McKale's Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good New Year!

Twas Christmas Eve Eve and all through our house

No one was sitting still not even the mouse

Mommy was racing to pack up for the move

While Daddy was hoping the financing goes smooth

See in the New Year we will have a new address

Mom and Dad says it my house to grow in and impress

Going backwards through 2009

You'll find that J and C have had quiet the time

It has been a year of big changes you see

In September along came Me!

My name is McKale, I am a cutie

I love my parents even though they are kinda fruitie!

I am the light of my family's life...

but for my two cats I have created strife!

This summer Mom and Dad spent a lot of time outside

There wasn't a wedding from which they could hide

While most of their friends were busy with nuptials

Mom and dad were having baby name duals

In May mommy made Dad and me so proud

She walked across a stage in hat and black shroud

Tucked in her tummy I heard them call her Master

She even took some time off work to get done faster

In April, Uncle Shawn and Aunt Kim went to Vegas

All I know is that Uncles father-in-law said it cost him wages

Before that the year started off with big news

We told Grandmas and Grandpas that our house would have an extra pair of shoes

Well since 2009 has been such a busy year

I believe in 2010 we have nothing to fear

If you are in Bismarck come come see...

our new digs and if you can keep up with Me!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good New Year!

Love,

McKale, Mom, and Dad!

Ten Fat Turkeys

K's first Turkey day! We read Ten Fat Turkey's to start. Then we got up and made cinnamon roles. K has got it right, he slept in until 9 AM this morning...mom and dad were soooo Thankful!!!



Right now the Turkey is cooking and K and C are napping. J is ready to Skype call home to Grandma's and Grandpa's! It will be a good time.



Happy Thanksgiving everyone, we are thankful for all of our friends, family, and for each other!

The Ambidextrous parent!

Seven weeks of parenthood and J and C are quickly learning that if you want to eat warm food you better learn to be ambidextrous pretty quickly. Left handedness has its own challenges, but learning how to be left handed while trying to feed your 7 week old son with the other, makes it that much more difficult. Further, learning how to do this while your son is screaming in public...an idea for a new reality show!!!

Also, parents, especially those that live a distance from grandma and grandpa, pick up a webcam and sign into Skype. J and C used it last night with Grandma A. It was neat to watch K get to respond to a new voice. Also, Grandma liked it because she got to see K for a virtual Trick or Treat!

Speaking of Trick or Treat, C and J took K to some friends houses last night for K's first Halloween. He was dressed as a pumpkin but the outfit was so big he looked like an orange seasame street character. He had no idea what was going on but mom and dad had fun showing him off!

Also, it was a big week this last week. K moved to his crib. It has helped him sleep better, it has helped J and C sleep better and it has helped the Catnip kids sleep better. Speaking of the Catnip kids, they are adjusting nicely. They do not fully comprehend but they have learned that when he screams get out of the way!

The latest measurements for K:

21 1/2 inches

10 lbs 7 oz

Happy Halloween!

The slasherfest 2009 movie line-up: 1) Child's Play 2)Cujo 3) Halloween H2O. Every year J and C watch slasher movies for Halloween. This was K's first foray....lucky for mom and dad he slept through them so we will not have nightmares!

K the Great Pumpkin!

Kale has a belly button!

Yep, the cord fell off yesterday and Kale officially has an "out-innie." Half of it is an "innie" and half of it is an "outtie." No more gross cleaning around a blackish, purplish, brownish, oozing hard decaying skin stump. No more worring about the diaper covering up the cord and irritating Kale's skin. Most of all, no more worrying about Kale kicking over the water bucket for his bath!

The falling off of the cord meant that another important milestone could take place, his first "real" bath. J and C stripped him down and filled the tub, well ok just put enough water in to allow him to get a wet back while laying on his pad. Kale either loves or hates having a bath. Why do you ask, well he screamed the whole time. C thinks he hated, J thinks he loved it...I think mom's instincts are right on this one because the minute they took him out and put him in his towel he stopped crying. The best part of the bath was that Kale got a massage afterwards. He loved his massage, in fact it is the only time J and C have seen him so quiet while naked. This kid hates being naked....J and C both hope it stays that way well into his 30's!

