Shoe shopping

Grace has had the same old pair of Crocs for about 2 years now. She hasn't been wearing them for that long but when she was only a couple of months old I bought the smallest size they made, 4/5. Here she is sportin' the crocs last summer:

And here she is just last week:

I think we've gotten our moneys worth out of them!
Wednesday I went to the mall with my dad and decided it was time for Gracie to get a new pair of shoes. I love the Crocs because she can put them on herself and they also hold up really well! I was planning on buying her the same pair just in a bigger size. Boring, I know. When we got to Nordstrom, however, I noticed the cutest little pair of Croc ballet type shoes. Loved it!
The one of the left in the pic:


My most impressive purchase of the week came yesterday when I went to Ross. I was feeling a bit down in the dumps and since we're broke (I've been going without a paycheck for about 3 months now!) I thought discount shopping was the only answer. I went into Ross not looking for anything in particular. I didn't dare try on any clothes for myself (Jenny Craig here I come) so after wandering around a bit I ended up in the kids department. Shopping for girls is so much more enjoyable than shopping for boys; or at least this is what I thought until I found these gems:

How cute are they!!!?? And a bargin at 10 bucks each!
Gracie got her new shoes on Wednesday. She doesn't have to get something everytime John does. Right? Wrong. When I showed them to her last night, she stated, "My shoes. I put them on right now!" (Latley everything has to happen RIGHT NOW!) I told her that her feet were tooo big for the shoes. I guess she thinks I'm a liar, she had to try them on for herself. When the shoe only fit on her big toe, that was proof enough. Next she looked at baby John's feet, then back at the shoes. What happened next?

Poor baby John, destined for a life of being dressed up(and wiped) by a bunch of girls!



They sure are sweet!

Finally, he's been captured on video!

Movie Time!!!

Today we all headed to the movies! There is a theater in Ashburn that shows kids movies FREE in the summertime at 10AM! Aunt Jen and Ella joined us for what was Gracies, John's and Ella's first movie!

This appealed to me becuase number 1, it's FREE. Number 2, it's obviously kid friendly. So if Grace decided she hated it or John wanted to scream and vomit all over the place, well, they wouldn't be the only ones. But, to my suprise and amazement, all of our kids were great! Gracie actually sat for the entire duration of Horton Hears a Who (thanks to her Aunt Sissy and her kids' meal). Ella and John were awake the majority of the time and both seemed to be "watching" it.

All and all, a fantastic summer day!

Just like his daddy....

One of Dave's coworkers thinks that John looks just like his Daddy...you be the judge:




(Thanks Chris, I love it!)

Changes

I've been at this blog thing for a while now...about three years so I thought it about time to change the layout. There are several blogs that I try to read each day and FortyFive Degrees had a link to a website that customizes blogs. Thanks Sarah! So, what do you all think? Oh, here's her website and it's super easy to change things up, oh, and FREE!!!
http://www.aquapoppydesigns.blogspot.com/

The blog isn't the only thing that has changed. Every time I look at Grace, she's saying something new, walking a little different, or just acting more grown. She talks CONSTANTLY; her newest saying, "Oh my gosh" (with some sort of Jersey accent!) or "You're ok baby John, Mama's coming!"

We put her in a big girl bed on June 28th and she has been sleeping soundly in it without a problem ever since. Well, there was one night when we heard and thud followed by screaming. Dave went up to check out the damage and she had indeed fallen off the bed and scraped up her elbow pretty bad. But, like most toddlers, after snuggling with her papa for a few minutes she forgot about it and actually climbed right back into her bed. The next morning I asked her what happened and she said, rather grown up like, "I fall out of my new bed!" And then proceeded to squish up her face and show me her elbow. Still, a week later when you ask her about her new bed she shows you her elbow!

We took Gracie back to the pedi last week b/c she was tugging on her ear. Sure enough her tube fell out and she still had an ear infection despite the antibiotics we had given her. I'm afraid we're going to have to put the tube back in.

For the 4th of July this year we visited the Eley/Grossmans's in Vienna and then went to the festival in the Plains for games, fun and fireworks. Seeing Lauren and her family was a real treat. As I walked up the path to her house carrying a baby in one hand followed by another child and my husband, it was surreal. Lauren and I basically grew up together and her house served as the center of things. Getting ready to go to Fridays, waiting for a boy to call, typical teenage girl stuff. Now here I was with my family!! We had a great visit with baby Dane and had some time to catch up and chat!

