My Wise Baby

He is so smart.  Baby's are all so wise soaking in their new world  I'm biased, I know.  But he knows HIS people.  He loves his puppy.  He knows crying/screeching/laughing gets him full attention.  

I do stand by the fact my Declan slept till at least 5 am from 10 weeks old until he was about 5 months old... Babywise worked/will work well for us.  And then he got a cold... and then he was teething...and then I had my period and was in low supply (sorry if TMI... read someone else's non-baby blog ;) )... SWEET, HE SLEPT THRU THE NIGHT FOR TWO NIGHTS... and then he had a growth spurt... and then he was teething again.... SWEET, FOR ONE NIGHT HE SLEPT THRU THE NIGHT... and now a cold/maybe teething/maybe growth spurt.  

Did I mention he has no actual teeth?  I know they go up and down, and trust me I would like to nurse a long time and would prefer he has no teeth, but I can't use that excuse for justifying anymore until they are here.

But I did buy an Amber Teething necklace.  Maybe it doesn't truly release enough succinic acid and it is all placebo, but I'd rather that then guess and dose him with too much Tylenol and numbing gels.    If anything, his day naps have been much more consistent and longer since buying that.  (shhhh... don't tell anyone he may sleep with it on.. it's under his onesies...)

But last night made me cry... literally at 1:00am I was crying... I didn't know WHY Declan was crying.  He was crying for an hour and a half straight. He wouldn't eat, didn't need a diaper,wasn't happy being carried, playing with me or Andy... It was painful .  Finally he slept.  And then at 2:00 am he was awake again for 40 minutes. 

So.. do I let him cry it out if he wakes again? AAAHHH.. IDK... if he just needs to eat/comfort for 5/10 minutes, I don't mind.  That is easier than the pain of last night (which I wasn't trying to let him cry.. I tried to quite/feed at the first midnight whimper, but he wasn't having it and that probably overly woke him up and started the fun)

We'll see what tonight brings... Wish me luck.  

Dearest Declan... You're 6 months today!

Dearest Declan!

Happy Unbirthday!  Time has never gone faster since becoming your mom.  You are really growing into a boy with a personality who knows what he likes, which is lots of things!

About a month ago we started giving you solid foods!  You are feeding yourself everything and we aren't just giving you pureed mush!  You have had cucumbers, carrots, squash, sweet potatoes (you LOVED those on Thanksgiving), beans, peas, broccoli, avocados, oatmeal fingers, cheese, noodles, tomatoes, potatoes, bananas, pears, applesauce... and probably other things... You still don't necessarliy swallow a ton, but you love to gnaw and chew on it all.  Your dog Croix loves it too and has to be in his kennel during meal time but likes to clean up your highchair after meal time!

We are in the middle of your first holiday season!  Halloween you were a Tiger and we visited some friends.  Cameron was an elephant and Noah was a Pumpkin!

We had a great, relaxing Thanksgiving break at Grandma Connie's with the meal being at great Aunt Brenda's!  You loved the sweet potatoes!!

You had your first St. Nick's day and got an adorable person bag, perfect shoe puppy booties, and a snowman making kit!  And now we are just getting ready for Christmas at both grandparent's homes! Dad has had a lot of fun decorating you for Christmas!


The Declan was Hung by the Chimney with care!!


You started using two Christmas presents already.. your amber teething necklace and blue foam playmats for our dining room!  On Wed. Dec 18th, you will be Baby Jesus in our churches live nativity and we'll be Mary and Joseph.   I am very excited for your first acting roll!

This last week Grandma Sue and Grandpa Tim (for couple days) were here to hang out with you!  They had a lot of fun seeing how much you have grown since your baptism!  We did some shopping with Grandma and went to one of our favorite college restaurants that bears grandma's name... Psycho Suzi's!  And then we got to spend some time with your friend Malorie who was born on November 10th!  She is a sweet pea!

Age: 6 months    (Dr. Appt. Fri. 13th!) 

