Oh good, only a few weeks this time! Whew! I think my New Years Resolution is going to be more blogging!!! Time to flip back through the pictures and see what we have been up to!

November 16-18

Eric's family came out for the Northwestern/Iowa game. Even though Eric was the only one happy with the outcome, we still had a fun time. Nicholas got to go swimming a few times with Uncle Alex at the hotel. The pool was chilly, so he hung out in the lukewarm hot tub. Other than them all going to the game, we just hung out most of the time.

Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving we went back to Iowa for the long weekend. On Thursday we had Thanksgiving at the Owens'. It was a lot of fun seeing everyone. Emily took some pictures of Nicholas for Christmas and I can't wait to see more of them! On Friday we had Miller Thanksgiving. That night was really fun! Katie was also there and Ali & Ashley came over to spend the night. We all watched Elf and then did some of Ali's ELP games! Saturday Nicholas hung out with dad all day and then Sunday we saw Papa Tim before heading back to Wisconsin.

Daddy Day!

Yesterday I was at a dance competition all day so Eric and Nicholas were on their own for 12 hours! I thought they would just hang out at home and play (there was talk about bad weather), but they did anything but sit around. They went to Menard's to get some stuff for the house and then to Babies R Us and bought Nicholas a new set of hat and gloves. After coming home for lunch and a nap, they then went to the home brewing store so Eric could get more beer supplies. Then they played at home... well, and changed the basement light so it worked, did some laundry and a load of dishes! I should leave more often!!!

Future

We are getting ready for a really busy couple of weeks. Back to Iowa on the 17th until the 27th! We have the Reams Christmas the 18th, Nicholas' 1st birthday on the 19th, a few days of rest and then a few more Christmases. On the 31st we leave for Dallas, Texas to go to the TicketCity Bowl Game. Well, let me rephrase that. Eric is going to the game while Nicholas and I shop!! Busy, busy!!

Dang it! Did I really go another month without blogging? How have you all survived? Oh, your friends with me on Facebook. I guess we are good then! Let's go back through the photos and see what has been going on...

October 22-24
Dad had his 10 year college reunion in Evanston. We decided to stay down for the weekend, but at a different hotel than the last time since I didn't sleep well the last time!! Dad was really busy on Saturday with the football game and the reunion party so mom and I hung out. We went to the mall and then to Rainforest Cafe. Mom didn't think I looked good so we went back to the hotel where we found out I had a 102 fever. The rest of the vacation I spent in my PJ's playing.

I don't look sick, I know

Halloween

For my first Halloween mom dressed me up as a puppy dog (and funny enough, mom's cousin Erica had the same outfit for Chase!). I liked the outfit, but it made me really warm. I only wore it to the daycare parties though since I didn't trick-or-treat this year. Maybe next year I can go out for lots of candy!! Yum!

Nicholas and this little boy had their hands crossed the whole time. Too cute!!

Playing!! 

Since I am so great at crawling, I am able to get into a lot of stuff. Some mom and dad are okay with, some things that they don't care for! My favorite thing to get into are my books. I am able to flip through the pages with some ease... and then I am onto the next thing! I also love to play with boxes, Tink... and just anything that looks like fun!

November 10th

A very busy day for me! That morning I was grinding my teeth, and mom discovered that my 5th tooth had came in overnight. Then, that night, I took 5 steps by myself. Yeah me!!

November 12-14

Party weekend! Aunt Claire, Uncle Dustin, Uncle Alex, Grandma Deb and Grandpa Miller came out for the weekend!! Friday night mom, dad and I went to the hotel and I went swimming with Uncle Alex. The pool was really cold so we ended up swimming in the lukewarm hot tub! On Saturday everyone but mom and I went to the Iowa/Northwestern game where Northwestern won (GO CATS!). Mom and I did some Christmas shopping and played at home. That night we went out to dinner and then back for more swimming. Sunday morning we all went to the Steaming Cup before they headed back to Ankeny.

I am looking forward to going back to Ankeny for Thanksgiving weekend. I haven't seen most everyone for 6 weeks and I miss you all tons!

