The Crumly Family

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-28T16:05:00.001-06:00

I am working on a Christmas post but the computer is slow moving today. Hopefully, it will be posted this weekend. I hope that you had a very blessed Christmas!

a few pictures

2011-12-12T22:37:00.003-06:00

Here are a few pictures (instead of posts).

I will do detailed posts later but thought you might like to see these while you wait.

Half way through catching you up...

2011-11-20T22:55:00.002-06:00

So I've done some blogging tonight. Finally, I know.

I've gotten you caught up through half of October. And have more posts planned.

But right now, my bed is calling my name and I'm losing the will to write words this late at night.

Have fun reading (and most importantly looking at pictures)!

I'll finish the updating this weekend and get you through October and November, I promise!

Good night!

Cohen's Baby Dedication

2011-11-20T22:38:00.004-06:00

On October 16th, we celebrated Cohen at our church's baby dedication.

Our families and several sweet friends came to celebrate him and pray over him with us and we felt so blessed.

Here are a few pictures of the people who love Cohen!

We are still learning how to pose as a family of four. And we haven't quite figured it out yet -- as seen below. :)

KK and Bella Reese.

Nana, Pop and Uncle Daniel.

Silly faces with Uncle Daniel -

And now a good one with Uncle Daniel -

Maw Maw, KK, Maddie and Cohen -

Apparently Uncle Daniel was the person of choice that particular day because all the good pictures are with him! And oh.my.gosh does Cohen not look just like him??!!

The whole family plus the Duncan crew and Warren and Jenn -

We felt so loved and so blessed by the church and by our friends and families! We love being surrounded by people who love us and are praying for us.

Date night with friends!

2011-11-20T22:34:00.002-06:00

We were able to sneak in a date night in the month of October. And trust me, it was much needed!

We went to dinner with some of our best friends, the Duncan's and enjoyed a night at The Melting Pot. We loved every minute of kid free conversation and lots of laughter. Jonathan and I are so thankful that this family is in our lives.

Cohen's 4 Month Check Up

2011-11-20T22:22:00.002-06:00

On October 13th , Cohen had his 4 month check up -- so he was 4 and 1/2 months old. I was not able to take off from work to make it to his appointment so my sweet angel, Deb, took him for me. She was armed with my camera and a list of typed questions I had given her. I was heartbroken about missing it. It was the first well child check up I have ever missed as a mom.

But Deb did great! She even had Dr. Lytle write his responses to my questions on my paper I had sent so I would know exactly what he said. She thinks of the little things and they have meant so much to me -- especially in the last couple of months.

Okay, back to the check up stats.

At 4 and 1/2 months, Cohen weighed 20 pounds and 11 ounces; he was 28 and 1/4 inches long; he was in the 99th percentile in both once again. He is my big boy! He was in 9-12 month clothing (at the time of this check up -- he is now in a 12-18 month) and wears a size 3 diaper. He was only eating formula -- still the sensitive kind--but the doc gave the all clear to start food once he turned five months. He was rolling over but showing no signs of crawling or sitting up. He is lazy:-). He is a very good baby! He is so content and pretty happy all the time -- although once I get my camera pointed at him, the smile turns into a really serious look - but he really does smile a lot. He cries when he is hungry or sleepy and that is pretty much it. He sleeps great too and I am so thankful for that!

I love this boy so much! He really is a mama's boy and loves to snuggle and cuddle with me. And I'm not complaining about that. Here are a few pictures of him on the day of his appointment.

hanging with Abby

2011-11-20T22:17:00.003-06:00

My kiddos absolutely love their KK and Abby. And every now and then, we will get an unexpected visit and it makes their day. Here are a few pictures of one quick afternoon visit.

Bella Reese was here too but I don't have any pictures of her -- she was probably sleeping.

How gorgeous is Abby growing up to be??
Maddie's crazy smile picture - but I love it because it shows how excited she is about her Abby!

Nemo stayed the night

2011-11-20T22:01:00.003-06:00

Yes, you read that title right. Nemo stayed the night at our house.

Nemo is Maddie's class pet. Twice during the year, Nemo stays over with each member of the class and our time came in early October. While Nemo is with you, you are asked to take a few pictures of the things you do and send them back in a little photo album that has pictures of each kids sleepover and write about what you did.

Nemo probably thought the Crumly's were really boring. Because we didn't do ANYTHING! I kind of felt bad for him. I saw in the album how he done all these craft projects, baking cool cookies with the other kids and really cool outings. But the Crumly's were tired and unprepared.

Plus, I'm no good at crafts. Or baking cookies.

So Nemo went to dance class with Maddie.

And he snuggled up in Mommy's bed watching Curious George with Maddie and Cohen (something we do almost every night).

He ended the night by joining Maddie in her bed with the dozens of other stuffed animals and blue blanket. But no worries. He got the coveted spot AND brought his own blue blanket.

I'm hoping we can plan something more excited for Nemo on his next stay.

Regardless, Maddie loved every minute of it and was sad for him to return to school. She really does love her 3k class and teacher and is learning so much.

It is quite hectic sometimes with her schedule -- especially for Deb since I am still new at my job and do not have any off time or flexibility yet -- but I really feel that its worth it (and I think Deb would agree).

Maybe I'll start practicing my cooking baking skills now.

catching up!

2011-11-20T21:59:00.001-06:00

Okay friends! I am going to attempt to catch you up on October and November.

I love having this blog and reference it a lot for the kiddos so I really need to capture our daily moments -- even if they are just for me.

Happy reading!

lack of blogging

2011-11-17T13:33:00.004-06:00

I am so sorry for the lack of blogging. Is anyone still reading?

I just looked at my blog b/c I wanted to see a picture of my kids and realized that I haven't blogged since September 13th.

I started my new job on September 6th.

It is not a coincidence.

And just so you know...I'm miserable.

I'm not sure what I was thinking starting a new job with a new baby and all of the emotions that come with both.

And well...lets just say, that it is not what I thought it was going to be. Maybe I had too high of expectations. Maybe I wanted it too badly. I thought it was a door opening...a door I had been praying about for months. I thought it was a clear answer from God about what I had been praying about. It was perfect timing, it was much more money (which was very needed). I didn't even apply for this job - but somehow my resume made it in their hands. It seemed to be perfect. But now? I ask myself on a daily basis 'why am I here?', 'was this the answer from God or was it my own greedy voice I heard' and my favorite 'God, are you punishing me?'. I'm sure He gets a good laugh out of that one!

I will not go in to any real detail. This is the internet, you know. What happens here, stays here...just like Vegas. And although I have never mentioned this blog to anyone I work with...well...you just never know.

But please do keep me in your prayers. Really. I would love for some really specific prayers so if you feel called to do this for me, please contact me and I'll give specifics. brandy chap at hotmail dot com -- no spaces.

But generic prayers are fine too. Any prayers, really.

Let me just say this -- you know you have bad days when you have to pull up the internet to see pictures of your kids.

And this concludes the end of my whining. Because, really, who wants to read whining. And if your my real life friend or family...you've already heard all the dirty details and I'm sure comforted me during one of my daily crying sessions. I do love and appreciate you -- I know I've been absent from your lives the last two months and some of you have some really big things going on in your life. Things that a friend should be involved with. And I'm sorry that I haven't been.

Other news --

Cohen is almost six months! Maddie is still 3 but has grown so much since Cohen arrived. I grabbed these pictures off a friends blog from Halloween (sad I know but I haven't taken many pictures or downloaded the few I have from my computer since September).

We trick or treated with sweet friends and had such a good time. I'm hoping to get more than one day off and some rest over the thanksgiving holiday and hope to blog again.

And no whining then -- just precious pictures and funny stories from the Crumly Crew -- coming soon, I promise.

3K!!

2011-09-13T23:46:00.004-05:00

Maddie started preschool last week. She is in 3k and loving every second of it.

She is growing oh so fast.

Too fast.

But I love how her little personality is not little at all. She has so much of her daddy in her. But I see a lot of me in her now too.

Here she is with her teacher -- Mrs. Heather.

She was exhausted and we found her like this after dinner.

I love this girl!

This guy missed his big sister. Nana said he was fussy all day until she got home. Love their relationship already!

so big

2011-09-04T16:17:00.004-05:00

Cohen is growing so fast!

And I mean in sizes!

At 13 weeks he is now in 6-9 month clothing. I mean...wow! Most everything that i was given at his baby shower in this size is winter clothing so he was very limited in the wardrobe department. Seriously, I think he had five onesies. With only one income this summer, buying clothes that I knew he would grow out of in just a few weeks didn't seem like a priority -- plus we mainly have been hanging out at home, so no big deal.

Well, Granny (Jonathan's grandmother Crumly) heard this and gave Mark and Deb a few dollars to give us to get him some new clothes (and Maddie a new pair of shoes for school). Deb is a great bargain shopper and took us straight to Belk where they had some pretty amazing clearance sales going on. We got about four pair of shorts and about 10 shirts (for about two bucks a piece!) that will last us through the rest of the warmer days. And two outfits are great for church -- Including this cute one I put on him this morning. I mean, how cute is that?? We are so thankful for family that helps take care of us!

Oh, and I have to include this picture too. Check out that grin! I love it! It melts my heart every time.

Meet the teacher

2011-09-04T16:04:00.004-05:00

We finally made the decision to enroll Maddie into a 3k program. Jonathan and I have been discussing this for over a year -- we had lots of things to consider: financial costs, bringing preschool germs into the house with Cohen, long days, etc. Several of our friends highly recommended one that was near us so after we toured and a met the staff, I knew I was making the right decision.

This summer has been a big season of change for Maddie. She got a new baby brother and is no longer the only child. I've been home for three months with her. And when she goes back to staying with her Nana, she'll have to share her too.

So on my first day back at work next week (at my new job!), Maddie will have her first day of preschool. She is so excited! She will go on Tuesday and Thursday's. Deb will take her and drop her off since the hours are in between my work hours. Maddie will get a break from her baby brother and meet new friends and learn so much -- and Deb will get precious time alone with Cohen. Maddie and Deb are super close and I love that. I want that for her and Cohen so I think this will really help. I think this is going to make going back to work easier for me because I know how excited Maddie is to start.

Last week, we attended a parent orientation and meet the teacher at our new preschool. Deb went with us so she is familiar with the place and staff (since really she is the one they will get to know most). Maddie got to meet Mrs. Heather and see her class and play for a little bit. She was a little timid at first but it only took a few minutes for her to warm up. Then we had trouble getting her to leave. Can't wait for all of our new adventures!!

Mrs. Heather!

Showing us her name on the door:

Bella Reese!

2011-09-04T15:40:00.005-05:00

My sister Kristy FINALLY had her baby! We were pregnant together but she was due 12 weeks after me and those last few weeks really drug by -- I'm sure KK would agree!

We are all in love with our newest and tiniest family member. She weighed only 6lbs and 13oz! That is nearly two pounds smaller than Maddie was at birth. It felt and still feels so different holding a baby that small. I will no longer complain about my big ole babies! At least not today:)

Her name is Bella Reese -- yes, a double name. And I absolutely melt when Maddie says it because it sounds a little like she is saying ballarina. Maddie loves her and prays for her nearly every night.

Here are just a few of the zillion pictures that this proud aunt took. Enjoy all this adorable-es-ness!

Moments before:

Moments after! Love this sweet family!

All the kids are in love.

Check out that pucker.

Maddie may be smothering her here.

Mama and baby

Cohen and Bella Reese -- they are 12 weeks apart. I think Cohen thinks she is his apetizer:-)

One proud big sister! She has quite the adjustment ahead of her -- she's been the one and only for nine years but I know she'll do great!

It's Game Day!

2011-09-03T18:36:00.000-05:00

Jonathan and I were able to go to the first game of the year - thanks to Uncle Daniel, who gave us tickets with incredible seats.

While we enjoyed a rare date day alone, Maddie and Cohen watched the game with Nana and Pop. They were decked out in their game day gear too!

Roll Tide!

Maternity Leave update

2011-08-22T16:16:00.003-05:00

So a lot of things have been going on while I've been on maternity leave.

I had a baby, for one! :) And had to adjust to life with two kids instead of one. I also had to adjust to being at home. It is so much harder than going to work - just in different ways. We also had to adjust to being a one income family for three months with added expenses. It's been very hard. Very hard. But I wouldn't trade these last three months for anything. I'll probably always work and they will never be babies like this again. I'll take all the hardship, it was well worth it.

I've also decided to not go back to my job as a fundraiser at United Way. It was a very tough decision. One that I had been contemplating and praying about for almost an entire year. I've been at the same place for over six years. I've worked three different positions. And so many things had changed there in the last two years. I adapt well to change, I do. But I just starting having some issues. Some of them related to my pregnancy. Some related to people and actions to me in the last year. It was just a tough year - mentally, emotionally and physically with the whole pregnancy thing. I just wasn't sure I could go back and have my heart in it the way it should be. No matter where I work, I want to be a good employee. I want to be able to put my heart into it. And I wasn't sure I could.

Long story short -- I was told about a position at the college I graduated from -- and encouraged to apply. I did. And didn't get that job. But was contacted from a different department who had had my resume passed to them. I interviewed on a Thursday, was made an offer the next day. It happened so fast my head was spinning. But the offer was generous. It will involve some Saturday work and some evenings scattered throughout the year which I'm not used to. But it's a great position. With a great employer. The offer was generous. The benefits are amazing. So I accepted it and put my notice in at UW the following Monday.

It was so hard to do. I had worked there for so long and some of those people are like family to me. But I just had to tell myself that that wasn't a reason to stay. My friends will still be my friends and would want better for me. It was a joint decision for me to not return from my maternity leave to work out a notice. So I get two extra weeks at home with these two:

which I am so excited about. But that's another two weeks without pay, which stinks. Plus at the new job, it pays monthly so I won't get another check until the end of September and it won't be a full check. All that stinks. But it will be worth it in the end. I will be making a difference in my family so we will make it through this next month. We will.

I will share more about the new job once I have actually started and figured out REALLY what I will be doing. Please pray for me! I'm so nervous about it. But excited for the change.

Sea Grove, Florida - 2011

2011-08-22T15:26:00.008-05:00

We did manage to get in a weeks vacation at the beach. We booked a condo from Saturday to Saturday in Sea Grove - one of our favorite places, next to Destin.

We planned this trip back in December with some of our best friends, the Duncans. I was a little worried of how I was going to handle a beach trip with an 8 week old so we asked Jonathan's parents to go with us. It might have been the best decision I've ever made. Seriously!

They were super helpful. And more than took care of us -- all of us. They played with the kids, they cooked delicious meals, they even watched all the kids one night so we could have a date night (That's five kids!! The Duncan's have three plus our two). We were really very spoiled. And can't thank them enough for going with us and allowing us to have one of the best vacations ever!

Mark (aka Pop) is super nervous about baby stuff so he wasn't about to let anything happen to little Cohen. That boy was pampered all week. You should have seen the layout -- all to protect him from the sand and sun. Deb made Maddie's day and played sandcastles for hours.

We knew going in to this trip that we would be on a very limited budget. So we basically stayed in and ate all three meals (except for the one date night out). And one night we took the kids to the Track in Destin so the older two could ride the go carts. One day for fun, we gave the kids about ten bucks and took them to one of those cheesy tourists shops and they had the best time.

We usually would go to the beach after breakfast; come in for lunch; then do the pool in the afternoon. The community pool was literally right in front of our first level condo so we felt like we had our own private pool. And if anyone was out there when we got out there, they usually took one look at our crew and packed up (there was another community pool).

Maddie, just like last year, absolutely LOVED the water. She loved the ocean and playing in the waves. She loved the sand. She loved the pool. The girl loved it all. She would stay out in the ocean with Jonathan, Doug and Mark until they were ready to come in, never getting tired of it or bothered when salt water got in her eyes.

I could say so much more but instead will just show you the pictures:

We attempted to take some pictures. This is the one and only one that turned out...and Maddie isn't looking at the camera. Oh well!

Did I mention Daniel came down mid week?? Here are Jonathan, Daniel and Doug on the adults only night! Trying to act cool...

Me and Laurie! Probably the one picture of us from the entire trip.

Some brotherly love.

Doug, Asher, Jonathan and Maddie waiting in line for the water boats at the Track.

