Dear Silvia: 8 Months

Dear Silvia,

Happy (Belated) 8 Months!

This month you decided to start showing some interest in MOVING! You spin in circles and squirm and roll and wiggle yourself to get whatever you want. You aren't quite crawling yet but you're definitely working on it.

This month, I had to go away for 5 (extremely) long days for work. It was really hard for me. I think you did great, though. You and Dad got a lot of time together and both sets of Grandparents made it over for a visit too! I couldn't wait to get home and scoop you up. Boy, did I miss you?!?!

I can't say this is a first for you, but you joined me for a day at the salon to visit our friend Natalie. You were such a good girl, sitting in the chair, laying on me while I got my hair washed, smiling at yourself in the mirror. It was so fun to have a special girls' morning together!

As usual, we had a couple fun playdates with our friends which are such a great way to break up the long, cold winter days.

Speaking of cold, we blew this popsicle stand and flew out to San Diego for a week away. This was your first flight and you did great on the way there but sadly shortly after arriving, we learned you had a double ear infection (your first) and bad cold. Your Dad was awesome and found a local medical center to take you to. We got some antibiodics and medicine for you though they made your tummy hurt. Although we always love having you with us, I can honestly say that I've never seen you so unhappy in my life...you cried more in that week than you have in your entire life. It was sad. We were SO scared to fly home, worried that your ears would bother you. The flight (thankfully) went pretty darn good. We lucked out and the airlines gave us a whole row to ourselves. It will probably be a while before we take you anywhere on a flight again. Sorry...but its the truth! :)

In other fun news: Your new cousin, John Jeffrey "Jack" was born this month! He's a cutie with a lot of hair!

This month, we've started getting ready to put our house on the market which is exciting and intimidating at the same time. During our week away in San Diego, we also learned that our offer on a new home in New Prague was accepted! Hooray!

This was another really fun month with you Silvia. Its amazing to watch you grow bigger, smarter and stronger every day!

We love you so much and look forward to seeing what next month has in store for us too!

Mama and Dad

How we found out about you...

So, I realized that I never posted some of the special first stories about you, Baby...so, let me catch you up!

Your dad & I found out we were pregnant with you while on vacation in California. We decided to take a week long trip with our good friends, Amber & Matt, last September and were really looking forward to some time away. We stayed in L.A., but rented a car and visited San Diego and a bunch of other small beach towns. We also took in a ton of sporting events. It was a really great trip!

We knew that if "all had worked as we hoped" we could be finding out about you that same week. We hoped and prayed and crossed our fingers (and eyes and toes, etc.) that we'd see a big plus sign that week...but knew that things like "making a baby" can take some time. I brought a billion pregnancy tests with on that trip and took one EVERY morning. The first four days of our trip, there was no plus sign, but on the 5th day...there was a faint line. I had no idea what that meant, but it gave us a spark of hope. I pretended to drink beer all day as we tailgated at the USC vs. Gopher game...just in case. The 6th morning showed another faint (but slightly darker) line on the pregnancy test.....more hope! Day 7 = slightly darker line....and then, on day 8, (our last day of vacation) Amber joined me for a trip to Walgreen's where I purchased an "expensive" digital test. When we got back to the hotel, I took 2 of the digital tests (just to be sure) and called Paul into the bathroom....there, on the counter were the 2 tests with the word "Pregnant" in big, bold letters on both. We instantly hugged and couldn't stop smiling! It was amazing, Baby...just the news we were hoping for!

Of course, we told Amber & Matt right away and they were both sworn to secrecy (they are trustworthy friends!)

As I sat on the plane ride home, I couldn't stop thinking about our wonderful news and how fortunate we were that you decided to show up so quickly in the process! What a wonderful trip that ended up being!

-Mom & Dad

PS: Don't ever say we don't take you anywhere...you were in California before you were even born! :)

30 Day Challenge: Day 17

Funny Travel Story

Hmmm...well, one of my favorite funny travel stories stars my better half.