Weight:  Guessing.. 19 lb   Way off again: 16 lbs 8 oz 27%

Length: 27 inches          26 1/2"  40%  
Head:  17 inches           17 1/8" 52%
Feats/Mobility:  You are sitting, almost, on your own!  But we have you practice still in your sittin' box!  All the toys at your reach and no topples.  You are using a spoon pretty well by your self and like to eat of both sides of it.  You ROLL everywhere and the scooting is starting... You rolled right into the fire place edge the other day while I was doing dishes and I felt terrible when I heard your pain cry :( 

Likes:  All dogs... You are always smiling at them.  Eating.  WHOOSH!!  You favorite word... check out this video WHOOSH!   You love taking glasses, mugs, cups from Dad and me. You love to chew on the glass but have enjoyed sipping some water too.  You still like books... but now you like to eat them and hold them yourself.
Dislikes:  Getting put in your carseat.  Getting clothes taken off or put on...especially sleeves.  Your nook... you have really had no want for your pacifier lately, which is fine by me... but in church this morning you used it for a bit and I was amazed.  And last, Dad and Mom making you be both a Packer and a Viking fan. 

I love you through and through,

Mom

30 Days of Gratefulness

Maybe this isn't true, and it probably isn't humble of me to just say it... but I think I am a pretty grateful person... and I think I do at least a decent job of letting the people I am most grateful for know I appreciate them. And if I don't... let me say this first.. I'm grateful for any of you that are taking 5 minutes out of your day to read this because you must care for me at some level past or present.

So to make the 30 days of gratefulness challenge a challenge for me, I am going to be looking for the different/less frequent/not the general clique things I would have said in the past... Of course that is right after I'm done saying I am thankful for these "general clique things" that will be off limits the next 30 days...

My family... I love them all for their craziness... my mom's side... my dad's side... my inlaws.. my step-dad's side.... my husband and son and Croix, Fuzzy, Bouncer...

My friends... I couldn't begin to imagine better friends from the past in high school and college, the best Hutch friends who are there for us as family and seriously the most hilarious, hardworking, caring coworkers EVER.   Sorry... all your coworkers suck in comparison to mine.  Mine RULE. End of Story. 'Nuff said.

My job... I am tired everyday BUT I feel loved and appreciated by my students, coworkers and boss, no day is the same, and teaching reading and history are just plain old fun for me.

So now to mini stories or quick one-liners of 30 days of keeping my eyes open to the rare gratefulness gems.

Nov 1: My Old Reliable Car...  I had to tell myself three times before 7:00 am... today is going to be a great day... today is going to be a great day... today is going to be a great day..   Friday's are tough... This Friday before daylight savings time, which is usually my favorite weekend of the year, I was especially dreading with Declan's schedule getting messed up...  I was also preparing for the exhausting exploratory 1st quarter reward afternoon.  But all this to say what my mind was racing with when I quickly became thankful that my old car can be "broken into" easily... I locked my keys in my car at school this morning... But my principal and Officer Derek saved the day (and Andy an hour in the car bringing me the extra set of keys).  So thank you 1999 Forester for being easily jimmied.

Nov 2: Cards... I love boardgames and card games.  Tonight was filled with a favorite pasttime of 500 that jumped me right back to middle school learning the game with my second summer home in middle school/early high school... The Grabau's.  I lived for meals, water-skiing, and 500 at their house.  I swear it took me 10 times to learn to play the game but they were always patient about it and let me keep trying!

Nov 3: Grocery stores.. Though this is one of my least favorite tasks, I have decided I like it a lot better than hunting and gardening for my own food.  So thank you farmers too!

Nov 4:  Teacher Workdays... I always have a massive to-do list that only gets 1/2 way accomplished, but at least it gets accomplished!  I feel ahead (for the week ;) ) and rejuvenated!

Nov 5: Daylight Savings time did not affect Declan's schedule much at all as I was so worried about.

Nov 6: Garbage Pickup Monday and Leaf Pickup Tuesdays!   Well it snowed but I am glad we got our lawn clean and the Hutch vacuum sucker upper picked up our leaves BEFORE the snow!  Yippee!

Nov 7: My district's building referendum passed!!!  HLWW get a new middle school big enough and much safer with economical operating systems!  So excited for my new classroom and move in 2015!  EVERY VOTE COUNTED so I'm thankful for all 864 people that voted yes because the levy passed by just 20 votes!! Wahhoooooo!!!

Nov 8: AMLE conference... I attended the Middle Level Educators conference in MPLS the last two days with my principal and some coworkers and I love being rejuvenated and filled with some new ideas to share with my coworkers and students!

Nov 9: HOT Baths... I hadn't taken a bath since Declan was born... I'm not sure why but maybe due to the fact I took 2-3 cool oatmeal baths a day when I had hives my last few weeks of pregnancy.  Either way, it was relaxing and I plan to do it much more often!

