Summertime in MN '19

Well let's start off by, since last post, you hopefully know, we are expecting again! Currently 22 weeks. It's been a bit different of a pregnancy, what with the miscarriage right before, and some unfortunate bleeding in trimester 1 through 16 weeks due to a Subchorionic Hematoma. ( essentially a cut in the placenta.) Hopefully, we are past all the complications, and after feeling him kick me daily, and seeing him whole and healthy with a healed placenta at 20 weeks we are quite hopeful.


That being said being pregnant, on pelvic rest, and partial bedrest during the summer makes for a quieter, more morning sick summer. We still found a way to have a good time :)

Summer always starts with Dean's birthday! He brought donuts for his friends at school (first year he didn't want mom to make something) and we had a party almost identical to last year. Only difference was the theme "Paw Patrol/PJ Mask" instead of dinosaur. He also got to experience our now tri-yearly tradition of Eagan's Truck Fest; a little boys (and girls) dream!

Shortly after Dean's birthday we headed up to the cabin again. In fact, between June/July we were up almost every 2 weeks. It was a nice getaway, the boys love it, and a good place for me to try and relax. We also visited Jay Cooke State Park on our way!

Now when we weren't at the cabin, we had a mildly calm summer:  play dates at the park, gymnastics lesson, "sports camp", swim lessons, marketfest, flowers, cousin time, and fun with the Gerlachs (my parents who come here every summer!)

Our next trip to the cabin we tried to do something we've done many times on the way to the cabin, explore new state parks. This time we failed. We tried Saint Croix State Park, because we love the river. After driving 14 miles on GRAVEL road, we were quickly ushered back into the car because of the insane amount of mosquito. We got this great picture though.... The rest of the trip was pretty normal, but Mark and I got a date night away when Steve and Nancy watched the boys so we could celebrate our 7 year anniversary.

When we got back from the cabin it was 4th of July time! Normally we have my brother and family in town, but this year we were alone, so we wanted to do it up big! We attended the Eagan parade for the first time (IT WAS HOT!) but the boys had a blast with Judah and Lincoln. Then we went to Eagan Funfest (essentially a small fair) and they had a blast! We went right as a storm was leaving and it was hardly crowded! We had a great time enjoying no lines and exciting rides. Dean was brave enough to ride the ferris wheel!

July marked more of our summer favorites, hangouts with friends, grilling, baking, pool time (though it was a cooler summer, less pool than normal!), Dean and I made our first BIG puzzle, a Twins Game, Cascade Bay sponsored by the YMCA, Grandma and Grandpa time, more gymnastics, a day date for Mommy and Daddy to Minnehaha, and of course lots of rest for me! And of course baby kept growing! Luckily I wasn't super nauseous, just anxious due to random bleeding and reminding myself, rest, rest, rest.

Then came another cabin trip. This time we explored a WI state park we love, Amnicon Fall State Park. Beautiful falls throughout the park, and a very short hike (once again... I couldn't do much walking). We also invited our friends the Rumpfs, and had fun watching the kids play together!

From here summer kicked into high gear like always. The Johnstons arrived! While it is always a whirlwind of activities and fun, I had to continue to temper my activity for baby. Luckily no one else let that stop them! Sleepovers at our house, the Staums, pool fun, marketfest, Vikings Practice field, cousins, and a new fish!

Then of course the cabin: Last time at Little Nikki's before she sold to a new management, live music dance parties, beach time, stand-up paddleboards, new blow-up boats, bags tournaments, dance parties and lots of laughter.

August started to slow things down. Unfortunately we weren't quite done with my bleeds, but I had at least hit 2nd trimester with baby. As scary as bleeding in pregnancy is, I luckily had multiple ultra sounds all showing no increase in SCH size, and that baby was growing away and heart beating strong! Mark had to work quite a bit in August so the boys and I got to have some fun on our own. We had a waffle date at Buzz, lots of time playing outside (did I mention it was a gorgeous summer?), ice-cream dates, playgrounds and gymnastics! It was so fun to see the boys loving something that was such a big part of my childhood. And of course I started looking pregnant!

August also brought the Eagan Food Truck festival (delicious but crazy lines if you get there after 4pm!) And I enjoyed the best GF desert I've ever had! Not your Hockey Mom's Brownies, with icecream topping YUM! I had a dinner party at an OULA friend, and Benny had his birthday! Our first time at the Splashy pad, but lots of fun and friends. Mark and Dean also got to see a REAL Vikings game!

The end of August Mark and I were both working and Dean started to have K activities. There was Bridge to K where he got to go to school 8-11 all week and meet his teacher and several people in his class. He was so excited to go to open house and while he loved his last week at Miss. Lisas the week before K started, he was DEF ready to get to school!

We went up to the cabin one last time, explored another state park Moose Lake State park, and enjoyed some R and R before fall began. Between Dean starting K and my new job, and Benny at Miss Lisas by himself for the first time, September FLEW by!

Fall is now in full swing in Minnesota. Dean has started Skating lessons to prepare for hockey next month. Benny and I go on monthly dates to Home Depot to create a project. The leaves are starting to change, the decorations are starting to come out, baking is becoming more exciting with the cool weather, and I can finally do a bit more! We are looking forward to the holidays and the continued growth of Baby A.