Over the river and through the woods . . .

My sister, Pinky and I made a quick trip home over the weekend.  The roads were less than desirable the closer we got to my parents'.  In fact I can't really think of a word to accurately describe them, other than treacherous!  Needless to say, we spent plenty of time in the car . . . but it was all worth it!

We spent Saturday afternoon visiting my Gram.  She's recently been in the hospital and we were anxious (to say the least) to get home to see her.  When we got to the nursing home where she lives, we found her sitting with several ladies in the fellowship room waiting to have her nails painted.  Oh, how her eyes lit up when she saw us!  We enjoyed coffee, snacks, and entertainment by Pinky.  But most of all, we enjoyed visiting and reminiscing with our Grandma!  Sure, she repeats herself, and yes, she gets confused . . . but she was very sharp the afternoon of our visit.  And to be honest, it means the most to me that she always remembers who I am when I walk in the door.  She knows that I am her granddaughter, and she is my grandma.  She's never let me down, except for the occasions that she calls my by one of my aunt's name . . .but she's been doing that for years!  Before we left, we were going to "help" her up to her room.  She was up and to the elevator waiting for us to catch up after we collected our things . . . some things never change!

Entertainment by Pinky

Sharing pictures of the kids with grandma.

Making Memories

Look what I can do!

While home, we were also able to celebrate our Great-Aunt Avis's 90th birthday.  What an amazing thing to live to be 90 years old.  She still lives on her own, keeps up two homes, drives, gardens, and bakes.  In fact, she said to my sister over lunch "I just can't shovel like I used to!"  Later that evening, we were out celebrating her birthday with family and friends.  After the meal was over she stood to thank everyone for coming and stated "I'm the oldest one hear, so you better listen!  I have loved my life.  I have been truly blessed.  I hope all of you can live to be 90!"   (Me too!)

I didn't get a picture at the party, but here's Avis and Pinky last February. 
Pinky's grown a little, and Avis just gets better with age! 

If you think I was kidding about the roads . . . or even exaggerating a little . . . check this out:

Made it through most of the drift!  Good thing I brought a shovel! 

You push, I'll shovel . . . works every time! 

The surface of Hwy 50 just north of my parent's place. 

Of course we'll remember the terrible roads and the drifting snow . . . but most of all, we'll remember a day spent with 2 amazing women who have been a part of our lives since the day we were born.  2 women who would do anything for their families . . . No matter how bad the roads are!  :) 

"Defrosting"

It's been a week since our 6 day trip to Sunny Arizona.  While there, we made the rounds visiting friends and family!  While visiting, we enjoyed soaking up the sun, or "defrosting" as I liked to call it!  (It's been a long winter!)

Our flights went smoothly coming and going.  Pinky was the Super Trooper traveling!  She didn't seem to notice a thing during take off or landing . . . I'm sure the pacifier helped a little.  I guess we have a little traveler on our hands!  Of course, Pinky had to get to know everyone around us before she could settle in.  On our flight from MSP to Phoenix, the retired school teacher seated next to us put down her crocheting to hold Pinky for a while.  Pinky even had a stewardess bringing her juice on a flight beverages weren't served.  What a little charmer!  Maybe next time we can see if she can get us bumped up to first class. 

Ready to leave on her first flight! 

Our first night 2 nights we stayed with "Uncle Bunk".  We enjoyed strolling the neighborhood; dining on an outdoor patio; blowing bubbles in the back yard; Cory got to take a spin in Bunxvet; and  I even got a quick run in . . . outside . . . in shorts and a t-shirt!  Of course we also took in a Cubs game complete with hotdogs, snowcones, and icecream!  Cory was so excited to have Pinky in her Cubs hat and t-shirt!!! 

bunxvet

Go, Cubs, Go!

1st Cubs Game!

Nights 3-4 were spent with Cory's college roommate and his family.  Cory and Mike enjoyed another Cubs game and a local brewery while Jen and I took the kids to the zoo.  Pinky loved all of the animals and watching all of the people!  While with our friends, we also enjoyed a sunny afternoon in the pool and dining at Oregano's . . . home to the best dessert EVER!  Of course drinking our coffee by the pool every morning wasn't so bad either! 

Cubs vs. White Sox

Phoenix Zoo

Splish Splash!

"Pinky Shuffle"

Our last day/night were spent with Great-Uncle Lee.  We relaxed on the patio and enjoyed splashing in the pool one more time.  Uncle Lee had stocked up on everything we could possibly need . . . Merlot, chocolate, and 2%! 

