And she cracks me up.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Laughing? I think so...
And she cracks me up.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Kendall's 3rd Birthday - aka The Year of the Pumpkin
Kendall is 3!!!
Where did 3 years go? Seems like it went by so fast. Our baby is now a big girl, and all the trouble that brings - aka she pushes the envelope more often than not.
For Kendall's birthday this year we skipped the party and did a family day at the All Season's Orchard out in Woodstock. Kendall loves the great outdoors, and we thought a little apple picking and a trip to the pumpkin patch would be a grand old time. Sadly, with all the heat this summer, the apple picking was bad and the orchard was not open on weekdays, but we were still able to hit the pumpkin patch and all the activities the place had to offer - and boy did it have a lot of activities.
Similar to our stay cation, we headed out mid-week for our excursion - Kendall's birthday was a Wednesday. This was the best move ever. We had tried to do the pumpkin patch a couple years back, but it happened to be Columbus Day and everything was so busy we gave up on the idea. Mid-week with no holiday, the Orchard was empty. Literally. When we pulled up there were only 5 cars in the parking lot, and we were the only visitors. Even though it turned out to be a colder day than we expected. we had the place to ourselves.
First up, we checked out what Nate and I referred to as the Goat Bridge to Nowhere. Really, it is a petting zoo with goats, sheep, llamas, and chickens. The goats have the bridge in the enclosure that they can climb, and you can send food up to them.
The animals in the petting zoo were looking for some food, and started following Kendall and her apple cider doughnut around. She looked like the pied piper. The goats and llamas were getting especially friendly and following her around from one end of the enclosure to the other.
Inside they had bunnies and chicks, as well as an area you could get closer to the animals and "pet" them. Since I am kind of weird about that, we passed on the petting, but did get to check all the animals out.
On the weekends the Orchard does pig races. This means these pigs run around a short track to get some food at the finish, while the workers clean out their pens. The signs all said they don't run the races on weekdays, and I was kind of bummed. Who doesn't want to see a random pig race? But, we were in luck, and as we walked past the pig track, the pig guy asked if we wanted to see them race - of course!! The guy was really nice and got Kendall involved, asking her to say "Ready, Set, Go!" to start the races, as well as asking her to bet on the pig that would win (they had colored ribbons on their necks). Kendall loved this!
Where did 3 years go? Seems like it went by so fast. Our baby is now a big girl, and all the trouble that brings - aka she pushes the envelope more often than not.
For Kendall's birthday this year we skipped the party and did a family day at the All Season's Orchard out in Woodstock. Kendall loves the great outdoors, and we thought a little apple picking and a trip to the pumpkin patch would be a grand old time. Sadly, with all the heat this summer, the apple picking was bad and the orchard was not open on weekdays, but we were still able to hit the pumpkin patch and all the activities the place had to offer - and boy did it have a lot of activities.
Similar to our stay cation, we headed out mid-week for our excursion - Kendall's birthday was a Wednesday. This was the best move ever. We had tried to do the pumpkin patch a couple years back, but it happened to be Columbus Day and everything was so busy we gave up on the idea. Mid-week with no holiday, the Orchard was empty. Literally. When we pulled up there were only 5 cars in the parking lot, and we were the only visitors. Even though it turned out to be a colder day than we expected. we had the place to ourselves.
First up, we checked out what Nate and I referred to as the Goat Bridge to Nowhere. Really, it is a petting zoo with goats, sheep, llamas, and chickens. The goats have the bridge in the enclosure that they can climb, and you can send food up to them.
On the weekends the Orchard does pig races. This means these pigs run around a short track to get some food at the finish, while the workers clean out their pens. The signs all said they don't run the races on weekdays, and I was kind of bummed. Who doesn't want to see a random pig race? But, we were in luck, and as we walked past the pig track, the pig guy asked if we wanted to see them race - of course!! The guy was really nice and got Kendall involved, asking her to say "Ready, Set, Go!" to start the races, as well as asking her to bet on the pig that would win (they had colored ribbons on their necks). Kendall loved this!
Then it was on to the main attraction - pumpkins! This place had an awesome pumpkin patch full of all different types of pumpkins and gourds. We spent a lot of time wandering around picking out the best ones - or in Kendall's case the rotted ones that she wanted. Nate and I just went ahead and put those back and steered her towards a nice fresh pumpkin.
There were small pumpkins. These Kendall enjoyed the most because she could cart them around.
And large pumpkins that were almost the size of Kendall, and definitely bigger than Cassidy.
We really enjoyed wandering around the pumpkin patch and spent a good chunk of our time in there. We ended up taking home 2 huge pumpkins and a bunch of smaller ones - so in all a good pumpkin haul.
We checked out the rest of what the farm had to offer - which was a bunch of stuff for kids to go wild and climb all over.
