A quick update...almost a month late!

Well...school has started and we are (sort of) back into a routine!  Noah is a playing machine!  We spend every minute outside that we possibly can:)  He loves saying, "outside" "drive car" "ride bike"--his trike.  We also play a lot in the sprinkler, baby pool and now a slip'n'slide!  We also love chalking...everything (the sidewalk, the stoop, the house...a no-no!!!).  We are working back into the bed...but it is a slow move.  We are going to make a real effort Labor Day weekend to get him back in his bed.  Noah is back into puzzles...which is fun!  We do a lot of matching in our household.  Football is back in full swing and Noah also loves saying, "Daddy coach fooball..." and "Daddy teach kids"!  A riot:)  We went on a huge bike ride on Saturday night...all the way to Four Queens...which is farther that we thought, but we made it!  Daddy is super tired and Mommy is tired from being back into everything (SAA and regular hours).  Our weekends have become even more precious to us.  So...don't be offended if we leave or ask you to b/c we want our time with our fam!!!  Here are a few fun pics from the past few weeks:

A quick update...

Well...we have had a busy few weeks!  Scott started back up with football and has started getting his classroom back up and running.  Noah started back in full-time day care.  I had August visit days (over 900 people came through in three days) last M-W...needless to say the three of us are pooped!  Our cousin moved in with us which has been super fun for us.  Noah LOVES JJ and we have to make sure Noah leaves him alone:)  Noah's favorite words this week have been, "Mommy's owie?  On your foot?"  I sprained my ankle Sunday...awesome way to end the weekend!  UGGG!!!!!  My friend Jamie and her hubby saved the day and stayed with Noah while we went to the hospital (Scott thought the area on my foot looked funny...I missed the stairs carrying in the recycling and went down hard!  It is a pretty nasty sprain...and looks bad and funny colors...but getting better)!  Noah is all about being Mr. INDEPENDENT and does not want any help with anything right now.  Since Daddy has been gone at night with football...he really misses Daddy and instead acts up a lot!  We are ready for a normal schedule to start:)

Another interesting event in life...my 10 year reunion!  We went to the Dike Watermelon Days parade on Saturday night and my 10 year reunion was that night.  Only one of the people I still talk to on a regular basis was going Saturday night...and surprisingly I was nervous!  I'm not sure why...I loved high school, I had a great college life, married to an awesome guy, healthy child and my dream job.  Weird...Scott didn't go to his and was not psyched to go to mine.  But...being the trooper he is...we went.  Everyone looked pretty much the same...bigger in some ways...but mostly the same.  Some were successful...some weren't, but really...not much has changed.  With Facebook...I'm not sure reunions still mean the same thing anymore.  I did chat with some people that made the night super fun!  Made me feel super comfortable and relax a bit.  It will be interesting at our 20 year reunion...maybe more will have changed:)

Let the madness begin of school starting!  A few fun pics:

Stuff...

So...vacation was amazing!!!  My parents rented a house right outside Galena, IL.  We had a RIOT!  It was a great break and the time with the family was awesome.  My brother and sister-in-law played a ton with Noah (he LOVED saying, "Uncle Matt"...but for some reason Aunt Jenna...he just liked saying "Yenna..")  We went swimming which was the first in 4 years for my mom...it was a fantastic to see her in a pool since her surgery!  We even took one of those old time photos! It was nice to be away from it all:)  I will post some pics. 

Scott started football camp yesterday and I started August summer visit days.  Summer is over now...ugg:)  My parents...thank goodness for close-by family...have Noah overnight tonight.  Scott and I are dragging butt!  I am incredibly blessed...Scott left me a voicemail telling to look at the to-do list on the door in the garage.  At first...I thought...really?  A to-do list?  We are having a couple hundred students and families come through campus these three days...I am pooped from doing campus tours and directing people!  But...catching up on the house is a constant battle...so oh well.  My list...included taking a bubble bath, reading and going to bed early.  REALLY!!!!!!  I already know that I am one incredible lucky lady...but this is just another example of how great he is.  The house is clean, dishes put away, clothes put away, etc.  I am taking his advice and relaxing and going to bed early!  I LOVE YOU:)

