Lots of Changes

This week we are experiencing a lot of changes. Last Saturday we started to "Ferberize" you. It is better known as sleep training by Dr. Ferber, but essentially we are weaning you off of your nighttime feeding in hopes of you finally sleeping through the night. I have experienced success and epic failures this week in trying this, but I remain persistent as I want US to sleep. Some nights it finally seems like we are making progress, then others...not so much.

The second big change happened yesterfay. We are set up to do cloth diapers until you start to use the toilet. For a mere $200 you are officially off the [diaper] grid. It seems every week your Dad and I are trying to find more ways to be economical but more importantly more environmentally sound in our decision making. We are still trying to find an effective way to recycle (BASIC!) in Colorado Springs as it is not handled through the city but through private businesses, as all trash pick up is.

The third big change has yet to be made official, but it's monumental for me. Since I haven't notified those I need to yet, I will not post the big news here today, but soon. If you are on the edge of your seat, feel free to email me. :)

July is almost over, and this weekend we will be with JD, Stacey and Owen swimming in their pool and welcoming August with a probable rainy day.

Summertime Firsts

Anna, you generally like thunderstorms. I like this about you. I am a big fan of them and love cuddling with you during them. Today you held your bottle all by yourself. It was amazing to watch you feed yourself. You've played with the bottle for a week or so now and holding it for a few seconds, but today was nearly the entire bottle.

Yesterday we restarted you on whole foods. We had blueberries and bananas, which you seemed to enjoy. It was the first time I was able to feed you with a spoon without a fuss! No crying, no screaming, no spitting it all over the place. It was so enjoyable! I was instructed by your doctor to feed you solids three times a day now. I am enjoying making your food for you, that I am even thinking of doing it as a side business, though as I look into it, seems a little cost prohibitive at this exact moment.

You are so close to rolling over too, I can't wait to watch you do it over and over again. Ah, soon enough.

Yesterday was your 4 month check-up and you are slightly above average in height and head circumference (but proportionally so), and average weight. You are a tall skinny thing. Aside from feeding you fresh foods, you are developing at or above average in abilities. Of course, that made me happy to hear. I am hoping we can continue this trend as I've recently learned that parenthood can be a full-contact sport. While I refuse to be one of those parents who pushes their kids into unhappiness, I will push you to achieve to the best of YOUR ability.

WIMN Part Three

We arrived at the cottage and decided to stay in the brown cottage. Aside from being possibly haunted to just being a little old and someone playing a practical joke (jury is still out for me) it hadn't been used in a few years. Susan, Liz and I gave it some elbow grease and cleaned it up so Jon and I could sleep in it with Anna. It had a great view of the lake from the bed and was such a sight every morning. Friday night we gathered up Great-Grandpa & Great-Grandma Schroeder, Grandma Watkins, Aunt Liz, Great-Great Aunt Eunice & Great-Great Uncle Virgil for a fish fry at the Waupaca Country Club. It was very tasty.

Saturday most everyone else arrived late Friday or mid-day Saturday. I found myself floating in the lake for most of the day with a sunburn to prove it. It was very relaxing and it finally felt like I had it the vacation sweet spot. (Only took me a week to get there!) We went and watched a waterski show that night and the success rate was about 50/50, but the ones that did do it were neat.

Sunday was a cloudy day, thankfully, and we were able to spend some really nice quality family time together in the morning and into the early afternoon. Some people seemed upset, but the family time was so great. I sat down with Mary (Great-Grandma) and learned about the history of the property around the lake. It was fascinating and made me more intrigued about scooping up a piece of property for our family to enjoy year-round. I guess we'll see about that though. Rain came in around 7:30, but that didn't stop the fireworks. I stayed behind with Anna because it was going to be way too loud for her little ears. Jon went ahead and took some people in our car. I'm told Issac and Jake were crawling back and forth between the back seat and the trunk. It sounded like fun, but I had a nice time reading a book and listening to the rain.

Monday we left the cottage around 10am to make our trip back to Colorado. This was the end of the vacation and it was a very long travel day. We were home around 10:30pm.

WIMN Part Two

Great-Great-Grandma, Dad, Anna and myself



Jon picked up the rental car Monday morning and we drove to Wisconsin. My parents were very excited to see us and Grandma scooped Anna up right away.

