Adventure Gal

Change your RSS feed!

2010-02-01T08:33:00.001-06:00

Just a reminder that I'm moving on to greener pastures at www.adventure-mama.com. Don't forget to update your bookmarks, RSS feed, etc.! The new site also has an email subscription option if you please. :) I'd had to lose track of you... I'm quite fond of my readers.

BIG NEWS!!!

2010-01-26T19:39:00.003-06:00

I have some big news.

Really big news.

Did your heart skip a beat because you thought Drew was going to be a big brother? Yes?! That's because I'm toying with your emotions.

We are not having another baby.

I HAVE, however, moved the blog! If you would like to read Drew's 10-month post and all future adventures, please visit me at www.adventure-mama.com.

The new site has some new features and a clean and spiffy design. So I BEG you to update your links so that we can still be friends. Electronically speaking.

www.adventure-mama.com!

Love,

Kels

T-Day in Photos

2010-01-21T19:30:00.002-06:00

May I present to you the story of Drew's tubes surgery in photos? Yes? Okay, awesome.

Arriving at Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, a little groggy.

Changed into the hospital jammies (koala bears on rockets--sweet!) and flirting with the nurses (Drew, not Andy!).

Mid-cough:

Lunging at Mommy. He flings his whole self at whatever he likes these days.

"Uh, Mom?!? Don't move a muscle. There is something GREEN on my arm and I'm not so sure about it!"

Towards the start of the surgery, having gone a loooong time without food or water, and also having missed a nap. Kinda fussy here:

We didn't stage this--he really pulls on his ears all the time.

Post-surgery, now allowed to have clear liquids. He was pretty loopy here, and we could still smell the gas on his breath from when he was put under.

Needing a little TLC:

Drewper

2010-01-20T13:15:00.003-06:00

That's a play on words: Drew + Trooper. :)

The little guy did GREAT with his surgery this morning and we were so proud of how he coped with the hunger, the pain, and the strange surroundings. In the face of all the discomforts he's experienced over the last nine and a half months, he's got loads of strength, character, and charm. We seriously should have started tallying the number of people who'd comment on his cute smile or beautiful blue eyes.

The doc said his ears were in pretty bad shape, reaffirming our decision to go with the tubes. His nurse also said we can expect him to be startled by loud noises since he's never heard this well before! We go back for another hearing test and a check-up next week.

I'll part with another little video:

Like Father, Like Son

2010-01-19T19:06:00.005-06:00

What a bright-eyed little sweetheart!

The photo above shows Andy as a little boy at the hospital to have tubes put in his ears (just one of the ten times he had this procedure done). Tomorrow morning, it's Drew's turn. As Andy puts it, Drewsie is initiated into the family as of tomorrow!

Recently I've learned of several people in our life who are dealing with medical challenges far greater than Drew's chronic ear infections or reflux. We are so grateful for all the blessings we have, and we are confident that things will go well with Drew's surgery tomorrow. Keep us in your thoughts, and we'll let you know how it goes!

Love,

Adventure Mama

Lightning Updates

2010-01-18T20:47:00.003-06:00

1. Today is Andy's birthday, so I'm limiting myself to a few minutes on the computer.

2. I made him Chicken Piccata (Barefoot Contessa recipe) for dinner and it was delicious.

3. Drew is having tubes put in on Wednesday, provided that his cold isn't too severe to proceed.

4. We are ALL suffering from pretty horrible colds right now. We can't even hear straight, which leads to a lot of "wha? huh?!" conversations.

5. My mom and sister helped me paint the guest bedroom today... "Lion" by Behr. It's a taupey-green, and I like it a lot.

6. Drew is amazing and I'm so happy to be his mama.

7. Drew learned how to answer yes or no questions with a nod. He does both "yes" and "no," but I realize he doesn't actually comprehend his answer and he also finds "yes" more difficult so he doesn't do it as frequently. Also, please forgive the fact that I seem to be channeling Howie Mandel in the following video:

Signs that your baby is on a sleep strike:

2010-01-15T06:38:00.003-06:00

1. You post a "Wordless Wednesday" post on a Thursday and don't realize what you've done until Friday.

2. You put your nightgown on backwards and only realize it 20 minutes later.

3. Your child cried so long and hard the night before that he is now hoarse and squeaky.

Wordless Wednesday- Frosty Photos

2010-01-14T20:37:00.003-06:00

Okay, I'm allowing myself 5 words:

1. I

2. love

3. my

4. husband's

5. photos!

Bedtime Battles

2010-01-12T20:10:00.000-06:00

If you are currently pregnant or considering reproduction, please proceed with caution. Why? Because I'm not pulling any punches as I describe the bedtime battles we're currently engaging in. And I'd hate to be responsible for your decision to hold off on growing your family. Babies are beautiful. Drew means the world to us. But MAN, they can drive you batty sometimes!

For months, Drew has been a dream when it comes to bedtime. Sometime between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m., we’d notice his eyes were a little droopy. He would rub them with his chubby little fists or fuss a little bit and we quickly scoop him up and head for the nursery. Footie pajamas, a story, and a song later, we would lay him in bed “drowsy but awake” and he would fall asleep within moments. On occasion, he’d cry. We’d let him “cry it out” and after about ten minutes, he soothed himself to sleep.

I thought that these peaceful bedtime routines were reward for the fact that he didn’t sleep through the night until he was 7.5 months old. (That’s months, people, NOT weeks.) I must be wrong, though, because this routine is suddenly a hazy memory and now we have BATTLES at bedtime.

Drew is no longer "crying it out." Crying it out is not the right phrase. They should call it screaming it out until he nearly vomits. Or thrashing it out. Or grunting it out followed by holding his breath until he's magenta. This is NOT crying.

Earlier bedtime doesn't help.

Later bedtime doesn't help.

Rocking him until he's drowsy doesn't help.

The nuk doesn't help.

White noise doesn't help.

"Rock-a-baby" lullabies to the tune of the Eagles' "Peaceful Easy Feeling" give him apparently violent, difficult feelings.

Nursing doesn't help.

A bottle doesn't help.

The loveys* don't help.

I am truly at a loss at how to handle these nighttime meltdowns, which first surfaced about a week ago. First of all, I am pretty certain that Drew is putting on an incredibly dramatic show to bring us back into his room. When we go in, he shudders his breath a few times but can switch almost instantly from full blown tantrum to smiling, chatty baby. At which point I mutter, "Dang NAB it! [Note the new G-rated expressions we use these days.] He pulled it off again!"

But crying it out isn't really working either. I know this sounds heartless, but I've let him go 70 minutes and there is no self-soothing going on. It is gut-wrenching, no-holds-barred screaming. As veterans of the reflux battlefields and soldiers in the fight against ear infections, we are not strangers to crying. But like I said, this isn't really crying. This is more.

GAH! What am I supposed to do? Let him train us into his puppets? Or, let him push the limits of the definition of "tantrum"?

So I guess we just take it night by night. Now that the holidays and vacation are over, and Drew is settling in to his new school, every day is a new opportunity to refine and repeat our routine.

Onward, bedtime soldiers!

-Adventure Mama (How's THAT for a hybrid name?!)

*To those who haven't heard the phrase "lovey" used, it is the newish, all-encompassing term for blankies, stuffed animals, or whatever soft cuddly thing brings your baby joy.

One of THOSE mornings!

2010-01-12T08:24:00.002-06:00

My sister posted on Facebook the other day that she was having one of THOSE mornings... when you put facewash in your hair, etc.

Today I'm having one of THOSE mornings, too.

I tried putting two pairs of underwear on today, one over the other.

I also dropped off Drew at school, interacting with several of his teachers and some of my colleagues all the while, only to realize in the car that I had a big smear of raspberry jam on my cheek.

It's probably a good thing that Drew is at school and Scout is at home; I don't think it would be good to put me in charge of other creatures today!

A lot can happen in ten years!

2010-01-11T12:54:00.000-06:00

Baby Names and "Mashups"

2010-01-09T20:03:00.004-06:00

For me, coming up with a name for little (now big!) Drew Isaiah was one of the most fun parts of being pregnant. Soon after finding out that we were expecting, Andy and I each jotted down a list of 10-15 names we liked. We were pleasantly surprised to see a lot of commonalities! And while we could happily name several more children, Drew seems intent on putting us through the ringer on every baby-related challenge and ailment. I think he wants us all to himself!

If you're remotely curious, you can read more about why we chose Drew here. It mostly has to do with Andy's full name, Andrew. I've had several people comment that they didn't make the connection between Andy's name and Drew's name, and I kind of like it that way. The meaning and the bond is there, but the confusion is not.

There's a game going around Facebook right now where you find out how popular your name was at the time of your birth and then the application "grades" your parents on how unique they were. Here's the information on my name for 1982:

Kelsey's parents get a B- for originality.

Ranking:

'Kelsey' was the 309th most popular girl's name in her birth year.

Rarity:

32% of girls had rarer names that year. (Grade: B-)

Peak year:

'Kelsey' peaked in popularity in 1992.

Current rank:

'Kelsey' is currently the 195th most popular girl's name.

Current name:

Kelsey's parents might name her 'Miriam' today (current #309).

As my sister commented on Facebook, I think that's a pretty tough grading scale! I think my name is just the right level of popularity. In fact, "Kelsey" wasn't even in the girl section of the baby name book at the time that my mom found it!

My favorite Web site that we used when researching baby names was Name Voyager. The creator of that Web site recently posted the "Name of the Year" for 2009 along with two runners up. These weren't the most popular names or the coolest, but rather names that seemed to define the year:

3. Falcon, after the Balloon Boy

2. Taylor, after the rise to super stardom for both (female) country singer Taylor Swift and ( male) actor Taylor Lautner, who then went on to date each other.

1. Okay, wait. I have to put in a little SPOILER warning here because I'm kind of ticked off right now. I have only read the first Twilight book and I intend to read the rest of the series someday soon. And the description of the name of the year SPOILED a major plot point for me. Like I said, I'm annoyed.

Okay, so if you haven't finished the Twilight series and you plan to, do NOT scroll further down!

Renesmee. Here is an excerpt from the article:

"Yes, it's another Twilight name, which makes for a potent and timely launching pad. But the impact of Renesmee goes far beyond vampires. This name is the spark that lit a long-building cultural bonfire to usher in the Age of the Mashup Baby Name.

"For those who have skipped the whole Twilight phenomenon, Renesmee is the child of the series' two young heroes, and thus half human and half vampire. Most importantly for our purposes she is named after her two grandmothers, Renée and Esme. (Her middle name, Carlie, comes from grandpas Carlisle and Charlie.)

"Renesmee, introduced at the end of 2008, brought a new name to our language. Real-life Renesmee sightings are increasing all the time. More importantly, though, it broke down the barriers between celebrity mashups and baby names. As a BabyNameWizard.com reader wrote, 'I do know of several people that copied the idea and gave their children first or middle names that are mash-ups of the grandparents' names.'"

Regardless what you think of the name or of the Twilight series, a “mashup” kind of an interested concept!

If I had a daughter and combined her grandmothers' names, the mashup would be Andra. (Andrea + Barbara yielded much better results than Barbara + Andrea.) If we did a boy mashup of the grandpas, it would be Bames or Jarry. Blech.

So what would your mashup be?! Do tell!

[For the record, this is JUST for fun!]

I'm HOW big?

2010-01-07T21:08:00.003-06:00

Nine-month stats- Chunky Monkey!

Weight: 20 pounds, 7 ounces, 75-90th percentile. (This represents a hefty seven-ounce gain since his visit to the pediatrician just two weeks ago on Christmas Eve. That's a crazy rate!)

Height: 27.75 inches, 25-50th percentile. Andy is beginning to theorize that Drew inherited my height. Dang it!

Head: 18.5 inches, 75-90th percentile. Make room for brains! :)

For comparison:

Six months (I forgot to come up with a cute rhyme that time.)

Weight: 18 pounds, 13 ounces, 50-75th percentile.

Height: 26 inches, 25-50th percentile.

Head: 17.75 inches, 80-90th percentile.

Four months (Joe Schmoe)
Weight: 15 lb, 14 oz, 62nd percentile
Height: 25.5 inches, 63rd percentile
Head: 17 inches, 68th percentile

Two months (Rolly Polly Olie)
Weight: 12 lb, 12 oz., 72nd percentile
Height: 22.5 inches, 28th percentile
Head: 15.9 inches, 56th percentile

Open Letter

2010-01-06T10:29:00.001-06:00

My name is Kelsey, and I have a complex.

