Playing and Climbing

The boys have been playing "together" lately. By that, I mean they play in the same room. Dylan gets upset when Brody gets ahold of one of his toys, but that is to be expected. Dylan is really great at a lot of stuff, but sharing isn't one of those things. Par for the course with a two and a half year old!

Dylan can almost always be found playing at his train table. Brody likes it now too!

Brody is so active. Pulling up on just about everything, crawling under the kitchen table and getting stuck, standing at the train table and getting stuck, standing up in his crib and getting stuck. I'm going to have to put a gate up near the laundry room soon, so he can't get the cat food. I'm also going to have to put up a gate at the base of the staircase. I was unloading the dishwasher this morning, came around the corner and saw Brody attempting to go up the stairs! He wasn't quite up the first step when I caught him, so I was able to watch him go up. But of course, one more safety concern now!

Now what?

S-T-R-E-T-C-H!

Their personality differences are starting to come out more now. Dylan has always been pretty tough - when he falls, he brushes it off and gets right back up. Brody on the other hand, falls down, and instantly cries. I suspect it's more from surprise than pain. He just needs a little more TLC after a bump or fall (which happens quite often these days).

Brody is turning his nose up at baby food. He will only take a bottle, or table foods. That is a little challenging, but I'm trying to get creative. This morning he had toast pieces and pear pieces for breakfast.

And let us not forget Dylan! Last week was very interesting around here. I unloaded a giant stash from the subwoofer, that included a flashlight. I kid you not - a flashlight was in our subwoofer! Also, I found the TV remote control outside, under the deck one day. And what else, oh yes, he decided to dip his face into the toilet last Friday. Yes, life is very interesting indeed!

Playing and Climbing

The boys have been playing "together" lately. By that, I mean they play in the same room. Dylan gets upset when Brody gets ahold of one of his toys, but that is to be expected. Dylan is really great at a lot of stuff, but sharing isn't one of those things. Par for the course with a two and a half year old!

Dylan can almost always be found playing at his train table. Brody likes it now too!

Brody is so active. Pulling up on just about everything, crawling under the kitchen table and getting stuck, standing at the train table and getting stuck, standing up in his crib and getting stuck. I'm going to have to put a gate up near the laundry room soon, so he can't get the cat food. I'm also going to have to put up a gate at the base of the staircase. I was unloading the dishwasher this morning, came around the corner and saw Brody attempting to go up the stairs! He wasn't quite up the first step when I caught him, so I was able to watch him go up. But of course, one more safety concern now!

Now what?

S-T-R-E-T-C-H!

Their personality differences are starting to come out more now. Dylan has always been pretty tough - when he falls, he brushes it off and gets right back up. Brody on the other hand, falls down, and instantly cries. I suspect it's more from surprise than pain. He just needs a little more TLC after a bump or fall (which happens quite often these days).

Brody is turning his nose up at baby food. He will only take a bottle, or table foods. That is a little challenging, but I'm trying to get creative. This morning he had toast pieces and pear pieces for breakfast.

And let us not forget Dylan! Last week was very interesting around here. I unloaded a giant stash from the subwoofer, that included a flashlight. I kid you not - a flashlight was in our subwoofer!  Also, I found the TV remote control outside, under the deck one day. And what else, oh yes, he decided to dip his face into the toilet last Friday. Yes, life is very interesting indeed! 

Pulling Up

Mr. Brody has been pulling up on a lot of stuff lately. When I picked him up from the YMCA child care this morning, they told me he had been pulling up on everything.

This afternoon, I put him in his crib for a nap, then peeked through the crack in the door and saw him standing up in his crib.

He's so proud of himself! I started giggling, then he started giggling.

And now we know why there are lots of bite marks from Dylan's time in the crib.

Now Brody can really see all of the action!

SIGH. While it's fun to see him advancing, it's also just a tiny bit sad. The crib rail comes up to his chest, and while I doubt he'd be able to throw a leg over the rail to fall out, we can't take that chance. This means the crib has to be lowered to the bottom setting, and the bumper pads have to come off. And, probably the mobile soon too. He can't reach the mobile from the side where he is standing, but soon enough he will.

