Shout outs!

Hi there loyal readers I want to hear from you! (stop lurking and post a comment already)

Shout outs

Hi Michael Lippold...I promoted Calavos today!

Hi Jen Lippold...I love your blog http://www.permablinker.com/ I wish you posted more!

Hi Karen Edwards...Finn is and will always be Amelia's first love...

Hi Mom and Dad...Where are you these days?

Hi Gramma Mattson...Amelia loves her time with Gramma (she told me) :-)

Hi Grandpa Mattson and Grandma Pat...We miss you and hope to see you soon!

Hi Kathy Owens...I miss you girl and wish we talked more!

Were you not on the shout out list...let me know...leave me a comment. I love ideas and hope you enjoy the blog.

Dedication

Amelia was dedicated this morning at Buffalo Covenant Church in Buffalo, Minnesota. Unfortunately, my parents were unable to attend. Thankfully my Uncle Tim, Aunt Judy, Uncle Alex, Grandfather and Aunt Wende were able to attend. In addition Guy's mother, father, step-mother, brother and niece joined us. What a joyous occasion! Little Amelia was dedicated along with 2 other little ones. Following the church service we met at BJ's Deli for brunch. Amelia received many wonderful gifts which were completely unexpected and unnecessary but received in gratitude. One of her gifts was this very precious silver heart necklace from Grandma Bette. Amelia wore it during the dedication and didn't even pull at it or try to eat it. I will be posting pictures of the dedication soon so stay tuned.

Presto Chango!

It feels like yesterday Guy and I brought home our little girl. All newborn and tiny. Presto Chango (Poof) Amelia is a full fledged baby! Rolling everywhere she can, imitating us like crazy (she puts the phone up to her ear, puts the straw from my jug in her mouth), holding her self up on things to stand, eating solid food, sitting up on her own, and ALMOST crawling. On Thursday I saw Amelia push herself up on to her hands and knees, rocked and fell on her face. (She just laughed). I love how proud she is of herself when she accomplishes something she is working so hard to do. Like get up on her hands and knees or support herself at the side of the coffee table. She flashes this smile like, "Mom, look what I just did!!! Do you see me? This is awesome!". I am loving every minute of it.

The other day I think Amelia may have followed some simple directions!!! Having family time in bed the other morning Amelia was poking at my face. Often when she does this I tell her what she is poking. "That is mommy's nose" and then I point to her nose, "That is Amelia's nose." That particular morning I thought I'd ask her to point to different places on my face, not really having any expectation she would do it. BUT SHE DID!!! Guy and I were beside ourselves. I said, "point to mommy's nose". She pointed (grabbed) my nose. I said where is mommy's eyes and she poked my eye. I said where is mommy's mouth and she poked my mouth. I thought ok that is just a coinsidence. But later that day I did the same thing and she nearly repeated her morning's performance with one error. I am going to give it a couple days and try again and see how she does. I was completely impressed. It was also a wake up call that this little one is really paying attention and understanding more than I thought she did.

MPR eat your heart out!!!

So this morning during "Midmorning" with Carrie Miller I called in and got on the radio!
Here is a link to the broadcast. I come in at about 12min 30 sec or so.
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/10/31/midmorning2
The topic was about the economic crisis and unemployment. The guest speaker said two sectors were adding jobs and that was government and healthcare. SO I had to call in and let them know otherwise. Please refer to my entry "Even Nursing Isn't Immune" which describes the situation more in detail.

As soon as I was off the air...I called Guy to gloat!

Autumn Photo Shoot

Amelia and I had a fun mother daughter photoshoot. (Guy was in class.) The shots were taken by our friend Jennifer Johansen. We had such a good time. Through a snotty nose and being a little cranky I think we got some awesome pictures of Amelia playing in the leaves and in her bumble bee costume.

I will post more pictures from the shoot soon when Amelia is feeling better! Stay tuned!

