Swim and No Sleep

Evan is taking swimming lessons again this year and has turned out to be quite the fish. He loves kicking, blowing bubbles and of course going down the slide.

Wyatt is back to school today. Thanks to my mom for helping out the past couple of days.

We got together with all my college friends last weekend at a waterpark/hotel. It was so much fun to see the kids play together. One girl and 7 boys!

Here are 6 of the boys - Wyatt might have gotten squashed.

Nolan, Jack, Drake, Evan, Myles and Drew (4 of the boys all born within 5 months of each other).  I think we are in for some trouble when they are older and more independent:)

Wyatt is rolling over now and decided that sleep in not an important part of his night. He used to sleep so well, now he just is a party animal. I hope it is because he is on steroids for RSV because Nick and I are T.I.R.E.D.

Aunt Erin came to visit Wyatt last week at school.

Love,
Nick, Amy, Evan and Wyatt

Sick baby

Well it happened, little Wyatt got sick with RSV. Hopefully it stays a mild case, but he has to be home for a week. Between mom, dad and Grandma I think he is covered. Poor buddy just can't kick it. I always said having an October baby will bring sickness, we thought we skirted it this year, but no such luck.

Here are some pictures from our favorite daycare teacher Ann. She is so great about taking pictures throughout the day for us.

Wyatt played too hard.

Just enjoying some tummy time. 

Riding in the crib to go outside and fell asleep.  

More tummy time, such a big boy! 

Tushy and foot painting - yep that is right tushy painting with Annie!

Evan showing Wyatt his Mater and McQueen wipes

Evan in his undies giving Wyatt a horsey ride. 

Love,
Nick, Amy, Evan and Wyatt

Basket hoop game and Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!  Evan was very excited to give out his Valentine's to his friends and teachers today. He had Toy Story Valentine's to give away - or Buzz Woody as he calls it. As I left him today the kids were already wound up and they hadn't eaten any candy yet!

Evan and I were invited by my friend Kim to go to an Iowa Energy basketball game on Saturday night. We got to sit in a suite so there was plenty of room for the boys to run around.

Nick went to Cedar Falls to the UNI game so I had planned on going to my parents house for the night with the boys. Evan, Grandpa Dave and I headed to the "arena" as Evan calls it. Grandma "Lolis" stayed home with Wyatt and watched Wheel of Fortune and played Bridge on the computer.

Heisman and Evan watching the game

Evan could and did sit for hours watching them play. I was ready to go before he was - the story of our future.

Wyatt is so close to rolling - he pivots on the floor and in his crib now. It is only a matter of time. He also is eating rice cereal and is starting to love it. Took him a little while to warm up, unlike his "big" brother.

Playin in the exersaucer with dad

We got an update from Fiona's new owner and she is doing great. She has him wrapped around her paw and is constantly entertaining him. Love hearing that and makes me feel so much better.

Love,
Nick, Amy, Evan and Wyatt

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