One last dip!

Pool-Side!

Hanging with the family our last night in town!

The sun was bright and warm.  Our hosts generously drove us around town and kept us fed and comfortable.  Flights were on time and uneventful.  What else could we have asked for?

Fresh picked lemons!  Tasty!

Look what I found!

Months 13 and 14

I've been trying to figure out a way to "document" all of the little things "Pinky" has been up to . . . her baby book only goes through 12 months . . . But she continues to learn and grow and change every day.  Why not "docu-blog" them? 

Months 13 and 14

I love to snuggle ~ 13 months

Sleeping Patterns:  Sleeping through the night, 7ish to 7ish.  Sleeping in on the weekends sometimes too!  Still taking 2 naps a day.  No more night time bottle. (It was harder on mommy than "Pinky" to give them up!)

Eating Habits:  LOVES to eat!  Breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, snack, dinner!   

New foods I liked:  hotdogs, sorbet (Cubs Game); peanut butter sandwiches; pineapple.  Favorite treat is frozen peas!  Gobbles them up!

The end of the bottles ~ 13 months

New discoveries I made:  Still love anything with buttons!  Love to empty drawers and baskets.  Discovering function and imitating new things every day!  (Look out mom and dad)  Love to play with toys, especially shape sorters and ring stackers.  Like to knock over block towers!  Enjoys reading good books!

Love a good book ~ 14 months

My Accomplishments: Perfected the Pinky "shuffle".  She still isn't walking . . . but it will come!  1st tooth came at 13 months and 2nd tooth came a month later!  Can drink through a straw.

New baby babbles:  The new words keep coming!  She can successfully tell you what a cow, dog, sheep and bear say!  The snake is hit and miss!  She can also say:  more, all done, amen, ball, bear, bye-bye, grandpa, dad.
Grandma K. insists she also can say delicious and banana!
Signs: more, all done, milk. 

Old habits: Loves her nuk and anything snuggly - blankets, stuffed animals, and her babies.  LOVES to eat!

Yummy! ~ 14 months

New places I have been: 1st Bison BB game.  1st plane ride, destination Phoenix - Cubs Spring Training; Phoenix Zoo, visits with friends and family! 

Go Bison! ~14 months



Snuggled in for the ride! ~14 months

 Size:  18 month clothes.  24ish pounds.  30ish inches.  Size 4 diapers.  Size 3-4 shoes.

Such a big girl!  Definitely the light of our lives!  The adventure continues. . . .

Play Dates

We've had several play dates in the last few weeks.  What fun to get together with our friends!  We are so blessed that there are so many little friends for Pinky to grow up with! 

It's interesting to watch Pinky "interact" (or maybe it's "react") to other kids in our home.  Of course she's used to her cousins coming over to play . . . but not so much kids her own age.  Already, she demonstrates the "need" to play with a particular toy AFTER someone else has chosen it is their own entertainment!  Obviously we need to work on sharing!  HA!  It's also funny to see her reaction when I pick up someone that isn't her.   (She doesn't think it's quite so funny!)

Needless to say, it's been wonderful to have company!  Fun to see all of her new toys being played with!  Books being read.  Fun to see all of her little friends growing like weeds, just like she is!  Not to mention how fun it is for me to spend time with their awesome moms!  :)


We love books!

Do you want a piece of cake?

Fellow co-workers and our 3 girls born in 2010!  And the "big kids"! 

Sharing some bling!

They sure are cute, but gone are the days
we could get them all to sit nicely for a picture!

Are you sure you have to go home? 

Sledding with my cousins! 

Learning to share

Two nights this week, I had to work late.  This is a rare occurrence for me.  I know not many working moms would feel sorry for me.  I confess, I am usually able to leave work about 3:30.  There are days I can stop at the store and still pick Pinky up by 4:00.  I love this part of my job!

Two days this week, I didn't get to Pinky until 5:30 or later.  I don't know how others do it.  I absolutely dread the days I have to work late.  I cherish every last minute with Pinky.  I live for the evenings and weekends with my girl!  And the guilt I feel when I am not with her can take my breath away at times. 

Last spring when Pinky was about 8 weeks old, her auntie Carman was holding her and asked me if I wanted her back.  My response:  "I always want her . . . but I am learning to share!" 

This hasn't changed.  I want to be with her all of the time.  I want to be the one that changes her diaper, gets her dressed, reads her stories, comforts her, plays with her, laughs with her, and rocks her to bed at night!  I do.  I am selfish that way.  I'm still learning to share I guess. 

