Great Bargains at the Turtle Hut

Yes, mommy loves shopping at consignment stores for clothes and toys. They are so much better then garage sales because you don't have to go to 15 sales to only find 2-3 good sales. The stuff is clean and cheap. I've got the Fisher Price chair and stand below for $10, Fisher Price barn and animal blocks $7, Leap Frog light-up drum $5, Columbia snow pants and jacket in perfect condition $27, and lots more.

Adrian loves her chair, it is nice and low and because there is a stand attached it doesn't tip over easy. The little lamp lights up in 4 different colors. Each page of the book turns and says what's on the page, and it is activated by her sitting in the seat.

mmm, nothing like a little H2O.

How much wood can a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
Look and see what our little woodchuck did!!
Yes, you are looking at Adrian's beautiful cherry finished crib. Adrian decided to use her crib as a teething device!

Changing Seasons!!

The weather on Sunday was gorgeous, Adrian got some playtime outside while we watered our new shrubs and bushes we planted.

I call this one, "Lil Tex" I got Adrian's little cow girl shirt at the consignment store in Ankeny, which I love, especially for toys.

The lovely pumpkins you see came from the Harden Garden thanks to Grandpa & Grandma. They came for a visit this weekend and we definitely put them to work. We trimmed a tree, hauled brush to the dump, finished the retaining wall, added the rock, planted 9 bushes/shrubs, and lots more.

Our Little Pumpkin

Just 11 Months Ago!!

Wow we have made it 11 months, I can't believe last week Adrian turned 11 months old. Looking back at the pic of me 11 months ago I do miss being pregnant a little...just a little. Adrian does so many amazing things now and is learning something new everyday.

1. Adrian has learned to climb up on the couch by pushing her Fisher Price lion over to the couch and climbing up onto it.

2. ... she has learned the word "NO" and she defiantly doesn't like hearing it.

3. ... can give a high five (well, it's more like a low five).

4. ... loves it when she is sung to and insists it at diaper changes.

5. ... if I catch her in the right mood I can get a hug and a pat on the back.

6. ...does pretty good around Pharaoh, especially not pulling his hair.

7. ...gets put to bed awake and falls asleep all on her own (in most cases).

8. ... now only has a night time bottle.

9. ... loves her Sandra Boynton books.

10. ... gets a bath every night as part of the nighttime routine.

11. ... two favorite foods would be yogurt (any flavor) and bananas.

Last weekend we went home to celebrate daddy's b-day with his family and yes daddy turned the BIG 28. Grandpa Larry and Adrian playing on the floor.

Yesterday was Preston's 1 year b-day party at Adventureland Hotel. Preston had lots of family and friends to help celebrate, unfortunately I don't have a pic of the b-day boy so you will have to check out the Eichmeier blog for those. We had a great time Preston, thanks!!

Adrian enjoyed the water and so did mommy, it helps when the temp is like bath water. Adrian loosened up after awhile and was doing her regular talking and yelling. We had such a good time we plan on going back during the winter months which should be a nice change.

Iowa Baby!

Big Announcement!! Adrian is officially taking steps without holding on to anything. The most she has done at once is 6 steps. Over the last few days she has been taking 3-4 steps often but then she gets so excited she leans too far and falls. My next goal is to get it documented on video,

so be looking for it.

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My recent update is that I am having a root canal on Thurs. so as you are all enjoying your Thurs. morning I will be in pain, totally numb, being Drilled On, and Drooling!

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Last Sat. we cheered on Iowa against ISU to a big victory!!

Daddy and Adrian giggling on the couch

It was hard to get Adrian to look at the camera with no one behind it.

Pharaoh enjoying Adrian's pom-pom

Adrian has a little wind-up toy airplane she loves to chase and of course she must taste it!

Labor Day Weekend

The Noel's had a busy weekend after our Friday trip to the zoo. Sat. morning we headed back to Rockford and then headed to the Antique Tractor Show @ the 7 mile corner by Charles City. Grandpa Harden had a total of 6 tractors at the show. Adrian has never spent so much time outside (7 hours in 2 days) nor has she heard/see so many tractors! In the below pic Grandpa is driving us around on his little hay rack, which we loved.

Uncle Mark is letting Adrian balance in a precarious position. Looking at those feet, I see a future ballerina!

The Newel Family...most recent addition Trice.

Adrian loved the various trips around on the hay rack, so much she fell asleep on my lap. Grandpa pulled over to park so mommy and aunt Jamie could peruse the antiques. They kept and eye on Adrian and Trice while they sleep.

Grandpa sportin the International hat with the John Deere shirt!

This is Adrian's Great Grandpa & Grandma's convenient store, which was in Roseville, IA. Last year they relocated it to the 7 mile corner and fixed it all up with displays, old fashioned candy, ice cream, etc.

Adrian loved Trice, she snuck in a little touch while he was snoozing.

In additional to the several hours spent at the tractor show we also enjoyed Grandpa & Grandma's Rainbow playground.

There's nothing better then a happy baby!

Trice waiting for a few morsels of food to fall!

Aunt Jamie & Adrian tentatively watching Trice in the dinning room.

Thank You Grandpa & Grandma for the great weekend!!

Lions, Tigers, & Bears Oh My!!

The family ventured out to the Blank Park Zoo on Friday. Mommy took the day off of work so Adrian could take her Daddy to the zoo for his 28th Birthday! The weather was absolutely gorgeous and we spent about 3 hours at the zoo. It had been years since I had visited the zoo, so it was definitely nice to go back. Of course it was a little smaller then I had remember, but still a good time for all of us!

Adrian was a little skeptical of the goats, she wouldn't take her eyes off of them to look at
Daddy for a pic.

This little guy was adorable!

Very large bull looking thing...Mommy needs to do a better job of reading the animal signs!

Mitch hanging with the prairie dogs. Yes, he had to crawl in a little tunnel made for

children to get in there!

Wild Zebra #1

Wild Zebra # 2

By the time we had got to the giraffe's we had just missed the first feeding time and the next feeding wasn't for a couple of hours, so unfortunately we didn't get a chance to feed them. That will be on the agenda for next time!

Oh, if you are wondering there are lion and tigers at the zoo, but no bears!!

Little Bit of Everything

I have taken a few pics over the last week and half, so I thought I would combine a few different blog postings.

Grandma & Grandpa...special delivery...ready for this weekend!!

First picture with Adrian smiling and you can see her top teeth!

I love letting the sun shine in and Adrian loves playing at the door.

MMM...MMM...Vitamin D!!!

Adrian & Preston's playdate! We went over to Amanda's place on Sat. to spend a little time. The kids did a good job playing together, she helped ease Preston into daycare this week.

I thought Miss Sassy's Face was sooo funny.

Adrian is all about obstacles. I often put pillows on the floor and she climbs all over them like a little obstacle course. As you can see she tried to tackle her jumper.