Monday, July 14, 2014

Teeth and Triathlons

Viv popped her first two teeth a couple of weeks ago. I was quite surprised as she hadn't been excessively drooly or particularly fussy. They are pretty cute! She's also learned to put her pacifier in her own mouth. She's on the verge of crawling but is still face planting once she gets on all fours. 


We went to Minneapolis this weekend for another triathlon and to visit family and friends. We stayed with Vern and Nancy. Nathan redeemed himself and didn't crash this year. He and Aaron crossed the finish line together and he seemed happy with his performance. We took Viv along and she was great! She slept very well and was a really great traveler again.



Nathan had originally wanted to run with Viv and cross the finish line but we didn't have a very good plan on where to meet so he could grab her. He felt really bad that he missed us and didn't get to finish with her....so I said 'do it again....no one is going to know!' So he grabbed her and hopped back on the trail and ran the last little bit so he could cross the finish line with her. They got lots of cheers and I got an awesome video. This picture was featured on the triathlon's Facebook page. She loves to bounce...so she smiled the whole time they ran to the finish line. 


She got her own medal too! 



 I was able to meet up with my college friends Emily and Angie. Angie just had her daughter Olivia two months ago. We hadn't seen each other in at least 2 years. It was great catching up. 






Sunday, July 6, 2014

Storm Report

June has been quite the month....I heard on the news the other night we've had about 16 inches of rain during the first month of summer. We had a big storm blow through last Monday afternoon. I was picking up a relief shift at the EC and so Mom was home babysitting Viv. That's the second time in her short life that she's had to go to the basement for storms (and the sirens going off). We'd had storms go through the night before as well that just dumped a lot of rain....so now we have some flooding. Indian Creek was out of it's banks near our house. 


And closed down Winslow road...


Flooding near Linn Mar High School and 29th Avenue. 


The worst hit in Monticello where a tornado hit the farm. Luckily, no one was hurt and although there was extensive tree and building damage...none of the houses were affected. Amazing! 
George and Bonnie's....lots of trees down and he lost some siding on the house (so i guess one house was affected...but none structurally! )


Nick and Bridget's was the scene of the worst damage...I think the farm is around 150 years old and been in the family for at least that long...the big barn is tilted and the back blown out. There was some discussion on if it could be saved and they had a 'barn expert' out on the 4th of July and I think they decided it could be saved. Sunday night their basement flooded from all the rain (I think they had 5 inches that night). Nathan had just been out to the house over the noon hour to help move furniture. He made it back to Marion and back to work before the tornado hit. 


Their windbreak was pretty much destroyed. 


A neighboring farm....lost of grain bins were victims. 


The large tree pile in the cattle pasture...that's going to be one big bonfire! 


Nathan's parents had a few large pine trees down at their house as well. We went out to the farm to help clean up the yard and give our support. Nathan's parents have sure had to endure a lot in the last 5 years...from his dad's farming accident and his mom's kidney issues and now this....they are strong people! 


The grain leg and bin has to be replaced as well as a few other buildings. 


But here's a little shot of sunshine! Sweet Laney dog.....



Home Happenings


We're playing a little catch up for home pictures. A lot has been happening! She of course changes everyday and has been learning lots of new things. At the beginning of June we tried to take some pictures in Lowe Park when the daisies were in bloom. 


I have discovered that she HATES apples. Like gagging, won't even swallow them, and the most horrible faces! She will eat apple/fruit combos...but straight apples. Forget it! 


We don't get too many of these moments anymore...She still only naps 30-45 minutes at a time (2-3 times a day) and I'm usually trying to get things done when I get the chance. I need to slow down and take advantage of these little moments more often. 


Watching the geese happenings out G&G Mangold's windows. 


The whole family went to meet the coaches at the ISU Alumni Event at the Marriott. 


If she still wasn't so 'stranger danger' and cries every time someone new tries to hold her we would have tried for a picture with Fred or Paul...maybe next year.



She's such a little fashionista...








She finally seems to enjoy tummy time....at least for a little bit. She is *finally* rolling in all directions. I'm not too worried about her crawling just yet. She's gotten into position a few times but usually face plants. One of her favorite activities these days is to stand on your lap and place her hands on your shoulders and rock back and forth. She can now stand on her own when you balance her (before she would collapse at the waist). She still hates to be on her back and when she doesn't want to be laid down she arches her back and kicks her legs like crazy! 


She's found her feet. 


And probably the biggest discovery is her index fingers. She gets those little fingers going to explore everything new. I'm thinking she's going to be right handed but I would say she uses both fingers to 'probe' things equally. She's been eating puffs really well and we started Ritz crackers the other day. Ha! I almost forgot....she also has sprouted two teeth! I discovered them on Monday....her two bottom incisors have popped through. I'm thinking that explains her poor sleeping habits after we got back from vacation. But she never really drooled excessively...so who knew?!?


Speaking of sleep....I've toughened up a bit. It's like clockwork that she is up around midnight and then again around 4 am. Lately, it's not enough to just go up and pop her pacifier back in. She's clearly 'awake' (kicking, arching her back, etc) and wants to get up. If you do pick her up she will fall back asleep...until the second you try to lay her back down in the crib. So, I've been trying to let her 'cry it out' a bit longer, or not pick her up at all and try and soothe her in the crib....and so far so good.  Last night she was up at her normal time...I watched her on the monitor and she eventually fell back asleep after about 5 minutes. This morning she had actually rolled over and was sleeping on her stomach. I'm hoping that now she can get into different positions that are more comfy for her that she will continue to sleep better. 


We went out to the farm last week to play in the pool. All three kids were really good with her. Harper is enamored with 'Bivian' and wants to play with her so bad. Harper is always in her face and brings her all her toys and baby dolls. Grace usually wants whatever toy Viv has and Ryker wanted to hold her. 



Out at the farm the day after the storm helping clean up....more info on that later. 



It's hard to believe that summer is flying by so fast! 

Friday, July 4, 2014

4th of July


Happy 4th of July! We had our annual BBQ and redneck pool party. The weather was beautiful, but we've had some chilly weather lately and a lot of rain....so the pool was a bit too chilly for anyone to enjoy. But we had good company and good food! 


Happy birthday America! 

6 month Catch Up


Now that she's almost 8 months....I forgot that I never posted her 6 month photos.