I am Ian

Change

2009-10-01T21:19:00.002-05:00

Please, Follow us to our new home (Click the Image):

Spare Toys

2009-09-25T11:33:00.004-05:00

If you don't do this, I recommend you do. Especially if you are a stay at home mom. Winter is coming... you don't want to be left unprepared. (and if you are, don't say I didn't warn you!)

We keep new toys, unopened in their packages, stashed away in our basement. They range anywhere from a notepad & pencil from the dollar bin to more expensive things that I've found on sale.

About 6 months ago, I found the Melissa & Doug Fold & Go castle 70% off on some toy website. I don't even remember where it was, but they were even offering free shipping if you spent $40. So I bought a couple of toys Ian has been coveting at friends' houses and stuck them all away in the basement.

Why?

Sometimes, nothing breaks a "bad day" like a new toy! Typically when Ian starts to get rambunctious, we head out to a playground. This week, Aaron is pretty sick & I don't feel good about taking the boys to the playground. So Ian is on day 4 of no outside-the-house play this week. (Thanks to the rain, he hasn't even been in the back yard!) He's getting on my nerves. My haven't had more than 5 continuously-interrupted hours of sleep in 4 days, been puked on 4 times, have snot on my shoulder, nerves.

So that's why we keep spares in the basement. Ian is happily playing with a new toy, it will most likely keep his attention for several days (especially THIS one) and I'm not feeling ready to call the gypsies anymore. I am proud to say, though, that this is the first "big" spare toy I've gotten out at LEAST since March or so, what with Ian's birthday presents and the summer weather being good enough to get out as much as possible. I don't feel bad about today, I really needed something to get me through until Roger gets home.

A couple of rules I try to keep about spare toys:

1. If it is over $10 regular priced, it better be at LEAST 50% off or I won't buy it.

2. Anything else better be from the dollar bin at target or less than $10 on craig's list. (ha ha)

3. You can't use the "spare toy" trick more than once a month. It becomes useless if you do.

4. Dollar bin toys are good to toss in the diaper bag before doctor's appointments, special dinners, etc. Anytime you REALLY need the toddler to be GOOD without a lot of parental involvement.

Do you keep spare toys around? Do you have any rules for yourself about them?

We Haven't Forgotten

2009-09-21T20:27:00.002-05:00

2 years ago tomorrow, 9/22, our friends lost their baby girl before they ever got to meet her. I just can't even begin to imagine the road they have walked since then.

I just wanted to say, publicly, that we have not forgotten. In my life, there is literally not a day that goes by that I do not think of them.

I am thinking of them tonight. And definitely tomorrow.

Preschool was a HIT!

2009-09-08T12:09:00.007-05:00

Ian literally RAN into the building this morning. He was so excited. When his teacher opened up the door, he dropped his backpack in the hallway and went running in the door. This time, I decided (after reading a bunch of "tips for successful first days" websites) that I was not going to sneak out. I went over, gave Ian a kiss, told him I'd be back in a little bit and left.

While I was in the next room over dropping Aaron off, I could hear Ian crying. (It started after about 5 min) and then I heard him STOP crying! So I left and came home. It is only about a 3 min drive from our house, we could literally WALK there if we wanted to (except for the huge hill, but I COULD walk there... and I have walked there. Maybe I SHOULD walk there to get some exercise... ha ha)

I sat here for 2 hours and twiddled my thumbs. Ran the vacuum, got the house ready for the realtor to come back and take pictures. Went back to pick the boys up and as I was walking in, Ian was getting his diaper changed. His teacher pulled me aside to talk to me about Ian. She said he cried for about 4 minutes and stopped as soon as she got him set up with a coloring book and crayons. She said he never even fussed for another second after the initial fussing stopped.

Apparently he was very social and made friends out of all the kids... during story time they were all sitting in the circle and talking about what kinds of clothes all the kids were wearing. Miss JoJo said Ian stood up and pointed at his shirt, "LOOK! I have LIGHTNING MCQUEEN!" and was very proud and excited about it. Hee heeeee.

They painted and had snack and then it was time for me to come back.

He was really happy to see me and went right over and got his bag, went and gave his teacher a hug and high five and then pointed at the door and said, "Aaron!"

We went and got Aaron and neither boy wanted to leave! I had to drag them out of there! It was really kindof cute.

And a MAJOR weight off of my shoulders.

Aaron's teacher said he was such a joy to have in the nursery. She was asking me to verify that he was "really only 10 months old!" and that she was very impressed with how smart he is. She said he was more than capable of "running with the big dogs." (Since the nursery goes up to age 23 months, there were some older boys in there with him.)

Ian's teacher actually recommended we leave him from 9:00-1:00 instead of 9:30-11:30 so that he gets to experience the full schedule of activities and gets to have lunch with the kids. She also said that if we don't do the longer span of time, we should definitely consider adding a second day per week. (We'd like to, but our finances do not really allow it right now.)

All in all, both boys had a great morning at school and got good reviews from their teachers.

God Answers Prayers. I'm so happy today.

***By the way, do you like the slideshow format for the pictures so you can see more of them, or would you rather me post fewer pictures the way I usually do?****

What we did on Saturday

2009-09-06T20:33:00.002-05:00

Trip to the Zoo

2009-09-02T19:42:00.002-05:00

As much as a trip to the Aviary brings on a mammoth nap, a trip to the zoo does not. Ian never naps after the zoo. But we go anyway.

But Mama, I'm not tired!

2009-08-18T13:47:00.002-05:00

Ok, ok, so going for a drive to get out of the house just doesn't cut it now? Dear Ian informed me yesterday that although it was 3:00pm and he woke up for the day at 7:45am, he was not tired. Even though he'd played in his sandbox outside in the 90 degree weather for more than an hour. Even though we'd left the house, and he had played all morning with his cars, crayons, and brother. Even though he takes a nap every day. Yesterday, he did not.

So what's a mom to do?

Take him to the Aviary the next day and run his little legs off! And withhold his lunch until the drive home so that he was eating in the car instead of falling asleep. Yep. It worked. He was sawing logs just a few minutes after coming home, having his milk, and reading a story.

It's unfortunate that Aaron doesn't seem to have the same appreciation for morning entertainment as Ian does... but I'm sure he'll grow into it.

Feeling Crumb-y?

2009-08-17T14:55:00.003-05:00

Ian seems to only pose for pictures and put on cute smiles when his face is dirty. Such is the life of a 2 year old boy, I guess! (& hop on over to the4thvandervort to see some nice new pictures of Aaron, too.)

Update on Sleeping

2009-07-28T19:25:00.002-05:00

Ian has been out of his crib for almost 2 weeks. He hasn't really skipped a beat. He even slept really well while we were gone over the weekend. We stayed in Dianne's pop-up camper on Friday & Saturday nights. Ian didn't nap well in there, but he did sleep all night both nights. It is a relief to have a relatively good experience after such a disastrous camping trip 2 weeks ago.

Here's to continued sleeping success... we know how quickly things can go awry, so we're feeling blessed these days to have some "easy" nights. (with Ian, anyway.......)

