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Watch out Abilene here come the Dillner's

I have finally finished school for the year and that means it is time for us all to be together in Abilene. We haven't sold our house yet and I don't have a job for the fall yet. We have found a small house to rent, hopefully for only six months and then we will be able to buy something. I did have a couple of interviews last week and I have one more next week. Hopefully one of those interviews will lead to a job.

In the fall Thomas and Micheal will be in Booster Kindergarten. Which is a program designed for students old enough for kindergarten but not quite ready. We wend to Abilene one day after school was out and they were screened for this program, luckily they did qualify for it due to their fine motor skills and early birthdays. David and I are both very happy that they qualified for this program, as we really didn't want them being one of the youngest in their class, but we knew they were ready for the structure and challenge of school.

We are moving on Saturday, which means I should be packing instead of blogging.

Tickle Tush

Above is a picture of all three boys at Easter time. Thomas and Michael are great big brothers. They love Ethan to pieces. He lights up when he sees either of them across the room. Dinner time has become interesting as all three of them are trying to make each other laugh.

Ethan enjoying his first taste of solid foods. He continues to make faces during his first few bites and when you switch from veggies to fruits.
This is a picture of Ethan almost rolling over. He has it down now. He rolls allover the living room. He will roll to get somewhere he wants to go. He is also reaching and and scooting to reach toys just out of his reach. It won't be long and he will be mobile. He is not sitting up on his own yet, but will be before too long. He is a very happy baby, with lots of laughs and smiles. One of the few things that gets him riled up is being left alone in a room. You don't always have to be paying attention to him, but he wants to watch and see all that is going on. If he is alone then there is nothing to watch.

One of his nicknames is tickle tush. He earned that nickname at daycare because he would always laugh when Ms. Karin was wiping his butt. He must think it is funny that someone is wiping his butt. He laughs extra hard when you are cleaning up a poopy diaper.

Well Check Ups

Before we head to Abilene I thought it would be a good idea to get all three boys into the doctor for physicals. Thomas and Michael needed to be seen so they could be ready to go to Kindergarten and it was time for Ethan's 6 month check up. I'm not crazy enough to schedule all three appointments at the same time, but they were all done with in one week.

Thomas and Michael were in for their 5 year check up. They both looked great. Thomas weighed 31 pounds, 8 ounces and is 3 feet 3 inches tall. Michael weighed 30 pounds 14 ounces and is 3 feet 3 inches tall. Other than each boy getting 4 shots the appointment was pretty uneventful. The favorite part for Thomas and Michael was getting to pee in a cup. One of the nurses took one of the twins out while the other got his shot. That was probably a pretty good idea. That way Michael didn't have to see Thomas get upset and vice versa.

A couple of days later I was back at the doctor's office with Ethan for his 6 month check up. At 6 months Ethan ways 15 pounds 8 ounces and is almost 25 1/2 inches long. He didn't particularly care for his shots either.

Thankfully we are all caught up with doctor's visits, at least for 3 more months. Which will give me time to find a new doctor.

Four Months Old

It's hard to believe I've been enjoying life at my house for over four months now. Mom took me to the doctor last week. In addition to being poked in the legs (ouch), I found out that I weigh 13 lbs, 5 ozs and I am 25 inches long. Boy am I growing, no wonder I'm wearing all new clothes now! Some of my favorite things to do include eating and sleeping (mom is so grateful that I sleep through the night!), talking to anyone who will listen, laughing, hanging out on the floor watching my crazy brothers run around the house and listening to music. I tend to get upset when mom puts me on my tummy for extended amounts of time or when I am left in a room by myself with no one to talk to or watch.

In the short time I have been around there have been many changes at my house. Mom who enjoyed 8 weeks at home with me has gone back to work and boy is that keeping her busy. I do enjoy going to Ms. Karin's with Thomas and Michael. Daddy got a new job in Abilene and is gone during the week. I miss him. From all that I can tell he is enjoying the job and challenges that come along with it. The house is always clean and mom keeps saying to Thomas and Michael 'you have to keep your things picked up, in case someone wants to come and see about buying our house.' Mom sure is busy these days taking care of everything while daddy is away (which is probably why there haven't been many updates lately).

