Life is Busy

I never thought my arrival would bring such craziness to our home!! I am very demanding with my eating (which keeps mommy busy) and I am still a little mixed up on days and nights. Sleep is at a premium for us all!!

My big brother absolutely adores me and loves to kiss and hug me as much as possible. When I cry, he brings my nook and says, "okay, okay baby". He is very sweet.

We love our new home and I really hope that this is the yard that I grow up running around in.

Enjoy a few photos from my first month!!

A Good Week.

Well we have sure had a great week at home! Lots of visitors and good food. Atleast that what mommy and daddy keep saying! I am pretty much sticking to my usual, nursing! And I do it about every 90 minutes especially during the night. I can't figure out why no one wants to be up and playing when I am ready! Oh well, things will change.

Cameron has been a great big brother and he loves to be around me. I can always hear him saying, "baby, baby". When he wakes up in the morning and from his nap, he comes into check on me FIRST THING! Daddy put a little step stool next to my crib so Cameron can see in. He also really likes to give me kisses and gently touch my head. He is also taking a liking to my bouncy chair. He's a little big for it, but it's still pretty funny. He found my nook today too, but that didn't last very long!!

Sogn has been a great dog this time around too, except for a little skunk spray today. He is going to spend a couple nights in the basement!!

My Second Day!

Welcome To Our World, Emerson!!

The day finally arrived. We left home at 3:26AM, dropped Cameron off on hwy52 with G'ma and G'pa and headed up to Fairview Ridges Hospital in Burnsville.

We checked in about 4:45AM and got settled. Contractions had slowed a bit and doctors just wanted to keep an eye on mommy. By about 9:30, things were moving along, though contractions still weren't really strong or frequent. At about 9:55, the doctor said let's try pushing...two pushes and here I was!!

I spent a good portion of the first hour screaming and letting everyone know that I was here. I weighed 5 lbs 15oz and was 19" long. I had a little bit of blonde hair, long fingers and big hands. I was the 42nd baby born at Ridges in the month of October already!

They moved us down to our room and played the little piano chime as we left the labor and delivery ward. We got settled into our room and life was good. I got my first bath and they kept me under that nice warm lamp for a while.

We had some visitors stop and see me which was great.

Lisa and Megan Schwanke

The Bakke Twins, Kate and Annika along with mom & dad Aimee and Jason

Cindy & Kurt Weber

Alicia & Glen Perkins

And of course my grandmas and grandpas. They were very proud and
enjoyed meeting me. On the Schliep side, I am the first girl grandchild so they get to start keeping an eye out for dresses, dolls and stuff like that!!





Then Aunt Amy, cousin Brynn and grandpa Gary and grandma Carol stopped by too. They brought my big brother Cameron along too. He usually writes this blog but he said that he would let me have a shot as it is the day I was born!! He was more into the tractor toys that Kurt, Cindy, Glen and Alicia brought. But then he kind of came up and sat with me and even gave me a little kiss. He is going to be a great big brother and I can't wait to grow up with him!!

Where Have I Been!??!?!

Is this a sign that it's summer or is my daddy just too busy to help me update my blog??? What's up with that???

It has been a wonderful summer and instead of trying to give you every detail, I am just going to pick up where we are now.

Here's the quick synopsis (big word for a little guy):

I walk or run everywhere now. Crawling is SOOOOOO first year!!

I pretty much try to say every word that you ask me to. Be careful.

I have three more cousins all in the last month.
Brynn (Amy & Kevin), Peyton (Jess & Joey) and Harper (Eric & Kecia).
I am a pretty good older cousin and I like to give them kisses and hugs.

I love to say "hi mommy and hi daddy" all the time!!

Still in love with tractors, trucks, cows and bucks. Always looking for them and talking about them all the time!!

Had a great time at Deer Lake and Trout Lake for a couple weeks. Spent some time at FFA camp too.

I love living the country where I can see all my favorite things (see above) all the time.

These photos are from our little getaway to the Schwanke's cabin on Crane Lake in extreme northern Minnesota. We had such a wonderful time with our special friends in such a special place in this world. I even went into Canada. I am so worldly!! It was a quick trip, but really a great time before things get busy with the state fair.

I promise that I will be back more often. I hope I didn't lose too many of my "fans".

