Big Gun

It has been a busy 14 days, and no camera cable made it hard to keep things updated, so we went and bought one for the camcorder which we have been taking our most recent pictures with. However, my little digital camera still has some pictures I need to post, we are just waiting for it in the mail.
Kyle has been doing a combat tracking course the last two weeks and just loving it. It meant that we missed out on a 4-day weekend and 3-day weekend, but for him it was worth it. We had plans to go to Rome for the second time and once again the trip fell through, but thankfully it all worked out. We also planned on going to Europa Park with different people both weekends, and it never worked out. Instead it seems like we went on a Monastery tour as both weekends we checked out a different monastery...strange!
Last weekend we went to Kruezberg Monastery with a group from our Bible Study. It was a cold, wet, deary day but we made the best of it. The monastery is famous for its beer, which was brewed on site by the monks until about 1985. Today the beer is brewed by laypersons under the supervision of the monks. Apparently this is the best beer around, I wouldn't know. Gunnar was the star of the show in his little outfit, all the little old German ladies couldn't get enough of him.
This weekend due to the weather we canceled Europa Park again, it has just been awful! So instead we stayed close to home and went to Bamberg then Kloster Banz. This is a monastery that has been destroyed and rebuilt several times. In the Baroque period (17th century), the Banz Monastery was rebuilt they way which we saw it. The church’s foundation stone was laid in 1710 but it wasn’t finished until 1770. With its beautiful stuccowork, the frescoes and altars at this church make it one of the finest works of German Baroque architecture.

We also stopped by the Vierzehnheiligen one of Germany’s famous pilgrimage churches. It is a pilgrimage destination because of several miraculous visions. Vierzehnheiligen is a magnificent piece of architecture, mixing Baroque and Rococo styles. We actaully walked in during a service on Saturday evening, so we didn't stay long in the church, just quickly looked around and headed out.

It was a good day trip and all three of us enjoyed ourselves. I can't believe how little time I have left with the three of us being together. We are really going to miss Kyle. We have a little over a month left with him, so will be cherishing all the time we get.
Here are just a couple of Gunnar...
He loves the water. I took him to the pool last Tuesday and he loved it. I am pretty sure he would have stayed in all day. But, we had to go home and he settles for a bath. He thinks bath time is the best time of the day. To bad our water is so hard, he only gets one a couple times a week.

Here is Gunnar's "Big Gun" picture. The hat says "Big Gun" and is referring to a product that my dad sells for Reinke. We had the hat and thought it was fitting for Gunnar. We also put the very real looking airsoft gun in his hands. He thought it was all pretty neat, maybe to neat.

5 months

Well, still no camera cord...but we finally found the cord for the camcorder so I can take pictures with it.
Here is Gunnar at 5 months old, plus 4 days. He wasn't thrilled about having his photo taken, but I did have a couple that turned out.
He is such a little live-wire and keeps me busy. If this boy isn't asleep he is wanting to be busy, kicking, rolling, standing, pulling mommy' hair, etc. I love this little boy to pieces and love that I get to spend each day with him.

Clearly by Gunnar's outfit you can see he is all only about business. He was very serious sitting on the couch and wouldn't give me smiles.

But...in the swing, there he would give me smiles...if I danced a jig for him!

He had to have a time-out from the photos to chew on Sophie's ear.

I know, I know

So, I haven't been blogging lately due to the lack of a camera cord. I think I may have put it in the box to that I mailed from home. I have yet to receive it, so once I do there will be many updates.
Kyle has staff duty tonight which means he will work 27 hours straight. He will then come home, sleep for 6 hours then is off to a Protestant Men of the Chapel Retreat for the weekend. Gunnar and I are going to be petty lonely but hope he has a good time.
Gunnar was 5 months old yesterday! Boy does time fly. He now is eating a little rice cereal which he loves and we also switched him to a soy formula. I don't want to jinx us, but so far life is so much better. He didn't fuss much at all yesterday, only spit up once really big, then little tiny spit-ups that I don't even count. Plus he didn't wake himself up in the night with his old man sounding farts and/or spitting up! He did wake up at 3:30, but went right back to sleep when I put the binky in his mouth. He woke up again when Kyle left at 6am and I gave him a bottle and then we both slept until after 9am...how nice! It is strange not working and sleeping in.
That is all for now!

Welcome Baby Zane

Gunnar would like to share the news that he has a new baby cousin that he missed seeing by one day...
Zane Tristin Rodstol
* Date: September 17, 2009
* Time: 8:01 am
* Weight: 8 lbs. 11.8 oz.
* Length: 19 3/4 in.

Mama Desiree and Baby Zane

Paul and his three boys, looks like trouble!


Congratulations Paul and Desiree!

