January 2010 February 1, 2010

January is over and we had several benchmarks for our family. 

Big news for Eisley is her potty training.  We have been hit or miss for a couple of months, giving her choices of pull ups or panties, offering incentives but nothing really stuck.  Finally, momma said no more diapers and we found the right motivation of jelly beans and have not looked back since. She went 2 weeks straight without any accidents at night or mother’s day out.  Since then, she has had 2 accidents but is doing great.  She still thinks she needs jelly beans or lollipop after doing her business but also knows about sugar giving her a tummy ache and causing cavities.   We had a Potty Party for her to celebrate her achievement.  She had been saying for a couple of weeks that she didn’t need diapers any more and that she wanted to give them away to some friends. So she did. 

She is a sweet heart and continues to amaze us daily.  Last week she told me she was frustrated which I thought was cute.  Today on the way to church she told me that she is 2 years old but almost 3 and that her birthday is coming up.  She knew is was March 31st……..Aunt Steph taught her that she said.  She is working on her yes sirs and maams.  She remembers about 20 percent of the time and of those times about 60 percent of the time gets the wrong sir or maam for Momma or Poppa.  She is trying though.  She has enjoyed playing with her many new Christmas toys.  She has cooked many pretend meals for us.  Eisley has learned all her ABC’s and knows most of their sounds.  Thanks jelly beans and Momma!!

Beck has been crawling since the beginning of January and has had some up and down weeks.  He is a real sweet boy but he did have an ear infection that lasted a couple plus weeks that did require his first dose of antibiotics.  He is better now and is napping better during the day.  Ben was pretty used to getting up during his infection so we are trying to let him cry it out again.  Eisley is camping in mom and dads room for a couple of nights.  Poor little guy is also teething………top 2 are poking through and it looks like there are some others on the way too.  He is happy being mobile and is pulling up on tables and couches amongst other things.  He really enjoys his sister and ladies in general.  He can fidget and wiggle with the best of them when it comes to diapers or trying to read to him.  Boys!!!

In other news………..our family did get a new (to us) van.  It is a roomy Honda Odyssey that makes life easier for the family.  Special thanks to Oma who helped us get a little more than we had saved for.  It is official that we are now uncool………but who is counting right?

December 09 December 31, 2009

 

The crazy month known as December, as well as 09 are almost over. 

We have had a very busy end to the year and we are ready for a rest.  Many thanks to the family and friends that have continued to bless our lives. 

We put up our tree the first weekend in December and had loads of fun seeing this special time of year through Eisley’s eyes.  She loved helping decorate the tree and checking her advent calendar every day convinced it was her day.  She found a little elf around the house every day that she named Mr. Bojangles.  This elf stayed around our house during the month of December and reported in to Santa each night and would take a new spot in the morning. 

Oma and FL Uncle Mike came to visit for the last part of December and made it a Merry Christmas indeed.  We all had fun looking at Christmas lights, going to the aquarium, to the ranch, resting, going to movies, eating, playing games and much much more.  We made the end of the trip extra exciting by having our car break down on the way to the airport.  Thankfully Blakeslee came and saved the day.  Eisley mentioned him in her prayers that night even. 

Beck got his 6 month appointmen in a little late but all looked good.  He weighed 19 pounds and 3 ounces which is in the normal zone but is 28 and 3/4 inches long which apparently is still tall/long.  He has his two bottom teeth in and now crawling slowly forward.  We had a couple of weeks of backwards scooting after mastering the rolling stuff.  He has developed a bit of a cough here that the doctor says should clear up in a week or so.  He still remains in good spirits and is a sweet little boy.  Benjamin is eating all kinds of stuff and gets pretty fussy if his food isn’t ready when he is. 

Eisley continues to be the sweet older sister and has not shown any signs of sibling rivalry.  She still loves to read, play Eye Spy, ride her trike,  color, sing and use her imagination.  She amazes us with her copy cat phrases as well her sweet heart.  Cute things she has been heard to say lately: “What’s the deal?” to her mother, “Do you like my kicks?” when talking about her shoes. “Momma don’t be angry” if we correct her.  “Poppa is the boss. Momma is the boss and I’m the boss.”, “Sometimes I drink water but usually I drink juice.”  

Both of our kids are gifts from God and we feel very blessed to have the time with them that we do.

November 09 December 5, 2009

November saw a lot of jet setting time for the Schweers Family.  First Oma finished off her visit from the end of October.  Then Grammers flew out before Thanksgiving and stayed a couple of days before she helped Jami and the kids fly out to FL for a  Thanksgiving stay.  Poppa flew out a few days later too which made October fly by.  We enjoyed all the time with family and ate way too much over the break.  It was nice to be home after such a long stint away from home though.  Thanks to all the family that helped shuffle us around, feed us, house us, entertain us and much much more. 

