Jam-packed

What is that, you ask? The mind of a 2-year-old. This morning, 6am, we hear Jude in his room saying "Daddy, where are you?"...well, this morning, it was my turn to get up with him, so I enter his room and from the moment he sees me, it's ramble, ramble, ramble. It's like he's got all this up in his cute little head and he just can't get it out fast enough. He started with "I'm a good boy mommy and you're a girl and Livey's a girl and Daddy's a good boy and Charlie's a good boy...I bumped my lip on Daddy's knee...Not runnin' anymore, I'm a tough boy...I wanna watch Caillou...Caillou's a good boy...I want some milk...My milk's all gone..." and on and on. It was hilarious to just listen to him, because he didn't expect a response from me, he just wanted to say what was on his mind.

Everytime I tell a friend at work a funny story about Jude she tells me that I should be jotting down little things he does, because I will want to reflect back on them at different points in time. For instance, Abe made a cake the other night and it was in a 9X13 pan with a lid on, and you really couldn't tell that it was a cake, especially when you aren't as tall as the counter. Well, I'm getting Jude a muffin for breakfast and he says "I want some of that cake in there". I say, "That's not cake". He says, "Yes that IS cake in there mommy!". Ok, so I lied! I had to distract him to forget about the cake. A day later we're driving in the car and he says,
"I want a piece of gum". I say "I don't have any". He says "Yes you DO have gum in here!" The kids is not dumb!
He's starting to sing more songs like "Twinkle Twinkle", "Itsy Bitsy Spider", "The alphabet", and he's counting all the time. He can count to 11...but once he gets to 11 he goes back to 8 for some reason. I can't get him to stop that! He pointed out a circle and a square to me on Friday. I feel like the kid is growing up so fast...
These pics were taken this week.. Mom and Dad came to the rescue and kept Liv one day while my poor babysitter was down with the flu..

Big Boy Pants

Today marks day #5 of "big boy underwear" for Jude. As you can see below, he's pretty proud. Today, he also had 2 accidents...oh well, that comes with the territory. Daddy and I have to work on our patience, that's for sure! Little Miss Olivia is getting bigger by the day! She's really starting to talk and giggle a lot! She is NOT sleeping through the night though...Not sure about this girl! We even tried cereal and a little bit of baby food...not sure what her deal is!

She and Daddy both, were not quite crazy about this hat...but it sure looked good w/ her outfit ;)

Will try to continue with updates....basketball starts in just a few short weeks..YIKES!

The weekends fly by!

It is just crazy how time flies anymore! This weekend seemed like it was gone in an instant. We spent Friday night with Grandma & Papa eating pizza and playing. Saturday was a gorgeous day--but Jude & I spent some time in the kitchen together making bran muffins...He's taken after his friend Ben; at becoming somewhat domestic. (Don't worry Ben, he has no interest in Tide..yet ) Sunday brought another gorgeous day--church and dinner with friends. Jude had a date with his little friend Kate! (Can't believe I didn't take any pics)

We got out the jump-a-roo that was Jude's for Livey to try out this weekend. And, surprise! She love it just as much as her brother did! Not sure if this will work or not but here's a link to Jude when he first tried the jump-a-roo...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YG--io8kDvc Cracks me up to look back at Jude...what a difference between then and now..
I feel so blessed that the Lord has provided a way for me to be home one day a week. What a blessing it has been to have that one extra day with these two little munchkins!

Pumpkin Fest

Our Friday night consisted of attending the Pumpkin Festival in Morton..Eating lots of good food (including pumpkin ice cream; of course!), Seeing lots of people, Riding rides, and thanks to Nate--attempting for a goldfish!
"Who is this girl in the picture", you ask...well, we don't know for sure, but she told Abe she would hold onto Jude and keep him safe during this fast and furious ride. And that she did! Mid-way through the ride, Jude's face was buried in her chest. It was so darn cute!

And above here you see Jude attempting to win a goldfish; that he did NOT, but thanks for suggesting it Nate :) He was a mess after this...Really wanted that goldfish and really really tired!
Saturday we ventured back to Morton for the famous parade. I tried it solo--just the kids and me! Luckily we had a nice spot w/ Joy and their family on Jefferson! Jude was hilarious going after the candy.. He was kind of timid, surprisingly! But, thanks to Mom's help..he came home w/ a bag-full-of candy!

Livey 4Months!

We made our trip to the Dr. today for Liv's 4-month check up. Jude traveled along with us and surprise, he got a shot too! He did so well though; didn't shed one tear. Livey weighed in at 15lb 10oz (75%). She was also 75% for height but her poor little head only rang in at 25%. She is still not sleeping through the night, but according to the Dr., that is completely normal. Ugghh! Anyway, she has started eating a tad bit of rice cereal here and there. She can roll front to back and vice versa.

She is just loving Jude! She could watch/listen to him for hours and she is just in awe! It's quite cute! Jude is becoming a great big brother. Still a little rough now and then, but for the most part he's gentle and loving.

Life at the Zeller house has returned to normal chaos. As most of you know, I developed shingles about two weeks ago... That had me down for about a week but I seem to be back to normal...just a little itchy at times. What caused it....stress, lack of sleep, nursing, not eating well, you name it! Not fun! Hopefully we will have some normality for a month when golf is finished, before basketball starts!

Back to School

Abe went back to school last week and we are adapting to us both being away from home throughout the week. He is in the midst of "coaching" golf. Isn't really difficult coaching, just requires TIME, which I feel like we lack--as a family. We'll get through it, it just seems so fast-paced at times. Run, run, run! Here is little Miss Livey from this morning's coffee w/ Becky and Caleb. She is growing so rapidly. She's full of giggles and smiles and is doing an amazing job w/ holding her head up. We tried the Bumbo last night and she did really well.

This is Jude & Ben w/ their "Gree & Nana" out at the lake. They were preparing to head out into the sun and work w/ the water! Jude absolutely loved the boat ride that "Nana" took them on.

These pics were taken by Katie on Tuesday afternoon (after no nap from Jude). I thought he would be horrible, but turns out, fruit snacks do wonders! Great job Katie! Can't wait to see more :)

2 Kids + Work = Time Flies

Well, going back to work has been as I thought it would be. Good to be around adults and socializing more, but missing the kids so much! Abe is still off for the summer for another week and he has been spending quality time with Olivia, which is great for them...makes me a LITtle jealous. I am happy they can do it though. Jude is adapting to going back to "school" 3 days a week. However, his sleep pattern is horrendous. I thought we had a routine down for both of them, but I thought wrong. The past few nights he has been waking in the middle of the night. We don't know if it is still the molars coming in, or what! Olivia has also been waking at least once a night. I know it will all get better as time goes by, but as time goes by, I also want it to stop...I feel like it just flies by anymore.

Jude enjoying his ice cream in Eureka at the Dairy Barn Tanner's Orchard...we didn't know what fun you could have prior to fall weather!

Olivia, as I said, has been waking at least once in the night it seems..but she has adapted to going down a little earlier in the night, so that mama can get some sleep too. It has worked out for me to wake her early in the a.m. to nurse her prior to me leaving and then she'll sleep in until 8 or 9 for Daddy! She has started rolling over, putting her hands in her mouth, cooing a lot, and even giggling at us. She's changing so fast!