Nov 10:  God and my church... He restores me. His love endures forever.  He reminds me to forgive.  He reminds me my life isn't mine and my love isn't mine to keep selfishly.   And on December 18th, Declan will be baby Jesus while Andy and I are Joseph and Mary at the live nativity!!!  Mark you calendars and come for our 6:30 pm service!

Nov 11: Veterans. Our freedom is not free and I am thankful I am reminded of this often as a social teacher and can help students begin to understand that.

Nov 12: Jess our Giggly and Grins Daycare Provider!  I love that I trust and genuinely like who my baby spends his day with and that she is willing to care for other's children.  It is a special job and takes amazing people to watch the young ones!  I would be afraid... Give me 30 middles schools.. easy peasy... Give me 8 under the age of 4... aaahhhh!!!!    Plus it was her "baby's" First Birthday today (on the neatest date of the year.. 11-12-13... I like patterns and numbers too but can't quite say I'm thankful for them.) and I was reminded again how fast this year will fly and my baby will grow!!!

Nov 13: GOLF IN MID-NOVEMBER with my boys!  It was 50 degrees out, Declan was fed but needed a nap so we rushed out to golf with the stroller. We golfed more holes with the moon then the sun, but we made it!

Nov 14:  Massages with Michelle... Oh I love my massages!  I got one a month while pregnant but now that extra money goes towards daycare but am thankful for a trade from my 31 closeout sale so this massage was enjoyed!!  Message her on facebook today if you need one!

Nov 15: COUPONS...  My friend's blog, Adventures of M.D., told me about this great free giveaway coupon book. I am a pretty good couponer but would always love more.  Though sometimes they make me buy things I maybe wouldn't I put the food and items to use!  Vote for her blog while you are there with the Top Mommy Blog emblem in the corner please!

Nov 16: The 12 Step Program.   Keeping this one simple.

Nov 17:  Declan's friends... I know I said my friends were off limits, but I am just gonna say I'm thankful that Declan has so many baby friends around his age that we got to see this week/weekend, some that were just born (Yeah Malorie Moon!!) and more news of more babies on the way!!  Can't wait for May and June!!  We'll have lots of babies to visit this summer!!!

Nov 18: Monday's... Margie, if you are reading this... I'm TOTALLY stealing yours for the day!  It put me in a better mood reading yours and thinking of it as a fresh week, fresh start, instead of 5 days til I see my boy all day... And the random hugs from some 5th graders didn't hurt today either!

Nov 19:  Electricity....  I dislike laundry, but man I would really hate washing clothes by a river and hanging them up to dry...  I dislike pumping, but I love being able to work and nurse and provide for Declan...  And I really just like lights... I felt accomplished  making my home brighter today by finding 7 bulbs that needed to be changed...  (and when I realized how "proud" I felt for getting to Menards, picking up a fixed jogging stroller, making dinner, changing light bulbs, installing new toilet handle, washing bottles, etc...  I laughed and had that "i know I am a mom" moment).. but really.. I like living in the modern world we live in and am grateful for that.

Nov 20:  Warm November weather... today was the last day for awhile it sounds like so went on a nice walk with Croix and Declan!

Nov 21:  Volleyball...   Even though my team loses a lot... I feel stress free playing and enjoy the night out and the sport even more than I used too.

Nov 22:  Changing Tables in public bathrooms... Declan really needed one Friday night when we were out to dinner with Andie!

Nov 23:  ROSES...  Andy remember our 10 year dating anniversary and made our house beautiful and my heart happy!

Nov 24:  Sunday Morning Breakfasts... I love weekend breakfasts of eggs, hashbrowns, pancakes, BACON!!  Declan ate (smushed and chewed on) a mini Mickey Mouse Pancake and it was cute!  He loves the homemade applesauce too!

Nov 25: Dr. Seuss & Picture books... My students have enjoyed rereading Dr. Seuss last week for prosody and I love reading to Declan and watching him kick in happiness and talk back at the book... (and now starting to grab and eat the books...) but he really does love them

Nov 26: Ice Cream...  Even on the coldest of days it is so yummy.

Nov 27: Debit/Credit Cards... not to get in debt or spend money you don't have.. but for the ease of electronically paying things over the phone/stores/internet

Nov 28: Traditions and Holidays... Just being with family and relaxing and eating and relaxing some more is so wonderful.

