Grandma Dorothy, Cousin Keelan and Siri

Bathtime with Grandma Julie

Grandma Julie came down to the cities to go Christmas shopping. She stopped by Grandma Dorothy's house and we gave Siri a bath by the fire. Siri loved seeing Grandma Julie again. After her bath we all went to help Julie pick out some great curtains for her downstairs family room.

A Tough Day Shopping

We went to the Mall of America to get some Christmas shopping done. Siri was clearly exhausted. After leaving the Mall we went to Ikea. Surprizingly, it was very quiet there, so we sat in a corner of the cafe and drank coffee and recharged, then spent a couple of hours 'window shopping.'

A Little Elf

Father Christmas delivered an early Christmas present- a little elf. Grandma Dorothy and I had just finished decorating the Christmas Tree and the little one was just tuckered out from all of the hard work.

Aunt Helen falls in Love with Siriana

Aunt Helen came over for dinner and just loved this little one.

Christmas at the Mission Church

On December 16th Siri and I headed up to Trade Lake to attend the Annual Mission Church Christmas Service. Grandma Dorothy, Aunt Helen and Keelan came with. The service was beautiful. We heard stories about Christmas time in Sweden, and of course there was a Christmas pageant. The church was packed to the brim and overflowed to outside with over 200 people attending.

Coffee with Friends

Siri and I went out for Coffee with our friends Melissa and Cathy. It was great to be home and catch up with friends. This coffee house on Selby is in a building in St. Paul where F.Scott Fitzgerald once lived. The building also houses Garrison Keelor's new independent bookstore.

Siri meet Grandma Dorothy for the 1st time

Grandma Dorothy met us at the baggage claim in Minneapolis. She was so excited to see us both. I wore this dress for my first formal pictures when I was a baby. Grandma Dorothy gave Siri this hat for her baby shower.

The Short Flight Home

We flew home to MN on December 13th. She was a little angel and only made a few small peep's on the plane, but didn't cry at all.

After long days of studying Siri and I took a nap. I am finally done. My last final was Friday the 8th so I have a lot more spare time and can relax with Siri and Erick. On Wednesday Dec 13th Siri will be taking her first plane ride back to Minnesota. Grandma Dorothy is picking us up at the airport and is very excited to meet Siri for the first time.

Today we had another appointment with her Doctor. She weighed in at 9.9 pounds. She is in the 75th% for weight. She is growing like crazy. The appointment went great. The doctor once again said that we should keep her!

Our friend Liz just graduated from Law school and she had a fun graduation party. It was a nice break from studying. Siri spent all day studying with me at the library and she was tuckered out by the time we got to the party. She loves sleeping in her Daddy's arms.

Sleeping Soundly

This morning Siri and I went to the Law School to have Daleen the Computer Guru try to fix my laptop. Luckly we had backed up everything just before it broke. She is amazing and said she will look at it over the thanksgiving break and let me know it's status on Monday. After meeting with Daleen we went to Dr. Hauxwell's office for Siri's second PKU. She was still sleeping soundly and did a great job when the Nurse collected the blood. She wined a little bit when she was pricked but then calmed right back down. When we got home she woke up and ate and this picture is her sleeping soundly again. My co-worker MaryKay made this great blanket for her.

Our First Day back at Law School

Before leaving for school Siri got a fresh diaper and ate and then fell soundly to sleep. She slept through Sales and Tax and then I woke her up to change her diaper and feed her before my Trial Team practice. She did a great job eating and she fell back to sleep just in time for Trial Team practice. While feeding I was able to read the Trial Team problem and have my first can of Coke since Siri was born- it was Great! I had her in the little sling that my Mom gave me so people just assumed I was carrying another bag of school books. But, my friends knew otherwise. I showed her off to my professors and they all Loved her and welcomed her into their class. She also showed off the little Moccisins that Great Aunt Sue gave her. The end of this story is that I fell asleep as soon as I got home and slept all day on Tuesday (when she was sleeping). Now that it is Wednesday I have some energy back, but I can surely tell that my body is still recovering and needs lots of rest. Luckly I only had class on Monday and my next class isn't until next Monday afternoon. We are also lucky that Erick is such a GREAT Dad- after he got home last night from working a hard day he left and did a side job then went grocery shopping, came home, cooked dinner, did laundry, cleaned the kitchen, AND gave his Baby and Wife lots of kisses and hugs.

Siri with a Full Belly

Siri sure loves her Daddy- after she has a good meal with Mom she loves it when her Daddy burps her.