As you may recall, Paul & I honeymooned in Puerto Rico and the Southern Caribbean. Well, on our cruise ship, there was a dance club. I wanted to go to the dance club EVERY night, but Paul did not. He did however concede a couple nights and we danced the night away. One particular night, Paul was feelin' it. He was busy struttin' his stuff on the dance floor when I looked up to notice that a fan club had formed around him. 10, maybe 12 people (a mixture of guys and girls) were crowded around cheering Paul on. When Paul noticed, things only got more intense. He whipped out every MTV music video dance move he had ever seen.

If you've never seen Paul dance, let me clue you in...He gives it his ALL! What he lacks in skill, he makes up for in heart. AND...apparently his fan club could feel "his passion".

It. Was. Awesome.

I was dancing right next to him laughing my butt off. That night, I was upstaged....100%.

I couldn't have been prouder.

K+P

30 Day Challenge: Day 3

Annnnnddd....we're back! Well, I'm happy to report that our summit for work went off without a hitch and my final summer class paper is complete! So, let's carry on with the Blogging Challenge.

I'm not sure if I can technically say I'm a part of the challenge, since I'm making up my own rules. (Bri?)

What part of your life is moving too fast? Too slow?

Hmmm...good question. Looking back, a lot is moving too fast. I'm now considered in my "late 20's". Paul and I are in year 2 of marriage. We've lived in our house for 3 years. I'm starting my last year of Grad School. What the heck? I'm a full-blown adult now. Sneaks up on ya.

Of course, I also have a pretty big list of things that are moving too slow. I CANNOT wait for the time we're ready to have kids. I think I've been waiting for that time since I was 4. Don't get creeped out. I've just loved babies for as long as I remember. With work, nothing moves fast enough for me. Which explains why I've moved myself around as much as I have. I can say that I've finally found a company that makes me feel like I'm growing and developing. I love it!

As a standard, I'm always in a hurry. Sometimes I find myself wishing away the present for the future. Shame on me, I know. I have to remind myself that Paul & I are pretty darn fortunate for what we have. We should be savoring these days...sleeping in, 2 pots of coffee in our pj's on the recliners watching cooking shows, traveling like its nobody's business, testing out new restaurants. Life is good, but I'm the optimist. I know it's only going to get better from here on out. This thought reminds me of a song we love.

"Something good this way comes" by Jakob Dylan.

This phrase just sticks me with. No matter your situation, something good is on its way. Even if its not...it's nice to be looking for it, right!

"The trouble, doll, is not moving moutains but digging the ground that you're on."

Diggin' it,

K+P

30 Day Challenge: Day 1

30 Day Blogging Challenge? Good joke, Kendra. You haven't blogged since July 1st. Whoops! The summer has been a bit too busy and completely gotten away on me. A friend and fellow blogger has encouraged me to participate...and in life, and in general, I'm a participator. So, here goes...

Best/Worst Blogging Experience

I like writing and have ever since I was little. I prefer to write like I talk (go ahead, say it..."non-stop!") in non-sensical ramblings. When I first started this blog, almost 2 years ago to share our wedding plans, I struggled with what I'd say, how I'd say it, who'd be reading, and what they'd think. Sometimes these thoughts still creep into my mind, but I think my best blogging experience, so far, has been realizing that these concerns are unimportant. I consider this blog to be an online scrapbook of our life. Blogging forces me to take more pictures and jot down random happenings so that one day, we can lift our spectacles, scratch our bums and say to eachother "Hey, you...remember when we were fun?" or "Oh gosh, I looked good without wrinkles." I think I especially look forward to letting our (future) kids get a peek into what our life was like "back when".

I can just imagine...

"See kids...we were so NOT lame. Now, go to bed so I can watch Hoarders in peace."

