Pureed Food!

Meatloaf and Asparagus a la Puree
Dad and real meatloaf, asparagus and potatoes!

Well today was exciting for me! I got to eat my first pureed meal! I cheated for breakfast and lunch and just had cottage cheese (no blending involved) so tonight I made meatloaf for dad, Ellie and I. And OMG, I have to say it was to die for! I don't know if I appreciated the flavorings that much more because I haven't eaten for 4 weeks or what. But dad and Ellie said it was also excellent so I will take the complement. I used 95% lean beef, one carb Heinz ketchup (I found it at Byerly's - Yipppeeee), 2 eggs, oregano, worcestershire, soy sauce, parsley, celery salt, salt and pepper. Super easy and yum-O as Rachael Ray would say. Then I cooked up some asparagus (from a can) and Betty Crocker Potato Buds. I can only have 1 veg or 1 starch or 1 fruit so I just had the asparagus, no potatoes. Ellie and Dad bought me a Magic Bullet (not the sex toy) for my birthday. It's perfect for a one person blender. I pureed up the meatloaf for me and some asparagus and put 3 T of meatloaf and 1 T of asparagus on the plate and I couldn't eat it all. But I TOTALLY ENJOYED the flavor and texture. No wonder why avoiding the pizza last night was so hard...I have missed real flavor!

This morning Julie, Michele, Ellie and I all went for pedicures in Cottage Grove and then Julie, Ellie and I went to Forest Lake to some craft boutique that a lady was running that Julie works with. Ellie and I didn't get home until 2pm and I was totally beat from yesterday and today so took a nap....and it was soooooo good!

Friday

The Nordin Kids! Julie, me, Jon, Michele
Niece Kelsey

Nieces Kelsey, Abby and Nephew Adam

Michele, Dad, Ellie and Julie tormenting me with pizza! LOL

Jon, Jim and Jon's friend Greaham (I spelled his name wrong I know)

Shannon (Austin's mom), Jessie (Jake's friend) , Jake and Austin (dad and Ellie's great-grandson)

Houa and Coua, Abby and Danielle

doin' the Hoedown Throwdown

fancy foot work

The Crestview Talent Show!

Right, it's Friday right? I think I actually hear raindrops for once. We need the rain bad! Today Dad, Ellie, Jim and his mom and my mom and me all went to Crestview Elementary where Abby was partaking in a Talent Show. The teachers did a great job and whenever I go to one of Abby's things like this it makes me realize how much awesome work teachers do in Minnesota. And yet the Republicans bitch all the time about education. DORKS, it costs money to expand the kids brains....I am very proud to let my tax dollars go support education. I know that cousin Carrie is always buying things for her classroom and I think that is pathetic she has to do that. I would like to ask anyone that is against education to go to a classroom these days and see what these kids are doing.

Anyway, so that went off topic. I was only able to stay for Abby's dance ensemble to the song of something about hoedown throwdown. It was cute. I had an appt with the dietitian though at 10am so had to scoot early. Abby did a singing ensemble too.

I can start the next phase of food which is pureed. Yippee! I am getting real sick of liquid and no texture. Pureed isn't much better but I think I am going to attempt a meatloaf and see if I can stand it pureed. I have to eat 3 T of protein for each meal and 1 T of a fruit, starch or vegetable. That equals a total amount of 4 T. I have to get my mind into this. It seems like such a small amount but since I have been drinking everything up until now I haven't really had much to compare.

Tonight dad and Ellie rented a room at the Country Inn Suites in Cottage Grove so the kids could go swimming and stay over with them. They ordered pizza too (pizza is my major downfall....like I could LIVE off pizza) so I brought my tomato soup and supped with everyone but left shortly after. I didn't want to tempt myself with the leftover pieces and then be throwing up or blowing out the other end! It has definitely been getting harder ignoring all that fat cheesy good food. I will really have to work on the ol brain and I for sure will need to attend all the support groups I can....maybe it will change when I can actually start eating food but at the moment I can't deny that I salivate over the bad foods! Maybe I should have had surgery to shrink the brain instead of the stomach! hahahahaha

Connections Meeting

Tonight from 6:30-8:00pm was my first Connections meeting. The Bariatric Center offers Connections meetings on the second Tuesday and fourth Thursday of every month. The Tuesday meetings are for Pre-Op patients (but also Post-Op) and they typically have a speaker come in and talk about educational things regarding surgery. The Thursday meetings are for post op people to talk about their successes, their struggles, etc. It seems like a fun group of people and almost everyone in the room had lost 100 plus pounds and had kept it off for multiple years. I didn't have a bunch of questions yet since I am still on liquids but it was interesting to hear people talk about their bowel movement issues (luckily I have none of those!), who had or didn't have tummy tucks afer their weight loss, and a whole slew of things. The doctors say that the people with the most long term success are the ones that remain involved with the support groups. There were a couple ladies that seemed pretty cool so I will keep going....and maybe create some new friendships. I think it would be good to have a bond with a couple other bypass patients. They were all amazed that I was up and about already after surgery...even if it was laprosopic.

