Kellen's ONE!!

WARNING: This is a long one...with lots of pictures!

Today marks the 3rd celebration here in the Wiederin household!! And today is probably one of the biggest celebrations...KELLEN IS ONE!!!

I remember like it was yesterday, it was a dreary day, I kept waking Mom up in the middle of the night letting her know that her back will soon start hurting! (Yes, I am that smart and could already tell at 2am!) When Mom woke up, she realized the back pain was a little different than before, but she still got all dressed up!  

I didn't leave my Mom's side that morning!! 

PS- Doesn't she look good!! :)

Around 1:30, Mom and Dad said they were headed to the hospital and would be back in 2 days with my new baby bother...Oh and that I was going to have slumber party with Grandma & Grandpa Klein!!

I patiently waited for Grandma Klein to come pick me up!! 

 Throughout the day, I constantly kept thinking about Mom and hoping she wasn't in too much pain! Mom and Dad did send me a video to let me know things were going well, but then Mom was having a contraction so they had to go! 

Before Mom left for the hospital, I reminded Mom...deeeep breathes! She must of forgot at this point!

Grandma and Grandpa told me that when I wake up in the morning, I will have become a big sister!!

And at 11:52PM, Kellen Joseph was born weighing 7lbs 6oz!

(Que the crying for the next 3 months!!!!)

I was so excited to have a little brother!! 

I made sure that when Grandma & Grandpa went to go visit, they brought Kellen a blanket that I got for him!!

That way Kellen knew what I smelled like! :)

2 days later like Mom and Dad promised, I finally got to meet my little brother!

I even put a sign in the front yard to welcome everyone home!!

             "Uhh Mom, I think he pooped already"    The first of many pictures of our new family of 4!! 

Then here we are today, a full year later.  I can't believe how quickly time has gone!! Kellen has brought so much joy and laughter to our life! He is constantly keeping me on my paws...literally!! I can not wait to see where the next year takes us! I have a feeling I will have a new partner to play catch with!! :)

Sorry for the blurriness, Kellen can tell me what a puppy and sheep says and can tell me how old he is today, but he hasn't learned to sit still yet...how can that be?!

But regardless so how much hair he pulls of mine and how exhausted I am at the end of the day, there is one thing I do know....I am so lucky to have this little man as my little brother! You make me so proud each and every day!!

I love you, Bubba!! 

SMILES

-E

The Prep Work Begins...

Tomorrow is a big day for our family! I'm not going to spoil all the fun, but here's a little preview to what's been taking place the past week...

I do have a little special note for my Mom: 

Mom, you will throw a great party for Kellen! I know pinterest kinda creates this "guilt trip" of needing to throw this huge DIY party with all this fancy decor and monthly pictures of Kellen! Well guess what, people that post that, they HIRE the birthday party planners to create it all and then they just take the credit! Because I'm pretty sure any Mom in your shoes with a kid like Kellen, who's nickname should really be Speedigonzalas, doesn't have the time to create it all! It will look great, Kellen will only care about the empty box and wrapping paper! So with that, the most important thing to remember is....don't forget MY cake! ;)  

I hope she listens!! 

SMILES

-E

Ohhh You Almost Had It...

Kellen is to the age where he now enjoys snack time and we can share similar treats! Don't worry I make sure I get ALL of my Milkbones...though he has tried to eat one!

Anyway, during a recent snack time I had a little deja vu back to the State Farm commercial.   

Here's how it went down...

Dad was handing out Whole Wheat Ritz crackers...I prefer Vanilla wafers, but I'll take it!

He gives the first one to Kellen...how dare him!

But, I play nice and let him enjoy the cracker! 

Then he brings down another one! To me it looks like it's far game! 

Annnddd...

Ohh you almost had it...

...you've gotta be quicker than that!

But of course the youngest always gets the final say...

...but the oldest always has the parents heart!!

Then there's people like my Mom...the middle person...I'm sorry!! 

SMILES

-E 

The Kids Love Me!

I hope everyone had a great weekend! 

The next two weeks are pretty crazy around here, but I'll be sure to keep Mom focused on the Priority List.  Of course #1 is pleasing all my followers, making all of you SMILE! :)

On Thursday, after Mom and I picked up Bubba (yep that's his nickname and no we don't live in MS), we headed to my favorite park here in Eden Prairie, Round Lake Park! 

