Modeling is Probably Not in Her Future...

This past weekend, I had two goals.  The first was to finish Stella's book of her first year (I can't believe it has already been a year).  My second goal was to get a good picture of Stella to use for this year's Christmas card.  Let's just say only one of the two were accomplished.

About two weeks ago I was in Buy Buy Baby looking for a humidifier for Stella's room.  While there I noticed adorable Christmas bloomers... white with red ruffles on the butt.  I bought them instantly because I knew they would make for an adorable Christmas card.  So Saturday morning created my background by using a large black piece of fabric.  I wrapped a large box in red paper and attached a big bow... the backdrop was set.  Next I put Stella in her Bloomers and grabbed the camera.

My plan was to have Stella stand, facing the box (obviously holding onto it for support.)  She was then going to look back at me over her right shoulder while wearing a Santa hat.  I had envisioned it beautifully as I laid in bed Friday night.  She put the hat on, stood at the box, turned around with the most perfect smile...

Then I woke up from that dream and this is what we got instead.

You want me to wear a hat?

You want me to stand still?

Oh, I'm supposed to look at you now?

I will look at you, only because you are feeding me?

Daddy please save me...

Really... was I asking that much?  Needless to say, we didn't get the perfect Christmas Card picture.  But I did finish the book of her first year, so at least I finished half of what I set out to do.

Mirrors, Mirrors Everywhere

Last weekend we went to LA to meet Brian's brother, Brent, to go to the USC vs. Notre Dame football game.  We arrived on Friday morning and went straight to Anaheim.  We were going to go to Disney Land, however once we arrived there we discovered everyone else had the same idea so we went to Disney Downtown instead.  This is basically a mall outside of Disney.  It was pretty uneventful except we did get a couple good pictures of Stella.

After our detour to Disney and a wonderful lunch at Portillos, we headed to the hotel.  Brian had booked a room at The SLS in Beverly Hills.  We made the decision to go to LA late so our options for hotel using points was limited.  This hotel was awesome.  One of those places where really important people stay,  way beautiful and let's be honest a little too swanky for us.  I doubt they have a lot of people who stay at the hotel with an eleven month old.

This room had mirrors everywhere.  The television was even set within a mirror.  I don't know about you, but I have no desire to see a 360 degree view of this post-baby body!!  Stella enjoyed the room a lot.  Everything was at the perfect height for a baby learning to walk. 

We went to dinner at Mastro's on Friday evening and Stella did great.  On Saturday, after Stella's nap we headed to the Colosseum to tailgate and go to the game.  I was concerned with how Stella was going to do at the game because sitting for long periods of time is really not her thing... she loves to be on the move.  However, she did great.  She feel asleep right before half time.  That was a good thing because mid-way into the 3rd quarter it began to rain, okay I mean pour.  She didn't even realize it because she was sound asleep under the blanket.  We sat in the rain for a while until the boys decided it was time to go... thank goodness!

Overall we had a great weekend.  It was nice to get out of town and of course it is always nice to see Uncle Brent.

A Step Closer to Closure

As I sit here tonight writing my post about the most awesome weekend that I had at home, visiting my family, I keep thinking about the one person who wasn't there, the one person that ironically enough I probably think about the most these days... my grandfather.

As I sure most everyone who reads this blog knows, my grandfather passed away this summer after a very long time of being sick.  And although anyone who saw him as he entered the last phase of his life can agree that he is in a much better place, it is still so surreal to go home and he not be there.

My grandpa was a drill sergeant in the army and he carried this mentality throughout most of his life.  He was an extremely hard worker, who lived very modestly and took care of those around him.  I don't remember a lot about him from when I was a kid, but I can remember as a kid him always giving us grief if we didn't finish our soda can for who would even think about wasting it.  Or how we would get into his desk drawer to find his stash of spearmint gum and there usually being a half of stick still remaining because he would only chew half at a time.  One of my fondest memories was after he got his hearing aides and every time he would hug me, he would press his ear against my head to make a ringing noise.  He wasn't an overly affectionate man but we always knew that he loved us.

