The Holst House

Juice Fast Recipe this morning!

2011-06-30T10:00:00.000-04:00

I made a fantastic juice today for breakfast!

I juiced:

1/2 quart strawberries
1/2 pineapple (core removed)
2 apples (peeled and halved)
1/2 lemon (peeled)

THEN!!!

In the Magic Bullet, I poured the juice mix in a cup, added a banana, and 1/2 c light soy milk. Then blended!

UH-MAZING!

Shared by christie: Los Angeles Schools Blasted for Limiting Homework

2011-06-29T22:39:00.001-04:00

Hello,

Read away, my fellow bloggers. Opinions?

Shared by christie while visiting FoxNews.com:

Los Angeles Schools Blasted for Limiting Homework

Education experts are blasting a new policy by the Los Angeles Unified School district to make homework just 10 percent of a student's grade, calling it a "travesty."

- christie

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Juice Fast Update

2011-06-28T22:18:00.001-04:00

OK...so I have come to the conclusion that fasting on juice alone would work for me if I didn't have to chase and feed children all day. So, I have committed to continuing this reboot of my body, but am adding some actual eating of fruits and vegetables too. So today, I was messing around and came up with this neat-o snack:

I cut tomatoes into thick slices and dredged them in whole wheat flour.
Then in a pan, I melted just a little bit of I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Light and some EVOO.
Then I sauteed the tomatoes and seasoned them with a Veggie Shake that I believe we got at Bales in Syracuse.
I cooked them well on both sides...browned them suckers up! They were EXTREMELY tasty, healthy, and a nice compliment to the juicing!

I wish I could have taken a picture of them. Though they were not very pretty! :-)

Juice Fast Day 2

2011-06-28T10:55:00.000-04:00

i would give my left arm for a steak right now. i am with janell on this one...can't i just fast between meals?

Juice Fast Day 1

2011-06-27T08:17:00.000-04:00

Andrew and I are juice fasting together this week. You should probably know that in case you plan on stopping by for a visit. Wear armor. And do not bring food. Try not to smell like food. Don't talk about food. :-)

Andrew did a 9 day fast before we went to Mexico. It was quite impressive. I believe he lost almost 16 pounds. Of course, the point is to reshape your eating habits; jumpstart your system with healthy, natural fruits and vegetables. This wouldn't be something you would want to sustain for any period of time. The goal is to stay on a healthier path once you finish the fast. Maybe juice one meal a day?

I already miss my coffee BADLY.

Here's what got Andrew going: a documentary called Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead. You can get it on Netflix. There is a website: http://www.fatsickandnearlydead.com

Check it out!

Preschool Graduation

2011-06-23T14:21:00.000-04:00

See if you can pick out which one is Drew. The video is kind of long, but you won't have to wait long to see why I am nervous about kindergarten!

Heaven Help Me.

2011-06-23T13:59:00.000-04:00

BOYS!!! Father to Son--Life Lessons on Raising a Boy

2011-06-23T12:36:00.001-04:00

Someone got this book for my husband. Maybe I did. Can't remember, but it's been on the shelf in the office forever. I was looking through it and found some pretty insightful stuff I thought I would share!

Little Boys (pg 42):

Teach him to throw up in the toilet, not on your bed. Many boys will stagger past two bathrooms just to destroy your bedroom.

I'm Baaaaaaaaaaaaaack!

2011-06-23T12:23:00.000-04:00

Welcome to my blog. For some of you, this is like the eighth time I have invited you. I promise to be on here DAILY! Aim high.

This past school year took me on a new direction in my career. I am the Student Services Coordinator at North Webster Elementary. I don't like the title. It's too wordy and vague. But then again, so is the position so I guess it works. Important thing is, I LOVE IT. I love this school, the teachers and staff, and most importantly, the KIDDOS. I am a counselor and assistant to the principal. I think.

