Coming up Rozas

This blog has moved

noreply@blogger.com (Carl) — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 02:20:00 +0000

This blog is now located at http://blog.carlandkatherin.com/.
You will be automatically redirected in 30 seconds, or you may click here.

For feed subscribers, please update your feed subscriptions to
http://blog.carlandkatherin.com/feeds/posts/default.

Just another project in paradise

noreply@blogger.com (Katherin) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 22:53:00 +0000

Recently I had the opportunity to work on a project that I have wanted to do for 10 years. It all started when I had a pair of jeans that I just loved that no longer fit and I didn't have the heart to part with them. 10 years later, I had a tote full of jeans and a dream.

With help from my mom, I was able to make a full size quilt with 3 different types of quilt blocks. 40-something of the blocks were a complicated pattern with 1 inch strips. Such detailed sewing is tricky on thick bulky fabric like denim. We also did 40-something simple blocks and 80-something plain blocks. Knowing that it would need to be quilted, we came up with a plan to try free motion quilting on the plain blocks.

I started watching youtube videos demonstrating free motion quilting by Leah Day. She is also working on a project to make a new pattern every day for a year, so she had tons of ideas. She also made a video describing the equipment she uses, which I had none of. So, after some debate, I decided to take the plunge and make the investment into the equipment. When it finally arrived, I hesitantly started. On the first blocks I did a simple meandering pattern to get a feel for the machine. It wasn't too long before I wanted to try more and experiement with designs. I decided that it would be perfectly fine to make this quilt a "sampler" and try a different technique on every block. It ended up being a ton of fun, especially compared to the other style of quilting, stitch in the ditch, which is a lot of straight lines and manuvering a very heavy quilt.

And yes, the quilt did turn out very heavy. I think we used 15 or so pairs of jeans, plus batting and backing. It feels so warm and cozy, just like a quilt ought to be.

Start to finish, here's the project in photos:

Jean Quilt

Month 5

noreply@blogger.com (Carl) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 05:05:00 +0000

Dear Ruby,

As I sit here and type this you are in your walker, lurching around the kitchen. You keep chasing your new best friends, Trigger and Paco.

You've become kitten crazy. You like your parents alright, but catch a glimpse of a kitten and all we hear are squeals of delight. Sometimes they run to high ground, and sometimes you manage to corner them. It won't be long and there will be nowhere for them to hide.

I was amazed at how quickly you learned to use your walker. At first you just sat there. Then you figured out kicking your right leg would push you left. Then kicking the left leg would push you right. In about three days, you were stumbling back and forth like a college student coming home from a house party; not very elegant, but clearly on a mission. Now you can wheel yourself to around the house with ease. Maybe I should setup an obstacle course so you don't get bored.

Foods have also entered your world. So far you've had rice, oatmeal, bananas, apples, squash, avocado, carrots, sweet potato, blueberries and prunes. You've liked it all, but I think your favorite is prunes. I think thats funny.

You've also had your first two swimming lessons. You aren't very interested in the other kids and don't particularly like to follow the directions. But you do like to splash around, chase toys, and float on your back. I have to admit: I think your swimming lessons are just as much fun for me as they are for you. I hope its just one of the many things we get to do together.

Month 5 with you has been another amazing whirlwind. Life before you is getting hazier in my memory, but thats alright. Life with you is pretty cool too.

Love,
Dad

Looking innocent

Preparing Dinner

Eating Dinner

Out for a swim

Feelin' Lucky?

noreply@blogger.com (Katherin) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:27:00 +0000

Our wee little one has at best a drop of Irish heritage, for which we gladly celebrated today. The Rubster rocked 2 seperate St. Patty's day outfits, one of which she put on for a 5 minute photo shoot yesterday, then promptly put in the mail for her friend Trey to wear today.

We also headed west to hear Carl's band play at Claddagh and thoroughly enjoyed some Irish tunes. You'd be surprised that Ruby may have been the only baby in the bar. Really? Like, do people hide their babies from fun or what?!? ;)

New Photos from February and March

noreply@blogger.com (Katherin) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 03:27:00 +0000

Band Practice, First veggie, swimming

Splish Splash!

noreply@blogger.com (Katherin) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 23:09:00 +0000

On Friday I started doing some research into getting Ruby into a swimming class. I emailed a swim school on Saturday morning and by Saturday evening, we had heard from the instructors and received an invitation to try a class for free on Sunday.

So, today we ran out and bought Ruby a swim diaper, paired it with this adorable green suit from my generous co-worker Deb, and headed off to the pool.