After Gracie’s nap we headed to the Plains for a festival. Gracie and Baby John were such troopers. Neither one were afraid of the fireworks. Gracie sat on her papa’s lap (of course) and he kept his arms tight around her. When he reached for his drink Gracie quickly put his arm back in place. She whined a little at first but was soon asking for more! John was awake for the show and I swear he was looking at ‘em! Getting out of the parking lot took about an hour and we didn’t get home and the kids to bed until around 11. Gracie has NEVER been up that late. But, as luck would have it they both slept in until almost 9 the next morning. That was my 4th of July present!

Gracie's Big Girl Bed!!!


Lauren with the three kids!


Ok so Mama forgot to pack a bib for Gracie!


Gracie(thank you so much Lauren, love this pic!)

Grossman/Tucholski Clans

Boy have times changed! Now we're holding babies instead of well....what did we used to hold?!?


Baby Dane and Baby John


Gracie and Baby Dane

A playdate for a couple of 2 month olds...

Looks a little something like this:

Frying Pan Farm Park

As a mother of two young kids, I am always trying to find something fun to do. As a mother who is currently without a paycheck, those things must also be cheap! I was over on my Facebook page and saw some pictures of some friends with their kids at Frying Pan Farm Park. Grace has been really into animals so this was worth a shot. The weather on Saturday was amazing so we packed up and drove to Herndon. The really great thing about the "farm" is that it's not big at all so it's perfect for a little 2 year old. There aren't an over abundance of animals, activites, or people. Gracie loved checking out the chickens and the horses. John sort of just hung out with me while Grace and Papa ran around. It was a really great day!

Grace and Papa

She loved the tractor

Looking at the horses


Baby John getting ready to go!!!!

2 months already!

Time sure does fly...John is two months old!!! Our doctors appointment is Wednesday so I'll be sure to come back and post those stats! John is growing like a weed. Unlike his sister, he has already outgrown most of his newborn clothes and is fitting comforably into his 0-3's. He is talking up a storm and easily recognizes our voices...even Gracies! Today we were playing on the floor and he followed one of his toys like a pro. He has been sleeping through the night steadily for about a week now. Dave gives him his last feeding around 9:30 and he sleeps until about 5 or 6AM. Can't complain about that.

I have been back at work to help close things up for the last week and John has been staying with his Aunt Jen and cousin Ella. I think they are really starting to like one another!

2 month pics!

John and Baby Ella

Bye Bye Binkie!!!!

That's right! Tonight Gracie went to bed without her binkie!

Baby John-7 Weeks

We're a beginning to fall into a pretty good routine with Baby John. During the day, he sleeps and eats and is generally a good partner in crime at Target or the mall. He waits until his Papa and Gracie get home around 6 to get fussy. Of course this a busy time with a hungry two-year-old (not to mention a hungry 30 year old!) and makes for quite the juggling act between mom and dad. Some nights, John will eat straight from about 7 until 10. I mean no stopping..."Refill please sir!" style. Who knows how many ounces this boy consumes during that time. Dave is "in charge" during this time and I usually relax and clean up from the day. Dave puts John to "bed" (his carseat...I know, I know) by 10:30 and he usually goes until either 3AM or 5AM...he rarely strays from his these times. I looked back at Gracie's section of the blog from this time and she was already sleeping through the night (until about6) by this time but I still consider us lucky. It could be a lot worse.

John is starting to smile and look at me when I talk to him. It's amazing how big is is already (10.88...a mother shouldn't by a baby scale...I weigh him everyday) I've already had to put away all of the newborn clothes. I am relieved b/c Gracie was so small for so long that I may actually a chunker on my hands!!!! Enjoy the ramdom pics!

Gracie's Second Birthday

Gracie's second birthday went by this year without much celebration due mostly to the fact that I was in the hospital giving birth to her little brother! I really did feel bad about this and I know the kids will probably HATE IT when their older and have to share the same birthday. I especially hated having to miss her birthday. Aunt Tracey and Uncle Bill along with her cousins Alex, Ryan and Zach threw her an inpromptu party. Bill just brought the pics over this week so here they are! Oh, and her two year stats:

Weight--27.6lbs
Height--33 inches

Tucholski Family VIsit

Dave's parents came to VA for a visit this past weekend. The festivites were centered around cousin Alex's high school graduation! Way to go Alex! We are all happy for him but there is one person who is especially smitten and that Gracie. She loves Alex. She wants him to hold her, feed her, anything. Alex can do no wrong.




