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Thursday, March 17, 2011

Cornbread, Sensory Table Fun and Popcorn for a Bedtime Snack!

As the weather has began to warm up, I decided that we better eat up our chili's and stews in our freezer.  During the winter, if I make a soup I would always freeze the extras for a cold night that I didn't have time to make a dinner.  White Chicken Chili it was for this week! 
I thought it would be fun to make cornbread with John to eat with dinner.  He could measure out the ingredients and help mix it.  What could go wrong... it was corn bread!?  Well, all was going well until I tried to take a picture.  I asked John to hold the can of corn meal for the picture... umm...

Darling smile John...  :)

Then, As I was setting the camera down, he poured all the cornmeal into the bowl!  Well, we have a ton of cornbread muffins now! haha



After our dinner of white chicken chili and cornbread, we had some sensory table fun!
Snow + a little green food coloring = easy peasy fun! =)

Sporting the fireman hat!  (backwords of course!) ;)

Nummy! Snow!! 

John was having the boat carry the snow.

BRRRRR!!  The snow was super cold!

Smile big John! I love you little man, you are so sweet!

After Stephen went to bed early, Ryan and I decided to make popcorn with John for a bedtime snack.


John saying, pop! pop! pop!!

More popping! =)

Carefully watching, waiting for the first kernel...

And the fun begins!

DONE!  :D  However, he was not a fan of the popcorn...  Ryan enjoyed the buttery, salty treat! ;)
XO John!

Monday, March 14, 2011

Our Weekend!

Pizza Party!
On Friday night, we had some of my cousins and Sara over for a low-key pizza dinner.  It was so much fun to catch up with Miranda, Tina, Rachel and Jake!  All, while John, Stephen and Jack played toys. 
Miranda had a lot of news to fill us in on regarding her and Javi's wedding!!  EEEk! We are super excited for their wedding on August 19th-  the colors sound amazing!  You will be a beautiful bride Miranda. 
Jake and Rach were sweet as ever, Rachel brought a yummy Snicker Bar pie to share with everyone.  It was neat to hear a little more about Jake's family business and life in Lonsdale! :)  <3
We would love to do this again-  you are all the ideal guests!!  We had a blast hanging out with you!

John and Jack playing on the Trampoline


Saturday Night With the Travelers!
Jana and Steve just got home from Cabo on Friday night, welcome home!  We had them over for dinner on Saturday.  It was great to hear about their trip with Lauren- deep sea fishing seemed like it was the hit! 
Jana brought John a huge sucker, he was thrilled! :)  We had pork tenderloin, cheesy mashed potatoes, carrots and crescent rolls.  It was a great meal, SJ ate his heart out! After dinner, Jana and I bathed the boys and Ryan and Steve cleaned up dinner.  John had a blast jumping on the bed after tub-time. 
Once the boys were both fresh and smelt of baby lotion JR and Nana built with our big cardboard blocks as the men watched the HS Hockey Tournament.  All of the sudden, JR said "HOC-KEY!" I am so glad that the Patrick grandparents were here to hear him say hockey for the first time!



Sunday-Funday!
About a month ago, my mom called me and said that her and my dad want to watch the boys one evening a week so Ryan and I can have some "us" time. Wowo!  I was thrilled when I got of the phone-  dates, every week??!!!  I'm there!  However, the more the idea was talked about, the more it was not going to happen. My mom works (very) long days- she doesn't get home until 7pm (or later) - and we go to bed here by 8pm.  That was just not going to work for either of our schedules... bummer!  My mom pushed the subject again- (yay!) and we came up with a plan for Ryan and I to do Sunday morning dates.  Much more our style!!  Now, we have been going to church together (kid-free) and then to run errands.  
This week we went to Assumption in downtown STP at 9:30.  From there we made a return at Kohl's, stopped at the battery store for a new battery for my Polar watch, and then to Target to get the boys their Easter baskets!  Ahhh, SO FUN.  I picked out bubbles, pinwheels, sport shaped eggs, and matching trucks.  Ryan picked out chocolate bunnies, jellybeans, chocolate eggs, a Nerds rope, and stickers!  We love being parents to our little bunnies!! :D 

Sunday, March 13, 2011

STA Pride


I am still a CDH Raider- I will always be one!  But, I am happy for Ryan! 
He was very excited that STA won the HS State Hockey Tournament!  
 He wore his STA gear all weekend, and even had SJ wear JR's sun hat from when he was a baby. 
Congrats STA - you deserve your title!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Tired Daddy!

