Zoo Trip

Yesterday Gunnar had his first zoo trip. We went with our friends Elizabeth and Gina. Gina is watching 3 kiddos for the weekend, so we had a fun little group. The weather was perfect, and overall we had a great time. Gunnar never got to excited about any of it, but he was never really upset either.
Gunnar took about a 30 minute nap before we got in the car and then didn't fall asleep until about 5 minutes before our arrival at the zoo (after an hour and half car ride). He stayed awake the entire time at the zoo. After our stop for ice cream on the way home he crashed, but only for about 45 minutes. When we got home it was like someone fed him bottles of sugar. An hour past his bedtime I finally decided I could lay him in bed and have a chance of him sleeping...sure enough, he fell right alseep and we didn't hear from him again until 7:30 this morning.
Here are a few pictures from the zoo....
Black Bear taking a little snooze

Lion and Lioness also snoozing...apparently it was nap time at the zoo.

The tigers were awesome and were fun to watch.

A bird.

Polar Bear.

The cutest little one of all...

A Zebra.

 A camel.

A rhinoceros and baby Asian rhinoceros.

 Deer.

 Giraffes.

Gunnar (who refused to look at me for a picture) and a mountain goat? I thought mountain goats had long white hair...

Kyle with his new fan club, Daniel and William. Notice that William is checking out the fence Kyle broke. Kyle says you haven't been someplace until you have broken something...

The Pettit clan at the zoo.

Gunnar ready to be done with the zoo.

So our zoo trip would not be complete without an award winning parent moment by Kyle and Beth. We were standing at the top of a hill on our way out of the zoo. Kyle had been pushing the stroller and was really hurting. He was bending down telling me how it hurt. After he was done telling me about it, I started to walk away to try and hurry along two of the kids that were with us. Apparently, Kyle thought that I had grabbed a hold of the stroller at some point. Kyle had the same idea about hurrying along the kiddos and let go of the stroller. We both were walking away and neither of us noticed our child rolling down the hill. I just happened to see out of the corner of my eye Gunnar approaching a tree, way to far from my reach. I yelled at Kyle, and he turned just in time to see the hero of the day....Gina. She was waiting at the bottom a few feet in front of the tree with open arms ready to catch our run away baby. We praise God that she was there. We all got a good laugh out of it, and a lot of strange looks, but in reality it could have turned out much worse. Gunnar was not phased by it all...it probably thought it was a pretty cool ride.

Our Day

6:00-Alarm goes off, Kyle goes off to morning PT.
7:30-Alarm #2 goes off. This is so I can do some homework quickly that is due at midnight Arizona time and I was having brain-lapses about yesterday. Unfortunately the alarm wakes Gunnar up also, and he doesn't feel well and wants to be held,  so he helps me type my homework. 
8:00-Kyle has Doctor Appointment
9:20-I had an Ultrasound. Kyle stayed home with our sick cranky baby. (Yesterday we took Gunnar to the doctor because of his high fever and found out he has a double ear infection and throat infection.) Below you can find a scary picture of baby boy Pettit #2's alien-like face, and my doctor was out and the doctor I saw today wanted to make sure I had proof that we were indeed having another boy. Baby is healthy and doing well, he made the ultrasound a little difficult today as he was a little wired. Apparently his fingers were tasty because he spent a lot of time sucking on them and of course kicking me. The doctor said baby boy was weighing about 2lbs 1 oz. After the scary ultrasound pictures you will find an oh so lovely picture of me at 27 weeks pregnant. Can you believe only 90 more days to go?

10:45-I walked in the door, quickly woke Kyle and Gunnar up from their nap and then the family headed to the Memorial Day Ceremony at Conn Flag Pole. Gunnar sat through the first 30 minutes really good, but the last 30 minutes him and I went to the back and he collected sticks.

12:30-Kyle was suppose to help hand out food for the VFW after the ceremony so Gunnar and I got in line for food. Kyle came back and said there were already enough helpers and that we would go get food at BK and not wait in line a good hour for the free food.
1:00- We got some food and headed out to the paintball field. Kyle volunteers with the Outdoor Recreation and they had two companies out on the field today. Gunnar spent time on the office chair or should I say recliner (I had to take the picture through the window so he wouldn't catch me), guarding the office, and collecting rocks.

1:45-We left the paintball field because Kyle had another appointment, Kyle did a quick drive by the house to drop Gunnar and I off.

2:00- Kyle went to his appointment, Gunnar finally got a good nap in, and I blogged. I should have been cleaning or doing homework, but I think I will save it for tomorrow. Don't judge us, I know a pillow and a blanket in bed with a 12 month old are a big no-no.

