I eat cereals (like you) for breakfast.

Just last night I was reading an article on toddler development. The article stated, as every mom already knows, that toddlers have cyclical developmental stages. For example, the terrible twos are generally not terrible. They're actually nice at two. But two and a half comes, and it's a whole different story. And then, as cycles go, three hits and you have an angel again.

But we haven't made it that far yet.

We're right smack dab at two and a half.

...and it's cracking me up. (98% of the time)

The other day we were at the library. Robs had been couped up in the house for a day and a half- and was itching to run. ...and she sure did! She was genius at running in and out of the aisles... shrieking whenever she saw me, and then darting for another aisle.

We made it a quick trip.

And then as I'm getting in line to check out the books, Enrique wakes up. I'm toting two jackets, one blanket, one giant bag (a very inconspicuous orange, I'll have you...) full of children's books... a carseat filled to the brim with a 4 month old babe, who's crying a very manly cry... and Robs is circling the area- carefully staying just out of my reach.

So I tried the "don't look at her" approach. She darted off to the kids section, and then peeked around the corner at me. When I made eye contact she shrieked and ran off giggling.

I could hear her cute little giggles from the front desk.

So I tried the "don't look at her" approach again. It's my turn to check out books. I lug all fifty pounds of gear to the front and hand the patient librarian my card- resisting the very strong urge to turn and look for Robs.

Then I hear that cute little voice from somewhere behind me...

"...Sneaky... Sneaky... Sneaky..."

I can't resist any longer. I laughed out loud and turned around. She's creeping past me on tiptoe... narrating the event for all to hear.

She was close enough this time so I scooped her up. All two and a half years of her... and smooched her.

Thank you, librarians, for being patient with my two and a half year old.

I'm crazy about her.

Three thumbs up. ...Maybe even four.

Winter blues... I'd like you to meet the Michigan Historical Museum in Downtown Lansing.

Completely free... other than parking which is a whopping .75 cents an hour.

Worth it, you ask? See the title.

I just can't believe I've discovered it now, with only three weeks left.

We had hours of fun...

With several very cute photo ops. (The lighting is a little dim- but we compensated.)

...and plenty of displays to catch their interest for atleast thirty seconds... but there's plenty of displays and thirty seconds adds up.

...and there's a little school room at the top of these stairs...

(She answers to Ms. Robs... )

This was by far the favorite room. I think we spent almost an hour in this room alone.

Plenty of chairs to try out... and historical movies to watch.

...and last but not least- the corvette.

Robs kept trying to get in the cars. And then running off laughing.

It was delightful. We had a wonderful nap later that afternoon.

Basically... if you haven't gone- go!

It's very worth it!

The Bald Debut.

We shaved his hair and then took photos.

(Miss Boots posed herself.)

What can I say. Big hair is in, sleek is out.

Steph (My brother's wife) is here this week, and we've had FABULOUS weather. It was hot today! So we took advantage of the Fall photo-op. We started out kind of late, so there were more out takes than there were actual takes- but the ones we did get are amazing.

And Enrique makes a cute bald pirate.

V-O-T-E-D with the best of 'em.

Steve and I had a bet going... I thought the lines would be shorter at seven in the morning. He was betting nine thirty: the loser had to make cookies. When I left the polls at 8:00, there was no line. Not even a wait. I contemplated keeping this tidbit of information to myself, in hopes that at 9:30 there would be a massive voter turnout. But I thought better of it and told him. He was there, voted, and back in fifteen minutes, and I'll be making cookies this evening. Chocolate chip seems fitting. HAPPY VOTING DAY!

Happy Halloween!

The wings...

The boots...

The bucket...

The bud.

...Trick or Treat... here we come...

...and then here we go...

As I was looking through the dozens and dozens of photos I took this evening (255 to be exact)- it hit me that we only have six weeks left.

Six weeks.

One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six...

...and then it's off to another adventure: one that has yet to be determined beyond only vague details. Scary... and exciting... and fun... but still scary.

It's hard to think about leaving this place. It's hard to think about leaving the friends we've made. I've loved it here, and that last little picture really made me think.

Robs has been friends with Weston since she was six weeks old. Six weeks... was she ever that small?

On that first day of Orientation, Steve, by complete chance, sat next to Danny. That following Sunday in Relief Society, I sat next to Jenn- she was holding Weston, I was holding Robs- and the rest is history.

Since six weeks... Robs' world has had a Weston in it. And although Robs loves playing with anyone- she's got a soft spot for him.

But in six weeks, we'll get on a plane, fly to Utah, and then say goodbye...

Not a permanent goodbye, cause good friends never really leave. But it won't be a goodbye waved from the stroller, or a goodbye- "that was a fun afternoon." It'll be a goodbye that Robs has yet to experience.

Thank goodness good friends never really leave.

Basically, captured in that last little photo, is my heart felt gratitude for a wonderful friendship.

If I had legs as cute as these...

... I would blog about them.

I was starting to change Enrique's diaper today (hence, the missing pants)... when I caught sight of these adorable little limbs, and could not resist the temptation to squeeze them. (Which quickly turned into photographing them.)

At 3 1/2 months he's 20 pounds of pure adorable. To put things in perspective: Robs reached 20 pounds 3 days after her first birthday. But by that time I was done hauling around the infant car seat.

