Hot Dogs

Auntie K had the great idea of having a wienie roast Sunday night because the weather was so nice. We made a fire out by the pond and ate like crazy.

There were hot dogs...

...and marshmallows.

Hot Dog2

There was a mother deer and her fawn checking us out from across the pond

Alena didn't want to play with any of her toys, choosing instead to play with a lawn chair (here she is showing off her top teeth).

After eating the marshmallow, Grandma Dee gave Alena a much needed bath!

The flood of 2009

We got over 7 inches of rain over the past two days. The basement's rain threshold is about 5 inches. Alena helped Mom clean up the water by sitting in her bumbo and screaming. She was pretty good for awhile, but sitting in that bumbo when you are so big is a little insulting! Fortunately the rain has stopped, the drain is working, and the fans are blowing.

Bedtime

Alena has four teeth now, so she uses her Elmo toothbrush to keep them clean.

There are too many things to do at night: no time to sit and drink a bottle. Alena likes to play, then drink, then play. We call this technique "bottle calf."

Tired

What did Grandma and Grandpa do with this baby last night that made her want to sleep until 9:30 this morning?

Eating fudge pop

To get the full effect of how fun eating a fudge pop is, you have to see the video...

Sharing a fudge pop

Alena and Dad love to cool off by sharing a fudge pop. Mom learned long ago not to share ice cream with Dad because he eats so fast, he ends up eating most of it. But Alena has no problem keeping up with his fast pace!

Playing in the kitchen

Now that Alena can crawl, it has opened up a new world of places to play. One of her favorites is the kitchen next to the trash can. It is like the corner was made just for her: the can is shiny like a mirror, the recycling is always full of paper, and the door stop is a spring that makes a fun noise when you hit it.

Zucchini

We spent Sunday with Grandma Dee and Grandpa Ed. Alena had a fun day of strolling the Kewash trail, visiting Great-Grandpa, eating more sweet corn, trying pesto, and feeding the fish. Vanessa picked this giant zucchini and wanted to show it off--5 pounds! Alena kept trying to pull it into her lap so she could play it like a drum.

Eating sweet corn

Alena tried her first sweet corn the other night. She really enjoyed it! Thursday, Grandpa Ed came over with a bunch of ears so we could freeze some. Alena helped by eating silks and trying to tip the bucket of husks over.

We just got back from the downtown farmer's market. There were a lot of people, kids, and dogs to see. It was funny how the babies stared each other down as they wheeled past in their strollers. The three of us shared a slice of apple cake with cinnamon cream cheese frosting. Yum!

Alena's technique: shove as much of the cob in mouth as possible

Please don't end the meal so soon! Alena has enough stuck to her legs for a evening snack.

Out to eat

The whole Jensen clan went out to eat for Grandma and Grandpa's anniversary. Alena and Tillie took turns screeching, trying to disassemble the menus, and dropping puffs on the floor throughout the meal. But overall they were pretty good.

Learning the art of leg wrestling

Benge demonstrating the proper way to eat marshmallow fondue as Gisele cheers him on

Alena's new garden

Mom was pushing Alena on her swing yesterday when we heard Dad drive in (Dad's car makes a lot of unique squealing sounds.) He was coming home from working at Mt. Mercy. We heard him get out, then we heard him getting something out of the car. Mom thought it was a tote full of clay, but when he came through the gate he was carrying a gift for Alena. He saw a toy garden at a garage sale on his way to school and knew that she would love it. He was right.

When Auntie K heard about the new garden, she had to come and see it for herself.

Alena using her new crawling skills to crawl through the arch. There is also a door that opens, a carrot, onion and radish, birds that spin, and a mailbox with letters.

Finally, a way to play outside that doesn't involve eating grass!

More crawling

This video starts off with Alena doing her cheerleader move.

Crawling!

