Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Oh, Ella Bella (Tuesday, July 27th, 2010)
Ella came into our room this morning about 5:50. I was in the bathroom getting ready for work and Charles was still in bed. Ella wanted to get in bed with him. Charles said 'no' and told Ella to go back to her own room. After some back and forth, Ella headed back to her room and Charles got up to help her get back into bed and covered up and Ella pipes up, "Do not follow me, Dad". Oh it's starting already.... The good news - we both got a good laugh.
Lexi is still good ole Lexi, except that she's been getting up at 3:30 for the past 3 nights wanting to eat and then will not go back to bed. Needless to say, we're a little sleepy and my neck hurts from sleeping in the recliner in her room with her on my chest, but I'm still enjoying it.
Lexi is still good ole Lexi, except that she's been getting up at 3:30 for the past 3 nights wanting to eat and then will not go back to bed. Needless to say, we're a little sleepy and my neck hurts from sleeping in the recliner in her room with her on my chest, but I'm still enjoying it.
Monday, July 26, 2010
FUN Weekend (Monday, July 26th, 2010)
This past Saturday, we were on the road again. The 2nd on our streak of 5 weekends in a row that we're out of town (shhh, don't tell the robbers)!
We headed to Algona as Charles was playing a golf tournament with his brother, Bobby, brother -in-law, Don and nephew Kory. It was a memorial golf tournament for a friend of our niece's Brandon Divis. I think they did well and had a great time on the course.
Ella, Alexis & I stayed with Aunt Lori in Algona while they golfed and Aunt Brenda came over. Lori watched the girls for a few hours while Brenda & I went shopping uptown. What a great collection of shops - I found lots of goodies. Probably my favorite, was an insect net for Ella to catch fireflies and butterflies and stuff and then a little horse chew toy for Lexi.
After the guys were done golfing and we were done shopping, everyone came back to the house and we ordered pizza and just had a great time together. We celebrated Kory's 18th birthday, which means, I've known him since he was 5! Wow, I've been around a while. We were outside quite a while (until the mosquitos came out) and then headed indoors. Ella & Bobby played Guitar Hero and then Wii. Some others were playing cards. What a day and so much fun!
We headed home yesterday and got back in time to get the girls' pool put up outside, so they could splash around, while Charles & I broke up sticks from the recent storm and he put together his new hoses for watering the yard.
Ella is getting geared up to head to formal preschool this fall. Last night, she picked out one of our old backpacks to use. We're not on the hunt for a zebra patch for it to make it her own. Zebras are her favorite! She's getting so smart. The other night, I hit a bug on my arm and she asked what it was. I said, a fly. She replied, what are those bugs that suck the blood out of us? I said, moquitos. She said, yes, we can't kill those because spiders like to eat them. I said, Ok Ella. She said, You know what else we can't kill? I said, What Ella? She said, Bees, because they help our flowers. I said, Well yes they do.
It's just amazing to me how bright she is and how much she is learning at her current daycare center.
And Lexi is learning to stand and wants to do so a lot. She stands up next to a little table that has buttons on it that play music, move and make other noises. She's not quite to the point where she is pulling herself up yet, but she is getting close. She's also figuring out that she can have her own conversations. As she makes her little noises, if people respond, she'll 'talk' to you. And especially if you have something she wants, like during lunch and supper time, or if you have her little puffs or even more so if you have ice cream. Can you tell her uncle is a Schwan's man?
We headed to Algona as Charles was playing a golf tournament with his brother, Bobby, brother -in-law, Don and nephew Kory. It was a memorial golf tournament for a friend of our niece's Brandon Divis. I think they did well and had a great time on the course.
Ella, Alexis & I stayed with Aunt Lori in Algona while they golfed and Aunt Brenda came over. Lori watched the girls for a few hours while Brenda & I went shopping uptown. What a great collection of shops - I found lots of goodies. Probably my favorite, was an insect net for Ella to catch fireflies and butterflies and stuff and then a little horse chew toy for Lexi.
After the guys were done golfing and we were done shopping, everyone came back to the house and we ordered pizza and just had a great time together. We celebrated Kory's 18th birthday, which means, I've known him since he was 5! Wow, I've been around a while. We were outside quite a while (until the mosquitos came out) and then headed indoors. Ella & Bobby played Guitar Hero and then Wii. Some others were playing cards. What a day and so much fun!
We headed home yesterday and got back in time to get the girls' pool put up outside, so they could splash around, while Charles & I broke up sticks from the recent storm and he put together his new hoses for watering the yard.
Ella is getting geared up to head to formal preschool this fall. Last night, she picked out one of our old backpacks to use. We're not on the hunt for a zebra patch for it to make it her own. Zebras are her favorite! She's getting so smart. The other night, I hit a bug on my arm and she asked what it was. I said, a fly. She replied, what are those bugs that suck the blood out of us? I said, moquitos. She said, yes, we can't kill those because spiders like to eat them. I said, Ok Ella. She said, You know what else we can't kill? I said, What Ella? She said, Bees, because they help our flowers. I said, Well yes they do.
It's just amazing to me how bright she is and how much she is learning at her current daycare center.
And Lexi is learning to stand and wants to do so a lot. She stands up next to a little table that has buttons on it that play music, move and make other noises. She's not quite to the point where she is pulling herself up yet, but she is getting close. She's also figuring out that she can have her own conversations. As she makes her little noises, if people respond, she'll 'talk' to you. And especially if you have something she wants, like during lunch and supper time, or if you have her little puffs or even more so if you have ice cream. Can you tell her uncle is a Schwan's man?