Perhaps I will post a picture of my biceps when he's done with the infant car seat.

serendipity

A couple days ago, I'd had it. Both kids were screaming, the house was a disaster, and my brain was mush. Tale as old as time as far as two kids go: when one was ready to get outside, the other was ready for a nap. So as a last possible resort and a final attempt to regain (or perhaps find) some sort of meaning to the chaotic mess that has become my everyday life... I did what I've needed to do for quite some time.

I dropped everything.

I threw a couple diapers and wipes in the stroller, grabbed a sippy cup for Robs and we took off. You may have heard us as we ran. Enrique was wailing at the top of his lungs.

But it seems like when you reach the breaking point, and throw your hands up in a mixture of hopelessness and exasperation... something magical happens and things begin to work out.

After a couple blocks, Enrique stopped screaming and fell asleep. Robs started looking around and pointing out the squirrels... and I slowly started to feel a bit like myself again.

The bridge turned out to be a hidden treasure and is atleast two times more fun than it looks. Four times as much if you're only two feet tall. Add a stroller, a run, and a quick stop at the park and you get a serendipitous mixture of "just what we needed." For a quick moment, life was quite perfect.

took a walk...

This afternoon we walked through the woods at Lake Lansing. I've lived here for almost three years, and I had no idea that there was such a beautiful trail so close! I'll be running there later this week if anyone wants to come!

The woods turned out to be excellent for picture taking. {I just got a new lens this past week... 50mm of greatness. I love it already. It blurs the background wonderfully, and is great in low light.} In the picture above Robs had just woken up for a nap... and just tripped over a branch. (followed by a aerodynamic faceplant in the fresh fall leaves.)

She did enjoy herself... about the time we got back to the car.

Enrique, on the other hand... slept through almost all of it. The trails are a little bumpy, and yet he slept better than he does on paved runs. Good ol' BOB and his shocks.

And then... the grand finale. I love love love the face on Enrique!

I caught a smile...

(...By dangling the camera over her head and praying she'd be in focus.)

happy birthday!

Today is Steve's birthday.

...we made a deeeeeeelicious cake.

He's a chartbreaker!

This afternoon Robs and I took Enrique in for his two month check up. I have to admit, I was excited to see where he was on the growth curve. I figured it was going to be good...

...and sure enough it was.

He's off the charts in weight (a wholesome 16 pounds) and is measuring as long as your average 4 month old.

Robs was stellar at the doctor's office. When the nurse called us in, she looked at me with a terribly nervous face and started crying. Subconscious memories of immunizations must have been surfacing. However, once she realized Enrique was the lucky one, she sat quietly by my side. It's strange to think I took Robs to that same office at her two month checkup!

amazing.

I bought a jogging stroller when Robs was 8 weeks old. I would bundle her in little blankets, strap her in and run until she fell asleep- and then keep on going until she woke back up. We ran almost every day until it got too cold outside- then we got a weather shield, a little snowsuit, and ran a little more. She's been a part of a marathon, a half marathon, and countless training runs...

...so this afternoon when she told me that Cinderella was running "to Lake Lansing"... I probably should not have been suprised.

But I still was.

new running shoes

We found some new 'running shoes' for Robs, so we had to test them out this evening.

They held up pretty well.

Hawk Island (A Broadway Musical)

Sure... not everything was quite right. The water was cold and the day was partially cloudy...

But in the end...

...the dancing was absolutely stellar.

We had the critics raving.

We'll have to do it again some time.

...more pictures!

Here's some more photos of our little man! He's a perfect perfect perfect little baby... who's chubbing out like a pro, and just now discovering his voice.

...here's his adorable little feet...

...and his adorable little self...

holy cow and dairy days

This past week we went to the Dairy Days at the MSU Pavilion. It was classic. You may find yourself wondering what Dairy Days is actually like. Let me help. Close your eyes and bring yourself to a smelly barn. Fill it with dairy cows and small children in matching t-shirts, running rampant while being chased by their overworked caretakers.... and voile! You have DAIRY DAYS!!

I've never seen cows up close... so I enjoyed every minute of it, even the gross ones... it's these kind of activities that remind you you're alive, and let you walk away chuckling to yourself.

It was actually quite educational. The place was very well staffed. ...There was a man in a giant cheese costume, MSU Athletes autographing their way into oblivion, and Dairy Science's finest students, ready to answer any and all the questions you could think up. It was quite enlightening.



Among the many things I learned that day, is that there are such things as holy cows, not only figuratively speaking, but literally. (See picture above)

I saw the unsuspecting animal with my very own eyes- and yes- it is disgusting. Thank heavens for plastic bags.

Curiosity, apparently, strikes at the most inopportune times.



And finally, here we are posing with none other than one of the many, many cows at Dairy Days. This one, however, was contemplating turning carnivorous. (You can tell from the evil glint in its eye... most people would think that was from the camera flash. I know better.) Only moments after taking the picture, he was nibbling my elbow. However, we survived to tell the story... and blog about it. :)

He's Here!!!!

This is our little man.
We named him Erik.
He's tipping the scales at 7.0 pounds and 20.5 inches, 

and he's perfect.  

Completely perfect.

...And sweet enough to save me two weeks of being pregnant. I'm in love all over again.

Happy Birthday!!

... a couple minutes old...

...one year old...

...two years old...

... and the proud owner of a lion backpack.