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Happy new year!  Our family has so much to be thankful for as we start 2011.  It’s so wonderful to be a family of four.  So far it has been really tough but so rewarding.

Everyone was very generous for Christmas this year.  Peter is the pro at opening wrapping paper and is having lots of fun with his loot.  One of the gifts he received is a tent with a tunnel.  It will be great this summer when we can set it up outside with more space.  We had to try it out though.  Amazingly, we got Peter to clean all his toys so he could have the tent up.  He thought it was such a fun hide out.  Even Thomas got in on the action.  He wasn’t as big of a fan.

We decided to visit the zoo.  I had the bright idea of going on a Thursday so it wouldn’t be so crowded.  Apparently others had the same thoughts.  Also, it was raining and the zoo entrance is under construction.  After running through the rain, we got in and had a good time.  The warm tropic trail felt good.  We went on the monorail as well.  It was a fun way to see the outside animals while staying dry and seated.

Dustin, Thomas and I went to Matt and Mandy’s house New Years Eve.  It was fun to get together with everyone.  Thomas slept, or tried to sleep, through most of the evening.  I think that was the latest I’ve stayed awake in forever!  Peter spent the night with Grandma and Ya Ya.  I don’t know that there is a time he doesn’t have fun while there.  The next day we all laid low and relaxed, but Peter really did it in style.

Our final Christmas gathering was at Donna and Pop Pop’s house.  There was lots of snow so we thought it would be a good idea to go early and send Peter outside.  He could play hard and enjoy the snow and then crash until the gathering started.  The plan worked and he had a great time.  Dustin convinced Denis to suit up and go out with Peter.  I’m pretty sure Dustin thought it meant he got out of freezing outside.  I made him go out anyway and take pictures.

Peter took a nice nap and then when he woke up, the family was all there and ready to have some fun.  He helped Donna be Santa and pass out the gifts.  He was excited to find out what name was on each but way more excited to hear his name.  One of the toys he received was a truck with a drill to put it together and take it apart.  While the truck is awesome, the drill is great for lots of uses.

I thought I’d throw in a picture of Mr. T on the couch.  It was cold but after countless diaper changes, the pants just seemed like way too much work.

I was trying to take pictures of the boys and no one seemed to cooperate.  Thomas was crying so Peter thought he’d try to help by roaring him.  It didn’t help.  Then Peter found his measure and proceeded to measure things instead of putting his pants on.  Dustin thought he would give Peter some inspiration by putting said pants on Thomas.  Instead of getting Peter to want to get dressed, he thought it was hilarious and wanted me to take pictures.  So in the end I got some pictures but they weren’t what I had intended from the start.  Guess that’s how life goes now.

And finally, Thomas went in for his 2 month check up.  He is the chunker coming in at 11.7 pounds already.  He is healthy and doing well.  He wasn’t a fan of the shots though.

We are the proud parents of two boys now!  It’s amazing how different life is.  It’s a lot harder but it’s a lot of fun too.  If only we could get them both to sleep when it’s night, we will be golden.

Thomas ended up coming out via c-section.  I made it all the way dilated and then his heart rate started doing funny things.  They decided to just get him out.  That was a scary and exciting ride to the other room for surgery.  It was a little nerve racking to hear the doctors and nurses talking about how they had all just woken up to come though, being that it was in the middle of the night.  He came out completely healthy.  I was worn out but couldn’t be more proud and happy to finally see my baby.

Peter came with the grandparents to meet his new brother.  The first visit, he was more excited by the buttons on my bed.  We called the nurse a few times.  He did like seeing Thomas though and was very excited to see his mom and dad.

It was wonderful to be home and be able to sleep in our own beds but I did miss that nurse call button.  That would be the ultimate gift to have one installed in our house 🙂

Peter decided that he likes to “have it,” meaning hold his brother.  He’s really good until he’s done and then just gets up.  Poor Thomas will have to learn to fend for himself at a very young age.  Peter also likes to read to him and share cars with him.  Thomas doesn’t always appreciate as much as Peter would believe.  I think it may have something to do with the shared items ending up on his head.

