Video of Jake Eating

Okay, here is my second attempt!

First month back

Well, it has been a busy month back at work. We are all adjusting to our new schedules. Each day seems to be getting a little bit better. Jake was able to get over his cold after a few days...and then it returned. It came back at the same time we started him on cereal and fruits and veggies. He did not want to eat much when he wasn't feeling so well. He started waking up again in the middle of the night, which is something he has not done since June. It was hard for both Joe and I to return to interrupted nights. It is getting a little bit better. We have learned that Jake does not like applesauce, carrots, or peas. He does love his cereal and squash. We'll see what he likes next. Jake is having a good time at daycare and is excited to see his cousin, Paige, tomorrow at Grandma's. Here are some pictures of Jake eating.

I will try uploading a video later. The first attempt failed!

A week of firsts...

Well, we made it through the first week of daycare. Jake had a fun time each day with the kids at Cheryl's. He had a group of girls that just adored him. It definitely made it easy for me to drop him off there, knowing he was in good hands. Workshop week went by smoothly for me, just VERY busy! It was nice to meet more teachers in the building. Everyone has been really helpful. I look forward to getting to know them better.

Jake had his first overnight with his Grandma and Grandpa Bien at their house. Mom and Dad went to John's for a BBQ. Jake had a fun time with his grandparents!

On Saturday, we went to Joe's aunt and uncle's house in Deephaven. It had been a long time since we saw that side of the family. Jake was able to see his Grandma and Grandpa Deters, along with Uncle Dan, Uncle Ben, and Auntie Haley. His second cousins, Ian, Alex, and Emma, were there, too. We spent the day hanging out by the pool. Jake was kind of fussy (we learned out why later) all day. He showed everyone how he could play in his Exersaucer. He loved being held, too. Jake went on his first boat ride. We went out on the Youngstedt's boat on Lake Minnetonka. It was mom's first time on their boat, too. Jake had so much fun...he fell asleep! His cousins, aunt, and uncles enjoyed playing with him on the boat. Dad jumped into the lake...it was too cold for mom!

Emma, Haley, Jake, Laura, Ben

Hanging out with Nancy!

Jake caught his first cold this weekend! I think it was starting at the end of the week, but was pretty bad starting Saturday night. We felt so bad for him. He was so tired but was not able to sleep. None of us slept very well that night, except for Dan (he slept in the basement). Sunday was a LONG day with an unhappy baby. Thankfully, Jamie came over to help us! Dad went golfing for the day. Sunday night was not a good night of sleep, either. We ended up doing the split shift. I went to bed first and got up around 5:30 and then Joe went to sleep. Jake and I fell asleep on the couch in the basement for a little while, which felt really good. By lunchtime, Jake was doing better. Jake and I went to Grandma and Papa Knutson's house. He even slept for an hour and a half! Dad stayed home to get work done around the house. It was a good day for all of us!

Auntie Jamie and Jake by the pool

Well, it is the first day of school tonight. You would think, being the 9th time doing this, I would be used to it!! Not at all. Wish me luck!

Back to Work

Last week I was working in my classroom (on my own time) getting things unpacked and settled into my new room. It is slowly coming along. Jake was with me Monday, Tuesday, and Friday for a few hours each day. Thankfully, Jamie came to get him on Wednesday and brought him to my parents' house. Her friend Christina came to watch Jake for the whole day on Thursday. I was so happy that day! It was a lot of work bringing him and his stuff up to the 3rd floor. You should have seen me! I am glad our stroller has a lot of room at the bottom. We were loaded down, Exersaucer and all! The elevator was working all the days, except for Friday. A nice custodian helped carry the stroller up the stairs for me to my room. When I left, I was all on my own lugging it all to the car. Jake was strapped into the Baby Bjorn while I made three trips up and down the stairs. The hardest load was the stroller. My arm muscles got their workout! My back is still sore. I have decided that I am going to get a babysitter next time. It is too hard on both of us to be there in the hot building. Poor Jake had to take a nap on the uncomfortable floor of my room. I could get a few things done when he was content, but it did not last too long.

I go back to work tomorrow morning. I have workshops all week. Jake is going to Cheryl's for daycare each day. My parents are on their annual trip to Hilton Head, that is why Jake is not heading to their house on Monday and Friday (as he would normally). I know he is ready to go, but I don't think I am! Wish us luck!

Johnsons visit and Girls' night out!

My friend Haley and her family were in town at the end of last week. I had not seen Haley since our wedding two years ago. She and her husband live in Bessemer, Michigan. It is quite the trek for both of us to make. We keep talking about meeting up in Duluth (where we met at UMD) but it has not happened in over three years. So, I was very excited when she called to tell me her family was coming into town. She has two children. Cade is 3 and is full of energy! I had not seen him since the wedding either, so he looked quite different. I love the hair! Cade gave Jake a ton of his old clothes, which we are very happy about.

