Help Me Win!

Ok, faithful readers...I need your help! I am trying to win a Nintendo Wii on ClassyMommy.com, and I need your votes. (Come on, you know you want to...and it only takes a second, I promise!). Just click on the link below, find my name (Amy Waltermyer), and press the vote button. It really is that easy!

http://www.classymommy.com/wii_giveaway/vote.php?contest=wii&name=AmyWaltermyer

Thanks!!

NYC...Here We Come!

I am headed to NYC to check out the Martha Stewart Show...how cool is that!? Nine of my fellow mommy friends/bloggers are headed to the big city tomorrow morning, and I am super excited! We are leaving SUPER early, so I am already planning out my Dunkin Donuts order - it is going to take one LARGE coffee to keep me going, but it should be well worth it!

We don't know too much about the show itself...so stay tuned for pictures and details about our big Mom's day out!

Wordless Wednesday: Two Peas in a Pod

Owen LOVES his baby sister. He is super protective of her and he wants to hold her, kiss her, be with her...you get the idea...constantly! So, he, of course, also thought that her Bumbo would make a good place for him to hang out, too! These pictures make me realize just how big my baby boy is getting!

Fall Fun

Sorry about the lack of blogging...I guess I have been in a bit of a blogging slump. But, we've been having lots of fall fun! Fall is one of our favorite times of the year, so we have been having a ball hitting up the local orchards, fall festivals, and corn mazes.

Last weekend, Unlcy Ry (the same super fun uncle who was seen crawling through a playground tunnel a few months ago) and Ali came to visit, and we jam-packed the weekend. We went to THE BEST breakfast place around (Thanks for the recommendation, Kelly!) and then rolled our over-stuffed-selves to the orchard for some fun. Owen LOVED the hay house, the corn table, and the tractor ride! Later, we went to an amusement park for their Halloween night - it was chilly, but we had a great time! On Sunday, Pa and Mama joined us for a journey through the corn maze. A super fun (and SUPER TIRING...at least for Mommy) weekend was had by all.

Here are some of our pictures:

Wordless Wednesday: And the little one said, "Roll Over!"

Wordless Wednesday: All smiles

Cute! These two are all smiles...and just so much fun to be around! I am one lucky Mommy!

Beautiful Blessings

On Sunday, we clebrated Bryn's baptism. It was truly a beautiful day. As I have said before, Randy and I met while working at a camp in the Poconos. It is a place that holds special meaning to us because not only did we both grow up going to camp there, but we also worked there, met there, got engaged there...you get the picture!

The lake there is extra special to us. I was the waterfront director there and spent many days and nights on the lake. Randy and I had many, many talks and walks around the lake and, ultimately, it is where he asked me to be his wife. So, we decided to have both of our kids baptized with water from the lake...it seems only fitting that the water that has blessed our lives in so many ways will now bless our children!

Thanks to everyone who made it such an incredible day for us. The hard work and planning that went into Bryn's special day did not go unnoticed - we are blessed to have such incredible family and friends.

Wordless Wednesday: Too Cute for Words!

My beautiful girl is getting bigger by the minute!

First Day of School!

We did it! We survived the first day of preschool! I am quite proud of myself...err, I mean Owen. We both did great! Really, though, I was way more anxiety-ridden about this than he was. I knew it was going to be hard, so I put on my best Mommy smile and we had a great morning. Daddy made pancakes and there was a lot of picture taking. As I was on the verge of tears, Owen, holding his adorable new backpack from Gammy, announced, "I excited, Mommy!"

So, we headed into the minivan - you know, the "I'll never drive one...now I love it...I'm a total preschool mom" minivan - and headed over to preschool for the much anticipated drop off. Not only did I have to leave my baby for the morning, but I also had to BACK the big ol' van into a parking spot. Seriously...my stress level was high!