Being married to a teacher...having a mom as a teacher...teaching degree myself...sister-in-law as a teacher and other family members as teachers...I thought this piece of info from Matt Damon was interesting!  With the election coming in 2012 and Gov. Branstad's education summit...everyone has education on the mind.  I am SICK and TIRED of all of the bashing of teachers.  I know there are crap ones are out there...but the vast majority are very passionate...step up parents...do your job.  Enough ranting...here is the article.  I don't know anything about the organization...but I really liked his words (website listed):

I flew overnight from Vancouver to be with you today. I landed in New York a few hours ago and caught a flight down here because I needed to tell you all in person that I think you're awesome.
I was raised by a teacher. My mother is a professor of early childhood education. And from the time I went to kindergarten through my senior year in high school, I went to public schools. I wouldn't trade that education and experience for anything.
I had incredible teachers. As I look at my life today, the things I value most about myself -- my imagination, my love of acting, my passion for writing, my love of learning, my curiosity -- all come from how I was parented and taught.
And none of these qualities that I've just mentioned -- none of these qualities that I prize so deeply, that have brought me so much joy, that have brought me so much professional success -- none of these qualities that make me who I am ... can be tested.
I said before that I had incredible teachers. And that's true. But it's more than that. My teachers were EMPOWERED to teach me. Their time wasn't taken up with a bunch of test prep -- this silly drill and kill nonsense that any serious person knows doesn't promote real learning. No, my teachers were free to approach me and every other kid in that classroom like an individual puzzle. They took so much care in figuring out who we were and how to best make the lessons resonate with each of us. They were empowered to unlock our potential. They were allowed to be teachers.
Now don't get me wrong. I did have a brush with standardized tests at one point. I remember because my mom went to the principal's office and said, 'My kid ain't taking that. It's stupid, it won't tell you anything and it'll just make him nervous.' That was in the '70s when you could talk like that.
I shudder to think that these tests are being used today to control where funding goes.
I don't know where I would be today if my teachers' job security was based on how I performed on some standardized test. If their very survival as teachers was based on whether I actually fell in love with the process of learning but rather if I could fill in the right bubble on a test. If they had to spend most of their time desperately drilling us and less time encouraging creativity and original ideas; less time knowing who we were, seeing our strengths and helping us realize our talents.
I honestly don't know where I'd be today if that was the type of education I had. I sure as hell wouldn't be here. I do know that.
This has been a horrible decade for teachers. I can't imagine how demoralized you must feel. But I came here today to deliver an important message to you: As I get older, I appreciate more and more the teachers that I had growing up. And I'm not alone. There are millions of people just like me.
So the next time you're feeling down, or exhausted, or unappreciated, or at the end of your rope; the next time you turn on the TV and see yourself called "overpaid;" the next time you encounter some simple-minded, punitive policy that's been driven into your life by some corporate reformer who has literally never taught anyone anything. ... Please know that there are millions of us behind you. You have an army of regular people standing right behind you, and our appreciation for what you do is so deeply felt. We love you, we thank you and we will always have your back.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dan-brown/matt-damons-powerful-educ_b_914420.html

It's a wonderful life...

This has been a fun week with Noah!  He started saying his own name...which is HYSTERICAL!  He will say Noah's mommy, Noah's daddy and Noah's bed, etc.  It is so great:)  He has two really good buddies, Jani and Harrison that we hang out with on a regular basis.  He can say Jani (it comes out Yani...), but Harrison comes out YaYa...no idea where that came from (he has a Harrison at day care...).  Today after swimming at the "big pool (he says it like that!!!)" we went to Panera with Harrison and Jani (and their mommy's) and while leaving...he said...HARRISON!!  Big day!

Last week I got to have a fun night out with the girls.  I have had trouble ever since college figuring out the friends thing.  I have come to the conclusion that I am a "lifer" of a friend.  I have 2 best friends that have been my best friends since I was in like 3rd grade (maybe not the entire time...but friends since 3rd grade and since high school and college...we have all been in each other's weddings), 2 friends from grade school and junior high, three best friends from college and one best friend from grad school.  I have had trouble with that transition into adult world with friends.  I think it is because I don't want to invest in a relationship that won't last b/c I am all or nothing...if you know me...I tend to share...A LOT of info and I guess I expect it back:)  The other friends I have made since grad school have been great  and I count them as some of my best friends...but some have moved which puts me back to square one.  Throw in the baby and hubby and it's like dating all over again to find people in your same situation.  So...back to last week...a fun night out at Applebee's with some girlfriends!  Our hubby's get along which is great so they hung out with the kids and we had a blast.  We laughed, drank and ate.  It was so much fun and I think I may have babbled a bit too much about how much fun I was having!  I think it might be something we try to make a regular monthly thing!!  So whether they live far or near and I talk often or once a month...I am very blessed to have the ladies in my life whom I call a friend...thank you so much for listening and making me smile!  

