Sitting in a highchair

I can't believe I forgot this is my post yesterday but Maija is sitting in a high chair!  She is nice and strong and she finally sat in her first high chair at Denny's for my mom's FREE birthday brunch!  We had a nice little day with Grandma: Denny's, went to my mom's parents grave [it was my grandma's birthday too], and a walk around Lake Nokomis.  It has been so many years since I have been able to be there and celebrate my mom's birthday so it was very fun!

Today is Ryan and my 4th Anniversary!  This last year has definitely been an adventurous one!  We had a baby and moved half way across the country.  I am thankful for his calm level head, his humor, and the way that he loves our little YaYa.  We are going out on Friday night and spending the night downtown.  This will be the first full night away from Maija, I hope she is a good sleeper for Auntie Krista!  I love you pee!

28 Weeks.

Here I am, sitting on the rocking chair, watching Maija fight sleep in her swing.  I am glad she has not outgrown this thing yet because on days like yesterday and mornings like today, I have no choice but to put her in her swing [After crying about 30-60 minutes because she does not want to nap]. 

I know what you are thinking, she is not tired.  But she is!!!  Her little adorable face and gummy smile just melts me every day.

 

Little Friday night family picnic.

 

Her favorite toy, the pink cup!

Tomorrow we go to the dr for shots :( and her well visit.  She seems to be growing well.  She is interested in food, but doesn't really eat more than a teaspoon at a time (most of it is on her face, hands and clothes).  She loves to smile (unless it's bedtime).  She is crawling around like an army woman.  She has started to mimic us in different ways with noises and facial expressions (and the smoke detector when my non-burning cooking set it off- she can make the highest pitched noises).  She is just such a love.  Such a love that WON'T SLEEP!  She is a fighter, which I am thankful for in many ways, no one wants a weak daughter, but that means she will most likely be stubborn so it should make for interesting teen years.  I can't even think about that now, who knows if I will die from sleep exhaustion before then anyway.

 

Little nude butt time at the cabin.

In case you have been living in a cave, football season started which means that the TV is on a lot at our house since we got the NFL package (for free!) and Ryan loves himself some football.  Which meant, Maija was in 3 different outfits Sunday.  1- Church 2-Vikings 3-Seahawks.  Amazing Vikings game and win (plus the family was over to watch so that was fun!) and the Seahawks.. :( sad day. 

 

GO SEAHAWKS!!!

 

Vikings outfit and seahawks hat- she will be confused! :]  But as long as she doesn't end up with a cheesehead we should be just fine!

27 weeks.

This little girl just steals our hearts more and more each day.  We had a good labor day weekend.  Friday night we stayed in the city.  Ryan had to work late and it seems that even though I tried to put Maija to bed before he got home, she wouldn't have it and stayed awake to see her daddy.

"I'm having so much fun with dad!"

She might seem like she has been sleeping better based on pictures like this below and yes, she is napping like a champ but we are still working on the nights.  [The sleep specialist told us we have to get rid of the pacifier at night and we just haven't done it yet... but she is sleeping better at night since we have shortened her naps... all a work in progress].

Sleeping Beauty.

Sorry, I didn't sleep well last night mom, but I "love you".

 

Yes, I had a good nap!  Just playing here!

 

 

This last week Ryan bought a jetski.  We were so excited to head up to my parents cabin and enjoy time on the lake... and we did!  Just not on the jetski.  There are plugs on the back of the jetski that you have to open when driving to drain water, but you have to close them when you put the jetski back in the water, otherwise it will flood it... so yes, we flooded the jetski.  :(  But things happen and it is just stuff, hopefully it will be fixed this week.  We spent out time on my parents boats [which was awesome too!] instead of our new Robinson Jet Ski. 

Our jetski... being worked on.  Post flooding.  Thanks dad!

Good Morning Cabin Living!

Maija has definitely changed a lot in the last few weeks.  She has started to become more interactive [now I know why my mom says 6 months is her favorite age!].  She is starting to love Chloe... not quite as hyper about her as her cousin Abby is but she loves reaching for that doggie and I think it might spark crawling one of these days!

Maija entertaining Chloe.

I'm gonna get you!

Ryan has a new hobby for sure-fishing,  And what GREAT success he had!  20 fish!!!  Here is one of the bigger bass he caught right below my parents dock.   He even caught a Northern this weekend.  I think he is eager for Maija to get older to fish with him [or for Mark to come visit so they can catch fish together!]

This weekend, my mom and I played golf.  It was the first time since Oct 2011 I got to play!  {Perfect weather and so much fun to spend time with my mom.}  It was nice to get out there and makes me want to go more!  I laughed putting my clubs in the back of her convertible.  Oh mom.

Yes, I know I have pink and purple clubs... they are awesome!

1/2 a year old.

That's right, Maija is 6 months old today!  She has changed so much since coming into the world in February.  She is a smiley, chatty, stubborn babe who we just can't get enough of!

 

Birth Day

 

6 months old and lovin life!

