Labor Day weekend is the close to an AMAZING summer!

On Sunday, August 29th, my mom and dad celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary! 40 years! I mean, I think of someone turning 40 and thinking - oh they're not old...but then I think about a couple, still madly in love with each other - married together and celebrating their love after 40 years of committing their lives together and I can't do anything but tear up :)

Mom and Dad, you have set an amazing example of what I want my marriage and family to be like :) You have stood by each other's side through SO MUCH! You have been more than supportive of your children and your grandchildren. You have given up so much just to be a HUGE part of all of our lives! If we need you, you are there - no questions asked. If I call you late at night, you answer and talk as if you were wide awake-and it's never a problem. The love that spills out of your hearts for your family is the exact love I hope my children are able to recognize one day.

I remember growing up and seeing dad come home on his lunch break to "hang out"-and he didn't work that close! I remember watching the two of you stop and hug each other often - giving each other a kiss :) I love all of the times that I'm walking behind the two of you and you are holding hands! You've been doing this ever since I was a child...and to this day - it melts my heart :)

I don't think you realize how truly amazing the two of you are! We will consider our marriage successful if we can be half as happy as you! Thank you for being such an amazing part of our lives! You are such good role models to all of us...Thank you and I LOVE YOU!

We had such an amazing weekend celebrating life together as a family of 3 :) It was fun filled and packed...no time to stop and retie our shoes or finish that last sip of wine before the waiter was taking it away.

Friday began with our trip up to the cities for the beginning of our fun filled, packed weekend together! We arrived at my mom and dad's house at 4:15 pm. We immediately got ready to head out to Josh and my FINAL Season Ticket game at Target Field. Auntie Colleen was so excited to hang out with Callie for the night :)

Josh and I enjoyed celebrating the "50 best MN Twins baseball players through the years" with my mom and dad (we split season tickets with them). The weather was crisp and delightful! We were able to see Matthew Fox pitch his FIRST major league baseball start...and he lasted 6 wonderful innings! We also saw a great win :) Colleen informed me of the fun filled evening her and Callie had together! She tuckered her out, because Callie was out cold when we got home. Thank you Auntie Colleen for playing with Callie!! I know how much she loved it :) And you for teaching her new tricks ;)

Saturday morning we woke up and headed to Heather's for AJ's 4th Birthday Party! I can't believe Andrew is 4 years old :) He was very excited about the gift that Callie gave him! Callie loves fun books, so she figured her cousin closest in age would too! Andrew received a fun "Bus" from Auntie Heidi! The box had Japanese writing all over it, and when you push the buttons, it speaks in Japanese - it was HILARIOUS...Herold thought they were mentioning "Beef Fried Rice"...hahahaha!!

Immediately after celebrating with AJ, we headed back to my mom and dad's house to get ready for Matt & Beth Pawlikowski's BEAUTIFUL outdoor wedding! It was a gorgeous day and two beautiful people were united together in love :) They wrote their own vows, and I have to tell you, Matt's vows to Beth were by far the BEST vows Josh and myself have ever heard :) He took lines from different songs and combined them to create his vows! Then in Beth's vows to Matt, she vowed to accept his video gaming and vowed to play along side him! Josh said we should have added that to our vows...darn, too bad we didn't (wink wink)!

Callie had a BLAST at the wedding. She enjoyed looking at all of the pretty dresses and people. She was a huge hit there too! She was so well behaved (are we surprised by this...no!) and was so observant of everyone and everything! She was able to see Blake & Britt too - who are expecting their first child November 12th - Stay in there until then Blueberry!!

Thank you mom and dad for coming to pick up Callie from the reception so we could stay and continue to have a good time past her bedtime :) I just love watching Josh and Blake together...you two are gems :)

Sunday morning we literally woke up, packed, and walked out the door! It was the day I had been waiting for for 365 days! Yes my friends, the MINNESOTA STATE FAIR! If you know me, and you know my family, you know how important this day is! Most families have their traditions where they get together on a certain holiday (Memorial Day weekend, 4th of July, etc...), but not us...we get together at the Great MN Get Together! This year was a little different because my parents went earlier in the week (celebrating their 40th Wedding Anniversary and all!), so we changed things up this year.

Callie LOVED it! She loved the people, the smells, the atmosphere, everything! I think she was PISSED at me because I wouldn't let her have any of the World Famous French Fries...but next year for sure :) They are by far the BEST Fries in the entire world! I look forward to them! Lynn met up with us this year (I still can't believe you haven't been there since you were a teenager) and was able to experience the "Best Of's" according to a 'Shellum'. Dad-you'd be proud, I had her eat all of the bests! I did skip out on several foods this year, but we had Callie along and needed to get her home...so we didn't stay as long as we typically do.

