Paris and Nicole move over!

I finally got to meet my second cousin Anna this weekend. Anna and I were very close....in age that is. Now, after rockin' a BBQ together, we are very close friends! Being eight days apart we are sooooo similar. We like all the same things like linking rings, bouncers, mega saucers and that new rice cereal.

She came over with her mommy and daddy, cousin Julie and Michael and their parents for a Memorial Day BBQ! It was a blast! We talked for hours after we were done eyeing each other up and down. It was like walking the red carpet with all of the flash bulbs going off. I tell you, those adults took a ton of pictures of us.

We can't wait to visit each other here or in Illinois over the next few years!

Grandpa Steinemann came to town :)

It was so nice to finally meet Grandpa S! Now, I have met all of my relatives, except cousin Shaun. We had soooooo much fun. I never knew he was soo good at playing horsey. He bounced me on his knee for hours and hours and when he stopped, I started trying to get him to do it again. It was a blast! We went out to have a nice dinner on Lake Minnetonka and sat in the sun and watched all the boats go by :)
I loved grandpa visiting and I hope he can make the long trip from PA again soon - He is the best at playing horsey!

Hannah has fun with Grandma and Grandpa Dice!

Grandma and Grandpa Dice came all the way to the North Country for a short weekend to visit their grandaughter. Hannah enjoyed her time with her grandparents and got spoiled with all the attention! We had a nice time together going out to eat, shopping wtih Grandma while Grandpa worked in the yard with Dad, and going for a walk around the parkway. The weekend was quick, but wonderful to be able to spend time together so Hannah can get to know her grandparents living so far away!

Hannah is 4 Months old!

4 Months old already! The life of a 4 month old seems to be pretty fun! Hannah has gotten into her megasaucer which she seems to love, and mom and dad love it because it occupies her for a little while. Hannah is still quite the happy little thing... she loves to stand up whenever she gets the chance, with a little help from mom and dad of course. We just watch her curious little mind try to figure everything out. She seems to study things a little more and of course, anything she can get her hands on goes directly in her mouth. Diaper changes are not as easy as they used to be, nor is a change of clothes. Hannah is a mover and a shaker.. never wants to sit still for long. Eager to see it all, she rolled over for the first time last week. Mom and Dad are entertained every day by just watching her development and seeing how quickly things progress. It seems like just yesterday we were bringing her home from the hospital while she was helpless in our arms and snuggled up our necks.. now, that snuggle time has already been replaced by play time. We savor the moments we can rock her to sleep in our arms, as we know they won't last as long as we would like them to. We have learned to remind ourselves to embrace each and every stage Hannah goes through. I find myself looking at a 1 year old saying " I can't wait until Hannah can walk" or looking at a 2 year old saying " I can't wait until Hannah can talk and tell me what she wants". Then I remind myself that I know I will be looking back very soon wishing she was just the little baby she is today, all smiles, ready to play, and ready to take in the world around her. Each stage is unique and fun, and there is just so much to look forward to!

Hannah celebrates Cinco de Maya with her friends!

I have learned, getting a picture with an 11 month old, a 2 year old and a 4 month old is not easy. Eleanor, Bella and Hannah seem to be good friends. Bella is teaching Eleanor and Hannah all the tricks of the trade.. how to get through teething and survive daycare. They seem to be getting to know eachother as well as little ones can. They spend lots of time just kind of checking eachother out... which is pretty cute. The three of them were able to celebrate their first Cinco de Maya party together and seemed to like it! And this was Todd and I's first party that we hosted that actually ended by 8pm. Who knew life would change that drastically. All of the sudden party planning around kids bedtimes?? But.. it is what it is.. and we wouldn't change it dor anything!

Hannah's first trip to Florida!

Uncle John and Hannah

Uncle John came to the beach for a day to meet Hannah and visit with us. The day was enjoyable as we all relaxed on the beach and had a fun dinner at JB's fish Camp! Hannah just loved Uncle John... he kept making her smile and laugh. We nicknamed Uncle John - "uncle red" after a long day in the sun without enough sun screen :)

Cousins Ashley and Drake with Hannah

Unfortunately the day she spent with Aunt Andrea, Uncle Cash, and Cousins Ashley and Drake.. Hannah was a little under the weather with and ear infection... but they took good care of her and Hannah really enjoyed meeting everyone. Ashley even made Hannah a blanket that she just loves! Drake loved holding Hannah and really enjoyed learning how to hold a baby!

Hannah's first time at the beach...

