Aidan the Photographer

So recently Aidan has figured out how to use our camera, so now there might actually be pictures of Jeremy and I without the boys. The crazy thing is he actually knows how to use it.
Micah from Aidan's perspective. Makes me laugh.

Our Clicker Boys

So it must be in the Porier blood or something, but check it out both our boys love going for the clicker!
(See pictures/Aidan, Oct 04...Micah, Oct 06)
Micah has started crawling now and just as his brother did...his first "goal" was for the remote. It cracks me up seeing how they are so different yet so alike. They are really starting to play together more and more. (Which involves Aidan turning on Micah's toy and then dancing around him.)
Enjoy some new fun pictures of the boys in action below.

Take me out to the Ballgame...and other simple joys of life

Last week Friday we went to the Rockies Game for CCU Family night. It felt more like a football game with the weather so chilly, but we had a good time anyway. (At least through the first 2 innings...that's all we saw before it started raining.) Aidan really got a kick out of it and got excited during the homerun. (Micah's favorite part was getting to fall asleep in my arms...he's our little cuddlebug.) But his favorite part was riding the shuttle bus to and from the parking lot. I love that the simple things bring him a lot a joy. It got me thinking that taking time to enjoy the simple things in life can so easily get forgotten. So here are my favorite simple joys right now.
-clean sheets (we actually have white ones, silly with 2 little boys :))
-Aidan saying his prayers at night...what he's thankful for (orange juice, auntie jenn, mommy's cheek, lawnmowers...)
-Morning coffee
-puzzles
-Rocks (it must be a boy thing...but I'm starting to love them too...my brother just sent me a bunch from his collection)
-Micah swinging at the Park

I just play with Mikey

They crack me up more every day. Wherever Aidan is he wants Micah right there next to him. Yesterday he said to me "I have quiet time with Mikey. You just close door" (Just is part of every sentence that Aidan says these days). And then he wanted him to go to bed with him, which actually meant he wanted Micah next to him so they could giggle and laugh. What else are brothers for? To just play with of course!!

We're still here!

So, I know that it's been months since we posted and since all my friend's blogs keep getting updated...I have been guilted into posting some new pictures and a couple comments about life. (Not to mention I (Rach) think that although our lives are now more full than ever...stopping to reflect on our boys always makes my heart happy, so I hope it does for you too.) I'll try to keep up with some new pics more in the next weeks.
Aidan is still our helper around the house. Jeremy's cousin works at Lowes so he said out with the Home Depot Apron and in with the Lowes one. Aidan doesn't care as long as he has his tools he is one happy guy.
Somehow Jeremy got Micah to smile with this hat on. All I can do is fight him to keep him from chewing on it. We think he's the most adorable guy ever, hat or not.
Aidan and Micah are getting to be buddies more every day. I think that's the best part of being a mom right now is watching these guys laugh and play together. You can count on wherever Micah is Aidan is right there next to him...And usually piling him with toys, blankets, and anything else possible. Aidan's heart is so great...I hear all day long "Here go Mikey". It doesn't matter what it is, he wants to share it with him. (I'm not just saying that because I'm the mom, and supposed to brag...he honestly brings him everything and since Micah puts everything in his mouth these days...so it means my life is watching what dangers Aidan brings him. So our new word around the house has been "that's dangerous, Mikey choke". Keeps life interesting that's for sure.)

Pneumonia

Well, I know our blog has been all about happy things and joyous celebration mostly focused around the birth and "growing up" of our two kids. It's a good thing, but thats not how real life always goes. John 16:33 simply says, "In this world you will have trouble." I won't go into the whole theology of why God allows suffering, if you're really interested in discussing it you can email me.

For the last three days Micah has been running a fever 103+. Tylenol would get it to 101 but that was as low as it would go. We called our Doctors and were told that if it persisted until Sunday (today), we should go in.

As it turns out, Micah has Pneumonia in his left lung. It's perplexing, because he is eating normal, smiling, and playing. He is just a fireball! Luckily Ibuprofen has taken care of the fever and we have antibiotics working on the Pneumonia.

As the doctor was writing the perscription I asked him, "What would happen if we didn't use the antibiotics. What if we were in some part of the world where we couldn't get them?" His response wasn't harsh, but it had powerful simplicity. He simply said, "He would die."

It was a powerful moment. Most who are parents can understand the thought of losing a child being difficult, but when it is close it hits with much more force. Of course, my moment of clarity can't begin to compare with those who have lost their children too soon. Anyways, any priorities that may have been misplaced were put back in order in that moment.

All this to say, hug your kids every chance you get. They mean so much more than the other junk we allow our lives to get entangled in.

