Xmas In MN

Once again we got to travel to MN for Christmas. We got stuck an extra day because the roads were bad and we could not head out on Saturday for home. So we took advantage of it and played in the snow. Noah got his first snowmobile ride and ate a ton of cookies. Lydia enjoyed spending time with people and showing off her smiles and giggles. We had the chance to spend some time with the Shaks and Louies, and managed to sneak a lunch in at Za with Cindy and one of Nathan's hockey games. Noah and Eli had many sword and gun fights, Noah and Orion had many disagreements and shoving matches, Ty was wowed by Lydia, and Anika and Aubrey got to be big sisters and cousins to everyone and help out with Lydia and Noah a lot. Harley and Kayla spent a lot of time playing with Noah and running from him because he would try to ride them like horses and cuddle with them, however, by the end Kayla knew she could always con Noah into giving her treats, so they were much better friends. All in all it was an exhausting but very fun time. It is always great to see the cousins together. The adults had fun as well. We had Raab Cousins bowling which may become a tradition. The Rangitsch's had a gift exchange which headed in the usual Rangitsch direction of deer heads and perversion. I think we permanently damaged our Grandparents opinion of us all.

Happy 2nd B-Day Noah

So Different

Lydia at 3 months is a completely different kid than Noah was at 3 months. Noah was always known for his scowl....which he still does on a regular basis. Lydia is going to be known for her laughter. Her first laugh came for Grandma a couple weeks ago. I never remember Noah laughing at this age rather it took him like a year. Lydia on the other hand, she wakes up laughing, sits in a room by herself laughing, looks at us or toys and laughs. She is so stinkin cute!

Sword Dancer

With an almost 2 year old life is always an adventure and first hand comedy show. Noah found his birthday present from Dad early when he ventured out the garage on his own. He likes to hit things with his foam swords but also likes to do his "sword-dance"

Little Ms. Chatterbox

Decorating Helland Style

We began decorating the house last weekend. Noah was busy helping us and everytime we turned around he was trying to climb some sort of ladder. He had fun and loves looking at the lights and screaming 'hi lights' every time he sees them on

Noah was really excited when we let him climb the ladder to help us decorate the tree. Although he liked to put all the bulbs right on top of each other it turned out awesome.

I went to clean up the shedding parts of the tree and garland on the bannister. I was vacuuming and B was putting totes up in the garage. Noah took the attachment to the vacuum and was pretending to vacuum. He disappeared and I turned off the vacuum in time to catch him swinging the attachment at the tree as a baseball bat yelling "ha---yah" with each swing as bulbs were breaking everywhere. After laughing and grabbing the camera to capture this naughty milestone we explained to Noah he was being bad and he said "sorry mommy" and gave me a kiss. How can you not fall in love with that.

Tummy Time

Anything you can do I can do better

There has been some competition in the Helland household lately. The best way to explain it is the lyrics "anything you can do I can do better, anything I can do better than you...no you cant....yes I can yes I can yes I can."

Noah has taken to copying everything he sees people around him doing. Its a friendly reminder of one of our family commandments...thou shall not cuss in front of the very observant and vocal toddler. If Noah sees B or I lounging he puts his hands behind his head and lounges. He can no longer sleep in his car bed because he saw adults sleeping in the other bed in his room. He needs to feed his baby whenever Lydia nurses. However, its not just a grown up thing. He likes to copy Lydia as well. Once I take her out of her glider he jumps in with paci in his mouth. Last night it was the Bumble seat. I took Lydia out and he had to jump in. Im sure it will only be a matter of time that we hear "MOM Noah is copying me....." so for now we will just enjoy it and smile.

Lets hope no dog peed on that snow

Lydia Turns 2 Months

Lydia turned two months a couple weeks ago. Where does the time go? She currently weighs 11 pounds on the nose (40 something percentile) and is a little more than 24.5 inches long (98%). So in the short she is long and skinny. Noah was heavier at this age but Lydia is definately smaller boned and a girl.

What is Lydia Up to These Days:
Smiling
Giggling
Exercising
Holding her Head up Strong
Loving Tummy Time

Mom Turns 30

On November 7 I turned 30! I didnt have a crisis like most. Instead at 10.30 that morning the doorbell rang and it was my mom with a bow on her head. She was able to stay for 5 days and we had a really good time. It was the best gift ever. Noah and Lydia loved her. Lydia's first laugh was for her, which is awesome she got the chance to share the moment. We went out for Sushi with some friends for dinner and then celebrated on Tuesday with a birthday day off from work and a homemade dinner or horseradish crusted filet, home fries, and wine. It was perfect.

