Happy 4th Jackson!!

Jackson had a musical party this year. The theme was really perfect for him. He loves all music, but really seems to like classical music alot. He often colors and draws and "composes" his own music by writing music notes on paper while singing a classical song (usually from Little Einsteins or Baby Einstein videos/TV) or a Mary Poppins little diddy. Matt and his mom laugh alot at Jackson because he is alot like his daddy. Apparently Matt was a singer early on and would sing about everything (driving in the car he would sing the play by play as they passed things along the way). This is Jackson.

We were able to celebrate with many friends and family which was wonderful. Jackson received many things that he loved. Going along with the musical theme he received an accordian, keyboard, bongo, and some other percussion instruments. He even received some musical themed clothes!

I really didn't get that many great pictures, but here is what I got! (hint, hint family/friends if you have any you would like to share--pass them my way!) The video is of Clark and Jackson dancing to a musical card. Clark is the son of my good friend Amber. They were born on different days, but only hours apart so they share a little birthday bond! Enjoy.

What gives??

I know you have all been DYING to hear about what has been going on in the Steuer house this past week, right? I will be posting some things this week, I promise. Watch for Jackson's birthday pictures, silly pics of Mia, and perhaps some of the smaller parts of our family taking their first steps???

In the mean time, please please say some prayers for my dear friend Kristen (Hummer) Dhaemers' mother Kathy who was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Kristen went to Butler with me and was a bridesmaid in our wedding. They are a wonderful, amazing family I know would appreciate your thoughts and prayers.

Barbershop Boys

All of the boys had haircuts yesterday. This was Liam and Grant's first haircut. I will admit, at 14 months, the cut was way overdue. Even the stylist made a comment about their mullets:). Overall they did a good job with only minimal crying. They look like little men now-so cute!

Grant
Liam

Grant post cut-showing me what he thinks of it!
Liam seems to like itI think Jackson really liked the balloon the best-I am noticing now in this picture how it is a little uneven in the front:).

Aww nuts!

Peanuts, cashews, coconuts, pistachios, and walnuts. Unfortunately, these are all things of which Mr. Jackson is allergic. Also dogs, dust mites, and some type of outdoor mold spore. All of these from the 19 items he was tested for yesterday. Poor guy. We were educated about the use of the EpiPen (which even for me as a pharmacist is kind of scary). So far we have been avoiding nuts and whenever he has come into contact with them the reaction is fairly mild-at least no wheezing or shortness of breath. It does slightly frighten me that of all the food allergies, the ones that are associated with anaphylactic shock or death are peanuts and shellfish. We are not freaking out, but just feel bad for him. I mean, seriously peanut butter is one of my favorite foods. I guess you can't miss what you don't know. I am glad now that we know for sure. No buckeyes, peanut butter blossoms, turtles, PB & J sandwiches, Samoas or Tag-a-Long girl scout cookies, peanut brittle, etc--such a bummer!

More than you ever cared to know...

i am: a wife, mother, friend, pharmacist.
i think: motherhood is a daily learning experience.
i know: I should be doing something else right now.
i want: the new season of The Office to begin.
i have: been truly blessed in my life in all ways.
i wish: we would win the lottery.
i hate: being tickled.
i miss: friends that I don’t see as often as I would like.
i fear: that something will happen to my children or husband.
i feel: like hiring a cleaning person today.
i hear: no children crying.
i smell: BBQ chicken pizza baking and salsa boiling.
i crave: all sweets, but mostly brownies and cookies.
i search: the internet when I have a break in the day.
i wonder: if and/or how many more children we will have.
i regret: not relishing every alone moment with my husband pre-children.
i ache: when my kids do or say something adorable.
i care: about helping people.
i always: spend more money than intended when shopping.
i am not: able to drive stick shift vehicles.
i believe: that God doesn’t give you more than you can handle.
i dance: with my husband at weddings.
i sing: too many Laurie Berkner songs.
i cry: often.
i don't always: wash my face before going to bed.
i fight: with my husband about meaningless things.
i write: this blog for my sanity and for others to hopefully enjoy.
i never: have smoked a cigarette.
i stole: this blog entry idea from my cousin.
i listen: to music loudly in the car when by myself.
i need: to lose about 40 pounds.
i am happy about: my life. It’s exactly what I wanted.