Peter got a big bucket of letters as one of his first Christmas gifts.  He was so excited.  As he took them out, one by one, he would proudly say a letter name.  Of course it had no correlation with what letter he actually had, except for S.  He not only knows which one is S, but what sound it makes.  Also, X means stop.

Thomas got to have his first official bath just before 3 weeks.  The icky stump finally fell off so I filled up the little tub.  He actually didn’t hate it.  I don’t know that it’s his favorite activity but he at least didn’t hate it.  The getting out part wasn’t as fun but that’s cold for anyone.  He loved the big warm towel and smelled like clean baby.

I actually don’t have two sons.  I have one baby and one rabbit.  Peter has decided to be a slightly picky eater.  He goes in phases as to whether or not he’ll eat anything.  Vegetables are almost always on the not so much side.  Randomly, he’ll eat carrots if you give it to him whole.  He needs to hop while chewing but if it works, we’ll rock it!

We visited Santa at the Masonic Day with Santa this year.  Thomas didn’t care where he was but Peter had other thoughts.  He was very interested in that Santa guy but didn’t want to get anywhere close.  Finally when I held him, he would go by him.  He proudly told Santa he wanted an awesome airplane though.  He wasn’t too shy to put in a request.

Donna held her annual Christmas party.  The house was very full of kids and their families.  Santa visited that party too.  That Santa sang songs and even handed out flashlights.  Peter decided that he was maybe ok and got all the way to sitting on his lap.  He’ll do anything for a flashlight!

Dustin and Thomas had to rest up to get ready for all of the Christmas fun.

Peter had a Christmas party at daycare.  He got a neat foam bowling set from one of the other kids.  He likes to bowl but hasn’t quite got setting the pins back up by himself yet.  He also got a Buzz Lighyear from Sheila.  We happened to watch Toy Story on tv just before that so he came home so proud.  We heard “Buzzlightyear!” too many times to count.  Peter would make him fly and even say “to immmenty and yond!”

Christmas means getting together with lots of family.  It’s great to be able to spend time with everyone and catch up on their lives.

Christmas Eve is spent with Dustin’s family.  We go to mass in the afternoon.  Both boys did awesome this year.  I was nervous about either of them having issues but Peter had gummi worms, cars, and lots of laps to go back and forth.  Dustin took Peter with him to go for communion.  Peter decided it was his chance to escape and took off running the other way.  He happily came back and made it through the rest of the service.  Thomas only squawked once.  It happened to be right when the priest told us to give everyone peace.  I guess it was his way of giving peace.  After mass we went to Dee and Mel’s house for lots of good food and conversations.  My parents came after their church service too.  It was fun night but much shorter than in past years.  With lots more gatherings to come, Peter had to get to bed.

Christmas morning Santa had come!  We told Peter to go look under the tree.  He ran out and looked out the window.  When he finally figured out what tree, he was so excited.  Santa accidentally bought foil paper and it didn’t tear at all.  He won’t do that next year… oops.  Peter was so proud of his awesome airplane that he got.  Zoey got a gift too.  She liked it but maybe not the hood part.

Then we went to my parents house to have breakfast and open gifts from the immediate family.  Peter got little airplanes that were fun but the best was a little trampoline.  He loved jumping!  Thomas didn’t get to jump quite yet.

That afternoon was off to spend time with the Bjostad side.  It was a small crew this year but still good.  Jan has two of the cutest little dogs and I ate way too much.  Peter got a set of 20 cars!  I don’t think his eyes could have gotten any bigger when he opened that paper.

Sunday was the Sackett side.  That family has the tradition of opening gifts starting with the youngest and then going in age order.  This was the first and only year Thomas got to go first.  Next year his cousin will get the honor.  He didn’t even realize how sweet he had it.

