Baby Bites.

Michael has really been into practicing how to use utensils lately.  It makes clean-up for Mommy a little bit more interesting to say the least.  What's helpful is the kid refuses to wear a bib.  We buy a lot of stain remover!

Week Six (William)!!

I'm 6 weeks old!!

New Territory!

We've been moving.  Slowly but surely.  It feels like an eternity.  One box at a time.  In between naps and Gramma availability.  Our house will soon enough feel like a home.  We had our first visitors this evening.  The Pirics' showed up with homemade soup, beer, and celebratory cigars and we let the night roll from there.  Michael enjoyed exploring his new territory.  He's in love with the backyard.  He wondered about making sure he hit every nook and cranny before retiring for the evening.  I think we have a Bear Grylls on our hands.  Will, on the other hand, slept through the festivities.  

One box at a time, Kim, one box at a time.

Our company enjoying beer and cigars on the party deck.  

I was inside dreaming about the soup.

Look, Ma, I found my toys!!

This kid didn't help with one box :)

Off he goes...

Mr. Great Outdoors!

Home Sweet Downers Grove.

We finally have a house!!  Whoooaaa.  Please excuse me as I jump up and down!

It's everything we were looking for.  A comfortable home with more character than we can ask for.  Anything but a cookie cutter.  Built in 1924 this 4 bedroom, two bath sits on a large corner lot with a yard big enough to host a 20 team bags tournament and still have room for a bbq.  The PARTY DECK spans 1/3 of the backyard, and is covered by a pergola and mature trees providing the perfect amount of shade on hot days.  I picture stockings being hung by the (wood burning) fireplace during the holidays and family dinners in the dining room.  A yard big enough that Michael and William will never be bored, and a downtown scene that won't bore Mommy and Daddy.  Walking paths and gardens add the perfect touch to this "not so suburban house" in the suburbs.  We're so excited.

However, we are also a little sad at the same time.  We have been staying with Mike and Jane for a year.  Can you believe it?  A whole year.  Where does time go?  We moved in and Michael could barely sit up.  Now, he's running about.  He had many firsts in their home.  William, too.  Dennis and I couldn't have asked for a better experience.  Really, living with the in-laws ain't so bad :)  I'm a fan of mine.  What they did for our family cannot be measured.  They were there when we needed them, and for a whole year through ups and downs (and a new baby:)!  So, THANK YOU MIKE AND JANE for a year that we will never forget and will never be able to thank you enough for.  You can come over anytime- well, if you call first!

These pictures were taken before we started moving in and the house was still staged.  Feel free to come visit anytime you'd like.  We'd love to have ya!

Shhhh, They're Sleeping...

Which means that I've got a few seconds to update our blog.  I have had a few drafts sitting around about William's grand entrance that I just haven't gotten around to posting yet.  Now, they are up, but you won't find them here.  You'll have to go back to August 18th to read about his first couple of days.  As I'm sure most moms who keep blogs like this do, the main purpose of this blog is to serve as our family journal.  So, I have to keep the dates in order here otherwise it throws me off.  Happy reading!!

This Is the First and Last Time...

I will ever dress our boys in (almost) identical outfits!

This is how the photo op started...

...with Michael upset that he couldn't get Will's sock off.

And, this is how it ended...

Precious!

Snapshots of the Week!!

Michael is starting to take notice of his brother.

Practicing with utensils (under close observation)!

Will started rolling to his side to sleep.

"What, Ma?  You said no TV!"

Week Five (William)!!

I'm 5 weeks old!!

One Park. Two Park. Three Park. Four.

We've tried to get out with the boys as often as we can, but I'm sure you can imagine we're still getting used to this whole having two thing.  So, we have been going to parks to practice the proper "Two Children Etiquette".  This often includes but is not limited to what do you do when not one, but both of your children are crying and obviously disturbing the general public.  Parks are a good place to practice such instances, because generally you're definitely not the only family in the current and some times uncomfortable situation.  A few snapshots to share!

Mikey and his park partner!!

I'm One Month Old (Exclusively From WRB)!!

Hello world!!

William Reagan here.  I know you are used to hearing from my big brohan, Michael, but there's a "new kid on the blog".  Ha ha.  That was my first joke!!

Ok, what have I been up to you may ask.  Well, let me tell you...

