Levi and Noah on Spring Break

Levi on stage, waiting for his cue to go into the IPTV Kids Clubhouse. Photo by Paul Yeager.

The boys really weren’t on spring break this week like much of Ankeny, including our neighborhood, is.

But the boys did have some fun anyway.

Noah watches a pledge break from off stage at IPTV. Photo by Paul Yeager.

Wednesday was a chance for a IPTV Kids Clubhouse visit.

The kids were needed for a promo to run after Festival 2010 is over. Noah will be on your right in the front, you know, the short one.

The kids got to stick around to be a part of a pledge break.

This was fun as Dan Wardell included the kids, Noah is in the back row in a green shirt. Then some of the adults were included and so was the TV debut of Levi. I think you’ll know when he’s on TV.

Levi, Paul and Noah Yeager with Dan Wardell. IPTV Studios, March 17, 2010.

And always, we got a picture with Dan during a break. Always fun times with our friend Dan.

You still have a chance to support IPTV by going here.

Hope you enjoyed the fun times with Dan in the clubhouse. This is the only locally produced kids show left in Iowa.

Noah tells a joke

Noah and Levi, St. Patrick's Day, 2010.

I have no comic timing or delivery, I just appreciate a joke.
When I take the boys to school, we have a routine, we first go to Noah’s room, take his coat off, check in with his teachers, then we all go to Levi’s room to drop Levi off first.

When Noah walks into the baby room of 3 to 10 month olds, he looks like a giant. It also looks like Noah is on stage as all the kids are looking up to Noah as he talks to them.

I took it upon myself to try to teach Noah a few jokes that he can use to tell the kids who are hanging on his every word each morning when we get to Levi’s room.

Here now is Noah’s attempt at a classic, but very tired, joke. There are two takes at the joke. He does leave out a word, much like the way his dad writes.

Hopefully later today, the story on Noah and Levi’s trip to the IPTV Kids Clubhouse. Levi made his TV debut and Noah was on and will hopefully make the cut for the post-Festival Promotion.

March Madness with Noah and Levi

It has been a couple of weeks since I gave an update on the boys. Mom is home and all seem to be adjusting well.

Noah was ready to go to school last week with his puppy and car for show and share.

Noah did want a little extra attention after Mom’s return home, but we seem to be better. That may be in part to he is the “Star of the Week” at his preschool/daycare. He gets to bring the movie they watch (Bull Durham, I was amazed they let the kids watch that), snack (Italian Nachos from Old Chicago were tough to keep warm) and toys for the kids to share.

I will post a funny video of Noah trying to work on his first joke. We’re not talking throwing an alarm clock to see time fly joke, but one that will bring a smile to your face.

Levi in the middle of bath night, March 10, 2010. 5 1/2 months.

Levi is growing and getting to be a little boy. Almost daily, he’s doing something new like almost sitting up on his own, talking and driving a car. They do grow up fast.

Here’s a fun video from Levi and I on Monday. Mom and Noah went to the store, so we went live on my UStream channel with a little video. Thanks to those of you who watched.

You will see how Levi’s giggles are infectious, his smile brightening and hair Einstein-esque.

If YouTube doesn’t work, here’s the UStream link as well.

Levi and I tried to do a video on Sunday. But it was Noah who wasn’t into it as much. Here’s a look at that video as well.

Thanks for letting a dad be a dad and show off his kids.

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 7 – End in sight

The end of the Yeager Bachelor days are close to ending.

Morning broke early in Shady Grove.

Day 7 started early on the Yeager farmstead. Levi slept through the night, or maybe I was too tired to hear him.

Noah and I slept in the big waterbed. I was asleep until Noah woke me up at 545 to ask if it was 7 o’clock yet. We tell Noah that 7 o’clock is the time he can get up each morning. So, every five minutes for the next 45 minutes, Noah would ask me if it was 7 o’clock yet.

Would you trust your daughters with these two gentlemen?

It will be fun to tell Noah that story when he’s 14 and sleeping until noon and he’ll think when I try to get him up at 10 o’clock is too early.

I let Noah watch a SuperFriends DVD while I fed Levi downstairs. This allowed me to see some morning news including Justin Roberts on KGAN. No Kristine Ward today, maybe next time. I did get to see Tara Thomas on KWWL with Bob Waters. Still not sure who that was on KCRG. Sorry Ashley Hinson and weather dude.

Grandma Honey got to entertain the boys for most of the day as I had a meeting at Wartburg College. So, she got these two quickly aging children.

Snow melting on the Wartburg College campus.

Back to Wartburg, the campus was emptying out as spring break was beginning. Our group did get to hear a presentation about The Circuit. Just Google Spencer Albers to see what I’m talking about. And, if you’ve not given to the Communication Arts convergence fund, take time to write that check to help our department.

Back to the boys, usually it is the baby that will sleep fairly easy and the little boy who will not sleep. Not today. Noah took a 2 hour nap. Levi slept for 20 minutes.

Noah did not make many desires to see his mother today. But, I’m sure that will fire up in the morning as it becomes reality that Mom is close to coming home.

That will be part of Day 8 – Return of Mommy. See you then.

Day 6 Travel to Shady Grove

We made a trip north today.

Noah in a really big boy bed.

North to the other side of family and Grandma Honey and Farmer Papa. I finished work on our Iowa Journal discussion on mental illness and a feature on the basketball and other abilities of Harrison Barnes, then loaded up the boys and hit the road.

We are here. Noah is excited to sleep in the big waterbed with Dad. You can see how big the bed is. I got that bed when I was in 2nd grade, so I was about the same size as Noah.

Friday is a fun day for the boys with Grandma and Grandpa while I head to a meeting.

The boys will get to enjoy a day in the Shady Grove neighborhood. Should be fun.

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 4 – Day of Doctors

Noah has a bandage, but he says he's fine.

Only one doctor was supposed to be part of our Tuesday. That was supposed to be Dr. Suess and his birthday celebration.

All of Noah’s class were assigned to bring Dr. Suess books for their teachers to read in class today. His class was celebrating the authors birthday. The kids were even going to get to try green eggs and ham. Noah said he liked the green tinted treats.

Noah wanted to bring Hop on Pop. So, we packed it away. We even talked about it in this video that was filmed before we left for school this morning. Noah decided to talk about cereal bars and Levi was doing a little work out in the exo-saucer. Now that Levi is a bit stronger, he likes to play and chew on the toys on the saucer.

We made it through the night a little better. Levi was a better sleeper, but that cold is firing up a bit. So, we hope he improves and no need to go to the doctor. But as the day went on, his cold built up and got worse. But as always, he had a smile on his face and was laughing, so how sick could he be? The worst that can happen is the doctor says he’s fine and go home.

We did discuss this in Day 3, Day 2 and Day 1. You can read those if you are in need of falling asleep faster than warm milk or Jay Leno’s show.

Levi goes back to the doctor

When I went to pick up the boys at Wil and Paula’s, I got to see Noah with the bandage on his head (he says he scratched it while at school) and a fussy Levi. I fed Levi and called for a doctor’s appointment.

Sure enough, Levi has another ear infection. Levi now has his medicine and Noah is fast asleep. Time for me to join them.

Tomorrow, we begin to pack for the trip to Grandma Honey’s and Farmer Papa’s house. Plus my new nickname for the boys.

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.