We love you Lancey and Miss You Already!

Today was a sad day but we know we made the right decision.
We decided after much thought, that it would be best to put our beloved cat to sleep. She was almost 10 years old which is fairly old for a kitty. She had been through a lot in her 10 years of life. She started out as a barn cat with Chris's family so she got to chase mice and be outside and be with other cats.
About 3 years ago when we lived in our Bloomington apt we
decided to take her in. They were a very fun 3 years but this last year brought on many uncomfortable issues for Lancey. And us. She has always struggled with allergies. So bad sometimes she would lick and lick and lick her fur away. We had her on non allergen food but sometimes that wasn't enough. We had many vets look at her. We tried lots of different ways of treating this, from steroid shots to oral medicine (which is awful to give a cat). Then she started to have anal gland issues. And recently she has been deficating out of her litter box, so obviously something was bugging her. One vet thought maybe it was dental issues, but to take care of that it would be around $500, and there was a "chance" this would cure her. We couldn't afford to do that or keep bringing her in and trying different things.
She didn't seem like herself. She wouldn't let us hold her. She wouldn't jump up on our laps. All she wanted to do was sleep, now I know cats sleep a lot but this was too much. We had her basically having to live in the downstairs bathroom where her box and food was because we couldn't risk having her go to the bathroom where Linnea was. This wasn't a good or fair life for a cat.
Before she got so sick she was a very loving and fun cat! One of the best I have ever had! SOOOO cute and always greeted us when we walked in the door. Linnea always giggled when she looked at her and woulld be happy to just watch her.
Here are some fun picture memories of Lancey. I should have tried to make a video...perhaps once will still come with the help of Chris.

One of the first days we got her at our apt.

One of the first days in our new house in St. Paul. She really loved looking out the window and sleeping in the window sills.

I would sometimes find her in my drawers.

Or in my scrapbooking suitcase.

Or drinking water from our bathroom sink! Silly kitty!

Before Linnea came, she had to try out all the new furniture.
The rocking chair...

The changing table shelf and she did get in the crib once...which is why we always shut the nursery door when Linnea sleeps. No cat cuddling with the baby. However, she did lay on my belly a LOT when I pregnant. I think she knew.

I dressed her up as a ladybug this past Halloween.

I found Lancey in Linnea's chair last week.

This was on our bed...somewhere she rarely went.

Chris took this beautiful picture of Lancey shortly after we got her.

Proud parents!

She doesn't know what to think of that toy...

But she loved the papason chair!

This was when we first got her....sooo little!

Sleepy kitty!

This was her first night at the apt. So peaceful. Just like she is now.
Many meows and hugs and kisses to Lancey. Rest in Peace. Thanks for the memories!

Linnea gets a kiss from God!

Linnea had a very special day this past Sunday. She was baptized at my family's church. It was a great day. Linnea got a letter from the Pastor and lots of attention. She was very good as the water was poured on her and when she toured the church aisles with our pastor! We were very proud of her. And as you can see below she looks very proud of herself too.

She was able to wear the same baptismal gown that my brothers and I wore for ours. It was quite special since my mom made it.

She was pretty tired after her special part of the service ended and passed out in daddy's arms.

Here was her special banner.

And Linnea eagerly awaiting her one of many special moments.

We had a brunch over at my parents house in Woodbury since it was just a few minutes from the church. We took many family photos in this spot! Here are Linnea's godparents Maggie and Aaron, cousins of Chris's.

And here is the happy family of 3!

6 Months

Well, I turned half a year old last Sunday! Can you believe it?? I have been in this world for 6 months! I sure have enjoyed myself! I weigh 15.5 lbs, am 25 inches long and we can't remember what the size of my head is. We also forgot to find what percentile all of this is. But it must be fine or the doctor would have said something. That doctor sure is nice, but the nurse who had to poke me 3 times I could do without! She was nice before and after the poking though. Thank goodness for infant tylenol is all we have to say!

Here are some things I have done and accomplished:

As you can see above, I have two bottom teeth...the dr said they came a lil early but that's okay!

