2010 Wrap up!

Wow I can't believe that 2010 is over... this year has been crazy, unpredictable, stressful and unorganized however it was one on the most blessed years of my life.  Our house is now filled with giggles and smiles, two healthy (well minus the fevers and head trauma... we will get to that in a moment) and happy "almost" toddlers and a bundle of energy 2 year old chocolate lab.  Life has treated us well this year and we are thankful each and everyday.  We are looking forward to 2011 as we embark on new adventures both personally and as a family and we always hold out hope that 2011 will bring more sleep, a few less trips to the pediatrician, healthy and happiness and love to all of our friends and family!
As 2010 came to a close we were busy with may fun activities... here are a few of our favorites!

Brent and I had the wonderful opportunity to have a weekend away.  We loved GrandView Lodge!  Thank you to our wonderful team of babysitters, Hannah, Kari, Angie, Katie, Grace, Matt and Brian!  We couldn't have done it without you :)

Dogsled rides!!!

Our adorable cabin on the lake

Benjamin checking out the Children's Museum 

Ben, Norah and Nathan checking out the St. Paul scenery

Look at the huge jingle bells!

Ben liked the little bells!

Daddy the Robot!

Nothing more fun at Christmas then the BOXES!

Benjamin giving daddy Robot kisses!

Snow for the record books!

Benjamin went sleding... Nathan was sleeping!

B &N loving their clothes basket rides!

Nathan decided (with the help of Berkeley) to escape from "baby Jail" aKA the playroom and take it upon himself to climb up the stairs and then fall down them!  He is fine however he did buy himself a trip to the Children's ER!  

The next day Nathan was back to his old tricks pushing Ben around on his new Mickey airplane!

Hanging out with our buddy Wyatt!

Happy New Year!!!

Love Always

The Utechs

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

Children's Mass

Best Christmas gifts of all...N &B

Wow bigger then me!!!!

Christmas Morning!!!

We had a wonderful Christmas.  Nathan and Benjamin were lucky enough to celebrate with both sets of Grandparents as well as all their aunts and uncles... what lucky little boys.  We hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday season!!!  

Love 

The Utechs

11 Months

I simply can't believe that the boys are 11 months!  They continue to grow and change everyday!  They are more work now then the day they were born but their little personalities are worth everything!

The boys had their first follow up appointment at Children's NICU Follow up clinic.  The visit went great.  We met with two physical therapist and also a pediatrician who specializes in preterm infants.  The boys passed with flying colors testing at or above 11months... they really only needed to test at 9 months which is there gestational age.  The boys had to do a range of tests from gross and small motor to verbal! We are ever blessed at the progress they have made and the healthy kids they have become!  Each and everyday that I walk into the NICU I am again and again reminded that not all families are as blessed with such a positive outcome! So, thank you again for all your love and support and prayers... the big guy must have been listening!!!!

Winter is setting in... as Brent was stuck in the house all weekend with the boys by himself,  I was at the hospital all weekend and snowed in in Minneapolis!  Thank you Brent for taking such good care of the boys and also shoveling... yes, shoveling out all that snow!  I did come home Sunday night to a completely clear driveway!

Nathan Andrew:  He is the funniest little kid!  A little explorer!  He is not photogenic but is always quick with a smile and a kiss.  He loves to crawl in and out of the ball pit, take all the books off the shelf and crawl inside of the toy box, boxes...his new favorite thing is to ROAR like a dinosaur. He also loves to walk behind his walker.  He makes a beeline for the dog dish and the stairs any chance he gets!  His favorite foods are pancakes, diced apples, yogurt and any kind of meat (just like daddy).  

Benjamin  Charles: He is my little tender heart that packs a little bit of spunk!  Benjamin examines EVERYTHING!  He is quick with a smile and laughs at his brother and the dog often... his little laugh can make even the biggest of Grinches SMILE!   Benjamin loves to up on the window sill and look outside, clap his hands, he loves to crawl over to the gate and look at the Christmas Tree, he points and smiles at the Christmas lights and reaches out to touch the branches and is always so proud of himself when he walks across the playroom with his walker.  Benjamin makes a beeline for the dog toys at any chance that he gets.  His favorite foods are cheese, yogurt, applesauce and ravioli (just like mommy).

I have one more month to enjoy my "babies" and I intend to do that!  Enjoy the photos and thanks for checking in!

Love Always,

Emily 

Our crab pool collapsed just like the Metrodome!

Off and crawling... 

Nathan's favorite Jingle Bells

11 Month photos

No one wanted to sit and take photos...

Poor Teddy was such a good friend

Christmas Photos... a few of my favorites

Here are a few of my favorite photos from the 

Christmas Photo Shoot!!!! 

 

Happy St. Nicholas Day!!!

What a Christmas filled weekend!!!!
Friday was filled with Christmas cookies and good friends and GREAT Wild tickets!
Saturday was wrapping Christmas gifts and more decorating
Sunday was filled with an early St. Nicholas day breakfast, a trip to the Macy's 8th floor Holiday event "A day in the life of an ELF,"  sitting on Santa's lap for the 2nd time (not quite as successful as the 1st time... however a little part of me likes the crying baby photo better!), a Christmas music dance party and finally Christmas book story time!  I'm tired just thinking about it... but it was a good weekend!  Best part... Daddy will be done with classes next week!  YEAH!!!!!!  We ALL can't WAIT!!!!!
Enjoy the photos... Christmas cards will be to you this week!!!!
Love always,
The Utechs

Our new favorite game!

Double the crawling trouble!... they look really cute with reindeer on their butts though

Hanging our stockings!

Oh look what Nathan found... the STAIRS... GREAT!

and he is a pro at them

Oh look and now Benjamin thinks he should join his brother!

With MAMMA @ Macy's 8th floor

Writing our letters to Santa!

St. Nicholas came early...before bed...Notice the empty shoe

Christmas story book time!

Sweet Wild tickets... right behind the penalty box!!!!