Monday, October 28, 2013

September in Pictures

We've been so busy that blah blah and blah blah happened and then I have been working blah blah and MAN...where has October gone blah blah?! 

You've all heard it before and are used to my excuses. Yes, it's almost November.

No.vem.berrrrrr.

Who cares though. Let's take a look back at September, shall we?

Wonderful!

We got a babsitter (we love Danya!) and went biking! Ahhh, it was soooo nice. We love mountain biking but rarely get to go anymore, which is a shame because it's one of those things you can go do and be done in about an hour and it's just so great being outside and active together. (I hit my head on a tree, but survived.)

After biking and making a pit stop at home to nurse C-rad and change, we went out for sushi. My kind of date!
Libby and I co-hosted a baby shower for Amanda and baby Wiemann back home in CC. We had it at the Rustic Corner, which turned out to be a fun and unique location. Only thing I would have changed is having installed a window air conditioner, but otherwise it was so great to be home with the kiddos and see several of my best friends in the world! Tom stayed home since we left on Friday afternoon, and my parents were great help with Conrad and Gwendolyn.

We had two egg bake options, a yogurt bar, croissants, mimosas, and rattle cupcakes. 
We had everyone write advice for Amanda...
The making and decorating of onesies was a huge hit and so fun!
Conrad...who (this would happen) had a blow out in his nicer shower attire about 5 minutes after arriving to set up...was a great sport despite getting a shortened morning nap. He snuggled with whomever had free arms.
Hattie - born in January' 13
Sleeping Conrad - born in April '13
Kate - born in June '13
Baby Wiemann - due November 5th!
Not lying, I love the moms of my best friends almost as much as I love my friends!
Hosts with beautiful (I mean, seriously?!) mama-to-be!
So after the shower at around 4 pm, mom and I were relaxing (we were exhausted) and talking while the kids napped and who knocks on the door but WESTON! Becca drove from Omaha to surprise us! I had no clue! First things first when arriving at Grandpa and Grandma's....get out all the toyssssss!
Weston stayed home to rest while we went to feed the ducks - a CC tradition.

These were some of my favorite toys to play on at the park growing up. I literally had to peel her away from the hippo and she fake cried for a good 3 minutes.
This picture is totally blurry, but I swear Conrad just loves my dad. He smiles and laughs at him at the drop of a hat. It's precious.
Helping grandma water her flowers...
We looooove Aunt Becca!!!
Conrad with Aunt Vicky
Super fun and tiring and exciting and blessed weekend!

We had some fabulous fall weather (wish it had lasted longer) so we broke out our bike trailer and used it as a double stroller. The kids loved it - I mean, Gwendolyn was giddy with excitement to be sitting next to Conrad. I can't believe we almost went and bought a double stroller when this one works just as great, if not better. It's incredibly light weight and I can even run behind it! It's perfect. We knew that when we bought it, but just hadn't used it as a stroller until now.

Conrad's first time sitting up like a big boy in the stroller!
For whatever reason, I was up five times the night of my 31st birthday (Conrad three times and Gwendolyn twice....it was one of those randomly horrible nights ha) so I didn't even hear Tom cooking up a birthday breakfast storm at 6:00 am. He made pancakes and Irish oatmeal and it was a great way to start the day. Albeit a bit tired *smile. What a thoughtful and loving hubby.
Later in the day we met our favorite play date friends for donuts and play time at a fun little spot in Hastings.
McDonald's for lunch!
My 31st birthday with my loves...
The next day we made a secret trip down to Des Moines to surprise Tom's dad as he was receiving an award from the Iowa Defense Council. He didn't know we were coming, and was quite surprised. (You know me...I love a good surprise.) We are very proud of him and the man he is both at home and at work. I'm not surprised one bit that he was recognized and is so highly thought of. 

While in Des Moines we got together with some of my best friends from college. Celeste and Jocelyn came to our hotel before dinner to hang for just a bit. 
Sophie with her little bud Conrad in the outfit she bought him.
Ryder - born March '13
Conrad - born April '13
Ella - born May '13
Malynda graciously hosted all of us for pizza - it was so great to catch up with everyone and see the adorable kiddos. Love these girls!
Best dad in the world.
Once back home, I chose "hiking" and eating dinner at Woodbury's new Punch Pizza as my birthday activities of choice. Erin, Trisha and John joined us.
Someone finds stroller rides quite relaxing.

Love squeaky clean kids in their pj's!

Gwendolyn: 
She let me put her hair in pig tails! For two cookies!
(Whatever it takes IMO!)
Front side pony?
"Yeah."
A little girl and her lamby...

Conrad:
He stayed sleeping through a diaper change...sleepy baby boy.
During church, but I couldn't resist.
4 month check up!
Playing in the jumperoo in the church nursery. Big stuff now!
This used to be Weston's outfit and I still remember one of my favorite pictures of him is when he was wearing it as a baby. Now it's my own son's turn. Squish.
Absolutely love these progression shots....

