Nature Preserve

We went for a walk at the Nature Preserve about a week ago. Anika begged and begged to go. It was fun but Celtin was a little tired because he still was not feeling 100% from the flu...luckily now everyone is all better. The weather was so nice I thought it would be good to get out. We even rode in the car with the windows down. I turned around and Anika was wearing Adams hat-so cute! We did not see very many animals but Anika spied this little snake in the grass that we all had walked past. Adam and Celtin were walking along together holding hands with their other hands in a pocket...I thought it was so cute. I carried Lochlan in the snugli we borrowed from my Sister in Law (thanks Carli) He slept through most of the walk. We will definitely do it again soon.

Aunt Christy

Adams Aunt Christy came to visit last week. We had not seen her since Anika was 1 1/2 and she had never met Celtin or Lochlan. We went to dinner at this great place called Foldovers...it is kinda like a thin crust pizza folded in half, cooked, then filled with cold ingredients like lettuce and mayo for the BLT. YUMM The kids showed Christy around our pond and spied some frogs. We are glad she came to visit and it really made us miss Adams mom aka Grammy, since they sound and act alot alike.

School Pictures

Anika just got back her Spring school pictures. The day she was going to get her pictures taken was a bit stressful. She is very opinionated about what she should wear and how her hair should be. She wanted to wear her jean skirt and a plain white shirt. (Her outfit of choice would be jeans and a plain white shirt every day) I wanted her to wear a red shirt because it would look better in the picture, not washed out. We finally compromised on the the grey fleece with the white shirt underneath. She insisted her hair be down and straight! I think they turned out very cute but she looks so grown-up to me...7 going on 13!

Rolling Over

Yesterday Lochlan finally figured out how to roll over from his tummy to his back. He has always hated tummy time. I would put him on his tummy for 3 minutes at a time; he never lasted much longer than that before he would begin screaming. Yesterday I set him on his tummy and he pushed up with both arms and rolled over!! I was a little surprised and so excited - of course I made him do it over and over. Now every time I put him on his tummy he rolls over within about 1 minute. It is very cute. Here is a video of the 2nd time he rolled over because I didn't get the first one on film. Celtin and I were cheering him on. I am aware that I sound silly...Adam already pointed that out. :)

Funny Bird

Monday morning I was running around trying to get Anika ready for school. Celtin still did not feel well and of course Lochlan wanted to be held. I kept hearing this tap, tap, tap. I checked the door a couple times but nobody was there. We sat down to eat breakfast and heard it a couple more times. I told the kids to stop kicking their feet but they insisted they were not doing anything. After we ate I was standing at the sink doing dishes and this crazy bird flew up and tapped on the window. It then flew away only to come back a minute later and do it again - 3 times. This went on all morning. It would leave for 10 minutes come back and tap 3 separate times leave for 10 and so on. I finally recorded it because it was so funny. This is the 2nd and 3rd tap in the series. I have no idea what it was trying to do...maybe it was a bird version of doorbell ditching.

My Big Sister Loves Me

Anika is finally feeling much better, she was able to go to school Friday. Adam and Celtin are still sick but I think they are nearing the end. The weather has been so nice the past few days, unfortunately since everyone has been sick we have not been able to enjoy it much. Lochlan and I have still managed to stay healthy (crossed fingers); I have not let anyone hold him all week. Friday since Anika was doing so much better I let her hold him. I think she had really missed holding him because she held him for about 20 minutes straight. She read him a book...it was so cute! She is such a great big sister and lots of help...if only she wanted to change the diapers. :) Since nobody else could hold him all week and he doesn't like laying down on his back or tummy, and he is still too wobbly to sit by himself, we decided to try the exersaucer. I thought he was too little but he really loved it. He even wacked at the toys a little. My other kids loved it but I don't think I put them in until they were a little older.

Apparently the mess the Cat in The Hat
was making was rather distressing to him.

