Nov 17th A girl and her cat

Ok so it’s up to debate who spunky really belongs too, but Bella seems to want to claim her these days..Max just beats up on Spunky.  Bella decided that Spunky needed to wear a crown so she could be a princess.

August 12th-Cobb Corn Roast

Today we went to the Cobb Corn Roast . IT’s been a tradition to go since Bella was born. The first time we ever went was when Bella was 14 days old and we meet up with Josh’s Mom, siblings and grandparents to meet Bella for the first time. Since then we have managed to go every year. I think all of the years too, Kara and Tony have joined us.  So this year we called them up and meet up for some yummy sweet corn!  We had a great time visiting, Bella played on the playground for a bit, before we had to head back home for everyone to nap.

Max was so fussy. So I gave him my hair brush. He is getting use to having a nap at 8:30 when we drive to Dubuque Monday through Friday. So on the weekends he’s all messed up and can’t seem to nap very well.

Bella playing on the playground

Max in the stroller,,,which didn’t last very long

max playing with Aunt Kara

So I put this cute little outfit on Max and then realized it was 3-+6 months!!! So I decided to take a few pictures of him in before it gets washed and packed away

 

Love this one!

 

 

We went out to the barn for some reason or another.. and we found Spunky! Spunky is a kitten that we have no clue who her mother is. We thought it was one of the three kittens that Deville had, but nope hers are smaller and all accounted for. So we kind of have took Spunky under our wing. She hurt her leg so we let her rest up in the house. She has become Max’s High chair cleaner upper!

Both the kids love the kitten!

Yes Max plays with a nose sucker.. he loves that and medicine droppers

The warm wonderful weather before the storm

So as we all knew would soon happen Mr. Winter showed up, but before he did, our family enjoyed another day outside. Matter of face we had enjoyed a few days outside, but i only took my camera out for one of them. The other one was during milking and i didn’t have max in the carrier so i couldn’t take the camera with.  But it was so amazing and Bella is just so overjoyed when Max and I can join her and Daddy in the barn. Josh was working on fixing a leaky pipe and bedding the cows.

 

Max was suppose to be sleeping in his crib, but instead was just looking cute. Bella then ran into her room and covered up like her baby brother. It was just too cute to take a picture of.

 

I wanted to capture the brown.  I already miss it so! Btw that’s brownie out there with fudgie. I’m not sure if she really knows her kids or not, but she does spend a lot of time with them

 

“cheese”

My cute puppies!!

 

Bella out running. She acts like she owns the farm

This cow Bella named…." Horny Heifer” can you tell why? But Josh renamed her Bertha since he wasn’t sure he could tell people her name was Horny

She loves to find parts of the corn stalks or sticks. They can keep her busy for hours

 

Max and Me you can actually see his face this time. I found him a snowsuit that actually fits him!

The cows love love LOVE this weather! They were so happy to just be laying around outside.

 

Bella jumping over the gutters. She loves that she can do this now. it still scares mommy a bit, but since i discovered she can just "step” over them too, I'm not as worried.

Pretty skies!

Oh look my husband!

 

This just cracked me up.. Our chickens were digging for bugs (apparently they missed the memo that they bugs are gone). They also ended up finding corn and soybeans so they were happy.  But the chicken are just chilling there and B2 is just watching and waiting. He wanted chicken for supper, but realized they were as big as him!

random post

So the last few days have been a bit random.  I left off on Friday  with Bella doing great with Pt and her napping. yep that nap lasted about 20 more minutes before we spent the next 2 hours between her bedroom and the potty. she did mange to go three more times. She made it until 3pm without an accident. So that was 8.5 hours, which is like a million times better than she had ever done! after that accident, she was done with underwear even thought i really downplayed the accident.

Bella went out to Milk with Josh and i just vegged in the house.  I needed a bit more down time in the day.  Since Bella didn’t get a nap in, she was tired. So her bath was all ready when she got in the house and got to enjoy a nice bath before bed. Bed time has gotten better too. She goes down pretty easy and stays in bed. Our only problem is she often talks or sings to herself for 20-30 mins after she lays down.  She also is sleeping through the night until 6am.  So things are getting better. It’s going on three weeks since we took the nuk away, so I think we are doing pretty well :)

Saturday we started off the morning with Bella not wanting to use the potty at all. Not sure what was up with that, but I was not going to regress and do diapers. So we got her on the potty and she went. We went outside to do barn chores and play in the snow, had a snack and then waited for her to use the potty again.  She got to watch a bit of tv while she did it. Josh has come in early and so our whole day was kind of a bit early. 