Maddie and Jonathan riding the go-carts. It was about 102 degrees that night.

Maddie and Asher playing in the sand.

The long boardwalk to the beach.

Daniel and Jonathan would put Maddie on this raft and throw her across the pool. She loved it.

Mark and Deb and Jonathan and Doug took the two older kids walking on the beach to look for crabs and shells -- Maddie and Asher loved it!

This picture was just too cute not to share.

The Duncan clan with Jonathan.

Mark was so worried about Cohen getting burned. We were already under a big tent. Then I caught Mark doing this.

2 month official update

2011-08-22T14:45:00.003-05:00

Cohen will turn 12 weeks tomorrow (Tuesday).

I really can't believe he is already 12 weeks. The time is just going too fast this time. Slow down!! I want to scream all the time. But time does not care about a weepy mommy so it continues to travel at lightening speed.

Last week (when Cohen was 11 weeks) I took him to see his pediatrician for his two month check up. The doctor was so great and joked about how big he is. When he first saw him, he goes "now, Cohen is here for his two year check up right??" and burst out laughing.

He really is big y'all. I say it all the time but it gets put into perspective when I see or meet babies who are his exact age or a week older than him...and they are these tiny little things. And he looks at them like they are appetizers!

So he weighed 17.1 pounds and was 25 inches long, officially. That puts him in the 99th percentile for height and 98th for weight. Yay for not being off the charts!

The doctor said he wasn't worried about his size at all and it wasn't an indicator of obesity (which I've been slightly worried about). He said as long as his height and weight are both high there is no need to worry. Plus, based on my height, the doctor said absolutely no worries. (Because I'm about six feet tall...which for a woman is like being the jolly green giant...not his words but I've been told that enough in my life).

He has started to smile and coo. He also makes eye contact and will follow you across the room. All milestones the doctor had wanted him to hit by that point.

He is holding his head up really good for long periods of time. However, he hates tummy time and gets frustrated after just a few minutes. So I'm working on that. Small steps!

He also is not making any movements towards rolling over. The doctor said no big deal, that's not a milestone they expect to see right now. But Maddie was starting to move that way at this age so I've just been expecting him too. But no. He's kind of lazy. He gets on his back and is like "hey, I'm good right here". So we are going to start working on that too:^).

He takes a pacifier...which we call pappy...sometimes. We really force it on him more than he takes it but on occasion he does act like he wants it.

He is wearing 6 month clothing -- of which we have about 4 outfits. So donations welcome! :) He is wearing a size two diaper although he really needs to be in a size three. I just have an open box of size two that I'm trying to use up first.

He is still eating us out of house and home. We are still feeding him Similac Sensitive but the doctor said at about 6 months he wants us to swap back to the regular. We feed him the ready to feed liquid stuff because it is thicker -- when we were doing powder, he was eating every hour and half. Just to give you an idea of the cost of that, I will usually get about ten to 14 days worth for about 100 bucks - so close to 300 a month (have I mentioned that I'm on maternity leave and not making any income??). It's a lot.

He eats about six ounces at a time every 2 1/2 to 3 hours...3 hours if we are lucky. But sometimes he eats at 2 hours. And there is no making him stretch it out. He lets you know very clearly that he is hungry and must eat right then. And if you don't feed him, watch out! Boy does he get super angry and goes from 0 to 100 in about two seconds. However, he is doing a really long stretch at night -- eating at about 8:30 to 9 and sleeping until about 4:45 to 5am. That is a schedule I can deal with.

So (for my records), a typical day for him goes like this (a day of maternity leave, that is):

5am - 6 ounces, cuddle with mommy and back to sleep.

8am - 6 ounces, cuddle and play with mommy a little longer, then back to sleep. Maddie and I usually get up and eat breakfast around 9am.

10am - he is up and ready to play. Best mood of the day. Maddie and he usually lay in my bed and cuddle and play or we move to the living room. I'll move him back and forth between his bouncy chair and laying on his back on a play mat.

10:30 - he is starving so he eats 6 ounces. I sneak in about two teaspoons of cereal in this feeding (shh! Don't tell the doctor). We usually take a bath after this feeding too. Then we read books or he sits up between my legs while we play with Maddie.

12pm - he gets sleepy about this time so I put him in his swing on speed 6 with his seat vibration on high and he takes his afternoon nap. He will usually sleep until about 2 if I'm lucky. But boy does he wake up hungry! Maddie and I eat lunch around 1pm.

2pm - 6 ounces of formula, cuddles in my lap for a few minutes but usually goes back in his swing for the rest of his nap. He will usually sleep until about 4pm.

4pm - wakes from his nap and wants out of that swing:). He naps in the swing, by the way, because if I try to lay him down in his bed he refuses to sleep and just gets fussy. Even if I rock him to complete sleep. The second he lays flat, he wakes up. So we nap in the swing. I'm hoping Nana can help break this habit when I go back to work.

5pm - 6-7 ounces of formula. He usually stays awake and plays with daddy for awhile. He also loves his bouncy seat. He will sit in it and watch Maddie play. He gets fussy every night around 6:30 or 7 so I rock him for a short nap. He will wake up anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour later but usually in a better mood. The rest of us eat dinner, usually about 7pm (yes, we are late eaters). We will also take family walks about this time, pushing Cohen in the stroller -- he will usually nap during the one mile walk.

8-9pm - We put his PJ's on and get Maddie's room ready for her bedtime. He gets his last bottle of the night. He gets 6 ounces with two scoops of cereal in it. We do Maddie's bedtime routine about 9 - 9:30 and once she is in the bed and settled, we put Cohen down, usually around 10pm or right before. He is still sleeping in our room in the pack and play. This is the only time of day that I can lay him in there and he go to sleep. He is usually awake too but barely. He sleeps with his Buddy Bear and Blue Blanket. And just for the record, Maddie sleeps with her Daisy, Blue Blanket and Elmo. My kids just have to have something to sleep with. I don't mind:).

Anyway, that is his official two month update and our schedule. I tried to get all the details down for my records. This blog is better than the baby book. I've used it to to look back at Maddie's stats several times.

I am loving this time with him and Maddie!

11 Weeks!

2011-08-21T14:53:00.001-05:00

Here is Cohen at 11 weeks. I'll do his official two month check post tonight but thought I would share his chunky cuteness now.

Sorry if the quality if picture isn't good. It is from my phone...the only 'camera' I've used lately:-).

5 things you didn't know about me

2011-08-19T12:39:00.001-05:00

So someone emailed me a comment the other day that there wasn't enough of 'me' on my blog and that one day when my kids see this, they will want to see/read about me.

It got me thinking. And she was right. But sometimes, as a mother it is very easy to lose me the individual because I'm too busy being the mom, the wife, the CFO of the household, etc.

I'm going to do better. And I have some new posts planned to update you on all of us - even me - because it has been an eventful month.

But for now, I'm going to take the advice of that sweet commenter and tell you five things that maybe you didn't know about me. So here goes:

1) I'm a secret fan of Eminem's music.

I can't believe I am even admitting this, but yes, yes I am. That's awful, right? Not all of it but some. Maybe it's because I know where he is writing from. I know what it's like to grow up poor and to just want to get out and be something. We have that in common, I guess.

2) I don't have any dreams for myself. Growing up, I had one dream. To go to college. Maybe I didn't think that was ever going to happen so I didn't dream past that. But I made it! Now what? I have dreams for my kids, my marriage....just not for Brandy. I'm going to work on that though!

3) I hate dippin' dots ice cream. I know it's "the ice cream of the future" and all. But I don't like it.

Whew! So glad I got that off my chest! :-)

4). I married my best friend. No, really!

Does that make my marriage any easier?? Heck no. Harder - I think, sometimes. Because no one knows me nearly as well as him either. And knows how to push my buttons. We love big. We fight big too. But the love big thing helps with the fight big thing.

It does help that we like spending tome together. We enjoy doing the same things. So even if I'm over the husband thing at the moment, I still want to hang out with the friend.

5) I wear a size 10 shoe . Really. I can never borrow cute shoes from my friends because no one wears any where near a 10.

I worked selling shoes for a couple of years in college. Know what I learned? Stores only order about three pairs of size 10 shoes. So when I find shoes I like, I buy them. Because I know that if I wait for them to go on sale, they will be gone.

So there you go. Some ME on the blog. Hope you enjoyed!

Imagination Place

2011-07-22T05:14:00.001-05:00

This past Tuesday I met my sister (KK) and we took all the kids (including my brother's two kids) to this place called Imagination Place. It is free on Tuesday afternoons so we thought, why not??

The kids really enjoyed it! It basically is the little place that you just play in and use your imagination. There is a doctors office, a fire station, a vet's office, a grocery store, a bank, etc.

Maddie loves imagination play so she was in heaven.

Abby was a little old for it but she was a good sport and played with all the smaller kids.

It took us about 45 minutes to get there but since it was free, I think it was worth the drive. I think it normally costs five or six dollars a person -- not sure I would want to pay to get in -- but if you are in my area and looking for something new to do, I recommend their free play on Tuesdays. If you want to know where it's at, send me an email and I'll let you know.

Cohen slept through most of it. Except the two times he woke to eat! :) My boy is an eater!

By the way, Maddie and Cohen wore there one and only matching outfits. And I didn't even buy them. Nor did I get them from the same person. I just happened to get them as two different gifts from two different people. It was cute though!

a date with Nana

2011-07-21T17:47:00.000-05:00

Deb (Jonathan's mom) called me the other day and asked if she could take Maddie for a few hours to see a movie.

Of course, I said yes!

We told Maddie she was going on a surprise Maddie and Nana date (because she has been all about 'dates' lately) and she was so excited. We got up this morning and gave her and Cohen baths. She picked out a special dress to wear and was patiently for Nana to arrive. When Nana got here, Maddie took off running for the door. She threw it open and said Nana! Where is our date going to be??

Nana was taking her to see Winnie the Pooh and she could not have been more excited. Here are a few pictures we took before their date.

A good one.

And a silly faces one.

A visit from the Camp's

2011-07-21T05:07:00.000-05:00

Saturday morning, I got a call from my friend Candice asking if we were free for a last minute visit with them. Of course I said YES! Because we love the Camp's and really miss them. We haven't seem them in about a month and they had not been able to meet Cohen yet. They live about an hour away from us and although that doesn't seem too far, when you throw it traveling with kids/infants, it can seem more like three hours.

In case you are new around here, Candice and I were college roommates for one year. Just one year. But it was one of the best years of our lives and one we will never forget. Our friendship started that year and has grown so much over the last several years -- seven, I think?? Our weddings were weeks apart. Our babies were just months apart. Maddie is six months older than Jameson and her youngest son Levi is just eight weeks older than Cohen. Oh, and Maddie thinks they live on a farm because they have lots of land and cows so she absolutely loves visiting them.

Anyway, they came for a visit Saturday and I ate up every precious minute with Candice, Rusty, Jameson and Levi. We love the Camp family!

And I love how Maddie and Jameson play together. There was lots of running through the house. Lots of shrieking. LOTS of laughter. I love their friendship!

Here is me and Can with all the kiddos. I'm holding baby Levi. He and Cohen were not in the mood for pictures. Obviously, Maddie was. Check out that cheese face!

Airing my dirty laundry

2011-07-20T17:10:00.003-05:00

Last week at our small group, some of us wives (who tend to blog stalk) started talking about how sometimes reading blogs and status updates on facebook can make you feel very inadequate as a wife and mother. That so many blog authors seem to have all their stuff together - picture perfect houses, smiling behaving children, hearts for the Lord who are always serving others, etc.

Then the next time I checked my google reader, my VBF Candice had written about the very same thing. She titled her post 'Airing my dirty laundry' and I loved it! So I thought I would do the same. If you have a blog, do the same -- it will make you feel better! And let me know you did because I would love to read and know that I'm not alone.

I've never been the best housekeeper or domestic diva. But it has gotten really bad since Cohen has joined our family. I just don't have time to do anything -- especially anything I can't do with one hand because the other one is usually holding a baby, or a bottle or a diaper (you get the idea).

I also haven't had my hair color done in months. Yes, months. I have way more grey hair than I care to admit and my roots are so bad, I'm tempted to just go with my natural color again. I have managed to get my hair trimmed but that is only because my sister does hair and will trim it for free when I beg her. And on that note, let me say that I'm so frustrated with my hair! I decided I wanted to grow it out -- and my hair, which has always grown soooo fast -- now will not grow at all! It's got to be the hormones. Sorry, total side bar there.

I eat in small bursts and never complete meals. I really want to start exercising to get back into my work clothes but who has time for that? You get where I'm going with this, right?

So here is a look at my house.

Here is my unmade bed. That hasn't been made in a very long time. And it has the only pair of Capri pants that fit right now, draped over the foot board....where they stay.

And here is our living room -- that often gets mistaken for Ponyville.

And here is one corner of Maddie's room. Where she has stashed several pairs of my shoes (she constantly plays dress up in them). They've been there for weeks. When I'm looking for a certain pair of shoes and can't find them, I just go retrieve them from her room -- they are always there so I figure, why pick them up every single day? Just doesn't seem worth it.

I hope this look into our typical day encourages you. I am so far from perfect. And I'm okay with it.

Because these two?? They make it all worth it!

Loving on little brother

2011-07-20T17:06:00.002-05:00

Maddie continues to adore her little brother.

And that makes my heart happy.

She gives him so many hugs and kisses a day that sometimes I have to tell her to back off and remind her to be gentle.

And she talks to him in this soft, high pitched voice that is so sweet.

And very funny.

He looks a little scared in the picture above, doesn't he?

insight

2011-07-20T00:29:00.002-05:00

Wowza.

I'm tired.

That is all.

Good night.

Walking the neighborhood

2011-07-13T03:22:00.000-05:00

I used to love taking long walks, pushing Maddie in the stroller when she was a baby. Granted, it was early spring when I was on maternity leave with her and not 'oh my gosh it is so hot I can't breath' kind of weather. So I wanted to take Cohen on a walk. And I kind of wanted to see if I could take a long walk without being winded.

You think I'm kidding. Think about it. I was on partial bedrest the last five weeks of my pregnancy and basically did nothing. Then with the complications from childbirth, I was pretty pampered in terms of family helping out once I got home and they made me abide by those no lifting/exercise rules.

Plus, there is a bank at the top of my neighborhood and I needed to get some cash out so it was a good excuse to try it.

Cohen was sleeping so I went ahead and prepped a bottle -- just in case. That boy wakes up starving and goes from sleeping peacefully to a big angry screaming mess in about two seconds. Maddie got her babies ready in her stroller and we were off.

I'm happy to report that we made it. Not terribly winded but reminded that I do need to figure out some way to get a little exercise in. And Maddie pushing her own stroller??? Worked out great!

Gosh -- don't I look so exhausted? Does that look ever go away? This is also one of the few days that I was dressed. In clothes -- not PJ's -- or clothes that could pass as PJ's. Still didn't do the hair and make up thing but at least I was dressed!

time with Daddy

2011-07-13T00:03:00.002-05:00

And because I know you are all wondering where Jonathan is in all these pictures -- I thought I would share one of him. I asked him to keep an eye on the kids while I showered or did something like that. This is how I find them. All three of them in the floor, bundled up, watching cartoons. I just hope it wasn't Sponge Bob! :)

One month check up

2011-07-12T23:40:00.004-05:00

Today Cohen turned 6 weeks. I can barely believe it! I feel like the world has stopped but still going incredibly fast too. I am halfway through my maternity leave and that really makes me sad. But I love that I get this time with him.

Last week I took Cohen for his one month check up. I was very disappointed that I didn't get to see his and Maddie's pediatrician but in my effort to keep their appointments in the actual month they are, I agreed to see another doctor. And for the record - she was very sweet and I wouldn't mind seeing her again (we've seen her for sick visits, just never well visits).

Anyway, I always go in armed with a list of questions and my doctor usually arms me with a bunch of handouts -- and I like that. I didn't get my handouts this time but was very glad that my questions were answered.

If any of you follow me on facebook then you may have seen where I was thinking of switching formulas. I breastfed for one month and once I started weaning him, he got so fussy. After talking with the doctor on all of his behaviors and cues, she told me to swap to Similac Sensitive. So far we really like it and it has helped with the fussiness. She was quite surprised when I told her how much and how often he was eating. I asked if I could give him cereal to thicken it a little to see if that could hold him. She suggested waiting a little while longer. I'm trying but very close to giving in.

