Merry Christmas!

We had a great Christmas in Des Moines. Steve and Kathy arrived in Des Moines on Christmas Eve. We went to the children's Christmas Eve service where Matt and Zach were ushers. We then went to Clay and Tamara's house for dinner and opening gifts. Christmas Day we got up and opened gifts as a family and had Christmas dinner for everyone at our house. Santa did not disappoint Zach and he got the avengers suitcase he wanted. The suitcase never left his side all day.

Zach was an excellent usher at the Christmas Eve Service.  He wore the crown because he was a wise man.

Ty smiling for his first Christmas.

Ty playing with his toy Santa brought him.  I think he likes it.

Zach checking out his new suitcase from Santa.

Zach fell asleep on the couch on Christmas day.  Notice that the suitcase is against the couch with him.

Santa!!

We took the kids to to the zoo this weekend to see Santa and reindeer along with the zoo animals that are still on exhibit for the winter.  Zach was a little starstruck  by Santa and was so excited to actually be talking to him.  Ty was happy sitting on his lap, but was studying Santa pretty closely to figure him out.  You may be asking what exactly Zach wants Santa to bring him this year - and the obvious answer is a suitcase!!  Isn't a suitcase what every 4 year old boy wants Santa to bring him?

Ear Troubles

We took Ty to the doctor on Saturday afternoon and learned that he had a double ear infection.  This is his second ear infection in the month so they upped his antibiotics.  Unfortunately the antibiotics didn't agree with his stomach and he has vomited a few times since we has been on them.  The doctor changed his antibiotics yesterday after he got sent home from school after vomiting.  This was the "sick" boy that I spent the day with yesterday.  He was so happy to be spending the day home with Mom and had me laughing at him all day.  A big thanks to my parents who are spending the day with both of our kids today since Ty couldn't go back to daycare today after throwing up yesterday.

Say Dada!

Ty has started saying Dada!  He is very proud of his new word and yells it at random times throughout the day.  I am trying hard to get him to say Mama and Zach is trying to get him to say Zaza, but his response to our requests is always da da da da da! I figure Zaza is next and it will be a long time before I hear Mama from him!

Christmas Program

Zach had his very first Sunday School Christmas Program yesterday.  All of the preschool kids stood at the front of the church and sang Away in a Manger and Go Tell it On the Mountain.  He spotted us in the congregation after Away in a Manger and I think he waved at me, Matt, Ty, Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Steve all individually.  We went to McDonald's for ice cream after the program to celebrate.

Brotherly Love

This is the conversation Zach and I had last night.
Zach:  Mom, will I always be a big brother?
Me:   Yes, Zach.  You will always be a big brother just like Daddy is Uncle Clay's brother.
Zach:  Good.  I love Ty.
Me:  I know  you do, Zach.  You are a very good big brother.
Zach:  I love him to pieces.  I love him.  I love him.  I love him in my heart.

He made my heart melt.  What a sweet boy!

Physicals

The boys both went in for physicals this week.  Zach the beast is 3 feet 7.6 inches tall (97%) and weighs 41.8 lb (87%).  Ty weighs 18 lb 1 oz (64%) and is 26 inches long (14%). They both got vaccinations and Ty has his first ear infection.

Ty wasn't going to let vaccinations, an ear infection and a tooth keep him from smiling!

Sleepy Birthday Boy

Zach had a great 4th Birthday!  He brought Fruit Roll-Ups for his friends at Sunday school on Sunday morning and then Sunday afternoon we had his Birthday party with his friends from school and his cousins at a place filled with bounce houses. They played hard for 80 minutes straight and then we came home to watch a movie.  He made it about 5 minutes into the movie before he was asleep on the couch!  I told him he could have whatever he wanted for his Birthday dinner and he chose McDonalds. I was a little offended that McDonalds is better that my cooking, but I guess my dinners don't come in a special box with a toy!

Birthday Countown

Zach has been counting down days to his 4th Birthday and his Birthday weekend is finally here!!  He is having his first ever friends Birthday party on Sunday.  Monday he is bringing donuts to school to share with his friends for his Birthday.  So fun!!

I can sit!

Ty started sitting by himself on Saturday.  He loves checking the world out with his new upright view!  It is hard to believe that this little guy is 6 months old already!

A long overdue update...

We have been very busy the past several weeks so I have failed at updating our blog.  Zach and Ty had a great time at Halloween.  Zach went as Spiderman and Ty went as a rooster.  We took Ty out to a few of our neighbors houses then came home with me while Zach and Matt went out a little longer.  I put a blanket on the floor for Ty while I handed out candy and the next thing I knew he had rolled onto his tummy and fallen asleep. 

The above picture is a preview of the family pictures we took this weekend.  Ty was Mr. Smiles and we got Zach to laugh and smile by talking about poop.  We have been using this photographer since Zach was 3 months old and I always love the pictures she takes - I cannot wait to see what else she took!

Mom, I can feed Ty.

