Life with my guys

At first Clement was not so keen on the fact that we have a baby in the house. He pretty much ignored Cletus the first day. The next he took notice, but still kept his distance. The third day he decided it might be cool to see what the baby is really like up close. Besides having to watch Clement to make sure he isn't throwing something on Cletus, poking, or swatting, he really has become fascinated with his little brother. He likes to help by getting things for me or talking to Cletus.

Cyprian was enamored with Cletus from the start. He was also that way when Clement was born. He is very helpful, almost to helpful as he has already picked up Cletus by himself. He definitely is a good big brother and is anxious on how soon he can really play with baby Cletus. He also helps entertain little Cletus.

Franz has been most helpful with taking care of Cyprian and Clement, so I can take care of Cletus and myself.

Tuesday was the first time I was by myself for the day while Franz worked and went to class. Thankfully both Cyprian and Clement took a two hour nap. A friend came over and brought us dinner and helped entertain the boys.

Wednesday was absolutely gorgeous! The sun came out and it got to almost 70. We all spent time outside.

Thursday I forgot it was Valentines Day till midday. Cyprian had his Atrium catechism class. Franz dropped him off before heading to class and work. A friend brought Cyprian home and also brought us supper. I forgot what time Franz would come home, so he surprised me and was home before 6 with a half dozen red roses and chocolate covered strawberries:') I love my Honey.

Friday I was able to get quite a bit done. I have been trying to hold myself in check and not go to crazy with projects and cleaning. I feel like I am still nesting.

Yesterday Cletus turned one week old! How the time does go, and he already looks so different from day one. He has put on weight too I believe. All the gang are doing well and I thank God for that!

Cyprian likes to check on baby Cletus in the morning

I missed getting the shot where he was sucking his thumb..

Cyprian loves Cletus!

The happy trio!

Cynthia entertaining the boys.

Daddy with one week old Cletus.

Mommy with one week old Cletus.

Clement cooking.

Cyprian as super Boy!

Enjoying the outdoors!

"Mom, my hands are dirty"

Cyprian flipping the dump truck.

Augustine sunning.

Pepper now that she can't get out of the yard.

One week one day, what a little cutie!

We are settling into our larger family and I can't say enough how wonderful it has been to have all the prayers and support. When you do not have family close by it is a blessing to live in a community that looks out for you.

Cletus Anthony Klein

Friday I jokingly told my midwife that maybe I would have the baby so I wouldn't have drive to Peaster TX. for my appointment. Well that didn't happen, baby was still snug in my belly so Franz and the boys and I made the drive together for my appointment. Everything looked good, it was just a matter of when baby decided to come. I said I thought it could be any day.

That evening my back really started to ache. I ignored it because that is pretty normal at the end of pregnancy. Throughout the night I subconsciously felt painful contractions. Around 4 a.m. I became conscious of the painful contractions. They were not regular and really long, but they were all painful. So I just laid in bed trying to relax and was keeping track of the length and time of contractions. I didn't wake Franz, he awoke at 6:30 and I told him I was sure I was in labor. So we waited till seven and Franz got up and started taking care of the boys. We called the midwife and I told her that I was having painful contractions not too close but not to far apart. I didn't want her to come quite yet just in case it was awhile yet.

I changed my mind as I started to feel more painful contractions closer together. Franz quickly dressed the boys while I got their bag ready. He asked if I would be okay while he dropped them off at some friends less than a mile from us. I said yes but to hurry back. We also called the midwife and told her it would be good for her to come.

I tried to relax as much as I could. Which is really difficult when you are in labor and it is back labor. I have been told by my mother who gave birth to eleven children that back labor is the worst. I can say from the perspective of only really laboring with back pain that I agree!

I don't know exactly what time Franz got back but it was 7 something and shortly after the midwife arrived. There was a student coming too. The student made it here after 8. It must of been close to 8:30 when I said I felt some bearing down. Soon after that my midwife said she wanted to check me to see where we were at. My water broke and she quickly checked me and as she was saying. Yes, you are going to have a baby. I was starting to push, and about two and a half minutes later Cletus made a gusty cry as he flew into the world. Franz had been planning on catching, but he was behind when the midwife checked so he wasn't able to catch. He did get to cut the cord though.

