It's About Time!!!!

Okay - I have been gone for a VERY LONG TIME but I have good reason. The last month got sooooo busy around here that taking the time to blog took a very distant back seat. On top of trying to keep up with our 2 boys, I decided to go back to Grad School for a second Master's Degree while still trying to teach at South Jr. High and St. Cloud State. Then, baseball began too which just added to the fun. Plus, Heather recently went back to work which added more to her plate too. Oh well, it all gets done...

To catch up on what has been happening here...

March 29th - Heather's Birthday. She turned turned 35 this year but still amazes me how young and energetic she always is. I wish I had her ability to run and run and run and run - I get tired just watching her go... I also can't believe that just 1 month before she was pregnant with Evan - again, the running and running and...

April - Isaac is really taking to the idea of being a big brother. It is so much fun to see how in so many ways he has gone from the baby to the big guy in such a short time. He still likes to snuggle up with Mom on the couch but he also loves to spend time with Evan. This baby is pretty lucky to have Isaac around - I feel REALLY bad for the kid that ever picks on him - I think he'll have a body guard growing up.



I just love this picture.








Easter 2009. As you can probably guess - the Easter Bunny brought WAAAAAAY too much for the boys, but he must have thought they were worth it. Also, if you know Heather you know that the boys were going to have to have matching outfits for the day - both in khaki pants and sweater vests - I think they both hated it and were out of them about 10 minutes after church. One perk of being a parent though during Easter - raiding the candy when they're not looking - gotta love that Easter Bunny.


On May 3 we had Evan's baptism which went really well. We couldn't have asked for better weather and better food. Also, we were really excited to walk into church that morning and find out that Father Tony was going to be the priest for the service. Father Tony is the priest that baptized Isaac 9 years ago when Heather was living in Holdingford. It just so happens that everything worked out and he was able to be there for Heather again with Evan. We all came back to our house after the service and some pictures for lunch and enjoying the nice day. Also, I have to say - Dale makes a GREAT Statue of Liberty back there!!!!

That's all I have for now - I will try to do better posting now that baseball is about over, I'm at home with Evan (no more grading and planning at night for South Jr. High), I'm not taking or teaching a class until June at SCSU.

Time to take a breath...

Happy 9th Birthday Isaac

Today was Isaac's 9th Birthday, and I think he had a pretty good one...
First we brought cupcakes to his classroom - Tech H.S. black and orange with footballs - they looked really good. Then, after school I took him for a "Man Spa" over to Sports Clips. He loved this part - it was so funny to watch how cool he felt!!!! I'm not sure which part was his favorite - the scalp mint massage or the hot towels around his face. Either way - he loved it. So much his mother's son.

Then Heather's family came over for pizza, salads, and Culver's frozen cake. It was REALLY good - and the best part - left over pizza. Isaac got a lot of GREAT presents from family - he is very lucky!!!!

The night ended with a "jam session" in our basement with Rock Band II. I think EVERYONE had a lot of fun watching the kids, and even some of the adults, rock out with the game. When Isaac finally went to bed tonight, he kept saying over and over how fun his birthday was.

That's the way it should be...

Hey Steph - payback is a ...

Good Look'n Boys...

Whenever I look at these pics I'm reminded of one very important fact - THANK GOD MY BOYS GET THEIR LOOKS FROM THEIR MOTHER!!!!!

Life in our house is really good - a little sleepier than normal, but overall very good. Isaac is set to turn 9 tomorrow which is really crazy. It seems literally like yesterday that I was lucky enough to get to spend the day with Isaac on his 2nd birthday, and now he is knocking on the steps of double digits (366 days away). He's getting so old so fast but nothing more fun watching him grow up and become the young man he is quickly becoming.

Evan is also getting so big so fast - he is starting to lose some of that "new born" stuff and becoming a baby - lots of sleeping, crying, and pooping - quite often all at the same time. I can't wait to get to know him as he continues to grow up - I just have to get him away from Heather for a few minutes to do that.

We're Home...

We are home and loving it - very relaxing and nice to finally have our whole family home we're we belong. It was frustrating for Heather and I to not have Isaac with us all of the time - he felt like a visitor at the hospital. We got home Thursday afternoon and started getting adjusted to our Plus One. That night Isaac introduced Evan to the almighty TV - a fun picture of the two boys together...

