Jelly Bean: 6 Months!

My baby is six months old today. That's half a year. WHAT?!?!?! Tomorrow she will be closer to one year than to her birth.

This past month has been full for our little girl. Poor Jelly Bean has some seriously sensitive skin. After some trial and error, we moved to cloth diapering. To say it has been frustrating and time consuming for me wouldn't *quite* cover it but this month I finally figured out how to cloth diaper overnight (most of the time). Now that's it is working - and more importantly, her skin is finally healing - cloth diapers aren't soooo bad. They can be adorable actually.

Jelly Bean in my favorite cloth diaper.

This month she also started to regulate her own bed time to be in line with PJ's. Sometimes she's even awake long enough to read books with PJ. Usually we each have one of the kids on our laps and then we read three books outloud before the kids go to bed. I treasure that time and I am enjoying giving both of my kids the pleasure of reading.

I think we all enjoy that time together.

Jelly Bean also started to join us at the dinner table. We've had more success with baby food than with PJ but out of convenience and plain fun, we're continuing Baby Led Weaning. 

Jelly Bean chewing on a pretzel while out and about.

And, finally, she's gotten quite good at yoga. 

"Like my cobra? You should see my downward dog!"

I have so many other pictures and fun stories but I just don't know how to get the pictures from the camera onto my laptop without crashing both. Maybe soon!

XO

Fasching 2014

Yeah, I'm not doing a great job of actually publishing adorable pictures anymore. But that's cool because the kids are adorable anyways.

Fasching (or Mardi Gras or Carnival) has already come and gone. While my family in Ohio was getting pounded with snow and ice, we enjoyed the easiest winter and earliest spring ever. That translated into outside fun during the Fasching season and also gave us all a bit more flexibility in costume choice.

It started off with a Fasching parade in the Mr's hometown village like every year (and I just realized the YEAR is wrong on the first one...how does THAT happen?!?).

The Mr threw together a goofy customer; Jelly Bean got all dressed up as Eeyore; I went in my traditional costume (which is to say, none); and PJ was a clown. He was super excited to wear it...until it was time to wear it.

So cute, so warm!

At first he was only willing to wear the pants...

...but finally he was willing to put on the pants as well. 

Of course, there were alcoholic beverages enjoyed. And since we're in Germany and Germans aint got no shame, said alcoholic beverages may or may not have been carried in the diaper bag.

In my defense, there was water in there too.

Jelly Bean and PJ both enjoyed the parade but I'm pretty sure PJ's favorite part was the electric car one of the other kids brought along. 

Totally adorable. But please no one get any ideas. 

The following week was Fasching at PJ's kindergarten. This time he went as a fireman. I don't know which part is the best: the hat, the shirt, the hatchet, or the boots. 

Me thinks the boots.

And, finally, we wrapped up the Fasching celebrations at our little town's parade. We were pleasantly surprised to realize the parade all but goes right by our house - which makes potty training so much easier - and had over 100 different floats and groups throwing candy. It was REALLY loud.

Contrary to his face in the picture, PJ had an excellent time. 

This time he got into his costume quickly and accepted any and all accessories.

Jelly bean decided to sleep. Through all that noise. One word: precious.

XO

For The Record: Puzzles

It turns out that it is less stressful for me to watch my 18 month old ride a zip line on his own; or soothe with a baby fighting a 102 degree fever; or balance getting both sick kids down for a shared nap...than to "help" a toddler complete a puzzle.

For the love of Pete, kid!!! The right piece is right there! Right there! 

Walk away, mom, walk away...

Interestingly enough, I've also learned that I can't have an incomplete puzzle laying around the house. Cannot. Have.

XO

Mice Will Play (Frozen)

The Mr. got to run away for a full night of sleep - he called it a "business" trip - and while he was away, the little mice decided to play. It started with a continuation of the model contest (the winner is no longer clear, I'd say).

After kindergarten, PJ and I made a guitar together. Little Man is still really into music and has been asking for a guitar. I'm not a huge fan of toys that make noise; cardboard, tape, and string to the rescue!

Projects are fun.

Afterwards, we made a cheese pizza; poured a glass of wine for mommy and a glass of 'kinderwein" (grapejuice) for PJ; and turned on Disney's Frozen.

PJ had already seen Frozen with Daddy in the cinema a few months before and had been talking about "Ana" and the "Ice Queen" since then. For the first few minutes, he had no idea what movie we were watching but then it suddenly clicked. He turned to me and whispered with great excitement, "Mommy, it is the ice queen."

Totally worth it.

During the movie, PJ sang and accompanied the songs. 

It was a fabulous night until all hell broke loose at bedtime. Sorry, no pictures. It ended with me sandwiched between two crying babies, both fighting sleep and kicking and smacking me randomly in various body parts as they both slowly sank into sleep eventually...cause its all gotta stay balanced, right?

XO

Patrick Day 2014

For St. Patrick's Day 2014 we continued our own family's little tradition; we enjoyed life music, fish and chips, and shared Guinness at an Irish pub. This was the first year we had to fit our trip on a weekday, but when there is a will, there is a way.

PJ actually had a fabulous time. Really. 

Tilly tried her hardest to get a sip of the good stuff. 

It was a quick trip and totally worth it. Hope you enjoyed a party or two as well. 

XO

Jelly Bean 5 Months!

Our little lady is 5 months old today!

She is sitting for small periods of times on her own; rolling to and from both sides; and even starting to move forward by getting up on all fours, tucking her feet under yoga style, and then flopping forward. It looks a bit awkward but it sure is effective. She's ahead of the curve on all this, but she is desperate to keep up with her bigger brother.

And boy do these two love each other. Here we are on a recent walk. Jelly bean insisted on sitting up like the big girl she is starting to become and PJ walking along beside us like the big boy he already is.

It took a long time to cover a little ground because we had to keep stopping to do this: 

Mothering these two. So special.

XO

Boys + Kids sunday

Boys + Kids sunday @Wildpark Schwarzach

the beginning :)

playground fun

in the train

all the kids

dads taking pics

sheep-riding ;)

animal feeding

great fun :)

the mister.