Yep, that's me and Cassidy on the swings. What, can't see Cassidy? That's because she is in my jacket. It was chilly out there.
Kendall really dug this slide. She ran right up there and went down the slide - and it was high!
See, that is seriously high. And she went right on up there, no fear.
We wrapped up our day picking out some pre-picked apples and lots of pumpkins and headed on home.
All in all, it was a great birthday, and we capped it all off with the requisite cupcakes when we got home.
Happy 3rd Birthday Kendall!! You have kept us on our toes so far, and we have enjoyed every minute of it!
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Cassidy - 2 Months of smirking
We have survived 2 months as a family of 4. Well, really 3 considering that I am just getting around to blogging about month 2. Things have been moving along swimmingly with the girls. More to come on their interactions with the month 3 post, but for month 2 they are getting along.
We have gotten out and seen the sites, hit swim class, and even had a dr appt together. So far, so good. At this point, Kendall is more of a handful than Cassidy - but that is just because she is the only one that is mobile. We'll see what happens when Cass gets her walk on - then we are all in trouble!
Cassidy at 1 month
Height - 22
inches
Cassidy at 2 Months
Weight - 12lbs 13oz (80%)
Height - 23 7/8 inches (95%!)
Sounds like - Cass is a chatty one when she is awake. She even tries to answer when you say hi! Sounds more like a coo - but she looks at you while she does it. When she is sleeping, this kid sounds like a buzz saw with all the snoring.
Likes - hanging out in the baby Bjorn, napping in the swing, bouncing on the exercise ball - both sitting on your knee as well as wrapped up in a swaddle for sleeping
Dislikes - dirty diapers. Really, that is about it.
Things she can do - eat, poop (but thankfully she does it rarely), smile (BIG), watch a little TV (yeah, I know, bad parenting), look you in the eye, turn her head in both directions, hold up her head while sitting on your lap (assisted in the sitting, of course), and tries to pull herself up to sitting if you let her hold your fingers. Strong girl.
That smirk. This picture kills me, everytime. Cass is a happy little thing and makes us all smile. She loves her big sister and her big sister loves her too. She is such a little character already - no telling what kind of trouble my 2 girls are going to get into.
Here is Kendall's 2 month post for comparison.
We have gotten out and seen the sites, hit swim class, and even had a dr appt together. So far, so good. At this point, Kendall is more of a handful than Cassidy - but that is just because she is the only one that is mobile. We'll see what happens when Cass gets her walk on - then we are all in trouble!
Cassidy at 1 month
Weight - 10lbs 15oz
Height - 22
inches
Sounds like - a snoring bear (kid is constantly snoring
and grunting)
Likes - The ceiling fan, her big sister Kendall, being
swaddled, eatting, her swing
Dislikes - dirty diapers, loud noises (which is rough
living with Kendall), anytime the car slows down or stops (constant motion is a
must)
Things she can do - eat, poop, spit up, pick up her
head and move it around (has some control - just like Kendall did), grab onto
shirts/hands/toys, sleep by herself in the pack-n-play (she is a good sleeper
already, she started doing 5 hour stretches within 2 weeks). 
Weight - 12lbs 13oz (80%)
Height - 23 7/8 inches (95%!)
Sounds like - Cass is a chatty one when she is awake. She even tries to answer when you say hi! Sounds more like a coo - but she looks at you while she does it. When she is sleeping, this kid sounds like a buzz saw with all the snoring.
Likes - hanging out in the baby Bjorn, napping in the swing, bouncing on the exercise ball - both sitting on your knee as well as wrapped up in a swaddle for sleeping
Dislikes - dirty diapers. Really, that is about it.
Things she can do - eat, poop (but thankfully she does it rarely), smile (BIG), watch a little TV (yeah, I know, bad parenting), look you in the eye, turn her head in both directions, hold up her head while sitting on your lap (assisted in the sitting, of course), and tries to pull herself up to sitting if you let her hold your fingers. Strong girl.
That smirk. This picture kills me, everytime. Cass is a happy little thing and makes us all smile. She loves her big sister and her big sister loves her too. She is such a little character already - no telling what kind of trouble my 2 girls are going to get into.
Here is Kendall's 2 month post for comparison.
Staycation 2012
When I had Cassidy in early August, I was able to take off work immediately. Pretty much because having a baby is like being put on the physically unable to preform list. Not that I am complaining, 12 weeks at home with the kids is a good thing. But Nate was not able to take the time off right away and really was pretty busy at work those first few weeks. So, after a lot of grumbling from me, Nate took the first week of September off, and we did a staycation.
A staycation? Yes. Taking a 1 month old to Mexico is not a good idea - or so I am told. So we did the Chicago/Milwaukee thing and took in the sites. Little did we know going into this is that the week after all the kids go back to school is the absolute BEST time to hit the city. Everywhere we went was wide open, and that was awesome.
