Week 1--- 17 years 51 weeks to go.

Now it seems as though the countdown starts over- we begin counting the weeks as parents and although having a dog was supposed to kind of prepare you in some small way for this no practice in the world could do the trick.



My first thoughts as I signed that our kid really was ours as we left the hospital is "they really let you just leave with this thing". Getting a dog at least involved some background checking-- why in the world would an educated medical professional let someone as stupid as us out into the real world with the responsibility for this kid? Thank god that Andy is an old pro and knows what to do 99% of the time and has been a very patient teacher.



This week we broke every rule in the book and I vow to never say never. After reading faithfully Baby Wise (a book on how to establish a sleep pattern for life) we abandoned anything it suggested and have brought Kellen to bed with 7 out of 10 nights so far (he slept with my mom 2 of the other nights). He did sleep in his bassinet last night so hopefully we will get on the right track this week.

Week 1 was filled with lots of firsts for Kellen, Andy and I. The week flew by and somehow we are all still alive and speaking to each other. My mom came for 3 nights which was a great relief and Andy's mom has been able to stop by lots of days and help out too. Kellen got his first bath which he seems to enjoy for the most part and even though it is probably just chance, I am convinced that if he gets a bath at night he sleeps better so here starts the rule breaking again- he is getting a bath every night if that is what it takes. Other notable firsts include...... (in no particular order)

1. First camo outfit thanks to the fact that Cabella's is in route from Dubuque to Winona (thanks alot Grandma Mac)


2. Dad's first day at back at work (not sure who was more sad, Dad, Mom or Kellen)


3. First jackpot find on clothes thanks to a friend from mom's work who had a boy a year ago and was kind enough to give us everything and then some.


4. First trips to Walmart, Target, Winona State, RTP, consignment store, TGI Friday's, Culvers, and Hy-Vee
5. First happy hour (probably not the last either)with the ladies from Winona State at Bub's


6. First truck ride to Grandma Becks and Grandpa Dano's to fix a wagon to load our hay on


7. First trip to Grandma Donna's house and sure enough she was baking (not so good for Mom's diet)


8. First 4-wheeler ride to go visit Grandma Jaye and Grandpa Harry (and help dad fix a flat tire on the baler)


9. First night sleeping from midnight until 6:00 last night (yeah :)


10. First rainbow today while mom and dad were arguing about where to place the transplanted perennials from the Kansas Street house.


11. Mom's first step on the scale (what a frightening thing)-- even though the idea of it being summer and not having to tie my shoes because you could wear sandals seemed ideal towards the end of pregnancy, winter and baggy sweatshirt weather can't come fast enough now.


12. First time in my life that I did not want bigger boobs- and I thought the pregnant boobs were bad- I could have got a job dowtown with these things earlier this week. If I ever consider the idea of a boob job in the future someone please remind me of these days and I will quickly come to my senses.

So a busy week for all of us. In addition to the Kellen milestones, we think we sold our house on Kansas street. Accepted an offer and they had an inspection on Saturday so we will cross our fingers and say a few prayers that everything turns out this time. We would close on July 14th which would be great. Although this weekend was steamboat days and we didn't not fit in our usual beer tent times and fireworks on the river, we had a great week being parents and are looking forward to what's ahead this week!