Friday, July 23, 2010
Friday, July 23rd, 2010
Today is the end of a crazy week! On our way back on Sunday, we had a tag-along of sorts. My parents' dog, Nook, came home with us for the week, so my parents could take a little vacation. Nook was originally my dog (Maize) and then went to live with my brother, Brian, only to be returned to may parents when she got Brian into lots of trouble with barking and escaping from his house. So, it truly has come full circle.
Upon arrival to our home on Sunday, I was cleaning up the kitchen and informed Charles that the kitchen sink wasn't draining very well. So he took the drain apart and removed the garbage disposal to get to the clog (which we never did find). The only issue came when we went to put everything back and couldn't because the garbage disposal wouldn't go back on. Ugh.
Monday brought a $110 trip to Menard's for a new garbage disposal and installation. Goodness! No golf for Charles with his 'guys'. Shucks.
Tuesday brought a lower key type of day, but Tuesday night, Charles decided to take Ella to the golf driving range to practice. They had a ball, like usual. Lexi & I just played at home and she went to bed early.
Wednesday - the start of the fevers. When Ella was a little younger than Lexi, she started to spike these fevers around 103-104 degrees. Of course, Lexi had to keep up with her sister. So Wednesday morning, it was about 103 degrees. Charles was on duty as I had a lot of meetings to attend to. Tylenol, Motrin, Tylenol, Motrin - that poor girl. When I got home, then it was a massive house clean-up. I love/hate this time. Hate doing it since we can't play with the girls - love it because it gives me some sanity in looking around the house that not everything is in shambles. As we're cleaning though, Lexi decided to use one of her toys that is about 8" tall to stand up. I think walking may be in our near future.
Thursday - my day to stay home. Lexi again had high fevers on and off througout the day, although not 103, just 102. We didn't take her to the doctor as she didn't really have any other symptoms, so we just chalked it up to a viral infection or something. She did sleep well, which allowed me to work 7 out of 8 hours for my work day. I love the ability to work from home.
Friday (today) - we let Lexi sleep in (about 7:00). Woke up and she didn't fell that warm - only 99 degrees, so dressed and off to daycare. As I sit here writing at noon, I haven't heard anything from daycare, so I'm assuming we're good there. Thank God!
We're heading to Algona tomorrow, so Charles can play in a golf tournament with his brother Bobby, brother in law, Don and nephew Kory. It's a benefit for our niece, Brooke's fiance's (Ben) friend who passed away. They're raising money for his scholarship fund. Ella, Lexi & I will go and hang out with Aunt Lori in Algona while they golf.
Maybe by the end of the weekend, Lexi will be walking. Ok, probably not, but she isn't much into just sitting anymore. She's crawling all over, then sitting up, rolling over, standing up, etc. etc. It's amazing to see how kids change so much. Only 8 months ago, she was just a little over a week old - time goes by so fast! She is starting to be finicky about food. Not real kosher on veggies, but still likes fruit and those little puff things and she's starting to get tastes of other foods - crackers & bread (crumbs of both), very small bananas and ice cream (Thanks Grandpa Roger!).
Ella's time at her current daycare is winding down as preschool starts exactly one month from today. She's been busy making plans as to who she'll marry. Her best friend, Shelby and Ella have been going to this daycare since Ella was 13 weeks old. Shelby, Ella, Zach & Mitchell all play together daily. For the longest time, Ella was marrying Mitchell and Shelby was marrying Zach. Well, as of late, those plans have now changed and Ella & Shelby are switching their men. Ha ha!
Upon arrival to our home on Sunday, I was cleaning up the kitchen and informed Charles that the kitchen sink wasn't draining very well. So he took the drain apart and removed the garbage disposal to get to the clog (which we never did find). The only issue came when we went to put everything back and couldn't because the garbage disposal wouldn't go back on. Ugh.
Monday brought a $110 trip to Menard's for a new garbage disposal and installation. Goodness! No golf for Charles with his 'guys'. Shucks.
Tuesday brought a lower key type of day, but Tuesday night, Charles decided to take Ella to the golf driving range to practice. They had a ball, like usual. Lexi & I just played at home and she went to bed early.
Wednesday - the start of the fevers. When Ella was a little younger than Lexi, she started to spike these fevers around 103-104 degrees. Of course, Lexi had to keep up with her sister. So Wednesday morning, it was about 103 degrees. Charles was on duty as I had a lot of meetings to attend to. Tylenol, Motrin, Tylenol, Motrin - that poor girl. When I got home, then it was a massive house clean-up. I love/hate this time. Hate doing it since we can't play with the girls - love it because it gives me some sanity in looking around the house that not everything is in shambles. As we're cleaning though, Lexi decided to use one of her toys that is about 8" tall to stand up. I think walking may be in our near future.
Thursday - my day to stay home. Lexi again had high fevers on and off througout the day, although not 103, just 102. We didn't take her to the doctor as she didn't really have any other symptoms, so we just chalked it up to a viral infection or something. She did sleep well, which allowed me to work 7 out of 8 hours for my work day. I love the ability to work from home.
