Showing posts with label Faith Janna. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Faith Janna. Show all posts

Ramblings of a crazy man

I decided I would free write for a post (since I am reminded I haven't done one in a while). The first thing I noticed was the new blogger interface. Very scaled back... kind of throwing me off. I had important stuff to say (I'm sure) but now most of it's gone.

So Nicole and I finally watched "The Social Network" and we both really liked it. I think I'll make a list of random thoughts that come into my head, and if someone creates a website from it, I'll sue for $65 million.

- We need to watch more movies I've decided.

- You know, now that I'm the dad of a one-year-old, I really do wish there was more time in the day so I could sleep it away.

- Howie seems to know when to bark at the most inopportune times. This can be applied to train whistles as well.

- Nicole and I would like to move away from the trains eventually, but then our bobble-head collection would lose its charm... (ba dum).

- Our friends are having twins, one boy and one girl. Wife doesn't have baby-fever quite yet...

- Add to above... My neighbors dogs bark at the most inopportune times.

- I finally feel like I'm teaching... and it's awesome! As a non-math guy, working with budgets all day is tough, but I'll manage.

- I dare you to find a more beautiful campus than Iowa State in the fall... Go Cyclones!

- Tailgating rocks.

- I'm very eager for basketball season to get underway.

- My wife's birthday is coming up and I'm getting her ___________ and I don't think she has any idea (I will remove the line eventually).

-I'm running again (as is Nicole) and it's great.

Well, I feel as though if you're still reading this, you're bored by now! I'm sure I'll post again soon.

~Rob

Faithless for 36 hours

Image from here.
Mom guilt. It's something the X chromosome has dealt with since mother Mary and sweet baby J. "The books" will tell you it's important to take care of yourself first, get some "me" time, but knowing and doing are two different things. While I suffer from this unfortunate condition, I'm learning to live with it. I don't mind asking for help anymore or letting someone other than just my mom and sister babysit Faith while I go do my thang. In fact, I've done a 90 degree turn (180 would be dumping her off on my neighbor's porch and speeding away).

Rob and I made plans for this past Thursday night and since Rob's first day at school was Friday and Faith doesn't start daycare until Monday, we asked my mom if she could watch Faith overnight, all day Friday and possibly Friday night too so we could party like rockstars clean out our garage. (We were cool once, I swear). Well, when I got home Thursday night, I walked into an eerily clean and calm house. I don't think that has happened since pregnancy. And because I knew it was only for a night or two, I'm not gonna lie, I enjoyed it thoroughly. Please don't report me to the Mom Guilt Police. The thing I miss the most from my pre-mama days: being able to prepare a meal without a toddler opening the fridge and pulling out the parmesan cheese, Wortcestershire sauce or "daddy pop." (Sure, it may sound cute, but the 163rd time, not so much). Rob grilled salmon while I prepared fresh salads with veggies from the garden...uninterrupted. It was glorious.


After dinner, we headed to the Blues Brothers Revue at the Omaha Community Playhouse. Told ya we had some cool in us.


The show was a blast. Because it was so interactive, we sang, we laughed, we danced, we made fun of the two duds to my right who sat there stone-faced while the entire crowd stood and shouted.


It was a night that wouldn't have been if we didn't have a babysitter for Faith. Here's the kicker. She bonded with her grandma and papa Stevie. It was a win win for all. And I'll be the first to say I had a good time without my daughter there. It is OK to do that right? Right?! I've decided that nothing annoys me more than parents who brag about how long it's been since they've been on a date or that if they do go out, all they talk about is the kid(s). It's kinda like celebrating the fact you don't exercise or eat vegetables. It is good for you to get out of the house without your child strapped to your chest in the baby Bjorn. Let someone else enjoy their company. You'll have fun talking about all the things that went on while you were out afterward.

