Poor, Deprived Girl...

The other day Nanny asked why Lulu didn't get any toys on her carseat and had nothing to look at in the backseat. I thought she wasn't old enough, but it seems I was wrong. The first day I attached dangling toys; she hit them and watched them. The second day she grabbed them and cuddled them like a stuffed animal. As you can see, I am a bad mother who insists on holding her child back...



I lover her new tricks. Who knew she was old enough to use her hands and chew on toys?

New (State) Neighbors

So...Papa drove a truck from AZ to IA and then from IA to IL. Thursday Papa and Scott got the truck unpacked and arranged in the new house. So Nanny, Lulu, and I got up bright and early (so early it wasn't bright, it was pitch black) so we could be there when everyone woke up. Katie and I unpacked and arranged the kitchen Friday and the kids' room and closets. That may not seem like much unless you fully comprehend the amount of clothes they have...

Papa hanging out with the two newest grandkids (ickybabys thanks to Aunt Katie).

Nanny and Papa hanging out on the back patio.

Mac very generously shared his toys and diversions with Lulu.

How could we resist a smiling twinnies picture?

Welcome to the central time zone!

One Fourth

My little sweetheart is now three months old. Lee said that month birthdays don't count, so I guess this is her 1/4 birthday. She loves to talk, smile, and stand.

My how times change...

Leaving the hospital only weighing 6lbs 10 oz.

Now, she is no lightweight and tips the scales at 14lbs6oz.

Weepublican

This morning, Nanny, Lulu and I got up bright and early to go see John McCain and Sarah Palin. I left the house at 7:32am because the gates opened at 8am. At 7:40am, I asked Nanny if she remembered the tickets. Oops. We eventually got to the parking area. We had t drive through a small ditch and park in an overgrown field. We were then put on buses and driven to the place where they would be speaking.

While waiting in line for the metal detectors and such, people were passing out stickers.

Still waiting in line.

About 9:55am this plane arrived. It said, McCain-Palin" on the side. I was very impressed that they were on time for their 10am scheduled time.

Waiting patiently with Nanny.

The first plane must have been a decoy. The "Straight Talk Express" arrived at 10:40am. After hearing every local candidate say something about their campaign, a pair of tone deaf sisters sing "God Bless the USA," and Miss Iowa 2004 sing the national anthem, we finally got to hear what we came to hear.

This is Sarah Pail at the podium, her husband turned around, and McCain peeking out from behind the tripod leg. She did a great job. A group of unruly protesters were yelling and had to be escorted out during her speech. Another group of protesters started yelling during McCain's speech. They were yelling and had to be escorted out as well.

Lulu was dreamy all morning. She did not make a peep and even took a nap during the speeches. We didn't get home until 1:15pm, poor girl.

SNL Sketch

If you follow politics at all this video is funny. I seriously laugh every time I watch it.

Wanted:

one friend to be catty with at social events!

Saturday night was Lee's big company awards deal (as I already mentioned, I know). We were sitting down for dinner and I looked over at the table next to us and saw this man. I tried to be a sleuth and take his picture.

It may not seem strange to you, but if you lived in my area you would know that we hadn't seen the sunshine since Wednesday. Thursday, Friday and Saturday (more than 72 hours) had been rainy and dreary. Why, I ask myself, why did this man have sun glasses on his head? Even if it was appropriate for a formal dinner, which it is not, they were completely unnecessary for the weather.

Ugh

Thursday evening I wasn't feeling very well, so I went to bed early. I woke up in the middle of the night and emptied myself. So, I woke up Friday and felt pretty terrible all day. Lots of emptying. Friday night Lee had a big company sales awards dinner. I showered and sat there long enough to watch him win an trip before I ran home and jumped in bed.

I apologize for the poor picture, but this is Lee receiving an award for being the highest percentage above his goal for the fiscal 2008 year.

He won a trip to LaPlaya Resort in Naples. Florida. I am not sure when we go, but I think it is February or March.

