Party picture overload

Saturday we had Caleb's FIRST birthday party. I can't believe my little guy is almost ONE. We spent quite a bit of time outside. It was a very nice day and not too hot. The guests included Grandma and Grandpa B, Grandma and Grandpa K, Great Grandma and Grandpa W, Uncle Nolan, Aunt Gina, Uncle Brad, cousin Caden, cousin Kim and cousin Emily. The kids spent time playing in the kiddie pools and sandbox. Caleb was given a toy push lawn mower from Caden but Isaac seems to have claimed that for himself. A bunch of family members went together and got him a picnic play table. The top comes off and we can put sand and water on top for them to play with. Isaac and Caleb love it, Isaac loves to stand on top of it too!!!! Caleb also got a new book, a bath towel, soft blocks for the tub, and money.

Caleb was very clean with his cake. He started picking at it a little bit but did not dig in like Isaac did. That's the obvious difference in their personalities. Along with cake and icecream we had maidrites, chips, and salad. It was a great day and went way too fast.

Here are some pictures from the party.

Little fish

Isaac has a little slide that we keep in the house but I decided to haul it outside and put it in his kiddie pool for some extra fun outdoors. Isaac loves it, but only when the water is warm. Some days he knows the water is cold and tries to go off the side before hitting the pool. We put up a little bigger pool for him but he doesn't like that one as well so that will go up next year.

Congratulations Joshua Dennis!

Today we had a Graduation open house for my nephew Josh. It's so hard to believe Josh is now a young man at 18 years old and has enrolled in the National Guard. He will be going off to basic training in a few weeks and we won't see him for 5 months. I still remember the day I found out I became an Aunt. I was 11 years old and in the 4th grade. Congratulations Josh, you've come a long way and we are very proud of you!!!

The boys did pretty well at my parents aside from the fact they wouldn't take a nap since too much was going on. We were able to see Daryan, Norah and Bjorn which was nice. This was the first time my parents had all their grandchildren together. We had to get pictures of course.

Caleb (11 months) Bjorn (10 months)




All grandchildren-
Back row Left to Right
Norah (almost 3), Daryan (almost 12), Emily (8), Josh (18), Kim (12)
On laps
Bjorn (10 months), Caleb (11 months), Isaac (19 months)

Time to update

Things are busy here as usual.

Mr. Isaac is 19 months old and turning into quite the little toddler. I think the terrible 2's could be on their way. Isaac has quite the temper and decides to share that with us every day when I get home from work. Trying to feed 2 little ones after a long day at daycare is quite challenging and frustrating as you can imagine. I've figured out that his behavior is much worse on days he goes to daycare and I think he's just overly tired. Isaac is beginning to talk a little more every day. His constant vocabulary consists of: Mama, Dada, Truck, More, Ball, No, Grandma, Grandpa, Cracker, Bye-bye, outside. We're getting him a little extra help with talking. He was evaluated by a speech therapist and she does not think we need to worry at this point. She said it's obvious he is able to say the words, she really thinks he's just too busy to work on communication right now. We had his vision and hearing checked. His left eye is showing an inaccurate reading so that will have to be retested in couple weeks. The hearing test we had done only shows if there is fluid in his ears and there is. Not sure if that means he'll be a candidate for tubes or not. He's only had 1 or 2 infections. He will have an appointment with an audiologist on July 1st. Isaac LOVES being outside. He would be outside all day if we let him. His real passion is pushing anything and everything all around the yard. I'm happy to say our yard is fenced in now so I don't have to worry about them if I have to run inside quickly.

Caleb is almost 11 months old. I'm starting to think about his birthday party which will probably be quite similar to Isaac's, small gathering at our house with food and presents. Caleb is talking up a storm already. He says Mama, Dada, tractor, Isaac, ball, puppy. He just started crawling full time a few weeks ago. He's almost pulling himself up but not quite. He too loves to be outside but has to stay on a blanket as he doesn't like the grass. I was exactly like that when I was little.

I've taken some pictures of the boys outside. Caleb's turned out great and I've been told I don't even need to take him for his 1 year shots, but we'll see. Isaac is a bit harder as his are done on the go!

Well here are some pictures for your enjoyment.

