First Bite

A first time for anything is exciting so when Quinton took his first bite of rice cereal 2 weeks ago we had to document the occasion.  It took a few days for him to catch on but now he begs for his cereal and LOVES every bite.  

I can't get enough of his sweet spirit and wonderful smile.  He is such a joy.

Mind of a Child

While baking dozens upon dozens of cookies at Grandma's house Shayden had some free time to roam around and play.  This is what I found when cleaning up at the end of the day.  Apparently the donkey wasn't good enough...

...and baby Jesus makes the best driver (can't really argue there, He is perfect).

What the What

Yes that's right, Shayden's favorite saying has adorned this blog's title as it is going to encompass way too many events all in one...but life is crazy and I don't have time to split them up nor do I want to.  So here it goes...

First up...Quinton is rolling!  He started over a month ago but wasn't really rolling his way across the crib or around the floor until the past week.  It has been fun to watch and also challenging as he gets a bit "stuck" at times when he can't figure out his next move.

Next...Thanksgiving was a blast!  We started our holiday a week early with my family (you have to make these compromises with so many siblings and in-laws) which was great.  It made one of my favorite holidays a whole week long and I loved it.  Shayden did not love the meal as much as I thought he would but of course didn't hesitate when it came to the pie!  

A hunting we will go...We followed up our Thanksgiving weekend by heading out to Timbuk Farms (a Testa/Romano tradition) to find that perfect tree to adorn our home.  We bundled up (it was freezing and SO windy), picked the finest hand saw off the hook and climbed aboard the 'christmas bus' out to the fields.  

- I should mention here that Chris and I had talked before hand that if we didn't see a tree that was great for under $40 we were going to come home empty handed...I mean come on people, Home Depot can do better than that and we are sick of being the losers who pay the most for their tree and it looks the worst-

Shayden was super pumped and for good reason...1 he gets to ride a bus, 2 he gets to hold a saw, 3 he is outside, 4 they have a tractor, 5 Santa was there, 6 can you say way too much popcorn and cotton candy (thank you Jamie and Deidre) and finally number 7 he was 2 HOURS late for his nap...and all in one day!  

After traipsing around for awhile and sawing some tree stumps we happily headed inside for a sit on Santa's lap and some snacks.  The only hitch in the plan came when we were climbing back in the car and Shayden says, 'Mom, there isn't a tree on top of our car'????  Huh, what was that honey...ugh, well ours is coming later (as in when we go to Home Depot and pay half the price as they are offering here).  

Shayden surprised us by being more than willing to sit on Santa's lap and he was very clear in telling Santa that he wanted slippers for Christmas!

And now you know why this post was entitled 'what the what'.

Date with Mommy

Since the addition of Quinton to the crew Shayden and I haven't had a chunk of time just the two of us...which I am sure he was missing (at least I tell myself that).  So this past Saturday when Chris offered to take Q with him I jumped at the chance to hang out with Shayden and take him tailgating at the OSU game.  

We jumped on the bike and hit the trail downtown to join all the madness around the stadium.  Shayden has been infatuated with the marching band since his introduction to buckeye fever last year.  This year proved to only increase that passion as we march around the house, play the drums, guitar, take off our hat and bow (like the drum major) etc...  So as soon as we had lunch at the tailgate we jumped on the chance to see both bands enter St. John's Arena for the skull session.  Shayden had a blast and did not take his eyes off the band members until they had marched out of eye sight.  It was a great afternoon and I was happy to have the memory with him.

Quinton - 4 months

Quinton had his 4 month check up yesterday and is growing like a weed!

Weight: 15 lbs (47%)

Height: 26" (79%)

Head Circumference: 43 1/2 cm (76%)

He is such a joy and all smiles...we are happy and blessed parents!

Country Time

"Uncle Tom has a farm...eeeiii eeeiii oooo" - was the song of the week last week as we headed out to my brothers farm to spend some time with he and his wife Beth.  It was a perfect fall day and the weather was nice and crisp which made the roaring fire Tom had going picture perfect and also required wood to be fetched...and who do you think was up for a ride in the truck and the manly job of getting wood...that's right, you guessed it, Shayden. 

If you haven't met my brother Tom then I should fill you in on how he mesmerizes children and even more so little boys that love trucks/machines/and all things boy.  So when the offer came to go out in the truck with Tom to get wood Shayden was more than happy to help and was overjoyed when he was allowed to get behind the wheel and drive (his hands only on the wheel) all through the fields, barely dogging the rows of corn.  

