9 Months Old!

On Monday our adorable little nugget turned 9 months old.  He's accomplished quite a bit in 9 months, all ready been on a plane and lived in 2 states!  We also went to our first doctor's appointment in Jamestown.  With very little time to do my research, literally just picked the only pediatrician in this town!  Come to find out, since she is the only pediatrician, she typically works with the high risk or special needs cases, so the nurse practitioner does the well baby visits.  I was totally okay with this since let's be honest the nurses do 90% of the work anyway, but I did want to meet the doctor.  I think Justin was embarassed how many times and how many people I had to ask to actually meet the doctor, but in case we ever did need her for something I wanted to meet her, get the vibe, and have her see how freakin adorable her new patient is.  So we met her and she was great, and she explained again she wouldn't be seeing Jordy unless absolutely necessary (see doctor=bad news).  We also really liked the CNP so that was good.  Unfortunately for Jordy, you don't get any shots at 9 months, except that it's flu season, so he did!  He gets his follow up shot on Nov 9, and Justin and I get ours, too.

Jordy's stats:

Weight: 20 Pounds (65th percentile)
Height: 30 Inches (97th percentile)  (for Reference, I am 62 inches.......)

Diapers: We are going to make the jump to size 4.  I know the package says up to 28 pounds for size 3 but I don't like it when I see the marks on the legs.  so Up we go.  Also, definitely a Pampers guy.  We knew he had allergic reactions to Target brand diapers but we tried Luvs and same thing happened with the rash on the tummy.  *Sigh*

Sleeping: Well, we tried crying it out.  The kid screamed for 35 minutes.  We do let him cry it out to fall asleep but if he wakes up in the night we go get him.  We need our sleep and we are still in the apartment!  When we get our house we're going cold turkey crib!  9 month roller coaster is about to cruise to a halt!

Eating: Still loving all fruits and veggies and getting used to more textures.  Eats Puffs and shredded cheese for finger foods.  The CNP was actually in agreement with me on being a psycho about choking!  She said it was okay to go as slow as we're comfortable with.  The kid puts everything in his mouth.  I have found, among other things, him chewing on one of my earrings!

Accomplishments:  -Stands on his own and has taken 2 steps.  Yikes!
-Flushes the toilet (stinker!)
-Points to picture of Daddy  (still working on mom!)
-Turns pages of his books.  Learned this little trick from my friend Tina, say "Turn the page" every time you read little one books and then they start to actually do it themselves.  Gotta get a video of this, it is really amazing!

Other than that, he's pretty much an amazing little boy.  He totally lights up when either one of us gets home and belly laughs at just about everything.  He loves to crawl around in the kitchen and bang everything together!

This week is a BIG week for the Wieck family.  Justin is making his head coaching debut this week!  The Jimmies play at home vs. Brandon University out of Canada (pause for effect)  Yes Canada.  They play both Friday and Saturday night.  Justin is cool as a cucumber and I of course am sweating just thinking about it!  We are so excited that Jeff & Karna will be here to cheer him on and of course some help with Mr. Won't Sit Still during the games.  I hope that you follow our season.  It is crazy to think that Justin really is living his dream of being a head college basketball coach.  I still haven't wrapped my mind around it.  I can't wait to see him in action!!!!  And of course I am beginning my formal duties as head coach's wife and hosting a little get together for the parents of the players after Saturday's game.  I feel bad we haven't had the team over yet but it's first order of business once we have a house!  Until then, enjoy your blessings and here's some shots of my blessings:

Sleeping baby!

So tired

Watching Daddy coach at practice.  Team is looking good!

 

 

Here is our first attempt at getting a 9 month pic...........

 Thank Goodness the iPhone has that feature where you can flip the camera and look at yourself.  Someone is a little vain.... but it works to get a picture :)

 Night night Jordy!  Stay in your crib all night, will ya???

Double Ear Infections!

What a week!  Justin had to travel to Minneapolis to recruit last Wednesday, which as you know is my "busy" day at work (I work 8 am to 9 pm).  So, I had all ready planned to pick up Jordy at daycare around 5, run home grab the diaper bag and be back by 5:30 for a Sacrament tutoring session and then have him join the volunteer babysitting that night (she watches a 4 month old and 4 year old children of 2 of our catechists).  Which was all ready a big step for me since I didn't know this lady really well and I have NEVER left Jordy with someone I didn't know well.  (Although, if you think about, the daycare providers during the day are virtual strangers before you start.... Anyway...)

