Zoo Feast

What could be more fun than walking around the zoo? How about walking & eating around the zoo! Saturday was "Feast in the Wild" at the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines. Local restaurants set up shop around the zoo at discounted prices for the customers.
Marie really liked the raspberry tropical sno ice treat.

It was a great weekend to get out and enjoy some family time. Andy finishes his 2nd year of medical school this week and will be taking his first step board exam in June. We are starting to see a light at the end of this long and study/test-filled tunnel.

In other news, Marie is starting the transition to the Ladybug Room at daycare. (aka 1 year old room) So far she is thinking it is much more enjoyable to be the oldest baby in the Caterpillar bunch...hopefully the move is more successful soon. Although, I think this is harder on her teacher, Miss Carnatta, than on Marie.

Our Marie at 11 months

*morning bottle and cuddle time with Dad
*hugging and wrestling with Charlie
*feeding yourself yogurt - even if you make yourself a mess
*growling when things don't go your way * goulash
*scrunching up your nose *big water bottles
*singing with mommy in the car
*mandarin oranges *studying with Dad & taking his pens
*"DOG" book - your favorite *hugs for all *curious
*standing up in the bath *splashing * smart *big kisses
*"good good, goy goy" some of your favorite things to say
*big waves good-bye *taking off your shoes
*time to yourself with a good book
*crawling in the grass *playing with velcro
*bed time has to be your idea
*independent *strong-willed *funny
*bed time with Fritz *stacking rings - one in each hand
*pulling off your socks *dancing & clapping to music
*magazines *too busy to sleep
*climbing up the steps * strong
*taking 1-3 steps by yourself *friendly

Happy 11 Months!!!

Mommy & Me

Mommy & Marie packed up and left the boys for the weekend. Dad & Char were busy with school and chasing rabbits, so the girls decided to head back to N'West Iowa for a visit. Marie traveled like a pro. She slept for the first 2 hours and played for the last hour of our drive.

Our first stop was Spencer with Grandpa & Grandma. We played, ate, and played some more. Marie was very excited to see them both. Grandma & I took some time together on Saturday while Marie & Grandpa had their special time together.
I don't know who was more worn out -
Marie or Grandpa?

Next we were off to Sheldon to see Gramma. We played with cousins, Sadie, the water bowl, and had a birthday party for Abby on Sunday. Marie loved swinging with Abby & Alissa on their swing set.
On Monday, I took the day off for our trip home. Marie slept the first 1 1/2 hours and decided to awake for the rest of the trip. I was a little nervous, but after a pit stop for a Casey's donut, Marie was much more content for the rest of the trip. We sang, told stories, and Marie dozed for the last 30 minutes.
Charlie was so happy to greet us at the door. He really missed his girls....oh, and Daddy too. Dad came home at 1:00 to spend the afternoon with us. We took naps, planted more flowers, and went for a nice spring walk.It was a great getaway for the girls, but it's always good to come back home.

Ear Tubes & Tulip Fun

On Wednesday, Marie had tubes put into her ears to allow for more draining. She was such a champ. We had to be there at 7:00 and she didn't actually go back for surgery until 8:30. She couldn't have anything to eat or drink past 12:00 the night before. We were quite nervous about that but she handled it very well. In a matter of 15 minutes she was in and out of surgery, into recovery, and ready to head home. It happened so quickly! When the doctor made the first incision, puss and infection poured out of her ears. Our poor little girl had been dealing with all that mess for way too long. She is a completely different girl now. She is talking a lot more and she is much more content. We are so thankful it all turned out so well.
Here she is playing with Daddy before surgery.On Saturday we decided to dodge the rain showers and go visit all the pretty tulips in Pella with some friends. I have to admit, the Dutch girl inside of me was very excited to dress Marie in her little windmill & tulip shirt (thanks Aunt Mindy), go see the tulips, and enjoy delicious treats from a local Dutch bakery. First we enjoyed brunch with the Palmers, then we walked around and took pictures by the flowers, went to see the windmill, and finally got our treats. Marie loved watching the older boys run and play.

I guess she thought she should give the bench a little love.

She wanted to be walking so Andy spent a lot of his time with a sore back.

"Mom, no more pictures..."

Another Grandparent Weekend

This past weekend, Grandpa & Grandma Mueting came to visit us. Marie is really getting used to being spoiled on the weekends with all our visitors. It was a beautiful spring day so we spent as much time outside as possible. The boys worked on the yard and our new storm door while the girls went to a park and took a walk. Marie stayed very busy with bubbles, walks, playing in the grass, and her first bonfire.Marie LOVES standing up at the new door. She has a fight on her hands however because Charlie loves to lay by it, too!

Bubbles and swing time with Grandpa & Grandma

Marie wasn't as interested in the geese this time...maybe it had something to do with her allergies/Benadryl and teething/Tylenol combination.
As long as she was being held, she was happy.

"I can help Dad."
It has been said that our little Marie is "strong willed." Here is a perfect example of when she refused to stop playing even though she was exhausted. She fell asleep and would not let go of her ring!

10 Months and Counting

Happy 10 month birthday, Marie! You are growing so quickly. Here are some of the things you are doing now:
- trying to walk by yourself and while holding onto the couch, toys, and anyone who walks by
- Trying to feed yourself with your spoon
- Talking with many new sounds
- Playing games with Daddy & Mommy
- Jumping on Charlie
- Giving kisses and hugs
- Waving 'hi' and 'goodbye'
- Playing in the grass and sandbox at school
- Looking at books all by yourself and 'reading' them, too!

This past weekend Grandma Nel came to visit. Marie was very anxious so she waited until way past her bedtime so she could see Grandma before she went to sleep for the night. It was very cute to see her try and make Grandma laugh...Marie is definitely one to play to the crowd. We were lucky to have nice weather over the weekend so we made the most of it. We went for walks, shopping, and even to the duck pond. Marie was so excited when she saw the ducks and geese walking and swimming around her. She kept waving her hands and laughing...until Mommy decided to get a little too close to one of the geese. We tried to inch our way closer with our bread and one of the geese gave us a little warning to not come any closer. Marie noticed that the mood had changed and was ready to be done with those birds!

walking with Grandma at the pond

I know this is a sad little picture, but in a strange way - it's cute. She had been so good and had so much fun all day.
This is what overly tired looks like!

Easter Fun

Unfortunately we couldn't make it home for Easter. Andy had a class all day on Saturday so we stayed in Des Moines for our own little Easter. We enjoyed a nice day at home and a delicious dinner with some good friends.

Marie officially has her front teeth! They are making their way down and she is trying to grind them together...sounds terrible!
With those new teeth, she is enjoying trying all sorts of new foods. Marie is also wanting to feed herself with her spoon...let's just say it's a work in progress....