Sick little pumpkin

Amelia has her first cold. It was inevitable. Little Finn (Amelia's buddy) and many other people Amelia has come in contact with in the last week have had the sniffles. Amelia started throwing up at Karen's (she watches Amelia during the week) about 8 times!!! Poor little pumpkin! Luckily Bette was scheduled to pick up Amelia early since Finn was sick. Karen told me she let Amelia throw up on her about 8 times...when she was holding Amelia little Finn fell and bonked his head and started to scream. So she had to switch for a second and put Amelia in the car seat and she threw up some more ( I think?) I heard Amelia was a little soiled when Bette picked her up and gaggy. Man oh man I felt bad for my Amelia and for Karen. Just as long as little Amelia was OK which she was. I know Karen must have changed her clothes because a different outfit was soiled than what I sent her there in. All in all I think Karen did a good job and I didn't know Amelia was going to be a puke monster! Thank goodness Bette was there to help rescue Karen and care for Amelia.
Today Amelia was super clingy and only wanted to nap in my arms. We learned about nasal bulb suctioning those snot bubbles. Amelia actually let me do it a few times without fighting me. No throwing up for me today. I introduced a new food (pumpkin) to Amelia the day of puke fest. So perhaps that is our culprit. Note to self: do not introduce a new food on the same day Amelia has daycare. So for now no more pumpkin for the Pumpkin. I had some of the canned pumpkin I fed Amelia and I felt fine.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GUY!!!

Happy 30Th
Birthday Guy!!!
Stay tuned for post...

North Shore Get Away Part I

Last weekend Guy and I (Kristina) vacationed on the north shore of Minnesota on Lake Superior while Amelia spent the weekend at Grandma Bette's house. We left on Thursday and spent the night in Duluth.
Friday we headed up to Tofte and camped on Lake Superior at the Temperance River campsite. It was about 38 degrees and raining off and on throughout the night. The wind picked up during the night and it (the lake) was quite loud since we were only about 50 feet from Lake Superior!!!
It was quite chilly and uncomfortable for me (Kristina) as I forgot my pillows at the hotel in Duluth we stayed in Friday night. It was a fun experience though. We played cards games and Guy did card tricks with our tiny little book light I brought (thank goodness as all Guy brought in the way of flash lights were two mini tiny little mag lights that didn't work well).

While Guy slept like a log I was up from 830 when we went to sleep until 330 am. I couldn't get comfortable, the lake was SO loud and then on top of it every noise( including those of innocent leaves falling on the tent) had me on high alert. I grabbed Guy on several occassions,

"Did you hear that?"

"What?"

"THAT!"

"That's a leaf go to sleep...."

Saturday (the next morning) we headed out on our day hike up Eagle Mountain; the highest point in Minnesota. We started hiking about 11:15 AM and got back around 4:45PM. It was a 7 mile hike round trip. We had to watch every step we took for 7 mile which was too bad because the scenery was really beautiful. Here are some pictures from our hike.







At the top of Eagle Mountain

Update Blog

EXTRA EXTRA READ ALL ABOUT IT!!!

I have many updates to share

We purchased a new vehicle; a 2007 Jeep Grand Cherrokee Laredo. (The L is missing from the decal So I call it our "Aredo". And joke it is a designer knock off Laredo.) We sold the little green 2002 Sentra. :-( She was sold to a 16 year old girl who was "STOKED" to buy it and even featured it in a music viedo she made. She even have her a name. "Dill" So I am glad "Dill" has a loving home!

This summer we bought a new condo (well it's not "new" but you know what I mean.) We took advantage of the slumping market and our good credit. It has 2 bedrooms and a pantry. I realized my youth was over when I got really excited about having a pantry. Amelia has her own room. Her nursery colors are pink and brown. Her room is still a work in progress. I am enjoying putting it together and having one room in our home I solely decorated. (Bette helped paint the walls)

We are now land lords. We rent out our old condo. It is a weird feeling to be collecting rent rather than paying it. A good weird feeling.

Guy started a new job at Burke and Thomas working as an assistant of sorts for one of the partners. Even if Guy doesn't get hired on as an attorney after he graduated law school it will be great experience on his resume.

Amelia is 5 1/2 months old!!! She is rolling over left and right and now can also roll from her tummy to her back. She can get her legs under her and scoot a little too. It won't be long until she is scooting all over the place.

GUY IS TURNING 30!!! Yep, Guy is an old man. Be sure to let him know!
;-)


I (Kristina) am still working at the U of M. Though they are laying off about 100 full time positions there. I think I am safe as there are many people below me in senority (whew!)
I thought nursing was safe!?!?!? The recession it affecting everyone.

Amelia started solids about 1 month ago. She wasn't really into it at first so we backed off. Now, whoah watch your food if you are holding her and eating because she will try to snatch the food right out of your hands. She loves apples, pears, sweetpotatos, green beans and LOVE LOVES Avocados (yep Lippolds she loves Avocados). Guy and I don't love the Avocados but that doesn't mean that Amelia can't like them. I wish I did they are so good for you! So I am glad Amelia is getting all those good fats and vitamin E.