And yet, I get a call at 3:45 that he had woken up from a looooooooong nap (And I should back up and mention the kid slept ALL night in his crib and had to be woken up to even go to daycare, should've been a red flag!)  and that he had a fever of 102*.  My first instinct, of course, was to PANIC!!!  But I calmly told her to please give him 1.25mL of baby tylenol and I would call the doctor.  Well all the nurse said is "We can't just see every kid that has a fever."  I had a few interesting retorts since I have NEVER gotten that kind of response from our Pediatrics in Aberdeen (and I am on a first name basis with the receptionist & nurses, and if you remember, we lived next door to the Doctor).  So I calmly made an appointment for the following day in case he still had a fever and went to pick him up.  We decided between the two of us that his behavior was just unusual as he slept almost all day (what!) didn't finish all his food (unheard of!) was not interested in playing (who's baby?!) and was just a little too cuddly with me (of course I like cuddles but he's usually too busy!).  So I decided to take him to the walk-in clinic that was open until 5.

Upon entering a room of near death looking individuals coughing and hacking, we finally saw the doctor and thank goodness I listened to my instincts because Jordy had DOUBLE ear infections.  BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!  So they called in a prescription for Amoxicillian and away we went to the local grocery store to pick it up.  At this point it's after 5 and I'm sweating because he STILL has a fever and haven't been home yet to get his neccesities to get back at work.... Waiting.... Waiting... Waiting.... NO PRESCRIPTION.  So since they're open until 9, we decide to leave.  And then I called back about 8:00 pm to check on Jordy's prescription.... STILL did not come in.  What the heck Dr!  So I did what any normal mother would do, I called the ER and asked for the doctor on call.  Explained the situation and the mystery of the missing prescription and sure enough he called it right in.  PHEW!  So, here is double ear infection boy.....

Still LOVES Walks!

 Playing hooky from Daycare with Mommy

 Snuggling with Kelsie in Aberdeen

 Playing with his friend Memphis in Aberdeen

Snoozing at Daddy's office

 Grouching at Mom for not getting breakfast fast enough!

 Giving Puppy kisses.  Still one of his favorite toys!  Thanks Great Grandma Rosalie!

Next up.... Jordy's 9 month check ups and how my "pinterest projects" have been going!  Cheers!!!

don't become so busy that you miss the blessings of today

Busy Boy!!!

Well our little guy is showing more personality every day and getting more curious every day.  He is such a joy to watch and grow!!!  Sometimes we just look at each other and say, "I love this baby."  So, are you ready for Jordan overload???  Here's what our baby has been up to....

Munching on the cable box........

 I KNOW this computer opens and I'm going to figure it out!!

 Scooting around at Daddy's open gym.  Clapping and cooing!

 SO little next to these BIG shoes!

 Help yourself Jordy to whatever is in Mom's nightstand!

Here he is having fun at the Jamestown College Library.  He definitely needs his own bean bag chair!!!  Loved it!

And the baby's NEWEST trick... drumroll please.....

 Let's see where Mommy will find Jordy next!

 And for a kid that never watches TV.... he sure is interested in this... GO HAWKS!!!

We just love this little guy to pieces.  We are starting a poll on when he will be walking.  I'm hoping he waits until at least 10 months, but he's all ready standing unsupported.  I know everyone says it, but they DO grow up too fast.

And as promised, I caught a video of our him singing himself to sleep.  To the untrained ear, this may sound like crying, but we know this means in less than 2 minutes we have a sleeper.

Tune in next week for some musings on my Pinterest projects (OH BOY) and our day trip to Aberdeen.  Until then, take a moment to count your blessings.  And leave me a comment... remember I don't work Mondays and Fridays so throw me a bone :)

8 Months Old!!!

Time to brag about my baby!!!  If you don't like it, well, I guess why are you reading my blog!

Jordy is 8 months old today, September 8.  I am very upset and tore apart our tiny apartment looking for those damn monthly onesie stickers.  Oh well, guess we won't have an 8 month picture to compare with the rest.  Probably won't have them for 9 month either if they are packed in a box marked "house" that is currently in storage.  And yeah I'm too frugal (read: cheap) to shell out another $12.99 for all new ones!His friend Oliver just welcomed his TWO little sisters into the world today, so he is pretty excited about that!  Some stats:

Diaper size: 3

Clothes size: 9-12 months

Teeth:  SIX going on seven.  YES!  Both 2 upper and lower have popped through, and two incisors on top we can see in the gums and one in lower.  We continue to blame all crankiness and night wakings on them!  Aunt Merideth keeps requesting pictures, but yeah that's impossible.  Guess she'll have to trek north!

