Happy Fall kiddos!

Not sure exactly where the summer went but Happy Fall nonetheless! Oliver is now officially 2.5 and Elsie is dangerously close to 1...not possible. Every day is more fun than the last but I choke-up at the thought of not having diapers and bottles in our house at some point in the not-so-distant future. :(

The second half of our summer was just as busy as the first and we took full advantage of our time outdoors. We spent many days at the neighborhood parks, splash pads, the MN zoo (as Auntie Cortie says 'you guys could be tour guides'), the Como Zoo (although we rarely actually see any animals because of the rides), Cascade Bay (Oliver and Dad flipped on a tube slide), and festivals (we were regulars at the Eagan Market Fest and discovered our new favorite, Irish Fest).

We capped off the summer with a trip to the cabin with Amma, Sam, Cort, Rae & Row. This year we went to Boyd Lodge in Crosslake. The week was a bit bumpy but Oliver had the time of his life with his 'cuzins' and did all sorts of new things like fishing, making s'mores, and staying up late. I wouldn't trade the memories for the world although we admittedly left a day early!

Watching the two of you develop your relationship as siblings, friends, and challengers is absolutely priceless. Oliver is gentle and tender with Elsie 99% of the time. You call her 'stinky butt' or 'my little princess' and tantalize her by jumping around and being goofy. The other 1% of the time usually earns you a time out but that's enough said, nothing too bad so far. If I haven't already told you, Auntie Cortie zipped me up in a suitcase when I was a baby and told Amma we could buy a new baby at the store. I'm hoping Elsie escapes without a story to tell.

Our new favorite fall activity is "Open Gym" on Saturdays mornings at Elite Gymnasium. We first visited for Rowan's birthday party and Oliver was sold. You love jumping on the trampolines, playing with the foam shapes, and running around like a nut on the mats. Elsie loves it too - you get to toddle around on all sorts of fun stuff and not hurt yourself when you fall!

You are both growing like weeds and doing new things all of the time. Dad and I watch in wonder, just hoping the time will slow down and we can eek out every moment together.

Oliver is singing the ABC's now and not even missing a letter. You use a sweet singing voice and I always ask you to do it again because it's so adorable! You are also speaking in sentences now, amazing Dad and I with every complete thought you put together. You are infatuated with sports of all kids. Even when we go to huge toy stores, you pick out some sort of sports equipment each and every time. You've recently learned how to do a somersault and you call it a 'flip' which is precious. You're working on potty training although it has been a bit hit & miss. We keep a potty chart on the fridge and the stickers seem to come in waves! You and I have developed a really fun nighttime routine that I try to extend every night. We first name each & every one of your family members and friends, and say good night to them ("Daddy go ni-night," etc.) then we say "I love you more than the moon, and the sun, and the stars in the sky. I love you more than the mountains and the rivers, and the oceans, and the trees. I love you more than the whole wide world." You love it and you've been repeating it during the day when you get tired. I'm going to keep adding it and making it longer so I can enjoy our time even more! :)

Elsie is always changing and growing with each passing day. You are really coming into your own and developing the most adorable personality. You've started to communicate with crazy, high-pitched squeals with both positive and negative meanings. You've been saying "Hi" for a while and "Da-Da" too, and I could've sworn you said "Tickle-tickle" today! You've been standing up for quite a while also, and are very adept at 'couch surfing' but you are only taking 1-3 steps on your own. You started walking behind a 'pusher toy' this weekend and it's so fun to see you cover some ground! You are also clapping and you actually understand the meaning of it. You clap when you see your food, or your toys, or especially your brother. :) You love baby food and other solids like applesauce, yogurt, cheerios, etc. I'm obsessively nervous about you choking so I'm easing you in slowly! Unfortunately your new found freedom has caused you to have lots of head bumps and body spills. You have such a fun personality that you sometimes just stay laying wherever you fell and laugh at yourself. As much as I hate seeing you fall (and seeing the bruises/welts) I love when you lay there and giggle...it's infectious. You're really starting to figure out the super important things in the world too, like how to use a remote control (you hunt them down and turn to point them at the TV) and cell phones (you even use your baby monitor as a phone, hold it up to your ear, and say "hi" - priceless).

With Halloween right around the corner we went to "Zoo Boo" at Como Zoo for the first time tonight, along with Cort, Sam, Rae, Rowan, Carly, Brian, Callie, Eva, and Carter. Elsie was irresistible in her cupcake costume, although you weren't super fond of it. You were warm and stayed in the stroller (most of the time) so you were having a pretty good time. Oliver also had a blast even though you refused to interact with the employees and volunteers that were dressed-up along the route. You were an adorable lion so they were extra interested in you at the zoo, but you just weren't having it. You aren't real sure about this whole Halloween thing so Dad carried you most of the way but you sure were on your best behavior when we approached each candy stand...just as any 2.5 year old should be!

