Daddy was gone and mommy had all the fun. Ha!

Well last week was spent relaxing for quite a bit of it due to Lizzy having the flu for the first half of the week. Bobby had his two month wellness check up and came in at 23 inches long and 12 pounds 14 ounces in weight.  He is such a little tank!  He ended up with three shots and did amazing.  Mommy only had to give him a little Tylenol that night and he was good to go.  

Lizzy laid pretty low Sunday through Tuesday.  Tuesday we decided to take her to the walk-in clinic as she was complaining of ear pain.  Anyone who has a toddler that gets ear infections knows that you don't want to wait on that one.  Well it wasn't an ear infection but it was the flu. Poor girl didn't eat anything for probably four days.  

Thursday we were back on the mend, just in time for daddy to head to Whistler with two of his buddies.  I must be an awesome wife because handling two kids is quite a bit of work when one is still attached to you!  I have no idea on mommies and daddies do it that are either single parents or are in our military. Three nights was a lot of work and we decided to head south Friday afternoon to have the help and entertainment of mimi and papa Muldary!

Friday we did get Bobby's two month pictures taken and he did pretty good.  Friday afternoon we drove down to Lake Tapps and then that evening Bobby and I got to meet Will!  Lizzy stayed and played with mimi and papa and Bobby and Will got some play time.  Will is one of my dear old friends son who currently lives in NYC.  They were adorable together although Bobby is such a tank ... he is a full month younger ... check out the photos! 

Saturday we headed to a birthday party for Jackson, another friends three year old son at Acme Bowl.  It was Lizzy's first time bowling and she loved it ... that is until she tried to run down the lane.  Ooops!  Mommy didn't think to have the discussion of where she could walk/run and where she couldn't.  Needless to say it was 1, 2, 3, 4 steps and whack ... she fell straight on her back.  Poor girl, scared the crap out of her, but she recovered.  Not an easy feat though to have Bobby strapped in the Beco and me trying to inch down a bowling lane to reach her and pick her up.  Haha! 

Saturday night mimi and papa took care of both kids so mommy could meet up with Linds for a bottle of wine.  There is nothing better than sharing some alcohol with someone who knows and understands all your fun and trials of being a mom!  Sunday we swung by the Foisy's in West Seattle so Lizzy and Bobby could hang with Aunt Jo-Jo, Russ, Robbie and Cameron.  It is crazy how time flies ... I remember when Robbie was just 20 months old and our ring bearer in our wedding.  Now he is seven years old!  Ah!

Overall it has been a good week and a half.  Swimming is going well, Lizzy loves it.  Mommy and daddy have decided no more weeknight lessons though.  I'm not back at work and it is a joke trying to get fed and out the door in time.  Back at work will make it next to impossible!  The picture below is from Tuesday ... they are so adorable and definitely related!  Ha!  Enjoy the week folks and Happy Superbowl Weekend!

A week in review!

So I've now kept this up to date for a whole week!  Here are a few fun shots from last week.  

Monday marked our very first swim lesson at Lynnwood Rec Center.  It took a few minutes of coaxing but then 25 minutes later we couldn't get her out of the pool.  We literally had a melt down.  Not sure if that was just wanting to swim or if it was the fact that we have swim lessons from 6pm-6:25pm.  Fairly certain we will not do evening swim lessons again!  Overall though swim is a blast daddy swam with her on Monday and I got in the pool on Wednesday.  That was a feat inside itself, swimsuit seven weeks after having a baby, thank GOD for tankini's! 

Monday, January 14th

Wednesday, January 16th

Thursday I got off my duff since it has been so sunny here (but darn cold) and Bobby and I went for a walk around the block.  He did awesome in his carrier and was out like a light within the first twenty feet!  Mommy was a little sore, how sad is that, but I figure it is just getting started that is the hardest part.  

Obviously I'm not looking at the camera and I have no make-up on, but it was gorgeous out!

Bobby is smiling all the time now and it is so fun when I can capture it on camera!  He giggles when we change his diaper or tickle him under his chin.  Simply too cute!  He is growing like a weed.  The second picture is to show how long he is ... that sleeper is actually 6 months.  Yes, I think that sleeper is a bit undersized but it is amazing how fast these little munchkins grow!  

