Merry Christmas!

What a wonderful day!
The run down...
7:00 am - Turkey in the roaster.
7:40 am - Kids up. Time for coffee!
8:00 am - Robert was handed a list of errands.

• Bring recyling in.
• Go to Meat on Mille Lacs for Prime Rib.
• Run to grocery store... he was there twice.
• Go to my Mom and Dads for this and that.

He was out and about for sometime. But lots of things were accomplished.
9:30 am - Peeled potatoes and many other things. Ellie was very helpful as she sat in her high chair and watched.
10:40 am - Put Ellie down for a nap.
10:45 am - Pick up toys, put leaf in table. 
11:00 am - Time to shower.
11:35 am - Had and I run to Unique Boatique for a Christmas gift.
12:00 pm - Home again.
12:15 pm - Auntie Michelle arrival with Danny and Cody.

Auntie Michelle with her two favorite gals!

1:00 pm - Eat a fabulous turkey dinner with potatoes, stuffing, buns and a salad.
1:30 pm - Open presents. Hadley and Ellie were spoiled like usual. They each got some cute outfits, toys. Most of all Hadley finally got her Jessie doll and bullseye from Toy Story 3. She also was thrilled to get new underwear. She even opened the package and put them away in her room.
2:00 pm - Robert, Danny and Cody start a bonfire. Seriously, it is that nice outside that they were able to hang out and burn a few boxes and hope our unused tree would burn... but no, it was too fresh still.
2:30 pm - Put Ellie down for a nap.
3:00 pm - Michelle, Danny and Cody leave. Time for Hadley nap.
3:00 pm - Ellie wakes up, REALLY?!
3:15 pm -3:45 pm - Try to get her back to sleep. Give up! Get her dressed for church.
3:50 pm - Finish dishes and clean up. Entertain Ellie.
4:00 pm - Robert decides to shower again since he smelled like bonfire. I switch clothes. Ellie is already dressed...
4:30 pm - Wake up Hadley for church. Get her ready, more like convince her!
5:00 pm - Slide into church with a few minutes to spare! Whew!
5:00 pm - 6:15 pm - Church service. Went very well. Ellie cried once, made everyone laugh. Hadley needed to pee and she actually did. I had to bribe her with a treat! Ellie then needed to nurse a little. We let Hadley and Nevaeh hold a candle during Silent Night... Hadley didn't like the hot wax that dripped on her hand... she started crying and everyone heard her. No biggie!
6:30 pm - Dinner at Aunt Laurie's. Finally a glass of wine! However, Ellie is really tired by now having only napped forty minutes all day!
8:15 pm - Present time at my parents house. Ellie took a short nap at Laurie's, enough time to eat, yippee! Oh and just when we were about to leave, Hadley pooped in her underwear! Fun times!
8:30 pm - Present time begins... Ellie is in heaven with all the paper. We put her in the highchair.
9:30 pm - Homeward bound. Time to collect all our great goods and put our girls to bed.
10:00 pm - Ellie is rocked to sleep.
10:35 pm - Hadley pooped in her pj's... she gets changed... we then put cookies out for Santa. Robert brings the goods in from the car. We tell Hadley she must go to sleep so Santa can come.
10:40 pm - Robert and Hadley to bed!
10:45 pm - Start cooking sausage for the morning egg bake.
11:00 pm - Santa arrives! Stocking are filled!
11:15 pm - Ellie wakes up... get her back to sleep by nursing her in bed. Actually didn't fall asleep myself, I very much wanted too... but needed to finish egg bake.
11:30 pm - Egg bakes are ready. Ingredients out for monkey bread. Time to do some picture stuff and have a quiet hard cider.

12:10 am - Merry Christmas! Typing this blog run down of our day... posted some pictures on facebook. And, just need to add some pictures to this blog... then off to nestling in my bed!

Ellie is 9 months old!

