Brothers

60 degrees yesterday

2012-01-20T07:45:00.000-08:00

story time

2012-01-10T07:57:00.000-08:00

Christmas Stuff

2011-12-16T07:50:00.000-08:00

The boys have hung their stockings by the chimney.

Islwyn during his Christmas program at school. They were singing The Little Drummer Boy.

Me and my sick little Amund. He has had a cold for about a week now.

Santa Train

2011-11-27T15:14:00.000-08:00

Mical, Rob, and Carsten came to visit us for Thanksgiving. We had so much fun. One day we took a train ride through the mountains with Santa.

The kids got bells they could jingle when they saw Santa.
Even baby was there--but he was asleep the whole time.
We spent some time playing at the playground at our church.

Hanging Out

2011-11-11T19:04:00.000-08:00

Someone is getting chubby cheeks!

Halloween etc.

2011-11-01T11:04:00.000-07:00

Hmmm, big brother putting little brother to work.

2011-10-14T14:22:00.001-07:00

Christa and Peter Visit

2011-10-13T08:37:00.000-07:00

Uncle Peter and Aunt Christa visited us last week. It was so fun to see them! We tried to do a little bit of sightseeing. We visited Boulder one day--We tried to do a family photo but this was the best one we got....

Islwyn wanted to take a picture of us....
We visited the Pumpkin Patch that day too. Islwyn refused to be in any pictures. But here are Amund and Elijah. Thanks for the cool jeans and sweater Mical!
Picking our pumpkins.

We also visited a small town up in the mountains one day. Here we are enjoying a soda at the soda fountain there.
It was pretty cold--you can even see the snow on the ground.

Peter and Christa.

And Elijah got lots of snuggles. Peter had an especially snuggly spot--whenever he held Elijah he would go right to sleep.
Snuggles with Christa.

Elijah

2011-10-04T07:58:00.000-07:00

Elijah decided he needed to show up his big brothers at birth or something. He was born three weeks before his due date. When he was first born he seemed totally fine. Here he is at just minutes old. He was really angry!

But by the next day he was showing signs of respiratory distress and the nurses took him to the NICU at Lutheran (where he was born). They gave him some extra oxygen and x-rayed his lungs. He had a small hole in his left lung that was leaking air out of his lung and causing his lung to partially collapse and it also was pushing his heart over to the right side. So they decided to insert a needle in where the air was and suck the air out. They did this three times, but he kept getting more air. At this point the doctors weren't sure if he had an infection or if he was not making his own surfactant yet.

Since the air kept accumulating outside of his lung, the doctor decided we should transfer him to Children's Hospital on the other side of Denver. It is about 30 minutes from where we live. So we decided to baptize him.

Then the transfer team came. Jonathan rode in the ambulance with Elijah--while my dad drove me to the hospital to meet them.

The first night he was in the NICU at Children's the doctors put a tube in his chest to let the air out and also put him on the ventilator and gave him some surfactant to help his lungs heal until he started making his own surfactant. Apparently this is common in babies who are premature--that they can't make their own surfactant for a couple of days. Although the doctors said they don't usually see it in a baby at 37 weeks--but a similar thing happened to one of my nephews who was born around 37 1/2 weeks....so we don't really know why this happened. He was technically not premature since he was just 37 weeks. They also put him under lights for some jaundice he had.

After 2 days they took him off the ventilator.

Once his chest tube came out I could start feeding him and he just had to show he could eat enough to be able to go home and not need to have a feeding tube. Here he is the day we came home. He had to go home with some oxygen.

Finally, yesterday, on his due date when he was actually 3 weeks old, he was able to go without extra oxygen. Finally he is free of all tubes etc!

He also weighs 7 pounds already. Wow! We are so grateful that he was so well taken care of. First at Lutheran and then at Children's. The nurses and doctors were totally amazing and the NICU was really nice and set up to help families. I was able to stay with him the whole time he was in the hospital. The first couple of nights Jonathan and I were able to sleep in a family room that they have right in the NICU. It is sort of like a hotel room down the hall from Elijah's room. Then after that we just stayed in his room with him. They have a couch that pulls out into a bed and a tv/dvd and a bathroom in his room. We were able to close a curtain around our bed and tv area while we were sleeping. Also, our room just happened to be at the very end of the hall and around the corner so it was very quiet and private. We were really lucky that way as some of the babies didn't even have their own rooms. I can't say enough good things about the NICU at Children's--we are so glad that we were right here in Denver when this happened so it was very easy to transfer him there and close to our home. Now all Elijah has left to remind him of all of this is a tiny scar under his arm where his chest tube was. Otherwise, he is doing really great. Thank you to everyone who was praying for him! And a big shout out to my parents for taking care of Islwyn and Amund the whole time we were in the NICU--8 days!

Some More Pictures

2011-09-27T09:19:00.000-07:00

Elijah--the first time I got to hold him after he was in the NICU.

All the boys.
Right after he was born.

Elijah Caedmon Williams

2011-09-24T15:38:00.001-07:00

Born September 13, 2011 at 12:53 p.m. He was 6 pounds 1 ounce and 20 inches long.

Mount Rushmore

2011-08-27T13:22:00.000-07:00

This is what happens when Islwyn and Dada have some free time together.

Sightseeing

2011-08-23T09:19:00.000-07:00

We were finally able to do some sightseeing close to our new home. Yesterday was Jonathan's day off so we decided to drive about 1/2 an hour away to Idaho Springs. We also went about half way up a mountain to this beautiful lake at 11,000 feet. Amund and Islwyn had fun watching the ducks.....

...and climbing on rocks....

We also got to see this really cool old train in town.

Heading West

2011-08-15T19:51:00.000-07:00

My plan was to document the places we stopped on our way to Colorado. But, I was too tired and busy packing and cleaning etc. A couple nights before we left our old house one of Islwyn's friends came over to spend the night. It was super fun. They got to watch a movie and have pizza in the living room. We made Hello Kitty waffles for breakfast and played dress up.

Here we are in St. Louis visiting my parents for a couple of days. It was so relaxing--after spending the previous day cleaning our old house, then we left at 6 pm to drive to St. Louis. We had to drive separately so we were both exhausted by the time we got there around 1 am. It was so nice to wake up the next morning to this view out our bedroom window. Minka and Grandpa take Islwyn swimming! Yay!

