Laney's Winter Wonderland

We woke up this morning to a beautiful white Christmas. Santa made a stop here and ate some cookies and drank his milk... and left Laney a few presents! She was a little grumpy this morning, though. It was nothing that a long morning nap couldn't cure. We had a chaotic few hours over at Granny and Nick's last night. Ashley and Maren were waiting for us in the front window (a little anxious to start the gift exchange). From there it is all a blur of wrapping paper and Ryan pushing the (loud) Playskool Lawnmower that we got him! Julia pretty much slept through the whole thing! We left at about 7pm and made it home for Laney's bottle and read "Twas the Night Before Christmas".

We were disappointed that the weather stopped us from going up to Pease today. We are really looking forward to our trip up there next weekend. We missed seeing our family today! We did however have a long day of relaxing and Bug took a good couple of naps.

I took a couple pictures of Laney's cute Christmas PJ's and our impressive snow totals: about 14" as of noon Christmas Day!

She's Ready!

All Laney wants to do these days is STAND! She loves to pull herself up and climb over us just to get on her feet. We have been watching some of the old Christmas cartoons - I think Marcus and I enjoy them more than Laney right now.. Bug really loves to look, touch and watch the Christmas tree. It has been a fun couple weeks and we can't wait to see what this week has in store for us! We are planning to spend Christmas Eve with the Wagner's and Day with the Hubers. I have a feeling Laney could be a little spoiled this year! We are hoping the weather cooperates- it looks like another storm is headed our way.

We are really excited that our friends from Little Rock are coming to visit. Will and Paula and their kids Liam and Lucy will be here for Christmas, my birthday and New Years. We can't wait to see them! It is so fun to spend this time with friends and family!

---We want to wish everyone a very Blessed and Merry Christmas---

Just Like Mama...Avocados and Rudolph!

Laney loves avocados! She just gobbled them right up as fast as we could put them on her tray! She is also enjoying mandarin oranges, real bananas and real carrots (as opposed to baby food bananas and carrots). Bug has also been loving the Christmas tree and lights. Between Laney and Lucy(the cat) I don't know how long the tree will last this year... but so far, they are both behaving themselves. Laney really likes all of the "Rudolph" gear I have accumulated over the years. Especially the singing and glowing Rudolph!

We had our first "snow day" of the year today. What a fun treat to have Papa home with us! He worked and Bug and I tried to get his attention all day long... it worked! Who can resist that sweet face and giggle?! We are trying to finish up painting our main level before Christmas (when Bug goes down for the night)--hour by hour, we are getting there....

Nap-time Surprise

The top photo is Laney when she woke up from her nap yesterday...

She's Been Nice....

What a busy couple of weeks for us! We had Thanksgiving with my family this year- (we are on the every other year plan). We then made the trip to Sioux Center, IA. Usually a 4 hour drive, but with the Bug- about 5. We had a couple messy set backs, but made it to Uncle Tom and Aunt Val's in time for lunch and a nap. Laney got to meet and see a LOT of family she hadn't seen in a while! She really loved to see the kids and play. The drive home was a lot better and we had a pretty normal week.

Laney met Santa and Mrs. Claus today. She kept her cool and barely cracked a smile. She didn't cry, so all in all, it was a success! We are just starting to decorate the house- it should be an interesting few weeks!

Making her list and checking it twice and The Face Off

Laney has really been enjoying all of the toy ads and rolling around in them! She loves seeing all of the holiday decorations at the store and I wonder how things will go when I decorate the house and we put up or Christmas tree... We are really looking forward to making new family traditions with Laney.

We picked up Ashley and Maren from the bus stop this week and Laney got to hang out with her cool older cousins. She is just in awe with the girls and likes to watch them play and sing. Laney and I also made a trip to see Aunt Jessie and Julia last week. Laney likes their cats and I loved seeing a tiny 6LB baby! Bug looks like a giant compared to a newborn!

Today, Laney came face to face with Lucy the cat and.... nothing! Lucy must know that she is under surveillance. We were hoping to take a good family photo this week for holiday cards... but we ran out of time. Hope everyone is enjoying their fall- we are looking forward to a great Thanksgiving with family and friends!

Halloween and a new addition

There is a new baby in the family! Uncle Jon and Aunt Jessica welcomed a beautiful little girl on Tuesday, November 3. Julia Nicole is the newest member of our family- and we couldn't be happier! We think Laney is happy to have a little girl cousin to play with and is excited to share her chic wardrobe with Julia!

Our girl was a Ladybug for Halloween and made a special trip to Granny and Nick's house and a couple of neighbors homes before heading off to bed. Laney also got to play with Grandma and Grandpa Hubers when they came down on Sunday. She likes to watch the Vikings with Papa and Grandpa H.