We’ll get together with Dustin’s immediate family this next weekend.  We just couldn’t fit it all in one weekend like we used to before babies.  That just means there is more to look forward to.

With all of these occasions that we looked nice and were together as a family.  I thought a family photo would be nice since we are four now.  Well it didn’t go as smoothly as I thought it would.  Here are just some of the takes.

After the big weekend of family, we are trying to enjoy a little down time together.  Thomas discovered the joys of his vibrating bouncy chair.  His eyes got huge and he couldn’t look away.  Peter thought he should play too but we have been working on the concept that not everything is for him.  I think that is going to be a life long battle.

Not surprisingly, after everything that has gone on, we got the dreaded phone call from daycare this morning.  Peter came home with a fever.  His one request when he came home was the race car channel.  He and Dustin sat in the chair and played Mario Kart until Peter crashed.

And if you’ve made it this far, you are a dedicated fan of our family!  Thank you.  We couldn’t be more happy to go into 2011 with our wonderful family and friends.

Thomas William is here!  He joined us at 12:16 am on Nov 20th.  He weighed 8 pounds and 7.9 ounces and was 19 1/2 inches long.

He’s a healthy and beautiful little boy!

The girls at work were very sweet and threw a shower for Thomas.  We went to Las Margaritas in Woodbury.  There was lots of fun had by all and Thomas got lots of great clothing, diapers, and toys.  He’ll be all set if he ever decides to come out.  Peter also got some gifts.  He was so very excited to get a whole stack of Diego books.  Dustin may not be quite as excited after reading them, one after another, again and again.  Peter also got a fireman hat and coat.  He wasn’t sure at first and then figured out what they were and put them on, running around the house with the “really loud” siren.

This morning we woke up to a white outside.  Peter went to the window and yelled “SNOWIN!”  I wasn’t sure if he’d even remember what that white stuff was but he was excited.  We decided we should go outside and explore in said snow.  I showed Peter that you have to wear all the winter gear and he wasn’t too sure.  I put on my boots and pulled out my hat and mittens.  That helped but he was really mad when I tried to put his snow pants on.  He already had pants and I’m sure he thought I was crazy for giving him two at once.  We worked through though and got him all bundled.  The poor kid waddled to the door but was very ready to bust outside.  He ran, threw snowballs, was much to busy stomping to look at the camera, and even used his little slide.  Peter officially loves snow!

Oh, and still no baby yet… in case you were wondering

I am determined to squeak in before October ends!  It’s just been a tad bit more effort to do anything lately.

A little self portrait to start things off

We’ll get in the way back machine and there are some pictures from a cabin weekend.  I spent most of it either in the chair or in bed but everyone else had a great time.  Peter found a rake and decided to help.  I think he just moved dirt and dust around rather than any leaves but he had a fun.  That’s what matters.  He also had a few cars to play with and was very proud to show them off.  They were all lined up along the window sill.  The very favorite of the bunch was the fire engine.  It has a really loud siren when Peter drives it.  Lastly, there was a pontoon ride.  I heard that there was quite a bit of snacks eaten and some play in the water.

Next, Dustin and I went to Green Bay with Paul and Donna for a wedding.  While we were there, we had to go visit Lambeau Field.  We didn’t pay for the official tour but walking around the atrium was a sight in itself.  My ultimate favorite part was the fans already tailgating a day early in the K-Mart parking lot.  Nothing says class like campers in the parking lot across the street from the field.

Cassie and Pierce got married.  It was suppose to be outside in a park but it was way too windy and cold so it got moved in to the building.  It turned out beautiful even with the changes.

We held the annual tavern tour weekend.  It started Friday on the way up to the cabin with a stop in Balsam Lake and then up by the cabin at the Tap.  Saturday we split it into two chunks.  Late morning we headed out and stopped at a few places going north.  The plan was to then stop at a bridge and have sandwiches for lunch.  We stopped and got it all out but then there was some shooting going on in the woods.  I’m pretty sure they weren’t hunting for us but it made a few in the party a little nervous.  It was time to head back to the cabin anyway so we packed up and headed out.  We made a pit stop at the cabin, let the dog out, and picked up Karthik.  It was then off for more fun and festivities.  Everyone crashed early that night.