Probably one of our favorite memories from this week, and one that will live on as a story that is retold time and time again, is one of Lizzy feeding her baby.  She hopes up on the couch, pulls up her nightgown and puts her baby to her chest.  I start laughing as I know exactly what she is doing but I look at Ben and ask Lizzy, "What are you doing?" ... to which Lizzy answers, "Feeding my baby."  Sure makes perfect sense so I see what else she'll tell me ... "Lizzy what are you feeding baby?" ... to which Lizzy answers very matter of fact, "Milk from my boobies."  I love kids and they say the darnedest things.  The best was when she hopped down to grab a cloth diaper (which I use to burp with) and did a pretend burp with her baby doll.  Too cute!

Saturday we had a pretty lazy day ... Ben took Lizzy to the bank and the post office.  She loves the bank as she always seems to come home with a lollipop.  Lizzy got a chance to use her easel to pain for the first time (this should be interesting!) and then I snapped this cute photo of Ben and the kids at dinner.  Lizzy is just over 2 1/2 now and Bobby was 8 weeks yesterday!  Time sure does fly!  

It was a great week until yesterday morning when we went to wake Lizzy up and she had thrown up all over her bed.  She fell back asleep and didn't come get us, poor thing ... we had a long talk about the next time we have tummy owwies ... we need to come wake up mom and dad.  So needless to say we laid pretty low yesterday.  Poor pumpkin. 

More to come later after Bobby's 2 month wellness check!

Back at it ... maybe!

So let's not call it a resolution but rather a third (or fourth, maybe fifth) attempt at keeping this blog current.  Well things have changed slightly since the last time I wrote.  We've since welcomed baby number two into our family as you will see below.  Lizzy is growing like a weed and it's hard to believe that we are approaching birthday number three.  I'm currently out on maternity leave and loving every moment of it ... except for the mastitis that I've been lucky enough to come down with twice.  Not something you wish upon your worst enemy!

So let's review a bit!  As mentioned above let me introduce Robert Arthur Swerk.  He is handsome, adorable and everything a mommy and daddy could want in a little boy. He joined our world on November 25th via scheduled c-section at 10:13 weighing in at 8 pounds 8 ounces and 21 inches long.  He has been amazing since day one, eating and sleeping like a champ.

Lizzy is in awe of her little brother, constantly wanting to hold, hug and carry (yes carry although that one hasn't happened yet ...) her brother.  We are teaching her the meaning of fragile and gentle even more so than before. 

Hanging out on Thanksgiving (11/22/12) just
three days before Bobby arrived! 

Lizzy meeting her baby brother for the first time

Here is Bobby, just a mere 15 minutes or so old

                                                                                                                            

                                    

                                                         Me and my babies!

Proud grandparents!

In an effort to keep this fairly short for the first post so I can do this often and keep all posts short and sweet here are just a few pictures from Christmas ... once again it was far too busy for my liking but it was nice to not have to travel on top of running from one party to the next.  We are so very blessed to have lots of family and friends to visit with ... I just look forward to now creating our own traditions with our family!

Loving her party dress

Decorating her cookie at the Santa Breakfast

Making Chex Mix with mimi, but she is eating all the peanuts out!

Reindeer pancakes with mimi

Cooking with mimi and papa

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

Lizzy and auntie

Bobby had a blast!

                            

A Year In Photos? Well How About Four Months!

Well howdy friends.  How many times I've thought about the need to update this blog.  Once people started asking I figured it was time.  It has not been for a lack of wanting to, but rather a lack of time.  Although it only takes a few minutes (okay maybe closer to 30 or so!) ... I literally feel as though I've not had five minutes since probably Halloween.

We took a trip to Hawaii just before Thanksgiving and Lizzy did amazing.  She did great on the flights, awesome with the time change and LOVED the beach and the water.  Ben and I enjoyed taking her with on a such a special trip ... next time ... it will be just he and I!  Haha!

