Goodbye House...we will miss you!

Yes...you read that title correctly. We have sold our house! Our house was on the market for 2 weeks...CRAZY!!! Now the hard part is finding the next perfect home for our family. We have a few houses in mind, but nothing we are in LOVE with.

We had the perfect buyer come along...a young, single guy who lives w/ his mom, had a preapproval already & loves fish! He doesn't have a home to sell, has money to buy & wants to keep our basement tank so we don't have to mess with that huge thing. He offered to pay our asking price, wants all the appliances except the washer/dryer & would like our barstools (Captain Morgan of course). He was also asking that we pay closing costs, buy a 1 year home warranty & keep the garage workbench too. We countered his offer with...he pays full asking price, we will pay 1/2 of closing costs, no warranty & we take the barstools....they were a birthday present to Nate from me ;-) He accepted our counter & will sign the contract tomorrow & put his earnest money down. Now we just hope the inspection goes well, the bank doesn't have any issues w/ the loan & we find a new home.

It is all soooooooo exciting, but still nerve racking knowing that things can change in a matter of minutes. We are so lucky to have sold our house so quickly w/ this terrible sellers market. We will keep you all posted on our progress on the house hunting. This next house is our FOREVER home...we want Jordan & baby #2 to have one childhood home. So many great memories will be had in this next home. It is very sad that we must move on to a new home. We LOVE our present home...so many great times had here!

Well, our closing date is November 30th...we are hoping to move that date up but we must find a house first ;-) Our buyer is very flexible in the closing date which is wonderful. We just want to take our time to get the right home & we also have to be careful of Nate's knee surgery & recovery time.

Thank you all for your continued support. Maybe the next post will be about our new home ;-)
Love xoxoxo,
The Helgerson's

1st family trip to the Orchard...

Big girl on her pony...making sure Daddy is watching!

The Helgerson's 1st pic at the Orchard

Our little turkey ;-)

She loves her pony ride...love watching all her new adventures!

Big girl w/ her Daddy at the Orchard

The girls at the Orchard...a bit windy out!

I love my little family...they are my whole world!

We had our first family trip to the Edwards Apple Orchard today....it was so much fun! Jordan loved looking at all the animals, petting them & yelling at them ;-) She rode on her first pony. She laughed, grunted & smiled the entire time...it made our hearts melt. Aunt Aimee got to come w/ us today too. We all had cider donuts, hot cider & apple pie...Jordan tried everything & was loving every bite...especially the donuts!

Enjoy the pics from today. Have a great weekend!
Love xoxoxox,
The Helgerson's

11 Months...Where has the time gone?!

The Helgerson Family...Nate, Jordan & Rachel

Still in love after 5 years together!!! He's my Prince ;-)

Jordan's way of getting the remotes

The cutest face in the world...so excited!

Jordan picked out a few video games for Daddy ;-)

Jordan helping Daddy w/ the lawn care

Typing a letter on the computer...

Hanging out on the beach @ Grammie & Papa's lake Labor Day weekend

Yes...that is right...we have an 11 month old at our house! Crazy how fast time has flown by. I'm a bit sad that she is so big now & not my snuggle baby anymore, but it has been so much fun watching her learn & grow everyday! Some of the newest Jordanisms are: she loves to dance to any song, she does "SO BIG" all the time & expects you to do with her, she talks on her play cell phone to "Dadda"...she will pick up her cell phone, put it to her ear & say, "Hi Dadda" & then she laughs. She is the happiest little girl & so friendly to everyone. Wherever we are she waves & smiles at everyone. Going through the grocery store one would think she was in a parade....she is hysterical.

Jordan is the best sleeper & eater....she still takes 2 naps during the day & sleeps 10+ hours a night. She had her first cold/sickness 2 weeks ago...had a high temp one night, cough & runny nose. It was so sad to see & not be able to fix it right away for her. We are lucky that she has only been sick this once in her 11 months though. We knew she wasn't feeling well when she wasn't smiling all the time. We are still loving being parents...it is really the best job in the world (in our opinion).

Some other news in the family...we have just put our house on the market. Hoping it sells, but if not then it just wasn't meant to be. We realize that fall & winter isn't the best time to sell, but we also feel that a ton of people take their house off the market in the fall & winter & we are hoping there won't be as much competition out there for us. Or so we are hoping that is the case. We have had 3 showings & we have our first open house this Sunday. Please say a prayer. We have found 3 or 4 houses that we LOVE! 2 are in Roscoe, IL, 1 is in Loves Park, IL & the last one is in Poplar Grove, IL. We have chosen to go anywhere except the Rockford School District...it is not good! Nate has his 2nd knee surgery October 21st. It is an outpatient procedure, but the healing time is about 4 to 6 weeks w/ physical therapy. Jordan & I will be taking great care of him like the last time ;-)

Well, once again....hope you enjoy the pics & we wish you & your family the best. Some of you will be receiving the big 1st birthday invite in the mail this week....can't wait for all the fun to come!