The name of my blog is Adventure Gal, and this is the source of my complex.

In early 2008, I carved out this tiny, dusty corner of the blogosphere so I could share our adventures in Europe, on the hiking trail, and in our high-character Minneapolis neighborhood.

In the blink of an eye, I became a suburban mother. Woah!

Don’t get me wrong—I am blissfully happy and I cannot imagine my life any other way. We have worked hard to get to this place in our careers, to lay our heads in a good home with good schools with a good yard. We desired Drew more than anything in the world, and that was before we could even fathom how awesome and fulfilling parenting can be.

My complex is not about where I’ve ended up in life.

My complex is about the name Adventure Gal.

You see, I’m not going to Europe again any time soon. And while we love camping, we only got a few puny trips in this past summer. (Ugh, reflux. Ugh, colic. Ugh, Andy’s job. Ugh, moving.)

So I worry (a little too much probably) that people think I’m ridiculous for thinking that I’m adventurous.

So I just want to put it out there—

I know I’m boring.

But I’m willing to bet that if you’re reading this, you don’t care. :)

Love,

Predictable Gal

Miss Maeve, Story Time, Chunky, and Funny Faces

2010-01-05T19:17:00.004-06:00

Yep, I have lots to share in this post, with just a few days' worth of content!

Miss Maeve

At long last, we got to meet the most lovely young lady I have ever known. Her name is Maeve Ann and at six weeks old (adjusted age somewhere around negative three weeks!), she is about six pounds. It is astounding to see how little SIX pounds is, so it blows my mind that she started at THREE and change. She has beautiful, radiant skin, dark hair, and dainty little hands.

Maeve knew her main job, which was to spend her evening snoozing and eating, so we didn't get lots of photos or cuddle time. In fact, this is the only photo we have, which features a diaper change. Just consider me a photojournalist here. I'm sparing no detail from real life with an infant! :)

p.s. Maeve's Daddy, Robby, knit the hedgehog on the back of the couch! You can see that Drew approves.

We tried to pose for a photo with the crib bumper that I made for Maeve, and Drew decided to demonstrate for Mary what babies like to do with their hands. They check your teeth!

Story Time

That "Farm Fun" book looks like a literary masterpiece. A must-read. I think I'll read it.

Dad is over there scratching the furry one. I'll just wait and see if he reads my mind.

It worked! I got his attention away from the furry one. We get to read "Farm Fun!"

Why is the chicken doing a ventriloquist act? That's dumb.

I have some questions about the content. Maybe you could read it out-loud to me.

Much better. Thanks, Daddy.

This is nice.

Chunky

I don't think I really need to explain this section!

Funny Faces

I loooooooooove love love love love this little boy. He's so likeable! And funny. And sweet. And cute.

Four Years Ago

2010-01-01T13:15:00.004-06:00

Four years ago today, we were here:

And we danced the night away:

And then splashed in the New Year in the Caribbean:

I can still feel his warm face against mine. THIS was cloud nine:

Life just gets better and better. And with such a beautiful beginning, that is an amazing thing!

Best wishes for a laughter- and sunshine-filled New Year. :)

Side-by-Side, Month 9

2009-12-29T20:13:00.005-06:00

Dear Drew - Nine Months

2009-12-29T19:56:00.004-06:00

Dear Drew,

Now you are NINE months old! It has been such a joy to watch your personality develop and to observe as you learn new things and make new connections on a daily basis. It just so happens that right now, you are in the middle of a grand-scale temper tantrum. Haha! One thing is for sure: you are a 20-pound, adorable, intelligent, flirtatious, HANDFUL. :) We love you so much and your quirky expressions rock our world!

Ears
I think your ears have earned a place as a whole category in our monthly letters! Despite every-other-day visits to the chiropractor and several rounds of antibiotics, you continue to struggle with ear infections that keep you awake and in pain for entire nights at a time. Last week we visited an ENT (Ear Nose and Throat) specialist and you will be getting tubes placed in your ears on January 20. Daddy jokes that this is the day you will officially become a member of the family! (Daddy had 10 sets of tubes as a child, and Uncle Jeff had even more!) The procedure is a pretty quick one, and we hope that it keeps you in good health for a long, long time.

Graduation
A few weeks ago, we received a very exciting letter from your teachers to say that you had graduated to the next room, the Butterfly Garden. For the last couple of weeks you have been splitting your time between the two classrooms. While we were sad to say goodbye to Ms. Heather, Ms. Audrey, and Ms. Felicia as your teachers, we know that it will be good for you to spend time with your buddies who crawl and walk. However, this transition will be a little short-lived because on January 11th you will be starting a new school altogether! Soon after we got your graduation letter, we got the great news that a space opened up at the child care center at the University of Minnesota, where Mommy works.

The Littlest Gopher

Your new school at the U of M is a truly wonderful place, known for its stellar, highly educated teachers, low child-to-teacher ratios (3:1), excellent chef-prepared food, and homey environment. The playground is a very natural place with trees, grass, dirt, bugs, and all kinds of things that we know will instill in you an appreciation for the outdoors. Most of all, we are excited that this new school will allow us to spend more time with you, which is an incredibly precious commodity.

Christmas!

Your first Christmas was par for the course this winter, which I have dubbed the Germiest Winter on Record. We wound up at the pediatrician on Christmas Eve while you battled a 103-degree fever that turned about to be from a virus. After some meds and a three-and-a-half hour nap, you rallied enough to spend Christmas Eve with your Anderson family.

We expected you to be more interested in the wrapping paper and boxes, but you surprised us by going nuts over your new toys! You especially favored the tee-ball set from Auntie Amy and the Minnesota football from Auntie Annika; we think you have inherited your Daddy's love of sports.

On Christmas morning, we sat by the fire and celebrated just the four of us (Daddy, Mommy, you, and Scout). Santa got you a few trinkets for your stocking: books and a bib. Mommy and Daddy got you One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss, a sock monkey sweater and doll, a squishy green ball, and a special ornament for the tree. You got us a present, too! You brought home an ornament from school that has your face in a clear bulb, resting in some fluffy snow. It is already hung in a place of honor on the tree!

We also started a fun Christmas tradition: you made your first donation to charity. Since you're not old enough to pick one out on your own, Mommy and Daddy helped this time and you gave a gift to the March of Dimes.

On Christmas night, we spent time with the Q. family and you especially loved the marble chute from your Grandma and Grandpa. You really understand how it works, placing the jingly balls in the top of the chute and watching them fall down.

What You Look Like

In the blink of an eye, you have transitioned to a child who looks more like a toddler than an infant!

Your face has lengthened a bit, making your chin and cheeks are more defined and very handsome.

Your blue eyes continue to charm all the ladies we meet, both young and old.

Your hair is starting to come in longer over your ears so we may be plotting a little trim in your future!

What You Do

You are a busy little guy who likes to tip the toy box over into your lap and sort through all the treasures inside.
You can clap, wave, and play patty-cake.
You feed yourself with lots of precision, picking up Cheerios or puffs between your thumb and forefinger and putting them squarely into your mouth, at which point you chew and swallow.

You can pick up your nuk from the floor (or beside you in your crib) and put it in your mouth right-side-up. This makes you a contented little man!
You like to roll balls away, but you get frustrated when they are gone. You can scooch or pivot towards lost toys, but you aren't crawling quite yet.
When we hold your hands, you pull yourself to standing. You are a very strong and steady stander.

Adventures We Have Had

In addition to the big one--your first Christmas--you have experienced lots of fun things this month.

You learned how family Christmas photos can be intense and wonderful at the same time!
You embarked on your first one-horse open sleigh ride! Jingle bells, jingle bells... (You can't actually tell from the photo, but we were being pulled by a horse here!)

Drew, you are a sweet baby and we are so proud of all that you have learned this month. You continue to challenge Mommy and Daddy every day. You put on a brave face when you are feeling sick, which is far too often. You love when we sing to you. I live for the moments when you decide to take it easy, nuzzling your head into my neck and relaxing your body into my arms. Your belly laughs are heaven.

We are utterly in love with the person that you are becoming and we can't wait to see what month 10 holds in store for our family.

We love you forever,

Mommy and Daddy

Drew's First Noel

2009-12-28T09:12:00.000-06:00

I'll begin with a promise that every paragraph in this post features a beautiful silver lining. I also promise that if you make it to the bottom of the post, there is a video full of amazing Christmas memories. It's a little long, but I make no apologies--after all, this was Drew Isaiah's first Christmas ever! :::It's the most wonderful season of all...:::

It snowed a lot this Christmas, and it was absolutely stunning. I loved watching the neighborhood kids build forts and snowmen and go sledding. And despite the sometimes impassable or slippery roads, our cars are ding-free and did NOT go in any ditches!

Christmas Eve morning began pretty dramatically with Scout injuring himself when he jumped off our bed. He landed with his back legs stuck in the center splits: an absolutely sickening angle to see, and his expression was just heartbreaking. But we are lucky because Andy's AMAZING, GENEROUS parents and brother came to help shovel us out of the 20-inch blanket of snow that had us stuck in the neighborhood. It took an hour to get out of our street, but Andy still got Scout to the animal hospital and our dear puppy doesn't have any dislocations or breaks or tears--thank you, God! Scout seems to be recovering quickly with the help of pain medications, long naps, and no stairs.

On that same awful morning, Drew woke up with a 103-degree fever, a worsening cough, and was acting very lethargic. The main thing that scared us was that he was already two days into a very strong antibiotic and shouldn't be worsening. Thankfully, we were able to get him an appointment with a great pediatrician even on Christmas Eve day. Andy's mom drove with us to the appointment (winter boots on and a shovel in the trunk!), where Drew was cleared for pneumonia and RSV. He had a virus which, on top of his ear infection, was making him feel pretty awful but there was no danger. Thank you again, God!

Our Christmas trip to Mountain Lake, Minn., to visit Andy's grandparents was cancelled due to the road conditions. We only see them every-other-year at Christmas, so we were disappointed to miss out. However, this did allow us to spend a cozy, laughter-filled Christmas night with Andy's parents and brother, and we had an incredible meal of prime rib, cheesy mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus, and green bean casserole. Yummy!

Unfortunately, we didn't make it to church this year for Christmas Eve services. I was so disappointed because I adore listening to the Christmas story, and the choir always gives me chills when they sing Christmas carols. I also enjoy watching the families dressed in their Christmas best, snuggling in the pew next to grandmas and grandpas, aunts and uncles. Since Drew had a virus I felt we should let him rest and also spare the crowds from his germs. On the plus side, this gives us more firsts to look forward to at Christmas next year!

The Story of a Baby Girl...

2009-12-27T13:19:00.002-06:00

I'm working on a Christmas post and Drew's nine month post (how did time pass so quickly?), but in the mean time go read Jenny's story at the Little Green Notebook! Her daughter was born on Christmas Eve and it is a pretty amazing story!

Poor, Pitiful Drew!

2009-12-22T11:07:00.003-06:00

Drewsie is home from school today with a fever, a terrible cough, and what is probably another ear infection. The poor guy seems really out of it. He woke up at 6:30 today and by 7:30 he went down for a three-hour nap. When he IS awake, he is whining constantly.

He wants me to know that he's sad, but he can't help but smile as he plays. It's hard to describe, so here is yet another video. :)

Full disclosure: I joined Drew for most of his nap. Mama has a sinus infection and feels like whining, too!

Fa la la la la...

2009-12-20T09:25:00.003-06:00

I'm going to attempt to make smor kringler today. Smor kringler are my absolute FAVORITE Christmas cookie... a very simple Swedish recipe that my Grandma Phyllis taught me when I was a little girl.

If Drew cooperates with these plans, I'll post a recipe and photos!

When pajama day goes wrong.

2009-12-18T18:40:00.009-06:00

Thursday at Drew's school was the much-anticipted pajama day, a monthly celebration of adorable sleepers, slippers and the like. Because I am jealous of Drew's pajama day, I put a lot of thought into his jammie selection, carefully sorting through several sets to select an adorable blue-and-white striped Hannah Anderson sleeper for the occasion.

So you can imagine Andy's surprise when he walked through the door to pick up Drew from school and saw him dressed in these:

GIRL jeans!

