what a hiatus!

even though we have been absent in blog land, our lives have not been on hold! we have been busy! We have been enjoying our spring weather - well, when it's not raining! We have been to mc d's playland, reading hour, to the farm, we celebrated easter, went to a playdate at meg and earnie's (mom left the camera at home for this one!) and there is probably something i am forgetting. Be on the look out - the updates are coming!! to tide you over - a picture! oh - if the picture color is off i appologize, we think mia was working on the computer and changed the settings. we have to figure out how to change them back!!

the many faces of Mia

didn't see this one - it should have made the collage!

a little time with my poppa....

there is nothing that Darrin enjoys more than getting Mia to sit still long enough to read to her. Darrin loves to read and although he would say differently about me, i do as well. But I have other things i enjoy as much. like blogging. And i tend to spend my nights doing everything i couldn't get done during the day, cleaning, laundry,etc. Hopefully Mia will grow to love reading as well!

up, down, up

little rule breaker

wearing white before memorial day...Mia thinks patent leather goes with everything!

a day trip

My poppa took me to the park today! we had a great time running and playing!! i went down the slides, climbed, played on the swings and slid some more!! it was a great day!

Eight months

My secret trick to get luke to laugh!

Here are Lucas' eight month pics! It's hard to believe that he is on his way to being one! He was super excited to have
his pictures taken this month! maybe it was his new frog shirt he wore that day - or his awesome new hair he is growing!
it continues to grow but refuses to lay down! i think Mia's did this too - and she earned the nickname rooster!
This month Luke has figured out how to crawl, go to a sit from a crawl, go back into the crawl from a sit and pull up!
looks like he is on his way to cruising and walking too! no rush from
me - he can crawl for 6 more months!!

since i can't sew...

i have to enter contests to win handmade things! this site is giving away an adorable skirt for amelia. I love reading cara's site and her 2 girls are adorable! She is way crafty and is always sewing something for them. My favorite by far has been these skirts and this dress. wait, there was this dress to. Cara is giving this away to bring attention to March of Dimes, which i have already posted about below! It seems a lot of my mom friends (cyber and RL) are supporting the MOD and you should too! now get your checkbook out and donate!!

made with love

Mia needed a new home for her ponies, so her poppa made her a pony castle!


i think she likes it!

easter egg hunt #2

here is a quick collage of the eckert's easter egg hunt. The 2 Mia's had a wonderful time. we also had lunch at the eckert's restaraunt. their food is so yummy!! well worth the trip!

the 2 Mia's

look who we found after the hunt! Ms. Olivia in her easter finery!! She looked so cute! And the girls loved her!

luke and his evasive feet. a photomentary.

feet? i have feet? what are feet?

these chubby things are feet? you want me to grab them?

i will try......

success! and while sticking my tongue out no less!

Library reading hour

I have started taking Mia and Luke to the local library reading hour. We all enjoy getting out of the house, it's free
and a great rainy day activity. They provide a great place to meet new moms, a color sheet specific to that day's
topic, a craft and light refreshments. Then the reading lady reads a story or 2. this week was all about easter.
ANd I just found out there will be an evening session this summer!

it can not be measured

the amount of love I have for this little boy. Not in ounces, pounds, ml's, cc's, grams or inches. it can not be done.

Easter Egg Hunt - #1

My friend from work Dawn told me about a small easter hunt near our house. It was hosted by the schnucks in O'Fallon. Amelia had a great time and really enjoyed finding the eggs! Luke enjoyed watching the kids run around and get the eggs!

put on or put out!!!

I am walking this year for the march of dimes. I am walking for many reasons and for many kids. As most all of you know, i work in a nursery. it is the well-baby nursery but we still see the pre-term kids. the ones who didn't make it near their due date. I also have friends who have had preemies. In their honor - Amelia Lucas and I are asking that you put on your shoes and walk with us or get your pocket book out and donate!!! I am very blessed that my kids were both term and healthy - not every one is so lucky! Please help out a wonderful organization!

one day... all babies will be born healthy
today... too many moms and families know the heartbreak of having a baby born fighting to survive
I've joined March for Babies because the March of Dimes champions the needs of moms and babies in our community and across the nation. The money we raise for March for Babies will help:
- support all-important research offering preventions and solutions for babies born too soon or with birth defects- educate women on things they can do to increase their chances of having a healthy baby- provide comfort and information to families with a newborn in intensive care- push for newborn screening and health insurance for all pregnant women and children
Please help by donating today!

The March of Dimes uses your money wisely: 77% of every dollar supports research and programs that help moms have full-term pregnancies and babies begin healthy lives. And your funds are used to bring comfort and information to families whose baby was born too soon, or sick. With your help we can do more!!

It's easy, safe and secure - just click to make your donation.

My personal Web page address for donations is...http://www.marchforbabies.org/9400strollers

who has stinky feet??

Mia!!

Miss Amelia

She had a few smiles for mom. She actually had more but 75% of her pictures were blurry.
Blame the photographer i guess!

Sir Lucas

I am loving this set of pics. Luke was expecially happy and had a ton of smiles for his momma!
and check out the chub. there is nothing sweeter than baby chub!

Mia on Madagascar

a severe injustice.

When we lived in dupo i was very jealous of my missouri friends. they have a wonderful program called parents as teachers. you get home visits from the school district. they come once a month and bring games for the kids. games like fishing that work on big arm muscles needed for writing (didn't know this), or stringing beads to help with fine motor skills.

I was super excited to move to our new home because they had a similar program - foundations for success. I met L through the program. she came to see the kids once a month. Mia loved her. we looked forward to her visits. L introduced us to M. Mia was instantly drawn to M. She loved having her come, and M was coming once a week! She is the nicest person. She would play with both kids and gave out wonderful advice for us as parents. she is so patient. I should have known it was too good to last.

We were told at our last visit that we were being dropped from the program. seems we don't qualify after the suits restructured the grant money. I am glad we got to meet M and L and have the visits that we did. It is just so upsetting to me that because I am educated and work, i am not qualified for visits. what message does that relay? that the suits only care about the un-successful? that the moderately successful don't need improvement or help parenting? and yes, i am bitter over being cut. On a brighter note - Here is a pic of M with the kids! Mia has been known to "call" M on her cell when angry with me. She tells her to come over right now!