"I Go"

We've taken to strolling to the park with Hannah in the bjorn, Virgil on leash, and Zane on his bike. I am so proud of him for how well he rides his bike now. He sits on the seat and zooms along, often steering himself into the grass on purpose because he thinks the bumps are funny. Occasionally he'll pick his feet up for an extended period of time and zig zag along the path. He's taken a few minor spills, but isn't letting that hold him back!

The only thing I don't like is that when we get to an intersection he will zoom really fast right up to the edge of the sidewalk until his front tire is on the edge and then suddenly stop. He gives me a heart attack every time. There is only one major intersection on the way to the park and it is clearly marked with crosswalk signs...but still, he's a little guy and those cars are coming fast. He does stop every time we tell him to wait and on the street without a sidewalk he's learned to stay close to the curb. This is why parents' hair turns grey so fast.

Sorry for the close up on Hannah's acne. That was definitely not her good side.

Happenings

Hannah has been a tough one lately. We're not sure if it would all have been in the cards anyway, or if it's a result of our busy week in Iowa, but she sure is cranky a lot. During the day we're lucky if she lets us put her down, or even if we get to lean on something so we're not always standing to bounce, rock, sway, or otherwise be in motion. She does like it if we hold her while sitting and bouncing on the exercise ball. We get to sit, but are still in motion. This could be the newest weight loss fad: baby comforting. Poor little girl is really gassy which leads to her discomfort. We're doing everything we can think of to help her, but our efforts are falling short thus far. We've tried probiotics, Gripe Water, Little Remedies gas drops (which seem to be helping), baby massage, and altering my diet. The past 2 nights I've been sitting up at night to nurse her instead of side-lying and then passing back out. That also seems to be helping slightly. At night she sleeps for 2 1/2 - 3 hour blocks but it seems the closer we get to morning the more she wakes from discomfort. Gas build up in her system? If anyone has a fix-all idea we are all ears!

In spite of all that, she does give us moments like these. Falling asleep on the couch, or anywhere outside of his crib, is something her big brother NEVER did.

 Matchy matchy. They're toast.

 Our first walk together in the double. Hannah did well until we got to the park and then howled for attention so I put her in the bjorn so Z and I could continue to play.

 Another example of my mom's crochet mastery. This is the crew from Yo Gabba Gabba, one of Zane's favorite cartoons. From L to R is Brobee, Toodee, Muno, Foofa, and Plex.

Videos from the Lake

Normally jumping on the air mattresses is off limits at the lake house, but Granmama made an exception this one time. Look how much fun they're having!

Hannah is too little for a Hot Rod Ride that Grandpa gives the older cousins. She got a jalopy ride instead...just her speed!

Nick, Kenz, and Zane had a few parties in the garage. Sometimes with music and dancing, sometimes playing bags, sometimes with snacks. Sometimes the adults were excluded and other times invited. Always cuteness.

Both Nick and Kenzie were great with Hannah. Mason and I look forward to seeing our babysitters again. Here's Kenz and her little cousin the day before we left.

Family Time in Iowa

So many good memories crammed in to one small week. I'm so glad everyone could make it out! Thank you to the Chicagoans and Virginians who traveled, and especially to my parents who hosted the shenanigans. 

We started with watching thunderstorms and rolled right into pool time, lake time, homemade ice cream, boat driving, tractor rides, horse feeding, family photos, fishing, paddle boarding, paddle boating, and cabana-ing before heading to Des Moines before saying good bye. Good bye was hard. It always is, but more so now. I blame the kids. They were all so great together...we just didn't want our time together to end. At least it's not a permanent good bye, only an "until next time." So until next time, we'll have a bunch of photos to look back on.

 

Happy Birthday Dad, enjoy the Rogue!