Angelina's Baptism
Angelina's Baptism was November 22nd- just one day after her 6 month birthday. We asked Tara and John to be Lina's godparents and they fly in from Florida just a few weeks after tying the knot. The entire baptism weekend was a really wonderful time with family and friends. I think at first we were so busy and focused on cleaning, preparing food, hosting overnight guests, etc. that we didn't have time to think about how meaningful the weekend was. It just hit us all of the sudden while sitting in church surrounded by our family. We are SO blessed to have such caring family and friends who came from all over the country to be with us on Angelina's special day. Thank you to everyone who was there and thank you to those who sent their best wishes. We love you all!!
A special thank you also goes to Lina's grandmas. Grandma Maggy came out several days early to help get ready for the weekend. Between Mike's hectic work and school schedule and a teething baby, I never would have been able to be ready without her help. Thank you also to Gramme for making Angelina's beautiful baptism gown with lace from her own wedding dress. It is such a special gift.
If you would like to view pictures from the weekend, click on Angelina's Baptism album.
Lina's 6 month picture proofs- only up until Dec.3rd
We had Angelina's 6 month pictures taken the week before she officially turned 6 months old. They came out beautifully!! Here is the link for the picture proofs: www.Cantbuymemories.com
Click on the “view proofs” link. On that page click on View My Proofs and that should open a new page. Click on “Lina” and your password will be kristen1119.
The photographer also put the pictures together in a slideshow set to music. You can download the slideshow by clicking on www.cantbuymemories.com/Lina6months.exe
Tara & John's Wedding
Tara & John got married on Nov.1st, 2008- Congrats Mr. & Mrs. Woodman!
The trip to Florida could not have been any better and the wedding could not have been any more beautiful.
It was Lina's first time on a plane and going into the trip we were so worried that she would have a hard time sitting still. Lina completely surprised us and did great! She entertained all of the passengers and slept for each leg of the trip. In addition to flying for the first time, it was Lina's first time at the beach and first time in the water. She LOVED the water! It was so precious watching how much fun she had "swimming" and splashing around.
We stayed at a hotel with lots of family and friends on Longboat Key. It was amazing to see how many people made it to Florida for the wedding. Even Mike's parents (Grandpa Jeff & Grandma Maggy) came to enjoy the wedding weekend and help with Lina. The beach was gorgeous and we were lucky to have some time just to relax, enjoy the setting, and hang out with everybody before and after the wedding.
The wedding itself was at Selby Gardens in Sarasota. It was a beautiful day and the ceremony was perfect- personal and meaningful. Tara and John just looked so happy and Tara was a truly stunning bride!
Since I was in the wedding, Mike had the job of getting Lina ready for the big day. He did a great job and Miss Lina looked like a little doll! After the ceremony, a trolley took us to Michael's on East for the reception. Everybody had such a great night and Gina & I made it through our speeches just fine (whew!). Mike & I were even able to get some time to ourselves at the reception thanks to family and friends!
Click on Tara & John's Wedding Album to see all of our pictures from the trip.
Pumpkin Carving
Here are some pictures from pumpkin carving the other night. We will be in Florida on Halloween, but we still wanted to get in the Halloween spirit a little bit! The highlight (or should I say lowlight?) of the pumpkin carving experience was thanks to Maizie. After we were done with our carving, I put all three of our pumpkins on the ground in front of the fireplace. Mike took Lina up for a bath and I left the room for about three minutes to clean up. When I came back into the family room, Maizie had stolen the top off of Lina's pumpkin and eaten it. TYPICAL BEAGLES!!! The last two pictures are of Mike holding what is left of the top of Lina's poor little pumpkin and of the bite marks on the rest of the pumpkin.
October
Lina & I started off the month by heading back to Michigan for about 10 days. Mike couldn't come due to his work and school schedule, and it is still too difficult to drive back alone with Lina for such a long trip... soooo...my dad drove all of the way out to Iowa, left his car here, and drove back with Lina and me. Then he came back out with us and drove himself home. What a dad!
The trip to Michigan was great, but busy as always! I had my 10 year high school reunion the first weekend back and Tara's bachelorette party the next weekend. The night of Tara's bachelorette party was the first night Lina has ever spent away from both Mike and me. Even though she was in great hands with Grandpa and Gramme, it was still hard leaving her overnight! The week in between was filled mostly with visiting friends and family and bachelorette party planning with Gina We also took Lina in to visit Gramme's work, Gina & I had our bridesmaid dress fitting (thank goodness it fit!), we took a trip to Kensington with Grandpa, went shopping with Mom & Gina for the dress Lina will wear to Tara's wedding, and got to go with Tara for her final dress fitting!! We missed Mike like crazy, but we were able to chat and he was able to see Lina on the webcam.
