Boy update

It's been awhile since I've posted an update about the boys so here goes...

Connor is potty trained! We started mid January and things went better than expected so we kept at it. He has had a few accidents here and there over the past month but for the most part his days and nights are dry. Yipee!! Being the little brother that he is, Liam often interferes with Connor's personal play time and completely frustrates him. We got a great idea to buy Connor his own special tote and fill it with only 'Connor toys'. He gets to play with the items in this tote(mostly tools) if he stays in bed for naps/bedtime or whenever we feel he needs some alone time from Liam. So far he is loving the idea of "his space" and we hope this helps lengthen the amount of time he plays on his own without our help(and stays in bed!). We considered preschool for Connor this fall but recently decided to send he and Liam to Lisa's(where Connor goes now) 2 days a week instead. She was a teacher for 10 years and schedules most of her days the same way she did in the classoom so Connor gets lots of structured time during the day. She, and several other people in the teaching field we consulted, feel Connor is up to speed verbally and socially, which is why we considered preschool in the first place. So, I will still have 2 half days alone with the new baby while Connor and Liam learn and play with other kids.

Ahhh, Liam is growing up too fast! I love the age he is right now and we have so much fun playing and laughing with him. He can say/mumble several words: choo choo, banana, sticks(hockey), dog, tractor, and ba ba(bottle-yup, still gets 'em). He understands what we say to him, ie. "time to eat" and he runs to his chair, "change your diaper" he heads for his room. He still eats and sleeps like a champ which we totally appreciate. His favorite things to do include jumping on Connor's bed and playing hockey. He has a great shot and never fails to lift his stick in the air and say "goal" when he scores. We are excited to have Liam at Lisa's next fall to begin building his social skills, handle being away from us for extended periods of time and, best of all, build a even better relationship with Connor. He will be fun to watch this summer, following Connor and Brady(our neighor) all around the neighborhood, trying to be older than he really is!!

One funny convo

I chatted brackets with my brother in law this morning on the way to drop Connor off at Lisa's. When I got off the phone Connor asked, "who was that mom?" I told him and he said, "why were you talking to Uncle Kurt?" I said I like talking to Uncle Kurt. He replies, "I don't like talking to Uncle Kurt! I like talking to Daddy. Where is Daddy?" I told him he was in Hibbing for the day working. He asked, "Is Uncle Kurt in Hibbing?" I said, "No, he is in Omaha. That is where Gma Colleen and Daddy T live. And Auntie Mary too." As I always do(shock!) I asked him, "should we live in Omaha?" There is a long pause, and in a goofy voice he says, "Ya, we should move there and live in Gma and Daddy T's house." Over my laughter I start asking questions, "Where would you sleep? C-"On my bed, in gma and Daddy T's room." Laughing I asked about Dan, me and Liam and apparently we would ALL sleep in Gma and Daddy T's room! Finally I said, "Is the baby going to sleep in the Gma and Daddy T's room too?" C-"No!" Me-"Where will the baby sleep?" In a DUH manner he replies, "In the bathroom mommy." Me-"Oh, in a crib." C-"No, on the floor!" Almost peeing my pants, trying to control myself while driving I ask, "who will come visit us?" C-"Uncle Daniel!" (no shock there!!)

I love conversations with him like this. He makes us appreciate the minds of little 2 year olds and never ceases to make us laugh while doing it!!

More from March

Butt crack-ha!!

We had a busy week here in Doyleville. The basement is coming along beautifully. We have sheet rock on the lower half of the walls, all the lights, switches and plugs wired, and the insulation and sheet rock ready to go on the ceiling. We are struggling to find non toxic, recyclable carpet(that's affordable!) but still feel it's important and we hope to find an option soon. After settling that we will tackle the custom backsplash for our woodstove that my brother in law designed. We anticipate total completion in one month-yes!!

The BIG snowstorm turned out to be a dud but the boys got to snowmobile with the neighbors that night. Connor drove the track all by himself once, was dumped but ok several times and spent over an hour out there with Brady and Nicole. It was amazing to see our boys participate in a northern winter activity that I never had growing up.

Finally, our 2 neices spent the night last night for the first time. Dan is away on a road trip so Connor got to pick someone to come play, eat supper and stay the night. It worked out great bc they are so much help. Thanks Audrey and Emily!!

This week is filled with more basement work and a Shaklee meeting for me, as well as preschool open houses, ECFE, day care and visits to the Y. No tennis this week due to spring break so we hope to spoil the boys a few nights this week too!!

2 posts...lots to read

I had to post a picture of the little babe growing and kicking inside of me. We had our ultrasound last week and all went well-phew!! I am 23 weeks today and feeling great. The baby is kicking and moving enough that Connor enjoys laying his head or hand on the belly to feel the movements. My first thought upon seeing this picture was, "Wow, that's Liam!". Can't wait to meet the new little one.

Also we had a bday party for Dan last weekend at the Doubletree hotel in Omaha. My family came to swim and have cupcakes. It was his first(hopefully not the last) bday party in Omaha.

Fianlly, I took a few pictures of Liam enjoying a much deserved sucker on the long ride home last weekend. He is too precious!

March MADNESS

Quite possibly my favorite month of the year, March is finally here!! I love everything March has to offer from birthdays and holidays to spring weather and spring break. Most of all I love March for the basketball!! When I was growing up we would be granted one "mental health day" a year. My dad would let us skip school and take us to the sports bar with him to watch basketball all day long. As the years went on he developed Bracketville: a highly intense(name calling, smack talking, harassing emails...its all there!), nuptually secured(you must marry into the family to be involved), trophy-winning bracket contest between everyone in our family. Three weeks of games, hundreds of emails and endless hours of tv watching will all boil down to one winner claiming the homemade trophy and coveted lunch with my mom.

This Sunday as I watch the selections, I'll be reminiscing about the smell of beer and nachos, overwhlemed with the notion that in three short years I'll be writing a little note to Connor's teacher as to why he is not in school-Mental Health Day!! I LOVE March!!!

Sibling Smarts

I have a couple pictures to post from the end of our Omaha trip and since returning but until I get them uploaded I thought I'd share a funny occurance happening quite often in our house.

Liam is learning fast how to be the perfect pestering little brother and I laugh every time it happens: Connor will just settle down to play with a toy or get all his tools lined up and ready to work when innocent Liam rushes in, grabs Connor's truck or tool...and RUNS!!! He runs and runs and doesn't stop until he is hidden behind our bed or in his closet and sits there until Connor comes to retrieve his toy. Oh, that little stinker but it's hilareous to see happen day in and day out!!