Getting 'pumped' for all our travel :-)

Ok, that's the best I have for humor...in terms that I mean pumped milk :)  This next weekend marks the first weekend (and night for that matter) away from the kiddos since we've had Thomas.  He'll be 6 months this Wednesday and that in and of itself is crazy.  We're heading to Rochester, MI for a wedding and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't very excited...and sad too to leave the boys.  I know I'm going to miss them terribly, they are my life, however I think it's also much deserved!  After we come home from this trip, we'll be leaving for Switzerland in just 11 short days.  August 10th we're heading over to Switzerland to do our house hunting.  A relocation agency has been doing all the work for us and now we're going to view what they've found.  We will be there until Henry's 2nd birthday (WOW - 2 already), August 16th.  My parents just happen to have vacation that week, so they'll be with the boys on both occasions.  My primary job up until that point is to pump, and pump a lot of milk - it's like a dairy farm over here :)  So far I have roughly 200 oz and I'm not stopping.  It's not an easy job pumping with an almost 2 year old and almost 6 month old, but I'm getting the job done.  Thomas still isn't the biggest fan of the bottle, but he'll take it and I know he won't starve himself.

Speaking of, the boys are both sleeping so best get pumping :)

Mother's Helper

So I finally caved and hired a 'mother's helper'.  I feel so guilty doing this, however with Henry's crazy travel schedule I knew it was time.  She's a high school girl who has been coming from 3-6pm to just help out.  It's been great so far, especially with the heat we've been having.  I can only have Thomas outside for so long before he gets super sweaty and hot, whereas Henry would be out there all day if he had it his way.  Now I'm able to give baths, put Thomas to bed and make us dinner all without the added stress!  I only have her come the nights Henry is out of town, and little Henry is starting to warm up to her...and she surely wears him out!

Photos from the week:

All smiles

Brotherly love

My boys

Daddy and his boys

Mr Serious

Sitting all by himself, such a big boy!!

Father's Day, Fourth of July and everything in between

As always, life has been a bit crazy here at the Charlton household...maybe even a bit more crazy with daddy's travel schedule.  For example, last Sunday Henry left for Switzerland, worked Monday and Tuesday and came back July 4th and we headed straight to the neighborhood BBQ.  The next few months will be crazy until this visa goes through, but we're surviving :)

Last weekend we had both families over - it was such great time!

Picking weeds with both Pop-pops

Gigi W snuck in a kiss :)

G'morning

Such a happy boy

Boys at breakfast

Enjoying the neighborhood BBQ - and loved the feel of the grass

Slip n slide

Playing with Saxton

Beating the 100 degree heat

100 ft slip n slide + cocktails = craziness

He just LOVES the water

For Father's day we headed to the zoo.  For members they opened an hour early, that way we could beat the crowds.

Father's Day at the zoo

Happy Father's Day

Watching the ducks

Just chillin

Henry and his tractor

Not so sure of the goats

Mama and her boys

Loving aunt Asia and uncle Thomas' doggie

Thomas and Henry traded feeding spots

Surf and Turf

Grandma Lohse would be proud