20jan2014 - we're not in texas anymore...
well, we're in our second full week of "normal" routine. full weeks at school and adam started his new job last week. the routine is helpful for the kiddos (most of the time). we've got two cars in the garage, most boxes unpacked and getting organized little by little. we even got the kids bathroom painted and just need to put it back together before it's back in business.
thanks to noah, mackenzie studies the U.S. map at the table (her new placement) and talks about texas (the horse) and kansas (the cow)...and recently florida (the alligator). she's adjusted really well and enjoys school and seems to like her new home a lot. she got to spend some time at my office and is now even more enamored of marc (my friend/coworker) than she is of jack (his son).
we were lucky to have all of the grandparents here for mackenzie's third birthday...it was fantastic! the whole weekend was pretty low key with lots of quality time.
i'm loving working in the office most days (10 minutes or less from home) and enjoying my time at home a great deal more when not working there. adam's commute has been smooth (about 15 minutes). we've had some bitter cold (-8 as a high one day) and some amazingly beautiful days (60 and sunny) with a few rounds of snow. we've been exploring the library every weekend and generally getting settled...here are some pics of the kiddos.
jackson isn't sleeping as well since our move and really likes to snuggle...here he is sleeping in with papa.
jackson loves his teachers miss Rachel and miss alexis...he is so happy at school and we are really happy with the care and developmental support he is getting!
the kiddos hanging out together.
grandma helping jackson dance with mackenzie. she was teaching a dance class where she wanted all of the adults to partner with a stuffed animal.
we have a wonderful trail just a couple blocks from our house - here mackenzie is with the grandmas behind jackson and i and adam, brody and the grandpas are up ahead.
mackenzie playing games with grandpa and daddy...she had quite and adjustment after 3 full days as the center of attention from 6 adults (plus the meyers for one afternoon) and then grandma and grandpa for a few more days!
little man often gets some quality z's in his car seat all bundled up.
dinner at sweet tomatoes for mackenzie's birthday...like father like daughter...she does love the buffets. and we like taking her because she often tries lots of things.
trying to get documentation of everyone together proved to be quite futile...here you can see why we don't have as many great photos...mackenzie is such a moving target!
jackson chilling in his rock and play, just taking it all in and mackenzie modeling the adorable dress and beautiful rocking chair aunt denny sent her for her birthday!
first snow play was met with mixed feelings of fascination and trepidation!
big sister...little brother
wonder what they are cooking up???
mackenzie is getting better with scissors and so proud of cutting all the way across the paper all by herself!
mackenzie having fun unpacking a box of hats...this one is for you brian!
jackson has started joining us for dinner in the high chair, which he seems to really like. he's only a week or so out from starting some solids. didn't get a picture but he stole one of my carrots last weekend and just gnawed on it for a while. mackenzie's first solid was carrot which met with mixed reviews...what will jackson get? stay tuned.
we're all done with sleeping on the back and roll and scoot all over the place. the mobility seems to be somewhat disruptive to jackson's sleep, but hopefully that's just an adjustment. he's still mostly rolling from back to front and always to his right. we've had an occasional front to back but he doesn't seem too motivated as he likes tummy time!
morning snuggles...he does love his sister but never appears too sure about being held by her.
mackenzie setting jackson up for some cozy play time.
these kiddos always seem warm while we're bundled up and chilled!
mackenzie got a bit addicted to sugar with a move in the middle of the holidays and with a birthday...she was very excited about decorating some new year cookies but we've gone through detox and are back on track!
i took the kids to the mall (one of my least favorite places) for a diversion and to get mackenzie some new shoes on new year's eve since school was closed and daddy was working at home. there is a cool interactive "thing" on the floor and mackenzie played very confidently and interactively with other kids.
we've been going to a healthy beginnings program for 3-5 year olds at the library every saturday focused on nutritional education, specifically encouraging trying and eating fruits and vegetables. there is a story, a game and an art project each week. it's great to get out, get some stimulation and check out the library (kansas and missouri have wonderful library systems)!
the rare nap!
oh, so happy! always smiling.
mackenzie and jackson had a snow party in the kitchen after our last snow (about 6 inches). it came with bitter cold and wind so this was a fun way to experience it.
mackenzie did make it outside to play for a short time when i was finishing up the shoveling...she was excited about a fort (it wasn't sticky enough for a snow man).
we had a gorgeous day last weekend and took a family walk. daddy ended up pushing an empty stroller while mackenzie walked for about an hour and half! she did great, but didn't get that elusive rest we were shoot for...guess jackson made up for it.
i've started looking for a double stroller/bike trailer so i can get them out more easily and start walking to and from school on days i work at home as it gets warmer...can't wait.
so cute, jackson has started to favor the child's pose position with his tushy way up high...just like his sister (who still sleeps that way sometimes).
some goofy morning snuggles in mackenzie's bed. it's so nice when they both sleep enough and wake up happy on the same day!!! such a nice way to start the day.
hanging out all by himself in the family room, happily eating the changing pad while i make dinner.
mackenzie is so proud of this game and told both jackson's teachers and hers all about this morning at drop off.
http://youtu.be/75NIj9kDZlo