The class is held in the warm water pool at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in east Madsion. Seven other small people under age 2 made for a very fun time. Ruby was serious at first, but not scared. We sang a few songs and splashed around. We also did a variety of exercises to practice swimming basics and water safety. Much of it was lost on a baby of Ruby's age, but she definitely had fun. She practiced kicking, chasing a toy in the water, floating in the "boat" (photo with Carl), "jumping" in, and her back float. At this age they didn't do any underwater swimming, although Ruby seemed strangely eager to put her face in the water.

Ruby fell asleep on the way home and is still sleeping and hour later. I guess the little gal got all tuckered out. We had a ton of fun and we are still deciding if we want to keep going now, or wait until she's a little older. We'll keep you posted!

Winter Weekend Getaway

noreply@blogger.com (Carl) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 04:51:00 +0000

Katherin, Ruby, and I packed our bags and took off for the north woods this past weekend. It was a much needed escape filled with skiing, snowshoeing, movies, games, puzzles, beer, smores, food, and many, many antlers. Organized by Katie and Joe, we shared a ridiculously beautify cabin on Conners Lake in the Flambeau River State Forest with eight other friends. The weather was perfect and the company was better. It almost makes me want winter to last forever! Or at least save up for my own cabin in the woods.

Winter Weekend Get-Away

The time has come...

noreply@blogger.com (Katherin) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 02:11:00 +0000

At Ruby's 4 month check up Tuesday, we got the official thumbs up to start cereal. This has been a moment I've been excitedly dreading for a long time. When I was pregnant, I started researching the timing of the 1st introduction of gluten to try to give Ruby the best shot at not developing Celiac disease. I came across several scholarly articles that focused on the unique window of time between 4-6 months, where the immune system is developing, but is not yet fully developed, when the introduction of gluten is not considered a threat to your body. All the articles also emphasized the importance of breastfeeding during this time, which is what helped me stick it out, even when it seemed like pure torture. Many baby food books have suggested delaying the introduction to as late as 9 months or even a year. The scholarly research I've read pretty much all agrees this is not ideal and have found that even delaying until 7 months poses an increased risk in the likelihood of developing celiac disease.
Which brings us to yesterday. Ruby literally had a few grains of rice cereal in breastmilk and loved it! She quickly figured out the relationship between the spoon moving toward her, opening her mouth, and moving the food backward to swallow. It was really cool to watch. My plan is to advance her through rice and oatmeal and into barley cereal around 5 months old. Most Celiacs consider oatmeal a contaiminated grain and will likely have a few stray gluten proteins. Barley is a glutenous grain. We will need to do some small servings of barley, probably mixed with rice or oatmeal to introduce gluten, but not overwhelm her system.

With that said, I should explain that even though I know she's at risk, she has to eat gluten in order to be properly diagnosed in her future. We hope with careful introduction she'll never develop it at all. She can be tested between 3-4 yrs old, once her body has created antibodies that can be detected with a blood test.

Now, dairy is another story...

Month Four

noreply@blogger.com (Katherin) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 04:10:00 +0000

Dear Ruby,
Yesterday you turned 4 months old. You are getting to be such a big girl! Today we visited the doctor for your check up and learned you are now 13 lbs 15 oz and 25 inches long. These numbers make you a perfectly average baby, but to your father and I you are extraordinary.

In the last month your personality has exploded! The most beautiful music I’ve ever heard is your laughter. Your dad and I will do almost anything to make you laugh, which often results in us acting like crazy fools. You like to play peek-a-boo and do Itsy-Bitsy Yoga. You also love to practice standing in a wheeled walker. Usually you only go backwards, but occasionally you see something that can entice you forward.

You study the world with such care, which has led you to discover the kittens. At first you would just watch them, but in the last week you giggle when you see them and try so hard to talk to them. Why won’t they talk back?

Yet another new skill you’ve developed in the last month is the ability to intentionally grab things around you. Right now your favorite toy is a geometric ball you are borrowing from Xander and Eva Banschbach. You love this ball because it is light and easy to hold. You try to chew on it, but it doesn’t fit in your mouth, so you usually just end up sticking your tongue through the holes. You also love a giraffe your papa and I picked out for you. She is made of natural rubber, easy to hold onto, easy to chew, and she squeeks!

In the last month you’ve celebrated your Tia Katie’s Birthday, Valentines Day, and Super Bowl XLIV. It’s weird to say, but the Super Bowl will always be special for us. That is because it is the day that we found out you were going to exist. Your dad and I will never remember Super Bowl XLIII, because we sat in stunned silence thinking of you. From that day on, you have always been the most important thing on our minds.