Benjamin is still gaining on the scales.  6 month appointment is due already.  He is turing all the way over now and had been flipping one direction since last month.  He does his little push ups and goes right over now and is much more content.  He is a very happy little guy and is sleeping most nights from 6-2am and then nurses and goes back to sleep until 6 or 7.  Of course travel and a small time change makes things harder to keep on schedule but he is doing well.

Eisley is continuing to do well too.  Blowing and growing!  Not sure what the means.  She enjoyed all her uncles, aunts, cousins, grandparents and even great grand parents.  She is getting better with the whole potty thing and is talking more about panties since all her big cousins were wearing them.  I think we have regressed a bit since our trip home to FL though.  Thems the breaks I guess. 

We certainly have a lot to be thankful of and I hope we don’t take it all for granted.

October 2009 November 5, 2009

Finally Halloween has come and gone.  Eisley had been practicing her trick or treat skills for well over a month and she really enjoyed putting them to use.  She had several opportunities to dress up and momma has now become a semi professional face painter.  Our little butterfly received a ton of candy and loves to savor each piece for long periods of times…………sometimes a lolli pop (her favorite) will last a couple of hours.  She loves to save stuff instead of scarfing it down.  Weird!!  Beck was a little turtle and seemed to enjoy getting out on Halloween and the days surrounding that special day.  He has been going a bit backwards with his sleeping habits lately but we hope to start baby boot camp again and let him cry it out soon.  Sorry Eisley!

We have enjoyed having Oma here for the last part of October.  Eisley has really enjoyed getting to know her Oma more and more each day.  She’ll ask about 4-5 times a day whether Oma has had her coffee or if she needs more.  Eisley has enjoyed coloring, tickling, reading, games, walks, bike rides, singing and playing her game with Oma to name just a few things.  It should make for an extra fun time when we go home for THanksgiving as she is remember people so well now. 

 

 

September 09 October 3, 2009

September has been a nice month for the Schweers family. 

We enjoyed visiting  the Plano Balloon Festival again this year.  Food and friends made the event lots of fun as well as cooler weather. 

Beck had his 4 month check up this month and is doing well.  He is weighing in at 17 pounds 11.5 ounces and length was 26.5 inches.  Pretty big boy and similar stats to his sister at her age.  We are glad they are healthy with all this swine flu stuff going around.   Beck also got his own crib this last week of September and has had a few successfull nights sleeping in there.  His naps are being more scheduled and we are letting him cry it out more now.  He is a happy guy now that bowels are moving and he is sleeping with some regularity.   Little man has also rolled over by himself a few times but doesn’t do it all that much.  Also, he has found his toes the last couple weeks which is lots of fun for him.

September saw Mother’s Day Out start again for Eisley which has been a nice return to normalcy for all. Eisley has been getting excited for Halloween for some time.  We have been reading scary Halloween books and she has been practicing the whole sequence of things to make sure she gets it just right.  She likes to go through her list of all the candy she likes and enjoys asking us which ones we like too.  Lollipops are still some of the favorites along with Mike and Ikes.  She enjoys telling people that she is going to be a ghost so that she can scare people and it will be funny.  Really, she will be a butterfly amongst other things.    Eisley continues to ask people their nicknames and still likes being called “Juice Box.”  She does push some limits at home but she is working at being obedient still.  A little spanking, time out or stern talk is helping her to find the line that she should not cross.  She likes to take the wooden spoon for paddling and walk around the neighborhood or our house with it so that she can spank any alligators that try to attack her.  Eisley has also seen the Willy Wanka movie and will tell you what happened to each child because they didn’t listen.  Violet, that turned violet, made her cry because she thinks that she is going to turn into a juicy berry just like her.  Pretty darn cute!   She has lots of ideas like………….I have an idea………let’s go for a bike ride, get some bagels and donuts for dinner at the park…….how’d that be?  Opa lives on in Eisley for sure as she loves collecting rocks and has turned it up a notch and also goes for nuts of all kinds.  Jami and her were going on a walk and found a tree that dumped a bunch of nuts and Eisley told momma to “focus on the big nuts.”  She is quite the nutter and brings us many smiles everyday.

August 09 September 3, 2009

So summer is officially over for the Schweers family.  He had a good run but school is not in full swing and lifes pace has picked up once again. 

We started off the month with a short little trip to the Tuttle Ranch and hung out some with the Whites.  Poppa had some back to school stuff going on early in the month and everything seemed like a normal time.  Most of you have heard the news about my father’s passing.  I know it has caught everybody my surprise as he was still in very good shape and eating well.  We made the trip as soon as possible to be with family to comfort each other and help with details.  Although it was nice to see family, the circumstances were not how we wanted to be reunited.  We had a very nice celebration of Dad’s life at a ceremony overlooking the ocean and then spread his ashes later in the ocean.  It has been a very surreal experience and my heart aches most of all for mother who lost her best friend.  Please continue to pray for our family as we deal with the loss of our father.  Thank you for the many cards and prayers that have come our way from friends and family. 

