3 Months!

Gunnar turned 3 months old yesterday-wow! He has been full of smiles, cooes, and grabbing on to everything! He loves to lay on his tummy time mat, and on the bed. He kicks his legs and cooes in excitement, it is SO amazing to watch his changes!

On Wednesday, August 5th I am taking him to Belle Fourche to get his 3 month pictures taken. I have used Fuzzibunz cloth diapers all week, and have been very happy with them! Not only do I feel better not having to throw diapers away, but it's fun matching the colored diaper to his outfit!

Since Cullen is here this week, we dressed him in his blue puppy clothes, and set the puppy that Cullen gave Gunnar, by him in the picture! His cute little socks have paw prints on them too!

Tomorrow we'll be heading into town to the Youth Finals Rodeo. It will be a good chance for us to get out of the house, while watching the kids participate. I thought I better get a clue on how all this youth rodeo stuff works, since in 4 years Mr. Gunnar will be out there with them! :)

Enjoy the weekend...

Time flying by...

Where is the time going? I can't believe we're heading into August! With 3 weddings this month, which are all good friends of ours so we have to go-haha-this month is going to fly! I had my yearly dentist appt last Tuesday in Sturgis, and my friend Jamie, accompanied Gunnar and I. Her help was wonderful, and with all the practice she is getting with Gunnar, she will be a pro in no time! I ended up having the two small cavities that I had a year ago, and a year before that-ha-so I guess it's time to get them taken care of. Septemeber 22nd is my next appointment.

On Friday we got up to head for Pierre. Nathan had Kit's bachelor party at West Bend, and I stayed at Tom's new home with Gunnar. The weekend went good, and on Sunday we were headed back home. I got to visit with many friends I hadn't seen in awhile, so that was nice! Gunnar was Crabby, with a capital C! I felt so bad for him, and even though he slept great, he seemed to spit up a lot and be fussy. Hopefully this is all passing us, and we're slowly getting our happy boy back!

Gunnar finally fits into his shorts! He looked so grown up wearing his shorts and Johnny Popper boots! We went to town on Thursday to set up his savings account! All the bank ladies got to hold him!

Nathan's little brother, Cullen, is here staying with us for the week! He came last year too, and seems to have some fun enjoying all the fun things living in the country brings! He's already driven the skid steer, been riding the four wheeler, mowed, and gotten to ride with his big brother in the tractor all day! He's also been a big help with Gunnar, and went to town with me today! On Saturday or Sunday Tom will be coming to pick him up and take him back to Pierre.

Saturday we are planning on going into town to the Youth Rodeo Finals. It will be fun for Cullen to watch kids his age participate.

This week I started using FuzziBunz cloth diapers on Gunnar. So far, so good! They fit him much better than they used to, and we've only had one leak so far, and that wasn't even bad! His next checkup is at 4 1/2 months, on September 15th. Otherwise, he's talking and really finding his voice, and he discovered his hands! Oh my, we love looking at them, and sucking on them! He's so funny and makes my heart full of love every day. On Thursday he will be hitting the 3 month mark, can you believe it?

Otherwise, we're just adjusting to Nathan's new job, and enjoying life! I'm starting to get antsy for hunting seasons that are right around the corner. We're hoping some friends will be showing up at our front door for bird, antelope, and deer seasons! We're always happy to see familiar faces!

Our weekend

There's our Gunnar! His eyes were SO blue on the day I took this, and of course we had to spit up right when taking pictures-ha! His personality has really been shining through and knock on wood, we are slowly starting to figure him out!

Nathan has been keeping busy with haying. Early mornings that lead into 8:00 nights, which means not a lot of breaks for Mom! When all the cutting, baling, and stacking is done, we ARE doing a date night! I miss his 8-5 schedule, but know that since he's happy we're all better off. On Saturday, after Nathan got done with haying at 3:00, he came home to surprise Gunnar and I with a trip to Bowman at a favorite little drive-in for greasy burgers, fries, and ice cream! It made my day! After getting home at a decent time, I took the four wheeler out and left Gunnar with Nathan, to go put a heifer in that had gotten out. Oh the simple things in life that make me happy, I had a blast, even though it only took me 5 minutes!

Here we are! This was right before bed time on Saturday night!

Today, Sunday, we got up early and left for Spearfish around 8:30 to go to church. We had a nice visit with Pastor afterwards, and then went to Pizza Ranch for lunch. Big mistake, don't go there on a Sunday at noon! It was still yummy, but too many people for our taste. Spearfish had an Art in the Park deal going on, so after finding a parking spot which felt like a mile away, we had the stroller with, and decided to go for a nice walk. HA-a nice HOT walk! It was so hot, and there were so many people! Gunnar should've been tired enough for a nap, but instead was fussy, hot and sweaty! We didn't stay long, but next year watch out, I'm going to be saving up to spend some money-haha-there was a lot of neat vendors!

