Amazing Birthday

With all of the talk and anticipation leading up to my 30th birthday, I was quite surprised at how it actually turned out.  Because I have been so busy at work lately, every time some asked me what I was doing for my birthday, I would respond, "I don't know."  I just didn't have time & the extra effort to plan anything.  (This made me a little sad because it's a big birthday milestone but I just couldn't take anything additional on.)  Little did I know, Mike had other plans.

Saturday morning started like a typical day with us taking care of Derek.  Around 9 am, I was surprised because Mike hadn't even said Happy Birthday to me yet & there were no presents in the house or cake in the fridge - I started to think that maybe he forgot completely.  About 9:30 am, he came over and asked me if I wanted to open my birthday present.  I opened a very light box to find a piece of paper folded to resemble an Amazing Race clue.  (If you follow the show, you'll know what I mean.).  The first clue read:  

ROUTE INFO - The Race Begins  

Prepare to go on a special Amazing Race to celebrate your 30th birthday!  

Everything you will need for the Race is in your car.  Using the map provided, travel by car to your first checkpoint.  

Happy Birthday!!!!

I was a little unsure - what should I wear, how long will I be gone, should I pack lunch or my pump - so many questions.  Mike assured me he took care of everything.  Hesitantly I hopped into the car and off I went to my first destination.  I could tell by the map provided that I was probably going to the Henry's house (good friends that live close by in Apple Valley).  I followed the map and quickly arrived at their house.  From here I had no instructions.  I scanned the outside of the house for another clue and checked the mailbox.  Not finding anything, I went up and knocked on the door.  They warmly greeted me with another clue.  This one read:

ROUTE INFO - Tasty Cheese

Follow the directions to discover the code to the next checkpoint.  Use only your sense of taste to complete this challenge.  

Use that 7 digit number as the code to unlock the map to your next checkpoint by calling the Amazing Race Hotline at xxx-xxx-xxxx (also programmed into your cell phone).

I love, love, love cheese so I was really excited.  I started by tasting the cheese in the first cup and selecting one of the plates of cheese that I thought the cheese in the cup most closely resembled based on taste, texture, and color.  (I later learned that Mike intended me to do this challenge blindfolded!)  I got almost all of them correct on the first try but went back and switched two of the plates around at the last minute.  I should mention that each plate had a number written on it.  Once all of the plates were lined up in front of the corresponding cups, I called the "Amazing Race Hotline".  The Hotline plays the Amazing Race TV Show intro and asks for my passcode.  Then I entered in the numbers from the plates and I was correct!!!   The hotline then gave me the locations to key roads on a map that was in my clue.  The map (that was included in my clue) was telling me where to go next was missing all of the roads.  So I filled in my map as the hotline read off the locations to me.   For example:  Road #1:  Hwy 77, Road #2: 494, etc.  Once I completed my map, I thanked the Henry's and was off to my next location - Kennith Rosland Park.  When I arrived in the parking lot I again began looking for something that looked familiar and found Tae standing outside of her car.  I pulled up alongside of her and she handed me my next clue which read:

ROUTE INFO - Disc Golf

Look in the trunk of your car and open the box labeled Present #1.  

Find disc golf hole number 5.  Printed on that sign is a zip code.  Use that 5 digit zip code as the code to unlock the map to your next checkpoint.  (You may play more holes if you wish.)

I did indeed have a present in my trunk.  In fact I had 2 presents in my trunk so I knew my adventure wasn't ending here.  Inside Present #1 were my disc golf discs as well as a bottle of water.  (Does he know me or what?!?!?)   Tae and I played the first 4 holes.  On hole number 5 we searched the tee box for zip codes and when we didn't find one, we finished the hole and searched the basket.  On the top of the basket, I found the zip code.  I entered this zip code (after a break for pumping) and proceeded to my next location - this time I didn't know the specific name of the location but the map showed all the buildings around it.  It was almost Noon and I was starting to get hungry.  I thought about stopping to grab a quick bite to eat along the way to my next location but decided against it (given Mike's extensive planning - he might have planned something in the day for me to eat) and figured I could always get something after this next adventure.  When I got arrived, I instantly smiled because I was at Pannekoeken (I really like there fruit pannekoekens and I was hungry).  No one I knew was standing outside so I proceeded inside to find Kajsa (my friend who lives in NY!!!!) waiting inside.  She handed my my next clue which read:

ROUTE INFO - Lunch Time

Look in the trunk of your car and open the box labeled Present #2.  

You must order and eat lunch.  When your lunch is complete, locate the address number of this restaurant.  Use that 4 digit number as the code to unlock the map to your next checkpoint.