Gone are the baby days

2009-07-19T11:58:00.003-05:00

On Friday, Ian decided he was not going to be caged any longer. He climbed over his crib rail twice and was on his way to a third time when Roger walked in the door. We could not (in good conscience) leave him in there any more. So at bedtime on Friday night, we removed the crib rail & put him to bed in his converted crib. He was a little resistant to sleeping with this new-found freedom, but After a few minutes of him going bananas in his room, I went in and laid him down and laid my head down on his pillow. He was a sleep in a minute or so.

Saturday morning, we finished the conversion to a big boy room by taking the crib out entirely and putting his toddler bed (that we've had in the room since November) into the crib's place. We also removed the changing table since he liked to climb it and put his stereo up onto the dresser.

There are no more remnants of the nursery. The only thing that is "original" to the time we created the nursery is the dresser & lamp. Everything else is different.

*sigh*

It's a little sad to know that THE nursery is gone. Aaron has his crib in the other room still so I guess there is still "technically" a nursery, but it just isn't the same. We didn't have the "luxury" of carefully choosing the wall colors, theme, bedding, etc. for Aaron's room. We just didn't have time or the opportunity. Someday we WILL make a room specifically for Aaron, but a nursery it will not be.

Anyway, Ian likes his new room. He really hasn't had much additional difficulty going to sleep in there. He is still a very "stubborn" sleeper and still has to cry about going to sleep, but for nap and bedtime yesterday, he has ultimately gotten in his bed and gone to sleep.

And now, instead of worrying he'll climb over the rail while fighting about sleep, I listen for the thud of him rolling out of bed.

Transitions. (They never seem to go easily in these parts.)

A Camping Trip

2009-07-12T20:29:00.003-05:00

We went camping this weekend, but Ian's refusal to go to sleep in our tent caused it to be a disaster. We ended up leaving our tent, fly, & chairs and coming home at 1:00am. We returned Saturday morning, broke camp, and spent the day there hiking, swimming in the lake, and cooking our dinner on the campfire.

A lesson learned. Ian is not ready to spend the night in a tent. We'll try again another time.

Playing in the Fountain

2009-07-07T13:24:00.002-05:00

Zoo Trip

2009-06-26T12:27:00.004-05:00

Ian, Aaron & I met some friends at the zoo the other day. It was really crowded and REALLY hot. Ian enjoyed meeting the tiger shark & the soak zone the best--

Oh yes, and you can see his new haircut. A little shorter than we were expecting, but we're getting used to it.

Who Spiked the Bug Juice?

2009-06-17T07:54:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, Ian, Aaron, & I hopped over to Munhall, PA (Should only be about 20 min to get there, but because of all the stupid construction-induced traffic jams it took us 45 min) for a playdate. We met the host & other attendees through our 30 Somethings Moms of Pittsburgh www.meetup.com group. They were gracious enough to let me in the group even though I'm 27. And you better believe they DID ask how old I was! Anyway, it was "Beach" themed playdate and there was a lot of water splashing and sand. So you can be sure that Ian had a great time. This kid was MADE for summer play. He LOVES getting wet and playing in water more than anything else. I think the past week I've been changing his clothes about 4 times per day.

ANYWAY... All this to introduce the following picture, "Who Spiked the Bug Juice?"

A new picture of Aaron will be over on the4thvandervort.wordpress.com, too.

We're not potty training yet, but...

2009-06-14T08:33:00.001-05:00

It's exciting when things like this happen ;-)

Ian's Playground Party

2009-05-16T20:48:00.002-05:00

Our friend Amy Griffin takes really, really nice photos of our kiddos. Today Ian finally got to celebrate his birthday with his friends from playgroup. We had a good time, despite the humidity & threatening thunderstorms.

2009 March For Babies!

2009-05-11T17:32:00.002-05:00

Team Vandervorts raised $245!

Since Roger was in Germany, Grandma Marilyn volunteered to walk with me. Grandpa Bob was there too, cheering us on.

It was a fun time. The weather was humid & overcast, but it didn't rain...and we didn't have to worry about sunscreen.

Healthy as a Horse!

2009-04-27T12:05:00.002-05:00

Ian had his 2 year well visit today and with the exception of rampant eczema on his legs and a few spots on his belly, he's a "perfect boy!"

He is:
26.5 pounds (45th percentile)
35 inches tall (50th percentile)
49.5 cm head circumference (75th) <--Doc said, "has a lot of brains in there!"

Fully vaccinated except needs to get his last Hep A shot, but they were out today so he'll get it when Aaron goes back in 3 months.

His ear tubes look "beautiful" and his mental/emotional/social development is on-target. (Physical development is way ahead of the "norm.") The doc was impressed with Ian's rendition of the Blue's Clues songs (words & motions/dancing) and laughed out loud when Ian said, "bye, love you, see you later!"

He does not have another well visit until he is THREE!

Had new Tubes Put in Today

2009-04-20T17:42:00.002-05:00

We were really worried about Ian's 1:30pm arrival time today for his ear surgery. He wasn't allowed any solids after 12am and only clear fluids until 11:30am. (Then nothing.) For those of you who really know Ian, you know he LOVES to eat. He eats pretty much all day long every day. And I don't think he's ever missed his morning and naptime cup of milk. Plus 1:30 is prime nap time so we were just very fearful that today was going to be a disaster.

In true Ian form, he put on his game face and was an angel.

He did fine. No MAJOR meltdowns. We left here around 10 and drove over to near the surgery center & went to the mall (Ross Park). They have a nice play area & he played for like 45 min before starting to notice all the other kids'sippys & stuff. We promptly loaded him up and took him to build a bear, where he ran around & looked at everything, but asked to go without making one! (I was fully prepared to let him.)

We got to the center about a half hour early and then Ian had to WAIT forever in their holding pen (aka play area). He was pretty good despite being SO hungry & thirsty, and missing his nap.

He went back at 3:05 and they came to take me to him in recovery at 3:25. He was up and started crying because he was so happy I was coming to get him. He hoovered 8 oz of gatorade in recovery, they discharged us, and he cried again when he saw daddy.

We ate at Olive Garden (Ian ate a LOT of his side of spaghetti) and drank his milk...now we're home....no worse for the wear. Tired & glad it is over...

Funny Ian-ism: He insisted (by screaming and yelling) that we remove his shirt so he could eat his spaghetti. We almost always take his shirt off for spaghetti at home so he doesn't get it all messed up... I never dreamed he would start insisting we do that at restaurants! What a funny boy!

now to start preparing our hearts and minds for Aaron's much more invasive & difficult surgery in 3 weeks.

Happy Birthday! Ian is TWO!

2009-04-16T07:32:00.002-05:00

It has been a heck of a week... 2 times to the doctor's office, 1 time to the ER, 2 kids with Ear infections, one (Aaron) now on a nebulizer and lung steroids, everybody with colds, one kid with a stomach bug, etc....

But it won't keep us from celebrating the birth of our first son!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY IAN!

The first of many pictures: Cake for breakfast!

