(Not So) Grumpy (Not So) Old Men

Check out the two lil' guys in their matching outfits. They could be six weeks (Jackson, left) and three months (Boone, right) in these flannel shirts or they could be octogenarians! Regardless, they are the sweetest, happiest and cuddliest lil' fellas!

Princess Piper

Piper's princess party was so much fun. Here's Her Highness with her birthday crown cake. Mmmm!!

Look at the big girl opening her presents all by herself!

Speaking of presents, her new tricycle was a real hit!

Here's another crowd pleaser!

Dippity Doo Dah!

Hamilton sent some Fun Dip Valentine's Day cards home for Osten and Marci. Here is Osten's first forray into Fun Dip (one of his Mommy's favorites as a child).

His blue teeth were an added bonus!

Treats for Our Sweets

We had a nice early Valentine's Day celebration with Osten and Marci at home this year. Marci is really getting the hang of opening gifts.

Of course, she has a professional gift unwrapper for an older brother!

Marci loved her "My Little Pony," and she got busy combing her hair right away. Check out her concentration!

Osten loved the new dinosaur to add to his ever-growing collection!

Catch o' the Day

So far, our fishing pursuits have not yet put dinner on the table. In fact, other than a couple small bites for Daddy, we've come home completely empty-handed.

The only fish being enjoyed are the goldfish that Marci brought along for a snack. (Oops! It looks like this picture is from one of the days that animal crackers were the snack du jour.) She also brought along the cash register that you can see in the foreground of this picture as she is all about her plastic coins these days!

Two's Company

It was two's company in the buggy at Kroger the other day, and Daddy was in the driver's seat. I wish there weren't so many crazy shadows in this photo because I think it's a true classic!

Paci Rehab

After one last paci hurrah and a few final photo opps, we instituted Operation "Paci Rehab" late Saturday afternoon. After months of unsuccessfully attempting a slow weaning, we decided to take the "cold turkey" approach. It was not a pretty sight, and it was definitely a group effort. Every time I was ready to cave and run into Marci's room with her paci in hand, Tom would talk me down. As fate would have it, I wound up with the dreadful stomach bug that has been going around town, and I spent much of the night running back and forth to the bathroom. It was the perfect distraction. Meanwhile, Marci did remarkably well soothing herself to sleep with nothing but Parker-piggie and her white noise machine. She certainly shed some tears, and it was INCREDIBLY difficult to withhold her pacifier, but she did it! To say that we are proud of her is to put it lightly. What a little trooper!

This shot right here is the absolute final one of Marci with her paci. It seems so fitting that she's holding Daddy's beer. Did I mention that pacifier retirement has been rough on the whole family??!!