I am still super tired a lot when I over do it. Like today, I slept a lot over night and then took a major nap. I know I have to watch and beware of how much I do. Wellll I know that but I have to pay attention to it! A lot of the group people said they felt tired for months afterwards and still had to take naps. Someone said...you have to remember that there isn't much food going in for nutrition and so that's why you are sleepy. Makes sense. But I sure hope I don't have to take naps everyday!

It was a good thing to go to the meeting and listen, even if there was a bunch of sidebar stuff that didn't interest me.....but the group meeting is like a family so it's understandable.

Hospital Pix

Dr Barbara Schmidt and moi
View of St Paul from my window
Is this the hottest chick ever or what?
The feast of Queens

I am posting some of the most LOVELY pictures from the hospital (why of COURSE that is sarcasm) and also wanted to post a picture of me and my wonderful surgeon Dr Barbara Schmidt. I had a follow up appointment with her today. Usually it is two weeks after surgery but she has a field trip with her daughter next week so needed to reschedule for today. I think she only sees patients in the clinic on Wednesday mornings from what I gather. I see the dietitian on Friday and then in 3 months see the Bariatrician which is Dr Sund and then in 6 months I see Dr Sund or Dr Schmidt again. Dr Schmidt said that if I see Dr Sund to make sure I make the appt for a Wed morn so she can see my progress. I have now lost 27 pounds total. I can already feel the energy level getting better. Dr Schmidt said I am doing great and that she really wants me to be successful so anytime I feel like I am falling off the wagon so to speak to make sure I come back into the clinic or call someone there or even call her! She said people with a BMI of 50 or more (which was me) tend to not do as well as they should and she really wants me to "rock" (well those are my words). I am very happy that I have so much support behind me. We went over again how much I should be drinking and how to drink (sips vs an actual drink), not overeating, etc. Also I need to start walking. Which I have been doing by going out but she is meaning as in exercising walking so that I can start increasing my endurance. She would like to see me walk 30-60 minutes 5 days a week. I know I can do that during work and I will just have to learn to schedule in the walk time no matter what I have going on. Plus next summer I will be joining a softball team with a girl from work and I totally hope to get a bike and do whatever fun things there are to do that are exercise but don't make me think it's exercise! Oh yeah and geocaching will be great.


I brought Dr Schmidt some flowers today because she was so patient and caring and did such a great job on the surgery. She took the little steri strips off too so now I can totally wash my belly and get that band aid type residue off. Dr Schmidt loved the flowers and said that her birthday is Sunday and she is having a bunch of family over so the flowers will be admired by all of her family. I had to chuckle - I asked if I could take a picture of her because I blog and she said, "But my hair is a mess and I don't have any makeup on"....aren't we all crazy? She is a beautiful woman regardless! As you can see, she did allow a picture.

I think it's Tuesday????

Bracelet from Mom

Brighton Bookmark, Miracles Wishing Stone, H Sitcky Notes and Pen from Mom

Horse Racing Game, we were still trying to figure out the rules! Jim, Jake's arm, Ellie, Dad, Michele, Julie

Dad, Jake, Ellie

Don and Michele

SISTERSSSSS Michele and Julie

Jim and his meat

My Tiffany Key necklace that Cheri Brewer bought me for surgery and my new life!