Happy Easter? Not really looking to be that way around here.

2009-04-11T12:56:00.004-05:00

Well, yes, in the respect that Christ died & rose for us. There is a reason to celebrate. And it IS our 6th wedding Anniversary tomorrow, too.

BUT...

Here I am again reporting the kids are sick & we would ask for some prayer.

Ian & Aaron are really sick. Ian started on Monday with what appeared to be a cold. It turned into a REALLY BAD cold on Wednesday. Now Aaron has it. Ian started puking & pooping yesterday. Aaron is wheezing & having a hard time breathing, which in turn means he's having a hard time nursing, sleeping, etc.

Today I finally got freaked out enough to call the pediatrician and they asked us to bring him right in to be listened to. (Thank the LORD for Saturday hours so we didn't have to risk measles exposure to go to the ER)

Aaron did a nebulizer albuterol treatment in the office & now we have one at home. He also has an ear infection & got antibiotics for that. (Great...Ian was 6 months when he started with his EIs)

Ian has an EI starting too... UGH!

This S#!& is Banana. B-A-N-A-N-A-S. (to quote Gwen Stefani.)

PLEASE, LORD, deliver us from this Cold & flu season and make our boys healthy. I know we are so blessed to HAVE sons to get sick, but I am SO tired of this. (Tired in general...)

Happy Easter, everyone. Enjoy it for us.

Terrible "almost" Two?

2009-04-07T12:33:00.002-05:00

What do you think?

Have you looked at our Side Bar?

2009-04-02T12:51:00.002-05:00

On May 9th, the Vandervorts are walking as a family for a very important cause. We'd love it if you could do one (or both) of the following:

1. Walk with Us!
2. Sponsor Us!

Just click on the picture of Ian & Aaron to find out more! I designed a t-shirt, too, if you are going to walk & want to get a shirt, just let me know!

Thanks So Much!

Words!

2009-04-01T13:20:00.003-05:00

I decided I should probably record Ian’s words as we take the last few steps toward the close of his 2nd year. I am going to revisit this list for a few days as I remember & hear more of them.

He has been saying for a long time:
• Mommy
• Daddy
• Papa
• Bye
• “see you later”
• “love you”
• “I did it”
• “Oh! A Clue!”
• Shoe
• Sock
• Night night
• Toot toot
• Cheese
• Ball
• Apple
• banana
• “Give Me”

New Additions:
• Sky
• Cloud
• Bird
• Isaac
• Asher
• Anthony
• Please
• Thank You
• Hot
• Cold
• Water
• Car
• Cat
• Meow
• Hot dog
• Moo
• Milk

Edited to add:
Grandma
Rain
Yes
No
Spoon
Bread
Go

Added 4/8/09
Have Lunch
Pants
Cup
Play
Hand
Toe
Nose
Eat
Fish
Nemo
Snow
Help
Bath
Poop
Pee

While I'm at it...

2009-03-31T09:12:00.001-05:00

I might as well tick off the anti-vaccination crowd, too...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jacob-dickerman/vaccine-denial-scientific_b_180026.html

Well said, my friend, too bad the folks who should be reading this are mostly likely not.

Ok, I have to get this off my chest

2009-03-26T21:25:00.005-05:00

***WARNING****
What I'm about to say might be taken as very offensive to formula feeding. It isn't, really, but it could be read that way. If you're going to hate me forever for saying it, please don't read on.

I know that I don't have a completely homogeneous group of baby-feeders who read this blog. You have to trust me that I really do support my friends' decisions on how to feed their children. It is a personal choice and I'm down with that.

Seriously, though, this Atlantic article, "The Case Against Breastfeeding"
is really getting to me!

I get that there may not be many immediately recognizable health benefits, but how many studies have followed people birth to death? How can giving your kid hydrogenated oils and cow's milk products possibly be the same as giving your child the fluid the Lord put in your breasts to nourish his creation? How can ANYONE claim that?

I'm very glad that there is an option if, in fact, you can't breastfeed. If your lifestyle or health prevents you from doing so, I'm glad there is another way. But please, OH PLEASE, do not try to tell me that formula is the same as breastmilk. My sacrifice for the last 2 years is my time, my mobility, my modesty... it is all gone because I chose to give my child the VERY BEST nourishment. Do you think that if formula was the same as breastmilk there would be ANYBODY still breastfeeding? How offensive to a breastfeeding mother's sacrifice to tell us it was all for naught! And that's just on the health benefits aspect. Then there's the bonding, the nurturing, the comforting...I bet you can't find one breastfeeding mother who doesn't absolutely adore that she is the utmost in her baby's life. Nobody comforts like mama. NOTHING is as calming, healing, and beautiful as mommy's breasts. Just ask Aaron--he's snuggled up right now, rosy-cheeked, falling asleep for the night. I've never seen a child sleep more peacefully than snuzzled up to his mother's bare breast. If you have, I'd really be surprised. I love that for my babies, mommy is tops. It's my right to be number one. And I'm glad I have given each boy the opportunity to receive "liquid gold" from a soft, warm breast instead of a cold, rubber bottle.

I'm so sick of this article. I hope it dies down soon. It crushes me. It makes me so sad. And the fact that so many people have latched on to this article and are waving it like a flag of glory is... annoying.

Oh--one more thing: If you need help breastfeeding, please, just ask. I'd travel great distances to help you. It means THATmuch to me.

Sorry, No Pets.

2009-03-23T21:14:00.005-05:00

We have nothing against cats. They're cute. Sometimes even fun to play with. BUT...

Well, as if my allergies were not a good enough reason, we are now 99.9% certain Ian is also allergic to cats. (The jury's still out on dogs...) Ian has now had a reaction to exposure to cats on 3 separate occasions. Mostly he just gets sneezy, stuffy, and then develops a cough. He has, however, also developed a contact rash on his bare arms as well. It also seems like, just like me, he doesn't actually have to come into contact with the animal... just being in a place where animals live and/or up against a piece of clothing or blanket that has been in the vicinity sets him off.

It is unfortunate. And now we have to be even more careful with the places Ian goes, etc. We will hopefully see an allergist soon to see if we can treat him or at least minimize the effects.

New Header

2009-03-10T16:04:00.002-05:00

ok...who wants to tell me how(or just do it for me??) to center the image? blah!

Just wondering

2009-03-06T13:03:00.004-05:00

How can people really think that 2 dust balls smashed together and made this:

or this:

I love wordles

2009-02-24T17:42:00.002-05:00

I love wordles. this is what I've been blogging about on here. I think it's pretty accurate.

Hello

2009-02-13T15:27:00.002-05:00

No, I haven't forgotten about this blog. We've just had SO much going on... First grandma's surgery, then Ian got sick, then Aaron got sick (http://the4thvandervort.wordpress.com), then Ian got an ear infection and mommy got sick. It's just been bananas around here.

We're pining for spring. We're desperate. We just NEED a change.

Anyway, Ian will soon be "turning" 22 months old. That's pretty darn close to 2 years. Ay yay yay!

