And then there were two.

The family Sand of Altoona welcomed Connor Evan Sand on Monday June 17, 2013.  He weighed in at a whopping 8 lbs 0.8 oz (yes that is nearly 1 oz, God forbid they fudged it up to 1 oz.  For the record he was nearly 2 lbs heavier than Lea, not that it's a competition).  The boy loves to eat, sleep, fight invisible monsters and cuddle with his mother--which incidentally are his current pastimes.  

We arrived at home on Wednesday and things have been going well.  I was told that the second one is easier than the first.  Which I would have to agree.  (Knocking one every piece of wood within arms reach)  Connor sleeps at night until his feedings.  He's already adjusted to his bed.  Kate and I are far more rested than we were with Lea at this time.  He isn't fussy, and as said before, he enjoys cuddling.  A whole lot of cuddling.  Now comparing him with Lea at this time is a bit unfair.  Lea was busy from the moment she was born and hasn't really stopped.  More on the budding relationship between Connor and his sister later.

As for fighting invisible monsters, when Connor wakes up hungry his arms and legs begin to flail in a hilarious haphazard manner.  Personally, I image that he's protecting the house for a band of hungry monsters (Orcs or goblins, not sure which).  

Connor and Kate, moments after the birth.  Which, was incredible.  Kate began having contractions at 5:25 am on Monday, which happened to be when her alarm goes off to get ready for work.  She proceeded to get ready for work as the norm.  Shower, hair, make up, breakfast, etc.  Then around 6:15 she decided the contractions were happening a little close for comfort.  She called the docs, I showered and walked Lea to daycare, and then we jumped in the car and headed out.  We checked into the hospital at 7:00ish.  By 7:30 Kate was 5 cm dilated.  We were into the room by 8am, by 8:30 she was 9 cm dilated.  During all this she was informed that she was progressing too quickly and there would be no chance for an epidural.  Delivery started at 9:10, and Connor was introduced to the world, in what I believe is some sort of land-speed record, at 9:23.  Watching Kate go through a natural birth, not by choice, firmly cements in my mind that she is the toughest person I know.  That and I'm glad I'm a boy.

Baby Connor day one.  He peed on a nurse five minutes after being born and immediately wanted to eat.  So proud.

Connor and I.  Hoping the rest of his life is as easy as the first day. 

Connor hanging out with his cousin Charlotte (who happens to be 6 days older than him), Grandpa and Grandma Evans.

Connor with Grandpa and Grandma Sand.

Connor with cousin Charlotte, Grandpa Evans and Uncle Luke. (Yes Luke is Charlotte's poppa)

Connor with his Aunt Joy.  By the way, we are very thankful to Chris and Joy who were able to take care of Lea when Connor was born and in the hospital.  Lea was very happy to hangout with her Aunt and Uncle.  She even asked the first night we were at home, "Where's Chris and Joy?"

Uncle Chris and Connor. (and Joy back there)

Connor and I. 

Connor ready for his first car ride.  Kate and I were far less terrified leaving the hospital this go around. 

Attempt at a picture of Lea and Connor.  Chris was able to bring Lea to the hospital the day after Connor was born.  Lea recognized that baby brother had been born and in five minutes she was ready to go to a park with Uncle Chris. It has gotten better. 

Second attempt at getting a picture of Lea and Connor.  Notice that Lea is blurry.  Most of her picture are like this nowadays.  She keeps stretching out and doesn't stop moving unless she is asleep.

Connor looking slightly inebriated.  Ready for a milk coma.

Lea petting her baby brother.  Lea had a shift after the first day in which she not only recognized Connor's right to exist, but she claims to love baby brother and occasionally states he's her best friend (Which isn't saying much.  The dishes from Beauty and the Beast are her best friends. Reagan at daycare is her best friend. Mommy is her best friend.   Trevin is her best friend. Cinderella is her best friend.  Sophia the First is her best friend.  Seeing a pattern?)  She likes to say hi to baby brother when she wakes up, at least the last two mornings that is.  She also was looking for him when I picked her up from daycare yesterday.  Yes we are cheating be taking Lea to daycare in order to not have an insane household while Connor is a few days old.  

Lea has also taken to teaching Kate and I how to take care of Connor.  Here Lea is giving a lesson of how to properly pet Connor's head.  She also insists on rocking Connor herself, giving him his pacifier even if he doesn't want it, teaching him tricks (not sure on this one, she was grabbing Connor's hands while he was sleeping.  When I asked her to stop, she replied "But Dadddddd, I'm teaching him tricks."  I'm so dumb).

