Fall Happenings

Mila has enjoyed attending preschool!  She loves to tell me all about her day when I pick her up and she brings home a new art project every day for us to enjoy!  When she isn't at school, Mila is still in L-O-V-E with her trains.  She eats with them, sleeps with them, they watch her while she bathes, and she is even known to sneak a train or two into her backpack.  We've started a good behavior jar with her and instead of going to Monkey Joes once she filled the cup, she decided to get a new train.

Miles is just a few weeks away from his first birthday! He is cruising around everywhere and his new favorite toy is his walker. He FLYS around the house and looks like he is playing bumper cars! He is really enjoying eating big boy foods and has mastered his straw sippy cup. We've been struggling with the amount of time the next two top teeth are taking but he's been a real trooper! Miles is also starting to show his boy side, pushing on his sister when she tries to take a toy away! Mila is going to be taken by surprise once this little guy is running with her!

A friend of ours captured this picture of Mila!  I love the happiness in her face!

Mom...I really don't want to sit for a picture!

Check out that dimple!

Marigold Festival Parade

Mila getting ready for Uncle Rico and Aunt Terra's wedding!  She actually walked down the aisle and threw the petals perfectly! 

Hanging with Great Grandma Betty

Caught Mila sleeping with her brother's picture in bed with her!  She is constantly asking me when will he be big enough that he can sleep in her bed!

Happy Halloween from Miles the Monkey and Mila as Sleeping Beauty

Miles 9 Months

Miles turned NINE months old on September 6th.  He is still a little peanut and the Dr confirmed this at his appointment.  Between 6 and 9 months Miles only gained 1 pound.  This was a big concern for the Dr, as he dropped from the 25% to the 5% on the weight curve.  I was instructed to pump for a day to see how much milk I was able to produce, needless to say it was not enough to sustain a 9 month old.  We decided it would be beneficial to Miles to start him on formula and gradually wean him from breastfeeding.  He is doing great with the bottles (considering he never really had one before) and we will go in for a weight check next week.  He has a huge appetite for solids and thoroughly enjoys eating!  Miles is also pulling up, cruising, and even standing on his own (without holding onto anything) for about 5-10 seconds at a time.  We've also caught him climbing the stairs!!  Miles also LOVES to talk!  He is constantly babbling and can say "dada."

We had a little photo shoot a few days ago.  It is easy to get good shots of the kids individually....together, forget it!

Catch Up!



I'm going to attempt to play catch up through pictures.....

 

We really enjoyed each Wednesday this summer when Isaac and Evan came over to play!  Mila is so in love with her cousins and I'm pretty sure they adore her too!

 

 

We had an amazing time visiting some friends in Greenville, SC.  The kids were fantastic travelers, the scenery was great, and a wonderful time was had by all!

Mila and Daddy always being silly.

Mila and Lydia riding horses at Grandma and Grandpa Lohnes'

 

We took a trip to the Peoria Zoo with Aunt Ali...it was H-O-T but a ton of fun!!

 

This handsome little guy turned NINE months old.  He's crawling everywhere and starting to stand on his own without support....I'm afraid it won't be much longer before we have a walker!

 

Miss Mila started preschool and LOVES it!!  The first few weeks were tough but she now kisses me good-bye and walks into her classroom!  Every day she has cute art projects to show and fun stories to share!

 

 

 

We recently (Monday) came into the 4G range so it is MUCH easier for me to upload pictures now.  I know two aunts that will be THRILLED that I FINALLY updated things!!  You know who you are  ;) I hope you enjoy!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Miles is SIX Months!

Can you believe it....I know I can't!  On 06/06, Miles turned 6 months old!  He's been a busy lil'guy these days.  He's enjoying being on the floor moving around more and more.  He is starting to have favorite toys and really loves to chew on our beloved Sophie.  (just like his big sister!)  We have caught him up on his knees a few times but I think the actual crawling will be a few months away.  He is sitting up pretty well on his own, but still tumbles over without much grace.

Miles is enjoying all the yummy new foods over the past few weeks.  We've started him on green beans, peas, sweet potatoes, and pear sauce already and he has had peaches and mangos in his mesh teether.  He LOVES his mesh teether mainly because he's already had 2 bottom teeth come through and I can see FOUR more coming in....he's not wasting any time!

His personality continues to be such a joy!  It's actually hard to know when he's hungry, tired, or upset because this little guy is ALWAYS smiling!  He's such a happy little guy and I can't wait to see how his personality grows as he gets older.  I think he might be a jokester!

