The Pumpkin Patch

We went to the KC Pumpkin Patch this Saturday. It was a pretty day, just very windy. I had to keep Jilli bean covered with a blanket most of the time. I think that Drew had a great time. He would get upset when we would leave one part and then instantly get happy once he realized what else we were doing. I think that is the whole thing behind the terrible twos. They suddenly realize what they like and want, but lack the understanding when mom and dad try to reason with them that is time to move on or why they can't have or do something. He is just a product of his age. Like I said, the being upset parts were short lived between all the fun activities.

Please notice the sign above Drew's head! Nice huh? What good examples we are, he can't read yet anyway!

Drew rode in this little "train" pulled by a riding lawn mower. It went around a little track. He was such a big boy, he rode all by himself, never got scared and never stood up (which I was afraid of). When he was at the far end of the track I could see him do his little "toot toot" with the arm motion. It was adorable.

Drew is a fearless. He climbed up to this slide and went down by himself. It was very fast and he landed on his tush at the bottom and yet he still loved it, over and over.

There was a little petting zoo there. Drew tried to feed the animals the hay off the ground, so mom had to go get some quarters for food.

Drew going down the big slide all by himself!!

Hello gorgeous!

Is this not the funniest facial expression. She is making new faces and noises everyday. Today she had the biggest giggle fest. I was laughing at Drew, and every time I would laugh she would too. Too cute!

I told her no one would give her any beads. A flasher, I am going to have to watch out for this little girl.

The Bumbo!!

This week we got out the Bumbo and quite contrary to the second picture, Jillian really did like it. I put the one with the scared face on here because I thought it was funny. It is so exaggerated that it looks like she is faking it. Can you believe that she is only 12 weeks old, she looks like such a big girl. When she was done Drew decided to give it a try and was so big he kept getting stuck.

Drew is such a big boy, he went to the pantry and opened it, brought my his granola bar and when I opened it for him he sat in the new recliner and watch some toons. He is too cute. This week he told me that he loved me for the first time. It melted my heart. He told dad twice last week.

For those of you that don't know, this was my first week on overnight. What an adjustment for everyone. It has been a long week. Drew is really confused when I tell him night night in the middle of the afternoon. He looks at me like I am a crazy lady.

We are going to the pumpkin patch Saturday, check back for those pics.

Also, we accepted an offer on our house yesterday so everyone keep their fingers crossed that is works out for us!!

Time with Nana and taking Jillian and Drew's picture together!

For the past two weeks my mom has been staying with us and taking care of the kids while I am at work and Andy is at school. Drew loves his Nana and I think Jilli does too. She is always smiling, cooing and laughing when Nana has her. I know that Drew had a great time with her. I know mom enjoyed it also, but I think it was hard to enjoy as much as possible because she was so tired. The two of them can give anyone a run for their money. I can't thank her enough. I don't know what I would do without my parents, they are so good to me.





Last Friday our new furniture finally arrived. A recliner, a new kitchen table and chairs and a dresser for Drew. I was getting tired of all of his clothes being in a laundry basket and one of Jilli's drawers. Since we got a table, we decided it was time for Drew to start eating like a big boy in a booster seat. He has done pretty well. He doesn't try to get out, but he dumped his cereal all over the table the other morning when Nana was with him. He still uses his high chair about half of the time. When one of us is sitting at the table to eat with him it goes better.





So I included some new pictures of our big girl Jillian. She is getting to be so much more alert. She follows the red bunny rabbit on her mobile, it is really cute. She is starting to act more like Drew everyday. When you hold her she straightens out, unless she is really tired then she might lay her head on your shoulder. She likes to be facing away from you and she does like to be rocked to sleep. She in on the verge of rolling up on her side. She almost did it twice today. One thing that is different from Drew is she doesn't take the binky as much. She like to suck on her fingers. She has blisters on both of her index fingers from sucking on them. This little girl loves to have her clothes and diaper changed. She like to be pampered I think, (literally in more than one way). Also there is the picture of Drew in his big boy chair and Nana with her grandbabies. The sequence of pictures after that is what it is like trying to get a picture of Drew and Jillian together. Either Jillian is crying , Drew is trying to grab the camera or I can't get them to look at me. These are only a few in the one night of trying, there are probably 10 more out takes that I didn't post. I thought they told a funny story. When I say funny, it is a kind of pull my hair out funny. Not really. Any way that is all for now. I start my first overnight shift, tomorrow night, so wish me luck on adjusting to a new schedule.

Lots is going on at the Roberts' house.

2 weeks ago Jillian slept in her own bed for the first time. Yeah!! It wasn't quite as a miraculous result as when we put Drew into his crib at 8 weeks (he slept for almost 7 hours that first night),but she did good. She doesn't sleep as well at night, but she is definately a better day napper. We took down the pack and play this weekend and brought up the big swing and I wish we would have brought it out sooner. It does amazing things to that little girl. I don't understand how it is different than little swing that she is no way soothed by, but I don't have to understand it to appreciate it.

