March 2011

Yay, it has been awhile since I have posted. Life gets crazy.

Here is a quick update:

Jake just finished his Mites hockey season. He is fast, so look out! He has been doing some "work", print and commercial. He thinks its pretty cool. And he is banking some cash!

Sydney is loving Kindergarten, and is very proud of how well she is reading. She is making some great friends. Sydney has enjoyed being a "Daisy" this year, and sold girl scout cookies for her troop. She just started up swim lessons again.

Regan is LOVING farm school this year. And really loves her alone time with "just me", and she refers to it. She has told me several times she doesn't want to get big and grow up. Regan continues to be the silly one in the family, and is always caring for her dollies.

Did I post we got a puppy? Last fall. He is cute, but I wish the potty training and chewing would end soon. I kind of forgot how much work puppies are, but boy are they cute!

Happy Birthday Regan! 3 years and Counting...

My sweet Regan!

You light up my days, you bring so much joy to our family! You are a little dolly.

Regan you are silly, our little comedian. You love to sing, and talk, you love to take care of your dolls. You often refer to them as your kids..."be quiet, by kids are sleeping"..."I need to go and wake my kids". You setup these intricate displays for your dolls of toys and foods from your play kitchen. You love playing with Jacob and Sydney. Always ready to get right in the mix or the hoggy pile. You are tough, and can hold your own. You want to try everything, at least once. You adore your cousins, and are thrilled when you get to see them and play. You are a snuggle bug, and we often wake in the morning to you cuddled up tight right in the middle between me and your daddy. It is SO sweet, and I'll enjoy every second of it while it lasts.

You love to wear dresses, and have your nails and toenails painted. If anyone suggests your full name, you are quick to correct them, that your name is REGAN! (no middle name, no last name) Pretty funny! You are so pleased with yourself that you are a "big girl" now, no more diapers for you! When you are playing outside, you are always busy making cakes or pies with dirt and grass. You always seem to have a messy face, and can't seem to wipe it clean enough times in a day. You love to dance, swim, and do gymnastics. You love animals, and are always thrilled to visit the zoo.

We spent your 3rd birthday at Como Zoo, and you went on your first Carousel ride. You wanted me close by, you were a bit nervous. But by the end of the ride, you were loving it. We also visited the butterfly tent exhibit, that was neat! You are such a joy to be around, and I look forward to seeing how you grow in the years to come.

Happy 3rd Birthday Sweetie!

We feel so blessed to have you a part of our family. We just adore you!

Loving Summer

Gosh, I've been loving summer with the kids. Nice to have all the kids home. We got a new playset, that the kids have absolutely been loving! Regan likes the swings and slide best. Jake has taught Sydney how to "skip" on the monkey bars, and Sydney wants to show anyone that will watch. She is so proud of herself. We had a party for Jake's 7th birthday, and got an updated family picture courtesy of my sister Amy. Jake is playing TBall. He can really crack the ball, and loves to run the bases. He is not real sure if he likes the outfield, or waiting around on the sidelines...but he has fun with it :) The TBall team and families are great. Fun way to spend Friday nights.Sydney had her gymnastics show, and was very excited to show us all her new skills. Ms. Donna brought Sydney her very own flowers, which made Sydney feel so special! Thanks Donna!
Oh, and Regan is offically potty-trained! She loves being a "big girl" and thinks all of the underwear choices are great! Dora is obviously her favorite. But anything that sparkles comes in a close second.
I have lots more updates from this spring, which has been a very busy one....explaining my blogging absence. More on those things later.

Gymnastics is done!

Well, the girls started gymnastics at a different place this fall. We just wanted to try out another place. Regan loved it, and Sydney like the old place we went to better. So, next session Regan will be PM and Sydney will go back to a gymnastics/dance class.

Gymnastics has been one of their favorite activities this fall. I'll post a picture from their Halloween Celebration class from Tuesday once I get it loaded.

Happy 2nd Birthday Regan!

Regan, you are a really sweet little girl. My little honey! You love to cuddle. Your brother Jake is your BEST friend. You often say, "I want Jake", and will wonder around looking for him. He takes great care of you. You say eh, ah...that is your version of NO. Yah is one of your favorite words. You are definitely more into me than your daddy right now, but that is part of being a 2 year. We call you a "pinball". You are full of joy and are really laid back. You try to keep up with Jake and Sydney and are bit too brave at the park. You have no fear. We'll see if that continues to be part of your personality. You are really good at following directions, to my surprise and I REALLY hope that continues. You love your baby (pink glowworm) and pink blanket, and of course your precious nuk. (which you can only have in the car,bed, and in the house)...we'll work on that! You are mostly certainly my little sweetie.... Love you!

