The Boys' First Haircuts 1.10.2013

The time had come and we couldn't wait any longer...these shaggy boys needed haircuts!  After several recommendations from friends, we took the boys to Dusty's Barber Shop in downtown Sycamore.  Dusty did a great job and was amazing when it came to dealing with two squealing, squirmy little ones.  Overall, the boys handled it very well.  The hardest part was keeping them still while they wanted to turn and look at whatever tool was in Dusty's hands. There were a few tears, but what first haircut would be complete without them?

Andrew took the chair first...

We discovered that a few squirts of water helped quiet them down...they were thirsty!

While Andrew was getting his hair cut, John waited patiently in his car seat.  When his patience was all up, a friendly stranger who was waiting for his turn offered to hold John while Dad and the paparazzi (a.k.a. me) were busy.  This is just one of the many reasons why I love living in a small town.

Our little model shows off his new 'do!

John's turn next...

This kid looks like he belongs on "That 70's Show" with all that hair!

 

John was thirsty too

Andrew watches as John gets the finishing touches

 

Nothing like some snacks to finish off our trip to the barber!

 Thanks Dusty, we'll see you again in a few weeks!

Ringing in the New Year

As 2012 came to an end, I had bittersweet feelings about flipping the calendar to a new year.  2012 was one of the best, but also most challenging, years of my life.  We've had such an incredible year of "firsts" with John and Andrew, and it's been so fun to watch them change and grow.  Everyone says this, but I really can't believe how quickly it went.  In many ways, 2012 feels like it belongs to their triplet brother, Nathan, so I was a little sad to see it go.  I know the date on the calendar doesn't really matter - I've always found it funny that we wait for a new year/month/fill-in-the-blank to start something new or to make a change, when really today is just as good as any other day - so I suppose that also applies to me missing Nathan. Just because the year is over, doesn't mean that I have to tuck away my memories of him and put it behind me forever.  He'll always have a part of my heart and I'll continue to think about him every day, no matter what year is on the calendar.  Although 2012 was a very eventful year of craziness, interrupted sleep, laughter and tears, it was also so incredibly full of joy, peace, and love.  We are so grateful for how much the Lord has richly blessed our family, and couldn't have made it through this first year in one piece without Him in our lives.

New Year's Eve was a low-key night for us.  It's hard to do much with an 8:00 bedtime and a double ear-inflection, so we made a short stop at the neighbor's house followed by some quality television time.  The NIU Huskies played in the Orange Bowl on Jan.1st, so the boys were showing their support with their Huskie pajamas in the photos below.  Like "usual", John is screaming and tugging on his ears while Andrew is cool and calm.  By this point, we were sooo ready for John to feel better.  Little did we know, it would take a second round of antibiotics and another two and a half weeks for that to happen.

John & Andrew - NYE 2012

And with that...here's to the close of a great 2012!  We look forward to all the things that 2013 will bring, and we thank you for following along with us on our incredible journey through this crazy, wonderful life!