When my mom called Friday to ask if we could come pick up Faith instead of grandma dropping her off Saturday morning, please don't tell anyone, but I was slightly disappointed. (pause for gasp!) I love Faith, but it is next to impossible to get anything done in her presence. This blog is being typed during an episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (ohhhhToooodles). In addition to the fact I don't like her to watch more than one episode of cartoons, the Disney characters start to wear on me after a while. I don't want my go-to dance move to become the hotdog dance. So I can't just plop her down in front of the boob tube every time I want to accomplish a task. Granny Janny also discovered it was Mission Impossible V to pack for a vacation with Faith as a houseguest, hence the Friday night phone call. Instead of a run, a leisurely shower, dinner and the thrill that is cleaning out one's garage, Rob and I opted for a quick meal at Le Mesa before going to pick up Faith. May I just say that eating hot food is quite awesome. Two nights in a row and now I'm just spoiled.


Upon arriving at Henry's Diner Nothin' Finer in Crescent, I heard a little girl screaming in the bathroom, not in pain, but just to see how loud her little voice could echo in there. I opened the door just as she and grandma were exciting. She was as surprised to see me as I was happy to see her. Love love love that kid. She reached her little arms out for her mama and I gave her a big hug. I felt refreshed and she got the chance to show off all her new skills to grandma and grandpa (which include carrying around a purse, giving sloppy kisses and yelling everyone's favorite word: NO!).

She even forgave us for not feeling guilty for having a good time without her because she had a good time too.

An outfit only grandma could put together love.

Stay-at-home!

First, a few updates:
  • Unfortunately, Faith didn't make the "Your Three Words" this morning (maybe next weekend).
  • This Thursday is my last day of summer vacation. Although I have accomplished a lot this summer, I'm sad ;)
  • My breakfast pizza was a success!
  • Nicole decided to make a blanket-fort for Faith yesterday (good thing she wasn't an engineer).
  • Faith and I went to the Children's Museum where she got to use her "oohs" and "awes" often.
Faith emerging from the "fort"
Lots of "ooohs"
Now to the meat of things:

My summer "vacation" is almost over (I start back this Friday with an optional day). I think that most teachers and stay-at-home parents would agree it's not much of a vacation though. Being a stay-at-home dad has been challenging, but very rewarding. Not only do I have to occupy a now one-year-old, but I have been challenged with feeding my wife (I'm one helluva cook).

As you know, Nicole works her ass off both at work and when she gets home. I may have Faith all day (and now a Daddy's Girl) but when Nic comes home, she takes care of most of the nighttime routine. Also, she normally (read: 99% of the time) gets up with Faith in the morning. So I have been very appreciative.

So, as I begin to juggle my getting-back routine with my keep-Faith-active routine (we just picked tomatoes before this post) I am feeling bittersweet about sending Faith back to the daycare. This past summer we have done a lot together, but next summer we'll be able to do a lot more... I've already told Nic we're camping and fishing next June!

Oh, and I got suspicious a little while back, and forgot to post this video (watch it, it's kind of funny)!
~Rob

    The Birthday Party...A Picturiffic Post

    Faith's 1st birthday party was chaos, fun, standing room only, colorful, Mexicana, messy, goodness. 
    I let the pictures do the walking, which Faith is also very close to doing. Yay/OhNO!

    The Decorations:
    Party guests wrote messages for Faith to read when she's older and received their lovely picture parting gifts.
    My sticky note Happy Birthday sign. Faith enjoyed it for 3 weeks after the party as I was too short/lazy to take it down.
    One month, six month and nine month pics.
    Her baby book as well as - you guessed it- a complete binder put together by my mother were on display.
    These balloons weren't exactly the colors I wanted but nonetheless gave all the little kids neck cramps.
    Party Guests: Click the link below for video.
    See who was there! In order of appearance: Aunt Bobbi, Grandma Cindy, Aunt Ashlie, Cousin Kylee, Great Grandma Alice, Rob's Cousin Brad, his Wife Alicia, their Son Brayden, our Godson Bentyn, Swingset setter upper Lance, my Uncle Joe, Grandpa Bud, Aunt Kris, Aunt Mary, Aunt Donna, Grandma Jocelyn, babysitter Hannah, Gnarly Cousin Kyrin, Cousin Cameryn, Aunt Nicki, Cousin Kalli, Auntie Rach, babysitter Mandy, yours truly, Uncle Chris, Papa Stevie, bald-headed Jackson, Cousin Cam again -that girl moves, Granny Janny, the birthday girl, more me, Elena the funniest 5 year old ever, the back of Audrey's head and Howie!

