Civic Baby

Sophia voted for the first time!!  Sort of – she participated and supported us – that counts!

I grew up in a very civic minded home and specifically, when it comes to voting, it’s not a question of “if” you will.  You WILL and I’m very glad for that perspective!  I felt very grateful, and even a little excited, when I voted this year and we had to take a picture to remember Sophia’s first time at a polling place – Papa DePuy with LOVE this picture!
  

    

Voting makes a baby very sleepy!

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Congrats to the Graduate!

 

 

Dan graduated from grad school on Sunday!  Hooray!  We are SO proud of him and enjoyed spending the day celebrating his accomplishment.  :)   Dan is already using his new credentials at his new job working for the state of MN.  Congrats honey!!

Sophia was with a very special sitter during the ceremony.  One of the first girls that I nannied, during college, is now 18 and hung out with Sophia for a few hours.  We SHOULD have had her stay through dinner, because Little Miss is a teeny-bit high maintenance at the moment.  Luckily, Grandma had some energy for keeping her busy, because Mommy sure didn’t!

 

Taste testing a lemon:

There were many things done to keep her busy – one was a napkin around her head – SUPER cute!

Eventually, I had to take her outside and let her run around (barefoot) on the pavement until we were able to leave.   Good thing she’s cute!

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I love to hang with daddy...

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Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire

Hmm...

About a week ago I said this on our blog:

"...I WILL post some pictures tomorrow."

whoops

So, I'm almost done with my third week being back at work full-time instead of part-time. In those same three weeks, this is only the second blog post. It's not a coincidence. I have worked full-time most of my adult life, so this is not a new thing for me, but I think I'm having a hard time mothering a toddler and readjusting to working full-time, I'm SO tired (could it have something to do with chasing a fast walker?!) and don't have much energy for extras (and by extras I mean blogging, grocery shopping, cooking dinner...) especially on the days I make it to the gym.

Oddly, in the midst of the busyness, I am finding the motivation to work-out, which is a good thing. I don't need to become a pile on the couch just before winter, since that happens naturally because of the weather. I'm hoping this season of transition will be over soon!

MORE IMPORTANTLY - Dan turned THIRTY!!!

We had SUCH a fun night out with friends at this restaurant and afterward the two of us were able to get some ice cream and hang out on our own for a bit.

Unfortunately I can't come through on my picture promise. I ended up working almost an hour late, which meant I met Dan and everyone else at the restaurant and I wasn't able to make it home in time to grab the camera and charge it up a little before we left. I'm SO sad I'm not able to say I have a picture of Dan's thirtieth, BUT we will get MANY pictures of him being thirty over the next year - that's a promise I KNOW I can keep!

And speaking of my awesome hubby - have you seen him lately?

Sorry, this is the best I can do for a picture from lately AND he's about 10 lbs. lighter now than he was in this picture

Click here for a picture from Dan's last birthday - there's a big difference!

He looks pretty darn good, right? Dan has lost more than 40 pounds in the past 6 months. He's been working so hard and has been so conscious of what he's eating and how much he's working out. I'm so proud of him (not to mention he has been great for accountability!) and happy to see him focused on being healthy - not to mention that this girl is enjoying her eye candy!

Now that I've gotten back on the blog, I'm hoping to keep updating a little bit more regularly. We have a bunch of cute pics of Sophia to post from lately, but you'll have to wait for that!

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Three-Oh!

Today is Dan's 30th birthday!!

I'm not together enough this week to have a picture posted yet, but I WILL post some pictures tomorrow.

We're excited to be spending his birthday with some friends out for dinner - I'll let you know how much fun we have tomorrow! :)

Happy Happy Birthday Dan!

We love you SO much and can't wait to see what the next year brings for you.

With love,

Beth and Sophia

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Secret #1: Moving...

Ever worry about what others think of you?


Yeah, me neither...ever.

HA!


If I'm honest, I would say that yes, often, I worry about what other think of me. Most of the time, it's a passing thought, but every once in a while it's a loooong passing thought. :)

Sooo...here goes. We're moving - Hooray! Our apartment has been a great transition spot for us, but it definitely has it's downsides. For example, the crazy people above us who seem to vacuum at least three times a day, at all hours. Honestly...



So, where are we moving? Ahem...in with my in-laws. Yep - the crazy part? I'm excited! How many people could say that about their in-laws?!