I couldn't believe actually got a chance to hang out with Kajsa and what a perfect "activity" for us to catch up. :-)  As we were chatting, I mentioned that I wish I had known I was going to Pannekoeken because I had a Groupon back at home.  We were so busy chatting away until our food came that I forgot to open Present #2.  I opened it (honestly not knowing what he could have possibly packed for me for lunch) and was surprised to find the Pannekoeken Groupon and Derek's baby book.  Seriously - he thinks of everything!!!  :-)   I showed Kajsa the latest pictures of Derek and how much he had changed since she had last seen him at Christmas.  When lunch had wrapped up, I was sad to say goodbye but knew I should probably keep going on my adventure because others were probably waiting.  I entered in the restaurant's address and the next map showed me I was going to Caribou Coffee in Bloomington.  I headed inside looking again for someone I knew (I figured out the pattern by now) and saw Katie & Christopher sitting at a table.  They handed me my next clue and it read:

ROUTE INFO - Peggle Challenge

Are your rebound skills up for the challenge?  Play through the levels of Peggle until you come to a level that spells out a word in the bricks.  Use that 5 letter word as the code to unlock the map to your next checkpoint.  (Enter the letters based on the phone key they correspond to.)

I love the game Peggle and will even go so far to confess that I once took a "sick" day off work to play.  Christopher opened his computer and I showed off my awesome Peggle skills to both of them.  Unfortunately his computer was running a bit slow so the game took quite a bit longer than expected.  He eventually called Mike to see what we should do.  Given the time, Mike suggested we abandon the game and he gave me the code to enter to unlock the information for my next map.  From here, I headed off to Old Chicago in Eagan.  When I arrived, I found Steve & Neil sitting in the bar.  They had ordered an appetizer and handed me my next clue.

ROUTE INFO - Potent Potables

Oh no, the code to your next checkpoint is attached to the bottom of the glass.  There's only one good way to read what it says.....

Use that 3 digit number as the code to unlock the map to your next checkpoint. 

As soon as I finished reading the clue, a HUGE glass of cider arrived  (the timing was perfect) and I knew exactly what I had to do, although the glass was so big (and I really haven't drank much since I found out I was pregnant and even when I was drinking, I'm not sure I could have finished it).  In the end, I consumed about 1/2 of it and received a little bit of help from the guys.  Even from that amount, I could feel the effects.  But my adventure didn't end there with the boys, we also had to play Buck Hunter.  I tried to talk them out of it because I thought I might be running "late" due to the technical issues with the Peggle challenge, but they insisted that Mike said I had to play and even gave them one dollar bills.  After a Buck Hunter tournament (and several glasses of water), I was feeling much better and headed down to Apple Valley's Redwood Park.  On the drive down, it started raining.  As I approached the park, it started down pouring.  I didn't have an umbrella with me so I just parked and ran to the pavilion and found my parents waiting for me.  Luckily, my parents had two umbrellas and my dad came out to escort me to the pavilion.

I was handed my next clue which read:

ROUTE INFO - Memories Match

Find the 8 digit code to the next checkpoint from among your past in the pictures.  (Your family is allowed to assist you.)

The 8 digit code was broken up into different parts, which essentially meant I had to find 4 pictures:

1. Number of candles on your cake when you were crying on your birthday. (1 number)
2. The cabin number of your cabin at camp. (1 number)
3. The number on your Dad's left arm coat sleeve when you visited Antigo in the fall. (2 numbers)
4. The model number of the fetal monitoring machine that was used when you were born.  (4 numbers)

We started looking through the pictures under the pavilion but it had started to hail (and under a metal roof, it's really loud) and the wind was blowing the rain onto us.  Tae called me to tell me I could abandon the race due to the bad weather and just come home (if I wanted).  I could see how much work Mike put into setting up something so special for my birthday that I decided to finish it.  I might end up a little wet, but I wanted to finish.  To protect the pictures and us, we moved into my parent's car.  We split up the pictures and started searching.  It was a lot of fun looking through all these random old pictures with my parents.  We found all of the answers and called in the code.  I was wrong!!!  I couldn't believe it so I tried it two more times - nope, still wrong.  So we had to dig back through them all again to find them.  This time we were a little smarter and left out the sleeves with the pictures.  We were convinced we were wrong on my Dad's softball number so we tried his other number.  Still wrong.  So we put that answer back to the original and started searching the others again.  We were convinced we were right and had to call the "help line" for assistance.  Mike answered and I gave him my answers.  I was informed I had the cabin number wrong.  Really?!?!?  We pulled that picture back out and looked at it again.  It clearly said cabin #2.  I then found another picture in front of a cabin on that same trip and this was cabin #4.  Apparently our girl scout troop split into two cabins and I was actually in the other picture (with cabin #4).  We saw a bunch of girls in front of a cabin and automatically assumed I was in the picture - Mike sure is clever!

With this new number in my code, it was finally right and I headed off to Wildwood Park (park next to our house).  Upon arriving I saw Chuck and Nancy (in-laws) waiting for me.  They handed me a box, chair, and my next clue which read:

ROUTE INFO - Birthday Wishes

Read the birthday wishes of friends who could not celebrate with you today.  Proceed to your house, but hurry because there can only be one winner of this race!

