Wedding Weekend

Josh's brother Jon got married this past weekend and we had a great time.  We took so many pictures that I've attached a link so that they'll be easier to view:  

https://picasaweb.google.com/sscomstock/WeddingWeekend?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCNPvl9W8kaqOJw&feat=directlink

Busy Bees

A few weeks ago we had a visit from Grandpa Terry.

Grandpa and Abram took a spin in an airplane at the Children's Museum.

 Grandpa took a turn at the wheel.

Stella's shirt says it all.

Abram had some fun at a birthday party at a local gymnastics center.

He especially loved the trampolines.

My boys in stripes.

Fun with bubbles

Stella loves her g-pa

Little Hawks

 Stella thought all that black and gold needed a little splash of pink

 Abram cooking up a storm

Just us girls

Labor Day

We made a quick trip back to my hometown in SW Iowa for Labor Day.  We tried to visit as many friends as possible.  

In our attempt to see as many people as possible - we missed Stella's naptime.  She was lucky that Mr. Stuart (my favorite coach from high school) was willing to let her snooze in his lap.

During our trip we also got a few quick visits with Great Grandpa Clayton - unfortunately Abram was not into smiling this trip.

Stella on the other hand loved all the extra attention.  Here she is with Suzanne who lived across the street from me growing up. 

While Suzanne was entertaining Stella, Miguel, Suzanne's dog, was entertaining Abram.

We got in a great visit with Beth, Lisa, Suzanne and Megan.  These gals are spread all over the country in California, Tennessee and South Carolina so I don't get to see them nearly as often as I would like!

This was Miguel's first trip to Iowa and he wanted to get a picture with a tractor.

Abram couldn't be outdone by Miguel so he hopped on next.

 Can you tell who is older?  If you guessed Stella - you are right.  Miguel is only 3 months and Stella just turned 4 months.

 Any trip to the farm isn't complete without a ride on a pig with cousin Tatum -

 Abram and Stella with their Aunt Vicki!

We were lucky enough to get to spend some time with an old classmate of mine and his boys who are very close in age to Abram and Stella.   Mason and Abram are played well together for both being 2.

Beau and Stella are only a few weeks apart.  

To top off the visit we had a parade of 2 year olds.  Abram wasn't quite sure he wanted to join in.

The very last stop before leaving was to Kim and Gene's.  It was so windy I had to break out one of Stella's newborn hats that just happened to be in the bottom of her diaper bag.  She didn't seem to mind the chilly weather.

I think I have pictures of me when I was a baby with Gene that look just like this!

Kim and Stella coordinated colors for the day.

Our trip back was quick but filled with all kinds of fun.  We miss everyone and wish we could have stayed longer.  We'll just have to make plans to come back soon.

Apologies

I realize now that I'm not going to be able to post updates as often as I could with only one child.  There are just not enough hours in the day.

Abram loves firetrucks, ambulances and police cars.  He was so excited to get to 'drive' a firetruck last week.

Stella is now 4 months old!  She is getting so big.  She recently started enjoying some time in her bouncy contraption thingy.

What a goof ball!

Abram was being super sweet and was 'reading' to Stella.

*Please note Stella's amazing hair style.

Just hanging out

These are just a few pictures from the past couple of days - nothing out of the ordinary was going on, just fun family time.

Abram has been wearing sandals all summer and he just found these red converse sneaks in the closet - he put them on was it was like he was instantly transformed into one cool dude. 

 Abram also found out that he is the perfect height to 'help' push the stroller.

Stella has been enjoying this cooler weather.  I just love her chunky little arms and legs.

Abram has been getting braver on the playground much to my dismay.

He's also a huge fan of our local childrens museum.

Tonight he brought me dinner when I was working late.  What sweetie!

Abramisms

Things you may hear if you were to be in our house:

"Get you"

"Want Donalds"

"Need help"

"nack"  aka snack

"Abram's"

"Abram do it" "Abram read it" "Abram wash it" "Abram clean it"....I think you get the picture.

"Abram check on tella"

"Abram pick her up"

"what that one?"  in reference to anything, humans, animals, any object he doesn't know the name of.

"what that noise?"  he has extremely sensitive hearing and has to know what every noise is.


"all done", "want more milk", "no more milk" all of these are immediately followed by Abram dumping his milk all over the floor and on angry days he will emphatically throw his milk as far as he can as if to tell you that you either didn't  refill his milk fast enough or take it away from him because he is now disgusted by the sight of it, we're not sure which.  He may also just give you the look, the look that means you have less than 1 second to get the milk out of his hands....opps, too late.  He doesn't really throw any other foods (knock on wood) but I have to apologize to all the dairy cows out there for the extra work they have to put in due our household.

"later alligator" "bye...bye mama....see you later....bye....see you...."  apparently Abram really likes saying goodbye as he'll use all of these during one goodbye.



"aaaaaaaaaarrrrrrhhhhhhh"  that is Stella's contribution.

Back to Work

This week I was back at work, Stella started daycare part-time and Abram went back to his regular schedule with Nana.  

I was sad to leave my babies but I work with a wonderful group of people.  They had cupcakes on my first day back - who couldn't love that?

I put up the picture below in my office which helps me when I'm missing their adorableness.

After going back to work I went on and on to Josh about how I feel guilty when I'm at work thinking about the babies and then I feel guilty when I'm home with them and thinking about work stuff.   I spent a good 10 minutes explaining the how I felt and how it's so hard, etc., etc., etc.   Josh hadn't said anything up to this point so I asked him, "Don't you feel guilty about leaving the kids during the day?"  

"Nope"

Ugh, men.

 Stella has been full of smiles and giggles lately.  She also loves flirting with her papa. 

I'm so happy that Abram and I can share our love of sweet corn.  It's one of the perks of living in Iowa.

Abram has spent a fair amount of time in his sandbox lately. He has to get out in the morning because by noon it's way too hot to be outside.

Today I brought  home a Halloween costume from a co-worker (thanks Kelly!) whose son has outgrown it.  I think it is Stitch from Lilo and Stitch.   

Abram has not seen Lilo and Stitch but it did not stop him from wanting to try on the costume as soon as I got home.  He then ran around the house, the best he could since the costume is too long, 'getting' everyone and growling at us.

It was pretty darn adorable.

What's not love about this face!