Cousin Madelyn

Nora and I went to visit Madelyn on Friday, as she had tubes put in her ears. She is such a tough girl, you would have never known she had tubes put in!! She fell in her driveway right before we got there, so she had a scrape on her forehead and nose....that was the worst part of her day!

I feel like I didn't get to bond with Madelyn when she was a baby, because when we'd visit I was always chasing Bishop around--so the past couple of times I've been able to visit her without Bishop being with me, I've been able to spend more time with her and it's been so great! She is such a sweet, fun, happy girl! I love her so much!! We had so much fun together!!

She adores Nora and is so interested in her-I am excited for them to grow up so close in age. People have told me that Nora and Madelyn could pass for sisters---I LOVE it!!

The Vacuum

Nana brought Bishop a vacuum the other day and he loves it! He loves to help clean up and this vacuum is perfect (Thanks Nana!)!!

Bishop likes it so much--he's been sleeping with it!! The first night Luke took it out of his crib when Luke went to bed and when Bishop woke up in the morning and it wasn't there he asked (very nicely) "Vacuum, please, mommy?"

The Zoo

I wanted to get to The Zoo in April to see the baby farm animals....so we went last Sunday (4/22/12). It was the perfect time at the zoo! We went, saw what we wanted to see and left. We weren't overly tired or crabby by the time we left and we even stopped for lunch at Buster's on our way home!

Since we have a membership it's nice to be able to go for short stints. Every other time we've gone the bears have been sleeping or just laying around. This day the 2 of the bears were playing in the water right up by the glass. It was SO neat to see! They were amazing looking--it looked like something you see on TV.

We then went to see the baby farm animals. There were piglets that were born the day before and we saw them eating! It was really neat!

The other fun thing Bishop got to do was drive the tractor! It was a simulated tractor with a computer that showed what was in front of you and what you had just plowed. When he was done, he received his own tractor license!

It was a perfect day at the zoo!

Luke in Chicago

Luke was in Chicago this week for work. He left Monday morning and got home late last night (after 9pm).

It was my first 4 day stint on my own. Monday night Nina and Jack came over for pizza. It was so nice having them here! Nina was SO helpful (Thank you)! and Jack is such a smiley guy, it was fun!

Nora-2 months, Jack-4 months, Bishop-2 years

Bishop was on his best behavior (for the most part) while Luke was gone. We had a couple "terrible twos" moments, but overall, he did great! We went to my parents for a couple nights, so that obviously helped too!

It was actually a nice time for me to spend with Bishop (and Nora, obviously), but I learned a lot about how to handle Bishop. Last night he kept walking around saying "I love you, Mommy" for no reason....he's never done that, so that was very sweet!

I know this probably sounds silly to a lot of people, especially stay at home moms, but it gave me a lot of confidence to have both kids. Bishop has SO much energy and is always into something that it makes it hard to keep up with him AND take care of Nora.

On a very positive note.....Bishop went poopy in the potty yesterday at school!! He's been having to help clean up his poopy underwear and he doesn't like that, but it may be working! He did have a poopy accident too, but at least he went once! I'll take what we can get and celebrate like crazy the good times! :)

More Easter

I had these pictures on my other camera and hadn't downloaded them yet. I love them though, so had to include them!

They are at Grandpa and Grandma's at Easter!

Bishop saw a "chickmunk" out the window and then found all the "chickmunk's" holes in the ground.

Climbing the ladder in the fort!

Eskimo kisses with Grandpa!

All smiles!

Nora at my parents--sleeping in the bouncy chair!

Nora 2 month appt

Nora had her 2 month appointment on Friday and she's doing great! Here are some updates on Nora

....11lb 11oz (71%)
....22 1/2in (53%)
....Head 39cm (55%)
....she is right on track developmentally
....her head is flattening on the right side, so we're working on getting her to look to her left. We dealt with this with Bishop, so we're being very aggressive to get her to look left and not have the same problems he did!
....wearing size 1 diapers
....wearing 3 month clothes (some 3-6 month)
....she's a great sleeper...usually goes down around 9pm and lately has been waking up around 4:30. This morning Bishop woke HER at 6!!! I love it! :)
....she's smiling quite a bit! She smiles and smiles when we play peek a boo and pat-a-cake.
....she loves to watch Bishop play

I love you so much, Nora! You are such a sweet, content baby--I absolutely LOVE your smile!

