Snow Day

If you know Luke you wouldn't doubt that he is a tough kid!  However, when it comes to the snow Luke has always been a bit of a wimp.  Last winter we tried to take him skiing and he cried the entire time about how cold he was and how much he hates his winter clothes.  Every time Mark goes out to shovel Luke is sure he wants to join.  He asks me to get him dressed and then the complaining starts.  Snow clothes are not Luke's friend.  Even if I am able to get him dressed and outside he generally only lasts a few minutes.  

Last Sunday Luke asked Mark if he wanted to play in the snow.  We were shocked and didn't dare say no.  He then decided that he wanted to go sledding.  Mark was not happy to find out that we didn't have a sled or tube to our name.  Why would I buy that stuff when Luke doesn't even like to go outside in the winter.  The manly Mark came to the rescue and told Luke he would build him a sled.  I think building a sled was a pretty strong term for what Mark did.  He went out to the garage, found a tupperware lid, drilled two holes in it, and tied a rope to it.  Mark referred to it as Luke's Great Depression sled but Luke couldn't have been happier. 

This was just about the easiest sledding event you could have thought of.  Not only did Daddy whip out a sled in five minutes but we didn't even have to go in search of a sledding hill.  Daddy just packed down the snow on the back steps.  It was just he right size and Luke could use the side of the stairs to walkup!  

Little Brody woke up from his nap and could hear all of the fun going on outside.  He was sure he needed to be out there.  I bundled up my little snow bear and sent him outside.  Brody is so content and happy when he is outside.  This little snow bear was happy just to sit in the snow and eat it!  Sometimes it's the spontaneous activities that turnout to be the most exciting and memorable!      

Sock Lover

It is an understatement to say that Brody loves his binky.  The bink only comes out of the mouth for two reasons...to eat and drink or to chew on socks.  Brods has become obsessed with socks.  Luke refers to him as our little puppy.  He will either take his socks off or find random socks around the house.  Then walk around the house with them hanging out of his mouth.  

It amazes me how he finds them.  I try to keep them picked up but he finds them in Luke's room, the laundry baskets, mudroom, etc.  The part that kills me is when you take them away from him.  I know he loves them, but it grosses me out sometimes and I just have to steal them.  Watch out though, he gets so offended and throws the biggest fit until he gets them back.  I guess for his birthday we can skip the toys and stock up on socks!  

Discovery Gateway

It has been a long cold winter and the boys really needed an outing.  We decided to head to Discovery Gateway to get our wiggles out.  I was really excited to see how Brody would react since this was the first time he was mobile at a museum.  I know these pictures look like we had a day full of laughter and smiles, but that's not the true story.  

Luke had a rough start to his day at the museum.  Usually, Luke is the only one we are trying to entertain so in the past he got to run to whatever exhibit he chose.  Today I kept trying to tell him that either Brody wasn't ready to move on or we had to go in order.  He was not one bit happy with this change and protested profusely.  The last straw for Luke was when Brody was playing in the baby area and he was ready to move on.  This resulted in a major temper tantrum and informing me that I was the worst mommy and he was so mad that we had this dumb baby.  

I told Luke that we were leaving and marched him out to the elevators.  By now he was in a complete tizzy and his asthma was out of control.  He was screaming at me that he couldn't breath and he didn't know how to stop crying and coughing.  After a good ten minutes of a timeout on the stairs Luke had calmed himself and was ready to play and follow the rules.

The rest of our visit was wonderful and the boys thoroughly enjoyed themselves.  Luke participated in the art project and did some cool salt paintings.  Brody loved that he could crawl everywhere and play with all of the toys.  His favorite area was the farm area because he could pick all of the vegetables "growing in the ground" and chew on them...yuck!  Luke's favorite exhibit was the construction...not shocking.  We need to have more outings to endure the rest of this winter because we had definitely been cooped up too long!

