Experience Life

Another milestone...out of the cribs

2009-04-18T21:49:00.004-05:00

Earlier this week, I went into the boys' room to wake them up and to my surprise Joseph was sleeping with Jacob in Jacob's crib!

We knew it was time to move them to the "big boy" beds. I wanted to have their new room all decorated before they moved in, but instead Matt and I scrambled to put the beds together on Thursday night.

Here they are on Friday morning after their first night in the big beds. They did great!

Happy Boys - playing with stickers and bowls

2009-01-29T14:06:00.004-05:00

Two Years Old

2009-01-18T20:06:00.004-05:00

Joseph and Jacob are 2 years old today! And they are very much into letters and numbers. I hear them singing the ABC's all the time during the day.

Here they are playing with their foam letters and numbers...

They also love puzzles, puzzles and puzzles...

New Family Photos

2009-01-10T19:23:00.007-05:00

We went to Sears this morning to get some family photos taken....here's a sneak peak of the photos.

As you can see, Joseph was having a bad hair day. Nothing would tame the mane...

And there were a lot of funny facial expressions (see Jacob on the left)....

But the boys did a great job and had some fun, as you can see we had to bring teddies along today.

It's 2009!

2009-01-01T10:15:00.009-05:00

The big project for the last week (while I was in California) was the basement! Matt and our neighbor Jim has been feverishly framing in the basement and adding another room.

As Matt continues to work downstairs, the boys and I are just playing with toys!

Joseph loves his trucks....

And Jacob has been running around, dragging his bean bag....

Finally Posting Again

2008-12-18T19:10:00.008-05:00

It's been a long time since I've posted, but I seem to spend most of my time posting photos and updates on Facebook now instead of on my blog.

Here's a few quick pictures of the boys enjoying Mary's gingerbread cookies Of course, the boys just wanted to play with them at first but when they realized that they good eat them, they were happy as can be.

Jacob...
Joseph (that's a pretty content look on his face)...

Jacob (does his face say "yum" or what?)

Joseph - I have no idea what he's thinking OR maybe he's already on a sugar high.

Yep, Joseph likes the cookie...

And I'm not sure what Jacob is doing here...

And my little book lovers never can get enough. Here is Matt reading to the boys one night before we went upstairs for bedtime.

My Big Boys

2008-10-13T19:15:00.005-05:00

My quiet book lovers...

My outdoor boys...

My goofy playful boys... Jacob...

Joseph...

My "grown-up" boys....they like to copy the big kids they see at daycare and wear their backpacks all the time.

Growing up Too Quickly

2008-09-20T05:54:00.005-05:00

It's been almost two months since my last post. Things have been crazy. Matt is back to work, the boys are in day care (ugh) and it seems like they have been sick off and on since. But they both love the time with other kids, the art projects, songs and play time.

They are 20 months old now and it seems like time is passing by way too fast.

Here's a couple of videos of our very busy boys:

"We love mama's shoes"

"I want to do what my brother is doing."

Part One:

Part Two:

Vacations!

2008-07-26T18:33:00.012-05:00

We've been able to spend some fun in the sun over the last couple weeks. First, we enjoyed some time up in Northern Michigan by Lake Michigan.

Then we spent a week in Jamaica. The boys loved the beach and the pool.

No Words to Say

2008-06-28T16:15:00.004-05:00

I am not sure how to introduce this video that Matt took of the boys one day this week when I was at work.

Firsts....Haircut, Thunderstorm, Train Ride....

2008-06-22T10:23:00.022-05:00

We've been very busy throughout the month of June...exploring, working, playing. And Joseph and Jacob has experienced many "firsts" this month.

1. Hair Cut

Even though they still don't have a lot of hair, it was getting very long on top (starting to look like a comb over).

Jacob Before

Joseph Before

Jacob During

Joseph During

Jacob After

Joseph After

2. Thunderstorm

The boys have always loved water and they couldn't wait to go outside during a big Thunderstorm when it was just pouring rain!

3. Train Ride

We decided to go to Crossroads Village for the afternoon last weekend and they have this old train that I rode on when I was a kid - The Huckleberry Railroad.

Matt with Jacob (2 of 2) and Joseph (1 of 2)

Jacob (almost asleep during the train ride)

Joseph

Joseph and me

4. Carousel

They also had a 1912 Carousel at Crossroads Village, so we had to take a ride.

5. And what every American kid has to try...Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich.

The boys usually eat whatever we eat. They'll eat any fruit or vegetable, pasta, meat, etc. We just had never given them PB&J.

Do you think they liked it? Let's see...

Playing Outside

2008-05-24T20:05:00.009-05:00

Joseph and Jacob really love to play outside. All we have to say is "go get your shoes" or "where's your coat?" and they are ready to go!

Of course, our backyard and deck is now as full of toys as our living room has been for the last year. Here's the latest editions...

As you can see, "safety first"! No riding the plastic four wheelers without a helmet!

And the big favorite lately...the sand box! Which means a lot of dirty clothes and lots of baths!

And sometimes we just lounge around the backyard...usually for a very, very short moment.

Battle over the Leggo Tub

2008-05-22T03:45:00.004-05:00

Some video captured by Matt after the boys had been fighting over "riding" the leggo tub. Grandma was trying to get Joseph and Jacob to share....

Joseph was on first, but Jacob wants to get on the tub too.

Now Jacob is on the tub. Will he let Joseph get on with him?

What's Been Happening

2008-05-13T18:32:00.016-05:00

We have been enjoying lots of company lately and it's been a joy. Grandma Joan (my Aunt from Seattle) was able to visit for about a month. We all really loved her company, especially the boys. Then Grandpa and Grandma Strom (Matt's parents) from Minnesota has been with us for a couple of weeks. I haven't been able to spend much time with them, but the boys have already grown attached.

