Reflections

2010 is almost over.  So, I figured I would reflect on our 2010....

Started the year off with a trip to Mexico!  That was wonderful and such good timing, oh how I wish we could be going again!!  Oh, well.

No plans for a trip this year.  Will be saving money for a baby and time off for maternity leave!  But do have plans for 2012....my 30th birthday in Vegas!!!  Yup, that's the plan folks, start saving to come with, April 2012!

Then we got our house ready and put it on the market in April.  Sold it in August, moved in September!  What a rush that was. 

Found out we are expecting #2 and celebrated our baby's 2nd birthday in October!  So hard to believe we have a 2 year old and another on the way.  Thinking this will be it for us, so I am trying to enjoy it (and mostly I am). 

2010 was a great year, and thinking 2011 will be even better!!  I need to come up with a New Year's Resolution yet, but want to think of something that is actually attainable!  Hope everyone has a safe and Happy New Year's Eve!  Hopefully I will get a post in tomorrow on our night.  (Maybe that should be my resolution, to actually post when I say I am going to!).  We are headed to the Rath household for some New Year's fun.  Speaking of which, I better go get ready! 

18 Weeks

Finally a pic of my rather large belly already!  Actually Jesse took the first pic and said you couldn't see my belly, so I did try a little harder, but in reality it is getting HUGE already!  I got out my maternity stuff already and bought 1 pair of maternity jeans (I only had 2 pair from last time, and don't really like 1 of them).  A few of my "regular" jeans do still fit...but they are definitely getting tight already!  Yikes!! 

Merry Christmas!

I can hardly believe that Christmas is over and 2011 is just hours away!!!  Our Christmas plans went something like this.  Christmas Eve we went to Jesse's parent's and celebrated with his family, it was fun and crazy!!  We had a seafood Christmas there as is their tradition.  Jesse looks sooo forward to it, I don't even know how many crab legs he ate!  Then on Christmas Day, I think Jesse and I were as excited as Allison (ok probably more, because she doesn't understand Christmas and that Santa comes Christmas eve and so in the morning there would be more presents to open).  But after getting her up, Jesse had made a trail to the downstairs living room where he kitchen was with the play food, so she found her kitchen.  Then we finished opening presents upstairs and her stocking!  Then we went to Olivia for Christmas with the extended Mages family.  Especially nostalgic this year without Grandpa Mages there.  And on Sunday we went to Hector to celebrate with my family.  We had my family and my dad's side there for Christmas.  Also missed Grandma Lorrie this year at Christmas.  But my mom did a great job with the Dupa Greta (spelling?), the traditional swedish meal we have (also usually on Christmas eve, but we have to alternate with Jesse's family now).  I think we have one more to go, my mom's side of the family, but don't know when that will be.  I miss the traditions of my childhood but it is time to start new ones with our growing family.  Here are pics from our busy weekend.  I had them all in the post, and accidently deleted it?!  UGH!!!  sooo frustrated, anyway, I used this opportunity to try a different way for sharing a bunch of pics at once...here goes!

Oh Christmas Tree...

Here is our Christmas tree this year - the upstairs one.  It is real.  I love a real tree.  But they are a bit expensive, especially when you think about the fact that you have to buy a new one every year.  But, oh the smell!!!  And NOTHING, NO fake tree, comes close to a real one.  Last year I was feeling a bit stressed and with having a 1 yr. old figured it was time to go with a fake one.  So last year we bought a pre-lit fake tree.  It was OK.  But this year I missed having a real one and wanted a real one again.  I did put the fake one up downstairs with more kid friendly ornaments on it.  But for the most part Allison leaves both trees alone.  Except for a while when she was obsessed with plugging them in.  I think I have gotten through to her that MOM or DAD needs to do that!  I did purposely leave the top of the tree off the pic.  I haven't found the right tree topper yet, and for some reason this year it is leaning to the side!  I haven't tried fixing it either, maybe before we have company I will!  I can't believe this week is Christmas already!  I got the presents wrapped yesterday after I got up and now I can't wait for everyone to open their gifts!  Allison tried to start opening them, but I told her no and she has so far left them alone now. 

16 Weeks - Pregnancy Update

Had another Dr. appt. today.  Had an US again today to check on the previa.  It is gone.  YEAH!  Very thankful.  It was a pretty quick appt. - after waiting 1 HOUR!!!  My Dr. was behind "a bit".  He was substituting on-call for the afternoon and had gotten called to the ER.  I understand.  And if I would have needed to I could have rescheduled.  I was kinda hoping we would have gotten to find out the gender today.  But he didn't even try, just did a quick scan of my cervix and where the placenta was.  Saw a quick peek of baby.  He/she was very active!  So fun to watch.  We could see him open and close his hand (Just using boy gender instead of constantly saying he/she etc. or calling the baby it.).  I had some bloodwork done.  Otherwise it probably lasted a whole 20 min.