Cohen is drinking six ounces at a time and is eating about every two and a half hours / two hours 45 minutes during the day -- if I'm lucky. He often wants to eat every two hours but I try to make him wait. He does better at night for some reason and will do one four hour stretch and then wakes up every three after that. So I'm still getting up about three times a night to feed him. And it's rough but I'm making it. We are feeding him the Ready to Feed formula -- it is more expensive but thicker and he seems to like it better.

He is just hungry. This is one of the reasons I made the super emotional decision to wean him from breastmilk. I just couldn't keep up. I was incredibly sore and it was so painful to nurse him. I also started feeling resentment because I felt like I was always nursing or about to nurse or getting ready to nurse. I really wanted to do it and dealt with / continuing to deal with feelings of guilt and failure but I do feel like I made the best decision -- it is just a tough one.

Cohen is still quite the chunker and weighed 12 pounds 11 ounces -- this puts him in the 93th percentile for weight. He was 23 3/4 inches long -- this puts him in the 99th percentile for height. I forget what his head was. And never sure what that measurement is anyway. The doctor was impressed with how strong he seemed to be and how he was really trying to hold his head up. I had a long list of questions and she went through them one by one with me and really did a good physical exam. I'm so paranoid about breathing issues (b/c of Jonathan's asthma) but she listened to his lungs and said everything sounded great.

He had to get the second round of the Hep B shot and his PKU (heel prick). He handled both best as can be expected. Crying like crazy for a minute but calmed down pretty quickly. Maddie went with me and told everyone for days about baby brother getting a 'shot and a prick'. We go back at 8 weeks.
He didn't really feel like getting his picture taken here. Isn't he the cutest thing?

Here I am undressing him so the nurse can weigh him. Maddie is looking through the list of questions:)

Farm Visit

2011-07-12T23:06:00.004-05:00

So Maddie has continued to act out with me and Jonathan. Never around Cohen but she makes sure that we know she needs some attention.

We've been doing these family dates and she gets to pick what we do and this last time she asked to go visit a farm. Where was I going to find us a local farm to visit??

Facebook -- it is my go-to for resources these days:) A friend left me a comment telling me of one about 20 minutes from our house called Old Fart's Farm. And on one of the hottest afternoon's ever we visited the farm.

The people were super sweet and indulged us and even gave us a tour. This is a real working farm -- not a show farm set up for visitors -- so I really appreciated them taking the time with Maddie. She loved it! Her only complaint was that they didn't have pigs or cows. So I guess that is my next research project.

Here are a few pictures from our farm adventure:

I could use some advice from those of you who have more than one children. Or those of you that have an opinion. I'm really all ears.

I am reaching a point with Maddie and I'm not sure how to handle moving forward. I feel like I have really coddled her -- given her extra love, attention, treats and gifts. I've made a point to spend time with her every day when I'm not holding the baby or preparing something for the baby,etc. But she is still having these awful fits and attitude problems. I'm starting to worry that she's now 'milking' it but how to do I know for sure?? I feel like there isn't a way to know for sure so I'm torn on how to handle. Disciplining is not working -- she has learned to play me against Jonathan and vice versa and it's usually when I'm feeding Cohen so I'm left feeling helpless in helping the two of them -- or at least intervene (they are just alike, by the way, so it can get rough:)). Anyway, just wanted to see if anyone who reads this 'ole thing (if anyone still does) has been through this and has any pointers? I would love to hear them!

Look who is five weeks old!

2011-07-08T00:33:00.000-05:00

How I spend my mornings....

2011-07-08T00:32:00.000-05:00

What we've been up to...

2011-06-29T03:00:00.000-05:00

During Cohen's 2nd and 3rd week of life, we got out and about. Well...a little. I'm so concerned about germs but we wanted Cohen to meet his great grandparents. Our kiddos are very lucky that they get the chance to love great grandparents and we love to watch the great grandparents with our babies.

First was a trip to visit MeeMaw -- Jesse (Deb's mom). She was very sweet with him. I think we threw her for a loop with his name though -- she asked us about three times, how do you say his name?. Funny! My dad is sort of the same way though so I don't blame it on her age:)

Then we went to visit Granny and Grandaddy Crumly.

Other than that, we've just been hanging out at home. We do lots of cuddling -- Cohen is quite the cuddler right now and likes skin to skin contact. Here is a cute picture of he and Maddie -- Maddie is trying to pull up his cheeks to smile for the camera. Too funny!

We've also been testing out all the baby goodies. Here he is in his swing. Which he likes -- when I'm not putting him in it to get something done. Then he hates it. It's like he knows...

Other than that, we've just been laying low and staying at home. We've had lots of pajama days where we sleep late (or Maddie does) and don't get out of our PJ's. I usually go try to brush my teeth a few minutes before Jonathan gets home. I'm sure he appreciates the effort, right?

Last week, Maddie went to Vacation Bible School at Mark and Deb's church. She L.O.V.E.D it! Every day she woke up asking how many more minute until it was time to go. Plus, Deb was keeping the nursery and two of the four nights (it was 6-8pm) she kept Cohen with her -- we grocery shopped one night and had a dinner date the other one -- well if you call going in a t-shirt stained with spit up, using a gift card and barely able to keep your eyes open a date. I did and it was much needed! The other two nights we kept Cohen with us b/c there was a baby who had recently been sick and we didn't want the risk of germs.

I also managed to get out of the house to run a few errands - by myself, with both kiddos. It wasn't bad. Maddie behaved like a dream and Cohen slept the whole time so it was great. What I had forgotten though was how long it takes to get a baby out of the house. I think I started getting the three of us ready at about 10:30...we left the house at 1:30. Crazy!

So that has been our lazy days!

Birth Story -- Finally!

2011-06-28T14:40:00.004-05:00

Okay, so I'm finally going to write out Cohen's birth story. Some of these details may seem very insignificant to you but I'm writing it all out more for me -- I know how easy these things will fade from memory so I want to have all the details! This will be LONG...Be warned!

If you remember from my weekly doctor appointments, at my 38 week appointment Jonathan and I met with my primary OB and discussed the other docs recommendation of having a scheduled C-Section and he did not agree. We chose to go with his recommendation -- which was to be induced on May 31st...without a C-Section planned.

On the 30th (Memorial Day), we took Maddie and met my family at the local pool for a day of fun. I was pretty huge and pretty miserable so we only stayed a few hours. I also fell -- but don't worry, it was into the pool (luckily) but I did get pretty sore from it. That night, Kristy came over to stay the night with us. We had to be at the hospital at 5:00am -- she was going to stay with Maddie and bring her to the hospital right before her own doctors appointment around noon, I think. She would give her to Jonathan's mom if we weren't ready for her.

We arrived at STV right on time -- believe it or not. A 'PRO' about being induced is that I was able to get up that morning and take a shower and put on makeup...I knew it would be at least another day or two before I got to shower so that was nice. We went straight to the Labor and Delivery area and all the nurses were at the desk. They asked our name and then our assigned nurses took us straight back to our room.

We had two nurses -- one primary (Karen) and one helper (Nicole). Nicole was a new RN -- she had worked at the hospital for awhile as an LPN and recently finished her RN degree. I was her first hands on real delivery. She did a fantastic job and ended up being one of my two favorite nurses! Nurses are so important during labor/delivery -- they absolutely make a world of difference and I'm thankful that I had such sweet women caring for me.

Anyway, the got me into a gown, hooked up to my IV, etc. At about 6:40am, the doctor on call came in to break my water (my doctor was scheduled to come in at 7am). The doctor on call was the doctor who recommended the C-Section so once I saw her, I immediately got nervous. She went to break my water but stopped. She told the nurse that she felt what she believed was his umbilical cord sitting on top of his head -- and if that was correct, if she broke my water, the cord would pop out and I would be rushed into an emergency C-Section. Panic and anger sets in on my and Jonathan's faces. All this lady does is talk about C-Sections! Anyway, she said she wanted to give it a few minutes and then re-check me. She also told me if Dr. Damrich came in, I was to tell him to not break my water before talking to the nurses.

Luckily he arrived maybe ten minutes later. I did what I was told and told him what the other doctor told me and said he needed to talk to my nurse. He gave this very skeptical look and then checked me -- had absolutely no idea what she was talking about and broke my water. No problem at all. We have come to the conclusion that the other doctor is just surgery happy:) By the way, I came in already contracting and dilated 3cm. This is the only time I am checked.
Breaking the water -- wow, what an experience! It gushed and gushed and gushed. So glad that didn't randomly break while I was out shopping:) Anyway, my water contained meconeium (which means the baby had already pooped) so the doctor let me know he was going to have the NICU crew come in just in case there were any complications from this (thankfully, there wasn't!).

My contractions start to worsen and I'm in quite a bit of pain at this time. My contractions were up high, right under my breasts. Jonathan's parents arrive and peek in to see me for a few minutes and to pray with us/for us. Mark couldn't stay long -- he said he could tell I was in a lot of pain and didn't like to see it. I thought I was covering my pain pretty well but guess not.

The nurse suggests that I go ahead and get an epidural because they had several people being induced that day and if I waited much longer, the anesthesiologist may be tied up for a little bit. I said, bring it on! Getting the epidural is always anxiety producing. And on this day, it was too. The anesthesiologist came in and started prepping me -- only to get paged to run to a C-Section. So he pages the other one working that day to finish me up. Luckily they were both so nice about it and no problems arise.

I still feel my contractions though and this gets frustrating. The nurse explained it was because my contractions were so high and they did not want to numb me much higher than the belly button (so that it didn't interfere with breathing) but to let them know if I started to feel the pressure to push. A little while later, I tell the nurse that I keep getting the sensation to poop -- she says to push or poop?? I said to poop, I think but it was weird. So she decided to check me -- my cervix was completely gone and I was dilated the entire way. It was go time! And my room wasn't ready -- so the nurses kick it into high gear and start setting up and call for some help to get everything done.

The nurse gives me this gross stuff to drink that is supposed to help with acid during pushing. As soon as I drink it, I throw it up. I start pushing at 10:18am. I am throwing up in between every time I push during a contraction. At first I was pushing with every contraction but soon the nurses noticed that the baby was having a little harder of a time recovering (a d-cell, I think is what they called it). So at this point I start pushing every other contraction.

Before I know it, the doctor is back and says it's time! Oh, and he also brought in two student nurses to observe -- my room was way over crowded!

So I start doing big time pushing when they let me know that he is stuck behind my pelvic bone. My sweet nurse suggests that I visualize him stuck and visualize myself pushing down and out. So I do that and out he comes. They call out the time as 11:45am - so just over an hour. Wow! I immediately start crying and they give him to me. I have no idea why I ever worried about being able to love a second child like the first because I am overtaken with this instant love and gravitational pull towards him. It was simply amazing. God is so great!

They took him from me after a minute or so to start weighing/measuring. He was 9lbs 9oz and 21.5 inches long. On the video you can hear an audible gasp around the room when the doctor holds him up -- and someone saying 'wow, he is so big'. I love it! We were the talk of our floor and it was hilarious to us. Several random nurses would stop by to see the "9,9'er" born without a c-section. The next day, one of the nurses came in to tell us that we had just been beat with a 10.4 baby but he was born via section. We just laughed whenever the nurses talked like that. I was just thankful that he was here, no surgery and very healthy. He had to have his blood sugar checked often b/c of his size but they said he was fine.

ME? I ended up having a severe third degree tear and had to get lots of stitches. I also ran a fever for several hours after delivery and was put on antibiotics. I had some trouble going to the restroom after my catheter was removed too. They want you to go within four hours and it took me a little over 6 and a half. The nurse was super excited when I finally paged her to tell her I had tinkled:) I was super excited b/c that meant they would finally remove my IV. And then of course, I had the whole blot clot issue I posted about a few posts ago. Recovery has been much harder this time around. I didn't bounce back near as fast as I did after Maddie. Maybe it's because it's my second child or maybe because I have a toddler at home or lack of sleep (because napping this time around is out of the question)...who knows?? But it is. Cohen is four weeks old today -- four weeks! -- and I am just now getting to where I feel somewhat healed. I have nursed him for four weeks but weaning him this week. My body is just not producing enough for this chunky monkey and it's gotten the best of me. He is taking to formula well but is being fussy. I joke with Jonathan that he is mad at me for taking away the boob -- typical of a man!

Maddie is doing well. She absolutely loves Cohen. She goes straight to him in the mornings and loves on him through out the day. She calls him Baby Cohen or just Coco and usually refers to herself as 'big sister'. She is acting out with me and Jonathan though -- getting a very bad attitude and throwing lots of crying fits. Everyone tells me this is normal and will pass so I'm holding out hope. She also went from being super independent to now needing/wanting me to do a lot of things for her. I understand that her world has been rocked so I'm trying to watch my response to her and not get frustrated. She is loving being at home with me during the day.

I've always said I never wanted to be a stay at home mom -- that I love working and couldn't do it. But I find myself already dreading going back to work -- and I have 8 weeks left at home! There is absolutely no way possible for me to even think about doing that so I guess that is good. Financially, we just could not do it -- not even with big changes. But sometimes I wish I could go back and whisper into the ear of my child-less self "you never know where your heart will be so make wise decisions now...you really don't need those boots, or that car, or that house". Oh, well. I am thankful that I love my job and work with a great group of people so that will make it easier...even if just a little.

It only took me about a week to get this post written and I'm not going back to edit it (no time) so I hope it is coherent. I want to post more pictures soon too. I don't take nearly the amount that I did with Maddie and the ones I do take usually seem to be with my phone. But I'll get them on here soon. Also, we took newborn pictures when he was a week old that I will be getting back this week and I can't wait to share those. I saw a 'sneak peak' on facebook and am so excited!

Wishing you all well!!

2011-06-19T22:58:00.001-05:00

And here's Jonathan as a baby. What do you think??

And apparently I have no idea how to use my scanner so this is the best I could do. Sorry!

Maddie vs Cohen

2011-06-15T17:54:00.002-05:00

This is Maddie at about two weeks.

This is Cohen at almost two weeks.

What do you think? Do they look alike??

PS -- I think they both laid like that in the womb -- which is why I was always in so much pain. :)

so we've been a little busy...

2011-06-15T17:13:00.003-05:00

Sorry. This is not a birth story post. Although I promise to post it soon.

But we've been a little busy. Or I guess I can say we've had a little health scare.

With me. Not the baby. That is the good news!

What? I will explain. But *DISCLAIMER* the story contains gory details. And you know I will over share so if you have a week stomach, you may not want to continue reading.

Let me start at the beginning. Sunday afternoon we went to a cookout at our friend's Kristen's house. She was having some families over from Maddie's dance class and Maddie had been so excited about seeing all of her friends that I didn't want to miss it. So we all went.

I felt fine. A little exhausted but that was supposed to be normal, right? Anyway, we had been there about an hour or so when the food was done and I went into the kitchen. I made Maddie a plate and had come back in the house to make my plate when I felt something weird.

It felt like I had an accident through my pad (which I had just recently put on). So I excused myself to the restroom. Once I sat down on the potty, I started gushing blood. Yes, I said gushing. There is no other way to explain the huge amount of blood flow. I sat in there for a minute just trying to figure out what to do. I managed to get cleaned up and went out to my car to get another pad and to get Jonathan. We made it back to the bathroom and again, when I sat down, blood was gushing. Jonathan and I were discussing what to do when I passed two golf ball size blood clots.

This is when I panicked. I had Jonathan bring me my phone to call the OB emergency line (this was 12 days post pardum). And then we decided to head to the ER. It was just so much blood. Kristen brought me a towel to help control the bleeding and offered to keep Maddie -- who was more than excited for extra time to play with her friends. Jonathan grabbed Cohen and we rushed to the ER.

Now, I won't go into the extremely terrible service we received at the ER. But I will ask you to not go to the ER if it's not truly an emergency. We had a bad experience from registration to the doctor to the Ultrasound Tech but it all started at registration. Where it took me almost an hour to get called back. And y'all. I was hemorrhaging. Blood everywhere. 12 days after delivery. Sitting in the waiting room.