Ten Months

I know I said this last month, but my little baby is getting so big.  I can't believe he is almost one and I am so wishing I had my infant back.  Brody has quite a little personality coming out.  He has a little bit of a temper and is very easily offended.  Brods already doesn't like to be told 'no' but he is crazy and into everything so he gets told 'no' quite a bit.  When you tell him 'no' or take something away he clenches he little fists and growls at you.  We're in for trouble with this little guy!  Brody finally moved out of our room this month.  He was becoming too hard to sleep with and would roll over our bed.  Now, Luke and Brody are finally sleeping in their own beds.  However, every now and then Brody still wakes up and protests at 2:00am! 

-Wears size 3 diapers

-In 12 month clothes

-Eats just about anything

-Eats three meals a day with sippy cups of formula at bedtime

-Has four teeth

-Crawls like a maniac and loves to climb stairs

-Obsessed with his binky

-Loves Mickey Mouse

-Plays hide-and-seek with Luke

-Knows "So Big"

-Claps when he does something great

-Waves bye-bye

-Takes two 1-2 hour naps

-Loves to get in the tub and be nakies
-Says "dada" for everything and refuses to say "mama"

First Haircut

It would be an understatement to say that Brody's first haircut wasn't a huge success.  My sweet little Brody that doesn't get bugged by much was not one bit happy about this experience.  Luckily, we had Grammy there to help us soothe him a little bit.  Brother Luke had an awesome time running everywhere and trying out all the different chairs.  

He started out pretty happy and wasn't too bothered until she got out the little buzzer to shave the back of his little neck.  When she first started he would get a part confused part concerned look on his face but he didn't cry yet.  Once he realized that she was not stopping and he definitely didn't like this and the waterworks came and they didn't end.  We had Luke blowing bubbles, Grammy offering a sucker and me trying to document and soothe at the same time.  No matter what we did he was not going to be happy.  The hairstylist had to leave for a minute so we were able to calm him down and I thought there was a chance he would endure the rest of the haircut, but no luck.  Even when the haircut was over we tried to get an after shot and all we ended up with was a screaming Brody.  Hopefully the next time will go a little better!

Valentine's Day

We had a fun Valentine's Day this year!  Our day started out with heart shaped french toast.  Luke thought it was amazing, but Brody though differently.  This little guy loves to eat so he wasn't too happy that it wasn't cut up and ready to be shoveled in.  Every time he would pickup a heart and realize it wasn't going to fit in his little mouth he got very upset!  However, once it was chopped up he gobbled it right down and Valentine's was saved!

This year Luke had preschool on Valentine's Day so that was a lot of fun for him!  The second he walked in the door from preschool he dumped his bag and opened his treats.  Luke isn't much of a candy kid but I think he had more fun opening the cards and reading who they were from!  At school Luke handed out little tubs of Play-Doh that said, "Better Shape Up Valentine...my heart is set on you!"

Luckily, Daddy was able to get off work at a decent hour so we could grab dinner together as a family. When we got home the boys opened our gifts.  They were both pretty excited about their new hooded towels until we tried Brody's on his head.  He preferred to just look at his towel and snuggle with the monkey.  I sure hope my little guy enjoyed his Valentine's because he wasn't too sure about some of the activities we did today.  I guess my little Brody just likes his normal routine and nothing out of the ordinary.  I love these boys and Mark to pieces and so happy I have them to celebrate Valentine's with! Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Nine Months

I cannot believe the changes in my baby this month.  He has grown so much and is becoming more and more like a little toddler.  I love him to pieces and can't get enough of him!  His little personality is really starting to come out and I love it!  When he is shy he will bury his little face in my neck or when you take something away he gets overly offended and cries more than necessary.  This baby sure can turn on the fake crying when he needs to.  It is hilarious to watch him!  When he wants you to hold him...which is constantly...he'll drop his little head, close his eyes and start to cry with a little smile on his face!  We are also starting to worry because the second this little guy started to crawl he was nuts and all over the place!  It looks like we have another Luke on our hands...wild and into everything!

