It was an exciting week of firsts. Matt took ALL 4 kids out to dinner and Wal-Mart all by himself! I had a meeting and he decided he would take them all out! I haven’t even done that yet myself I don’t think. Maybe to a friend’s house, but not to a restaurant and store! Then… he came home and he changed Annika’s diaper for the 1st time – yup at over 4 months old he finally changed a diaper!

The next first is that Christian finally has his first loose tooth. It is very loose – I am guessing it will be out in the next day or two. The adult teeth on the bottom are already in, but he hadn’t lost the baby teeth yet. They are FINALLY loose! I was thinking I was going to have to take him in to get them pulled but thankfully it looks like I won’t.

I have spent a lot of time this week planning our month long trip for this summer. We’re going from here to Minnesota (for the pastor’s conference), to Washington (to visit friends & family), to Colorado (for the youth conference) and home. I have been working on hotel reservations, finding fun places to visit (If you know anywhere we can’t miss let me know), coordinating visits with friends & family etc. We’re all starting to get excited for it, but I’m guessing towards the end we will be excited to get home! I’m pretty sure this is the longest length trip I will have ever taken.

The weather here has been – well typical midwest almost spring. It goes from 60 one day to snowing the next. We had a big thunderstorm the other night and woke up with snow on the ground – go figure.

I finally got serious on my diet and last week lost 2 pounds. We’ll see on Monday when I weigh in what this week brings.

Annika is probably almost done breastfeeding. The medicine I was taking to help produce more milk was really starting to make me depressed and constantly tired (as it warns it will do) so I stopped taking it – and I feel so much better! But that means less milk for her and she can tell and is starting to get frustrated nursing. So, I’m guessing she’ll be done within the next few weeks here. It makes me kind of sad, but is probably for the best. She has been getting a bit of formula all along, so she is used to it already and will probably make the switch to all formula just fine.

Annika had her four month (plus week and a half) appointment on Wednesday. She was 14 lb 7 oz. and 24 3/4″ long. 50% for both weight and height. It’s hard to believe she is already 4 1/2 months old! She is starting to scoot across the floor. She doesn’t really ever stay still – I’m pretty sure I am going to have my hands full when she starts crawling! The doctor said judging by the amount of drool that comes out of her that she most likely will have teeth pretty soon too! I am holding off starting her on solids for a bit longer – the dr. says anytime but she doesn’t really need it yet. I’ll probably wait until around 6 months – when she is close to sitting up on her own.

Next week is Lutheran School’s week so there are lots of fun activities at school that the boys are looking forward to. Thursday is visitation day where we get to go visit their classes then there is a big Potluck lunch, then I work at the book fair for a couple hours, so it will be a busy day. Saturday is the big PTL School Carnival that both Matt and I have to work at for an hour each. I’m sure the boys will love being at that as well!

Well, I think I will go browse around www.etsy.com for awhile and then head to bed. We have church in the morning, are going out to lunch with friends, have the NASCAR race to watch (what Matt does every Sunday) and then Youth Group in the evening. It has been a nice relaxing lazy weekend so far!

C-

We as parents have good intentions… but sometimes it just isn’t meant to be – today was one of those days. The kids had the day off from school and of course Monday’s are Matt’s day off as well. We set off for a day of fun. We originally thought about going to Legoland in Chicago, but then decided it was kind of expensive for what it is (not that we have actually been there to know exactly what it is… — but anyway judging by online, it didn’t seem THAT exciting for the close to $90 price tag for our family to get in). So we decided on Pizza Palace. Christian had been there once before for a b-day party and loved it. They have pizza (obviously) and indoor miniture golf. We pulled up and guess what? Closed on Mondays. We had gotten a bit of a later start then intended and the kids were already hungry, but we instead promised them a fun trip to Hidden Cove (about 35 minutes further away). They have bowling, a ball pit, a huge slide, pizza and video games. We had been there once before right after we moved here and although it is also over-priced for what it is… we were desperate for some food and fun, so off we ventured. We pulled up and it looked promising – the parking lot was full of cars, so it must be open! (although maybe a little busy?) However, with closer examination it looked that they are in the middle of a HUGE re-model. I went up to the door and it was unlocked, and there standing there was a construction worker. I said “You’re not open for business right?” and he said “oh yes, downstairs”. So I step over all his equipment and go downstairs to check it out. It was a huge mess, re-model stuff everywhere, but aparently the arcade area was open – but no pizza, bowling, ball pit, and it was a Huge – dangerous mess! All those cars? Contractors… So back to the car I go. By this time we HAD to feed the kids. The mall was next door, so to the food court we went. Then we decided, well, last resort, we’ll go to a movie! Well guess what? There aren’t any kids movies playing. So… after a day of driving around, and lunch out – we just came home. Kind of disappointing, buy we tried! I suppose we should have just gone to Legoland! I guess sometimes things just aren’t meant to be.

