Berry Picking

Today I took Ryan strawberry picking. He has been talking about going berry picking for a few months now and asks to go almost on a daily basis. It's funny that he is so fixated on berry picking considering he doesn't actually eat strawberries. He does however love the birthday cake ice cream they make and serve at the farm (which I think might have a lot to do with why he loves berry picking so much).

Easter Egg Hunt

Easter Dinner

Because of how schedules were, our family celebrated Easter a day early (except for the egg hunt). Here are some of the pictures:

Audrey and her great-grandma Gr

Until Ryan got comfortable with all the people at my moms house he rode this school bus around and around the house very intently.

Meg and my brother David

Eating stuffing and mashed potatoes

Ryan's favorite part of the whole event- getting to play the guitar. First with (Great) Uncle Terry and then with (Great) uncle Paul. I think I might be raising a little musician.

Singing Family

My mom's family used to get together every year for Thanksgiving, but they haven't done it in years. This year my mom decided to try and reintroduce the idea with an Easter get together. There was a pretty good turn out, everyone seemed to have a great time and I know my kids had a really great time meeting everyone. Part of the tradition is that after dinner someone will pull out their guitar and the whole family kinds. I caught one of the songs on my iPhone. I hope we are able to do this again next year, what a fun Easter tradition! I will post pictures next.

9 Months Old

Audrey is 9 months old (actually at this point 9 months and a week.. but close enough). The doctors appointment went wonderfully she was above average on everything developmentally and checked out very healthy. She is 27 1/2" in length and weighs 18 pounds 7.5 ounces which is about 25th percentile.

I can't believe she is already 9 months: pulling herself up, standing, crawling, eating puffs, saying words, waving and all the other little things she does.

Sunny Days

After a weekend of rain and 40 degree weather in Chicago we wanted to take full advantage of the North Carolina 80 degree weather when we got home. We took out the kiddie pool and had a a little water fun. I see lots of similar activities in the months to come!

Trip to Chicago

Ryan and I went on a trip to visit Uncle David last weekend. I know that the transition from being an only child to being the big brother has been a bit of a challenge and he has been craving some more one on one time, so a trip with just the two of us to Chicago seemed like the perfect remedy. This picture is of Ryan meeting the pilot of the plane, Ryan hadn't been on a plane since he was about 1 so it seemed like a new experience to him. Everyone at the airport was really nice to Ryan (including security- I know, color me shocked).

Here is Ryan's little set up, he had his snacks, drink and iPad (at this moment he was watching a bit of Finding Nemo). Ryan riding on the train into the city from the airport. A plane, then a train... what could be better for a 2 year old?After getting in Uncle David brought us to Michigan Ave and their super fun Disney store- I let Ryan pick out one toy so after lots of testing he ended up with a combo pack of Mac and Lightening McQueen from Cars. It was much needed because when we walked into Uncle David's apartment the firs thing out of Ryan's mouth was "Wow, nice place, where are the toys?"

The weather was pretty bad the whole time we were there- rainy, cold and grey but Ryan didn't mind- in fact I'm pretty sure he was excited he got to walk in the rain a lot (and splash in every puddle along the way).

This is the only picture with Ryan and I together where he wasn't hiding his face- he did it on purpose and on the train ride back to the airport he looked up at me and said "I no hide my face anymore"

Walking through the Lincoln Park Zoo

It was a vacation- he wanted ice cream so Uncle David and I took him out for ice cream- even though it was dinnertime and freezing outside.

Probably the most fun thing we did the whole time in Chicago was a visit to Shedd Aquarium. I am so thankful Uncle David took us. I had never been, even though I lived in the city for 2 years. It is a great place for kids- Ryan spent a lot of times playing in the Penguin section and in their model submarine.

The trip was a big success, Ryan loved the fact that he didn't have to share me with his sister and above and beyond that he got Uncle David's attention also. He loved the planes, trains, taxi's, museum, restaurants, and long walks around the city. He was exhausted by the time we headed home and it will probably take us at least a day to get back into the groove. I hope we are able to do more one on one trips with each of the kids in the near future.

Easter is Around the Corner

We went to go get pictures taken with the Easter Bunny today! This is the first year that Ryan didn't fought me tooth and nail to get away from the beastly bunny. Even Audrey seemed to enjoy what she seemed to see as a large stuffed animal, she reacted better then she does with people she doesn't know.

Sharing Toys

Audrey is starting to get big enough to play with her brothers toys... I think Ryan is coming to the realization of what having is a sister is all about. We'll see how this works out. I foresee a few bumps along the road coming our way.

Clean House

Reason #278 that my house is always in need of being cleaned. This picture was taken 5 minutes after I finished cleaning this room. Oh well, such is life!

Two Kids

It is interesting to watch the difference between a first and second child. I always thought that it was just that parents gave less attention to the second child but that's really not it. Here are a few of the differences I have noticed:

- With two kids our house is always loud, when Ryan was a baby he controlled the noise, Audrey does not have that luxury- but because of it, loud noise and chaos don't affect her as much.

- Audrey is tougher- she has to be to put up with Ryan always on her- literally and figuratively.

- Ryan loved his toys when he was Audrey's age, he had his favorites and he was possessive of them. Audrey on the other hand likes toys, but she isn't really attached to any of them, the reason? She would hands down rather play with Ryan then the toys.

- Audrey has to be more adaptable then Ryan did. Her naps are around everyone else's schedule because they have to be. There is only one of me and there are things that have to be done so she has to get up and go with us. Ryan NEVER missed a nap when he was her age.

I always thought that the first child had all the advantage because they got their parents full undivided attention- but now I don't know, Audrey loves her brother more then anything and has a full time playmate which I think is pretty lucky. I guess I have come to the conclusion that neither one has it better, they just have it different. I hope that they grow up liking each other as much as they do now! Even though juggling the best interest of two children is challenging, I'm happy to do it and hope that even though they will have had different childhoods they will each grow up happy.