A Beautiful Collision

Word to the wise...

2012-02-01T21:18:00.001-06:00

E has decided that it's funny to say that people stink. I think it started as a joke at daycare, she and YA would say that the other person smelled like pillows, or blankets or some other inanimate object...well she has recently upgraded to just saying the people stink now AND she has decided that it is her job to mother the other kids at daycare who are currently potty training...so none the less she like to talk a lot about poo. Tonight she decided to tell me that poo is stinky and found her copy of "everybody poops" for me to read to her. After finishing the story, she very kindly looked at me and stated, "sometimes all people are stinky". Very, very true E, very true...

Bag lady???

2012-01-27T07:44:00.001-06:00

My little bag lady/rasta/ dance major (she got called all of them this morning), all she needs to complete this look is dreadlocks!

Beast and the Belle

2012-01-26T23:55:00.001-06:00

E's first movie. She did a good job and actually was much easier to deal with than I thought. I couldn't resist the opportunity to see Beauty and the Beast in the theatre with my girl, but holy inflation...it was only showing in 3d and tickets for 3 of us cost $36!!

5 months later...

2012-01-26T23:40:00.001-06:00

Excited to finally get the Blogger app for my phone... Maybe I can finally start blogging again!

What????

2011-08-20T23:00:00.000-05:00

So, it just hit me that I never posted E's 2nd birthday!!!!! We were having computer issues at the time and I found this in the drafts where I apparently forgot it????? Let's take a quick re-wind back to April...

E's 2nd birthday was "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" themed. I had found the book and big stuffed caterpillar in the $5 'Kohls's Care' section of my local store some time before and decided it would be a great birthday theme. Once I brought the book out to E she became obsessed with it and I knew we had made the right decision. Just like her first birthday we had a planned a party at the local park, however the weather had other plans and we decided the morning of her party that we would have to move it to my mom's house. My mom and I put a lot of work into her cake (which turned out massively bigger than we planned), and I was sad that the ink on the birthday book we made her smeared, but other than that she had a blast!

Birthday Pancakes!

Birthday book to sign (but people closed the book to soon and the ink smeared on some of the pages!)

Celebrating 3 Birthdays!

The whole table...

Birthday favors that doubled as balloon weights!

The cake! I said it was big!

Brother helped blow out the candles!

Bwahaaaa!!!!

2011-08-20T22:53:00.003-05:00

Source: franstar.tumblr.com via Sara on Pinterest

Rock Stars

2011-08-20T22:30:00.003-05:00

Finally time to post a few pics of my room! Tons of time and effort went into my new room this year. Some things are still not exactly the way I wanted them, but we managed to have a successful first week!

Some of our power words

This year's theme "Rock Stars"

my little corner of the world

My mom made this 'find it' jar for my class

Our quote board - I re did the quote after this picture to make it not so small. I'm very proud of the border, I made it myself from scrapbook pages.

Our community area - my kids have started calling the foam mats "the squishies" (notice my crates from this post)

"Books that ROCK" - sort of a 'book recommendation' type of thing. Currently all of the 5th grade teachers have a named a 'book that rocks' and it is on the front of the cabinet (we call them "big ugly's" in our school). Throughout the year kids can grab a colored shape and add a book that they think rocks!

Our "just right" books posters.

Library

Missing picture: I didn't post a picture of this project because it has my kids' names on it, but I will post a blank one as an idea soon...

Our check in board - it's really a nifty idea. Each kid gets a card with their name on one side and their picture on the other. When they come in in the morning they flip their card from the name side to the face side, this way I know they are here. If they want a school lunch they grab one of the little tags at the bottom and put it with their picture. This way, when I do attendance and lunch count I don't have to interrupt anything, I can just look over and take a quick count. It also works great when we have guest teachers because they can put a name to a face for my kids.

Sleep, sleep, sleep

2011-08-20T20:19:00.004-05:00

I went to bed early last night (J had movie night at Gram's), and even managed to find time for a decent nap today. I feel a little less like I'm on the brink of a disaster, but still not quite all put together. I was actually kind of glad it was wet and gloomy this morning, because I didn't feel so bad about snuggling under the covers! I am hopeful that I can spend the extra time I will be up tonight (thanks to the nap), to finish my plans for next week, since I wasn't able to get them finished this week due to everything else, and feel a little more on op of things. My fantastic husband though, made sure the house was clean and dishes were done when I got home at 8:30 Thursday, so it was one less thing to do this weekend, and one thing that will be easier to deal with this week.

My big 4th grader on the first day of school! It absolutely floors me that he is that old already!

No time to breathe....

2011-08-19T21:36:00.003-05:00

I don't ever remember having a first week back to school that was this stressful and tiring! Seriously, if this doesn't get better I don't know what I will do - maybe cry - I have found time to do that a few times this week. It's really not the kids, they're super sweet, just crazy amounts of stress..........

Monday Morning Music

2011-07-31T21:47:00.002-05:00

OK, I know it's not Monday morning yet but tomorrow is my first day of work, so if I want to get this posted I need to do it now! Another song that has just been lingering with me lately......enjoy.....

John Mark McMillan "Death in His Grave"

All the Poor and Powerless

2011-07-25T10:44:00.004-05:00

Welcome to Monday Morning Music!

So, I'm currently a bit obsessed with this song. My husband played it for the first time for me on Friday and I sat in awe (the EP version is a little different than this version, with a great bass drum/hand clap thing happening). Not just of this song, actually of several from the album, but I picked this one for you today. I had a whole long explanation of why I picked this song types up for you, but instead I'm just going to leave you with the simplicity of the song...

All Sons and Daughters, "All the Poor and Powerless"

I blame it on Pinterest...

2011-07-23T21:57:00.004-05:00

Have you heard of Pinterest? I'm sure you have, but if you haven't you should check them out. It is an awesome way to waste time while organizing a million really cool things. I have been using it all summer to put together some ideas for my classroom and I finally made one happen. I had actually seen these storage seats in a book I bought while still in college, but never had the room for them. I saw them again on pinterest this summer and since I have the space in my big new classroom this year I decided to make them. They don't at all match my "Rock Star' theme for this year, but I couldn't find cool rockstar themed fabric and loved this pattern. Viola! I place to store all of my extra whatever and have a fun place to sit. I made 4 but the other crates are all at school. Enjoy finding you own cool ideas!

Only 4 years??

2011-07-14T16:10:00.002-05:00

Today I have been married for 4 years, which seems like the blink of an eye to be honest with you, and I'm happy to say that things are still great! Not perfect by any means, but great. In honor of this day I leave you with a quote that a lot of people need to listen to, and a picture from our happy day!

Monday Morning Music - anniversary edition!

2011-07-11T21:14:00.002-05:00

My wonderful husband and I will be celebrating our 4th anniversary this week (that seems like a day compared to how long we've really been together!)and in recognition of that you're getting 2 songs this week! The first is "our song", you all have one whether you want to admit it or not, so just go ahead. This became song came into our relationship very early, and there was never another song that really seemed to fit, regardless of how hard we tried. The second song was played during our wedding and we even took a few lines to add to our wedding invites. To this day when I hear this song, especially played in a worship service as it was at our wedding, I remember that day and smile (corny but true!)

Song #1 "What I Really Want to Say" - Steven Curtis Chapman

Song #2 "Only You" - David Crowder Band

Sorry the videos aren't the greatest, but they were the best YouTube had to offer!

Happy 4th/Monday Morning Music

2011-07-04T14:15:00.004-05:00

Happy 4th f July everybody! I was debating about whether or not to post a 'patriotic' M3 today since it seems that most patriotic songs of current birth are soaked more in politics than patriotism, and I'm not a fan of politics much of the time. However, I did just finish the 2nd book in a 3 book series that takes place during the American Revolution, so I am feeling a bit patriotic and felt like I needed to put something up. So, found this video of a song I sang in choir every year myself, which has a very 'revolutionary' type feel, AND is directed by Bayard DuBois, who is a fabulous acquaintance of our family and someone I love to sing for! Enjoy the Issaquah, Washington combined high school choir version of BATTLE HYMN!

Family Camp

2011-07-04T09:45:00.007-05:00

Every year Jackson and my mom go to Pinecrest for family camp. Usually, E and I go down on Friday, but this year I had a conference for work so E went down on Wednesday and I joined them on Friday (we even got Josh to join us!). The kids had a blast...(disclaimer - there are more pics of E because Jackson spends most of camp off on his bike in the woods somewhere so you can never take his picture!)

