Henry's 3rd birthday

Henry's 3rd birthday is on October 29th, but we celebrated it early (along with Sam's baptism).  Henry is obsessed with the Disney Cars characters, so we had a Cars theme.   He got Cars-related presents from everyone, too - matchbox cars, a remote controlled car, sleeping bag, puzzle, book, and plates.  He's in Cars heaven!!

It's hard to believe that he's 3 already. He's really stretching out and slimming down.  And he's POTTY TRAINED!  (And has been for about a month already.)  We thought it was going to take awhile, but bribery of Cars matchbox cars did the trick in about a week.  It's such a relief to have only one son in diapers and we're so proud of our BIG BOY!!

Sam update at 2 months old and his baptism

Sam is 2 months old, which means Mommy goes back to work in just 2 weeks.  This maternity leave has been fantastic and full of so many wonderful memories with all 3 kids.  I will treasure it forever!

Sam had his 2 month check-up last week.  He is a big boy!

• Weight - 16 lbs, 7 oz (off the charts)
• Length - 26" (off the charts)

He has been pretty easy to figure out.  Usually, he only screams when he is over-tired, so it's a quick fix.  He's been sleeping in a very consistent routine since he was 7 weeks old.  He eats at 7 p.m. and goes to bed.  He wakes up for his next feeding anytime between 4 a.m. to 5:30 a.m., so that's 9 to 10.5 hours between feedings!  I feel so spoiled with his nighttime routine.  He's been smiling and cooing all the time now, and he's recently found his left hand which he sucks on like crazy.  So cute!!  I've heard a few laughs so far, and I can't wait until he laughs more often...

We also celebrated Sam's baptism on October 23rd.  It was a very special mass, surrounded by God's love and so many of our family members.  Sam's God-parents are Abby and John Lape and Aunt Laura.  He is a very special and very loved little boy, and we will always be so grateful to God that He trusted Samuel to us to raise and love.

October fun

We've done some fun things this fall!!  Earlier this month, we went to the apple orchard with the Lape family (Amanda and Dean pictured on tires below with Madeline and Henry).  The kids enjoyed a pony ride, the corn maze, a tractor ride, and petting the goats.    Sam was there too.  I made sure his presence was documented!

  

We also got to spend a weekend in Madison with Nathan's cousin, Jenny, and her family.  Gotta love the cousin shot below!  

Jenny and Eric treated Nathan and I to the Minnesota vs. Wisconsin game - suite tickets, too!!  It was a BEAUTIFUL weekend and we really had a great time, even though the Gophers lost.

Sam - 7 weeks

Wow, do we love our little baby Sam!  He is 7 weeks old already.  He is fairly similar to his older brother and sister so far-  nothing new to figure out, thankfully.  He's been doing a GREAT job sleeping - the last five nights he's had 8-9 hour stretches between feedings!!

Sam's first bath - he didn't like it at first, but now he really enjoys his nightly bedtime baths.

Sam's first bottle - he DRAINED it.  We still need to get him used to bottles more, but I think he's going to do just fine.

Madeline and Henry love to hold their baby brother, even when he's not cooperating!

Madeline's first homework assignment...

...was to make a giant cut-out of herself. These pictures of all of the kindergartners are hanging all around the hallways in the school.  She did a great job!  She had fun adding little beads and gems to make her fingernails and facial features. 

Overall, Madeline seems to enjoy kindergarten. I'm so impressed with all of the creative activities that the kids are doing.  The biggest change I can see in Madeline is that she wants to write all of the time. She constantly has a pen and paper in her hand, loves to make mini books - complete with staples, and she always asks us to help her spell a word.  It's fun to see her excited to learn.

The cutest thing she has said to me so far...  I asked her what her favorite part of her day was, and she said she got to walk to the library with some other kids WITH NO TEACHER.  She was little Ms. Independent!

Madeline's first day of kindergarten

Big Change #2 in the Knutson family happened this past week.... Madeline started Kindergarten on Tuesday after Labor Day.  Leading up to her first day, she said she was nervous, especially about meeting new friends, but you'd never know she was nervous as we walked to school.  (Yes, we live ~4 blocks away from her school and we get to walk her to and from school.)  She is in AM kindergarten.  Her first day must have gone well, because she was mad at me when she got home, saying "I don't like it here at home.  I want to go back to kindergarten."

I think getting dressed is going to be a big challenge.  She picks out the craziest stuff. And I don't really care if she matches or not, but I don't like her "wear only leggings" phase that she is in!

She also gets to pack a snack each day.  On her first day, she requested yogurt, an apple, and carrot sticks.  Whew - big eater!  I have to convince her each day that only one item is necessary.  :)

Sam's first 3 weeks

The first three weeks of Sam's life have been busy and so much fun!

Week 1 - Sam got to cuddle with Mommy and Daddy on his own!  Madeline and Henry stayed with Grandma and Grandpa Schwartz for 4 days and then with Grandma and Grandpa Knutson for 5 days.  They had a great time with their grandparents, and I think they were so disappointed to be back to the grind with us.   We were so grateful for the 1-1 time with Sam!

Week 2 - Grandma Rita visited us from Indiana, and stayed with us for a week.  She kept Madeline and Henry busy with trips to the pool, the maze, and the park.  She had a great idea to throw a Green Eggs and Ham breakfast party, in honor of Sam (who is the main character in that Dr. Seuss book. )  My mom always is a HUGE HELP whenever she visits - laundry, grocery shopping, more laundry, ironing, cleaning, cooking.  I was so sad to see her go....

Week 3 - My sisters and their families visited us.  Between the three of us girls, we have 6 kids - and all are ages 5 and under.  It was a busy week, and we didn't really do too much during our visit.  Just played with the kids and went to the candy shop.

So, how is Sam doing?  He is a GREAT eater, and always wants to eat every 2 hours or so (even in the middle of the night.)  But overall, everything seems pretty textbook with this little guy, and we're grateful for that.