Happy Birthday Sylvia!

Here are some highlights from Sylvia's 2nd birthday.

Click here to see more pictures from the day.

Video of Sylvia opening one of her presents:

Here is video of Olivia & Sylvia blowing out the candles on the cake:

What's in a Name?

First off, Happy 2nd Birthday Sylvia!! Abbey and I both get to stay home with the girls today. The girls have been playing with all the loot they got for Christmas and we had a funny story this morning. They were playing with some stuffed dogs and they were naming them. Olivia always comes up with very exotic names for her toys (ie. Asanscha [uh-sahn-cha] and Milena [Muh-lee-na]) so she decided to name her puppy Lunany [Loo-naw-nee]. We asked Sylvia what her puppy's name is and she responds with.....Murray! How funny is that!? It's so fitting. We thought that was pretty funny.

Here are some pics of Sylvia chilaxin on her b-day:

I also made my first tie blanket today...aren't I crafty?

What's My Name?

I caught a short video of Sylvia learning to say her full name (Sylvia Lee Ruden) and thought it was cute. For some reason she has to yell it. Enjoy.

Christmas Pics and Video

We had a great time over Christmas.  Christmas Eve morning was spent at home so the girls could open their gifts from Santa.  The next four days were spent in Le Mars with family.  Click on the links below for our pics from the holiday.

Christmas Pics 1

Christmas Pics 2

Here is video of our Christmas morning:

Here is video of Olivia "reading" to her baby:

Merry Christmas

One last blog before we spend the holiday with friends and family.  Throughout the Christmas season I have thought about all of the blessings in my life.  I thought I would share them with you all.

*I have a job.  In a time when finances are tight and some businesses are cutting back, I feel fortunate to have a job.  Not only do I have a job, I have one that I enjoy.  Sure it is stressful and I give in to the urge to complain about it from time to time but I am blessed to do what I do.  I have the opportunity to change someone's life forever every time I go to work.  That's amazing.

*I have a home, not just a house.  I find myself excited to get home every evening.  I can't wait to get home to see my girls and smell the smells of a home-cooked meal.  What a blessing.

*I have family.  My children have wonderful grandparents.  I have siblings that are involved in my life. I have many wonderful people in my extended family that make our life full of love.  Bless you all.

*We are having a healthy pregnancy.  Some minor complications earlier in the pregnancy helped me understand the fragility of life and how much of a blessing and a miracle a healthy pregnancy is.  We are excited to welcome little "J" into our family with open hearts and open arms.

*Sylvia. My little rough-n-tumble princess.  For those of you that know her, you know that I am not one of her favorite people in the world.  She is definitely a momma's girl.  She is unique, not much like her sister, but she loves her sister a lot.  I know she loves me and I feel so lucky to know her, let alone be her father.  I am so blessed.

*Olivia. My first born, my princess through and through.  She loves to sing and she loves to dance. I hope that never changes.  She is so full of life that I can hardly keep up.  She has taught me so many things and she's not even 4 years old yet.  I will never forget the first time I held her in my arms after she was born.  I cried tears of joy. I had never been so happy, so full of love, and so proud in my whole life. I am so blessed to have her in my life.

*My wife. All of the words in all of my life could not express what Abbey means to me.  I literally owe her my life.  She has been such a positive person in my life, I am better because of her. I feel lucky to have someone that sees past my shortcomings and loves me for me.  I feel blessed to have her as the mother of our children, she is such a wonderful mother.  I feel fortunate to have someone to grow old with.  I feel lucky to be married to someone who wrote in my yearbook in 6th grade (yes, 6th grade) "I hope I never have to sit by you again."

*My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  It is, of course, Christmas and the biggest blessing of all is that God sent his only son to live with us on Christmas day and to eventually die for our sake.  I am thankful for all of the ways that Jesus has shaped my life and led me on this path and continues to be at my side.  For without Him, I am nothing.

I hope this Christmas finds you and yours happy and healthy.  Merry Christmas and may the Lord bless you all this holiday.

"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him." -1 John 4:9

31 Weeks and a Little Hair Stylist

Here's Ab at 31 weeks:

I caught the girls sitting at the end of the hall this weekend doing this:

Olivia was doing Sylvia's hair and they were both taking it very seriously. Cute.

Goodbye Green

It was time to finally cover up the "special effects" green that has been in Olivia's old room for some time now.  Abbey was quite excited to be rid of such a hideous color.  It was time to transform the room into a more boy friendly environment.  So check out the before and after pictures!

Need a green screen?

Voila!

Complete with ABC border.

If you are wondering, the official colors are Navajo White and Naval.

Winter Wonderland

Since I was fortunate enough to stay home with the girls today, we took a little time to enjoy the snow.  The girls really enjoyed playing in it.  We built a "castle" (aka snow fort), rode on the sled, and gathered "cakes" as Olivia called them.  She would find large chunks of snow, pull them in her sled and give them to Sylvia and me.  The snow was a little deep for Sylvia, she struggled to move in all of her winter gear so she couldn't really get around too well.