Apparently one of his classmates threw up on the floor next to Drew, and before the teachers could clear the area, Drew rolled through it. Since only one day had passed since Drew had a blowout requiring the use of his back-up clothes, I hadn't refilled his cubby. His teachers raided the classroom's spare clothes and could only come up with the butterfly jeans.

I have to admit I didn't feel bad for Drew one bit. It was too funny!

Speaking of funny, here are a few funny photos we've snapped over the last couple of days. Enjoy!

Caught red handed:

Also, this isn't a new hairstyle. He got food in his hair and adopted a Something About Mary look for the remainder of that day!

Proof that he's not cute in every photo! Yikes!

Proof that I'm not cute in every photo, either. Haha! I typically don't post the bad ones online, but it's only fair after I posted the above photo of Drewsie!!

All kidding aside, Drew is beautiful! Just a gorgeous baby and I am so lucky to look at that mug every morning and every night. So let's end on a CUTE photo. I love this wide-eyed look with the cheerio stuck on his chin. I just want to pinch those cheeks!

I'll stop making videos

2009-12-15T20:11:00.003-06:00

when Drew stops being SO DAMN CUTE!

I watch these videos when I'm at work and missing my darling baby boy. They have really helped me get through some tough days recently--whenever I'm going 100 miles a minute and I need to take a moment to breathe, or whenever someone or something is frustrating me and I need a reminder that life is sooooo good.

By the way, Drewsie is moving on up in the world! He is transitioning classrooms this week into the Butterfly Garden, which is the mobile infant room.

Those of you who know Drew personally are laughing right now because Drew is NOT mobile. However, he's thriving in every other way and we're hoping that hanging out with the swarming babies who crawl and toddle will motivate our chunky monkey!

Priceless!

2009-12-10T19:53:00.004-06:00

When it's your first Christmas, there are lots of new experiences that are really weird--experiences that require explanation.

So how do you explain to an eight-month-old that the man with the funny beard and red suit is a "nice stranger," especially when he keeps saying "What a beautiful little girl!"

[Side note: I had to laugh at that one--if the generally boyish outfit featuring a truck isn't a clear clue to you, then stick with the gender-neutral, "What a beautiful little baby!"]

Here's a quick rundown of my favorite things about this photo, which I seriously LOVE. It makes me laugh!

4. Fast and free: We did not have to pay for it or wait in line at the mall. This was taken at a client appreciation party thrown by our awesome realtor, Allison VanSlooten.

3. Antlers: Do you have an accessory in your closet that you just LOVE, and when you bought it you were afraid you wouldn't get much use out of it? Well, you wouldn't believe how many excuses I've found for Drew to wear his antlers!

2. The eyes: I can see the look of anxiety in Drew's eyes. Can you?

1. Creepy elf: And the NUMBER-ONE thing I love about this photo? It's perhaps the reason that Drew looked so nervous. There is a maniacal elf with a SAW looking at our son from from under the tree. He appears to be bouncing the saw in his hand, just warming up for the attack! EEEK!

Merry Christmas!

Wordless Wednesday- Movie Day!

2009-12-09T21:51:00.000-06:00

Dyson giveaway.

2009-12-07T18:26:00.000-06:00

I do an AWESOME impression of the Dyson guy. Really. It puts people in stitches.

"Other vacuums get hopelessly clogged. My vacuum never loses suction. I'm British! I design vacuums!" (Picture me with my lips pursed and a shrill, horrible accent.)

But I get this funny sense that they're laughing AT me and not with me.

Anyway, I'm posting this because Jill at Baby Rabies is giving away a Dyson vacuum and you can enter your name in by leaving a comment on her blog. (AND, I can enter twice if I blog about it. And I really want a vacuum that doesn't get hopelessly clogged. So here you go.)

I can't keep up!

2009-12-06T19:52:00.000-06:00

Drew is learning new tricks so quickly these days! I find myself constantly declaring, "I have to blog about this one!" and then suddenly my head hits the pillow and another day has passed without an update.

This update does NOT include the news that Drew is crawling. I'm beginning to be convinced that all the cool kids--like Drew and his friend Lydia--skip this step altogether.

Pelvic Thrust Inchworm: (Do I have your attention now?)

In lieu of crawling, Drew's only method for getting from point A to point B is a method all his own. He lays on his back and thrusts his pelvis into the air repeatedly, pushing back with his feet each time. The result is an inchworm crawl on his back. It's funny and mostly ineffective, but if he works hard at it he can scooch far enough to reach a toy. (Or far enough backward in his crib to ram his head into the bars repeatedly, screaming all the while!) Drew also likes to sit on the floor and pivot in complete circles.

Hut Hut Hike!

Also, we've discovered that Drew loves football. We didn't push it at all--there was just a football in the living room that Andy and his brother had tossed around on Thanksgiving. As I was setting Drew on the floor nearby, he totally lunged at the football with all his might and thus began his obsession with the ball. I think he'd mainly like to pick the laces off of it.

Dance Dance Drew-volution (grooooooan)

Drew's other milestone has been a true joy to observe: HE LOVES TO DANCE. Cue the music, and he bobs up and down, tilting his head from side to side and even swinging his hips. Where does he learn this kind of thing? I think that he likes the music and just feels a natural urge to boogie when he hears it! His teachers are totally smitten with this his groovy moves and have been requesting special performances for the other parents and teachers when they stop by in the room. Drew is very obliging--what a ham!

Down with Ear Infections!!!

As of this evening, Drew seems to be showing signs that his ear infection is still lingering into its ninth week, despite several rounds of increasingly strong antibiotics, in combination with repeated visits to the chiropractor. We have an appointment with an ENT doctor and an audiologist on the calendar, and that day can't come fast enough for our little man. I feel bad that yet again, he's dealing with a chronic health issue that--while thankfully not serious or threatening--makes him feel awful all the time. It's so heartbreaking and frustrating to hear him wail and whimper when there's nothing we can do to fix it. (Well, there are things we can do, but none of them have worked so far!)

Who needs an otoscope when you can diagnose with cries like this?

When an ear infection hits, this type of crying goes on for hours. I want so badly to help him, but no amount of soothing, bouncing, rocking, singing, or shushing seems to comfort him. In fact, as I type right now he is crying like that. At the moment we're letting him cry it out to see if he'll pass into an exhausted sleep and give his little throat some respite. It's tough on Mommy.... I can only imagine how tough it is for Drew!

Wordless Wednesday- We've Got a Funny One on Our Hands!

2009-12-02T20:58:00.002-06:00

Drew's New Gal Pal

2009-11-30T19:16:00.003-06:00

Please join me in welcoming our new friend, Maeve Ann, into the world!

She's absolutely gorgeous... but you'll have to take my word for it because they're not my photos to share!

Our warmest congratulations go out to Maeve's amazing Mommy and Daddy, Mary and Robby. We still have yet to learn the details of this stunningly beautiful little girl's birthday this morning, but we know that it has been a true adventure since Maeve made her debut two months early!

Mary and Robby, I'm not sure that you'll have the chance to read this, but if you do, congratulations! Maeve is really lucky to have you as Mommy and Daddy!

Video Feature: Christmas Lights Saga

2009-11-27T15:33:00.004-06:00

Click here to view the Christmas Lights Saga on YouTube. It's widescreen, so when I embed it directly into the blog it gets cut off on the right side. Enjoy!

Side-by-Side, Month 8

2009-11-27T12:01:00.006-06:00

Dear Drew - Eight Months

2009-11-27T11:51:00.001-06:00

Dear Drew,

How can it be time for another letter already? You are now eight months old, and quite a flirtatious and friendly baby boy. There are so many things we want to remember about this stage in your life, so let's just get started!

What You Do

When you are very focused, you like to stick out your tongue. It's completely adorable.

You are a big-time grunter these days. You seem to have inherited your Mommy's (lack of) self-patience. When you want to accomplish something but can't (like when a toy ball rolls out of reach and you can't get to it), you grunt very loudly.

In bits and pieces, here and there, you get a taste of Mommy and Daddy's table food. These new textures usually gross you out and result in fussing at first.

You jump really high on the jumparoo. Really, really high, so Mommy has to stand at the ready so you don't bonk your head on the door jamb.

You hate your carseat, clothing, and anything else that confines or restricts you. Free bird!

Your little voice is so sweet and I could listen to you talk for a lifetime.

You like to put your hands in our mouths and 'hook us' like fish.

You can clap and play patty cake, but we are still working on waving. Maybe next month?

When we try to set you on the floor, you hold your legs straight because you would rather stand. Your balance is nearly impeccable and at this point, it seems you will be a baby who goes straight to walking. (You continue to show NO interest in tummy time, crawling, or "scooching.")

You are really good with your hands, and you use this dexterity to play with some favorite toys, such as your wooden truck, and favorite non-toys, like hair and jewelry.

You listen to lots of stories read by Mommy, Daddy, and many others who love to spend time with you. You get a little impatient and like to turn the pages before we finish a page. You also really enjoy "reading" all on your own when we give you magazines or catalogs to crumple and tear apart.

Adventures We Have Had

Lots of walks: This month has been full of adventures! We are hearty Minnesotans, so you have felt your fair share of Minnesota's crispy fall weather. We bring you for walks in the baby backpack or the Moby wrap. You love them both and will babble throughout the whole walk. You seem to be so happy and relaxed when you've had a nice healthy dose of fresh air!

Lots of illness: The last month has included another bout with a double ear infection, as well as a different virus that later gave you a sore throat and a fever, and then yet another ear infection.... AND another double ear infection! (If you're counting, this brings the total number of ear infections in the last six weeks to FOUR.) We know there are lots of other families with worse things to overcome, but Mommy and Daddy are really hoping that at least a few of the icky bugs flying around will skip over you! We are currently working with your pediatrician, an ear-nose-throat doctor, and a chiropractor to get you feeling much better.

Halloween: This month included your first Halloween, and we dressed you up as Goldy Gopher! You had one of only two homemade costumes at your entire school, and your teachers and classmates just loved your Gopher teeth that we constructed from a Nuk.

Arboretum: We went to the Arboretum a couple of times this month, and we've committed to going back as often as possible. We always see such interesting and beautiful flora and fauna, and we all come back smiling a little wider.

Thanksgiving: This month also marked your first Thanksgiving! We had your whole family--both grandmas, both grandpas, your aunties, and your uncle--over for the juiciest, tenderest turkey we've ever tasted! From the table, you had a few bites of turkey as well as some of the Cool Whip from Grandma Andi's pie. We also nurtured your artistic flair by giving you the opportunity to color in your very first Star Tribune "Oh You Turkey" coloring contest sheet. You only made faint little marks with the crayons, but in my opinion they were beautiful.

Coincidentally, you and the turkey weigh the exact same amount: 20 pounds!

What You Look Like

The photos really speak for themselves. You are handsome. You have infectious smiles, soft hands, crazy hair, and chubby legs. And in the last month, you have invented several new expressions that make all the people around you laugh and smile.

We are so, so proud to be your Mommy and Daddy. You are friendly, sweet, smart and just plain wonderful. We love you forever.

-Mommy and Daddy

Recipe: Prosciutto-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin

2009-11-25T16:30:00.000-06:00

While everyone drools over thoughts of tomorrow's delicious turkey, I'm smacking my lips at the memory of a delicious meal that Andy prepared last week. The following recipe for "Prosciutto-Wrapped Pork with Sweet Potatoes and Pears" is excerpted from the December issue of Real Simple.

We've had excellent luck with a few recipes from this magazine that have made their way into the standard rotation of meals that we make at home. When I subscribed to the magazine last winter, I declared that if we got even ONE superstar recipe from the year's subscription, then it would be worth the expense. This recipe, my friends, is the superstar of the year.

Note: The recipe is Real Simple's. The italics are mine. The photos are Andy's.

Ingredients:

2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut lengthwise into wedges

2 firm red Bartlett pears, cut into wedges (we could only find green Bartletts)

2 tbsp olive oil

8 sprigs fresh thyme (not 9! not 7! hahaha...)

Kosher salt and black pepper (In my opinion, the Kosher salt does taste better/different, so it's worth adding to your pantry if you don't already have it.)

1.25 lb pork tenderloin

0.25 lb thinly sliced prosciutto

1 tbsp honey

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 425. Chop sweet potatoes and pears.

