Record High's and the Zoo

Taylor took off work on Tuesday and we all went to the zoo. Katie was scared of the giraffes again. She kept saying, "It no get in my stroller." We tried to see the new baby giraffe being kept inside and when we walked in there was a fake giraffe at eye level with Katie with a huge fake tongue sticking out. She started screaming and we got out asap. She ended up enjoying the rest of the trip, especially her first carousel ride. She loved riding the carousel. When it started she kept saying, "it's playing music, it's going up and down!" We haven't stopped hearing about it since:)

Here's Taylor teaching Katie how to follow the rules at the zoo. Thankfully I don't think the meerkats are too viscious.

Looking at the lions.

A long day at the zoo.

A birthday!

Today this little miss turned 2. 2! The time has gone so quickly. She still seems so little and at the same time so different from the bundle we brought home from the hospital. I am so thankful that God has allowed me to be her Mommy. Her presence in my life has challenged and grown me in ways that I never expected. She is a spit-fire who knows what she wants, how she wants and when she wants it . . . which is usually right now. She keeps us laughing and already has a great sense of humor. She loves snuggling, singing, routines, and the park. I think she would swing for hours if I let her. She is filled with excitement for each day and it has allowed me to find joy in simple things. Such as . . . the trash man! He is a celebrity around these parts. She loves dressing up and pretending. Her "babies" are her favorite toys to play with. However, she is not above injuring them herself so that she can comfort them later.

We love you so much Katie Madison. Happy Birthday.Multiple attempts at a family picture. I like this one the best except for Katie isn't looking the pictureAnd I loved this one except for Taylor's expression of wonder at the antics going on behind the camera.

Waiting for her friends to arrive.

Cake. When we asked her what she wanted for her birthday she said, "cake-balls." Detailed instructions on how to make these delicious treats to follow on the other blog:)

A balloon birthday party with coloring, balloon animals, and cake. Katie was in heaven . . . except for all her friends invading her space:)

Snow and Valentine's Day

The only picture I got from Valentine's Day. Then the camera batteries died. I will have to dress her up again so I can try to get a cuter picture. Katie has been going on "dates" with Nana. It is one of my favorite times of the week! She loves it and comes home chattering non-stop.

Katie thought Levi might want to play with her toy food.

Playing with her brother. Please disregard the gross food in her mouth:)

Helping Mommy shovel the driveway. She loves getting out of the house after months of pregnant Mommy not wanting to go anywhere:)

Showing me the snow.

One month!

I can't believe Levi is already 1 month old. At the same time, was it only a month ago I was pregnant and mom to 1?


Levi has started smiling and is definitely NOT sleeping through the night. He usually sleeps from 11-3 and 3-7 ish and then sometimes goes right back to sleep so it really isn't bad at all. There have been a couple nights where he just will not sleep, nurses every 2 hours and we end up just pulling him in bed with us.


Katie is still adjusting to Levi and how different Mommy is and the fact that she is almost 2. We adjusted the rails on her crib down and she still hasn't figured out that she could get out if she wanted to. Not going to fill her in on that fact! She also is in the early potty training stages. Mommy doesn't really have the time or dedication to really make a push for it right now.





Brother and Sister! Sleeping.
Smiling! Don't know what he was smiling at but at least I caught it! Doesn't he look exactly like Taylor? Maybe the3rd one will somewhat resemble me?!

Katie loves to help with Levi and snap him in things. He is not so fond of it. Especially when she is squishing him to get it snapped.

Kissing Levi. He loves it.

Levi James is here!

Getting ready to become a family of 4. 8lbs 1oz - 21 inches - 14 1/4 head - January 4th 2010 - 8:33 AM

So excited to have our little boy!

Proud Daddy!

Checking each other out.

I will post the delivery details in the next day or so. I will have to sit down and do it with Taylor because it already seems a little blurry to me:) We are all doing great and can't wait for Levi to meet Katie. We should go home tomorrow. No kids under 18 are allowed to visit at the hospital due to the flu so we are trying to be patient.

Present pictures.

Looking very satisfied about her new vacuum. Quite possibly my all-time favorite picture of Katie. She actually gave us a real smile and not the crazy grimace that has been showing up lately. She only had a few presents to open as you can tell by the pile behind her which are mostly hers:)

Trying on every outfit was essential to the success of the night!

Her new doll high-chair. She loves all the stuff for her "babies." She made Taylor take out and assemble every gift she got:)

Happy New Year!

Taylor won the pickle prize this year! It was his first year to win. My Aunt started this German tradition of hunting for the pickle every Christmas and though I am a multiple year winner somehow Taylor has never won. We will begin training Katie to follow in her parent's footsteps this year. The extended family pose with all our noses taped. Yes, we are that cool.

Christmas at the Stejskals.

Christmas Eve at our house. How happy is Katie to be taking a picture?

Making gingerbread houses, or barns.