Below is an excerpt from my eulogy to my father:

Since I grew up not really knowing my grandparents, one of my first thoughts upon hearing about my father’s passing was about my kids and the loss of their Opa. They are too young to remember him, especially my new 3 month old boy. So Baby Beck…Eisley…..This letter is just to let you know about your Opa since you never got a chance to know him so here it goes.

 

Dear Eisley and Baby Beck,

            Your Opa was a quiet guy.  But guess what? Silence really is golden. He understood the significance of having two ears and one mouth.  He did like to listen more than he talked………..you’ll probably wish more people were like that as you get older.   I’ll tell you what though, you sure do listen up and soak in their words more when somebody like that does share their advice or thoughts.

Even though he was quiet, he was still very loving and confirming as a father and we all felt his love daily.  Your Opa was a physically affectionate man. He would greet you with a hug and knew  the trick to get each of his kids to sleep even if he did have to rub my ear for 10 minutes. He loved his wife, my mom, with his entire heart and it was obvious to all around how much they were and are in love.  They taught us how the husband wife relationship can go to an entirely new level as he was a great leader servant around the house.  

            Opa would have loved to come cheer you on in whatever sport you might participate in.  There were many of my soccer games where mom and dad are in the stands giving the ref’s lots of shtick………respectfully of course!!  Dad helped coach whatever team any of us were playing on.  I remember being taught to play racquetball, ping pong and tennis and countless other games by both mom and dad.  We also were forced into enjoying a certain team from the University of Nebraska where they all yell GO BIG RED!!  He enjoyed the competition of playing sports but never went over board and was never a jerk about it with us or with his friends.  I remember a special bang board he put up for me that I could kick that soccer ball against….maybe he was just trying save his sanity, or his house but I know it was an act of love.  

            I have to warn you baby Beck and Eisley…….since your Opa was from Nebraska, a lot of his humor was a bit corny……..get it?? .  He had a dry and a subtle sense of humor and liked plays on words.  If you were at an event and the MC asked for a round of applause…………anybody here know what you would get?  Yep.  And, if they asked for a Big hand for somebody……….do you wanna guess what he would do?  I know I find myself doing some of the same things. Scary!! He also would make up countless acronyms and was always able to find humor in any situation which is a great gift.

            His humor seemed to even transcend into his wardrobe.  We were looking at some of his pictures and his closet , which by the way spans several decades, and had to laugh at some of the combinations that he came up with.  His NPR friends at Car Talk would describe him as NOT being a slave to fashion.  He was not afraid to don all things pink as well as pants and shirts that run the color spectrum.

            Eisley, Beck, your Opa would have loved to take you camping.  He enjoyed the outdoors a great deal.  The mountain trails called his name all the time.  Opa would always come back with several rocks of interest from any walk…..many of which are still around the house in boxes.   If a  stream might have the smallest ability to sustain life, he would be up for trying to  fish it.  His love of nature would surely have rubbed off on you, like I know it did on all his kids.

 

            There are countless other things I can tell you about guys, but I know that the one he would want you to embrace the most is his faith.  Opa loved the Lord.  He enjoyed and embraced the challenge of living for God.  Opa made sure we were in church growing up and that lead to my decision to ask Jesus into my life.  What a great life it is when you can walk hand in hand with a living God. 

 

            Well kids, I hope you have a little bit better understanding of you Opa……but now that I think about it Beck and Eisley, I said this letter was to let you know about your Opa since you are so young but I am pretty sure that a lot of these same things I have just told you about, you will see in me.  So I guess you will get a chance to know your Opa after all! 

  

 

I LOVE YOU DAD!!

 

 

 

July 09 August 1, 2009

Summer is dwindling down to just a few days left.  Don’t think that we aren’t going to milk it for all we can though. 

We have beens staying pretty close to home during these dog days of summer.  We were able to see Aunt Ashley and our cousins Cade and Kirby up in Sherman as they were visiting family.  It was a short but sweet visit. 

Aunt Mary and Uncle Dan came to town during a short lay over to Canadia.  We got to spend the afternoon with their sweet girls and just hang out some before they flew on to cooler climates. 

We also went to several birthday parties and to visit Aunt Steph.  Generally speaking though we have plenty to do around home and the general area to keep us all out of trouble for now. 

Beck had his 2 month appointment this week and is doing well.  He is off the charts in weight as he is 15 pounds 5 ounces and 24 inches and change long.  It seems heavy but you have to know that for the last 2 weeks he has had only had BM’s once a week.  I know……more than you wanted to know but there it is.   He has had a good deal of discomfort in the stomach area but the docs say not to worry about it.   He is starting to just recently have a bit of a napping schedule during the day which makes life easier for all involved.   He is a sweet heart when stomach isn’t hurting and seems more mellow than sis was as a baby. 

