J & S plus a little "b" and "t"

Weekly Challenge #2 - Launch pad

2011-02-09T08:25:00.014-06:00

Week 2 Challenge was all about our launch/landing pad. That's the are that you dump everything in when you come in the door and search through the piles to find what you need as you're heading out the door. I actually have a nice entry - lots of room and a large closet to store everything. For the most part, it stays pretty clean, this happens to be what it looks like when we just come in from playing out in the snow and everything is still wet. **excuse the ugly photos - it was late at night and they look awful with or without flash**

When we first moved in I struggled with this area. It took me a couple years even to get what I wanted in the entry. The table and lamps were a Birthday gift and the bench came from JC Penny when I found it on clearance on their website. The closet started off with just 2 wire shelves across the top. Since this has been done for awhile now, I mainly just cleaned it all up. I pulled everything out of the closet and cleaned/decluttered as I put it all away.

Before

After

Before

After

This shelf has a bowl made by my Niece for our sunglasses, another dish for keys and the hugs and kisses jar is where all our change goes.

Thanks for visiting my pad. Again sorry for the hideous pictures. Feel free to join us over at A Bowl Full Of Lemons for the weekly challenges.

Week #1 Challenge

2011-02-08T08:12:00.000-06:00

The first weekly challenge over at A Bowl Full Of Lemons was a home management binder. I am still in the process of putting mine together as I'm trying to find out just what format works for our family. Here's what my binder looks like....

The things that I'm including are:

a monthly calender
weekly meal plan and grocery list
financial planning (calender, list, snowball payoff plan)
School calender and information as well as Dance class updates - B is in Preschool so there isn't much, but enough to keep all together in one place.
Emergency contact/Dr and dentist information
Address book

Once I get it down to what I like and what works for us, I'll update with the pages I'm including.

Putting it all together

2011-02-01T15:11:00.003-06:00

One of the reasons I wanted to start blogging again was to put all my thoughts, ideas, inspirations, challenges and the "every days" all in one area. So here I go.

I love to organize and declutter. I can't tell you how excited I get when I find neat little holders to make all my junk look all pretty and put together. I have been following along with another blog and their 21 day challenge to get my house clean and organized. I didn't "officially" join the challenge, but I did a few things here and there along with them. Now there's a new weekly challenge that I want to jump in on and tackle a few things that I'm needing to get done.

Over at this blog, you can follow me and other bloggers as we join in on the challenge - I'd love to hear all your "oohs and ahhs" at the pretty-ness that is an organized space, so leave me a note if you like. Check out a bowl full of lemons for the info and I'll be back with the first challenge - My home management binder.

Later!!

Same ol story....I'll try to change

2011-01-31T13:58:00.002-06:00

It's the same ol story - I forget to blog for a VERY L.O.N.G. time, then I come back with all these great intentions on being an awesome blogger again.....only to fail. I hang my head in shame, as I am here once again.

I'm not sure I'm going to "fill in" the blanks of what has been going on the past year, I may touch on some subjects along the way, but for now I want to just start fresh. I want this blog to be about some of my personal goals - capturing my life as a Wife and Mommy of 2 - and basically all that rolls into "J & S plus a little 'b' and 't".

I hope to stick to blogging more frequently and build a little bit of a following if anyone is interested. I will try my best.

Here's to the new start....again......

Hello there!!

2010-05-28T11:43:00.001-05:00

::WAVING:: to Stephanie - thanks for visiting. I haven't blogged in awhile...hmmm...since February? Really? I better get on that. Just thought I'd send a shout out to my friend who's stopping by. More blogging to come......

I'm back

2010-02-02T10:36:00.006-06:00

Did you miss me????

I've been away for many reasons, some more complicated than others, but basically I was trying to get things back on the up and up before I went back to the wonderful world of blogging. So, here's my kids all grown up and heading off to college...ok, so I haven't been gone THAT long, but they have grown a bit since I've been on here.

Trever had his 1st Birthday a week before Christmas. We had a little party for him and he had a blast. His Godmommy (and my dear friend) Michelle made the trip down with her sister and niece - it was wonderful to spend a few days with them. My sister Patti and family also traveled down for the party which I honestly didn't expect - so I was really excited that they came. Papa and Gahma (as Brenna would say) came over as well as Auntie Chris and Jaden and some friends of our with their kids. I think Brenna had the most fun playing with all the kids since they were her age and Trever just watched and giggled at them all. It really was a wonderful 1st Birthday for him. The Big "hit" to the party was the boys throwing a sticky skeleton to the ceiling and jumping to hit it down with a blanket. Really - who needs entertainment when you have inventive kids around. It was awesome to hear all the kids laugh and enjoy themselves.

Christmas was good, not as hectic as it was leading up to be. Christmas morning was fun watching Brenna and Trever opening their gifts then proceeding to play with what the other one got. We spent the morning in jammies and enjoyed the day. Later on we headed to my parents house and had our Christmas with my side of the family. We played our dice game that has quickly become a new tradition. We did 1 round with everyone and then did an adult round after all the kids went downstairs to play. We had decided to not exchange gifts amongst "us kids" meaning me and my siblings and do the dice game. What a GREAT idea - we had such a fun time. There is always 1 or 2 items that are the "hot" gifts and it's so much fun to see who and what gets fought over. This year it was a GTO calendar. My brother-in-law Mike knew what it was when it was wrapped so he made sure he got it. Once unwrapped my other brother-in-;aw David went after it (the GTO man that he is) it went back and forth between them for a time...soon Tera got into it....then Mikie....the Jason and myself....then low and behold MY DAD gets up and takes it away from David...CLASSIC. We all laughed and really enjoyed it. I think that is becoming a huge favorite for us now and we're all looking forward to in again next year.

We traveled up to Minnesota for a quick visit and had Christmas with Jason's family. It was a couple weeks later than we had originally planned but the weather just wasn't cooperating. It was a good time and we all got some wonderful gifts. We took a picture of all the grandkids together and I think maybe 1 out of about 50 turned out. It's tough getting 5 kids to all look at the camera at the same time.

The new year came about with some changes. New plans and things to focus on with our family and a new outlook on our life together. There will be many changes this year. Some things are already set in motion and others will come throughout the year, but we're looking forward to 2010.

I do hope to get back to blogging more. Hopefully I'll have more to say to keep it going :grin:

See you all soon

Amazing - Stellan Update

2009-11-09T21:30:00.002-06:00

I'm still amazed by the work of our Creator - our Healer. Stellan had an outstanding ablation and there is no SVT in sight. He does have some recovering to do, but he has left me speechless. What an amazing demonstration on the power of prayer and trusting in God.

I am so happy for Stellan and the rest of the MckFamily. Please go to their blog and get the full story on Stellan's amazing day.

Lots of love little man!!!!

Stellan - prayers needed

2009-11-09T14:15:00.004-06:00

***I stole this picture from MckMama's blog***

- I admit it, I'm a thief, but I just have to look at this adorable face while my knees are getting bruised, my hands are cramping, my lips are moving faster than I can speak the words, and my heart is aching for this little boy.

I haven't been posting about Stellan and his latest ordeal, mainly because I didn't know what to write. My heart is heavy and my eyes are swollen. Stellan has been a part of my life since I became pregnant with my son. They are 2 months apart in age and I cannot even fathom the idea of having my son go through what Stellan is going through.

Stellan is in Boston undergoing another ablation for his heart. Well - as of right now they are still working on getting all his lines placed in order to perform the ablation. He has been very sick and his little heart had even stopped at one point and the team had to get it started again. You can follow MckMama's blog for updates, but please say a prayer for this family. Pray for strength, courage and understanding. Their faith in Him is amazing.

Hugs and Kisses sweet Stellan!

Happy Halloween

2009-10-31T22:18:00.000-05:00

Love, Tinkerbell and Peter Pan

Wordless Wednesday

2009-10-28T09:25:00.000-05:00

kickin back

2009-10-26T07:06:00.001-05:00

All he needs is something to put his feet up on and a remote.

Siblings

2009-10-24T10:27:00.001-05:00

Look at how cute these two are together. I'd say about 99% of the time they are like this.

Trever gets so excited he can hardly contain himself when he sees Brenna. He smiles and bounces until she gets close enough to tackle.

Brenna has been a wonderful Big Sister. She cares for him so much. From the start she has always wanted to help with him - feed him, talk to him, and she just loves to make him smile. It's great to hear her "baby high pitch talk" when she talks to him.

They both loves hugs.

If Trever reaches for her hair or even drools on her a little bit, she tips her head back with a big smile and says "awe...Trever". It is so adorable.

I only hope these two will become closer and closer every day and develope a wonderful relationship.

I love my sweet babies and this look is something I'll cherish forever.

{sigh} I just love being a Mom!!!

Parade

2009-10-23T06:50:00.000-05:00

A couple weeks ago we went to the parade in town. Brenna had so much fun waving and running after all the candy that was thrown. Trever watched every single thing that went by with suck intent. They both had a lot of fun.

What the heck is this???

2009-10-22T08:07:00.006-05:00

That would be my "I'm so tired I'll sleep anywhere" son sound asleep under Brenna's table. What is in his mouth you ask?? Why her sock of course.

Now before anyone calls DHS on us....I did not shove a sock in my son's mouth and stick him under the table. In fact, I can honestly say I wasn't even here when this happened. (again, no calls - he was under the direct supervision of a responsible adult....ok....well, at least my husband was keeping an eye on him)

So...the story of Trever. He has never been one to take a nuk. He's never been one to really suck his thumb. He IS, however, one that does like to chew/suck on his na-night (aka blanket). So what happens when you're playing so hard, crawling all around and need to take an impromptu nap?? You find your sisters sock and curl up in a comfy spot on the floor, of course.

Ahhh, the joys of parenthood. I'm just so thankful my hubby took some pictures so I could enjoy in it too.

**note, no children or socks were injured in these photos. My son is alive and well and Brenna doesn't have any holes in her socks**

Oh no....it's started.

2009-10-01T08:02:00.002-05:00

While cleaning up the kitchen, my two darling children are playing ever so nicely by the toy box.

then I hear it....

...

...

...

"Trever (the 9mo old)...leave me alone...." - Brenna (the 3 yr old)

"Moooooom, Trever trying to hug me. I jus wanna see scooby doo an he won't moooooove"

...

...

and so it begins.

Reality

2009-09-29T10:47:00.006-05:00

I had a dose of reality yesterday. A flat out stare you in the face, knock you on your butt, cry your eyes out, reality moment.

Let me take you back a little bit. I have been on a blogging hiatus - why? because I knew that I was not happy and I didn't want to give into all the negativity that has been surrounding me. I have been playing the pity party in my own mind and whining about silly things. I have been feeding off all the negative things and have long passed all the positive ones. I have taken peoples comments to heart and let them consume me. I've taken on other people's bad traits and made them my own. I've been holding grudges - which is something that I really despise in other people. I am not happy with my actions, my thought process, my health and particularly the ugly road that I've led myself to be on.

Boy - I sound like a mess huh? (At least I still have a little humor left)ha ha ha.

I was going to go into detail on here what exactly I have been hurt by, what I've been hanging onto and letting get to me - but then I deleted it.