Frog hunting...I think they caught 8 or so of these TINY frogs (no kidding they are only about the size of a fingernail)

She was obsessed with the frogs, but when you asked her if she wanted to hold them she would promptly reply. "No, I too little"

She told my mom she was being a turtle....???

Swimming in the lake

She would steal licorice from the bag my mom had and then run under the bottom bunk so you couldn't reach her and eat it...so BAD!

Jackson singing with the Saturday night choir. Notice the "I'm all that" pose in the first one, and how in the 2nd one he has mysteriously lost his shoes!!!!!

awww....

2011-07-01T09:55:00.002-05:00

I was taking a shower and came back in the living room to find this :)

Monday Morning Music

2011-06-27T18:38:00.002-05:00

This week my M3 is a song that I was introduced to by a friend during a church service :)

just a thought...

2011-06-21T20:26:00.003-05:00

I stole this article from another blog and appreciated the honesty in it. If you read the article this blog will make a bit more sense. Now, I'm not writing this to make anyone feel bad, or to throw my politics in your face, but I'm writing this to share my heart. Josh and I have long felt that hopefully we would at some point add a child to our family who did not share our DNA. Both of us have always felt a call to it and with his having 3 adopted sisters it was never a shock, or even a real discussion, just always a plan. I have no idea when that plan will happen, or maybe even if it will, now is certainly not the time for us to intentionally bring a child into our family who may need special needs, be it physically or emotionally, but hopefully someday we will be in that place. However, I know more than one couple, who have adopted children out of deep love and desire to have a family, regardless of how it is built, or what color it is.

"Adoption is an option" is this lovely quote that church-going individuals love to march around with, and YES, it is an option...but personally I remember very clearly those same individuals making an 18 year old, pregnant 'church brat' feel like her only option was to walk into a clinic. Adoption IS an option, one that is beautiful and selfless, but it is also one that requires an immense amount of support and guidance. It is a taboo subject that people are scared to discuss, and I don't understand why...

So, before my soapbox gets so large that it takes over this page, I will simply tell you to read the article and maybe a few of you will be willing to stand up...

Monday Morning Music

2011-06-20T14:53:00.002-05:00

Ok, I get it, not Monday morning, but 3pm will do! Ok, this song was actually discovered by E and her constant search of Elmo on the ipad, but I thought you might enjoy!

Flower girl!!!

2011-06-16T12:27:00.006-05:00

This is from a few weeks ago, but still to cute not to share. Elliette was asked to be the flower girl in a wedding for a beautiful who I have known since she was 8 months old. I haven't seen Kelley myself several years, but my mom has kept in touch with her and we were honored to be asked to be a part of the wedding. So, the last day of school my mom and I sent Jackson to my aunts and loaded up the car for a long ride to Atlanta! I'm not going to make this post long, because I'm sure you are more interested in the pictures, but I can say the wedding was hot, chaotic and beautiful! We were quite worried about whether Elliette would even go down the aisle but she pulled it off and got her reward in the end. Take a look...

(the rehearsal -the only time she threw the petals!)

(watching Elmo to keep from melting down)

(the baby was her reward for making it down the aisle)

one of those people

2011-06-16T12:04:00.002-05:00

So, last year my MIL got us a bike trailer to attach to Josh's bike and go riding with a toddler. Now, I say this like there was some real motivation to go out and ride before she bought the trailer, and the lack of a bike trailer was the one thing holding us back, but that would be wrong. It was one of those, "yeah we should do that" type of things that was easily excused because what were we going to do with E?

Anyway, it's been sitting in the box in the garage since she bought it, collecting dust with most of the other things you store in a garage. So, I told Josh a few weeks ago that I would like to get it out and put it together to go riding on the trail that runs a few blocks form our house, but he kind of shot me down. So, Tuesday I decided to take a walk with the kids and clear some fog from my mind. When we got back I had quite the industrious feeling and decided that whether he was interested or not I was putting it together! Josh came home early from work and I magically convinced him to pull out all the bikes, air up all the tires, check the brakes and go for a ride as a family. Tuesday night we did about 1.2 miles, Wednesday morning Jackson and I did 1.2 miles before Josh got home, and then 1.8 as a family. Last night we did about 4 and Jackson, Elliette and I just got back from another 4 mile ride this afternoon.

Now, I have never been an "exercise makes me feel good, let's do it some more" type of person, however I will say that I enjoy going to bed with a good tired. A "my muscles hurt from exercising something other than my mouth and typing fingers" kind of tired, and I have begun noticing that when we take night rides, my body comes home tired, but there is a certain energizing feeling that makes it hard to sleep. Now, while I am still not one of those "yeah exercise" kinds of people (believe me my legs are ready to see our house at the end of each ride), I will concede to enjoying the benefits of a ride well done! Let's hoping we can keep it up when the typical STL summer temps roll around soon..

One of those days

2011-06-14T13:18:00.003-05:00

Yep, today is one of those days. One of those pity party, why me, just want to cry type of days. I've been doing pretty good and haven't had one of those in a while, but then today showed up. Nope, no real reason for it just one of those days. A day where I lack patience with my kids and can't understand how there could possible be more laundry still to be done. A day where I spent half the morning cleaning and yet I feel like it is all still one big mess. A day where I feel like I'm the only one who ever does anything, and resent that my husband is working while I'm 'stuck' at home with the kids. A day where I blame my husband that he was driving my car last week when it overheated and now isn't running and am jealous that he is getting ready to buy iphone number 2 while I still have a piece of crap phone to call my own. Whine, whine, whine...

BUT, NOTICE IT'S A BIG ONE...

IT'S JUST ONE OF THOSE DAYS!!!!!!!

I know I'm blessed. I have 2 beautiful, intelligent, well behaved children who I live my life for. I have a husband who I love more than I did when I married him and who I am blessed to have known for almost my entire life. I live my life in situations I may not have planned, but I have a roof over my head, a college education and a job that means something. I have people in my own life who are dreaming of having beautiful babies of their own, and are struggling with the big NO that God keeps handing down. I watch loved ones struggle with crappy relationships, searching for someone who loves them just they way they are. There are people who have been told today that a loved one isn't going to make it, or isn't coming home, and for them it is more that just one of those days.

So, instead of snapping at Jackson when he yells "mom, come see this" for the millionth time I am going to try and rest in his creative ideas and that he desperately loves his mom and wants to make her proud. When Elliette tells me NO or tests any other toddler limit, I am going to try and remember that independence is a good thing, and that she is so uniquely herself. When I feel overwhelmed with the laundry I will feel thankful that I have a washer and dryer to clean those clothes, and a dishwasher to wash that pile of dishes. When I am annoyed with my husband, I will be thankful that he comes home, happy to see me even when I'm not happy to see myself. And when all else fails, I will pour myself a Dr. Pepper and look at pictures of these faces and smile, because today is one of those days, but tomorrow is a brand new adventure...

Monday Morning Music

2011-06-13T14:23:00.000-05:00

Ok, I wish I could say this was an original idea, but it's not. I stole the idea from my friend Michael, but I'm sure he won't mind. The idea is to each Monday (hopefully) to post a song/video that I want to share. I will try and give some reason behind why I chose the video, but can't promise that I will always be able to be that creative! Today's song is from Sugarland and I love that it speaks to standing up and speaking out. I completely think I will be able to use it in my class next year and that excites me! So here you go...

Sugarland "Stand up"

Parade Time!

2011-03-12T20:59:00.000-06:00

I LOVE ST. PATRICK'S DAY! On top of that I love St. Patrick's Day in St. Louis. We do it big folks. In fact, if I ever moved away I would do my best to come back here for it. In my remembrance I have only missed the St. Louis St. Patrick's day parade twice (not counting the years I lived and Colorado), and Jackson has only missed it once. I love it! This year was no different, and mom and I grabbed the kids and headed downtown. The weather was beautiful and the crowd was HUGE! Elliette was a little freaked out at first, but got into it as the parade continued.

She was not in the mood for my traditional 'stand in the middle of Broadway' picture. :(

The beloved plastic horn was worth the $7 I paid to give his hands and mouth something to do during the parade. Here it is being used to amplify sound and finally met its match later this morning when taken apart and used as drumsticks on the city sidewalks after the parade.