Tonight, I started dinner- chicken, brown rice and steamed broccoli & cauliflower.  I asked Ryan to see how things were coming...was the broccoli and cauliflower going to be done the same time as the chicken?? 
Well, he said "everything was perfect!"   OK! Thanks dear!! :)

Well.... I went to check on him checking on the dinner.... this is what I found....

He was sleeping under the counter!  Ok, I get it, you are exhausted from life. 


Thank you Ryan for all you do!!  I know you are burning the candle at both ends- being a dad, husband, working, and getting your masters.  I love you, thank you.

And, yes- Ryan went to bed tonight at about 8:30.  Sound asleep... until the 5am buzzer...

A Little Story Time

JR and SJ looking at books while I was making breakfast.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Nap Time! Really??!

Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone

Two Year Old Moments

As I sit here watching John on the little monitor while he is at speech.... they are learning animals, specifically the giraffe or as John just keeps saying neck.  haha

We drive past 3M where Ryan works almost everyday, sometimes a few times a day.  I started pointing it out to John, saying "Look John!  That is where daddy works!!  ... He drives there every morning in his truck and reads books about money all day!"   (Ok, I was simplifying things for the sake of talking to a 2 year old!) ;)  Anyways, now every time we get on to a freeway John screams, "Dada VVVERRR" (that means dad driving in his truck)  Then every hotel and high rise that remotely looks like the color of 3M's main building on 94, John screams, "Money Books!!! DAD! Money BOOKS!!!" 

John is really into the word "ME" ... Everything is ME!  
When I try to change SJ's diaper, he says "Yuck! Poop! Baby!!" Then, he tries to get in on the action, "ME!"  Umm... NO! 
He wants to zip every zipper, put on every shoe, do everything... ME!

John has been asking for Nana.  Well, Nana is in Cabo and then she is going to AZ for a few weeks.  Eeek!  It will be a while until John sees Nana.... I knew we needed to address this request that was coming often throughout the day.  So, after the potty party at the MOA, we went to the airport to see "Nana's airplane leave"  ... I know what you are thinking!  BUT- it worked perfectly.  We talked all about how Nana was going on a vacation to the ocean with Bompa and Lauren.  So, we waved bye-bye  to about 30 planes... and each one went like this... "Nana! nero-nero (that is the airplane sound he makes...) Bompa! Doggie, Woof woof- Bye-BYE!  NO! WATY WATY!!  YEEEAAAAA!  Bye Bye Nanny."  (all that means: Nanna went on an airplane with grandpa Steve, Sabo did not go with, and Nana and Bompa went on to the ocean/water. I am sure you followed that...) haha

When John is walking down the steps in our house he has decided to wants to be very independent.  We have very steep steps, so I worry he may loose his balance and could fall.  He will not go down backwards anymore, he won't let me help him, nothing.  So, I would tell him everyday, "hold on to the wall, it will help you if you get tipsy"  So now every step, every step John says, "Wall, Yeap!  Wall, YEEAP!" All while nodding his head in agreement with my request to carefully hold the wall so you don't fall. 

When we were at the mall yesterday, I was returning something at Nordstrom's  ... and it was taking a few minutes which seemed like forever at the time.  John saw a bra, and loudly said, "Boob! YUUUCK!!!!"  I wanted to die.  Then, he turned around and saw a big (yes, they were quite large) pair of undies, with his arms in the air flying he yelled, "A  BIG-A, BIIIG!"  Oh, boy-  couldn't the lady speed up this return??  I wanted to sink into the floor.  But, at the same time, I was SO excited that he was talking... LOL.

Oh, I love having a 2 year old... even though he hasn't learned to edit.... haha  John, I love you so much!

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Do the *CLAP* *CLAP* Potty Dance!

