You Make My Day

Today was a rough day.  Anthony got up a little before 4:00 this morning and never really went back to sleep.  By 5:00 he was completely up and not willing to hang out in bed with mom.  I was beyond tired and trying hard not to be crabby...

Throughout the day he continually would get easily frustrated and start crying; we could tell he was just tired. Unfortunately, I was getting frustrated too.  The lack of sleep the night before was making me feel sick and non-energetic.  

Tonight, though, made up for the whole day.  After we said our prayers and kissed good night I rocked him a bit and started singing.  Lately I have been singing a version of the song that my Grandma J wrote, You Make My Day.  I had stopped singing and was rubbing his back when he popped up and looked at me.  He smiled and then said more.  I asked him if he wanted more water or num-nums.  He said no to both.   Then I asked him if he wanted me to sing again.  He said yeah and laid back down.  

It may sound goofy, but I teared up while I sang the song once again.  For me, this day epitomizes what it's like to be a mother.  Some days are really hard and exhausting.  Regardless of how I feel I still have a little one who needs my attention - my full attention.  All of it is worth it, though, when he flashes me his amazing smile or gives an impromptu kiss or hug and I can see the love he has in his eyes. 

I'm still learning and growing when it comes to being a parent and I will continue to be for years to come.  Again, I cannot help but feel so blessed to be given this amazing opportunity. Through all of the struggles and tough days this will always be the most amazing part of my life. 

I love being Anthony's mama. 

I couldn't think of anything that would come close to being better than that.

Beach Bums

It feels like summer is officially here!  This morning we spent time with the Gunderson family at Big Lake beach.  Even though it was a bit breezy the kids had a great time playing and the adults had a great time chatting.  Hopefully we'll be able to go back soon and enjoy another beautiful day.

Thank you Hanson family for the cute swimsuit outfit!  He was quite the cutie on the beach today!

Anthony and Dada did go into the water right away, but he got super chilly.  Playing with sand and going down the slides turned out to be a much better idea.  Hopefully next time it will be a bit warmer.

Will, Anthony and Ella playing together on the beach.

Garage Sale

This weekend was the third annual friends' garage sale, but it was the first time Mark and I "hosted" the big event.  It may sound really goofy, but the June sale is always a fun time to get together, sell some unwanted "stuff" and spend lots of time chatting and enjoying the beginning of summer.  This year was no exception.

On Thursday the majority of the items were dropped off and we started to set up shop.  Several people ended up staying throughout the evening and we had a little impromptu gathering.  It was great fun to spend time together and have the kids play in the backyard.  

Overall, the past two days have been very successful and lots fun.  

I forgot/was too busy to take photos of my friends during our sale; however, I happened to snap a few before and afterwards that are pretty cute.

Anthony got a chance to finally play with the cutie patootie Zimmer kids - Clara and Mason. They spent the whole afternoon in the backyard playing in the sand box and the frog pool only taking breaks to gets some snacks.  Hopefully we'll be able to get together again sometime soon!

Anthony loves freezies, but has some trouble figuring out how to actually eat it.  I think most of it ended up on the ground even though Alexis was trying to help him out.  Oh well!

Luckily, Dada was here all day today to watch the little man. (However, I think Anthony and Zoey are doing more "watching" than Mark is in this picture.) On Friday I had to scramble to get a babysitter (actually TWO babysitters) to watch him.  Obviously I am a new mom still and didn't realize how much a 21 month old would love to tear through a garage disrupting everything.  Next year I'll be sure to get a babysitter right away!

Long Weekend

This past weekend Mark headed to Milwaukee with the guys to watch the Twins take on the Brewers at Miller Park. This baseball/beer fest weekend was planned long before we got Anthony and he's been excited to go on this road trip.  Since Mark was going to be gone all weekend Anthony, Zoey and I decided to pack up Alice, the Grand Prix, and head up north for the weekend to visit family members and friends. 

Our first stop on Thursday was at Auntie Manda and Uncle Damon's house.  As soon as we got there Anthony got "comfy" with help from auntie and started to play in the pool and with water toys.   I just couldn't resist taking a picture of his cute butler!  

On Friday we went over to my parents' house with the intentions of going camping at the lake lot.  Due to the weather and my body not feeling the best we decided to stay home instead. Anthony enjoyed walking around the big yard, playing with Grandma and Grandpa and getting to drive the lawn mower.  

On Saturday we had lunch at Sportsman's Cafe - cheap, yummy food in DR - and then visited King's Courtyard at the elementary school.  It was already past Anthony's nap time and he ended up falling asleep in the car between the cafe and the playground.  However, once he saw all of the equipment he perked right up and decided to nap a bit later.  All of my family members showed up to play with Anthony in the thirty minutes we were there.  Of course I had to take a photo to capture all of the fun we had.

