Last Friday's Campout

Last Friday night, we had a campout.  We did our usual Friday night movie and pizza, only this time, we set up tents.  The boys had a lot of fun.  We even made a "fire" and "roasted" marshmallows.  Then the boys got to stay up late and watch a movie and snuggle with us.  Parker didn't really have any interest in going his tent when it was actually time to sleep.  He ended up going into his crib.  Oliver was very happy to sleep in his sleeping bag in his tent.  Julia and Eric slept on the couch for quite a while, but then eventually made their way to the pack and play and bed.  I opted for the bed :)

Here are some pictures from our campout:

Julia was asleep before supper - don't worry she woke up later that night :)

Parker happily went in and out of his tent prior to pajamas

Oliver excited to get his tent all set up for the night

Sitting by the fire

Roasting marshmallows

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day was a fun day at our house.  The kids and I went to my MOPS group this morning.  The boys each made some valentines there.  I got a big surprise from Eric and he brought home a bouquet of flowers.  I made a yummy BBQ chicken pizza for supper.  After Eric got home from work and we finished up dinner, we all hung out and read some books.  The boys each got a "The Flash" shirt from us and when Oliver opened his, he was very excited- he said "I have been dreaming about this every night!"  

Happy Valentine's Day!

40 Days of Posting

I am planning on blogging for Lent this year- so the plan is a post everyday for the next 40 days.  I am giving myself a bit of a pass the week of Julia's surgery, but will likely post updates throughout that week.  So here's the start.

Life at the Shook house has been crazy- Eric has been interviewing for jobs for the fall- very exciting, but very busy.  He actually just got home about 1 hour ago from Madison, WI where he was interviewing for a tenure-track faculty position.  Last week, he was gone from Sunday-Tuesday interviewing in Kent, OH at Kent State University for a tenure-track faculty position.  He was offered a fellowship at Dartmouth the Friday before that after a few phone interviews with them.  We are very thankful to have an offer on the table and are anxious to get some decisions made soon.  We are hoping to hear from Kent State either late this week or early next week.  Now that interviews are done, Eric will be focusing on finishing up his dissertation.

I've been staying busy with the kids.  We have been going to lots of playgroups.  I have been trying to take the kids to the library one morning a week- they seem to really enjoy that.  I've been holding down the fort while Eric has been galavanting around ;)  

Oliver is busy as ever- He loves doing crafts- especially when they involve cutting and gluing.  We painted on Monday and he was by far the messiest of the three kids- he painted his hands almost up to his wrists.  We have been working on trying new foods and he is making some progress- he tried pineapple and liked it.  He tried shredded cheese and blueberries- may not sound like much, but improvements.  He is actually finishing up supper right now and is thinking about thinking about eating a vegetable :)

Parker is our wild man.  He goes 100% all the time.  We are planning to move him to a big boy bed in March sometime.  He loves trains and all things that go.  He likes craft time-painting is his favorite- and drawing on the walls and couch- I've learned crayons and pens cannot be left out with him around.  He loves books right now- his favorite book is Dinosaurumpus and we read it many times every day.  He is talking more and more and he definitely has a lot to say!

Julia is changing quickly.  She is rolling and getting around that way.  She is full of smiles and tolerates her brothers very well.  She likes to snuggle and be held.  She had really good results on her AFP levels at her most recent test- she was at a 71 (which is actually in the normal range for kids her age without BWS).  Her tongue reduction surgery is scheduled for February 27th- 2 weeks from today!!  

So now that you are up to date, I will be working on keeping everyone that way.  And I will post pictures tomorrow too :)

Christmas 2012

Christmas Outift #1

Christmas Outfit #2

Christmas Outfit #1- pose 2

Christmas hat!

Iowa had lots of snow- Oliver had fun playing in the snow with  cousins Henry & Sophia

Our family at the Steffen Christmas

On Christmas Eve, a big group went up to visit the fire station.  They look like they all had a fun time!

