Few Things...

Claire's Birthday!

Claire's third birthday was July 3rd!  I cannot believe that my baby is THREE!!!  We told her that she could have anything that she wanted for breakfast.  All she wanted was pancakes :)  We also told her that we would do whatever she wanted that day.  All she wanted was to play outside and swim in her pool :)

Oliver had fun watching his big sister play outside while he sat in the shade.

Pete can usually be found by Oliver's side.  He is way more into Oliver than he was with Claire when she was a baby.  At night he can be found by Oliver while he sleeps and when Oliver gets fussy Pete comes from wherever he is in the house to be by his side.  It's really sweet.

Later on the grandparents, Uncle Kevin, Aunt Sara, and Uncle Johnny came over for dinner and birthday cake.  And of course the grandparents came with little presents for Claire (even though her big party isn't until this Saturday).

Claire has expressed a recent interest in going fishing ( I have no idea where that has come from).  So of course one of her presents was a little fishing pole and some fish.  She loved going fishing.

Here is her big catch of the day!

One of Claire's other gifts was a sprinkler.  And of course how could Grandpa say no when Claire asked him to join her :)

   


              Our first family photo.  Even Oliver is smiling!

Grandpa, Papa, and Uncle Kevin had a nice time talking about cars and golf (of course).

The next day was the fourth of July.  We spent the day at Nana and Papa's swimming and then headed to our local parade and fireworks display.

Claire and Oliver playing with Oliver's playmat at Nana's house.

Claire loved the parade.  But she was NOT  a fan of the firetrucks.

Nana felt that the sirens bothered Oliver's ears.  Even though Oliver did not move once during the parade OR the fireworks.  He slept through all of it.

Claire's Birthday At School

Today Claire celebrated her birthday at school (even though her real birthday isn't until Saturday).  She was very excited to get her birthday t-shirt and birthday hat :)  They had a special little party for Claire after the kids took their nap.  Mark, Oliver, and I came and brought some special fourth of July cookies to celebrate.

Oliver could be found in his usual seat, but he was 
still celebrating :)

Claire's First Soccer Practice

Today was Claire's first soccer practice.  During soccer practice Claire spends 30 minutes playing with her Daddy and then the last 15 minutes the kids "scrimmage" and play without the parents.  It was super cute!  During the first 30 minutes the kids practiced dribbling the ball and raced their parents.  For the last 15 minutes they play Cops and Robbers.  The Robbers had to kick the ball into the net and if another child stole the ball they had to go to "jail".  Well things were going really well until Claire came running over to me CARRYING her ball.  She got all confused and was upset because she thought that she had to go Jail.  It was really cute though!  She had a blast and it was a riot to watch all the kids running around like crazy!  I didn't get really great pictures because I was feeding Oliver while trying to snap away. 

We got to practice a little early so that Claire and Mark could

"warm up".

How cute is Claire's shirt?!  Mark's lacrosse team made one for her and one for Oliver :)

A future goalie perhaps?

Oliver had his two week check up today.  He is doing great!!  He weighs 7 lbs. 12 oz. (he was 6 lbs 10 oz when we left the hospital).  He is 21 and 1/4 inches long and his head is 14 and 1/2 inches.  And of course he is just all around adorable :)

Morning at the Park

This morning we decided to go to our local park.  So while I fed Oliver Mark and Claire ran to the playground (well Mark ran and Claire rode in the running stroller).  When Oliver was finished we got in the car and met them at the park.

Claire had a blast on the playground, but she couldn't wait to get into the water park (with her best friend Daddy of course).

Then Claire was thrilled to death when her buddy Giada came to play with her at the playground.

Claire and Giada hit the water park just in time for it to START POURING!!!!

So we took our wet Mamas and hid in the gazebo to wait out the rain.

We had some snacks while we waited out the storm.

This is where you could find Oliver the whole time.  He didn't say too much but I am pretty sure he enjoyed his first trip to the playground :)

Happy Birthday Owen

 

Happy First Birthday Owen!!

Yesterday was Owen's first birthday party.  I cannot believe that Owen is a year old already!  The party was great and Owen had a blast.  He loved his cake, he couldn't keep his hands off of it!