In order for me to let things go, I just need to drop it. I need a clean slate.

so what was the big "Eye opener" you ask?

Yesterday I had a call to add on an exam. It was towards the end of the day and I was thinking that yet again I'd have to squeeze this patient in. I was being negative, selfish and flat out a big baby. This particular patient was new to our system, nice guy, younger than my Dad. He had some pain in his belly for a few weeks that just wouldn't go away. He finally decided he should go in and check it out. Now after doing Ultrasound for 11 years, I've become rather numb to things. Wheelchair bound patients, ones missing an arm or a leg - you just become that professional that does their job - has a nice conversation with the patient and move on. You don't take it to heart. As soon as I placed the transducer down on this mans belly my heart sank. It took everything in me not to cry as my hands began to shake. His liver was covered in Metastases = Cancer.

This isn't the first time I've seen cancer, I see it all the time, but it's the first time it hit home - HARD. I felt horrible that I even complained about getting this guy in. What kind of selfish snot would complain about doing her job when this gentleman's life is about to be ripped apart.

The entire ride home I kept thinking about him. How he is going to have to go home and tell his wife, or his kids, or his family. I thought about all the little stupid things I've been complaining about - being bored at work, finances, a dirty kitchen - you know. I thought about my family and friends. Then I stopped at a gas station before I picked up my daughter and thanked God for all that is in my life. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

You see - when you came to grasps with your own mortality, it kind of puts things in a completely different light. Why be upset over things that happened several years ago or even a week ago. Why let my life be consumed with all the negativity when it can change in an instant.

Last night Brenna wanted "few more minutes mama". I brought her back into her bed and I laid down next to her. She snuggled her head into my chest and rubbed her hand on my face. I cried the entire time.

I think we all need a "few more minutes"

Thank you Lord for sending me your message yesterday - I got it loud and clear.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!!

2009-09-19T13:46:00.001-05:00

riding rides

2009-09-17T12:09:00.008-05:00

Jammin

2009-09-08T13:01:00.005-05:00

....Hmmmmm.....

2009-09-03T15:42:00.003-05:00

My posts will probably be few and far between for a little while. There is a lot going on with us behind the scenes here that need to get taken care of before I start posting regularly again. For now (and every so often) I'll keep posting some fun pictures to keep the mood a positive one.
ENJOY!!!!

Bored

2009-08-20T10:01:00.003-05:00

Note - Debbie Downer is filling in for Shannon in today's post - so sorry.

Hello all (if anyone is left that still reads my blog)

It's been a long time since I rock and rol.....oops, that's the song....since I've been blogging. I don't know what my deal has been lately, but I'm just...just...bored. Yea, bored...I think that's the best way to describe it. I've lost my umph....my mo-jo....my zest (be it orange or lemon)....my passion....even a majority of my humor. I'll apologise not for all the "...." - that's just my way of thinking.

Why am I bored? I dunno.

Let's start with work. I've been doing Ultrasound for over 10 years now. I do love it, really I do, but I'm bored. I just scanned 8 patients in 3 hours ( a pretty good clip - I'm known for my speed and beautiful studies - hey, a little pat on my own back never hurt {grin}) and here I sit waiting for the rest of my 5 hours to go by with only 3 more to scan. Long day indeed, but not as bad as tomorrow. I only have 3 scheduled for the entire day. I'm bored.

The ultrasounds themselves are not that terrible, but I'm bored. I do the same exams over and over. Liver, Renal, Aorta....repeat. Occasionally I'll get a pelvic or thyroid or something else thrown in there for a real treat, but all in all, I'm bored. I miss doing vascular exams, I did a lot of those while I was in Minnesota. They have a separate vascular lab here, so I don't do any.at.all. I miss the Carotid studies, the bypass grafts, even the DVT (looking for blood clots in legs) studies on the 400 lb, very smelly, challenge-to-get-in-their-groin type patients. Yep - I'm THAT bored.

I've lost my humor and light heartiness for the ever famous "so is it a boy or a girl?" type questions. Mind you that after the 100th time I heard that come from a 60 year old MALE patient - it was plenty old. Now after 10 years of it - I've lost my ability to give a convincing chuckle and say "twins - one of each". In fact they other day, I responded too quickly to the question, and I was busted by the patient. He said " you must hear that one a lot since you answered so fast. Here I thought I was the first one to think of it". It took everything in me to not throw out a few sarcastic remarks, but I gave him a smile and said "well, maybe just once or twice" and went on my way about scanning. I'm sure we all have these type of routine quips that every person thinks they are the first possible person to think this up. Barbers - please tell me you've had more than your share of bald guys come in and say "just a little off the top". As much as it pains me to hear the same old questions/comments, I am in no way ever mean to a patient, I do casually nod and acknowledge their quick wit, sometimes let out a little laugh, but my head is saying "really?....again?"

Along the lines of repeat comments, another thing that bothers me is when I ask a patient when the last time they had anything to EAT or DRINK (when they are to be fasting for the exam), they respond with such and such time last night - good. THEN when I change the question around a little "have you had any coffee or juice this morning?" they say "well yea, I had coffee" like I was an idiot for asking. I immediately want to slap my forehead and fall backwards onto the floor, but again I nod and say "ok". So let me ask a silly little question. If you haven't had anything to EAT or DRINK since whatever time last night? How the heck are you taking your coffee these days? Hmmm? It drives me nutty. Now - let me remind you that the main purpose of my job is to see inside patients. So...I can see INSIDE you. Usually the reason I'm asking these questions is because I have already seen that you are not fasting and you in fact have a stomach FULL of fluid and other items. Yes...I can see inside you...and yes I can tell that you have NOT been fasting. Tricky little thing I am asking such sneaky questions when I already know the answer. It's just like when you've been busted by your parents for sneaking out or something - like when they are standing in your room when you enter back through the window. They LIE. Seriously, just like when you make up some excuse how you were sleep walking and were about to fall out of the window to your death when you woke up and climbed back in. They lie about eating. I ask once, they say no. I reword it then it starts to leak out. My favorite is when they'll say "oh...yea. I had a SIP of coffee" "oh wait...I also had a BITE of a banana" really? who makes a pot of coffee in the morning and only takes a sip? and on top of it who opens a banana (which turns brown in like 5 min after opening) and only takes a single bite? Am I crazy for thinking these things? If this is the case they should weigh only about 80 pound's and must fell STUFFED. After the "sip and bite" comments I get one of two results. Either the patient will get really defensive and say they were not told or it didn't say anything about it on THEIR letter (because the printer left it off of their letter on purpose to get them in trouble) OR it will lead to them listing everything they have possibly eaten in the last 24 hours. "I had 2 pancakes, a piece of toast with butter, peanut butter and jelly on it, 2/3 cup of OJ, a half of piece of bacon because my dog took the rest off my plate when I wasn't looking. Before that I got up at 2:13 in the morning for my midnight snack (which is why they were 2 hours late to their appointment...another story) I pored a cup of milk but it was old so I threw the rest out, but not after I tasted it first to make sure it really was bad. I had 4 chocolate chip cookies, 2 oreos and a fig newton...mama loves the fig newtons so I can only have them when she's asleep so I don't tempt her with the treats...she's diabetic you know......blah, blah, blah....oh, and then a tic tac just before you called me in here." By this time I'm already done with the study and completely forgot that I asked any questions to begin with. As fun as all that sounds. I'm bored.

So - besides me whining and venting a little - ok a lot. What do you think? I think I'm bored with where I'm at. I do love the actual scanning portion of my job, but it hasn't felt like a challenge for me lately. I'm sure it's because I'm not as busy as I'm used to , but it may also be the fact that even the exams that I do scan, I'm doing the same patient every 6 months or so. We have A LOT of repeat patients. There are certain things that need to be followed frequently to help with treatment and prevention (ie Hepatitis C patients get Liver Ultrasound every 6 months or so to correspond with their medications, people with AAA (Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms - a weakening in the wall that makes them bulge) need to be followed in intervals to make sure it doesn't grow - eventually needing surgery before they rupture) so not only am I doing the same type of exams, I'm seeing the same exam over and over. So...I'm bored.

I like the branch of hospitals that I work for. I don't scan any babies (which I don't want to - for various reasons) so I'm limited on other places I could go. There's the thought of moving back to Minnesota and working at my previous hospital. I'd be busier which I would like and I'd have more of a variety, but there are still a couple people that work there that I don't get along with - and were one of the reasons I left. Plus, I'd have to take call again and I really enjoy not having to go back to work when I'm just sitting down to dinner with my family.

Dilemma

I'm bored. There are other areas that I feel "bored" in, but I'll have to save that for another post since this one is longer than I had intended it to be. Sorry for the down and out post. This is just something that's been on my mind. I'm not really upset or angry about it by any means, I'm just kind of....well.....bored.

Thanks for listening.

Brenna's 3 years old

2009-08-14T14:44:00.000-05:00

Happy 3rd Birthday Boo!
We love you so much!
Love, Mommy, Daddy and Trever

Prayer Request

2009-08-04T22:37:00.003-05:00

Uncle Nate and Trever at Trever's Baptism

I have been waiting to post this until I had more information. Jason's brother Nate was in a 4-wheeler accident on Friday July 31st**. He went off an 8 foot drop and fractured his L5 vertebra (lower back bone) and his hip. He under went surgery today to fix his back, which took longer than expected. He suffered some permanent nerve damage and is having some issues with his left leg. I don't have all of the details as Jason didn't ask too many questions, but this was the basic information that I got. I'm sure they'll be finding out more tomorrow when he has a little time to recover from the surgery. He is scheduled for a second surgery to repair his hip on Friday. I ask that you keep him and the rest of the family in your thoughts and prayers.

We pray for God's healing hands be laid upon him. Give him strength and patience as this will be a long and grueling recovery for him. We pray for the Doctors and Nurses who are taking care of Nate, that they have steady hands and wisdom to help him make a full recovery. My dear brother-in-law, we wish we could be by your side and hold your hand through this, but we trust that you are in the best hands there is...His hands.

We love you Nate!

**Edited - Date corrected, I originally put June 30th. It was late when I posted....and I was tired.

Ever have a day like this????

2009-07-28T12:36:00.000-05:00

2009-07-27T12:44:00.005-05:00

UPDATE:
So sorry for the delay in updating on Stellan (we've been a little pre-occupied with Nate). After a few more days in the hospital, Stellan was weaned off of his iv meds and put on a new oral regimen. He has fought his way once again. He is now back home with his new, new, new normal. Thanks for the prayers, this little guy sure is a strong example of Christ's work. I am amazed by him...and by Him. Welcome home sweet boy.

Stellan and the rest of the MckFamily need your prayers more than ever. Stellan is going to be airlifted to the Boston Children's Hospital. What started off as a "3-day hospital stay just try try a new regimen of drugs" turned into any Mother's worse fear. Poor Stellan is not doing well at all.

He's been in SVT for a few days. He started vomiting last night around midnight - can't keep anything down. His body temp is 94.7 and his extremities are cold. He's retaining fluid and is barely urinating. His poor little heart is having to work so hard and it's really taken a tole on him.

Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
For more information, please check out MckMama's blog.

I know, I know.....

