While we were in Iowa we decided to go to the park and play one afternoon. Angel and her boyfriend Drew came with. Drew even brought a kite to play with! It was Peter's first up-close-and-personal experience with a kite. They are a lot like balloons!
We all had fun watching the kite dance in the wind. Thanks Drew for flying it for us!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
One Year Photo Shoot
Today we went out to take Peter's one year old portraits. I'm getting so fed up with the place we go because 4 times now they have had us wait over an hour past our scheduled time. We show up and Peter is happy and smiling and well-rested and well-fed. But an hour later after having to sit in the waiting room forever he has started to throw tantrums. I might have to look for somewhere else to go.
Thankfully once we got into the studio Peter was distracted by all the new people and things and was able to get some good pictures...if not too many BIG smiles.
We brought a few props from home to try to personalize our pictures. We brought Peter's monkey bedspread that is the theme of his bedroom. We also brought some stuffed monkeys and a few bananas.
Bananas are Peter's new favorite food. He will eat a whole banana in one sitting.
We also brought Peter's favorite ball, designed like the whole world. Whenever we play with it I like to point out where his grandparents live in Germany and Guam.
"He's got the whole world in his hands..."
Our new favorite toy is a top that we bought at Crackerbarrel. It's old-school style! Peter has learned how to pump it up and make it spin. He can do it better than mom now!
Well, there you go! Our 1 year photos. They are nearly 2 months late, but better late than never!
Thankfully once we got into the studio Peter was distracted by all the new people and things and was able to get some good pictures...if not too many BIG smiles.
We brought a few props from home to try to personalize our pictures. We brought Peter's monkey bedspread that is the theme of his bedroom. We also brought some stuffed monkeys and a few bananas.
Bananas are Peter's new favorite food. He will eat a whole banana in one sitting.
We also brought Peter's favorite ball, designed like the whole world. Whenever we play with it I like to point out where his grandparents live in Germany and Guam.
"He's got the whole world in his hands..."
Our new favorite toy is a top that we bought at Crackerbarrel. It's old-school style! Peter has learned how to pump it up and make it spin. He can do it better than mom now!
Well, there you go! Our 1 year photos. They are nearly 2 months late, but better late than never!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Great-Grandma Langmann's Yard
Whenever we go to visit Iowa Great-Grandma Langmann is generous enough to put us up in her house. For years after my family left Iowa she has opened her home when we return and it has become our home away from home. We are grateful to have such a welcoming place to visit.
This visit she had a crib set up in one of the bedrooms just for Peter. My dad set it up while he was there last month. It was so nice to be able to put Peter in a crib, he felt more at home in that than in a pack-n-play.
We had a lot of fun at Great-Grandma's house. She had so many rooms to explore and an entire backyard. Peter kept going to the patio door and banging on the glass to get let outside onto the porch or in the backyard. He would play out there nearly every morning. We made sure to feed the birds so that they would come to eat.
Oma Cindy kept watch over Peter whenever he went outside. She would even go out in her pjs with her coffee to watch him on the deck.
One of Peter's favorite things to do was to go around the deck and pet all the animal statues. There were deer, squirrels, birds, and lots more "animals" to pet.
He even started picking them up and moving them around the porch. I think he rearranged her entire setup!
Great-Grandma didn't seem to mind though. She came outside and Peter took her on a walk around the back yard.
It was nice to be able to go outside and play there. You don't really have to worry as much about the heat like you do in Tucson. Here I have to start thinking about having him inside by 10am so he doesn't overheat.
Peter loved being surrounded in all the green grass and trees!
This visit she had a crib set up in one of the bedrooms just for Peter. My dad set it up while he was there last month. It was so nice to be able to put Peter in a crib, he felt more at home in that than in a pack-n-play.
We had a lot of fun at Great-Grandma's house. She had so many rooms to explore and an entire backyard. Peter kept going to the patio door and banging on the glass to get let outside onto the porch or in the backyard. He would play out there nearly every morning. We made sure to feed the birds so that they would come to eat.
