Getting to know your parents

Dear Amelia -

It's Monday story time on Tuesday. Today will be about getting to know your parents!

How we met:

Daddy worked at Snuffy's Malt Shop and Mommy worked at Coopers Supervalu in Minnetonka. Daddy use to come down and buy ice cream for the restaurant and come thru Mommy's check out line. Mom's friend Erin was going to Prom with Daddy's (old) best friend Chad and Daddy didn't have a date...he's shy. So Erin suggested that he ask me! He did! Prom came and went. 

A few years later, Mommy's friends started hanging out at Daddy's old house. I finally went with them to a bar in St Louis Park. Mommy and Daddy's first date was 4/17/2003, we went bowling and just for the record, I bet him. 

We got engaged 6/17/2004 and were married 9/17/2005!

(this picture is silly but so are we! There was a bee and Daddy was scared of it!)

I had Daddy fill this survey out and will have others fill it out when its their turn for "Getting to know..."

Your Name: Ryan Dirks

Nick Names: RyDir 

Birthday: 9/13/80

Heritage: German (go killers...inside joke with aunty Pam) and mutt

Where were you born: Minneapolis, MN

Where did you go to High School: Minnetonka

Favorite Color: Blue

Favorite Food: Anything smoked

Favorite TV Show: Lost

Favorite Movie: Shawshank Redemption

Favorite Song: Wish you were here by Pink Floyd

Favorite Store: Sam's Club

Favorite Sports Team: Minnesota Vikings

Job: Deliver Groceries

Are you married: Yup

Have children: 1

Best Friend: Chitwood

Do you have any pets: 1 dog, the Nermanator

Best Vacation: Florida with the Colehours/Stephens/Kuelz/Nelson/Gloppen's

What city do you live in: Hopkins

Hobbies: Fantasy Sports, Video Games, Hunting and Fishing

Who are you more like, your mom or dad: Dad

What's your pet peeve: These surveys and bad drivers

Morning or Night person: Defiantly night

What are you allergic to: Dust, Cats, Dogs and birch trees

How do you know Amelia: She's my daughter

Does Amelia look like Ryan or Courtney: Courtney, thank god.

When did you first meet Amelia: October 30th at 8:40am

Mommy's turn...

Your Name: Courtney Anne Dirks (nee Stephens)

Nick Name: Court, Courts, CDir, Nore, Bones

Birthday: 12/2/1980

Heritage: German, Irish, Welch...

Where were you born: Minneapolis, MN (the only baby born that day in the hospital)

Where did you go to High School: Hopkins. Go Royals :)

Favorite Color: Red but lately its been Brown

Favorite Food: Chips

Favorite TV Show: American Idol

Favorite Movie: Wizard of Oz

Favorite Song: Brown Eyed Girl

Favorite Store: Target

Favorite Sports Team: Vikings or Twins

Job: Preproduction Coordinator

Are you married: Yup!

Have Children: YOU!

Best friend: Besides Daddy, Molly.

Do you have any pets: NORMAN!

Best Vacation: Europe

What city do you live in: H-O-P-K-I-N-S

Hobbies: Amelia, TV, Napping and baking

Who are you more like, your mom or dad: Just like my mom

What's your pet peeve: Rude people, people who chew with their mouths open...

Morning or night person: morning...always have been

What are you allergic to: some cats

How do you know Amelia: I'm her mom!

Does Amelia look like Ryan or Courtney: Ryan's eyes, the rest me.

Where did you first meet Amelia: October 30th, 2008

To Dahlgren, VA and back

Dear Amelia -

We have lots and lots to discuss.

Friday -

I woke you up at 4am and we were off to the airport. I was able to bring your carseat on the plane with us, you sat right next to me and Glamma sat across the isle.

