6 Months Old

Kieran- You are a half a year old already!  The time has flown extra fast and with you growing so quickly we just ask you please to slow down:) You are a joy to be around.  You continue to be a very happy baby, but have learned how to "cry" to get what you want and need (aka...Mom in the middle of the night:)

You are wearing size 6-9 month clothes, but still 3-6 month sleepers.  You will transition soon.  You jumped up to a size 3 diaper and wear a size 4 at night.  You are still nursing every three hours during the day and on a good night getting up twice.  We are still working on that!  Mommy is trying to get you to drop your anywhere between 12-2 o' clock feeding.  You wake up about 5:45 to eat too.  That is when I get up for work so it works out well.  Don't worry, in a month I'm sure these times will be completely different, but we are working on it:)  When we give you a bottle you take 5 ounces and eat approximately 7 times a day.  You are just starting cereal and soon veggies.  Here's a peak at your first reactions to rice cereal.

 You are taking longer naps now.  You usually sleep anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half.  At daycare the other day you went two hours.  You'll usually take one last little cat nap after we get home around suppertime. You are a side and tummy sleeper.  You are flipping back and forth and all over around in your bed all night long.

 You are getting to be more cuddly and like to grab our face and snuggle in close.  You have started to enjoy listening to books now and will sit with your sister while Mom or Dad reads.  You are seriously inches from crawling.  Tonight you army crawled and then at one point got on all fours and moved one knee forward, then the next, and then fell.  You didn't cover any ground, but I'm sure it'll be any day. Here is another video of you in your bouncer and Svea trying to make you laugh.  It usually works!  I'm still working on getting a good video of your on all fours rocking and ready to crawl and with your sister hanging out in her bed.

 Here's another comparison between you and your sister at the same age.  She seems a little chunkier at this age than you are even though I know you weigh more.  We'll find out tomorrow at your Dr. appointment.   With you already moving around and so physically strong you may never get as big of baby rolls as she did.  I can see many differences in the two of you, but many similarities too.  Since I am your Mom I can tell that you definitely look like brother and sister, but I suppose to anyone else you both might look completely different.

Potty Potty Potty

I will do Kieran's 6 month post tomorrow.  I got some cute photos of him and he ALMOST crawled tonight!

But I thought you all needed an update!  Svea has now gone in the potty four times both ways! Granted the poor thing has a yeast infection (again) and is constipated so there were some interesting circumstances (poor girl), but she keeps asking to be on it.  Tonight I asked her if she wanted to and she said, "No, I pee and poop in the potty for Daddy".  She is so into it, but is "holding it" because of all that is going on with her infection/constipation.  I'm sure she's holding it as well because of potty training, but we think she might take off with it once everything clears.  We are so proud of her.  She gets SO excited and proud of herself.  Click on the link to see a picture of her practicing a couple of weeks ago with her clothes on. 

Svea Practicing on the Potty

2 1/4 Years Old

I am not doing monthly updates on Svea, but it's been awhile so I  thought I would share what she is up to.

Svea, we can tell you are two!  You are very strong willed and have the "I do it" attitude.  You are super busy and don't sit still very long unless "Max and Ruby" or "Abby Cadabby" are on.

You wear size 5 shoes, size 4 diapers, and size 24-2T clothes.  You are learning how to potty train and so far so good.  Right now you know how the process all works, but you aren't able to go on the potty yet.  We'll sit for a long time and then you'll go as soon as we put your diaper on.  You have gone twice though, but you had already started in your diaper.  You'll get it!

 You sleep in a big girl bed now from 8 pm-7am.  You've taken to getting up an hour earlier these days.  You still take one nap a day usually around 1.5 hours long. You usually go to sleep really well and say I love you and fall asleep, but the past month has been a struggle.  You cry when we walk out for a little while.

You love playing with your little people toys, reading books, cars on a track, and most of all coloring.  You LOVE coloring right now and Mommy often gets to take home one of your pieces when I pick you up from daycare. You know all of your colors, most shapes, and lots of songs.

You are talking very well and clear.  We don't have too much difficulty communicating anything you want.  Occasionally we can't understand a word and you'll have to point to it for us. You are silly and love to try and make us laugh.  You are cuddly when you want to be and other times you're just too busy.

You love bath time, Minnie Mouse (she goes everywhere with you) and Kermit the Frog. You are very good to your brother. You bring him toys, give him kisses, and ask to hold him.

