New Logo

It was a big day in Cyclone Athletic news. A new logo was introduced that they are describing as "a new primary mark". It is really cool, they let the fans vote, and it happens to be the design I voted for. They have a new football uniform concept for the 2008 season as well, it is very comparable to USC's uniforms.

I married an engineer

The thing about being married to an engineer is that there is always a solution to every problem. For instance, say you would want to remove some bush roots, how would an engineer go about this task? I know! Why not use an engine hoist.

Picture Emily's Day

It's hard to sum up our daily activities, so I thought some pictures would help.

A first for everything...part II

Well, the hives and swelling are back, everywhere! This more than likely means that it was not a spider or insect bite as we believed. I am grateful that Emily's sitter is a nurse and can provide lots of information on topics such as these. We are going to monitor her for the next three days and give Benedryl as needed. Her hives are probably being caused by a virus so we will wait for it to run its course.

A first for everything

A picture of Emily's arm about 10 minutes post Benedryl.


Today was our first time experiencing "hives" or an intense allergic reaction. Emily was playing in the living room and watching daddy put together our new TV stand when I noticed some swelling on her upper arm. As I was watching it kept growing bigger, more red and becoming more swollen. After further investigation, and as I was getting my phone to call about them, I striped her down to her diaper and noticed even worse looking reactions on her thighs. Her right leg was swollen and red from her knee to the top of her buttock. Her left leg was swollen on the upper thigh and buttock. I was on the phone with First Nurse*, me determine that it was probably an insect bite reaction. They recommended Benedryl. We gave her some Benedryl and watched her intently for the next two hours for possible restricted airways (worst possible situation). Within 5 minutes the three sites looked 100% better. She still has a ring at each spot, but that should continue to fade away. We still don't know what could have bitten her, we are guessing a spider.

*First Nurse is awesome. I call all the time...

Go Cyclones

ISU 15- Iowa 13, we win!!! We enjoyed a beautiful Saturday of tailgating with the best of friends and watching an intense football game. Emily enjoyed the day at home playing with babysitters grandpa and grandma.

Kleenex

We decided a while ago that we had baby proofed the upstairs well enough to let Emily "roam" while we showered. We have a gate for the stairs, and can shut the office and guest room doors, limiting Emily to her own room and to ours. Today, before getting into the shower I spilled my water everywhere, flustered, I unloaded my bedside table leaving the best toy ever on the floor. I got into the shower, got out of the shower, a little concerned because I usually get a little visitor half way through. It seemed a little quiet, ahhhh, I found Emily enjoying one of her favorite pass-times!

Warm pj's

We have transitioned to warmer pj's. It has been getting down to the 50's the last couple of nights. As you can see even though Emily sleeps with a blanket, it does not necessarily mean it is used as a blanket.

Fall project #1

I have a big to-do list for the house. Today I worked on a little part of my outside list. We want to give the landscaping in the front and backyard a face lift. We decided to focus this fall on the front, since the public can see the front. A couple of weeks ago (Labor Day Weekend), we pulled the two corner fences. Since then I have been using nap time to dig up all of the tulips I planted two years ago. I pulled two rose bushes, and cut down four burning bushes. We still have to pull the root system on the four bushes, I need help with that!



After corner #2


Before


After Corner#1

Balls!

Ball,was one of Emily's first words. When we are out walking she will yell BALL out of no-where, she can spot her fav. round objects at least a half block away. One neighbor has a trampoline filled with balls, it is especially excited to walk by that house. Today we discovered some new balls to play with. I love finding household items that entertain Emily.

ISU cookies

We are big Iowa State Fans! I didn't have the heart to blog after our loss to Kent State, but I still have high hopes for this new football season. We have taken a special interest in the new coach as his family has been attending our church. It has been pretty neat seeing him there, as you can imagine for a little town like Ames he attracts a bit of attention.

I was trying to prepare for the game tomorrow. We are having family over to tailgate at the house then we will head to the stadium. I decided to make cookies, what a better use of my part-time stay at home status. Emily is the perfect little sous-chef. I can't wait to get her a little apron! Here are my little creations for the big game ISU vs. UNI. I have more dough in the freezer for next weekend!

Laborious Labor Day

As typical of our long Holiday weekends we tackled yet another UN-predictable house project. Our plan was to simply power wash, strip our deck and then stain. After 3-4 hours into the washing the worst was confirmed, we were dealing with about 4 layers of paint instead of one. I guess that is why all those DIYer's say budget for the worst scenario. The man of the house did 99.9% of all the weekend's work. I was enlisted for an emergency trip to Lowes and to tape off the house. Baring a couple of touch-ups it looks fantastic. I will post a picture soon.
-PS we need patio furniture, anyone want to give us some?