Wow!! I really need to blog more. I feel like tons has gone on in the past month, and also nothing! Thinking back, the blog break started when Nicholas was sick for a week with a cold and we just sat around the house. I will have to go through pictures to see what has been going on....

Ah, yes.. the month of September. Between Eric working, going to the Northwestern football games and Reserves, we didn't see much of him that month! Nicholas and I kept busy by taking plenty of classes at Gymboree and shopping the days away. Seriously, that is all we did. What can we say, he and I are lazy! Luckily he is cute enough for me to take pics of him doing anything!!

Yummy, eating a hanger

Literally will teethe on anything

October has been a bit busier for us. We went back to Ankeny the past two weekends so it has been great seeing family and friends. The first weekend we came back so mom could have a wine tour with Grandma Deb, Aunt Claire and Godmother Katie (Katie's blog) while I watched football with dad and Grandpa Mike.

The second weekend back was a lot of fun. Jesse and Emily were getting married!! And we were going to the Pumpkin Patch!! Saturday morning mom, dad, Erin and her kids, Rae, Nick and the girls, Claire, Dustin and the boys, Nick's parents, Alex and I went to the Center Grove Pumpkin Patch. Boy, was it warm (mom even got sunburned!). I didn't care for the Corn Pool with cousin Alison, but liked seeing the animals and watching everyone. The wedding was fun too, but dad took me back to stay with Grandma Deb and Grandpa Mike while everyone else went to the reception (but don't worry, he was really missed by everyone!)

In the Corn Pool

Enjoying the wedding with Ashley and Savannah

Development: Well, Nicholas hasn't started walking yet, but now he is letting go and standing for a bit on his own. He doesn't really act interested in walking, but I have a feeling the day he starts he will be a pro at it! His top two teeth just poked through (the first day he was grinding his teeth, that was a great noise) so he has started eating more 'real' foods. His favorite is bananas.

Oh, the biggest news for Nicholas this week is that he started day care. I am searching for a full time job so we got him into the GE daycre through Eric's work. He is still sad when I leave, but I hear that is short lived.

Meet Mr. Miller!!!

On Friday morning we had our court date to make our adoption official!! It took all of 15 minutes and Nicholas was a crazy man for every second (that's what happens when the kid fights nap time!). The judge just asked each of us our names, address, do you promise to take care of him.... and POOF! You are now parents! Eric took the day off work so we went back home, packed up the car and headed to Ankeny!!

Saturday was my typical run-around-like-a-crazy-person day. Nicholas and I met Erin, Carter and Addyson at CJ's for breakfast. Then we dropped off the kids and hit up some garage sales; which we bought all stuff for the kids! Saturday afternoon we had my Grandpa Owens' 80th birthday party. Nicholas loved seeing all of his relatives and was passed around from one to the next!! That night was pretty relaxing watching The Blind Side while the Miller men watched Northwestern beat Vanderbuilt.

Joy, Mark and Nicholas having a great time!

Sunday afternoon my dad and Kelly hosted an open house for family and friends to come over and meet the new Mr. Miller. Nicholas is mister social and loved every minute of playing with all of the kids and adults! Afterwards we went over to Aunt Rae's for what I called Big Rae's Labor Day. Although by that point Nicholas was ready for bed so he and Eric left while I hung out for a couple hours.

Whoo hoo!!

I don't know who loves Nicholas' new toy more!!

We love having a holiday weekend! That extra day makes the vacation seem sooo much longer! That morning we met a whole group of family and friends at Gray's Lake (Claire, Dustin and the boys, Mike & Deb, Erin, Brad and the kids!). A number of them went boating while the rest of us hung out. Then we all met Katie and Alex at Perkins for lunch (Breadbowls could use some re-recipe-ing). After going to Alex's new apartment we headed back to Waukesha.

Mike, Dustin and Tanner canoeing while Eric, Brad and Carter paddleboat

Future spouses: Addyson Hill and Nicholas Miller

Be Our Guest

On the 21st, my cousin Kim sent me a Facebook message that she and Jordyn wanted to come and visit. She said they could be there as soon as Monday so I told her, "See you Monday!" They got here around 5 that evening. Since it was getting close to the kids' bedtime we just hung out at home.

