Julia's Big Girl Room

It's complete...well, except for curtains, but that's not my department! Julia has been so awesome about giving up her room for her little brother and she is really excited about her new room. Seems my strategy was right on!
We dealt with some minor curve balls, but overall it came together well. I was pleased with the trim. Best part was that we used decorative florets at the joints so that we didn't have to cut any 45 degree angles.The new windows went in without any problems. It's one of those projects that sound really complicated and even scary, but it's really easy! I did them all by myself...no help. It took about 2 hours for me to put three windows in, but that was mostly because of the trim work once they're in.

Without a doubt, Julia's favorite part is bouncing on her new big girl bed. She's growing up so fast! I am truly enjoying this age!!! It's great that she gets offended if you don't let her help with chores...I need to figure out how to make that mentality last into the teens! Here she is helping Mommy sew some curtains.
The other day, I asked Julia "who fixed up your new room?" She responded, "Daddy". I asked if anyone else helped and she said, " Papa, Uncle Louie and Uncle Brent." I was highly impressed with her memory. Yeah...she's probably smarter than me!

Special thanks to Papa, Louie and Brent. A lot of work went into this room and we got it done in good time thanks to all the help we got!

Now...what's the next project?

-Andy

Another Year Passes

It's official...Jules is two! She's on her way to being a little heartbreaker and in preparation, Daddy has been shopping for firearms. I figure I won't buy any bullets. That way I can scare the crap out of boys without being tempted to use it!

She had a doctor's appointment last week and the doc says that she is likely to be tall and slender. So allow me to add this all up...my little girl already has beautiful BIG blue eyes. She's shifting to her mother's darker complexion and she's going to be tall and slender. Maybe I ought to look into bullets too!

I'm kidding (sort of)...but seriously, the last year has been amazing. Literally it feels like she grows everyday in some way. We are spending the weekend this weekend working on potty training. By we I mean Mommy. There are certain things that Daddy really has a tough time with and cleaning up accidents is one of them. Don't know what I'd do without Courtney!

We had another summer BBQ for Julia's birthday last weekend. No ponies, bounce houses or clowns, just lots of friends, family and food. Where I come from, that's how its done. It's just a few hours to come together to celebrate a special little girl's birthday. Plus, I fear setting a ridiculous birthday precedent...don't want to have to top it every year!

It was great to have everyone over and fun to spend a few days with LBJ (Luke, Ben, Julia) reunited. The three of them together emit so much energy that you really should wear sunscreen around them. The best was the early mornings. Benny tossing toys into Julia's crib and all three of them doing their best to get Uncle Andy out of bed.

It was also cool to have Nana and Papa spend some good time with Jules. They definitely don't get to see her enough, but I know that Julia knows them and is always excited to see them.

Last year for her first birthday, I did a post with a top ten list about the previous year. In the interest of starting a tradition, here's my top ten list of year two experiences and happenings:

1. Communication - Love that she can tell us what she wants! Raising children would be easy if they would just speak up and tell people what they want!...and then were reasonable enough to understand and deal with "no"!
2. Throwing Arm - Once after watching Julia, Pop said "if it's in her right hand, she's throwing it!" Well that's the truth. She's got quite an arm and to be honest, most of the time her form is perfect. She even usually steps with the correct foot!
3. Kiddie Pool - No better way to cool off!
4. Vacation - If I may quote Uncle Ben, "the Outer Banks is the greatest place on earth".
5. Papa and Uncle Louie - Without them, the bathroom remodel would still be a dream! By the way...should have a completion post coming soon!
6. SNOW! - A winter of epic proportions! When I was growing up there were so many stories about the blizzard of '78. Now I can share similar stories with Julia. But when we get our next once in 30 year winter, her husband better come dig me out!
7. Tax Deductions - With a kid and paying loads of interest on your home, doing taxes is fun!
8. Peace, Love & BBQ - A book that Courtney got me for Christmas that is expanded my enthusiasm for BBQ. I've also learned a few key tricks from is and feel like I'm improving in the craft.
9. Friends and Family - Even though we are separated from family, it has been much easier to raise Julia because of all the help that we get from our friends and family. We're just waiting for some friends to expand their families so that we can return the favor.
10. My Girls - Always at the top of the list! No matter how rough it gets, we're in it together and just a smile can turn your day around!

-Andy

Wisk Family Christmas 2009

Actually our family Christmas this year took place in 2010, but we were indeed celebrating the 2009 Holiday. It worked out pretty well this year as it was close enough to Christmas to enable the tree to still be standing (although it's health was debatable). It actually almost still felt like Christmas.