Our first stop was at the "Little Hands Adventure". Claire was volunteering for her Girl Scouts so we HAD to stop and visit and see her...I'm so proud of you Claire :) She had her brother, Jeffrey volunteering too - they were working so hard! Heather saw Callie and immediately snatched her up to show her around :) Callie LOVED it there! A place we will be going back EVERY YEAR I am sure :)

We were lucky enough to meet up with Cousin Michele, Donney, Uncle Don & others! She was able to meet Callie for the first time - YEAH :) Yes Michele, all babies are this good, you should have one :) Wink Wink! About 10 minutes after seeing Michele, we met up with Cousin Steve and his beautiful girlfriend Rachel-but Callie was asleep when we finally found them :( Looks like an excuse to get together again :)

I wanted so badly to meet up with Colleen & Herold, but we were on opposite ends of the fair every time a text would actually go through! But we'll see you again soon anyway :)

Our time at the fair was extremely short this year, but I won't complain...I was able to experience my daughter's first time at the fair and watching her initial reactions to everyone and everything AND I was able to have my Fries!

Next year we will do it the way "Shellum's" do it! (Don't worry Josh, I know I'm a McRae - but the Shellum's do the fair totally different than any normal human being!)

Today was also the VERY FIRST DAY that we have NOT wiped ANYTHING from Callie's eyes :) WHOA WHO! Could it be? Is her goop going away? I don't know, but it's exciting!

I'm feeling about 100 times better about sending her to day care tomorrow too! I needed one week to get through work...I'm going to be okay! That and I have something to look forward to - SWIMMING LESSONS! Yup - Josh and I are taking her to swimming lessons on Tuesday's and Thursday's for 4 weeks :) She loves swimming, so this will be fun!

6 months...just around the corner...

I'm a LIAR

It was the first day of first grade! I walked into my classroom with my huge brown eyes, curly hair and a cute little dress...I met her for the first time! The girl that changed my life!

Miss Johnson was my first grade teacher many years ago! I still remember listening to her memorizing voice teaching us so many things! I remember being the "Special Person" for a day and wearing my "Special" necklace! When I got home from school on that first day, I told my mom that I wanted to be a teacher, just like Miss Johnson!

It was from that day forward that I knew what I wanted to do!

I even kept in touch with Miss Johnson! In Junior High we had to write letters to someone in our past that has "inspired us"...so I wrote mine to her :) In high school she let me come into her classroom and do an internship with her class for the entire school year. She came to my high school basketball games, graduation, our wedding and she was at my baby shower and had the opportunity to meet Miss Callie!

As you know, I accomplished my dreams...I graduated from college, received my master's degree, continued onto bigger more challenging dreams and am almost complete with my administrative license!

I'm an educator...and I like to thank Miss Johnson for planting that seed!

This week was my first week back at work...Callie's first week of day care! Things have been going WONDERFULLY for her! Jessica is AMAZING! She gets to play with Callie everyday and gives her just as much love as we do :) She even takes pictures of her and puts them on Facebook sometimes so we can see what she does during the day!

Callie and Jessica on her first day of daycare :)
Jessica - YOU ARE AMAZING!

Today was tough...you see, we have conferences until 8:00 PM. Jessica needed to go to her own children's conferences, so we arranged to have a dear friend babysit from 3:30-8:00 PM. As I was driving home from Jessica's to gather some things for the sitter, I realized that all this hard work of working towards my dreams, achieving bigger and better things is a lie!

Callie and I arrived home at 3:00 pm. She was sleeping when we walked in the door, so I let her sleep in her car seat while I touched up my make up and fluffed my hair. As we were walking out the door, Callie woke up. 10 seconds later, we were at Mary's house...15 minutes...that's how much time we spent at home...and she slept :(

The lie I have been living with....all along I was working towards becoming an Educator. Going to school, working hard on projects and searching for valuable experiences to ensure the best possible education imaginable for myself...

Family shot on Callie's first day of daycare...
I cried all the way to work :(

When all along...I don't want to do any of it.

I WANT TO BE A STAY AT HOME MOM!

Video Fun

Now that I've figured out that uploading Callie videos to Youtube FIRST makes it easier to put on our blog (and Facebook for that matter), I can do both :)

Enjoy these videos of our Little Miss!

Because our plans changed from going up north, we had a family day today! Callie has been doing a lot of jumping lately, so wanted to get her a "Johnny Jump Up" - we call it her "Jumper" and SHE LOVES IT! While we were at the store, we also bought her a big giraffe! Oh how this little peanut loves giraffes!

I'm sure I get some pictures later...for now she's in bed, asleep!

5 Months Already...HOLY CATS!

Callie is already 5 months old...that's a whole hand! I remember when I was 35 weeks pregnant thinking "Wow, I only have one more hand to go before I'm at 40 weeks!"

She has changed SO MUCH!