• Although I was born weighing 8 lbs. 12 oz. I now weigh a staggering 11 lb. 6 oz. and I'm 24 inches long as opposed to 21.5.  I'm in the 97th percentile in both categories.  I think it might have something to do with the fact that I love to eat.
• Newborn clothing?  Pllleeaaassse.  Say hello to 3-6 month clothing.  Thanks to my big brother for letting me where some of his old stuff.  It fits like a glove.
• I hate taking baths.  Really, I don't like them at all.
• I have an elf ear from sleeping on the right side of my face.  I'm sure it will eventually look like the one on the left.
• I love tummy time.  I'm already holding my head up really well.
• I'm still up every three hours for feedings.  I think Mommy and Daddy would appreciate it if I went a little longer in between them.  I'm workin' on it.
• I LOVE MY BROTHER SO MUCH!
• I have dark blonde hair and dark blue eyes at the moment.  I've been guaranteed that both of those things will eventually change.
• I poop every two hours.  Yep, I'm really good at it.
• I can't sit still.  I have to be rocked, bounced, moved about in order for me to be comfortable.
• I'm gassy.  There's no other way to put it.
• I'm eating 4 oz. every three hours.
• I have a very small hernia by my belly button.  D-Mats says it will go away on its own.
• I'm very well behaved compared to my brother.  What's this word NO Mommy and Daddy keep tossing out in his direction?
• I LOVE cuddling up next to my mom in the middle of the night.  Daddy snores and it's noisy.
• I know I had kind of a rough start when I was born, but things are looking great.  My doc tells me that  I look good.  I feel good, too.
• I have piano playing hands and the feet of a chimpanzee.
• Not really a fan of the pacifier.
• I love being on my play mat.  Just working on reaching my toys.
• I'm very loved.  I can feel it.

That's all from me at the moment.  We'll catch up again next month.  I plan on sleeping through the night by then.  Keep your fingers crossed for Mommy's sake!

Snips and Snails,

WRB

Our New Favorites.

Keri!  We love her.  What a great surprise we got today from Iowa.  Michael's GodMother and my best friend sent a package for the boys.  In it was a quilt that Keri's mom made especially for Will.  Notice the colors (Cubbies) and baseballs embroidered on it.  I think this one needs an obvious spot in the house.  :)  And, of course, she included something for Will's big brother.  She sent a book for Michael, which he has yet to put down.

We opened the package in the kitchen where he was quick to flip through his new book...

while Will slept under his new blanket.

Michael said that Will was bothering him so he dragged his book upstairs...

where he continued to flip through it until dinner.

Thank you, Balster, for being so thoughtful!  We love you so much, and miss you like crazy.  We may have added two new items to our favorites list but you've been on that list for some time now!!  

Snapshots of the Week!!

Week Four (William)!!

I'm 4 weeks old!!

Bearing Down!!

Thanks to Bri and Jay for hosting us for the Bears season opener on Sunday!  It was really, really nice to see everyone and have some adult conversation.  Not to mention... THE BEARS barely WON!!  I borrowed a few of the photos below from Briness.  What a great Sunday!!

Our Weekend.

What a weekend.  Michael, Will and I experienced DarienFest for the first time.  Michael also had another first- HE'S FIRST CARNIVAL RIDE!  It was quite hysterical really.  No tears, no screams of excitement.  Just stoic Michael.  Frozen on an airplane ride.  You had to be there to appreciate it I suppose.  Dennis was excited to share this with the boys.  He has fond memories of DarienFest, as I'm sure our boys will have one day.

I can't wait until next year when Mikey is able to tell me what he wants to ride on instead of it being my choice.  Both he and Will were so well behaved and enjoyed meeting all kinds of new people.  Until next year...

Michael is 15 Months Old!!

Double the Fun!

Thanks to Gramma and Boompa we can now travel with two kids without having to haul two strollers.  Introducing our new Joovy Ergo Caboose!!  This thing is amazing.  It can do everything.  I'm just waiting for that pedicure request I put in yesterday after I finished assembling it.

And, we're off!

Michael... way out in front!

Snapshots of the Week!!

I've come to realize that posting snapshots of the month just isn't going to cut it.  It's difficult to keep things organized and having to back post, so hence the return of "Snapshots of the Week".  This week so far...

