13 Months

Hi All,
Time keeps marching on, and Drew and Bree are now 13 months old! We may be close to graduating from the side by side chair poses. Do you think I can get both them to sit still long enough for a picture?!? Oh, and by the way, look happy too! It's asking a lot of them these days. We do still get some good shots, but most of them are of Drew and Bree individually. Oh, and as you can see, the wagon can be a good prop to contain them long enough for pictures! It's okay. I'm glad they are active. Thirteen month tricks include standing, taking steps, walking (for Bree and Drew is on the verge), climbing (which is usually somewhere off limits), throwing a ball, and feeding others (including the dog!). Surely I am forgetting others. Other than passing some colds around and working out some sleep issues, we are happy and healthy!

PS - In our unofficial weigh-in, Drew is now 25.5 lbs and Bree is 21.5 lbs.

"I'm claiming this as my Easter basket. The Easter Bunny won't mind, right???"

"Hold on while I strike a pose."

How many monkeys can we fit in this wagon?

"Can someone bring me an ice, cold milk?"

"I know, the diaper and sweat socks are very attractive. Try to contain yourselves." 

Walk This Way

Hi All,
We have exciting news to report - we now officially have a new walker in the house! Give it up for Bree, who just got up and decided to start walking on her own this evening. While I haven't been one bit worried when it would happen, it's still a proud moment to see it unfold before your eyes. Bree was a proud girl too - all smiles for her big accomplishment! She ate up the applause and wanted to do it over and over again. We even got some pretty good video of some of her moves. Yay Bree!

Official Business

Hi All,
Drew and Bree visited Dad in the office today. Jim reserved a conference room for our official business.

"This meeting is called to order!"

"I move we break for lunch!"

"We vote for Dad to take the afternoon off!"

"Is there a nap scheduled after lunch? I brought my blanket just in case."

Tooth 7 - Come on Down!

Hi All,
Drew has another tooth poking through - #7 for him. This time it is the upper right lateral incisor, to match the left one that showed up ten days ago. This is literally three teeth in a matter of two weeks. He'll be ordering steak in no time!

Spring is Coming

Hi All,

Well the weather is improving here in Michigan. We finally got outside this week for some stroller rides - yay! Sure is nice, as cabin fever was beginning to take hold. In other stroller news, Drew can now climb up into the stroller by himself. Both Drew and Bree are climbers, but more often than not, Drew is leading the way. Here are pictures of our fun from throughout the week.

Drew after climbing up into the stroller on his own - catch the devilish grin?

"Strolling outdoors again - woohoo!"

"I knew I could fit in this basket if I tried!"

"Dad tosses are awesome!"

Swing Practice

Hi All,

Drew and Bree received outdoor swings for their birthday from Oma and Opa. Drew's godfather Doug stopped by today and insisted we get in a practice swing. We're not quite ready to mount it outdoors, but this will do for now!

"Wheeee!!!!"

We're One - Let's Party!

Hi All,
We held Drew and Bree's first birthday party on Saturday, March 13. As you can see from the pictures, there was lots of monkey business to be had! We had a wonderful day with immediate family and a few close friends. Since it's wintertime, we unfortunately are confined to the indoors. Otherwise, we would've loved to entertain more monkeys, I mean guests.
We had an awesome cake made by a local baker. Drew and Bree were a little out of sorts by the time the cake was served though. Bree refused to sit in her high chair at that point. I took her out and held her for a picture, holding her slice of cake. Well, then she decided I needed to partake and proceeded to feed me. I guess she got into the spirit and dug in herself.
Drew and Bree received lots of wonderful gifts. They should be well clothed and entertained for months to come! Before the party ended, Bree showed off a few more skills, as she has begun to take a few steps here and there. All in all, it was a great day!

Monkeys, monkeys everywhere

A monkey cake, of course

Our little monkeys

"Appetizers anyone?"

"Mom specifically told Dad no chocolate this time, and looky what we have here!"

"Mom, you first. I insist!"

"I'll take it from here, Mom."

"Tulips - Thank you Grandpa!"

"So many toys, so little time..."

"Blocks make wonderful treats!"

Our proud little stepper!

"You think that's cool. Check this out - I can ride this horse with a pig in my mouth!"

