More Summer Fun

We've had a couple weeks full of fun. In addition to our normal Monday through Friday activities, including going to Jodi's, walks, time at the park, and playing outside in our yard, the boys have had some other fun events to enjoy. Last Thursday, Jeremiah, Andrew and I headed out to G&G S's house to help get ready for a Peverly family reunion. Jeremiah was such a big boy, helping with picking up Grandma's house and doing other chores. Saturday brought more preparations and lots of fun. Jeremiah had a great time playing with so many BOY second cousins. They spent hours playing on a slip n slide and other water toys. Andrew got so many snuggles from many family members. It was a long day when all was done. Then, we got busy on Sunday morning to clean up from all the activities so G&G's house was ready for family pictures. We had not had a full family picture since our wedding, 7 years and 4 grandkids ago. We were due.

All the activities of Friday and Saturday had taken their toll and Jeremiah wasn't the happiest camper come photo time but we hope he did OK. Andrew decided to fall asleep just before pictures so we had to do a little adjusting with the order of scheduled photos.

Jeremiah took a 3 hour nap on Monday at Jodi's house. It was apparent that the weekend had really wiped him out, but I was so proud of him for helping out with all the preparation and clean-up.

This weekend, Mommy and Daddy decided to schedule a little time away from our boys. Daddy bought a gift certificate for a stay in a hotel at a charity auction nearly a year ago and it was getting close to expiring. Grandma S. came to stay with the boys. They spent time playing outside, playing games, emptying out toy boxes, and reading. Grandma made them pancakes for breakfast, which they love! They were lucky to get those after showing grandma how many times they can interrupt a good nights' sleep.

Saturday night, Jane and Eric N. invited us to a minor league baseball game. This was Andrew's first baseball game (at least on the outside). Jeremiah was kind of wound up at the beginning, but he settled in to the ball park activities. Here he is with Rascal, the mascot. Andrew seemed to have a pretty good time too. There was enough activity that neither one of them fell asleep at the ball park, so we changed them in to pajamas before heading home. They both came home with stuffed animals, being handed out by "Elvis Himselvis", an impersonator of the old, fat Elvis. Andrew also charmed his way in to getting a squishy ball that someone else caught when they were being thrown out. Thanks to Jane and Eric for a great night at the ball park. Here's Andrew hanging out with Jane.

First steps!!!

As we arrived to pick up the boys at daycare on Thursday, the sitter asked if we had been keeping a secret. After we told her no, she informed us that Andrew was taking steps. He took 4-5 in a row for her that day and has been working on about the same number for us the past couple of days.

So, we're going to record August 12 as the day he took his first steps! Wow! He is getting big so fast! Time to get some shoes bought!!

The Museum!

"We're going to a museum! Will there be dinosaurs that I can touch?" Jeremiah inquired on Saturday morning. Unfortunately, our outing to the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium didn't include touching dinosaurs, but it did include other fun that seemed to make him forget wanting to pet a dinosaur.

With extreme temperatures outside, we decided to pursue some indoor fun this weekend and headed to Dubuque for a day trip. We all enjoyed watching the fish and sturgeons swiming. Jeremiah played at the water tables. We steered the play boats, explored a dredging boat, watched the otters play, and learned about lizards. And more...

Jeremiah playing at the water tables.

Our little lizards.

Andrew trying to steer a play boat.

Jeremiah and John steering their boat together.

Jeremiah exploring a Native American hut.

The boys in the pilot's house of the dredging boat.

Because the museum allows you to come and go, we headed to The Shotower, a restaurant that G&G Schnitzler talk about eating at many years ago, for lunch and then returned for more fun.

We headed home in the mid-afternoon with 2 napping kids and look forward to going back sometime.

9 months

Andrew had his 9 month appointment last Friday, August 5. He is becoming a bit tall and lean. He weighed 20 lbs., which is 40th percentile. His height of 29 inches kept him in the 75th percentile.

