Today Kirra tried Sweet Potatoes and Corn mixed. She really really liked it! She almost ate a 4oz jar in one setting! Also during her afternoon nap she got to the otherside of the crib, found a new pacifier (because when I went to check on her, she was sucking on a different one than I gave her to begin with) and she was sleeping on her belly! Somtimes this scares me because she doesn’t always put her head to the side, nope… face down in the mattress!!!! Silly girl!!! She better be careful.

We started to fill up the pool today, but we noticed there is a leak in it! (grrrr.) We can’t bring it back to Target either, we would have to call the manufactuer. So we’re going to try and patch it first! Hopefully that will work. Keep your fingers crossed.

Jason is going to be working in Wisconsin for the rest of this week, so it will be me and Kirra hanging out. He will still be coming home each night, but he won’t be home until later. Our friend is comming over tomorrow for walking, and then I will take Kirra running with me later on.

As for me… Today I missed my 10 mile bike ride so I am a little bumed because I really want to train this time, but hopefully 1 missed session wont wrek it all! I am also starting to think I might run during lunch, but I am not dead set on that idea yet. For those of you who don’t know, I am doing two traithlons this summer. One in August, and one in September. One is an olympic distance, and the other is a long sprint.

p.s. I figured there is no reason not to blog about Jason and I too, so you will start to see more information about us here as well

Well Kirra has a new trick, she now scootches. It’s a combo of slithering, and rolling, and get this sliding backwards! She will probably start crawling in about a month or so. She lifts up her belly when she is on her tummy so basically does the plank in Yoga, but hasn’t figured out to put her knees and then move her knees and hands. You KNOW she wants to though!

Kirra and I hit up more garage sales and got her lots of toys. Jason got work shorts, and I got a kitchen gadget, a nick-nack for Kirra’s room, and shorts. We have some more to go to this week. I’ve definitely turned into a garage sale queen! Gotta love those prices with this economy!

Jason and I grilled up some Crappie, Bass, and Sunnies the other night, and I am loving it! I’m excited to go fishing some more to catch more dinner.

Speaking of… Memorial Weekend we got back a little early, so I planted my vegetable garden, and some flowers in our front yard, and they are starting to sprout! So far I have leaves in my Peas, Brocholi, and Grean Beens… nothing yet for Tomatoes… maybe, but I will give it another few days. I’m very excited. My wild flowers are also sprouting. I hope everything grows! I’m excited to have fresh vegetables instead of canned, and if I grow too much I will just make Kirra baby food!

It turns Yum into Yummo! (Sorry I couldn’t even help myself.)

Well we officially survived and enjoyed our first camping trip as a full family. Jason and I both got off work early on Friday the 23rd, so we were on the road by 1:30pm. I had Tally (our daycare provider) keep Kirra up the whole morning. 1:30pm is Kirra’s normal long nap time, and the girl slept the ENTIRE way up to Lake Lydick! We were so fortunate since it is a 4 hour drive! We got up there, and Jason’s mom and dad had already set up our tent, which was really nice. I got everything organized, and it was time to just relax!

We brought the “hut hut” with, and Kirra hung out there. It was pretty windy the whole weekend, but we had plenty of warm clothes with. Kirra slept like a sleeping beauty too! She slept in heavy pj’s and then we also zipped a fleece sleep sack on her too, and she slept with a winter hat. We had some afghans and recieving blankets too. She was plenty warm!

Everyone took turns babysitting her when jason and I both wanted to get out on the boat to fish, or what not. Kirra and I also went on an “adventure” off road hike. It was a little bit of a mistake tho because when we came out of the woods I had nearly 40 woodticks on me! I’m not exagerating!

She didn’t get in the boat, but perhaps another time.

We decided to leave for home on Sunday. It was quite windy, and Tyler’s foot was being achey. Kirra was awake the entire trip home! She was in a pretty good mood, however once we got to Mora (we took a different way home) she started to get fussy, and then once we got to Cambridge there were tears . All and all though she did great in the car, and out of 8 total driving ours, only 1/2 hour of crying isn’t bad at all! Kirra had barely any ticks, she stayed warm, and there was no drama/crankyness all weekend!

By Labor day Kirra will be an old pro at camping!

Kirra had her 6 month doctor appointment today. Dr. Evans couldn’t be there, so she saw Dr. Dessa instead. Kirra is all healthy, and growing wonderfuly. The doctor has no concerns. Yay! She was 14 pounds, and 13oz, and 23 and 3/4 long. So she is in the 25% for her height and weight.

We talked about all kinds of things. Here are the questions mom asked and here were the answers!!!

When can Kirra be in Chlorine Water? She can be in chlorine water now, however don’t keep her in the pool too long, for temperature reasons, and try not to let her drink too much chlorine water.

When can Kirra wear sunscreen? She can wear sunscreen now, and should wear at least SPF 15. Above SPF 15 doesn’t add that much more protection, but we can use whatever we want, as long as it is above SPF 15. She said to not smother her whole body in it, and to use a sunscreen that is geared towards kids to avoid all of the chemicals. I told her we bought a paraben, and phthalate free kind, and she thought that was a good idea.

Can Kirra wear bug spray? Yes. Aim for a DEET free version, but if that is too hard ot find than the AAP reccomends no more than 10% deet. She said in other publications it said up to 30%, but really steer away from that if possible.

Can we give her juice and water? Yes. Limit juice to 4oz per day until she is a year old, and 6oz per day from ages 1-6.

Well today Kirra was in her first 5K. My friend Julie came with us (who runs Track and CC for the U of M) and so she pushed Kirra which was very helpful since there were some monster hills! It was a very fun course, but pretty challenging for my first 5K back! My hammies are killing me! Kirra had fun tho… she slept almos the entire race. She was probably scared going down the BIG hill!