We  love you sweet girl.  Sometimes it's hard and frustrating to be two for you and us, but we'll get through it together.  One day we are going to look back and wish we could do "two" with you all over again.  We are so very thankful for you Svea Grace!

Hat Day

I had a hat on yesterday because my hair was disgusting and we were getting company.  (Uncle Scott and Aunt Connie stopped by!)  Svea thought we all needed hats too.  She knew where I kept my extra ones and then she walked us all into Kieran's room to find his.  We had a fun day in our hats! We had a great visit too!

Sisterly/Brotherly Love

These are some of the photos I took while trying to get a great one of the two munchkins.  Svea is always asking for Kieran to sit in her lap and just recently it's fun to see him react much more to her.  Kieran tries to pull Svea's hair and when she laughs about it, he giggles too.  

I can't get over how big he is compared to her!  It's going to be six more months and he's going to be the same size!  I weighed him and she went to the dr. the other day and they are approx. 8-9 lbs. apart from each other.  She is so helpful with him! When we ask her to get things for us (toys, diapers, etc. she is happy and willing to do so).  Our favorite though is when she does these things without having to be asked.

At night when we are putting Svea to bed we will often lay Kieran down in Svea's bed with her.  I think I've told all of these stories before, but I'm so stinkin' tired I don't remember what I say.  Anyway, he grabs her face and they roll around in her bed and laugh with each other.  I'll try to catch it on video one of these nights when we are both at home. 

Photos From This Past Weekend

Meow, Meow...Miss Kitty after a bath!

Kieran tried cereal for the second time.  Svea took his picture.  He is not so sure if he likes it yet:)

Oh, Kermie!  Svea is in love with her new Kermit thee Frog from Grandma and Grandpa D.  She likes to sit with him at story/singing time before bed and have Daddy sing her "Rainbow Connection". We dance to the song too and she always has him right there with us all day long.

Mom brought her this sticker activity and I Svea was hooked:)  She created the first three (can you tell which one was with more help), and then I did the last one.  We both LOVED these!

Gaga and Kieran having a snuggle before bed:) He just laid there like this for about five minutes and was content and cuddly.

Svea experimenting with a mustache:)

Dan and I were able to go on a date this weekend!  It was a lot of fun.  We saw "This is 40" and it felt good to laugh and see a funny movie.  We then ate at Texas Road House and had a drink.  It's the little things right now that are big to us.  Thank you Mom for this gift of time together.  We also finally got our Christmas decorations down and the house looks empty, but cleaner.  Then we re-arranged our bedroom.  I love walking into a room with a different configuration.  I need changes in my environment.  It's crazy cold and we are just trying to stay warm and healthy. I will post more pictures later this week:)

Happy 84th Birthday Today Grandpa Marlan!

Coming Back Soon!

It's been a crazy two weeks.  Sorry we haven't been posting lately.  I did get a few pictures this last weekend that I'll post throughout the week, but to tied you over I got this cute pic of the kids the other day.  Svea has been SUPER loving towards Kieran lately and wants to hold him, have him sit by her, and she brings him toys when he is sitting in his highchair or playing on the floor.  She also rips them out of his hands at times too, but most of the time she loves her little brother. Lately she wants him lay in her bed with her and as he wiggles around trying to get her and they both giggle and giggle.  It's so sweet.  Dan and I were able to go on a date too, but all of that later:)

Packer Weekend

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We broke out all of our Packer gear to try and cheer on the Packers this past weekend.  Svea's God-Mother, Pam, sent the kids some jerseys and then we've been waiting to break out another work-out suit Kieran got from Grandma and Grandpa D.

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It was nice to have Dad home! We cleaned (seriously hadn't done much since Kieran's baptism in October!), played, rearranged our bedroom, played some more, and made chocolate cake.  We're just sorry the Packers lost:(  Svea will keep shouting, "Go Pack Go" because it makes Kieran hysterically laugh.

Minnie had to get dressed up too!

 We skyped with Gaga and you can't see Kieran's face, but he's laughing at her.  I'll try to get some video footage of these two this week.  Kieran is HUGE and doing new physical feats by leaps and bounds.  He started pulling up his knees one day and then the next hanging out for awhile, and then the next day ROCKING on his knees.  He is going to be six months on the 30th...we are not ready for this. We think he'll start crawling within the next couple of weeks.  I had him on the floor tonight and he is EVERYWHERE and into everything. Dan said it was super fun today with the kids.  They are starting to interact more.  Kieran tries to pull Svea's hair and grab her clothes and limbs as she walks by.  Svea one minute rips toys out of his hands and then the next purposefully brings him something she thinks he might like.  (it's a work in progress, but those moments she is thinking of him melt my heart).

