Sick Again!

yes Non was sick again...Mon night..the dreaded FLU came upon me. I am back at work today (friday) but not 100% yet. I feel sick like I was pregnant with Joey. UGH.

Hoping no one else gets it! To be careful we had Joey go stay with my parents until tonight. I cannot wait to see the little guy again. I miss him and have to always be suppressing those feelings while I work and now becasue I needed to get better first for him and Jack.

Jack is happy to have his mom back. He and Dad dont always get along. grr....it hopefully will end soon.

I had to cancel the bunny photo shoot! WAA!! I rescheduled for Sat March 29th..hoping it will be fantastic and I will come away with some great shots of Joey

I played around with my new rebel yesterday..I got some good shots of Jack just being himself on the couch while we watched Caliou episodes. That is his favorite show right now..I love it because he is 4 and going through all the normal questions and experiences Jack is to. It is a slow moving but interesting show..no shoot 'em up-Sponge Bob crap.

So the week has consisted of laying on the couch and sleeping alot. We leave for Wi Dells next weekend..I need to start packing..where are my flip flops??

Hope to post some pics of Joe soon..here is a favorite of Jack from last fall

Non

Anderson Visit

We had a great time with the Anderson's this weekend.
Sara, Bryn (5), Kie (4) and Reese (9.5 mos) came on Friday night.
The kids played and we had supper.

Bedtime was tough for Jack. He was really acting up and crying
He wants his bedroom door shut, the Andersons want it open. He is such a bossy pants.

Kie loved Jack's car bed and slept in it both nights.Wo-hoo..glad someone is using it!

We took them to Edinborough indoor park on sat aftn. Jack was not too thrilled with it. He told me the slides were for bigger kids. They weren't but that was of course ok with me being the overly sensitive mom I am.
Then Sara bought a super cool expedit bookshelf at Ikea while I stayed in the car with the kids.
We squeezed the boxes into the truck...they ended up going right down the middle of the truck seperating the boys- it was funny.

Overall it was a great visit! She is a super mom and friend and I learn alot of good ideas from her..and she is just easy to talk to.
I wish they lived closer!

Joey @ 4 months

a few days late but nonetheless..

What is he doing??

Loves to suck on his fingers and hands/knuckles

Will make low gurggling noises while sucking too

Wakes up around 5:30-6 am and squeals and "talks" really loud..I have to take him out into the living room in the am because otherwise he will wake up Daddy and Jack

(yes Jack is sleeping in our bed most mornings now!:( )

Still loves to get dressed. Now I always grab his feet and smell them and say -Pu-pu PU! he loves it! His eyes get all twinkly and then he smiles and sometimes a little gurgle laugh comes out too.

He will smile and laugh sometimes when I tickle his neck (under the rolls!) or if we blow zerberts on his tummy

Sits pretty well in his swing- will talk to the orange fish or the star if we attach it to the top

Also likes his bouncy seat..our chair of choice if bringing him into the bathroom with us

Now has a lime green Bumbo seat- I didnt buy one for Jack..thought they were silly. But I am glad we got one for Joey..it is good for taking pics!

We just put him in the highchair this weekend. Reese Anderson was over (she is 9.5 mos) and was using it. He is actually better sitting up in it than reclined back!

His coughing is still bad..wakes him up about 3 times a night but finally he will go back to sleep and doesnt need to be fed.

Sleeps from about 8-6

Naps are different everyday!

Eating pattern is different everyday.-Katie says he will eat up to 9 oz for her at one sitting and the most we get is 6..sometimes only 4?

His favorite person in the world is Jack. He will sit in front of him in his swing and say silly made up words and songs and Joey stares and smiles and squeals at him.

I had no idea how great sibling LOVE can be.

He will LOOK for Jack if he is in the room talking but Joey can't see him.

He weighs about 14-15 lbs and his 3-6 mos sleepers are getting too short for him.

He likes it when I sing to him at night and we rock in the lazyboy in our room.

When drinking his bottle he will grab onto my fingers and squeeze while eating.

It is so precious I love it.

And I truly, madly, deeply love him

love

Non

guests coming

today....Sara and her 3 kids are coming for a visit..hurray!

trying to keep up

So much happens..so fast.

I was home last Thus and Fri with double pink eye and strep. Hoooray for sick days.
Joey stayed home with me on Friday while Jack had a "play date" aka another mom watched him while daycare was closed. It was at Bryson's house..the Voss's. He had a great time.

Thank goodness daycare is back open..was in FL..rough life

I got to oogle and hold Joey as much as I wanted..he needed it too I think. Every night lately I take Jack and John gets Joey. Not too fair but Jack doesnt want it any other way.