Fortunately for me, I have wonderful people to share her with.  Of course I have to share her with her daddy!  And her grandparents couldn't love her more.  Her aunties ask for time with her.  The women who care for her at daycare every day couldn't take better care of her.  This is a good thing!  This is such a blessing! 

That doesn't mean it's easy.  That doesn't make days like today go any faster.  However, days like today force me to share! 

Oct. 2010

Birthday Girl!

We have a Birthday girl in the house this week. 

I can't believe how fast the year has gone and how big she is! 

Ready to party!



YUMMY! 

I can't help but think about all of the fun we have had getting to know our little girl in the last 365 days!  She still loves her nuk and snuggling with soft things.  She's still a mover and a shaker, only now we can add climber and escaper to the list!  She still loves to eat and can now sign "more" to let us know she's not done.  Books are one of her favorites right now, but she also enjoys wooden spoons, baby dolls and teddy bears, and playing peak-a-boo!   Her smile continues to light up the room and our lives!

Here's a little look at Pinky's first year:

Pinky's first birthday (1-10-10)



Baptism day, March 2010

Happy Easter

4 months old

1st trip to the lake, May 2010

Sidney Montana, June 2010

Little Farm Girl, July 2010

Beach Babe, August, 2010

Our little pumpkin, Oct. 2010

1st Halloween, Oct. 2010

December 2010

Christmas Morning, Dec. 2010

Happy Birthday, my sweet girl! 
May you always know how beautiful you are and how much you are loved! 



Happy New Year!

What a difference a year makes . . . We really felt that this Christmas! 

Christmas 2009:
We stayed in Fargo for Christmas . . . waiting, as patiently as we could, for Pinky to arrive.  It was one of the few Christmases neither of us were home with our families and it was hard.  My sister and her family were here in town, but their house was full of change, as she had just arrived home with their oldest daughter, and were adjusting to life as a family of 7.

My parents and brother celebrated with a few family and friends, but for the most part, it was a pretty quiet Christmas on the farm.  And Cory's family was also scattered about.  A snowstorm hit the state and kept us all close to home, but far apart, Christmas Day.  Not at all what we are used to at Christmas.

My family was finally together for New Year's, when we celebrated a belated Christmas.  But first, my mom had to undergo her final chemo treatment New Year's Eve morning.  We joked that she had her New Year's "cocktail" early . . . but in all honesty, it was a huge (HUGE) day for us after a long fall of surgery, chemo, and doctor appointments!

On New Year's Eve, after the kids were in bed and the clock had struck 12 . . . we sat around and shared our "highs" and "lows" of 2009.  Our highs were high in 2009, but our lows were low . . . and for the most part, we were ready to start a new year . . . with hope for a healthy and happy 2010! 

Christmas, 2010:
We were ALL HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS!  And it was wonderful!  My family was all together on Christmas Eve.  We enjoyed candlelight service together, although this year I didn't light my candle . . . It's not safe with an 11-month-old!  Cory's family celebrated Christmas Day . . . and both of his grandmas were with us!  The 26th, we were all at the farm for a sledding and early birthday party for Pinky.  And for the next week, we enjoyed our time with our families (with the exception of the days the stomach flu hit!).  We listened to our favorite Christmas CDs, played games, watched movies, played in the snow, ate our favorite holiday treats and drank lots of "snowman soup" and  pots and pots of coffee.  It was wonderful!

New Year's Eve, we celebrated my mom's 60th birthday at the farm with friends.  It was a "super" night . . . celebrated "super hero" style.  We ate "super foods", drank "wonder"-ful drinks, dressed in our own unique "super hero" style, and laughed the night away!  One of my nephews declared the party "awesome"! 

At the end of the night . . . or beginning of the morning . . . we sat around and once again shared our highs and lows of 2010.  Our lows were low, but didn't feel as low as they had a year ago.  And our highs felt even higher.  Ours of course was the birth of Pinky . . . and every day since has been one high after another.  She is a joy . . . and it was an absolute JOY celebrating her first Christmas with our families!

God has truly blessed us in 2010.  We look forward to many highs in 2011 . . . and know God will help us through any lows that may come our way.

Happy New Year!

Grandma and Grandpa with the kids in Church Christmas Eve.

Pinky snuggling with Grandpa GB and Grandma Margo

An early birthday party for Pinky

Happy New Year & Happy Birthday Grandma Karen! 

Snow fun!  (This is shortly before Pinky fell asleep in her sled!)

First time in the hay loft