Christmas #2, Dec. 24

with flash

no flash

Christmas Eve:

The kids sang in two church services, 4pm & 6pm. Not the usual Christmas songs, but they were beautiful anyhow! It becomes a very late night quickly since the second service ends at 7pm. By the time we get the kids home and we eat, present opening with my side of the family doesn't begin until after 8 or 9pm! Mike and I are trying to come up with something different for next year, because it's just too much too late for us. We got to bed around 1:30or 2am. Not fun with a new baby who woke up a short time after we went to bed. The kids were up very late, too. They kind of just passed out in the middle of the living room floor. The next morning Cal couldn't remember if we had opened presents the night before or if it was a dream. They forgot to leave cookies out for Santa Christmas Eve night (though Mommy remembered to leave some out anyways) and they didn't even wake up until 8am Christmas morning!!

Here is the one picture of me from all of the Christmas gatherings, other than our family shot Someone really needs to start taking some pictures of me with my kids or something, there are so few!!

Santa, baby!

"Taking your own photos require a minimum purchase"
I am the fool who paid $15 (the cheapest purchase available, argh) for a 4x6 photo so that I could take my own pictures. I need to find a Santa next year who doesn't charge an arm and a leg, and lets me take my own photos!! Mike was mad at me though because I brought my old camera. Is it that crazy that I didn't want to bring my big camera to the mall a couple weeks after getting it and risk it being dropped or getting stolen?

We went to the mall on the 23rd after the kids got out of school. It was Maddie's first time ever sitting on Santa's lap. We don't talk up Santa a whole lot; enough that they know who the big guy in red is, of course. Maddie was super excited after watching "Letters to Santa" on PBS the night before, she was certain that she, too, would be on TV. SO she asked for a toy and a surprise. Wow, easy enough, huH? Cal and Kaycey asked for Packers jerseys, something they had never mentioned. That meant a trip to the store for Mom after seeing Santa...

Christmas #1, Dec. 20

okay, so my pictures do upload!! there must have been a problem with the site or something. it does take a little bit longer for them to upload, but the other day they weren't uploading at all.

So Christmas #1 on Dec. 20--with Mike's immediate family; his parents & siblings and their spouses and kids. Here are all the cousins. It is crazy how chaotic it is when we are all together.

The 10 cousins. Seven girls, three boys. Cal is the oldest, then there are nine under the age of 7. Kaycey and Julia are 7 yrs old, and they are 2 months apart. Then Ethan & Isabella are 5 (4 months apart). Then Maddie and Jacob are 4 (2 weeks apart). The four of them are 10 months apart. Then Grace is 3. Norah and Sadie are 4 1/2 months apart.

The six of us.

Maddie and Gracie, best buds. They are 14 months apart.

For Christmas from Grandma and Grandpa, Cal got a new desk, a case for his mp3 player, and a cool Baltimore Orioles wall hanging. Kaycey got a movie, a small chest for her American Girl doll clothes, and a new game. Maddie got an easel (a household favorite!! I can't believe our kids never had an easel!), and some Calico Critter playsets (super cute little animal families and furniture). Sadie got a "johnny jump up" for the doorway, which it won't be too long now that she'll be able to use it!! She is already getting so big...her cheeks are so chubby, and some of her clothes are already too tiny and have to be packed away!!

Merry Christmas!

Attempting to blog with a babe on my lap...we'll see how long this lasts! This is the first time I am on the computer since Thursday. Wow. I think that is one of the longest stretches ever without the computer. and even that day, I only checked the email the school principle sent us to see what time the kids had to be at church for their program Christmas Eve night. Which was AWESOME by the way. 100 kids singing (the whole school 3k-8th grade) and Maddie was easily heard over everyone :) what a ham. I would love to post the video as soon as I figure out how. We got a new camcorder from Mike's parents for Christmas. Actually we had forgotten to bring it to the first service. I made Mike go back to the 2nd church service with camcorder in tow to record the songs because it was that great.

Maddie loves the commercial for some insurance company with the song "I'll be there". She says it is her favorite song.