Grandpa & Anna looking at Cloverleaf Lake.

Tuesday the five of us drove around to see Great-Great-Grandma, Great-Grandpa Sanderfoot, then Great-Grandma Sanderfoot. We stopped for lunch at Great-Uncle David's restaurant/bar and continued the visiting tour to see Great-Grandma Mackowiak. That night Dad, Jon, myself, Carl & Nikki went to a Timber Rattlers game while Mom stayed home and had Anna all to herself. Anna went down a bit early that night so Mom found herself with some free time.

Wednesday Jon, Mom, Anna and I went to Green Bay and found Mom a dress for Carl's wedding. We grilled out some yummy kabobs for dinner and Mom, Anna and I went to Sarah's salon so I could treat myself to a good haircut. Much needed, and glad I had Mom there to watch Anna since she wasn't having a good time to say the least.

Thursday Mom had to go to work, but Dad and I mostly worked to set up for the party in between taking turns with Anna while Jon took some personal time and got a coffee. That night we had all kinds of folks over anxious to meet Anna. The food was great (Thank you Carl!) and it was so nice to see so many family that I haven't seen in so long. I'm already looking forward to Carl & Nikki's wedding so I can see everyone again.

Friday morning we left and here is where part three begins.

Summer Trip 2010 part 1

Part one of our WIMN trip started in Minneapolis visiting Ben and Linnea. We flew in Friday, June 25th in the morning and had quite an adventure. After landing, we rode the light rail to downtown. We went to Target to get Anna's supplies and while there she had a big mess that Jon had to deal with. She destroyed her outfit and since I had her spare clothes, Jon just put a new diaper (her last one until I made my purchase) on then threw a blanket over her. She streaked Target and Nicollet Mall. We checked into the Hyatt which left a little to be desired, but the location was good.

That day we walked Nicollet Mall, had lunch at Brit's Pub, met up with Ben, and walked over to the new Target Field-Twins Stadium. That night he and Linnea watched Anna for us while we went out to dinner at the Oceanaire to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary. It was a great meal and a great time to spend with Jon alone. We went to the Foshay Tower for drinks at Prohibition and had the beginning of a mid-life crisis. I learned I was becoming too old to enjoy certain things.

Saturday we hung out at Ben and Linnea's while Ben whipped up a tasty quiche. Later that day as the humidity was rising, we went to Ian and Hannah's house for a cookout along with Phil and Cecillia. It was a great time! The games, food and company were amazing.

Sunday we went for a walk around a lake, grabbed some food afterwards, took a nap then met up for dinner out with Hannah and a walk across the Stone Bridge. We ended up in the Amber Room (pictured above) inside the theater.

Jon picked up the rental car the next morning and we headed to Wisconsin which is where part two begins.

Father's Day

For Jon's first Father's Day we went to his favorite breakfast spot, Bruegger's Bagels. It was a very hot day that day and quickly grew hot in the morning. We did not do much in terms of being out and about in part of the heat and in part of an upcoming trip to MN & WI. We grilled out for dinner and just enjoyed each other's company. Anna gave Jon a card, a picture frame with their photo in it and a gift card to a local homebrew shop.

The Stevens Family Visit

Ben & Linnea at Garden of the Gods during a small break from the rain.


Photo of Popsie with Anna and Dennis in the background looking on.

Ben, Linnea, Patrick and Dennis were here from Friday, June 11th through the 14th. Dennis and Patrick left in the morning to start their way back to Houston. Popsie was having some difficulties at this elevation and the cold, wet weather.

Saturday B,L,J,A and I went to Garden of the Gods and Manitou Springs. Later that day Dennis joined us and we headed downtown for a latte walk.

Sunday we hiked around by the garden and the peace garden in Bear Creek Park. That evening the whole group went out to Front Range BBQ for some bluegrass and BBQ.

Ben, Linnea, Jon, Anna and myself went to Boulder Monday morning hoping to do a tour at Celestial Seasonings (couldn't because Anna was too young/loud factory), but walked around Pearl Street and had a tasty lunch at the Rio Grande. Later we went to the Denver REI and sat out on the patio to enjoy the one sunny day of their trip. After that we parted ways as they headed to the airport and us back home to start pulling ourselves back together to start our week.