It did not take the kids long to lose all inhibitions and start jumping in the pool. They were doing all kinds of crazy "jumps." Amund had his life jacket on and we had to stay by him, but Islwyn is big enough to walk around in the entire shallow end and he is an amazing swimmer. Minka taught him how to float, tread water, bob, and even do some underwater swimming. The below pictures basically illustrate our entire vacation there. It was great!

Islwyn and Grandpa did some car washing one day.And no day was complete without story time with Minka.

The family before we left for Kansas.

Moving ...

2011-07-19T14:41:00.000-07:00

A view into our dining room--full of boxes. We are loading the truck on Thursday and plan to arrive in Denver next Thursday or Friday. We just packed the big computer away so there won't be any updates until we get unloaded in Denver probably. Mical--I plan to post some great pictures from mom and dad's! Just haven't had time yet. Pray for a safe trip for us and that Jonathan doesn't get heat stroke driving the un-airconditioned Honda through Missouri and Kansas in July.....

Pa's Birthday in Kansas

2011-07-07T11:00:00.000-07:00

We spent some time in Kansas with Jonathan's family. Islwyn talked Grandad into playing UNO with him--Islwyn rules. Which means Islwyn gets all the trick cards and Grandad gets all the regular cards. You can guess who always wins.

Us dancing at the party.

Amund was WAY into barbershop.
The boys watching silly videos.
The boys with their great grandparents.
Handsome Amund.
And the best of all, Sam. The boys were in heaven with Sam around for a couple of days. I am a mean mama for not letting them get a dog! :)

Visit

2011-05-19T08:25:00.001-07:00

Mical, Rob, and Carsten came to visit this week. I can't even believe what a big boy he is! Islwyn and Amund had so much fun playing with him and Mical and Rob.

Islwyn is just starting to get into playing games for real (following the rules). So he and Rob played a game of Uno while we were at lunch yesterday at the local coffee shop.
Cousins! I definitely see a resemblance between Islwyn and Carsten. Not so sure about my little blondie though!
Thanks for visiting! We can't wait to see you guys again next week in St. Louis.

Picnic in the back yard

2011-05-01T14:07:00.000-07:00

Lately Islwyn has been really into doing picnics in the back yard. So today he got the picnic basket out and filled it with water bottles, clementines, oranges, all the candy and treats he could find in the house. But then he couldn't pick up the basket to get it outside! Then he took some picture of me and Jonathan lounging on the blanket during picnic.

And being silly with brother!

painting

2011-03-31T12:01:00.001-07:00

What happens when Islwyn paints....

Grandparent's Day

2011-03-25T10:39:00.001-07:00

In February Islwyn had Grandparent's Day at school. We were SO excited that Grandpa came for it!!! Here they are doing an art project.

The kids performing.
We also went bowling. Islwyn and Amund were carrying the bowling balls around....

For a while there Amund was winning!

It was so much fun. We miss you Grandpa (Be-Pop as Amund says)!

More Florida

2011-03-25T10:35:00.001-07:00

I had to post some pictures of my new nephew, Carsten.

Shoulder dimple!

And while I was in Tampa having fun with the new baby, Islwyn spent time with his grandparents on the farm. He got to help feed the horses...
Play in the dirt....(he even got Nani to sit in the dirt with him)

Jonathan's dad is in the background doing a training session while Islwyn finds rocks in the dirt.

Pirates

2011-03-25T10:06:00.000-07:00

The Botanical Gardens here in Fort Wayne had a Peter Pan exhibit. So we invited a friend who loves Peter Pan as much as we do and we went over there yesterday. Amund liked being at the helm.

And here are my two little fairies.

We got to explore Captain Hook's ship. Islwyn had to walk the gang plank.

Amund was a little scared as there was real water around the ship with fountains and stuff in it. So he ended up staying on board.
Playing in the lost boys cave.

And we got to explore the Indian Encampment.

We also celebrated Amund's second birthday on the 7th. He got an ice cream cake. But wouldn't eat any of it!
Boom, booms! His favorite.
And he got a T-ball set which he LOVES playing with.
And two random pictures of me and Mical in Florida. I'll have to post some pictures of the handsome baby.
Here is the version of me with a giant head....

And then Mical with a giant head!!! Ha ha. We were taking a walk around Ybor City. We had so much fun in Florida!

Amund

2011-03-03T08:01:00.000-08:00

Amund having fun while Islwyn and I are in Florida.

Silly Amund

2011-01-24T15:24:00.000-08:00

Amund's favorite thing these days is to escape us and climb the steps, get into the bathroom, and start running the water in the sink and filling up containers with water etc. Finally Jonathan put the gate up on the steps because I was always running after him because I am afraid he will fall down the steps (hard wood!!!!) and really hurt himself. Anyway, here are some pictures of him in action. I couldn't resist snapping some pictures with the amazing light in there that day.

Snowy Days

2011-01-08T13:27:00.000-08:00

Enjoying the snowy day.

And inside playing with the new toy Dada made him for Christmas.

tipi

2011-01-05T11:01:00.000-08:00

Jonathan's Grandma made the boys an awesome present for Christmas. A tipi! They both love to play in it, it is so cozy. But Amund especially loves it. He and his puppy play in it every day.

And what I love about it is that, like the candy shop, it easily folds up to be stored when needed.

Thanks Grandma!

One Christmas Gift

2010-12-25T09:35:00.000-08:00

So, here are some pictures of the BIG PROJECT I have been working on for the kids for Christmas this year. I got the idea from a blog that I read (www.ikatbag.com). Of course my version is not nearly as professional looking...This picture was taken around 2 am this morning when we finally had everything ready for Christmas morning. I was able to use old sheets for the whole thing! Jonathan helped me make the frame for it.
"Amund and Islwyn's Candy Shop." The little door can go down on the floor like a welcome mat and the "Open" sign flips to say "closed."

Candies made by Aunt Becky (giant candies), Great Grandma Dickerhoof (bag of m and ms), Aunt Lindsey and Uncle Nathanael (donuts and m and m bags).

Aunt Mical (lollipops) and Nani (gingerbread men). I made the super lame looking candy canes.
A mail box like the one at our house too.