DREW starts kindergarten this fall in my school. I am nervous! He is high strung, emotional, and everything is a gun. Pretty much all the ingredients for an IEP. Just kidding. He will be great. And I will NOT be a helicopter mom. Hopefully, it won't scar him if I pretend not to know him. HA! It works in Walmart.

I can't wait to post funny stuff that I hope will entertain anyone who has lots of spare time to read this.

Summer Days

2009-05-25T21:33:00.000-04:00

We are SO ready for summer. As I sit here and type, I am trying to find the mental capacity to go back to work tomorrow and finish the last eight days. I don't know if I can do it! Ha! And we are coming off a three day weekend which, while wonderful, is almost too much of a tease. It definitely makes going back to work TORTURE!

But all is well otherwise! The boys are getting big and are so much fun! Drew starts preschool in August so we are pretty excited about that. He constantly talks about getting his backpack on and going to school. Not too long now! :-)

Here are the boys eating some pizza and getting ready to get back outside!!!

Dad took them for a wagon ride!

Amy (our babysitter) brought the boys hats...and bike helmets!

This picture just cracks me up. Carter loved his helmet so much that he wore it pretty much all day long the next day. Our neighbors were probably raising their eyebrows and wondering why the other one hadn't been fitted for a helmet.... :-)

Forty-Five North Vineyard and Winery

2009-05-04T19:48:00.000-04:00

For all my fellow wine lovers out there....if you haven't stumbled upon this website, check it out. Forty-Five North is owned by Dr. Steve Grossnickle and his wines are the recipient of many prestigious awards.

http://www.fortyfivenorth.com/

Read the website. Check it out. Nelson's Beverage stocks these wines at our area liquor stores--Liquid Assets & Service Liquors.

Cheers!

Getting back outside!

2009-03-25T20:46:00.000-04:00

Yeah! Spring is trying to spring and we are taking advantage of every nice day we can! Here are just some pictures of the boys playing outside.

Happy Birthday Carter!

2009-03-25T20:11:00.000-04:00

Carter turned two on Sunday! Hard to believe our baby is two! We had just a small gathering of family over. Of course, we have a funny story...

Andrew went to Dairy Queen to get an ice cream cake for Carter's birthday. He selected the cake he wanted from the freezer and went to the counter to pay. The girl asked him if he would like anything written on it. Andrew replied, "Sure...please write Happy Birthday Carter." The girl behind the counter asked him if he had a certain color he'd prefer, so Andrew decided that since there was chocolate and cookie dough on the cake, and since Carter is a boy, brown would be perfect.

The girl jots this down on a piece of paper and takes the cake to the back (apparently to someone else to do the writing). The cake came back looking like this:Carter eating his birthday cake!

Drew eating some cake too!Carter getting a birthday kiss from Madi!

Yay Spring!

2009-03-21T23:19:00.000-04:00

OH MY. I think this is the longest winter I have ever experienced. I am sure there have been worse, but this one just seemed to take forever. But we have had some awesome weather here recently and the boys have been able to get out and play. YIPPEE!

The school year is going well. We finished the extended response portion of the ISTEP test a few weeks back. That caused quite a stir! The math portion of the test was extremely difficult and the entire state erupted in complaints to the state of unfairness and a lack of standard alignment. I hope the multiple choice portion at the end of April goes much better!

Carter turns TWO tomorrow. I can't even believe it. Where has the time gone? I have had to stop and think about it. My brain wants to think he's turning one. He and Drew have become great playmates. They definitely fight like brothers from time to time, but it's really neat to watch them interact and play together!

Owen David

2009-03-21T23:14:00.001-04:00

We have a new addition to the family! Aunt Sandra and Uncle Jared had a BEAUTIFUL little boy! His name is Owen David. Drew and Carter have a new cousin! And another boy at that! :-) The pictures posted here are from back at Christmas. He has already changed so much! The recent pictures are on my computer at work. I will have to update again!

