Busy~Busy~Busy

I hate to say it but I'm almost ready to go back to work just so I'm not so busy! Okay that isn't true but with going back part time starting this week I'm trying to put a positive spin on it. I'm actually okay with going back a few days a week, being at home is starting to make me crazy, and only working a few days a week will be a nice transition. When I go back full time in October it might be another story!

So what have we been up to you ask? This past week we wanted to free up some room in our basement which included getting rid of our exercise bike and elliptical. I rarely like going to the basement to work out and have equipment at work to use and Eric is doing P90x and doesn't really need or want the stuff anymore so we brought them to my mom. Her treadmill was on its last legs so she was happy to take ours! It was our first overnight trip with Robert sleeping in a big boy bed and it was a little bit of a challenge since my mom's house is filled with lots of things kids love to grab but really shouldn't play with. After a struggle and 2+ hours past his bedtime we finally worked out a plan for him to sleep with my mom in her bed. It worked okay but she didn't appreciate him getting up at 6am! While we were there we went to the park to play on the awesome kid's playground. I sat with Izzy while my mom played with Robert and Eric played with his new camera. Later that evening we got together with our friend Abby and her daughter Lucy. Lucy was very interested in Izzy but did play a little with Robert as well. It was great seeing everyone but it was also nice to come home.

Robert running on the ramp!

Such a happy boy!

Izzy had a great nap at the park!

Mom & Robert in the flower garden

This past weekend my brother came over to hang out with us and do some minor repairs on both of our computers. Robert loves hanging out with his Uncle but Nick learned the hard way that it might be time to learn how to change diapers...Robert was laying on Nick for awhile (as seen in the picture below) and Robert's diaper was fuller than we thought and he leaked a little on Nick. Eric and I thought it was funny, Nick thought differently!

Last week we also took both kids to a park in Golden Valley. Eric likes taking Robert to this one more than the ones a block from our house because there is more equipment for Robert to play on. We had a good time until Robert fell off one of the slides (he was okay except for a little scraped forehead) and Izzy became really fussy.

And two weeks ago we traveled to Farmington for dinner at Eric's parents' house. Eric's Grandma and Aunt Jan made a trip up from Iowa to meet Izzy and we had a great meal and even better time visiting with them. As you can see below Carlyn enjoyed meeting her newest

great-grandchild!

The other big accomplishment is we finally have Robert's bedroom fully decorated thanks to some shelves, pictures, and wall decals from Target. Everything is up a little higher than where you'd normally place things but with a very active toddler who loves to climb on things we thought this was a safe height. Here is the final product!

On top of all of that Eric and I also got to go out on a date this past weekend. One of my wonderful student-workers said she missed my kids and I told her that she could visit anytime. One thing led to another and before I knew it she and her fiance were babysitting so Eric and I could go out on a date. We went to The Melting Pot for dinner and had a great time. Fondue wasn't quite Eric's thing but he was a good sport. After that we ran errands to Lowes, Home Depot, Barnes & Noble, and Target...nothing too exciting but it was nice to do it without a kid or two slowing us down! Thanks Molly and Jess for a great night and I apologize again for Izzy's fussiness.

We are adjusting pretty well to being a family of four with a toddler who is definitely entering his Terrible Twos and a little girl who seems to have a case of Colic. Some days are better than others but luckily Eric and I still have our humor...and like I said I get to start going back to work part time so I'll be free from the house and chaos. My poor husband won't have this escape but this is just one more reason why I love him so much for his patience and ability to stay home with the kids! It is also a good thing that I can monitor Facebook from work to see if he is going crazy and I need to hurry home to relieve him!

Returning to My Sax

http://www.erichempler.com/blog/a-space-is-built

Como Zoo

Today we went to Como Zoo with my mom and had a blast! Robert really enjoyed seeing a bunch of new animals and even though he was in desperate need of a nap (fell asleep in the car before we were even out of the park's grounds) he was a trooper and we saved his favorite animals, the MONKEY'S, for last!

First animals he saw and he loved watching them move!

At the Sparky show! Robert kept clapping when everyone else
clapped but he wasn't quite sure why we were clapping.

Eric & Izzy during the show

The new baby giraffe

All of us as we were leaving for the day



Robert watching the big cat!

Last stop was to ride the Merry-go-Round

Family Photos!

This weekend we decided it was time to get Izzy's newborn pictures done. Before going to Sears Eric played around with his new SLR camera and took a few black & white photos of the kids. I must admit I think I like them a little more than the ones at Sears but that also could be because Eric is a little better with our children than the lady, who obviously didn't want to be working on a Saturday, at the store. Let me know which you like best (the first 2 are Eric's)!

ISABEL AMY ~ 2 Weeks Old

Brother & Sister

Robert Clayton ~ Almost 2 Years Old

Our Family!

2 Weeks Old

Isabel turns 2 weeks old today! She had her 2 week check-up yesterday and is growing quite nicely now that she is getting all the food she needs! Her new stats are:

Weight ~ 8 pounds 12.4 ounces (up 8oz in 9 days) = 69 Percentile

Length ~ 21 1/4 inches = 85 Percentile

Head ~ 15 1/2 cm = 95 Percentile

Earlier this week with her cord falling off and being fully healed she was ready for her first big girl bath. She loved the bath part but hated the getting dressed part!

Robert watches and waits for his turn in the tub,

he didn't understand why Izzy didn't want the toys!

Nummy Hand!

SO MAD!!!

The lil' Princess is happier now!

Day at the Beach!

With this hot, humid weather my swim lesson staff planned a beach day to work on their tans and more importantly being done with 7 long weeks of teaching little kids. They invited me to come as well but I'm pretty sure it was mostly just an excuse to hang out with my kids. Izzy and I spent the time in the shade while Robert played with the girls in the lake and in the sand. We all had a great time and we'll hopefully get to spend some more time and the different beaches around our house while I continue being home on maternity leave.

Chilling with his pal Molly

Who is coming swimming with me?

Here Ducky!

Eating dinner!

Great day for a nap!

2 Shovels at Once!

Molly & Jess spoiled Robert with his first fishing pole!

TTT = Typical Toddler Tantrum

I don't want to change clothes and go home!

Okay I guess I'll give in!