Love Always,
Mama

My Funny Valentine

noreply@blogger.com (Katherin) — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 19:31:00 +0000

T Queens

noreply@blogger.com (Katherin) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 23:00:00 +0000

Ruby asked her cousin Kinsley to decorate a few t-shirts for her to wear. She sent us back the most adorable designs with exceptional detail and artistry. On the left, a drawing of a puppy who says "woof woof" with the back saying "princess princess princess love love princess princess princess." On the right, traced puzzle pieces that spell "we love Ruby" with the back traced cookie cutters surrounding the alphabet. She's holding a very geometric design of traced circles. Lastly, she's wearing my favorite--a christmas tree (I'm assuming representing spending christmas together) and a necklace, on the back it says "Kinsley loves Ruby."

Too Sweet

Welcome Milo James!

noreply@blogger.com (Katherin) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 17:17:00 +0000

Amy, Josh, and Toby Shafer welcomed a new little guy to their family February 2nd at 3:49pm--8lbs 9oz, 22 inches long. I asked... he didn't see his shadow. Amy reports every one is well and settling in a home. I am very much looking forward to meeting Milo very soon. Congratulations guys!

New Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Katherin) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 17:09:00 +0000

Day to Day

Ruby Red Dress Photo Shoot

Laces Out, Marino!

noreply@blogger.com (Carl) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 05:01:00 +0000

The Superbowl is tomorrow. So I made sugar cookies. They are gluten free and dairy free. It only took me 4 hours.

Ruby's First Rock Show

noreply@blogger.com (Katherin) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 04:37:00 +0000

Borderlands has a new fan! Last week Ruby made it out to her first rock show at 1855 in Cottage Grove. It was another fabulous performance by Kurt, Carl, and Jim and was enjoyed by all who attended.

Thank you to all family and friends that came to the show, especially Aunt Deby who wins the prize for the farthest distance traveled from San Diego!

Month Three

noreply@blogger.com (Carl) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 19:10:00 +0000

Dear Ruby,

Today you are three months old. A quarter of a year! You've been busy this month. Your neck muscles are getting stronger and you can usually hold that heavy head of yours in any direction you want. And there is lots to see. You smile at your mom and me. You smile at your animal mobile. You smile at just about anyone that will make a silly face at you.

We managed to survive your first set of Winter Holidays in one piece. Since you travel so well, we figured "let's see everyone!" We were in Milwaukee Christmas Eve, Minneapolis Christmas Day, Spring Valley for the following week, back to Minneapolis for our Anniversary, and then River Falls for the Gilles New Years Rockin Eve. Whew! You were a very agreeable baby and weathered the changing scenery even better than your mother and me. And it gave you the opportunity to wear all seven holiday outfits more than once.

Your mom and I spent our first night away from you. Don't worry, we left you in very capable hands! Grandma Karen, Great Aunt Sonja, and Cousin Kinsley had a great time with you while we went out for our 3rd anniversary. I don't think they wanted to give you back. Look what they did to you:

Your best trick for this month has been your ability to sleep. Right around mid December you started sleeping 8 hours. Then 9. Then 10. Then 11. It became a game. How long will Ruby sleep tonight? And every morning when you woke up, you just smiled. Like, "Hey, its been awhile! So good to see you!" People asked how you are sleeping, I felt guilty in admitting how well it was going. Maybe we are trading 10 hours of sleep now for painful teething in 6 months or breaking curfew in 15 years. But for now, it's great. You are a happy baby and you have two well rested parents that can enjoy it.

Love,
Dads

Milwaukee Christmas

Minnesota Christmas

Spring Valley bath time in the laundry sink

River Falls Gilles New Year's Rockin' Eve

Morning time!

ANNIVERSARY #3

noreply@blogger.com (Katherin) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:38:00 +0000

Three years have gone by so fast! This last year, in particular, seemed to go by in a blink. We had several firsts this year including selling our house, taking a 2 week road trip to Connecticut, and seeing a movie in 3D. Oh, and having a baby :)

After our first anniversary, when we inadvertently bought each other the traditional and modern anniversary gifts, we decided to keep up the tradition every year. This year, we have decided to mix things up a bit and instead of buying separate gifts of crystal/glass or leather, we will start saving for a new entertainment system (complete with a suede cleaning cloth for the new TV).
Also with tradition I put my wedding dress on. It was a little tighter than usual, but it still fit. This time when I was wearing it I was wondering what Ruby will think of it. Will she think it's pretty or will she laugh at 2006 fashion?

After 3 years I also got it dry cleaned again. Instead of getting it professionally boxed, I opted to by a space saver bag that will keep it air tight. That way I won't feel guilty when I take it out every year. I was also impressed that I finally got my act together and put all the other accessories with it... in the same place.... what a concept :).