Nov 29:  Stores that didn't open yesterday and Shopping today... Online....  I didn't like it one bit that Thurs. was becoming the new Black friday.   People can't pass up a good deal being the consumeristic/materialistic country we have become so they will leave dinners and family early.

Nov 30: Hot Tubs... My muscles felt amazing and I slept like a little baby.

It was a fabulous November and Thanksgiving Holiday, and I know the Christmas holiday will be just as wonderful... 3 fast, crazy busy weeks of school and then MANY days straight with Declan!!

Is Baby Led Weaning for us?

I had NEVER heard of giving your baby solid, whole foods before rice cereal and veggie, fruit and meat purees. And then I became a mom with great momma friends.  "Their stomachs aren't ready.... They'll choke!  But I am excited to make my own baby food in squeeze packets... "  were all the questions and thoughts that filled my mind when my friend Molly told me about this!

 I did some further reading and research of this Baby-Led Weaning (BLW.. aka, baby self feeding) and as you can see by the following pictures I am getting excited to do this with Declan.  His excitement is a little masked by the new tastes.  He pretty much has only enjoyed milk, plastic, clothes, and fingers until now.  But he has added cucumbers, carrots, broccoli, avocados, pasta, green beans, bananas and a fry from daddy against my will.  

A lot of the books say start around 6 months but if they are showing interest in grabbing at your plate/food, let them try a little earlier.  So I have.  True,  Declan grabs at everything and puts everything in his mouth so I just figured why not let him start putting what he is supposed to in his mouth?  But the premise of BLW appeals to me.  They learn to chew before they swallow and they monitor how much they need to eat instead of shoving "chart tablespoon" amounts of purees down their throats when they really are getting what they need from nursing until they are 8-12 months old. 

In some blogs I have read, people jokingly refer to the baby-self feeding as the Lazy-Mom Feeding method too.  This is right up my alley because one thing I love about nursing is how "lazy" I can be with less bottles, packing formula/bottles when out, etc.    All the "eating" (aka shoving food at his face and throwing on the floor for Croix)  done so far has taken no extra time or money as they were just from our meals.  

But I am also a little excited to feed him and in case this doesn't take off in the next few months and daycare has to start making sure he is eating proteins, etc... I wanted to get some purees made this weekend. Carrots and squash are ready and applesauce will be next!   I enjoyed doing it but I'm not going to be heartbroken if BLW takes off and Declan gives them to his friends.  The packets are in the freezer and easy to thaw and take and go! 

Not counting the squeeze machine, these packets are .34 cents a piece and I paid 3 dollars for the carrots and squash at the farmers market I used.  But it took an hour and half from prep to clean up for 15 packets so will my time be worth it??      It was enjoyable to me and I know I'll get faster and do much bigger batches so I think yes.. Plus, I'll do some canning and ice cube trays, etc too... but we'll see.

In the web world I have found there are some very hardcore Baby-Led Weaning mommas out there, but pretty much everything with me and parenting, I like a guide but I am flexible and need to have some wiggle room or it would stress me out.  So technically Declan will probably fall under the Traditional Weaning with the mix of purees and finger foods but the following link explains the difference.  

BLW vs. Traditional Weaning

Stay tuned... I'm sure I'll blog more about the solid food adventure!  Advice, thoughts and comments welcome!

Wonder Week

Wonder Week =  I wonder where my happy baby went this week??

Wonder Week = the three C's... Crying, Clinging, Crankiness

Wonder Week = Declan wondered all week why his perspective of the world was changing so harshly.

I needed something to explain his drastic change and this is the best reasoning I could find...  http://www.thewonderweeks.com/

We did still get some smiles and giggles but they were fewer and farther in between.  But our favorite moment was finishing up some laundry and Declan started to get fussy... Dad was just about to hang up his belts so he was jokingly "threatening" with a belt snap... well this is what Declan thought of that:

Belt Inducing Giggle Fit

Thankfully, wonder week is over  (and it was really just about 5 days but it felt like two weeks)  Declan seems back to his normal self and his semi-predictable routine.  But it gave me a deeper appreciation for fussy babies and their parents/caregivers!

You're 4 Months Today!!

 4 MONTHS OLD!

Dearest Declan!