By far Elliette's favorite part was the "hesee's" (horsies) that kept coming. She is in love with horses and asks to drive past the downtown brewery to see them on the side of the building every time we get in the car. This made her day!

Could she be any happier? Or cuter?

Pretending to be an elephant

This is my favorite part of the parade every year!

He told me he was the St. Patrick's unicorn!?

I love 9 year old boys!

Didn't even make it back to the car!

Better late...

2011-01-21T11:38:00.001-06:00

...than never! Time for Christmas pics!

E, how do you really feel about Santa?
Using brother as a boundary made it better!
Such a good mamaShhhh...don't tell...

Could there be anything more magical than fruit snacks?

Snow day #?

2011-01-21T11:28:00.000-06:00

So, sitting at home for the second snow day in a row and I'm pretty bored! Elliette is sleeping off the still lingering effects of the nasty virus she has had for the last week or so, and Jackson is creating his newest crime fighting-bad guy destroying comic book, which I'm not allowed to read until he's done. So, instead of cleaning house or grading papers I am playing on the computer, very productive, I know. So, blogging and I haven't been great friends lately. I used to enjoy it, but it seems to have completely slipped off my radar. Actually, that's not true, I remember to CHECK other blogs every day, I just don't ever feel like writing. Oh well, ho hum, ho hum. Been in a funk lately, a big funk. Think there are a couple of different reasons why, but haven't figured out which one it is. Actually, that again isn't true. I think I know what's wrong but deciding/accepting it would require doctor's to be involved and the acknowledgement that maybe I can't figure it all out on my own. Booo. I can say that we are stuck in a bit of a rut. Josh and I made a decision about some changes a few months ago, and for about 2 months now have talked about the changes, but taken no action on them. Fail again. Ok, enough of that...as soon as E wakes up we are going to have to do something active, even if it's just dancing around to Gabba Gabba...wallowing makes for a crummy snow day!

"Christmas time is here.."

2010-12-01T15:52:00.000-06:00

Imagine the title being sung by sweet little Peanuts characters!!!!

So, Christmas is coming. The countdown is on. I have about half of the shopping done, plans to make, and Christmas cards to get sent out. All in the next 25 days. Oh yeah, and still be a teacher, mom, wife!!!

Enter, Shutterfly. They are holding an AWESOME promotion that will take care of one of these problems for me. They are giving away 50 Free Holiday Greeting Cards to anyone who writes a post about it! YAY!

I have been using Shutterfly for a few years and I love them! I discovered Shutterfly a few years ago after someone sent me some super cute Holiday cards. I later used Shutterfly to create our wedding album and I love the way it turned out. Every year since we've been married I've used Shutterfly to make our Christmas cards too! When Elliette was born her announcements were creayed by Shutterfly and so were her super cute 1st birthday cards. Every year I make a scrapbook of our year as a family,and made one for Elliette's 1st year as well! This year I am going to work on a calendar to give to Grandma's as gifts.

I love Shutterfly's Christmas cards because they have so many awesome choices, and it seriously relieves me of the stress of going to the store, finding the right cards, getting them ordered, picking them up, etc etc etc...plus I get to add cute pictures of my kids! I can do it all from the comfort of my home, in my PJs. Anything I can do in my PJs makes me SUPER happy!

This year they even have Holiday photo cards to support some really great causes too. I haven't decided what this year's card will be but these one are in the running... 'hip and happy', 'have a holly jolly Christmas', and 'simply joy'

So this is one LESS thing that I have to worry about, which I think is pretty awesome. You really should check it out!

So get to writing, and enjoy your own 50 cards!

Go. Do it. Now. And cross one thing off your crazy holiday list!

Bits of my weekend, vol 3-5!

2010-10-03T21:54:00.000-05:00

So, getting back into the swing of things with work ruined my well ambitioned blogging plans, but "I will try, I will make mistakes, I will try again - I can do it!". These pictures are over teh last few weeks, however I un-intentionally loaded them in backward order, so let's consider this a re-wind of my life.

My babies!

Getting the ones off the top

Crazy face!

Favorite of her for the day!

Picking green pumpkins

Apple Picking!

Not a great picture, but they're both smiling!

Pumpkin Patch!

Grant's Farm - this started E's current infatuation with goats!

Wrapping up her baby

Backyard camping with Pop

The new 'cheese' face

So, the next few weeks will be ramping up for Jackson's birthday (mine too!), Halloween, Josh's birthday and the bustling Holiday season, as well as weddings, other birthday parties, concerts, conferences and lots of other stuff. We will keep you posted!

EACH

2010-08-27T16:10:00.000-05:00

Perfectly said, Katie...

http://katiemohr.blogspot.com/2010/08/each.html

bits of my weekend, vol 2

2010-08-22T22:08:00.000-05:00

This weekend we did...a whole lot of nothing!!! Friday night was dinner with the in-laws, Saturday was house clean up and errand running and Sunday was lots of laying around, hanging out and going to church. I did have to include a picture of the fantastic skirt E got at the re-sale shop Saturday though!

so old....

2010-08-16T22:41:00.001-05:00

Not really sure when he got old enough to be a 3rd grader!!!

Bits of my weekend,vol 1

2010-08-16T22:14:00.000-05:00

Not really my first 'bits of my weekend', but it's been months since my last blog, so I'm starting over!

Not alot done this weekend...

Outside fun.

Daddy's girl...

Just being noisy!

At 'little' Jackson's birthday party...

Notice Jackson K's dad tryin not to get hit!

Not the candy she wanted!

Spongebob Uno...

what a difference a year makes

2010-04-13T10:25:00.001-05:00

Can't believe my baby girl is 1!!!! Wow! I don't even have the words to say how much fun it has been to wtach her grow this year. She is such a fireball and such a wonderer at the same time. I look forward to seeing what else she has planned for us!

Life...

2010-04-06T10:27:00.001-05:00

Easter Weekend:

Chocolate pudding:

"The Look":

Bowling - please pay no attention to the direction of the ball!

Family!

Please excuse me...

2010-01-29T11:58:00.001-06:00

While I post an extreme number of pictures of my daughter. They were to cute to pick from.

2 posts in one week...wow...who knew that was possible!

so...

2010-01-25T16:29:00.000-06:00

Yeah, sorry for not blogging. Not sure if anyone but me reads this, but sometimes I'm the only one who I need to tell things to anyways! Haven't blogged in forever due to ...technical diffiulties. First the touch pad and keyboard went out on my HP (which has all of the pictures and stuff on it). So, then I fnally gave in and started to move everything over to Josh's mac, but with the holidays and all, that never got done either. Then last week someone broke into our house. Yep, it sucked. They got everyTHING. TV, both laptops, camcorder, Wii, guitar hero, Jackson's ds, and an ipod. So, now I don't so much have a computer to blog on that much. I'll be taking the school on home some though so that will help. We have been doing our best to focus on the fact that is was only 'things' that got taken. Everyone was fine, no one was home. We still have food to eat and beds to sleep in. Its amazing too that we have actually spent more time as a family since it happened. No TV (and it had a built in dvd player), or internet to dsitract us as much, and if everyone wants to watch tv we have to do it together (we had an old one in the basement). Josh did have some major issues at first with not being able to continue his ongoing review of all things LOST before the new season starts next week, but we are working on some strategies for that!

Since I'm a work I don't have any new pictures to close this with, but a friend did today give me the disc of pictures taken by work friends of the day Elliette was born. Enjoy the re-wind!

Sorry for that Walsh, couldn't resist!

2009 in review...

2010-01-01T23:03:00.000-06:00

Objective : to provide a pictoral view of our year, as well as my favorite facebook status' (statui?) from each month. Enjoy (spoiler alert...some months I couldn't decide on just 1)!

January: "is loving the snow and thinks she may have an octopus growing inside her!"

February: "...this is my family...its little and broken, but it's still good"

March: "has found the only good thing about bedrest...sleeping in!"

April: "just heard her 7 year old say "he who controls the wii remote, controls the world" AND "Elliette Grace is here!!!"

May: "is doing better. enjoyed snuggling with both kiddos this morning. :)"

June: "watching a little girl sleep in her brothers great big bean bag chair"

July: "isn't going to teach Elliette to talk...Jackson talks enough for both of them!" AND "Jackson just asked me if the ice cream truck took check or debit card...so funny!"

August: "is wondering if it is to early in the year for Christmas movies??"

