Brrrr....

Connor has Uggs, just like mommy

Tummy Time

When I moved to Duluth almost 7 years ago I had no intentions of staying this long. Only something as good as Dan would keep me here, so here I stay! This weeks temperatures, having barely gone above zero, have made me question our desicion to choose living here...BRRR!!!! Not being able to venture outside with the boys means we are stuck inside this tiny(did i say tiny, i meant teeny tiny!)duplex all day long. We keep busy by reading books non-stop, allowing Connor to have frequent "tubby time" just to occupy him for an hour or so, and lots of "tummy time" with Liam. Connor loves getting on his belly and participating. Most newborns hate tummy time but Liam just lays there peacefully. I know its against the rules these days but we are considering allowing him to sleep on his belly just to get some shut eye!


This weekend Dan heads out of town for work which means for two weeks I'm heading home to Omaha. I need all the extra hands I can get right now! Stay warm!!

Just like...little brother?

Auntie Mary came to visit! CHEESE!!

Morning ritual in the crib and Liam's nuk

Dan and I heard plenty of horror stories about older children who revert back to old behaviors or lash out for attention when the new little one arrives. It was a nice surprise when we brought Liam home and Connor couldn't get enough of him. He wants to be around, on, near, next to, holding, etc. Liam at all times when he is awake...and when he is asleep! When we go in to get Connor out of his crib each morning, he reaches out, grabs Liam from us and pulls him into the crib to lay by him. He puts his blanket on him and rubs his head on his belly. It's adorable. He also climbs up the side of the changing table to sit and watch while we change Liam's diaper.


Connor loves Liam but I think he loves Liam's stuff more. He now takes his tubs in the baby tub, but filled inside the regular tub. He runs around sucking on the extra Nuks we have for Liam and even trys putting on those tiny hats he has. Most favorite is the swing which he takes a running dive into from about ten feet out-urgent care here we come!


Having two under two is challenging every day but for now we still have our heads above water. Sit down meals and sleep-filled nights can't be too far off, right?

Groomsmen Galore

Dan had last weekend circled on his calander since September-Gopher/Bulldog hockey weekend. As a groomsmen gift, he gave each guy a ticket to this series almost three years ago(plus a bottle of Crown Royal...bad mix from the get go!) His rational being, a weekend of hockey and partying together is more memorable that a beer mug or engraved flask, and it certainly has proven to be. This year 14 guys(plus my little sister!), mostly from the cities, made the trip up for a Saturday night out on the town and what turned out to be a crappy hockey game. One goal judge wanna-be, too many shots, bar brawls and last calls are just a few memories fresh in my mind from this year's extravaganza. In continuing the tradition, newborn or not, all the guys crashed downstairs here at the duplex after Sober Cab Dan brought them home(2 a.m.ish for most).
Athough I stayed home that night with Liam, I am still struggling to catch up on sleep and I'm sure most of them are too! See you next year boys!!

Got GREEN?

This week:

Liam took his first bath in the tub with big brother right there to watch. After tubs, Liam posed in the frog towel while Dan helped Connor out of the baby tub after he climbed in fully clothed-ha!

Connor playing in his cloth diaper.

Dan and I had no intention of harming our children when we made our New Year's resolution to "Go Green". Several boxes of kleenex(green snot), many diaper changes(green poops), one trip to Urgent Care(green bills - $15) and hours of coughing later(green phlem), Connor and Liam have gone "green" this week-literally!! Having sick children in your house makes for a stressful, sleepless, messy week and boy has it been that and more around here. Connor is starting to get over the cough, congestion and runny nose only to find Liam throat deep in mucous and horse from coughing so much-poor little guy! We hope to be in the clear soon.
As I mentioned before, we will strive to make our home more GREEN this year. This all started when I joined a "granola" prenatal yoga class this fall. I came home one night certain cloth diapers were the way to go and eager to get a house so I can start a compost pile. We are taking baby steps on this eco-friendly journey but so far here are a few GREEN changes you can see around our house:
- Taking canvas bags to the grocery store
- Cloth diapers for Connor(at night, but working toward day time too) and Seventh Generation(chlorine-free) diapers for Liam
- Reduce, reuse, RECYCLE!! We pack nearly two bins each week
- Turning off lights when not in room
These are just a few but with time who knows....we may be growing veggies in the back and hang drying our clothes! All of us can do minor things throughout the day that make a big differnece. GO GREEN!!
"In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations." -From the Great Law of Iroquios Confederacy

Liam's first smile

We caught this at the hospital. Connor was helping video!!