"Here Gramps, you try it!"

Choppers

Hi All,
Drew has yet another tooth coming in! This time, it's the upper left lateral incisor (I had to look up the name). You know, the one next to the front tooth (which is really called the central incisor). This makes tooth #6 for Drew. Bree is still toothless, and Grandpa is wondering if she needs dentures. :)

Got Milk?

BREE-FRESHING

What can I say? People find me irresistible. Just like a nice, tall sippy cup of Vitamin D milk.      Packed with protein and nutrients, milk gives me the power to capture hearts of thousands (or, at least my Mom and Dad's).

Typical Lunch

Hi All,
I wanted to note how lunch can sometimes go for us. You will see Drew has food, of course on his face. And if you look closely, you'll also see a noodle in his hair.  I'm not sure why he wasn't wearing a shirt or bib this meal, but as you can see, it happens! Probably a good thing in this instance, since Drew wanted to show off his muscles. :)

"Hey ladies, welcome to the gun show!"

Auntie and Uncle's Birthday

Hi All,

We celebrated Darren and Sarah's birthday this past Sunday. They were born on the same day (two years apart), so they know all about dual birthday celebrations. Take note Drew and Bree. :) We had a nice family dinner, and of course lots of cake. It was an interesting day, in that there was still snow on the ground, but it was quite warm. So some of the group took the opportunity to do some warm weather snowmobiling. Drew and Bree were content to stay inside. Bree showed off some of her latest skills. She loves to stand all on her own. She also is walking with assistance, albeit she looks like a drunken sailor when she does! (See video below.)

Happy Birthday Uncle D!

Happy Birthday Auntie Sarah!

We got everyone in this shot, courtesy of Mom's new tripod. Yes!!!

"I'm a little dismayed the cake has not yet been served."

"No helping Dad, I'm showing off!"

Our little drunken sailor

Household Helpers

Hi All,
Okay, I've mentioned before how helpful Drew and Bree are becoming around the house. But can someone please tell me......

When will Drew be pushing the vacuum instead of riding it?

And how about actually folding the laundry???

And, c'mon, does this count as organizing the cupboards?!?

Tooth Sighting

Hi All,
I just wanted to mention (mostly so I can keep track) that Drew's tooth #5 has been sighted and is peeking out of his lower gum. It is coming in on the bottom left hand side, next to the other two already in place there.
The good news is Drew has not suffered too much discomfort - yay!
As far as Bree, I have given up on predicting her teething. I noted awhile back I was certain she had a tooth on the way, but there is nothing to show for it yet!

Drew Gets A Trim

Hi All,
Drew received his first haircut on Saturday. Well, it was really just a very quick bangs trim before we were off to get professional pictures taken. Thank goodness, as he was none too cooperative! You'd think he was the mighty Samson being stripped of his locks. Someday soon, he will need a more complete cut, but we are delaying the inevitable for the time being....

"Just what do you think you're doing with those scissors, Grandma?"

"Don't EVEN think you can fool me with that big smile!"

"And I suppose these are meant to distract me..."

"I can't bear to look!"

"Well at least I got a wagon ride out of this whole deal."

As ready as we'll ever be for some more pictures

More Chair Fun

Hi All,
The chair escapades continued........

Kicking back with the Sunday paper!

"Ahh, this is the life!"

"NOT planning to stand on here - I promise!"

Loungin'

Hi All!

Drew and Bree were given their own chairs as birthday gifts from Grandma and Grandpa. They actually arrived a few weeks before their birthday, and they have been enjoying them ever since. It did not take them long to figure out what kind of mischief they could cause with the chairs - you know, standing, standing backwards, standing backwards rocking!
You'll also notice Bree's Santa in most the pictures. It is her current lovey. He goes most places with her, and he absolutely must go to bed with her. She even feels he must sit in the high chair with her lately. They are inseparable! I have drawn the line with the bathtub. :)

"Let's try this out for size."

"It fits!"

"Think we'll kick back and watch a little Baby Einstein!"

"Now, if only I had my footstool - ahem, Bree."

"Hey Mom, it rocks more when we both sit in it!"

"And our other favorite seat - the stroller."

"Is it possible that standing up backwards is even more fun?!?"

"Yup!"

And just because we got a shot with Mom.....