Here's a quick rundown of all the activities from the last month or so...

With some beautiful warm weather, the boys LOVE going outside to play on the deck or in the yard. Sometimes dressed....and sometimes not...

Our Magnolia tree bloomed...isn't it beautiful?

Lots of boxes around the house....the "hot" toy at the moment. Here's Jacob in a Huggies box.

Not to be outdone, here's Joseph in the Huggies box.

The big La-z-boy chair box is a big favorite. And look, Joseph is eating an apple (not pealed or cut up). The boys discovered the bag of apples and decided to go for it.

Jacob with his apple.

And because I am a dorky mom, I took a picture of their first whole apples that they ate.

There have been some fights and good old wrestling.

And a little bit of fever. Don't worry, Grandma was there to comfort Joseph.

And the ever-helpful child, Jacob wanting to feed Grandpa.

Lots of love....Jacob tackling Grandpa with a hug.

And not to be outdone, Joseph came over to give Grandpa a hug.

The most recent favorite (today). Headlamps from Grandma.

Our First "Push-up"

2008-05-07T19:14:00.001-05:00

I can't tell by Joseph's face if he likes the taste or not....what do you think?

Dear Grandpa & Grandma Strom...

2008-04-23T21:07:00.003-05:00

We can't wait until you come to visit. We're keeping your places warm until you arrive.

Here is Joseph sitting in your chair, Granpda.

And Jacob is keeping the chaise lounge ready for you, Grandma.

Weekend Away

2008-04-20T18:44:00.008-05:00

Last weekend, we went to a popular waterpark resort in Ohio to meet some friends who recently had their 3rd child. Unfortunately, their oldest child got a bit of the flu and they were unable to join us.

The boys still enjoyed the water (as always). Here we are at the toddler's pool...

Looking up at a big "jungle" of bridges and slides...

Matt with the boys is the "big" pool...

Joseph - trying to dry off and warm up.....

Jacob drying off with Dad...

A look at the kiddie pool...

Even though the boys love the water, they enjoyed the hotel room just as much - especially the balcony.

It's Spring - outdoor fun!

2008-04-12T07:04:00.003-05:00

It finally feels like spring and the boys are really enjoying playing outside and on the deck. But they always seemt to find the area and things NOT to play with.

Every Day Events

2008-04-05T18:09:00.008-05:00

Thanks for all the great feedback on "Wheel" - I'm glad my boys are not the only ones out there that love it!

Wonder what Daddy and boys do all day????

Working with Dad finishing the basement...and if you know Matt - "Safety First" even for the babies...

Moving furniture around - "High Chair Derby"...

Lots and lots of running....

And when things are going well, they take turns...

And sometimes they "share"...

Wheel of Fortune!!!

2008-03-29T18:35:00.003-05:00

For some reason, the boys already have a favorite show. We don't have the tv on much during the day but we tend to have the evening news on at 6:30 pm (just before the boys go to bed). And guess what comes on after the news?

Wheel.....Of......Fortune - and the boys come running. This is what our living looks like right at 7:00pm....

They can't tear themselves away from it. They clap during the show also! It's a funny sight!

Happy Boys! (Matt, Joseph & Jacob)

2008-03-09T17:38:00.003-05:00

Matt and the boys have been having lots of fun with the new sled and playing outside in the snow. Here's a little video he took of the boys this past week....

Our New Sled

2008-03-01T21:18:00.011-05:00

The last few times we went sledding, the boys were not too enthusiastic. They had a tendancy to fall off of the sled or onto each other. So I found this gem of a sled at "One Step Ahead" (love this catalog).

So after the morning nap, we took the boys out on the new sled. Much more comfortable - but it was a little bright outside (great seeing the sun).

So I ran inside and got their sunglasses and we were good to go. Here's Joseph....

And Jacob.....

Don't they look happy??

We went down the hill by the house, walked through the woods and even went around the block. No crying at all. Joseph was so comfortable that he took a quick snooze at the end.

Here's Jacob with Daddy after our long walk.

And some video of our beautiful morning...

10 Reasons why I love this age - 1 YEAR OLD!

2008-03-01T09:49:00.009-05:00

They can walk, climb stairs and slide down the stairs. I don't have to carry both of them up or down the stairs or around when we are out and about. (I only have to try to steer both of them in the same direction...not always easy but better than carrying 50 lbs around all the time).
They actually understand you. "Where are your socks?" (A few looks around and then running around looking for the socks). "Go get your pajamas." (One opens the drawer and ALL of the pajamas come out). "Give me a hug/kiss." (I love this one!!!)
They love each other....Joseph fell asleep in the car, so I laid him down on the floor to get Jacob....

Jacob comes in and there is no one to play with - can't figure out why Joseph is laying on the floor... 4. Anything amuses them (like the couch), now it's laundry baskets!

5. They are both pretty patient with each other (even when "brother" is pulling, poking, grabbing....)

6. They eat anything.

7. They love outside. (Sled is coming out this afternoon).

8. They love Mommy and Daddy.

9. They genuinely are happy boys!

10. They still take 2 naps a day and sleep 11-12 hours!!!!

Dressed and Ready to Go

2008-02-24T09:06:00.000-05:00

The Couch

2008-02-23T19:08:00.006-05:00

Just like the wire & wood mentioned in this morning's post, the couch is a big favorite with the boys. For some reason, they love being on the couch -- sitting, standing, running, laughing, screaming.

Here they were stripping off their socks and pants and throwing them on the floor...

Jacob taking a quick break....

Here is Jacob taking off his socks (they ended up on the floor, of course)....

Joseph, getting ready to make a move...