some random pics

Here are some random pictures that my dad has taken the last 2 weekends...


All the girls in Omaha at Gabrielle's (Joey's sister) wedding.

Snoozing with grandma...traveling wears Keatin out...could be the lack of sleep??!!

July 4th - Grandpa Petersen did the Ride & Run...here he is post-race with Keatin and the sign she made to cheer him on.

This is Keatin...and Joey...her most FAVORITE uncle/silly guy/playmate! Seriously - she loves this guy! Every morning we were in SL, the first thing out of her mouth when she woke up was - "cho-ey here?" or "where's cho-ey?" He is going to be an awesome dad some day. See?? A naked bottom doesn't even phase him!

Keatin with grandpa's bike helmet.

Getting ready to head back to Ames...but we had to try some yummy desserts first!

Lyle, Becca, and Jack came over tonight...and I got to cuddle Jack a lot. Made me excited to have another itty one to cuddle with. :)

zoo

Josh had the day off work yesterday, so all 3 of us headed to the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines. Going to the zoo all together was one of my summer bucket list items. Our good friends Todd, Megan, and Troy met us there...and it was a great morning to be outside! Keatin and Troy had lots of fun looking at and even touching some of the animals.

Keatin checking out the penguins...

Keatin and Troy looking at the giraffes...

I tired to get the kids next to each other for a picture. Keatin immediately put her arm around Troy...Troy wasn't so sure.

Ooohhh - then I think Troy started to like it...

And then Troy leaned in for a kiss!! :) Oh my!

Daddy and Keatin checking out the giraffe ...
Megan, Megan, Keatin, and Troy by the fake elephant. :)

Keatin wasn't so sure about touching the turtle...

But Daddy convinced her to touch the slimy lizard thing...

Keatin liked feeding the goats...until one nibbled a bit too hard on her finger. :)

We are still struggling with sleeping at our house. Keatin has been sleeping in her crib, but doesn't matter - she still gets out when she wakes up in the night. And she is getting up for the day pretty much by 6 am. It is certainly frustrating to me...something she was SO good at and I rarely put a second thought to...now is a big challenge. Urgh... But these last couple days, I have been TRYING not to let my own exhaustion and frustration get the best of me...and spend more time truly appreciating the AMAZING little girl I get to call my daughter. She is talking like CRAZY and in the past week, I have noticed she babbles little conversations to herself...it is cute. :) This morning, after I had pulled her up in the bed with us at 6 am, she had her head resting against mine, whispering to herself - "shhh...baby is sweeping" and "a tiga - rooaaww". I know these 2 things don't even go together, but it gives me a glimpse into her little brain. Last Saturday when we were at a wedding, I was holding Keatin in my lap and she just grabbed my cheeks and gave me a big kiss! Josh said at the supper table last night - "you know, she really is a good girl." :) Brings tears to my eyes...because she really is...even in the times when I am too tired to see it...we are SO blessed. :)

shelves

I have shelves!!! Last summer when we refinished the basement, we made a storage room...and I was promised shelves to put all our tubs/boxes/junk on. I told Josh I would give him one year...or I was going to buy shelves. It is almost a year later...but I now have shelves! When Keatin and I were in Omaha over the weekend, Josh produced shelves! I am SO excited...ok, maybe not excited enough to get all the stuff put back on them yet...but it will look glorious when they are all full and organized. I can't wait! :)







Also - random video of Keatin... We were having pizza for supper (her favorite) and she WAS dancing around singing about pizza...of course until I got the camera out...and then she did this. :)

leftover pics...and cleaning???

Here are a few "leftover" pics Grandpa Barber took over Father's Day weekend...

Also - it is a Monday morning...Keatin is over playing with her friends at Jessica's house...and I have decided to do a bit of cleaning before I head to aerobics. However, I have done a really poor job of keeping up with my cleaning...so the task is overwhelming!!! I hate it! How do other people stay on top of the cleaning at their house? Do you do one room/task a day...specific jobs for specific days of the week? Or do you just have a cleaning day??? I need help...give me your advice! :) :) AAHHH!!

we do things

I tell you what...some nights, by the time Keatin is in bed, it is all I can do to drag myself to the couch...or my bed. And sometimes it feels like - what have I done all day? Thank God for our camera...when I take pictures...and then I remember - oh yes, we HAVE been doing some fun things!

We go to Storm Lake to celebrate Father's Day... (I LOVE playing with my Grandpa Petersen's i-pad.)

Keatin, with all her "fathers"...

We help daddy pick cherries off our cherry tree...



I play in the sprinkler with daddy...

(Who likes the sprinkler more in this picture??)

My 2 "girls" watch Baby Einstein...with no pants!

We go to the Ames wading pool and play with some goggles a lady gave us...


Daddy buys me a slip and slide...

Daddy "plays" in the pool with me... (OK - I just die laughing at this picture...the man's version of playing in the pool.) :)

We walk around the house in funny slippers...

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day Josh...




Since the first moment you held our daughter, fatherhood has truly fit you. I couldn't get my arms up to hold her in the delivery room...but I saw the undying love you wrapped her in.

Keatin loves you SO much. You bring joy, laughter, fun, and love to her life every day. God has certainly blessed me, Keatin, and whatever other children we have - you are an AWESOME dad. :)

in the last week

In the last week, here are a few of the things we have done...

Keatin and I went to a FANTASTIC birthday party last Saturday afternoon. It was for our babysitter's son, Xavier...he was turning 1. It was kid heaven there, and really what it reminded me of was kindergarten center time...only for toddlers. Jessica (our babysitter) had different stations set up around their backyard and I think Keatin would have played out there ALL DAY if I would have let her. Put this mommy to shame. :)


Logan and Keatin...they are day care buddies. I am told Logan has a crush on Keatin. :)



Keatin and the birthday boy (Xavier) at the sand table.


After Xavier's party, I had people over to our house for Josh's 30th birthday. Here I am cuddling with Jack...do I look ready to do this again???? :)


On Wednesday, I had a doctor's appointment for Baby Barber #2. Everything checked out good - heard the heartbeat right away (around 150) and I had lost 2 pounds (is it bad I was slightly happy about that)? :)

Yesterday, Josh and I took Keatin to the new Ames aquatic center. It is HUGE, but has a special area for smaller children like Keatin. Took her awhile to warm up, but then she loved it! We will be going back, I am sure. :)




Everyday battle at my house...Keatin wants to dress herself. This morning, she started putting her shorts on before I had even gotten her jammies off. Surprisingly, she has one leg in each leg hole (that doesn't usually happen). :)

Logan and Keatin at Xavier's party...