Laughing!

Great-Grandparents are truly great!

Hattie is Hubert and Ethel's 21st great grandchild.  But the first one from their youngest grandkid! I'm so happy and thankful that we were able to make a quick trip out to Iona for Hattie to meet G&G.  Growing up their house meant summer to me.  We went at least once a year (always in the summer sometimes during the holidays) and I loved it!  It was consistently warm (unlike summers in Anacortes), there was plenty of food, and lots of card games with grandma and grandpa.  We'd go boating at Ririe reservoir, have wiener roasts in the hills, swimming at Heisie, eat food from the garden, take bike rides all around the completely flat town, and play endlessly in their amazing back yard.  There wasn't a care in the world at Grandma's house!  Except for helping wash dishes and shell peas. 

Today, my grandparents' house is a refuge from the world.  I love going to visit because I can forget about the stress and difficulties of my own life.  For 5 days I was able to let go of my worries.  I can't tell you how wonderful a feeling that is. 

G&G loved Hattie!  My grandma was amazed at how well she can move around.  She is an expert roller!  They were both impressed with how easy going she is.  Grandpa asked if we forget that we even have a baby sometimes. 

My grandparents are incredibly kind, selfless, hardworking, and generous.  I hope I grow up to be as amazing as they are.  I couldn't have imagined better grandparents!  I'm so lucky to have them- and so is Hattie!

Did I also mention they're hilarious?

While playing 5 Deck I was the score keeper.  I wrote down everyone's initials. 

Me "Grandma! We both have initials that spell a word!  I'm C-A-B and you're E-A-R!"
Grandma "What?!"
"Our initials spells words"
"My help! I've lived nearly 88 years and never knew that! (To Grandpa) Did you know that?" "Nope" "I don't know how many times I've written that and never noticed!"

Later in the game grandma was talking about playing with Ashley and Adam:

Ashley would say 'Adam's cheating grandma!' and sure enough his long neck would reaching over here!


A storm was going through Minneapolis, where my uncle Todd lives.  Grandma was telling Grandpa about it:

Grandma "A big storm is going towards Todd's house!"
Grandpa "I'm sure he has insurance"
Grandma "That's not what I'm worried about!  You're not being funny!"
Grandpa "Yes I am!"

It's true, he was.  Kurt and I were laughing!


After our last game of 5 deck Kurt lamented that fact that we wouldn't get to play again for a while.

Grandpa "Well, there'll be a next time...if you guys live long enough!"  Then he smiled. 

I also learned a new phrase from Grandpa: The mop has flopped.  Like 'the tables have turned' but much more fun to say.

My grandparents are seriously the best.  I wish we could visit them more!

The Square

A block away from my grandparent's house is Iona Square.  Kurt, Hattie, and I walked there every day we were at G&G's.  All days but one t-ball and slow pitch games were going on.  It was pretty hilarious/awesome to watch 6 year olds play ball.  I honestly have no idea how an inning ends- you can't strike out and they can't seem to throw anyone out either.  Maybe there's a time limit? 

Anyways, we had a super awesome stroller for Hattie to ride in.  We also had a super awesome sun hat for her to wear.  It's a couple sizes too big and also made for a boy, but we're not picky.  She looks cute in anything!

 

 

 

We had fun on the playground too!  Hattie enjoyed the swings!  She's still a bit small, but she was oh so adorable sitting there.  I love these pictures.  She looks so tiny!

 



Hattie also went down a slide for the first time!  With Mom of course :)

 

 

I wish we lived within walking distance of a park.  That's definitely on our 'must have' list for the next time we move!

Muscles!

While playing cards one night in Iona I noticed something on my arm- a series of 4 small bruises.  The only conclusion we can come to is that Hattie has a very tight grip (just ask all the hairs she's pulled out of my head).  Sheesh!

G&G's

Great-grandma and great-grandpa Rockwood have the best backyard in the entire world.

See?  It makes everyone happy.

Father's Day

Kurt had his first Father's Day as a dad!  Aren't they cute together?

 

 

 

Hattie and I made this card:

 

 

And attached it to a basket full of 'pop'.  Soda pop, pop corn, pop tarts, and even a push pop.  Maybe it's a little cheesy, but I've decided I like a little cheese :)  Especially when it comes to making things for people!

 

 

Hattie is so lucky to have Kurt as her father!  He loves her so much and is willing to do anything for her- whether it's put her down for a nap, change a stinky diaper, or get up with her in the middle of the night.  He always helps with bath time and loves to play with her most of all!  This is just the beginning and I know that Kurt will continue to grow as a father and become an even greater man!  We love him so!  Thanks for everything you do!



Splish splash!

Hattie loves bath time these days.  She likes to wiggle her arms and legs around making the water move and splash.  Every time we put her in the water she's unsure for a minute or two.  She opens her eyes wide, sometimes sucks in a startled breath, and will stare at me.  Then she remembers that water + soap = fun!

Rice Cereal

Hattie had her first taste of 'solid' food.  Well, food that isn't milk, water, or medicine. 

In the high chair:

First bite!

Most of it came out...

 

 

 

She liked the spoon!

 

Deciding

The verdict is in!  It's gross.

5 months

As already posted- Hattie is a rolling champ!  She just keeps going until she hits a wall or another obstacle.  Sometimes she gets upset because her path is blocked- I tell her to roll the other way!  She forgets she can do that.  So I pick her up and move her to a more central location and then she'll keep rolling in the same direction.  I went back to work this past month!  Hattie is still doing amazing at daycare and having lots of fun with Moppy (who likes to buy Hattie new outfits and even get things for me and Kurt- it's awesome!  We love Mom/Moppy!).  It's easier to put her to sleep.  It used to be a battle most nights (why do babies fight sleep?) but now we wrap her up and rock her to sleep.  'Rock' is a very important word in that sentence.  We don't have to bounce her to sleep on the exercise ball anymore (although that still works too).  Hattie is very interested in anything that Kurt or I hold in our hands.  Especially cups/glasses (see below).  If you don't keep your beverage out of reach while holding her she'll pull it out of your hands.  She will also grab silverware so eating while holding her is even more difficult.  She's definitely growing- Hattie started wearing 6 month size clothes! 

First time on grass.  She seemed ok with it.  She didn't cry or fuss at all, just stayed very still!

5 month photo shoot:

She looks so big in this picture!

She can sit up for a couple seconds all on her own.  This was a carefully timed photo!

She doesn't like smiling for the camera, but if I take the camera away from my face Hattie will smile at me!  So this picture was taken without me looking :)

Toes!

Cousins!

All of the Biehl cousins:

 And the Roth cousins!

Rolling

Hattie is a rolling champ! She just keeps going until some obstacle stops her!  It amazes me how far she can get.

 

 

 

 

 

She's also very expressive!