Thursday, July 31, 2008

My Birthday

I just wanted to let you know that I have the best husband in the world.

He called me last night around 6:30 and asked me on a date! He had lined up a babysitter and already called Texas Roadhouse to put our name on the list. Our friend Gema from work has been telling us since Dallas was born that she would watch the little guy. Usually, when we do go out, it is with everyone from work so she hasn't had a chance. Last night, she did. We dropped Dallas off a little before 8 o'clock and headed out. When we got to the Roadhouse, we were seated right away. The food was excellent - like it always is. Doug, of course, told the server it was my birthday. I didn't get the "Big Ye-Haw", but I did get a big dish of ice cream! It was a wonderful birthday.

Finally, I want to thank everyone that sent cards, emails, left comments, and called. It was so nice of you to think of me on my big day!

Until next time...

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Birthday!

It's my birthday today!


So...happy birthday to me!

And, my wonderful husband, just stopped by the house to bring me these flowers!

I don't know if we'll get to doing anything tonight. Doug worked until 9 o'clock last night and the night before. He thought it would be another long day today, too. Hopefully, after today or tomorrow...they will be past the peak of pollinating and he won't have to work so late.

We found out earlier this week that we have another going-away party to attend this Friday night. Dusty, who works with Doug, is leaving in a few weeks to take a job in Illinois. This will be the 4th going-away party in 6 months for Doug's department! In addition, we know we are going to have another one this fall because Gema and Agustin are moving to St. Louis! Well, back to this Friday, the party is going to be at Riverside Casino. I'm not sure if I'm going to go yet. Dallas gets his 4 month shots that day, and I would feel really guilty leaving him with a babysitter should he be cranky. Plus, the last few times we have left him with a sitter, he has not wanted to eat from a bottle. We'll just have to see come Friday.

Until next time...

Monday, July 28, 2008

Weekend Wrap-up

Happy Monday Morning (or afternoon or evening...which ever it is when you read this!) I hope you all had a great weekend. There was nothing too exciting around here ~ Doug had to work late Thursday and Friday night, all day Saturday and Sunday morning. Friday night we did go over to Ryan and Melanie's for dinner after work. (Ryan works with Doug, and he is a grill expert) We didn't get there until 8 o'clock and Dallas fell asleep by 9...so I was able to enjoy the evening visiting and not having to worry about the little guy. Everyone stayed past mid-night, and Doug said they were all dragging Saturday morning in the field!

On Saturday, Dallas and I escaped the house for a while and went to Coralville to walk around/shop. I was in need of some new jeans. My two pairs were really beginning to show some wearing and fading. I was hoping to buy some Levi's ~ I just like the way they fit ~ but the Levi Outlet shop closed a couple months ago. I ended up at Gordman's, which is new to Coralville and found a pair that I really like. I don't remember the brand right now, but they were fairly inexpensive. Plus...they were 2 sizes smaller than what I was wearing before I was pregnant! Yea for me!

On Sunday, I started mowing the yard, but let Doug finish it when he got home from work. He really enjoys mowing and hasn't been able to do it for a good while. Dallas and I chilled on the front porch...me in one of the rocking chairs and him in his walker. We later picked some veggies from the garden and planted some more radishes and green onions. I also planted some more pumpkin seeds. I had one plant, but I think the deer ate it! So...we'll try it again. We did get a quick shower Sunday late afternoon, but then it was a great evening to sit outside. After Dallas went to bed, Doug and I made some S'mores on the grill ~ not quite the same as a campfire, but they were still delicious!

In other news, Dallas has his first tooth working its way through. I can't really see it yet, but I sure can feel it! Dallas goes to the chiropractor again on Thursday. Then, he visits Leslie the therapist on Friday morning, and he has his 4 month check-up (and shots) Friday afternoon. It will be interesting to see how much he has grown. Plus, I'm thinking that he might be able to start on solid food. Now that will be fun!

OK...enough of the boring talk...here's some pictures of the little man.

I've recently put the stuffed bears in the crib so Dallas could have something to "play" with when he wakes up. He really likes the green one!


When I was taking the above picture, Charlie came and sat right in front of me as if he wanted his picture taken. So I did.


Bath time...he is so much fun!


Sunday night, we had a blow out on the diaper (that's the reason for the paper towels). After I changed Dallas, I went to throw the diaper away and get some PJ's...when I came back, this is what I found.

Yes, he is ASLEEP!

The veggies I picked from the garden.

sweet peppers, carrots, some type of cherry tomato, and green onions

The first ripe tomatoes! They were excellent on the BLTs last night!!!


Until next time...

Thursday, July 24, 2008

And the winner is...

Congratulations to Triple R Dorsets on winning Supreme Ram last night at the Jackson County Fair! Here's the pic Mom sent me after the show...It looks like it was another long, hot evening in Brownstown, IN.
Way to go Lisa!
Until next time...

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Wordless Wednesday





Until next time...

Monday, July 21, 2008

Early Morning Wake-Up Call

This morning, Doug and I were woke up a little before 5 am to the sound of things resetting from the electricity going on and off. Then we noticed how strong the wind, rain and lightening was. Doug grabbed the weather radio and headed downstairs in search of a flash light. I went and peeked on Dallas ~ there was enough light from the lightening that I could see he was sleeping like a rock! After listening to the radio and hearing no reports of tornadoes, we decided to go back to bed. Before go upstairs, Doug looked out the back door and saw this...