After we got home, Kirra Grandma Theo and I went to the big garage sale extraveganza in Blaine. I got Kirra some mint-condition beanie babies (woodland creatures… a squirrel, blue jay, bunny, and badger/ant eater…) and I also got her a $15-$20 Leap Frog Discovery ball for only $4.00 . My total was just $5.00. You can’t go wrong with those prices! I also picked up some glass jars for free! Sometimes they have free bins!

Tomorrow we go to my parent’s house for mother’s day. It should be fun! Jason and Kirra made me a card, with her hand prints, and she colored with the paints on there (with her hands) it’s so precious!

Kirra has been doing really well lately. Daycare is also going quite well! We moved up a nipple size to 2’s, or medium flow, and Kirra is drinking a lot better now. She seems to do really good at Tally’s house, and doesn’t seem to be stressed out at all. I’m so glad we were able to find a good daycare for her. One that I can trust, and not have the need to call every 5 minutes to see how my little peanut is doing.

Kirra woke up last night screaming! I ran into her room like any superwoman mom would, and here she is with her leg caught, and twisted between the bars of her crib! Unfortunately it was the far side of the crib, and since i am short, I had to crawl up on the rungs of her crib to get her free, which actually wasn’t too easy! So… today I ran to Babies R Us, and got a mesh bumper for her. That way she doesn’t slip her arms/legs thru the bars, and yet if her face gets too close, she can still breathe! I also picked up some baby sunscreen for the nice days when she isn’t going to be completely covered up! I will have to ask the pediatrician about bug spray, and if it’s good for babies or not. We’re going caming in 3 weeks, and I don’t want my poor baby bit to pieces by the skeeters!

Kirra has been making stilly buzzing noises with her lips. I am almost sure she picked it up from daycare. She just started doing it on Friday night. It’s pretty funny, but probably obnoxious to other people. She has also discovered her tooties, and likes to grab ahold, and even suck on them sometimes! Too Cute!

Well we started daycare this week, and so far I think things have gone ok. Kirra has gotten herself into overstimulating situations, and couldn’t nap a few times, but generally I think we’re doing ok. I feel very good about bringing her to that location, and really like our provider.

Kirra has her very own cubby so we get to keep our stuff there, such as diapers – formula – bottles etc.

We have been going on lots of walks lately, or jogs, or rollerblading adventures. Kirra really likes being pushed in her stroller, which is nice, because I really like being outside. Kirra also loves the outdoors. We have a cute little park by our house, so we’ve gone there, and Kirra really likes the swing. Eventually we need to get an infant/toddler swing for our own swingset!

So the cold has come back to us, and I am sad! Kirra just loves going outside, and she loves her stroller! This past weekend was great because she got to be outside a lot! I need to get some sunglasses that will fit her though, because the sun keeps getting in her eyes, poor girl!

We went to the orthopedic surgeon yesterday 4/7 and he gave us the “all clear” for her leg! It’s looking really good, and he is happy enough to discharge us from his care!

Kirra is still on just formula and rice/oatmeal cereal. We haven’t started any fruits or vegetables yet, although maybe in the coming weeks we will give it a try. Jason is still a stay-at-home dad, which has been working out so nice!

So right now I am down in Atlanta Georgia. I’ve been here since yesterday morning (thursday 3/27) and I leave Sunday morning 3/30. I miss Kirra like crazy! This is the first time I have left her for more than 10 hours during the day! She hasn’t had a baby sitter yet, because Jason takes care of her. They are going on a family outing tomorrow, and I am not there to be with them. I am so excited to be home to Jason and Kirra although I am having a good time while I am here. It’s just hard. Any of you mom’s out there could agree! Jason told me that last night Kirra was sucking her thumb. Not her whole hand like usual her whole thumb. I just thought that was sooo cute, and I missed that moment. I will obviously miss so many more moments, but it is definitely hard. They are going to pick me up from the airport on Sunday and I cannot wait! I don’t know how my friends that are still in the navy can leave their babies for more than 96 hours. It’s just so hard!!!

Until next time… be well.

My dear Fran, Suz, Mike, and Tim, and my other loved ones,

I just wanted to let you know that I made it up to heaven alright! I know how you guys worry, and always expect a phone call for safe travels. Well there are no phones in Heaven, but God let me write a letter just this once. I told him Fran would be very upset, and he didn’t want to make Fran mad! I know what you’re thinking! How did I make it up here with all of the ruckus I cause during those sports games on TV, and throwing that foam brick at the TV all the time… well St. Peter over looked that.

Things here are very good! I’ve ran into Terry who is an engineer for the Heavenly Express, I help him out a little bit since I actually worked on a railroad! When you hear the thunder during a storm, that is us, riding around! I also ran into Cindy who works at the Pet Palace for all of those animals who went to heaven. She begs God to take in the naughty ones too, and he usually lets her keep them! Jaun teaches everyone about Camping, Swimming, and how to water-ski…No retirement until your earthly age is 65! But working here is MUCH better than on Earth!

I’ve ran into others too. Let Stevie know that his mother Dorothy is doing just fine! And Linda… June is doing great too! Ted, Ev, Toots, and Annie are all doing fantastic! I have lots more to run into including some of the Canadians, but I’ve only been here for a few days!

I live in a great big mansion, and the streets are made of gold. It’s perfect up here! God made me a huge kitchen to cook pancakes on Sundays! Everyone still comes over to my house! God, and Jesus are more than you can imagine! They are love!

A final thought for those who are having a difficult time with me being gone…

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle Autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush,
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die. ^Anonymous

I do have to get going now. I will never forget you, and please share my memories. I am always with you, and until we meet again. I love you all!

Richard H. Raykowski.