Singer

Olivia has been singing for some time now, but I finally got around to taking and posting these videos...

 

Crosslake

We just got back from our annual Crosslake trip earlier this week. It was a little later this year than normal because we had some difficulty finding spots for earlier in July. We left last Thursday morning and arrived in the campground around 1. Once we set up our camper and got our site ready we headed over to start a usual bean bag tournament. Now I don't want to brag or anything, but I have won 1st place in bean bags ever year dating back to 2007 (except for 2009 when I was actually giving birth to Olivia). I got a little cocky this year, but sure enough I won again with my partner, my aunt Nancy. (For reference on day 2 we held another rematch and we won again).

After the match was over we went for ice cream right in town.

The second day we decided to do a little bit of swimming even though there was some reported swimmer's itch. The weather was so hot, in the 90s, that we just couldn't stay out of the water.

Day 3, it rained all morning so we decided to make a trip into Brainerd for most of the day. It cooled down quite a bit in the evening and we were able to actually put pants on and do some fishing, play on the playground, and enjoy a fire where we didn't have to sit 50 feet away.

On Sunday, we basically just hung out in the morning and then headed for home around noon. All and all the kids were pretty well behaved and slept good in the camper each night.

More Tball

Jack had a rough time with Tball this year. The first 2 games he was really liking it and then somewhere he decided he wanted to quit batting. He would play in the field, but wouldn't bat. Finally the last game he decided he would bat again. Very strange.

Anyway - I thought this picture was kind of cute with his hat turned side-ways...

Olivia's 2 year appointments

Today was a very long day of doctor's appointments for Olivia with no naps. First we had her ultrasound and she was not too happy about that, but we got her calmed down and then she did great. Shortly after we went over to meet with her Pediatric Urologist who was up from Minneapolis for the day. He reviewed her u/s images and said everything looked absolutely wonderful. We kind of figured things have been going good since Olivia has had no repeat infections since her surgery 1 year ago (seems like a lifetime ago). The doctor said since the surgery has a success rate of 98% and since she hasn't had an infections, we can assume her reflux is either gone or very minimal. He mentioned that he would like to see her again in 1-2 years once she is fully potty trained since some kids have flare ups again at that stage. We are very relieved to know everything is good with Olivia's kidneys and bladder and can hardly believe all the stuff we went through with her just over a year ago.

Once that appointment was over we ran some errands and then headed back to see Dr. Manney for Olivia's 2 year checkup. We were very surprised at how Olivia interacted with all the doctor's today. Usually she is crying from the minute she enters the building, but today, for the first time she interacted and talked with both doctors. It's good to see that perhaps she has put all her old doctor/hospital memories behind her.

Her 2 year stats were as follows:

• Height: 35 3/4" (92%)
• Weight: 27 lb. 10 oz. (63%)
• Head: 19 1/2" (93%)

She had a pretty big growth spurt since her 18 month appointment. She was only 52% for height at that time and weight was 34%.

In looking back at Jack's stats from when he was 2 - he was only 34 1/4" tall and 46% for a boy. This is going along with our theory that Olivia will have Steve's height and Jack will have mine.

The Beach

This year we again got a family pass to The Beach in Cloquet. It's a fun place to bring the kids, but I must admit it's a lot of work.

Yesterday, was the first time we had made it down there. With June being such a crappy month and being so busy lately - we just hadn't made it. We got there right as it was opening and picked out a great spot in the shade. Olivia was completely fearless and would jump off the side when we weren't looking. We quickly realized we couldn't take our eyes off her for one second.

Olivia - 2 years

As usual, it was hard to believe that Olivia already turned 2 years old yesterday.

Today we had her party and it was just our immediate family on both sides, so a nice small group. When everyone arrived we took some pictures and opened presents. Jack even got a few of his own, but I failed to get any pictures of that.

 

Olivia ended up getting a few new dolls (including Dora), a new princess backpack, a Dora Hotwheels, a toy box for her room, and even a little play ironing board and cash register. After presents, we had a little lunch and then ate cake.

 

Olivia has her 2 year checkup next Friday along with her follow-up appointments to her vesicoureteral reflux surgery she has last year. I'll be sure to post her updated stats and the results from her tests.

4th of July

Yesterday, for the 4th, we were very busy as usual. We went over to the parade in Cloquet that started at 11:00 and the kids got a bunch of candy.

Afterwards, we went to G&G Johnson's for a little lunch get together. Jack and Olivia immediately got their swimsuits on and were running through the sprinkler and playing in the pool.

After Olivia's nap we played with water balloons and then grilled a nice steak dinner on the deck. Then, our intent was to go to the fireworks with Jack, but after walking half way down there - he said he was too scared to watch them...so we headed back home.

Slip & Slide

Yesterday, Jack and I ran to Menards while Olivia napped. While shopping around, we found a slip & slide and I just had to get it for Jack. I used to have one when I was a kid and loved it.