My Buddy & Me

Charlie & Marie...so happy together

Birthday Weekend

This past week/weekend was full of ideas and maybes. We wanted to celebrate Andy's birthday, use our new bike trailer, maybe do some swimming in Marie's new swimming pool,
and catch an Iowa Cubs Baseball game.

So it started with Marie going to the ENT for a checkup on Thursday - all reports good.

Andy & I took the afternoon off to do a lot of errands - new shoes for Marie, pool, bike trailer, and more birthday presents she doesn't know about yet.
Plus, a new camera! I have been struggling with our old one. It is so slow that I end up missing all the great shots of Marie. I am so thankful for this new one - fast shutter, amazing zoom, and fun "extras" that I am learning.

Friday night Andy put the bike trailer together and we took it for a spin - Marie really liked it actually. There wasn't tons of smiling, but she was so busy taking it all in. She is very curious. For example, she found my plants outside...
Saturday we went for another bike ride to our church's playground. There wasn't much for a little one to do there, but that didn't stop Marie. She started climbing right away - a little daredevil you might say.Saturday was a very warm day, but the pool was occupied by a certain dog, so we opted for playtime in the a.m. and afternoon with the air conditioning. We topped off the night with a delicious birthday dinner for Andy with banana cream pudding for dessert.
Sunday Marie started running a fever so the baseball game is on hold.
Hopefully we will be able to catch a game soon.

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!