This morning I woke up John woke me up at 4:40AM because he was ready to play... I was not.  I fought keeping him in bed until 6:30 and by then I realized it was a battle I was done fighting.  I was not going to get back to sleep.  By 8am I had a headache and was not too excited for the rest of the day so I decided to rally and find something to get us out of the house.  That is when I realized my Mom's group was hosting a get together at the MOA for Ralph's Potty Dance Party!  Wahoo!  I got the boys ready, packed a lunch and got together some goods I needed to return/exchange at the Mall.
We got there at 10:10am... Just in time for the 10:15 start! :)  Holly and Christin saved me a little space to dance!  The boys had a blast, it was very well organized and they sure put on a show! haha




Me and John, He really was having a great time!  I just couldn't get him to look at the camera! : /


  Stephen dancing away to the Potty Dance!







We had a blast!  Are they potty trained now?? haha, NO.

After the dance party we went and had lunch and then I did loads of returns/exchanges! I love how good it feels to get that done! :D 

Stephen was alert .... very alert until ...

His after lunch food coma set in!!! LOL 

A little tuckered out you might say....

(Thanks Holly for taking these pictures for me!! )

Stephen at 9 months

Stephen was last weighed about a 2 weeks ago, at almost 9 months he weighed 20lbs. 10oz.  and was 28 inches long.  He is wearing size 24 mo on top (shirt size) and 12-18mo for pants.

Eating:
Stephen loves to eat!! He eats 3 meals a day of table food.  I can't even pick a "favorite food" for him- he eats everything offered.  He is really good at feeding himself but also will eat from a spoon if I am going to feed him yogurt/soup/cereal etc.  So far I have not held back about what he can or can not eat other then peanuts, honey, eggs, strawberries and milk (not dairy in total, just milk.) He has shown no reactions or sensitivity to anything- YEAH!  I am still nursing him full time, and he has gotten over the biting phase for the most part. 
He has 4 teeth on top and 2 teeth on the bottom. 

His schedule:
5:30-6am: Wake up, nurse and snuggle
8:30am: Breakfast  (oatmeal, fruit, cereal, breakfast meat, toast, yogurt, etc.)
9:30am If we are in the car driving, he will take a morning nap....  Otherwise, he will just play all morning with his toys, crawl around, sing and snuggle.
10:30am: Nurse
12pm: Lunch (Deli meat, fruit, veggie, crackers, pasta, soup, beans, etc.)
1pm: Nurse him and then he takes a nap
3:30: wake up and nurse again.
5:30/6pm: Dinner  (meat, veggies and grain)
7pm: Bath time and then snuggle and nurse.
8:30 bed time!! :)

Sleeping:
Stephen sleeps in his swing at night and is pretty good about sleeping through noise and light.  He really likes to sleep with
 a blanket.  We wrap him up and then he holds onto the edge of the blanket almost white knuckled! haha
We don't let Stephen sleep with us ever, he is super mobile, and I am so tired that I need to sleep when he is.  It wouldn't be safe, even though John was still sleeping with us at this age.   I must not have been as exhausted when I only had one babe... because, now when I lay down to sleep I am instantly sleeping!

Movement:
Towards the end of February Stephen began to pull himself up on me but it quickly progressed into standing up at many things.  He is crawling everywhere!!   However, sometimes he will still do the "belly crawl" (it kind of looks like an army crawl.)  Luckily, he hasn't been interested in the steps.  He usually crawls right past them and hasn't yet given them a second thought.  (BUT, it won't be long until he is interested....) 
Stephen used to be stuck when he was sitting up.  I loved this! haha  But, now he can go from sitting to being on his stomach to crawling all in the last couple days.  If he pulls himself up to a standing position, he is stuck there.... he needs help getting down- obviously!

Stephen almost never ever cries!  He only does if he is poopy or  hungry.  Go figure!  He has an infectious laugh and dimples on both of his cheeks.  He says, "dadadada"  and  "mamamama"  and babbles and sings a ton! 

When I asked Jana about what Ryan's temperament was as a baby she once told me that Ryan was the kind of boy that would sit and play with a wooden spoon for 4 hours on the kitchen floor.  I used to think this must be an exaggeration.... Let's just say, I believe her now!! haha  And, on that note... Stephen definitely gets his temperament from Ryan! :) 

9 months.... where has time gone?!!!!!!!