After getting tuckered out from the heat, we still had Walmart to go to..yuck! We made our way through, getting nothing too exciting, and Nathan loaded the Explorer. All of sudden, after taking the cart to the cart corral, he comes back and says "Oh my gosh..I think that's Kent Hrbek" and me with a clueless face goes "Well..go say HI!" haha..he says "He used to play for the Twins" and again I go "Go say HI!" so Nathan yells "Hey...are you Kent Hrbek??" the guy puffs his huge chest out and says "I sure am!" oh my gosh, I thought Nathan's smile was never going to leave his face. Being starstruck myself, I didn't even think to get a picture, I was just in awe of Nathan's change of pace, and attitude! He was so proud to get to shake his hand and visit with him. Immediately he called his Dad, and friend Kit, who were both excited and jealous! :) After all of that excitement we made out DQ run through Belle Fourche, and headed North for home!

This is how I found our little punkin, Gunnar! He was a tuckered out boy from a BIG day in the Hills! Sleeping in the bouncy chair, what a life! :)

The next week is pretty uneventful. I am going to try and make it to a couple ladies homes that I used to clean for, so they can meet Gunnar. Otherwise, getting caught up on housework, a long with getting everything packed for next weekend, will take up any spare time. Nathan has Kit's bachelor party back in Pierre next weekend, and it's at our favorite campground, called West Bend, which is 40 miles East of Pierre. I'll be staying at Tom's while the guys are drinking and fishing themselves silly. It should be a fun time! Hope everyone has a wonderful new week!

On the road again...

That song "On the road again...I just can't wait to get on the road again.." keeps playing through my mind! Oh the miles we've put on lately! Every trip we learn that we have outgrown our Explorer which we love so much, and repeat the same reasons over and over that we need a bigger vehicle! So the search HAS begun! This first picture is of our new family at Lindsey's wedding on Friday, July 10th!

On Wednesday morning, July 8th, my friend Jamie Swan and I met in Buffalo so we could drive to the Hills for Gunnar's 2 month checkup and shots. I was not looking forward to this day, I break down taking the girls to the vet, how could I handle Gunnar getting shots?!? So since Nathan was working, I asked Jamie to come with. I know she learned quite a few things on our trip, and saw different sides of me, since this was the first trip without Nathan, and the first time I drove! We got to the Hills, did our normal errands, and then went to the dreaded clinic. The wait took forever, and after getting into a room, the wait took even longer! Gunnar was a trooper the whole wait. Finally our Doctor came in, looked over Gunnar, checked him all over, and preceded to say that he is doing great! He weighed in at 12.5 lbs, and that was what I was curious about! He is growing SO long that he doesn't have much chubbiness to him, but I was reassured once again, that he is growing and looking good! Then came the shots, all 3 of them! Our nurse was great, and with me holding his little hands and comforting him, he did wonderful! A few (long) seconds of screaming and then he calmed down, Thank Goodness!! After all of that, we took off for the long haul home. We of course had to stop at the normal stop, Dairy Queen in Belle, and then we went home!

I knew I had my work cut out for me since we were leaving for Chamberlain the next morning! So, I started getting things packed and organized for the next morning! It felt like my head just hit the pillow when I heard Gunnar crying. He decided to get up every two hours for the first time since he's been born! GOSH, 1,3,5, and again at 7! I've never been so worn out! At the time I'm going "what in the world got into this kid" then Nathan remembered to tell me that his shots would affect him for a bit...duh! Thank Goodness for Tylenol! After getting Gunnar fed at 7, I got Nathan up. We were supposed to be on the road at this time, so the chaos started! Nathan got everything loaded, including the girls, who we were taking to Pierre. Nathan's dad took care of the girls for us, THANKS again, because that saves a lot of unneeded stress for us! After a quick lunch at his new home we took off for Chamberlain. My parents were meeting us at the hotel, where we dropped Gunnar off at, and then preceded to get out to Lindsey's parents farm, for rehearsal! We got there just in the nick of time, had rehearsal, had supper, and headed back to bathe Gunnar and go to bed! It was so wonderful that my parents got to babysit, and it was a nice break for Nathan and I!