Right before we headed back to Iowa, Lina got her first bad cold. Poor little thing! We took her to the doctor for her second round of shots the day after we got back to Iowa, but she couldn't get them because she was sick. I have to admit that I was a little relieved that Lina's shots were postponed! I am not looking forward to doing that again! Other than the cold, Lina is doing great. She can already sit up on her own and weighs 15 pounds, 1 oz. The last couple of weeks she has been really into Row Row Row Your Boat. It is the funniest thing! As soon as we start rowing she breaks into the biggest smile. She also knows to look when you call her name and has just started to squeal and laugh when Mike & I laugh really hard. Her reaction just makes us laugh harder, then Lina gets more excited, then we laugh, etc. etc. So cute! The other thing Lina has been into is making this little grunting sound (not very ladylike and greatly encouraged by Grandpa because he thinks it is hilarious). I don't know where it came from, but Lina has discovered that it gets a reaction out of us.
This past weekend we had some friends over for the first time since moving to LeClaire (YAY!!) and took Lina to the pumpkin patch on Sunday. Now it is only a week and a half until we pack up and fly to Florida for Tara & John's wedding!!!
Instead of posting the latest batch of pictures here, I put them all in an album. Just click on the link October 2008 to see more pictures.
Our lazy Sunday
The weather was beautiful here this past Sunday! There are not too many days this time of the year when we don't have something going on, so we took advantage of it. We went on a nice little walk and played out in the backyard. Lina loves being outside and especially loves when she gets to spend all day with Daddy!
Sitting up!
Cereal, here I come!
Lina tried rice cereal for the first time today. She actually did a good job of not pushing it back out of her mouth, but we don't think she liked it too much. We will have to wait a few days and try again!
4 months old
Our beautiful daughter is just getting cuter and more entertaining by the day! She is such a smiley baby who loves to play and be a part of the action. One of her favorite things to do right now is try out each new sound and noise she discovers that she can make. Once she figures out a new noise, she uses it like crazy (those of you who have heard her in the background during phone conversations know what I am talking about!). She likes to have mini "conversations" where we talk to her and she responds back by babbling or screeching as loud as she can. It is so funny!! The other precious thing that she has started to do is laugh- it is the best sound in the world!
It just really seems like Lina has grown up this month. She is starting her rice cereal, sooooo close to scooting around on the floor (she has an inchworm thing going right now), and can keep herself propped up in a sitting position. We have really been working on the nap/sleep thing, and Lina is slowly starting to get more used to her crib. It seems that the more comfortable she gets with her crib, the better she sleeps. The challenge right now is getting her used to falling asleep on her own while laying in the crib. She only likes to fall asleep in Mommy's arms! Things are slowly improving, though, and hopefully next month at this time we will have a good little sleeper! All in all, it has been a really good month for our little family. Lina is such a joy and we are starting to feel more at home here.
Lina making her screeching noises- you can tell by her face that she knows she is being silly!
Visit from Grandpa & Grandma
Angelina had a GREAT time with her Grandpa Jeff and Grandma Maggy this week! They took her shopping, had lots of fun playing, and even gave Mike & me a chance to go to dinner alone! Dozer and Maizie also had a great time since their golden retriever buddy, Kody, came, too.
Getting ready for Florida in my new water goggles from Grandpa and Grandma!
First "Playdate"
Lina had her first official playdate last Sunday. Her new friend Payton lives right across the street and is just 10 days younger than Lina! It was so cute watching them interact. Payton was babbling away at Lina and Lina's main objective was to grab onto Payton. The two of them mostly just wanted to stare at each other. It was too funny!
Our little Wolverine!
As you can tell in the first picture, Angelina was very excited to watch her first Michigan football game. By the end of the game, Lina's excitement had turned to disappointment and disbelief!! Even though it doesn't look like it will be much of a season in which to introduce Lina to Michigan football, we are convinced she will still be a true blue fan!!
That did NOT just happen, did it???
Des Moines Visit
Mike had to work in Des Moines this past week, so we made a mini trip out of it. We were able to spend a little time with friends and spent Sunday afternoon at Prairie Moon Winery (what used to be our fave Sunday activity!) with Megan, Rob and Miles. While visiting Megan & Rob, we peeked in on our old (first) house next door...the new owners have definitely done some interesting things to the backyard. Let's just say they have electric blue and orange chairs on the patio. I think Megan really loves looking at them. ;)
While Mike was working Monday, Lina & I stopped into the Attorney General's office and were able to visit with my old co-workers and friends. It was so good seeing everybody! I actually miss work, believe it or not! OK, maybe it is more the people and socialization I miss!
Speaking of socialization, Mike & I are finally starting to meet a few people here- it has been very difficult so far! I have met a couple of women through my new Stroller Strides class, we went to dinner with Mike's co-worker & wife, and hung out with some of our neighbors. It was SO nice to finally get out and have some adult company!!
