Fair Failures

Jaxson, when your old enough to read this, I apologize. We as your parents failed this year taking you to the fair, which we know is one of our parental duties each August. You missed many of the iconic Iowa State Fair things such as the butter cow, the midway, giant pig, and the giant slide. I am sure that I am even forgetting things to put on the list of things we forgot to take you to. We promise to do better next year.

However, we were able to squeeze a few important things in in our five our time at the fair.

You did eat a corndog. And liked it. Alot. 

You visited the Hawkeye's Orange Bowl trophy with your father.

You did see a dog agility performance. You thought it was pretty cool! 

You LOVED the huge train exhibit. So much so that you cried while walking out the door after being there for nearly a half an hour.

And you of course went to visit the Paul R. Knapp Animal Learning Center. You were all smiles while looking at all the baby animals. You loved the ducks and the baby cow.  I bet those would have been Uncle Paul's favorites too.

You Know Your a Slacker When....

You have 305 pictures on your camera, all of important blog-worthy events, and they have been on your camera for nearly 2 weeks.  That is when you know your a slacker. With Dave's sister coming into town this weekend and it's a holiday weekend I better get caught up or I will be in big trouble. I have never really (like really) contemplated stopping the blog, although the thought has crossed my mind when I am feel ultra unmotivated, but Dave is a crazy person about me keeping up with it. I usually blog at least a couple times a week and I have been MIA now for two weeks. Dave will tell me, you better get on there or everyone will never read it again!! It is somewhat true but I am just wondering then why he hasn't been more of a blogger himself... but that is a different story I guess. It is such a good way to keep up our memories with stories and pictures for everyone and will be so neat for Jaxson and Unnamed Baby B in the future that I really don't think I will ever stop. Although some days, it sounds awfully appealing. And now on to my marathon of blog posts.

2010 Iowa Hawkeyes

The greatest time of the year is almost here! The start of the 2010 college football season starts on Saturday for the Iowa Hawkeyes! I have pretty high expectations for this team who is coming of an Orange Bowl win, 11-2 season and a final ranking of #7 at the end of last year.

This year I will once again make my season predictions here on the blog. Here are the predictions I made last year. http://jlbarry.blogspot.com/2009/01/2008-outback-champs.html . I did pretty well as I guessed the regular season record of 10-2 correctly, however I did pick the wrong two games we lost and also might have slightly understated the UNI team.... Either way, Iowa is now the only team in the history of college football to close out a game with TWO BLOCKED FIELD GOALS!! What a crazy year, I still think we had a great shot at winning the national title if Ricky Stanzi didn't get hurt :). I blame the Sports Illustrated cover jinx. If you don't know, it is well documented that very often after an athlete or team is featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated something terrible happens to the athlete or team pictured. The Sports Illustrated came out with DJK on that Wednesday and three days later Ricky Stanzi and the 9-0 UNDEFEATED #4 in the NATION Iowa Hawkeyes lost to Northwestern after Stanzi went down. Probably top 5 worst days in the history of history...

Tears aside it's time to make my pre-season predictions.

:next to team name is pre-season ranking

9/4- Eastern Illinois W

9/11- Iowa State W

9/18- Arizona W

9/25- Ball State W

10/2 - Penn State#14 W

10/16- Michigan W

10/23- Wisconsin#12 W

10/30- Michigan State W

11/6- Indiana W

11/13- Northwestern W

11/20- Ohio State#2 W

11/27- Minnesota W

BCS National Championship Game

1/10- Alabama #1 L*

Overall record 12-1

Is this a reckless prediction that sets me up for disappointment? Perhaps, but if we stay relatively injury free anything can happen!

* I will reference this if/when needed....

On His Way to a Green Jacket

Dave got swept up into the PGA tourney today with its playoff's and dramatic disqualifications. He was inspired so after dinner we packed up and headed for the mini golf course. Jaxson got a putter just his size and off we went. Dave gave him a few tips on the practice green but then we just let him go. He wasn't too bad really. As for Dave and I, we tend to be pretty competitive but i know I won't win. But after we finished the first nine I was ahead and feeling pretty good but it didn't last long. I did finish only one behind Dave though so maybe next time I will beat him!! You know if that happens it will be on the blog. :) 

Steer Clear..

So far I must stay far away from ranch dressing and salsa otherwise there better be a restroom nearby. I only had an issue with chicken with Jaxson but apparently this next baby won't be as much into dipping sauces as Jaxson is.... I don't think that this pregnancy is going to be as easy as my first but at the end I will have a precious baby so I will make it through. I might just be a little more ready for my due date than I was with Jaxy.

So Much

Nobody could have told me how much I would love my little man before he was born. I knew I would love him of course but not until it almost hurt. Tonight was one of those nights that I felt like my heart would explode. Dave put him to bed which is a rare occasion but just a few minutes after he left the room I heard him calling for me. I tried to resist but I decided to slip in and just give him a goodnight kiss and right back out. But I just couldn't help myself when he put his head sideways just slightly and said Mommy, rock. He wanted me to rock him in the chair. He settled his head on my shoulder and hugged me tight around neck. I couldn't help but to rock him until his eyes were heavy. Of course he shot right back up when I laid him down to go to sleep... oh well.

Jaxson has also gone from calling me Mama, to Mommy.. and I love it. When I walk in from being gone he will yell, MOMMY! It is such a sweet sound. Along with my name changing to mommy he has been full of loves lately. He runs over and kisses me on the cheek or gives me a great big hug for what seems to be no reason. Oh how I love him..

