Take Me Out to the Ballgame

I (Mark) am back for my second blog posting of all time.  I really would like to do more but Whitney is so good at it that I defer to her (this is the same reasoning that results in me doing a lot of dishes in our house).

Anyway, I got treated to an early Father's Day present when Amelia said she wanted to go to the Cubs game.  Whitney wanted to surprise me and get tickets but was so worried about getting tickets to the wrong game that she told me to just pick a game.  Of course I picked the soonest game I could as I was super excited to get to take Amelia to her first Cubs game.  As many of you know I am a little bit of a Cubs fan so this meant a lot to me.

Amelia reluctantly posed for a pre-walk picture for Mommy.

Luckily, Whitney was able to get some good ones as we walked away.

A couple of pics in front of the marquee.  One I clearly took myself and the other a friendly stranger  helped me out.  I sure did get a good work out as Amelia wanted to be carried a lot that day.  I don't blame her (and secretly I enjoyed it) as the concourse gets awfully crowded and she would surely get bumped in to a lot.

All of the above were taken by Amelia.  The first one was pretty good...  And I am not sure how she took a black and white picture, I will have to ask her next time I want that setting.

Two thumbs up for the Cubs!  Not sure she was aware of the score.

The game was really fun.  The weather could have been better - outside the field it was about 60, in our seats I would guess about 45 and windy.  That didn't stop Amelia as she wanted to stay for the whole game.  We took a 1 1/2 inning stroll in the middle of the game to warm up and search out some hot chocolate but to no avail (which is really surprising considering I went to a game last Thursday and it was 65-70 in my seat and I saw the hot chocolate vendor three times).

Amelia's favorite part of the game was obviously the seventh inning stretch.  She took her duties as a Cubs fan very seriously and made sure to sing loud as the Cubs were down 5-0.  Unfortunately, even Amelia's singing couldn't help the Cubs so we left at the end of 8 innings as we were freezing and someone was getting tired (I won't say who).  Welcome to being a Cubs fan Amelia, you will get used to it... there is always next game (Cubs 1 - Dodgers 5).

Blue Harbor

So when Tomme and Bobbie invited us to spend the weekend with them at a water park in Wisconsin,  I must admit I was a bit skeptical. Not because of the company but because I'm SO not a water park girl. We had no plans and knew the girls would have a blast with their cousins so we took them up on the offer, after all it wasn't about me. Turns out Blue Harbor is a great place to spend the weekend. The hotel is nice, spa super peaceful, views of Lake Michigan beautiful, the kiddos were all on their best behavior and most importantly I'm pretty sure the cousins all had a great time. I NEVER thought I would look forward to a trip to a water park but I'm definitely looking forward to going back. Hopefully we can go when JuJu/Poppy can join us and it is warmer so we can enjoy the beach! I didn't get a lot of pictures of the water fun as with a one to one kid to parent ratio it makes it hard to focus on taking pictures rather than keeping track of kiddos.

So much for sneaking away for a peaceful beer by himself. Anytime we opened the door to our hotel room Juliet got to the door as fast as she could and would scream if she didn't get to go. I don't think daddy minded his date.

These two girls are something else together... They sure do love playing together!

After a full morning at the water park and long afternoon naps I have never seen kids eat as much as they all did.

Having to sit in a high chair versus the booth with the "big" kids didn't stop Baby J from eating her weight in mac-n-cheese.

Cousin love.

and more cousin love

and yet another attempt of a photograph of all four Lang babies.

Amelia held very still while getting her glitter tattoo in the kid's playroom.

Someone has turned into a bit of a monkey. We cannot turn our back to our littlest lady or this is what we are likely to find. She has turned into a climber! This is new territory for us and I'm not sure there is much we can do other than always have one eye on her. Perhaps this phase will pass but at least right now Juliet has no fear. She would scream at me whenever I wouldn't let her walk directly in to the pool... 

A & G sure have good taste. They showed up in the same swimsuit (in reality it means both their moms are guilty of only shopping for them at Target). Of course they could not be bothered to slow down long enough for a picture of their matching attire.  Georgia is the family dare devil and Charlie and Juliet hold their own in trying new things. Amelia is cut out of the same mold as her mom. She really wanted to go on one of the big slides where you go down in an inner tube. She wanted me to go with her and after mumbling under my breath, "this really is a daddy task" I grabbed a tube and we climbed to the top. It was fast, dark and scary. Amelia screamed the entire way down. I was happy when she didn't want to go again.

Juliet loving her freedom in the water. Uncle Tomme doing a stellar job watching her. :)

Easter Egg Hunts

We hit up two neighborhood Easter egg hunts. One the weekend before in our immediate neighborhood of Graceland West and the other at the large Chicago Park District park near by. Oh yeah, and Juliet is walking. She started just in time to hunt for eggs.

Oh sweet baby girl had NO idea what was going on. But she loves carrying around bags so she happily roamed around with her bunny bag. The uneven surface was a bit advanced for her new walking skills so she occasionally fell, rolled down the grass, got herself right back up and then kept going.

Too cute!

Amelia on the other hand knew exactly what was going in. There was a park full of candy which she needed!

This was the second egg hunt at the large park. It was total mayhem! Juliet peacefully fell asleep in the carrier on Mark so into the ring Amelia and I went. The Chicago Park District just throws a bunch of empty plastic eggs into the park and the kids run for them. There were probably two eggs for every kid it was so packed. You then took your eggs into the park district gym to get a goody bag. Amelia was more interested in playing on the park equipment than getting eggs.