Lunch time...Maddie is requesting pickles, cookies, and candy. Ha.

I've taken prob. 1000 pictures with my new camera. Even figured out how to get them onto my computer. Too bad I don't know how to shrink them so I can post them to my blog, or anywhere else for that matter :(

Took the kids to see Santa Wednesday. It was Maddie's first time ever to sit on Santa's lap. She asked for a toy and a surprise. And she thought she was going to be on TV. She is so entertaining it's ridiculous, in a funny way of course.

Looking forward to posting pictures!!

Happy Anniversary to Mike & I!

a moment to blog...

I've fallen off the face of blog earth! But that's okay. I've religiously made notes for each day for my December Daily, but have not physically done it...(sigh) But quite alright. Honestly, I don't really think it's the having a baby part that has been keeping me busy. She's the easy one (for the most part anyways : ) I think it's the running around for the other three kids--be it sports, other after school activities, baking for the open house at school, etc...and the fact it's the holidays. I think there's just alot going on this time of year, and attempting to see friends or blog or whatever gets vetoed by things like cleaning, decorating, and shopping. I haven't decorated much at all this year (other than the trees--one real, one 6ft fake for the kids, and 2 mini trees). And honestly I don't think I will bring out much more this year, other than the Nativity. It's already a week till Christmas, I can't believe it!! That means my lil' baby is almost 6 weeks old already!!

I've been trying so hard to futz with the new cam. And I'm trying to be patient. I wish it came easier to me. I'm not very technologically competent; not so much that I'm not at all, but I really have to learn things and go step by step to get it (much like anything I do involving the computer). I was so proud of myself tonight...I did take some pictures with a blurred background, yay me! But my pictures are looking kinda yellowish to me. Guess I haven't gotten to that part of the manual...

Well, because I haven't posted much of anything I will post a picture of the tree (from my point and shoot camera...haven't put the software on my computer yet for the new camera). We are figuring this tree is over 10 ft tall. And to see Mike cut it down and haul it to the truck by himself was quite a sight indeed. But he did it!! It's decorated now, but I haven't uploaded any of the pictures. Mike is off of work tomorrow so maybe I'll get some computer time in during the day : )

Merry Christmas!

a bit early...

while I have lots to post about (including our big tree, no mice for 48+ hours, etc...) I had to post my early present from *Santa* (aka, Mike). A DSLR Canon EOS Rebel T1i/500D. He also got a separate zoom lens (55-250mm). We really do not exchange presents for holidays, birthdays, or anniversaries. So it was a bit of a surprise that he bought it. (The driveway can wait ; ) He had told me my wedding rings were going to be my present for the rest of my life. Wow, what a jokester!

Now do I take a class to learn everything? Or just play around on my own?? I've been reading the manual all night, so much info...but I can't wait to play around with it!!

12 down...

????? to go.

12 mice that is. GROSS. Yes, Mike has already caught 12 mice. 10 since yesterday. Mike bought various types of traps yesterday morning and set them up right away. All of the mice have been found on the second floor (which we can't really figure out how they are getting up there without having a bunch on the first floor). And with each one I get more and more grossed out. How can there be that many? Where are they coming from? How many more are there? How didn't I come across one in the past month that I've heard them scampering about?? The kids don't know just how many have been caught...Cal is terrified. Maddie is relatively indifferent. Kaycey wants to keep them as pets. I hope this ends soon...more interesting posts to come, like about our enormous Christmas tree we went and cut down ourselves!!

Dec 4th

So after picking up Maddie from school today, I decided to make a run to Target (though after the fact, I thought to myself, why didn't I wait to do this till Mike came home??? Was it really necessary to get boots and snowpants while the kids were at school?? What was I thinking??) Anyhow, after the Target run, we came home and Maddie said she wanted to take a nap. Hallelujah!! She never takes naps anymore, so to bed we went. Too bad Sadie started fussing almost instantly. Maddie fell asleep instantly, though, even without having lunch. Sadie was sleeping, but would randomly cry out. So I debated...do I wake her up and make her eat and hope she falls asleep so I could try to take a quick cat nap before Maddie woke?? Or did I let Sadie keep squaking every few minutes until she decided to officially get up? Well, I took my chances with the first of the two options...and it worked like a charm. Sadie ate, and went right back to sleep. I went to bed and got to sleep until the older kids came home from school--almost a whole hour!! Which means Maddie took a two hour nap. Wow.

