Monday, August 31, 2009

This Past Week

My goal is to get better at posting. The problem is time...I am working full-time right now (and only getting paid part time). But hopefully after this week things will slow down.
Torin is growing like a weed. He now runs, not walks, everywhere we go. Outside is where we spend most of our time.
He is talking up a storm this past week. Lots of baby babble...but Mama, Baba and WufWuf (Cooper) are what we can make out of it. He is signing constantly...most of the time it is 'more', but he also knows 'all done' and even has started 'please' sometimes.
He loves to push things around and is fascinated with things with wheels.
Climbing is also new on the list. He knows how to go up steps well but hasn't mastered going down yet. We won't be moving the baby gates anytime soon.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

1 year stats and update

Torin had his one year well-check last Friday and he is a very healthy little boy. The stats are...
Height - 30 1/2 inches - 75%ile
Weight - 23 lbs. 7 oz - 65%ile
Head - HUGE... 19" - 90%ile
He did get four shots which were not fun but Motrin works wonders.

An update on my grandfather...he was accepted to Mayo and his appointment is Monday morning at 6:30. My Mom will be driving he and my Grandma to Rochester tomorrow. Thank you for your prayers. I will continue updating as I know more information.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Please Pray

My grandfather is sick. Correction - my grandfather is gravely ill and needs your prayers. He has been told by doctors in Sioux Falls that he is in the final stages of congestive heart failure. Both his cardiologist and pulmonologist say there is nothing more they can do. He has decided to get a second opinion from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester if they accept his case. My mom, grandma and grandpa will head to Mayo on Monday if they accept him.

If Mayo concludes the same outcome, he will accept they've done everything they can. Please pray for a safe trip for my mom and grandparents. Please pray for answers, whatever they may be. Please pray for my grandfather's comfort and peace in the hope he has as little pain as possible for the remainder of this journey.

He is not ready to go. He told my mom yesterday he still has unfinished business. He wants to plant another garden, fish, and watch his great-grandsons Skyler and Little Rip (what he calls Torin) grow up.

Little Rip wants that too, Grandpa. We all do.

Torin's Colorado 1st Birthday Party

Can you tell I am back to work? I'm very behind on posting since I've been working again since the 10th. Here are some photos of a very small birthday get together we had at our home for T on his birthday. Sean, Tracey, Debbie and Ava were able to join us for some ice cream cake to celebrate the big day. As you can see, he loved it.

And yes, he definitely got a bath afterward.

Friday, August 14, 2009

More Vacation Photos...from Grandma Kelly

Our family
Grandpa and T
Daddy and T
Mommy and T
Paul, T and the girls
Torin's goggles! I love this photo!
Zoey and Torin riding the fire truck
Torin's first bus ride

Friday, August 7, 2009

Happy Birthday, Torin!

We celebrated Torin's birthday one day early yesterday before we flew home. We are having a small get-together tonight for him as well. Happy 1st birthday, T. We love you so much!



Vacation to Park Rapids, MN

We just got back from vacation in Minnesota LATE last night since our flight home was delayed. Here are some highlights of the trip.
Torin LOVED driving the boat with Uncle Greg.
Daddy and T going for a swim with his new lifejacket...thanks Grandpa and Grandma Herding for the safety vest!
Torin and Grandma Bartmann hanging out on the boat.
Such a cute baby!
The water was REALLY cold but Torin stayed in for a couple minutes.
Paul, the girls, and Torin posing for a picture.
Torin loved swinging on the bench with Daddy.
T and Mommy on a hike to the headwaters of the Mississippi River.
Daddy and T swimming in very cold water.
Grandpa Bartmann pushed T on the swings and he laughed and laughed...he loves the swings.

Uncle Joe had to hang on tight to Torin since he wanted to climb through the holes on our hike.
It was a very fun trip. I was quite tired from all of our activities. I decided a nap during the festival in my stroller was a good idea. Grandma Bartmann bought a brand new camera for the trip and took some amazing shots. When Mommy gets copies of those, she'll post them on here also.

Planting the Garden

Before we left on vacation, we had to get our garden planted. (Yes, Daddy knows it is late to plant the garden, but we just finished the landscaping so we planted only the veggies that will be done before frost arrives this fall.) So Dad said to keep these rows straight with the pink string and I was a very big helper with that!
I enjoyed chasing Cooper around the garden. I don't think he's too excited that I'm walking pretty well now.
Me and Dad planting the garden.