I am going to add more pictures of them playing with all their candies and of the other awesome presents they got from people this year. Thanks so much to everyone who helped. I could not have done it without you all who helped make the candy.

2010-12-20T12:16:00.001-08:00

2010-12-18T14:38:00.000-08:00

Elves

2010-12-15T10:00:00.000-08:00

We have some elves at work around our house these days. Doing some woodworking....

Sewing.....
Nani Elf is hard at work on our missing stocking!
And the Christmas decorations are making us ready for Jesus' birth.
We have been reading from our advent calendar each night. And Jonathan does a little devotional prayer. We are excited about the Christmas present, but are most thankful for the present of Jesus' birth.

Minka, Grandpa, and Turkeys

2010-12-06T10:52:00.000-08:00

The boys sure miss Minka and Grandpa now that they live in St. Louis. They were visiting a couple of weeks ago and we helped them get packed up and ready to move. Here are the boys attacking them before bed time...

Snugglies with Minka.
We also went to the forest preserve about a month ago to learn about turkeys. Islwyn got to make a contraption that when you blow into it sounds like an owl hooting. Not really sure what that has to do with turkeys, but it was fun to make! Here he is hooting like an owl, while we walk through the preserve.

Amund exploring a log that fell over.

Haircuts

2010-12-01T12:33:00.000-08:00

It's a good thing my mom was trained in cutting hair! She always does Islwyn's hair just right and it is one expense I never have to worry about. When Islwyn heard my parents would be in town, he said he needed a haircut. So here he is....

Handsome Islwyn, all done. And ALL that hair on the floor behind him is his. He has so much hair!
Amund also had a turn. At 20 months, this is his first hair cut ever! We gave him some treats to eat while Minka worked on his hair. Big brother was there to help and reassure him too.

Big Boy Amund revealed. No more baby Amund anymore... :(.

THANKS MINKA!!! WE LOVE AND MISS YOU.

Halloween

2010-11-01T05:03:00.000-07:00

We went trick or treating in our neighborhood last night. The boys had so much fun. We are lucky to live in a place that has a lot of people around and lots of trick or treating I guess. The boys walked about 6 blocks I think last night. It was perfect weather for trick or treating and everyone was in a good mood. It really made it a community experience. We were able to even meet some of our neighbors who we hadn't met before. Here are the boys walking to the next house. I had to get a shot of them with those huge old trees in the background.
Islwyn and Amund walked up many sidewalks together without Jonathan or me. They looked so big all on their own.

Home after all that trick or treating. Amund is asking for some M and Ms. The boys sat out on the porch for a while and handed out candy.

Park

2010-10-21T08:17:00.000-07:00

On Sunday it was such a beautiful day that we took a trip to the park. Islwyn and Jonathan went fishing while Amund and I played on the playground. It was overall a really nice afternoon...except for the kids who were running around with toy guns shooting everyone and yelling at them that they were dead.....

Rainy Day

2010-10-21T08:09:00.000-07:00

The other Saturday Jonathan was gone all morning for something for school. The boys and I were home on the rainy, rainy, Saturday. So we got all dressed and went outside to splash in the puddles. We have GREAT puddles on our street, and in the church parking lot next door. They splashed and splashed.

Amund kept finding rocks to throw into the puddles. And he loved wearing Islwyn's old yellow boots. You can see our house in the background with the pumpkins out front.

After all that splashing, the kids were wet and cold. So we went inside for a nice long bubble bath. Then they both got into snuggly clothes. Amund took a nap and Islwyn and I had popcorn and watched a movie. What a perfect fall day!

A Year Ago...

2010-10-10T17:26:00.000-07:00

It has been over a year since we moved to Fort Wayne from our home in Maine. We just got copies of our facebook picture for the seminary.

This is the one taken around this time last year.

And this is the one from this year. The boys have certainly grown up in the past year. Although Jonathan and I look much the same....which is a good thing I think.

Apple Picking 2010

2010-09-30T10:46:00.000-07:00

One of my friends from when I was in high school and I went apple picking today. She has two little kids just about Islwyn and Amund's age so they get along pretty well. We got 1/2 a bushel of apples! The boys had a lot of fun.

Islwyn found an apple with a giant leaf and twig still attached.
Amund was really into the wagon. He thought he could pull it, but it was a bit too heavy with 1 1/2 bushels of apples in it.
Another apple Islwyn found.

Amund did a great job picking a whole bunch of apples.

And eating them. I think he ate atleast 3 and one on the way home.
Islwyn picking.

Now what to do with all these apples!!?? Share some recipes if anyone has any.

Indianapolis

2010-09-16T14:52:00.000-07:00

We drove to Indy today to visit one of my friends from college. We studied abroad together in the Czech Republic. We visited the Indianapolis Museum of Art -- we went to the out door exhibit. I also took the opportunity to get some pictures of the boys and me in our new fall clothes. I made all three outfits from patterns that Jonathan's Grandma gave me over the summer. Thank you!!!!

Islwyn made a new friend. He really latched onto Cindy and did not want to leave!
The boys playing on the giant skeleton.

School Days

2010-09-15T12:09:00.000-07:00

Amund and I sent the big boys off to school last week. Jonathan has been really busy with all of his classes, fieldwork, and his job at the library. Islwyn started pre-school last Wednesday. He really likes it and was excited to be the first student in the class to bring show and tell. Amund and I walk Islwyn to school every day. This is a picture of the boys on our walk the first day of school.

I also had to take a picture of Islwyn in front of the school building. If look really closely behind him you can see the cornerstone--it says "Peace Lutheran 1949."

We couldn't be happier with his pre-school. We love the teachers and the director. They only do pre-school and pre-kindergarten there. It is only in the mornings from 9-11:30. There are 11 kids in his class and they are all from our neighborhood and from all different backgrounds. The main focus of the pre-school is on Jesus and they have chapel once a week with the pastor. I hear a lot of different languages spoken by the parents (mostly English, Spanish, and Burmese). And we love our morning walks to and from school. We have been able to really enjoy the late summer/fall weather so far. Amund and I have been enjoying spending time together. I think Amund really likes having all the toys to himself for a little while!

Ohio

2010-09-07T17:24:00.000-07:00

We spent the weekend with my sister and her family. The boys were super into playing with their four cousins (also all boys!)

