Potty Training

I think this has to be one of my absolutely least favorite things about being a parent, especially a working mom. Potting training is so difficult when you're not a stay at home mom and your child is at a different place, every day.

We've started trying to potty train Avery, she's almost 20 months old, and it isn't going so well. She loves and I mean loves her big girl undies, but doesn't like to sit and go to the bathroom on the potty. She prefers the couch, the floor, anywhere but where she should.

It's going to be a long winter.

Update on Little Lars

We got the best news tonight from Heather and Jason. Little Lars is progressing so well that the nurses were able to take his feeding tube and oxygen out and he had his first bottle and sponge bath. It was so nice to hear such good news from Heather tonight. Also, they moved him from the NICU to the transition nursery.

We hope it continues and he's home soon. We're all excited to get to know our nephew and cousin. Brock is already telling everyone that he loves LARS the most and hasn't even had the chance to meet him yet.

The little guy turns one week tomorrow, what a great way to finish out the week.

Little Lars

We are excited to announce that the kids first cousin, Lars Maddox Heil, was born on Friday, January 15th and he made a whirlwind entrance. Heather had to have an emergency c-section and little sweet Lars has spent the past six days in the NICU at Northside Hospital. Heather and Jason are the bravest parents I've ever seen, especially knowing all that they've been through. Little Lars has pheumothorax which are small air gaps in both of his lungs. He's such a trooper though and is getting better every day.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to be here through all of it this weekend as it was the same weekend I had the trip to the Atlantis planned with mom, Ashley and Jen. I was torn all weekend and asked for continual updates from Travis while I was gone. I don't I'll ever forgive myself for not being here for Heather and Jason. I was able to finally see all of them early Tuesday morning for the first time and he's so precious. I can't wait to hold him when he gets out of the hospital.
Here are a few of the photos I took Tuesday morning, we're praying every day that Heather and Jason find out when he gets to come home. The kids are cute and don't quit understand why they can only look at pictures, but they are super excited that their FIRST COUSIN is here.
Thanks to all of you that have been praying for Lars and Heather and Jason and please keep them coming :)

Heather finally gets to hold her baby Tuesday evening, she delivered him on Friday afternoon. I absolutely love this photo.

Little Lars is on his Way!

I can't believe that Heather is going to have her baby while I'm in the Bahamas this weekend, what are the chances of that happening? She's not due for another two weeks, but was induced last night and we anticipate Baby Lars' arrival sometime today.

I hate to miss all of the fun, but am excited to escape to the Atlantis resort with my mom, Ashley and Jen. I just wish it wasn't this weekend.

Here's hoping Heather has a safe, easy and quick delivery. We can't wait to meet little Lars.

P.S. I'm excited to have a new baby around to get my baby fix without having to have a baby of my own this time. Plus I can't wait to spoil him rotten.

Happy Early Arrival Lars! We love you so much already and we haven't even met you.

MIA

Sorry, sorry, sorry. I know we've been MIA the past few months and I apologize, but things have been super busy and I know many of you are wondering what happened. I guess two kids and parents with full-time jobs and the crazy holiday season doesn't leave much time for blogging.

I promise to try and do a better job this year of keeping everyone updated on what is happening at the Hacker household. We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season, we certainly did. We have a lot to be thankful for as we start this new year. Travis and I both are employed, we still have a lot of friends that are looking for work and we know the stresses that unemployment bring firsthand. We have two beautiful and healthy children, which I don't take for granted by any means.

The kids are great and continue to amaze us with their talents, personalities and interests on a daily basis. Brock is busy as ever and questions EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING. He is so curious, but I love this about him, but it definitely keeps us on our toes and we have to watch everything we say around him - because we get WHY? probably 100% a day.

Avery on the other hand has to be the most girly girly 19 month old I've ever seen. She is obsessed with shoes, clothes and jewerly - daddy watch out! She is a little mini-me and I'd be lying if I said I didn't love every minute of it.

So as we start 2010, we wish your family health and happiness in the new year and let's hope it brings better things as we start a new decade.

The Hackers