Happy Halloween!!

The boys had a very nice Halloween, although you wouldn't know it by the looks on their faces in most of the pictures, lol. My little Tigger and Pooh Bear were given a lot of attention by all the neighbors, and even though he made Grammy carry him, Eli enjoyed going to a couple of houses. Grammy, Papa Steve, Uncle Matt, Devon, Peej, and our friends Kerri, Dean and Shannon all came over to spend the evening with us. Enjoy these attempts at capturing smiles...even though it didn't work so well!

Trying to get Tigger and Pooh to strike a pose...

They both look quite pitiful, especially Tigger

I got one smile...Grammy must have been over there

My little squishy Pooh bear

Onto the next failed attempt. Trying to get the 3 boys:

(Peej REALLY wanted Miles' binky, and to stick his fingers in his mouth, lol)

Eli wouldn't give up that empty cup...Miles was losing patience

Clearly Miles got their attention

Eli sharing his sucker with his best bud Augi

Next failed attempt, Matt and the boys

Peej and Eli had a blast rolling around in the front yard.

Eli was also sooo good at handing out candy!

And the final failed attempt, Grammy with the bigger boys:

This picture will make me laugh forever and ever...you just had to be there, lol.

Hey, at least Grammy is looking at the camera in this one!

Happy Halloween everyone! Maybe next year we'll get a little more cooperation. I won't hold my breath though! ;)

Fun Fall Friday part 2

Since it was still so nice out once Nader got home, we decided to scoop and carve the pumpkins outside. Eli LOVED getting all the seeds out, and would have done it all night long if we would have let him. (Some of the pics should be cropped...but Picasa isn't registering the changes right now...ugh!)

It's kind of slimy mama!

Ohhh, what's in there?

SEEDS!!

My big boy, hard at work

Eli loved examining all of his findings

After pumpkins and a much needed bath, Eli decided it would be fun to sit in Miles' bouncy seat. (It's a new obsession...it was the bumbo before, lol.) Miles was okay with it at first, but was less than thrilled in a matter of seconds...


(this photo won't turn at the moment...grrr)

Finished product!! Eli picked out the monster for me to carve, and I picked out the "Trick or Treat" for Miles.

Nothing like ending a perfect fall day with a quiet house, some nicely carved pumpkins, and some fresh out of the oven pumpkin seeds!

Fun Fall Friday part 1

We had a great day today, but we did a few different activities and of course I took a ton of pictures, hence the two part day. We started this BEAUTIFUL fall day by going outside early. With Ohio weather, you never know what the forecast may bring, so we wanted to take advantage of this Indian summer type of day just in case it rained. After being outside for a bit, Callista, Bella and Lucy were on their way to join us for some lunch and testing out some of Eli's new birthday toys. While the kids were eating, Callista and I witnessed their first conversation ever. A real conversation, that was absolutely adorable, and all about cars. I tried to capture a picture of it...but they wouldn't cooperate. Instead, you get to see them stuffing their faces!





After our play date and the boys' naps, I wanted to take a few pictures of Miles, as he's gaining so much strength, the beast will be sitting on his own in no time! Here's my little man doing his "tripod" sit:

Of course Eli had to join in too!!

*melt*

Then we went back outside, as it was in the low 70's, and there was a beautiful breeze. Eli wanted to play with his new mower...

And his new motorcycle...
He was ALL smiles

even more smiles...

even smiling when he fell!

Mr. Miles was enjoying the weather as well!

My goofy boy!

Stats for my scary skeletons

Eli and Miles had their checkups today! It was nice being able to get them both done at the same time, but two boys with shots at the same time wasn't so great! First up, Eli. At 2 years old, he weighs 34lbs (moooo) and 35 inches. He's at the top of the charts for both. He did not want the doctor to come near him though...as I think he is still traumatized by seeing that darn eye doctor. Either way, we got it done, and he's now happy and healthy. He cried just a second when he got his shot, but stopped as soon as he got a pretzel. Hmm...maybe that has something to do with those 34lbs, lol. Totally kidding, we don't over feed our kid. We give him coffee so he doesn't have an appetite instead ;)

Then it was Miles' turn. The boy who was at the top of the charts at his 2 month appointment has fallen down on the lower end. He's only 13lbs 10oz, which is only 7ozs more than he was 2 months ago. He lost a ton of weight over the past 6 weeks due to the vomiting the Pertussis causes from the darn coughing spells. The doctor told us this coughing could last for months...so just continue nursing on demand. He keeps growing in length though, so I just need to beef him back up! We discussed food, which I won't be starting any time soon. Miles isn't showing any interest yet, so we'll wait!

All in all, the boys are doing great. We're hoping that Miles and I both get rid of our darn coughs soon. And I would not wish this illness on anyone. I know how horrible it makes me feel, so it makes my heart ache for my baby!

Now onto my cuties in their skeleton pjs! Eli says he's scary in them, and then makes a funny noise and runs around, lol. Eli also wants to wear them every.single.night. because they glow in the dark! Ahh to be young again!

Choke hold!

Tickles for brother!

My little scary skeleton

My big scary skeleton

Happy 2nd Birthday Elias Matthew

Warning, there are a ton of photos in this post! We had a busy day to celebrate, and of course I had to share some photos from the day he was born and this time last year.

Two short years ago, we first met you!

October 25, 2007 6:15pm

7lbs 13.5 oz, 20inches

October 2008

And now, October 2009. First, at Chuck E. Cheese to celebrate with Mommy, Daddy and Miles!

Come on Mile's, it's fun!

Eli is eyeing a stranger's pizza

Playing a game with Daddy

Uncle Ben singing "Happy Birthday" on the way home

(Come home soon Uncle Ben, we miss you!!)

We came home and gave the boys naps, and then decided to try yet again to get a good picture of the two of them. These were the results:

Miles is clearly thrilled about this!

Eli loves his baby brother...most of the time

Miles says, "Happy Birthday big brother!"

Waiting for the party to start, Eli is dying to open presents from mommy, daddy and Miles. I tell him no and to say, "cheese!" This is the face I get!

Uncle Matt entertained Miles while Nader and I fed everyone!

Presents!! It was so much fun watching Eli open them this year, as he was really into it. Bella was an awesome helper too!

Already checking out some of his goodies...

It took them a second to figure out they had to turn this one over, lol

Eli got a bunch of great presents! He had such a great time opening them, and he and Bella were VERY excited for cake. Many of Eli's presents, wrapping paper, and decor was all from the movie "Cars," which is his obsession right now. He's obsessed with pretty much anything with wheels.

Singing "Happy Birthday"

Eli LOVED it!

Make a wish!

Cousin Peej enjoying his cake!

Bella loving her cake too!

Miles wishing he could enjoy some cake

And my big 2 year old boy!

We love you Elias Matthew! You are such a joy in our lives, and the past two years have been amazing! You keep us on our toes and always laughing, and our lives have been forever changed since you joined us!