Sick, Sick, Sick

Saturday Anika started running a fever, she continued to get worse so she stayed home from church Sunday and school Monday. She had a horrible headache, stomach ache, cough and a fever over 103. She slept a lot and refused to eat, anything she ate came back up. We tried to keep her hydrated with Gatorade, Sprite, water and ice. On Tuesday she went back to school but only lasted half the day before she felt yucky and her fever crept back up. She is finally feeling a little better but still has a tummy ache and a cough. She is eating a little better and drinking fluids fine. At first I thought it was Strep because they sent a note home from school stating someone had it in her class but her throat never really started to hurt. I guess it is the flu! She is going to try and go back to school again tomorrow.

Adam woke up Tuesday feeling a little achy but insisted on going to work. He came home after half the day because he really did not feel well. Tuesday afternoon Celtin started to feel a little warm and did not want to eat dinner. Sure enough his fever shot up to 103 and he has been a little lethargic. Luckily he does not seem to feel as bad as Anika did. As long as I keep ibuprofen in him, to keep down his fever, he doesn't complain too much. I hope he doesn't get worse. Adam is a trooper and went in to work and stayed the whole day. I feel so bad when everyone is sick. Luckily Lochlan and I have managed, so far, to stay healthy. I keep him away from everyone as much as possible but keep your fingers crossed for us. I really don't want to deal with him getting the flu.

Even when

they are

sick they

still manage

to smile

for the camera!

Welcome Home Daddy

We are so glad to have Adam home. The kids miss him so much when he is away. They are really good sports and don't complain too much. This time they had Grandma visiting to distract them and that was helpful. Inevitably each night at bedtime they would get a little sad and want him home. Anika is a bit more of a Daddy's girl so it is harder on her when he is away. They did not want to have Family Home Evening on Monday because he was not here. Anika said "How can we have Family Home Evening without Dad?" She thought the idea was preposterous. I am glad he does not have to travel very often for work. It is good occasionally just to remind me how much I enjoy having him around. :)

Thank You

Thank you Grandma for all your help. We really enjoyed having you out here. Our week long sleepover and board game marathons were great fun. We had so much fun with you and can't wait to see you in June. Next time you come we will all have to go see the sights downtown...hopefully the weather will be better. We love you!!

Trying To Sit

Lochlan is learning to sit all by himself. He hates tummy time and is not very fond of laying on his back except at night. He loves to be upright and can sit for about 20-30 seconds on his own. I know it is not much but it is a start. He could stay up longer if he would use his hands for balance but he has not figured that out yet. Anika and Celtin did not really like tummy time either and learned to crawl from sitting. I am pretty sure they were about 4 months old when they could sit unassisted for an extended period of time. Lochlan is so much happier when sitting...even when he starts to fall over!

2 months old...life is rough

Well on the 1st Lochlan turned 2 months old...boy does time fly! He just had his doctors appointment today. He is 12 lbs 1 ounce and 22 1/2 inches long - growing bigger each day! He got all his vaccines and screamed like crazy. When he gets really mad he starts to say "ging" over and over. It really sounds like he is cursing at you. He has been so wimpery since we got home; I know it is for the greater good but it makes me so sad. I gave him some Tylenol and that seems to help a little. His cousin Ethan is 1 week older and when he got his shots at least he got cool superhero band aids.... Lochlan was only given plain ones. I think he totally got ripped off. Doesn't he look so sad!

Grandma!

Grandma is out visiting and the kids are sooo excited. They love having someone new to play with and show around. Lochlan got to meet her for the first time - Yeah! They have been having fun running her ragged. Adam left Monday for a work trip and won't be back until Saturday. He currently is in AZ enjoying the 85 degree weather, mid week he heads to Utah for a few days...not fair! Luckily my Mom was able to come out and help with the kids. I bet she will be so exhausted come Saturday.

Spit bubbles

Lochlan has now mastered a new skill! He blows spit bubbles all day long. It is funny how we cheer babies on for things that we don't want older kids doing. About two weeks ago I had to tell Celtin to stop blowing spit bubbles because it was gross, now Lochlan is doing it but it is so cute and it is a milestone. I also can't help but tell Lochlan good job when he burps, of course if Anika and Celtin burp I remind them to say excuse me and tell them to try not to because it isn't polite. Do you think they remember when they were babies and wonder why we can't make up our minds?