Father’s Day Weekend

The kiddos and I spent the weekend celebrating Mike/Daddy!  It was a busy weekend getting everything done around the house while also enjoying time out and about.  We are still hoping that the baby and I will get the go ahead to travel to Minnesota on Thursday morning.  We started off the weekend with Thomas’ last baseball game of the year, he will miss 2 games while we are in MN.  T had a couple great hits and it was a fun to see how much he grew in the few short weeks since T ball started.  At the end of the game they always get treats and Thomas picked up one for his sister, so thoughtful.  We then headed to the McKinney Farmer’s Market to get some produce.  We didn’t know that it was going to be the Ice Cream Crank Off so there was a lot more “going on” than just the market.  We didn’t score as big with produce as we were hopeful for but we did get a few things, the kids got to have a few samples, and made coasters.  We then ducked into a Pub in Downtown McKinney for lunch and then picked up some steaks for dinner before we headed home.  Once home Elin went down for her nap and the boys went to run errands together.  They had to mow the lawn and then run to Home Depot, as the birds have been stealing and eating our ripe tomatoes!  When Elin woke up she and I ran to the grocery store and we all met back at home to chill and grill. 

On Sunday morning the kiddos and I got up and we let Mike sleep in.  We cut up some of the strawberries we got at the market and made waffles for breakfast.   They also made him his special Father’s Day cards.  Then it was time to start “working” around the house and getting everything in order.  That afternoon I picked our second round of basil from the garden and made Pesto (one of Mike’s favorites) for us to use for dinner.  I also decided to make homemade pasta and got cracking on that.  It ended up being a family affair and the kiddos and Mike helped crank and prepare the sheets of pasta.  Although it takes a lot more effort to make it from scratch, homemade pasta is really worth the extra effort.  Dinner was fantastic and I think Mike approved as he had 4 helpings .  We then got in more playtime and the kiddos ready for bed.  It was an early night for all of us but a wonderful weekend celebrating Mike and time together as a family. 

On Sunday, social media was going crazy with everyone posting pictures of their “favorite” dads for Father’s Day.  I have to say Mike and I are luck to have 2 fantastic Father’s as role models and also to be able to see be great Grandpa’s as well.   We are also very lucky that Mike’s Grandpa Larry is still with us and we wish him a very special Father’s Day too.  Happy Father’s Day to everyone!

Bunnies…

The baby bunnies grew up quickly and are already out of the garden box hopefully living in the neighborhood somewhere!  Over the weekend we figured that at 2 weeks old they were close to starting to move around, from all the reading I had done, and we used some spare boards we had in the garage to corral them under the corn in the garden box.  I like bunnies and all, but I still didn’t want to loose all my veggies to the little guys or girls! 

On Tuesday morning I went out to check on them, a morning occurrence for the last 2 weeks and saw they had a “bunny hole” in their nest and they were out and about.  That afternoon I noticed 1 of the bunnies was out of the box and “hiding” in the grass.  I picked it up, put it back in and thought that it was a fluke.  I was wrong, they were starting to hop out and were ready to be on their own.  Their mama was still coming back at night to feed them and check in and so there they were out of the box.   For the next few days they hung around close to the house and we saw them near our garden boxes.  By Friday we were only seeing 2 consistently and by Monday they were off and on their next adventure (we hope)!  Fun to see/watch them grow up and now wonder when we see little buns if they were “our garden babies.”

This is how they “hid” in the grass.  You had to be so careful as they didn’t move and you could almost step on them. 

Meet our “neighbors”

We have new neighbors that move in and out as they see fit.  They are a husband and wife named Thomas and Elin.  Many days Mike and I find ourselves not being called “Daddy and Mommy” but being called “neighbors.”  Thomas and Elin, the neighbors, are a husband and wife who have a baby.  Mike and I are often asked to watch this “baby” although we have never seen it.  They most afternoons and nights join us for dinner and are great “neighbors” to have around. 

Here are a few pictures of them “moving in” the other morning. 