We met Owen's best buddy Brayden in the parking lot, and both boys were all smiles talking about the trains that they were going to play with - one of many reasons why these two are friends - they have a similar love for Thomas! A quick hug and kiss and tears, and Owen marched right into that preschool room without looking back. (Ok, so I was the only one with tears, but overall, I'd say I did pretty well!)

After treating myself to a much deserved Dunkin Donuts coffee, Bryn and I met Brayden's mom and little sister at the mall - a little retail therapy will cure anything. And before we knew it, it was time to pick up our little guys.

The verdict? Owen liked it...he really did! He loves his teacher and he said he had lots of fun playing with the trains. On the way home he told me, "I a big boy, Mommy!" Yes you are, Owen! Mommy is so proud!

My big boy all ready to go!

...but not without a big kiss for sister, first!

He was very proud of his name tag! (And very ready to end the picture taking and start the fun!)

Lovin' Her 'Lina Bean!

Bryn is just loving her super cute, super soft blankie from our friend, Caroline. Caoline has a business, 'Lina Bean, and her products are great and truly desinged with moms in mind.

Bryn's blankie is SO soft - I seriously wish she made these in my size. (What do you think, Caroline? Want to make ME a blankie?)

We have some of her burp cloths, and they are fantastic! Their bean shape stays put perfectly and cleans up spit up with no problems.

Check out her site - http://www.shoplinabean.com/ - she's even got a new Green line. This Mommy LOVES her stuff!

Wordless Wednesday: A Welcome Addition!

So you may or may not know that just before Bryn arrived, we put an addition - a playroom - onto our townhouse. The timing of it all? Not ideal. The finished product? WONDERFUL! The only problem was that our patio had to be pulled up to build the playroom. So...we added it on the the never ending lists of things for Daddy to tackle. After planning, lots of late nights, and a few hammer accidents that were nearly ER visits (Randy hammered his own fingers...more than once...but who I am to talk? I certainly wasn't helping!)...THE PATIO IS DONE!! Thanks, Daddy! We love it!

Owen enjoying a "cool treat" on his chair from "Uncle" Mark

...and here it is, folks! The long awaited, Daddy-built patio!

Pretty Girl!

Look at my pretty girl! Here she is sporting her very first...and very stylish, I might add...headband! How cute is she?!

Wordless Wednesday: Bathing Beauties

"The Baby Do It"

These big, baby blues will get you every time! They are so bright and beautiful...and sometimes so full of mischief!

Owen was full of things to talk about on our way home from the store tonight. We are truly loving this stage with him - he is so full of questions and he finally has the words to express them. He talked on and on..."Where going?", "What doing, Mommy", "Mack, Where are you?" (in reference to trying to find Mack trucks on the highway."

I hear a crash in the back. "What that noise, Mommy?"

I take a look in the back. "It is the sippy cup you just tossed on the floor, O."

O takes a quick look at his sister and responds, in all seriousness, "No way! The baby do it!"

Randy and I lost it. It was just too funny. Owen laughed and laughed. And poor Bryn just smiled at her big brother. He's only two and already pinning things on his sister...with many more episodes like this to follow, I'm sure!

Wordless Wednesday: Beautiful Girl!

How about this big, beautiful smile? If she doesn't make your Wednesday, I don't know what will!

Minivan Momma

Ok, so let me just put this out there. I have never been a fan of minivans. In fact, before getting pregnant with Owen, I swore I would never drive one. Nope, not me. Definitely not. I mean to each their own, but they just weren't my style.

Fast forward to Bryn's arrival. We NEED a minivan. NEED. And suddenly? I LOVE minivans! We borrowed my in-laws' for our vacation (thanks, Jeff!), and I was hooked. I loved the ease of getting the kids in and out of the car, and the extra space was incredible.