2009-07-23T14:23:00.009-05:00

It's been a really long time...so sorry. Enjoy some pics from a day at the pool to tise you all over for a little while.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-07-08T11:10:00.003-05:00

Don't ask....

Wordless Wednesday

2009-07-01T14:35:00.000-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2009-06-24T04:55:00.000-05:00

Playin at the Park

2009-06-22T09:58:00.000-05:00

A girl and her doll house

2009-06-20T12:26:00.000-05:00

Brenna got a doll house from "Gah" (that's what Brenna calls her Grandma). I tried to help her decorate it and move the furniture around and I was told "No, no Mama, I do it". This is clearly her new favorite thing to do indoors. It comes with a Mommy, Daddy, Big Sister and twin babies.

Notice the Daddy in the bathroom with the stroller? We he was stopping home quick so the baby could sit on the potty (baby fell off the potty while I was taking the picture)

Shhh....don't tell Brenna that I secretly play with her doll house when she goes to bed. It's just so much fun {grin}

Time to say goodbye

2009-06-19T20:50:00.000-05:00

....to the bouncy seat.

Trever no longer sits in his bouncer. He flips himself around onto his belly and backs down to the floor so he can play with the buckles. Ahhh, yet another thing we can throw in the garage sale.

Brenna's got a new bed

2009-06-19T07:43:00.001-05:00

Brenna has had her new bed up now for about a week and I think it's a keeper. She has been in the Queen sized been since I was pregnant with Trever. Until now it had been just the box spring and mattress on the floor - which worked out really good for her to get on and off of.

Her room is an Asian theme. Most of her items are from her Uncle Craig and Auntie Sabrina (also her Godparents) that were picked up in Japan when Craig was there. She has a full sized Kimono hanging on her wall that is absolutely beautiful. We just put up the umbrella with a light behind it. We waited until Brenna was old enough to not try and pull it down on top of her. (that and we couldn't figure out to put it up there at first) Her crib used to be on the wall that the headboard is on. Her night stand is one that we got for our wedding. It has a Japanese painting on the top of it and on the drawer in gold.

She has another shelf on the opposite wall by her closet that holds some Geisha figurines, paper dolls, framed pictures, chop sticks and other neat things from Japan. By the way, that Kimono we use for pictures of Brenna to see how she's grown. I lie it out on the floor and for every month for her first year I'd put her on it. Now we do it every year for her birthday. Eventually we'll have pictures of her wearing it. I love looking back at those pictures and seeing just how much she's grown. I think I still need something for this blank wall...but not sure what we're going to put there yet.

So there it is...Miss Brenna's room and her new bed.

b and t at 6 months

2009-06-18T16:38:00.000-05:00

Brenna at 6 months

Trever at 6 months

6 months old

2009-06-18T09:50:00.007-05:00

I can't believe my baby boy is 6 months old already and yet it feels like he's been with us for so much longer than that. He's growing like a weed.

Here are a few things about Trever

He's the happiest baby out there. Rarely fusses and it's only when he is hungry...NOW.
Loves his Big Sister. He just can't get enough of Brenna. If he hears her voice he'll search and search for her until he sees her - then it's the biggest grin ever!
DOES NOT like to have a wet diaper. He will wiggle and squirm like crazy until he's changed.
Scratches his belly when you change his diaper.
Likes to be rocked to sleep sometimes.
Does not want anything to do with a nuk or pacifier. Occasionally will suck on his thumb, but mostly chews on his na-night.
Rubs the back of his head when he's sleepy.
Kicks his feet and rocks his body forward and backwards when he's overly tired.
Has been sleeping all night long pretty much since the day he came home from the hospital.
Goes to bed between 8 and 9PM, usually needs to be woken up at 6AM to go to Grandma's.
Takes 2 naps a day usually about an hour each.
Eats cereal, carrots, squash and sweet potatoes. More to come as Mama gets cookin.
Been sitting up by himself for a little over a week now.

Been rolling from front to back and back to front for some time now. He'll roll all over the place, especially to get to Papa.
Will attempt to "walk" when you hold his hands and move him forward.
Seems to be Right handed (Brenna is a Lefty)
Eyes are changing to Brown like Mama's
His official Dr appointment isn't for a week, but when he was in to see the Doctor a week ago he was 20 lbs.
Wears 12 month clothes (for the length), size 1 shoe.
Ticklish - mainly under his chin and near his left collar bone.
Laughs when others laugh, cries when Brenna cries.
Says "oh" a lot and "da da da" when he's chewing out Jason.

I'm sure there are more things I'm forgetting. This boy has come such a long way in 6 months. Happy half Birthday handsome man.

Mommy, Daddy and Brenna love you so much!!!

Not a wordless wednesday

2009-06-17T09:50:00.002-05:00

Today....today is not my normal wordless Wednesday. Usually I'd try to grace my blog with a cute picture of little b or t or both....but not today.

Today....I started it all off in the worst way. I'm not one that typically lets one incident effect my whole day. I try to bounce back and find the positive so that my day is not ruined by the one thing that set out to make my day horrible....but not today.

Today....Even as I'm writing this, I'm replaying the "incident" over and over in my head. It sends chills down my spine and I can't seem to think of anything else. I normally would distract myself with exciting things, like my car pooler's new car....but not today.

Today....I gave into fear and it has thus far snowballed into a terrible day. Not today...

This morning at approximately 5:10AM, I was held captive in my bathroom. A hostage situation like no other. All while my dear husband, darling daughter and handsome son were sound asleep in their beds. I tried to defend myself. I gathered up enough courage to find a weapon and take out the very thing that was freezing me in the corner. Every ounce of me wanted to curl up in the fetal position and cry for my Mom....but I knew she wouldn't hear me. I posted on facebook, hoping someone would come to my rescue...but nothing.

I was alone.

Worried for the safety of the rest of my family I rose up, moved the bath rug, wadded up several yards of toilet paper and beat that spider down to the ground. My master skills were not enough for this huge monster - he was after all the size of a .... dime (insert scary music here) - and he escaped under the door. I quickly took my shower, got dressed, dried my hair and applied my make-up all while I was staring down the bottom of that door. With a bottle of hairspray and my super ionic blow dryer I whipped open the door.

He was gone.

I'm sure he went to rally up some friends to come back and finish me off. So I ran quickly to get my shoes on...the real weapon that could withstand his attack. I snuggled up my daughter and placed her on a chair so he wouldn't see her. Then I swooped in and put my son in his car seat and out the door I went.

I know he'll be waiting for me when I get home from work. I will sneak in and flip on all lights before he has a chance to run. Because....

Today...dear spider, is not the day to mess with a mama and her babies....not today.....

NOT TODAY!!!!

{Yawn}

2009-06-11T07:31:00.005-05:00

Wednesday:
5:00PM: pick up both children from my Mother's house. She so graciously took Brenna for the day after I showed up in the morning with her and no warning - sorry Mom. I was up most of the night before when Brenna spiked a temp of 102. No daycare with a fever so she spent the day at Grandma's.

5:15PM: Head to Wal-mart to pick up more Tylenol and a few other things for the night.

6:00PM: Start Dinner while hubby takes care of a very fussy Trever.

6:45ish: Trever was tired of being on the floor playing. I was done with dinner so I picked him up only to then be covered in some projectile baby vomit. Seriously...twice even. First down my arm and on him. Second time was the biggie, all down the front of both of us. Down my shirt and into my bra. Fabulous!

7:00PM: Both kids in tub (mama kind of cleaned up) and ready for bed.

7:30PM: Brenna asked to go to bed. Hugs and Kisses given, prayers said and one precious baby girl all tucked into bed.

8:00-9:00PM: Both mama and daddy switching back and forth with Trever to get to sleep. Another bottle, some rocking and finally down for the night.

9:15PM: Mama's tired and off to bed. Daddy to follow a few minutes later.

11:50PM: Brenna whining/crying - I went to check on her. Sat in her room for a few minutes and she drifted back to sleep.

Thursday (today)
12:30AM: Brenna crying again, but then back to sleep within seconds.

1:15AM: Brenna really up now - calling for mama, crying. She has a temp somewhere between 102 and 103 (I can't always figure out those silly digital forehead sweeping things, especially at 1am - just sayin). Rock with baby girl to ease some of her hurt. Tylenol given, more hugs and kisses and some cuddle time until she tells me to go back to bed. As a good mother, I do what my Daughter tells me to do {grin}

1:45AM: Brenna awake again and sneaking around to my side of the bed whispering "Mama...Mamaaaahhh". I get up and get my precious a sippy cup of milk and back to bed we go. She's still a little warm, but not as bad as she was earlier.

2:45AM: After drinking milk, snuggle time and music on Brenna is asleep and back to bed I go.

3:00AM: Trever's turn to wake up. I nudge the hubby to go get him this time. He does and returns to bed shortly after.

3:30AM: Trever's up again (still?). Hubby asks for Mama's magic touch to get baby boy back to sleep. Magic touch consists of making a bottle, changing diaper (and entire clothes since diaper was at max capacity and he's wet up to his chest), re-dressing a now shivering baby, rocking and feeding wide awake son.

4:15AM: Put Trever to bed, walk out of room and then back in. Pick Trever up, rock and back to bed. The third time he was actually snoring - sound asleep and content in his crib. I stop by Brenna's room - she's snoring too. Ahhhh...what a great sound.

4:25AM: Mama slides into bed, head hits pillow....Trever awake. Mama back up and brings Trever into bed with us. Sound asleep and doesn't move a muscle.

5:00AM: Mama's alarm for work goes off. Shower, get ready for work, grab a banana. Talked Daddy into staying home with sick children today.

6:00AM: Meet carpool partner at Mom's house

7:15AM: At work, checking out busy schedule - no rest for the weary today, that's for sure.

8:00AM: First patient is here, time to go.

So how has your morning been????

Did I mention I love being a Mom? Because really...I do
Have a good day {grin}

...hey...at least it's a post

2009-06-10T12:15:00.003-05:00

I know I haven't been posting much. I wish it because of something really cool like I was on vacation or off having a baby or something fun...but no. I don't really have a reason other than I really haven't been all that pumped to post. Sad...but true.

So in a lame attempt to post something I give you the random ABC list of things about me. I found this lovely time waster in my inbox today and figured I'd pass it along on here. I'm sure it'll be more than you care to ever know about me...but here goes anyway.

oh...and if you're bored too - post it on your blog and then come and tell me about it so I can check it out. {grin}

A
• Are you available? No.
• What is your age? 31.
• What annoys you? Stupid People - but they also amuse me so.

B
• Do you know anyone named Billy? Yep.
• When is your birthday? November 30th.
• Who is your best friend? I have several - and for very different reasons.

C
• What's your favorite candy? Gummy Bears or Jelly Belly.
• Crush? Sure.
• When was the last time you cried? Yesterday - only because I was laughing so hard. The drive home from work can be pretty amusing.

D
• Do you daydream? ....wait....what?
• What's your favorite kind of dog? Weimaraner.
• What day of the week is it? Wednesday.

E
• How do you like your eggs? Dippin kind.
• Have you ever been in the emergency room? More than most - I work at a hospital. Personally, only a handful of times in my life.
• Ever pet an elephant? Yes - totally not what I expected.