I took this on Tuesday, when it was 65 degrees in Pittsburgh!

The Picture Game

2009-01-19T22:48:00.002-05:00

I was tagged in the picture game. The object of the picture tag is to:

1) Choose the 4th folder where you store your pictures on your computer.

2) Select the 4th picture in the folder.

3) Explain the picture.

4) Tag 4 people to do the same.

Ok, I have to admit that I cheated a little bit. Only because the 4th picture in the 4th folder was the picture of Ian in the dryer. You've already seen it. So I picked the 4th picture in the 5th folder. This is a picture of Ian in his car seat on the way up for my parent's anniversary party in July. Not a whole lot to explain...

I hate tagging people in stuff like this, so I will say, if you want to do it yourself, go ahead, but if not, it doesn't hurt my feelings!

Happy 29th Birthday, Daddy!

2009-01-11T10:04:00.002-05:00

We love you!

A Litte Discombobulated

2009-01-10T11:14:00.004-05:00

Ian has had a busy week. (...er... 2-3 weeks) Mommy & Daddy have decided it's time to move closer to daddy's work so that we can see him more! (reduce the commuting time by an hour & 20 min every day.)

We've been preparing the house to go on the market, which means some changes for Ian.

Many of you may remember his bedroom, the "Americana" theme that we selected just for him and lovingly prepared before his birth. Well, it is being destroyed as I type. Our realtor recommended (as we were expecting) we "neutralize" it by painting it a plain color.

Yes, we knew this day would come, but we're still sad that we had to do it.

No worries, though, I saved some of the border to frame and hang as a decoration/memory.

Ian has felt the pressure a bit, I think, and has been having some difficult nights, but we're trying to keep things as "normal" as possible for him. We're anxious to get this house sold and move to a new place so that we can get back to "normal" and start making our nest somewhere else. Please pray for a quick and easy process.

Ian is also preparing to hold vigil at home on Tuesday, January 13, while Grandma Joanne goes in to UPMC Presbyterian for a double valve replacement & double bypass surgery. Brother Aaron will have to keep mommy and grandpa company at the hospital, but Ian gets to stay home and spend the whole day with daddy! We'd appreciate prayers for grandma as well.

Until next time, enjoy this beautiful, blessed winter we're having!

Bye Bye Room

hello:

Christmas

2008-12-29T12:00:00.002-05:00

Ian enjoyed the holiday. He liked the gatherings, food, presents, etc. We most enjoyed watching him enjoy it, and enjoying our most special presents this year, Aaron & our new nephew Asher, born on Dec. 22nd.

Here are a few of my favorites from the week:

Ian...Where ARE you??

2008-12-13T11:00:00.003-05:00

Ian has started hiding. He thinks it is so much fun to hide wherever he can find a spot and just play quietly. Sometimes it really freaks us out. Like this morning...

He had been playing downstairs in the playroom by himself. He got pretty quiet so I went to check on him. I couldn't find him anywhere. I started checking all of his normal hiding spots and he wasn't anywhere to be found. I started to really get worried and then I heard noises in the laundry room. I pushed open the door and...

Doing "Christmassy" things

2008-12-07T14:59:00.003-05:00

Yesterday we took the boys to the aviary to see Santa. Ian was satisfied with just SEEING him, so, we didn't really get a good picture. I think he told Santa that he wanted a train table, but Santa told him he'd have to wait until his birthday... ;-) So he asked for 2T sized pajamas and baby gap denim overalls to wear and balls to play with.

Ian and Daddy fed the lorakeets yesterday, for the first time ever, and Ian thought it was great! He LOVED the aviary! Good thing our Buffalo Zoo membership gets us in for free!

Sleeping at night has been going great. Napping is more of a challenge, especially when daddy is home, but he's getting it.

We put up the tree last night and Ian loves it. He even successfully helped put some ornaments on the tree.

He also likes his Little People Nativity set.

We're anxiously awaiting Christmas this year. It's the first one we've spent "at home" in many years! We can't wait to hang stockings and put out cookies and milk...and see what the big guy leaves for us!

Don't forget to check out Brother Aaron's site too!

Ian's night of Ferberization.

2008-11-24T08:16:00.002-05:00

We made it to 19 months before we had to cry it out.

Last night, Ian, whose fever broke in the evening yesterday, woke at 2:00am. I got him and brought him out, gave him some water, fresh diaper, the works. He was back to sleep by 2:15 so I tried to take him back to bed.

He woke when his head hit the mattress, like always. So I picked him up and tried the new toddler bed... (another story) and he wasn't having that either. So I put him back in the crib, kissed him, told him we loved him and left the room.

And the hysterics began. He "cried" (no tears, figure that one out) for the next hour and a half! We started going in at intervals, 5 min, 6 min, 7, 9, and held at 10.

At 3:43, all was silent. I went to check on him and cover him up and he was totally passed out. He's been there, silent, ever since.

It totally broke my heart. I pray we don't have to do it again. Aaron slept through most of it. (and ate through the rest...)

Ian is the worst sleeper known to man. I'm sure it is a result of both nature and nurture. We find ourselves hushing Aaron constantly to avoid waking the beast, and I feel bad for Aaron! Anyone know if there's baby ambien?

I also feel like I need a gold star.

Video Friday

2008-10-31T08:11:00.001-05:00

Ian is a big brother!

2008-10-23T05:56:00.002-05:00

As the Vandervort family has said goodbye to one this week, we're also saying, "HELLO!"

Unexpectedly we welcomed Ian's baby brother, AARON MATTHEW, to the world last night. I will post more about it later on, but here are the main details:

11:07pm, 10/22/08
6 pounds, 14 oz
19 3/4 inches long

Thanks for ALL of the continued love and prayers. We are in need of them, and are so glad to have them.

Nice to be Home!

2008-10-21T16:23:00.003-05:00

At 37.5 (??) weeks pregnant, we unfortunately had to break Magee Women's Hospital's rule about being more than 30 min away from the hospital. On Sunday, we got word that Roger's grandma Vandervort, (Ian's great-grandma) had passed away.

We packed up and make the trip 2.5 hours to Titusville, PA. It was a long, uncomfortable car ride (both ways) and for a stinky reason. But in my opinion, it was wonderful.

I don't think any of Roger's relatives on his dad's side of the family had ever met Ian in person so that was really nice that they finally got to spend some time together. I also met a lot of family that I had never met before and got reacquainted with many whom I have only seen once or twice in 6 or 7 years. And finally, what made it the most special to me, was that I learned a LOT about Ian's grandpa Ron and about Roger as a child. They eagerly showed and shared photos, stories, and mementos with us that I find priceless. Hopefully we will get a copy or at least a .jpg of the family that was taken today so that I can share it with you! I'm hoping that someday soon I'll get a chance to share some of the other photos we saw the last 2 days as well.

Of course, Ian was the dazzler that he always is. He had everyone laughing and smiling and provided a bit of comic relief amidst the sadness. It didn't take him long to warm up and make friends with everybody around. And he was SO good! We are blessed with such an incredible little boy!