Maui

Ready for the pool - Maui

At the beach! - Maui

Learning how to use chopsticks! - Oahu

Pool at Outrigger Waikiki - Oahu



Last night in Oahu!



Thanksgiving was a blast and we hosted.  I love cooking the turkey and all the fixings.  More because I am selfish and think my turkey always tastes amazing ... but I do love seeing everyone and having the family over.  Lots of food and just a bit of leftovers ... it was delicious.

The cocktail party was a success yet again.  It turned into more of a WWU slumber party and too much alcohol was consumed by all parties (except yours truly!).  But it was a blast and below are just a few snapshots to tempt you all into coming next year.  Cheers!

I love my MU Apron!

Cody & Kelsey

Laura & Colon

Kimberly, Desirae & Megan

Sonu and Brock

Brian & Cody

From there it was a whole bunch of Christmas parties.  Our annual shindig with the Foisy's and the Karp's as well as Christmas with Tobey's, Swerk's and my side.  It was busy as ever and some year I am just going to throw my hands up and say no more.  If you want to visit you can come to our house.  As much as I love seeing everyone.  It makes for no rest and no chance to enjoy the holiday just Ben, Lizzy and I!  Maybe next year will spend Christmas morning at home ... who knows though!

Two of my favorite kiddo's - Robster & Cam Cam

No one talk about the B-O-W!!!

My family ... everyone looking good!

So I can't get the Swerk or Tobey photo's to load.  Those may come at a later date.  For now though I'm done.  I need to go spend some time with my fantastic husband.  Toodles for now!  January and February to come shortly!  Lots more photos ... toodles!

Busy, Busy Bees ...

What a busy weekend we had!  

I was out of town on business Friday through Wednesday of last week so that weekend was shot.  I had a productive show in Denver and then did a bit of territory travel and onto Michigan for a bit more.  I got back Wednesday night around midnight and was able to finally give this sweet baby girl a kiss and a hug (although she was fast asleep). Last weekend Lizzy and daddy spent the weekend together.  Who knows what they ended up doing but my daughter was happy and bathed so I was thrilled. 

Lizzy has spent the better part of this past week fighting a nasty cough/cold along with a rough bout of diaper rash.  Is that too much info?  I hope note, if not I suppose you can just skip that part!   Needless to say she was a bit cranky but we pushed through.  We did a little grocery shopping and then made a great dinner on Friday evening.  We were all spent so we cashed out earlier than usual! 

Saturday Lizzy and I woke up and headed to Target.  First we had to check out the new grocery section.  I was more than impressed as the prices matched or were cheaper than Fred Meyer!  We then headed into the kids clothing section.  Uh-oh.  I asked Ben to come along and he said he'd rather work out.  When I got home with ten Target bags in hand I told him he should have came with.  It is always better for my bank account if he is there questioning every decision!  But then again ... as I tell him ... this is why I work (or why we both work may be a better answer)! 

After shopping Lizzy crashed ... two hour nap, before lunch.  Unheard of.  We let her sleep though as we were planning on heading south to visit my dad, attend the Tacoma Holiday Food & Gift Festival and visit with our Western friends (Cody, Kelsey, Mike and Kimberly to name a few).  My dad ended up watching Lizzy and had an absolute blast!  I was going to attempt to take her to the Tacoma Dome but I'm rather glad I didn't.  Too many people and too many trinkets and breakables!  I only ended up there for two hours and then I headed back to Cody's house to hang out with Ben and our friends to watch the UW vs Stanford game.  I was thrilled, the Huskies lost.  I was hoping my UW (Wisconsin) could pull out the win against Michigan State but no such luck. 

