Elin is 7 Months

Elin is a mover, apparently Mike and I make kids that just don’t stop moving. Ever since she figured out how to get herself to the places she wants she hasn't stopped. She will happily crawl around but as soon as she find something to stand up with, that where you will find her. Thankfully she has started to catch herself when she falls and now is working on lowering herself down to the floor.
She and Thomas have started to play more together. She just thinks he is the greatest and her eyes light up the second he is in the room. She is very proud of herself that she can pull herself up to peak at him, hold onto his taller toys.  She will squeal with delight once she is up and taking the smile off her face rarely happens.

She still likes to be a part of the team and will hang out in her high chair while we eat.  She will eat and entertain herself talking back and forth with everyone. 
Foods she has tried are: avocados, bananas, pears, carrots, green beams, sweet potatoes, spinach, parsnips, butternut squash, apples, oatmeal, turkey, chicken, oranges, wheat teething biscuits and graham crackers.
She likes to try to drink out of an open cup and thinks her sippy cup make her awesome too.
She is a talker and a screamer! She has a high pitch scream that makes our ears hurt and it is to vocalize her excitement. She has started to babble more and will copy you when you say Mamama, bababa, dadada, and nanana.  Her Daddy taught her to blow back and forth and that is a new favorite while she gets her diaper changed. She knows and will look for the people/pets in our family when named. She also will lift her whole arm to way 'hi' to you. The best part is that she gets really upset when she gets into trouble. Maybe not the best part, but seriously I told her no about biting on the tree and she slumped over and started to cry. It wasn't a yell or anything I just said "Elin no no don't bite the tree" and she about lost it. Cutest and sweetest little girl ever!
She is still a pretty easy going baby who just rolls with most things. If she is upset and really crying about something, Mike and I are typically in alert mode wondering what is “really wrong.”
She is down to taking 2 naps a day and will take 1 short one and 1 long one, most typically a short morning nap and a long afternoon nap. She usually sleeps in her carrier on my chest, next to me in bed or in someone's arms, but every once in awhile she will sleep for 30-45 minutes alone. She goes to bed between 7:30-8:30 and then wakes for the day 12 or 13 hours after, waking up to eat throughout the night.
She has 7 teeth the 4 top 2 bottom and 1 bottom one on her left side.  The picture below shows her “vamp” look.  She started cutting all 4 top teeth at the same time, but the outside two came throught first, leaving her looking like a vampire. Thank goodness vampires are “in” right now, she then cut the two middle teeth and bottom outside left and they were so sore.  Poor little girl was a chewing, drooling, lack of sleeping mess.   

Week in Woodbury

After our time in Cloquet we headed back down to Woodbury to spend time with the Laschen side.  We had a busy week planned and were able to do many things.  We are also able to get more time in with Thomas and Elin’s great grandparents who were traveling back and forth between Mayo Hospital for some tests. 

Tuesday we went to lunch and met Aunts Katie and Mo and Uncle Don.  Then it was off to the Quinn’s house to have Mike help install some light fixtures.  We then headed to Macy’s Santaland. To see the elves and visit Santa.  We then went to Murry’s for a yummy dinner feast.

Wednesday we were off to the Mall of America to see the Sharks with Tiffany, Ben and Hallie.   Thomas really loves Ben and “Haddy” and looks up to both of them so much.  He has since talked about being at the aquarium with “my sriends, Ben and Haddy” since we left.  He also didn’t take off his wrist admittance bracelet for 11 days!Thomas loved seeing the sharks and playing along side his friends.  Elin soaked all the fish and sights in too.  After going through the aquarium we went to Lego land for a bit before our much too short visit had to end. 

On Thursday morning Mike flew back to Seattle to go to work.  The kids and I decided to stay as I have found that the day after traveling and vacation is TOUGH.  After 6 hours of on alert mode high and my patience being constantly tested I am fresh out of anything extra.  The kiddos are also exhausted and coming off of lots of attention so we flew back on Friday when Mike got done with work.  It also gave us an extra day and a half in Minnesota.

