Where did November go??

Oops...it's December 8th...my bad!  November FLEW by!  We have had a busy month and some big news to share...we are EXPECTING #3 in May!  May 23rd to be exact.  Haven't announced on Facebook or anything...but most people know.  We finally gave in to Noah after he said, "Mommy...your tummy looks full."  Someday Mommy's tummy might be full and there will not be a baby in it (we will work on that).  Being newly pregnant, husband coaching football and two little boys to chase...made for a VERY long fall.  Thank goodness for good friends and family near by.  We had a lot of help!  THANK YOU!  I was very nauseous in the afternoons and night, which is not good timing with kiddos at home.  I was pooped and felt like my patience went right out the door.  But...we had a great 12 week appointment and am 18 weeks now!  We have another ultrasound...with Scott finding out and not me.  Yes...we know that is strange...but he is a good secret keeper (I am not with happy secrets).

Noah has been quite the learner lately.  He loves to tell us things he knows and asks a lot of questions.  Between daycare and preschool themes...we have learned a lot this fall.  For example, "Daddy...do squirrels sleep at night?  What about hedgehogs?"  Daddy explained what nocturnal meant...and Noah now will tell you, "Owls sleep at night...they are nocturtle."  Bahaha...love 4 year olds.  I think we have a preschool plan for next year...what a mess.  We don't qualify for CF preschool because he will be too old (thanks State of Iowa...you need a different plan for early childhood that is consistent from school district to school district).  But...after a few stressful weeks...I think we are happy!

Ryder has been a handful.  We  have had him tested twice for his speech...both times he is not in need of services and in the last month he has really boomed in his words.  His attitude and sassiness is not something we were expecting.  For a laid back baby...he is coming into toddlerhood roaring.  He will roll his eyes, sigh...where do they learn these things!?!?!  :)  He is still very sweet and gives great hugs and kisses.  He loves to make animal noises and has puppy, lion, kitty, cow down pretty well.  His sleep patterns were really good from mid-October to mid-November...and then more teeth...and we are back to square one.  We are still doing a bottle at night, but are thinking Christmas break will be the time to cut it out.  

Both boys LOVE to wrestle...and I am not the person to do it with.  Thank goodness Scott always is ready for the challenge!  They have also begun to fight.  Ryder is very aggressive and Noah is not.  This is good for Noah.  He needs to learn to stand up for himself (I worry a lot about school with him...but he seems to be doing better and better.  I think he just needs to be with the same kids consistently in order to be comfortable).  We just need to teach him the right way to get Ryder off of him. I don't want him to push Ryder and have him hit his head.  Ryder really only wants what Noah has...but doesn't really want it.  I guess I need to be ready for what it is to come!

Scott finished his class...with an A!  No class for Spring as he has pitching two mornings a week, 2 mornings a week with Noah and preschool.  Thinking maybe summer (what else do we have going on...new baby...coaching...bring it on).  My work is slowing down for a short time.  It was a long fall, but we all survived and are ready for a loooong break.  

Here are some fun pics:

Oops...been a while...

Well...it has been a LONG time!  School is back in session, Scott is coaching football, and visit days are in full swing.  It has been a long...long...long fall.  The kids are at interesting stages.  Noah is in school and is enjoying it for the most part.  He is learning to stick up for himself which is a growing piece for him.  He is so polite and knows what not to do, so it is hard to tell someone else to stop.  But...we are working with him.  He is also in a HUGE whining stage.  But...again, getting better every day on that end.  Still in need of a nap...we skipped it one day...not a good plan!  We are slowly getting better at letters.  Noah is a pro with numbers but letters are a different story.  Downloaded a new app on the iPad and it is already helping:)  Noah is all about being a super hero/ninja.  So...we do a lot of jumping and ninja moves!  Ryder thinks he is just like Noah...and can also jump off of things and hit (but he doesn't know that hitting people isn't okay!!!).  He was not saying much so we took him to a speech person and he is right on the border.  We are working with him a lot at home (and daycare has been amazing).  He is already starting to say more.  Mama and Dada were words he was saying...but directed at us.  He is now!  Ryder is also about waving bye bye and saying bye bye as well as giving great kisses:)  Love it!  The boy's giggles are the best noise in the whole world!

