The weather has brought a lot of excitement to our house this past week. It started out with warm and balmy summer like weather with record highs in the 70’s and then by late week it was freezing drizzle and snowy. Josh was absolutely thrilled to see the snow and we had enough accumulation on the deck for him to shovel and snowblow (with his popper mower) to his hearts content. Audrey had all the intentions of going outside in the snow, but was quick to come inside after licking a few snowflakes with Josh. She is very cautious of any weather changes lately, especially if we are going somewhere in the car. As soon as we get in the car, she starts up her weather tune “It’s sunny/rainy/cloudy outside” and sings in until we reach our destination. Either it’s a soothing mechanism or has found her pretty voice and loves to hear herself sing away.  It’s the cutest thing and it makes us all smile and giggle a little. The other day, she was singing “It’s cloudy outside” and Josh pipes in “No, Audrey, it’s sunny” as a little sun was peeping through the clouds. They are kind of in a stage right now where if one thinks it’s black, the other thinks it white. These simple little situations can stir up the craziest arguments. Meanwhile, Lucas just sits by and takes it all in. I can only imagine what he’s thinking. Lucas’s major milestone this week was transitioning to the crib and taking to a pacifier. We were amazed with this, because neither Josh nor Audrey slept in the crib until about 3 months and neither took a pacifier.

Lucas is nearing 1 month old already and all that I can say is WOW it just seems like he was born. He is just starting to finally get on a little bit of a routine and is figuring out life a little. Let's just say we are learning and growing together. I had a planned c-section with Lucas and it was a much different experience than with Josh and Audrey, having both vaginal deliveries. The first few weeks, I was really laid up. However, this past week, I am starting to feel a little bit back to normal. So far, Josh and Audrey are great little helpers and quick to provide assistance whenever needed. Josh has especially been helpful for me, even making me Eggos for breakfast in the morning. He is such a wonderful and caring individual to every member of our family. Audrey has adjusted well to Lucas too and loves to give him his pacifier whenever he cries. She is so very loving, cute and irresistible. Terry has been wonderful these past few weeks and I thank my lucky stars that I have such an amazing husband. Since I have been really preoccupied with caring for Lucas and recovering. He has spent a lot of extra time with Josh and Audrey. All I can say is they LOVE their daddy to pieces and have very special bonds with him. He has definitely made our transition to the life of a family of five more amazing that I could have ever imagined. I am also so thankful for all the meals we have received this past month. Meals on wheels are seriously the best gift after the birth of a baby. Thanks to all those who so graciously delivered the wonderful meals - we SO appreciate your kindness and generosity.

Flu Season at the Aney Household

Last month turned out to be quite a douse. We got the horrible stomach flu that lasted for a full week and then got toppled with up with really bad colds (fever, cough, earache, runny/stuffy noses). The whole ordeal lasted about 3 weeks straight. We were literally quarantined in our house the whole time. The stomach flu was so bad that we even went out and bought a Bissell – what a great investment!! I don’t know why we didn’t get one sooner. Grandpa and Grandma came for a surprise visit to help out which was greatly appreciated. And, it really cheered the kids up and distracted them from their flu ailments.

Happy Birthday to Audrey!

Audrey turned 2 a couple of weeks ago. Her birthday party was a fun-filled day. All of the Hennen Aunts and Uncles and Baby Isaac traveled down here for the event. Audrey had a Frosty the Snowman cake which she devoured. Audrey can practically sing the entire Frosty the Snowman song. She has been in LOVE with Frosty since about age 1. Joshua was a very good “Big Brother” for the event and graciously helped Audrey open all of her gifts. He kept reaffirming the fact that his birthday party was next. We had a bit of a scare on Audreys’ big day though with my sister, Mary, having appendicitis. She ended up staying in the hospital for almost three days. She was very very sick. It’s nice to have Mayo around, that’s for sure.

Valentine’s Day

We hosted preschool at our house this past week, so we got to have a Valentine’s Party. The kids made Thumbody Loves You Valentines, played with red and white play-doh (making pink with the two colors), exchanged Valentines, and made a real volcano. The Letter for the week was “V” and the shape was a “heart”.

Audrey’s Wearing Underwear!

I went away of a women’s retreat this past weekend and while I was away, Daddy got Audrey to wear “Big Girl” underwear. Yeah!! Guess I should get away more often. Audrey has been potty-trained for quite a while, but for some reason hated wearing underwear. Audrey has been fully trained and in underwear now for a week with zero accidents. So, I’m hoping we’re in the clear with diapers. Cross your fingers!

When is Spring going to get here?

Overall, we are anxiously awaiting for Spring to get here. The winter is getting long. However, Josh is always ready for more snow to come so he can go “snow-blowing.” Audrey doesn’t like the cold weather so much, but LOVES the “hot toco” (hot cocoa) after we come in from cold. We have drank A LOT of hot cocoa this winter you could say. I think this has been one of the snowiest winters in a long long time.

This blog is about 6 months overdue and I don’t know where to start. Audrey and Joshua are almost 2 and 4. It has been a very busy fall and winter thus far.