Sleeping:  Eh.  Naps somewhat in the crib (thanks to daycare).  45 minute morning nap, hour afternoon nap and 45 minute evening nap.  Starts out in the crib at night but more or less ends up sleeping like a rock when he comes in bed with us. I know, I know....  We've tried crying it out, but that's quite the challenge with Mr. Persistent and when you live in an apartment, don't feel right. When teething, will usually eat once at night. 

 

Other amazing feats: Pulls up to standing, "walks" around with furniture support.  

• Uses signs for "milk" and "eat".  
• Drinks from a sippy cup and eats Gerber puffs.  He is so ready to feed himself but I am just a little on the psycho side and am paranoid about choking.  Maybe at 9 months :) 
• Constantly babbles.  Mostly dadadada.
• Waves bye bye
• Plays pattycake
• "sings" himself to sleep.  Gotta get a video of this!

Here's some videos of cutie pie. :)

Also, lately, much to Justin's dismay, Jordy is starting to prefer Mom.  I think it is just a developmental stage because when he was learning all about playing he was all about Dad.  Now that is teething, when it hurts, he just wants Mom.  I also think bc Justin was gone more working up in Jamestown this past month plus now I'm home with Jordan 3 days a week!  Although Dad for SURE still has the nighttime take-down, and they like to snuggle for naps on the weekend :)

We are trying to find some time when we can get home to Iowa City sometime before Christmas.  Usually we aren't very "homesick", but we hate missing Iowa football and not having any friends in Jamestown has made us want to make the trip!

AND we have to send a BIG Thank you to Grandma and Grandpa for coming up this last weekend to help us move.  Grandma entertained Jordy while Grandpa Jeff packed the UHaul.... thanks to him EVERYTHING fit.  Grandma Karna also taught us Jordan's new favorite song.  This little wiggler won't stay still for ANYTHING (think: diaper change!) unless we sing him his "Grandma" song!!!  Jordy can't wait to play with you when we move into our NEW house!!!!

When I thought today about how our friend Angie's little boy Oliver smiled for the first time on his 3 month birthday, and how our friend Renee delivered healthy twin baby girls, it occurred to me how lucky any parents are to witness miracles every day.  There is always something to be thankful for.

don't become so busy that you miss your blessings today.

The Move

Well, we did it.  I am SO proud of Justin advancing his career... but I did a lot of dragging my feet before this move, up and until the point I wasn't entirely packed on Moving Day!

Last Friday, our amazing friends/Northern family (even Roncalli family, too) Paul, Kelsie, Sam & Becca threw us a going away party.  It was so much fun getting all together but I think I kept dragging my feet there too... I think I kept them up until well past midnight.  And of course, every time someone left I got choked up.  It was hard saying goodbye to my teaching buddies, and Matt, Maria & Memphis.

Of course, I took virtually no pictures of this spectacular evening, however, did get one gem of our little Wolves Buddies.  Memphis Sevareid (15 months)  Sam Sather (9 years) Jordy (7 months) & Miss Becca (5 years) 

And one final shot of the evening... only a few people will recognize this scene...

 

Can't thank Paul and Kelsie & Matt and Maria for their welcome to Aberdeen, throwing us a baby shower, helping out with Jordy at a moments notice, and being some of our favorite people to work with, too.  As we left the Sathers that night, Justin commented that he will miss Sam & Becca because they are such great kids!  Great kids come from great parents I guess!  We also said goodbye to the Sevys... Justin's office buddy for 2 years and thank God Maria had Memphis in time to hand down some maternity clothes:)

 

Of course I would be remiss to say that another person that became part of our family is our daycare provider, Linda.  She loved Jordy and we call her his Aberdeen grandma.  One night when we picked him up her husband, Dale, commented how much he enjoyed seeing Jordan and that "his eyes are always smiling."  I think that is a perfect description of our little boy.  Even though I miss him when I'm at work, I always knew he was in loving hands.  Here is our little guy with one of his favorite people!!!

 

We will miss Aberdeen and the wonderful people we met there.  I keep telling myself "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened!"

In other baby news, someone is pulling himself up to standing and 'walking' around with hands supported.  Uh oh!!!!!!!!!

Here he is in our new apartment in Jamestown, not a huge fan of our new baby gates:

And a video of him waiting for bath.  He LOVES baths!!! 

Until next time ... Don't get too busy that you miss your blessings of today!!!

"What about your job???"

In the crazy past 2 weeks, I've had to address this question a lot:  What about your job?!

That is a great question.  I love my job!!!  The people I work with are outstanding, I like being a principal just as much (if not more...) than being a teacher, and I really will miss the kids so much!  I get a million hugs a day from 3 and 4 year olds (and so did Jordan when he was on the inside) and man do they say funny things.  I could have devoted a blog to that!