Have no fear. There was plenty of candy in the goody bag AND she got to have her face painted like a bunny.

Juliet woke up just as the festivities were ending but it was too nice of a morning to go home so we let the girls run around the soccer fields next to the park. Ever since an art project in daycare where they took photographs Amelia has been especially into taking pictures. Here is one she took all by herself!

 All weekend I had tried to get Amelia to cooperate so I could send JuJu and Poppy a picture of her in the new dress they sent her in their Easter care package. Literally the whole way home from dinner I tried to get her picture. Finally I realized that JuJu and Poppy would just need to get a thank you video since getting our sweet girl to cooperate for a picture was not happening....

Rainforest Spring Art Show

We LOVE our daycare's art and musical shows. Amelia's favorite part is getting to run around her school like she owns the place with all her buddies and eating dessert. The past couple of shows we have talked about going to dinner with Sophia and her family after the show but haven't gotten up the courage until this recent show. After the show we headed around the corner for Mexican food, Shirley Temples and adult beverages. The big girls, Sophia and Amelia did a great job and had a blast eating dinner together in a restaurant. The baby girls, Lyla and Juliet were both falling apart.... All in all I think it was a pretty successful dinner considering we had two three year olds and two (around) one year olds at our table! This show's theme was Alice in Wonderland. All the photos are from my phone so no framers...

Amelia's "bio"

Juliet's "bio"

At each show they have a large display of a fruit or vegetables which are part of the decor as well as the take home gift. As if I was going to get a picture of both girls looking at the camera at the same time....

They also always ask to have a certain type of photo sent in for each kid. This show we were supposed to send in "vintage" looking family photos. The great one of the Backlunds in Mexico somehow didn't make it :(.  In the middle picture my mom and Susan are sporting matching dresses and hairdos. The photo above it was my dad, his brothers and parents in front of the cabin shortly after they bought it.

Papa Visit

My dad was in a need of a weekend away and his birthday was coming up so he planned a long birthday weekend with his favorite little girls. As always visits with our family are wonderful but too short. On Papa's birthday we got the Happy Birthday banner hung, made pancakes and had a great morning at the park. When it came time to celebrate his birthday Sunday evening we were all a bit preoccupied. It literally wasn't until we were ready to sing happy birthday to him that it occurred to me that we hadn't even bothered to make (or at the very least buy him) a birthday cake. Have no fear, we stuck a candle in a pile of chicken wings and watched KU beat North Carolina to secure our spot in the Final Four. Way better than any birthday cake!

Baby J was ready for the big game but had to pass some time in the swing before the game started.

Gee, thank you Amelia for "helping" Juliet at the park.

Our fashionista continues to make us smile with her outfit selections. Here she is in her new Cubbies hat which Papa bought her. She frequently asks, "is it windy? If so I should take my hat." As the previous picture shows, she LOVES her Jayhawk track suit and Cubs hate. I do love them both but not together :). 

The birthday boy and his favorite oldest granddaughter  on his birthday morning. Papa was even decked out in Mardi Gras beads. Why? Because that is what Amelia told him he was supposed to wear. I wonder where she gets her bossiness from...

The Children's Museum is a perfect way to pass a rainy Chicago morning.

Fire women Amelia, ready to head into the burning building.

Amelia especially loves the water areas at museums. Here are her and Papa painting with water. Juliet  was observing...

Using scissors for the first time while making a "balancing toy" at the Children's Museum.

Happy Birthday Juliet

Baby J is technically not a baby anymore. Although with how tiny she is and just starting to walk she still is much more baby than toddler. Truth be told I'm happy to hold onto Baby J as long as possible! Below are pictures from her shared birthday party with Georgia who turned 4 on the 3rd.
 

Baby girl, here are some things about your first year I don't want to forget:

• Juliet is one loved little girl who spent her first year surrounded by family and great friends.
• She is an easy going babe.
• When she is ready to go to sleep. Put her to bed. Immediately.
• She is a little snuggle bug. This little girl loves to cuddle and when Mark picks her up from daycare she is frequently curled up with one of her providers.
• When Juliet is having a good stretch she is a great sleeper but the littlest things get her off and have us all awake at night. Seriously, she is a year shouldn't we be done with up all nights?!?!?!?!
• Ear infections. Enough said.
• She is a social lady. Her smile lights up a room and one look at her from a stranger and she is grinning ear to ear.
• She is in love with Ms. Gaby at daycare. Even before she could crawl if Ms. Gaby was on the other side of the room, Juliet would roll across the room until she got to her.
• Juliet did a great job helping GranAnn recover from major surgery. At five weeks old she obediently slept in GranAnn's arms while she recovered.
• Sisters - I think the girls are acting just like sisters are supposed to. Juliet seems to adore Amelia and wants to follow her and do whatever she is doing. Amelia adores Juliet and then the next second screams "MINES" while yanking away whatevery Juliet is holding.
• She has discovered the spice cabinet which was a favorite past time of her sister's.
• A round of "If Your Happy and You Know It" always makes for a happy little girl!
• Parenting two little girls and working is hard. Mark and I are tired. All. The. Time.
• She isn't staying any words yet. Maybe Amelia and I should stop talking so much so Juliet can start getting in a word or two...
• Loves vegetables. Hates fruit. Really loves mac-n-cheese. Wouldn't touch her birthday cupcake.
• She did it! She has us wrapped around her little fingers and has filled our hearts with joy!