At home, I have started being able to sometimes feel the baby move.  Not always, but usually when I am sitting on the couch or laying in bed.  It is sooo cool.  I try to poke him to make him move, but right now it doesn't seem to work.  I am looking forward to when it is more frequent and stronger, I can't wait until Jesse and Allison can feel the baby kick.  Otherwise I feel good.  Except that I feel HUGE this time.  I know I am showing much sooner - which I know is normal for a 2nd pregnancy, but I keep comparing the two.  According to babycenter.com the baby is 4 1/2 inches long (they compare it to an avacado - it is always some fruit or veggie!).  Also says baby will double his weight in the next couple weeks and add INCHES!!  Wow!  Pretty amazing!  I will post a new profile pic of me soon.  Somehow I never think of it until Jesse is in bed.

Miss Allie Cakes!

Just a couple pics of Allison.  The one above, she was just being silly and dancing around with this super cute hat I bought her on ETSY on, the one that she refuses to wear ANYWHERE else!!!!  UGH!  And her favorite Minnie Mouse PJ's!  She is good.  No news on the potty business.  But she is happy, and I should really find some wood to knock on before saying this, but has been very healthy so far this fall/winter.  Praying that continues!  Her latest thing right now is BOOKS!!!  Yesterday morning she was downstairs by herself for 45min. "reading" her books.  They are EVERYWHERE in our house.  And in my car!  But that is a good thing, hoping that continues. 

Below is a pic of Allison and Alyssa at Thanksgiving at my parents this year.  She is sooo funny how she copies people now.  She always wants to sit the way we are sitting.  She adores Alyssa, Alyssa made up a song while playing with her at my parents that she continues to sing all the time at my parents. 

And here is Miss Emma at Thanksgiving!  I didn't do the greatest job taking pics at Thanksgiving at my parents and forgot the camera for Thanksgiving at Jesse's mom and dad's!  Yup, I am such a good photographer!  Isn't Emma sweet!  Having fun coloring.  Allison also adores Emma and loves to play with her!  They are so funny together. 

Grandpa Albin

Jesse's Grandpa Albin passed away this week.  He died on Monday and the wake was last night and the funeral today.  It was sad, but he was ready to go.  He has been battling CHF and a few other things, especially in recent years and the last few months have been especially hard on him and Adella, in and out of the hospital.  But he went peacefully at home.  Albin and Adella had 9 children, 23 grandchildren (plus most are married or have significant others), and like 50 some great grandchildren!!!  BIG family!  It was fun to see everyone, but sad it always is under such circumstances that EVERYONE gets together.  Grandpa Albin will be missed, especially in a couple weeks at the Mages Christmas.  But we are comforted by the fact he is in a better place, feeling no aches or pains or worries of the earthly world.

A "Tirty" Point Buck??

Ok, maybe not.  But Jesse did get a deer this year!  It was a nice 8 pointer though.  Allison really liked it (wierd, I was pretty grossed out - especially after he hung it in our garage!).  So, maybe she is part Mages afterall!  Ha!  I am really happy for him, and thankful that this deer hunting season is over!  (Unfortunately now all I have been hearing about is how much ice is on the lakes already!! - It really never ends here!).  Plus I do like deer meat - like the summer sausage, jerky and sticks.  And that is what he is going to do with it.  I am pretty proud of him too, he is a good and smart hunter (at least from what I can tell ;).  And puts a lot, or at least what I consider a lot of time into it. 

Snow, Snow Go Away!

Well, I guess it IS December, so I don't mind the snow that is already ON the ground, I just wish it weren't supposed to snow MORE today and tomorrow.  The Wed. before Thanksgiving I was supposed to get together with friends in Hutch for a much needed night out, I haven't seen these girls in WAY too long!!  But, Mother Nature had other plans for us.  It rained and snowed and the roads were icy and miserable.  So early in the year to have to cancel plans because of snow/icy roads!!!  And with the holidays and everyones busy schedule - we are all nurse's except one and she works weekends too - so finding a time we can ALL get together is almost impossible!!  I was soo bummed.  Miss you girls!

Now, tomorrow we are supposed to have a girls day at my house with another group of girl friends, and once again the weather is threatening to interfere!!  Bah, Humbug!  I am cleaning the house, and had it all planned, hot chocolate and/or wine, BBQ's, cookie making and scrapbooking but most importantly bonding and mental health stabilization with my girls!!  It is sooo needed!!  I am saying Many prayers that the snow is light, fluffy, and it will not be windy and we can all get together anyway.  I mean, after all we DO live in MN, so we are hardy and can make it through anything, right?!  We pride ourselves on being able to travel in conditions that would keep those pansy climates of the southern states become holed up for weeks. 

Anyway, I do have a lot to do, because I am going to prepare for this as if it were not even supposed to snow!  Time to crank up the Christmas music and get busy!  And once again, I have no photos, my camera is STILL at my parents.  Maybe this is a good time to just go buy that new DSLR camera I have been wanting...a little Christmas present for myself?? 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving a day early everyone!!  I pretty much feel like it is over already since I work Thanksgiving day and have already celebrated with my family and Jesse's.  Maybe that is why I feel so anxious to get the decorating done and get shopping!!  Anyway, I hope you all have a GREAT Thanksgiving spent with family and or friends, or possibly some of you will also be at work.  But hey, think of the holiday pay...right before Christmas!  Probably my favorite holiday to work.  I have sooo much to be thankful for, right now I am thankful my husband agreed to go with to get a tree!  Ha!  Don't really know if you read this...but thanks hon!  Anyway, I am also thankful for the blessing of another baby and thankful that I have been healthy and the pregnancy has gone pretty well so far.  Here's hoping you have many things to be thankful for as well!!

