Just the Latest

Well the Fanchers are still keeping busy. We just finished up our first session of swimming lesssons with the boys. Anthony is still very hesitant about going under water, but has been making big improvements with getting comfortable kicking and floating. Logan hated the water the first two times he went, but we eased him into it, and he now is our little water baby. We will continue with swimming lessons for the rest of the summer and then hope to put Anthony into lessons for 3 year olds in the fall.

Yesterday, we went to Northwest Trek for the first time. It's a zoo with animals from the Northwest where the animals are in a natural setting. It has animals in exhibits like a normal zoo, but then it has a section where you ride a tram for an hour and see animals in a free-roaming area. We saw moose, buffalo, elk, mountain goats, and deer; some very close. Anthony thought it was very cool.

Taking a break while at Northwest Trek

Anthony liked the stuffed wolf

There were a bunch of antlers on display as you exited the tram.

Logan showing off for the camera

I know I'm biased, but how cute is this?

A Fun Summer So Far

Over the last few weeks, the boys and I have been having lots of fun. Over the holiday weekend, we went to the Oregon Zoo with Grandma Jan where the boys rode the train for the first time (it put Anthony to sleep which was very cute) and had a great time visiting with friends. Our friend Erinn joined us on a trip to the Children's Museum in Olympia, which was very cool. Anthony had a blast playing with all the hands-on activities (check out the video below). We've visited the airport to watch the planes take off and land because Anthony has become obsessed with planes. Also, Anthony got his own library card and has put it to good use, we went to the beach, we've spent a lot of time at the YMCA playing and taking swimming lessons, and we've spent a lot of time playing outside in our backyard. Logan of course keeps growing and growing. He just had his first real haircut last week and is starting to move around more, although he still is not crawling. Below are some pictures of our activities.

This was after the train ride at the zoo. They were both out cold.

Logan's newest friend.

A "Mommy and Me" shot

Anthony LOVES the sand at the beach

We just got Logan his own swing and he loves it; he actually cries because he wants to be outside.

This is video of Anthony playing at the Childrens Museum. He was cracking me up.

Recent Adventures

We've had an eventful last couple of weeks. My 30th Birthday went well, we took Logan to the beach for the first time, we successfully got Anthony down the aisle at my cousin Lindsey's wedding, we went on a hike (which was very interesting with a stroller thanks to Jeremy :), we went to the zoo, and have been enjoying the nice weather in our own backyard. I only have a week left of school then I'll be hanging out with Anthony and Logan for the summer. I hope to have lots of fun with them. Rob is still busy at work; putting in some long days.

Unfortunately, Rob and Logan are currently sick with a bad cold right now. This afternoon I am taking Logan to the doctor to see if he has an ear infection. If so, this will make three infections in three months; he just may end up in tubes as well. We'll see what the doctor says. Anthony had is first dentist appointment last week after a bad fall caused two chipped teeth and some bleeding. You can hardly tell the teeth are chipped, but one of his front teeth did get pushed back quite a bit. We just have to keep an eye on it. Hopefully once summer starts, we can take a break from sickness and injury for awhile (knock on wood).

They like bath time.

Hanging out at the beach

At the Point Definace Zoo in Tacoma. Logan was sound asleep in the stroller.

Anthony was very happy to see the spider.

Logan trying on Uncle Jeremy's glasses.

Sorry, it's taken so long for an update...

We've had a busy month; sorry there haven't been any updates for awhile. Rob, Logan, and I all had the flu for a week, Rob spent a week in Italy, and then of course we have the normal things that keep us busy. Everyone, for the most part, is healthy now and home.

Rob had a great time in Italy. He visited with friends while there and did some sightseeing. While he was away, I took Anthony to see "Walking with Dinosaurs" in Seattle. He thought it was the coolest thing. Logan has now had his first first flu and ear infection. We are hoping he does not follow in Anthony footsteps with his ears. He of course is still growing like a weed. He turns 8 months today and is wearing many of Anthony's 12 month clothes. He enjoys sitting on the floor and playing with his toys and loves his big brother. Anthony really loves Logan too; it's the cutest thing.

Well the next few weeks will be busy as well. I turn 30 on Saturday and am looking forward to seeing everyone. The following weekend, my cousin Lindsey is getting married and Anthony is the ring bearer. I'm looking forward to seeing him all dressed up; I just hope he can manage the walk down the aisle. Below are some pictures from the last month.

For awhile, Anthony became obsessed with Green Eggs and Ham.

Logan had his first haircut at home. This is his "before" shot.

And this is after. We didn't take too much off. Just enough to clean him up a little.

The boys like to hang out in the crib together.

It was so cute. One minute Logan was playing in his exersaucer and the next, he was out cold.

Anthony and Logan

The boys are really starting to interact with each other. Anthony is a great big brother and Logan loves to watch and laugh at Anthony. We're home on Spring Break right now trying to keep busy. The weather is no good, plus Logan is sick. He had is 6 month appointment yesterday and we found out he has allergies and bronchitis. Hopefully with his antibiotic and allergy medicine, he'll be a new kid. He is still big... 19 lbs 1 oz (70%) and 27.25 inches (75%).

Anthony wanted to share the Boppy pillow with Logan.

Logan is already trying to steal Anthony's toys

I like how they both have these "uhhhhh...." faces

Not too sure what was so fascinating

More Pictures...

Well things are as busy as ever. The boys are doing better now after being sick last week. Anthony is still obsessed with dinosaurs and Logan just turned 6 months. Logan is changing so much right now. He is sitting up on his own now, started eating cereal (which he's not too interested in), and weighs over 18 pounds. As you can see in the picture of Logan and Anthony below, their heads are the same size. Logan is going to be a big boy!