You were great! You fell asleep about half way to Milwaukee. Its not a very long flight to Milwaukee. We had to switch planes to go to DC. You fell asleep again on the way to DC. You seriously did not make a sound. We got to DC, hopped in our rental car and followed the directions that I had printed from the hotel's website. We started heading north, which seemed a bit odd concedering Billy, Pam and Jackson's house is South of DC. We thought there was no way the directions could be wrong. We finally pulled over to ask someone and they confirmed our belief...we were about 60 miles out of our way. Yikes. We finally got back on track and made it to Dahlgren, VA! Uncle Billy was just pulling in the driveway and Pam & Jackson met us outside! They live in a very cute gated community. We hugged and were so excited to see them! We ordered a pizza and took pictures of you two.

Me, you and Glamma went and checked into our nasty hotel around 8 and we were all so tired!

Saturday -

We went over to Billy, Pam and Jackson's around 10am. We went to lunch at a little Mexican Resturant. You and Jackson took naps.

We dropped Glamma off at the hotel so she could get ready and we went and hung out at PB&J's house for about 2 hours until we picked Glamma back up and took a 30 min car ride to Fredericksburg, VA. It was a nice drive. Fredericksburg was adorable. There were little shops, pubs and resturants. We walked around for awhile (it was 65 degrees!) until it was time to meet Susie, Jaye and Jeff at a spot that Jeff picked out. It was so good food! Susie painted Mommy and Daddy a picture of Norman that was really neat and you and Jackson got matching onesies! It was so fun to see them and I'm so glad it worked out! We went back to Billy, Pam and Jackson's around 7ish. They had a few friends over and we ended up sleeping there.

Sunday -

Mommy didn't really feel very good and was still sleepy from the night before so Glamma got up with you while I took a nap. You watched tv with everyone and were perfect as usual. Guess what, your cousin Jackson laughed. Check out his blog to see the video! It was too cute. Now its your turn now that we are with Daddy. We had a lazy day snuggling up on the couch. Billy gave me and Glamma a tour of the base. It was pretty cool! It was 70, yes 70 degrees outside! It was so nice!

We had to leave for the airport at 4pm. We said our sad goodbyes. We are going to miss them so much. Hopefully we'll get to see them again soon!

We didn't get lost on the way back to the airport (thank goodness!) You were entertaining Glamma and I are the airport. At one point, Glamma was holding you and you spit up all over her. It was pretty funny :) We got on the airplane and you fell asleep. You didn't wake up until we got home at 12:15am! Daddy was so excited to see you! He stayed up with you and fed you.

We are happy to be home in our own beds but will miss Billy, Pam and Jax so very much! Thanks for the fun weekend everyone!

Click here to see the rest of our pictures from the weekend!

Love,

Mom

Do you proof read your blogs?

Dear Amelia -

Your Daddy asked me last night if I proof read my blogs before I post them. I normally do but sometimes I miss stuff, RYAN! So, hopefully you and your readers don't judge me :)

I forgot to mention something cute in yesterdays blog. Tuesday, when I got home from lunch...you had your hands up by your face and I pulled them down and you saw me and gave me a huge smile. It was so fun, it made my day :)

Yesterday we didn't really do much after Aubrey dropped you off. WOF and American Idol as usual. I got some stuff together for our trip to VA tomorrow. You went down about 8. Daddy watched the Gophers lose (Mr. Stephens is right, stuff happens) and I went to sleep. You woke up at 1 to eat. I wonder if you are going through a growth spurt and need to eat more? Normally you don't wake up more than once a night. You also woke up at 530. 

Tonight, Daddy is going to pick you up from Grandma Kiki's so I can get some packing done before my hair cut at 630. Glamma is picking us up at 415am! I know, its so early.  We should arrive in DC around 11 and then its an hour drive to Dahlgren, VA to the Stephens' household! Jackson's blog yesterday said that he is laughing...maybe he'll teach you a thing or two this weekend but Daddy would be sad if you let out a laugh without him there so lets save it until we get back. 

I may not be able to blog for the weekend but I'll write a big one with lots of photo's on Monday!

1 more day!

