4th of July and Baby Update

We had a very fun and busy 4th of July Weekend! Saturday we hit the carnival in Annandale for some greasy food and a few rides. It was soooo hot and humid that day! Landon loved the rides again, and didn't even cry when he had to get off like last time. Daddy had to ride on most of the rides with him.

This picture turned out kinda dark, but from left to right are Darren and Landon, Ashley and Jackson, and Jess and Lilly.

He was a brave boy and did the train all by himself! Just chillin' and watching everyone else.

I got to go on one ride...barely! I figured I could take Landon on the carousel, but the ride operator told me the only way I was going to ride was if I sat on the bench. No fun! Can you tell we're just totally enjoying ourselves?

After the carnival, we headed out to the lake for the rest of the day. Lots of family and friends were able to make it out and a great time was had by all! Landon just loves his little baby cousin Blake. I can only hope that he will love his new sister this much when she comes.

On Sunday, we were off to the parade. After picking up some carnival food first, of course. Here's Landon enjoying some greasy french fries.

Did I mention how hot and humid it was all weekend? It was miserable for me, but I made it through with the help of my a/c at home each night.

We had to get a group shot of the cousins on the curb at the parade, even though none of them wanted anything to do with it, especially poor little Blake! This was the best shot I got. It's crazy to think that two years ago it was just Jackson and Lilly, last year we added Landon to the picture, this year was Blake, and next year there will be five kiddos! My mom and dad wanted grandkids...here you go! Five in less than three years.

**Baby Update: I don't have much news to report from my dr. appt. yesterday. My dr. is out of town all week so I saw a nurse/midwife. I was still dialated to 1 cm and 30% effaced. I guess for second babies, most of the progress happens during labor, not before. Baby is still posterior. The midwife told me not to be concerned at all about that. She said that most babies will turn during labor into the correct position. My next appt. is next Thursday. Today we are off to a pool party at Kerry's mom's house in Annandale.

Fat Lip

My poor little guy got his first fat lip yesterday! Mommy feels so bad! We were walking on the sidewalk between Walmart and Great Clips when he tripped and landed flat on his face. Blood immediately started coming from his mouth and nose so we had to rush back to the Suburban covered in blood to take care of the mess...quite the sight to see I'm sure!!! Of course I didn't have the diaper bag with so thankfully we had napkins in the glove box. What a trooper he was...only cried for a few minutes! What did Daddy say when we texted him a picture of the new fat lip? It'll make him tougher. Go figure!!!

We are off to my 37 week dr. appt. this afternoon so hopefully I will have some progress to report later today as well as some pictures of our 4th of July Weekend!

A Few Maternity Pics and Baby Update

Last Thursday Shannon and Derek hosted a little reunion of some of our college friends. It was fun to see everyone and to see all the kiddos play together. Six of the eight members of the "Hoochie Hut" were able to make it. (Kristen, Kristy, Keelie, Shannon, Steph, and me) We were just missing Kerry and Kari. Maybe next time! Kristen was in MN visiting from Monterey, CA where Keith is stationed right now. She has her own photography business and wanted to snap a few shots for me. Her camera ended up having to go into the shop to get cleaned so I brought mine over and she was able to take a few maternity pics for me. She still wants to do some retouching, cropping, color work, etc. but I was too anxious to get them on the blog. So here they are in raw form:

In case you want to check out any of Kristen's other work, you can scroll down to the bottom of this blog where I have a link to her blog. From her blog you can also get to her website! She's quite talented!

Baby Update: I had my 36 week dr appt on Tuesday. Heart rate was 160 which is the fastest hers has ever been! Dr. Lindgren said that was because she was so active when he checked. Usually she's sleeping. I am 1 cm dialated and 30% effaced. Doc says that baby is in the posterior position (which means face forward, but still head down). Not a big deal, but I hope that she decides to turn soon. I've read and heard that labor is much more painful and complicated when they are delivered posterior. Great! My next appt is next Weds. I'll update after that.

Happy Fathers Day Darren!

After a very busy weekend of driving, spending time at both lake cabins, and helping with the cabin ceiling renovations yesterday, Darren was finally able to catch a moment to relax in the lake with the little man. Happy Father's Day to a wonderfully fun, silly, and devoted Daddy! Landon is a lucky little boy!