I've really enjoyed blogging and look forward to looking back at how our words, thoughts and concerns change over the years. For the time being, we'll continue documenting our travels, happy hours, family events and wonderful friendships.

Thanks for being a part of the experience!
K+P

A sweep-over in Milwaukee.

Last weekend, we joined a group of friends for a long weekend trip to Milwaukee to watch the Twins vs. Brewers games. This kind of trip is normal for us. Paul will go ANYWHERE there is baseball, especially the Twins. I, on the other hand, will go straight-up ANYWHERE....no reason needed. I'm addicted to traveling.

And yes, Wisconsin counts as a vaction, thank you very much! (Right, Bri?)

It was a bummer that the Twins didn't win a single game, but we still had fun...

so definitely not a wasted trip!

Pre-game happy hour at Moe's Irish Pub.

Our good friends, The Berndts.

The original "Burnt Brat Tailgaters"!

Yes, we set up pre-game tailgating in the handicap section of the Super 8 Motel.

We're classy like that.

Later, tailgating moved to a more appropriate location: Miller Stadium.

Look who else caught the game? Our favorite fastfood characters! "I'm lovin' it!"

Go Team,

K+P

Everyone's back...

Backstreet, us, this blog, everyone really.

Sorry for the delay...but there's been a whole lotta fun goin' on around here! A couple weeks back, I went on a trip to Chicago for work and then ended up staying, meeting up with some friends and going to the New Kids on the Block & Backstreet Boys concert! (Did you just puke?)

The weekend was so fun for us girls AND I'm sure Paul appreciated having a weekend alone. Well, either that or he missed me dearly. I prefer the latter.

It was a GREAT concert and a really fun weekend.

I'm a Donnie fan!

NKOTBSB cd? A poster? Really? Yes, really.

Segway tour of Chicago - so much fun!

All of us girls at Kingston Mines, a really awesome Jazz club.

Chat soon,

K+P

Did anyone else notice...

...that this is my 14th blog post this month? What? 14? That's a record, people!

Someone has been quite the blabber-mouth lately. Well, what did you expect?!?

So, in class (Social Media Marketing) we've been learning about "post trees", as in a blog post schedule that details what you'll write about/discuss in your blog....so it's like putting together a regular content schedule. A sample post tree would look something like this:

Sunday: Discuss physics
Monday: Post photos of Paul's baseball card collection
Tuesday: Try to explain mathematical equations in a foreign language
Wednesday: Post YouTube clips of cats falling out of trees
Thursday: Write a gruesomely personal story about our friends & family
Friday: Recount kitchen horror stories of recipes gone bad
Saturday: Day Off

Obviously, this is a pretty "interesting" sample post tree, but you get the idea. Should I be doing this? Are you guys looking for some consistency from us? Are we boring you with the normal details of our lives that we usually post? (probably...)

Paul & I have toyed with some real topics that we could discuss (with some level of knowledge/interest)....
- Paul could write a weekly post called "Better Off Read" where he'd review a book he's reading. (He does a lot of reading!...and I love nerds!)
- I could write a weekly post called "What's in a name?" where I'd post names...of people or businesses and then analyze them. If you don't already know this about me. I am a self-proclaimed "nameologist". I consider myself a baby/pet/business naming expert. I could also use this post to share clever word plays or punny business names (i.e. Curry in a Hurry). Believe it or not but these are the thoughts that stream through my head on a day-to-day basis....don't even ask about my idea to start a restaurant overlooking a lake that would be called "Czech on a Deck".
- Paul could also write a weekly sports related post where he'd discuss his perspective on teams, athletes, the ups and downs of fantasy sports, etc. (you wouldn't have to read on these days, if you don't want too - ha! Just Kidding, Paul!)
- I could also write a weekly post on a new recipe to try (if I ever decide to start following them) OR a vacation idea OR a home renovation/project we're working on...These are some of my most favorite topics!

Would this be fun to read? Or is the current flow just fine?