Kieran also had a physical therapy appointment today.  His head is finally starting to measure the other way, as in more symmetrical in the back.  We have one more appointment for one month from now.  We may cancel it, but for now have it just in case we don't see enough of an improvement that we are happy with.

We have a crazy week.  Dan has meetings every night.  I like to call it "pass the parent torch".  Your turn/my turn...Go!  See you Friday when we can have some family time:) 

Hearing Update Part 2

Kieran has a unilateral (one ear) hearing loss.  It is permanent and more than likely genetic; something he was born with.  They don't do any testing if there isn't anyone in your family that comes to mind that had hearing loss.  My Grandpa did, but he also had the measles/rubella and it can rob you of your hearing.  Anyway, like we said earlier his left ear is completely normal.  His right ear has a mild loss on the 2,000 hz pitch level.  That means that if a sound is at this pitch and below 50 decibels, then Kieran can't really hear it, but only in one ear.  They said the sounds at that pitch are K and G sounds.  If you call his name towards his right ear he's going to grow up thinking his name is Eiran.  Kind of ironic....ear-in.  Get it! Wow, that was a pun Dan would have come up with right there:) There is a 95% chance that his loss is not progressive, which is great.  It won't get better, but it won't get worse either.  To make sure they will check his hearing every six months. He might struggle with mild speech problems, but he might not.  He may need to sit with his good ear towards his teacher at school, or he might struggle with background noise.  They also just told us to be prepared for hearing screenings at school.  He will fail them every time and we'll just have to provide some paperwork from his ENT dr. that we are aware and their recommendations for accommodations for him.  Either way they said he should develop normal speech and language, which is the part that makes me the happiest.  I was mostly scared of him not being able to enjoy the sound of laughter, to hear music, and for me to hear him say Mommy.  We have been given the gift of hearing and I'm so happy that he has his as well! 

That is the whole story.  He slept like a champ for us in my arms for both ears.  We had to take a break in between though because he woke up when I moved him to the other side of my lap to try for the other ear.  It was awesome getting to take the day to just snuggle him on a big comfy chair with a space heater at our feet.  It really doesn't get any better than that! Thank you for all of the prayers!

Did you see the picture above?  Kieran is now pulling his legs up underneath himself ALL the time.  He scoots and rolls all over the floor.  If he wants something or wants to be somewhere else he will find a way.  He is also enjoying sitting with support. I am SO not ready for this.  Svea wasn't doing this until 7 1/2 months!  Eeek!

Kieran's Hearing Update

Kieran can hear!  He does have some mild hearing loss in his  right ear, but to make a long story short (for now) it shouldn't impact his learning of language and speech!  I'll explain more later, but for now it's 8:38 pm and Dan and I are still "running" trying to get some daily chores done after getting  both kids to bed....whew! 

Good news and we are very thankful that this shouldn't be a challenge for him.  To God be the glory:)

Princesses and Packers

Dan had the opprotunity to go to a Green Bay Packer game with his Dad at Green Bay, against the Vikings, and a play-off game.  It was quite exciting for them.   They won and Dan almost lost his voice from yelling at the game.  I asked him why all the yelling if they were winning the whole time.  He said you have to so they don't back down at all.  I guess it's a community effort when those Packers win:)

The kids and myself were flying solo at home from Friday am until Monday pm.  We were doing pretty well until Saturday morning.  Kieran and I didn't sleep well the night before, both kids were super crabby, everyone wanted to be held including the cat and dog, and when the closet door broke and I was taking it out of the room I put a whole in the wall.  Lovely.....my patience was done and I had an emotional regurtitation to get it out of my system.  My apologies to my husband who took the brunt of it:( 

Saturday night Terry and Julie came over when Svea went to bed and we watched the game.  They brought me g-free pizza too!  Then Sunday afternoon their daughters came over (Jackie and Kayla) and watched the kids for me while I snuck away for a quick work-out. That helped tremendously!  They watched the kids today too instead of them having to go to Lynda's house super early.

As you are reading this Dan is getting home and we are all very excited:) He had a great time getting his Mom and Dad all to himself and he even snuck in a visit with his Grandma and Aunties. We have Kieran's hearing test tomorrow morning.  I'm feeling hopeful as he seemed to respond a bit to my normal conversation voice.  I hope I am not just getting my hopes up!

