Coolin' Down

Since the weather was perfect, we decided to check out the Sioux Falls splash park.  HOW FUN!!!  J was a little skeptical at first, but it only took seconds before he was all for it.  

South Dakota Adventure #1

When we moved to Sioux Falls, Luke and I made a promise with each other that we would try our best to explore as much of South Dakota as possible...

So... May 26, 2012 we were off on our first South Dakota adventure!  

(World's ONLY) Corn Palace

Mitchell, SD

Mitchell is about an hour west of Sioux Falls, so we knew this would be a great day trip.  Truly, the only thing I knew about Mitchell was that they had a show choir (or at least they did when I was in high school... I am not sure if they even have one anymore) so I was looking forward to seeing what this "so called" Palace was all about.  

This Corn Palace is literally right in the middle of town!  Crazy!  Driving down the streets of Downtown Mitchell and then you see... THIS!  A Palace...made out of corn!

The Corn Palace has been in existence since 1892!

AND

They change the design of the palace every year! 

(you will see a couple other designs as you check out the pictures)

 (I promise I do brush his hair... but it is a lost cause)

 The "arena" inside the palace

 I took this picture for the 'rents

1957 Corn Palace

 For Luke and I

1983 Corn Palace

It really was a very fun day!  The weather wasn't the best, but at least we were able to enjoy our mini trip and do a little exploring.

Officially Double Digits!

1-0!  Yes, 10 months!  I can't believe it... In fact, I think I am in the middle of having a panic attack (all while writing this) and in denial.  It was only a short year ago that we were showering baby "Dash" and now I am planning J's 1st Birthday Party!  C-R-A-Z-Y!

What a month it has been!  I feel Jameson has officially moved into new developmental territory and he is starting to pick up "toddler" traits...  What do I mean?  Well, J is now "SO BIG", CLAPPING with excitement and WAVING to say HI!  I feel like I see BIG kids doing all of these things and not my baby.  (again... denial!)

10 Month Statistics:

Weight: 23.6lbs

Height: I tried to get his length, 

but it was a losing battle that I was not going to win

Jameson = 1 Mommy = 0

Diaper Size: 4

Clothing Size: 12 month (a few 18 month)

On top of all of J's new tricks, he is now (practically) running around furniture, playing while standing up (mind you he has to be holding on to something) and kneeling to grab onto things.  He still isn't crawling, but like I keep saying, I truly believe he will not crawl and will go right to walking.  (although, he is mighty close to crawling and still gives it an A+ try everyday).

We are working on eating "real" meals throughout the day and really trying hard to get on a better eating schedule.  Jameson still prefers drinking a bottle, but he it getting better at finger foods.  Baby food is mostly out of the picture (he prefers to chew if he is not drinking a bottle) so it's my new challenge to figure out a) what he will eat and b) what is on the "allowable" list of foods for 10 month olds.  On a positive note, J is now able to feed himself and we are both much happier people!  It may be a messy, crazy time of day, but the screaming has decreased significantly and my blood pressure has returned (pretty much) to normal.

Nap time is a true Dream Come True!  (haha - I have to laugh because I still can't believe I went all those months without making J take a morning nap)  Jameson is now napping about an hour in the morning and about two hours in the afternoon!  Since he is REALLY keeping me on my toes these days, nap time is MY time and I am able to get a few things done around the house.  

10 Month Photo Shoot

(this is turning in a "real treat" - MAJOR sarcasm in that statement and you will soon see why)

I should have known this wasn't going to go well 

when (right from the beginning) I couldn't get J to look at the camera

 

NOT happy with the sticker on his shirt 

Tantrum #1
He was mad I took the sticker out of his hands.

I gave up on trying to get more pictures and this is what happened...

YUMMY!

(Again Jameson = 2 Mommy = 0)

 

Trying to get a couple pictures with the sign

These last 10 months have been absolutely, 100% the BEST 10 months of my life!  Jameson, you are my world and I love you with all my heart!  Happy 10 Month birthday "Mr. Man"

Plans... What Plans?!

I know some of you reading were waiting to hear how our weekend away went and how Luke did in his race... Well, I am so late on the post because I am FINALLY feeling better....

What was wrong you ask??  Well the right answer to that question is: what didn't go wrong last week?

I have to say, I try to make my posts as positive as possible, describe our family/fun times together and leave out the bad news, the not-so-fun to read news... but this time... no can do.

Our week in a very tiny nutshell!

Last week started out no-so-great for me emotionally and physically, but I was ready to put that all behind me and enjoy our long weekend in the Twin Cities.  I threw my emotions over my shoulders and put a smile on my face (game face) and wasn't going to let anything ruin the fun weekend ahead.  We took off early Wednesday afternoon and headed to our friends house and we were ready to have a great time.  Unfortunately, once we arrived Jameson was acting a little out of sorts, but I attributed it to the long drive, no nap and out of routine.  What I wasn't thinking (at all!) was it was the start of a VERY long, stressful weekend!!

So, fast forward to Thursday and Friday, two doctors visits and a SAVE-THE-DAY Nana by our side, we finally had some answers and a pretty sick little boy.  Needless to say, I was pretty worn out come Friday night and it took everything in my power to not pack our things up and head back home.  I knew Luke had a very busy day Saturday and the last thing I wanted to do was get in his way and stress him out.  BUT, thanks to my mom's "rational" thinking, there was a storm on it's way and it was getting late.  She was my voice of reason and talked me into waiting until Saturday morning to see how J was feeling and to check the weather.

