Gadgets to Get

The other a day a friend asked what I thought of the double stroller I got and which one I decided to go with.  I went with the city mini and so far I love it!  This got me thinking of other things that are making my life easier these days.....

The Itzbeen.  My friend Annalee sold me on it when we went to meet her second child, Graham.  I LOVE this handy little gadget.  You just push a button when you start feeding and then you know how long it's been...get it???  I love not trying to remember how long Hank's been eating, when he's due next, etc.  It also has buttons for diaper changes and sleep times that I don't use as much and a misc. button that I use for Avery's naps to make sure he sleeps long enough, too.  Go get one, I strongly suggest it!  I got mine as a gift from Babies R Us, but I think they have them at Target, too.

The Moby wrap. 

I saw this on a friend of a friend's blog and thought, "oh, good for you a little too granola for me."  Sorry, I am a city girl....But, boy was a wrong.  I love this bad boy.  I never found a sling I loved with Avery.  The over one shoulder made my back hurt so very bad, and now there's the breathing scare.  I liked the Baby Bjorn okay, but it also hurt my back and with Hank I needed him to be in it, but didn't like that I still had to keep his little head still.  I am now a Moby convert.  I forgot it last Sunday at the church kids carnival and was so sad.  My favorite features is that it holds Hanky's head still.  It can also totally cover his head so I didn't have to worry about sunburning the little fella.  It was a little hard to work the first time, but I got through it with the manual and I hear there are classes if you need them.  I also think it will be fun to have several ways to use it as he gets older and bigger.   

I used Babies R Us giftcards, but I am sure there are lots of places to get these also.

Bug Band Wrist Band

My Aunt Susan Jo sold me on these with Avery.  It is all organic, natural, etc. and it doesn't spray on the little kiddies.  I also think it smells really good.  Since Avery LOVES being outside, we all end up out a lot lately and the mosquitoes are already rearing their ugly little heads.  I can put this on Hank's stroller or carrier not even touching him and he is still protected from the bugs.  If you want one check out Aunt Susan Jo's website, tell her I sent ya so I can be the favorite niece!!

So, what makes your life easier?  I need all the help I can get!!!!

Poor Hanky Panky

His one month post is almost one month late....

Hank celebrated his one month birthday as an only child, Avery was in Tyler with Honey and Pop.  We went out to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory to celebrate, but he slept through the experience.

I love that while Hank looks just like Avery his personality is all his own.  For example, he was not very interested in having his picture taken that day on all 3 occasions I tried, see

He was bored and yawning here

And getting ready to scream his head off here

Hank is a precious one month old.  He is sleeping through the night, we are so afraid this will stop.  He answers to Hanky Panky, Hanky, Hank, Hankapotamus and Hankster.  He loves his passy, bouncy seat and the button that makes the pack n play vibrate.  He also loves being held by any member of the family, especially his big brother. 

Happy very belated one month Birthday to Mr. Henry Lee! 

My Prince

Today MY prince is turning the big 3-0.  I love that we have now known each other for half of our lives. 

I loved him so much back when it was just us and we went on fun cruises and had tons of alone time. 

I loved him even more when the little prince was born and he became such a great dad!

And, then I loved him even more when he became dad to the littler prince, too, and continues to help and be there when we need him. 

And we love him every day just because he is the amazing man that he is!

Happy Birthday Michael from 3 people who are proud to say you are our favorite person in the whole world and we are so glad you were born 30 years ago today!

How to Have the Easiest Party Ever (and great)

Have a super cute 2 year old

Put said 2 year old in his favorite Elmo shirt. 

Make A the letter of the day for A-very and 2 the number of the day because he's 2...

Have drinks like lemonAde Apple juice and H2O

Make Ball the word of the day

Have snacks like dounut "balls" and sausage balls

Ask your friends to bring a ball to play with and let the kiddos loose outside

A little sidewalk chalk is always fun

And so are a new red car and basketball goal

And of course a wonderful family who help decorate, provide party favors and clean up the mess!

If you follow this simple recipe you too can have a fabulous 2 year old party even if his baby brother isn't quite a month old! 

**I did steal ideas from my friend Annalee, check her out for even more fun ideas!

Long Time...No Post

Sorry it has been forever since I posted.  We have been to Tyler twice and had all kinds of fun, plus Hanky had his one month Birthday.  But, I promised myself no blogging or google reader until I finished my Thank You Notes, and I finally finished. 

So, I think I am going to go back and blog in order.  Until then I leave you with this hilarious picture...I can just see it on e-harmony for pre-schoolers...

Hi I am Avery, I am 2 and 1/12.  I like reading Dr. Suess books upside down, playing with baseballs and basketballs, and of course long walks on the beach. 

Call me for a playdate 555-babystud!

Love that Lisa

Here are a few of the pictures she took for us when Hank was about 10 days old, she is unbelievable. 

I will admit I was super stressed when Lisa asked if I had a white shirt I could change into, because Michael's white shirt looked really great.  But she was so right.  I thought the picture of me and the boys would be awful, but I love it!  I am also loving the pictures of Michael and Hank.  The fact that she can get him this relaxed is why I love her.

A great thing about the boys' birthdays being so close is we got to have Lisa take Avery's 2 year portraits at the same time.  He cracked us up with his delight in having Lisa and her sister Tracy pay so much attention to him and take his picture.  I can't get the kid to smile and pose for anything, but like I said Lisa gets the men in my life to do great things for her camera!

Thanks Lisa!

By the way, she will be in DFW next weekend.  If you need some pics contact her, she might still have an opening!!!!