I suppose you are wondering about the princess part?  Well, when I left the house to go work-out and came home I found this sweet girl.  In the short 40 minutes that I was a way the girls had her dressed like this and walking around saying, "I'm a princess".  I just about fainted...well not really, but I'm REALLY hoping she forgets this phrase for now:)  Ha!

Back to Jamestown

 After a whirlwind couple of days we headed back to Jamestown to settle in for awhile.  It was our 5th Anniversary that day and all of my family was getting ready to spend two whole days with my Uncle Jeff from New York.  Lots to be excited about! We had dinner at my uncle's house two days in a row, had some drinks, and snuggled the kids. Dan and I ended up going out and celebrating our Anniversary on New Year's Eve night.  I made it this year!  Last year I was too sick to leave the house as I was newly pregnant with Kieran and in the throws of morning sickness.

My Mom, Uncle John, and Uncle Jeff.  They are just missing my mom's older sister Carol. I love having my Uncle Jeff home.  It's always a blast! I'm trying to talk Dan into going on a trip out to New York with my Carter cousins next fall. If anyone wants to help me convince him of how much fun we'd have feel free! I told him we could even be in one of my uncle's new music videos.  Here's a link to a preview of his latest:)

For some reason I think he's  going to pass on the music video idea...but maybe the trip!

My cousin Eric who just happens to LOVE little babies:)  He and his girlfriend were home too and it was our first time meeting Erin.  There are rumors that there might be an engagement between the two of them soon.  Very exciting! I don't have a picture of her, but I don't have pictures of Dan and I either.  I wasn't very good at pictures this year.  At least I have them of the kids around the Christmas tree:)

Svea had so many toys at Grandma's to play with. My Mom and Ron's living room was difficult to navigate around most days.  Svea enjoyed her "Minnie Mouse Big Girl Bed" at Grandma's house.  She was so proud of it.  When Kieran is older and in "the big girl bed" Gaga promised to change the sheets:)

One morning Kieran was super sleepy.  He happened to be taking a nap in his car seat for some reason.

Playing with some new toys!

Grandpa Ron was playing with Svea.  She was giggling because he was pretending to be Minnie Mouse.

I love this picture....He's so happy.  It's funny to think about the fact that he doesn't know the image he is seeing is himself.  I wonder when they "get that".  I love "going home".  It felt weird that it was the last time I would drive down the crazy scary icy hill for good.  Mom and Ron are moving to their new home in February.  They have been out at the lake for 13 years! On the first we came home and it was back to reality:)  It was a wonderful Christmas though!  Thanks Mom and Ron for having us!

Bismarck (December 27th/28th)

We visited my Dad and Lynn.  It was the first Christmas that was my Dad has been home for in five years.  

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There were three chairs lined up along the wall and Svea wanted Papa and Mama to sit "there" and "there" right next to her.  It made for a good photo op. Lynn has tons of great toys too.  For some reason she also thought she needed to sit in the highchair there.  I tok ours out last night for Kieran and now she thinks its "her turn" to sit in ours too.

We ran over to Mandan and had dinner with Scott, Connie, and my cousins and their children.  Joe and Andrea weren't there though since they are about to have a baby girl any day!  I forgot to get a picture of all of the kids though. Thank you for the Christmas gifts for the kids Scott and Connie.  Svea also loved playing with all of your toys and going up and down your stairs.  At one point I found Svea and Sophia downstairs playing so nice together. We stayed with Matt and Jill and got to see their new house!  So glad we got to spend some time with them too.

The next day, (our anniversary/5 years) we headed back over to my Dad and Lynn's.  The house was so cozy for Christmas.  We played some more before it was time to head back to Jamestown. 

It was very special that we got to see Dad during Christmas as we usually don't!  Thank you guys for the presents.  They were all so very thoughtful and unexpected:) It was a really quick trip, but we were glad we made it out!  We haven't been to Bismarck since Jill and Matt's wedding 14 months ago!

Great Granparents Fugleberg Style

It was so special to see the kids with my Grandparents. My Grandma had a gift bag with the baby Jesus scene on it.  Here she is explaining the story to her and singing her "Away in  Manger".  After this, each time she would start singing that song Svea would run to grab that bag and bring it to her and they'd repeat the whole process over again. I love how intently she is listening with her little hands behind her back.

Having a good time!

High fives for Grandpa Marlan!