Flowers from Uncle Harris and Aunt Jeanie

Flowers from Michele and Jim and kids

Twins bear that sings Take Me Out to the Ballgame (from dad and Ellie) and my Penis Pokey book I got from Jon and Gen for my bday

Boy, I will be a total wreck when I retire because these days are flying by. On Sunday at 4pm Dad, Ellie, Jake, me, Julie and Don went to Michele and Jim's for a bbq and to play the Horse Racing Game that Dad and Ellie gave me for my birthday. I do believe the game has become a family hit. Once we got the first round of racing done everybody was totally into it. We played with dimes and nickles. I am going to bring it up for the Wilebski Reunion in July since most of us like to play games, and when there is money involved it makes it more exciting! Jim grilled hamburgers and hotdogs and the rest of us brought salads and fruits over. It was a pretty good meal. I of course got to stick to my soup. I have a follow up dr appt tomorrow with Dr Schmidt so am anxious to see my weight loss and also I hope she will tell me I can move on to pureed foods - although that question may have to wait for the dietitian visit on Friday. Oh and Julie and I did hang at the pool on Sunday afternoon for a couple hours. (or did I say that in the previous post)

On Monday I visited over at mom and Greg's for awhile in the afternoon. I love sitting and visiting in her sunroom. Then I came home and tried to rest for awhile while watching the Twins unfortunately lose to the Red Sox by one run. Travis called around 5:30 and wanted to know if we wanted to go to the Casino with him. So we rested for a bit longer and then got into the car, picked up Travis and his friend Nate and headed down to Treasure Island where I pretty much ran the 60 bucks I had into the slots as if it was water. Oh well, might as well donate to the Native Americans since I only go about once a year if I am lucky! Well obviously I am NOT lucky which is why I don't like gambling!

After the casino we stopped at Perkins and I had about 2 bites of mashed potatoes that didn't do anything...they just sat there. So either they were too thick or it was a case of me thinking I was hungry instead of actually feeling hungry. Travis and Nate were hungry though! I went to bad about 2 and slept until (this is disgusting) about 1:30 this afternoon. I was absolutely zapped. I also had many crazy dreams. I was supposed to go to the Twins vs Red Sox game tonight but luckily Jim and Michele offered to take my tickets. I was feeling kinda light headed like maybe I would pass out. Perhaps it was because I slept too long so it was too long between eating. I dunno. Will check on that one withe the Dr. Or, perhaps it is just a case of me realizing that I am NOT Invincible and it IS only 1 week since surgery and I can't run around like a wild banshee!

Anyway, I wanted to post some pix of prezzies I got for my surgery/birthday.

Post Surgery Update

I am sorry I haven't posted until now. I have just been pooped out per se and had no motivation to post. I barely kept up with emails. Anyway, I was at St Joe's hospital at 5:20 and was whisked into the Surgical Admin Unit right at 5:30. I had nurse Connie and it pretty much was non stop in my little pre-surgery room. It took about 45 minutes for me to pee in a cup, they drew blood, verifed who I was and what I was in for over and over again (which I didn't mind), met the anesthetist team, had the IV for going to sleep, met the nurses that were with me in surgery (Nurse Johnny and another Nurse Connie), signed the paperwork, visited with mom, dad and Ellie, saw dr Barbara Schmidt so she could answer any last questions and ba da bing ba da boom it was 7:30 on the dot and I was wheeled into another room. I don't know if that room was where they did the surgery because all I remember is getting into the room, getting onto another gurney and that was it. The next thing I remember is getting wheeled out of the recovery room up into my room. My parents said I was out of surgery by 10am and that Dr Schmidt (this is why I love her) came out and talked with them and drew them a picture of what she did - since my mom and dad were asking questions. She ALSO gave them a picture of my liver which she said was perfectly pink and beautiful. She said that she could tell from my liver that I had followed the instructions for the liquid diet for the last 2 weeks. Dr Schmidt said the surgery went beautifully....she had a bit more problem with the removal of my gallbladder because the gallstones were bigger than she thought. So I can thank my lucky stars they took that out at the same time.

Mom, dad and Ellie, Julie, Carrie and Michele all came up to the hospital to see me that day. I was super tired though and even though I felt fairly decent pain-wise I just wanted to sleep. Wednesday was pretty much the same thing. I thought my sleepiness was normal (though I remember fighting it) but on Wednesday when dr Schmidt came in to check on me and I couldn't even stay awake to answer her questions she said You are Loopy Heidi. (little did she know hahahahah) She said I can't let you go home today, you are too loopy. You must have had too much pain killer and anesthesia. So I ended up staying one more day in the hospital. She told the nurses they had to get me up and make me shower and walk around. So between dad and Ellie and mom later that night I did about 4 trips or so in the hospital hallway. It must have done the work because I was able to go home on Thursday. My blood pressure had gotten high on Thursday so I maybe was going to have to stay another night. But the nurses contacted a dr in the hospital to come and check me (and he was a hottie) and by the time he had come my blood pressure had come down somewhat. It was still a bit high but not as much. Since I had quit taking the pain killer medication sometime Wednesday his consensus was that my blood pressure was reacting to the pain. I have yet to say that the pain has been intolerable. I took the pain med in the beginning as a precaution but then when Dr Schmidt told me I was too loopy I quit (so I think the last narcotic was sometime Wed morn). I must have a high tolerance to pain since my blood pressure (my body) was reacting to the pain but I didn't think it was that bad.

