Welcome to the World - Drew Charles Steinemann

Drew Charles Steinemann was born on September 30th, 2009 at 7:51am.
He weighed in at 9 lbs, and 21 inches long.
With a full head of dark hair we think is darn pretty cute!!

After 9 long months of waiting to meet him, all our wishes and dreams came true. We have a healthy, happy and we think quite handsome baby boy. His arrival was greeted with both a few happy tears from Mom and Dad, and a good set of lungs to let us know he was here. On Drew's first day with us, we learned that he doensn't like diaper changes.. brrr... we think he gets chilly, and his face can go through about 100 emotions a minute without saying a word. I could stare at him all day with wonder. The smiles, the frowns, the concern... it amazes me all day.

We couldn't be happier to complete our family, with both a little girl and a little boy. We are so excited and filled with wonder of all of the change our life is about to bring, and the anticipation that comes along with it. Thanks to all our friends and family for all their prayers and well wishes along our journey, and a continued thanks to our journey ahead. It is wonderful to be sharing our experience, joys and laughter with all of you.




Mom and Drew...

Mom loves the snuggles, cuddles, coos and ahhs of a newborn. There is nothing more precious and exciting than seeing your baby for the first time and snuggling up so close. I now know how quickly they grow up ( and start to talk back) so every moment is cherished. So far, (only one week into it) , I don't even mind getting up in the middle of the night, more time to snuggle and to enjoy the quiet moments. Gosh I love this little guy.



Our new family. Complete with Mom, Dad, Big Sister Hannah and Baby Drew.

Hannah's arrival to the hospital with Grandma and Grandpa was filled with anticipation. I was so excited for her to meet her little brother. Drew even showed up with presents for her big sister, as you can see she quickly put on her new Cinderella outfit with little time to spare. When Hannah arrived, she looked more scared than excited. It broke my heart at first, but she quickly warmed up and gave her little brother kisses and hugs. Her first day back at school, Dad gave her a picture of her little brother to show her friends and teachers. Her teachers told us that she didn't put the picture away all day. She held onto it with dear life, and even slept with it at nap time and night time. I thought that was pretty sweet.

So far Hannah has been adapting to life with a sibling. She loves him, wants to kiss him and hug him, and gets really concerned when he cries. As she likes to say "Why is MY baby crying?" She loves to go along for diaper changes, hold him, and put his pacifier in his mouth. She is getting pretty good at it!

I only hope that one day they are good friends. Hannah is incredibly passionate and loving, I think she will be quite protective of him over the years.



And finally, Grandma and Grandpa Dice meet Baby Drew. They were incredibly nice to come to MN to help us during his arrival. We worked them hard and expect and invoice soon. Grandpa mowed, edged, planted mums, pulled weeds, became an electrician, painted, and put together bookcases and strollers. Grandma cooked, cleaned, and did A LOT of laundry. Best of all, they got to spend quality time with Hannah while we were in the hospital and share in the new beginning of Drew.

It was great to have them around, to keep us company, help around the house, and engage in the chaos of our house hold. We thank them for being so great, loving, and helpful. We couldn't had survived the week without your help, thank you!!

Stay tuned for the adventures of Hannah and Drew.. and Mom and Dad too. Oh and Murphy, he is doing well... he is his old self - barking non stop, checks out Drew and moves on. He has been through this before... and he adapted ok. While he is neurotic, we do love the furry little guy.

"Silly Bunnies"

Yesterday we went to the City of Plymouth's fall festival. There were bounce houses, pony rides, petting zoos including llamas, chickens, cows, sheep, donkeys and of course, bunnies. Hannah loved chasing around the bunnies trying to pet them as they hopped around.

When Hannah saw the bunnies pictures below, she shrieked and laughed, yelling "mommy, look at the silly bunnies jumping on eachother" She kept laughing and laughing, which made me laugh and laugh as other parents were starring. I guess this is when my immaturity shines through as a parent, but it was pretty funny. Beyond the bunny incident, it was a great day, and Hannah enjoyed the animals, bouncing around and the pony rides. It was a gorgeous 70 degree sunny day, we are wishing and hoping for more of those before winter arrives!!!

