Aunt and Uncle--Again :)

We received wonderful news that my brother and sister-in-law are expecting their third child at the end of April! They have two girls, Lauryn (4 1/2) and Miranda (3), so we are hoping for a boy! We cannot wait for another little one to join the Smith Family! Kelsey will get to be a big cousin already.

Double Digits

Kelsey had her 8 week check-up today and she has made it to double digits for weight. She weighs exactly 10 pounds and is 23 inches long. This puts her in the 75th percentile for height and 3oth for weight. She is long and skinny :) The doctor checked her over and she is doing great! She also had her first round of shots. I don't know who was more upset--Kelsey or mom? She actually only cried for a little while. What a trooper. She must have Daddy's pain tolerance because Mommy is a wimp when it comes to that stuff.

After bathtime on Friday night, Kelsey and I listened to Matt's football game on the radio. Here is a picture of Kelsey in her Owatonna Huskies shirt that is WAY too big for her as she listens to Daddy during the halftime show. She even has her arms up as if she is saying touchdown!

On Saturday, Kelsey and I made an unexpected trip to Pulaski. My brother and sister decided they were going to Pulaski with their family to see my dad. Since I had not seen my dad since Kelsey was born, it worked out for Kelsey and I to go as well. We were able to ride home with my brother too which was great. I could take care of Kelsey as we drove then.

Matt could not go along because he had football all day on Saturday. While in Pulaski, we just hung out at my dad's house because the trip was so short. We arrived Saturday at noon and left Sunday at noon. It was a quick 24 hours. Here are a few pictures from our time with Grandpa and Grandma.

First Video Attempt

Here is Kelsey all tuckered out from a hot day at the apple orchard. Hopefully the video works!

Weekends Go By Too Fast

Our weekend began with a good ol' Husky football game. Matt's varsity team is 3-1 and looking really good! They have steam rolled over their last three opponents by a large margin. Kelsey and I even got to stay for the entire game since the weather cooperated. Kelsey did a great job during the game and Daddy was glad to have his #1 fan in the stands :) After the game, we celebrated with the other coaches and their spouses with a post game party.

Saturday mornings are always busy for Matt because he has to watch game film to critique Friday night's game and also watch the upcoming opponent to prepare. He also runs a youth football camp for first and second graders. So after all that was finished, we headed up to the cities to spend the afternoon with my family. It has become a Smith family tradition to go to an apple orchard every fall. We have chosen a different orchard each time, and this time we went to one in Apple Valley. It was fun picking apples and watching all the kids do the same. However, it was very hot out and we were all pretty warm by the time we were done. I spent most of the time trying to hide Kelsey in any shade we could find. After the orchard, we went to my sister Jolene's house to have dinner and make apple pies. Although I did bring my camera to take pictures, we ended up using our video recorder instead.

On Sunday, we went to church and Kelsey slept like a champ during mass. Later that afternoon, our great friends, the Malo's, came over to visit Kelsey and spend some time with us. After that, we went out to dinner to celebrate Matt's sister's and mom's birthday. Sunday evening is always unwinding time and getting ready for the week.

I have been starting to think more and more about the fact that my maternity leave is slowly coming to an end, and I will be back to work before I know it. Ugh! Although I do love being a teacher, staying home with Kelsey sure sounds like a better idea. I guess I will just have to start buying lottery tickets! Wish me luck!

Kelsey's first pair of jeans and one of her many expressive faces!

Six week update

Kelsey is six weeks old. It is amazing how quickly she has already started to change. I try to take a picture every other day to keep up with her.




Matt had a football game on Friday night, so Kelsey and I listened to the game on the radio. Daddy even said hello to Kelsey during his halftime show he performs on the radio. Lucky girl! Saturday mornings Matt watches game film from the previous night, as well as film of their upcoming opponent. In addition, he runs a football camp for 1st and 2nd graders. It is a four week camp that teaches them basic football skills. This year he has 100 participants. Needless to say, when he gets home Saturday afternoon, he is pretty tired. However, he is such a trooper and took his wife and daughter shopping this past Saturday. We needed to buy Kelsey a few long sleeve and pants outfits that fit her now because it has gotten so cold so quickly. Let me tell you, shopping for Kelsey is dangerous! There are just so many cute outfits for her that it is tough to choose. After shopping we went out to dinner and then spent some time with the Ginskey boys and Natey. Sunday we had Connor's fifth birthday party. While there, we were able to get a new family picture, as well as a four generations picture with Kelsey, Matt, grandpa Skala and great-grandpa Skala. Sunday evening brought masters homework and time to relax for Matt before he starts another crazy week.