And she even wore a bikini... ok, she wasn't too happy about it, but mom and dad thought it was real fun. Hannah had a real nice time in Florida. The week did start out a little rough with her first ear infection, but once we figured it out and get her some medication, things got a lot better. She enjoyed walks on the beach in her baby bjorn, and love falling asleep listening to the waves. We joked that we have to pay good money for a CD to listen to waved in Minneapolis, but the waves come free in FL. Hannah did not always enjoy the sun in her eyes and the windy beach.. so there was a lot of inside time.. but the vacation was relaxing none the less.

Spring in Minneapolis...

It was a beautiful day today, and our little girl didn't want to get out and enjoy it!!?? Perhaps she is still having nightmares the last time it was nice out and she ended up in the ER. It was mid 60's and not a cloud in the sky today.. we tried to get Hannah outside to see the flowers that are starting to come up.. she didn't quite enjoy the sun light in her eyes. We tried to take her for a walk, she wasn't real excited about that either. We took her out to lunch... and wasn't happy about that as well. I think she had a bit of a cranky day.. It happens. Life as a 14 week old seems to be pretty good on most days. She is smiling a ton, loves to laugh at Daddy's singing and faces he makes at her. A week from today is Hannah's first trip to Florida. We can't wait for her to feel the sand and see the ocean. Mom and Dad can't wait for the relaxing time ahead to enjoy as a family.

I'm 3 Months Old Today!

3 Months old already, time is flying bye! Hannah is growing up so fast and changes so much every day. We ( her parents) think she is just about the cutest thing going, but I am sure that does have something to do with the fact we are her parents. Hannah seems to love life and is a very happy baby. She still only cries when she is hungry and just really tired.. both are prety easy to solve. She loves putting her hands in her mouth, and just about anything in reach goes in her mouth. She smiles all the time and giggles every once in a while too. She is starting to like her toys, books, and loves grabbing animals on her play mat. Her old favorite the swing might be a thing of the past soon, she is not as interested in that anymore. She survived her first week at daycare and we think she might start to enjoy interacting with the other babies soon.

Mom and Dad are having lots of fun with Hannah, as she gets older playing is becoming more and more fun as she interacts with us more each day. She is talking up a storm with coos, and gaga's. We can't wait to hear her first words to finally figure out what she is trying to say! And she is still a strong sleeper and eater.. we are very lucky! She has been pretty easy on us.. so far!

Happy Easter!

Hannah wanted to wish everyone a happy Easter! Mommy and Daddy were very proud of her trip to meet the Easter bunny. Although she didn't smile, she wasn't scared of him and seemed very content in his fuzzy arms. Mommy and Daddy also learned that it is much better to see the Easter Bunny after she has woken up from a long, hard nap. Hannah was also very happy to be back at the mall. See, she had gone a few times every week with mommy, but since she was in school now she hadn't been in over a week and was starting to go though withdraw. She knew life was good again as she rolled by the yummy scents of the Cinnabon stand :)

We hope all of you have a Happy Easter!

Hannah's First Day of School

Monday was Hannah's first day at daycare! She did well, better than mom did! As Mom had to return to work, which was a very sad day... Hannah began a new adventure meeting lots of new friends and leaning to adapt in a new environment. There are 12 infants in her room with three teachers. Her teachers seem friendly and said that Hannah had a bit of a rough first day crying a lot and wanting to be held all day, which broke mom's heart. Sad to bring her back on day two, I was happy to learn that she had adjusted a little better.. she ate better and napped better, and was a little more independant. Apparently she loved those buggy rides through the skyways of minneapolis. I think all the adults working downtown get as big of a kick out of those buggy rides as the kids do. You can be stressed out walking from meeting to meeting then all at once you see a buggy of 6 little infants and toddlers just taking the world in with out a care in the world - and all of the sudden life gets put into perspective all over again. You just can't help to stop in smile. So now I can look forward to my walks between Target buildings in hopes I get to pass Hannah in the skyway on her daily stroll.

As Hannah learns to make the daily adjustment into daycare, Mom and Dad are learning how to make the change as well. All the of the sudden mornings and evenings need to become more time efficient. Make bottles, clean bottles, do laundry, fold laundry, pay bills, play with Hannah, feed Hannah, love Hannah.. oh yeah, and try to relax and have a little time for yourself and each other at the end of the day. I am tired just thinking about it. A new found respect for all working mom and dads... and just last week I had a new found respect for stay at home moms. I have realized you can't "win" in the battle of life balance. You do your best and try to make the best decision for your family and pray to god every night that you are making the right one. Either way, it isn't easy and I am sure there will always be regrets.

Three months into parenthood has already put all new meaning into life. All of the sudden life isn't about you anymore, nor do you want it to be. It becomes about the happiness of yor child. When she is happy, I am happy, when she is unhappy, I am broken hearted. And just when I thought those teenage years we all had to survive were an emotional roller coaster... parenting has that beat!