Birthdays and Bathrooms

At Sam's 4 month Well Baby check-up Dr. Kessen gave us the go-ahead to start solid foods. Was there ever a question if he would like solids? So far we have only given him rice cereal, but stay tuned for fun with fruits and veggies!


We started to demolish our bathroom. As you can see it is in dire need of updating. I am taking the boys to visit our friends Becky, Emmie and Ben in AR next week so Tom can get some work done without us here. I am so nervous to be taking both boys on their first plane ride by myself. I HATE to fly and am hoping that I can keep my nerves calm enough, so we aren't "that" family on the plane!


Dad's little helper...Mr. Fix-it!


Mason turned 2, and we were lucky enough to be invited to help him celebrate. Happy birthday buddy!


Poor Sam, Jack and Tom thought it would be a good idea for Sam to ride in the truck. I shudder to think of how many more things Jack and Tom will do to him against his will.

Outside Fun

The weather has finally started to warm up! Thank goodness, as we were all getting a little stir-crazy. This week's adventures included a few trips to the park, an outing to Chicago, and the zoo.


We met Miles, Lindsay, Jen and Brooklyn at the park. It was fun to watch Miles and Jack play together. Brooklyn and Sam looked on enviously from their strollers, but thought it would be more fun to take a nap.








This week Sam hit another big milestone...no more swaddle. I'd be lying if I said I didn't get a little teary packing the swaddles away. My baby is getting so big and needs his freedom, even when his sleeps.


Although Sam doesn't need the swaddle, he still enjoys being snuggled. He found Meema's arms an especially comfy spot. My mom had the week off so she came down to hang out with us for a few days. I can't wait until she and my dad are able to retire, and spend even more time with us. It is kind of funny how things go full circle. I remember when I couldn't wait to be out of the house on my own, and now that I am I can't wait until the next time my parents come down for a visit.


Jack coaxed Meema into playing Play Doh. I must say she is quite the Play Doh Artist.


Papa came down to pick Meema up after our fun week. We had a great time going to the zoo. Jack was a lucky little guy and had the opportunity to ride the merry-go-round, and then the train. Like I said before, it is funny about how things come full circle. When my brother and I were little, we would have had to choose one of the fun activities, but all Jack has to do is flash those big brown eyes at Papa, say "please" and they are off doing another fun thing. He is definitely Papa's boy!

4 Months!

Sam turned 4 months old on St. Patrick's Day. He is certainly not a little leprechaun!

Sam's 4 month stats:
17 lbs. 90th percentile
26 in. 90th percentile
44 cm. (Head Circumfrence) 90th percentile

The worst part of the appointment was getting more shots. I just hate looking into his beautiful blue eyes while he cries out in pain! The pain was short lived, and he went back to being his happy-go-lucky self. We love you so much!

When Dad is Away...

Miles came to hang out with us for dinner the night before Tom and Chris (Miles' dad) left to meet the rest of the guys for their annual ski trip. Miles' parents had an honorary dinner to attend as Chris was named one of Milwaukee's up and coming leaders under 40. It was too funny how we found out the reason for the dinner...

Lindsay (Miles' mom) had called earlier to see if we could watch Miles for a couple of hours so they could attend a "work thing." Sure no problem. I was at a doctor appointment a few days later and thumbing through a magazine, when I ran across a picture of someone who looked familiar...it was Chris! I didn't recognize him right away, as I'm not used to seeing him all decked out in business attire. The article went on to say what an AMAZING job he is doing managing Bay Shore Town Center, the new mall in Milwaukee. Just to give you an idea of the magnitude of the article, Ryan Braun (Milwaukee Brewers Outfielder) was also mentioned in the article. Now we just need to have Chris hit-up Braun for Opening Day tickets....

We dropped Tom off at the airport on Tuesday afternoon, and then headed to Eau Claire to visit the grandparents. The boys did a great job traveling, we drove straight through! (Hopefully they will be good travelers when I take them to Arkansas at the beginning of April!) As usual we had a ton of fun, thanks!!!!