My Brother/Sister

Though I have a lot of stories to tell about my time at FFA Camp this last week, I had to show off a couple photos of my new brother/sister from yesterday! He/She had his/her arms and feet up in front of his/her face the whole time, but we snuck a couple shots in there. I was really more interested in getting back to the bbbffish, bfish in the lobby though. Here are a couple photos.

Up North

What a little adventure I had on my hands the other night!! Mommy, daddy, Sogn and I headed north for SGLC at Deep Portage near Hackensack. We got there and unloaded and then daddy and I took Sogn up to Deer Lake where Gma and Gpa are for a few weeks. It was a great night and I went right down on the sand and started playing. I just loved the sand and water. Even in this sequence of photos, I was trying out the sand...just for the record...doesn't taste too good!!

We stayed the night at the cabin. We went for a boatride and sat on the swing for quite a while!! It was a great time. We went back to Deep Portage and it was great to see mommy. We are all headed back to Deer Lake next week. Daddy and I were walking outside last night and saw a deer. She was just walking around and eating. We snuck around this corner and she walked right by us. I kept saying, "buck, buck, buck". Daddy was very proud of me!

We even all wore our new Crocs when we went on a walk in the woods. It was a great walk, but the mosquitoes were really bad! I got a couple bites, but I really don't even know what's happening. Mommy and daddy keep a good eye on me!

Back to Nebraska

I have been gone away this week with mommy to Nebraska for SLCCL. It has been fun except I miss daddy and my teeth are KILLING ME!!! I am getting three new ones at one time and mommy is having her hands full keeping me passivised. I have been a real bear, but I just can't help it! All the state officers have been really patient with me and helped mommy out too. I am really excited to get home tomorrow to see daddy. Then we're leaving Sunday to head up north. Some time at Deep Portage and then to Deer Lake with Gma and Gpa.

Daddy has had basketball camp this week while we've been gone and he has tried to get caught up on a lot of work at home. Weddings have kept him busy on the weekends and he has more the next few weeks too.

Trips to Grandma & Grandpa's

I have a couple great little videos to share with you! I have been to both grandparents houses in the last week and had some great times. I got to sit in the tractor with daddy at the farm. It was awesome!! Grandpa Don has been really busy trying to get his planting finished, so I didn't get to see him much.
I just love the tractor and the instant that I get out of the truck and see them I am making my tractor sounds!

The other video is from last night with Grandpa Gary. He picked a dandelion and blew the little seeds off and I thought this was just HILARIOUS!

I am starting to communicate more now. Just this morning I was having some toast (favorite meal) and was getting thirsty. I looked at daddy, pointed at the fridge and said, "jui, jui, jui". Daddy got me my JUIce and I was really happy to drink from my sippy cup. Then we were getting ready to leave and mommy told me to get my hat. I crawled (not ready to walk on my own yet) into the other room, opened the top of my diaper bag, grabbed my hat and brought it back to mommy!!

This all happened before we went to the doctor. Mommy had an ultrasound and we got to see photos of my new brother or sister. It was really neat and I really liked looking at all the photos of the "ba, ba, ba"s on the wall. That is my word for ball AND baby. (I assume you know that I was talking about BABY and not ball in this case).

Day in the Sun

It was such a beautiful day in the valley and I had to get out for a drive. Gma Carol got me a new car and I am a real pro driver!! I climb in and out, in and out, in and out. I love when mommy and daddy push me around the yard too! I also got that new big blue ball. I love chasing it around the yard!! In the one photo, I was crawling as fast as I could down the little hill by the tree...I lost my crawl and toppled over backwards!! No big deal, I am pretty tough.

I have been getting a couple molars the past week or so and I have been really CRANKY!! Stay out of my way. I can be laughing one second and screaming the next! Mommy took me to the doctor today to get this checked out. Mommy and daddy thought I may have another ear infection. The doctor said it could be my molars and/or me "discovering his independence and being a young boy".

Trip to the Zoo

Not having the internet in the Valley has really thrown me for a loop. In case you've missed it, I just graduated...from medical school...well, it seems like it's been that long since my lazy dad has helped me get another post on here!! We finally did get the internet hooked up last night though, so you can expect more regular appearances from me. Daddy has a lot of weddings coming up, so be patient.

So we went to the zoo on Sunday after church. It was awesome! I got to see lions, zebras, giraffes, seals, wolves, tigers, monkeys and lots of other cool animals. I have been pointing these critters out in my books for months. I might have been more excited to see the skid loader that was parked by the polar bear exhibit which is under construction though. I love my machines!!


