The faces of Jordyn

Papa Randy said that I needed to capture the many faces of Jordyn.  She's got a curious face, a crazy face, a smiley face, a upset face and a determined face, plus others.  Some with dimples, some without.  I had a hard time capturing the angry face since she changed her expression when the camera came out. Here they are, you can guess which goes with what description. :)

CAUTION: MAJOR BABY CUTENESS! 

Spring Break 2013

We wanted to keep our spring break vacation low-key this year (aka cheap) so we planned our trip around visits to family and things to keep the kids entertained.  It started on Saturday with brunch at H & B's in the cities.  There is nothing better than brunch with a well-seasoned cook. :)  We ate and ate until our tummy's hurt. After brunch, we headed to Auntie Anna's and Uncle Matt's new house in Big Lake, MN.  It was enjoyable seeing Marek playing with the two new little ones and seeing the new house.  Dinner there was also wonderful - chili and cornbread (and a few drinks)! 

On Sunday, we went to the Children's Museum in St. Paul.  We were hoping Mason would enjoy it but are sad to say that there was very little for him to do with his big jogging stroller.  JJ would have really enjoyed it in a year or two but there was also very little that she could do.  Auntie Katie did catch a few photos of the kids.

 After the museum we drove to Red Wing, MN.  We planned to stay one night in a hotel so that the kids could go swimming.

We met Uncle G for dinner next door at the Smokin' Oak. It was nice catching up with him since we see him so little these days. Katie, Ben & Caleb headed home and the four of us spent the night.

We did a little shopping on Monday in Red Wing then went back back to the farm. We took Mason to a movie on Monday (The Croods - very cute) and then spent another day just hangin' out.  Low key, but fun.

Now we are preparing the house for guests tomorrow - and of course, preparing way too much food.

JJ and Caleb wish you a happy Easter!

Future gymnast?

I apologize in advance for needing to watch sideways. :)

P.S. Thank you Melanie Rupp for Jordyn's blanket, she loves it.

No Facebook? We've got this.

Chris and I gave up facebook for Lent. Day 3 and we're going strong.  The thing I miss is bragging about my super kids...but I've got a blog for that!

Mason enjoying a sucker. :)

Growing Kids

The kids have been busy growing!

Jordyn is now 4 mos. old. 15 lbs, 8 oz. at her appointment, putting her right at the 80th percentile. She's been getting so good at rolling over and scooting that we'll put her down and find her 3 feet away from that spot when we return a minute later. Her head control is amazing.  At her 4 mo. appointment, the doctor said she is performing tasks at a 6 mo. level.  She doesn't think it will be soon before she's able to sit unassisted and then, soon after, crawling.  She gets up on all fours but hasn't figured out how to move the arms/legs while up.

She's got the most amazing personality.  She is incredibly social.  She smiles at just about everyone she sees as soon as they say hi and smile at her. She spends her weekdays at daycare with 3 other boys and is constantly googled over.  She has been napping great at daycare (2-3 hour stretches) but somehow hasn't mastered that on weekends for me.  Her sleeping at night isn't great - she needs to eat every 2-3 hours.  My supply isn't keeping up with her so we do formula bottles occasionally.  It's turned her "stinkies" into a funky green color which has been oh. so. enjoyable. :)

Hi!

She's got the Mason pout!

 We tried rice cereal for the first time yesterday. Today we recorded it. It's safe to say she's a fan.

Sorry that the video is sideways. :) I need to remember that when using my phone.


Mason turned 5 on Monday.  He just had his appointment and is a heavy 31 pounder.  He's doing great in school and at daycare. Grandma Duck watches him before and after school on Mondays and Wednesdays and he goes to a daycare in Point on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.  All the ladies in daycare love him.  The other day, a girl named Emily was saying "ow, ow" when sitting near Mason because he had grabbed her hair.  The teachers said "Emily, don't sit so close to Mason or he'll get your hair" and she responded "but I liiiiiiiike it."  The ladies wipe his nose, get him toys and show him books. :)

We just had his annual IEP meeting for school. It's crazy to think he's going to be in kindergarten in September.  He's making progress in school, but its slow.  They continue to find new ways to challenge him and keep him motivated. Its safe to say that he is very much loved both at school and daycare.

He's finally healthy after a 6 week stretch of some ear infections. He also had a cough for about a week but that seems to have passed.  He's sleeping great and loving being back in a routine (and so do we).

Mason is loving his sister.  He understands when we need to take a break from feeding him to attend to her.  He likes to roll over and touch her face or hands.  They watch cartoons together in the morning while we get ready to go. They are quite the pair. :)

We're getting ready for Mason's birthday party this weekend. I am going to make my first attempt at a home-decorated train cake.  I still can't believe we have a 5 year old boy.

The kids want to take this opportunity to say hi to Papa:

I love these kids.  They are so perfect.

Jordyn's Rolling Over!

I posted this on facebook this week, but wanted to share with friends/family not on facebook.  She has mastered crawling and is now starting to launch herself forward and do face-plants!  Frustrating for her, adorable to us. :)

Enjoy!