Love xoxoxo,
Nate, Rachel, Jordan & Doozer

A few things...

Nate, Jordan & I...the baby shower planners ;-)

Jordan w/ Grandma Lissa & Grandpa Bob...expecting their 1st grandson in Dec!

Brock, Nate, Mandy & I...we love them so much!

Brock, Bob, Nate, Mandy, (Gavin), Lissa, Jordan & I...the family keeps growing

The food set up...deli sandwiches, pickles, crackers & cheese, veggies & dip, fruit salad & delicious cake

Gavin's diaper cake...100 diapers, 3 teethers, 4 spoons, 4 rattles, 4 pacifiers, travel baby wash/lotion, desitin, pee pee cover & 8 washcloths...we had a ton of fun putting it together ;-)

Jordan & her new baby doll...her present from Mommy to make her feel all better

Smiley girl climbing on Mommy...we just love that face!

Yesterday we threw a family baby shower for Nate's sister, Mandy & our brother in law, Brock. They are expecting their first baby boy, Gavin Michael Behnke on December 2nd. We are all so excited for them. We know they will be wonderful parents. They have been trying for a while now so this is a blessing. We had almost 30 people at our house for the shower. They received a lot of great gifts. They were given a stroller/carseat combo, bassinet, convertible carseat, towels, washcloths, clothes, socks, bibs, baby wash & lotions, books & a ton of diapers! It was a ton of fun & we were so happy to throw 2 of our favorite people a party to celebrate their baby boy.

Today I stayed home from work due to having a sick baby girl ;-( She was up every 2 hours screaming her head off. I would go into comfort her & she was still screaming...finally brought her in our bed & she slept a while. Then an hour or so later it was back to screaming. Thought it was teeth, ears, nose...checked everything we could. She did not have a fever. I couldn't feel any teeth coming in. She wasn't pulling at her ears. Thought it could be stomach pains, but can't tell on the outside. Nothing was working & we do not like a sad Jordan!

Called work to let them know what was going on & they said, "Dr. isn't here today, he is sick as well. If you want to come in go ahead, if not we'll see you tomorrow...get that baby better!" So, my intentions were to take Jordan to the Dr. & then bring her to Grandma Lissa's house & work for a few hours. The Dr. couldn't get her in until 10:45. She weighs 23 lbs 8 oz now. Dr. Omengan loked her over & said everything on the outside is just fine. She may just have a stomach virus. Nothing we can give her for that it just has to pass. Well, we got out of there at 11:15 & she was exhausted. She had her noon time bottle when we got home & she passed right out. The sick bum slept for almost 3 hours!!! Woke up & was full of smiles. Had dinner, played w/ toys & had our night time bottle earlier than usual & she will hopefully sleep like a champ. She is the best sleeper, so as soon as she was up all night we knew something was wrong. Hoping tomorrow is a better day for our Punkins!

Well, we just wanted to keep everyone posted on the everyday life of the Helgerson's. We are enjoying what is left of our summer. This weekend we will be going to my parent's WI cabin for boating, sun, campfires, family & friends ;-) Next time we'll be in WI we will be snowmobiling!!! We hope you have all had a wonderful summer. Enjoy the pictures!!!!

Love xoxox,
Nate, Rachel & Jordan

10 Months...ALREADY??!!

Miss Jordan loves her music ;-)

Daddy's little Vikings fan...he's so proud!

Daddy teaching Jordan the proper technique to fish

The new surprise face....it is hysterical

Telling Mommy a BIG story...she & I love to chat ;-)

The coolest shirt in all of WI...we cut the sleeves off for a bad@$$ pic

My beautiful family...I thank God for them everyday!

The Behnke's w/ their niece, Jordan...they are expecting their 1st, Dec 2nd

Mommy & Daughter....I love her soooooooooooo much!!!

Surprise visit to Grammie & Papa's lake...what a life J has!

Boat rides are so much fun & very windy ;-)

Playing w/ toys on the beach...can life get any better?!

The 3 of us on the rock-it-totter in Indiana

Daddy & Daughter taking a swim...making the best of the crummy weather

Big girl hanging out on friends weekend...she loved everyone & I know they loved her too ;-)

How on earth do we have a 10 month old?! It has been the best 10 months of our lives. We love being parents! Jordan is the best little girl. She entertains us & makes us smile everyday. It is so much fun to watch her change into a little lady. She is starting to look more like a little girl instead of a baby. I miss my snuggly baby, but I am happy to have an independent child.