If you don't reply, we'll follow the first "sample" post tree I wrote above...get your pocket protectors ready cuz come next Sunday....it's physics, baby! (kidding...I'm no good at physics!)

K+P

You've been Flash Mobbed!

A couple weeks ago, I was in Chicago for work...we were attending an annual show for our industry...one of the biggest!

Anyway, per usual, we hosted a Friday night party for all of our customers. This year, it was a dance party held at the historic Chicago Theater!

Little did any of us (well...except for maybe 2-3 people) know that we'd be flash mobbed that night!

Our company hired a group of professional dancers to intersperse with the crowd and then randomly break into a choreographed dance routine. It was awesome!

I have seen many YouTube clips of Flash Mobs around the world and I've ALWAYS wanted to witness one....well, on April 8th, 2011 that dream came true (overly dramatic, I know!) The only thing I'd change? Well, obviously next time I'd like to be a part of the flash mob...how cool would that be?!?!

Anyway...here's the clip and at the very beginning, you can see me! I'm in the back, working the door. I'm wearing a purple shirt and in standard Kendra-fashion, my arms are crossed...that's how you know I mean business....(party business!)

Enjoy!



-Just K

Honeymoon Stop 6: St. Maarten

St. Maarten ended up being one of our most favorite stops! The water was so clear and the sand so white. Oh, and so much more...

A really cute oceanside restaurant where we stopped for a bit.

Trying to be artsy.

Love the canopies over each table.

There was tons of shopping and the streets were so quaint and colorful!

Ahhh....beautiful.

I was battling a burnt scalp...hence the headband and oversized straw hat in previous posts.

Wish we could go back! Did I mention we also visited (not partook) a nude beach. Walk fast, don't look down or up!

Well, that's it - our honeymoon in a nutshell! We had such a great time! K+P

Honeymoon Stop 5: St. Kitts

We were camera happy again...this time in St. Kitts.

Bus tour...looking at Mt. Liamuiga...a dormant volcano. El Caribe. Open air bus tour...really fun!

St. Kitts Botanical Garden.

Atlantic Ocean on the left. Caribbean Sea on the right. Newlywed couple in the middle.

More botanical gardens.

The rainforest.

This photo is for my nephew Ben...old tractor in the front, Auntie Paul to the side and a cow in the background...his favorites!

Nice stretch!

More bus tour.

It was awesome to see all these tiny homes with beautiful ocean/sea views!

1 more stop to go!

K+P

Honeymoon Stop 4: St. Lucia

Before we jump into St. Lucia...I must add that I was able to get 1 karaoke song in while on the ship...with my new friend, Jenny, from St. Francis, MN! (small world!)

Singing Taylor Swift...odd, I know. Farmer's market downtown. Mountainous terrain. Our ship!

Paul, before we got back on the ship. He wasn't feeling very good (had nothing to do with all the cocktails in Barbados!) so our time in St. Lucia was cut short.

That's vacation...sleep when you're tired, eat when you're hungry, drink when you're thirsty.

Next stop? #5.

K+P

Honeymoon Stop 3: Barbados

To make up for the lack of pictures in St. Thomas, we got a little camera happy in Barbados...

Taking a stroll...crazy drivers, small sidewalks. That's the Ocean Pearl...not the Black Pearl. Big difference. Downtown harbor.

In front of St. Patrick's Church (kinda fun!)

Enjoying the view from the beach bar.

Takin' a break for some Banks beer and crab cakes.

An awesome restaurant we found and decided to visit for appetizers...not realizing they only served a $71/person buffet...say what? We settled for another Banks and hit the road again.

Discovered this buried treasure while strolling the beach. This guy must have a great story on how this happened.

Party boat!

Like my new purse?

So typical of a 2 person vacation...photos of one or the other...never both.

I swear we did more than just drink cocktails...but because of all the cocktails, I can't remember what.

More of downtown Barbados.

Yeah...on to stop 4!

K+P