton of fun. I love that our days go from princess dresses to trucks.

This weekend while Todd was out of town, we stayed busy, or at least I stayed really busy. It is 9:30pm on Sunday night, and the first I have sat down since Friday. We went to swimming lessons, played at Bella and Mia's house, went to the pool with Eleanor, had all kinds of fun. I even had the joy of hanging out with the kids by myself in the basement until 10pm with no power while there were storms outside, you have no idea how much that is with two really over tired scared kids. And now, I rest, they rest... and I am really hoping I don't hear from either of them again until the morning, begging, wishing, hoping for a good nights rest.

Summer Fun

Yesterday morning Todd was suppose to leave for a work trip to Orlando, his flight was canceled so we got an extra fun weekend night with him before he leave this morning. It was gorgeous outside. Hannah wanted to try her new roller skates which did not work out well. I got a "I told you so from Dad". She saw the sprinklers on and decided that would be much more fun. Off she went right with the clothes she had on. A year ago, we would had gone inside, changed into a swim suit, got a towel, and some toys to play with while running through sprinklers. With Drew in tote, and lack of energy to go above and beyond the call of duty, we told Hannah wearing her dress would be just fine, and she thought that was pretty funny. Hopefully we didn't start a trend, but she had so much fun and it was really cute watching her. I also love anything that burns energy off, so this was perfect. I love how kids can have fun with the simplest things. Last weekend Hannah was begging to go to the pool. I kept telling her it wasn't a good day for it, it was cloudy and it could rain. After an hour of begging, Hannah finally said "Mom, it doesn't have to be sunny to have fun, you can have just as much fun under the clouds. It doesn't matter if it rains if we are already wet". She made a really good point, off to the pool we went. She was right, she had a great time, and the weather didn't matter. Sometimes those little words that come out of little kids mouths mean much more than they are really trying to say, it is wonderful that parents can learn just as much from their kids as they are trying to teach.

All better...

Today Drew got tubes in his ears, after 3 really long months of ear infections that would just not go away. We have felt so horrible for our little buddy. Drew was a trooper all morning, he could not have anything liquids for 6 hours before his surgery and his appt was at 2pm. I expected the worst, but he didn't seem to mind the lack of food or drink at all. He was awesome all day. Since his tubes were put in however, he has been on crabby little guy. Who can blame him if someone cut a little hole in my ear drum I don't think I would feel too good either. We have been giving Drew lots of love, hugs, and naps right on mommy's chest all snuggled up on the couch together. I forgot how much I loved that time .. only 9 months ago that was our little routine during his newborn days. We hope Drew has an ok night, though we are not expecting an easy one. Wish us luck everything heals correctly with no infections!

More trouble....

I got my haircut this morning, I get home and Hannah walks outside with Murphy. I say "Hi Hannah, did you guys have fun?". Mom she says "Drew is a maniac, he is into everything taking all my toys banging them everywhere... what are we going to do?". Totally cute, and totally true. A Happy little maniac he is...

Trouble....

Todd took this video last Friday night. Drew was starting to take a few wobbly steps. To my surprise, I walked into school today to pick Drew up. There he was, giggling, laughing and walking right towards me all by his little self.... quite a distance too. Unsteady, wobbly, arms in airplane mode for balance, mouth wide open withe the proudest smile you have ever seen, our little guy was walking. I got so excited, I shrieked with excitement and starting clapping for him, I scared him half to death and he dove straight to the ground. I will get better control over myself next time so he isn't scared of walking :) I can't believe our little guy is taking his first steps right into toddler hood. The house is not prepped, we are not prepared, but Drew is going for it and Hannah better make sure he hides her favorite toys from him better than she already does today :)

Happy 4th of July 2010

Happy 4th of July Everyone!! 4th of July is one of the best holidays of the year, the celebration of independence coincides nicely with sunshine, hotdogs, swimming pools and fun with friends. This year is no exception. On Saturday we spent the day with Kim, Jason and Eleanor at the Edina parade and then back to their house for some good ol'e fried chicken and play time in the pool for the girls. I can't help but to reflect how 3 years ago we spend the 4th together when Hannah and Eleanor were splashing in a baby pool only 6 months and 1 year old. Amazing how different life is today. Today we have these giggly little girls that have become best of friends. It is so much fun to watch then grow up together. And to think, Drew has been added to the fun, and Baby Boy Kourkoules arrives this September. So much to look forward to.

Hannah and Eleanor loved watching the parade and collecting as much possible candy as they could find. We were all proud parents knowing their morning snack consisted of tootsie rolls, potato chips and juice boxes.

And today, we met up with our friend the Voves family at the Lake Minnetonka Excelsior Kids Parade. Hannah and Daddy worked so hard last night decorating the stroller. We went last year and felt a little pathetic with just a wagon and a flag while every kids there had their scooters, bikes and wagons fully decorated. I can honestly say we have the coolest stroller there. After the parade we headed to the Twins game where Drew did not cry when the crowd cheered, he had a nice 30 second delay to the crowd and would clap his hands, it was super cute.

And finally tonight, Dad took Hannah to the Lake Minnetonka firework display as promised, while Mom stayed back with Drew so he could sleep. We are hoping by next year we can go as a family again and watch fireworks.

A great weekend, and an exhausting one. Mom finally got her voice back after being sick and is happy to be talking again :) Happy 4th of July everyone. We hope everyone had a safe and fun holiday weekend!! Until Next year!