F
• Do you use fly swatters? Nah.
• Have you ever used a foghorn? Yea - at camp once, scared the crap outta me.
• Is there a fan in your room? Overhead.

G
• Do you chew gum? Sometimes.
• Do you like gummy candies? OH YEA...see above.
• Do you like gory movies? Some I guess.

H
• How are you? Bored, otherwise FANTASTIC.
• What's your height? 5'6"
• What color is your hair? Dark brown with the occasional grey strands & red highlights.

I
• What's your favorite ice cream? Mint Chocolate chip - mmmm, yummy goodness right there.
• Have you ever ice skated? Yep.
• Ever been in an igloo? The kind formed by snow? yes. The cooler? Um...yes.

J
• What's your favorite Jelly Bean? Any Jelly Belly kind that should be considered a normal flavor. Popcorn, marshmallow and jalapeno should never, I repeat NEVER, be made into a form of jelly bean.
• Have you ever heard a really hilarious joke? Yep - even peed my pants once because of one.
• Do you wear jewelry? Some.

K
• Who do you want to kill? That would be a sin, so no. But if I had someone in mind I wouldn't list it here just in case something were to happen to them, I wouldn't want to be a suspect.
• Have you ever flown a kite? Yes.
• Do you think kangaroos are cute? Yea - in that awkward big footish kind of way.

L
• Are you laid back? For the most part. (I think)
• Lions or Tigers? Tigers.
• Do you like black licorice? Ewe no.....yet another flavor of jelly belly that never makes it in my bag.

M
• Favorite movie as a kid? The Muppet Move, The Pirate Movie and the original Star Wars flicks.
• Ever shopped at Moosejaw? I'm afraid to even ask what that is....so no.
• Favorite store at the mall? The one with the best sales...

N
• Do you have a nickname? Several - Shan, Shannie, Pete, Babe, Mommy (my favorite one)
• What's your favorite number? 02......don't forget the "0" in front of the 2, I'm weird like that.
• Do you prefer night or day? Like them both for different reasons.

O
• What's your one wish? Can't tell you, or it won't come true. {wink}
• Are you an only child? Technically...no.
• Do you like the color orange? Sure do.

P
• What are you most paranoid about? The safety of my children and finances.
• Piercings? 2.
• Do you know anyone named Penelope? Yep, even related to one.

Q
• Are you quick to judge people? Not usually.
• Do you like Quaker Oats? Not by itself, In my YUMMY bars...oh yea!!!
• Know anyone that makes quilts? Yes.

R
• Do you think you're always right? Not hardly, but don't tell my husband that.{grin}
• Do you watch reality TV? Oh yea!!!
• Reason to cry? Several.

S
• Do you prefer sun or rain? Rain baby rain!!! The stronger the storm, the happier I am. I think I get that from my Dad.
• Do you like snow? Heck yea - born and raised Minnesotan!!!
• What's your favorite season? Autumn and Spring.

T
• [What] time is it? after 2 pm.
• What time did you wake up? first at midnight, then at 1am (sick little girl) then finally at 5am for work.

U
• Can you ride a unicycle? Never tried.
• Do you know anyone with a uni brow? Yes....and my tweezers are itching to get a hold of her (muah ha ha ha)
• Uncles do you have? Living - 6 (7 with Jimmy, not actual uncle, I think he's a cousin but I've always considered him an Uncle)

V
• What’s the worst vegetable? Asparagus.
• Did you ever watch Veggie Tales? Yes, and I apologize to Archibald for my last answer {grin}
• Ever considered being vegan? Nope, this meat and potatoes girl could never go that way.

W
• What's your worst habit? ....
• Do you like water rides? For Sure!
• Ever been inside a windmill? Not a real one. The one at the put-put mini gulf place I went to as a teenager - but that was purely on a dare.

X
• Have you ever had an x-ray? A couple.
• Ever used a Xerox machine? Yup.

Y
• Do you like the color yellow? Sure.
• What year were you born in? 1977
• Do you yell when you're angry? Sometimes, but mostly I don't say anything at all.

Z
• Do you believe in the zodiac? ??
• What's your zodiac sign? Sagittarius.
• When was the last time you went to the zoo? On our Honeymoon in 2006, we're due to go again I think.

So there you have it. Hope you enjoyed reading. I'm just happy it killed a little time before I head home from work. Have a good day!!!

Look, Look, Look.....

2009-06-03T09:40:00.002-05:00

Look what I got???? How awesome is that? My very first blog award....I think I'm getting emotional here....

This is from Ace - over at If you think round is funny. Thanks lady!!!!

Lemonade Award

Here are the rules of the Lemonade Award:

1.Put the logo on your blog or post

2. Nominate at least 10 blogs that show an attitude of gratitude

3. Link to your nominees within your post

4. Comment on their blogs to let them know they've received this award

5. Share the love and link to this post and the person who nominated you for the award

6. Tell us how you've come to have an attitude of gratitude

I'd like to thank everyone for visiting my blog. It's kind of fun to have people checking in on us from time to time. I know how much I enjoy other blogs...so Welcome!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-05-27T05:54:00.001-05:00

...

2009-05-26T12:42:00.008-05:00

Have a Safe Memorial Day Weekend!!

2009-05-22T14:02:00.003-05:00

Brenna at her Great-Granddaddy's Grave.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you this weekend.

Eavesdropping

2009-05-21T11:09:00.004-05:00

According to the wikipedia - "Eavesdropping is the act of surreptitiously listening to a private conversation. This is commonly thought to be unethical and there is an old adage that eavesdroppers seldom hear anything good of themselves"

It also talks about the history of eavesdropping and how "Eavesdrop also means a small low visibility hole near the entrance to a building (generally under the eaves) which would allow the occupants to listen in on the conversation of people awaiting admission to the house. Typically this would allow the occupant to be prepared for unfriendly visitors."

Very interesting in deed.

Most people think of eavesdropping as a highly negative thing. How dare you listen in on a conversation that is not intended for you to hear. I have mixed feelings on the subject. Now don't get me wrong, I don't carry a glass around with me to press up against all the doors and walls to see what kind of dirt I can pick up. However, I don't think I'm such a horrible person for hearing a conversation that is going on clearly loud enough as for me not to strain to hear.

This brings me to the conversation I "overheard" today. Now I was minding my own business, but I heard what was going on none the less. I will shamefully admit that I did stop what I was doing to listen in....(don't throw any stones yet) and now I'm going to share it with all of you.

T: goo ga blag a doop (no laughing at my baby talk interpretation)

B: Huh?

T: ga blaugh do ba do ma

B: Huh?

T: {giggle}

B: Trever?

T: {giggle} {coo}

B: ooohhhhhhh, Trever wake up?

(little footsteps heard going from one bedroom to the other)

B: ahh, Trevvveeeeer. You wake up.

So...am I a horrible person for listening in on the "private" conversation? Brenna came out to get me and said "Trever wake up" then took me by the hand to show me. " c'mon Mama...show me" Trever was awake in his crib and smiled the biggest smile when his big sister climbed up to see him.

I'm sure this will be the first of MANY stolen moments between a sister and her brother. Think what you will, but I've never been happier doing something that is deemed so WRONG. I'm sure I'm not the first Mom to do it, and certainly not the last. I can also guarantee that many of you reading this (if you have more than 1 child) will grin and know just how it feels to "eavesdrop" on your kids.

Ahhh.....I love being a Mom.

ahhhhhhhhhhh

2009-05-20T12:13:00.004-05:00

That pretty much sums up how I'm feeling today. I think I've finally re cooped from the weekend. We had a very successful garage sale and I got rid of a TON of stuff. It was busy considering we had rain on Friday and windy/cold weather on Saturday. I guess we're going to do another Saturday only sale in June when the they have the city wide garage - which will be good for the few areas in our basement that I didn't get to. It's such a nice feeling to be rid of all the extra stuff around the house. Now I just need to get caught up on my laundry and cleaning and all will be well {grin}

Work has been a little slow lately which has been giving me extra time to catch up on all my deal searching, recipe finding and all kinds of playing around. I love days like these!

What fun things are you up to??

No more work for today....

2009-05-14T14:27:00.002-05:00

well, at least at the moment. I still have over an hour left and anything can happen.

Back to the craziness....

Monster garage sale tomorrow - I'll be up bright and early to get things rolling. I'm making breakfast ahead of time so I can just throw it in the oven at my Mom's for us all to enjoy before the crazy shoppers come. I can't tell you how wonderful it feels to have my house decluttered (for the most part - kind of a mess now since we've been going through everything). You really don't realize how much junk, oops I mean really cool stuff that other people want to buy, accumulates in such a short time.

On to other things....

What else has been keeping my brain busy other than garage sales, being a wife and mother, working and everything else under the sun? A friend of mine and I are starting up our own business. It's a little scary, but the more we talk about it the more excited we get. I'm not going into depth yet as it is in the VERY EARLY stages. There's just lots of preparations that go into it. Finding wholesale suppliers, working out the fine details and setting up the dates and times to launch everything. It will be a crazy ride, but if everything goes according to plan we'll be swamped with more work than we ever thought possible and our dreams to work from home (or at least less hours and closer to home) will come to pass. Please keep us in the back of your minds that everything will run smoothly.

Family things....

Jason has been working more and more lately. Seems that the whole economy thing isn't affecting those needing retaining walls and such....we thank them {grin} Baseball will be back in action on Sunday (no games on Mother's Day) so our weekends will start to seem shorter as we're traveling all over the place to watch him play.

Brenna took a nose-dive on her way to the swings at daycare the other day. You know how you run as fast as you can to the swing, plop your belly on the seat part and hang on? Well, I guess Brenna missed the swing entirely. Poor thing. They said after she got all cleaned up she ran full boar to them again only this time she didn't biff it. That a girl, don't let the pesky ground shy you away from having fun. She has been such a character lately, I find myself laughing more and more everyday. Last night she was getting ready for the bath. This kid LOVES to be naked, I can't help it, she just really likes it. So...after I got her ready to go in the tub she wanted to run and see Daddy first. I followed her out to the living room and she says "Daddy...daddy look....I nak-ed" Then she proceeded to "bring it around town". That's a little sponge bob thing (which I don't think she's actually seen) where she bends her knees and rolls her hips/bum in a circle (like if you were doing the hula-hoop, only no hoop). It is the funniest thing ever. She then ran back into the bathroom ready for bath. Lord help us with this one.

Trever is rolling all over the place. Back to belly, belly to back - he's a cruisin. Another fan of being naked, he will do a full belly laugh when you strip him down. Someday these two will do the "awe, mo-om" when they find out I blogged about how they like being in the buff, but they will know just how cute it is when their kids do it too. Trever is our talker. He would talk to you all day long if he could. He gives out the smiles freely and is such a flirt. He's a BIG boy, very long and is currently in 9 month clothes. Anything smaller pulls on his crotch and shoulders so much.

Well, that's what's going on for us (in a nutshell). Summer is going to be pretty busy for us I'm sure. Between baseball, trips to Minnesota, Trever's Baptism, family reunions....it'll go by fast that's for sure. I'll be sure to get back here to post as often as I can and will share pictures.

Crazy Busy.