Movie and Lunch Date

A local theatre is putting on 10 movies this summer for $1 admission per person.  They are being partly sponsored by Honest Tea which is a Coca Cola brand and so the kids and I couldn’t refuse.  We checked out our first movie, Ice Age 3.  I am not going to lie, the movie was a hit, but more so the popcorn treats and juice boxes at 10:30 in the morning really won the kids over.  Thomas did great the whole time and Elin needed a couple move and potty breaks but both kids watched the movie until the end.  After the movie was over the kiddos ran some energy off down a long hallway before we decided to head home for lunch.  On our way home we went past Benihana’s and this pregnant mama couldn’t refuse her craving.  So we stopped in and grabbed lunch with our movie company, the Collin’s crew.  Thomas and Elin loved watching the chef make the food and for the first time at a hibachi grill, Elin wasn’t terrified of the hot fire!  It was a successful lunch and when we left the kiddos bellies were full and both they were asleep as soon as we drove out of the parking ramp.   It was a fun morning and spontaneous lunch date as well.   

Elin is a Swimming Now Too!

After an afternoon at the pool and watching Thomas and the other “big kids” swim Elin took matters into her own hands.  She went into the pool and started to jump in and swim.  Then the next day at the baby pool she really took off and kept practicing over and over again.  By Thursday when Mike returned from his work trip she couldn’t wait to take him to the pool and show him her stuff.  This also gave me an opportunity to get a video of her swimming skills.  It is a bit crazy with both kids wanting to swim without water wings and it means constant watching being in the pool with them.  So much fun watching her gain confidence and be excited about becoming a “big girl” too!

Baby 3 Update…

Well so far our 3rd Baby, boy or girl is happy and comfy growing in my belly.  We had our 29 week checkup and an ultrasound on Thursday the 29th and although the little one wouldn’t stop moving, everything on the inside looked as it should.  The baby is measuring at just over 3 pounds and 15 inches long.  The baby continues to measure a week or a week and a half ahead.  After this ultrasound and seeing that the little one looks more and more like a baby, I have found myself  trying to wrap my head around how much our lives will change in a few short months…Thomas and Elin are crazy active and it seems like it is going to be complete insanity to add a 3rd to this mix.  It is also getting increasingly more exciting for Mike and I to figure out what this baby’s gender is…we have never not known the baby’s sex before so this is a new thing for us.  It is very exciting and fun and we talk a lot about the “if the baby is a boy…or if the baby is a girl…”  Any guesses???

A few weeks ago I had my gestational diabetes test and I passed that.  Phew!  I have been feeling much much bigger with this pregnancy so I was actually a little nervous about passing.  As expected by the doctors my blood pressure has started to creep up, I have been hopeful that we would avoid this but nonetheless here we are.  I had a few good tears about it, decided to pick up my pieces and now am ready to move forward with whatever is best for the babe and myself.  They are going to be keeping close tabs on everything from here on out and as of now the plan is weekly visits with a biophysical profile of the baby and further tests if needed (blood work, non stress tests, ect.)  For the baby with high blood pressure they worry about 2 things, restricted growth and low amniotic fluid, which as of right now (and with both Thomas and Elin’s pregnancies) remain good.  For me they worry about the increased taxing on my heart and developing preeclampsia.   So far in this and both other pregnancies I have been able to have only high blood pressure at the end, all of the other things that they expect to happen like crazy blood levels and excess protein being unable to be managed by my body haven’t happened.  So I am feeling very hopeful that this will remain the same with this babe too.  The only thing I am pretty concerned about and trying to wrap my head around is that with my blood pressure going up the doctor might suggest an induction again, that is something that from the beginning I have wanted to avoid.  So we will see how this journey progresses over the next 10/11 weeks.

The kids are getting more and more excited about the baby coming as well.  Both Thomas and Elin love babies.  Thomas loves snuggling with my growing belly and will often come over and ask if I can “give him that baby belly.”  It has been a lot of fun to see his expressions and hear his questions as his little brother/sister high fives and kicks him.  He always asks “what did that one mean?”  Elin understands as well as she can, but because she is a little younger I don’t think she gets it completely.  She is always asking to see and hold her cousin Baby Maggie and Baby Presley (Thomas’ buddies little 4 month old sister) so she does love her babies.  I can’t wait to see them both as big brother and big sister I know that they will be fantastic and so excited to teach the baby all their wild ways.   More updates to come as we keep on counting down the weeks!