-Wears size 3 diapers

-In 12-18 month clothes

-Weighs 22 pounds

-Is a crawling machine

-Has two teeth

-Claps and waves bye-bye

-Is off of baby food and eats only table food

-Eats three meals a day and gets sippy cups at bedtime

-Takes three one hour naps

-Hates his crib

-Still loves his mommy and cuddling with her at night

-Had his first haircut and hated it

Happy Valentine's

Happy Valentine's Day! Love The Hansens!

Happy New Year

We were in Mexico over New Year's Eve!  The resort had a nice dinner and program.  Luke was in awe of the program.  They were Mayan dancers with lot so fire, smoke, and chanting.  Right up Luke's alley!  However, little boys can be expected to sit so long.  

They had just as much fun hanging out in the lobby.  Luke is so anxious to have a cousin he can play with and interact with.  He is sure that Emerson is ready to be his buddy, but I think he still needs a little time!  One thing that I love about Luke is how brave he is and not afraid to be independent.  Whenever he wanted a drink on this trip he wasn't afraid to go up to the bar and order one.  The bartenders always thought he was awesome and spoiled him!  

The boys were starting to get pretty tired and we knew there was no way we were making it until midnight, but right as we were about to call it a night they brought out the noisemakers and hats.  This recharged Luke and he was sure he was ready to party.  We knew that this would lead to no good so we called it a night.  Maybe one day Mark and I can actually stay up until midnight on New Year's Even!

I am so looking forward to this new year!  Being home with my boys and not working has made me want to cherish every moment I have with them this year.  I felt like when I worked I always running mad and didn't take the time to relax and enjoy life.  My goal this year is to cherish every moment with Mark and the boys and not let the outside world, pressures, or my to-do-list interfere with that!

Beach Bums

It is an understatement that the Hansen family are beach bums.  We could seriously spend all day on the beach and never leave.  One day the rest of the family went on a cool excursion but we of course opted to stay at the beloved beach.

Each day we would pack our stuff and park it on the beach for the day.  When the boys got too tired Brody would sleep in his stroller and Luke would take a break and play on his tablet.  I wouldn't say it was relaxing on the beach, I honestly don't think I ever sat down.  One day, Vic said, "We should count how many times Aubrey lays down on her lounger and stands back up."  Someone always needed, food, drinks, help in the sand, diaper change, a swim in the ocean, etc.  I love the picture of Luke's lunch being attacked by Brody and Emerson.  He was very bugged that the babies were stealing all of his food...because there wasn't a constant stream of food on this trip!

One day Luke and I decided to build a snowman since we weren't at home in the snow.  We were preparing ourselves for the cold that would soon come when arrived home.  Brody was nuts on the beach so Luke and I also built Brody his own little pool enclose him a little.  The waves would bring just enough water to keep him happy and the walls were tall enough that he couldn't escape!  He of course busted through it after a few minutes of fun, but he kept him contained for a few minutes and gave Luke something to build!

By the Pool

Luke and Brody were in love with the pool.  I am not going to lie that I was a bit of a grump about hanging out at the pool.  I figured we can go to a pool at home, but how often to we get to go to the beach?!?!  At the end of the day when it was too cool by the ocean we were head up to the pool.  

Luke always liked making friends at the pool.  He found this one little boy and girl that didn't speak one word of English and yet they played together for hours on end!  Apparently they didn't need to communicate to be best buds.  

It took Luke a few days to become comfortable with swimming.  After he decided he could swim we couldn't stop him.  He would be diving down for his cars or doing trick jumps into the pool.  Luke was quite proud of himself for jumping over Uncle Jordan and into the pool.  

It was nice being so close to the snack bar.  Brody discovered french fries and ice cream cones on this trip.  I don't think he'll eat baby food ever again now.  This little guy sat and ate french fries, ice cream cones, and quesadillas all day long!  Luke was always sure he also needed the same three food items available the second he jumped out of the pool!