Ellie walking using the Cozy Coupe

So I am typing a quick one handed note as I sling Ellie on my left hip. That is her favorite position...she loves to be held.
Ellie loves to cruise around the furniture and crawl really fast!
She has also started sucking her thumb. Her left one...
Tonight she ate some big people food. Small pieces of chicken and carrots...we dug them out of our soup for her. She loved it. She is ready to move on from baby food!
Happy 9 months!
We can't believe it!

Let's Dance

Nothing a little dancing can't cure!

So it is Christmas...

We decided this year to put up a real tree since we tossed our artificial tree last year and never bought a new one. With our busy schedule and our tradition of not putting the tree up until after Hadley's birthday, Robert went to Shimers on Sunday morning before Hadley's birthday party to pick the perfect one. When he arrived with the tree I almost fell over, it was huge. I mean huge, like a tree that could sit in the front of the church. But, with Andrew's help he got the tree into the house and with a little trimming it actually worked. So off we went to Hadley's party...
It was a great party, a nice simple crowd. A pink dino theme with yummy sandwiches and delicious dino cake.
Monday came too soon, and Monday night Robert and Hadley decorated the tree. I was putting Ellie to sleep. I came down and it was all decorated, it looked fantastic. I was so happy that Robert wanted to be part of decorating this year... he was actually really excited. Then the lights decided to go in and out and Robert decided to remove a strand and add a new strand... no biggie right... wrong... then it happened... the tree fell over towards me, Hadley was watching and Robert was on the other side of the tree. I laughed so hard I though I was going to cry, Robert said the "F" word, he was so frustrated because he had spent so much time on the tree. We picked up the ornaments and Robert got rid of the tree... we had to because the tree stand was broken. When he came back in from outside, he said we could never ever have a real tree again. He listed five plus reasons why and I agreed...
So now we have a artificial tree again. I borrowed my Mom's tree because she has two. It is beautiful with new colorful lights and it is just the right size!
The plus of all this is now we have a tree story to tell for many Christmas's to come!

Hadley's Pink Dino Party

Papa and Hadley before the big party!

Hadley's homemade dino shirt!

Mommy, Hadley and Ellie!

Pink Dino Cupcakes

Dino cookies!

Homemade Pink Dino cake!

Silly Dino Hats!

Hadleyasaurus!

Elmo wants to ROCK with Uncle Tom

Happy Birthday to Hadley!

Hadley and Auntie Michelle eating Dino cake.

Hadley with new princess underwear.

Just the beginning of presents for Hadley!

One, Two, THREE!

Hadley's first sleepover...Princess style!

Happy Birthday Hadley! Three already... just think 3 years ago you were only one hour old. I probably hadn't even held you yet. Today we celebrated by inviting Neveah over for your first sleep over. Right now the two of you are watching Snow White and eating cold pizza. I am trying to just get a little words on the blog... you are now jumping on my blow up bed.
We opened up your big present... a Barbie Jeep. You also got your princess dresses from Uncle Andrew. Nevaeh got you a Leap Frog letters toy and we also welcomed our Elf... we haven't named him yet.

Oh Gosh Golly

Well time has slipped away again...
A couple quick notes...

• Hadley had her weight and height checked, she is 36" tall and 30 lbs.
• Hadley also had her first stomach flu last week. She woke up in the middle of the night a threw up, that morning she continued to throw up. I stayed home from work to take care of her.
• Ellie spent last Saturday with Daddy while Hadley, Grandma and I went to see Nevaeh dance. We shopped a little before the show. Had lunch at Apple Bee's and ice cream at McDonalds on the way home.
• We are having Hadley's first sleep over this Friday for her 3rd Birthday. Nevaeh is coming over. Then Sunday, Dec. 11th we are having her birthday party at Grandma's. The theme is pink dinosaurs. 

Hadley and I at Nevaeh's dance recital.

Eight months!

