Tag: birthday

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Little Miss turns ONE!

Dear Ingrid,

Where did the last year go?  You have become the sweetest crawling (& almost) toddling little girl who loves to explore, loves her brothers, and clearly loves cake!  (Just like her mama :))  What fun we had celebrating your first birthday today!  Both sets of grandparents and one set of great-grandparents joined your family & friends to wish you happy birthday.

I am so thankful for the photos we took of you throughout the year.  I can hardly believe how small (and yet, big) you were when you were born.  You still love to snuggle before you take a nap or go to sleep at night, so I try to soak that up as much as possible.  Your bright blue eyes and toothy grin make everyone around you smile.  Nolan and Lincoln love you to pieces and are extremely protective of you.  They each know how to make you laugh and stop the tears from falling from your eyes.  Many times, Nolan has come into our room and sat by your crib in the early morning when he has heard you fussing.  You immediately stop and your sobs turn to giggles.  Lincoln only has to look at you and you’re charmed.  He’s the one who always makes sure you’re returned to your daddy’s arms or mine when someone else is holding you.  He will never let you go home with anyone other than your family.  You call your brothers, “buh-buhs.”  It is the cutest thing!

I pray the coming year if full of new adventures, lots of love, and tons of hugs and kisses.

We love you, Little Miss!

XOXO

Mommy & Daddy

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Happy 5th birthday, Nolan!

Dear Nolan,

Wow, 5 years!  I can’t believe how fast time has gone.  I suppose I may say that with each passing year, but it’s the truth every time.  You have grown so much this year I can hardly believe it.  You continue to grow in confidence and compassion and are such a funny and loving young boy.  I am amazed at how much you absorb throughout the day and am grateful to be able to experience life through your eyes.  I am so thankful to be your mother.

Today we began the day in the best way possible, thanking God for the gift of you at mass.  When word got out afterward that it was your birthday, you proudly told people that you were now 5!  And you held up your fingers to prove it 🙂  We stopped to pick up donuts (which has become a bit of a Sunday tradition) and a cappuccino (for me) and brought them home to share.  Then I got started with frosting your cake.  This year, I asked if you wanted a caterpillar cake (like the one we saw in a magazine) and you said yes.  While I was frosting the cake, Daddy went to the garage to get your present ready.  The look on your face when you saw your new red bike in the garage pure joy!  Lincoln helped you check out every detail of it and you hopped on to check out the size.  I think you have a great summer in store!

Our family & friends arrived around 2:30 for cake and ice cream.  After singing to you, we dug in to the tasty caterpillar and then you went outside with Lincoln and our friend, I.  A little while later, you asked if everyone could come outside to watch you open your presents.  You did a great job sharing your new things.  Your uncles helped you break in your new bat, glove & baseball and you also played a round of croquet with Nana.

I pray you always share that wonderful smile and welcoming personality with the world.  Your Daddy & I love you very much and look forward to seeing what God has in store for you this coming year.
XOXO

Mommy

 

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Ingrid’s 1st trip to FL

My baby girl and I had our first girls’ weekend in FL.  We had an early flight out on Friday morning and spent the weekend with Lois & Kathi.  They have been patiently waiting to meet our little miss.  This past weekend was extra special because Lois celebrated her 96th birthday on Saturday.  I’m so happy we were able to be with her on her special day.  She has known me since I was 4 days old and has loved me like a granddaughter.  I am so thankful for her!

No trip to the Sunshine State would be complete without a trip to the beach.  Ingrid wasn’t too fond of the water or the sand.  I’m sure that will change in time.  It was a wonderful weekend spent with fantastic ladies!  I can’t wait to do it again!

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Happy 3rd birthday Lincoln!

Dear Lincoln,

I thought I’d write you a recap letter detailing today’s events.  I can’t believe you are 3 years old today.  As I sit here typing, I’m looking at a picture of you and your big brother when he visited us in the hospital after your birth.  You look so tiny!  Yet, I can see in your eyes, it’s you!  You have become such a fun, independent, inquisitive & loving boy.  I thank God for the gift you are in my life!

The day started off much like it did on the Easter Sunday you were born – we woke up to wet, heavy snow.  You, Nolan & I had breakfast in our pj’s and gobbled up purple waffles – your request.  After getting dressed, we had planned on going to the Children’s Museum, but the snow and slop made the roads extra messy (and dangerous,) so we decided to save that adventure for another day.  You didn’t seem to mind since you had a chance to play with a few of the birthday presents you opened in the morning.

For lunch, you asked for “Taco Bells,” so you and Daddy (who took the day off from work) picked up tacos and nachos for us.  After lunch, you, Nolan & Daddy went to pick up your cake – Buzz Lightyear was what you asked for this year.  I briefly considered making your cake again this year, but decided to let the ladies at the bakery make it for you this go-around.  You fell asleep in the car on the way home, so Daddy laid you down for a birthday nap – probably a good idea since you ended up being up past your bed time yet again tonight.

Our family and friends came over for cake and ice cream at about 6:30.  We sang “Happy Birthday” to you and your eyes just beamed!  I think you enjoyed being the center of attention today 🙂  After cake, you politely asked if you could open your presents, and had so much fun doing so.  You received many wonderful, sweet well-wishes & gifts from your grandparents, aunts, uncles & friends.

