OK, OK....

Here is a picture of our new van, a Honda Odyssey....It still feels like I'm cruising around town in a mini-bus, but hopefully I'll get the hang of driving it sooner than later.

Bye, bye Jeep!

After many years of dedication (we got it shortly after we got married, so that indicates how old it was) and many memories, we said goodbye to our beloved Jeep today! Although it was time to part ways, the Jeep had treated us well and safely transported both our boys home from the hospital, as seen here the day we brought Cameron home.

But enough was enough, we FINALLY pulled the trigger today and bought a mini van!! I too was a person who swore up and down that "I would never drive a minivan." But the time had come to acknowledge the conveniences of it and join the 'soccer mom club'. You either love them or hate them and I now have become a lover. The perks, the amount of room you have and the number of people you can seat is just amazing. Next on the list is to sign Zach up for soccer this summer so I can join a carpool. Sweet!

Relief is here!

Just need to say thanks ladies for all of your tips! I ran out and bought the Huggies Overnights and the Diaper Doubler at Babies R' Us. How did I not know about these magic diapers??
Last night we used them for the first time and low and behold he was as dry as a bone this morning! Yippee!

See how happy he was when I found him this morning??

Just kidding this is a picture from a few weeks ago when they were playing in the crib together (And no, I don't allow all those toys in the crib while sleeping, I know my friend Beth is ready to call me out of concern :-). We haven't had many smiles around here this week as both boys have been extremely sick and Cameron is currently in the thick of it. Zachary is much better, but we are all thanking him for passing it on to his little brother. Is there anyway to avoid both kids getting sick? I am finding this problem very frustrating this winter! I guess its one of the joys of having more than one child?

Need HELP!

Alright, bit of a problem to report that I am hoping that one of you knowledgeable Moms will have an answer for.

The last few weeks Cameron has been waking up soaking wet in the morning, including his pajamas. I have tried different brands of diapers and gone up a size and nothing seems to work.
As a result of this issue, he is waking up earlier (which makes me cranky) and he is absolutely miserable by the time I get him.

So I know I can't be the first mom will this problem, any solutions ladies?? Help me...

daily life around the house

After recovering from a super fun weekend and the departure of my parents late last week who went back to England till April, things seem a tad bit slow and boring around here. Despite having numerous toys available, yesterday the boys resorted to playing with old-fashioned tissues. Zachary thought it was hilarious to put a tissue on Cam's head and watch him try to figure out how to get it off. I must admit it was entertaining until Camers figured it out and started to eat the tissues.

Zach is getting ready for the "Artic blast" that is settling in for this weekend. I had big plans to make a one night trip up to Michigan. I was going to have a girls night with my Arbor Circle work friends, Kerry, Dana & Marnie, but due to the Winter Weather Advisory posted for around the lake, where they are expecting up to a foot of potentially drifting snow by Sunday, I bailed on our plans! I have made the journey around Lake Michigan one too many times and know that it can turn into white out conditions within minutes. I am very disappointed to not be going, but I think my hubby is probably just a little bit relieved, as it gets him out of solo dad duty. But don't worry ladies, I will reschedule.

I think they are saying wind chills up to -20 below! Looks like I had better find some more tissues, as we aren't going to be going anywhere if its that cold. argh...

cute & chaos

We had a wonderful weekend with our friends, Brad & Bradi and their two girls, who came down to visit from Michigan. We managed to pack a lot in with the 2 days together: dinner for 4 downtown Naperville, socializing over at Steve & Stacys', Goose hunting for Brad, a trip to the mall with the older kids, a 'Sheboygan style Brat Fry' before the Green Bay Packer game (which, thankfully they ended up winning after a rough start, as they continue their road to the Superbowl, as Mark likes to say) and last but, not least, hosting an Uppercase Living Party over at my Mom's.

Phew....Can you say busy? All this was taking place while some children (not naming any names) greeted several of us at 5 something AM to get the days started. Needless to say napping/sleeping arrangements were a bit tricky, but well worth it! Thanks for coming Kreiders!

Also, need to give a plug to Uppercase Living. Its a fantastic product and can't wait to start decorating my house with it. Click on Bradi's blog link for further information about it. Thanks to all my friends for coming to the party.

Sydney & Cameron, the cute ones, happily keeping each other company

Raegan & Zachary, aren't they angelic? You know this was how they were all weekend... Perfect children, with no fighting over toys.

New Year, new activities

The beginning of a new year and a time to try some new winter hobbies. We met up for a Saturday afternoon bowling event with our friends, Jason & Kris and Bas & Sara (who have moved to our neck of the woods from Amsterdam), and their two boys.

I was amazed at how well it went! All three of them loved it and caught on quickly. Zach even got a score in the 70's on his second game (with the help of bumpers of course), which sadly enough, wasn't that far from my score.

All in all a great outing.

Up next for February: Rollerskating






Zach, Max & Seth posing for a pictures. Max getting ready to pull them in for a bear hug