Tuesday we decided to spend the morning at Betty Brinn Children's Museum. Since Eric has a GE discount there we got in for free! Whoo hoo. Jordyn LOVED this place! They have a kids grocery store that she thought was so much fun and we had to pry her away from. Kim is thinking about setting up her play area like the store!

Jordyn checking out the Baked Goods section

Then we headed over to the Backyard for children under 3. There was so much fun stuff for both crawlers and walkers, without getting trampled by the big kids. Garden, slides, baby play area, greenhouse... so many fun things! I think Jordyn could have played here all day and Nicholas LOVED getting out of the stroller and playing. One of his friends from Gymboree was there as well!

                                        

Kim, Nicholas and Jordyn in the Treehouse

The next hour Jordyn just ran from exhibits playing for a few minutes and then off again! After Betty Brinn we decided to have lunch at Alterra on the lakefront. Uhh... BEST. LUNCH. EVER!! This place not only has great views of Lake Michigan, it is the most delicious food you will ever taste. You can't decide if you should save it so you can slowly enjoy the food, or scarf it down as quick as possible!! The rest of the afternoon/

evening we hung out at the house so everyone could rest for our fun on Day 2!  

Wednesday was Zoo Day!! At the beginning of the summer Eric and I bought a zoo pass that covered admission for me and a guest plus parking and I think we have gotten great use out of it!! The last trip that Kim and Jordyn were out for, our trip to the zoo was quick since Kimmy wasn't feeling well. We made up for it this time! We saw the birds, monkeys, fish, small animals, cats... and much more! The kids were both in excellent moods so it made for a fun trip!

Thursday, and the last day of there trip, we were pretty low key. Our plan was Gymboree and the the Botanical Gardens, but we decided to not go to the gardens so Kim and Jordyn could rest before the drive back to Iowa. That morning we went to Free Play time at Nicholas' Gymboree. The kids got to play on all the equipment, plus do bubbles, parachute and puppets. I keep telling Eric when we move back to Iowa I am going to open one of these! The kids had a BLAST! After Gymboree we went and ate lunch at the food court followed by a little mall shopping. We were sad to see Kim and Jordyn leave that evening. I don't know who had more fun the kids or the adults. Can't wait to do it again!!!!

                                                  

                                 

Oh!! The funniest thing happened the first day! Kim, Nicholas and I were hanging out in the living room and Kim was saying how she couldn't believe Jordyn was still sleeping. So Kim went to check on her. Well, Jordyn was awake... and playing in Kim's make up!!

                                     

Crawling and Climbing and Teething... OH MY!!

From 7-8 months Nicholas has developed A LOT!!!

CRAWLING

At the beginning of 7 months he took his first couple of crawls... now we can't get the kid to stop! He and I go to Gymboree a few days a week so he can crawl in a more open environment. Most of the time he doesn't crawl like a normal he has one leg that he is trying to walk on while crawling, or sometimes he crawls with his feet and hands!

Normal crawling

Nicholas crawling

CLIMBING

So, if you have been to our house, you know that we have a sunken in living room. No more than a week after he started crawling, he figured out how to climb up those two stairs. Now that means he has access to the whole house. Even if I try to block it off with stuff he pushes them aside to climb those stairs (because there is no wall on the other side, we can't put a baby gate there). Also! As soon as he gets up the steps he sits down so he has to have a spotter or else he will tumble back down! Don't worry, Eric caught him when we figured that out!!

                                                  

The other day he was chasing his bottle that was rolling away. Somehow it got up the shelf on the end table and Nicholas climbed up after it. He is pulling himself up on everything as well so I figure in the next few weeks he will be trying to take his first steps!

Ignore the dust.... Nicholas was able to....

TEETHING

So far Nicholas has his bottom two teeth in, but we are thinking the third is coming along soon. He doesn't fuss too much, nothing that Baby Orajel can't fix! He usually has a runny nose and that is about all. I have heard that when the incisors come in it is a lot worse, but we will see. Our main problem is trying to find things for him to teethe on... he doesn't use a pacifier and anything cold just makes him mad that it isn't food. Oh well, we will get it figured out eventually!!

