Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

Well the big news is/was that we moved to WISCONSIN. Jared accepted a job out here and moved out on July 5th. Luke and I then joined him on August 5th. Can I just say that was about the longest month of my life. Luke loved living with my parents but I am a person that needs her own space and AC (there AC unit was broken just about every other day).

The first month we "vacationed" in Lake Geneva until we could move into our rental house the beginning of September. Luke and I loved the town, the lake, petting zoo, and the library. Lake Geneva will be the place that the phrase "fish in there" was coined. Luke LOVED the lake! We were also lucky to have grandma "Shauna" come and stay and spoil us. And because I'm too lazy to make collages in picasa here's just a few of pictures from our stay there.

This was Luke's first trip to the lake. We couldn't take him to the lake without getting in, clothes and all sometimes.

Over priced ice cream. We only got it once (that we payed for it...Thanks Shauna!)


The free petting zoo



We took the 2 hr train ride down to Chicago and watched the Jets at Navy pier. Luke was frightened by their loud noises.



And because curious family members wanted to see what the vacation home looked like where stayed here are the pics. It was a remodeled 1850s Victorian house, walking distance to the lake. Nothing fancy for the money that we paid for it.

I loved Lake Geneva. I love being a stay at home mom. And because I have been both a SAHM and a full-time working mom, I can definitely say that it is soo much easier and much more fun being a SAHM, even if we just sit at home all day (and Luke is not an easy child). That has definitely been the best part of the move!

Finally

After what seemed to be the longest year of my life, Jared graduated from Westminster College with his Masters of Business Administration!! We are so proud of him and we are definitely enjoying having him home in the evenings. Would you believe that this is the first time in the (almost) 7 years that we have been married that neither of us are in school? No wonder this is the first time in our whole marriage that we have actually had dinner at home on a regular basis. I do have to say that I am pretty proud of myself for that accomplishment. So you might ask, "What's next now that Jared is all done with school?" Well to find out you are going to have to send me your email address so I can add you to the blog. Big changes. BIG. (for us at least)

Luke and I trying to stay entertained through the very long commencement. As you can see Luke lost interest.

All he needed was a pack of "gung" to cheer him right up.

Here are the boys all ready for the graduation brunch. I have found joy in dressing these two boys a like.


You do have to admit is is fun and silly.
Stay tuned for what's up next.

Cause I feel like it

I think I'm going to start blogging more but for some reason I just feel like making the ol' blog private. To the maybe 3 readers that read this blog, I have your email address, but if there are any others that would like to continue reading in the future send over your email address. AmberbMann@gmail.com

Thanks.

That is all, for now.

Where do I begin

You asked for a blog so here it is!

I'm not quite sure where to start. I have valid excuses for my blogging absence. In August Jared and I celebrated 6 years of wedded bliss and had a little staycation. I went to a couple job interviews due to Jared getting a tip at work that he was going to be laid off. We had toyed with the idea of me working full-time and Jared going to school full-time to finish is MBA quicker but I don't think we would have ever made such a drastic change had we not had a little shove in that directions.

Everything has worked out OK. I decided to take a full-time job at Aspen Ridge, a transitional rehab. While the orthopedic therapy world is much different than the neuro rehab I was used to I have really enjoyed my job. Jared and Luke are able to come and visit me for lunch and when the weather was nice we would have a little family picnic at Wheeler Farm because it borders my work. This change wasn't easy on any of us. Jared had to adjust and figure out his routine as a stay at home dad and I definitely mourn and still mourn my time at home with Luke. My heart goes out to single working mothers because that is what I have felt like. I go to work, come home, and then Jared goes to school most nights of the week.

This change will really benefit our family in the long run and I have to remind myself that it is just temporary. I'm grateful that I am able to support my family. I'll be completely honest that I absolutely hate the situation but I have come to terms with the fact that this is my life right now. I have been so envious of stay-at-home moms. But we all make sacrifices for our families in some form, right?

On to the real reason why you want a blog, Luke.

