halloween

A couple pics from Halloween. The one of the boys and I was taken by Pam on Skype, hence the low quality from camera on the computer. The second one is from a neighbor's iPhone. Not too bad of quality. Our house is in the background behind me. We are in the neighbor's yard when the photo was taken. And yes, we did spray paint the boys hair blue. Don't worry, it came right out!

Thanks to Katie

Thanks to Katie Whitlock, I can finally get my blog to publish again! I was so frustrated with it that I gave up. Thanks for the tips and I will try to get some new posts up soon!

another tooth!

Foster has another tooth on the top right. He is also now pulling up, cruising, catching himself when he falls forward, and trying to learn how to let go while standing. Tomorrow we are heading to Gainesville for a 9 mo checkup for Foster and a 5yo check up for Noah. I have decided that Foster's nickname is "Ironman" because he is so big and his initials are "Fe" like the periodic table symbol for iron. His eyes are still blue like daddy's, so we think they will stay that way.

On the "home front," we are blessed to have family members who are able to purchase a house for us in Gainesville while we continue to wait on our house in Iowa to sell. We have an offer in on a house (we are the back-up) and have not had an update on what is going on with that property and not for lack of trying. Hopefully we will hear something tomorrow.

I am praising God for bringing my brother-in-law home to Jacksonville and allowing him to get restationed here because it was truly an act of God that that happened. Praying for my 2nd cousin and his teaching job. Also for family friends who have to make decisions about a sister's living situation. Praying for wisdom in our house search- the where, when, and what. Thanks for joining with me!

Noah's Graduation

Noah graduated from PreK in June. Here is video from his graduation.

Another milestone...

Foster reached another milestone today. He was getting it down really good until the camera came out. See if you can catch what he figured out today.

New news on Foster & Noah

Well, Foster obviously is changing everyday. His first tooth came through the week after we came back from Iowa. His second tooth came through last week. He is still crawling backwards and has not figured out how to go forward which makes him very frustrated. He stands up at the table/window/chair/wall for 10 minutes at a time.
Noah has started reading! He is reading easy readers like Green Eggs and Ham, Cat in the Hat, Go Dog Go, The Giving Tree, etc. He also has the Tag reading system, so any books in this realm would be great gifts for him this year. For the tag he already has the Ispy book and Map. He is almost in 5T clothes...just remember that we now live in FL. Too many long sleeves/pants wont get as much use as short sleeves and shorts. He also loves games!

Long Lost Videos

So some of these are really old, but I wanted to get causght up. So here goes...



Noah loves making his brother laugh and Foster laughs best for Noah!





Yummy! Foster gets his first solids. He loves to eat.









More to come...

The rest of the previews...

Somehow I missed these when I was saving them to my computer...I then realized I was missing them because some of my favs are in this group!

Photos with Mrs.Linda Bainter

We have a wonderful and very talented photographer friend Linda Bainter. She is a budding photographer whose work is in full bloom! She is very resonable $100 for an hour session which includes 20 shots on a CD for you to have. She is located in Gainesville, but says she will travel...When you need her info, message me.

since the last time...

After reading a friends blog and how she writes everything as if telling her daughter a story about her life, I really liked the concept and think I will try it out for a while on our blog for the boys...

