Wisconsin Bound & Other Fun

We had a great trip to Wisconsin. Lulu slept for the first 1/2 of the trip, then the last 1/4 of the trip. Gromit and Harvey slept too, although they woke often to check our progress. We arrived safely with Winnebago's intact and parked on Dianne & Dave's property.

Old Barn

Daddy & Lulu

We hung out in the RV for a bit, let the dogs run around and went to have dinner while we waited for the evening card games to begin in "The Lodge." I didn't take pictures because I forgot my camera. It was my first time playing and all I have to say is it's so much more fun than watching the huge group of 15 play!

On the wedding day we started with Breakfast at the Peterson's, delicious eggs & cinnamon rolls. Thank you! Gerry, Lulu and I hung out until the wedding just relaxing and playing with the dogs. Gerry played fetch with Maisie which made Lulu giggle, so cute, of course I didn't have my camera. We wrapped our gift and then wrote up the inside of the card I made the previous week. Then we were off to the wedding.

The following morning we had breakfast at the Mitchell's. Lynn, Conrad, Lulu & I went to Dale & Chuck's place on the River to see the progress. Many other family members were present there also. I have lots of pictures but posting on facebook for Lynn. After Gerry & Dan loaded up the fuel oil we had lunch with the Peterson's and were on our way back home.

Lulu is Too Cute for Words

Lovely Gift

We arrived at home to find a LOVELY GIFT for Lulu.

Les & Marlene made a toy box. I really couldn't ask for better friends!

Thank you Les & Marlene for watching our girls and the toy box.


Lulu Sleep Talking


This is a little clip for Penelope, we love & miss you!

Pictures with Gerry

You've Gotta Have Friends...

Thursday:

My Buddy Mac

Lulu loves her monkey Mac, she's often wrestling him and biting him.

Zutano

My favorite outfits are from this company (so far). I love the bright colors and design. Same brand as the monkey jumper she wore last week. Thanks Nana for this outfit. And thank you Lisa for the blanket. What a wonderful baby gifts we've been blessed with.


Friday:

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

Talking to the baby in the mirror. Mirror, mirror on the wall who's the dearest one of all.... She loves talking to her reflection but still doesn't know who the baby is.

Uncle John & Gramdma Betty at the Lake Cabin

Then we were off to spend the afternoon at the cabin with Uncle John, Uncle Bob, Grandma, Aunt Joanne and Max. Thanks Grandma for the really cute & warm designer sweatsuit.

Saturday:

Give Me That

Little Ms. Lulu Button likes to hold her own bottle from time to time. Always wants to be in control just like her mom!

Monday:

The Dressmaker

I've been making cards, very inspired but turned out one awful card that I re-created, and 4 OK cards. After 5 years (or more) I pulled out the Dressmaker to see how it worked (never used).

Zoned Out with the Toy Keeper

First I decided to make a few Pacifier Keepers, then I thought I'd stitch a pocket onto a card. I found the little 'leash' was best suited for holding onto her favorite chew toy, Nuby.

Tuesday:

Then I spent a morning with Lisa and her boys, we felted a couple balls. Thank you again for lunch Lisa. I am very glad that we met I just think the world of you!!!

Here You Are!

When I got back I hung out with Lulu (OK, she was hanging out the whole time with us) but that's a given. Lulu has a somewhat new fascination with her feet since last week.

It's really cute.
Last week she started grabbing them and is REALLY determined to hold them... I got a picture finally.

I got her down for a nap about 4pm and I decided that I can't wait for my mom to get a sewing room together and make the things that I have in my mind, and while I have out the Dressmaker... I cut some brown shopping bags and made a few patterns (I've never made a pattern in my life except for pottery templates but I figured it's gotta be close to the same idea) and then cut some cloth and took a stab at a couple hats,

The Hat

Well it was "try 2" of the hats, and someone is NOT happy about being my Guinea pig! If that look doesn't say a thousand words!

I also made curtains for the RV which turned out OK for a first time, and considering the Dressmaker is suited for... well, not much!

I just have to also mention (not pictured) that we had a good time reading today at the dinner table, she really loves her books. It was cute to see her in her chair with a book in front of her and she was touching the pages and looking at the pictures. Then she sat in my lap and listened to the whole story of The Pokey Little Puppy.

