The Rose Festival

On Friday we headed down town to the Rose Festival so that we could try to be a part of the the nations best rated festival... I just loved how the news said it was a great and "economical" source of entertainment for families! Yeah right, if you are loaded. The rides seemed so over priced and since Maisey is having her birthday at Oaks Park in two weeks, she only went on 7 rides, not including the ponies. At Oaks Park all of the operators have their teeth and the environment is really clean. If you haven't been there it is a family tradition for us and one of the main things that keep us going back is that the unlimited ride bracelets are $10 and the staff is made up of friendly people, many of them being young college kids on summer break. Despite the cost Maisey of course loved it and had a great time. She sure loves ponies and horses like her mom.The swings. She was actually tall enough for the adult swing ride but when we asked her if she wanted to ride once she saw the ride in motion, her jaw just fell to the ground as she boisterously passed. I remember how much I loved that ride (it was always my favorite), and lucky for her, they carny had the kiddie version. The mangy animals in the petting zoo. Without being too brutally honest, I wasn't sure what was more frightening, some of the unhealthy looking animals or the attendants. Once when the traveling fair came to Hood River we bought an inflated ride bracelet for Maisey and then after she saw the ride operators she refused to get on the rides because she was scared of them. That is a memory I won't forget but lucky for us, she has. Dad got to go on a couple of rides with her and that made her pretty happy. We may not be able to watch The Simpsons because of the lack of appropriateness in the script, but how can you not love them!

Out of This World!

A friend told us about this awesome new family pizza place called Out of This World Pizza. It is located just 8 or so minutes from our house and it has a rad 'Space' themed play structure which extends all the way up to the warehouse ceiling, along with plenty of other things to play on too. You can purchase food and pay an additional $5-$7 a child or just pay to play. It was so worth the fee to try something new and the pizza was pretty good.

We couldn't pull Maisey off of these little push carts!

A rock climbing wall that Dad had to assist with...The floor to ceiling play structure with the super fast slides!

The inflatable obstacle course.

What really sold me were the amenities... A mothers room with two way glass so that you can still watch your kid(s) if your hubby isn't there to help (which included Boppi's and a rocking chair), a family restroom, and just clean restrooms for everyone.

*I would only recommend this for children over 3 years old, unless they have older interested siblings. If that is the case there are toddler friendly things like a Little Tykes house, slides, and grocery station.

Ultimate Frisbee

This past Saturday looked like it was going to be an ugly one but the weather came through... A couple from our ward invited us and 8 or so other couples to play ultimate Frisbee. It was pretty darn hot and Ryley (only semi-awake) seemed pretty uncomfortable, so I played the spectator role. Chad finally admitted he was out of shape after running his little tale off!

Chad is in the very back of this crummy shot taking a breather... He was roasting because he chose to wear pants (which was partially my fault for not persuading him otherwise b/c I didn't want to see his socks with his high tops... However, every guy their had visible socks and I felt guilty the whole time)! SOMETIMES you've got to throw style out the door for comfort!

Progress

I'm not sure what kind of parents we appear to be but despite any one's thoughts on this we are a lot happier... Maisey has graduated from our bed to our bedroom floor. Since this move we have all slept a lot better at night! When Maisey first saw this make shift bed she said, "Mom, that is sooo fancy!" As if her bed wasn't charming enough... Ryley goes back and forth between the cradle and our bed, but we will give him a little more time to adjust before we cry out for support as we attempt to "train" this one to sleep!

*Another wonderful bonus: Ryley is now sleeping about 6 hours throughout the first stretch of his sleep cycle... I can't seem to make it into bed to reap all of the rewards that a restful night bestows, but I sure get a lot done!

Little Photographer

Maisey not only loves her new camera, but she loves ours too (this is from ours). Here is one of the many pictures that she begged me to put on my blog. Her excuse for every picture she takes with her camera is, "Mom, I need a picture for my blog"- no matter how inconvenient the timing may be.