Guy and I just got back from a weekend away to the north shore. We hiked up the tallest "mountain" in Minnesota. It was a 7 mile hike. I am STILL sore! Beautiful fall colors. We camped one night to save some mula and froze our little bottoms off...well I did. I was not a happy camper. :-) All and all we had a great trip. Amelia was with Grandma Bette for the weekend. (Pictures will be posted soon!)

Baby shower fun!

Amelia is growing by leaps and bounds. She loves to stand holding on to hands. She has even balanced next to the coffee table with my help. Amelia now can turn over both ways and roll from her tummy to her back sometimes. She can get her butt up and her knees under her and her torso up with her arms...but hasn't quite mastered doing them both at the same time. I am cherishing the time I have with her not quite so mobile, though I am looking forward to this new stage of development.

Today we attended Cousin Isabella's baby shower. Isabella is Steph Eiden (Guy's step-sister's daughter) she was born in early September of this year. (Sorry I can't remember the exact date!) She is so darling. I don't remember Amelia being to little, but she was. Kinda...repeat...kinda makes me want to have another one.. just for a second but then the insanity subsides and I come back to reality. It was really fun to see all the great baby stuff Steph got. I was glad I didn't have to find a place for it all at home! Amelia was so well behaved the whole time. I was so blessed. She didn't cry once even though she was being passed around all day. She especially liked Aunt Nancy's necklace, earings and fun design on her shirt. (and looking down her shirt too...no food in there for you!)

For those of you who know about my breast feeding woes. Amelia is starting to take more feedings at the breast. YES!!! She had 3!!! today. That is best she has done in months! I think it was part my fault too that Amelia started to strike. I needed to be more patient and calm. I think I was treating each feeding as a chore and not a wonderful time to bond with my daughter. I am sure she felt that and started her nursing strike. Tonight she actually refused the bottle and wanted the breast. That is a first. Wish us luck on lactaction journey. I also have a "Lactation Station" in the house too where all feedings take place. So Amelia has that routine and can know what to expect when we sit in the glider. We are figuring out our routine together. It's hard because as soon as we get a good routine going that works for me and for Amelia it is time for me to start my stretch working and it all is thrown out the window. Oh well, it will come. At least at this time Amelia is sleeping through most nights.

We started solids last week. Amelia loves pears. She is indifferent to rice pudding and apples. .I used my home made baby food. It was really great, easy to use and tasted great. No wonder why she gobbled it up. We are going to try sweet potatos next. Stay tuned for pictures.
Thanks for reading.
Blessings
Kristina Mattson

Rollie Pollie Pumpkin

Our little Amelia rolled on the floor for the first time today. She was just hanging out under her play gym as I was catching up on some emails. One minute she was on her back the next minute I hear little grunts, she was on her tummy. I couldn't believe I missed it. No worries though she did it again 3 more times in the span of 5 minutes. I put her back on her back and she would roll right back over. I am so proud of our little Pumpkin!!! She was able to roll over on softer surfaces like our bed...but this is a first on the floor. Now the fun begins! I can't wait. I fear we will need to baby proof before we know it.

In other news, I sold my baby. Yep, my other baby. My first brand new car, The Sentra. We decided we needed to upgrade with our growing family. Despite the increasing fuel prices we are going to get an SUV. We figure they are well priced now that the gas prices are up so that would off set the price of fuel for us. We live in the city and don't do a lot of long commutes. We were going to get something smaller like a Rabbit but then decided we needed to get something we could grow into and drive for a long while. I don't like SUVs. I think they are a menace. I think they are gas guzzlers and road hogs. Oh well! Sign me up. Half the time I walk to where ever I need to go if I can anyways. (In the summer). It is sad to give up the Sentra. It was the car that signified to me...you made it to adulthood. I bought it the fall after I graduated from college and got my first job. I was out in California. Out on my own, starting my career as a RN with my new car. It was a good little car...it only had about 50,000 miles on it. We got a good penny for it which is nice for the down payment for the preowned SUV's we are looking at.

In other, other news. Amelia may be starting to teethe. Yep. She is a drool monster! She likes to bite on her hands and whatever she can get into her mouth. We bought her this teething pacifier. It is HUGE...it is hillarious to watch her suck on it. HA! Pics will be posted soon!

Well gotta go, it's late and I need to get ready for bed.