We got to go enjoy a local lake. Amund had lots of fun throwing rocks into the water.

Islwyn did lots of exploring in the woods on our hike.

And with his cousins.
Swinging from the tree in the front yard.

Amund loved the pinwheels in the front yard.

After a long day with 6 little boys, the adults got to enjoy a wonderful meal at the restaurant where my brother - in - law is executive chef.

More Kansas

2010-08-26T20:10:00.000-07:00

We had a really great time visiting with Jonathan's relatives in Kansas this summer. Everyone very generously put up with us and our 2 sleep deprived kids as well!

Here is Amund with Great-Grandma.

Pa singing Amund "The Farmer in the Dell."
Islwyn after his birthday cake.
Blowing out the candles.

Grandma very generously sharing her little boy patterns with me. I now have a new Autumn outfit all cut out for Amund and Islwyn from patterns she lent me.

Bucyrus, Kansas. We were able to spend some time with Jonathan's Aunt Regina and Uncle Darrel. Also with their son Logan (Jonathan's cousin) and his wife and three boys. They have a family owned and operated pumpkin farm that we went out to visit. We even got to pick the three pumpkins that were fully grown and bring them home with us. We are the first people in town with pumpkins on the front porch.
Jonathan with his cousin Logan -- looking at the pumpkin patch.

Islwyn and "Allergy" (as he calls Aunt Regina)

Logan also grows chrysanthemums, and let me take one home with me. Islwyn is helping pick it out.

I like how my son is clutching a basketball and a beer cozy.....hmmmm.

We also got to meet up with one of my college friends and her two kids for a fun day at a local park/farm. It was so great to see them and meet the kids. We hadn't seen each other since college so it was a bit surreal to me. I felt like I was back 10 years ago in college when we were talking and then I would look over at my two kids.....Amund and Leo ...both of them super tired out and past nap time I think.

Islwyn and Sophia feeding the goats.
Of course had to show one with Islwyn and his giant popsicle!

Watermelon!

2010-08-26T19:52:00.000-07:00

Islwyn picked out watermelon seeds at the store, planted them, watered them, and picked them pretty much all on his own this summer. We have picked 3 so far. They were super good today. Here is Amund enjoying a big bite of brother's watermelon.

YUM!

Showing it off after he picked it.

We try and help the kids do fun things on their own. I am so glad we did this with Islwyn and so proud of how he did almost all the work himself. I would find him out there, sitting next to his pumpkins, looking at them and talking to them. And of course I LOVED eating the fresh watermelon straight from the garden today.

3,326 Miles Later....

2010-08-24T16:00:00.000-07:00

We are finally home after more than 3,000 miles of driving. The boys did great....mostly thanks to my mom getting them a DVD player so they could watch movies. But Islwyn also LOVED playing with all of the little McDonald's toys and beads that Aunt Mical donated to the cause. Amund liked playing with the pipe cleaners. Then on the last leg from Kansas to Fort Wayne, Jonathan's Aunt and Uncle very generously gave both boys birthday gifts that were perfect for the car. Islwyn keeps his in the car and colors on short car trips in town too. And Amund keeps his Mr. Potato Head in the car and plays with it. He wouldn't even let go of it to go into the store the other day and just played with it the whole time. Anyway, here are the boys feeding and playing with Grandad's horses in Colorado.

Note Islwyn's super nice cowboy boots he got from Grandad and Nani for his birthday. We also got him his own cowboy hat.

Thinking about this ...very serious!
Amund, Dada, and Grandad.

Once back in Kansas we got to spend some more time with Jonathan's grandparents. The boys helped Pa pick up the sticks out of his yard.
Photos in the back yard.

The best. toy. ever.

More of the best. toy. ever.
Islwyn begging for them to play with him...

Sugar City, Colorado. We stopped here to play and have some lunch.
More pictures to come of Islwyn's birthday party and our time in Bucyrus, KS.

Welcome FOUR

2010-08-16T07:17:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to Islwyn. We welcome you, year four.

More hiking

2010-08-11T12:41:00.000-07:00

Mile 1394

2010-08-10T11:52:00.000-07:00

Our Trip

2010-08-08T08:39:00.000-07:00

At 163 miles. In Chicago for my sister Mical's shower. Here she is with mom and her mother-in-law.

Me and Christa.

Mile 515. We stopped in Brookfield, MO for some dinner and to let the kids play. The best playground ever for the little kids. They had so much fun.

Mile 749. Manhattan, KS. We got to go to the zoo with great Grandma and Pa.

Played lots of games.
Splash pool!

More zoo. We got to see the bears.

645 miles to go to Colorado.....

Summer Fun

2010-07-26T06:07:00.000-07:00

We have been trying to spend a lot of time doing fun summer activities. The back yard pool is our most common activity these days. Islwyn figured out a way to float around in his little pool. Here he is having some relaxation time in the sun.

Both boys floating in their "boat."
Note the side going straight into the pool. Islwyn calls it his slip and slide.

We went to the Indiana Dunes last weekend and got to go swimming at the beach. Islwyn had been begging to go to the beach. I tried to explain it wouldn't be like the beach he is used to in Maine, but it was still fun. The sand was SUPER hot though.

Islwyn took this picture of me. Surprisingly good composition for a 3 year old.
New shorts! Islwyn and Amund picked out this fabric and I made them shorts for the summer. Islwyn calls his the lollipop shorts because they look like they have lollipops on them.

St. Louis

2010-07-10T13:49:00.000-07:00

The boys and I spent a couple of days in St. Louis with my parents week before last. We got to spend a whole day doing fun things with my dad while my mom worked. We went to see the arch. The arch was designed by the same architect who designed the seminary where my dad teaches and Jonathan attends school. Also, we were married at the chapel he designed on campus.

Mom and Dad with Amund.
Islwyn.
Islwyn and I on our way up to the top of the arch.
Islwyn at the top looking out the window.
Me and Amund at the museum that is at the base of the arch.
Islwyn and Amund in the model of what the elevator cars look like.
Of course we had to go to Ted Drewes for frozen custard.
And Grant's Farm!

Islwyn to to pet the baby goats and feed them milk out of a bottle.

We visited Concordia Publishing House.