Baby Audrey is No Longer a Baby

I can’t believe my baby Aud’s is a toddler. She is still teeny tiny, but has quite the vocabulary (of which Josh and I can only decode for the most part). Her most recent new word was “cool bus” today in the car. She was so excited and of course Josh and I were so proud and had to clap and cheer. She has also managed to potty train herself for the most part these last few months – both poop and pee. There’s only one glitch – she hates wearing underwear. However, she has learned that by yelling “POOOP”, she immediately gets our attention. Hence, she plays the “poop card” anytime she wants us. I’m searching for solutions about how to handle this one, so if you’re reading this and have an idea – PLEASE EMAIL ME.

Big Brother Joshua

Joshua’s is becoming such a big boy. You know they are getting big when you start to have a hard time lifting them into the car seat and they’re on the verge of moving to a booster seat. He really has changed over the last 6 months – he absolutely LOVES snow blowing, shoveling, jumper cables and anything that has to do with the being outdoors and anything that involves fixing things. Josh also LOVES his new preschool. Four friends and I started a home preschool coop this past fall and we all have boys who are the same age. It has been such a wonderful experience getting to know the children, teaching them, and watching them grow and change. The boys have become GREAT friends and it has been so much fun getting to know their families.

Family Trips

We have also enjoyed several fun trips up to Grandpa and Grandma’s house over the past few months. Although Morris is a long car ride, the kids jump at the chance to visit Grandpa and Grandma. During one of our stays this fall, Josh got to participate in the harvest riding in combines, tractors, and experiencing first-hand what it’s like to be a farmer. He had SUCH A BLAST and still talks about it. While Grandpa and Josh were in the field, Audrey bonded with Grandma at the house.

We went on our annual Florida trip this past month had a wonderful time relaxing and just being able to enjoy the outdoors. The weather was in the 80’s almost the whole time we were there which was such a treat. Our daily activities involved swimming, swimming and more swimming.

It is one of my New Year’s resolutions to keep this website more up-to-date. Hopefully I can keep up with it.

Labor Day is approaching quickly and this is only blog since Memorial Day. I’m SO SORRY!!

I’m not making excuses or anything, BUT, who has time to sit at the computer while chasing after two toddlers?? So, you might be wondering, what have we been up too?

Born to be outside

Rain or shine, hot or cold, anyone who knows my kids, knows they were born to be outside. Hence, that’s where we’ve been all summer. Most of the summer it didn’t rain hardly a drop and was very HOT, so playing in the water quickly became Josh and Audrey’s favorite past-time. Whether it was playing in their swimming pool with the neighbor kids, blasting their fire-hydrant style hose down the drive-way, or just cleaning our landscaping rocks, they have spent endless hours splashing around. In addition, our stash of outdoor toys has tripled since last summer pretty much taking over our garage. Josh and Audrey’s favorite toys, are their bikes. Josh is officially riding a two-wheeler and Audrey keeps right up with him on her singing and dancing Dora machine. Coming in close second for Josh is his John Deere Tractor. Grandpa would be happy to know that “it gets good gas mileage.” Oh, and I can’t forget the mowers of course. And, Audrey’s baby’s – she’s always got a baby in her arms.

SLIVERS.. Yes, over the summer, both Josh and Audrey have had their bouts of slivers. I guess, one can expect that with their love to run barefoot outside. We’ve learned our lesson now, I think, and we’ve implemented stricter shoe wearing polices. Thank goodness, we have an amazing next door neighbor, Ruthie, who is the master at removing those darn things and she’s a total sweetheart.

Other than that, Josh is always ‘working on’ or fixing something, whether it be in the garage or in the house. It’s so much fun to watch his imagination run wild as he plays. Audrey is doing her best to keep up to her brother at all times. Other than keeping up with her big brother, Audrey is always on the move to a ‘higher spot’. She’s definitely a CLIMBER and a quick little bugger. Her favorite thing lately is to secretly run to the bathroom, while I’m busy in the kitchen, and climb up on the vanity and sit in the sink and play. If I take my eye off her for one second, she’s off and climbing which is very scary!! I’m just dreading the day she decides to climb out of her crib, but I’m surprised she hasn’t already mastered that. Other than that, the other major highlight this summer has been the front loader washer and dryer that we recently purchased. Both kids LOVE helping me do laundry and watching how fast it spins. Thank goodness, because we have went through a TON OF LAUNDRY. It is TRULY amazing and worth every penny.

It’s raining...It’s POURING!!

Finally, in the last couple of weeks, the rain began to fall - fast and furious I might add. Last Sat. night, approximately 10 inches of rain fell over night. The torrential rain left Southeastern MN with major flooding and devastation. Check out the comparison of the Local Live map image of the Rochester Tennis Center with what it looked like the morning after the rain (this was the only real bad flooding we noticed in Rochester). Fortunately, we didn’t have water damage living on a high location and all, but many of our neighbors and friends did which was so sad. Josh was obsessed with all of the crazy weather and continues to alert us if he sees a storm/flood watch or warning on T.V. The kid LOVES talking about the weather. Of course, all of this rain wasn’t going to alter Josh and Audrey’s outside routines, so we immediately purchased new rain boots and they have NOT taken them off since. They wear them everywhere!! Josh’s are BRIGHT yellow and Audrey’s are pink, of course.