Life...

Amelie is going crazy. She is so funny. She just started saying "mama" a lot. I'm not sure if she recognizes me as her mama, or if she just discovered the sound, but it's the cutest sounds she's made yet. She is getting to the point where she cries if I give her to some one else. She also will crawl frantically to me and climb up into my arms. Argh, it's cute. She laughs and squeals with delight all day long (unless she's tired), crawls around and gets into everything, and has really taken a liking to solid foods. She attacks the spoon. Although, she doesn't like avocados. We tried those today.

On Sat Grandma D came over and watched Amelie so Tyler and I could go on a date. We biked around the area checking out the local establishments. We had a ton of fun. We were home in time to put Ami to sleep and got some rest to do some work on the house Sunday. I also went to Abbys for a while and Ami and Sam got to play together.

We went to Home Depot and IKEA to get some little things for the house. We caved in and got the 2 hot dog, chips and a drink meal for $2.50. Then Tyler had to get the ice cream cone. Which was fine because he got majorly dragged around the store. We did come out of it with a $90 window shade for $33 and a fireplace screen...among other things.

My mom came over for a bit tonight and I was able to clean the house, Tyler put up the shade, installed the transition strips, and we hung some of our artwork.

Sorry, no photos today. I tried to upload some but it's all effed up and I'm confused and it's late and I'm tired.

She loves the snow.

Here is Krista on her wedding day. This is right before the ceremony. Isn't she pretty! I made her and Jason their present. It was fun to make and more fun to give it to them. It's made of maps, colored paper and paint. It's way cooler in person.

Here are some other things we have done:

Amelie and I have been going on a lot of cool weather walks lately. She even got to wear the great pink fleece snowsuit her aunt Sharon got her. It was perfect for walking with her in the Baby Bjorn.
We walked in the snow the other day and found a fabulous red tree in the white snow.

Had our first fire. Yes, it is a Duraflame log, but we needed to make sure that there weren't going to be any major malfunctions.
We took Amelie to Fuddruckers with Dan, Nicole, and Evelyn to watch the twins game. She sat in her first restaurant high chair.
She was just being really cute yesterday. Love the hat!
Grandma D came to visit on Saturday and we got some things around done around the house. I got to clean the bathroom and the living room. I felt pretty good about that. She made us pulled pork, did the dishes, and watched Amelie so we could get all that stuff done. It was great!

Amelie is crawling. It is insane. I have to put some thick lotion on her knees because she is so active. She is trying to pull herself up on everything. She has successfully done it once.

She is also eating solids. It took a while and she didn't enjoy it at first but she loves it now. She is actually pretty aggressive about it. She attacks the spoon. She ate 4.5 ounces of solids today. Carrots, sweet peas, and apples. I'll make parsnips soon. I learned what they were this weekend when I went grocery shopping. I am following some recipies for dinner again and tonight I made steak and parsnip and potato mash with chives. It was great.

Last of all, she rode in the cart at Target today. Then I found a headband and tried it out on her. We did not purchase it.

Blogging on the go!

I am going to start mobile blogging because I can't seem to find the time to sit down at the computer and get this done. Plenty of photos to follow!

A Super Sweet Weekend.

I had a super fun weekend.  My BFF Krista got married!  

I drove down on Friday morning and we all got our hair done and had mimosas and bagels at the salon.   Our bridesmaids dresses were pretty sweet.  Black, strapless and they had pockets.  The ceremony was short and sweet, I laughed and cried and their son Carter was adorable.  Jason surprised everyone by having his friend officiate the wedding, I thought that was a nice touch.  I also really liked how the wedding and the ceremony were all in the same place.  

Krista looked beautiful.  Her hair was great, her friend Brianne loaned her a really cool headband/tiara that looked great too.  

I loved dancing and hanging out with everyone.  I have been really lucky to see my friend Courtney several times this summer.  Her sister Britta was hilarious as usual.  Jourdan and Jana busted out some sweet dance moves.  I even got to see Housten juggle some limes.  

