Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday to my mom! Today I celebrate the woman who taught me how to be the kind of mother I wanted to be. I am constantly amazed by her. How she had the strength to adopt three more kids when I was a teenager I'll never know! I am so glad she did though! Even though she is busy running from volleyball to football and then back to volleyball again, she still finds time to be there for me when I need her. I can always count on her no matter what, for the little things as well as the big things. I couldn't have asked for a more loving mother. I am lucky enough to have a mom who is also my best friend! I see her at least three times a week and on the days that I don't see her we talk on the phone at least once if not twice. Even though we aren't celebrating her birthday together until this weekend I wanted to wish her a wonderful day, she deserves it! I Love You MOM!!!

What Were They Thinking!!!

I had a nice wonderful post all planned out for today, all about my typical trip to the grocery store. It would have been light, fun, and hopefully interesting. Alas, you folks will have to wait until tomorrow for that one. Because, tonight while I was making dinner Reagan came upstairs and said, "Um, Mom I have somethin' to tell you. I'm sorry I cut Dee Dee's hair." My jaw just about dropped to the floor! I called Kennedy upstairs and sure enough there was a huge hunk of hair missing from the back. In Reagan's defense, it wasn't her idea, it was Dee's. They both fully admitted to doing it and took their punishments like champs. That however, does not make me any less sad about the loss of my middle child's beautiful hair! I think I am less upset about the fact that they cut it than I am about the fact that now I have to take her and chop the rest of it all off. I know that probably sounds really vain, but I LOVED her hair. I had so much fun playing with it. Remember those perfect ponytails? I know it just hair, and it will grow back, but I cringe at the thought of her having a pixie cut in her very first school picture. So instead of a happy feel good post, you get this. A sad momma, who even in the midst of punishing them, took the time to snap a picture...

Fallin' for Fall

I know that it is still officially summer, but I can't help myself! Back to School season is over and the Halloween candy is on the shelves. So, if Wal-Mart says it is fall then I believe them! I just love it! Autumn and Winter are my favorite times of the year and I am always anxious to get them started. So, even though it still early September, for some reason it feels like it is time to start transitioning. Maybe it is because of all of the September birthdays around here, or the start of football season, or maybe it was Rachael already talking the other day about when the guys are " in the fields" for fall harvest. I don't know exactly why, but today while Chris was out playing golf, I got out my few fall decorations and changed the wreath on my front door. It made me smile, so I thought I'd pass on a little fall cheer to all of you. Since, I am not the most eloquent writer, I thought I would just let Moose A. Moose express my sentiments...

Family Movie Night

On Friday night, we sat down to watch a movie together as a family. I told the girls it was "Family Movie Night" and that this was something we were going to start doing all of the time. There are several reasons why I decided to start doing this. One, is that I want us to have traditions, things my kids can look back and remember us doing as a family. Two is Jack is finally old enough to somewhat participate in this activity. Three, I know from experience that if I don't make a point out of doing something, it isn't likely to happen. So, we all took our our places on various couches and watched The Incredibles on the Disney Channel. Now, my kids have seen this movie before but only once, and this time around Reagan LOVED it! I am not surprised, considering that she is obsessed with superheroes right now. It ended up being a really nice, relaxing night at home. I hope this is a tradition I can keep up!

Reagan chillin' on the couch

Jackson, actually sitting still for longer than 5 minutes

Kennedy being a little camera shy - "Mommy, no take my picture!"

Sneaking a shot when she wasn't paying attention!

Okay, isn't it cool that my pictures are so much bigger? Thanks for the tips Rebecca!

Reagan's Birth Story

At the end of the month, Reagan will be five years old! I can hardly believe that much time has gone by so fast! I have been wanting to get the story of her birth written down on the blog for a while now, and thought this was just as good a time as any. When she and Dee Dee were born I was still scrap booking and so there are a lot of pictures there, but this is a much better place to tell the whole story.

