Updates

We had a doctor's appointment today. Brendan is now 31 pounds and almost 36 inches. I knew he'd had a growth spurt recently, but I hadn't realized he'd grown 3 inches! Luke is 11 pounds 9 ounces - almost 5 pounds more than his birth weight! He's also grown 2 inches. He's now 23 inches long. Brendan did really well. At the past several appointments, both his and mine, he's started screaming as soon as Dr. Tallon walked into the room. This time he actually smiled at her. And while he was pretty upset that she wanted to look in his ears, he was quite happy to show her that he knew where his belly button was. Luke spent much of the time sleeping.

This is a picture from the other day. Brendan just loves Luke! Ok, so he gets a little impatient sometimes when he wants my attention and I need to take care of Luke, but really he's doing great as a big brother.


Here's a picture of Brendan's new haircut. I finally cut it on Saturday afternoon. That was quite the adventure! It still needs to be neatened up a bit, but I'll probably wait until this coming Saturday before I try anything more. There's only so much trauma that child can endure...

My brother is engaged! He and his fiancee, Penny, are getting married on December 30! Michael will be doing the readings, I will be matron-of-honor, Brendan is going to be a miniature groom (I can't wait to see him in a little tux!), and Luke will just be his adorable little self.
I think that's enough updating for tonight, it's getting pretty late.

Vicarage Placement

By now, I think most of our readers know that Michael was placed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Chester, IL.
While it is a MUCH smaller town than either of us are used to, we are both very much looking forward to it. The vicarage itself seems wonderful and the town looks lovely and (I think) quite interesting. We are very excited about the year we will spend there.

What a pious little boy...

So Brendan's new word is "amen". He pronounces it "AHHHH-main". He says it quite often, too. Sometimes even at the end of prayers. Sometimes during quiet parts of church services. Mostly just at completely random moments throughout the day. And usually many, many times in a row.
He learned to fold his hands a few days ago. I was really impressed with that as we had never even tried to show him how to do that. I happened to glance at him during bedtime prayers a few nights ago and he had his hands folded. As soon as he saw I was looking, he stopped. But since then he folds his hands at least at the beginning of every prayer.

More!

Today I taught Brendan the sign for 'more'. Actually, I started teaching it to him yesterday and he caught on today. He's incredibly proud of himself. Every time he did it he started clapping!

Here we come Platteville, Wisconsin!

Apostles Lutheran Church, Platteville, Wisconsin, Here we come!

The week before vicarage assignments, the outbound vicars get together at the seminary and throw darts at a map of the United States. This is done to "tell the vicarage/placement office where you want to go". There is a competition to see who is the closest to their assignment and who is the furthest from their assignment. It's all fun and games, nothing serious. My dart landed on Platteville, Wisconsin. We'll see on Tuesday night how close (or far) I am from my actual assignment.

A very helpful big brother!

Brendan has been quite "helpful" of late. Besides trying to help change Luke's diapers by tugging on the buttons of his shirt and then wiping him down (clothes and everything) with baby wipes. Yesterday, he took an empty water bottle (one of Brendan's favorite toys) and was holding it up to Luke's mouth so that he could take a drink. He also took one of his toy cups and a fork that he had taken from the dinner table and pretended to feed Luke whatever was in the toy cup. It was cute because he even made sure to scrape it out like Mama and Daddy do when they feed Brendan something. Today, he also took turns talking on the mouse with Luke. Brendan talked for a bit then put it next to Luke's ear, then back and forth.


When Luke is fussy, one of us will try to offer him our pinky to suck on, since he doesn't take a nuk. Today, Kira got this picture of Brendan helping to calm Luke down by offering Luke a taste of a Brendan finger.


Here is a different angle, but it looks slightly more violent to me. For some reason the other one looks much more gentle and this one looks like Brendan is jamming his finger in Luke's mouth (maybe that is what happened).


Brendan has also helped with entertaining Luke by demonstrating the toys for him.

We are still here, tired and everything. We're all looking forward to the vicarage placement service next week. Tomorrow, we have the dart toss to tell the placement office where we want to go. The closest and furthest darts from their placement receive prizes! I would aim for Mongolia, but it's just a map of the US.

Happy Easter! (from michael)

Brendan has been getting more and more helpful lately. Lately, he has been trying to change Luke's diaper. He'll tug on Luke's outfit and then use baby wipes to wipe the outside of the diaper and Luke's tummy. Hopefully, he'll start doing diapers in no time.


Brendan has also been sharing some of his toys. Yesterday, he even shared his mouse with Luke and let him use it as a telephone. Brendan held it up to Luke and then Brendan proceeded to have the conversation for him. It was so adorable!


Kira went to the store on Saturday and picked up a stroller that her mother was getting for us. Brendan really likes it a lot. I'm surprised how much he likes crawling in it and pushing it around. I haven't seen him this excited in a while.


I guess Brendan was hinting that he wants a bunny, or he was feeding his pretend bunny (or pretending to feed the bunnies that live in our yard?). He took his straw cup upside down and kept shaking it a bit so a few drops came out at a time.


Last night, we all went to the Easter Vigil service at church. It started at 7pm and went until about 9pm. I'm not sure how, but Brendan survived it awake (Bedtime is usually just after 7pm). Luke did fine too, but as long as he has Mama, he's fine.


He was very tired when we got him home, until Daddy took off his socks and shoes. He perked up a lot after that (although you can't tell in the picture very well). He seemed to get some of the energy back until bedtime.


Since Mama is under the weather, Brendan split dinner with Daddy. This is a picture of his first pasty. We'll have to record this in his baby book. This is a passage of rite for any quarter-blooded Finn. Hopefully we'll get him his first sauna soon too.
Oh, and don't worry! Although Brendan is full of sisu, we would never impose Lutefisk (a.k.a. lipeäkala) on him.


Luke has been pretty good today. He curled up with Kira a couple of times and I'm sure that helped to cheer her up.



Brendan has rediscovered the baby swing. He climbed up in it today and rocked himself back and forth.


A blessed Eastertide to all! I pray this the day of our Lord's Resurrection would bring you and your's peace.

Happy Easter

I have the flu. Michael has been wonderful though, taking care of the boys for me.
Today Brendan started using a new sign. Change. He's known it for awhile, but today he used it to ask for a diaper change. I was feeding Luke on the couch when Brendan sat down on the changing pad, laid down, pulled his shirt up and looked at me. I asked if he wanted a change and he responded with the sign. Well, his version of the sign. I was sooo proud of him!
If I'm feeling well enough tomorrow, Brendan may be getting his first hair cut. I think I've put it off as long as I can.