We are also glad to be home. You forget how comfortable you are in your own surroundings (especially while pregnant, and/or running around keeping tabs on your 18 month old) until you leave them!

2 Cute Videos

2008-10-18T18:35:00.001-05:00

Pumpkin Patch

2008-10-12T19:46:00.001-05:00

"NO."

2008-10-02T09:16:00.002-05:00

Ian has learned the word "no" and its proper usage. It is a dreaded day in the lives of a toddler's parents. You pray the day never comes when you say, "its time to change your pants" and you hear, "no!" as the response.

We take it all in stride though, because he has also learned to say "bye" and wave at the same time. He thinks it is funny to take off his shirt and run around half naked. (He'd be fully naked if he could get the darn pants over his butt...)

He counts down from 3 and then jumps on us, will count down from 3 and then fall over and "play hurt." He would rather give hugs and kisses on the playground than hit and kick (which some of his peers are already doing...)

He calls out to Roger by saying, "DAAAADDY, ROGER!"

And he can pedal his tricycle.

He's adorable in every way, except for his incredible stubbornness and insistence on doing things "his way."

Oh and that darn word "no."

We received our double stroller via FedEx today and Ian has already claimed a side. He also put his cup in the cup holder and seemed ready to rock. I wonder what he'll do when he's got a little brother in there next to him? Will he poke the baby's eyes out? Will he feed him cheerios? Will he even care that he's over there? Will I be able to push a stroller with two babies in it?

I hope he likes his brother. It would really suck if he didn't.

Some Pictures With Mommy

2008-09-20T20:59:00.003-05:00

We went on a farm tour today...

A Day In Ohiopyle

2008-08-31T21:56:00.002-05:00

We recently took a little family trip to Ohiopyle, just the three of us. It was nice to have some time together and to be in a place that wasn't home, where Ian could have some freedom. Ian and daddy played in the water a bit, we spread out the picnic blanket and had some snacks, listened to some live music, and let Ian run around in the grass.

It was refreshing!

Despite the fact that most of our plans this weekend have been altered due to Roger and Ian having hacking colds, we were able to enjoy it. We're absolutely craving time as a threesome, knowing that it will never be like this again. (The same as we were just before Ian was born...)

Here are a few photos from the day:

The Boys

2008-08-11T15:53:00.002-05:00

And Some More...

2008-08-02T12:24:00.002-05:00

Some Vacation Pics

2008-08-01T09:11:00.005-05:00

Enjoying the surf...

Enjoying the sand...

...maybe a little too much...

Happy 45th Anniversary, Grandma and Papa!

2008-07-21T19:16:00.001-05:00

On His 15-Month Birthday

2008-07-17T19:56:00.002-05:00

Ian Did This:

And then he looked cute while getting his diaper changed.

Ian LOVES swimming Lessons!

2008-07-15T15:53:00.002-05:00

We've been doing parent-child aquatics class at our local pool. HE LOVES IT! He's the teacher's pet (of course) and the only one in his class of 6-24 month olds that really enjoys the water, the kicking, bubble blowing, etc. It is adorable to watch and I'm SO GLAD we were a part of it!

Luau Fun

2008-07-07T13:27:00.002-05:00

Ian's friend Camden turned 1 yesterday. His parents threw him a huge Luau Party! It was a fun time and one of our friends got some cute pics of us!

Happy Independence Day!

2008-07-04T09:43:00.002-05:00

Ian was trying to call you, but decided to post it instead:

Ian's New Ride

2008-06-25T21:16:00.003-05:00

Reading with Grandma Bishop

2008-06-24T05:47:00.003-05:00

Ian was visited by Grandma Bishop on Sunday and was treated to a storytime session!

Some Recent Pictures of Ian

2008-06-16T14:56:00.003-05:00

At a picnic about a week ago

Ian Loves the Pool!

2008-06-11T14:43:00.002-05:00

I'm not at all surprised... his parents are fish too! This summer, Ian has taken to swimming as if it was his job. He just LOVES it! The baby pool on the patio works in a pinch, but his true love is bopping around the toddler pool at Monroeville Community pool, where we recently (a couple hours ago) became members! I'm so excited! Now when Ian gets crazy on me and its too hot outside to go to the playground, I can take him to the pool for a little while! I won't feel bad because we aren't paying-as-we-go, which is $5 a time. So if we only stay a 1/2 hour, who cares!?!?

I'll try to get some pictures tonight when we go to family swim... which is another bonus... the MCP is open until 7, so Roger can use it too! (and he can do lap swim m-w-f from 7-7:45pm.

YAY!!!!

Oh, and thankfully Ian inherited Roger's skin... he's brown as a bear already! (and his hair is blonde!) While his mama tries to keep from getting crispy-fried in 5 minutes...

He's SO active!

2008-06-03T21:18:00.002-05:00

Ian just never stops! Today, I don't think he sat down for more than a moment all day. He was running around playing with toys, climbing on things, and EATING. He seems to have as much of an appetite as I do these days!

Today he was climbing on the Kangaroo Climber that Aunt Emily loaned him and he was climbing on the side (which I'd already been scolding him for a couple of times). He looked at me and said, "Good Ideeda" to which I responded, "No, NOT a good idea."

He's so smart. He's so active. He's JUST like his dad!

As I posted on the other blog--in about a month we'll know if Ian will be a big brother to a brother or to a sister... I can't believe that time has come already. It is going so quickly.

Words I have heard Ian say:

Dada
Mama
Papa
Grandma
Dog
Book
Duck
Good
Idea
Yum
Didn't

And, although it isn't really a word, Ian has learned to communicate his desire for food by saying (loudly) NA NA NA NA NA or NIN NIN NIN NIN

Another new trick of Ian's, which we think is hilarious, but some might find offensive: When one of us says, "Oh No You Didn't" he puts his pointer finger in the air and waves it around! Please don't scald us for teaching him that!

Hmm, I think that's about all for the Ian update. It's bedtime. Nite nite!

You may want to add the following link...

2008-05-27T09:11:00.000-05:00

To your bookmarks :-)

http://the4thvandervort.wordpress.com/

Little Boy in the Big City

2008-05-20T11:34:00.002-05:00

And a visit with some friends:

A walk in the Park

2008-05-05T14:10:00.002-05:00

And some other great shots:

12 1/2 Months old and visited the doctor!

2008-05-02T13:24:00.002-05:00

Today Ian didn't cry at ALL during his exam! He actually smiled and chattered a little bit! He is 22 lbs 7.5 oz, up only 4 1/2 oz since February, and is 30 1/2 inches tall. His head is still on the bigger side at 47 cm, and Ian's doctor chuckled and said, "Got a lot of brains in there!"

Ian did cry for his 2 shots, but seems to be doing ok know. He'll go back in a month for his first dose of MMR.

It was a decent trip (as far as doctor's appointments are concerned) and we'll go back for his next well-baby visit in August.

Why Ian isn't allowed in the kitchen

2008-04-29T13:50:00.000-05:00

Part 1:

Maybe turning 1 means....