September: "it never ceases to amaze me how much I can ADORE my kids"

October: "My laptop is committing suicide...dang hp"

November: "Wonders if her job would have any objection to her tattooing the word LOVE across her arm..." AND "the best way to end a day of conferences...a koosh ball fight!"

December: "My 8 year old just asked for a Facebook page for Christmas...seriously?"

Much to be thankful for...

2009-11-27T22:10:00.000-06:00

Wow..this 'black, Friday' didn't go as planned. Let me get the whole story out to you. Wednesday Elliette fell and hit her head on the edge of a table. Nothing major, just a bruise, life went on. Thursday afternoon we headed to my in-laws house, and when we first got there I thought I saw E shiver a few times. I didn't pay much attention to it, but as the night went on I noticed a few more times that she kept putting her head down and shaking. Just for a few minutes, nothing drastic. I got worried about it, but then it just stopped for the rest of the night and I let it go. Friday morning we headed out to do some shopping and I started noticing it again. Elliette would drop her head against her right shoulder and then shake a few times; sometimes she would even just drop her head to her shoulder and then bring it right back up again. I called the doctor and made an appointment. The doctor sent us to Children's hospital almost immediately to start running tests. Her actions were somewhat suggestive of a seizure, although she did not have many of the other things which usually go with it. They also discovered that she has a nasty double ear infection. The drew blood and put in an IV. We also had to take her down for a CT Scan. It was so horrible seeing my baby held down so many times when she was so scared and there was nothing anyone could do. Her CT and initial blood work came back negative which means it isn't anything super scary like a bleed or mass or something. They gave us some uber antibiotics hoping that it may be possibly caused by such a large infection; if clearing up the ears doesn't work, then we have to go see a seizure specialist. All in all it was a pretty rough day, but I am so grateful that the final diagnosis wasn't something horrible. We will get through whatever this is, and Elliette will continue to be the amazing baby that she has always been!

I'm not sure...

2009-11-23T22:51:00.000-06:00

But I think her nose may still be the same size!

photo dump

2009-10-11T13:44:00.000-05:00

Lack of internet has made it difficult to post...more to come...

He got picked to blow up a balloon against an elephant...guess who won...

So sweet, but so strong willed. Wonder where that comes from?

Taste of St. Louis...

Not very impressed with sippy cups!

been a while

2009-08-26T21:30:00.000-05:00

So, it's been a while since my last blog, sorry! My camera died on the first day of school and I have been mourning it's loss... I borrowed a camera from my mom though and even though I don't like it as much I will have to start using it, I'm missing so much! School is going pretty well, I have a good group of kids this year. My patience is low with my kids though, because I'm exhausted all the time with work and home stuff and the baby still getting up once at night. Jackson is really liking his teacher, which is nice and he is starting to adjust to real, EVERYnight homework (oh my!). Elliette is doing well with daycare. I love being able to just hope down to the other building and check on her during the day. The first week there she didn't sleep, but has adjusted enough that she is taking 2 2-hour naps which his good. She's rolling around all the time adn on her belly can spin around in circles. She thinks her brother is HILARIOUS and loves any chance she gets to jump and bounce. We are working on big girl foods, and so far peas, avocados and carrots are her favorites. She doesn't care to eat food in the morning and we have yet to find a fruit that she actually likes except watermelon! She's been teething for what feels like forever, but still no tooth!! Oh well, gotta go, but here is a picture of her in Jackson's first Bridge Of Hope shirt.

One week down...

2009-08-08T08:14:00.000-05:00

The first week of school is over!! Well, it isn't 'school' school yet, but we're getting there. I feel like my classroom is NEVER going to be ready. I was really worried about having to leave baby girl. Cried a lot Sunday night and when I left her Monday morning; but we both did really well. I was so busy most of the time that I almost didn't have time to miss her, which is nice I guess. She was with Josh's sisters and grandma last week, but will be at daycare at work starting next week. I am looking forward to having her so close so I can just go check on her when I want. I can't believe how big she is, SHE'S ALMOST SITTING UP! With a little assistance or padding she can sit and stay sitting for a pretty long time. Here she is on the couch, with a pillow on one side and my leg on the other...

We took her in for shots this week and she's 14.5 pounds and 24 1/4 inches. I think they said she's like 75% height and 50% weight, or maybe the reverse of that, I don't know!

I was eating a bowl of fresh fruit one evening and had a bunch of raspberries. Elliette stuck her hand in and grabbed some, which of course squished all over the place. She and I both though it was kind of funny so I let her keep going. Eventually she and I were both covered in raspberry goo and had to be rescued by daddy. Later I decided that it was probably a decent sensory motor activity so maybe we will do it again some time!!

Life Cycles

2009-08-05T22:07:00.000-05:00

Tonight on the way home Jackson started asking me questions about 2nd grade and if I knew what he was going to learn. Having been working on my own science curriculum today and comparing notes to other grade levels, I said "Well, I know you're going to learn about life cycles". Obviously he wasn't sure what it was, so we talked about how it is just like how something goes through from birth to death, we talked about butterflies since he has observed their life cycles before. He figured it out and then sat for a few moments before announcing..."I have a funny life cycle. Egg, chick, chicken, chicken nuggets!"

Back to school, back to school...

2009-07-30T16:13:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it is time to go back to school. I report back Monday and I am so not ready! All the work/school stuff I said I wanted to get done this summer just didn't happen and neither did most of the fun summer stuff either. With Elliette being so young there were just so many times we couldn't go out and do things because of the heat. I am starting to look forward to cooler weather though when we can take her to do things (and when I can wear hoodies!).

Jackson is pretty much ready for school. All the supply shopping is done, new backpack and uniform clothes purchased and he's started to get excited. He has a teacher who is brand new to our school this year and that is worrying him a little bit. He knew the other teacher that he was supposed to have and her classroom and he was looking forward to it. Now that teacher took an administration job at another school and his classroom got traded from the big bright one to one of the less cool rooms with no windows!

Baby E will be starting daycare too and that has mommy a little nervous. In some ways I am excited for her to be able to socialize with other babies (there are so many this year) and maybe break out of her 'only mommy' phase some, ut that is what scrares me a little too! She is such a mama's girl and a lot of nights won't even let Josh put her to bed or down for a nap; so I am a bit concerned how she will do at daycare. Plus she has to go from all my attention on her to it being spilt at daycare. I just keep reminding myself that this isn't a bad thing and she is just a building away from me if she needs anything. I really wish they'd just let me put a pack in play and toys in my room and let her stay there!!! I definately need to get back to work. Being at home everyday is starting to make me a little crazy. Not to mention with not being able to take her outside for walks with St. Louis heat, this staying at home thing has made loosing baby weight almost impossible!

Oh well, guess we all will adjust! Here's a picture to make you smile...

a prayer...

2009-07-27T08:53:00.001-05:00

Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children.

Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.

Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.

Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.

Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, how patience, empathy and love.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-07-22T22:47:00.001-05:00

camp and city garden

2009-07-20T21:41:00.000-05:00

Jackson spent the week down in Fredericktown at Campmeeting with my mom. He had a blast! Elliette and I went down for the last 3 days and she loved it too! The weather was unusually cool and so she got to spend tons of time outside which she doesn't usually get to do in the typical 90 degree weather. Neither myself or my mom took any pictures except these for posterity before we left...

E got a tat like mommy's

We finally made it out to City Garden today and LOVED IT! Elliette went on her first real picnic and had a blast. Unfortunately I thought my camera was charged and it wasn't so it died after about 3 or 4 pictures and before we looked at the garden stuff at all. We had a blast anyway and I told Josh we have to go back next week on his day off so I can actually get some pictures!

Happy Anniversary

2009-07-14T14:29:00.001-05:00

Married 2 years today...hmm...why does it seem like so much longer than that???

Hope it keeps getting better! Love you ALWAYS!

3 months

2009-07-12T15:37:00.000-05:00

Can't believe she's 3 months old already! Where does the time go?? She is so sweet tempered and laid back. A natural charmer! I can't wait to see what she blossoms into. Happy Day Sweetness!!

Call it a good one

2009-07-09T21:30:00.000-05:00

Let's see...