    Faith's cousin Cameryn celebrates her birthday just 10 days before Faith.
    Kylee gets ready to float away as Rob Lindquist shoves his face full of food in the background. (You're welcome hun).
    Party planner extraordinaire, Miss Rachel McNamara.
    If it weren't for her, the cake would've had a giant donuthole filled with a frosted shot glass...don't ask.


    Faith and Aunt Ashlie, my trusty balloon separator.
    Crazy runs in the family, folks!Thanks again to my mama for hanging those lovely curtains you see here the day before the party.
    Presents:
    My adorable helpers, from left, Audrey, Elena, Miranda!
    Chaos ensued!
    Howie loved it!
    Here is the special illustration I had done for Faith's birthday card from e Custom Cards.
    Here is a larger version of what was inside that box.
    More gifts via video:
    Faith shaking her butt to the tunes of her activity table from Aunts Rachel and Ramey.

    Faith playing with her toys from Granny Janny.


    Faith mailing some letters in her mailbox from Uncle Chris and cousins.

    Faith taking money out of her purse from Aunt Cari and refusing to talk to her grandma on her fake phone.

    Faith helping people on the bus from Uncle Aric, Aunt Nicki and Cameryn.


    Faith swinging in her swing on her swingin' swingset from her Grandma Cindy and putter together, Lance.

    More gifts:
    Teaset from Grandmas Mc and Finch. This probably won't come out of the box until Faith's terror threat level drops hence the Google image.

    Saucer on swingset from Grandma, card (that will never ever be thrown away) from Aunties and shoes from Sara and girls.
    Sleepy little violet from Liam and his parentals, Jeremy and Brynn

    Shoes from Aunties - they pretty much spoil Faith rotten.
    For those of you whose gifts are not in any of the pictures above, I apologize. Either you'll see a picture of her in an outfit you bought on this blog or Facebook. And if you were so kind as to give cold cash or a giftcard, it went to purchase the carseat you see pictured here and another one in Rob's car so he can still pic Faith up from daycare when he goes back to school.

    Last but not least, CAKE!
    Homemade cupcakes baby! And the buckets in the back - purchased at the $1 spot - held the taco toppings.
    The calm before the storm.
    And she's in!
    What I couldn't do at our wedding, Faith did for me.
    Guilty. As. Charged.
    Til next year.




    Happy Birthday baby!

    My baby is 1. O-N-E. That went fast!

    What an awesome year. Our lives truly changed forever at 11:15 p.m. on June 24, 2010. We knew we'd love her but I don't think we realized how much.  Because of Faith, we smile more, laugh more and say "did you see what she just did?" a whole lot more. She continues to amaze us daily.We are proud of our little lady, or shall I say "yiddle yady" as I did when I was 3.In honor of the big 0-1, here is another list of 24 things...

    To Faith:

    1) Happy Girl - I don't know what we did right, but you are one of the happiest and most content babies anyone has ever met. You smile your little ornery, scrunched-up-nose grin at pretty much everyone.
     
    2) Howie lover -  You have learned the difference between dog toys and your toys. Now when we hand you one of his, you hold it out to him like, "Hey, come get this from me." You are getting better at petting him though sometimes you treat him like a toy. He is wary of your flying sippy cups but loves that you (purposefully) drop scraps for him. It's a great working relationship.

    3) Big Kid Now -You went and grew up on me these last few months. You can't quite walk yet, but you do this thing where you pull yourself up onto your pink rocker, jump down, grab a paci, shove it in your mouth and climb up in the chair again which just blows me away because it makes you seem like such a toddler.

    4) Teeth - you are finally getting your top chompers (yes, 3 all at once). We recently started brushing your teeth and you seem to like it better than Howie, so that's good. The first time we tried it though, your expression cracked me up.

