Happy 50th!

This is my 50th post…yay! However, considering the fact that I've had this blog for a couple years, maybe I should pick up my game a little bit! Anyways, here are my thoughts right now…

Summer is actually winding down. To me, this is marked by none other than the MN State fair, and the talk of all the kids going back to school as well as the youth ministry starting back up full swing again. I am sad to see summer go [as I am every year] but the beauty of change and the beginning of something is also quite exciting and fills me with hope and anticipation! [I am not referring to the State fair when I say this, although I am quite excited about the pizza on a stick and animals we will get to enjoy ;)]

Us at the fair last year!

Greatly anticipating her arrival!!!

As a somewhat newly married couple [3 years] and as new parents, we get the joy of experiencing many "firsts" together. From then on, we get the opportunity to form traditions and things we as a family regularly do! This summer has not been any exception. Everything was a first for Addie, given she is only 8 1/2 months old, but how fun it was to experience so much along side her and each other!
The many trips to the zoo, walks around the river and neighborhood, camping, and more than that, just the simple joys of trying new everyday things were so fun!!

She is now fully on the move…She decided to wait until 7 months to sit up on her own, and just a few days later started crawling! Now she is a speedy Gonzales around the house and is pulling herself up on almost everything, but is still too wobbly to stay up for too long. Bring on the 'bonked heads' and hopefully they don't occur too often ;) It's is amazing how creative one can get while baby proofing! For us, we removed the major 'no-no's' and then its more of a change it as we go type of game, as we see what she likes to get into and how we can avoid that without turning our house upside down.

One of her first discoveries- of course!

Despite popular baby belief, kleenex does NOT really taste good!

She is such a delight [as grandma-sh as that sounds, but truly she is] Still a little shy with those she doesn't know well, but we are working on that ;) Sam and I were just reminiscing about how this stage is pretty easy compared to the first 3-4 months and what is to come in the toddler stage etc, and are fully prepared to soak up every minute of it right now!

Excited for another wedding shower for Auntie/ Godmother Tiffany!!!

Next mission: try to get Theo to be as in love with Addison and she is with him! Seriously, the look of awe and love and many laughs that get sent his way are unreal! Don't get me wrong, he likes her, but is still pretty guarded. We are hoping they really buddy up, because right now, he honestly seems like more work than her! And I guarantee, that has nothing to do with the fact that he has been completely spoiled and babied until we had her ;) lol

This says it all...

Last thought….Ever since Addie was born, I have really tried to live my life more simply. Away with the years of going going going [as I wrote about a while ago Here] and being involved in so much that what you are involved in becomes a task and not the help it maybe should be. I  [and sam too] have been trying to soak up every day as we are able. Simplify, simplify, simplify! [My love for efficiency also helps!] Packing your life with "good stuff" can be just as destructive as "bad stuff." So we try, and sometimes we fail, but none-the-less it is still the motto of how we want to live our lives and be as a family. So no, I may not be able to do as much as I once did with others or make more money by working more hours, but I am putting those things that are closest to my heart at the top of my priority list…in order to have a balanced, happy home!

LOVES to be upside down any chance she gets!

That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

We took the family camping July('12)

I love camping. I really do. Those who know me can attest to the fact that I usually scream bloody murder at the presence of a bug/ or gross things of that nature. However, when I am outside anything goes, and my tolerance for those nasty little critters diminishes (with the exception of ticks and biting mosquitos) When I am camping, I get to enjoy one of my greatest loves…the outdoors! I thrive on fresh air, THE SUN, the heat, and everything green :) I also love the simplicity that camping brings. I am a firm believer in sticking to the basics when camping…cooking everything on the fire and only creating work to be done when its a necessity. It's a time to get away from the expectations and chaos of everyday life. Sam on the other hand hates the heat & the beating sun... but as a whole, generally enjoys camping. Therefore, as a family on a tight budget, camping has been and will become even more of an activity that we will embrace together!

So, on a weekend with temps in the high 90's- low 100's why not drag the troops camping? This time was a little bit different for the following reasons:

A. We have a 7 month old, who we had obviously never camped with, so it was a trial run to see how she would do
B. We only had saturday afternoon-monday morning to go due to both of our work schedules
C. Sam still had to work Sunday morning
D. It was going to be HOT

The solution? Camp at a beautiful campsite right here in Hudson! The 3 Dittrichs (+ Theo) as well as my parents ventured a whole 3 miles from our house to Willow River State Park. This way, Sam could leave Sunday morning to go to work, we wouldn't waste time driving and we could always stop home if things got rough (with Addie) etc etc.

Sam setting up our new tent!

