Photo Series - 2 Months!

Last week our little man was 2 months old! I still can't get over how fast time is going and how quickly he is growing.

We had his 2 month appointment and he definitely has grown! At birth he was 20 1/2 inches long and weighed 8 lbs. 3 oz. and now at 2 months he was 24 1/2 inches long and weighed 12 lbs. 10.5 oz. Needless to say we have one growing boy! Proof of his size, I have gotten all of his 3-6 months clothes out and washed and I have been removing many of his 0-3 months since they are getting too short!

A few other things to note this month:
 - he is a talker (the doctor even commented on his chattiness - can't imagine where he gets it from...)
 - he likes to smile but doesn't just give anyone a smile (some days you have to work at it)
 - still constantly moving his arms and legs
 - does well with tummy time
 - his neck is getting stronger and stronger
 - enjoys looking at all the world has to offer him
 - figured out how to blow bubbles
 - enjoys sticking his tongue out

Here are the photos I was able to get - he wasn't very happy, which is apparent since he would not give me a smile. But what can you expect when he had just gotten shots the day before was still recovering.

The closest thing to a smile he would give me

Grandma Singer's Birthday

Frankie needed another road trip so we loaded him up again for a birthday celebration. Grandma Singer and her brother, Leonard, were having a gathering of families at a park in Heidelberg for their birthdays. It was an important birthday for both: 85 for Grandma and I believe 75 for Leonard. Jim joined us for the drive since many of his extended family members would be in attendance. Many family members got to meet Frankie for the first time! Even though it was cool and drizzly, the company was warm; Frankie was all bundled up and always in loving arms.  Here are few photos from the celebration:

Birthday Girl with her littlest Great-Grandson!

The Birthday Girl said that everyone
needed to have a name tag

Three generations of Francis Singer

All bundled up

Ann snuggling up Frankie

The Cobbs meeting Frankie

Betty checking out the little man

Sue got some quality snuggles

Steve, the Birthday Girl & Frankie 

Lots of smiles during the celebration

Nothing like time with family

MN Zoo

One rainy day, we decided to take our little guy to the MN Zoo. Steve finagled an afternoon off from work and Jim & Nancy came along for the journey. Neither Frankie nor I had been to the zoo before so we were looking forward to seeing all that it had to offer. Despite the rain, we had a very enjoyable afternoon wandering the zoo. It will be fun to take the little man back next summer when he is a little bigger to see what he thinks of all the animals!

Nothing like napping in Dad's arms

Proud Grandparents

Napping in the rain

Milwaukee

It might have been a little crazy but Steve and I decided to pack up our almost 7 week old son and head to Milwaukee. The trip was for a great reason - we wanted to introduce Frankie to some of Steve's family. Since we were going to see Nancy's side of the family, she came along for the trip as she wanted to show off her grandson to her family.

All ready to go!

Considering it was our first road trip with our son, I was quite proud of my packing skills. The only thing I over packed for the little guy was diapers. Considering the alternative, it was safer to add a few extra... Now for me on the other hand... I definitely over packed as usual.

We left home once Steve was done with work and I had managed to get the car loaded up very tetris-like which made my hubby proud. Frankie didn't nap much during the day so he crashed not long after we got going. On the way there we managed to only have two stops - both times to feed and change the little man.  It must be known that one of the stops was at a Dunkin' Donuts. 

Ready for the 2AM party!

Once we arrived at our hotel destination, Frankie was more than ready to be out of his car seat and free to move, unfortunately, it was like 11:30 PM. Nancy wanted Frankie in her room so she was able to experience his expertise at fighting sleep. Let's just say, that Nancy didn't get a whole lot of sleep on this trip as Frankie can be a little chatty when he sleeps and he knows how to work Grandma to let him stay awake longer. :-)

Introducing Frankie to Steve's Grandma and Grandpa Bach was priceless. They were so enamored with him. Steve's Grandma was in love and enjoyed singing and holding him.  Don't worry, she did relinquish her hold and gave him to Steve's Grandpa - again, he was smitten. He couldn't take his eyes off of him. Both days we were at their house with Frankie, they just loved him up! It is pretty apparent in the photos below how Frankie stole their hearts.

Pure joy.

Kathy and Fran, Steve's Aunt and Uncle, came by as well to meet the babe and Kathy quickly laid her claim to Frankie. They were inseparable. Friday evening, we went to Crabby's (Kathy & Fran's restaurant) and Kathy showed him off to everyone! It was really sweet.