30 Week Appointment

Before I had time to post this I had another ultrasound and doctor appointment with some new information.  It was a bit of a whirl wind appointment and after checking the baby and seeing that he/she was still doing great I met with the doctor.  We checked my blood pressure and she reviewed the blood pressures I had been taking at home, at the office it was 150/105 and that is where it is typically at home too with some a bit higher and some a bit lower.  We both agreed that they were high, and she finally said they were high enough that it was time for me to move to the next level and start taking medicine to try to lower it a bit.  She also ran lab work on both my urine and blood to make sure that my body was still handling everything ok and I was not developing preeclampsia, all the labs came back normal, phew!  

The other hiccup is that I have increased amniotic fluid and unless that stabilizes the doctor will continue to monitor that closely, so Mike and I are hoping that it does stabilize and all the “risks” she discussed with me are things we will no longer need to be worried about.

She also put an end to me traveling so I am unable to attend Mike’s Nana’s funeral and as of now our summer trip is on hold to Minnesota.  She said we need to get the blood pressure under control because where it is right now isn’t safe for me and therefore for the baby.  We discussed that if I were to travel at this point with my BP this high if any doctor saw me and didn’t know my history of high blood pressure and not developing preeclampsia that we wouldn’t be leaving the hospital without me delivering a baby.  Mike and I discussed the risks/benefits and decided that the safest and right decision was for him to travel alone, as hard as that is for both of us, and the kids and I to stay back and get this under control.  What a wild week and lots of crazy emotions dealing with the loss of his Nana and the new worries/concerns about my blood pressure and the baby. 

I started taking medication on Friday night and so far it is slowly lowing my BP, which is what the doctor wanted.  I have a phone call check in tomorrow to report my blood pressures and then I have another ultrasound with biophysical profile and growth measurements this week and doctor appointment on Thursday.  Stay tuned…

Nana Banana

Mike’s Nana Banana passed away on Wednesday at the age of 88.  I asked him if he wanted to write anything and he said not right now, so I will do my best.  His Nana, who got the name Nana Banana long ago from his brother Pat was a kind, soft spoken woman who was always in the best of moods.  As I told Mike, I am so grateful that I got to know her and that Thomas and Elin got to meet her, and she to meet them.  Her great grandbabies were her pride and joy and she loved telling people about them, showing off their pictures, and seeing us when we were in town.

 

It has been a rough week for all of us and although we knew she was not going to be with us much longer, still the sadness that comes with her passing is immense.  Rest in peace sweet Nana Banana, we love you and will miss you very much. 

Thomas on Friday asked if he could paint a picture so he could send it to Nana Banana in Heaven.  He also sang her a beautiful song about how much he was going to miss her.  Although he is only 4 he still knows and sees that Mike and I are very sad. 

 

 

 

 

Mary Torpey Robertson
Age 88; born Oct 6, 1925 in Detroit, MI to John and Margaret Torpey, passed away June 4, 2014. Mary was raised in Washington D.C. and proud graduate of St. Cecelia’s Academy for Girls. Living in D.C., she worked several Presidential Inaugural Balls. In 1960, Mary & Jimmy moved to MN with the Twins organization where she became a member of the ODT’s and Gypsy Travelers. Mary’s devotion to family and friends meant an open door for those in need of a fantastic meal and great company. She was exceptionally kind and compassionate and loved by all who had the great fortune to know her. She will be dearly missed. Her remarkable smile which lit up the room, will now light up the Kingdom of Heaven. Preceded in death by parents; husband Jimmy; sisters Betty and Maggie. Survived by children, Michael, Kathy (Jeff) Laschen, Joie (Dan) Leonard, Jaime (Lamont) Roth, Larry; grandchildren, Patrick (Lara) Laschen, Mike (Stacey) Laschen, Katie (Don) Quinn, Maureen Laschen, Adam Leonard, Amy Leonard, Richie Roth, Maggie Roth, Jimmy Roth; great-grandchildren, Thomas and Elin Laschen; sister Rita Brennan; brother-in-law Eddie Fanning; sister-in-law Betty (Mamie) Robertson; and many nieces, nephews, family and friends. The family wishes to thank the caregivers at Walker Elder Suites in Edina, especially Mohan.
Visitation at Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel, W.50th St at Hwy 100, Monday June 9, 4-7 PM. Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday, June 10, 11 AM with visitation one hour prior at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church of Edina, Valley View Rd at Gleason Rd.
Interment Ft. Snelling National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Catholic Charities

Painting Bird Houses

Target dollar section had little bird houses that the kids picked out and wanted to paint.  We finally got around to it and they had a great time.  Thomas was very detailed and delicate in his painting.  It was one of the first times that he did not get paint all over his entire body! 