Clearing Trails

Middle of the Road Trail

Family outing, well not far, just on the 40 acres clearing some trails before the snow sets in. Hoping to be able to xc-ski the trails this year. Lulu was a real champ, loves the outdoors and napped most of the time, until we hit thick brush that took longer to clear. I named all our trails 4 years back when we were camping on the back 40 acres.

Making a Liar Out of Mom

I was Skyping with my parents yesterday so they could see Lulu Oh, she made a liar out of me, I was going to show them what a PILL she's been lately by giving her a pacifier, much like a bottle when she doesn't want something she screams. She took the darn thing just like she did for my sister at 10 weeks old! I tell you, I have myself a little DRAMA Momma!

Jump Around

She's started to notice the dogs, grabbing some hair and watching them wrestle and lick.

Kisses 25 Cents

Never a shortage of kisses around our house, but I ran out of change so it's a good thing she can't count.

This particular outfit was the first outfit I ever bought my little button, not knowing if I was having a boy or a girl. It's a 6-9 month size. I am washing it today so I can get at least one or two more wears out of it, crazy how big she is!

I went to Bob&Jan's Shoe store in town yesterday looking for an Ecuadorian sweater he had last September. Turns out he had a few cute baby clothes too, so I picked up a 9 mos sleeper, and several 18 mos sleepers since she fits in the 6-12 mos with a little rolling of the sleeves and legs I figure she'll be in the 18 mos clothes at 9 mos old.

And after a super dirty diaper she got to change outfits... but this one is a last time fit. She loves the walker that Tiffany loaned us. It's the one thing in the house she'll be in for longer than 10 minutes without having a breakdown. Oh, I love my little Ms. Lulu Button but some days an long nap would do mommy some good. I forgot to mention that she started giggling on Wednesday... so stinkin' cute. I found out if she was crying I can distract her by making silly noises and snuggling up to her neck, oh she thought it was fun.

ps. Mom, if you want me to email you a full size image just let me know. I love you!

...but the food has been great!

In Between the Cries

It's been a couple of rough days at home. It seems we've gone back to her first months behavior, sort of colicy with 2 or 3 short naps 5-30 minutes long followed by some inconsolable crying fits. I tell myself this will pass, and I know that is true since she's already a lot better than she was at 1 and 2 months old.

The Goods

Yesterday I learned that The Cultivator's* garden has yeilded 73 cans of salsa, 3 quarts of chili, and now multiple jars of spaghetti sauce. The load in the 3-wheeler was from yesterday. The garden seems endless to me right now, and although it's wonderful it's a source of stress and arguements between us... but the food has been great! He found a birds nest in the high winds we were having yesterday. Finally 1 shitake mushroom from the plugs he planted yesterday. He sauted it with onions and venison for dinner, and other garden goods.

Here Comes the Sun

We were able to spend a few minutes outside yesterday, but it was pretty chilly... even when the sun was out. I love the sun glasses she wears, and although she hates when I put them on she seems releved once they are in place... and how about that adorable hat that Aunt Reenie knit for her!

I just love my little Lulu Button.

Just Lulu

Lovin' Bath Time

She's too tall for the baby bathtubs so now she's getting a sink bath... she likes to splash!

Episode of the Bad Mommy

I put little Ms. Lulu Button in a swing (not swinging) in front of a Baby Einstein DVD! Oh I was feeling really crummy about it, but I was trying to chop veggies to put into the lasagna... and she was smiling and giggling at the show. I am glad that it gave me 20-30 minutes to get something done. The picture of her smiling were too dark, so this is the look I got when the flash went off and disturbed her!
oops

Another Day...

In the Garden

Who knew brussel sprouts grew like little nodules on the stem of the plant.

After 36 years I finally like them, but with a lot of butter anything tastes good!

Sometimes I look at this thing and wonder what were going to eventually do to have it removed from the property... yesterday it looked kind of neat.

Lulu

What a character that's all I have to say.

For Penelope

Pictures of Gromit for Penelope...

Another Lazy Afternoon

An afternoon at the lake cabin with Grandma, The Brother's* brother Phil and his girls. Oh my how they have grown! They were able to meet Lulu for the first time. Lulu had her first spin on the pontoon. And she was rolling over yesterday... over & over, my favorite part of the video is the drool finale.

Ahoy Matey!

We're decided to go on the account for International Pirates Day!

Me Little Lass

Her deadlights are saying "fair winds me mama, it's time to walk the plank." She's not happy about being in the rocking chair while I type this.