We took it easy at home the first couple of days, hanging out with the girls, going for walks, relaxing stuff. Then we headed out - which is a lot more complicated with an infant in tow.
First on the staycation agenda was a trip to the Shedd Aquarium, which I forgot the camera for. That's okay, it is hard to take pictures in there anyway. We are Shedd members, so we go a lot, but that first week in September was a new experience. The place was dead. You could get right up and see all the exhibits. We even got seats by the Caribbean Reef and took in the feeding. Cassidy LOVED this. There is what is essentially a light show on ceiling in that room while they do the feeding of the fish that she checked out. We explored areas of the exhibits we usually skip because it is so crowded on weekends and we hate crowds. Going during the week rocked!
We then decided to spend a day up in Milwaukee and hit our favorite zoo. I did manage to remember the camera this time, and we got some cute shots.
By this time it was Friday, so we figured we might run into more people. We were so wrong - the zoo was empty. Again, this made it all the more exciting. We were able to get right up and see the animals as well as navigate a lot more ground not having to dodge people. I even learned that you can purchase a ticket to feed the giraffes. I was vetoed on doing it for this trip, but I am so feeding the giraffes next time.
I also learned that elephants swim under water. Seems like I should have known that, but I didn't and I was shocked when an elephant jumped into a pool of water and went under. Somehow it did not register that an elephant could swim.
We, of course, did a through tour of all the birds, including the aviary where the birds are free range. Freaks me out, but Kendall loves. We also saw a flamingo that appeared to have OCD. It kept spinning around picking at the ground, all the other flamingos were giving him a wide birth. Kept us entertained though.
Cassidy woke towards the end of the zoo trip and spent some time hanging out with us as well. Being a month old, she was not too interested in the zoo.
The day ended when the sky opened up and poured rain. Put a damper on wandering the zoo, but we were all tired after all that walking anyway.
We rounded out that trip to Milwaukee with the necessary stop at Pizza Shuttle - but by then the girls were asleep and ready to head home.
A successful staycation - and now we know when the best time of year to repeat this fun!
A staycation? Yes. Taking a 1 month old to Mexico is not a good idea - or so I am told. So we did the Chicago/Milwaukee thing and took in the sites. Little did we know going into this is that the week after all the kids go back to school is the absolute BEST time to hit the city. Everywhere we went was wide open, and that was awesome.
We took it easy at home the first couple of days, hanging out with the girls, going for walks, relaxing stuff. Then we headed out - which is a lot more complicated with an infant in tow.
First on the staycation agenda was a trip to the Shedd Aquarium, which I forgot the camera for. That's okay, it is hard to take pictures in there anyway. We are Shedd members, so we go a lot, but that first week in September was a new experience. The place was dead. You could get right up and see all the exhibits. We even got seats by the Caribbean Reef and took in the feeding. Cassidy LOVED this. There is what is essentially a light show on ceiling in that room while they do the feeding of the fish that she checked out. We explored areas of the exhibits we usually skip because it is so crowded on weekends and we hate crowds. Going during the week rocked!
We then decided to spend a day up in Milwaukee and hit our favorite zoo. I did manage to remember the camera this time, and we got some cute shots.
By this time it was Friday, so we figured we might run into more people. We were so wrong - the zoo was empty. Again, this made it all the more exciting. We were able to get right up and see the animals as well as navigate a lot more ground not having to dodge people. I even learned that you can purchase a ticket to feed the giraffes. I was vetoed on doing it for this trip, but I am so feeding the giraffes next time.
 |
| View from the giraffe feeding platform. How cool! |
We, of course, did a through tour of all the birds, including the aviary where the birds are free range. Freaks me out, but Kendall loves. We also saw a flamingo that appeared to have OCD. It kept spinning around picking at the ground, all the other flamingos were giving him a wide birth. Kept us entertained though.
The day ended when the sky opened up and poured rain. Put a damper on wandering the zoo, but we were all tired after all that walking anyway.
A successful staycation - and now we know when the best time of year to repeat this fun!
Trains, trains, and more trains - Our visit to Thomas
So, Thomas came to town. You know, the Tank Engine. He hit up the Illinois Railway Museum in Union Illinois. You say, where is Union? I say the middle of nowhere, aka halfway to Rockford.
Anyway, there is a large train museum out there. A train museum you say, and I say yes, and it is exactly what you are thinking. Lots and lots of old trains. Initially I thought it would be a couple old trains you could check out and climb on, but they even have trains that still work, and you can ride on them. Lots of trains you can ride on. But I digress.
