My little gymnast

This Fall we signed Lauren up to do gymnastics. It is wonderful. They do real gymnastics. Her coach (Coach Doug) said after our last class that she and another girl were doing things so well that he is going to start a different class for them so he can start training them towards being on them team. It made my day to hear that!!

State Fair

This year we went out to the State Fair. I was so excited to go. The only problem was it was about 100 degrees that day! We lasted as long as we could. Lauren rode the ferris wheel with Brian. She really has no fear. I have never even been on a ferris wheel. She must get that from her Dad! We also went to the animal tent and Lauren managed to pet every single animal there. I don't think she wanted any of them to feel left out.

Duck 2010- vacation part 2

Just like going to Rehoboth we also headed back to Duck with my family. We were so lucky that we had great weather this second week also. Lauren loved getting to spend time with her cousins Justin and Tyler and also her second cousins- her favorite Maddie. Everyday we headed down to the beach and Gabe would nap and Brian and Lauren would play at the beach a little then head up to the pool to swim. The kids did great. I loved getting to hang out with my family just sitting at the beach. It was also nice to see extended family who stayed down in Duck the same week too. Lauren got her first pet courtesy of my sister- a hermit crab named "Beachy". We are doing our best to keep "Beachy" alive as long as possible. Thank you to my family for making everything so great. Click here to see more pictures in our photo album (Duck 2010).

The second picture above is all the grandchildren on Heatwole side- Derek the oldest 18 years old down to Gabe 6 months.

Rehoboth 2010- vacation part 1

The Winterhoff side of the family all headed to Rehoboth again this year for a week of vacation. We were looking forward to the week all summer. We even made a paper chain countdown for Lauren to rip off each day until we left. I was excited about the trip but not the actual trip for getting down there. I wished and prayed that a mini-van would fall from the sky and land in our driveway so we could take that to the beach. The drive is about 5 1/2 hours long and I had no idea how we would survive in our little Honda. I was worried about not being about to reach Gabe in order to calm him, etc. There just isn't enough room for me to fit in the back seat with both kids. But I have to say we survived to and from. I did have to do some pretty funny maneuvering to tend to Gabe while we drove but we survived. Once we arrived at the beach it was wonderful. The weather was terrific and family was great. Our kids did great sleeping...which is first for us. We went to the beach and pool everyday and then headed to our favorite Fun Land each afternoon. I don't think we have as many pictures as in years past but I realized this year with two kids it is just a little more about survival then capturing the moments in pictures! Thank you to G and Poppy for such a great week! I love the picture with all the cousins together. Next year Mark and Carrie will have a little girl Gabe's age to add to the mix!! Click here to view more photos in our album from our trip (Rehoboth 2010).

Summer update

After talking with a friend the other day I realized that I have not updated my blog this entire summer. I will have to say each day seems to fly by plus we went on two weeks of vacation back to back at the end of July (more on that later). The first part of the summer we headed to the pool a lot. We had to go in the morning because of the crazy hot temperatures but lucky for us our pool opens at 10:00. This summer at the pool Lauren decided that she knows how to swim. It all took place over about three trips to the pool. We started with her wearing a swim vest and I thought that was great. By two days in she was swimming, diving down for dive sticks with out a vest. Now it is like she is a regular swimmer. It totally blows my mind. But of course I am very proud of her! The other major discoveries this summer had to do with Gabe's allergies or rather finding out that he has them. He is allergic to dust mites, milk and eggs. We decided to switch him straight to soy formula and I stopped nursing. The whole time I was nursing I wanted nothing more then to stop but then when it really came down to quitting I was a little sad. Gabe however handled the transition great and now I'm really happy to be done with that phase. I'm not sure if it is b/c we eliminated the milk and eggs from his diet or if it is just part of babies growing up but Gabe is turning out to be an amazing baby. We can just lay him down for his naps and he goes to sleep. Not like with Lauren where we did hours and hours of walking and shushing. At the beach this summer both families made comments that we could not complain about Gabe at all because he was such a great baby. Overall the summer has been good. I'm ready for the 100 degree days to end so we can get back outside more but other then that things are good. Click here to view more pictures from our summer so far.

Such telling photos

Lauren reading to Gabe.

Gabe looking to Dad for help.

Gabe doing as Lauren asks.

Gabe's baptism

We had Gabe's baptism on May 23rd at Trinity. The forecast all week was calling for rain but the day of the baptism it was beautiful. We were so blessed to have all of our family join us. It was also special because our preacher Dc. Peters who did Lauren's baptism was able to do Gabe's as well. Gabe did great for the baptism. He wore the same gown that Brian's father wore when he was baptised and that Lauren wore. It is such a special tradition. Here are just a few pictures from our special day.

My cuties

Our audience

The other day Brian hung new blinds in our hallway window. Lauren and Gabe decided they would be our audience. It was so cute. They just sat there and watch the whole time.

Soccer

Here is Lauren with her friends taking a water break! The kids really love their water breaks!

Gabe

Gabe has really fallen in love with Lauren lately. He will just sit and look her for as long as she is in his sight. He also will smile big smiles for her when she talks to him. It is incredibly sweet!