Quinton held down the fort inside with Aunt Beth and Chris who slaved over some awesome homemade pizza (a personal quest that Chris is on right now for the perfect homemade pizza for under $10).

We finished the night off with the boys in bed and a four wheel ride through the fields to check out the stars and a fire side chat.  Thanks so much Tom and Beth, we had a great time and can't wait to get back out there for another visit.

Shayden chucking wood off the back of the truck

Quinton holding down the fort (or at least the floor)

Our delicious pizza...well done babe!

November 1st

As we head into a season of thankfulness I thought I would give all you ladies (or gents) out there with a dishwasher something to be thankful for....

my sink after a nice dinner :

(this equals no paper plates and more than 1 course was prepared)

Start time: 10:20pm

Finish time: 11pm

My counter, oven and yes even the highchair with everything drying upon completion:

And please don't read this wrong, I am not complaining...I know full well my blessings here too...HOT water, nice rubber gloves so my hands don't get chapped, a wonderful sponge brush that fills itself with soap so I don't have to take an extra step and squeeze out droplets of soap as I go....you get the point.  But, and a small but, when my day comes and I realize the american dream of owning my own dishwasher I will bask in its beauty and possibly but not probably toss my rubber gloves under the sink.

Welcome to November!

Boo

We had a blast this evening with the boys going trick-or-treat.  Shayden was totally pumped up to get candy from anyone and Quinton was just so sweet in his little costume.  I love our neighborhood this time of year with everyone out on their front porches and ready to greet the kids...Its like one large block party.  Enjoy the pics from our evening.

(Eli, thank you for sharing your giraffe costume with Shayden)

Family Shot

Our little Giraffe

and our little pea pod

Demolition Day

A section of High Street near our home is being demolished to make room for improvements and I thought Shayden would enjoy a close up look.  So today for lunch I packed us a picnic and we parked across the street for a demolition lunch special.  His face was priceless and I was shocked he was actually able to consume any food at all.  Had my camera battery not worn out this blog post would have been filled with pics.

Carving Time

One of my favorite aspects about the month of October (besides the birth of Shayden of course) is the pumpkin carving leading up to Halloween.  Last year Chris got Shayden totally involved in this tradition and he absolutely LOVES every aspect of it.  Here is a snapshot of the two of them carving pumpkins last year and this year...

Fall Fun on the Farm 2010

Each year my fabulous Uncle Jim and Aunt Rose host "Fall Fun on the Farm" at their property out in Amish country.  I look forward to it every year!  This year Shayden was enamored with the tractor and it took much bribing with food and treats to get him to even leave it for dinner time.  While much of the family couldn't attend this year John, Rachel, Eli, Norah, Papa and my gang had a blast taking in the scenery, hayride, homemade donuts over the fire and getting to catch up with our relatives.  

Laughter is good for the soul

Setting: breakfast in the kitchen, Shayden is in his highchair, Quinton is in the bouncy seat and Chris and I are sitting on the bench - Chris' arm is around me.

Shayden:  Hey, what are you doing?

Chris: Were cuddling?

Shayden: No thank you.

Chris: Why not buddy.

(Shayden pauses for thought)

Shayden: I'm eating!

Thank you

We want to give a big "THANK YOU" to our friends the Wannemacher's for coming to see us this past weekend...we had a blast getting to hang out with them over the Columbus Day weekend and more importantly getting to catch up with Sam, their adorable little boy.

Shayden and Quinton were pumped to have another guy to hang out with and we had a great time packing in the activities.  Here are some fun pics from the weekend.

Breakfast Buddies

Bath time

Brushing the goats at the zoo

Big Week

We have a big week ahead and I am looking forward to it and yet dreading it at the same time.  Shayden turns 2 this week, Oct. 8th.  Quinton turns 3 months, Oct. 7th.  And one our closest friends, the Wannemacher's, are coming into town for the weekend!!!  It is going to be a week to remember and I am sure busy with lots and lots of activities.  Get ready for some pics and posts.

Back to work...much to prepare for

Shayden turns 2

Shayden celebrated his 2nd birthday today construction style.  All the family and a few close friends gathered to join us in a fun afternoon full of good food, a bulldozer pinata and a real life excavator - courtesy of Grandpa, which might make him the coolest one ever!

Shayden has been sick all week which made the party tough to pull off, we had to reschedule it once, but he pulled through and we officially kicked off his week of celebration.  Thank you to all our family and friends who joined us today and were super flexible with all the adjustments we made.