Friday (today) - we let Lexi sleep in (about 7:00). Woke up and she didn't fell that warm - only 99 degrees, so dressed and off to daycare. As I sit here writing at noon, I haven't heard anything from daycare, so I'm assuming we're good there. Thank God!
We're heading to Algona tomorrow, so Charles can play in a golf tournament with his brother Bobby, brother in law, Don and nephew Kory. It's a benefit for our niece, Brooke's fiance's (Ben) friend who passed away. They're raising money for his scholarship fund. Ella, Lexi & I will go and hang out with Aunt Lori in Algona while they golf.
Maybe by the end of the weekend, Lexi will be walking. Ok, probably not, but she isn't much into just sitting anymore. She's crawling all over, then sitting up, rolling over, standing up, etc. etc. It's amazing to see how kids change so much. Only 8 months ago, she was just a little over a week old - time goes by so fast! She is starting to be finicky about food. Not real kosher on veggies, but still likes fruit and those little puff things and she's starting to get tastes of other foods - crackers & bread (crumbs of both), very small bananas and ice cream (Thanks Grandpa Roger!).
Ella's time at her current daycare is winding down as preschool starts exactly one month from today. She's been busy making plans as to who she'll marry. Her best friend, Shelby and Ella have been going to this daycare since Ella was 13 weeks old. Shelby, Ella, Zach & Mitchell all play together daily. For the longest time, Ella was marrying Mitchell and Shelby was marrying Zach. Well, as of late, those plans have now changed and Ella & Shelby are switching their men. Ha ha!
Monday, July 19, 2010
What a Wonderful Weekend (Monday, July 19th, 2010)
We had last Friday off (PTO) to head to Lost Island. A warm and very humid day, we spent most of it in the lake or on the waverunner. Ahh, the thrills of vacation, even if it's just a day or two here and there. I think Ella was on the waverunner 5 times and went swimming twice.
Alexis got to go swimming again and had so much fun -her face just lights up, her smiles appear and her arms start flapping like a bird hitting the water and splashing herself (and everyone else around her). There is so much joy in seeing that.
Ella is getting really good at swimming and isn't the least bit afraid to be in water where she can't touch, asking you to move further out, she she can swim to one of us. Keep in mind, this is all while having her life jacket on, so don't be concerned for her safety.
Late Friday afternoon, Charles' parents came up to have dinner with us and spend time with the girls. Ella was beat tired, so she laid inside the camper the whole evening chilling out and watching Shrek 3. We were all in bed relatively early.
Saturday morning we headed to Poky to my parents. Mom & Dad watched the girls while Charles & I shot a quick 9 hole round of golf in 95 degrees and very high humidity. Heat index was around 100. We drank 2 Gatorades and 4 bottles of water, so we stayed properly hydrated.
Back to my parents to cool off, shower and then headed to my 10 year class reunion. I was very excited to see my classmates as I didn't attend the 5 year reunion (was traveling for my job at that point and heading to Detroit). Any any rate, as we drove to Rolfe, we were conversing about how people would interact after not seeing each other for 10 years.
The night went very well - everyone was talking to each other, cracking jokes, and providing their own update no less than 10 times (estimately only there). We had a great time - I think probably 25 of our class of 52. Great updates from everyone and for the most part, not too much change, except everyone getting older.
Unfortunately, the event ended rather quickly as a Tornado Warning was issued for Pocahontas County. Charles & I headed to Dena (Ricklefs) Kroska's parents house with her and her husband, Brian. Charles & I were thinking the whole time that hopefully my parents had the girls in the basement. Upon arriving home at 1:30, we determined that they did go down there - everyone was safe & sound. No damage to my parents or any other family members' home in Pocahontas (Thank God!).
We headed back home yesterday and found some tree branches down, but nothing big and no damage. Others near us weren't as fortunate.
Alexis got to go swimming again and had so much fun -her face just lights up, her smiles appear and her arms start flapping like a bird hitting the water and splashing herself (and everyone else around her). There is so much joy in seeing that.
Ella is getting really good at swimming and isn't the least bit afraid to be in water where she can't touch, asking you to move further out, she she can swim to one of us. Keep in mind, this is all while having her life jacket on, so don't be concerned for her safety.
Late Friday afternoon, Charles' parents came up to have dinner with us and spend time with the girls. Ella was beat tired, so she laid inside the camper the whole evening chilling out and watching Shrek 3. We were all in bed relatively early.
Saturday morning we headed to Poky to my parents. Mom & Dad watched the girls while Charles & I shot a quick 9 hole round of golf in 95 degrees and very high humidity. Heat index was around 100. We drank 2 Gatorades and 4 bottles of water, so we stayed properly hydrated.
Back to my parents to cool off, shower and then headed to my 10 year class reunion. I was very excited to see my classmates as I didn't attend the 5 year reunion (was traveling for my job at that point and heading to Detroit). Any any rate, as we drove to Rolfe, we were conversing about how people would interact after not seeing each other for 10 years.
The night went very well - everyone was talking to each other, cracking jokes, and providing their own update no less than 10 times (estimately only there). We had a great time - I think probably 25 of our class of 52. Great updates from everyone and for the most part, not too much change, except everyone getting older.
Unfortunately, the event ended rather quickly as a Tornado Warning was issued for Pocahontas County. Charles & I headed to Dena (Ricklefs) Kroska's parents house with her and her husband, Brian. Charles & I were thinking the whole time that hopefully my parents had the girls in the basement. Upon arriving home at 1:30, we determined that they did go down there - everyone was safe & sound. No damage to my parents or any other family members' home in Pocahontas (Thank God!).
