For the past week or so Noah has had a nasty runny nose along with coughing at night that wakes us all up. The past couple of nights it has been crying, not being able to fall back asleep, and waking up at 5 or 6 in the morning. The worse part of this has been the acting out in naughty behaviors such as not listening or throwing/stepping on toys. Typically the not sleeping well combined with the behaviors is a clear indication for Greg and I that Noah is not feeling well and is either at the point of needing to go to the doctor or getting very close to it. For some reason(well many actually), this combination of clues did not trigger an internal signal to either of us that Noah was not feeling the greatest. It was not until today at about 10 am when we got a call from, "Our Mary" (daycare provider) that we understood exactly how icky Noah felt. Knowing that Noah is a pretty high energy kid, Mary was pretty surprised, maybe down right shocked, when Noah approached her at the playground this morning saying he was cold. Then asked to lay down in the wagon under a heap of blankets. Noah- not playing at the playground- out of the norm!!!!! So she preceded to take his temp to find that it was 101 under his arm... probably higher. Poor little buddy. I had just gotten out of a client visit so I was able to pick him up and take him in to Mayo Express care...and the verdict is... Pretty nasty ear infection on one side and fluid and the start of another ear infection on the other side. I am constantly amazed at how tough our little guy is. To top it all off, he has stayed DRY and gone in the toilet for over 24 hours now! What a big boy!
Last night I had my first experience on the driving range to test out my new golf clubs! Grandma came over to play with Noah and James so Greg and I could head over to Meadow Lakes. The whole way there Greg kept telling me not to be nervous and that no one ever comes to this golf course. We get there and it is completely full. Great. I did okay at the beginning but I could tell that it is going to take some work to build up the endurance for such a different sport. I'm looking forward to this new adventure for Greg and I. I think it's going to be something that he and I will enjoy doing together long after our babies grow up.
Sounds like our anniversary plans are changing... stay tuned to hear more details on that.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Potty Training!!
Jen has gotten off to fast start with this family blog, but I finally made it to a break in my schedule (for a day or two anyway), so I thought I would give it a go. So, fasten your seat belts for a bumpy ride!!!
We have been really struggling trying to convince Noah to go potty on the toilet. For whatever reason (I would argue he is afraid of trying some thing new), he refuses to try.
When he is ready to go potty, he usually runs off into another room and isolates himself. Jen and I are usually occupied with something else and by the time we notice the eery quietness it is too late. Every time we ask him we get the same response..."No!" We have waited for almost a year for him to take interest in it, and this has not paid off. He has become more defiant as time has gone on!
Below is a typical response we get from him when we encourage him to go on the potty. He likes to be left alone and to have the door closed.
Note: You may have to turn up your volume to hear what he says, but it is "I don't want to!"
Fast forward to this morning...
For some reason when I woke up I had this incredible urge to make this happen. We told him, "No more diapers!" Now, keep in mind we had done this a couple of other times before, and after many accidents (including an unfortunate incident when he both pooped and peed on the floor when his potty chair was 3 feet away), we had given up each time. So, this proposition was no sure thing.
At first, he wouldn't even put on the undies we had for him. So, we let that go and he went in his birthday suit for a while. Finally, we convinced him to wear the undies...not more than a half hour later we had our first accident. No harm, no foul..but we did lose one of his favorite books in the process. We cleaned him up and put on a new pair of undies and went for round two. He was advised that he needed to tell us when he had to go. He made it about another hour and he was wet again...accident #2! At this point he had not made any effort to tell us he was going to go, so we were a little frustrated. It was time to put the baby diapers back on, we told him. Then something interesting happened. He didn't want them! We had told him before that if he couldn't wear underwear like a big boy then he couldn't do other big boy things like watch Scooby Doo or ride his bike. We had also bribed him with ice cream if he went. So, looking at this refusal of the diaper as a good thing, we continued on.
After one more accident while we were out for a picnic (outside, so not that big of a deal), we came back home and this is when the magic happened. I laid him down and asked him if he had to go...he said no. I told him if he decided he had to that he should yell, "I have to go potty!" and we we would come help. I shut the door and started head away when I heard, "I have to go potty!" Thinking he was just messing with me I went back to scold him, only he confirmed this time he really did have to go! So, we raced to the bathroom and sat him down and our son went potty in the toilet for the very first time!