We took the kids to JC Penney for pictures. By the time we got to the costumes they'd had it, but still a very cute cow and pea pod, I think. I attached the link to look at the pics. Just type in Shannon Roberts in the customer line to view them.

https://www.smilesbywire.com/home.asp?AC=LTPP0390100134JCPSHR

Last week Nana and Papa came to visit. Drew was excited to see them. They had both left messages earlier in the week and when Drew heard them he thought Nana and Papa were in the answering machine. So he would go to answering machine and say Nana? Papa? like he was asking if they could come out and play. While they were here Dad put in a new toilet in the hall bathroom and yes that is my 65 year old mother on the floor. When I saw that I had to take a picture. She is trying to see if the bolts were lined up. What would dad do without her. Dad and I went to Wal-mart for a few things and Papa bought Drew a new Halloween book that lights up and the vampire laughs and some candy corns and he bought Jillian 240 diapers. Thanks Papa. Drew also stole Papa's hat and decided to wear it around.

Saturday Anna Lawrence, her mother Norma, mother-in-law Lois and son Cody came to visit us at our new house. Drew had lots of fun with Cody and his new Tonka. Jillian wouldn't let Anna do any sitting. If you want to hold her you better put on your walking shoes. My wonderful friend Anna brought me some Mt. Carmel chocolate chip cookies. I had to say no to them so many times when I was pregnant. They were heavenly. I am so glad they fit a visit to us in their shopping trip.

As you can tell, I still don't know how to turn the pictures. I will learn someday.

Then something truely wonderful happened Saturday night. Andy and I went on a date, just the two of us. My very thoughtful brother Bryce and sister-in-law Tammy kept the kids while Andy and I went out for dinner and a movie. We saw Good Luck Chuck, it was a very funny movie, a bit on the crude side, but still funny. My husband laughed so hard, that he was embarassing me. Just kidding, kind of :) Everything went great and we couldn't be more thankful to Bryce and Tammy. (The most amazing part of the night is that I heard Bryce actually changed a diaper, only a wet one, he will be quick to point out).

Can I just say that this is the point were I picked back up the blog. I started it Tuesday night and it is now Sunday evening. Once a week might be a little ambitious.

My mom came back up Sunday night because I had to go back to work on Monday. I had orientation and it was boring. It was a very long and hard week. I left the house by 7:00 am and didn't get home until 5:30 and then it was time for dinner and baths and Drew goes to bed and then I am exhausted. I think it will be better when I go to nights. This week I just work days, so I will have to learn their machines and the hardest part in finding my way around the department. It is like a maze. My friend Sarah works there, so that makes this a little easier.

I just want to add it is now Sunday 10:00 pm and I am still trying to finish this blog. AHHH!!

When my mom came up, she brought up a house warming gift that dad had been working on for Andy and I. A riding lawn mower, that Drew loved driving. She also brought 2 pumpkins from the pumpkin patch that Drew and Papa planted in the spring. Drew thought he was strong enough to pick up his pumpkin. He didn't even get it off the ground, but he looked very cute trying.

I think this is the first picture I have got of Jillian smiling. She is smiling, cooing and laughing now. Aren't the two of them so cute!!

Drew and I were sticking stars on our foreheads and he forgot there was one on his head when he went down for his nap. I had to take his picture. He is an angel when it comes to sleeping. At night he goes right to sleep, just like the pic, with his hands behind his head. I lay him down and don't hear a peep until morning. Nap time he lays down, hands behind head, no crying or fussing, but I can usually hear him playing with his toys for awhile before he falls asleep. Man I love that kid!!





It is almost 11:00 and I am finally done. Good night!!

Part Three of The Catch Up

So I will update the past 2 weeks and then I will be caught up. I hope to update the blog once a week, at least that is the plan. This time I included some pictures of the furries. I am sure that everyone thinks that I have been neglecting my animals since I never mention them. But I assure you, it is far from it. They love the new house, Lucy and Bailey especially love the big back yard and do very well for no fence yet. Chatty (Roxy) loves having a basement of boxes to herself and can be a part of the chaos only when she wants. The gate keeps Drew from playing (when I say playing I really mean chasing and irritating) her down there. As you can tell from the pictures they are breaking in the new place pretty good. The look especially comfy, don't you think.

Drew got his first at home hair cut this past weekend. No more sitting in an airplane watching a movie and getting a high and tight by a professional, now it is in the high chair watching Mickey Mouse and Dad with the clippers. That's what happens when you have two bum parents, neither with a job. (If only that could last forever). Everyone has to make sacrifices and he didn't seem to mind. Dad did a pretty good job too! And yes that is a make shift cape made out of a towel and a chip clip. Just trying to bring a little ghetto to Bonner.