Here we go again...

Here we go again!!! Both Dan and I are amazed at how quickly you bounce back into "survival mode" of parenting during these early days. A few things we battle each and every day:
- Functioning off 5 hours, interrupted hours, of sleep
- Both showering before lunch
- Managing to eat at least one meal a day while sitting down, hands free
- Overcoming the neck and back aches from the akward, yet necessary, positions you hold your child in for 45 minutes to bounce/shoosh/rock them to sleep!!
- Getting to the store for a gallon of milk...i think we are going on day 2 without any now
- Keeping up with laundry

We knew going in the road would be challenging and tiresome. Although this lists seems torturous at times, we sat in Connor's room this morning while he played on his rocking horse and Liam slept on my shoulder and quietly shook out heads with a smile after a long, silent stare at each other.......we wouldn't trade this for anything!

Me and my boys!!!

Liam took a nap on Dan
while we enjoyed some tv time.

Two week evaluation

Yesterday Liam turned 2 weeks old-Happy Birthday! Today was our original due date for him...amazing!! Since arriving home from the hospital we have been plagued by spitting-up issues. He eats, throws up, changes clothes and diaper and is ready to eat again...makes for a long night! We have tried different techniques with feeeding, burping and timing only to find ourselves knee deep in laundry and sleepy eyed. He is getting a little better each day and we hope to have this under control soon.

Connor is in LOVE with Liam AKA "baby". He constatly wants to hold him or lay by him. He'll stick his face inches from Liam's and mimic him by sticking his tongue out or grunting. I think he will be a fine older brother.

Dan and I are still getting used to being parents of two. It all happens so fast. Getting two into the car, coordinating nap schedules and trying to eat sitting down are things we are working on as of today. We are surviving and have yet to rule out ever having kids again =).

Our chaotic "babymoon"

The past month or so was quite eventful for our family and has left several major things on our plate. It is amazing to think Liam would still not be here if he had waited until his original due date to arrive. We have grown so close to him already and have begun noticing changes and growth already.
As most of you know Dan has been off work since late October. The timing couldn't have been more perfect as the holidays approached, I was getting slower and Connor faster and of course our due date was just around the corner. It was so nice having him around to help out and spend time with. He recently accepted a position here in Duluth and doesn't start until Feb. 1-yippy!! It has been such a blessing having him here while Liam is so young.
We did one thing every day in December to "spoil" Connor just so he didn't feel phased out when baby #2 arrived. It was so fun participating in local holiday festivities and making Christmas memories together.
With the new job means we are now house hunting(when have we not?!?) and looking to move fairly quickly in order to be settled when Dan begins traveling. Wish us luck!
And who can forget the arrival of Liam, 2 weeks early! We were semi-prepared with diapers in the house and some clothes washed but no car seat in the car or bassinett in the house made coming home a bit hectic. My mom had planned to come the week of New Year's to help out before the baby arrived but as luck has it she was able to meet her newest(and favortie!)grandson while being of great help to Dan and I. It was so wonderful having her here and we, especially Connor, miss having her around.
Life with two children gets a little less hectic and a little easier each day. Although there is a lot going on, we feel fortunate to be in the situations we are in and are eager to see what the future holds for the four of us. What have so much to be thankful for!!

The New Addition

Our second son, Liam Daniel, graced us with his presence December 23, 2007 at 10:28pm. He weighed in at 7 pounds 14 ounces and stretched 19.5 inches long. We brought Connor to meet his little brother first thing Christmas Eve morning and after a quick smile, a lunge at his face and a not-so-gentle pat on the head, he was down the hall playing with the wheelchairs. Few visitors due to the holiday allowed me to get some much needed rest and offer frequent feedings to Liam. He eats quite well and as our lactation consultant said, "is gaining weight like a formula fed baby(ha!)." Although it had been less than 36 hours, I demanded we be discharged early Christmas morning in order to celebrate with Connor at Grandma's. Since bringing Liam home he continues to gain weight, be awake more throughout the day(and night!) and Connor loves being around him to hold him, get his nuk or kiss him. Arriving 15 days early was quite a surprise, but Liam was the best Christmas gift Dan and I have ever received!!