Apple Orchard Field Trip

The 4 muskateers! Hannah, Evie, and the twins - Elle and Nick. Today Hannah's class went on a field trip to the Minnetonka Apple Orchard, and the best part was the Dad chaperoned! Hannah thought it was SOOO cool that Dad was coming on her field trip, she talked about it all week. The kids got to learn about apples and the fall, go on a hayride and finally pick their very own apple and eat it. All the kids had a great time, and I think even the parents did too. Hannah thought it was fun to eat her own apple that wasn't all cut, she told me all about how to spit out seeds :)

We are hoping we can take a family trip to the Orchard this fall before Halloween, as we have a lot of fun to fit in this fall, hoping Hannah's baby brother is a good sport and likes to be on the go!! We are down to 6 day before his arrival! Wish us luck!

"Why" do we have fun?

Why, Why, Why....

Just a few of the words we hear from Hannah these days. Or should I said, the one word that starts every single sentence out of her mouth... "why"? As a parent you hear about they why stage, it isn't until you are in the midst of it you realize you don't always have the answer... and the response "just because" really is the best you can come up with, because sometimes quite frankly, you are stumped. Here are a few of Hannah's lately....

Why are we going home after school?
Why are we eating dinner?
Why is it yummy?
Why is this fun?
Why do clouds look like animals?
Why do babies use bottles?
Why do babies not have teeth?
Why do you like Ohio State? ( that was a big conversation this morning)
Why do you work?
Why do you need money?
Why do I go to school?
Why do I have to wear shoes?
Why are there purple M&M's? ( halloween bag)
Why does Murphy bark?
Why does Murphy go potty outside?

These are all very simple in nature, and curious to the mind of a 2 year old... but they are all the start of a good 20 minute conversation that turns into a series of why's that build upon eachother... that almost end in "just because" :)

Hannah says O-H-I-O

O


H


I


O

That's my girl! Proud to be wearing her school colors today. She has been walking around saying "Ohio State" O-H.. .yet struggling to finish with an I-O. Eventually she will learn.
We are hoping for a victory against USC tonight... hoping it is better than last year :)

Diapers Check... Wipes Check...

With 23 days to go until Hannah's baby brother arrives, we finally put the nursery together this weekend. With a few finishing touches left to go, we will be ready. It is strange seeing blue in the house, when we have been so used to pink over the last 2.5 years, but it is nice change. Hannah is SO excited for her baby brother. She talks about it every day, and practices holding babies with her baby dolls. It is funny, I am already finding with the second child, things are a little more relaxed, or I should say, I am more relaxed. With Hannah, everything had to be put together at least 6 weeks prior to her arrival "just in case". This time, with 3 weeks to go, diapers, wipes and onesies on hand, I feel prepared. A little less nesting, and little more chaos the second time around, however, I wouldn't have it any other way. It took a long time to realize that a perfectly clean, put together house isn't always a home. The toys on the floor, the hand drawn scribbled pictures on the fridge, and the laughter coming from a little 2 year old is what makes a home. We are looking forward to the chaos, the cuddles , the giggles, and the adventure that lies ahead of us. Stay tuned!!!

Halloween Sneak Preview....Snow White

Ever since we went to Disney World this spring, Hannah has been really into Snow White. We don't really get it to be honest. We went on the "Snow White Haunted Ride" and as the three of us were on the ride, Todd and I looked at each other like hmmmm - this wasn't a very good idea, and Hannah was holding on tight saying "this is scary". The word haunted should had been a give away, but we went on it anyway. The funny thing is that is all Hannah has talked about since we were at Disney. She wants to go back on the Snow White ride. When I asked her what she wanted to be for Halloween this year, I thought for sure she would said Ariel (the little mermaid) as that is one of her favorite stories, and Cinderella is a top choice as well. But, sure enough, she insists on Snow White. I got her costume in the mail this week, and let her try it on last night. She LOVED it. She was all smiles and asked if she could wear it to school next week. I told her she was just going to have to wait until Halloween. We did get her matching red sparkly glitter shoes from Target that match perfectly, you can see in the picture, but I personally think they make the outfit :)