I always seem to find Michael here.

Melts my heart.

This is how Michael spends his TV time for the day, 

watching his favorite program Sesame Street.

Daddy was making him smile.  I wasn't quick enough to catch it.

We. Love. Fall.

We slept with the windows just cracked open last night.  It made the our room the perfect temperature- chilly enough that you curl up under your down comforter and say to assure yourself that you are never leaving that exact spot again, but warm enough that you won't wake up shivering when your wonderful husband steals that comforter off of you at 3:00 a.m.  This is my favorite time of the year.  I have decided to make a short "To Do" list for our fall.  I'm sure that if you check back at this post at the end of the season it will look quite different than it does at this very moment.  I plan on checking things off, one at a time.  All items are related to this wonderful season, well, almost all of them.  Bring on the pumpkins, burning leaves and comfort foods.  It's FALL!!

• Make the trip to Kenosha for apple picking.  
• Spend next two days baking pies and apple goodies.
• Catch up on Martha Stewart's newest Halloween decorating/treat ideas.
• MOVE INTO OUR OWN HOUSE :)
• Learn two new soup recipes.
• Introduce Michael and William to Shady Knoll Pumpkin Farm.
• Take the kids to the park just to play in the leaves.
• Find the perfect monster or lion costume for Michael.
• Spend Saturday afternoons and Sundays watching as much football as possible.
• Try to get over the fact that it was another baseball season wasted.
• Pull new ideas to decorate our new home- when we get it!
• Take a day to spend at the Arboretum.  
• Build warm fires and cozy up in a blanket on the couch and read one good book.
• Scrapbook.
• Make the trip downtown for one good farmers' market where I will spend way too much money on pumpkins and gourds just because I LOVE THEM!
• Enjoy every second of the September and October cool air.  

I better go.  I need to get started!

Catching Contentment.

I'm not quite sure how she does it.  Over and over again.

Warning::  This is a bragging post!

We have the best photographer in the entire world.  Seriously, the whole world.  The reasons?  Too many to list.  Michael, Will and I took a trip out to Freeport at the beginning of the week so Nancy could take some early shots of Will.  Note to self- space heater will put a naked baby to sleep in a matter of seconds.  Again, she captured one of our boys in this light that I could never get close to.  Well, look...

(All images belong to ©NmBPhotography)

See... she does breathtaking work.  Check out more of her stuff at www.nmbphotography.com and on Facebook!!  

Can't wait to see how the rest of the pics turned out.  Way to go, Nancy!!

Week Three (William)!!

I'm 3 weeks old!!

Good Habits Start Early!

I think I posted recently that Michael has quite a number of teeth coming in on top of the six he already has, so we've gotten into the routine of brushing his teeth before bedtime.  He just LOVES to brush his own teeth.  Of course, when we first started this little ritual I was the one brushing in fear that he would take his toothbrush and jam it down his throat (insert cringe here).  But, that just wasn't how Michael wanted it done, so one night he yanked the toothbrush out of my hand and started going to town.  He doesn't hit every single one, but I am incredibly impressed with his ability to actually brush his teeth, not just suck the toothpaste off the brush like some kiddos I know.  Yay, another milestone conquered!!  Good job, Schnoogs!

I love bath time!!

Here we go...

Gotta get the ones in the back.

This Will Be the Year!!

Us Hawkeyes are pretty excited that it's football season!  I woke up this morning smiling, just thinking about walking down Melrose with a beer in one hand and a big-ass turkey leg in the other on a crisp fall morning-say around 6:00 a.m. or so.  Then I was quickly snapped back into reality when William starting stirring for his morning feeding.  Anyways... this will be the year for us Hawkeyes.  We're ranked #10 in the polls to start off the season, and predictions have us undefeated all the way up until the Ohio State match-up on Nov. 21st. Needless to say, today we jumped out of bed, dressed the boys and ourselves in our black and gold best and eagerly sat around waiting for the season opener.  Hawks beat EIU 37-7, and man did we look good.  ON IOWA!!

Out with Mommy bright and early to get FOOTBALL FOOD!!

Will the Great in his first BLACK and GOLD!

It's in our blood.

Uncle Nate came over to watch the game with us.

Cheered through the whole game.

We're gonna fight, fight, fight for Iowa until the game is won!