Cade and Jake outside Olive Garden

Jake and I met Haley, Mark, Cade, Calli, and Mark's parents at Olive Garden on Thursday night. Calli was born a month after Jake. She is just a peanut! She has a lot of hair just like Jake, except she is not missing as much in the back. Both babies were tired and fussy. Cade was so cute with "Baby Jake". I am sure he was excited for another boy at the table. He loved to touch Jake's feet (his parents kept telling him to not touch Jake's face). On Friday, we met them at Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America. We had a fun time watching Cade go on the rides. All the kids hit the wall at one point or another while we were there. Too many people, too many noises, etc. We had lunch at the food court. Here is a picture of Calli!

Friday night was the second annual Girls' Night Out for the girls I teach with, or taught with, now that I am moving to the middle school =(. We went out for dinner and drinks in Uptown. It was a lot of fun to go out and catch up. I am so excited for Kasey, because she just accepted a new job teaching Kindergarten in Burnsville. I am going to miss working with her. We have a lot of funny stories from our Kindergarten group. I am going to miss Carrie, Michelle, and Anika, too. Luckily, we'll still be working in the same district, so hopefully we will see one another. All five of us promised to get together once a month.

Kasey and I

Kasey, Laura, Anika, Carrie, and Michelle

Rolling and Laughing

The past two days have been pretty exciting for Jake. Joe was able to get him to laugh (more than just a giggle). Joe made some goofy face and noise that Jake loved. It was cute. I have not been able to get him to laugh. Apparently, he does not think I am really funny. Just this morning Jake was able to roll from his back to his tummy (this skill has been mastered for some time) and ROLL back to his back. I was so excited for him and had to call Joe at work. Naps have been tricky because Jake will roll to his stomach and get stuck and cries. Maybe they will get better...who knows!

We had a busy weekend! Jake went to two parties! We all went up to Hugo to friends of Joe's from high school. It was their son's 6th birthday. Jake had a good time. He slept most of the time in the Baby Bjorn, which was nice. Jake was able to see his friend Oli at the party. Saturday night, we went to the Yungs for a BBQ. Jeff made amazing kabobs. Jake's friend Oli was there again! Chloe was also there, too. Lots of girls! Joe gave Jake a new toy to play with.

Starting Young!

Chloe Elizabeth Yung

I am enjoying the last few weeks before I need to go back to work. I am making a HUGE grade change. Kindergarten to sixth grade. I am trying to get excited about it, but it is not going so well. It will obviously be hard to drop Jake off at daycare on the 25th (for workshop week), but going back to something I am not excited about will be harder than usual. Jake went to meet his daycare provider, Cheryl this morning. He was very happy being there. Cheryl has a dog named Cookie. She is more Jake's size than Kirby is. I am sure she will be a lot of fun. Grandma and Joe met us there, so Jake was happy to see so many people he knew! We went to my new school and he met my principal, assistant principal, and secretary. He was not too excited to hang out in mom's room, so it was a short visit. He had lunch in the car before we went to my old school. It was hard to go back there, knowing I will not be returning there. I ran into a few friends and their kids, so it was a nice distraction. It was a long day, without all of the normal naps.

It was sad to hear about the stabbing of Todd Bachman and his wife in Beijing. My first friend in Bloomington was Leslie Bachman. Her dad, Paul, is a first cousin of Todd. I may have met Todd way back when, when I would go to work with Leslie to visit her dad. My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Bachman family as they deal with the loss of Todd and the recovery of Barbara.

Blueberry Muffins

Earlier this week, I decided to make some blueberry muffins. After making them, I ate one and had the rest sitting on the counter, in the muffin pan. Sure, I could have taken them out of the pan, but for some reason I did not. I ate one that night. When I got up in the morning, I noticed the muffins were all gone. I thought Joe took the remaining five muffins with him to work. I was not happy. I found out that he only took two with him. Well, guess who ate the other three muffins?? Yep, Kirby! There were no crumbs on the counter, floor, or in the pan. No sign of any muffin liners, either. I did notice Kirby was pretty lazy that morning. I am sure that was why. I would be tired, too! The story continues! Joe came home from work in the middle of the day. I took the advantage of an extra set of hands to watch Jake. I made myself a frozen waffle (something I had been craving for quite some time). The cover to the butter dish ended up getting butter on it, so I set it in the sink to wash later. I ate my lunch and Joe went back to work. I heard Kirby in the kitchen and thought he had put his paws up on the counter to try and look out the window to see where Joe went. After a while I went into the kitchen and noticed there was NO BUTTER left! Kirby licked the butter dish clean...completely! I could not believe it. I guess it was his way of telling me I was not giving him enough attention. Needless to say, Kirby spent some time outside to let things "move" through him. I refused to take him on a walk that day, or the next, because I did not want to be cleaning up after him.

We have now moved all food off the counter! Jake, Kirby, and I went on a walk yesterday and plan to today. I do feel bad for Kirby. But, muffins and butter? Really??