I am so happy she convinced me to stay.  We were not able to watch much of Luke's race (J was not in the best mood and due to his illness, he was very sensitive to the sun) but it was great to see what we could and give him as much support as possible.

**A HUGE Congrats goes out to Luke, Chris and Kyle for completing the Twin Cities Tough Mudder!  You guys ROCK and did such a great job!**

Needless to say, Sunday was finally at our fingertips and I was ready to head home!  Only to get home and wake up being sick myself!  GRRRRRRR (again!)

So, I don't have many pictures from the weekend due to the lack of activities and a very fussy baby, but I can honestly say pictures are not needed for the "memories" that were created :-)

Lessons learned:
1. NEVER make set-in-stone plans when traveling with an infant
2. ALWAYS have a plan B AND plan C
3. ALWAYS know what hospitals and doctors are in "network"where ever you are
4. Make sure NANA is ALWAYS on speed-dial :-)
5. Keep the weather report close and up-to-date!

The outfits the boys wore for the race 

(PS - They cut the shorts into "daisy-dukes")

Oh yes, we had to "camp" in the car!

Umbrella is up IN the car to keep the sun off J!

One of the crazy obstacles the boys had to complete

(1 out of 20 within 12 miles)

Hangin' with mom!

Mother's Day Weekend

My Mother's Day weekend was PERFECT!  Friday night - Sunday night.... everything was amazing and I have to say THANK YOU to my amazing husband and wonderful little son.  I was truly treated like a queen all weekend long.

Friday night Luke and I decided to take advantage of the "Drop-n-Shop" at the gym (you can drop your kids off for 3 hours and actually leave the gym grounds and go do what you want... BRILLIANT idea eh?) and we went to dinner... just the two of us!  It was so nice to just sit and talk to my husband and not worry about anything.  Jameson was busy playing with the kids at the gym and we had no responsibilities!  We decided to try a place called Sushi Masa... Sushi you ask?  Abby, eat sushi??  No, don't get too excited :-)  Luke was really wanting to try this place and has really started to get a taste for sushi, so I took one for the team and said we could try it out as long as they had "cooked" meals to choose from as well.  Dinner was great and to top off our date night, we even splurged on a little treat from DQ!  By the time we picked J up, he was exhausted and ready to be home, bathed and in bed.  What a perfect way to start off Mother's day weekend!!

Saturday... the best way to explain our Saturday... RELAXING!  Luke and I had decided earlier in the week we wanted to go check out the Falls Park Farmers Market.  So, once J was up from his morning nap, off we went.  It was truly a beautiful morning.  Sun was shinning, weather was perfect, baby was in a great mood... Life was wonderful!  It was so tempting to not walk away from the market with hundreds of dollars worth of flowers, but I had to stay focused on dinner. haha  Although I couldn't really spend time on flowers, I did take the time to scope out the BEST looking homemade cinnamon roll and once again, splurged and ATE..IT..ALL!!  (by myself... no help from Luke!)  mmmmm Boy it truly made my mouth water.  We had a few more errands to run and then we headed home.  The afternoon only got better... Jameson went down for a nap, Luke ran out to get a few things accomplished and I put my feet up, grabbed my book and sat out in the sun... alone... quiet.... :-)  seriously PERFECT!  On Luke's way home, he decided to surprise me and pick up a few last minute items to make our dinner (to go along with what we purchased at the market).  Dinner was great, bath time was very entertaining and the day all around was..... PERFECT!

Not the best picture, but a quick shot of the market

 Snack time in the park

(while mommy ate her cinnamon roll!)

 "chunky monkey" playing in the grass

Sunday... Mother's Day!  WAHOO!  Again, the weather was great!  My boys took me out for a delicious brunch, we ventured to find flowers for one of my pots and then headed home.  It was so nice out that I didn't want to be inside at all!  I potted while the boys played on the deck.  Jameson took a great nap, we ran to the grocery store, enjoyed a great dinner outside and then it was time for bath.  I was looking forward to sitting on the couch and enjoying the last of the "ME time" watching the final episode of Desperate Housewives (yes, I was still into the show!)

Not the most flattering picture of myself, but it's not

that easy to take a picture with a 9 1/2 month old... so this will do

Hugs for mommy!

Trying to get a picture while at brunch... melt-down city!

He wanted more food... go figure!

Stealing a kiss from cranky pants

My first SOLO attempt at potting... Not too bad,

but I sure could have used my dear friends Dana or Ann!

 Jameson and Daddy playing on the deck

J was determined to get Daddy's phone

 Still trying...

no such luck

On top of my spectacular weekend, I was showered with beautiful gifts!  Flowers from my brother, new diaper bag from the rents, flowers from one set of in-laws and my very own PINK tool kit and new apron from my other set of in-laws.  Luke and J gave me a book I wanted and the necklace I wanted made by Say Anything Jewelry (I will post more about that once I actually get it... it will be about three weeks before it's done)

I know I have said it multiple times, but my weekend was PERFECT!  My husband and son remind me each and everyday what a lucky woman I am!  They truly are the reason I am who I am today and the reason I wake up smiling each morning.  

Thank you Luke and Jameson and I love you with all my heart!