When I was pregnant with Stella there were a few times when I asked my parents about Grandpa they were honest and said that they didn't know how much longer he would be around.  I remember praying that I just wanted to have the opportunity for him to get to meet her.  And I was lucky he did.  I brought her home when she was just a couple months old and then again a few weeks before he passed.  It was such a wonderful feeling seeing him with her.  I was so excited for them to have the opportunity to meet and I knew he loved her too.

About two weeks after that last visit home, my grandfather passed away.  And although we were not extremely close, it's not like we even talked that often, it has been extremely hard for me.  I am sure that part of it is because I have been very fortunate in my life that I have not lost very many people and therefore I don't how to handle grief.  But I think another part of it is the thought that someone so strong and powerful in my life is no longer a part of it.

I didn't go back for the funeral and part of me regrets that.  I think funerals have a way of helping to put closer on death.  And I'm sure as time goes on I will get closure in my own way.

And although I miss him terribly, I know that he is in a much better place watching down on me and now he has the opportunity to see Stella everyday :-)

Stella is on the Move

It seems like yesterday Stella learned to crawl, okay maybe it wasn't yesterday but it wasn't more than a couple of weeks ago.  Ever since this new learned discovery she has been on the move.  She crawls all over the house and gets herself into all kinds of trouble.  I didn't think I would be that mom, but if she didn't say da da all of the time I would bet anything her first word would be no.

No, we don't play with the bills.

No, don't play with the dog food. 

No, don't play in the toilet.

No, don't pull stuff off the refrigerator. 

And today... no, don't climb in cabinets. 

But with all this new found independence and exploring it hasn't been all that bad.  Let me tell you there is nothing more heart-warming then hearing the garage door go up at night, telling her that Da Da is home and seeing her race to the door, with a great big smile, to greet him.

Stella's First Halloween

Vacation isn't what it used to be!!

This past week, we were fortunate enough to take a take a trip to Kauai with our friends Josh, Kim and their 18-month old daughter, Ella.  Before we left many people told us how beautiful and relaxing the island Kauai is.  I optimistically took two different books to read while at the pool sipping my drink of the day.  However, for parents of a small children, the island of Kauai is indeed beautiful but relaxing may not be the best descriptor.  In saying this, we had an excellent vacation playing in kiddie pool, going down the waterslide, learning how to crawl (yes, she can crawl :)) and playing as a family.  It's a different kind of vacation.

We left early Friday morning for a six-hour flight.  This was the only part of the trip that I was not looking forward to.  The girls were excellent considering on the flight over considering they only slept for forty-five minutes.

View of pool from our balcony

View of ocean from our balcony

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 On Saturday morning, our first outing was to the local farmers market where we bought plenty of fresh local fruit and Stella even enjoyed coconut milk.

We then spent the rest of the day and the next few days hanging by the pool and playing on the waterslide.

On Monday, we went to Hanalei Bay Beach.  For anyone who knows me, you know my true love for the beach... I hate it.  I truly can not think of anything worse.  But I sucked it up and off we went.

 

Stella had so much fun that she even took a nap.

On Tuesday, we wanted to explore the island a bit more so Stella, Brian and took took a helicopter tour.  It was awesome.

And again, Stella took a nap.

On Wednesday, Josh and Kim kept Stella so Brian and I could go scuba diving.  We saw a lot of really awesome fish, as well as a few sharks, a lobster, some turtles and a couple of eels.  I even was able to feed the fish... and not in a good way.  The boat just kept going up and down and up and down.

On Thursday, we kept Ella so Josh and Kim could go Kayaking.  We had an awesome time but two kids is a lot of work.

We had a wonderful morning until nap time... It took us over an hour and a half to get both of them to sleep.  I thought it happened earlier but when I went to check on Ella this is what I found...

Yeah, she wasn't sleeping.  But after a good rest we went out to the pool and had a wonderful afternoon.