Chicago

2010-07-10T13:41:00.000-07:00

I am finally getting around to posting some pictures from our trip to Chicago. We stayed with my sister Christa and her husband Peter. We also got to see my brother Aaron and his wife Leslie. We had so much fun hanging out in Lincoln Square with them. Walking around the neighborhood was fun. Took me back to when I used to live in the city... Here is Islwyn on a late night walk.

Amund and Peter

Walking over to Aaron and Leslie's.
We got to meet up with one of my friends from grad school and he little boy at a local cafe I used to study and work at all the time. Amund and Wyeth hit it off I think.
And reading bed time stories with Aunt Christa.

Baby Steps

2010-06-14T09:35:00.000-07:00

Chicago

2010-06-06T18:41:00.001-07:00

(Photo courtesy of Peter Kileff)

We went to Chicago for a couple of days. I had some meetings to attend for work and the whole family came along to hang out with my sister and brother and their spouses (more pics coming soon). I had a lot of fun back at work for 1 1/2 days. Rode the el to a from work just like back in the day when I did that every day. I did miss the boys.....but not too much! Jonathan had some time to be the stay at home parent....and the boys had a lot of fun going to the park and watching the el (which we did over and over again) by my sister's place.

Cute Babies

2010-05-22T14:56:00.000-07:00

Before Amund was born I didn't think another baby could be as cute as Islwyn. It just wasn't possible. Here is Islwyn when he was around 1 year old. Those big brown eyes and dark hair. What about those fat little cheeks?

I was proved wrong--Amund is just as cute! In his totally unique way, with his big BLUE eyes and blondish/reddish hair. And his totally different personality than Islwyn. While Islwyn was mainly serious and always had to think about things very deeply it seemed, Amund has always been incredibly happy and gurgly. He is seriously going through the most adorable phase right now and it reminds me so much of how it was when Islwyn was this age. I think I forgot how adorable they are around the age they turn one. They have that cute half grown up and half baby face. They get so excited about everything and are just learning to toddle around and look so proud while doing it.

Amund was having all kinds of fun with Dada today. He loves making all kinds of different noises and thinks it is hilarious when other people do it.

Islwyn had to get in on the action too.
And look at that curl! I just can't even stand it. He has curls on both sides of his head and on the back of his head. And my mom keeps trying to cut his hair!!! How could you even think about cutting of that perfect little baby curl Mom??? :) I understand that he is growing up and that he has hair that kind of gets into his eyes because it is so long in front....but I just can't let his hair be cut yet. Once he gets it cut, he just won't be as much of a baby anymore....and he is still the baby....even though he is over a year and starting to walk....
Actually, he needs to leave his hair long so he fits in with the other boys in the family....

The Farm

2010-05-20T10:01:00.000-07:00

Islwyn's class went on a field trip to a local farm today. I took both boys. We got to go on a hayride.

Pet and hold ducklings.

And kittens.

This one was our favorite. It was hard for me not to try and bring her home! I resisted since I know we will be moving in a year to who knows where /.... and then moving again, and again. But the boys LOVED this kitten....

There were also pony rides, but Islwyn didn't want to do that. He loved all the animals though. Goats, hens, roosters, cows, pony, ducklings, goslings, kittens, etc. etc.

watercolors and bears

2010-05-05T10:17:00.000-07:00

Islwyn and I were watching Martha Stewart the other day and they had a segment on how to make your own watercolor paints. And all the ingredients are things most people have already in their pantry. Here is Islwyn refusing to smile with all the ingredients for our paints.

mixing baking soda into the vinegar.

Stir until it stops fizzing and bubbling

Then you add some corn syrup and corn starch and stir that in. Then pour into little bowls or egg cartons.

Mix your colors!

We made orange, blue, purple, lots of shades of green, red, and yellow.
Then we had lunch! Islwyn was roaring and pretending he was a bear.
Then Amund had to do it too. SUper cute.

rain and more new clothes

2010-04-28T08:08:00.000-07:00

We get awesome puddles in our front sidewalk after it rains. Islwyn loves playing and running in them. He also LOVES his new hand painted t-shirt from our awesome friends in Maine whom we miss sooooo much. AnaSofia is the first friend Islwyn made--they met on the swing sets in the park by our old house. Thanks so much for the cool t-shirts guys.

And I designed and sewed this outfit for Amund. I wanted it to be kind of form fitting, but also the shorts to be all the way to his knees. However, I made it a little too short! He can barely squeeze into it with a disposable on (which he rarely wears during the day). Hopefully we will have some warm days soon so he can wear it at least once or twice before he gets too tall! So....anyone who loves it and has a little boy who is between 6 and 12 months....you may be getting a new hand made creation... :) I made it out of an old shirt of Jonathan's.

Spring and Grandparents

2010-04-21T16:59:00.000-07:00

Jonathan's parents took some time out of their busy schedule to visit us this last weekend. We had a really great time. Jonathan fixed their computers for them, we got lots of fun meals at home and at restaurants, we spent some time at the local park, we got to show them the library, and also just hang out. Islwyn enjoyed doing"family band" night. I will have to upload a video of that soon. But he likes assigning everyone an instrument and then he leads the music. Anyway, here we are at the park.

Celebrating Amund's birthday.

Amund in the park. Islwyn wouldn't cooperate.
With Granddad and Nani.

Sewing Projects and Play

2010-04-13T05:29:00.000-07:00

Islwyn had to show off the cool building he built out of blocks. Also, he is wearing a shirt I made him out of a men's shirt. I cut it out where the IU was and made it into a little t-shirt for him with white around the neck and edges.

Islwyn crying because he doesn't want to go inside and get ready for bed.
Enjoying his ice cream sunday!
Amund playing outside with is favorite ball.
A new outfit I made Amund for the summer. Vintage 1940's pattern.

Handsome Amund in the sunshine.

Books We're Loving

2010-04-12T06:32:00.001-07:00

We wanted to update some of the books we have been reading lately.

Mr. Dog: The dog who belonged to himself.

Seriously one of the cutest books we have read in a long time. It is about a dog who belongs to himself, who meets a boy who belongs to himself and the things they do together. The little boy in the story looks suspiciously like another little boy that I know.... Also the illustrations are by Garth Williams.

