August: Meeting Isaac!

We were filled with joy on 8/8/11 when we got to meet Isaac Combs.

He came into the world with grace and was a hunk from the start.

Maggie said giving birth was "a piece of cake." No joke.

Don't they look beautiful?

What an amazing birthday.  8/8.  Love that.

The happy couple. Just kidding.  Kind of.

August: Splash Park

Adorable bathing suit courtesy of Kaylee

My hair doubles as a hygrometer (this day was humid)

Daddy took Gwen around the splash park, safe in his arms

I had dipped her feet and she was NOT in the mood for it.
Here she is with tears, drool, and a tight grip on Daddy.

 

"Don't make me go back there Dad!"

August: Gwen and Ivy

Playing together at Ivy's house

Anjuli and Ivy (6 months)

Going for a walk together

Matching bumbos, Ivy is always showing Gwen what's next...
 including eating solids and growing teeth

Sweet Girls

August: Visit from the Wassinks

We got a chance to see our dear friends who moved to Kansas City last spring, just before Gwen was born.

They stayed with us for two nights and we had lots of fun with Convention Grill burgers, the final HP movie, a party with friends in our backyard (that we were invited to! just to clear up any confusion), and lots of soaking up their adorable kids.

Thought this shot of Case was worth grabbing the camera for.
That's a mini baseball player he's eating.
He was enthralled by The AristoCats during their visit.

Sadie is SO big.  It was a joy to get to know her raspy voice, messy crying, and gorgeous face as a toddler.

How is it possible that this much time has passed?

We love you Wassink family!

Gwen: 4 Months (8/10/2011)

Here is Gwen at 4 months on 8/10/2011:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Aunt Beth! 

Starting to tip over.  The times of sitting still are far behind us.

Wait, did Gwen ever have times of sitting still?

Reaching for, and grabbing her feet became Gwen's life's passion this month.
Red spots on her head are from ruthless self-scratching during naps.

Aunt Beth took this when she babysat over our anniversary night away.

I can't get enough of this picture.  Or Gwen's delicious soft baby skin.
(Look at her huge cradle-cap scalp improvements!)

This was the month of established giggles and laughs. 

Love for tummy time skyrocketed this month.

Lots of walks to the library.

Dad got you giggling in this picture. 

Concentrated face for frantic kicking.  Again, always in motion.

Trying out the doorway jumper for the first time.  So great!

And the exersaucer.  Now our favorite kitchen accessory!
(Remember this?)

"What are you lookin at?" 

Here, a seasoned professional at the doorway jumper.

(Baby playing with my fingers = great feeling)

Gwen sleeps with her pink elephant head blanket and her green pancake bear.
On her face.  Yes.  This is the tradition that she has established.
Don't worry, they are not heavy or thick enough to actually settle on her face and block airways.

Other points of interest about Gwen during the month of August:

• Doctor called Gwen "very well-proportioned" and she is in 71% for weight, height, and head size
• 14 lbs 8 oz, 24 3/4 in. long
• wearing 6 month clothes
• laughing and smiles increase
• PLAYS with toys
• grabs and brings to mouth
• eats 6 oz every 4 hours (24 oz per day)
• 2-3 naps during day, 10-12 hours sleep at night (WAHOO!)
• starting exersaucer and jumper, love the bumbo
• Learned how to throw a tantrum on 8/15.  Uncontrollable crying.  Finally cried self to sleep in my arms.  So tired but refused to nap.  Maybe caused by a growth spurt?
• Rolled from back to tummy by yourself on 8/19.
• Very interested in new skills of coughing and blowing bubbles
• Uncle Ryan made Gwen laugh really hard lifting up above his head and she spit up into his mouth
• LOVES grabbing feet on changing table
• Ouch.  Teeth hurt.  Trying to manipulate objects into your mouth, but often unsuccessfully which is frustrating.
• Toes almost always curled up tightly

August: Four Years Celebrated.

This year instead of having a far-away anniversary destination, we decided to keep close.  It was our first night away from Gwen after all.  She stayed with Aunt Beth in Bloomington, and we spent a night downtown.  Many thanks to Priceline, which allowed us to get a 4 star hotel for $75!  We were right by Nicollet Mall, so we got to do lots of walking and exploring.  

Our first stop was MIA (Minnesota Institute of Arts)

Us. Four Years Later.

I was pumped to show Bert all the cool stuff.  He'd never been there before!

My favorite piece here.  Those colors make me happy!

Bert was impressed by this marble statue.

This is another of my favorites-Veiled Lady

One of the best rooms! 

This one makes me miss Paris

My favorite period room - the Duluth Room.  Love those corner benches.
I thought Bert would appreciate it, since that's his college hometown.

Relaxing in the room.  Bert is into the 100 Cupboards series too!

We walked to the fancy new Mpls Library downtown.  It was so cool.
I appreciate that my husband will completely humor me in outings like this. :)

Sweet decorating and lighting in the children's section

Next Stop: Top of the Foshay Tower!
Yes, the lighting in the lobby is neon pink.  Wowza!

Taking in a little history before we see the sights at the top.
This outing is definitely worth the trip.
We even got free passes at our nearest library.

Standing atop what used to be the highest building in the city

Seeing our reflection in a nearby mirror

Vertigo and stomach nervousness is how my body reacts to heights.  Bummer.
I was so glad that the observation balcony had a high wall.

Our last stop and lunch destination.  Cue choirs rejoicing...

"Bert, show me how excited you are"

I opted for salad bar only, in lieu of my Foshay tower nervous tummy.
It was still Ah-mazing. 

Yum.  His favorite kind of meat was the house special.

Would you believe that's just the daily flower arrangement on the salad bar? 

To top off the 24 hours of fun, we got a free dessert!

I have to say, we were SO excited and ready to see Gwen when it was all done.  But it was fun to look back and enjoy all the great memories of our years together, and be hopeful for what the future years will hold.  All is grace.