Erin and her friend made this cake!  Isn't it beautiful?!?!  I think they should go into business!

Erin and Brian had the party at a park by their house and that was a GREAT idea!  Claire loved the playground there.  You know its a good playground when it is time for the cake and NONE of the kids want to come in :)

Claire is thrilled that Owen can walk now.  They had a ball runnin around on the basketball court.

 

Here is Claire lovin up her Daddy.  Since Oliver has been born she has been even more into hanging out with Mark than usual (even though I didn't think that possible).  They are best friends :) 

And what would a post be without a picture of Oliver :) Claire loves to hold her baby brother.  When he cries she runs right to him and tells him "Its ok! mama's here."  Claire is a great big sister!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OWEN!  WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!!!!

Just Relaxin'

Things have been going sooo well over here!  Claire has been adjusting pretty well to having a new little brother living in her house (well...except for a little whining).  She likes to hold Oliver and help us to make him stop crying.  Oliver is also adjusting very well to his new lifestyle.  The last three nights he has slept for 6 hours straight and then he nursed and went back to sleep for two more hours.  It has been wonderful, we are actually getting some sleep!!  Please say a prayer that I did not just jinx myself.  Claire was a great sleeper so let's just hope that Oliver follows in his big sister's footsteps!!

Water Day!

 

 On Saturday Oliver took a nice long nap, so we busted out Claire's pool for the first time this summer.

Claire loved playing in the water.  

And of course it was only a matter of time before she made her Daddy come in with her.

Saturday was also Oliver's first bath!  My most favorite thing to do with a newborn is give them a bath.  They just smell sooo good afterward.

Claire was very helpful with Oliver's bath.  Oliver, himself didn't have that much fun.  He pretty much cried the whole time.

Claire loved helping wash her baby brother.

Oliver cried for most of the bath.  But he looked sooo cute all soaped up.

And he was cozey as can be after we were all finished.

After Oliver was all washed, Claire helped me to lotion up his feet.  Then she asked me and Mark if she could go watch tv.

Seriously, how cute is this little guy?!  His hair is still dark, where that came from I have no idea.  We will have to wait and see if it stays that way.  Oliver was so happy to be all cozey in his jammies and to be all swaddled up.

And while we were finishing up the bath, Claire was creating this disaster in the other room :)  It's official...life just got crazier at our house!  But in a GREAT way :)

Welcome Oliver John!!!!

 

Oliver John was born yesterday at 7:27am, weighing in at 7 lbs and 1 ounce.  He was 20 inches long and perfect!  It all happened pretty quickly.  I woke up around 3 am with STRONG contractions and they came close and FAST!  We got to the hospital at about 6:30am only to be told by the doctor (not my doctor who was out of town) that there would not be enough time to get my epidural.  You can imagine my reaction to this decision.  I was not happy but things were moving along with or without me.  So after a drug free labor Oliver came into this world.  He is just amazing.  

 Claire and her baby brother.  She met him today and she just loved him.

 Me and my TWO kids!!!   

 Claire holding her baby brother.  She was very into taking care of her baby brother.  But she was a little more into going with Nana and Papa to McDonalds.

Daddy couldn't find a t-shirt that said "I am a big sister" so he made his own shirt :) 

Happy Birthday Giada!!

Yesterday was Giada's birthday party.  She is the big TWO!  Claire was very excited to celebrate with her best friend.  She keeps saying "Giada is my BFF".

The kids had a blast hitting the pinata! 

That is Claire's man Layne in the background.  He watched over her and took care of her the whole time.  Look at him cheerin her on :)

Finally, about 45 minutes later...SUCCESS!!

Giada and Claire enjoying their treats after all of their hard work.

Claire and Layne were lovin the bounce house.  When Mark went over the bounce house and told Claire "It's time to go honey."  Layne looked at him and told him "Claire is NOT leaving yet, right Claire?"  It was hilarious!!!!

It was a great party!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIADA!!!!!!

 

The Future.

Claire today.

Claire in about 19 years.

Creepy isn't it?!  That is my cousin Leah (apparently we have some strong genes in our family).  Well at least I know she will be beautiful :)