Happy Birthday Daddy

Thad is pretty lucky that he gets to spend every birthday with all of his family in his hometown. His mom makes him a cake and he gets to open presents (usually boring guy stuff!). Hannah loves helping daddy blow out his candles and lick the frosting off. She helped him open his presents and even tried them on. Who's birthday was it again? Even though Daddy's new coat does look cute on her, she better hold out till her own birthday, and maybe then she'll get something that fits better!

Christmas 2006.2

Wow! Another Christmas, with just as many presents! Hannah was just as excited the second time around. She had fun helping Ben and cousin Evy open all of their presents, and playing with all their new toys. Her new Twin Time Dollhouse from Grandma and Pap took the spotlight though. Ben got a train too from Aunt Juls and Uncle Tim, he thought that was pretty cool.




With all of the Christmas excitement going on Ben took a moment to chill out with his soon-to-be Uncle Tim. They seem to get along pretty well. Hannah thinks Uncle Tim is pretty special too, they're both very lucky to have such a great family.

THANK YOU EVERYONE WHO HELPED MAKE A GREAT CHRISTMAS FOR HANNAH AND BEN!

Christmas 2006.1

Christmas morning. Is there anything more glorious in life for a two year old than to come downstairs and find that Santa left her presents under the tree. I'm getting old and I still feel that way! Hannah was very patient in waiting to open her presents. I don't think she was very suprised to fing that Santa got her her one and only wish for Christmas: a play choo choo train, but she was certainly very happy.




Here is Hannah's train all set up (with a little help from daddy, who I think enjoys playing with it as much as Hannah). There are lots of different ways to lay the tracks and I'm sure Hannah will keep busy with it for awhile. She runs the controls herself and knows how to make the whistle blow!




Ben had a great first Christmas too. Here he is after opening just one of his many presents. He did great for awhile and seemed interested in everything, but soon after he took a much needed nap. I guess Christmas morning is quite a lot for a little baby.




This is Ben's "house" that Santa brought. Of course Hannah thought it was for her, and luckily Ben doesn't seem to mind her playing with it. It's a toy that he'll grow into and hopefully enjoy for a long time.

Christmas Preparations 2006

Step 1: Find a pretty dress to wear. Lately people have been telling us that Hannah looks older in pictures. I have to agree.




Step 2: Bake and frost the cookies for Santa. Hannah has had some experience in this department.




Ben is still a little young for this step; so he and I just sat and watched Daddy's fantasy team underperform as usual.




Step 3: Go go church. There is a candle light ceremony at the end. Since Hannah is too young to handle a flaming stick of wax, we brought her princess flashlight for her to hold instead.




Step 4: Leave snacks out for Santa and his reindeer. Our budding engineer asked me if Santa's sleigh would break the roof. She showed me her calculations and I couldn't find any mistakes. I explained to her that Santa's knowledge of space and time must be profound. If he's figured out a way to deliver gifts to millions of households in a single night, I'm sure he has figured out how to land on rooftops without buckling them.

Crazy for Crazy Bread

For two weeks now Ben has been eating dinner with us. This night it was peas. Ben has inherited his father appetite and speed-eating habit. He makes a face at the first bite, but then immediately wants more, and more, and more. When he realizes that his cereal or jar food is gone he throws a mini baby tantrum, but calms down soon enough.




This picture from a couple weeks ago shows what happens when he's still hungry after he eats his main course. We decided since he ate his vegetables that he could have one piece of Little Caesars Crazy Bread.

Lights on the Lake 2006

Christmas isn't Christmas in Syracuse until you've gone to see the Lights on the Lake. This year was a big change compared to last year. Hannah was excited to get out of her car seat and ride up front with mommy and daddy (last year she wanted to get back in her car seat and screamed until she got sick all over herself and mommy). She was enjoying herself so much we even let her guide the steering wheel. Ben came up front too and loved all the different lights and colors.




Usually when we do this there is almost a foot of snow, this year it was about 50 degrees and it sprinkled a little bit. It was cool to see the lights reflecting off the puddles, though. We're holding out for a white Christmas, but the snow will probably wait until we're traveling.




(A note to the worried Grandmas: We didn't go above 5mph)

Santa Visit 2006

Unlike last year, Hannah was really excited to see Santa this year. We have been preparing her all year; explaining how he is the guy who brings presents on Christmas. Once that started to sink in, she started warming up to the idea.

