Hey buddy!

I can't wait to share this with the boys in a few years!

A night with Nolan

Adam had plans after work tonight, so it was just me and the boys. Kale was in bed at 6:15, so Nolan and I spent some quality time together. Througout the evening I discovered a few things - he knows how to put his shoes on and unzip his coat and put it away.

6:15-6:20 - looked out the front door and Nolan described all the things he saw - sky, trees, Eric and Sue, big truck, lawn mower, grass, mailbox, bugs
6:20 - Mommy: "Nolan, do you want to blow bubbles?" Nolan: "I love bubbles!" Puts his shoes on.
6:21 - 6:30 - blow and chase bubbles on the front step
6:30 - Nolan decides to start sliding on the little orange slide in the front yard
6:33 - Nolan decides to run behind the house to play in the playhouse. We see 3 deer in the backyard, so we take the time to get a closer look.
6:35 - Nolan: "I done". We walk up the hill, to the front yard
6:37 - Nolan grabs his Spongebob watering can and he waters the plants in the front yard.
6:40 - Runs to the new swingset and slides down the slide twice
6:44 - Nolan tries to say hi to our neighbor Eric, but he's mowing the grass and can't hear him
6:45 - I tried to teach Nolan how to pedal his new trike. Discover this could take a while.
6:55 - Tell Nolan it's time to go inside and get ready for bed. Nolan: "I don't want to".
6:56 - we say goodnight and goodbye to all the toys and other things outside
6:58 - time to sit on the potty - and he actually goes potty! He was dry all day at daycare today, so it's time to buckle down for some serious potty training. We wash hands while singing the ABC's. He gets an M&M (he requested brown) and we have a potty party.
7:03 - brush teeth
7:05 - Nolan reads his favorite books with me - duck, pig, pony and Little People. We count to 10 and practice shapes and colors.
7:15 - say prayers, put to bed
7:18 - Nolan scales the new gate outside his door to suprise me in the kitchen
7:19 - Nolan is back to bed
7:22 - Door opens and Nolan lays on the floor in front of his door
7:25 - I put him back in his bed, decide to leave the door open and the gate in place. Nolan is happy with this decision.
7:40 - Nolan is finally sleeping in his bed

Crazy Kale

I've talked a lot about how busy Kale is lately - so here he is in action!

I keep forgetting to mention how far a long Nolan is coming with his speaking skills. He is starting to connect descriptive words to what they actually mean, and uses it in a sentence - See a big boat, mommy. He is also trying to use "too" in sentences, although he doesn't quite have the concept down yet - See boat, too, mommy - when in fact it's the first time anyone in the car has mentioned a boat, or truck, or motorcycle, or bike:) He loves to practice counting, and does fairly well up to 10. For some reason he likes to skip the number 1 and start with 2 - and I think that might be related to his age and that fact we talked about him turning 2 for a few months around his birthday. He's trying hard with his ABC's, and from what he tells us his favorite letters are a, b, e and o. He has pretty well mastered the differnece between his right foot and left foot. We practice every day when he takes his shoes on and off. It's pretty amazing how much their little minds can absorb at this age! Oh, and the other fun thing we get to do with Nolan has to do with reading his books before bed. He is starting to be able to read with us, which is so much fun. His current favorite books are "Duck Goes Potty", "Pig Takes a Bath" and "Pony Brushes His Teeth". He can look at shapes and tell us what a circle, square, star, triangle and oval are - all with the help of Little People books that he likes to read.

Tank

My dad has nicknamed Kale "the Tank", and for good reason. Adam took him to the dr. on Monday to get him checked for an ear infection. He's been tugging at his ears for the last few weeks - which the dr. told is not due to an ear infection like we thought, but probably because he's more interested in playing with his ears because his helmet doesn't allow him to do that! I'm still glad we took him in - it confirmed that he's cutting 4 teeth on top of his mouth! It also confirmed his nickname. He hasn't been weighed since the middle of March, so we were shocked when he tipped the scales at 22 lbs 7 oz! Granted, it was with his clothes on, but still - pretty darn big! I checked Nolan's baby book, and at his 9 month check up he weighed 20 lbs 5 oz, and Kale is only 8 months and 1 week old. He's been a little crazy man in his crib lately - and actually on anything he can pull himself up on. He's keeping himself up after we put him down for bed by walking along his crib, chit chatting away. Lucky for us he lays down when he's tired!