At 9 months, he:

• likes to play with his brother, even if his brother doesn't always appreciate it.
• enjoys emptying one of the utensil drawers in the kitchen.
• sleeps pretty good most nights, but is an early riser between 5:30 and 6 a.m.
• has 4 teeth
• gives high fives and kisses
• pushes the lion toy around the house and driveway.

The Cinnamon Roll - a few shots

Last Saturday Andrew ate a large portion of a cinnamon roll with icing for breakfast. Here are a few "after" shots. I think the first picture is a just a great picture of Our Boys!

Andrew Facts

A few things about Andrew at 9 months.



- He has three teeth. The third one finally broke through this week. This one is on top and a fourth isn't far behind.

- He loves to eat carbs! Pancakes, crackers, etc. are yummy!

- We also discovered he likes Mexican food. Rice and beans were consumed in large amounts Friday night.

- He really isn't a big fan of baby food anymore and would prefer to feed himself.

- He likes to drink from a sippy cup.

- Unfortunately, he's been having to do breathing treatments. We think it is just some seasonal chest congestion.

- He's been busy "walking" with other people's help.

- Tonight, Aug. 4, he stood for a few seconds by himself in the living room. We are pretty sure he didn't realize what he was doing.

- There are days when we seem to be sure that he is saying words. Mom, Dad, and what are things we think we've heard. However, we're probably hearing things!

Fun at Home!

We've had a good time just being around home the past couple of weeks.

Jeremiah made a special selection of a GIANT zuchinni at the farmers' market a few weeks ago. This was his ticket to helping make zuchinni bread. We made 2 loaves that Saturday and he got to take one to daycare to share. We made another round this past weekend. He loves eating it with butter on it. Andrew's a fan too! This is the zuchinni AFTER we had already cut it!

Jeremiah has become a bigger fan of sitting to watch movies. Monsters Inc. and Cars are his regulars right now.

This past weekend we went to the pool. Andrew was again not so thrilled but he seemed to adjust once in his floater and out in the water. Jeremiah's continues to love the slide and lazy river.

Grandpa Todd came to watch the boys last Thursday and Friday. They all seemed to have a great time. Grandpa walked all over the house with Andrew. I'm not sure which of them was more worn out - Andrew from walking or Grandpa from bending over. Grandpa and Jeremiah invented a new game of frisbee toss. It involves one person throwing a frisbee and the other holding a bucket to catch. It's not a bad game. Jeremiah is getting better at throwing the frisbee. Although I had to retrieve it from the roof yesterday. They also played baseball.

The boys have also started taking their baths together occasionally. This requires Jeremiah to tame down his bath play but they seem to enjoy each other.

Fair Fun!

We've been so busy having fun and enjoying the boys that we haven't taken the time to blog. Nor have we been real good about taking pictures of our activities. We have a few candids but not too many of our escapades.

The weekend of July 16-17, we headed towards Elizabeth for the Elizabeth Community Fair. On our way, we stopped to see cousin Dylan play baseball. Jeremiah got to see him hit, which was a big thrill. The boys actually had a full weekend of fair, because they took in the Cedar County fair with the babysitter on Friday afternoon. Saturday took us to the fair to watch/help Kelley and Devin show cattle. Even Daddy was in on the fun! Andrew hung out with Great Uncle Rod for a bit. He thought he was pretty fun! We all enjoyed the fair parade and Jeremiah collected quite the pile of candy. Jeremiah and Karl enjoyed playing together, including rolling down the hill at the pulling track and playing mini golf. They both did the tractor pull, although Karl is going to have to give Jeremiah some lessons. Jeremiah didn't pull too far. Andrew also snuggled on Stef, which apparently made people in Elizabeth talk. :)

Mommy headed to Chicago for a few days after the fair, while Jeremiah, Andrew and Daddy visited with G&G Todd, Aunt Carrie, Uncle Matt & Great Grandma Z.