Dino Mania

EVERYBODY is showcasing dinosaurs right now: Omsi, The Children's Museum, and now the Zoo. Friday we went to the Zoo and it was a little warm for our liking but at least we got to cool off in the new Dino exhibit. We almost passed it up but our friends wanted to stop in and it turned out to be free for members that day. It was pretty cool... One of the Dino's spits out water if you choose to stand in its path and aside from the water, the exhibit also included a path of fog, a slide, some loud roaring, and of course lots of mechanical Dino's.

Summer Meals

Summer is near and the corn is arriving. As a child my dad use to drive me to sleep through the corn fields and he referred to my brother and I as "the children of the corn". Well, my love for corn is still alive today and Maisey loves it too- maybe as much as I do. We eat it with most our meals all summer long and sometimes we even get to share daddy's because he is too lazy to give himself a long good floss afterwards.

Pool Days

The pool days have begun so come on over! Maisey spent many hours in the pool this past week and sadly I got to watch from the side. Ryley took his first dip and he wasn't as thrilled about it as we hoped... The pool was overcrowded (probably because people didn't have their air conditioner's installed yet) and the sun was very overpowering to the eye, especially Ryley's. We are definitely a water family and in the summer it isn't unusual for us to swim 12 or so times a week. However, we realize we will (or Ryley will), need some time to build up to that. But when the next hot spell comes, I will be ready, suited up, and Chad can be the one awaiting us with dry towels if need be!

Curly Q's

Here is a picture of Ryley after a bath... We NEVER give him baths before church or other outings really because his hair is sooo crazy. As it dries it gets crazier and we constantly brush it straight or wet it down. I'm sure when he's a toddler it will be so cute but as an infant it is just so unusual- not that unusual is bad.

Where's Ryley

We've been walking again now that the weather is the nice and we are also trying out our different strollers... The jogger is always the nicest for a good walk but Ryley looks so small in it.

Here is a picture of Maisey on her bike before she crashed and broke her basket...
She cried and cried because her basket fell apart even though she begged me for a new one just two days ago. I guess now we will consider buying a new one!

Taking a break at the duck pond.

Retro Eclectro

So, I think some of you know I love linens... I love table cloths, quilts, aprons, and anything made from vintage fabrics. For Mother's Day my in-laws gave each daughter in-law a really cool and unique apron. The name of the company is Retro Eclectro and here's a picture of mine and Jill's.

My apron resembles a long skirt.

Jill's has a "hot momma" cut to it and it is just her style.

Little Litre

Ryley got his first pair of litre hosen (sp?) from Oma and Opa this past week. I'm sure he will love them as much as his dad loves his but he won't be able to wear them for some time- until he's about 2 years old. They don't make the leather litre for wee one's but he will still look German...

Mother's Day

Today was such a wonderful day... Not only is it Mother's Day but we visited our Hood River ward with family and Ryley was blessed. Being as how it was Mother's Day a couple of our friends weren't there to participate in the blessing but we are thankful for those who did.

(Family photo op but we were facing the sun)

For Mother's Day Maisey bought me (and herself) an octopus soap and some earrings (they are hot pink, blue, and lime green- and they're definitely silver plated). I won't tell her this but I wish we had a jewelry store like the many in Hood River that sell neat and simple silver jewelry. Last year she and Chad picked out some beautiful earrings and you can't go wrong in a store like the ones in that town. I'm not trying to make myself seem insensitive so I will let you know that I almost cried when I opened her gifts because she was soooo excited! I am so thankful that I have my own children to nurture, influence, teach, and love. I have always loved children, ever since I myself was a child and I will never forget how happy I was to find out I was going to be a mother- both times!

Chad decided to follow his father's tradition this year... My father in-law always buys 3 identical colored roses that represent the 3 boys (red) and one different colored rose (white) which represents himself. Chad picked pink and red and although he didn't think of it on his own, it is still special and I look forward to it in future years.