So, just to recap, Chris and I were married in June of 2001 just before my junior year at Manchester College. You see I had a plan, and I figured we would be married for about two years and then right after I graduated we would have a baby. So, around October of 02' after much soul searching and pleading on my part we decided it was time for me to go off of "the pill". You see, my whole life I had assumed that I would be faced with the same infertility problems that my mom had. If this were the case, we could take three months to phase out the pill, then a year trying and be consulting with a fertility specialist by the beginning of 2004. Obviously God has a sense of humor, and my plan was not his plan. I got pregnant in February, 4 months after stopping birth control. This in itself is quite a funny story, but one I'm not sure Chris would appreciate me sharing here.

Though I was completely shocked, I was also excited! For the most part I had picture perfect pregnancy. No morning sickness, none of the normal problems that plague the first and second trimester. I took summer classes, and registered for fall courses. What would have been my final college courses. I only needed 9 1/2 more credit hours to graduate, one of them being a physical education class. I signed up for a course called Stretch and Tone thinking it would be the perfect way to prepare me for my delivery. I was due on November 26th and the semester ended on December 5th. I could arrange everything with my professors to write papers early and to take my exams before the baby was born. The first week in August Chris and I took our last "couples" vacation to Vegas with his brother Miah and his girlfriend (who is now my sister-in-law). All I can say is "what was I thinking?" Vegas in August? It was so hot, and I was miserable! I spent the majority of that three days in the comfort of the air conditioned hotel room. At least they all had a wonderful time. A few weeks later I was a bridesmaid in my cousin Amy's wedding. The dress was pink and had a huge bow just above the butt, and I looked like a big puff of cotton candy, I kid you not! It was horrible!

In the beginning of September is when I first started to get sick, though I didn't realize it at the time. I remember having the worst headache of my life while doing the guest book at Chris' cousin Pamela's wedding. I got so sick we had to leave early. The next week I started school and thought everything was going to be okay. About two weeks in, on September 17th, I went to my Stretch and Tone class and could hardly make it home. The headache was back and I was nauseous. Since Chris was at work, I stopped at my mom's and fell asleep on her couch. When she got home she noticed that I was really swollen and thought maybe I should call the doctor. Before I had the time to argue, I ran to the bathroom to throw up. So, we called the doctor and she sent us to the hospital. There I was admitted to the maternity ward and discovered that my blood pressure was skyrocketing. At its highest it was 154/116. I had preeclampsia, and I was only 30 weeks pregnant! I was kept overnight and then ordered on strict bed rest! I was to stay on my left side, restrict my salt intake and only get out of bed to go to the bathroom three to four times a day. They made me an appointment early the next week with a high risk OB/GYN. Unfortunately at the time, we owned our own business and Chris was unable to stay home all day to take care of me. So, we moved into the basement at my mom and dad's where I spent the longest 5 days of my life. No computer, no television, just a good book that I couldn't read because I was too worried. (Remember that this was before laptops and wireless internet were common) Needless to say, I had to drop out of my classes at school.

The next Tuesday morning, Chris and I, my mom and dad, and my mother-in-law drove to Ft. Wayne to meet with Dr. Wheeler (who by the way is the most amazing doctor I have ever meet!) I peed in a cup and he did an ultrasound. He admitted me to Lutheran Hospital to monitor me and the baby and try to prepare me for the fact that this baby would probably be born within the next few days.

I have very few memories of what followed, but those that I do have are vivid ones. I can remember being wheeled through the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for the first time. They were trying to prepare me for my 31 weeks gestation baby and the possible complications. I remember being overwhelmed by the tiny babies and the thoughts of all the things that could go wrong. I remember my mom sleeping on the floor of my hospital room on a eggshell mattress, because she refused to leave my side (Chris and his mom stayed at a nearby hotel). The next morning (according to others), Dr. Wheeler came in and informed us that he was going to have to take the baby. My kidneys were shutting down and though she might make it a few more days, I wouldn't. I remember him saying that if I weren't pregnant I would be on dialysis. The rest of that morning is hazy. Apparently I went into hysterics and my mom asked them to give me some Valium. Around noon they wheeled me into the operating room. I got my spinal block at 12:20 and then they moved quickly. Reagan Victoria was born at 12:34 p.m. on Sept. 24, 2003. She weighed 3 lbs. 8 oz. and was 15 in. long.