One other fun piece...Scott bought me another dozen roses...BEAUTIFUL pink roses.  They popped open during my lunch hour and are gorgeous.  I am so lucky to have a great husband...who does this "just because".  Off to bed...

Noah's 2nd Birthday! Part 2!!

Noah's birthday party was held on the 25th of June...Sturgis Falls weekend!  I took the actual Friday off for his Birthday...I was able to take him to story time at the library and sleep in with him.  It was a blast!  I hardly ever take vacation because I have to save up for whenever the maternity leave happens.  Noah then spent his usual time with Grandma and Grandpa Rokes (his usual Friday routine).  That meant mommy had a bit of time to herself (went for a run, took a bubble bath and painted my toenails!!).  Saturday morning was the Sturgis Falls parade and Noah's first since last year he needed a nap in the morning:)  He did great!  He loved the music from the floats and the various bands.  Tractors were everywhere and a fire truck:)  One of my best friends brought her boys to the parade...it was a blast!  Then off to home for a quick nap (mommy snuck one in as well!).  We are pretty low key parents (it is official...I am not a crafty or creative mommy...no matter how much I WANT TO be one...it is just not in me) so there was no "theme" to his party.  We had hot dogs, brats, fruit, chips and ice cream/brownie sundaes!  We had a lot of family and friends over to celebrate.  Noah did pretty well...till he opened up a ball and glove...then it was all he wanted!  We tried to make people not bring gifts...but they don't listen!!:)  It was a great time with everyone!  Here are some pics:

Noah's 2nd Birthday!! Part 1!

Hard to believe that 2 years ago my baby boy was born!  Since I started this about a year and a half into Noah's life...I never have recorded the story of his birth.  So...I am dedicating part one of this to his birth story (part 2 will be with pics from b-day party...they are loading right now!!).  We found out we were pregnant in early October...after I had run my 2nd marathon in the Twin Cities.  We didn't tell anyone...except I threw up in front of my co-workers at a Panera in Kansas City for a work conference.  On our way home...we got into a car accident and it was pretty nasty...no one was hurt (thank the lord)...but since I was pregnant, they transported me to a hospital via ambulance...needless to say I was FREAKED OUT!  With my co-worker (and now good friend, Ashleigh Crowe...whom I didn't really know well at the time!!) we saw Noah's heart beat for the first time!  Noah had an interesting beginning!  The rest of the pregnancy was pretty normal (I threw up about every day until 2nd trimester...but otherwise, normal...again, lots of thanks to the man above!).  I was pretty big at the end...in fact, if I heard one more person ask, "Are you still pregnant?" I think I would have punched them or cried!  We were due on our 3rd anniversary--June 17th (we also knew we were having a boy!!)...that came and passed.  We tried EVERYTHING to induce labor (use your imagination...but we really tried it all) and nothing worked.  My mom came with me to the doctor's office and they did another ultrasound (I couldn't feel Noah move a whole lot at the end)...the ultrasound lady (Lynn...known her my whole life!!) said he was about 8-9 pounds...and my mom had a meltdown!  I then had a meltdown!  My mom had little babies (my brother and I were both 6.5 pounds!!).  They decided to set a date for me to be induced (June 23rd).  Scott and I headed in and at 7AM the started the blood draw (which they cam back and said my hemoglobin was very low and I was going to have a blood transfusion...what!?!?!  That luckily turned out to be wrong!!).  They started the Pitocin (I was dilated at 2.5 for weeks...) and then I got an Epidural at about 2pm in the afternoon (Scott did great!!).  Then...we hung out.  Some nasty weather headed into the area...and then they had to move us b/c a tornado had been seen by the Dome.  I was beyond upset!! I couldn't walk (epidural) and am stuck in a bed--there was like 3 other people in labor at the same time.  Luckily...it passed and then we were bored!!!!!!  It was a long night!  I started throwing up (which was a sign of labor progressing...nothing about that in our Lamaze classes!!) and was starving!  Our parents were here for a lot of the labor and I needed my mom at parts.  At about 2AM...they said Noah had moved and I might have had to c-section...I broke down and cried with my mom...and he moved!  At about 5AM...we started pushing...we had GREAT nurses.  I did "tug of war" with the nurse.  Finally...I had reached the point for the doctor to come in.  Dr. Wing came in and we pushed and pushed!  They had to use the vacuum (it popped off twice) and they threatened c-section again.  Scott and I pushed with everything I could!  He finally popped out!  The first words out of my mouth were...Oh My God (sorry)...I feel so much better!  Kind of feel bad about that...but I was BEYOND uncomfortable at the end.  The baby was screaming and such and we knew he was healthy!  He was 8 pounds and 8 ounces, 21.5 inches long....Noah John Connolly was here!  The day itself was crazy...Ed Thomas from Aplington-Parkersburg was shot in the weight room (about the time Noah was born), Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcet both died on Noah's birth day.  It was a crazy day indeed!!!  So many friends and family were able to visit us in the hospital (THANK YOU...it meant the world to us).  Very blessed!  Noah's 2nd birthday will be later this week!

