Change is a good thing

Well there has been a slight delay since my last post. Mostly due to the fact of all the changes going on in our family! Last week I finally came back to work and Blake started daycare.  We were very lucky to find Rebecca, a stay at home mom and mother to Jaleah. She has made this transition SO easy on us. Blake loves being there and is always happy when I get there at the end of the day. This picture is from Rebecca, it was their first stroll together. I think Blake was slightly confused about having another person in the stroller with him! They are so cute together and it will be fun for them to grow up and play together.

We've also introduced FOOD! Super exciting, and just another step towards growing up. We started out with rice cereal, but for any of you who have tasted it...YUCK. He wasn't really into it so we moved on to baby oatmeal. That has defintely been a hit. He gets really excited and kicks his legs when he eats it. And thanks to Rebecca he's eating a ton of it. Well I guess if you consider about 8-9 tablespoons a day a ton, then yes he's eating a ton. It's definitely helped with sleeping at night. He's so full! He's actually a pretty clean eater, but I'm sure that will change. My mom said I was pretty clean too, so it must be hereditary. He really likes to suck on his bib, so he actually cleans himself up! Husker also likes to sit next to him in hopes that I will drop something. I tell her not to worry, there will be plenty of food dropped in the next few years that she'll have first dibs on. He's rolling over more and more each day and sitting up with our assistance a lot too. He LOVES his jumperoo, and will bounce and laugh in that for 20 minutes or so. It's actually pretty funny. [I'll try to post a video soon] He found his feet and loves playing peek-a-boo with Brian, it's become a nightly routine and endless amounts of giggling. It's so exciting to see all the changes each day.

         Not only are things changing for Blake, things are finally picking up for me at work too. I've been helping out in other departments that are really busy with client visits etc, so my days go by really fast. I was a little worried about coming back and not being busy enough to be distracted, but it has been a real easy transition for me. Brian is also making huge changes, after many years at Virchow Krause, he has decided to leave. It was a very hard decision for him, but it will allow him to make a transition into a job where he can have more time with family and friends. It's been something that's bothered him for a while, and I'm glad we're at a point where he can take this step. I'm confident he'll find something that will work with our life, and we'll just keep movin on!We are excited to have some trips coming up this fall, going to the cabin with some friends and then making our bi-annual trip to Nebraska for a football game. We're going baby free both times! Blake [and Husker] are staying with my parents in October, and with Jeff and Sharon in November. All grandparents are very excited for this, as are Brian and I to get away and have some time for just the two of us. I can't believe how much your lives change and time flies when you have a baby. That's why these advance planned times together are necessary!

          

         This fall is going by so fast! As I type this I realize that Blake will be 5 months on Tuesday. It's crazy to think that only about a year ago we were telling our friends and family about being pregnant, and now he's already 5 months! I'll post his football pictures next week, and hopefully some family pictures this fall. Thanks for reading, until next time! [of course more pictures below]

Super excited about the Twins game.

Husker enjoys "protecting" him while he jumps!

Rolled over mid picture, but it's a cute outfit so--oh well.

Waiting for dinner in the bumbo.

Labor Day = Family Fun!

This weekend was jampacked with things starting off with Blake's four month check up. He's doing wonderful! He's 16 lbs, and 26 inches. He did a wonderful job and mostly just slept the rest of the day. He did join my mom and I shopping--he's such a trooper. Of  course he got a few things too! It was such a gorgeous day out, so he was happy to be in his stroller...not to hot and sweaty.

Saturday was gorgeous too, Brian's stepsister Kathie got married out in Wayzata. It was a gorgeous day, and we were fortunate enough to get a whole Vriesen family picture with everyone. After photos my parents came and got Blake, for his overnight adventure--or maybe theirs--in Buffalo. Brian and I used the wedding as a date night excuse, it was so relaxing and fun to talk to everyone. (We also got a good night sleep!) Brian's dad and Sharon came over to spend Sunday night with us. We are very fortunate to have such wonderful family so close and great to hang out with.

Monday we went to Como Zoo with The Vriesen's and the Oians. It was Blake's first trip to the zoo. He didn't see much from his stroller, but it was fun for the rest of us. Como Zoo is like stroller-pa-looza. Kids and strollers everywhere. We saw some cool strollers that held two kids...it's kind of weird what things I get excited about these days!

Speaking of being excited, only six days until I go back to work. Brian and I are probably going to be in shock next week getting into t another new schedule, but I'm excited to be somewhat "normal" again. It's been 4 long months at home, and although I've enjoyed it, I'm glad to go back. Eating lunch all in one sitting, being able to get up and go to the bathroom and not have to worry about Blake or Husker, actually being able to check my email more than once a day...these are the little things I miss.

so much happening...

First I'd like to thank my friend Rachel for designing a cool Vriesen Family logo...now proudly displayed on our blog. Makes it a little more unique! Thanks Rach!

Well four months is here! We have now survived 120 days of parenthood. Can't believe it's gone by this fast. Brian and I are both amazed at how big he is getting. He finally rolled over this weekend, but it hasn't become a habit just yet. Must have been a weekend thing, because he hasn't done it since! He is giggling more and more, so that is fun. I also started making babyfood. I read that you can freeze it for 3 months so I decided to get ahead of the game. I already have a month's worth of fruits and veggies done. It's so easy and super fun. Obviously I have more time now since I'm not back at work yet, so I'm taking advantage of it. Two more weeks until I return to work...when I return it will have been four months that I have been gone. As much as I'm sad to leave Blake (the day just won't be the same!) I'm excited to get back on somewhat of a schedule. Well off to make more food...I'll post some pictures later....as promised here are some pictures. The one above is my first batch of peas...the one below is fresh zucchini compared to packaged green beans...you pick :)