Wisconsin Visit Summer 2012

First hotel stay

At the end of July, we took off for Wisconsin, a drive that would normally take around 16 hours.  For us, we knew it would take longer with stops to feed Annabel and diaper changes, which we figured was a good way to give her breaks from the car seat.  She rode in the carseat so well, sleeping in 4-5 hours stretches.  We made it to Grand Forks, ND when our vehicle sounded funny and the air conditioning stopped.  Luckily, there was a room at the Holiday Inn Express and it was a short drive to one of the only mechanics open on a Sunday.  It was also a short walk to a Target and restaurants and the Olympics were on.  The part wouldn't arrive until Monday, so we stayed two nights with a possibility of a third, but they got the car fixed.  At one point, they had everything fixed but the AC, but there was no way were going to continue without it when the temps were still 85 plus at night.  We made great use of our stroller over those days.  We arrived at my parent's house very, very exhausted.

"I can't believe we are stuck in Grand Forks, ND"

Meeting Grandma June who sang her some lullabies.  At the start of our visit, she was just starting to show some smile here and there, but by the end she was really kicking and smiling for everyone!  I think she managed to smile for everyone who wanted one from her, even my Uncle Tom who worked on it for multiple visits!

Meeting her namesake and Great Aunt Jean

Great Aunt Janice, the baby whisperer

My Grandma was so excited to have a great-grandchild with red hair, just like her mother.  I never knew Grandma Gessner had red hair because I only knew her in her 80s and 90s when her hair was white.  Grandma was able to visit many days, which was so nice!

Grandma Paula at Music in the Park in Eau Claire.  What a fun night!  Eric, Annabel, and I, along with my parents, joined my Aunt Sue and Uncle Manny, my sister Chelsea and her boyfriend Brandon.   My high school friend Katie also stopped by with her adorable little boy.  I also, later, got to meet her new baby.  So cute!

All dressed up for Uncle Neil and Aunt Jodi's wonderful outdoor wedding.

She sat so calmly during the wedding.  At one point, some people turned their heads to see what the sucking sound was, as she entertained herself with her hand!  She has loved her hands since day one; a self-soothing tool.  She still doesn't care much for a pacifier, although it has helped on a few occasions when she is really tired. 

Annabel seemed to really like Grandpa Terry's deep voice, as she looked so intently at him when he spoke.

My mom helped a lot by rocking her in the evenings some nights.  Annabel is sporting her "grandpa pants," as Eric calls them.  Babies sure do look funny in pants since there is no waist line!  Well, these pants are also way too large.

We spent four nights at Castle Rock Lake in a rental cabin with our friends from IL.  We cooked, watched the Olympics, went for walks, watched sunsets, drank beer, played Farkle and Phase 10, and sat on the porch overlooking a golf course where the guys played one round.  It was a really relaxing time, without any run-around.  Annabel was just starting to sleep some 5 hour stretches at night, so it was great for us to also get some sleep.

This bed was huge!!  Eric and I didn't touch each other all night! 

A relaxing moment during her party with Great Aunt Pam.  Pam said it was "heaven."  My Aunt Linda said she couldn't wait to smell her at the shower!!  Annabel managed to throw her experience for a loop by pooping while she was holding her.  We asked Linda how she smelled then and Linda responded, "still wonderful!"

Nice to relax in Grandpa's arms

All tired out after her welcoming party.  Forty some women came to the house and showered her with amazing gifts.  We also had a shower on the Micheels' side.  She meet a lot of people in a short amount of time.  We found out that she is VERY loved!  She is wearing hand-made booties from my Great Aunt Doodie; booties just like my Great Grandma used to make for all the babies.

Clean, comfy, and full of cuddles!

Aunt Chelsea and Annabel

She continues to love to fall asleep on our chests.  Sometimes it's the only way we can get her to go to sleep in the evenings now too.  Her favorite place is Eric's chest. 

We were able to eat lunch at the delicious Farm House in town and Buffalo Wild Wings, enjoyed Mexican food with a group of high school friends, had a campfire in my parent's back yard, and joined Eric's family for Sunday Supper.  Eric traveled to Seattle for work for a few days, which worked well with Annabel and me being with family.

Great Aunt Jean sure has a way with babies.

She was so tired, but still had a few smiles left.  The afghan was a gift from my Grandma, handmade by her friend Marilyn.

The drive back on August 21/22nd was thankfully uneventful.  We drove North to Bayfield area and continued on through MN and ND.  Hours from home, we didn't know if we would ever make it.  In one hour we stopped four times; we think Annabel was protesting the drive.  All in all, a great trip!