Dear Ellie -
It is hard to believe that eight months have passed by already. It was just yesterday you were born in a winter blizzard. With the first snow fall this past weekend it reminded me of the beginning of you... I think snow will always remind me of our first meeting. You were born just before 4pm on March 22, 2011. It was a calm day but the storm was about to come. Little flakes began to fall around 5pm and then it hit, a huge winter storm that brought not inches but feet. The morning after you were born, everyone was late to the hospital, the schools were closed, the clinics shut down. It was a day off for everyone. I like to think it was in honor of you!

Now... 32 weeks later... we get our first snow fall.
It brightened the bleak fall world we are in and made everyone happy. It made me happy! It made your sister happy and at eight months made you happy too... if anything you were just happy we were all home together for the entire day. And, you didn't need to get strapped into that car seat until Monday.

So little Ellie Bell you are now crawling around and looking around as you pull yourself up to stand on anything you can. It is amazing that you are right where you should be even after spending 16 days in the hospital and OH surgery. When people say that little ones are so resilient, it is true, you were not affected in the least after what you went through. Sure we had to deal with meds for a while and some anxiety which caused restlessness, but now, eight months later you are 100% and I like to say 110% cause I am your Mommy.

So little Ellie, even though you are number 2, you have given me many firsts and for that I am so thankful.
I am now a Mom of two because of you!
I had the most Awesome birth experience because of you!
I am stronger because of you!
I am closer to my family more then ever because of you!
I am more grateful because of you!

As snow flakes fall we began to see the dirt go away, we begin to see the world come clean again, we begin to imagine and wonder how we can roll around in it! Everything happens for a reason and you are what makes us a family... I know I have said this before but you were the missing link... and, now we are complete because of you! Thank you Ellie for being a smiley, silly, happy, inquisitive, lively little eight month old! We love you more then to the moon and back!

Shoppping, Standing, Sleeping

Hadley's first Merry Go Round ride!

Good Morning from two of my favorite little gals!

Ellie pulls herself up to stand now. Watch out!

Last weekend we went to the Mall of America. We had a fab lunch at the Rainforest Cafe, then spent the day shopping and riding rides at Nick. Auntie Michelle brought Hadley her winter coat at the Children's Place along with some cute outfits for the girls. We were there for about 7 hours I think. One very cute moment was when I was looking for jeans at the Express, Auntie Michelle took the girls to get a cookie. This was about 3ish... the girls were a little tired and I got a phone call that Ellie just wouldn't stop crying... so I put my jeans at the counter and went to the hallway... I looked for Michelle and saw here coming. I met up with her and Ellie was crying and Hadley was sleeping with a full Mrs. Fields cookies in her hand. I think maybe only one bite out of it, it was the cutest thing ever. Michelle was pushing the stroller so fast to meet me... she just fell asleep. I nursed Ellie to sleep and put her in the stroller and back I went to shopping.

Ellie can crawl or move... It is scary now, you put her down and away she goes to find something better. She also pulls herself up to stand on things, which is down right scary because she doesn't understand the concept of letting go equals falling... often she lands on her butt.

Poop update: She is regular now... every morning is a blow out!

Kids

So lately I have been extra worried and sensitive to heart issues because our friends have been on a very bumpy journey with their 4 month old son Leif. On one of my posts to them I wrote that I was close to getting in the car and driving down so I could "tag" one of them out for a little break, just a moment to take their hurt away.

I never want to be in that position again...
So I always remind Hadley to be extra careful especially when going up and down the stairs. This morning she was walking up the stairs holding the railing and she said, "Look at me Mommy!" I said, "Wow you are doing a great job, just be careful, you are Mommy's special girl." She said, "Okay Mommy I won't die." It took my breath away.

It is amazing how much we love our children, so much more then ourselves. I often wonder what I did with my time before I had kids, I really must have been bored. They bring so much joy and happiness into my life that I just don't know what I would do without ever knowing that feeling. There are those days where I need to run as far and as fast from my children because they are driving me nuts, especially those awful tantrum days.

But I wouldn't trade it in for anything... I love everything about them.

The ups and downs of it all!

I can't sleep

Ellie with prunes on her face this Deer Hunting morning. Look close you can see a tooth!