Thomas the Tank Engine made an appearance for 2 weekends in August. There were ads all over PBS for it, so we decided to check it out with our cousin and some friends the last weekend in August. The main draw of this day with Thomas is that you get to ride on Thomas, which as it turns out is just Thomas pulling a bunch of 100 year old train cars. Still cool if you are 3, or 30 something. Probably lame anywhere in between.
We did the ride on Thomas, and fun was had by all. Kendall loves trains, always has. The train runs by Grandma and Grandpa Gorman's house, and was always a fun activity to watch, so she knows her trains. The ride on Thomas was a good time and she enjoyed it, checking out the scenery for the whole 30 min ride.
3 week-old Cassidy even got in on the action. Because I apparently think I am superwoman, I was traipsing around a crowded train yard with a 3 week-old. It went well, but I was much more tired than I would have thought after. Not my most brilliant plan, but fun none-the-less.
We also had a chance to check out some of the other trains while we were there. Below is an old L car for Howard St that Kendall is checking out with her cousin Nora.
There was also some old signage and signals to check out. Green means GO!
And plenty of trains to check out and and explore. Both alone and together.
The train yard was super crowded with the Thomas event going on, so we didn't get to see as much as we wanted to (and Nate did not get to ask Sir Topum Hat his burning question about why he is always so cross), but we were interested enough to think about going back on a non-event weekend. I like it better when we have these places practically to ourselves and can explore.
Besides, we need to go back and find the spot where this picture was taken of Nate and his brothers back in the day. Apparently the train museum is a Greaney Family destination across generations.
Anyway, there is a large train museum out there. A train museum you say, and I say yes, and it is exactly what you are thinking. Lots and lots of old trains. Initially I thought it would be a couple old trains you could check out and climb on, but they even have trains that still work, and you can ride on them. Lots of trains you can ride on. But I digress.
Thomas the Tank Engine made an appearance for 2 weekends in August. There were ads all over PBS for it, so we decided to check it out with our cousin and some friends the last weekend in August. The main draw of this day with Thomas is that you get to ride on Thomas, which as it turns out is just Thomas pulling a bunch of 100 year old train cars. Still cool if you are 3, or 30 something. Probably lame anywhere in between.
 |
| Note Thomas in the background. That is about as close as you get to the good engine. And yes, his eyes move. Creepy. |
3 week-old Cassidy even got in on the action. Because I apparently think I am superwoman, I was traipsing around a crowded train yard with a 3 week-old. It went well, but I was much more tired than I would have thought after. Not my most brilliant plan, but fun none-the-less.
Besides, we need to go back and find the spot where this picture was taken of Nate and his brothers back in the day. Apparently the train museum is a Greaney Family destination across generations.
Monday, October 8, 2012
Cassidy's First Month
I did a monthly update on Kendall and would like to do the same with Cassidy, and maybe highlight some of the similarities and differences between my 2 darling girls.
Cassidy at birth
Weight - 8lbs 8oz
Height - 22 inches
Sounds like - a cooing dove, or screaming banshee, depending on when you catch her.
Likes - Sleeping, eatting
Dislikes - None really, pretty happy camper
Things she can do - stare blankly at us, eat, poop, spit up, pick head up
Cassidy at 1 month
Height
- 22 inches
One big difference we notice between the girls is that Cassidy values her alone time. She doesn't need, or want, to be held all the time. She likes to do her own thing a bit. She is very chill. Not sure if this is just her, or some of being the second child with calmer parents this time around. Only time will tell.
For comparison, here is Kendall's Month 1 summary. The similarities and differences are kind of interesting to note.
Weight - 8lbs 8oz
Height - 22 inches
Sounds like - a cooing dove, or screaming banshee, depending on when you catch her.
Likes - Sleeping, eatting
Dislikes - None really, pretty happy camper
Things she can do - stare blankly at us, eat, poop, spit up, pick head up
Cassidy at 1 month
Weight
- 10lbs 15oz
Height
- 22 inches
Sounds
like - a snoring bear (kid is constantly snoring and grunting)
Likes
- The ceiling fan, her big sister Kendall, being swaddled, eatting, her swing
Dislikes
- dirty diapers, loud noises (which is rough living with Kendall), anytime the car slows down or stops (constant motion is a must)
Things she can do - eat, poop, spit up, pick up her
head and move it around (has some control - just like Kendall did), grab onto
shirts/hands/toys, sleep by herself in the pack-n-play (she is a good sleeper already, she started doing 5 hour stretches within 2 weeks). One big difference we notice between the girls is that Cassidy values her alone time. She doesn't need, or want, to be held all the time. She likes to do her own thing a bit. She is very chill. Not sure if this is just her, or some of being the second child with calmer parents this time around. Only time will tell.
For comparison, here is Kendall's Month 1 summary. The similarities and differences are kind of interesting to note.
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