But saw person after person get called back ahead of me. One limping on a sprained ankle. One with a headache. One guy had a swollen hand from a fight. I was hemorrhaging...and thought I should have been more of a priority but enough about that!

Anyway, the ER found nothing but two more large clots and removed them and called my OB who instructed me to come to see him first thing the next morning. We ended up leaving after about five or so hours at the hospital.

At my OB, he redid the Ultrasound -- which the ER said nothing was wrong -- and found a clot hung in my uterine cavity.

My doctor explained it like this. He thought that after birth I developed about a softball size blood clot in my uterus. It most likely was so large that it was prevented the usual blood flow that occurs after delivery. And finally started to break apart. When it did and I passed those two large clots at Kristen's -- the blood it had been blocking, started flowing again -- which is what the gushing was. Then the ER doc removed two more large clots -- both about 2 to 3 cm in size and there was one more hung in the uterus. The doc gave me these four pills that I had to take that would force my uterus to 'aggressively' contract (he said the blood clot was caused my my uterus being too relaxed) and force the remaining clot out.

So yesterday I laid in bed all day cramping like crazy and doing nothing until time to feed Cohen. And hoping the medicine was working. The blood flow is back to normal and the cramping is gone so I'm hoping it's all behind me now.

I will say that Sunday night was a very scary night for me and Jonathan. Neither of us had seen that much blood and were terrified. I kept crying -- all night -- for no reason. I wasn't in pain really. Just scared.

Anyway, we've been busy dealing with that. Fun, huh??

I hate it that I haven't taken that many pictures of Cohen this week because he changes every day. Here are two that I took on my phone. We also had some newborn pictures taken last weekend so I'll post those as soon as I get them.

He is still not back up to his birth weight -- which doctors had hoped he would be by two weeks -- so I've been taking him to be weighed with the Lactation nurses at STV. Today he was up to 9.5oz so we were excited about that. He is at least gaining again. I am to take him back again on Tuesday at three weeks and really hoping he is there. For now, I am pumping after each time I nurse him and then supplementing with what I pump. We think he might just be a lazy eater and gets just enough and then falls asleep. So we will see if this helps. He still sleeps great and is starting to have longer awake times. He hates a bath/sponge bath.

His big sister is in love with him and she is constantly wanting to hug and kiss him. last night she told him that she was so glad he came home from the hospital to our house and I though I would just melt right there. She is acting out a little with me and Jonathan -- mainly letting us know she needs attention but we are working on it.

Will post again soon!

He's Here!

2011-06-09T20:51:00.004-05:00

Cohen is here!

And we are smitten with him. Just smitten.

I was induced on Tuesday, the 31st, by my primary OB -- not the c-section wanting one. And very happy to report that I did not need a C-Section.

Actually everything went pretty smoothly. I will fill you all in on the whole birth story sometime soon. You know....when I'm healed (had a pretty bad tear/lots of stitches) and adjusted to life with two (or somewhat adjusted).

Cohen Drake came out weighing 9lbs 9 ozs and 21and 1/2 inches long. Quite the little chunker!

He lost more weight than the doctors like and lost about a pound -- I did take him to be weighed Tuesday (at his one week mark) and he was back to 9lbs. They would like him to be back up to birth weight by this coming Tuesday (his two week mark) so I'll take him back then. I feel like he is nursing really well so I'm hoping he is so they don't tell me to swap to formula but we will see.

Everyone has been so sweet emailing and texting me asking how we are. We really are doing well -- it's an adjustment period for all of us -- Maddie and me and Jonathan too. Trying to balance all of Cohen's needs without overlooking Maddie is very important to me. She loves her little brother and likes to give him 'nosies'. She calls him her little buddy and is really cute with him. She likes to lay next to him and always wants me to take their picture so I have a lot that look like this:

Deb (Jonathan's mom) has been coming over everyday this week and will continue to do that until I get the all clear to drive -- we are just not comfortable with me being home with two and not able to drive -- I think that will be Tuesday too. She has been a tremendous help! She basically comes over from about 10am and stays until Jonathan gets home from work around 3 or 3:30ish. She pretty much handles Maddie -- from breakfast and getting dressed to playing puzzles and playdough and really is allowing me the special time to bond with Cohen. Then there are points in the day when it is obvious that we need to 'swap' and I devote some time to Maddie and she watches Cohen or gives him a bath, etc. It is working well and I'm sure I will miss her terribly next week when she won't come every day. We do think she will still come but maybe twice a week or something after that -- don't think we could separate her and Maddie to much -- they are peas in a pod, those two.
Back to Cohen -- he is eating well -- about every three hours during the day and will go longer at night -- anywhere from four to four and a half hours. So far he is a very content baby. He likes to sleep which is nice:) And even when he wakes at night to eat, he almost always goes right back down after he's done. I hope I'm not jinxing myself by saying that!

I will do a proper birth story post soon and post more pictures.

If you've emailed/texted/called and haven't heard back from me, I'm sorry. I really appreciate you checking in on me -- it makes me feel very loved! I'm just a little busy these days. It took me two days to get this post published so I can't make promises but I do hope to blog regularly while I'm home on maternity leave this summer. Life with these two are going to keep me full of stories I'm sure.

38 week check up

2011-05-23T17:54:00.002-05:00

So, this week went quite differently than last week! I saw MY doctor who had a completely different opinion than the woman did last week. He has me scheduled to come in to be induced on Tuesday, the 31st at 5am.

However, he does not think I will make it until Tuesday. I am 2 cm dilated, my cervix is 'paper thin', and my water bag is so low he said he could have broken if he wanted to. He also did an aggressive exam which 'could' jumpstart things.

SO! Lesson learned? Always get a second opinion. And having a doctor familiar with you and your history makes a world of difference.

Now, he didn't say that I won't have a section. He just thinks that planning one is unnecessary.

If you want more details, just ask!

one more video

2011-05-23T11:43:00.003-05:00

Okay -- one more post for the day and then I'm done.

So I went back to the old site to upload videos since I've been having trouble uploading from blogger. And I found the video where we told Maddie the news of her getting a new baby. I don't think I ever got it to upload right way back then so I corrected it.

If any of you care to see this video -- click here.

It is one of the funniest videos ever!

Luckily she has come around to the idea and is quite excited for baby Cohen now.

By the way, I go back to the doctor today for my 38 week check up -- we'll see what the doctor says!

Maddie's Dance Recital Video 5.21.2011

2011-05-23T11:35:00.003-05:00

Finally! Here is the video from Maddie's Dance Recital. I had to put them together but she danced first with Jonathan and then after a quick wardrobe change, she performed with me. Enjoy!! Oh, and you might want to get a tissue. The daddy/daughter dance is that precious!

(Maddie comes out second, if you can't tell)

(And no need to point her out in the mommy dance -- just look for the lady that is the size of a house -- that would be me)

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

2011-05-22T17:36:00.004-05:00

So we now have one complete year of dance under our belts.

Yes, I say our because it was a Mommy and Me class, after all. And it was my first time to ever take dance too.

We had a great experience (with some hiccups of course -- which mainly had to do with the organizational skills of the place and not with our class per se).

We took a little week long camp this past summer to see if she would even enjoy it. Look how young she looks!

This is is June 2010.

Then we started the official in August with the class ending this past Saturday at recital (which the videos will be uploaded soon).

This is in August 2010.

This was at recital - May 21, 2010. Maddie is 3 years and three months old.

What a year! Looking forward to what this coming year's activities brings!

video update

2011-05-21T13:49:00.001-05:00

Okay, so someone just let me know the three videos aren't working. I'll try again later but right now I need to go rest. I'll get them up soon though -- promise!

Recital Rehearsal

2011-05-21T13:45:00.001-05:00

And this past Wednesday we had rehearsal for Maddie's recital. She got to wear a special purple t-shirt to practice in and loved it. Here are a few pictures before rehearsal we took while waiting for Daddy to get home. She is such a ham!

Dance Recital

2011-05-21T13:12:00.004-05:00

Maddie's dance recital was this morning and it was so fun! She really did a good job and we are very proud of her and all of her little friends.

Here are the videos of her two dances and a few pictures. I forgot my camera backstage but my friend Kristen is going to send me some she took so once I get those, I'll upload them. But I know some of you family who live far away want to see these videos so I figured I would upload them before baby comes -- b/c then I might forget:) Maddie's class was a Mommy and Me which meant that she did her ballet dance with Jonathan and her tap dance with me. There was one point in the dance where I had to lift her up and spin her around -- I think everyone was on edge that my water was going to break but we made it through without any problems. Maddie LOVED every minute of it and has continued to talk about her trophy all day. Can't wait for next year!

Enjoy!

She is not used to getting up so early -- a little tired after the big show!

37 week check up

2011-05-17T11:42:00.003-05:00

I went for my 37 week check up yesterday afternoon. I got a lot of information that I have to soak in.

The doctors have been telling me how big Cohen is and it's sort all been fun, in jest. But this time, you could tell it was different. The laughing was gone and it was a serious discussion on planning for such a big baby.

According to the weight estimate (based on ultrasound they did to measure his growth and fluid), he is now weighing 8 pounds 15 ounces -- basically nine pounds -- at 37 weeks gestation. I am measuring three weeks ahead so I'm measuring 40 weeks although I still have three weeks to my due date. Also, in the last two weeks, I've gained three pounds -- two of which have gone directly to the baby. So if he continues to gain weight as he is tracking, we are looking at a baby boy who will weigh over 11 pounds if I made it to my due date. (They also checked my fluid levels to make sure his weight wasn't being exaggerated b/c of excessive fluid -- but my fluid looks great).

And the doctors aren't comfortable with me delivering him the old fashioned way. They are suggesting a planned C-Section for the day I turn 39 weeks (which is the earliest they could take him without medical reasons for an intervention). The doctor actually said she sort of wished I had high blood pressure so she could take him this week.

Wow, I wasn't expecting that.

It was like the air got sucked out of the room. I'm so glad Jonathan was there with me or I'm sure I would have lost it.

I don't know why. I can't put my finger on the cause of my fear. I know C-Sections happen all the time and are somewhat routine now. I trust the doctors. I understand what they are saying. I just have this slight panic in me. Maybe it's because I haven't thought of it before. Who knows.

But basically the doctor thinks that although I could try to labor and deliver the 'normal' way, that they would end up having to intervene anyway and that recovery from a planned C-Section is much better than one that is not. She also said that I would then be looking at two recoveries -- one from labor and one from the section. She is also worried about the trauma to my body that attempting to deliver a baby that big could cause.

All great reasons to go ahead with the C-Section. I basically have no reasons not to.

But see. Problem is -- she gave me the choice. She said it was up to me. I would have rather her said we must do it and this is the way it is and be done with it. But something about it being up to me -- I don't know.

A friend of mine pointed out to me that it's funny that I have all these reservations about the planned one because I am such a planner by nature...that you would think I would be more comfortable with the planning of it. And I think I will come around to it. Right now, I'm processing it. And for me to process it, I need to talk about it. Incessantly. And gather opinions upon opinions.

But realistically, the doctor is recommending it, so I am very heavy leaning on going ahead with it -- in which case, Cohen will be here on the 30th!

And that feels good to say.

Nursery is complete!

2011-05-16T20:43:00.001-05:00

Nursery is complete!

2011-05-16T20:41:00.000-05:00

Cohen's nursery!

2011-05-13T17:08:00.004-05:00

We have finally completed Cohen's nursery! Way to procrastinate, huh??

The only thing missing are two paintings that are being made to hang above his crib and changing table that I commissioned my neighbor for. She said they should be ready any day now so I am excited to see them!

We are using Maddie's crib and rocker.

We had the rocker covered in this brown minky dot fabric that I LOVE. It matches the changing pad cover. I found the bedding on Amazon. I heart Amazon!I got the lamps from another neighbor who was was clearing stuff out of her house. One was broken but we were able to fix it by buying a replacement part. Jonathan's uncle gave us the white wicker table from his storage unit and Jonathan's parents bought us the dresser/changing table. I don't know if you can see really well in this picture, but the bear on the top shelf was the bear Jonathan carried as a child. Maddie inherited his puppies so we are giving Cohen the bear.

We used a tall wardrobe in Maddie's room but it was just too crowded in this tiny room. So Jonathan took it to his parents house so Deb could use it to store diapers/wipes/outfits for my two chickies while they are there throughout the week. It worked out well! One day, I hope to pass it down to Maddie along with the crib -- so I think this will help it hold up really well!

Of course, Maddie saw me taking pictures and wanted to be in some too. I happily obliged.

She also wanted to take one of Cohen. This is what she took. So I had the big smile on my face for nothing! Here is the giant baby at one day shy of 37 weeks.
Maddie is finally happy about being a big sister and is actually looking forward to it. Every day, she runs to my bed and asks me if he is here yet. I think she is just as excited as we are -- finally!

36 weeks

2011-05-13T16:50:00.002-05:00

No, you do not need to adjust your computer settings -- Yes, my belly is really that big.

You see, I'm having a giant baby.

Really.

Those were the words of a doctor. Giant baby. What every pregnant woman wants to hear, right?

So I am 36 weeks (and a half) weeks in this picture. I am continuing to gain weight -- although still about 25 pounds less that what I put on with Maddie. My blood pressure is good -- again, BP was what put me into labor with Maddie so they've been watching this. And Cohen's heart rate remains good and steady -- I think it was 144 at this appointment.

I am going to the doctor once a week now. I went at 35 weeks thinking I may have been in labor. I was/am having tremendous back pain and just knew it was back labor. Sometimes, it's hard to walk my back hurts so bad. So count sleep or rest out completely b/c none of that is happening! I spent about an hour on the monitors, got examined and all that good stuff to hear. Nope, sorry. Not labor -- just a giant baby.

They said at that point -- remember, I said 35 weeks -- he was already estimated weighing 7 pounds and 2 ounces. And if I made it to my due date of June 5th, that he could possibly weigh 10-11 pounds. I think this may have been when I started crying.

This week, at my 36 week appointment, I asked about inducing. Something I was never a fan of before. My doctor said he wouldn't stop labor at this point but refuses to put me into labor until I am 38 weeks -- just to give Cohen ample time to get those lungs developed. I get it. I really do. But I am so miserable that sometimes I'm selfish.

I am now working part time and am supposed to get at least 4 hours of bed rest a day. I don't think it helps but who knows. I think it's a trick to prolong pregnancy. I don't mind the working part time -- I just hate that I have to waste some of my vacation time before he comes but I know I could not make it a full day without crying -- sometimes, I don't even make it a half day without crying.

My doctor did say this past week that walking helps put some women into labor. I just laughed because -- hello! I get winded walking to the bathroom or rolling myself off the couch. I am hoping the storms this weekend does it for me:) I am also measuring three weeks ahead of schedule -- but they will not change my due date this late in the game. They said I'm only measuring ahead because he is so big, not because they got my date wrong.

Giant baby.

I turn 37 weeks tomorrow (which means I'm measuring the full 40). So in my mind, I only have one more week -- at 38 weeks, I will start begging. And crying. I will break out the ugly cry if necessary:)

I want him to come when he is ready - I do not want to have to leave him in the NICU like we did with Maddie. I'm just ready for him to be ready!

Diaper Blessing

2011-05-13T16:42:00.002-05:00

This week my mom and sister threw me a Diaper Blessing at my house. A diaper blessing is similar to a baby shower but where guests are asked to bring diapers and wipes -- and what a blessing it is. I'm not quite sure we are prepared for the cost of diapers again!

I was horrible again and forgot to take pictures of the actual party but here a few we got before it started.

Obviously, Maddie was a fan of the mini cupcakes -- I think she ate about a dozen of them.

I have not been taking belly shots -- it just slips my mind -- but I was 36 weeks in these pictures. Kristy (who is expecting too!) is 25 weeks (and having a girl!).

Easter 2011

2011-05-13T16:28:00.003-05:00

We actually got to celebrate Easter this year! Big accomplishment for us. Every Easter since Maddie was born, someone in our immediate family has been sick -- bad sick. But not this year and we were so excited!

Friday, we attended our church services with sweet friends and had dinner afterwards. We came home and colored Easter Eggs -- our first attempts at this since becoming parents.

We made Maddie strip down -- which she didn't mind at all. She loved every minute of it -- and didn't want to pose for pictures as you can see in the next one.