Nolan had a big day today. He got to spend an hour and a half this morning at work with me, waiting for his ENT appointment. We brought his laptop, crayons and a color book. He was way more in to his snack, which shouldn't have surprised me. He enjoyed seeing some familiar faces and meeting some new ones in the office, answering a few questions and giving lots of high 5's. His ears finally checked out clear, the first time since he had pneumonia in March. The dr and I agreed that we're going to wait and see how Nolan does for the next 2-3 months before making a decision on tubes. Now if we could only figure out why he hasn't stayed in his bed for the last 2 nights, after we've put him down . . .

For the love of Elvis

Adam has taught Nolan many things, but his latest and greatest is Nolan's affection for Elvis music. It all started at Nolan's first Christmas - Grandma Ellen and Grandpa Greg gave Nolan a singing Elvis Teddy Bear that sang 2 songs - "Christmas" and "Teddy Bear". Now every time Nolan is getting ready to drive with Adam he asks to listen to Elvis. He's such a funny little boy!
On Thursday when I picked up the kids from Jane's house Nolan came running over to me and said "I eat M&M cuz I go potty". He is doing so well with potty training - at daycare. I asked him if he would like to try going potty more at home so he could get more M&M's, but he said no. He has quite an opinion about things these days. He is also working very hard on putting together complete sentences. It's amazing to watch him think before he talks so that he can get out what he really wants to say. Oh, and another great turn of events - he's eating really well, and even trying a few veggies every now and again. I think he's going through another growth spurt.

Kale is finding more and more freedom every day. He is pulling himself up on everything. Yesterday morning I found him standing in his crib, chewing on the same side of it that Nolan used to chew on. Ugh! He is gone in a blink of an eye, and is pulling open every drawer he can get his hands. Hopefully he'll learn to stop doing that - but probably not until he slams his fingers in one of them! He quickly mastered the small stairs in our basement this weekend, and he's pretty proud of himself every time he climbs up them. He is getting super loud, too. This morning I woke up to him chit chatting, and after about 25 minutes he decided to scare the living daylights out of me by screaming at the top of his lungs, like he was hurt. I ran in to his room, and he was just standing there, wanting attention. I've spent most of the weekend running around after him, trying to make sure he doesn't get hurt:)


Last Wednesday night my dad was honored as an inductee in to the Browerville High School athletic hall of fame. What an honor for him - 37 years of teaching (retired last year), coached many different sports, and started the summer rec program. It was a fun night. All my sisters were able to attend, too. It was strange for me to think that the kids who were sophomores weren't even born when I graduated from high school.

Adam and Nolan are at the farm this weekend, helping with final preparatinos for the barn dance next weekend. I stayed home with Kale and took him to his last swimming lesson. He rocked it out, scooping and kicking the water like crazy! Our babysitter came over so I could attend a baby shower in the afternoon. Afer I got home from that Kale and I went shoe shopping together. He is the proud new owner of size 4 1/2 shoes! Nolan didn't get his first pair of real shoes until he was 10 months old - and he was only a size 4! Kale just turned 8 months old last week. If he keeps growing at this rate he will be as big as Nolan before we know it!

8 months ago . . .

Not so little Kale entered our world! He is a little crazy man these days. We can hardly hold on to him anymore - we are just one big climbing gym for him. If you do get to hold on to him he constantly kicks his legs and arms - he just wants to move! He crawls super fast now on all 4's - literally, in a blink of an eye is across the room and down the hall! He is getting better at pulling himself up on things, and we probably need to lower his crib to the lowest level sooner rather than later! We are struggling again with him spitting up quite a bit, mostly after his bottles. We're going to try and wait until his 9 month appointment to follow up with the dr.


