Birthday Eve

Last year I got ready for bed and resigned myself to waiting another day. Little did I know that those two hours of sleep I got were going to be the last ones as a mama to one! I went to bed at 10ish and woke up just before 1am. Amelia arrived just before 6am. Happy first birthday baby girl!

(sniff, sniff!)

Dinosaurs, A Hand, A Funny

William's newest intense interest is dinosaurs thanks to a new dinosaur book/CD he got from Grandma and Grandpa for his birthday (did I thank you for that yet?) I've read the book and listened to the CD AT LEAST once per day for the last 2 months. Anyhow, a few weeks ago, William and I were reading this book and we came to this page above. It says Tyrannosaurus rex was big and ferocious with sharp teeth and claws. What does Tyrannosaurus rex want for dinner?

William replied "Pancakes! He wants PANCAKES!"
When I asked him further about the dinosaurs in the picture, he thought for a moment before replying "They're just playing chase Mama."

This page reads" Ankylosaurus had thick, tough skin and spikes on its head and back. How did Ankylosaurus use the bony club on the end of its tail?

William: They are playing peek-a-boo Mama!

Amelia woke up from a nap recently with this on her cheek. Look carefully and you'll notice an entire handprint on her cheek.

And because I think this is funny, a local BBQ joint is offering some coupons and some LENT SPECIALS!

Pardon me, Tooth #10

Yesterday we noticed Amelia's tenth tooth is coming in. The upper left molar. The other molars won't be far behind. Which would probably explain her crabbiness and lack of night time sleep.


The weather has been perfect over the last few days. John has worked in some walks with the kids and some yardwork as well. We've (read: I've) been itching to fire up the grill and tonight we grilled up some yummy chicken! Also, tonight I attempted asparagus for the first time. It might surprise you to know I've never eaten asparagus (sarcasm!). I read a big article about the health benefits of asparagus recently. So, I decided it was time to give a try. I did extensive research in the three minutes I had to spare today and came up with this recipe.

The results:

John: Asparagus? Really? I'll give it a try.....You can definitely make that again.
Kelly: I'm scared. Green vegetables are not my friends. Must be a good example. Must be a good example. John is going to have to try it first. After John liked it, I tried is as well. It was....surprising. It was good. We'll be making this again soon. Maybe tomorrow.
William: What is it called? Aspapappapaap...what? I'm not eating it. [bribe of more noodles is offered and he takes the bait]. MORE ASPARAGUS PLEASE!
Amelia: Mmmmmmmm ......(she ate every single piece I put on her tray tonight!)


Now, it could be a fluke never to be repeated again, but I have to say I'm feeling a little bit like Super Mama because my family ate a healthy vegetable in massive quantities tonight. Also, William has not ever requested more vegetables. Ever. Ever, ever, ever. Not even once. That, my friend is something worth documenting.

MofA

For spring break, my mom requested some family time together. So, we drove to Minneapolis (1.5 hours from Rochester) and hung out with grandma, grandpa and my siblings (Megan and Mike). It was our first time in a hotel with two kids, William's first time in a hotel bed by himself, and Amelia hadn't slept through the night in several weeks. We were a little concerned about how that was going to go down. We got a hotel near the Mall of America with a pool - so a lot to be excited about too!

We checked out IKEA- Amelia enjoyed the pillows while Mama furiously tried to locate curtains and pillows.

Lounging out

Peek! More than one person asked how much the baby on display was. I warned them about her lack of sleeping at night and her wide stubborn streak. Not that I'd be giving her up any time soon. Just so you know.

We went to the Mall of America for lunch and then followed it up with some play time at Lego land for the kids in our group. William had a good time also in case you're wondering!

William and a BIG lego guy. I'm sure he is supposed to be something, but I don't know what he is.

Impressed by the huge Lego dinosaurs

William gets a chance at the Legos

Daddy helps William race his car on the race track
I think William would have stayed here all day racing cars.Grandpa finally took Amelia over to watch the rides at the amusement park inside the mall. Amelia was very impressed with the roller coasters. Every time one would fly by, she would Ooooooo and point. I'm pretty sure she wanted at least a closer look if not a turn to ride, but I played dumb and pretended I didn't know what she wanted.

After some tears about having to wait in line, William got to ride on a semi truck much to his delight

And the two joined forces on a mechanical tour bus ride (that we didn't actually ride)

Amelia checks out the sights

Grandpa volunteered to take William on his very first rollercoaster ride. It was pretty tame and he said he wanted to do it. I was still a little worried he wouldn't like it and our amusement park days would be over before they began.

Smiles on the rollercoaster - the brave boy picked the front seat!

He also took a ride on Diego's rescue School bus with daddy

and Swiper's race cars. In which he laughed the entire time until he noticed Swiper hanging out in the bushes. He then spent the rest of the time asking what Swiper was doing there and if we could go see him.


After a busy morning and afternoon, we went back to rest before hitting the pool! Next up? Swimming pool pictures!

St Patrick's Day

I had big, big plans for St Patrick's Day this year. William is finally old enough to kind of understand that it is a special day and I was going to continue my mom's tradition of cooking up a green dinner. As in, everything is green (food coloring). I had some big plans of reading Green Eggs & Ham with William and then making it up for dinner. However, St Patrick's Day found us driving to Minneapolis, MN to spend some more time with family. Green eggs and Ham can be done any day. Family, not so much when they live so far away. Although not what I planned, we still found a few ways to celebrate:


Celebrated with a new word :"Pretty" from Amelia


Celebrated our Irish heritage with Chevy's margaritas and mexican for dinner.

The kids all decked out in their green. Please note William's shamrock socks paired with his new sandals. Nerd in training, right here people. And proud.

Wish us luck tonight as we attempt two kiddos in a hotel room with us for the first time ever!

tooth #9

Tooth #9 popped through today! Molar #1! Weeeee! Bottom right molar. Three more left to go!

A Baby Shower

I've been working on this post for the last week. I think our computer does not like the card for this camera because I get a picture uploaded and then the whole thing crashes. Not that you care. But, I've uploaded this particular set of pictures roughly a bazillion times in the last week. Ugh.

Anyway, we threw a baby shower for my cousin, Ashley who is due with her first baby early summer/late spring. I've been working and working on some crafty goodness for her which I pulled together in a spectacular diaper cake. You'll just have to take my word for it because I didn't take any pictures of the cake or my craftiness. But, it was AWESOME.

Ashley

Amelia shows Ashley how to work the toys

Ashley tries on the sleep sack I made (okay! One crafty item is pictured)

Aunt Kaye and Aunt Mary

Yep! The clothes will fit! Ashley tries the clothes on the belly.

Grandma and Amelia at the shower - I had a lot of help keeping Amelia out of trouble.

It was fun to see baby presents and to catch up with a few of my relatives I haven't seen in a long time!