Happiness Project Update!

For those who read my last update...you know that I am reading a book called the Happiness Project.  While I am only half way through it...already implementing a few of the things:)  One of them  was on the topic of organization...for those who know me...not a strength when it comes to my home.  My office is piles...I know where everything...but to those who walk by...it is a cluttered mess:)  To be honest...as I have gotten older..the piles drive me nuts as well!  So at home, we are trying to do mini pick ups at night after Noah gets to bed.  This last week...not so successful!  Noah decided that bedtime was anywhere from 9pm to 10:30pm.  I know people think we are crazy...but he just isn't tired!  We watch for the tired cues (rubbing eyes, cranky, yawning, etc.)...but when he is playing outside and such...he gets really pumped up.  My parents laugh and say it serves me right...apparently I had a lot of energy as a child (I already knew I hated going to bed or nap as a child...) and that energy is still what keeps me up at night!  But Scott and I need a little reconnection time and we need Noah to go night night so we can:)  Especially right now when Scott has games all of the time...we only get about 30 minutes of time awake together...max!  So..organization...getting better.  There is a part about relaxing and enjoying the moments in the book as well.  This really resonated with me as my grandpa always told me to stop and smell the roses...and by golly I am going to!  I switched to a new phone last week (an Android) and for the week that I had it...I decided it was a distraction to Noah.  I have decided to disconnect...which for those that know me...I LOVE THE NEWS and like to know what is going on in the world.  I am a news junkie...I love sneaking in a few minutes of the Today show or the NBC nightly news.  I also loved having my work calendar synced with my phone...super helpful in planning what to wear in the mornings:)  But...(don't call child services!!!!) on Monday night...Noah and I were playing...(I was also playing on my phone) and he rolled off the side of the couch...head first.  DONE....after calming him down...called Scott and told him to take the phone back...this was the final straw!  And the next day on cnn.com (can't totally get rid of my news...just have to look on the computer...the "old-fashioned way") there was a story about smart phones and parent distractions...I knew I was right!  I know some people are fine...I just have this uncontrollable urge to check every time it buzzed or flashed.  So I am done!

Family update--Scott is half way done with the season!!  YEAH!!!  Noah continues to wow us with his many words.  He is starting to string words together...and just last week started saying, "Mommy...Daddy" and we thought that Mama and Dada were cute...Mommy and Daddy just do us in!  On a mommy note...I got to see one of my best friends (since we were 9) on Monday night and meet her new little one!  So precious...Noah has been great about being "nice to baby"--he totally says that!!!  Andrea's older one, Carson, drove Noah around in the Dodd's mini-gator...wow...Noah was on cloud nine!!!  Andrea's cousin and her little one were there as well...all pondering how much our lives have changed since we graduated 10 years ago (that's right...10 years ago!!).  It was a great night!  Also had a great time with some girlfriends on Friday night...definitely needed some girl time:)  Better run to work!!