Zach decided that he was going to feed Ty last night and it surprisingly worked!  Zach decided that Ty should eat apples with his cereal last night and Zach fed it all to him.  I would say 75% of it ended up in Ty's mouth, but I consider that a success.  He would feed him and say "Good grief, Ty.  You were hungry."  A little while later Zach was adamant that he would be the one to feed Ty his bottle.  Zach told me this morning that he is going to feed Ty again tonight.  What a great big brother!

Meet Zach

 

This came home from Zach's schools this week.  I would like to meet the Zach who likes to go to bed, because I don't think I have met him!  Also so child protective services does not call, cutting with Justin is the two of them each having a pair of safety scissors.  I like that the thing he can do by himself is with his cousin!

A look at the fire truck

Zach and Ty's daycare has been talking about fire prevention this month.  The daycare is doing a service project to have everyone bring in snacks for the firefighters and Zach is going to go on a field trip to the fire station.  The firefighters came to daycare yesterday so the little kids could get a look at the fire truck.  Ty was all grins when it was his turn to go on the fire truck! 

Who is walking who?

Who was on the phone?

The following conversation happened at our house last night after I missed a phone call:
Matt: "Who was on the phone?"
Me:  "I don't know.  The voice mail picked up before I got to it."
Matt: "What was the number?"
Zach:  "6"

Thank you smarty pants!  He is his father's son!

This isn't garbage...

Zach went to Target this weekend and picked out his new AWESOME Spiderman costume for Halloween.  After he tried it on and I knew it was going to work I put the packaging for the costume in the recycling.  This is the conversation that he had with Grandpa (while Matt and I were at work) when he found the picture of his costume in the garage.
Zach:  "What?  This doesn't get recyled."
Grandpa (While Zach has grabbed the picture and is running) "Where are you going, Zach"
Zach:  "Somewhere where Dad can't recycle this."

Now it is hanging up in his room so he can look at it every day and we can't throw it away.  Just what we need - garbage hanging on the walls!!
 

Let's talk about our feelings.

Zach is talking about feelings at school this week.  We talked about his feelings at dinner last night and here some tidbits of our conversation.

Swim lessons make me happy.
I am sad when Dad says I can drive my bike into the car and Mom says I can't. (Because that sounds like it would happen!)
I am so excited for Halloween, my Birthday and my new car seat.

A Christmas Lesson

Zach:  "At Christmas Santa will come to my house and bring me presents because it is his Birthday."
Me: "Zach, Christmas isn't Santa's Birthday.  We celebrate Christmas because it is Jesus' Birthday."
Zach:  "Oh... When is Santa's Birthday?"
Me:  "I think it is in July."

When I grow up...

Zach has decided his career path!  When he grows up he wants to be a fireman, pirate and doctor.  I wonder how you crack into the pirate profession!

Cereal!

Ty is 4 months old today and had his very first cereal!  As you can see, he hated sitting in his high chair and screamed when we set him in there.  However, once he was sitting in Mom's lap he decided that the cereal was pretty good and was sucking it off his spoon.  I can't believe he is old enough to begin solid foods!

I'll feed myself, thanks...

Look at this big guy!  He has decided that he can hold his bottles himself now!!

Go Big Red!

Me and my two little huskers went over to Kate and Blake's house for the Nebraska game this weekend.  Zach and Ty had a fun day playing with their cousins and everyone was happy that Nebraska won their season opener!!

I guess we will have to go to the state fair...

Matt and I hate the Iowa State Fair.  We have happily avoided it for years, but this year Zach has been hearing about it at school and has asked us if we can go.  When I told him we would go on Sunday this was the conversation that we had.
Zach:  Is there popcorn at the state fair?
Me:  Probably.  There is a lot of food at the state fair.
Zach:  I think there is popcorn and it falls from the sky and you catch it with your mouth.

I hope he isn't disappointed! 

Hide and Seek

Zach has a new favorite hiding place - under his stuffed animals.  He thinks it is hilarious.  I don't know if it is a very effective hiding place because Matt or I need to help him put the stuffed animals over him.

Popsicle Break

Zach and sat outside last night and ate posicles. 
Zach:  What you need to do Mom is lick the ice off the popsicle.  Then the ice goes away.  That is the power of the popsicle!

Three Month Pictures Sneak Preview

Ty had his three month pictures taken on Monday.  He was full of smiles until the very end of his session when he fussed for 30 seconds and then fell asleep.  The last few pictures she took were of him sleeping!

Three Months Old

Can you believe this smiley guy is 3 months old already??

Zach Definitions

Pee Germs (n) - What is on your hands when you don't wash your hands after you go potty. 
Kristi:  "Zach, what do you want to bring to school tomorrow for breakfast?"
Zach:  "Pee germs."

Gross. 

Guess who dressed himself today

Zach wanted to get ready for school all by himself today. We were then supposed to tell him how proud we were of him for being such a big boy and getting ready all by himself.  This is what he came downstairs wearing.

Where did this big boy come from?  Ty is rolling over and now makes himself comfortable on his tummy while he sleeps.

Zach's prayer at bedtime last night. "Dear Lord, thank you for Christmas.  Please don't forget my Birthday.  Amen."

Things I never thought I would ever say:  "Zach stop putting your brother's feet in your mouth.  That is weird."