Cal was supposed to have his first basketball game tomorrow, which he was totally psyched up for. This coach is awesome; very positive with the philosophy of just trying your best is all that matters. Anyhow, the game is cancelled because somehow the game didn't get put on the other team's schedule (how would that happen, I don't know!!) So he does have practice in the morning, but we were all looking forward to watching his first game of the season. Guess it will wait till next week.

Still haven't brought out the Christmas stuff. Kinda hoping my sister will come over and pull some of it out for me (she did offer!!).

Dec 3rd, A creature was stirring...

yes, it was a mouse.

So for a month or so, I swore I heard little scampering around. Nibbling of papers. Noises in the vents. Noises in the wall. Mike told me I was crazy. Last night, the kids discovered a mouse in Cal's room at bedtime. I had just gone to bed, 8:15 or so, because of the extremely rough night the night before. All of a sudden, shrill screams echoed through the house. Mike ran upstairs, and what do you know, a mouse in Cal's closet. Conveniently, the baby woke up shortly thereafter, so I got back up to tend to her, while Mike attempted to catch the mouse. After a good 45+ minutes, and destroying Cal's room, Mike did get the mouse. The kids swear they saw another one this morning, which wouldn't surprise me. How the heck did one or any get upstairs, is what I would like to know. Anyhow, so Cal's room is still destroyed, and guess who will probably have to be the one to put it back together. The whole house is rather disheveled. I think I am going on strike. So eventually I got to bed, close to 10 o'clock, though. So another tired day for me. I was hoping for a nap after I took Maddie to school today, but Sadie has been up pretty much since we got home, and not particularly happy. Take a nap? When? WHile I am on the way to taking Maddie to gymnastics? Or perhaps when I took all 4 kids to the doctor yesterday afternoon for flu shots. Or maybe on the way to Walmart to look for boots (it snowed!), which they did not have any sizes I needed of course. So, alas, my kids went to school with no boots, Maddie was late to school, and I am deleriously tired.

Dec 2nd

Today Maddie, Sadie, and I stopped at the Scrapbook Store to make a quick visit. It was so nice to say "hi" and to see all that paper again : ) While there isn't much new stuff to look at, it doesn't matter. Just walking into that store inspires me!! We also took a trip to the mall. Maddie wanted to ride the train and eat lunch there. Unfortunately, my double stroller is stuck in the open position (it's been through alot...) and I couldn't get it in my car. I had to take the single stroller (which actually is also stuck open...I don't know how this happens) which was none to pleasing to a certain 4 year old that she would not have a seat while going through the mall. I had to make a couple stops in the mall (geez, to think I go to a mall and actually want to go into a store, and NOT just to ride the train!) but Maddie was "too tired" and was not very cooperative. Don't fear, it has nothing to do with the new baby. Maddie has done this as long as I can remember. Even when she would be sitting in the stroller in the past, she would conveniently be "too tired" to want to go into any of the stores. She perked up a little when we bought a Christmas dress from JCPenney's for her. We also bought something for Cal to wear for Christmas. Little Sadie is set for the holidays, as she has 4 different outfits--I just hope they fit her! Kaycey on the other hand...don't know what I'm going to do. She is not the frilly poofy fancy dress type. She is not the dress type period. If she had her way she would probably wear flight pants and a sweatshirt. Hey, what can I say, she likes to be comfortable--which is totally me these days! Any idea of where to shop for this girl would be greatly appreciated!!

Tonight we are going to church. I love this time of year in church; especially Wednesday night services, as we typically sing the traditional Christmas hymns.

