Hi, my name is Rachel, and I'm a

Stroller-a-Holic!!!

I have a problem. It's a problem that I freely admit to (and Gordon will attest to). I'm a stroller-a-holic. I could probably tell you anything you'd like to know about most strollers out there. And I own a few of them, too. It all started with this one. . .

A good little stroller, picked up at a garage sale for $20. A big "American Made Monster" as I came to call it, and did the job. But, there were several things that drove me nuts about this one. The handle was too low for a tall mama (me), I kicked the basket when I walked, and it was just hard to steer. Oh well, we'd buy a nice double when we had another, right? Right! So, when we moved to NY and had a garage sale, this one went bye bye for $20. Okay, I'm at Zero still, right? Right. We also picked up one of these for Travel, which we still have. It NEVER comes out anymore. I should probably move it along. $20. Sits in the garage.

When Aidan was born, my girlfriends from High School took up a pool for me and bought me my dream double stroller! (and I did my research!) I still love this stroller. It goes through doorways no problem, steers great, holds two kids with five point harnesses. It's wonderful! But. . .

When Chandler was born I had two kids who liked to walk, and saw no need to drive the double everywhere, and thought it would be nice to have a stroller that would hold the car seat. So, the ladies in Ithaca threw the 5 pregos from Gordon's program a shower, and asked what I needed, and we got this beautiful Inglisinna Zippy stroller. It's fantastic. I LOVE it!

So what more could we possibly need? Well, with each child comes new challenges I guess. . . Emilee's attitude is that she would be happy to run errands with me, if and only if, she gets to stay in her car seat. But, try to take her out to put her in the Maclaren and she will cry. And cry. And cry. And Chandler is not a well behaved little toddler who will walk along and hold the side of the stroller and not run away. . . he will get away from me so fast! And just try to push a double stroller with one hand and a toddler sitting on one side. It's a nightmare. After two months of feeling like I can't really get anywhere. . . I decided it was time to do a little more research. And today, I picked up this from a gal on Craigslist for $50. Emilee's car seat slides in the back and Chandler is strapped into the front and off we go! I am once again a free woman to roam the roads and stop anywhere I like with my squirly toddler and baby. And I hereby pledge to re-sell it when we're done with it. . .

So, what do we learn from all this? I guess what I learn is that with each kid comes a new stroller! :) Let's see. . . down the road. . .what if we have another? I foresee a Triple Jogging Stroller!!! Just kidding. . . Oh, and I also have these other alternative ways to lug my kids around. What can I say? I like to get around!!!

Gorgeous!!!

I (OK, Emilee) got the BEST package in the mail yesterday! A simply gorgeous hand made quilt from my dear friend Jenn, quilter extraordinaire! It puts most things I've made to shame, and being a quilter myself I really appreciate how much time and effort went into it! It is so beautiful, and just the most wonderful shades of pink and green, and I absolutely LOVE it! Emilee apparently likes it too, because when I laid her down on it today to take her picture, she just couldn't stop smiling!!! She smiled and cheesed for the camera for about five minutes and was the happiest little baby you ever saw. When Em is all done cuddling this quilt it's definitely going on the wall of the nursery. Thanks Jenn, we LOVE it!

Ooo! I love it!

The Big Camp Out

Last night Daddy was away with the boy scouts, and left two very disappointed boys here. They always want to go so bad! But, they couldn't tag along this time. So, Mommy turned herself into the "troop mom" and erected a tent in the living room, just right for a camp out! They were SO excited at the prospect of sleeping in sleeping bags and had a wonderful time. Aidan even slept in this morning and later told me "that camping bed is just so comfortable!" I guess there's nothing quite like sleeping on the floor under a sheet when you're 5!

Play time!

Emilee is so lucky to have 3 big brothers. Aidan has been particularly doting and attentive the past few days. Yesterday he was teaching her all about her toys.

She loved it!
What a lucky girl to have such a great brother!

I'm 2 months old today!

I can't beleive it's been two months already!!! Time is flying by so fast!

While Grammy was here . . .

Emilee got lots of baths . . .

Construction paper projects abounded . . .

Emilee had some fussy days, and found some new ways to sleep . . .
Chandler bonked his head more than once. . .and we played lots with the baby!
Thanks for coming Grammy! The boys and I (and Miss. Em of course) miss you so much!

Smiling

Emilee was very cooperative and learned to smile while Grammy was here last week! It's still only when she's in a really good mood (about once a day) and only lasts for a few minutes. But, it's still so fun to see those first little grins!

The Tulip Festival

I'm playing catch up with the blog after a fun week with my mom here in town. Mom and I took our chances last Monday and headed down to Woodburn to see the tulips. Unfortunately, mother nature had different plans than we did, and it was rainy and very cold and windy the whole time. Last year when we went down it just magically cleared for us! Darn it! So, no fun pictures of the kids in the tulips because it was SO muddy the only way we braved the slippery fields was in the "cow train." Which, as you can see below, was lots of fun. . . Emilee and I hid under the ginormous umbrella. We called it quits after less than an hour and headed for McDonalds indoor playland. If Oregon would get it's Spring I would really appreciate it! I'm so hungry for some sunny days!!!!

Future track stars?

The boys set up a hurdle the other night and worked up a good sweat right before bed. . .

Book Worm

Ethan reads in bed every night before he goes to sleep. He loves the head lamp we got him for Christmas and has turned into quite the little bookworm lately. He was looking particularly angelic this evening so I snapped a picture. . .

Blessing Day

Today was Emilee Jane's blessing. My parents were able to come up and participate, which was so nice. The boys have really enjoyed having Grammy and Grampy around to play with. Grammy is staying a whole week, so we are really excited about that! Emilee looked so beautiful in her fancy dress, and I was really glad that I had taken the time to make it because it made me smile all day. I loved it. She was so quiet through all of church today and slept most of the time. It has been such a nice day! Here are a few photos of the pretty little girl and the family after church. . .

Beware the quiet children. . .

While I was relaxing with my feet up, eating bon bon's and watching soap operas today. . .

Man alive he is quick! I can't turn my back for a moment! Let alone leave my bathroom unlocked. . . Thanks Chandler, for making sure I had something to blog at the end of this week. At least he seemed to be going for the masculine "5 o'clock shadow" look, and not "glamour girl!"

Happy Birthday Chandler!!!

Happy Birthday to my big two year old! Chandler is such a beautiful little boy, full of mischief and fun-loving spirit. It's hard for me to believe two years have gone by since that wild ride to the hospital in the middle of the night. He's really grown into a spunky little toddler. Here are some photos of the last two years. . .

On his birthday. . .

About 4 months old and chubby as can be!
First Birthday
1 year old
18 months

And Two! Today we celebrated with a few presents from the family, and then a fantastic Elmo cake this evening. He was so excited about the cake and really enjoyed chowing down on Elmo! Happy Birthday little guy! Your birthday today was a great ending to our birthday season!

Happy Birthday Chandler!!!