Today is Halloween.  Peter has been asking to go to the pumpkin store for weeks.  Every time we would drive by a house with a bunch outside, he would remind us that he wanted one.  We finally bought a big one.  He saw the baby pumpkins too so we had to get one of those too, of course.  He was a little excited when it came time to give our pumpkin a face.  He ended up in a box ready to ride.  Once we got everything set up and going, he came over.  He didn’t want to touch the goop at all.  It was “icky.”  He was good with a spoon to scoop though.  The funny part is that he went and got his baby pumpkin so Dustin could cut that one open next.  It’s hard to explain to a two year old that you can’t actually carve a tiny pumpkin.  Peter helped draw the face and wanted it to look spooky.  He was so proud to point out the different pieces of the face once it was all done.

Peter dressed up as Diego this year.  He made such a cute animal rescuer with his vest and back pack.  He says trick or treat so cute and had his pumpkin bucket ready to go but when we actually got to each house, he just pushed his bucket out.  I did at least get him to say thank you afterwards.  It was really hard to wait until we got home to eat the candy but we did.  The next big hurdle was the fact that you can’t in fact eat a bite out of every piece of candy.  It’s a learning process.

We went to the State Fair!  This is something I look forward to every year and Dustin is sweet and has gotten into it for me.   Peter doesn’t get a choice, at least for a few years, and gets to experience the fun too.  This year I was quite pathetic though.  I blame it on Thomas and it was hot.  We didn’t see or eat hardly anything on the list of usuals but we’ll try again next year.

After the marathon parking adventure and eating our breakfast burritos, we headed for the animal barns to get there before the sun completely baked the smell in.  Peter couldn’t have been more excited.  He found a little wagon pushed to the side that was full of baby chicks.  He got right in there and thought they were so fun until they kicked saw dust in his face.  We saw the big chickens too, for me of course.  Peter loved the bunnies.  Every one was more exciting then the next.  He got to pet the baby pig and the horses were GIANT!  

We did a few of the buildings.  In one, the lions were giving away sunglasses for little people.  Peter thought there were super cool.  Every time he puts them on he gets excited.  I’m not sure if it’s that he can still see things or that they look different.  He spends the whole time pointing things out.

We made sure to stay at the fair until the parade as it was fire safety day so there would be lots of fire trucks to see.  Both Peter and I were getting very tired so we found a spot in the shade to sit and wait for the parade to start.  The family that was right in front of us had one of those big buckets of cookies.  Peter thought they looked really good but they weren’t ours.  Some how he sweet talked his way into getting one of their cookies.  Nothing tastes better than a stolen Sweet Martha cookie.

Bethy and I took Peter to the zoo.  We were able to do the whole loop of outside animals and it was a lot of fun.  It was a nice warm day and apparently the a lot of the animals thought it was a perfect morning for a nap.  We did come across the bears right as a training session was about to begin.  It was neat to see the trainers work with the bears to do little tricks.  The bear at the gate didn’t want to stand though.  The funny part is that Peter had the most fun at the farm section.   We got to ride on a tractor ride to get there and then we got to see the animals up close and personal.  Overall, it was a fun day that we’ll have to repeat to see all the inside animals.

Finally, we spent the long Labor Day weekend at the cabin.  It was finally actually cool outside.  It was kind of fun to pull out the long sleeves and pants.  Jim and Sherry came up to play as well as Ashley and Eli.  It was a full house which made it lots of fun.  We didn’t take many pictures as everyone was busy having a good time but there were a few pictures of some boat work.  The carpet was more than a little tired so the goal was to replace it.  After pulling everything off, there was a realization that more work will need to be done later.  It was interesting to watch the process from the safety of inside.

And now it’s September and that means back to work and back to school.