Oh, and it was also my birthday.  I turned 29.  Tyler got me a new iPhone and gave it to me earlier in the week.  I had to manually re-enter all my contacts which was annoying but it's done now.   And I have a bunch of really awesome new Apps too.   My mom had dinner for me at her house on Thurs, here is grandpa with the babes. 

I really missed Amelie while I was gone.  When I got home I held her for a while and tried giving her to Tyler so I could get ready for work (because I had to work Saturday night), and she turned back towards me and grabbed onto my shirt locking herself onto me.  It was so cute and the first time she has done something like that.  It was really hard to go to work.  Look at her laughing.

The whole weekend left me exhausted.  I came home from work on Saturday night and slept, we went for a walk today with our friend who lives nearby, then me, Tyler and Ami all took a 3 hour nap.  

One of many things to do tonight.

First of all, here I am with Ami and Sammy.  They both look a little stunned here.

I am getting worse and worse at updating this blog.  I've just been busy/lazy/sick/tired.  I pretty much feel 100% now but had a cold for a few days.  All thats left now is a crusty dry nose.  Ew.  Amelie only got a mini version of my cold.  Hooray for breastfeeding.  

I am feeling like I have several things to finish tonight so I am going to go list style again.

1.  Tyler and I went to my friend John's wedding on Saturday.  It was at St. Kates (where his bride went to college).  It was beautiful and so was the reception.  We had a great time.  Grammy Tracy watched Amelie again, thanks to her we have been able to make it to all the weddings, showers, and bach parties that weddings bring.

2.  I went to another "Just Between Friends" consignment sale with Nicole.  I got a bunch more super cute clothes.  Jeans, some cute sweatshirt/pant sets, winter gear, and my fav...a flannel shirt.  I'm pretty sure Nicole and her husband Dan are Tyler and I in an alternate universe.  We are all so similar it's eery.  

I realize the photos are sideways and it is easy to change...but I just don't feel like it.  Plus, the clothes are SO much cuter in person.

3.  My birthday is on Friday and Tyler got me a brand spanking new iPhone.   LOVE IT!  I can now share videos, take better photos and I already got some sweet apps.  I even bought a screen cover for it, while I was laying in bed, with my eBay app.  Check out her cuteness.

4.  We are purchasing a new heating/cooling system for our home.  It's gonna be rad.  We got a few bids and we need to get this $%8t in the works because it is currently a balmy 61 degrees in our home.  You should see what Amelie is wearing for PJ's.  

5.  I am working on a really awesome art project but I can't disclose too much information about it yet.  Photos to follow.

6.  My BFF Krista's wedding is this weekend.  I am super pumped about it.  I am leaving Friday morning and can't wait for the festivities.  Thanks again to Grammy Tracy for babysitting.  She's going to win Grandma of the year.  It still feels a little weird calling her grandma.

7.  While it has been really difficult to get Amelie to sleep (and she wakes up a lot the first couple of hours)  but she slept 7.5 hours on Monday night and 5 hours straight last night.  I am sure she senses me writing this and will rebel immediately, but I really do hope this is becoming a real thing, that is, her sleeping "through the night."

8.  I finally joined the YMCA.  I can't wait to blast myself into reality.

9.  I made some great chili the other night.  Easiest chili ever.  I called Abby because I needed a reminder of the recipe and she had just finished making the same chili.  Here it is.  I added green peppers, cheese and sour cream.

The End.

I loves me a deal.

So my friend Nicole and I went to this big baby "garage sale" tonight.  It's called "Just Between Friends."  We went to the preview sale and got a bunch of great baby stuff.  What, you want to see some photos...ok!

Grey and White polka dotted sweater set. 

Pink belted button up sweater and army green cargo pants.

And my favorite clothing purchase, something that I have been searching for...a pink puffy vest. 

 I also got 3 pair of pajamas, an organic cotton Ellaroo baby carrier (which is normally $80), a Maclaren stroller (which will set you back $180), a lamp for her room and the cutest little deer stuffed animal you have ever seen...all for $80.  Some of the clothes are brand new.  Best sale ever.  It was held in the old Mervyn's department store and it was HOT in there, plus the line was SOOO long, but it was totally worth it.  