On a post-thanksgiving note...Black Friday shopping, I still haven't decided if I am going to venture out.  It is not something I normally do, but seems kind of tempting this year, getting caught up in the excitement of it I guess!  But I will NOT be going out at 4 a.m.  IF I venture out, it will be later, mostly because I will have a toddler in tow, but also the thought of getting up that early does in no way appeal to me!  Happy Shopping to those that are going, and Stay Safe!

(Oh, and sorry for the lack of Allison related pics lately, in all honesty I have just been lazy and not hooked up the camera to download them lately.  Plus I left it at  my parent's so I have no pics of the Mages' Thanksgiving, bummer!  Hope to get some pics up soon.)

First Ultrasound!

Yesterday we had our first ultrasound!  It couldn't have come at a better time, I was just kinda getting to the point where I was starting to wonder if that pregnancy test was mistaken!  Not feeling sick (not that I ever really did) and STARTING to get more energy back, but still not feeling the baby move, so needed reassurance that there WAS indeed a baby in there and that he/she was doing ok! 

Baby was good, very active during the ultrasound, wierd to see it and not feel it yet.  We were able to hear the hearbeat again, 170's.  The only "bad" thing is thatI have a complete placenta previa right now (the placenta is covering the cervix).  Basically I could have some spotting, but I haven't yet, and my Dr. thinks it will resolve itself, but to check it he is going to do another ultrasound at my next appt. in 4 weeks.  And if it doesn't change, I don't think it is as much of a big deal since I am already planning a repeat c-section. 

I am pretty sure we are going to find out what we are having.  I just haven't decided if we are going to find out and share, or find out and keep it to ourselves...hmmm.  Ok, who am I kidding, I could never keep a secret like that!  Anyway, that probably won't be until about 20 weeks.

Frustrations!

Ok, probably not the most up-beat post ever...but having a few frustrations lately.  Nothing major, so I really shouldn't complain.
1.  Probably  my most minor complaint, but we usually do Pizza on Sunday nights and so this Sunday we were going to Pizza Hut, had a coupon for breadsticks too!!  Now Pizza Hut has notoriously lousy service. The last time we got Pizza Hut I did carry out, and needless to say, they screwed it up, didn't have our pizza ready and Allison and I waited like 45 min. for our pizza, NOT fun with a hungry 2 year old!!  This time they claimed the didn't deliver to us.  Found out on FB our neighbor - RIGHT next DOOR, says they deliver to him???  Could care less about the pizza, but really wanted those breadsticks!  While I probably could have gone out and gotten it, they made me mad, so we ordered Giovanni's.  Like their pizza better anyway!

2.  So, Allison has been a stinker about bedtime and naps lately.  Crying when we put her in bed, I have been a softy and have gone in and gotten her and rocked her...turning into a BAD habit.  So last night, we put her to bed and decided that was it.  Jesse put her to bed and I went in 1x to say goodnight and give her a kiss.  As soon as I left she started CRYING.  Lasted 45 min.!!!  Wow, that girl is stubborn!  But we need to get back into the habit of good bedtime routines and NOT going back into her room and rocking her - sometimes to sleep!!!  Anyway, she woke up happy this morning.  No harm done, but it did break my heart to listen to her last night.

3.  Potty training continues to be an area of contension.  Don't know the right thing to do, she shows ALL the signs of being ready but still hasn't peed (or pooped) on the potty for us.  She wants to sit on it ALL the time and takes her owns pants and diaper off and wants to wear underwear, but then she pees in them.  I don't want to discourage her, but I am seriously sick of taking her potty every 5 min. and putting underwear on her only to have her pee in them immediately after sitting on the potty!!

4.  Charter!  UGH!!  Have had soo many problems with them since moving.  They have messed our bill up every month!  It is sooo frustrating to spend 30+ min. on the phone with them every month!  I am desperately hoping next months is correct!!!  The other side is, if I didn't look at our bill and just paid it every month, we would have so far paid over $100 in unnecesary fees!!  IDIOTS!

5.  Now lastly, I just tried to log onto my health insurance website to redeem points, and found out they got a letter as of Nov. 2 that I no longer had an account?!  AAAHHHHH!!  Spent 20 more min. on the phone with them today and then had to call the hospital to find out what that is all about.  The are looking into it and calling me back.  But in the mean time, I am worried about the $90 worth of points I have and was going to redeem PLUS any claims that have been filed since Nov. 2!! 

Now, I have to work nights this week.  Not overly excited about that.  Hopefully it is busy and the nights go by fast.  Looking forward to Friday, we have our first ultrasound!  Yeah!  I am 12 weeks today. 

Is this what death feel like??

