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I Haven't Forgot You Dear Blog...

It's been waaaaaaaaaaay too long! I'll be back with an update soon. For now here is sweet Naomi in her Easter get up...thanks Becky for the photoshopping!!

I just love her!

A New Appliance

I'm going to brag on my husband a little lot in this post...he is very thoughtful, kind and giving...just FYI

Before Naomi was born I told Corey about how would love to make homemade baby food. I registered for a baby food cookbook and did some research online. It all looked pretty simple. Only one key piece of equipment was missing...a food processor. Now I know that some people use a potato masher or even a fork to do their mashing, but if I wanted this to be as easy as my research said it would be I needed that food processor.

Since there were so many things that we needed for Naomi's arrival. I made lists of all the items and decided which ones (especially higher priced items) could wait until sometime after she was born. The food processor was on that list. Fast forward 4 months...time has flown by, and we have no food processor and it's not currently in the budget. I was bummed! I'm sure that I complained to Corey about this plenty...I may have even over done it.

Last Tuesday night after Naomi had gone to bed, Corey and I were relaxing in the living room. I got up to get some water from the kitchen and when I came around the corner the first thing I saw was a large present sitting on the kitchen counter. Hmmmm, who could this be for??? Ooooh, it had my name on it! I got all giggly and excited as I tore into the present...much to my surprise it was a 7 cup food processor!! Whoa! What a husband!!

Yes, I am that girl that LOVES appliances for gifts! But this wasn't just any appliance, it was the food processor I'd had my eye on since we began talking about having a baby. AND my husband didn't just go out and blow the budget. He spent his spending money on a gift for me (we each get a certain amount of money each month to spend however we like...mine is typically spent at Dunn Brothers). And it's not my birthday or Christmas or even Valentines Day. Now when I use/look at my new 7 cup food processor I will always think about my thoughtful, giving, sacrificial and kind husband. I am so blessed!

Here are some pics of my first round of baby food...enjoy!

As you can see Naomi is very excited about this orange food!

Next up...this guy!

Love for Jordan's Manor

Now that we are mostly settled and through the holidays I thought I would take some time to share our new digs with you all. First, we are so blessed to have a home. Loving it as much as we do is and added bonus!

We haven't really "decorated" but all of that will come in time. So please excuse the mish mash of fixtures, furniture and bare walls. Here are a few spaces in our new pad that we have fallen head over heals for...most of these pictures are from the main level and living spaces.

The little office nook just off the kitchen. It's a place for organization (which Corey loves!).

The hidden garbage! This is simply amazing!

The deck off the kitchen. Obviously being winter in MN we haven't really used this yet, but we cannot wait grill, drink coffee and wine, read a book and just hang out in this space!

Our charming kitchen. This is my favortire room in the Manor. I love the window over the sink, the countertops, the sink and faucet, the peninsula where I envision children eating breakfast, doing homework and helping mom bake, and I love the openess of the space. I am very blessed to have such a delightful space to work in.

The windows! This is the largest of the windows on the main level, but there are four large windows that let in tons of glorious sunlight! Oh, and it's the perfect place for the Christmas tree!

Our red door! This was the first thing I commented on the day we looked at the house. It drew me right in!

This is our little hallway on the main level. What I love about this hallway are the stripes! Hubs agreed to me stepping outside the box with the paint in this space...and it turned out so perfect! We both love this little decor gem!

This is our little mud "room". I say "room" because it's really just a nook, but it's a perfect little nook! I love the built in storage, bench and flooring. I am looking forward to tiny boots, coats, hats and mittens strewn about this mud "room"!

When Corey and I were making a mental list of the "must have" items in our home a utility sink was on that list. This may seem odd to some, but I've had to wash out paint brushes, poopy baby clothes and handwash clothes in a bath tub for two and half years. The actual task of washing things in a tub is not a problem...it's the cleaning of the tub after each use that was. Anyway, I personally LOVE having a utility sink!

A little corner for crafting. For all of you who are on Pinterest you know what I mean! Here I can start a project and leave it out (within reason) until I'm finished. This space is in our basement where someday we will have another living space, but for now I will craft!

There are so many, many things we love about our home that I could go on all day! Corey and I feel so blessed to have a home where we can host family and friends, grow our family and just spend time together!

Thanks for visiting! "Y'all come back now. Ya hear!"

Tutu Pics as Promised

Happy as always!

"What is this pretty toy?"

One of my favorites.

My favorite. What a sweet face!

After rolling over...a little stunned still.

"Mom, you said the last one was the last one. I'm done with this!"

At Four Months You...

• Are the happiest baby around
• Rarely cry when going down for your nap or to bed for the night
• Still wake after 30-45 minutes of sleep (only at naptime) but are getting better at putting yourself back to sleep.
• Are still sleeping 11+ hours at night (praying this continues!)
• Recognize when you do not recognize people right away. We had a major melt down at Grammy Nett and Papa Art's when we first arrived. After being fed she quickly realized that Grammy and Papa were harmless.