Da Boys

2009-03-21T23:08:00.000-04:00

This is a great picture of Drew. He mirrors how I felt at the end of ISTEP week!

Spaghetti Boys

Grandma Lois and the boys!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-21T17:26:00.000-05:00

Well, it is beginning to really look a lot like Christmas! It has been a nasty few weeks of winter weather. I am looking outside and I could swear we are in Antarctica. I am soooooo ready for spring and it is soooooo far away! Everyone is good! Drew and Carter are growing and playing and fighting like brothers do. It's pretty fun (most of the time). I just signed Drew up for preschool next year! Our little baby boy is going to start preschool! It is so hard to believe. Andrew is keeping busy with work. He has been home for this whole month so that has been great! We are celebrating Christmas this week with Andrew's family and then next week, my parents are coming from Georgia. Yippee! Here are the Christmas pictures we used for our card this year. That was funny trying to get them to pose. I often wonder how family pictures where the little kids are sitting nicely and smiling even happen. It is so strange to me.
Merry Christmas to you all!

Makenna Ray

2008-12-05T06:19:00.000-05:00

I have sad news to report. Makenna passed away Wednesday at a mere 42 days old. There were multiple complications surrounding her liver and it was just more than she could take. After a week at St. Louis Children's Hospital (after Riley transferred her there) and a short stint on the transplant list, she passed peacefully in the arms of her mom and dad.

God Bless you, Makenna.

Drew and Carter having dinner together!

2008-11-13T22:49:00.000-05:00

Blessings & Beginnings

2008-11-13T22:22:00.001-05:00

I think winter is creeping in. I was trying to think that maybe it just simply won't come. Like if I wished hard enough, it would stay warm. HA! The boys are in bed and I am at the computer listening to the wind whip outside. Colder days are a-comin'!

I find at times I can get very frustrated with the boys. They're young and into everything. Curious. Mischievous even! I hugged my boys tight tonight. I have much to be thankful for. Today, Mickey (whom I teach with) and I took the day off and went to Indianapolis to see our dear friend Cheryl--who also teaches with us. The three of us make up the fifth grade teachers at Milford School. Cheryl just gave birth three weeks ago to a BEAUTIFUL baby girl named Makenna Ray. A few days after Makenna was born, her liver decided to begin shutting down. Platelet counts dangerously dropped, blood sugars went all out of control, transfusions were needed, bleeding was difficult to stop after a blood draw, jaundice ensued--quite a bit for this little child! Tests in Ft. Wayne were run, theories were tested, and it was finally decided that Makenna would be better cared for at Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis. The VanLaekens have been at Riley now for almost two weeks. Panels and panels of tests have been run..some showing this....some showing that....all of it "inconclusive"--a word Cheryl and her husband Mike will probably never want to hear again!
Further tests are out and being anxiously waiting for to determine if Makenna might have Type 1 Tyrosinemia--a dangerous condition involving her liver. But a condition that is treatable in a somewhat less invasive way. The other two possibilities are neonatal hemochromatosis--again a disease that basically destroys the liver--and mitochondrial disease--a dangerous systemic disease that while right now may be destroying her liver, it can move to other areas of her body as well. The doctors have sat down with Mike and Cheryl and brought the T word--transplant--into their reality. So many factors, so many ifs, so many maybes. I won't get into all the nitty gritty details. But if you happen upon my blog and you are reading this, say a prayer for them. If praying isn't your thing, keep them in your thoughts. In all of this chaos and waiting they have to do, Cheryl texted me tonight and told me to pray for a baby that was brought in today. He's not in good shape and the outlook is pretty grim. Even in the face of her own uncertainty with her brand new daughter, her unselfishness prevails. I feel blessed to have her as my friend.
As we walked through Riley Hospital today, I saw many kids and their families. I ask myself: Would I be strong enough to handle this if one of my children had a need to be here? How do they do it? How do Cheryl and Mike do it? It's an unbelievable feeling. And then the guilt comes in (that's the good Catholic in me) and I feel silly for the things I worry about on a day to day basis. Or the things I complain about. I find tonight the importance of remembering that we are blessed with two healthy children. They may be crazy and rambunctious. They may drive me crazy sometimes. They may try my patience. But they are beautiful and I am ashamed that I don't stop and think about how blessed I am everyday.