Back to Thursday, we headed to Wild Rumpus to check out this completely enchanting bookstore.  Seriously, if I ever win the lottery we are going to open up an animal rescue/book store/ fun farm for children and animals.  This place is magical and I cannot wait to return there year after year.  After seeing the cats, chicken, lizard, birds, gerbils, ferrets, chinchillas and spider that call the bookstore home Thomas happily grabbed his chair and a book and got busy reading.  Elin was happy to crawl around and explore too.  Then it was off to see Aunty Mo at work for lunch at P.F. Changs, before visiting Nana Banana at her house.

Thursday night the kiddos got to spend time with Nana Kathy and Banpa Jeff.  T anxiously awaited his plane coming back from Chicago.  They then enjoyed grahm crackers and milk and Elin even got to try one! 

Friday we were up to pack up and then head back to Seattle.  The flight was again good, although the kiddos were up for most of the trip, Boo for me because I didn’t get to relax much.  It was so good to get home and see the house/pets but again was hard to leave Minnesota and our friends and family.  Thanks again to this magical place with so many people who love them (and us), my children I am pretty sure think Minnesota is about the greatest place on earth!

Weekend Up North

Friday Morning we headed up North to Cloquet. Once we arrived the boys suited up in their warm gear and headed outside to start building.  My parents are adding a second garage to help store all of my dad’s toys.  Thomas happily shoveled and was the "big helper" while the guys worked on the garage.
Grandma Nancy, Auntie Molly and I made dinner for the crew while taking breaks to take care of the kiddos and puppy.  Then we all caught up and visited before heading to bed.
Saturday was back to the garage grind and more playing inside for the little ones (puppy included) and the ladies. Saturday Mike made ribs for dinner. After dinner we, adult kids, tried to sneak away to the bar for a quick drink and were successful for a few minutes. Meaning the 3 others got to finish their drinks while I enjoyed half before Elin was wondering where her Mommy had gone.
Sunday Troy, Molly and Griffin packed up after breakfast and headed home.
Grandpa called it a rest day from working on the garage. So we headed over to the gym, one of the perks of having a gym teacher for a Grandma, to play some indoor baseball. Mike and I snuck away to swim laps in the pool and get our fitness on.
After naps we celebrate Thanksgiving again and then headed into Duluth to see the light display at Bentleyville.  This was Elin’s first visit with Santa.  She didn’t have a clue who was holding her, but Thomas was certain to hang on tight to Grandpa!  It was pretty cold so we made a quick trip through to see everything and we were off.  I am still impressed for as big as it has gotten that it is still free, with free cookies, hot chocolate and popcorn.  Way to go sponsors!

Thanksgiving

The crew was up and out the door early on Thursday to catch our Thanksgiving morning flight back to Minneapolis.
The flight was again great with the kiddos, minus a few bumps landing.
Then it was off to Nana and Papa Laschen's house for dinner.  Thomas stole his Nana away from her cooking duties for a quick game of baseball.
As always Nana Kathy and Papa Jeff hosted and everyone was treated to a Thanksgiving feast with all the typical fixings. Elin was a bit skeptical of all the extended family being around, that along with a travel day and cutting teeth 3 teeth made for a pretty sad little girl. She didn't allow me out of her sight the entire day and was almost instantly in tears when anyone tried to hold her. Thomas took a few minutes to wake up after his nap and then he was happy to entertain and play with everyone.  Mike and I have so many wonderful blessings and there was so much to be thankful for this past year.  We also gave a toast to Great Grandma Nana Banana was also celebrating her 62nd wedding anniversary to Great Grandpa Jimmy (who celebrated wit us in spirit from Heaven).
Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

A family of turkeys…

Last week we traced  everyone's hands and feet.  They then sat on top of the microwave long enough for Mike to poke fun at them, and me, a few times.  Finally, this morning they became Turkeys!