Olivia's "chillin"

Hi-eee Da-dee!

Wind Chill and Grill

Tonight we had the Corey and Amy Schmidt over for supper so of course I HAD to make my (famous) cheesesteaks.  And of course my cheesesteaks would not be authentic if they weren't grilled.  So I braved the sub-zero temperature and grilled up some tasty cheesesteaks (if I say so myself!) Call me crazy but it was worth it!

BRRRR!!!

YUM!

Mighty Hunter

This weekend Ab had to work so I took the girls to Mt. Vernon to visit my brother.  The girls were excited because they were able to see their cousins and G-ma and Papa.  I got to tag along and go hunting with my dad, brother, brother-in-law, and nephew.  It was fun and what made it worthwhile was Jesse getting a deer! Good work!  

Also congratulations to Nick and Julie on their engagement! Now Abbey and I both have brothers getting married next summer!

We're ready to go!!

On the road with the girls!

The hunters with their prize!

Cody lending a hand with the deer.

100th Post! (and some pics)

Hooray!  This is our 100th post! Whoo Hoo! (Hope you are still reading it!) Here are some pictures of us putting up our Christmas tree(s) and the girls helping mommy do some cooking.

Click here for the rest.

Naughty or Nice?

The other night while we were at the dinner table we had a discussion with Olivia about things that nice girls do and things that naughty girls do.  We asked her to show us different things that naughty girls do and she was more than willing to show us!  I joined in and showed the girls a few (exaggerated) examples of naughty behavior. One in particular was where I would cross my arms and say "That's not fair!" in a pouty voice then I'd stick my tongue out.  Both girls immediately started doing it and it was hilarious!  Ab and I couldn't stop laughing.  I'm sure we were really doing a great job of teaching them that these behaviors are wrong eh? But it was too funny.  I tried to catch some video of it but as every toddler is trained to do, they stop doing what is cute the second you hit record.  I did get some of it though but it doesn't do justice to exactly how funny it was, but you'll get the idea.

ADHD: Fact or Fiction?

In my line of work I see an increasing number of kids medicated for various disorders. It seems like every year more kids need their "meds." It seems like ADHD is a sweeping epidemic comparable to the plague or AIDS, as if it were contagious. Although I believe that psychological disorders exist, I do not believe that ADD, ADHD, and it's other flavors are authentic. It makes me sad to see a generation of children medicated into submission, masking their behaviors until they "grow out of it." If you aren't familiar with ADHD, it's ok. You can become an expert in minutes and you will even be able to diagnose it yourself. It's a checklist disorder that requires nothing more than the power of observation. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) provides the criteria for such a diagnosis.

Six or more of the following symptoms of inattention have been present for at least 6 months to a point that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level:

Inattention

1. Often does not give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.

2. Often has trouble keeping attention on tasks or play activities.

3. Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.

4. Often does not follow instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions).

5. Often has trouble organizing activities.

6. Often avoids, dislikes, or doesn't want to do things that take a lot of mental effort for a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).

7. Often loses things needed for tasks and activities (e.g. toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools).

8. Is often easily distracted.

9. Is often forgetful in daily activities.


If you can't diagnose the disorder from these criteria, don't fret, there's more:

Six or more of the following symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have been present for at least 6 months to an extent that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level:

Hyperactivity

1. Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat.

2. Often gets up from seat when remaining in seat is expected.

3. Often runs about or climbs when and where it is not appropriate (adolescents or adults may feel very restless).

4. Often has trouble playing or enjoying leisure activities quietly.

5. Is often "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor".

6. Often talks excessively.

Impulsivity

1. Often blurts out answers before questions have been finished.

2. Often has trouble waiting one's turn.

3. Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games).

**Some symptoms that cause impairment were present before age 7 years.

**Some impairment from the symptoms is present in two or more settings (e.g. at school/work and at home).

**There must be clear evidence of significant impairment in social, school, or work functioning.

**The symptoms do not happen only during the course of a Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Schizophrenia, or other Psychotic Disorder. The symptoms are not better accounted for by another mental disorder (e.g. Mood Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Dissociative Disorder, or a Personality Disorder).

**Taken from the Center for Disease Control website (www.cdc.gov)

There you have it.  I especially like the clause about some of the symptoms appearing before the age of 7.  I can't think of ANY child under 7 that doesn't display these symptoms.  This cookbook method of diagnosing and drugging our children is highly disturbing to me.  It is full of vague generalizations that are completely subjective and, in the hands of the right (or wrong) healthcare provider, you can have your script for Ritalin in no time.

Of course this is just my opinion, but I'd like to think that it's an educated one.  If you'd like to read more about this issue click here.  

END RANT