Showing posts with label Kurt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kurt. Show all posts

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Home Journal vol. 6

3-13-13
Outside my window: Sunny, nearly snowless, though I thought I caught on the news last night that it was a bit nippy. I haven't ventured outside my home since Saturday so I really couldn't tell you but I wouldn't mind finding out! Seems springy-er. Its amazing what a few hours north will get you though, my dad was busy plowing 9 inches of snow this Monday!

Clothing myself in: Smart-wools, Brown boots, dark blue jeans, gray top and tank (the top is maternity but still fits nice) I had on a sweater but was sweating and the finishing touch-- one of the girls just gave me a Hello Kitty sticker.

Around the house: We're recouping from having a really sick kid so though I've been trying to keep a handle on things there is a pile of unfolded laundry waiting me in the living room and some folded clothes to put away in a basket hiding in our bedroom. I think I just finished washing the last of the sheets and blankets. I've got the crock-pot on supper duty. I'll just boil up some noodles before Kurt get homes and throw a veggie in the microwave. Presto! The girls are progressively messing now that Julia is feeling better and Katie has a playmate again.

The baby: Has been as usual wonderful! He's continuing to be cheerful, easy going and such a love. I think he gets that from his dad. I was/am a bit concerned that he'd catch our in house bug but am putting hope in my antibodies and that yummy mommy milk. In the wee hours of last night I woke up panicked after he'd spit up that he was going to start throwing up. Kurt calmly reminded me that it could have been the Hoisen sauce I had with my chicken last night. I think he was right- note, lay off the Hoisen (but oh was it tasty!).

He hasn't hit any milestones of note but he turns 4 mos. this week. I still haven't got any stats on the boy but we'll finally be heading to a well child check-up next week. Barring another flu outbreak.

The kiddos: As aforementioned, Julia caught some sort of stomach bug which started with throwing up on the kitchen floor on Saturday and proceeded to escalate to throwing up quite frequently (every 20-30 min.) into the wee hours of night. God bless Kurt for taking the late hours so the baby and I could sleep. It continued on into Sunday with a high fever that hung around till Monday. Yesterday the fever went down some and we attempted to get her to start eating again (which has proven difficult). Today she's ornery and very vocal...a good sign, no fever and she hasn't thrown up in 48 hrs. Katie has been missing her sister A LOT! She's been pesky and antsy. I am glad to know how much she really enjoys her days playing with JuJu. I can't quite imagine the transition to Kindergarten when Julia will miss her undoubtedly more! She is definitely showing more signs of readiness for more learning. Her current habit is copying words/letters she sees and asking what she wrote. (Examples include- AFV (from the TV show), days of the week from the calendar, dedications and words from favorite storybooks, etc.) I also caught her sounding out letter sounds as she wrote. We made a school visit the end of February (I know, I need to post more regularly) and it went well. We'll go back again in May for an afternoon in the classroom.

Alright...I got interrupted by a child, then white smoke, then a feverish baby and now we'll try and finish it today...as the avoiding sickness did not occur and my fevering baby is currently sleeping peacefully I am not making guarantees.

In the kitchen: I made General Tao's chicken (w/ Hoisen sauce) this week for the first time. It was a modified healthier recipe from Cooks Country magazine. Yesterday we had crock-pot roast today it's become beef stew. Tomorrow something without meat.

Bringing me joy: The news of Pope Francis! It was great to share the moment of his announcement with Katie. And to celebrate as a family! Especially enjoyed Simcha Fischer's Papamoon article this a.m. Only a fever- as in the baby hasn't thrown up (yet) and this brings me copious amounts of joy. The thought of getting a haircut. Funny how just thinking about it makes me happy. I'm in that post-pregnancy stage of hair loss by the handful. I will be ecstatic to get out of the house and have someone chop it! The sacrament of Reconciliation.

Thinking about: Making a good Lent, worries about sickies, praying more often, loving my family each day to its fullest. And with that, the baby is stirring.

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Wednesday, February 27, 2013

A Vision in Plaid or 50 Shades of Flannel

 
At our belated family Christmas we wanted to get a family photo (my side of the family) while we were gathered at Mom and Dad's.  We thought we'd do everyone dressed in flannel and then realized we'd also be on a plaid couch.  With 7 grandkids ranging from 7 to 2 mos. getting everyone looking good is easier said than done but my sister-in-law had a tripod and and a remote for her camera so it was possible we'd all be in the shot without someone running back and forth.  For your enjoyment...a picture progression.
 