Steve and I left Frankie with Nancy for a few hours and went to meet up with a couple of his friends from when he went to college in Green Bay. We wanted to go to their wedding in August but Frankie decided to be born on their wedding day. :-)

The Bach's (and Frankie)

Saturday was a special day for Steve's grandparents, not only was their great-grandson there but all of their children were there too. Vicki & Steve drove up from Green Bay with their puppies, Buck & Sadie, to meet the little man and Kathy was able to stop by for a few hours. It was a great day to have so much family together! Frankie enjoyed being passed around to everyone and Nancy enjoyed showing him off to her family.

Our drive home was fairly uneventful, except for a little detour due to a closed on-ramp. The trusty navigator, me, managed to get us back to the interstate with only a little additional time added. We made it home at a decent hour which was great and all of us were happy to sleep in our own beds.

Frankie was great for the entire trip! He loved meeting everyone and didn't mind getting passed around. His schedule was a little off but what can you expect from a 7 week old on his first road trip. Steve and I enjoyed seeing all the family and can't wait to see them again!

Full disclosure - there may be A LOT of photos:

Nothing like a good book for a road trip

I am one cool cat!

Great-Grandma Bach meeting Frankie

Great-Grandpa Bach meeting Frankie

Our family (only missing Kirby)

Aunt Kathy meeting Frankie

So sweet

Son & Mother

Kathy teaching Frankie the things only an
Aunt can teach

What are you looking at?

Frankie & Aunt Vicki

Frankie & Uncle Steve

Frankie with his Great-Grandma & Grandma

Proud Great-Grandparents

"What?"

The Whole Crew!

A Few Photos

Here are some photos from the past few weeks. Frankie B is growing!

The Singer boys

Bundled up for some shopping

Looks like such a little man in this photo

Frankie B

Stillwater

A little while before my birthday, Steve and I escaped to Stillwater for lunch and a little wine tasting. It was nice to get out of the house for some time together and, of course, to have an early celebration for my birthday. 

We couldn't have picked a more gorgeous day! The sun was shining but it wasn't too hot - perfect for enjoying a patio lunch overlooking the river. After wandering the downtown shops for a while, we headed to St. Croix Vineyards for some wine. We tasted some great wines and managed to bring home a case of wines. Next to the wine tasting was an apple orchard so we stopped in and picked up some yummy apples and other apple goodies. Talk about a great day! 

Lunch on the patio at The Freight House

Nothing like enjoying a beer with your lunch

Stacey Visits & More!

We were so lucky in September my dear friend Stacey made the trek to Minnesota from Wyoming. She was more than happy to escape the rain and flooding in Colorado/Wyoming for a few days and we were glad to have her!

I was happy to get some girl time. Stacey and I don't get to see each other very often so we always make the most of our short times together. We even managed to sneak in a girly movie and a little shopping. A great addition to the weekend was Stacey's mom and Harlan stopped by and met Frankie. I hadn't seen Big D since Stacey's wedding in June of 2012 and, since then, she has married and moved north. We had a little catching up to do! As if we couldn't cram more into her short visit, my parents were up babysitting the girls so we made the trip to Blaine and saw them for a few hours. My parents hadn't seen Stacey, I am guessing, since our wedding so they enjoyed catching up. Plus it is always fun to see my nieces. The girls were not too sure about Frankie but Madison really enjoyed stealing items from Frankie's car seat and diaper bag. She is such a goofball!

Although I would like to think that Stacey just came to see me, her main reason for visiting was to meet her "nephew". Frankie loved Stacey and Stacy loved Frankie! They were quite the duo. The few days she was here went too quickly and I unfortunately couldn't convince her to stay longer. Oh well, she will just have to visit again soon! (*hint*hint*)

You may be wondering where Steve was during all of this fun, well, he decided to walk three rounds of golf on that Saturday with one of his buddies. Needless to say, he was quite exhausted after that. Stacey and I were kind enough to relinquish the basement to him that night so he could enjoy a few hours of video games.

Here are a few photos I snapped during Stacey's visit:

Kirby & Frankie getting some early morning
snuggles from Stacey

We successfully assembled Frankie's swing

Stacey came with gifts - Steve loves his
"Singer Brewing Co." beer glasses!

Love her!

Ava was not happy Madison tried to
take her blanket

The girls not to sure about this whole
baby thing

What a pair!

While Stacey's visit was fabulous visit, since Frankie was born, we have been lucky enough to have other visitors as well! It has been a joy to introduce the little man to family and friends.

I (unfortunately) didn't always get pictures of Frankie with his visitors so I apologize if I forgot when you visited! You just have to come visit again! :-) But here are a few of our visitors:

Grandma loving up her grandson

Grandpa enjoying a quick nap

Heather & Dan meeting Frankie

Kevin and Ann enjoying the Sunday
football games with the little man

Hanging out with Great-Grandma

Butch & Connie snuggling up with Frankie

The Sadecki girls meeting the newest Singer

As you can see, we love visitors!