2:19-I have completed blogging and hope the rest of the day is not so crazy. I really hate getting in and out of the car with Gunnar. I can't imagine doing this with two little ones...yuck!

Why???

Why didn't we do this before? I'm trying not to think of all the wonderful sleep I have missed out on and think of the good news that Gunnar sleeps NOW!!! He goes to sleep on his own not only at night, but at nap time!!! It is wonderful, and he stays asleep, or if he wakes up he changes positions, thinks about crying, might make a peep to see if I will come get him, then goes back to sleep on his own.
We have pretty much gotten rid of his morning nap, if he falls asleep it is only for about 30 minutes, and if he doesn't have one he sleeps a good three hours in the afternoon. Usually the morning nap only happens if we are in the car going somewhere. There is no more crying himself to sleep either. Sometimes when I take him into his room he makes one little sad sound, then lays there quietly.
So, I always knew people said that sleep training worked, and I have read MANY books about it from the moment I discovered I was pregnant with Gunnar, but I guess I was never ready for it. It always broke my heart to hear him cry for so long....however, he never really cried more than 30 minutes.
I guess Kyle and I will have to mark this down as a lesson learned with our first child. Poor Gunnar is our little guinea pig. I am just happy to say that we have Gunnar's sleeping figured out before his baby brother get here and I get about 3 good months of sleep in. However good of sleep an uncomfortable pregnant woman with awful heartburn can get that is.

5 Years

Yesterday Kyle and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary. While 5 years seems like a fairly significant amount of time (mind you its no 20 or 50 years), I was telling Kyle it feels like we have been married so much longer than that. It is hard to remember life without Kyle in it. Which is kinda strange coming from a couple who in the 5 years have gone through a one year military deployment, a 15 month deployment, a 1 month deployment and Kyle's many times to the field....which sometimes I feel could add up to another year apart from each other.
Our five years of marriage has withstood many trials, and many times away from each other. I am so thankful that we have a Christ-centered relationship. I am so thankful to be on this journy with Kyle.
Kyle is a sweet, caring man who I know would go to the ends of the earth to ensure my happiness. He is a great daddy to Gunnar. It has been fun to watch them grow closer each day. Today when Gunnar saw Kyle he ran up and gave him a good 2 minute hug. It was so sweet.
Kyle surprised me with some sweet things yesterday. He helped the florist arrange my bouquet and he picked out some of my favorite chocolates for me. He wrapped him all up himself, and wanted me to notice he tried curling the ribbon. Unfortunately, it didn't work out like he planned...he didn't buy the curling ribbon.  He did a great job and he knows me well, I don't need much fancy, just chocolate.

Kyle hates cards. He thinks they are a waste. So he wrote his message on the gift bag instead....

 We went to Bamberg and ate at this awesome Italian restaurant. It was a tiny little place, only 5 tables inside, but it was so good. Reservations are a must, we saw many people get turned away, luckily Kyle thought of this in advance.

Gunnar had his first sleep over last night. He stayed with our friends the Brennan Family. They have four children of there own, and Gunnar seemed to have a really great time. He came home one happy camper. We really appreciate them for taking him and are thankful to have people in our lives that we trust to keep our precious baby. It was my first night away from Gunnar. I was really nervous, but I think we both (Gunnar and I) did great for it being our first time.
Proof that Gunnar survived and was all smiles when he got home this morning.

Well, I didn't take a picture of the awesome family that watched Gunnar, but I stole this from Holly's facebook page. Unfortunately Nolan isn't looking at the camera, but it is great of the rest of them. There family has become great friends, and I am so sad they will be moving at the end of June.

I was a little behind on blogging, so don't miss the post below about Gunnar's playdate.

Play Date

Gunnar had a playdate with his buddy Marlee Thursday. Marlee is 15 days older than Gunnar. They had a good time together for the most part. They enjoyed stealing each others cookies and crackers, riding the bike, and chasing the poor dog around. It was also a nice chance for me to have some adult conversation with her mom Marlene. Kyle and George then joined in the fun for a pizza night, and the adults played some Wii games, while the kiddos finished out the night playing their hearts out. It was a fun night.
Enjoying some afternoon snacks.

Riding the bike...

I should have attempted taking a picture of them at the beginning of the afternoon, not right before bedtime. They are both still super cute.

It was so cute, when George showed up, both babies climbed onto his lap and Marlee put her arm around Gunnar. They were so cute!!! Marlene took a picture as I was in the kitchen making pizzas.

Sleep Training....

= no fun.

