Pictures From Last Night

Our new neighbors gave us this play dome and I tried it out last night. Madison wanted to play outside and I was doing some yard work. I wanted Ethan outside with us but was worried about the bugs. Well...this thing was awesome. And..you could hear him talking and laughing in it...for a pretty long time anyway...longer than I expected for sure.

More Pictures From Today

Ethan LOVES His Bumbo

Madison and I were trying to entertain Ethan more today to try and keep him awake more. Plus, we were having fun trying out new toys with him. We were amazed at how well he loved them and what he could do.

Here are pictures of him with his Bumbo. Thanks Heather, Brian, Adam, and Emily!! I thought he was too young to sit in it but Madison wanted to see him in it. So..I thought why not. He can hold his head so well...so I thought it couldn't hurt to try. He loved it! I didn't leave him in it for too long though.

I So Love My Children

Look at how precious they are....neither one was whining, crying, shouting, etc, etc, etc. :o)

Madison just loves to hold "her Ethan Karter." I finally took Ethan into work so everyone could meet him...of course Maddie went too. It took 8 weeks! Who wants to go into work when they are off? Not me. But, I figured it was time. We ended up spending 3 hours at my work...hm...3 hours longer than I would have preferred. It was nice to see everyone though. I took this picture after we got home. (I really don't like the pacifier unless we are out and about and he is fussy but Miss Maddie...well she loves to give it to him.) Oh I do so love my children...

8 Weeks

Yay!

So as of today...I have lost 45 lbs.

I gained a great deal of weight when I was pregnant with Ethan...way more than I wanted..and more than I did when I was pregnant with Madison. I started out lower this time around but wow...if you saw my swelling you would know I gained quite a bit. I have more to lose but I am so excited. I am down 3 lbs just from last week.

What is the secret? LOL..nursing. That is one of the benefits...it is like exercising without doing a thing. For a few weeks I wasn't losing at all...I was concerned I was gaining but I was on some medication and now I am off of it. Thank goodness! I have been going on walks with Madison, Ethan, and Milo..sometimes Kevin too. Oh and mowing the grass...today was the 2nd time I have mowed this summer. I normally won't let Kevin mow..I love to mow but since I had Ethan and had more swelling issues afterwards I haven't been mowing. A few weeks ago I did mow but only did one side of the driveway in the front and all the back. Haha I left the rest. So...after weeks of it sitting that way I mowed the entire yard. Last time it took me a great deal of time to mow...but today...back to normal. Such good exercise too! I have only gone on 1 bike ride. I would love to go on more. I am also going to start doing Turbo Jam. Mainly I am losing weight due to nursing...and people lose weight after giving birth.

Anyway...I am so happy to have lost 45lbs since having Ethan. All my neighbors keep commenting on how great I look and how they can tell I am losing weight all the time. Now if only I could fit into all my old clothes......give it time Melanie!!

More Weekend Pics

Ethan with two of his cousins. They just loved holding him...fussy or not. It seems I got pictures of all the cousins except for one...the one playing baseball. Dang! We really enjoyed spending time with Kevin's family...almost everyone was there...all of us but one...Kevin's oldest sister's husband. But it is so hard to get everyone together...maybe next time.

Our Busy Weekend

We had a fun yet busy weekend. We went to a 1st birthday party in Mukwonago. We also got together with Kevin's family in Racine. Our nephew had a baseball tournament there over the weekend. We had a great time. Madison loved loved seeing her cousins. The craziest thing is that all she has been talking about is her uncle. She hasn't even been around him that much but man she just loves him. Here are some pics from the weekend.

At the birthday party.

At the baseball game.....they are so cute together.

Friday

My friend, Lisa, that does my hair came over to my house on Friday to color and cut my hair. When I called her she offered to come over here since it would be easier for me with the new baby. I always go to her house and I would have Friday but it was soooooooooo nice that she offered this and came over. It made it so easy and Ethan could sleep in his swing while I got my hair done. Her children came too and they went swimming in the pool with Madison. They had a blast. Madison just loves playing with her children. Anyway...whew...I needed my hair done...I feel so much better. It was pretty bad. THANKS LISA!!! YOU'RE THE BEST!!

Oh it was so funny. Lisa was holding Ethan (she didn't meet him until Friday) and he would pout than smile, pout than smile, pout than smile...over and over. It was so hilarious. I have never seen him do this before ever. It was cute!