I have been trying to update my iPhone all day on my computer.  First I had to download and install the new version of iTunes.  Then I had to update my flash player in order to open iTunes. It has literally taken all day to do that.  Now I am trying to update my phone and my computer is telling me that there are "3 hours remaining."  Are you kidding me?  I think we need a new computer.  What a pain.

I tried feeding Ami some carrot puree today, I'm not sure that she likes it or understands how to eat it yet.  She just kept making a yucky face and making gag noises.  She got it all over her face though.  Thanks for the sheep bib aunt Debra!

You should see our dishes.  I'm not even going to take a photo to share.  It is a literal mountain of dishes.  It makes me angry just to be in the kitchen.  Maybe Tyler will surprise me with a dishwasher one day.

I'm lazy.

Still not getting much (anything) done at home.  Just the regular old stuff...laundry, dishes ect...

We went over to Abby's and went to the Uptown Market.  I got some lotions and a bag and a bundle of carrots to make Amelie's first baby puree.  Her and Sammy played together.  There was this cut out at the market.  You know how I love those things.

Trying to get Sam's attention.

She tried out Sammy's car

She even tried a little of his squash.  She sniped the spoon right out of my hand and shoved it into her mouth.  I think it was a little thick for her yet.  

We walked up to the bakery and got a cookie to share and stopped at a garage sale on the way home.  I got Ami this vintage hat and sweater for $1.  Abby got Sam a really cool vintage snowsuit.

I made the carrot puree tonight.  I froze 2 ice cube trays of it.  While I was finishing up Amelie pooped on Tyler's legs and pants.  She was just wearing a diaper and blasted right though it.

Saturday I went to Krista's bach party.  It was a lot of fun.  Her wedding is on Oct 2nd (also my birthday).  I'm really excited to be in her wedding (bridesmaid).  I'm also glad she chose cute dresses.  This weekend we are going to my friend John's wedding.  This will be wedding #2 this month.  

We are trying to get Amelie on a better sleep schedule.  I don't want to talk crazy but I think it's working.  I mean, she's woken up twice in the last 2 hours, but we have gotten her back to sleep without nursing her within 5 minutes...in her crib.  Plus, she slept in her crib all night last night.  

She's going to start crawling soon.  I'm terrified of her mobility and impending independence.  She has all the components of crawling, she just has to learn how to put them together.  I'll keep you posted.

The shortest bike ride ever.

We decided to try out the Burley tonight.  Amelie was in an exceptionally great mood so I thought it would go well.  We busted out a pair of my legwarmers to use to cover the shoulder harness and hooked it up to my bike.  

Here we are leaving the driveway.  I wasn't able to take any more photos since we only got a block and a half away when she started to cry.  We tried distracting her but ended up walking our bikes back home.  The second we unsnapped her harness she stopped crying.  She does that all the time...in the swing, the car seat, the stroller.  It's as if she knows she's getting her way.

She literally puts anything in her mouth right now.  My leg, my shoulder, her brush, all of her toys, Tyler's glasses, anything at all.   She was eating her brush out in the front yard today

We really have been lazy about fixing up the house the last few weeks.  Instead, we have been going for walks, taking bike rides and making delicious dinners.  Last week I rode up to Fort Snelling through the Falls and ended up on Post Road right off 494.  I was gone for about an hour and came home covered in gnats.  

I love Real Simple Magazine.  They have a month of recipes with the grocery list in their most recent edition.  I got all the ingredients for the first week and so far I have made Flank Steak with Bok Choy and Rice, and last night we had Tilapia with Peppers, Onions and Olives.  

  

After I made a gourmet dinner I did all the dishes that have been sitting in the sink for several days... I had to let them dry on both sides of the sink.  Someone get me a dishwasher!   As you can see, we have made zero progress on the kitchen since we have moved in.  Actually, we (Tyler) painted the shelves and installed those.  The cupboard doors still need another coat of paint and hinges.  I couldn't take any more photos of the house to post because it's too messy right now, but Krista, I promise I will soon.

