Great G&G Metzler's visit...

Hello! I am finally starting to feel a little bit better. I am still not where I'd like to be after being out of commission for 5 days, but I HAVE to go back to work tomorrow. I am dreading the piles of stuff on my desk waiting for me.

Here are a few pictures from Saturday. I got up for a few hours (after taking the drugs I got after Justin was born - prescription ibprofeun) to see my grandparents. They were driving from Michigan to Rochester, MN and stopped by to visit us. I am so mad that I was sick....we don't get to see them nearly enough and I love spending time with them. I didn't want to get them sick though! I also missed Brandon's birthday dinner Friday night, taking the boys to the Shamrox Professional Lacrosse game on Saturday night and getting to watch Blake play soccer at halftime of the Professional Soccer game on Sunday....great weekend to be sick.








I am pretty sure they are having a staring contest?
















Our big boy! He has been sitting up on his own for longer periods of time lately.


















We told Grandma that he will be super smiley and then as soon as he sees the camera he refuses to smile. Here is him with his "I'm not going to smile" look....









Great Grandpa Metzler and Justin














Playing with Great Grandpa and Grandma













I'm pretty sure this was a smile that I didn't catch in time...or he is trying to catch flies?

It's been a while..

Sorry I have no new pictures lately. That would involve taking my head off of my pillow which I have not done for an extended period of time since Friday. I woke up on Friday morning with a sore throat and a bit of a headache, but figured if I get up and shower I can push through it. We had a meeting at work and it was about 2.5 hours long. Throughout that meeting I just go progressively worse. I left right after the meeting and I have been in bed ever since. Rob took me to the ER yesterday because I was just not getting any better. They said I have strep throat. I have had strep before, but don't remember having such killer headaches and ears hurting with it too. I got antibiotics yesterday so hopefully they will kick in soon.

Justin had his 6 month shots on Saturday (Rob took him since I was out of commission). This set made him pretty crabby and you could just tell he did not feel well. We sure are lucky to have such a great daddy to put up with two cranky people who don't feel well. Justin crying, me calling his cell phone for another popsicle, oh and he had to baby sit my 3 cousins on Saturday night and take them to a Lacrosse game. I told Aunt Connie I'd babysit and we didn't want to back out on them, so Rob did it all. They spent the night and I only seen them for about 2 minutes total because I don't want to spread this wonderful bug.

So thank you Daddy! Justin and I love you very much!

Mommy the Entertainer

Justin was in such a good mood after dinner last night! He had his cereal, and then a cookie for dessert. But we think he wanted to play more with the cookie than eat it, as seen on his face and shirt. When he was done with the cookie, Mom wanted to play peek-a-boo.

Justin has laughed before, but never like this!

Day with Grandpa & Grandma Brooks

Grandpa & Grandma Brooks came in on Saturday afternoon to visit us! We went to Chevy's for lunch, did some shopping, and just hung out. It was a fun visit! Thanks for coming to see us!

Sunday was a BEAUTIFUL day here. It was in the 50's and sunny. We took Justin and the dogs for a walk...it felt SO good to get out!







Here is our little stud muffin on Saturday morning. He doesn't mind his shades on!
















Here is Grandpa Brooks and Justin waiting for Mommy and Grandma to finish shopping!

Hockey game and Shedd Aquarium

Uncle Ryan and Aunt Amanda are staying with us this week for their Spring Break. Rob and I took a vacation day on Thursday and we went downtown to the Shedd Aquarium. We had a lot of fun and I think Justin liked it too! Not that he'll remember it, but he still had fun!






Mommy and her buddy at the Hounds game Wednesday night.




Uncle Ryan, Aunt Amanda and Justin







Rob wouldn't get in this picture with us :( That's okay...Justin and I liked it! Doesn't he look about 18 months here instead of 6????






Beluga whale that came up really close to us!

Waiting for the dolphin show to start!

I love the view of Lake Michigan outside the Oceanarium!













This eel was so scary looking! I am glad Justin was sleeping for this part!















He loved watching the fish. He is getting really good at standing up, but he kept bending to get closer to the fish!














Tired boy after a long day at the Shedd!

6 MONTHS OLD!!!!

Rob and I can't believe that Justin is already 6 months old! We have been truly blessed with such a happy, healthy baby!











Mmmm....green beans. He likes them more than applesauce!













Only 20 years and 6 months left.... :)

weekend, 6 month check-up, and moving!

