Video galore

**I've decided to add a login to our site to add a bit of privacy (I know, there are probably only 5 people really reading this, but still).  Once I add the login, I'm pretty sure it will just ask that you request permission.  No big deal!  I think it's best in the long run!**

Here are a few videos from recent times.

I love this one showing how the kids play together.  They are at that good age where they entertain and enjoy each other.  We just have to watch Jack as he sometimes gets really irritated/frustrated if Caroline gets into his things.  I also love noticing how different our kids are.  I like to think back to what Jack looked like at this age!

Here is a photo of both kids at 14 months...similarities?

This has to be one of my favorites of Caroline (although, as I think about the chair video from just a bit back, I have to think this might be my 2nd).  She loves to move!  This little Dora toy is one of her favorites.  Even as she watches this video now, her little hips start shaking!

Organics

Recently I've really been making much more of an effort to buy organic produce at the grocery store.  It's so hard to ignore all the stories on the news, internet, etc about all the pesticides and chemicals that are covering our food.  We've also been using natural cleaners, homemade detergents, and other things to reduce our chemical waste and exposure.  Anyways, I'm just curious what others are doing as well.  What are some of the next steps that others have taken in this more natural approach to living and eating?  I'm really excited for our garden to start producing our own vegetables and can also use the local farmer's market.  I'm thinking our next step will be organic milk, but the tightwad that I am, I'm having a hard time thinking about $6 a gallon when we usually go through 3-4 gallons a week!

Bubbles and such

So I'm not really that great at the blogging thing.  There are so many people that I read their blogs and they have so much substance to them!  I wish I could be that into it.  I think to myself, "oh, that would be good to blog about," but I'm just not that good about sitting down and actually doing it.  There are a few topics that I would really love to get my opinion down about...maybe this summer I'll find some time.  I'm really looking forward to the summer coming up.  3 weeks and 2 days left...whohoo!  The kids are at such fun ages that I'm ready to hit the ground running with them.  I see lots of zoo trips, playdates, and hopefully learning to sleep past 6am!  We've also got the garden to keep us busy.  Part of the wonderful mother's day weekend that we just had involved time spent in the garden getting it ready to plant.  Tommy recently doubled the size of my garden so I'm so excited to fill it up!  Next weekend, hopefully it will be warmer, and I have big plans to hit the farmer's market to get all my plants.  Jack has requested green beans and carrots.  We'll see what all else we sneak in there.

Caroline is growing like a weed.  It's amazing how different are children are.  She's such a happy baby, but oh, the temper.  I don't remember tantrums like these at all with Jack!  She also a champ eater.  We have to set a timer for Jack to make sure he eats (otherwise he messes around) and Caroline can't get enough of what we get her.  She's also becoming a good fruit and veggie eater (thank you toddlerwise!).  She's getting close to walking.  Here's a fun video of her and one of her favorite chairs.  She's such a nut!

Anyways, we enjoyed this cool evening with a fun time of bubbles.  Here are some fun pictures of the evening.  I love the new effects on the desktop picassa photosoftware. 

Finally!

Not quite walking, but so close!

Chicago!

We just got back last night from a trip to Chicago.  We are on Spring Break this week and we wanted to get away for a bit.  We had a great time!  The kids did wonderful in the car as well.  Thanks Grammy and Grandpa for the DVD player.  That helped immensely. While in Chicago, we were shocked at how cold it was.  We lived in our jackets, long sleeves, and pants the entire time.  We stayed very busy and the kids were able to adjust to a bit of a different schedule.  The only real breakdown was the day we went to the Field Museum and the Aquarium in the morning.  While waiting for the bus, both kids were well over-due their naps.  Needless to say, we were a sight on the city bus.  By the way, you would have thought Jack was in heaven as we loaded that bus.  He loved it.  Anyways, here are some pictures from our trip.

Caroline holding on to the dinosaur bones.

Digging for bones.

Jack taking a turn posing.  He loved the dinosaurs!

Fishing

Caught one!

Outside of Navy Pier...yes, it was cold.  We were in our jackets the entire time!

The kids loved the hotel.

Sue the T-rex

Shedd Aquarium

Caroline loved it.

The glass floor threw her off a bit.

After a day at the aquarium.  Caroline fell asleep during the dolphin show.

Waiting for the bus.

How we traveled around the city.  Jack is a goof ball!

Lincoln Park Zoo

We were worried about how the day was going to be when it started like this!

Millennium Park

Our baby is a big girl now!

Here are a few highlights from Caroline's birthday. We had a small get together as she was recovering from a stomach virus.

I actually have time to post all of this b/c I am actually home with her today. Day 2 of fever, ear infection, and red throat...come on spring weather, stay warm!

Loving the cupcake!

Jack wanted to help (or open them all) so badly!

In awe of the presents...yes, they are for you!

This has to be my favorite video from Caroline's birthday. She is quite the fireball!

Really??? 1 already??

I have found myself everyday this week thinking back to this time last year.

March 16, 2009- I had a very extensive ultrasound and other tests as Caroline's fetal movements had greatly decreased. The doctors were also worried as I was measuring small that my fluid levels were low. Everything turned out fine and still no baby.

March 17, 2009- My birthday. I wasn't sure if I would have a birthday baby! Secretly, I hoped not. I knew as soon as I had a baby on my bithday, it would no longer be mine!

March 18-19th, 2009-All the miles I walked in our neighborhood..whew! I was ready to get things moving. I had been 4 cm dilated for the past week. When was labor really going to start?

March 20, 2009- I knew something was different when I went to school that morning. The contractions I had been consistently having every 8-10 minutes for the past 2 weeks were a different bit stronger. I made it through school and was lucky to get home before they were getting very, very strong. Once Tommy got home and we were checked into the hospital, Caroline was born 45 minutes after getting settled into our room. It was a great delivery and I would go drug-free again (ask Tommy though and he says there won't be another again!).

And now, it is so hard to believe that was really a whole year ago! Why did it go so much faster with the 2nd? What a year though. Caroline is such a sweet baby. She has a temper, but she is such a lover. Those snuggles and huge hugs/kisses that she gives just melt my heart. I am so fortunate for the nursing experience we had. We just stopped last weekend and she is getting her last bag of milk tomorrow. Now to figure out the process of stopping bottles. Any suggestions?

Family will be in town for the weekend for her party. Let's hope she can kick this stomach bug and feel like showing off!

Now, thanks to our dear friend Lauren Bryson (see her link on the side bar), here are some of my favorites of the 1 year photo shoot. My sister made the bloomers and her friend made the dress. I need to get her etsy page to give her credit!