It's been a while...

Argh, we have done so much in the last few weeks and I have just been too busy to keep this blog properly updated. I don't even know where to start so I will just start listing random things.

- We visited Grandma and Grandpa Lund. That was exactly 3 weeks ago.
- We met my friend Kylea's daughter, she was about 1 month old at the time and such a tiny little peanut.
- We watched Alice in Wonderland (from the 1980's) and it was awesome/crazy. I remember why it freaked me out when I was a kid
- We had a nice visit with Uncle Tyson.
- I took Amelie to get a half round of shots. (I split her vaccinations into 2 visits)
- Tyler and I went to Kelly Knauer and Dave Snyder's wedding at the Gale Mansion on the 5th. It was a great wedding, we had tons of fun and Stan watched Amelie until we got home. I got to see my old friend Ellie and reconnect with a few others. Those nights out are so wonderful.
- I worked a few times, I had a lot of fun with my co-worker/friends
- We went to the Beer Bust "Drink Jugs to Save Mugs." Dorothy watched Ami that time. We also had a ton of fun there. I won some prizes, got soaked in the rain, and had a great time with both sides of my family.  My dad won this super sweet Zubaz onsie and gave it to us for Amelie.
- I went for several walks with Amelie, Sammy and Abby.
- Tyler got to go mountain biking with some friends.
- We bought a Burley Bike Trailer to bring Ami on our bike rides.
- I determined that I was going to take the upcoming training classes in November to become a certified Birth Doula. I'm super excited about it.
- I went to my Krista's (my BFF since high school/college roomie) wedding shower.  Britta made some great food.  Props.

- On one of me and Abby's walks, we went up to Wabun Park and the babies played in the water feature there.  I can't wait until they are old enough to really appreciate that place.  If I was a little kid, this would be place I wanted to be.

- I went to the grocery store/Target/the Bank today and made a gourmet dinner consisting of Tilapia, onions, red peppers and olives. It was soooooo good.

- We tentatively set our wedding date for August 28th 2010.

This weekend I have Krista's Bachelorette party to look forward too. Shout out to Beth, Amber, Cassie and Julia living it up Chicago style this weekend. Sorry I can't be there. I also am really excited for John Flietman's wedding later this month.

Also, I am joining the YMCA tomorrow. I'm most excited for the classes and the childcare service.

I also have a TON of super cute photos of Amelie to show the world, however I am typing on my old MacBook that I busted out of retirement and it is taking forever to load the photos so I will add them later.

Here is one, Amelie's new favorite pants.  Baby Hippie.

Here are Tyler and Amelie playing before bed last night.

And now, the cutest photo of the week, thanks to my mom who watched her for 2 hours while I shopped for new work out gear...

Peace.

State Fair

Tyler came home a little early from work today so we could go to the Great Minnesota Get Together.  I barely ate anything all day in preparation for the foods on a stick. 

Here is what we ate:

-Cheese Curds

-Turkey Leg

-Smores'

-Jalpeno Cheese on a Stick

-Chocolate Covered Cheesecake on a Stick

-Corndog

-1 Bucket of Cookies

-All You Can Drink Milk with 3 refills

-Root Beer

- A Bucket of roughly 4 dozen cookies

Amelie loved all the people watching.  She napped for a bit in the stroller and when she got fussy I wore her in the Baby Bjorn (best invention ever).

We were checking out the fish in the DNR wildlife area and found these really hilarious cut outs for taking photos.  Check them out. 

Ready for some white water rafting.

Geared up to hit the trails.

Born to bike.

I laughed so hard when I first saw these photos. 

 

Oh, we also took some photos in the photobooth.  They are also pretty cute.  Now we are home.  Amelie is sleeping.  She's probably tired from crying all the way home from the fair.  As soon as we took her out of the car she stopped crying, and when we came in she laid on the floor giggling and laughing.  

I'm going to go eat a cookie.