Tuesday with Sam

This was one of the first weeks we had Sam on Tuesday with no Mom2Mom, so we took Sam to our favorite storytime at the library.  He wasn't quite sure about the whole thing but I'm sure he'll warm up to it after he goes a few more times! :)

they picked their chairs

the best of a few attempts

checking out the duplo table

doing a great job holding onto the stroller as we walk

 

tuesday

Our day in pictures:

breakfast number 1 - singing good morning to everything we could see

dressed for the library

time for a walk

"no pictures"

trying out her new "snowsuit"

we call this "Noah's Truck"

 

New Library Card {another cool God story}

So I have to do some more bragging on God.  And keep a record of all the blessings he's dumping on us.  As you know if you've read this blog for any length of time, we love the library.  It probably stems from our weekly trips to the library growing up.  But every Tuesday, we head to story time, read books, get prizes for the reading clubs, and check out a new selection of titles for the week.  (Yes, I know today is Monday, but we have Mom2Mom tomorrow so we have to go to the baby story time or the 3's story time on Wednesday's.)

I have a confession to make, I didn't change my address on my library card when we moved.  As in from when we moved from my parents house way back before Owen was born.  It expired in September, so I knew I would have to figure something else out.  I had heard different scenarios of what they allowed Savoy residents to do.   Upon researching their site, I found that we could buy a card for the price Champaign residents pay in taxes.  I figured it out and it was going to be about $300.  Ouch!  But I sucked it up and figured this was one thing I was going to have to budget for each year.

So last month, I brought all my proofs of address and everything else I needed and was floored when the lady told me that they don't allow Savoy residents to buy any cards now.  We HAVE to use the Tolono library.  Now I have nothing against the Tolono library, I just really love the CPL and Owen knows his routine of going there.  I asked who I could talk to or write because we were devastated.  And then she mentioned that if my employer was in Champaign, they could write a letter and I could get a card through them.

I immediately called William and asked if his boss would be ok with that.  They seemed a little wary since the letter had to state they'll take responsibility if I don't pay my late fines on time.  But then I remembered, hey I work now too.  So I asked Scott, who I do some data entry for, if he would write the letter and I had it in my hands the next day.

So today, we took the letter and and guess what.  We have a renewed library card and it was. . .drum roll please. . .FREE!  Thank you Jesus!  I am one happy book-loving momma today!

loved the new cars that were out today

I was sad we couldn't get a card

but now I'm happy.  I love the library

And PS - Thanks Grandma for his adorable outfit today.  He looked so grown up!  

library fun

We love going to our Tuesday Two’s story time at the library every week.  We’ll be sad when we can’t go anymore because of Mom2Mom.  We may just sneak into the 3’s story time on Wednesdays.  Here’s a few pictures from the last couple times we’ve gone.

We walked out last week and there was a police car out front.  We of course had to walk all around it and check it out.  Too bad no police officer was in sight.Every week is different, but Owen has come to love whenever they pull out the sticks.  They get to bang them during songs or little finger plays.  While these pictures don’t show his enthusiasm, trust me.  He loves them.  I should get him a set!

Owen’s week

It’s been a CRAZY week, so thought I better document it. :)  Monday morning we were scrambling around trying to get our house ready for friends we hadn’t seen forever.  We played on our new car mat from IKEA, ran a few errands, and then stopped and played for a bit at the indoor playground.  Owen enjoyed his sandwich shaped like a truck.Monday late afternoon, our visitors arrived from Tennessee!!  Becky and her 3 kiddos made the daunting drive by themselves to see us (along with a few other friends).  It was so great to see them as we hadn’t even met Emerson yet.  Ellie was born on Emerson’s first birthday, so they’re birthday buds.  Aww, how cute!  Her poor little guy, Liam had started to get sick on their trip so we all just crossed our fingers that the sickness wouldn’t travel to anyone else.  Caed impressed William with a new architecture-like game on his iPad.  Becky decided to cut out early Tuesday morning because Liam still wasn’t feeling great at all.  So we headed to the library for our weekly Tuesday Two’s story time.  On the way, we ran into BoRics to get Owen’s hair cut.  The poor gal butchered his hair.  Not sure you can tell in this picture, but it’s uneven everywhere.  I mean, I know he was squirmy. . .but it’s bad. Oh well, at least it grows fast. When Owen was feeling well on Wednesday, we thought we were in the clear!  We played outside and got all hot and sweaty and enjoyed some popsicles.Ellie enjoyed the toy show.  She loves watching her big brother. Thursday morning, Owen was a happy little guy.  We went to our last Beth Moore bible study and he did great in childcare. But then it hit.  Like the plague.  After dinner, I was getting Ellie to sleep for her pre-bedtime nap and I heard William yell “if you’re free I could use some help.”  I came down and saw vomit everywhere.  On the couch, floor, and a trail to the bathroom.  Owen has NEVER been sick like this.  Wow does it break your heart to see them get sick.  He had no idea what was going on.  He just kept saying “I puke.”  Poor little guy.  We bathed him and cuddled him while watching a movie.  And I made the rookie mistake of giving him a cracker and some water.  And then it all came back up.  Another bath.

