While waiting for dad to come back with Mike Lennig's fish at the State Fair:
Monday, August 24, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
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Friday, August 07, 2009
The end of summer is approaching
I just noticed a billboard yesterday with the State Fair dates, starting August 20. Doesn't that seem late? If you go back in time on this blog you will see some of the same pictures over and over again of our family at the fair. The same photo of the prize winning bale of hay, and tobacco plant, and the obligatory photo of Freddy Farm Bureau. I am definitely one who relishes tradition, and repetition. Once again, I am looking forward to the state fair, and I want to walk by every piece of art, and peruse the cakes and jars of green beans, and dodge cow pies with our stroller. I can't wait until we are able to comment on our favorite in the ugly lamp contest. I take comfort that the fair never changes; knowing that as you hit that hallway to Broadbent Arena you will be greeted by that massive mother sow and her suckling piglets. This year in particular, I want Maureen to be amazed that Freddy Farm Bureau can actually talk, directly with her. And yes, I want to see that prize winning bale of hay and again, try to figure out the difference between a good bale of hay and a mediocre bale of hay. If you go this year, and you are walking through the livestock exhibit in the West Wing, among the massive cows, be on your guard. There will be farm children in one particular spot who will try to scare you by quickly lowering a rubber spider down into the walkway. They are always there, and I love it!
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Walk the walk, talk the talk
I came home from work yesterday and Rowan was, all of the sudden, walking around like he's been doing it all along. Now, when I say walking around, I mean still wobbly and eventually falling, but his number of steps and his confidence in his stride was much changed since the time I left for work at 8:10am. The other new development is his ability and desire to say "Hi!" He accompanies this "Hi!" with a cute little wave. He does this mostly for dogs and cats, though he will do it for anyone.
Other news: we finally agreed on a plan of action for replacing our HVAC system - and now WE HAVE AC!! We decided to go with the heat pump, which acts as the AC unit and back-up heater for our brand new furnace, which is supposed to be so much more efficient and economical. And now we are comfortable again. This old house is very hard to regulate, and we got five different quotes to make things right. The old AC went out over a week ago, and since our furnace was 60+ years old, we had to replace that too. We were talking about replacing the whole system anyway, but were forced into the decision earlier than expected. We considered geothermal heating; zoned heating and cooling, where we could regulate between the upstairs and the downstairs by directing air flow; two different units, one for the upstairs and one for the downstairs; the heat pump and regular AC/furnace units. I believe any way we went would be a vast improvement over our old system. We decided not to go full out with the zoning or dual units, and I think we made the right decision. It's not cheap by any means, but we could have paid a heck of a lot more. Though it was not very hot outside, we were so much more comfortable last night, and I am relieved that that project is behind us, or at least will be behind us - they need to come back and finish the project today.
Other news: we finally agreed on a plan of action for replacing our HVAC system - and now WE HAVE AC!! We decided to go with the heat pump, which acts as the AC unit and back-up heater for our brand new furnace, which is supposed to be so much more efficient and economical. And now we are comfortable again. This old house is very hard to regulate, and we got five different quotes to make things right. The old AC went out over a week ago, and since our furnace was 60+ years old, we had to replace that too. We were talking about replacing the whole system anyway, but were forced into the decision earlier than expected. We considered geothermal heating; zoned heating and cooling, where we could regulate between the upstairs and the downstairs by directing air flow; two different units, one for the upstairs and one for the downstairs; the heat pump and regular AC/furnace units. I believe any way we went would be a vast improvement over our old system. We decided not to go full out with the zoning or dual units, and I think we made the right decision. It's not cheap by any means, but we could have paid a heck of a lot more. Though it was not very hot outside, we were so much more comfortable last night, and I am relieved that that project is behind us, or at least will be behind us - they need to come back and finish the project today.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
No AC - day four
We are waiting on our second quote to fix our AC system now and we are certainly uncomfortable, but it is not unbearable by any means, yet. The weather has been strangely mild for July so far, and through our AC deficiency, but I hear it's supposed to be in the nineties today and that may be the start of more discomfort. We'll keep you updated. My personal goal is to be up and running by the weekend. Here are more cute pictures of the kids!