Fall Pictures

2008-11-03T23:14:00.001-05:00

Carter had a nasty bite on his cheek that ended up getting infected. He had to be on antibiotics. Crazy!

I love this picture so much. He looks so grown up. I can't believe he's going to be two.

Carter on the lookout!

Left-handed Drew. Pretty much every time he picks up a pen or pencil to draw, it's with his left hand!

Yes, he's got green marker on his face from drawing on himself during the coloring session in the above picture!

Such a typical face of Drew!

Happy Halloween!

2008-11-03T22:00:00.000-05:00

The boys had a blast trick-or-treating. Drew was Spiderman and Carter was a duck--and a dang cute one! Drew really got into the trick-or-treating. He liked going door to door and getting his loot! Carter waddled around with us but didn't go up to the doors. He did get a hold of a tootsie roll pop and had a blast with that!

Follow up

2008-11-03T21:59:00.000-05:00

By the way...I have not been back to Kroger since I posted that last post! :-)

Never Again

2008-09-24T22:07:00.000-04:00

I am seriously considering never going to Kroger in Warsaw again. Drew threw a holy fit of biblical proportions in there this afternoon because I wouldn't let him have a sucker. A sucker!!! I was just going to get my prescription from the pharmacy. Usually I would use the drive thru--I am certainly NOT going to take my kids inside when I can keep them strapped in the car! But we needed diapers. I had one left at home and I didn't want to make any other stops. So, we haven't physically been at the pharmacy counter in MONTHS and Drew remembers that they give out free Dum Dum suckers. I said no. Plain and simple. He proceeded to scream bloody murder, throw himself on the ground, got up and began to run away while making noises that resembled someone getting knifed to death. People stopped and watched, asking if they could help. I tried to give him away to one young couple, but they declined. He would get to the end of an aisle, turn the corner and continue his screaming/gurgling/gagging/hyperventilating and so people thought he was lost and scared and tried to help him. I would round the corner looking like I was going to kill him--all the while I have Carter in my arms--he's screaming his head off and kicking furiously because I won't let him down to run around. I finally caught Drew and scooped him up in my other arm while trying to hold Carter still and the pack of diapers I had just bought. I am walking out of the store, red-faced and dripping with sweat with people chuckling and saying "oh, it gets better....it really does" I had to bite my tongue so I would wouldn't say, "Oh, well thanks, but that does nothing for me right now." I just wanted to get out of there before someone called CPS on me.
I am thinking I can transfer my scripts to the CVS up the road from our house. If I do that, I should never have to go there again. I would imagine someone made an announcement after we left telling people it was safe to resume their regular shopping. UGH!!!!

2008-09-24T22:03:00.000-04:00

You talkin' to me??? (Gangsta Carter)

Carter likes to eat his yogurt on the floor. Or actually, when he wanted to eat it without being in his highchair, I told him he would have to sit down and he immediately sat right where he was. What a good listener!

4-Wheelin'!!!

2008-09-24T22:01:00.001-04:00

Is it really almost October????

2008-09-24T21:53:00.000-04:00

LORD!!! Where has the time gone? So It's almost October. The school year is off and running and I am not sure I can catch up with it. Volleyball is in full swing and I have 23 girls this year. That is A LOT. We are working through it, though. I have a parent-coach volunteer who is AMAZING. She has been a huge help. I have 21 kids in my class this year--13 boys and 8 girls. They are a VERY fun group of kiddos. We are already like a family.

