Travels Visitors Moving Oh My!

The past few weeks have been so busy for us! I knew this summer was going to fly by with all we have going in our family, but I guess I had anticipated a little downtime too! Oh well, life is way funner this way and I remember the first few weeks of Ike's life, I was feeling tired and the monotony of feeding, changing diapers, bathing, sleeping, and then starting over... This way, there has been very little monotony, which I think has helped us all survive a little easier!
First, we did make an 8 hour trip to Rexburg June 18th to participate in the much celebrated and anticipated wedding of Aunt Ribie as she is called at our house (Rebecca to the rest of the world)! It was a lovely time and even the traveling wasn't so bad! The first night, we drove to Pinedale and stayed with Joni and Clay-- we drove all the way there without stopping (4 1/2 hours)! Way to go boys!! Needless to say, we were really tired of being in the car, so we spent the next morning going to the "Pinedale Beach" aka Fremont Lake- which is way too cold to swim in, but fun to play at the water's edge and soak up the first sight of sunlight in a month! Anyway, the rest of the weekend was wonderful too! Beck's wedding was fabulous and a beautiful ceremony... I don't think any of us will be forgetting it anytime soon:) We are so excited to have a new addition (Michael) to our family and look forward to lots and lots of years of getting to know him (since we only get to see him for 10 minutes at a time, it'll probably take a lifetime to get to know him)! I think one of the highlights of the trip for us (it was a very quick weekend trip...) was getting to hang out with Casey and Rachel (and baby Isaiah) post wedding reception. I feel really blessed that my inlaws (and outlaws...) even like me because I can be inept at times;) Anyway, it was a great weekend!
The next weekend our friend, Jamie, came up to visit and we went to the Terry Bison Ranch in Cheyenne (mark another location off our list of things to do before we leave Wyoming!) We had a great time and even rode a train all around the ranch (over 1 hr long) and fed the bison, camels, etc. They actually have quite a few different animals, some more exotic than others... Regardless, Ike was thrilled and Zach had some quality sleep time there!
Lucky for us, the next week happened to be 4th of July, and lucky for us, most of our family was able to come spend it with us in Laramie as we celebrated our nation and our new son. We were able to do some fun camping (well, some braver souls without 5 week old babies...) and cooking out, a kiddie parade, and the park celebration here in town (a great time for anyone looking for a fun place to be on the 4th)! We ended the evening with a dinner with some close friends and family (thanks everyone who hung around town for us) and then fireworks. It was an awesome weekend and I feel so blessed that we could have so many supporters here for us and especially for little Zach. Ben's parents made the long haul (8hours) with Sarah, Peter, Hannah and Mary, Jen and Tom gave up their fun 4th of July plans to be here (thanks so much- we couldn't have pulled off this feat without you)! Joni and Clay also made the trip with their kiddos- I think one of the funnest things to watch is how much fun Macy and Ike have together. They play like best friends and don't even fight... They are such good little playmates, which makes us even more heartbroken to leave. We were also lucky enough to have Jamie home that weekend to make it up for the festivities, and our other great friends here in town- Jamie and Stuart (thanks Jame for being too "with child" for traveling over the holiday)! Zach's blessing took place at church Sunday. It was really special, once again, to have a big crowd there for him. What a great time in life! He is a pretty special little boy and I am so excited (though I hope it slows down so I can savor it) for his life. I know he has many unique and wonderful opportunities ahead.
After the "family rush," my plan was to begin the packing process... hmm... still working on that! Instead we have spent most days helping my parents pack, as they sold their house earlier than expected and had to move to Nebraska sooner too. We had lots of fun times around the house enjoying the last few days of living in the same town. Ike just loves to go over and play with their "special toys" and eat junk food or juice or pretty much whatever they have! He also really enjoyed playing in his pool on their patio and pretending like he was making "bean casserole," as he said, (I promise I've never actually made that, but from the sounds of it, Ike would really like it!) He has also gained a deep love an admiration for mowing-- so now his two favorite make believe games are pretending that he's printing and then mowing (both loud events)!
Monday the boys and I headed to Nebraska with mom and dad to make their final move with the big truck. It was a great 4 hour road trip and almost uneventful (even better)! We did stop at a Perkins to "milk the horses" as my dad refers to feeding Zack and while there, my dad decided to be a really supportive gramps and even burb Zack (not sure he knew the dangers involved). Zack must've recognized that this was a burping virgin with a clean shirt and made sure to get dad good- oops! I did appreciate the help though!Their new place is really great, though when we got about 30 mins. outside of town, Ike exclaimed "I want to go to grandma's old house, I don't like this North Platte!"He has since changed his mind (the new place has more space to run around, if that's possible). It is definitely going to be strange not having my family in town for the next month that we are still here. I guess you could say it is the end of an "era" for Pokorny's in Laramie. I recognize that this has been a special place where all of our lives could come together for a few years. How special! I see now what a unique opportunity this has been. I feel like maybe one of the reasons we didn't get into dental school right away was so we could spend more time together and really create lasting friendships and bonds (especially with Ike). Anyway, enough... I don't want to get too sloshy over Laramie... I still have a month left to realize how much I really do love it:) Ok, love is a strong word and I need to remember that it is summer- the best time of year for Laramie... mid winter, I don't think I could ever use the word love!
I know this post is out of control in length, but our month has been so full of events, it seems difficult to cut any of them too short! While we were in North Platte and Ike was taking advantage of said space (i.e. mildly running indoors), he happened to skid to a stop right in front of the coffee table. Unfortunately, his awesome skid happened on a blanket and as a result he hit his face (why is it always the face?!) on the coffee table (particularly right above his front teeth on his gums). These things always happen when I'm the only one around and I actually saw this one occur, though not in enough time to save the situation. It was a gory sight, but is healing nicely... He has a very fat upper lip, but lucky for all of us, I have decided not to document the event in pictures:) I think Isaac has forgotten all about it, but I don't think I will for a very long time!
I love to put in things Isaac is saying now... Yesterday my dad had just finished painting in the garage (he is very thorough and the new owners are pretty much the luckiest people alive)! Anyway, Ike walked in the garage to marvel with us at the fresh coat of paint and exclaimed "It smells like elk poop in here gwampa!" I have no idea where he got that idea, but he was rather insistent... funny boy!
Update on Zack: he is so happy and smiling for us all the time now! What a great stage (like I've mentioned before, I don't remember these stages with Ike as much b/c I was so so tired)! Zack has also outgrown his newborn clothes in length this week... sad, but is definitely another skinny boy- if only I had their metabolism! He is even talking and smiling at Isaac (I wasn't sure he'd ever do anything but frown at Ike, given Isaac's love and constant bugging Zack) I'm sure paybacks are coming though! Zack has also managed to keep his hair (a miracle with Ike around) so we are keeping our fingers crossed that it won't fall out! It is definitely getting longer too and just may present itself like Ike's baby doo-- we called it the golum b/c it was long and stringy... time will tell!
Well, a little less than a month left in Laramie... yikes! We have accomplished lots of the prep work, but now that we are down to it, we have lots left to do! It will be an interesting month and just as busy as the past one!