She went straight to the NICU and was put on CPAP because her lungs were underdeveloped. She was on heart monitors and oxygen monitors, a feeding tube and an I.V. you name she was hooked up to it! Then a few days later she got jaundice. I was released from the hospital five days after she was born and leaving her there was the hardest thing I ever had to do. I spent the next three weeks arranging rides so I could be there by her side all day every day. Anything they would let me do, I did it. I changed her diapers, took care of her umbilical cord, bathed her, feed her that first bottle. It was the longest three weeks of my life. The night before she was released the hospital made us room in with her to make sure we were secure in taking care of her and handling her apnea monitor (she still had episodes of forgetting to breathe). When we finally brought her home from the hospital I was so nervous that we spent the whole week living at my in-laws.

Today Reagan is as healthy as can be! She shows no signs of being a preemie, other than being little miss skinny. She passed all of her early eye exams and all of her developmental milestones. I thank the Lord every day for giving me the strength to get through that period of my life. He blessed me with an experience that I will never forget, that taught me so much. I will forever be grateful that in the end I had a healthy baby, because I know not all preemies make it through unscathed. He taught me that though it is okay to make plans for myself and my life, he is the ultimate coordinator. In the end, it is his plans for me that truly matter. I can only hope he has more planned for me and for my children than I can imagine.

The day she was born on CPAP an various other monitors in the NICU

Reagan with a little bit of jaundice but gaining ground


Only the feeding tube left blocking her beautiful face



Reagan and I the night before she came home from the hospital

What's Happenin'

Let me just begin by saying I hope everyone had a nice Labor Day weekend. Although we didn't do much, we did enjoy ourselves. We mostly just stayed home because the kids have had runny noses and fevers and I haven't felt very well myself. We did venture out to Nini's on Saturday night and to a lake party at a friends for a little bit on Sunday. On Monday Chris had to work and the kids and I spent a lazy day at home while I watched a That 70's Show marathon with my little brother JC. I guess you could say that I took a nice little break from blogging, and now I'm back. So, this is what's been happenin' around here...

Yes, that is my baby, my sweet little boy, in the Time-Out corner. I documented this (his first time there) one day last week. Turns out that was his first of many trips there. I don't know what it is but he has been horrible lately. He is hitting,biting, throwing food, and worse! Maybe this is just the terrible two's hitting us a little bit early? I don't know! But, what I do know is that lately when he does something naughty he just gives me this look like, "What are you gonna do about it?" So I decided that he is old enough to sit in the corner! If you are old enough to know that what you are doing is wrong, then you are old enough to be punished. It seems to be affecting him. It sure does hurt his feelings to have to sit there, but I'm not sure it is doing anything to curb the bad behavior. Maybe it'll just take awhile for him to make the connection? I'm open to any suggestions as to another way to approach it...

The First Day of School Part Deux

Yesterday was Kennedy's first day of preschool. Let's just say it was a busy day all around! I had to go with her to do the orientation so I took Reagan and Jack to my mom's before going to the school. Chris was having a "business golf game" with my dad so he couldn't come along or watch the other kids. Not that I really minded, since we did Pre-K 3 last year with Reagan and she had the same teacher. So, I pretty much knew already what to expect for the year. What I was not expecting was Kennedy's reaction to school. She was so excited, and not nervous at all! I thought for sure she'd be my crier, and have some sort of separation anxiety. I was wrong! I think I was more upset about leaving her than she was. Here she is getting ready to go into the doors of the school. Don't you just love those perfect little pigtails?

Once we got the classroom she wasted no time in starting to play! Hey, at least she went for something educational right? I got her situated and was off to the library for my orientation.

After the mommies and daddies were finished learning all about preschool, Mrs Smith sat us all down for story time. She read The Kissing Hand which is an adorable book about a little raccoon's first day of school and how his mommy kisses the palm of his hand, so he can take the kiss with him to school.

