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!