A Little Chick Magnet

Some recent pictures of our little butterball. Gavin is a regular little "chick magnet," especially when you can see his diaper peeking out of his onesie. What a little man!

Up North

My dad took this picture of John and Nathan at Itasca State Park this weekend. They are wading around the Mississippi Headwaters.

Say Cheese!

Gavin's first smile was June10. Since then, he is getting more and more smiley. I wish I could take a picture of every one - they are so cute! These are pictures of a couple of his earliest smiles. Lately, they are bigger and his little eyes squint and they are so CUTE!

Cute Boys!

New Pictures!

These pictures were taken Father's Day weekend. My boys were so cute wearing white.

Everyone is happy and healthy around here. I worked 30+ hours last week! The great thing about it is I work from home. But there are so many distractions - feedings, lack of sleep, the phone, lack of sleep...We need some routine.

John is overseeing a PR event today with Joe Mauer.
Yes, he has it rough where he works. After all that hard work today, he will be going to the Pearl Jam concert tonight with a client in the suite.

Thanks for the comments! For a while I thought perhaps I was writing to myself. Other than those emails I received (thanks!).

Happy Monday!

A Brush with Fame (well sort of)

I simply must blog this because, well, how many people have snapshots of Matthew Mcconaughey? John ran into a friend of his this week. Where? Why, another golf tournament of course! His brother is a stunt double for Matthew Mcconaughey and they are best friends. John's friend had the chance to join him and Lance Armstrong at the Rose Bowl in January; he is the one with the goofy cowboy hat. John comes up with stories like this one occasionally. For instance, we often see John's college friend on shows like CSI and John yells out, "There's my buddy!". I'll settle for these pictures of Matt!

Finally Friday!

As both boys are napping, I sit down to do some work on the computer but, first, I wonder: Is Rabbit a boy or a girl? Nathan chose to watch his Winnie the Pooh movie this morning and, as we were watching it, I noticed Rabbit sounds like an old woman but kind of seems like a man. Then I noticed ALL of the Pooh pals are male -- even Piglet, who is PINK. Well anyway, this is one to ponder for a Friday afternoon. (YES, I do need to get out more.)

This is a little "collage" I created last fall.

Through the Eyes of a Toddler

We have been busy around here! I guess that's a good thing. I started working last week; I work from home so now we will have another consistent income. Halleluiah!

This weekend Nate and Gavin had brief play dates. We picked up a longtime friend of mine from the airport, spent some time with her and her two kids, ages three and 10 months, and then took them to Princeton. It was a no-nap day for Nater, yikes! While getting ready to leave Princeton and saying good-bye to my friend, I hear Nate screaming bloody murder from inside the van. Did I slam the door on him? I thought to myself...I've not heard him in such terror before. When I open the door I see the awful, scary sight! Nate is screaming crying and pointing to a "gug" (bug -- a mosquito) who is having his arm for dinner. Nater just lets him chow down while screaming scared and pointing at it! It was too funny. When I told him to "slap it!" he did and then he went from terror to laughing hysterically. Anything to amuse my little blessing. It's now a game of his to find a bug and, "slap it!".

I was a golf widow this weekend. John went on his annual golf retreat with a bunch of his friends; each year they go to Ruttger's in Brainerd. Lucky him! The boys and I went to church Sunday morning for nursery duty. It was a challenge to get them both ready and there on time, especially with little Nater whose new favorite game is Catch me if you Can! He likes to make things as difficult as possible when it's time to go anywhere. Not to mention Gavin's sporadic feeding schedule. What can I say, we're having a GREAT time! :-)

How Sweet

We were invited over to Auntie Willa's today, lovingly referred to as "Tottie." Nater was excited to play with Cousin Ella in the kiddie pool and I was able to capture one of those tender moments.

Today was rather hectic. More like challenging. Gavin had a rough day and cried and/or fussed most of the afternoon, except for when he was eating. In fact, it has been about five minutes since he last ate so I'm sure he is starving by now! He must be going through a growth spurt again and yet he is already wearing 3-6 month clothing so that means he is likely pushing 12 pounds at the ripe old age of five weeks. Both our boys will be linebackers for sure.

Anyway, this is a "mom's blog." I've seen others who have separate blogs for different subjects like politics, social events, photography, etc. I'd never have time to do that and I also don't want to get into any political debates. But, as a mom, I need to comment on the miracle of the Carlsen twins! What an amazing story and what a great day today was for their family! Trying to follow their story has been somewhat difficult with toddler programming on whenever the TV is on, which we do try to limit. But their story is miraculous.

Cute Nathan Stories

This morning we went to a new park that is a little further from our house (I am in desperate need of exercise). The park left much to be desired and the slide was too hot for Nater so he just hung out on the swing set. Gavin napped in the shade. Anyway, as I was pushing little Nater I made up this song that went something like this: “It’s a beautiful day; it’s a beautiful day,” and repeat. When Gavin woke and started fussing I walked over to check on him and picked him up all the while Nate’s swing was slowing down. When he came to a stop he yelled, no more like screamed, “MORE beautiful day! More beautiful day!” I thought that was cute.

We also went to the park that is near our home where they have little red cars, which Nater likes to call, “The Geedo’s cars.” Translation: Geedo’s = Wiggle’s. He loves ‘em. So now, we have a new thing at this park where Nate gets in the driver’s seat and says, “Mommy – carseat. Baby – carseat.” So Mommy and Gavin, in his infant carrier, climb in the backseat and off we go to Target. But not without the role reversal. Mommy quickly yells, “Snack please! SNACK!” This is how it goes when we go anywhere, so now it’s Mommy’s turn to be the demanding toddler. Nater is only so happy to oblige. He gets out of the car, runs to the “refrigerator” to get me a pretend snack. He climbs back into the car and then I yell, “DRINK! DRINK Please!” And so he climbs out once again and gets Mommy her drink and I yell, “RUN RUN, Hurry! I need a DRINK!” It’s so funny and it definitely tires out the little man as this goes on forever. I wonder what the people who live around that park are thinking! Haha

This picture is just one of my favorites taken last fall. Nothing to do with the post!

A New Week

Another quiet Monday! Both of the boys are napping right now. If only I could work this into a daily routine but, for some reason, Gavin is not really on a schedule yet. We’re almost there, but not quite. It will be nice if they could nap at the same time once I start working!

On another note, someone needs a haircut! I see this picture and realize it's time, once again, for Nathan to visit Kids Hair. John refers to Nathan as "follicly challenged." He does have a rather unfortunate hairline but I think it’s because he is so young; it will change, won’t it? When it starts getting long, it kind of comes together in the lower part of his neck in the back and makes a twisty point where it gathers – John calls that his “pus.” We like to cut his hair before it gathers into a pus but I’ve been slacking this month.

John was invited by a client to golf in the Celebrity Golf Tournament at Rush Creek so that’s where he is today. Luckily, the rain is holding off until this afternoon. I am sure by now John has realized he’s not the celebrity; I hope he takes it well. I just didn’t want to break it to him as he was thrilled to be asked to play and so excited for the opportunity to be “the tournament’s leading celebrity…”

Lazy Day

Pictures from yesterday afternoon!

Summer Time

We finally used our pool this weekend! It was a perfect weekend for it. Nathan loved it; what a difference one year makes. Last summer he did not want anything to do with the water!

John & I celebrated our fourth anniversary by going out for dinner last night. His sister watched the boys and we went down to St. Anthony Main area, an old hangout of ours. It was so nice to be out!