Setting the stage...and catching my best angle.

Checking the camera with my SIL behind it.

Is this thing working?

Surprise!  (Can you tell who's related by their surprise faces?!?!)

Each of the kiddos wanted a chance to press the remote...ha!  There were a few from this set that aren't posted here.

And yes, we did get a keeper! 

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Welcoming a New Year

Best wishes on your 2013!  Here we are saying "Hello New Year! " with cake! My love decided we should celebrate another year of me a day early since work (and school) start again tomorrow.   He's been working all morning in the kitchen on a favorite recipe from America's Test Kitchen, Coconut Cake with Coconut Butter Cream Frosting. My day just got a little sweeter! Yum!  How sweet it is to be loved....





Tuesday, December 11, 2012

At Home Journal vol. 3

Outside my window: Sunny, chilly and still some snow on the ground!

Clothing myself in: Real khaki pants (as apposed to maternity), a navy blue knit t-shirt, everyday wool socks and a flowered scarf.

Around the house:  things are fairly tidy.  There seems a never ending pile of laundry that has come with Erik's arrival.  And for me the tricky part is we get a better deal on electrical in our cooperative before 11 a.m. and after 7 p.m. so I'd like to do all the laundry then...but find myself thinking about it now while the kids nap and I have a moments peace.  I also noticed I have to bring in my planters, now frozen and covered with snow.

The baby: is a darling child and I say that with no sarcasm!  At this point he couldn't be an easier addition to our family.  He has definitely started filling out and you can see it in his legs, cheeks and chins.  He is also staring at me lots when in arms.  I love that curious look!  We had him baptized this past weekend.  Friends of ours agreed to be his godparents and we couldn't be happier- thank you Troy and Rachael.  The baptism itself seemed like a bit of a three ring circus for me, with our kids and their kids but I take comfort in the loving smile of our patient pastor and in that Christ made the sacraments effective.  Welcome to the Church Erik Edward!

The kiddos:  Katie has been all about Advent and the activities we're trying to do as a family this season.  She is still volunteering to hold Erik constantly it seems but I hesitate to go too far when she has him as there is the deep longing to tote him around like a baby doll.  She really enjoyed St. Nicholas Day this year.  And has loved extra time with Gramma in the past weeks.  I think she will be ready for Kindergarten in the fall.  Crazy how big she is getting!  Julia is living up to being two (and a half!) and still adjusting to life with the new baby.  Her tantrums and meltdowns stress me out and her non-stop motion accounts for my lack of energy most nights.  I feel like I need to give her more time but I'm not sure what that looks like at this point.  She is such a funny little girl and I love her dearly...but want to affirm that to her as most of me seems monopolized at the moment.  She is all about Christmas and asks daily if it is today (no concept of time)!  She's been miraculously taking charge of her own potty training.  She'll wear and keep her undies dry until nap time and usually after nap.  We have been struggling at night time though as she takes that opportunity to poop after being laid down for bed (fun!) and ends up leaking out of her diapers by morning sometimes...wondering about pull-ups...we never used them for Katie but she was always dry at night.  Ah, the joys of a mommy journal!  Seems awful similar to my musings from last time!

In the kitchen: we are still enjoying a freezer meal or delivery from friends here and there and I have yet to really delve into cooking much.  Just keeping it simple and pretty hassle free.  Tonight, meatballs and pesto pasta, tomorrow Kurt's aunt is bringing us a meal, Thursday my brother will be coming into town and we may venture out, Friday a kid friendly retirement party, Saturday is up in the air and Sunday we're hoping to Packer Party with some friends!  Ah, life is good!  I am saving up for Christmas time!

Bringing me joy:  countless blessings, time with my parents this past weekend, my brother's upcoming visit, SNOW!