Oma Cindy kept watch over Peter whenever he went outside. She would even go out in her pjs with her coffee to watch him on the deck.
One of Peter's favorite things to do was to go around the deck and pet all the animal statues. There were deer, squirrels, birds, and lots more "animals" to pet.
He even started picking them up and moving them around the porch. I think he rearranged her entire setup!
Great-Grandma didn't seem to mind though. She came outside and Peter took her on a walk around the back yard.
It was nice to be able to go outside and play there. You don't really have to worry as much about the heat like you do in Tucson. Here I have to start thinking about having him inside by 10am so he doesn't overheat.
Peter loved being surrounded in all the green grass and trees!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Chewy's Favorite Iowa Memories
Peter's favorite lovey, Chewy had a great time in Iowa! He stayed by Peter's side often and got to do a lot of new things! Chewy helped Peter when he was tired and we had to be at the airport at 4am to catch our flight.
He talked Peter into stealing Aunt Angel's hat and putting it on his head.
She didn't seem to mind though. Everyone thought it was cute that he knew what a hat was and that it goes on your head.
When Peter wasn't able to steal other people's hats Chewy graciously offered to cover his head.
At Great-Aunt Kim's house Peter and Chewy got to learn how to play the piano. It's actually the piano that was in my house growing up. Peter loved to bang the keys to make music. Poor Chewy got a few slams on the keys in the process.
They also got into a few wrestling matches with cousin Allison. Chewy helped keep her down!
One of Chewy's favorite days was at the park. Peter took him around to show him the green grass and trees. They don't see that much in Tucson, AZ.
Hugs with Chewy, Peter, Mom, and Grandma.
He talked Peter into stealing Aunt Angel's hat and putting it on his head.
She didn't seem to mind though. Everyone thought it was cute that he knew what a hat was and that it goes on your head.
When Peter wasn't able to steal other people's hats Chewy graciously offered to cover his head.
At Great-Aunt Kim's house Peter and Chewy got to learn how to play the piano. It's actually the piano that was in my house growing up. Peter loved to bang the keys to make music. Poor Chewy got a few slams on the keys in the process.
They also got into a few wrestling matches with cousin Allison. Chewy helped keep her down!
One of Chewy's favorite days was at the park. Peter took him around to show him the green grass and trees. They don't see that much in Tucson, AZ.
Hugs with Chewy, Peter, Mom, and Grandma.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Congratulations Aunt Angel!
Aunt Angel (Jen's sister) graduated this past week from the University of Iowa!!! Congratulations sister! She received her BA in Communications with a minor in Women's studies. We are so proud of her!
Our cousin Allison is also graduating from Muscatine High School this weekend. I graduated from there in 1997. Wow, was it really 12 years ago?!? I remember donning that purple cap and gown and going through commencement! What an exciting time!
It was fun to have a family graduation party last weekend in Iowa. One girl leaving college, the other entering it. Family came in from throughout the midwest. Peter and I flew in and so did my mom. It was great to see everyone! Peter loved playing with his extended family. (Pictures of them soon...)
It was windy and hovering around 60 degrees on party day. My Aunt Kim opened her house for a reception for the girls and brought in all kinds of yummy food. Peter tried BBQ pulled pork, baked beans, canteloupe, and honeydew melon. He loved them all! There were tons of leftovers so we snacked on it the whole time we were there. YUMMMM!
One of Peter's favorite parts was the balloons. He ended up hijacking the balloons for Angel and Allison and drug them around the house for the next few days.
We couldn't resist getting this shirt. Peter's shirt says: "I'm a Hawkeye Just Like My Aunt"
We love you Angel and are so proud of you! Congratulations!
I hope your dreams take you to the corners of your smiles, to the highest of your hopes, to the windows of your opportunities, and to the most special places your heart has ever known.