Monday, July 27, 2009
Summer of 09
Hello - it's been a while. I believe I've somehow lost my ability to write complete sentences, or express complete thoughts. My blog has been reduced to a few photo posts a month. If Rowan is reading this ten years from now, please know that I love you as much as I do Maureen. The second child always gets the shaft when it comes to photos, home movies and journals.This has been one interesting summer for sure. We splurged this year and got our yard (everything) landscaped -- it looks nice, but it was expensive. And now I have to water everything constantly to keep from killing our investment. And, as luck should have it, our air conditioner went out. Because it is an old unit, we need to replace it. And because our furnace is so old, it can't accommodate a new AC, so we need to replace that as well. It's turning out to be a very expensive summer.
The kids are great, though they can be trying at times (surprise, surprise.) Maureen is a trip for sure. I don't think she's worn a pair of shorts all summer; everything has to be a dress. Totally immersed in princess-ness, she is always decked out in pink, and wants to watch Sleeping Beauty constantly. She has a special CD with twelve princess songs that she wants to play non-stop - those songs are ingrained in my head for ever, I'm afraid. Her latest thing is for you to retell her princess stories and she'll act out parts as the main princess. And she gets really pissed if you deviate from the actual story. If there's anything that I learned from Dora the Explorer, it's that kids need repetition in their lives.
Rowan is still on the verge of walking. He's been creeping for a good couple of months, and seems sure footed enough to stand and stay stable. It's only a matter of time now. He's still obsessed with playing with balls (the athletic type, not his own - though I'm sure that's to come too.) He is eating less of the baby food and more people food (which will help us save money!) He has stopped breast feeding and on to milk -- he will drink real milk and formula. I want to start pushing him into drinking all milk because that formula is super expensive (you see a theme here, eh?)
I just heard a peep over the monitor - I think it's time to start the day.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
A poem by Maureen
Did I ever tell you how smart my little girl is? I recited this little rhyme three times, and noticed she was really listening to me. Then she recited it with me two times. Then she had it. This video was shot soon after. Mind you, it's no Preamble to the Constitution, but it just blows me away how quick she is.
Oh, and here's another cute photo of Rowan. We are gearing up for his first birthday party this Friday (actual birtday is the 25th). My, how time flies!!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
First steps in taking steps
Caught on film yesterday, June 11. Exactly two weeks before his first birthday. He may beat the one year walking deadline yet. Though there's no penalty for missing the deadline.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Four years
Kristin and I celebrated our fourth anniversary last Thursday. We were supposed to go out to dinner, but due to a sick Mojo, we celebrated at home. Part of the festivities was popping in the video my sister Chrissy shot at our wedding. We haven't seen in at least a year - maybe more. The thing that struck me throughout the video was how much change has happened since 2005. We made several comments about guests who are no longer with us now, but looked perfectly healthy back then. We also made several comments to Maureen about which of her friends or cousins were either "still in their mommy's belly" or not yet born. Some of our good coupled friends are now singled. It's a different day for sure.
But, this was the start of it all for us. The start of building what we have today - two wonderfully unique children, a nice house in a great neighborhood, a love that is still going strong. Some bumpy patches along the way, but nothing that can't be easily worked through.
Four years doesn't sound like a long time, especially as I make through my forty-first year - but it really makes you think when you look around to see the product our love, hard work and dedication.
But, this was the start of it all for us. The start of building what we have today - two wonderfully unique children, a nice house in a great neighborhood, a love that is still going strong. Some bumpy patches along the way, but nothing that can't be easily worked through.
Four years doesn't sound like a long time, especially as I make through my forty-first year - but it really makes you think when you look around to see the product our love, hard work and dedication.
Monday, June 08, 2009
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