2011 FLOOD

I finally took the time to go and take some pictures of the awful flood everyone is enduring.  Today while I was on my lunch break I drove to Lewis and Clark Monument.  I was so surprised when I saw all of the water.  It is just devastating to see.  There are so many people being affected by this and I'm afraid none of us have seen the worst yet.  Only time will tell how bad this is going to be. 

I also walked just north of the jail to see the water that is starting to cover I 29 North as well as Big Lake.  It is just unreal how much water is back there.  A big portion of the road through Big Lake Park is under water.  So sad...

As of now, we are still at the jail.  There are so many rumors flying as to what will happen if we have to evacuate.  The city of Council Bluffs is announcing their emergency evacuation plan tomorrow IF it is deemed necessary to evacuate some 30,000 residents.  Hopefully we will have some news early this week.  Unfortunately, it is just a sit and wait situation right now.  But everyone is still remaining hopeful that the levee will hold and that we do not get much more rain.

Wednesday June 8, 2011 (Lewis & Clark)

Sunday June 12, 2011 (Lewis & Clark)

Note the HUGE difference in the 2 photos.  The one taken Wednesday shows all the trees in the middle.  On Sunday there are no trees.  The water has gotten much higher!

These show the jail...

This is the entrance to Big Lake on the east side at 8th St. and the road closure to I 29 North in front of the jail...

Big Lake

This was the ball field...  

Sandbags protecting the levee on the north side of the jail

and

the north side of the jail looking south and the water along side I 29.



I 29 and 680

Just north of the jail, its way too close!



Marley ~ 7 months old

On Thursday June 9, Marley was 7 months old.  Marley is becoming one of the happiest babies.  Her personality has developed so much in the last month or so.  She is so sweet!  She is also able to scoot around on the floor from one side of the room to another.  I introduced Marley to a sippy cup with water the other night to see what she thought.  She didn't have the best control over it so we will continue to try at that.  She is still not sitting up, not sure why... Hopefully she will be very soon because we have pictures scheduled for the end of the month. 

If I had to guess I would say Marley weighs about 17 lbs.  She does not go to the doctor again until her 9 month check up so I will have to weigh her at home.  Marley is still wearing mostly 3-6 month clothing but is now in 9 month sleepers.  She naps 2-3 times a day and sleeps very well at night. 

One of Marley's bottom teeth has officially broken through!!! Yea!  I thought this day would never come.  She has even been in a great mood which we are all thankful for!

Thursday morning I woke up before the girls did.  They usually both get up about 9 am.  They were both sleeping so soundly I wanted to capture their sweet slumber...

good morning Marley...

Lily is doing a wonderful job potty training.  She has had very few accidents and is telling us when she needs to go potty.  She has even overcome her fear of big toilets and public toilets.  I am so very proud of her!!! 

Friday night she spent the night with Aunt TT.  She only had one poop accident during the night... She even slept in the big bed and did an excellent job.  Saturday they went to the zoo and never had an accident.  In fact this was her first time using a public toilet.  Teresa said she did great!!! 

Today she even went to the bathroom all by herself while Brian was busy.  This evening we ran to Target to get a few things.  We had Lily use the restroom before we left then she and I went again before we left Target.  I can't believe how far she has come in just a week.  We still need to get her to completely empty her bladder so she doesn't go every 5 minutes.  Baby steps I guess. 

We do not look alike...

Marley will be 7 months old tomorrow!  Here is a photo of Lily the day before she was 7 mos old.  Lily was much bigger than Marley is now.  Lily was wearing 6-12 mo and 9 month clothing and Marley is still wearing 3-6 mo clothing and some 0-3 pants.  Just goes to show every child is different.  I'm going to get out a pair of the pants and shirt that Lily wore at 7 months and see how big it is on Marley. 

Grean Beans are a {NO}

I had read in my cook book that it is hard to puree fresh green beans.  I gave them a go ahead anyway.  Marley was less than thrilled with them.  She was hungry and ready to eat but really disliked them.  She made funny faces and was continually gagging.  I seriously thought she was going to throw up while I fed her.  Poor baby!  Here are some funny shots of the feeding.  We will try them again and see what happens...

 feed me...

 hmm what is this...

funny face...

yucky momma...

I tried so hard not to laugh at the faces she was making.  I always remember my mom telling me that my sister used to gag all the time when she ate green beans. 

Day 1 of potty training & a new swing set!

Brian and I made the decision a few weeks ago to begin potty training this weekend.  Brian is off for about 2 weeks and we figured this would be a good time since we would both be home.  This morning when Lily woke up I took off her diaper and told her she was going to be wearing big girl panties.  I told her there were no more diapers...  She whimpered a bit but didn't seem to mind too much. 

Since it was a special morning I made pancakes.  After Lily got done eating, I gave her some orange juice and to my surprise she asked to sit on the potty.  After and hour and fifteen minutes she went.  We did a little potty dance then we said bye bye to the potty and flushed it.  I started a chart and each time Lily went potty she got a sticker. 

Over the course of the hour and fifteen minutes she drank 2 cups of juice.  I knew she would probably have to go potty more but figured we had some time.  Unfortunately while standing in the kitchen we had a huge puddle.  Lily looked up at me and said, "I peed."  I grabbed her potty and sat her down and reassured her that everything was ok.  We got a dry pair of panties and went about our morning. 

Brian and Uncle Kurt were in the garage building Lily's new swing set.  Lily went outside with Aunt TT to watch.  Again to my surprise, Lily came running up the stairs saying she needed to potty.  And... she went!  We were so excited that she actually knew she had to go. 

The swing set process to about 5 hours in total.  Lily continued to tell us when she needed to potty throughout the day.  Couldn't have been more proud of her!  When the swing set was done, Lily got to enjoy some much needed play time.  She loves her new swing!

From start to finish...

lunch break!

After a long morning and hot afternoon it was time to relax a bit... Lily continued to do an excellent job at telling us when she needed to potty.  In fact, I think she is not finishing all the way so she keeps asking every 10 minutes or so.  During dinner, she got down 3-4 times saying she needed to potty.  As it turns out she POOPED in the potty!  Couldn't believe it!!!  We were so darn excited. 

 We had a little bumpy road getting ready for bed.  At first Lily was less than thrilled that I took the front rail of her crib off.  After 3 trips to the potty, going a very small amount each time, she laid down in her bed...

and 5 minutes later, was out like a light!  Sweet dreams baby, we are so very proud of you!!!

 

potty chart for the day!