Andrew is busy busy busy at work as usual. He is doing well though! We are very proud of what he does for this family. He takes a lot of pride in taking care of us. We think we may have sold our house. I am not saying for sure until that signature is on the papers and it is D-O-N-E next week. It will be sooooo nice to not pay two mortgages anymore.

The boys are WONDERFUL. Drew turned three a couple of weeks ago and Carter is quickly approaching his 2nd birthday in March. They are growing like weeds and fighting like brothers. They are back at Jackie's during the day and they are loving it. The first thing out of Drew's mouth in the morning is, "We go to Jackie's, Momma???" She is truly a blessing to our family and our boys. We are so thankful. I am posting some recent pictures above. Drew got a four wheeler for his birthday and has a blast with it. He follows me around on it while I was mowing the other day. It was really cute!

Heading South

2008-07-18T12:25:00.000-04:00

The boys and I are heading south for a visit to my mom's in Georgia. I am really excited to go! We are leaving on Monday very early and driving down. Andrew is gone the entire week on business so he won't be able to join us. :-( Should be an interesting experience. I have never driven that far with both boys. A friend of ours, Karla Shepherd, is going to go down with us. Her sister lives in the same town as my mom and her family is moving to Cleveland. She is going to stay for a few days and help her pack and then fly back on her own. It will be great having her with us on the way down. I figure I can decide once we get there whether I want to make the trip back in one day or break it up and stay in a hotel somewhere along the way. To me, it's an adventure and I am excited to accomplish successfully or fail miserably!!!
While in Atlanta, we are going to take the boys to Dixieland--go-carts, bumper cars, etc. We are also going to take them to Zoo Atlanta. They will love that! I am hoping to catch up with a few friends from when I lived down there. My roommate from FSU, Molly, and I are going to get together as well. I haven't seen her newest addition--Emma---yet so I am really excited!

Drew and his cousin Jevin playing at Grandma Lois and Grandpa Fred's.

Summer Fun with Carter & Drew

2008-06-29T16:13:00.000-04:00

The innocence of a child

2008-06-29T16:12:00.000-04:00

notice the shoes?

Mads--The God-Daughter Part I

2008-06-29T15:46:00.000-04:00

Mads--The God-Daughter Part I
This face makes my heart melt. This is Madison, my god-daughter. She will be one in just a few weeks! She and Carter are four months apart to the day. She will be my daughter-in-law some day! :-)

Breathing new life

2008-06-29T15:11:00.000-04:00

I am resurrecting this blog and my mid-year resolution is to TRY to keep it up to date. I have been following a story out of Florida and just felt a need to write my thoughts down. This seemed to be a good place!

Sixteen years ago, Junny Rios-Martinez was an 11 year old boy when he was lured, raped, and then murdered by Mark Dean Schwab--who had just been let of of prison a month earlier from a sentence he was serving for raping a 13 year old boy. He was sentenced to death and, of course, we all know how that goes--it usually takes years for the sentence to be carried out. He received a stay of execution in light of all the controversy surrounding the botched execution of Angel Diaz in Florida in 2006. Because the needle had been pushed completely through Diaz's vein, the lethal chemicals were pushed into his muscles causing him "probably intense pain" and in the end, it took him 34 minutes to die. The issues surrounding the three-chemical injection procedure have been resolved and Schwab's execution is set to take place now next week.

Now, my issue isn't the death penalty and whether it's right or wrong. I am just frustrated--angry--that in all the media surrounding this issue, they have printed only about Schwab's appeals and how he should be granted yet another stay due to the "cruel and unusual punishment" that may be inflicted when the drugs are pushed into this man's veins. I have perused many of Florida's newspapers and websites and this is what I read. Millions of dollars in tax money are being spent to fight for this man's right to not be uncomfortable. Does anyone wonder, remember, or think about the cruel and unusual punishment Junny endured while being raped and murdered? The horror? Our justice system needs a makeover. I don't even know if I agree with the death penalty. I don't know if it's really our place to decide who lives and who dies. But I do know that I am not at all concerned whether this man endures some pain and suffering when his execution is carried out. All I can think about is Junny and what he had to endure. I can't even begin to imagine. He was a beautiful little boy.

