Happy Thanksgiving!!

It's so hard to believe the holiday season is already here! Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!! We have so much to be thankful for this year, but we're especially thankful for our healthy and happy baby girl. Lauren is already 5 months old and is exploring the world around her more everyday. Justin and I couldn't be happier to be parents. We're looking forward to sharing in Lauren's first holiday season.

We enjoyed Thanksgiving with Justin's family yesterday. It was great to see so many family members and enjoy a fantastic meal together, but we missed those that couldn't be with us.

Hopefully we'll be able to enjoy some time with the rest of you at some point this holiday season.

Lauren has some big news to share-- she officially has her first tooth!! (Well, you can't really see it yet, but you can definitely feel it!) The first little sliver is poking out and we couldn't be happier as teething hasn't been so fun. Hopefully we'll be able to get a picture of her new pearly white once it becomes more visible and will share it with you.

Also making her arrival this month is Lauren's new best friend-- Jessie Elizabeth Simpson was welcomed to the world on November 5 by her parents Trulie and Mark. Mark and Trulie are such great friends and we're so thrilled for them. It's so hard to believe that Lauren was that small just a few short months ago...man how they change!! I love this picture of Lauren and Jessie "playing together"...Lauren looks HUGE!

Lauren really loves playing in her Exersaucer now. She doesn't quite have all the bells and whistles figured out yet, but I'm sure it won't be long. She is also talking constantly and has learned to suck on her bottom lip and hum...I'm sure she's trying to say Mama.

We had some semi-good news on our townhome (remember it's for sale, in case you know anyone that's interested.) We got an offer this week, but unfortunately it was too low to negotiate a compromise. So, we are still waiting for that perfect buyer, but it is great to have some interest and to know that there are people out there that like it. We'll keep hoping someone else comes along soon.

Our 4 year anniversary is coming up next Thursday. It sounds like we may go to dinner and Nonny/Boppa will get to babysit. Yeah! Next Friday, we're heading to Iowa for the weekend to see Mom and Dad. I'm sure it'll be just as cold there as it is here...who ordered winter??

Enjoy the holidays!
Until next time--

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!!

Lauren had a great time in her Halloween parade today at daycare. I was able to go with her and the rest of the babies in her room as they trick or treated through the hospital in their buggies. Lauren was awake for all of five minutes, then it was just too much I guess as she fell asleep on her pea. It was too cute. We actually had a few little goblins trick or treat at our house tonight. Lauren smiled at all the kids as they came by. She's such a good hostess already.

Lauren started eating solid foods last week. She started with rice cereal, which she wasn't too fond of, but is now having oatmeal everyday. That's a little better. Tonight, she had sweet potatoes for the first time. She LOVED them! She ate the entire container. You can see her enjoying her sweet potatoes by clicking here.

Lauren is also laughing out loud. Of course, she thinks her dad is the funniest person in the world. Here she is laughing at him. (Click here). Hmmmm...I'm not sure he's that funny, but he definitely has a captive audience now.

We have a busy weekend ahead. Justin is going to Crivitz for closing. Melissa, Jim and Stephanie will be here to watch the Hawkeyes take on Northwestern. On Sunday, we'll get to see all the aunts, uncles and cousins as we celebrate Nonny's birthday. We're looking forward to seeing everyone!! Check back soon for more updates.

Until next time...

Lauren is 4 months!

Lauren had her four month appointment today. Dr. Roth still thinks she's perfect! She weighed 14. 3 lbs (60th percentile) and was 25 inches long (84th percentile). She also had her second round of shots, so she's snoozing now.

This was Lauren's fourth trip to the doctor in two weeks. When I last posted, we had been to the doctor and there was no sign of ear infection. Well, Lauren's fever continued all week that week. We went back to the doctor a week ago Friday and found out she had terrible ear infection, she still had 103 degree temperature and there was some concern that she may possibly have urinary tract infection. So, Lauren also had to endure two urine catheters so that they could take a sample for the lab. Of course, we couldn't get anything out of her, so the doctor gave her grape pedialite, which she reacted too (not sure if it was the grape flavoring or the pedialite, but we'll be staying away from those!) So, the good news is that she did not have UTI, but she did get a roseola rash after she got rid of the fever. She spent the last 10 days on antibiotics and is much better now!! So hopefully we can all stay healthy for awhile now and not have to go back to the doctor anytime soon.

Lauren's First Plane Ride

We just got back from 3 days in Long Boat Key, Florida to help celebrate our friends Alex and Peg's wedding. We had a fantastic time and the wedding on the beach was absolutely beautiful. Congratulations Alex and Peg-- may you live a long and happy life together! Justin was one of the co-best men and we took Nonny with us to babysit while we were attending the wedding festivities. Thank you, Nonny!! We were so glad you were there.