Daddy Daughter Outing

Chad and one of our distant relatives the bigger siblings to the Children's Museum yesterday. They were hoping to go to the zoo but the weather wasn't as nice as we hoped for. However, this next Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to be in the 70's so I think Maisey, Ryley, and I will try again then. The two of us moms spent some time alone with our newborns (4 and 6 weeks) and enjoyed going to the mall alone with out older complaining kids. The mall is somewhere we NEVER hardly visit because we never seem to make it past the toys if we try. Luckily we have a Gap, Gymboree, Target, and other stores virtually across the street for quick easy convenience.

Of course you can see on the right Maisey has painted her face as usual. She always runs to that first but she decided it didn't look "good" and she washed it off in their bathroom during the visit!

My Big Helper

If I need something, I get a sigh... If Ryley needs something, she's excited to help. Each morning while I shower Maisey requests that Ryley sit next to her while she watches morning cartoons and plays. However, she spends most her time holding in his binky. It is pretty funny to stand back and watch. If she lets go he will spit it out and she will just put it back in his mouth over, and over, and over.

By this time she has given up and is just holding it in for him.

The Fountain of Youth

When you hear about the "fountain of youth", keep in mind that I think of little youthful baby boys. Ryley continues to pee on me when I don't make the draw quick enough and I am looking forward to him gaining some control! The first time Chad changed him I warned him and I was the one who got it... I walked by the changing table to hang up clothes in the closet (Chad happened to miss the whole thing as he was concentrating on the diaper), and an unexpected sprinkler got me practically head to toe! Boys!!!

Hood River

This past Saturday Chad was scheduled to work so the kids and I headed to Hood River to watch Ruby play softball. It rained on the way there and I was afraid the game was going to be called off but by play time it was just sprinkling. It was really cold and the umbrellas were up some of the time which is one reason I don't have any pictures. Afterwards we hung out at Tod and Jill's and in the afternoon we hit the Saturday market and good ole wally world. We miss not having a Wal-Mart near by for all the basic needs like t.p. and Pine sol!

In the evening on the way home we stopped to see our friends the Mansfield's. Here is a picture of Jenney (who had her 4th child this morning, also a boy). We miss them tons and we can't wait to see them again.

It was nice to make the short trip but we couldn't pull an overnighter because we had tons of already missed engagements here at home. But, this weekend we will make it back up for Ryley's blessing on Mother's Day for another quick visit.

David

This is David one of my best friends nephews. His mom Jayne, and her twin Gretchen (only a year younger than me and also my friends), are in the Air force and have been stationed several places since graduating high school. When we went to Eugene two weekends ago we met for dinner and a nice long visit. The kids had only met once when they were babies but by the end of the night Maisey was saying that David was her best friend.

He's doing something funky with his mouth and the sunset was in their eyes but he is such a cutie with his big blue eyes!

My First Trim

Ryley got his first hair cut, or trim this past Saturday. I'd been wanting to cut it since before he was born and I even took scissors to the hospital! However, I don't know how to cut little baby hair so I just trimmed all along his neck and his side burns (which I need to buzz but won't). I heard from a friend who is does hair that you're not suppose to cut it before 1 year because it can permanently ruin their hair line. Surely he doesn't need any caliocs like his dad, so I'm walking on egg shells here. It is getting a little crazy in the back on top and I am contemplating trying out some pomade or wax on the little guy. I know that may sound terrible since he is so small but when it dries it is curly like Cramer from Seinfeld and he doesn't need big crazy hair!

