Let's Revisit New Years

It's almost the middle of the year and I'm looking back to the beginning of this year. So many things have changes since then. Patrick is 5 and 1/2 months now, my job was eliminated due to budget cuts in the state, Michael was moved back to shift work, and more. While looking back on the changes I looked up my wished and resolutions from a previous post. How are I doing on these? I'd say pretty good.

Wishes
1. Michael will get a raise.
Michael did get a small raise.
2. Michael will be able to start school this fall
Still a work in progress. An online school has been chosen and he is planning to start in September.
3. Patrick's birth/my labor will be easy with no complications
I don't know if you would consider it easy, Dr. Jones said on a scale of 1 being easy and 10 very hard, I was an 8. Labor was only 16 hours and the only complication was some tearing. Nothing serious.
4. We can get out of debt
Not likely to happen, but I can still hope. Anybody want to help and send us money?? :)

Resolutions
1. Set up a consistent time for family Bible reading time and devotions
FAIL! Not that I'm proud of that. This has become much harder due to Michael's work schedule. I do read the Toddler Bible with Patrick each night before he goes to sleep each night.
2. Write in this blog and my journal more consistently
Success! I'm doing much better don't you think.
3. Lose the baby weight I've put on after Patrick is born
Success! Due to my gestational diabetes I didn't gain that much weight was under my pre-pregnancy weight almost right away. I'm still flabby, so I need to work on that instead.
4. Spend more time with family and friends
I think I'm doing better with this. I try to get together when ever possible with my family and friends. Time to go! I'm meeting my friend/sister-in-law soon in Madison.

Wordless Wednesday

Camping

Spent the weekend camping with our church in Door County at Peninsula State Park. We had a great time. Patrick did great and seemed to enjoy camping. We went up Thursday and had to pitch the tent in the rain. Michael and I seem to have issues with water when we do things. I'd say about half our dates had some sort to catastrophy involving water. Friday, we took a day trip up to Washington Island. The ferry was rather expensive, but it was fun.

We ate lunch at the beach on the north side of the island and then took a walk on the beach. This beach was nothing but round smooth rocks. Patrick did not like the sound of the waves hitting the beach. He started to fuss and cry.

We also stopped at a Norwegian inspired prayer chapel. I loved this since I'm 1/8 Norwegian.

We had thought about going to Rock Island but didn't want to pay the additional ferry fee. That night we sat around the fire and talked with our fellow campers. Saturday we just relaxed and spent time in the park. We went to "Not Licked Yet" and great frozen custard place.

We then stopped and visited the lighthouse on our way to the beach.

At the beach we tried the water out. Patrick dipped his toes and then cried, too cold. He didn't mind the water that had warmed up a little in the sand castles left by previous beach goers.

Patrick is sitting by him-self for short periods of time.

He liked the sand and I had to try and keep him from eating it.

Sunday was church, clean up, and then to Fond du Lac to say goodbye to Jason and Lorraine, who are leaving for Austria for the next 2 years.

Wordless Wednesday

What to do??

I've got $300 to buy a new bike to go with the kiddie-kaboose bike trailer my mother-in-law gave us for Patrick. I'm not sure what to get. I want to get a good bike that will last a long time and do well on any type of road surface. I'm thinking of getting one of these Schwinn Bikes but I'm not sure. The first two look to be the exact same except one is aluminum and the other is steel. The third has a spot for a basket to be added to the back if wanted. What do you think? Here's the link to the site. Bike one
Bike twoBike three

5 Months Old

Patrick is now five months old. He is growing so fast, it's hard to remember how little he was when he was born. Patrick is becoming for vocal; squeals, laughs, and cooing are becoming a regular occurrence. Especially if he's been on his stomach too long. He is also grabbing at more things which means I now need to watch what is on the floor near him.

Patrick is learning how to sit on his own, well, with support. He does very well sitting between my legs so there is a little support on both sides of him. If I move back from him, he will sit for a couple seconds before falling to one side. He is also working on learning to crawl. He will pull his knees under himself or push up with his arms and lift his belly off the floor. Occasionally he will do both at the same time and be completely off the floor. He as yet to move forward but he is getting good at moving backwards. He also loves to stand up! His favorite place at home is his saucer that allows him to stand and look around.

Five Question Friday

1. What is your favorite summer time activity?
Laying outside and looking for shapes is the clouds. It's relaxing and requires a little imagination, something that is lacking in many people. I plan to do this with Patrick when he gets a little older. What do you see?

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2. Do you have one laundry soap you stick to, or do you buy whatever's on sale?
We usually stick to one kind, but will change the sent based on what is on sale.