Toss sweet potatoes and pears, oil, thyme, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper on a large rimmed baking sheet. Roast for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, wrap the pork in the prosciutto, slightly overlapping the slices to cover the pork completely. (In other words, wrap the pork with more pork.)

Push the veggies to the edges of the baking sheet, place the pork in the center, and drizzle the pork with honey. Roast until the pork is cooked through and the sweet potatoes are tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Let the pork rest for at least five minutes before slicing. Serve.

We completed the meal with spinach salad and a Malbec Syrah. It was a "sustainably farmed" wine that was part of the Byerly's wine sale, so we gave it a shot. This week we had the Malbec (non-blend) and it was better than the Malbec Syrah, which was too peppery for my taste.

YUM! Try it. :) You'll like it!

Also, this is a photo that Andy snapped at the Arboretum last week. What a beautiful season!

Wordless Not Wednesday, Mama-Celebrates-Early Edition

2009-11-19T06:47:00.002-06:00

SICK!

2009-11-17T13:55:00.005-06:00

I know, it's nothing new. EVERYBODY I know has been sick this fall. My colleagues are dropping like flies. (We even had some problems with people calling in sick to another person who was also sick... meaning that we had no idea what was going on!)

Baby Drew is recovering from his third ear infection in five weeks. The poor little guy gets so miserable with these ear infections. He's clearly in pain and will cry for hours and hours at a time. This time around, his fever lingered for four long, sad days. As a kid, Andy had ear tube surgery TEN times and obviously we want to do whatever we can to avoid such extreme measures! I spoke to our chiropractor yesterday and we'll be taking him in to hopefully prevent anything further.

Andy is sick, too. On Sunday afternoon, he mentioned feeling achy. Then within an hour he was shivering, fighting a fever, and had a general "run over by a truck" feeling.

Then last night (Monday) I experienced a similar rapid-pace deterioration. One minute I'm on the computer working on an assignment for work, the next minute I'm in the shower, shivering uncontrollably under the hot water. I woke up in the middle of the night with a fever of 103.5, feeling dizzy and confused and SUPER hot.

So I'm here at home today, recovering, while Drew is at day care and Andy is at work. Although I'm still struggling with a fever around 102, I have to admit that I'm kind of enjoying the quiet house. I don't think I've been alone for more than 15 minutes or so since Drew was born almost 8 months ago!

Well, back to the business of being sick: a bowl of soup and another nap are next on the agenda.

Stay well, people!

p.s. This photo has nothing to do with being sick, but it's a cutie. These are the animals my friend Beth made for Drew from scratch. They aren't just for looks anymore! He LOVES them.

Free Fall

2009-11-15T21:09:00.005-06:00

One day, you're soaking up the last days of summer on Labor Day weekend. The next day you're cheering on the Gophers at the season opener in the looooong-awaited stadium. The next day you're sewing Halloween costumes, and suddenly you're plotting Thanksgiving menus and Christmas gifts!

Things always move too fast in the fall and then it feels like they slow way down when it comes to the awfully cold and dark winter.

To see fall go by really, really fast, take a look at this time-lapse slide show that I made of the maple tree in our backyard. (Watch for the freak snow storm in mid-October!)

Family Photos

2009-11-12T10:08:00.015-06:00

We have lots of photos that tell the story of who we are and the adventures we have. You know that because you see them all the time on this blog.

I can point back to vacation photos that highlight scenery in the Dominican Republic or incredible meals (or more accurately, beverages) in Germany. I can show you snapshots of my first apartment. Or the first dance that Andy and I attended together.

But there is another type of photo that is far more special than a re-telling of our story. There are photos that conjure up the feelings and emotions of that day.

Take the following photo, for example. Something about its composition just perfectly captures the relationship between my mom and us, her girls. Upon looking at this picture, I can remember how her hand rested on my arm, and how soft her skin was. How we were all excited but confident and calm about the big day ahead.

Or take this photo, as another example. This photo completely expresses my friendship with Becky.

I feel really lucky to have found a photographer who recognizes these moments and captures them forever. She has an eye for the moment AND for the technical things. Her name is Marnie Fiedler and we adore her. She is an amazing artist and a sweet friend.

So you can imagine my excitement for this day in October when she came to our new house to photograph our blossoming family.

Thanks, Marnie!

Storytime Favorites: Adventure Baby's Picks

2009-11-10T18:00:00.000-06:00

There is nothing that Drew loves more than... well, himself. For example, we've gotten notes from his teachers on multiple occasions saying things like, "Drew laughed at his reflection in the mirror for a while today. He LOVES looking at himself!" Also, if he is mid-meltdown, we can take him into the bathroom and set him on the counter in front of the mirror, and this often makes him instantly happy (unless his ear drums are literally bursting at the seams, but that's a story for another day).

Based on all of this, it comes as no surprise that two of Drew's favorite books have mirrors in them. Can you blame him? He IS a pretty good-looking baby. :)

1. B is for Bear by Roger Priddy

Drew loves this book. I can tell because he taps and slaps the pages, and lunges at the photos of babies that are featured throughout this book. I've found that alphabet books are hit-and-miss. It's a little boring and anticlimactic if the book only features the letter and a corresponding word. When I'm reading "A Ape. B Bird. C Cat..," I can disengage pretty quickly and Drew follows suit. B is for Bear, though, offers the following characteristics that make it our favorite alphabet book, hands down:

It's a board book, so Drew can't destroy it and he can even help turn the pages.

It features textures, so Drew can pet the bear's fuzzy ears or rub on the owls "sleek feathers."

There is a rhyming narrative for each letter, creating an engaging rhythm while I read. "M is for mouth to whisper and yell. N is for nose. What can you smell?"

Under Y is for YOU, Drew looks at himself in the mirror and laughs. Just darn cute, I tell ya!

2. Baby Einstein Mirror Me!

Drew likes to look at himself, as we've already established. This book was the very first book in Drew's collection to truly get his attention from cover-to-cover. People have some mixed feelings about Baby Einstein, but I have no problem with a book that instills the habit of reading in our child!

3. Little Puppy Finger Puppet Book

We got this book for Drew as a Christmas gift last year. Given that he was still in-utero, it took him a while to warm up to this story. However, he's a huge fan now because he can grab onto the wiggly finger puppet, shrieking and giggling all along.

In case you're at all interested in kids' books and you missed my previous entry about MY favorite storytime books for Drew, click here.

Indian Summer

2009-11-08T19:18:00.007-06:00

We have had a pretty chilly fall this year, so this weekend's 60-degree weather truly hit the spot. While most of our neighbors scoured their already-perfect lawns for stray leaves, Drew and I hit up the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum with my sister, Annika.

The Arboretum is a beautiful place that makes it so easy for me to release the stresses of my career, forget the messes of our home, take a deep breath, and slooooow doooown.

Somewhere between the buckeye trees and the iris garden, I vowed to return more often. I get in free since I work at the University, and it's only a mile or two from our house. There are simply no excuses for ignoring this amazing place. I'm definitely remiss, because I hadn't been since Drew rode around in a different kind of stroller!

On a completely unrelated note: We have news on Drew's allergy test results. As it turns out, Drew is NOT allergic to cow's milk. Yay!!!!!

I'm feeling pretty sheepish that I needlessly made a drastic change to my diet for SEVEN MONTHS when it turns out to have been completely unnecessary. However, at the time, I was willing to try anything to make him feel better. They teach you in science class that to conduct a good experiment, you can only change one variable. But in the absolutely desperate weeks and months of Drew's early reflux disease, we changed every variable we could think of, including my diet (since I breastfeed Drew). When Drew's reflux symptoms seem to lessen a bit, I stayed off dairy.

Until now. :) We celebrated with gooey, melty pizza and sweet, cold ice cream. (Now about losing those post-partum pounds...)

No More Mister Nice Guy!

2009-11-06T08:52:00.007-06:00

I knew he would one day turn the tables on us. That our monthly photos of a docile baby would be numbered. Apparently seven months is when Drew decided to put a stop to the madness. I was able to take a single, dissapointing (non-smiling!) photo before this happened:

Hmm. What is this crinkly thing? I think I will pull it off my shirt.

Mama tried to smooth it out, replace it, and try a sitting photo to keep him happy. It worked for about one second.

Who me? I'm innocent! It was the dog!

The horizontal stripes really bring out the folds in his arms. :) I love to kiss this sweet little boy!

Kels

p.s. I'm so sad that it's dark all the time now. I have to use the flash all the time and I hate it!

Goldy Gopher

2009-11-03T11:46:00.004-06:00

Drew's celebration of Halloween began with a costume parade at school. Because this was held at the end of the day, the Cuddly Koala infant classroom was pretty restless and fussy. Nevertheless, Drew seemed to be fascinated by the various costumes, particularly Tate's Yoda outfit. He literally ate it up!

It seemed to me that Drew's first Halloween costume should be (a) homemade on my trusty Bernina sewing machine given to me by Andy's generous Grandma; and (b) made in homage to our wonderful alma mater. Goldy Gopher it is!

Armed with a yard of fuzzy brown fabric, the leftover felt from Drew's nursery mobile project, and one of five or six Gopher sweatsuits that the little guy has, I came up with the following.

I think he liked it. :)

-Kelsey

p.s. If you like babies in costume, you should also check out "Marital Bless" in the blog list on the right column of this page. Her Poky Little Puppy will definitely bring a smile to your face!

Costume Parade

2009-11-03T11:10:00.005-06:00

Our first Halloween in the suburbs didn't disappoint. Virtually every house in the neighborhood was fully decked out with cob webs, ghosts, giant spiders, orange light bulbs, jack-o-lanterns, and more. I even spotted an inflatable Frankenstein's monster out there. Of course, the showstoppers were the trick-or-treaters. I think my favorite was our next-door neighbor Katherine as Laura Ingalls Wilder. A girl after my own literary heart!

Because I think it's weird to post photos of neighborhood children on the Internet, you'll have to settle for photos from the Halloween shindig we attended at Becky and Jonathan's house. Our friends are very inventive and unpredictable, so the moments of arrival at the Halloween party are always exciting!

Here we are as Wonder Mom and Surly Man. I promise this is the last time you'll see us wear underwear outside our clothes. I may take to wearing the cape daily though. It did make me feel pretty super.

Lars as an adorable, if confused, monkey.

Jill and Elliot as a couple from the Saturday Night Live "Mother Lover" skit.

Jill and Becky playing their SNL parts.

Another Mother Lover looking mighty creepy with a child in his lap. :)

Ninja! (Note the Chinese throwing stars!)

An in a scene right out of "Parents" magazine, Lady Gaga, Danger Kitty, and Monkey.

Hmm... I guess that just about covers it, right?

Oh wait, you wanted to see Adventure Baby's costume?! ??! Stay tuned!

Dear Drew - Seven Months

2009-10-30T10:36:00.002-05:00

Note to my readers (aka Mom and Dad and a select few others who put up with my shenanigans!): We still haven’t had the chance to shop for a new computer, so I’ll repost this in a few weeks with the usual photo illustrations.

October 26, 2009

Dear Drew,

Today you are seven months old. With each passing day, it becomes easier to imagine the little boy you are about to become. But for this fleeting moment, you are still our itty-bitty baby boy, and we cherish this time so much.

What You Do
Whenever you lay on your back, your little feet spring right up to your face and you immediately begin sucking and chewing on your toes. You look so incredibly flexible and it makes me laugh every time.

Your talking has evolved a bit to include more consonants… gah, bah, bee, ma, meh, goo. I like to pretend that you mean it when you say “ma ma.” As usual, you do a lot of your conversing in the middle of the night. You must have a lot in common with your stuffed animals!

You sit up by yourself for as long as you want. At the beginning of this month, you would tip over whenever you got excited and wiggled too much. But now you are steady as a rock. If you start to tip too far backwards, you smartly grab your pant legs to right yourself by pulling forward.

Your little hands are soooo busy. You can grasp objects that I thought were out of reach and hold large items like a bottle with one hand.

You seem to really enjoy putting a toy in your mouth with your right hand and tapping on the toy with your left hand.

The other night I gave you a bite of table food when we were eating mashed potatoes at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. You didn’t like it at all, and we all laughed at the disgusted expression you made. Sorry, kiddo!

Singing still calms you at night as we lay you down to sleep. One night recently, I discovered that you also like it when I cradle you and jog all over the house… you went from screaming to giggling in an instant. That works great for me; I needed the exercise!