I couldn't resist!  Here is Stephen with his first sucker!  He loved it- 
When we were at the MOA today, I bought John a sucker but he didn't like it.... so SJ wanted it when we got home.  I really didn't think he would like it because it was sour raspberry!   He cried when I took it away, I know... MEAN MOM. :D

Monday, March 7, 2011

Grandma's Birthday at Mad Jacks

Sara organized a lovely birthday card for my mom.  She mailed it to our out of town siblings; Ryan and Jinette in SD and Mark in St. Cloud.  Kelli signed it before she left for her cruise and last it was dropped off on our porch for John to finish the card with his art work and stickers.  Sara delivered the card to my mom with all of her kid's, grandson's and husband's signature's on it!!


John looking at the menu, hmmm.. Mac & Cheese, strawberries and french fries sound GREAT! :D

Waiting for dinner... it is hard to wait for food when you are young and hungry!  But the crayons and snacks helped.  Stephen ment businesswith his little snacks. 

John was practicing saying "happy" to my mom!  We have been working very hard on the phrase happy birthday with John... he can say happy as clear as day!!  It is really cute!  And, his Great Grandma Glennie Ann would be so proud- Happy is her favorite word.  :) 


Birthday Girl!!!  Posing with her Sundae... and then it quickly got passed off to the grandsons. 

John was not interested in the ice cream, but Stephen was in heaven! :D

SiStErS!!!! 
We look like triplets! haha  Kelli is all tan from cruising the ocean and Sara is sporting her new 'do!!  :)  Love you Sara and Kelli. <3

Outside time and Avocados!

John had a great time outside last week.  It takes him forever to trudge through the snow.  I love it!  The fresh air is crucial for John- he needs it everyday.  Lately, he has been "shoveling" the snow. 

As I was changing the laundry, John helped himself to an avocado.  Ok, I get it... you are hungry?! 
Stephen got in on the action too. 


Friday, March 4, 2011

Happy Birthday Mom!!!!

It is my mom's birthday tomorrow, March 5th...  I am so thankful for her!!!

Dear Mom,


First things first, Happy Birthday!  I hope since your special day falls on the weekend, you will be able to rest, relax and celebrate! I also want to take this opportunity to to let you know how thankful I am for all you have done for me and my family. I know you are someone who doesn't wait by the mailbox everyday for thank you cards, but I wish I would have sent you more in the past 25 (!!) years-  You deserve them; many many of them. 

I can't begin to list all of the things I would like to thank you for in one note, but I will try and capture as many thoughts as I can.  I want to recognize that you have sacrificed so many things, events and experiences just for me.  Growing up you were always doing what ever I needed, and never what you needed.  Every time I needed (ok, wanted...) a ride, new clothes, an appointment scheduled, or help with my homework you were just waiting for me to ask; and sometimes I didn't even have to ask!  You were 100% available to me; a gift not all kids can say about their parents.

You are the most driven person I have ever met.  I could never hold a candle to the life you live.  You had 5 children within 5 years- yikes!  I have my hands full with the 2 I have.  You work full time and keep a perfectly clean house with everything always kept up.  I am so impressed that when ever I call you at work asking when you will be going home, you tell me "not until my work is done" - wow!  HealthEast is lucky to have you as a nurse.  I can't believe you work 12 hour days and don't even blink an eye at it. 

When I was a kid, you always made sure I always had everything I needed-  that has never gone overlooked.  I have always been very grateful for having you as my mom.  When I was in high school and dealing with a lot of medical junk you were always there for me, always.  I could always count on you to listen to me, make appointments for me, take me to them and help me through them.  This is something I will never forget.  I know that was a huge burden on our family-  I can't imagine the medical bills I racked up, and the trouble you went through to get off days, even weeks of work to be with me.  I felt like I always had your support and love.  It was a scary time in my life, a time I would never wish to re-live.  During the appointments, I wouldn't have been able to be as strong as I was, without you... telling me I had to be! haha But, all of the time and energy you put into my health has sure paid off.... 2 fold! ;) 

The day I found out we were pregnant with John, one of the first thoughts through my mind was now I can be her friend!!! Growing up, you always told me, I am not your friend, I am your mom.  When I became a mom, I felt a sense of "graduation" I could finally be your friend!  I do understand why you would say that, but I also am thankful for our friendship now.  You are the best mom, I look up to you more then you could imagine. Many times when I am having a difficult parenting moment, I think what would you do, mom? I guess, wisdom must come with age!  ;) 