Nana and Grandpa were thrilled to meet baby John and play with little Gracie. She warmed up to them quickly and even read Grandpa a book!

Happy One Month Birthday Baby John

John Evan is one month old today. It’s hard to believe it’s already been a month!

John was born several weeks early just like his sister. But unlike his sister, the labor was so much easier!!!! (thank you God!) We started the induction with pitcoin at 1PM and by 3 I was about 3 cm dilated. At 5 o’clock I was about 5 cm and they decided to break my water. Up until that point I hadn’t felt much of anything (thank you epidural!). I started to feel a ton of pressure and by 6 o’clock I was a full 10 cm. I pushed for about 20 minutes and then John made his appearance. He was born looking up toward the ceiling, which is why the pushing took a while! The nurses were so excited and one actually grabbed our camera and began taking picture of John before he was even all t he way out! No matter how many children you have their birth is always special. This one was of course bittersweet without my mom here. Everything in life is that way…I find myself thinking how excited she would have been to see John’s birth or how proud she would have been of Gracie for being such a super big sister. Hopefully she can see all of this from where she is.

John came home and his introduction to Gracie went perfectly. We tried breastfeeding but ran across the same problems as those I had with Grace so we all decided it would be best to go straight to formula. John has been a real eater and it already up to 8 pounds 5 ounces! What a piggy! During the day he eats 4 ounces every three hours until Dave gets home. From about 7 until 11 PM all he wants to do is eat! They call it cluster feeding…I call it a pain in the butt!!!! He eats and eats and then sleeps from about 11:30 until 3AM. I feed him at 3 and then he goes back to sleep until 6:30-7. Adjusting to the little amounts of sleeps or interrupted sleep is difficult. Dave has been back to work for a while and despite the fact that I do the 3AM feedings he still isn’t getting enough sleep. I don’t foresee it taking too long for John to sleep through the night, knock on wood!

Gracie has been such a joy to watch this past month. She comes home from school and it immediately looking for “baby John”! She loves to kiss him and help mommy feed him. Whenever she sees his paci or one of his toys lying around she runs right up to him and puts it right in his face!!! A bit of a problem but we are teaching her to be gentle with the baby. When I look at John I see so much of Gracie in him yet he’s got his own little personality too. When he’s eating he’ll start to grin and when he sleeps I’ve heard him laugh. He has an easygoing personality thus far and only cries when he’s hungry. He’s a great pooper and always waits to poop until right after I’ve changed him! It’s been a bit of an adjustment getting used to changing his diapers and the hazards that entails but I think I’m finally starting to get used to it.

Dave and I are thrilled that our little buddy is here and I’m so excite to see him grow and become his own little man! But I hope he doesn’t do it too fast, Mama loves snuggling with him all day long!!!!

Fun artistic shot!

Isn't he sweet!

Gam and John

Update from the Pedi

Grace and John both recently had doctors appointments. Both are doing very well, despite a tiny ear infection for Grace. The stats are:

Grace (24 months)
27.6 lbs (50th percentile)
33 1/4 inches (30th percentile)

John (2weeks)
7 1/2 lbs (25th percentile)
21 1/4 inches (89th percentile, I think this is a little off)

The pedi was very impressed with Gracie's speech and her outgoing personality. SHe is up to date on all her shots and is really doing great. We are going to hopefully transfer to the toddler bed soon and then begin potty training. The doctor assured us that there isn't a real rush to do either.

John's appointment was also good. His belly button feel out and there was a little stuff in it that the doctor had to clean out. And, he may have an outtie! SHe was happy with his weight gain, alhtough he is still undoubtedly a peanut! This go around has been a lot easier for all of us and I attribute that to not putting too much pressure on myself to breast fed. We tried for about a week and it just didn't work. With Grace, I kept pushing myself and I'm sure that added to my baby blues. This time, we went quickly to the formula and he is doing just great. We don't go back to the doctor until his 2 month visit.

Here are some recent pictures of both kids!!! Enjoy!


John on his changing table!!! He looks so tiny!

Grace and John. SO precious!



Playing with her water and sand activity table! I big hit!

My new bikini!!!

Gracie watching 101 Dalmations...thanks Aunt Sissy and Uncle Greg!