Playgroup

This picture is a couple of months old, but I wanted to share our playgroup friends with everyone. It was difficult to get all the kiddos on the couch and looking toward the camera at once but Jenn did a good job of entertaining them with toys. We didn't even think about trying to get them to smile.

Playgroup has changed a bit now that we have "traveling" babies. It's fun to see them crawl over and around each other and share and take toys from each other. What a blessing the moms in this group have been to me. I thank God for them every day.

Here's a picture from the last time you saw us.

Starting Early

We at dinner over at our house a few nights ago and put Sylvia down in the pack and play so we could get some work done. I actually went and got another MD to drink because she was so interested in this one and didn't want to give it up. I figured it was the easiest way to keep her entertained while we ate.

September Bible Memory

At preschool we do a Bible memory verse each month. The kids work on the verse at school and we send home little magnets for them to hang on their refrigerators at home. Here is this month's verse...

Papaya

I bought a papaya the other day in hopes of letting Sylvia try a new fruit. As I cut into it, I was surprised to find this...



I guess I've never had a papaya before. The seeds inside were so slimy and gross and I was actually somewhat disgusted by the way it looked. It turns out it wasn't ripe enough and we ended up throwing the whole thing away...after a mini photo shoot.

The Girl's Gotta Dance

No matter how Sylvia is feeling (happy, sad, hungry, tired)...she must dance when music plays. Sometimes she'll be crying during a diaper change and when I start to sing she'll wiggle a little in between the tears. I recently bought her a "new" toy (most of our "new" toys are from Goodwill). I planned on taking the batteries out because it's got some little beads that move around in it when you drag it around. However, Sylvia got her hands on it before the batteries came out and now it's too late. She was crawling through her toys this evening and bumped into this one. It immediately started playing music and she froze where she was and started dancing. Don't ask me why a snail that plays music also warbles like a turkey.


Enough with the camera mom


Here are a couple of Sylvia's other "new" toys.

Prepare to be Weirded Out

If you haven't checked it out yet, you have to go to yearbookyourself.com. Dan and I (and Sylvia) enjoyed our trip to the webpage.

This is what the site was intended for...
Early 1950s



Late 1950s




Early 1960s



Mid 1960s



Early 1970s (I think these are my mom's and dad's haircuts from this year)



Mid 1970s



Late 1980s



Mid 1990s



Late 1990s (This is actually when we graduated. I'll have to dig up our senior pictures to compare)




This is not what the site was intended for (although it made us laugh...and cringe a lot)...

Preschool; Under Construction

Last time I updated you on the preschool the water had just receded. There is now drywall up and painting is underway. Things are progressing well and we can't wait to move back.

Welcome to Preschool


My Office


Room 9


Room 7/8


Room 5/6


Storage


We are currently holding preschool at Hope United Methodist Church. Although it is more work for our staff, we are very thankful to have a place to meet. The teachers did a great job of turning an empty basement into a wonderful preschool. I'll try to post pictures sometime so you can see all their hard work.

Our Newest Friend

Last Wednesday, the three of us headed to North Liberty to have dinner with our friends, Ben & Jennie. Dan's uncle is in town and we thought about post-poning dinner, but Jennie was pregnant and we didn't want to miss the opportunity to spend time with them before the baby arrived. I'm glad we went because Samantha Grace entered the world on Friday.

We stopped by tonight with some premie clothes and dinner and had the chance to meet Samantha. Here's a peek at little Samantha. What a beauty.

More Creativity (Nursing Cover)

Last month, I decided it was about time I start being creative again. I made a few headbands for Sylvia. I've been wanting to do some sewing but my machine has been in a box in the garage since we were displaced.

The birth of my friend's daughter motivated me to get going. I took Sylvia to the fabric store yesterday (she was awarded the best baby in the store award by the grandma in line behind us) and picked out some fabric for a nursing cover as well as some D rings and plastic boning. Today, I took a look at my "Hooter Hider" and was able to put this together. It actually turned out very well and only took me a couple of hours...with a 9 month old crawling around investigating my thread and the power cord for the sewing machine.

Happy Birthday Grandpa & Go Hawks!

I just wanted to give a shout out to my grandpa because today is his 58th birthday. I would also like to say that although the Hawks won, I can't say they're looking very good for the year. The fourth quarter was good, but in the first three quarters both teams combined for 2 made field goals, 3 missed field goals, 3 interceptions, and a lot of incomplete passes and punting - so not the prettiest thing to watch. That's why I mostly played instead. Mommy and Daddy got to go to the game for Grandpa's birthday. I hung out with my cousins, Katie & Ben...and my Uncle Bill and Aunt Becky...and their dog, Scout.

Thanks for the hat Grandma & Grandpa.


Soon I'll be playing drums in the marching band, but for now I can just clap along.

9 Month Stats

At 9 months...

Sylvia is 19 pounds 6 ounces and 27 1/2 inches.

Laura was (approximately) 23 pounds 10 ounces and 28 inches.

Dan was (approximately) 20 pounds and 28 inches.

Happy Grandparents Day!

Sylvia would like the world to know that she has the best grandparents and great grandmas! Unfortunately, I didn't have the video camera on so you can't hear her talking about how wonderful they are.





"I love you Nana & Papa and Grandpa & Grandma!"



"I love you Great Nana!"



"I love you Granny!"




"I love you GGma!"



Sylvia really does have the best Grandparents. Thank you for all that you have done for us. We love you all.

A Visit from Parker Austin Kac

Sylvia got to meet her friend Parker last weekend when our friends Brian & Emily came back to Iowa.

She was excited to see that he too had toes and wanted him to wake up and play.


Although he did wake up, Sylvia didn't know what she thought of Parker sitting in her bouncy seat (that she hasn't used for 3 months).


Sylvia is 6 months older than Parker. Although she outweighed him at birth, Parker quickly passed her up.