While I was waiting for her to go, Diane showed up. I was excited to see new people. Other than a small outting on monday morning and a quick run to the store on Friday we hadn’t really seen anyone.  We played with Bella and her legos and animals while waiting for her to do her business. Once she went, we loaded up and headed to the store, since Bella had filled up another row on her potty chart.  The store was way more fun since Aunt Diane was there too! Bella got a mommy Bear and baby bear. Then I found some My little Pony underwear for Bella in the next size up.  Her 2t/3t diapers are getting a bit to short in the rise. Can’t have any baby butt crack showing. LOL

Once we got back home, Josh was in the house and we did lunch.  Then it was off to nap for her. She went down really easily, as i think she was really tired by that point.  Diane and I were then able to talk without worrying about what Bella would repeat or trying to entertain her. It’s hard these days to have a adult conversation with her around.  

Once Bella woke back up we had a blast with her. Bella was so giggly!  As 3:30 approached us, I asked Diane if she wouldn’t mind watching Bella until Josh got home (he was about 20 mins out) so i could start my errands in Platteville a bit in the light. She was happy to help, so i bid her good bye and headed to Platteville.

Well I didnt’ make it out of the driveway before I discovered one of the cats had been ran over by either Josh or myself. Josh thinks it was him since I would have noticed. We think the cat was hidden up in the truck, and then fell out while the truck was moving. IT was really sad to find out that it was Charlie one of Bella’s favorites. :( My poor little girl is going to learn about Death way too soon.

After I called Josh to ask him to check it out and take care of the cat, I headed to Farm and Fleet first. I found some of Bella’s animals on sale. Apparently Farm and Fleet is not going to see them all year round anymore. :(   So i got her a bunny, pig and horse. I was really looking for coats, but the one i really wanted was matching coat and snow pants was only in 5t. :( The other ones were a good price but just didn’t match what i had in my head.  I did find some cute training pants and tights too.

Next stop was Menards.  I have been researching and price watching to find something to organize Bella’s toys better. they had an toy organizer on sale there. I had seen one that my friend had and I didn’t think it would work at first. But when i found what i really wanted was too pricey for us and still wouldn’t show the toys very well, i decided to get one from Menards. I also had to get a chainsaw sharper for josh..the last one they had. Apparently they sell out fast, who would have guessed.

after Menard’s i went to Walmart. I only was going to get some H&B stuff and look for plastic underwear covers for kids there, but decided to do my food shopping too, thus saving myself another stop.  Well i found so much there. I managed to find what I was looking for in a coat for Bella. It has a remove and reversible inner lining that doubles as a coat too, waterproof, removable hood and it came with a hat and mittens. I don’t think they will fit right, but the rest of the coat was a good deal too. Also not as bulky either, so hopefully it will fit better in her car seat next year.  I also stocked up on goodies for our Super Bowl party.

Once I headed home, I unloaded the car while Josh and Bella finished up inthe barn. then we had pizza for supper. after supper we put together Bella’s toy organizor and set it up in her room. I love it in there. All of her little stuff fits. I think i need to move some of the bins around since they have a little too much in them. But her room is so clean now!

after we got her room cleaned up and the closet doors were able to shut(first time since i think before she was born) we got Bella ready for bed. She went to bed but stayed up for 35 mins talking to herself. Josh and I were able to watch a movie together, something we haven’t done in ages!! it was a good way to end such a random day

Just a normal week in winter

So the holidays are over. now it’s time to get back to normal. I really tried how to remember what things were like last year after the holiday slow down, but I can’t remember. All I do remember is I didn’t have the wonderful playgroup and story time that I do now. I wasn’t even a regular blogger or tweeter…just on face book, which if anyone knows it’s near impossible to go back to what was happening a year ago. But I guess it really doesn’t matter, as Bella is totally mobile in all directions, and communicating with words. So life with a baby would be sitting up and rolling around is nothing like a baby who’s almost a year half old!.

So this week Monday we had a visitor, my buddy Katie. It was nice to see her and visit. I don’t think we have done that in ages. Bella was a very good baby and even napped while Katie was here. After she left Bella and I headed to the barn. That night she got some new jammies.… they are Wonder Pet Jammies. They are suppose to be for a little boy, but I haven’t found any cute little girl’s wonder pets Jammies. She really enjoyed them and knows where each of the characters are.