Foster, this was your third trip back to Iowa. Two weeks before we were to go, you were sick. On Tuesday morning I decided to take you in, but by the morning Noah, you were even more sick than Foster. We (Baga Sue and mommy) took you to the pediatrician in Gainesville. The doctor took one look at you, Noah, and said " I think he has the flu!" He ran a rapid flu test on you which thankfully came back negative. Since you were coughing so bad, he put you on an antibiotic for that and the eye infection that seemed you were getting from Foster. We were to continue the drops we had been putting in your eyes Foster. The following Saturday, Mommy had a Pampered Chef meeting in Orlando to attend. Foster, this was the first time I was leaving you for a day. Daddy had plenty of milk to give you, but you refused to take it from a bottle. Knowing that you had started to cough like Noah, I left my meeting early to come home to feed you because I did not want you to continue to get sick. By the time I made it back to Baga Sue's house, Daddy and I had decided to take you into urgent care. The Dr. there said you were wheezing again and to start you back on abuterol with the nebulizer and also that you had an infection in your right ear which she put you on amoxicillin for. Sunday night as you went to bed, it seemed like you were getting better. You went to bed around 9pm, but woke with a dry diaper at 3am. After trying to get you to nurse with not much success, I decided to take you to the emergency room in Zephyrhills. When we arrived your blood oxygen was around 85% which is evidently really concerning. They tested you for RSV which did come back positive. They gave you a nebulizer treatment and it came up to 91% then followed it with another one. Your levels stayed the same and the ER Dr made the decision to admit you to the hospital. Now since before you were born, I have always thought I would end up in the ER with you many more times than we have ever been with your brother, but I did not think it would start so soon. You were always so wild in utero that I knew we would be making trips to the ER with you. We stayed in the hospital for two days. Noah and Baga Sue were our most frequent visitors, but daddy and Baga also came by to see us. On Wednesday we checked out of the hospital. I was glad to be going home but still concerned for you because you still were not nursing very well. I had also gotten mastitis while we were in the hospital for the second time since your birth. When we were discharged you were on Amoxicillin, Prednisolone and Abuterol. Noah was still on his Ceptra and I was on Dicloxacillin. I felt like I was running a pharmacy. We had a few days to recover before heading to Iowa to see family.
So, we made a trip to Iowa to see Dan, Lynn and Amara (Pronounced "uh-mar-uh") when they made it back from Turkey, as well as numerous other family members and friends. They are going to be making our house in Iowa their home until it sells or something else comes up for them. It will be great to have them in the house making it smell like a home again and keeping up with the snow removal and when the time comes, lawn care. It was really fun seeing you Noah, with your brother and cousin, both so little compared to you. Monday evening we were able to spend time with the Wedekings. Tuesday evening, daddy too you, Noah, to the urgent care because your ears were hurting and you had a low grade fever. This is your first ear infection since you were about a year old. They put you back in an antibiotic. On Wednesday, we had a half birthday for Foster and had many people come by to visit. We hung out with the Jensen grandparents, got to see Charlotte, Jerry, and Darrell along with Gramma and Grampa Bolin, and Uncle James and Aunt Nicole came and stayed with us. Foster, you were cutting teeth and screamed the entire time G&G Bolin and Charlotte and Family were at the house. It was rather humorous. On Saturday we were able to celebrate with Alan and Emily as they were married. Noah, you loved dancing with Kelsey at the dance and you also did a dollar dance with Emily. The next morning we headed to Colfax to have a yummy lunch with Dave Jensen and family then to the airport. We had a great trip and it was wonderful to see everyone.

When we got back home, we went for Foster's 6 month check up.
Stats:
16# 10 oz (50%)
27in (75%)

I had the pediatrician recheck your ears Noah and you still had an ear infection. So he prescribed another antibiotic for you. I surely hope this helps!

Everyday I am learning more about being the mom of two little boys. I am blessed to have both of you in my life and I am excited to continue on this journey. I am thankful to our creator for trusting me with your care and hope that I can honor him in raising both of you!

where have the Bolins gone?

It has been about 4 months since I last posted, I thought I would update you on what is going on in our lives. First, it has been crazy...by this I mean we have been living out of suitcases for over six months now but have been so blessed by our friends and family who have graciously taken us in in the last six months. Matt started out living with the Searbys. With the birth of their daughter approaching, he moved out in mid September. He stayed the next couple of weeks with friends from Harvest Christian Church, Pete and Lou Peterman. In the last couple of months we have all house sat for both the Searbys and the Williams. Matt and Josh are both working at the vet school, so when Matt stays in Gainesville they carpool to the University.