Videos

My maternity leave has drawn to a close. My first day back to work was a sad, sad, day for me. As I was leaving for work Amelia was crying uncontrolably (which is very unlike her) . Bette was there and I knew she was in good hands and I just had to leave my babe, crying. I almost cried on the way to work. I had to think myself out of the tears and blink them back while I was driving. I wanted to call and check on her but I forgot my cell phone at home. (I don't know Bette's number by heart, though I know I could have called Guy and he could have given it to me had I really, really needed to call.) The first day back was a little shakey, kinda like getting back on a bike for the first time in a while. You remember how to balance but just are not quite comfortable with all the gears and brakes, yet. By the end of the night I had my groove back and by the end of the second night I was rockin' and rollin' again. It did feel nice to get out and work again...but honestly I just really love being a mom right now. I am enjoying motherhood much much more than I ever thought I would. I LOVE it. I can not wait to have more. Honestly. I am a baby person...who knew. I sure didn't.

Smiles and Trials

Sorry we haven't updated our blog in a while. On June 20th we closed on our new condo. It is a bigger unit in the same building . Last Saturday June 21st we called in the troups (Marky, Steve, Paul and Bette) to help us move. We are pretty much out of our old place and in our new place. Boxes, boxes everywhere! Amelia's pseudo nursery was torn down (sniffle). Now Amelia will have her own room, though she won't be spending nights alone in there anytime soon.

A couple days ago Amelia started to smile. Big, gummy, bright eyed smiles. Oh, how sweet and heart melting they are...also did I mention brief. SO we don't have a picture of one of her wonderful smiles YET but as soon as we do it will be posted.

Also, Amelia slept her first night through 2 weeks ago. A whole, continuous 6 hours! Though she hasn't been doing this consistently since she hit her 6 week growth spurt...we are still stoked!
Amelia has also started to hold her head up on her own for brief periods, started cooing and gooing. It is so precious! I can't wait for Grandma and Grandpa Campbell to see her. Boy are they going to be amazed by how much she has grown! Come home soon grandma and grandpa, we miss you!

Meal times are quite a trial for me (Kristina). Now that breast feeding doesn't hurt anymore, we have moved on to throwing up entire meals. I call her "Cottage cheese mouth". :-) It is a little laborious feeding her over and over again. Any suggestions I am all ears!

Sorry no pictures this time. I will post new ones soon!

Thanks for reading!!!
Kristina Mattson

Father's Day

Grandpa Mattson's

Today we visited Grandpa Mattson's for Father's Day. Steve and Pat were excited to see how much little Amelia has grown and changed in the two weeks since they had seen her. Amelia was wearing a special outfit given to her by Grandma Bette. I forgot about it and crossed my fingers it would still fit her as it was a newborn size. The dress and shoes fit; the bloomers did not. Her is a picture of Amelia in her Sunday's best.

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Father's Day Part Two - Great Grandpa Thorbus

After visiting at Grandpa Mattson's in Big Lake we headed over to Great Grandpa Thorbus' in Crystal. We were a little late, but this time it wasn't MY (Kristina) fault. Amelia was hungry and Quinn was showing off his new "sidekick" cell phone to Guy when I realized it was a little after 3pm. We were supposed to be there at 3pm, whoops! So I finished Amelia up and we were on our way. At Grandpa's we were greeted by Aunt Sally and Vicky Powell, Uncle Tim and Aunt Judy, Grandpa Thorbus and Sharon. It was so nice to see everyone! Amelia stole the show (of course)! It was her first time meeting Grandpa...now, "Great" Grandpa Thorbus and Aunt Judy. (She had met Uncle Tim briefly while I changed her diaper at his home the other day after hanging out with Sandra.) We celebrated the afternoon debating what else but politics. It wouldn't be a gathering at Grandpa's with out blood pressures rising discussing the current political status of our country. I am grateful Guy is there now to debate Grandpa. Guy can really get Grandpa spinning circles. But it's all in good fun! The last time we all got together Guy and Grandpa placed a bet on the Democratic Party Nomination. Guy bet him Hillary would not receive the nomination, Grandpa bet she would. Well, well, well...Grandpa pay up! We had to photograph the occasion.

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Father's Day Part Three

Actually Part One

This morning Amelia got her Daddy a card and a book for the "Dad who is Best at Everything". It is a funny instructional how to be a dad.
I don't think he needs any help from a book.

From the looks of this picture
Amelia already has her Daddy "wrapped around her finger".

It was a really great First Father's Day! Thanks for reading!