When school was over I headed back to mom's to pick up Reagan and Jack and transfer them over to Nini's house. Then Kennedy and I were off again, headed to her very first dentist appointment. Even though she was a little nervous for this, she did wonderfully! She only bit Miss Angie once, and that was only because she was so nervous she was clenching her teeth! I am happy to report that she has no cavities, and we got good news about her cracked front tooth. Oh, a few months ago we were at Grandma Vicki's house and the neighbor's dog jumped on her. She fell face first into the driveway and cracked it, since then it has turned a little gray. (She's the accident prone one, remember?) So, the dentist says the tooth is fine and we can just wait for it to fall out and her adult tooth should come in normally!

After the dentist we stayed at Nini's for a little bit, because for some reason the kids never want to leave her house! I think they'd live there if I let them. When we finally came home Jack and Dee Dee crashed for a few hours and Reagan and I spent some quality time together. Dee Dee went back to school today and again had no problem leaving us. Jack and Reagan however had some issues with "playing nice" while she was gone. It is interesting to see the different dynamics kids have when you take one of them out of the equation. As far as I know we have no big plans for the holiday weekend, but I'm sure I'll find something to blog about. Oh, as soon as I'm finished posting this I was going to make a pie, is that exciting enough? No? Oh Well!

GIVEAWAY!!!

Okay I love Giveaways! I however am a stay @ home mom and can't exactly just be givin away a bunch of stuff. Unless that is you want my old used baby stuff? No, well then head on over to my bloggy friend Rebecca's and sign up for her giveaway! In case you don't remember Rebecca is the uber talented gal who did my blog design! She has opened up and new blog design business call Uptown Design. She is celebrating by giving away free stuff! Let me just say if you haven't ever checked her out, now is the time! Even if you don't blog, or you don't think you want a re-design, go there! I have had so much fun using her portfolio to blog surf... yes, I admit it! Plus, she is just so dagum talented that is is fun to look at all of the ideas she has come up with! Anyway, just wanted to share that! Come back soon for pics of Dee Dee's first day of school!

The First Day of School

Today was Reagan's first day of preschool. For this year that is. She went last year, but she was so much more excited today! I don't know if it is just because she knew what to expect, or if was the fact that Nini is her teacher, or maybe she was just looking forward to seeing all of her old friends. It was probably a combination of all of those things. She couldn't sleep last night. She spent all day yesterday with Nini and I went to pick her up around eight. I swear to you she was in bed by 9:15, but I don't think she actually went to sleep until way after midnight! Then she was up bright and early, and ready to walk out the door an hour before she needed to be. Daddy worked a half a day and went with us to drop her off and then do orientation. I must say I was very proud, he was the only daddy there! After school, he decided that we should take Reagan to a special lunch. We went to Schoops, which is a local 50's style diner. Reagan thought that was pretty cool to sit on the bar stools, all by herself with Chris and I. It isn't very often that any of the kids get alone time with both of us. I can hardly believe that my little girl is growing up so fast! Next month she will turn five! It seems like only yesterday that I was sitting in the hospital listening to the doctor tell me she was about to be born (9 weeks early!) I have been working on a video for her birthday that I can't wait to share! In the meantime here are some pictures from the first day of school!

Here is some video I took of her this morning about an hour before we left ( I told you she was ready early!)

J.C. Learns to Drive

Yesterday my older brother Shawn was in town. In the past this used to be a rarity, but it has become more frequent in the last say 2 years. Anyway... he decided while he was here to give J.C. a driving lesson. Now I know J.C. is well over 15, but this was his first experience driving a stick shift. According to Shawn he did really well! I am proud of him, cuz Lord knows I can't drive stick to save my life. A few years ago right after Kennedy was born Chris had a stick shift truck. He tried to teach me how to drive it, and lets just say I came really close to killing him ( literally and figuratively). So then my father-in-law Tim tried to teach me. That went a lot better, and even though I was no expert at least I had a basic understanding. I can't tell you how many times, in the course of driving that stupid truck, that I stalled it. I hate stick shift and hope to never have to drive it again. So, my hats off to my little brother for accomplishing it in one day. What is that they say about being younger and more able to absorb the things you learn? I guess his mind is like a sponge... hope that applies to high school English too!

