River City Rascals

This weekend has been so nice with my family. Friday night, we got Fritz's for dessert. Saturday night, we walked to Pirrone's Pizzeria for dinner and Sunday night, we took the kids to see a River City Rascals Baseball Game. We have tickets to the Cardinals Game in July and thought we should do a trial run or two before the more expensive game with the kids.

They had a BLAST at the Rascals game. It was pretty warm at first, but we camped out on the lawn with our blanket and had a great time anyway.

The kids enjoyed playing in the kids' section where they had a bouncy house and a cage where you can throw the baseball at the backdrop. Evan LOVED the mascot, "Ruffie the Dog." He would ask periodically where (at first) "the guy" was and then he would ask where Ruffie was. At the end of the night, he worked up enough nerve to go stand by him and have his picture taken with him. Leah, on the otherhand, didn't want anything to do with someone in a big dog costume. About a couple of innings in, the sun was setting and a slight breeze was blowing....perfect. I really enjoyed my time with my kids and Greg at the game.

Painted

This past weekend I was painting my toenails and Leah insisted on having her's painted as well. So, I sat her up on the counter and painted them pink. This is the first time she has had her toenails painted. She was so excited about having them painted and everyone she has seen in the last couple of days, she has pointed out that her toes are painted.

This brings me to the next set of pictures I am posting.....Greg was out cutting the grass tonight and the kids decided to water-paint in the garage. Needless to say, the paint went from paper, to bodypainting to painting their fingers and toenails with a nice grungy colored water and paint. Evan even got the "drying your toenails walk" down as he hobbled keeping the toes off the grass to go show Daddy.

I Can Ride My Bike

Leah surprised us on Easter with pedaling with both feet on a tricycle. Evan has not wanted to really try. He just likes to go really fast being like Fred Flinstone and pushing on the pavement (either using one foot on the ground and the other on the pedal or both on the ground). However, last night while we were downstairs, he went ahead and gave it a shot and did it! Both feet on the pedals! Yeah Evan! We are proud of you!!

My Mother's Day

My Mother's Day was wonderful. Greg and the kids surprised me with a gift card to get a massage! So looking forward to that! We had breakfast with my in-laws at IHOP, had a family nap, had my extended family over and then went over to my in-laws house at night for dessert. All around; a great day with family.

I am so thankful for Evan and Leah and I am so proud to be their Mother.

2 1/2 years old and Our Trip To The Zoo

This past Saturday, we took the kids to the zoo. Our first stop was the Children's Zoo (while it was free). The kids were a little weary of the goats, but Evan started warming up to them and touched them a couple of times. By the time Leah was ready to pet one, the goat turned around and started nibbling on her sweater. Of course, she freaked out and I think it was more of me yelling at the goat, "Stop it! Stop it!" that scared her. We left there in a hurry and onto the next animal exhibit.
They enjoyed the giraffes ("jaffees"), the elephants ("effafants"), and the hippopotamus ("?").
We rode the train around the zoo; which the kids enjoyed. However; Leah does not like the tunnels we had to go through and each time we entered, she would bury her head in Greg's lap.
On Sunday, the kids turned 2 1/2 years old! Crazy! We had a great afternoon playing with them in the backyard and enjoyed a great dinner outside on the patio. It was one of those nights where the weather is perfect, the food is great and the company is even better. They were hysterical and so much to be around. I am so glad I took a step back, enjoyed the moment and took it all in.

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Leah-Dancing With The Stars

Today, Leah was showing off some moves while I was watching Dancing With The Stars. They had a group on there doing some Latin dancing.

Of course, the video camera should be attached at my hip, but thankfully she was eager to strut her stuff once more for me. I can't wait until she can take dance classes! I always hoped my daughter would love to dance as much as I did/do. I love the moves where she just bends over and shows her pull-up diaper and where she uses her dress like the girls on tv do. She has had me rewind the one dance number over and over again-too cute.

Infertility Awareness Week

This week is National Infertility Awareness Week. It's said the disease of infertility affects 7.5 million Americans. Crazy! You think, how hard can it be to have a baby? Well, as stats show, difficult for many.
This week I am reminded of all that many of my friends and myself have gone through to try and expand their dream of having a baby of their own. After one failed IUI, Greg, myself, and our doctor, decided IVF was our best option for trying to conceive. We were successful with the medication (and oh, the medication!-AUGH) and our first IVF attempt. We implanted two of our embryos and both took. After going through the emotional, physical and mental roller coaster ride, we were very excited when Evan and Leah arrived. Although they can definitely be a handful at times, we are so happy they are in our lives.

This week I am also reminded to think and pray for others who are going through the roller coaster ride themselves.