Cousin Sierra holding Julia on Christmas Eve

Aunt Audrey holding Julia and Sophia helping her open some Christmas presents on Christmas Eve- She got a Cabbage Patch Doll named Julia!  :)

Henry, Oliver, Max, Alex, Sophia, Parker, & Timmy with Julia & Lucas in the front on Christmas Eve

Julia & Lucas awake

Julia & Lucas asleep :)

Christmas morning - Parker playing in their new kitchen

Oliver checking out all his loot from Santa

He got a dragon!

The line of shoes with their treats inside

Oliver helping Julia go through her stocking

Julia with her pile from Santa- not quite ready to be awake yet

And taking a nap on the floor (with her new bracelet on)

And another nap with Daddy :)


We had a wonderful trip to Iowa for Christmas.  As always, it went quickly, but we fit in lots  fun times and visits with people and as usual, we ran out of time to get all of our visits in.  Julia enjoyed her first trip to Iowa.  The kids got lots of wonderful gifts and had fun with family.  So only about 1 month late, but our Christmas pictures :)   Enjoy!

Julia is 4 months old!

Julia's 4 month birthday was yesterday.  She is growing so quickly.  She had her 4 month appointment today and weighed in at 15 lbs, 13 oz and 25.25 inches long.  She did well at her appointment, but cried for her shots.  She calmed down quickly- Oliver was sad that she had to get shots and he helped to cheer her up afterward.  The poor baby is running a bit of a fever after her shots today, but doesn't seem to be in poor spirits.  Here is what our little girl is up to:
-rolled over from tummy to back on January 15
-smiles and talks to us all the time
-loves (or at least tolerates) her big brothers' attention
-likes to cuddle
-is taking a bottle more often to prep for her upcoming surgery
-shows interest in toys, especially a crunchy caterpillar
-likes to be sung to
-still wakes up 1-2 times a night, but just eats and then goes back to sleep
-has outgrown a few 3-6 month outfits, but is still mostly in 3-6 months
-has had her hair in a ponytail- she gets lots of compliments on all of her hair

She is just a very happy little girl and we are pretty lucky she is ours.  She wakes up in the morning with the biggest smiles ever- which is a great start to every day.  We love you Julia Marie!!

Julia is 3 months old

Our baby girl is 3 months old (or was almost 3 weeks ago).  I figure better late than never.  She continues to amaze us every day.  She is getting so strong and does a great job holding her head up.  She is a smiley girl and likes to laugh.  She is starting to like toys a little bit.  Her eyes are staying blue so far.  She is doing great with sleeping, usually a 7-9 hour stretch at some point during the night, sometimes longer.  Her brothers love her like crazy and she always seems to have a smile for them.  She likes her swing during the day, but also likes to hang out on the floor.  She is growing like crazy- she is in mostly 3-6 month clothes, but a few 6-9 month clothes.  

Happy three months Ju-Ju- we love you!!

Parker's 2nd Birthday

Parker's 2nd birthday was December 26th.  He is growing so quickly.  We did a small celebration with our family and Grandma Steffen after lunch and Parker had some birthday ice cream and a cookie.  He blew out his 2 candles in his ice cream.  He was pretty happy about it all :)

Serious work blowing out candles

We celebrated Parker's 2nd birthday on Friday, December 28th.  He had a train cake since trains are one of his favorite things right now.  We had a good turn out at his party- grandmas and grandpa, aunts and uncles, and lots of cousins!

Parker with his train cake- he was enjoying being the center of attention!

A sideways picture of the first (and possibly only) present Parker opened.  Luckily for him, he had lots of willing cousins to help him open his gifts. 

A fireman towel from Uncle Bob & Aunt Wendy

Playing trains with Aunt Donna, Marshall, and Timothy. 

 

Happy 2nd Birthday Parker!!  We love you so much.  You can light up a room with your smile and bring energy to everything you do.  We are looking forward to all of the new things you do this year.  Every day you are saying more and more words.  You know your letters and are working on numbers.  Trains and trucks are your favorite toys- especially Thomas the train.  You love to keep up with your big brother and play superheroes and you love to slow down and give your little sister kisses.  You are an independent little guy who likes to do everything on his own.  You keep us on our toes every day Parker, but we wouldn't have it any other way.  Happy Birthday!!  We love you!