We haven’t taken many pictures this month.  We really haven’t done much this month.  It’s been hot and I’m feeling kind of huge.

Peter has really been into books this summer.  He would read them over and over and over if he could.  Normally just looking at the pictures isn’t enough though.  He wants you to read to him but he isn’t always patient enough to actually listen to the story.  He has a big book full of different trucks.  He gets excited to read the “giant truck story.”  There’s really not much of a story but we get to point out each vehicle.  The other day he actually took the book to the floor to “read” it on his own.  It was too cute.

Because I’m feeling slightly huge, everything takes a little longer than usual.  The laundry has become my enemy.  I don’t mind actually washing it but then you have to do something with it and that’s the part that gets me.  I was really trying to be good and had a pile of shirts on the back of the couch that just needed to be put in the closet.  Unfortunately, even the dog has picked up on my slowness and made herself right at home on the top of the back of the couch right in with the shirts.  We had a mountain goat for a long while.

This has been a hard pregnancy.  There hasn’t been anything major but all the little stuff adds up.  I laugh that it’s a good thing this is round two or Peter would never have gotten a sibling.  The good part is that we officially know that this little baby is a boy!  He didn’t cooperate when we did the ultrasound at 20 weeks with the doctor.  All we found out was that it was a healthy baby.  Well that wasn’t good enough for me so we went to a private place and he saw right away!  I had to go in and drink the icky orange drink and with everything else, I kind of just assumed I would fail the 1 hour test.  Amazingly I passed.  Maybe things are looking up.

So now I have it in my head that I should get working on Christmas stockings.  I started Peter’s last summer and never finished.  It has become my goal to have a completed stocking for both boys by this Christmas.  I can do it!  I cross stitched Peter’s name for the top and a snowman to put in the middle.  The big goal now is to find a nice picture that has a similar feel for the second but isn’t just a repeat of the first.  I at least started mapping out the name to go on top.  I think it matches pretty good and looks mostly even.  I guess we’ll see once I actually get going.  Here’s the paper version with Peter’s name how I already stitched it and Thomas on top with how I think I’ll stitch.

We go to the cabin most weekends in the summer.  Peter has made himself at home up there and pretty much runs the whole time.  On the rare occasion that he’s not running, he finds himself either in the dirt or the water.  He usually has a partner in crime (a.k.a Donna).  Bethy came up with us one weekend and she ended up in the dirt too.

We celebrated the 4th of July at the cabin.  We went to the Pederson cabin for some awesome fireworks.  I didn’t get to light the warning shot like usual but it was still a good time.  The show was amazing as usual, even the mosquitoes enjoyed the show.

We had some other visitors at the cabin.  A big mama bear and her four little cubs decided to wander through.  They enjoyed the fry grease and then climbed a tree to take a nap.  They stayed up there for the morning and then wandered down and went on to someone else’s neck of the woods.  Peter was very impressed and still talks about the 5 bears.

One of Peter’s birthday gifts was swimming lessons.  We took a parent and child class.  At first he didn’t want to take off his shoes, much less get in the water and participate.  With each class he got better and better until he couldn’t get his shoes off fast enough and waiting for the teacher to come seemed to last forever.  He still didn’t always participate quite like he should but he gained a lot of confidence in the water and can kick and scoop.  The last class he got to play at the end.  He finally went down the little slide not only once but twice.  He thought it was so much fun that he wanted Dustin to take him to the other end of the pool.  We figured out that he conquered that little kid slide so he was going to try the big slide.  We’ll have to wait a few years for that one though.

Finally, we were festive and participated in Hastings Rivertown Days.  It was a fun weekend of shopping, family, going out on the town, and a parade.  The thing was that it was really hot that weekend.  Between activities, we decided to try and cool off with some water fun and bubbles.  We pulled out the rainbow sprinkler but Peter wasn’t having that.  Then I remembered Peter had gotten a huge blow up octopus sprinkler so I made Dustin blow it up and start it.  I guess we weren’t quite ready for that though as it made Peter run the other way and cry.  Finally Dustin pulled out the winning sprinkler and lots of fun ensued.