We had a 9 month visit to the pediatrician- and Bug is 19lbs.4oz and 29" long. She looks great and we are going to keep trying new foods- sweet potatoes are still the top of the list! Good thing- Thanksgiving is just around the corner!

Pick up the puff, put it in mouth and ta daa! SO BIG!

Pumpkins, playtime and boots

Just a quick post!

We went to Pahl's and picked out 2 pumpkins for Halloween- it was a short trip though! It was a cold and damp day. I found some 0-6 month boots that I bought Laney before she was born- they were SO huge on her tiny feet last year and they fit perfect now: ) Laney is getting super close to crawling- it's almost time to buy the baby gates!

Laney's First Snow!

Laney experienced her first "real" snow! We know that it has snowed lots since she was born, but this was the first one she could see and feel. She thought it was so funny. She is really animated these days with waving and doing her "SO BIG". She is a pretty rolly polly little bug and is getting close to becoming more and more mobile...

We helped throw a baby shower for Laney's aunt Jessica (and new cousin) today and Laney got to meet lots of family and see her favorite cousins. I really think that playing with Ash and Maren wears her out! She went right to sleep tonight with out a peep!

We are calling our sleep training a success! We are on a great schedule and Laney seems to be so happy getting the sleep she needs and eating lots of tasty foods. It is really nice for Marco and I to have some quiet time- together on the weekends or alone during the week. Why didn't we try this sooner?!

We picked out pumpkins this week and tried on Laney's costume- it is so cute! I will post pictures as soon as I can: )

SO big!

Laney has had a rough week. Not only is she trying to take naps, but she has a little cold (stuffy/runny nose and sneezes) and she somehow developed hives. We went to the pediatrician and he said to use Benedryl and hope they go away soon. We will probably never know what caused them, either! She has been a trooper! She is also doing "SOOO Big!" all on her own, she just started putting her arms above her head- what a genius!

OK, OK I take it back!

UPDATE! Laney took 2 naps today. IN her crib and for 30-40 minutes! Way to go little buggy boo : )

I told you...I DON'T WANT TO NAP!

So, here we are a week into our "sleep training" with our stubborn girl. And no real nap has been taken. She can do it- she is an awesome night sleeper! We will keep trying!

Laney has had a fun start to fall with some beautiful days for walks, swings and playing outside. We had a fun trip to the Como Zoo with Reelika and her daughter Ava and Yarely and her daughter Gisele (friends from work). Laney had a great time playing with the other babies!

I am still adjusting to working a few nights a week. Marcus really enjoys his nights with Laney and he sends me photo updates and text messages letting me know that they are having fun! Laney is starting to play with so many things and really likes seeing photos of herself. She loves to laugh and "talk". She really likes to eat, too. While I was at Super Target, I strayed from Laney's mostly organic baby food when I saw a Gerber Macaroni and Cheese baby food. She (of course) loved it! I (of course) mixed it with an organic chicken and veggie! Laney has also taken to her sippy cup and the big news is NO MORE NUK! We got rid of her pacifier last week and have not looked back!

Next week we will go to the pumpkin patch and you will have to wait to see what her Halloween costume is: ) Happy Fall!!!

I'm getting soooo big!

Laney has been a busy little girl these last few weeks of summer. She has been swimming a few more times at great-grandma Zoe's, helped host a golden birthday party for cousin Ashley (she was 9 on 9-9-09!) been to lake Nokomis several times and played with both granny and grandma Hubers! Laney is sitting up so big and also eating her toes. She loves to splash in the tub and pool! She has also been successful in "petting" Lucy the cat... it still makes us nervous, but Lucy seems to tolerate it well- so far!

Laney is looking forward to Auntie Jill babysitting on Tuesday! We are so thankful to our families for helping out while I work. With the fall closing in on us, we are getting excited for the next few milestones for our girl- crawling, teeth, hopefully more hair and more foods to try. As everyone told us, it really does go so fast!

another catch up!

Laney has had so much fun spending time with both sides of the family! Last weekend we went up to Pease to celebrate uncle Patrick's birthday and then on Sunday, we had my side of the family over to celebrate grandpa Nick's birthday. I also started working 2 nights a week at a spa in Burnsville, Aafusion Spa Salon. It's so nice to have our families help with watching Laney for a couple hours until Marcus gets home from work.

Laney has gotten pretty good at ripping magazines out of my hand, grabbing the remotes/phones and trying to get our cat Lucy. I guess this a small glimpse of what's to come with crawling and walking! Our next step is baby proofing the house. Can you baby proof a cat?

