Santa Delivered

The Santa Letter


The Back of the Santa Letter...hearts everywhere!

Wesley and his Swords. His first comment was...I can't cut down a tree with these! I'm not going to lie, I think he was disappointed.

Max and his Legos. Santa substituted these for Thomas the Train. Until Max can make his own verbal requests, Santa has full authority to veto the big brother!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

During the craziness that always seems to accompany the holiday, no matter how hard we try, it is so very important to take a step back and celebrate the reason for the season. We were fortunate enough to receive this cut and assemble paper nativity scene through our church as a part of the Advent Conspiracy (adventconspiracy.org) mission. What a wonderful way to try to teach our children the true meaning of Christmas. I was saddened when I asked Wesley if he realized it was Jesus's birthday that we are celebrating and he looked confused. I admit fault! With the business of buying presents and playing up the naughty vs. nice expectations for Santa, we've probably missed hundreds of opportunities to share the story of Jesus's birth and that it is because of Him that we get to enjoy all these festivities.

Here are a couple pictures of our treasured nativity scenes. The first is our homemade nativity scene which I've grown quite fond of and the second is our Willow Creek nativity scene. Whether Jesus is a square paper cut out, a carved wooden figure or more importantly in your heart....be sure to wish him a Happy Birthday this glorious week!!

Ho Ho Ho

I took the boys to see Santa on Saturday and being sentimental I had to dig up last year's photo. They certainly have changed a lot in a year and I am curious why they appeared to be on the "nice list" last year as opposed to the "naughty list" this year! Oh well, you do the best you can! Not to my surprise, Wesley was quite timid and wanted Max to sit on Santa's lap first. Once I got Max settled, Wesley followed. You can certainly see the shyness in Wesley's eyes. Maxwell was just disinterested...hence the get me out of here look on his face. Prior to going, I tried to feel Wesley out to see what he might ask Santa for and possibly encourage a certain direction. What I didn't expect was he decided to ask Santa for a sword. He also said Max would like something Thomas the Train which was unplanned but doable. But a sword? Seriously!?!

Santa 2008

Santa 2009
Wesley encouraging Maxwell to talk to Santa!

PS. Someone always has to be having a bad hair day!

Sweet Innocence

I had to share this sweet moment of Wesley's 5 year old existence! We were in church and the time came to offer peace and greet one another. We go about our routine of greeting eachother as a family and then those around us. Then, when we are nearly done I look down to see Wesley wide-eyed and anxious with his hand extended out to shake mine and he stated with total seriousness, "Pleased to meet you!" I tried so hard to fight back a laugh as I didn't want crush his endearing heart. Peace be with you!

Wesley's 1st Thread

stitches that is! It was bound to happen. We were at the mall this past weekend and his forehead landed on the corner of a marble tiled pillar. I wasn't right there when the incident occurred but I definitely knew his cry. I think the blood scared him the most. Anyway, we were lucky enough to find an Urgent Care and avoided an ER. Three stitches later, he was proud to be like his Daddy. Shane told him about the numerous stitches he had and Wesley appeared to be happy to join the status of his father. The stitches were taken out on Thursday evening. Shane was wise enough, without any instruction, to save the stitches for the scrapbook!

Goofing off just before the "incident"

On the way to the clinic

(don't let that smile fool you....he was scared!)

Getting prepped for the stitchesThe Thread!

Maxwell 6 month check up

Maxwell's 6 month stats:

Toothless
21 lbs 5 oz
28.5 inches long
Both 95%+

We also learned Maxwell has outgrown the infant car seat. He had a few shots and is otherwise doing great! I waited until now to introduce food. His first dinner was sweet peas. He has also eaten sweet potatoes and pears so far. In what seems like a blink of the eye, he is sitting up very well. So Big!

Where did the summer go?

Okay, so I totally took the summer off from blogging. Between battling new home projects, returning to work and juggling night time schedules, life in general has put a halt in time to myself. We just have so many exciting things going on that I felt the quick need to post.

First off, Maxwell is 6 months old! I just cannot get enough of him. His check up is tomorrow so I am looking forward to sharing his stats later. I know he has to be off the charts on weight because he seems to be breaking my back. Oh, and he first rolled over from his stomach to back today! Of course it happened at daycare. Wesley is still such a great big brother and still seems to make Maxwell laugh the hardest. It is so sweet to see them interact. Wesley is gearing up for preschool at Ms. Julie's once again. I am dreading the "constructive" criticism but I know that he will make us proud. We've got two years to mold him into a model child, is that enough? HA!

And maybe sadly, my most exciting news today is our new lawn! It is wonderful to see green... I actually think Shane will be looking forward to mowing, if not, I am! It has been 11 long months of problem weather, contractors and luck. Fortunately, that is all in the past! I cannot even express our excitement. I'll try to post pictures soon!

Quick updates....

It is hard to believe that I go back to work next Monday already. I am just thankful I had a few extra weeks to enjoy before getting back to the grind. We did a few test days this week at daycare and Maxwell did great! I am sure it helps to have such an anxious big brother there looking after him! Even Wesley has shown some improvements in his morning routine and getting out the door in the morning has been more pleasant. (He can get so awnry in the morning - not sure who he gets that from! ; )) I am going to miss spending all the extra time with my babies!!!

