They grow up so fast...

We had Evan's 6-month check-up yesterday afternoon. I've never heard Evan scream so much before. I don't know how those nurses sleep at night. It would haunt me. Evan doesn't like being held down and he most certainly doesn't like being poked.

I can't blame him, and it was dinner time. Poor baby.

He weighs 16 pounds (26th percentile) and is 26 inches (58th percentile) long.

We decided last week that we would take out a bottle feeding and add in a cereal with fruit/vegetable feeding instead. He's up to 2 a day, one for breakfast and one for dinner. He really likes creal and baby food.... or anything you'll let him put in his mouth. He's really curious about what Nick and I are eating and will even open his mouth to see if you'll share! Little piggy.

My little string bean has been trying to figure out the crawling thing... he gets up on his hands and knees and rocks, but can't seem to figure out how to move his hands and feet at the same time. We're going to be in trouble when he does figure this out!!

Going backwards now, we went to my cousin's grad party on Saturday and Evan got to spend a lot of time with family. Especially great-grandpa.  :)

Nick and I spent some quality time with Evan on Sunday at the Anoka Dam. It was a great day to be outside and Evan loves being pushed in his stroller.
Not much else to report, it was a good, laid back weekend.

Evan's 6-month pictures were tonight and I am so excited to see them!
Katie did such a great job, even with my Mr. Crabby Pants!
Cross your fingers for sneak-peaks later this week!  :)




Toodles!

For a good cause.

On Thursday night Nick and I went to the 1st Annual All Star Charity Hockey Game put on by the Hockey Dreams Foundation. There was a lemonade stand at the event raising money for Megan Wegge, who I talked about in a previous post. And as a bonus between the first and second period, Megan's 12U team from Moose Lake got to play against the 12U girls team from Edina. Megan couldn't make it because she's still in Indiana receiving treatment.... and is doing amazing from what I hear from her dad. 

All Star Players Face Off

Moose Lake v. Edina

Megan is making her way around Minnesota. 

It was a week full of good causes. On Friday, Evan got to stay home with me for a little longer before I headed over to the U of M to cheer on the athletes participating in the Special Olympics. I did this event last year with my work and it was a blast. 

Evan definitely gave me a run for my money yesterday morning. My little piggy a bath before 7 a.m. - he clearly didn't get the memo that we were supposed to sleep in. 

Yesterday was the perfect day for an outdoor event. 

Although my red skin would not agree with that statement today. 

Boo hoo.

We were quite the cheer team!

The weekend is HERE and I must go enjoy it! 

Evan has his 6-month check-up on Monday and his 6-month pictures on Tuesday!
Watch for updates next week.

My cousin is coming down from Northern Minnesota to take Evan's pictures. 
She had a baby girl in May and I CANNOT wait to meet her!   :)

Check Katie out!

Father's Day... a little late.

I know, it's Tuesday.... time got away from me. 

We had a good weekend and Nick had a good first Father's Day. Nothing too exciting since he got his gift from me weeks ago. Although my parents did buy him a hammock for his first Father's Day - we set it up and are waiting for a good day to use it now. My little family is going to fit perfectly in it!  :)

I just have to say how truly blessed I am to have such a wonderful husband. I knew that Nick would be a great dad, but he continues to blow my mind on a daily basis with just how great he really is. 

Evan wore a special shirt, just for Daddy!! :)

We have TNT Raceshop shirts for Evan and took some pictures for Father's Day for my dad!

I love you, Dad. And we are so lucky to have you in our lives.  

I'm grateful that Evan has such great men to look up to!

On another note, Evan got to enjoy some time outside this weekend and is getting so curious about all of his surroundings.

Evan did so well with his bananas last week that we let him try green beans. He LOVES food, but was pretty unsure of the beans at first!

This original post was really long and full of detail, but it got deleted twice. I feel defeated and just want to hang out with my kiddo. Happy Tuesday, Everyone!

Baby Bennett

I am proud to announce that our good friends, Carie and Brent, welcomed baby Bennett into the world this past week! 

Aunt Christine and Uncle Nick went to visit on Friday! 

Bennett Lee Juillerat

Born Thursday, June 16 @ 2:41 AM

7 lb 3 oz - 19 inches

Congrats to Carie and Brent, we are so happy for you both! And big brother Paxton! 

He's  perfect!

Evan Goes Bananas!

We let Evan try baby food for the first time last night. He is always so interested in what we are eating and wants to try it. We decided that we would start with bananas. Seemed logical.

He knows exactly what is going to happen when he's in his high chair and sees his baby bowl.

He had no idea what he was in for.....

"This isn't oatmeal!"

"Ahhh!!!"

"Hmmm.... maybe I could get used to this!"



We'll see how he does with bananas for a few days and then we'll move on to a vegetable.

My baby is growing up quickly, but he's so much fun!!!

Cancer Sucks

Yesterday Nick, Evan and I took a drive to Sturgeon Lake for a benefit for Megan Wegge. Nick used to work with Megan’s dad, Dan. Just before her 12th birthday, she was diagnosed with Embrynol Carcinoma. This type of liver cancer is very rare, especially in someone her age. Megan, with her mom by her side, has been getting treatment in Indiana for the last few weeks and will be there for a few more.



This picture is from Megan’s CaringBridge.



Megan’s family had no idea how the benefit would turn out, but it was ENORMOUS! There were so many people there and so many items were donated to the silent auction and the raffle. Try as we might, Nick and I didn’t have the highest bid or the lucky ticket, but we did pitch in for the cause and had a really good time.

Megan’s benefit even made it onto Fox 9 news! Check out the story here.

