Wyatt is 4 months old!

Wyatt is a picture of health! Dr. Groos listened to that annoying little chest rattle and she said he has it almost kicked! He weighed in at 16.5 lbs (77%) and was 25.75 inches long (78%). At Evan’s four month check, he weighed 17lbs 9oz (90% in weight) and was the exact same height! Evan might have been taking some of his work home w/ him….

He is now medically approved to begin eating rice once a day and has also received motherly approval to once again start sleeping through the night now that he has mostly fought off his cold! Given these boys appear to be on the bigger side at an early age, it’s probably time for us to bust out the exersaucer so he can work off some of that belly he is developing!

Happy to have a healthy baby boy.

Love,
Nick, Amy, Evan and Wyatt

Our sweet little Fiona girl

(From Nick)
Often you hear the phrase,” If you would have told me ten years ago I would be...” That phrase is very common for people our age given many of us have been married, bought houses and had children all within the last ten years, myself included. Even though its oft-used, I have to break it out for this blog. If you would have told me ten years ago I would be crying over a cat that we had to find a new home for, I would have said you were out of your mind!

But so it is as it was time for us to find a new home for our sweet girl Fiona. When we brought her to our home from a shelter 5.5 years ago, she was the smallest, most terrified cat you can possibly imagine. We had to designate an entire room for her as she was terrorized by the Big Bad Lou and it took her almost six months before she even made the trip downstairs to our living room. What she lacked in bravery, she made up for in compassion and loyalty. Through mostly Amy’s patience, Fiona became part of our family. She was a regular on your lap while you watched TV at night and was always on my side of the bed at my feet at night. She never cared much for strangers preferring only Amy and me and would always appear at the side of the boys when they would cry as newborns.

Unfortunately, for all of Fiona’s wonderful traits, she had one she could never outgrow, the litter box. Fiona thought any piece of uncovered carpet was her litter box. We tried multiple litter boxes (currently at three, including two in our bathroom), we tried pheromones, we have tried some crazy concoction from the vet that was like a Xanax ear rub. Add the Xanax ear run to the list of things I never would have done 10 years ago! Nothing worked and our patience and our noses finally gave in.

We listed her on Craig’s List as the thought of taking her back to a shelter after all of our work and success was unbearable. We found Fiona a new home where she will be the only cat and a new friend will her enjoy her company on his lap. Lou was my first pet and is the one I will credit for my different perspective on pets. Fiona will be the one I will always remember for her loyalty and loving nature and living proof that you can undo any bad that was done to an animal in a prior life.

The hardest part was watching Evan cry when we left her at her new home. He took her toy to her and wanted her to come play with him. I honestly didn't think he would notice, but goes to show you what I know. Her new owner said we can come visit any time we want, but I just don't think I can yet. Honestly this sucks - it hurts to know we couldn't be her forever home.

Love you Fiona Girl.

Love,
Nick, Amy, Evan and Wyatt - and Lou.

Funny boys

All in a days work for this mom...yep this is me helping Evan wipe after being a big boy on the potty. The things we do.

Fire truck ride at the mall.  

Wyatt has found his thumb and he loves it! Going to sleep one night.

Tummy time! He has now rolled from tummy to his back. 

Don't we all wish we could do this...

Evan showing us how to "belt it" like Aaron Rodgers.

Evan "dancing"

These are my funny and loving little boys that make my life so full of laughter and love.

Love,

Nick, Amy, Evan and Wyatt

Stay at home fun

I have found out why I don't stay at home full time. Evan runs through activities like a wild man, unless he is playing ball. Last weekend we were home during the day a lot because it was icky and cold. I found myself out of activities by 9 a.m.  To my credit both boys were up before 6.

Evan finger painting - (no joke under 5 minutes he was done)

then I decided it was time to go outside - in the freezing drizzle.  He had to make sure to drum on the garbage can before we went outside.

then he had to show me how cheesy he is 

I usually would take him to the YMCA but I wasn't feeling the greatest. Caught some cold bug, but how I forget that kids really don't care when mom is sick. He isn't a craft kid, more of a throw the ball and run around kind of kid. Thank God for the iPad:)

Then there is sweet little Wyatt (he isn't always like this)

I didn't get a picture when the boys' teacher Ann came to watch them last weekend, but we love having her around to watch them when mom and dad go kidless for a night.

Love,
Nick, Amy, Evan and Wyatt

Packers and Potty

We had a rough day yesterday at the Varcoes. Packers lost and we weren't happy about it. Evan kept asking if the Blue guys (Giants) were not nice and I said yes, they didn't get any presents for Christmas. Sorry I couldn't help it, weak mommy moment.

Before the game

After the game

I am lucky enough to have my boys at daycare where I work. And the best part is I get visitors to my office! Wyatt's teacher Ann brought him over to see me last week when it was 60+ degrees in January. I love seeing his little face during the day.

Potty is going great for Evan - he has it down, #1 and #2. So proud of him! And Wyatt is giggling, smiling and cooing up a storm - and so is mom because he sleeps the majority of the time through the night!

Love,
Nick, Amy, Evan and Wyatt

Sleep and Potty

We have had some major milestones in the Varcoe house this past week.

Evan is officially in big boy underwear. He hasn't turned back yet. I thought it might be a bigger challenge, but he is doing great.  A few #2 incidents, but other than that he has done wonderful! He loves his Thomas, Toy Story, Mickey, Diego, etc. undies and loves running around in them.

This is a picture of him going potty. I don't know why he had to completely undress.

And Wyatt has slept through the night 4 nights in a row!! I know I am probably jinxing it, but I can't believe he is doing so well. He is probably exhausted from daycare, but we'll take it.

And he is 3 months old already - seriously I can't believe how much he has grown. 

3 months with Elephante

Evan finger painting on a stay at home day with mom.

Science Center building a rocket with mom.

Lots of big milestones for us!

Love,

Nick, Amy, Evan and Wyatt

First day back...

Today is my first day back to work and I didn't cry! (today). I think I cried enough the last week that I was OK today. Wyatt and Evan did great helping mom get out the door by 8 a.m. today. Evan was ready to color and not take a picture with Wyatt. But this is the best I got.

 Next drop off with Ann (Evan's baby teacher). I forget how little kiddos can be. But Wyatt was the youngest by far today with the closest to him an 8 month old.

When I went to visit Wyatt over lunch...cashed out.

Wyatt and Evan had a sleep over on New Year's Eve with Grandma Lois, Grandpa Dave and Grandpa Steve and Grandma Kate. They all did great!!

Grandma Kate and Wyatt

Wyatt wearing Grandma Lois's old old clothes from Wisconsin (it is for a girl if you can't tell.) poor kid.

Grandpa Steve and Wyatt 

Evan checking out "5" horses that he loves to visit when we go to Papa Dave's house.  

Evan playing in a tent.  

Walking to see the horses with Grandpa Steve. Not sure who is leading who here:) 

All in all I am happy to be back to work, I just think the time goes so fast with my little ones. I wish I could have more time, but I know both my boys are in such good hands with their teachers.

Evan playing trains at Christmas with Dan and Katie.

Ready for the Notre Dame game

Evan driving the RAGBRAI bus 

Wyatt talking to Nick

Love,

Nick, Amy, Evan and Wyatt