October

Well at last check Lydia was a whopping 10 pounds and 6 ounces at 7 weeks. She no longer fits into 0-3 clothes because she is too long. When I last tried to measure her myself she was almost 24 inches long. Noah is doing well and is getting in the last of his baby teeth. He enjoys being the big brother and helping us. His most recent interest is the potty and underwear. Sometimes he does really well and others not so much. Ive caught him standing over a toy bucket grunting trying to make himself go, but not much action. I have survived going back to work thus far but often wonder if Im in the right profession. Brian tells me I need to just focus and settle down on one career. I dont think that I will ever be happy not learning and being a life time student. Here are some pictures of the last month.

Noah Helping Give Lydia a Bath



Feeding Babies



Milk....it does a body good

Halloween

Pumpkin Patch

A Helland Family Day Trip to Fox Run Park

America the Beautiful Park

Not a Tomboy

When we got home from MN there was a package waiting for Ms. Lydia. It was from my friend Colleen. I opened it and this is what the card read:

Hi Lydia! I'm going to do everything I can to make sure your mom doesn't turn you into a big tomboy! Colleen

Inside the package were a pair of shoes. They are called "Heelarious" and I about died laughing. Here is Ms. Lydia modeling them.

MN Visit

Last week we packed up the Vue and the kids and drove out to MN to visit Jen's family. We had a good time visiting with family and friends. Thank you to all those who ventured out to see us and to those of you we missed we hope to see you next time we are in town. Our next trip back is planned for Christmas.

A True Toddler Boy

The life of a toddler boy. The other day I gave Noah his dinner, hot dog, carrots and grapes and went to feed Lydia. I was on the couch and could not see him over the pile of laundry I had folded. He started to tell me he was done so I got up to clean him up. He had eaten maybe one piece of hotdog and used the rest of the ketchup to paint his body. The previous day his friend Elijah came over to play. Both of the boys wanted a snack but didnt want to share. They ended up trading snacks and very quickly disappeared. We went to follow them and found them in the bathroom snacking. Im sure within minutes they would have been playing with their favorite toy together....toilet water.

Lydia and Baby Noah

Lydia had her first play date with Noah, my friend Heike's little boy. Noah was born the day after Lydia and was much bigger. He likes to scrunch up all tiny, while Lydia likes to stretch out and show off her legs.

Three Weeks

Its been three weeks since Lydia was born. The doctor still wants her on oxygen and she will be tested yet again tomorrow to see if she can get off of it. We believe the machine was not working properly, because it would get a bad reading every time she moved. We are hoping for the all clear after tomorrow so we can get all the equipment out of our house. We have been busy cleaning the house and getting into a normal routine and just being a family. Adjusting from one to two kids is harder than I ever imagined but we are coping with the help of Starbucks. Lydia's room is almost done. I never imagined I would have a pinkish/purple room for my girl (honestly I never thought I would have a girl) but her room is pinkish/purple with gray and white. We may add some minty green accents, and Brian has yet to cut out the famous Helland Kid Room circles and have me paint them, but it will all get done in time. Noah is adjusting to having a little sister as well as an almost 2 year old can. He brings us much laughter and frustration every day. Today he got apple cider vinegar in his mouth for his high pitched tempter tantrum screaming. He looked at us shocked and tried screaming again. After another bit of vinegar and a funny look at us, he asked for some water and even said please. Lydia is growing fast, I told Brian today I want to turn back time to three weeks ago so I can spend more time with her and enjoy her being tiny. We weighed her on a baby scale yesterday and my 6 pound 9 ounce 41 week baby weighed exactly 9 pounds. Not bad for only three weeks. Her face is changing and her hair has stopped getting lighter so she may be a brunette after all. We are taking our first road trip to MN at the end of this week to meet family and friends there. Brian and I went to Target and got so much junky snack food to keep Noah busy during the 14 hour car ride it was disgusting. We also invested in a portable DVD player that attaches to the back of the seat in the car so we can fill him full of animated junk on the way. I will be returning to work on the 19th. Too soon for me but its what I need to do. I have asked that Lydia be able to come with for another 6 weeks for half the day. They are looking into it and should let me know before then. We will post more pictures soon.

Noah Doing What He Does Best - Making Us Laugh

Lydia After the NICU

Lydia had a check up yesterday. The doctor is not worried about her at all. She has gained over half a pound and one inch since birth despite not feeling well. We are trying to get the people out here to check her to see if she still needs the oxygen but we have not received any information as to when they will show despite my numerous calls a day.

Lydia's Stats

Birth Weight: 6 lbs 9 oz One and Half Weeks: 7 lbs 3.5 oz
Birth Length: 20.5 inches One and Half Weeks: 21.5 inches

We Haven't Forgotten About Our First Born

Say Cheese





Rib Eater












Cleaning House Just Like Grandma






Peeking Out My Door When Im Supposed to Be In Bed and Asleep