Perhaps I will bring out some Christmas things tonight. I said last year I wasn't going to bring everything out, but I ended up bringing most of the things out anyways. This year I really don't feel like hauling everything out, but at the very least we'll have the trees (last year we had 4 trees!!) Now we just need a tad bit of snow to set the mood...

Dec 1st

Tonight the kids "picked" out names...since they aren't doing a gift exchange amongst cousins this year, my kids thought it would be fun to pick each other's names. I figure, there's four of them now, so why not. They are very excited to go shopping ALONE with Mom and pick something little out for the person they chose from a hat.

There was a car accident on the corner by our house in the middle of the night. I was up feeding Sadie. I don't know how I didn't hear the crash, but I heard the oodles of sirens. There were at least seven squads, a fire truck, and an ambulance that I saw. It even woke Mike up. From our porch, it looked to us like the police were at or in the neighbor's house. It turns out they were parked there, but the accident happened along the road, which is next to the neighbor's property. It appears the driver was speeding (just by the marks on the road and ditch it seems obvious) and the car flipped multiple times and crashed into a tree. The person in the back seat died, while the two in the front seat suffered some injuries, but will be okay. Cal and Kaycey were fascinated by the whole thing, and the fact that it was on the news. I know they are young, but they had alot of questions about why and how it happened, and so I am just trying to instill in them how important it is to be a responsible person and that some people make bad choices (it sounds like alcohol is a factor, as well as drugs). Kids grow up way too fast...

under the weather

Shouldn't there be some sort of law that a momma of a 2 week old can't get sick?? : (

After going to bed Thanksgiving night, somehow, Maddie and I are the only ones in the house to catch whatever short-lived bug we caught. But short-lived as it was, it was yucky. I know it wasn't the food, because Maddie was already feeling icky and she hadn't eaten anything at all most of Thansgiving Day. Thankfully, I have a nice guy who held down the fort while I was in bed with a bucket : ( And Sadie even slept from 12:30-6am that night!! Dang, too bad I was curled in a ball for hours during the night, praying for my stomach to feel better!! At least Mike got a good night's sleep so he could manage the next day without me. I don't know that I got off the couch all day once I got out of bed, other than to take a shower in hopes that would make me feel better. I'm doing better today, still haven't had an appetite really. Mike and the 3 older kids are gone for the day to his Dad's side of the family Thanksgiving gathering. Sadie and I are hanging out at home. She's been sleeping most of the time. Wish I felt up to doing something, anything--a trip to a store, laundry, finish my December Daily so it's ready by Tuesday to start it up! Time to wake up, baby Sadie!! Another 12:30-6 would be grand if I could be sleeping during that time : )

Life right now

Chaotic. Messy. Tiring.

Laundry everywhere, literally. Clean, dirty, folded, unfolded.

A baby who is a night owl.

Baby "stuff" adorning every room in the house. Clothes, diapers, wipes, bottles, bibs, blankets, and much more... galore.

No time for emailing, blog updates, or checking other blogs.

Toys, crayons, books are EVERYWHERE. (Mostly Maddie's doing)

Boxes of cereal left out on the counter. Crumbs on the floor.

Mad dashes to make the bus, or if it's anything like today, miss the bus, and Mom packs everyone up and drives to school, barely getting there before the bell rings.

Forgotten "show 'n tells". Mom drives back to school to drop it off.

Late nights, early mornings. Multiple times up in between.

Five minute showers. Zero makeup, totally undone hair, pajamas and slippers most of the day.

One pair of pants that fit, and only because I just bought them 3 days ago. (Comfy lounge-y pants. Need to go buy another pair or 2).

Doctor appointments and basketball practices.

Just not possible to sleep when the baby sleeps.

7 o'clock dinners. Often without Mom and/or Dad getting a chance to eat.

And still, I am thankful for this crazy life.

How sweet it is.

Welcoming Sadie

So as a woman, I know most women are obsessed when it comes to baby stuff. How, as a woman, it doesn't matter if you know the pregnant lady or not, you are going to ask her when she is due. And if it's a boy or girl. And if she has names picked out. Or how, when you cross a woman with a brand new baby you ooh and ahh and often hear the story about the labor & delivery, ask a name, find out the weight, and yes, sometimes you don't even know the lady. We find knowing this information so much fun, whether we have kids or not. Curiosity is just one of those female things. And so with that intro, I bring you the story of Sadie.