Preparations Begin

With Jaxson I don't feel like we were hurried to get things situated but this time around I feel like we haven't been wasting any time. The best part we have found some great finds on Craigs and my all time favorite consignment store Once Upon A Child. For starters on Craigs list we got a great, solid all oak wood toddler bed. It is very sturdy and has been used but still looks great. The best part it was only 40 bucks! We have been looking at Target and they are around 80ish and not nearly as nice as the one we found. No pictures yet since it is still in several pieces. Soon to come!

My second find is my most exciting one. I knew I wanted a sit and stand stroller for when the little one gets here. I have been cruising online and craigs for some and was waiting to find a good deal on one that is still newer and in good condition. My search stopped today! I walked into Once Upon A Child in West Des Moines (seriously, if you have never been Go!) to look for some fall clothes for Jaxson and maybe a little outfit for Alaira when we go in September. I walked in and saw it sitting there in it's shining new condition. I of course went right over and called Dave so he could check out the reviews on this particular one online. It was a keeper and the lady from the store told me that they just got it 1hour ago. She also mentioned they hardly ever get them in and they never last a whole day. I had her write my name on it immediately, I was in love. It was about $70-$80 off the price of a new one and it didn't look like it has ever been used. WooHoo! Dave took these pictures with his phone when he was checking it out so they aren't as clear but you will get the jist...

Behind the baby seat there is a platform he can stand on with a belt and handle bars. There is also a seat he can sit back there facing me also with a seatbelt. He will feel like such a big boy with so much freedom and choices.

It comes with an adapter bar so we can snap our carseat in it for when our peanut is still tiny.

When the little peanut is a little bigger they have the front seat. :) 

 

 

 

If It's a Girl....

I will be completely worried. About her hair that is... I am not one to fuss much with hair. With mine I just keep it long and tie it back, braid it, or throw in a bun and am usually out the door before it is dry in the morning. The other day Jaxson saw me tie my hair and went to find one of his own and was attempting to tie his hair up as well. I decided to help him and he took one look in the mirror.. and loved it! Dave came up for dinner and got a chuckle but didn't think it was Jaxson's best look. We let Jaxson enjoy his do through dinner until he got in the bath. If we have a girl though I wonder if they have simple hair styling classes for mom's without a clue. Hey... if anyone is gifted in that area it could be a good way to make cash on the side!

Unexpected Visitor

Jaxson asks for "Bobby" (Aubrey) at least once a day and it has been awhile since we have seen them. Leah had summer school 5 days a week through July so they were really busy. On Monday night I had jaxson in the bath and heard a knock at the door. I figured it was the boy from down the street who always asks Dave if he can mow the grass for us. I called for Dave to answer the door and to our surprise it was Leah dropping of the chopper I got at the Pampered Chef party we went to together. She asked if we could come in because Aubrey was having a mega meltdown that they were at Jaxson's house and she couldn't come in. As soon as Aubrey walked into the bathroom Jaxson lit up and wanted OUT! immediatly. We got him all suds up and rinsed and got him out and in pjs right away so they could play for a few mintues before they headed home. Jaxson was in Bobby heaven with this unexpected visit!

We had to get a picture of Aub in the Cubs hat since the Holcombs are big Cardinal fans.

Dave's Day!

Aunt Sue sent Dave a message several weeks ago about Dave's day at Famous Dave's. He immediately put it in his calendar and woke up to a nice surprise on August 1st when his phone reminded him. Dave's day means if you are named Dave that you eat free (up to $15) at Famous Dave's. When we got there they slapped a Dave name tag on him and we walked through the sea of Dave's to our table on the patio. Dave ordered a huge plate of food (and somehow finished most of it). The waitress came to check in on us and she was thoroughly impressed that Dave finished all 12 ribs, cornbread, green beans,  baked beans and a corn on the cob. He was feeling disgustingly full and proud when we left.  

 

Just Because

Dave's uncle who is only a few years older than him had a party at his house last Saturday. They invited all their family and friends for this "just because" party. they also got a ton of food and had alot of activities for the kids to play with including a slip and slide and small wading pool, a small disc golf goal and plastic discs, bubbles, coloring books, and even sent them home with a poster. Jaxson enjoyed the ice cream Push Em' and went through two bottles of bubbles. He got it down pretty well and was able to get a ton of bubbles all by himself. Maybe that means I won't have to do it all the time anymore!

I'm Going To Be A.....

So the big news is out!! What a secret to keep.. ugh!! We found out several weeks ago and it has felt like I have been holding my breath all this time. I told a few people just to let some of the weight off my shoulders but did feel a little bad that those select people were then sworn to secrecy. Carol and Elaine, you did a great job as secret keepers!


I am excited to be able to keep stories and memories of this pregnancy. Something I so wish I would have done with Jaxson's pregnancy and birth. I am also looking forward (and a little nervous) to watch my two babies together. Jaxson will hopefully be the gentle and helpful big brother I am wishing for (cross your fingers!) and that the new little one will sleep through the night very early on. I am also looking forward to Dave being done with school and having even more time to bond with Jaxson as I am helping with the new little one. Our lives are changing as we know them just as we have settled in being parents to a toddler but Jaxson has made our lives so much fuller and happier that I can't wait to have another smiling, giggling bundle of baby around.

Keep posted on the blog for baby news and I will try to post pictures of my baby belly as it grows.

...

so many posts... so little time. Maybe tomorrow. Goodnight all.