Lauren had many firsts this past weekend. She rode in her first airplane! She did great (especially considering we were delayed about 3 hours on the way down due to mechanical problems!) and hardly made a sound, except when she was "talking" to her Nonny. She loved first class and I'm sure will want to sit there again on any future flights. The flight attendants thought she was so cute...Lauren is definitely a ham and will smile at just about anyone. She must get that from her daddy.

Lauren also went swimming for the first time. She got a new bathing suit for the occassion as well. She was stopping all the boys in their tracks. She wasn't so sure about the HUGE "bathtub" at first, but once she got in, she loved it. Click here to watch her swimming with Justin. We'll have to try to get her back in a pool soon.

Swimming was sooo tiring though that she fell asleep on the floor during her "tummy time". It was so cute that I couldn't resist a picture. You should see her on her tummy now...she gets her feet going like she'd really like to crawl. I'm sure before we know it, she'll be all over the place.

We had a slight delay on our way home, so Lauren played on the floor at the Tampa airport with Nonny and Justin. She's really enjoying reading books now and chewing on her ducky. I can't believe how much more she seems to be doing just since last week. She's even trying to sit up anytime she is on her back. She can't quite sit on her own, but she loves being in the upright position, so I'm sure it won't be long.

Thanks for checking in on us! We hope to see you all soon...

Until next time...

At Old Coe College...

We traveled back to Cedar Rapids this past weekend to attend Coe Homecoming. The campus looks fantastic. Lauren thinks she may submit her application. (When exactly can you qualify for early admission?) It was fun to see old friends and reminisce about college memories. One thing we did learn...Uncle Mikey isn't quite ready for kids yet since that means you can't take them with you to Homeport at half time.

Again, Lauren partied too hard this weekend and wound up with a fever on Sunday that she has been fighting all week. We took her to the doctor on Monday and it doesn't appear she has ear infection, so we're thankful for that. She stayed home with me yesterday and is home with Justin today. I think the fever is finally gone now though and she seems to be much happier.

She is really funny these days as she is "talking" constantly. I love it. My parents say that once I started talking I never stopped, so I guess we're in for some talkative days ahead. Like mother like daughter.

Most of you already know, but for those that don't, our townhome is officially on the market. We haven't found a new home yet and would like to sell our place first. So, if you know someone looking for a great townhome in Evanston, we've got one to sell. Keep us in your thoughts. We're hoping it's not too long of a road ahead.

Before I close, we want to wish Logan a Happy 2nd Birthday today!! We hope it's a fun day!

Thanks for checking in on us...

Let's Celebrate!

Lauren Jo Mead was baptized on Sunday, September 23. It was a great day and we were so happy that the majority of her Aunts, Uncles and Grandparents could join us. (We missed you Malsches, Chip and "the Greats"!) Lauren did great during the service and loved being paraded down the aisle by Pastor Heil. An interesting note-- we are the only 4th generation member family at the church. Following the service, we had a lovely brunch at Nonny and Boppa's. The busy weekend was apparently too much for Lauren. She had a meltdown after lunch. Poor thing. Justin says she's just like him...likes to enjoy the party, but doesn't feel the best the next day. And party she did. She helped celebrate my 30th birthday (oh vey!!) on Saturday night at Prairie Moon Restaurant in Evanston. It was a great evening and so fun to celebrate with so many of our friends and family. Hard to believe I'm 30! I don't feel 30. I do love that I get to celebrate my birthday each year with Nicholas. We spent Saturday afternoon playing video games at Gameworks! I'm sure it's probably the coolest place in the world to a 10-year old...and his uncles as well! It was a busy weekend of family, friends, and parties.

Boppa sang for Lauren's baptism.

Lauren and Mama with Pastor Heil.

Rolling Over

Well, it's official, Lauren knows how to roll over. She did it twice on Saturday (from her tummy to her back). I was lucky enough to get the second time on video so you all could see it too. (Click here). I'm sure it won't be long before she's rolling all over the place!

She's also starting to hold things in her hands. She really enjoys her silver rattle (thanks again, Phyllis!)

Lauren spent Sunday afternoon with Justin watching the Bears game at Mark and Trulie's while I went to Trulie's shower. Of course, she had to be decked out in her Bear's cheerleading outfit...it must have helped since the Bears won! No matter who you root for, you have to admit, she's pretty cute!

Lauren also loves her bathtime. We finally had to move her out of the sink and into the bathtub because she splashes all over! I can't resist posting a few bath pictures...

Lauren has a busy weekend of partying ahead! My family will be arriving from Iowa on Friday night. We'll be celebrating Nick's 10th birthday at Gameworks on Saturday afternoon and my 30th (bleh!) on Saturday night. Lauren will be baptized on Sunday! So, look for some more pictures next week from all the festivities. Have a great week!!