2008-04-23T12:15:00.002-05:00

Napping in his own bed? Ian has napped the past two days in his crib. Maybe nothing huge to YOU, but for a year he has ONLY napped in 2 places: on me or in our bed.

Oh sure, we've tried putting him down in his crib for naps...but almost without exception he has woken within 15 minutes of being laid down. Usually his eyes fling WIDE OPEN the moment his little head hit the mattress.

Yesterday he went down without a fuss, and slept for 2 hours. Today he fell asleep in the car and has been asleep for an hour so far! WOoo!

The only problem is...now I feel like I don't have an excuse to lay down too... *sigh* I need to take a nap. I'm tired!

Cake!

2008-04-16T18:43:00.003-05:00

I made a small cake tonight with a little bit of frosting... and we let Ian blow out his candle after we sang him Happy Birthday. Then we let him devour it. :-)

We had a small cake tonight with a little bit of frosting... and let Ian blow out his candle after we sang him Happy Birthday. Then we let him devour it. :-)

Ian Turns One

2008-04-15T21:06:00.008-05:00

In 6 hours and 12 minutes. (ok by the time I'm done writing this it will be sooner...)

Ian James Vandervort was born on 4/16/07 at 4:18am. He was 8 pounds 14 oz and 20.5 inches long.

He weighs 22.5 pounds now, and is 30 inches tall.

He has the same amount of hair as a year ago. (maybe even LESS now!)

He has learned to smile, hold his head up, laugh, roll, crawl, walk (although he needs more practice...) and can say mama, dada, dog, nana (nurse), and he said papa once.

His favorite things right now are nursing, playing with daddy, playing with his little people garage, cruising around the furniture, and playing on the front porch.

He loves yogurt, cottage cheese, vegetable soup, cheerios, and goldfish crackers.

He doesn't sleep through the night.

He has been sick more times that I can count nor care to recount.

He has tubes in his ears.

He is #9 on the list of grandchildren of his maternal grandparents and #1 on the list of paternal grandchildren.

He is the Apple of Mama's eye, and the love of our lives. We are so blessed to have this beautiful, incredible boy in our lives and thank God daily for the opportunity to be parents. It has been one heck of a year. It is the hardest thing we've ever done...but also the most fun, most rewarding, and most awesome. I just can't believe it has been a year. Please post your thoughts as comments to this post. We'd love to read them! And we'll even write them down so Ian can see them someday.

A Video of Ian walking on his Birthday! (Sorry it is sideways, no time to rotate it right now! We're off to get his portraits taken!)

Fun With Daddy

2008-04-11T10:54:00.001-05:00

as always, Roger found a good way to make Ian laugh! (and get some exercise!)

More Steps!

2008-04-10T11:44:00.002-05:00

Ian has taken a hiatus from practicing walking in order to sprout 2 new teeth on the bottom. Now that the teeth are taken care of, he's back in action!

Today he has done the following:

Taken 2 steps between the exersaucer and ballblaster
Taken 7 steps toward me
Taken 6 steps toward me
Taken numerous 2 and 3 step trips toward me

It is pretty incredible watching a baby learn to walk. He knows how to do it, but he can't get it right most of the time so he seems to get pretty pumped up when he DOES do it! I can't wait until he is REALLY going to town so that we can play outside so much easier. The playground is going to be MUCH more fun with a walker!

We are also now under a week until Ian's 1st birthday. It is so hard to believe. I'm desperately trying to collect my thoughts!

Our 5th Anniversary is Saturday and Roger has something planned... it better be good! :-)

Ian's Birthday Invitation

2008-04-02T17:16:00.002-05:00

Here's what we mailed out two days ago! I CAN'T BELIEVE HE'S ONE!!!!

Growing Up

2008-03-30T08:50:00.003-05:00

Lately, I have been having the hardest time wrapping my mind around my bebe turning One. I just can't believe it has been a whole year since I was laying on the couch as a beached whale, finding mobility so difficult, grown out of maternity clothes, basically wearing the same pair of blue gym pants and xl t-shirt every day because it was the only thing that fit. Eh, this is the beginning of a post i should write on his birthday, I suppose.

What i really came here to say today was that OUR BABY TOOK THREE STEPS ON HIS OWN YESTERDAY!

He was out in front of me, facing me, and I was holding his 2 new balls that we bought him at walmart on friday. He must've REALLY wanted them because he took THREE steps to get to me (and the balls). As soon as he reached me/them he dropped down on his butt and went right back to crawling, though!

Roger and I *thought* we saw him take a couple steps between the chair and exersaucer on Thursday night, but neither of us was looking directly AT him when it happened, so we weren't positive!

I suppose before I know it I'll be posting about his first pair of big boy shoes and playing at playgrounds!

Can we ever just catch a break??

2008-03-28T12:04:00.001-05:00

This is going to be a short update... Just to say that now I have STREP THROAT. *sigh* one of these days we are all going to be healthy and happy at the same time, right? I really hope that day arrives quickly. I am SO OVER this winter. BYE BYE BYE. DON'T let the door hit you on the way out.

Finally, A Decent Day!

2008-03-26T18:39:00.002-05:00

Today made it up to about 60 degrees here, with BEAUTIFUL sunshine. Ian and I spent some much needed time outdoors. I set the pack-n-play up on the front porch and we both sat outside and soaked in some rays. It was glorious!

I had the windows open and everything feels a bit fresher in here now. I really hope more days like today are on the way. (They probably AREN'T for awhile...but I'm hopeful)

Here's to a GREAT day!

Egg Hunt, Easter Basket, Sick Baby

2008-03-24T16:18:00.005-05:00

Since I last sent you an update, we had a very sick little boy! Wednesday did NOT go well, and Wednesday night was horrible. I think I slept for about 2 hours total and Roger got about 5 hours…Ian probably slept for about 5 too. Thursday morning, we took Ian’s temp. first thing and found that it was back up over 104 and we immediately called the doctor. They sent us down to Children’s hospital for testing, etc. We spent the morning there and left with the diagnosis of “sinus infection” and a prescription for antibiotics. Ian spent most of Thursday VERY grumpy. His nose was so stuffy that he couldn’t nurse. When he would finally fall asleep his snoring was SO loud that he would wake himself up.

He was all the way up to 104.8 on Thursday night/Friday morning. We put him in the tepid bath at that time, and kept him on the 3 hour alternating tylenol-motrin piggyback (as his doctor suggested) and kept trying to get him comfortable enough to sleep. His nose was SO stuffy that he could NOT breathe through it at all and had to sleep upright...which meant that one of us had to HOLD him in the chair while he slept. So we didn’t sleep much at all tuesday night-friday night. Friday night Roger and I alternated who held him and who got to sleep… Roger took the first shift and I slept until Ian started fussing, then I took over and when I opened my eyes the next time it was light out.

Saturday he had one fever temp (102.8) in the morning and then sometime on saturday the fever just "went away" and he hasn't had one since!

Last night he FINALLY slept in his crib for most of the night--until 4am, when I was too tired to get him all the way back to sleep before putting him down and just brought him into our bed so he would fall asleep while we slept. He has been sleeping SO much better! His nose is also starting to clear.

