Happy Valentine's Day

Last week we enjoyed a simple Valentine's Day. Ted and I were unable to get out, but I still received a lovely flower bouquet from Ted. Hayden enjoyed making crafts for family members and tattooing it up with clearance valentines from Walmart. We also made some Valentine's Day sugar cookies. That same weekend Ted, Kyle, Caleb, and Micah redeemed their Christmas present and went to the Gopher vs Hawkeye basketball game here in Iowa City. This past weekend we spent time with my parents as they were able to travel here. We all watched the Schlaak children in their respective basketball games. It was great to see them! 

• Ted has been busy out of best buy. He has been putting forth that extra effort towards that advancement of the supervisor position. He is currently training in new employees and creating spreadsheets to increase sales. Ted also recently had his quarterly review with stellar results.
• Camille has also been busy out at Children's Center. There is still a need for another OT which would greatly reduce her stress level. She really loves her job, though. This past week she was even able to bring in her nephew. Thanks, Caleb! Ted is still amazed that she gets paid to do silly things like make slime and clothespin critters ;)
• Hayden's vocabulary is becoming quite extensive. His hearing is also on high alert and will call anyone out, even his grandma, when they say naughty words. He then tells me that they need a time out! haha He has also been elaborate in his imaginative play saying that there is a bear in his room. He then proceeds to get a gun and shoot it! He is so fun!
• Eli started to eat rice cereal! He is also getting up on all fours inching his way that much closer to crawling. This last weekend he even pushed himself forward to reach special toy.

Enjoy the pictures!

First time for solid foods!

Down and give me 20!

Schlaak and Gustafson Kiddos.

Valentine cookies. 

Gopher vs Hawkeye Basketball game.

Making Valentines.

Happy Birthday Papa Joe.

The February Blizzard

This week has been one filled with excitement as we had our first blizzard here! It was complete with Camille's clinic closing for a few days and bitter cold wind chills. The snow banks are outrageously high making driving interesting. We had a fun time with the Schlaak kiddos as Kyle and Lisa enjoyed an evening out.

• Ted was exposed to the blizzard first hand as he shoveled the drive way. He now claims that we NEED a snow blower. Good thing spring is just around the corner.
• Camille is learning new things everyday at work. She has been studying some new assessments and is always looking for participants to practice on :) I think Ted is getting sick of being my little guinea pig.
• Hayden has enjoyed making "guns" out of his tinker toys as his cousins introduced him to this type of play :) He has also taken a high interest his dinosaurs and feeds them baby dinosaurs for lunch. He has quite the imagination.
• Hayden had another interesting experience this week. One night after supper at the Schlaak's Hayden called out to his mommy saying he was finished in the bathroom. As I was walking there I almost stepped and slipped in some vomit. It was clearly Hayden who had been the victim of such an illness. When asked if he had thrown up he replied, "No Mom, I didn't." When asked if he tummy was okay he said, "Yeah Mom, I spilled." "Spilled what?" I asked. Hayden then proceeds to point to his mouth and make a puking noise all with a smile. Then he marched right back to the table to eat monkey bread without another sign of illness. Haha, he sure makes us laugh!
• Eli is making progress toward a 4 point stance to eventually assist in crawling. He has even done a push up on several occasions demonstrating his upper body strength. Eli also has 2 new teeth making his smile priceless. Another big change for Eli is his sleeping arrangement. He is now sharing a room with big brother Hayden. So far they have not woken each other up. And this mommy has lost another battle with little Eli. Eli has selected a "special blankie" to comfort himself as he sucks his thumb and goes to sleep. He screams until he has it in his hands, brings it to his face and sucks his thumb. But it oh so sweet.

Enjoy the pictures.

Shoveling snow.

Hayden bundled up!

All snowed in...

Heart Hippo

Eli with this thumb and blankie in his crib.

Stud showing off his upper body strength.

Smiles