I'm not half bad...

I love taking photos, but often do not have the talent that I wish I did to capture what I wish I could... Anyway, I did happen to get a couple of shots of the boys on Sunday and Monday and thought I would share them with you... Please notice, everyone is still relatively happy and healthy and well fed (crossing my fingers that that can continue, though relatively is the key word in the phrase)! Anyway, we are off tomorrow for Beck's wedding in Rexburg-- Zach's first big trip in the car (also crossing my fingers for this one)! Should be a blog-worthy adventure to say the least!!

Oh, I also have to mention a couple more things Isaac is saying... He came to me the other day and said, "Mommy, I your baby woke up and he said he wants more of your milk!" This is still making me chuckle days later:) I just love that boy! He also found out that Grandma Pieper's first name is LaJean, and along with that, he found out that she isn't thrilled about him calling her that, so he decided he will call her that without fail, and sometimes he just chants it because he can... I can't believe a 2 year old can be so good at teasing! He also heard my dad and I talking about a friend we call Jean Jean the Dancing Machine and Isaac decided that that would be a good name for his grandma, so now he's singing LaJean LaJean the Dancing Machine! Oh boy... this should make for an interesting weekend! I'll keep you posted, that is, if I live!

Introducing Little Zachary James

I suppose it is finally time to introduce little Zachary. He was born May 27, 2009 at 7:27am 8lbs 1 oz, 21 inches long- after only 3 hours of labor. So in short, labor was a relative breeze (which I feel bad admitting) and uncomplicated- I'm sure this was a precursor to this little boy's personality. He is such a sweet joy! Zachary is a big eater during the day and a big sleeper at night, which makes for a very very happy mommy! He is very easy going and quite content to do anything we put him up to! As you can see, he was born with a mop of dark hair, darker skin, and dark blue eyes. We are not sure how our boys got so handsome, or so many dark, cute features, but I am pretty sure our girls are going to be powdery white and bald until they're 10! Oh well, we'll still love 'em!