Over the course of the day, he only has had one more accident and has gone in the potty 5 more times. One time he even did a little number 2! Needless to say, we are pretty pumped! Of course, we got him his ice cream and he got to ride his bike and watch his movies, so all was well in his world!
Here is a photo of the champ in his new big boy undies! Be sure to notice the "Buckle up for Safety!" sticker Noah got from the checkout lady at Target after he told her all about how he went poop and pee in the toilet! Nice!
And to close it out and not make this post totally about my child's bodily functions, here are some pictures from out rather eventful weekend. Jen, Grandma Marianne, and the boys went out to Essex Park on Saturday morning to play while I was at class, and then today we went out to Mayowood for a picnic lunch.
Hope you enjoyed it! Please leave a comment about your favorite potty training story and any tips or best practices you have for us going forward!
We have been really struggling trying to convince Noah to go potty on the toilet. For whatever reason (I would argue he is afraid of trying some thing new), he refuses to try.
When he is ready to go potty, he usually runs off into another room and isolates himself. Jen and I are usually occupied with something else and by the time we notice the eery quietness it is too late. Every time we ask him we get the same response..."No!" We have waited for almost a year for him to take interest in it, and this has not paid off. He has become more defiant as time has gone on!
Below is a typical response we get from him when we encourage him to go on the potty. He likes to be left alone and to have the door closed.
Note: You may have to turn up your volume to hear what he says, but it is "I don't want to!"
Fast forward to this morning...
For some reason when I woke up I had this incredible urge to make this happen. We told him, "No more diapers!" Now, keep in mind we had done this a couple of other times before, and after many accidents (including an unfortunate incident when he both pooped and peed on the floor when his potty chair was 3 feet away), we had given up each time. So, this proposition was no sure thing.
At first, he wouldn't even put on the undies we had for him. So, we let that go and he went in his birthday suit for a while. Finally, we convinced him to wear the undies...not more than a half hour later we had our first accident. No harm, no foul..but we did lose one of his favorite books in the process. We cleaned him up and put on a new pair of undies and went for round two. He was advised that he needed to tell us when he had to go. He made it about another hour and he was wet again...accident #2! At this point he had not made any effort to tell us he was going to go, so we were a little frustrated. It was time to put the baby diapers back on, we told him. Then something interesting happened. He didn't want them! We had told him before that if he couldn't wear underwear like a big boy then he couldn't do other big boy things like watch Scooby Doo or ride his bike. We had also bribed him with ice cream if he went. So, looking at this refusal of the diaper as a good thing, we continued on.
After one more accident while we were out for a picnic (outside, so not that big of a deal), we came back home and this is when the magic happened. I laid him down and asked him if he had to go...he said no. I told him if he decided he had to that he should yell, "I have to go potty!" and we we would come help. I shut the door and started head away when I heard, "I have to go potty!" Thinking he was just messing with me I went back to scold him, only he confirmed this time he really did have to go! So, we raced to the bathroom and sat him down and our son went potty in the toilet for the very first time!
Over the course of the day, he only has had one more accident and has gone in the potty 5 more times. One time he even did a little number 2! Needless to say, we are pretty pumped! Of course, we got him his ice cream and he got to ride his bike and watch his movies, so all was well in his world!
Here is a photo of the champ in his new big boy undies! Be sure to notice the "Buckle up for Safety!" sticker Noah got from the checkout lady at Target after he told her all about how he went poop and pee in the toilet! Nice!
And to close it out and not make this post totally about my child's bodily functions, here are some pictures from out rather eventful weekend. Jen, Grandma Marianne, and the boys went out to Essex Park on Saturday morning to play while I was at class, and then today we went out to Mayowood for a picnic lunch.
Hope you enjoyed it! Please leave a comment about your favorite potty training story and any tips or best practices you have for us going forward!
