The Houser's Blog: January 2011

January 2011

This month we spent a lot of time snuggled up inside. It has been a very cold month, so we have stayed nice an cozy snuggling with our kiddos. It has been good for all us since we've all battled colds and sinus infections this month. It was no fun, but we all seem to be healthy now.

Matt had to go to Omaha for work this month. This left me and the kiddos here alone for 3 days and 2 nights. I was very nervous about this, especially since I was sick during that time. But it all went great and the kids were great for me! We were very happy to see Matt come back home though!

Finley has grown by leaps and bounds this month. I still call her my little "sweet pea" or "peanut" but she's growing fast. At her 4 week check up she was 9lbs. 4 oz. This is over 2 lbs. heavier from her birth weight of 7lbs. 3.5 oz.. She's a good eater, and a fairly good sleeper. I can't really complain, of course I can keep wishing for a full night of sleep, but that will happen soon enough. She is full of smiles, which could be one of the best sights a parent will ever see!

Patrick is still staying very busy. He is so smart, maybe too smart for his own good. He talks in complete sentences these days, and says some of the funniest things! His latest thing is making a statement then following it with, "...okay mommy?" If you aren't paying attention to him, he will come over and grab your cheeks and turn them to look at him. FUN TIMES! He is definitely stubborn (just like his dad (and mom) ;)). If he doesn't want something, he lets us know it! We have begun using time-outs, but they aren't going very smooth...something we'll have to keep working on. He has taken on a love for the cartoons: Dora the Explorer and Go Diego Go (but he still LOVES YO GABBA GABBA). As annoying as most cartoons are, at least these ones are slightly educational (kinda ;) ).

Patrick had his 2 year check up this month also. He was in the 92nd percentile for height (36 in.) and 60th percentile for his weight (30 lbs.). So over-all he was a tall 2 year old, but very healthy. Except for the double ear infection that we didn't know he had, oops. He had acted fine until that day, but he is healed and healthy now!

Life really is great! We are truly blessed with happy and healthy kids!

Mommy & Finley (3 weeks)

Finley 3 weeks

Patrick celebrating his friend Ian's birthday. He loved wearing this birthday hat!

Ian and Patrick both 2 years old

Patrick in his warm winter hat...I love this photo!

Finley 4 weeks old

All my kiddos...Finley regularly sleeps in her "nap nanny", and Patrick loves to hang out near her! Notice Hobbs has his leash on, Patrick loves to "take him for walks inside the house", I'm not sure Hobbs enjoys this as much as Patrick does.

Matt and Patrick made an igloo during one of the snow storms this month. Patrick loved to play outside, too bad the wind chills have kept us inside a lot this month.

Who knew cornstarch could be so fun? The day before our realtor open house, I was cleaning in the bathroom, and Patrick managed to climb onto his changing table (that was temporarily in our bedroom) and shook an entire full-size bottle of cornstarch on everything. He had so much fun, it was hard not to laugh. But this was mess to clean up! Oh yeah, I had kept him home from daycare on this day because he didn't feel well when he woke up...yeah right!