We hosted this year on Johnson Lake and went with what turned out to be a pretty Polish menu. Liz brought and prepared pierogis. Papa brought his "special mushrooms" and we made an awesome mushroom soup and I made some kielbasa and sauerkraut. It was really awesome! We grazed for what seemed to be a full day on that food and there was still leftovers for the next day.

One thing that my alter-ego Steffan wanted to mention. You would think that frying pierogis is a pretty elementary process, but I would beg to differ. Somehow, I feel like Liz's taste a bit different and better than I can do...and mind you that this is not easy for Steffan to admit. Perhaps its the exorbitant amount of butter that she uses, but my point is that they are DELICIOUS!

Being in Maryland, Liz, Nate and the boys had to make their second trip down here in just 8 days! A part of me thinks that they are nuts. The other part of me just really appreciates them doing that, especially since we haven't been up there in a while. The way our jobs go, November through March are really challenging for Courtney and I. We barely get a meal together, let alone a trip to CT.

The kids picked up right where they left off on the last visit. They are quite a trio. Most times they are nauseating balls of energy, but they get along so well and really seem to enjoy their time together. I think that even Nana had her fill of the super-trio LBJ! Here are some of the calmer pictures of them hanging out.



Liz and I...now that's another story. Here we are settling a dispute with a little Wii Boxing!


Clearly the highlight of the holiday was our present to the boys. Almost from the moment that I found out that Liz was pregnant with Luke (I think that was in a room at the Hampton Inn in Salisbury) I've wanted to do one thing...buy him a drum set! Well now it is twice as good because I know Benny will love it too! He's a little young, but he'll grow into them.


I can hear Luke's first single now...titled "Uncle Andy is the Best"! Everyone seemed surprised when they opened the box and actually saw them. I don't know why. They all knew it was coming. I think Papa's comment summed it all up..."Andrew, you should be tortured and killed!"

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

-Andy

Time...the only thing that they're not making more of!

Since Courtney re-awakened the blog last night, I figured that I should make a contribution too! There are so many things that I could post about that I don't even know where to begin.

Here are some Julia highlights of late:

Playing XBOX with Daddy!




Playing chess with Ben!




Playing Rock Band at Auntie Liz and Uncle Nate's!


Rock Climbing!


The truth is that it's all happening so fast! And I know that at least half of the people who read this blog have warned me about that. The other half are experiencing it with us. I feel like as I approach my 33rd birthday, I'm just starting to truly understand the concept of time.

When I was young, time was when the Muppets or the Dukes of Hazard came on TV. As a teenager, time was how late you could stay out without truly getting in trouble. In your twenties, time is when the bar closes...Oh how I miss those days!!!

Now, time is 8-12 hours of work per day...not enough to get everything done. Time is 90 minutes a day with Julia after work and before bed. And time is only about 2 waking hours a day with my soul mate and wife...nowhere near enough.

The good news is that I'm starting to really believe that life pays you back for the time it takes. If you invest time and work hard as a parent and professional, you get things like vacations and memories, retirement and grandchildren and you get to call you child when he or she is in their 30's and say "did you see what the Sox did today?"

I got that call from my father this summer, just as so much was heating up at work at Julia was as challenging as ever. I responded that I barely have time to breathe and that's when it hit me. Until that moment, I could never understand why my father seemed to never have time for things like that when I asked the questions.

This was just one more lesson to learn from him. Life makes time for a little of everything and it all comes full circle. We get the good with the bad, fun and stress, a career and then grandchildren. You just have to make sure that you make time to keep up with the Red Sox!

When I sat down to post this blog, I had no idea what I would write. I had no idea that I would go in this direction. I'm glad I did. For me this blog is not just about what Julia is up to. I know...that drives hits. People want to see cute pictures of her, not listen to me! I'm writing this blog to give Julia and any siblings that she might end up with insight into our lives and just who her mother and father really are.

By the way, speaking of siblings...Courtney keeps asking Julia if she wants a baby or a puppy...I don't know what that means but Julia answers baby almost every time!

-Andy

I'm Walkin'!

It seems that every time Julia spends time with Luke and Ben that she comes away with some new skill. Well, lately she's been teetering on walking...taking a step here, a few steps there. Well we just got back from an awesome visit to Connecticut and Julia will never be the same.

It seems that she's earned a new nickname...Ms. Rita at daycare calls her Frankenstein...because of what she looks like when she's walking! It is too funny. I'd show you a video, but they're too large to post. I'm going to have to figure this thing out.