Oliver Finds His Way by Phyllis Root. This story is about a little bear who likes to chase leaves, but one day he gets lost chasing a leaf--how does he find his way home? The illustrations are amazing in this story.

Another story we like by Phyllis Root is Soup for Supper. It is about a giant who tries to take an old woman's vegetables from her garden to make soup. At first they fight each other, but soon they overcome their differences and misunderstandings, and become friends. This story has a lot of funny parts to it that Islwyn really like. The old woman calls the giant all kinds of silly names like potato nose and carrots toes.

Soon I will be posting more pictures of the boys. They are looking forward to seeing their Nani and Grandad on Thursday!

Time with Dada

2010-03-20T15:25:00.000-07:00

Here's our student on campus with Amund.

Playing dominoes with Dada.
Dada mid-sneeze.

Wiping off Amund's head after he sneezed all over him.....

Spring!

2010-03-19T16:27:00.001-07:00

It is spring here in Indiana. Seventy degrees and sunny for 4 days in a row! I couldn't believe it. We have been busy. Here is Islwyn playing air hockey with some new friends at the seminary commons.

Playing out in our side yard (actually the church yard.
Picture day at school. Islwyn was all dressed up like this with a new haircut to get his pic taken at school for his first school picture and apparently he went totally hysterical and wouldn't let them take his picture. Just kept crying and crying. So I took a picture at home. He was riding his trike around the dining room.
Amund loves the swing.
Playing in the dirt is very serious work.

Amund loves his card from Great - Grandma and Pa.

Grandma and Grandpa's

2010-03-11T05:33:00.001-08:00

We got to spend a couple of days at my Grandma and Grandpa's house. The boys had lots of fun.

Amund with Grandma and Grandpa.

Grandma with both boys.
The boys got to do lots of puzzles and games with Grandpa. Here they are doing a puzzle.
Islwyn found a new friend in his second cousin, they are almost exactly the same age and got to do lots of playing together. They were so proud of their candy cane shape they made out of pillows.

Amund with Grandpa during a card game.
Islwyn and Austin coloring.
Grandpa and Amund.
This little suit was my grandmother's dad's suit when he was Islwyn's age (in 1899). My grandma has it and we had Islwyn try it on to see how it looks. It is still in really nice condition and really did look cute on Islwyn!

Aunt Vicky and Uncle Al's

2010-03-11T05:27:00.001-08:00

We spent a fun week in Minnesota visiting my family. Islwyn and Amund had never been there before and it has been about 4 years since Jonathan and I had visited. We had so much fun. We spent a couple days with my dad's sister and her husband and my cousins. Islwyn really found a new friend in my Aunt Vicky. He loved listening to her play the piano and he watched the strings....

Then he got to play a little bit....
He had to help her put her winter decorations away and put out the spring ones....
Amund got in on the action playing catch....
And also playing with Uncle Al.
Oh, and of course, Dada played his ukulele.

Someone Special is ONE!

2010-03-11T05:09:00.000-08:00

I am still totally amazed that Amund is one already. I really feel like he was just born. But he really has grown up to be an amazing little boy. He is the happiest baby around, he is always smiling and laughing. He got to celebrate his birthday in Minnesota with all kinds of relatives. Here he is at Grandma and Grandpa Olson's. Grandma made him a super yummy chocolate cake. It was also my mom's birthday the day before, so she got the traditional angel food cake.

He also got cake the day before his birthday at Uncle Al and Aunt Vicky's house. An ice cream cake. Super yummy too. He had no trouble eating that cake.
Blowing the candles out with Minka. Wearing his birthday crown--"me and my ukulele."

Lack of Pictures

2010-02-26T06:53:00.000-08:00

So, we have had dreary day after dreary day over here in Indiana. It just makes me miss those sunny but cold days in Maine. Needless to say, I have not been able to really take pictures of the boys since the light is so bad. And really what's the point if they are either blurry from too little light or totally washed out from the flash. I need to take some photography classes so I can get good pics in low light. Anyway, I feel bad about the lack of posts for so long so thought I would write about some of the things we have been doing.

Jonathan--study, study, study, write papers, write papers, write papers.....it is finals week--thankfully today is the last day and he has the next two weeks off from school.

Sarah--sew, sew, sew, clean house, take care of baby. I have been trying to make Amund all of his birthday presents this year....and most of the things I am designing myself. I hope it gets all done. And in typical me fashion, I decided I needed to hand-stitch most of the stuff....

Islwyn--Preschool three days a week in the morning. Obsessed with watching "Kipper." Also has been coloring and cutting and doing playdo.

Amund--Got over the ear infection. Is his usual happy self again. Napping a lot -- than you!!! Um, still not sleeping through the night consistently. Loves to play with the balloons that we have, his stacking cups, and his big brother. Also, currently OBSESSED with graham crackers. He even says "cracka.." when he wants one. His birthday is the 7th--I can't believe he will be one. Oh, and he got two more teeth in, so has 6 teeth now.

So that is what has been going on in our house. We are all very excited about Jonathan being around a little bit more for two weeks. We are also heading up to MN to visit my family for a week during break. I am really excited about it since we haven't been back in over 3 1/2 years. I am really hoping to get some great pictures of the boys with my grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins etc.

School Days

2010-02-17T07:31:00.000-08:00

Big news at our house. Islwyn started pre-school today! I can't believe he is big enough. Here he is in his classroom.

By his locker. It has his name on it.
In front of the school. Getting ready to go in for the first day. Note his super cool backpack I made him.
Islwyn and Amund getting ready to head out the door. I did the front and sides of the backpack in this super awesome Michael Miller vintage cowboy fabric. The back and straps are red corduroy. It was the first time I ever put a zipper in or did piping and I think it turned out ok.
More pics of the bag.

When we took Islwyn into the classroom, he stood by me for a couple of minutes and then he just went and played and didn't even care that I left the classroom....

The backpack pattern I bought from made by rae. It's a great pattern, I did a couple of things differently, but it is a really good pattern and easy to follow.

Snow Day

2010-02-15T06:34:00.001-08:00

We had two snow days last week. So Jonathan was home with us. We did all kinds of fun things.

Made popsicles with orange juice (in the ice cube tray). Islwyn really needed popsicles for his cough and sore throat. Here is Amund eating one.