Kale is growing up right before J and C's eyes. It seems like just yesterday he was born and now he is a week from being a month old!

More milestones to come!

The perfect son!

Kale had his 2 week check up today. He weighed 8 lbs 8 oz. He has gained 1 lb and 2 ozs since his birth. He was 19 3/4 inches long. Apparently, you shrink a little bit after birth because he was 20 inches at birth. The nurse assured us that this was normal! Also, his doctor looked him over and told J and C that he was a perfect little boy. The doctor went on to state that it must be the great parenting. J and C could not agree more! Anyway they wanted to share and here is a picture from yesterday!

McKale's adventure home

As many of you know, McKale is home! He has taken to it like a bear to a hibernation! The kid sleeps and eats. Kale is quickly become a kitty favorite, until he wakes up anyway. The catnip kids watch him intently and sleep near him. Suprisingly they have left alone for the most part just sniffing him and then running for the hills when he starts to cry. J and C have been doing a pretty good job trying to stay rested. They find it amazing how fast that he grows up and it has only been 5 days.

J and C are doing pretty well as new parents. They try to sleep when Kale sleeps but they still are pretty tired. Also, they get a little nervous about if he is eating enough and if he is having enough dirty diapers, etc... It is funny the things they worry about as new parents. J and C take one short trip with him out of the house everyday so they get the hang of it and Kale gets use to it. J thinks it is funny how people just swoon over a baby! Everywhere yesterday strangers kept coming up to J and C to ask about Kale and how old he was, how big, could they touch him, etc... C gets a bit annoyed at the fact that everyone wants to touch him but she is doing pretty good.

Yesterday, September 17th, Kale had to get some lab work done to make sure he was eating enough and to make sure he was getting rid of the jaundice. J and C were worried about how hard he would cry and if he would be upset. Instead when the lady stuck his foot, he fell asleep. It was an amazing show of how parents often over-worry about some things. Everything checked out which was a relief!

Grandma Lucy has been staying with the kids and grandkid. While she was sick the first day, she is feeling better and has been a saint helping around the house cooking, cleaning, and otherwise keeping tabs on the house, while J and C keep tabs on Kale.

This weekend Uncle Shawn and Aunt Kim are coming to visit. Apparently they are a pretty wild duo and C keeps Kale to not listen to Shawn's naughty words and bad habits. Then on Sunday night the first outing to church and Grandma Stacy will be here for week two.

More to come soon! Thank you to everyone who has been visiting, saying hello, and/or brining gifts. It is nice to know that the family is so loved!

"Welcome to the Future"~ Brad Paisley

Well hello, my name is McKale James Askvig, Mom and Dad sometimes call me Kale, and I am the newest member of the casa de Askvig! You'll notice the name of this post is "Welcome to the Future" named after the Brad Paisley song. My parents have been listening to that song a lot and I think that they think I am that future (Dad is nodding his head right now!).

As some of you know, my original due date was September 24th, 2009. However, due to some health concerns the doctor schedule mom for something they called an induction. I was going to be forced out on Monday September 14th, 2009, whether I wanted to or not. However, I like my parents am stubborn and do things on my own terms, so instead...mom started labor with me on Saturday September 12th. She started feeling kinda funny during the garage sales, and I kept hearing her say something about how if daddy would not have been stubborn she could have bought more baby clothes because she would have known I was a boy. Anyway, that evening mommy laid down to take a nap, I know because I was on my head and she was snoring. When she woke up she mentioned something about how she was starting to feel tired and hurting. At 11:00PM mom and dad were laying down for bed before embarking on their last Sunday as just the two of them. Dad was just about sleep when I hit mommy with a good one and she shot out of bed. I then heard them counting something like 8 minutes or something like that. Anyway, they stayed awake for the next couple of hours until I finally heard daddy talking to someone else who I could not hear back.