We had a great time up north. Although I'm still a little upset with myself that I fell short in the Whiffle Ball Home Run Derby at Liz & Nate's Memorial Day Party, it was a great time. We managed to visit a few folks, although there's not enough time to get to see everyone when you're only there for a couple days.

Julia got along great with her cousins. I think Luke really likes her. She definitely lights up when he's around...good thing we don't live in West Virginia.

The car ride was even pleasant. Traffic was light in both directions (relatively speaking), so I guess we'll think about heading up there again next Memorial Day. Besides...I need another shot at the title!

-Andy

It's Official....

We have the newest Paul McCartney fan in the family!!! That's right, Julia already has music preferences!!! Comcast has a music concert channel, which Andy and I always check to see who will be on there. One night while I was at work, Andy called me and said that Julia was currently being mesmerized by a Kenny Chesney concert! I said, "of course she is, she is my daughter!" She is no dummy...she knows what is good for her!!! So then another night, Andy tried to get her to watch a Bruce Springsteen concert...she wanted no part of that!! Then last night, we stumbled upon a Paul McCartney concert. She was mesmerized! She loved it!! We immediately called Papa to tell him the good news!! Papa...now Julia wants to know when you are going to take her to her first Paul concert!!!

It has been 3 months now (Which is so hard to believe!!) and Julia is really starting to get her own personality! She is growing like crazy and has won over the affection of all of the day care ladies!! Everyday when Andy picks her up, they tell him how good she is and how she never cries!! I haven't gotten anymore frantic calls in the evenings saying that I have to come home because she won't stop crying. I have gotten phone calls telling me I have to come home right away because she is being so cute or because she is "9/10ths of the way rolling over!!" He was giving me the play-by-play over the phone and my reply was, "tell her to stop! I want to be there to see it!" She is a chatty cathy and loves standing up (with help!) She is growing so fast it is unbelievable!! We even think she might have a tooth coming in.

We tried the jump-a-roo today, but I think she is still a little too young for that still. We just thought it would be fun to give it a try. Here are some updated photos:

Here is a video I shot of Andy and Julia playing! It isn't that great because it is with a regular camera and not a video camera, but it is cute none the less.

~Courtney

Birth Control

We have been truly blessed in adding Julia to our family and I think that Auntie Liz would say the same about Luke and Ben. But after this past weekend, I think that Auntie Liz would also agree that any fleeting thought about future family additions is securely on hold. That's right, last weekend was the our first chance to unite what I am now calling the "Trio of Terror" or L.B.J. (Luke, Ben & Julia...not just a President anymore!).

These little munchkins lived up to the billing. Two infants and a toddler under one roof is far too much for me to handle! At times, it was pure unadulterated insanity!!! We (and by we I mean mostly Liz and Courtney...I was pretty frightened most of the weekend) would feed one and another poops himself. Then while cleaning up the poop, another starts crying. While you're settling down the crying one, the one you just fed spits up all over herself and the swing that she was sitting in. It was crazy!!!

It wasn't all bad though and I really think that Liz, Nate, Courtney and I will have quite a few fun memories in the future, whenever we get L.B.J together. Liz has posted some really entertaining stories about her trip (Luke is priceless!) on her blog. Click here to read her saga!

One of the best points of the weekend was our picnic on Saturday. It's rare, but great when we have the opportunity to be with both of our families at the same time and that is what we had here. It was great to get a chance to see everyone and spend good time together.

Let's all do it again soon!

-Andy

Crib (some assembly required)

Thanks to Nana and Papa Wisk, LBMF is the proud owner of the "easiest to assemble crib on the market". Only thing is that it was up to me to prove that statement true.

The time comes to bring the 4' x 6', 80 lb. box that contains the crib up the stairwell that makes a 90 degree turn. I'm pretty tired, but I refuse to let Courtney know, because as hard as she was working, I couldn't possibly compete with how she might be feeling. Well, I don't want her to carry it, so I hitch up, slide it over to the stairs and get ready to haul it up. As I make my way up, I realize that this wasn't as bad as I expected. It's then that I turn around to see Court right behind me, quietly carrying this monster with me!

We open it up and unpack everything and believe it or not, the directions are pasted to the board that supports the mattress. The good news is that the directions are easy to read and your never going to lose them. The bad news is that the piece that they were attached to gets installed in instruction #4 and there are five more after that!!!

Anyhow, we got it put together and it looks great in the room. Here's a picture of me taking a rest. That crib should be strong enough for LBMF if it can support my portly posterior!!!

And last but not least...some finishing touches!!!

-Andy