Annika can now roll over both ways – front to back and back to front! She of course wouldn’t do it for the camera, but here is some fun footage anyway.

Today Dane and Annika and I went to the bank, Wal-Mart and Subway. fun fun! This afternoon was lots of homework followed by dinner. Then the boys went to Cub Scouts, and I took Annika to Bible Study. Annika is always so good when she is surrounded by other people giving her lots of attention. She rarely cries around others, so everyone thinks she never cries!

We’re still having really nice weather as well, but it started raining tonight. A couple more days of warm temps and then we’re back to snow Saturday. Annika will be 4 months old Sat – Valentine’s Day! I can’t believe it! It goes too fast.

I did really good on my diet today until tonight I had a huge dessert at Bible Study. The exact number of plates were all dished up. Ho hum – tomorrow is a new day!

I think I might be getting a cold, so I better go jump in bed! Annika only got up once last night – YEA! We’ll see what she does tonight! She went to bed late, so maybe that will help.

We had such a nice Sunday! We went to church and had a special high school music group there visiting to sing for us. Then we had an 80th B-day bash to attend for lunch. Then we were off to Cub-Scout bowling. Then we had friends over and the boys played whilel the adults played dominoes. It’s so nice to have fun friends!

Annika only got up twice last night – YEA! And we’re still enjoying spring like weather – double YEA!

I don’t have too much planned this week – that sometimes makes for a long week, but I’m sure we’ll find enough to keep us busy! Matt goes to Indianapolis tomorrow to see a member who is in the hospital, so that will give him 4 hours on the road.

Have a great week!

It is 60 degrees here today – just gorgeous! A bit windy, but so nice compared to our long dull bitterly cold winter. It is supposed to get cold again towards the end of next week, but for now, I am loving it! Ryan is still gone from his sleepover, but I forced Christian & Dane outside. They didn’t really want to, but honestly it is to nice not to! They had a good time once they got out there. I even went out and cleaned off the deck a bit. There was some garbage that needed picked up and put in the dumpster that I had been waiting for a nice day to do. I think even the cats were happy it was nice out. They were running all over the place! I even went and had a peek at the garden. I didn’t get out there to cover the strawberries like I was supposed to before it frosted (thanks to Annika) so I was worried about them. It is really muddy, so I didn’t actually go in the garden… but they were covered with leaves! I think the wind blew and naturally caught the leaves on the berries and did it for me!

Annika had a slightly better night last night – I think she only got up 3 times. I lose track after awhile. Maybe I should take her outside for some fresh air to see if that helps her sleep better tonight. I suppose it is probably a bit too windy for her.

Matt is gone for the day, but with only 3 kids instead of 4 we are doing well. Our housekeeper is here cleaning and she brought her son who is in 6th grade and he is playing with the boys. So at the moment I really only have Annika – who I think is about ready for another nap.

Christian got his homework and his Valentine’s done this morning. Dane got his Valentine’s done a few days ago, so only Ryan is left. I wonder at what age the giving of Valentine’s stops? 6th grade maybe? After that they’ll probably have a true “valentine” they want to gift. We’ll see!

On a final note, I want to lose about 40 pounds and I am not feeling very motivated. I decided maybe if I post my progress here 1-2 times per week maybe I will be a bit more accountable… and you guys can bug me in the comments if I don’t do it! I am trying to focus on the Weight Watchers Points. My biggest thing is smaller portions and a bit of exercise thrown in!

C-