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.

2 CriBs FoR sALe

This weekend we had 2 sleeping transformations in this household. Friday Liam went back on reflux medicine and also back to sleeping in his car seat...since then he has slept through the night and is taking better naps. YES!! Amazingly and unfortunatly, that same night Connor figured out how to climb out of his crib, and he did it over and over and over again! After dragging up the twin mattress from the basement, we have begun to implement the "Supernanny" tactic of quietly putting your child back to bed until they fall asleep there. With Liam sound asleep, I spent an hour and fifteen minutes last night walking Connor back to bed until he finally gave in. Both boys slept great all night.

Tonight it was Dan's turn and after 35 minutes I heard both of them snoring from the other room-progress!

It's a big step for both of them...so far so good!

Making Memories

Connor's first playdate
with the neighbor kids

The Payette Sleepover

The boys playing outside

We've been in the new house barely two weeks now and already have many lasting memories. Dan's birthday party, an 8 person sleep over and a mini hot tub party just to name a few. Visits from friends, family and neighbors have made the first couple weeks in this house enjoyable ones. We love this house and what it enables us to do and will cherish these, and many more memories, for years to come.

March...Moving...Madness!

It's Over!! We officially moved into the new house last weekend. It was stressful, overwhelming and exhausting but wow, is it great to have room to spread out. Dan's family was gracious enough to donate hours and hours of moving and unpacking time and we appreciated, and needed, every hour. We are still rummaging through boxes and adding necessary appliances but we are both totally moved out of our parent's basements and that feels wonderful!
I haven't had much time to update this thing, as you know, but now that we are getting more settled hopefully I'll be on here more.
Both boys are loving the new house and the room they share. Connor can't to play in Liam's crib every morning, after he wakes him up that is!
We waited a long time for this and it's such a blessing to finally be in something that is ours. We can't wait to have you over to check the place out...bring your suits!

"M-boni" Ride

Connor, Dan and Hoagie

"Fasten the seat belt, daddy"

For Christmas this year I gave Dan and Connor a ride on the zamboni at a UMD hockey game. Although there was some last minute confusion, both of them were featured atop the zamboni between periods 2 and 3 of the Colorado College series. Without a flinch, Connor climbed right up top and gasped with amazment as the large zamboni whisked he and daddy around the ice. He was wide-eyed and a giddy AND he didn't cry...that's what i was worried about! Since then Connor marches around saying, "m-boni, m-boni", pointing at pictures and books with zambonis on them. He was excited!


It almost brought me to tears as I watched Dan and Connor share in something so unique and special. The two of them will certainly be sharing moments like this for years to come.


(Of course I have to thank JCMay for all thier help!)