You are also learning to clap your hands, and I have so much fun watching you learn something. First I show you how, then I help you clap on your own, then you clap without help, and then we all shower you with kisses and congratulate you. Very fun! I think we’ll start on astrophysics next.

Adventures We Have Had
This month included your first cold, your first double ear infection, your second cold, and yet another trip to the doctor for a suspected ear infection (that turned out fine). Here we go!

Speaking of doctors, you have a new pediatrician now and she is testing you for various food allergies. When they tried to draw blood for these tests, Daddy says you were very patient and sweet… at first. We are crossing our fingers that someday we can show you how tasty ice cream and cheese are, but we’re not holding our breath.

You came along to the Twin Cities marathon where we cheered for our friend Clark. You looked super cute in your snow suit and seemed to relax even in the middle of the noisy crowd and excitement of the race.

We also visited TCF Bank Stadium for the first time, and you discovered what it feels like to be in the end zone. Touchdown, Baby Drew!

What You Look Like
Your eyes are the color of my favorite place on earth, Clearwater Lake. Your whispy blond hair stands up tall. Your cute baby cheeks have become rosy (just like Daddy’s) as the weather turns cold. When you sleep, I am astounded by how much your cheek bones and jaw line and beautiful starry eyelashes look like your father’s. That being said, my family says that you look a lot like me, too!

I can't believe you are already seven months old. I feel as though we've turned a corner and there's no slowing down anymore! We love you so much and can't wait to see what this next month's adventures will be.

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

Pssst...

2009-10-23T08:40:00.003-05:00

This is me ::quietly:: popping in from work to let you know that our home computer sputtered its last breath last night, so there may be a short hiatus from blogging these next few days while we shop for a new computer.

PSA: PLEASE back up your files on an external hard drive! We are breathing a sweet sigh of relief since I did this less than a week ago so all our photos from our wedding, newlywed years, Europe trip, Scout, and of course Drew are SAFE. Phew.

Back to work...

Stay well, everyone! This place is deserted with so much illness going around.

He's feeling a little hoarse...

2009-10-21T21:33:00.002-05:00

Poor baby!

I have to give props to Adventure Guy, who was home all day with a screaming child. That's rough on your own. Despite the trying day, however, I did come home to find out that Drew had mastered a new trick. (Two days too late for the photo shoot. Dang!)

Wordless Wednesday, October Edition

2009-10-21T19:36:00.000-05:00

(He thought he wasn't going to be featured, and was very upset! ;))

Boo!

2009-10-20T19:23:00.006-05:00

I'm kind of into the Halloween spirit this year. Maybe it's because I get to sew Drew's first costume. Or maybe it's because we get to have tons of trick-or-treaters this year at our new suburban digs. Or maybe I'm just plain inspired to decorate the new place. Whatever the reason, I'm in the mood!

This whole tableau started with my idea to paint some dried hydrangeas black. As I rooted around in the garage for my black spray paint, I scored a few random items that have been packed away forever and a day... and they make perfect Halloween decor!

Above: Proof that I have a black thumb!

Above: I borrowed Drew's pumpkin when I realized it fit perfectly into my birdcage.

Above: These pages were falling out of an old antique book (garage sale score) called "The Vagabond." I used some of the leftover paint from the sitting room to write my festive message.

Above: The bone above is a buffalo bone we found on a hike in South Dakota. It's huge. The skull is a deer skull that we also found on a hike. Some of you probably think this is gross, and I don't blame you. In both cases, I gave Andy a hard time about wanting them. The glasses are a garage sale find ala my mom. Honestly, I have no idea where the pelt came from. I think Andy brought it to the marriage, along with a futon. Hahaha.

Also, I started The Boo Game (also called Ghosting) with our neighbors and I am VERY disappointed to report that a week later they still haven't passed along the fun. :( Come on people, this is supposed to be Sublime Suburbia! Let the games begin!

-Kels

p.s. If you decide to start the Boo Game by printing materials from the above link, beware of typos on that site! You don't want your neighbors thinking you have spooky grammar. ;)

p.p.s. Remember Halloween last year? Every milestone date brings a sense of awe at the dramatic transformation our lives have gone through in just a year!

Storytime Favorites: Adventure Gal's Picks

2009-10-20T19:00:00.000-05:00

As parents, one of our greatest joys and greatest responsibilities is to introduce Drew to our love of reading. For quite some time I've been meaning to share a few storytime favorites with you.

Frederick by Leo Lionni was a gift to us from our dear friends Mary and Robby, and what a delightful book this is! Any Minnesotan can appreciate Frederick the mouse's contribution to his family's winter preparations. His siblings come to rely on him to bring poetry and imagery into their long, cold, boring winter days. His beautiful words are just as valuable as their nuts and grains. Frederick has a special place in this writer-wannabe's heart.

Up North at the Cabin by Marsha Wilson Chall is simply awesome. We discovered this book years ago and I'm so excited to share it now with Drew. Reading this book is a virtual trip down memory lane as this young girl travels to her Northern Minnesota cabin to try waterskiing, paddle a canoe, catch sunnies, and enjoy countless other cabin adventures. The paintings are frameworthy and it's fun to see Minnesota landmarks such as the walleye statue on Lake Mille Lacs.

All the Places to Love by Patricia MacLachlan is a complete treasure from the author of "Sarah Plain and Tall." Eli, the star of the book, explores the breathtaking countryside surrounding his family's farm along with his mother, father, grandma, and grandpa. This book brings me to tears every time as they carve the new baby's name (Sylvie) into the rafters of the family's barn, alongside three generations of family names. The book is poetic and imaginitive, and instills a respect and awe for nature. On top of all that, the paintings are just gorgeous.

Just Playing

2009-10-18T18:55:00.005-05:00

Sometime in the last couple of weeks, Drew morphed from a friendly infant into a fun-loving, toy-toting baby boy! The before and after here may sound pretty similar to you, but those of you who have visited Drew in person recently know that this transformation is very distinct... and kind of magical!

Drew is very good with his hands... he can aim for a specific toy in a box, pick it up, and place it directly in his mouth on the first pass. He can tap two toys together, flip them upside down, throw them, and generally have a great time. So naturally, I've been crawling all over the ground playing with him. (Anyone in my office can probably attest to the Scout fur on my pants because I try to get a super quick play session in every morning, too!)

Here's a little video from our mini-adventures this weekend. Enjoy!

Just Playin' from Kelsey on Vimeo.

This weekend was a whirlwind of family fun for Andy, Drew, and me. We capped it off with a photo shoot at the house today... Marnie Fiedler of MJFotography came out to snap some shots of our growing boy. Can't wait to share them! Stay tuned...

Mom, when are you gonna read us a bedtime story?!?!?!

2009-10-13T18:13:00.003-05:00

BINGO!

2009-10-10T09:33:00.009-05:00

Bingo, my friends. We have FOUND our new pediatrician. Drew's six-month check-up yesterday went wonderfully, and we couldn't be happier to have some better guidance on his reflux issues.

I'm not sure how to write any of this cohesively, so here is a random round-up of the visit:

-I expressed our concern that Drew continues to loathe being on his tummy. This may sound innocuous, but this is obviously the base skill that comes before crawling and is also a child's main method for strengthening the back muscles and upper body. Dr. C. theorized that Drew's dislike for the tummy is probably partly personality and partly reflux-related. However, she noted that his muscle tone is right on track and that he sits incredibly well for his age. She was completely comfortable with his physical development in this area and really put my worries at ease.

-Dr. C. also commented that Drew seems especially social and interactive for his age, showing a lot of strength in eye contact, babbling, reaching out, and generally socializing. She asked if he was in a child care center and noted that this seems to be helping him thrive. Cue the happy sigh. It felt so reassuring to hear that my choices regarding my career and our family have helped Drew in this area, rather than hurt him.

-We also discussed Drew's continuing reflux symptoms for quite a while. We got Dr. C.'s name from another family who has dealt with GERD in an infant, and the recommendation was well-received. Dr. C. had a level of empathy for Drew that far surpassed anything we saw from our previous pediatrician, and has actually raised children of her own with these same issues. To me, this is a critical part of the care formula. (If you don't sympathize with Drew's pain, how are you motivated to discover a better solution?) We are going to continue his Prevacid for the time being since it seems to help. She also advised that as Drew reaches various movement milestones, we can expect to see flare-ups in his reflux symptoms. Crawling, pulling up, and walking will change his muscle structure and digestive behaviors and will likely cause his symptoms to briefly worsen. It will be sooooo good to have this knowledge in advance so we aren't left guessing if we're observing a new food allergy or something else.

-We also debated and decided to move forward with formal food allergy testing. We'll bring him in for a blood draw next week to test him for allergies to cow's milk, wheat, eggs, peanuts, rice, and oats. This will take a lot of the guess work out of mealtimes, and I will feel much more confident when we try new foods if I know they won't hurt him. (Part of the challenge of food allergies is that when he responds poorly to a food, the pain and discomfort last for several days from just a little exposure... so to me the pain of a blood draw, while noteworthy, is worth it.)

Like I said, we've found Drew's new doctor. Dr. C. was in the exam room with us for 45 minutes! The best part? She insisted on holding Drew in her lap so she could get to know him better. This made it much easier for me to make eye contact with the doctor and have a focused conversation, especially since Andy had to work this time around and couldn't be there with us. I took comfort in seeing that she doesn't just care for babies... she likes them!

And now on to the good stuff...

Drew with a sippy cup of water!

Six-month stats:

Weight: 18 pounds, 13 ounces, 50-75th percentile. (This actually represents a loss of four ounces since we brought him in for his ear infection. He was pretty disinterested in eating while he was sick, but he seems to be making up for lost time these last few days so I'm sure he'll regain it all quickly!)

Height: 26 inches, 25-50th percentile. His weight has always outstripped his height... point guard rather than center? :)

Head: 17.75 inches, 80-90th percentile. Atta boy!

A close-up of Drew's big noggin:

p.s. Thanks for the jammies, Amy!

Wordless Wednesday, Family Resemblance

2009-10-07T21:40:00.004-05:00

Gopher in Training!

2009-10-05T20:59:00.004-05:00

When Andy and I were religiously spending our Saturdays cheering for the Gophers in the Metrodome student section, I don't think either of us could have imagined touring an on-campus football stadium. With a baby, no less!

I've been a pretty sad Gopher these days... being ticket-less and all. (We let our season tickets go two years ago when Andy started working every-other weekend.) On Sunday afternoon, TCF Bank Stadium was open to the public for tours. Not to be left out of the new-stadium fun, we decided to head over to campus with Drew and my parents in tow!

Standing out front. (Lesson learned: Not only will my goofy smile make NO difference with Drew's expression, but you can't even see his face!)

A family photo with Weird Goldy: (Lesson Learned: Stadium open houses are not a time for the 'real' Goldy run by the athletics department. The trained eye can see that this guy's nose is all wrong and he is clearly Gold-o, the Alumni Association's not-quite-right step-brother-to-the-real-thing.)

With my parents from the concourse:

Drew with my mom: (Lesson Learned: We are DEFINITELY a curious baby these days!)

In the end-zone! (Lesson Learned: It is difficult to catch a baby's attention when everyone around you is making noise!)

Touchdown, Drew! (Lesson Learned: Drew likes the feel of turf. Future Gopher for sure!)

In the football-shaped locker room:

All-in-all a very fun afternoon!

Side-by-Side

2009-10-04T22:26:00.003-05:00

Did you think I had forgotten?

I promise to deliver some fun stories this week, including some items that are actually adventure-related! For now, I must drag my sick body to bed to rest for a big week at work. Cute babies are good medicine, though, aren't they?

Update Blitz

2009-09-30T10:20:00.006-05:00

Just a few quickies for ya...

-Drew has his first ear infection. :( Andy had nine sets of tubes as a baby and his brother Jeff had something like twelve. The doctor last night said genetics is a HUGE determining factor for ear infections so I'm guessing our little man's first won't be his last.

-On the plus side, he really wants to be happy. He'll be red-faced and teary because of pain from his ears and/or frustration with his stuffed-up nose, and he'll still laugh at something he finds funny. My little charmer is definitely a study in contradictions.

-I'm working a long day today due to the National College Fair at the convention center, so I won't see Drew today. This makes me oh-so-sad. I also work on Saturday, so I'm feeling like a pretty bad mom given that Drew isn't feeling well and could use some extra cuddles.

