lil fashionista

A doll, yes she is. But Morgan, I am sad to report this sleeper fits her already!!! : ( This babe is growing too big too fast. She is super cute, though!

officially freaking out

While I plan to post on the past few days happenings, I can't wait to post this. And not in a happy I can't wait mode either. I went to the dentist today (rewind about 22 years...I can recall my Dad having to force me to take valium to go to the dentist, and then carry a kicking and screaming girl into the car...way too many traumatic dental experiences as a child) So honestly, just going for a cleaning is a major freak out for me. Well what brought me there today was the fact that an area below my nostril (but inside my mouth) has gotten numb and tingly. I went hoping for something simple...like a canker sore. But alas, my front tooth is dead. And I need a root canal. Majorly freaking out, and I don't know how I am going to make it till then without throwing up from being so freaked. Apparently these things can just happen, or it can be extensive decay, or trauma. I am banking on the trauma perhaps...years ago as I was cleaning the floor in the kitchen of our old house, I stood up quickly and I smacked the back of my head against something on the wall. It knocked me to the ground. Immediately following that, I had weird things going on with my front teeth. But nothing it seemed that required a look. Sigh. I am hoping I can be completely sedated for it all. Though I may have to be sedated to even get to the dentist in one piece.

Valentine's Day

Okay, so I'm post happy today. I'm on a roll. Almost all caught up.

Five years ago on 2/14, Kaycey had been home from the hospital for a few days after her initial admission to Childrens, having spent 6 days in ICU following sugery, and several more days on the oncology floor. We knew she had neuroblastoma, but we spent Valentine's Day 2005 wondering what the next course of action would be. We didn't know much else at that point. It was about one week later they called and told us we needed to begin chemo. They gave us two days notice of when they wanted to start her on chemo. Talk about a shock, when we were thinking that just maybe life would go on, and be fine and normal. Boy were we wrong. Little did we know the hell we were about to begin. This photo is from the first time we brought Cal and Maddie to see Kaycey since she had been in the hospital. At that point she was only days from coming home.

But today, five years later 2/14, our family has grown a little bigger yet. Everyone is happy (most of the time--Maddie would not pose for a picture, she was busy screaming in the background) and healthy. And we are so grateful and thankful for that.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Feb 9-13

Major catch-up today, and I can't figure out how to un-underline this sentence, I tried! I also posted Feb 4-8 previous to this post.

Feb 9

Sadie slept last night from 9-4:30!!

Snow Day! But not really. The kids weren't actually off school, though some schools were off. I don't think the snow warranted an off day. It's Wisconsin for crying out loud! It really didn't seem that bad during the day. All afternoon and evening activities were cancelled at school, but it made sense at that point. The kids tried to get some shoveling done before Mike came home from work. But they were all out there after dinner to have at it again.

Feb 10

The critters have a party, thanks to Maddie and I.

Tonight our school has an open house. It's mostly to promote the preschool, as it is the only school in the area with a 3/4K program, and half day kindergarten. The snow seemed to keep people at home, but it didn't stop many of the school/church families from coming for sweets and fun. We stayed for almost the whole open house, and every time I am there, I am more thankful and happy than ever for having made the switch to the school. I am meeting new people and talking more with the other moms. One is as obsessed with weather as I am! Perhaps her and I will apply for the contest on Discovery with Reed from Storm Chasers (haha). Several of them are scrapbookers, and want to start a montly group at church. Four of us have gotten Canon Rebels in the past year (including the kindergarten teacher and Cal's teacher) that I know of, too. One gal has had hers for three years, and is taking a couple classes with me at Art's.

Feb 11

Ugly/mismatch day at school for spirit week. Kaycey wears multiple layers, and even a backwards tank top to top it off!! Notice the mismatched socks & uneven ponytails!

Maddie has gymnastics and her coach tells me every week "what a stitch" Maddie is. Every week, I hear how much Maddie makes her laugh.

Laura came over to help me go through some stuff and hang it up (okay, she hung it up mostly). I think I've decided on what to go with in the dining room (or current family room!!). Going for anything fresh/whites/shabby/vintagey/cottagey/birdy-(dirty sage green walls). If you see any ideas that you think might inspire me, I'd love to see it!! Here's my piles of goods that I have been collecting for a few years, as well as some of the new stuff I bought.

We went to my Dad's for dinner, it seems like we haven't been there in forever! I left to meet one of my BFF's out for her birthday. We've been friends for over ten years, which is totally crazy. And it doesn't matter how much time goes by (I haven't seen her since fall), we can start wherever we leave off. Happy birthday, Danna! (I stayed for an hour and a half, had one cherry sour! Was home by 10! Boy, I'm getting old.)

Feb 12

School Spirit Day!

Kaycey brings us home a Valentine she made at school.

Kids have a half day today at school. Most of it is spent on Valentine's parties! We stopped by my Grandma's for a little bit, Cal and Maddie are sleeping over there. Kaycey slept over by her cousin's house. I drove Kaycey downtown to meet Mike who would take her to meet his sister. Kaycey got to go into Mike's work. I think she was surprised at the way it looked!

A night minus three kids! We watched Kitchen Nightmares online, and I fell asleep on the couch before 9:30.

Feb 13

Sadie slept 8-3:30, then 4-6:30. I could get used to this!!

Kaycey had a great time at Julia's. She was proud to tell us that Uncle J.P. told her the reason they moved from California back to Wisconsin is because of Kaycey getting cancer. Which is partially true...they were tired of not being around family for everything happening--birthdays, new babies, and of course, Kaycey getting sick,too. And Kaycey couldn't stop laughing at telling us how her cousin, Jacob, (Julia's little brother) refused to hand out his valentines at school. His reason? "What have all those kids ever done for me?" What a funny kid.