Sunny days

The other day we went to Lewis Ginter. They had the water on and Lauren played and played in it. Last year she didn't seem to love the water but this year it was a whole different story. Brian and I loved watching her run around in the water. Gabe was also there but I'm not sure he had his eyes open at all.

Lauren's first haircut!!

Yesterday was a big day at our house. Lauren got her first haircut. I made appointments for us to both go to my salon together. When we first got there she was a little nervous. I had her sit on my lap while I had my haircut. My hairdresser talked to her about how we have to get our haircut or we will end up like Rapunzel. Lauren said "yeah we don't want them to use our hair like a ladder." Once it was her turn they put her in an ice cream decorated cape and sat her on her own seat. She had a serious face for most of the haircut. I couldn't read her face to tell if she was happy, scared, nervous. I kept asking her if she was having fun and she would smile. Once the haircut was over I was able to find out that she LOVED it. She said it was like princesses getting their hair done. She asked if we could get our haircut everyday. That made me so happy. The only thing I didn't think through was the fact I took her to a fancy place to get her haircut and now going forward I don't think she will settle for less! After the haircut we stop by Krispy Kreme for a donut. It was great!

Gabe and Poppy

Here is a picture of our big boy with his Poppy. This is a picture from our trip to Lewis Ginter. We went with G, Poppy, Anika, Maya, and Alexis. It was the perfect day. This is the only picture I took that day. I think now that I have two I will be getting fewer and fewer pictures taken.

Our preview to when she is a teenager

Brian and I can not believe how fast Lauren is growing up. Sometimes we see her in a certain outfit or doing something that we think a teenager would do and can't believe our eyes.

What a great big sister

I have to share a wonderful story. Yesterday Gabe had to go to the doctor's to get a shot. He had four the previous day. This trip to the doctor's Lauren had to go with us. Before we left Brian asked Lauren if she was going to hold Gabe's hand and sing to him when he got his shot. Lauren of course said yes. Well we got there and settled in the waiting area outside the room where Gabe was to get his shot and on the TV was the movie "The Princess and the Frog." Well Lauren was so excited. When we got called to go get Gabe his shot I let Lauren stay in the waiting area so she could watch the movie. I didn't think she would leave the movie to come help comfort Gabe...BUT I was wrong. Not two seconds after I sat down with Gabe in front of the nurse Lauren came in and held Gabe's hand. After he got the shot and was crying Lauren started to sing "rock a bye Gabe in the tree top". It was incredibly sweet!


One other thing to note. Check out Gabe's head control!! For some reason I always think that my kids do not have very good head control at an early age...but Gabe proved me wrong. He did great today with his tummy time! Good job Gabe!

Amazing and beautiful Lauren

Today we went to Lewis Ginter and I was able to get the most beautiful picture of Lauren. The setting was perfect.

The second picture is of the word Mom. Lauren was playing with sidewalk chalk and said Mom I'm going to write your name. This is what she wrote. I didn't help her at all. Who knew she could write and spell!! What a smart little girl!

Gabe with Great Grandparents

This past weekend we went to Williamsburg and Gabe was able to meet his Great Granddaddy and Great Grammy. It was a great visit.

Life with two

It has been a month since Gabe came into our lives. I was so excited about having #2. I thought this is going to be so easy. No first time worries- are they breathing, getting enough food, sleeping etc. Well what I didn't realize is now I have two kids I am responsible for taking care of. One wants me to play and one wants me to feed him. I forgot that I couldn't be in two places at once. All these years I see parents with more then one child and they made it look so easy. I wish I would have asked them if it was hard. I keep hearing that around six weeks it gets better or some say three months. I'm really hoping one of them is right. So I don't mean to complain and maybe I'll stop one day. But for right now I'm surviving on very little sleep so I think I'm allowed to complain a little. Two wonderful things have been Brian and our parents. Brian has been so great helping in every way possible. I don't know who is getting more sleep me or him but he doesn't complain so I am greatful for that. Also my Mom has come to help for several days. It was wonderful having her here. Not only to help but to spend time with too. Brian's parents have also come to help. They have been great making Lauren feel special and giving her extra attention that she needs right now. We have updated our photo album link on the side bar with more pictures of Gabe and Lauren. Check them out when you get a chance.

John Gabriel Winterhoff has arrived

Gabe was born on January 21, 2010 at 1:53pm. He weighed 7lbs 7oz and was 19.5 inches long. Both Sara and Gabe are doing well and resting comfortably. Lauren cannot wait to meet her baby brother on Saturday.

A new sheriff in town

We got to go to Lauren's friend Hayes' birthday party the other day and it was a cowboy themed party. The party was terrific! She came home with a cowboy hat, cowboy vest (that she decorated), a purple handkerchief, and purple balloon. Needless to say it was a huge hit! Here are some pictures but see the photo album link for even more.

Just because

I just wanted to add this picture because I think Lauren and Brian look so cute!

Heatwole Christmas 2009

We had a great Christmas in Harrisonburg this year. Lauren loved being with her boys of course and was just as excited to be able to hang out with my cousin Carol's daughter, Madison. This year was a little different for me b/c I was so pregnant. I told my family to get me clothes that I could wear once I am done being pregnant so I had my sister try them on so I could imagine what they will look like on me one day. Thank you to my family for such a great Christmas!