-It's COLD here. I have busted out my completely darling red wool swing coat and my Italian pashmina from Rome. I am also subsisting on my favorite warm drink: General Foods International Coffee French Vanilla Nut. It's vanilla-y. And nutty. But it doesn't necessarily taste French. Haha.

-We are going to try a new clinic for Drew's six-month check-up at the end of next week. I had a pretty disappointing experience last night with the pediatrician. My open letter to future doctors of America: If crying babies bother you, DON'T become a pediatrician. This would be a bad choice.

-I'm taking photos of our maple tree every day or two to trace the changing colors. Should be fun. Stay tuned.

-I have Miley Cyrus stuck in my head. Despite the fact that I'm TWICE as old as her target audience. It's a party in the U.S.A.....

Motherhood is sublime.

2009-09-28T11:02:00.001-05:00

I find myself constantly struggling to articulate this amazing experience of being a Mommy. Thus, a clumsy attempt at... POETRY. (Run for cover!)

Good Morning Mommy

His eyes flutter open.
Long, black, starry lashes part.
Lake-blue irises are revealed.
He is curious and cautious. Brows furl and he looks for me: left, right, above.
This time, I am here.
A brightness flashes through his dark pupils. A smile breaks. Pajama-clad legs kick. Pudgy hands reach up.
Good morning, Mommy.

Dear Drew- Six Months

2009-09-27T20:07:00.016-05:00

Dear Drew,

Six months have passed since you said, "Hello world!" on March 26, 2009. Happy Half Birthday! Being your Mommy and Daddy has been an adventure to say the least... the most thrilling, challenging, and rewarding adventure we have ever had. We feel so blessed to be your parents. You have become an amazing little person, revealing a little more character with each passing day.

What You Look Like at Six Months

Three words: Cutest. Baby. Ever.

What You Do at Six Months

You attend school on most days while Mommy and Daddy are at work. You do a nice job of napping and eating and playing with your teachers. You like to ride the school stroller around the building and you really enjoy sitting at the table with your new friend, Tate. You and Tate make each other giggle. :) Here you are with Daddy on your first day of school:

You continue to be a champion eater. Peaches were a big hit this month; you open your mouth wide and start yelling for the next bite while we reload the spoon. There is ONE thing you have developed a dislike for: organic peas. The regular peas seem fine, but you make the funniest, most disapproving faces when we give you the organic stuff. (Texture maybe?! Or are you just afraid of having yuppies for parents?)

You can sit by yourself for longer and longer. We still need to hang out nearby, though, because you get kind of scared when you tip over.

You constantly grab your feet. They are far-and-away your favorite diversion of the moment!

You are very often biting your lower lip as if you are thinking very carefully about something. I wonder what it could be!

You've become such a crazy baby in the bathtub that I had to retire your "Whale of a Tub" baby tub so you can splash unencumbered. You squeal like crazy and chew on the washcloth.

You will go from screaming to laughing in a split second when we play "super baby!" This is a lot like playing airplane, but we yell out "Super Bab-eeeeeeeeeeeee!" Our little daredevil.

The nicknames that have stuck for good seem to be "Roo" and "Drewsie." We still accidentally call you Scout fairly often... that may stick, too! Sorry, kiddo. (Oh yeah: "Kiddo" is another nickname!)
Now that you are pretty dexterous, you put everything in your mouth. Absolutely everything. Coincidentally you are currently coming down with your first cold. Hmmmmm...

Adventures We Have Had

Along with Daddy, Grandpa Jim, and Grandma Barb, you visited the Minnesota State Fair for the first time. You enjoyed the sights and sounds for about nine hours, taking a few snooze breaks in the shade while your family snacked on fair foods. You didn't like the swine barn at all (stinky and hot!), but you still modeled the pig hat like the good sport that you are.

We spent Labor Day at the cabin with Grandma Andi and Grandpa Barry. You enjoyed the boat ride but started all kinds of "teething" rumors because you were cranky all weekend. No teeth yet, though!

You attended your first Twins game... and the last you will ever see at the Metrodome! The Twins won and you truly enjoyed the exciting environment. Mommy and Daddy were so proud of the team's newest fan!

You are a very observant little boy, and we can see in your eyes that you are busy thinking about the world around you. You learn new things at such an astounding pace these days that I can only imagine what I'll be writing about next month. We love you forever, Drewsie!

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

Wordless Wednesday: Faces

2009-09-23T20:19:00.003-05:00

No more pictures, please.

One more gratitude:

2009-09-23T20:11:00.004-05:00

My sister, Annika. She's creative, nurturing, talented, sensitive (in a good way!), and beautiful with just a touch of sassy. We love her so much.

Oh yeah. And she can bake a mean apple pie. Buttery crust. Drizzled with caramel. Surprising, sweet pockets of oatmeal. Tender, tangy Minnesota-grown Zestar apples.

Is your tummy grumbling yet?

How about now?

Drew wanted in on the action, too. Maybe next year, little man!

Gratitude / Latitude

2009-09-23T12:22:00.005-05:00

What an awful pity party I threw for myself yesterday. As I snuggled into bed last night, I felt like slapping myself. How did I let myself lose sight of all the amazing, wonderful blessings that I have?

One of the blogs that I follow is written by a fellow Minnesota gal who has a very heartbreaking story. I won't get into details, but I will say that she has an amazing sense of grace and peace about her life, and she never loses sight of the positive. She does a little exercise that she calls "Gratitude and Latitude." She makes two lists. The first list is a collection of the things for which she is grateful to God. The second list is her way of asking for "latitude" to be imperfect in certain areas of her life. I'm taking a cue from her. If I can whine online for all to see, then I can backpedal and be thankful instead, right?! Here goes...

Please give me latitude because sometimes I focus only on the challenges in my life instead of the gifts.
Thank you for our healthy, happy, smart, beautiful son.
Thank you for a genuine, hard-working, funny, intelligent husband and partner-in-parenting.
Thank you for an entire community of supportive friends and family. They help me be a better mom and give me time with my husband so I can be a better wife.
Thank you for our jobs. I know that not everyone is this lucky.
Thank you for the roof over our head, which happens to be beautiful and comfortable and amazing.

-Kelsey

p.s. Drew must have known that I was missing him terribly, because after my post last night he was up every hour through the whole night. These nighttime interactions were not exactly on my terms, but at least I could see him with his eyes open. ;) Yawn...

I hate math.

2009-09-22T20:02:00.004-05:00

5:48. Time I arrived home.

6:02. Time that my little Drew bird drifted off to dreamland.

5:48 - 6:02 = 14 minutes with my beautiful, lovely boy.

6:55. Time that Andy and Drew hit the road this morning, with me close behind.

4:57. Time that I dashed out of my office.

6:55 - 4:57 = 602 minutes aching for our giggly little guy.

For the record, I wasn't a horrible math student. And I only ever hated long division. But this particular arithmetic adds up to an inestimably sad Mama.

If I even begin to think about how hard this is, I fall down a slippery slope of frustration and sadness, so most days I push the math out of my head. But today I let it in and I'm feeling awful... for me and for Drew. Does he understand that I still love him? Does he feel abandoned? I know that his brain is just waking up to the world around him, but he knows who his Mommy and Daddy are.

Sorry to post such a downer. I'll brighten the mood again tomorrow for Wordless Wednesday. :)

We're gonna win, Twins...

2009-09-20T21:18:00.015-05:00

...we're gonna score! We're gonna win Twins. Watch that baseball soar! Knock out a homerun. Shout a hip-hooray! Cheer for the Minnesota Twins today! Given that Andy and I have resorted to singing this team song as a lullaby, it is only fitting that Drew should attend a Twins game at some point this year! Drew attended his first Minnesota Twins game on Saturday, September 19, in which the Twins beat the Tigers in a very exciting game as part of a very important series!

Our little man did SOOOOOOO well. After a stellar nine-hour performance at the State Fair and an enjoyable time through nine innings of baseball, I'm convinced that our child is living up to his "Adventure Baby" name.

Drew didn't nap super well on the morning of the game, so I was a little nervous, but he willingly napped while cradled in my arms even in the midst of the noisy crowds.

I had to post this photo to tease our good friend, Jonathan. Drew was actually quite happy to hang out with Jonathan but this photo cracks me up. :)

Drew and Andy donned their rally caps at one point, and it worked, because the Twinkies rallied in the eighth inning to take a 6-2 lead.

It was a pretty warm day and quite muggy in the nosebleed section so eventually I stripped his Twins outfit off and let him air out his chubby white belly, which made him pretty happy.

Drew only cried once in the first inning, when Joe Mauer hit a homerun and the crowd went completely nuts. He was just a little scared and was calmed easily when we squeezed him tight and whispered soothing words in his ear. ::::sigh:::: I just love moments of being the Mommy who can make it better.

A few years from now, we'll tell Drew that he attended a TWINS game in the Metrodome, and he'll say, "Huh?! The Twins play at Target Field, Mom. The Vikings play at the Metrodome." And we'll show him this picture to prove it.

(LOTS of people, huh?! I read later that with 43,338 fans present, it was the highest attendance since the season opener.)

Wordless Wednesday, Gopher Edition

2009-09-16T19:45:00.004-05:00

Kickoff...

That's another Gooooolden Goooopheeeerrrrrrrrrr....

First Day of School!

2009-09-12T08:34:00.009-05:00

As I mentioned earlier this week, our little Drew has started school! If he follows a career path similar to his Daddy's, this is a first step in a 26-year process!

All smiles for his first-day-of-school picture. I wanted to make him stand by the front door with a lunch box and backpack, but he can't actually stand up, and I was short one lunchbox and one bakpack! ;-) Next time, I guess!

Look a little less sure of his surroundings, once at school with Miss Heather:

His first day went pretty well...they apparently had him smiling and giggling throughout the day. He took SIX naps, because none of them lasted very long. He's still getting used to his school crib and sleeping in a busy nursery with other babies nearby. Each time he's been back, his naps have stretched a little longer.

So far, we love his school. Two of his three teachers are actually registered nurses...a sign of a difficult economy, I guess! He does an art project every day, reads lots of books, and laughs at the other babies. They also have an exersaucer, which Drew LOVES. I am tempted buy one for him but I figure if I hold off, we can give him something to look forward to at school.

The infant classroom is at the front of the building so I could see into his class as I was walking in from the parking lot last night, and I was just beaming to see that he was genuinely having fun. Drew and two of his little friends were sitting in their table seats (see below*), jamming to Jack Johnson (our favorite) and listening to a book about monkeys (Drew's favorite). He was leaning way forward and smiling, as though he was saying, "And THEN what happened, Miss Audrey!?!?!"

*This is what their table looks like (courtesy of Steece's Pieces). Pretty slick, huh?

Eight years ago...

2009-09-11T08:52:00.002-05:00

How can it be that eight years have passed, when we can all remember September 11 like it was yesterday?

I feel a strange, powerful combination of fear, grief, and pride today. A dull, quiet-but-always present fear that something awful could happen to Drew, Andy, or anyone else in my family. Grief for the people who lost their families in the attacks. And overwhelming pride for the resilience and spirit of Americans.

Being a mom has changed the way I think about the world, and my intensified feelings today (compared with years past) are a perfect illustration of that fact.

I know this is all trite, and I apologize. I'm just feeling thoughtful and I felt a pull to recognize the importance of today.

An Ode. Yes, an Ode. (Be Ready.)

2009-09-09T21:14:00.012-05:00

Andy is truly an amazing photographer.

Below I have shared several of his images from Labor Day weekend at the cabin. They do such a lovely job of conveying the sense of peace and contentment I feel on a cool September morning at the lake. Early in the day, the lake is like glass as steam rises out of the water.

Our puppy stretches while he naps in afternoon sun.

My sister's pooch captains the family boat.

The naughty maple tree makes us all groan at the thought of summer's end.

Grandpa Barry passes on his love of boat rides.

Drew makes two Skipper alumni proud. (Thanks, Auntie Amy!)

The S.S. Green Giant gets a final spin around the bay.

We forget where the still water ends and the milky sky begins.

Lupines stand tall, their purple petals battered by a summer-long dance with the wind and waves.

Tiny Forget-Me-Nots along the shore boast a shade of blue that ensures we will remember their hue when the shoreline is piled with in ice and snow!

No, wait. That is the perfect shade of blue!

Summer is over?! No-no-no!

