24 weeks

Yesterday Cassidy turned 24 weeks old and today we went in for her check-up. It was kinda a tough day...She had to hold still lots for all the measurements and exams. She is now 17 lbs 6oz (75%), 26 1/4 inches long (60%) and still a petite little head of 41 cm (25%). She has dropped a little in the percentiles, she was 90th and 75th for weight and height 2 months ago, but nothing to worry about, just something to watch. As most of you can attest too, she is by no means skinny. Then the really hard part had to happen. The nurse came back in to give the shots...Mom was with us and this time I had to help hold her down and because her brain is working much better, the pain registered much faster and she was crying almost as soon as the needle went in, and so was I. She only got two, we have to go back in a couple weeks when she is actually 6 months, wich is frustrating. I wish I had known before scheduling this apopintment. I would much rather have the torture over all in one day. Her leg is very sore. She didn't want to lay on that side to nurse, so we had to get creative today and she seems more tired and definitely more cuddly. I'm sure she will recover, and so will I. I'm glad that her next appointment is 3 months away (after we get the next 2 shots in a few weeks).
On the up side, the doctor said she could start eating finger food, such as cherrios, and that we can start introducing more veggies and fruits into her diet. Mom was so excited we bought a box of cherrios on the way home and Cassidy was game. She was able to pick them up, but struggled with figuring out how to actually get them out of her hand into her mouth. She seemed to like them when I put them in for her and I'm sure within the next couple of days she will figure out how to make those cute little fingers work.
I think today was tough on me for a couple of reasons. Just realizing how big she is getting and as exciting as it is to watch her grow I am a little sad that she is needing me a little less every day. I can't believe it has been 24 weeks since she laid on my chest and we met her for the first time. It has been amazing and I have been so blessed to be able to be home with her for all this time. But I have to get back to work, starting Friday. We continue to be blessed and I found a part time position as a mental health therapist working in the schools and if everything works out the way we are hoping, Chad will be able to take care of her in the mornings while I'm at work and then either go to sleep or go to work himself. Kit has also volunteered to cover the afternoons that I'll have to work, so we get to keep her in the family! As perfect as it seeems to be working out, I know I'm still going to have a tough time walking out the door Friday morning.

Fun at Grandma's

So even though our main task was working on a new roof, we still had time for some fun in the sun. While Brady and Lindsay got their slip and slide set up, Cassidy was treated to her own little pool, with warm water, thanks to Grandma Kit. Josh and Jack stopped by as well to hang out and enjoy the sunshine, and get a few laughs at the slip and slide

Ok, I may be biased, but I think this is the cutest baby picture ever!

Yes, I too went down the slip and slide, but don't worry, Cassidy met me at the bottom! She was not that impressed with the cold water after her heated pool.

Cassidy needed a good bath after all her fun in the sun, and she had lots of helpers with cousins Brady and Lindsay there.

Even with all this fun, we still got the roof done! Only one more side to go...

More New Stuff

We headed up to Kit and Jerry's today to help with the roofing project. When we arrived, this photo was blown up to 8x10 sitting on the counter. Kit had taken it last week while we were up and when she took it into Walgreen's to get developed, the store thought it was so cute they gave her the enlargement and asked if they could put the picture on their wall! I guess she is the cutest baby ever...it's NOT just me!





Kit also helped in another new development. She was telling me about a new sippy cup she had seen at the store, made by NUK, that was designed for an easier transition. So of course I had to go check it out. Cassidy has been drinking water now for a few weeks, mostly due to the heat, but just from a bottle. Getting her to use a sippy cup would be great, I thought. So off I went and when Cass got a hold of it, off she went, just like she'd been doing it all along! She was holding it on her own and getting the nipple to her mouth on her own. She can't use it sitting by herself yet, she tips over when she tries to get the water out....Pretty cute though! But if she is held reclined or in her bouncy chair, she is set.

Me and my Pony

Cassidy got her first ride on her pony today. Rocky started the day off getting a bath and when he was all dry, he was ready for Cassidy. Poor Chad was nervous, but Rocky treated her very well, just like I knew he would. (I'll get the picture up soon...)

Growing world

Today Cassidy made another great step. She laughed out loud...at the dogs! She was watching them roughhouse and play and started laughing. Up till now she hadn't really paid attention to them unless they were in her face, paying attention to her. Now, she is looking for them and watching. She laughed at them again when we came back from feeding tonight. It's pretty great getting to watch her learn as her world expands.

Yesterday we had a visit from Josh, Stacey, and Jack who will be 2 months next week. It seems like forever ago that Cassidy was that little and fragile! It's amazing she survived us and how far she has come. Jack I'm sure will be hot on her heels though...he is a very cute little man.

Cassidy showed off her special skills...

5 days, 893 Miles....

We were off and running Thursday 7/10 on the first leg of our Journey. We made it to Woodland, where we stayed the night with our wonderful friend Don, who was and is more like a grandpa to me than a friend. He was our neighbor growing up in Woodland and we had many great adventures together. I'm hopeful that he will share in some adventures with Cassidy too, and they are off to a great start! Don even stated as we were leaving Friday morning that "I think this is the most I've had to do with a baby!". He did a great job entertaining her while Mom and I made breakfast.