Saturday, we went to an egg hunt and cookout at my aunt's house then went to watch Abby play softball. Sunday, we met the Crumly clan for lunch out and then let Maddie hunt eggs at their house.

Of course the Easter bunny dropped by with a few of Maddie's favorite things -- including a My Little Pony, Bambi DVD and stuffed puppy -- which she quickly named 'Daisy 3' and can not be talked out of it. We now have three stuffed Daisy puppies, plus the real thing. At least it cuts down on confusion. Celebrating Easter with egg hunts and easter bunny baskets is so much fun and I love playing with all these traditions since having Maddie. But I also know that Easter is about my Savior. He died on the cross for me and for you. He loves us. He really does and I hope that you know that. If you don't, please listen to me -- he LOVES you! A love that is so strong that it is hard to understand. And Easter is just a reminder of all that God the father did for us.

I hope that you enjoyed your Easter just as much as we did!

Celebrating Baby Cohen!

2011-05-13T16:23:00.003-05:00

In early April, these three girls threw me a Baby Cohen Celebration -- a.k.a. a baby shower. I was terrible and didn't take any pictures. We had Maddie snap this one after all the guests left. She did a good job!

We had the best time and our sweet friends and family showed their love in the way of diapers, wipes and onesies!

Maddie had a great time too being the big sister -- I think it helped that she got a few gifts too.

33 weeks

2011-04-21T16:22:00.004-05:00

So this week I am 33 weeks pregnant and had a doctors appointment. All went well. I'm gaining weight like crazy -- guess I'm making up for the lack of weight gain in the beginning due to sickness. And I got to hear that precious heart beat -- my favorite part of these frequent visits. Heart rate was 144 for those of you interested.

Yes, there are other things going on in life other than this pregnancy. I'm sure you want to know more about that stuff too, huh?

I really do intend to keep my promise of being a better blogger but early last week our home computer crashed and has been with the guy who has miraculously restored it. I'm hoping to get it back (along with ALL of my pictures - yay!) this weekend. Then I will do a proper update!

I will say that Maddie has come a long way in the last month as it concerns her new baby brother. I think she has accepted the idea and has actually been very sweet -- asking to kiss 'baby Cohen' in the mornings when I drop her off with Deb and at night before bedtime. Sometimes, she will come up to my belly and tickle him. So this is progress!

That girl really does amaze me. I took a video of her playing the other day. She had all of her My Little Pony dolls/horses lined up (thanks Steph for the stash -- they are her newest obsession) with the few little Pony houses I have picked up at recent consignment sales. And she just sat in the floor and played with them. She created this whole story about their "adventure to ponyville", complete with different voices for each one. She is so imaginative! I don't think I was ever that way -- she and her daddy are very much alike in that way. I think I took a 10 minute video and only stopped b/c my battery was draining -- because her adventure went on for about 30 minutes. Love her!

Enough for now - I'm at work and snuck in a few minutes for this post before the end of the day. I will do a better update/post once our computer is back. Someone asked me for an updated belly shot too so I'll see if I can manage that:) I do have one picture for you -- I stole it from my friend's facebook page -- it is from my baby shower a few weeks ago that my sweet friends threw me. I think I was 30 weeks.

Picture Test

2011-04-19T16:05:00.001-05:00

One more test to see if I can post pictures to the blog from my phone -/ excited about the possibilities!

Test

2011-04-19T13:53:00.001-05:00

Just testing mobile blogging - if this works, you all may see regular blogging again!

Sent from my iPhone

32 Weeks

2011-04-10T15:17:00.002-05:00

Today I am 32 weeks pregnant. Do you realize what that means? 8 weeks or less (and I think less) until Cohen gets here! Boy are we ready! Well, not really. I mean...I am physically and emotionally ready. But our house isn't ready for him. His room isn't ready for him. I don't have all the baby stuff I need yet. But I'm sure all that will come together. I went to the doctor last week and everything looks good. I am still going every two weeks. In the beginning I wasn't gaining much weight but I've started making up for it lately -- gaining a total of 29 pounds now. That may seem like a lot to you guys but that's nothing to me. With Maddie, I gained well over 60 pounds. My blood pressure was good and the heart rate was 135. I am in quite a bit of pain every day -- mainly under my belly and my back. The doctor says it is all a sign that the baby is starting to get ready for the big 'move'. Candice had baby Levi last week and we got to visit them in the hospital. He is too cute but how could he not be in a family like that! Maddie has been sick this past week but I'm hoping to make the trip to go visit them at home this coming weekend. Can't wait to get my hands on that baby again:) 8 weeks and counting!

my first freak out moment of this pregnancy

2011-03-29T22:46:00.005-05:00

So tonight I experienced my first freak out moment of this pregnancy -- concerning Maddie, that is.

I knew in the beginning that she struggled with the news of a baby. And then when we found out it was a boy, she started limping -- for about two weeks -- until all the excitement wore down.

But tonight she really threw me for a loop. She was sitting on my lap while I read a pony book to her. My belly visibly moved and she asked if that was baby Cohen. I said, yes, he must like this book too...he is excited to come play with you.

And then...welll...she said something that sort of took my breath away. And no, I'm not going to repeat it but trust me when I say it wasn't good. I thought I heard her wrong and asked her again what she said. She repeated it again. That is when she noticed that I was upset and disappointed and she immediately started crying and saying no, I meant .....the opposite.

Jonathan heard her crying and came in the room with us - I told him what she said and he decides to try to get her to tell him where she heard the phrase used like that. Let's just say it didn't go well. After about 15 minutes, I tell Jonathan to lets move on - so he tells her that she can't say things like that and that she needed to apologize to both me and baby brother. After about another 10 minutes of her crying saying she wanted to be upset and not apologize, she finally does. Then she climbs in my lap and asks me if I'm still going to be her mommy.

This is where I lost it. She was so sincere. And then I sort of got it. The girl is smart. She knows that her world is about to change and she doesn't like it. She's been acting out - we knew that it probably had something to do with the baby. But to have her, in her child innocence ask if I was still going to be her mommy and if Jonathan was still going to be her daddy when baby Cohen got here...it took my breath away. I hugged my precious baby harder than I ever had and did my best to reassure her that of course we were and that we would love her just like we do now and that none of that would change.

After we put her to bed, I just sat with Jonathan and cried. I cried because I know now that she is scared. I'm scared too. I don't know what it's going to be like either. I don't know what to expect either. I can't prepare her for the change that is coming because I, myself, am not even prepared nor do I have any idea how to prepare.

I think I had a mini panic attack. Jonathan just hugged me and let me cry -- similar to what I did with Maddie -- funny how roles were reversed.

And then when he got in the shower, I went and climbed in the bed with my sleeping angel and prayed over her, for her, for us, for the baby, for the change that is coming.

I am still anxious tonight. But I guess 30 weeks without a freak out moment was good -- it was bound to happen, right?

30 weeks!

2011-03-27T21:17:00.002-05:00

This week I am 30 weeks pregnant! Last week at my appointment, the doctor told me I was measuring about a week ahead of schedule. I feel like a house and feel like he completely feels my entire belly. I think he is going to come early and be a big baby -- just a gut feeling so we'll see. I'm not getting sick anymore but am suffering other things. I'm completely exhausted and barely make it through my work days (which sadly, has become an issue with my work -- work in general has become a major stressor in my life but that is a story for another day when I'm not quite so emotional and full of pregnancy hormones). I am suffering with severe back problems again (I did with Maddie); leg cramps; SEVERE heartburn; lack of sleep; -- you get the idea. The good news is that we have decided on a name and the nursery is slowly starting to come together. I feel like nothing is done or ready for him but I'm so exhausted at the end of every day, I'm doing a little at a time. Jonathan got in the attic and pulled out some things that need to be cleaned. His parents have also been a huge help. They watched Maddie for us on Friday afternoon so I could get my hair done and when I came home they had fixed the crib, our garage door, and straighted up our garage. They also attempted to clean our house a little -- which sadly is a big dust ball mess. I am having a small baby shower on Saturday and will post pictures of that soon. I'm so glad you are still reading and will share more soon. Thank you for loving our family!

Other fun pictures

2011-03-27T21:10:00.003-05:00

Maddie's two favorite things to do right now is to play tea party and dress up.

Her dream afternoon happened this past weekend when she was invited to a princess tea party for her friend Julia's 4th birthday! Here are a few pictures!

Maddie as Belle, Julia as Cinderella and Claire as Repunzel:

Making her very own princess necklace:Helping Julia out:

Friends celebrate Maddie!

2011-03-27T20:48:00.004-05:00

So the night of her birthday, we celebrated with friends and family at a local toddler bounce house called 'A Play Place'. We had been there before on a play date and Maddie loved it. And once I got the pricing, I decided it was a no brainer. I was finally getting over my sickness but still lacked energy and didn't want to stress about getting my house in order to host a party. I couldn't have been happier with the service we got or the fun time all the kids had.

Maddie is so loved and we had a great turnout. I'm so thankful for all of our friends and family who came out to celebrate my precious first born with us. I hope you all know how much you mean to us! Here are a few pictures from the party. None of them are great, but trying to get pictures of kids in that environment is almost impossible.

The girls (and Asa) in the bounce house.

Anne Parrish loved the cupcakes!

Abram was a fan of the slides!Maddie and Julia were being little dare devils so Daddy had to go get them.

This is not a flattering picture of me but this was the chaos of opening gifts. When Maddie opened this gift, she looked at it and exclaimed really loudly, "thank you! It's just what I've always wanted!". So cute! And it was something random that I had never known she wanted. More bounce house fun with Kaitlyn and Julia!Other fun three year old facts --

At Maddie's three year check up, she weighed 34 pounds and was 3 ft 3 inches tall -- her height was still in the high 90's percentile and weight had dropped to the 80's (I think).

She is basically potty trained. She tee tee's in the potty and only wears a pull up at night. However, she refuses to poop in the potty. She will usually come tell us she has to go and ask for a pull up. We discussed with the doctor and after about three weeks of her holding it and suffering the worst case of constipation ever, he advised us to give her the pull up and let her do her business in it. She has it in her head that it's going to hurt and so far, nothing has changed her mind. She has pooped in the potty on occasion and been rewarded each time but nothing that is sticking.

The three's are definitely worse than the two's as far as behavior and discipline. This is a daily struggle for us and this pregnancy has zapped most of my patience.

She is still really smart - learning every day.

She is still taking dance class and that comes to an end in May.

She is excited about her baby brother now and likes to talk about him and she always wants him to say the prayers at night.

The girl holds my heart!!

Maddie turns 3!

2011-03-27T20:41:00.004-05:00

Maddie turned 3 years old Feb. 5th -- which this year fell on a Saturday. So we were lucky that we got to celebrate on her actual day.

We are all about birthdays in this family and on your special day, we make sure you know how much you are loved, from the moment you wake up.

Maddie's party was planned for that evening so she got to wake up to her birthday presents from Mommy and Daddy. We have to give them to her early -- we've been known to be outdone by the two sets of grandparents and cool aunt and uncles -- didn't want that to happen this year.

We got Maddie a new wooden table for her play area, rain boots that she had been asking for, a Repunzel doll and a DVD set. She was thrilled! She especially loved her rainboots and I captured one of my favorite pictures of all times -- Maddie in her undies and rainboots, watching TV. Classic.

January 2011

2011-03-27T20:22:00.006-05:00

So January was a fast and furious month. Here is a brief recap -- in lots of pictures and few words. This is more for my records than yours. I still have big dreams of printing this one day to make a scrapbook:)

It snowed. A lot. At least for us. And quite frankly after the first two times, I was over it. And Maddie was too because it was more ice than snow and not much fun to play in. Here are a few pictures of the first time it snowed.

This is/was our neighbor, Jolie, who Maddie simply adores. We were so sad when she moved away but lucky for us, her aunt lives next door now so Maddie still gets to see her from time to time.

I was 19 weeks pregnant here and quickly growing out of anything that fit (jackets, sweaters, pants, etc). This sweatshirt is from college and was so huge on me -- it sort of fit this day:(

We went to Daphne, AL to visit some of our closest friends, the Drew Family. While we were there, their middle child celebrated her 4th birthday at a local gymnastics/tumbling place. Maddie had so much fun and loves this family!

We went to the Circus with the Camp family -- Candice, Rusty and Jameson. We go with them just about every year (even before we had kids). This year was a bit different with two 2 year olds (potty training no less), and two very pregnant mommies with lots of stairs to climb. We did make it all the way through and I was proud of that accomplishment.

I was almost 22 weeks pregnant here and Can is about two months ahead of me -- she is actually being induced this Friday!So that was January -- in a nutshell -- or at least things that I took pictures of. I was also planning like crazy for Maddie's 3rd birthday -- and her last one as an only child.

Updates

2011-03-27T20:02:00.002-05:00

I'm finally working on some updates! I'm downloading pictures now and will post some updates once they are all on the computer. Stay tuned!

I want this bag!

2011-03-09T15:35:00.003-06:00

I am way behind -- even though I promised I was going to be a regular blogger again. You just wouldn't believe the month I've/we've had. But all is calming down and I'm starting to feel much much better so I do plan to sit down and catch up.

But this little post is because I need your help! I've become obsessed with tracking down a particular diaper bag that a neighbor of mine had for her little boy. As soon as I found out I was having a boy, I emailed her and asked where she got it so I could place my order. Problem is -- it's Pottery Barn Kids. And apparently there stuff sells out fast and virtually disappears.

SO -- if any of you have any idea where I could track down this little bag, please let me know. It's called the PBK Ultimate Sling Diaper Bag. I want it in Khaki. Here's a picture I found online of it -- although I can't find the actual bag itself...uugggghhhh!

If you can help, please leave me a comment or shoot me an email. I promised Jonathan "no girly diaper bags" this time around and think this is a great compromise.

I'll do more update soon -- promise, promise!

It's a BOY!!!

2011-01-09T18:28:00.003-06:00

The Crumly's are about to venture into a whole new adventure -- parenting a BOY!

Yes, a boy. Can you believe it? I hardly can. Yet, I am so oddly excited about it...maybe even more than Jonathan (who almost did a cart wheel in the doctors office...no lie).

Our ultrasound was Thursday afternoon at 3pm. There was some sort of mix up at the doctors office and it took them forever to see me -- by far my longest wait ever -- but the tech made up for the incredibly long wait by giving us a ton of time.

I also think she felt a little bad for us because me and my pregnancy brain left work with out my blank CD to record the images on. She did give me a whole slew of pictures though to prove to all my friends that it truly is a boy. No denying it.

It was such a great ultrasound too. He was so active and moving all around. I always get so amazed watching them -- he was playing with his nose and moving his lips -- the most precious things.

I also discovered that I have an anterior placenta which is why I haven't been feeling any little kicks or movements. Because yall, I was slightly freaking out about that. I hadn't really expressed that to anyone but Jonathan but I was very anxious that I hadn't felt the baby move and sort of in a constant state of prayer for this little guy. By this time with Maddie, I'm pretty sure I had felt her move plus, everyone told me I would feel this one sooner. So I was relived when the tech explained that to me.

And just to clarify, it's no big deal. It just means that -- well, basically the placenta is between the baby and my belly and sort of acting like a barrier or sponge and absorbs the little kicks. But the tech said that I'll start feeling those movements soon as he is starting to gain weight and get stronger.

Maddie and Deb went with us to find out the sex and they both loved it. Maddie was not scared in the least bit and was so excited when he started playing with his 'little nose' (her words).

So now, we are on to one of the hardest parts of pregnancy. Naming this little guy! It is so hard for me to come up with baby names. We had a girl name picked out that we loved but nothing for boys.

And now I have to come up with a first and middle name. Wow.

So. I'm all open for suggestions. We have some good possibilities. We also have a list of names that I love and that Jonathan hates. He loves one name. Just one. And is insisting we use it. So...we'll see. Maddie likes the names Carlos, Max and Cody -- all after some of the shows she watches so she is no help. :)

We don't really have family names and aren't set on certain initials or anything like that. I think one problem is that all the names we love, are the names of our friends' kids...or similar to them. Anyway, feel free to leave any and all ideas. I would like to get this name thing settled and SOON! Not something I'm comfortable with leaving to the last minute.