I am back to work with my student kids and you are Giggling and Grinning away at daycare with Jessica!  I miss you everyday but LOVE EVERY moment home with you ten times more!!  You are getting more and more independent and growing up every minute.... look at you holding your bottle!  (This wasn't posed at all... we swear ;) )

We had a blast in Jackson, MN celebrating Andie and Jesse's wedding with you so handsome in your suit.  This is the only nap you got and then you watched the dj's lights til almost 1030 when Dad said it was past your bedtime and he took your back to the hotel so I could keep dancing the night away!

















Dad brought you to school just this last Friday for our Homecoming Activity Night!  You were a trooper and though a little overstimulated with faces and noise a couple times you did so well and all my students complimented your cuteness and your name!  You slept thru dinner with all the ladies but woke up to play a bit at Carol's before we had a sleepover there!

Age: 4 months

Weight: ??  We better weigh you soon cuz Dr's isn't until 23rd...   I'm guessing you have doubled in weight though... 17 lbs!          ACTUAL:  15lb 7oz  38%

Length:  Guessing 26"  ACTUAL:  25 3/4"    59%
Head:  Guessing  16"    ACTUAL:  16 3/4"   64%
Feats/Mobility:  You enjoy tummy time for about 5-10 minutes and then you get mad and can't flip back over.  You are sitting up quite well in your Bumbo, and are starting to love your excersaucer more.  You like that for about 5-10 minutes too and then get upset but the other day you played it in for almost 20 minutes!

Likes:  Num Nums! (Dad kisses your neck and you have a giggly fit everytime)  Your changing table is a favorite smiley place of yours too as you just love being naked!
Dislikes:  You have had a little cold, growth spurt and possible tooth coming out and have been a little more fussy so just being sick and growing you dislike and we feel bad too! 

I hope you'll think these things one day about me! Hahaha! Kid President MOM=WOW


I love you through and through,

Mom

When I Grow Up...

I love hearing my 5th graders answer this question... I have 3 future pro athletes, 1 future firefighter, 1 engineer, 1 artist, 2 farmers, 2 vets, 1 student who is going to go to college at St. Catherine's, meet her husband and get married and have twins named Declan and Jordan all before she graduates and is a doctor.  At least that is what her Work On Writing Notebook said.  I'm trying to talk her out of the expensive undergrad college and marrying too young, but we'll see...  I have wondered lots this year what Declan will be when he grows up (which isn't really going to happen though... I've already shed some tears packing the 3 month clothes..)

However dream-filled and wonderful their wishes are, I know most of them will change their mind ten times and probably not become what they wanted to be in 5th grade... I was a rarity... Ever since 3rd and 4th grade with my inspiring teachers, Mrs. Freeman and Mrs. Mattson, I knew I wanted to be a teacher and I never wavered from that want.  To this day I can't imagine being anything else.  I am very blessed that I love my job, the challenges and the joys and the variety that come with it each day and each year.  I love being surrounded by youth that I feel like I haven't totally grown up!

Not knowing my path has never been the case for me, but my beautiful, younger sister has wandered on her path finding her way a little longer than me (but a lot less longer than others ;) and even many who never find it or go for it ).   I am so proud that she is finding her way and has discovered the road she needs to take.

Please consider reading Britta's Story, and helping her make her dream come true!  And by helping her, you will help yourself become a little healthier when she returns! Check out what is in it for you!

So are you doing what you thought you'd be doing when you were in 5th grade?  What do you want to be when you "grow up"?  It is never too late!

A sad and joyful date.

September 26th.

It isn't a birthday or wedding or holiday, but it is a date I remember every year.  And even a few years ago when I almost didn't realize it was the 26th, my first college roommate and sweet friend Nicole faithfully sends me a "thinking/praying for you" card. (I got it a day early yesterday :) )  Three years ago that card helped me remember (and feel guilty I hadn't remembered myself...)  but every year, it still brings a rush a tears to my eyes  remembering my dad passing from his cancer my sophomore year of college.  

I was home in Chisago but was not at my Aunt Judy's house where he was staying when he passed.  The night before, we knew it would be soon and I said my goodnights and love yous, knowing it may be the last. I still stand by my feelings that the ONLY positives to cancer is you have time to prepare and say goodbye because too many other tragedies in people's lives around me have not been granted that time.

This year was no different, and I'm tearing up as I type this in my classroom modeling Work on Writing to my students,  but I also have such happy tears thinking of this date last fall.