Friday morning we were off to the Tindall's Grandparents Ride in Sisters OR (near Bend). We got there Friday afternoon, met up with Dad, and were greated warmly with many offers to sit with Cassidy while we got camp set up. It was a great gathering with the Tindall family, with lots of little ones, wonderful food, many long ears, and great friends. Cassidy did great on her first camping trip, although with Mom and Dad's trailer it's not exactly "roughing it". She did get in another wagon ride and of course another ride on a mule, but this time with me. She was the youngest grandbaby there and I know Mom and Dad were thrilled to finally be official members after 4 years of being "surrogates".

All of the people in this picture are part of the gathering! This was at dinnertime, and I don't think every one was here. All the grandparents bring thier "steady, kid-friendly" animals to give rides, and wagon rides too, making sure that the family traditions of camping continues.

Benell is a great friend of Mom and Dad's and one of the ringleaders of the clan

I even got to break away and go for a nice evening ride while Mom babysat (with lots of helpers!). But of course I had to share with Cassidy our first ride together.

Sunday morning we were up early and again off and running on the next leg of the adventure...to Forest Grove for the annual Krueger family reunion! Cassidy was a great hit, getting lots of attention. My favorite time though was when her Great Great Aunt Mary (89 years old, last member of her generation to be with us) was able to hold her.

Mom, Dad, and us parted ways after the reunion...with some tears, but knowing we will see eachother soon (ok, they will see Cass soon) Sunday night found us in Battleground (a little N of Vancouver) staying with Karen, Allen, and Abby. Karen is a great friend from high school. Her little girl Abby was born on Cass's day, 2 years earlier, and if that isn't enough they share their middle name. We had a wonderful time visiting and catching up while Abby entertained and helped with Cass. After the girls were in bed, I got my first taste of the Wii, and I have to admit it was pretty cool. We did tennis, bowling, and boxing and I felt like I was back in college doing Tae-Bo! We may have to get one of those....

They are planning on baby #2 soon, so this is like looking into the future! Pretty cute family.....

Monday morning, we were headed home, with of course two more stops! The first involved some backtracking and antelope horns (don't ask, but it had to do with Bryce). Then we stopped to see Jerry and Nancy. I grew up riding in the backcountry with Jerry. We were talking about those times and we think I was around 4 when he first started riding with our family. We joked that he only has 3 more years to get back into back-country-pack-trip shape for Cassidy. He and Nancy are great friends and I'm sure we'll be riding together, but maybe out of a nice horse camp with a living quarters trailer parked....

Monday afternoon we arrived home, finally. It was a great trip with lots of wonderful friends and family, but it is always so nice to be home. Chad had already gone to work, but headed straight in to see his girl when he got home that night. Tuesday morning he went in to get Cassidy up and he said that she stared at him for a few seconds frowning and then got a huge smile on her face as if to say "DADDY!!". Oh the good stuff......

Hay Day

Today was hay day! I am lucky enough to be able to get all the hay I need for my 2 horses off of the Chad's family's farm. Kit, Jerry, Mary, and Grandpa all work hard cutting, raking, and tetting and then we have a neighbor come and bale. It has been a family tradition for a long time as they have always had either cows or horses, and an event the kids really look forward too.

Before the baler arrived we had time for some play. Cassidy got to try out the swing that Alexa had put up for her and Lindsay helped push

Of course a nap was in order and what better place than Grandma

Uncle Chad giving a big push to Caden and Brady to launch them into the pond. In the words of Brady "you better hold on!"

When the baler arrived we had time to take some family pictures. It's great seeing all the generations and how the family grows every year.

The Crew...

The next gerneration!! Hey Michelle, did you notice the carharts?? THANKS!!

Crabs!!

Yay it's crabbing season! We went out opening day (7/2) and had no problem filling all 3 limits in the boat with big beautiful dungeness crabs. It's was a great day for Cassidy's first boating adventure. She is pretty funny looking in her life jacket and I don't think she can move much, but as usual she was a tropper putting up with our antics. The vibration and lull of the boat did help her catch a nap with Grandma, but when she was awake she seemed to be taking in all the new sights and smells. It's so fun to be able to actually watch her learn

The haul

We finished the day with a huge crab cake feed thanks to Sam and Cari. It was a late night, but well worth the wait as they were more like crab burgers and very yummy.

Dayton Trip

We got to spend a few more days in Dayton after the Cougar BBQ. Cassidy was all ready to go out in the sun...The weather was really hot, around 100 degrees

Cassiday looking cool and ready to go

Having some more mule time with Gidget

Practicing sitting up in the shade. It's all about the right divet in the lawn...

Cassidy also got her first taste of raspberry and she was ready to dive in! Grandpa had to hold on tight

Some play time with Grandma

Mom came home with me and will stay through the 10th. I'm hoping for some babysitting and I'm guessing it won't be too hard to find a volunteer!