FINALLY!

After three and a half years, Andrew has finally popped the question to Brea! (That's not really so long; I have to be sarcastic because I have enjoyed giving Andrew a hard time lately about whether he was ever going to propose.) Unfortunately she said no. NOT!!! They are both very excited to be the other's fiancé(e). His family and ours met them for a surprise celebratory dinner afterwards and neither of them could stop beaming. It was pretty sweet. :) I will tell the story to the best of my recollection from their own storytelling.

He proposed to her on Labor Day at the Japanese Gardens at Como Park Conservatory. Andrew took her there under the guise of re-establishing their long-forgotten tradition of "date night." Back in the days of young, new love they used to take turns choosing places to go/things to do without telling the other what was in store. Andrew casually mentioned it a few nights before and said he had an idea after she agreed that it'd be fun to try that again. She evenutally guessed where they'd be going (the zoo). She had been giving him crap about rings recently, saying that they had enough money to buy a blender since he hadn't yet bought her a ring (he hates spending money, but he'd just purchased one the day before she said that!), and even putting pebbles on her ring finger and admiring their sparkles one evening at the beach. What a smarty pants, eh?!

Anyway, after they toured the zoo they approached the garden, where Brea saw a card and a bouquet of long-stemmed roses lying on a little incline. She sarcastically said, "Oh, flowers and a card for me? How sweet!" to which Andrew replied, "Maybe..." and she was all like, "Whoa!" So they made their way over to the flowers and he got down on one knee, said some beautiful things about her and told her of his desire to be with her forever, then asked her to marry him. She was shaking all over and had started sobbing (loudly) as soon as they approached the flowers and he took a knee. He also cried as she said yes as they shared a special moment.

I am so, so thrilled for you, Brea, my best friend, because you deserve all the happiness in the world. I am also very proud of you, Andrew, for keeping such a HUGE secret for over a week (a big accomplishment for anyone, but especially you!) and, mostly, for giving my sister all your love and making her the happiest girl around. I love that you were cool enough to do the honorable thing and ask my parents for her hand. I know they are both very proud as well.

CONGRATULATIONS, ANDREW AND BREA!!! I LOVE YOU BOTH SO MUCH!!

The sobbing and shaking begin...

Oh boy, here it comes...

Popping the question!

She said YES!!!

Then Bre discovered their good friend Justin hinding out in the bushes.

The bride- and groom-to-be. Look at that relief all over his face! PHEW!!!

*Pictures of the gorgeous ring he picked out will be forthcoming. Sorry. I blame my dad.*

Transition Time

I am officially back to full-time work as of Monday. BOO!!! I'm sad that I'm not at home anymore and I miss Jackson a lot. It was relatively easy to go back after maternity leave when I knew I only had 7 weeks of class and then part-time summer hours; it's much harder to return in the fall for a full school year. It was such a blessing to be home more this summer watching Jackson grow and spending time with family and friends. Now that I'll be away from him more I am hoping I don't miss out on anything big like this new trick he learned over the weekend with Mommy and Aunties Brea and Alli (sorry the video is so shaky!).

7th Annual Camping Weekend

THANK YOU, MOM AND DAD WOJO!!! We and our friends from Duluth/Superior had a wonderful time camping at the Wojos' cabin for our 7th straight year! For those wondering, these are our friends from when Curt was in college up there. He went to a tech in Duluth while he lived at UW-Superior (and eventually moved to Duluth). The 25 or so of us spent the days eating (what else would I list first?!), playing games, swimming, and relaxing, while our nights were spent partying at the bonfire. We know that we are getting older as the party is not as wild and crazy as it was during our college days! The weather was beautiful - neither too hot nor too buggy; just right. A total of five dogs rounded out the entertainment department this year! That's right: there has only been one child born to our group so far, but pets abound.

It was really strange being there as parents. We stayed in the cabin instead of tenting out. It was a nice luxury, but I honestly missed walking down the path to the tent and joking around with friends you pass along the way. Also, while I knew going into it that I'd spend lots of time feeding and taking care of Jackson during the weekend, it was hard to know I was missing out on some good times. I wanted our friends to meet him this year - plus it would have been way too hard to be away from him - but in the future I think I will save the annual camping weekend as one of those rare times I will get to be a wife and a friend first. It seems so sad now to think of it, but I know I'll appreciate it then! Does that sound horrible of me?! I think you all understand. Don't you?!

The group at Duxbury

Jackson getting his daily reading in (Okay, so this was
last week at home, but it's so cute I had to include it!)

I tried to tell her to stay away from that stuff, but
all those boys were a bad influence on Sadie.

Jackson and Auntie snuggle after the lake.

Hans scarfing down some corn in between shish kabobs.

I'm so glad Jackson was the only one playing in the nude this year.

Poor Jared takes abuse every year. Here he is sleeping
through firecrackers being set off under his ass.

