Lots of LOVE here...

~FAMILY ~That is the focus around our house this week. Tennis ended last weekend and I couldn't be happier. Dan is able to come home after work to have supper, play with the boys and spend quality time with me, instead of going to practice. He also won't be leaving me and the kids for weekend road trips anymore. We have nothing but family things planned this week and we are both thrilled about it. We got a bit overwhelmed in the past few months with everything going on and will be taking this time to refocus our energy and lives around what is truly important to us...each other and the boys! (oh ya, tennis-LOVE...get it?!!)

1. Connor trying to wink

2. Liam loves the Intellitainer

3. Bedtime books

4. I love this picture!!

Got MILK?

Anyone who knows me knows i LOVE ice cream. It's been a tough week without any dairy or soy(things i eat include:salads, veggies, fruits, almond milk, natural PB), but this little experiment has brought me back to the basics of healthy eating. I consume far less sugar and processed snacks than before and actually feel a lot better inside. Liam is responding well with less relfux, is sleeping better and generally more content. I'm thrilled this is working but it means i will be on this diet for a few more months. No Malt Shoppe for me this summer =(
Oh, the things we do for our children!

We finally caught Liam rolling over.

CJ and LD Update

(those are 0-3mo. shorts on Connor!!)

CONNOR is still adjusting to the "big boy" bed. He wakes up a couple times a night calling for one of us and twice this week ended up in our bed around 5am. Dan has him repeating the alphabet and counting up to 15. He adds new words daily to his vocabulary-Liam, airplane, up-up(ladder), bike. Liam is his favorite; showing him books, sharing his blanket with him and pushing him in his stroller. He goes to daycare 2 half-days a week and really seems to enjoy it. He is the youngest but the other kids include him in their games and activities and he seems to fit right in. He is transitioning through all the recent chaos quite well! *oh ya, no hair cut yet!!

LIAM is also doing well. He is still battling reflux and today we found out it might be due to a milk-protein intolerance. That means I have to take out all milk and soy for the next 2 weeks in order to confirm this diagnosis. If this helps, around month six I can phase milk back in and he should adjust accordingly. We'll see! He is also seeing a chiropractor to support the relfux battle. He has shown improvements in posture, pooping and overall comfort since we began. He is grasping objects and bringing them to his mouth, he recognizes our voices and his name and has mastered rolling over. He is our little chunky monkey!

GREEN Update

As stated before, our goal this year is to "go green". We wanted to give you an update on our progress and let you in on what we are working on for the future.

1. We have replaced most, if not all, cleaning products, dish/laundry detergents and beauty products with non-toxic, natural, good for the body and environment products.
2. We now use canvas bags on all shopping endeavors-Michael's, Target, Cub Foods, library-you name it, we bag it!
3. We just began having hormone-free, whole milk delivered each week from a local farmer to aid in the process of lowering the chemicals and toxins we put in our kids tiny bodies.
4. We still use cloth diapers on Connor on days we stay at home. This saves 3-4 diapers/day when we do this.
5. We purchased Energy Star appliances. The refridgerator uses half the energy of an older model and produces half the CO2 pollution and the washer uses 64% less water and less energy to operate. Plus, we got a sweet rebate from MN Power!

Future goals:
1. To create less garbage by recycling more, composting food waste and purchasing "less packaged" items(or just purchase less as Dan says!).
2. Replace light bulbs and faucets/shower heads with low flow, water/energy saving features.
3. Grow a few vegtables-that is if Connor can stay out of the garden all summer!
4. Continue to lessen the amount of toxins and chemicals we put into the boys-plastic packaging, preservatives, hormones, cleaning supplies, etc.

We have really taken to this GREEN thing and feel it will have lasting effects on our bodies, our children's bodies and the environment!! Go GREEN!!

April 'Snow' Showers

It's snowing! What a great day to stay home and just play. We had a playdate this morning then shoveled and made a snowman this afternoon. I received an email from my grandmother yesterday with wonderful words of wisdom attached to them. 'Michaela, you will be living in that house for a long time. Don't think everything has to be done today. Play with your kids, take them outside and just have fun playing!" What simple words with such a powerful messege. I have had those words rolling around in my head since reading them and will make every effort to fulfill her request today and every day.

Another time, another day I will get around to hanging the family pictures up and dusting, but today, today we shall play!!!

Liam's 100 days old (yesterday!)

Happy 100 days alive Liam!! He has brought us such overwhelming joy and happiness in such a short time. I wanted to share with you some stats from the past three plus months.

The stats on Liam: He arrived 16 days early, on Dec. 23rd, at 10:23 pm
Birth weight: 7.14oz. Current weight: 14.14oz.
Birth length: 19.5 in. Current length(as of Feb.28): 23.5 in.
Past/Present ailments: Serious cough and cold in January and a few weeks in March and
a lingering cough to this day, REFLUX!!!, constipation(13 days once people!), insomnia and
let's hope that never returns!
Sleeping patterns: January - 2 hour increments at night, only napped if he was being held.
February - 3-4 hours at night, napped in crib for 20 minutes and any time
he was in the car.
March - 4-5 hours at night, napped in car seat/swing/our bed for 45 min.-
2 hours thoughout the day and always in the car. * This week ha began
sleeping 6-8+ hours at night, still naps in 3-4 times a day wherever and
for whatever to time. I have yet to begin a schedule with this child but
have not last hope completely.
Activities he enjoys: the swing, laying in Connor's bed with him, looking at books, and anything
we do to make him smile. =)
Major accomplishments: Sleeping "thru" the night, rolling over(from back to tummy and
tummy to back(just once)-freakishly strong kid!), pull up from laying and push to stand.
Unique Characteristis: He has a mole in his belly button-therefore his belly button is brown.
He has rolly, polly legs and a big belly. Dan's bright blue eyes, blonde fuzzy hair and a huge smile.
Although Liam started out very, very difficult, he has become a content, smiley, chunky boy over the past 100 days. He has grown in so many ways and continues to amazes with what he learns and does each day. We can't wait to see what the next 100 days has in store.