He HATES augmentin. They didn't flavor it at all at the pharmacy this time and so it is like swallowing chalk. (I tasted it...I always taste it) He also has diarrhea from the ordeal and is getting diaper rash. I am trying to stay ahead of the rash but the poos are "sneaky" and I have been missing them!

Anyway, overall, it has been 8 days since this all began, and I'm so thankful that it seems to be ending now.

Thanks so much for your continued prayers and thoughts!!

Love,

Susan (Roger & Ian)

Ian Loves His Baby Einstein!

2008-03-14T14:14:00.000-05:00

He's a nut for it!

Ian's Easter Portraits

2008-03-11T07:38:00.001-05:00

I'm sorry you need a magnifying glass to see them...

Ian Learned to Play "gumballs"

2008-03-08T17:13:00.005-05:00

Ian has learned to play with his Roll Arounds Gumball Machine. He knows how to push the lever and get the gumballs out, and then put them back in the top and start all over again! I got some cute pictures and a video of him this morning. Sorry the video is sideways! (AHHH)!

Ian Thinks the Snow is Cool!

2008-03-01T17:25:00.001-05:00

It kindof ruins it that Roger is standing in the background in SHORTS! It was only about 27 degrees today, but Ian was restless indoors so I bundled him up for a few minutes and took him outside. I set him in the snow and he just started laughing and shrieking with joy!

I only caught a little bit of it on the video, but it was REALLY REALLY CUTE! (of course, ha ha ha)

Enjoy!

Like my teeth?

2008-02-27T10:08:00.005-05:00

I have 5 now...2 on the bottom, three on the top with #6 about to show himself!

And Just for fun, a picture not many have seen before... Our family about an hour old...

I met my Internet friends...

2008-02-18T20:15:00.002-05:00

And they were as lovely as I imagined. We went to Cleveland this weekend to meet a couple of girls from a message board that I'm a member of, all moms of April 2007 babies. Ian got to hang out with his friends Camryn and Azi and I got to finally meet face to face with Bonita and Jennifer.

Jennifer's mom and dad hosted us in their home (as well as Jennifer, who was visiting from Orlando.) It was a very nice weekend!

Perfect Boy?

2008-02-05T21:18:00.000-05:00

According to Ian's pediatrician, yes.

Ian had his 9 month doctor’s appointment today. (Yes, he’s almost 10 months…but we had to cancel 3 weeks ago due to his surgery)

He weighs 22 lbs 3 oz and is 28 ¾ in. tall. (20 lbs 4 oz, 27in at 6 months)

His head was 45 ½ cm, it was 45 last time.

He is now in the 75th percentile for height and weight. (at 2, 4, and 6 months he was in the 95th for weight and 90th for height)

The doctor is pleased with his growth, said he seemed “perfect.” Most important to us today, was that his ears are CLEAR! He has 3 teeth now and the 4th looks like it is coming very soon. He is developmentally ahead of “average” and is doing very well.

We had the go-ahead to start table foods…Roger and I just kinda chuckled to ourselves when the doctor said this. Ian has been eating table foods for awhile, he doesn’t want any foods that he can’t pick up and put in his own mouth anyway! We got props for still breastfeeding and are “allowed” to turn his car seat around on his 1st birthday. The doctor also wants him off of a bottle by 15 months, but Ian doesn’t have very many bottles anyway, so we’re well on our way for that!

Hope all is well with you!

He Stands. By himself.

2008-01-30T14:42:00.000-05:00

This Weekend, We Played in the Snow

2008-01-29T13:26:00.001-05:00

Grandma's Better

2008-01-22T08:40:00.001-05:00

Grandma's defibrillator is functioning properly again.

We went to our friends Brian and Brooke's son Troy's first birthday party on saturday! It was a fun party with LOTS of kids. Ian was so tired when we left, I think he was asleep in his car seat before we even got the buckles buckled. WOW!

We have colds here this week. *sigh* I can't wait until spring... Normally I love winter, but this cold season seems to just be hitting us REALLY hard. We've each been sick about 5 times already. UGH! I just want our whole family to be healthy!

Grandma Miller's in the Hospital

2008-01-18T08:58:00.000-05:00

Remember when I said that my mom's defibrillator was alarming on the day of Ian's surgery? Well, here we are 4 days later and my mom is in Hamot hospital in Erie having to have "something" done with it.

Why did I say "something??" Because they don't really know what they are going to do with it. The doctors are going to try to do as minimal amount of operating as they can, but it is possible that they will have to replace one of the wires that goes into her heart. In this case, it is a pretty big procedure.

At any rate, she is at the hospital now and will probably be there until tomorrow, having her procedure sometime this afternoon.

Never rains, but when it pours around here!

My sister Dianne is taking her Nursing Boards today too...

Surgery Success!

2008-01-14T22:33:00.000-05:00

Some of you have probably already heard most of this, but for those who haven’t, I’ll give you the complete play-by-play. :-)

Ian was not allowed to have any solid food after midnight, no formula after 6, no breast milk after 8, and nothing but pedialyte and clear juice between 8 and 10am. He went to bed “as usual” last night and was up at 1:30 to eat. I was debating all day whether I was going to take the children’s hospital nurse’s advice and give Ian a bottle of formula at 5:50 to get some extra staying power in his liquid diet. I decided I would, and when I got up at 5:40, he was SOUND ASLEEP and I had to wake him. When I offered him the bottle, he got very angry with me and completely refused the bottle, so I gave it up and nursed him for 20 min. He hardly nursed at 7:50, and then only had ¼ of a pedialyte popsicle and a few sips of pedialyte and juice before 10.

At 9:30, mom’s defribulator machine started beeping at her, so we had some extra excitement calling her device clinic, hooking her up to the phone line and downloading her, and then waiting to hear back from the nurse about why the thing was beeping. Turns out there seems to be a problem with one of the wires and she has to go in to see the doctor tomorrow and get it figured out.

Anyway, we packed up and left the house at about 10:15. Even though it was only a 40 minute drive and we didn’t have to be there until 12, Ian was getting very tired and fussy, and when we’re home and he’s tired, he thinks he MUST nurse in order to fall asleep, so we had to get out of here. He went right to sleep and we drove around until 11:40, letting him nap the late-morning away. We arrived and checked in, they whisked us away into the pre-op area where Ian was changed into a hospital gown, weighed, height measured, temperature taken, lungs listened to, and plain old got used to the surroundings. Roger had Ian in the hip hammock because I did not want to hold Ian much today. When I’m holding him and he’s hungry, he gets VERY frustrated that he can’t rip my shirt off and get to the goodies… He was calm and content hugged up against daddy’s chest, so we went with that!

