We are really going to NY!

It's been another crazy week! The laundry is all clean. I am wimping out and going to bed early and getting up early to pack! I figure I'll just tell myself it's NY time (4AM will really be 6AM).

The NBC studio tour is out for us....no kids under 6 allowed! We are going to for sure be at the Today Show on Tuesday! Ella will be in a pink coat and we'll make her a sign! Watch for us!

We can't wait to go see Grandma and all the family in Long Island!

Wish us safe and smooth travel!

Why must she share??

I am the Mom of a daycare child -- I thought I could keep this cold away, but it's official - I have Ella's cold. I have been coughing up a lung all day. Lovely.....

At least Miss Ella is almost back to her usual happy self. I had the hardest time getting her to bed tonight as I could not sing our usual song and it's hard to rock a baby to sleep when you have to constantly cough and startle her. Thanks to her fabulous Daddy for getting her to sleep!

Minneapolis Weekend Cont...

Thanks Grandma Barb - you helped me figure out how to eat rice cereal!

A HUGE THANKS to Grandpa Larry and Grandma Barb for watching sick Ella all weekend!

Lunch with the Bakker Girls -- always an experience!!! It was so great to see them. My mom's aunts are quite spunky - they are on facebook and all know how to text!

Punky Ella after a trip to Urgent care where she was diagnosed with ear infections.....bummer. She also had a bad cold (likely RSV again) and had to be suctioned all weekend.

She was able to show off her tongue trick during bathtime!

Stroller rides were a must to calm the munchkin!

More basketball -- I loved to watch Tom Izzo coach and it was great to see Michigan State advance.

Great seats and a great time!

Ella misses her Iowa Grandparents!!! I miss you too and thank you for all your help -- you made our weekend a great success!

Bracketology

I have 4 brackets going this year for March Madness. I just have to brag that I am tied for 1st place in Joe's work pool with one of his female colleagues!!! Girls Rule! I have to brag tonight before Memphis blows it -- they are my champion on that bracket!

And you thought there was no such place!

Merry Christmas Ella!

We will be visiting the new Dallas Cowboy Stadium to show Ella her brick that Joe bought her for her first Christmas. The replica finally arrived this week!

Highlights from the weekend - Friday

First Game of the day and maybe the most energy in the arena ever -- North Dakota State vs Kansas. The Bison were in the house!








We left the metrodome briefly to enjoy some dinner and drinks. Ony in Minnesota would you find "hot dish" on the menu!

Aaaahhhh.....fat tire!

.....in a belgian glass!

Waiting for the next train in the rain (we were on a warm train, but we had to exit when it went "out of service") --- wish we were watching the Wisconsin game in over time at the bar across the street!

Am I crazy?

I think I planned these trips before I knew what it was like to work and take care of a baby!!! It was fabulous to be in Minnesota last weekend....but Joe and I were up with Ella most of the nights and then we went strong all day long - everyday! I am still not caught up. Now I am attempting to do laundry and get repacked because we leave for New York on Saturday!!! Crazy.....I know!

We are mostly going to see family. Joe's grandma lives in upstate and we will go see her Saturday night. Sunday night we will be in Connecticut with life-long family friends. Monday we make our way to Long Island where we have lunch plans with Aunt Karol and hope to see Darlene followed by dinner plans with Aunt Diane, Uncle Ricky and many cousins!

Monday night we venture into Manhattan and plan to get Ella on the Today Show Tuesday morning! Watch for us! Don't you think one of the gang would love to let Ella say "hello" to her grandparents and aunties! We are going to try...any advice?

We plan on getting tickets for the NBC Studio tour and then the rest of Tuesday and Wednesday are free. We are staying near the park and plan on spending time there. Life is different when you eliminate TAXI'S with Ella. We plan on getting some great Italian food Tuesday night and definitely finding some real pizza and bagels. Any great suggestions for things to do while we are there??

We fly home Wednesday night (I was hoping it would be late enough for Ella to sleep).

Gas leak causes traffic jam!

I felt like I lived in a real city today as it took me over 45 minutes to leave work (usually less than 20 minutes). It was a bummer because I had errands to run after work, so I was later than usual to pick up Miss Ella.

When I heard the leak was on 1500 East, I kind of freaked out -- that's my street! I just live several blocks south of the construction zone where the worker accidently punctured the line. My first thought was -- can I even go home? My second thought was -- Ella's daycare is even closer to the leak than our house! All was fine, but it was mighty freaky to smell natural gas while driving home (I mean slowly inching forward).

I learned I am thankful I don't have to deal with that sort of traffic daily and I am thankful everyone was safely evacuated. They had to evacuate several schools and daycares -- poor kiddos!

We're off!

Our bags are packed and we just have to make it through a day of work and daycare and we're off to Minneapolis! I have 4 brackets filled out for different pools and I am ready to cheer on my teams!!! I am hoping for some close, exciting games in Minneapolis and Ella is ready to get 110% attention from her grandparents! It will be a fun weekend of family, friends, and RELAXING!!! I'll post pictures next week. AT - we will call you, skype you.....just let me know!

Confession

This is Ella napping in her car seat behind the couch on Sunday --- this was the only way we could get her to sleep! She has decided that sleep is no fun and crying and being crabby is the result. I think she is just afraid she will miss something if she naps. I am worried she will be crabby for grandpa and grandma this weekend - there's always the carseat trick!

We are also paranoid she will throw one of her screaming fits on the airplane........

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I remember our trip to Ireland and I can close my eyes and see the several shades of green that make up Ireland! That was such an amazing trip.

My St. Pat's day began with celebration with Grandma Dorothy last night including corned beef and cabbage. Tonight Ella and I went to Park City to watch Joe coach Waterford's season opener lacrosse game. We stopped for dinner on our way home which included a delicious Irish stout for me! Cheers! Slainte!

My favorite weekend activity...

It's crazy how priorities change!

Ella's 5 months old

Ella started rice cereal and is trying to get the hang of eating!

March Madness!

I am so excited to fly to Minneapolis for the tournament! I can't wait to see Michigan State, Kansas, and Boston College. It will be a fun-filled weekend of family, friends, basketball, and good times!

The light at the end....

I've got a lot on my plate right now and my grandpa-like coworker said, "Laurie, are you beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel?". I replied, "I think it's getting closer". He said, "well, it will likely be a freight train coming straight for you".

That's why you haven't heard from me.....

Where's my blog?

My blog seems to have gone blank - does anyone know why? Does anyone know how to fix it?

Update: Seems to be fixed.....for now!