So, that's what at the top of my emotional queue today. I pray that this gets resolved quickly for Junny's family's sake. I can only imagine this opens some pretty tender wounds. Let's hope it doesn't get dragged out.

Winter Wonderland

2008-01-22T06:36:00.000-05:00

I took some pictures with my camera on one of the days over Christmas break.

Drew

2007-12-02T20:59:00.001-05:00

Drew's favorite place to eat!
Does the world look different from this angle? I don't think Drew cared. It was more of a reaction to me telling him not to do that. Hmph!
I like to call it the redneck exersaucer.

Carter

2007-12-02T20:43:00.001-05:00

Bad hair day for Carter! That's the result of wearing his hat too long. He's such a happy boy! Sticking his tongue out is his new thing. He loves doing it when he's outside and the air is cool.

This picture of him in his blue suit was on his 8 month b-day! Time flies! It seems like yesterday that he was this little helpless baby. Now he grabs everything, sticks stuff in his mouth, and is all over the place!!

Brothers

2007-12-02T20:40:00.000-05:00

Brotherly love...at least so it seems here. But don't be fooled. Drew has developed quite a jealous streak when it comes to his little bro. The foreshadowing is startling!

Luckily, Carter is pretty laid back--for now. :-)

Halloween Boys

2007-12-02T20:37:00.000-05:00

Drew the fierce dragon...Carter the happy monkey.

Carter--he's just so...Carter

2007-07-27T11:11:00.000-04:00

Carter's 4 month checkup went fine! He's growing like a weed! 19 lbs and 27 1/2 in. Dr. thinks his birthmark on his back may be here to stay. Other than that, everything checked out just fine!

2007-07-24T19:03:00.001-04:00

The Drewmeister

2007-07-24T19:01:00.000-04:00

We had Drew's 2 year well baby visit. He's not really 2 yet--not till Sept 7th, but since it was time for Carter's 4 month, I figured we would go ahead and do it. I don't want to take any days off at the beginning of the school year in my new position! Drew's doing very well! 30 lbs & 36 inches. And he's actually starting to eat better so that is good. He's not quite as picky as he once was!

2007-07-23T23:14:00.001-04:00

My, such a serious boy!

2007-07-14T22:54:00.001-04:00

Here's Carter: 24/7. Seriously!

Both of the boys have well-baby visits coming up in a couple of weeks so I will update again as to how they're doin'!!!

Around the yard with my new camera!

2007-07-14T22:52:00.001-04:00

Carter Olin

2007-07-11T22:21:00.001-04:00

2007-07-11T22:12:00.001-04:00

This is Drew's new play yard! (And Carter's down the road!) Grandpa and Daddy spent a lot of time in the hot sun working on this endeavor and they did an amazing job! It's like a cage, only sophisticated! And fun!
My parents have been here for 2 weeks and will be heading home tomorrow, much to my sadness. Drew has had SO much fun with his Grandma & Grandpa and with his cousin Nicolas. I hate to see them go. I would be elated if they lived closer!! I have such amazing memories growing up with my Grandma & Grandpap.
I feel like summer is winding down and I am not ready for it!!! We did find a babysitter and I am praying that it all goes well and that she has a lot of PATIENCE! They live right on the way to work for both Andrew and myself. She is the wife of our assistant principal. (deep breaths!)

Bubbles Bubbles EVERYWHERE!