* Caught a 30 minute nap this morning

* Celebrated the last day of summer school and the green team's win at field day with snow cones

* Went to the library and got to read to my little man for the first time in a while

* Got to hear little man read to me - always fun

* Fed baby girl carrots and sweet potatoes without getting them all over myself

* Little man got to play outside with friends riding bikes and scooters and jumping on the tramp until dusk

* Told the boy child he could have breakfast with his friend next door tomorrow...became the worlds best mommy and got a dozen kisses

* Got both babes bathed and dressed in jammies. Sent one to bed with a book and the other with her arm around her ducky

* Got 1 load of laundry put away and another is drying

* Gonna take a shower and go to bed

...I'd call it a good one

Better late than never

2009-07-09T12:00:00.000-05:00

Pictures from the 4th...

The day before the 4th my mom and I took the kids to the pool. Elliette wasn't so sure it was as fun as everyone thought!

almost mobile

2009-07-06T16:44:00.001-05:00

caught this today while at the doctor...yeah Elliette!

So in love...

2009-06-28T13:44:00.000-05:00

...with this sweet face!!

Life without training wheels!

2009-06-17T14:55:00.000-05:00

So, I know most kids learn to ride a bike without training wheels around the age of 5, but for Jackson it didn't happen till just now. So far in his life he has never really cared that much to ride a bike without training wheels and we always lived on a hill which made it harder to learn. Last summer he started feeling a bit embarassed that he didn't know how to ride so we thought maybe it was time to actually learn. We went out and bought him a cool new bike without training wheels and set off to learn. NOPE!! Jackson had absolutely no confidence in himself and therefore wouldn't try. We attempted it 3 or 4 times and then he refused to get back on the bike and it sat the rest of the summer in the garage while he traveled by scooter. This past weekend he and my mom were talking about it and decided to give it another try. Mom said she held his bike and walked behind him for about 30 seconds and he took off by himself and that was that. Last night we decided to take a walk up to the school be our house and get in some practice time and here are the results...

Notice the feet off the pedals 'trick'

if you look past Josh you'll see Jackson is showing off back there...

I'm so proud of little man. Now, if there just made some sort of baby carrier for babies Elliette's size we could take off as a family.

Special day

2009-06-15T19:32:00.000-05:00

Jackson is going to be gone with my parents in Tennessee next week and none of us realized that they would be gone over Father's Day until after the trip was booked. So, I figured that it doesn't really matter which date you celebrate Father's Day on, as long as you celebrate, right? So, Jackson took his daddy out to 'brunch' and got him a few presents he was looking forward to. Here is Daddy and his kids...

The second half of the day was special for us because we had Elliette's baby dedication at church Sunday afternoon. Josh and I are very close to our pastor and most of the members of our church plant, so it was special to be able to have her dedicated there and with those people around us.

To wrap it up here are some pictures of little girl. She is finally starting to smile enough that we can get it on camera, and she doesn't stare at the camera like it's an unknown object quite as much anymore.

photo dump

2009-06-12T15:55:00.000-05:00

No time to actually blog these days, so I'll just dump some photos and give you captions...

Elliette enjoying 5th grade camp!

Last day of school...can't believe 1st grade is over!

her pickle face

Impromptu zoo trip to see the sting rays

How E enjoyed her second zoo trip...

Jackson's artsy-fartsy picture from the zoo...

Photos by Jackson...

current nicknames include: puker, sweetness, butthead, baby girl, E, chunky monkey, little rascal, chicken nugget, snips...(guess which ones are from her brother)

week 6...

2009-05-29T22:47:00.001-05:00

Can'tbelieve she's 6 weeks old. That's such a milestone for a baby, although I'm not completely sure why. I think it's sort of the spot where they are no longer a newborn and officially an infant. It's also the age where someone decided that babies and moms were ready to be separated from each other so moms could go back to work - stupid person. I am so thankful to be able to stay home with her until August and not have to go back right away. I miss working and my kids (who are falling apart at the moment...), but I'm definately not ready for that!
She's really starting to change and grow. She can almost hold her head up already and she's sleeping for a good 6 hour stretch almost every night. She went to the doctor this week and she's doing great! She weighed exactly 10 pounds and was 22 inches long (75% for both). She had to get 5 shots and although she didn't like it at all she handled it like a champ!
Jackson only has 1 more week of school and then he is officially a 2nd grader! When did that happen!!!! It seems like just last week he was starting kindergarten, and not he's going to 2nd. Only 3 more years until he's a 5th grader!!! OMG - none of us are ready for that! Last week he had a field trip to the zoo and we took Elliette along with us...as you can tell she really enjoyed herself!

Here is my current favorite outfit and a quick glimpse of a smile!

Family Pictures for real...

2009-05-23T09:00:00.000-05:00

Just so stinking in love with how these pictures turned out...

Family Pictures

2009-05-19T17:36:00.001-05:00

For Mothers Day I wanted family pictures, REAL family pictures. Not just staged cheesy smile pictures. I found a photographer who is actually the sister of someone I used to go to church with and currently goes to church with someone I work with (dang St. Louis is a small world!). Anyway, I don't have the actual pictures yet to post on here, but I have a link to her sneak peek. Enjoy...

http://ericarankin.blogspot.com/2009/05/spring-session-success.html

Month 1

2009-05-16T08:08:00.000-05:00

Cant's believe E's been here for a month already. The time flies by and she is changing so much every day. She's gone completely bald and currently has thrush, but I'm loving all the noises she is starting to make and that she is starting to really look at things. In the picture on the right she looks like maybe she has some sort of weird smile, but really she was about to SCREAM!

Jackson had an art show this week at school. It is the 2nd year that school has let the kids make art work and then they get to sell it for profit that goes to the art department. The kids love to show off their art and have people compliment it. Both years Jackson has done some sort of 'sculpture' out of clay and a drawing or picture. This year's sculpture was a variety of monsters and aliens based off of the movie. He also got an award for having his artwork on display at Forest Park (see earlier post), but of course teh camera died before that! I'm so glad that Jackson has something fun and creative that he loves. He wants to do everything his daddy does, but currently doesn't have the patience to practice an instrument, so he has this other cool artsy thing to be involved in. Way to go Little Man!

Look A Likes...

2009-05-06T14:46:00.000-05:00

Hmmm...anyone think these 3 week old babies are related?

Wait...it gets worse...

Our friend Moby...

2009-04-29T18:46:00.001-05:00

Nope, not the whale...the wrap. Elliette has, as the doctor so kindly put it, 'extra gas'! The extra gas has made my so sweet baby quite cranky the last few days. She has been getting very little sleep during the day because of her upset tummy, and has only been sleeping when laying on someone's chest. In addition to that we have made the decision to stop nursing. I simply wasn't making enough milk to keep up with her demand no matter what I tried (including supplements that made me smell weird!). Not only was I not making enough milk to satisfy her at feedings, she has not been able to effectively get the milk out. Nursing/feedings were becoming a constant stressor and making me a miserable mommy -which didn't help Elliette. Since she was already taking formula for most feedings and is thriving wonderfully we decided to just go that route. The new problem we've discovered is that although Elliette wasn't really using nursing as a tool for nourishment, it definately was her tool for comfort! So we now have a baby with a tummy ache and not much to comfort herself...poor thing!
In comes our friend Moby...
Before Elliette was born I had purchased a sling, hoping to be able to wear baby whenever I wanted to or just needed extra hands. Problem is that I didn't really care for the sling, and she hated it!! So, I spent the $40 bucks and bought a Moby Wrap today. OMG!!! It has been such a blessing to be able to carry her around, on her tummy so she's sleeping, and get stuff done!!!!! I haven't been stuck on the couch or in bed trying to ger her to sleep, and being held like she's nursing is helping her to comfort herself a little more. We're are still getting used to it, but tonight has been great. Hope it continues! Here are some pics of us and our new friend...

1 week...

2009-04-21T17:36:00.000-05:00

Can't believe she's a week old already...

2009-04-16T21:16:00.000-05:00

Nothing much new to report. She's sleeping all the time and getting better about eating. Doctors appt tomorrow to check up on weight.

Pictures are in reverse order of when they were taken, but I'm to tired to fix that right now!

She's here!!!

2009-04-14T21:00:00.000-05:00

Elliette Grace Schilling is here!!

She weighed 7lbs 4oz and is 20 inches long. She arrived at 11:12 am on April 13th after the shortest and easiest labor and delivery I could ever imagine! My doctor put me in to be induced Sunday evening, I started having contractions around 4:30, and had my epidural by about 8:00. At 8:30 I was 3-4 cm, and when they came to check me around 10:15 I was 10cm and ready to push!! My doctor got there a few minutes before 11 and after 4 sets of pushes she was out!! She is so much tinier than we thought she would be! She has had some feeding/latching issues and dropped more weight than the doctors wanted, so we are supplementing with formula and a '5-French' tube/syringe, but she's doing fantastic. She is so calm and laid back - such a good baby!!! I'm hoping that stays the same way once we are home and established.