I have been lucky enough to not had any "morning" sickness with either pregnancy so far.  I had all week off from work and then worked yesterday (Fri.) and the rest of the weekend...or was supposed to.  Yesterday at work I almost passed out in the morning, not entirely sure what that was all about, I was helping with a circ - have done millions of times, and had to sit down.  But overall felt fine.  Attributed it to not have eaten anything yet that morning so had some juice and a bagel.  Rest of the day mostly uneventful.  Peds was busier than OB and was getting some admissions, so I had to go admit a peds pt. coming with nausea and vomiting.  One of the many reasons I love OB...no sickness!!!!  While I gowned and gloved and washed repeatedly, I couldn't help but worry I would catch something (luckily the kid wasn't that sick tho).  At suppertime I wasn't feeling the greatest, not too hungry, slightly nauseous.  But thought maybe I had to eat again.  Ate most of my supper and felt worse, much worse.  Luckily by that time it was after 6, so I had less than an hour of work to go.  I has really hoping it was just pregnancy related or maybe something I ate.  I really didn't want to have to call in sick today, I need to be saving all my PTO for maternity leave now!  Well, much to my dismay, I had an AWFUL night.  And I couldn't blame it on the kids!!  Hopefully all my gloving and gowning and handwashing protected the kids I was taking care of!!  The flu sucks.  The thought of food makes my stomach turn.  I thought for sure by morning I would feel better, no such luck.  Finally by afternoon I have been able to get some jello and 7-UP down (and it has stayed that way).  I don't remember the last time I had the flu.  Jesse and Allison got it last year, but I managed to escape then.  I really hope Allison and Jesse don't get it this time.  Now that I am feeling slightly better I am going to wash bedding, and wipe everything down - including this computer!  Jesse and Allison are luckily gone for the weekend.  Jesse went hunting up north and so since I was supposed to have been at work all weekend, Allison went to Grandma Nancy's and she took her to Waterpark of America today!  I did alert Nancy and Jesse to my symptoms, but so far, so good for them!  I can't decide if I am happy to have the house to myself while I am sick, or if I would be happier with Jesse or my mom here!  I had to run to the grocery store myself this morning to get Jello, gatorade and 7-UP.  And a back rub or foot rub would be wonderful!  But on the other hand, I don't look (or smell...sorry!!) the greatest right now!  Off to take a bath soon too.  I have to go to work tomorrow, so I better be more presentable.  Saying some prayers Allison and Jesse don't get it!!  It really felt like I was dying from the inside out!

Happy Halloween!

Allison was a giraffe for Halloween this year.  It was so much fun this year, she loved it (plus it wasn't raining and icky like last year!).  We ended up going to a few places in our neighborhood and then to Olivia to trick-or-treat with some relatives and meet Grandma and Grandpa B. for supper at Max's.  Allison got a ton of candy and FRUIT SNACKS!  I guess everyone knows those are her favorites!  She loves the candy but luckily she is still young enough she doesn't know when mom an dad take some (or when mom takes some to work!).  We have a ton of it too because I had bought some just in case we got trick-or-treaters here and then we weren't home anyway!  I know my years of getting to pick Allison's Halloween costume are quite numbered, so it is fun to pick something warm and cutesy while I still can!  Before she wants to go as Hannah Montanna or something equally crazy!!

Pumpkin Carving 101

Allison got her first lesson in pumpkin carving.  It didn't go too well.  For her or us!  Ha!  Neither Jesse or I are very artistic, so we just carved the basic face on our pumpkins, and to be honest, I just really wanted to dig the seeds out for pumpkin seeds!!  I have been craving them for weeks and we finally got around to doing it.  Allison throught the whole thing was pretty "gross".  She thought the insides looked like "poop".  She is such a funny kid!  She wouldn't touch it! 

Our Growing Family

Well, this is pretty much the last place I am announcing this, so everyone probably already knows...but our family is going to be growing by one (hopefully only one...) this May 2011.  Allie is going to be a big sister!  My due date is officially May 30th, but since I am planning to have a repeat c-section I will probably (assuming everything else is going ok!) have the baby the week before, so sometime around May 23, depending on when my OB's OR day is. 

I am going back to my favorite Dr., Dr. Antkowiak.  I think he is wonderful, not only the way he treats his patient's, but the way he treats us as nurses and that is the main reason I chose him.  He can be a bit "high maintenance" as those of us who work with him say (we are pretty sure he has adult ADHD) but he really cares about his patients and I remember when I first started in OB, he was so kind to me and he taught me how to put an internal monitor on (among other things, he likes to teach). 

Anyway...I had my first OB appointment last Thursday, just with the NP, and everything went well.  We were able to hear the baby's heartbeat by doptone, which is awesome, not only just to hear it, but once you can hear it by doptone they say your risk of miscarriage drops to less than 5%.  (I don't even want to think about that!).  So, I am 9 weeks now.  Overall feeling pretty good.  Mostly just tired...VERY tired!  I don't remember being this tired with Allison, but I figure I just had more time to sleep then!  I have not been very nauseated, thank goodness!!  (Wasn't a problem with Allison, so far they are pretty similar...another girl??)  Speaking of gender...I am not sure if we will find out what we are having or not.  We did not with Allison and it was so fun to be surprised at the delivery, but on the other hand, with having another child I feel like it would be great to get as much done ahead of time as possible...we'll see.  It is more tempting this time.

