another "snow day"

The two little boys and I are enjoying another day hunkered down inside for our second "snow day". I'm not sure if it technically counts as a snow day, since there isn't anywhere else we are supposed to be. We're sad that Rob isn't home to enjoy the cozy fire and hot cocoa with us!

This is the upstairs balcony. I love how the snow is just hanging there over the railing, and you can't even see the Adirondack chair!

Look at all that snow hanging off the roof!

Noah told me he wanted to eat his lunch outside today... normally I'm all for a picnic, but I think we'll skip the al fresco dining today!

Caleb really likes laying in his little play gym (near the warm fire!)... now we just need to find the little hanging toys that are supposed to be dangling from it. Noah seems to have lost all but one of them.

My sweet baby boy! Look at that little bald head!

Noah and Mommy. The flash was off, and I guess we didn't hold still enough, but cute none-the-less.

Mmmm.... hot cocoa!

"Cheer!" (he skips the "s"). So cute!

Now, some DVR and then a nap while my two little cuties are asleep! Ahhh! This is the life!

"mobile uploads"

The afternoon before Caleb was born, Rob and I became the proud new owners of two iPhones. Almost more technology than I can handle, I've just figured out how to get the pictures I take with the camera feature onto my computer so that I can post them for you. It's amazing how sometimes, when you don't have a "camera" around, you have your phone. I feel like I've captured a lot of great little "moments", and am so glad I figured out how to get them published on blogger. Here are the best images from the last six weeks. Yes, it's a ton of photos, but I've narrowed them down from over 100!

First photo taken with the new phone... who knew that in about 24 hours, Noah would be a big brother!

The very first photo I took of sweet Caleb, to "text" to all of or family and friends just about two hours after his birth.

Sneaking a photo of the proud new dad (in the hospital).

A better picture (ahhh... light!) of our new arrival, about 12 hours old.

First full day at home. First time in the swing!

First shot of my three boys hanging out! You can see Rob's new iPhone too (we're a little obsessed, there really IS an "ap. for everything"!)

Caleb looking cute!

Bath time! Sent this one in a picture message to Rob.

Caleb: "I'm exhausted!"

Mommy: "Me too!"

Looking cute again!

Awww... a duck on his bum!

These are my FAVORITES! Noah was making faces in the shiny tub drain and didn't realize I was watching him. I got some hilarious photos before he realized that I was not only watching him, but taking pictures too. I couldn't contain my laughter!


This one is the best!

You guessed it... Caleb looking cute (and also WIDE awake at around midnight!)

And sleeping all day!

Noah's new "faux hawk"... he's also painting, one of his new favorite past times!

This is only remarkable because it was 3:30 in the afternoon. I declared it pajama day, and we were sending Rob a picture text at work to let him know!

Yes, he loves his brother (usually!)

kisses!

Look at that sad face! This is the photo I was talking about that I took after he left the doctor's office (he survived his 2 shots rather well). He looks so pathetic and sweet, and those eyes!

Wouldn't you know, he's cute! (And I think he's working on discovering his feet!)

Had to send this photo to Rob at work, as he was eating his whole dinner without any bribery from me at all (meal time has really been a challenge lately!)

Trying to take a "self-photo" of Caleb and mommy! I love this outfit on him!

Better except that Caleb is cross-eyed! Ha!

Another one for Rob at work! So hard to snap the photo quick enough since they're almost NEVER still!

These were taken on Monday afternoon... Caleb is six weeks old and becoming more and more alert!

Sweet boy!

precious...

Noah was exhausted after a long morning of doing nothing! He passed out next to me on the couch a little before noon, and I couldn't get over how peaceful and sweet he looked!

His new skivvies.. we gave his "big boy undies" a try for a few hours this morning, then switched back to a pull-up for nap time. Aren't they cute? He looks like a kid!

lazy day!

"Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful!"
We're experiencing one of the "largest October snow-falls on record" (according to 9news). And have enjoyed hunkering down in the house today! We had a minor "Flu Scare" with Rob not feeling well on Monday, so just to be safe (I'm not going to lie, with the little boys in the house, I'm super-paranoid about this whole H1N1 thing) we had quarantined Rob in our bedroom all day on Monday and the last few nights Caleb and I slept in the family room, just to be safe, although Rob is pretty much back to 100% and turns out it was just a false alarm. So, I had blankets and bed pillows on the couch, which Noah thought was really funny. Kids really get a kick out of things like this being out of place. He wanted to snuggle and pretend he was sleeping.

His eyes aren't closed all the way because he's pretending to be asleep (and laughing at the same time!).

Ooooh, I love this boy!

someday he'll hate me for this...

...but how could I resist taking this shot of hit little bum? He's learning that good hygiene is key in learning to use the potty! Look how he's up on his tip-toes so he can reach the knobs?

Notice his reflection in the mirror? He LOVES washing his hands!

adventures in potty training...

Have you ever wanted someone to be successful, but secretly hoped (just a little bit) that they wouldn't be, just so that you could say, "I told you so" (only in your head, of course).

Thursday, October 22, 2009:

Rob: I'm going to potty-train Noah on my five day.

Lauri: Oh you are, huh? You just think you're going to come home and potty train him? Ha! Rob, it's not that easy, I've been doing all this reading, and researching, and the studies have shown that... blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.... And the doctor said.... And Noah doesn't like his pull-ups... blah, blah, blah...

Rob: We'll do it over the weekend.

On Sunday, potty training commenced. And I hate (no really, I hate it) to admit it, but it's gone really well, all spearheaded by Rob. No gimmicks, no bribing. Our only "trick" has been having Noah be "half-naky" and asking him about every 30 minutes if he has to "go". Of course, there's a whole potty-training "method" that encourages kids to be naked or "bottomless", but Rob had never heard of that, he just figured it would work (and Noah loves to have his clothes off, so he's been excited about it!). And it has! He's successfully gone both 1 and 2 in the downstairs potty (outfitted with a little seat inside the big seat) and his bathroom (a little potty chair), with only 3 accidents in 4 days. Not bad! Still sleeping with a diaper or a pull-up. We'll be reintroducing wearing clothes the next few days (Noah will be SO disappointed, as he has enjoyed being, and telling everyone that he is, "half-naky".)

jimmerson's pumpkin carving party!

Noah is supervising Daddy to ensure the pumpkin turns out just right!

Noah's third (thanks Leslie) pumpkin cookie! Those plus the root beer led to a wild night for the little guy!

Isn't this fun? All the completed pumpkins!

Oops... not sure what Jack was going for, but he was extremely proud of himself for cutting his own pumpkin (in half).

hiding...

Noah has been really into hiding lately. His animals, his cars, his snacks, himself...
He has loved "hiding" under the big brown blanket with Rob so that I can find them. He especially loves it when I call out to them and say, "Caleb, have you seen your brother". The sound of his giggles from under the blanket makes my heart happy!