Little Zach-y, as Ike has lovingly nicknamed him, had to spend a couple of days with jaundice on the billi bed, but was quite content to do so... Maybe it is because that is about the only relief he had from Ike, or maybe it was because he likes sunbathing... not sure! He was so good at staying on the bed as much as possible, much to the relief of his parents. He has also been sleeping in his bassinet, which to me is a major accomplishment! After all the trepidation I had in the last couple weeks of pregnancy, this little one has completely won me over. We now cannot possibly imagine life without little Zachy and all of his patience and long-suffering (Ike really loves him A LOT)! We have actually spent the past couple of weeks going about life in an almost normal fashion... Keeping my tradition of being outside walking/running whenever possible, Zach and Ike have accompanied me on walks almost everyday (no running yet:). Last weekend, Ben and I even took a day trip to Fort Collins shopping with the boys. Isaac started singing "I love Fort Collins!" That went on for quite awhile!

I also have to share some of the things Ike has been saying lately concerning little Zach... He'll come up to him and say "Oh, I know baby, I know" (I'm thinking, are they both that disgruntled with us as parents??) He also loves to sing "Hush little baby won't you cry..." He is quick to offer compliments like "Look atcha cute little toes and ya cute little eyes," etc... I was definitely afraid that Ike would feel a little jealousy, etc, but so far, none whatsoever... It's almost like we just gave him the best toy ever! He is thoroughly enthralled! The first morning when Zach was at home, he awoke at 5:30am and must've awoke Ike because he decided to get up then too (he usually doesn't wake until 8am), so all 4 of us were up at 5:30 and decided to watch Beauty and the Beets (as Ike calls it- really Beauty and the Beast). It was a really fun bonding time for all of us, but definitely warranted the nap later that morning!

We have also received lots of visitors and special helpers over the past two weeks and were very very excited to have Grandma Pieper, Sarah, Hannah and Mary come visit from Idaho last week. What a treat! Since recovery for our family has been going so well, we actually even made a shopping trip to Cheyenne with the girls. What fun! I think part of the reason this transition has gone so smoothly is because of all the help we have had, especially from Jen and Jenny Wren visiting so much the first week we were home- they kept us all happy and sane! We also couldn't have done so well without plenty of yummy food and well wishes brought by our friends and family here in town- so thanks to all!

We are also thrilled that Ben's little sister, Mary decided to stay the week in Laramie with us. She is such a helper and joy to have around- we are really going to miss opportunities like this when we move. Ike is just loving her to pieces. In fact, this morning I awoke to Ike singing "wake up Mary" to her from his bed... Luckily she sleeps like a Pieper log, so she wasn't phased! Mary inspired us yesterday to take a little hiking trip to Vedauwoo. We actually did the Turtle Rock trail (I think it's over 2 miles) and little Zach actually did very well too- I only had to stop and feed him at the waterfalls.

Anyway, I feel like typing this post is definitely going to jinx us, but we have just experienced what I think was a tender mercy! Little Zach came to us healthy and very happy and so far, we haven't done much to mess that up! Our two little boys are just the sunshine we need to make it through the next few years of Arizona and dental school. It is so true that the Lord gives us certain things at certain times for certain purposes. We are so grateful for His perspective to guide our lives~ I definitely couldn't have done better!

Last minute fun...

Our trip to the zoo and my much talked about and highly acclaimed 38 week pregnant self

Gotta love the elephants! What a great day:)

Yes, we are getting down to it... I think we are about as ready as we will ever be to add this newbie to our family. I am thrilled at adding to our family and scared to death at the same time! I do think, however, that my endless lists of things to do before baby comes are finally dwindling to an end! Whew!

Andy and Ike playing at the park-- looks like they're up to a little trouble... What else would you expect from these two?

We have had an awesome couple of weeks running around and down to Denver for 3 weekends in a row though, so I guess I should be ready to settle in to Laramie for a few weeks, right? The first weekend in May, my brother graduated from college (yeah!!) We were really happy to get to witness the monumental occasion:) and to celebrate with him too. It was also nice to see warm sunshine and actually have to worry about sunshine, sunscreen and sunglasses for a change! We also went to an awesome little Titanic "muh-zeh-zum" (as Ikey says museum) that had real Titanic artifacts for free (even better)! Of course, our friend and Ben had to weather somewhat inclement weather for our 1 1/2 wait, but it was worth it!