Baby Briena Pics!

 Here she is!!!  Sweet Baby Briena!  She is so adorable!  The hat is so cute, but she has even prettier hair under their!

The happy (and maybe a bit tired) new family!!!!  Jodi, Brad and Briena.

Yup, like I said, it was a good weekend at work.  I not only got to see my good friends all weekend but also got to see my family too!  Jesse brought Allison to see the baby Sat. and Sun.  She (kind of) held the baby Sunday.  She was very intrigued.  She brought a book with her to read to Briena. 

Welcome Baby Briena!!

Our good friends Brad and Jodi had their baby this past weekend - made going to work all weekend a LOT more fun knowing I would see them and baby Briena!!!  She was born early Sat. morning and weighed a whopping 8 lbs and 3 oz!!!  I don't know where Jodi had all that baby hidden!  And she is positively adorable!  (I am trying to add pics, but they aren't downloading - I don't have any of my own, so am using some from other people)  Chubby little cheeks you just want to kiss! 

Allison was so cute with her.  She wanted to "hold" her, which basically just involved me holding her on Allison's lap.  She imitated all the faces Briena made.  And now has talked about her since!  She is going to make a great big sister!!!

Congratulations to Brad and Jodi again.  We are soooo very excited and happy for you guys!  All these girls are going to have so much fun gowing up together!  And if I ever get pics downloaded or when I get some taken, I will post them!!

Tuesday Morning QB

Since the Vikes played last night - if that is what you want to call it, what else could this Tues. morning blog be about??  I will be honest, I only saw the first half of the game and that was hit and miss.  But I was soooo dissappointed!  I thought the offense looked Terrible!  I guess I had high hopes that the Vikes would come out strong and destroy the Jets.  We need some sort of revenge in NY!!  But I hardly saw the offense since the D was on the field most of the half.  I guess the 2nd half or last quarter anyway, went slightly better for the Queens, but that was a little too late.  I don't know if Brett didn't have his head in the game or what, but here's hoping it gets better!  A little more time and practice with Randy Moss should help too.  I still have hopes they will turn the season around and make it into playoffs...hey maybe even win a couple playoff games??  Ok, that might be asking too much. 

Well, that's all I got.  Not too exciting, I have education for work this afternoon.  Should be interesting.  We are going to be implementing a new protocol for pitocin inductions and all inductions for that matter.  But first I am going to look at TV's and washer and dryers!  Yeah!!!  Have a good day!

Sadness in the Mages Household

We are pretty bummed in the Mages household.  The Twins season is over.  Of course it isn't that surprising, Jesse said he knew we wouldn't make it past the Yankees.  I had blind hope (as always) that we were going to overcome our past with them and beat them this year.  With all the good things going for us, nice weather, new stadium, signing Joe!!  But, alas, as always, the Yankees got the better of us, and in 3 games no less.  Oh, how I can't stand those Damn Yankees (excuse my language!).  Don't even get me started on those over-paid, 'roid filled, arogant you know whats!!  I don't care who wins the World Series now, as long as it isn't the Yankees!!  Allie wore her Twins shirt to daycare last week for the start of the series.  I love that she had put on her Sparkly shoes with it!  I took these right before bath and bedtime.  (and I think she was telling me she was wet...sorry!!)

My LITTLE Girl!

 Allie had her 2 yr. check up on Friday.  She was such a trooper and did awesome!  We had talked about that she was going to see Dr. Swanson and he was going to look in her ears and mouth.  She let him do everything and was very cooperative!  It was great!  Then she had to get a couple shots.  Poor baby.  Just her Hep. A and the Flu shot.  She chould have had the mist this year, but she had a bit of a runny nose and our pediatrician recommended the shot instead yet this year.  Hasn't even been a bit crabby from her shots!  She is tall for her age - 35 inches and skinny (shocking, isn't it??): only 25lbs!!  But Dr. Swanson wasn't concerned.  Just said to make sure she is getting snacks and stuff between meals and a variety of foods.  Pretty normal for her age, she is go, go, go and has become a bit of a finicky eater.  I (mostly) refuse to make her anything different than what we are eating because I don't want to encourage her pickiness and for that to become the norm that I always have to make 2 meals.  If we are having something I know she won't eat, I do make her something else.  I try to put butter on pretty much everything she eats!  And for the most part she is a good eater.  But just look at her dad, is it any wonder she is tall and thin??

But the best part was the promise of pizza with Grandma Nancy after her appointment!  She talked about it all morning!  I was wondering if it was a bad idea that I had told her!!  But it helped calm her down after her shots that she was going to see Grandma!!

2nd Birthday Party!!