Friday, July 24, 2009
5:00 AM
At 5 AM I awoke to a thud and crying. My first reaction was to check and see whether James was in our bed or his. After seeing James' sleeping face next to me I nudged Greg to go check on Noah. He walked into the boys' room to find Noah standing by his bed crying. Now, Greg had not heard the thump so I promptly let him know that Noah had most likely fallen out of his bed. What should have been a quick, "it's okay, have a drink of water" and go back to sleep turned into Noah trying to sleep in our bed. At this point James woke up and joined the early morning party. My thinking that maybe James would fall back asleep in his own bed was sadly wrong when he started crying. I went back to get him, held him, and sat on the edge of my bed with him. It was then that I realized I was getting wet and something smelled all too familiar. James had exploded out the front of his diaper, which makes sense because he likes to roll himself over and sleep on his tummy. His crib, clothing, and myself were covered. I have not had to give either of my boys a bath at 5:45 in the morning before today. At this point Greg and I resolved to just waking up for the day, but after working on a paper for school until midnight last night, Greg is really not pleased.
It is going to be a long day. All we can say is, "Thank God it's Friday!"
It is going to be a long day. All we can say is, "Thank God it's Friday!"
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
It's the simple things
Greg is golfing tonight with his dad and while we were going to hang out with Grandma Marianne we opted not to. It's been a long day... with headaches and tired boys.
Noah enjoyed mac and cheese and I ate some peaches with cottage cheese. We spent the next hour or so amused by James attempting to crawl. He's been trying so hard and only has a couple bumps on his face to show for it. I really think he's on his way to crawling as his brother did. One leg tucked in and the other out. I love that James is so patient... with his daddy, Noah and myself! He just takes it all in!
I tried to get some video of Noah singing the ABC's or Itsy Bitsy spider tonight but he was pretty camera shy... a trait I know he does not get from his father.
After spending some time jamming on youtube watching music videos from the 90's such as Eve 6, Everclear, Eagle Eye cherry, deep blue something, and gin blossoms my baby boy is sleeping and Mr. Noah is absorbed in his newest addiction... Scooby Doo! A much needed break for mom!
Greg and I will be married for 4 years this coming September! We just decided what we're doing for our anniversary... The boys will be in Mayo's back up daycare that day so we are going to take the day off and go golfing at Maple Valley... only one catch- Greg is making me golf with him. Now for most of you, you know that Jen does a much better job running cross country meets on golf courses than actually golfing on them. Usually when I go with Greg I carry his bag or ride in the cart, etc. I have never golfed in my life. Mini-golfing does not count but perhaps I will be okay at putting! It should be an adventure and I'm looking forward to spending the day with my lovey and trying something new. Plus, he is buying me golf clubs out of the deal... can't argue with that I suppose.. we're going to be in trouble if I hate it though :)
On a somewhat random note... today I realized that I have spent 20 months of my life breastfeeding... so far.... probably about 6 or 7 more to go. While I love this time with my babies... I'm ready to have my body back and not leak at the most inopportune times! I know once they're grown up though I'm going to miss that cuddle/quiet time with them.
Thought it would be fun to have some, "then and now" pictures... Enjoy!
Noah enjoyed mac and cheese and I ate some peaches with cottage cheese. We spent the next hour or so amused by James attempting to crawl. He's been trying so hard and only has a couple bumps on his face to show for it. I really think he's on his way to crawling as his brother did. One leg tucked in and the other out. I love that James is so patient... with his daddy, Noah and myself! He just takes it all in!
I tried to get some video of Noah singing the ABC's or Itsy Bitsy spider tonight but he was pretty camera shy... a trait I know he does not get from his father.
After spending some time jamming on youtube watching music videos from the 90's such as Eve 6, Everclear, Eagle Eye cherry, deep blue something, and gin blossoms my baby boy is sleeping and Mr. Noah is absorbed in his newest addiction... Scooby Doo! A much needed break for mom!
Greg and I will be married for 4 years this coming September! We just decided what we're doing for our anniversary... The boys will be in Mayo's back up daycare that day so we are going to take the day off and go golfing at Maple Valley... only one catch- Greg is making me golf with him. Now for most of you, you know that Jen does a much better job running cross country meets on golf courses than actually golfing on them. Usually when I go with Greg I carry his bag or ride in the cart, etc. I have never golfed in my life. Mini-golfing does not count but perhaps I will be okay at putting! It should be an adventure and I'm looking forward to spending the day with my lovey and trying something new. Plus, he is buying me golf clubs out of the deal... can't argue with that I suppose.. we're going to be in trouble if I hate it though :)
On a somewhat random note... today I realized that I have spent 20 months of my life breastfeeding... so far.... probably about 6 or 7 more to go. While I love this time with my babies... I'm ready to have my body back and not leak at the most inopportune times! I know once they're grown up though I'm going to miss that cuddle/quiet time with them.
