Robert's Standing...why aren't we more happy?

This week Robert learned another new skill...pulling himself up to standing all by himself! Eric and I are happy that he continues to learn new things but the problem with this new skill is that he hasn't mastered getting down from the standing position. Which means every time he goes to his crib for a nap or bedtime he gets himself up to standing and then screams until one of us rescues him and lays him back down. If we are lucky the process is only repeated once but this is rare so bedtime/naptime is turning into more of a challenge. We also think his top teeth might be coming in because he has been more cranky than usual, chewing on more objects, and the drool has returned. We'll keep you posted if more teeth are arriving!

The week seemed to go by very fast. I was able to spend sometime earlier in the week with my best friend Sherry while in Red Wing teaching a CPR class. We had a great time and I really wish I could see her more often but hopefully within another year or so they will be able to make a move from Indiana and I'm praying it will be to Minnesota.

Eric continues to find new hobbies to keep both him and Robert entertained during the day. We had his piano moved back to our house from his parents and Eric has been busy learning children songs and playing them for Robert.

Other events from the week included a bonfire (from our trimmed trees) on our deck with Nick and Mandie and today I went to St. Peter for my good friend Abby's baby shower. She is the 5th member of our department to deliver a baby this past year and I can't wait for her little guy to get here. My mom made the trip down to St. Peter with me and we were able to get up to the cemetary in Mankato were both my Grandma and Dad are buried. It is never easy to visit them but something that was needed. I left pictures of Robert with the flowers my mom brought so that they could have their Great Grandson and Grandson with them. I know that they are both keeping a close eye on them from Heaven along with all of our other loved ones who have left us too soon.

This week I have to make my last trip to Red Wing to train their pool staff and then am looking forward to a lighter week. At work I'll be kept busy with my summer teaching assignment starting and with our school changing from a College to a University. Hope everyone has a great week!

Standing in my crib...aren't I cute!

Showing G'ma my piano skills!

Look I can play without even looking!

After seeing my first game I decided I needed a baseball cap to match my daddy! Now they just need to win more games.

Dad's Grave...how I wish he could have met Eric and Robert

Memorial Day Weekend

We had a great mini-vacation this week in Red Wing. Robert was quite busy keeping Grandma Roberts entertained while Eric was kept busy with a honey-do list from her.

Eric's big project while we were there was to put up a new screened-in patio for her. The box said it would only take 1 1/2 hours to set up but this was taking into account that you measured the space it was being put correctly. The final pieces of the frame were being put into place when we realized we were about 4 inches too short for height. After some modifications to the deck and a couple of trips to Menards for parts the project was complete and Eric was enjoying a beer for his efforts!

The rest of the time was spent with family (Nick & Mandie came down one night for a bonfire), friends (my good friends Abby & Sherry came over with their hubby's for lunch), and relaxing. I was even able to make a dent in our scrapbooks and am now up to Christmas! It is a long project but I know the more I get done when I get a chance the less overwhelming it will be in the end.

We drove home yesterday afternoon and decided as we approached the cities that it would be fun to go to a Twin's game and see what we hoped would be (and was!) a sweep of the Milwaukee Brewer's. So we quickly stopped at home to unload the car, drop off the dogs, and feed Robert his dinner. Robert was a true champ during the game but it helped that we weren't in a crowded spot so he had room to explore...we do apologize to the person in front of us who might have gotten some cheerios spilt on him!

Today we took it easy! We took the dogs down to the park by our house and after playing catch in the dog park area they went for a dip in the lake. Of course they then spent the afternoon drying on our deck but they enjoyed themselves.

We hope everyone had a great holiday weekend and will enjoy their shortened work week!

Dogs out for a swim!

Apollo returning the ball in the dog park

Kneeling on daddy's saxophone and looking out the window

Eric's 1 1/2 Hour Project

Robert & Lucy

Escaping G'ma during a Diaper Change

Can't catch me!

Robert has learned that bathtime can be fun, a trick that swim lessons has taught him, and so we thought we'd share a video of him playing in the tub and splashing the water!

Pictures from Robert's Weekend

Here are some pictures from Robert's weekend with the Hempler's!

See Mom I'm much happier today!

