Monday, September 22, 2008

Garrett is 9 months old!

We had Garrett's 9 month appointment on Friday. He's 19 lbs. 11 oz. (36th percentile) and 28 inches long (41st percentile). His head is in the 63rd percentile! I blame the O'Donnell side for that one. :) He's crawling all over the place and is such a happier guy now that he can move on his own. He's pulling himself up to stand is even cruising a bit on the furniture.

Two wild and crazy kids!

9 months old


See Daddy's hand holding me down?


Rolling...


Not wanting to sit still...


"Mommy, let's get a family picture"


I told Caroline, but I'm not in the picture and she said, "that's ok."

Cheese!!!


Such a big boy


We're in trouble with this little guy...he's pulling up and cruising already...

Do you like my face paint?


We went to the Target Book Festival last weekend. I got my face painted and a giraffe balloon animal. :)

Happy guy


Thursday, September 18, 2008

Some funny things that Caroline has said recently...

Today Caroline said, "Garrett, you are the best brother in the whole wide world!" Let's hope she remembers that when they start fighting. :)

The other day Caroline put on capri pants and she said, "I'm like a Grandma." She said it in a very happy voice. :)

Friday, September 12, 2008

Preschool

Caroline and Cora started preschool on Thursday and it was a great day. Caroline didn't cry at all when I left and she was excited to go. I think it helped that Cora is in her class. I hope it will be a great year!

Swimming Lessons

We started swimming lessons on Monday of this week. I was really excited for Caroline since she's been in the water since she was 6 weeks old. Many of you know that I swam growing up and still swim to this day. Well, we started off ok because Caroline went with the instructor and walked away from me. She put the belt around her waist and started to do some of the things the instructor was asking. Well, I was trying to be the supportive mom and gave her a thumbs up sign and then it all went down hill from there. She cried for about the last 20 minutes of the session. When we got home later, we talked about her lessons with Daddy.

Me: Caroline, let's tell Daddy how you did at swim lessons.
C: What did I do?
Me: Well, you walked over with Ms. Andrea and sat with the 2 other boys.
C: No I didn't.
Me: That's right. You stood while the other boys sat.
C: What'd I do next?
Me: Then you sat on the side of the pool and kicked.
C: No, I didn't.
Me: That's right. But, you know how to do that, don't you?
C: Yes. What was next?
Me: Then, Ms. Andrea had you blow bubbles.
C: No, I didn't.
Me: But, you know how to do that too, don't you? (you get the idea!!)- She's a stinker.

So, we switched our lessons to Wed. nights because that's the class Cora's in. Let me tell you, it made a HUGE difference. Caroline got right in the water, put the belt on, blew bubbles, pushed off the wall on her front and back, kicked down to the deep end of the pool (holding on to her new teacher's hand), and even comforted Cora when she was a little scared. So, I think it's going to be ok afterall. :)

A rough night...

Garrett hasn't had a nap for about 4 days now because he has learned to sit up and can't get back down to sleep. Caroline hadn't had a nap for 3 days when this was taken...

Can I go to school too?


Cora and I were waiting to go into the classroom


Our school has you carry buckets to take home art projects, notes from the teachers, etc. Caroline helped decorate hers (and Cora did too).

So excited for my first day of preschool



Thanks Grandma O'Donnell for my pretty dress. We saved it for the first day of school. :) I got lots of compliments on it today.

Didn't want to let that thumb go...


Thursday, September 04, 2008

What a fun day!

My neighbor, Michelle and her son Owen invited us to go to a petting zoo/apple orchard near her parents house in Delano, MN (It's called Fall Harvest if any of you want to go). There were chickens, baby chicks, goats, cows, a bunny, etc. You could feed the goats (but Caroline really didn't like that). The farmer let us feed the baby calves with a bottle. They also had a corn pit and as you can see by the video, she really had fun doing that too. After the orchard, we went to Michelle's parents house for lunch and to see their horsesand pony. Thanks to Grandma Barb for a WONDERFUL lunch of meatloaf, macaroni and cheese, and apple pie! I think it was the best meal I have had in awhile. :) After lunch, Michelle's dad went to find Harry, the pony, so the kids could ride him. I asked Caroline if she wanted to ride and she said, "No, just Owen." Well, she watched Owen and then she said it was her turn. I was so proud of her! She's often so cautious about things that she won't try new things (I know, all of you who knew me as a kid know that she's my daughter). But, she had so much fun! Thanks Michelle for such a fun day!

My first ride!

Riding Harry



Thanks Ms. Michelle for helping me ride my first pony!

Brushing Harry


Hey, you two are pretty big!


Playing in the corn with Owen

Feeding the calf

Feeding the calf a bottle


Come on in Owen!


Playing in the corn


Hey Goat. What do you think you're doing?


This is fun!


Owen driving the tractor


Owen had to do everything first and then Caroline would usually follow.

The Great Minnesota Get Together

Well, we went to our third annual trip to the MN State Fair. I really think the whole state comes out for the fair. We went on a Saturday afternoon/evening this year and it was CRAZY! But, the kids had fun and so did we. We finally found the corn on the cob this year and it was great! Caroline had a great time at the Little Farm Hands exhibit and wanted to do it again. She also loved the animal barns this year. She did not like the rides at all. We didn't even attempt to make her try one, she just cried when she saw the big people rides...

At the Little Farm Hands Exhibit


I was the farmer. I had to work by feeding the cows, shearing the sheep, milking the cows, and planting and watering seeds. I earned money for my hard work and bought some Cheerios to share with Garrett. What a nice big sister!

Delivering the feed to the barn animals


Planting the seeds


Watering the seeds


Garrett was being pretty good at this point...


Garrett was out past his bed time, but had fun anyway. His eyes were so HUGE looking at all the rides, etc.

Driving the tractor


I visited the Oink Booth