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!!

New Arrival!! May 22, 2009

Benjamin Beck has arrived!! Praise be to God!! Momma and baby boy are healthy and doing well……..except for a lack of sleep.  He’ll be going by Beck…is it after the artist or the football star? Or neither?

Beck arrived at 1:18 weighing in at 8 pounds and 12 oz.  and 20 inches long. 

THanks for the many thoughts, prayers, texts etc.  They were all felt and had us all feeling cool, calm and collected throughout the process.

April 2009 May 4, 2009

April was a fun filled month for all.  Momma is looking and feeling good.  We initially thought that new baby had only one kidney but after a recent sonogram they have found a second! Yeah!!  Jami has been working hard and maybe even doing some nesting as we get ready for number two.   We finished up the master bath a couple of weeks ago and are now onto the guest with time ticking away. Yikes!  Good thing we have such a good helper.

Eisley has remained healthy and continues to be a litter chatter box.  She has lots of new words that she surprises us with daily.  Her routine of morning books has been changing to more immediate play time.  She has had more little melt downs or tantrums as she t tries to figure out her power plays in the world.  She will use the bathroom probably twice a day and is excited to her mini chocolate chip or m&m when she is successful.  She does love to hold the treat instead of actually eat it though.  I like to think she is a saver but we also notice a bit of gollum in her as she covets her precious.  Pretty darn cute though.

We have several Easter Egg hunts to let her hone her skills at egg finding.  One with church, one at the Arboretum and also at the Tuttle Ranch where she enjoyed the bounce houses.  We were also able to see a 2 day old colt which was lots of fun………not as fun as seeing family though. 

School is winding down for Poppa and he is looking forward to hanging with the family and maybe even some swim lessons for Ms. Grace.  Life is good and we are thankful to God for each moment that we all have together. Thanks for they prayers for Jami and baby and stay tune for the future addition.

Name Game April 18, 2009

Here’s the deal….

Baby Schweers is scheduled to be cut out on May 21^st and we thought it would be fun to hold a little competition prior to the arrival.  As most of you know we chose not to find out the gender of the baby.  Rest assured though, the Doctor has made it clear, it is definitely a girl or a boy, no in-betweens, and just one baby! 

Because we had to then select both a boy and girl name we thought why not let our friends and family try to guess the names we selected. 

If you choose to participate in the competition here is what you need to do:

Below you will find a list with 25 boy names and 25 girl names.  Choose a first and middle name for both genders even though one name will be eliminated once the gender is known.

 

Then post your best guess, please only one submission per person, to the blog. (Post or view other guesses by clicking on COMMENTS at the bottom of this entry)

 

*Note:  Not all names are actual names we would consider naming this child…but that’s  up to you to figure out!!

 

BOY NAMES Adler Atticus Beck Bence Benjamin Cole Davis Diesel Eli Forest Foster Frodo Ian Isak James John Lachlan Mason Michael Nathan Paul Simon Stephen Theo Weston

GIRL NAMES Ada Ainsley Ana Edel Elizabeth Faith Febe Hadley Hedia Hue Jane Lachlan Lane Mattie Mercedes Mercy Merit Molly Olivia Peace Piper Reed Reese Riley Stephanie

 

 What will you win…you ask? 

The person who guesses the correct combo will win an all expense paid trip for two to Jamaica including airfare and a 5 night stay at a 5 star hotel.  Please read the fine print for additional rules, regulations, and substitutions.

 

In the event there is an actual winner, the Jamaica trip and all expenses will be substituted for a $25 gift card to the restaurant of the winner’s choice.