Alena has finally started to crawl! She was getting her diaper changed before bed last night when she rolled over, got up on her knees, and took off. It was quite the surprise as she had not even been up on her knees in crawling position until two days before, and that was only for a second at a time. Her favorite things to crawl to are Mom's keys and Mom's necklace.

Eating peas

It is the middle of July and we are still picking snap peas. The plants blew over a month ago, but they are still flowering--it just makes picking a little more difficult. Alena sat in the grass while Mom and Dad picked them. She is much better about picking grass and not eating it; however, those little white clover flowers are irresistible! Fortunately we don't have too many of them in the yard. After the peas were picked we gave Alena a chance to sample them. Everyone knows that vegetables taste best straight out of the garden. She is really working that little tooth and is able to tear off chunks of pea pod.

Where did all of those peas go? And why is my onesie snapped over my jeans?

Toll collector

Alena had her 9 month check-up yesterday. She was 27 1/2 inches and 17 lbs, 9 oz. That's 50th and 25th percentiles, respectively. So that means she is of average height. Maybe she'll hit 5'4" when she's grown! She also got her first tooth this week. She wasn't acting differently--I just managed to notice when she uncharacteristically let me see her gums. She is very secretive with her mouth.

Here she is playing in her baby tunnel. She sits under it and demands a toll from all who dare pass.

Notice how she keeps her tongue down to prevent anyone from seeing her tooth

Visiting the Linn County Fair

Thursday afternoon we visited the county fair. Fortunately it was bird judging day, so there were plenty of chickens to see. The chickens were given silly awards such as "cockiest rooster," "biggest redneck" and "escape artist."

This chicken had feathers on its feet

Whenever Alena sees on of these cut-outs, she has to get her picture taken. Whoever made this sheep severely overestimated the size of children's heads.

Telling a story about chickens

Big bathtub

Alena took her first bath in the big tub last night. She was very excited when she heard the tub filling; when she finally got in she was not disappointed! Her favorite parts of the bath were trying to pull out the drain stopper and pulling herself up on the side of the tub. The latter was a difficult task as the bottom of the tub was so slippery, but she felt it was necessary for optimal bath time fun.

Making faces

Alena was disappointed that the big Kaufman pool party was postponed until the 5th, but she still had a good first 4th of July! Grandpa Ed tried to teach her to crawl but with very limited success. She was having so much fun with Grandma and Grandpa that she didn't want to take a nap all afternoon. At 5 o'clock we headed over to the neighbors' house for a party. Alena fell asleep in the car as soon as we left the driveway. It was a refreshing nap that allowed her to stay up until 9 without much complaint. As soon as we got back into Cedar Rapids the fireworks were starting. Dad parked the car on the shoulder of the road so he and Mom could watch them. Alena slept through them. Maybe next year she will stay up late enough!

We don't have any pictures from the 4th, but here are some cute ones of Alena playing with her toys.

Would you like to play, Daddy?

This toy is my favorite!

Angry!

A trip to the park

Alena's policy is, why be indoors when you can play outside? Sunday's weather was so nice that we decided to take a trip to Palisades-Kepler State Park, just east of Cedar Rapids. We packed a picnic and went for a hike. Alena had a good time (even though she refuses to smile when a camera is pointed at her.) After we got back and had supper we walked over to Bever Park where the municipal band was giving a free concert. Alena listened to music and looked for dogs. She finally started to get tired around 8:30 so we went home where she went to sleep without a complaint.

What a spread!

Enjoying some pretzels

The mighty Cedar River rushing by

Alena and Dad looking for chipmunks

Alena's new pool

We filled up Alena's new pool so she could cool off on Thursday afternoon. The water didn't take long to heat up in the 90 degree temperatures. The pool still felt warm that evening, so Alena took a bath outside. It was her first experience skinny-dipping.

Bunny bubbles

Rubber ducky, I'm awfully fond of you

Showing off the whole suit

Drying off with froggy towel. Thanks Auntie K!