I will also say that working for a Catholic school really helped our family grow in our faith.  We both learned a lot and definitely had an impact on our relationship with each other, with Jordan, and with God.  So for that, we are thankful as well.

Yes, it is hard to leave.  It is an amazing opportunity for my professional career to be principal.  Plus I had incredible mentors and superb teachers to work with.  The parents are generous and the students are awesome!

As a family, we made the decision long ago, before we were married, that we wanted to follow Justin's career.  We discussed and decided that we accept 100% the crazy changes that come along with pursuing college coaching.  I know that I served a purpose at Roncalli but family comes first.  What a good problem to have that we are leaving a place and a school that we both love so much!
Here is a picture of me with the kids at the end of year assembly.  These kids had perfect attendance!

Aren't they cute????

And I have accepted a position in Jamestown at St. John's Academy/St. James parish as the Elementary and Sacremental Coordinator.  I will work 2 days a week and Wednesday evenings with CCD and the other days I get to do my most important job-- being Jordan's mommy!  oh... and traveling to basketball games of course! I am excited for my new adventure in a new town with a new job!!!

Oh... and here's a picture of the baby :)

Don't be too busy that you miss the blessings of today.

Where do I start???

Well Megan Mohr, you're right!  I am going to have to blog more than once a month.  Too many things to share.  The last time I blogged, Jordan and I had just arrived in Iowa (Justin dropped us off and went to recruit in Milwaukee).  We spent some great times with Natalie, Jason, Cadence & Owen and then Megan, Scott and baby Briggs before heading to Cedar Falls.  We were in Cedar Falls for the wedding of one of my dearest friends little miss Karlie to  the amazing man she met in New York~ husband Paul.  It was a gorgeous wedding complete with a Venetian desert hour.  

Then it was on to Iowa City for Abby's wedding to Brent the next weekend.  Another beautiful wedding that went off without a hitch!  We danced the night away while Natty & Greg took great care of Jordy.  He, of course, was a bit of bear at nighttime-- glad we could give this young couple a true picture of parenting!  One of my dear friends Renee took amazing 6 month portraits of Jordy and she also did an amazing job photographing Abby & Brent's wedding -- all while 30 weeks pregnant with twins :) If you need a great photographer, check out DoubleTake Photography.

We then returned home to Aberdeen and Jordy was GREAT in the car.  After a rough 2 weeks of waking multiple times a night, he slept through the night that Sunday night.  I guess he was tired, too!  Then Justin left again to head to Kansas City to recruit.  Luckily my cousin Christopher and his family let him crash at their place, so he enjoyed visiting family and playing with their two little ones, Hayden and Harper.  Meanwhile I was holding down the fort and trying to keep Jordan from crawling the first time while Daddy was away.

Justin's long drive from Kansas City to Aberdeen (10+ hours) was made even longer when he received heartbreaking news that his friend and colleague Coach Brad Bigler & his family were involved in a car accident the night before.  Brad is the head coach at Southwest Minnesota State which is in NSU's conference.  Brad was in ICU and the family lost their 5 month old son in the accident.  Justin and Coach Bigler had quite the connection as Jordy and Drake were both born on home game nights just a month apart.  My heart hurts for them and pray that their memories comfort them.

Meanwhile.... another head coach at a different school had resigned and taken a different position.  I'll try to fill you all in on the crazy timeline! 

Wednesday, July 25:  Coach at Jamestown resigns
Friday, July 27: Athletic Director at Jamestown calls Justin and asks him to interview on Monday (he talks it over with Coach Sather, an incredible mentor for Justin, who encourages him to give it a shot)
Monday, July 30:  Justin interviews at Jamestown College
Wednesday, Aug 1: Justin was offered the job!!!!!
Friday, Aug 3: Justin's first day of work at Jamestown College
Monday, Aug 6: Justin's press conference and introduction

We do apologize for anyone that had to find out via facebook or twitter, but everything happened SO fast, we were waiting out of respect to the other candidates who had not heard back yet, and we knew it was going to press so I decided to post it before having the opportunity to call very many people.  I did sneakily catch Justin's press conference on my phone.  I am a proud wife!!!!

In addition to visiting his cousins and his buddy Briggs, Jordy got to finally meet his future teammates Jace Haluska and Greyer Brunner.  Jace is 3 months older and Greyer 2 weeks older!

In other breaking news, our 7 month old is now a crawler!  He did wait for Daddy to get home!!! 

We love this little nugget so much and he brings us joy every day.  

Until next time (which will be sooner!), 
Don't become so busy that you miss the blessings of today.