The boys and I spent our first five months with my sister Amy and her family. It was great to get to watch them grow together as a family and get to know Matt (yes Amy married a Matt too) my brother-in-law. Brilei and Noah spent many hours playing together and Presslei spent many hours holding Foster. We enjoyed our time with the Smiths and especially enjoyed attending their church, Celebration, with them. I later found out that this church is one of the main supporters of 6:8 ministries in Costa Rica that Matt and I served with in March 2008. It is always neat to be reminded of how all of God's kingdom works together even when it is all over the globe.

Baga Sue put Foster right to sleep

Surprise!

Look how skinny I am!

Foster next to a "Sugar Britches" doll at 4 weeks old

Foster practicing tummy time and Presslei getting in on the action

Noah helping give Foster on of his first bottles ever

Foster in the baby K'tan

Foster having time with "Sweet P" (Tink's nickname for Presslei, Tink is my "auntie" name)

Noah and Foster cuddling on the couch

In October, we (the boys and I)were fortunate enough to be able to travel back to Iowa so that Foster could meet the family and friends we left behind. We truly miss all of you! The second day we were there, I had an open house and invited everyone to come by and see us. We had over 50 people come by to see us and felt the love of the community we were surrounded by in Iowa. In the beginning of December, our family including Matt went back to Iowa and visited again, celebrated Christ's birth with Matt's family. It was God's timing for our trip. The night we were heading to our hotel near the airport for our early morning flight, we received a call from Matt's mom letting us know that she had cervical cancer. She is currently being treated with radiation 5 days a week and chemo once a week. The good news is last week she had a scan at the half way point in her treatment and the tumor has shrunk to half of its original size! We praise God that his healing is at work. Please join with us in praying for Pam.

 

Papa Pete's hand with Foster's hands in October

Noah and Foster were gators for Halloween

The middle of December was our time to give Amy and her family some time without us. My grandmother is about 1.5hrs from Gainesville (Matt's commute the other direction to Amy's house took about 1hr 20mins). She has offered her house to us. We have been living with her for almost a month now. The big difference between here and Orange Park is the price of groceries! They are almost double here as compared to OP. Of course we don't have a publix close by to shop at, so that could be part of the problem. We have been enjoying our time with "Baga Sue" as Noah and Brilei call her. We have been attending church with her at the Ridge Manor United Methodist Church. Last week we were able to make it down to Tampa to spend the afternoon with my Dad and Deborah. The "boys" (Matt, Noah and Dad) went out on the boat. Noah had a great time. We had some yummy smoked chicken and potato salad and tomato salad. We also got to spend some time with my mom and help with a few little projects.

That is the gist of it. I also believe that 2 blogs is too much for me. So until I figure something else out, I will continue to post on here. We will be 3 Bolins plus one :) If the Big Ten has as much revenue as they do and they can't count, it is fine for me too- some humor my Father-in-law will be proud of!

School

Noah is loving his VPK. He does art everyday and is really learning a lot. His teacher tells me about Noah's interaction with others. His imagination is one of the things I hear about most often, which is really funny because I don't seem to notice much imaginative play at home. The first week of school he was playing on the jungle gym and decided that it was a boat that was on fire and he kept annoucing, "The boat is on fire. Quick come with me." His teacher said the first few times no one listen to him, but he was persistent and patient until he finally convinced a few friends to "jump ship."

Noah also continues to be a big help with his brother, Foster. He is eager to help me anytime I need the pump turned on, a diaper or wipes brought to me, or even comes quick to talk to Foster when he cries. What a blessing it is to have Noah in my life!

Big brother

Noah officially became a big brother on August 23, 2010 at 11:36 pm. Little brother Foster Everett Bolin weighed in at 6 lbs 10 oz and 19 inches long. With the new addition we are now going to have two blogs. This blog will feature more of Noah's highlights and the other 4bolins.blogspot.com will feature more of Foster. Here are just a few pics of the proud big brother. We hope to have more up soon as energy and time allow.