So it is LONG overdue, but it is time Gunnar learns to sleep at night. He has gone through stages of sleeping through the night, but since returning from the states, he has only done it once. So....here we are back to sleep training. We are are night number 3. It is taking him usually less than 15 minutes to go to sleep, but I really hate all the crying and screaming he has to do. He is then sleeping until about 4am. He then thinks it is time to go to bed with mommy. I started a bad habit when in the states. Come 4am, I want to keep sleeping, so I usually choose just to cuddle up with him in bed. Which is nice, I love cuddling with my baby, but come August, this really isn't going to be working to well. So we have to start going through the same routine come 4am, which means, I will get less sleep, which does not make me happy. I love my sleep WAY to much. The good news is that Kyle can drive again so today was the first day we weren't required to be up at 6am, and Gunnar and I got to sleep-in until about 8. Which was great because he has been getting up at 5:55am, weekday or weekend. :(
So, this is what is happening here. Hopefully this only takes a few days because it just breaks my heart. Thank goodness he isn't crying for hours, 15 minutes is probably a blessing, but I am afraid come 4am, I may be having to hear his sad little whimper for much longer.
I had a friend ask if I have tried sleeping in his crib with him yet. Hmm..I wonder if that would help. :) I am pretty sure she was joking...

One busy boy

Gunnar has been a busy boy lately. Here are some pictures to enjoy.
Gunnar and his daddy enjoyed a birthday cake made for them by our friend Gina. It was pretty yummy.

Gunnar got a Scoot About for his birthday from his Poppa and Grandma Rodstol. Here is a picture of it in the house after it was put together and then some of him enjoying it outside. He is still a little short for it, but he makes it work.

A big boy car seat. Gunnar has always hated the car. We have been keeping our eyes open for one for a while, and now as baby brother's arrival gets closer and he will need the infant seat we decided we could make the change. He seems to like being able to look out.

Gunnar loves playing outside. He would spend all day outside if I was willing to be out there with him. Here are some pictures of him enjoying the playground right outside our apartment.

So, some of you may know, but Kyle decided that Gunnar needed to be potty trained. So he has been taking Gunnar to the potty and Gunnar loves it. I think it is almost more of a game for Gunnar, but he gets so excited when he pees. He will go in and pull up his stool. He doesn't always make it but for being so young I think he is doing well. The only trouble I have with it is that when we are out it is really hard. He is to short to stand, and to little to sit...what to do....

So now our answer to prayer. Kyle was recently put in the Warrior Transition Unit (WTU). It is a unit with only wounded soldiers and in this unit your job is to heal. The program is designed to help wounded soldiers either transition out of the military or to further their military career, Your first priority is to go to all your doctor appointments (and he has TONS), then you either volunteer full-time or go to school full-time. Right now Kyle is volunteering full-time at Outdoor Recreation and is working on setting up classes to attend school. It is nice, he gets up goes to PT (physical training), then comes home and goes to work from 0930-1600. He then has a final formation, but can go in his civilian clothes. Gunnar and I see him a lot more and he seems to be very happy. This week I think it set in that he won't be deploying again and it was a little hard for him. He had a guy he has been with for the last 2 years and was deployed with get seriously injured in Afghanistan. He has experienced a lot of emotions in regards to it. Tomorrow we will go see Pat in Landstuhl before they send him to WalterReed in the afternoon. It has also been really hard on the guys that were with Pat, and they could use some prayers too. The Army doesn't really give you time to recover from things like this, the mission must go on. Kyle wishes so badly that he could be with them all and he really cares for each of them. Right now, all we can do is pray from them, but to Kyle that seems like something so small with what they are experiencing.
At outdoor rec. Kyle set up a little indoor paintball for soldiers to use during the lunch hour. They use rubberballs so they can stay in their uniforms. It looks like a lot of fun.

Kyle also manages to squeeze in a nap here and there at home. Gunnar seems to enjoy this.

Overall things are great in the Pettit House. We are going to be moving by the end of the month to a little bit bigger place. Not exactly sure where yet, but we are kinda being picky about what they give us. It won't be anything to great, but it will be bigger and that means better to us.

Baby Boy #2 is doing well. At my last doctor's appointment they said he was a little over 1 lb. He is most active at night when I am trying to go to sleep, but other than that is a pretty chill baby (at least inside the womb). He gives me tons of heartburn, there is not a day that does by I don't have to deal with it, but things could be worse. I feel huge, but have only gained 6lbs, and am almost 26 weeks along. I think I must have just had a skinny day when I was weighed, because I sure feel and look like I have gained a lot more than 6 lbs. The last picture they gave me at the ultrasound is just awful, so I won't bother sharing.