Holy long time, no blog!! Hopefully Nicholas can chill in his activity center long enough for me to post some stuff!!

Let's see... since we last talked a lot has happened!

Ankeny Weekend
July 9-12 we went back to Ankeny. Eric had asked what weekend he could take a couple of days off around so we could go home and I could hang out with my friends. We ended up choosing this one. We drove into town on Friday and just hung out that day. Alison and Ashley spent the night with us at the Miller's house.

On Saturday I went on a wine day trip (6 wineries in 1 day, I think we did well!). Rae, Nick and the girls took Nicholas to the Ankeny Summerfest Parade, check out pics on her website: The Canfield-Barrett Family during the day. Then he hung out with dad for the rest of the day.

Sunday I scrapbooked the day away while Nicholas and dad went over to Jared and Patti's house. It sounded like the kids had fun playing while the dad's hung out. That night we went with my dad and Kelly to Hickory Park! Yum!!!!

Baptism Weekend

This past weekend we had Nicholas' baptism at St Luke's Lutheran in Waukesha. We were so excited that so many people came out to celebrate his big day with us!! On Friday afternoon Nicholas and I showed Katie around with Kim. We met up with Rae, Nick, Alison and Ashley for dinner at Chili's and then went back to their hotel. Nicholas had never been swimming so I brought his suit along. He swam with Katie and LOVED IT!!!

That Saturday we drove down to Jelly Belly in the morning. A few people in the group had never been, so we had to show them what all the fun was about! We followed with lunch at Perkins and some outlet shopping. After dinner we headed to the Waukesha County Fair. It was fun, but a little muddy because of all the rain we had received the past few nights.

Shopping crew

Kim & Alison

Sunday was the big day! We reserved the tea room at Steaming Cup since there was 14 of us!!! From there we went to the baptism just a couple of blocks away. Afterwards we took a few pictures followed by lunch at our house. Nicholas got some wonderful gifts and we love them all! Thank you everyone for coming out and sending cards for his big day

Update

Just to let everyone know, the paperwork has been filed for Nicholas to become a Miller!! In Wisconsin the child has to live in the home for 6 months, which was the 22nd. Hopefully soon we will have our court date and then it will be official!!

Fourth of July weekend!

So, I am not sure why I put an exclamation point... we had a fairly boring fourth weekend. We haven't been very good at planning our trips back to Ankeny on holidays! We were there the past two weekends and then are heading there this weekend so we figured 4 weekends in a row may be a bit too much!

On the fourth we decided to go to the Waukesha Parade. Since it was a Sunday, the parade was moved from 10 am to 1 pm. Well, it was pretty warm here that day so we decided to head to the parade early so we could get a spot in the shade. At 12:15 we found the best spot ever! There was a store whose awning hung out pretty far so we set up shop there. After 45 minutes of hanging out, Nicholas decided to nap as the parade started. Why does he wake up at home if I cough but marching bands can play on by and nothing?? The rest of the day we just hung out until bed time. We decided it was finally time to get Nicholas on a night schedule. It was a lot of tears the first night, but the second night was no crying and tonight was just a couple of minutes! Whoo hoo!!!

Before the parade

When the parade was going on

Eric has off yesterday and today for the fourth. Today we decided to go to the zoo for a couple of hours to get out of the house. We decided to go this morning because it was cloudy and windy. No joke, the second we started walking towards the zoo the breeze stopped and the sun came out! What?!?! Since we have a zoo pass I didn't feel to bad leaving about an hour later.

Long time, no blog

So, I write I will blog tomorrow... and then everything has been crazy!! So let's start at last weekend

June 18-20

Nicholas had his 6 month doctor appointment this morning. He is a pro at shots! He cries when the needle is going in and then he is over it. Sometimes I feel like a bad mom because it doesn't make me upset when he is getting these shots, but seriously folks, I don't look. I am trying to hold down the little monsters' arms!! I think he handles shots better than I can take them!

Around noon Nicholas and I headed to Ankeny, with Eric and Tink to follow after Eric got off work. We drove seperatly so I could bring the Canfield girls back with me on Sunday. Getting into town a few hours earlier than usual was nice. I was able to go with my dad, Kelly and Alex to Old Chicago for dinner and then K$ came over to the Miller's to hang. Eric and Tink came into town around 11:30.