Thinking about: The Christmas pictures my mom and I took the kids to take last week at Sears.  It was not a good experience (though the kids were beyond wonderful and so was my mom!) and now I can't even get the pictures they emailed me a link to to download, grrr.  We'll be going back to Portrait Innovations next year.  A conversation I had with another mom and then talked with Kurt about.  We are sure blessed and I try not to take that for granted. When will we get more snow...can Christmas come any faster?  I am not ready!!!!  And when will I be able to get ready...took comfort in this post.  Should I even attempt a Christmas letter??

Some pictures:
Erik in our family baptismal gown...see the names embroidered 'round the bottom...thanks Gramma Ann!

What are you wearing?  "See in this white garment the outward sign of your Christian dignity..."

Hear the sounds of the circus...my monkey in Dad's arms and elephant on my feet?  Though the godparents look like they're paying attention!

Father Bernie and the three he's now baptized.  I think this picture is the best of the bunch!

Katie wanting to be in a picture.

God bless you little buddy!  (See, she snuck into this picture, too!)

Friday, November 16, 2012

Welcome Baby Erik!

 
He's here!!!  And here are a few pictures from his first day with us.  I know an aunt who wanted to see some more pictures.
 
Erik Edward  11/14/12, 4:52 a.m. 9 lbs. 4.9 oz., 21 1/2 inches long

The family of five!

Big sisters!
 
Proud as can be, Dad and Katie!

My little girl.
Gramma Ann and Erik
Do you see the sticker Julia brought him?  Too, cute!

The girls and Gramma also brought him this outfit.  It went great with the John Deere bedding at the hospital! 

All is well here.  Just taking it easy and getting used to a baby in the house again.  We're adjusting.  He is a sweet thing and is determined not to stay a baby for long.  Lots of eating and sleeping makes you grow!

Friday, October 26, 2012

2012 Kieler Fire Prevention Parade

This year's Kieler Parade was extra special becasue the kids (and Gramma and Grandpa) were in it! They rode in the first fire truck!! And then of course got plenty of candy walking back to where I was sitting. We were so excited to have G&G and the Harris cousins (minus the newborn) for the weekend! 
Here they come!!
Peeking and waving!
We're in here!
The littlest rider

The biggest wavers!

In Grampa's lap, just where she wanted to be.

Suited up!

Daddy drove the truck!!

3 out of 4 looking...it was the best of 6 shots I took!  Note the Packer garb, thanks Uncle John and Diana!

October is Fire Prevention Month! If you haven't replaced your batteries in your smoke detectors or made a plan of where to meet outside if there's a fire in your house do it today! Here are some shots of pictures from previous years- I don't know why I didn't blog about it last year, 2010 2009 2008.

Sunday, July 8, 2012

The Week of the Fourth of July

Along with swimming lessons, this past week was a full one at our home.  Kurt's immediate family (his five siblings and most of their kids) was all here for the air show fireworks over the river on the 3rd along with quite a few other friends who came down to watch in our yard, on our deck and in our house with the a/c on.  We had company from the 2nd until just this morning.  It was a great time for the girls- cousins, cousins, cousins and Kurt and I appreciated all the help in the kitchen, working on the basement, in the garden and with other projects.  Here are a few pictures--wish I'd have taken more but oh well.

Cutting up smoked pork for the fireworks party! Yum!

Corn on the cob!!

Playing with cousins!!

Waiting for the fireworks- Julia asked to go to bed shortly after this picture.

Daddy's little baker

Homemade pretzels!

Playing with water balloons and swimming in the stock tank pool.
This week we'll wrap up swimming lessons (so far she's only had one day we went where it wasn't 90 degrees already at 9 a.m.) and work on processing some foods from the garden.  I've already got some peppers in the freezer (waiting for the tomatoes to ripen for salsa) and one batch of green beans to freeze.  Sounds like we'll be processing corn and some potatoes before the week is out for sure.  I'll have to get a picture of all the work Kurt and his brothers did in the basement this weekend! WOW!  And I've also got baby pictures to post from this week as I had an ultrasound and OB appointment, too. 

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Take Me Out to the Ball Game!

Take me out to the ball game...

Take me out to the park...

Buy me some peanuts...

And Cracker Jacks...

I don't care if I ever get back...

'Cause its root, root, root for the home team (or Brewers)...

A rain delay is a shame...

For its one!
Two!

Three strikes you're out...

At the 'ol ball game!  Play ball!