2009-05-14T08:18:00.003-05:00

So sorry to those of you that have been anxiously awaiting another post from me...all 10 of you that read my blog...I think it's 10...let's see....mom, sister, other sister, mother-in-law, friend 1, sister of friend 1, blog buddy 1 and 2, labor buddy....is that 10 yet? Oh yea, don't forget anonymous....that should make 10...I rock.

I can't even explain in full depth all the craziness that is going on now and how my mind is all mottled up - but you know me, I'll sure try. I have started 4 or 5 different posts and have been so rudely interrupted every time. When I go back to read what was written, well let's just say you're probably lucky that I never posted them - it wasn't even making sense to me and I was living it. Ugh.

Where to start.....oh yea. We (and by we I mean my mother, two sisters and I) are having this HUGE garage sale this weekend. Seriously - the garage is packed, and we don't even have half of the stuff we're planning on putting out there. I have gone through just about every inch of my home and put a tag on everything in sight. I think by the time it's all said and done all that will be left is a plunger and an empty roll of toilet paper. Sweet!!! Anyone interested in a plunger?

Why? You must be asking yourself. Well, we are ready for a fresh start. There are certain things we have gotten along the way that may have "worked" for us at the time, fit better in a different home, or just filled in for something that we never really knew what we wanted. Now it's time for a change. I try to be surrounded with the things I love. When you really enjoy everything around you, life seems so much more comfortable, happy and full of life. Of course this is my opinion and it is by no means saying people need to sell everything they own and buy new.

A little example of what I'm talking about - our dining room table. I have had two other dining room sets in my previous apartment and home. They "worked" at the time, but I never really loved them. When we moved into our current home, we went without a dining room table for some time. Then one day Jason and I headed to slumberland to check out a different table - one that matched out kitchen cabinets (hickory). As soon as we walked in the door Jason spotted THE table. It was dark wood, straight lined, clean sleek. The chairs were high backed with a black leather in-lay. It was beautiful and PERFECT - for us anyway. To top it all off, it was on sale. That was it. That was "our" dining room set. Instead of rushing out and getting something just to fill the space, we waited. Now, my husband prides himself in the fact that he picked out the table - which he did and I give him credit for that. The point is we went for the one that we fell in love with and to this day we still love it. It is our table, for our home, that we will sit at for every meal possible as a family. It is the place where we will be able to talk with our children, find out all about their day, what's happening in school, who has what going on. Our dinner table is a big part of our family, it brings us together to make sure we have that time to share with no interruptions. When I was growing up, we never answered the phone, we asked to be excused from the table once everyone was finished eating, and we rarely missed a dinner together. I want that for my family. Life gets busy - school, sports, work, whatever it is, but I want that place that we all go to and share what is going on in our lives. So there - that's our table. A fancy hunk of wood for some people, but it is so much more for us. With such important things going on at it - we must be sure that we LOVE it.

OK - I don't know where I got off track here and on the big tangent about our dinner table, but I hope that gives you a little insight to the "surrounding ourselves with things we love" type deal. I'm not extravagant by any means. I do enjoy nice things, but mainly if I'm going to buy something, I want to make sure that I really love it so 2 years down the road I don't have to go through all this again because it's not exactly what we're looking for.

Once again - work has interrupted my post (silly people think I should actually work at work) so I'm off, but at least I'll post this one and come back again to tell you more of all things crazy in my life.

Have a good day - thanks for listening.

T

2009-05-04T15:37:00.000-05:00

B

2009-05-04T14:26:00.000-05:00

Baseball

2009-05-04T11:43:00.009-05:00

Jason had his first baseball game of the season yesterday. The kids and I went along to watch.

J went 1 for 2 with a walk. His hit was a bunt single - the man's got some wheels let me tell you. He even had a stolen base. Good Job Babe!

Brenna liked watching her Daddy play ball. Her little nose was out of joint though when he first went out onto the field....She wanted to play baseball with her Daddy. It didn't last very long - she had lots of running around to do.

Trever loved the fresh air. He pretty much lounged on a blanket on the grass the whole time.

Wordless Wednesday (late one)

2009-04-29T21:50:00.000-05:00

I'm bored - so here's a little music trivia

2009-04-29T13:14:00.004-05:00

Ok, I saw this on another blog awhile back. Since I'm extremely bored at work and cannot even get on facebook to kill the last few hours, I'll post a little trivia for those of you that are just as bored or are movie buffs....or just like playing along.

Here's how it works. I have my ipod on shuffle. For the next 15 songs that play, I will list the first two lines of each song and it's your job to name the tune (artist too if you know it). There is no prizes or fancy giveaways - just me trying to kill a little time. These are totally random...good luck. (I'll update as people get them correct)

1. OOops....ok, have to technically start w/ the next, next one since the first one has no words - It's Miles Davis - My funny Valentine (trumpet - jazz)

1. Looking back on the beginning of this
and how life was (rock) It's Not My Time - 3 Doors Down

2. Wake in a sweat again
Another day's been laid to waste (rock) Given Up - Linkin Park

3. Two days past eighteen
He was waiting for the bus in his army green (country) Travelin Soilder - Dixie Chicks

4. Everybody likes the easy way out
Nobody tells it like it is no more (rock) - Rockstar Supernova

5. Now I will tell you what I've done for you
50 thousand tears I've cried (rock)

6. Well I was movin at the speed of sound
Head spinnin I couldn't find my way around and (rock) Crash - Daughtry

7. Told as a child to go, go , go
told as a student to go, go , go Go, go, go - Tonic Sol fa

8. In open fields of wild flowers
She breaths the air and flies away (christian rock) Ace got it - Love song for a Savior by Jars of Clay

9. There's a thousand words that I could say
to make you come home (pop) Gone - NSync

10. Step one, you say we need to talk
He walks, you say sit down, it's just a talk How to Save a Life - The Fray

11. Just hear those sleigh bells jingle-ing, ring-ting, tingle-ing too
Come on it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you (country artist) - Ace got the song and I'm sure there were many country artists that did it, this one was Sleigh Ride by Garth Brooks.

12. Here comes Johnny singin oldies, goldies
Be-bop-a-lula, baby what I say Sultains of Swing - The Walk

13. Don't be so quick to walk away (dance with me)
I wanna rock your body, please stay (dance with me) (pop) - Kristina got it Justin Timberlake, Rock Your Body

14. I'm holding on a rope
Got me 10 feet off the ground (rock) OneRepublic - Apologise

15. This town is cooler now OneRepublic - Stop and Stare
I think it's sick of us (rock)

ok - there you have it. Good luck and have fun. Hey look, it's almost 4pm and time for me to go home YAY!!!!!

Homeward Bound

2009-04-28T12:46:00.002-05:00

Stellan and MckMama are on a plane headed home as I'm typing this. Stellan was discharged from Boston Children's Hospital yesterday - SVT free. He's currently on a very potent drug Sotalol to help control his heart. YAY for them - I'm sure his family can't wait to hug and kiss him when he gets home. Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers.

4 Month Check-up

2009-04-24T09:13:00.003-05:00

Trever had his 4 month check-up yesterday. He is weighing in at 17 lbs 12 oz and is 26" long. He's in the 90-95th percentile in all of his measurements - that a boy! He had lots of smiles and giggles for the nurses and the Doctor. We were told to "Keep up the good work. A happy baby means they are being well taken care of" ahhh, we do our best {grin}. The shots went as expected - he cried when they were first were given. The nurses tried to distract him with some bubbles afterwards. He loved watching them and was very intent on what was floating in the air. Until the unthinkable happened....the worst thing ever.....I'm holding back my emotions as I'm writing this.....you ready for it? Are you sitting down? Ok......

A bubble burst on his nose

And He. Was. PISSED!!!!!

I never laughed so hard in my life (except for the time Brenna got her shots and she chewed me and her Grandma out afterwards - she was what 2 months old). Poor thing. He cried harder at the bubble than he did at his shots.

I know, I know - I'm a terrible Mother for laughing at my crying son, but seriously it was the funniest thing ever. While I was getting him dressed I heard the nurses telling our Doctor what happened and he had a good chuckle too.

Stellan Update

2009-04-21T13:31:00.004-05:00

Stellan made it through surgery - Praise the Lord!!! He is recovering and will be extubated soon. MckMama is working on a full post with all the details and it should be up in a little bit. For now just know that this sweet boy is not totally out of the woods yet. MckMama is sitting with him in recovery and I'm sure there are lots of Angels wrapping their wings around them. Thanks for all the prayers - keep them coming.

Pray for Stellan today

2009-04-21T08:40:00.002-05:00

All prayers are needed right now and for the next few hours. Stellan is currently in surgery - having an ablation done on his heart. Please take a minute to pray for this little boy, everyone who is with him in the OR - let their hands be guided by Him, and for the rest of the MckFamily. I will continue to update as I receive them. You can also check out MckMama's blog for updates.

Orange is for you little Stellan. We love and pray for you!

Baseball

2009-04-16T21:19:00.002-05:00

Boston

2009-04-16T10:47:00.002-05:00

That's where Stellan and MckMama are headed today. Lots of prayers are going out. Please join in and stop over to MckMama's blog for updates by clicking on the picture below.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-04-15T10:06:00.001-05:00

Easter Pictures - kind of 10 on 10

2009-04-14T11:58:00.034-05:00

OK - back to some pictures. A LONG time ago, I was following the 10 and 10 - where you take a photo an hour on the 10th of each month and post them. I've been so bad about getting them on here, but now I want to start up again. These pictures of from Easter so I'm kind of combining them for this post. Next month I'll try to get back on track.

Here's my boy - growing up so fast right in front of my eyes.

There was an Easter hunt at the High School. Brenna had fun picking up all the treats.

On some of the candy there was a "special" sticker on them for an added prize. I think Brenna was more excited about this bear than the candy (that a girl)

We had a BEAUTIFUL day to play outside. Daddy got Brenna's bubble machine going.

LOOK...ohhh, aahhhhhh, oooooh

Trever liked the bubbles too and just LOVED being outside.

"Is there something on my bum?"

Oh yea - chalk....I guess that's what happens when you sit on the pretty pictures on the driveway.

Playing a little ball - she must take after her Mommy and Daddy. Only she throws left handed and bats right. Wonder if we can make her a switch-hitter?

Coloring eggs.

Brenna had a blast looking for Easter eggs - 3 dozen eggs and all were found.

Once she found all the eggs, we had to distract her with her Easter Basket (she so wanted to keep looking for eggs) Notice the "bunny trail"

Don't know how many more years she'll be able to sit on the table to dig into her basket - but for now she loves it (oddly enough she doesn't even try to climb up there any other time except for Easter)

Trever even had his turn on the table and was mesmerized by the music from this toy.

We went to Grandma and Grandpa's.....and found more eggs with her cousin Jaden.

Two peas in a pod these two are.

So there - that's a little "picture update" for all. Enjoy!!!!!

It's official...

2009-04-10T09:17:00.004-05:00

Oh my - well, I guess it was my turn to have a very opinionated follower. The infamous "anonymous" - every blog has one or two or twelve....and this is my first. I'm kind of excited, does that mean I've hit the "big time"? Sweet!!!

