memorial weekend

Whew! This past weekend flew by. The fun ones always do. We got to spend the weekend at home with family and friends.

This time we decided to try and leave around Minden's bedtime in hopes that she would sleep for the 3 plus hour drive. And she did! However the ride back involved a few tears and Cooper doing the hokey pokey. Whatever makes the baby happy, right?

We spent Friday night and Saturday morning at Nate's parent's house. We got to see most of his family, but missed a few of his nieces and nephews. Nate had a bachelor party Saturday afternoon/night for a wedding that he is in, so Minden and I headed to my parent's house to spend the night. We worked on cleaning out some of my things packed away in the closet upstairs. Minden was pretty happy with some of the toys we found.

Five trash bags later full of notes from high school, broken childhood toys, teeth (yes, for some reason I kept some of my teeth that were pulled before I got braces (what was I thinking?)) and we had only made a small dent in what needed to be done. My sinus' couldn't handle anymore of the dust, so we had to call it good for this trip.

That evening Grandpa Berger took his girls (Mom, Lisa, me and Minden) out for supper, and when got home Minden enjoyed a bath in the sink.

We spent the rest of the weekend catching up and playing cards with my family. Monday morning we headed to the cemetery to hear my Grandpa Berger's name called, and to see my uncle Gerald march.

Great uncle Michael and Grandpa Berger

Growing up I went to this service every year with my dad., so it was nice to be able to attend again this year with my little family.

We made one more final stop back at Grandma and Grandpa Lueth's house for lunch before we headed out. Nate's grandparents Ray and Alice came up, and it was so good to see them. We do look forward to being closer to our family someday.

We are settling back into our routine at home now. Minden is sleeping much better in her own crib, and Cooper is back backing out the deck door at anyone who dares to pass our home.

tidbits

Nate had another classes this weekend, so Aunt Lisa came to the rescue! Not only did she keep us company, she also brought a pool for us to try out.

We were so anxious to get in and try it out, but water wasn't quite warm enough. So Lisa and I hauled buckets of warm water out to the pool until it was ready. Minden loved the pool and splashing around. Now she refuses to lay back in her tub. What a big girl!

Our girl's weekend together just flew by. We ate out, had frozen yogurt, went to a neighbors graduation party and played our little hearts out. I am so thankful she made the long drive to spend the weekend with us.

The weekends always seems to go so fast. There is just never enough time. However, one thing I do really look forward too during the week are our nightly family walks.

It's the perfect time to catch up on each other's days, and marvel at the cuteness of our child. Of coarse Cooper goes bananas for walks. So crazy that we have to refer to them as "w's" around here unless you are prepared to actually go for one.

Just a tiny little peak into our weekend and Monday evening.

it's a beautiful night

 

Tuesdays are usually reserved for yoga, but with no class tonight Minden and I got to spend some extra time with Nate. So we set up camp outside while he took care of some yard work.

She loves being outside. Those big blue eyes light up with excitement as she watches the world around her. So thank goodness it is finally getting nicer outside.

This last picture of Cooper pretty much sums him up. If there is one thing I have learned, it's that you can buy a dog a house with a yard, build that dog a fence so he can roam freely, but you cannot make him leave the deck to enjoy said yard. Oh Cooper...

m & z

 [ minden + zoey ]

A couple weekends back we had some very special visitors. My best friend, Megan, came to see us along with her husband, Zach, and daughter, Zoey. It is always so great to see them and catch up. No matter how long it has been since we saw each other we can always pick up right where we left off.

Megan and I are two peas in pod. We enjoy all of the same things. In high school we were even involved all of the same activities with only a few small exceptions. She was my partner in crime, and I wouldn't have had it any other way.

Now we both have daughters, and they are only one day shy of two months apart. Naturally they are destined to become best friends. 

They were adorable together. We spent our weekend soaking up just how stinking cute they were. They would squawk back and forth, take turns swatting each other and they even shared their toys very nicely. 

