Circus

The circus was in town this past week and we decided to go out on a limb and take the munchkins. It turned out to be a great time! The highlights were certainly the elephants and tigers for Teagan. The adults even enjoyed the Greatest Show on Earth! I went back and forth between watching the show and turning to watch Teagan's face light up with the jaw dropped expression and wonderment. We went with Grandma C, Ryker, Dan and Cara. Even little Breckin came along for the ride! I have to admit I am excited for future shows and even the kids movies that come to the theater. It is fun to pretend you are a kid again and join in the excitement! 

Lately

We have been on a whirlwind lately! Weekend travels, a short little tummy bug, job changes, new nephew, baby showers, birthdays, visitors and wham it is winter time!  I have several drafts I need to finish on said events. Oh and it is Thanksgiving week. Life has been good as we prepare for the days of winter and the holidays. We are so fortunate to have such amazing opportunities with friends and family. This past weekend was spent quietly at home as Breckin (3 months!) recovered from a little sickness.  I think the whole family needed a little downtime at home! The Dr said to keep the contact between Breckin and Teagan to a minimum. Well, that is just not possible these days. She just adores him...and sometimes shows it just a wee bit aggressively.  Breckin is equally enamored with her as his eyes get big and he kicks his legs when she is showing him a toy or her jumping. "Watch Teagan jump, Breckin." And "I sit next to baby" are daily phrases. Just yesterday, one of T's school friends came up to look at Breckin and she said "that is my baby brother!" It makes me smile every time! 

A visit to the Helmers

We visited the Helmers family the first weekend in November. It had been far too long since we headed to Ohio and saw our friends and the kids are at such a perfect age to play together. And that they did!! We brought the bouncy house and Jacob and Teagan went haywire. Teagan loved playing with all Jacobs toys (namely the cars) but they were a great matchup in the bounce house. They roughed each other up but still snuck in hugs and kisses and really played well. It was a nice quiet weekend just eating, hanging out, catching up, checking out their newly finished basement (which is amazing!) and letting the kiddos run loose! 

Trick or Treat 2013

We are fresh off of a 2 day Halloween celebration. The first night was the annual Trunk for Treats party at Teagan's school. The next night was trick or treating with cousin Ryker in G and G Tiltges' neighborhood. Both were rainy celebrations but that didn't stop the kiddos from stomping through puddles to get their candy! To piggyback off Teagan's love of balloons and the movie, Up, we chose to do an Up theme. Teagan was the house, Rick was the old man Mr. Fredricksen, Beth was the bird Kevin and Breckin was the Boy Scout Russell. It was so fun because Teagan understood the concept of trick or treating this year and was completely elated to participate! We just had to limit the candy intake otherwise it would have all been consumed in one sitting! 

2 Brothers

Tonight Teagan learned what a reflection was as we were eating dinner. She always enjoys checking herself out in the mirror but tonight she thought Breckin was outside as he sat in his chair at dinner and she quickly yelled out "two Breckin's" and "two Teagans." She danced around chanting about her new discovery. The new discoveries occur daily and definitely make things interesting and exciting around here! I love watching her learn. 

MSI with cousin Ryker

We were lucky enough to attend the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago again courtesy of CDW. I wore Breckin and chased Teagan because Rick had to work. We met Dan, Cara and Ryker there for some cousin play time. The kids loved exploring the children's area and the weather display! 

Sleeps

I have so much to write about...a visit from the grandparents, Teagans second birthday, Breckin's one month, Teagan officially in Twos, etc. BUT, I have to get this down on paper...er, electronically because things change so fast! Teagan has morphed into a such a great sleeper. She moved into her big girl room and twin bed about a month before she turned 2. We let her call the shots and she climbed into that bed with great pride and has never looked back. She would get out for a little while at all hours and then there was a stage where we would have to lay in bed with her until she drifted off. But now, it is all independence for this little dreamer! She goes to bed and pretty much melts our hearts each night. Now WE are the ones that have a hard time leaving the room. "Goodnight mommy/daddy" ""lay down right here mommy/daddy" "I wuv you Mommy/Daddy/Bweckin" "come back" "I had fun" It is the cutest thing ever...Rick can't get enough of the way she says Daddy with every statement or request. And then she sleeps great through the night with rarely a peep. The mornings are too funny. She wakes up and doesn't cry or say a word...she begins her gathering of all the books, blankets, toys, animals she can find and makes a pile at the door. We open the door and are greeted with an immediate smile and then back to work. She often asks for help to relocate the said belongings. The piles get larger and there are contents of her room strung all over but it makes for peaceful mornings until we get dressed. We are so proud of her big girl sleeping habits and routine! Plus, the nightly ritual is just adorable! 