Despite the fact that we were one of the last people to reserve a site at the campsite (leaving us with a very UNshadded campsite) we really did enjoy ourselves. We made do with makeshift shade, AC trips to the car, spending a day at the "beach" and picnic area where there were lots of trees, and a lot of laughter! Other than the fact that poor Addie was pretty hot a lot of the time she was a gem and played in her pack-n-play so well (she even took a few short naps!)

Reading in the shade with grandma!

I myself, really enjoyed the heat and beating sun, however I spent a lot of time worrying if Add was cool enough and making sure she was okay. Sam…well, he of course hated the heat. Therefore, I think our future camping trips will take place in the spring and early fall. I can bake in the sun right here at home where no one else is subjected to it ;)

Who knew picking daises could be so much fun?!

LOVING exploring in the tent!

hot hot hot!

My first EVER motorcycle ride with my bro (note: thankfully our max speed= 25 mph)

Laughing with mommy :) 

Overall, it was a good trial run for us and our growing family & We didn't even need to stop home! We learned what we need to change for next time! I loved spending time with my parents (and the day visit from my brother). I look forward to exploring this campsite and many others in the future Spring and Fall months for years to come:)

Who wants to sleep when everyone else is hanging out by the fire?!

In the midst of it all...

Its been almost a month since I have posted anything…OOPS! We have just been having too much fun in this beautiful, hot, summer weather! Where has the month gone?!?! So here is a sincere apology in advance for the long post!

Well…after Sam's birthday/ our stay-cation, came fathers day! I was super excited to celebrate this day because I truly am SO grateful to have such a loving, fun, and involved dad for our little girl! She is so blessed :) As much hype as mothers day gets, I feel like fathers day should get the same. These days, as most moms have to work, parents are forced to split the parenting load and REALLY work as a team to get everything done and be there for your child. Its neat, and special for the whole family :) Sams family came up to visit that weekend as well!

BLT's for lunch, compliments of chef Sam!

Loving play time with Auntie Haley!

So intrigued with Godfather/ uncle Josh!

Boche ball on a gorgeous night!!

We have enjoyed many trips to the park in our neighborhood as well as the family favorite: walks :)

Sam was gone for a week at jr. high camp, so Addie and I decided to head down to lakeville for a two days to enjoy the company of others! We had so much fun with Grandma and Grandpa (even though big boys currently scare her) and also made another trip to the zoo!! Addie also enjoyed a night with her godmother/ auntie Tiff as mom worked! oh the fun yet to come with the relationship between those two ;)

Addie is 7 months already! I cannot believe it!!! Here are some updates:

-She has been 'almost

 crawling' for about 3 weeks now… and at any moment I feel like she is just going to zoom away! 

How she spends most of her time!

-After 2 1/2 weeks of trying to get her to eat solids, she took to it! So she is now loving to eat all sorts of fruits and veggies! (which by the way are SO fun to make!)

-She has been able to sit for about 30 seconds or so at a time for the last month, but just recently can sit for much longer!!!

-She is so full of laughter, little girl screeches and thoughtful stares (so much fun!)

-She is still proving herself to be very content and calm baby girl!

-She is completely obsessed with her pup theo! He steals her attention 9 times out of 10

-She doesn't cry unless she's scared or overly tired!

-Sleeping 12 hours at night and is finally down to 2 naps a day!! YAY!

We also had a very fun 4th of july! Due to the heat we couldn't go out much with Addie, but we had lots of fun here in hudson with my family! Sam also got the birthday celebration he's been begging for with my family, little did he know we would REALLY bring it this time :)

happy 4th!!

Happy late birthday celebration Sam!

I also got to get away with my friends twice…which was a lot of fun. However, the more I am gone, the more I am realizing I just want to be at home with my family! That is where my heart is, and that is what makes me the happiest... the simple things we do together! Wow, its crazy how much that has changed! For a second I feel boring saying/ feeling that way, but 5 seconds later I'm over it and just wanting to embrace what I have been so blessed with!! I cant wait until some of my good friends start poppin' out little ones so they can truly understand what I am feeling!

STAY-cation 2012

Due to my schedule/ profession I often times work 4-5 day stretches, even though I am only part time. However, this allows me to have stretches off too! So…when we noticed that I had 5 days off in a row in the beginning of June, we decided we would take a vacation (especially since it was over Sam's birthday and our anniversary) Upon researching places to go…Chicago…Duluth…Two Harbors…etc, we realized that it would either be too stressful with a baby (Chicago) or wasn't REALLY somewhere we were dying to go. So…we had the idea to have a "stay-cation" We would stay in the comfort of our own home, not have to pay money for hotels, gas, etc, and do fun activities everyday that we are normally not able to do! It was absolutely wonderful, and I think we may try to do this every year, or at least every other! Let me just say, we needed this, as a couple, as parents, and as a family. Today, its back to reality for both of us as we go back to work, and to the normal routines.

