Uncle Jon

While we were in South Dakota, we got to spend lots of time with my brother Jon. He did a great job helping Aaron re-do the landscaping. We also got to see him play in his regional baseball tourney. Also, thanks to Jon, we had a nice spacious bedroom at the farm (he gave up his). Jonathan is going to be a senior in high school this far. I don't think he knows where/what he's going to college for yet. Jill and I figured out a last week that he is definitely a linear sequencial, kinesthetic spacial kind of guy which means he'd be good a lots of different careers that involve any kind of math, organization, and/or arrangement of items in space. We're encouraging engineering to him.

Jon taking a break from landscaping, sitting on Kadyn's bike.

Jon and his friend Ryan at Miller Park in Milwaukee when the came to visit in June.

Third Anniversary

On July 22nd, Aaron and I celebrated our third wedding anniversary. What did we do to mark the occasion? We woke in South Dakota around 6am and drove the 10 hour trek home to Wisconsin, with a baby. It was great fun (not). When we finally got back home we did go out to eat, with a baby. It is amazing how fast time goes and how much your life can change in a mere three years: new jobs, new degrees, a house, a baby, new friends, different cars, etc. The simple apartment life we had three years ago seems like a distant dream at this point in our lives. Oh well, I wouldn't give these 'new' things up for anything. I am married to a wonderful man and am now blessed with a small family. Can't wait to see what the next three years brings!

Wedding day: July 22nd, 2005 in South Dakota.

Honeymooning three years ago in St. Croix, Virgin Islands.

The Staub family three years later: July 22nd, 2008!

Another trip to South Dakota!

We just got home from spending another week in South Dakota. We didn't tell many people that we were there so that we would have a nice quiet time on the farm. Thanks to Meema, Papa, and Aunt Jill, we had a great time. Here's some pics:

Meredith's first time swimming! We spent Monday at Great Grandma Donna's enjoying her pool and good food. When baby hit the water, she was wide awake and moving at first... then it relaxed her so much that she spent the remainder of her time in the water ASLEEP!

Aaron and Jon put in some new landscaping for Meema. Unfortunately, a lot of what they put in (mulch, plants, etc) is dug up daily by the new puppy on the farm, Molly.

Meredith and Daddy relaxing on the new glider bench on the front porch.

Matching cousins! Aunt Jill bought these outfits for Meredith and Grace. There is about 5 months difference between the two girls. This is their second matching outfit of the summer. Surely there's many more to come in the future!

We were so lucky to get to spend lots of time with nephew Cowboy Kadyn! Here he is having another one of his dance parties in Meema's family room. We turn up the music real loud and jump and spin like crazy.

Meredith's favorite things to do...

Here's a couple of pictures of what Meredith loves to do. How do we know she loves to do these things? Because she smiles and laughs the whole time.

Here's Meredith laying on her changing table. I figured out last week that she won't cry while we change her if I hang this mirror toy above her. She smiles and laughs and talks to that blue bug with a yellow head. Her left hand is also now catching that blue ring that hangs from the mirror. She is as content laying here as she is in the bathtub.

Here's our precious babe after church last week. She's wearing one of the dresses her great aunt Kathy sent her from Alaska! She loves laying on the floor and kicking.

Meredith & Mommy

I LOVE MY BABY GIRL!

Also, check out my new straight teeth... got my braces off two weeks ago. Yikes! It also looks like I need to wax my eyebrows!

Grandma & Grandpa Staub came to visit!

Grandma and Grandpa Staub stopped by for a few days on their way home from Nebraska. Here's some photos that provide proof of their love and adoration for their new grandaughter.

Silly Baby

Here are some everyday shots of our baby. She is no longer "little" as I failed to report to you last week that she had her second doctor's appointment. She weighed in at 13 pounds 4 ounces and nearly 25 inches long. The doctor said that puts her above the 97th percentile in both height and weight. In other words, a big girl! She has also achieved three talents thus far: smiling, holding her head up, and sucking on her fist (she found her hands about 10 days ago).
She holds her head up so well! This precious look is one that we get several times daily from her.


Meredith spends most of her day laying on her back trying to get her fists to her mouth. When she finally achieves this, she sucks on them like lollipops.


No matter what mood she's in, if you smile at her, she'll smile back at you!


The two of them look like this whenever the Cubs are playing on TV. By the look of Meredith's arm length in this picture, would you believe me that 3-6 month clothing is too small for her?


And finally, the drooling has begun. This is evident on my green shirt. She's all dressed up because we're at Kate's house for a party.

PRAISE JESUS FOR MINIVANS!

For nearly four whole days, these poor cousins (Grace on left, Meredith on right) spent too much time strapped in a minivan as Jill, Mom, and I carted them around South Dakota and Nebraska. Luckily, the girls were good sports and easily fell asleep while riding. There were two days when there weren't two, but three carseats in the van because cousin Kadyn joined them. What a cluster that was.