Easter 2011

Well Easter has come and gone.  It was a nice weekend but went fast as usual.  Saturday our first stop was to the Easter Egg Drop at the grocery store.  I'd never taken the boys before and really didn't know much about it but Ross' sister Gina was going to go and bring her son Caden.  We got there a few minutes before the drop and boy was it cold outside.  The eggs (or should I say wiffle balls) were dropped and they each had a number on them.  The boys gathered up their wiffle balls and then we were to take them into the store to cash them in.  Apparently we could only cash one in per child (the directions weren't very clear).  Both boys ended up with candy.  I think Caleb had butterfingers and Isaac M&M's.  They were pleased and that's what counts.  Gina and Caden took Caleb back to Grandma and Grandpa Kooiker's and I had to take Isaac into the clinic.  Yesterday Isaac had a mishap on our way into daycare and ran into the railing outside the door and cut his head open.  The cut was pretty deep so I took him in and he had his head glued.  However, by the time I picked him up from daycare that day he had picked all the glue off.  I really didn't want a scar on his head so I took him in hoping they could put something on it so he would leave it alone.  They ended up just leaving it though because it had already started to heal.  Oh well!

After the appointment we went over to Grandma Kooiker's and stayed there most of the afternoon.  We had dinner and then Caleb and I took a nap on the couch downstairs.  Grandma tried to get Isaac to take a nap but he wouldn't cooperate with Caden being there.  After naps we dyed Easter eggs. Both boys had a blast, even Isaac.  It was funny because at first Isaac kept putting his egg in the yellow dye.  He didn't realize he had lots of colors to choose from!!!!

Easter morning we went to Sunrise service which really isn't at sunrise but 8:30 is good for me with 2 little pokey boys in the morning.  I had gotten the boys cute short sleeved polo argyle dress shirts and khaki pants for church.  They looked so cute but of course we had no pictures in their outfits because at breakfast we had after church, Isaac decided to spill his orange juice and get frosting from his donut all over the front.  Figures.

We didn't go to the regular service but instead went home, changed and headed to my parents.  Ryan, Norah and Bjorn were there too for a visit. They had to get home early as Michelle had to work so wasn't able to come and they wanted to spend Easter with her.  We got to eat with the clan and the boys played for a little and then Ryan and the kids hit the road. 

We had a nice dinner with my parents and Ryan and the kids, then the boys took a nap for a while and then we had a chance to go play at the park for a while.  It was a good day for all of us.

Here are some pictures from the weekend.

All about me

I usually devote most of my posts to the boys since, well they are the center of our universe LOL!!!  I thought I'd share a little bit about what I've been doing since mid January.  I met a friend on an online adoption support group I have participated in since we brought Isaac home.  This friend also happens to be a physical trainer along with her husband.  They offer programs from their website http://www.flesh2fresh.com/

They compile workout programs based on your individual needs and offer nutrition advice.  I'm almost done with my 13th week and I'm proud to say I've lost a total of 13.25 inches and have dropped just about 2 pant sizes depending on the style.  I'm very pleased and know it's the best thing for me and my family.  I've decided I want to do this for myself and I've been trying to eat clean eliminating dairy, processed foods, caffine and sweets.  The nutrition part is probably the hardest because we have a lot of food around the house that Ross can eat that I really can't eat.  It's hard but I know this is how it's going to be.  It's hard when Ross makes a pan of cookie bars and I can't even have one.  A few months ago I would have probably caved and had one but not this time.  I made him put the pan out of reach and when it's out of reach it's not worth the effort to get one so I'm safe!

Not only am I working out 5-6 days a week I'm training for a 5k.  I plan on running the whole thing which is going to be a huge accomplishment for me.  I've done a few 5k's in the past but I always walked them.  My goal is to beat my last year walk of 44 minutes.  I know I'll beat it if I run the whole thing.  I'm not a fast runner and may never be, but I am running and that's what's important.  I know running is going to help the inches continue to drop and that's why I continue.  I've had to do the treadmill this winter but now that it's warming up outside I'm going to attempt to do more runs outside if I can find someone to watch the boys.  I can't really do my runs in the  mornig because it's too dark out so I have to do it in the evening.

For those of you that aren't on my Facebook page, here's the comparison picture I posted after 10 weeks.  I've lost more since then but haven't updated the picture yet. 

Here's to a healthier lifestyle and a healthier me!