I can't wait to take you guys out trick-or-treating in the neighborhood on Monday. It's hard to believe we were just a family of 3 last year and Oliver was riding in the stroller, dressed up as a baby chicken. It's also hard to believe that we'll be celebrating Elsie's first birthday in a few, short weeks. As much as I wish I could stop time and keep you guys young forever, I also treasure every new and exciting experience that we share as a family. I feel beyond blessed to be a part of it all, and beyond proud to be your mom.

Love you more than the whole wide world,

Mom

Baby Elsie is growing up...

ELSIE HAS TEETH...finally and, yes, plural! You cut your first one on July 3rd when your cousins were staying over and it was a momentous occasion. You also cut another one yesterday, July 8th...way to go little lady!

You really are becoming a little lady with a personality to match. You are quasi-sitting up on your own and can stay seated for quite a while but it usually ends with a face plant. You light up any room with your infectious smile and squeel. You are so lovable that everyone wants to hold you but you aren't usually up for it. You definitely have a preference for Mom & Dad but you come around and grace someone else with a chance every once in a while. I secretly love it but I know it's better for you to socialize and meet your other family members!

You ADORE your brother, it's unbelievably rewarding for Dad and I to watch you two develop a friendship to last a lifetime. The other night I was putting Oliver to bed and he told me that 'baby' is his best friend...it was a moment I will never forget.

I love you both to pieces!!

Mom

Summertime!

Oliver & Elsie -

Summer is finally in full swing and the Hormanns are ready! Every day seems new in our house these days - at least once a week one of you physically looks different when you come home from a day at Mary's house. I don't know where the time has gone but my monthly posts are slowly becoming quarterly at best.

I don't want to forget all of the family outings and explorations, and all of milestones and memories. The past couple of months have been crazy busy but mostly fun...mostly.

Poor baby Elsie got really sick in early April and ended-up on a nebulizer while Dad was out of town. Most kids would be miserable and unbearable but not Elsie - you gladly sucked on/chewed on the mouthpiece and even laughed your way through one of the treatments. Your personality amazes me!

Uncle Andrew came home for his Bachelor Party and brought Auntie Vicki's brother, Tim, with him. Oliver had so much fun spending time with him in the basement and Andrew loved getting to know Elsie better. Oliver really took to Tim and repeatedly insisted that Tim come inside and play with you in the basement - priceless.

Easter was especially fun this year - Oliver really enjoyed dyeing eggs, hiding eggs, hunting for eggs, and opening eggs! You were so excited about the dyeing part that we went back for multiple dozens of eggs so you could try all sorts of combinations. It was our first real 'project' in the kitchen and I hope I never forget it. Elsie was unbelievably adorable in her Easter dress from Gamma...I wanted to parade you around town but you weren't really on board. Oh well, at least I got a cute picture!

On May 20th Mom & Dad skipped town and left you guys home for a night to celebrate Andrew & Vicki's wedding in Florida! Oliver stayed with Rae & Rowan and Elsie stayed with Ama. I can definitely say that I spent MUCH more time planning for the trip and worrying about the trip than I did actually on the trip. Needless to say, it was a beautiful wedding and I am so happy we were able to make it work.

A couple of weeks ago we celebrated Rowan's 4th birthday with him at Elite Gymnastics. Oliver had the time of his life and we watched adoringly with all of the other parents. You followed directions like a champ and performed all of the 'moves' with style. I hope I never forget that either!

We've also celebrated Mother's Day (brunch at Al Baker's), Mom's birthday (at Pa's house), Dad's birthday (Oliver made a cake), and Father's Day this coming weekend! Gampa & Gamma were nice enough to come stay with you so we could stay downtown for our 6th anniversary last Saturday. We had so much fun re-living our downtown days but spent most of the time missing you guys!

We've already made a few trips to the zoo, visited the Falls, explored some new parks in the area, gone back to visit our old neighborhood park, and ventured out all over the city. I can't wait for many more busy weekends to come.

Oliver has been spending a lot of time lately playing any and every available ball game. You love baseball the most and quickly graduated from a tee to pitching, you love bowling, soccer, basketball, golf, football and pretty much anything else related to a sport. You just got a 'big boy' haircut last weekend and you look so, amazingly grown-up. I mourned your curls (o.k. I'm still mourning them) but I keep telling myself this is just your summer look.