So, we started looking and test driving, and we found an AWESOME deal. We picked it up on Friday, and I am in love. It even astonishes me that something I swore I would never drive is now something that I am super excited about! But, hey, motherhood changes you! :)

The Boys Club

This weekend, I was let into the Boys Club - but only for the afternoon! Owen and Daddy love to take trips on the bike together. They always come back with fun stories about their adventures, but it is a Daddy-Son thing...so no Mommy's allowed. Ok, so really they have never said that Mommy's aren't allowed, but they love their boy time, and I love that they have special time together, too!

Saturday, though, they invited Bryn and me to join them. We went to a local creek and had a ball! The weather was perfect, the water was nice - so says Owen - it was a great afternoon. Owen led the way, trampeling through the woods, and he was super proud to show me how he throws rocks into the creek. He was COVERED in mud, but he loved every second of it.

Boys will be boys, though, and before long, we were headed home to clean up. Today, they ventured out again - who knows where to this time! All I know is that their Boy Time is fun for them...so I love it, too!

Daddy and Owen at their special spot

Owen, Bryn, and Mommy

The Creek

Wordless Wednesday: Playtime Fun

Lions and tigers and...Owen! He LOVES playing in his new playroom (hence the big, cheesey grin!). He is so used to my constant pictures taking, that he now tells me when it is time for a picture - usually when he's doing something cute like hugging his sister or playing a fun game. (Funny how he's already learned that he doesn't want his picture taken during a tantrum...gotta look his best for his photos...and Mommy's blogging audience!!)

ABC's Meme

ABC's

**Make sure you pay attention to the letter “T” cause I may be tagging you!

A. Attached or Single? Married - 5 years in December!
B. Best Friend? I don't have just one - lots of fantastic friends :)
C. Cake or pie? Cake - which is new for me - Bryn has changed my appetite!
D. Day of choice? Saturday - it is always a fun family day for us
E. Essential item? My purse/diaper bag...it holds everything I (and the kiddos) need
F. Favorite color? For me? Hmmm...blue, I guess
G. Gummy bears or worms? Gummy bears! (And chocolate covered are best...thanks Callies!)
H. Home town? The Poconos
I. Favorite indulgence? Spa time for me...vacation with the family!!
J. January or July? July - I love summer - and O's birthday is in July!
K. Kids? 2 - a very handsome little boy, and a beautiful little girl
L. Life isn’t complete without? my family and friends
M. Marriage date? December 27, 2003
N. Number of brothers and sisters? 1 brother - he's the best!
O. Oranges or Apples? Apples
P. Phobias? Being late
Q. Quotes? Hmmm.....
R. Reasons to smile? My family
S. Season of choice? Spring and summer
T. Tag 5 people: Kelly, Jenn, Shannon, Caroline, Nancy - and anyone else who wants to play!
U. Unknown fact about me? I minored in voice and still occasionaly sing at weddings
V. Vegetable? Corn on the cob
W. Worst habit? The Internet
X. X-ray or Ultrasound? Ultrasound - makes me think of seeing my babies for the first time!
Y. Your favorite food? Ice cream
Z. Zodiac sign? Aquarius
Z. Which zoo animal is your favorite? Monkeys and penguins

Ok, come on! You know you want to play along! Leave me a comment if you play so I can check out your ABC's, too!

"P-U! It stinks!"

So, as I posted on Wednesday, we just got back from the shore a few days ago, and we had a great time! Owen could have played in the sand all day if we let him (though he told us each afternoon when he was ready for nap, and even walked himself into his room), and Bryn was a little angel, so we were able to get plenty of beach time in. We had been prepping Owen for weeks about how much fun we'd be having at the beach. What we forgot to inform him of, apparently, was the smell of the salt in the air. As we were driving back from the boardwalk, Randy and I were talking like big people - well as much as you can talk big-people talk when you are driving a minivan packed to the seams with gear for the kiddos - when from the back seat we hear, "P-U! This stinks!" We quickly realized that he was referring to the humid, salty air, and we had a good laugh.