Lea and Kingdom of the Crystal Totino's

Dusting off the old blog in order to update some monumental achievements in the life of Lea (thus because I'm living vicariously through her, there my achievements as well). There will also be a video section of this post as well.  There are several videos I would post but only three made the cut.  I assume no one cares about the videos from 6 months ago.  If you do, I'll show you on my iphone.  Come find me, I live in Altoona, IA.  Ask for Steve.

Happy fun news first.  Katy is caring another spawn of ours.  This one is going to be a boy.  Lea is willing, begrudgingly, to share her crib with him.  I'm not sure she really understands what is going to happen in the middle of June.  If you have boy names, we are open to suggestions.  Baby-brother, baby boy Sand, and Atticus are the front runners.

First off Lea had a series of Christmases that lasted 3 weeks. Yes. It was nearly a month of Christmases.  I'm done with Christmas.  We could skip it next year.  Lea won't know.  Like she can decipher a calendar.  I can barely decipher a calendar.  In this time we traveled to no less than 6 states (Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia) (I am counting North Carolina even though we only spent time in the airport).  We flew on a plane with Lea for the first time.  (She still insists on going on an airplane about four times a week.  We just agree with her, not worth the argument)  Lea experienced her first layover.  We spent an extra three hours in the Charlotte Airport.  The short story is as follows: plane was supposed to take off before 10 pm, and it actually took off close to 1 am.  Awesome.  Lea saw the Atlantic Ocean for the first time.  We played with lots of cousins on both side.  If I would have blogged earlier I would be more detailed.  I'm lazy, you should know that by now.

Lea also had a birthday--which also lasted three weeks.  The short is, again: Evans family first weekend, little kids party second weekend, and Sand family third weekend.  She now wakes up each morning disappointed because there are no new presents for her.  Hoping she gets used to disappointment.

We, as a family unit, have made the bold decision to start potty training.  Lea was not on bored with this idea initially.  Actually I still don't think Lea is on board with the idea but we're rolling with it anyways. This led to a fun exchange the other day between Lea's Aunt Joy and me. (I'm approximating the conversation.  Not sure my memory would hold up in court.)

Joy: "How's potty training going?"
Me: "Eh. Some success.  I've learned to lower my expectations.  Once I stopped expecting her to get it right away, I think it's helped."
Joy: "Yeah, because she's three."

So apparently stubborn three year old's who don't like change and won't potty train quickly.  Those of you with miracle children who got "it" right away get to keep your stories to yourself.  It's my blog. (BTW, she just went poop on the potty for the first time.  We had to take a potty break.)

This leads me to the story of the second proudest I've ever been of my daughter.  This was Wednesday or so of this past week.  We had been potty training at home and at daycare for 4 days.  We had yet to get her to go at home after daycare,  but she was having some success at daycare.  Wednesday night rolls around.  We head upstairs to start our bedtime routine.  Drop her on the potty.  She goes! Yea! We treat her like one of Pavlov's dogs, every time she goes in the potty she gets a reward of some chocolate.  Back to the story, she goes! Success!  She gets a treat!  Not five minutes later she asks to go again. And she goes! Another treat! Another success!  Then she spends the next 10 minutes on the potty trying to squeeze out another drop.  Playing the system already.

Finally the capstone story.  The moment I knew Lea was indeed my blood, and to be honest, I couldn't have been prouder at the time.  Kate had a "girls night."  I assume this means she and her friends get together and talk about how much they miss their kids.  Leading them in to a tailspin of mom guilt.  Anyways, I get to cook Lea supper.  She like pizza, so I cook her a Totino's.  For which she eats the entire thing. (Granted she does this over the course of two hours, but it counts!) I immediately text Kate to spread the good news.  Incredible!

Here are some videos followed by some pics of our travels and recent adventures.

I call this video: Lea with a box on her head.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DDYrU7TPdU

In this video we witness Lea's world famous mom impression.  Note the bossiness of her voice and how much she enjoy's sending me to bed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXmP4piD08c

Lea is her Man v Food impression.  This is from today (3/3/13)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHfaM-exvmY

 Lea with her cousin Nicholas in Georgia.

Lea playing in the Atlantic Ocean on Tybee Island, which is outside of Savannah, Georgia.  Her first comment when we got to the beach was "Where's my swim suit."  Apparently she did not care that it was winter.

Lea and cousin Chole pretending to be birds.  They were trying to make friends with the birds in order to play with them.  I may have suggested that they attempt this.  I'm a good parent.

2 am just after landing in Minneapolis.  Original arrival time was 11:50something.

This picture is out of order.  Pretend this was before the previous pic.  Lea on the beach.

Uncle Chris and Aunt Joy got Lea a Cinderella dress for her birthday.  The present has gone over very well.  This is the best picture we've gotten of her wear said dress. 

Lea likes the snow. Kate does not.  Guess who gets to go outside with Lea.