Sleeping baby...baby realizes stroller has stopped for pit stop at the park...baby makes eye contact with mommy and smiles.
Tryin' on his Tom's from "Auntie" Amanda. 
I don't do it as much anymore, but there was a good amount of time that I would have him fall asleep on my chest at night for a good 45 minutes or so and just relax in the recliner before taking him up to his room. Holding a sleeping baby? Yes, please.
The shirt seemed fitting. So naturally I bought it in two sizes.
Conrad prefers to just lay his head down when it gets too heavy to hold up. And per usual, almost always has a smile on his face.

Off to swimming lessons! 

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Conrad: 24 weeks

Hey guys!

I hope this finds you doing well. I have some pretty exciting things to share with you today!

• I got my first tooth on October 3rd! Bottom right, to be exact. Daddy was pretty excited to be the one to find it. Just like my sissy, it popped through at 5 months old and surprised everybody. (Except for me, of course. I'm the one over here workin' so hard on all of these milestones.) 

• I decided two teeth makes for a cuter grin so I popped the bottom left through four days later on October 7th. Mommy swears by our hazelwood and amber necklaces. 

See?! Two teeth!

• I also rolled over for the first time from my stomach to my back on October 7th. This seems to have a lot of people excited. I don't like to outdo myself so I haven't done it since, but I think I have a pretty good reason for this. Have you noticed the size of my head?! It's pretty heavy guys. Plus I'm not in any rush to grow up too fast. 

Next on the to do list: rolling from my back to my tummy!

• I've upped my milk intake at daycare to 9 oz! Miss Kathy was even going to try 5 oz bottles today.

• Mimi and Papa came to visit this past weekend and we went to my first apple orchard. It was pretty chilly so I wasn't really up for picking apples, but we enjoyed a yummy picnic lunch and quality family time hangin' out at my Aunt Trishy and Uncle John's house.

• I continue to be a snuggler. I've found that if I fuss just a little bit, they pick me up. So far it's working really well and I almost always get what I want. Mommy says she doesn't mind because like sissy says, I'm "so soft and squishy."

Not sure I can top all I packed into the last two weeks but check back next time to be sure!

Lots of love,
C-rad

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Conrad: 22 weeks

I turned 5 months old!

Mommy says I take too many cute pictures and that she can't pick just one to post, so she suggested I post three this week. I know...it's a bit overboard and may come off somewhat conceited, but I trust you know my heart.

• Now that I'm 5 months old, I have been practicing my sitting up skills (with help, of course.) Sometimes I can even hold it for a couple of seconds!

• I blow and blow bubbles and drool and put everything I can in my mouth. I am also very aware when those around are me are eating and drinking. I can't wait to try big boy food for the first time in a few weeks. Mommy says I wouldn't like her coffee though.

• I've been sleeping so great at night. I have been going to bed between 9-10 pm and not getting up until 5:30 or later. (6:45 this morning!) Mom dream fed me one night, which she thinks helped me get past my 3-4 am snack habit. I may be close to giving up my evening nap and heading to bed earlier.

• I don't mean to, but I've pulled Sissy's hair twice now and made her cry. I just really like to grab things, and mommy says I have a pretty strong grasp - she doesn't seem to like it either. I apologized to Sissy and thankfully we're best friends again.

• I still love to be outside and look around. I especially love it when we get to go play outside on Miss Kathy's swing set at daycare. One time recently - on a day I boycotted naps - I had fallen asleep in the swing when mommy came to pick us up. It was very relaxing, and mommy just couldn't believe what a big boy I was.

• We went on a little road trip to Des Moines two weeks ago. My Papa Barntsen was receiving an award from the Iowa Defense Council. The best part was that he didn't know we were coming! I think he was surprised and very happy to see his family. We are so proud of him! It was fun to be with TrishyJohn and Papa and Mimi and get away for a few days. I also got to meet some of mommy's friends from college!

• My daddy went to "Acago" (Chicago) for work so Grandpa and Grandma Sinclair came to stay with us for two of the three nights he was gone. I think my grandpa is funny and always give him the biggest grin and grandma is a really good snuggler. I sure missed my dada though...we're so happy he's home!

I think that's about it for the last two weeks. I continue to be a happy, smiley boy who just really loves life. 

Love,
Conrad
-------------------------------
UPDATE from MOMMY:
I walked in the door from getting the kids from daycare yesterday. Tom took them upstairs to play for a bit so I could start dinner and all of a sudden I hear, "Ohmigosh! He has a tooth!" 

I raced up there and sure enough, that little barely 5 month old who has been drooling and gnawing on things like crazy popped his first tooth on the bottom! It wasn't there on Wednesday, but was definitely totally popped through on Thursday. It's amazing what can change over night at this age. No wonder he barely slept at daycare!

It's the cutest little tooth I've ever seen.