Yep there's a lake at the park and yep the lake is round! Brilliant, I know! 

You're probably thinking it's my favorite park because of the beautiful trails and the smells of other dog's "perfume".  Though I like the "perfumes" and like to share my "perfume", it's my favorite because there are so many kids there!! And you know what it means when there is a good looking ol' gal like myself and young kids...the kids want to come play with ME!! Yep, they have this HUGE pirate ship and playground and what do they want to do....give me a good ol' head rub!!

I LOVE IT!

Kellen is monitoring the "head rub" line.  He's kinda like my bodyguard when we go to the park! Real intimidating, I know! ;)

Once the line calmed down, I let Kellen take a quick 10 minute break to play! Since that's what we really came for!!

"Uhh Kellen, I know I'm a dog and all, but I'm pretty sure you're supposed to go down the slide and not up...

...And DEFINITELY not stand on it! My goodness, where is your Mother?!?!"

We finally made our way over to the swings, where we could contain Kellen!

By the look of Kellen's pants, I think he's either preparing for the floods OR Mom needs to get new pants that fit and that don't look like Berumda Shorts....I think the latter! :)

I swear he grows an inch every night!! 

SMILES

-E

Friday Funday!

It has been a successful week for my Mom! She met my blogging requirements!!! I hope you are enjoying all my updates! Next week is a BIG week, so be sure to come back on Monday!

In honor of Friday, here's a little fun to start your weekend!!

 I've mentioned I'm pretty confident Kellen could pass as the new e-Trade baby, but incase that avenue doesn't work out for him, Ralphie from Christmas Story is also calling his name! :)

(This was when Kellen was 5 months old! Yes I'll get to more recent pictures next week!)

And of course they thought it would be hil-arious to see how I could pull it off...

...Pretty darn good, I must say!

Enjoy this fall weather!

SMILES

-E

Happy Anniversary!!

For those that don't know, October is a very busy month for our family! Today marks the 2nd out of 4 big celebrations! 

The first celebration was Dad's birthday on the 3rd...you'll find out the others on the 23rd and 25th! ;) 

Today is Mom and Dad's 4th Wedding Anniversary!! They welcome all txts, phone calls, and edible arrangements!

I will have to say, these past 4 years have been pretty smooth sailing (minus the first 3 months of Kellen's life). So if the next 50 are like this (and SOMEDAY if Baby 2 comes and is not like Baby 1), I think they are golden...no pun intended! :)

This was a glorious day for me too! Though I didn't get to be the flower girl, I still got to be part of pictures that they'll treasure the rest of their life!!

As I was writing today's blog, I took some time to reflect on where we were a year ago...

...Ohh yeah...we were playing the waiting game and I was enjoying all the attention and quiet time that would soon be corrupted in just ONE WEEK!!!

So last year Mom and Dad enjoyed a nice romantic dinner at Greenbriar in Johnston.  This year, I think there was some mention of ramen noodles?? ;)

(Hashtag Sarcasm)

Regardless of what food they share with me, I wish them an amazing anniversary filled with a few minutes of relaxation!

SMILES

-E   

I'm so cute, I'm on a shirt!

My previous owners are so cool, they still keep in contact with my mom & dad!! Mom does a good job of keeping them updated on all the fun things I am doing.  AND they are big followers of my blog! 

Well shortly after Kellen was born, they sent Kellen a shirt that I must say, is my favorite shirt out of them all-and that's saying a lot!

 Yep, that's me! 

Not literally, but come on that's pretty darn close! That dog even has a ball and a beautiful white mask!! :) Kellen thought this was me, so he was so excited to wear the shirt! I have to say, this little guy grows so fast, that this shirt has since been retired-in a glass case of course! 

  I just love this picture! I look so good!

So remember me telling you yesterday how Kellen doesn't know how to relax or chill...

Well here is proof!! 

He was 8 months old here and already climbing on things! Boys will be boys I guess! 

All I can say is, Good luck with this one Mom & Dad!

SMILES

-E

First Day of School!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! I'm still in the catch up phase, so today I bring you...Daddy's First Day of School!! 