We ate brownies with carmel sauce in the middle of them...the whole day.....
Islwyn did lots of art projects.
...and a giant floor puzzle.
The boys played the ukulele and sang songs.

Other things we did that I didn't take pictures of....

--drove in the snow to the dr.'s office with Amund.

--Amund had an ear infection

--Picked up Amund's medicine!

Poor baby--the highlight of his day was taking his medicine. He loves it. Other than that he has been a pretty grumpy baby.

Haiti

2010-01-28T05:52:00.000-08:00

I know the people of Haiti have been in everyone's thoughts and prayers these days. My dad just spent the last week in Haiti helping bring supplies to the people there and also developing a plan for help in the future. He went with a great organization called Lutheran World Relief and Human Care. To find out more about what they did down there and how the people are doing, you can check out that site. Last night dad came home and Islwyn went to the airport to pick him up with my mom. The local news was there and they interviewed dad and showed some clips with Islwyn in them! You can check out the newscast by clicking the link below.

http://fortwaynehomepage.net/content/fulltext/?cid=20262

Happenings and Sweaters

2010-01-26T12:27:00.000-08:00

Islwyn has been playing with playdo a lot lately. Here he is so excited about the dinosaur that he made.

Islwyn showing off the sweater that I knitted for him.

Amund in his donkey sweater I made him for Christmas. So cute.
We are just trying to enjoy the cold and snow. We spend a lot of time at the library these days...and playing indoors. Islwyn has already started working on presents and decorations for "valentinations." That's what he calls valentines for some reason. Amund can already climb the steps!!!! And he cruises around holding on to things all the time these days. Makes for a little bit of a crazy mama.He just wants to do what his big brother does I think.

Florida

2010-01-12T07:37:00.000-08:00

We got to travel to Florida to spend a week with Jonathan's parents, grandparents, and brother and sister-in-law. Amund got to ride a horse...

Islwyn got to lead horses around, even two at one time.
Amund and Dada with Taz...
Islwyn leading a horse.
Amund getting snuggles from Lindsey.
Islwyn telling the horse to back up (by wiggling the rope).
Feeding horse cookies.
Islwyn loved all the dogs.
Amund and Nani.

A boy and a dog, what more could he want.

Handmade Christmas!

2010-01-11T11:22:00.000-08:00

We were so excited this year to get so many great handmade presents for Christmas this year. My mom and dad got Amund this little couch. The cushion comes off and there is a toy box on the inside. Super handy for keeping the living room look toy-free during adult time! :) An Amish gentleman who lives around here makes them.

My mom made Amund this really nice and warm sweater and little booties! The booties match his Christmas stocking she made him.
Jonathan's Grandma made Islwyn a quilt that folds up into a pillow. She put his initials on the pillow--I need to sew the pillow on still..... She also made Amund his "ba ba bear" That's what Amund calls it. Amund's is the plaid one. Islwyn needed to have his bear in the picture too. She Islwyn's bear she made him 2 Christmases ago. These bears are a favorite toy around here.
I made Amund the three little pigs and the big bad wolf out of yarn scraps I had around the house. Islwyn really likes playing with it it. Behind the little houses is the bag I sewed up to keep the three little pigs in. I also sewed Amund a little felt ball for his St. Nicholas day present. Islwyn got a candy necklace and bracelet from St. Nicholas. :)

THanks to everyone who put so much time into making these amazing presents. We will treasure them always!

Christmas!

2009-12-26T08:47:00.001-08:00

Getting Ready for Christmas

2009-12-26T06:35:00.001-08:00

Here are the boys hanging out together while we are getting ready for Christmas.

The corner of our living room.
We went to the seminary for the Christmas party and to meet Santa. Of course, Islwyn was really excited about meeting Santa the whole day, and then when Santa came he wouldn't go up and meet him! So Amund went.
Islwyn sat with Minka and Grandpa instead of going to see Santa.
Some pictures of the boys hanging out in commons at the seminary before the Christmas party during gemutelikeit. The seminary was designed by Eero Saarinen and I wanted to take some photos of the boys with the architecture and design of the commons showcased. Here is another link. Note the diamond shaped windows and bricks and the pitched wood ceiling. He also designed the arch in St. Louis and many other fairly famous buildings. The campus design won the top award of college buildings in the US of that year (annual design award program of Progressive Architecture). Islwyn is standing by the fireplace.

Sadly much of the original furniture that was designed for the campus has been thrown out and some of the original design features of the campus have been altered considerably.

We Love Our Tree

2009-12-06T16:49:00.000-08:00

Some pictures of the boys by the Christmas tree.

Christmas Crafts etc.

2009-12-02T06:37:00.000-08:00

Islwyn actually napped yesterday and so Amund and I did a photo shoot. Amund is pulling himself up and standing and crawling. Such a big boy.

Clapping boy in action.

Pulling himself up on the step.

Islwyn and I amde popcorn garland. I remember doing this when I was a little kid and my brother poured his glass of water into the bowl of popcorn. I was so angry!! Ruined my garland. :)

One of my Christmas projects. I have been working on this for about 2 months. It is double knitted. So I knitted the sweater twice and then had to sew it together. So it is twice as much work but super cute!!! And super warm. And I love the donkey ears. Can't wait to give it to him for Christmas.

Decorating the Tree and Some New Jammies

2009-11-28T16:57:00.000-08:00

So we got our Christmas tree all put up. It fits perfectly into our living room. It is the opposite of our tree from last year. Last year our tree was super tall and fat, but it did not have very many branches or needles. Our tree this year is really full of needles. But it made me miss Maine and our friends there--it was so fun getting our tree from Phinneas' forest last year (miss you guys!!!) We got the lights on last night and Islwyn put the candy canes on.

