Arbor? Pergola?

Whatever you want to call it, ours is done! Nick's dad and brothers were here mid-May to help him build it. (Thank you!) It took Nick another weekend to put the 2x2s across the top and stain the whole thing. I love the results! We planted three star jasmine vines to grow up the posts and fill in the top, too. That'll take some time, though, so I'll have to be patient for the complete look, I guess.

Kate is 6 months old

Dear Kate,

I can't believe you are six months old - halfway to your first birthday! You are no longer a little baby, that's for sure. You're sitting up and squirming all around. You're cutting teeth and growing hair (slowly but surely). How did you get so big?? Here are some things you do:

* You love to blow raspberries. You especially like to do this to entertain yourself in your crib when you first wake up.

* When you're not blowing raspberries, you're squealing. You think it's funny when other people join in with you.

* You can sit up! You've been doing this for about 3 weeks now, and you're getting stronger every day. I have to be right next to you because you are still teetery.

* Teeth are no fun! Your mouth has been sore for a bit over a week, and it's making you cranky! We're not used to this side of you. Teething has thrown off your sleep schedule and your feedings. Poor baby!

* We tried to stop swaddling you cold-turkey, but you don't know how to sleep with your arms and legs flailing around. Your legs don't fit in the Miracle Blanket anymore, so we now swaddle just your arms and put your SleepSack on over that.

* You have been to the swimming pool a few times now. You love to watch the other kids play, and you seem to enjoy the water.

* You're eating solid foods now. You don't like rice cereal (who could blame you?), but you seem to enjoy applesauce and bananas.

* You love playing in your ExcerSaucer, and you judge other toys by how easily you can get them in your mouth.

*You went on your first plane trip this past month to visit your relatives in Minnesota. You were a doll during the flights, and all of your relatives were thrilled to meet you!

We can't believe how big you're getting and how fast time flies by. You're so much fun, and you bring immense joy to our lives. We love you!

Love,

Mama

Clothes: 6-9 and 6-12 month sizes

Weight: 17 pounds, 2 ounces

Length: 27 inches

Diaper size: 2-3

Sleep: 7:30 pm - 7 am

Naps: 8:30-10:30, 1:00-3:00, & a late afternoon catnap

Food: 4 bottles per day totaling about 30 ounces and one feeding of solid food

Here are your monthly poses with your elephant. What a difference from three months to now!

Here are some pictures we took today in the backyard. I caught some cute ones with your Kirby girl!

My Book Habit

When we were in Minnesota, one thing on my to-do list was to visit The Red Balloon Bookshop in St. Paul. When we visited two years ago, I happened across it just when author Kate DiCamillo was there (author of Because of Winn Dixie). I was able to meet her and get a couple of books inscribed to my class and autographed. To me, it was like meeting a celebrity! It was important to me to get back there.

Being in The Red Balloon to me is like being a kid in a candy store. It reminds me of the fictional "Shop Around the Corner" in the movie You've Got Mail. Because the store has many authors come for signings, they have many autographed books on their shelves. I probably shouldn't have asked the sales lady for help finding the autographed ones, because she started pulling books left and right and piling them all around me. Talk about pressure to purchase! It was OK, though, because we were on vacation, right? Here's what I walked out with:

Higgledy-Piggledy Chicks by Barbara Joose, illustrated by Rick Chrustowski (signed by the illustrator).

This is an author I like. In this picture book, baby chicks learn what safe and what's not on the farm.

Bedtime for Mommy by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by LeUyen Pham (not signed - this is just one I had to have).

AKR is an author I have mentioned on my blog before. Her ideas are fresh and funny to kids and adults alike. This one is another role-reversal story. A little girl puts her mommy to bed while Mommy stalls just as a child would.

One Pup's Up by Marsha Wilson Chall, illustrated by Henry Cole (signed by the author).

Marsha Chall is a Minnesota author, so I decided to go local with one of her books. It's as cute as can be! It's a rhyming counting book with text that sometimes is a tongue-twister. "4 pups drink. 5 puppies huddle. 6 puppies piddle in the middle of the muddle." It counts to ten puppies, then counts backwards. The circular ending will have kids begging you to reread it!

Julia Gillian (and the Art of Knowing) by Alison McGhee (chapter book signed by the author).

I haven't read this one, but it's one I bought for the library last year. It's well reviewed and the first in a new series.

Judy Moody Goes to College by Megan McDonald (chapter book signed by the author).

I read the first Judy Moody book, and along with the Stink books about Judy's brother, these are popular with the kids. Megan McDonald is a big name, so I decided to get this autographed copy.

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer Holm (chapter book, not signed).

I had to get this one after reading several starred reviews and blog buzz. I liked Jennifer Holm's book Penny from Heaven, so I know I'll love this one too. It's historical fiction set in during the depression.

Countdown by Deborah Wiles (chapter book, not signed).

This is another book that I've read a ton of buzz for. It's already a favorite for the Newbery Award, which won't be given until January. It's another historical fiction book, but this one's set in the 60s during the Cuban Missile Crisis. It's got tons of period photographs in the book and text variation, so it looks interesting from first sight. Another book for my "next read" stack.

I'm so excited about these new additions to my book shelves. Normally I'd be itching to share these titles with kids, but now that I'm not in a school, I will share them with you! Happy reading!

Minnesota 2010

We've been home for over a week now, so it's about time to post about our trip to Minnesota! Both sides of Nick's family live in or near the twin cities, including his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Kate was introduced to them all, and everyone was smitten. She did well on the plane, sleeping during most of the flights and only squawking a few times. We were able on most days to keep to her schedule, so she traveled very well. It was a relaxing trip with most days just hanging out with family. We were at Nick's grandparents' farm near Stillwater, the town where Nick was born, for the first half of the week and moved on to his mom's side of the family for the second half. Thanks to everyone for their hospitality!

I think this was my fourth trip to MN with Nick. Each year we take pictures in the corn fields out at the farm. Unfortunately, I lost lots of photos when my computer crashed a couple of years ago, but I do still have our picture from my first trip there when Nick and I were just dating. I don't remember when it was, though!

Maybe summer of '03?

Compared to now...

(And baby makes three!)

Here's our Flickr album of the entire trip...