Last weekend...

Grandma Janell came to visit last weekend, and we all had fun. Miles got to ride the new Spiderman bike Grandma J gave him for his birthday for the first time.

Spiderman bike, Cars helmet... good combo.

Miles was invited to and came with Mom and Dad to a St. Patrick's Day party at one of Daddy's friends houses. He and the only other child there, another 3 yr old, had a blast and even got beads and hats from a really drunk woman. Culture at a young age...

My favorite part was getting to cuddle before bed. He's such a happy and obviously spoiled little guy. Thanks for visiting Grandma Janell!

Baby George! GGRIV

He's here! Jessica gave birth to Mr. George Gordon Rollins IV at around 12:30pm on Monday, March 16th. She is disliked by most mothers because she was only in 'real' labor with the adorable 7lb 2oz, 20" little guy for about an hour and a half. She was also 11 days before her due date. :) I am just glad she and baby are doing well, and that big sister Lilly and Daddy George III are excited as can be.

Isn't he cute? Looks just like his daddy...

Big sister Lilly really liked holding him 'by herself.'

A picture of George Gordon Rollins Jr, George Gordon Rollins III, and baby George Gordon Rollins IV. Amazing isn't it?

Ahhh, the proud Garber Grandparents.

:) I brought Lilly a really fun book, that we had fun reading while I got to hold George.

Holding him makes me miss it when Miles was that small. I can't wait to get to play with George more, and my own new little one too!
Hope you liked the pictures!!!

Age progression...

I got it stuck in my head to take a picture of Miles every year on his birthday with the same article of clothing, to show his growth. Well, we couldn't think of anything except a belt that he would be able to fit into (sort of) each year and that Mom wouldn't misplace. So, the next four pictures are of Miles on his day of birth (sans belt), on his first birthday, on his second birthday, and on his third. I can't wait to look back on these same pictures ten years from now!

The change over the years is incredible... TOO FAST!

A couple of weekends ago, Miles took Mom and Dad to his friend Lilly's 2nd birthday party. Lilly has become a special friend to Miles, and it is too bad they don't get to spend much time together. Soon, Lilly will be a big sister! I am hoping that Miles will perhaps understand a little bit more what it means to be a big brother when we get a chance to visit Lilly and her soon-to-be-born baby brother. I have posted some of the fun from Lilly's party, I took a lot of pictures!

Miles had fun getting to play with Lilly and her cousins- and even taught her how to 'bonk' people with a balloon. Might have taught her too well, cuz she 'bonked' Jessica's plate of food right to the floor. Oops...
Miles really likes seeing Lilly a lot, and after asking her to go in the hot-tub with him at his party the week before, he worked up the courage to kiss her here, and both Mommies watch. :)
He's growing up too fast.

Cat's out of the bag...

Miles is going to be a big brother! He is excited about it, though I am sure he has no real understanding of what that acutally means. Everyone at school, plus Mom and Dad lately are his 'brothers'... unless he's mad at you. He also asks me to tell the baby in his tummy to be nice to him when he has a tummy ache, because he thinks the babys is kicking him. And best of all, we were eating dinner the other night and as I am about to eat a spoonful of soup, Miles shouts "No Mommy!!! You'll get the baby dirty," because he was afraid the food I ate would also go into my tummy ontop of the baby. No one can deny it, kids are darn cute.

We ordered custom M&M's with the phrase BIG BROTHER, Miles & M??? and an actual picture of the ultrasound printed on them to let the family know. We thought it was appropriate because both kids, purely by chance, will have an 'M' name. Some got it right away... others were a little slow. ;)

Baby Pfaller #2, measuring right on schedule at 10 weeks.

3D ultrasound images are fantastic. They also make me feel a little awkward, like you've just peeped in on someone using the restroom. Almost like we're intruding...

The details amaze me. This was ultrasound number 5 for me, so I've been spoiled with extra peeks at the baby. How did women live with one or NONE? I am sure someday, women will have some nifty device for at home 4D monitoring whenever they want, and will wonder how we lived without it. :) Updates to follow...

Birthday Party!

Miles turned 3 years old this past Saturday. He had a Spiderman themed party where he was lavished with gifts of all sorts, especially spiderman gear. Mom and helpers (me, Amanda, Bob, Gay, etc) spent WAY too much time making a cake that, in the end, would have looked and tasted better if purchased from the store. Lesson learned? Guess we'll have to wait til next year to see!

Miles giving thanks to Grandma Janell. Awwww...

This is how the cake looked BEFORE it was impacted by a large bouncy ball thrown by the birthday boy, and before the black windows mysteriously started leaking black tears. And it was only leaning a little bit at this point...

Amanda and Sandi work to 'fix' the words that got messed up when Sandi put the web on without thinking. Sandi messed it up more before Amanda took over and finished the job nicely. Funny enough, there were a lot of handy-man tools (thanks Bob) employed to finish this cake. From a couple putty knives and a tape measure to wooden dowels, it was quite the project.

In the end, it looks like Miles had a fantastic 3rd birthday, leaning-crying-untasty cake and all. He had been looking forward to HIS party for nearly six months after attending a friends last Sept... and he was not disappointed. We arrived back in Chicago with our arms full of packages, and our hearts full of love. Thank you to everyone for helping us celebrate and spoiling our little man.

Valentines Day.

SO, I am always amazed at how much more quickly my child is expected to do something than I was... like how calculus seems to be slowly creeping towards the kindergarten level. For example, I thought Miles would AT LEAST have until he was in school before having to do those annoying fundraisers that every parent hates because you have to beg your coworkers and family to buy some candy or other product. But no. Miles, not even three yet, is already on his THIRD fundraiser for his daycare, or 'school' as they prefer to be called. So, cookie dough anyone? Candy bar? Ugh.
Tomorrow at 'school', the kids are having their Valentines Day party, and Miles was asked to bring in 14 Valentines and treats for his classmates. Mom, ever excited at the opportunity to make something into a creative project, got struck by the idea to make these little treats while shopping for those cheesy tear-apart cards the kids are required to give.

I found the pink strawberry flavored marshmallows first, and the idea came together. They are just like my almost three-year-old: Super cute, sweet, and got completely filthy while having fun. Miles helped me make them and realllllly liked eating them too. Hope his classmates enjoy them as much!