We're Moving!!

Dan and I closed on a house last week...finally!!! We found the perfect house in Piedmont, just 15 minutes from where we are now, and plan to move next weekend. We love the lay out, it has great natural light throughout and there is room to grow in the unfinished basement. Since we closed last week and Dan is out of town for two weeks, I have been busy picking paint colors, selecting appliances and countert tops and finalizing electrical set ups. Packing is slow but steady. Every time I finish packing a box or tote, Connor manages to find a way to drag all that stuff right back out so I think I'll wait for back up to come home-ha!

I really haven't begun to process it all because it happened so fast but I am thrilled to finally have enough space raise our boys while making lasting memories. We have quite a bit of chaos going on in our lives right now with Liam being born, Dan's new job, buying new cars, trips and buying the house but it sure will feel good that first night in our new house to relax in our 8 person hot tub! Chow!!

Home at last

Connor bonked Liam in the face

and gave him his first black eye(left)


Connor and my parents at

a UNO hockey game

Goofing around before bedtime

We arrived home yesterday from our fun-filled, two week trip to Omaha. Although I'm tired, I know I have to update this thing for those that check frequently-J?

'Fortuate' is how I feel as I sit here reflecting on all that took place in Omaha. Both Dan and I are grateful to my parents for allowing us to move in, reflux and all, for 16 days. I know I would have struggled here on my own and we can't thank them enough for all their help. It is special that the boys get that much alone time with Grandma and Daddy T when we come to town-thank you! Having my brother and three sisters in town, along with their kids, really made the trip exciting and busy. We can't wait to come back and play. I was able to hang out and catch up with friends several times thanks to gracious babysitters. Finally, my heart is still filled with overwhelming joy from the incredible support and turn out for the Parkinson's Skate-a-Thon last weekend. We far surpassed the $3000 goal and seeing how many people care about the cause was incredible. Our family is blessed to be surrounded by such generous, caring individuals.

Connor had a blast exploring every inch of my parents house(especially the construction site). He is talking more, still sleeping great and overall a happy kid. Liam is still battling reflux which interferes with almost every feeding but we hope to find a fix for that soon. He is out growing clothes fast, more aware of his suroundings and gives great big smiles to anyone who will take them!

It's so nice to be back in the frozen tundra. It was a memorable two weeks and a loving, supportive family made much of the that possible. Thank you!

M-I-A

I packed up the boys last week and headed to Omaha. Dan would be out of town for two weeks with work and I knew I would need help with the boys. Grandma and Daddy T have been so much help and Connor loves playing with them. We have been busy seeing family, playing outside and preparing for the inagural Wuebben Wink Skate-a-thon. Friday my parents are hosting a 24-hour Skate-a-thon to raise money for the Parkinson's Foundation. Connor has learned several new words such as "T"(daddy t), "cago"(chicago) and "lyla"(myla), is great at stairs on his own and has gone ice skating several times already. Liam has come a long way with his sleeping, eating and overall temperment. He gets up just twice a night, takes naps in his crib and flashes huge smiles all day. I love spending time with my sisters and thier families and have been able to see several old friends. Omaha is great! We miss you all and will be back in Duluth Sunday.

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