We started the month with a big birthday bash.  My baby is two already!  We planned a party with family coming and celebrating in the backyard.  The weather had other plans though.  As everything was being set up, the clouds rolled in.  So instead of plenty of space in our large backyard, everyone was squished in the garage.  It’s a good thing it was family and we like each other.  Thank you everyone for all of your help and for a wonderful afternoon.  Peter had a great time and that was the ultimate goal.

Of course we spent plenty of time at the cabin.  Paul and Donna were in Alaska for a couple of weekends.  Peter was so confused why Donna and Pop Pop weren’t there.  We told him they were in Alaska.  He heard Eliska, one of the girls that went to his daycare, and assumed they were playing at daycare instead of with him at the cabin.

We celebrated Marv and Joann’s 60th wedding anniversary!  That is awesome to have made it together for that long.  It was a nice afternoon with family.  The cool part was seeing pictures of their wedding and the family growing up.  Peter made friends right away, as usual.  Kari got a couple awesome shots of him in the grass.

One of Peter’s birthday gifts was a big boy Cars bed.  Peter was super helpful when putting it together.  He didn’t really get what it was but loved using the screw driver and looking at the pictures.  It wasn’t until it got moved into his room that he figured out what it’s for.  He had to have me reach his pillow and nuk and then pretended to sleep, snoring and all, on his new big boy bed.  Of course it still doesn’t have a mattress as Peter’s room needs to get cleaned out before he can actually use it but it’s a fun experience for now.

Peter and I went to the grocery store together.  He’s a really loud shopper.  He was having fun until we got to the produce section and I was trying to pick some peppers.  He saw the red food and was yelling for an apple.  The other ladies shopping thought it was quite funny but at the moment I didn’t seem to be laughing.  That’s when I found the section of free apples for kids.  It was at the end of the trip so I gave him one thinking he wouldn’t actually get anywhere.  When we got home I looked and he had big chunks out.  He ate almost the whole thing without me cutting it at all.  He was so very proud of his apple.

We had a couple weekends of cabin adventures in May.

Paul got a new rider lawn mower for up at the cabin.  It has a trailer that is just Peter sized.  He loves to tell Paul to sit on the seat and ask for rides.

Peter discovered the joys of a sprinkler.  At first he just got his toes wet and that was really fun.  Then he moved closer and got his belly wet.  That was really fun.  After moving a little closer, the water went over his head.  That was awesome.  One more step and the water went right in his face.  That was not as fun.  He managed to put his suit on and play in the water more and realized that the sprinkler is still a fun thing.

Peter got a sweet new camo hat.  I know he’s hard to see in the picture but that is in fact Peter 🙂

The next weekend Zoey got a little brave in the morning so the rope got pulled out.  It’s kind of funny though because most of the time you don’t even need to tie the rope to anything.  She just knows she’s in trouble and behaves.  Peter thought it was a toy for him though.

Peter was a very busy boy that weekend.  It was extra special because not only were Donna and Pop Pop there but Grandma and YaYa too.  Oh, and Unkie and Uncle Drew too.  There were so many people to play with that he forgot to sleep!  He had a little bit of a crash on the boat but then the lure of water was too strong, for a little while.

The other guest at the cabin that weekend was a momma turtle.  She worked her way up the driveway and picked right in the middle to lay her eggs in the sand.  It took her a long while to lay them and then bury them.  She wasn’t a fan of everyone watching but she kept working hard to finish her task.  Then she quickly walked to the lake.  I was amazed at how big she was and how long her legs were.  Zoey was brave and even sniffed her butt once she was almost to the lake.  The one time Zoey actually acts like a dog and it’s with a turtle.  Go figure.

Very soon I will post some pictures from the big birthday party for my big 2 year old boy.  I can’t believe Peter is already 2!