Letters to Tory: 10 Months

Tory Bean,

You're 10 months old today! It isn't hard for me to believe my baby girl is nearly one year old. This month has brought so many changes in your physical and mental development, I can easily see you transforming into a toddler before my very eyes.

One word describes you these days: mobile. You have so much energy, people often comment how active and outgoing you are. I guess I'm so used to your wiggly worm antics, I don't realize how extraverted you are until I see other babies your age. Just the other day I wondered to myself how other babies ride in shopping carts. So, I watched a few other babies in the store and they just SIT and occupy themselves with a toy or a box of cereal. You, my darling? Oh, no. You practically LEAP out of the cart the second I buckle you in. You always keep me on my toes, Tory girl.

You were cast as a baby model for 3M filter packaging this week, and there was another baby at the photo shoot with you. You sat on the set with the mom model, smiling and waving with both hands to the entire crew. "Hi! Hi! Hi!" you kept saying, charming every single person in the studio. One of the shots required you to gaze over the mom model's shoulder as she sweetly snuggled your head and the producer could not get you to cooperate. You just would not sit still. Wherever the other baby model was stationed, she just stayed in place. As active as you are, I wouldn't trade it for a single day. You are so entertaining and people of all ages are naturally drawn to your inviting personality. It's a wonderful trait to have.

This month you've mastered pulling yourself up to a standing position and are even beginning to climb furniture. Forget the entire playroom of toys you have, your favorite activity these days is to climb underneath the table. You'll keep yourself occupied for 15-20 minutes at a time, crawling between chair legs and over the wooden beam in the center of the table. It's all fun and games until you inevitably bonk your head on the wood. That game always in tears, but it doesn't stop you from going back.

Walking (or should I say running) is not far off as you'd prefer to walk assisted than crawl. You can even stand alone for a second or two until you realize you're not holding onto anything. From a sitting position, you can stand up with the bottom half of your body, but you haven't quite figured out how to lift your arms to a full standing position just yet. I guess it looks sort of like a monkey pose, with your feet and hands firmly planted on the floor.

We've spent a lot of time outdoors this month and your love for the water is blossoming. Last weekend, Daddy and I were lazy at the cabin and didn't want to take the cover off the pontoon, so we took you for a ride in the old, tiny aluminum fishing boat. I thought for sure our little adventure would end with you screaming all the way around the lake, but you loved it and kept giggling as we cruised along. As long as you're part of the action, you're usually a pretty happy baby.

Finally, FINALLY, you're showing interest in solid foods. Up until a few days ago, you refused to eat anything that wasn't pureed to a pulp and bland as can be. Last week I was eating a cup of yogurt and you seemed interested in what I was doing, so I gave you a tiny taste. You were a crazy baby for more bites. I think you ended up eating more of the container than I did. I bought you some of your own baby yogurt and this has quickly become one of your favorite foods. Last weekend, Daddy and I took you to the strawberry patch and although you weren't sure what to think of strawberries at first, you ended up loving them. I can't say you're actually eating them, more licking, but at least you're finally willing to try. We also gave you cucumbers this week and you seem to like biting (but not eating) those, too.

So many changes this month and so much fun. I'm thankful every single day God made me your mama. You're everything to me, little Bean. I love you so much.

Love,
Mommy

Tory - 43 Weeks Old

Tory - 43 Weeks Old

Anniversary Trip

Our third wedding anniversary is next month and Andi and I decided we're ready for a vacation without baby. Tory will be 11 months old in July and I think she's at a good stage where she won't put too much of a burden on Grandma Janie. Truthfully, I'm only feeling as comfortable as I am about all of this because I'm confident in Andi's mom, who knows Tory's likes/dislikes and her routine. She'll be in good hands while we're away.

Andi's been pushing for a solo vacation for months (even just an overnight away together) but I honestly wasn't ready until now. The idea of being a plane ride away from Tory should something happen sent me into full-on hyperventilation. So, I'm fairly proud of myself for arriving at a place in motherhood where I'm alright spending a few days apart from my baby girl. I think it'll be a nice break for myself and wonderful to spend quality time with Andi. It'll be just like pre-baby days ... what will we do with our time! (wink wink)

We've been mulling over vacation ideas for weeks now, and I think we've finally settled on Vail. At first I was all, wahhh Colorado, we've been there a million times! (I know how snotty of me, right?) but I actually think it'll be a good mix of fun and relaxation. Other contending locations were Madeline Island in Northern Wisconsin and a cheap flight deal we found to Nashville, TN. Flights were incredibly expensive just about everywhere we wanted to go and unfortunately, the South is flippin' hot this time of year that Nashville didn't sound very appealing. Most lodging was already booked on Madeline Island and we didn't really feel like roughing it during our anniversary trip, so Colorado it is. Flights to Denver are reasonably cheap, it's a one-hour flight from the Twin Cities and an old friend of ours lives there and has the hook-up on lodging and fun things to do in the mountains. I think it'll be a great trip.

Andi's been hard at work searching for the perfect luxury hotel to stay at and unique, interesting adventures for us to embark on while we're in Colorado. We're planning to stay at Sonnenalp Resort which looks absolutely beautiful and I fully intend to treat myself (and Andi as well) to a wonderful day at the spa.

Look, this is going to be us.
(Oooh, hey baby. Oooh, hey there).

Andi thinks he wants to spend a day on a fly fishing float trip. It's basically a little bit of fishing (which I'm not really that into) mixed with floating through awesome mountain scenery (which sounds pretty fantastic). It's probably one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences and when has Andi ever steered me wrong? Also, he promised to watch every single Husker football game with me this fall as a thank you for always being willing to try his adventurous ideas. (Alright, I made that last part up but that sure would be nice of him).