Sunday night, November 8th, Mike and I watched "The Proposal" (a pretty good movie in my book, by the way). Then I thought that maybe, just maybe, my water broke. I went to bed, very uncomfortable, and curious as to whether or not my water did break. I figured it could wait until morning, since I wasn't even sure. And I wasn't about to either wake all the kids and take them by Grandma's at 11 o'clock at night, or call Grandma and have her come over at that hour, since I wasn't even sure. The next morning I told Mike to go to work, figuring it was a false alarm. After taking Maddie to school, I decided to give the doctor a call, figuring she'd ask me to come into the office, they'd do their litmus paper test to see if my water broke, and send me on my way. At 9am-ish, she actually told me to go straight to L&D at the hospital. I was skeptical, thinking, I really don't have to go to the hospital...but I went anyways. I took my time, though, and made sure I had my camera, of course, just in case, and even put my bag in the car thinking maybe, just maybe we'd have a baby that day! And if I did, I didn't want Mike to have to drive all the way home just to get my bag. Anyhow, after hooking me up to all the monitors, it turns out I was having contractions (nothing major, but they were regular). My water did not break, in fact. Around 10am-ish the nurse told me in her opinion I was going to have a baby either way that day. And the doctor on call felt that with my contractions the way they were, and as uncomfortable as I was, she didn't feel comfortable sending me home, just for me to come back. Shortly after 10:30 am, the nurse came back in and told me the doctors planned on doing the c -section at 11:30am. WHat!?!? Mike was still at work. I thought maybe they'd make me sit there all day, and do the c-section late afternoon. I called Mike and relayed the info (and the doctors assured me they'd wait for him to get there : ) In the meantime, I was stuck four times in attempts to start the IV. I had to drink this NASTY stuff, something for stomach acid. I told them how I was excited I'd be home in time to watch the Packer game and the Viking game on Sunday the 15th (had I had the c-section on the 13th, I would've been watching from my hospital bed), and how yes, I was one of "those" people who still loved Brett and that Maddie, our third, would've been Brett if a boy. Once Mike arrived (by 11:30), everyone was pretty much ready to go. By noon or so, we were in the operating room. I don't remember receiving the spinal being so painful with my other kids, but this one was awful. I remember thinking, I'm never doing this again! Instantly I got sick and it made me goofy for a short time. But everyone was absolutely wonderful who was there--the nurses, the anesthesiologist, my OB, the OB on call, and Mike. And just like that, 15 minutes later, a little lady was born (who was nameless at the time...everyone in the room was calling her "Brett-tina"). It was instant relief, the nine months of feeling icky, the terrible heartburn, and the sleepless nights would be over. And as soon as I saw her, I thought, I could totally do this again.

"Little Girl" remained nameless until about 5 o'clock. Mike called her Sadie right off the bat. But then we went back and forth with using as first names Aubrey, Molly, Carleigh, Katherine, Josie, Claire, Elsie (Ella), or Lyndsey. Mike repeatedly said it was up to me. I was a little torn. I loved so many names!! But both of us have always loved the name Sadie, and since I did pick out Maddie's name with Sadie being a close second back then (along with Norah and Josie), I guess we pretty much had it decided all along. We waited until the kids came with my Grandparents to meet her (after school). Once my Grandparents left, we asked the kids what names they thought about. Then we asked what they thought of the name Sadie, and they all loved it. The meaning of Sadie is "princess". The kids love that the name means "princess". And so, Princess Sadie she is.

I was sick the rest of Monday. Like, the throwing up kind of sick. Yuck. Anything I tried--water, 7up, jello...didn't stay down. I could barely keep my head up. I had never felt like that after my other c-sections. Even though Sadie slept in the nursery Monday night (I couldn't get out of bed yet), I got next to no sleep. But each day got a little better.