Well, now that he knows that was a funny phrase, he's been using it alot. Today, for example, he told us "I stink!" Sure enough, he did - poopy diaper! He thought he was a riot! I, as any mommy would, laughed, then thought - hmmm....almost potty training time? More to follow on that, I am sure...

Wordless Wednesday: Fun in the Sun!

We're just back from our vacation to the shore...we had tons of fun! The smiles in these pictures say it all! Thanks, Dad and Di - we had a great time!

Wordless Wednesday: Fun with Uncle Ry!

Uncle Ryan flew in from Tahoe last night, and boy were we excited! Owen couldn't wait to wake him up this morning to play, and we couldn't wait to introduce him to Bryn! We're heading home later today to spend time with our family, attend Mallory's wedding, and hit the beach for a few days.



As you can tell, though, the fun has already started - Owen just can't get enough of Uncle Ry! Words can't express how excited we are to have him home for the next few days!

Picture Happy

If you know us, you know that we LOVE pictures! Randy took some photography classes in college, and I've just always been one to have a camera at the ready. I love catching candid moments, special moments...anything, really! The amount of pictures on our camera is obscene, but I love that we have so many of our special memories preserved.

When Owen was a baby, I decided to take a picture of him on our rocker every month, so that we could watch him grow month by month. As everyone says, it is hard to keep up with the amount of pictures that you take for the first child with number two...but we're trying! We've started taking Bryn's monthly pictures on the rocker, too, so I thought it would be neat to put them side by side (or one on top of the other, in this case!)

At this point, Bryn is both longer and heavier than Owen was at this age, and she is a miniature mommy. Comparing my baby pictures to hers is unbelievable. Owen, on the other hand, is Daddy's clone. Even as he gets bigger, he continues to look just like Daddy! No matter who they look like, though, I think they are the cutest darn kids to walk the earth! (And I am glad that our picture obsession will help us document that!)

Here is Owen and his puppy at about two months old

Bryn and her giraffe at exactly two months old

My little loves - at 24 and 1/2 months, and 2 months

Cute, huh? Come on, admit it! They are one cute pair!

Hey, Hey, Hey...It's Jammie Day!

When we were little, my aunt used to call every once in awhile and say, "Hey, Hey, Hey! It's Jammie Day!" We LOVED jammie day! My mom would take us to her house and we would hang out with our cousins in our jammies...all day. We watched movies, ate fun snacks, and just hung out. So much fun!

When we had Owen, we got a box full of jammies and blankies with a note that said it was our turn to do Jammie Days with our own kids (see picture below!). I just talked to my aunt the other day, and she said she was excited to be able to go buy jammies for Bryn. It is such a neat memory, and I love that she's passed it on to my own kiddos. Have we done it yet? Sure! Just yesterday we were beat from our day of fun at Sesame Place, so...Jammie Day! With two kids...let's just say that we have had plenty of unofficial jammie days. (Read: Lazy days where mommy doesn't get the kids dressed...and she stays in her sweats all day, too!)

Soon enough, though, we'll be having real Jammie Days of our own. If you get the call...be ready! Just jammies and fun all day! Thanks, Aunt Jod, for the memory...and for reminding me how much fun it is to relax and be silly!

Elmo's House

Today we spent a fun-filled day at Sesame Place - or Elmo's House, as Owen has taken to calling it. We almost called off our plans last night, but we made a last minute decision early this morning to brave the "possible showers" and head to the park. I'm so glad we did! The pending rain must have scared lots of others off - we had few to no waits for rides, and the kids had a BALL! Owen loved the rides, the parade, and - most of all - the water play areas. After a great day of fun in the sun, we packed up and headed home...just as the rain started. It was a fantastic day!

The cousins hitting up the water slide together

Here is what Bryn thought of our day! She was such a good girl while her big brother played!

Owen and Jeffie cooling off in the water

Viv helping Owen dry off - so cute!

Thanks Ali, Joce, Viv, and Jeffie, for making our day extra special! And thanks, Pa, for getting us the tickets! We love you!