It was last September 26th we knew we were going to become parents.  I was soo excited, happy, scared and nervous.  Andy was trying to nap for his shift work, but I had to wake and tell him.  The rush of emotions of knowing you have made a life and that your life is about to change is indescribable and like nothing I have ever felt.

And maybe I was crazy as it was risky taking a pregnancy test last year on this date in case it was negative, but I knew in my body and soul I was pregnant two days earlier.  I made myself wait to give the upcoming date a positive, full-circle-of-life meaning.  A date I can later have conversations with Declan about his Grandpa Gregg.   It was in the moments and memories with my dad that I learned to love golf, all board games but especially cribbage, and bowling.  I know Andy and I will try and pass these loves to Declan too and create our own family memories!

I am also more emotional and sadder wishing my dad was here to have met Declan and have seen me being a mom.  I get to tell Declan about him, but now I just have to believe my dad is able to look down and see us and is proud.   And someday, may we all meet again.

My Ideal Week

So from my UnWired Challenges blog from a couple weeks back I was to create an Ideal Week calendar.  I created it for my "back to work" schedule and now that it has been over two weeks (well 3 weeks...) I am to reevaluate it and see how realistic it was!  Overall I am doing ok... working out is the only thing that has stopped :(  regularly this last week...  I truly WANT to give it my all and have a NEED and valid reasoning to justify a tummy tuck if i need one after my next c-section in two-three years down the road, but it is HARD to make time when I just want to be with Declan every minute when I get home...   I know this will be a battle I'll continue to just have to DO.  How do working mom's with small kids (well... any mom's really!)  find time to exercise!!???

My Ideal / ACTUAL Week:

5:00 Wake Up, Nurse Declan and get him ready for daycare before he falls back asleep, Eat Breakfast, Exercise 10 Minutes  (I was perfect the first week... 2nd week just 3 days... this last week with daycare drop off added in... I didn't exercise once in the morning), Shower, Wear Makeup (15/17 days... not bad ;) ).

6:30 Leave for Daycare and Work

7:10-7:30 Check Emails/Respond/ Organize for day, make copies for next couple days, etc.

7:30-7:45 Pump   ( About to eliminate my morning pump I hope as Declan is sleeping until 6-6:30 so think I will just feed him later and pump just at lunch and prep!)

7:45-8:00 Greet students, organize room, etc.

8-11:40 Teach

11:40-12:15 Pump and hopefully get to teachers’ lounge for lunch  (SO HAPPY THIS IS HAPPENING... though I inhale my lunch in 15 minutes, I am happy to be out of my room and my "laundry closet" and see work friends)

12:15-2:00 Teach

2:00-2:10 Check Emails/Respond

2:10-3:30  Prep/Pump/End of Day… Be SOOO productive in planning and grading NOTHING comes home  (Stuff has come home... but not much... so far I'm doing ok)

3:30-4:00  Drive home/unwind/ call a family member or friend

4:00- Pickup from daycare if Andy couldn’t/Nurse Declan or Pump if he just ate...

4:15 Exercise 15 minutes (did surprisingly well... took two-three days off in first two weeks, but need to up the ante and use our Insanity DVD's soon... Just Dance Wii and self yoga/planks isn't matching my endurance and cardio needs anymore.  I did Insanity Fit test last sunday tht 15th... was so sore for three days and discouraged with being out of shape... I just haven't done it again.  I will this morning though!!)

4:30- Start dinner/ Play with Declan

5:30- Dinner/watch tv show or talk if no walk possible

6:00-6:45  Pack lunches, clean up kitchen, pick out clothes and clean somewhere else in house….  (I've been about 50/50... but have had live in amazing sitters for most weeks.  But kitchen is staying clean and that is the big one for me) 

                Monday- Last Load of Laundry

                Tuesday-Vacuum

                Wednesday- Clean bathrooms/Dust

                Thursday- Vacuum

                Friday- Clear kitchen table/Sort mail/pay bills

                Weekends:  Meal Plan/Grocery Shop/Clean “mountains”/Start Laundry/Yardwork/Vacuum

6:45-7:15 Nurse Declan-  Bath Tues/Thursdays/Saturday   (two days a week is acceptable in my new opinion... Wed and Sat...) , pjs, etc.

7:15- Walk with Andy, Croix and Declan

8:00- Read with Declan/watch tv show with Andy/read/relax/bath, etc.  Elminated Some nights because he has been in bed by 8-8:30!!  