Brainwashing My Child

Saturday, as Nebraska was scoring the winning touchdown against Michigan State, I was jumping up and down cheering like an idiot.  Much to my surprise my child started jumping up and down cheering as well.  She even gave me a hug she was so excited.  I'm pretending that she gives a crap about football.  She did pull herself away from controlling the ipad in order to cheer with her father.  Granted she went right back to the ipad afterwards and I think she forgot the jumping up and down ever happened.  

Oh that reminds me.  Lea has taken over our ipad.  She can work it, find her apps, play her games, watch Disney online, all without any help.  She's claimed it as her own.  Still a little thief.

She's also obsessed with coral.  One of her books has some drawings of coral.  Started out as her being scared of the little drawings.  She would start in on the coral and three pages later she would still be rambling about it.  "What's that?  Coral scary.  Oh nooooo! Coral."   Now the coral is cute and little and sometimes it's baby coral.  Still obsessing.  

Here are some pics from the last few months of not posting on the blog.

Lea enjoying skylab.  Not as much as her Aunt Joy though.

Lea being a monster. Mid-Rowr.

Lea and her best buddy Trevin.  We all went to a pumpkin patch.  Trevin had fun. Lea acted like a two year old.  I am not a fan of two year old behavior.  

This what two year old behavior looks like.

Twist your head in order to read this.  This was my favorite thing from my first round of conferences.

Lea monster. Again.

Lea and the gorillas.  She commented on how cool evolution is. Or she giggled and said, "Monkey!" I didn't have the heart to corrects.  Okay I did correct her, to which she still said, "Monkey!" 

Halloween. Minnie Mouse.  You can imagine how hard it was getting Lea out of this costume.  It was worse than you think.

Tricked Lea into wearing an Adrian Peterson shirt.  (She's just started crying upstairs, I should wrap this up)

You get this picture right? No need to explain.

All very tired today.  We stayed up watching the election results.  Turns out that Ted Nuggent thinks that we're soulless. So we have that going for us. 

News and Notes

The posting I was going to do following the Michigan vacation didn't so much happen as I planned. Lea was able to push bed time throughout summer back to the point in which my motivation had waned.  Thus a short and not exactly comprehensive list of items I was thinking of writing about over the course of the last 5 weeks. (BTW We are watching Dick Tracy. Yes, we are super cool and own the DVD. I don't think I've seen this movie straight through since it was in the theater.  I feel 9 years old again. I really want a Dick Tracy t-shirt now.  The Rocketeer is next on our list.  Is there anything better than intentionally campy early '90s movies. I say no.)

First off a little current event.

Scene: Lea and I downstairs. Lea has a dirty diaper.

Steve: Kate, can you throw down a diaper and wipes.

Diapers and wipes appear as if from no where.

Lea: Mommmmmm! BUTT CREAM!

Steve: Yeah. Send down the butt cream.

End.

In regards to the President Ford Museum and Library in Michigan-

I was thoroughly disappointed that the following clip was not playing as I entered the museum, let alone anywhere for that matter.  Please take the five minutes to watch the whole thing.  Comic gold.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkhwiuRbOEE

First trip to the Altoona Pool (Aquatic Center for you snobs out there).  Women must instinctively know how to lay out.  That's the only explanation for this picture. I refuse to accept any other reasoning.

We went to the pool several times in late July.  She was always mad that we couldn't ride down the big slide.  I was mad too. 

Macaroni and cheese (Easy-Mac style, a staple of my college roommate Adam) is a perfectly acceptable option for breakfast (She's eating reheated Easy-Mac right now, second supper).  Even for Minnie Mouse.  Yes, I had to warm up the Mac and Cheese.  Sit Minnie down, put a bib on her and get her milk.  I wish that one of those were my idea. I can add 'take's orders well' to my resume.

Lea Grace Sand, Class of 2028.

Ducks walked through our yard.  Thought you should know.

This is my rendition of the folks over at the Castle of Van de Walle blog. Kelly has the golf club.  Similar to my works of Aunt Joy and Uncle Chris, all grandparent, as well as Mom and Dad.  Lea misses these people and Magna-doodle is the best technology I have to locate a picture of them.

Foto Fest!

Hi all!  This is Kate...I thought I'd post some of the vacation photos in fear that Steve would forget and in fear that my nagging abilities have slipped lately.  So please take a photo tour of our vacation below:

The view of Silver Beach and Lake Michigan from our hotel:

The great thing about this location was that we were within two blocks of the beach, a playground, fountains to run through, a carousel, two children's museums and an ice cream shop! What more could a two year old want?  

The Beach!

  

The fountain!

Cannon Balls!

 

Museum fun!

The carousel ride!

Steve & I were still able to fit in some nerdy fun as well.  We ran up to the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids.  