Is this face adorable or what?

Working 9 to 5...well sort of

Matt is finally back on day shift after working the evening shift for 4 years. The shift that he worked was not easy to work and I am grateful that he did it so that we could do our best to avoid daycare/babysitting as much as possible. Since I have a weekend only job now, he was able to take a day route. The old day route used to be 6am-2pm. We were so excited about this shift as it would give us lots of family time. Unfortunately, things have changed alot at his company so his time at work is now 8am-??? It looks like most days he will be able to be home around 6pm. We are all adjusting and I think that eventually this will be great change. My job is going well and the hours are not that bad. Hopefully we can get into a groove for awhile anyway--until the kids start going to school...

Liam and Grant

Grant showing me the Wiggles MP3 player
Liam getting ready to throw a ball

Thought I would do a quick post with an update on the twins. It seems like most entries involve Mia or Jackson since they are more talkative, interactive, etc. The boys are really getting their own personalities. Here are some things they are doing now:

• teething their molars (lots of fevers and crying currently)

• say dada, mama, ball, hi, uh oh, off

• still not walking (I put shoes on them for the first time yesterday and had them practice walking in the yard--they did NOT like it at all)

• favorite toys are still balls, cars, Wiggles radio (which they fight over), toy washer/dryer, anything they can put items in and then dump out

• they love to wave hi and bye and dance/clap to any music

• Grant is a big time pointer--he constantly is pointing to objects or nothing and babbles as if he is telling me exactly what he sees

• Liam is so cute when he throws a ball-he will throw it and then shake his arms up and down to mimic the bouncing of the ball on the ground

• they are possessive and many times do not like to share and to resolve the problem they often resort to biting or pulling hair (at 1 year old? where do they learn this??)

They are doing well and growing fast. Matt and I are ready for them to walk and talk, but I know that we should really try to enjoy how they are now. Let's just say we are really ready for the molars to come in. Please hurry:).

Steuer Jam Band

40% Steve

Friday night, Nana watched the kids so that Matt and I could see my brother play at the Vogue. It was an early show so it worked out perfectly since I had to work the next day. We hadn't heard them for a while and they were great! Here is a clip of them playing one of my favorites. If you haven't seen them, click on the link in my blog list to see where they play next. You won't regret it!

Splash Zone at the Indianapolis Zoo

Dancing Queens

Oktoberfest 2008

Jackson and Mia looking at the peppers in the weingarten

Matt enjoying his German beer and stein

Mommy and teething Grant

Sunday we ventured to the Oktoberfest at the state fair grounds. We almost boycotted since it used to be held directly across the street from our neighborhood, but the prospect of a good german ompah band and brats couldn't keep us away. Grant was a major terror this weekend with 4 teeth coming in (molars included) and was fussy, but we still braved it. Overall, it was fun. Matt enjoyed the beer, I enjoyed the wine, Jackson and Mia danced the night away, and Grant and Liam survived it all. Auf wiedersehen to you all.

They say its your birthday..

Matt turned the big three-zero on Monday. I would have posted a picture of him with his cake, but he refused (party pooper!). I am happy that we are now the same age because he has been calling me his "old lady" since I turned 30 in January. Now he is telling me that since I will be 31 in 5 months, his age is still better since I will be IN my thirties and he will JUST be 30. What a little stinker! I know he is just kidding, but come on dude:). I think he had a good day. He slept in, saw a movie with his wife, and had Mexican for dinner. Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband!

Jackson's 1st Day of Preschool

Jackson started preschool today! He was fine to leave me, but was also excited to see me when I came to pick him up. He didn't give me much info about the day except for that he made a Fruit Loop necklace, drank a green drink for snack, and sang a song with his name in it. He said he wants to go back on again so he must have had a good time. When we took him to school, Mia put on her little backpack also (which she never uses) just because Jackson did. She really wanted to go also and asked where Jackson was several times while he was gone. It was so cute. I will have to remember these moments when they are yelling at each other later:).

Keep checking the blog over the next week as I have many fun things to post (pictures and videos)!!