Next thing I knew we were in the car headed somewhere and mommy was very uncomfortable. At 4:30Am on Sunday they checked into the Hospital. When we got moving upstairs we ran into the nurse who got us settled into a room. Well the nurse noticed Daddy was wearing something Arizona Wildcats and started to tell them how she lived in Tucson for awhile. This is important because it proved to be a deciding factor in how I got my name. I'll skip the gory details of what happened for the next almost 12 hours and sum it up by saying mom worked really hard but in the end it was better for all that I come out through something they called a "c-section." Next thing I knew I was looking at some weird blonde guy who was saying "hi baby...we are so excited to meet you!" Finally, I was put on some lady's stomach who started crying....I soon found out this was Mommy! I heard Dad say something to Mommy about you worked so hard you can pick out the name.

At this point I started thinking about the names I had heard them discussing for boys...Jace a combination of Dad and Mom's names, Bentley after my Great-grandpa, and McKale a name I kinda liked. Well apparently McKale is the name of the arena where my dad's favorite sports team the Arizona Wildcats play basketball games (Dad helped me link this information here for those of you who want to know more about the stadium). Anyway, Mommy (honest I heard) proposed the name McKale to Daddy early on (probably not knowing the connection). Daddy, obvioulsy, loved it and explained the connection.

Well Mommy as she was laying there apparently started thinking about the course of events (Dad's obsession with the Wildcats, the shirt he put on that night, the nice nurse who was excited about Daddy wearing U of A stuff, the fact that my name will match his other tattoo) and realized my name was destined to be McKale. So she said to Daddy, I think we should name him McKale. Daddy's eyes lit up and I thought I saw a tear. So here I am named McKale James (my Daddy's middle name is James). So what does my name mean? Well according to babynames.com, my name is a respelling of Michael and means one who is like God (see here). I think that is pretty fitting and I am betting my parents do too!

Anyway above is a picture of me, along with a new heading on the blog. I look forward to meeting all of you and writing here more. Right now I am hanging and getting to know Mom and Dad. Granma Lucy and Grandma Stacy will apparently be spending the next couple of weeks at my house with Mom and Dad to help get me on a "regular" routine. Also, I apparently have to cats at home dubbed the catnip kids and named McKenzie and Lola. Well I best go get some rest.

Lata! Burp...thanks mommy that feels better!

The Final Countdown

crib- check

diapers- check

diaper pail- check

hospital labor bag- check

rocking chair- being refinished

reading up on being parents- double check

prepared to be parents- well ummmmmmmmmmmm

The days are getting longer and the weeks drag on. C is starting to get miserably uncomfortable and J just feels guilty that he can't do anything about it. To put it shortly they are in the dog days of pregnancy.

It is amazing to think that just a few short months ago it was all still unreal for J and C. Today it is slowly sinking in that it is a few short weeks and life will change. Soon enough they will find out how they measure up and be completely responsible for another...what a rush, what a fear, and what a ride it will be...

Soon Wevig will be here! J and C can't wait...

Decisions, Decisions

So one of the things J and C are quickly learning is that as a future parent you make very BIG decisions. Decisions that can literally change a life. For starters the name. How do you pick a name. You want a name that fits your child's personality. You want a name that will be strong and yet calming. You want a name that will be not easy to make fun of or easily misspelled. But then you don't want all children with the same name you want it to be unique. Get the decision on the name wrong and you could mess your child up for life.

A second big decision is daycare. C and J both work out of the home and both plan to go back to work after baby arrives and mom heals. When thinking about daycare you have to decide who is going to spend a large chunk of the day with your child. Can this person be trusted. What philosophy do they have about child rearing. Do they spank? Is she (lets face it I don't know of any male daycare providers) licensed? For how many kids? What does it cost? How will we afford it? Luckily, J and C found a provider they like and are hoping for the best. Everything checked out and most questions were answered.

Another decision people forget to tell you about when thinking about parenthood is God parents. C and J are both Catholic so they are having their baby baptized in their church. However, the decision on who to chose to aid in the development of their child's faith life has been a very difficult one. They want to choose someone who is close, loyal, and has a good relationship with God and his/her faith. J and C are blessed to have a wide variety of people to choose from that meet these criteria but then the decision is also weighed upon how to make the right decision. Or is there a right decision?

