Winter Wonderland Fun!

Happy New Year! Today Teague took in his first sledding ride! He didn't really seemed fazed one way or the other by it, but seemed to just enjoy being outside in the fresh air. His cousins, Chase and Skylar were over and so they really wanted him to slide down the BIG hill, but I talked them out of it! Here are some pictures:


This picture is after I gave him a Gerber "Biter" biscuit. He loved it, but definitely needed a bath afterwards!

We hope 2008 is as wonderful for everyone as 2007 was for us! Have a safe and happy holiday!

The Best Christmas Ever!

What better gift could I have ever asked for than Teague?! It was a wonderful Christmas, like any other year - but it was just so much better and special to have Teague apart of the festivities! He liked the paper and bows, but also came away with some spectacular presents to boot!

We were in Morris from Saturday to Tuesday morning. Then it was off to St. Cloud to the other side of the family for Tuesday afternoon and evening. Needless to say I think that Teague was EXTREMELY happy to be home in his own crib and glad to just lay by himself and not be man handled by all his cousins!

Tomorrow Teague will have his first experience with daycare. No, we are not back to work tomorrow - but I wanted Teague to have one half day there to see how he does. Wish me/Ryan/Teague luck!

Here are some pictures - the first is of Teague with his "6th man" t-shirt and some seniors at one of Ryan's bball games. The senior bball fans make t-shirts every year to wear to the bball games and this year they also made one for Teague! Ryan and I always buy one to support the "senior fund" as well. Ryan's shirt says "Coach", mine says "With Da Coach", and Teague's says "Lil Coach".

One day down, two to go!

Well I made it. And I did very well, thank you! No tears here! I talk big now, but I know it will be harder/different when I actually have to drop him off at daycare with someone I barely know. Today he got to stay home and stay with someone he knows. I am doing this in baby steps! 3 days this week, 1.5 weeks off, and then 2 days at daycare before the weekend.

Last night I reffed a swimming meet. When I got home my dad was holding him and Teague was half asleep. When he heard my voice he sleepily opened his eyes and so sweetly smiled at me! It was the greatest thing ever - like he was just so happy that I came back! Today when I got home he and Papa were hiding from Ryan and I and they peeked around the corner at us. Teague seemed surprised at seeing us but did finally give us big smiles!

So I have now had to get only myself ready for work (again, baby steps). And it didn't go well. I had picked out a brand new outfit to wear "back to school" (kind of like a first day of school outfit). I had it all ready to go and instead of putting on my pink stilettos, I put on my red ones. No big deal you say, right? No, my sweater was pink - NOT red. So I have already had a mom moment and all that time putting the perfect outfit together looked rather silly anyway. Oh well, blame it on lack of sleep I guess.

So the highlight of my day (outside of seeing my baby at 3:30) was the beautiful floral arrangement that my sweet, best husband in the world sent me at work! He is so thoughtful and always thinking of me. There are a couple pictures attached (one of Teague wanting to eat the flowers)! And another of my little babe's blue eyes.

Hope your week is going well.

Already??!!

It's back to work for me on Wednesday. I can't believe how fast the time went and how overwhelmingly sad I am to be away from Teague. Okay - well I can believe how sad I am because he is the most amazing and fun baby, but the time with him has just gone so fast and I am so sad. The positives of it all: 1) I am only back for 3 days before we have Christmas break for 2 weeks (I know, boo hoo for all you NON-teachers out there) and 2) he won't actually start daycare until after the first of the year because Papa is coming to take care of him for the 3 days that I am back at work so I don't actually have to get anyone ready except myself. I think I can handle that much - well, maybe not. I could be an absolute mess by Wednesday morning! I am just hoping that I can actually sleep tomorrow night.