Well maybe it is because there are four people in my bed right now...
Maybe it is because Ellie hasn't pooped in a week...
Maybe it is because some friends of our recently set the date for their son's OH surgery...
Maybe it is because I just can't sleep...

Not really sure, but once my brain starts thinking it is hard to turn off without getting all the thoughts out.

Poop:
I have tried everything. Ellie is stuck and she just can't get it out. I am currently resorting to rectal stimulation to coax the poop out... I got a little out yesterday morning. All day I worried, I even called the doctor and she said I am trying everything.
We knew Ellie was have trouble a week ago, so Monday I decided to pull all foods that cause constipation, up leg pumping and massage. Nothing happened. I added prune juice and apple juice to her diet, still nothing. I tried a suppository Tuesday afternoon, still nothing. I asked some friends Wednesday night at church what to do and Maggie suggested Miralax, Margie said she would have to help break up the poop with Claire. So Thursday morning I got some Miralax and gave Ellie her first dose. Nothing...
Friday morning came too soon, as Ellie and I both didn't sleep well. I am thinking she is starting to feel uncomfortable and she also cut another tooth. So we were behind... but I decided to resort to rectal stimulation as that is what most of my friends on facebook suggested. And, I saw some poop. So I was able to so to speak, "dig some out," until Ellie didn't want me to anymore. I got about a tablespoon out. I know there is more in there. Thus bringing us back to the question, "am I doing everything?"
The doctor said yes, she said to continue with RS and use my pinky finger with lubrication. I did that yesterday again and nothing...
So I decided to try a different suppository, the kind where you put it in the rectum and it breaks down. The box said that it should work within the hour. I gave it to her at 9pm and I did notice some farting but no explosion. We went to bed at 10pm and here I am now... typing. Ellie is sleeping, hopefully not in a poopy diaper. I don't think so, because once she gets the hard stool out she is going to have a ton of really soft stool because of her diet the last week and the Miralax. So hopefully we have a diaper explosion today.

Open Heart Surgery:
I have felt a little more emotional since Maggie told me Wednesday that they scheduled Leif's surgery for Friday, Nov. 11th. I have known that he was supposed to have surgery to correct his TOF defect but now knowing what is upon them, it just breaks my heart. They are one week from having Leif's heart fixed, of which will stop them from the worry they have had to live with everyday since he was born four months ago. However, to get to that point, the journey will be challenging at least initially. No one wants to sit and wait while their child is in surgery. He is a strong little boy and I know that he will be just fine, I know that Maggie and Jay will be fine. But, I do not wish this upon any parent. I pray they find out what causes CHDs in babies so no other parent has to worry about OH surgery on their child, or has to sit for hours while waiting for their child to be done with OH surgery. I pray for this because to be a mother and sit by your child's bedside after OH surgery and not be able to do anything to soothe them is so unbearable. When I think about what lies ahead of them it brings tears to my eyes and I just wish I could take it away. I guess God doesn't hand these learning opportunities to just anyone. He gives them to those who are strong enough to handle them.
So with that looming ahead, it has brought back the emotions that I went through with Ellie. I don't walk around crying or anything, but I have been thinking more about what we went through and remembering how I felt. Usually everyday I think about something from those 16 days, it is hard not too because I am reminded daily by the little blessing named Ellie and by her scar. Her scar has healed so well but it is there and it does remind me that she is a gift and that our lives are a gift and we need to treasure every moment because we don't know when those gifts will be taken away. God also doesn't just give those scars to anyone either.
I know I have grown a lot after going through those 16 days with Ellie at Children's. I am more thankful, thoughtful and my faith has really grown. I feel like I was handed my miracle. But, I also know that being the mom of a heart baby brings challenges too... I worry more then before, about Ellie, about Hadley, about the little things... like something as simple as Hadley playing on a swing set... I think "oh no, I don't want her to fall." That is because now I know that things happen to everyone, it doesn't matter who you are.  I have been through the wonder of "is everything going to be okay with my child," and I don't want to do that again, ever! So now after going through those days along with the stronger faith comes stronger worry but I guess they even each other out.