We got to go home Thursday after having stayed 3 nights, even though I stayed 4 nights after having the other 3 kids. We were excited to go home, though.

next post...at home.

one week

I can't believe she's a week old already. She is absolutely perfect. The kids have been great; shockingly getting along with each other and of course, still can't get enough of the baby! Mike has done a wonderful job taking care of us. His hugs at the end of the day make me feel better. Not that I've been upset, just drained, and becoming inpatient while waiting to feel 100%, while right now I am probably about 75%. And while he is very understanding, I'm thankful when we were discharged from the hospital the nurse told him to expect me to be even crankier and more irritable because on top of having a baby and the pain factor from the c-section, my iron was pretty low. Not that I've been cranky, but I think someone telling him that is good; just a reminder my hormones are still freaking out and who knows when and if I will lash out for no reason. Emotions are up and down for no reason at all, so it's good to have someone around who is okay with that. : )

Today is our first day at home without Mike. He made a great stay at home mom. He took care of making the kids' lunches, kept up on laundry (with some help from my Grandma), I hear the kids' rooms are clean (though I can't do stairs yet, so haven't been up there to see), and has in general kept up with the kids' school stuff. The girls and I don't have to leave the house and can't anyways as long as I am on painkillers, so Maddie, Sadie, and I are just hanging out. Lots of games of Princess Memory to be played. And lots of "ooo-ing" and "ahh-ing" at the baby of course : )

she's here : )

Sadie Katherine, born 11-9-09 at 12:15pm. 7lbs, 6oz, 21 inches long.

First photos:

Today I took some beautiful pictures, since they already got me out of bed and had me up and moving. Haven't uploaded them quite yet, but I'm really excited to share those. She is absolutely perfect, and we are so so happy.

I'm not feeling exceptionally great, so I will post details and more fun photos later tonight or tomorrow: )

feelin' crafty : )

So I made my thank you's & delivered them--and so proud of myself because I used only my paper scraps! I worked a teeny bit on my maya road mini baby book using this ADORABLE collection of goodies:

I also made this banner (a kit I purchased from Hannah's...I had a coupon!) The photos don't really do it justice. It's made using Basic Grey's Nook and Pantry line...I have to say, I love the colors in this line!! I'm excited to use the scraps to make a mini thankful/grateful book.

Started my baby announcements...planned on having them done other than adding the photo and the details. Figured I'd bring them to the hospital and fill in the blanks. Now I'm thinking I like how it looks all typed up, which means I'd have to finish them once I came home (not sure I'll feel like doing that!!) Hmmm...anyways, I'm using this paper from Cosmo Cricket's Nutmeg collection. Was looking for something girly and fallish. May have to get more. Trying hard to keep them simple and inexpensive, but we all know how that ends up : )

Wow, 6 1/2 days or LESS to go!!! Yikes!!!! Guess I should pack my bags...

it's the final countdown

For real this time. Less than two weeks. Maybe even less than the ten days I currently have written on the calendar... Mildly freaking out. Not about having a fourth child so much, but about having the house clean (which I've been cleaning like crazy constantly, just seems like it's never clean though!) About having the baby (totally freaking out about having a c-section. Or anything to do with the hospital "stuff".) Wondering if I'm forgetting anything. Hoping to finish so many projects I've started (the bathroom frames hung up, make the thankful banner I bought from Hannah's last week, finish the baby mini book I started making, the 8x8 calendar I barely started for the baby, working on finishing my December Daily book I made for last year but never finished (which I am totally okay with. It'll be a fun year to do a book like that with a new baby : ) working on thank you cards--which I'm in the process of making, baby announcements--which I wanted to have made when I go to the hospital so all I have to do is literally print the photo and fill in the blanks, and send (and I am desperately trying to find a good fallish/girly double sided paper for this, and I may have to drive back down to Archiver's or Hannah's to get some! I know what I want to make, it's just getting the paper to do it. I was thinking one from the Bo Bunny Delilah line??

Oh, I'm taking suggestions by the way.) I know that's an awful lot of creative stuff to have on my plate right now. But, oh well. Trying to take advantage of the free time now. So I can sleep when the baby sleeps : )

Trick or treat!!