I hope you don't actually go over to the apartment today and clean!!  Please, enjoy your day-  You have earned it!!!  Take a break, do it for me!  :)


I love you, mom! 
Caroline
XXOOXXOOXXOOXXOOXXOOXXOOXXOOXXOOXXOOXXOOXXOO

Dad, This One is For You!! :D

Go to this link and watch a short video about a new show coming... Americas Next Great Restaurant.
THEN, you get a buy one get one free from Chipotle!!

http://www.facebook.com/#!/americasnextgreatrestaurant

I sure love Chipotle-  John loves Chipotle-  and Ryan loves Chipotle!  So, chances are... You love Chipotle!!! :D  ENJOY

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

A Lil' Bit Bigger!

John's "little" word explosion has gotten bigger!!!!!   This is THRILLING!!! :D

Ok, I must document all of his current words!
  1.  Mom (I have to put this first! ;D)
  2.  Dad
  3. Baby (& Beef.... Mom, I know you are dieing right now! But truth is truth- we will all laugh about this someday. Promise.)  :)
  4. Me
  5. Nana/Nanny
  6. Bompa (Grandpa Steve)
  7. Papa
  8. Waty (water)
  9. Ahhh (the refreshing sound... means he wants something to drink)
  10. Num-Num
  11. Wally (waffle)
  12. Bean
  13. More
  14. Peas (please)
  15. HI
  16. Bye-Bye
  17. Broke
  18. Work
  19. Money
  20. Book
  21. Rock
  22. Morning (MO-nin)
  23. Zipper (Zip-AH)
  24. Zoo
  25. Zap
  26. Turtle
  27. Moo
  28. Zebra
  29. Elmo
  30. Ernie
  31. Tootsie
  32. NO
  33. Yea
  34. Up
  35. Apple
  36. Ice
  37. Shoe  (Ok, this may be a stretch, but he TRIES to say this!)  :)
  38. Pee
  39. Poop (Yes, he is a 2 years old boy! What do you expect!)  haha
  40. Yuck
  41. Stair (staircase)
  42. Big-A  (Big)
  43. Woof
** He is really started to try saying many, many words!  He will repeat sounds we make.  The more we encourage him and get excited when he is trying to repeat a word- the more vocal he is!  I can see this taking off!
I will date this and add his words as he says them.  For now, these are the words he uses daily, and in conversation. 

Some of the words he is putting together... Just Today!!! EEEk! This is so exciting! (PROUD MOMENT)

  1. Hi/Bye Mom/Dad/Nanny/Beef
  2. Morning Baby/Beef
  3. More Waty/Waffle
  4. Money Book (When we ask him where his daddy is, he says VVVERRR (like a truck sound) then we ask where he went in the truck, he says, work.  Then we ask what does daddy do at work, money book)  I am impressed with this!
  5. More book
GO JOHN!! XXOOXXOO

March 4th 2011

Today at speech, John said:
44. This
45. Ms. Molly
46. Doggie
47. Potty
48. Cookie
49. Go
50. Meow

** Sounds we are working on:
"NNN"  for example, on.   Ms. Molly tells him to make the "nose sound"
"PPPP"  for example, help. 
** Words we worked on today:
Cold
Night-Night
Help
On

A really great day!!

(For future laughs.... I am sitting in the garage while both boys are in their car seats snoring away! haha  I'm sooo glad I get Internet out here!)

March 6th 2011

51. Happy
52. Wall

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Stephen and John at the ENT

I took Stephen to the ENT today. 
Jana came over and watched John, Thank you!!!  John napped and then they played outside- even built a snowman in the front yard! SO cute!!  I do need to get a picture of John with Mr. Snowman.  =)

Appointment re-cap:

Weight: 20lbs 4oz.
I took him to Dr. Malone and I really liked her! 
First they did a hearing test.  He failed it.  But, she wasn't surprised or concerned.  She said a few things...
1. He is young, and it is hard to get a 100% accurate result at his age.
2. He has fluid is his ears, so he probably can't hear, right now.
3. He has a double ear infection and a lot of wax build up.
I am not concerned about the hearing test. But, we will re-test him in a few months.

