Busy busy busy!

Well, it's been almost a month since the last post so I thought I'd sneak one in before the blog police come after me. It's been a busy month - life is a little different with two kids at home now! Peter had a hard time adjusting, especially the first week. There were a lot of tears, and he's developed his temper tantrum, much to the dismay of his parents!! Where do they learn those from anyways? After his first week home, he's gotten much better which we are thankful for. He loves to lean right in over Aaron ("Baby!!") and talk to him, give him kisses, and point out to us where his eyes are... careful Peter!! He's also continuing with his fascination with clocks - he just can't get enough of them. Anytime he goes somewhere new, people comment on how much he loves clocks and finds them all over the place. If only we could get him to perfect his pronounciation...
Aaron has been doing well, and growing quickly. It's hard to believe he's 5 weeks already tomorrow - time flies so fast. We got our first real smiles from him yesterday, what a treat! The last week or two however he's become quite a bit fussier, which is the same thing Peter did when he was a baby. This makes it a bit harder to get things done, especially since the fussiness starts in the late afternoon when Peter is often somewhat cranky as well and when I need to start thinking about supper. On those days, it's especially nice to see Mike walk in the door!
We've been working on our garden slowly over the last few weeks and are putting in some annuals and vegetable plants today. Well, I say "we" but obviously I am inside writing a blog post so I'm not out there planting... I got some of the vegetables in but the kids wouldn't have any more of that so I'm inside with them until they fall asleep (here's to hoping anyways).
We bought a new computer on Saturday, and it is so nice to have an internet connection that doesn't disconnect every 10 seconds! Although this particular computer will have to be returned as it seems to have a few bugs, we are enjoying some new technology and I look forward to being able to do a bit more with pictures during the day without needing to have Mike's laptop. Speaking of pictures, I have a few to share so here we go:

Here is Aaron being weighed, I believe when he was 1 week old. He
was back up to 9lbs 11 oz, gaining 4 oz over 3 days. He's so much
stronger than Peter was as a newborn, and we are amazed at how
strong his neck has been right from the beginning. Those
extra pounds certainly make a difference!Peter is trying to be very sneaky...
He loves looking at his little brother!
He LOVES being outside!
Playing in the garden dirt
Mom, Danielle and Lauren came over last week with a borrowed
rototiller to help me get the vegetable garden turned over.
They did a wonderful job! We look forward to eating our own
veggies again this summer!Our yard has changed quite a bit since we first moved in.
The grass is lush, the gardens are maintained... and
the shed may or may not be on more of an angle now.
Aaron checking things out
I love these little hands!

Peter's Week

While we have been settling in with little Aaron here at home, Peter spent the remainder of the week at Opa and Oma's house. He enjoyed himself thoroughly, spending lots of time outside and playing at the park. I'm sure he's had his fair share of Nutella too! We're happy to have him back home again today, as I've been missing his little footsteps around the house. Here are a few cute pictures from his visit...don't mind the dorky red hat...

More Pictures...

Welcome, Aaron Michael!

Praise the Lord! We are delighted to announce the early arrival of our second child, a healthy baby boy we have named Aaron Michael! Aaron was born at 10:14 a.m. on April 14, weighing in at a healthy 10 lbs. Mommy and baby came home late afternoon and we have all been enjoying getting to know each other here at home. It is such a joy to finally be able to hold this little man in our arms!

Missed the month of March...

It's been over a month since I last posted and I have a ton of pictures to load up. March was a busy month, filled with appointments, meetings, report cards, outings and flooded basements. Mike has been incredibly busy with school, finishing up his report cards and organizing the Fine Arts Festival. March break wasn't too much of a break for him as far as that goes, although we did enjoy a trip to Ikea with family from Strathroy, and a trip to the Butterfly Conservatory in Niagara Falls with friends of ours.
We've spent more than an ordinary amount of time in the basement in the last little while, dealing with flooding from the spring thaw. This has been a bit of a puzzle for us, as we've had two previous springs in this house with no problems with water in the basement, and now we've had three separate incidents in the past few months down there. Thankfully nothing has been damaged since we put everything up off the floor in Rubbermaid containers last summer as a precaution, but it has been frustrating to not know exactly what the problem is. On the plus side, we both now own a pair of rubber boots and can go puddle jumping together when it rains.
Peter has been growing and learning. He enjoys climbing up on things and getting himself into trouble in all kinds of new ways. Look at me, Mom, I can stand on the back of the couch!! When he's in the mood he can babble and babble but he can get frustrated when we don't understand what he's trying to say. He's still not saying "Mommy", a source of no small frustration for his Mom when he says things for SNAKE and BABY and CLOCK and BALL. Someday! He has an infatuation for Mike's calculator, and if there's any marking going on at home, if he doesn't get to play with that calculator he can throw quite a fit. He certainly knows how to throw a tantrum, and can demonstrate a royal one when he has to come in from playing outside. He absolutely loves playing outside, and brings me his shoes often during the day hoping to go out. So many new things to learn about out there!
Baby has been growing well, and everything seems to be fine. Another three weeks to go until his or her due date, so it's all a waiting game now. The second crib is set up in Peter's room (well I guess it's the "kids" room now :) ) and the newborn clothes are unpacked and in the reorganized dresser. I am very much looking forward to this little one's arrival!
Well, on to the pictures... the first bunch are mostly in order from the past month or so, and the last bunch I pilfered from Karen's Facebook account and range from Christmas to our Ikea trip in the March break. Enjoy!

Peter refused to take any naps one day, and suffered for it at supper
time. Just couldn't keep his eyes open! He was snoring away and
we couldn't resist taking a few pics and a video.
Rice Krispies are WAY too hard to eat one by one. It is much more
convenient to vacuum them up off the floor with your mouth.
Note the Rice Krisipies stuck to his nose, haha!
Helping Daddy set up the new kitchen table.
His hair was getting way too scruffy (looking back on the last
pictures, he looks like a bit of a punk!) so Mommy
gave him a fairly successful haircut
We went to the Butterfly Conservatory with some friends
and within a few seconds of walking in the door,
this large butterfly landed on Mike's head
Checking out the butterflies
These butterflies just emerged from their chrysalis (sp??)
There was a frog exhibit going on, with all kinds of neat frogs.
I think this was called a Moss Toad or something like that,
no wonder where they got the name!
What a neat animal!
Somebody loves his pasta...
Mommy was out for the evening at a baby shower, and Daddy
discovered some of Peter's baby clothes in the dresser...
looks like it still kind of fits?? Silly Dad..
I went with my Mom and sisters to see The Sound of Music
in Toronto. We loved it! This is us catching a bite to
eat before the show.
Enjoying an afternoon outside in the yard
An example of Mom trying to do some fancy photo-editing
without fancy photo-editing tools...
We got a slide from a garage sale and he LOVES it! What fun!
Cutie...
My husband never fails to bring amusement into our home!...
practicing for backwards day. Surprise! Clothes
are not as comfortable when worn backwards.
And on to the pilfered pictures. Peter and his two
cousins in their cow shirts, having a blast...
Look! I found a rocking chair!
Playing nicely with cousin Robert
Awww!
In our newly remodeled kitchen. I wish. No, this is from our
trip to Ikea on the March Break
He liked the play centers
I'd like this chair in my room, Mom!
Hanging out with Grandpa
A whole BIN of Mr Foxes!! Could life get any better??!
Ahh, paradise