Scott is teaching social studies (another first year teacher again...) and coaching high school football.  He also started a grad class.  He is not a fan of the class but we need to move up the pay scale!  Football is going well...just a lot of time.  I am overwhelmed by how much he is gone:(  My work is busy and also overwhelming...we are ready for Thanksgiving!  Here are a few fun pictures from the past few weeks:

 Artapalooza on Main Street!

 Baking boys!

 Spaghetti!!!!!!

 Swimming lessons!

 Hartman Reserve!

 Pumpkin Patch near Waverly!

 Homecoming game at UNI!

 Soccer shots!

Updates in the last month!

Well...a month has flown by!  July went super fast.  Scott finished up softball and the project known as the HOUSE began.  Our house was hit by hail this past Spring.  So...our roof had to be replaced and our back siding was damaged.  You can't replace one part of siding it if it the original...IT ISN'T made anymore!  The only way for us to afford to replace it was to do the job ourselves.  I say "ourselves" but I really mean Scott and our friends/family.  Wowza...we are incredibly blessed by the help around us.  I think Scott knew what the project was going to be...but I had NO IDEA!  TONS AND TONS of work.  Lots of messes.  SUPER hot days.  Our house looks AMAZING.  Not to sound cheesy/mean...but I wasn't always "proud" of our house and now I am.  I was embarrassed by the old large siding.  I know it sounds selfish because we have a roof over our heads and nothing "scary" about my home.  I am proud of how everyone helped us and how much everyone came together!  It looks like a completely different home. 

We also headed on a mini-vacation to Des Moines with my family.  The science center was a HUGE hit with the boys.  Lots of hands-on activities and plenty for space to run around!  We stayed in a Stoney Creek Inn, which was FABULOUS!  Huge rooms...bunk beds which Noah LOVED.  We tried to Farmers Market in Des Moines...never again with kids.  Too many people.  We ended up at Jordan Creek and played in the kid area.  Lots and lots of time at the pool in the hotel.  The kids had a riot with my parents in pool as well. 

We have had a crazy August!  Visit days and practices for football.  Then...we started preschool!  Noah was SOOO excited to start.  We had an open house.  And he loved the jungle-gym.  On his first day of school we asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up, "A Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle."  He wore his TNMT shirt and off we went.  I took him on his first day (he will go with Scott) and we went to Daddy's classroom, explored the building.  We took him to the door and off he went.  A big boy...went to school.  I had a rough drive back...didn't sob the whole way back:)  My parents picked him up and he was very excited!  Noah had a great first day.  My big boy!  In the last week since he has started...he is getting himself dressed, brushing his teeth, putting himself to bed...a HUGE helper!  Brittany (one of my BFF's) asked Noah, "how was daycare today?" (she meant how was school) and Noah responded, "You mean school."  Hands on his hips...super sassy...hahahahaha!  Hilarious!  Ryder has been a GROWING machine.  He can tell you where his belly and nose are.  He is SHRIEKING when bath time rolls around...can't out of his clothes (diaper included) fast enough.  We had his 15 month appointment...growing.  22 pounds and had his MMR shot.  Not speaking a lot of words.  New path will include separate books with Ryder and shorter ones.  He wasn't sitting with the books with Noah and it didn't sink in that it was a big deal.  So...new plan.  Kim isn't worried...but wants to see improvement by the time he is 18 months.

 IPTV--Dan

 I-Cubs game!

 Science Center!

 Pool Kid!

 Pool baby!

 Camden and Nana!

Better late than never...BIRTHDAY PICS!!!!

 This was taken on his actual Birthday...not sure why is says June 23...Noah is 4...in his underoos!

 Opened up his very own Iron Man that night!!

 Ryder-roo...or Wreck-It Ralph as your daddy calls you:)

 Construction theme...might use this for multiple years!!

 Walking tacos!!

 Ryder got cars, a signed book and new bath foam letters/numbers.  Noah got a wheelbarrow, signed book and a new collection of Little Critter books. 

 Spoiled kids!!!!!!!!!!!!

 CUTE!!!!!

Birthday boys!!!

 blowing out the candles for both!

 can't turn it...yummy chocolate!!!!!!!!!

Softball has wrapped up...vacation is about over...August is almost here!  Lots to write and catch up on!