Making Weight

I've surely never had a problem with loosing too much weight too fast but both my kids have. Maisey was very petite until 3 (despite the chubby cheeks), and Ryley seems to be following her lead. With Maisey I always felt guilty at the doctor's office and I thought I was going to be reported to child services. Dramatic, maybe, but I'm totally serious! Before leaving the hospital they made us supplement but just this last week we were able to stop the 2 oz. of formula. Thank goodness! It was such a pain breastfeeding from each side, formula feeding, and pumping, plus the formula stunk! He only gained a small amount over the last week (now he's 9lbs 11 oz.) but I told the nurse we'll take it. The problem is both of my kids are snackers. They barely eat 5 minutes and if they eat for 10 I'm elated. Hopefully he will continue to gain because he seem so small and I'm tired of people saying, "he's so tiny, goodness, how much did he weight when he was born?" It is like memory road all over again... Luckily he has his cute cheeks and baggy clothes to make his little body look fuller.

He's sure getting long! The 1.5 oz. he gained last week was probably in length, but I told the nurse we will take it!

Postpartum Support

Boy, if Ryley makes a peep, and before I can even get to him, Maisey tells me to feed him. She tries to participate and I have to explain that it is my body and that I've done it before and that I don't need her help. I didn't think she would be as involved as she is in mothering him but I sure was wrong! She has become pretty bossy and I find myself constantly saying, "Maisey, please don't tell me how to take care of him" which only brings a scowl to her face. Maisey is so in love with him and it is really nice to see despite their age gap. I know that she will always look out for him as she already gets very defensive and protective of the littlest jokes.

My Birthday Gift

For my birthday my in-laws and grandparents always give me money so that I can buy whatever I want most. I love the freedom of being able to spend it the way I want to... And this is how I spent it this year.

Each year I have always planted flower baskets and they've always died in the hot Hood River sun. I think that these will live since we aren't facing the sun most of the day and we have some shade too.

If not, I will just have to keep re-planting like years passed.

I only wish I hadn't left my old ones at our old house in Hood River because they were almost identical except they were semi-circles.

Ryley Bear

Our friend Jamie baked "Ryley" this cute bear loaf of bread. As you can see he is missing a nose and a limb... Maisey thought it was like ice cream and wouldn't stay out of it since we never eat white bread (except for when we are out of town at my grandparents). Thank You Jamie!

Catching Up

I've had several people tell me lately they have been checking the blog out and haven't seen anything new... I only wish the assumption that I'm probably too tired and I'm resting when he does was the reason- but that is far from the truth. Our life hasn't slowed at all. Which has me looking forward to the beginning of June when Maisey's current activities come to an end until the summer session- which we may and probably will forgo. Just yesterday I registered for summer term (boo whoo) and the term begins in about 6 weeks on June 23rd. We will probably swim as we do every summer each day and visit with friends, and along with school work we should be booked to the fullest. Luckily I will have a month off after summer term before fall begins!

I knew things wouldn't slow down much for us with another one in tow, but I am apologizing now because I have slacked on is taking pictures!!! It is true for number two, you aren't as eager as you were to capture each moment as you probably were with the first one. It has been a month since Ryley's birth and the last thing on my mind is taking pictures. However, don't quite checking in because more are on there way very soon!

Little Poser

We wanted to have some fun with our camera before we take Ryley to a studio and here are some photos we took... We are also waiting for his clothes to fit a little better! I'll tell you, he might be a big baby but his 0-3 month clothes are still huge!

One Chic Find

I ordered this cool nursing cover (the same print, although there are tons to choose from) and I totally love it. I never thought of such a thing but two of my gal friends pointed the same company out to me, as they knew it was something I would love. www.bebeaulait.com/

Thanks Alexa and Jenny!

Which will it be???

We have another "sucker" on our hands! I am giving all I can but we had to introduce a binky, or as it was named in our house, a "wubbi" this past week.

It took several different brands and various sizes to do the trick but...

We're pretty sure this is the one (the newborn MAM)! For now anyway... Maisey started out with one brand and size and switched on us down the road.

My Visitors

By this coming Saturday Ryley will have met the majority of the family. Here are a couple pictures of the people who love him and visited him this week on the Guenther side.

Aunt Carrie and Cousin Colby

Aunt Jill

Oma

Cousins Peyton and Colby

We will wrap up the end of this week with my side of the family and we can't wait!