    5) Yum Yums - You don't eat much pureed food anymore and are a pro at feeding yourself. You recently started going "mmmmmmm" when you think something is good and it appears you like everything, especially breads and cottage cheese. But not mac and cheese (that's against kid code by the way).

    6) You Scream for Ice Cream - literally, we gave it to you once and when I ran out (silly me, I took a few bites too) you got mad and cried. You definitely have Weis blood in you.


     7) "The books" say no more babas for one-year-olds. The books never met you. You are a grump in the morning until you've had that bottle and then it's a personality transplant. So hopefully you're not drinking beer out of Dr. Brown's when you turn 21!

    8) Cartoooooons - Daddy got you hooked on Little Einsteins and Special Agent Oso (3 Special Steps!). You can often hear him saying "I cannot BElieeeve it!"

    9) Peek a Boo -You absolutely love "peek-a-boo" books. You turn over the flaps yourself and then mumble jibberish like you are reading.
    10) Dr. Seuess - Too bad there's not a game show that involves having his books memorized. Mommy would win big $. We read to you every night before bed and depending on the night, you listen to anywhere from 2-16 books. You'll probably be a rhyming genius by age 3.

    11) Daddy's girl - You and dad continue to develop a bond like no other. He is so proud of his baby girl! Sometimes I get a little jealous that you two get to spend so much time together, but that is such an awesome opportunity for both of you that most dads and daughters don't get.

    12) Sleeping Beauty - We've had it pretty easy in this department, but on nights when I go into your room 3 or 4 times to search for the pacifier underneath your crib and replace it in your mouth, I wonder if I'm doing either of us any favors.
     
    13) Creepy Crawler - I didn't think you'd ever crawl like a normal kid, but a couple months ago you just started doing in and have really improved your 40 yard dash times. I predict you'll be walking in the next month or two!

    14) Wordy woman - Your first official word was bye-bye, complete with the wave when I dropped you off at daycare one morning. Dad also got you singing na-na-na. You love to point at any and everything and say ba-ba?

    15) Mwwwaahhh! I kiss your chubby cheeks approximately 572 times each day. I just love how they feel and I know you won't let me do it all that much longer :( You on the other hand and not a good kisser, but a biter. People are going to think daddy and I are weird if they see bites marks on our necks, K...

    16) Before you go thinking you're a complete angel, you must know that you've also slapped a few people (and I'm not talking about high fives). They mainly just laugh which I'm sure only encourages you. Ornery much?

    17) Curly Q - Everybody asks where you got your curls. I present to you Exhibit A.

    18) Animal Lover -You are amazed by animals. We took you to the zoo today and I loved watching you watch the sharks and eels. I love seeing the world through your beautiful blue-green , but mostly blue, eyes.

    19) Small Fry - You are still a petite little baby. You weigh 18 pounds and some odd ounces. We officially find out Tuesday at your 1-year-checkup where you will be getting too many shots. I probably shouldn't be telling you this.

    20) Snack attack - You've moved on from Gerber puffs to veggie crunches. May the force be with the person who tries to get between you and your veggie crunches.

    21) Picture People - Your daddy and I took you and Howie to have your pictures taken yesterday. All the pictures cost $75 (don't judge) but I think I would've paid more than $100 if there were a video of the process. Let's just say photographer Dave earned his paycheck that night.

    22) Stairmaster - You are quite the climber, and when you get to the top, you love to reward yourself with a big handful of Howie food. Don't worry, we never let you eat it. The relationship between you two is not reciprocal.

    23) You're a TV star - You woke up just in time to see yourself on first birthdays. Daddy laughed when he saw your picture. Others said you look just like your mama! I said "thanks" assuming that's a compliment :)

    24) Blessed- Just so you know, you are the best thing that's ever happened to your dad and me. We are so happy and proud to be your parents. Please don't get all embarrassed of us too soon OK? I cannot wait to see what this next year brings. Happy Birthday baby girl!