Home Sweet Home
Just a quick update to let you know that Peter and I made it home safe to Tucson. The return flight was another quick connection. I had just enough time for a bathroom break and to grab a quick snack to go then got to my gate as they were loading. Phew! Peter was a little cranky and wiggley because he never got time to walk or play. Thankfully he didn't fuss enough to disturb people but he definitely made it known to me that he was bored and cranky.
Since we've been home John had a tooth pulled, we've been to Gymboree for a playdate, gone grocery shopping, and we went to the $1 flip flop sale at Old Navy. We've barely had time to relax and get used to being home.
We sure had a great time being able to see family. Peter got spoiled with tons of attention and had the best time playing with his grandma, great-grandmas, aunt, and cousins. Thanks to everyone who helped me out with Peter while we were there! It can be hard always being the only parent around. I appreciated having a break every once in a while.
The best part is we are going back in July for family reunions on both sides of our families! Fun! I'll try to get to pictures over the next couple days and post some of our Iowa adventure.
Since we've been home John had a tooth pulled, we've been to Gymboree for a playdate, gone grocery shopping, and we went to the $1 flip flop sale at Old Navy. We've barely had time to relax and get used to being home.
We sure had a great time being able to see family. Peter got spoiled with tons of attention and had the best time playing with his grandma, great-grandmas, aunt, and cousins. Thanks to everyone who helped me out with Peter while we were there! It can be hard always being the only parent around. I appreciated having a break every once in a while.
The best part is we are going back in July for family reunions on both sides of our families! Fun! I'll try to get to pictures over the next couple days and post some of our Iowa adventure.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Delays in Dallas
Friday at noon Peter and I headed to the Tucson airport to fly to Iowa for my sister Angel's college graduation. We had a heck of a time getting to Iowa. First, our flight in Tucson had mechanical difficulties just as we were pushing back from the gate. Our air conditioning part gave out and we had to pull back in to fix it.
Then as we were taxiing out the air force base needed to use our runway for some kind of exercise...so we were delayed again. Peter did not have a ticket because he can still ride in my lap technically. That doesn't mean he WANTS to sit in my lap the whole time. I got reprimanded by the stewardess for having him standing on the floor while we waited instead of in my lap. Are you KIDDING?!?! Our delay ended up being almost an hour before we left.
Unfortunately our connecting flight was only 45 minutes after the first. When we landed we literally grabbed our stuff and ran 2 terminals. Our plane was still there but the doors were closed!! I talked to someone and they said our seats had been given away and the next flight wasn't until the next afternoon, which was after my sis's graduation party. I just started crying.
The lady was really nice and tried to help us. We ended up going to a different airport in Iowa and were able to get a flight scheduled for 6am the next morning. She got us a hotel in Dallas for the night and gave us some food vouchers. I wandered around the hotel a bit to find some food for Peter and I and then we headed for our hotel.
I had some travel size shampoo for Peter so I gave him a bath and tried for an hour to get a crib for him. He thought it was really exciting to have a big king-sized bed to play on. I tried having him sleep with me but he just laughed, shrieked and wanted to wrestle me. Finally they brought a bed and after blasting his lullaby music through my ipod headphones he finally got to sleep.
The airport shuttle the next morning left at 4:15am so we didn't get much sleep. I was down to only 2 diapers and didn't have a change of clothes so we got dressed in our dirty ones. Peter was still so sleepy! Only about 5 hours of sleep when he was used to 12. When we got to the airport no one was there and nothing was opened. We wanted food! I checked the gate that we were at then we went to wait for the bagel shop to open.
We got a egg sandwich and juice then went to our gate to settle down and eat. Everything was working like clockwork. At one point I realized it had been a while and we should be boarding...I went to the counter and they had changed the gate!!! No announcement, NOTHING!!! GRRRR!!! It was now 10 minutes until my flight left! And my flight was boarding 2 terminals away!!!