Wordless Wednesday, State Fair Edition

2009-09-09T10:38:00.001-05:00

Rub a Dub Drew

2009-09-08T11:08:00.004-05:00

Among the millions of kids going to school for the first time today, there is one who is very small, very sweet, and very special!

Drew is at school today with his little baby friends in the Cuddly Koala Room. I just spoke with Miss Heather and she reports that Drew has taken two naps already today; perhaps the little guy is a touch overwhelmed by all the stimulation and socialization!

I admit I'm a poor employee today. My mind and my heart are across town. In my imagination, I'm sitting cross-legged on a carpet square with my baby, and we are singing songs, batting at toys, and babbling like crazy.

Here's the video that I just watched so that I could see my darling baby Drew. I think you'll like it. I call it, "Rub a Dub Drew."

. . .

That hacking, throat-clearing sound is the noise that Drew makes when he is very, very happy.

We are Minnesota.

2009-09-04T15:34:00.001-05:00

(If you are reading this post in RSS, come on over and watch this 2-minute video that melts my heart and sets it racing all at the same time!)

Over-Achievers (Not) Anonymous

2009-09-03T18:00:00.003-05:00

I'm just going to throw this out there: My name is Kelsey, and I'm an over-achiever.

B.B. (Before Baby): I put in lots of overtime at work. I received frequent recognition for my dedication and accomplishments as a young professional. As a student, I received straight A's in high school and college all while juggling jobs and internships. I kept a super clean house, tended a beautiful garden, and kept my personal appearance somewhat "together."

I'm not sharing all of this to brag. Rather, I'm trying to illustrate how much I've grown since I let all of this go. Life's too short to stress about dirty dishes, right?

A.B. (After Baby): I am learning to define "success" by the number of kisses and cuddles I get with Drew and the quality of my conversations and time spent with Andy. I am learning to take a deep breath and walk past a towering pile of dirty laundry and instead sit with Andy on the porch for a few minutes before summer slips away completely. I am ignoring my mental to-do list (empty storage unit, install window screens, buy a car, organize basement, finish unpacking, touch up the walls from the move) and instead beelining to the cabin for Labor Day Weekend. I am emerging from my office at the official close of business, sometimes leaving projects unfinished. I am remembering to offer my prayers of thanks every single day.

As a result of getting serious about my priorities, I hope that I can live a life that sets a great example for Drew. I can't lie: letting go of my perfectionist tendencies is monumentally challenging for me, but my highly educated analysis tells me it's the right choice to make. ;)

Wordless Wednesday, Retro Edition

2009-09-02T21:59:00.002-05:00

Dear Drew - Five Months

2009-08-30T14:11:00.000-05:00

Dear Drew,

We blinked an eye and--WOAH--you are five months old today! I am once again sitting down to reflect on the past month.

Adventures We Have Had
Sunday, August 23rd, was a very special day. Along with your godparents, Annika, Amy, and Jeff, we celebrated your baptism. This is a very meaningful ceremony in which you become part of God's family. You belong to God, to your Mommy and Daddy, and to a community of family, friends, and neighbors that will love and support you as you grow up.

When Mommy and Daddy visited the church to discuss your baptism, we were asked, "What is your favorite thing about Drew?" Your Daddy shared that his favorite thing is tiptoeing into your nursery early in the morning as you are waking up. He loves to see your wide, contagious smile, and he loves that you reach up to him.

I think my favorite thing about you is your friendliness. You just love cuddling with friends and family, being passed around, and listening to people talk.

You and your Grandma Andi have been enjoying a whole month of quality time together while Mommy and Daddy have been at work. Together, you spend lots of time practicing tummy time, standing with help, reading books, singing songs, swinging on your play set, and chatting up a storm.

What You Do
-You have rolled over (from back to front) a handful of times, but since you generally don't like being on your tummy, this hasn't become a regularly featured activity in your life. Actually, to say that you don't like being on your tummy is an understatement. You hate it. Period.

-You LOVE the new foods in your diet, including rice cereal, sweet potatoes, peas, and bananas. You make "Yum" sounds and grab at the spoon with gusto. Maybe too much gusto, since you like to push the spoon far back into your mouth, causing you to gag a little.

-You pick up toys from your tray or the ground next to you.
-You enjoy stuffing your plush animals into your mouth. I think it seems a little crazy to put fuzzy cotton on your tongue, but you sure get a kick out of eating up your blue puppy from Auntie Amy or the fawn from Auntie Annika. Oh, and I can't forget your absolute favorite, Monkey-Butt Pizzle-Pants, the sock monkey that shares your crib with you at night.

-You like to visit Daddy at work. You always coo and giggle while we are there, and none of Daddy's coworkers believe that you EVER cry! You sure fool them!

-You continue to enjoy music and singing. As we rock you to sleep, you will watch very intently as we stumble through "Hush Little Baby," "Amazing Grace," and "Jesus Loves Me."
-You help turn the pages when we read you stories. With the board books, you flip the page very well. With regular paper pages, you kind of grab the corner in your fist and pull it up to your face. That's okay, though--books are for loving!
-The great outdoors is where you like to be. Sitting on the back porch to eat a meal or rock in the wicker chair is relaxing for the whole family!

What You Look Like
-Your height and weight are now just about average. You seem to carry much of your weight in your chubby little legs; we think you are going to be a very strong little runner!
-As you become more social and interact with your friends and family, your eyes seem to sparkle a little brighter.

-When you sleep you like to lay with your arms up above your head...kind of like you're cheering for something. Your fists twitch a lot when you sleep.

-You have an awesome smile, and we often need to watch your eyes and cheeks to know that you are smiling since you are, without question, a Nuk addict! :)

This next month holds yet another BIG transition for our family, because you will begin going to school every day. You have met your teachers (Miss Heather, Miss Felicia, and Miss Audrey) and your new friends Alicia, Henry, Brady, and Sarah, and we think you will all get along swimmingly. Mommy is especially excited to hang up your finger-painting projects at her office!

We love you forever.

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

Drew is a Child of God!

2009-08-25T20:24:00.001-05:00

In a beautiful ceremony on Sunday, surrounded by his wonderful family and several close friends, Drew was baptized! Today is Tuesday and I am still riding the wave of overwhelming support and love that our loved ones brought to the celebration.

In our preparation for this ritual, we read a book called "Let the Children Come" by Daniel Erlander. I'd like to include an excerpt from this book because Erlander beautifully expresses our reasons for baptizing Drew:

"...above all else, baptism is a GIFT. Baptism is like a big package filled with beautiful presents which God showers upon us:
Friendship with God
The presence of Christ
The Holy Spirit, empowerment
Forgiveness
A home, family, household
Identity
Resurrection, eternal life
New birth and
The glorious promise that we are children of God, and nothing in all creation will separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord [Romans 8: 38-39]."

Sunday was a brilliantly stunning day that you can only find in August in Minnesota:

Here is a photo of Drew during the ceremony. The pastor on the right, Dave, performed our wedding ceremony. Drew is wearing the same gown that I wore for my baptism; it has been worn by many babies in my mom's family. He also wore a small gold baptismal ring that belonged to his Grandpa Barry, as well as some bloomers that Andy wore in his baptism.

During "the laying on of hands," Drew was absolutely rapt with attention for the pastor, not squirming or crying at all. I'm laughing in this next photo because Pastor Doug said, "I don't know if I've ever seen such a calm baby!" If he only knew what Drew's first few months were like!

Also in the photo below you can see a white prayer shall wrapped around Drew, lovingly made for him by some church members.

These are Drew's proud Godparents, Jeff (Andy's younger brother), Annika (my sister), and Amy (also my sister). What a handsome bunch! I regret that we didn't take the time to snap photos of Drew with his grandparents and great-grandparents, but time flies when you're having fun!

This is a small gathering of close friends at our house after church. I think it quite perfectly captures the relaxed and happy mood of the day! I especially like that Annika is paying much-needed attention to good ol' Scout!

Our most heartfelt thanks to the friends and family who celebrated with us! It was a very meaningful day for Drew and his Mommy and Daddy, and we will always remember that we shared it with you!

--------------------------------------------------------------------

And just in case you were hoping to take a trip down memory lane, here I am on my baptism day, with my beautiful mom and handsome dad!

And here I am in our old front yard with my late (much missed) Grandma Phyllis.

And here is my darling husband, with his grandparents!

We're Famous!

2009-08-25T06:30:00.011-05:00

Last summer during our Great European Adventure, Andy and I decided to try our hand at the Rick Steves haiku contest. You may be familiar with his incredible guidebooks that promote culturally rich and budget-friendly travel in Europe. He also has a PBS television show and a radio program that airs on NPR (as well as by podcast, which is how I listen).

Well, we won! That's right, BOTH of our poems were read on the "Travel with Rick Steves" radio program, episode 179.

Here was Andy's haiku:
Rain in Vernazza
Tourists weilding umbrellas
Poke out both my eyes

And here was mine:

Monterosso rains
Blot out the Ligurian
Quench the thirsty grapes

Misadventures of Rolf Potts; Open Phones: Budget Eating
Airdate: August 8, 2009
Click here to listen on your computer

A few notes for ya - They credit "Kelsey Quiring" for both poems rather than crediting Andy for his. (Sorry babe!) Also, they refer to me as "he"! Our haikus are featured at the end of the one-hour program.

If you want to get in on the action, here are the contest details. We entered our poems about a year ago, so be patient and good luck!

We're looking for a few good poems to read on the air. Compose an original travel-related haiku based on your travels, and Rick may read it on the air!

The traditional structure of a haiku is three lines long. The first line should have five syllables, the second line seven syllables, and the third line five syllables. While a haiku traditionally deals with nature and the seasons and is expected to compare, contrast, or associate elements, with a degree of of surprise, discovery, or enlightenment in the final line — we are not purists. (In fact, a haiku-structured poem with a reference to a human being is actually known as "senryu.")

Contest Web site

'Burbs Blurb

2009-08-20T21:24:00.007-05:00

Have I mentioned that we LOVE our new neighborhood?!?!

Love Thy Neighbor: In addition to receiving a plethora of "welcome" notes from children and adults alike, we have enjoyed THREE bags of chocolate chip cookies as well as garden-grown onions, carrots, and cucumbers. Scout has even received homemade dog treats.

All God's Creatures: This week (as you probably gathered from Wordless Wednesday) we have had a family of four deer hanging out in the back yard very consistently...adding to our wildlife list that already included hawks and coyotes.

It Takes a Village: Tonight at around 8:30 the doorbell rang and I opened the front door to find three children between the ages of 3 and 7 (Sophia, Tommy, and Clarissa), inviting us to see their "Big Show." Given that they were decked out in feather boas, I was mighty curious about the show. However, with Drew on his way to bed I asked if we could check out an encore performance tomorrow instead. They agreed and ran to the next house to ring the bell and round up an audience.

Yeah, we're happy here. :)

Wordless Wednesday

2009-08-19T21:01:00.006-05:00

Wish List

2009-08-18T19:06:00.003-05:00

Feathering our nest is my absolute favorite hobby. Decorating our home is an expression of who I am, the life we lead, and the things we value. Naturally, making the move from a very small 1940s cottage-y home to a newer construction four-bedroom house has made my wish list grow by an equal leap.

Yesterday, here's what my long-term shopping list looked like:

Furniture for screen porch to replace folding table
Furniture for sitting room so that does not sit completely empty
Nice TV just because Andy wants one and he works hard so he deserves one
New computer so I can blog at a normal speed
Window coverings to lighten up family room
Four-poster bed because I want one and I work hard so I deserve one
Bar stools for kitchen island because we don't have any

Today, here's what our long-term shopping list looks like:
NEW CAR!
Furniture for screen porch to replace folding table
Furniture for sitting room so that does not sit completely empty
Nice TV just because Andy wants one and he works hard so he deserves one
New computer so I can blog at a normal speed
Window coverings to lighten up family room
Four-poster bed because I want one and I work hard so I deserve one
Bar stools for kitchen island because we don't have any

Andy's car croaked on the way into work this morning and do you know what the problem was? The engine! What part of the engine, you ask? The whole dang thing! So the cost of the repair far outpaces the value of the car, and we find ourselves car shopping just one day after writing out the check for our first mortgage payment on the new house. Gulp. Thank the LORD that we have jobs, and pretty good ones at that.

Any car recommendations?

Date Night!