Last, but not least, I love you Carl. You are the perfect man for me. You make me laugh and smile everyday and you don't complain about my cooking, even when you should. I love the time we spend together, even if it's watching football or Judge Judy. You are more handsome than the day I met you, and I thought you were mighty fine lookin' then! I adore your quirks and unique fashion sense. You are a wonderful and patient husband, and now dad! I am very lucky!
Second Anniversary
First Anniversary

Month Two

noreply@blogger.com (Katherin) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:27:00 +0000

Dear Ruby,

Today you are 2 months old. Mazel tov! It has been another amazing month to be your parent. In my mind it seems like you were just born yesterday, but at the same time, it feels like you’ve always been here. It’s beginning to be very difficult to remember my life before you were in it.

You now weight 10 lbs 15 oz and are 23.5 inches tall. What little hair you were born with has mostly fallen out and we can’t yet tell what color it will be when it grows back. Every day I study your big beautiful eyes to attempt to discover what color they will be, but that secret is still yours. You have started to learn how to control your world and can wiggle your body to get your chupón (pacifier) back into your mouth.

I am constantly amazed watching your personality develop. You are no longer an easily overwhelmed newborn. You wake up so happy in the morning, which always reminds me you are your Papa’s daughter (as I have never been a morning person). Sometimes when I wake up and open my eyes to check on you in your cradle by our bed, you greet me with the biggest smile that will possibly fit on your face. You are generally happy all day long and we find fun things to do together like taking walks, reading books, and singing songs. You like to coo and laugh, especially when we talk to you in a silly way or when you are looking at your animal mobile (which we call “your guys”). Each day you are becoming more easy-going and patient which makes it so enjoyable to try new adventures.

In your 2nd month you celebrated your great grandfather Chuck’s birthday (in your Packer outfit), your first Thanksgiving at Tia Katie and Onkel Joe’s house, an open house party at great aunt Sonja’s, and attended your first holiday party at the Holste’s. Every celebration is so much more special with you here!

Love Always,
Mama

Thanksgiving (weekend)

noreply@blogger.com (Katherin) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 06:03:00 +0000

Thanksgiving was extra special this year with even more to be thankful for. We celebrated the day at Tia Katie and Onkel Joe's house with large gathering of family. The food was excellent and one of the best Thanksgiving day meals I've had in a very long time.
Photos from the day:

Thanksgiving 2009

Thanksgiving weekend was celebrated in Spring Valley starting off with a turkey dinner: Part 2 with my parents. Another very delicious meal! Ruby traveled well for her first visit to the Valley.

On Saturday, we continued to celebrate Ruby's arrival to the world with an open house party at Aunt Sonja's house. What a spectacular party! It was so wonderful for so many people to make the trip up to Sonja's in the cities. The food was excellent, but the cake was TO DIE FOR! I love that almond cake from Bitter Sweet Bakery!
Perhaps the highlight of the party was watching my cousin Kinsley with Ruby. She was so sweet and had so many things planned to do with Ruby while we were there. For instance, she got out her baby doll stroller and gave Ruby a ride around the house. Then she took the dolls high heel shoes and placed them on Ruby... and they fit. So cute. It was so wonderful to see how loved Ruby is.
Photos from the party:

Ruby's Party at Sonja's

Finally, a smile captured on film

noreply@blogger.com (Katherin) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:29:00 +0000

Ruby woke up very happy this morning so we couldn't resist capturing the moment. I was delighted she gave up a big smile and that I finally caught it. We even Skyped Daddy at work so that he wouldn't miss out.

Here are a few more photos from the last week.

Nov 12th-24th

Inside Out

noreply@blogger.com (Katherin) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:57:00 +0000

One of the most enjoyable parts of pregnancy was being able to share the experience with my family and friends. However, it was especially awesome to share this time with my friend Kate and sister-in-law Eron.
Kate's due date was 2 weeks before mine. Which was fun and a little ominous, while I watched her grow closer and closer to her due date and realizing my fate was not too far behind. In this photo, Kate is 28 weeks, I am 26. They had swung by Madison for a quick visit the weekend of the 4th of July.

At my baby shower, Kate is 35 weeks and I am 33. It was fun to have so many people compare our bellies. Thinking back, the majority of guests at the shower guessed Kate was having a boy and I was having a girl. At the time, I totally balked their guesses as I was feeling pretty sure I was having a boy.

Alas, I was very wrong :).

