Brotherly Love...

William has realized that Paul is NOT going away or back into the Mommy belly. So, he has decided to retaliate! He use to be potty trained...or at least, we thought so. About a month ago, William started having "accidents". And then the accidents became a daily occurrence. And now they occur on a multiple basis during the day. Dealing with these accidents are the most favorite part of my day.... Kevin and I have tried everything, but it just does not seem to work. William realizes that Paulie is here for the long haul! So, the other day he decided to become a baby

Love the bib!

Do you like the new Spring Trend in fashion for infants....stickers. They can easily be removed to change with every outfit!

And to decorate his brother..... Poor Paulie. Second babies have to endure so much. Thank goodness they don't have the ability to remember just yet. Hopefully today will be the first day towards no "accidents". I am hopeful! You have to be...what is my other option.

Our morning routine....the two loves watching Blue's Clues.

Aahhh, it is Monday morning

So, last night was a typical night. Kevin put William down and read him some books, William came out of his, oh, 3 times and then Mommy put William down.....and he stayed! Until of course 11:00PM when he came into our room. How fun, sleeping with William while he kicks you in the back and occasionally on the head. I feel very rested today. Meanwhile, Paul went to sleep at 8:00PM. I fed him his last bottle at 9:30-10:00PM, which of course he takes while sleeping. He sleeps till around 1:30AM and when he awakes for his bottle....so off I go to feed Paul. Then, I go to let Lisa out. Of course I have to wake her and she DOES NOT like it. So, I listen to her growl and bark out of protest...at 2:00 in the morning. But, if she does not go out she leaves me a morning present of fresh, wonderful smelling pee-pee. Sometimes she makes to the tile....most times she doesn't. You can understand why I don't want to clean up pee-pee as part of my morning routine, can't you. I am sure this is how you would like to spend your mornings...right?! So, I brave the waters and force her to get up and go outside. Now mind you, we had salmon last week. Kevin cooked it on a cedar plank. He has this brilliant idea that we need to burn the plank in the chimena....so he keeps the plank! Placing it (rather throwing it) in the wood pile. Do you think that Lisa thinks it is necessary to burn the wooden plank? NO, OF COURSE NOT.....She is a dog! She thinks it is necessary to EAT the wooden plank at 2 in the morning!!!! So out into the cold night I go to chase Lisa into the house so that I can return to my comfy bed...where William is sleeping sideways, of course on my side of the bed! Finally Lisa comes inside, much to her dismay and I get back to bed. Paul awakens at 5:00AM, thankfully the binkie works and he goes back to sleep...of course in the swing. I LOVE THE SWING! And then 7:00AM rolls around and it is time to wake up. Kevin slept in today...the First Sergeant did the 6:00AM meeting....so he is happy and well rested. William awakens and tells me he slept all night in his bed....yeah right. And, Paul, well he is happy to be smiling at Mommy. Lisa, of course, she just wants breakfast. So, off we go to start our day. I doubt I will be getting a nap in...but remember, I am well rested from my night's sleep.

William's first basketball game

I enrolled William in 2-3 year old basketball at the YMCA in Crestview this past week. They had their first game on Saturday. It was so cute watching the kids. William had a blast. He was probably the most aggressive player....a typical boy. He would charge up to the hoop and slam his ball in, often hitting it off of the backboard. He was real proud of himself. Sometimes, he would make his GRRRRR face before taking off on his run. Without any practice, he seemed to get the concept....run from blue line to blue line and throw your ball in the hoop. The only problem was that the other team members on the "Shooting Stars" team were a bit younger and not as agile. But, that did not seem to worry or stop William. He is looking forward to his practice and next game.

William being held back on the blue line. He just wants to run up to the hoop and slam in the ball.

Getting ready to SLAM that ball.

Half-time...having snacks with other team members.

Very proud of his is yellow Shooting Stars team shirt.

An opening prayer holding hands with other team members.

Waiting patiently for the whistle to blow so he can run and dunk.

Wonderful friends

Our weekend was filled with fun and friends....the best kind of weekend to have! What made it even more wonderful was our friends children, Lathan and Esther. They loved being with William and Paul, which made our nighttimes so much more easier for us! Thank you, Joel and Hosanna! After playing with Lathan and Esther all day, William went to bed with no grips, no whining, and no getting out of bed. Aahh, if that could be how every night was........

Here are some photos from the weekend. Enjoy.

William's favorite, a blue tongue from lollipops. A staple food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner...or at least in William's mind.

Paulie with Lathan and Esther.

William and Eli...having a three year old conversation.

Hosanna, Lathan, Esther and Paulie

Joel and Hosanna

Lathan with Paulie....this is pretty much how Lathan spent his time with us. He was so in love with Paulie. It was the cutest thing. It is wonderful to see kids love being with babies and younger children. It warms your heart.