So the things I keep telling myself to make myself feel better about this whole process:
* As Jaci would say "I am a better mom for being able to work." Well Jaci, I am holding you to that, because if being a better mom means I am crying my eyes out, then better I shall be!!
* Teague will have so much fun watching all the kids at daycare (aka: he will sleep through the night?!). I know that he will have fun and he does love watching other kids - but seriously, what could be more fun for him than watching his mama go "ooogga oogga OOOOOOGGGGA, BOO BOO BEAR"!!!

And that's all I've come up with thus far - any other ideas from those of you whom have already went through this?!

So enough of my pity party. We had a very busy weekend. Friday night we went shopping in Minneapolis (all 3 of us). Saturday we were supposed to attend a basketball game, but stayed home for once in the week. Sunday we had the Fischer extended family Christmas and Sunday night a Christmas program for Chase and Skylar at church. Whew. We were pretty pooped out by the time we got home. Here are some pictures of the outfits that Teague wore to the Christmas get together. The first picture is of a gift from someone and being that he has about 5 "first Christmas" outfits, we need to start wearing them. I swear - dressing up your baby could constitute child abuse, but judge for yourself....

Tis the Season!

Tis the Season for running around non-stop. And most of it revolves around basketball. That is truly our life during the winter months. I really can't complain since I love the game and it gives us something to do in the cold MN winters. We have already been scouting with Daddy on Friday night and on Saturday night we went to the SJU vs. SCSU basketball game. Too bad for Daddy that SJU was not on the winning side of that game (Mommy's Alma Mater was though - hee hee hee)! Teague was such a little champ with it all. Just rolled with it and really seems to enjoy all the action of watching that orange ball bounce up and down the floor.

Sunday night we were at cousin Megan's dance recital and tonight it was cousin Skylar's dance recital! They both did such a great job - I am so proud of them! So now Teague has been to as many dance recitals as he has basketball games - I wonder which of the two he prefers?!

I am just about finished Christmas shopping. For some that would be considered early, but not for me. I USED to get done before Thanksgiving. That was pre-Teague. That's me though, always the anal one.

Here are a few newer pictures. I haven't been as camera happy in the last week. We will get a picture of Teague at his first Melrose Boys' Basketball game tomorrow night. He had the cutest SJU outfit on for Saturday's game - sorry, no picture!

Teague's Special Day

Today was Teague's dedication at church. We didn't even know if we were going to be able to make it to church or not. We had a winter storm roll through here yesterday and it was predicted to continue into today. So long story short, we made it to church (with my parents driving the 65 miles to get here with not so great roads) and Teague was dedicated. He was such a good boy and like normal, just went with the flow of the day and was so happy. We then headed back to Melrose to have brunch at our house. Teague wore a special outfit from Norway. It was a Norwegian sweater and sweater pants. I think he looked absolutely adorable in it (I am only slightly biased) and I am sure he got a little warm in all that wool! My parents, Ryan's parents, my sister (Krista), brother in law (Aaron), their kids (Skylar and Chase), my sister in law (Erica), and her kids (Megan and Alex)came to church and our house. We had a great day. Here are some pictures:

The Dusha Trio

Teague and his cousins (minus two)

Erica, et al

Teague and Grandma and Grandpa

Teague and Nana and Papa

Teague and his Godparents, Krista and Aaron

Teague all dressed up!

Teague with Krista and Aaron and us...

I am a single mom (kind of)...

Well it's official. D-day (dreaded day) is here. Ryan started basketball today. Okay, so I am not totally dreading it, because I know that Teague will love watching the games - however, it is soooo nice to have him to ourselves after school everyday. I know that Ryan is excited about bball starting yet he is sad that he won't have as much one on one time with Teague. Stay tuned on the season...I am ranking it as one of the best of Ryan's career....I hope!

Our Thanksgiving was really nice and relaxing. We went to Ryan's mom and dad's on Thursday morning/afternoon and then made the 2 hour trip to Morris to the Mohr Thanksgiving. It was nice and for the first time ever the bball season wasn't interferring with the holiday and need to rush back to Melrose for practice, so we spent 2 nights in Morris. On Friday night we met up with some of my HS classmates at the local little bar in Morris - so we even got a little night out without Teague. 11:30 pm came and I would have loved to stay, but I knew that I had a baby at home that would likely be up in the next 2 hours, so we had to leave the fun early.