Out of State

So I'm attempting to blog via iPad while in the foreign land of Michigan. So on one hand I'm attempting to type with a touch screen, which is interesting. College would have take much longer if I had to type every paper via touch rather than a physical key board. The nice part is apple is checking my spelling automatically. God bless you Steve Jobs where ever you are. So the trip is going better than expected. I honestly thought that we would be driving back the first night. I consider the fact that we've made it over 24 hours a complete success. The drive was easy, for which we have the DVD player to thank. Not sure how people traveled with two year olds before the invention of the portable DVD player. I think I would have left lea in a boarding house or kennel if we didn't have that beautiful piece of technology. We made it to Michigan around 3ish our time, which is 4ish here. Bizarre. Lea was super excited on the way here. We had her chanting 'Michigan' since leaving Altoona. A couple of stops and we landed. We've discovered the locals to be quite friendly. Lea thought swimming was the best thing ever, which is a major step forward from last year. The roughest patch of rough so far was the first night. Going to bed was met with a rounding chorus of "I go home. I go hooooooome." But we made it to sleep, all of us, and she is currently out for a nap after being awake too long and wearing grumpy pants that are a little too tight. I am attempting to drink decaf coffee because it's 4:30 and I don't need more caffeine. Decaf is awful. Until tomorrow.

A Dress, a Boat, the Science Center, and My Toes

Not in that order though.  I'm sorry if I'm a little distracted while writing this post we have The Grey on and I enjoy me some Liam Neeson. Hard to complain about the guy, he's even good in bad movies.  Annnnnnnnnd he just survived a plain crash.  Can't kill this Irishmen.

To the point I suppose.

Let us start with the Science Center.  Not an exciting story to be honest.  We took Lea to the Science Center. She didn't cry. See. I told you it wasn't very exciting.  Kinda surprised you've kept reading.  You must be assuming there's some pictures coming.  You'd be right.  Not of the Science Center though.  We forget things like taking pictures of an excited 2 year old running though several exhibits.  (Why is there an h in exhibits. I always spell it like this exibits. Who pronounces that h by the way? English majors I guess, them and Xzibit ironically enough.  Bonus points for those of you who remember who Xzibit is.)

Lea did have fun at the Science Center.  If I had pictures I would show you her playing in the bubble room. I would paint a word picture, but it's 9 pm on a Sunday and I'm usually sleeping right now.  She also interrupted a presentation in the sky lab, which was fun.  The narrator was telling his story about the universe or something trivial like that, and Lea felt he was not focusing on the "STARRRRss" enough. That lasted about two minutes.

This was our, 'oops we forgot to take a picture, picture.'

There is also a room with an egg drop simulation.  It allowed her to push a button and watch an "egg" go really high in the air and then come crashing down to earth.  With a loud thud.  That was entertaining enough for several minutes.  I learned that it matters what color your egg is.  And pink is the best.

We also visited the snake room.  I know that Aunt Joy is reading this and I know she hates snakes more than Liam Neeson hates terrorists who kidnap his daughter. (Taken. See it. It's fantastic.) (Well I guess they weren't terrorists as much as they were international kidnappers. Terrorists sound more dangerous.)

We shall move to the boat.  A row boat to be exact.  This row boat doesn't actually exist.  It is apart of Lea's ever growing imagination.  She will have Kate, or myself, sit behind her.  She then takes a flag (the kind the grass people stick in your yard after they treat it. Yeah, we're great parents) and rows.  All the while singing her rendition of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat."  Granted those are the only lyrics of the song she knows, so they get sung over and over and over and over.  Funny thing, kids like to do the same thing many times in a row without getting board.  Incredible. I think 2 year old's would be great on an assembly line.  Henry Ford was on to something.

My toes.  Kate was gone.  I was alone with Lea.  We both ended up with our toe nails painted purple.  You can connect the dots yourself.

Squint and you can see I have purple toes.

Removing the evidence. So it was one for a week, we won't talk about that.

The dress.  This just happened today.  Kinda like breaking news.  Kate picked up a couple dresses from Target today.  She was trying one on when Lea brought the other.  She, being Lea, then insisted on wearing the dress not being tried on by Kate.  She, once again being Lea, then wore the dress for about three hours this evening.  It appeared to was dressed up to go out on the night, or, as Kate put it, she was doing a mean Obi Wan Kenobi impression. Or Liam Neeson in Phantom Menace, who was also a Jedi. 

Lea in her evening gown.

Extra Pic's: 

Finally, Kate and I saw the Avengers.  Everything about the Hulk made me happy to be alive.  BTW, people just got eaten by wolves.  Liam Neeson was not one of them.  In the time I posted and moved the pictures, another guy was eaten.  By wolves, of course.  Liam still lives.