Sunday we hung out in the morning with my dad ... it was nice to just lounge around!  From my dad's we headed to my dear friend Lindsey's to visit and catch up briefly.  We are so excited for them to welcome baby Colby into the world!  Kaylen will make an awesome big sister!   Time for lunch so we stopped off at our favorite pizza joint, The Rock.  Lizzy picked up a purple bucket and shovel (I almost had to ask for a new one given the Husky colors! JK!).  We then headed up to St. Bernadette's in Burien to watch our pseudo family play some soccer.  My rule, if it wasn't raining we'd go, otherwise I find soccer completely boring and I'm not watching it when it is pouring sideways!  But the sun showed up and we hung out for an hour watching 5 & 6 year old's play a little bumble bee soccer.  A few of those kids were pretty awesome, including our very own Robster!  Aka our ring bearer (now that makes you feel old)!  Cameryn and Lizzy got to play and hang out (picture above).  

Overall it was a busy weekend followed by just as busy of a week.  I'm looking forward to this weekend and being home next week for the entire week!  Bring on Halloween and my little cupcake.  Pictures to come! 

Happy Fall!

Can someone please explain where the days go.  Each time I sit down to write an update I find myself wishing or rather hoping that the next time won't be a month or two down the road.  Hmmm, maybe its time to re prioritize. 

This past weekend Ben and I spent a mommy and daddy weekend away.  I had volunteered to do a demonstration for work down at a market in Bend, OR and thought it would be the perfect opportunity for Ben and I to get away and have a restful and relaxing weekend.  Or so I thought.  Ben ended up in Yakima on Thursday for a trade show (he only goes to two or three a year) and didn't feel great most of the day.  I drove down to my parents' house late Thursday evening with Lizzy so she could spend the weekend with them and I could head to the airport Friday morning and take a quick flight to Bend.  Well Ben ended up with the flu Thursday evening, drove down Friday to meet me and then I ended up catching whatever he had Friday evening.  Not exactly the best start to my romantic weekend away. 

We were able to catch a flick Friday night, Saturday I did my demo and then we both decided we needed to do something new so we headed to the Bendistillery right outside of town.  A-MAZ-ING time.  The staff was so knowledgeable and although we had both been feeling a bit under the weather the tasting of vodka and gin did surprising little to our stomachs!  After a few tastings and hearing all about the product and the production process we were hooked.  We walked out with three fifths of vodka.  Yikes.  Check it out though and like always ... buy local if you can!  www.bendistillery.com

Now back to our precious Lizster.  She is walking and talking and into pretty much everything.  She is our little monkey finding new ways to climb all over things.  We have an uncountable amount of signs we are doing now and we are learning the words to go with those signs.  Our newest are banana (we did the sign our self on Thursday morning - after probably eight months of signing the fruit!) and cracker (we did this the very first time mom and dad showed her!).  I know everyone says this about their kid but she is brilliant I tell you! 

We went through a bit of a rough patch immediately following Labor day weekend but we now officially have four new one year molars.  Her little mouth is almost entirely teeth.  We chew on our binky but we definitely do not need it.  It is used more as a teething toy than anything.  But we LOVE our bottles.  I think we are on our way to giving up the evening bottle, but she will not touch a sippy cup.  She may take a drink or two here or there ... otherwise, bottle only if you please!

Last weekend we headed to our favorite spot to pick pumpkins, Bob's Pumpkin Patch!  Ben and I were trying to figure out if this was our fourth or fifth time there.  Ben and Bob used to work together at Fastenal so it can be a bit like old home week and it is always nice to patronize those that we know!  So we took a gander at all the pumpkins.  Lizzy loved to touch and feel the big vegetables although it took her a few moments to warm up to what those fuzzy leaves were all about.  We measured her against the Bob's Pumpkin Patch height chart (should be fun to watch her grow!) and we played and raced on the John Deere bicycles.  She figured out how to push herself forward for the first time!  Mommy and Lizzy raced around the track while daddy took pictures! Unlike last year though the hay ride was probably our least favorite event.  We took a ride down to the corn maze and immediately came back up to the farm.

So we'll leave you with this ... Lizzy's list of words to date ... I can only imagine how this will change over the next few months.  Our next goal is to teach her aloha for our Hawaiian vacation in November! 

Lizzy words/expressions:

peas (please)

buh bye (bye bye)

nigh nigh (night night)

hi (hi!)

ma (milk)

nana (banana)

ma ma (mama)

da da (daddy)

baf (bath)



October 2010



October 2011