Here are some pics:

Baby coming Sunday...

2009-04-09T12:08:00.000-05:00

...well not coming Sunday, but going to the hospital then! My doctor has decided to induce me at 39 weeks because even though she isn't as big as we had thought she was going to be, she is probably going to be as big or maybe bigger than Jackson and it is to risky for me to attempt delivery if we keep waiting. I'm technically 39 weeks today, but the hospital didn't have room for me today and because my doctor isn't technically the one on call this weekend she wouldn't put me in Friday or Saturday. So, I still haven't dilated or thinned out much, although the baby is dropping some. The plan at this point is to put me in the hospital at 8pm on Sunday and start cervadil and give me some sleeping meds. The cervadil takes like 10 hours to work, so it will most likely be sometime Monday when she finally gets here. Bed rest has definately been more bearable this week knowing that there was an actual date for her to come, and because I had sort of planned to stop working this week already so I'm not as upset about not being there. I did talk to to my HR guy at work and we are waiting for official confirmation from our disability group, but hopefully these 2 weeks I have been gone will be covered by short term which means I won't have used up my personal days and I will still have them for after she is born so I don't have to go back to work. We will see how that goes, but I am praying that is how it works out!

Art in the park

2009-04-05T09:46:00.001-05:00

Jackson has a piece of art in display at the visitors center at Forest Park, which I have really been wanting to see. Since the doctor took me off of "strict" bed rest, I decided this meant I could get out and enjoy what looks to be the only nice day in the next week or so! Jackson wasn't really thrilled, but once he saw his art he got pretty excited.

After the visitors center we spent some time playing in the 'multi-ability' playground they have (its actually pretty cool) and then headed off to find more things to do. Josh and Jackson climbed the big waterfall, although neither could manage to do it without getting wet!

We decided to leave though, before we stuck ourselves in any more of these people's wedding pictures!

here ya go...

2009-03-30T20:14:00.000-05:00

37.5 weeks - although I feel bigger than this - I think its the shirt!

Went back to the doctor today and no change. They ran a new set of blood work, which I should have the results of tomorrow. Also I should know the results of the rest of the lab work the hospital did last week. For whatever reason, some of the tests got canceled and they were going to re-do them today. My blood pressure is seemingly back to normal, although they don't want to take me off of bed rest yet. They still can't figure out why I'm getting such bad headaches that won't go away. The doctor I saw today suggested maybe they were sinus or allergy related, but I have had allergies all my life, and this is not allergies! So, I'm here on teh couch for at least another day. At this point I'm just trying to look at it as 1 day at a time instead of the week or so its gonna be!

Bedrest...

2009-03-28T01:01:00.000-05:00

I'm on bedrest...I HATE BEDREST! It makes me bitter. I feel useless and vulnerable, like I'm not doing my job. Maybe that's because I like my job and I want to be doing it!

Ok, background...this week was our first week back after spring break and it was rough for me. Being back on my feet and not being able to stop for a rest or snack wnever I wanted did bad things to my blood sugar and my poor feet. I came home Monday and Tuesday so swollen that my feet looked and felt like they were going to explode. My husband forced me to sit and not do anything, which was nice, but irritates me because I want to be doing things! Wednesday was a half day at school, so I wasn't up that much and my awesome co-workers through me a shower in the afternoon. I was supposed to have a dr's appt, but my doc was gone for a delivery so they had to cancel it. Thursday at work I had a meeting and noticed that I was crazy swollen already and it wasn't even noon. As the day progressed I realized that my head had constantly been aching and every now and then my vision would go blurry. So I went into the nurse at school and had her take my blood pressure, which ended up being 160/90 - WAY TO HIGH! So I called my doctor. Of course I didn't have my cell phone with me, so never heard back until I got home. The message on my cell phone - go to the hospital immediately! So, Josh and I turned around and left. I took all my stuff with me because I was really hoping that this might be it. Well, finally at midnight they let us go home...my blood and urine work all came back within normal ranges and my blodd pressure returned to normal the longer I stayed in bed. My doctor was leaving Thursday evening as the doctors talked to her, and she had decided that I wasn't sick enough to force me to deliver, but that my staying home I should be able to avoid getting that sick while she was gone. So, here I am stuck at home...and every day I'm here is a day that I can't use to stay home with baby girl once she gets here. So, my plan is to sneak into work tomorrow morning to get some planning done and then try everything I can to get this baby to come. Jackson says that once she gets here is I have to be on bedrest that will be ok, because I will have someone to play with!

To L&D and back...

2009-03-21T20:30:00.000-05:00

So, Wednesday I had a dr's appt and I am already 1cm dilated! That is exciting since I never went into labor naturally with Jackson.

Today however we ended up taking a trip into labor and delivery because baby girl had stopped moving on us! She had gone almost 24 hours and hadn't made more than 8 or so movements total. I tried everything I could to get her to start moving, but nothing was working. Finally I called my doctor who said I should head to L&D just to get checked out. She figured that more than anything it was not a big deal, but because it had me worried and it was such a drastic difference in typical movement I should go anyway. So, we made the trip into the hospital and she didn't move once in the car or when we first got into the hospital. Surprise surprise though, that as soon as they hooked me up to the monitors she got the hiccups and then started moving like crazy! They watched me for about an hour and did an ultrasound to check fluid which was normal. I was a little upset and annoyed that we had to go all the way in for nothing, but relieved that she's doing great! Apparently she wasn't getting enough attention!

St. Baldricks

2009-03-08T06:58:00.000-05:00

So, my little man is a baldie...

There is an organization called St. Baldricks' that raises money for children's cencer research and every year they do this big thing where people go get donations and then shave their heads in 'solidarity' with children who have cancer. Well, Jackson's cousin Taylor was diagnosed with Leukemia almost 2 years ago and he has a friend in his class who's sister was diagnosed last school year; so he volunteered to be a 'shavee'. My dad and uncle told him they would give him $100 dollars if he would do it, so Jackson set a personal goal of $140 and we signed up. Today was the big event and by the time he turned his money in he had raised $570! Here are some pictures of my shaggy little man going bald! (His cousin Taylor actually got to do some of the shaving which was pretty cool!)

Baby Update...

2009-03-04T21:22:00.001-06:00

Ultrasound today...baby girl is weighing in around 5 pounds and 13 ounces!!!! That puts her in the 84% already! She's big, but not so big that they are really worried. I go back to the doctor in 2 weeks and hope all is still going smoothly. I had only gained about a pound or pound and a half after these 2 weeks, my BP was low, swelling was down, etc...so at this point they are putting thoughts of pre-ecclampsia on the back burner, YEAH! I will have another ultrasound on April 1st though, at 38 weeks and my doctor told me to be prepared then to induce or schedule a c-section. With Jackson I had a 'compound presentation' (head and elbow) and 4th degree tearing, so we have known all along that a c section was a big possibility. The doctor doesn't want me trying to deliver a baby that is any larger than Jackson was. Being that Jackson was only 7lbs 15 oz (but what a huge head!), there is a chance she will out weigh him by 38 weeks. If that is the case we will just schedule a c-section. If her size is still within a safe range then we will schedule a quick induction so that she doesn't get any bigger. So, it looks like she will probably be here in about 4-4.5 weeks instead of 6. That freaks me out JUST A LITTLE!!!

Sucking spit and flipping babies...

2009-03-01T21:43:00.000-06:00

Fun title, huh?
Jackson had a dentist appointment on Friday for a regular cleaning and to get a cavity filled. It was his first filling, and he handled it like a champ...no medicine needed. By far though, his favorite part of the whole experience was that they let him be in charge of the thing that sucks up your spit. He thought it was the coolest thing in the world!!

Today Jackson had a 'sibling' class at the hospital where we are having the baby. Like I thought, it was mostly kids younger than him, but he's been a little nervous/anxious so we went ahead and did it. He had a lot of fun and made me 'quiz' him the whole way home about everything he learned. Although, he was a bit shocked/embarrassed when they showed pictures of a baby breastfeeding and I told him that was what I meant by mommy feeding the baby...he actually blushed!