Anyway, hopefully this new schedule will help me get into a better routine. I am looking forward to catching up on my emails and blog but I don't want to speak to soon.

I forgot to mention - Maxwell is finally sleeping through the night. He started about a week ago! My babies are so kind to start right before I go back to work because they know Mommy needs her sleep. Wesley did the same thing!!!

Maxwell's Baptism

Maxwell was baptised today! He was so lucky to be supported and surrounded by our entire family. He was getting a little tired prior to going up front but as soon as the Pastor took a hold of him he was so content! Wesley went up front with us for the baptism and nearly knocked over the holy water in front of the entire church.

Ryan and Michelle - Maxwell's Godparents

Maxwell is 3 months old!!!

Happy Maxwell at 3 months old and 18 1/2 lbs! He is a happy lil guy!

So exhausted...

This picture was taken at 5:12 pm... Wesley wasn't feeling so hot and would have slept straight through the night if we didn't insist on making him get up and take a bath. He is feeling much better now! Don't they look so peaceful!!!

Suessical the Musical

Wesley and I went to St. Cloud to see his 2nd play. It was Suessical the Musical and our friend Mike played Horton, so I got to be the cool mom who has VIP access to the performers. (At least that is what I tell Wesley!)

Our friend Mike played Horton.
Joe and Amy went with us.
My little Suess.

Cute snuggles...

Wesley is a self proclaimed snuggler... Hopefully Maxwell will be too!

2 Months Old

and off the charts. Maxwell weighed 15 lbs. 4 oz. and 24 7/8 inches long...both in the 97-100% tile. I just checked Wesley's baby book and he was 13 lbs. 7 oz. and 24 1/2 inches long at 2 months. Such a big boy!!! He got 3 shots today and it was pretty tramatic. Wesley usually cried for less than a minute, if even, and Maxwell - well, he is still upset. It took about 5 minutes just to calm him down and he has been pretty sensitive all afternoon. Poor guy...

PS - The 5 1/2 hours of sleep didn't repeat last night but we hope it does again soon.

5 1/2 hours of sleep - straight!

Last night we had our longest stretch of sleep in a long while. Maxwell went down last at 12:30 and woke up at 6:00!! I don't know if I can expect more of that but it was awesome! It is hard to believe that his 2 month check up is tomorrow.

I took Wesley to Wal-Mart shopping. I never would have thought that it would get easier shopping with him but we have passed a major hurdle in that area. Don't get me wrong - I must shop with intention and purpose. Of course, half way into shopping he has to go to the bathroom and we have to book it across the store to the restrooms. While we were in the stall I accidentally scratched him in a rush to get in and out and not have my cart full of merchandise returned to the floor (which has happened!) and he said loudly "Ouch, you punched me" - nice, luckily I was able to walk out without any reports of abuse!

We enjoyed the beautiful weather with a nice walk around the neighborhood and a picnic in the driveway... I am getting antsy to get a lawn and some landscaping!

I am going to back post some stuff soon as well as post pictures - so keep checking.

Happy 30th Daddy

Welcome to the club!

Spark Plug

Wesley will be cruising the streets of Plymouth soon... We took him to get his first bike and it's a spiffy 16" Murray Spark Plug. I am pretty sure it was a bigger deal to us but it was fun to see him try them all out in the store. After the sixth bike, he could have cared less. Shane assembled it and I worked him into his new Spiderman helmet. He worked on feeling it out on the driveway. If he rides it any more confidently as he does his scooter - I will be panicking before long! It was really cute to see him thrilled to figure out the brakes - he had a proud smile that he couldn't hide even though he tried pretty hard to act cool about it.

Wesley getting fitted for the bike.

I CAN DO IT!!!

Maxwell's 1st Smiles

His first smiles started right at 6 weeks...much earlier than I had written in Wesley's baby book of 8 weeks. It is so sweet and rewarding.

He made his first trip to SoDak this weekend and was a good traveler. Of course he slept most of the time but that is all we needed to get through it. Ashley rode with us which also kept the trip more interesting for Wesley. His favorite thing is to pee on the grass on side roads. It never fails that he has to go when we have miles to go to the nearest town and you know he doesn't tell us until it is urgent. He has since suggested it when we are in the vehicle and we have had to tell him it is reserved for special trips to South Dakota.

Wesley goofing off...

Wesley's 1st Dentist Appt.

Wesley had his 1st dental check up and NO cavities! I was so proud of him because he wasn't afraid of anything. I guess I always thought it would be a painful experience and he'd refuse to cooperate but luckily he enjoyed the appt. His eyes bulged with amazement at his flavor options for polish and fluoride and he chose bubble gum with the utmost confidence. He kept saying "YUMMY" and "I LOVE IT" - who would have guessed that!? They didn't manage to get any x-rays out of him because it made him gag, which I can't blame him - they still make me gag. So we kept the appointment positive and didn't push. Just another proud parent moment...

Easter Pictures

I had the boys nicely coordinated in their Easter outfits. I just had to share how cute they looked!

Wesley and his "Lil Buddy" Maxwell