2nd Post Op appointment with ENT

Caleb had another check up with the ENT since 2 weeks after surgery he still had infection. We the antibiotics and drops must have worked. He is officially infection free for the first time in about 3 months. BUT (yeah there's bad news too) his right tube is blocked. Fortunately the ENT thinks that the drops will open it back up again. He gave us a bottle of drops instead of sending us to the pharmacy again (thank you Dr. DeSautel). So far he seems to be doing great. I am hoping the drops will open up that tube again and that he does not get infection. So now we don't have to go back again until the middle of November unless he is having pain or drainage again.

He finally did it

Well sort of...Caleb is finally crawling at just about 10.5 months. Ever since he got his tubes put in he's been trying to pull up and crawl and he finally started crawling today. His one leg is still straight out most of the time but he does get where he wants to go. Sometimes he still gets mad because he doesn't have crawling mastered yet but he'll get there. Here's my laid back little man.

Caleb's post surgery update

Caleb had a check up on May 1st which was exactly 2 weeks from getting his tubes. I knew going in we would probably be told he had an infection because the night before he woke up crying and screaming and I noticed some drainage. He also refused to eat the last few days prior to that. Sure enough his left ear is still infection. The good news is that his right ear was always the worst and that had completely cleared up. The left ear is infection but it's not a new infection. The ENT said his ears were so bad when they did surgery that they probably couldn't get all the fluid out. He tried getting more of the fluid sucked out and gave him some drops. He put Caleb on omnicef twice a day for 10 days and ear drops twice a day for 7 days. We go back on May 14th for a check up. He said some kids just have a tough time getting the infection to go away but once we knock it out, he shouldn't have as much problems as he has had.

Yesterday Caleb had absolutely no drainage and he has been such a happy boy. He even slept from 7:30 pm to 7:10 am which he has not done since before surgery. I think we're getting somewhere now!!!!

Random photos

Things are continuing to be busy. Ross is in the field so he tries to come in a little before 6:00 to help feed the boys and then goes outside until about 9 or 10. Isaac seems to be doing well other than some sinus drainage and teething. His corner teeth are trying to come in but it's taking FOREVER!!!! We're continuing to work with Isaac on his speech. Right now the words he can say clearly are: Mama, Dada, Grandma, uh-oh, more, outside, bye-bye and truck. We've heard cookie and thank you once or twice but it's not in his everyday vocabulary yet. We're really working on cup since that's an easy one. Little Caleb may have to help Isaac out as he's hearing all these words and starting to talk.

Caleb goes back for a check up after his tube surgery. He is a totally different baby. He's so happy and trying his hardest to crawl. He pulled himself up to the coffee table last week and to the side of the tub once this week. He's getting there.

Here are a few random pictures I've taken.

Caleb's 1st word

Caleb is saying a few words now but the 1st word that is pretty clear is being said quite often so I got it on video. It's pretty cute. I think he's heard me saying it over and over to Isaac and so he picked it up.

Here's my cutie!!!!

Our brave boy

Caleb had his ear tube surgery this morning in Sioux Falls at the surgical tower. We had to be there at 6:30 am so it was an early morning for all of us. Caleb was not allowed anything to eat after midnight and could have 2 oz. of clear fluids prior to 5:30. I picked up out of his crib at 11:00 and stuck the bottle in his mouth. He drank 5 oz. without even waking up. I decided not to give him the clear liquids because I know after 2 oz. he would want more. He did surprisingly well. About 7:15 he was getting pretty tired and hungry. The nurses took him to the surgical room at about 8:00 and at about 8:30 he was back in the room with us. He was quite groggy and was having trouble waking up and was fussy. We fed him some apple juice and a little bit of formula and then I got him to sleep and he slept on my lap for about 45 minutes or so.

The Dr. told us that the surgery went well. He did see that he has ruptured his right eardrum twice and it is starting to heal. There is also infection remaining in his ears. He cleaned and drained everything he could get so that should relieve most of the pressure. He put Caleb on a 10 day dose of augmentin and a 5 day dose of ear drops. We go back for a check up on May 1st.

Caleb seems to be back to normal now but he has reverted backwards a bit and will not eat hardly any baby food. Luckily he's taking the bottle now so I don't plan on forcing him to eat if he doesn't want it.

Here are some pictures from the day...can't go anywhere without the camera you know!

Heading to Sioux Falls...too happy for 5:30 am.




Getting ready to go have surgery


Back with Mom and Dad


Finally out like a light after quite a bit of fussing


Dressed and ready to head home


Precious fingers


Asleep in the car


What a big day