I got home Thursday around 2 maybe? I have been super tuckered out so been sleeping a lot. BUT, I did go to Kohl's on Friday and then out to Applebee's for soup with dad, Ellie and Julie. Saturday I had a therapist appt at noon with Lisa then later in the afternoon drove to Cottage Grove to get Jake (Ellie's daughter Shelly's youngest son) and dad and Jake went to the Twins game last night. So I have been getting out and about. The biggest whine I have is just that I have to make sure that I don't do tooooo much in one day because I need that nap to lay down and stretch out. Sitting for too long in a day makes my tummy more sore and by the end of the night I am very ready to lay down.

I did tell Lisa that when I got up at 4am on Tuesday for surgery I was panicky and wanted to call her so bad to hear again that I am doing the right thing. But of course, she would never hear the message so it was a moot point. I have to be glad that my stubbornness prevails in my decisions. Pretty much once I make a decision I go through with it. It doesn't necessarily work in my favor all the time - this stubbornness- but in this instance it is good. I am starting to get tired of the liquid diet since it has been 3 weeks now BUT since surgery I have not had any hunger whatsoever. Oh and I forgot to add earlier that I lot 21 pounds total by surgery day. I also cannot eat a whole serving of something at this point. This is nice, I mean reallllly nice to not be able to finish a complete bowl of soup and for once in my life I am eating because I need nourishment and not for other reasons. This new life of eating feels good.

Well my dears.....I am going to head out to the pool now. I can't go swimming yet but I can at least get some sun. I love all of you.

Lesson Number 1

I am sure that after surgery there will be bunch of new eating lessons I will have to test out and learn. Today, after almost 2 weeks of a liquid diet I have learned a lesson. Never test a fart on the way to work. I thought I only had to do a little toot and unfortunately after the toot there was a warm juicy sensation in the back of my pants. So next time I will hold it in until I get to work! Julie and Carrie, maybe instead of the Little Red Hen Club we should change it to the Sunnyrita Shitzherpants.....or whatever it was! hahaha

Anyhoo I was half way to work so turned around and changed pants and went in about a half hour late but luckily it is quiet so far.

Julie and I went for massages this morning. I was able to extend mine from an hour to an hour and a half. My massage therapist Kate did a great workup on me as always. I had gotten a 75 dollar gift certificate from the Bears' for my birthday so that helped and was definitely well worth it.

Tomorrow I have to take some magnesium citrate (I think that's what it's called) at 3pm to clean my system out. I will be hugging the toilet closely if it's anything like the stuff I had for my colonoscopy about 5 years ago. And then on to surgery at 5;30 Tuesday morn for check-in. I can't believe that it is here.

Misc.

For my birthday on Friday I pretty much ran around. This was the first time I wasn't all excited for it or had big plans but that is because all my focus right now is on Tuesday - Gastric Bypass day. I took Travis to work, then went to Riverbank and visited with my old group...Brett and Seth - Keith was on vacation. Oh and I also met mom for lunch at the Hilton Restaurant by her work. I only had soup but it was darn good soup even if it was French Onion with no cheese or croutons! Then back home to do some laundry and finish cleaning (with my new vacuum cleaner that ROCKS) and then out to Coon Rapids to have a birthday dinner with Beth and Peggy Bear and Peggy's friend Fern. We ate at a new Irish restaurant - for those of you familiar with the northern suburbs, it used to be Tequilaberry's. Now it's called Paddy's Wagon. I liked the menu and would like to go again when I can eat. I did have some cream of wild rice soup that was delicious. Then I picked up dad and Ellie at the airport at 9pm. They are staying with me during my recovery.

