Happy 1st Birthday Hayden

September 12th, 2011 this little cutie turned 1!

He happens to be our sweet nephew Hayden! Hard to believe a year ago he was this small!

We celebrated his first birthday the following Sunday with family & a few friends at my parents' house.

Wendi (Hayden's Mom) and I spent the night before decorating a bit. Wendi acutally did the majority of it and I was so proud of her! She borrowed my cricut and went to town!!

Hayden got a lot of fun gifts. He was more interested in the wrapping, tissue paper, and boxes though (as most kids are)! Hayden just went along and would randomly pull gifts out of their bags or wrapping!

He particularly like this little monkey! So sweet! We got him a little blow up ball pit. 

Grandpa Duane grilled out and we had all kinds of yummy sides to go with our hot dogs & hamburgers! And of course the most important part of a birthday party: CAKE!!

Wendi got Hayden his own little smash cake from a local favorite bakery. He was a little hesitant at first…..

but then went to town! Gotta love smash cake pictures!! (Makes me excited for Adelyn's party...but I know it's going to come sooner than what I expect).Happy birthday sweet baby boy!! We’ve enjoyed watching you grow throughout your first year and are excited to see the changes ahead for your 2nd year!! Love you lil Hayden!!

Adelyn’s Three Months Old!!

Lots of changes have happened in Adelyn’s 3rd month of life! This post is LONG over due…over 2 weeks to be exact! However I did manage to get her pictures taken on the 21st, read on to find out more!

The biggest change is that she is now spending about 10 hours/day at daycare while Mommy & Daddy are at work. The transition, for her, seems to have gone just fine, Mommy on the other hand had a hard time! But this post is about Adelyn, not Mommy!

Adelyn continues to eat very well. While I was still home from work she was nursing about every 2 1/2 – 3 hours during the day. At daycare she takes a bottle about every 2 1/2 – 3 hours as well and does good going from nursing to the bottle & back. She nurses in the morning before daycare and also nurses at night when we get home for the day.

Napping at daycare has been a different story. The teachers in her room says she falls asleep in the swing or bouncy seat, but she can only stay there for 10 minutes because of DHS regulations. At that time her teachers have to move her to her crib. So she takes lots of short naps at daycare! On the weekends we have been working her napping in crib, make a little progress each time! Since she doesn’t take too long of naps at daycare she has been very tired at night, usually napping for 1 1/2 – 2 hours! It allows us to get a few things done, but we are always wanting to wake her so we can spend time with her after not seeing her all day!

Adelyn is a strong little girl! She holds her head up 95% of the time and has been rolling from her tummy to her back since she was 2 months old. I have a feeling rolling from her back to her tummy isn't far off!

She is still in size 1 diapers. We did buy a few of the Pampers size 1-2, its like size  1 1/2! She's also still in 0-3 month clothes. I have gotten a few 3-6 month things out, but completely switching over her close is on the to-do list!

She still likes to suck on her fist and if she could get both in there she was suck on both hands! Last month she lost interest in her "soothie" paci, but this month we tried the Nuk paci's and she likes those. She really only has them for nap time or at night when she goes to bed.

Adelyn got her first cold after being at daycare for only 2 days. Her cry was horse, her nose was running, and the poor girl was coughing so bad. Because of her not feeling well she started waking up during the night. It's been an adjustment to have that middle of the night feeding and still getting up for work in the AM, but we're making it work when the poor little thing doesn't feel well. :(

Overall she's still a happy little girl! When she is awake in the evenings after daycare she is happy to see Mommy & Daddy and gives us lots of smiles! This month has been an adjustment, but we are making it through and slowly getting into a new routine.

With each month Adelyn continues to grow and change. We are enjoying each and every stage of this precious little girl's life. It just needs to slow down!

*THREE MONTH STATS*

weight 14lbs

length 25 3/4 in long (aprox)

eating 100% breastfeeding

clothes 0-3 months, some 3-6

diapers size 1 & size 1-2

Adelyn’s Dedication

We knew the minute we found out we were pregnant that this baby was a gift from God. When Adelyn was born we put her in God’s hands, but we wanted to do the “official” dedication at our church. On Sunday September 18th, surrounded by our families we dedicated our sweet baby girl to the Lord.

