A typical Sunday afternoon...

Growing up we used to always call empty paper towel holders/wrapping paper tubes "do-do's" (DOH DOHS). Since introducing the concept to Lucas, he's loved playing with them, just as much as I did. Today Sophie joined in the fun.
Just before bedtime I pulled out Sophie's hair ties... and this is what happened... love the hair do, girly!! Love this picture below...

March is for...

...flying kites!!! Lucas has always been a little hesitant about kites. He's afraid if you let go of the string it'll fly away. He spent the first minute just watching Dad from inside the porch, but it didn't take him too long to come running out and help.

Meanwhile, Sophie watched from the backyard... while playing in the dirt and sliding down the slide.

I'm not sure what's up with the sour face... I think I just caught her in the middle of her "I'm concentrating on getting down the steps" face...
And the rest of these pictures are completey random... since my posts seem to be few and far between I just had to include them.

Ashley, Erin, and Sarah... do you like my water fountain hair-do?!

Not sure who taught who this bad habit... but for some reason they enjoy stirring their drinks with their silverware.

Sophie, mastering the art of drinking from a glass!

Love those brown eyes!!!

Big Day...

Today is a day that we've been waiting for...for a while now. Sophie's been dealing with ear infections back to back... pretty much since the beginning of fall. Up until the last few weeks she hasn't seemed too bothered by them, but recently they've gotten the best of our happy little girl. I don't blame her! So.... that brings us to today. Bright and early this morning we took Sophie in to get tubes put in her ears. Yes, the thought of surgery on our Miss Sophie, is NO fun at all... but Eric and I both have felt it will be a good thing for her in the long run for sure.


Here we are before the procedure this morning. We brought Lucas with us... seeing that he is one of her most favorite people in the world, we thought he'd bring a smile to her face and cheer her up. Yes, Lucas brought his basketball along. The nurses were quite entertained by watching him dribble through the recovery area.
Just before going into surgery. She was taking it all in. Obviously scared at first (seriously... hospitals are so DULL looking! You'd think they'd attempt to make them look cheerful), but by the time the nurse came to get her, Sophie actually went right to her. Clearly my eyes in this picture are creepy... but let's focus on Sophie. :)

By the time we went and sat in the waiting room and settled in with some books and toys for Lucas, the Dr. came in and said everything went just fine.

Even though this was quite a minor surgery, we still thank God for keeping her safe and well-taken care of. Now we're eager for Soph's ears to clear up and for the infections to go away for good.

Sorry... no "after-surgery" pictures... but I'll leave you with a pretty cute one from a few days ago. Who knew drinking soup out of a straw would be so fun?! (Note... the tomato juice splattered all over her face and bib.)

In conclusion....

I will end this blog-post marathon with some pretty sweet videos. No captions needed. :)

Until my next Starbucks visit... see ya!

Ear Infection #5...

Well, Miss Sophie is currently taking antibiotics once again... she's on her 5th ear infection in less than a year. But judging from these pictures you'd sure never know! It definitely doesn't keep her down. I stayed home with Sophie one day last week and then Eric stayed home with her two days later due to a fever.

We had a fun day at home. We just got a new camera so I pretty much followed her around all day testing it out on one of my favorite subjects. :)

We have an appointment with the ENT this next week to see what the next step may be... tubes seem pretty likely according to our pediatrician. We shall see.

My Buddy...My Buddy...

I know I have mentioned this before, but Lucas and Sophie truly are...buddies. I'm so thankful for the way Lucas loves on his little sister with such tenderness and care. And I'm so thankful that Sophie looks up to Lucas with such admiration and love.

Below: Nali got Sophie a super cute baby doll bed for Christmas. Eric and Lucas put it together for her and in this particular video Lucas is showing it to her for the first time. I hope the audio picks up what he's saying to her. Turn up the volume!



And my heart goes pitter patter... once again.

A touch of Spring...

On this particular day a week or so ago, the weather warmed up to nearly 60 degrees. I just think these pictures are hilarious...with all the snow in the background...and Lucas in a t-shirt!! The kids had a ball of course. AND, ever since Lucas has been begging to wear shorts outside.

Beautiful baby girl... love love love her.

Playing basketball outside...finally!!

Valentine's Day

...must include making COOKIES!!

Thanks, Aunt Sandy, for the best sugar cookie recipe EVER.

We also celebrated on Valentine's Day with a splendid steak dinner compliments of my extremely gift husband...who grills with the best of 'em. Despite the snow on the ground and the chill in the air, he pulled out the grill and grilled us some delicious steaks. (Our neighbors were out taking pictures because they thought it was hilarious!) Eric also provided a beautiful bouquet of roses as a centerpiece... and for me... a night out for a manicure/pedicure. No Ladies, you can't have him... he's mine. :)

Catch up time...

It's really bothered me that I haven't been able to update the blog lately... we haven't had internet at home for over a month now so here I am... sitting at Starbucks (bummer, right?!) and I have 2 hours or so to update the blog as fast as I can. On your mark... get set... GO! :)
This one's for you, Dad. Love you!

Celery.

At lunch today:

Lucas: Mom, why don't you eat celery?
Mom: I don't really like it. I only like it when it's cooked in something, like soup.
Lucas: Well I like it when it's cold and wet. (pause) Hey, aren't you supposed to take one bite of everything at the table?
Mom: {sigh} You're right buddy. (I plugged my nose and took 1 very small bite.)

Aren't you proud of me, Mom?

Water fountain hair

After I got Sophie ready for school, Lucas came up and said right away, "Wow, her hair looks like water fountains!"

Lucas's first blogpost:

5iy8555558948y9k85858kdmcmcnvbkdw

LUCAS Bland

n0ilbb69iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiubi k9io0ldpelwfwfffffff99991234567890

kfmkkkkkjjjjkfjirrrrrrrujgjjtftf9ivhm,

translation:
I love basketball. I love Ohio State. I love drums.
I love the Westfield Shamrocks.

Lucas Bland

Well, I better get back to my basketball game. See you later!