Thought it would be fun to have some, "then and now" pictures... Enjoy!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Busy Tuesday
WoW! Greg just filled me in on what our/his evening is going to look like...
Work until 5
Group Project downtown 5:30
Eat/Change for Softball 8:15
Leave for Softball 8:30
Softball 9-10
Writing a Paper 10:30-??????
Jen and the boys evening... Hang out at home until bedtime.. maybe a trip to the school/playground after dinner!
Post from facebook yesterday:
Jen 'Salvog' Davis wonders if it is too much to ask to have a family similar to ours (age and with little kids) as neighbors so that I can sit on the steps and chat at night after the kids go to bed without having to A. find a babysitter B. worry about keeping the kids out past their bed time so I can have an adult conversation C. Going anywhere??? Apparently I took my former life of having siblings, Michelle, and college for granted!
This got 7 responses... I am starting to think that I am not the only mother of little ones that gets lonely and wouldn't mind having someone next door for support/friendship...Won't be moving anytime soon, however.
Work until 5
Group Project downtown 5:30
Eat/Change for Softball 8:15
Leave for Softball 8:30
Softball 9-10
Writing a Paper 10:30-??????
Jen and the boys evening... Hang out at home until bedtime.. maybe a trip to the school/playground after dinner!
Post from facebook yesterday:
Jen 'Salvog' Davis wonders if it is too much to ask to have a family similar to ours (age and with little kids) as neighbors so that I can sit on the steps and chat at night after the kids go to bed without having to A. find a babysitter B. worry about keeping the kids out past their bed time so I can have an adult conversation C. Going anywhere??? Apparently I took my former life of having siblings, Michelle, and college for granted!
This got 7 responses... I am starting to think that I am not the only mother of little ones that gets lonely and wouldn't mind having someone next door for support/friendship...Won't be moving anytime soon, however.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Trip to Little Falls...
This past weekend Jen,the boys,and our good friend Rachel (Greg had class) took a road trip to Little Falls for Grandma Chachi(Deb) and Grandpa Darren's vow renewal ceremony/summer party. They were married July 18th, 1992.
The ride to Little Falls was pretty uneventful with only one stop. Noah started complaining of his tummy hurting and when the big tears starting falling I promptly pulled over the car for fear of having to smell vomit the rest of the trip if I didn't. I got him out of his seat and stood him on the side of hwy. 52. After about 2 minutes he tells me he is okay and it feels better... strange.
Saturday's weather was a challenge. I don't think I've gotten that cold to hot and back again so quickly in my life. The boys went through at least 3 outfit changes a piece.
Julie and I walked down the aisle together and then went to sit with our babes. My time of watching the ceremony was short lived however when the escape artist, a.k.a Noah slipped out of my grip and ran to the front to ask Grandma Chachi for a snack. I then chased him around the yard trying to contain him and keep him from screaming/crying. I completely missed the actual vows, ripped my sister's skirt that I was wearing, and had one heck of a crabby child. I should also note at this point that both Noah and James have had colds all week, were already overtired, and were surrounded by mostly strangers... can we say recipe for disaster? The Ceremony was beautiful none the less.
They also had a pig roast which smelled amazing and tasted equally as great! That along with Grandpa Ivan's potato salad... pretty sure I was in heaven! I don't think I have laughed quite so hard as I did when my cousin John installed a fart application on my phone. It was also great to have James meet more of the family.
After several battles with Noah, including trying to get him out of the river, we cut the weekend short and packed up to go back to Rochester. Not having talked to Greg all day made this somewhat sneaky on my part. The boys and I arrived home around 11:30, with no Greg to be found. I got them all situated in their own beds and waited for Greg to get home. He called about 12:15 saying he had gone to a late movie and was on his way home. At this point I had still not told him that we were no longer in Little Falls. Still on the phone, I heard him pull into the garage, unlock the door, walk into our bedroom and turn the light on to find me sitting on the bed. I don't think I have ever seen someone jump so high or scream so loud. Guess his sense of fight or flight would be the second. Still unclear how he was oblivious to the fact that my car was in the garage, or the diaper bag was on the kitchen floor. Still not sure if my being home early made up for the trauma I caused him???