We will be using Maddie's crib and nursery furniture which is white so now, I'm going to be on the hunt for room decor to try to make this white furniture not look so girly. I'm sure that will be a struggle too but we are not buying new furniture. End of story.

Wow! A boy! So exciting! My friend Candice told me that this means that Jonathan and I are going to have to relax a little as parents -- we tend to jump up at the first sign of possible fall/injury -- and get ready for the little wild guy. She might be right.

I'm 19 weeks today. Almost to the halfway mark. It's really flying now.

I finally updated the blog!!

2011-01-02T23:51:00.002-06:00

Okay, you loyal blog readers. I FINALLY updated the blog!! I did seven or eight new posts so just scroll on down to read all about our December. You may even have to click on the icon that says 'older posts' to take you to the next page. My first update was a pregnancy update...week 14 I think.

Aren't you proud??

I hope to keep it up!

New Year's Eve 2010

2011-01-02T23:44:00.002-06:00

We had a very low key New Year's Eve and loved it. We spent it with our close friends, the Duncan's. Watching the kids play and talking -- amazed at where the year brought us.

We originally planned for it to be a spend the night party so we wouldn't be on the road with the potential drunks but at midnight Maddie had a major come apart and wanted to sleep in her own bed. After about 30 minutes of trying to console her, we just decided it was best to head home (the Duncan's have three kids who were soundly sleeping).

It was definitely a different kind of New Year's Eve but we loved it all the same (even got to watch the ball drop!).

I am not making a ton of resolutions this year -- with my pregnancy brain, I would probably forget them anyway. But I am going to do my best to blog more. I really had blogger's block this year and I want to do better. Both on updating mine and reading/commenting on others.

I am looking forward to 2011 and all that God has in store for our family!

Pregnancy update

2011-01-02T23:31:00.003-06:00

A pregnancy update --Woo hoo! I know you are excited!

Good news: I'm feeling much better. I'm pretty much only getting sick in the mornings now. And only the mornings when I have to get up and be somewhere (like work). On the weekends, when I can relax, sleep in and take my time getting up, I don't get sick. So this is a major improvement.

I am still so tired - my second semester energy did come -- it's just not enough. And my back pains have started. I had back pains with Maddie too so this wasn't unexpected. But overall, I feel soooo much better! I also weaned myself off of my Rx cocktail, which I feel good about.

I haven't gained nearly the weight as I did the first time -- I think at my last appointment my total was only four pounds -- but you couldn't tell it by looking at these pictures. However, I feel like my appetite just kicked in this last week so I'm sure the numbers will start to climb. (I say this because I had to get up to eat a bowl of cereal one day last week around midnight and on Friday, stop to get some cheese sticks from Sonic to hold me over until lunch).

I am 18 weeks today (Sunday) and we go find out what this little bean is on Thursday. Boy or girl?? I don't know! I am sort of thinking boy but can't really explain why. I also thought boy with Maddie and was wrong so who knows.

I invited my mom, Jonathan's mom and Maddie/Jonathan to my ultrasound for Thursday too. I was ultra private last pregnancy but wanted to let them experience the joy with us this time around. I can't even begin to tell you how excited our mom's are.

Here is a picture from last week -- week 17. I have no idea why I am standing so funny but these are the only pictures I have, so I am posting them.

I'll will share our gender news as soon as I can -- PROMISE!

Christmas afternoon with the Crumly's

2011-01-02T23:19:00.003-06:00

After Christmas at our house was finished, we all loaded up and headed to Granny and Grandaddy Crumly's for lunch. Oh, and more presents.

I don't have a ton of pictures of the afternoon -- it was just a lot going on. Plus, I had gotten a new video camera for my birthday earlier in December and used it more than my camera. But here are a few that I did get.

See all those gifts?? Mostly hers. She sure is loved!

One of the most special gifts she received is this. It was Aunt Bonny's, when she was a child. She got it in the 60's (can't remember what year exactly...maybe 64?). Maddie loves it and plays with every day. I know we should probably put it up but she really does love playing her 'guitar'. Jonathan is going to take it somewhere and see if he can get it re-strung for her. My pretty girl!

This is Maddie's favorite place to sit at Granny and Grandaddy's -- on Grandaddy's walker. They are such good buddies, those two!

We also have a tradition of every year taking pictures -- of the whole family. But for some reason, I only managed to get a few on my camera. This is the original Crumly family -- Aunt Bonny, Pop (Mark) with Granny and Grandaddy -- with Mitzi, Bonny's dog.

We had a great Christmas and enjoyed spending so much time with our families. We are truly blessed!

Christmas morning with the Nana and Pop

2011-01-02T23:08:00.004-06:00

Not long after we did the Santa stuff did Nana, Pop, Uncle Daniel and MeeMaw arrive for breakfast and more presents.

And wow at the presents!

They had to make about three trips in. I do not have any pictures that give an accurate representation of all the goodies but trust me, there were lots. And lots. And lots. Oh, and a four wheeler from Uncle Daniel which I managed to not get a picture of. I think I was had my video camera out for that one.

Here are a few pictures of some of her favorites (or at least the ones with decent pictures).

This is the famous teacup piggie. Which evidently was the 'it' toy of the season (who knew?) and she barely got it. Deb had to find it online and it arrived the Thursday before Christmas. Talk about cutting it close!More dress up clothes!

I think all of these boxes were clothes. Much needed!An umbrella and raincoat. You would not believe how excited she was about these. It's a good think we aren't superstitious in this house because that umbrella is always open. Apparently, it's always raining in our house!

After that round of presents, we got Maddie dressed and were getting ready to head to Jonathan's grandparents for lunch and more presents. (Yes, Maddie is spoiled rotten -- the only grandchild...for a few more months anyway). I wanted to get her to pose for a pretty picture but she said no way -- not without my teacup piggie. So this was the best I could get. :(

Santa came!

2011-01-02T22:55:00.003-06:00

Santa stopped by for a visit. He enjoyed some cookies and half a glass of milk.

He even left a note. Which I just noticed has a word misspelled. You'll have to forgive Santa -- he was up until about 2am putting batteries in toys, building an art easel and opening packages for an easy Christmas morning.

We had to wake Maddie up. Jonathan's parents/brother were coming over for breakfast and we wanted her to see her Santa gifts before they got there. But I had been off work that whole week (this week too actually) and we weren't following any kind of schedule. Staying up until 11pm and sleeping until 10am every morning. So an 8am wake up call caught her off guard.

But once we woke her up, she got into things. Stopping to see the note first -- then going straight for her toys. She actually made a bee line for the stuffed puppy first -- but did anyone expect anything different??

Santa also brought her an art easel ( chalkboard on one side, dry erase/paper on the other); a few board games and puzzles; a new dress up outfit; a camera; the strawberry shortcake remote control car; and the Little People Zoo.

She found Toy Story 3 in her stocking and was super excited. We've watched it three times a day since Christmas.

We had just a few minutes to play before Nana, Pop, Uncle Daniel and MeeMaw dropped by.

Christmas Eve 2010

2011-01-02T22:45:00.004-06:00

We always celebrate Christmas Eve with my side of the family (or I guess it's my mom's side of the family). And this year, we hosted at our house.

I will spare you the 786 pictures I took of Maddie and Abby opening their gifts. Just trust me when I say that they got tons of things and I took tons of pictures.

I know by the looks of this picture (and others) you would think that I only have a sister. Not true. I have two brothers as well. One was there, without his kiddos, but he refused to pose for a picture with us. And my older brother and his family were out of town.By the way, I think I'll count this as a belly shot for you! This was at the end of week 16.

My mom's sister and brother and their families came over too as well as one of my Dad's sister's. I have pictures to prove but since I'm on a blogging roll, I'm not going to stop to add them. Please forgive me. :)

And let me introduce you to the newest member of our family -- my sister's husband, Ty. He held up well with all of us crazies!

And one more of Maddie -- with her feather boa -- just for the Maddie fans out there!

quick visit with Santa

2011-01-02T22:42:00.002-06:00

We got a quick visit in with Santa mid-December.

It wasn't planned (which is why my child doesn't have anything red/green/christmasey on). But we were shopping at the Brookwood mall and Jonathan spotted Santa over in a corner -- with no line or waiting. Plus, they didn't hassle you to buy their photos.

So, Maddie ran right over and jumped on his lap. She knew the drill and spilled out her wish list and posed for the camera. So cute!

This Santa wasn't that friendly but I don't think Maddie even noticed -- she was too excited, asking for a teacup piggie and a talking salon.

Week 14 -- 11.11.10

2011-01-02T22:34:00.004-06:00

When I was pregnant with Maddie, I think I documented every breath I took, every step along the way, a picture or ten a week.

But this time? Well. Let's just say...it's different. There just isn't the time. But I have managed to take about three belly shots. This was in early November (yes, my blogging is that far behind). I was about 14 weeks. I am still amazed at how fast that bump popped out. With Maddie, I don't think I showed this much until I was about 18/20 weeks. This was also during the 'throwing up every 10 ten minutes, I'm so tired it hurts to breath stage'.

That explains the look of pure exhaustion on my face...I hope.

Enjoy!

12 weeks!

2010-11-22T09:36:00.002-06:00

So I am here -- 12 weeks! Woo-hoo!!

Doesn't it feel like I've been pregnant for so much longer? It does to me. But I'm happy to be at the 12 week mark.

The baby is the size of a lime this week -- pretty cool, huh?

After my last doctor's appointment -- in which I basically broke down and told the doctor that I was unable to function and something HAD to be done -- I am on a new cocktail of RX meds and OTC meds. Zofran and Pepcid AC three times a day, among other things.

They seem to be working. I am still very sick in the morning and am 'night sick' -- but from about 9am to 7pm I feel great -- and that, my friends is called improvement. Night sickness is so much worse than morning sickness by the way. This is new -- didn't experience it with Maddie. But, oh, how I hate it. But I've come to expect it so we are dealing with it. And although morning sickness is still my constant companion, I am finding that it is much easier to get through/past. Now, once I'm sick, I can get over it. Where before -- I was sick, and then sick some more, and then would drag myself to work and get sick again.

So, I'll take it. I'm also still very tired but slowly I am feeling small bursts of energy every now and then that give me hope. The emotional roller coaster is still around. I still cry almost daily but what is even funnier is that I've developed a mean streak I didn't know I had.

Maddie and Jonathan are doing good too. Maddie actually talked to the baby last night and was so sweet. She also told me she was going to teach "Carlos" how to crawl. She constantly asks me if other women have babies in their bellies too and on occasion tells me she has one in her belly.

In other news, I haven't even started my Christmas shopping. I made a list of people we had to buy for, the dollar amounts I wanted to spend and a few ideas if I had them but that is as far as I've gotten. Christmas will be here before we know so I have got to get on that!

My sister's wedding is fast approaching -- they've moved it up to February for several reasons. They are closing on their house next week. She finally got her dress last week and is starting to tie up the little details. Maddie will be the flower girl and I'm sure she will be a monster...oh, I mean such a jewel:) I will be a very pregnant Matron of Honor and am hoping I look preggo and not just fat. Wedding pictures stay on the mantel forever, you know.

This week, we are so thankful for our friends and family! I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving!

still sick

2010-11-09T16:12:00.002-06:00

Yes, I know I promised to start updating regularly again.

And I fully intended to keep that promise.

But -- you know -- I'm pregnant. Which translates into -- I'm sick -- and exhausted -- and we can't forget sick.

What? I already mentioned being sick?? My apologies.

Now you know why I'm not updating. It would just be a bunch of words like 'sick, vomiting, throw up, so tired, so sick, crying all the time, etc'.

Then, you would go 'gosh, this is depressing' and stop reading.

And I don't want that to happen! So see, me not posting is a good thing. Really.

But honestly, I am all those things. And I know my friends, family and co-workers are ready to kick me to the curb for complaining so much. I see people cut their eyes at me (trust me, this has caused quite a few tears lately). So I'm going to TRY to not just get on here to complain.

I go back to the doctor Thursday and get another ultrasound and do all of my blood work. I am about ten and a half weeks.

And just so you know, the baby is the size of a kumquat. I read that on babycenter.com Monday morning.

Now, if one of you lovely readers will just tell me what a kumquat is...

Other updates?

Hmmm.

Well, I'm sick. Oops. I already told you that. I'm showing quite a bit to only be ten weeks. My mom is starting to think twins are hiding in there. I need to take a picture to prove it but I think I am about the size now that I was when I was about five months with Maddie. Not lying.

I'm super emotional and have my feelings hurt on a daily basis by people who love me. I also get angry super fast and usually about nonsense. Showering makes my sickness worse so I'm not doing much of that lately. TMI??? Sorry. I've also lost my filter. I'll keep the other thing I'm not doing much of lately to myself. I don't want to freak my mother in law out:)

Food is my enemy. Nothing looks good or tastes good or sounds the least bit appetizing. Yet, if I don't eat something, I get sick. I'm having a very strange aversion to Mexican food which really hurts my lunch group at work since we used to go at least twice a week. I do crave different things this time than I did with Maddie. With Maddie, I was all about the sweet stuff. So far, I have wanted fruit and salty things. Maybe there is hope for a boy after all??

I'm doing a terrible job at the prenatal vitamins and water drinking. I have thrown up full size vitamins one too many times so I'm on a sabbatical. I'm sure I am going to get in trouble at the doctor on Thursday. Regular coke seems to settle my stomach so I have taken to drinking that. I'm almost positive my baby will come out super active anyway so what is a little caffeine, right? I mean...you have met my husband. (Totally kidding here, please don't pounce on me for being a terrible pregnant woman! Only I'm not kidding about the coke. It really does help).

Jonathan and Maddie are doing the best they can -- considering they have to live with me. And if you think the above is depressing, you should see me in real life. Bless their hearts. :)

Maddie still isn't fond of the baby but does at least acknowledge it. She still calls him Carlos. I'm thinking of taking her to the Cabbage Patch Doll hospital in Georgia when we get closer to the due date. Maybe it will help. Has anyone ever done that?

Jonathan....well...Jonathan is surviving. I have to remind him sometimes that I won't be pregnant forever and our little bean (or kumquat) is so worth every sickness. He just wants his loving wife back:) And I don't blame him...too much.

We are starting to gear up for the holidays and we do love the holidays. So, I'm sure we will have lots to discuss.

If you hear someone gagging in a public restroom, say a little prayer for her. Because it's probably me!

Video of the big news

2010-11-01T22:22:00.003-05:00

*Disclaimer*

Read the post right below this one first -- it will make much more sense.

So Jonathan and I wanted to make sure that Maddie was the first one to hear the big, life changing news that our family was growing. We came home from dance class and kept talking up this 'big secret' we had to tell her. Hence, the scared look on her face in the beginning.

Let's just say, she is still coming around to the news of being a big sister. Although about a minute and a half into this two minute video -- you do see some change. Enjoy!!

PS -- I didn't bother editing this down so I apologize for the extra clutter...and the belly shot I'm sure you didn't want to see. It's this 'no energy' thing. I hope you understand.

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

We are growing!

2010-11-01T21:58:00.003-05:00

Wow. I can not believe I let an entire month pass without updating.

I am not quiting the blog -- although I'm sure to my few devoted followers it sure seems that way. But I promise you -- I'm not.

If anything, I'm going to have lots more to blog about.

Why?

Well. I'm pregnant!

Yep, you read that right. The Crumly family is growing and Maddie will become a big sister in early June.

She is not excited about it either. But we are hoping she comes around...sometime in the next eight months.

So, although that news is so fantastic and we couldn't be more excited -- it has also kept me from blogging.

Why? (Come on...what's with all the questions?) :)

Well, because I don't 'do' pregnant very well. I didn't with Maddie and it seems this little bean will be the same way.

I'm pretty much sick from the time I open my eyes in the morning until I go to sleep. And sometimes overnight. The doctor has finally called me in some Phenergen -- and let me tell you -- that stuff is a miracle drug -- but I still feel bad. All the time. I'm just not throwing up...as much.

Oh, and I have absolutely no energy. None. It takes all I have to fake it through my work day and by the time I get home, I cry because I'm so tired. I'm hoping this passes. I'm sure Jonathan and Maddie are too. Oh, and my house...because it has been neglected. Big time.