Fun train ride into town

Weekend number 2 was spent meeting up with our long-time friends from Indiana who flew out for the week and our friends from Denver who happen to be related... We are so so lucky! We did a little "pre-celebration" for their arrival and joined in with a flavorful, cultural Cinco de Mayo celebration downtown in Denver. I think Ike's favorite part was riding the lightrail into downtown, Ben's favorite part was probably eating and getting free food, and my favorite part was the warm sunshine and people watching... I so enjoy people watching! Anyway, after that, we met up with our lovely friends at Casa Bonita (I'm telling you, it was a cultural weekend)! We had the funniest, quirkiest waitress of our lives... she asked me- the pregnant woman- if I had ordered a drink from the bar, for example. We spent all day Sunday with them too catching up and hanging out. Don't you just love having friends that you just click with? We are so lucky because these guys know us AND they still like us too (We think...)

Good buddies going for a ride in the chair
Downtown in Denver

Weekend number 3 started for Ike and I on Thursday when we took off for Denver (again) to meet up with our friends and my brother. Our kids are such good little playmates, though a little dramatic, and often sarcastic for being 2 and 3! It was a great time to catch up! We were able to hit up some fun parks in D-town and eat some really good food... You can see from the pics, we are party animals;) We went downtown again to hit up a park and check out the 16th street mall. Ben joined us Friday night and we took our party to the Zoo on Saturday- maybe that's why I'm tired:) What a fun time and last hoorah before this new baby hits the scene. It was so great to have the Whites around and to catch up with the Barratts too. I'm going to miss that this week... Someday we'll all live in the same neighborhood, we keep telling ourselves that (we are secretly trying to pray them all to Phoenix)! We'll see...

Ike looking on at a Capybara (Uncle Casey's animal name) too funny not to publish! No one else around us knew what it was- I even thought it looked like a R.O.U.S. (come on princess bride fans...) but we knew it was just Uncle Capy!

On the baby front, I am progressing right along and feeling very, very good (knock on wood)! I am most often briskly walking now, but jogging a couple times a week (for shorter periods of time followed by more walking, don't worry!) Everyone is healthy and happy and I'm actually feeling very ready to go through labor and delivery, its that month after that scares me... you know, the one I don't even remember from Isaac's life! Ike is really very sure this baby is a girl now, my parents think it's a boy and Ben and I are so unsure, though we do have a few "secret" names... We'll keep you posted, but there is still time to add your favorite to the list:)

"Why don't you name your baby..."

I just had to post this before I forget because it is the sweetest thing ever! Isaac's new favorite conversation topic (and ours...) is what to name the baby... So, everyday, at least ten times a day, Ike comes up to me and says "Why don't you name your baby..." the names have ranged from Carrot Bean Pieper to Carroll to Sheila, but most recently he is stuck on the name "Valen" which he made up... He and I met up with my friend last week who has a little girl name Falyn, but Ike insists that her name is really "Valen- like valentine" he says!
Anyway, yesterday Ike came up to my baby belli and started talking to it saying "Hi baby, how you doin' today? How bout we name you Valen like Valentine? Would you like that baby?" It was way cute! We were looking at baby swings at the store on Monday and ever since then he is so excited for this baby to come out so he can watch it in the swing and name it Valen! Can't beat that!!
Oh, and just for all of you who are as worried as I am that we aren't really ready for two kiddos, Ben and Ike put up the bassinet last night! Whew! One more thing off the list:) Good thing too because Isaac loves to come up to the baby belli and say "don't you want to come out today baby? Come out and play baby!" Cute, but I think this babe could use a few more weeks!

The Month of April...

Snowstorm a couple weeks ago... we had to get out and teach Ike a thing or two about snow before we move to Arizona!

Oh no! April is almost over!! I just signed into my blog to find out that we have 36 days left until our due date... WHAT!?! Time is flying by and I'm not sure I'll ever feel truly "caught up," but I guess maybe that's the essence of life... What would it feel like to think you were caught up and had nothing left to do? I'm not sure I would like that alternative either, so, I guess... Fasten your seatbelts kids because here we go!

We did get a chance to go meet baby Emry this weekend at Joni and Clay's in Pinedale. It was such a special weekend! Emry is a true beauty (I'm not bragging, but she really really is!) and is so well behaved for being 2 weeks old. I had the privilege of holding her a lot and just enjoying her. What a treat! I guess it did re-warm me to the idea of having a newborn. I just can't believe how fast it is all coming! Isaac and Macy also had a great time playing together. I know they miss each other... They are the best little playmates and enjoy making up games and most especially chasing each other and playing hide and seek. What a sight to have them together! This was also a very special time because Emry was blessed this weekend in church. All of Joni and Clay's immediate family were able to be there, which doesn't come along very often... It is difficult enough to get Joni, Andy and I together, let alone both families!

