Let's celebrate patriotism and American exceptionalism. There isn't a day we wake up we shouldn't kiss the ground for living here!
and mom... this one is for you:
You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism. ~Erma Bombeck
P.S this song is sang by the Zac Brown Band who opens for DMB this whole weekend.. There live show is AMAZING!
Fathers Day
Happy First Fathers Day Dustin!
Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.Dustin:
You are a GREAT Dad and Ramona and I are both very lucky that you belong to us. I love watching you two together. She knows you are someone very special and shows it when she inhale coos at you when you enter the room or when you simply make eye contact with her. You are someone that she trusts and relies on. She looks up to you and loves to learn from you. I can see it in her face when you sit down to play ball with her. She can't take her eyes off of you. We hope you have a wonderful Fathers day and we look forward to many more!
We Love You!Here is a little video and I mean "little". I really enjoy watching the videos on Shannon's blog and quick checked out the program she uses. This is a trial version which usually and does in the case mean short. But none the less I hope you all like!
5 Months
Ramona turned 5 months on April 20th. I know that we have the majority of her 5 months left but really wanted to share some of her recent activities. This first picture is of her in her cousin Bella's jumper. We were outside on a really nice day and as you can see she is having a GREAT time!
Here Ramona is rolling around on Grandma and Grandpa Bakke's living room floor. We made a trip to Bismarck for my niece Shelby's confirmation and a full days worth of shopping at Menards. (Menards is another blog for another day)
Ramona has recently been showing an extreme interest when people around her are eating and drinking. Here she is showing us that she knows/kinda knows what to do with a coffee cup! Plus it looks like it feels darn good.
One of Ramona's favorite places to be is on her changing table. Here is Ramona telling us something. (If you figure out what it is let us know :~) I tried to keep this video as clean as possible so if there is anything that accidentally shows... I am sorry... mostly to Ramona!
Ramona has recently been showing an extreme interest when people around her are eating and drinking. Here she is showing us that she knows/kinda knows what to do with a coffee cup! Plus it looks like it feels darn good.
One of Ramona's favorite places to be is on her changing table. Here is Ramona telling us something. (If you figure out what it is let us know :~) I tried to keep this video as clean as possible so if there is anything that accidentally shows... I am sorry... mostly to Ramona!
An Unforgetable Touch
Dads are made for playing, Moms are made for cuddling, Grandma and Grandpas are made for spoiling but there is a special touch that Great Grandparents have that no one else can replicate. It is the touch that not only comforted us as we have grown but also our parents. The number of hours their hands have spent loving their families is uncountable. It is absolutely unbelievable to watch Ramona enjoy getting to know each one of her Great Grandparents. How special for her to be blessed with 3 Great Grandmas and 1 Great grandpa! What a lucky little lady!
P.S. I just love how her little hands interact with her Great grandmas!
P.S. I just love how her little hands interact with her Great grandmas!
Karate Kid
As of late I have been watching my niece Bella and nephew Ian until school is out. This morning both babies were napping and Ian and I were checking out Shannon's (my sister in-law) blog. We watched Leighton's(my nephew)goof-bot video and Ian was inspired to perform his Karate Kid rendition :~)
4 Months and Growing
Ramona had her 4 month check up today. She weighs 15lb and is 24 inches long. It appears that she is short and stout at this point in regards to the average scale. Still not out of the "normal" range but shorter and stouter than most. She received her second round of immunization shots and seems to be doing well. She has been cuddlier today than most days but I am not going to complain about that!
As of late we have been pretty busy. Ramona keeps learning new things everyday. She officially knows where her hands are and reaches out to touch things. She is aware of everything and everyone around her and loves to visit with each and every one/thing. She also enjoys tummy time and laying on her green mat seen in several pictures. I would have to say her favorite thing though is standing.
Cloth diapers are going surprisingly well. I think we will stick with it. We use a combination of prefolds with diaper covers and all-in-one diapers such as bumgenius. I wash 1 load about every two days. It is going so well that we even decided to use cloth wipes. I am not completely sold on them but we haven't gone back to disposable wipes thus far.
Here are some pictures of Ramona:
Ramona's first walk outside with Auntie Tessa. I know the hat is a little to big but it did the trick:
The first Great Aunties and Uncles that Ramona got to visit with:
Raymond and Shirley:
Marlys:
As of late we have been pretty busy. Ramona keeps learning new things everyday. She officially knows where her hands are and reaches out to touch things. She is aware of everything and everyone around her and loves to visit with each and every one/thing. She also enjoys tummy time and laying on her green mat seen in several pictures. I would have to say her favorite thing though is standing.
Cloth diapers are going surprisingly well. I think we will stick with it. We use a combination of prefolds with diaper covers and all-in-one diapers such as bumgenius. I wash 1 load about every two days. It is going so well that we even decided to use cloth wipes. I am not completely sold on them but we haven't gone back to disposable wipes thus far.
Here are some pictures of Ramona:
Ramona's first walk outside with Auntie Tessa. I know the hat is a little to big but it did the trick:
The first Great Aunties and Uncles that Ramona got to visit with:
Raymond and Shirley:
Marlys:
These Are A Few of My Favorite Things
Well... I know it has been a while since my last post so I added a few extra pictures and videos to this one. Below are some of my favorite pictures as of late. Ramona is now 3 and 1/2 months old. I feel like I am mostly recovered from the whole pregnancy/labor/delivery exprience. It is hard to tell were recovery ends and my new life style begins. I am still at home with Ramona while Dustin spends his day just a few feet away at work.
