March Pictures

Hello! Here are a few pictures from March.

Jackapoo sporting his spike hairdo. This little guys is the happiest baby. This may have been his last bath in the baby tub. He's getting so big!! I can now give him a bath at the same time as Ashley. They love playing in the tub together. Ashley thinks it is so fun to get Jack's hair all wet and put it into a mohawk.

Ashley and Jack snuggling

As you may recall from my post for February, Jack had a rough month with ear infections, pink eye and pneumonia. Well...it just didn't get better. Our primary doctor had suggested that we see an allergist because they might be able to prescribe a medicine for the nebulizer that could help reduce the phlegm Jack was dealing with. His breathing was still so strained and the meds didn't seem to be helping with his pneumonia. Anyway, I took Jack to the allergist and his suggestion...take Jack to Children's ER. He said, not because it was an emergency but because he wanted him to be seen today and who knows how long it would take if we had to make an appt. So, Jack and I headed to Children's ER. The lobby was full of waiting kids. It took about 5 minutes to be seen for the initial check by the nurse in the waiting area and she then brought us right back to a room. Jack's oxygen levels were low. So, they did 3 neb treatments and sucked mucus out by going in through his nose with a small tube. The neb treatments didn't have an effect on his breathing. Next was chest xrays and testing for RSV. Both test came back positive. Pneumonia and RSV. Jack and I spent the next 5 days in the hospital!

He usually looked like this. Smiley. That's just the way he is!! Unfortunately, the 5 days in the hospital overlapped with Ashley's 4th birthday! That was the hardest part of being in the hospital, I missed my baby girls 4th birthday. :( We had to cancel the birthday party we had planned for her that weekend. Daddy took her on a special fun day with the Brooks family to the Shoreview Community Center. To top off the craziness of it all, I got the flu on Sunday 3/13 and had to leave the hospital. I was sick for 5 days with it!! Anyway, it took a lot of coordinating for me to come home, Matt to go to the hospital, arranging care for Ashley etc. Thankfully Matt's parents had just returned from their 2 month stay in Florida. Jack came home from the hospital Monday afternoon. Sue came over to take care of Jack the rest of the week while I tried to get over the flu.

After arriving home from the hospital on Monday, we gave AJ her birthday presents. I still can't believe she's 4. I keep teasing her that she can't get any older. She has to stay 4.

Ashley was quietly playing by herself in her room. She doesn't often play by herself. Here's what we found when checking on her. She'd emptied out her toy box and was playing inside it!

My pretty little princess!

On March 20th we celebrated the March birthdays at the Johnson's. Sue turned 63, I turned 34 and AJ turned 4. Sue made my FAVORITE dessert. They also got me an awesome beach umbrella from Florida and I just can't wait to use it this summer down on our beach!!

Ashley showing off her new princess cape (I know that's not what it's called...just can't think of the right word).

I took the kids to get their pictures taken at Kiddie Kandid's. Jack is 7 months old in these pictures.

Ashley Jane - 4 years old

Ashley has resisted or refused to take her pictures the last two times I have taken her. This time, she was so cooperative!

What else happened in March? While staying at G & G J's, Ashley cut her own hair. It looks pretty cute...just a few layers around her face. Sue had asked me if I had recently cut Ashley's hair or if Ashley might have cut it on her own because she was working on an art project with scissors. When I asked Ashley if she cut her hair, after a little hesitation, her response was "Yep, and it didn't even hurt!". I asked her to show me where she put her hair and the little stinker hid it under the rocking chair in their living room!! It blended in with the carpet. What else? Matt was in Indiana for work from 3/19 to 3/27. He flew home on my birthday 3/23 and we were able to go out to supper. He then flew back to Indiana the very next morning. On March 31st, Jack and I went back to Children's ER at 3am. This time...croupe. We were sent back home after a steroid and neb treatment in the hospital. We got back home at 6:15am. I then got AJ ready for daycare and we left Matt at home with Jack. I can't remember the last time I pulled an all nighter and then went to work and worked a full day on only 2 hours of sleep. I for one am ready to leave this winter weather and all the yucky illness behind!

February 2011

Happy February!

Here's a picture of Jack with spiked blue hair...the result of "Crazy Hair Day" at daycare.

I took Ashley to Rosedale Mall so that she could pick out a dress for her birthday. We arrived at the mall a little after 10am and discovered that the stores didn't open until 11 on Sundays. Jack slept soundly in the stroller and Ashley and I did some window shopping to pass the time. We must have gone from one end of the mall to the other at least 10 times looking for shoes to go with the dress she picked out. I was pushing the stroller and Ashley was sitting on top of the handles while I attempted to balance her and push at the same time. I think we'll have to invest in a stand up and sit stroller before we attempt such outings again. Ashley picked out a black dress with neon green accents and we found a matching green shirt for Jack too for when we take their pictures together. All in all it was a successful adventure.

My cousin Sam threw his second annual fishing contest "Fish Fest" the proceeds going to People Serving People. It was a sunny Saturday afternoon and we had a great time. We were joined by Brent, Lydia and Alex and there were several family members from the Schuette side at the event as well. It was a great time.

Ashley doing her part to try to win 1st prize!

Ashley taking a snack break.

Here we are with my cousins daughter Izzy. Izzy is a year (almost to the date) older than Ashley. They have such a fun time playing together. My Uncle Tom pulled us in this sled behind his 4-wheeler.

Ashley colored this rose for me for Valentines days. Her coloring skills are excellent.