This is heart wrenching. No one should have to go through the pain and heartache of cancer. Especially a child. Megan should be enjoying her summer at home with friends. Instead she’s in a different state, away from her dad and siblings, enduring things that I can’t begin to imagine.

To follow Megan on her journey, click here.

And support her cause here.

I realized today just how many CaringBridge sites I follow. Thirteen to be exact.

Most of them are children. 

Here are a few that I follow:

Emma Fogerty

Ann Haering

Karolyn Barrett

Molly Williams

Tanner Fuls

Cole Ruotsala

Maverick Crawford



It breaks my heart to read their journal updates daily, but these kids are more brave than I will ever be. I love following them on their journey and am always to sad when the journal notification comes that they are gone. I love that Emma, Ann, Tanner and Cole's CaringBridge sites are still updated even though they are no longer with us.

The brutal honestly is that it could be us. Right here, right now. I gurantee that every single one of those kids and their parents thought it wouldn't happen to them. And I can guarantee that it wasn't too much cell phone use that caused their cancer.

Give your loved ones an extra long hug tonight.  :)

Bang! Bang!

I shot my first gun yesterday!

While I am not a fan of guns overall, 
I know that I should be comfortable around them and know how they work. 

Nick passed his conceal and carry course yesterday and wanted to go to the range to shoot. 

I knew that I would be mad at myself if I left the range without shooting....

I started out shooting a .380 that Nick's sister rented from Bill's to try out. Not too bad! So I moved up to Nick's 9mm that we keep at home. Not too bad! After a few minutes of shooting that,  I tried out Nick's (Sarah's boyfriend) .40 - I LOVED IT! I also tried out Sarah's 9mm. I really liked the feel of the gun, but it's a double action, so it's not an immediate BANG once you pull the trigger. I don't plan on carrying a gun around with me, so if I ever do end up needing to shoot it, it better BANG instantly!

I feel better about Nick going out of town now..... well, as far as safety goes. :)

I knew where our gun was, but had no idea how to use it. I always joke that if someone broke into our house while Nick was away, the only way I would be able to use the gun as defense is to hit the perp in the head with it! 

Not now!
Bang, bang! BANG. <------- That one was just for good measure. 

I have a baby to protect, I can't be pistol whipping perps. 

Don't worry all you gun haters.
Evan won't ever know where the gun is or be able to get at it. 

I'm planning on taking a firearm introduction course in the near future to learn about the difference of handguns and how they work. 

Nick's hands are SO much bigger than mine that a gun doesn't fit us the same. I really should have a gun that I am comfortable with and can practice with on my own.  ;) 

I'm thinking that a 9mm will do... for now!

Daycare Projects

Evan brought this home from daycare. It made me smile and I hope it will make you smile too!

Missing my better half....

I know, I know. Two posts in one day. I bet you're wildly excited!  :)

Nick has only been a few days, but it feels like forever. Home just isn't quite 'home' without my hunny. Evan and I are getting by. We made it to the eye doctor yesterday. He has an infection caused by a narrow tear duct. If it doesn't open on its own, they will have to do some sort of awful procedure. He has to be put out for it and they won't do it until after he's 1. Poor baby. He's a champ and gave the eye doctor a run for her money. She probably has bruises. 

He was a sleepy head last night, but a happy camper this morning. 

Look at this little cutie patootie!

I have been able to work on a few craft projects while Nick has been gone and finished (almost) one tonight while my parents were here. 

I have more flip flops than I know what to do with and really should refrain from purchasing more, but when I can find a craft project that saves some space - why not buy 100 more?! Check it out and see what you think. My inspiration came from this blog. 

I have so many craft projects floating around in my head I don't know what to do with myself! 

I did find some time to water the garden today and found a GIANT rhubarb leaf. 

I had to document my find!!

If you are noticing the large amount of rocks in my backyard.... no need to fret. 

We do have grass on the back half. I'll admit it looks a little ridic in this picture. 


This momma is ready for bed. Like an hour ago. 
Tomorrow is Friday!

Special Picture Edition: Evan's Room

Nick and I had the name Evan picked out LONG before we knew we were having a boy. We had such an easy time picking a boy name that it was obviously meant to be! I had a much harder time deciding on what I wanted in the nursury. I am not a fan of the jungle theme or sports. I wanted a room that our baby could grow into, rather than out of. Ding, ding, ding. An outdoor theme emerged and we are pretty pleased with the way that it turned out. 

So many people have asked about Evan's room, so here ya go....  :)

 I ordered these blocks from Miso Crafty. She's AMAZING!!

Other than the diaper stack, Evan's clothes go from wall to wall. 

You will also notice 3 totes in the left closet. 

They are full of clothes that he has outgrown so far!

 Everyone needs their own flat screen! Although the tv is more for me right now. :)

This wonderful quilt you are looking at was hand crafty by my aunt Sherri. 

The woman is pure genius when it comes to craft projects!

Summer lovin'

We had a perfect ending to the weekend...

I see he's even taking after Daddy and showing off a little belly!  ;)

My oh my, these boys are handsome!  :)



Nick and I finally got out on the bike and took a trip to one of my top 10 favorite places in Minnesota - Downtown Stillwater. I love it there.

Between The Chef's Gallery and Tremblay's Sweet Shop I find myself in a lot of trouble.

Good thing I have Nick to keep me under control!

Speaking of Nick...

He figured out what was supposed to be a SURPRISE for Father's Day.... and being the wonderfulI wife that I am, I let him have his chrome handles and window rain guards early.

I rock.

Before

After

Now that it's really nice out, Nick and I have been talking about getting another season pass to Elm Creek Swimming Pond and would like to be able to take Evan with us.
I don't want him in the sun all day and was trying to come up with a solution.

Here is what I found and I would appreciate your input:

Happy Monday!