Jet-Lag

The three of us are finally all home! Gunnar and I had a long flight home and now we have a terribly jet-lagged baby but we are happy to be together. I will post more later, but for now, we are all going to try and get some sleep and hopefully be normal functioning human beings tomorrow!

In Eugene w/ the Clevengers

Gunnar, my sister, and I drove down to Eugene Friday afternoon and came back on Sunday. On Saturday we got to spend some time with family and help celebrate Grandpa Max's 78th birthday. I ask what he wanted and he said a 77 year old woman...anybody know someone available? I told him I would be on the look out!
Kathy put a lot of hard work getting everything together for friends and family to come visit and we had a great time. Here are some pictures of our time there.
Gunnar is laughing it up!

Grandpa C. w/ Gunnar

Auntie Megan, Grandma Kathy, hanging out at the BBQ.
Marshall and Jami C. with us. They drove a long ways to see us for such a short time. We can't thank them enough, we loved seeing them! But, don't I look like a shrimp next to these two???

Crashed after a long day

The Lip

Before Gunnar and I came for our visit to the US Kyle and I would notice that everyonce in a while Gunnar would give his "boo-boo lip" anytime something happened he wasn't to sure about, usually a load noise. Well, he has the lip mastered. He even took the time to stick the lip out after his shots before the screaming started. Also, anytime anyone yells (usually at the dogs) or looks at him the wrong way he is quick to stick the lip out. I know its a little sad, but it is halarious at the same time.


Yesterday was a pretty rough day. Gunnar was running a fever and if he wasn't sleeping he was screaming. He did not react to the shots like that at 2 months so I wasn't really prepared for it. It was brutal, but we survived. He didn't sleep great last night, probably because he slept most of the day, but today he seems to be back to his little cheerful self.
My parents were brave and watched Gunnar, even when he was super fussy so I could go to dinner with one of my girlfriends Jill. I always enjoy her company and was glad that she could come down and enjoy dinner with me. Thanks mom and dad for watching Gunnar and Jill for making the trip down to the Tri-Cities.
We are off to Eugene today to meet the Clevenger side of the family!

4 months

I can't believe Gunnar is over 4 months now. Today I took him to a clinic here in Pasco for his well-baby check-up and shots so we don't get to far behind on them.
I am always told that he is small, but that since he is growing they said not to worry. He is healthy and doing well. They also think he is finally over thrush!!!
So at about 4 months and 1 week Gunnar's stats are:
Weight: 13 lbs. 3 oz.
Height: 23 inches
Here he is this afternoon after a good post-shots nap. Who are the shots really worse for, mom or baby?

Here are so other pictures of what has been happening...
Grandma and I took yesterday just to spend the day togeher. Before we hit the town Charlie and Gunnar got some time to play together. So here is Great-Grandma and Charlie with Gunnar.

Here is dad and his three grand-boys.
(I'm not sure what Ezra is doing, but he looks like he doesn't have a neck)

Aunt Perki and Uncle Peter came Sunday afternoon and stayed until Tuesday morning on their way to go see their granddaughter Grace. It was nice for them to spend some time with us and for Gunnar to be able to meet his Great Aunt and Great Uncle. I didn't get a picture of them (whoops), but I did get one of Gunnar eating chicken leg at dinner (yeah right).

This one is from when I took the boys to the water park last week. My mom wanted me to put it up.

Meet the Pettit's

Gunnar and I went up last Thursday and stayed with the Kyle's dads family for the weekend. We had such a great time, and Gunnar was loving all the attention.
He got to experience his first biker rally (even if it was only a short minute or so), sand in his toes and other places, Priest Lake water, four wheeler ride, and mashed potatoes.
His uncles, Grandpa & Nana spoiled him rotten and we both look forward to getting to see them again. This was his first meeting with the Pettit's, he even got to see his Great-Grandparents, and Great Uncle, it was all pretty special.

Gunnar's Nana, Uncle Shawn and Uncle Caleb spent one morning watching Gunnar while Michel and I went to Missoula, Montana to pick up a rocking chair Kyle bought for my birthday. (This isn't actaully that day, but the day before) Apparently Gunnar was the perfect gentleman, unlike his last babysitting experience!

Here is Gunnar with the Pettit guys. It was sad that Kyle couldn't be there, I think I should photoshop him in.

Grandpa and Gunnar riding the four wheeler, I think he could have rode all day. Gunnar was really loving it!

Gunnar taking a dip in Preist lake. They have a trailer up there, so we went and stayed the night. We had a great time. Gunnar wasn't to sure about the wet sand and cold water.