Love, 

Mom

Oh Amelia!

Dear Amelia -

Guess what you did again to Mommy yesterday? Yup, you guessed it...you spit up all over me again. Lets not make this an everyday thing. After I changed, we got caught up on our shows...WOF, True Beauty and then it was time for American Idol. Your schedule got a little messed up yesterday so we ended up feeding you around 720. You were in your crib but 730. I haven't been feeling very well so I went to bed early too. You work up at midnight and then 5am. Needless to say, we are both tired. But you make it all worth it when you smile :)

2 more days...

Love, 

Mom

Spit up

Dear Amelia -

Today is Tuesday, you know what that means! American Idol! YESSS! I can't wait! I wish it was on everyday! 

Every Monday and Tuesday, I come home over lunch to hang out with you. Yesterday I was holding you. You let out a huge burp and I before I could even finish saying "Good burp Amelia" you had spit up all over me and yourself. Now, we are not talking just a little spit up...this was ALL over my shirt. I passed you off to Daddy and ran downstairs to throw my shirt and bra in the wash. Remember that I was only home for lunch, so I had to change my shirt. At least it made for interesting conversation at work.

Jackson sent you a package yesterday. A super cute outfit! You are going to wear it on the plane on Friday! 

Last night, you and I watched tv in between a couple of your naps. You went down for bed at 8:15 and slept until 4 this morning. I could hear Daddy talking to you over the monitor this morning...sounds like you were a happy baby. 

3 more days until we go to Virginia!

Love,

Mom

Children's Hospital

Dear Amelia -

Today is Monday story day. First we have some things to discuss with our readers.

Yesterday's blog was lame, I know. I tried to upload a super cute video of you but it didn't work. We had a busy day too. Mommy made white chili. It was SOOO good! We went over to Glamma and Cookies. You had your 3 month pictures done...

Click here to see the pictures

We got home after your bedtime. You went down at about 9 and slept until 6! Woo hoo! 

Ok...on to our Monday story.

9 days after you were born, you started doing these weird things with your eyes. They would dart back and forth and roll into the back of your head. I called Glamma crying to see if she would come over to catch you doing these. She came over and we decided that it was normal. I noticed you were doing them the next morning too. So I called the doctor and they told me to take you to the ER right away. I was scared and cried the whole way there. Tried calling Glamma but she was at work so I called Gram Gram. She met us at the ER. They checked you out for a little bit and decided that you better go to Childrens Hospital in Minneapolis. So, they loaded you up in an ambulance, you in the back and mommy in the front. Daddy had gotten there before we left so he and gram gram followed us there. Glamma met us at the hospital.

 We stayed in the ER there for 4 hours then finally we were transfered up to the room. You were at the hospital for 3 nights, 4 days. Daddy had to work but I stayed with you. We all did enough crying for a lifetime. It was the scariest time of my life. What ended up happening was you were drinking too fast so the formula went down the wrong tube which would make you feel uncomfortable. Poor baby. You had lots of tests done but we were certainly glad with the outcome...it could have been much much worse. You stopped having "episodes" about a week later. Molly came and helped me bring you home. I was so happy to have you home and healthy!

Lets not ever go back there okay?

I did take a couple of pictures while we were there so I could show them to you someday!

4 more days before we leave to see Billy, Pam and Jackson!!!

Love, 

Mom

Superbowl Sunday!

Dear Amelia -

Today is Superbowl Sunday. A day of eating and watching tv. 2 of my favorite activites. We are going over to Glamma and Cookies. You are having your 3 month pictures taken today. I can't wait.



Last night Daddy went over to Aunty Aubrey & Uncle Doodie's house. We stayed home. We sang songs, took a bath, read a book and then it was time for bed. I put you down at 8 and you slept until 4! Yippie!!! You were tired from not getting much sleep the night before.



Time to go get your pictures taken (haha Billy, sound familar, even tho I doubt you read this...)

Love,
Mom