Thursday, March 29, 2007

Joseph had his 1 year check-up
Yesterday Joseph went in for his one year check-up and everything looks great. The Dr. said he looks like he is developing wonderfully and most of the issues we have been dealing with during this past year seem to have self corrected. He continues to spit-up and have some signs of reflux but nothing worth medicating at this time, his extremities looked good we just have to wait and see what next winter brings! Joseph has gained weight (19.11 pounds) and has moved up to (almost) the 10th percent tile (from less than 3rd at 9 months), this is wonderful because as we move from baby food and bottles to table food and cups I don't have to be terrified that he is consuming enough calories, though it will continue to remain a concern for me I am sure. Joseph's height has dropped a bit, 28.5 inches to about the 15% tile. I think he is taller I don't think the nurse had him fully extended when she measured him, though I don't think she was short changing him inches so it probably would not have made much of a difference. I guess we can't count on that basketball scholarship to Xavier any more! This poor boy with his "skinny" (he doesn't look it to us), short body apparently has a huge head! He is nearing the 75% tile for head size, and they didn't even measure his cheeks! Over all he is doing well, we are continuing to monitor him and we go back again in 3 months.
It has been a crazy busy, full and wonderful year. We are settled into our house, neighborhood, and school, and really enjoying this family we have created. It is so amazing to not only watch your children grow as these incredible, independent, individuals but also as siblings and members of a family. It is really cool to be able to teach your children at such a young age about being part of a community and working together toward a common goal. Eileen and Olivia are such different people but they both offer one another and Joseph such important examples of how to live, Eileen with her structure and routine and Olivia with her humor and free spirit...I can't wait to see what Joseph takes from each of us to become his own person.

Monday, March 26, 2007

What a week!
Sorry it has been a while since I updated, we have been very busy this week! Last Saturday Joseph, Olivia and I went to Madison to celebrate St. Patrick's with Nana, Papa, Uncle Brian, Uncle Benjamin and Rachel. While we were on the road to Madison Bryan and Eileen went to the Pius track meet to work the jump pit. Eileen had a great time with her dad working, jumping and then of course out to lunch after. While Bryan and Eileen were working hard Nana was watching Olivia and Joseph for me so I could go to Brian's house to watch the Xavier/Ohio St. game with him and Uncle Benjamin. I don't know how many of you saw the game but it was a devastating loss in overtime, but still nice to be able to watch the game with the boys. After the game we enjoyed at traditional American-Irish dinner at Nana and Papa's house.
The next day we went to Ada and Emmet's first birthday party, the twins are 1! Joseph didn't really care that there was a party going on he just had fun with all the great toys!
Emmet and his Uncle Greg watching Joseph play with his toys

Eileen and Olivia "helping" Ada and Emmet open their birthday gifts

Ada and Emmet getting ready for cake

When we returned home on Monday the basement renovation began! Bryan's friend Rick came over and helped Bryan with the layout for a bathroom in the basement and that evening Bryan cut into the floor! He spent the next day cutting and digging out our basement floor and that afternoon Rick came back and hooked up all the piping. It is so refreshing to know that there are people out there willing to do things for others just out of the kindness of their hearts and not for any self gain. Rick took hours away from his family and his own free time to help us and wouldn't accept anything from us (I guess Bryan will have to supply a winning softball season, they play on the same team!).
On Friday Brian came in to celebrate Joseph's birthday on his birthday, and of course to help us with the basement. When Brian got here Bryan put him right to work, they went to the store to buy supplies and then they headed for the basement to mix the concrete, to fill in the whole Bryan had cut for the plumbing. We are now plumbed for a basement bathroom and the finishing can begin! Hours later the concrete had been poured and it was time for a party break.

We opened gifts, we gave Joseph a Dr. Seuss "Oh, the places you'll go" print for his room and his annual gift from us is a complete boxed set of baseball cards. This like the girls Waterford is a rather unexciting gift for a child but we hope in the future they come to appreciate the gift.
Joseph loved the tissue paper!

His wooden fire truck from Uncle Brian

Joseph really wanted to get at the cake, and yes that afternoon he had no time for pants!

Joseph ended up really enjoying his banana cake, he was a mess when he was done!

Want a taste?

Joseph playing with his new firetruck on the kitchen floor after we cleaned him up

After the party the boys went to get themselves some dinner and then back to the basement to begin the framing! They were working long after I went to bed and were able to get part of a wall framed, most importantly Bryan learned how to frame a wall properly.

Joseph saying good-by and thank you to Uncle Brian Saturday morning

Saturday afternoon we had Joseph's Baseball Birthday Party. We were so lucky the weather was perfect so the older kids were able to run around outside while the babies stayed inside with the ladies. There was lots to eat, we went through 6 pounds of nacho cheese and 4 pounds of chips! Plus all the brats hot dogs, cotton candy, licorice ropes, cracker jacks, popcorn, sunflower seeds, etc... oh yea, we did also have some healthy foods fruit, vegetables and milk.

Joseph opening his gifts, people were so generous now we really need to finish the basement so we have a place to use all of these great new toys!