The blessed relief of holding the little guy for the first time. Now we are a happy, crazier, bigger family. Thank you to all who prayed and supported us along the way. Also, special thanks to the Uphams and Berquists for helping with Cyprian and Clement!

Breakfast in bed right after delivering Cletus. Thank you Honey!

Feeling so much better.

First bath for Cletus

I think he was falling asleep

Measuring time...

Top is Emily my midwife and Jenny the student is measuring and checking Cletus. 

Daddy weighing the munchkin!

Okay, so it is hard to not look like you were run over by a truck, but at least I can smile.

First meeting for all the boys.

Our newest member in the family...

Welcome to Cletus Anthony Klein, born February 9th at 8:44 a.m. Weighing in at 8lb 6oz. measuring in length 20 1/4 ins.

January 2013

 For the new year Franz did the polar plunge with two of his brothers. I stayed at Grandpa's with the little guys where it was nice and warm.We had a nice dinner at Franz's grandparents the Crawfords in the evening.

We we were able to have a nice dinner with friends the Parkers the following night. We were suppose to have dinner the next evening after that with the Runions. The night of the 2nd, I woke up to Clement sounding like he couldn't breathe. I ended up getting him up. He sweetly replied that he needed to go potty. So, I took him to the potty. While he sat on the potty not complaining at all but sounding awful, I gave him a banana to eat so that he could take children Ibuprofen with some water. Still he made no fuss. If he hadn't sound like a dying wheezing animal, you would not have realized he was so sick. He actually wanted to go back to his playpen to sleep. So I put him down and laid awake listening to his breathing. A half hour later when he called me I got up and took him out. I had him lie down beside me just so that I could sleep. He went right to sleep and slept late into the morning. Once he was up he didn't sound bad, so I am pretty confident he had croup.

The next day we left for my parents farm. Clement was fine during the day. But right before bed I gave him Ibuprofen and turned on a cool mister. I also rub some essential oils on his chest. He had no problems thank God! Cyprian also was thankfully spared, he had croup the last two years before. For what ever reason my little guys seem prone to croup.

I got to attend a Marian Catechesis that is based on Fr. Hardons work. It was at Sacred Heart Parrish in Cashton. My sister invited me, so I took advantage and left the boys with Franz at the farm, and had an hour of prayer time and some dinner afterwards while listening to some of what the group were working on in their workbooks. It sounded tough.

Saturday January 5th we attended a wedding of a friend in the Twin Cities. Cyprian was chasing the girls and dancing with them every chance he got. I danced some with my boys, even if I felt and looked like a cow. The whole evening was enjoyable, except the wait for dinner. I was starving by the time it was served. Thank goodness it was really good food!

Monday I stayed with Clement at the farm while Franz and Cyprian went to the Shrine of our Lady of Guadalupe. They also stopped in at the Catholic Times where Franz use to be staff writer to say hi to everyone.

Tuesday was packing time. We laden our van with spices, tea, cheese, meat, garlic, apple sauce, and beer. Besides all that we had Christmas gifts too. That evening we stopped in Madison WI to eat dinner and visit with my brother his wife and two little girls. We left there right around 7.

Franz drove through the night. In the morning we were on a look out for a McDonald that had a play place. Franz needed Wifi so he could do his online tutoring. I wanted the kids to be able to play, the weather was wet and dismal. We went through quite a few places before we finally found one with a play place. So the boys and I played while Franz worked. I insisted when we started out that I would drive. Franz was reluctant because I think he wanted to be able say he drove the whole way. It worked out well because I ended up driving through crazy rain and traffic to get home and I had slept a little during the night, thanks to being pregnant. Normally I would not be able to sleep in a car at all.

Once home we unpacked. The animals were all checked and taken care of. Then I made supper. We cleaned, and got the boys ready and in bed. We all slept...