The Best Time to be in the Middle…

Wet Weekend Update…

Yay, Daddy is home with us for 2 whole days!

Elin continued to perfect her standing

Mike and Thomas got our spare bedrooms closet shelf hung

After having a sick belly on Sunday, E earned herself a baking soda bath

Elin has 4 teeth now, 2 bottom and 2 “fang” top teeth.  We’re refering to her as our little vampire.  When will the swollen middle teeth ever come in???

Thomas enjoyed some Toy Story and a Root Beer

The boys hid in the basement everytime Elin and I came down.  It is seriously the funniest stuff ever.  The minute they hear us coming you hear “Dad hurry hide, Mama’s coming.”  Then I walk in and they are both laying their silent as ever covering their faces. I can’t help but laugh every time.  Then then won’t look until you tickle them.

Mike, Elin and I snuck away while Thomas played with Ms. Eryn.  We met some friends at Bitterroot for some yummy BBQ.  Mike and I then grabbed a quick dessert at the most happening dessert bar we have ever seen.  Both were sinfully good.

Elin we were pretty sure enjoyed her alone time with just Mom and Dad.  Thomas had a blast at home painting with his “toes and hands too.”  Eryn his babysitter sent us this picture, and when we got home Thomas and Mike decorated his bedroom.

Big Boy Haircut

Finally we were able to talk Thomas into getting his hair cut.  More like bribe him and he almost didn’t go for it.  After watching Mike get his hair cut, Thomas was coaxed up into his lap.   She had his hair cut in a few snips here and there.  To be honest it doesn’t look much different than when I did his mom cuts at home.  Guess the only difference is this one cost $30 and was “the experience.” 

A Week of Park Adventures…

It has been a week without rain, for the most part, so we have been getting outside as much as possible. 

Getting cooped up in the house, especially when it gets dark at 4:45 p.m. is hard.  Typically the kiddos are just getting up, so the early darkness makes the nights feel so long.

Anywhoo, thought I would share some of our pitures and a few videos.

Here is Thomas starting his lawn mower that he insisted come over to the park with us.

Soccer superstar!  Especially when there is no one playing defense or goal keeping.

Who is walking who???

Digging in the sand

Little Punky’s teeth have been “kickin her buns in the sleep department.”  She has been the queen of cat naps this week.  On this walk/park outing she was able to sleep bundled up in her front carrier for an hour and a half straight…ahhmazing!

The End of the Road…

It is the end of an era, the end of Thomas nursing, the end of his “babyhood.”    My little guy is all grown up and according to him he is “fuper big and he can drink beer and coke.”  There are many emotions with this transition, excitement, pride, happiness and a wee bit of sadness as we both move along in the road of life.  There have been many ups and downs of in our 31.5 month journey, I can’t believe we made it this long when initially I set out to nurse for 12 months.  Nursing has been there since the minute this little guy was born, it and it has been there ever since, until Thursday morning. 

Through tears I tried to explain to both Mike and my Mom how I was feeling as I was having my 2nd and 3rd melt downs, as I write this on Sunday we are both doing very well with the new normal.   When he was born, I never thought I would (in quoting Taylor Swift) never ever, ever, EVER, nurse him as long as I did.  I have to say that it finally felt like after several months of talking about being all done, several transitions towards weaning (nursing for less time and not all the way to sleep), we were both ready to pull the trigger.  It was getting to be more annoying to me and frustrating.  FINALLY, it felt like it was for sure time for him to be done.  So we talked about it, not during a normal nursing time.  We both cried while we talked about being done for sure and good.  We talked about how incredibly thankful we both were that we had been able to continue this precious very intimate relationship for this long.  Thomas said it made him “a widdle bit sad, I said me too. We snuggled, hugged, and said good bye to Mommy Milk.  As ready as we both were, this was hard, really hard, but time.