Of course, I took this picture later in the morning, but it was clear (at 5 am and through the heavy rain) that we lost a tree. I was worried about my car...but I didn't want to go out in the storm to check on it. I mean, the tree was already down...so the damage was done. Luckily, when I went out later this is what I found...


The tree missed Lily! Good thing because just this last week I had the collision and comp taken off her insurance! I would have been really upset had she been totaled in the storm. The tree also missed the shed that sits at the back of our property. It was all a close call.

Here are a few more pictures of the downed tree...





As far as my garden...we can only say our prayers that it will recover. All the plants are either bent over or broken. And my tomatoes were doing so well...


The broccoli


The pepper plants...


The other main worry for Doug sat in when we saw that corn was laying over in the field beside the house. If hybrid corn is laying over...that means real bad news for the inbred corn that Doug's department raises. Here's a picture of the corn beside the house - I haven't talked to Doug yet to find out what their nursery is like.


Here's a look down the road in front of the house...


Finally, the log that is in the ditch was in the road. A passing van hit it and busted it up when we were getting ready to pick up the other sticks in the road. A neighbor stopped and helped move what remained of the log to the ditch.


All in all, we survived our early morning wake-up. The rain gauge showed just over a tenth of an inch, but the website I checked showed between a half inch and an inch. I think the wind was blowing so much that we didn't get an accurate reading. Also, our neighbor said he heard the winds were 65-70 mph, but he thought it felt a lot stronger than that. I just got off the phone with my friend Laura who said she heard the winds were up over 80 mph - nearing 100 mph!!! I will tell you this, I felt the house shaking this morning, and I thought the windows were going to rattle themselves out.

That's all from us.

Until next time...

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Unexpected Visitors and Best Friends

On Friday evening, Doug and I had two visitors come over. We were not really expecting anyone, and I did not have the house in "company condition." They decided not to stay very long after meeting the dogs, but they did enjoy a quick bit to eat. I was able to get a few pictures before they left...

These were taken from the front room looking into our front and side yard.



You can't really tell (because my photography skills weren't in sync that day), but they were both young bucks.



As far as best friends go...I think this says it all...

Only true friends would allow one to put his feet in the other's face!

Dallas just thought it was the funniest thing and just kept kicking at Charlie's face. Charlie is actually super soft right now {because I gave him and Fred a bath yesterday}, so it must have felt good on Dallas' feet.

Finally, I wanted to show how much progress Dallas is making with his neck. We are still visiting the therapist once a month and doing extra exercises at home. I have also taken Dallas to my chiropractor for some small adjustments. In the past week, Dallas has made leaps and bounds by voluntarily turning his head to left AND keeping it there!


I hope you all had a great weekend. We have been getting lots and lots of rain - again. On Thursday night, we received about 2 1/2 inches; Friday afternoon, another inch or more, and another 1 1/2 inches last night. When Doug comes home from work, he has to hose off his jeans because they are completely covered in mud!

Well, I had better get back to my laundry.

Until next time...

Thursday, July 17, 2008

This little piggy...


Hello Everyone! I wanted to tell you what I found today...my feet and toes! It's very exciting times around here. I haven't gotten my toes in my mouth, yet...but I sure was working on it. Here's some pictures Mommy captured when I first discovered my feet (I was sitting on her lap).

What's this?


If my hand can touch it, it has to go to my mouth.


Good thing Mommy wash these this morning!


Until next time...(It's time for me to go to bed)
Love,
Dallas

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Wordless Wednesday

~Stages of Sitting

First, Mommy props me up...


Next, I fall, but catch myself...


Finally, my arm gives out...


Until next time...

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Weekend Recap

We had a very enjoyable weekend. Friday night was spent at home...just relaxing. Saturday, Doug worked until noon, and then we went to the Iowa County Fair. While at the fair, we watched our neighbor perform in some of the horse games, walked through the livestock barns and project building, and grabbed some good ole fried fair food! Here are a few pictures of Dallas enjoying the animals...




The pony can't see over the gate!


Sunday morning began with church and afterwards we went out for breakfast. Doug and I then took our "new" washer to the basement and hooked it up! I won't have to do near as many loads now because this ones holds way more than my last one! Doug worked in the garden pulling weeds and running the tiller. I picked some lettuce and radishes, as well as a few bell peppers. It all made a delicious salad for supper. After the garden work was done, Doug got the Oliver out of the barn and took Dallas on a ride. He loved it!

C'mon...Let's go for a ride!


I just loved this shot of my boys taking off for their ride.


Doug was trying to teach Dallas how to rev-it-up!


And to end with...a few new pictures of my flowers blooming...








Until next time...

Friday, July 11, 2008

4 Months...Already?

Yep...that's right. Today, our little man is 4 months old! He tipped the scales this morning at 18 lbs 8 oz, and is 26 inches long.

I was able to capture a few smiles to share with you. Enjoy!

I did it!!!

Dallas first rolled over on the 17th of June, but hasn't done much since...yesterday, he rolled over (tummy to back) four different times! Dad was even able to see him do it once. He rolled over again today while I was trying to do a photo shoot.

My Grandmas say I'm "corn-fed" so why not try some...


Got it!

Dallas is developing skills so quickly. He is now trying to grab for things (rattles, toys, teething items, etc.) and, of course, taking them straight to his mouth.

The sheep says BAA...


And, one more smile...


Until next time...