We headed back home yesterday and found some tree branches down, but nothing big and no damage. Others near us weren't as fortunate.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Tuesday, July 13th, 2010
Charles headed off to the golf course tonight, so the girls and I were flying solo. We came home and Ella played a LeapFrog game on the TV in the basement while Lexi and I played for a little while upstairs. Then, Lexi chowed down her supper of sweet potatoes, pears, and some Banana puffs (puffed air). She did really good with feeding herself with the puffs.
Next on the list - a pajama party! Ella took a bath to help her with the rash on her trunk and Lexi took a quick little bath in the bathroom sink - probably the funniest thing I've ever seen, but it worked! Then we had popcorn (Ella & I) and watched a Berenstein Bear movie we rented for free from our local video store. Lexi enjoyed a little bowl of puffs for her treat.
Both girls went to bed relatively easy - it's not too hard these days as they're both exhausted after their grueling days playing, eating and napping. Then I worked on an update of all of my classmates from the PAC Class of 2000 for our upcoming reunion.
Not to back track, but I have to share a funny story. Over the weekend, Charles & I had been working on something and I got a little irritated (unfortunately) and I told Charles to 'think about it'. Ella turns to him and says, "Dad, use your brain". Not only was it funny to hear her say that, but funnier because that's what I always tell her when it seems like she isn't thinking real clearly.
Next on the list - a pajama party! Ella took a bath to help her with the rash on her trunk and Lexi took a quick little bath in the bathroom sink - probably the funniest thing I've ever seen, but it worked! Then we had popcorn (Ella & I) and watched a Berenstein Bear movie we rented for free from our local video store. Lexi enjoyed a little bowl of puffs for her treat.
Both girls went to bed relatively easy - it's not too hard these days as they're both exhausted after their grueling days playing, eating and napping. Then I worked on an update of all of my classmates from the PAC Class of 2000 for our upcoming reunion.
Not to back track, but I have to share a funny story. Over the weekend, Charles & I had been working on something and I got a little irritated (unfortunately) and I told Charles to 'think about it'. Ella turns to him and says, "Dad, use your brain". Not only was it funny to hear her say that, but funnier because that's what I always tell her when it seems like she isn't thinking real clearly.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Monday, July 12th, 2010
I picked up Lexi from daycare on Thursday and then told me she was crawling. I knew she had been moving all around by pushing backwards and spinning, so I figured it wouldn't be long. Needless to say Thursday night & Friday night, she wouldn't crawl for us, although it wasn't all that surprising. By the time she gets home after daycare, she is just hungry and wants to be held. She's been in a social setting all day with 11 other kiddos that are between 6 weeks and 12 months old. They either playing, eating, pooping, sleeping, yelling, crying, cooing or talking. I can't imagine I wouldn't be exhausted after that either!
On Saturday, we were home most of the day, which was nice as the next several weeks are full of busy plans! Saturday afternoon we ran a couple of errands - returned a bike helmet that we had bought for Alexis to Scheel's. We were hoping to be able to put her in the bike cart, but she didn't want anything to do with it, so instead of keeping the $30.00 helmet, we just decided to return it. We also tried on soccer uniforms for Miss Ella. Really nice Nike dri-fit uniforms, but then again, they should be real nice. The jerseys are $35!
Saturday night, Lexi had enough of being somewhat stationary and finally crawled for us. I think it was after a toy or the TV remote, but at any rate, she crawled. Too bad I was upstairs giving Ella a baking soda bath, for her rash, which is making vast improvements, but is still present!
Sunday we headed off to church and then again, spent most of the day at home, which was nice. Got some things put away that I had been putting off, which was a big accomplishment. Charles & I watched The Blindside after we put the girls to bed. I love movies that are made from real-life stories and I like them even more when they're not about murder or death. I'm just not a big fan of those types of movies. Anyway, I loved it and it was great to spend time with Charles, even if it was 10:30 before I got to bed.
Also - it's picture galore day for July!
Alexis, Bobby & Lily
Ella sitting w/ Peggy & PeeWee at the campfire on the 4th of July
Ella doing sparklers
Lexi playing at home.JPG)
Brenda and Alexis eating Oreos at the lake
Ella and Alexis is their "I love my Daddy" shirts
Grandpa Roger and Alexis eating 'puffies'
Alexis and Mommy swimming at the lake
Ella and Uncle Bobby playing Guitar Hero - they really rocked it!
Lexi at the bonfire at Uncle Bobby & Aunt Lori's house after the golf tournament
Alexis and her cousin Laura Moser
Bobby being silly - he was a bit 'lite up'
Alexis and Aunt Brenda at Bobby and Lori's house following the golf tournament
Ella picking on Brittany and Brad - her favorite buddies
Alexis chilling in her floatie in the lake.JPG)
Ella playing with all of her friends at the lake - Carissa, Rachel, Andy & Jeff
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Lexi doing some more swimming with me at the lake.JPG)
Lexi and Nook (my parent's dog) playing while we were dog sitting for a week or so
Grandpa Roger and Lexi at the lake.JPG)
Alexis at the lake in her giraffe swimsuit - all ready to go.JPG)
A beautiful sunset at the lake
An ominous storm cloud at the lake - EAST of us, thank goodness.
