Maternity leave is over.

After 10 weeks of barely leaving the house, I finally decided to get back into the real world. I enrolled Sully in a music class, joined weight watchers, and got back to the gym. These activities get me out of the house three mornings a week. I had (and still have) a small amount of anxiety leaving the house with two kids who are so young and so close in age, but I am also starting to go stir crazy. It turns out, I am completely capable. Yes, it is difficult when I park up against a snow bank and need to figure out how to get Sully out while carrying Greta in the infant carrier, and yes, it is frustrating when I get them both out, put Sully down and have him race toward the street. I was at the fitness center last week when I let go of Sully's hand and he bolted before I could get Greta in the car. For a split second I didn't know what to do, put Greta on the ground (keep in mind it was about 10 degrees that day) and chase him, or put her in the car and then case him? Decisions decisions :).

I am also going back to work in a few days, which will be nice. Dave is going to be on vacation, so he will be home with the kids. Im excited to get back to my coworkers and to have some adult time.

Greta will be 11 weeks tomorrow and she finally started to nap in her crib (today). She did great. Turns out Im the one holding back, not her. Now if we could just get the nights down...maybe tonight? Maybe not. ;).

I have had a lot of fun taking photos of the two of them. It is fun to snap a photo when I can catch them both looking (and holding still). Im still working on two smiles...hopefully soon.

Greta girl cozy in her crib.

Daily FaceTime with daddy. 

Cabin Fever

Brrr, its cold outside. The first week of January has brought a heck of a cold snap and we have done our best to avoid cabin fever with our two little ones. Dave was on Friday Sunday call this weekend so we did our best to maximize our time together on Saturday. We spent the morning at the Butterfly house, went for lunch and then came home for naps. Sullivan loved it. He ran around pointing giggling at all of the butterflies in the air. What a great spot on such a cold day.

Greta turned two months old on Sunday and we had her 2 month check up this morning. We are happy to report that everything is right on track. She weighs 10lbs and 12oz (46th percentile), is 22.5 inches long (58th percentile) and her head circumference is 15.5 inches (69th percentile).

Greta is more and more interactive these days, smiling and starting to coo. She is a decent sleeper, she even had two nights this week with only one wake during the night. She is still in bed with us (I know, its a no no, but like everything else, it works for us for now) so I hardly mind when she does need to feed. I feel like I have put in my newborn time and we are starting to get some fun feedback from her.

Sully is still wild. We are working on words and have had a few new ones, he even said "Hi Daddy," although we are the only ones who could probably make out that that is what he was saying. I mentioned it to my pediatrician this morning who is pretty confident that he will be on the right track. He did say that sometimes a new baby can cause that sort of regression which is probably the reassurance I needed since Sully had a few words several months ago that he refuses to use now. Its always something.

A bit timid around the sting rays. 

Sweet Greta.

Sully at the butterfly house. 

A butterfly finding a spot on Greta's head. 

Post call and post doctors appointment naps.  

Greta and Sully. 

2013 in review.

My heart is flooded with emotions when I think back on 2013. What a year it is been. I think it is safe to say the biggest surprise was our little Greta. While I had hoped we would keep the kids coming, I never anticipated that it would have happened so fast. I cant believe I put in another 9 months of being pregnant, and then had a baby girl. I was prepared for a boy, but am so thrilled with a girl. She is so sweet. I was anxious about having them so close in age, but as I reflect on life since Greta's arrival, I realize we are doing it. We are 8 weeks in (today) and loving life with two kids.

Sullivan had a year of firsts; firsts steps, first words, first ice cream, first melt down, you get the point. It is safe to say he melts both of our hearts. He has come around to having a sister, offering her a blanket whenever she cries, but then trying to pull it out from under her when she sleeps. He runs around this house while yelling and giggling. When I think of him I instantly think of his expressive little eyes. I cant believe the joy he brings to both Dave and I.

Moving homes took the place of traveling this year, although we did manage to get a couple of trips in. Leaving our little house on 6th Avenue was very bittersweet. We have so many great memories there, but we both agreed it was time to move on. The move into our new home couldn't have come at a better time. It is great to stretch out and enjoy the extra space. We feel so good in our new home and look forward to the memories we will create here. 

We are so grateful for friends, family, and each other. We are lucky to have one another and are reminded to hold each other close. We are looking forward to new beginnings, new firsts, and more of each other in 2014. 

Smiles for daddy. 

Sweet Sully.

Sully and daddy playing in the snow.

Greta 8 weeks and Sullivan 19 months. 

Greta girl gets baptized.

Greta was baptized yesterday at Westminster Presbyterian with Pastor Val presiding. It was a cold day with a high of -3, so needless to say, the congregation was about half full. As always, Val's sermon was touching, it focused on the need to celebrate and protect our children. Just as she started, Greta gave a quick cry and Val said, "yes Greta, we are talking about you." The congregation loved it. Sullivan was busy, he stood with us at the front during the ceremony, chomping on gummies and begging to splash in the baptismal waters. What a character.