Allison had her 2nd birthday party last Sat.  Even though it was a bit chilly, it was a gorgeous day!!  It was so fun to have everyone over in our new house, I love the garage, it is insulated and sheetrocked (and heated, but it wasn't THAT cold!).  She was spoiled rotten with presents, she is a very lucky little girl who is enourmously (sp.??) loved!!!  I wanted to be super organized and have a fun "theme" birthday, and my first idea was Sesame Street, since she LOVES Elmo and Cookie Monster!  But, I ended up working Thur. night (long story) and we still had to order the cake, so I had to have Jesse do it Fri. while I was sleeping.  Well, we had decided to get it from Cub, I love their bakery, but they didn't have any Sesame Street cakes????  What?!  So, he got Pooh.  Well, we ended up with Pooh cake, Elmo balloons, and Minnie Mouse wrapping paper and card.  She loves them all, so no big deal.  I should have taken pics of the house all cleaned up, but didn't.  It looked GREAT!!  Thank You MOM!!! 

Allison helping clean windows!

Playing with her favorite toy (and probably the cheapest...go figure!!)!

Opening presents with Grandma Linda, Emma and Audrey watching!

Ok, this is kind of a funny story.  Allison has these little Sesame Street books she got for Christmas last year.  One is counting and on one page Zoe is figure skating and you are supposed to "count" her skates.  Well one day I was reading it to her and we got to this page and she got off my lap and posed like Zoe is in the book!  It was sooo funny.  Completely unprompted and on her own.  Now whenever we say "do the Zoe pose" she does it.  What a goof ball!  So, here is the back side of "Zoe Pose". 

AAAACK! Missed again!

So, another Tuesday come and gone, and I have failed. Sorry!!!! I have sooo much to blog about AGAIN! Or at least that I would LIKE to blog about, but I need TIME!!!  Here's the scoop...

So super excited for the Twins!  As I am writing this they are beating the Yanks!  I hope they sweep them, but however they do it, I just hope they win the series. 

The Vikings got Randy Moss back.  Here's hoping that can help give their season a boost.  But Childress still needs to GO!!  And as much as I like Favre...pretty soon they are going to have to get him a wheelchair.  We need to get a young but GOOD QB next draft!!!!! 

AAACK...I wasn't even thinking of it when I first wrote that, but now I remembered that this week was the cartoon "Cathy" 's last week.  I am pretty sure the last strip ran this week.  Not that I really read it much, but it was kinda funny.  (She said AAACK all the time).

We celebrated Allison's birthday Sat.  It was a beautiful day.  So much fun.  That is what i am hoping to get to soon.  Post some pics of that.  She has her 2 year check up Friday.  Poor baby, more shots!!  I can't wait to see how big she is getting.  And see if our pediatrician has any good potty training advice!!

Ummm, that is all I can think of for now.  I really need to study a bit before bed for an education seminar I am taking for work.  Ugh.  BUT...I also have a really good book that I am sooo close to finishing, I just want to get it done!!!  AND I am soooo tired.  So, we'll see.  OH, the book is "The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo" by Steig Larson.  Love it, would recommend it.  But only if you have nothing better to do for a few weeks until you finish it!!! 

Goodnight!

2 Years Old!!

My baby girl is 2!!!!  She is just growing up WAY too fast.  2 Years ago at this time I was enjoying my wonderful epidural right now!!  Ha!  Little did I know how much this little person was going to change me!  Last night I wanted to cuddle her in the worst way!  I just wanted to hold her and hug and squeeze her, and she wanted to run around in circles and do ANYTHING but sit on my lap. I wish I could bottle some of that sweet cuddly baby and bring it out as she gets older and wants nothing to do with cuddling or sitting on my lap.  Makes me sad to think of a day when we won't rock and read books before bed.  Anyway, enough of that, I am just going to enjoy where we are at right NOW.  All the "terrificness" and "terribleness" that comes with being 2!!  Parent's.com said that 2 year olds react the way they do because they where their emotions on their sleeve.  When they are happy, they are overjoyed, when they are sad, they are in tears, when they are mad they throw HUGE tantrums!!  Ha!  Allison has this thing now that she says "Allie Sad" when she is sad or upset about something.  It just breaks your heart because she usually says it with big crocodile tears in her eyes.  It is especially heart wrenching when she says that after you punish her, makes you want to just give in, but I know that is not what is best for her.  She also says "Allie Silly" when she is being funny and crazy.  I just love it.  She is way tooo smart!!  I can hardly believe a 2 year old can recognize emotions and name them already!  I love that girl so much.  Happy Birthday Sweetie, I hope you have the best day (actually from now to Sunday!!) EVER!!  (Until next year anyway :-)

Another One Bites the Dust!!

Yup, another friend turned 30!!  Happy 30th Birthday, Tom!  His actual birthday happens to be the same day as Allison's, Thursday (Sept. 30 - his Golden this year too!).  Holli threw him a FABULOUS suprise party.  It was soo much fun!  I think Tom had a good time!  Although, I can tell he is older...he did not drink ANY Jack?!  Wow!!  Responsibility kicks in...and the thought that now we have to get up at the crack of dawn with our kiddos!! 

Happy Birthday to a GREAT friend!  I have known Tom since we were pre-schoolers!!  He was our neighbor and I rode the bus with him until we could drive.  But he is OLDER than me!!  :)

Ready for Potty Training??