A big part of baby dedication is in our purpose as parents, to accept the challenge of raising Adelyn in the love of God and in the ways of God! During the service Pastor had a few things for us to commit to. We recognize Adelyn as a gift from God and give heartfelt thanks for God’s blessing.

We pledged as parents, in the sight of God and witnesses, to bring up Adelyn in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

We promised to Adelyn every possible benefit of home, school, and church.

And the final parent of the covenant was asking God’s blessing upon Adelyn’s life, to guide, guard, and direct through all of years.

Pastor Janis took Adelyn and prayed over her. The whole time she was smiling and cooing! It was SO sweet!

Then Pastor & Janis prayed over us! It was such a special day and we felt so blessed to have the support of our families there with us. We know Adelyn is blessing from God and we are excited to raise her to know Him!

1 Samuel 1:27-28 For this child I have prayed; and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. Therefore I also have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lived he shall be lent to the Lord.

Hawkeye Football

This is our 4th year as season ticket holders to the Iowa Hawkeye football games. A frequently asked question we’ve gotten since Adelyn was born is if we still planned to get season tickets….the answer was always yes! We want to continue this fun tradition and one day will include her in on the fun!!

The first game of the year was the Saturday of Labor Day weekend. We spent the night my parents house. They kept Adelyn for the day while we went to the game. Our friends, Nate & Kylie joined us! We left at the early hour of 4am for the 2 1/2 hour road trip to Iowa City. We spent the morning tail gating and enjoying some good eats!

Unfortunately we got rained on at the game! I should say we were hit with a hurricane! It was rianing so hard in the 3rd quarter you could see the sheets of rain coming  down and the stairs quickly turned into rivers! Thanks goodness for our ponchos….from the knees up we were dry for the most part!

I zoomed in across the stadium to find Nate & Kylie. Can you spot them? (Hint: Nate has a red jacket on.)

Because of the hevy amount of rain they ended up calling a rain delay that lasted for almost two hours. This was Nate’s first Iowa game, so they were A-ok with waiting it out! While we waited we tried to dry off, which included wringing out our shoes!

After the rain subsided we were able to go back in the stadium to finish watching the game. Because of the length of the delay a LOT of fans left which meant we could sit wherever we wanted….50 yard line, row 5!!

It was like we were so close we could reach out and touch the players and coaches! So cool!

Some friends of our’s from work were at the game. I used the zoom on our camera to find them on the other side of the stadium!!

Despite the rain, we had a great time! Nate’s comment after the game was, “If it hadn’t rained like that we wouldn’t have been able to go down and sit so close.” Good point, no everyone gets to set front & center for their first experience at Kinnick! Oh and we won!

The next weekend Iowa played at Iowa State. This was the weekend of our friends, Mark & Jenna’s, wedding. Unfortunately after 3 overtimes, Iowa lost. Kyle made a risky beat and now with that loss he has to wear an Iowa State polo to work every Friday for the rest of the season. I think everyone at work knows about this bet!

The week after Mark & Jenna’s wedding and Iowa’s loss to ISU, Kyle & Adelyn both got a nasty cold. For this reason and Kyle having a lot of homework, we decided to sell our tickets and stay home. Kyle enjoyed watching the game with his favorite lil Hawkeye fan!

Even though we weren’t there to cheer them on, the Hawks pulled out a great win! They were down 21 points and came back to win it in the 3rd & 4th quarters! It was Iowa’s biggest comeback in Hawkeye football history.

And the last weekend in September was yet another home Iowa game! Yes 3 of the 4 weekends in September were home games! We ended up not going to this game either. Adelyn was so kind to share her cold with Mommy. With all 3 of us being under the weather we decided it would be best to stay home. Plus I didn’t want to leave Adelyn after having to be away from her all week when I was at work.

Thankfully the rest of the home Iowa games are more spread apart! Eventually we hope to have 4 seats so we can take Adelyn with us or maybe other friends.

Quick Update

Hello all! Well if you look to the right and see how many posts I had in August compared to September I think you could quickly see I haven't had the time I did when I was on maternity leave! Ok so now I'll bring you guys up to speed!

The week after Labor I worked three 1/2 days, just to ease back into it! Leaving Adelyn those first few days was a piece of cake because my Mom came up to our house to watch her. The next week is another story....

That weekend our wonderful friends, Mark & Jenna got married. Kyle & I both had the honor to stand up with them on their big day. It was a perfect weekend!!