Further, another decision you get to make for your child before he/she is born is discipline strategies. Granted, most discipline will not happen for some time but you want to have a plan ahead of time for consistency and to be prepared. J and C both have a generally good feel for how they want to parent and reward/discipline a child but it does not go without some decision making that you would not otherwise consider.

Finally, probably the biggest decision they have had to make is who to care for Weevig if something were to happen to both of them. This is not a decision anyone wants to think about or make but for the first time your life you have to consider how to make sure everything is in order if something were to happen.

Parenthood or future parenthood has opened J and C's eyes to a wide array of decision making that they never thought they would have to make. It only stands to continue to increase. What an awesome responsibility. They are ready for it!

BTW...the countdown is on until due date...t-minus 57 days...if anyone has office pools on due dates J wants in they have to pay for this kid somehow!

Childbirth Classes 101

So tonight is the start of childbirth class at St. A's. J and C go this evening and then all day tomorrow. While thinking about this, it dawned on them that they have no clue what to expect tonight. So naturally being in the 21st Century they googled it. Here are some interesting articles of note:

According to Parents.com "...a little education can go a long way in boosting your confidence and dispelling the many myths about Labor Day." This would be a good thing! J and C are both a little nervous about the big day and it does not help that they have been watching the dramatized childbirth shows on television.

They go on further to say: "Fortunately, most of them will be first-time parents..." That also makes them feel better as they have been wondering about sounding and looking stupid. Well besides how they normally look! :)

The Mayo Clinic website on childbirth says they will also "discuss options for handling pain. You'll practice various methods for coping with contractions, such as breathing, relaxation and visualization. Most classes also cover the pros and cons of common medications, such as narcotic analgesics and epidural blocks." C is wondering if they do trial runs as she is starting to get uncomfortable.

Further, kidshealth.org says that they will learn about "the role of the coach or labor partner." C is going to make sure J listens intently here. J is pretty excited to learn about what he can do and a little bit nervous to learn about what he cannot do!

Anyway...off to learn about the day the bundle of joy arrives...

Bassinet vs. Crib....wow what you learn as a future father...

So these posts normally get written by both J and C...not this post. I must say I am very excited for September. I do not normally like to look past summers but this one could run by quickly and I probably would not blink. Sunday I spent the day as an almost father. As a son of a dad (I know CRAZY how that works out!) I had always spent this day revering and looking up to my dad. I still do for the record. However, this is the first year I got to truly see it from a different perspective, that of father-in-waiting. My day was spent relaxing while shopping (yes an oxymoron). See C and I went shopping for baby furniture, which I would normally hate.

However, this year I spent my day mostly thinking about the future and anticipating what is to come in the coming days, weeks, months, and years. The thought that I will be half responsible for the life of another finally struck me. What an awesome responsibility. Most men would probably be freaked out by this, and I too am a bit scared. Questions like how will we pay for daycare, diapers, and formula frequently run through my head. On a side note they usually strike me at very akward times (like the middle of meetings or in the shower). However, for the most part I get excited about the fact that I get to leave a legacy (God willing). I have a son/daughter (we did not find out and I have zero idea!) who I can impart the same wisdom, values, responsibility and life lessons that were bestowed on me by my family.

For example, I look forward to teaching my son or daughter about the value of hardwork. In today's society emphasis is often placed on the quick fix or the right now deal. I was lucky, I had parents who taught me that what happens quickly and without effort usually is not worth the short time it takes. In other words, good things come to those who put in the effort and time to do them the right way. Also, I have a family who taught me the importance of family. I still cherish the times I get to spend with my mom, dad, and brother. Just this last weekend I spent some quality time on the golf course with my brother (for the record I was one stroke better than him after hole number 10 on Saturday). We golfed and chatted and basically just hung out. It was a great time that I learned to cherish by my family's emphasis on being a family.

In short I hope to live up to my family's namesake and I hope I can bestow some of these same values on my children.

J

P.S. The latest news from the catnip kids is that we are moving. When C and I cleaned out the office to start making room for baby furniture the looks on their faces were classic I am certain they thought we were moving again!