So, they had each 'big' sibling practice holding the baby and then wrapping it back up. Jackson of course insisted he didn't want my help to wrap the doll up. This first picture shows the super gentle job he started doing...

He wasn't really sure what to do next, and even though its blurry, I want you to notice that his next action was to start flipping the baby over on the table to wrap her up. Each time the little doll's plastic head was thumping against the table. Guess thats one to work on!

His finished product...

The 'super big brother' picture the hospital took of him (mom helped with the re-wrap!)

Big baby?

2009-02-20T22:03:00.000-06:00

Alright, so I had a somewhat frustrating OB visit yesterday, that may yield some new results...I went in yesterday for my 32 week checkup and I've suddenly gained 5 pounds in 2 weeks!! I think there are a lot of coincidental factors that could be involved in this, but regardless that is a huge jump from my normal 1.5 pounds per month. One of the first things the doctor did was check my feet which at 9:15 in the morning were incredibly swollen (however I think this is because I sat in the little exam room for almost 40 MINUTES waiting for her to come in!). Being that I developed pre-ecclampsia with Jackson I have been on the lookout for the same warning signs as last time; and rapid weight gain and extra swelling are 2 of them. When she measured the baby though, she was measuring around 2 weeks bigger than expected, which is abnormal since she has always measured between exact and 1/2 a week big, never any more. Personally, I am thinking that the reason she is measuring big is that she seems to have finally gone from horizontal to vertical and that is taking up more room. Regardless of why it is, my doctor had me schedule an ultrasound for 2 weeks from now to check her size and make sure everything is ok. I'm a little worried that I could be developing pre-ecclampsia, or that a sudden growth spurt could cause complications, but I am trying to not let it annoy me more than necessary. I guess in 2 weeks we will have a better idea of what is going on there...
At this point in time I am praying for a healthy baby and a healthy/uneventful pregnancy. And that I don't have to go on bedrest!!!

could it be...?

2009-01-27T21:29:00.000-06:00

That I am giving birth to an octopus?!?!?!?! How is it that her whole little tiny self can move around so much at one time and in all directions? I promise you, sometimes she starts twirling around so much that it hurts!!

The results are in...

2009-01-26T18:58:00.000-06:00

and all my glucose tests came back normal. YEAH!!!

2009-01-25T11:34:00.000-06:00

I said earlier that Jackson got to go meet Mo Willems this weekend. He though it was awesome!!! Mo was in town to promote his new book "Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed", and while he was at the library he read some other books and did a short Q & A before the book signing. Jackson was super excited that out of all of the kids who had questions, he got called on! Jackson's question..."What inspired you to write your new book?". Mo's answer "no one had written a book about a naked mole rat, so now I kinda own them". I was very proud of Jackson's question and he was just so excited that he got to ask it! The library had about 250 people more than they had expected so things were crazy crowded. After making a 'pigeon' hat and reading some other books, we finally got in line to meet Mo Willems. Jackson didn't get to talk to him much because the lady in front of us in line WOULDN'T SHUT UP and with so many people they were herding us through like cattle, but Jackson didn't even seem to notice, so I didn't make a big deal out of it. Here are some pics from the evening...

Also, I had my 3 hour glucose test yesterday and will hopefully have the results tomorrow. The fasting and the whole experience itself made me pretty sick, so I was in bed yesterday until about 3. Thankfully Jackson was with my mom and my husband was so worried about me that he didn't dare expect me to get up. Pray good thoughts everyone that this is the last of the glucose testing!

3 hour test tomorrow...

2009-01-23T22:00:00.001-06:00

Well tomorrow I have to go take the 3 hour glucose test and I am not happy about it one bit!!! Any score over 130 on the 1 hour test is a fail and my sugars came back at 166. So tomorrow I have to get up super early and make it to the lab, so I can drink the awful glucose stuff again and then sit there for 3+ hours while they draw my blood on the hour, every hour for 3 hours. Mind you, I can have nothing to eat or drink before the test and nothing until after the test is over. So, these sad people are creating for themselves a hungry, tired, pregnant woman whom they then fill with sugar and start poking with needles repeatedly...what fun!

Oh well, just pray that I pass this time everyone, or not fun things with continue to ensue.

I will get pics up tomorrow, but we spent this evening at the library headquarters where children's author Mo Willems read some of his books and then did a signing. Jackson had a blast, and like I said I will get pics posted this weekend...

Dang...

2009-01-17T22:25:00.001-06:00

new hair...

2009-01-11T21:02:00.001-06:00

So...I cut my hair REALLY short. For many of you, it may not seem like it's insanely short, but being that my hair has found itself somewhere about 2-3 inches past my shoulders since I was 12, taking about 6 inches off and going obviously ABOVE the shoulders was a big deal. Even my husband admitted to needing more than 1 day to adjust to the idea. All said, I like it and I'm pretty glad I did it. It was time for a change!

Also, just for fun here's me and baby girl at 26.5 weeks. I'm starting to freak out that she is less than 15 weeks away; I think mainly because we're much closer to 10 weeks than 20 now! Wow! In that picture I look much bigger than I thought I was, although there is also a part of me that sometimes feels like I barely look pregnant. It has to do with the fact that she's transverse, so depending on her mood and position she sometimes cuddles up very deep and closer to my back, which makes her less noticeable. Last week I went to my doctor and she is still a bit concerned that I have only gained about 5 pounds, but I know with Jackson that I gained the majority of my weight...and I got BIG with him...at the end of my pregnancy. So, since she's measuring perfectly my doctor has agreed to not worry about the weight issue. BTW, for someone who has struggled with being overweight her entire life, its so weird to have people worry that you aren't gaining enough!

Christmas...

2008-12-29T10:40:00.001-06:00

Here's some pics from Christmas morning...

Just being Jackson...

playing with his new ipod

Christmas was good around here, busy as usual, but fun. On the baby front, things are going well too. Jackson has been able to start feeling her move lately, which excites him and he is definately softening up to the idea of a baby sister. I have to go in for the icky blood glucose test before school starts back, which I am definately not looking forward to, but hopefully that will go well.

I hope everyone had a really wonderful Christmas!

Playing catch up...

2008-12-22T21:55:00.000-06:00

Ok, so here's to playing catch up from the past few days/weeks.

About 2 weeks ago, Jackson had his winter concert at school. The kids did a great job, although I could seriously live without the cheesy smile!

This weekend we took Jackson to his first Blues game. This seems like an off thing to me, since Josh and I spent so much of our childhood and formative years bonding over hockey, and yet our son has never been to a game. Oh well, the only thing he wanted all night long was a foam finger, so dad gave in and bought him one before the first period was over! The Blues won and Jackson had a great time!

Last night was the kids Christmas play at church. Jackson got to be Joseph and he took his job SO seriously. All weekend long he kept reminding me that his play was Sunday night and worrying about whether or not he would miss it or mess up. He did fantastic and was super cute in the process. Way to go Jackson!

Well, I'm off to finish preparing for the madness that is Christmas in our family. We have dropped a celebration with one group of family members this year which means we are down to only 5 Christmas celebrations in a 36 hour period!!!!

The view from up here...a picture post

2008-12-08T21:06:00.001-06:00

There's a reason I married a tall man...even if he is a grinch! One of my 2 weekend goals complete! The rest of the house might not be Christmas ready, but the tree is up!

Oh yeah, and I seem to have lost my feet somewhere!

Not me Monday...

2008-12-01T19:12:00.000-06:00

Ok I am following Nicole's adventure into "not me Mondays" here goes...

This week -
*I didn't secretly gloat that I knew I was having a girl all along, even though my husband kept saying I was wrong.
*I didn't secretly rejoice today that a problematic student was again absent from school.
*I didn't send Jackson to bed with spaghetti all over his pajamas last night because I was to tired to notice.
*I didn't guilt my husband into getting up to go to my parents house 2 extra hours early on Thanksgiving for no real reason.
*I wasn't more unfocused last Tuesday than my 5th graders because I was just as excited as they were for the the 5 day break.
*I didn't secretely wish we would have a snow day this early in the year.
*I wasn't so focused on the somersaults inside my belly and my lack of sleep that I completely skipped teaching a subject area today and tried to drop my kids off at lunch an hour early!!!

- no not, me!

So, what did you NOT do this week?

It's a...

2008-11-27T21:28:00.000-06:00

GIRL! Here's some pics of our new baby girl...

