so much for the flu shots

Despite diligently getting our flu shots (both th H1N1 and the seasonal), CK and I both came down with a nasty stomach flu this week. Luckily the worst of our sicknesses didn't overlap because at the height of it neither of us could stand up without almost passing out. So we've taken turns taking care of the kids (who, thus far, have not gotten it) and each other. Not exactly how I wanted to spend my last week of maternity leave.

Monday I return to work and will be headed to Portland for a one week assignment. Then my actual project- improving flow in the Emergency Room- starts in Salt Lake City on the 8th. The direct flights and no change in time zone will be nice. CK definitely has the tougher job staying home with both kids. Don't be surprised if he can't answer your phone calls the first time. We both learned this week just how tough it is to do this on your own.

Sometimes you get lucky

...and sometimes you get really lucky. After a last minute ticket change we arrived at Newark airport this morning in a way-too-early-to-be-awake fog to check in and get seat assignments (5am EST, 3am MST). First, the woman at the ticket counter was able to get her manager to override her system to assign us across-the-aisle bulkhead seats. Then we get on the plane, CK and Reese in the aisle seat and Asher and I in the aisle seat across from them and no one sits down next to us. CK just smiles and I am in disbelief. Keep in mind that I fly over 100 days a year and this NEVER happens to me. So we had an entire row (6 seats!) to ourselves for 5+ hours to Salt Lake. It was utterly fabulous. The kids were both less than thrilled on the next flight from SLC to Helena but that was a short one so we couldn't complain. Overall we are very tired but happy to be home.

The last few days of our trip were full of the sad events of my Grandmother's funeral. The wake and service were both really nice and the best part was seeing almost the entire Lageman family together in one place. Overall the mood was fairly upbeat and we enjoyed catching up with everyone and reminiscing over old photos. Here's a picture we took with Mom:

The trip was great and we were able to spend time with a lot of friends and family. We even squeezed in a short dinner with Steve Saturday night (thanks Steve!) Thanks to everyone who hosted us for a meal or a night (or a few). Especially with Jeff and Michelle soon jetting off to live in London for the next 2 years, we were thankful that we could see you!

I go back to work in a week so this week I'll be digging out the suits (hoping they fit!) and getting Asher used to more bottles. It's also time to transition Reese to her own bed (I know, I know, as we've told many of you, we've learned our lesson on letting the kids sleep with us...) The last 11 weeks have flown by, sleepless nights and all. Asher is officially in 6 month clothes now. Our little man is not really so little :)

East Coast Road Trip 2010

We are closing in on the end of our East Coast road trip. We've seen lots of friends and family and had a great time. Unfortunately, we are going to end the trip on a sad note as my Grandmother (Lageman) passed away this morning after a wonderful, long life. So we will be extending our trip for a few days to go to the funeral and celebrate her life with family.

Here are some pictures from our trip so far. We also spent time with my friend Jessica and her family but somehow managed to forget to take any pictures (probably because we were too busy eating!)

Prior to the trip Reese, Asher and I got geared up for the big Duke-Carolina game. Aunt Michelle and Uncle Jeff with Asher

CK and Uncle Jeff getting Asher to talk

Daddy and Asher

Uncle Dan reading to Reese

Dan, Reese and Jameson

Venus, Dan and "the kids"

We stayed a night with my friend Elizabeth (who is expecting her own baby girl in 6 weeks) and her husband Jason. They fed us very well :)

Elizabeth, Reese and me

Aunt Michelle and Asher

Dan and Venus playing a hard core game on the Wii

Reese finally got to meet her friend Petey who is only a week younger than her. Petey is the son of my friend Erin from high school and is super adorable as you can see...

Aunt Sarah and Asher cuddling

Aunt Sarah and Reese clowning around

CK and I decided to stop by Windycrest (the house I grew up in) and here is what we found. We took a tour of the updated kitchen and downstairs bathroom. Looks like they're taking pretty good care of the place :)

We had lunch with my friend Casey and her daughter Barrett, who is 6 days younger than Asher. As you can see from the picture below, babies sure do grow at different rates!

Smiles!

We finally captured some of Asher's beautiful smiles. He's changing more and more every day.

Asher at 2 months

I took Asher in for his 2 month doctor's appointment today. He wasn't a huge fan of the shots but he did just fine. Here are his 2 month stats:

Height: 24.75 inches (95%)

Weight: 15 lbs 10 ounces (100+%)

Now Asher is 2 months today and will be 9 weeks old tomorrow. For comparison, at 10 weeks old Reese was 14 lbs and 24 inches. Here are some comparison photos just for fun. That's Reese on the left and Asher on the right, both at 2 months.

Trip to Phoenix

We got back to Helena yesterday (in time to watch the Super Bowl with Jen and Val). Our trip to Arizona was great and we spent the second half of it in the Phoenix area with my grandparents and Aunt and Uncle. Mom was visiting from the East Coast so we got to see her too. Here are some pictures from the trip.

Nana looking like an angel Asher's favorite position to alleviate gas bubbles

Reese playing with Great Nana's magnets

Erin and O'Ryan

Asher asleep in Tom's "glove" (large recliner)

Reese is learning to add and subtract with magnets

Great Granddad and Asher

4 generations of beautiful women

Nana and Asher

Great Nana and Asher

A family photo in the sunshine

Nana and Granddad

Playing push rummy

Reading a new book with Nana

Family photos at the zoo

Posing with the kangaroo

Petting the goats with Nana at the petting zoo; as you can see from Reese's death grip on Nana's jacket she wasn't sure about those goats...

Riding the cow

Looking at animals with Nana

Reese's first ride on a John Deere

Riding the saddles with Daddy and Asher

Another shot of the goats

Looking at the giraffes with Nana

Hanging out with Daddy

Some animals at the zoo