Weekend of fun

I must admit that we had some serious fun this past weekend! Friday was pizza night and just relaxing. Saturday we woke up and went out for breakfast and then to 2 parks. One which had at least 10 soccer games going on in the adjacent fields. Teagan watched in awe and kicked her own soccer ball on the sidelines! We headed home for a nap and then for ready for our friend Jamie's 30th birthday. They went all out and had a pig roast, bounce house, mechanical bull and A TON of food, cake and drinks.  Once again, Teagan was the life of the party just running around like all of the party goers were there to see her! I wore Breckin the entire time (4 hours) and he barely made a squeak. I never wore Teagan as much as I do him but I never needed my hands as free. Plus, he loves it! 

Sunday we decided to be spontaneous and capitalize on the beautiful fall weather. We loaded the kids and stroller up and set off for the Metra station. We took the train west to Geneva and enjoyed a few hours roaming the town, discovering a new park and watching some marathon runners. We then found a choo choo themed restaurant similar to the one in Glen Ellyn and had a great lunch!  They even had football on so daddy could check in on the scores...this is important on a Sunday, ya know! Teagan loved waiting for the train but then was scared just as we walked on. Once we sat down, she enjoyed looking out the window and even going to the upper deck! The return trip proved my theory those things can lull you to sleep. Rick and I smiled as both kiddos were sound asleep in under 5 minutes!  We headed home for naps and spent the rest of the afternoon outside and grilling for dinner.  Oh and we got the bounce house out for some afternoon jumping! That was Teagan's second Birhday present from mom and dad and she loves the slides and jumping. It was such a fun weekend for all! 

XO,

EAT

Breckin 1 month

One month has come and gone for the little man. Wowser! He is really coming to life and is having more awake and alert daytime moments. I swear he watches the whirlwind of Teagan in absolute awe. His eyes will get really big as she comes in for a kiss. Overall, I would say Breckin is a relaxed baby. Does he get worked up and show his lung power? Sure. But he has simple needs and is fairly easy to predict. The 1 month Dr appt confirmed he is a growing boy. The Dr called him a gentle giant because he was wide awake and didn't make a peep. After reviewing his measurements, she said "get this boy a basketball!" He weighed in at 10lbs8oz (65%) and 23.25" long (99%). So he gained 2lbs and 2 inches since birth!  He enjoys movement, being held, car rides (gotta keep the car moving!) being outside, eating, tummy time and observing the blonde blur big sis! Very little blonde hair on this guy, still blue eyes and in 3 month clothes due to that length!! We just love having this little buddy around and life with 2 certainly challenges us to be "efficient" parents.  I understand why an extra 2 arms would be nice! Nighttime sleep is still inconsistent but we roll with the punches. He sleeps so soundly right after Teagan goes to bed (8-830) and then eats again closer to 11. It is the hours between 2-5 that seem to be all over the place...eating here and there and then awake or wanting to be held/rocked. Oh-well...we will get there! That is one thing about the second...you remember that each of the challenges are tripled by the rewards and that each challenge is a phase. We know we gotta keep our cool  and what helps us the most is our sense of humor! Life is way more fun when we laugh! 

XO, 

EAT

Two Year old party

We had such a fun 2 year old party for our big girl! Grandpa I did his job the morning of and took her to the park and wore her out for an early nap. It worked out perfectly as she napped while we filled balloons, got the bounce house ready and put the finishing touches on the food. I was so grateful for both sets of grandparents not only making the effort to be there but for all of the help! We couldn't have had such a fun party without their help...considering we had a 3 week old. When Teagan woke up, we got her party clothes on. It was the cutest thing as she woke up and slowly realized there were balloons everywhere! "Another one, right there" she would call out. Once we made our way outside, we watched her as she watched the bounce house we got for her inflate. She squealed in joy and then jumped right in to start the fun! We had the bounce house with balloons inside, ball pit and tent and tunnel also full of balloons. Plus all of the usual lawn games, toys and playground. It was a toddlers afternoon dream! We made BBQ chicken, broccoli salad, German potato salad and fresh fruit. Teagan received so many great gifts but the best part was being surrounded by friends and family that came to celebrate her turning 2! Many of the attendees got to meet baby brother Breckin for the first time as well! Teagan was thoroughly exhausted by the end of the day and was not thrilled about a bath and bed.  I can't blame her for not wanting such a fun day about her to come to a close! We love you little lady! Bring on the next year!