I'm back...

I was out of town all last week for training for my new job and got back home Friday night! I was lucky to have Laekan with me and my mom and best friend took turns staying with him and I so we could be together!! It was nice to have someone there at the hotel with me for the week, although Thursday night I ended up sending Laekan home with my mom and Justin so I could have the night to try to process all the new information...wow it was a lot! I missed being home and doing my daily things for the house and family, but I LOVED learning and getting ready for my new job. I actually went on my first home visit last night with a family and it was great. I think I am really going to enjoy this new career path.

Two cuties this morning...

Mr. Smiley-love it!

We are back on our daily schedule and routine and I must say that I love being home with my kiddos. It takes a special person to be able to stay home with their kids and I am glad God blessed me with that passion. I can't imagine being anywhere else. We tried a new schedule for Laekan on Saturday and so far it is going great!!! We now give him his last bottle between 7:30 and 8 and he is sleeping until 8 in the morning-YES!! Now Justin and I get a few hours in the evening with both kiddos in bed(Taegan goes to be at 8 too) and we can focus on us. It is much needed and I am much more energized in the morning for both of them again.

Taegan thought he needed friends.

We are also keeping up with our preschool time in the morning for Taegan and she loves that time with me. Today we went to the art museum here in town and she got a chance to do whatever she wanted there while Laekan slept in the stroller. This was her preschool time today!!!

Painting circles...

So far things are going well this week! I am back to working out everyday and feeling good about things. Fingers crossed it stays that way. On Friday we are leaving around lunch and heading up to the Coco Key Water Park Resort in Omaha to stay for 2 nights...and we are only taking Taegan! She has asked everyday if we are going that day:)

2 months old...

Laekan Harper you are 2 months old!!!! We have LOVED watching you change over the last month and think you are for sure a keeper:) Here is what you are up to at 2 months:

*You are wearing 0-3 month size clothes.
*You are wearing size 1 diaper.
*You are eating 5 times a day and 5 oz each time.
*Your schedule is like clockwork everyday. Up and eat at 8am, nap from 10-11:30, eat at noon, sleep 1-4, eat at 4, 7, and 9:15 and go to bed for the night at 10!
*You have been sleeping through the night since you were 6 weeks old.
*You HATE to sleep on your back, so much so that we broke down and bought a sensor to go under your mattress so you can sleep on your tummy.
*You have started cooing and laughing at people when they talk to you.
*You know your Mommy, Daddy, and Sister by our voice.
*You are such a happy little guy when you are awake.
*Every night between 8-9 you are fussy-and nothing makes you happy but going outside.
*You love to cuddle and will sleep on anyone's chest that lets you.
*You now sleep in your crib for nap and bedtime, but you are on your tummy. We say prayers every night to keep you safe.
*You have started "talking" to your friends on your playmat.
*You respond to our voices and track very well.
*You can scoot on your tummy.
*You drool all the time and snort when you are crying and super mad. We love your snort-so cute!
*You weigh 12lbs, 13oz and are 23.5 inches long.

Laughing on his mat.

Smiling at his friends.

Loves to smile.

Cutie!!!

We love you so much and really can't remember what it was like without you. I love the way Taegan is with you and I can't wait to see how you two grow together!

4th of July

On th 3rd we did our big celebration for the 4th at Justin's parents house. Taegan has loved the fireworks this year and was VERY excited to get to do more with Papa Greg and Daddy. So we got all dressed and ready...


Did our nails

Got all cute

Then we headed out to the party. She talked all day about going over there and getting to see the big fireworks at night. But before the big show she had other fun things to keep her busy-

Like a wagon ride from the tractor.

And her first sparkler

Had to get Papa Greg in on the action.

Then we ate some delicious food, hung out with friends and family, talked and played until it was time for the big show! Justin, Garret, and his Dad did the lighting of the fireworks for the show and it turned out great. Taegan jumped and cheered through the whole thing!!!! I didn't get any pictures of the firework show because I was busy holding Laekan and covering his ears. I also noticed as I was going through pictures I didn't get any pictures of Laekan that night and he had on a super cute outfit. So it looks like I will be dressing him in that outfit again and taking pictures:) We had a great 4th of July!

A huge Thank You!!!

I am interrupting my 4th of July posts to write a very important message...to our parents! Today Justin and I got a chance to go to Kansas City and spend the day together at Worlds of Fun just the two of us. It was such a fun day and one that we really needed. We have been working on getting things on a great schedule around here at home and we haven't had much time to spend together. We are pretty focused on the kids and tend to forget to focus on each other. It is not anyone's fault, it is just life and that is what we are getting used to. I did however really want to try to get away for a date and our parents stepped up for us. We took Taegan and Laekan to Becky and Greg this morning and headed out. They played with the kids and took great care of them. Then my Mom and Dad went over and picked them up after lunch and kept them until we got back to town.

We are so lucky to have such great parents that want to spend the day with our kids and do it willingly so that Justin and I can have a day together. I have been having a hard time leaving Laekan and it seems to be getting a bit easier each time I leave him. Taegan adores both sets of grandparents and I am so glad about this. I look forward to all of them being very active in her life and with Laekan. They are super lucky kiddos that have such supportive family.

So, THANK YOU Mom, Dad, Becky, and Greg! We love you all and are so blessed that you love our kids so much and are eager to spend time with them. They will always know how much you love them.

The start of our 4th...

Tonight we had a 4th of July party with my Mom's side of the family. It was at my Aunt and Uncle's that has a very nice in ground pool and lots of land. I didn't get any pictures while we were out there because I was in the pool with Taegan the whole time so no time for pictures:) She had a ball playing in the pool and we had to pull her out! It was a lot of fun being with my cousins and hanging out. Laekan was just passed from Aunt to Aunt and was a very good boy! We are still on a great schedule with him and I can't believe how lucky we are with him. He still gets very fussy every night from about 8-9:15 until we give in and feed him. Just can't figure that time frame for him out yet. I'm sure once we figure it out though-he will change!

Our first 4th outfit-with a sweet smile!

The serious face!

The update on the goals for the week are pretty good. I weighed in this Friday and lost .2 pounds. Now before I get discouraged I have to remember that I dropped 4 pounds the first week and I was exercising pretty hard this week that my body is NOT used to at all. I also think I am close to that time of the month when I retain water-so think week I am going to take the .2 lose. It wasn't a gain:) I ended up working out 4 days as of today and did preschool time with Taegan 4 days-and one day we did 2 sessions. So that is following the plan. Overall-this week is a success for me. My mom did bring it to my attention that we have 80 days until we leave for Disney World and this Momma wants to look good!! Gotta keep with it. Not sure tonights party helped or tomorrow at Justin's side will help. Ugh, the self control is brutal. Here is Taegan at preschool time Friday...she rocked coloring in the lines.

I hope you can see just how well she colored this!

So proud of her hard work.