For Miss Anonymous, I welcome your opinion and comments to my blog. It is always interesting to see what other people have to say as they lead very different lives from my own. However, I don't give much credit to an "anonymous" poster as you can't even give a name or anything to back your opinion. My guess is that you continue to post to get some sort of rise out of me and a little recognition - well, you succeeded with half of that goal...I'm recognising you here. As for getting me all flustered over it, or whatever you were expecting, it actually made me giggle a little bit.

This is my personal blog. It is a place where I write what I'm thinking about and share pictures. It's a place for family and friends to keep up to date with us. That's it. Nothing more. I've never said that my way was the right way. This is just how we are.

I'm a little confused by your posts though - I never set out to criticise your life or how you live it, yet you have done that to me. A mere stranger who has never met me, can't even back their opinion with a name other than "anonymous" and I'm supposed to follow your rule book on life? I think it's comical. Everyone lives their lives differently and no one person is a judge on the ins and outs of parenting. What really baffles me is the fact that you keep coming back to my blog. Tell me, is it book marked under favorites? If you don't agree with what I am posting on my personal blog, then why do you return?

I may have already spent too much time on you "anonymous" - but I wanted to give you the satisfaction of a final response from me...a whole post. I respect your opinion as it is just that...an opinion and I welcome your comments. Please don't feel offended by anything I have said and if in the future I choose not to reply to your comments. I try my best everyday to live my life in a positive light and not a negative one.

I wish you all the happiness and snuggle time with your children.
God Bless

No Pictures

2009-04-09T12:23:00.002-05:00

I don't know what it is about posting that I feel the need to only post if I have pictures to include. I want to be the person that blogs everyday (or at least every other) but when I sit down to write something, I'm usually at work and have no pictures on these computers...so I don't blog. I really don't know why that is.

So today I decided that I must blog AND with no pictures. It feels kinda weird actually, but I'm sure I'll survive (I hope)

What is going on with us you ask? Well, here's a little bit of a run down.

Jason is in the mixed of starting a new job - maybe. He's actually stuck in the middle of 2 places and is having some second thoughts about his decision. You see, Jason is an EXTREMELY hard worker and is very good at what he does. This is demonstrated time and time again - most recently as the new job hired him on the spot and the current job is fighting to keep him. What is a guy to do? As great as it sounds to have 2 jobs fighting for you (especially in this economy) - it's really tough on him and makes him question if he is doing the right thing. As a loving and supporting wife, I have expressed that I will back him 100% in whatever he decides. I have pointed out pros and cons for both places and have tried to help him search deep down on what he wants to do and what would make him happy.

Here's some things to compare

current-pay raise to stay
new-small pay cut to start, potential for higher pay down the road

current - farther away, more gas and wear on truck
new - closer, less gas and wear

current - enjoys who he works with for the most part and knows how they work
new - all new people and new relationships to develop, don't know how they work

current - guaranteed work in the winter = steady money coming in
new - no guarantee - more than likely be laid off for the winter = time with kids

current - usually home in time for dinner and time with the kids
new - won't be home much during the week during the summer - even some out of town work and will be gone for weeks at a time

current - variety of work - some of them not his favorite things to do
new - will only do hardscapes which is what he really enjoys

there are other things to consider, but these were some of the things he has to ponder. Again, I'm behind him all the way. Sometimes that grass is greener on the other side, sometimes it's just a different cow's crap. I've been praying all day today that the right thing will make itself known to Jason and that he feels comfortable with the job he decides on. God has a plan for him and I only hope he can open his heart to let it be guided by Him.

If you have any suggestions or other aspects to consider, please leave a comment. I'm sure there's a bunch of things we haven't looked at yet. Thanks

Praying for Stellan

2009-04-03T11:29:00.000-05:00

Stellan Update

2009-04-02T09:41:00.002-05:00

I stole this picture from MckMama's blog to tell you a little bit about how he's been doing. To get a full update, please go to McKmama's blog.

Stellan has had a lot of work done on him the past few days, and this little boy has been keeping strong and so has his Mommy and rest of the family. He has currently been SVT-free for over 15 hours. YAY. Even though he has a LONG road ahead of him, it sounds like things are coming around for this little guy. Prayers are always needed, but if you'd like to do more to help, there's a site that has set up a fund for the family. Click here to go to that sight, leave some encouraging words and if the feeling moves you to donate the opportunity is there.

This has been an amazing journey for this family - heard all over the world. There was even a TV interview of MckMama from Minnesota. Check it out here.

Many thanks for those that are keeping this little boy and his family in their thoughts and prayers.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-04-01T14:22:00.000-05:00

Random Picture Challenge

2009-03-29T22:07:00.005-05:00

Thanks to 4littlemenandgirlytwins
Here's my 27th photo from my 27th folder.....

This was from Christmas last year. It was my nephew's first time on a snowmobile and he had a blast!!!

Brenna and Trever

2009-03-25T19:21:00.004-05:00

Out of v tach

2009-03-25T14:42:00.002-05:00

Stellan's heart is out of v-tach and back to SVT. He had a moment of normal heart rhythm before going to SVT. He is not out of the woods yet so please keep him on your mind and in your prayers.

Stellan Update

2009-03-25T13:53:00.002-05:00

Stellan just went into prolonged V-Tach. They're giving him Lidocaine to try to bring him out. Please send your thoughts and prayers to this family.

Stellan

2009-03-25T07:45:00.003-05:00

This is a blog that I have been following for some time. Stellan is and amazing boy that was diagnosed with heart failure in the womb. At 24 weeks Mckmama was told that Stellan was very ill and would surely die. He was born a healthy and full term baby. This family has been such a wonderful example of God's work and the power of prayer. Unfortunately Stellan is back in the hospital now with SVT (supra ventricular tachycardia = very fast heart rate) and this family could use a few more prayers to help them stay strong for baby Stellan. Click on the photo and follow their story.

Beauty and the Beast

2009-03-20T11:45:00.003-05:00

Kristina got it right even if she did have to google it :)

Brenna's newest favorite movie is "beu-beast" as she calls it. She really hasn't been one to watch movies ever - usually DVDs of Backyardigans, Curious George, Mickey Mouse, Scooby Doo and Max and Ruby. Not sure if movies were too long for her or what. Well, it started off with Tom and Jerry the Movie - she was hooked on that for awhile and now she's moved on to Beauty and the Beast. It's ok though, I like that movie so I don't mind. One of these days I'll need to introduce her to my "ALL TIME" favorite movie to watch as a kid....The Muppet Movie!!!

Name that tune...

2009-03-19T12:32:00.002-05:00

Ok everyone...here's a little quiz question for you.

Name this tune that has been stuck in my head for the last 3, yup 3, days. Or at least what it is from. A little hint....it's all thanks to my little girl.....

here goes-

Bonjour
Good day
How is your fam'ly

Bonjour
Good day
How is your wife?

I need six eggs
That's too expensive
There must be more than this provincial life

Good luck....leave me a comment with your guess.

Sick babies

2009-03-13T12:38:00.003-05:00

Well....my two precious babies are sick...really sick. Brenna had been battling a cough for a little while, a nice "welcome to daycare" treat. The fever stepped in last weekend and Brenna and I camped out on the couch all day long on Saturday. By Sunday we we're in the ER with her. 101 temp, hadn't really had anything to eat for a couple days and we found the culprit....double ear infection, her first ever. We were sent home with a lovely hot pink bottle of yummy goodness in hopes that this would bring her back to her upbeat self. After some Tylenol and a first dosage, there was a HUGE improvement...wonderful. Through the week she's been getting better, still coughing and has a boogy nose, but for the most part she's back to herself.

While Brenna was getting better, Trever was following in her sick footsteps. It started with a little cough and some boogs...then it kept getting worse. Fever kicked in, coughing took over and the poor guy was miserable (not to mention Mommy and Daddy were living on very little sleep for a few days)

Yesterday we had a follow up appointment for Brenna's ears so I called to see if they could see Trever too. A busy schedule for the Doctor, but they'd be happy to fit him in. Jason and Grandma took the kiddos to the Doctor since this was my first week back at work and I couldn't really leave early. I met them at the clinic and relieved my Mom. Turns out Brenna's ears are still infected, but are on their way to clearing up...just a few more days of meds and she'll be good to go. Now...poor Trever.....our smiley 3 month old boy has RSV.

RSV is like the super nasty cold....same symptoms....spreads the same way.....just that it's awful and tends to last 1-2 weeks and can lead to pneumonia. Most of us have had it...fought through it, and went on our way - no problems. BUT for a baby under 6 months this can have some serious life threatening issues. Trever was given a nebulizer treatment at the clinic and we had to rent a machine today and give him a treatment every 6 hours for the next few days. He also has some yummy amoxil to treat his ear infection, Tylenol to take care of the fever, and several prayers from those who love him. He did get a chest x-ray that was negative for pneumonia which is wonderful.

Last night he slept really well. He woke up around 1:30am and I was more than happy to rock him for an hour or so just to give him that "mommy" love and he slept again until it was time to go to Grandma's. His fever was gone for most of the night, but picked up today. He's had another neb and is really starting to break up all the crud in his lungs. Hopefully the next few days will really bring him back around.

There's nothing worse than seeing a kid sick. As much as I enjoy that they are so cuddly...I'd rather have them well. It breaks a Mommy's heart to see the red teary eyes of her children who have been coughing non stop and just want to feel better.

So...as for RSV...I don't like that little bugger. It has taken the spunk out of my babies and I want it back.

Back to work

2009-03-05T12:36:00.002-06:00

Today was my first day back to work and I fought it all the way. I mean seriously, how could anyone leave these two precious faces to spend 8 hours at a place just to make money. There really should be another way around this.Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy my job. Of all jobs to have - I'm so happy I have this one. BUT...I would do just about anything to stay at home with these two every day.

Ok - a little update on our lives. Brenna is at a new daycare full time and she is loving it. There are so many kids for her to play with and they do all kinds of things there. This summer they'll take them to the pool, the park....it'll be so good for her.

Trever is getting bigger by the minute. I just don't remember Brenna growing so fast. I know it was quick with her too, but man he seems to go through his clothes in a hurry. He's such a smiley boy and has found his voice so it's fun to interact with him.

Jason is working away....looks like there are going to be lots of "big" jobs this summer so he's a little excited about that. Baseball will be starting up again soon and softball is up in the air so we'll see how much free time we have.

Me...well...other than trying to figure out how I can still get my checks every 2 weeks without actually going to work, I'm doing well. I have gotten a ton of things done during my Maternity leave that I wanted - and now I'm just looking to get back in the swing of things. I need to get my energy back up and start working on this extra weight that came on out of nowhere.

So that's what has been going on here. I'll try to keep up on my blogging now that I'm back at work and have some free time (how sad is that?)

Some new pictures

2009-02-21T16:53:00.000-06:00

2009-02-03T19:11:00.000-06:00

Snow Angel

2009-02-03T19:09:00.000-06:00

Awe

2009-01-23T18:47:00.000-06:00

Look Alike?

2009-01-20T09:47:00.001-06:00

Here's a couple "similar"
pictures of my two little ones. What do you think?
Brenna top, Trever bottom.