Aint no cure for the summer time blues!

Summer is officially here! C and J went camping last weekend and it was wonderful. J got his obligatory sunburn and C got in here obligatory smore roasting. They upgraded this year though using the airmattress, C being pregnant and all. They went camping at Beaver Creek Recreation area about 60 miles South of Bismarck on Lake Oahe. The scene was great. Last year they went camping at this site and the water level was at least 20 feet from the original boat ramp and the only water in the bay was a small winding path through weeds and trees. This summer the bay is full of water all the way across, a welcome site. The weather was also beautiful and they did not have to use the rain gaurd on the top of the tent which allowed them to fall asleep looking at the stars!

The theme for this summer is baby wedding. C and J have events almost every weekend this summer that are either friends weddings or baby preparation class. Starting this weekend C heads to Williston for the Wenko/Schubert open house. This is the finality of the Shawn Wenko and Kim Schubert wedding series. It has been real, it has been fun, it has been real fun! Especially when J had a dance off with Kim's brother Jeramie at the reception in Rapid City two weekends ago. J is off to be a counselor at Boys State for year number 7.

Then in June there is the Heide (sp?) wedding. Their friends Jerry and Erin are getting married in Mandan. In July they have childbirth classes, Conrad and Angel's wedding, and the state fair. Also, J will be traveling to Philadelphia for work for NDEA.

August is Brad and Kodi's wedding and on the same day J and C will be taking baptism courses. They just realized today that they have to pick God parents. One thinks they should pick based on who they would want to take care of the child if anything were to happen to them (J). The other thinks we should pick someone religious (C). So they will be taking applications. Please submit a resume and three references to jj4_4@hotmail.com. E and Shawn don't even bother with the applications we have already ruled you out! :)

Anyway, love you all and keep in touch!

Baby video loaded finally!

You can see some of the movement. Although they really slowed down the video so it isn't much.

Baby Pictures and video!

No the baby is not here....yet but soon enough!


Ok so the baby is still 4 months away but we already have pictures. We love technology! Today obviously was ultrasound day. We got to see our soon to be new addition and I might say s/he is a handsome (if its a boy) or beautiful (if it is a girl) looking baby. We were just relieved that it was only 1 and not 2. Although C did say tonight that she kind of wishes it were twins.





This is J's favorite picture you get to see baby's face and hands curled in front.

This is C's favorite photo a head and shoulder shot of our little one!


















All in all it was a great day!




Love J and C

P.S. We are trying to get the videos uploaded for you but are having some difficulties!

Testing is done!

C has taken her licensing test. She finished it today at 11:40 AM and now does not know what to do with her self. She has no homework, no studying, and is ready to spend time going baby crazy. C is already wanting to go shopping for baby stuff!

Also, we want to wish a Happy Birthday to our Mothers! Mom and Mom, enjoy the day. Think next year this time it will be Grandma and Grandma!

Tomorrow should be a fun day. C wants to spend it fishing (ya I know I would have never guessed that either!).

Anyway just had not posted in a while and wanted to say hi!

Love you,
J and C

P.S. Ultrasound is T-minus 9 days!

Baby Excitement!

I am certain everybody knows by now but in case you don't J and C are having a baby. Due September 24, 2009. The house has been a buzz. C is secretly praying for a girl. J wants a healthy baby.

On March 17th, we had our first real eye-opening appointment. We got to hear our baby's heartbeat! At that appointment our doctor told us that there was a 95% chance we would have a normal and healthy pregnancy. This was obviously relieving news and we are continuing to do everything we can to keep C and the baby healthy.

Grandmas and Grandpas are all very excited. The best response was from J's dad. He was in California when we told him and across the street from Disney Land. After we told him, we would hear him jumping up and down with excitement. Grandma and Grandpa Askvig are in Florida now and keep taunting J with pictures of girl clothes....secretly J wants a healthy baby...but a girl might make him broke...in a very good way!

Grandma and Grandpa Wenko are also getting excited. C recently visited and when she got home told J that her mom's biggest baby worry is where they are going to put the playpen. Oh the difficult decisions of children.