Friday morning I was to be at the salon by 8 for our hair to get done! It was such a treat for me, since I barely get to shower daily these days! Getting pampered was something I hadn't had done since before I was pregnant, and it had hardly happened before that, so I couldn't wait!Here's Lindsey and I after getting our hair done! Of course, without knowing it, we dressed a like! It happens a lot! We used to always get asked if we were sisters, since we both don't have top lips, and sound a lot alike! I guess that's what happens when you live together-ha!

After getting our hair done and helping set up, we got our makeup and dresses on! The day was a warm one, but everything seemed to fall into place!Here's the beautiful bride and me! 7.10.09

The wedding was outdoors on Lindsey's parents farm. A lot of people, and a lot of fun! I didn't get much to eat that day, and with me breastfeeding Gunnar, need to eat even more than usual! Well, with the heat, being tired, and not eating, it hit me pretty hard. We started pictures around 2:30 and when I went outside to get our pics taken, I started to black out. I kept to myself but I could hardly take another step. I went from 2:30-4:30 and finally called Nathan. I told him to bring me something with sugar, like snickers, because I was blacking out. I didn't want to ruin Lindsey's day, but this was serious. My heart was pounding so hard and I was getting scared. Finally the family pictures came, so I went into the house. I tried to drink lots of water and relax while I waited. My parents, Gunnar, and Nathan finally got there, I ate a few bites of Snickers before walking down the aisle and somehow survived standing up there. After the wedding was over I got worse and worse. I sat in the Explorer and ate a few snacks with the AC blowing on me, but nothing helped. We got to the reception hall and while walking up to get food, my body gave out and a bridesmaid behind me, escorted me out. I was done, I couldn't even sit without everything going black and my body going numb. Talk about a scary moment!! I cried, apologized to Lindsey, and we left to get to the hotel. The reception hall didn't have AC either, so I knew even with getting food, I needed cooled off. I felt horrible for leaving, but like I said, this was serious! SO, what a crappy night for me, but what a wonderful day for my best friend! After getting back to the hotel, I got comfy, cooled off, ate food, and Mom, Dad, Nathan, Gunnar, and I just hung out.

This is our friend, Megan Vostad, who came from the Brookings area for Lindsey's wedding! She has a cute pregnant belly, with baby Lane waiting to come out in November! It was wonderful to see her, and getting to visit with her! My family and Megan had breakfast on Saturday morning, it was so nice! Nathan and I, and Megan and her husband Justin usually take a camping trip together, so with both of us having boys 7 months apart, we are looking even more forward to our future camping trips!

On Saturday morning, Lindsey and Trampus had stayed in the same hotel as us, so we got to visit with Lindsey before leaving!

After leaving Chamberlain, and saying our sad goodbyes to my parents and friends, we took off for Rapid. Tom was meeting us there with the girls, and he was appliance shopping for his home. It was a fun afternoon, but we were ready to get home. Last night, Saturday night, we got home around 8:00 and crashed fast after getting Gunnar a bath and fed!

We have 3 weddings to go, with two of them in the Hills, and one in Pierre! It's a fun time of year, and we hope this finds everyone enjoying the hot and humid days of summer!

4th of July 2009!

Happy 4th of July from Gunnar! He got to wear both of his patriotic outfits!Happy 4th of July! We hope that everyone had a fun and safe 4th of July weekend! Usually this would be one of our busiest weekends where we would end up sun burnt and tired, but HA, not this year! Amazing how much a baby changes everything :) for the better of course! We spent the weekend at home, doing yard work, putting in our window AC, and hanging out with Gunnar together! It was a pretty uneventful weekend, which was nice, because on Wednesday I'll be going to the Hills for Gunnar's 2 month checkup, and my friend Jamie will be coming with. And then on Thursday morning it will be crazy until we get home from the Chamberlain/Pukwana area on Saturday sometime! My best friend Lindsey, who was my maid of honor and room mate for 3 years, is getting married on Friday July 10th! We are staying in Chamberlain and my parents are coming for the wedding too! We have rehersal on Thursday night, get our hair done on Friday morning, and at 5:00 Lindsey Sharping will be a Thompson! I'm excited to see my parents, and friends that will be there!

Gunnar's newest thing is getting to lay on his tummy time mat! It's the rain forest theme, and for most of the time we have him on his back playing with his toys! He LOVES his new mat! We are also trying his Fuzzi Bunz cloth diapers this week, hoping that his legs have filled in a little more, so he won't leak out of them! Always something new and exciting!

Here's Gunnar & I on the 4th! We were both dressed for the day, wearing our flags! :)

I got out of the shower the other morning, to find these two lounging on the couch, watching TV together! They don't look anything alike huh?? :)

Have a great week and thanks for checking in!!