Weekend at Grandma's House

Weekend at Grandma Bette's. Bette babysat Amelia Saturday while Guy and I were out on the riverboat reception. Saturday Amelia and I spent the night at Gramma's house. It was Amelia's first sleepover and gramma couldn't be more excited. On Sunday Amelia attended her first church service, (She slept through it.) went to Culver's and went shopping with Mom and Grandma to all the occassional sales in Buffalo.

Saturday Night on the St. Croix

Last Saturday Guy and I left Amelia with Bette and attended Gary's wedding reception. It was held on the Avalon Riverboat. This time I remembered my camera.

The boat boarded at 6:30pm and docked at 10pm. It went so fast, it was 10pm before we knew it. I forgot to take many pictures, darn. If you are reading this and were there and have some pictures of Guy and I please share!

My cousin Vicky and Gordy breakin'
it down on the dance floor

Gary's Rehersal Dinner...I forgot my camera, Doh!

Friday we attended my second cousin, Gary Blasek's rehersal dinner. It was held at my other second cousin, Gordy's home on lake Minnetonka. He had completely remodeled his house since I had last been there. All I have to say is, WOW! Their home is beautiful.
Everyone was at the rehersal dinner. I saw family members I haven't seen in over 5 years like Dick and Kay Zellmer, Nikki Butterfield Zizak, Mary Kay Butterfield, David and Gracie Engstrand, all the Blaseks. Amelia was quite popular! Everyone took turns holding her. I was regreting forgetting my camera. It would have been nice to have gotten a picture of Kay and Betty holding Amelia. It was nice for everyone to meet Guy also.

One Year Anniversary

Guy and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary in style. We went to W.A. Frost for dinner.
I had the pork chop atop caramelized garlic polenta paired with a wonderful glass of Pinot Grigio. Guy enjoyed the Red Snapper with a glass of bourbon (small glass). Our waiter treated us to glasses of sparkling wine on the house to celebrate our anniversary. I am a light weight after not having anything to drink for almost a year. I couldn't finish the glass! :-) We concluded our night going out to a movie. We saw Indiana Jones IV. We liked it, it was a lighthearted action packed ride. Just what we needed. Though Amelia wasn't far from our minds...especially mine. I never thought it was going to be so hard to be away from her. I knew she was in good hands (Bette was watching her).

Today Amelia and I ventured out and met my aunt Sally and her daughter (my cousin) Vicky at Starbucks in Golden Valley. My other cousins Christopher and Katherine met up with us there. Kat is 7 years old and what a little talker. She told me all about all the baby clothes I should purchase at Target and especially wanted me to get a sweater for her. She also told me all about the baby toys and her favorite toys at Target. She was a very talkative intelligent little girl. Made me a little excited for when Amelia gets older, but I am enjoying every minute of her babyhood.

Amelia had her 1 month pediatrician check up today. She is 10lbs 8oz (90%) despite spitting up everything she eats! I was amazed! She also is 22 1/4 in long (90%). Dr. Sackett wasn't too worried about the fussiness, green stools, spitting up as long as she is gaining weight, wetting and stooling enough. In the wetting and stooling department she gets a gold star!!! I have the diapers to prove it. Actually I have a lack of quarters to prove it. We cloth diaper.

Today is our 1 year wedding anniversary. We are headed out on the town. Bette (Guy's Mom) was kind enough to offer to babysit...we had to pull her arm to do it. Just kidding she couldn't be more excited to babysit little Amelia. So I am defrosting milk...weird! Amelia took to the bottle like a champ. This allows me a little more freedom and also for others to get in on the act of feeding her. Guy and I are going to W.A. Frost's for dinner. I can't wait. But it will be weird to go out with out her. I don't have to worry though because I know she is in good, loving hands. Well gotta go. Thanks for reading!

Amelia Ruth Mattson

Amelia Ruth Mattson arrived @ 2:16am 5/1/2008.
What a wonderful May Day Surprise!!!







She has her mom's brown hair and her dad's dimpled chin. She looks lot like her daddy.
She is very strong. She could push her self on her side at 4 days old.
She also has a very strong neck and loves to look at everything she can.
One of the first things Amelia did was grab her mom's glasses and her cross necklace.

Amelia LOVES to eat! She was 7 lb 14 oz at birth, 7lb 4oz when we left the hospital (this is normal). Within two days she had gained back 4 oz and 2 days after that she had gained another 4 oz. Gaining weight at a rate of 2 oz a day!!! Way to go Amelia!!! Way to go moma's milk! (All I (Kristina) have to say is OUCH!!! and Yawn...)

Guy and I are tired and totally in love with our little girl.
Loving getting to know her more and more with each day.