Where have we been?

Sick, sick and sick some more.  That is why there have been no new posts for a few weeks.  After we all finished our round of antibiotics from strep and ear infections it seemed we instantly all got sick again.  First I got strep again then while I was bed-ridden the boys were running low fevers and didn't feel well.  So back to the pediatrician and they all have ear infections.  Meanwhile I had this little red bump on the inside of my ankle that hurt and was getting worse.  I asked my doctor about it when he tested me for strep and he said he didn't think it was anything of significance and to ice it and rest.  The next day it swelled up like a balloon and I couldn't walk.  I went to a podiatrist and he didn't know what it was.  Treated me with anti-inflammatories and made a follow-up appointment.  Went back a few days later and he still didn't know what it was so I was sent to another specialist.  Anyway this can go on and on.  A few more doctor appointments, x-rays,  a MRI and blood work later they discovered that I had Erythem Nodosum which is a type of skin inflammation.  After the doctor researched it he found out that one of the leading causes of it is Strep.  Lucky me and my family who had to put up with me.  Needless to say my strep is gone and my foot is feeling better every day.  Meanwhile Will and Levi are doing great then Max, while still on antibiotic starts running a 102 fever.  Back to the doctor and he has an ear infection in his other ear.  So he is now on his third type of antibiotic.  Today was the first day he actually seemed like he was starting to feel better.  So now that the kids and I are starting to get healthy Dale has a terrible cold.  This is a great story I know!  So that has been the fun at the Hackmann house the past few weeks.  The sad thing is that we are not the only ones.  I think everyone has been going through this same thing.  Luckily it is officially spring, just hopefully we get and keep the spring weather. 

So enough of the depressing stuff and here are some pictures of what the boys have been up to.

Aunt Amber was babysitting and I guess she wore them out!

Our Amazing Acrobat of China-Levi

Max and his typical face when he sees the camera!

Will so proud of how big he is!

Racing!  Max, Will and Levi

Will standing on his own. 

Max dancing!

Levi in a very funny mood!

I hate putting more pictures of one kid over the other, but Levi was so cute I had to snap this picture and share!

Fresh Air!

The few nice days we have had lately has given us the chance to get a little bit of fresh air.  We took a short walk on Thursday and played outside for a little while on Friday.  We all appreciated it! 

The boys were putting on their sunglasses for their walk.  (Though this is as far as they made it with them on!)

Will

Max

Levi

From back to front:  Max, Levi & Will

Will

I can't beleive how big he looks.  Last time we used the stoller their feet didn't even hang over the seat.

The play yard we set up in the driveway.

From left to right:  Max, Levi & Will

Levi feel asleep holding his glow worm that his Great Aunt Jeanine and Uncle Mike gave him for Christmas.  He looks so sweet!

Max saw the camera again.  He is such a ham.  Too bad there is alway snot coming from his nose lately!

Levi the acrobat climbed in his chair again.  He was stuck, but managed to get into the position he wanted (as you see here) and looked at us and laughed, like ha-ha I did it!  Then Will decided to go play with him.

Max and Will were having some puffs and Max decided to show me what he was eating.

Will showing off his contagious smile!

First Swim Lesson!

We missed our first swim lesson last week because of sickness so tonight was our first.  Dale and Levi swam together, Mom and Will swam together, and Max and I swam together.  We will switch every week so we all get to swim with each other.  When we first got in they were holding on pretty tight, but as soon as they got used to the water it was so much fun.  Will's favorite part was just to splash with both hands (my mom's hair was soaked!).  Max loved to swim after the rubber ducky.  Levi tried to eat the water.  I think they really liked it.  They were so tired when we were done so I am hoping for a good night sleep myself!  We can't wait to go again next week. 

Dale & Levi

My mom and Will

Max and I

Me & Max

Dale & Levi

Mom & Will

Dale & Levi & Will

Me & Max

Daddy's weekend away and why I missed out on mine.

Dale's good friend Scott has lived in Denver, CO for four years and Dale has yet to make it out for a visit during ski season. Since Dale does snow removal he has always been leery of leaving STL during winter. Finally Dale convinced himself that it was okay and he deserved a weekend away. So last weekend Dale and his friend Ben were off to Colorado to go snow boarding. Neither Ben or Dale had ever snow boarded before so I was waiting for the phone call that someone had broke their leg! Luckily that didn't happen and they had a great time. They said they did really well and they can't wait to go back.

Dale, Ben and Scott on the ski lift.

Dale enjoying the snow.

Dale after cutting freshies in the pow pow! 

(He thinks he can give a Shawn White a run for his money!  Ha-ha!)