Rob's company had some positions cut last week and a number of employees lost their jobs. Fortunately, Rob's postition was okay, but his duties have changed. He now has an even bigger job to do now. I've been trying to figure out a way to go part-time next year, but unfortunately for me, it's not working out too well. I came up with an idea that was presented to the super, but it didn't go through. I guess I'll just keep trying. I'm looking forward to spring break at the end of the month!

And now the pictures...

Some pictures of the last two weeks...

We spent an afternoon with Jeremy, Liz, Melissa, Lindsey, and Luke at the Seattle Aquarium. Here Logan is a jellyfish.
My new favorite picture of Anthony and I.

Anthony and Logan playing.

Anthony digging for clams. Well actually, Rob would dig and Anthony would search for the clam in the sand.

Check out the shoulder muscles :)

The Latest

Everything at the Fancher household is going well. Anthony is doing much better now after his surgery and should be completely healed within the next couple of days. We just have to fatten him up a bit since he lost quite a bit of weight. Logan now has two teeth and as you can see below, lots of hair. He also found his feet the other day and enjoys playing with them whenever on his back. Rob and I are both back to work full-time and dealing with exhaustion as best as we can. As always, hope all is well with all of you!! Happy Valentine's Day!

Logan has figured out how his exersaucer works and now plays with the attached toys.

What a cutie!

Anthony painting a volcano. He is currently obsessed with watching it erupt. He's going to be my future little scientist.

Chilling in his jumper. He didn't really like it.

Trying out some new shades. They're size 2T-3T and are already snug on his big head :)

Busy, Busy

Well, it's been a little over a week since Anthony had his surgery, and overall everything is going as expected. We did, however, end up staying overnight in the hospital because Anthony was not able to keep his oxygen levels up while asleep. He had so much swelling, it was blocking his airway. They gave him oxygen throughout the day and night and by the next morning, he was doing well enough to go home. The last week has been tough on him as well as on Rob and I. Anthony has been on pain relievers and antibiotics around the clock, so one of us, if not both of us, are up with him every couple of hours to give meds or to calm him down because he woke up in pain. He also has a bad cold, which is not helping the matter. He has lost about 3 pounds, which is sad to see because he was skinny to begin with. Rob and I push food and drinks on him nonstop, but he's just not very interested. We hope in the next few days, we get our happy Anthony back.

Logan is also sick. He caught the cold Anthony had and is now on two nebulizer medications to help him breathe better. The poor little guy on top of feeling icky from the cold, is also teething. His first tooth popped out the other day!! We were wondering why he was so cranky in the two days before it popped; Anthony didn't get his first tooth until he was 6 months, so we weren't expecting teeth at four months. Logan also had his four month check-up and is still in the 70-75% for his weight, length, and head. He's so much bigger than Anthony; he was always in the 25-40% range.


Rob and I are doing as well considering the lack of sleep and look forward to when the boys are healthy. Rob will stay at home through Tuesday with the boys, and then he plans to go back to work. Anthony will return to his daycare and Logan will head to a different one right down the street from my work. Eventually, they will be at the same daycare, we just have to wait a little while for a spot to open up. It's possible, we might decide we like Logan's place better and might move Anthony over there for the next school year. We'll see. Hope everyone is doing well!!

Lifting his head up well now.

First time riding in the stroller like a big boy (versus being in the car seat part).

Showing off our tonsils.

In his hospital room before surgery.

Playing around in the toy room before surgery.

Back at Work

Well I returned to work Thursday and had a good first two days back. Over the last few weeks the big thing at work is the possibility of our school closing. A week ago, it sounded like it was a done deal, but the community was really mad about it, so now the committee who is in charge of changing the district around is going to start over and think of other ways to save money. As it stands now, my middle school if off the chopping block. Yeah!! It means that next year, I will work, but I'm hoping part-time.

Logan trying out long hair.

Anthony actually put the wig on and said, "I need a hair cut!" I cracked up!

Logan on his four month birthday.

I stepped away for a minute and when I came back, Anthony and Logan were playing. Anthony was setting dinosaurs in Logan's lap.

Anthony said this was a "good smile." I agreed.

Anthony's Tonsils

Anthony had a doctor's appointment on Friday to figure out what to do about his tonsils. As of now, surgery to remove his tonsils and adenoids is scheduled for Thursday the 22nd at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital in Tacoma. I asked the nurse if we could get him in sooner, so it's possible he may go in before the 22nd. Anthony will only be at the hospital for the day and then will come home to recover for the next week and a half.

Also, I'm returning to work this week after my four months off, and Rob will stay home with the boys for a few weeks. I talked to the teacher who was subbing for me and he said I have a tough group, which kind of scares me because if he says it's a tough group, it must mean it truely is a tough group. I just have to hang on for five months. Hope everything is going well with all of you!

Recent News

Well unfortunately it looks like Anthony will be headed back to surgery for a second time (his ear tubes were his first). His tonsils are so huge they actually touch his uvula, which is the thing that hangs down in the back of your throat. His tonsils make it difficult for him to breathe while sleeping, he snores really loud, and he chokes more easily while eating. When a surgery date is set, I'll let people know.

In other news, my middle school is closing at the end of this year, which makes me really sad. Later this month, the school board will decide whether they want to move the 7th and 8th graders up to our high school where we will become a school-within-a-school or if they want to split the grades up and have 7th graders stay at their elementary schools while the 8th graders go to the high school. Either way, I'm upset because I'm losing a science lab that science teachers dream of. I am seriously considering becoming a full time mom for a few years and returning to teaching when the boys are in school. I'll keep you updated on what happens.

Now for the cute pictures...

The boys reading

Sound asleep

Logan's trying out his new chair.

Cheeeeese!

Lounging around