Saturday was a BUSY day and Nicholas' half birthday!! Nicholas and I went and visited the Hill family that morning, so we could pick up Erin to go garage sale shopping. The kids had fun hanging out together until we left. Nicholas only made it to one sale because a) it was freakin hot and I couldn't carry his car seat without breaking a sweat and b) I bought him a new activity center at the first sale and we needed space! After Erin and I were done shopping, Nicholas and I went over to visit the Canfield-Barrett clan for a little bit. Then we went over to Claire and Dustin's for Declan's 5th birthday party. After eating cake and watching him open presents we rolled on to the Big 0 Bash.

All of Declan's loot!

A number of people in the Owens were having milestone birthday's this year. Grandpa turned 80, Ji turned 60, Joe and Mark 50, Heather 40 and a number of people turned 30 (Rae, Kim, Adam, Justin, Tracy, Kurt... I think I got them all...). They reserved a shelter at Easter Lake. We were supposed to start out playing sports, but since it was 95, we just hung out under the roof! After dinner we had our third white elephant auction. Yes, our family is nerdy but we are the funniest group of people you will ever meet! All of the items brought is about $165 which was then won by KB.

The Owens family crew

Sunday was Father's Day and pretty relaxed. In fact, I can't really remember what we did! I know we hung out with the dad's and then back to Waukesha, but I can't give you any details!

June 21-24
The Canfield girls are taking a number of vacations starting mid July so I figured if I want them to come out here I better make it early in their summer break! I usually keep super busy while they are here and I think this trip was the same.

Monday - our plan was to go to Nicholas' Gymboree class at 10:15 and then head to the zoo. So, we get to Gymboree, start playing and then I realize that his class is at 11:45 on Monday's!! Whoops. Luckily it was the end of free play so about 15 minutes later we headed to the zoo. It was the BEST day to go (thanks Eric). There was talk of rain, so that scared everyone away, but no rain at all! We got there at 11 and left at almost 4, and still didn't see everything. We saw tons of animals, picnic-ed with our Lunchables, rode the train... busy, busy, busy! That night we went shopping for a bit, but Eric texted us at 8 that there was a tornado watch so we headed home. It later turned into a warning so we hung out in the basement for an hour or so.

Tuesday - the girls wanted to go to Build-A-Bear so this day we went to the mall for a few hours. They got new animals, we ate lunch at Panera and then a little more shopping. Sadly, I lost their Build-A-Bear bag with the birth certificates and a pair of shoes Ashley had picked out for her bear. Of course, no one turned it in :-(  That night we went and saw Toy Story 3. We all really liked it. Afterwards we tie-dyed some shirts and socks.

Wednesday - we just hung out in the morning and watched Toy Story 2. That afternoon we went back to Gymboree for Family Play. On Monday Ashley really wanted to play, but wasn't able to since it wasn't an open gym time. She LOVED running around and playing. When Eric got home, the girls and I went to the outlet mall. Ashley loved this shirt at Old Navy and the only one they had was on the display... and it was her size. So we undressed it and bought it for her! Ali had turned 12 a few days before and I didn't get her a gift so she bought some tank tops and a t-shirt at Aeropostale. Although our favorite stop was at Bath and Body Works. They were having a huge sale so we were able to get $53 worth of items for $22!

Thursday - the girls, Nicholas and I headed back to Ankeny around 11. We had a number of things to do before we go, but were only 8 minutes later than I wanted to leave! We had made some car bingos and other travel games for the car ride so it was something fun and new to do for the 6 hours. It went by fairly quickly so I was happy!!

What's so funny!!

Nicholas got a beach ball at his Gymboree class today. He was cracking up the mom's with his laugh when I threw it up and down. Luckily it was still funny at home.

P.S. I will blog more tomorrow!!

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=576495561&v=app_2392950137#!/video/video.php?v=10150202968775562

Navy Family Weekend

This past weekend was Eric's Navy Family Weekend at Great Lakes, IL. We decided to spend the night both Friday and Saturday; leaving Waukesha at 6 am didn't sound like morning fun for me!!

