Some of my favorites...

The Wonders of Spring

I just love Spring because of the hope and energy that new growth brings with it. I can't wait to start the flower gardens this year, so Lauren and I planted 100+ seeds this weekend! I'm sure we'll have many plants to give away in a month or so, so save a spot in your gardens! We bought Lauren a special pot and she picked her flower... the marigold (my least favorite-but sometimes you have to resist the urge to influence those tiny decision-makers). I am so excited for the seeds to sprout and wait for her questions- and then the excitement when she gets her first bloom! I'll be sure to update with pictures along the way!

Sweet Potato

No, she really isn't any better with eating solids... and yes, I went back on my word and gave her "colored" food before she was better with the rice and oatmeal cereals. The doctor convinced me that some babies just don't like the taste of the cereals... I don't think that is our problem. I just have more stained laundry to worry about. I know she looks happy in the pictures, but that is because she saw that I finally put the spoon down and gave up! Seriously, supper time is not enjoyable around here.

New Stats

Just got back from the girls' doctor appointments. They both looked great, and were very brave getting their shots. Lauren was pretty shy and definitely knew that the pediatrician's office means immunizations, but she barely whimpered and cheered right up when she was offered goldfish crackers and a sticker! And when asked if Ella should get some shots too, she decided that yes, it was only fair! It was actually quite funny when the nurse asked if Ella should get some- Lauren perked right up and did her "yep, uh-huh!" Okay, so on with the stats. They both stayed really close to their previous growth curves so no surprises or cause for concern.

Lauren~
Weight: 27 lb. (50th percentile)
Height: 35 in. (80th percentile)

Ella~
Weight: 13lb. 12oz. (8th percentile)
Height: 26 in. (50th percentile)
Head circumference: 16 in. (10th percentile)

Children's Museum of Eau Claire

Yesterday we headed to Eau Claire to have Lauren's 2-year and Ella's 6-month pictures taken. It went pretty well- our smiley Ella got all shy and serious, and our serious Lauren was actually pretty happy! Oh well, I kind of know by now that pictures never go as well as you want, but they were still able to capture some cute shots. I will share those as soon as I have access to them. After pictures we went to the mall and Lauren scored a few summer staples from gap, including the cutest distressed jean skirt and jean shorts! Next we headed to lunch with Uncle Joe at Red Robin- I devoured my usual teryacki chicken with grilled pineapple while Dan went with a huge burger with a fried egg on top (he swears it is the best burger ever!). After lunch we decided to check out the Children's Museum of Eau Claire, and we are glad we did! I think we will be able to enjoy this for years to come, and I can't wait until Ella is old enough to play with Lauren there (while I sit by the other parents and read a book... ha!). Lauren had a blast. They have a Bitty City set up, complete with an orthodontic office, post office, bank, grocery store, and diner. She would have played there all day if we weren't so tired. They also have a Toddler Park, with trees to climb, a bridge, garden, and slide. The other exhibits were a bit old for her, but she still had fun and got plenty wet at the waterworks exhibit.

Grabbing her balloon from Red Robin with Uncle Joe

Checking out the fish at the museum

Brushing Bucky Badger's teeth!

Mailing some letters

Working the register at the grocery store

Getting some money from the bank's drive-up window

Cooking at the diner

Serving daddy his lunch

Enjoying lunch with dad.

Entering the digestive tract through the mouth- this was a series of enclosed tunnels and slides, complete with gurgling sounds!

And exiting the digestive tract into the... toilet!

Building the brick house with dad

Ella enjoyed herself too!

Sooo tired- taking advantage of the hour-long ride home!

6 Months

Where is the time going? Ella is already six months old, and I still feel like she should be a newborn baby! Time just flies when there are two kids to keep track of... I absolutely have to take time this weekend to fill in the last few months of their baby books:)

At six months Ella is...

~Wearing 3-6 months clothing

~Wearing size 2 diapers

~Eating (or spitting out) rice cereal

~Nursing every 3-4 hours

~Waking 2-4 times per night

~Napping 2-3 times per day (one long one in the a.m., two shorter cat naps in the afternoon)

~Smiling and laughing lots!

~Squealing and blowing bubbles

~Spending a lot of time in her jumperoo

~Growing lots of light hair (no more bald spot in the back!)

~Very close to getting her bottom two teeth

~Sitting unsupported for small amounts of time

~Rolling both ways

~Very close to crawling... yikes! She scoots around the living room now and goes after Lauren's favorite toys:)

***I will be sure to update with new stats after our doctor appointments on Friday.

Lauren + Legos = ?

LOVE! Lauren absolutely loves her Legos from her cousin Maggie. And so do her mom and dad:) She got the zoo set for her birthday and it is just so fun. There are mommy and baby animals, and you can set them up as "real" exhibits just like in the zoo. The best part is you can keep adding to this set- I've already been eyeing up the arctic exhibit, which comes complete with a slide for the penguins!

First Bites

We started Ella on some rice cereal Tuesday night, and she seems to like it! Lauren thought it was pretty neat that Ella can finally eat food and she insisted on feeding her. I think they both thought that was pretty funny:)

Impromptu Photo Shoot

I bought this outfit for Ella at the Purple Goose in Verona while visiting Becky. And if you know me at all, you know I love me a baby in a one-piece! Ella humored me with some pretty cute smiles during Lauren's birthday party on Saturday. Definitely worth the boutique price if you ask me...

Birthday Girl

Lauren turned two on Saturday, and we did a lot of celebrating! On Friday we had a party with Dan's family, and then on Saturday we headed to New Richmond to celebrate with my family. Lauren was a pro at opening presents (she had plenty of practice at Christmas), and I think it is safe to say her favorite part was the cake! She did great blowing out her candles and an okay job of sharing her toys with her cousins! She LOVES all of her new presents, and I promise to do some future posts highlighting her new toys. Thanks to everyone, we had a great time!

Sitting pretty in her pink sparkly party dress and matching shoes!

Trying out her new elephant game from Joe and Bobbi

Blowing out the candles on her farm cake

Getting some extra love from Grandma

Our attempt at a cousin picture (minus the babies!)

Checking out the food for her kitchen... this stuff is crazy realistic, and Lauren's new game is called stack the deli meat on Ella's head! My poor Ella- she will fight back one day! For now she is happy if she can catch that falling piece of bologna and chew on it a bit before I take it away!

Opening her Lego Duplo Zoo from Aunt Tina and Susie!


Trying out the trike from Grace and Lucy.

Birthday Cake #2

Dipping her chip in the cream cheese frosting of the carrot cake- it was her birthday, so she got away with anything.


What did Ella do while Lauren had the spotlight? Hung out with cousin Maggie in matching outfits:) Yes, we planned this- just too cute of an opportunity to pass up!


And a birthday would not be complete without a trip to the barn to see the cows and kitties and chickens- She even brought in a green egg!