Papaya

So I am trying to feed Stella with some tips from the Annabel Karmel books. The recipes for older kids have been a success with Sebastian up to now. Yesterday I tried to give papaya to Stella, because it's one of those foods you don't have to cook - you just scoop it out and mash it up, like with bananas and avocados. NOT a hit at all. Actually, I tried it and papaya isn't really my thing either. I ended up mixing it up with some bananas, and then she ate it. She is now eating one meal a day (around lunch) with solids. Her favorites so far are carrots (only when I make them myself) and pears.

Before the papaya.
Looking a bit skeptical.

Does this look like the face of an enthusiastic papaya-eater? I think not.

Montana

After Cory's wedding, Stella and I flew to Bozeman, Montana, to go to a family reunion on my mom's side. We were only there for two days, but it was soooo worth it! It is rare that we all have time to get together, and I am so thankful that we all could.

With (my) Grandma and Grandpa - married 60 years!

Stella and Great-Grandma Mary.

(Almost) all the great-grandchildren in one picture. Don't worry, that's not real champagne, they got to "cheer" with fizzy juice.

The great American grill-out. There's Uncle Bob about ready to put on a load of steaks.

That's a lotta beef!

Hiking around Big Sky.

Snack time.

Mom, Jessie and I - no comment about the hair! Mike can vouch for me that I DID get ready in 10 minutes.

Nebraska

Stella and I flew back to Nebraska on Aug. 29th so I could attend my sister Cory's wedding. Michi stayed home with Sebastian because, unfortunately, he cannot fly at the moment. He has to stay in Vienna for doctor's appointments, and anyway, the re-circulated airplane air is full of germs. Michi's mom (Oma) was very nice and took off a week to come stay in Vienna and watch Sebastian while I was gone - without her, it would not have been possible for me to go - so thank you very much, Theresia!

The wedding was great! And to see family again, that is always awesome - once a year is too little, but that's the price you pay for living so far away. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of the actual wedding ceremony or party because I got lazy and didn't take any - I am waiting for Cory to send the pics from the photographer there. I was too busy talking to people and doing the YMCA on the dance floor. And drinking a few beers to forget about the awful poodle hairdo I ended up with from the hairdresser - note: next time do the hair myself!



Stella and cousin Maggie in their wedding dresses that Grandma made.


Slumber party the night before the wedding - I know my sisters will hate me for posting these pictures, but sorry girls. We set the timer on the camera for this one - it didn't really turn out.


This one turned out much better.

The Farmer's Market is held on Saturday in the Haymarket area.
The Downtown Haymarket area in Lincoln, where the wedding was held.
Tailgating before on Husker game day (Saturday, first football game of the season).

Grandpa (a.k.a. Pan-ga), Stella and her cousin Maggie.

Grandma and Stella in the pool - the water was too cold and she started to cry about 2 seconds after this picture was taken.

Probably Nebraska's only five-lane street.

Stella and Aunt Jessie.
Me and Stella.

Stella puts everything in her mouth - including Pan-Ga's visor!

Once I get the rest of the pics from Cory, Jenith and Jessie at home, I will post some. Send 'em on, girls!

Update

I haven't updated for awhile. I was in the states for a week, and just got back yesterday. Before that, just a lot of prep and things to do. But just wanted everyone to know that we are all doing well. Sebastian is now two weeks into the break, and feels great. His energy levels are up, the steroids have pretty much left his body and his shape is back to normal, and his white cells are rising, which means we can probably start meeting up with people a bit more.

Here's a picture of Sebastian and Stella I took before I left for the states. More pics to come from Cory's wedding and the family reunion in Montana.