Aunt Stef came over from Omaha to watch Adelyn for us on Saturday while we were busy with the wedding festivities. Thanks Aunt Stef!! Speaking of my sister Stef, her and Geoff found out their having a baby GIRL!!!! We are so excited for them. And I know her and Adelyn are going to be best buds growing up!!

The week following Mark & Jenna's wedding was my first full week back to work. Leaving Adelyn at daycare was one of the hardest things I've had to do. Not that we aren't happy with the daycare, we've had a great experience so far, but I just hate being away from her 10+ hours/day. Being back at work full time has been a definite adjustment. I feel like the days and weeks are just flying by and Adelyn is growing by the minute. I just want it all to slow down!!

I've learned that things I used to think were important, such as dusting, vacumming, etc, aren't so much anymore. I'd rather spend my time with my sweet baby girl in the evenings after work! I mean who wouldn't want to spend their time with this sweet girl! Doesn't she look SO big in this picture?!?!

(this picture is from almost 3 weeks ago and I feel like she's already changed in that short amount of time!)

Ok, back to the update! This cute little boy ,AKA our nephew Hayden, turned 1 on September 12th! Hard to believe he's already a year old!!
We dedicated Adelyn on September 18th! The majority of both of our families got to be there for the special day!

On the 21st of September Adelyn turned 3 months old! These past 3 months have been amazing, but also they have flown by!!

We've also been keeping busy with trips to Iowa City for some Hawkeye football and still have quite a few more games this fall! I'm excited for this weekend though, we have no plans and just hope to enjoy a nice fall weekend at home with our family!

I will do more detailed posts on all these happenings, but I wanted to at least let everyone know that I'm still alive & kickin', just getting adjusted to being a working Mom! :)

Adelyn’s Newborn Pictures

June 21st, 2011 is a day we will never forget. That is the day we were blessed with you, our baby girl. You came into our lives and blessed us beyond belief. You have turned us into to parents and made us fall in love in a whole new way.

To think that God gave you to us to love and raise makes us so happy. We feel so grateful to be your Mommy & Daddy. You have made us a family of three and for right now that feels just right.

Adelyn, I loved you when you were growing in my tummy for 9 months, but I had no idea how much more I could love you once you made your arrival. I have dreamed about having a daughter for years and years. Adelyn you are a dream come true and I love you more than words can describe.

You have turned the man I love in your Daddy. He is completely smitten over you. Watching you and Daddy together melts my heart. And because of you, Adelyn, Daddy & I have a whole new love for each other.

Not only do your Daddy & I love you to pieces, there are many other people in your life that treasure you as well. You  have Grandmas, Grandpas, Aunts, Uncles, cousins (one is on the way!), and friends who love you so much. You are a blessed little girl.

When you were growing in my tummy Daddy & I prayed all the time that you would be a healthy, happy baby. We thank God everyday that he listened to our prayers and blessed us with a just that. You are a healthy growing little girl with a smile that would melt anyone’s heart.

Over these past 2+months we have loved seeing you grow and change. You have already given us so much love and laughter and pure joy. Hearing your coo’s & little noises will turn any frown into a smile!

Waking up every morning and seeing your sweet smiling face is just how Daddy & I like to start the day. You are always extra happy in the mornings, so much so that you will even take a little break from eating to flash Momma a smile!

Over these past 10+ weeks I have been so blessed to spend every single day with you. I have loved every minute of being home with you. Soon you will be going to daycare while Daddy & I are at work. I am not excited about, no one will take care and love you like I do. But I know you will be in good hands and you will make friends! 

The first time I felt these little feet in my tummy it brought tears to my eyes, but now we are so blessed to be able to see, hold, and kiss these little feet everyday! One day these tiny toes & feet will be running all around, but for today Daddy & I will enjoy you at this stage.

I love to dress you up in all things girly, complete with ruffles, ribbons, and bows! Some say this is drive you to be a tomboy and if that is the case I will love you just the same! You don’t seem to mind bows and flowers in your hair one bit, so for now I will continue with all the frills! Surprisingly, Daddy doesn’t seem to mind all these girly things, I think its because you have him wrapped around your little finger!

Adelyn you have made your Daddy and me a family of three. We love you more than words can describe and feel completely blessed that God has entrusted us with your precious life.

Love, Mommy <3