Day 8 – Homecoming

Noah is ready for the outdoors.

Saturday marked the end of the week without mom. She came home from Brasil and the boys and I returned from my parents, so it was Homecoming Saturday.

Amy was worn out when he got her this afternoon. She basically had been up for 30 hours when we saw her. Noah was happy. He did really good all week in not complaining much or getting teary about missing mommy. We like to keep him busy which keeps his mind on something other than missing mom. Noah did start to put on his coat around 1030 this morning to go to the airport. Amy’s flight didn’t arrive until 230. He was ready to get to see and hug mommy.

Noah and Grandma Honey feed the birds.

Noah did go out and restock the birdfeeder at Grandma Honey’s. He was excited that he got to do that. Grandma’s have that ability to distract and keep kids occupied. I think the saying goes, ‘this ain’t my first rodeo.’ A huge thank you to both of our parents for helping out this week. They really made this a lot easier.

Kent, Levi, Noah and Joellen Yeager. March 6, 2010. Taken in Jesup, IA.

And before we left I got this fun shot with my parents and the boys. I’m sure that will make the family calendar for next year.

Here’s a recap of the week:
Day 1 was departure day for Amy. This post includes a visit to cousin Morgan’s house.

Another sister’s visit topped Day 2 and included a trip to the State Historical Building.

We got back into the swing of things on Day 3. Big thanks to Grandma Paula and Grandpa Wil for entertaining on the late afternoons. This was a big help.

Day 4 was doctor day. Levi had another ear infection and Noah got to eat green eggs and ham. The shot of Levi in this post is worth the click.

Day 5 was all about the vests. We tried to make a video in our vests, but that didn’t work. I think the director in me, just didn’t provide enough inspiration. This day I was ready to have mom come home.

We hit the road for my parents in Jesup on Day 6. Noah got to eat McDonald’s on the trip north, so that was a good day for him to hit the Iowa roads.

Grandma Honey’s help was enlisted on Day 7. I had a meeting at Wartburg College, so Noah and Levi were the entertainment on the farm. Noah did get to see the grain bins up close with Farmer Papa. The picture of boys in this post is also a good one to see.

It was also a big with Mike and Kelly Peasley and the birth of their daughter Alison.

Thanks again for the support this week and comments. I’ve found that people were actually reading these posts that were basically open letters to Amy about what’s happening. She said she did read them. That’s a step in the right direction. Now if I can just get her to watch The Iowa Journal.

Day 5 – Vest Day

Noah holds Levi as they both don their vests and smiles.

We are now past the midpoint of Amy’s trip to Brasil. Now, we just need to keep the boys going for a few more days. How about a new distraction? Like a trip to the farm? It sounded good at the time, we’ll just see if we can make it there with all our stuff. That will be the big challenge.

But Wednesday turned out to be Vest Day. Noah and Levi both ended up in vests. As did I, but mine stays at work, thanks to the good-humored co-workers who like to include me in their reindeer games.

So, we’ve got the a fun picture of the boys in their vests. We tried for a video, but couldn’t get on to UStream when needed. Maybe it was all the videos Dan Wardell is doing as he prepares for IPTV’s Festival.

Levi seems to be feeling better. He didn’t sleep much this afternoon. Let’s hope he can do well during the night again for the second straight night. That would be wonderful.

Huge thanks again to Grandma Paula and Grandpa Wil. They had a bonus day with grandkids as cousins Jenna and Logan were at the house for most of the day as well.

Noah did get sad tonight, but we’ll get through it.

I hope.

Day 3 with the boys

'lil Levi

Not much to report on Day 3. I went to work. Noah and and Levi went back to school. It was another long night for Levi and I as the 5-month old decided that sleeping wasn’t in his best interest.

Grandma Paula and Grandpa Wil are picking up the boys from school and feeding them and me in the evenings this week. So, really, I’ve got it easy on that end.

Monday night I had a call committee meeting at church, so I got to see the boys for 45 minutes before leaving for the meeting. For those interested, we are moving ahead on the call process, but are being intentional in our actions and deliberate in what we do. So, give us some time. This is the first time we’ve called a senior pastor in 40 years.

I got home around 915 and Noah was still up and not sleeping. He had grandma laying with him, but didn’t fall asleep. I think he was asleep in 3 minutes after I got home. He did have a sad moment wondering when Mommy was going to be home. We may have to pull out a movie greeting Amy did for him tomorrow night. We’ll see.

We did hear from Amy today, she’s fine and enjoying the 70 degree weather, even if it is rainy.

Time to get to bed. Levi likes to wake me up several times at night. But again, I wouldn’t trade this for anything.

Here’s Day One’s recap.

Here’s Day Two’s.

I’m sure we’ll make it to Day 5, Still alive.

Day 2 With The Boys

We made it through Day 2 after a big thanks to another sister.

Amy is on business in Brasil. Here’s the background on her trip and look at Day 1.

The overnight was a little rough as I thought I could just let Levi cry out, but nope, just a long night of trying to get the boy to sleep.

We made it to church so Noah could sing and go to church school. Levi did not make it through all the service, so my apologies for the folks around us this morning. As we were leaving church, Noah asked why did so many people keep saying, where is your mother?

We got a trip to Target in before lunch and Levi slept through most of the store. So, we did one nap in.

Paige, Levi, Allie and Noah. BTW, his hair was combed this morning. It was the hat.

And how to pass the afternoon? Another day, another sister visit. This time cousins Paige and Allie were the entertainment at the State Historical Building.

For the record, Noah did comb his hair this morning, but apparently his hat made his hair a little out of control. Oh well, he had a good time.

There’s always fun to be had looking at deer, airplanes and cutouts of settlers.

Paige, Noah and Allie with their friends.

No more notes for me, time for bed.

Day 1 without Mom supervision

Levi, Amy and Noah. February 27, 2010. Levi is 5 months today.

Saturday was another stay at home day for Noah. That’s what we call days there’s no school or daycare. Today was also the day we took Amy to the airport for her week-long work trip to Brasil.

Last year, Amy went to Holland for a work trip and Noah and I got along fine. But that was only one child. Although, the morning she left for Holland, she told me we were pregnant.

Now, a work trip is twice the fun with Levi.

Levi at 5 months

Levi turned is now 5 months old today. Where did those 5 months go? When Noah was 5 months, we moved to Ankeny from Bettendorf. Levi has advanced a lot this month. He’s rolling over now, can hold his head up well and full of smiles. And, he’s been eating cereal which may be one reason he’s sleeping better at night.

Now back to the week at hand.

After we said goodbye to Amy to board her plane, it was time for the “Only The Yeager Boys” Week. That’s what Noah is calling it.

What would we do pass the time? Invade my sister’s house, of course.

Morgan and Noah play games to pass some time.

We went to see cousin Morgan and get a few pictures taken of the boys. Morgan and Noah play well together and that makes it exciting for Noah as he has some one to play with that’s not his Dad.

Then dinner with Xavier and we had the day wrapped.

Bring on tomorrow.

Amy thinks I’ll post more here and do more movies. We’ll see.

Consider this a warning.

The neighbors have been told to just ignore any fires they may see here at the house.

It is time to go to bed. Levi is sure to awaken 3 times overnight.

But I’m not complaining. This is what is so fun about being a Dad. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

How did Day 2 go?