Overall, we had a wonderful trip with some great friends.  It is so nice to have friends that you can travel well with as well as kids that are close in the same age.  I hope this is the first of many family vacations!!

Stella Moves to the Big Girl Tub

Stella is just over nine months old now and this entire time we have been giving Stella her bath in a baby tub in the kitchen sink.  I am sure most people would have moved to the big girl bath a long time before nine months, but out of pure convenience we continued to use the baby bath.

However a few nights ago, I made the decision to make the move.  Stella loves splashing and playing in the water and she was simply running out of room.  As bath time was drawing near, I blew up her new ducky bath, filled it with water and put her in.  At first she didn't know how to react, but after a few seconds she loved it.

Stella Goes to Kinnick

I am going to start this post by mentioning that I do indeed love my husband.  He is an excellent father, great husband and overall wonderful man.  HOWEVER, when the man steps foot on Iowa soil, I don't know what happens to him.

In saying this, we went back to Iowa this weekend for the Iowa vs Iowa State Football game.  We were so excited to see the game and visit my parents, as they drove over from Illinois.  We left Friday evening and flew from Phoenix to Denver and Denver to Cedar Rapids.  Stella was an excellent flyer.

In Denver, we tried to get Stella to fall asleep and we thought we had succeeded until Brian happened to look at the side of the stoller.

 Yeah not so much, but she did fall asleep on the plane.  We arrived late Friday night and went straight to the hotel to catch some zzzz's.

Saturday morning we woke up, went to The Hawk Shop to get our game day apperal, and headed out for the pregame festivities.  But before we left Stella needed to make sure she had plenty of energy.

 We had a great time at our friend's tailgate visiting while the boys played beer-pong.

It was such a wonderful morning, we were having a great time... and then we headed to the game.  As with any college stadium, Iowa does not serve alcohol during the game so Brian thought it would be a good idea to make a drink to go... one for him and one for my father.  Anyone who has ever had a drink poured by Brian really only makes that mistake once.  And my guess is, that it was the last time my dad will ever have Brian pour him a drink also.  Once thier drinks were poured, we headed to the game.  This was just the beginning...

Brian and I head into the stadium, as my parents take Stella back for a nap.  This is where I begin reminding myself how much I love my husband.  You know when you go to a game and there is that jack*** is your section who is so into the game, way more than they should be?  That's Brian.  He was fist pumping, jumping up and down and overall being a obnoxious fan.

We made it to half-time.  At this point, Brian and I went up to the concession stand where I proceeded to get sodas while Brian went to the restroom.  The plan was to meet back at our seats.  After waiting in line for fifteen minutes I headed back to our seats where I thought my husband would be waiting for me.  To my surprise he was not there, okay he was still in the restroom.  I enjoyed the peace and quiet of the third quarter until the I started to begin to get concerend that Brian had not returned from the restroom.  To make a very long, but extremely funny story short, Brian had not returned to our seats, he had gone to the same seats in a different section.  He spent the entire sencond-half of the game looking for me and calling my parents to see if they had heard from me, as if I had disappeared.  When I finally realized that he was in the next section over, I went over to Brian and was told over and over how he had walked up and down the stairs for the entire quarter looking for me.  As if it was my fault that he went to the wrong section.  I have never laughed so hard in my life.  I love my husband, I love my husband.  On a side note, I am extremely impressed that he was so concerned about me that he would look for me instead of watching the game... I guess he loves me to.

That was the end of the game and one would think that the drama would be over.  We headed back to the hotel to find my father laying on the bed watching the ceiling spin.  Again, he hadn't experienced Brian's bartending skills.  Thank goodness we had two babysitters to take care of Stella... poor dad.  Needless to say dad did not go to dinner with us that night.

Sunday presented its own set of drama... we spent the morning looking for the car keys and attached wallet that we later discoverd was left at the hotel restraunt the prior afternoon by my parents.

Wow... what a weekend.  This post totally does it no justice.  But as Brian just informed me, "It's just a typical Iowa weekend."