On Our Own

Well, after a splendid visit, Grandma and PopPop went home, so we're down to the skeleton crew here. Grandma left on Thursday morning, and PopPop followed early Friday morning. So this morning it was up to us to take care of kids. Of course, now this includes carrying Irene a lot and making pancakes like Grandma. And changing diapers. Luckily, the girls know they won't have to be on survival mode with us for long until Grandma M, Baba and Aunt Jessie come for Chrstmas. We managed to make it through today and have a successful pizza Friday. Then a little while after Evangeline went to bed she started throwing up. So, the grandparents dodged this one. We are currently sitting on the couch with lots of towels, water, throwing up, and Dora to keep us company. Irene is still sleeping, and just stood up groggily in her crib when all the action went down in their room. Hopefully she won't get sick, but only time shall tell.

Evangeline was happy that she, grandma and her shirt were all wearing tutus
for church on Sunday.

One last picture on the porch before Grandma leaves.
PopPop left at 4am, so we didn't get a picture of that.

Irene's newest activity: making you walk around with
her constantly.

Hey, dad got a catapult!

Wait a minute...

pop pop's camera

I snatched these photos from poppop's camera.

Grandma and Grandpa Ernst were kind enough to watch our children, as well as Ruth Haugen the other night, for us to go out to dinner for Ellee's birthday. Ruth is 3 months younger than Irene. It looks like they had a crazy time.

Meanwhile, Evangeline played it cool on the couch. She's much too old for those little kids.

We then went to Asheville for Thanksgiving, and on Friday went to Biltmore.

Aunt Carol came too.

 But still, the best part of Biltmore is not the gigantic house, but the livestock.

And then we came home and it turns out that you don't really have to go anywhere or do anything for the babies to have fun.

Irenic Poultry

I am guessing Evangeline took this picture.

Hindsight is 20/20. When I look at this photo, it looks so much worse than it does in real life. But Irene don't care. She likes sitting on the stoop watching the chickens.

Must...Blog...

It has been pointed out to me that we've not been very good about blogging. Sorry. Our computer has been all bleh, and our camera has been all bleh. But Irene has improved greatly, especially since we're not giving her antibiotics that she's allergic to. In other good news, PopPop surprised us by showing up one day, all the way from Alaska. We were all extremely surprised and are thankful that he's here. Here are a few pictures, not in very good order,  and here's to our Thanksgiving resolution of getting back to blogging the right way.

TV loophoole in action.

New Castle

PopPop's here! Put him to work!

Kyle thought she looked very mature eating this hamburger.

Grandma and PopPop took them to the park today. Apparently Evangeline made a friend.

Irene One Year Stats

On her baptismal birthday, November 6, I took Irene in for her One Year Checkup. Here's what we got:

Weight 21lbs (65th%)
Length 30 1/4 inches (85th%)
Head 46.3cm (85th%) (isn't it kind of weird that they do measurements in pounds, inches, and centimeters?)

So, she's a growing girl. She only cried when they pricked her finger for her lead and anemia test (her hemoglobin is "excellent"...).

When the nurse asked me if I had any other concerns or questions I said no. Then I said, "you know, just now when I picked her up in the waiting room she felt a bit warm. Could you take her temperature?"

Her temp was 102.3, and the doctor found that she has an ear infection in both ears. Poor girl. She had a cold last week, and she got over that and did not give us one sign that she had an ear infection. So now she's on antibiotics and has gotten a rash from that, so we're off to the doctor again this afternoon.

But grandma is here, so things are way more fun than usual. That makes up for at least some of it.

Syntymäpäiväjuhlat!

AHH!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT IRENE IS ONE YEAR OLD!!!!

We had a great party with the NC family.

"MOM!" - by Evangeline

I'm how old?!?!

This was actually a joint party for Irene and my Grandma Lucy, who turns 88 this month. She was much better behaved than Irene.

She got woken up for her party and spent the first few hours in a haze, finally warming up for the last 15 minutes.

The classy hostess.

Ruth came over to celebrate too.

Evangeline didn't wait to take advantage of the new toys.

True to form, Irene takes kindly to the bags.

Evangeline gets a few pointers from the old guard.

And then she took a picture of Uncle Mike.

Later in the evening, Irene decided to propel Evangeline's car. Unfortunately she isn't too great at steering. She will probably learn pretty soon.

Happy Birthday Irene

Irene is 1!