Here are some highlights of our stay-cation 2012:

Day One:

We celebrated our little Addie's 1/2 birthday and then headed out to Stillwater to grill/ hang out with two couples and their little ones. It was great to be outside and with such good company!

After Addie got her nap in, we headed to the Freighthouse for some drinks/ apps! It was such a beautiful evening, and just reminded me of how much I love Stillwater in the summer :)

I even tried quac for the first time. I know, I know, I'm a vegetarian so clearly I should have had avocado or quac before…but the creamy texture of it has always freaked me out, so I never have. I decided it was time, and It tasted really fresh and a lot more mild than I had imagined. I think I am going to slowly incorporate it into my diet, and stop asking to "hold the quac" on many thing I order!

Day two:

The next day was Sam's 25th birthday! We started it off right with Starbucks & Brueggers, then headed to the MN zoo! 

We met my mom there, and had such a wonderful day walking around and looking at all the animals! Addie seemed to enjoy herself, and experienced all that she could for being 6 months old!

One of my favorite animals there, the prairie dogs!

Pit stop for a bottle :)

Her favorite part of bath time is when she can put her legs/ arms in the running water…so we decided to try this out too to see if she would like it! Success :)

We got BWW for dinner and ate it on the deck! Sam ate 18 wings. 18 WINGS! It's crazy he could fit that much food into his small little self! AND…I was super excited that I discovered they serve veggie burgers! Now I finally have something I can order when we go there!

A very full birthday boy!

The day concluded with some more fun on the deck and some movies :)

Day 3:

We stayed home and relaxed in morning/ afternoon! I got some sun, and Addie worked a lot on sitting up!

Then we headed out to Dick's to look at tents! (our anniversary gift to each other) 

That night, we ordered pizza, played games, and just enjoyed each other's company :)

Day 4:

On Tuesday, we were going to head to Lake Calhoun for some walking, but decided with the heat, and length of drive out there, it would be better just to go down by the river for a walk right here in Hudson! It was beautiful out, and definitely the right choice :) After, we enjoyed ice cream from McDonalds (Sam finally grasped the beauty of the 150 cal 3g fat ice cream cone!) and homemade lasagna! That night, we shopped around online for more tents, and a jogging stroller for Addie! I also took advantage of Sam being home, and ran some errands KID FREE!

Day 5:

Our 3 year anniversary! These are the cards we made for each other! Sam also surprised me with an americano and egg/ cheese sandwich from Starbucks, and we enjoyed the morning together! 

In the afternoon, we headed to the Doctor for Addie's 6 month appt. We are so blessed to have such a happy healthy girl!! She continues to be small: 13 lbs 0 oz, (4th percentile), and 24 3/4 inches (15th percentile) …But the Dr. assured us she is healthy and steadily growing at her own rate! Now, onward to getting her to like/ eat some solids!

We enjoyed an evening on the deck (again!) some Stir Fry, and more games to conclude our anniversary/ stay-cation!

Before the weekend began, I had Sam make a list of what he wanted to do, and we actually accomplished most of it among other things! Overall, It was wonderful wonderful wonderful…and as I mentioned before, MUCH NEEDED! 

now back to reality...

Oh may!

I LOVE May... It is such a wonderful month! The air is warm and anticipation/ planning is in full swing for the summer months ahead!

So far, we have had a great month, with a few adventures yet to come in the next couple weeks!

It started off being able to celebrate little Adrians first birthday! What an adorable Dr. Seuss party! Fitting, for such a wonderful little boy!

The dad's and their little ones :)

Addie, attempting to nap at the party!

We journeyed down to Algona, IA (where Sam grew up) to go to his little sister Haley's Graduation party! Although little Addie was still sick :( she was a trooper and we had a lot of fun seeing family/ friends and celebrating Haley's graduation! It was fun to have the newest little cousins together as well as have most of Sam's extended family meet Addie for the first time!

And then, the next day, I got to celebrate my first technical mothers day! My wish for the day was to cherish every moment I had with Addie. We slept in, and skipped church because Addie was still feeling under the weather. This meant extra cuddling and lovin for us! I also got cancelled from work due to low census, so that meant even more time enjoying the beautiful weather with my family! All in all, I felt very loved, appreciated, and soaked up every moment of the day!

We have enjoyed starting to move up to 3-6 month clothes! There are so many cute summer outfits that Addie and I are stoked to have her wear! Although, I think she may be slightly more excited about the fact that she can almost sit up on her own, and her BFF sophie. 

Addie has had a fun time accompanying me to the youth ministry Sam leads at our church for the last few months. However, a couple weeks she has gotten to join our group of 8th grade girls during small group time! She has loved the girl talk, and tried hard not to be too much of a distraction!

Bring on the rest of May and a fun trip with the girls to Duluth planned for this next weekend!!