Long horn cattle in Forth Worth with Sward

The next day we settled back into being at home. That evening late it was Thursday the 10th, Franz picked up his friend Sward who flew in from Milwaukee WI. In the morning the boys were quickly aware that we had a guest. We went to UD for mass and ate a picnic lunch I had packed. We stopped at Cistercian so Sward could see it. Later in the afternoon we went to the Stockyards in Fort Worth to watch the longhorn drive. We then took Sward to Town Talk a great discount store. Franz made us baked Heavenly Halibut fish for supper.

The boys quickly put Sward to work..

Baseball

Saturday morning we all loaded into the van. The boys dropped me off at a prenatal class. While I was in class they proceeded to the Cathedral downtown Dallas and the Farmers Market. Then Sward picked me up after going to visit an Art museum, while Franz was at home with napping kids. We played a great game of Scrabble, I won:') That night was a Packer game so we had another friend over and grilled some steaks that we had gotten from my parents. They were so good!

Sunday we went to mass. The boys played baseball. We walked Pepper to the park. Then Sward brought us out to eat at CT's Real Deal, where we had delicious ribs and side dishes. It was like eating soul food.

Cyprian with his homemade t-ball stand

Monday I cleaned the house while the boys played outside. We had Mr. Lindley Clement's godfather over for lunch. It was an enjoyable meal and the guys had a nice talk/discussion afterward. Sward and Mr. Lindley both had flights later so Franz had to leave to drop Sward off at the airport.

Franz just told me I need to stop writing everything and choose the best stuff to put down. Now he is saying I can't put this down because he is telling me this in February and this post is for January. Well, I can do as I please in my blog... I know I do write too much sometimes. But I have a hard time picking what to write about. I will be a bit more brief with the last half of the month.

So second half of January we settled back into being at home. It was a bit hard because the boys had become so accustomed to doing something and being around others. I also started working on phonics with Cyprian. I am not sure who is worse him or me. We'll just say that it is a great opportunity for both of us to grow in virtue.

Franz and the boys did the March for Life in Dallas. I would have too, but I had a prenatal class. I had my first in home visit from my midwife on the 18th as well.

On the 20th, I started digging up my garden. I through out the next week did all the digging of my garden, which I am very proud of the fact. I did have Franz fill my planters though so that I could start seeds of tomatoes, hot peppers, melons, spaghetti squash, and pickling cucumber.

I had two more visits with my midwife this month. I also got my first speeding ticket ever. The cop wasn't very nice. I am obviously very pregnant I had the two little guys in the back of the van. I was not the only person speeding, and quite frankly was going with the speed of traffic. I of course was the obedient one and pulled over. I don't know if it was my WI plates or he was just not very nice, but seriously I felt unjustifiably ticketed. I have asked for differed disposition, which means I will still have to pay the ticket but if they accept, I will not have the speeding ticket on my record. Ugh, the annoyance and worry. Just what I needed to spend more money....

Cyprian celebrated his birthday I already posted about it so that will suffice. We did however have his cake with our friends the Berquist on Thursday the 31st. We all watched Singing in the Rain and had a wonderful evening.

Vulture we snapped a shot of as we were heading out for the day

35 weeks 3 days!

I am the cutest reindeer!

I am the scariest reindeer!

Pepper and Augustine love each other...Well they like to bug each other.

Augustine found a safe perch

I put all the boys train track pieces together. 

This is what happens when you play hard and think you do not need a nap. 

Look at those dimples!

Singing row row row your boat. Or should it be the bucket?

We really like buckets around here...

 So ends the first month of 2013....Now I am just waiting on baby to make an appearance. 

Cyprian

Cyprian turned four yesterday! Oh where has the time gone. I remember holding him in my arms for the first time. What a miracle, and what a screamer. I was so weak Franz had to hold him, and when my parents got to the hospital my Mom wondered why Franz so willingly handed Cyprian to her. She quickly realized as he was still crying. It lasted 3 hours the crying on and off. He then slept for a day. I also remember being so scared of taking care of a baby. He was a little trooper and taught me so much. Thank you my little man! Through all the ups and downs, I pray that I can be the mom God meant me to be to each of my children. Cyprian is a wonderful older brother. He takes his role to the maximum, meaning he makes sure everyone knows he is the oldest and as oldest gets to be the boss. 