So although I know that seemed to be about two paragraphs of complaining...I'm not complaining! We are so excited for this chapter and I know that this little bean will be well worth all I endure.

Jonathan is crossing his fingers for a boy. So is Maddie -- she has already named him...Carlos.

No, I'm not kidding. I wish I was. She is not excited about a baby at all -- but a baby sister is much worse. She said it can only be a boy. A boy named Carlos.

I think this is one battle I will choose to fight.

So. I will update you on the month of October sometime soon. We did fun things in between throwing up. Maddie had her first dentist appointment and was a real pro. We went to the pumpkin patch. We watched football. We visited dear sweet friends in Daphne. We carved pumpkins and had our annual Halloween gathering. We've been busy. And I'll tell you all about. Just another day.

Tonight, I'm cherishing our sweet little family of three and giving my Maddie girl so much love she can't stand it. But I can not wait until June 5th to meet my little bean.

I want to remember

2010-10-01T20:06:00.002-05:00

Dear Maddie,

This is not really an 'update' post.

It's more like a 'you are saying the funniest things these days and I don't want to forget them' post.

I would write them in your baby book -- but since I have completely ignored your baby book since I started this blog -- I thought the blog was the safe road to go.

It is sort of your baby book. And I keep telling myself I am going to get it printed one day. You know. On your first birthday. Or wait...that's already past us, huh? Okay. When you turn two. WHAT? You've already turned two! Okay, definitely when you turn three....then I will have it printed. I hope.

Back to the point. Your funny. You say funny things. This is a list of said things.

LemLade -- instead of Lemonade
Is it funny now? (after you get in trouble -- trying to lighten the mood)
Can I hit (kick, step on) you? -- yes, asking before doing it.
Karis George -- instead of Curious George (your new man)
How 'bout some chocolate milk? -- when I give you something healthier to drink

ummm....

Okay. So since I started this, I am all of a sudden I am drawing a blank. Crap! I knew I should have written this stuff down.

I could save this as a draft and come back to it later. But I have 127 posts saved as drafts that I never went back to.

So, I'm just going to publish it - incomplete - and hope I remember some more. Then I can come back and update. I guess this is what I get for ramblilng on and not getting to the point sooner.

I do love you. And you are funny. You make me laugh all the time. I hope this continues for the rest of your life. Because your daddy is funny. And he makes me laugh every single day too. It makes for a good life. And I want you to have the best life.

You are my heart.

Love,

Mommy

I'm too young to be this forgetful.

Jonathan's 32!

2010-09-19T11:18:00.005-05:00

Saturday, we spent the day celebrating Jonathan. He turned 32!

Maddie and I had a great time the day before preparing for his day. We went present shopping and cake shopping. We straightened up her toy area for our friends who were coming over on the big day. She picked out a birthday hat and said daddy had to wear it all day!

On the birthday agenda:

::Wake up to breakfast of waffles and bananas in bed

::Open birthday presents from me and Maddie

::Lunch of his favorite Boars Head Salsarita Turkey and Havarti Cheese sandwich

that we picked up the day before

::ALABAMA FOOTBALL

::Sweet friends coming to help celebrate him

::Pizza and snacks

::Lots and lots of laughter (we have some very funny friends!)

::A few falls (we also have 7 kids between us...falls are bound to happen)

::A game of Corn Hole (or some say Bean Bag Toss)

::Kids playing in the back yard

::Birthday Cake and Ice Cream

::Attempt to take picture

Let me just say this. I attempted four pictures of the guys -- this was the best I got. Told you out friends were funny!

Overall, it was a great day! I can't say thank you enough to our friends who helped me make a great day for Jonathan!

Happy birthday love -- you are getting better with age! :)

Football Season

2010-09-11T16:57:00.004-05:00

College football season has started.

I have now lost my husband to ESPN, FOX, ABC and CBS for the next several months.

We will watch college football from Thursday night until Sunday. Every week.

We will discuss all wins and losses (hopefully none for our team).

I will listen to him go over every detail of the game with various friends throughout the week as if they played the game themselves.

And our family of three will be dressed in shades of Crimson, White or Black every Saturday.

Our daughter will say 'roll tide, baby' when prompted on game day.

And I'm okay with it.

I love it too. Maybe not that much. But I love it.

Roll Tide!!

Maddie got a haircut!

2010-09-11T16:39:00.004-05:00

Maddie got a haircut!

Well. Kind of. Sort of. In a way.

She's only had one other so this was a big deal. At least to me.

I haven't had her hair cut since she was one and I had to give that scraggly stuff a shape up. Her hair has gotten so long and I absolutely love it.

I figure she has her whole life to wear her hair short. So for now, at least, I'm letting it grow. And it is so pretty and shiny and silky. I'm hair envious to tell you the truth.

This post does have a point. On to it.

I asked Kristy to come over after school the other day to give Maddie a little trim. The hair in the back was growing a little uneven and I just wanted her to straighten it up. She obliged. Maddie loved every second of it and told people for days that KK cut her hair.

Except no one could tell a difference. But maybe me.

stuffed animals

2010-09-11T16:26:00.002-05:00

I know I've talked about Maddie's obsession with stuffed animals.

And you know...how she insists on sleeping with at least 26 of them every night. Which still puts somewhere around 311 in her toy box.

But just in case you thought I was exxagerrating...photgraphic evidence.

This last picture is just the ones that she sleeps with. It's madness people. Madness. And would it kill the girl to like a babydoll? I was a babydoll girl. Loved them. Not her. She has three or four dolls all sitting at the bottom of her toy box. Unnamed. That's the ultimate cast off in our house. Because those 337 stuffed animals she has??? They all have names. I have video proof.

I was washing sheets last weekend and Maddie decided to get all the animals on her bed. Then asked me to get the camera so she could talk to it.

So I did.

And she named them for me (and you).

However, the video is in two segments and is about 12 minutes long. And I think Blogger hated me for even attempting to upload that so just pretend. Or ask my friend Jessica, who I made listen to all 12 minutes.

It's the cutest thing ever.

Take my word for it.

Dance Class - Week 3 & 4

2010-09-11T16:10:00.006-05:00

Two weeks ago was Mommy and Me dance class # 3.

This past week was class number four of the Mommy and Me dance class.

Except we made it "KK and Me".

She still just as cute no matter who goes with her...don't you think?

Jonathan and I have made some incredible friends at our church through small groups. What does this have to do with dance class? Well, we've been with these couples for about a year and a half now (three semesters) and it just so happened that one of the small groups several of our couple friends were taking was on a Tuesday night. At 6:30.

Guess what else is on Tuesday night? At 6:15.

Yep. Mommy and Me. So decisions had to be made. And I couldn't give up dance class for Maddie. Because although it is as unorganized as you can get and I don't understand why Ms. Sheree doesn't line everyone up on their stars and you know...give direction...Maddie still loves it and it makes her happy. And that makes me happy.

But I also couldn't give up my small group. You know why? Because these people walked through one of the hardest years of my married life with me. They prayed with me/us. They laughed with us. They learned with us. So.....I made KK a job offer. Because, you know. It's easy to turn down a four month, once a week babysitting job that doesn't pay. It's another to turn down one that does.

So I compromised. Every other week, I will take Maddie to dance class at 6:15 to 7. KK will meet me at the studio to take Maddie to her house and I will hightail it to small group, getting there at 7:30 (1 hour late). As crazy as it sounds, it's not. Because really, I will miss the fellowship but I still need to hear the lesson (Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace) which will basically start at that time. Then on the off week, like last week, KK will pick Maddie up from our house and take her to class for me. I will get to enjoy all of small group including the fellowship. Maddie loves it and has told several people this week how KK went to dance class with her.

It's not a perfect situation but it works.

Maddie update

2010-08-24T21:32:00.004-05:00

** I did another post on dance class right below this one -- Scroll down to read. **

So Maddie is coming into her personality quite nicely now. I try to just observe and soak all of it in. My friends with grown children tell me that the personality they develop as toddlers is a pretty accurate description of them once their older.

Maddie is so independent. Which is really no surprise. I mean...hello, have you met me? I am emotionally co-dependent but that's about it. My parents say I was just like this at her age. She is also really stubborn. And can be quite decisive --especially about clothes. Once she has it in her mind she wants to wear a particular dress, that's it. Nothing else will do. This can be quite frustrating sometimes but I like that she knows what she wants.

She is also brilliant. Again, I know your thinking 'really? another parent saying their child is brilliant? come on!'. But I'm serious. The girl is so quick. She picks up super fast. Says more words and sentences that I can count. Can recite books, songs, tv shows. Can count to about twenty before getting mixed up. Knows the shapes circle, square, triangle, rectangle, oval and octagon. Knows the basic colors. And lots more that I am forgetting (I know when Deb aka Nana reads this, she is going to tell me, 'you left out xxx and xxx and xxx') Those two are best buds, I tell ya!

Oh, and did I mention she's only 2?? I feel like she got all of that from me too :) No offence to the hubs!

She has learned to use the potty -- but pretty much refuses to. She will hold it until you give her a pull up. See above when I mentioned brilliant and stubborn.

She is also hilarious. Really. She is quite the ham. This, she gets from Jonathan. She loves to laugh and to make you laugh. If she gets you going, she'll keep doing silly things over and over to keep you laughing. Again...her daddy made over. She is also learning how to use her humor to her advantage. An example of this is when she is getting into trouble for something. We will be on her level, explaining why she is getting in trouble, for say...calling Mommy a meanie head (does it really start this early?)...and she'll look at you and say I'm sorry mommy, I forgive you - (pause)- is this funny now? And will bring out this laugh that you only hear in times like that. It is hilarious. We try to hold it together but sometimes we all dissolve in a fit of giggles.

She loves to have her picture taken in the car. She always ask me to get it out and take pictures of her 'faces'. Here are a few from the other night:And then this weekend, we were taking a drive in J's truck and she INSISTED I take her picture with her Daisy.But I also got this gorgeous one so it was worth it.
I love this girl. She has truly changed our entire lives. She drives me crazy sometimes but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

2 and a half! She'll be twenty before I know it.

Dance Class

2010-08-24T20:30:00.007-05:00

So we've joined a dance class.

A Mommy and Me dance class.

I know I went back and fourth this summer after her week dance camp -- but then I found out that my friend Kristen and her little girl Julia were going to be in class so we signed her up. She adores Julia and Mrs. Kristen so I knew that no matter what, she would have a fun time. (Julia is right at a year older than her but they are the same size and height!)

It is still quite unorganized. And still chaotic. Oh and full. Lots and lots of two and three year olds packed in one little room. And their mommies. And a dad. And two grandparents...who come with the child and the parents.

Anyway, we are loving to learn it. Tonight was our second night and Maddie was so excited. She talked about it all week and was so ready.

It is so much fun to watch her play with Julia. Most of the kids that Maddie plays with are little boys. And we love them. But it is a different kind of play between girls. Maddie and Julia see each other and instantly are BFF. They hold hands. They giggle. They make silly faces at each other. It is so cute to watch them together.

Last week Maddie and Nana were out shopping and picked up a little necklace for them -- they have butterflies on them and one says 'Friends' and the other 'Forever'. Here is a picture of them comparing jewels:

This is Ms. Sheree. At the end of class, each girls get to come up and do an introduction and then pick out a sucker. Here Maddie is telling Ms. Sheree that she is 'two years old'.

This is our pre-class picture - week one. I'll try to take one each week but can't promise. I fly in like a mad woman trying to get home and both of changed and there on time. This week, Deb had her dressed in her leotard when J picked her up so that helped.

And here is the two of us -- it is, afterall, a 'mommy and me' class. Did I mention there is a recital in May. Those of you who really know me are laughing your tails off right now. I hear you. It's okay. We're still friends!
This is week two. Not nearly as cute but Maddie was too excited to stand still for a picture. Oh, and yes, I did get a hair cut. Thanks for asking! My sister Kristy is in cosmotology school and wanted to give me a specific cut. After about two weeks of thoughtful consideration (aka - panic!) I let her do it. And she did a great job -- go see her!!Here, Maddie and Julia are demonstrating to another little girl how to do the 'bunny hop'.

Tumbling...Maddie's favorite part.

Maddie wanted to take a picture of us -- so I let her. This is me, Kristen and Julia. Check out their blog HERE. Kristen was my first ever college roommate. And now we've both ended up living in the same town. Crazy, huh?
And here are Jonathan and Maddie coloring before dance class while I was changing out of my 'work' clothes. J complains that I never put pictures of he and Maddie up so this is for him. They never give me good pictures -- always silly ones -- in my defense. Look for more dance class updates. We go once a week until the big recital in May!

Oh, Lord, help us!

She's bullet proof!

2010-07-29T15:29:00.004-05:00

Okay, so I will admit it now.

I am a fan of Pop music. There. I said it. It's out in the open.

And on occasion, I listen to it in the car.

You know, when Maddie watches a video on her DVD player. She's totally not paying attention to what's on the radio. Right?

Wrong. Totally wrong.

The other day, out of nowhere, Maddie starts singing this song. If you listen to any kind of pop music radio station, you will recognize it because it is heavy on the rotation right now.

How did Maddie get that slow, twangy, accent??? She cannot deny that she is from Alabama...that is for sure!

P.S. No judging here. Negative nillies are not allowed to leave mean spirited comments on the music choices I make. Okay? Thanks!

2010 Chapman Girl's Beach Trip

2010-07-29T14:16:00.004-05:00

So Maddie and I went to the beach last week. With my mom, KK and Abby.
It was our annual Chapman Girls beach trip. So original, I know.

We found a cute little place in Sea Grove for an amazing price, packed my Camry super tight and drove to the beach for five whole days of fun in the sun!

It was so much fun!

We did absolutely nothing. Well -- except play in the ocean, build sandcastles, play in the pool. We cooked breakfast, lunch and dinner in every night (except our last night). We had no agenda. We stayed up late every night and slept in every morning. I read two entire books and started a third one.

It did rain one day so we decided to drive the 30 minutes or so to Destin Commons and take the girls to see Toy Story 3. Maddie had already seen it but you would have never guessed it. That girl is a movie theatre queen. She even asked for her own popcorn and drink this time.

I was a little afraid of how five days at the ocean was going to go without Jonathan. We kind of have this rule that he is in charge of all water activities...and he wasn't going to be there. I love the water. And I can swim. But barely. I mean...I might...just might...be able to save my own life if needed. And as much as I love the beach, the ocean freaks me out a little if it's not crystal clear. And wouldn't you know the week we were there, some storm was brewing and brought in tons of seaweed, murking up the clear water.

And of course, Maddie has turned out to be quite the little fish. She LOVED the ocean, the waves, the pool. She would put on her little 'duckie' life vest and take off running. Of course, red flags were out every day we were there and the waves were so rough -- so I would take her out to about my mid-calf and exclaim "far enough!".

This is when my mom took over. She became known as 'Maw Maw of Fun'. She would grab Maddie, throw her on a float, get Abby's hand and head out to sea. She kept reassuring me if we could just get out past where the waves were breaking, it would be easier. Where guess where that was? About chest level.

Hello, panic attack, no nice to meet you.

Maddie wanted nothing to do with me in the ocean -- only Maw Maw. Mom says she could smell my fear. I'm sure Maddie just thought I would take her back into the safe zone...you know....ankle deep water...and she wanted none of that.

She loved when a wave would hit her face and would just laugh and laugh. She would sit on that float and sing for everyone. We would have to drag her out when my mom would need to take a break.

She also loved the pool and has developed a very independent side to her personality. She didn't want anyone holding her...she didn't want anyone to catch her when she jumped into the pool (in the deep end, of course)...and she didn't want anyone to help her climb back up so she could do it again. I heard this about two million times "I do it all by myself, mommy!".

I have two video clips I took of her in the ocean and in the pool but the video upload site I use is having issues. Or maybe it's me, I don't know. Either way, I can't get them uploaded so you'll just have to believe me. Oh, and I also took a video of her swimming, yes swimming (actual movement in the water getting to a destination) -- swimming to the ladder to jump off again -- just for you, Jessica. But it won't upload either.