Babies sleeping

This is how Regan insists on going to bed lately. She seems to notice if she is missing a baby, which is even funnier....I snapped this shot after I tucked her in, I just couldn't resist...

Well Checks

The girls had their well check doctor visits last week ( a little late) Both girls are doing great! And are very healthy. Regan has finally caught up on the growth charts!

Here are the stats:

Sydney (4yrs3mo): Height 41", 50%. Weight 36 lbs., 50%. And she can see and hear just fine....phew! At her 3 year appt, she was 50% percentile as well...steady eddy.

Regan (22months): Height 34", 75%!!!!! Weight 25.5 lbs., 50%

Huge improvement here, at her last dr. visit, in October (15mo), Regan was only in the 25% percentile. (the appt. before that only 5% percentile) Regan normally eats as much as her big brother at most meals, so you would figure she would be catching up one of these days...geez!

Babies...

Regan seriously LOVES and gently cares for all of her baby dolls. Pushes them around in her baby stroller, puts them to nap all around the house (always with a comfy blanket covering them up to their chins), I've end gotten a glimpse of her gently patting their tummies. I was cleaning the kitchen the other morning, and looked over and this is how she was laying on the floor near the fridge. She prepared a blanket for herself to lay on, then laid herself down, cuddled the doll to her chest, and covered up the doll with a blanket, actually 2 I think. Just adorable. I had to shoot a quick picture....

And she popped herself in the baby doll stroller! I was surprised to see her like this, not quite sure how she manuvered herself in there, because it is teeny...kinda surprising this is the first time she thought of it though considering she plays with this stroller a billion times a day!

Trick-or-Treat

The kids had a fun time trick or treating, and received way too much candy of course!

Jake was Mr. Incredible, Regan was a tulip fairy, and Sydney was cinderella of course :)

What a beautiful day!

Loving this weather today, just gorgeous!

Today I gave Regan her first Oreo cookie, she was thrilled and enjoyed it :)

Little Sydney is sick. I think it is food poisoning. She woke up from her nap yesterday and lost her cookies. She was completely fine yesterday all morning, so we'll see. Sydney doesn't have a fever. I hope it passes quickly, it has now been 24 hours. Although she hasn't thrown up for a long time, she is moving quite slowly.

I am sad to be leaving her soon for the weekend. But looking forward to the warmer weather. The forecast is high 70's all weekend. I hope things go smoothly for Dave this weekend.

My friend Cari has another surgery tomorrow morning. They will be installing a chemo drip in her head. My heartaches for her and her family. They've been through so much! But she is strong and is going to beat this terrible cancer. Please pray for her and keep her in your thoughts on Friday and this weekend.

Just a few words now

Regan can say:

• MaMa (and says this all day long :) )
• Da
• Cheese (when she is having her picture taken, see above)
• Nu (for her pacifier)
• I've heard her say "Jake" clear as day, but only twice.
• Tickle-Tickle-Tickle

She is walking all over the place now. Always collects her shoes when she notices everyone getting their jackets and coats on. And oh, does she love her nuk! Regan is a sweet little girl, and such a joy to be with.

She's a walking....

Last Wednesday Regan took her first steps at my friend Cari's house. It was very exciting!!!

Over the weekend she has definitely been testing out her new skill. She is managing to take about 10-12 steps at a time.

She is SOOO pleased with herself! Regan is kind of showing off :)

A Serious Pain

Last Tuesday night somewhere very near our house was struck by some lightning. Long story short, the Qwest repair women said we are very lucky we didn't have more damaged. (I would say blessed :) ) Our phone was down a few days, and my computer is still out for the count. The Dell man was here Friday, and will hopefully be coming back today or tomorrow. I didn't realize all the things I use my computer for everyday; checking the weather, researching things, staying connected to the world, email, etc. I've missed my PC....I thought I'd put an update here in the meantime. Sorry, no pictures.

Hopefully my hard drive didn't get zapped. I haven't been good at backing it up lately. Right now it is not looking good for my computer. I'm on a wireless laptop right now. I can't get my high speed line to work, so hopefully my cable line didn't get zapped too. So far the motherboard is fried, probably the CPU, and we'll see what else when the Dell man returns....

Regan is standing all by herself!! We were playing in my closet this morning while I was putting some clothes away and she kept staying up! And she is VERY pleased with herself. Yah, Regan!!

What happened to August?

Seriously, I've barely even posted this month...it has just flown by. There has been a lot going on.

