Travel logue part deux

Another great trip we made this summer was to the cabin in WI that we've rented for five years in a row. It's situated on a beautiful spot off a channel that leads into a great lake, and has shady views, a paddle boat, a pontoon that we take out many times a day, and a nice little town nearby where we go jogging, get email and coffee, and visited the thrift shop and grocery store.

This year was a fun one because Eva was old enough to do so much more than in previous years. We went swimming a lot, including braving high waves on a very windy, very humid day, with her floaty and while the boat was tethered to the trees nearby.  She went paddleboating with Grammy and Gramps, wanted to play baby and mommy mosquito and get "seahorse" rides in the water. She helped roast marshmallows for s'mores, practiced her dance routines with Grammy, and even helped set the table.  We also enjoyed game time at the cabin, finding a new park and nearby ice cream place, watching West Wing Season 3 in the evenings, and watching Tangled (adults only). 

On the drive home from the cabin, we saw lots of farms, animals, and beautiful country-scapes on the way. Eva enjoyed this change of view from her backseat vantage point, and noticing what was passing outside the window helped pass much of the time driving.

My favorite car comment of hers was as we were driving through cornfields in Wisconsin. She pointed to the right side of the car and said, "Mom, look how tall that corn is growing!" And I agreed. Then she pointed to the left side of the car, at what was probably a soybean field, and asked, "Is that shorter field where they grow the popcorn?"

A Day in the Woods at Camp (with Jesus)

Our family had a short trip up to WI for a pastor/spouse retreat, and P and I decided to bring Eva with us. We enjoyed the bright fall leaves, the cool winds creating crunchy forest noises, seeing the lake during the day and learning about paths at night, and the full moon and sparkling stars that were out. Eva loved playing with a little girl almost exactly her age (Ela), along with some other kids at the retreat, Ela's grandparents and our friend Hannah (who all graciously helped out from time to time with child care.)

After our whirlwind visit to this new place, complete with the kindness of new friends, exploring new buildings and toys, and walking around with mom and dad amidst north-woods beauty, I told Eva that people come to this camp because we all are part of the same big church, we all love Jesus, and at camp we all learn more about God and make friends. She looked at me, seemed to think about it, and asked again, "All from the same church? All the people know Jesus?"  I answered yes, and we kept on walking. 

That night, and then last night, Eva wanted me to sing her "Jesus Loves Me" at night - which I didn't think much of, even though it is a new song for the bedtime rotation. And now since getting back home, her mealtime prayer has changed from the regular, "Dear God, thank you for food, A-Men!" It has now been replaced with, "Dear God, Jesus loves me, Amen."   I think maybe camp has already started to have its affect of helping my girl meet people who know God and love Jesus - and feel that love in return.  :) And I am feeling grateful.  

If the rash persists....

We made a visit to our pediatrician's office this morning to double check a growing rash on Eva's right leg. She got several normal-looking bug bites after our last week up in WI - a trip that was (of course),full of fun time in the woods, on country roads/trails, in the lake, etc. etc. Then the last few days, two of her bites started to look - funny. A red rash was spreading around each bite site, and then there was white area inside the red rash area. After 2 days of the red area growing, the whole rash/bite area faded; but it definitely still resembled a bulls-eye - the tell-tale worry marker for potential Lyme disease infection.

Cue momma and girl trekking to the doctor's office this morning, where we promptly received a two-week antibiotic prescription, a sticker for her great behavior, and the attention of several nurses who had never seen lyme disease before and wanted to see what the doctor on call called a "textbook case." Fun morning stop on the way to Eva's friend's house!

Eva is feeling fine, btw; she likes how the amoxicillin tastes and is already showing people her cool bug bite. I told her that usually bug bites don't hurt at all, but sometimes we might need medicine for them. Then she replied, "Ok, I get all better; I go to Leah's house now and play?" :) Obviously she is no worse for the wear.

Here is a (blurry) look at the tell-tale bulls-eye bite; today the doctor said there is no way to know for sure if it IS Lyme disease, but since it's a textbook case-looking rash, he wants to treat it so that in two weeks if it is anything serious, it will be out of her system. We never did see an actual tick or it's head or anything. But I am glad that whatever it was, it will not have the chance to continue to bother Eva. Whew! I am one thankful momma.

Cabin 2009

Our last big trip this summer was to a cabin in Wisconsin with my parents for the week. Eva was there last year, but didn't fully appreciate the wide outdoors, boat rides and new house to explore at just three months old. This year she LOVED our vacay up north; especially all the time with Grammy Lou and Gramps, kissing all the pretend animals in the yard, and standing with her face in the wind at the front of the pontoon boat. Even though we had some cooler than normal temps (so yes, that is a fleece jacket that Eva is wearing in several of the pictures), she got to swim, ride and help drive the pontoon boat, "fish" with dad, take walks, blow bubbles, and have lots of fun inside the cabin too.

Peter and I also had an amazing week - a big break from "normal" life thanks to our two almost full-time grandparent babysitters. We loved sleeping in/getting up to run when we wanted, taking walks into town for coffee and email breaks, going out for a movie date at night, and having more time to enjoy Eva along with help from more hands around to do all the other day to day demands that life brings. Having family and friends excited to help out with a baby/toddler is something that I never understood until I experienced it as a (relatively) new parent; there are few things more supportive and meaningful at this stage in our lives. And there is nothing quite as sweet as watching your child be loved unconditionally by others who love her too - we're lucky.