I did it!!

Laney rolled over! She rolled from her back to her tummy last week and then both ways today! Last weekend we had grandma and grandpa Hubers babysit and auntie Jill helped out, too! Marcus and I were able to go to the IMAX and see a movie. It was nice to go an a date! We also went swimming at great grandma Zoe's pool with Granny, grandpa Nick and Ryan. Laney is a true Aquarius- she wasn't scared at all and was kicking and splashing. What a little fishy!

We have been trying out new foods- bananas, sweet potatoes, pears and peas have all been on the menu. We also discovered that Laney likes pickles!! What a surprise! We met my friend Heather and her boys, Cullen and Dwyer, at the park today. It was a beautiful day!

6 months and a first vacation

Laney is 6 months old! We can't believe it! Her doctor appointment went well- she got 3 shots and another oral vaccine. 16 pounds 3 oz and 27 inches long. She is sitting up on her own and still almost rolling over. Laney is now trying out some different solid foods- her new favorite is sweet potatoes! We will need to get her new clothes for the fall and winter- her summer clothes are on the verge of being too small...

Laney went on her first vacation last weekend! We went to Grandview Lodge in Brainerd, MN with the Wagner family. Laney had a lot of fun with her cousins and loved being with her aunts, uncles and especially Granny and grandpa Nick. Laney and I spent Monday with my friends Sarah and Paula and their kids. We went to the park and on a walk- Laney actually fell asleep in her stroller(this is a rare occurrence). Marcus also took Laney to the MN Zoo to see the Farm Animals. Busy week and a quiet weekend! Grandma and Grandpa Hubers are coming to babysit so Mom and Dad can go to a movie!

A quiet week and almost rolling over!

Laney is so close to rolling over! She did do it one time with the help of a hill, but not quite on her own yet. She has been eating some solid foods, bananas are a favorite right now! Her tooth is still in the works and she puts everything in her mouth these days- even soapy washcloths from her bath!

We enjoyed a quick trip to the MN Zoo with grandpa and grandma Hubers last weekend, with another stroll through the butterfly garden and we saw the bears again. We also made a trip to Nordstroms and got Laney a new winter coat. We have spent some time at Granny and grandpa Nick's this week and Laney loves to hang out on their deck and watch the trees and birds. We had a pizza party at aunt Katie's with cousins Ashley, Maren and Ryan tonight. Marcus and I love it, because not only do we get to see our family, but the kids really tire Laney out! Maren told me tonight that Laney is "like a miniature person, but a giant to dolls"... what a sweet, sweet goofball!

We are looking forward to a weekend away with my family up in Brainerd- we leave on Friday. My best friend Paula will be visiting for a week and a half, too. I can't wait to see her kids, Liam and Lucy! They will be meeting Laney for the first time.

I can't believe that it is almost August and Laney will be 6 months old!!!

Catch Up!!

Sorry, we (I) took a week off.... Marcus and I joined Lifetime Fitness last week and it has taken up some of the little free time I actually have.

On the Laney front, last week she decided that her old routine was over and wanted to start waking up at 4am, 430am and then the kicker was 330am. She has since gone back the the usual 6-630 am wake up times and we are REALLY happy about that!

We had our first sleepover at Grandma and Grandpa Hubers for the 4Th of July and it went well. Laney had a great time seeing all of her aunts and uncles that she doesn't get to see very often. She slept through the backyard fireworks in the neighborhood and even had a festive outfit to wear (from Granny, of course).

Laney is getting so strong and we are noticing that she can grasp little things, push way up on her arms when she is on her tummy and almost roll over. She can also almost put her NUK back in after she pulls it out of her mouth.

We are using our new Zoo membership a lot and Laney is excited to take Grandma and Grandpa Hubers to the Zoo this weekend. I bet it's been a while since they have been there!!

Here are a few photos to enjoy!

Tooth Alert! Tooth Alert!

I just noticed today that Laney has a teeny white nubbin popping through! She has been eating her hands and drooling a TON, so I thought it was on its way...but we are just so surprised Laney is getting her first tooth at 5 months. Neither Marcus nor I got our first tooth until we passed our first birthdays! We thought we'd celebrate with a little cereal for dinner.. another first! Laney did pretty good- a little messy, but good!

We also had a trip to the Minnesota Zoo. Aunt Katie and cousins Ashley, Maren and Ryan joined us and we had a blast! Laney and I loved the Aveda Butterfly Garden and Papa loved the Grizzly Bears.

We are headed up to Grandpa and Grandma Hubers in Pease for the 4th of July and our first overnight. Happy 4th to everyone! Don't forget to hang your American flags!