February

It's hard to believe we're already half way through February.  Time just flies.  The boys are doing pretty good.  I'm glad it's warmed up this past week so they could get some outside time.  It's hard being stuck in the house all the time.  We're currently trying to clean up our unfinished basement so we can lay some carpet down and set up the boys basketball hoop they got for Christmas.  I intend to bring all their big farm toys down there so they aren't overtaking my living room anymore :-)

Caleb has made huge success in potty training and I am guessing he'll be trained before long.  A few weeks ago I put him in underwear and he had no accidents over an entire weekend.  I sent him to daycare in his underwear and he had one poop accident.  Because of that we were instructed he had to be in pull ups.  So we've had a little regression because as long as he has pull ups on he'll go in them verses the potty.  I'm not a fan of pull ups at all as they're basically diapers.  Hopefully in time he'll just learn even with the pull ups on.

Isaac doesn't seem too interested in potty training right now but we have other issues at hand.  Isaac's Sensory Processing Disorder has been kicked into high gear with regard to clothing.  The last 3 weeks or so he's really been putting up a fight when it comes to clothing.  He hates just about everything.  He's literally thrown outrageous throw himself on the floor screaming fits over shoes, socks, boots, diaper, pull up, sweat pants, swishy pants, athletic pants, jeans, long sleeved shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, zip up coats, you name it!  It came on all of a sudden.  He's always had "some" clothing issues but not to this extent so it's a really trying time right now.  We are currently on the waiting list to see a developmental/behavioral pediatrician and we are finally getting Isaac evaluated to see if he has a true SPD diagnosis.  I started reading a book about SPD and I find it quite amazing that 1 out of 20 children have this.  It's becoming more and more common these days so I really hope we find some ways of handling his sensory issues.

Because it's Valentine's Day here's a few pictures of the boys.  I am such a blessed Mommy and wife.  I received a 2 night motel stay and concert to Kenny Chesney in March.  Each of the Grandma's are taking one of the boys for those 2 nights.  I'm very excited to say the least!

My brother makes me laugh



Yep we're best friends!

My hair is pretty cool when Mommy spikes it!

I have hair like my Uncle Nolan.

I am as cute as ever-just ask my parents! 

I'm a ladies man don't you think?

My Valentine present from Mommy & Daddy!

Being silly for the camera

I've got such a personality!!!!

Mommy decided to grow my hair this winter, isn't it cute?

I was driving a boat in the church nursery at cousin Chad's

Birthday party!

2011

Our family goal this year is to stay healthy healthy healthy.  Is it wishful thinking?  Yeah probably.  We didn't end 2010 so well and passed the stomach bug around a few too many times.  The boys have respiratory colds right  now and I'm hoping and praying it resolves without a need to go to the doctor.  The last thing I want is to expose my sick kids to more germs and the chance of coming down with something else.  Last week Caleb was under the weather.  I knew he wasn't acting himself when I dropped him off at daycare on Wednesday but I figured he was just tired from his all night coughing and head cold.  I got a call before lunch time and his fever was 99.8.  By 1:30 it had increased to 101.8 so I picked my sick boy up and went home.  That evening Caleb was quite lethargic and his fever skyrocketed to 104.1.  I hate when fevers get so high.  The good news is that alternating tylenol and motrin seemed to do the trick because he slept all night and woke up with only a 99.6 fever. 

Both boys are still battling the yucky cough but other than that they seem to be doing well so I just hope that's all they get and no more stomach bugs.  I've actually started taking an over the counter pro-biotic myself and I am getting the boys some chewable ones.  I'm bound and determined to keep the stomach bug away. 

Here's hoping to a happy and healthy 2011!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

December, 2010

Wow, I can't believe 2010 has almost come to an end.  It seems like the years just fly by lately. 

December hasn't been the best month for our family.  We've been hit very hard with the stomach virus.  We always get it a lot each year but this has been the worst year by far.  I can honestly say that someone in our family of 4 has literally had the stomach flu every single week since November 26th.  We keep passing it around and I haven't seen an end in site yet.  Poor Caleb was hit with another strain of it right at Christmas time.  He woke up 1:00 am on the 24th with it.  The 25th he was much better and his fever had broken.  I thought he was on the mend, but come to find out he wasn't.  He got sick at Great Grandpa's on the 25th around 10 pm.  I felt so bad for him but at least he was able to enjoy his new toys during the day on Christmas.  He even went outside and played on his new sled with Isaac.  So I've washed, disinfected, bleached, lysoled about everything I can.  I'm just praying I don't get it yet again.  I'd really prefer to be able to work since I've only been there 3 months and have missed 3 or 4 days of work already.