I am not sure what I will do without my little sweetheart, but I don't have to think about that quite yet. I can just picture myself getting burned beyond recognition under a pretty umbrella.

Saturday I was still under the weather, but I had to tough it out again. This time it was the entire company award ceremony, and banquet. This is Lee, one of his co-workers Brandi, and Jim one of his bosses.

Sunday morning little Lulu got a little tired, but her dad made a good bed.

Brrrr

The other day it was unseasonably cold here in Iowa. I looked high and low to find something with long sleeves that would fit the girl. I found something, don't worry. My husband loves Christmas. About mid-August he starts asking when the radio stations will start playing carols. So on the day that it was a little chilly he said, "It won't be too long until we are putting up the tree." And then he asked, " do you want to have a fire tonight?" So we did.

Petunia, Lee and Lulu all sat in front of the fireplace and watched the flames.

While we were enjoying the fire, someone else was enjoying the Moses basket.

Helmet likes the basket so much he even bathes there...

Welcome to the Midwest!

Thursday night, Nanny and I jumped in the car, packed up the girl and went to visit Uncle Scott. Friday morning we went to find them a place to live in their new town. We found them a great townhouse that will work well while they look for permanent residence. After we secured their new home we went for coffee. Nanny and Scott enjoyed sitting outside.

Lulu and I in front of a pretty street just a couple blocks from their new place.

After that, Scott gave us a tour of his new church. We met all of his nice coworkers and saw the sanctuary.

It was a fun day. Now we just have to work on getting the rest of the family within driving distance...

shots

This morning we had our 2 month doctor's appointment. She is really about 10.5 weeks, but closer enough. She weighed 13lbs 10oz and is 24 inches long.

Lee came to the appointment, because I am not so good with needles. She had to get a couple shots and Lee had to comfort her. Poor girl...

All better...after the shots, Lee picked her up and cuddled her until she stopped crying. When he laid her down to get her dressed, she was chatty and happy. She and Lee had a great conversation:

When we got home, I fed her and then set her on the couch. When we were little and were sick, Nanny always put us on the couch with a couple pillows and cuddley blanket. I followed the tradition with Lulu and I think she enjoyed it.

Daddy Time!

I think Lee is ready for football season. He is trying to do the Heisman trophy pose, but instead of a football he is using our child.

Strangely, whenever Lee is in charge of dressing the girl, she ends up in this outfit. If you can't read it, the shirt says, "The apple of daddy's eye." He even added the matching hairbow.

Asleep in daddy's arms at church Sunday morning.

Good Morning, Runners!

Every summer there is an 8k race that goes right by my house. The Fifth Season 8k was postponed from July4th until today because of the flood. Lulu and I got up and found a nice spot to watch the race. There were volunteers with cups of water along the route. Another strange tradition is that people that live along the race route have breakfast/viewing parties. Seriously, there were crowds in front yards cheering along their friends and neighbors.

It felt a little sadistic watching people run and sweat. I was all cozy in my lawn chair watching people with agonized facial expressions run/jog/crawl (the entrants toward the end...) past me.

Some of the familiar faces jogging past were: #182 our city's mayor pro tem, whom the local paper described as "the youngest and lankiest" city council member.

My prom date from 1997, #1060. Strangely he didn't look like that in high school...

My former boss, DP (the guy in the blue hat). He is over sixty and still running as well as running a high school.

Lots of excitement today. Maybe next year we should have a party and our new neighbors in Wheaton could come and join us in cheering.

PS I love my town. Tonight Lulu and I went for a long walk. I love how everyone was out and about. I also love how everyone says hi. Walking through the park, a middle-aged couple stopped to see what was in my stroller and inquire about her name and age. Then, later in the walk, an older man walking a small, barking dog stopped and we talked about the weather and his dog for a bit. No, I had never seen these people before in my life. Laugh if you will, but I love the friendliness.