Goodbye cute baby crib, hello bare rails.

And, more proof that Brody is changing fast, his fourth tooth made an appearance this morning. It's his front tooth, right next to his other top tooth, so now it won't look so silly when the side tooth grows in!

Pulling Up

Mr. Brody has been pulling up on a lot of stuff lately. When I picked him up from the YMCA child care this morning, they told me he had been pulling up on everything.

This afternoon, I put him in his crib for a nap, then peeked through the crack in the door and saw him standing up in his crib.

He's so proud of himself! I started giggling, then he started giggling. 

And now we know why there are lots of bite marks from Dylan's time in the crib.

Now Brody can really see all of the action!

SIGH. While it's fun to see him advancing, it's also just a tiny bit sad. The crib rail comes up to his chest, and while I doubt he'd be able to throw a leg over the rail to fall out, we can't take that chance. This means the crib has to be lowered to the bottom setting, and the bumper pads have to come off. And, probably the mobile soon too. He can't reach the mobile from the side where he is standing, but soon enough he will.

Goodbye cute baby crib, hello bare rails. 

And, more proof that Brody is changing fast, his fourth tooth made an appearance this morning. It's his front tooth, right next to his other top tooth, so now it won't look so silly when the side tooth grows in!

Five Years

Yesterday, Brian and I celebrated our fifth anniversary.

It has been an eventful five years. An eventful, wonderful five years. We've added two sweet boys to our family, been through good jobs and frustrating jobs, and made our house a home. Whatever our differences, at the end of the day, we know we love each other and look forward to the start of a fresh day with each other. We have so much to look forward to in the coming months and years, and I'm so glad to have Brian by my side.

Five Years

Yesterday, Brian and I celebrated our fifth anniversary. 

It has been an eventful five years. An eventful, wonderful five years. We've added two sweet boys to our family, been through good jobs and frustrating jobs, and made our house a home. Whatever our differences, at the end of the day, we know we love each other and look forward to the start of a fresh day with each other. We have so much to look forward to in the coming months and years, and I'm so glad to have Brian by my side.

Krape Park

After riding the train, we went to a local park and had our picnic lunch. The park is very big, and there were many things to enjoy there.

First, Dylan played on a huge wooden/castle play structure. We managed to talk him out, by saying we'd run over to see the Swan's. The park has paddle boats that look like Swans.

There is a restored Carousel in the park. It was originally opened in 1959, and was updated/restored in 1995. The rides were 3 for $1!

I just love this picture. Dylan's hair is a little sweaty under his hat, and his cheeks are pink. Sweat and pink cheeks are definitely signs of a good time!

Dylan also enjoyed playing in a Tiny Tot playground area. He climbed right in to this little elephant ride and had it going back and forth pretty fast.

The last stop of the afternoon was at this old Fire Engine Dylan climbed right up and steered the wheel.

Brody just loves to watch Dylan and Daddy. I have trouble getting him to look at me for pictures, he's too busy watching the guys.

We had a lot of fun this morning with Oma. The boys are spending the evening with her, while Brian and I go out to celebrate our 5th Anniversary!

Siilver Creek & Stephenson Railroad

Oma is visiting us this weekend, and we always like to explore something new when she is here. We were searching the local CVB website, and discovered there is a working Railroad that gives rides, just 40 miles from here.

We arrived in time for the first trip of the day, at 11:00 a.m. on the Silver Creek & Stephenson Railroad. The story of the RR is kind of neat. When the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad went bankrupt in 1983, the railroad right-of-way was purchased by the Stephenson County Antique Engine Club. They purchased about 2 miles of right-of-way, and had to rebuild the track and ties themselves. They then purchased the engine and each of the train cars. They have also built a Freight House and Depot. It is a hobby club, and seemed very well taken care of.

Dylan was instantly enamored of the big black engine. It is a 1912 Heisler gear-driven steam locomotive that weighs 36 tons. It was spewing steam and making a humming noise and Dylan could only stare.

