Lu: Week 22

June 28, 2017

This little all-American girl is ready for the next holiday! Now if only I could find Julie's flag t-shirt... anyway, Laina got to spend the rest of the past week with us in the UP. I think she enjoyed the trip, it didn't seem to throw her off too much. We got to visit some new places and explore, so overall it was a success! We drove all the way home on Saturday, but stopped for a bit in Harrison. I took a nap because I just can never feel like I can catch up. Doesn't help when I'm the only one that will get up with Laina... Love you, anyway, Lu ;)

However her early waking continues and it's starting to get even earlier. I usually can put the pacifier in her mouth and get a few more bits of sleep but I'm getting worried that she's just going to keep getting up early. It's nearly impossible to get her in bed before 9 or even 9:30. She just doesn't want to sleep yet! Mike is in Europe so maybe once he's back it'll be easier, he can hold her and I can get Julie to bed.

I still think you are working on those two bottom from teeth. I spotted them in there but they are still under the surface. I don't know how much longer. They bother you occasionally but not all the time. It'll be weird to see you with teeth. I'm sure they'll be cute though!

^My most precious Laina.

^She's working on all that personality lately!

^My All-American little lady.

^I love you Lu!

Fifth Month

June 25, 2017

This little lady is getting some personality. She smiles with her WHOLE face, and is so happy and sweet, though she certainly is very impatient when she wants to be held (right NOW!) or when you stuff her in her car seat. Laina is mastering some new skills, such as grabbing and working her hands and arms. She's strong and can stand up on two feet if you support her and she's getting so big! 15.2 pounds and 25 inches as of her last appointment. It's so much fun watching her grow!

Laina and Julie are so sweet together, I can't get enough of them together! They are so precious and Julie loves her. Laina loves her back, not much has changed in that regard. Babies are adorable.

^So happy!

^Can't forget Jules!

Laina Lu: Week 21

June 21, 2017

We went up to the UP for Laina's first week long vacation and trip into the upper peninsula. It was a long car ride and I need to climb back at one point to calm her down and to feed both her and Jules, but we made it without too much incident. She surely didn't want to relax on vacation (up at 6am all week!) but she got to see so many sites! By the time we did photos for her week, we'd already been to Tahquamenon Falls and the Oswald Beer Ranch. So much adventure. She just hung out in the harness with Daddy the whole time (and fell as sleep quite a bit!) but that's fine with Laina. We event tried to take you on a ride in the woods but you didnt' like the back of the truck. Instead she got to hang out in the front seat with me, and fall asleep. Breaking the rules but it's okay, we were in the woods... ;) Anyway, more on vacation later... And HOPEFULLY a tooth soon!

Julie-isms: Julie is starting to be more and more helpful. I can get her to put laundry in the hamper in her room, and sometimes to put away toys. It's super cute when you ask her to do something, and she says, "Ok, I try!" Awwww!

^Vacation looks good on you, Lu!

^Scream!!!

^Learning to use those arms.

Lainer: Week 20

June 14, 2014

I was thinking the teething thoughts might have been a false alarm but I'm wondering again! But we'll see what this week brings! This past week, Laina KIND OF got to go in the pool at Grandpa and Grandma's house in Harrison. Julie and Daddy were swimming in there and Grandpa put Laina in her cute little sun hat on the boogie board and road her around. When I pulled her out, she looked a little creeped out, and she's not supposed to swim until 6 months but I am excited to get her in there!

Laina has started squealing, usually when she's in the car or really frustrated... it's super cute but also kind of sad cuz it usually means she's mad about something. This morning she was doing it in the car but when Julie started chatting, she clammed up and watched her instead. I can't wait to see what they will do together in the near future!

Yesterday, Laina went to her 4 month checkup. We are a little behind but we should be back on track for the next one. Anyway, the doctor said we could give her some real food so we may try that this week. And also we found out that she's 65th percentile for height and 57th for weight at 15 lbs 2 oz. I keep forgetting to compare that to Julie but I am pretty sure she's bigger than Jules was at this age. Not that it matters. It's just fun to see. She had two shots and an oral vaccine. She did better with that the first time, this time she wanted to spit it all out. But the shots didn't seem to bother her as much so that is good at least. Tough little Lu!

^Finger chomp!

^We had to keep pulling her hands out of her mouth ;)

^Sweaty Auntie and her Lu.