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Surrounded by her diapers - I stock up when I have coupons and they're on sale
Lexi after a good night's rest in her crib
On Saturday, we were home most of the day, which was nice as the next several weeks are full of busy plans! Saturday afternoon we ran a couple of errands - returned a bike helmet that we had bought for Alexis to Scheel's. We were hoping to be able to put her in the bike cart, but she didn't want anything to do with it, so instead of keeping the $30.00 helmet, we just decided to return it. We also tried on soccer uniforms for Miss Ella. Really nice Nike dri-fit uniforms, but then again, they should be real nice. The jerseys are $35!
Saturday night, Lexi had enough of being somewhat stationary and finally crawled for us. I think it was after a toy or the TV remote, but at any rate, she crawled. Too bad I was upstairs giving Ella a baking soda bath, for her rash, which is making vast improvements, but is still present!
Sunday we headed off to church and then again, spent most of the day at home, which was nice. Got some things put away that I had been putting off, which was a big accomplishment. Charles & I watched The Blindside after we put the girls to bed. I love movies that are made from real-life stories and I like them even more when they're not about murder or death. I'm just not a big fan of those types of movies. Anyway, I loved it and it was great to spend time with Charles, even if it was 10:30 before I got to bed.
Also - it's picture galore day for July!
Alexis, Bobby & Lily
Ella sitting w/ Peggy & PeeWee at the campfire on the 4th of July
Ella doing sparklers
Lexi playing at home
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Brenda and Alexis eating Oreos at the lake
Ella and Alexis is their "I love my Daddy" shirts
Grandpa Roger and Alexis eating 'puffies'
Alexis and Mommy swimming at the lake
Ella and Uncle Bobby playing Guitar Hero - they really rocked it!
Lexi at the bonfire at Uncle Bobby & Aunt Lori's house after the golf tournament
Alexis and her cousin Laura Moser
Bobby being silly - he was a bit 'lite up'
Alexis and Aunt Brenda at Bobby and Lori's house following the golf tournament
Ella picking on Brittany and Brad - her favorite buddies
Alexis chilling in her floatie in the lake
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Ella playing with all of her friends at the lake - Carissa, Rachel, Andy & Jeff
.JPG)
Lexi doing some more swimming with me at the lake
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Lexi and Nook (my parent's dog) playing while we were dog sitting for a week or so
Grandpa Roger and Lexi at the lake
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Alexis at the lake in her giraffe swimsuit - all ready to go
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A beautiful sunset at the lake
An ominous storm cloud at the lake - EAST of us, thank goodness.
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Surrounded by her diapers - I stock up when I have coupons and they're on sale
Lexi after a good night's rest in her crib
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Thursday, July 8th, 2010
Another day in the office for me, which is perfectly fine. A short week of work due to the 4th of July holiday and a day of PTO.
Lexi woke up early this morning and then was immediately tired after feeding. We made sure to give her some Ibuprofin to help with the pain of her teeth.
Ella has been sleeping in pretty well - bed by 8:00 and up around 6:45. She's just exhausted. I'm sure the summer heat and activity is contributing.
Charles is off and golfing again today, then may be helping Brian again....
Lexi woke up early this morning and then was immediately tired after feeding. We made sure to give her some Ibuprofin to help with the pain of her teeth.
Ella has been sleeping in pretty well - bed by 8:00 and up around 6:45. She's just exhausted. I'm sure the summer heat and activity is contributing.
Charles is off and golfing again today, then may be helping Brian again....
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Wednesday, July 7th, 2010
Let's start off with some updates.
Last Friday, July 2nd. Standard day for me. Working from home for the day. I made this scheduling change when I went back to work after having Lexi. Gave me some opportunity to start earlier, get more accomplished, since it's quiet and give me a little more work/life balance. I love it and get so much done!
The plan was to leave for the lake following work. I get a text from Charles about 4:30 - he's going to be late, very late. His work day gets busy right before lunch and right before the end of the day as his dealers are out selling and come back for lunch or to finish up the day and submit all the paperwork.
Oh, at any rate, one of his co-workers helped him out and he got home about 5:15. Got left about 6:15 and to Poky about 8:15-8:30.
Saturday, July 3rd. Headed up to the farm, where Uncle Byron lives to pick-up the waverunner and then off to the lake. What a beautiful day. Lots of swimming, waverunner rides and tubing behind the ski boat for Ella. Lexi and I spent most of the early afternoon in the camper as it was warm out and we both needed some rest. Then we went swimming. She didn't mutter anything but big toothless smiles and a few giggles. She rode in her little infant tube for a while and just let the waves take her. But then, she got a little frustrated because she wanted to splash, but couldn't while she was in the tube.
Lexi started to eat those little fruit puffs that are like cereal, but filled primarily with air and a tidbit of flavoring. She really likes them. It's funny because a serving size is 90 of them! What kid would eat 90 of them? And 25 calories. What a great snack! She's really liking her baby food too! She's been through sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, peaches, green beans, peas, mixed veggies, pears, and mixed fruit. All have been fine.
Then my parents came up for a boat ride and a quick visit. Brenda & Don then came up for some drinks -- just a few =), some ribs and some fireworks. Lost Island did their fireworks on Saturday night. Ella got to do sparklers. Poor Lexi fell asleep before the big fireworks started. Oh well, they'll be plenty more years of fireworks.