He still insists on sleeping with me in our bed. I can get him to sleep in "Ma-maa" 's bed first ..his bed is starting to collect cobwebs.

Joey is still coughing..a lot. It sucks.

Jack and I went to Playhouse Disney on sat at the Target center. I bought him WAy too many souvy's. Trumpet, handy manny tshirt, rusty (for me actually;), turner, popcorn and a cup with asnow cone that he never ate and melted into super sugar juice. I secretly dumped out and told him it was bad later. If there had been a Handy Manny t in my size I would have bought it!

He danced the to the "hot dog" song from MM clubhouse...so cute. that kid has rythym for sure.
The inlaws came down Sat and Kathy did all our laundry..I had not seen the floor of that room for months. It is just best if I am not around.

Still schemeing to get a digital rebel xti camera..will it really work better for me? Is all this for nothing?
the plot thickens...

Jack cute things lately:
He makes up songs and words and dances in front of Joe in his bouncy chair or swing...Joe loves it..he can always make Joe smile.
Still says he wants to do whatever you propose...TOMOrrow...right..his way of delaying things.

He fell asleep in the mall stroller yesterday while watching the tv at Gymboree..his head was tilted to the side and he slept so hard he had zipper marks on his face...poor thing..I carried him plus 2 large shopping bags much too far to the car..I think I almost passed out. My only exercise.
Of course then he woke up for the ride home and the entire rest of the day.

Should I get a bugaboo stroller?? hmm hmm?

Jack and I went to the dentist on Thurday am..even with my pink eye..shh dont tell.
He did wonderful..no cavities I guess and they said his teeth are looking good. Surprised me. He loved watching the Tv...Dora was on. The Dentist practically had to take off the headphones so he would hear him.
He wanted to have "Pictures" taken of his teeth too.. (xrays) so I guess that wont be a problem next time
He surprises me with how easy he adapts to new situations..I am lucky.

I was not so lucky..2 cavities and 2 crowns...$2grand! WTH! Where is dental insurance when you need it!
That is why I work dam**t
love
non

a day with Momma

Joey came to work with me today. So far he has really charmed everyone. Scott held him and I am pretty sure he enjoyed it.

He is sleeping now..gives me such a peaceful feeling when my boys sleep during the day.

Grandpa John is at our house watching Jack. They are having a great time. I said to Jack as I walked out the door after lunch.."Have fun!" and he yelled back .."I AM!"

Went out with Gail and Ida last night..I am glad we asked her out. She told me she was thrilled when I called. She has lots of photog knowledge so hoping I can get her help.

Ida is also into lots of neat things like TAI chi..need to check out that out with her..positive healing!
non

Happy heart day!

What a special day this has been..lucky mom to 2 cute boys and I was served breakfast in bed this am! I can't believe John thought of it. His one nice action wipes out 25 bad ones.

I had fruit loops, english muffins, oj and water.All served on a tray that he had to put together..cant even believe he found it stashed away since our wedding!

Jack wanted to sit on my lap...doesnt quite work that way dude..he helped me finish the cereal. Wow..I cant believe how lucky I am!

Joey has a bad cough still..we wakes up around 1 and 3 and I bolt out of bed to check him...it sounds like he is choking sometimes. Hope there is not something we could be doing for him and are not!

I entered some old pics into a photo contest today at mamarazzi.com.
My new photo stuff comes tommorrow -cant wait.
I also ordered a photo book and "the bearhunt" cd for Jack..overnight -yippee!

I think I have the outfits for the bunny pics decided..just lt blue but I think ok.
Going to dinner tonight with gail and Ida.
Yummy beer!
Non

adorable at 3.5 months

MR Bubble!

Isnt he the cutest thing?

I think so..even if he wakes me up early in the am..today I went and scooped him up before he woke because he was coughing so much..I felt bad for him.

Poor little guy shouldnt have to be sick so little!

I wuv him

Non

3 little bears

So Jack has decided that he has to sleep with me now in my bed every night!

It started with him just coming up early in the morning and we would go out to the couch and watch cartoons..then one am he agreed to climb in to bed and fell back asleep.
Now it is at bedtime ..he begs and I have fought it for so long..I knew once I caved it was all over..

he has slept with us for the last 2 nights..he tends to wiggle towards my end of the bed and full out ounches in the face while sleeping. It is not fun. But I am getting more sleep probably then continiuing to go downstairs putting him back in his bed...listening to him cry.

