Flashback Friday

 I came across these forgotten pictures the other day from our fall outing to Ferguson's orchard.  It was just days before Reed was born.  It's already hard to remember what life was like with just these two kiddos.....I do remember getting more sleep though, ha!  

 a very pregnant momma in this picture

and here we are less than a week later, a family of five!  it's crazy how fast time flies, I cannot believe it's been almost a half a year since we added Reed to the mix

the days are long, but the years are short they say....so here's to enjoying each crazy minute with these three littles

happy weekend all!

5 Month Reed Update

I figured I better get the five month update here before Reed is six months old already, yikes, I feel like he's growing at lightning speed!  Two big milestones for the Reed man are that he is now eating solids and he is an expert roller.  He would roll across the whole house if nothing was in his way.....seriously the kid loves to do the log roll and it provides entertainment for the whole household.  Reed is still a happy and content baby, such a sweet little guy, and........a bad sleeper.  Poor guy hasn't been able to catch a break with teething pain and colds lately, which doesn't help things of course, however he has only woken up once the past three nights in a row, which has been heavenly.  Here's hoping we're on the right track.  Reed can reach his arms up slightly if you say "hug" and then he'll nuzzle in.  He also gives the best "kisses."  He has gotten very curious wants to grab everything within reach, I have learned my lesson with my coffee mug and water glass already.

Reed giving some love to Daddy

 

 Mr. Reed has graduated to a bigger bath tub.  Here's big brother Jack helping once again, he is so awesome and helpful with Reed.

 first apples

we'v beenbusy bees whipping up baby food to stock the freezer with meals for Reed.  He's had peas, pears, apples, peaches, sweet potatoes and brown rice and so far Reed accepts all forms of food

waiting for their breakfast

well, that's all for now, I hope you've all been enjoying the spring weather as much as we have here!

This and That.....

Rub a dub dub two kids in a tub

this is what you do when Daddy's out of town and one Momma is in charge of three kiddos

 I helped out in Stella's class for the Valentine's party and those little four year old's are sure entertaining and cute 

family roller skating

we ventured back to Manitowoc a couple weekends ago where we discovered that Jack is catching up to Grandma Vogel in height very quickly.  He must have just gone through a big growth spurt because pants that I swear fit him a few weeks ago are now high waters and he has been saying how "starving" he is all the time

visiting the Madison Children's Museum with Auntie Heather

that's all for now, but I have a Reed update and much more to come soon.  It's been way too nice to be inside these past couple days, we spent more time outside than inside today and it feels great!  

Happy hump day friends!

Pinch Me Three Times

I still have moments where I stop and think to myself, I have three kids!....three healthy, beautiful, happy kids.....three little people that call me mom and depend on me to be there for them.  My heart is bursting with joy and it's overwhelming all at the same time.  I have moments that I'm driving and I have to stop and think, how many kids are back there? do I have everyone I'm supposed to right now?  It's a pretty big job being Mommy for these three, a job I take seriously, and am grateful for every day!  

Three kids........and one is going to be seven this spring, crazy!

Kid #1

Kid #2


Kid #3

the three amigos in their PJ's.... because you know, I have that thing for holiday jammies :)

Happy Tuesday Friends

Our Valentine's Weekend

We had a low key, family fun Valentine's this year.  Friday night Dennis, Reed and I went out to dinner while the kids enjoyed a fun night.... a lock-in at the school gym for Jack (where he apparently played kick ball for 2 hours straight) and for Stella her dance studio where she learned the cutest dance to the the tune of "You are My Sunshine."  Saturday we hit up the local roller skating rink where the kids went roller skating......Stella spent most of her time in the jumpy playhouse, but at least she gave the roller skates a shot.  I felt like I was back in middle school again being at the rink, they still have the disco balls, colorful lights, and flashy carpet walls, just like I remember.  After skating, we went out for a family dinner and headed home open our Valentine's and watch "a movie about love"......Stella's request.  

This little cutie was just along for the ride, and was so good.....he spent the whole afternoon napping in his seat while at the skating rink, and stole the show at dinner all decked out in his Valentine's outfit.  Since we had all three kiddos and no dinner reservations, the pickings were slim for restaurant choices, so we chose a venue that frequents a lot of, ahem, blue hairs, and being the kids eat around 5:30....it was prime time for little old ladies to stop by and admire the baby.....Reed ate up all the attention and flashed his big smiles. 

our little Valentine

Last night we topped off the weekend of love with "breakfast for dinner".....heart shaped pancakes with red and pink sprinkles.  I'm thinking of making this meal our Sunday night tradition since we don't have time in the morning because we usually go to 8:30 church followed by Sunday school, but who doesn't love a meal of pancakes, bacon and eggs anytime?!

It was great to spend some time together as a family this weekend, it seems like we've had a busy 2015 so far and things don't show any sign of slowing down anytime soon, so gotta soak up precious family time when we can.  And speaking of this family of ours, Dennis and I started our journey towards building our family 10 years ago this month when he proposed!  How fast time the time has gone since then.  Happy Valentine's all! 

Hello everyone!  Sorry for the radio silence on the blog lately, that doesn't mean it's been quiet around here. We have had plenty going on to keep us busy.......Dennis had an important birthday.

We have had some snow in January and some seasonal days to play outside (although Jack will play outside in any weather, the cold doesn't bother him one bit!)

The boys were very disappointed the Steeler's didn't make it to the Super Bowl this year, especially poor Jack, he's been sooooo into watching football.  He cried when they lost in the play-offs.  It's so cute to watch him and Dennis enjoy watching football and tossing the ball together.  Jack is pumped that it's team spirit day at school this Friday and plans to wear his Big Ben jersey.

........and a random moment too cute not to share.....these two are best friends one minute and in a huge brawl the next, such are sibling relationships I guess.  They are also warming Mom & Dad's hearts one minute and driving us absolutely crazy the next, I think a little bit of both at this moment.

 Stella playing with her baby brother on a very cold winter day we spend at home keeping warm.  While playing with Reed this morning she said to me, "Mom, can we get another baby.....I just loooove babies!"  Me too honey, me too :)

 and what blog post would be complete without a Reed update!  Here is is at 3 months - he'll be 4 months in a week.  He is such a happy, smiley little guy.....and very strong!  He can roll from tummy to back and is soooooo close from back to tummy!  He's an active boy already, he loves to jump and kick.  Reed is also teething already, he can't keep his fingers out of his mouth and he needs a bib a lot of the time to catch all the drool.  We got an early Christmas present - Reed's first laugh on December 23rd.  He's very ticklish and if you get the right spot he will belly laugh and giggle.  Reed is the only one is the house that no one gets mad at - there's only love for this little man and we're soaking it up while it lasts :)

Well I guess that's all for today  - Reed just had a blow out and spit up all over his outfit (and mine) - so I'm off to give him a bath and change.  Happy Monday friends!