We had a fun weekend. It went by really fast. On Friday, Rob and Justin met me at the mall for dinner and shopping. We wanted to find some blue jeans for Justin, but it's hard to find any that fit his belly comfortably! We ended up finding him Levi Strauss Signature jeans at Target that fit really well! As we were finishing up our shopping, I got a call from my friend Kelly from school and she was going to a bar near my house. It's called the Cadillac Ranch; a country western bar. I have always wanted to go there, but my husband does not like country music! So at 8:30pm I was taking a shower getting ready to go out....I can't remember the last time I was doing that! Usually I'm getting ready for bed at that time! It was fun, but I am glad I am out of the party every weekend scene. I only had 3 beers and I was really hungover - I think it was from the smokey bar.

Saturday morning, Justin had his 6 month check-up. He is now 29 inches long (97th percentile) and 19 pounds, 4 ounces (80th percentile). He is too big for his infant carrier according to the doctor, so we (Rob) put in his convertible car seat that still faces backwards. He fits well into it, but you certainly lose the convenience of having him in a seat to carry around! He was SO HAPPY and smiley at his appointment. She was doing his check-up and found that he has a pretty bad ear infection! We had no idea; he has not been crabby or pulling at it at all. She said she's never seen such a happy baby with an ear infection. So we have to go back in 2 weeks for his shots...she didn't want to do them with him being sick.

After Justin's appointment, we went to my one week LASIK check-up - all is well and I can start wearing make-up again! After the appointments, we went to Target to get Justin's antibiotics and then to take Blake to his basketball game. After basketball, Justin and I took a little nap and then Jon (Q-tip) and Clare came over to visit and we went out to eat. It was great to see them again and catch up! It was a long day!

Sunday we just hung out and got a few things done around the house. My brother Ryan and his girlfriend Amanda got here around dinner time and they are spending the week with us for their spring break. They are going to play with Justin all week and he is not going to day care...he is very excited for all of the attention he's going to get! I hope Ryan is ready to get up early :) I am going to take a vacation day on Tuesday or Thursday and we are going to head downtown to the Shedd or something!

Now for the moving part....

I have been offered a promotion within my company. The promotion is from inside to outside sales, but it is for the Central Illinois territory. Rob and I are very excited about the opportunity! I will be working in Peoria, IL and we are looking at houses in the Germantown Hills/Metamora area. The cost of living is much cheaper there, the schools are great and it's a great career opportunity! The biggest downfall is that we are going to be moving away from our family here (Jacobs) and our neighbors. We have made some great friends, but this opportunity is something that we can't pass up. My boss wants the move to happen by June/July time frame, but could happen sooner if we can sell our house.

I know that there are quite a few Tech alumni there being that CAT is in Peoria, so if anyone knows of people there let us know! I have been chatting with Katie G. and a few other people who live there!

Whew....this post got pretty long! Here are some pictures for your viewing enjoyment!






Best buddies!













A few months ago, I would have freaked out about Tucker licking Justin but I have learned that I can't stop it! Justin encourages it when he grabs Tucker's mouth :)













Quincy and Justin....














Hanging out and rolling around....













Beautiful blue eyes!












Does this look like a baby with an ear infection?

Random Weather!

I am working a little late tonight. Right now I am sitting at my desk listening to the sound of thunder booming and ice pellets on the roof. Should be a fun drive home....don't forget I have Chicago traffic to add to the weather mess!

Lovely.

You know you're tired when.....

......you fall asleep between bites of cereal!



He didn't even wake up when I took him out of the highchair, took off his bib and wiped his face!

The darn cough is back though. We gave him albuterol and propped him up when he sleeps, which helped a little bit but it was still a pretty long night.

When I picked him up from daycare yesterday there was a notice on the door that there are reported cases of Pink Eye in the infant room.....great! I have to be VERY careful when I pick him up since I just had Lasik done on Saturday. His teacher said the only kids with it so far are mobile and she said that the one who definetly has it does not interact with Justin during the day, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he does not get it!

Cookie Monster!

Nothing too exciting around here to report. Thank you so much mom and dad for all of your help last weekend. Our house has EVERY wall freshly painted thanks to Dad and Rob! This Sunday Uncle Ryan and Aunt Amanda are coming to visit us for spring break. They are watching Justin all week while Rob and I are at work. Justin is very excited!!!







Decorating a birthday cake for his teacher at Kindercare.













I don't think I was EVER this flexible!

















He loves his baby cookies!












Yummy stuff mom!













I'm going to make sure you can't skip my bath tonight!!!!