Here is me in my rocking chair. We took it with us when meeting my parents in Ritzville, but it wouldn't fit in their car with Gunnar and I. So, we set it down in McDonalds parking lot for a picture. Mike and Laura will keep it at their place until my parents or brother are able to go and pick it up.

Thank you Pettits. We had a great time, we love and miss you already!

Loved to Pieces

There is no end in sight for the amount of love Gunnar is getting on our trip here in Washington. He is loved to pieces.
Ezra just loves him to death. Him and Owen got Gunnar the camo outfit for my birthday gift (first sign you are a mom, birthday gifts for you are actaully for the kids) and wants Gunnar in it anytime she sees him. He convinced his dad to get him some camo pj's so they can match.

Owen is still a little unsure. Right before this picture he ask my mom to put Gunnar on the floor so she could hold him. He was informed that Grandma was capable of holding two kids at once. Owen seemed satisfied with this, but whatever Grandma did to Gunnar she better do to Owen too! Owen wanted nothing to do with the camo, he has camo sweats but refused to put them on...even for a cookie.

Papa is also a super great place to sleep. I don't know what Gunnar is going to think when we get home and there won't be so many hands around to hold him.

Gunnar's Great-Grandma Joyce came over this afternoon. Gunnar hasn't let her hold him yet, but today was her lucky day. She came and was able to hold him after a nap and eating. He got a lot of smooches and enjoyed his time with her. It was hard to get a good picture because of where the sunlight was.

Fair Time

Gunnar and I have been keeping busy this week...
Monday was my birthday. My 6 year old newphew Ezra used my camera to capture the event, he took about 55 pictures. Probably 15 of his bottom trying to get a picture of the cartoon character back there.

Tuesday my mom, grandma, and I went to Spokane to my cousin Chelle's baby shower. It was nice seeing all my cousins. The car ride up was great, however, Gunnar screamed most the way home.

Wednesday, I don't remember much from Wednesday. I know my mom had Bible Study here at the house and I think my sister and I ran some errands, nothing to exciting. Oh I was in charge of dinner, is that exciting?

Thursday, we went out to Mesa to visit with Jenny Reed. Her baby Preston was born 8 days after Gunnar. She also has 3 year old Paxton. We had a nice visit and went to eat at Burger King. Then I came back to the Tri-Cities to get the oil in my parents car changed.


Today Gunnar and I went with my dad and sister to the Benton Franklin Fair. My Dad bought a lamb for the company he works for. We had a good time and saw a lot of people we knew. I might go back tonight with my brother and his two boys, we will see how tired I am.

Back in the U.S.A.

Gunnar and I are in the US until Sept. 16!!!
Saturday morning we said goodbye to Kyle as he gets ready to head the field and Gunnar, Oma,Opa and myself got on an airplane for 10 hours. I flew in style in business class, as they messed up some information with the dogs and upgraded me. It was nice, especially with the baby. Gunnar did great on the plane, it was some of the best 10 hours of his life! Everyone was telling me afterwords what a happy and good baby I had and that they were impressed with him not crying the entire time. He just did some very minor fussing a couple of times. Mind you, I didn't sleep or even watch a movie on the plane because I was working pretty hard at keeping him happy.
My parents picked us up in Seattle, we stopped by Aunt Charlotte's in Renton and then made the rest of the trip to Pasco by car. It was nice to be back. Sunday was a good day as we went to church where Paul and the boys were. We then all came back to my parents and had a good afternoon together. We think Owen is a little bent out of shape, he is no longer the baby...poor guy! Grandma and Charlie also stopped by for a bit, Gunnar is always so sleepy when the stop by, hopefully today they will see him not doing he pre-sleep fuss!
We have adjusted well to the time-zone change...it is strange to think I was 10 hours ahead in Germany. Gunnar is waking up at 3am the last two nights. Sunday night we just got out of bed, because he wouldn't go back to sleep, but today I got him to go back to sleep until 7:50...mind you I am pretty sure he was sleeping on top of me, but at least we were sleeping!!!
Here are some pictures of us having fun with my family...
Gunnar and Mom playing outside

Ezra, myself, and Owen..they were fighting over whose "B" I was

Owen at least loves the puppies

Ezra loved Gunnar and would bring him toys and want to hold him.

Uncle Paul with his first nephew Gunnar

More pictures

Dad and his wieners!

Auntie J. with Gunnar

Ezra was making water balloons chasing Dad. He would get really mad if my dad would run and not just stand there and get wet.

Owen, Gunnar, and I are playing at the water table.

Today is my 26th birthday. These sugar cookies were the first thing I wanted when I got off the plane. I don't know why, but I thought of them in the gas station, and was bummed when they didn't have them. We went shopping last night and mom bought these. I decided since it was my birthday I was allowed to have some for breakfast!