The ear exam:
Double ear infection, both ear drums very dull, no fever today, enlarged adenoids heavy breathing, (clear) nose drainage.

The plan:
Schedule surgery!
1. Remove adenoids
2. Put tubes in his ears.
3. Do a bronchial exam the day of surgery (before the actual surgery) to figure out why he has had pneumonia multiple times this winter.
4 re-test his hearing.

Dr. Malone said that this will hopefully resolve all (or at least most) his symptoms. 

Then, next week on Tuesday I am taking John to see Dr. Malone... she said if he is as sick as his records show I should plan on the same as above plus his tonsils out too. 
I am ONE with all the metro doctors.

** I took John to his appointment at the ENT on Thursday March 11, 2011(so my mom could watch Stephen- thank you mom!)
Dr. Malone said that John needs his adenoids out- ASAP!  She said that the are huge and it will help with his drooling and probably his speech too. (But mostly, his frequent fevers, swollen glands, runny nose, and heavy breathing)  I asked her if she would take his tonsils out too, as long as she was doing surgery... umm... NO. That question did not go over well at all!  She said that it would be "totally inappropriate" to take them out.  And, it was not up for discussion.  OK, I was just asking!  haha She went on to say, "that is why I am an ENT and you aren't!" Yikes!!  the best part is, I just asked one time... I am guessing she had been challenged by her last patient?? 
She also did a hearing test, John was not interested!  So, they did the newborn hearing test  that went much better!  John just had to sit there and be quiet.  It was over in less then a minute, and he passed! :)

Now, I just have to schedule their surgeries-  We are thinking May 20th....  But nothing is in stone.

Monday, February 28, 2011

"SQUEEZE HARD, IT'S EASY!!!"

As our cousin Jackie once said! =)   (inside joke, but one I love!!)

Well, our door handle stoppers lasted Friday night, Saturday, Sunday and until about 7pm on Monday night.  3 solid days! haha
Tonight, Ryan was in the office studying and doing his homework after dinner.  I was finishing cleaning up the dishes from dinner and John hiked up the stairs looking for Ryan.  He knocked on the office door, no answer.  He then proceeded to break the handle cover right off, opened the door and smiled at Ryan saying, "HI DAD!!"
Oh John, you never fail to amaze me.  It gave Ryan and I a laugh thinking about Jackie and her door handle covers .... 

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Our Weekend!

Last night we met our friend Luke and his beautiful baby girl Sienna at Shamrocks for some burgers and fries.  After a long wait, we got seated.  The kids (John) tore the table apart and we waited for our chow.
By coincidence, my parents were at my mom's work party there too!  All of her co-workers were there celebrating their "holiday party".  John went and sat with them for a little bit.
After we ate, caught up with Luke it was time to go!  On the way home, Ryan and I decided we needed to go to Target and get door handle covers.  On Friday, John figured out how to open doors- ugh!  So we made a quick stop at Target and then home to bed. 

John and Stephen were up bright and early so by 8am we were all dressed, fed and roaming the house looking for something to do.  We decided to head to the MN Zoo.  We were there right when it opened- 9am.  We were the 3rd car in the lot-- it was DEAD!  I have decided, that is the best, best, best time for the zoo! :)   



John LOVED  the alligators! 

His big blue eyes!! :)  SJ was very mellow the whole time, he did a lot of people watching!

John was peaking at us!

ZZZzzZZZzzZZZzzZZZ

John has had a (little) word explosion!!

He has found the fun sound, ZZZZ.  Actually, he is starting to put 2 words together!!  Yahoo!  It has been a long time coming, I am so thrilled!
His new words:
ZOO
ZIPPER
ZAP
ZEBRA

And, today when Ryan came down the steps, John walked around the corner and said, HI DAD!  (AHHH!!)  :D
If you ask him what his name is he will say, ME!  (We are working on John.)


Here are a few (cute!!) pictures of John "hiding" in the cabinet after he stole a piece of cheese from the fridge!! (All by himself.)
I was changing SJ and when I finished, I went to look for John who I found had climbed the gate into the kitchen, opened the fridge and helped himself to some cheese.  Oy vey!

I came around the corner.. and this is what I saw!  LoL- John, I just CAN'T keep up with you! :)