Three's a Family

We took this picture just before dinner. It was grandma Julie's last day in Spokane. We were all sad to see her go. She was so helpful and supportive during the birth and the first week. Erick is now testing out his laundry skills again and is a pro at changing cloth diapers. On top of taking care of me and Siri he has finished installing the molding in our office/breakfast area and is getting ready to put new floors in our kitchen. He's quite the productive Papa. Right now Siri and her Dad are watching the Packers football game.

Siri's First Bath with Mom and Grandma Julie

Siri's big day at the Dr's

Siri, Mom, Dad, and Grandma Julie all got up bright and early Wednesday morning to bring the little one in to see Dr. Hauwell. She weighed in at 6 pounds 13 ounces. Her check up went wonderfully. She had her 1st PKU and Hepatitis Shot and the nurse was so impressed with how well she cooperated. It was a long morning and when we got home both Siri and Mom were ready for a nap.

Lots of Hair

Precious

Siriana and Artimus

She's a little cutie

She's a Cutie! She was also born with long nails- Erick says that she had 'French Tips.' Clear evidence of the Diva within. I clipped her nails with Aunt Sue's help and she is still managing to scratch her little face. She still has big blue eyes. We'll see if they stay blue.

Daddy and his little girl

She has Arrived

Siriana arrived on Thursday November 9th at 3:04 pm. She is a healthy baby girl weighing in at 7 pounds and is 20 inches long. We have taken many photos- but I am on bedrest- and alas this is all I could manage to post at the moment. This picture is the day after she was born. Thank you all for your love and support. We are both doing very well and enjoying this relaxing time together.

A funny You Tube video my Midwife recommended

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-4LLkeKXWE

Just a Few More Weeks Left

My Mom sent me a picture of when she was pregnant with me and had only a few more weeks left, and I thought that everyone might want to see just how big the baby girl is getting. Erick and I had just gotten home from dinner and this is about the time that she moves a lot at night. She is definitely taking up a lot of space.

The Baby Shower

Shannon (on the left) and Natalie (on the right) planned a wonderful baby shower for the baby. There was amazing food and drinks and about 20 beautiful women showed up. It was a perfect fall day- crisp cool air (that pregnant women LOVE), and the sun was shining brightly. We played great games, including creating as many girl names as possible with the letters of mine and Erick's name.

There were so many amazing gifts! St. Kate's sent the cutest baby clothes and a super soft pink blanket. I wish it were big enough for me to use! With all of the gifts Erick and I are pretty much set. The only thing we need now is a cute little baby girl to put all the clothes on.
To the left of me are some of my Great neighbors: Belinda (who lives up the hill and makes the most incredible quilts) and then Meghan, Annie, and Sheila (who live down the hill and have a great guard dog Elliot that Aritmus loves to play with). They are all excited to know that they will be next door when baby girl Simo arrives.

Baby Simo's First Washington State University Cougar Apparel. For you midwesterners- there is a huge rivalry out here in WA between the University of Washington Huskies and Washington State Cougars, similar to the rivalry between the Vikings and Packers. Shannon and Betsy both graduated from Washington State and naturally are HUGE Cougar football fans.

Grandma Dorothy sent Baby Simo an incredible box full of beautiful heirlooms. There was a little pink dress coat that all of the Hunt girls wore, and hand nit items made by family members - like little pink mittens that my Grandma DeVereHunt made for me. She also sent pictures of herself when she was pregnant with me, some of when I was born, and some of me and my Dad taking a bath. It was a great gift. Grandma Julie has been sending boxes of clothes and other fun stuff all along, and she also sent a card with some cash, which Erick and I plan on using to buy a baby carrier for hiking from REI.
Baby Simo is going to be born with a Silver Spoon in her mouth- thanks to Jenn Curran (Monn), my best friend from high school.

Our friend Kelly, who volunteered in New Orleans with us during Spring Break, gave Baby Simo this GREAT diaper bag. It is full of pockets and it doesn't look like a diaper bag, which I am sure Erick will appreciate. Kelly also took all of these pictures.

A HUGE thanks to everyone who came to the Shower and who gave such GREAT gifts! Thanks to you Baby Girl Simo has so many cute clothes and educational toys! I am grateful to have so many great friends and family and to know that this little girl will grow up surrounded by people that love her already. Thanks!

