Visitations

We finally had some visitors to see Meadow that didn't include our local friends. She had visitors five days in a row. Friday night she got to meet her Grandparents for the first time. 

My rents haven't come up in a while. I was surprised that they were the first relatives to see little Meadow.

Saturday morning she was even lucky enough to have some visitors all the way from Sweden. 

I'm so glad I got to see my favorite family from Europe. I hope we continue to keep in touch. 

Brooke cooked for them for a few years and always loved those work days. It was nice to finally meet the Johnssons.

They brought me a gift basket full of my favorite fruits, diaper rash cream, calming lotion and another book for me to read on how to be a mom. 

We always have homemade ice cream in the house. I want to set a good example for her so I should probably cut down on what we eat. 

A good example is the fact that we make our own ice cream and you have to put an effort into every batch.

I love when she sleeps on me. She usually sleeps longer too. She won't want to do this forever so I cherish these moments. 

Peanut snuggled with his toy too. 

She actually doesn't mind doing tummy time and her neck gets stronger and stronger. Usually after awhile she tries to eat the floor. 

Usually after a while she tries to eat whatever is in front of her.

My parents were going to the New Kids concert (my mom's a superfan) so I spent the day painting our patio railing.

Now that it's been painted and secured in a few places we need to use this. I can't wait for our elm to be big enough to block out the alley.

Sometimes when we're lazy we eat breakfast for dinner. 

Brooke always eats breakfast for breakfast.

Rise and shine little bear, grandpa and grandma are coming over today.

Most of my day is pretty relaxing. 

After some more painting I picked up my rents from there hotel downtown. We brought some Be'Wiched Deli home for lunch. I love their pulled pork sandwich.

My big sister called up during our late lunch. She too will soon have a newborn.

Grandma and little Meadow.

Just like Grandpa.

My mom wanted to go to Bar la Grassa, but we thought Meadow might be too antsy. Instead we had the original Broadway Pizza. My mom thought it was too saucy. After talking music they headed out. In the morning they returned home to the Milwaukee area.

Monday morning Uncle Blake came to visit. He was a little unsure about how to hold a newborn. 

He knew exactly how to hold a summer squash.

Brooke fed the babe while we went shopping at the farmers market.

Then we went down to Harriet Brewing to get my last free growler of beer.

Blake thought she needed to hold her stuffed snake.

Then Brittany and her family came. Meadow got to meet her cousin Marina for the first time. They weren't into it. 

Brittany brought a gift from Chelsea for Meadow of a new dress and sunglasses. Meadow didn't really care for the glasses. Maybe next summer. 

I slaved away over the stove prepping beef and potato burritos, refried beans and all the fixings. I don't remember getting that recipe from Martha Stewart, but I guess that's where it's from.

Scott will take Meadow when I need to eat or do dishes. She's been fussier in the evenings so Scott takes her outside to look at the gardens. I caught him showing her how to water our plants. 

Brittany and Jeff decided to go to Ikea baby free. Leaving the three of us to watch her. Marina isn't your typical baby so it really took all three of us to watch her. 

I let little Meadow try out Marina's seat. She seemed to dig it.

Marina seemed to do okay with me at times. 

Blake and I decided to go urban kayaking. We needed energy. So we ate some ice cream sandwichs before heading out.

We went up to Shingle Creek. With the June storms I figured it would still have enough water.

I couldn't find a place to head down, so Blake just blazed a trail.

I'm jello. I can't wait until next summer when Meadow can go with us. 

Well you need not be jealous. After two blocks we realized it was a bit shallow for my big butt and there were to many downed trees.

We drove further east to Humboldt and Shingle Creek Parkway and jumped back in.

Every few blocks we had to get out of your kayaks and portage.

The creek was surprisingly clean. Blake later told a friend from the cities about our adventure and all she said was, "That's disgusting."

We had to duck under branches to go down a drainage pipe that lie under train tracks.

A few hundred feet later we ran into this ball and bottle dam.

We tried heading back, but the pipes weren't really made for kayaking.

We pulled the kayaks out of the water and I walked the mile back to the car.

I came downstairs after feeding Meadow to hang out with everyone. Everyone was busy doing their own thing. 

I can't believe what a difference 3.5 months makes. Marina seems so big compared to Meadow. 

These two will have some fun times together. Can't believe they'll  have two more cousins within a few months of one another.

Meadow slept through this whole cuddle fest.

We know who's in charge. Marina.

Under-seasoned Subz Miloni for dinner. We ran out of cumin. Whoops.

The cousins had a mini sleepover before she had to go. Marina was pretty happy with Meadow next to her.