I grabbed my things and ran with Peter through 2 terminals, once again we missed it. I was ready to scream and yell and hit that damn counter clerk!!! I had checked like 3 times and had been at the right place. Pure incompetence on their part not announcing the gate change!!!
I cried some more. Peter and I were tired and now down to 1 diaper. They booked us on another flight 2 hours later so we went looking for the playland a few gates away. (Pictures above.) Peter played for nearly an hour as I made phone calls to let people know what was going on.
Finally we got on the plane and made it to Iowa, just in time for the graduation party. Also just in time for that last diaper to give up. We were very tired and pushed our way through it even though we were kinda cranky after our ordeal. Next time I'll have to leave a larger time gap between flights.
Then as we were taxiing out the air force base needed to use our runway for some kind of exercise...so we were delayed again. Peter did not have a ticket because he can still ride in my lap technically. That doesn't mean he WANTS to sit in my lap the whole time. I got reprimanded by the stewardess for having him standing on the floor while we waited instead of in my lap. Are you KIDDING?!?! Our delay ended up being almost an hour before we left.
Unfortunately our connecting flight was only 45 minutes after the first. When we landed we literally grabbed our stuff and ran 2 terminals. Our plane was still there but the doors were closed!! I talked to someone and they said our seats had been given away and the next flight wasn't until the next afternoon, which was after my sis's graduation party. I just started crying.
The lady was really nice and tried to help us. We ended up going to a different airport in Iowa and were able to get a flight scheduled for 6am the next morning. She got us a hotel in Dallas for the night and gave us some food vouchers. I wandered around the hotel a bit to find some food for Peter and I and then we headed for our hotel.
I had some travel size shampoo for Peter so I gave him a bath and tried for an hour to get a crib for him. He thought it was really exciting to have a big king-sized bed to play on. I tried having him sleep with me but he just laughed, shrieked and wanted to wrestle me. Finally they brought a bed and after blasting his lullaby music through my ipod headphones he finally got to sleep.
The airport shuttle the next morning left at 4:15am so we didn't get much sleep. I was down to only 2 diapers and didn't have a change of clothes so we got dressed in our dirty ones. Peter was still so sleepy! Only about 5 hours of sleep when he was used to 12. When we got to the airport no one was there and nothing was opened. We wanted food! I checked the gate that we were at then we went to wait for the bagel shop to open.
We got a egg sandwich and juice then went to our gate to settle down and eat. Everything was working like clockwork. At one point I realized it had been a while and we should be boarding...I went to the counter and they had changed the gate!!! No announcement, NOTHING!!! GRRRR!!! It was now 10 minutes until my flight left! And my flight was boarding 2 terminals away!!!
I grabbed my things and ran with Peter through 2 terminals, once again we missed it. I was ready to scream and yell and hit that damn counter clerk!!! I had checked like 3 times and had been at the right place. Pure incompetence on their part not announcing the gate change!!!
I cried some more. Peter and I were tired and now down to 1 diaper. They booked us on another flight 2 hours later so we went looking for the playland a few gates away. (Pictures above.) Peter played for nearly an hour as I made phone calls to let people know what was going on.
Finally we got on the plane and made it to Iowa, just in time for the graduation party. Also just in time for that last diaper to give up. We were very tired and pushed our way through it even though we were kinda cranky after our ordeal. Next time I'll have to leave a larger time gap between flights.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Racquetball BBQ
I REALLY needed to go out on the town last weekend. I was itching and itching to be out in the "real world". Then I remembered the racquetball club. The local one offers Friday night poolside BBQ's that are open to the public for free. We put on our swimsuits and hit the town!
It was SO much fun! It was very family friendly with kids running around everywhere. The pool was a little crazy and we had already been to the splashpad that morning and had gotten a bath already so we let Peter explore the grass and the tennis courts with his ball that we brought.