Smiley Boy

2009-01-15T10:03:00.000-06:00

I have to apologize for not posting since having this little guy, but I've been so busy with him and his sister that I rarely get the chance to get downstairs to the computer. Hopefully now I'll start getting a little more free time to sneak away. Enjoy!!!

Two cute kids

2008-12-20T21:57:00.002-06:00

This is the best

Trever Jason Anderson

2008-12-19T13:49:00.003-06:00

Trever Jason Anderson

Born DEC 18 2008

8lbs9ozs

21 1/2 inchesBig sister and little brother for the first time

5 minutes after he was born

Numbers

2008-12-10T12:45:00.004-06:00

11 - the number of days left until my due date. 23 - the number of hours my husband was away at work since Monday night until this morning. 14 - the number of days left until Christmas. 0 - the number of gifts I have left to buy. 32 - the number of bad words I uttered yesterday due to my situation at work. 0 - the amount of tolerance I have for the stupidity surrounding my work environment. 10 - the number of weeks I will be spending at home with my two beautiful children. 1,000,000.........etc - the number of times I will smile and marvel at the two Blessings that I call my own. 1 - husband who I get to share my life with. 2 - the amount of hours I hope to be in labor with baby number 2 (a girl can dream right?) 3 - the number of pushes I need to get him out (hey, it's my fantasy ok...) 15 - the number of phone calls Jason will have to make. 5 - the number of SECONDS it will take for my Mom to throw Brenna in the car and head to the hospital. 5 - the number of people that will laugh out loud because they know just how my Mom is. 3 - the number of hours I have left to work today. 10 - the number of kisses I'll be giving Brenna when I see her. 7 - the number of comments that I'll get on here that feel they have to add their own numbers to my life.....so have at it !!

4 little men and girly twins is hosting a giveaway!

2008-12-02T08:47:00.003-06:00

I love this blog and I check it daily. Now there's this great giveaway I wanted to share with everyone. This mat is so dang cute I can't stand it. Head over to http://4littlemen.blogspot.com/ and enter yourself, then take a look around and see her beautiful children and read her story. Thanks for the great giveaway Brittney!!!

4 Days 'Til Christmas

2008-11-25T09:48:00.003-06:00

Yep, you saw that right...4 days, at least until Christmas with my family. It was decided long before anyone knew I was pregnant (ok, I knew, but hadn't even told Jason yet) that we were going to celebrate Christmas together at Thanksgiving. My brother and family who are now finally within driving distance, had other plans for actual Christmas and said they'd be heading up to visit during Thanksgiving. My clever mind suggested "Hey, why not just do Christmas then?" So with a little discussion with my parents and other siblings, we decided a 4 day weekend with 2 holidays would be the perfect way for us to be together as a family. Now that I'm 4 weeks away from my due date, I couldn't be happier that we're doing it this weekend when I can actually enjoy everyone.

A little back history about my family and why this was such an easy decision to make. I can count on one hand how many times my entire family has been together for Christmas in the last 20 years. Of those few times, I think it actually landed ON Christmas once, and that was some stroke of luck. When I was 11, my oldest sister got married and started a family of her own. During that time, my brother was heading into the military and would spend the next 20 years traveling all over. I rarely got to see him as it was, let alone for Christmas. Yes, we had the occasional surprise appearance by him, but for the most part, it was just celebrating through the mail and over the phone. A year or two later, my other sister got married and moved out of state.

As families grow and move further apart, it really makes it difficult to get together. I've grown up with the fact that I don't always get to see my siblings and I cherish every possible moment that I do. So as far as Christmas goes, we've never really been a family that has to have it at a specific place or on a particular day. For us, Christmas is about getting together with the people we love, being thankful that we get to spend that time with them and just basically enjoy each other and all the awesome food. It's not about the gifts (although that may not be what the little one's think), it's not about where or when we have it, it's about wanting to be together no matter what it takes. So, this year we're having Thanksgiving on Thursday and Christmas on Saturday. We may not have snow but our houses will be decorated and filled with those that are important to us.

This year will be the 2nd year in a row....IN A ROW... that "us kids" will be together for Christmas. It just amazes me that we can actually say that. I honestly don't know how to contain myself. Unfortunately, it may be a long gap before this happens again. With the possibility of my brother moving very soon, this may not happen as easily next year. But then again, it just may be the time that we all need to fly out to them. We never know what the future holds for each of us, so I am going to soak up every ounce of these 4 days.

What am I looking forward to? Sitting in the same room as my 2 sisters and brother and visiting. I honestly don't have many memories as a child. That is a long story that I won't get into here, BUT pretty much up to my Junior year of High School I have no memory of my life growing up. There are a few things here and there, but I honestly can't say for sure if it's MY memories or just what I've been told happened. Even the few years after that and until I turned 20 it's pretty fuzzy. So, I make new memories. I don't recall much what it was like to grow up with 3 older brother and sisters. There was a large age gap so I'm sure I pretty much tagged along from behind. What I do know, is now that we're all older, I have great (and different) relationships with each of them. I honestly wouldn't trade that for the thousands of memories that I could have from my childhood. We are such a laid back family and our most cherished times are when we have nothing planned out. Just being able to talk to them in person is enough to make us happy. I constantly hear my parents bring up "the best vacation" we ever had. Back in 2000, we all went to Arizona for my brother's ceremony for becoming an Officer. There was no definite plans, we all went and did whatever we felt like at the time and the day usually ended with us all hanging out by the pool. It was perfect.

So that's us. Our family. Very little drama and fighting and a whole lotta love for one another.

This year as we're celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas all in one, we have so much to be Thankful for. We have 4 days to spend laughing, talking, hugging, loving, playing and cherishing one another. What more could you ask for? Ok, maybe Grandbaby #11 on the outside of my belly for everyone to fawn over, but I'll settle for the fat jokes for now.

To my family - my wonderful family - I'm so blessed to have you all in my life. I am ever so thankful that my kids will get to know you and love you as much as I do. Ok, enough with the sappy crap on to the yummy food. See you in a couple days!!!

Baby Update

2008-11-20T11:03:00.002-06:00

So I'm 35 1/2 weeks and baby boy and I are doing great. I had an appointment yesterday and Dr Barker said "he's looking more and more like a boy every time". We've known that he's 100% boy for some time now, but it's nice to see all the other things leaning more towards it. His heart rate is in the 130's, my blood pressure is behaving itself and I've gained a total of 22.5 lbs, not too bad. Baby boy has "dropped" considerably as now my belly is only measuring 34 (was just over 35, 2 weeks ago). All in all, he's moving right along. Hopefully I'll actually get to progress with this one and go on my own ::crossing fingers:

I can't believe I get to do this again!!!

2008-11-12T10:10:00.012-06:00

Seriously, how Blessed can I be?

As I'm winding down towards the end of my pregnancy, I have been looking through some of the very first images I captured of Miss Brenna. To see again just how small she was, how precious every inch of her was (and still is). Then it hits me....I GET to do this again. WOW!! I mean I knew what was coming and that yes we'd have another little one with us, but how great is it that I (ok we, since I should include Jason...ha ha) get to be so lucky and thought so highly of by my Maker that I have the opportunity to carry this child, birth him, hold him, kiss him, teach him. What did I do that was so good that I get to be his Mommy?

This was taken within the first couple hours of Brenna's life. My girl, my precious baby girl. All I could do is stare at her in "awe". She was so alert and we just looked at each other for the longest time. I memorized every inch of her face - the little porcelain doll mouth and lips, her button nose, her huge doe eyes - every line, every curve. Again, what did I do to deserve such a wonderful gift, the honor to raise and guide such a beautiful child. And now I get to do it again...AGAIN.

Our gift all wrapped up in a little package.

I held onto Brenna like this all the time. Face to face so I could tell her everything I knew and felt. This little person, my daughter, has been brought into my life to not only test my skills as a parent, but to test my heart for it's ability to hold so much love for one person, to test my patience and acceptance, and test my pride and devotion.

AND....I get to do it again!!!!

I get to touch tiny little fingers like these...

...and little piggy toes like these.

Who wouldn't love to have this took look at day in and day out?

AND, and and.....did I mention I get to do it again?

I know they don't stay this small forever, I've seen first hand with Brenna, but to think that such an amazing being starts out so small. And I get to be her Mommy. She was picked out just for us. AND.....

WE GET TO DO IT AGAIN!!!!

Ahhhhh, isn't that just the best feeling in the

world?

31 Things....

2008-10-21T09:24:00.002-05:00

1. Where is your cell phone? in my purse.
2. Where is your significant other? at work, out in the cold
3. Your hair color? dark brown (needs some help)
4. Your mother? Sally
5. Your father? Phil
6. Your favorite thing? My Daughter's laughter
7. Your dream last night? Which one, I always have so many when I'm pregnant.
8. Your dream/goal? To become a stay-at-home mom
9. The room you're in? Ultrasound Suite
10. Your hobby? photography, scrapbooking, thrifting, niche blogging
11. Your fear? Spiders....ugh, they're everywhere I swear.
12. Where do you want to be in six years? Anywhere as long as I have my family with me...maybe onto kid number 3? =)
13. Where were you last night? out to dinner with my hubby - our Anniversary
14. What you’re not? happy with my co-worker (LONG story)
15. One of your wish list items? New underwear - I know kind of sad, but this pregnancy and weight gain is taking a toll on the ones I have.
16. Where you grew up? Minnesota
17. The last thing you did? Ultrasound of a Liver
18. What are you wearing? light blue scrubs
19. Your TV? is at home alone - I should really leave now and comfort it =)
20. Your pet? Dart (cat) - Cody (Weimerainer) no longer, went to the farm
21. Your computer? PC at home....
22. Your mood? a little sad, I miss my baby girl - she stayed with Grandma and Grandpa last night and I haven't seen her since yesterday morning before work.
23. Missing someone? oh sure - rub it in....see #22
24. Your car? Pontiac Grand Prix
25. Something you’re not wearing? My wedding ring - too swollen
26. Favorite store? Target
27. Your summer? too short
28. Love someone? I love several someones
29. Your favorite color? Red
30. When is the last time you laughed? this morning before I left for work
31. Last time you cried? Been awhile since I've had a full out cry. Otherwise I have little tear shedding almost daily, but I think it's the hormones.

Thanks http://4littlemen.blogspot.com/ for the idea. Anyone that feels like joining in....post a comment here with the link to your post.

Bloomsbury Farm

2008-10-16T15:27:00.011-05:00

Last weekend we went to Bloomsbury Farm with my sister and kids. They all had so much fun and it was a beautiful day.

Brenna really enjoyed all the animals that she got to pet and feed.

Looking for a pumpkin "just her size"

This is one of my favorite pictures. Brenna was running after the girls heading to the race track.

She had a blast riding behind the tractor in her own little car.

Brenna and Jaden had a great time together, even held hands on our way out.

What a wonderful time we all had, lots of memories made that day.

Brenna at pumpkinfest

2008-10-04T19:12:00.004-05:00

Brenna's 3rd time going down this slide.

jasons awesome patio job

2008-10-04T19:02:00.001-05:00

before picture

Signing Time

2008-10-03T15:20:00.003-05:00

I think one of the best things we ever did with Brenna is introduce her to Signing Time - a sign language series of DVD's aimed towards children. Thanks to my dearest friend Lucia who first told me about them, Brenna has been able to communicate to us what she wants LONG before the words ever came to surface.