Last month we had such success taking the kids to see Tangled that we though we'd try the movie theater again. This time we were joined by the Brooks family and we watched Gnomeo and Juliet. It was a cute movie but didn't keep the kids attention like Tangled did.

After the movies we went to Mc D's for supper and to let the kids play in the playland. Last time we were at the playland, Ashley was very hesitant to play in these tubes and wanted Matt or I to play with her. A few months later and she didn't hesitate at all!

My little princess! She could spend every moment of her life dressed in sparkly shoes or clothes with beautiful jewelry, tiaras etc!

Girls Winter Weekend! Stopped at the casino for bloody marys on our way to Duluth.

(Sheli, Jessie, Julie, Crystal and me!)

When we arrived at the hotel, there was a bucket of campaign and chocolate...for ME! Matt had called the hotel and arranged for this as an early birthday surprise. Boy, was I ever surprised!

Other events in February: on 2/1 Jack slept from 8:30 to 3:30am! 7 hours of sleep for me! On 2/8 Jack got his first ear infection. On 2/17 Jack starts sitting all by himself!! On 2/18 Jack got pinkeye. On 2/23 Jack got a second ear infection. He also started reaching for Matt or I if someone else was holding him. On 2/25 Jack got pneumonia. Stay tuned for the adventures we've had in March!

January 2011

Happy New Year!

Jack got a Johnny Jump up for Christmas. Here Ashley is playing with Jack in his jumper. I was looking in from the kitchen while making breakfast. As I was tending to breakfast I said "AJ, what are you and Jack doing?" To which she responded "I'm just spinning Jack mom." Poor guy! She had the ropes on the jump up all twisted up and when she let go, Jack just went around and around and around!

Little miss Ashley

Ashley loves to color! Here she is looking like a regular old artist. She's so grown up. Notice the crossed legs? Too cute!

Christmas with the Metz family!

Jack & Luke - these two are just two months apart. Luke was born in May and Jack was born in July.

Metz side grandkids!

(Dougie 11, Jake 2, Ashely 3, Jack 5 months, Dallas 5, Luke 7 months, Sam 16)

Ashley, Dallas (yes...that is his smile) and Jake with their new finger puppets.

Ashley wearing her new jammies from Gma Terry riding on her new princess scooter from Uncle Doug & family.

Here's a video of Ashley on her new scooter. As you can see, she needs to practice her stopping skills. :)

We took AJ to see her first movie in the theater on Sunday 1/2/11. We went to see Tangled, which is the story of Rapunzel. Ashley LOVED the movie and so did Jack! The kids did so well, we will be crazy enough to try this with an infant again! Jack fell asleep about 1/2 way through the movie.

Daddy, Jack & Ashley at Tangled.

Ashely, me & Jack at Tangled. Jack looks a little frightened. I was concerned that it may be too loud for the little guy but once he was in his car seat snuggled in for his nap, the sound was muffled by the head cushion.

On 1/3 Jack outgrew the bassinet we had in our room so we moved him into his crib. On 1/12 Jack got his second tooth (5 1/2 mo)!

Ashley's first drawing of a person. She said "look mom, I drew myself wearing my swimsuit!"

Sorry the picture is sideways. Ashley has perfected her skills at coloring. It seems like it happened overnight. She now uses lots of colors to color each section.

Pretty in pink! Notice how tall she is! I've taken many pictures of her standing in this same place. Her head is now at the same level as the light switches!

Jack's wildly long hair...before haircut #2. Keep in mind...he wasn't even 6 months yet and already on hair cut #2.

Another shot before the haircut.

Ta da! Jack's new haircut! He looked so different it took me several days to get over it! The girls at the salon couldn't believe how mellow he was. They though he looked like he was going to fall asleep! They even used the clippers to cut it and he didn't even flinch!

Ashley and daddy ice skating! This was AJ's first time ice skating! Matt has spent hours keeping the rink in shape for the debut. She had a blast!

Daddy & Ashley goofing around on the ice.

There she is - ice skating for the first time!

Here's a video of AJ ice skating!

Ashley, Daddy, Jack & Maddy Brooks at the Celebration of the Lakes 2011! Maddy was dresses as Jessie from Toy Story for the kiddie parade.

Me & Ashley

Maddy & Sheli

Maddy & Ashley having a blast getting pulled around in the sled! They used to fit in the sled together with ease...now that they are both so long, we had to keep adjusting their long legs to get them comfy!

Sheli & Jack in the warming tent at the Celebration of the Lakes.

Jackaroo all bundled up!

Me, Matt, Ashley, Maddy & Jack

Ashley & Maddy playing in the snow.

AJ goofin' around in the snow!

Down she goes!

After the Celebration of the Lakes events, I took the kids and we met up with Grandma Terry, Grandpa Randy and cousins Dougie & Dallas for dinner and bowling at Stars & Strikes. Cousins Dougie & Dallas look like this in most pictures...I guess they don't like having their pictures taken.

AJ had a blast bowling...the best part, her pink bowling ball!

Ashley & Jack

On 1/30 I tested Jack on the skills he had been developing at daycare. Sure enough the little dude can now roll over from back to tummy and vise versa! What else can he do? He's started to practice his sitting skills. He can sit fairly well but still tips over after a short time.

On 1/31 I took Jack to his six month doctors appointment. Here are his stats: height 2' 2.5" (48.6%) weight 18 lbs 2 oz (58.4%) head circumference 18.5" (99.1 %)

AND, that sums up January! :)