They ushered us into the “playroom” which was really just a holding area for all the kids in line for surgery. Ian THOROUGHLY enjoyed the exersaucer they had in the room, and got to know another little boy who was waiting for his tubes, too. The anesthesiologist came in (hey, I just spelled anesthesiologist right on the first try!) and SHE explained that Ian would receive a mask with “magic gas” and after he was asleep he would get a shot in his hand of ibuprofen. The surgery would last about 10 minutes and then he would be taken off the mask and would wake up in recovery. Then Ian’s surgeon came out and met with us. SHE repeated all the same things. The nurse came to get Ian, he went RIGHT to her, he didn’t even look back at me after we kissed him and told him we loved him! Eight minutes later, the doctor came and found us in the waiting room and explained that Ian was all done and in recovery already!! He had no fluid in his right ear, but his left ear was full of fluid, and just waiting for the antibiotics to wear of to start up another infection. Dr. Casselbrant confirmed that doing tubes was the best treatment for Ian, after seeing that his left ear had not cleared of the fluid after 3 ½ weeks of antibiotics. Another 15 min. passed and they (finally) came to get us to come back to the recovery area. (All along they had been saying that they would bring me back BEFORE he woke up, so that he didn’t freak out when he woke and mommy wasn’t there…) He was doing his hysterical “where’s my mommy” crying when we got back to him, and he was REALLY glad to see us. He nursed immediately and seemed to be happy as could be as soon as he got some food in his belly.

He was discharged and we were on our way by 2:00. He was SO happy and pleasant this evening, I don’t know if it was his ear finally feeling better or him just being happy to be home, but it was nice.

We are so thankful for the love and support from all of our family and friends. We really felt uplifted. Thank you so much!

Love,

Susan, Roger & Ian

Ian's Ear Tube Surgery

2008-01-11T22:20:00.001-05:00

Children’s hospital called yesterday to tell us Ian’s check-in time and the details of his ear tube insertion.

He will be checked in at 12pm. I begged them for an earlier time, due to his eating restrictions for the anesthesia, but all the slots before him are YOUNGER babies, so I couldn’t argue.

He will not even have an IV, the surgery takes 15 min from the time he is taken into the OR until the time he wakes up. I will be allowed in recovery before he wakes up so that I am there when he comes out of the anesthesia. The nurse said he will want to eat immediately, probably, and so I should be ready to nurse him.

We are all ready for it, with the exception of worrying about the eating situation. He is not allowed any solids after midnight, no breast milk after 8am, and nothing but pedialyte and apple juice until 10am. Nothing at all after 10. Ian is very VERY grumpy when hungry and usually cries a LOT when he doesn’t get his milk…so we are very concerned about how the day is going to go without feedings in the morning. AY!

Please keep us in your thoughts on Monday!

Thank you,
Susan (Roger & Ian)

Standing, Cruising, Waving, Clapping, Saying Mama!

2008-01-10T11:50:00.000-05:00

It all happened in a matter of a couple days. Ian decided he wanted to do a whole bunch of new things all at once.

It really messed up his sleeping, but once he got it all accomplished, he went back to his old sleeping routine.

We had a horrible stomach virus right before Christmas and spent three days sick as dogs.

We found out on 12/27 that Ian needs tubes in his ears, and he will be having the surgery on Monday 1/14.

Daddy turns 28 tomorrow!

Christmas Pictures

2007-12-11T23:25:00.000-05:00

We got our Christmas professional pictures back today.

Here are some of them:

Dressed up for winter, enjoying some crisp Air

2007-12-01T23:07:00.000-05:00

First Thanksgiving, and a Health Update.

2007-11-30T10:13:00.000-05:00

Ian's first Thanksgiving was nice! We went over the river(s) and through the woods to Grandma and Grandpa Bishop's house. Grandma and Grandpa Miller came too. Ian was very well behaved and played and played. He sat in his high chair and ate turkey, sweet potatoes, squash, and green beans. He really liked it all!

We had our Christmas pictures taken on Sunday. We had our family picture taken, a picture of just daddy and Ian, a picture of Ian and Isaac together, and a picture of Ian by himself. The Johnson's were with us and had their family picture taken as well.

Ian went back to the doctor on tuesday for an ear check, and despite all the hoping and praying we did for good news, we didn't get it. Ian now has "severe" double ear infection. (It was just a mild, single ear infection 2 weeks ago.) He is back on antibiotics and is now having a bottle a day of formula to help with tummy issues and diaper rash coming from the strong antibiotics.

Poor guy! It is so sad to see him not feeling well. He also has gone on two nursing strikes in the last week and is biting mama, I'm sure it is because his ears and TEETH are bothering him.

Hopefully he will be all cleared up in another week.

We are going to Columbus for Aunt Dianne's graduation from Nursing School and two days later is Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa Bishop's house. We have a lot of shopping, wrapping, packing, washing, etc. to do before then! I can already tell he is feeling better because he is napping better and seems to be much happier!

We are spending a (hopefully) quiet weekend at home this weekend and then we'll see where the wind blows us!

Some Foolin' Around

2007-11-24T14:00:00.000-05:00

Here are a few good pictures of Ian fooling around!! Getting into everything!

7 months old

2007-11-16T11:23:00.000-05:00

Ian is 7 Months old today. He is going to try yogurt later. YUM! Pictures to come...

Crawling & Getting into TROUBLE!

2007-11-08T14:30:00.000-05:00

Ian has learned to crawl and is now into EVERYTHING. He got himself into this mess yesterday morning.

A Punkin with Teeth!

2007-11-01T20:05:00.000-05:00

Our Pumpkin

2007-10-23T06:57:00.000-05:00

Ian and I went to the pumpkin patch yesterday, It was very nice!

A TOOTH!

2007-10-19T13:00:00.000-05:00

So in addition to crawling backwards, we now have a tooth too! The bottom right is visible and feel-able!

Ian was at the doctor's yesterday and weighed 20 pounds 3.5 oz and was 27 inches long. WOW!

Some pictures of the backwards crawling...that began on Wednesday this week!

1/2 Birthday

2007-10-17T09:04:00.000-05:00

Kari came to visit us during her leave from the Navy! It was the first time she got to see Ian in person. Last time she visited, she missed Ian's birth by 4 days! (He was overdue, remember!)

We had a nice visit and then shared Ian's 1/2 birthday cake! He was 6 months old yesterday...It is pretty hard to believe!

A Walk In the Park

2007-10-06T15:17:00.000-05:00

And we stopped for a swing :)

Ian is getting nearer and nearer to his 6 month birthday! He has started to scoot all over the living room and he is just started babbling, saying, "DADADADADADA & BABABABABA" It is very cute.

He just graduated to a new car seat and seems to be happy as can be! We're just loving, loving, loving our little man :)

5 Month Birthday!

2007-09-17T11:44:00.001-05:00

Ian is 5 months old, as of yesterday! His 5 month birthday came and went without me even realizing until about 11pm that it was his day :) We DO have some photos from yesterday in his steelers get-up. I also took his official 5 month photos this morning. He is rolling, laughing, shrieking, teething, and trying new foods! He LOVES grandma's home cooked applesauce and squash from grandpa's garden! He's so darn cute! We're just eating him up!

Enjoy the pictures. Again, comment if you read this, so I know that I should keep posting!!