8:30-9:00 Nurse /Declan’s Bedtime  

School work/tv/computer/finish cleaning/packing for next day...

9:30 10:00/11:00ish  My bedtime/read

It's just hair!

That is what I had to tell myself for the past month in prep for finally cutting my hair short short like I have wanted to try for 3 years.  I kept making valid excuses of pictures, and weddings and more pictures but I finally just said, "It's just hair... just try it... It will grow back... It's just hair."   Andy was in support of it even though two friends were scared for me and told me not to do it.  

Sitting in the chair, I seriously had nervous butterflies like I hadn't had in a long time!     

But these first three days with it... I like it.  I was worried I wouldn't be able to do it like my hair stylist the night she cut it, but I've figured it out and it is easy and fast.  I definitely am no longer a "blond" and think I will put some lighter (and maybe some red??) highlights in it when I get it trimmed in probably just 3 weeks!  

I love how blunt my 5th graders are, especially the boys.  All the girls say they like it but a few boys said they liked it long, that it is like his Grandma's hair, but a couple guys said I look better and younger... Perfect.  So now it may be a mom haircut... but I'm thinking hot mama! 

Suit Up!

The past two weekends Declan has done just that...Suited Up!  Two very special weekends in a row, my boy was handsome in his tux and bow tie Grandpa Lance picked up at one of his infamous garage sale stops.

Just this past weekend, September 14th, my best friend from undergrad, my first Andie, my future eye doctor when my lasik wears off, got married!  The wedding was in her HUSBAND'S (so fun to say!!) hometown area of Lakefield and Jackson, MN.  Everything went so smoothly and was just a blast.  I am so excited for Jesse and Andrea to start this crazy ride called marriage!

Dad found the black socks later... but he did a FANTASTIC job being on dad duty all weekend.  

I loved our different color dresses (WITH POCKETS... came in handy for my tissues during the ceremony!) and our head table place settings... sunglasses with our names!

Like my two favorite Andy/ie's and two favorite boys... Pretty much favorite picture and moment!

Declan had his first dance with baby Reagan!  He enjoyed staring her down at one point!

The weekend before the wedding, Declan turned 3 months old the day he was baptized!  But before he got baptized at our church, Mom and Britt were staying at the Vic Inn, so we gave him our own baptism by submersion!  The water was just chillier than bath water, but he didn't pout once and we got a smile or two out of him... especially during his chicken fight vs. auntie and me!   

The day of his actual baptism, we were blessed with our family and friends from near and far sharing in his special day with us.  I never thought of what an awesome perk to having a new baby is and that is seeing my families more!!  I love it! Grandma Sue staying to watch Declan the week after the baptism before we started daycare and I do wish we had both our parents closer now... But makes the visits more special and we just got to get the Skype thing figure out soon!     

"I'm 3 months old today!" 

Godparents Timmy and Britt

My cupcake cross... this is as "pintresty" and creative as I get... But really I am just cheap and was going to order a cake, but saw this idea in CashWise's book and figured I could do it myself.  

Oh yes, and after dinner, Declan's first football games were on tv, but both Packs and Vikes lost :( 

Liebster Award??

 I was caught off guard reading one of my regular blogs, Adventures of Baby M.D. , from my cousin's wife about her being nominated for a blogging award when I saw my blog name nominated by her as well.. I was like, nice... what's this?? Can I win something??  I kind of like winning things.. like kitchens...  I'm just a wee bit competitive as all you may know...  we won a kitchen in a Facebook contest last summer so I truly like contests.  Please vote for her... click on her page and on the vote for me badge in her top right corner of her blog please!

But I think (and maybe I'm wrong and still confused by the whole thing...) that I can't win anything but more blog traffic and I don't really need numbers of people reading my blog... though I'd like my followers to increase by one.. and that would be my husband  who has yet to read a post...  He keeps saying he'll catch up and read it all but we'll see... we'll see.  Declan will probably be reading his letters before Andy will!

And sorry friends, I'm not continue the true nominating of great momma blogs, but you can check out blogs I follow on my page and if I'm right, anyone can join  Topmommyblogs.com and start your own Liebster award nominations and questions to answer and questions to ask lists.