We saw a few of our friends from storytime there and Peter played with them a little bit. He is learning how to "kick" balls right now. Basically he just walks INTO the ball and it moves, but he knows how to move it and direct it to where he wants it to go using his little baby shuffle style.
They have a live band that was playing classic rock tunes. Their chef was manning the grill making burgers, hot dogs, chicken and salmon and they had fresh watermelon. The bartender was mixing drinks. John got a beer, we broke out our snacks and bought a few things to eat, laid out on a blanket and listened to the band as the sun set.
Peter and a bunch of little kids were drawn to the tennis courts. They ended up taking over the one closest to our blanket and the little kids had fun bouncing balls and rolling them around. Peter found an abandoned tennis ball and it became his new favorite.
It was SO much fun! It was very family friendly with kids running around everywhere. The pool was a little crazy and we had already been to the splashpad that morning and had gotten a bath already so we let Peter explore the grass and the tennis courts with his ball that we brought.
We saw a few of our friends from storytime there and Peter played with them a little bit. He is learning how to "kick" balls right now. Basically he just walks INTO the ball and it moves, but he knows how to move it and direct it to where he wants it to go using his little baby shuffle style.
They have a live band that was playing classic rock tunes. Their chef was manning the grill making burgers, hot dogs, chicken and salmon and they had fresh watermelon. The bartender was mixing drinks. John got a beer, we broke out our snacks and bought a few things to eat, laid out on a blanket and listened to the band as the sun set.
Peter and a bunch of little kids were drawn to the tennis courts. They ended up taking over the one closest to our blanket and the little kids had fun bouncing balls and rolling them around. Peter found an abandoned tennis ball and it became his new favorite.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Jealousy Rears its Ugly Head
Peter has been having a rough time with his diaper rash and yesterday the doctor told us that it looks like he has a cow's milk protein intolerance AND a soy milk protein intolerance. So I'm struggling on what I can feed him. I've been feeding him solid foods and water and a small amount of juice. He has not had any milk since we left the the doctor yesterday. And he is begging me for some.
He got MAD at me today. We went to a BBQ picnic with our mommy group and a bunch of kids. There were probably a dozen babies under one that just kinda rolled around on the blankets in the shade.
We all kinda watch each others kids and at one point I was left watching the 6 month old boy whose momma was at the grill making burgers. It was fun to play with him, stand him up, and make faces at him. Peter just kinda watched me and came over and set next to me. Well at one point the baby was hungry and obviously wanted some milk. Someone brought over a bottle and gave it to me. I tipped it back for the baby and Peter went LIVID!!!!
Peter put a big mean face on and started clawing at me, trying to climb in my lap on top of the baby. He kept trying to grab the bottle away from the baby and was trying to hit the baby! And he wasn't stopping!
I finally had to ask one of the other mommies to take over feeding so I could deal with Peter. I feel so bad that I can't just give him the milk that he wants, I know that's gotta be rough. And then seeing me giving it to another baby just PISSED HIM OFF. Poor boy.
We didn't stay too much longer after that. It was just getting to be too much with all the bottles coming out and the sun blazing down on us. I'll be glad when Thursday comes, I have an appointment to see our regular doctor and discuss what I CAN feed him.
He got MAD at me today. We went to a BBQ picnic with our mommy group and a bunch of kids. There were probably a dozen babies under one that just kinda rolled around on the blankets in the shade.
We all kinda watch each others kids and at one point I was left watching the 6 month old boy whose momma was at the grill making burgers. It was fun to play with him, stand him up, and make faces at him. Peter just kinda watched me and came over and set next to me. Well at one point the baby was hungry and obviously wanted some milk. Someone brought over a bottle and gave it to me. I tipped it back for the baby and Peter went LIVID!!!!
Peter put a big mean face on and started clawing at me, trying to climb in my lap on top of the baby. He kept trying to grab the bottle away from the baby and was trying to hit the baby! And he wasn't stopping!