Sunday, July 4th. Appeared that it would be a wash-out with the weatherpeople calling for 1-3" of rain. We didn't get much more than some sprinkles. Late morning, we headed over to the nature center for a hike. Very nice - Lexi really enjoyed it and Ella & Charles caught a blue butterfly for her bug cage (which she later let go). Lexi really enjoyed it. Hopefully next time it will have dried out, so we can walk the classroom path. Later in the day, we were able to go for a waverunner ride(s) and go swimming. Charles jumped in the water to go swimming and Lexi looked at him and grunted a little bit, so we took off her clothes, left on her diaper and away she went - at about 7:30 at night. So all 4 of us went swimming. So much fun! Then Ella went with her 3rd cousins (Patty Origer & Peggy Pfeffer's kids) out on the ski boat tubing again. She loves those kids (cousins) so much!
Monday, July 5th.
We woke up and had a good breakfast - pancakes and bacon! Yummy! Ella & Grandpa Leonard went fishing for a while, Lexi fell asleep on Grnadma Helen and Charles & I took a walk. What a great start to the day. Then we played some outdoor games at the lake, like catch using these circle disc like things with velcro on them and a tennis ball. Ella & I headed out on the waverunner for a while hitting all the big waves we could find. She has so much fun, until it was out of gas - turned it to reserve and headed back to the lagoon. Ella didn't want to go swimming (amazing!), so we rode the waverunner over to load it up and Charles met us there. We loaded up and headed to Emmetsburg for lunch at A & W, one of Charles' favorites, then to the farm to drop off the waverunner and to Pocahontas to get Penny. Finally we got on the road about 3:45 heading for home. Got home about 6:00 after we stopped to get supper (Taco John's) and relaxed for the rest of the night.
Or not.... We had to head out to the garden to check on the peppers, tomatoes, green beans & carrots. We've had a fair amount of green beans already and the tomatoes are growing like crazy. Peppers are about nickel size right now and the carrots are about 4" long. Strawberries probably won't produce this year since they're just getting established and I just planted the raspberries last week, so no production in 2010 for them!
It sure was a fabulous weekend, but we are glad to be home!
Tuesday, July 6th.
Charles always takes the week of the 4th of July off from work, so I decided to take a day off as well. I couldn't afford to take off the whole week since I burned 7 weeks of PTO while I was on maternity leave with Lexi.
We did a lot of running around, including a trip to the doctor's office for Ella's rash. She has had it for about 2 weeks now on the trunk of her body and on her neck just beneath her hairline was really bad. So on top of the rash, sunburn from the weekend and mosquito bites, her skin is looking pretty grim. We've been giving her Claritan (nothing new there), Benedryl, putting hydrocortizone cream, Aquaphor and Curel lotion on the skin and nothing was helping. Diagnosis - allergies of some sort, or reaction to something. Unfortunatly, there wasn't anything more to tell. Just keep doing what we're doing. So baking soda baths & scrub (baking soda & water paste all over) is what we'll keep on doing. Took Ella to daycare...
Charles & I spent the rest of the day running various forms of errands. Oh well, at least we got to spend it together.
Wednesday, July 7th.
Back to work for me. It was a great day with a lot of work done! Charles headed to the golf course and then to help my brother, Brian rip out a cement pad under his deck at his rental house. Ella 'helped' pick up the concrete and Lexi & I walked down to watch a little bit then back home to play and hang out.
Lexi went to bed early (7:30) as she was really tired. We think she's getting some teeth. Her chest was soaking from all of the drool. Poor girl can barely hold her head up!
Last Friday, July 2nd. Standard day for me. Working from home for the day. I made this scheduling change when I went back to work after having Lexi. Gave me some opportunity to start earlier, get more accomplished, since it's quiet and give me a little more work/life balance. I love it and get so much done!
The plan was to leave for the lake following work. I get a text from Charles about 4:30 - he's going to be late, very late. His work day gets busy right before lunch and right before the end of the day as his dealers are out selling and come back for lunch or to finish up the day and submit all the paperwork.
Oh, at any rate, one of his co-workers helped him out and he got home about 5:15. Got left about 6:15 and to Poky about 8:15-8:30.
Saturday, July 3rd. Headed up to the farm, where Uncle Byron lives to pick-up the waverunner and then off to the lake. What a beautiful day. Lots of swimming, waverunner rides and tubing behind the ski boat for Ella. Lexi and I spent most of the early afternoon in the camper as it was warm out and we both needed some rest. Then we went swimming. She didn't mutter anything but big toothless smiles and a few giggles. She rode in her little infant tube for a while and just let the waves take her. But then, she got a little frustrated because she wanted to splash, but couldn't while she was in the tube.
Lexi started to eat those little fruit puffs that are like cereal, but filled primarily with air and a tidbit of flavoring. She really likes them. It's funny because a serving size is 90 of them! What kid would eat 90 of them? And 25 calories. What a great snack! She's really liking her baby food too! She's been through sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, peaches, green beans, peas, mixed veggies, pears, and mixed fruit. All have been fine.
Then my parents came up for a boat ride and a quick visit. Brenda & Don then came up for some drinks -- just a few =), some ribs and some fireworks. Lost Island did their fireworks on Saturday night. Ella got to do sparklers. Poor Lexi fell asleep before the big fireworks started. Oh well, they'll be plenty more years of fireworks.