2007-07-11T22:09:00.001-04:00

2007-07-11T22:08:00.000-04:00

The many faces of Drew

2007-06-17T17:38:00.000-04:00

I took Drew outside yesterday to play in the sprinkler. It was such a nice warm day! I was so excited that the pictures turned out the way they did! He's such a beautiful kid!
All's fine here. We are leaving Tuesday--The boys and I head to Atlanta and Andrew heads to Mexico. (funny....those are names of towns here in Indiana!) Hope everyone is enjoying this gorgeous weather! I LOVE this heat. Can't take Carter out in it for too long, but as long as we have a sprinkler, Drew is not affected by it!
Take care!

2007-06-17T17:36:00.001-04:00

The sweetness of a face...

2007-06-17T17:35:00.001-04:00

This is the face he makes when you ask him to smile for the camera. I LOVE IT.

2007-06-17T17:30:00.001-04:00

This is my FAVORITE picture!

2007-06-17T17:28:00.000-04:00

You can't see me!!!

This kid is priceless

2007-06-17T17:23:00.000-04:00

what a face

2007-06-17T17:20:00.000-04:00

Carter is hamming it up for the camera!

SCHOOL'S OUT!

2007-06-05T23:30:00.000-04:00

Well, school is officially out for the summer! And with that comes the end of my time at Wawasee Middle School. I have had such a great year there. I have really enjoyed working with these 6th graders--even the ones we have to really kick in the rear! I am very sad to leave the team of which I was a part--these people are phenomenal. It was so nice to work with people who really care about these kids, because trust me--adolescents do many things that make you not want to care! It was so nice to meet with them every week; to bring to the table issues and problems in our classes. If one of us have a problem with a child, it becomes a problem for all of us to solve--together. I do hope I find the same environment at my new school. I think I will. My first impressions were great!
Now I am going to go do my babysitter dance....

2007-06-01T14:11:00.001-04:00

Both of them just looked shocked! These pictures just make me laugh!!!!!

2007-06-01T13:47:00.000-04:00

We had Carter's 2 month check up today. We knew he was definitely a big boy. He's already wearing 6 month clothing. He weighed in at 16 pounds and is 25 inches long. Big boy! And this growth happened pretty quickly! He was only 11 pounds 11 oz at his 1 month checkup! He looks like a different kid now!
We went for his first visit to the immunization clinic. You know, it's funny--with Drew, I cried harder than he did. I would be sweating before they would even call us back. I think I may have been more nervous on those first few visits with Drew than I have ever been going to my appointments with my colorectal surgeon. And come on, we all know what happens at those visits!
But this time was different. Not only was Carter to start his shots, but Drew needed his last Hep vaccination. So, I was just going to get them both taken care of. Well, turns out, they were all out of the Hep vac so Drew was granted a stay of execution...or injection. We get in the room, I wrestle Carter out of his car seat and then out of his jeans. Drew proceeds to climb on everything imaginable in the room. I've got one hand on Carter and I am watching Drew to see when I will have to lunge for him. The nurse does her thing, Carter screams his head off for about 10 seconds, and then promptly falls back asleep. Drew in the meantime has discovered the cabinet with the bandaids now that the basket full of stickers he has distributed all over the floor is no longer interesting. I make a dive for him ALMOST in time to stop him from dragging about 20 boxes of bandaids out on the floor. Thank goodness the nurse administering the shots was a lady I know who lives out on Chapman Lake here. Carter was then strapped back in his carseat--God love babies who sleep through everything--and I have cleaned up the mess that took Drew less than 2 minutes to create.
I was sweating, but not due to the emotional upheaval of taking your newborn in to be poked with needles. So, I have turned a corner. Sorry, Carter! I hope he knows that it's not that I wasn't worried. Maybe I just have thicker skin now! Amazing how that happens!
Now, if I could just have that thick skin toughen me up for this job in the fall!!!

2007-05-31T21:58:00.001-04:00

Just chillin in my brother's chair!

2007-05-31T21:57:00.001-04:00

He has gotten very good at perfectly mimicking me saying "No!"