After putting on her Snow White outfit, she asked what Daddy and I were going to be for Halloween. I said I didn't think we were going to dress up. She said "No mommy, you dress up, you are going to be Belle, and Daddy is going to be the Beast" ( From Beauty and the Beast). I had to laugh, cute idea, but I don't think she can convince me to dress up like Belle 4 weeks after having a baby :) Maybe next year....

College Gameday Opener! Go Gators

Today is one of Todd's favorite days of the year, the season opener for the Gators ( and the Buckeyes too). Hannah didn't have a Gator cheerleader outfit this year, so we went with her own version.. and orange tutu and gator shirt. She has been begging to wear it since we got it. Hannah got a new Gator purse with a little Gator animal in it from Rosemary... she has been calling her new little Gator "Tebow" all week. I am not sure what Todd has done to her, but she does love the Gators. Thanks Rosemary!!





We did watch the Bucks today, they had a rough start to the season, but still won. Hoping for good things this year!! Hannah's little brother already has many OSU little sleepers for the season, I am hoping I get one Buckeye out of this family!! :)

Go Bucks, Go Gators, hoping for a fun season!!!

Minnesota State Fair 2009

Even after last year, when Dad said he would never return to the Minnesota State Fair... we still went, with some begging and pleading from Hannah and Mom. At school this week, each day they learned about the fair.. the food, the rides, the animals. Hannah talked about it every day on the way home. How could we not bring her when she is in the back seating asking if she was going to get a deep fried hot dog at the fair, oh, and ride the ferris wheel? So, we went, and this years experience was much better than last year. There were no tears, no tantrums. Just smiles and fun. Our first stop was Hannah's deep fried hot dog request, so she got a pronto pup. I have to say, it was actually pretty tasty. Hannah ate almost the whole thing herself leaving only one bite each for mom and dad.




Our next stop was a visit to see all the animals. We saw pigs, horses, goats, cows and chickens. Hannah couldn't believe how big some of the cows were. She even got to hear them moo which made her laugh.



And our final stop ( after a soft pretzel, lemonade, and chocolate chip cookies with milk) was kiddieland... with all the rides just the size for Hannah. She loved the rides and didn't want to leave. She rode cars, boat bumper cars, a train and went down a slide. She didn't like the big slide too much. She said it was scary and asked it next year she didn't have to do that:)

It was a fun evening, and Mom and Dad were exhausted at the end. Dad was a hurt ankle, and Mom walking around for 3 hours straight 9 months pregnant was a little tiring. We all limped to the car, slowly but surely got home and went fast alseep. Until next year....

A "tutu" kind of morning....

Soon, very soon, Hannah will getting back to her fall schedule. A schedule more well suited for a 2 year old than her summer schedule. Since summers in MN are short, sweet, but short, we always try to make the most of it. That means spending as much time outside as we can, and enjoying the crisp evenings we have had this summer. This also means that Hannah doesn't always get to bed until 9pm, sometimes 9:30pm.. after all, we need to play at the play ground, draw on the sidewalk, and put all her baby dolls to bed before she goes to bed herself. The results of our evening summer fun, don't always translate into fun mornings at the Steinemann house. Hannah isn't a morning person, and could use that extra hour of sleep she needs in the morning. Trying to coerce her out of bed to get ready for school in the morning, isn't a fun chore. In desperate times, I result in bribing her with her favorite thing to wear. And that, translates into... you guessed it, Tutus! Between 5:30 and 6:30am this morning, I wasn't having much luck getting Hannah moving... finally, by 6:45 I use the magic words.. "Hannah, if you get up, you can wear a tutu today" She popped right out of bed, finally excited to start her day!! Phew... and we made it to school and work on time.