For at least a month, now, she has known exactly what she was going to ask Santa for: the Fisher Price (R), Geo Trax (TM) Rail & Road System Workin' Town (TM) Railway with Geo Motion. Thankfully, Santa's answer was not, "You'll shoot your eye out, kid."




Ben got to see Santa for the first time, too. I'm pretty sure he had no idea what was going on, but he and Santa seemed to connect. It must have been the magic twinkle in his eye. (Santa's eyes kind of twinkled, too.)

As parents, we have to top ourselves every year; so that every Christmas is the "best Christmas ever." We'll see how long that lasts...

Jumpin' Bean

The door jumpie. That's what I like to call this contraption that Ben is hanging in. We tried it out a few days ago and he liked it right away. I think Hannah looks less intimidating to him when he's more on her level. She likes to spin him around in it and move him back and forth.

I think he will be spending a lot of time in here. Once he figures out the jumping motion better it'll be great exercise for him and entertainment for us!

Fuzzball Head

There's been a lot of talk about Ben's hair since he was born only four and half months ago. The first question most people asked was "is it red". What are the chances that we would have two red-heads? No, Ben's hair started out as a nice brown shade all over. Except when taking a picture of him with the flash, it appeared blond on top. Then slowly Ben's hair thinned out a little on top, and then started growing back, but not really brown. I would say it's a dark ash blond now, and it suits him quite nicely with those big blue eyes. He does have a bit of a baby bald spot on the back, and it's still brown on the very bottom.

After rubbing some Aquaphor on his forehead, I discovered that Ben's hair is adorable when sticking up a little bit, just like his daddy used to do his hair. At least he'll never have to wear a pig tail "sprout" sticking straight out of the top of his head like his sister used too!

Snacky Time

Snack Time is very important to Hannah. She knows that at about 10:00 in the morning it's time for "Pooh's" or "Nemo's", which are fruit snacks. After naptime she's usually somehow immediately hungry for Teddy Grahams or Fishy Snackers. And if we try to get her into a bath at night without a snack, she reminds us. I think she eats more at snack time than at the regular breakfast, lunch, and dinner time.

In this picture she's enjoying a piece of Mom's homemade banana bread and some ice cream, she must have been a very good girl that day.

No Tricks Just Treats

"Who are you Hannah?" "I'm JoJo" she yells so excitedly. JoJo's Circus is a kid's show on Playhouse Disney that Hannah watches in the morning before Mommy and Daddy roll out of bed. Hannah and JoJo have lots in common: the vibrant red hair, they talk with the same pronunciation of words and playfullness in their voices, and they love to have fun! And although Hannah doesn't have a pet lion, we figure Ben is close enough.

Hannah did a great job sitting still while Daddy painted her face and mommy pinned on her hat. We decided to make her costume instead of buying one, and it turned out pretty well; other kids out trick-or-treating knew who she was. We went to all the neighbors houses and she got lots of candy (like whole handfuls at some of the houses), we think the cuteness factor played a big part. And the fact that she was actually a little kid, not a teenager walking around in a hoodie (check out Uncle Brian's blog). So now we have to ration out this candy slowly. It might be a good go on the potty incentive!




As Hannah would say, "we had the Best Halloween ever," and hope you did too!

Pumpkin Carving

Hannah was very eager this year to be a part of the pumpkin carving process. As soon as the top was off and I put my spoon in to start scooping she exclaimed "No, Mommy, that's my do it". And she did it, she even put her hands in to pull out all the stringy things.




Normally Thad spends hours and hours carving a detailed design, but this year we were just too busy. Instead, he used a pumpkin design Hannah had made at the YMCA by gluing pre-cut construction paper shapes onto a construction paper pumpkin. As you can see, it actually turned out pretty nice.




While ben didn't get to help in the pumpkin carving, we did dress him up like a pumpkin. Ben has to send a shout-out to his cousin Evy for sending him this "wicked" cute costume. He wore it to the Halloween party at the YMCA and on Halloween. We think he liked all the attention it got him, he was even given some candy while trick-or-treating with his big sister. I think we'll save it for next year.

All Bundled Up

On this especially chilly night we headed out to Zoo Boo. We decided not to get the kids dressed up in costumes, instead we bundled them up in winter gear. It's getting to be that season, and I can't say that I'm not glad. Winter brings all sorts of wonderful things, despite the bad driving. Hannah is already excited for Christmas and lots of visiting with her grandparents and other family.