On Monday, August 16th - Callie turned 5 months old! We spent the day at the Minnesota Zoo with my parents and 3 of Callie's cousins: Claire, Jeff and Andrew! She had a BLAST! It was so much fun to watch her look around at everything! The water animals were by far her favorite! Josh and I have talked about getting an aquarium for her, because she loves watching the fish, but decided to use our money towards other things! So if anyone wants to buy her one...there you have it!

That night I took my niece/God-daughter Claire with me to Alyssa's VERY SUCCESSFUL Pampered Chef Party! I thinks he had fun! Josh went bowling with my dad for some long awaited bowling lessons from the old pro :) And my mom hung out with Callie and Andrew! Poor Callie was starting to feel a little off...

Tuesday we hung around with our little Miss. She then went to Josh's mom's house to hang out while Josh and I went to the Twins game with the Denzer's! We had such a great time! Josh and Jason made buddy buddy with an older lady who owned a bar - and she bought us all drinks :) Then we saw Brett Favre! He was sitting in the first row (2 rows in front of us) and by the end of the game, we had our picture taken with him :) Remind you this is the exact day that he flew into MN...so we felt honored to have our picture taken with him :)

By Wednesday morning, Callie was running a very high fever and not feeling well at all :( We brought her into the Dr. and they did some testing on her. She listened to her breathing and realized that Callie had some raspy breaths, so they took an XRay of her tummy (which Callie hated by the way) and then put her on a Nebulizer. We were giving her the neb 4-6 times a day for a couple days. She really didn't like it, but was willing to take it. She was so miserable, it was heart breaking. She's such a happy girl, that she was trying her hardest to be happy and playful, but you could tell she just wanted to sleep. Finally I took her on some errands with me to help her fall asleep...it worked!

By Friday afternoon, Callie is starting to feel like her old self again - well, at least she is acting like her old self again!

We did cancel our vacation plans up to the Lakes, because we wanted to keep her in her own home and not change her routine when she's not feeling well. Call us over protective, but we want her healthy. I guess the next time up there will be Thanksgiving.

Callie did something today that is AMAZING :) She rolled over for the FIRST TIME :) All the way! I was at a training for a reading intervention, but Josh noticed she was about to roll, so he grabbed the camera, and guess what - he caught her VERY FIRST ROLL on camera :)

She also enjoys sitting up! She's still having a hard time doing it independently, but you can tell that she really wants to! She'll lean forward and put her hands down, then she'll very carefully swan dive down onto her tummy :) It's pretty cute!

That's all for now :) She's getting healthy, keeping busy and waiting SO patiently for her first visit to the MN State Fair! We weren't going to bring her, but decided that considering Goldy the Gopher is there - we have to have her picture taken with him :)

A little late...but some 4 month high lights :)

Callie was 4 months old on July 16th (wow, I'm late). The reason I hadn't posted anything, was because her 4 month check up wasn't until 2 weeks after, so I was unable to post any of that information until after the appointment.

I had a really nice blog typed up and saved, but the video wouldn't upload, so I said screw it :) I'll start a new one-no video!

At Callie's 4.5 month check up, she was 14.1 pounds and 24.6 inches long :) We thought she was rather small for her age, but she fell in the dead center (50%) in both weight and height!

The Dr. said her spitting up is going to continue to get worse before it gets better, and it's not going to get better until she starts solids at 6 months - SO...we have to wait it out still ;)

Her eyes are always goopy, because her eye lids are folded inward. The Dr. informed us that it's nothing to worry about and they will begin growing outward as she gets older...then the eye goop will slow down and be normal.

The big news is - Callie has two front teeth! Getting a picture of her two bottom teeth is utterly impossible; however, I am just too talented for my own good :)

Callie continues to roll from her stomach to her back, but has not rolled all the way over yet. She gets stuck with her arm. She can get her legs all the way around, but then that darn arm gets in the way :( Soon enough, it'll come soon enough. You can tell she really does want to roll over, because she starts to get a little frustrated (rolling from back to stomach), and then she'll flip back over and try again. I wonder what she's thinking!

Callie was lucky enough to have her two grandma's babysit her two different times in one week:)

My mom came down for 2 nights :) Callie and Gramma spent ALL day Wednesday and ALL day Thursday together! Josh and I had kindergarten assessments, so we were gone the entire day both days. It was exhausting, but we knew Callie was in great care :)

That weekend Grandma Lynn came down, because Josh and I played in a softball tournament! Lynn was able to spend all day Saturday with Callie playing while mom and dad played softball ;) Being in that heat was exhausting, so it was nice to take naps (cough cough daddy cough cough). Thanks again for sticking around so we could go out with the Denzers that night :)

Callie and I are growing tomato plants too - and they are doing VERY well! Every day Callie and I go out and water our plants, or we pull the weeds out. We check to see how they are doing and when they'll be ready to eat! So far Callie has picked several tomatoes for Josh and I to eat :)

Callie is LAUGHING!

