First Dentist visit

Ryan needed a new dentist, Greta needed to go for the first time and I was due as well... so I asked around and found a nice local one in Milan.

And great results for everyone. No cavities! 

Greta did a good job considering how stubborn she is. Opened her mouth and let them count her teeth and check for cavities. Missing one tooth so she only has 19. But dentist was worried and said time will tell. She didn't let them polish her teeth because it ticked - can't say I blame her - it tickles me. But very proud of her. 

Sugar beet harvest

As a kid, October always meant sugar beet harvest. Dad usually finished Halloween night or it seemed and that meant a party st the house to celebrate. I remember many trips to the factory with Jenny and how much fun we'd have.... laughing, eating, talking, sitting in the sleeper of the cab, playing MASH. The simpler time of life. I miss those days. 

Now an adult and mom, I stil like to get home and ride with dad in the harvester and as the girls get bigger, have them experience the same fun I had. And so far, we've made it home each year - one the day after we got back from Europe. 

It's also to me such a special time to sit with dad. It always makes me realize what a hard working, dedicated man he is. When he tells me he finished farming at 1:15 in the field by himself and was back at it the next day by 5:30 and this was day 3 of that... I know I can't complain. When he has to scrape mud, weld parts, lead the troops, work long hours, and remain calm and optimistic ... I know he's a great man and farmer. But then to hear him say how easy he has it compared to grandpa, I realize how humble he is. 

Farming isn't for the faint of heart. It takes a strong, determined, smart person to do it.... And not to forget a caring, hard working mom to help! 

I love my dad and his love and passion for farming. So glad I get to share these times with him! 

More pictures to come! 

Fall fun

Sunday was a somewhat sunny, fall day so we drive the 2 miles down the road to Wiards for some fall fun. Petting area - with goats. Greta loves and has us questioning getting a couple. 2 pony rides - her favorite but definitely no horses in our future. A hay ride. Playground with swings and those bouncey things. 

Lola was there but in her carrier. 

Hay ride was tiring. 

More pictures to come.

Since we have lots of pumpkins at home, no need to buy. But Greta and I did pick one and do some painting. 

Saturday also brought football fun. MSU vs Michigan. And what was almost the best moment turned shocking and sad in the last second when we lost. Boo! But had fun cheering and hanging with the Belleville friends. 

Back to work - kind of

This week I started getting back to work. I put in several hours at home in aproject and then a half day at the office on Thursday. Lots to come back to and glad to hear I was missed. 

But it was hard. It's always is hard. This time was a little easier knowing they were at home with mom and it was a short day and I didn't have to work the next day. But still made me sad. 

I realized that just as I finally think I have this 2 kid parenting down and somewhat of a routine... It's time to start over and find a new one. Getting myself and 2 kids up, fed, nursed, bottles packed, my lunch packed, and out the door by say 720 will be no small feat. Then to pick up the kids, get them fed, nursed, bathed, read to and happily in bed by 8. Oh my! It's already worrying me. But we'll figure it out some how. Until them I'm loving and treasuring my last week. 

You get what you get

I remember Mary saying this to K and K when they were younger. Heck maybe still... You get what you get and you don't throw a fit. 

Well it's the new motto at out house. After a few days of Greta acting like and even saying she was the boss, I had to do something. So now, if I give her the wrong cup, gave her ketchup instead of ranch, or put something on the wrong place, I say this to her and walk away. The first few times were met with lots of tears but now she's getting what it means. 

Want her to know who's in charge, and that it's not her. 

Funny things

Greta is quite a character... But only when she wants to be.

A few funny and some insightful things she's said recently 

You hear that mom... I farted. 

I promise I won't be sassy. I'll be nice. 

Well... (That's her favorite and I figure I must say it a lot!)

Maybe. (Again I just say it a lot and now if I say this will happen, she will think and then say, but maybe not. Really?? She's 2?!)

 Just a minute mom, I'm busy. 

Wish I could remember more....

Happy birthday Evan

A quick trip to Fort Wayne to celebrate the birthday of a smart, silly, sweet boy who turns 6! 

Bad aunt I took no pictures - will need to get some from Rebecca. So I found this one on shutterfly from the first birthday I celebrated with Evan. 

Happy birthday Evan! 

Lesson learned about being a mommy

Tuesday I decide its a good day to go into work and visit and show off the girls. So I shower. Put on make up. And wear a cute outfit. All is going well until I hear it. The first blast of poop. But I think no big deal - what's the worst that can happen. A few minutes later... Another poop noise. Still thinking - oh I'm going to have to change a poopy diaper at work - no prob. But then I feel it. Warmth in my leg. I tell the woman I'm talking to - who is thankfully a mom- I need to check this. And as I stand up, I feel it. Poo liquid all down my pant leg. Seriously?!?

So I change her and clean myself up although still evident something happened. I feel I handled it like a champ! and by the time I left, it had dried and you could hardly tell. 

On the bright side

1. At least I was holding her and Lola didn't poop and someone else

2. Luckily I work with a lot of moms who understood

3. Breast-fed poop doesn't really stain. Because I had I'm super cute pants

4. Greta didn't tell everyone what happened

Lesson learned... Always carry extra clothes for yourself and not just the kids.