^Lovey Jules.

Baby Laina: Week 19

June 7, 2017

Laina has found her toes (she's really figured out how to grab them, making diaper changing time that much more difficult!) and also she has found her voice! We went up to Silver Lake with the Ronas's this weekend and she was talking so much! I love her noises! But sometimes she screams! Luckily it's mostly when she is mad and that doesn't happen too often. She's also still working on rolling over, and only managed it once and awhile but it won't be long. I just hope she doesn't choose to sleep on her belly all the time like Julie did around this age.

We had a fun weekend with our friends. Laina got to put her toes in the water (other than the bathtub) for the first time in Silver Lake. We also took her on the dune ride and she only fussed when we stopped ;) Maybe she'll be a brave baby like her big sister. Oh Lord have mercy!! 

Laina is impressing me so much with her preciousness right now. I don't know what it is but I just love her so much! She is all smiles and happiness most of the time and I love it. She HAS been waking up WAY too early lately though. No later than 6am most days, which is a touch too soon no matter what day it is. Hopefully we'll kick that habit soon!

^Oh my so precious Lu!

^It's hard to see but the ribbon on her outfit also has ballet slippers on it, in honor of Julie's ballet classes.

^Toe grab!

Summer Fun

June 4, 2017

Just another fun time in the backyard. Grandma Charyl and Grandpa Ron came over to hang out for Grandpa's birthday. Julie got in her bathing suit and played with her water snake since it was pretty warm. Good times on a Sunday afternoon.

^It was a little chilly, though!

^Wearing the flop hat :)

^The stages of the peonies.

^Grandpa said he didn't know how to do it, trying to get Julie to show him. Instead she just explained it.

^Laina's working on the toe grab!

^Oh my Pretty Bussy!

Silver Lake: Our Trip with the Ronas Family

June 1-4, 2017

The Ronas' have been so much fun to hang around, as we've learned in the past year. We were able to schedule a trip up to Silver Lake via Airbnb this past weekend and we had a blast. Though the cabin we rented wasn't ideal and was kind of crummy, the location was great and we got to do tons of great things (despite a couple tricky weather situations... rain in the morning on Saturday and crazy gust of wind as the storms blew in on Saturday night!). Here are the highlights!

Day One: Arrived at the cabin in the afternoon, got unpacked and got to relax a little bit before our weekend of adventures.

^Our cabin was full of energy (and quite a few spiders!) the whole weekend!

^The dock at our cabin.

^The loft and stairs were NOT made for adults (like Giant Mike here)

^Our first group walk!

^Julie, you are the silliest, cutest girl I know!

Day Two: We spent the day exploring and enjoying the absolutely beautiful weather. Silver Lake is kind of a unknown gem of a place! We went to the Lavender Labyrinth to see the flowers and then were able to take a dune ride at Mac Woods. Such fun!

^Packed all our essentials in Julie's backpack so she would carry it for me ;)

^Lavender Labyrinth at Cherry Point Market and Farm was pretty cool (even though the lavender wasn't out yet)

^Julie got hit by the sprinkler and got SOAKED!

^Decided to take her shirt off so it could dry a little ;)

^Donuts for us!

^Someone did NOT want to take a nap on Saturday!

^Mac Woods Dune Ride!!!

^Lake Michigan.

^The whole crew on our stop at Lake Michigan. I feel like this ride was the highlight of our trip!

^Ice cream!!!

Day Three: It rained a bit in the morning but thankfully it was short lived. We stopped at the Little Sable Point Lighthouse, The Fox Barn winery and then had lunch in Hart. After that, we enjoyed some time at the cabin and almost got blows away at the bonfire (took us three nights to manage it since the kids wouldn't go to sleep!) but it was a good finish to the trip.

^Jules got to sleep with us twice. She's not the best bed mate.

^Raincoat hug.

^Little Sable Point Lighthouse.

^Got a history lesson about the lighthouse before our next stop.

^Walking down to the state park beach.

^Lu got her first little dip in the lake (even if it was just her toes).

^Getting four kids to look for a photo is near impossible.

^I got lots of cuddles at the beach.

^One more walk!

Day Four: We had to hit the road pretty early but everyone got to hang out a little more. And us big kids got to go for a ride in the dunes when our neighbor offered to take us! Thanks Brian! What a fun trip.

^Happy little friends.

^Dune ride!

^Bye bye, Persnickety.