Jonah's 2-year Well Check

We just got back from Jonah's well check with Dr. Emm. He is doing very well, and Dr. Emm has no concerns. He is 34 1/2 pounds, and 36" tall. That is 97% in weight and 95% in height. Dr. Emm said with a smile that he might be their biggest 2-year-old in their practice right now. Isn't that wonderful? (not)



He got 1 shot in his left thigh, and the nurse did say, "I've never had such a fight with a two-year-old before. He is so strong!"



So, to wrap up the appointment; he is healthy and BIG, but I don't think anyone is surprised by that.



Patrick was also checked out because he has had a sore throat for the past few days. He has red spots all along the roof of his mouth and throat, and Dr. Emm thought he'd test positive for strep. However, the initial strep test came back negative, and if the culture turns positive overnight, they'll give us a call in the morning.


That wraps up the beginning of Summer Vacation Day 1!

Jonah turns two!

Jonah had his 2nd birthday over the weekend! It's hard to believe that he is two-years-old. Time is flying by, and both boys are getting so big. We had a family celebration, and it was great to see some family that we don't see often enough. Both Molly and Eli (cousins on my side) were here, and they are getting way too big - Eli will be in 7th grade next year! I can't believe it! He was Patrick's age when he was our ring bearer in our wedding! And Molly will be going into 4th grade. Shocking! Also, Aunt Karlene, Aunt Gina, cousin Mia (who will be 4 this summer), Granny, Nana, Papa, Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunt Beth were all able to come. Jonah had fun with everyone, and he loved his Diego cake!

I am officially on summer vacation, and have been for 3 hours now. :) We haven't done much so far, just relaxing! I think it's about time to stop relaxing for awhile and get some dishes done!

I have some pictures to put up here. Some are from Jonah's party, and others are from the spring, Patrick's spring program from preschool, and the Fun Run that the boys did last Friday.

Grandpa with 3 of his babies.


Cousin Mia at Jonah's party.


Nana and Aunt Karlene.


"Oh, I can't believe they're singing!"

Help with the candles from Patrick and Mia.

"Oh, thank goodness; I think they're done singing."

Admiring his cake.

Trying out his new toys.

Checking out his new bat and ball.

Daddy and Jonah watching Patrick during the Spring Program.

Patrick and his class.

Patrick singing.

A rare beautiful day in March.

Pretty sweet ride!

He loves his bike.

Patrick showing off his ribbon from the Kids Fun Run with his friends, Camden and Kaden.

Patrick loves the Fun Run.

Patrick running fast!

Jonah's first time running. He actually didn't run until the last 10 feet; Daddy had to carry him almost all the way around.

A week left...

Only 1 week left of school, and only 1 week left until Jonah turns 2. Hard to believe! He is talking and growing like crazy. We got him new shoes today, and they are a size 8.5. For those of you who don't know children's shoe sizes, that equals huge.

Patrick is doing well, and also growing like a weed. He is more of the lanky-type, whereas Jonah is more of the bulldog type. Both boys start their Friday night running club this Friday. We are so excited for Jonah to be in it this year. We'll have the camera rolling, as we think he will bulldoze his way through - tossing anyone in his way.

Michael got promoted a few weeks ago! He's very happy with that, and I'm very proud of him. He works hard, and I know he always wants to do a good job. I had a great year with my 2nd grade class. They were abnormally awesome; usually you get a handful of great kids, but this year I had an entire class. I might even be sad to see this year end!

Michael and I are leaving for Las Vegas in a couple of weeks. We going with a few friends who have family out there, so we'll get to do a few things with them and a few things on our own. Perfect! The boys will be with Mike's family, so they will have so much fun!

We also started some landscaping projects this past weekend, and I now know why landscapers make so much money. That is extremely hard work, and I don't know yet if I enjoy it. Ask me when the project is finished, and then I'll decide if all that work was worth the pain. :)

We hope you're doing well! Love to you all...

Jonah seems to love this book; not such a bad thing except that I haven't finished it, and he always wants to have it!




Here is Jonah and me at the Peoria Chiefs game.



Here is Mom and Dad at the Chiefs game.



Michael and Patrick at the Chiefs game.

Cupcake face.

First time on the new swing set.

First time on the swing set.

Mother's Day, 2009.

It's been awhile

I'm embarrassed to see that I have not been on here yet in 2009. I figured nobody looked at this thing anymore, so I haven't done much with it. Yet, in the past week, I have had 3 people tell me that the blog hasn't been updated since Halloween. Okay! So, I made a Lent resolution - update the blog regularly. :)

Here is what is happening in our lives...

Family news: 1) We remodeled the boys' bathroom upstairs. Everything was torn out and replaced except for the bathtub, which was/is in good condition. It looks amazing! If the camera wasn't all the way downstairs, I'd post a picture. Now we're trying to decide what project to do next, will it be the Master bathroom? The flooring in the dining room, living room, and entryway, or will it be the upstairs carpet? As much as we'd love for the Master bathroom to be redone, it might just wait until last since Michael and I are the only ones to see it. But, we'll see.

2) We just came back from a ski trip in Harbor Springs, MI. We left Jonah with Nana and Papa, and we took Patrick with us on the trip. It was so fun! Michael went skiing for the first time, and he did pretty well considering that we weren't so nice to him - we skipped the bunny hill and took him straight to the top. Nothing like throwing him into the deep end! We went with 3 other families, and in all there were four 4-year-olds and one 3-year-old, with all the "babies" left behind with the grandparents. It was great, and we hope to go again next year!

Michael: 1) He finished his first teaching experience at Robert Morris College just last Thursday. He has mixed emotions about teaching: he likes the teaching part, but really anything else about it isn't so fun. (I could've told him that.) 2) It's been a year now since he's torn his shoulder, and he is doing very well. Some days still give him pain, but others are better. It is frustrating for him to realize that this is how it will be for the rest of his life. But, he is happy that he can now lift both boys over his head and have wrestling matches with them without a problem.

Keri: 1) No a whole lot is new in my life. I'm still enjoying my 2nd grade class, and now know that I will be teaching 2nd grade again next year. 2) I have joined a running club with a friend, and we're hoping that it will get us back in shape. Summer and Joey's wedding are just around the corner, and I would like to look and feel my best. The running club meets once a week for a health lesson and a group run, and they give you a training log to follow for the rest of the week. I'm hoping this keeps me accountable.

Patrick: 1) He's just his great self. He loved skiing, and did a great job at the peewee ski school. 2) He's thriving in preschool. He loves his friends and teachers, and he learns new things all the time. He's excited about tomorrow night at school, because it's Daddy's Night! No Moms allowed! I wonder what fun stuff they'll do! I'm sure I'll hear all about it.

Jonah: 1) Our little devil... He has turned a corner (knock on wood). Just in the last week, we've noticed that he will be okay with us telling him no, and he won't throw a fit. That is a huge step for him! He is part billy goat, as he eats and climbs everything. 2) He scared us a few weeks ago when he choked on breakfast. Michael acted fast and had to do the Heimlich as I called 911. He probably only choked for about 45 seconds, but it was long enough and felt longer. The paramedics were great, and assured us that we did the right things. He checked out fine, but was very hoarse and quiet for a couple of days. Even though I am certified in CPR, Michael and I will be taking a class together next month, you really never know when you'll need to use it.

Above are a bunch of pictures from the last few months. We're just so lucky to have great kids, families, and each other. I don't think I could be any happier (unless a laundry fairy showed up a few times each month...)