In our first post we mentioned video. We recently purchased a Flip Video recorder so the following are some videos of the kids doing their favorite things! Enjoy!
The ride to Little Falls was pretty uneventful with only one stop. Noah started complaining of his tummy hurting and when the big tears starting falling I promptly pulled over the car for fear of having to smell vomit the rest of the trip if I didn't. I got him out of his seat and stood him on the side of hwy. 52. After about 2 minutes he tells me he is okay and it feels better... strange.
Saturday's weather was a challenge. I don't think I've gotten that cold to hot and back again so quickly in my life. The boys went through at least 3 outfit changes a piece.
Julie and I walked down the aisle together and then went to sit with our babes. My time of watching the ceremony was short lived however when the escape artist, a.k.a Noah slipped out of my grip and ran to the front to ask Grandma Chachi for a snack. I then chased him around the yard trying to contain him and keep him from screaming/crying. I completely missed the actual vows, ripped my sister's skirt that I was wearing, and had one heck of a crabby child. I should also note at this point that both Noah and James have had colds all week, were already overtired, and were surrounded by mostly strangers... can we say recipe for disaster? The Ceremony was beautiful none the less.
They also had a pig roast which smelled amazing and tasted equally as great! That along with Grandpa Ivan's potato salad... pretty sure I was in heaven! I don't think I have laughed quite so hard as I did when my cousin John installed a fart application on my phone. It was also great to have James meet more of the family.
After several battles with Noah, including trying to get him out of the river, we cut the weekend short and packed up to go back to Rochester. Not having talked to Greg all day made this somewhat sneaky on my part. The boys and I arrived home around 11:30, with no Greg to be found. I got them all situated in their own beds and waited for Greg to get home. He called about 12:15 saying he had gone to a late movie and was on his way home. At this point I had still not told him that we were no longer in Little Falls. Still on the phone, I heard him pull into the garage, unlock the door, walk into our bedroom and turn the light on to find me sitting on the bed. I don't think I have ever seen someone jump so high or scream so loud. Guess his sense of fight or flight would be the second. Still unclear how he was oblivious to the fact that my car was in the garage, or the diaper bag was on the kitchen floor. Still not sure if my being home early made up for the trauma I caused him???
In our first post we mentioned video. We recently purchased a Flip Video recorder so the following are some videos of the kids doing their favorite things! Enjoy!
Meet our family
The lack of emotional security of our American young people is due, I believe, to their isolation from the larger family unit. No two people - no mere father and mother - as I have often said, are enough to provide emotional security for a child. He needs to feel himself one in a world of kinfolk, persons of variety in age and temperament, and yet allied to himself by an indissoluble bond which he cannot break if he could, for nature has welded him into it before he was born. ~Pearl S. Buck
Over the last six years we've explored what family is and what it means to us. Greg and I have grown in our relationship and become a family together while also bringing Noah and James along for the ride. Greg and I met the summer of 2003 at Luther Park Bible Camp in Danbury, Wisconsin. We were engaged December of 2004 and married September of 2005. Noah graced us with his presence June of 2006 and James December 2008. Greg and I constantly remark about how quickly our relationship progressed and how we would not change a moment of it for anything. Often times we find ourselves somewhat out of the norm, and downright lonely, when it comes to where other people our age are at in their lives, however at the end of the day we feel blessed to know that we have each other and our beautiful sons.
You may wonder what the significance of the quote at the beginning of this post is all about... We have some family living near us but the majority is anywhere from an hour, three, or another state away. Our hope is that although we may not get to see those loved ones that often; they can still experience and be a part of our daily lives through updates, pictures, and videos. As some of you know raising little ones can sometimes leave you feeling isolated or detached from the world... so here is to our reaching out and connecting!