All appears healthy and at this point she is measuring a little bit big. I have a regular appointment in 2 weeks, so we will see how things go then! Yeah!!!!!!!

Advent Conspiracy

2008-11-24T21:06:00.000-06:00

Stole this from Lisa A's page...it was worth the thievery

A

For Nicole...

2008-11-19T21:19:00.000-06:00

Baby update...Things are going well. I'm 19 weeks this week and we find out if it's a boy or girl soon!!! I actually am planning to call my doctor tomorrow or so because I'm feeling lots of pressure really low, like down near my hips and below. When my mom was pregnant with me I dropped into the birth canal at 3 months and stayed there, and I'm kind of worried that this could be something similar. I would hate to have to go on bedrest, but we will see. Because I'm not really feeling any pain or any other bad stuff, I'm just gonna call and see if my doctor says anything. I'm expecting she will just want me to wait until my ultrasound, but we will see. I'm feeling the bebe move more though, which is fun! Alright Nicole (and everyone else), now you know!

SERIOUSLY???

2008-11-08T20:51:00.000-06:00

This weekend was a grading extravaganzaa for me. Every trimester when report cards roll around I promise to get better about not letting things pile up, and every trimester it happens again. Anyway, I stumbled upon some test answers today that made my family laugh hilariously and may do the same for yours. Remember please that teachers try their very best to reach every student, however we are not genie's. Sometimes we just have to take a private moment and laugh...

Question: Your scientific name is made by combining the names from which classification groups?
Real Student Answer: My cat's name is Rock. He is a mammal that lives in my house with his girl cat and their two kittens.

Question: What is the only mammal that flies?
Answer: Flamingo
Answer: a dino
Answer: Ostrich (this one is doubly funny because in the previous question, the student correctly answered that the penguin and ostrich are different from other birds because they can't fly)

Question: Penguins and ostriches are they only birds that don't do what?
Answer: Fly with their wings (I found this funny, because I really wanted to know what else they might be capable of flying with!)

Question: What is the difference betwen venomous and poisonous?
Answer: Venomous might kill you; poisonous will give you a hole

Question: Why do you think scientists needed to classify living organisms?
Answer: To help the dumb people
Answer: So the animals wouldn't be confused
Answer: So they could tell the difference between a lion and a frog (true, but comical)
Answer: To help the animals out
Answer: To help the world

Question: What does "classification" mean?
Answer: To put out

I am SO PROUD!
:/

In case you haven't heard...

2008-10-26T12:39:00.000-05:00

I'm having a baby! Yep, I'm pregnant. We were not expecting this, but we are definately excited! I'm due in April and am looking forward to a spring baby! We told Jackson last week on his birthday, and he's excited now that it is sinking in! Here's how he found out...

It says "I love my big brother" in case you can't read it...

Birthdays and Stuff

2008-10-26T10:34:00.000-05:00

So the day before Jackson's birthday we went to Six Flags to celebrate. The placed was PACKED, so he didn't get to ride everything he wanted, but he still had a blast. We had his actual party last night with a bunch of family at my mom's house. It was a Halloween/Star Wars party and it turned out really well. My mom went all Martha Stewart and made Halloween themed everything snacks. I got my hands in adn made these cute Franken-pops. I didn't eat one because I was sure I would go into shock due to all of the sugar, but they turned out pretty and I heard from a few that they tasted good. Here's some pics...

Cupcakes and birthdays

2008-10-14T19:24:00.000-05:00

Jackson and I made Halloween cupcakes last night for fun. He did a good job and had fun, but for some odd reason insisted on being almost naked while baking...????

He was breaking an egg in this one...

The slippers were my day early birthday present from Jackson tonight!!

Pumpkin Patch

2008-10-14T19:12:00.000-05:00

Saturday we went to Rombach's Farm to visit the Pumpkin Patch. We tried our best to have a good time, but there is definately something lacking in the idea of going to the pumpkin patch when it is 84 degrees out! When will it feel like fall????

Josh said this is what would happen to his face if we made him go on the hayride!

Jackson took these pics...

Birthday Pictures

2008-10-07T21:19:00.000-05:00

My mom took Jackson to get birthday pictures taken tonight and I can not believe Little Man is already 7!!!!! (Well technically not for like 12 days) Anyway, along with the new age comes...cheesy smiles!

Taylor

2008-09-20T11:00:00.000-05:00

Hey all September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and in order to spread awareness I'm posting a video of my cousin Taylor's fight with Leukemia. Keep Taylor and all of the other children dealing with cancer in your prayers.

(Well, for some reason it isn't posting but here is the link anyway. It is definately worth your time to watch!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXqdUXUR3SA

Good Weekend

2008-09-08T20:10:00.000-05:00

This weekend we got together with my mom's family to celebrate my grandma's 80th birthday. Jackson and I decided to stay the night out at Aunt Judy's night so Josh could go home early and sleep because his allergies have been crazy lately. The next day Jackson went to BounceU with Mark and Emma's foster son Izaih, who has lots of extra energy to release. The boys had a great time and it gave Emma and I a chance to catch up.

The pictures are from BounceU, one is Jackson and Tiffany from church with her 3 week old daughter Miracle and the other is from way back in August at a concert that Jackson spent 3 months looking forward to, and then fell asleep 20 minutes into!

That's what she said...

2008-08-28T19:27:00.000-05:00

So, I'm posting one of those great stories of my classroom others have posted, although this one isn't 100% funny...
We were playing charades today to review for our vocab test and 2 students were acting out the word composure. One student pretended to hit another student and that student remained calm and in control, this demonstrating the word. Well, about 10 seconds after it happened from the back of the class one of my kids yelled out..."man, you just got pimp slapped".
Needless to say it took 5th grade a while to recover

But a funnier one from last week...we were walking through the bus line one afternoon and a student announces..."some day I'm gonna be in a band and I'm gonna have more ladies, than Jay-Z has mercedes" Knowing the student he's probably right too!

One of those days...

2008-08-25T21:14:00.001-05:00

So, its just been one of those days. The battery on the car died as we were trying to leave work today. Josh's dad came and gave us a jump and I hoped that was it. I needed to go grocery shopping and Josh wanted to go get the battery tested to see if the actual battery was the problem or if it was the connector things (I'm sure there is a more technical word for it), so he dropped Jackson and I off to hopefully kill 2 birds with one stone. As I was getting out of the car however I remembered that I didn't have my debit card. So Josh ran home, got the card adn headed to Auto Zone while Jackson and I decided to take our time at the store. My husband however showed up at the grocery store rather quickly to say that the only two people working at thh auto zone were 2 women who had no idea how to check our battery or take it out (it has this weird mount thing on it. ) So here's hoping we make it to work tomorrow. We were planning on spaghetti for dinner tonight, nothing complicated, so Josh started some water to boil and started cleaning up some things while I did a load of dishes. After a long while I noticed that the water wasn't boiling and then found that my husband had left the water on low by accident. As the night wore on, Josh and I convinced Jackson to clean his room up, which was quite the frightful sight. Following in my procrastinating foot steps he decided to 'organize' more than 'clean'. He reorganized the corner in front of his closet into a "reading corner" (no idea how we are supposed to get in that closet now), complete with a stack of books, 2 chairs, space for a snack and a blanket in case he gets cold. He turned the little table that he has in his room into some sort of "private" fort area, while another blanket draped over it and a stash of toys underneath. The best part though was when he came into the kitchen to explain his re-organization...he looked at me and said "you know mom, I think its good for me to have a quiet area. You know, a spot for me to kick back, hang out, chill, relax, you know, just have a good time" I laughed on the inside but kept my supportive mommy face on the outside. I just love that kid!

Sorry, the camera is at work, but I'll take some pictures of his newly organized space.

First day

2008-08-13T20:16:00.000-05:00

First Day of 1st Grade...pretty emotional, but not as emotional as last year. Lets pray for another good one!

Florida

2008-07-30T08:34:00.001-05:00

Due to technical difficulties I wasn't able to post any more pictures during out trip to Florida, sorry. All things considered, we had a really great trip and it was awesome to get the chance to just spend a week together without work and all that stuff. Here are some pictures from our last few days

Helping Jackson cool off...

Things are getting back to normal here I guess. I went into work a few days this week and painted my room and started getting things organized, and I'm looking forward to getting started again. I officially report back to school next week, so I am trying to spend the rest of this week cleaning, organizing and hanging out with Jackson.