First of all, is that question for me or Allison??  Potty training is a lot of work as I am VERY quickly finding out!!  Let me start at the beginning.  Since we moved and even before we did Allison has shown a lot of interest in the potty.  She wants to sit on it all the time (she likes the adult toilet with an insert so she can sit on it by herself - she fell in at daycare without one so now she is afraid to sit on it without her ELMO potty toilet ring) and she will sit there for a LONG time.  However as long as she sits there she has NEVER actually done anything on the toilet!  But I had off last Tuesday, and after much encouragement from daycare and my mom that she was ready, decided to give it a try.  So, Tuesday after we went to the Y, we went shopping for underwear.  She was super excited, we got Minnie Mouse underwear!!  She wanted to put them on right away.  Unfortunately we got home right before lunch time, but I decided I would put her on the potty and then put the underwear on.  Like always, she sat there, but didn't go.  We put the undwear on, I figured we were pretty safe, she had just gone in her diaper and it was only 1 hour until nap time when I would put a diaper back on her anyway.  Well, we were eating lunch when she said "poop".  Ugh.  Luckily she did not POOP, but she did pee.  The underwear pack had 3 in it.  So after her nap we put on the second pair.  We took her to the bathroom every 20 min. and she never went in the toilet.  We ended up with 3 WET pairs of underwear.  And I could tell when she did have to go, she would cry and NOT want to sit on the potty. 

After that I had to work the next day and then 1 off then work the weekend with a lot going on during the weekend.  That is the part I am going to have a hard time with.  To be honest, diapers are convenient.  Potty training is not going to be easy, but I have a feeling it will be more work for me than her.  We have decided not to push it, she is after all, not QUITE 2 (Thursday!!).  Maybe try again in later October when I have a stretch of days off.  We will have to clear our schedules and not pack so many things into our days off too!  She is a very smart girl, it is just a matter of her really deciding she wants to do it.  Here are a couple pics of her playing in her underwear.  Forgot to get one of her on the potty!

Oops!!

Sorry, just realized I missed Tuesday's post!!!  I have a lot to post about, but I am going to save it for tomorrow.  Right now, I am watching Glee on my DVR!!!  Yeah!  After that I have a couple Y & R episodes to catch up on...uh, oh - this could be dangerous!!  Anyway, check in tomorrow (might be later afternoon) to see a new post. 

NW Willmar Residents!

Papers are signed, checks are written/cashed, boxes are unpacked...ummm, not quite yet on that one!  Oh, well.  We moved on Tuesday and thank goodness!  It rained almost ALL day here yesterday, and not just a little drizzle, downpoor most of the day!  (I know it rained south of Willmar Tuesday, but it was dry and mostly sunny here!!)  We are in the process of cleaning, unpacking and attempting to be organized.  Since I work starting tomorrow all weekend, I am hoping to get a lot done today.  Anyway, here are a few random pics from the last few days.  Unfortunately I did not get any pics of the old house after we were done in it and I didn't get any here before we moved stuff in.  We were kind of in a hurry to just get our stuff moved!

This is outside our old house.  Wanted a pic of that with the SOLD sign!!

Snapped a quick pic as we were finishing cleaning and loading before Jesse and I went to closing!!!  It was pretty hectic.  This was taken after the buyer showed up to do his final walk through!!!  Oops!

Dan and Bruce, my worker bees!  Thanks a million!!

Allie's first time in the new house, please ignore the mess on the countertops!!

Not the greatest pic, but a pic of Allie in her room.

She did VERY well.  Went to bed good last night, was whining a bit at 5 a.m., and 6, and got up at 7:15, but I was ok with that.  We need to get some blackout blinds for her room (ordered last night).  She is used to it being very dark.  And the sump pump runs a lot here, the one in our old house it seems NEVER ran.  We are in a lower area here plus with all the rain!

Once again HUMONGOUS (sp. sorry!) thank you to EVERYONE who helped us in any way!  Our parents, my brother, Kerri Ann, Josh N. (setting up our cable/internet), our realator - Lisa Mord (she is with All Star Reality in Willmar, I would recommend her to anyone, she was great and soooo kind!).  Sorry if I missed anyone, but we are very grateful.  It went so smoothly!!

Packing, packing, packing

I would have a pic to post, but the cord for camera to the computer is already packed.  We have been packing, packing, and more packing!!!!!!  I am sooo sick of packing.  But we have a lot of people to thank for helping us already!  My mom came Sat. early afternoon to help, and she has been a HUGE help, if it wasn't packing or cleaning she was entertaining Allie so I could be doing that.  Jesse's dad brought us 3 trailers!!!!  And both his parents helped pack and load the trailers!  Nancy brought lunch for us Sunday (delicious pot roast, and all the fixings) and she is bringing us lunch Tuesday at the new house.  My dad came today and helped pack and carry the big heavy things and load the trailers and so did Brad T.  THANK YOU to everyone!!  And Thanks in advance to anyone else who helps!!!!  Sionara until we move!  Can't remember if I shared it yet, but our new address will be:
509 36th Street NW
Willmar, MN  56201
Phone numbers will be the same.