Brendon and Brea goofing off at the fire.

One of our beautiful bonfires. I could have stared at it all night.

Cody with the gigantic knife was kind enough to do the shopping and bring the food for the group this year (Sarah too!). Hans has officially passed the torch. The boys were in charge of preparing and cleaning up the poor man's supper thatwe cook on the fire every year. Thanks, Maria, for the great idea all those years ago!

Judging the scavenger hunt. Cody and Sarah had this great idea
this year. It ended up being really fun, and the judging was
hilarious! I think it'll be a new tradition.

He is really pondering those team scores...

More (drunken) scavenger hunt fun

Jackson was a big hit and he was a really good boy the whole time, much to his mama's relief. Although we had a great time, it was a long time to be away with him (Wed-Sun) and we were glad to get back home. It's amazing how babies can recognize and sense their environments. We could definitely sense Jackson's relief once we finally got in the door, and we knew he was more comfortable and happier here than he could be elsewhere for that long. We had a busy week after that and have another busy weekend ahead! I hope you can all take some time to enjoy these last gorgeous days of summer.

Oh, the Horror

I have heard that babies are so tolerant and resilient that they are able to handle the excrutiating pain that comes with teething better than an adult could were one subjected to the same pain. Given Jackson's recent crying jags (and my own tendency to be miserable when I get just the slightest of colds), I'd have to say that's probably true. We think the horror that is teething has officially begun in the Wojciechowski household. Although we don't see/feel any teeth at this point, Jackson has not been himself lately. He has been moody, crying a lot, over-tired with a slight fever once this week, and drooling like nobody's business. And it isn't even that horrible yet. So I guess the real horror for me is knowing that it could get considerably worse when the teeth actually start to come through. And it's also confusing because he's showing signs of separation anxiety from Curt and I at the same time - is this yet another of the bazillion signs of teething? But for a baby who has been so wonderfully content his whole life, this recent development comes as a rude awakening for his spoiled parents. Especially when we are headed to the cabin tonight for our 7th annual college reunion party weekend! I am guessing that this mom's partying will be at a minimum. And with about 25 people there, let's hope that whole stranger fear thing doesn't creep up on us this weekend along with everything else. I'll blog at y'all next week after we return. Wish us lots of luck!!!

Doctor Day x2

Dum dum dum... the dreaded doctor visit day! Yesterday Jackson had his six month well-baby check - six months! Can you believe it?! - and it actually went really well. He has always responded quite calmly to the shots, thank goodness for Mama, and yesterday he did the same. He just cries and whimpers for a couple minutes - no all-out wailing or anything - before he is able to calm himself down. (Sheila and Maddie, I feel for ya!) That also makes for a nice lunch/visit with Daddy and his co-workers after our appointments are over. He weighs 17 lbs, 7 ozs; less than I had guessed. The doctor said he's on the taller side but his weight is average. There were no big issues and we are so grateful that Jackson is blessed with good health and general well-being. Our doctor seemed very impressed with him and took her time playing with him and chatting with me, Mommy-style. It was the first time we'd seen her since he was six weeks old as her baby was premature and born right after that. It was actually a really nice visit yesterday. We heart our doctor!

And Sadie apparently hearts hers as well. I took her in yesterday while Jackson hung out with Daddy at work so she could get her first round of puppy shots. She was all about checking things out at the vet, smelling and exploring everything, and I think she was hoping to see more actual animals. There was only one other dog there but it left the waiting area just as we were arriving so they didn't even have the chance to smell each other's butts. Poor things. Sadie weighs almost 20 lbs and is doing well, according to the highly androgynous individual (Doctor? Not sure. No one introduced themselves. Is a vet even called a doctor?) who "examined" her (and by that I mean weighed her and looked at her ears before poking two quick shots into the fat by her hips). The "nurse" (is that what someone is called who helps out the person who may or may not have been the doctor?) rubbed her face on Sadie's face the whole time and let Sadie lick hers. And you should have heard the way these two talked to her. More baby talk than a mom uses with a baby. Literally. They pretty much ignored me the whole time. As Curt said, you really really have to be an animal lover to be a vet/vet nurse/unknown name of people who work with animals. Vet tech, maybe? Anyway, I guess I am not used to going to the vet yet so it was strange to see them get all worked up over her (when some days we barely find time to play with her) but I could tell they loved her and will take good care of her in the future, and that's what counts, right? Not the fact that I'm still totally confused as to whether that person was a man or a woman.

Cuteness

I know it's just a snippet, but I happen to think babies eating are some of the cutest things ever. Especially mine. :) It's even cuter when they fall asleep doing it. (Sorry, I didn't get that on camera.)

The Sunday Paper

In addition to reading the Outdoor News and playing cards, Jackson also enjoys browsing the local ads from time to time. In his diaper. While laying under his wiggly lion toy on his play mat.

And he cannot stand to be interrupted.