Drake eats Rice Cereal!!!

Drake is 5 months old and ready for rice cereal. Because of food allergies in our family (David!), we start our kids in the middle of the recommended time (4-6 months). It is supposed to prolong any allergies they may have. With the exception of Dilan because she was not gaining enough weight and we had to put rice cereal in her bottle at 4 months old, 5 months is the magic number where our kids learn how to eat with a spoon!

Drake has his own longhorn bib for his first feeding - a family tradition

taking the first bite

What Dad?

This feels weird

But I'm digging it

at least I thought I was

After a full bowl of rice cereal, he was a happy kiddo!

At one point, Dilan came up to me wanting to try this new dish out. Upon tasting this fabulous meal, she immediately stuck her tongue out and tried to wipe it off. I don't think she'll be asking to share Drake's food again anytime soon!

D.C. with Nannie and "Clars"

We have lots going on in the next month, specifically many visitors!!! Our first loved ones who came to see us this past weekend was my sister, Keely and her husband, Lars. Dilan couldn't quite say "Uncle Lars" and instead it came out, "Clars." It was hilarious and it stuck, at least for the weekend. We only had the weekend together but we made the most of it!

Uncle Lars and Drake

Drake looks pretty happy to see him.

On the Metro and on our way to see the national mall sites. Keely and Lars have never been.

Lars, David and Drake on the train - notice our new double stroller!

A boy who loves riding trains was definitely in his element!

Keely and Dilan on the train

Drake enjoying the train and sitting up in his new ride

Keely and Lars in front of the nation's Capitol

Pistorius family with the Capitol in the background

National Monument with Keely and Lars modeling for me!

Drew's ride on top of his dad's shoulders while eating a cookie - a definite SMILE!

Another shot closer to the monument

WWII memorial with Keely and me in front of TEXAS!!!

Lars and Keely at the WWII memorial - it was beautiful!

Pistorius family at the WWII memorial

This daddy's girl loves riding on David's shoulders too!

David showing Dilan the ducks - probably her favorite part of the whole day!

Vietnam memorial - very sad but we did get to hear some interesting information offered by a vet giving a tour there

Drew in front of the Vietnam memorial - me and the kids had to exit early because Dilan started making too much noise.

David and Lars reading the names in the books that tell you where to find them on the wall - the names are not in alphabetical order, instead they are in order of days the soldiers died. The thought was that they would want to be listed by their comrades they died with.

Keely, Lars and Drew at the Lincoln Memorial

In front of the Lincoln Memorial

David and me with Drake sleeping at the Lincoln memorial - after this, the kids were DONE!

Dilan attempts to sleep on the Metro train home

Drew successfully asleep on the train ride home

Keely and Drake

On Sunday afternoon, we all went outside and threw around the Longhorn football Keely brought Drew and had so much fun! From hands freezing to many catches and misses, and Keely busting it once to get the ball that had gone into the ditch, we laughed and laughed. We had such a fun weekend!

On Sunday night, the saddest part was when Drew cried when he had to say goodbye to Keely and Lars. He just misses our extended family SO much. He really tried to keep it together but I could tell he was upset and when I asked him, he finally let some tears flow. He is such a sweet boy who really loves his family. Good thing my mom and Sam are coming this weekend and PawDee and Scooter are coming for Easter!!!

Holding Drake

As I wrote before, the kids love to hold Drake. Dilan comes and asks me if she can hold him and grabs the pillow to show me that she wants to. So, here we are holding baby brother who doesn't look near as enthused as she does! :)

Jump Rope for Heart

Drew's school participated in Jump Rope for Heart which raised money for the American Heart Association. Drew and his classmates did various jump rope games and exercises during a day's P.E. class and parents were invited to attend. Drew really enjoys exercising and it was interesting to see him take command of his group by leading them and telling them what they would do next on the ropes. By the end, which consisted of jumping rope over and over again, the kids were so tired they were jumping a few times and handing off their ropes to someone else so it was their turn. No one wanted the ropes by the time it was all over and I can't say I blame them. :)

Random shots

I tried putting the kids back in their sibling shirts (given to them by my sister when Drake was born) before Drake grows out of his shirt. Once again, I can't seem to get the picture I want possibly because a particularly cute 2yr old just wants to have fun and not sit for a boring picture. But here is how we started:

and how we ended up...

The kids love to hold Drake

And this precious little one is loving his toy

Drake's "Bump"

Okay people, so many of you are wondering and I would too, about Drake's hemangioma (also formerly known as a swollen lymph node). Here are some pictures I took so you could see what I've been talking about.

Now, if you choose to leave a comment, tell me honestly: it is what you thought it was? bigger, smaller? worse than you thought, better than you imagined? I'm curious and it won't hurt my feelings to know what you think. I had sent a videotape to my family and it was bigger than what they had thought, and it actually made me feel justified in worrying as much as I did.

Tried to get the side profile shot:

Spring is Coming!

I tried to get some pictures of Dilan outside in her dress today. She was somewhat cooperating as long as she had her milk to hold onto. I didn't get too much that I loved but some that I liked. :)

Brothers

From the movie, Tommy Boy: ‎"Brothers don't shake hands. Brothers gotta hug."