Introductions:
Greg: BUSY! Greg is constantly up to something. He is currently a student in the Masters of Health Care Administration program through the University of Minnesota. For the past two years he has been working for Mayo Clinic in their patient accounts department. He also plays on a softball league and a golf league. Last summer he played the role of the Beast in Beauty and the Beast in the Stewartville Community Theater. He would love to do more acting/singing in the future... when time allows.
Jen: I finished my schooling in December of 2006 with a Masters in Social Work. After staying home with Noah for his first year and a half of life we moved down to Rochester and I started working full time. I currently work for Olmsted County as a Child Protection Social Worker. I can honestly say that I have never been more emotionally invested in a career before. There is so much gray area and blurred lines of how to help the families I work with. I had a short 8 weeks off following the birth of James but have been back to work full time since March. My most recent challenge is running Grandma's Marathon in Duluth 2010. This will be my second marathon and it happens to fall on my 26th birthday. I'll be running it with my sister Jamie.
Noah: Mr. Noah just turned 3 at the beginning of June. He has quite the attitude but also the kindest, most sincere heart too. His newest accomplishment is learning to pedal on his bike! He loves milk, specifically chocolate milk as well as any type of cereal/snack! The kid seriously eats like a 13 year old boy! He never will allow you to be bored...very strong willed!
James: James is 6 1/2 months old. He shares the same birthday as his great-grandma, Elaine! James is very in tune with his surroundings, like a sponge he absorbs everything. More often than not he seems to have his, "thinking face" in action for all to see. He has just started eating some veggies (carrots, squash).
We hope that you enjoy the opportunity to share in the laughs, smiles, challenges, and joy with us. Until next time...
Over the last six years we've explored what family is and what it means to us. Greg and I have grown in our relationship and become a family together while also bringing Noah and James along for the ride. Greg and I met the summer of 2003 at Luther Park Bible Camp in Danbury, Wisconsin. We were engaged December of 2004 and married September of 2005. Noah graced us with his presence June of 2006 and James December 2008. Greg and I constantly remark about how quickly our relationship progressed and how we would not change a moment of it for anything. Often times we find ourselves somewhat out of the norm, and downright lonely, when it comes to where other people our age are at in their lives, however at the end of the day we feel blessed to know that we have each other and our beautiful sons.
You may wonder what the significance of the quote at the beginning of this post is all about... We have some family living near us but the majority is anywhere from an hour, three, or another state away. Our hope is that although we may not get to see those loved ones that often; they can still experience and be a part of our daily lives through updates, pictures, and videos. As some of you know raising little ones can sometimes leave you feeling isolated or detached from the world... so here is to our reaching out and connecting!
Introductions:
Greg: BUSY! Greg is constantly up to something. He is currently a student in the Masters of Health Care Administration program through the University of Minnesota. For the past two years he has been working for Mayo Clinic in their patient accounts department. He also plays on a softball league and a golf league. Last summer he played the role of the Beast in Beauty and the Beast in the Stewartville Community Theater. He would love to do more acting/singing in the future... when time allows.
Jen: I finished my schooling in December of 2006 with a Masters in Social Work. After staying home with Noah for his first year and a half of life we moved down to Rochester and I started working full time. I currently work for Olmsted County as a Child Protection Social Worker. I can honestly say that I have never been more emotionally invested in a career before. There is so much gray area and blurred lines of how to help the families I work with. I had a short 8 weeks off following the birth of James but have been back to work full time since March. My most recent challenge is running Grandma's Marathon in Duluth 2010. This will be my second marathon and it happens to fall on my 26th birthday. I'll be running it with my sister Jamie.
Noah: Mr. Noah just turned 3 at the beginning of June. He has quite the attitude but also the kindest, most sincere heart too. His newest accomplishment is learning to pedal on his bike! He loves milk, specifically chocolate milk as well as any type of cereal/snack! The kid seriously eats like a 13 year old boy! He never will allow you to be bored...very strong willed!
James: James is 6 1/2 months old. He shares the same birthday as his great-grandma, Elaine! James is very in tune with his surroundings, like a sponge he absorbs everything. More often than not he seems to have his, "thinking face" in action for all to see. He has just started eating some veggies (carrots, squash).
We hope that you enjoy the opportunity to share in the laughs, smiles, challenges, and joy with us. Until next time...
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