• Are discovering your feet.
• Have a nice bald spot on the back of your head, because you LOVE laying on your back so you can see the world around you.
• Continue to get better at tummy time, and are working on sitting in your Bumbo for longer then five minutes.

We celebrated your first Christmas this year by cutting down our Christmas tree. You enjoyed taking in the sights, sounds and smells of the tree farm. We even saw a bald eagle!

This year for Christmas you got a Little People Nativity (so that next year you will play with yours and not mom's), Ragedy Ann and Andy (mom had one when she was little and rubbed all the hair off), a Jumperoo (I'm certain you will LOVE this as you enjoying kicking your legs and putting your weight on them), a Tutu made by Auntie Lauren (pics coming soon), as well as cute little outfits, a few books and toys. Just so you know this will probably be the most you ever get for Christmas...enjoy the extreme amount of presents while you can. Your dad and I are not into the ridiculous amount of junk kids get/have...we'll discuss that as you grow...I'm sure:)

Love you Peoney! You are such a joy!

At Three Months You...

Ok folks, so I'm a little behind. With moving, Thanksgiving and now getting ready for Christmas I've lost a few days. Also, we cannot seem to locate the charger for our camera. We don't have many boxes left so I'm hoping to find it somewhere (even though hubs broke down and bought a new one so I wouldn't stress about missing precious photos of Naomi...what a good man!!!) Without further ado...here she is at Three months (and one week)...

• Are getting used to tummy time
• Still LOVE your play mat
• Are sleeping a consistent 11+ hours at night
• Are very talkative and smiley
• Endured your first cold...like a champ!

• Have mastered the art of finger sucking
• Are still working on long naps, but are putting yourself back to sleep more often now
• Grab toys, hands, diapers (anything you can reach) and bring them to your mouth
• Rolled over (tummy to back completely by accident, but I have a feeling it won't be long!)

Naomi, you are a joy! We are so excited to spend Christmas with you!!

Love you girl!

Love for the T-House

For the past three mornings we've woken up in our new home! It's been so much fun to go downstairs in the mornings and look out our front window to our new neighborhood.

On Thursday November 17th we woke for the last time in our Townhouse (T-House). We headed out early that morning for our walk through and closing on Jordan's Manor. By 10:30am the house was officially ours! We immediately started moving in!

Now that there is nothing left at the T-House and things have started to settle down I can feel the nostalgia kicking in.

Corey and I met and started dating at the end of January 2008. Corey had already entered into a contract on the T-House and closed five days after our first date. So, we've known the T-House as home for almost four years. Obviously, I only moved in after we got married, but I still felt that the T-House was my home.

Here are some of our very special memories at the T-House...

On July 8th, 2008 Corey asked me to be his wife.

This is the spot on the Douglas Trail where Corey proposed. It is just a quick five minute walk from the T-House.

After Corey proposed we walked back to the T-House (giddy as can be!!) where there was another surprise waiting. Flowers, candles and wine. We sat on the couch going over, and over, and over our special moment.

Here we are...the newly engaged couple!

Christmas 2008. Our first Christmas together. We had so much fun sharing that Christmas season together!

Next came wedding planning and preparation. At times the T-House looked more like staging for a big party!

Here we are leaving the T-House on June 3rd, 2009 as singles.

After our NYC Honeymoon we returned home to the T-House.

These are two of my very favorite pictures at the T-House.

Through 2009 and 2010 we enjoyed life as newlyweds. The T-House was the perfect amount of space and felt like home to us!

Celebrating our first wedding anniversary by sharing some of our wedding cake.

In August 2010 we found out we were expecting. Shortly after, we miscarried and lost our baby. This isn't exactly a happy memory of the T-House. However, during that time I took a time off work and snuggled in at home. I definitely found comfort there.

In December 2010 we found out we were expecting again!

Here I am in May 2011. Obviously quite pregnant. I'm standing in front of what would become the nursery.

Then on August 25th, 2011 Naomi Wynne entered our lives and everything changed. And it was wonderful!

Our little family heading home to the T-House.

Going home to the T-House.

At 8 days old we had newborn pictures taken at the T-House.

And again, here is our little family at the T-House.

The T-House will always have a special place in our family because it's where our family began.

We are loving every minute in our new home and are so excited to make more memories at Jordan's Manor.

Coming soon...Love for Jordan's Manor.

A Growing Girl (Oops, I forgot to post this one)

Naomi had her two month appointment on Halloween (why I agreed to schedule it on Halloween? I have no idea.) The appointment was long and she was a tired girl.

Our nurse weighed and measured Naomi...13lbs 6oz, 24 inches long...whoa baby! My mom recorded that at my two month appointment I weighed 12lbs 6oz and was 23 inches long. She's about one pound heavier and one inch longer. My mom did point out that she started out bigger though (I weighed 8lbs 10oz and she was 9lbs 4oz).