Maddie put a show on for everyone, a daily occurence around here. If she doesn't get into acting/musicals/drama, I will be EXTREMELY shocked (and disappointed!! She's good at it, that little ham!)

Photo classes today, too. I went with a mom from our church/school. She knows way more than I do, that's for sure. Anyhow, while the first class was very informative, the second was more about flash (which I never use anyways) though he touched on lenses (okay, I totally want the wide 10-22mm lens!) The biggest thing I got out of the class? Print your pictures!! Why have a nice camera if you aren't going to print the pics to show them off. Pathetically, the only pictures I have printed since 2003 are those I scrapbooked, which really, in the big scheme of things, is not very many. I better get printing...

Feb 4-8

Haven't been good about taking pictures or blogging, but at least have still been making notes for each day.

Feb 4

Sadie slept from 9-3 last night! Woohoo! I hope this is a trend to stay. Today Sadie giggled, not just smiles and coos, I mean totally giggled. It was so cute!!

The three older kids had dentist appointments. I was anticipating the worst, especially with Maddie. I figured she'd have a mouth full of cavities with all the candy and sweets she eats. But NO CAVITIES, for anyone! Amazing! So a little treat...dinner at Baker's Square. With pie. Yum. (don't remember the last time we went to dinner as a family...it's been a long time!!)

Feb 5

Sadie is so super sweet. We love how excited she gets--kicking like crazy, cooing, and smiling!!

Cal has a basketball/pizza party banquet. The party began with a parents vs. players game. Some of the rules: Dads could only use one hand, no stealing from the kids, and Moms wore gloves or mittens. Some older brothers and sisters joined in the fun, too. They had such a great time (of course the kids won). His coaches were great (some help from the older boys at the school and a Dad with a son on the team, in addition to the head coach who is Cal's Sunday School teacher as well). Cal is really sad he only had him for this year (next year Cal will be on "B" team with a new coach). They finished 2-4, but the coach gave a great inspirational speech on how their record didn't matter. They played with their hearts and they played for Jesus, and that's all that mattered. The kids cheered!! (This is the "act goofy" picture)

Feb 6

My Dad called late on the 5th to tell me of a death notice in the newspaper. So today I went to a funeral for a grade school teacher of mine. It was nice to see nearly all of my grade school teachers there. I attended Woodlawn for K-8th grade, and Mike & I even got married there and we were members of that church yet up until we moved to our new house. He was the principal early on while I was in school there, but had retired, and just helped out around school by the time I had him as a teacher. He taught our class penmanship. So perhaps I can credit him with my nice handwriting?? He was the nicest old man around and with the 46 years of students he had teaching, I was always amazed he still remembered me. Cal went to school there for PreK, K, and 1st grade; Kaycey went for PreK. Mr. Kolander and his wife always would come up to me after church to say "hello", and after Kaycey got sick, they would always ask about her. They even came to the concert the school and church fundraiser held in her honor. I'm sure Mr. Kolander will be missed, but he lived a long (85 years) rewarding life of teaching and spreading God's Word. I am so grateful my parents sent me to such a great school, and I am proud that we are able to do the same for our kids. Sadly the enrollment at Woodlawn is dwindling (down to 46 in pre K-8th grade from what I hear) as is the church congregation (there are very few families/kids in the church, mostly elderly people).

Then in the afternoon, I met my cousin, Laura, for an afternoon of shopping. She took me to some of her favorite spots for household goods, and I spent way too much $$$. My sister met us later on, as well. We had yummy sandwiches at Potbelly's, and worked on Laura to get a facebook page :)~ While I will have to return a good chunk of what I bought, it just felt good to get out and look around--without any kids in tow!!

Feb 7

Superbowl Sunday!! I was rooting for the Colts simply because of the Saints beating the crud out of Brett. But I like Brees, too, so really, it didn't matter to me who won. The best commercial by far was the Brett one--him in 2020 with an MVP trophy, not sure if he'll retire. Haha! Here are the two older kids doing their own pregame show.

Feb 8

So, the pain isn't any better in my hip. Really it's not incredibly painful, but uncomfortable. It feels like there is someone tugging a string and pulling my insides around. Pleasant, huh? Not really. I'm wondering how they know there isn't a scalpel or something floating around in there. The doctor suggests surgery(!?!?!?)-- a laparoscopy to investigate, and from the sounds of it, there could be scar tissue or adhesions that she could remove (but if that's what it is, it could come back anyways). I opt to start with a less invasive look, an ultrasound.

I watched our little friend from down the way for the day while her Mom was at a meeting (the little gal Maddie's age). Lauren is a really good little girl...too bad Maddie was busy throwing tantrums for a good part of the day, and spent lots of time in her room.

We took Sadie to the doctor in the afternoon. She has a terrible little rash on her face. Turns out to be eczema. And she has awful cradle cap. Nasty winter...can't wait for it to get nice out (that'll help both of her issues). She is still such a sweetheart. She copies when you stick your tongue out, esp. when Mike does it. She smiles every time you say the word cute to her. And the kids insist she is saying, "hi" while gooing and gaaing.

Grandma B. (my Great-Grandma) and Aunt Lorie came over for dinner. They came with a box of 30 or so bears that Cal has been talking about for years (they are baseball bears, and they've been in their attic forever. Cal saw a picture of them once and never stopped talking about them!) We had pizzas and played a great game of yahtzee. The kids make Grandma B. so happy!!