Today we went to Old Country Buffet to celebrate Ellie's birthday which is on Monday. I had jello and yogurt. I am telling ya, I will be soooo happy when I can have some texture to my food again! It won't be until sometime in June. Then I made a Target run (which always is exciting for me) and also had an appt with Lisa. I had an appt on Wednesday too but I was feeling pretty good and not to worried about Tuesday. Not that I am worried now but I am feeling anxiety towards it as it gets closer. In my mind I was feeling like OMG, I will never be able to eat another fried food or a dessert. I realize that food is a relationship to me of some sorts. I am horrible with rejection and letting go of things. But Lisa was right...it's not that I won't ever be able to eat something that I like (such as a reuben) but I will be eating it in moderation. So I feel a lot better now. I think I definitely need more moderation in my life so will have to work on that. Moderation with not overwhelming myself with things I want to be involved with, moderation with food, moderation with my emotions, etc. As they bariatric clinic has stressed all along - the surgery is a TOOL - it will help me moderate my food choices which is what I need. I also saw a lady at Riverbank that had the surgery about a year ago and is totally slim and svelte now. I just can't even imagine what I will look like slim. I am kindof attached to my sexy fat too. I know that many skinny people get grossed out by fat people but I like some "squishiness". I like snuggling up with someone who has extra fluff to squeeze. They are putting my weight loss at 168 pounds when I am done losing. So I won't be one of those hardbodies - I will still have some slight fluff, but it is still unimaginable to me at this point; what I will look like.

I am working tonight and Sunday night and then Monday I take some magnesium citrate at 3pm to clean my system out for surgery. I report to the hospital at 5:30 am on Tuesday morning.

This is why I hate the Republican beliefs

Our Governor SUCKS! Who the heck can even live off 650 bucks a month. Genevieve and I saw a Homeless guy after the game today with an obvious mental illness. It is disgusting that the US allows this crap.


Breaking News!
The Governor just signed the Health and Human Services bill, however, he vetoed the line item for General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC). This was a $381,081,000 appropriation for fiscal year 2011 and it serves a little less than half a million people.
Why should NAMI members care? Because many people on GAMC have a mental illness. GAMC is for low income adults who do not yet qualify for federal programs such as Medical Assistance or Medicare. Often people go on GAMC while they are waiting to be certified as "disabled" so that they can receive Medical Assistance. To be on GAMC you have to have less than $1000 in assets and have less than $650 a month in income.
NAMI is deeply disappointed that the Governor chose to cut very low income people off of health insurance which pays for their medications and treatment. While it isn't until 2011, NAMI members will have some work to do to reinstate this program for people with mental illness.
When you make your call or write your e-mail to the Governor, mention that cutting GAMC was not a good idea.

Penelope's First Twins Game

I have something to tell you Auntie Heidi
The ladiessssssss

Where is the Kiss Me Cam?

Penelope is saying "CHARGE"

Auntie Heidi, quit looking at me!

Penelope in the Cheap Seats with mommy

Heading into the Dome

The Twins played the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers scored 5 runs in the 6th inning and I was sooo bummed. Penelope's first game couldn't be a loss!!! The Twinkies pulled through for her! We scored 6 runs in the 7th inning and WON the game. Plus, Gardy (Ron Gardenhire the coach) got ejected and we got to see Joe Nathan close the game. Joe is an awesome closer. Penelope got a snack of milk around the 2nd inning but then passed out and slept for the rest of the game. She is such a trooper. I would cover her ears only when the cheering got super loud, otherwise the noise of the Metrodome didn't bother her at all. I also scored a Kirby Puckett bobblehead from my Season Ticket Rep. Remember a couple weeks ago when Abby and I went early to get the Kirby bobbleheads and they were all gone in the first 15 minutes???? Well my dude -Craig Gumz- scored one for me anyway after I cried to him! :-) Here are some pictures from today's game.

Just a picture

My friend Michele emailed this picture to me. It was fom last summer at the Epiphany All School Reunion. Now granted, I am not much on the church stuff anymore but Epiphany was fun and I have a lot of great memories from there. And while now that I am older and wiser and believe that the Catholic church in a lot of ways has gone off it's rocker....I totally respect and admire Father Reiser. He is the priest that started Epiphany back in the 1960's. He is full of gusto and is one of those true priests (in my opinion) that really is married to the Church. He is always full of energy and is vibrant. If you ever met him, you would never forget him. I don't think there are too many priests like that around anymore which is too bad. Anyway, here is the picture of Julie me and Father Reiser. I still love that man and he must be in his 80s by now but still shakes your hand where it shakes your entire being to the core. Father Reiser ROCKS!

The LAST STEP!