Sleep:
Back to that... maybe I can fall asleep now. I will grab Ellie and probably go sleep in Hadley's bed. Oh wait I don't have to do that... Robert just got up for deer hunting.
Good night!

Trick or treat!

So I am not sure who was happier to go out and about trick or treating... Hadley or Robert? Last night, it was so cute... Robert came home from work beyond happy. He was excited to extend his help in the Halloween festivities. We decided to eat dinner... then it was time to get Hadley ready again, to go out in the neighborhood trick or treating. This was a first for us, as in the past we have just handed out candy. But, this year that was lame... not many trick or treaters. I was bummed.
Robert and Hadley walked through our neighborhood. They had a great time. They came home and warmed up...then back out again! Robert took her by car to a few more places! She was all about it... yes more candy! It was so cute. Thanks for such a great night of memories. I wasn't expecting such a funny and memorable night. I know, the pink kitty will be passed down to your sister. Hopefully she will live up to the excitement!
We love you little Hadley our "aka" Pink Kitty!
We also love our little bat, she was hoping to fly out with her sister but too early for that...
Night!

Weeee it's Halloween

Our family in pumpkins!

Hadley the "Pink Kitty"

Nevaeh as "Minnie Mouse"

Ellie the "Semi-Crawling Bat"

The girls enjoying the Halloween Party at Peyton's!

The fabulous four! All dressed up!

Hadley kept saying I was going to dress up as a witch so I wore a witch hat!

Fall Fun

Ellie 7 months | Hadley 34 months

Ellie can sit up now all by herself and she just got her first tooth!

Hadley loves to hang out with her Papa as well as her Uncle's.
Ellie is going for her first tractor ride.

Moody but still adorable

Our little Hadley has officially entered the terrible 2's. She has major mood swings and something as simple as a drop of water on her sleeve while washing her hands will just set it off.
For the most part she is our happy loveable kissable Haddie but there are times where you just want to run in the other room and scream on the top of your lungs, why Lord are you putting me through this? Seriously... I am not joking!
But, she knows how to say, "I'm sorry Mommy." And, that melts my heart.
But onto brighter points...
Clothes:
Hadley loves the color pink. This is has been her favorite color for quite some time now. She always wants to wear it, today she asked for pink pants. She has been pretty picky recently with her clothes. She won't wear jeans, she wants comfy pants and she wants to be part of picking it out. She has to pick out her own underwear, and finally after fighting for two weeks she will wear socks. She won't wear just any shoes, currently the only shoes she will wear are her crocs or her sparkle shoes. She says all the other shoes are too tight. I know it is just the new feeling of wearing socks again.
Food:
Hadley loves to snack. She would rather have snacks then eat meals. I don't really mind because she is fine with eating healthy snacks. She likes fruit, she loves yogurt and helps herself. She can also get cheese herself. She enjoys carrots and pea pods and she loves salads. She will always eat a salad with ranch. She can even get the ranch herself. Her favorite meals are pasta, bigger noodles so it is easier to eat. She likes meat from the grill and she loves corn! Of course she loves sweets too, her favorites are ice cream and candy bars. And, she is a popcorn fan. Recently our new treat is hot chocolate after her bath with marshmallows. She just eats the marshmallows and takes a few sips, she has yet to finish the hot chocolate.
Play:
She loves to play with her kitchen and cook. She makes soup, pizza, coffee, hot chocolate and cakes. She plans parties all the time and often "Joe" is her guest of honor. She plays with her babies and feeds them. She changes them and pushes them in her stroller. She packs the toy diaper bag up with all her baby stuff and goes shopping. She often pretends her bedroom is her house and our bedroom is our house, or Mommy's house. I guess that is because I am often in our room to take care of Ellie. She likes her dollhouse too, that toy is coming out more. One thing I noticed is she loves music! She plays with her Melissa and Doug band set daily and she like to sings. Her favorite songs are ABC's or Twinkle Twinkle. When she looks through the Christmas toy catalogs she picks out musical toys like pianos, guitars and microphones. She also picks out toy cars, my guess is because she doesn't have any cars. She still loves to go to the park and she loves to swing and slide. She isn't afraid of climbing. At Grandma's she enjoys her shopping cart and her babies. She plays with Claire and they do make believe picnic's. They love to run around, it is so cute. Max is even getting in on the action.
Potty:
She is still doing the potty dance with peeing in the potty but not pooping in the potty. She has went number two a couple of times in the potty and that was because she had no pants and she is smart enough to know there isn't anything that will catch it so she better go to the potty. However, yesterday she was on the potty and next thing I know she says, "Mommy there is poopy on the floor!" And, yes there was poopy on the floor. So that was a first. She just replies, "A cuz," when I ask why? So we are just hoping that maybe with time she will get it. Also recently she has had a couple of accidents. She does well in structured settings but when we are out with a lot of other kids she gets pretty distracted. But, that is normal for most kids. Of course we have to remind her to go potty still too but again I am okay with that.