Right after Cyprian was born. Yes, I look terrible, but I was so happy...

Courageous
Young
Precocious
Robust
Imginative
Artistic
Nice

Both boys treated us to sleeping in late. Then our friend Mrs. Berquist came over to go for a walk at 8:30. I was still getting the boys ready to go. We took along our leash because Pepper our dog took off during the night. We walked a couple of miles with no sighting of Pepper. When we got home we were greeted by a woof. Apparently Pepper was at the neighbors and decided it was time to come home for breakfast.

My midwife stopped in to do a check up. Everything looks good. So we are just waiting on little Klein to come. Right after the midwife left the boys and I were able to plant all my red onions. But first I had to shovel composted rich dirt on the garden where we planted.

Making Donuts

Cyprian has wanted to make donuts for sometime, so I agreed on his birthday we would. He did all the mixing and most of the measuring. The donuts were raised donuts and turned out good. He got a bike from me and Franz that we happened to get free. Cyprian had picked out a remote control monster truck with money from Grandpa Klein. So, Franz put batteries in it. I think Franz was having as much fun playing with the truck as Cyprian. Cyprian also had two cards from Grandparents.

After lunch I cleaned while Cyprian played outside on his bike. Clement took a good nap. Once Clement woke up two hours later Cyprian came in and we all had a snack. We were going to go run to the store for a few things and pick up raw milk from our friends coop. Suddenly a wild storm blew in. At first it was rain but then it started hailing. I had to run out and put the van in the garage. I had taken it out earlier so Cyprian could ride on the smooth concrete.

Once the storm let up the boys and I headed out. We stopped at Aldies, and got corn dogs (this is what Cyprian requested for his birthday dinner). We also got some powdered sugar to make chocolate frosting for on some of the donuts. I grabbed strawberries for when I make Cyprian's cake. There was no cake, we decided to wait till tomorrow Thursday when we go over to some friends for dinner. I will make Cyprian Angel food cake from scratch with fresh whipped cream and strawberries. We also picked up our gallon of creamy raw milk, yummy!

When we got home I made supper and let the boys watch an educational show on building a sky scraper. We had a fun supper and afterwards the boys played for awhile while I cleaned up. Franz was working late, so he would not be home till after the boys were in bed.

Then it was time to get ready for bed. After wrestling boys into their pj's and attacking them with their toothbrushes, we lit a candle and read a Bible story. Then we proceeded to the bedroom to pray the rosary. After all the excuses of I need to go potty, I need a drink, I don't want this blanket, or I need a hug, etc. These are requests Clement likes to make at bedtime, peace descended. Cyprian always falls asleep by the end of the rosary. Clement takes awhile to drift off, so I end up singing him several songs, the one he insists on "Up on the housetop."

That is the end to Cyprian's Birthday.

When asked if he had a good day, he replied, "YES." That makes me happy:')

December

Getting ready to say the rosary

The last month to another year, December was busy crazy, but also a wonderful time. Cyprian finally learned his abc's, he has been able to write his alphabet for awhile but did not necessarily know each letter. We have started working on phonics. Clement has been building his vocabulary repertoire. It really became apparent when we went to Wisconsin how much he started talking.  Too, he picked up a lot from being around all his little cousins. This year we actually were ready for advent. We set up the wreath with the right color of candles. My parents sent us a children's Advent Calendar book, and we did the office of readings, and of course we sang O'come O'come Emmanuel. The boys really liked lighting the candles. Not sure it is such a good idea to have little ones with matches, but Franz wanted to let them.

Our rosary candle.

We got two pieces of candy!

