Iowa State Fair

Iowa State Fair

August 9th, 2014

We decided to do our first real outing as a family of 4 at the Iowa State Fair. Whew, it was kind of crazy but somehow we survived it! Elliott loved sitting in all the tractors and seeing the animals. Claire slept...the whole time! To top off a great first family outing, we also conquered the first whole house nap when we got home. Successful day! 

"Look at me Mommy, I'm d'iving." 

"Don't touch Mommy...I do it"

Didn't quite make it home

Addison's 4th Birthday Party

Addison had her backyard all decked out with a bouncy house and a big pool for her party. 

Elliott loves his cousin and had such a great time! 

Happy Birthday, Addison!

Claire - 2 Weeks Old

I can't believe it's already been 2 weeks since we were blessed with Claire. She's already lost her newborn look and is really starting to fill out. She's such a happy baby and sleeps much more than her brother did at this age. :) She's already somewhat in a routine. Her last feeding is around 8:00pm and then eats again at 1:00ish, 4:30ish, and 6:30ish. She's usually up for about 45 minutes to an hour and then I have to swaddle her and put her in the swing with a pacifier and she's out within 15 minutes. I then have to wake her about 50% of the time to eat at 9, 12, 3, and 6 during the day.

Claire weighed in at 8lbs 4ozs at 2 weeks. She gained 10ozs in just 7 days!

She loves to just lay on the floor and stretch out every once and a while 

Big Brother E putting the paci back in...Mom loves to see him help

Watching Frozen as a family of 4

So sleepy

Coming home from the first doctor apt...Elliott was outside with Grandma Laurie and Uncle David and saw our car down the street and said "Oh, Baby Claire"

We love our pacifier 

Cuddle time with Mom

Big Eyes!

She's really starting to fill out

Claire's First Visitors

Elliott was, of course, the first to meet his baby sister. He was so excited!

Grandma Laurie

Heidi ... she had her baby the very next day after this picture was taken

Pops and Mimi

K'Lyn and Abby 

Grandpa John

Uncle David

Doug and Mitzi 

Aunt Chelsey

Uncle Steve

Aunt Megan

Somehow I don't have a picture of my mom on my camera. I think she was busy keeping  Elliott occupied at Aunt Abby's house. I'll put one up as soon as I get one from her. 

Claire Elizabeth Currie

Claire Elizabeth Currie

July 23rd, 2014

6:46pm

7lbs 11ozs, 20.5 inches long

11:30 - Weekly Dr. appointment

12:30 - Got home and contractions started

3:00 - Called Mark to come home and get me

4:30 - Arrived a the hospital

6:46 - Claire Elizabeth arrived

We are absolutely blessed to add a healthy baby girl to our new family of 4! Elliott is completely taken with her and wants to hold her first thing every morning. 95% of the time he's very gentle with her and will rub her head and give her kisses. Every once and a while he gets a little rambunctious, but that's to be expected from a 27 month old! She's been such a happy and content baby...very different from her brother when he was a baby. :) I find myself having to wake her for the majority of her feedings. We were very blessed to have family with us the first week at home to help Mark and I ease into the whole parenting of 2 thing. 

27 Months

This is Elliott's last month as an only child so Mark and I are trying to make sure we can soak up our time with him! He truly is growing into a little man and I can't believe how much he has grown the last couple of months. He is very expressive and I love listening to him talk. My favorite is the way he says "Oh yeah" with a little high shriek when you ask him to do something. It's adorable! Below are some of our favorite conversations.

In the car on our way to school:
Elliott: Mommy, why we have to go to school?
Mom: Because mommy and daddy have to go to work.
Elliott: Why?
Mom: So we can make money.
Elliott: Why?
Mom: So we can eat, buy clothes, and get you toys.
Elliott: Why?
Mom: So we aren't hungry, naked, or bored.
Elliott: Oh yeah.
10 seconds later...
Elliott: Mommy, why you have to make money?

Dad: Lets read books and then go brush our teeth.
Elliott: No, Daddy. I already did.
Dad: You already did what?
Elliott: I already brushed my teeth.
Both Elliott and Dad look at Mom
Mom: No, you didn't. Don't lie.
Elliott: Oh yeah (laughing)

Dad: When you wake up in the morning we are going to go to the parade.
Elliott: First thing the next morning... "We go to parade now."

Elliott: Mommy, it's dripping.
Mom: What's dripping?
Elliott: It's dripping from the sky.
Mom: You are right, it's raining.

Building towers with Uncle Danny...yes, that's how he smiles now

Fishing with Dad

He's become quite the pool nut! 

Reading books while Mom finishes getting ready in the morning 

4th of July

4th of July 

Pops and Mimi host everyone at the lake over the 4th of July every year. With 4 kids and their spouses, 3 grandkids, and the Wallers it was a full house! We had so much fun and Elliott had his best friend Addison to keep him entertained during the day.