Even with the temper tantrums Robert and I wouldn't change a thing. We simply love our happy, mad or sad Hadley, it doesn't matter - she is such a sweetheart, so polite and charming. She can't help the terrible 2's. And, often we notice the terrible comes out when she hasn't gotten enough attention or she is tired... so sometimes we are to blame. Everyday, I tell her to be happy and have a good day and that I am so very proud of her and kiss her death and I believe that helps!

The growth of Ellie

Of course weight is pretty accurate but height is subjective every visit depending on how well Ellie stretches.

Birth - 8 lbs | 1 oz   ht. 20.5"
Three Weeks - 7 lbs | 8 oz
One Month - 8 lbs | 2 oz   ht. 21"
Two Month - 10 lbs | 12 oz   ht. 21.5"
Four Month - 14 lbs | 12 oz   ht. 21.25"
Six Month - 17 lbs | 6 oz   ht. 25.5"

Holding Ellie

Currently...
Yes, how can I type while holding her... one handed.
She is our tough sleeper, she is way worse then Hadley ever was. She needs us to soothe her and we are to blame, along with our small house. Obviously we want to hold her and we don't want to hear her cry but we also need to get things done.
I guess, it isn't so bad but it could be worse, at least she sleeps either in our arms or in our bed. She doesn't take long naps, only cat naps, and she has never slept longer then 4 hours. I know, we need to feberize her or do some tough love but we just can't. Robert gets up at 4am and we don't want her to wake Hadley, so for now she will sleep in our arms, in our bed and before you know she will be 12 and will want nothing to do with sleeping near us!

Fire Department Open House

Tonight we joined Daddy at the Isle Fire Department Open House.

Time for ECFE

Hadley goes to pre-school with parent on Tuesdays
from 8:30 am to 10:15 am. 

She loves school! 

Here are her first art projects.

Can someone say STRESSED

Simple run down of how stressed I am...
Work today
Clinicals tomorrow, Thur & Friday (6am-2:30pm)
Work on Wednesday
Closing in Milaca on our refi tomorrow at 3:30pm
Friday night we have a BDay party for Max
Saturday CHD walk in Plymouth
Sunday TC 10 mile
And, other things...
Robert hurt his ankle so he has really needed my help and then of course the lovely gals... anyway... they are all in bed now. Ellie will wake up probably in a hour... but at least a little time to get some things done.

