Our weekend... in rewind

I am usually much better than this... knowing to upload my photos in opposite order so they come up in order, but for today, this will have to do.

We have had a lot of easy fun around our house. Nothing too fancy, nothing costly, just fun together. Those kinds of days make me happy!

Swimsuits in the Bathtub

Nora asleep outside as...

Jack and his friend played in the sandtable

Our cousins came to town to visit

A wonderful Sunday where both kids made it all through Sacrament Meeting
Except for when Jack asked to go potty on the "big big toilet."

Nora enjoying the beautiful weather with Cousin Lauren

Dad went to the Brewers Game and sat in the Harley Davidson Balcony/seats compliments of Papa Russ's work/parts people
We all dressed to support!

Rummage shopping minus Jack, I got to come home and surprise him with a shopping cart and all kinds of other great toys!

And, a pool party with friends last week.

It's always a PARTY!



Jack loves his sister!


The Giggles

Jack Jack

Nora got all of her attention last weekend.
I guess Monday morning was bound to bring a little one-on-one for Jack.

We went to the eye doctor. Dr. Dan saw that Jack crossed his eyes at times during his 2 year old check-up. He encouraged us to get it checked out. We went to see a special pediatric ophthalmologist (who was wonderful... how do you check the eyes of a 2 year old?) She determined that Jack crossed his eyes to help him focus in on objects and things up close- he is farsighted. The recommended treatment- GLASSES. Me, as the mom, am not disappointed. I actually was very excited to see Jack experience the world in a more clear way (he got very excited during the exam when Thomas the Train got clearer and clearer-as she tested the lenses. It was very cute.)

He got fitted for glasses on Tuesday and they were ready today! HOORAY!

The best part of the glasses store... Tootsie Rolls!

Watching basketball at home with Daddy (Popcorn was an added bonus.)

This is Jack's favorite story book. He learned the song version in nursery at church and loves to make the animal noises as we read it together. He definitely is seeing more details and LOVED reading his books on the way home. (He is reading it backwards in the video, only because he read it forwards first.)

Moral of the story: I think Jack is going to like his new glasses!

so long, farewell

We have had an eventful couple of weeks, but very sad at the same time. Many of our friends are graduating from med school/dental school and are moving far far away. We are sad, especially Jack who looks out the window almost daily, wanting to play with these friends (asking for them by name.) It breaks my heart.

Sharing goodbye ice cream cones.

Trains, Trains, Trains


And of course, the happy things that fill our life....

Nora playing with Daddy!

Jack found a Pampered Chef magnet I got years ago on the fridge. He brought it to me asking for an ice cream cone (I'm pretty sure it was before 11 AM. Sometimes I just want to avoid the fight...) I gave him an ice cream cone and this is what I found 10 minutes later. He's a smart kid!

Our little Nora is now 2 months old! We went to see Dr. Dan this week and she is 10 lb. 2 oz. (25%), and 23 1/4 inches (75%). Healthy as can be! He also gave me the secret if she gets really constipated- she poops every other day, and she does get a little uncomfortable. (Karo syrup or Suppository... NICE!)
And my little man! He loves his trains! I drew this track on my parent's driveway at least a week ago and it is still there! He loves to run, ride his car, and take his train for a ride all around the track. That is a lot of use out of very little effort- that is what I like sometimes!

Nora's big day!

Today was Nora's special day! She was blessed at church and it was wonderful, she was awake and happy, and saved the meltdown for shortly after.
It's funny, because baby #1 gets all of this attention and the baby blessing is such a big deal. Today was very simple, just Grandpa & Grandma Wilson and Grandma Diane were there, Nora was in a beautiful dress, and honestly I just felt happy that it was done. Maybe because Jack was blessed at 6 weeks, everything was so new, the Sunday we picked to have him blessed was a huge meeting where wards were split & Papa Russ was released as bishop, I don't know. Today was special, but not nearly as much hoopla. (good or bad? I don't know.)


Either way, we love her and she is so beautiful! She is 10 weeks old now and is a very happy baby (most of the time... if I stick to the routine.) She smiles a lot, and loves to look at me. She also loves to talk and make happy noises. I love having her around, and even when she is a little more high-maintenance, I don't mind the extra snuggle time.

Jack's New Trick!

Jack used to be SO easy! Now, he seems to be into everything and doing EVERYTHING dangerous he possibly can find...

Like jumping from the end table to the Love Sac
Climbing up the drawer handles to get whatever is on the counter
Pushing chairs all around to find scissors, air freshener cans, mom's keys
Climbs every bed in the house- just to jump or snuggle up
He finds butter knives from the dinner table and makes music as he waits for dinner

Those are just a few.

And his smoothest trick yet... climbing up the side of the racecar, just to fall into the drivers seat. This happened last week, and then I witnessed it tonight.

Rather than tell him no, he got a ride.


Thank you Papa Russ! You made his night (and helped bring on the meltdown when you left.)

Finding the time...

My list is long- but the amount of time I have where both kids are sleeping and I can get those things done is very limited. Tonight I am finding the time to do what I have needed to do for a long time...

Here are just a couple of snapshots from Nora's short life with us, she sleeps through much of our fun but we love our life together!

Jack loves to "share" which means he gets a turn. It's amazing how big he looks next to her.

One of my many "go to" activities for while Nora needs a little extra attention. Jack loves to paint!
Dinner out with all of my sisters, nieces & nephews, and of course mom and dad.

Our double stroller- WE LOVE IT!
Jack stealing freshly baked cookies... I wondered where the whole first row went.

Jack loves to ride bikes and play outside at Grandma & Papa's. This is my bike from when I was a kid- if you look closely it says "MARALEE" on the license plate.
Jack and Cousin Sadie's favorite things to do together.
Nora & Jack's first shared bath. Many more to come!
And, one of my favorite things. This girl smiling at me. She is so beautiful!

Favorite People

This is my FAVORITE BUNCH of people. Let me tell you why...

Nora- she is beautiful and a wonderful baby. She loves to be snuggled, loves to look at me, and is a great sleeper (well, great for being 6 weeks old.) She is a wonderful addition to our family- my little princess, love bug, sweetheart, you name it. I am so lucky to have her as my daughter. (Hopefully she will feel that way about me being her mother when she is a teenager...)

Jack- he brings so much joy and excitement into my life. Every day is something new- this week, no naps. Instead he reads books, looks out the window and talks to himself & his toys. This is not great at 6PM when he can no longer function BUT is so cute to listen to on the monitor. I love his silliness, the way he gets so excited for buses, motorcycles, "daddy's van", "papa's truck" and all of his favorite things. I love when he takes a moment from all of the action to give me a kiss, or hold my hand, or just run into me because he wants to. He makes me feel special because I am important to him, I might just be his number 1 or maybe just his number 1 person he notices when I am not there. I love having him as a son!

And finally, Dan. He is a great dad. I love to see him play games on his fancy cell phone with our 2 year old (which he said he would never do.) He loves to snuggle Nora, and takes such great care of her. He is very protective of our family, concerned for each of us and takes care of us. He is a wonderful husband and I am so happy to have him as mine FOREVER!

That is our family, my favorite people, and they make me happy. Because of them, I had a wonderful Mother's Day and a fabulous life!