Two Nights Out in a Row!

Tonight Chris and I had our second evening in a row without the kids. Last night we went to dinner and the theater to see Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story courtesy of Chris' stockbroker Mike who also happens to be a friend of the family. Every year they host a client appreciation night but this was the first time we actually went. It was nice to have a night out and get a babysitter. Tonight we went over to Scott and Sara's because we had yet to make it over there to meet Pierce. Let me just say that is one adorable baby! The pictures she has posted over on her blog don't do him justice! He looks a lot more like Hudson that I expected him to. While we went to their house our kids stayed with Tim and Lili's. When we got back there to pick them up, we found out Austin was there as well. Miah and Rachael had gone to the hospital to visit the newest member of Chris' side of the family. Presley Marie Zehring was born yesterday! That makes 11 great- grandchildren now in that family, with another one still on the way! Hope you enjoy the pics! Scott and Sara, it was nice to catch up, and we hope to get together again soon!

Greeting Cards for Everyone!

There was a story in the news today that says Hallmark is releasing a line of same-sex wedding cards. Basically it says that since Massachusetts and California have legalized gay marriage there is now a need for greeting cards to help people celebrate. I mean, how did anyone find an appropriate wedding card for Ellen and Portia? Personally, I find this news exciting! I love greeting cards and any excuse for me to give or receive them is fun! On a personal level it gives me hope, it means that we as a nation are evolving. But, I am not naive. I know that there will be mixed opinions out there. I would like to think that fifty years from now, the stance against homosexuality will be looked upon as the second civil rights movement. I think most people agree that slavery was wrong and that the color of some one's skin doesn't make them any less human. Neither does their sexuality, and I believe that everyone has the same rights to the benefits of a civil union as it is recognized by our government. A lot of religious people balk at the idea of gay "marriage" and I get that. However, I refuse to accept that if my brother were seriously injured or dying that Kevin would not be allowed in his ICU room. Or, that even though it is perfectly fine for me and my kids to be medically insured through Chris, Shawn and Kev don't have that option. I realize that those are not the only issues at stake, but those are the ones that stick out to me. So if you disagree, fine... don't buy the darn cards. But, I for one commend Hallmark and thank them for recognizing that this was a niche that needed to be filled. Now, if only I could find a card that says, "Happy First Day of School to My New Teacher, Who Also Happens to Be My Grandma!" Think they've thought of those yet?

An Imaginary Friend

Reagan has an imaginary friend... and his name is John Deere. Considering that her Grandpa Tim is in the farm machinery business I thought it was pretty appropriate. I ask you, where do kids come up with this stuff? Seriously we were playing in the backyard the other day and she just came up to me and introduced her "new friend". I had to clench my teeth to keep form laughing! I am assuming that his name has something to do with the mini John Deere Gator (kinda like a battery operated Barbie car, but not?) that resides in our backyard. Anyway, yesterday she informed me that he was coming over to play and then opened the door and let him in. I had to get him a drink of water, and make room for him at the dinner table. I am happy to know that she has an active imagination, but I find this hilarious! I am excited too, for school to start next week so that she can get back to playing with her real friends. Until then, at least she is finding a way to keep herself occupied.

Kissing Cousins!

This weekend we went over to Chris' cousin Ana's house for a birthday party for her two boys. Happy Birthday to Drew and Diego! I took this absolutely adorable picture of Jackson giving his cousin Dominic a kiss. Isn't that just too cute for words? The kids and I had a great time! Saturday was a lazy day that I spent home with a headache. Fun right? I didn't get much sleep Saturday night and Chris let me sleep in on Sunday morning. He got up and made eggs for the kids and I slept until a little after 11! We did dinner @ his Mom and Dad's last night, and now it is a new week. We have a busy schedule and are getting ready for the girls to start school so check back in with us! In the meantime here are some more pictures I took at the birthday party!