Jillian had her 2 month appointment this week. She is doing perfect. She weighed in at a whopping 11 lbs and 14 oz. (95th percentile) She was 21 3/4 inches long (50th percentile). He gave us some different medicine for the ever present butt rash. It seems to be working better. He said that he didn't think her reflux was bad enough to put on any meds. She got her shots and the rotovirus immunization, which is in a oral form. Once it finally came out (I kept reading about it in magazines), Drew was too old for it. It is for a GI bug (diarrhea, vomiting etc). She got four shots, 2 in each leg. She gave the nurse a mouth full. I have never heard her scream that loud before. It was short lived though, I picked her up and she was asleep on my shoulder in a couple of minutes. She was a little fussy that night and the next day, but she is back to normal now.

Jillian also had her first bottle last night. She did pretty well, she ate about 3.5 ounce. She got a lot more air, so the burps were big and she spit up after the first two ounces. So I think she will do fine, just have to be burped after every ounce, at least until she figures out how to get a better latch on the thing. Andy was feeding her and I felt really guilty. I know I can't be with her for the entire next year (or how ever long I nurse) at 3 hour intervals, but it was hard to watch. I felt like she was looking at me like I had abandoned her. Ridiculous I know. I start work October 1st and Nana will be watching her and Drew, so she has to be used to that bottle. I have orientation the first three days, so it will be during the day and then it will be overnights, 10:00p to 6:30a, Sunday through Thursday. It is sad to be leaving them for work, but in another sense it will be nice to have some adult contact. I am not saying that Andy is not an adult, I am just saying he is not a normal adult. He is a busy law student. And my mom and dad have be off traveling the world, so I haven't even had my mom to talk to lately. It is too bad that this adult contact (and hopefully conversation) is with strangers. It would be a lot more exciting if it was with my Mount Carmel family. I really miss my friends there.

I also posted a picture of big girl Jillian holding her head up. She is 8 weeks in that pic. A pic of Jilli and Drew's feet. I think it is cute how both of their toes are curled up the same way. A pic of Drew with a funny face (the post smooch face). I was trying to get a picture of Drew giving Jillian a kiss, but with the delay on my camera I kept missing it. He kissed her like 10 times and I couldn't get it once. But I thought his expression in this pic was hilarious. Drew is being an awesome big brother and an awesome almost 2 year old. He has been listening really well this week. No times outs all week. He is saying tons of new words (attempt at words) everyday. He says blue sky, clouds, good girl, echo, dustbuster, pretty much anything I say. Lucy and Bailey are collectively GOOBA (goose and bailey) and Jilli sounds like GIGI most of the time. Today we talked about wolves, so he is cracking himself up by howling like a wolf.

So, for those of you that haven't noticed. Jillian is a mini-Andy. I thought this from her sonogram pictures and it seems that everyone else is noticing now also. I think the only things she got from me are her lovely pasty complexion and her hands and feet. Most importantly she got her daddy's beautiful blue eyes. Who would of thought that I could have the two most adorable children and yet they look nothing alike :)

Also I am sure some of you have noticed on the birth announcement I put the wrong length. Oops. Wrong address and now wrong length. At least I got her name right. I have to look at the positive. She was 20 inches at birth!!

I didn't realize I had so much to say. Maybe it because Andy is at school and the kids are sleeping and I am not trying to do this while doing a million other things. I promise that the blogs to follow will not be epic novels. Hope all is well with everyone and welcome back mom and dad. We missed you.

P.S. I don't have an editor, so please no making fun of my spelling and gramatical errors!! (Anna!! Ha Ha!)

Fast Forward 6 Weeks - The Big Move

Good-bye old house. I loved this house, this was our first house, where we brought our babies home to, where Drew took his first steps and even if we had definitely outgrown it we would have stayed there. The saddest part of all was taking down everything in Drew's nursery, I love that nursery.





On moving day, Andy was in Topeka at school and I was there with the movers, a 6 week old, a 21 month old wild man and my saving grace, Nana :) It was a little chaotic and I was very close to my limit, but we survived. They started packing about 9:00 am and finished up about noon. Nana left about 10:30 to go home and pack for her trip to Germany, Switzerland and Austria. (Some day that will be Andy and I) The kids and I packed up and left our house about 2:00 and we all arived in Bonner Springs around 4:30. The movers unpacked everything and brought all that heavy furniture up the lovely flight of stairs and put all the furniture back together. Mom and dad did a huge favor for Andy and me, but also for Bryce and Brett's backs. At 7:30, what felt like the longest day ever was almost finished, just putting little man and Jilli bean to bed and then waking up every 3 hours to nurse, Ha Ha. So much for rest.









I will try to figure how to turn these pictures I promise. I am new at this and obviously not very good.





Drew, Jillian and I shut ourselves in the office and watched the movers pack all our stuff. Drew loved looking out at the big truck. Vroom, vroom!









Drew thought the movers could use his help moving things with the dolly. He is such a big helper.
















Hello new house!!


For those of you that don't know our new address is:


14991 Forest View Drive
Bonner Springs, KS 66012




If I have sent any of you something in the mail, I ordered our return labels with a spelling error. Forrest only has one "R" duh!! Andy proofed them for me, so it is not just my fault.



The move is over and now all we have to do in unpack ourselves from this sea of boxes. We have a goal to be unpacked and organized by Christmas. I hope that we can do it.