I cannot wait to see this little friendship grow. 

happy mother's day

Happy Mother's day to all the wonderful moms out there. Most of all Nate's and my mothers. You have taught us how to love unconditionally. This year I can say I truly understand the love a mother has for her children. It's a lifelong love that never fades.

Becoming a mother has changed me in many ways. It's a selfless love. One that was deep from the very moment I found out that Minden was on her way. Each sleepless night, giggle and hair pull strengthens our bond. It's our story, and I'm so excited for it to be written out in the years to come. Blessed doesn't even being to describe how lucky I feel.

7 months of minden

Seven months. Wow. Time continues to fly on by. You weigh in at 18.6 lbs and are sticking to 26 inches long this month.

What a big month you just had baby girl. You are officially sitting up on your own now. You were wobbly there for about a week, and then all of sudden one day you just owned it. Straightened your self out and made your momma extremely proud. Of course I prop all sorts of pillows around you. Once in awhile you fail backwards, so it's better to be safe than sorry.

Back before the sitting happened you began to roll. First while your aunt Lisa was watching you. You went from your belly to your back for about a day and a half. Then you stopped cold turkey. Since then you have rolled from you back to your belly, but you get frustrated shortly after and don't attempt to try and roll back.

Another first this month was solid foods. You have proved to be a wonderful little eater so far. You lean forward with excitement. So far we have only done sweet potatoes and peas. We are taking it slow to make sure nothing causes a bad reaction. You currently eat 1 tablespoon twice a day.

Lisa and Grandma Berger got to spend a few days alone with you this month while your daycare provider was on vacation. They were a huge help and enjoyed having that time with you. You were also babysat for the first time by someone other than your daycare provider this month. Your father and I attended your uncle Andrew's play. I texted at intermission to see how things were going. From the pictures we received it looked like you had a great time with the three kids at the house your were at.

You continue to be shy in new surroundings, but quickly warm up. You are a social butterfly. You love having other children around. You chime right in, making sure you are head.When you get to daycare you barely look back at me. You flap your arms in excitement of seeing your friends.

Your hair continues to grow in so very blond. On the top it sticks up, and I find myself tucking the long strands on the sides behind your ears. It looks like your eyes are going to remain blue just like your dad's eyes. 

Sleeping has remained the same. Most nights you wake up once to eat. You usually take an hour nap in the morning and around a 2 hour nap in the afternoon.

Your personality just grows and grows every month. You are a happy baby, but when you don't like something you know how to bring the drama. For instance the other day as I was putting you in your car seat one of your toys got stuck behind you. You must not have like how that felt because you were sure to let me know you weren't happy. Once I removed it things were all better. You have to love a girl that knows what she wants. You my dear seem to have strong opinions. Let's hope you don't go to hard on me during the teenage years (fingers crossed so very, very tightly).

I could go on and on about you, little girl. You just amaze me each day. Keep growing.

Love,
Momma

04.30.12 vs. 04.30.13

The difference of one year.

My first pregnant belly picture was taken on 04/30/12. Randomly on 04/30/13 I decided to take a similar picture. It wasn't until tonight I realized I had taken the second picture exactly one year later in the same pants. Crazy!

Although my hands are a little fuller this time around. :)

in the blink of an eye

Can we just take a minute to talk about how quickly my little one is changing? I mean I closed my eyes and she began sitting up. I find myself looking through her newborn photos and thinking, "who is that tiny little baby".

Her personality shines through and through. She is sweet and social, but the girl also knows that she likes. If she's unhappy, you'll know.

Her motor skills are improving like crazy. She's dumping out her blocks, picking one up in each hand and clicking them together to make noise. She will hit them against anything that will make noise. In fact noise makers seem to be a favorite of hers lately.

We fill her highchair with toys while we eat to keep her busy. In a matter of minutes seconds she has thrown them all on the floor.We pick them all up, she throws them down, and the cycle goes on and o (her parents are such suckers).

The girl is seriously fun, and I am loving every minute of it.