Joey has a bad cough again..started on Sunday morning...stupid RSV. I hate that he is sick and sounds miserable when he coughs. I just wanted to stay home with him today so bad. NExt week I should be bringing him in to work. Katie is going to Florida. Jack is going to be watched by different people over the week.
ON the 23rd we are going to Playhouse Disney at the Target Center. Hoping he will enjoy it!

I went to a cute shop called Pacifier on East hennepin yesterday. Spent way too much $. Got Jack a wooden banjo. Joey a sock monkey shirt for when he is 1yr old, a wooden toy, a pair of robeez 50%.
Checked out the ultra chic and expensive strollers and again decided I cant get one because they dont have a cupsnack holder in front for the child. How dumb is that??

Picked up the fiasco JCPenney pictures yesterday too. Not as bad I I thought but Jack's head looks oblong...his hair was too long too..cant win.It is either too short or too long in pics.

Too early!

Jack has been getting up at 5:30 am! I am soooo tired. Beyond tired. I have been fighting a bug of some kind too and I took Nyquil to help last night so that made me even more groggy!

He comes barreling up the stairs ..I can hear him everytime no matter how dead asleep I am..
"MOM! Let's go in the living room!"...I bleary eyed grab my pink blanket and pillow and hold his hand out to the living room couch where I try to grab a few more winks inbetween changing the channel for him and giving him "uh-huh's" every now and then.

Apparently Joey was up late last night too -according to John.
When am I going to catch up?

I started back to work full time this week....missing my little guy and remembering how tough it was to leave Jack at first.
Bubba Lou..he is so good.
His beautiful blue eyes are my favorite.

xox

momma's boy

This morning John was gone and I had to get both boys ready and off to daycare.
I had left Jack at the table to eat his breakfast (he wanted both Lucky Charms and French toast sticks) while I took a shower.

I came out to find he had only eaten the cereal and was glued to the television...
I asked him to hurry up and finish his breakfast or we would be late..to which he replied.

"here Mom, you eat these French toast sticks because you have not eaten breakfast yet..."

Always looking out for me..I love my guy.
Non

Jack can read

In the fall of 2007 I would say you started to be very interested in reading books to us.

The first book you ever read out loud, front to back was

Blue Hat, Green Hat

By Sandra Boynton

A very simple but funy book that makes you laugh.
We checked it out from the local library but this one became special the minute you said
" I want to read it to you mom" and you did..it made my heart melt.

We took it back to the library and I mentioned it was the 1st book you ever read aloud and the librarian, Diane Pinney, came around the checkout desk and proceeded to sit on the floor with you while you read the book to her..it was a priceless moment.

I tried to take you to the library at least once a week this past summer.
It has been tougher to get there in the winter and now that Joey is with us. As he gets older I am sure we will continue our weekly trips -
Reading stories with you every night before bed has become a ritual and one that I hope we can continue for years to come.
Some of your favorite books now are:
Harry the Dirty dog
Party time with Blue ( actually has a clock face on the front..you read it so many times in bed that one of the buttons does not work anymore)
"I spot" books
Let's Go Froggy
anything by Sandra Boynton

Some nights you will finally get into bed and then ask me to read you " one more book"...I cannot say no...I tell you "you can read this one to yourself bud"..and you give me the sad eyes and pouty lip and say "but I cant read the words mom"

I know the list of favorites will continue to grow and I am so proud of how much you have accomplished so far buddy.
love
non
xo

Jack and his imagination

I want to record how wonderful your imagination is now Jack.
Tonight, like many nights before this, you wanted to play "store" with me.

You rounded up all kinds of items: Cd's, DVD's, 2 puzzles, and a lunchbox and circled them around you -"your store".
You always greet me (the customer) so nicely - "hello, come on in!"
You have fair pricing - a dvd was only $3,a puzzle was $2

You also love to play grocery store.. (pronouced by you as "Groshery Whore")
I almost peed my pants the day you took your pretend microphone and "annouced" over your loudspeaker that "Aisle 1 is now closed!"
You get confused between the aisles and the checkout lanes.

When we actually go to our town SuperValu store "Rademachers" you always pay very close attention to what the check out girl does. Now I see why!

Tonight was one of those aha moments when I realized I needed to stop worrying about getting everything done around the house and finish my work I had brought home (since Joey has been sick) and just PLAY with you. It means so much to you and I get sad thinking about the day when you won't want me to play with you (sniff sniff) . I know those days will come and it will make me sad but I know I am trying my best to give you a happy, fun childhood that I can only hope you will look back on fondly.

