April 5

At noon today, I asked Luke if he would like a sandwich for lunch. "No." "Well, what would you like?" "Bread!" "Would you like anything on your bread?" "Ummm... Jelly!"
But he didn't want a sandwich for lunch...

March 6

I meant to update here a few days ago, but I've been rather busy.
Brendan told us a few nights ago at dinner that when he gets very, very bigger he is going to be a pastor.
Nicklas had his two-month check-up yesterday. He weighs 12 pounds, 4 ounces and is 23 1/2 inches long!
We traveled to Wisconsin last weekend to attend a friend's wedding. Brendan is still talking about "the party."

February 24

Since we've all been pretty sick this week, nothing too exciting has happened. Luke fell and bumped his head once while I was nursing Nicklas, so Brendan ran and got the "green stuff" (Burt's Bee's Rescue Ointment) and put some on Luke's hurt. That was pretty cute. Also, Brendan has a new word. Boogity, boogity, boogity! That's what Daryll Waltrip yells at the beginning of every NASCAR race and now Brendan says it too. It's really kinda funny to listen to him try to say that.

February 17

Monday-
My Birthday! Michael gave me a baby playmat that I've wanted since Luke was born. I love it; it's so cute and nice. Michael's parents gave me a gift card to JoAnn's - thank you so much.
Brendan was looking through the Oompa Toy Catalog and saw a picture of a set of blocks he has. He immediately ran to get his blocks and arranged them just the way they were in the picture.
Wednesday-
Papa's Birthday! I went into the kitchen this evening, shortly before the boys' bedtime to find Luke stretching as tall as he could trying to reach a package of cookies on the counter. When he saw me, he brightened up and said, "Mama, up pease! Key-key! (cookie)" He apparently thought that I would pick him up to get a cookie 15 minutes before bed.
Thursday-
This morning, Michael got up with the boys and let me sleep just a bit longer. He helped them make Valentines for me. Once they were made though, they weren't going to let me get any more sleep. They ran in to give them to me; they were so proud of themselves! It was quite sweet.
Friday-
I came down with the nasty cold that the boys have been fighting. Yuck! Brendan kept unbuttoning the bottom two buttons on his shirt today. About the fourth or fifth time, I asked him why he was doing that. "Ummm..." "Are you unbuttoning your shirt because you're silly?" "No, ummm... I unbutton my shirt 'cause... I HANDSOME!" Oh dear, I think I'm in trouble here.

February 10

Nicklas is growing so fast! He had his one-month checkup this past week and weighed in at 10 1/2 pounds! That's almost four pounds gained since birth, almost a pound per week! He's a sweet and happy baby, believes he should always be held, and sleeps well most of the time. He just started giving real smiles yesterday. He also enjoys being gently bounced.
Luke is very sweet with Nicklas. This past week, during lunch one day he ran off to the living room where Nicklas was beginning to fuss a little on his blanket. When he came back a moment later I peeked into the living room to check on Nicklas myself; Luke had just propped a book open next to Nicklas for him to look at! I also saw him "reading" to Nicklas one evening this week. He had his own colors book and he was showing it to Nicklas and telling him the colors and what the pictures were. So adorable!
I've been busy working on their godfather's ordination stole recently. The other day, while I was working, I heard Brendan behind me, telling Luke that he was making him a stole. I looked, and there was Brendan, sitting on the ottoman, with my tape measure stretched out in front of him, pretending to weave a stole for Luke.
Also this week, Brendan told Elizabeth Richert that he loves her.

January 30

Nicklas is doing great. He sleeps well, eats well and is growing so fast! He's already over 9 1/2 pounds - he was only 6 pounds, 11 ounces when he was born! I've had to put away all the newborn clothes already (sniff, sniff). He's very cuddly, he would be quite content to be held all day. As a matter-of-fact, he's napping in my lap as I type this. I'm getting pretty good at doing quite a lot of stuff while holding him.
Luke got a haircut the other night. I had only wanted to trim the back, that was the only part that was too long. But he wasn't going to sit still for that, so I had to get out the clipper. He didn't sit still for that either, but at least there wasn't so much risk of me snipping him that way. I cut it with the longest comb, but it's still so much shorter than I'm used to! He looks very handsome and his eyes look huge now. He also looks older, more like the almost-two-year-old he is. Last night, he told me that he was an animal. Not any specific type of animal, just an animal. I was informed that the animal wanted a kiss.
Brendan is learning to dress himself. He can do everything except buttons, snaps, and socks. But it still saves me a lot of time. He does everything he can while I get Luke dressed and then I just help him finish up. He's got quite an imagination. He's starting to create conversations between his toys.

January 23

I was informed by Brendan this morning that Luke is a soccer monster (it's from Backyardigans) and he, Brendan, is a Packer. He then proceeded to run around the house with his little toy football and make touchdowns. This involved him spiking the ball and yelling "touchdown!" He had to be told not to make any touchdowns by Nicklas' head, though. I think he made about twenty touchdowns or so; the Packers probably could have used him the other night!

January 22

A few minutes ago, I was holding Nicklas and burping him when Brendan climbed up next to me and, very quietly, sang "Jesus Loves Me" to Nicklas. He sang through the entire first verse! I was quite impressed as he usually only sings the refrain.