Finally!

7 days fishing in Canada made me miss sweet pea like crazy. 

The Little Engine That Could

I was vacuuming this morning, Everlee had been snoozing, and I thought Daddy was doing yard work. Boy, was I wrong. I went to check on baby girl, and this was what I found! It was one of those moments that make your heart swell with pride, and ooze out ooey gooey, heart warming love. Glad I got to witness this tender moment!

Daddy reading his little girl his favorite childhood book. The Little Engine That Could. Thanks Aunt Brigett for the nostalgic gift, that contributed to this beautiful moment caught on camera! I will never forget the first time hearing Rich read a book to Everlee! 

Minnesota Adventures

While daddy was in Canada fishing, we had lots of fun in MN. There was never a dull moment at the Janasko's, and plenty of hugs and kisses to go around. Cousins Julia and Jonathan kept Everlee well entertained with their laughing, playing, singing, reading and constant movement. Also big thanks to Gma Coco

for watching the kiddos while Auntie Stephanie and Mommy got a pedicure one night, and had a couple hours of retail therapy one afternoon. What a wonderful treat to have a couple hours of girl time, and know the babes were in great hands.

Here are some of my favorite pics from the week.

Cousinly love

Prior lake farmers market

Sweet treats at farmers market

Story time

Grandma Coco's birthday celebration 

Mwwwwwaaahhhhhh!

Color coordinating

Thumbs up to a week of new adventures!

Everlee also got to meet Great Gpa and Gma Pietz this week. What fun we had listening to Grandpa's bird whistles, and snuggling with Grandma. It was touching having four generations of Pietz women together. Unfortunately, we don't have photos of us all together, but the photos in our minds, remain forever! 

Last minute cuddles 

Sweet dreams of seeing our daddy on Saturday, and of our trip to Mn :) 

Miss Independent

Someone has decided it's time for her to hold her own nightly bottle. She is growing up WAYYYY too fast :-(

2 months old!

Happy 2 months to our precious little angel! She has brought so much love and joy to our hearts, it's hard to imagine our lives before her. Everlee is so alert, active, and just so darn happy!  It's bittersweet seeing her grow up. The changes from her first month to second month include belly laughs, increased time on her tummy, discovering her hands, not only with her mouth, but with her eyes, and longer stints of nighttime sleeping. Mommy is definitely thankful for the latter :) We look forward to the discoveries that month three brings! 

And speaking of milestones, Happy 60th Birthday to Grandma LeeAnn! We love you!!

And our summer begins

Everlee finally got to meet Grandpa Greg and Grandma Jan this week! Unfortunately, when they were back for Everlee's birthday, she was in the hospital. The girls had lots of fun playing, and laughing, while Grandpa and Everlee discussed solving the worlds problems.

Daddy was leaving for Canada Friday, and soaked up as much time with his baby girl as possible. Notice someones shorty shorts??? YIKES;)

Happy girl all rested up and ready for her   road trip to MN. The girls will be staying with Auntie Stephanie, Cousins Julia and Jonathan, and Grandma Cocoa for an entire week, while Daddy fishes in Canada. We sure will miss Daddy, but will have lots to keep us occupied!

Ready to go...

All smiles this morning. 

Happy Father's Day!

What a great 1st Father's Day it's been so far. I would like to wish all of the others Fathers out there, a big time congratulations as well. I feel very lucky to finally call myself a father. It's been life changing in a way that I cannot put into words. 

Here's what I'm looking at right now. 

What a special weekend!

Wow, did we have a busy weekend! We made our first road trip to Sioux City to celebrate Grandma LeeAnn's 60th birthday, and Everlee did a fantastic job during the 3 1/2 hour truck ride. The soothing sound of the hemi conked baby girl out for 2 hours, then she chilled for a good 1/2 hour before it was time for her lunch. Nothing like a rest stop feeding for your daughter, but we are quickly finding out, that whatever makes baby girl content, is what we shall do. After her noshing, we joined the family at Bev's restaurant on the marina, to kick off the festivities. Yummy!! Thanks Poppa Rich for lunch! 

After the adults ate lunch, we headed to Gpa and Gma's house where the party was in full swing. It was so fun to see family meeting Everlee for the first time, and if she wasn't snoozing, she greeted loved ones with her heart melting smile. This girl adapts so well to her surroundings, she just loves studying the new faces she meets! Thanks to all who gave their arms a workout, and burned off some calories, by the non stop bouncing and rocking of our peanut, she was in pure bliss. Mommy and daddy were also able to socialize, truly relax, and enjoy some adult beverages. Mommy even savored her first libation in 1 year. Ahhhhhh, it was delicious! 

Sunday after breakfast we headed back to Ankeny, where we celebrated a day that daddy is so deserving of.... His first Father's Day! This momma and daughter are so lucky to have a man in their lives who is so dedicated to his family, and making them happy. Making us laugh, spending time with us, and loving us unconditionally, comes so naturally for Rich. He is such a tender hearted father, who makes us proud he is ours, on a daily basis. There are no words to express the joy it brings to your soul, seeing your husband, who has longed for this precious miracle, with his daughter. This saying says it all, and I think this on a daily basis. The saying is as follows:

" I NEVER KNEW HOW MUCH I LOVED YOUR FATHER, UNTIL WE HAD YOU." 

So blessed, and we wish you a happy day, filled with lots of love, and smiles. 

Also Happy Father's Day to our other fathers. My dad in Az, who will be moving back to Des Moines part time, this summer. We are so excited to have you closer, to spend more time with you, and to watch Everlee grow up with Gpa Greg, and Gma Jan close by. Big Rich, underneath that tough exterior, is the kindest heart, and greatest story teller. We know that's where daddy gets if from. The apple DIDN'T fall far from the tree, and how lucky are we to have such "Richness" in our lives! Rudy,  proves you don't need to be blood to be a great father, or grandfather. You are loved tremendously by us all.

Finally, Happy Birthday today, to my mom, Gma Cocoa! We are excited to be spending time with you at the Janasko's  this coming week while daddy is on his trip. We know all of our time together, is the best gift we could give you!

Happy Sunday, and hope everyone had as great of a weekend as we did!!

Everlee has an announcement to make.

I slept through the night last night!

Growing and smiling and music

Our little girl seems to be growing up so fast. Last night she slept for 5 hours, then ate, then slept for 4 hours!!! She's an amazing little girl and might be growing up too fast for Mommy's liking. :-)

Very happy to be on a walk with mommy. 

Giving Daddy lots of smiles during diaper changing. 

On Saturday evening Everlee was in a fussy mood, but relaxed when Rudy (not Santana like you might have thought at first glance) played his guitar. It's always fun to hang out with Grandma Carol and Rudy. 

Am I right? (at least a little bit...)

Happy happy happy

No explanation needed for these pics... Just math. 

Me = In trouble!

Something new...

Thumb sucking!

I forgot to post these pics when it happened originally, so I'm doing some catch up. But, they definitely needed to be seen. 

Lounging...

It doesn't get much better than this.