Alex, 14 Weeks

I love his little boy clothes. 

He already has a signature style.

The Grass is Always Greener...

If the weather is cooperative, I try to take the kids out every day.  Right now, this is a tough process because we live in an apartment.  To get any exposure to any type of grass, I need to pack up the kids, and walk a few blocks to the park or load them up in the car, and drive. 

In one week, thing are going to change drastically!  Our new house will have a large fenced in backyard with a dual level deck.  The backyard is so large that it requires a riding lawn mower.  We will also live in a cul-de-sac, so that's another added bonus.  I'm a so excited for the kids to finally have a place to roam around and be free.  It's going to be awesome have easy access to the outdoors. 

We already have a long list of outdoor toys we want to get for the kids: playhouse, sidewalk chalk, playground, sand table, water table, kid sized picnic table, power wheel... the list is endless!

A few pictures of Amelia running around at the park

The Littlest Princess

Katie celebrated her 4th birthday by hosting a royal tea party!  (Katie is my cousin's daughter.)  All the kids dressed up in royal attire: girls in princess dresses and boys in either their Sunday best or super hero/knight costumes.  They were all so cute!

The party started off with a formal, hosted tea party complete with guest announcements, formal escorts (Katie's older brothers and their friends), and wait staff.  Again, super cute.  Special party guests were Rapunzel and Batman.

After the tea party, Rapunzel entertained the kids with a magic and puppet show, parachute activities, and balloon making.  The party ended with a pinata and bouncy castle fun. 

We were worried because Amelia was the youngest kid at the party.  Most of the kids were 4 years old, but our little Amelia did awesome!  She especially loved the puppet show and the parachute!  She does the parachute at The Little Gym frequently, so I think the familiarity of the activity made her enjoy it more.

Alex was there too, but he slept almost the entire time, ha ha.

If Amelia is still into tea parties and dressing-up, we will definitely have a similar party for her in the future. 

Picking out accessories

Accessory consultation with other princesses

Katie, the birthday girl... we love love love her outfit!

Tea Room set-up

Amelia was the youngest, little princess.  Check out her place setting, hand written by Katie herself complete with sippy and snack cup.

She did so well!  We were proud parents.  She sat through the tea party with the other 4-year-olds like a champ.

Rapunzel and Batman were special guests!

Parachute fun

Amelia (far left) is so little compared to the other children

Amelia finding her way under the parachute

Amelia was smiling and laughing the whole time during the parachute activity

Amelia and Rapunzel

Amelia, Jimmy, and Batman

Beautiful Katie getting ready to hit the pinata

Batman, Rapunzel, and Katie

Crafting with Daddy

My princess and I... she was really thirsty, ha ha

Alex finally woke up at the end of the party...

Alex and Manong Sol

Alex and Manang Jocelyn

Bye Bye...

What Do Princesses Eat?

Rice

Cake, but only the chocolate part

Orange Slices

Crackers

Peek-A-Boo Giggles (video)

Alex loves peek-a-boo!

(About halfway through the video, you can hear Amelia laughing in the background too)

Lab Week

Every year in April, the lab celebrates Laboratory Week.  It's a special week at the hospital where they take the time to show their appreciation for the lab staff.  Basically they do special games, activities, and have special meals and snacks all week.  Jimmy has been participating in some of the activities and even won a few prizes. 

Below are pictures of the lab staff who participated in the Morning Colors (raising of the flag) in front of the tower at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.  Can you find Jimmy?

Mom's Night Out

I planned a Mom's Night Out for one of our playgroups.  It was so refreshing to chat without chasing around toddlers and eat a meal without interruption.  I will miss these ladies and their children very much!

A rare night out without the spouses or the kids

A Magical Party

We went to Skyler's 3rd birthday party this weekend.  I used to work with her mom, Felicia, at NIH and have kept in contact.  I was pregnant with Amelia while we worked together, so she helped support me through my pregnancy, and we became good friends.  Amelia and Skyler get along really well, so we get together for play dates often.  We will miss them so much!

The party was held at a magic shop and Amelia and Alex got to see their first magic show!  Alex fell asleep about halfway through, but it kept Amelia's attention for a little bit.  She really got excited when there were bunnies, dogs, and birds involved in the magic tricks. She loves animals. 

Sadly, we had to leave early because Amelia gagged on a piece of food and threw-up all over herself and me! Oh well, I guess I should expect things like that to happen now that we have a toddler, ha ha. 

The birthday girl

Amelia and I waiting for the show to start

Barry the magician

Amelia was freaking out when she saw the bunny.  She kept saying, "It's a buddy!"  She says "buddy" instead of "bunny" for some reason, ha ha.

Up-Down

As I mentioned before, Amelia is fascinated with things being upside down.  She calls it "up-down." She'll show me her up-down books, stuffed friends, puzzle pieces, anything she can get her hands on.

Her felt board up-down creation-
She would burst out laughing every time she put a piece up side down.

Up-Down Shades

Tea, Reading, Nursing, etc.

During the week, I'm on my own during our activities and events.  When I have the two kids, it's pretty much impossible for me to take any pictures :(  That's my excuse for not having any pics of our activities!  We have been busy this week.  We've been hanging out with friends at the park, having play dates, and went to a birthday party. 

The weather has mostly been gorgeous, so we've been hanging outside as much as we can.  I am so looking forward to having a yard at our new house!  Jimmy and I already have a long list of outside toys and playground stuff we want to get for the kids.  Our house is located in a cul-de-sac so the kids will have great access in the front yard as well.  I'm super excited, especially since we are arriving just as the weather is warming up.

We have been making our rounds.  I've been trying to get together with Amelia's friends for one last play date.  I know she doesn't know what's going on with the move, but I want her to have as many opportunities to play with her friends before we leave.

I don't have any pics of our outdoor activities, but here are a few from what we've been doing at home!

Peek-a-Boo

Tea with Hello Kitty

Nursing her baby...

She wraps the Boppy around her waist like mommy ;0)

Big Hello Kitty is next to eat

Reading every single book on the shelf

Letter magnets