You both have recently taken a liking for Sid the Science Kid and Dora the Explorer...lots of videos on the iPad, especially in the mornings! :)

Elsie is starting to sit on her own but hasn't yet figured out how to sit up. You are also trying so hard to crawl but it's still just a wiggle / scoot motion. No teeth yet but they're definitely on the way...your gums are starting to get white which I know is a good sign. You are still the happiest child on the planet and you have been especially cute lately in your new summer clothes. Wow, mom is having a lot of fun dressing you!

You are both the most amazing children and we love you more than you'll ever know. We both treasure every minute we have with you and can't wait until the next time.

Love you both to pieces,

Mom

Precious baby

I had to quickly post this stunning picture of our baby girl. Elsie, I'm afraid you are going to be a heartbreaker! You also met a huge milestone recently by starting to roll over last Thursday, April 7th...just 4 months old and on the move already!!!

Birthday Babies!

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY OLIVER! And Happy 4 Months to Elsie!!

Wow, what an amazing two years Oliver! Whirlwind? Yes, but amazing all the same. To think we've come from the days of continuously running water to calm your screaming to our fun-filled days at the Park at MOA, Children's Museum, Minnesota Zoo, Eagan BLAST, and any other form of entertainment we can conjure up!

My poor little man, but very brave man, just endured surgery to become a happier little man. Ear tubes. I'm certain the process was harder on us than it was on you but it was traumatic to watch my 2-year-old 'baby' in such an adult world. Ugh, I cry just thinking about it. The great news is that everything went perfect and life has already improved for you. Your 'mild hearing loss' is already correcting, you're eating better, acting better, and oh yes - you're sleeping better. No more 4:30 wake-up call for Mickey in 'mama's bed' please! 3 weeks of it was plenty for us. :)

Elsie - your personality is in full bloom. You can spend 60 minutes babbling, blowing bubbles, and staring out the window. You have the most infectious smile and magnetic giggle. I want to hold you non-stop and don't want to miss a minute of it! I have a hard time sharing you, even with Dad, because I know you are the last of our clan and you are the sweetest baby ever.

We had your first in a series of photo shoots today and you made me so proud! That sounds ridiculous but you were so cooperative, patient, and insanely darling...I cannot WAIT to see the outcome. Oh, and speaking of hospital visits, I forgot to tell you about our crazy trip to the hospital with Dad when he came down with his still-mystery condition and we rushed him to the ER. The entire experience was overwhelming but your diaper 'blow-out' was epic...the nurses brought me pediatric gowns (enormous on a one-month old), wipes, etc. Needless to say we threw out everything you came with that day. Thankfully Ama appeared out of nowhere and whisked you away so we could focus on getting Dad better...unfortunately we're still focused on that...

Love you both to pieces and look forward to each and every

birthday to come. Dad and I adore you more than words could ever describe. I can't wait to watch you raise your kids and share in the joy.

You are loved,

Mom

Oh Elsie...

Elsie,

I'm hanging my head while writing this, feeling terrible that you're now THREE MONTHS OLD and I haven't posted anything about your amazing personality, your ability to sleep through ANYTHING, your hefty appetite, or your darling dimple that regularly melts my heart... Luckily I'm also the youngest child, so I can relate, and I now know why my baby book was blank and my sister convinced me that I was adopted years ago.

Let's start here...HAPPY 3 MONTHS Miss Elsie! I cannot imagine what we did before you graced our lives, I can't believe we ever complained about being busy, tired, tired, or tired. You are an amazing addition to our family and we oodle over you every day, you are the most loving and peaceful baby I have ever met. All that being said, two times the kids is five times the work and we are ExHaUsTeD!!

I was lucky enough to be home with you for 8 weeks and I wish

it never had to end. You slept like a rockstar during the day and let me catch up on my sleep from the nights (as well as some daytime TV). At night, I had you sleep inches from me in a Pack & Play but you didn't even stir when dad noisely rustled the covers...trust me, I shushed him a lot during those 8 weeks!

We were lucky enough to have your first Thanksgiving and Christmas at home with both sides of the family. You were quite a trooper for all the festivities...I'll never forget the "Santa Baby" dress that you wore to Pa's for Xmas dinner but didn't even wake for the occasion. The tights were so long that they folded over 1/2 way up your leg.

Unfortunately it's back to work and back to reality. I know you will be in such good hands with Mary and am so happy that Oliver will be there to keep you company. I already miss you and know I'll miss you every day. But I also know that our family of 4 will make the most of our time together and will enjoy every minute of it.

Happy 3 months little one!!