We also introduced Evan to Heather's favorite place in the world - the Mall - after his first doctor's appointment. Isaac was on stroller duty for most of the short time we were there. We also introduced Evan to his crib (yes, he sleeps with Heather and I - don't judge us...) - he loves the mobile that Grandma Shirley gave him - fell asleep looking up at it and listening to the music.

Having a good time before we have to go back to life after next week.

Day 3 - This will make a good story someday...

This is kind of a good one...

Yesterday morning we get a visit from Heather's doctor and while we are visiting ask her if my brother and his wife happen to have come back in the night before - they are also expecting a little boy soon and have the same doctor. She smiles and just tells us we should go down and knock on the door down the hall. Sure enough - they came back last night and had their little boy early in the morning. Now, to make it even better - they became our neighbors. Pretty much heaven for my mom and dad.


Lots of visitors and phone calls yesterday - trying to keep up with everything and still get our rest. It's overall been a really great day. Isaac was able to come back up today and is still CRAZY about his little brother. We are planning on going home today (Thursday) so then real life begins. We are of course excited about getting Evan home and Isaac wants to give him a tour of his home. Just going to start cleaning up and packing here soon and take care of the last few things - then our new lives begin at home this afternoon...


Mmmmmm.... Boobies.

Awake the Sleeping Giant

Day 2 and it's all about the eating...

I know people are laughing right now when I write this but it truly is all about the eating, pooping, crying, and sleeping. Evan had a rough start to the day (had his &@$* clipped - OUCH!!!!) so he was on pain meds and slept much of the day. So in the mean time - Heather was able to get totally detached from everything and get into her own clothes which if you know Heather is about 95% of feeling normal. I heard the stock value of GAP, Express, and Limited all went up yesterday after hearing that Heather was starting to think - clothes...

Thank God we didn't have a little girl!

Isaac and Grandma Shirley spent the afternoon here. Isaac is VERY much in love and protective of his little brother. Any concern anyone might have had should not at least so far. He spent much of the day loving him up and holding him tight - pretty cool to see. Isaac and I eventually left for a little bit to get some things from home and eat - giving Grandma Shirley time with Heather and Evan.

Finally, we had some more family on Ryan's side up in the evening. My brother and his wife Chrissy, who are about 8 minutes from having their new baby too (June must have been a good month in our family) and their 2 boys. They were pretty excited about Evan and were having a good time talking about their new little brother too. All this while my brother Ed is checking with staff to see if they should just stay for Chrissy to have her baby - I'm not kidding, I thought Heather was going to have roommate right there.

Finally, my sister Leah and her 2 girls were up. Audrey (the youngest) is a mother waiting to grow up so of course she went right for Evan. Hanna is Isaac's age and is attached to Heather (they share a love of fashion...) so she loved the baby but also was excited to talk to Heather.

I think tonight will be about getting some rest for all three.

Boy Meet World

Well, it's been a pretty great day and Evan is here... It's been pretty busy with people stopping in so I haven't had time to find a way to get online but I wanted to get a few pics up for those that are interested in meeting him.

The day started out pretty normal with Isaac getting ready for school. After we dropped him off we got ourselves ready to head up to the hospital. We got in right away and everything started to move into action. By 10:40 Heather was off for her final prep and I was in scrubs ready to go. They led me down to the OR (I felt like a charter from Grey's Anatomy) and there they were already working on Heather. She was AMAZING!!!!! By 11:07 Evan was born and Heather was going through the final stages.

We headed back to the recovery room where they helped Heather get some rest and make sure Evan was doing great. According to the surgeon - nothing could have gone better - it was perfect. He was alert, crying, and doing great baby stuff. Heather was sleeping some but otherwise doing really well.

We headed down to our room and finally Isaac arrived to meet his new brother. One fact that I know is true - a family is a family no matter how the members all arrive. I was never so happy to see my oldest son and to introduce him to my youngest son. Having 2 healthy and happy boys - nothing could have made this a better day.

We had other family members and friends arrive throughout the day. It was nice to see everyone and get a chance to share our newest addition.

Heather and I are now just resting and talking while Evan eats some, sleeps some, and cries some. Overall, a pretty good day - and it has all just begun...