A day in pictures......

Little known fact, pancake mix taste better uncooked...and is a good face mask.

But, playing around with it can led to a tanturm and.....

TIME OUT!!!!

But then, smiles make the day and the trials worth it.

And, finding new ways to nap is always fun!

Photos of Caroline Sandra VG

Here are some photos of Sweet Baby Caroline. She is so precious. We are all thrilled that she and her Mommy are home and doing well. Enjoy looking! We are all looking forward to meeting her and giving her sweet kisses.

Precious baby

A sweet laugh and smile...at such a young age!

The new Von Gunten family, Trent (my brother), Heather, and Caroline.

Wiliam's new bike

William learned how to ride a bike and ACTUALLY pedal this weekend! William has been riding his green Hot Wheels around, but refuses to use the pedals. Instead, he would use his feet as his motor. Good to see that he can get it! Hope you all are enjoying the weekend. Here are some photos.

Welcome Caroline Sandra Von Gunten!

My brother, Trent, and his wife, Heather, just welcomed their first child, Caroline Sandra Von Gunten. She weighed 6 lbs 13 oz and was 19 inches. Good to know that all is well with them and she is here. William and Paul now have a cousin to play with and create many memories. We are thrilled to have another healthy baby in the family.

Aaaahhhh.....the Florida wheather......

Yes, it is February and in the 70s today. I am wearing short sleeves. William is in shorts. Aahh, to live in Florida. I am quite happy here. It is so beautiful today! I guess enough of my boasting, especially for those of you in the North and in other frozen lands. But seriously, the you can't beat the weather today!

Here is the latest....William went to the dentist for the first time yesterday. He did so good. Mommy is so proud of him. He had his first teeth cleaning. The dentist could not believe he was only 3 because he was so well behaved. He is a good listener....so of the times.

Hope you all enjoy your day...and those of you in the South, the spring weather.

Living on a bombing range....

So, we live on a bombing range. They often drop large bombs...around 2500 pounds or so. Because of this, they (Eglin Air Force Base) have to close the roads leading to the camp....the Army base we live on. How fun. Well, the roads were closed for four hours today, which meant that I had to be in town with the boys for four to five hours. That really is not that bad....but when it starts to get to be the end of a long day and the kids are whinny, you just want to get home. Overall, they did really good being out....but when we got home....that was a different story. Paul got so mad, at what, I don't know, that he could not even breathe when he was crying. And William just wanted to paint, paint, paint. Good thing Daddy was home because he could be with the lovely boys while Mommy escaped. Just another day living out here on the Army camp, 17 miles from a major road, on a bombing range...just another day.

Welcome to Monday.........Are you sure it is not Friday yet?

This morning started off with a bang. Both Kevin and I thought William was asleep when he left for work....so he did not say goodbye. Well, he wasn't...and I got to listen to William have a tantrum for close to an hour...how fun! William screaming "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy". Nothing seemed to calm him and when I tired to take him out of his bedroom, he ran right back in, got in position and started screaming again. Thank goodness for little ones because Paulie was the only thing that distracted the Wee. Once Wee knew that I was focusing on Paulie...well, the tantrum started and he was fine. Me, well, I was shot and ready for bed. So, are you sure it is not Friday?

The rest of the day sort of followed the morning. William peed in his pants...AGAIN! Potty training seems to have been forgotten since Paulie has started being more interactive. The normal battles occurred....William put on your underwear...No, I don't like underwear. William, put on your underwear. It seems that he is part Von Gunten.....my brother never wears underwear. These got us thru to lunch, which seemed to go ok.



William then spent the rest of the day playing and then painting with Daddy. Dinner and the rest of the night were great. Makes me wonder why the morning was so trying.

Good thing little babies sleep and take long naps. Paulie slept the afternoon away....Thank God!

Here are some photos from the day. I am off to bed!

William eating lunch! He likes the BIG fork.

Painting with Daddy.

Superbowl Sunday....hanging with the fam.

We tried to watch the Superbowl. William, of course, was nuts because Mira was here. So he and Mira ran around the house. Paul, well, he cooed and tried to eat his bottle. I tired to watch the game, but Mira and William's antics caused too much concern. Mira, she is too good sometimes. If you don't know, Mira is a dog...and sometimes William's best friend, right behind Lisa.



Good thing it is the end of the day because I am ready for my bed...and it is only 8PM! Oh, the nights of a young family.



Here are some photos from the today:

Paulie wearing shoes for the first time!

Our two loves. William REALLY wanted to be in this photo.

Another sweet smile. He is such a flirt!

Making pizza with Daddy. Mommy loves pizza night...she does not have to cook at all! What a treat.

The makings of a future Army soldier. Nice gettem' face.

Mommy and her sweet baby.

Daddy being funny.