week in review

Last week was a loooong one, but we made it! Brett flew out to San Francisco Tuesday afternoon and got back late (like 12:30 a.m.) Thursday night, or I guess you would say Friday morning, technically. He went into work Friday morning, and left a little earlier at 4:30 p.m. for the weekend. Saturday we got things done around here and then went to a fun get-together with friends at their new home in Cedar, Minnesota.

Last Tuesday Stella and I got together with some of the BSF ladies and their kids at a park. The other moms and I were in the same discussion group at BSF. Our former discussion leader (you get assigned to a new group and leader each year) was there with her 3-year-old and 3-month-old, too. Not pictured, but present: Sarah (mom to James and Sam) and Laura (mom to Bryn and Ellie).

Christina supervising Stella with baby Isabel

James showing the girls (Sophie, Isabel, and Stella) how to do pushups

Stella loves babies

James is so good with Stella - he's like a big brother to her

That day was SO hot - one of the worst ones last week because the humidity was so high. We were all kind of dragging from the heat and the kids' faces were getting so flushed and sweaty, so we all left after about an hour or so.

I took Stella to the library Wednesday morning, and there was one more "baby storytime" for the summer. At the end of story time, they turn off the lights and turn on the LED "star" lights and sing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star together. It was so cute, and Stella keeps talking about it ever since.

While Brett was gone, Mom came over one of the nights to help me pack up the contents of our hutch (china, wine glasses, servingware). Nine boxes later, it was done! Stella busied herself with flower arranging while we worked.

And she "watered" her flowers along with a pile of crayons

Thursday I took her to see her pediatric ophthalmologist. It was a really long appointment because at this one they had to put dilating drops in each eye (which sting, so Stella was bawling), and then wait 25-30 minutes for the drops to take effect. They also did tests with her before and after the drops. The dr. said that the vision of her bad eye is improving due to the atropine drops I administer to her "good" eye once every two weeks. He said to continue with those, and once her bad eye vision is as good as the right, then we can discontinue the drops and continue with just the glasses. Once she turns eight, we can try putting a contact in her bad eye, and she won't have to wear glasses. 

She had fun playing with toys in the waiting room while we waited for her eyes to dilate for the tests.

Since it was such a hard appointment for her, I promised her a treat afterward. She enjoyed a sprinkle donut at Byerly's afterward. I sent Brett this picture while he was in CA because it was hilarious - her mouth full of donut and just so content.

She will hate me someday for this!

Stella boycotted her nap Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and woke up crying three different times Friday night. Finally Sunday and today she is back to taking her lovely, long naps, and both she and I are feeling the better for it!

Saturday was the BBQ in Cedar, and Stella finally got to see Bo, who is only seven weeks younger than she is. We were in small group with Bo's parents, Neal and Kim, when we went to BBC. It was so fun to see them again. The Brogles (with their one-year-old, Elizabeth) and other members of the Hacks softball team were there, too. Fun night for sure. Playing in the pool was the highlight of Stella's night, as well as running after Bo to give him his sippy cup of apple juice, regardless if he wanted it or not! After being up several times the night before and having skipped her nap, Stella started falling apart pretty quickly, so we had to bow out sooner than we liked. Ah, parenthood. :)

Bo, Elizabeth, Stella

Brett blowing bubbles for Stella and Elizabeth

The last time these three little ones were all together was sometime last winter:

Saturday, the 20th, most of the renovations to the house were completed. Today the painter had to do some finishing touches, and I think they are staining the butcher block countertops in the kitchen today. After church yesterday, Brett, Stella, and I stopped in at the new house. It looked great! The wood floor stain was super strong, so we didn't stay very long. Stella kept asking to go outside and she was holding her nose because of the smell. Ha! Today Brett will be at the house at 2 p.m. for an appraisal, and then he may leave some windows open to ventilate the house. 

Yesterday Brett worked on a project at our current residence for at least three hours. He was sweating buckets! After Stella's nap, Susie took Stella for a couple hours to give us a break. Brett was working on removing rotted-out wood around our sliding glass door downstairs on the exterior, and replacing them with new ones. He still has to get some more siding tonight. Thankfully our friend Pete is going to loan him his truck so Brett can pick up the board from Menards.

I have more to say, but she's awake from her nap and there are things to get done. Until later...