I have two of the best big brothers in the world. Thomas and Michael are so cool, I can't wait to be just like them (watch out mom and dad!) I love to watch them play, but I love it even more when they talk to me. They do a great job picking out a toy for me to play with each day at Ms. Karin's. I love them.

Well I think that pretty much brings you up to speed on the happenings from my world. I do have to say that I've got life pretty good right now!

Ethan's Baptism

This past weekend we celebrated Ethan's Baptism. We were joined by his Godparents, Adam and Jackie, Grandma Susie, Grandpa Brian, Aunt Crystal and Aunt Danielle. Grandpa Dale and Grandma Mel really wanted to come, but decided to play it safe with the impending winter storm.

Two Months Old

It is hard to believe that Ethan is 2 months old already. Where has the time gone? At his 2 month check up he weighed 10 pounds 12.5 ounces and is 22 5/8 inches long. He loves to talk to mom, dad and his big brothers. It doesn't take much to make him smile. While laying on the ground, his legs are constantly moving. He is ready to run with his big brothers.

He has also adjusted well to going to daycare. Thomas and Michael are so excited that he is at Ms. Karin's all day. They watch out and protect their little brother. I am adjusting to being back at work. It is great to get back and see all the wonderful people I work with, but I do miss being able to spend the days with Ethan.

more articles

Here are a couple more links to articles regarding David's new position.

http://www.abilene-rc.com/view/full_story/10968324/article-Edgerton-executive-chosen-as-Abilene%E2%80%99s-city-manager?instance=main_article

http://www.salina.com/news/story/Abilene-City-Manager2011-01-12T03-05-32

The Big 30!

David turned 30 yesterday. The boys helped me make cupcakes for daddy's birthday. They wanted to know if I had candles. Well I wasn't sure I had 30 candles around the house. Sure enough I did some checking and I found enough. We thought for a moment that the fire alarm was going to go off, when he blew out all the candles!

Merry Christmas

This year we enjoyed a very blessed Christmas. First we blessed with the healthy birth of Ethan. We were able to enjoy time with both of our families. We are all happy and healthy.

One could call our Christmas a musical Christmas. Michael wanted a drum set and Thomas a guitar. They must have been good boys because Santa brought what they wanted.

Although if you ask Michael, Santa didn't bring what he wanted. He wanted a real drum set, not a fake one like the one he got.

Mass Christmas morning was interesting. Anyone who has been to our church or heard us talk about Father Joe, know that he passes out lots of suckers to kids, before during and after mass. We were sitting near the front of church during mass on Christmas morning and the boys were being a little ornery. Father of course spotted them. He then got Michael's attention and motioned for him to come up on the altar. So of course Michael runs up there, while we hear a few laughs around us. He comes back with two suckers, but of course not a flavor that Thomas wants. So Thomas takes it upon himself to run up the altar to Father and get different flavor. As we hear more laughs around us, I hear Thomas say "Yes, I got a green one!"

Cookie Decorating

The last couple of years we have enjoyed an evening of decorating Christmas cookies with our friends. Again this year we had a great time visiting with friends and enjoying each other's company.

Thomas with his plate of cookies.

Michael with his plate of cookies

Somehow we got all the kids to sit on the couch.

Change in 2011

The year 2010 ending on a high note with the birth of Ethan. 2011 is proving to be a year of change, and the year is just barely getting started. There is some exciting news coming from the Dillner Household. David is going to be leaving the City of Edgerton, where he has worked as city administrator for the last four years. The next stop for the Dillner's is the city of Abilene, Kansas, where David will be their new city manager. He will be starting in February. After much thought and many prayers we have decided that the boys and I will stay in Edgerton to finish out the school year. David is going to work four long days and be home for a 3 day weekend. We plan to put our house on the market in the spring and begin looking for a new house in Abilene, with the hopes of moving everyone to Abilene at the beginning of the summer.