You are loved by so many wonderful people, Lincoln.  Never forget that.  And in the words of your great-grandma Fran, God loves you, and so do I!

 

XOXO

Mommy

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She’s here!

I thought for sure I’d have a 10/01/10 baby, but she held out for one more day.  That’s right, SHE!  We had a little girl today and she is absolutely beautiful!  I’m thrilled she’s finally here.  The last days, weeks, months, ok most of the pregnancy was pretty rough on me.  But as with the boys, it was totally worth it.

We went to the hospital about 4:30 this morning (our fantastic neighbor came over to sit in the house with the boys sleeping upstairs until my mom could drive over.)  They decided to keep me after monitoring me for a couple of hours.  Once in the delivery room, (the largest corner room they have in the place with a great view of a creek,) I managed to endure the contractions for another hour or so and then decided to have my nurse call in the anesthesiologist to provide me with some relief in the form of an epidural.  I’m not one to endure pain for the sake of pain; I know my limits.  So once the kind man gave me my numbing drip, I was able to rest/doze off and get ready to meet our new baby.  My water broke on its own, shortly after, I pushed once, and at 12:19 P.M.,  little Miss Ingrid Anmarene was out!

When they announced to us that we had a girl to add to our family, I was in disbelief.  Prior to her arrival, I had come around to the notion of having 3 boys.  I just assumed that is what we’d have.  But no, clearly God has other things in store for us – and we are so thankful for the newest gift He has given us.

My second moment of disbelief came when I heard how much my “little” girl weighed.  I thought for sure they were a pound off, but no, she weighed in at 9 pounds, 12 ounces.  That’s bigger than both of her brothers.  All 3 kids were the same length: 22 inches.  My little Sheck babies…they’re long ones!  No “newborn” clothes are worn in our house.  We skip right to the 3 month clothes.

Ingrid is the first granddaughter on both sides of the family and the first great-granddaughter of the 7 great-grandkids on Jake’s side of the family.  Let the inundation of pink begin!

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Party for Papa

My mom wasn’t feeling well on my dad’s actual birthday, so we delayed the celebration by a couple of days.  We had a delicious dinner, complete with pulled pork sandwiches, multiple salads, and of course cake, provided by our family friend, Teri.  (She makes an amazing rum cake.)  The boys once again were candle blowing assistants for Papa.

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Happy Birthday Papa!

The boys and I brought balloons and cake to the office today to celebrate my dad’s birthday.  Lincoln picked out the fish balloon as well as the “over the hill” balloon.  (I guess that one was kind of appropriate since this year was a “milestone” birthday.  The kids put the candles in the cake and also helped Papa blow them out.  (Actually, I don’t think my dad had a chance to blow them out – the kids know what they’re doing when it comes to extinguishing cake candles 🙂

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Jason’s birthday

We celebrated Uncle Jason’s birthday (a day late) at his house tonight.  Nolan and Lincoln colored “happy birthday” pictures for him and were very excited to also help him eat cake and open his presents.  Generous helpers, aren’t they?

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Up North

We visited my extended family this weekend.  It is probably the last time we’ll get up their way until after the baby arrives.  The drive to get there is about my limit as far as the amount of time I can spend in a car at one time, at this point.

We got into town about 2pm and stopped at my Great Auntie Helen’s house (my grandma’s twin sister.)  It was really good to see her.  She hadn’t seen the boys in quite some time, so she was excited to have them visit.  She gave them animal crackers as we were leaving – they were thrilled!

Afterward, we went to my Uncle Ron & Aunt Judy’s house.  The boys were enthralled with the equipment my uncle has in his woodworking shop. They even lended a hand with cleaning up sawdust.  Give them a shovel and they’ll move just about anything for you!  Ron also took them outside in his yard to see his skid loader and they “played pool” in the basement.  It was nice to have them entertained while I chatted with my Aunt Judy and cousin, Jeana.

We went to mass at my Grandma Fran’s church and then went out to dinner with my Uncle Gene, Aunt Ann, and cousin, Amy.  After we ate, we all headed for the hotel pool.  Unfortunately it was freezing cold!  But Jake and Amy were brave enough to take the boys in.  I only set foot in the chilly water when Lincoln decided to slide off the edge into the shallow end without anyone there to catch him!  Talk about my heart skipping a beat!  For him though, it was all fun.  The experience didn’t frighten him in the least.  That kid is going to be put in swimming lessons as soon as we have him potty trained.  He has no fear of water, which is both good and bad.

Sunday morning we woke up and went to Ann & Gene’s house.  My parents arrived shortly before we left – they were part of a group of my Grandma & Great Aunt’s kids who were taking them out (in a limo) to celebrate their 93rd birthday.  (The limo was a surprise to them – I think they enjoyed themselves :))  Nolan wanted to check out the inside of the car, but Lincoln did not.

On our way out of town, we stopped at the Mineview to show the boys the biggest dump trucks they had ever seen.

We then loaded into our car and headed to Duluth for Jake’s cousin’s 30th birthday party.  When arrived at the party, the first thing the boys saw was the giant inflatable cake jumper in the backyard.  It was a definitely highlight of the party for the kids.  We spent a couple of hours at the celebration and then headed for home.  It was a quick trip up and back, but well worth it!