Callie started laughing:) It is the cutest sound in the entire world! I remember when she first started making fun noises...now she's laughing :)

Josh and I do everything in our power to make her laugh everyday - it's the most precious sound to your ears!

Enjoy :) (You can really hear her at the beginning of the video!)

Callie is 4 months old...

After Callie was baptized, she had an extremely busy month!

She attended her very first MN Twins game and was able to meet MN Twins Mascot, TC Bear :) He tried to walk away with her...as long as he brought her into the dugout I was okay :) Hehe!!

Callie had an amazing first experience up at the lakes :) She was able to hang out with both of her Great Grandparents, her Grandma Lynn, her Great Aunts and Uncles, AND some second & third cousins :) She loved swimming in the lake!

On July 8th, we picked up Callie's 3 month photos from Walmart. We decided that we didn't want to spend as much money, so we figured we'd save some by going there....WRONG! Turns out you spend a ton of money wherever you go. After doing the math, Josh and I realized that we would SAVE money in the long run if we just purchased our OWN camera :)

So we did. We are now owners of the new Sony Nex-3. We are having so much fun with it and Callie has been a great model for us! We also had a great storm go through Austin, so we were able to capture some shots from the aftermath :)

Callie is holding her head up completely on her own now. We receive these mini books every month from the city of Austin (Public Health), and they have different activities you can do with your baby each month. One for the 4th month (we're starting a bit early) is to pull your child up from their arms and see if they can hold their own head up. We tried it with Callie, and she was holding her head up on her own. YEAH :)

She is drinking 5 ounces of milk each feeding now and sleeping 12-13 hours straight! She takes 3-4 hour naps everyday!!! She prefers to nap on us...she likes to cuddle :) Hey I don't blame her - cuddling is amazing!

Josh and I played in a 3-on-3 basketball tournament (Gus Macker) with my sister Colleen and her boyfriend Herold last weekend. It was the very first time we left Callie over night away from us. She stayed at my parents house for the two nights we were gone. I know how much my mom and dad love her, and I know how amazing they are with kids (they've had 6 grandkids stay at their house many times without my sisters around...I know they can handle it), but it was so hard to leave her over night. I didn't get to give her a goodnight kiss and hug. I didn't get to read her her story and say her prayers with her. I know she was totally spoiled though. Ususally Josh and I lay her in her crib at night when she's still a little bit awake, and we have her put herself to sleep (this is a great life skill we have taught her at an early age!)-and my mom and dad held her till she fell asleep! We also give her cold milk...my mom heated up every bottle! Lucky girl getting spoiled by her gramma and grampa :)

We ended up staying one more night at my mom's house because we were so tired from the weekend and we just wanted to relax! It was Sunday evening (early evening), and I needed my breast pump from the car. It had just started pouring outside, so I walked into the living room and said (probably in a whiny voice) to Josh, "Oh no, I forgot to get my pump from the car and I need it now." Josh - without any question, go up, put my dad's over sized army poncho on and walked out in the pouring rain! I would have gotten it myself. I think Josh just heard that annoyance in my voice and decided to just do it for me :) Thank you sweetie - you are amazing :)

Today, Callie is 4 months old. I can't believe it myself. 4 months ago, Josh and I were meeting Callie for the first time. It feels so long ago, yet it feels like it was just yesterday. I'm not quite sure how to explain that, but it's been the best four months of my life!

She also started making this crazy scream lately! The first time we heard it, we thought she was mad and about to cry-nope! Callie screams when she is over joyed! Turns out, I do the same thing :)

My sister Colleen has been working REALLY hard to get Callie to stick out her tongue, and just recently she has been doing it :) She copies people, so back in June, Colleen and Herold were working on getting her to stick her tongue out...

In July, Grandma Lynn had a fun time getting Callie to copy her faces in the mirror at Great Grandma Barsness's house!

I'm heading to Anaheim on Sunday, July 18 and staying until Wednesday, July 21. I am going to hate more than anything being away from Josh and Callie for so long. Grandpa Don & Sharon are coming down for a night in there, so that will be fun for Josh and Callie ! It will make the time go by fast at least!

I love my family more than anything! I have the most supportive and encouraging husband in the entire world! He loves Callie and I with all of his heart! He would do anything for us-and I for them :) I thank God every day for the amazing man I fell in love with and married, and for the most perfect daughter!!!

Callie is 4 months old :)

Beautiful baby girl :)

Our family in plaid! You can't see it, but Josh and I have plaid shorts on

Gus Macker Basketball Tournament

4th of July Baby!

Enjoying the lakes

Happy girl :)

TC Bear

First Twins game in the new stadium!

Last time seeing the Bredlow family before they moved to Okinawa, Japan :(