Visitors, Football and Smiles

My relatives from Green Bay came to visit us last weekend, and we are so thankful to them for making the trip. While they were here, we had a small gathering at our house to greet them, went to Matt's uncle's farm to share some of Matt's family with them and went to the twin cities to have a Polish style dinner with my sister and brother and their families. It was a great weekend!

Kelsey and I spent time with the Ginskey boys, Stacey and Vickie when Matt went to his fantasy football draft after my relatives left. Uncle Natey was in town for the draft as well, so he got some cuddle time in with Kelsey too.

We were also blessed to have my dear friend Tasha come to meet Kelsey as well. She lives in Milwaukee and made her way to Minnesota this past weekend. Tasha and I were best friends in high school and have continued to stay close through the years. Thank you so much for coming to see us. It meant a lot!

Kelsey experienced Daddy's first football game last Friday. Although it was a bit on the chilly side, we bundled up and headed to the game. Unfortunately, it began to rain so we had to go back home after the first quarter. Owatonna ended up winning 42-o, so it was an ok game to miss. Plus, then we got to listen to Matt on the radio at halftime.

Monday night the Packers played the Vikings which is always a big rivalry in our house. Matt and I both got decked out in our favorite team's apparel, while Kelsey wore a little of both. (But we all know she liked the Packer gear better :)

Kelsey is now 5 weeks old and weighs in a whopping 8lbs., 8oz. She is starting to get more expressive as you can tell from the pictures. I just got her one month pictures taken and will be posting those once they arrive.

As for Matt and I, I started back to my master's program last week and now have weekly readings and assignments. Plus, I have to be away from Kelsey every Wednesday for 3 hours. I did pretty well with it last week, but have to admit I shed a few tears when I left her at grandma and grandpa's. We are very lucky to have Matt's parents to help us out though! Thank you!

Matt is staying very busy with school and football, and he begins his master's program next week. Life in the Skala household is good :)

Lots to report!

The past four weeks of having Kelsey in our lives have been such a blessing. We just could not be any happier. She has been doing better with sleeping during the night. I think she is starting to get her day and night clock figured out. Let's hope it lasts!

We have been so fortunate to have had many visitors in the past few weeks. My college roommates and best friends, Kristen and Liz, came to meet her last weekend. They even brought her a UW-Eau Claire onesie--how appropriate :) My brother and his family also came down last weekend as well. We all had fun at the fair. Between feeding Kelsey, taking Lauryn and Miranda potty, changing diapers and the heat, it was quite the adventure.
This past Tuesday, my Aunt Cathy and Uncle Jim from Waukesha were here to meet Kelsey. Thanks for the making the long trip! In between these visits, Kelsey has also seen her Ginskey cousins, Uncle Nate, and Grandma and Grandpa Skala.

This weekend is also filled with visitors! My Aunt Evie, Uncle Dennis and cousins, Katrina and Nathan, will be here from Green Bay. We are looking forward to more family time!

Kelsey has started to giggle in her sleep now. It is so adorable. She just randomly laughs while she is sleeping. She also follows things with her eyes now. She continues to get stronger as well. Her most recent weight was 7lbs. 9oz. She has quite the grip and is able to push off with her legs to turn her body. It is amazing how quickly she is learning to do things!

Matt goes back to work on Tuesday, and we both start our masters program this week as well. I am in my second year and Matt will just be starting. Plus, Matt had his first football games last night. His B-squad team, which he is the head coach of, won. Varsity lost in a close one. Matt coaches the running backs for varsity. It should be an exciting season for Owatonna football! It is always busy in the Skala household--and we love it! Happy Labor Day :)