You will be 3 1/2 next month and I just stop and look at you and cannot believe how fast you are growing. I can see in your profile a glimpse of myself which is a nice change over everyone always saying how much you look like your Daddy.
I know you have some of my fun-loving, goofy personality..I am trying to enrich your life with music and movies and some of the things I enjoyed as a child:
The Muppet Show
Coloring and making cards
Dancing around the room
building houses with blocks

My wish for you, is truly, for you to just be happy no matter what your life may bring you.
I love you so much my son
You will always be my Jackers crackers, pumpkin pies and I will forever be your Non.
xo

And then we were 4

Joseph Ryan was born October 28, 2007 at 2:49 am

7lbs 11 oz , 20 inches
a bit early but I was so ready...he was really low and I was really miserable!

JAck has adjusted pretty well to being a big brother..much better than I anticipated!
We made it through the holidays without any major problems

but now..in Jan 08
Joey was in the hospital - ISJ in Mankato for one night. He has RSV. The very thing my sister warned me about. Joey's cousin Katie has the same birthday and had the same thing...but earlier (before Christmas) and I am hoping his being a bit older helped his case be less severe.

He may have problems now because of it. As Grandma Joan says: dammit!
He is handling it so well. He is such a good baby to begin with..so good natured. Only cries when he is really hungry. A Smiling , chatting sweetheart.

Jack just tonight told us his "baby" Max is sick and needed to go to the hospital -Daddy and Jack then played hospital in his room.
Dad said he also dug really deep to find his "I'm a big brother" book to read. He must be worried about Joey. It is so sweet to see him try to make him smile - he says silly words and danced around in front of him..and sometimes it works!

I am so blessed to have 2 wonderful boys. Life can be crazy most days - working and keepipng the house up is tough there is no denying it.
I just hope I can record all the wonderful moments enough to look back on!
I love my boys
AM (non)

3 years old

It has been awhile...so much to say about what a wonderful boy you are becoming Jack.

Last week on Monday I brought you home from daycare with a head full of sand! Apparently you and another boy, Tristan, must have been throwing it around in the sandbox at daycare.
I convinced you to take a bath right away to get it out..I had to remind myself this would be a first of many baths scrubbing something out of your hair!!

You are a pro at potty training now...What I think worked was we took a casual approach to it until you showed you were really ready. You loved that we promised to take you to Chuck E Cheese once you suceeded and were wearing big boy undies. You love to wear your Diego and Elmo underwear and I have to say you look so darn cute in them too!

You have moved into your "new" big boy bedroom. Grandpa John came down and painted it blue and we had Wise Furniture put in new carpet. Mom put the room together and decorated it on a weekend you were up north with G & G Skubitz (just before you b-day) so when you came home on Sunday night to unveiling you were really surprised and fortunately loved it!
I had bought a race car bed earlier in the year and he hid it. You had no real problems switching into it that very night..goodbye crib!

Your favorite part is the car string lights I wrapped around a floor lamp..you like to turn off all the other lights and look at them and say..."OHHH..cool!"

You are handling the talk of your new brother coming pretty well..You can tell people he is in my Belly button and his name is Joey. I am unsure how things will be once he is really here with us but I promise you I will do my best to give you a lot of love and attention as always!

love and hugs
NON

misc thoughts

We are slowly starting you on potty training. You love your Diego potty seat but we cant get you to tell us yet when you have to go. Slow but sure I keep reminding myself.

I mostly want to write about how much I love that you are able to enjoy your Grandpa Dave. I was worried he would not live to see my kids...but here we are and you LOVE your BOPPA dave.
Last night we called G & G Zandlo to tell them about your potty training experience and he always sounds so happy to hear from you. You answer in either a really loud exciting voice or a very soft voice...no in between!

You asked your Daddy and Mommy to dance with you last night...I loved it. I am trying to turn off the tv and put on more music or nothing at all and just have you play. I know the dancing and running around are good for you.

This Sat we are going to Sesame Street Live- your 1st show. More later! I am excited for it!

love
NON

Big news

It was a very big day at Grandma and Grandpa Zandlo's house. While I went shopping with my cousin Robyn for maternity clothes you stayed at G & g's house.

When I got back Mom told me you had gone poop in the big potty! We had bought you a Diego toilet seat and I bet that made the difference!

You proceeded to show it to me and try to flush it down 3 times!

Then you agreed to get on the potty and went pee too!!

WOW!
What happens now??
NON

almost 2 and a half years old

You are growing up into a normal toddler for sure Jack.

You Still LOVE Blue's Clues and like to act out the songs and shows while listening and watching.

If I call you Steve or Joe you say in a disgusted voice....no JAckie!

You wiggle your butt so cute to the music and throw your elbow up -your signature move!