But I do like answering questions so my friend posed these questions to her nominees so here are my answers:  I remember when that place MySpace did things like this and I like questions :)

1) What is your favorite vacation spot?  Everywhere I haven't been yet.  I can't pick anywhere I have been because they all were favorites for different reasons.  cop out answer, i know... get ready for a few more of those ;) 
2) What is the book you are reading right now?  Cuckoo's Calling... JK Rowling's pseudo name book... I'm not very impressed... It is taking me forever to finish... like over a month and that is unheard of for me and a book... but I'll give being back at work and exhausted some credit as 2 pages I'm out. 
3) Who do you look up to the most?  All mothers... but as cliche as it is, truly my mom... this job is hard with two of us so I REALLY have a newer, deeper, more empathetic appreciation for my mom doing it almost alone for years.  
4) What is the most embarrassing song on your iPod right now?  I don't use an iPod really... my husband and I share one, but haven't updated it for years... Probably most embarrassing song on it in my opinion is Discovery Channel by Bloodhound Gang.  Hate that song.. and I hate KungFuFighting...     I use TuneIn Radio and my phone the most and I'm not embarrassed by anything on there. 
5) What is your worst habit?  oh too many... but probably "multi-tasking" too much and not finishing anything well or quick
6) What TV show can you not get enough of?  Friends.  But really, right now I could do with no TV in my house.  
7) If you had a whole week free to yourself, (no baby or husband) what would you do?  Miss them by day 3... two days would be perfect.. but be with my Friends on a beach, reading, playing volleyball and golf and eating seafood and drinking wine.
8) What item do you refuse to buy the generic brand of? (if any)  I'm so cheap.. nothing I can think of... wait OREOS... I tried a generic brand because of a coupon and never again. 
9) Where is the most inconvenient place your child has pooped/puked/spit-up/peed?   we've been lucky... but it's only be 3 months so I know I'm doomed.. but funniest was ALL OVER the kitchen floor before his first bath... poop everywhere but only hit Dad a bit and cleanup on floor was easy... 
10) Where did you meet your best girl friend? Copout answer again...  I can't really answer this question again because I feel like I have a best girl friend from each stage of my life...  so high school, college, hutch, work, golf...   I truly am thankful and know I am lucky to have friends that I 
11) What is your favorite blog to follow (you can't say your own!) :)    Probably my Hutch girl  http://schwedskala.blogspot.com/ so I can read about my godson and his brother.. I see them almost weekly but I still learn little things I wouldn't have like Ado is done :( 


So my one question for any mom who reads this is:

#1:  How do you remember the milestones in your child(ren)'s lives? 

A great finish to a great summer!

Our last road trip of the summer was last week when we headed to Racine, WI!  Our 6.5 hour drive becomes 8 with Declan now but still so worth it for all the fun we had.  Cousin Adam spoiled us in his Wrigley field neighborhood apartment with a free parking spot, awesome burrito restaurant, cheap tickets from Craiglist and Gino's pizza after an intense comeback from the Cubs in the 9th to tie the game.  (we won't mention the final score in the 13th...) 

 Andy has always liked Jimmy Buffett and has wanted to see him in concert for forever so we were excited that he was going to be in Alpine Valley this summer!  Alpine Valley was by far the favorite concert venue I'd ever been too. Of course, it helped the weather was 70 and glorious, and we paid to have seats under the shelter but even sitting on the hill would've been awesome.  

And Labor Day weekend was perfect with no traveling.  We were just home and relaxed doing the things we loved.  We had our annual Labor Day golf fun day with friends.  I created a crazy format this year but it ended up being a lot of fun for TEAM CHUNKS –A-LOT,  TEAM SLICE- A-LOT, and TEAM WHIFFS –A- LOT.  The final totals were really close, but Team Slice-A-Lot took the candy!  The first nine was a 4 man scramble but here is the crazy format for the last nine: 

HOLES 10-18:   alternate shot in 2-person rotating teams combining their scores

*** You can decide who tees off for the first hole of new partners (10,13,16), but then whoever putts in, the other person must tee off. 

	10	11	12		13	14	15		16	17	18
Kris Todd				Kris   Andy				Kris Donna
Donna Andy				Donna        Todd				Andy Todd
Total				Total				Total

Plus we practiced our football naps for next weekend:

I am off to work tomorrow for my 7th year of teaching.  I am excited for my new group of 5th graders and slightly excited to miss Declan but getting a little sad in realizing just how much I'll miss him!!  He was with Grandma Connie last week, Auntie Britt and Molly and Noah this coming week, and will be with Grandma Sue the following week before he starts daycare on the 16th!