Elin on the other hand started off great and by the end was covered.  The bird house master pieces are now sitting on display in our dining room. 

Thomas Starts Swimming

Thomas is a swimming machine and after seeing his buddy Tripp and a little girl he met at our pool swimming he decided he was going to try to swim without his water wings.   Mike and I have known for awhile that he could do it, back in February he swam about 2 feet in the pool with Grandpa Jim before he wanted his wings back on.  So he practiced a bit in the baby pool, got his confidence and then I took him into the big pool.  Mike and I were very proud of how well he was swimming and how quickly.  Here is his video from the Friday night when he tried without water wings.

Then on Saturday he had a swimming party to celebrate Tripp’s 4th birthday.  The kids were all wearing life jackets and Thomas kept asking if he could try to swim without his, but that wasn’t an option.  He loved going down the big pool slide and then floating on his back.  He was pretty excited when the party was done and was asking if we could head over to the community pool when we got home.

On Sunday night we ended up going back to the pool.  T was a rock star and immediately hopped into the baby pool and started to practice his swimming.  By the end of the night, although exhausted from working so hard, he was swimming longer distances and taking breaths above the water.  Mike and I were super excited for him and how well he practiced and kept at it.  I know with all our water time this summer he will just continue to get stronger and stronger and I can’t wait to see the progress he makes!

Busy Week and Fairly Chill Weekend

It was a busy full week of fun and friends for the kiddos.  We had a play date at the bounce house.  Thomas and his buddy Tripp ran around doing their own thing and not one time did Thomas get nervous about playing in the bounce houses.  I was super impressed with Elin and her no fear attitude when it came to scaling the ladders and heading down the slides.  She had a hard time keeping up with the boys, but she sure tried her best! 

We also had a play date at our house and the boys ran around being firemen and it was too cute to watch their dramatic play and how concerned they were with rescuing the ladies and babies.The play date rolled into Thomas and his buddy Tripp watching an afternoon movie while the little ones slept.  When everyone was awake we headed outside for some sprinkler, pool and summer fun.  It has been so nice and so far the 85-90 degree days have been easily managed by us with water play and lots of frozen treats.

 

That night Mike decided he would take the kiddos to t-ball by himself so I could get some stuff done around the house.  Practice was at 6:30 and about 6:25 I got a phone call from Mike letting me know T was going to have a pretty hard time practicing because he had fallen asleep. Mike tried to wake him up but was unsuccessful so they came back home and that sleepy little guy went to bed.  It had been a big big day!  That gave Mike and Elin some alone time and they went on a bike ride together.  Then the 3 of us played together in the sandbox before T woke up with a nightmare and upset that he missed T ball. 

By Friday both kids were exhausted and they both took afternoon naps.  When Mike got home from work we packed a picnic and headed to the pool for a few hours.  It was so much fun and Thomas and Elin both made huge progress in their swimming skills.

 

Our garden is rocking and the tomatoes are growing like weeds.  We have had a few strawberries, some cherry tomatoes and now some green beans, but everything else is still growing.  I went to water on Saturday morning and found a pile of grass in the bed…when I investigated it moved and I found 4 little baby bunnies.  Exciting and we can’t wait to watch them grow, but now we need to figure out a solution to keeping them happy and my garden alive!  The bunnies eyes are still closed and their ears are down so they are less than a week old.  Their nest is in the middle of the corn and up against the boards.   Mike and I are going to coral them in and under the corn and hopefully this helps the little bunnies grow and also keeps the rest of my garden alive!  I also harvested the onions and the potatoes that we were growing. I had 5 onions that I planted as starts that survived the cold freezes we had in March and April.  I am really excited as these are the first onions I have really had success with,can’t wait to try again this fall.  The potatoes were a flop as they were not ready to harvest but something ate all their leaves and they needed to be harvested.  We got a handful of small purple potatoes and a few small russet potatoes.

Sunday we got a bunch of odds and ends done around home.  Thomas even lended his helping hands to the neighbor guys and helped them plant a crape merle tree in their front yard.  Elin had her closet changed around and is now getting more ownership of her clothes.  This is a particular disaster, as she typically throws all her clothes out to figure out which outfit to wear.  We are putting a few shirts or dresses within her reach and then she now can get her own underware, socks, and pants from her drawers.  This along with her own personal sized mirror makes the girl happy!