I have tried a variety of foods along with my mommy's milk which I still have...despite the struggles we had at first. Here are the foods I have tried:
rice cereal
oatmeal
oatmeal with bananas, peaches and strawberries
squash
sweet potatoes
farmers market veggies
veggies and pasta
carrots
pears
applesauce
peas...wasnt to crazy about those yet
some sort of green veggies concoction that I could not get down! Lots of gagging was involved.
I am excited to be trying more and more foods!
I also get apple prune juice mixed in with my cereal so its easier to go to the bathroom.
And I am very happy I can have water now on these hot days!

Here are some things I can do:
smile
giggle
coo
babble
roll from my back to tummy...still working on tummy to back...its very hard!
I am very close to sitting on my own
I grab/reach for things I want
I put a spoon in my mouth and all over my face
I pass things from one hand to the next
I sometimes reach for people I know
I sleep in my crib at bedtime and sometimes at naptime
I play in an exersaucer
I hang out in the jumperoo...still working on jumping
I keep switching my sleep schedule but at least I am sleeping for at least 6 hours straight if not 8 or 9! And for the last month I only needed to eat in the middle of the night twice because mom said I was having a growth spurt. Usually I wake up because I lose that binkie (pacifier) I love so much!

Here are some highlights of things I have done:
An overnight trip in a cabin aroudn 2 months
celebrated many first holidays
went to a parade
gone on many stroller rides outside and at the MOA
found a great daycare
roadtrips to Red Wing and Ellsworth
hung out with Daddy for 4 days while mommy went to New Orleans for her other "daughters" graduation from High School
slept over at grandma and grandpa Henjums
I have an upcoming trip to Colorado!

Thank you to everyone for making my life so great so far!

We decided to have me try to sit by my elephant this time!

Just for fun

Here are just some fun and cute pictures of our fav lil girl! This picture above I just think is so cute...she has been doing that in her exersaucer a lot lately...playing, playing playing and then just looking up at me! Adorable!

We tried carrots the other night and despite all that around her mouth she did get some in and seemed to enjoy them...we haven't found much she doesn't like! She hasn't been crazy about the green veggies right away, but when we have tried them a second time she does just fine.

She LOVES this toy on her high chair and will play and play with it when she is done eating which gives me time to do the dishes or eat my own breakfast so that is good!

And I just really like this picture of her. She doesn't always go for those headbands but when she does I feel I need to snap a picture right away before she wiggles out of it!

Father's Day

I think Chris had a fun first Father's Day! We started the day with Caribou Coffee and dougnuts from Rainbow. Linnea and I went to get these things while Chris slept in. We ate them outside while reading the paper. I apologize for no photo of this fun lil picnic!

After breakfast we headed over to my parents house in Woodbury where we spent the rest of the day. We went for a walk and Linnea experienced her first big swinging trip and a few trips down the slide with grandpa and her dad.

Linnea and Dylan also had some bonding time at the park. Look at those proud daddies with their kiddoes!

Linnea gave both her dad and grandpa a photo album of herself with them. We had a great time making them. Her daddy also got a book of fun games they can play together! Linnea was having so much fun her dad and grandpa that she refused to nap...so unfortunately bedtime on Father's Day was not a good one. But the day was great!
Happy Father's Day again daddies and thanks for all you do!

Birthdays!

Happy 30th Birthday Maggie! A few weeks ago we headed to Owatonna to celebrate Chris' cousin Maggie's 30th Birthday. Maggie and her husband will be Linnea's Godparents. What a lucky girl because these two people are very fun! Linnea was able to meet some of her cousins she hadnt met before too so that was way fun!

Another birthday was celebrated this past weekend...or shouild I say two? Our twin nieces turned the big 1!!!! Happy Birthday Peyton and Ella. They got some swings! YAY!!! Chris brought Linnea to Red Wing on his own since I had to work at the Twins Game.

He said they all had a blast! And here is the crew! Sorry I missed out...looks like you had a wonderful time.