I finally had to ask one of the other mommies to take over feeding so I could deal with Peter. I feel so bad that I can't just give him the milk that he wants, I know that's gotta be rough. And then seeing me giving it to another baby just PISSED HIM OFF. Poor boy.
We didn't stay too much longer after that. It was just getting to be too much with all the bottles coming out and the sun blazing down on us. I'll be glad when Thursday comes, I have an appointment to see our regular doctor and discuss what I CAN feed him.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Family Time at the Park
We found ourselves at the park this week to play with some of Peter's friends. It was an early morning playdate to avoid the heat. It's been reaching the 100's nearly every day this past week. Thankfully our a/c has been keeping up.
Peter's diaper rash isn't budging...it keeps getting better then comes back with a vengance. We took him to the doctor today who said that not only does he have a milk protein intolerance but he has a soy protein intolerance as well! I'm sure glad I breastfed him for so long! Now I'm just struggling with what to feed the poor boy. I have to go back to our regular doctor and talk more about it. I hope I can get in before our trip to Iowa.
Friday Peter and I are headed to Iowa for my sister Angel's college graduation! It should be a lot of fun! We get to see Oma Cindy and stay with Great-grandma Langmann. We get to celebrate with the Davis's family as my cousin Allison graduates from my old high school. It's going to be a big week of celebrations and family time. I can't wait!
Peter has a new hobby of picking up HUGE heavy balls and trowing them. He'll grab a full-size basketball and carry it all over the house. Those things are nearly half his body size! He only runs into a problem when he wants to try to hold something else WHILE he's holding the ball...it doesn't work.
Peter is still addicted to Chewy. He sleeps with it every night and chews on his ears during the day. He also seems to be a bit of a peacemaker as I'm going through the grocery store. I get a good extra 5 minutes if I have Chewy in my bag to pull out if he starts to get fussy in the grocery cart seat. I can hardly ever get Chewy away from him, I just have to wait until he drops him and then do a sneak grab and try to leave him in the crib until nighttime.
Peter had a blast on the swings with John at the park. He let out a few good shreiks of laughter.
John has been so good trying to take care of Peter and his diaper rash. John has held him several times until he fell asleep just so he could feel more comfortable and taken care of. He's a good daddy. And he's the ONLY one who really knows where his tickle spots are.
Peter's diaper rash isn't budging...it keeps getting better then comes back with a vengance. We took him to the doctor today who said that not only does he have a milk protein intolerance but he has a soy protein intolerance as well! I'm sure glad I breastfed him for so long! Now I'm just struggling with what to feed the poor boy. I have to go back to our regular doctor and talk more about it. I hope I can get in before our trip to Iowa.
Friday Peter and I are headed to Iowa for my sister Angel's college graduation! It should be a lot of fun! We get to see Oma Cindy and stay with Great-grandma Langmann. We get to celebrate with the Davis's family as my cousin Allison graduates from my old high school. It's going to be a big week of celebrations and family time. I can't wait!
Peter has a new hobby of picking up HUGE heavy balls and trowing them. He'll grab a full-size basketball and carry it all over the house. Those things are nearly half his body size! He only runs into a problem when he wants to try to hold something else WHILE he's holding the ball...it doesn't work.
Peter is still addicted to Chewy. He sleeps with it every night and chews on his ears during the day. He also seems to be a bit of a peacemaker as I'm going through the grocery store. I get a good extra 5 minutes if I have Chewy in my bag to pull out if he starts to get fussy in the grocery cart seat. I can hardly ever get Chewy away from him, I just have to wait until he drops him and then do a sneak grab and try to leave him in the crib until nighttime.
Peter had a blast on the swings with John at the park. He let out a few good shreiks of laughter.
John has been so good trying to take care of Peter and his diaper rash. John has held him several times until he fell asleep just so he could feel more comfortable and taken care of. He's a good daddy. And he's the ONLY one who really knows where his tickle spots are.
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