Hiking with Auntie Shelly and Uncle Ryan

We had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

Sunday we went for brunch at Al Vento. That afternoon we went for a hike with Auntie Shelly and Uncle Ryan at Lake Maria State Park. It was kind of a cloudy day and the mosquitos were out to get us, but we still had a great time. After our hike we went to Shelly and Ryan's and they made us delicious fajitas for dinner! We love spending time with them--it's always a good time!

Monday morning we got up and drove down to Matt Addington's, near Kenyon. He took pictures of Bishop, which was fun. They have a beautiful place and the weather was absolutely perfect!!! We are so lucky to know Matt and have him capture Bishop as he grows., as he is SO talented. You will have to check out Matt's website to see the pictures: mattaddington.com then go to his blog (on the right)! We absolutely LOVE the pictures, thanks Matt!

Monday afternoon we went for a walk around Lake of the Isles and had a picnic! It's one of my absolute favorite things to do. We got all our favorites.....prosciutto y melone, pecorino cheese, bread, olives and of course a bottle of wine! It brings us back to Italy!! It was a beautiful day for a walk and a picnic!

Monday night we went over to the McGovern's for a BBQ, it was the perfect way to end our long weekend.....and my maternity leave!

Swimming

We've had a great Memorial Day weekend so far! First off, we won all 3 games at volleyball on Thursday night---that's a first for as long as I've been playing. Bishop also slept through the night Thursday night, woo hoo...Go Bishop!!!

Friday night we went to Al Vento for dinner, our favorite place to go!!! We sat outside, it was the perfect night to eat outside! Bishop LOVES to be outside and he did really well. Here's a picture of Bishop and his daddy at dinner!

Saturday morning we did some packing, as we're getting ready to move!! Packing seems like a never-ending process....but it's coming together slowly, but surely!

Saturday afternoon we visited Uncle Bob, Aunt Sandy and Cousin Tim at Tim's house. Bishop had a great time telling them all about his weekend...he was quite the talker!

Bishop had his first experience swimming on Saturday afternoon at Hidden Beach on Cedar Lake. The beach was PACKED, as it was 90 degrees....the perfect day for the beach! We met the Hennum's there and Siena made sure that Bishop was safe in the water!!

First sleepover

It's been a busy week, it's going WAY too fast for my last week at home with Bishop. Tuesday night Bishop and I went to Auntie Shelly's for the night. We went for a walk and made tacos for dinner. Uncle Ryan was playing golf, but we were able to see him before we left. It was so fun hanging out in their new house! I always LOVE sister time--Shelly and I have been able to spend a lot of quality time one on one over the years and she is the absolute best sister/friend/aunt in the whole wide world! I have no idea what I'd do without her!! I ALWAYS leave our time together with a smile on my face because she just makes me happier and I'm a happier, better person because of her! Thanks for being you, Shelly!! Bishop is so lucky to have an auntie like you! He was smiling and talking to her--it was THE cutest!!

Wednesday Luke and I had tickets to the Twins game and we lucked out by being able to see the end of the first game AND catch an entire second game...on a beautiful night!! Plans were changed due to Grandma Eileen getting sick, so I brought Bishop to Owatonna, where he got to spend the night with Grandma B and her friends....watching American Idol! I hear he really enjoyed it! :) I'm sure there wasn't a lack of attention paid to him and I know he was in good hands. However, it was SO SO hard to leave him. I did have fun at the Twins game, but I didn't realize how much I'd miss Bishop! There was an 8 month old boy sitting in front of us at the game and it really made me miss my lil guy! I was pretty sad on the lightrail on the way home last night....and I have NO idea how I'll manage being away from Bishop for 2 weeks at the end of June (for training for work in New Jersey). I absolutely dread the thought of that!!!!

I will get to see Bishop for a few hours this afternoon and then it's off to volleyball. It's a beautiful night to be outside, so it'll be fun. Grandpa and Grandma B are staying overnight to watch Bishop so Luke and I can both play tonight!

Going back to work

One week from tomorrow, June 1st, I will be going back to work. The last day I worked was Friday November 20th. I was on bedrest for 11 weeks and on maternity leave for 16 weeks. I am so fortunate to have been able to spend the first 4 months of Bishop's life with him. He is an incredible baby boy, who is so happy! I am so incredibly sad thinking about leaving him at daycare all day!! It will be quite the adjustment, especially since I haven't worked in so long. I know it will be harder on me than him. We visited his daycare tonight and it made everything so real.

Not only am I dreading going back to work, but I have to go to New Jersey for two weeks in June and it breaks my heart to think about being away for 2 weeks! Hopefully Luke will be able to bring Bishop out for a long weekend to break up the time for me.

I know I will adjust and everything will be ok. I also believe that anticipation is harder than reality (at least I hope so)! I have had an incredible maternity leave--Bishop and I have been able to do so many fun things and see so many wonderful friends!

Baby Heller

Today we celebrated Michelle Heller's baby Shower! Melissa Kettwig and I hosted at Melissa's house. It was a great day for a shower and lot of Michelle's friends were able to make it to celebrate Michelle and Baby Heller.

Michelle is due August 15th and looks fantastic!!! There were around 25 people at the shower...the food was good (thanks to Melissa and my mom's help) and I think everyone had a great time!

I am so excited to meet Baby Heller and for Bishop to have another friend to play with!! Congratulations Michelle and Michael--you will be wonderful parents!!

Walnut Grove

We helped Shelly and Ryan move this weekend. They moved from Plymouth to Maple Grove, into a beautiful house with lots of space!! I love their new house, it is absolutely gorgeous! Friday afternoon Bishop and I went to help them bring a few loads over to their new house. They were so organized (not surprisingly), so it went very smoothly! We loaded up 5 vehicles and waited for the call that it was ok to bring it over. It was my first time through the house and it is so nice!! They have so much room and their deck/ backyard overlooks a marsh. I can definitely see myself spending some time there....drinking a glass of wine and relaxing with the Bormann's!!

Saturday morning we all headed over to help move the rest of their house. We loaded up Luke's car, brought it over, unpacked and then waited for the moving guys to come with the "big stuff". It was such a smooth operation, we felt like we didn't help very much! I meant to take a picture of them in front of their new house, but it was raining all morning and I forgot to take one before I left--sorry!

I am so happy for Shelly and Ryan! They are so happy together and now they have a beautiful house to enjoy together!! Congrats Shelly and Ryan!!

Happy Birthday Grandpa

Happy Birthday Grandpa B!!! Since we weren't able to celebrate Grandpa B's birthday today, we celebrated on Mother's day. We were also all together on Tuesday--when we went for a walk--Bishop was melting down on the walk and Grandpa was pushing him in the Chariot--Grandpa B took off at lightning speed and calmed Bishop down immediately!! Thanks, Grandpa!

It's been a fun week! Tuesday Grandpa and Grandma B stopped over and Auntie Shelly came over after work--we all went for a walk together, which was great!

Wednesday Grandma B came up to spend the day with Bishop and I because Luke was in a meeting overnight, so she spent the night. Not only did she help take care of Bishop, but she also helped pack up some boxes for our move--thanks Grandma!!

Bishop is still sleeping great! He's getting up once a night and he'll go back down after eating right away, which makes the nights much better!

Bishop has started using his hands more lately--he'll reach for his toys on his carseat and he'll try to grab and hold onto toys that are within his grasp. When he plays on his activity mat, he hits the toys above him. Before Grandma left today-he talked and smiled and laughed--it left both mom and grandma with tears in our eyes!