This month there was St. Nicholas day, where the boys put out their shoes. Cyprian also sweetly put out Franz and mine boots. Each boy got two pieces of candy. The best part is that it was recycled from Halloween. They were ecstatic. I also have a really cool Feast day Cookbook, so I made Letter Blanket cookies for breakfast on the Feast of St. Nicholas. The cookbook has a neat little history on traditions associated with the feast day and saint which we also read to the boys.

Letter Blanket Cookies!

Enjoying our cookies for breakfast.

We played outside a lot this month as in the last few, because the weather was great, not to hot and not to cold. I had been nesting and doing a lot of cleaning and organizing. All cupboards and closets in our house have been cleaned. I even started washing the doors and trim. Yup, I have had it bad with feeling the need to get things ready. Maybe I should say good because it has gotten me to clean things I never do and organize anything I can get my hands on.

Tree decorating time.

We got reindeer antlers!

Santa! Cyprian is happy Clement was crying

A real reindeer.

Want a snow ball Pepp

We had an excursion to the mall. Yes, I know crazy but we go to the mall maybe once a year. We went though because they had an hour of ages 6-adult ballet performers, performing pieces from the nutcracker. The boys loved watching the dancing and antics. We ended up going to some sports stores where Franz had gift cards to use. After that we went to Whole foods and they happened to have real reindeer and Santa. So we ended our long day with going out to eat at Olive Garden.

Wiping the hood of Daddy's car.

A Texas snowman, somethings here are not bigger..

 We got snow before Christmas and on Christmas day it was glorious and cold! We went to mass on Christmas Eve.  Franz decided to leave the gate open while we were gone. At the very end of mass it was a great lightening and thunder storm. We got home around 2 a.m. We put the boys to bed then put out all the presents and went to bed ourselves. At around 8 a.m. I get a call on my cell phone, wondering who it was, the person informed me that our dog was nosing around their garbage. Pepper apparently got scared when the storm hit while were at mass and decided to take off. She was over a mile away. The people had her in their garage and were toweling her off. She didn't want to go with Franz. When Franz and she got back I went out to the garage and had to drag her out of the van. I stayed with her for awhile and wrapped her in a blanket. We left Pepper in the garage with the door open, and she stayed in all day, finally coming out later to play in the falling snow.

Cyprian cutting our Whole Wheat Christmas cookies

Clement cutting out cookies.

Decorated and ready to eat!

Christmas tree, advent wreath, Christmas cookies, and story time

We hadn't planned on having anyone really over for Christmas, but one thing led to another and we ended up with a nice little group of 5 adults and 2 kids besides us. We had a later lunch and everyone stayed till evening. It really was a beautiful and enjoyable Christmas. The kids had lots of fun playing and eating to many sweets. The adults ate lots, talked, and drank merrily. The snow falling was the perfect touch, reminding me of home and family Christmas's past.

This is my stocking

Baby Kleins present

Look what we got in our stockings

Opening the new train set.

Presents!

Clement with the book he got from his godparents.

Marker crayons from some friends.

Our Christmas tree lit up.

Franz and his new stash of wine

Snowing on Christmas day in Dallas Texas!

Having fun on Christmas day.

Christmas feast!

Our next plan was to leave a few days after Christmas for Wisconsin. Our neighbor girl who has watched the boys for us and took care of the animals for us while we visited Wisconsin in the summer, agreed to take care of them again while we were away. We ended up leaving the evening of the 26th and driving through the night and arriving for lunch at the farm. We had hoped by coming a little earlier than planned we would get to see some family that could not stay later in the month, but some people are frustrating and we were disappointed.