Cute Pics!

Last Sunday when we had our last get together at our current house before we move on Tuesday (I'm getting a little sad) I asked my BFF, Holli, if she would snap a few pics of Allison with her fancy camera.  Well, let's just say Holli had a very LONG morning/early afternoon.  I was very excited they came to the party, but wasn't sure if she would still be willing/able to take some pics for me.  But she did!!  I didn't even realize it but her and her hubby had taken Allison to play on the neighbor's swing set and she snapped some GREAT pics in the process.  I am SOOO THANKFUL!!  They are super cute!  Not only does Holli have a great camera, she knows how to use it!  My problem even if I had a camera that awesome would probably be that I wouldn't even know how to use it to it's potential!  Anyway, the pics are so cute I have to share them.  (I am using them for Allie's 2nd b-day party invites too).  I think I see a future here...hint hint!

I LOVE this one.

Allie and her BFF, Audrey (notice the bandaid... reason for the LONG day for Holli, Tom, and Audrey).  Enjoying some cheese and crackers!  Thanks for bringing that, Holli!!  Great idea with kids around, can't go wrong with cheese and crackers!

Growing FEET

This weather sure sucks!  I am NOT ready for it to be this cold yet!  Maybe if it were OCTOBER 7!!  But, anyway, this weather has caused me to have to get out Allisons shoes instead of her sandals.  Which she hasn't worn pretty much since May!  As I was cramming her foot into the shoes the other day (I tried 2 pair!) I realized they were probably a BIT small, but I didn't think they were almost 2 sizes too small!!  Yikes, poor kiddo!  So, we went to Payless for their BOGO sale!  Allison LOVED it, she sat right down and started trying on ALL sorts of shoes (by herself, mostly NOT ones I would pick out!).  Back to being a girlie girl, she was picking all the pretty dressy shoes, and the other day she got mad at me because she wanted to wear a dress and I wouldn't let her!  So, anyway, she got her way with one pair...

Hmmm, I wonder which pair are HER favorite...(hint, it's the "Parkly" ones).

While I hope she doesn't end up with feet as big as her momma, she has grown a lot overall too!  I am excited to see how much she has grown at her 2 yr check up. 

I kind of felt like we were back to school shopping with all the kids going back to school in their and then we went to Target and got colored pencils and a box for markers/crayons/colored pencils!  Not that I am wishing her older in any way, but I can't wait to go back to school shopping! 

My Girlie Girl!

Allie is quite the girlie girl!  She LOVES chapstick, and asks for it constantly!!  2 of them usually (she wants 2 at once!).  I got her her own at Target yesterday, which she loved, but it smelled good, and yes, she did try to take a bite of it.  "Bite it", then I say "don't bite it, yucky!", then she repeats me AS she is doing it!!  But then did say, Yucky, and I don't THINK she did it again.  She puts it on her lips then licks them off over and over again!  This is probably going to CAUSE chapped lips for her!

SE to NW in 1 Week

In 1 week we will be moving.  I am very sad to be leaving our neighborhood.  We have wonderful neighbors and it is a great area.  On the backside of our house our neighbors are a co-worker of mine whom I love!  I don't know what I would have done without her when Allison was born.  They have a little boy who is 1 year older than Allison and I called her all the time.  She always seemed to show up at the right time and was able to calm me down.  I remember one time she came over to bring a present from someone at work and I answered the door in tears!  She came in and talked to me and I felt 100x better!!!!  Not only that, it has been so fun to watch Allie and Soren grow together the last 2 years.  I will miss being neighbors to them terribly!  But I know we will continue to be friends and support persons to each other!!  Our other neighbors have a swing set that they repainted and put new sand in the sand box JUST for Soren and Allison!!  Their kids have outgrown it, but they did that for us!!  We are so lucky!  Now we will have to invest in our own...YIKES!!  They also have mowed our lawn, mulched it and bagged our leaves in the fall for us!  (Hmmm, I think I am changing my mind on this moving thing!). 

But, I am pretty excited to move into our new house.  I am NOT into this whole packing thing, in fact, I have a long way to go!!!  But luckily we aren't going that far.  We are moving from SE Willmar, to NW Willmar.  Our new address will be 509 36th Street NW, Willmar, 56201.  (We will have the same ph. numbers).  I am going to try to get Christmas cards out early to everyone so they have the new address (and via email and FB...of course!).  So, one week from tonight we will be busy un-packing.  I may have to take a hiatus from the blog next week. 

But we had one more get together in our current house before the move.  It was fun.  We got to enjoy our neighbors hospitality again, as we used their fire pit!!  THANK YOU TO THEM!!!!!!  Here are a few pics.

Allie and Ava digging in the sand.  I wish I would have gotten a pic of the 3 girls (Allie, Ava, and Audrey together!)  Once again, I failed miserably in the photo taking dept.  It is hard to be the host, take care of a kiddo, AND take pics!  Oh, well.

Allie smiling for mommy!

Allie and Auntie Katie!  Tried to get Allie smiling, but this was the best I got.