Sunday we spent most of the day just relaxing. Teague and Daddy watched some football (their favorite pasttime together - see picture below):


Then later on in the day Teague's hospital nursery friend, Addison, came out for a visit. Addison was born the day before Teague at the same hospital to one of my co-workers, Jenn Rush. It was fun to see them together. They held hands (she is rather aggressive!), and she babbled a lot while Teague listened to her (such a gentleman already)!

4 Months Old and sooooo busy!

Well Teague hit 4 months old last Wednesday and to celebrate he rolled over for the first time! So exciting, but as Jaci wrote in her blog - I guess I know what comes next! Time to baby-proof the house! The next day Teague started the infamous baby screeching! It is really cute and funny now, hopefully we will always think that it is funny and cute.

Teague had his 4 months shots on Friday. He didn't like them when they were happening, but the second I went to nurse him he was happy - smiling and cooing at me. I guess he forgot about them rather quickly. He did okay with them - for his 2 month shots he slept great and never ran a fever. This time he did have a low grade fever for about 48 hours and his sleep wasn't the greatest at night, but hopefully we are heading over that hump now!

So his stats: head - 43 cm, height - 28.5 inches, weight - 18 lbs., 1 oz. He is in the 95th percentile for everything except off the charts for height! That makes his dad really excited (I think he sees basketball in the future)! So he continues to grow so much every month - he is not my teeny little baby anymore. Wait, was he ever teeny?!

Last Thursday we were at Nana and Papa's for the Parade of Lights. Teague loved being outside. It was a little cold, but he was so bundled up - I am not even sure he could see the lights!




On Saturday we went to the Twolves game with Ryan's assistant coach, Matt Hoelscher and his wife Kayla. Ryan was being recognized at the game for being the MN Section 6AA Coach of the Year! Teague and I are so proud of him - not only is he the greatest daddy and hubby - but the best coach too! I, however, did not win the wife of the year award that night as I forgot the camera! They had this big announcement and he was out on the court and they had him up on the jumbo-tron. Man, did I ever feel bad. I guess you will just have to take our word for it!

So with Thanksgiving just a couple days away, we feel very thankful for this baby that God has granted us. And what a good baby he is! I feel thankful for the wonderful family and friends I have in addition to having the world's greatest husband. I feel grateful that we are able to travel to be with family over Thanksgiving. We hope you have a wonderful holiday and safe travels!

Who's Wrong, and Who's Right?

I just had to post this (with permission of my husband). We have a routine every night with Teague that includes singing songs. I know my husband is very creative and can come up with many songs to sing to Teague - but he asked what songs I sing. I replied "You are my Sunshine, This Little Light of Mine, Jesus Loves Me, Jesus Loves the Little Children, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and Good-Night Teague". So he tells me the other night that he is not sure of all the words to those songs (after numerous nights of singing them) and I said it didn't matter as long as he was just singing. I asked him which one he wasn't sure of the words to and he responded "Jesus Loves the Little Children". So I asked what he was singing and he replied "Jesus loves the little children. All the children of the world. Red and yellow black and white - I am wrong and you are right..." Yeah, I guess I never learned that verse. Ryan replied "Well I figure someday Teague will sing the song back to me and he will be telling me that I am right and he is wrong. That's all that matters."! I just thought it was too funny - I just had to share.

We hope you have a great week!

Chi-town Travelers

Well we did it! Teague did a great job on his first airplane ride and trip to Chicago. We had such a great time and my friend Amber took such great care of us. She lives in this great neighborhood by Wrigley field and it had such fun little shops - I liked the dessert cafe the most myself! ha ha We ate great food and just relaxed. Just the way I love it! And her little Michael was such a doll! He was teaching Teague fun things like SCREECHING - Teague loved hearing him!