Climbing Stairs already! When did my lil' boy get so big?

Bonding with Uncle Adam

Working on standing with Grandpa

This post is dedicated to my favorite front desk worker named Sophia! She is always on my case to update our blog more often and since she is graduating on Saturday I thought I'd give her an early grad gift by doing a mid-week post. Thanks for four great years at Butler and I wish you the best of luck in finding your big girl job. Stay in touch and feel free to keep me on my toes at keeping the blog updated!

Robert's First Sleepover!

Not a lot of pictures to post this week because of our busy weekend. Eric and Robert got to play while I worked....hmm not a fair deal in my opinion! Eric went up north for a boy's weekend and had a lot of fun even if the weather wasn't the warmest. I had to work for a rental meet and because I was going to be gone each day for about 12 hours we thought it'd be best for Robert to spend the weekend with G'ma and G'pa Hempler. The weekend got off to a sketchy start, with Robert not being too sure of his new surroundings. He finally fell asleep about 11pm and I made the drive home from Farmington to get a good solid 5 hours of sleep. Luckily the rest of the weekend went great and he had a wonderful time playing with his grandparents, Uncle Adam, and his cousin Lyric. I enjoyed the little time I had to myself at home and after my long day on Friday I made good use of my free time on Saturday by watching a good tear-jerker movie (Nights in Rodanthe) and going to bed at 9pm. Yeah not too exciting but it was still a great night even if I did miss my boys the entire time.

I'm taking some vacation this week so it should provide for some rest and relaxation! I will have off from St. Kate's Wednesday-Monday and we are going to spend most of the time in Red Wing. I'm excited for a 2 day work week and lots of time with my boys after a long weekend without them.

Playing on there chair before swim lessons! Mom made him wear his baby leg tights to keep his legs warm on the way to the pool.


Robert's hooked on Coke...or chewing on the coke bottle!

Eric's First Concert & Mother's Day

This week was pretty quiet for us but the weekend was filled with a little more excitement. Eric recently joined our town's community band and had his first concert on Saturday at the Town Hall. It was a lot of fun but we wish the weather had been a little warmer. He has a concert almost every week from now until the end of July. Let us know if you want to attend one!

Following the concert I got my first mother's day gift of the weekend...lunch at my favorite restaurant The Cheesecake Factory! The meal was great but spending quality times with my boys was fantastic. Later that day Eric and I attacked our backyard and tried to clean up all the weeds and random growing flowers and mini-trees.

Today for Mother's Day we had a pancake breakfast and Robert, who enjoyed his first pancake ever, had the best time. Later in the morning Eric ran out to get more gas for our grill and came home with a beautiful bouqet of flowers for me to complete my mother's day gifts. I spent the rest of the day in my pj's and playing with my son. After he went to bed I finally got motivated and sorted out Robert's life in pictures, cards, and other odds and ends from birth to current in hopes of doing some scrapbooking next weekend while stuck at work for a rental swim meet. It was a perfect day!

My Roses!

When I opened the package one fell off so it has it's own home.

The Full Band

Close up of Eric

Robert trying to stay warm while watching daddy play!

Our Niece Turns 10!

Today we celebrated Lyric's 10th Birthday at the Mall of America. We had fun walking around the Nickelodeon Theme Park and then had a delicious meal at the Rainforest Cafe. Below are some pictures of our time there and Lyric's reaction to the volcano cake.

This is the week of birthdays for our family and friends. It started on Saturday when my youngest cousin turned 16 and the birthdays continue this week with my godson Aidan, my two good friends (both named Abby), and Lyric's this week. We wish them all a very special day and hope that all of their birthday wishes come true.

Lyric showing off her new hat!

Robert eating a banana at the Rainforest Cafe, notice how much is in his lap! He enjoyed making and it kept him entertained while we ate!

Lyric in shock when her birthday treat arrived!

She didn't want people singing but her grin would tell you otherwise!

Robert trying a ride out but was a little too tired to enjoy it!

The excitement of the MOA finally got to him!

Eric got in with Robert this week at swim lessons, here is a pic
of him with the majority of the class singing the Wheels on the Bus!

Getting some giggles while blowing bubbles!