Madelyn's Birthday Party

We celebrated Madelyn's birthday at her house on Saturday! It was a beautiful day and perfect for the kids to play outside!!

Bishop was up REALLY early that morning (he is a pretty smart kid)--he woke up at 5:20 asking to go potty--so Luke got up with him to take him to go potty.....he didn't go, but the minute he got to the bathroom he was asking for none other than "Papa'!!!! Needless to say, he didn't go back to sleep! My parents came up Friday night, so Luke and I could go out for dinner! Thanks nana and papa! WIth that being said, he did really well at the party--and slept a whole whooping 40 minutes all day!

Madelyn was so happy at her party--she had a blast and it was so fun to see!! It was such a nice party--Shelly and Ryan did an awesome job with decorating, food and making everyone feel comfortable! Thanks!

Here are some pictures from the day!

The Grandma's and their girls

Such a HAPPY HAPPY girl!

Madelyn sitting in her new chair

Playing with her new kitchen

When we got home Bishop helped me bake some cookies, using the duck eggs from Dave's! They turned out great! It was fun and I don't know the last time I made homemade cookies! I'll have to make some more! :)

That night the Hennum's came over for dinner. It was so sweet, Siena was reading to Bishop--and he was very interested. She is so good to him and he loves both her and Maia so much!

It was a very fun Saturday (and weekend)....yet, very exhausting! Sunday we went to church (per Bishop's request) :), got some work done around the house and met the Heller's out for dinner. It was a little challenging of a day with Bishop, but it was nice to get things done.

Bishop Easter 2012

We all arrived in Owatonna Saturday evening! The kids played--Bishop jumped off the couch probably 75 times and made everyone laugh....especially Madelyn!!

Trying to get a picture of these three is nearly impossible--Nora just goes with the flow ! :)

Could she be any happier?!?!

Bishop and Madelyn saw the "Easter" bunny outside my parents window....they were so excited to actually see him! He sat still for what seemed like the LONGEST time, especially since Bishop was yelling out the window and pounding on the window. He finally hopped away and Bishop continued to show us how he hopped away.

Looking for the Easter Bunny!

Oh Great! More Candy! 

Madelyn, Papa and her easter basket

Bishop and Papa!

Easter morning was chaotic trying to get out of the house for Easter service. The Easter bunny left presents before he hopped away the night before and the kids had fun eating their candy!

We went to my Grandparent's church in the country by New Richland. The kids all did awesome! My dad took Bishop out during the sermon and let him play in the car (his favorite)! Madelyn only needed to be taken out once...all in all, it was a great success!!

We have been reading the story of Easter to Bishop and talking a lot about Jesus. One night he woke up in the middle of the night and asked "Where is Jesus"....I explained he's in heaven and he lives in your heart---ever since that conversation and going to Easter service Bishop has been asking to go to church (I'll admit, we don't go regularly), but we will be now! :)

For as much as I'd love a nice picture of the kids...I LOVE these memories! :)

Bishop loves to give kisses!

Beautiful Bormann Family!

Bishop did NOT want to have his picture taken here

These next few just crack me up--Bishop and Madelyn are always doing something...and Nana and Papa couldn't be happier!!

Great Grandma and Nora

I love this one! Daddy and Bishop were playing outside and looked inside!

Great Grandpa and Great Grandma Loken with Bishop and Nora

This is a picture of Madelyn wearing the dress Shelly wore when she turned one. I need to scan in the picture of Shelly and put them side by side...as you wouldn't be able to tell the difference! Same smile, same gap in teeth, same hair--two beautiful girls!!!!!!

Easter is my favorite holiday and I love the meaning....Jesus died on the cross for all of us--WOW! It really is an amazing story!