Joseph "blowing" out his candle

Luis and his mini-me Diego

Yes, another birthday cake!

On Sunday Nana and Papa came in to celebrate Joseph's birthday with him. They came bright and early so they sat with us as the kids had their breakfast. They gave Joseph his birthday gifts but he was not very interested in opening them, thank goodness his sisters were there to help him. It was such a beautiful day (79) we had to spend it outside, so we all went to the park.
Nana feeding Joseph his cereal with molasses and Eileen doing her "Eileen the Banana Head" bit, Thank you Dora!

Joseph showing off his new toys from the Schuks

Trying to get Joseph to open his gifts from Nana and Papa

Like son like father, since Joseph was chewing on his sweatshirt Bryan had to also.

Joseph enjoying the sunshine

Eileen showing everyone how she can go across the monkey bars

Olivia riding on Eileen's bike.

Eileen showing us her basketball skills, not quite sure what Olivia's issue is!

We are now ready for a nice quite week, no parties, no cutting into the floor, just getting back into the regular swing of things. Thank you everyone for helping us celebrate Joseph's first birthday, it was so wonderful to see everyone.
Well we have one more beautiful day in the forecast so we are off to play outside!

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

SPRING!!!???
Has spring finally come to Wisconsin? The news says that this is just a tease and not to get used to the nice weather (60 today!). With this in mind the kids and I headed straight for the park. It was wet and there was still some snow around but it was too nice of a day to not be out and running around. The girls had a great time climbing, sliding, hanging, and swinging and Joseph loved the fresh air, he laughed every time the wind blew in his face! Joseph had fun crawling around on the equipment, though he still doesn't know to stop at an edge so we had to watch him closely.
Eileen calling me over to show me a huge puddle that she and Olivia would have to watch out for.

Olivia taking a turn on the twirly slide, always a big hit!

Eileen swinging on the rings, she was so proud of herself for being able to pump her legs and she wasn't even on a swing!

Joseph on the climbing equipment.

Joseph at the top of the slide, he just watched Olivia go down.

Olivia taking a turn swinging on the rings, I think she had more fun dropping into the puddle below her.

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Crafting!
This week the MOMS club went to Michael's to make a craft. It was a really fun trip, we listened to a story (The Grouchy Ladybug, one of my favorites) and then each child made a ladybug box. The girls had a great time, painting, gluing, cutting, and there were even pipe cleaners and googly eyes involved. It was a bit difficult at times to help the girls (Olivia needed help with the cutting, the rest she was able to do herself) and keep an eye on Joseph. He is teething again so if I was holding him while I helped the girls he was taking a chunk out of my shoulder, thank goodness he was happy with his toy and my keys on the floor for the most part!
Olivia painting her ladybug box all by herself

Eileen painting her ladybug box all by herself, can you tell which ones doesn't like to get her hands dirty...

The girls showing off their final creations! They were so proud of themselves and they did a wonderful job on their boxes and waiting patiently for the supplies and directions, I was very proud of them too!

Monday, March 05, 2007

BABIES!!!
This past Saturday Joseph and I traveled to Oregon, Wisconsin to visit with Troy, Michelle and her twins Ada and Emmet, and Andee and her son Diego. The babies are all around the same age, Diego is the oldest born in January and Michelle's kids were born three days before Joseph. I had such a great time getting to talk to my friends and hang out for a few hours without worrying what the girls were getting into. The babies were not sure what to make of one another at first but shortly after meeting one another they seemed to really enjoy each other. We did have a few times when all 4 babies would cry, one would start and the others would join in, I was laughing so hard! Poor Troy when they would all get going needless to say the conversation would stop and we would have to get everyone quiet again, he is so patient.
Diego is the only one walking right now and he is so proud of himself, he just beams every time he stands up to walk (he is too cute with all that hair!). Ada and Joseph are crawling and thus were able to move out of "Baby Land" without too much effort, though they seemed fairly content to just sit and play there. Emmet is army crawling and it is so funny to watch him, he puts so much effort into it and throws his head from side to side with every move. The kids did really well, I think this is the first time we have had all 4 together at once, and the last time they did meet they were very young and oblivious to what or who was around them other than mom and food.
The babies meeting for the first time, Diego is at the top with his back to the camera, then coming down the right side is Emmet, Ada and Joseph.
Andee was reading a book to Emmet, see how nicely he sits to listen to a story. Diego came over to see what his mom was up to and Joseph was happy to play with Tupperware.

While we were gone the girls had "Daddy Daughter Day"! Bryan and the girls went out to lunch (to watch the Badger game) and shopping (at Home Depo) and he bought them each a new outfit for spring. They are having a hard time waiting for warm weather to come and just had to try on their new outfits!

Thursday, March 01, 2007

More Snow!!
This morning we woke up to more snow! The roads were a mess, it took Bryan an hour and a half to get to work (typically a 20-25 min. commute). The girls sure had fun out there again though and as always were so cold that they just had to warm up with a cup of hot chocolate and marshmallows.
Eileen playing in the snow in the front yard while I shoveled.

Olivia doing her best to keep warm on the porch, she did not want to venture into the snow if there was no one available to carry her when she got too cold.