Sunday, July 4th. Appeared that it would be a wash-out with the weatherpeople calling for 1-3" of rain. We didn't get much more than some sprinkles. Late morning, we headed over to the nature center for a hike. Very nice - Lexi really enjoyed it and Ella & Charles caught a blue butterfly for her bug cage (which she later let go). Lexi really enjoyed it. Hopefully next time it will have dried out, so we can walk the classroom path. Later in the day, we were able to go for a waverunner ride(s) and go swimming. Charles jumped in the water to go swimming and Lexi looked at him and grunted a little bit, so we took off her clothes, left on her diaper and away she went - at about 7:30 at night. So all 4 of us went swimming. So much fun! Then Ella went with her 3rd cousins (Patty Origer & Peggy Pfeffer's kids) out on the ski boat tubing again. She loves those kids (cousins) so much!
Monday, July 5th.
We woke up and had a good breakfast - pancakes and bacon! Yummy! Ella & Grandpa Leonard went fishing for a while, Lexi fell asleep on Grnadma Helen and Charles & I took a walk. What a great start to the day. Then we played some outdoor games at the lake, like catch using these circle disc like things with velcro on them and a tennis ball. Ella & I headed out on the waverunner for a while hitting all the big waves we could find. She has so much fun, until it was out of gas - turned it to reserve and headed back to the lagoon. Ella didn't want to go swimming (amazing!), so we rode the waverunner over to load it up and Charles met us there. We loaded up and headed to Emmetsburg for lunch at A & W, one of Charles' favorites, then to the farm to drop off the waverunner and to Pocahontas to get Penny. Finally we got on the road about 3:45 heading for home. Got home about 6:00 after we stopped to get supper (Taco John's) and relaxed for the rest of the night.
Or not.... We had to head out to the garden to check on the peppers, tomatoes, green beans & carrots. We've had a fair amount of green beans already and the tomatoes are growing like crazy. Peppers are about nickel size right now and the carrots are about 4" long. Strawberries probably won't produce this year since they're just getting established and I just planted the raspberries last week, so no production in 2010 for them!
It sure was a fabulous weekend, but we are glad to be home!
Tuesday, July 6th.
Charles always takes the week of the 4th of July off from work, so I decided to take a day off as well. I couldn't afford to take off the whole week since I burned 7 weeks of PTO while I was on maternity leave with Lexi.
We did a lot of running around, including a trip to the doctor's office for Ella's rash. She has had it for about 2 weeks now on the trunk of her body and on her neck just beneath her hairline was really bad. So on top of the rash, sunburn from the weekend and mosquito bites, her skin is looking pretty grim. We've been giving her Claritan (nothing new there), Benedryl, putting hydrocortizone cream, Aquaphor and Curel lotion on the skin and nothing was helping. Diagnosis - allergies of some sort, or reaction to something. Unfortunatly, there wasn't anything more to tell. Just keep doing what we're doing. So baking soda baths & scrub (baking soda & water paste all over) is what we'll keep on doing. Took Ella to daycare...
Charles & I spent the rest of the day running various forms of errands. Oh well, at least we got to spend it together.
Wednesday, July 7th.
Back to work for me. It was a great day with a lot of work done! Charles headed to the golf course and then to help my brother, Brian rip out a cement pad under his deck at his rental house. Ella 'helped' pick up the concrete and Lexi & I walked down to watch a little bit then back home to play and hang out.
Lexi went to bed early (7:30) as she was really tired. We think she's getting some teeth. Her chest was soaking from all of the drool. Poor girl can barely hold her head up!
Friday, July 2, 2010
Thursday, July 1st, 2010
Today was just one of those days. We had a Fire Drill at work plus a food day. Those two items combined caused a big drop in productivity for everyone and a few pounds gained. We were celebrating a co-workers birthday and another one of my co-workers brought brownies that had Oreos in them, vanilla frosting on top and then Oreos crushed on top. I swear I probably ate eight of those things. Wowsers! Tasty, but very troublesome. I teasingly 'fired' that employee saying she could no longer bring such delicious treats!
After work, I ran to the grocery store to do the weekly shopping and it was a mad house. I assume due to the 4th of July weekend coming up and so many people not working on Friday. Anyway, the chips were on sale and virtually gone, which was not sad for me as I wasn't in the market for chips, but that place was craaaazy!
Came home and fed both girls supper - although shortly thereafter Lexi had some projectile vomit - first time, ever. A little questionable, but then she seemed fine. Ella played on an old laptop of ours - CandyLand. Funny thing is that I had gotten a number of games from cereal boxes a long time ago and now Ella loves to play then. She's actually pretty good at Operation. Maybe a future profession?
Did our evening walk as Charles was mowing - it takes him about 1 1/2 hrs, so gives us plenty of time. Gets Ella & Penny (our border collie mix) some exercise, as well as me (to work off all those brownies) and gives Lexi a chance to relax and sleep a while.
Came home and peeked into the garden - pulled off some more green beans - 3rd round. Probably 25 total in all 3 rounds, but it's progress. Not too bad considering we just started a garden this year - strawberries (probably no production this year), tomatoes, peppers, green beans, carrots & raspberries (again, probably no production this year). Tomatoes are going crazy. We have 8 plants of varying varieties. Our one Roma plant has 30+ tomotoes on it and one of our 'early' varieties have a few that are baseball size. Hopefully they ripen soon, so we can enjoy their goodness and then make some salsa!