Ramona has recently made some notable changes. She has found her hands which she likes to stare at. Her favorite part of her hands is her pointer finger which can usually be found in her mouth. She has also started to make cooing and baby babble noises. And beleive it or not she is most comfortable in size 6 month clothes!
Dustin and I are adjusting to parenthood. Tonight he asked me when it became normal for us to want to crash and go to bed by 8:30pm? lol... my how things change. Over all we have really enjoyed parenting and look forward to each new day with Ramona.
It seems to be hard to find time to create posts but tonight I have really enjoyed looking through the pictures and even writing my little note. I think I will try harder to get on here more often.
Ramona has recently made some notable changes. She has found her hands which she likes to stare at. Her favorite part of her hands is her pointer finger which can usually be found in her mouth. She has also started to make cooing and baby babble noises. And beleive it or not she is most comfortable in size 6 month clothes!
Dustin and I are adjusting to parenthood. Tonight he asked me when it became normal for us to want to crash and go to bed by 8:30pm? lol... my how things change. Over all we have really enjoyed parenting and look forward to each new day with Ramona.
It seems to be hard to find time to create posts but tonight I have really enjoyed looking through the pictures and even writing my little note. I think I will try harder to get on here more often.
Birthday Madness
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
In early February we have a bundle of Birthdays. The first are Auntie Betty Ruggles and Madelynn Ann Bren who turned 1 today (Feb 5th). Then on Feburary 8th we celebrate my sisters Tessa and Teresa's. We had a party this afternoon with cake for Madelynn and then supper to celebrate the twins. Here is a peak at the fun!
P.S. Next year we get to celebrate my new niece Bella Kenna Dorval's 1st birthday on Feb. 3!!
In early February we have a bundle of Birthdays. The first are Auntie Betty Ruggles and Madelynn Ann Bren who turned 1 today (Feb 5th). Then on Feburary 8th we celebrate my sisters Tessa and Teresa's. We had a party this afternoon with cake for Madelynn and then supper to celebrate the twins. Here is a peak at the fun!
P.S. Next year we get to celebrate my new niece Bella Kenna Dorval's 1st birthday on Feb. 3!!
Welcome Bella Kenna Dorval!
What an exciting few days! Dustin and I welcomed several new arrivals. First our friends Chris and Pam had their little one (Nora Katherine) and then this morning my sister Andrea and her husband Todd, along with siblings Ian and Anna welcomed their third baby Bella Kenna. Congradulations!!!!
Here is a look back to see if Bella looks like her sibilings:
Bella: 7lb 2oz 18.5'
Ian:
Anna:
Here is a look back to see if Bella looks like her sibilings:
Bella: 7lb 2oz 18.5'
Ian:
Anna:
Happy to be me!
This week Ramona and I stayed at Moms house with Lovey and Lenny while her and Tessa vacationed in Las Vegas! We just hung around, laughed at the dogs and napped in the swing. As much fun as we have had it will be good to go home. At the same time Ramona turned 2 months already! My how time flies. Take a look:
Here is a glimpse of our winter wonderland! Photos taken 1-20-10 afernoon
Mom's fall wreath
Mom's Christmas lights
Dustins car
Here is a glimpse of our winter wonderland! Photos taken 1-20-10 afernoon
Mom's fall wreath
Mom's Christmas lights
Dustins car
Ramonas Baptism
Ramona was baptised at Queen of Peace in Dickinson, ND on December 27th 2009. Her Godmother is Lolly Kadrmas and her Godfather is Lance Rustand. We look forward to many bright occasions and celebrations with Ramona, Lolly, and Lance!
1 Month
Well... we made it through 1 month. It seems to have gone so quickly. Once we got home from the hospital it took about 2 weeks for the pain to leave me from labor and delivery. Then came the time to figure out nursing. I am still working on that but am feeling more confident each day. The floors in the house just got cleaned for the first time in Ramona's life and I am slowly getting used to the fact that it is O.K for me to be awake and cooing at a little girl at 3 A.M.
For Ramona... her days are filled with sleeping, eating, smiling (usually followed by gas or even worse), visiting with family and friends(lots around due to the holidays), and then repeating every few hours. She sleeps for 3 hours or so at night before she is ready to eat, and that allows for mom and dad to get some rest.
Invitations should be here soon but just to let everyone know Ramona will be baptized on Sunday December 27th at Queen of Peace Church in Dickinson, ND after the 10 am mass. Everyone is invited and we will have lunch afterwards.
Sorry for the crooked picture.. hungry baby is calling.. gotta go.. no time to fix
For Ramona... her days are filled with sleeping, eating, smiling (usually followed by gas or even worse), visiting with family and friends(lots around due to the holidays), and then repeating every few hours. She sleeps for 3 hours or so at night before she is ready to eat, and that allows for mom and dad to get some rest.
Invitations should be here soon but just to let everyone know Ramona will be baptized on Sunday December 27th at Queen of Peace Church in Dickinson, ND after the 10 am mass. Everyone is invited and we will have lunch afterwards.
Sorry for the crooked picture.. hungry baby is calling.. gotta go.. no time to fix
I can't stop staring!
Ramona must think I am nuts but I can't stop staring at her! Even through all of the trying situations this past 11 days I can't explain why I am in absolute amazement of this little girl. She has done things in 11 days that I couldn't get my husband to do in a full year of marriage! 1 example is on day 1 home from the hospital the heat was turned up in the house! This little girl has amazing powers.