We taught her a few of the basics to start off...milk, more, please, thank you and eat. These came in really handy when she moved on to solid foods and whole milk. Instead of trying to figure out what she wanted and dealing with a temper tantrum, she was able to tell is exactly when she wanted something...ok, so the sign for milk was pretty much for anything to drink...water, juice, etc...but it was the basic fact that she was thirsty.

After the initial teaching of those few signs, we kind of forgot about the DVD's. We'd pop one in every so often, but Brenna didn't seem to be all that interested in it. So we didn't force anything. As she began to talk more, she took up an interest in the DVD's again. It's amazing what she can sign now. Both her signing and regular vocabulary are growing at a fast rate and she uses them hand in hand. Even Grandma and Grandpa are picking up on the signs and ask what does "this" (they'll do the sign) mean? It's been such a great communication tool for us.

The Signing Time videos are my favorite, it's very basic and really teaches you how to do the signs and a good way to remember them. I've come across a couple other videos, but they are really no match for these. It has been shown in studies that sign language for children before they can talk helps prevent tantrums and the terrible two's. Sign language comes so easy to them, they pick it up a lot faster than the actual words. Just think of how young kids learn to wave "goodbye" before they actually say it....same thing.

My Mom brought up the question when we were first teaching Brenna, "Does this make them NOT want to speak the actual words, since they are signing it?" I wondered that too...but I've come to find it almost helps Brenna learn the word. On average she'll learn a new sign....use it for a little bit, and then she'll start speaking it while she's signing soon after. It's been amazing to watch her figure out the signs and then hear the words come out of her shortly after. There are a TON that she's doing now.....train, bird, cracker, banana, bread, cheese, cereal, socks, shoes, stars, day, cold....there's just so many, you'd have to see it for yourself.

I'm so proud of my little one. Yes I know, we all learn to speak and communicate with each other, but to see her really focus on how to do the sign and then actively use it on a day to day basis.....it's just so neat.

My belly is big....

2008-09-25T09:48:00.002-05:00

It may have something to do with the fact that I didn't lose any of the weight that I had gained when I had Brenna (ok, I lost some of it, and gained it back when I first found out I was pregnant). I went in for my check-up and glucose test yesterday (which I'm pretty sure I passed since they haven't called me) and when I got on the scale, I couldn't even see the numbers. For most women, that'd probably be a good thing, but I was curious what I had gained. I had to literally push (or try to) some of my belly in and lean over. To my surprise I was up 5 pounds (16 total, not bad) but I thought it was going to be much worse. They didn't yell at me at all...yes I had a 5 pound jump, but I've been at a steady increase.

So...that's all good, but now I'm realizing just how big my belly is getting. When I have my scrubs on at work, as soon as I sit down, the top rolls down and I have a nifty little crotch band that sits under my belly...even better, as soon as I stand up, I have to pull them up quick or I'll loose them all together. Now picture this lovely image, as I'm leaving an elderly male patient, in the dark (or dimly lit room anyway), I'm pulling my gloves off and trying to quickly grab my pants before they end up on the floor, all the while trying to be discreet and quite as to not alert my patient that there's a problem. I think I managed this with style and grace. When I return from showing my films, I turn up my lights and let the patient know he's all done. He stands up and says "you know darling (yes, he was cute and called me darling), my wife bought me a pair of these here suspenders." wondering where he was going with this.... "I can ask her where you can pick up a pair to help you out" gee, thanks mister. Now that I'm beat red with embarrassment, I laugh it off, pat my belly and tell him it'll be over soon when the baby comes. He says "Oh...well heck, if it's only a week or two, I can lend you mind" So now I'm not only loosing my pants and doing a bad job at hiding it...I am now big enough to deliver my son in a week or two instead of 3 months...oh boy.

Happy Anniversary!!!!!

2008-09-19T13:29:00.002-05:00

I just want to wish my parents a VERY Happy Anniversary today, what is it 45 years now? Wow. I know there are many ups and downs in a marriage and they have certainly been through their share, but to still be together through it all says something. I wish you two the best today and dinner is on us! Enjoy each other.

All our love,
Shannon, Jason , Brenna and Baby Boy!!

26 weeks

2008-09-15T09:36:00.002-05:00

Thought I'd share a pic of Baby Boy that I took last week. He's still cruisin all over the place in there, he must be rockin to an ipod or something. All is well. Now at 26 weeks, we're pretty much on the downslide. Looking forward to seeing this little guy at Christmas.

Sept 10 on 10

2008-09-10T21:14:00.014-05:00

I love being a Mom

2008-09-09T14:01:00.003-05:00

When it's time to pick up Brenna from Grandma and Grandpa's and she runs to me shouting "ma-ma, ma-ma"

I love being a Mom

When we walk out to the car and she does a little dance and says "cooby dooooooo"

I love being a Mom

When she's sitting down to play with her trains and points for me to sit next to her

I love being a Mom

When it's time to go to bed and she grabs her na-night and nuk and blows me kisses

I love being a Mom

and when it's 3Am and my poor baby is sick with a cold and can't sleep, she wakes me up just for me to hold her in my arms, her little hands wrapped around my neck.

MY GOD I LOVE BEING A MOM!!!!!

Daddy's turn

2008-09-04T10:56:00.003-05:00

Last night Jason got to feel his baby boy kick for the first time. It's always nice when he can finally experience what I have been feeling for so long. It almost makes it more "real", and confirms the fact that my growing belly is actually due to the baby inside and not just my eating (ok, with the awesome meals we've had lately...it could be that too.)

Brenna just kind of looked at us funny and didn't really know why he had his hand on my belly. Maybe when the kicks get even stronger she'll be able to feel it too, I can't wait to see the look on her face when that happens.

All in all, everything is still going great. This little one must really enjoy where he's at because he's running circles around in my belly all day long and sleeps when I do at night. Good boy, keep it up.

YUM

2008-09-02T08:10:00.002-05:00

We had the best food this weekend...ugh, I think I'm still full. On Saturday we headed over to my folks for a Shrimp Boil. Now, this was my very first attempt at something so different, but I think it turned out great (and by all the "ugh, I'm so full" comments afterwards, I think it went off pretty good.) I wish I would have taken pictures of it, but by the time it was ready to eat we were all so hungry that running to get my camera (10 feet away) would have delayed our meal too long. So...in the turkey deep fryer w/ water, we cooked corn on the cob, red potatoes, kielbasa, and shrimp in some Zataran's seasoning, 2 big ol cloves of garlic and 3 sweet onions. Mmmmmm, it all had so much flavor and just a bit of a kick. We lined the table with a plastic table cloth topped with parchment paper (couldn't find the freezer paper) and poured all the yummy goodness across the table. WE had squeezable butter, cocktail sauce and spicy mustard to dip everything in. We we're a little more domesticated than we were supposed to, and used a fork and a couple plates, but for the most part we just ate right off the table.
We are definitely doing this one again...it was oh so good.

After recovering on Sunday we had another wonderful meal on Monday. Mom and Dad, Chris and Mike and kids all came over for some Jalapeno poppers, stuffed mushrooms and stuffed peppers. Wow - another awesome dinner. The stuffed peppers turned out so yummy.

All and all...Labor day weekend - we filled our belly's with awesome food and the kidos got to run around and play. GREAT WEEKEND!!!!!

Kickin my....

2008-08-29T11:32:00.003-05:00

...bladder. I tell ya, this kid is SOOOOOO much more active than Brenna ever was. I don't know what fancy new dance moves he's picked up but it's crazy how much this little boy is jumping around. He's usually quiet at night, and must sleep when I do because I don't feel a thing from about 8PM on. Usually about 9AM he starts up and goes non stop all day. Ice cream gets him moving too - thinks its the cold? Ha.

Anyway, had my 23 week check up on Wednesday and all is well. He's growing right on schedule and is really enjoying staying where he's add (good boy!) He's very active and even kicked at Dr Barker when he was trying to listen to his heart. My next appointment we'll do the dreaded Glucose test - which actually wasn't that bad for me last time so hopefully we'll pass on the first try again. Only up 2 pounds from the last visit with a total of 11 pounds gained...not too bad.

Brenna does the funniest thing right now....she tickles herself. I really need to get a video of her and put it on here, it's just hilarious. If she's laying down (on the bed, couch or floor) if you ask her to tickle herself, she'll tickle her belly while shaking her head, rocking form side to side and kicking her feet all around....all while she has this crazy kinda laughing smile, squinted eyes look. it just makes me laugh, she's so dang funny. Ahhh....kids are so awesome.

2 years ago today....

2008-08-14T09:06:00.008-05:00

I was in the hospital awaiting the arrival of our precious baby girl. Here's Brenna's birth story.

I was set up for induction on Monday, August 14th 2006 - which was 9 days past my due date. We were at the hospital by 7:15am. The Dr checked my cervix...1cm and I was at a -3. She broke my water and started the pitocin. Several hours went by, contractions progressively got worse, but still nothing that I couldn't handle with a deep breath or two. I wanted to go natural....no epi, no meds and for the most part I did pretty good. throughout the day the Dr would come in and check....2cm and -2 ... 3cm and at a 0. Great...progressing along just fine. By about 3pm I was having some pretty intense contractions and once I'd have a contraction, my stomach would grawl ( I was soooo hungry and ice chips just didn't cut it) and it'd make me nausea's. That was worse than the contractions, I dreaded having another one just for the fact that I'd throw up. So they did give me a medication just to help me relax to see if that'd help. They checked me out...3cm and -1...WHAT??? really? seems that I got to a 3 and just sat there, so she said she'd come back and check on me again in an hour. More contractions, more nausea.....an hour later....3cm and -2. Brenna was heading back up and wanted nothing to do with being born.

At 5pm we decided that we'd be best off going for a c-section. It had been 10 hours since they broke my water and I was not progressing at all. There was some worry about never getting past the 3cm mark and they didn't want to go too long with my water broken. Once we decided to go with the c-section, it was like a mad dash to get me ready....catheter put in, change beds, Jason get in scrubs...and off we went. They had to put in the spinal block in the OR since I didn't want an epi to begin with, which let me tell you is really difficult to curl your back holding onto a chair, pretty much naked and freezing sitting on a tiny OR table....but it went in just fine. They already had me open when they brought Jason in the room. After a few little shakes (that's all I felt) we heard the most amazing sound anyone could possibly hear.
Our baby's cry.

Brenna Nichole was born at 5:59pm on Monday August 14, 2006.
She weighed 8lbs 3 oz and was 21 inches long.
She had a full head of dark black hair.
She was healthy, happy....
AND SHE WAS OURS!!!!

I couldn't believe that we could make such a precious little one (well, with the help from God of course). This was our girl, our daughter. Only we could make Brenna Nichole and she stole our hearts from her first breath.

She was alert from the very start, even my Mom commented on how just an hour after she was born (when they came to visit) she was looking around and taking it all in.

That's my girl....not wanting to miss a thing.

and now she's 2.

Happy 2nd Birthday Brenna. Mommy and Daddy love you so much and we're so proud that your our little girl.