Noah's drawing of Foster with emphasis on his long fingers and belly button.

Update

I am now 36weeks and 5 days. I went to the Dr on mon and they did my group b strep test and decided it would be good to be checked since I do have quite a time to travel to the hospital. I was1 cm and 50% effaced! I have been having Braxton-Hicks quite regularly. I am thinking that this little one is going to make an appearance before Sept, but I guess time will tell!

Move, Maternity Pics, Matt visits

Well as most of you know, Matt, Noah, and I are transitioning to Florida. Right now, Noah and I are living with my sister and her husband Matt in Fleming Island which is just south of Jacksonville. Matt is living with very hospitable friends in Gaineville. My mom and gramma are trading off taking care of our dog, Sandy. Noah and I left Waverly on Monday around 1pm. We made it to Medina, TN around midnight to stay with my cousin Angie and her daughter Isabella. Angie is also due to have a baby in Sept around the 23rd. Sadly I did not take any pictures while I was there, but Noah had fun playing in the pool and jumping on the trampoline. Angie and I had fun catching up on everything. Wednesday morning Noah and I headed out to make our trek to Florida. We made it to Amy's about 10pm. Brilei and Noah were so excited to see each other. I am so proud of how Brilei has adopted Noah into her space and allowed him to play with her toys and has really been a great cousin to Noah. We still have no idea how long this arrangement will end up being and I cannot imagine what Noah and Brilei are going to feel like once we do have our own place again. Presslei has gotten in on some of the cousin action too! One of the favorites is Noah and Brilei taking turns pushing Presslei in her little Radio Flyer cart. She smiles from ear to ear. We are so blessed to have Matt, Amy, Brilei and Presslei in our lives!

Before we left Iowa, Matt and my mom made the overnight haul to Iowa to help me tie up some loose ends. Matt and his grampa Neil cut a huge limb out of one of the trees in the back yard and really spruced it up. Mom pulled lots of weeds and helped with cleaning. Noah had a great time spending time with "Baga" and Daddy while they were in town. Once again I did not get any pictures of their trip up, however we did manage to squeeze in maternity pictures between my surprise birthday party Melissa and Hannah threw for me on Thursday night, my new product box opening party on Saturday night, church, bridal shower, and family goodbyes on Sunday. I also had a Pampered Chef Open House and Moving Sale on Tuesday night that was AWESOME! Needless to say, my last week in Iowa was full of lots of people especially great friends and family that we already miss dearly. We also are really going to miss our Church. The relationships, discipleship and fellowship we felt from that body of believers was unparallel to anything I have ever had in the Body of Christ before. It was unique in the intergenerational relationships that were built and something that I hope to be a part of again in the near future. I know we were in Iowa specifically for my personal growth in my relationship with Christ and I would not trade my time there for anything! It is always really hard to leave the known and go to the unknown. For the past 7 years of Matt and my marriage we have moved our residence 4 times (5 if you count where we are at right now and hopefully will be 6 by the end of this year). However, I truly hope we can stay wherever we end up for several years. It will be really nice to be settled. Have some rest time. Have an idea of where we will be, who we are and what we are called to do. Until then, we will trust that God has a plan for us and that it is to prosper and not to harm.

We plan to welcome a new baby in about 4 weeks. I am living about an hour and fifteen minutes from the hospital that I will deliver in, my sister works overnight as a nurse (my ride to Gainesville) and my husband is also an hour and 15 away. So with that said, I am trusting that God will prolong my labor enough to make it to where I need to be, with who I would like to have there. I know he will protect and keep me through this process and it will all be for His glory.

Matt is making his visits on the weekends. This is our first weekend back together. It is nice to have his love and affection around. Noah has done such a great job of adjusting to this transition. Please continue to pray for him through all of this. Also pray that we fit into the daily life of the Suralis-Smith household and are a blessing to them during our stay here.

Enjoy some maternity pictures in the mean time!