Our first Christmas gathering was December 18th.  Ross, the boys and I were lucky to stay in one of the rooms at West Oaks, above where our party room was.  It was great for the boys.  It had a big jacuzzi tub and the boys thought it was the best ever.  Caleb's already asked me a couple times to go back.  It was really a good time with my extended family.  There are a lot of young ones in the family now.  I believe we had a 1, 2, 2, 3, 4, 4, 10, 13, 14, 14 year old.  The young ones participated in a book exchange which was a big hit for my boys.  We read our new books every night.  The adults did the annual  grab bag which was fun as usual.

Sunday the 19th we had Christmas with my parents, brothers and their families.  It was a lot of fun.  The little ones drew names and exchanged.  Isaac and Caleb received the neatest John Deere nap mat from Bjorn and Norah and they love them!!!!  Grandma and Grandpa got the boys a pair of shorts, pajamas, jumbo farm animals and they contributed to their new car seats.  It was a lot of fun with the family.  The only grandchild missing was Josh as he's in Afghanistan right now.  We miss him lots and are praying for his safe return home.  He will be coming home in January on a 2 week leave.  His son will be making his arrival very soon.  Yes I am going to be a Great Aunt-now that sounds old doesn't it?

Christmas Eve was a great day/evening except for little Caleb being sick.  We continued to rehearse with Isaac his line in the program.  He told us he would go up by his buddy Cole and say his line and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus.  The preschoolers this year were two 5 year olds, a almost 4 year old, Isaac at 3 and another 3 year old I believe.  Isaac was hesitant to go up by himself but his buddy Cole pulled him up front and one of the directors talked him into going up front.  Once he was up there he did great.  He waived at Mommy with a big smile.  He said his line perfectly and sang his song.  When he was done he said "Mommy I did it".  It was a very proud Mommy moment.  My baby is growing up.  After the program my parents, Ross' parents and Ross' brother Nolan came over for pizza and snacks.  The boys got to open a couple presents, it was a great night. 

Christmas morning the boys were very excited for more presents that Santa brought!  The trains were the biggest hit and they played with them all day long.  We took time to take them sledding outside and had a great day at home just the 4 of us.  We went over to Great Grandpa Winter's for supper and more presents.  It was a little different without Great Grandma but still a great time.  The boys got some nice clothes, a truck and blocks.  Isaac loves his guitar shirt and was sure to show everyone!  It was too cute.  We even got a picture of Great Grandpa with all his Great Grandchildren, priceless!

New Years Eve we had our Christmas celebration with Ross' parents and siblings.  Erin made it home which was nice too.  The boys had a great time at cousin Caden's house.  They loved playing football including wearing football jerseys and helmets.  Cousin Caden was nice enough to give his jerseys that were too small to Caleb and Isaac.  It was hard to get the boys to take their jersey's off to eat and open presents.  Too cute.  The boys got a lot of fun things.  They received quite a few farm toys:  hay wagon, ripper, disc, silage chopper.  They got a couple trucks, a ball set of a basketball, football and soccer ball and even a big basketball hoop that converts to a football goal post.

New Years Day we went over to Great Grandpa Winter's house for pancakes (Speckin' Deckin) and french toast.  It was very good, even without Great Grandma there to make it.  Grandma Kooiker did most of the work and did a great job.  We stayed for a few hours and then went home so the boys could get naps in before our final Christmas gathering that night.  We had our extended Kooiker Christmas.  It was good to see family that we don't see very often.  The boys got a small present and had tons of fun playing with cousin Caden and Gabe.

A few pictures

Well I do believe the warm weather is about done for. Cold weather is going to be here this week.  I didn't get many fall pictures as my camera hasn't been taking clear pictures.  I'm hoping to purchase a nice camera after Christmas.

The boys are doing good and continuing to grow.  They were both weighed and measured last week.  They are very close in size.  Isaac is 36 inches tall and 32.4 lbs.  Caleb is 35 1/8 inch tall and 31 lbs.  Caleb is catching up to Isaac very fast!

Both boys have been good at using the potty when we ask but they aren't to the point where they tell us when they have to go.  The other night both boys insisted on wearing big boy underwear.  I let them do it for a little while as bath was going to be soon.  I know Isaac isn't ready to be potty trained yet. He had wet his pants and didn't even tell me.  I found a wet spot on the floor.  Caleb stood up and told me he had to go potty and ran to the bathroom but it was too late and he made a big mess in his pants.  I'm pretty sure Caleb will be ready before Isaac but at least they're attempting.  It's definitely a start!

Well here's some pictures from this fall and a few pictures with all 3 of my "men" in their blue shirts.