Minturn Anglers - Vail

Whatever we end up doing, I know we'll have a wonderful time celebrating our anniversary together. I'm looking forward to focusing on nothing but the two of us. Oh, and sleeping, drinking wine, taking naps and sleeping some more. Maybe throw in some chocolate and cheese, too.

Strawberry Picking

We're at the cabin again this weekend and decided to treat Tory with a visit to the strawberry patch. Can you believe neither Andi or I have ever picked strawberries? I know! Deprived childhoods we must've had (I kid, parents, I kid).

We visited a strawberry patch just a few miles away from our cabin. This little farm was run by Amish women (at least I think so, there were dozens of them in the field picking berries). Andi bought two pails and they assigned us a row to begin filling our buckets.

I couldn't believe how beautiful, red and ripe the strawberries were on the vine! It makes you appreciate fresh, local produce when you see the quality before you (and makes you never want to buy another container of sub-par strawberries from the grocery store again).

Tory wasn't sure what to think of the strawberry patch at first. She definitely wasn't willing to put her feet on the soft straw between the rows. Andi and I picked a few strawberries and gave one to Tory to hold. She immediately squeezed the fresh strawberry with all her might and red juice squirted everywhere. Amateurs. Who wears white to a strawberry patch? Apparently Andi and I do.

I gave Tory another strawberry to feel and taste (but not hold or squeeze)! She touched it, smelled it and finally licked it - and loved it! You may be thinking, geez Heather, you're such a horrible mother for allowing your child to lick a strawberry right from the ground. Normally, I'd agree but I think there's something special about picking a berry and eating it right in the field. We used to do the same with mulberries when I was a little kid and it such a special feeling. Part of the experience, I say.

Once Tory got a taste for the fresh, sweet juice of the strawberry we couldn't keep her away. She started lunging for the pails and grabbing berries as fast as we could throw them in. I'm surprised, too, because usually Tory isn't a big fruit fan. I guess there's nothing better than a freshly picked strawberry. 

This afternoon, Tory and Andi took a nap and I decided to whip our strawberries into strawberry pie. The recipe called for baked pie crust and I only had graham cracker, but I didn't think it'd matter much. Except, an hour later after I washed, sliced and mixed together the ingredients, I had a nagging feeling they didn't turn out quite right. Andi swears they'll be just fine once the filling sets up, but it looks too mushy to me. I think the strawberry filling basically washed away the graham cracker in the pan. Sigh, I hope it still tastes okay.

We had such a great day at the strawberry patch, I fully intend to make this an annual family tradition. I can only imagine how fun it'll be for Tory to pick her own berries one day. I can't wait for the day she puts on an adorable, tiny apron and joins me in the kitchen to whip up something fabulous with our hard-earned pickings.

First Father's Day

Andi's first Father's Day was picture perfect. After a grueling few weeks of work travel, quality time with our favorite man has been few and far between. On Friday after producing a week-long photo shoot in Northern Minnesota and then sitting in traffic for hours, Andi picked up Tory and I at home and then we left for our lake cabin. I knew we were in for a long late-night drive when we stopped to grab coffee on our way out of town. A few hours later we were settled in one of our happiest places on Earth, ready to relax and enjoy the weekend together.

It rained most of Saturday, but honestly we didn't mind. That morning, Andi, Tory and I decided to walk to the neighbor's cabin and were caught in a downpour. We raced around the lake point and laughed as the warm rain showers fell down on us. I listened to Tory, perched up on Andi's shoulders, giggling the entire way there. It was her first time running in the rain and she seemed to be having the time of her life. Once at Joe and Lisa's, we sat on their wrap-around porch for the next hour or two, having a beer at 10am, listening to the rain fall around us and enjoying their great company. One of my favorite things about cabin life is watching the stress melt from Andi's shoulders. It's the best kind of medicine for him. I love seeing him so happy.

Daddy and daughter, watching the rain

Tory took an epic nap in the afternoon and Andi and I decided to take one, too. I can't remember the last time we all fell asleep in the middle of the day. I guess it's easy when all you hear is quiet wilderness and the sound of rain outside the window.

Later on, we ran into town to the Cheese Factory to pick up a few local cheeses, crackers and gelato. We came back to the cabin, Tory went to bed like a champ and Andi and I relaxed in the hot tub for the rest of the evening. Seriously, paradise!

On Sunday, Andi's parents, sister and grandma came to the cabin to celebrate Father's Day. The weather was beautiful and we spent most of the day outdoors. Janie and Lindsay brought brats, corn on the cob and watermelon for lunch. Tory took another awesome nap so Andi and I took Jim and Lindsay for a pontoon ride around the lake and Janie and Grandma Marion stayed back with Tory. It was the most relaxing boat ride I've had all summer! Not that I don't enjoy time on the boat with Tory, but it's not quite as relaxing wrangling a wiggly baby the entire time. On Sunday, I put my feet up and basked in the sunshine.

After Tory woke up from her nap, she enjoyed a little toe dip in the lake, too. She thought it was pretty special.

Dads and daughters
Grandpa Jim, Tory, Andi and Lindsay

For Father's Day, Tory gifted Andi a framed photo of herself holding the letters D-A-D. Tory and the nanny also made him a picture mug. Now, Andi will be able to gaze at his beautiful daughter all day long with photos for his desk and a mug for his coffee at work. 

Happy Father's Day to the best dad around!

Tory - 42 Weeks Old

Tory - 42 Weeks Old

What a crazy animal our little Tory Bean is! She knows just what to expect when Andi and I sit her down in the chair to take her weekly photo. Today, she lounged forward the second I set her down and laughed uncontrollably.

We finally did capture a nice photo of her sitting next to her zebra, but Andi pleaded with me to post this one. After all, this is the photo we'll want to look back on and smile about in years to come.

Dancing Queen

I want to remember this forever ...