We also decided to take a walk on the beach one night and look for crabs. The girls were so excited about this. Maddie had her flashlight and actually found the first one. She laughed and loved it for about two seconds. And then. Well, you know that feeling you get if you walk through a spider web?? Like you have a spider crawling all over you?? This is the only way I can explain what happened next. Next thing I know, Maddie is screaming on top of her lungs that the crab is on her...that it is crawling on her legs...that it is getting her. I snatch her up, do a quick sweep of her body and realize there is nothing there. But there is no calming her down. The wind was blowing pretty hard and so the sand was flying around and every time a little sand would touch her toes, it would set her off again. It was HILARIOUS!!! We managed to stop laughing and call it quits on crab hunting. She talked about it for days -- how the crab got her.

Y'all. Funny stuff.

I only took about fifteen pictures total the entire time I was there. Because you know -- the panic attack had become my friend. And I needed both hands free at all times. It helped to control my frenzied breathing.

But here are the few cutes ones I found for you. The rest may involve me in a bathing suit and I don't want to subject you to that kind of torture.

I'm still on vacation. Basically took about two weeks off. Working in nonprofit does have its perks. Not a lot of money but tons of time off:)

I've been potty training this week. I'll post more on that later. Happy times.

update coming...

2010-07-28T14:45:00.002-05:00

I'm working on an update and it should be up today or tomorrow. It includes video clips of Maddie in ocean and at the pool so as usual the video upload is taking hours!

Maybe I am doing something wrong??

Anyway -- look for it.

Until then...

Maddie pooped and tee-teed in the potty today!!!

Funny stories to come....but no video's of that last part...I promise!

Highlands Outreach Day 2010

2010-07-19T22:21:00.005-05:00

This past Saturday was our church's annual Outreach Day. Our summer small group, "Chillin' and Grillin'", decided to spend our time volunteering for a program called P.E.E.R -- part of the Eastlake Farmers Market. The program works with local farmers to get donated or discounted produce to provide baskets full of local food to two low income nursing homes. They also sell the baskets to others in the community who are able and the money is put back in to pay for the donated baskets so there is no cost to the recipients at the nursing homes. We got there around 7am to set up and left after 1pm once we broke apart the tents and tables. The group I was with mainly packed boxes of local produce that we then delivered to two low income nursing home in the East Lake area. It was such a joy to take these boxes of food and talk with the people. They were so incredibly nice! It was also a different type of volunteer activity and I learned so much about the fresh local produce movement in our area. This part of town doesn't have access to good grocery stores with fresh fruits and vegetables and often do their grocery shopping at convience stores or pharmacy type of places like Walgreens or CVS. The two assisted living places we visited took 'field trips' to the nearest supercenter but wouldn't be able to get what this group provided them because of the cost. Each basket or box that we packed had:

6 ears of corn

3 squash

1 eggplant

1 onion

4 red tomatoes

1 green tomato

1 green bell pepper

1 red pepper

1 watermelon

6 peaches (I think)

and several cups of peas...or beans...I wasn't quite sure what these were.

And these were given to the low income nursing home residents for FREE!

What a blessing it was to ME to be apart of!

Around 7am, our team got directions and info on how our day was going to be spent:

Katie, me, Catherine and Laurie excited about serving:Doug and Tim getting the donated produce from the local farmers. That is Cheryl in the background in the green shirt. She heads up the P.E.E.R. program and was so great!Jonathan carrying peas to the packing tables:Here are me and Catherine with the baskets we packed for the Eastlake House residents:

Packing over 150 boxes of fresh, local produce:The Crumly's -- proud to serve!Trying to figure out the best way to transport these boxes to the nursing homes:Even 5 year old Hadyn was excited to help:Here is the typical Jonathan moment of the day: We had already delivered all of our boxes and were waiting for Jonathan in the car. Apparently he got hung up talking to someone and didn't come out until about 25 minutes after the rest of us. We entertained ourselves by taking pictures. There were 8 of crammed into the Duncan's car for the three block trip to Eastlake House.

Me, Laurie, Hadyn, Asher (peeking over) and Doug --

And here are Blake and Lindsey -- sweating in the 'trunk' while waiting on Jonathan:

We stayed until the end so we could help them close and clean up:

We loved being apart of it and are so thankful to be members of a church that believes so strongly in reaching our local cities!

being Maddie

2010-07-19T22:19:00.000-05:00

Can you tell she didn't want her picture taken?

cousins

2010-07-19T22:08:00.003-05:00

My youngest brother, Randy, and his wife are going through a divorce so he and his two kids have temporarily moved in with my mom and dad. We are so sad about the divorce but do love seeing he and the kids much more than we ever have. Maddie is getting quite close to Connor and Brianna (Bree Bree) and loves it when they get to play together.

This past Friday, Randy stopped by with the kids to hang out for a little bit. Maddie adores Connor and loves to play with him -- much more so than Bree. I'm not sure if it is a gender thing or an age thing. Connor is five and Bree is 1. Brianna brings out the mean side of Maddie and we are constantly having to get on to her about snatching things from her or being mean to her.

Anyway, so they are playing and I am not paying much attention -- then Connor goes:

"Brandy, will you get your camera and take a picture of Maddie?"

Sure, buddy. What do you want me to take a picture of?

"Her hair. I fixed it."

I guess they were playing Beauty Shop.

Y'all. We laughed and laughed and laughed. It was hilarious. And it was always Connor doing Maddie's hair. I snapped this one when they weren't looking:

Best Buds:Maddie and Brianna.By the way, Maddie is usually dressed better but they stopped by right after nap -- that's why Maddie is just in a t-shirt:)

4th of July

2010-07-19T21:56:00.005-05:00

We celebrated the 4th holiday with my parents, sister and youngest brother. We decided to head to a local park on the lake to hangout and watch the fireworks that night. I was a little nervous b/c we watched them at this same park last year and Maddie hated it -- we are so close to them and the BOOM is so loud, it freaked her out. So this year, we found a spot a little ways back. The kids had a blast playing together and eating snacks. When it got time for the fireworks, my dad insisted on taking the kids closer to the water for the 'best' view. Kristy and I decided to hang back because I just knew that one or more of those kiddos would have a fit. '

I was wrong.

They loved it. What a difference a year makes!

Here are a few pictures from the night. On a side note -- the other night, a friend of mine is scrolling through my camera and starts bursting out laughing...asking where my dad's shirt is. The funny thing is, I don't think he had one on when we got there and we didn't even notice! Ha!

Maddie loves her Cheetos!

Abby and KKMost of the Chapman family (minus my older brother and his family) and Connor who did not want his picture takenThe Crumly's with my sweet Momma --aka Maw MawHappy Birthday America!

Family Portraits

2010-07-09T16:23:00.004-05:00

So I've already mentioned that we had our family pictures done a couple of weeks ago. And they are so fabulous (terrible haircut and all) that I thought I would share.

These first three I am going to have blown up and framed to hang together on our wall. The frames will be built by the same guy who did the one in Maddie's room and will look similar. The style of pictures will look great in them. What do you think??

There are so many other great ones but it is taking too long to upload them. If you want to see all of them, just leave me a comment or send me an email and I'll give you the link.

I used Christy Williamson -- who has just really started pursuing this as a career (not even full time yet). Y'all. She was so good. I was really worried about how it would go with Maddie and I didn't want a lot of pictures with Maddie doing her 'cheese' face. Christy made it her mission to befriend Maddie and got her to relax and take GREAT pictures. Go visit her website. Use her. Tell her I sent you. Not because I get anything but because I want her to know how big of a fan I am. Because she is going to be big one day. I promise you. Her website is www.christywilliamsonphotography.com. You can also find her on facebook. Go show her some love!

Eclipse Mania

2010-07-09T16:00:00.004-05:00

So I wanted excitement.

And I got excitement.

In the form of an Eclipse party at the McWane Center.

Me and Kristy, my friend Hailey from work and her two sisters all bought tickets for an event at the Mcwane Center called Twilight Over 21. We are all huge fans of the Twilight Saga and thought it would be fun. Plus, we thought the mayhem would be kept to a minimum since the 'over 21' thing would keep out all the screaming tweens.

Well, guess what? Screaming, drunk over 21 ladies are much worse. Much much worse.

There is a whole, drama filled story that goes along with this -- I'm going to just give you the highlights.

Met the girls at the party; ate the dinner but skipped the drinks. Also skipped the Tarot Card readings and palm readings. We did however pose with cardboard cutouts of Edward. Embarrassing, I know.

Anyway, while the rest of the crowd consumed more alcohol we went to stand in line for seats. We would be watching the movie on the IMAX and heard that we needed to get seats up high to enjoy it. We were about 20 people back. Slowly as it got closer to 9pm more and more people came to get in line. They had already announced that they would not open the doors until 9:45. Well, apparently extreme alcohol consumption also messes with your hearing b/c at about 9:15 someone at the front of the line stands up. What what reason? No idea. Probably to go to the bathroom. But it gives others the impression that they are opening the doors and the crowd starts pushing, shoving, screaming and yelling. I get trampled b/c I had hurt my knee at work the day before and had a hard time getting up. The five of us all grab hands just trying to stay together. The Mcwane people come back on with another announcement that sort of sounds like this:

"Hey inebriated goofballs. Not sure why you all just acted like maniacs because it is only 9:20 and I already told you I'm not opening those doors until 9:45 so you all can sit your pretty little behinds back down".

I swear I heard that.

Do you think anyone listened? Nope. So we stood, crammed all together until 9:45...probably 9:46 just so the staff could say, "told you so".

I have never been more embarrassed to be apart of a crowd as I was that night. What drives people to act like that. There was cursing, shoving, dirty looks. From grown women.

Anyway, because of the stampede, we lost our 20th spot and got pushed back to about middle of the crowd. And then they opened doors on both sides. So we went from having great seats to just about the worst seats in the whole theatre.

Here's where I'm going to skip some details. Basically, the film ripped about 30 seconds into the film. They tried to tide the increasingly hostile crowd over with trivia games and prices but to no avail. Our group bailed because we could see where the night was going to go. It truly was a hostile environment and I was afraid of a riot when they announced that they couldn't fix the film. (Which they couldn't). We, determined to watch the movie that night, drove to the Summit for the 11:20 showing and were the first people there.

Leaving the parking lot was about the scariest ten minutes I've had in awhile. Women who had way too much to drink thinking they would have two hours to sober up and drool over a vampire and a werewolf got behind the wheel of their cars and drove down a rounder to exit the parking deck. Enough said.

We did end up watching it and it was a great movie! And I love to tell a good story so I guess it all ended well. Here are a few pictures we took before the chaos.

no big update

2010-06-27T23:24:00.002-05:00

So nothing at all is happening in the Crumly family these days. But, so that I don't go to long without a post, thought I would update you on the randomness of life right now.

It's summer. It's hot. We're working. Nothing blog worthy. Trust me -- I've tried to rack my brain for some funny stories from these past two weeks and came up with Nada.

We did have a family date night and took Pica to see Toy Story 3 and then milkshakes at Johnny Rockets afterwards. She loved it! Both the movie and the milkshakes. I did crave milkshakes from McDonald's when I was pregnant with her so I knew she would.

We had some family pictures taken Saturday. I haven't seen them yet but am very excited! I'm not quite sure we are cool enough to pull of the look we were going for but we tried.

J's parent's church is having a Vacation Bible School this week that they are volunteering at it so Maddie will be going to that all week. Tonight was the first night and she loved it. And we loved grocery shopping without her while she was there. When we picked her up, I asked "Maddie, what did you learn tonight in Bible School?". She said, "I learned about Jesus, Mommy!". So glad that she is learning about her savior!

Ummm....what else??

I still hate my hair. Now, I'm trying to decide it I want to let it grow out or just chop off another inch or so (the part that I hate). Can't decide. Jonathan votes chopping it off. He doesn't like it either -- although I'm proud of him for faking it for me until after our family pictures (because he knows me and knows if I knew he hated it too I would have probably canceled or postponed those pictures). Big step for him.

Both sets of our neighbor friends are officially moved. We are very sad. Both households moved out in the same two weeks. Over the past year, we had really gotten to know and love both of these families and sort of became the neighborhood I dreamed of living in and having as a child. And although we talked to Maddie about it and she knows they've moved and where they live now -- she still asks to go play with Mason and Clay or EvaRose -- every.single.day. I have to remind her that they are in their new homes. It breaks my heart. We are hoping any new neighbors we get, have kids she can play with and parents as cool as Jessica/Dave and Gwen/West.

Jonathan had a old friend pass away last week. It was heartbreaking. Since then, Jonathan has been in a very reminiscing mood. He lights up telling me funny stories from those days before I met him. He told me tonight that he has lost six friends from his youth group days. Six friends -- all before he is 32. Really puts my 'sufferings' into perspective. Although we are making new friends and loving people in our life, he really misses his old crowd. Sometimes, growing up is hard -- because it means growing apart.

We are looking forward to a long weekend this week. We don't have any plans but I'm sure that will change before it gets here. I really want to go visit Can/Rusty/Jameson because it has been too long but guess I should run that by them first, huh?

Kristy and I are trying to plan our annual Chapman girls' weekend with us/Mom/Maddie&Abby. We usually go to Destin but with the whole oil spill business, we have no idea what to do. Plus, we are on limited budgets and limited days off (with her being in school) so planning has not been going so well. I'm hoping for something this month.

I did decide to enroll Maddie in the dance class season this fall. My friend Kristen is enrolling her daughter, Julia, who Maddie just adores -- and they will be in the same class. Plus, there is a recital and I just can't pass it up.

Bored yet? I know. I'm sorry.

But it's an update - albeit a boring one. Hopefully, we'll have more exciting adventures soon and I'll be able to blog about something that starts out with more than "it's hot".

Good night!

quick dance update

2010-06-17T10:56:00.002-05:00

So we did go to dance last night -- runny nose and all. Jonathan went too so he could see for himself all the craziness.

And guess what?

There was no craziness. Maddie did a great job, the teachers did a great job. And we were really impressed. I guess it just took a few days for it to kick in.

You could still see the age difference in how quickly the older girls 'grasped' the moves but I think the teachers had talked strategy on working with Maddie and the other young one and it worked.

So, I'm thinking if we do take dance in the fall...it might just be there...regardless of what I wrote or thought yesterday.

Doesn't it always work that way?

Oh, and we took Maddie to the doctor today. She has a sinus infection and will start an antibiotic. I'm hoping that's not contagious b/c I think a few of the other moms gave me some dirty looks last night when I kept wiping Maddie's nose.

my new do

2010-06-16T10:12:00.003-05:00

I finally had something done to the mess I call hair. Here are my 'after' pictures. See previous post for before picture. It is not at all what I asked for -- I don't know if I just don't do a good job at explaining what I want or if my hairstylist just thought this would be better. Who knows. It is growing on me though. Plus, nothing really I can do about it now, huh?

What do you think??

dance camp

2010-06-16T09:59:00.002-05:00

So I signed Maddie up for this class called "mommy and me dance". It is a one week dance camp for two year olds and their mommies (meaning basically I would stand next to her and help her learn the moves. Sounds fun, right?

Well, we've had a few little bumps. We get to the first class on Monday and they realize that we are the only two year old that showed up.

No problem, they will put us with the three year old class. Guess what? Only one three year old showed up.

So they moved us and the three year old to the four year old class. And they took the 'mommy' out of Mommy and Me dance class.

Do you know what that spells? Disaster.

Maddie loved every minute of it and had no idea how chaotic it all seemed. But it was. She is super smart for her age and although she may look like a four year old b/c of her height - she's not. And I think the dance teachers forgot about that. I guess the important thing is she is having fun. Here are a few pictures of got the first night:

The girl behind Maddie will start kindergarten in the fall -- she and Maddie are close to the same size!

The 4 year old class they moved her too was called 'Tiara's and Tutu's' so Maddie got this pretty ensemble. She loved it!

She is so ladylike, huh? This is why I'm thinking we need dance class young -- start learning about grace and being a lady:) By the way, she is telling me to 'go sit over there mommy' -- that is why she is pointing.

She is saying 'dance class!'.

She has two more nights of it (if she can make it). She woke up today with a fever and terrible runny nose so we'll see how she is by this evening.

I have learned that if she does take a class this fall, it probably won't be at this particular studio -- unless they can guarantee she will be in a class with her age group -- it makes a difference -- but we may wait until next year. After all, she will also be starting a Mother's Day Out program two days a week starting in August too -- so it might be too much at one time. I'll keep you posted.