8.29.2006

A Shmorgie O' Updates



1. Zack Takes A Step!
(We have seen no more action since these were taken)
(I hate that I am making that face in and simultaniously displaying my armpit)



2. Zack spoon "feeds" himself for the first time.
(he is SO proud)




3. Luke goes on his first Ride at the State Fair!
(He LOVED it)



4. The boys get their first Sandbox and Love it.
(most of them don't try to eat the sand)



5. I finished my first painting in over a year!!
(of somthing besides a wall)

8.19.2006

Photo Shoot

So we put on a some Beatles & staged a little photo shoot at our house this weekend and these are the results! Please keep in mind that we took about 5 times as many photo's as you see here. Apparently the kiddo's no likey the photo opp.













Below are a couple "out takes"....

8.11.2006

Those Sling Photos I Promised

First, let me reitterate how much we love the sling! Although I am the main "slinger" in the fam..Chris definately uses it also. I have had a sling before when Luke was smaller and we didn't really like it. It was a different brand and it did not have the padded edges or the shoulder pad. I think these really make the whole experience so much better for both the big and small people. This one is a Nojo brand and I actually bought it used. I am sure you can find them online or around town.

Ok, now the photos.....


Above is the way we almost always use the sling....

Here is another option...back-pack style

Here is the back view..it really spreads the weight out very well across my back...

Here I am trying to show how he can sleep in here, but he is not sleepy so he keeps peeking out to see what the heck is going on!


I can carry Luke in it just as easily..he only weighs a few pounds more and I really don't notice much difference once they're in. It is Much easier to get Luke in though because he will just stand up and let me lower the sling around him and then "monkey" on. Zack will get there!

I can carry ALL my boys in the sling...no matter how big (or oddly proportioned) .

;-)

8.04.2006

Settling in...and thriving





We are settling into our family and our life. It really has been an amazing week here. I had the kids home without Chris for the first time since Zack joined us and it was awsome! I had quite a bit of stuff planned to help ease our transition and had to cancel almost all of it because both kids got sick with colds (snot). I know, you are thinking " how was that awsome?". Well. The answer is that it was pretty much the last thing on earth I wanted to happen this week and, so, of course it did, and we all survived! In fact we did amazing. Zack and I are totaly rockin' the whole bonding thing and Luke is continuing to be a great older brother. All this while the kids were pretty much miserable for most of the week. I "wore" Zack alot in our sling and that worked so well for us (not for my back....but what's more important, right?) We had a couple guests stop by and Zack just snuggled down in that sling whenever he felt nervous. It really is the perfect way to help Zack feel safe and to let other folks know that he isn't ready to be passed around just yet. It fells great to have him snuggled in like that...Luke never wanted much to do with the sling. He was always wanting to get down and explore. It is nice to have a snuggler!!!

We got back into our Friday night pizza routine tonight and Zack had a blast. It was fun to really be back in our routine, but now with 2 kids. Now that I have a little time here and there to sit back I find myself really overcome with love for our new son. I was really in survival mode there in the begining and Zack wasn't ready to start a relationship with me yet. Now that daddy is back at work and we are getting lots of time together with lots of structure and predictability our relationship is thriving! It feels so good.

Zack already knows our bedtime and naptime routines. It is so good for him to know what is coming next so he can feel safe and secure. This has really allowed him to open up. Just tonight Chris and I were sayng how he seems happier every day...He really is a very happy little person.

We went from him being terrified of the cat, the carseat, mommy, shopping carts, carpet and his bedroom three weeks ago to him squealing with excitement when we are in the car, chasing the cat while crawling on the carpet, hugging and kissing mommy, giggling in the shopping cart and falling asleep in his own room, with no tears, all by himself (after lots of hugs and kisses of course!) He is still a bit afraid of grass....but hey, give him another week!

I'l post photos of the sling so you can see what I mean....I just need Chris to take some.