For those of you with no idea where Abilene is at, I've included a map showing its location. Grandma Susie and Grandpa Brian are excited that we will only be an hour and half away. It will take about a half hour longer to get to Grandma Mel's and Grandpa Dale's house in Omaha. My youngest sister is considering going to K-State next year and hopefully the thought of us being very close will help her make a decision.

I'm including a few links that have been in the media:
http://gardneredge.com/news/2011/01/11/3607-david-dillner-resigns-edgerton-post-accepts-city-of-abilene-manager-position

http://www.abilenecityhall.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=42

Visit to Santa

This year Thomas and Michael were very excited to visit Santa.

They wanted to sit on his lap and tell him what they wanted for Christmas. A change from last year, when they were a little afraid of him. We visited Santa at the City of Edgerton' s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting.

Ethan's one month check up

We went to the doctor early in the week for Ethan's one month check up. He is continuing to do well. He weighed 8 lbs 1.5 oz. Still pretty small, but putting on weight, so that is good. He was 21 inches long. We can't believe how much he is changing and how fast the time is going. It is hard to believe he is a month old already.

December 6 Weight Check

After our first visit to the pediatrician last week, Ethan wasn't putting on weight as expected, so we had to go back for a weight check. We went yesterday morning. After being put on the scale and having to be taken off the scale as it wasn't turned on. Ethan let the nurse know what he really thought about the weight check, being woken from a nap and having to be lay naked on the scale by peeing and pooping all over the scale! After we got the scale all cleaned up, we were able to weigh Ethan. We were very excited to learn that he had gained 11 ounces in the past week, coming in at 6 lbs 10.5 ounces. Having surpassed his birth weight and gaining more than an ounce a day, we were given the all clear! I am very excited to not have to go back again for another weight check.

First visit to the peditrician

We took Ethan for his first doctor's office visit on Monday. All in all it was a good appointment. The doctor's only concern was that he wasn't putting on weight like he had expected. We will go back in a week for a weight check. Which I think we will see that he is gaining weight. As often as I am feeding he should be putting on the pounds.

We are all adjusting well to life with a newborn. Thomas and Michael love him to pieces. They do great around him. They seem to have a calming effect on him, we will see how long that lasts!

Ethan William Dillner

Ethan William Dillner was welcomed into the world on November 19, 2010 at 12:30 pm. He weighed 6 pounds, 9 ounces and was 19 inches long.


He was welcomed by two very proud and excited big brothers!

Mom and Ethan did great in the hospital. We were very lucky to have lots of family in town to meet the newest addition to the family.

We went home from the hospital on November 22, to a quiet house as Thomas and Michael went to spend a few days in Omaha with Grandma and Grandpa.

To see more pictures of Ethan, visit the following link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=245063&id=598762182&l=56ecb500bd

Baby number 3 - 37 weeks

This week the boys have gone with their grandma and grandpa to visit their new cousin Patrick in Indiana. I am enjoying the peace and quiet around the house during the countdown days to the birth of the baby. The c-section is scheduled for November 19th. Hopefully I will make it until then.
Besides getting extra rest, David and I are working on getting the last few things ready for the baby, including picking out a name. We made progress tonight and actually have two girl possibilities and two boy possibilities. We have first names, but now have to think about middle names! I know many of you are itching to know the names we are thinking of, but don't worry you don't have very long to wait to find out. You will know November 19th at the latest!

Halloween 2010

Halloween has become the favorite holiday of Thomas and Michael. We are still talking about it. Each morning and afternoon they will tell me about which houses were out of candy while trick or treating, the scary house. They enjoyed Halloween so much, they asked if they could have a Halloween birthday party. Enjoy some pictures of all our Halloween fun!

A visit to the pumpkin patch.

Decorating our pumpkins.
Carving the pumpkin with dad, an annual tradition.

The boys wanted to decorate Halloween cookies!

My superheros ready to go trick or treating!

Soccer pictures

Here are some pictures of the boys playing soccer. Enjoy!