William finally got him to sleep.  2 hours later, we were stripping the bed and his clothes once again.  He ended up sleeping with me and had no more incidents the rest of the night (or since for that matter).  He seemed to be pretty much back to himself the next morning.He's been his happy self ever since, just a little tired. But man I sure hope that he stays as healthy as he has been in the past.  Watching your little person throw up makes you feel pretty helpless.  And yes, it makes me so thankful that this is as bad as it’s been for us.  I know many mommies deal with much more serious things with their kids! 

library story time

Last Tuesday (5.1.12) was one of our first ventures out of the house with 2 kids. Of course, it was pouring rain, but I refused to let that stop us. We try to go every week to Tuesday Twos at the library, a story time for 2-3 year old's. We often see Garrett there, a little boy we sometimes babysit. Of course, my camera battery died before I could get a picture of Ellie's first trip to the library and I forgot my phone in the car. But here is Owen and Garrett:

But this week, I was better prepared.  He actually ventured off my lap this week for a bit, which is big news for my little introvert.  Ellie slept through everything.

 Yes, that bow is stuck on her head.  With what. . .well, that's a whole other post. :)

 Her outfit for the day.  I love that little shirt I made her.  And what did she do?  A huge blow out!  This girl is good at her blow outs.

 

more of week 1

Monday
In the morning, we decided to have a little outing to introduce the girl to the best store in the world, Target.  Wouldn't you know, I forgot to take pictures of the event.  I had to return a couple newborn diapers, because she's definitely fitting into size 1's.  Jill brought us a fabulous meal of homemade ranch chicken nuggets which Owen loved!

Tuesday
We decided to divide and conquer this morning.  Since William never gets to go to story time with Owen, they dropped me off at Mom2Mom and went on a little daddy/son date to the library.  I went to our last M2M meeting of the year.  Holly is stepping down as director, so I'm glad I went on her send off morning.  She's done such a great job with it this year!!

Tuesday night, Miss Sarah came over a bit early so she could actually play with Owen and put him to bed.  We ran a quick errand and then headed to our last small group party of the trimester.  We're multiplying into several groups for the summer, so it was bittersweet as we're not all going to be together again.  Ellie slept through a great men vs. women Jeopardy game in which the women sadly were defeated.

Wednesday
Ellie's cord stump fell off bright and early in the morning.  There's a couple little spots that need to heal a bit more and then we'll get to break out the baby bathtub!

Jodi and Caleb came over around 9 to drop off an amazing lasagna for our evening meal.  Then around 9:30, Summer and 3 of her little ladies came over to say hello as well.  Summer knows me too well and brought a bag of Donettes, a BK gift card, and a Ellison's first Barbie doll!  I thought it was the sweetest thing ever that Izzie wanted to miss school so she could come meet Ellison.  She did a great job holding her and even trying to bounce her when she started to cry.  She's a great mommy in the making!

We all took good naps and played outside the rest of the day.  Before bedtime, Anne A came over with her arms full of goodies to meet Ellie.  She had a sweet big brother gift for Owen, diapers and book for E, a meal, and delicious chocolate chip banana bread.  Man I have some good friends!  So, all in all a busy day but it's so fun to get to show her off.  Especially since I know she's only going to be this little for another week or so!  Goodnight! 

Halloween story time

We tried to make it to storytime at Bella on Friday, but Owen wasn't feeling too hot thanks to these molars that are coming in. But we wanted to try out the cow costume, so on Saturday we set out to the Urbana Library's story time. It was pretty fun and had it's share of "Urbana characters." No offense to those of you who live in Urbana. For how many kids were there, it was pretty well organized and even though I feel like you should have to be a kindergarten teacher to run storytime effectively, that gal did ok. They read stories, sang a song or two and then sent the kids off to do 1 of 3 art projects. While the kiddos took their time doing their art stuff, we went and read some books and checked out all the toys in their kid area. Then we came back to the room for a neat Halloween snack. Overall, a really fun time!

dad helping Owen color his picture

come on, let's go look at the books

he loves the animals

he got really excited when he found the cow

not the best, but I had to prove I was there

a little snack before we left