The catnip kids have started to figure out that something is going on. Specifically, they seem to be a lot more aware of C. They follow her around and are much more dainty around her. J is hopeful that they will be good with children...

J and C are really looking forward to April. Shawn, C's brother, is getting married to Kim. We are both very excited for the both of them and on top of that very excited about the trip to Las Vegas in April. It should be a fun weekend and we are hoping the best for both of them.

That's an update for now....more to come soon!

Waiting, hoping, and wishing...

Well it has been awhile since we have been on here so we though we might give an update of sorts. As the title suggests....lately the casa de Askvig has been a house of waiting, hoping,and wishing....it is almost humorous the race to the mailbox everyday to find out any news. It makes me think about what it must have been like before phones. Was the excitement of the mail to hear news from family, friends, etc... Anyway, as some of you know, J is waiting to hear from law schools. The latest update is that Montana has said yes....also, Creighton has said yes and offered him a scholarship for half of tuition....still outstanding are Arizona, Baylor, and yes the University of North Dakota. Since the deadlines for most of these schools have passed, he is hopeful that he will hear anyday...

More importantly is the reason C races to the mailbox everyday. About 2 weeks ago, C took her comprehensive exam. Yep, she took the test that could determine if she graduates in May. The envelope should arrive anyday and I can tell you J and C are waiting to see the news...

Besides waiting by mailboxes, C has been very busy working, interning, and keeping track of everything that is happening in the Askvig household. C still works at CENTRE Inc. However, she stepped down to half-time for awhile because she has to complete about 700 hours of internship for her graduate program. As you probably know, has been interning at the State Penitentiary. We had the pleasure to run into one of the addiction counselors when we were out at the Bismarck Boat show this weekend. It was great to hear how they enjoy C and it will be fun to hear more as things progress. It amazes J everyday to watch her pull 12 hour days and still make time to be a loving wife and family caregiver.

J in the meantime has been busy at the Capitol lobbying for NDEA. The legislature is roughly half way completed and he has taken a couple of days off from work to rejuvinate and refresh. Also, J was recently asked to join the Far West Rotary Club in Bismarck, ND. They meet 7 am every Monday morning. It is early but perfect for J because he can kick his week off with fellowship and a good breakfast. J enjoys being busy because it keeps his mind from being preoccupied with applications. However, he still races to the mailbox every day.

The catnips kids are back at it lately. The newest venture is their love for snoozing on our kitchen table. J finds this very annoying, especially since Lola likes to knock everything possible off the table. C thinks J's frustration is semi-humurous.

Anyway, that is what is new...

BTW this cartoon exemplifies how our catnip kids feel about our bed....especially McKenzie:http://www.doobybrain.com/2007/07/14/comics-etc/

Montana votes Yes

Well if anyone is curious about the title....good. J officially got his first letter back from law schools. As the title states, the University of Montana, with a letter dated only seven short days after submitting his application, is "...pleased invite you to join the 2009 entering class as a nonresident student." Once we hear who all has accepted and rejected J, we will be asking you to vote for where you think J should attend or if he should attend at all.

So to study up for the future vote you can find out more information at the University of Montana School of Law.

Hopefully more to come soon!

A new day and hope for the future!

Well it's been awhile since we have posted on here! As you all know, we officially have a new president Barack Obama! We try to reserve political comments for our other blog but we must say that it was a great day for our home and we are optomistic for the future!

J and C have been busy. Starting right after the new year break, C started her internship at the State Penitentiary. So far she is enjoying the work but hates having to be up every morning and run until late in the evening. Also she is getting herself prepared as her major graduation test for her program happens the second week in February. Thus every Sunday J and C have been going to the library so C can study.

J has been spending his time at the State Capitol lobbying for the NDEA. He has enjoyed the chance to be in the arena, working to improve salaries and working conditions for our state's educators. Also, he has spent his Sunday's reading and doing some research on subjects of interest to him.

In this time of renewal and reflection in our country, we wish you all a very happy New Year. If you are in the area of Bismarck look us up and we will catch up. To the future!