The Wedding

The real reason I planned to go to Minnesota when I did was because my friend Sarah Niklaus got married on September 3rd.  Sarah is a dear friend that I met while working at WE Fest one summer when I was in college.  Working at WE Fest is quite an experience, and we became friends right away. 

My friend Sarah Houdek was my date and "nanny" for the day.  It was great to have her help with Natalie during the wedding and the reception.  And I thought it was very fitting she be there to see another Sarah marry another Alan.  Sarah H. is also married to an Allen!

Sarah N. was a gorgeous bride.  The ceremony was beautiful, as was the reception. 

Sarah, Natalie and I timed our drive from the cabin a little short, and arrived just before the ceremony began.  No time to change Natalie, so we changed her in the car afterward.  She looked darling in her little red dress.

 

 Natalie was good as gold during the wedding and at the reception, until I felt something running down my arm.  Turned out to be baby poop.  Yep.  Baby poop was running down my arm, and covering my entire front. I just about died laughing.  After a very discreet escape from the table, Sarah and I made it to the bathroom to get Ms. Natalie in some clean clothes.  I might add that the baby poop ran down my leg when I stood up!  It really was hysterical.

Natalie in her clean clothes!

The beautiful bride, Sarah!

Since I was covered in poop, with no change of clothes we decided it was best that we leave a bit early!  After a visit with the bride we headed back to the cabin, which was another adventure in itself!

I was so happy I made the trip to be a part of Sarah's day!  It turned out to be one fun adventure!

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Gengenbach!

On the Go

This is the best phrase to describe Kendall.

Straight Lake

When we were in Minnesota we visited my friend Sarah at her parent's home on Straight Lake.  When I was growing up Sarah lived about 5 minutes from us, and we did everything together.  Sarah's parents are now retired and have moved to Straight Lake.  This is also the same lake where Sarah's Grandma Betty spends her summers.  Sarah and I spent so many summer days at Grandma Betty's cabin when we were growing up, but I haven't been back for almost 15 years.

It was such a fun experience to visit Sarah, her kids and Grandma Betty.  The kids had fun jumping on the trampoline and swimming in the lake (just as we did years ago).  It was so fun to reminisce about the good old days, and remember how it felt to be carefree on a beautiful summer day!

Natalie with Sarah's son Luke.

Sarah's daughter Ava and Natalie.

Luke, Ava and Ryan having a blast in the water.

Me and Sarah with the girls.

Three Months

What a difference a month makes!  Natalie has changed so much over the last month.  She is no longer fussy, but one happy, content little baby instead.  She sleeps all night which is a dream to me.  And she is very easy to read.  I know exactly when she's hungry, when she has to burp or when she just needs a nap.  It's amazing how that makes life so much easier. 

Natalie took her first airplane ride to Minnesota this past month.  She did great getting to Minnesota, but wasn't as easy for me on the way home.  This may have had something to do with the fact that I was flying solo with all three kids and couldn't devout all my time to her, though.

I wasn't very consistent giving her Zantac when we were in Minnesota, and it didn't seem to bother her so I've gradually weened her off.  She continues to do great without, so we'll just see how she does.

Natalie loves to be around the action and she loves to be outside.  When spoken to she always responds with a huge smile.  She has been so smiley and happy!  She has also been "talking" to us.  We love to hear her cooing sounds throughout the day. 

She also discovered her hand this month.  It's so fun to watch her analyze that fist!  I would love to know what she's thinking as she's checking it out.

She has grown even longer this month and is now in 6 month size clothes.  She is just starting to lose the hair on the back of her head as most babies do.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it comes back just as dark.  She is definitely a healthy, happy little girl and we are so blessed that she is ours!

Photos by Lisa

My friend Lisa watched Natalie for me yesterday while I volunteered at Ryan's school.  She captured these amazing pictures of Natalie using her iPhone.

Love! 

Thanks, Lisa!

Kendall and Evie

My sister Gina's 2-1/2 year old, Evelyn, is the funniest kid.  I have never met a child with so much personality.  The way she talks non-stop and sashays when walks is beyond funny.  She calls her mother, "Miss Pussycat" and says "Oh Peacocks" when something doesn't go her way.  There is never a dull moment when Evie is around.

Evie and Kendall got along great the first day we were at the cabin, but things turned sour quickly.  I'm not sure what happened, but when I walked in on the two of them hitting each other like a full on cat fight I knew it wasn't good.  The rest of the time we were there Gina and I had to watch them like hawks.  Kendall turned into such a little bully and would not let Evie get by without hitting at her.

She even hit her on the head with a book!  Ev soon learned to steer clear of my "sweet" Kendall.  Gina and I could not keep straight faces.  Watching the two of them interact was quite comical.  Kendall would say, "sow-ee" and give Ev a hug, but would turn around minutes later and slap at her again. 

They did have a few sweet moments, though.

Chaotic Adventures

Our flight home from Minnesota was nothing less than chaotic.  As the plane took off I kept reminding myself that I just had to make it through the next 3 hours.  Three hours isn't all that long unless, of course, you are on an airplane with 3 children with no back up.

I knew things weren't going to be good when Natalie screamed through the entire security process. Thank goodness little Ryan stepped it up.  He got his shoes off and back pack into a bin all by himself without me having to ask, then helped Kendall get her shoes off too!  What a seasoned traveler he is becoming at the age of 4 1/2!  We made it through and found a place to camp while I fed Natalie.  Kendall wasn't too thrilled to sit in her car seat while I was feeding Natalie, but there was no way I was going to let her run until I was finished.  I finally let her loose and she was so happy to stretch those legs.  We hung out and watched planes take off while we waited to board.  My sister Jen and her friend Jill, who were returning from WA for a friend's wedding, met up with us before we had to board our flight.  We were only able to see them for 15 minutes, but it gave me enough time to use the bathroom and get us some snacks.  Something I was so grateful for.

Boarding with three kids and no help was my biggest concern, and proved to be the most challenging part.  The guy behind me wasn't pleased, but I could have cared less.  He could have helped if he didn't enjoy waiting, right?!  The flight attendants WERE helpful, and we got situated pretty quickly.  Natalie screamed through this process, too!

When Kendall fell asleep right before take off I breathed a sigh of relief.  There is nothing worse than an overtired toddler.  When she woke up 15 minutes later, I knew I was in for it.  Her and Natalie basically cried the entire flight.  And when Ryan had to go to the bathroom and started whining right along with them I almost cried.  That's when the lovely lady behind me asked if they could help.  She was more than happy to walk Ryan back to the bathroom for me, and then helped with Natalie when I had to go back and change Kendall's poopy diaper. And did I mention Natalie had a blow-out, too?  She had poop everywhere!  It was one of those days I just couldn't cut a break.

Needless to say, I was beyond happy to touch down safely in Seattle.  Getting off the plane was just as challenging as getting on - with Natalie screaming - but the lovely couple again stepped up to help.  I couldn't have done it without them!

After 2 messy diapers, endless crying, an overtired 4 year old and a ruthless toddler our 3 hour flight seemed like an eternity. But we made it.  And I would do it again in a heart beat to be able to spend another 10 days with friends and family in Minnesota!