Friday night we went to eat dinner at my favorite restaurant, Panda Express. By the time we drove down, checked in and ate dinner it was around 8. So poor Nicholas didn't get to bed until 9 (his usual bedtime is 7). He woke up MANY times throughout the night. The hotel was SO AWESOME, but there was a lot of light let in through the curtain, appliances and around the doorframe. We think the combination of the light and people in the hallway was the culprit.

Our hotel room

Saturday morning Nicholas and I took Eric to the base. In the morning Eric had regular drill stuff and then there was a family picnic on the beach that afternoon. While Eric was working Nicholas and I went to Wal-Mart to get some tape to shut the curtains, along with some other stuff. Nicholas fell asleep in the store, and we still had an hour to kill so I just drove around until we met up with Eric. The picnic started out just okay. There wasn't a lot of seating to eat and there was also a loud band (that wasn't good) right next to the few tables. After eating we headed down to the beach with another couple and their daughter. Luckily, one of the things I had purchased at Wal-Mart was a sheet we could all sit on. The day was overcast and cool, until 1:30 and then the sun came out with a vengeance for a while. That was the time we left! The rest of the day we shopped at Gurnee Mills and ate at Panda Express again (they don't have any around us!)

At the beach

Cooling off after the beach

On Sunday the only family activities were pre-deployment classes. Since Eric isn't going anywhere, we decided to take off after Eric's drill in the morning. Since we used to live near base, I got together with Mary Anne from the church I worked at in 2007 (actually, I was hired for her job). It was nice catching up since I haven't seen her in almost 3 years!! The rest of Sunday was filled with lunch at Perkins, me taking a nap (Nicholas woke up a few times Saturday night too) and the three of us just hanging out. It was perfect!

Watching this music program with animals

Holiday weekend

Hope everyone had a great Memorial Day weekend! Ours was pretty tame.

Friday was Eric's 32nd birthday! He woke up that morning though having caught my cold. He still went to work that day, of course, and then we just ended up hanging out at the house that night.

While Eric was at work Nicholas decided to flip himself over in his swing.

Guess it is time to start buckling him in!!

Saturday we were pretty lazy around the house. Eric still wasn't feeling 100% so we just hung out the three of us. That afternoon I suggested we do something to get out of the house and Eric volunteered the idea of going to the mall. I was shocked!! That night we played Super Mario Bros Wii (Eric's present) after putting the little one to bed.

Sunday morning we went to church... and then we must have just sat around because I don't remember anything special!

Hanging out with dad at home

Monday we took Nicholas to his first parade, the Waukesha Memorial Day Parade. It was pretty short, but the high school bands performed and a number of the dance team girls are either in color guard or in band. It was great seeing them!

Waiting for the parade to start!!

Weekly review

Things have been pretty boring around here!

Kimmy and Jordyn left on Tuesday afternoon. :-(   So Wednesday and Thursday Nicholas and I just hung out around the house. But on Friday Daddy came home from Florida!

Eric flew from Florida to Chicago and then Chicago to Milwaukee. Well, for being an hour away it certainly took long enough for him to get home! He had a scheduled 2 hour layover in Chicago. Then the plane came in late and delayed him 45 minutes. So I decided to not have to fight rush hour traffic and head out a little early. Well, what I didn't know was that Eric sat on the runway another 45 minutes!!! That was not a successful trip for Nicholas, Tink and I because I didn't pack a diaper bag. I think at one point everyone in the car was crying due to frustration! After he finally got in, we came home and had Chili's To Go.

The weekend was pretty relaxing. Eric did a lot of yard work on Saturday while Nicholas and I sat around the house. That night Eric took us out Famous Dave's. Sunday we went to early church and Eric watched Nicholas most of the day so I could rest from the cold I was fighting.

This week has been pretty boring so far. Since I can't stand it when it gets too hot outside we have been staying inside for the most part. It is supposed to start cooking off so then we can get out of the house. I know it drives Nicholas crazy to be stuck indoors all day. Although, with it being hot inside as well, he has been able to just hang out in his diaper for the majority of the day. That is his favorite!  

Loving his tummy time

But apparently it is better with a magazine