The Helgoth Family

Much needed update

Whew! Alot has changed since the last post. We had the holidays, Joshua grew up in front of our eyes and life became a whirlwind. The boys (including Thomas) and I are trying to get into a routine since I went back to work, and things are going okay so far. Joshua is now 10 weeks old and growing way too fast.

Christmas was very low key this year. We opened our gifts from Santa at home and then went to Rhonda's house to be with the family. Santa brought Ethan a tricycle and Handy Manny's tool box (the biggest hit). Joshua received a couple of gifts, but at least he was awake for Christmas morning.

The Grandkids: Noah, Anderson, Ethan, Joshua, Haley and Levi

Our little man Ethan is still taking the idea of being a big brother very well. He is still interested in helping with diaper changes and bath time. He also lets us know anytime that Joshua is crying.....as if we didn't already know! Ethan is more and more fun each and every day. There is always something new that he is telling us or doing to make us laugh.

Wearing Mommy's shoes

Joshua is also developing his own niche in the family and many new experiences. He did have his first trip to the ER with fever and a nasty cough which brought about his first chest xray, blood draw and spinal tap. Everything came out ok and was just a really nasty virus that eventusally led to an ear infection. He is doing much better now and practicing his newest talent (smiling) all the time. He coos alot and is about to let out a laugh any day now.

Karate Kid

1 and 1/2 months

2 months

Joshua is here!

Joshua Thomas finally made his entrance into the world on Veteran's Day November 11th at 12:50pm. He weighed in at 7 pounds 10 ounces and is 19 1/4 inches long. Everything went very smoothly and he is doing great.

Big brother Ethan is adjusting well so far. He is handy for getting diapers and letting us know when Joshua is crying. Every morning so far he has asked "Where's the baby?" but I think he wants to say "Is the baby still here?"

Overall, everything is going great and can't wait for everyone to get to meet him!

Fall Fun

Things at the Helgoth house have been disappointingly uneventful.....We thought that Joshua was going to make an early appearance and I was put on bedrest. Now we are counting every moment waiting for him to arrive. During the Fall/Halloween season we attended a couple of gatherings and of course there was trick or treating. Ethan did a great job trick or treating and passing out candy at home. He gets bigger and bigger every day and I know will make a great big brother if his baby brother ever comes along!

Me and Ethan at the neighborhood festival

"Bobbing" for apples at Sylvia's house

Levi and Ethan at a church festival

Trick or treating in the neighborhood

Believe it or not....

...I have updated the blog! Many things have been going on in the Helgoth household since the last post many many moons ago. Ethan just celebrated his second birthday on August 30th and Mommy and Daddy are busy preparing for his little brother to arrive in November!

Everything else is moving right along as usual. I have been at my new Target in Atascocita for a year now and we are growing fast! Thomas is enjoying his work up in detectives at the Pasadena police department. And Ethan is growing into a little man more and more each day. He is in his own big boy bed, using small sentences (usually "Mama, I want that."), and learning everything around him. Here are a few pics of Ethan's birthday and other events.

Blowing out our birthday candles!

A train table was the present from mom and dad with lots of Thomas the train stuff from family and friends

Mommy and I playing at the Cowboy Museum in Oklahoma

Ethan and Great Grandmom on our visit to Oklahoma

On a real train with mommy at the Oklahoma City Railroad museum.

Snapshots

I know that it has been way too long since I have posted pics of Ethan. He is such a big boy now. Running, acting silly and learning new words all the time. Everyday brings more laughs and smiles at the new things (silly things) that he does. These are just a few snapshots that I had on the camera from the last month.

Valentine's Day

Dressed in his best for a Wedding

Playing outside

Wood Family Christmas

My side of the family has started having dinners every other Friday night at different houses. It has been wonderful! It gets us all out of the rut of everyday life and just laugh with each other. There is a lot of storytelling of the past and laughing about the way we were when we were younger. Most of my cousins and I have children now and so they play with each other. I hope that one day they have the same fond memories that all of us have of playing together and growing up amongst a close and loving extended family.

The dinner was at our house this year and we also had a gift exchange to celebrate Christmas. Here are a few of the pictures that we took.

All of those not relaxing on the couch were, of course, in the kitchen near the grub

Natalie and Avery

Natalie trying to teach Avery the art of gift opening for her first Christmas

Levi checking out his new train

Ethan opening his present from Levi

Thanksgiving at the Farm

This year we spent Thanksgiving out at my Uncle Bubba's place in Bellville. The entire Wood family was there along with way too much food. We all had a good time catching up with one another and stuffing our faces. There were four-wheelers that were part of the entertainment.