3. What is your favorite dinner to make in the summer?
Brats, cheeseburgers with chips, cottage cheese, and anything else cool to eat. Watermelon, YUMM!

4. Do you have any talents?
I have a lot of talents, I'm just not proficient in any of them. I like to sing and do well with that. I can plan the treble cleft on the piano only, but it takes me a while to punk out the melody. I took a drawing class, but drawn anything in a long time. I'm getting very good at changing a diaper in under a minute. I hope to get that time to under 45 seconds soon.

5. If you could instantly be an expert in something, what would it be? Why?
I think playing the piano. I love music and would love to be able to sit down and play for my own enjoyment.

First Week of Summer

Hooray, it's summer and school is out. Being a teacher has got to be the best job to have as a working mom. I get the spend the summers with Patrick and yet work the rest of the year. I'm making plans for the summer and was trying to think of Outings that Patrick and I could do. I'm thinking Mondays stay home, Tuesdays go to the park, Wednesdays visit friends or family, Thursdays relax at home, and Fridays go grocery shopping. Then I began to think it was too much and I would just go with the flow this summer. The weekends are already getting full and I don't want to weekdays to be the same way. I want to have time to just enjoy Patrick. I also don't want to fall into the habit of doing nothing all summer. I've decided to just pick one thing to do every week and leave the other four open for what every comes. This week it was the zoo. Next week we are going camping with some people from church. The week after that . . . who knows, I'm keeping my options open.

Wordless Wednesday

Henry Vilas Zoo

I love Madison's free zoo. It's not so big that it takes all day to see and best of all, it is free! This means we can go for a hour or less and I don't feel bad about only being there a short time. Yesterday Michael and I met up with Chris, Rachel, and Joshua at the zoo.

We walked around and looked at all the animals. Patrick rode in the stroller and liked looking at the fish and turtles swimming in the reptile house.

He also watched the lion stalk around his cage. The lion was quit vocal yesterday, no roars but a lot of huffing.

I couldn't get Patrick to do this, go figure. :)

By the end of the day, Patrick was tired and wanted to be out of the stroller and held.

Amish Auction

I took Patrick over near Kingston, WI for the annual Amish Auction. Amish from all over the area donate items to be auctioned off and all the proceeds go to help the Amish community with medical bills. The main reason I went was to see how much the bedroom sets go for so I know about how much to start saving for next year. Michael and I would like to get a new set. Michael found it funny that Patrick has better, nicer, and matching furniture. His dresser is an old one from his grandparents (I think) and mine was bought when we lived in the duplex in Windsor (18 years ago). Both dressers are starting to show their age.

Patrick was very well behaved during the auction, just chillin' in his stroller. I did buy two trucks and a duck pull behind for him.

Five Question Friday

1. How close to your childhood dreams is your life now?
Not at all. I wanted to be a ballerina and live with my parents forever. After that dream was a no go, I decided to become a teacher. I have my degree and had a job, but now I need a job.

2. What is one must have item for the summer?
A good reading list! I've got my books for the summer all lined up on my dresser. I doubt I'll get through all of them, but I'm going to try.

3. Do you have your kids stay up on school stuff during summer vacation? (Or, if you don't have kiddos, did your parents make you keep up on school stuff during summer?)
Once Patrick starts school, I'll probably just let him have fun during the summer, but have activity books available if he wants them.

4. Do you can or freeze fresh produce?
I've frozen something, but never canned. I've made applesauce before.

5. Do you get ready for the day first thing in the morning?
Nope. I usually feed Patrick before I get ready. The times I've gotten already right away, Patrick has spit up all over me.

Wordless Wednesday

Last Week of School

This is the last week of school for me. Only two more days with students and then one day for packing everything up. The school year went very fast and I'm sure the summer will go just as fast. Our summer is already filling up with activities and parties. No word yet as to a new job. I keep applying and praying for the job to be the one that God wants me to have.

5 Question Friday

1. If you had to choose, how would you prefer to choose to spend money...on landscaping or a pool?

Landscaping, you can enjoy that all year and don't have to worry about keeping the neighbor kids out. There is a house in Sun Prairie that has a beautiful yard that I would love to replicate.

2. (Scott likes to get things stirred up...) Death penalty, yay or nay?

Yay, but only for certain crimes like premeditated murder or very disturbing crimes.

3. What's the worst thing your kid has gotten into when you turned your back/blogged/showered/blinked?

Nothing yet, baby can't crawl yet.

4. How often do you REALLY go to the dentist?

About every 6 months for a cleaning. My enamel is rather soft, so I get cavities easier and need to go in often.

5. What is your favorite animal (doesn't have to be a pet-type animal)?

I'm kinda partial to panda's and penguins.

Wordless Wednesday