It has been a busy summer for us....a lot different than last summer ;-) We went on our annual friend weekend in Monticello, IN. Our friend's family has a cabin on a lake in Indiana so we pick one weekend every summer & have way too much fun! Jordan came w/ us & got to play w/ her friend, Clayton Heaton. The weather wasn't the best, but we always manage. Jordan & I surprised my parents by venturing up to their cabin in WI for a day of fun in the sun. My Mom didn't believe me when I called to let her know what our plan was, but she was so happy I wasn't messing with her! We also just got back from our week in WI. Nate's family...his Mom, Dad, Sister (Mandy) & our brother-in-law (Brock) & the 3 of us along w/ our dogs spent a week fishing, eating too much, laughing a lot, playing games, reading, napping & whatever else our hearts desired! We had a great time & can't wait for next year w/ another baby around. Jordan was once again a wonderful little traveler. She is so adaptable to her surroundings. She still sleeps like a champ & goes on her merry way with whatever is going on. We are so proud of her.

Well, in 2 months we will have a one year old in our house ;-( The party plans have already begun. Excited to enjoy another milestone in our daughter's life. Most of you will be receiving your invites soon....Minnie Mouse & Friends theme! I don't know who is more excited me or Jordan. ;-)

Once again...we hope you & your family are having a wonderful summer!
Love xoxo,
The Helgerson's

P.S. Thank you to all who prayed for my Grandma LePla...she had several minor strokes last week. She is now home & doing well. Let's pray her health continues to get better!

9 Month Checkup...

Well, Miss Jordan is a PERFECT girl according to our pediatrician, Dr. Omengan ;-) We already knew that though! She is in the 95th percentile for her height & weight. He said she is a very happy baby & moving right along as she should. He told us we must be good parents because she will go to anyone & is doing so well. That was nice to hear! I like to think we are doing well being it is our first baby.

Jordan weighs 22 lbs 9 oz & is 29 3/4 inches long ;-) She has long legs like her Mommy & loves to eat like her Daddy! She has been crawling everywhere & pulling herself up on everything. Walking is just around the corner. When we were leaving the doctor's office yesterday I had to schedule her 1 year check-up...hard to believe she will be a year already. I may have cried a little ;-( Oh well, we get to have a fabulous party....I know most of you will be shocked, but I already have it all planned down to the decor, menu, drinks, games, favors & guest list. Many of you will be receiving an invite in September for her party in October. We love to celebrate!!!

Have a wonderful rest of the summer...we will have lots to update as we are busy until after Labor Day. Fun in the sun for the Helgerson's!

Love xoxo,

Rachel, Nate, Jordan & Doozer ;-)

9 Months!!!

Nate & his princess ;-)

Jordan's first 4th of July...on my parent's boat!

Dinner on the lake before the fireworks...My Family ;-)

Jordan & Mommy taking a nap on Grammie & Papa's boat

Crawling baby girl...chasing the photographer

Mommy & Daddy holding Jordan's hands...she is big stuff!

Walking along the couch in her Disney Princess jammies!

Mommy & Jordan crawling through her tunnel...we got stuck!

Nate & I at the Jimmy Buffett concert...My 12th & Nate's 4th ;-)

Our Parrothead group...about to go in & wait for Jimmy to start singing!!!

Where has the time gone??? We have a 9 month old girl in our home! We can't even believe how fast time has flown....we love every minute of being parents to Jordan. She truly has blessed our lives & everything is so much better w/ her ;-)

Jordan now crawls everywhere, climbs on everything & really would like to start taking her first steps. She loves to hold herself up on the edge of the couch & walk back & forth. The other night Nate & I thought she was going to take her first step. She let go completely & just stood on her own, but no dice. She will be walking before we know it. Everything is going so fast....it's hard to believe she will be 1 year old soon ;-( Our baby is now a big girl.

We have been very busy this summer....with me having a new job (which I love, love, love), Nate working 60+ hours a week & a little Punkin running the house we have still found time to visit w/ friends & family. Nate & I attended my 12th Jimmy Buffett concert w/ my family...it's a tradition ;-) Jordan stayed the night at her G & G Helgerson's. We spent our 4th of July weekend at my parent's WI cabin w/ my family & close family friends. Jordan loves the boat, water, sand & the wind blowing in her face...she falls asleep on the boat every time! We have also been using our pool to the fullest this summer. With the hot temps we get in any chance we get. Jordan has her own pool, but she loves swimming w/ Mommy & Daddy too!

Jordan has her 9 month check up this coming Wed....can't wait to find out what a big girl we really do have ;-) She is a great sleeper & a wonderful eater! She is eating stage 3 foods, oatmeal, 3--8 ounce bottles a day, whatever food is on Mommy's plate & some finger foods too. We have yet to find a food Jordan doesn't like...which we love...we do not want a picky eater. Nate & I love food too much & hope she will like to try new things w/ us. We still have some wonderful things planned for the rest of our summer....our annual pool party, Indiana w/ friends, Lake Lawrence w/ Nate's family for a week, my Mom's bday weekend, my 29th bday weekend, & Labor Day weekend @ my parent's cabin. Typing all of that makes me realize how quickly summer has gone...boo!!!!

Well, we hope you & your family are well. We will continue to update when new things come up in our world. Have a wonderful rest of your summer!
Love xoxo,
The Helgerson's (Nate, Rachel, Jordan & Doozer)