After nap time on Saturday we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa Hanson's for the night. Anthony really enjoyed going to the park with grandma and getting to play with all new toys as well as just spending time with them.  

The absolute highlight of staying at Mark's parents' house was meeting their cat Joe Meeoowwer.  (I'll have to check on the exact spelling of the cat's name because I know that's wrong.)  Anthony really enjoyed holding, petting and playing with the kitty kitty.  All was well until Sunday morning when they got into a boxing match.  I'm sure Joe got sick of the constant tugging and pulling of his ears and tail and had to put Anthony in his place.  Needless to say, there was a bit of blood and tears, but no serious injuries to report.

 

The whole time we were gone Anthony missed Mark.  Everyday I would hear "Dada" with the hopes he had spotted his daddy.  How do you explain to a 21 month old that dada is gone for right now, but we'll see him in five days?  Needless to say, Mark was spotted countless times.  My favorites were the times we were in public and he kept saying dada.  I felt like we should have been on one of Maury's paternity shows searching for my baby's father.  :)

All was right in the world when Anthony woke up from his nap on Monday to find his dada FINALLY home.  He officially become dada's boy for the day and mom got shunned.  Understandable, right?  It was super cute to see them interact.  I'm not sure who missed the other more; Mark was beyond excited to have his little boy back in his arms again and to play the afternoon away

Got to love summer and long weekends...

Emerson Arrives!

Emerson Kade Hare

Born Tuesday, June 10th at 11:57am

8lbs. and 12 oz.

After summer school last Wednesday Jenn and I visited Tracy and Shaun at the hospital as well as the beautiful and cutely dressed Emerson Kade.  He is so adorable and it is still amazing to think that just a day before he was inside of his mama.  (For some reason that always amazes me.)  It was also good to see Tracy and know that she's doing well after her c-section.  She honestly looked amazing!  (Check out BeadsOnOneString to see the last picture we have of Tracy five days before he arrived.  She was always such a cute pregnant mama-to-be!)   

Congratulations, Shaun and Tracy!  

I cannot wait to see you again Emerson.  I already know you are going to be the cutest dressed baby in all of central Minnesota!

M-O-L-L-Y!

Last week on Tuesday Mol came down for the night because she had a meeting the next day in St. Cloud.  (Unfortunately, Ella didn't get to come on this trip...) Even though the visit was brief it was great to see her for the night - as well as Lucy who's due to enter this world in September - and have the chance to catch up.  I had an idea what we would make for supper, but Molly, as always, took it to another, beyond delicious level.  I REALLY wish I had the cooking sense that she has...I know Mark would enjoy that too.

I'm really looking forward to the try-to-be-annual camping trip with Mol, Rach and our families in July.  I can't believe we use to take it for granted that the three of us would get together.  Our time together now always needs to be scheduled and mapped out far in advance because of where we all live and our families.  

Anyway, THANK YOU MOL for coming to see us!    

We love you!

NOW START LEAVING US MESSAGES AGAIN!!  SERIOUSLY.

Dada

Anthony and I looked at several cards trying to find the right one for Dada on his first Father's Day.  None of them even came close in my mind and I think Anthony was a bit disappointed as well because he was looking for a "boo" card, but didn't have any success.  

I love cards.  I keep and treasure my cards.  Even though Mark doesn't have the same affinity towards a folded piece of paper I still wanted to get him something---meaningful and from the heart.  Instead Anthony insisted on a card that has Mickey and Minnie Mouse on it.  Seriously, kid?  It's cheesy, but when he held onto it with a death grip I knew it was the one.  (Okay, perhaps he tore it a bit too and I felt bad putting back a slightly torn Father's Day card.)  

Being that I have an "orange" personality and deal with emotions more so than facts or figures, I really wanted to find something that captured the essence of who my husband has become in the last three and a half months of becoming a parent.  Mark has always been an amazing guy in my eyes.  I always knew he would be a good dad as well.  Turns out he's not just good, but rather a natural.  He's wonderful.

One of the best things about becoming a mom is seeing Mark become a dad along side of me. Anthony LOVES his dada and they have this wonderful-t0-see bond between the two of them. He copies everything Mark does and acts like all is right in the world when dada finally comes home each day from work.  They are always playing with toys on the floor, watching baseball together, finding cows on the internet, going outside to play, taking the car for a spin, and so much more. When I watch the two of them together I see love.  And every time I see that love I am thankful to have Mark as my partner in this team called parenting.  I'm thankful Anthony has such a wonderful dad and role model.  

You are the best.

Happy first Father's Day.

We love you, Dada.