Mom's Rule

This past weekend was "guys weekend" for Chris and all my brothers.  Each year the guys hit the golf course and have man time for a weekend...totally needed and deserved for all of them.  But those that remain home - well I believe we deserve medals for these weekends.  Which is why I put on my super woman costume and then shacked up with my SIL Rachel to tackle the weekend with another adult.  (My mom didn't raise a fool)
We had such a good time and the weekend flew by.  Eli and Norah were troopers sharing all their toys, crib, etc. and Rachel was a super host.  Activities included, many meals out on the deck, Apple picking, Party with the cousins and sisters, church and a family meal at Grandma and Papa's house.  All in all a wonderful weekend with great memories.


Saturday morning pajama party

The apple orchard

Hay ride and apple picking

Flashback

I never shared this photos of Quinton right after he came home from the hospital, so I thought I would flashback and include them now.  This was a little photo session Chris did with him.

(fun fact: this toy shelf was built by my father for my siblings and I many years ago...still looks good Papa!)

Classic Moment

Scene: Day after arriving home from the beach and the house is a disaster and nothing is put away.

Me: (from the other room) Shayden what are you doing?

Shayden: (yells) I'm cutting the grass

Me:  Okay buddy, good job...keep it up.

(Shayden comes into the kitchen while still "mowing")

Me: Hey buddy, what's in your ears?

Shayden:  I'm listening to my music

side note: yes that is a walker and I already feel bad that one day all too soon I am going to have to tell him he has to share his lawn mower with Quinton who needs it to learn how to walk.  Oh boy!

Promises and Corn

I am going to attempt to update the blog more frequently now that Quinton is a bit older and I have so much more time on my hands.....HA HA HA!!!  (as I roll my eyes)  In my sarcasm I am kind of serious, Quinton is doing such a good job at being a baby...I am sure you ask yourself 'how hard can that be right?'....well talk to my first son Shayden and see what he says.  As I type, I have 2, yes 2, boys in bed and happy to be there (at least I like to think so).  Quinton has been going to bed so well and now that he is officially out of the bassinet in our room and in his crib flying solo I am getting much more rest. (WOOT WOOT)

On to more important things...we had our first official "Corn Day" at the farm this past week and it was a blast.  My SIL Beth organized an awesome day full of fun and lots of corn.  We ordered 300 ears of corn, that were picked fresh that morning, which we then shucked, cooked, de-cobbed (not sure of technical term here), cooled and then bagged for the winter.  Which means come January when you are itching for some fresh Ohio sweet corn you will have to come calling to one of our homes begging for the bag of gold in our freezers!  Enjoy a few pics - ps. Thanks Beth for such a fun day!

(no babies were harmed in this process...that steam is much further away from his face than it looks, promise)

2 months

Quinton had his 2 month check up last week and was rocking the scales on all levels.  He is perfectly healthy and we are so glad he is growing so well.

Weight: 12 lbs 9 oz (61%)

Height: 24" (76%)

Head Circumference: 41 1/4cm (72%)

for those curious...in comparison to Shayden at this same point Quinton is 1lb larger, 1" longer and and his head is bigger.  I love how unique they are while also being so similar.

Big Changes

This weekend marked a big step for Shayden as he moved into his big boy bed and out of the crib.  Shayden was super pumped leading up to the big day and was most excited about putting his bed together....Chris and I on the other hand were worried that somewhere in the cloud we were going to lose our silver lining and have to talk him into actually sleeping in this new bed.  However it was just the opposite, Shayden acted like it was no big deal, climbed right up in and slept like a champ.  We are now on Night 3 and absolutely nothing has changed in his normal routine.  To be honest it was almost anti-climatic but like Grandpa said, it just means he was ready.  

Enjoy the pics of our big boy in his new bed.

Family Vaca 2010

This past week marked the annual Family Vacation (officially our tenth) where we all head off to a predetermined destination and shack up together for a week and have some family bonding time.  Now for some families this would equal tragedy, bickering, and possibly end in a divorce for one couple...but in the our household it just equals good old fashioned fun!

This years destination = Corolla Beach, Outerbanks NC

# of Family Members: 25

# of Nannies: 2
# of bedrooms: 9
# of bathrooms: 10.5
# of days cut short by Hurricane Earl: 3 (boo)


Some of my favorite moments were 1st's for the boys.
Shayden and Quinton's 1st time staying in a hotel:

Quinton's 1st road trip (and he was a total champ):

Not a total first but Shayden old enough to really enjoy the beach:

more to come...

Brotherly Love

Just a few shots of the boys loving on each other...