Kate had a handsome baby boy September 13th. On September 12th, Kate had a baby shower in Milwaukee and had been having contractions all morning. When I arrived at the party, I was not mentally prepared to see a woman in early labor. Kate really wanted the shower to continue. Can't let a little labor slow her down! It was amazing and crazy to watch Kate in early labor through the party. She left the party to head to the hospital and it was less than 16 hrs later that baby Trey arrived. Ruby took her time coming to meet the world and Kate and my 2 week due date difference grew and grew. Four weeks later, Ruby was finally ready. Carl, Ruby, and I loved having a visit from Trey when Ruby was 3 days old as we had not been able to meet him yet due to the travel restriction that is normal of late pregnancy. Kate and I swapped babies to pose for our first photo of the babies on the outside!

In May I decided I couldn't put off a trip to see Willy, Eron and Leif before becoming too pregnant to travel and not knowing when I would be able to see them next. It was so nice to spend a little time alone with my brother, sister in law, and nephew without having to compete with the rest of our family. It was also nice to share some time with Eron who was expecting their second baby 5 weeks before our baby. On the last day of my trip, Eron and I posed for this photo documenting Eron at 23 weeks and me at 18 weeks.

Ingrid Lily decided she wanted to have her birthday closer to Ruby's, making her about 10 days late, born September 15th. Exactly 1 month later, Ruby was born. On our most recent trip to Leavenworth, the baby girls (cousins!) got to meet on the outside. Here is Ruby at 3 weeks and Ingrid at 7.

Ruby's First Visit to Leavenworth

noreply@blogger.com (Katherin) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 03:47:00 +0000

At 2 weeks and 6 days old, Ruby made her first trip to Leavenworth to meet her cousins, Leif and Ingrid, Aunt Eron, and Uncle Willy. Ruby is both Leif and Ingrid's first cousin, as well as Willy's and Eron's first niece. My parents were also able to make the trip out and enjoyed copious fun with their 3 grand babies.
Ruby did very well on vacation, with the only struggles being with late night traveling. But honestly, that is something that Carl and I struggle with each time we visit Leavenworth too.
Leif is getting so big, smart, and loving. He certainly has his defiant 2 year old moments, but he is more often agreeable and fun to be around.
Ingrid is a very sweet little girl. We love her spiky hair, intense blue eyes, sweet smile, and funny cry that sounds more like a series of grunts than the usual baby wail.
Willy and Eron are doing well, but just as busy as always. Eron is trying hard to get back in the swing of things as a garden manager for a resort, but is finding that 2 little people can make it nearly impossible to get anything done. Willy is a one man band as he farms their organic garden. He is also an extraordinary cook and made us so many wonderful meals. I can't deny that may have been one of my favorite things about vacation :).

Please enjoy the photos from our trip:

Leavenworth Vacation

Happy One Month

noreply@blogger.com (Carl) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 06:05:00 +0000

Dear Ruby,

Today you are one month old. Congrats! You have met lots of new people and done lots of new things. I constantly think "hey, this is the first time you've been here, or seen this, or met this person". Of course, you will never remember these firsts but your mother and I will. I can't wait to share the story of the first time you pooped on me with your first serious boyfriend. We were riding in the car the other day and a crappy 80s song came on the radio. I realized two things: a) you had never heard that song before and b) 80s pop will be to you like 50s rock is to me. It will be that strange music your Dad listened to when he was little. Weird. I am old.

We took our first family trip last week to visit your Uncle Willy, Aunt Eron, and cousins Leif and Ingrid. It was a very relaxing vacation and the perfect place to go with you. Lots of people said we were brave (maybe crazy) for taking you on a trip so soon. There is a rash of nasty flu going around (H1N1) which by the time you read this no one will remember or everyone will had died from. But we decided this was a trip we very much wanted to take. Family is important. Sometimes you just have to weigh the risks, decide whats important, and go for it. And here you are.

Love,
Papa

From Ruby 1 month old

Halloween and Rozas Meet-N-Greet

noreply@blogger.com (Katherin) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:32:00 +0000

Busy weekend as we did several more firsts.

Ruby meet her Great Grandparents Ehster before heading off to her first Halloween party full of shenanigans and tom foolery.

Halloween

We also enj0yed a lovely impromptu party hosted by Grandma and Grandpa Rozas to meet many beloved friends and family. Thank you to everyone for the kind words, support, and many awesome gifts. Ruby is spoiled in the best way. :)

Rozas Meet-n-greet

What we've been up to: Ruby 4 days-15 days old

noreply@blogger.com (Katherin) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:32:00 +0000

Life with Ruby: 10/19-10/30

Enjoying lots of visitors and the occasional trip out of the house. Ruby had her 2 week check up on Tuesday, at which she has gained 12 oz in 8 days. Good work, baby!