We sold our house, about a year ago, and it was definitely a good decision for us. However, we have some debt from the crazy high amount of money it took to get out of that house and we are tired of it. After hearing a few sermons about money and good decision making, Dan suggested that we move in with his parents. I think he was scared to suggest that to me, but I immediately said I thought it was a good idea. They had offered this option a year ago when we moved out of the house, but we didn't want to bring a newborn into someone else's home, especially not knowing what her temperament would be. I'm glad we didn't - transitioning to a family of three has been beautiful and busy. I'm happy we have been able to adjust first and then move on.

Anyway, we are very lucky to have the opportunity to rebuild by doing this rather than having the rebuilding process move as slow as snails. Dan's parents have been very gracious in making lots of extra room in their home for us and it's looking to be a comfy spot for us to transition...once again. We will buy a house again in the future, but in the meantime I, apparently, need to decide what I'm going to be when I grow up. That's a WHOLE other post...

So, we move a week from Saturday - wish us luck!

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Belated...

...that may be the theme of this blog for a while. I realized that I never posted pics from Father's Day, so here they are late. I'm dying to post a bunch of really cute 4th of July pics (especially Sophia watching and ENJOYING the fireworks), but most of the good ones are on other people's cameras, so they will have to wait. For now, here's Dan's first Father's Day.

We spent the day in Stillwater, his choice, his fav.

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Happy Father's Day!!

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

You are my favorite guy and I'm SO lucky you are my daddy. Thank you for all the hugs and love you give me. All the raspberries on my belly and the times you throw me in the air until I can't stop smiling. I love when you read me books at bedtime and when we go on walks. You are the best daddy I could ever have and I can't wait to do even more fun stuff once I can walk and talk. Maybe we could go to a baseball game?

I thought everyone should see a few pictures of you and me having lots of fun, so here is a picture of us at the zoo:

Thanks for carrying me - I get sick of that stroller sometimes.

And this is from when we went swimming this weekend. I got a little nervous when you jumped off the diving board, but then you came back up from under the water and I felt much better.

I hope you have a very special day - I'll try to be on my best behavior!

With lots and lots of love and slobbery kisses,

Sophia

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Yum!

So, the other night I had a great homemade dinner...and I didn't even have to make it!

I wish I'd taken a picture, because it was one of the prettiest chicken sandwiches I'd ever seen. I may be forcing Dan to watch a little bit too much Barefoot Contessa because I think he's been inspired!

He grilled chicken breasts with five seasonings (the last of which I still don't know - his secret ingredient), then cut them in half (sandwich style) and melted cheese with lettuce in the middle, along with some Greek dressing (our favorite!). Finally, he put them back together on a toasted wheat bun. I was SO impressed, and the presentation was so pretty, which I always love.

Maybe this wasn't smart on his part, though, because now that I know that he can cook and create his own dishes I think I'll be passing on dinner duty more often!

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Growing Up

No, I'm not talking about Sophia. I'm talking about Dan and I and our friends. Monday night we watched the Packer/Vikings game (I'm still sad about the outcome) at our friends' Amy and Brent's home.

Below is a picture of Dan and Brent about 4 years ago watching football while we were visiting them in New York.

Now, here's a picture of them from last night. Same couch, same guys, but now sitting with two adorable baby girls. It's so fun to grow old with friends and share lots of different life experiences together.

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Happy Birthday Dan!!

Happy Birthday Dan!!

We celebrated Dan's birthday with his parents and grandparents on Sunday evening. His mom made amazing Beef Wellington along with Dan's favorite, cake with coconut on top. I'm glad we were able to celebrate then, because today is his actual birthday and unfortunately, he will spend the evening in class.

We are so happy to be celebrating another year and looking forward to what this one brings!

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Her Daddy - My Hero

Dan went back to work today and I am really sad. I knew that someday we'd have to go back to reality but I didn't think it would come so soon. The last week and a half have flown by and we have so enjoyed the time at home together with Sophia.

Dan is a natural daddy. He's not only willing to change diapers, but does a great job. He can calm her down to sleeping so well, and most importantly is head over heels in love with her. Who can blame him?

TOUCHDOWN! Sophie's already been watching football with Daddy.

She had her first bottle a few days after we got home.

It was fun to watch Dan be able to feed her.

These two can't get enough of each other! I think she's already got him wrapped around her little finger!

I am so blessed to have Dan as a partner in parenting. He's been so excited and involved from the beginning (pregnancy too) and is making sure both Sophia and I are well taken care of in every way. I honestly don't know what I'd do without him and I am so happy knowing that we will be on this new adventure with Sophia together.

I can't wait until he comes home from work today!

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