Eisley has made the transition from crib to big girl bed and she is doing well so far.  She will call us when she wakes up from naps and bedtime and we come and get her.  WE know that won’t last but it is great now.  She has been working hard on potty training and is doing real well.  We have some cry sessions as if the potty is killing her but does pretty well overall.  She likes to tell people about her turd size which is always real fun.  She continues to swim like a dolphin and is just enjoying life in general.  Cute things she has said lately: “I’m going to my closet to be sad” ……..said after mom or dad say NO.  “Holy cow”……….said after a potty session and inspection of #2.  “Alligators are getting me”……….said daily while in the living room as she imagines their are alligators all around.  “Poo Poo makes you happy” said before and after potty sessions to mom and dad while placing her hand on our face and looking into our eyes.  “Just a little turd”…..no explainin needed.  “That’s a tough one” and “That is too hard for me”……said during gymnastics.    Also her nickname is juice box as she loves to drink juice all day long………sometimes she will say……….”I’m not a juice box…..I’m Eisley Schweers”.  Every day is a fun new adventure. 

A special thanks to the many friends sharing their time, love, gifts and prayers with our family.

May & June 2009 July 1, 2009

Somehow May slipped by under the radar.   It might have something to do with some new addition to the household.  We stayed pretty close to home during the month of May as little man came into our world.  We had help from Grammers aka Molly Dolly and my parents aka Oma and Opa.  Eisley of course thought these fun adults were coming just to amuse her and she had lots of fun.  Grammers was able to watch her at her first gymnastics class, biking, arboretum and lots of other fun.  Oma and Opa saw several swim lessons, did some biking and lots of playing with Eisley.  We appreciate them all coming and easing the transition for all of us. 

At the one month visit from the doctor little Beck turns out to be not so little.  He was up to 11lbs and 15 oz and was 21 and 3/4 inches long.  These numbers apparently put him in the 97th percentile for height and weight.  He has had quite the upset tummy and has lost most of those long locks of hair that he had when he first came out.  Also, he has a nice dose of infant acne.  Poor little guy seems like he is pretty uncomfortable even with gas drops and other stuff.  Doc says that the gas should pass around 6 weeks and that the acne might take 3 months.  Good times.  Of course we wouldn’t trade him for anything and we know it will get better eventually. The baldness I assume is self induced to look like his popps.  Momma is a great sport and is super patient with him.  She just passed her 6 week test from her doctor to go swimming and more!!

We  just returned from a quick road trip to visit uncle Chance in Nashville , Tennessee before he shipped out to Afghanistan.  Grammers and Grampers were there too and we all had a good time hanging out.  We would probaby not recommend a trip like that again in that car with two little ones but it turned out as well as can be expected.  Eisley has been asking for Uncle Chance/ Creston, Grammers and Grampers off and on.  We also had a short but nice visit from Uncle Creston as he was passing through.    We enjoyed seeing him and Eisley enjoyed being spoiled by him. 

Week 2 Baby Beck and Family June 10, 2009

Two weeks down with a new addition.  It has been a fun time but of course plenty of hard work too.   Mr. Beck weighed in at 8 pounds 12ounces and when we left the doctor’s office after a three night stay he was down to 8lbs 2 oz.  At his one week appointment he was back up to 8lbs 7 oz.  At his week 2 appointment he was up to 9lbs 7.5 ounces and 20 and 3/4 inches long.  He seems to be a healthly little boy and is doing pretty well.  He is having some stomach issues like his sister did but it doesn’t seem to be as severe as hers was.  He is sleeping 3-4 hours at a time at night and will wake up to feed and then go back to sleep.  Beck is lucky to have a sweet big sister that likes to hold him and makes sure that people are quiet around him. 

 

We were very blessed to have Grammers come and stay and Oma and Opa too.  They helped ease the transition for mom and dad and particularly little miss Eisley.  She is at a real fun age as she is talking and everything is so new still.  Grammers got to attend Eisley’s first gymnastics class and Oma and Opa got to attend her first swim lessons. More on that later.  Many thanks to both parents for giving of their time and energy to help our family.  We appreciate you all!!  Also, big thanks to the prayers, thoughts, meals and visits from friends!!

NAME GAME WINNER! June 10, 2009

Congratulations go out to Taylor Johnson.!!!  She was the winner of the naming contest.  Nobody got it dead on, but several had partial matches.  She had Beck as the first name for a boy and Merit for the girl name which are both winners.  Also, her own sweet bundle of joy is named Piper which was our original number one name for a girl.  There were many good combinations out there which made us even rethink our choices.  We’ll have to come back and scan some of your great ideas if we ever go for number 3.  Thanks for playing!!