Summer Kicks!

We are keeping busy over here in Charm City. It has been hotter than blue blazes but that hasn't stopped us from having some fun. Bridger had his first official foray into the world of organized sports. There is a soccer program for young kids in Patterson Park run by a German guy who I think just loves soccer (and must like kids too!). It is not a team but just an opportunity to develop some skills and learn how to listen and pay attention in a different environment. He was pretty shy and didn't want to do much at first but by the end was getting into it. We are going to try it for a few weeks and see how it goes. He loves to play soccer with us at the "school park" near our house. Unfortunately that is asphalt so it is a little different. Bridger actually gets a little frustrated with the grass as it offers more resistance. What a city kid he is!

In other big news Larsen rolled over for the first time yesterday. She rolled from back to front, but no one was there to witness it. I left her on the floor in the kids' bedroom and went downstairs to start laundry as there was a disaster in the Bumbo. When I came upstairs I heard her grunting and there she was on her tummy. She has been really trying to do it for the last week and I guess she got it. She has not figured out tummy to back but she doesn't spend much time on her tummy as she pretty much hates it.

Summertime also means getting out of this hot city as it doesn't cool down with all the asphalt. This past weekend we went to Rehoboth Beach with Brooke, Ian, and MacKenzie. We had such a great time, despite the fact Larsen was NOT into sleeping at night. The Senior Walsh beach house is beautiful and comes with lots of perks like great food, lots of space, and a private beach. Even though it is not very relaxing to travel with two kids somehow we still managed to feel pretty relaxed. We had lots of adults to love on the kids including two substitute Grandmas in Brooke and Ian's moms. Also Bridger LOVES Brooke and Ian and they do a great job at entertaining him. We have also decided that Larsen is Brooke's long lost relative as Brooke had the same cheeks and thunder thighs as a baby (plus they both love to eat snacks a lot!). Among the many fun things we did was a trip to Funland on the Boardwalk. Bridger was more into the rides this year and really more into the games. Larsen came along and got to be a big girl in an umbrella stroller. Can't believe it! Even with all the kid entertaining we did manage to squeeze in one adult dinner out which was quite a treat.

It's over

The day has come, and my maternity leave is officially over. A lot of people have asked about whether or not it is harder the second time. I have been saying yes, as I have been pretty sad, more sad than I remember with Bridger. I think maybe I was so nervous last time and this time I don't have the nerves just the sadness. I have been sad about missing time with kids and sad that our family life will go from rather crazy to utter chaos. However, the actual first day back was much easier this time. It was so much less overwhelming to get everything together and navigate pumping and things. I also was much less worried. I knew Larsen would have a bit of a rough go as she is not taking the bottle well, but I also know that once we settle into a regular sitter she will bond with them and enjoy her time there as well. I also know that I will make it through the sadness and we will figure out our new routine and try to soak in every sweet moment we can when we are not at work. In the end I guess it is both harder and easier the second time. It is also nice that this time I can ease back in. Last time I had to go to class and had much longer days. This time I can do some short days and work from home more so that is a big help. Bridger seemed very perplexed that Mommy was going back to work. He sort of remembered me working when we talked about, but 3 months is a long time in his world so for all he knew I didn't go to work. I thought he would be much more sad about it, but he was very matter of fact that he was going back to school. His positive attitude, the very patient sitter we have, and Larsen doing pretty well made the first day as good as could be expected. We did try to soak up as much fun as we could before I went back so last week was pretty full. A little recap is below. If you are thinking that Bridger looks tan and his hair is lighter it is because it is. He loves to be outside and sunscreen only does so much. At least we know he isn't Vitamin D deficient. :)

We have been hanging out at the gym pool. Larsen went for her first swim. It was a little cold for her, but she enjoyed being part of the action.
We celebrated Matt's birthday last weekend since he was working on his actual birthday. Bridger helped make his cake and had picked out the birthday balloons. Bet you couldn't tell he did that!

For the 4th we spent the morning in Annapolis. No we don't have any pictures of the sights...just Bridger having fun on the playground. Afterwards we had hamburgers and watched fireworks from the deck. Grandma and GrandDad enjoyed their new little firecracker the most though!


I wish we had more pictures of the church picnic. It was a blast. It was such a wonderful way to end my maternity leave as it was very relaxing and we had a great time getting to know other families in the church. Bridger had a blast at the pool (He is finally starting to really get into it and even went underwater on his own this time...on his own terms which is usually how it goes). Larsen snoozed and people watched which are two of her favorite activities.

Tally-ho it's my three month post!

Well hello! If you were around my house in the last few days I would have told you lots of stories. I am three months old today, and I love to talk. I celebrated my three month day by going to Pirate Storytime with my big brother Bridger(BBB) and Grandma and GrandDad. G&G left around naptime and I took a great nap after they left. I was too excited to do much sleeping while they were here so I need to make up for it. In other news my mommy bought me a Sleep Sheep today from the local toy store. Triple B is pretty loud when I am trying to sleep so she thinks the white noise might help me. Here are some fun facts about me at three months old:


Eating: Same old, same old with that. I am still a bit of a piggy, and I snack all the time. Also, I am still a pretty speedy eater. I was doing ok with the bottle before, but now I hate it. This is going to be bad news next week when Mommy goes back to work, but for a lot of reasons we just aren't talking about that. She'll let you know how it goes next week. I don't have a doctor's appointment until around 4 months so new news on how much I weigh. I am solidly in 6 month clothes though. My 3-6 month stuff still fits, but nothing that is just 3 months.
Sleeping: I am starting to get a routine now. For about the past 10 days I have been going to bed around 7:30pm. I get a bath at the same time as BBB at 6:30pm, but my tub is next to his. Everybody gets gooped up and their jammies on and then we read a Bible story and say prayers as a family. After that I sometimes stick around and read one more book with Daddy and Bridger. After that Mommy takes me to their room where we look at the book "Pat Pat". Then I eat, listen to some soothing tunes, and go to sleep in the pack n' play. I am now using the swaddle. I didn't when I was a newborn, but around the time I started wanting to have a bedtime I also seemed to keep waking myself up with my hands hitting my face. Mommy tried the swaddle, and I did much better. I still wake up twice at night and still have my gruntfest sometime around 5am. This means that there is still not a ton of sleeping around here, but it is better.



Other stuff: I am still smiling a ton. I am trying to wrap Daddy and GrandDad around my little fingers as I love to smile at them when they smile at me. Like I said before I love to talk a lot! I am doing better holding my head up and sometimes during tummy time I will look like a little fish with my head and feet up, but I am still not super good at that. I love my giddy up and I like the bouncy seat with Mr. Turtle. However, I think I am done with the swing now so that can get put away. I also like to look at my toys, especially the ones that make noise or light up. I also love to try to sit up. Mommy thinks that is why I hate my car seat as it has me pretty reclined and I can't move to sit up like I like to do. That's all I can think of about me...just an FYI the kids' room is shaping up. Hopefully in the next month our room will be all decorated. I don't spend a ton of time in their yet. It has worked out better for me to do most of my sleeping in Mommy and Daddy's room with my new bedtime, but sometime soon BBB and I will be having fun in our super cool room!

Below is a video of me doing a little talking and a lot of looking cute. We'll try to get a good talking video soon.