- Jeremy

3800 Miles

So, I've been waiting to post this until I come up with something profound to say about traveling 3800 miles with 2 little boys (since I see all these other blogs out there that are revealing their deep thoughts), but the thing is...sometimes you just do life and the pictures tell the story. So here's the newest of our boys and our family....Enjoy!The happy (weary?) travelers.
Micah was all grins after his bath from grandma and grandpa.
"Driving" Grandpa Dan's tractor. He had been looking forward to this for months. "Drive scoops please!"
Although Aidan was looking forward to riding in Grandpa's boat the jetski quickly took first place!
Cranky Packer Fan trying to stay warm (and up too late on the 4th of July)

Side by Side

As much as everybody thinks I'm crazy...and I've set quite the precedent to live up to, for Aidan and for Micah I have taken their picture each week in the first year to document their growth. It's fun to see them change from week to week. So here is both Aidan and Micah at 19 weeks. So you can answer for yourself if they look alike! (and figure out who is who:)

The numbers of our lifes...

June 1st, 1996...What kids!! (and posted for a good laugh)
June 1st (3rd actually but who's keeping track), 2006
10 Years Still Loving it (mushy I know, but I'm allowed)

Last year Jeremy and I celebrated 10 years since our first date, this year 10 years since the wedding. So I thought it would be fun to reflect on the numbers of our lifes in the last 10 years...
which means we have been together for 120 months, 3,650 days, 87,600 hours, 5,256,000 minutes, 315,360,000 seconds. We have had 2 kids, 1 dog, 10 vehicles (3 jeeps in there), and 9 places to live! So who know's what the next 315,360,000 seconds will bring...but I do know we have been incredibly blessed in these past 10 years.

Do I look like Daddy or What?

I find I get asked all the time if Micah looks like Aidan. Well I can tell they are brothers, but it's much more obvious that Micah is Jeremy's boy. Even strangers comment on how much they look alike. (Good thing Jeremy is so handsome!) I'll have to post some baby pictures of Jeremy once I round some up. All I can say is it doesn't matter who my boys like they are keepers for sure!

Yeah Daddy!

On May 13th Jeremy received his masters degree from University of Colorado at Denver. Nobody could be prouder of Jeremy than me (Rachel) and his two boys for perserving through his grad degree. Having to do homework when your little boy is asking to go to the park, or Da-Da (McDonalds) isn't easy (although Jeremy always found time to take Aidan on Saturday morning so I could get some rest.) We learned (the hard way) that going to school while starting our family isn't the ideal way to do things but as the Scholten Proverb says, "Life is never ideal". Isn't that the truth?? So, now we are going to take a breather (for at least the summer!) and then see what is next. For now we are enjoying the sweet feeling of success. Yeah Daddy!

Oh no, Mama's Hair All Dirty!

So after 28 (almost 29) years of being a blonde (besides a couple crazy other colors throughout the years) I decided it was time for a change. "More sophisticated" :) or so I'm told. Hopefully the reaction will be better than Aidan's of "oh no, Mama's hair all dirty!"

A.D. Has Trailer

So, we all know Aidan loves anything with wheels or a propeller. Lately he has gotten into the notion of having a trailer or wagon. Whether he is playing with his tractors or with his Little People Camper set, he is fascinated with the trailer.

It only makes sense then, that his "car" should have a trailer. I was a bit dissapointed that I bought his sled at the end of winter, but it isn't going to waste. Also notice his "bike" on the "trailer". The trailer was his idea, we just helped him make it work.

Smiley Boys

Video of "Mikey"

To the outsider, I'm sure the videos of Micah and Aidan don't hold much excitement, but to his grandparents they get played over and over and over...

So, here is a video of Micah from a week or so ago. You can click here to view it.

Aidan's Easter Egg Hunt

Well, its been a while since I've done any video posts, so here is the latest. I'm working on one of Micah which should be up soon.

More Pictures

Micah's weekly picture...week 11!
Aidan and Micah hanging out like brothers do.

Where has the time gone?

Ok, so I know I haven't posted in a long time...but I have valid excuses and many of them. But instead of bore you with them, I will post some pictures of our totally adorable boys because I know that's all that anybody cares about anyway...not really my ramblings.

A Fresh Picture of Micah for Grandpa

Getting Stronger!

2 months and rolling

So I don't know if this post is more to brag or to record for my personal records, but Micah rolled over today! (He's rolled over on the bed and on his boppy before today but today he "officially" had no gravity to help him.) Crazy boy doesn't like being on his stomach so much that he rolled over to his back during tummy time. So it looks like it won't be long and he will be playing train with his big brother! (sorry, no pics...too tired :))

8 weeks and counting

Micah had his 2 month appointment today and everything looks good. 11lbs 11oz., 23 1/4" long/tall.

He isn't sleeping completely through the night, but we're happy that on most nights it is only one feeding. Here is his 8 week picture!