Tuesday we went to Playgroup. It was nice to be back. Bella really had fun and didn’t want to leave.  IT was really cold, but we braved it to go to town. We came home and lunch and then Bella took a nap!  some how it ended up being a late night for milking and chores, so that pushed everything else behind. I did finally get some pictures of our new calves. Unfortunaly we have lost two bull calves..Taco that I mentioned before and another one named Taco that was only a couple days old. I guess I might have to retire the name Taco.

Wednesday was a crazy day. Bella and I had to run to the post office to mail out my jump drives so Tori could upload my pictures, (have i mentioned how much I hate that I’m limited to what i can upload?), then we had to stop at the bank and check into who’s name was on her savings account as the system says there is no adult. Well we need one on there, come to find out it’s just Josh and not me or the both of us, so that was on stop i should have left to Josh. LOL Then we hit up story time, where it was crazy busy, I think everyone came back, but once the actual story time was done, Bella had fun playing with her friend. Then we set off for the vet. It was time to get dewormer for All the cats and Cole. Well that went great until the last 30 seconds as Bella fell off the bench and hit her head on the ground… btw she would have used her hands if they hadn’t been holding on to candy.  So then I freaked out because after she calmed down and got in the car and was all happy and smily she got sleepy… also i should note that she was up at 6:30 am and by now it’s 11:30 and normally she naps by 10 or 11 at the latest… so I stop at Pamida to get a few things to wake Bella up too. SHe did fine in the store and then stayed awake the whole way home. It was lunch time when we got home and  I prayed she would nap. She did finally… a 2 hour 15 min nap! By the time we got up it was time for milking.  She did end up with a big ol’ goose egg on her head that was a light purple when she went to bed, but woke up in the morning and you could barely tell it was there.

Thursday, the snow had came… well at least 4 to 5 inches of it anyhow. I decided it was still warm enough yet to let Bella go out and play in it. Well then Josh said he had to go the Lancaster house to shovel. So yeah Bella got about 5 mins in the snow before we loaded her up, then she fell asleep in the truck. She slept the whole time we were in town and back home. Gave her lunch and then dealt with a cranky baby til she finally went to sleep again.  We started chores early since it was windy and blowing snow. I didn't’ want  to be out in the dark trying to feed calves, especially one who was new to the huts. So that gave me a nice break while Josh milked.

Today: While Bella napped I cleaned my house. I really haven’t done it yet this week, so it was much needed. I need to work on laundry, but that will have to wait til this weekend.  Once she got up, we had lunch, where I found a jar of cashew butter and it was so yummy, I think better than the almond butter. I’m diggin the other nut butters. Pretty sure we are going to convert completely once we are done with the peanut butter jars.  Then we went to town. It was amazing that with the sun shining how great the roads were especially since yesterday they were awful! Bella and I played in the house while Josh shoveled. Bella loves to play in the lancaster house since it’s wide open space! then we hit up the grocery store where we put to go use our xmas gift from Grandma and Grandpa.  Then we came home and attempted to give Bella and afternoon nap. She had other ideas, so again chores were started early and I got to head back to the house for a little break. I managed to update the shutterfly site and get pictures up on facebook. the pics on facebook have all been posted here already.

And since I just used a lot of words… here are a few pictures from this week.. pretty much one a day :)

Finding Lenny on her wonder pet jammies…and they do have a cape too :)

 

Bella got baby bottles and pretend baby food. she is happy to be able to feed Sophie now with out mommy getting mad

Walking out to the barn. It’s normal to have a least one kitten/cat to go with her. Sometimes it’s everyone who’s under the car port

 

 

Can you see on the left part of her forehead the red mark?

 

Her 5 mins in the snow..she did enjoy what she got to  play in.

 

 

“Found ya mommy”

A fun weekend

So this weekend was fun…simple but fun. Saturday I baked so our house was yummy smelling and there was treats for everyone! We were also awaiting for Aunt Cherry, Uncle Aeon, Ethan and Evander to arrive.

They didn’t make it until later in the day which was sad and meant I totally didn’t ahve my camera with. They came around chore time, so i was busy with that. Aunt Cherry promised to send me pictures at some point in time. Bella did enjoy playing with Ethan and Evander for the short time they got to play. THe boys loved the cats.  IT was a nice little visit and hopefully we will be able to see them again next year. They live in Florida so it’s hard to see them a lot. :(

Today BElla manged to sleep in til 7:30… well from 4:30 til 7:30 in our bed anyhow… but naturally it would be on the day i need her to be up. We have decided to attend 8:30 mass in lancaster as it seems to work otu better for Bella and leaves us enough time for the rest of the day.