The Conductor asked Dylan about his Thomas hat, and about a few specific trains. The Conductor's grandson is a Thomas the Train fan as well. Then he told us we could ride in any car we wanted. We asked Dylan which car he wanted to ride in, and he pointed at the engine and said "That one!" The Conductor got a laugh out of that. We could choose from two cabooses and two open-air passenger cars. We chose the caboose at the end of the train. It had a cupola with seats up high, so Dylan could sit up there and see everything. The caboose is the oldest known working caboose in the State of Illinois, dating back to 1889.

Here we are, riding the train!

Dylan spent quite a bit of time looking out the window, watching the scenery going by.

Oma and Brody enjoyed watching out the window too.

After the ride was over, Dylan was able to take a turn in the engine. He was nervous, because the train was idle, and it was very loud when it released it's built up steam.

Dylan seemed a little overwhelmed by the size of the train, the loud noises, and the whistle, but I think he had a good time. The ride took about a half hour, and afterwards we went to a neat park for our picnic lunch.

Yes, Opie too

We've so been enjoying a nearly cat-hair free environment since Chloe had her little haircut. We sent Opie back to the vet for another try yesterday. With a little sedation, they were able to do his Lion Cut.

Krape Park

After riding the train, we went to a local park and had our picnic lunch. The park is very big, and there were many things to enjoy there.

First, Dylan played on a huge wooden/castle play structure. We managed to talk him out, by saying we'd run over to see the Swan's. The park has paddle boats that look like Swans.

There is a restored Carousel in the park. It was originally opened in 1959, and was updated/restored in 1995. The rides were 3 for $1!

I just love this picture. Dylan's hair is a little sweaty under his hat, and his cheeks are pink. Sweat and pink cheeks are definitely signs of a good time!

Dylan also enjoyed playing in a Tiny Tot playground area. He climbed right in to this little elephant ride and had it going back and forth pretty fast.

The last stop of the afternoon was at this old Fire Engine Dylan climbed right up and steered the wheel.

Brody just loves to watch Dylan and Daddy. I have trouble getting him to look at me for pictures, he's too busy watching the guys.

We had a lot of fun this morning with Oma. The boys are spending the evening with her, while Brian and I go out to celebrate our 5th Anniversary!

Silver Creek & Stephenson Railroad

Oma is visiting us this weekend, and we always like to explore something new when she is here. We were searching the local CVB website, and discovered there is a working Railroad that gives rides, just 40 miles from here. 

We arrived in time for the first trip of the day, at 11:00 a.m. on the Silver Creek & Stephenson Railroad. The story of the RR is kind of neat. When the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad went bankrupt in 1983, the railroad right-of-way was purchased by the Stephenson County Antique Engine Club. They purchased about 2 miles of right-of-way, and had to rebuild the track and ties themselves. They then purchased the engine and each of the train cars. They have also built a Freight House and Depot. It is a hobby club, and seemed very well taken care of.

Dylan was instantly enamored of the big black engine. It is a 1912 Heisler gear-driven steam locomotive that weighs 36 tons. It was spewing steam and making a humming noise and Dylan could only stare.

The Conductor asked Dylan about his Thomas hat, and about a few specific trains. The Conductor's grandson is a Thomas the Train fan as well. Then he told us we could ride in any car we wanted.  We asked Dylan which car he wanted to ride in, and he pointed at the engine and said "That one!" The Conductor got a laugh out of that. We could choose from two cabooses and two open-air passenger cars. We chose the caboose at the end of the train. It had a cupola with seats up high, so Dylan could sit up there and see everything. The caboose is the oldest known working caboose in the State of Illinois, dating back to 1889.

Here we are, riding the train!

Dylan spent quite a bit of time looking out the window, watching the scenery going by. 

Oma and Brody enjoyed watching out the window too.

After the ride was over, Dylan was able to take a turn in the engine. He was nervous, because the train was idle, and it was very loud when it released it's built up steam.

Dylan seemed a little overwhelmed by the size of the train, the loud noises, and the whistle, but I think he had a good time. The ride took about a half hour, and afterwards we went to a neat park for our picnic lunch.