Farming

One of my favorites things to do in the fall is ride in the combine with my dad. Keeping the love alive, the girls and I drove up to ride. 

They even sported their John Deere attire. 

Greta loved it! 

And Lola got her first ride. Great selfie by my dad! 

The second time we rode, Greta took a nice nap while Lola hung out with grandma. 

Hope to get up to ride in the sugar beet harvester yet. 

Greta 30 months

2 1/2 going on 13! She's smart and knows how to use it. She's cute and knows how to work it. She's stubborn and well it's my fault - lol. 

1. Loves horses and all animals 

2. Still missing one tooth - not sure it's there

3. Fully potty trained and most mornings is almost dry

4. Usually comes in our bed around 2 - need to work on that 

5. Loves frozen and singing all the songs. Amazing all the words she knows. 

6. Is a great big sister and loves Lola. She tells her every morning. 

7. Knows now I lay me down to sleep and says it every night. 

8. Is a fish in the pool 

9. Is shy at first around new people, but usually warms up 

10. Enjoys her tumbling class

How boring my life would be without this girl in it. She's silly, smart, caring, and stubborn. She loves to mimic me and it crazy the things she remembers that I did it said. Love watching her grow up! 

Weight: 34 lbs

Height: 36 1/2 inches

Greta and Lola at 2 months

Starting to not look quite as much alike..

   

Lola 2 months

Wow time is flying. I can't believe it's been 2 months since sweet Lola came into this world and now I can't imagine our life without her.

Top 10

1. Smiles all the time and can light up a room

2. Loves listening to and watching Greta 

3. Is a great sleeper at night. The past 2 nights slept from like 8:30 to about 3.

4. Had her first trip to Unionville

5. First ride in the combine with papa

6. Was baptized into Gods family

7. Has a sensitive belly 

8. Is a mover. Always kicking and moving her arms. Loves her piano mat

9. Is pretty easy going and goes with the flow

10. Is starting to get done hair back on the top of her head... Looks pretty light.

2 month check up

Height: 24.13 inches (97th)

Weight: 10 lbs 14 oz (81st written down but thought dr said 25th?)

Head circumference : 15 1/2 (36th)

Love this girl and all she adds to our family!!

A celebration of life

Funerals are not fun.  But what they are is a time to remember.  A time to reflect.  A time to mourn.  A time to embrace family.  A time to love.  A time to be happy knowing he's in heaven.

The weekend started by driving back up to Unionville on Friday.  Helping prepare for the funeral home on Saturday and the funeral on Sundays.  We looked at hundreds of pictures.  Each with their own story.  A few observations... Grandpa looked the same in almost every picture.  Yes you could tell he was aging, but basically looked the same.  My dad looks just like grandpa.

Saturday was a long day at the funeral home and then we buried grandpa afterwards - even harder.  Watching everyone say goodbye and cry and mourn was so hard.  I think it's especially hard to watch your own dad cry.  But such a powerful thing as well.  It reminds me that he's human.  I think the hardest part was watching Karle and Kahle breakdown and embrace dad.  It was pure emotion and love and respect.  We then all gathered at dad's for dinner and fellowship.

And not how I wanted to celebrate my birthday, but on the other hand I was surrounded by family and friends for the entire day celebrating one of the greatest men I've ever known.    

Sunday we started the day with pancakes at dad's.  I remember once grandpa telling me that as a kid he would have pears on his pancakes.  Not sure why I remember that small detail, but I thought of tha as I put strawberries on me.  Then to the funeral at St. Paul we all went.  It was amazing to see all the people that grandpa knew and the lives he touched.  A great sermon by the pastor and great songs (even though I'm not sure I sang any words) and a tasty luncheon to follow.  

The girls did great through it all and went with the flow, despite short or little naps and being help by lots of new people.  

We stayed Sunday night to hang out with dad and help him clean up.  I'm not sure it has quite sunk in that he's gone and I'm sure I will have to catch myself someday from asking "how's grandpas doing?" And I hope when I do, he will answer, "better than ever in heaven."  Love you grandpa and will always remember you!

Heaven is for real

Yesterday heaven gained an amazing man... My grandpa. He now has finally gotten the ultimate reward of eternal life. 

The girls and I were there hours before he passed. Not 100% sure he knew we were there but deep down I hope he did.  And maybe he held on a little longer to meet Lola. 

It's hard to think that he's gone but in his 97 years he lived a good life filled with faith, farming, family, friends and lots of good food!  Many memories of this smart, hardworking man... Taking me to piano lessons, coming to sporting events, listening to his stories, hearing about his adventures through Julie :-), watching him fight his way back to health so many times, having a surprise 90th for him and then barely getting him to come over. 

I'm going to remember Grandpa not as I saw him yesterday but rather as the tall, strong, proud man he was. So in the next couple days I hope to hear more great stories about him and celebrate his life. He finally is free and can see and hear great and I know is looking down on us with E-ma and wondering why dad isn't out farming.

So here's to you Grandpa! So glad we all had so many wonderful years with you!