Mr. Nolan is developing more and more in to a toddler. He has very strong opinions on everything these days. He is starting a very bad habit of waking up around 5:30 every day and letting himself out of his room. Most days we just put him back to bed - except for this week. I can hear his glow worm coming down the stairs and he shows up at the bathroom door downstairs as soon as I'm out of the shower. Tomorrow I'm going to actually take him back up to bed and we're going to try and keep him in his room until at least 6:15. He is so excited to get up every morning, eat his toast and an egg (his request), and then run around with his head cut off. By the time we get him home from daycare his is exhausted until we get him to bed.

Adam and his dad installed a free swingset in our front yard last night. Nolan saw it this morning and was so excited - "I see a wing and a side"! He didn't want to come in the house after daycare, so Adam put Kale in the swing and Nolan got to climb up and go down the slide. That wasn't enough for Nolan, though - he kept telling Adam "it's my turn". Adam would take Kale out of the swing, put him on a blanket and Nolan would get his turn. The nice thing about putting Kale on the blanket is that he doesn't like the feeling of the grass on his legs and hands, so he acutally stays in one place!

Last week was a very busy week. Adam and I had a fun experience at the Twins game on Tuesday, getting to see a pretty major storm roll through the cities and drop some significant hail at the field. We are so lucky Ellen could pick up the kids from daycare and watch them for us so we could have fun! I got to enjoy an evening of fun on Thursday - getting a pedicure, manicure and an evening out to eat with Jackie. Friday night was the rehearsal for Lindsey and Mike's wedding, so Jackie and Mikayla came over to watch the kids for us. Saturday morning I started my day with a hair appoinment at 9, and then enjoyed helping Lindsey and her wedding party with preparations for her big day. The weather wasn't the greatest, but they got some really great pictures at Edinburogh and the church. The reception was at the Carlson towers, and it was beautiful. Minus a minor fall on my part at the church and a huge blister on my little toe from my shoes, I had a fantastic time! Lindsey was gorgeous, the dance was great, and the little after party at Redstone was a blast. Paulette and Ryan spent the afternoon and evening watching the kids, and even stayed overnight so we didn't have a curfew! Sunday morning was a little tough, but a nice 3 1/2 mile walk with the kids cured me.


This week is a little slower, minus last night when I met up with some friends for dinner, and plans that I have tomorrow night. Nolan and Adam are heading up to the farm this weekend to help with final preparations for the barn dance. Kale and I are staying in town - he has his last swimming lesson, and then our babysitter is coming over so I can go to Melissa's baby shower with Jackie. The only other thing I need to do is take Kale to get fitted for his first pair of real shoes. He is trying to take steps while standing so he needs a lot more support. Hopefully the weather will be nice so I can get him out for a walk, too.

Double Trouble

Adam was gone most of the day on Saturday, and the boys and I had a good day together. They both took decent naps, which allowed me to nap outside - and turn a little red from the sun! We took a nice, long walk and when we got home it was time for me to get dinner ready. The kids were playing in the living room, making lots of noise. All of a sudden it got quiet. I went in to the living room and they were gone. I walked down the hallway and found them in the bathroom - Nolan trying to wash his hands and Kale trying to climb up the wall! I also discovered Kale trying to eat crayons Nolan had dropped from his art table. Kale wants so badly to do what Nolan is doing. I'm sure in a few short months that will be the case! Over the weekend Kale developed a new skill - when we hold his hands he is actually taking steps. He is so motivated!

Today was another exciting day for Nolan. He woke up from his nap and immediately told Jane he had to go potty. She rushed him in to the bathroom, and 5 minutes later he did what he needed to do! She was so excited that she called Adam to tell him right away. Jane even said that if he keeps on this path he may be ready for big boy underwear soon. I don't know if I'm ready for that yet!

6 more weeks

Adam said I shouldn't get my hopes up, but I did anyway and I am a bit disappointed that Kale needs 6 more weeks in his helmet. He made really good progress again, but the orthotist still wants to see more improvement in the diagonal growth of his head. Yes, it's a pain to wash the helmet and Kale's head every night. I think the worst part of it for me right now is how sweaty his little head is with the warmer weather. He is a trooper, though, so I know he'll do fine.