Baby Emry and new baby?? (37 days to go) kicking each other:)
Andy and Joni... cute
New baby Emry... what a doll! (and doesn't Joni look hot for just having a baby 2 weeks ago, whoa mama!!)

I guess I will take a moment to "recap" the month of April, so you can skim this... I just know that this blog also serves as a "journal" of sorts for me, so I better leave a little blip about this month! We started the month off with a bang, as we have had several relatively big snowstorms. Ben's 29th birthday was April 4th, so we celebrated on April 3rd with a surprise party at our house with a few friends and family. I just figured that this was our last chance with our Laramie friends to celebrate a birthday and we do love fun little get togethers:) This was also the weekend of conference, which was especially special because Ben, Ikie and I just hung out at home by ourselves and watched conference while it snowed a TON outside. It was nice to be snowed in with nowhere to go really and a great conference to watch!

Ben's enfamous birthday party... what a fun time!

We also had the opportunity to stay here this year for Easter and celebrate in real fashion by making a few treats and crafts for our friends and family. Ikie's cousin and a couple friends got to help him out too, so that was pretty fun! Ike's favorite part was making easter bunny cupcakes with coconut frosting, raisin eyes and marshmallow ears... He thought they were pretty awesome! Easter weekend we spent Saturday with our friend in Denver going to the temple all day. It was special to have time to spend there because it had been awhile. We traded off Ikie between each other, but got a lot done and had a great spirit around us.

Easter... brr! We did do a little Easter Egg Hunt with just Ike... He's not going to really understand the idea of competition when hunting for eggs, but he had fun:)
You can see the pride in his face as he shows off the fruits of his labors... the bunny cupcake:)

Otherwise, this month we have really just enjoyed some good weather and good snowstorms! I love hard, wet snowstorms followed by melting, preferably when not traveling! In between the hard snows, Ike and I have been jogging everyday we can outside, which is getting harder and harder, but so fun! I am now having to be much more careful, though, as baby is pulling on my muscles so much... A small price to pay for enjoying the spring weather:)

Ben's family was able to come visit us too, which was, as always, a wonderful time! I just wish it could last longer because we always have so much fun together and it seems like the weather is always yucky when they're here! It was also nice to have some workout buddies, though and to hang out with some of our best friends!! (Still waiting to see some pics from this trip... will post soon)!

These two explained they were playing "What not to wear..." Ike has never seen it, but seemed to know what to do anyway.. Gotta love a man with style and a true sense of who he is!

Anyway, all in all, April has been a wonderful month! We have so enjoyed this time as a family and preparing for this new addition to our family. What a great time in life!

Arizona Poem

Arizona

The devil wanted a place on Earth,
Sort of a summer home.
A place to spend his vacation
Whenever he wanted to roam.

So, he picked out Arizona.
A place both wretched and rough.
Where the climate was to his liking,
and the cowboys hardened and tough.

He dried up the streams in the canyons
and ordered no rain to fall.
He dried up the lakes in the valleys,
Then baked and scroched it all.

Then over his barren desert
He transplanted shrubs from hell.
The cactus, thistle and prickly pear,
The climate suited them well.

Now the home was much to his liking,
But animal life, he had none.
So, he created crawling creatures
That all mankind would shun.

First he made the rattlesnake
With his forked poisonous tongue.
Taught it to strike and rattle
and how to swallow its young.

Then he made scorpions and lizards
and the ugly old horned toad.
He placed spiders of every discription
Under rocks by the side of the road.

Then he ordered the sun to shine hotter,
Hotter and hotter still.
Until even the cactus wilted,
and the old horned toad looked ill.

Then he gazed on his earthly kingdom,
As any creator would.
He chuckled a little up his sleeve
and admitted that it was good.

Twas summer now and Satan lay by
A prickly pear to rest.
The sweat rolled off his swarthy brow,
So he took off his coat and vest.
"By Golly," he finally panted,
"I did my job too well. I am going back
where I came from.
Arizona is hotter than hell."

I found this in some stories and poems Ben took home from his mission... Not sure why they had this one in particular in Peru, but it sure fits our life in the near future! We're getting a little nervous for the heat, especially if Satan can't stand it!