So after a quick breakfest in which Bella drank her’s since she didn’t want to be spoonfed, we headed to church. It had rained over night so we had to take the truck. Naturally we were late by 5 mins, but it was ok as there is always enough room. We sat by some friends which was nice as they didnt’ mind a fussy baby. Bella is really into I wanna run around church stage.

After chruch she wanted to go home with our friends. it was too cute. I’m gald she likes so people outside of Josh and me. We also saw that Kidz Klozet was having a sale today, but wasn’t open yet.

Came home for Bella’s nap and me to read since it was a cloudy day. Josh worked on outside chores. After Bella’s nap and lunch we went back to town to get new shoes for Bella. I cna’t belive she will be switching over to size 6 already! And for the longest time she didn’t fit right into her size 0 crib shoes.

Bella was ready for her 2nd nap and I got a chance  to hang out with Josh by the time we got home. Then Bella finally got to go outside and play a little. JOsh came home with the tractor from feeding a round bale to the calves down the road(we dont have enought space for our young/dry cows :( ) and Bella got a tractor ride. She was so happy!  Bella even got to help me feed bottles to the calves. She let Taco suck on her mittens and thought that was the coolest thing ever!

Now after a nice supper, Bella is downstiars with daddy while i’m finishing up this blog post… with PICTURES!

I got my laptop out again and Bella got to play jumpstart baby… and she was a natural at it.

THe best thing we asked for was the bouncy seat that turned into a toddler rocking chair..she loves this chair

  Playin in the basket

Playing with Gus..a daily activity

Aren’t we cute? Sitting like a pretzel and they she proved she can still eat her toes

Every now and then i let her play with the nativity

She found her ornament on the tree OUtside with Cole Squeekers with the kittens, Tiger and Chubbers

All bundled up in pink! In the tractor with Daddy

Bella and Kittens

Bella just lvoes the kittens at our house. We Let two of them in the house and she just follows them say “hi, Hi, Hi” it’s too cute. She loves to feed them snacks or cat food. Chase them. Wiggly her blanket as a toy for them. To see her little mind just trying to figure out exctally what they are. She is very much an animal lover like me and my mom and so not afraid of any animal. Which has it’s goodsides and badsides.

Oh my adorable little girl

Busy Bees and New Baby

Since I got home from DC, we have been pretty busy. On Saturday Tori came down to visit for the weekend. So we got to visit with her and I got to fill her in on everything.

Sunday we went to the pancake breakfest at Lancaster High School before going to church in Fennimore. Then as an impuse Tori, Bella and I went to Goodwill in Platteville. 

MOnday we got the great news that Nikki and Josh K were now proud parents of a little boy. Ronin was born on monday after a long weekend of wondering when he would arrive.  So monday I made plans with a few people to meet up in Watertown/Madison so that I could come to see the new baby.

Tuesday morning Bella and I set off for watertown. We stopped at Babies R Us to do a little baby boy shopping and snack shopping for Bella. Then we headed to Ella’s for Bella to have a friend to play with. I got to enjoy a very yummy lunch cooked by John. It was nice to talk them and catch up.

Then Bella and i went to my mom’s to hang out until she got home. Nana got to watch Bella while I went to meet the new baby.

I got up to the hospital and got to visit ith Nikki and Josh for a while. I even got to hold little Ronin until his Grandma and Grandpa showed up. Tori also meet me up there, so i got to see her again too :)

Wednesday, Bella and I hung out at my mom’s for a bit before running to the store to pick up a few things.  After saying Bye to my mom at work, we headed for lunch with Courtney. Bella was an angel at lunch and didn’t want to leave.

But we did leave to head to madison. I got to pick up Bella’s pictures and visit wtih Aunt Diane. Bella loves to go visit and play with Mango the kitten. Yoshi use to be her fav but the kitten now runs and Bella things it’s a game to chase it. 

After our stop there, we headed home to see Daddy.  Bella got some great Daddy and Bella time, as Mommy went to town to meet up with some girlfriends for a movie night.  I was up way to late but it was great fun!

Here’s a few pictures from the last couple of days

Here's Bella eatting with a fork on her own.

She loves stickers now

Bella and Ella… Ella was watching whatever Bella was doing

Me and Ronin

Playing at Nana’s house

Kisses to her baby

Getting into trouble