Ben and Dale

When Dale got back on Monday all three boys were congested with runny noses and fevers. I wasn't too concerned as they've had this a few times before and just seemed like something that would have to run it's course. Then as I was giving baths that evening I noticed Will had a rash of little bumps all over his chest and stomach. I decided that I better call the doctor the next morning. Max was not running a fever and seemed okay, but luckily I decided I had learned my lesson and I was taking all of the boys to the doctor. She checked Will out first and initially thought the rash was a viral thing that was going around, then she looked at his throat and it was very red. She said it was not very common for children this age to get step, but ran a test anyway.  It was positive.  She then looked over Levi and he was not near as bad, but was going to be treated the same. Now on to Max, throat looked okay, he sounded wheezy and has a nasty ear infection. Now I had only wished I just called the doctor on Monday. I don't like how they can't tell me what's wrong and I have to try to figure it out. Then when the doctor first said strep I was like Oh No! My throat started hurting that morning. Sure enough, by Tuesday night I could hardly swallow and starting running a fever. Now I was in bed for the next two days not even able to comfort my sick kids. To top it all off this weekend I was supposed to be my weekend away to go see my cousin Lisa in Chicago. I was looking so forward to it. At least that is an easy trip to reschedule.  We are all feeling better now.  I can't say what hurts on the kids, but I wish they didn't have to feel that pain.  I know it was awful for me.  My throat still hurts, just not near as bad and by the evening I start feeling very run down again.  Hopefully March will bring better health and better weather!

Levi wanted to be like daddy on the snow board!

Levi consistently fights his sleep, but I guess he couldn't any longer this time and just decided to bend over in his chair and conk out!

Will showing his first teeth.  (I don't know why his neck was red, but I know Levi had just crawled his way over him, maybe that's where it came from.)

Max heard me tell Will to say cheese and from across the room he is looking at me posing!

Dare devils!

The boys have become quite the dare devils! They think they can get to anything, no matter what the obstacle. They are very determined. Despite the constant NO's, constant falls and constant wines because one brother is on top of another, they are very fun (most of the time!). Will finally got his first tooth on February 13th, quickly followed by his second a few days later. I'm sure he will catch up to Levi's 8 teeth and Max's 7 (almost 8) teeth very soon. Will and Max are starting to test themselves on standing up on their own. They pull up, let go, then fall on their butts. They are so proud of themselves and make sure you are watching to tell them how big they are. They both have stood on their own for several seconds a few times before they have fallen. I am sure Levi will start trying to stand on his own soon, but he's constantly got to be moving and standing may take to much being still! We are going to start swimming lessons on Monday. We are very excited. My mom, Dale and I will each be in the water with them. They love to splash in the bath so I am anxious to see them in the pool. And finally, the biggest news of the week. WILL NO LONGER NEEDS HIS HELMET! Yay!

Here are a few of the latest pictures.


Max tried getting something through the glass of our coffee table and cracked his head. We were a little freaked out, but he is fine and went right back to hitting his head. (I swear that kid has the hardest head.)

Levi loves to climb in everything. He is our future Olympian! He looks like he should have a snowboard on doing a trick on the half pipe. We wouldn't mind being parents of a gold medalist! Ha-ha!

Will being content as can be as usual, and of course posing for the camera.

Like father, like son! Dale and Levi having a conversation. These two are so much a like it's scary. I wonder what they are planning!

Ready, Set, Go! The boys were racing on their cars. They were better at going backwards!

(Levi, Will, Max)

The race quickly turned into bumper cars!
(Levi, Will, Max)

Wolves!

This week has been eventful to say the least. It started off with the boys 9 month well baby check-up on Monday. All are well and healthy. Will weighs in at 18 pounds 2 ounces, Max weighs in at 20 pounds 5 ounces and Levi weighs in at 17 pounds 13 ounces. The boys have recently learned to pull themselves up when Dale or I hold our hands out for them. Well, this week they learned to pull up on everything else! They are very proud of themselves and love for us to be proud of them as well. With this pulling up also came an even faster crawl. It's definitely not boring around here.

Here are a few short stories from the week:
Levi decided to make himself comfortable in our changing table (and later in a laundry basket and chair), then a few days later Max decided he would try to one up him and go up a level (of course he couldn't).
They are all obsessed with going into Dale's office for some reason. I had to answer phones for Dale one morning so when I was taking a message the first time Max of course followed me and found dirt, when I got off the phone it looked like he ate chocolate cake! When I was taking a message the second time he pulled himself up on the ottoman and got my purse of the chair. I heard him make a frustrated grunt when I turned around he was stuck in the straps of my purse. So I grab the camera real quick and as soon as he sees it he poses! He has been a huge ham this week.
They all like to take the toy their brother has and crawl all over each other. It seems like a mess now, but wait until they realize what is actually happening and fight back. We'll just enjoy the no fighting while we can!

There have been several moments this week that I felt like I was raising a pack of wolves. Here are a few similarities:

They live in dens:

Levi

Max

Levi
They playfully wrestle:

Will taking Max's toy.

Max climbing over Levi to get the remote.

They are just so darn cute and cuddly:
Will

Max

Levi

They travel in packs:

From front to back: Levi, Max & Will

From back to front: Will, Max Levi

Do you see the pattern here on who's the leader? Ha-ha!

Max Will and Levi eating Puffs.

They eat anything:

Max eating dirt!

Here are some other photos from the week.

Max trying bring back the Man Purse!

Levi so proud of himself!

Will on their new toy from Grandpa and Grandma Hackmann.

Max saw the camera!

Will getting into the diapers.

This week was also Dale's birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY! He got a new gas grill with the cover and a BBQ cookbook. We look forward to him making us a good dinner! The boys also went to their first Super Bowl party at my cousin Ashley's. We are looking forward to another eventful week this week.