Vacation Continued...

Since the weather wasn't the greatest and it was difficult entertaining Amaya in the lake home, we took some day trips to the surrounding towns. We spent one day in Walker, MN doing laundry and while we were there, Walker was having their 16th Annual Ethnic Fest. We were able to see a parade and visit quite a few tourist shops. Another day we drove to Nisswa, MN and did a little shopping. We spent two days in Bemidji - to see Paul Bunyan, shop, and hike around the State Park. We enjoyed hiking around the State Park so much we had to go back another day. At the entrance to the park, one of the staff members said that there had been a black bear sighting. We didn't see any bears, but we did run into a raccoon!






On our second day at the State Park, we took a trail to do a "bog walk." Part of the trail is on a boardwalk - to prevent destruction to the natural habitat - which led down to the bog. Amaya did so well in the Baby Bjorn (thank you Wiggins!) that when we returned, we headed back down to the lake where Amaya did some wading. She liked her feet in the sand, but I think the water was a little too chilly.

Where Have We Been?!?

VACATION! For the last two weeks, Steve, Amaya, and I vacationed with Steve's parents to Blackduck, MN and stayed at Moose Lake Resort. We shared a fully furnished lake home - two bedrooms, two baths, dining room, living room, kitchen, mudroom, sitting area, and deck. The following pictures are the back side of the house facing the lake, the private dock, and view.




We went on the boat a few times, but because of the weather, some boat issues, and Amaya's inability to sit in someone's lap with a life-vest on for more than a half hour, we weren't able to fish as much as we would have liked. Regardless, the times we were on the boat were memorable and Amaya certainly enjoyed watching the water.



On the nights when the weather cooperated, Steve made us a campfire - actually it was more like a bonfire. Lowell and Ruth Ann could see the fire from the lodge (about a 10-15 minute walk away).

Sitting, Standing, Dancing Next?

Amaya has been sitting up unassisted for awhile now, but has recently mastered the art of pulling herself up to a standing position.

A couple nights ago, while she was in her crib, Jan and I were in the basement watching a movie (with the baby monitor on) and Amaya started crying a different cry that I had never heard before. When I got upstairs to her bedroom, I freaked out a little when I saw her sitting up! Somehow, she discovered the ability to sit up from a laying-down position. I think she got scared when she sat up because she couldn't figure out how to lay back down again.

I've also been trying to help her to walk, but she hasn't quite figured it out yet.

-Steve

Can't Sleep...

I've tried counting sheep, counting backwards, and counting by threes. I've tried warm milk. Can't take a Tylenol PM. I'm not sure if it's because I took a nap this afternoon or if that last little bit of caffeine is still in my system or if I'm just too excited for vacation. Whatever the reason, I CAN'T SLEEP! So, I've worked on a puzzle (that just made me more awake), read a little bit, renewed some library books, checked my e-mail, and here I am. It's almost midnight and I'm still wide awake! Guess I'll be getting another nap tomorrow...

-Jan

Swimming... more or less

I'm going through our pictures online, and found a few of Amaya in her new pool. These were taken August 7th while Steve was at Bethel for orientation. The water was a little cool, so it took Amaya a while to feel comfortable in the water. And once she learned how to keep her balance without slipping around too much, she had a great time.

Quietness Leads to Trouble

How many times have you been preoccupied with something else, then all of a sudden you realize that......IT'S QUIET! You know that when it gets too quiet, trouble is just around the corner, especially when you have a baby in the house. This happened recently in our household.

We had Grandpa and Grandma Gustafson over for supper last evening and Amaya was playing with some toys on the floor while we were eating. We were chatting and Amaya was VERY QUIET, when my mom notices that she can now see the top of Amaya's head! We look over at her and somehow Amaya managed to grab onto the legs of the chair and PULL HERSELF UP! Amaya just stands there looking at us and smiling - as if she does this all the time. For the last week or so, she's being trying to pull herself up on anything she can get her hands on, but she's never been successful until now. Of course, I ran to get the video camera and catch the action, but Amaya wasn't interested in performing again.

Steve's project this weekend is to lower her crib mattress. She hasn't tried to pull herself up on the railing of her crib, but one never knows. Babyproofing here we come!

It's Nap Time

Amaya is taking a nap, so I'm....

Making the bed
Making a quick batch of caramel brownies for Steve and his co-workers
Emptying the dishwasher
Loading the dishwasher
Restocking the fridge with bottled water and pop
Taking out a load of laundry
Putting a load of laundry in the dryer
Checking e-mail
Checking to see if Mother Mayo deposited my paycheck
Posting a note on our blog
Praying that she'll sleep 10 more minutes so I can kick my feet up and read!

International Breast Milk Project

Right now, I have over 100 ounces of frozen breast milk in the freezer. For the last few weeks, I've been considering donating my breast milk to an organization called the International Breast Milk Project (IBMP). I first heard of it from one of our dermatology residents. His wife is the executive director and founder of the organization. Their youngest daughter is a few weeks older than Amaya. Yesterday, there was an article in the newspaper about the IBMP receiving an award as runner up in the Social Venture Partner Minnesota's Social Entrepreneur's Cup. IBMP provides safe breastmilk to HIV/AIDS orphans in Africa and to critically ill infants in the US.

Click here to read the Post-Bulletin story about the IBMP.

Click here to visit the website for the IBMP.

I've filled out the online application and they have to run a few blood tests in order for me to be a donor. If accepted, all I have to do is pump, bag and freeze the milk, and they will come to my door and ship the milk. Amaya is still nursing and I'd like to continue until her first birthday, but I figure, if someone else's baby can benefit from my milk, why not help?

Eye Infection

Since Amaya was born, she's had a blocked tear duct in her right eye. We were instructed to massage the inner part of her eye a few times a day and it would work itself out. Well, the last few days her eyes have been really goopey (sp?), so I called to make an appointment today. She has an eye infection and needs antibiotic ointment put on her lower eyelid four times a day for the next five days. It's near impossible to get her to stop moving to put a teeny-tiny amount of medicine on her eyelid. We survived - barely.

What Exactly Do You Do All Day?

"So Jan, what have you been up to this past week?"
"Oh, you know, just playing with Amaya?"
"Really? That's it? Didn't you get bored? I mean, didn't you have a week off?"
"Bored? Seriously? With a 7 month old?"
"Well, she is ONLY 7 months old. What exactly do you do all day?"
"We sing songs, go for stroller rides, and play with her toys. I nurse her, change her diapers, get her dressed, and clean out her goopey eyes. I hold her, rock her, tickle, hug and kiss her."
"And you like that?"
"There's no other way I'd rather spend my day."