differences between girls and boys

One of my very good friends from WVU brought her two sons to visit us this weekend, and boy did we get a lesson on how different life would be like if we had boys in our family!

Preston and Quinn-- isn't he such a cutie-pie? Quinn thought so, she followed him around ALL weekend

the Barr girls gave Quinn a Dr. kit for her birthday-- now we are all constantly being checked on

On Saturday we had planned to go to the aquarium--- this is how far we actually made it (our back yard!)  Sure does take a lot of coordination for 2 moms and 4 kids!

It was a beautiful day though and really nice to get out & play

This is Ethan-- another cutie.  He is such the typical boy toddler-- runs over anything and everything and if something is in his way, he picks it up & moves it aside.  A little bulldozer!!

the boys were both so sweet to the girls though-- they were rough & tough with each other but patient little gentlemen when it came to Quinn & Kathryn

Kristen is always on top of things-- don't know how she does it, boys require SO much more energy!

Quinn did a lot of observing and following around this weekend-- usually not her style but aside from her cousins, she hasn't played with too many boys in her lifetime

After naps, we ventured out to the park, where Quinn again followed Preston around and tried to do everything he did

I tried to take more pictures, but the playground is huge and Kathryn & I had a tough time chasing after Quinn, who was chasing after Preston!

 This morning Quinn was pretty bummed to learn that the boys had left to go home

but she pulled herself together, fixed her sister's hair

and went back to posing for pictures!

and while we had a BLAST this weekend, I'd like to say, "Thank Heaven for Little Girls"!

Thanks so much Kristen, Preston, & Ethan for visiting us, I know it was not an easy trip, but we sure did appreciate it!!!

a hug from elmo!

we heard Elmo was making a trip to a local toy store, so decided to check it out with our friends Gaby & Natalia.  Of course, Quinn was beside herself with excitement.  Afterwards, we headed over to the mall for lunch & the girls' first carousel ride!

OK, check out this outfit--- she is looking a little too grown up but still super-cute!

her dress was a bday gift from Nana Kat and the boots (which she even wears with her pjs these days), were from Nana Quinn

I kept telling her we were going to see Elmo-- it was adorable how surprised she was!

first thing she did was hand him her big bird

she didn't want to share...

just kept following him around the store

he even gave her his autograph

Gaby, (Julianna- coming soon!) , Natalia, and Elmo

the girls were too excited to pose for a picture

no surprise that Quinn loved the carousel

I had my arms around her and she kept pushing them off "pease pease" (that is how she says excuse me, please please)

and here is a new picture of Kathryn-- I promise, she was giggling right before I took this picture!! 

Kathryn @ 2 months

Yes, our little Kathryn is two months already!


She is very busy these days-- she has started cooing, smiling, and laughing. She is getting really good at holding her head up and can even sit in her baby chair for a few minutes at a time.  Luckily, she still loves to cuddle and is turning out to be a great sleeper.  She still isn't too interested in food, but the doctor says not to worry because her growth numbers are excellent.  Here are her 2 month stats:
weight: 12.1 lbs (65%), height: 23" (55%), head: 39 cm (42%)


Here is a pic I took from the iphone of her in her new little chair-- every time I take a picture she has such a serious look on her face, but I promise she really does a lot of smiling and laughing-- we'll just have to work on her getting use to the camera ;)

Fall, Football, & Bampa

Still having fun with this (warm) fall weather!  Here are some pictures of Quinn and Kathryn playing with some of the fall decorations and their Bampa on gameday!

yes, you are seeing correctly-- Quinn is too smart for us and recently found "travel doggie".  Now when she goes to sleep, she needs "two doggies"

Happy 2nd Birthday Quinn!!

Our little Quinn is 2!!!!

Since we had her party at the beach, we had a small celebration at home on Quinn's birthday.  She had her favorite-- pancakes for breakfast and pizza for dinner.

Then we had a cute ladybug cake and opened a few presents!

Quinn literally waited for this moment all day--I woke her up singing "Happy Birthday" and she immediately asked, "where's the cake?"!

black icing is a terrible idea, by the way

I think she still has stains under her fingernails

Kathryn was more amused by her mobile

crown she got in school

loves her new "art station"

Add caption

and all of the excitement put little Kathryn to sleep!

cowboy boots from Nana

Quinn also had her Two-year check-up at the doctor's this week and once again, she had a great report.  Here are her stats: 27.5 lbs (78%), 36.5" tall (97%), and her head is 48.5 cm (87%).

She still loves Sesame Street, reading, dancing, singing.  She has started jumping and counting and loves playing outside on her "cycle"-- and is now peddling some too!) and, of course, with her baby sister.

She basically says her prayers on her own these days, but I need to get a video of it-- so cute, "Dear God, I pray for Mommy, Daddy, Pac (Kathryn's pacifier), new Pac, Baby Kathryn, etc...

She is nonstop talking and can mostly talk in short sentences.  Some of my favorites are:

See you later mommy. I love you. (when getting dropped off at school)
Love baby Kathryn
Call daddy for chips (loves it when Dean brings her chips home from work)
Mmm that's a good sandwich.


Some others things she has started saying...Let go mommy (going up & down the stairs)
Quinn do it (ie stop trying to help me!)
Don't like it ;(

And keeping in mind, she only just turned 2, but I can tell you the toddler stage is not nearly as scary as I thought it would be.  Quinn is so good natured, fun-loving, very smart, and such a sweet little girl-- she brings joy and laughter into our lives every day.  We love you Pumpkin!!