Happy Anniversary!

On August 27th Brad and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary! Way back when (okay, 6 years ago) we started dating on June 27, 2003, then engaged on March 27, 2004 and married on August 27th, 2004 (see how brad kept w/the '27' theme?)

So on our actual anniversary I decided to make lasagna since that is what Brad wanted for supper. So b/f Brad got home, Strummer and I went to the store to pick up the ingredients and other things we needed. Then when Brad got home, I realized I forgot some things we needed at home - something basic, so while I was finishing supper, Strummer and Brad went back to the store and came home w/flowers. There was one bunch from Brad and another bunch from Strummer (and if i knew the name of the flowers, I would tell you)

Friday we went out to eat. My parents came down for the afternoon/evening to spend time w/us and to watch Strummer while we went out to eat at The Olive Garden. We had a wonderful time on our own for a few hours and Strummer had fun w/Grandma and Grandpa. We had a good report saying they went on a walk, went to some garage sales and since Algona was playing Boone that night, they also walked to the HS since one of their friend's were there watching their son play in the 9th grade game. They apparently also ran into some of Brad's former co-workers at the gate b/c they saw Strummer and recognized him :D

Thanks to mom and dad for coming down! I really appreciate it!

If I had pics from the past 5 years I would post them, however, I have been having to put my old photos on DVDs since I'm running out of space on my computer.

I also don't have any pics from the evening, however I have a picture of my flowers!

Thanks to Brad for a wonderful 5 years! It's been an adventure of ups and downs. I can't wait to see for the future brings us! Love You!

House For Sale!

Our first home is on the market! We have owned it for 4 years and have improved and redone pretty much the entire house. We are wanting to move to a bigger house. With 2 adults, a walking and very mobile baby and a 45 lb dog, we are thinking a bigger house may be a good thing to try and purchase. Since our house would most likely be bought by first-time home owners and they have an $8,000 incentive, we decided to put it up and see if anyone has interest.

So far we have had 2 couples look at it twice and we found out that they both have the house at the top of their list! So, all we are waiting for is a call from realtor w/an offer! Ideally it would be nice to move b/f it is super cold and snowy.

If you know anyone looking for an adorable 1-1/2 story 2 bd - 1 ba house....please send them to the link for our house!

http://www.greatiowahomes.com/properties/index.cfm/ia_boone_109_s_greene_street_11936

Strummer's First Tooth

Strummer finally has a white thing in his mouth! A few weeks ago (Well, August 13th) we were visiting our pals Holly and Brayden....and Sara was there too! Well - the little guy was being unusually cranky...and hungry and I couldn't figure out why! All of a sudden Holly said - Manda, he has a tooth!!! Well that explains it! It must have just popped up b/c I hadn't seen any signs of a tooth b/f that day! Thanks for spotting it Holly!

I finally grabbed a good shot last week!

Walking and Climbing

2 for the price of 1!

Here's a video of Strummer outside. He first walked his hippo up the sidewalk to the front steps. Then proceeded to climb up the steps to the door. We have a VERY active 9 month old! :P

9 Months!

Waiting for Dr. Parsons

Still Waiting - Being on the table wasn't working to swell :P

Strummer found the lego table and drawers full of toys

After his appointment - he LOVES to climb!

Strummer had his 9 month check up last week. He has stopped his major growth spurting - actually it stopped after his 4-month check-up. So now he's a more 'average' height I guess. He is less than average weight. Dr. Parsons says it's b/c he is more active than the average 9 month old, so we just need to offer him food even more often than what we already do! hee-hee-hee!

Other than that, he's perfectly healthy! Developing like he should be and she thought it won't be to long b/f he starts walking! So we'll keep an eye out for that! STILL no teeth - however his doctor said she's not to concerned unless he's like 14 months. So we have awhile :P. He'll just be our loveable, adorable toothless baby. PLUS - no shots for this appointment! He will be getting quite a few at his 12 month. The regular shots he's scheduled to receive, plus the flu shot and the H1N1 shot. Luckily he takes his shots 'like a man'. In other words, he really doesn't cry or fuss! He's so brave!

His new stats are:

Height: 28-1/2 inches

Weight: 17 lbs - 8 oz.

So he grew almost an inch in 3 months, but only gained 8 oz.

He keeps changing everyday! I can't believe how fast our little guy is growing up!

Mr. Adventerous

Our upstairs....there are also 2 more steps at the top you can't see

Starting at the bottom

Ending at the top!

Strummer was very proud of himself

Daddy, let me in! :D

Strummer decided he wanted to climb the steps up to our house. On a side note, 2 days ago he ventured to climb upstairs, which are more narrow. He went all the way up to surprise daddy! Who was very surprised, b/c he didn't see me at the top, he thought Strummer went up by himself! :P

BTW - i was RIGHT behind him to make sure he didn't fall back.

I was planning on posting a video for the last 2 days, but for some reason it won't upload. So instead of waiting and waiting and waiting....I'll just post pics instead! You'll just have to believe me. :P

The video is on facebook, but in the meantime, I'll figure out if I can post it on Blogger!

We have a little climber in our house! He'll climb onto anything! :P

Have a fabulous day!

Meeting Baby Maverick

The first time (should have had Trisha look) Strummer is looking at the TV

Strummer, Maverick and I - again my son is looking at the TV

Baby Maverick! So Adorable!

Strummer w/his container of Cheerios on our way back home

On Monday, Shannon and Jeremy Jacobson added to their family to become a family of 5! So, since we only live 3 blocks from the hospital, Brad, Strummer and I (along w/Trisha, she met us there) went to go visit Jeremy, Shannon and Maverick last night. We weren't able to hold him, but were able to see him and visit w/Shannon and Jeremy. It was nice talking w/them!

Today, Strummer and I walked back to the hospital this afternoon. I called Shannon to check when it would be a good time to come so we headed on over. (I LOVE living in an area where we can walk almost anywhere we need to get to).

We were the only ones visiting, so we stayed for awhile chatting w/Shannon and Jeremy. I was able to hold Maverick for quite awhile. It was pretty awesome! I knew he would be light, compared to when Strummer was born, but he felt like a feather! Especially compared to Strummer now! hee-hee-hee

Strummer hung out in his stroller eating cheerios and playing a game w/Jeremy. The I'm going to drop my book and wait for you to retrieve it game. He also did it later on when I gave him a container of cheerios.

Strummer really didn't seem to interested in a little baby. I think he may have been confused that I was holding someone and it wasn't him! He was interested in the TV that was on! :P

Maverick is so cute and such a little guy! It's really crazy to think 9 months ago Strummer was that little (okay, he was never that SMALL) but you kinda of forget on how calm newborns are. How they don't really move and sleep all the time! Plus how careful you need to be when dressing him and having the feed them every couple of hours!

Thanks Jeremy and Shannon for letting us come visit! I know Strummer will be excited one day when Maverick is a little bigger! Congrats on your new baby boy!