Making Grub

We found this fine artisian loaf goes well with some fine grog. I made enough for 6 loafes, 1 pizza and 1 pan of Pecan Carmel Rolls begad!

Canning Grub

The Cultivator* has been making and canning salsa for a week on and off. I kept saying that I wanted to learn... so the Cap'n in lead all hands were on deck with a catchy chanty. Can now or Kiss the gunner's daughter later!

In Our Neck of the Woods

Wild Turkeys

In my backyard The Hunter* spotted 3 wild turkeys walking around. Now he's wondering if it's too late to get a permit... maybe Thanksgiving at our house?

Watching the Musical Sun Again

She really loves music & books right now. She and I lay on the bed in her room and read for at least 15 minutes at a time as she listens, watches the pictures and coos. So cute.

Yet another video of Lulu. About 4 days ago she discovered that she can make a new noise, which she likes a lot. Her Da-da* isn't so fond of it, call it her 'Strangled Cat.' I think it's more like a pterodactyl dinosaur screech and I like it however deafening it may be! Either way she likes it and whatever makes baby happy makes us all happy!

Yes she runs the house!

3 months old

A foggy morning on the Schermeister farm as our little girl turns 3 months old. Where does time go?!

We are really enjoying her especially when she gets at least one 2 hour nap! Althought it's not an everyday event, it is getting more and more common. She is now 18 lbs and 25.5 inches long. She's maxing out in her 3-6 month clothing, but anything 6 months is still long for her to grow in and roomy in the waist. She's going to be tall.

A Smirk

Getting ready to run errands. Lovin' the Bumbo chair, since she'd rather sit up than lay down. She has great head and neck control (since her first week).

Sideways video of little Lulu Button talking to the musical sun... a toy she's always liked but now she likes it for about 10 minutes at a time! That means a shower, a little cleaning... oh the things I didn't know I could finish in 10 minutes! LOL.

Opal Slippers

Lulu likes this walker loaned to us by our Tiffany & Dan. She likes it for about 20 minutes at a time (more or less) for the last 2 days (so far). As she was standing in this walker yesterday she had on some shoes from Grandmother Betty. The shoes do not have any sort of grip so her feet just slid around.

Now I am not expecting that she's going to figure out walking at just under 3 months... but if she kicks her legs it would be neat if she felt movement forward (or back as it is). So I looked at her shoes again, and found that the shoes from Tom & Shannon (surely Shannon's pick) had rubber soles. NICE! They are like her ruby slippers except pink... Lulu's Opal Slippers. Still big on her but with the elastic & thick socks they stay on pretty well.

Thank you to everyone who has bought or loaned us things for Lulu. We are sincerely grateful.

At the Lake & At the Farm

We spent the afternoon at the Lake Cabin, it was a great sunny, breezy day.

Lulu & her Daddy.

Just before we left the house. I had to show mom the pirate shoes with skull and cross bones, they match the new shorts and t-shirt you bought.

The Cultivator* Harvesting Hops.

Watching Da-da* harvest the hops.

Out and About

Lulu & I ready for dinner at Khans.

Hangin' out while Dad rests his feet after a long day at work (standing).

Another school year has begun, and wouldn't you know it I didn't really quit the Girl Scouts! HA! I must be nuts, but it's hard to see those little faces and disappoint them. After 3 years it's hard to just pull away. Anyhow, this year it's Saturday morning/afternoon meetings so we get serious Girl Scouts and not be the afternoon babysitter. We still need another Leader... we've asked 1 woman, former Girl Scout. If no one steps up to the plate I will have a parent sign up sheet for all the badges and pre-plan the entire year with parent commitments. As for the Juniors, I'll help Sara out since we work well together and it was always the Junior badges that I was personally interested in earning with the girls (more exciting).

I started training for a 1/2 marathon in January. I am REALLY excited. I will be running with my sisters and my best friend from high school. We'll be doing the Rock-n-Roll Marathon in Pheonix-Scotsdale-Tempe. It'll be fantastic. My treadmill runs have been good, and easy (now elevation change), so I pushed it up to an outside 3 miles Wednesday. HA! Lulu and I got 3 miles done in just under 1 hour, so not the best, but not bad for just having had a baby 12 weeks ago and considering I haven't excersised in the prior 10 months of pregnancy.