On our first nap without nursing was fine for him to fall asleep.  He for the last several months had been nursing less and would fall asleep without nursing.  When he woke up and wanted to nurse back to sleep and I reminded him we were all done, he was sad.  Full on loads of emotion and tears sad, heart breaking sad.   We snuggled and I reminded him I loved him up to pieces, and this didn’t change that.  I reassured him that we were both sad but that we would both be alright if he was all done like his Daddy.  Then we decided that a cookie and walk to Larson’s bakery was just the thing we needed to make us feel better.  My very big un hand holding, super independent little guy, held my hand the whole walk to the bakery.  After getting our cookie and walking home, we were talking about just how proud I was of him and how brave he was being with the change, he looked up and told me “know I am fuper big and I can drink beer and coke.”  He is also so excited to be a big boy like his Daddy and Grandpa’s.  A trip to the park to see or friends Whitney, Dahlia and Reier and dig in the dirt was also a great mood booster.

As we close this journey I can’t tell you exactly what Thomas is feeling, but I can tell you what I am.  From my heart, I am so thankful.  I am emotionally a mess and because I am not a writer I can not find the words adequate to express my feelings.  I can ramble, which is what I have just done and continue to do.  I will forever hold this journey between he and I so sacred and special.  I hope if he remembers it or when he learns that he nursed well into his 2nd birthday (like when he becomes a dad) I hope he is honored.   I (along with Mike’s support) nursed him this long because it was what we felt would set him up for so many successes in life.   It was his sole nutrition for many months, it helped him comfort himself, gain independence, provided immunities to him, protected his gut from allergies, and so many more things.  My little baby boy, is for the first time ever in his life not depending on me for this any more, and I am so so proud of him.  Sure I am still there for reassurance, comfort and support, I God willing will be for many many more years to come, but this big consistent since day one of his life is over.  We are closing this chapter.

Thank you thank you, first and foremost to my body for giving me the ability to nurse and support this child, I may not love my boobs, but they were able to do what they were meant to for my children, and for that I am so grateful.  Thank you to my amazing husband who helped in every way he could support me and Thomas while he and and I were nursing.  He amid all the questions and criticisms in this world of nursing stood by me and said it is working for all of us right now, who cares what anyone else says.  That takes a very special man and father, and there are not words to show just how much he did to encourage me.  I am certain without his support that I would have never been able to make it this many months as a HAPPILY nursing mother.  Thank you to our friends and family who have also been the voice of support and questions, allowing me to share our experience.  Last but not least by any means, thank you to my son, who without him I would have never been able to go on this enlightening journey.  I love you more than you will ever know and I am so grateful that I get to be your Mommy.  I will forever cherish the seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, possibly even month(s) of time we spent snuggling, rocking, singing, and nursing. 

Thank you to the current literature that is now supporting both breastfeeding exclusively for the first 6 months and extended breastfeeding. I was able to draw the strength I needed on both the physical and psychological benefits and they got me through the painful moments and transitions. I fully believe in breastfeeding and doing so for an extended period of time.  If you or anyone you know ever needs a friend or someone to talk to about nursing a newborn, infant, toddler or tandem nursing (through pregnancy or 2 children) your welcome to send them my way.

*I was finally able to post this on Sunday night.  We are both still going strong as we transition to our new normal.  Thomas has had times when he asks, times when he doesn’t and times when he “wants to be a baby again.”  He has not for one second say anything negative about Elin nursing.  In fact he will still tell me if she is hungry(crying) that she needs to eat.  The best part about this transition is I still get to snuggle and be with my little guy as we make the transition.  Many mothers I know had to remove themselves and for us I just knew that would be too hard.  I didn’t want him to feel like I was abandoning him or picking Elin over him.  Whew, I finally get to be done with the tears, I hope.  Oh wait, what is that, ahh yes, I still have another baby to nurse for hopefully many more months.