Next up...shots. I got three and Naomi got three. Mine were of course the easiest. After I got my shots I was so nervous for her that I felt nauseous. The nurse was a pro. She got everything ready, laid out all her tools, cleaned Naomi's thighs and went for it. It was over in less then a minute. Naomi's face got real red and she did one of those silent screams (you know, when they hold their breath). Then she cried pretty hard for about a minute while a snuggled her. I couldn't wait to get out of there. So, after a minute she calmed down, I put her in her car seat...and she smiled at me. Ahhhhh. All better. Once I saw her smile I felt much better too!

I'm so glad that it's over, and we don't have to do it again until four months.

"Lil Stinker"

Oh the funny fun things you get to do to with your kids...

Trick or Treating at Great Grandma and Grandpa's

Not so sure about this whole costume thing.

Happy first Halloween Naomi!

Really?!?!

This morning I was "lucky" enough to witness this commercial. I just want to share the awesomeness with all of you.

The best part are the zippers in the front AND back...for "when duty calls". I think the name says it all..."Forever Lazy"!

At Two Months You...

• Are an amazing sleeper! Sleeping 10+ hours at night! You've been blessing us with this amazing night time sleep since you were 6 weeks!
• Love to smile at people, toys, lights, ceiling fans...
• "Talk" when you have a full belly and are rested
• Rarely nap longer then 45 minutes (I can't complain since you sleep at night!)

• Love your hands and are (hopefully) destined to be a thumb/finger sucker!
• Get super excited when in the bath tub...feet kicking, arms flailing, eyes wide kind of excited!
• Dislike tummy time...this is a new development. It's actually pretty funny to watch. You get very mad and scream at me while burrying your face in whatever blanket you are laying on. We'll keep workin' on it though!
• Love when mom and dad make the motor boat noise!

Time is moving too fast! I have no desire for you to grow up, Naomi. You are a delight!

Love you girl!

A Trip to Missouri

Growing up we didn't really do a lot of traveling...unless it was to The Show Me State. I think we visited Missouri at least twice a year (most years). My dad's sister and her family as well as my grandma live in Bolivar, MO. A sweet little town in SW Missouri. With our seven children and their six we were quite a crew! All staying under one roof. You can believe that many memories were made every time we were together.

Our family has continued the tradition of traveling to Bolivar a couple times a year. This past week was MEA here in Minnesota (schools are off on Thursday and Friday for teacher's meetings) so we packed up and headed south.

This was Naomi's longest car trip...obviously I was crazy nervous about how this would go. Would she scream the whole way? Would she sleep the entire car trip and then not at all at night? How would she adjust to new surroundings and being held by new people? Seriously I could go on (who knew I would be such a nervous mommy!). I even asked my women's small group to pray about these things. Prayers were answered in the way that I had hoped! Naomi (being the super baby that she is!) was perfect in the car. She even stuck to her eat/play/sleep routine while on the road. And then at night...she slept perfectly! Honestly, I'm a little nervous for what our next child will be like...yikes!

Uncles Daniel and Broseph eating at Lambert's Cafe Home of Throwed Rolls. If you are ever passing through Sikeston, MO, Ozark, MO or Foley, AL you MUST stop and eat at Lambert's. It's a charming southern experience...and the food it AMAZING!! I would suggest fasting prior to eating there, and don't plan on eating again for at least a day.

Naomi's fist trip to Lambert's. I see many more in her future. She even got a balloon!

Honestly one of my favorite parts of being on vacation is the food! And let me tell you...we eat well when we are in MO. First, we always eat out at amazing restaurants. And second...our family knows what they are doing in the kitchen. Above: breakfast omelet, hash browns and coffee made by Uncle Lou and Aunt Shelly. YUM! Other delicious things we ate: Grandma's cherry cobbler and chocolate pie and Uncle Lou's Pancakes.

Great Grandma Violet and Naomi Wynne

The highlight of our trip was of course spending time with family.

Mom, Great Grandma, Naomi and Grandpa

Four generations!

Great Aunt Kathy and Naomi

Mom and Naomi at Mary's soccer game.

Mary Grace debuting her goalie skills!! Nice work Mary!

Spectators: Faith, Jeffre, Elizabeth and Daniel (sorry Dan, I cut your head off).

Naomi spending time with cousin Faith.

"All this outside air is making me sleepy."

Mary Grace working on not gagging.

After tiny went to bed we finished off the trip by carving pumpkins.

Carving team Elizabeth and Jeffre

Intense concentration by Jeffre, Elizabeth and Faith

The trip was a blast! Lots of activity, laughing, singing, storytelling and just hanging out. Naomi and I loved it all! Now we are glad to be home, back to normal life...and I'm pretty sure Daddy is over the moon that we are home.