Chicago Triathlon

We travelled back to the Windy City this weekend to celebrate our anniversary, my in-law's anniversary and so Nathan could participate in the Chicago triathlon. We took Viv with and she was a great little traveler once again. We stayed at the W Lakeshore. The bike portion went right past our hotel. 

We made it into town just in the nick of time for Nathan to attend a mandatory meeting on the rules for the triathlon. 

The swim of course took place in Lake Michigan...it was pretty neat. If you could pick out your swimmer you could walk along the edge of the lake and cheer them on. Unfortunately, we never found Nathan during the swim portion. 

Trying to find Nathan in the mob of swimmers...

Watching the swimmers...

We finally found him during the run...it was a pretty hot and steamy day. He met up with us at the transition area so we could all walk back to the hotel. 

Everyone was pretty wiped out after the tri....I went and took a shower. This is how I found Nathan and Viv when I got out of the shower...poor little thing....I laid her down in a more comfortable position. 

We took the architectural river tour Sunday evening and then had dinner at Navy Pier. We did some shopping on Michigan Avenue Monday morning before heading home. We ran into a severe thunderstorm on the interstate on the way home. We had to pull off the side of the road and sit under an underpass for about 10 minutes before we could see well enough to continue home. 

Everyone had a great time!

9 month pics

Family picnic

We had a Streeper family picnic last week at Gma Marilyn and Gpa Kenneth's house. Jeff, Shelli, Brian and Amanda were home with the kids so Gma Marilyn rounded up the troops. It was a fun afternoon. 

Nathan reading stories to a few to keep them entertained. 

Little Smokey was a big hit. 

The Great Grandparents with Zaley, Harper, August, Ryker, Vivian, and Vienna. (Nick and Bridget were out of town celebrating their anniversary and Grace stayed with her parents. Ivy was sleeping). 

9 months

Nine month stats...17# 7 oz (25%), 27.8 inches long (50%). Still just two teeth on the bottom. Starting to crawl and grabs ahold of your shirt to pull herself up. She's rolling everywhere. Still sleeping well at night...all night! Yay! We just dropped her crib down so she can't try and crawl out. She's still a VERY distracted eater and I'm lucky to get 4 oz of formula down her before her solids. She loves chicken and noodle/rice/veggies the best. I've had a hard time getting mixed veggies down her and even some fruits. She seems to like my 'homemade' fruit better than Gerber fruit. She eats 8 oz before going to bed. She's in size 3 diapers. 'Stranger Danger' is still in full force and cries if she can't see someone she knows. Her hair is long enough to start the new hair style-a Pebbles inspired top-of-the-head pony tail. Her hair is still blonde but eyes are hazel and look a little more brown every day. 

One of her 9 month outtakes....

She's starting to say Da-da-da-da, and as much as Nathan would love for Da-da to be her first word she doesn't seem to be associating it with him. 

I can't believe how cool this summer has been, ugh!! We've hardly been able to use the redneck pool. I don't think we've hit 90 degrees once yet this summer. 

We've been thankful for the few times we have been able to use the pool and sport our cute swim wear!! 

Her naps are fewer and far between...she's down to just about two naps a day that are each about an hour. Sometimes she naps before bedtime around 6:30 or 7 but we try to keep her up and stimulated so she will go to bed at a decent hour. She's usually asleep by 8:30 and awake anywhere between 7-8 am. 

Learning the ropes of shopping at Target. 

Nathan tried running with her in the jogging stroller when he was training for a triathlon....she passed out on him. 

Sporting our first pony tail. 

I've tried to get my dogs to lay on dog beds with no avail.....but anytime I lay down a baby blanket, Ruby clearly thinks it's just for her. Luckily, Viv doesn't mind sharing. 

Ruby was recently diagnosed with a nasty UTI and Cushings disease. We got both of those under control after being on antibiotics for a month and starting Trilostane. She also blew out her right ACL and had surgery to repair that about a month ago. She's finally on the mend and is starting to act more like her normal self. She's using the leg more now. She's a tough little old lady at 11.5 yrs old! 

Her pool at G&G Mangolds. 

Playing with her toys is hard work! 

My little Minion. 

She naps well in the car. 

Fashion plate at Orange Leaf. 

We do get a few pictures together.