Today I had my FINAL appointment before my surgery next Tuesday. It was a pre-op physical with my primary care doctor who is pretty well known and liked and respected in the Twin Cities area. It wasn't much of a physical since all the bloodwork and ultrasound stuff had been done but I did get the second shot for Hepatitis A that I needed. A guy at work a couple years ago that I shared a desk with had Hepatitis A so I had gone in as a precaution. At the time I got one shot and then was supposed to come back after 6 month for the other shot which I never did. So he gave that to me today and I also blew into a spirometer or something like that to check my lungs for wheezing. I haven't used an inhaler for a very long time but he wanted to make sure my lungs were clear before surgery (which I appreciate). Now I usually wheeze because of exhertion but I do wheeze when I go up north and get around all the farming pollen and dust. Anyhooo, I scored a 100 on the lungs so I totally feel like I have been given a very thorough and excellent work-up before surgery. I feel like between Dr Dickhudt (my primary) and Dr Schmidt (my surgeon) and Dr Sund (the Bariatrician doctor) they have done excellent preparation for me! Dr Schmidt and Dr Sund are part of a Bariatric Center of Excellence - and the reason I went there is because my insurance recommended it and covers it the most. I feel very fortunate and lucky to have such great doctors. Also, Dr Dickhudt said that Dr Schmidt (my surgeon) does an excellent job and he is very happy that she is my surgeon. I am not feeling nervous or anything about the surgery. Right now I just want the next 7 days to go by fast. Hopefully they will. I had lost 8 pounds and now on the liquid diet I dropped another 6 so Dr Schmidt should be happy. I know she was hoping I could drop about 20 before surgery. Dr Dickhudt also kept saying to me - Heidi, you are going to feel so much better after surgery...I am really happy you are doing this. And of course all the doctors and nurses and dieticians at the Bariatric Center of Excellence are excited for me and can't wait for me to start feeling like a new person! It helps me feel good about this decision I have made for my life.

Last week in California I did struggle a few times - wanting real food and not soup and Atkins Shakes. BUT, my knees were killing me from all the walking and that helped me stay focused on doing the liquid diet. I originally thought if I went to California on the liquid diet I would be busy and not think about food too much. But that was wrong! I actually am doing better at work - though they say after the first 3 or 4 days it gets easier. I still have hunger pains but when I drink the shake or soup it goes away for quite awhile. I think it's good preparation for after surgery. Yeah, I was second-guessing myself when I was wanting to eat food but I am stubborn and when I set my mind to doing something I follow through. This has been a long process and lots of appointments and time and it just wouldn't be fair to myself to quit at this point. Besides, the thought of not having my knees be in agony when I walk a lot is really the goal I am looking too. Jon and Genevieve gave me a softball and batting gloves for my birthday since that is something I want to start doing again once I drop some weight. It was exciting to get that.

They also gave me a Penis Pokey book (I will take a picture and let you see what it looks like when I have a minute) and Jim and Michele gave me a gift certificate to my pedicure place and then mom and Julie gave me money towards my massage that I am going in for on Sunday. I am getting a massage as a treat to myself before surgery so that I can be in the best state of mind possible. I do have to admit, I have been feeling pretty content and happy the past couple months...could I finally be reaching my Heidi IS OKAY point in my life? :-)

Rock on

I got my Metro State grades already from Spring Semester....I got A's in both classes. I am glad but now that means I have 4 A's and knowing me I will put the pressure on myself to always get an A and I don't know if I really want that added pressure. I want good grades for sure but life gets pretty hectic at times with work, school and whatever else crops up. Oh well. I will just take what I can get when I get it. I worked my arse off the last couple weeks of class so I am happy it paid off.

And Genevieve's birthday is May 29, not the 27. For some reason I have the hardest time remembering birthdays that are near the end of the month...like what date they really are. OHH Kelsey's birthday is February 27...I must have got those 2 mixed up. Sorry Genevieve!

Mom's Day 2009

Daddy Jon and Penelope
Penelope in her Bumbo Chair

Penelope likes to sit up~

Ahhh the Coldstone Cake!

Cousin Zach and Penelope

Michele, Kelsey and Abby

Kelsey and Abby

Penelope

Julie and Penelope

Don and Greg

Da Mama

Jim getting into the Twins game with Abby (welll maybe not so much for Abs)

Zachary

Jon and Travis

Penelope thinking OMG, my daddy's family is over visiting AGAINNNNNN....hahahaha

We celebrated Mother's Day and May Birthdays today at Jon and Genevieve's. We had an easy day - just picked up a cake from Cold Stone - a strawberry cheesecake ice cream cake. May birthdays are me, Travis and Genevieve. I am on the 15th, Travis is the 24th and Genevieve's is the 27th. I am tired so going to let this one be short but I wanted to post some pix. I need to get a nap in before work tonight.