Ella & Brenna

Stephanie and Brenna Van Cleave came over today to play and have lunch. Brenna and Ella loved their yogurts. Brenna is only 4 weeks older than Ella.

Cute Jack

Greed

Jack: Likes & Dislikes

Likes: Sippy CupDislikes: Peas

Ella's First Time Painting

Laughing Jack

Laughing Jack on Vimeo

Toss-Up

Face-Eater

Melissa & Jack on the Deck

A Fun Walk With Papa

Playing in the Yard

"Come here puppy."

Looking Back: Two Years Ago

Melissa was working on baby #1

And I was working on the basement

Technology: Where We Are Today

Ella @ 22 Months

• Potty Trained (Except for going #2)
• Says 4-5 Word Sentences ("I love you mommy.", How are you doing Jackson?", "Are you ok daddy?" - When he coughs, etc.)
• Uses ~150-200 Words
• Counts to 10 (leaves out 3 & 5)
  
• Names All Body Parts
• Can Walk Up & Down Stairs Like a Big Girl
• Follows Requests
• Helps Change Jack's Diapers
• Loves to Clean (Wipe Things, Throw Things Away, etc.)
• Loves Singing Songs (Twinkle Twinkle, Jesus Loves Me, ABCD, I Love You, etc.)
• Does a Great Job in Her Big Bed (Ever since 15 mo. old) & Sleeps 12 Hours a Night
• Good at Stacking Objects
• Runs, Can do a Summersault, & Throws Things Overhand
  
• Can Open Just About Anything
• Loves Elmo & Barney
  

Jackson @ 5 Months

• Weight: 18 lbs
• Still in Size 3 Diapers
• 6-12 Month Clothing
• Eats Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots and Rice Cereal
• Nurses 4 Times a Day
• Naps Three Times a Day
• Sleeps 12 Hours a Night
• Loves His Thumb
• Loves to Smile with a Big Open Mouth
• Sits-up Without Support for Short Periods
• Blows Raspberries
• Grabs on to Everything
• Loves to Lick and Suck Faces (Especially Grandpa Mattern)
• Rolled Over Once from Back to Stomach
  

Soccer Headbands

Ella and I getting ready for soccer:

It reminded me of last year:

Mary's Shower: Part 3

Check out Nicole's Blog here for more great photos from the shower.

Mary's Shower: Part 2

Mary's Shower: Part 1

I helped host a baby shower for Mary at my house today. Nicole did a wonderful job on the sunflower cupcakes. Everything looked great!

Photo Shoot: In the Yard:: The Kids

Photo Shoot: In the Yard:: Melissa & the Kids

Photo Shoot: In the Yard:: Jack

Milestones: 21

Jackson: 21 Weeks
Jack woke me up crying this morning at 8am (not like him at all). So I went in to check on him and found him on his tummy! He rolled over for the first time from his back to his stomach.
Ella: 21 Months
Ella is potty trained! We are still working on going #2 in the potty though. One day it just clicked with her and she has been obsessed ever since.

Children's Book Recommendation

If you want a good book about teaching kids a lesson on humility, read Fool Moon Rising by Kristi and T. Lively Fluharty.

Fun at Story Time

Ella didn't want to sit still for the group photo for their website.