Here is Amund posing in front of the tree. The big boy is now eating some big boy food and crawling all over the place. He can also go from laying down to sitting up all by himself.
Ok, so I was at the Clothing Co-op the other day and found this HUGE red and white striped maternity t-shirt. Now seriously, there are two good reasons for me to take it and cut it up. One is that NO pregnant woman should wear red and white horizontal stripes. So I am doing pregnant women a favor here by taking it away and cutting it into jammies for the boys. Anyway, since we are super poor these days, and in the interest of trying to recycle things, I have been trying to be really creative about using old clothes, sheets, whatever I can find to make new things. Especially cute jammies for the boys. I mean, they don't need new jammies. But I really wanted them to have matching "candy cane" jammies this Christmas. So I was pretty excited about this giant maternity shirt. And the fact that it was double knit made it even easier to work with. So anyway, I altered the top part of the shirt and the sleeves (they were short sleeves for an adult but about the right length for long sleeves for Amund) to make it into the top part of the Jammies. Then I cut the leg fabric out of the bottom of the shirt. Doing it this way made it so that I didn't have to finish or hem any of the edges because I used the existing ones. Anyway, then I sewed the front of the shirt to the pants and put fold over elastic across the back of the shirt and the back of the pants. In this way it is all one jammie, with a big hole in the bottom area for a butt flap! That is also how he gets it on, by going in through the hole in the back. Then if I need to change his diaper I can just pop his legs and bottom out of the pants, but the top part will stay on. Not sure if this makes sense, but it worked. I totally made the pattern up as I went and am actually happy with it. It took me about 45 minutes from start to finish to make these jammies for Amund and the matching pants for Islwyn.
Sort of a picture of the back...you can't really see the hole.
The front looks like it is a shirt and a pair of pants, but the front is all one piece.
Islwyn got on his candy cane pants and they posed for some pictures by the tree.

Thanksgiving and Christmas Tree

2009-11-28T16:48:00.001-08:00

We went to the Christmas Tree farm the day after Thanksgiving. While it has been super warm here lately. Of course the day we are going to be out picking a tree it is freezing. Thankfully I had Amund all bundled up and had my Guatemalan wrap to carry him in that kept him warm. Here he is all wrapped up.

Islwyn after we picked out our tree. He was standing by the side of the barn.

Mom and dad found the perfect Christmas tree--it was the first one they looked at. So it took them about 3 minutes to get their tree. And then Jonathan and I picked one really quickly too. It helped that we had a super tight budget so could only afford like 3 of the trees on the lot. But we ended up with a Scotch pine that is really pretty and smells REALLY good! Here are dad and Jonathan with our trees.
Mom and dad picking out their tree.
Aunt Becky and "the cousins," along with Islwyn, went around the Christmas tree farm on the little "train." It was actually a tractor.
We had everyone at our place for Thanksgiving. Amund was up late with Grandpa while we played Trivial Pursuit. Boys again girls and the girls won, even though we were vastly outnumbered-- 9 to 4.
Our new Trivial Pursuit board. We were so excited to find an almost brand new original Trivial Pursuit at the Clothing Co-op.
The boys showing off their crowns.

Boys working on decorating their crowns the day before Thanksgiving.

Fall Days

2009-11-09T05:01:00.000-08:00

We went over to Minka and Grandpa's on Saturday to help them rake up their millions of leaves! It was lots of fun. Islwyn did a great job helping too. And both boys enjoyed playing in the leaves. We tried to get a nice family picture in the leaves. It didn't really work out very well...

Islwyn didn't look at the camera at all the entire time....

Neither boy looking....

Nobody looking....

Everyone but Islwyn....

Islwyn was taking a nap in the tree trunk...

Amund loves Dada.

Islwyn working hard.
The boys...

Handsome Amund.
Islwyn is showing me his leaves.

Handsome Islwyn.

Trick or Treat

2009-11-01T18:49:00.000-08:00

We live in an awesome neighborhood for trick or treating! The boys looked so adorable. Of course I couldn't actually get them in a picture together or anything. Minka and Grandpa came over for dinner and for some treats too.

Grandpa trying to get fussy Amund to laugh.

Trick or treaters....

On our porch. Treat bag at the ready.
Little monkey pants.
Hanging out with Dada.
Scary tiger!!!
Islwyn would not say "trick or treat" at any of the houses we went to, but once we got home he ran around the rest of the night handing out candy to all of us and saying "trick or treat!"

More Pics

2009-10-26T10:40:00.000-07:00

Well, we are settling into the new house. But I have lost the charger for the battery for my camera. Hopefully I will find it soon!! So here are a couple of pictures we took with photobooth on the computer.

Islwyn eating his lunch and showing off his cool slide that is in our backyard. We also have three swings!

Me and the boys.
Me and Amund with the house in the background.

Apple Picking

2009-10-20T11:13:00.000-07:00

We went apple picking--my sister and her four boys were here last weekend. It was so much fun! Here is my sister with her gang.

Me and Islwyn and Amund.
Christian showing off his apple.
Helping the baby pick.

Amund picking an apple.
Snuggling my little baby buns.

Me chomping on an apple.

More Books

2009-10-15T07:38:00.000-07:00

Here are some books we have been reading lately. These are the best children's book I have read in a long time!

This Little Chick by John Lawrence (2002)

I Can Fly by Ruth Krauss (1951)

A Very Special House by Ruth Krauss -- pictures by Maurice Sendak (1953)

A Squash and a Squeeze by Julia Donaldson (1993)

I highly recommend all of them!

More Matching Outfits

2009-10-05T18:37:00.000-07:00

I decided that baby could match me. I made myself a dress the other day and then had some left over fabric so I made Amund some pants. I think they turned out really cute. The top fabric is off white very thin and kind of stretchy corduroy that I have had forever (used some of it to make monkey overall shorts for Islwyn when he was little). On a side note, little sweater he is wearing I knitted for Islwyn when Islwyn was a little baby. So glad we can continue to use it, but as Amund is practically double the size Islwyn was at this age.... Also notice how he is sort of crawling already! He just rolls and squirms himself wherever he wants to go.

Me walking over to Amund while modeling the dress I made. I love this pattern and fabric. I can't wait to try it out with different sleeves, neckline, etc and different fabric.

Us matching!

Otherwise we just spend our days at the zoo as much as possible since they close at the end of the week for the winter. Islwyn loves to ride his trike up and down the sidewalk and all over the driveway. He even has his own parking spot for it in the garage!

Matching Outfits and Outdoor Fun

2009-10-02T12:14:00.000-07:00

I made Islwyn and Amund matching outfits. Same pattern, but different colors.

Islwyn jumping on the bed.

Playing at a friend's house.

Riding the trike.

fun times

2009-09-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

islwyn won candyland!

at the johnny appleseed festival