Bird is the Word. Werd.

Ethan is three months old today. He weighed 13lbs a few weeks ago, so I would assume we are closing in on 14 and he is over two feet tall. He eats well, sleeps well and is cute as a button. He observes everyone and everything going on around him and ooh’s, coo’s and ahh’s loudly. Ethan practices tummy time, although he hates it, and has started to try to push himself on his side. He knows no stranger and dishes out the smiles left and right. He’s a ham; loves to have his photo taken and the best part – he nestles into my neck and gives great snuggles. Not only is he good for me but he is great at his newest role; daycare attendee. We get great notes sent home every day. Did I mention our little brown-eyed charmer was awesome!?

It has been chilly the last couple of days.

Life is hard when you have to wake up to this EVERYDAY! :)

Kenny has been a busy guy. Work and being a dad is taking up most of his time but he is still helping with See Us Run, a Des Moines based running program to help gear at-risk high school kids toward college by training them to run a marathon. It is a richly diverse program and KP loves every minute of it. He is a great mentor and dad. I sure love to see him hanging out with his two best pals – Hutch and Charlie. He is also taking a hydrology course for the National Weather Service... Guess having a baby and taking care of a sickly wifey wasn’t enough of a challenge for this go-getter.

We took Ethan to our friend Katie's birthday party. It was his first.

He had a dog'gone good time.

You can pick your friends, you can pick your nose, you can't pick your friend's nose, but you can pick your dad's nose.

I have been back at work for almost two weeks now. Leaving my child hasn’t been easy but going back to work is like riding a bicycle. Since my return, I have been promoted into a supervisor position in my department, managing two people on my team. The extra responsibility gives me more challenge and a bounce in my step. Sewing has become my new favorite past time. Making Kathol Company Burpers is my new passion, and it was all inspired by my little man.

He has also inspired me to initiate a clothing and child necessity drive. I have contacted most of the mommies at work and in my neighborhood to donate unwanted materials to Mercy NICU (which welcomed Hutch when he needed them) and the items they cannot use will be donated to the Mercy House. As for my illness…well, there are new developments there. After asking all the questions I had in my head, it came out that the Cardiomyopathy diagnosis was found on accident. All of those crazy other symptoms I had been feeling were all hormonal, and not cardiac. However, while doing a ‘just in case’ kind of test, Dr. Z found it. For all you believers out there, I truly know that was His way of telling me, keep diggin’ sister…you’ve got something else going on! And I couldn’t be more excited that we found it while I wasn’t feeling any symptoms. So the meds should be helping boost my pump function (pray for 65%) and if not, well, we will cross that bridge when we get there. Another positive: the heart healthy diet. Now, I am not going to lie. Less than 2g of sodium and under 40oz's of fluid per day kinda sucks, but I am being forced for the first time ever to eat healthy. I am making more meals with fresh ingredients. Saying goodbye to processed foods has never been so easy. And really, it is less expensive. I eat less, cook more which means leftovers and am not throwing money away by dining out.

No added salt. Extra thin crust, fresh moz, basil and tomatoes from my neighbors garden and fresh mushies with an EVOO, garlic and cracked pepper sauce.

There is no prettier green than that of cilantro and jalapenos.

Lauren, can you smell it through the screen?

Without salt, you can really taste all the fresh flavors!

The effort is finally showing off. Since I waddled my pregnant booty into the hospital in May, I have lost a total of 52lbs. That is 25lbs off my pre-baby weight. My pants are starting to sag like Kris Kross and and I am feeling better by the day. I have more of a neck, less of a chin, a collar bone and less PHAT.

This was me last August. This dress was tight, and not in a cool way.

This is me, August 2011.

My dress looks longer because of less 'junk in my trunk'! ha!

Now to the future.

You know what we have been missing? TRAVELING! Yes, we have been talking quite a little bit about our fall endeavors. In a smidge over a week, we will be heading back to KC for Franma’s 99th birthday party and to say hello to our newest nephew, Henry or as Hannah calls him, “Baby Cousin Ethan.” Heading to Columbia, Missouri in October for the centennial Mizzou homecoming is our next planned event. Because it will be a first time to MU for both Hutch and myself, Kenny is eager to show us his old stomping grounds and meet up with his friends from school. This year, we also thought it would be cool to take a small va-ca to see the leaves change in northeastern Iowa. I understand, Galena is the place to be. We plan to paint it all shades of red (oranges and yellows, too!)

Finally, I didn't forget about Oklahoma pictures. Those are coming, I just need to finalize the video - and stop messing it up! Oh Oh Oh --- AND for those who have sent a baby gift in the last 3 months, I know I am slacking on the thank you notes. Please forgive me as I have been waiting to get Hutch's pics taken. That happened yesterday. I hope to get you all a photo and thank you soon! We love you all!