Okay, enough whining as I am thankful for everything in my life... but I know you know how it goes...  But, I am reminded everyday that life is short and here are a couple reminders. Today we lost a great teacher... Mr. Searles. He was a amazing teacher, I had him in high school for most English subjects. He retired about two years ago. He loved to golf, he was my golf coach too my senior year. He knew that I would go into the communications field even though I wanted to be a Doctor, he was right. Actually when I think about it he was probably my favorite teacher and he taught me how to relax and enjoy English and communications. Thanks Mr. Searles for that... I need that lesson now. I am so sadden by your sudden death and I am praying for your family. He passed away today doing something he loved and that was playing golf with his son. Also, I am reminded that Ellie's heart buddy Tyler will be having his upcoming surgery this Thursday the 29th of Sept. Janie his mother, has become a dear friend of mine through text and facebook. We both can relate to each other and our worries. I know she is so worried right now and I pray for her to have strength. It is not easy knowing your little guy is going to have surgery. He is having the Glen procedure as he was born with HPLH. He will need one more surgery when he is 2-3 years old. He is 6 months old now. Tyler, I am praying for you buddy! You will be fine... Dr. Moga is amazing!

Update on our First Getaway!
Anyway, Lutsen was great, THANKS so much Tom and Jean, I love that place. The colors are not peak yet, my guess is this weekend will be peak. Robert and I arrived late Friday, we did the usual Saturday... shopped, ate pizza, bloody at the tavern... we returned to cabin for afternoon cocktail and then we went to Lutsen to check out colors. We decided to do Alpine Slide since we were kid free. Robert tried catching up to me and he flipped his slide... thus spraining his ankle. He laughed about it. He eventually was upset Sunday as the pain crept up on him, but we got it under control through Sunday and Today... he did the RICE... REST, ICE, COMPRESSION and ELEVATION. That method worked... it is better now. He won't be running though...

As far as the race weekend....
Robert and I, along with gals will be at Tom and Jean's house around 1pm or so. We will come there after the walk in Plymouth. We plan to leave Isle Saturday morning at 7a to do walk, believe 10am.
Then... We can get the gals down for naps. Robert and I will go to St. Paul to pick up our packets. And, leave the gals with Jean. Laurie and Bruce will meet up with us in St. Paul. Then they will follow us back to the T&J house. My parents will either do that as well or I will give them directions. So total is 6 adults and two little ones for the night. Planning on a pasta & a salad for dinner. Whatever is easy... My parents plan to come down to watch and either my dad or Robert can give us three a ride to St. Paul in the morning. So much to figure out... but it will all work out! I hope!

So hopefully that novel helps relieve my stress... THANKS so much for letting us crash with you Jean! I hope the weather is nice... pray for NO wind! Or, tail wind!
So I am nervous for tomorrow, the start of my clinicals. I know it will go okay but it will be a long week. I am also hoping to get in some running... I know I sound stressed but it will be okay, it always is. I just know that I am so happy to have the ability to run, the ability to multi-task and the ability to have a glass of wine because that is what I think I need to remain calm!

Later!!

Happy Half Birthday

Our baby is 6 months old already. Today was a big day for our family as we had a cardiologist appointment for Ellie. It was at 11 am at the Children's Heart Clinic in Minneapolis. She hadn't been in for a visit in 4 months so I was assuming that we would have a full work up but as it turned out, we only had to check BP and Pulse/Ox. She weighed 17 lbs and was 25.5 inches. She was full of wiggles when the nurse was getting her pulse/ox... we tried Sophie the Giraffe, we tried our fingers for her to chew on, we tried letting her nurse. Finally it was the pacifier that did the trick and calmed her down and I hummed twinkle twinkle... as I was doing that I was thinking, wow the things you have to get used to doing in front of people when you take your kids to the doctor... whip that boob out, sing songs and make funny faces. I am sure the nurse has seen it all!
We proceeded to BP and her lower right leg was tested and her upper right arm. She was in the 90's over 60's. Normal ranges for her. Next Dr. Rios came in and we chatted. He listened to her heart and held her... she grabbed for the stethoscope and he didn't care. She was also intrigued by his facial hair. She was happy and not scared at all. He said she was just perfect, no concerns with anything. We can continue to give her prevacid as needed. He can refill that if we run out by just giving him a call. He said she was a normal baby and we can move into yearly visits now. He told us to call if we have any questions at all.
So we are so happy to know that we have a great little gal and everything should be as it should be. She is healed and we just have to be so thankful to God that he is good!
We love you so much Ellie Bell! You make our family complete and for that we are thankful. We know that you fill our hearts with happiness and everyday you add sunshine with your smile! Always keep smiling!