Friday morning we went to 8 a.m. mass at St. Peter's Middle Ridge, my parents parish and also where Franz and I wed. Msgr. Joseph Hirsch who co-concelebrated our wedding mass, was having a little get together in the Church basement after mass to say goodbye. For he was moving to Bolivia to be a missionary priest, which has I believe been a dear wish for him for sometime. So, it was neat to be able to see him before he left, because he would be gone the 1st of the New Year. I also got a special blessing for baby Klein. Afterwards the boys Beck and I went thrift shopping with my sister her husband and three little girls. Franz had to take our van (Mona) into the the mechanic. We had a few difficulties on the drive up, thankfully nothing terrible, but in the end still pricey to fix. We had to have a new radiaoter installed, we thank God did not have the van overheat even though our radioter had a hole in it. I was so happy  because I got some awesome deals at the thrift stores. Cyprian got cool roller skates that adjust in size and are sturdy and stable enough that he can skate on them, Clement got a popcorn popper vacuum and pull back motorcycle. I also found snowpants to fit Clement, we had a pair already for Cyprian. Too, we got a couple christmas ornaments, and I got myself a beautiful knitted scarf. We now have the game of pictionary, and all I spent on everything was 4 dollars! You don't find that good a deal these days...

Franz oversaw the kids outside.

Exercise class with Aunt Renee.

Aunt Becky reading to the little ones.

Eating with the family at Hero's Bar and Grill

Thankfully we did see almost everyone. In fact we had a Korish family get together at restaurant called Hero's Bar and Grill in LaCrosse Friday night, even my Grandma Carla was able to join us, and gave presents to all the little ones. The next morning, Saturday we had another get together at my parents farm. There were gifts given, lots of food consumed, and kids played out side in the snow sledding and romping around. We left late afternoon after most everyone had taken off and headed on our way to Stevens Point, to stay with Franz's family for several days.

Helping Grandpa with the new mailbox

Watching little ones open presents

Cousins and their new presents

Uncle Jeff with little Teresa

Aunt Julie with Clement the rock star!

Sledding at the farm

Buck the dog on my parents farm

Clement telling cousin Hunter "NO"

Playing darts. "Watch out Becky is up"

Waiting to eat Lunch at Grandpa Klein

We arrived at Grandpa Kleins and had supper and unpacked. The boys were amazingly happy because they had napped almost the whole way there. Next day Sunday we went to mass at St. Peter's afterwards most of the kids who are around from Franz's family eat lunch at Grandpa's. Grandpa makes lunch every Sunday for all the family who happens to be there. After kids naps, we headed to Iverson Park for sledding. My first time down I took Clement and Tiana. Clement laughed gleefully while Tiana screamed. Remember, at this point I am quite pregnant so it was a full sled. The bumps were particularly uncomfortable. But I could not resist going down several more times. Later that night I sorely regretted it. After sledding we headed to Franz's sister's for pizza and hot chocolate. She has a wii, which had Cyprian completely absorbed. I even got into it and beat everybody. I guess I am just as competitive when pregnant as when I am not.

Ryann Franz's sister and Lucas his nephew

Cyprian and Tiana playing with Grandpa's nativity set

Grandpa blowing on his horn

Story time with Grandpa.

Monday the last day of 2012 I went grocery shopping with Grandpa. It also was the feast of Mary Mother of God. We planned on going to St. Stevens, Grandpa said they had mass at 6:30 p.m. Grandpa and I decided to walk the mile or so, it was freezing cold. I should've known better and put my leggings on underneath my pants. By the time we go to the Church my legs were numb. The best part was that the Church was totally dark, no mass. Thankfully Franz came shortly in the van with the boys. So we all rode over quickly to St. Cashmirs 7 p.m. mass.

We watched the movie Despicable Me over at the Klein family house, and had treats. Around 10 we were back over at Grandpa Kleins to put two very ornery boys to bed. We were going to watch the ball drop, and missed it because we had the wrong station on....Who really cares, not me. So ends 2012 for this Klein household.

I get so big!

Pepper and Augustine in a stand off

Let's run...

Some of my lady hens

Anna my speckled sussex hen

Larry our rooster mid crow

Each has a tower

Walking Pepper through the lights at the downtown Irving Park

So Texan, an oil rig light display

Our friends the Berquist who ate dinner with us then went for a walk through the park

Clement loves trains

Chilling

Me and the boys...Maybe three, or is it a girl?

Rarrrh!

The funny cute pup that showed up mid month. It is too bad we can

't afford to have another dog.