So we'll get through the season just fine, and how could I not love seeing these adorable kids all bundled up. Next I need to go boot shopping!

Happy Halloween Cake

In August Hannah, Ben, and Mommy joined a group called Mommy and Me of Central New York. It's mostly for stay-at-home moms and their young kids in the Syracuse area and now has close to 300 members. Every month we get a newsletter with fun activites planned that you can choose to attend. This month Hannah got to go to a Halloween dessert decorating party at a local Wegmans (aka: cheese store).

She made a lovely whoopie pie with a ghost on top, a skeleton gingerbread man, and best of all a pumpkin cake! She got to decorate all these goodies with different frostings and sprinkles. Of couse, we didn't make it home without eating at least one creation (the skeleton). We saved the cake for last and it was so good!

Doodling Kids

color

Ben loves watching Hannah do everything, so we thought it was a good idea for him to learn how to doodle like a pro. He watched very intently for about five minutes until his neck muscles gave up on him. But we're sure it won't be long until they're fighting over who can draw the best school bus. And when they ask me, I will give them the classic Mom answer, "they both look very nice."

Crinkly Book Mystery

One of the best baby toys out there is what I call the "crinkly book". It's a nice little three page soft book that has soft edges made for teething and different shaped links on the side and it makes a squeaky sound when you press the middle of it. But most important of all is that when you pick up up or move it around, it makes a crinkly sound. Hannah loved her crinkly book as a baby and when she lost hers, I bought her a new one within days. Now, I knew right away when we lost her book, it had fallen out of her carrier while I was at the store, and I realized it when we got home.

It now seems that Ben's crinkly book has disappeared. This picture was the last time Ben was seen with his book. We have searched high and low and in the most odd places, but still haven't found it. I haven't rushed out and bought a new one, because it has to be here SOMEWHERE! I know, I know, I just need to look where all the missing socks, mittens, random toys, and Hannah's hair clips are...if you have any ideas, let us know!

Steelers Traditions

Pittsburgh will always be this family's "home town" dispite the fact that only one of us was actually born there and we don't live there now. The most important part of being a Pittsburgher is rooting for the home teams: da Pens, da Pirates and of course da Stillers.

Rooting for the home team is about more than just sports; it's about passion and committment. This is fulfilling when your team is winning, but can leave you inconsolable when they let you down. Now these values and traditions will be passed on to Ben.

The Steelers flag replaces Old Glory on gameday, jerseys are sported often, and the rooting policy is strictly adhered to: root for the Steelers and for whomever is playing against The Cowboys. Note: rooting for individual fantasy players is allowed, but cannot conflict with the team rooting policy. (ex. I can root for my 3FL QB, Carson Palmer, to get 3 passing TD's as long as I still root for the Steelers to beat the Bungles.)

This may seem humorous to some, but Pittsburghers know it is a serious matter. Even if we don't defend the championship, you can bet there will be plenty a wave of the Terrible Towel and plenty a click of the Campbell's Chunky cans throughout the season. Go Stillers!

PS. Ben's jersey is a gift from Uncle Brian, the winner of the baby poll.

Best Buds

For being siblings, Hannah and Ben seem to get along pretty well. Ben watches Hannah play and sometimes Hannah lets him join in. Today Hannah showed Ben how to lay on his belly and hold his head up.

We tell her that Ben is learning from her. She likes "teaching" him and watching him grow and learn. I think she's learning just as much as he is though.

Diaper Model

One afternoon while changing Ben out of the clothes he spit up all over I decided that a baby photo shoot would be a good idea. He seemed to like having his picture taken over and over again, with just his diaper on. Is this a prediction of what his future career might be: an underwear model? If so, he better get off the couch and start doing some sit ups.

Couch Potato Baby

Okay, couch potato husbands are one thing, but a couch potato baby? Who took this picture? Who would set Ben up for a lifetime of hanging out and watching the tube? Oh well, I guess Sunday afternoon football is permissible. And the Baby Einstein movies are okay. And family movie night. And Sesame Street.

Maybe he does need to learn early after all. Big sister Hannah already knows how to work the vcr-dvd player so she can watch Little People, which is more than we can say about several of their grandparents.