Shannon's Birthday Party

Yes it's a Sunday night, and yes we all have class and/or work in the morning. But, who can pass up the opportunity to throw a surprise birthday party? Our friend Shannon (who is throwing the Baby Shower with Natalie) turned 27, so we all surprise her at the local billiard hall: Far West. It was great to see so many friends. In this picture are my friends from school. I traveled in Florence Italy with them last summer. To the far left is Mary DuChene, then Natalie Durflinger (both of whom were my roommates in Florence) and then there is Jay Gonzales (who flew in from California). You can see how big BabySimo is getting.

No matter how crabby Erick may think I am- I really do love him... and here is proof!

You can really see how big the Babe is getting

Minnesota Wedding

Me, the baby girl, and the Bride, Melissa Flicek. The ceremony was at St. Kate's and it turned out to be a beautiful sunny day.



Erick, Grandma DeVereHunt, Me, BabySimo, and Aunt Helen after the Ceremony at Our Lady of Victory Chapel

Erick, Baby Keelan Gadwa and I at Lagoon chowing on some YUMMY hot and spicy chicken. Keelan has a little helmet to round out his head. He liked to sit on my tummy/his new cousin

Me, Baby Keelan and BabySimo hanging out at Grandma DeVereHunt's. Katrina, Grandma DeVereHunt and I had just gotten back from shopping for fun glasses for Grandma DeVereHunt and we had left Keelan with Erick. Keelan had a huge messy diaper which Erick successfully cleaned but unfortunately Keelan's clothes were without hope. Luckily Grandma Simonsen had given us some great baby clothes that she had picked up at a garage sale that fit Keelan perfectly, so Keelan didn't have to be a naked baby all day.

Pig out in the Park

Erick, Neal, Mandy, and I went to the huge food festival in downtown and then walked to the Mercury to listen to karaoke. Erick and Neal both did a few songs- Neal actually has some mad karaoke skills. The baby has been tossing and turning lately in a very dramatic fashion. She's not afraid to move around- that's for sure.

Baby's Room

Nothing Fancy yet- but one of my Amazing co-workers Zena is letting me use her baby furniture. The crib and rocking chair are on one side of the room with my desk and the dresser on the other side. Then the changing table is in the bathroom- both because we have a big bathroom that it fits in, and because we will be using cloth diapers and the liners that you use can go right down the toilet. And there's little Artimus chillin out on his bed that I kindof squished in there.

Surprise, Surprise: We are Having a GIRL!!!

We had a great ultrasound today. The technician took a few 3D pictures for us. This is a picture of the face. He of course checked the Sex- and it is most definitely, without a doubt- A Girl- we saw the little Girl Parts clear as day. At first we thought he was joking, but when we saw it for ourselves we knew he was serious. We are both unbelievably excited. Erick is still grinning ear to ear. The little one already has hair and the tech. said that she is a long baby.

Now we will have to start thinking about good Scandinavian Girl Names- for all of you Simonsen relatives- please post some ideas! For the rest of you- I would of course still value your opinion and please leave some ideas, but I have a feeling this little girl with have a traditional name like Elsie.

It's a Foot

The little baby has long legs and feet! Just like her Daddy!

Last Night at The Red Lion

Our favorite place to eat is the Red Lion- there is great barbecue and its cheap. I worked all day in my air conditioned office and Erick worked all day on a hot roof, so he was pretty dirty- we both enjoyed beverages, although mine was non-alcoholic. I thought that this was a good pic to see how big the little guy is getting.

Erick's a Natural!

Erick is feeding his Nephew (in law) Keelan. I couldn't get him to take a bottle, but as soon as Erick sat down with him he quieted right down and drank and then took a little nap- the little stinker.

100 degrees at Pearl Jam

Erick and I and the little guy braved the heat and went to the Pearl Jam concert at The Gorge. We camped with some friends and walked the short distance to the concert. It was incredibly hot, and by the end of the night my poor ankles were completely swollen. The next morning we got up bright and early and went swimming in the icy cold river by our campsite. The baby (and Erick and I) Loved it.

BabySimo's Cousin

This is Keelan Ambrose Gadwa, my brother Jason's son. He was born in December of last year and is the cutiest little guy on the planet. Who would of thought he would have a cousin a mere 11 months later.

Baby Boy Simonsen's First Blog

Grandma's Simonsen and DeVereHunt will be happy to know that this little guy is going to be so technologically advanced, he had a Blog site before he was even born!

Erick and I are going to try to keep this updated for our family and friends so that they can see what the little guy is up to now, like his first Pearl Jam concert, and we'll keep adding pictures and fun anecdotes as the days/months/years go by.
Hopefully you enjoy the site as much as we will enjoy sharing our life stories!