• Visited my Dad at the Cabin in Lutsen.
• Spent a few days in Alexandria with some great friends and our kids. We had 11 kids under age 6, and 4 moms....fun times! (I'll post a few pictures)
• My friend Cari, after battling breast cancer for a year was diagnosed with a brain tumor and has since had surgery to have it removed.
• Struggled to make a decision on what schooling option is best for Jake for this fall. He is a young 5, and we really wanted to have him wait to start Kindergarten until next fall. What we've decided on is a 3-day/week Kindergarten program at a Christian school. And he will most likely attend full time Kindergarten next fall.
• Regan started cruising along anything she can, and has mastered a very quick butt scoot. Or "Gorilla" scoot as Dave calls it. Because she really looks like a gorilla. Funny! This may end up being her version of crawling. We shall see.
• Spent a long day at the State Fair. The Giant slide was a big hit, so was the Little Hands Farm.
• And lots of other things....

Hard to believe next week is September. I am going to make an effort to post more regularly, at least it is one of my goals for next month :)

Fun times at the Cabin

Cabin Trip 2008

At the shore in Grand Marais. The kids had a blast throwing rocks back into the water.
Regan loved moving the rocks around...they were nice and warm!

Picking fresh raspberries around the cabin. I think they ate them all :)


Regan loved playing with Grandpa Doug. Pretty Sweet...

The kids each had their individual fishing trips with Grandpa Doug. When I asked them on the ride home what their favorite part of going to the cabin was, they both said "FISHING". Sydney caught her very first fish, her first time fishing! She couldn't stop talking about how it flopped around. Jake and Sydney each throw back a fish, and held it with there bare hands, something my dad won't even do. They were so brave.

Good Times! In the car when I was driving home Jake said he wants to go to the cabin more, so he can spend more time with his Grandpa Doug. Smart kid.

Quiet Kids

Today I was cleaning up lunch. Things got fairly quiet (usually not a good sign at my house) I tuned into what the kids were doing to hear Jake say, "I think she feels trapped." I got a little worried. Turns out they were make Regan "comfy" with every small stuffed animal and blanket they could come up with. She was pretty much submersed. Regan really looked like she was having a great old time!

Cake is great!

The cake was a hit!! So much so, Regan had a little tummy trouble overnight. Poor thing.

Happy Birthday, Regan!

Regan is 1.

She is such a joy. Regan has such a happy spirit. She is constantly waving (with much vigor) at everyone that enters her site line, with a huge smile on her face. Jacob loves holding her hands, and walking around the house with her...I can tell she enjoys it, too. She lights up when Daddy comes home. She loves to dance. Anytime she hears any type of music, she instantly starts dancing/swaying her head to the music with such joy! Regan is laid back, and is comfortable watching all going around her. She is a mamma's girl...at least right now. When another adult approaches me, she now is putting her head on my shoulder, almost to say...please don't take me away from my mom. It is sweet.

Regan's birthday is bittersweet for me. The baby stage is ending, which makes me kinda weepy. I sooo enjoy the tenderness of infants. Yet, I love seeing all the discoveries she makes, the achievements, the learning, the developing words, the attachments, the engaging and interacting with others. I treasure each day.

I want to thank all the people that have helped and supported me during this past year with thoughts, prayers and encouragement in regards to Regan. There were times when I was very concerned about her development and growth. I feel such peace and reassurance now. Regan is thriving!!

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!! We love you dearly.

It's Flying

Wow, it is already the end of June. I have been terrible this month with my blog...we've just been outside enjoying the nice days.

Jake decided the day after he turned 5 that we was going to ride his bike, without the training wheels. And he has done very well. He needs a little help getting started. I was surprised by his determination, he told me he would never quit. And just take breaks when he needed to.
Turning 5 has seemed to help Jacob feel older, and behave a little better. He suddenly seems to be wanting to be helpful, a little more mellow, following directions SOO much better, and just being more cooperative overall. I am just elated. I'm not sure if it is being 5, watching his sugar intake very closely, or he just decided...whatever the cause, I LOVE it.

Sydney is enjoying riding her "trike". And continues to be very into babies. She is like a little momma to Regan, basically like my sidekick. Sydney has enjoyed being around other little ones, and is always very aware of their needs and wants to help whenever she can. Here she is below caring for her cousin Ava.

Regan is a lot of fun. Her first 3 teeth broke through this month. Luckily they didn't seem to bother her, and she lets me feel them without a problem, she actually thinks its funny. She has been labeled a "Sit-n-Spin", because she loves to sit and spin in circles to reach various things. She is not crawling yet, but really enjoys practicing walking. Here reverse-highlights always catch her attention no matter where we are, almost everyone stops to comment. Kinda funny!

Baby Hugs

Regan has started giving me baby hugs, the kind where she tightly wraps both of her arms around my neck...so tender. She is just my little honey! When I snapped these shots I swear she knew I was taking her picture, and just kept right on smiling on queue.

Regan has started scooting in circles on her tummy, so I am sure she will be on the move soon.