Sunday Bread

Every Sunday after church lets out, Hannah gets to decide which loaf of bread to take home. Someone at our church works at a local grocery store and brings in all of Saturday's leftover bread for the congregation to take home. Hannah loves running to the table and deciding, but usually the chosen loaf is the one closest to her reach. Most of the time, we end up with a cheddar cheese broccoli bread; but other combinations occasionally make it home.

We normally have the bread at lunch or dinner, but this time Hannah decided that she couldn't wait and dug right in... literally. Even though she ruined the loaf, it was too cute to get upset. Gotta love kids.

Hannah's Kennywood Adventure

On Hannah's second trip to Kennywood Amusement park in Pittsburgh, PA she found that the Kiddie Land rides fit her better this year, or maybe she fit better? Aunt Juls and Uncle Tim came along for the fun and enjoyed a morning of rides, food, and more rides.



If you ask Hannah what her favorite ride at Kennywood is she'll probably say "helicopters", but the motorcycles came in at a close second place. She rode both of them at least five times each; but the biggest news is the ride she rode only once - The Jack Rabbit.

Yes, she stood on the platform and the height confirmation bar swung around and whacked her in the head - signifying that she was officially tall enough to safely experience her first big girl ride. What they're really testing is how tough you are: if getting whacked by the bar makes you cry, you probably can't handle the double dip. You used to just stand next to Jeeters and measure up. They had to let him go because he wasn't rough enough with the prospective riders?

Anyway, she handled the beating and the ride quite well. She curled up and held her Daddy tightly going up the hills and around the bends, but put her hands up down each of the hills; and when we got off there was a big smile on her face. She later described the experience as both scary and fun; we always knew she would be a thrill seeker.

School Bus

Hannah used to always ask us to draw her a school bus on her "colors." She would make us draw wheels, a door, windows, kids and a bus driver. Sometimes we would even add the stop sign, lights and bumpers.

Apparently she was paying attention because she draws them herself now. It's a little out of proportion, but for a two and a half year old, that's a pretty good school bus. I guess the art classes paid off.

Smiley Kid

Well, he finally got the muscles in his face coordinated - and what a big smile they make. It's a lot of work getting those big cheeks out of the way; but what a cute result. He apparently has plenty to smile about because he does it all the time.

He is growing up much faster than his sister did. Time flies when you're having fun!

Train Ride

There is a single car train that runs from the Carousel Mall to the Carrier Dome and back. For only $6, all four of us got to go for a ride on a rainy Saturday afternoon.


I was under the impression that trains were always exactly on time. This one didn't seem to care about being 2 minutes late.


Hannah had a grand old time watching the mall get farther and farther away as the tall buildings of downtown approached.


"Choo choo," she said as the train blew its whistle at an intersection.


Oh yeah, I did say all four of us went. Mr. Excitement slept through the whole thing as usual.

Do I Look Like Groompa?

The first grandkid gets to name the grandparents. In order to distinguish the Grampas, my Dad is "Pap" and Stacey's dad is "Groompa." He used to be "Grampa Oompa," named after the game he invented where you bounce on his belly and he says "Oompa oompa." Eventually, the two words ran together and he became Groompa.

Anyway, Ben seems to have gotten at least one prominent feature from Groompa - that chin. We'll see as his face matures where he gets the rest.

Take Me Out to the Baseball Man

Hannah and Ben went to their baseball game - or at least 4/9 of a baseball game. I got free tickets through work, so we figured we couldn't lose. All day Hannah was excited about going to see the "Baseball Man."

As you know, the game itself is only part of the experience. We got a hot dog, fries, nachos and ice cream. We debated cotton candy, but decided it was kind of late for that much sugar.

Ben slept the whole time, but Hannah wouldn't stop wiggling. At one point she actually started saying "wiggle wiggle wiggle" as she did it. We tried to tell her watch the guy try to hit the ball and run run run to first base. She wasn't interested.

All in all, the "free" game cost us about $22.50.

Pre-Photo Shoot

In preparation for getting their portraits taken, Stacey decided to have a practice session with them. As you can see, it went rather well.

Ben tried to smile.


The kids sat nicely together.


Hannah showed her mature, serious side.


She even added props, too.

Of course, the ones we paid for didn't go quite as well. The ones of Hannah got messed up and they didn't print them. Ben didn't even smirk, let alone smile. They sat nicely together, but Ben's face was all scrunched up.

I guess practice doesn't make perfect after all. At least we have the pictures from this practice session.