Maija has been movin and a shakin!  This morning she was a little too far away from her rattle so she tried to crawl [I think it will be any day now!] and will rock herself until she can get whatever it is.  Now, we have a lot of toys for her but she seems to prefer EVERYTHING else more.  Whether it is our cellphones, remotes, books, bags, waterbottles, baskets, boxes... you can't leave her too long or you come back to this...

 

Kicking the breast pump

 

New texture!  yes, please

Maija [and Ryan] had a major first this last week... MN State Fair.  I know, everyone has fairs and everyone thinks they are the best, but really MN has the BEST State Fair!  We met some of my friends from HS and took off with Maija in the BOB.  We ate so much food, went on a few rides, played some games and took off around 10pm when the rain started and Maija stayed awake pretty much the whole time!  I mean, there was just so much going on, she really couldn't help it.  We had a really good time and Ryan wants to go again this week but I think that is part of the fun, it comes every year so just go once and leave on a high note and in anticipation for next year.  [This is one of the best places EVER to people watch!]

 

Checking out some seadoo's with dad

 

Corn dog and pacifier

Little Miss "I've been awake almost 5 hours"

 



 

Fair fun with daddy

Tonight we have BIG plans to celebrate.  We are going to the Twins Game with my parents!  They are playing the Mariners so that was perfect.  Ryan thinks Maija is going to cheer for the Mariners, he's confused.  However, she is ready for the Seahawks season and so excited that we all bought tickets for the game in Seattle December 23rd!  Woo Hoo!

 



 

Gotta love those leg rolls!

So I hired a sleep specialist...

I did it.  I needed to.  I have been talking about it for weeks so finally 2 nights ago I purchased and filled out Maija's profile and our sleep goals.  It will take a few days until we get information and a plan back, but I am ready.  She has gotten good at taking naps [well sometimes it takes an hour but...] yesterday she only took 2 naps, in her defense, they were both over 2 hours long, so I wondered how she would sleep last night and it was the same.  Woke up MANY times!  URGH.  Bring it on sleep specialist, let's see whatcha got!

how does she sleep like this?  face in the bumper, arm twisted.

bottom's up!

25 Weeks

We had a great week at the lake with my mom, Em, Mark, & Abby [plus dad for a few days too!].  The whole family came up on Saturday which was awesome!  Unfortunately it wasn't the best weather and both of the girls got colds which they passed on to Emily and I but all and all a good week of just hanging together.  We got our daily walks in, played a new game [Ticket to Ride] and just enjoyed being together.  Mostly enjoyed watching the girls fail to notice each other but laughed at Abby as she could hardly sit still she was so excited every time Chloe came around. 

Babes in shades.

Stylin.

That little face I love.

Ryan got home late last night.  Glad to have him home.  It's hard being a single mom even with Grandma, Em, Mark and dad helping all week, still draining [might have been the cold as well]. 

Bass fishing king!

"Stop taking pics mom"

Watching the Liverpool game with Uncle Mark and Aunt Emily

And now Maija is sitting semi by herself!  What a big girl!

Big girl sitting without support

She is rolling everywhere.

Today was a good day

This has been one of those days that I just treasure.  Maija has been great at napping and when she is awake she has been so happy, giggly and fun to be with.  [After a very crabby day yesterday, I will take it].  Today she fell asleep on me and I just watched her sleep, so peaceful, so precious.  So lately, I've been considering going back to work.  I love being Maija's mama.  I love spending time with her, watching her grow and develop, being a part of these milestones she has conquered but I have been lonely and if I am being honest, bored.  Talking with one of my SAHM in CA before we moved she said, "Being lonely is one of the things SAHM don't talk about".  It's true.  I thought I was the only one.  She mentioned taking the long way home, just so you had something to do.  I guess a major conflict is that I always wanted to be a SAHM, my mom, mother in law and sister were/are stay at home mom's so why don't I feel like it is for me? 

Well, I guess, I am not saying it isn't for me, I am just saying Ryan and I have been talking through me going back to work.  It will have to be for the right job, the right opportunity.  But on days like today, when we do have so much fun, I am not fighting her to go down for a nap and when she even falls asleep on my chest, I second guess the thought of going back to work and knowing that I am a "grass is always greener gal" where does that leave me?  Prayer.  We will continue to pray, seek opportunity and then make a decision together.

Maija went on her first boat ride at my parents cabin.  We found a life jacket probably from the 70's for her to wear.  She didn't love it, she didn't hate it... she had no expression the whole time, which was funny in itself. 

Tonight my sister, husband and Abby come for the week- heading up to the cabin with them tomorrow and Ryan will be going to CA for a wedding this weekend.  I'm sad Ry won't be with us, but he will have a great time at the wedding and I am thankful that as a SAHM I can up and go to the cabin for the week worry-free.

And while playing with Chloe Hoe at my parents, my mom found this snowsuit Krista wore- looks a little big for YaYa but watch out, she might be sportin it this winter!