She loves squash!

 

Ellie is becoming a better eater everyday!

She seems to love squash... She also enjoys her plain rice cereal.

My cookie helper!

She is armed with her most helpful tool, the one cup measuring cup. When I asked her where the cookies go after we mix them together, she said after thinking about it for a minute..."In the cooking thing." That was super cute... I hope she stays little forever!

About time for an update

  August was a blur... we tried to pack in some fun since June and July were filled with school and many other events. We went to two county fairs, the Wahkon Day parade, spent the weekend in Marshall, went to Pete's Retreat three times, visited Nicole, went shopping with Michelle, Hadley spent the night at Auntie Michelle's house for the first time (more to the story below), we enjoyed our Saturday morning strolls up town and spent time at our local parks. Here are some pictures from the Wahkon Day parade. Hadley is starting to get the hang of gathering candy. Robert was away at State softball, he has been very busy too. He had softball, then two fantasy football drafts, went bear hunting over Labor Day weekend and has been very busy at the farm working on cleaning up and food plots for hunting.

It was great to get away...

I have been meaning to visit Nicole for sometime now, finally I figured out midweek would have to be the ticket, so Auntie Michelle came up on Wednesday, Aug. 24 and watched the girls to give my Mom a break. Then I got off work at at 3:30 and Hadley and Michelle took off for Chuck E Cheese. Hadley was so excited to go to Chuck E Cheese, she had a great car ride and enjoyed some pizza and games. Then Auntie Michelle took Hadley to Target to pick out a toy, she was soo excited to see all the toys, she said something like, "Wow, there are so many toys here!" She picked out a new doll, one that can go in the bathtub with her, it pees too. Then they went back to Michelle's and Hadley wanted to take a bath. After they watched a movie and bedtime was a breeze.

Ellie and I left Isle around 4:15 and ventured towards Lake Elmo to visit Nicole and Brian. It was a easy drive. Ellie was a little cranky, so I stopped in Wyoming and gave her a snack, that helped... she feel asleep and I finally arrived to Nicole's at 6:45. We had a tour of her new pad and relaxed. It was so nice to catch up and every time we get together it is seriously like we live next door to each other. I wish that were the case... but we will just have to make due. Ellie was good, she knew she was somewhere else. She finally stayed asleep around 11pm and we continued to talk and sip on wine. We finally went to bed at 1am. It was late but not so bad considering we had not seen each other in that type of situation for probably a year... who knows. That night I slept well, got up around 8am and was on the road to pick up Hadley and Michelle at 9am. I arrived at Michelle's just before 10am, it was a pleasant drive because Ellie slept the whole way. We got coupon ready and hit Albertville Mall. Shopping was fun, we got a ton of cute things for Hadley and a few new things for Ellie. Auntie Michelle just spoiled Hadley and Ellie like always. Thanks a ton... we love all our new stuff. I especially love Hadley's new shoes... they are Puma's. Super cute, I almost don't even want her to wear them because they will get dirty, but I guess that is why we bought them.

Well we are in September now and the weather couldn't be better. Hadley is still doing well on peeing in the potty but not doing well on pooping in potty. She says she doesn't want to poop in potty. So I am at a loss... no idea what to do there. Hoping she just changes her mind. Bribes don't work... we gave in on the bike, because she did go once in the potty, I think because she knew she was going to get a bike. We gave in to the bike and she hasn't gone since. She loves her bike though and she can ride it extremely well.

So another weekend is upon us. We are heading to Onamia in the morning for Autumn Fest. There will be a kids band there... so hopefully some fun dancing! Then we are heading to the cabin for the night. Robert is going to help Tom take out the dock and other odds and ends. We are hoping to relax.

Have a fun weekend and make sure to look at the moon... no matter what size it is... Hadley always notices it!