Great wore a baptism gown which my mom had made for my sister Liz when she was baptized. It was about 4 feet long and the detail was amazing. It is great to be able to use an heirloom for this type of occasion. I know that when we tell Greta about her baptism when she is a little girl, she will love to hear all about it and see photos of herself in this adorable little number.

We chose Lauren and Elliot as Greta's sponsors. They were so flattered. They will be excellent role models for our kids. We have no doubt that they will have a constant presence in both Greta and Sullivan's life.

We had brunch here following the service which was really nice. There were about 20 of us. We had plenty of food and a fire in the fireplace. This house is so perfect for us, we love it more and more everyday.

Greta's gown.

Sullivan gets a quick feel. 

Greta with her Godparents. 

Jesus loves Greta. 

Christmas 2013

Christmas this year was great. Sully is almost the right age to love opening gifts. He had some practice at the Connelly Christmas party, so by the end of it, he loved unwrapping things. 

On Christmas Eve morning Dave went to the cemetery with his nieces and nephews and Sully to honor his sister Julie. This year marked the 10th anniversary of her death. Dave said they had a really meaningful gathering, which was very special to him. Grandma Helen, Greta and I joined them here for  a light lunch and a few gifts after the cemetery. Dave and I then took the kids to church at 5:30 which was entertaining as there was no nursery for Sully. We spent the entire service in the back, one parent with each kid. Oh well, it was still nice to be there. After that we went to a small gathering at my brother's house. It was a full, but good day.

Everyone slept in on Christmas morning thanks to a late night the night before. Dave and I were both excited for Sully to get up to see what Santa had brought him. Sully didn't let us down. He loved opening all of the gifts. We had lunch here and prepped for Dave's family to come over on Christmas night. We all enjoyed good food, wine, a roaring fire in the fireplace, and a game. 

I put a little extra love, care and effort in to all of my planning this year. With the pain of the loss of Dave Winters and Julie, I find it necessary to focus on the great people in my life. We are lucky to be surrounded by family and friends, so it is important to me to make them feel extra special when they are in my presence. 

Christmas Eve, Greta is over it :).

Sharing his new car with his little sister. 

Helping mama clean the potatoes. 

Christmas dessert made by daddy and Sully. 

Having fun with Christmas toys. 

Greta joined in, too.  

Sweet Greta.

Greta, 7 weeks. Sully, almost 19 months. 

St. Louis

Greta and I went to St. Louis the week before Christmas. We stayed with Stacy and her kids and had a really nice stay. It was so good to see her in her surroundings and to know she is doing ok. It was also nice to get know her kids on a more personal level. I wish I could do that with each of my friends spontaneously rather than do it because of a tragedy.

Our days were filled mostly with chatting, some laughing, some tears, and a ton of food. There is no shortage of people sending food love her way. Between meals, muffins, and Christmas goodies, I think I was always full. We spent some time at her parents' house. Her mom is so accommodating, and has just wrapped Stacy and the kids up in a huge hug 100% of the time. We stopped over there for lunch one afternoon and when we were finished, her mom walked Greta and I downstairs and tucked us in for a nap. It is amazing to be told to take a nap. It is really incredible how her mom, dad, and brothers have stepped to take care of her. Wether it is reading to the kids, babysitting, laundry, yard care, Christmas light hanging, you name it, they are covering it.

Dave stayed home with Sully and they had a difficult few days. Sullivan came down with the stomach flu, which actually hung around for 4+ long days. Dave's hopes of outings and the fitness center were completely dashed because of it. Sullivan was so unconsolable after his nap on Friday afternoon that Dave actually took him into the ER in fear something worse was going on. Fortunately, Sully perked up upon their arrival, so after a couple of easy tests they were discharged. Dave gets the 'dad of the year' award for allowing me to be there for Stacy with no hesitation.

My frequent flier, relaxing on the plane. 

Tommy and Greta.

Sam babysitting for Greta.

Sam and Greta.

The three kiddos.

Meanwhile, back in Sioux Falls...

Connelly family Christmas

We celebrated Christmas yesterday with my family as the Olivers will be in AZ this year over the actual day. We changed it up a bit and did a brunch/lunch rather than an evening event. It was really nice. The kids had a great time playing with their new toys, Sullivan almost got the concept, and Greta slept through the whole thing. We were also able to take a family photo this year, which turned out great. Hard to believe there are 20 of us.

Greta Girl. 

Grandma Banana and Sophia .

Uncle Al and Greta. 

Sully and Daddy (don't worry, Sully got a
haircut today ;).

Sully 

Isaac helping Sully with his gift. 

Owen and Hudson.

Anna and Mandy. 

Grandma and Greta. 

Grandpa and Cappy. 

Dave, Greta, Matt, Suzie, Sully, Liz, Shelley, Sam, Maggie, Jeff,
Sophia, Owen, Mandy, Alex, Mary, Cappy, Isaac, Hudson, Paul, and Anna.
Christmas 2013