In the meantime Luke turned 1 and became a toddler. The boy amazes me each and everyday and I'm always so proud of his accomplishments. He has the dance moves of his father and the patience of his mother, typed sarcastically. Don't even think about taking away a drink, toothbrush, toothpaste, or lotion without him throwing a fit. Those items seem to be some of his favorite things. He loves his "animals" that he sleeps with, monkey especially and carries it around the house tucked between his head and shoulder.The child talks up a storm in his own little language. He does of course say a handful of words and is starting to repeat a lot of what we say. He loves marshmellows or really any treat for that matter. His best friend is Jake and his girlfriend is Liz, he shows her the most affection. He still loves to dance, and giggle, and twirl in circles and fall and roll on the floor. He likes to sing in the car and anytime he thinks no one is listening. He is very obstinate. If I tell him "no" he is determined to do whatever it is I don't want him to do. He is really good at pulling things out but not putting them away. Jared says he is the master of destruction. He has stranger anxiety really bad and does not like when mom or dad leave him alone with people he doesn't see all the time, annoying. I just love the boy what can I say, could go on and on!

And now the only reason I look at blogs, the pictures. Here is picture overload of what we have done the last few months in collage format!

One year old!


Birthday Party


"Alloween Party" 80's theme and Nacho Libre


Pumpkin Patch


Halloween...He got a lot of wear out of his outfit!


Chicago


Zoo Lights


Temple Square


Christmas


Michelle's Wedding


Valentines Day


Enjoying some warmer weather...Looking forward to Spring!




And just Luke being a goof!

That sort of brings you up to date. I just feel good to get this return blog out of the way and maybe, no promises, I may be a more consistent blogger.

First Hair Cut

Luke was starting to look a little shaggy. Of course it was still cute in a baby hair kind of way. We got a little impulsive and decided we were going to cut his hair. I think both Jared and I thought he would be scared of the clippers and we wouldn't be able to but Luke didn't seem to mind at all.

The Before

Such a goofy boy!

The During

The After Math

(Still goofy but with a short new do)

I have yet to get a really good picture of his new do. I think it is growing on me. I really miss those long locks of his and I just don't like the idea of him looking so grown up. I wished it was longer on top but the good thing about hair is it will grow (this coming from the girl that freaks out with more than just a trim to her own hair). I think Jared did a good job on the wiggly little one. Jared cuts his own hair. Jared knows one way of cutting hair. Luke and Jared now have the same hair cut and look more alike than ever if you ask me.

Summer Nights

As soon as Luke can talk I'm sure that he will constantly be asking to go over to Jake's house because 1) he is his BFF and 2) all of the fun happens at Jake's house.

In my opinion all summer nights should end like this, a popsicle to sooth teething gums.(This was Luke's first popsicle...I think he enjoyed it)

And if a popsicle isn't enough why not have yourself an ice cream cone.

And then finish it all up with a quick scrub in the tub.
The water was brown when these 3 boys were finished!

Luke at 9 months

These pictures are really out of focus but I thought they did a good job depicting Luke's personality. I love that the simplest things bring him so much joy!

Well really almost 9 1/2 months, but better late than never.

Stats:
Weight- 23.9 lbs, 90%
Height- 30 inches, 93%
Head- 81%

Luke does your typical 9 month old things, for the most part. He still hasn't figured how to get his belly off the ground while crawling, ending up looking like a disabled lizard, but he is able to get into EVERYTHING. Any suggestions for how to child proof heat vents? He won't drink from a sippy cup. Again ideas are welcome. He will eat just about anything not baby food and loves avocados and mandarin oranges or anything that his parents are eating. When Luke is home with mom he screams every time I leave the room but all his babysitters report that he never cries. He loves to be in water, the warmer the better. Is obsessed with grabbing/clawing his genitals which makes diaper changes and bathing not so much fun for me. He isn't gentle with them either. I know this is a common thing for boys but I'm a little worried.

Once Luke turned 9 months he decided he was old enough for a girl friend. Actually he really loves seeing kids and will yell at them to try get their attention. He loves our new calling in the primary for this reason. He has become quite the social butterfly when we go out. He loves to call out to all the little girls whenever he spots one. He finally got one to respond to him. I thought it was just about the cutest thing ever, both waving at each other across the isles at TJ Max. He is happy as can be sitting up in the shopping cart. This hobby is getting rather expensive. I might have to work more to support this habit of his.

He loves music and loves to shake his hips. He has got a hip thrust that is going to drive the girls crazy. His rather large butt muscles might help with this. He and Jared have the exact same butt! He definitely did not inherit my rhythmic abilities. Some of his favorite bands are Red Hot Chili Peppers, The White Strips, 311, Lou Reed, and No Doubt.

Jared and I just love this boy and look forward to every new development. He is such a sweet boy and we can't get enough of him!