You are not potty trained yet but we will have to start soon I am afraid. You do not seem too interested in the process.

You seem to favor saying Grandma Kathy which bothers me a bit. Of course I want you to like Grammie Joan the best because I love her so much.
You really love Boppa dave who is big and strong and has always played fun things with you like Peek a boo, play doh and gives you his big flashlight.

You are starting to show more affection to your Daddy which is nice but makes me jealous. I always want to be #1 in your book. I am happy you saw things like " go downstairs and play with daddy" and you start to march your way to the stairs. You can now slide down them on your butt rather well but it make sup nervous..those stairs are steep!

You can count pretty good too...1 2 3 7 - seven is your favorite number
you know your colors very very well and your letters to some degree.

at grandma Joan's you can fiind and place all the letters in your alphabet puzzle.
you are a little hugh strung wanting everything to be just so and in its correct place. You notice immediatley if something is off or has been changed.
Gram is worrried you will always need to be calmed down. I dont know what to think. I just want you to be happy and you genuinely are most of the time!

You are starting to switch to eating at the table all the time..a big move!

I bought you a race car bed and we are saving it fo rlater...no hurry to get you out the crib until you jump out!

I love you buddy so much some days I hurt. After eating lunch at home and driving by Katie's house I want to surprise you and pick you up and just sweep you home.

xox
NON

Summer Fun

We started taking Jack to Water Babies class at the community pool. He likes the water but is a little leary at first to get in and let go of Non.

John came with last night for our 2nd class to take pictures.
James from his ECFE small wonders class was there too..he is so cute and it is amazing how big both of the boys have gotten.

Jack is continuing to try to speak short sentences and communicate with us. It is frustrating for him and us when he tries to say something and we cannot understand what he is trying to say!

Last Friday the 16th we had a bad storm with lots of thunder before his bedtime. Jack was pretty spooked and clung to me pretty much all through it. It was REALLY great for me to feel so needed by him and he snuggled up to my shoulder like he has not for a long time. It was funny when the loud cracks would come he would stare into my eyes and then try to kiss me. Grammie Joan says he must have been trying to get as close as possible to me.

He lOVES TO read a new little golden book I bought us...I Love Mommy...how approproproate huh? It is amazing how he will be all wild before bed running around the room but when I whip out that book he crawls up into the chair and settles down. He also enjoys reading the fire engine book, the best little word book ever (by Richard Scarry) and the good morning farm..he can now MOOO and say BAA for the sheep and a very weak Neigh for the horse.

He loves to point out pants, shirt, shoes, socks and eyes on book pictures.

He is Very interested in the bathroom and the toilet. I am thinking I need to get a potty chair. Oh the questions never end do they? what to buy..how to help him? Hoping we can make it a smooth transiition.

love you Jack
Non

Where has the time gone

It is May 06 and I am already trying to plan Jack's 2nd birthday party. I am thinking at the Como Zoo would be different.
My sister had Tina's at the MN zoo when she turned 2 and it was fun.

He is growing up SO quickly. I am having one of those days where I get bleary eyed thinking about him and missing him while at work..

I read a great blog about another mom whose kids were older and how she missed the moments.

Wished she had recorded more of the details of what they did, ate, said etc. and already I feel like I am not doing this with Jack.

He is able to say a few more words now: cheese, house, daddy, momma, non, off, kitty cat, lights, up, Black, grandpa and he calls Grandma Joan "momma" too.
He knows the letters D, M, J , G and O
He knows many more words if we ask him to identify an item.

He loves to play outside and tends to just wander and/or stand and stare into space.
He loves to ride in the golf cart and run around the course by our home.
He loves to climb up and down the steps.

He loves to watch our tape of the Sesame Street 25th anniversary which I love too.. it has many of the old skits I loved as a child like "doing the pigeon', rubber duckie, do the rubber duck, The alligator king and his 7 sons, C is for cookie.

He also loves Blues Clues, Barney, Miffy, Maisy, Max and ruby, Bear in the big blue house and the Wigles.
He loves to play with my mom's tape measure that retracts and my dad's flashlights.

His favorite foods are: milk, water, juice, pancakes, peaches, graham crackers, cheese-its, goldfish crackers, turkey, chicken, bologna, ice cream (not given often!), cheese, peas (he puts them in his ears and nose), beans, brocolli and toast!

He is a pretty good eater when he is not teething. He has been getting in his last 2 eye teeth the past 2 months and has been drooling up a storm.

he is my little doodle bopper, pumpkin pie, momma's little boy, jacker crackers and I love him more than words can say
NON