Papa Tom pulled some strings and was able to get us into the fire station for a personal tour.


This had better be the only time we see the inside of an ambulance!


Eau Claire has a wonderful Children's Museum, Jack and Sam are going through the drive-thru at the bank, at the museum. We spent the morning there and then met Papa Tom and Grandma for lunch nearby.


On our walk back to Papa and Meema's we spotted a train store. Jack was so excited when the owner saw he and Papa entering, and fired up the trains. Jack could have spent all day in there.


Jack had a ton of fun walking home from the Children's Museum. Mostly because he had full attention of Papa and Meema swinging him along the way.


Just a couple of driveway monkies!


Uncle Marc was able to come down for a visit. His work schedule has been a bit more flexible since he broke his ankle and had to have surgery. Hence the new nickname, Uncle Hoppy.


Jack really liked having Papa give him a bath, as he filled the tub WAAAAY up!


Sam had his first bath in the "big bathtub." He really enjoyed kicking and splashing.

Thanks for the wonderful time, we love you all!

Boys will be Boys

"They" say that "boys will be boys," and this mother of 2 boys is quickly catching onto this saying!


Boys will steal a mother's heart. This is my favorite photo of Sam so far. When I look at it I see my sweet, innocent little boy, and wonder about his future. Where will his life's journey take him?


We officially have another thumbsucker! Despite my best efforts, I finally gave in, besides what teenager do you know nowadays who doesn't need braces.


It warmed up enough for us to go to the park. Not thinking I let Jack wear his tennis shoes, rather than putting his puddle jumping boots on...silly me, to think a two year old could walk by a puddle without going through it!


We had another great warm day, so we headed to the zoo. Jack found this lovely patch of mud and actually got stuck in it. I laughed so hard, but was very thankful that he didn't fall in, as we had a doctor appointment that we were going to straight from the zoo. We were able to get the big chunks of mud off in a nearby puddle, and then into the bathroom to clean them up the rest of the way. The tracks in the mud are from Jack.

Before viewing the last picture of this post you have to promise me that you WON't call Child Protective Services on us!


Jack was very excited to help Tom in the tool room, but had a bit of an accident, so he needed a bath before doing so. He couldn't wait to get downstairs, so once he escaped from me he got his shoes and toolbelt on and headed down. Tom and I just laughed at how awful this picture looks...dark, dingy basement, little naked boy...makes you really wonder what goes on at the Hanks house. Rest assured this is a totally innocent photo!

Changing Sleeping Schedules

We seem to be back on track with our sleeping schedules. While Sam's schedule continued to improve, Jack decided he wasn't fond of going to bed. We spent a few nights listening to him scream bloody murder when it was time for bed. We still had a gate up in the entrance to his room. He would stand at it crying his eyes out, and would usually get me to give when he would ask me to snuggle him. Now what mom can say no to that?!?! One night we ended up with all 4 of us in our bed. We are not big on co-sleeping, but at 1:30 in the morning it seemed like the best idea. Thank goodness for our king-size bed!


Since Jack moved into his "big boy" bed we haven't had any issues with him falling out. It is a good thing we go to check on him before we go to bed, as this is how we found him. Maybe he was afraid to go to sleep because he was having "falling" dreams?


Unlike Jack, Sam's sleeping schedule keeps getting better. We now put him down between 10:00 and 10:30 and he usually sleeps until 6:00. Some nights we have to go in and give him his nuk, but more often than not he stays asleep.


Just practicing for next month, when Dr. Kessen with hopefully give us the okay to start solids!


A hair-raising experience! Jack's new favorite thing to do is "swing blankie." Our biceps are getting bigger by the moment, not due to working out, but rather swinging our two year old around in a blanket until our muscles have reached failure.


The "Boss" of the house.