Fathers Day...

It was a good Father's Day here at the Dennison house, or at least I thought it was... Charlie was actually home all last week (he finally was able to take off time since Chase was born) so Father's Day was a nice end to the week. Granted it rained all day, but really, that is the story of June in Boston unfortunately. We started the day with me getting up with the kids so Charlie could sleep in. The intent was to bring him homemade blueberry muffins, coffee and the paper in bed, but unfortunately 2 crying kids in a small house had him coming downstairs at 7 am. I tried, and actually with our mornings lately, 7 was sleeping in. We were pretty low key for the beginning of the day. Our friends Beth & Jim & their daughter Katelyn came over for an early dinner. We decided to do lobster, and it was a great call. Easy to make and really yummy! Hope all the dads out there had a wonderful day! And thanks to Charlie to being such a wonderful father of two, we love you!

4 under 3...

Our good friends Jason and Becky came out to visit us last weekend from Indy which was awesome! They brought their 2 beautiful girls, Kiersten who is about to turn 3 and Gretchen who was born a month before Chase. It was quite a zoo here with 4 kids all under the age of 3 (there was always some kid crying), but it was a ton of fun regardless. Audrey and Kiersten had a blast playing together and us adults got some quality time in as well. Jason is one of Charlie's oldest friend and the two of them are so similar it is scary. The best part is that both of my kids are the same size if not bigger then the Meisberger girls and both Kiersten & Gretchen are older then Audrey and Chase (Kiersten by a whole year). It rained on Sunday unfortunately (the story of the weather around here lately, ugh) but we made the best of it. The weekend was very low key and other then a stroller ride and the boys making a trip to Mikes Pastery for some cannolis, we just hung around the house and bbq-ed. It is sad we don't live closer to them, but we are so happy that they made the trip out here to see us! Thanks for coming out guys! We can't wait to see you again soon, hopefully on vacation...

Charlie double fisting the babies, easy right?

Charlie and Chase...

Jason & Gretchen...

The trouble maker toddlers...

1 Month Old...

My sweet little boy is 1 month old already! I can't believe I was in the hospital that long ago, it seems like yesterday, though the bad memories have all but faded (thank god right?). Chase is quite a contrast from his big sister. He is a mellow baby and cringes every time his loud sister talks (where oh where did she get a loud voice from??). I keep telling him he better get used to it... The differences in their personalities is made up by their similarities in looks. I think that Chase looks exactly like Audrey as a newborn, though Audrey had a rounder face. And no, I don't think either of them look "just like Charlie" but I know many of you do... He is still sleeping a good amount during the day, but is also sleeping fairly well at night. He has gotten some long stretches in, but normally he is waking up at 2:30 am & 5:30 am which isn't great but could be worse right?

I can't say I am used to the having 2 kids yet. It has gotten easier, but the days I am home alone with the 2 of them is challenging. Audrey is SO high energy and still requires loads of attention. And I don't know where the rest of you got your 2nd kids from, but Chase LOVES to be held and will only sit by himself for short periods of time with me. He has no problem sleeping in my arms, or anyone else though... I certainly have a new found admiration for you stay at home moms out there... The best part is we had his 1 month doctors appointment today and he is certainly keeping his weight up. He weighed in at 12 lbs 4 oz (almost off the chart) and 23 inches... These were Audrey's stats at 2 months, ha!

Happy...

This word was screamed by Audrey over and over again yesterday on her birthday and I must say it made ME happy to hear it! I think every mom wants their kids to love their birthday and have the best day, and while she is only 2, I can honestly say she had an awesome day (whether she got that it was her birthday may be up for debate). I was kind of worried about the day because I didn't have a chance to plan a party for her and I wanted it to be special. As you may recall I spent months last year planning her 1st birthday and I felt guilty this year because I didn't do the same thing. Well of course it turned out just fine. We ended up staying home all day, but Audrey was perfectly content with that. We started opening gifts in the late morning because I assumed she would only open a couple and get distracted so we would just space them thru out the day. Boy was I wrong. She opened everything in one sitting, and honestly loved everything she got (ok maybe not the clothes I got her but that is to be expected). She opened a tent from Grandma Lutz 1st and proceeded to put every other gift in there which was pretty funny. Thank you so much to everyone that got her a gift! Then there was the cake. I had tried to organize some of the neighbors to come over and have cake and it didn't seem to be working so I decided I was just going to make a cake and we would just have with with the family. Well it turned out that several neighbors were able to come over at the last minute, which Audrey loved! While the cake didn't go over well with the kiddies (Audrey just wanted the frosting of course), the Mighty Mini's & juices boxes did. Note to self for next year. After cake Audrey got to show off her new stuff and did fairly well with the sharing even though she was hopped up on sugar and past nap time. We ended the day with the adults having a bbq and doing another round of cake. I figured she had already had tons of sugar, why not finish the thing off and get it over with right??? I told her we were having cake again and she started clapping "happy, happy!".... My favorite part of the day? Audrey looking at Charlie and I after she got her bike and saying "Thank you Mommy, Thank you Daddy"... If that doesn't melt you heart I don't know what does... My little sweetheart, I love you!

Her Digger from Papa, she LOVES it and all things trucks...

Playing in her tent from Grandma Lutz...

Riding her new bike...

2nd Birthday...

Today my baby turns 2 years old... I again am having a hard time believing that another year has passed, though a lot has happened in that time. I can honestly say I think she has enjoyed her birthday this year. From the streamers, the balloons, all the wonderful gifts and that mini cake party we had, she took it all in and seemed to really love it all. I will post more pictures from the day later, but here are a few of my favorites... Please note her super cute t-shirt, I'm taking orders if anyone wants one:)

Happy 2nd Birthday Audrey Elizabeth! I love you so much and here is to many many more birthdays to come...