Happy Birthday Harvey!

Harvey turned 2 years old this past Monday. We opened some gifts at home on Sunday after church. He opened his gifts slowly and carefully. Rowan wasn't very patient an kept trying to help him. She was a little overbearing at times. It was hard for her to understand that this was his birthday and these were his gifts. She kept telling us that he should share with her. While she is correct in thinking that sharing is courteous, she didn't understand that one cannot force another person to share their own birthday gifts.

Harvey got a full Packers outfit from
Grandma and Grandpa Weisensel.
We can't wait to put these clothes on him
during football season.

Harvey also got a box full of cars from the Weisensels.
Notice the third hand (with the band-aid) reaching in and swiping a car.

Harvey received a Transformer and a Lightning McQueen car from us. He loves both, but we found that it's still a little early for him to have the Transformer. I did not realize that the limbs of the toy were capable of popping off. Harvey wouldn't eat them, but Ursula is getting so close to crawling, I would fear for her safety.

Harvey also got a classic Big Wheel from us. He loves to scoot around on it.
I think he will be able to reach the pedals
with his feet next summer.

For lunch, I made a yummy home-made baked macaroni and cheese dish. We all love this version of mac n cheese. Harvey was so excited about his cars that he felt they all needed to congregate around his meal. It was too cute!

The next day, I took the kids to our biggest park in Watertown. There is a large play structure there and since it's mostly surrounded by water, there are a lot of ducks & geese to feed.

This is a great place for kids to play, but the stairs and tunnels are all built for little people. I had a hard time keeping track of where my kids were.

Here's Rowan teaching Harvey (by example) how to swing on your tummy. It was really cute to see them swinging side by side. A couple times Rowan tried to push Harvey to get him moving more, but that resulted in his falling. I wish we had swings in our backyard.

Harvey is doing very well starting his 2nd year. He is about 30 pounds and has all of his baby teeth. He can say a lot of words and will copy a lot of new words that he hears. He is running and jumping and throwing a ball overhand. He sleeps well at night and still takes one nap a day. He is pretty good at eating although he will turn up his nose to a few things on occasion.

Harvey is starting to show independence. He wants to play alone sometimes and that bothers Rowan. We have seen many fights that were instigated by Rowan and/or Harvey. Although they are not doing it in fun, we sometimes enjoy watching them wrestle on the floor. Most of the time it will end in a parent breaking up the fight or Rowan getting smacked with a train (of the Thomas the Tank Engine variety).
Harvey has also brought his screaming tantrum to new levels. His volume and pitch are higher than ever before. One time I really thought that he would lose his voice. Because his words are still hard to understand, I usually don't know what kicks off the tantrum.
I'm really looking forward to the day he grows out of this. I realize that may be a while.

Even though he is testing us, our Harvey is still such a lovable little man and he does beam one of the biggest smiles I've ever seen.

Happy Birthday Harvey!
We love you to bits!

While the cat's away....

....the mice will play!

These pictures were taken at the Allord's house in Janesville. We visited with Doug's family while Rowan was away at the Weisensel's house in Green Bay.

Harvey really loved having more attention. It was great the way Elijah engaged him in play. Harvey appreciated having someone to tumble around with.

However, Harvey left on a sour note. He somehow stepped on Elijah's face and caused him some pain. Harvey would really like to apologize to Elijah for that.

Ursula's Choice

The day after our excursion to Bristol Renaissance Faire, we drove to Madison for a picnic for Andy's Dad's side of the family. They get together every summer for a picnic. We had a small amount of rain and wind, but it was still nice.
At the end of the picnic, we transferred Rowan's carseat into the Weisensel's car. We explained things to Rowan and said our goodbyes. She didn't seem to mind us leaving at all. She went with Dennis and Darlene back to Green Bay for what was supposed to be a couple days. Well, it turned out that she stayed there for a week and came back with my parents. Jack and Donna happened to be in Green Bay for a doctor's appointment. Rowan did very well while she was away but she was very happy to arrive back at home. She gave me a very long hug before we got into the house.

This is the only photo we took at the family picnic. Andy decided to let Ursula examine his PBR.

Catching Up!

I have some catching up to do! In my last blog, I posted some photos of when we were here at the house without Rowan. She had gone to Grandma & Grandpa Weisensel's house for a week. We had first thought that she would be with them a couple days, but things changed.

Let me go back a few days before that....

We had decided to go to Bristol Renaissance Faire. Dennis and Darlene came along with us and I hope they had a good time. It really helped to have them along to help mind the kids.
We did a lot of walking. The kids did a lot of riding in the strollers.

Ursula played with her toes a lot. She was warm and sweaty, but she was quite good the whole day.

Rowan and Harvey played on the little castle.
We didn't dress up this year. The stars just didn't align properly.

We saw the mid-day arena show. The knights displayed their skills and set up the story for the joust show at the end of the day. We sat in the grassy area near the Queen's booth. Harvey didn't like the horns and timpani that were played. He found it too loud. Ursula didn't mind at all and I think Rowan is almost over her fear of loud noises. I don't recall seeing her cover her ears.

Since the rides and attractions cost an arm and a leg, we let Rowan go on one ride. She really wanted to ride the ponies, so we let her.
The horse she rode was named "Champ."
I think we got a good $4 ride in. They went around that little circle for a while.

Hard Working Baby

Harvey and Ursula are enjoying some more quality mom time now that Rowan is out of the house. She is spending some time with Grandma Weisensel!

I have to admit, it is much quieter here....no one arguing back with me.

Ursula has been working so hard over the last week. She would like to show you the progress she has made with her push-ups.
Above you can see her tummy just barely off the floor.

Now it's up a little higher.

Today she practiced some more.

Lucky quick shot on the camera caught her at her highest lift so far.

And now, time for a break.
I have been trying to help her pull her knees up under her tummy, to help her progress to crawling. She doesn't understand that part yet. That's okay with me. I'm just so impressed at what she has accomplished thus far!

Hot & Humid

Today the water gun officially died.

jump!

Staying close to mom.

Hiding from the sprinkler.

peek-a-boo!

What we've been up to...

Last week, Rowan got to spend a day at Grandma & Grandpa Allord's house. If you ask Rowan, everything there belongs to Grandma and she just lets Grandpa use it. Grandma helped Rowan create necklaces using a kit. She made a necklace for herself, mommy and Harvey.

Last Saturday, we drove down to Highland, IN for my grandmother's 85th birthday party. There were a lot of people there that I hadn't seen in a long time.

It was nothing short of a miracle that we got this photo of all the great-grandchildren and none of them were crying. Only little Billy (in the background) was too antsy to sit.

Of the grandkids that were there, we got most of them in a shot. Some were unable to come to the party and couple didn't make the shot because they were tending to babies.

Here is Grandma Allord with Ursula.
It was a good thing we brought a few outfits for Ursula.
This was dress number 2.

Our family photo.

Sleepy baby.
She fell asleep on the floor one day.

Harvey likes playing with "his" doll once in a while.
Rowan gave him one of her dolls (the doll she got when he was born - that used to talk). Rowan prefers to play with the doll that has eyes that open & close.

Bein' silly.
Rowan is hiding from the camera.
After I took this she wanted to see the
preview screen right away.

Today we opened up the bag of "dress up" clothes we received from Aunt Julie. Both kids were thrilled at everything that was in there. At one point, Harvey had on about 6 leis and 4 other necklaces, bunny ears and sunglasses.
Rowan really likes all the princess wear, high heel shoes and purses.
And the butterfly wings were a must with both kids.
I still can't get them to take them off.

Inspector Harvey looks for a clue.

My winged children.