Today the kids went trick or treating in our town...they made it 10 houses. You see, most people in our area hook up a trailer to the riding lawnmower and go house to house (some even ride up the long driveways). Not us. The kids and Mike walked (I passed out candy), and so did not make it very far on this cold, blustery Halloween Day. They still got their share of candy, and then it was on to Milwaukee. Traditionally, we stop at my Grandma's and Dad's (they live about a mile apart). This year we stopped by my Mom's and StepGrandma's. The kids went to a handful of houses there, too. Then after dinner we went to the village where our school is located (2 miles away). They have trick or treating at night. It is SO much fun. Not to sound like a big party pooper, but I've never really been into Halloween. But I also never got to trick or treat at night growing up, ours was always during the day. It is great out here. Everyone gets into it; adults are dressed up, ALL the kids are dressed up (even the older kids...unlike the teensomethings who come costumeless to the door and expect candy anyhow). Many people go all out decorating their yards. There are tons of people everywhere, and being a small village, we ran into so many people we knew from church and school, which I think is so neat. So small-town like. We now have candy covering our entire kitchen table, mostly chocolate. I wish it were sour patch kids...

Very much looking forward to the "extra" hour of sleep tonight!!

Great friends, good times...

My Scrap Store gals threw a baby shower for me last weekend that included delicious food, a beautiful homemade cake, games, and gifts. They are the greatest bunch of gals! SO thoughtful and sweet, I'm so happy to know them. (If anyone else has pictures, send them my way, please

: )

Pumpkin Patch, Friday the 23rd

pumpkin patch photography taken by Kaycey
Our school hosts a carnival-like party called Pumpkin Patch. Everyone was so excited to go, seeing it would be our first year at the school, and there has been talk about it at church since school began! There are carnival-like games and prizes, a chilli supper, a bake sale, silent auction, raffle baskets, and a pumpkin carving contest. Unfortunately, Maddie came home sick from school last Friday, and Cal had been sick since Wednesday (the 21st)--some sort of flu bug. Yuck. Kaycey and I were both put on tamiflu to prevent us from getting the flu. So far, it's working. I also had both the seasonal flu shot and H1N1 shot. SO here's hoping for a healthy winter!! Anyhow, so just Kaycey and I went to the Pumpkin Patch party; and she decided to take pictures to show Cal. She also played extra games to win prizes for both Maddie and Cal. She even won three real, live goldfish!! I guess we are now officially pet owners. We dug out our little fish tank from a box in the basement, and filled it up. Amazingly, the fish are even still alive!

fish photo taken by Cal

ready and waiting...

Diapers and wipes...check!

teeny, tiny lil hats all clean...check!

Some of the toys Maddie and I dug out of the basement baby toy boxes & cleaned off...check!

Baby car seat, all clean, belts adjusted, and ready to go...check!!

swing....check! (even though we couldn't get it working at first even after putting in brand new batteries...Mike gave it a good shove and all of a sudden it worked)

Baby Girl---21 days or less! (who doesn't quite officially have a name yet...Mike has recently decided just in case it's a boy we should have a name picked, too)

HINT: all potential girl names end in the "ee" sound

birthday fun

My birthday was over this past weekend. Mike and I don't typically exchange presents, but he & the kids did go buy a cake mix Saturday after soccer. It was rather amusing to see him make a cake! I have to say, if it weren't for my help, that poor cake may not have made it...but the cake making was a success! I love the look on Maddie's face, as if she is saying with her eyes, "Daddy, are you sure you know what you are doing??"

The kids then helped decorate it. Honestly, it was very tasty!!

Some things I was excited to get include an under-the-cabinet radio/CD player/mp3 output from Dad and Maria (seriously, I have music going all day now!!), 3 more chairs for the island from Mom (which Mike is putting together tonight, yay!), a tasty ice cream cake from Maggie Moo from my dear scrappin' friend :O) , and this from my sister...too funny!!

a new layout

stay tuned for another post soon.