Speaking of tractors, I got to ride with Gma Deb last week in the tractor at the farm while they were planting. I wasn't a real farmer though because I fell asleep after one trip around the field. I am going to have toughen up a bit before Gpa Don lets me go on my own. He has been busy in the field and is finished with his corn and is now working on beans. This is a pretty busy time of the year for him!

We Moved!!

Okay...Where have I been!??!?! Amidst all kinds of busy-ness following my birthday including the State FFA Convention...we up and moved in the course of about 2 weeks! We have some friends renting our place in Farmington and moved to an old (1890) creamery in Sogn Valley between Cannon Falls and Kenyon. It is down the hill from where daddy lived for four years in the late 90's. This is the place that feels most like home for us and we are so grateful to be back "in the valley".

We are also much closer to school and both grandmas and grandpas!! Mommy still goes to the office in the cities once in a while.

Sogn is loving being back too. He can run in the wide open fields and lay in the sun all day long. We packed his leash somewhere and don't need it!

Speaking of packing...where is ___________(fill in the blank with almost anything)?? That's what we're asking each other as we are living amongst boxes stacked on boxes. That's okay and I am a big help in unpacking just as I was in packing the boxes!!

I am on the verge of walking as I can stand on my own for several seconds before I realize I am not touching anything and then sort of tip over softly. I like to walk with someone holding my hand or travel around the furniture with one hand recklessly holding onto something. My new from last night...PIZZA.

Finally Some Sun!!

Well here in Minnesota we've waited and waited and waited for spring...and this afternoon, we're not quite sure, but it might have shown up!! I got outside with my new Cabelas camo hat and played in the rocks. That's going to be one of my favorites! Then we got in the stroller and went for a long walk. Sogn had that "I've-been-waiting-six-months-for-this" kind of look on his face the whole time! It was so sunny and warm. I even got to put sunscreen on my cheeks.

Mommy and daddy have been really busy lately trying to figure out where to move to. We have some folks lined up to rent our house so we need to move. We all have our favorite places, but they might not be where we end up for the time being.

I am being a real chatterbox lately. I know exactly what people are talking about when they talk to me and I really, really want to talk back, but the words just don't come out quite right yet. Not too long though!!

My first trip to Cabela's

I can't believe that I am already one year old and my dad hasn't taken me to Cabela's!?!?! Well, maybe he has but we don't remember it. Needless to say,

IT WAS THE BEST!!!

I loved all the deer heads and that mountain was so cool with the bears and moose. I was even able to do my usual counting "One and...." - t-t-two. I am pretty good at that now. It was really cool to see all those fish in the tanks too. You can walk right through and see them all.

Pretty safe to say that I will be back over and over for many, many years to come!!

Gpa Gary's Birthday

We got together tonight for Gpa Gary's birthday at the House of Coates. I ate my usual french fries and even got to order a grilled cheese. Gpa got one of those cool music cards that played "The Gambler". I am getting pretty good at dancing now too. I really liked that card.

We all gave Gpa an iPod for his birthday and it had lots of music and pictures and videos of me already on it. There is a photo gallery for my two cousins who are coming in July and September and then one for my brother/sister who is coming in October.

My First Birthday

Where has the year gone!?! It is already my first birthday and no one seems to believe that I am a year old already! We had a great party today at the farm. Gma & Gpa Schliep, Gma & Gpa Addington, Jess & Joey, Linds, Josh & Wyatt, Great Gma Sylvia, Eric & Kecia, Great Gpa Clarence, Chris, Alice, Noah & Jacob Lodermeier all joined us for a great time. Mommy made a bunch of great food and I even got to dig into a cake all by myself...that means I also got to take a bath!!

I got a lot of nice new toys like tractors, trucks and a basketball hoop. I got a swimming pool for this summer and a lot of cool John Deere tractors! All of this action today has me pretty wired and I didn't take much of a nap today. I am sure that I will sleep good tonight!!

I also found out that I got something else for my birthday according to the doctor yesterday...an ear infection in both ears! I went a whole year without one, but now it's no big deal. I got some great pink medicine that I really like and I am feeling a lot better today!!

Thanks to everyone who joined me for my big day. It was so much fun to see you all. There is a whole gallery full of photos right here. I can't wait until next year!!!