2007-05-31T21:54:00.001-04:00

This picture perfectly depicts this child. But trust me, he doesn't stay in that pose for long!

2007-05-31T21:53:00.001-04:00

Carter is growing every day! We can't get over how big he's gotten!

2007-05-31T21:32:00.000-04:00

Big changes coming up! I just recently got a full time teaching job at Milford School teaching 5th grade. I start in August. I wish I was more excited, but the realization that I will not be spending as much time with our kids is really gnawing at me. I love the thought of 5th grade and I love the thought of new experiences, but I need to get the daycare thing taken care of. Right now, I am spending far too much time worrying about all the horrible things that could happen to my kids while in someone else's care. What if this is a huge mistake? Oh, the "what ifs" could go on forever. Every time I think about it, I feel like I have been punched in the stomach and I have to swallow really hard to keep my eyes from welling up. I am hoping that time will help this feel better. So strange, all these feelings! I pray we find someone with whom we will be comfortable!
The boys are fantastic! Growing like crazy! Carter has been a great baby thus far. Not a fussy baby at all. He sleeps through the night every few days or so! We won't complain! Drew is everywhere and into everything. Climbing is his obsession these days. He uses anything and everything to help elevate him to new places in the house. I recently found him putting his sit-in-spin in front of the TV stand in the playroom and hoisting himself up on the edge of the stand. He can pull out a chair at the dining room table and be on the table swinging the light on the ceiling back and forth in less than 10 seconds! Maybe one day, this will spark an interest in him to conquer Mt. Everest!
Andrew is working like crazy and preparing for a busy travel schedule. He will be going to Cancun in June for the big national sales meeting. Fun! (Except for the fact that he will have to WORK!)

2007-04-20T14:56:00.000-04:00

Carter is getting so big and already has a wide variety of facial expressions!

2007-04-20T14:54:00.000-04:00

I love this picture. Drew is irritated because I want him to stop trying to unscrew Carter's head from his neck. What little you can see of Carter's face is priceless!

Catching up

2007-04-18T21:43:00.000-04:00

OK, so I am starting this blog a little late. Carter is almost a month old now and doing so well. Drew had a cold not long ago that he passed along to his little brother. It was a rough week or so. But everyone's on the mend now and doing well. At Carter's two week checkup, he was already 9 1/2 pounds! Not bad for being under the weather!
Drew is adjusting well, all things considered. He has had many moments that have made me ask, "Who's kid is this??? Where's our son??" He's beginning to understand that Carter isn't a punching bag nor a target. "Yes, Drew, his head is attached and needs to stay that way." Oh, the fun! His little fits of jealousy and temper tantrums just show what a spunky kid he is. (At least that's what I keep telling myself!) Drew is nonstop. He has one speed and that's FAST. And he stays in that gear until we throw him in his bed at night! His pediatrician says it so politely: "Wow...he's just got a lot of energy!"
We are all settling in nicely as a family of four. We feel pretty blessed, that's for sure!

2007-04-18T21:27:00.000-04:00

Cousin Christian came to visit from Salt Lake City and to meet his new cousin! Looks thrilled, doesn't he? :-)

2007-04-18T21:23:00.000-04:00

Grandma & Grandpa came from Atlanta to visit March 31--April 7.

2007-04-18T21:22:00.000-04:00

Carter's first bath. Not quite the most enjoyable experience, but he's clean, nonetheless!

2007-04-18T21:18:00.000-04:00

Carter was born at Dupont Hospital in Ft. Wayne on a Thursday morning. We were able to come home that Saturday afternoon. As wonderful a hospital as it is, we were ready to come home and get into the groove.

Carter is doing very well. He is eating well and sleeping pretty well. At one week, he slept 6 1/2 hours through the night!

2007-04-18T21:12:00.000-04:00

WELCOME CARTER!

Carter Olin Holst
March 22nd, 2007
10:36 a.m.
8 lbs 8 ozs
21 1/2 inches