Adele's Baptism

Too much of a good thing?

One of Veda's most used phrases is "Where are we Mama"? I'm sure we will hear it often tomorrow as we load up the car and head to Clear Lake for the reunion with Todd, Adele's baptism, and a week with the Laabs and Ehlers clan. It's been a whirlwind tour the past few weeks and I am just whipped. I'm not the only one. Nana and Bull have admittidly had enough. They didn't know what they were getting into when they agreed to the long-term babysitting. The nights without sleep and the days of non-stop action are catching up with them. As my Mom would say... they aren't spring chickens anymore. I am more grateful than they know for all their help and more importantly I'm grateful that the girls got the bonding time with them. I'm sad for them that they won't get to see each other for another couple of months but I'm sure that Nana and Bull will wecome the rest.

Girls Weekend

What a treat to get to spend some quality time with my girls in Chicago. Love you. Miss you.

The Other Baby Holder

I'm relieved that Adele is finally in her Exersaucer. She loves it and I'm dragging this thing to Clear Lake next week for sure!

Baby Holders

I have enjoyed all the freedom I've been given the past few weeks. Mom and Dad have been super and I have gotten sleep and even taken a shower every day;) I'm still overwhelmed with all the travel I've been doing... I really don't know how I could keep my job if I didn't have their help!

"Rosie Rosie Fall Down"

The twins next door have been over for daily playdates with Veda. They asked if V could come out to meet their friend yesterday. Veda took Jessie's hand and said "Jessie - where we going?" She then commanded that the group hold hands so they could play Ring Around the Rosie. Veda forgot to fall down.

Aunt Janice, Carson and Rylie

Janice and the kids stopped over to meet Adele. She got all kinds of love;) As always, Veda loved playing with the big kids.

Watching SnowWhite with Bull

Oompa Loompa

My new favorite bath time trick. Elmo Cherry Foam Soap. Veda loves it!

Hanging with Nana

Dinner with the Beemers

Earlier this week we had dinner at Pat and Ray's with Betsi and her boys, Cade and Drew. Cade and Veda are finally old enough to enjoy each other's company so they spent the night running around in circles. We had a little scare when Ray got overheated and we had to call 911. Happy to say Ray is fine and that it provided lots of entertainment for the little ones. Veda kept yelling "bus, bus, firebus".

Happy Birthday Nana

We love you and look forward to celebrating your big day with you tomorrow!

All to Myself

I was sooooo looking forward to a good night of sleep. Adele is in Iowa so I knew I wouldn't be up in the middle of the night with her. I made the mistake of staying up late because Veda woke up at 5am... and did NOT go back to sleep. Since we were all up bright and early we decided to head to Malibu's Paradise Cove for breakfast. When we got home we watched a movie in bed because it was still only 10am. Then a few hours at the pool and then shopping and grilling out. Veda is LOVING her time alone with us. She hasn't mentioned the baby once... I am missing Adele like crazy though... and of course Nana and Bull reported that Adele slept through the night last night... of course she did!

Playdate

Veda got to play with little Evy last week and she is little... compared to Veda. Only 10 weeks apart but you couldn't tell by looking at them. The played like they normally do... fought over some toys then played by themselves;) Then Scott and Emily chased them around the room. Evy wanted to hide and Veda wanted to play "night night". The blanket is good for both.

Nana and Bull

Now we are back in Cali for the weekend. Well not all of us. Adele is with my parents because I couldn't fly back with both the girls. I'm feeling pretty crappy about it - I miss her and I feel guilty that she's not with us. Veda couldn't go three weeks without seeing Todd though so we had to make the trip. She was a good traveller - she didn't scream "help me" at the top of her lungs for three hours like she did on the way to the Midwest;) Here are some pics from the children's museum and mall with my parents. Then they got her a happy meal and she looks pretty happy!

July

We are back in Iowa and I'm travelling for work. Todd is in Switzerland and the girls are hanging with Nana and Bull. We had a great weekend back in Clear Lake celebrating the life of Grandma Uthof and spending time with Kelly, Owen, Didie and Papa. I've been so busy I haven't had a second to blog. Here are a few pics to tide you over until I have time to sit down and spend some time on this. I have 10 hours in the car tomorrow during my road trip to NE... I'm still trying to figure out if it's safe to blog and drive. Probably not.

Heading East

I don't have any pictures... camera is packed so all you get is rambling...I'm finsihing up with the packing. We had to load up the girls at 6:15 so we could take Todd to work this morning so we only have one car at the airport. I'm dragging. Veda wouldn't get out of the car so she is in the garage watching movies in the car and eating her breakfast. I'm getting a lot done;) We leave later this morning. Wish us luck and I'm crossing my fingers the girls cooperate so I can take a shower - ha ha .

First time travelling with both kids in tow. I have Veda's passport ready in case anyone challenges her age and eligibility as a "lap infant." She's sitting with Todd in first class otherwise I'm not sure how we would fit her on our lap anyway. I'm happy to report that Kel made it back to Iowa yesterday wtih Owen and without incident. Today is the visitation which we will miss and then the Funeral is tomorrow morning bright and early. We won't get to the lake until after 11 so I'm not expecting much sleep in the next 24 hours - let's just hope the girls are rested by tomorrow.

Todd's Grandma Uthof

Just last week I was wishing her a happy birthday and then we lost her suddenly and unexpectedly. Our trip back to Iowa on Friday will be with mixed emotions as we meet up with the rest of the family to lay her to rest. I was fortunate enough to get to know her over the years. She was emailing and blogging into her 80's and even had her own Facebook page. I was closer to her than with my own Grandparents. It says a lot about her that she was willing and able to navigate the technologies that would help her communicate with her Grandkids.

My favorite memory was when the family gave her her Christmas present several years back. Go figure that I was the only one in the room that had no idea what it was... a post hole digger... for their 80 year old Grandmother. I was wondering what planet I was on but as I would come to learn... this would be the perfect gift for her. Always out clearing snow from the driveway, mowing and burning yard waste on the farm... she just did what needed to be done.

We could always count on her to tell us what the rest of the family was up to. I'll miss being in the "know" and I'm sorry that she won't get to meet Adele.

Piggy Tails

Finally - enough hair for piggy tails;) I'm actually blogging from somewhere over the skies of the Midwest. On my way back to LA from Detroit. I love that they have wi-fi on planes now! Can't wait to see Todd and the girls.

Daddy Daycare

I've been trying all week to download this funny video of Veda jump roping and couting "Two, Three, Five.... Two, Three, Five." I can't get it to load so you will just have to imagine how funny it was. I won't be posting much this week. I leave for Detroit tomorrow and Todd is going to be alone with the girls. Of course the neighbors have them during the day but night time is the most challenging anyway. He is really going to be happy to have me home late Wed night!

Fri we leave for Iowa for the majority of the month of July. I have appointments in six states. I'm back to work in full swing!

Big Girl in her Bumbo