I sat down and opened the box to find letters and emails from friends and family who couldn't participate in the race, some even had pictures.  It was so great to read all the notes and know that even though they couldn't physically be there to celebrate, they were there in spirit.  (I couldn't figure out how he got all of these without me seeing any of them.  Then I saw that he had them sent to his work.  Sneaky!)  I headed home to find everyone who participated in the race with me lined up along the driveway cheering me home - in true Amazing Race style.

Cheering me home!

Jumping on the finish mat.

We all went inside to share stories and eat cake/ice cream.  It was a truly AMAZING birthday.  A special thanks to everyone who helped make my birthday so memorable!

Cake with the family.

6 Month Photo Shoot

Our good friend Erin came over again and took pictures of Derek as he was nearing his 6 month birthday.  Here are some of my favorites:

Smiles

A new fun toy - that was later the cause of my first injury

Loves swinging

It's very bright out & starting to get tired

"I want to go home!"

Happily asleep  :-)

Beep, beep, beep

This morning Mike and I woke up to a strange noise, "beep, beep, beep"  We looked around a bit before realizing it was the alarm clock.  This was the first time in almost 6 months that we've heard that noise - meaning Derek slept through the night!!!  We put him down around 7:30 pm and he slept until just after 6 am.  Way to go little man.  Maybe it was the solid foods, maybe he was just really tired.  Either way, we hope it's a trend that continues.

Solid Foods

Derek started solid foods this weekend.  We had been watching for the signs to show he's ready and last week he started to exhibit some of them.  Thankfully, we never had to experience the "back to 8 feedings a day".

Friday night Mike picked up some rice cereal on the way home from work and we intended to start as soon as Friday night.  The main thing we were looking for was the opportunity.  But Friday night after daycare, Derek was pretty sleepy, then crabby.  So we didn't have the chance to try.  Saturday we tried at his 10 o'clock feeding.  He had been asleep before this and woke up a happy boy.  We got ready and started feeding him and put him in the bumbo chair.

He started to eat but got quickly frustrated because he was very hungry.  We stopped feeding him and figured we'd try again 1/2 way between nursing.  It was incredibly hard to get him to nurse because he was really mad that he wasn't eating and we ended up having to give him a bottle instead.  (Attempt #1:  Fail)

We tried again on Sunday but this time waited until a feeding where he was already awake and happy (versus just waking up from a nap).  We also started feeding him slightly before we thought he would be ready to eat so he wasn't starving.  Every time we placed the spoon in front of his mouth, he opened wide and looked just like a little birdie.

He gobbled it up and ate every last bite.  Then we whisked him away with a little tag team action.  Mike got him cleaned up and I got ready to nurse.  Within 2 minutes he was nursing for his "normal" meal.  (Attempt #2:  Huge success)

We want to feed him promptly after the cereal for two reasons:
1.)  Want him to associate eating cereal with a meal (and something that fills his tummy)
2.)  So he would nurse  (and not get overly hungry again).

We'll see what this week brings, but so far so good.  Our little birdie likes his food.  :-)

Rolling to the Amazing Race

We experienced a couple of firsts this weekend.

This weekend was Derek's first GPS Amazing Race.  This race is a local community event that is based off of the show "The Amazing Race."  Each team is provided with 10 GPS coordinates. When the team arrives at the coordinates, there is a clue there describing an activity that needs to be completed.  Since this is a family friendly activity, they are things like get a volleyball into hulla hoop, slide down a slide, count money, etc.  It's been a really neat way to see the cities in the south metro.  We even found a park this year with a super cool playground - we are keeping this in mind to bring Derek back to when he's a little bit older.  (For my info cause I'll probably forget later, it's called North Park).  For the past few years, we have competed against my parents. We see who can get the most coordinates/clues completed, the shortest time, & who drives the fewest miles (most efficient).  This year we lost big time in all but one category.  We only got 3/10 completed and it took us the entire time....but we won on the least number of miles driven.  :-)  Derek was definitely a handicap when it came to the competition because we had to take time to feed him, change him, in and out of the carseat, pumping time, etc.  But it is a family friendly event and we did it together and had fun together - and that was the most important part.

On Friday night, Derek rolled over for the first time (from his back to his tummy).  We were on a conference call and missed actually seeing it. Since it was toward the end of the night, he went to bed shortly thereafter and didn't do it again.  All day Saturday, we were anxiously watching for it again.  In the afternoon, I put him on his tummy and he instantly rolled over to his back!!  This time I saw it!!!  But Mike missed it.  So we watched again all day Saturday so Mike could see it (and hopefully get it on video), but no luck.  We are not convinced that either time was intentional but we know now that he can do it so we have to be extra cautious when he's on high places like the counter, changing table, etc.  I think we are quickly approaching the last few weeks of limited mobility.

New Toys

We broke into a few new toys this week - an exersaucer and johnny jump up.  He loved both but have to admit, he really seems to like the Johnny Jump up:

It tires him out pretty quickly and he'll even get bouncing so much that he is breathing hard - it's so cute!!  (I wish I had that much fun exercising.)

5 months!