Well we made it through our first week just the two of us during the days since March. We went to our new parent class again and will go again today but that will be it because this lil peanut is already 6 months old! And it only goes until the baby turns 6 months. We have lots of fun walking, playing. eating, sleeping here and there and running errands here and there. But we really love it when daddy gets home from work. I feel so lucky that he is home by 3:00.

One super fun thing we did my first week home from work was have a sleepover at grandma and grandpa Henjums. Chris and I were able to go to the Twins Game on Tuesday night and we left Linnea at my parents house. Since we didnt get home until after 10 we thought it would be easiest just to let her sleep. So I slept over with her and we got to go on a walk in Woodbury Wednesday. I am going to try to go on at least one unique walk a week. Walking around Como is fun and convenient but it will be even more fun to explore I think! I also need to squeeze some running in since I am doing a half marathon in Red Wing on August 1st.

Some nights I will be home with Chris and Linnea but when the Twins are home I will be working there. I will also be working one night at Caribou and every Saturday morning we dont have plans. SO it will be busy and we wont like it that much, but it needs to be done and at least it isnt EVERY night.

I am still trying to figure out Linnea's schedule (or if she has one). They said she was a good napper and fun baby at daycare and so far thats been overrall true for me too, minus Father's Day when she refused to nap. She was just having too much fun I guess.

If any of you other mommies ever want to hang out please give us a call! We would love to play!

Happy Father's Day

Any Man can be a Father, but it takes someone Special to be a DADDY!!!

And you are that special person to me! I am sooooo lucky to have you! You are the best daddy in the whole world. I love it when you put me to bed after feeding me and reading me the Times or a book or both. I love it when you make funny sounds for me that really make me laugh. I love playing with you and just hanging out!! Mommy and I don't know where we would be without your constant patience, kindness and humor.
Thank you for everything and make sure you enjoy your special day.
Happy Father's Day!
By the way, I also have some pretty awesome grandpas too and we hope you enjoy your special days as well!!!
We hope all the daddies out there have wonderful days! You guys deserve it!

Bye Bye for now Daycare!

Friday was Linnea's last day of daycare until the fall and we just wanted to say thank you soooo much to Sandy, Audrey, Joan and Marilyn. We could not have asked for a better daycare experience!!! As you can see above, Linnea LOVES the doll they gave her as a going away gift.

Above is Linnea with Sandy and below is the squirt with Audrey and Joan.

Thank you again! We learned so much from all of you special people!

Mealtime, Playtime and Bathtime

Well this is a post all about me, Linnea...I will be happy to tell you all about these pics:

I am really starting to enjoy this bathtime stuff...especially when mommy does my hair crazy!

And has me practice sitting in my cozy towel made by Grandma Henjum!
I really try hard to roll over every time they plop me on the floor...these are my new fun soft blocks mom found me at a garage sale...she really loves going to those!
This is me and my best friend...pooh bear! He is always willing to play and hang out..he doesn't mind when I put him in my mouth either because he knows he will always get a hug from me too!
I have these sharp things coming in through my bottom gums so I want to put EVERYTHING in my mouth, even Target ads...mom says she will try to get a picture of my two teeth soon!
This is my other good friend...good ole Lancey! I have just started to realize we have a four legged furry friend at our house. She is pretty cute!
And I have now decided I would like to help feed myself. So I just pick up that bowl sometimes and shove it in my mouth. I also grab the spoon and serve myself and gnaw on it for a little while. I really like these yellow/orange foods but think it would be pretty cool to try the greens soon! And at daycare they sometimes give me toast and cheerios....wonder when mom will try that??

Have a good day everyone...today is my last day at daycare until fall when mom hopefully finds a new job in the Mpls Schools. She has been done since Tuesday but brought me to play with my friends anyways these past three days. She said she wanted to get some things done around the house, go running (she is doing a half marathon August 1st) and she even wanted to use her Mother's Day spa gift certificate for a massage and pedicure! I don't know why she thought she couldn't get all that done with me at home? Oh well, she deserves some days to herself! Now she will be all revitalized and ready to be the best mommy ever! I bet she will post even more blogs since we will be around all summer!