5 things

5 awesome things about Breckin (8 months)

1. His laugh - it doesn't take much to get him to give a good ole belly laugh

2. His curiosity - if he could talk, there would be hundreds of questions from this guy.  His #1 source of entertainment is that wild sister!

3. His appetite - it must be like his mama, he eats often and you know when it is time for the next meal, plus he holds his own baba so a 6oz bottle is drained in 5 minutes

4. His size - growing like crazy, 12 month clothes, must be over 20lbs, long and lean with the cutest round (bald) head

5. His demeanor - just chill! Seriously, I don't know if it will change but this guy just goes with the flow. Super relaxed and happy when he is rested and full. Life is good in the B Man's world 

5 awesome things about Teagan (2 years, 8 months)

1. Her interaction with Breckin - I mean she just loves him to pieces, she is so good with sharing and gentle touches (for now)

2. Her vocabulary - wow did this explode quickly...suddenly she says everything.  We are in the why stage but we adore it. The conversations are endless and the imagination keeps right up. Along with the vocabulary goes the memory. Like an elephant. 

3. Her fearlessness - this trait continues, we always knew she likes to climb but she really is a thrill seeker. It scares the daylights out of us but we try to hone the desire to be adventurous as much as we safely can. 

4. Her kind spirit - she is a lover...hugs and kisses galore which we can never get enough of. Also, little mommy to the rescue if somebody gets a boo boo. She loves bandages and is always concerned when another person gets injured. 

5. Her hair - first haircut at 2.5 years. The curls are atill dominating her head, complimented by natural blonde highlights. It is a chore to brush it out but it fits her personality well. 

Love, 

Mom and Dad 

Life as we know it and thawing out!

We are sooo ready for the longest, snowiest, frigid cold winter to leave already! Spring is starting to show up but taking its sweet time. Meanwhile, we continue at our fast pace of life.  Dad plays basketball on Wednesdays so that has been a weekly highlight cheering he and Uncle Dan on. Papa I just turned 60 and we booked flights to go visit them in their new house in May and we get to meet baby Silas (eeek can't wait!!).  I am fully settled into my new job and am enjoying the perks of working with a tighter, smaller company. Rick has been working a lot but never complains a peep.  Teagan is an absolute riot these days as her imagination and personality come out. And then there is Breckin...happy as a clam as long as there is entertainment near by.  I saw Michele a couple weeks ago for a quick dinner which was a nice treat. We also did a couples dinner with Beth and Jenny and even brought the husbands along.  Oh and babies...Sandy came in town so we had an impromptu pizza party with all 5 cousins on the Tiltges side.  Lots to look forward to this spring and summer...it will be so nice to go on bike rides, grill on the deck, wear summer clothes, swim and just thaw out and enjoy the next season! Until then, I will let some pics do the rest of the talking....

Breckin - 5 months 01.19.14

Oh wow....Breckin is already 5 months?!  I have been slacking on the blogging lately but I really do have so much to document.  In fact I have even more to report on B since I wrote this. Life is good for us these days...a new job, 2 adorable kiddos, a fresh year with lots to look forward to.  But I wanted to write down some of the things this little man is doing.  He started rolling over front to back and back to front with ease right after he was 4 months old.  He sits up with assistance.  The biggest thing about this guy is his personality...oh, the smiles!!  He just loves to smile and laugh.  He is such a sweet and laid back baby.  For that, I am very grateful!  The smiles are just so contagious.  He is extremely ticklish and loves having his clothes taken off and put on.  Another for sure smile is Teagan singing and pretending to dance with him.  He is also in the very oral stage of development.  EVERYTHING goes to the mouth...now that he has the hand to mouth motion down, it is the first place he tries.  I would imagine teeth wont be too far away.  He has a tight grip and will grab anything in sight.  Just last night he reached out and happened to grab the hood of Teagan's sweatshirt.  At first she said "No Baby!"  but then she got a good giggle out of it.

The hair is slowly coming in but he is bald for the most part.  He slept through the night for the first time on 1.10.14.  It scared and excited us all at once but ever since he has been sleeping well.  We are definitely in our groove now as far as a routine goes.  It is just so fun to watch Breckin grow although I do wish time would slow down!  Teagan is anxiously awaiting the day he can get up and play with her.    

Teagan, lately (2.5 years)

Dear Teagan,

These days must be documented.  You are a strong and independent 2.5 year old. For each time you make us feel like we are losing our minds, there are 3 times that you melt our hearts.  Your personality is really showing these days and it is such a perfect blend of mom and dad. Fearless like daddy, easy going like mommy.  You really like to take in a scene before engaging it. It only takes a few minutes to asses a situation and then you act quickly and often time with great enthusiasm.  We just adore watching you with your brother. You kiss and hug him, hold him, sing to him, laugh, tickle, bring him toys and just thoroughly enjoy having him as your daily audience. He is reaching out to grab anything in sight so we are working on sharing with him.  Yesterday, mom took you and Breckin to the children's museum while dad was at work.  There was a children's choir singing and you watched in awe while eating raisins as I fed Breckin.  You like to play rough...jumping is your favorite. But my goodness you will try anything!  You enjoy things that go...cars, trains, planes, motorcycles. You aren't into much girly girl stuff other than shoes and your babies. Oh your babies...2 dolls that you are just the lil mommy to. You rock them and change their diapers and wipe them off and put them night night. It is adorable! Your vocabulary is enormous....I used to count the words you knew but that is impossible now. You will try to say anything we ask and you love singing. We sing all the time and you constantly want music on so you can get your dancing shoes on and "Shake your groove thing." While you do enjoy to play independently, you will gladly jump in with other kids your age.  We went to your school buddy Declan's 3rd birthday party and in true Teagan fashion you were shy and then didn't want to leave by the end!

Your hair is absolutely wild but we love it. Curly at the bottom and straight on the top. It makes me sad it might not always be curly but it sure is adorable. I have no clue of your height and weight now but at 2 years you were 37" (99%) and 27.5 lbs (60%). You are growing just fine. One night you will clean your plate and the next night I wonder how you manage to thrive on 2 bites of dinner.

We just love you to pieces.  I can't believe you are well on your way to 3 but it's true. This winter will be gone soon and we just can't wait to get you back to the parks, in the pool, running in the grass, kicking the balls, riding your bikes.  I know you will be our little girl for some time to come. After all, you made us parents and we are learning together.  Stay cool little lady!

Love,
Mom and Dad

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!