He is such a Loser!

I always knew my husband was a great man and a winner in my mind. But it turns out he was the biggest loser!

Shawn is actually 80% of the man he was before. And that helped him to win the Biggest Loser competition that included 13 other people. How did he do it? Feel free to ask him (and while you are at it tell him he can stop now!)

Honestly, it was something that Shawn has no short supply of. Determination and hard work. When Lexi was born Shawn started going into work super early (5:30 am) and coming home about 4:00 pm so he could have more time to play with the kids before bed. We felt very lucky to have him. But then how does he work in a workout when he is already going in so early. Go in Earlier! So, he started getting up as early at 4:00 am and heading to work. He got in 90 minutes of treadmill running in the mid-afternoon and then was home still by 4:30 to play with the kids. I would then go and work out in the evenings. Then we watched what we ate in portions and watched some calories. But boy would we go nuts on the weekends! And with just balancing family, work, working out and watching what we eat - the weight poured off.

At the neighborhood weigh in this Vetter couple came in first and second in the competition. We may not yet have bodies of a 20 year old models but here in our mid-thirties we are getting closer to the people we would like to be. Although... I still think a bikini is a distant memory ... sadly.

Went from Three Wheels To Four?

The YMCA has a great program where they open the skating rink three mornings a week to kids for bikes, strollers, skates or anything else on wheels...even push toys.

The first time I took Nicolas with his big wheel that Grandma Birdie gave him. I assumed I would be pushing him around some with it and hoping he might learn to work the pedals eventually. Here at home we have tried and tried but with such a slanted driveway and just narrow sidewalks to practice on it we weren't seeming to get anywhere. Low and behold we got onto that wide open space of a skating rink and he took off pedaling with no problem! Who knew? Mom and daddy sure didn't! Next thing you know he will be driving!

So today we went again and he took off again. Then we saw that they have kiddie Fisher Price inline skates that you can borrow (if you get there quick enough before they are gone). First we had to use the regular ones because the inlines were all checked out. Those were harder and poor guy was slip sliding away (but never got frustrated thankfully). Then Cooper had enough of his inline ones and gave them to Nicolas to try. We put them on the beginner level and he waddled right off. He had a blast! Look out world, Nicolas is on wheels!

The Grass Always Seems Greener on the Other Side of the Fence!

Well, here it is. Life has changed in the Vetter house. A fence had to be put up to keep our little Lexi safe from Nicolas' toys with little parts. And to keep Nicolas safe from Lexi's little fingers (everyone deserves a little peace sometimes... or so I've heard). So Nicolas now has a "safety" zone in the playroom. Of course Lexi doesn't give up too easy. Her little arms do reach through the bars when she can. Don't his toys just seem much more interesting. They must be. He laughs and plays with them all the time. But Nicolas does likes to come to the other side and play with Lexi nearby as much as be on his side. I think she lives for those moments of brother play time! And I think he adores her just as much.

What a Week!

We had a week of ups and downs. Both Nicolas and Lexi really enjoyed visiting with Grandma Birdie and Debbie (Lexi's Godmother) on Monday for lunch and some shopping after. Tuesday was a bit of a downer as Nicolas struggled with a bad virus and didn't want to have his school picture taken. But Grandma Birdie once again came to the rescue and entertained him at her house for a few hours for lunch. His spirits were lifted immediately. Then Grandma Birdie watched both kiddo's happily as Shawn and I went to see Spamalot Tuesday night. The funniest show we have seen!!! Wednesday we got to go see Daddy at work and that left a lasting impression on Nicolas who now asks to go have lunch with daddy every morning. (wonder if the tons of attention the ladies in Daddy's office gave them had anything to do with that!)

Thursday Mommy came down with the virus and has been battling it ever since. So Friday (Mom & Me at a bounce house) and Saturday are kind of a stuffy headed blur.

Then came Sunday... as we were all playing at home before heading to a birthday party Lexi decided to change things up. Instead of going in circles on her tummy or maybe scooting backwards... she scooted forwards and kept on going! Lexi is on the Move! She especially loves to go after any of Nicolas' toys over her own. We tried hard to show off our new trick at Grandpa and MaeMae's house that night before dinner. Wow, she is growing up so fast! And she is loving every minute of it! Everybody get out of the way because here comes Lexi!

Happy Baby!

We are lucky as most parents feel, I'm sure. We have two beautiful and happy children. Some days though I amaze in the happiness that pours out of Lexi. She just has so much fun with the world even sitting all by herself. I can just sit across the room and watch her laugh and talk to nothing at all. And if you get her brother in front of her the entire WORLD lights up. Just this morning she was finding emense joy in sniffing her nose in and out and in and out in rapid succession. She would crinkle up her face and just laugh. Oh to find such joy in so little. Wouldn't the world be a more relaxed and pleasant place. There would be no more road rage or workers going "postal" if we could all just focus on the little happy things in life like the ability to sniff our own snot.

Get Your Own! View Slideshow

Some for you and a some for me!

Today Nicolas took it upon himself to mix up some "imaginary" cereal for Lexi as I was preparing her real morning feast. It was so cute! Lexi was so excited to play with Nicolas although I think she was a bit disappointed that there wasn't anything tasty on that spoon. Her imagination is not quite up to faking food like his is. Decided to go a head and let Nicolas make a mess and try to eat his Cheerios with milk IN the bowl. Maybe I am crazy but I was a bit scared since our experiences with soup have not gone so well. But with the use of his play kitchen spoon which is weirdly has a deeper bowl shape to it, he did great! Yes, there was some mess... but why cry over spilled milk? He made far less mess then I thought he would. Now he is eating his cereal like his mom. By the way, the weird look on Nicolas' face is a "smile" that I think he inherited from his daddy. LOL

Happy Halloween and GO Cardinals!

Funny thing is that we planned our Halloween costumes long before the amazing World Series win by our hometown St. Louis Cardinals. But their win made our choice all that more perfect. When I asked Nicolas what he wanted to be for Halloween he said "A baseball player" or was it simply "Pujols, Momma." Not sure... Then I thought... if Nicolas is going to be a baseball player then what would Lexi be since she wants to do whatever her brother does? That's easy... a baseball of course! It was so much fun to dress them up. Lexi loved being a baseball. She was the softest baseball I have ever seen. She laughed and kicked as we walked down the street. Nicolas was pretty proud although a bit shy. I think they make quite a team!

A Day at the Pumpkin Farm

Who knew that on such a chilly and yucky day we could enjoy the muck of the pumpkin farm! Thanks to Mom & Me for setting up another good outing. And thanks to the yellow rain boots that Nicolas LOVES to wear, we made it and enjoyed our time. Then it was off to McD's for a fun time in the tunnels and slides. Yeah! Always a good time with the other kids and mommy's!