On Saturday we met up with some other friends, Ashley and her little gal Gabrielle along with Sapphire and her little gal Karalee. We went out for lunch and it was nice enough to eat outside. It was fun. I am sure we looked like a baby parade with 4 moms and 4 strollers!

Sunday morning we came home. We were gone for just the right amount of time. Now Teague's sleep is a bit off, but we are working on it - as hard as it is! He slept most of the plane ride to Chicago without a peep and was awake about half of it coming home. He didn't make more than a coo until I had to wake him to get off of the plane. Such a good boy! He particularly loved being hauled around in the Baby Bjorn - I think he loved all the action in the airport and on the train. He must have been pooped out from traveling on Friday though because by the time we got to Amber's he was sleeping in the Bjorn facing outward! Here are some pics from the weekend:

Jack-o-lanterns and Trick or Treats!

Trick or Treat smell my feet - give my PARENTS something good to eat!! Yes, it is true...Ryan and I liked bringing Teague to some friends' houses for Halloween because WE got the candy. May be one of the only times that we will be able to eat the candy and get away with it!

On Tuesday evening Teague and I carved his pumpkin that he got out of Papa's garden. I hadn't carved a pumpkin in quite a few years, but I think I did an okay job (with Teague's supervision of course - and this was a nice lazy day for us, so nevermind my lack of a hairdo or make-up)!








On Wednesday we went to see Daddy at school in his Halloween costume and also visited a few other people including G-ma Ana.


Then that night we got a visit from Tina, Teague's future daycare mama. She brought Mason, Mckenna and Maddy out to trick or treat. Teague seemed to really like them and Mckenna (who is 3) seemed to really love Teague! Makes me feel a little easier about him starting daycare! I knew Tina was great, but it's always nice to get a little reassurance when you are so sad about your first little one heading off to daycare!


Then we visited Sandy Meyer, Drew Traeger, G-ma Ana (again - where I left my camera) and then Jocelyn Hoselton.



And finally a picture of all of us on Halloween:


Well wish me luck. Teague and I are leaving tomorrow (Friday) for a quick trip to Chicago to visit some girlfriends. This will be Teague's first MAJOR trip. I think he will do okay! We will be back on Sunday and I will post more then!

What social life?

I believe that Teague is our social life now. Well at least mine. Ryan is getting into the midst of basketball with the season just around the corner. He had a basketball clinic for a couple of days in Minneapolis. Teague and I headed up to my mom and dad's for a couple of days. Teague slept like crap and I was at wit's end. He seems like he has one great week where he will sleep until 4 am and then back to bed after eating until 7 or 8 and then we have weeks like the one we are currently experiencing (and experienced at my parent's): to bed at 8, up at 2 am, back to bed and up to PLAY AT 4 AM!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! So we were suppose to go to a Halloween party on Saturday night and I was beyond exhausted in addition to the fact that we were going to bring Teague with and I realized that he is no longer mobile anywhere past his bedtime. So I have no social life any longer. Unless we hire a babysitter to come to our house, but seriously - I can barely get this baby to bed some nights, how could someone else?! So we are working on a better sleep schedule and it is called "CRY IT OUT". I hate it. I hate every minute of it, but I am exhauted and can't continue to hold or carry this baby around the house all day long so he can be rested. He has a crib and it is a very nice crib at that, so he needs to use it!!

Last Tuesday Ryan and I went to the Twolves game (last date we will likely ever have again until Teague is 12). He refused the bottle for the duration of 6.5 hours that we were gone and was still awake at 11 pm. Yep, there goes our dating life too. So after some trial and error, we have found a bottle that seems to work. He started refusing the bottle after he was sick. Poor baby (well I sorta feel bad for him).

Here are some pictures-

Me and my Nana:

Me and my cousins, Skylar and Chase:

Me and Daddy - Ready for the Vikes:

Me and my cousins and Papa:

Peek a Boo, I see you!:

Happy Birthday Papa!: