Apples, Cider, and Pumpkins!!!

Once again this year Larry Joe and Jean invited us over to pick pumpkins, apples, and make cider! We have been looking forward to it since last year :) Grant didn't want to get out of the truck at first, but he soon decided there was way too much fun going on to be sitting in the truck by himself. Brynna was tired when we got there, so she didn't have the best time (until she just decided to take her evening nap in her car seat).

The pumpkin probably weighs more than she does.

She's not having fun...why don't kids appreciate a good photo op like Moms do?

Seriously, Mom, I'm DONE!!! (notice her two bottom teeth, cute!)

He has to go for the ones just out of his reach :)

Showing baby sister his apple.

This is just before she decided to just take a nap...with the tractor running and kids all around her.

The cows got the bad apples :)

We came home with pumpkins, apples, cider, squash, and a few tomatoes.

Thanks again Larry Joe and Jean for a fabulous fall evening!!!

New email address!!!

PLEASE change your email address for me!!! I'm getting too much junk in my hotmail account and I can't get my army account emails on my BlackBerry, so I'm switching to...

jessvandewater@gmail.com

I'll be sending out emails soon, but thought I'd give another reminder here too!

If you have little girls...check this out!

I've been looking for a Halloween costume for Brynna and came across this local boutique. This lady is a new mom who is starting this business so she can cut down to part-time at her current job. I haven't ordered anything yet, so I can't speak for the quality/service, but she answered my emails super fast!!!

I might get Brynn one to wear for Halloween that she can also wear at her first b-day party!!!

http://www.lauriestutuboutique.com/

Iowa State vs Army

We spent Saturday in Ames. We tailgated and watched the ISU vs Army football game. The kids stayed with Grandpa Brian and Grandma Paula for the day. Everyone had a great time!!!

It was a perfect night for football.

Heather Johnson and I (the shirts say Cylcone Strong).

Heather had some pretty rockin' cookies!! We couldn't decide who we should cheer for :)

At the game...we both wore ISU and Army gear :)

Your employer or your alma mater???

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On a side note, Brynna got her second tooth on Saturday!!!!

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Ear Infection :(

Poor Brynna!!! I took her to the doctor yesterday morning and sure enough, one ear is really bad and the other didn't look great. The doctor said it may be a second infection or it's possible the first one just didn't get totally cleared up. Either way, NO fun for Brynna! They put her on a stronger antibiotic this time and said we're going to have to keep an eye on her ears. I'm praying that this isn't the start of ear problems...both of my brothers had issues with their ears. She's handling it fairly well, she just has to sleep upright, in her car seat because she cries if she lays down flat. This morning I had to rock her to sleep for her nap, which I never have to do!!! Hopefully the medicine will kick in soon.

Her and Grant both have colds and she is teething...so, she is one pathetic little girl :)

Brynna is 5 months old!!!

I can't believe how fast the last 5 months have gone!!! She is an amazing baby, always happy and smiley...even with a cold and possible 2nd ear infection today.

Grant wanted in the pictures with his baby sister today.

"I'm going to get you, Grant!"

"I love you, big brother!"

Here is a picture of Grant at 5 months.

They grow up fast!!!!

"Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him."
Psalm 127:3

Brynna's first tooth!!!

I knew it was getting close and this evening it finally broke through (2 days before turning 5 months old)! The one right next to it is about through too!!! Even Grant has been waiting for the baby to get teeth :)

Dad got the tooth in the picture, but not the baby :) Oh well!!!

Here are some other cute pictures of Brynna in her church dress and sweater today.

Grant has not been letting me take pictures of him lately, so hopefully he'll move past this phase soon!

Not a whole lot new with us...trying to get back into a routine now that we are done traveling.

Lee decided to rearrange/reorganzie the basement today in between church and Bible study, which means I have to rearrange/reorganize my desk as well...he's almost done, me...not so much :)

Our baby girl is growing up...FAST!

I finally broke down and gave Brynna her first rice cereal last night. I just haven't been in a hurry for her to try it for some reason. Anyway, she sits on the table in her Bumbo seat while we eat dinner and she has been so interested in our food lately. She just looks at me like, come on Mom, I'm big enough for food too!!! So, I decided to let her try last night...SHE LOVED IT!

She was opening her mouth and grabbing at my hand to pull it closer to her mouth.

It was a little messy...

Grant wasn't quite as thrilled when he first tried cereal...

In fact, he cried the first few time we tried it.

Although, he probably wasn't big enough to sit in that high chair, so it was a little bit my fault too :)

Then, this morning, I left Brynna on her blanket and ran downstairs for a couple minutes,

THIS is where she was when I came back up...

She's not "crawling" but she is rolling over and over and pushing around with her feet, pulling her legs up under her, and certainly mobile!!!

She also has her first tooth SO close to poking through. I don't think it's actually broken through the skin yet, but I can see it and feel it just under her gums. It's the bottom left center tooth. Grant's first was his bottom center right one (followed a couple days later by the bottom left one) and it was at about 6.5 months.

She's growing up...FAST! We'll be out shopping for prom dresses before I know it :)

Weekend in Chicago

Lee and I went to Chicago this last weekend for a U2 conert and a Cubs baseball game. We went with Lee's brother Jon and his wife Heather, and Lee's college roomate Ryan and his girlfriend Stacy. We had been planning this trip for about 6 months, and we had a great time!

We got there on Friday night.

Walked around the city, A LOT...ate dinner, and tried to see Navy Pier (it was closing when we got there).

We caught the start of the Iowa State vs. Iowa game at a bar in Wrigleyville before the baseball game started. Probably a good thing we didn't get to watch the whole football game...Sad :(

Wrigley Field

Cubs vs. Reds, the Cubs lost too...our teams didn't do well.

U2 Concert, the stage was crazy and huge!

The concert was at Soldier Field and Snow Patrol opened for them.

At the concert...this was one of the hats they were selling. I borrowed this one from Stacy for the picture b/c I didn't want to spend the money to buy one. However, after the concert, we found one on the ground...it was our lucky night :)

Jon and Heather, Lee and Jess, Ryan and Stacy


 

We had an amazing weekend and I'm ready to go back to Chicago, what a fun (although expensive) city!!! My mom came to our house and stayed with the kids while we were gone, they had lots of fun too.

Thanks for babysitting, Mom!

They had a picnic,

and a campout!

They also got to play with cousin, Owen!!!

September 11th - A day that changed everything

Today let us not only remember the men, women and children who died eight years ago but also be thankful for the brave men and women who’ve protected us against further attacks in the ensuing years.

God bless the United States of America!

Thank you Lee, I'm so proud to be your wife!!!

Thank you Wade, I'm so proud to be your big sis!!!

Chiggers!!!!

Grant was out in the timber with Lee and Papa this past weekend. OUCH!!!!

I think they all got them, but I really feel sorry for Grant, he doesn't know that the woods are full of creepy crawlies this time of year. I stick to this motto, "Nature bites" it has served me well!!!

Brynna's four month check up

Brynna had her four month check up this morning (a little late due to us being in KY, she was four months on Aug. 22). She is doing great!!! The doctor said she has the strength and skills of a 6 month old...cool, I guess :) Her ear is looking better too, so hopefully that will no longer be an issue. She even did okay with her shots this time. I had a bottle ready, so she ate and calmed down pretty quick. She fell asleep and was happy/sleepy enough that I was able to run some errands while we were in town.

Weight: 14.12 lbs (75%)

Height: 25" (75%)

Waiting for the doctor.

Grant keeping her entertained.

I am "that" mom at the grocery store!!! Oh well, the car  keeps Grant happy :)

Poor baby girl, her first ear infection...first antibiotic

So, Brynna started getting fussy and waking up a few times throughout the night during our last 4-5 days in Kentucky. At first, I thought it was because our room was so cold (the thermostat never did work right) or because she was teething (I think I can see four little bottom teeth just under the gums). However, she just wasn't acting right and my "mother's intuition" started kicking in. I started thinking....Hmmm, maybe it's an ear infection. But, she wasn't running a fever, wasn't really acting "sick" so I just waited...Well, she was still fussy after getting home yesterday evening and woke up several times over night. I decided to take her to the walk-in clinic this morning...and sure enough, EAR INFECTION!!!
Poor baby girl, I hate it when the kids are sick!!! We started on a 2x/day for seven days, antibiotic. I put her down for her nap this afternoon...and now I'm in DSM getting my hair done (yes, my salon has internet, SO cool!!!). So, I hope and pray she is feeling better soon!
Looking forward to a relaxing weekend at home...then it's off to Chicago (without the kids) next weekend for a Cubs baseball game and the U2 concert!

Good bye Fort Knox

It's been a long two weeks, but it's quickly coming to an end. Lee took (and passed!) his final exam this morning and he's turning everything in as I type this. We get to head back tomorrow morning after Lee gets released from his course (hopefully by 7:30am).

It's been an adventure living the "active duty" life for 14 days. I am still in awe of the fact that every soldier, spouse, and child that I see going about their daily lives, does this EVERY day. Protecting our country and our freedoms IS their life. Now, I know that Lee lives this every day too...I just don't see the family and community aspect of it at home. Thank you to ALL of the soldiers and families, especially my brother Wade, sister-in-law Stephanie, and niece, Whitney!!!

I've never felt safer than when "living" on an active duty military post and have never met friendlier people (residents, not employees). However, I didn't like all the reserved parking spaces (for some important person or another), the LONG lines everywhere, the lack of customer service I recieved at the PX and the attitude from the front desk staff at our hotel. I hope this was just my experience and not reflective of post employees as a whole.

All in all it was a postive experience, and certainly better than being at home without Lee for two weeks. I feel blessed that we even had the option to tag along. However, I am SO ready to be home!!! I will never again complain that my house is too small, it's going to feel like a mansion after this :)

Louisville Zoo

The Louisville Zoo is a partner of the Blank Park Zoo, so our pass is honored there! It was really neat and a great way to keep everyone busy for another day. SO ready to be home!!!

Grant and Brynna in the Sit and Stand Stroller (the best invention, EVER)!

Grant on the baby elephant statue.

The lions were actually roaring at each other. Grant said, "They are really good at roaring!"

There was an awesome gorilla area. This one liked looking at pictures of other gorillas...seriously! There was a volunteer there with a big bag full of books and pictures of gorillas. That thing sat there for over 20 minutes looking at pictures. It was pretty cool!

Brynna even stayed awake for some of the zoo this time :)