A chance to catch up!

(Vinnie and Olivia - cousin LOVE!)

We feel like we have been going non-stop for the last month. The craziness started with Jon's trip to DC, continued with our first trip to the cities for the White Bear wedding, and continued with our most recent trip to MN. Originally having plans to travel to Nebraska to visit family this past weekend, for sanity and healths sake, we opted to spend our 3-day weekend at home instead. We needed some time in our own beds, and our house DESPERATELY needed cleaning! So, Jon and I spent Friday cleaning the house (taking turns between cleaning duty and Vinnie duty). We wanted to get this out of the way early in the weekend, so we also had some time to relax! On Saturday we ventured out early for a little grocery shopping and spent some time wrapping up some projects that had been forgotten in the craziness of the last few weeks (namely the candle stick holders Jon was creating for our new mantle).

Today has been consumed with laundry, our usual Sunday routine, and later this afternoon I will tackle food for Vinnie. He is such a great little eater, kicking and squealing through his whole feeding, we are convinced he has burned off every calorie before the meal is even over. We have also started giving him little bits of banana at the end of most of his meals to start him on finger foods. He is still working on the idea that he can pick them up and feed himself, but he sure enjoys pushing them around and playing with them.

(Vinnie and Mom on Valentine's Day)

Vinnie turned 7 months old yesterday. Still no sitting up on his own, although he is getting very close. He loves to roll from his back to his belly, play in his exosauser, and is a pro at picking up and popping that nuk back in his mouth whenever it falls out. We are seeing more and more personality in him everyday. He definately has some of his mom's stubborn streak (Lord help us), and his daddy's love for charming people!

(Vinnie trying out bananas)

We are delighted for some quiet weeks and weekends on our horizon, but are anxious for our next trip up to Minnesota in March...already gearing up for Vinnie's first St. Patty's day parade in St. Paul.

(Our completed mantle facelift)

Until next week, all our love from Iowa!

A tribute...

Jon, Vinnie, and I spent some time up in Minnesota this past week saying goodbye to my grandmother. Gertrude Foley was 90 years young, living independently, and spunky as ever when she was struck by a massive stroke. She fought hard for a week, but let go on Friday afternoon with her family surrounding her.

As a family, we cherished and enjoyed the time with my extended family this past week, looking through photos, sharing stories, and reminiscing. Grandma had shared something special with everyone she came in contact with, and it was truly amazing to hear and see how she had affected so many people. With unwaivering courage and strength, she truly lived and experienced life in her 90 years and had endless advice and prayers to pass to those she encountered.

While she only met Vinnie once, we feel so blessed to have the memories, and beautiful pictures of that day. She will remain a presence in his life through her beautiful quilt creations, countless stories, and the many life lessons she has and will continue to pass on to us.

We feel fortunate to have another angel watching over us from heaven!

Whew!

What a week it has been in the Keimig house! Jon returned home safely from DC on Wednesday and received a warm welcome from a snoozing baby, a relieved wife, and a crazy dog! Nothin' like coming home!! We quickly fell back into the swing of our usual routines, only to have it interrupted by a trip north for the weekend. One of Jon's friends from high school got married this weekend (yes...there are still WB weddings!), so we hustled out of town on Friday night for a whirlwind weekend. Vinnie got to spend a delightful afternoon and evening with his Keimig Grandparents while mom and dad had a night of catching up with friends, good food, a few drinks and a great band! Sunday we ventured to church before heading back to Iowa.

Vinnie is still recovering from his ear infection...by Wednesday he was over the fever gunk and back to his usually spunky self. We're hoping this clears up and we are done with ear infections!

We have settled in for an easy going Sunday night to prepare for the week ahead. Vinnie enjoyed a bath, laundry is tossing and tumbling away, and we are gearing up for the Grammy's.

P.S. my tech guru has returned and uploaded this delightful video of Vinnie enjoying a book. Here it is for those of you who haven't seen it via facebook or other...Enjoy!


Until next week...

All our love from Iowa!

Another week...SUCCESS!

Hello Again,

I have successfully managed to maintain my goal...although I am not sitting down to write this as laundry tumbles away this week. It has been one CRAZY day! Jon left for a conference in DC today, and as luck would have it, Vinnie came down with ear infection number 2 last night! So, I dropped Jon off at the airport around 10:30 this morning, and made my way to urgent care. What an experience that was! I was fairly certain that Vinnie had an ear infection and wanted to get him rolling on the antibiotics as soon as possible, however, the doctor told me, somewhat in jest, that the only cure for my babies ear infection was to pull him in daycare. I can only imagine the look on my face..."I wish that was possible" was all I managed to mutter. In any case, we got our verdict, as I expected, and made our way to pick up another round of meds. Vinnie spent the rest of the day in the most miserable state...moaning and groaning when awake, and only sleeping in my arms. I managed to get two reasonable naps out of him, and got him down for the night at a little after 8pm. After a very restless night last night, this tired mom is hoping tonight is better. AND hoping for a return of my bright bubbly boy tomorrow! I must say, I missed his spunk today!

We were informed by daycare last week that Vinnie is no longer allowed in the bumbo seats, after squirming his way out of one TWICE! Looks like the little guy is ready for bigger and better things...like sitting up on his own, and he is getting very close! He enjoyed a little story time with mom this week and has a new favorite book about the little monkeys on a picnic. Everytime the crocodile "snapped" at the monkeys in the book, he would squeal with laughter. It was hard to read the book, we were both laughing so hard. Jon managed to record most of it, but I am not quite as technically savvy as him...perhaps next week I will be able to share a video. Vinnie also had his 6 month photo shoot on Saturday. We are looking forward to seeing the pictures soon!

Well, the baby is sleeping...and sleeping well, which means I should probably be sleeping too!

Until next week...all our love from Iowa!