Nolan's new favorite saying is "I don't want to". It's great that he's starting to have his own opionion; however, I have to keep telling him that it's not really up to him and that he needs to follow directions. Sometimes he's okay with that response, and other times not so much! Nolan was excited to wear a new pair of pj's to bed tonight - he loves bugs right now. My family noticed that he was wearing a pair last weekend that was much too small on him - so I dug out all the 2T pj's I bought on clearance last year. Adam and I should have noticed they were too small, but for some reason we just don't pay that close of attention to those small details! We did finally pay attention to that fact that Nolan's socks were falling off his feet because they were too small, so now he is the proud of owner of his first Hanes brand socks. They look so grown up!

Adam is up north until tomorrow evening, so I spent some quality time with a bucket of cleaning water tonight. I always feel so much better when the house is picked up and clean. I know it's not going to stay that way, but I least I've had a few hours to enjoy it tonight. Tomorrow Kale has swimming lessons, and on Sunday (Mother's Day) we have lunch plans with Adam's family. Next week is a really busy week, so I'm hoping as a special gift from my boys I'll get some quiet time to relax!

Not a baby anymore

Yes, I'm talking about Kale. He hardly even seems like a baby anymore! He is officially crawling on his hands and knees, after about 6 weeks of army crawling. We have been letting him practice standing against the couch and figured it wouldn't be long until he started to figure that out on his own. Yesterday I noticed that he was pulling himself up on his knees and grabbing on to some of his bigger toys in an attempt to pull himself up to a standing position. I thought it would be another week or 2 before he figured it out. Jane called Adam this morning very excited to report that Kale had done it - he pulled himself up to a standing position all by himself! He is growing up so fast. When we look at him in his crib he takes up over half of it! We finally had to lower his crib, too. Between his sitting up, crawling around and now pulling himself up we were headed down a dangerous path! He also outgrew his infant car seat. He is getting Nolan's hand me down car seats, and Nolan is the proud new owner of a level 3 car seat. Adam and I spent about an hour last night rearranging the car seats and hooking them in the vehicles. What a pain! It was worth when Nolan talked about his "caw seat" on the home from Jane's house today! Friday is the big day for Kale - we have a rescan of his head to see if it's shaped enough to no longer require the helmet. I am so, so hopeful that we're down to our last few days of it!

Last weekend Adam and I hosted my family for a spring birthday/Easter celebration. We were so thankful the weather warmed up so we could have an Easter egg hunt for the kids. It was a bit muddy from all the rain, but the kids didn't mind at all. I was a little worried with how Nolan would react to sharing all of his toys. Other than a few outbursts of "that's mine" he did really well.

Last Thursday Nolan started to take a downhill slide again so Adam took him back to the clinic. Sure enough he still had fluid in his ears. He is now on his 3rd dose of antibiotics for this ear infection. We're a little concerned by the fact that the antibiotics won't clear it up. Adam asked the dr. about it and she didn't seem all that concerned. We are, primarily because he's had 3 ear infections since October - and has had to be on at least 2 antibiotics each time to clear it up, and is on his 3rd for this last infection. In between he also had influenza and pneumonia. We made the decision to schedule an appointment with an ENT toward the end of this month. We want to make sure that his hearing isn't being compromised, especially since he's talking so much now.


Last fall I was talking with some girlfriends about how some day I'd like to try and run a 5K. Before you know it Adam and I - along with 16 friends - were signed up to run in the Go Commando race sponsored by Team Ortho at the end of June. It's a 5K run that includes 11 obstacles. As I'm trying to train for this thing my thoughts always round back to "who can I blame for signing me up for this?" I'm up to between 2 and 2 1/2 miles of straight running, but the 2 1/2 mile mark is where I run in to trouble. I'm not quite sure how I'm going to add another almost mile to that! I don't really love to run, and I really hate to get dirty. I think I picked the wrong race for that combination!

About a month ago we celebrated my grandma's 80th birthday with my mom's side of the family. I wanted to capture the full group picture from that event, as it's pretty impressive how many people are in our family! I'm pretty sure we were only missing one person for this picture, too. I tried to count how many of us there are, and think I came up with 68 or 69 people!