You are never too young or too old for a "First Day of School Picture"

For those who don't know; my Dad is going to school to become a nurse anesthitist. Yes I did I have to google how to spell that...and yes Kellen can already say it! ;)  

Since Mom is extremely lucky to be able to work from home, Kellen goes to daycare! (All I can say to that is, bless our daycare provider's heart-You are awesome!!) I love the little guy, but man he does not know how to relax and just chill!! I'm pretty sure I've dropped a few pounds from all the moving around I have to do, just to get out of his way!

Come Monday, I am excited to send him on his way!!

My smile is an indication of what's to come....

Ahhh, yes nap time! 

Quickly enjoying my peace & quiet! 4:30 comes pretty quick! 

And of course I go with to go pick him up! I love the smile he gives when he sees me!! 

SMILES

-E

Family Picture Time

Well, 2 consecutive days in a row...I would call that a success! 

I was informed I needed to set some expectations though.  Before, my Mom was able to proof my posts in a timely manner and was able to get 4-5 stories out a week. Well I can't promise that'll happen this time, so I'm challenging her to get 3-4 out a week! If she surpasses this...even better! 

Alright, now that business has been taken care of, onto the good stuff...Family Picture Time! 

My parents LOVE pictures, especially professional pictures.  I think it's because they feel left out for not being in all the pictures, unlike Kellen and I ;) So back in June, we had some family pictures taken!

Since we were leaving "the city" they thought it would be cool to take the pictures downtown DesMoines! I always have to be front and center! :)

 Oh, Kellen looks so tiny here! Since I'm still trying to catch everyone up from 8 months of "slacking" (cough, cough) the pictures of Kellen seem really old!! He was 8 months old here!

 "Uhh, excuse me guys...I'm down here!!"

As you all know, I have a few toys and stuffed animals! So I thought it would be a great idea to bring them all and get a picture with all my favorites!

 Just a slice of Esther heaven!

 Until, this happened..and it' was a fresh one too! "Just breath...."

Ahhh, Dad came in and saved the day! :) 

I just love my little family!!

We even had a special member join our pictures! My cousin Sophie was staying with us that week, so she joined in on the fun!!

 I needed to take a breather...all that smiling was exhausting!!

But, I still had time for one more...

The grandest of them all...... (drum roll please....)

Esther and her palace (aka the Capital)!! :)

 A special thank you to Andrea Altman Photography! She does brilliant work and she LOVES me, of course! :)

Have a wonderful weekend and be sure to come back on Monday for more...yes I promise there will be more Kellen photos!! 

SMILES

-E

We are up and "running"....again!

So to make my mom feel better about herself, let's you and I pretend we are back in FEBRUARY and haven't missed a single day of me spreading smiles to all of YOU!  But we all know the reality is, my mom slacked off for 8 months. I'm a believer in second chances, so I'm going to make sure my mom keeps this up and running!!

Speaking of running...to give my mom the benefit of the doubt; I feel like our family has been running like crazy since February!

To catch you up to speed...

FEBRUARY-Moved in with Grandma & Grandpa Klein

(Something about to save money for when Dad is back in school...again! You'd think he'd be a doctor by now! :) )

 We enjoyed our last supper on the living room floor! We just had the carpets cleaned, so I made sure there were no crumbs left behind!

MARCH-JULY- Living the dream, baby! 

Ohhh, yeah! Nothing beats a good ol' grass rub!!

Then it came time for the swimming pool and sunglasses! 

Being the older and polite sister that I am, I allowed Kellen to BORROW my swimming pool for the summer!! I figured I'd let him have his glory days in the pool for a year!  

I may have the stats to show, but I'm pretty sure if my parents were to put a picture of me and Kellen on Facebook, it could easily get a good 50+ likes...NBD! :)

AUGUST 1ST- Moving Day! 

 On August 1st, we became residents of Eden Prairie, MN! 

Let me know if you need my address for any special deliveries...I am listed as a family member on our mailbox...but that's for a different day!!

So, there you have it...our life the past 8 months! 

Minus a few minor milestones of Kellen's such as crawling, walking, talking, pulling my hair, taking my balls, not sharing his puffs, you know all the Kellen stuff! :) This is MY blog isn't it?!

I know, I know, I know! You now want to know how Kellen and I are making people smile, together! Don't worry I will have PLENTY of Kellen pictures in my upcoming stories!!

For now, I am just happy to have you back!!

And for me to be back up and running again! :)

SMILES 

-E