I had to throw this picture in as well...

Darren picked up Jimmy Johns for us for supper on Friday before we left town for Detroit Lakes. He got Landon his own sub, but the plan was to tear it into little pieces for him to eat. Landon wouldn't have it that way. He wanted to be like us and eat the whole thing! What a character!

Buffalo Days Carnival

Last night we took Landon to the Buffalo Days Carnival to check out a few rides and see how the little man would do. Scared...nope! Loved it. Loved the rides so much that he screamed bloody murder when we had to take him off!

The only ride that he was tall enough to do alone was the trucks. Daddy had to go on all the rest with him.

Only a few more weeks and he'll get to go on more rides. Grandma Rita already bought the grandkids ride tickets for the 4th of July in Annandale! We'll be prepared for more crying fits and screaming this time around.

Welcome Baby Blake...and other updates!

Our new nephew, Blake Michael, was born on Thursday morning! He is 8 lbs. 5 oz. and 19 1/2 inches long. Jess is recovering very well after the c-section too! Lilly is busy spending time with Grandmas and Grandpas, but is enjoying being a big sister. Blake is eating well and poor little guy gets his circumcision today. I can't believe that Jess had an 8 lb. baby inside! He must've been tucked in a tiny little ball.

Not sure how Landon would react with his new baby cousin. He did well and was even giving him kisses on the head. Mostly he just liked to run around the hospital. When we got to the hospital we saw Dr. Matuska, the doctor who delivered him almost 16 months ago! Wow...time flies! When we were leaving last night, I asked Darren how it felt to be in the hospital again? Did it make him nervous to think that we will be there in just a short seven weeks? No, he said it made him excited!

Last weekend, Memorial Day weekend, we went to a Twins game. Long story, but Landon ended up bringing home a foul ball. Here he is playing with it...so cute! The Twins ended up winning the game 8-3 against the Rangers. It was a hot, hot day and we sat in the sun until the 8th inning when the shade finally crept up behind us. We had awesome seats and Landon was such a good boy! Target Field is amazing.

Not only do I have a new nephew, but a brand new cousin as well. Trisha and Dan welcomed Elin Lois just two weeks ago. She's a little peanut, weighing 5 lbs. 14 oz. when she was born. We got to meet her last Sunday when they came out to Buffalo to see Grandma Lois.

A 4 Generation Picture: Great Grandma Lois, Grandma Marilyn, Trisha, and Elin.

After meeting Elin, we headed out to the cabin for the rest of the weekend. Landon loved playing in the lake. I kept having flashbacks of him last summer sitting in his Bumbo seat in the water. Now my big boy is sitting and playing in the water all on his own.

First pontoon ride of the summer! Landon loves to drive the boat...kinda scary!

Hanging out with Daddy in the hammock. The plan was to spend the night, but that didn't quite happen. We ended up packing up and heading home at 11:30 pm due to Landon not wanting to have anything to do with falling asleep out there. Of course, he fell asleep less than a mile down the road. We'll have to try the overnight cabin business again sometime soon...I hope it was just a one time event!

We headed back to the lake Monday for the day. Jackson and Landon had fun making sand castles, swimming, and playing with the wagon. Here's Jackson pulling Landon around the yard...so funny!

Well, yesterday was my last day of school. One more teacher day plus 4 days of math curriculum writing and then I'm off for the summer! Woo hoo! It's a great feeling to know that I will get to spend lots of quality time with Landon before Baby Girl arrives in just a few short weeks. That's all for now...

Twins and Flower Beds

Just a few random updates:

Landon and Darren got to go to a Twins game the weekend I hosted Trisha's shower. Look at my two favorite men all set to head out to the game:

Darren and I worked very hard to bring back to life a flower bed that had been put in our back yard right next to the patio. The previous owners had let it get grown over with grass and weeds, plastic was coming up, and it was quite the sight for sore eyes. Fast forward to now...a fresh new flower bed with new soil, new pavers, and new flowers (not shown in the picture). More pictures to come soon of the finished product!

This is what Landon was doing as Darren and I worked hard on the flower bed. Just chillin' with his feet up! What a character we have!