Lexi nursed well, but they wouldn't take her follow-up bottle (2 oz). Weird, but we just left it. She went to sleep ok and slept all night.
After work, I ran to the grocery store to do the weekly shopping and it was a mad house. I assume due to the 4th of July weekend coming up and so many people not working on Friday. Anyway, the chips were on sale and virtually gone, which was not sad for me as I wasn't in the market for chips, but that place was craaaazy!
Came home and fed both girls supper - although shortly thereafter Lexi had some projectile vomit - first time, ever. A little questionable, but then she seemed fine. Ella played on an old laptop of ours - CandyLand. Funny thing is that I had gotten a number of games from cereal boxes a long time ago and now Ella loves to play then. She's actually pretty good at Operation. Maybe a future profession?
Did our evening walk as Charles was mowing - it takes him about 1 1/2 hrs, so gives us plenty of time. Gets Ella & Penny (our border collie mix) some exercise, as well as me (to work off all those brownies) and gives Lexi a chance to relax and sleep a while.
Came home and peeked into the garden - pulled off some more green beans - 3rd round. Probably 25 total in all 3 rounds, but it's progress. Not too bad considering we just started a garden this year - strawberries (probably no production this year), tomatoes, peppers, green beans, carrots & raspberries (again, probably no production this year). Tomatoes are going crazy. We have 8 plants of varying varieties. Our one Roma plant has 30+ tomotoes on it and one of our 'early' varieties have a few that are baseball size. Hopefully they ripen soon, so we can enjoy their goodness and then make some salsa!
Lexi nursed well, but they wouldn't take her follow-up bottle (2 oz). Weird, but we just left it. She went to sleep ok and slept all night.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
June 30th, 2010
Can you believe the year is half-over already? In the next six months, Ella will start preschool, I'll turn 29 (wow, I'm getting old), Ella will turn 5, we'll celebrate our 9th wedding anniversary and Miss Alexis will turn 1. Wow, lots to celebrate, but before that, much to do. Finish out the summer fun, head to Denver and enjoy a beautiful fall.
Tonight we celebrated the end of the 1st season of t-ball for Ella. The 2010 UGRA (Urbandale Girls Recreation Association) Grasshoppers team experienced a lot.
The first game:
* The first girl up to bat for the season ran to 3rd base instead of 1st.
* All of the girls ran after each ball as it was hit.
The last game:
* All the girls hit the ball and ran to the right base.
* They all stayed in their positions (pretty well anyway) and threw the ball to the 1st basemen(woman).
At all points in between, the 7 little girls learned each others names, cheered for each other, laughed and even exeperienced some boredom. That little Ella. By about game 3, she was having a ball running around in a circle on the field, putting the dirt in her glove and dumping it back out, sleeping on the bases (not really, but certainly wasn't running) and sitting down backwards in the field (facing the outfield).
Through it all, Charles & I learned that she is only 4, but we have VERY high expectations. Shame on us - yelling at our beautiful little firecracker to pay attention, run, stop playing with the dirt. But, in the end, we do love her and are very proud of her for trying and having fun. She'll never forget her Grasshoppers team (and neither will we), OR her coaches, Bob Stouffer and Molly Flinkman (father/daughter team). Bob is the superintendent at Des Moines Christian schools and Molly is his 23 year old daughter.
And through most of the games, Alexis slept in her car seat. However, at the last game, she did get to eat a bottle and then watch for a little bit, before she fell asleep. It's typical for her to sleep a couple of times throughout the day, then comes home and most nights, takes a nap. Sometimes the nap is 20 minutes, sometimes it's an hour and a half and then we have to wake her up.
Oh the joys of kiddos and husbands and dogs. They make the ride of life truly enjoyable.
Tonight we celebrated the end of the 1st season of t-ball for Ella. The 2010 UGRA (Urbandale Girls Recreation Association) Grasshoppers team experienced a lot.
The first game:
* The first girl up to bat for the season ran to 3rd base instead of 1st.
* All of the girls ran after each ball as it was hit.
The last game:
* All the girls hit the ball and ran to the right base.
* They all stayed in their positions (pretty well anyway) and threw the ball to the 1st basemen(woman).
At all points in between, the 7 little girls learned each others names, cheered for each other, laughed and even exeperienced some boredom. That little Ella. By about game 3, she was having a ball running around in a circle on the field, putting the dirt in her glove and dumping it back out, sleeping on the bases (not really, but certainly wasn't running) and sitting down backwards in the field (facing the outfield).
Through it all, Charles & I learned that she is only 4, but we have VERY high expectations. Shame on us - yelling at our beautiful little firecracker to pay attention, run, stop playing with the dirt. But, in the end, we do love her and are very proud of her for trying and having fun. She'll never forget her Grasshoppers team (and neither will we), OR her coaches, Bob Stouffer and Molly Flinkman (father/daughter team). Bob is the superintendent at Des Moines Christian schools and Molly is his 23 year old daughter.
And through most of the games, Alexis slept in her car seat. However, at the last game, she did get to eat a bottle and then watch for a little bit, before she fell asleep. It's typical for her to sleep a couple of times throughout the day, then comes home and most nights, takes a nap. Sometimes the nap is 20 minutes, sometimes it's an hour and a half and then we have to wake her up.
Oh the joys of kiddos and husbands and dogs. They make the ride of life truly enjoyable.
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