And a big hug!  Grandpa got a kick out of Svea and talked about how she doesn't walk, but runs everywhere.  She did go up to him once and outstretch her hands and she let him pick her up.  They had a great time with this little race track/car gift as well!

Grandma got to hold Kieran too. I'm so glad to have all of these pictures and have these memories.  It's very special:) Another fun thing that Grandma did with Svea was a little mouse trick.  She said her Grandma would do it for her.  She took a hankerchief and pretended there was a mouse underneath it.  Svea fell for it and kept asking for the mouse.  It looked quite real.

This guy just can't stop smiling...well, either one I guess.  Grandpa thought Kieran was great too and always smiling, happy, and laid back. I took about five pictures of these two and in each one they are both having a blast.

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Fugleberg for having all of us with our toys, mess, and chaos.  We got your card thanking us for coming...that's our job silly!  We loved being there.  Some of my best memories from growing up are from being at your house with you both.  Love you!!!

5 Months Old

Kieran!  Happy 5 months a little bit late:)  You are still nursing like a champ approximately 7 times a day.  You get up once a night to nurse, but over Christmas vacation it was more.  We all four slept in the same room so Mom would feed you even if you stirred as not to wake everyone up.  Then you got in that habit very quickly, but we are back to once a night. 

You take about 4 mini naps a day for 30-40 minutes just like your sister did.  Now when did those naps start getting longer???  I can't remember:) You wear size 3-6/6 month size clothes.  I'm not sure what you weigh, but I'm guessing 15 or 16 lbs.  You are starting to get little rolls on your legs, arms, ankles, and wrists. We will try cereal a few times this month and see how you do.  Mom got out the high chair and washed it down.  We'll start solids "for real" next month....wow, where has the time gone?

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You are SO SO very smiley.  We just smirk at you and you get a huge grin like below.  You love to grab our neck and face when we hold you and snuggle in close.  Your sister makes you smile too.  You like to watch her bouncing around the room.  Speaking of bouncing you can now stand in your bouncer and you love it, especially the lights.  You do amazing on your tummy and can push yourself up onto your hands, roll both ways, and on your back you bridge like a wrestler.  Everyone comments on how strong you are. You love to sleep on your tummy.  We will put you down in your crib and you let out one loud whimper and flip yourself over and you are out!  Speaking of LOUD, you are very loud and screech and scream with delight so loud that it hurts our ears at times.

You still love your bath and instantly relax, kick, and blow raspberries.  Do you see the photo below...yep, you found your feet this past month and you are always pulling off your socks and sticking those toes in your mouth.  You also love to chew on toys, put your hands in your mouth, and suck on your paci.  With all of the drooling you do you'd think a tooth would be on the way, but it could all be just normal baby stuff:)

We traveled to North Dakota for Christmas and you would go to anyone and everyone and always with a smile.  You continue to be an easy going and laid back baby.  We love you to pieces and we can't wait for opportunities to pick you up and hold you close.  At times we think you can hear and others we just aren't sure.  We are praying that whatever the outcome for your hearing (appt. on the 8th) we just pray that God protects you from any danger this might cause you and that you have a happy and healthy life.  God created you in his image and you are perfectly formed.  We love you little guy!

Christmas Day

It was another great Christmas in Mayville. I have no pictures of our family from this day:(  Svea had a really rough first night in Mayville, and it just didn't happen:)  We got there at midnight on the 24th and the transition back to bed in a strange place didn't go so hot. You won't see too many smiles from her from this day, but she still had a decent time and we had a wonderful Christmas.  My Uncle Jeff was home, which he hasn't been in probably over 10 years!

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Everyone was loving on Kieran.  Here he is with my Aunt Shawn.

I have a picture of Mom and Svea sitting just like this from  two years ago.  You can see her baby picture at the bottom of this photo.  Crazy the difference in just two short years!

Svea opening one of her presents.  An Abby Cadabby doll.  Normally I think she would have had a huge smile of surprise, but this day she struggled in that department. She also had on a super cute purple jacket, but my Grandparents house was too hot and she wanted it off.

This was fun to capture.  My two uncles Jeffrey and John opening presents with Kieran!

My cousin Laura and Kieran.  He loved this bear and devoured it:)

Another subdued picture from our girl.....more smiley ones coming soon!

Merry Belated  Christmas!  I will slowly post pictures from our trip to North Dakota.  To say going back to work was easy is an understatement.  I love waking up in North Dakota with family all around!