2009-08-15T23:10:00.002-05:00

Even after 13.5 years of date nights with my one-and-only, nothing has dulled the pitter-pat I feel when he smiles at me from across the table.

But I have a new favorite nightcap for date night...something entirely exciting and new to our routine. After a movie (Angels & Demons at the cheap theater) and drinks (two-for-ones at Houlihans), we got to sit for a while on our porch and just talk. Then we tiptoed up to Drew's nursery and peered over the crib rails at our perfectly amazing baby boy as he slept.

I am so lucky.

I should change my blog name to Lucky Gal.

Because 6 photos were not enough.

2009-08-14T07:35:00.002-05:00

A few footnotes for ya:

-Yes, Drew IS wearing a diaper. You just can't see it under the bumbo seat.

-Yes, I AM laughing like a hyena. Sorry.

-Yes, we do live in the 'burbs. You can hear children playing all around.

Nummy.

2009-08-12T21:32:00.016-05:00

My snack of choice tonight: a Newcastle and a 3 Musketeers bar. Not exactly nutritious or elegant, but I promise you that should you ever think to combine the two you will discover that they are a match made in heaven. Okay, maybe not heaven. A match made on an eerily insightful internet dating service then? Er... I guess I leave the humor to the other, far more hilarious blogs you read and move on to DREW'S snack of choice tonight.

Drew's first meal consisted of three tablespoons of breastmilk mixed with one tablespoon of organic rice cereal. Most of this concoction was hosed down the sink as we rinsed off the baby seat. The remaining portion of the concoction is soaked into the adult-sized towel that we wrapped him up in on the way to the tub. I would be surprised if he has even a teaspoon of the mixture in his belly. Ah well. I relish the belly laughs much more than the full belly anyway.

Drew's first response was surprise. The sensation of the food in his mouth was obviously different than a breast, bottle, nuk, or fuzzy toy. Once he got over the initial surprise, he chomped down on the spoon and brought his hands to the spoon to 'help.' He was actually pretty skilled at getting the right end of the spoon into his mouth on the first pass. He was SO skilled, in fact, that he shoved the thing towards his throat and gagged himself. Oops!

A note on the pics: I think we're improving these days and would upgrade our classification from "insane photography zealots" to "overly shutter happy." While Drew's first bath was an event that required more than 300 photos, Drew's first food required just 60 photos. A very reasonable number, in my opinion. :) Thank you Lord for digital!

My Old Friend

2009-08-07T13:46:00.008-05:00

I used to live at the cabin in the summer. I'm not being hyperbolic here; I really did live up there for three months at a time up until I reached an age to hold part-time jobs during the week. My sisters, mom, and I bathed in the lake, ate lunch on the pontoon (even if it was tied to the dock), and forgot what day it was for weeks at a time. Dad joined us on the weekends for more of the same. I kept a nature journal. I waterskiied multiple times a day. I wrote love letters to Andy. I even had root-beer scented stationery since that was his favorite pop and at age 14 it seems like a charming thing to do. (Where did I even find that?!) But I digress. This is about the cabin.

I really consider "Lake Country" to be my home, and this is a notion that resides very deep within me--deep enough that most of my nighttime dreams take place at the cabin.

So even though I need to weed the gardens, unpack more boxes, paint Drew's room, hang pictures, empty the storage unit, and scrub the bathrooms........... we are skipping town this weekend to go UP NORTH!

It has been far too long since we've visited our Old Friend, the lake.

Happiness.

Joe Schmoe

2009-08-05T13:33:00.006-05:00

After Drew's two-month doctor appointment and wellness visit, I reported that he was a "Rolly Polly Ollie."

2-months
Weight: 12 lb, 12 oz., 72nd percentile
Height: 22.5 inches, 28th percentile
Head: 15.9 inches, 56th percentile

Now, after his four-month wellness visit this morning I am reporting that he is a Joe Schmoe! That's right, folks. Drew is... average! Well, I would argue that he's cuter-than-average. But for the vital stats, he's right in the upper middle.

4-months
Weight: 15 lb, 14 oz, 62nd percentile
Height: 25.5 inches, 63rd percentile
Head: 17 inches, 68th percentile

Wordless Wednesday

2009-08-05T10:19:00.000-05:00

Our regularly scheduled programming...

2009-08-03T08:20:00.002-05:00

Blogging has been fun and healthy for me. Distilling my experiences (and adventures!) by writing about it allows me to reflect, grow, and be thankful for everything we have.

I have promised myself to continue blogging, despite the fact that I now have a sometimes-overwhelming combination of responsibilities. Finding time to write--between caring for Drew, spending quality time with Andy, kicking butt at my job, keeping up my friendships and family ties, and taking care of our gorgeous new home--will be a challenge, but it's important to me.

On top of everything else the Q. family is experiencing some technical difficulties at the moment. Our computer, which is a store-brand desktop model dating back to Andy's start of pharmacy school, seems to be on the fritz. We're not sure if it's our new cable internet or the practically-older-than-dirt computer, but something isn't right. Life is too short to wait for the computer, so if you notice some longer than usual lags in my blog entries, blame technology.

We'll probably be computer shopping soon so all will be well. We just have to figure out which comes first... patio furniture, vacuum, sitting room furniture, or computer? Oh wait, the girl with a 75-pound shaggy Golden Retriever should probably buy a new vacuum first. ;) (Any recommendations?)

Lessons

2009-07-28T09:43:00.010-05:00

Four months into life's biggest adventure, I finally feel confident in making a "grand statement" about parenting: Being a good parent is about humility, teamwork, trust, instinct, and... the willingness to learn lessons from difficult days. Returning to work this week is an opportunity to learn a whole new batch of lessons and I thought I'd share some with you just for fun.

You can get up at 5:45 a.m. and still arrive, breathless, at your office later than you want. (8:40 rather than 8:15 in my case)

One cup of coffee in the morning really doesn't do the trick. One cup of coffee, two diet cokes, and some intellectually challenging work problems can start to do the job, though.

It is far more difficult to leave your baby behind when he is awake and smiling at you. (Or French-kissing your cheek, heehee.) If you can, sneak out when he is either sleeping or crying. You won't feel like you're missing out on the best part of the day.

Even though you probably don't deserve it after bringing a bald, wiggly screamer into the house, your dog will still love you no matter how busy life gets.

That's FOUR lessons after just two days of work. Stick with me, folks. I could become a wise woman before we're done here. (You know, in about 30 years!)

- - - - -

In case you were dying to know, things are going... okay. (Though if you ask me in the hallways at work I will tell you they're "GREAT," mostly because I don't want to cry about missing my baby while I mill around in a cubicle hallway.)

I am one of the precious few on this planet who loves her job, so that's definitely a plus. Also, I had THREE amazing ideas yesterday. It's been a while since I've used my creativity for anything other than baby-problem-solving, so being productive in another way feels good. I've also probably spoken more in the last two days than I have in the last two months. It feels good to talk to people who respond in words.

However, I am having a very difficult day. Drew was up a lot last night and wound up in the bed with us starting at 3:00 a.m., making for an exhausted mama at work today. Then when I got home he cried from 6:15 - 8:3o. That's an incredibly long stretch when it comes to screaming. I feel so awful when he screams until he gags and hyperventilates. He's inconsolable sometimes. I hate thinking that I will onlyh have the opportunity to be with my son during his "fussy" time of day and that all the smiling, learning, and happiness is happening while I'm gone. :(

Looking on the bright side: My mom is watching Drew this month and things seem to be going swimmingly. She reports that she's having a wonderful time. Drew is enjoying some new adventures. In fact, she's taking him on a boat ride on Lake Minnetonka with Auntie Amy in the next couple days. And today, she brought over a bag full of garage sale toys that kept him occupied and learning for a long time today. Probably the best part for me is that she can give me a huge hug as I'm leaving for work. She gets it. She gets me. We are soooo lucky to have her this month.

Alrighty. Bedtime for Bonzo.

-Kels

Dear Drew- Four Months!

2009-07-27T22:06:00.025-05:00

Dear Drew,

Today you are four months old, and it’s time for your monthly love letter from Mommy and Daddy! Our adventures this past month have been incredible and life-changing, and you have continued to grow and bloom along the way. We are now beginning to fully understand all the wise people who say that time with your child FLIES by.

What You Do

You have a new way of smiling with your whole body. If we make a funny sound or blow a raspberry on your belly, you first draw your arms and legs into your body, and then you POP out with a huge, wide smile. You stick your tongue out and shriek while you stretch your arms and legs out. It’s impossibly contagious!

You are constantly cooing as you observe the world around you. I think you’re turning into a little chatterbox. A few days ago you decided to wake up at 4:00 in the morning and talk loudly to yourself for forty minutes!
Your Mommy has a lot more freedom lately to do things like eat with two hands… because suddenly you are able to entertain yourself! You will hold on tight to a toy or your stuffed dog and shake it all around. You seem to especially enjoy toys that make a crinkle sound.

You hold your head up very high and proudly look around.
We can get you to laugh every once in a while and we look forward to being able to do this more often. So far you’ve laughed from raspberries, looking at Scout play, and peek-a-boo. You can turn us into a room full of fools trying to entertain you!
You still cry. A lot. Every single day.
On that note, you don’t like getting dressed, nor do you like sitting in your car seat unless we are moving. You also dislike being on your tummy for “tummy time,” though you’re getting better bit-by-bit.
You do, however, like your medicine! Silly boy must be a pharmacist’s son.

What You Look Like

When our new neighbor came over to introduce himself, he said, “Looks like this kid hasn’t missed a meal!” And you haven’t! You have darn thick legs that evoke comments from all kinds of people.

Your eyes are bluer than ever and they take our breath a way on a daily basis. We are sure the blue is here to stay!

Your hair continues to thicken up and has grown long enough to warrant the little baby comb.
Your herniated belly button has gone away and you have an "innie" like the rest of us now. (Just look at the bump in the three-month picture and compare it to this month’s photo!)
The “stork bite” birth marks on the back of your neck have faded to almost nothing.

Adventures We Have Had

This has been a busy month for our family!

For the Fourth of July, we drove up to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for a camping trip with our friends. You slept like an angel and seemed to truly enjoy all the fresh air.

This weekend we all attended Jill and Elliot’s wedding, which was beautiful! You and Daddy enjoyed the ceremony from the narthex, just in case!

We packed up all of our things and moved across town to your new home: Chanhassen, Minnesota! We are slowly-but-surely getting settled and are certain that you will enjoy your big backyard and fun playground set. You already smile big when we put you in the baby swing.

This letter also marks a turning point for your mommy—my maternity leave has now come to a close and I go back to work full time tomorrow. It breaks my heart to know that I will be missing so many babbles, coos, smiles, feedings, and even diapers! I know you will be in the best possible hands this month—Grandma Andi’s—but that doesn’t make things any easier for your dear old mom. I know that I will be proud to show you the importance of good work ethic, and I also know that you will make many friends when you start daycare. But for today, I am only sad to be leaving you.

We love you so much that our hearts ache with joy. You are the light of our life.

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

Wordless Wednesday VI

2009-07-22T14:17:00.005-05:00

(These photos brought to you by Adventure Gal's momma!)

Home:

2009-07-22T14:11:00.007-05:00

Heavenly: Sitting on the back porch and listening to the breeze blow through the tall grasses, pine stands, and maple trees.

Cozy: Plopping on the thick, soft carpet in front of the fireplace to scratch your puppy.

Thrilling: Our baby, sleeping soundly in his new, quiet, and dark nursery.

Touching: Receiving freshly baked cookies and homegrown cucumbers from the neighbor girls, along with a picture drawn by eight-year-old Kathryn.

Nostalgic: Having lunch in our old hometown, being served delicious Chinese food by my sister who is an attentive waitress.

Weird: Feeling like a babysitter... caring for a small child in a big house full of new noises.

Fun: Cooking in a delightfully spacious kitchen. Our first home-cooked meal: roasted red pepper and asparagus soup, steamed artichokes, French bread, spinach salads with bacon and goat cheese.

Stick with me...

2009-07-19T21:09:00.003-05:00

...we still don't have internet, but I will return! The new house is wonderful and we are all loving the sweet suburban lifestyle. First thing on my list for tomorrow is to call the cable company, so you'll hear from us again soon.

-Kels

Wordless Wednesday - V

2009-07-15T09:55:00.000-05:00