Here and There

I've been really behind on posts, mainly because the new format takes an eternity to upload pictures and I just get too impatient.  So for those who have been waiting patiently....here are a few pics of our everyday happenings from the past few months!

My babies!

We LOVE dress-up!

Washing the van...Mila loved playing in the water and scrubbing!

Mila always wants to get into his crib with him after he wakes up from his nap

Window Markers!!!

Playing "Hair"

Her first Ring Pop!

Enjoying some "big boy" food

Easter 2012

We were so fortunate to have beautiful weather for Easter this year!! Mila enjoyed two Easter egg hunts one at aunt Tina and uncle Deken's house and one at grandma and grandpa Lohnes' house.

My cool new shades!

Riding with Lia

Such a big girl

We actually did Easter baskets on Saturday instead because we knew Sunday would just be too busy!

Miles' Baptism

Joined by his family and Godparents (my sister Tina and Jeremy's best friend Ric), Miles was baptized on April 22nd at Grace and Peace Lutheran.  It was also the day our family was officially welcomed as members into the church!  I don't have an abundance of pictures because only a few were taken with our camera, the remaining are still on everyone else's camera!

Miles FIVE months

Look who's already FIVE months old (as of May 6th)!!

Mila is THREE!

It is so hard for me to believe that little Miss Mila is already THREE!  She is growing up so fast and turning into a little girl!  Her personality shines on a daily basis, she has fire beyond belief and is so determined.  While this does tend to get her into trouble at times, I'm so thankful so have such a strong little girl!  I hope this is a trait that sticks with her and we are doing our best to not destroy that fire but channel it and show her how to use it for good.  She has an amazing heart and is always giving us hugs and telling us she loves us.  I love that she is so caring and she is quick to tell us she is sorry after she gets into trouble. 

Birthday countdown

Mila is still in tumbling once a week and loves Mr Jon.  She always looks forward to "tumble Tuesdays!"  She continues to lean new things and it is really helping with her coordination and strength.  This fall Mila will be starting preschool at Salem Lutheran.  She will only be attending twice a week but I really am excited for her to meet new friends.  I've never been away much or left her in the care of someone other than family so I know it is going to be very difficult!

Forward roll!

To celebrate Mila's birthday we started with a family celebration on the morning of her big day!  I decorated the house after she went to be the night before so everything was decorated for her in the morning.  She loved coming down to all the streamers and lanterns just for her special day!  She chose waffles for breakfast and we (daddy took the day off work) sang Happy Birthday to her.  Afterwards, she opened up her presents from us and played until her first party that night.  The rest of the weekend was filled with two more parties, lots of cake, lots of clothes, toys and a swingset!

Excited about her life vest

Alphabet zoo...she saw this in a catalog, had me cut it out, and she hung it on the fridge. This is all she wanted for her birthday!

Birthday waffles!

A little freaked out by the recliner from Grandma and Grandpa Vogel

One of three cakes! She loved all the parties with her "friends"

Drawing with her cool new window markers!

L-O-V-E-S her "new" swing set!! My parents decided they didn't need one at their house anymore and sent it to us!! AWESOME!

Miles is FOUR Months!

Miles turned four months on the 6th.  He had his check-up on the 11th and his stats are below:

Height - 24.5 in  25%
Weight - 13 lbs 14 oz  25%
Head - 16.75 in   75%

Our big milestone for the month...Miles is rolling over!!  I was a little shocked the first time I saw him do it because I had in my head that it was too soon.  It's all happening so much faster the second time around!  He can also be seen with his hands in his mouth constantly!  The teething is in full swing and I will not be surprised if he has a tooth or two by next month.  Miles is still such a happy little boy!!  I'm so in love with all his smiles and giggles, he really melts our heart!  He is also really becoming aware of Mila.  He enjoys listening to her play and whenever she is around he is watching her every move!  It's so sweet to see how enamoured he is already!  On this flip side I also love to see Mila play with him on the floor and chat with him when he gets upset.

2012 Family Pictures

Last month we had Mila's 3-year pictures, Miles' 3-month pictures, and a family picture done.  We decided to use the same photographer that took Mila's 2-year pictures because we really liked her work and how Mila responded to her.  Mila's response this year wasn't the same and she was not very cooperative in terms of smiling, but Miles was full of smiles. 

Here are a few favorites (chosen from 240!!)