Pumpkin carving 2009

The girls and I had such a great time carving pumpkins. Aniela loved digging the guts out and it was so funny to see the faces Areya made while doing hers.

We also painted a few which the girls could not get enough of. If I wouldn't have stopped them each pumpkin would have close to 10 coats of paint each. We really missed having Tj & Shaylee over to carve pumpkins with. We miss you guys!

Baby #3

I finally made it to the doctor a few weeks ago. Here are the ultra sound pictures they took of our little peanut.

10 Weeks

Sorry Areya but it looks like there's just one baby in there. They said that I have a pretty large cyst on my left ovary and think it will go away on it's own. I have been feeling pretty good, not to much puking this time around. I did lose about 5 lbs but am quickly gaining it back. I guess I did pretty good figuring out my due date because it was right on May 17, 2010.

Right now I am 13 weeks and have my next doctor visit a week from today. I am a bit annoyed with this doctors office though. They are making me attend a class that teaches "The do's and don't of pregnancy". You would think after having a few I would be good to go and not need the class but I guess it is mandatory and they won't let me go to my next baby visit until I attend. The other part that bugs is that no husband/no kids are allowed so I have to find a babysitter for the girls.

Anyway, I forget how much growing a baby takes out of you. I can't seem to get enough sleep and I am way to moody. My poor girls (and probably Damian) are ready to trade me in for a new happy mommy. Don't worry guys only 6 1/2 more months to go.

I know they say that you show sooner with your second and third ones but I can't believe how big I'm getting already. People have started to notice my belly (and at this stage if they don't know your expecting then they think your packing on the pounds) and I have gotten a few comments. I'll let you know how my next appointment goes and I will try getting a few pictures of my baby bump to show all of you.

Jelly Belly Factory

Some friends of ours went to the Jelly Belly factory just over the boarder of Wisconsin and it looked like fun so we decided to try it out for ourselves. They offer free tours of the warehouse and show you how they make the beans along with the many other kinds of candy they make. It was amazing how much work goes into making the candy.

At one point you pass under these giant Jell Belly's hanging from the ceiling that are like 6 feet tall.

At the end of the tour they give you a sample bag and drop you of at the candy shop where they have a sample bar and ton and tons of candy for sale. The sample bar was neat, it gives you a chance to try any of the flavors you want before you buy them. They also had flavors like dog food, ear wax, diaper wipes and moldy cheese. Damian was brave enough to try the moldy cheese. He spit it out pretty quick after but he did give it a try. Here is the link if anyone is interestred. http://www.jellybelly.com/visit_jelly_belly/wisconsin_factory.aspx

This is the part of our take home loot. Damian got a little carried away.

On our way home we stopped and ate at Culver's. (Note to Utah readers: it is kind of like Warrens) The food was really good and they make their own custard which was really yummy!

8 years and counting

Damian and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary this Tuesday, October 27th. Wow, 8 years! It's amazing how far we have come in those 8 years.

I really am thankful to Damian for all that he does to care for our family. He is a great father and loves us all so much. It has been an adventure and I am looking forward to seeing where life takes us in the years to come. I love you honey! Thank you for taking care of us and for your love and support.

It's that time of year again

Man I really hate this time of year, when the bugs are out and every one catches every thing.

Areya has come home from school with some crazy bug that gave her a fever for 3 days. After she recovered from that she got a cough which we found out is Bronchitis and which she was nice enough to share with me. Now she has pink eye. Don't we just love school and all the fun germs our kids bring home with them. Normally it's not that big of a deal but because I am pregnant and have pretty much no immune system I get every thing she brings home. So far it's just the Bronchitis but that has been more then I can deal with. I can't stop coughing and there is not much I can take.

The big one I am worried about is the flu. With the Swine flu scare everyone and their dog has been getting vaccinate and there are not enough to go around. Aniela got one early and was suppose to get another one but they are all out. Areya and I haven't had much luck getting one and even though they offered them at Damian's work he has not gotten one either. (they did it on his day off) The next batch is due in around the end of November. Let's hope none of us catch it before then and that where will be some left for us.

Halloween play date / School field trip

A few of the stay at home moms in my ward meet on Tuesdays for a play date and this week we had a Halloween party. The kids got to paint pumpkins, eat lots of fun Halloween themed snacks, and just play.

They had tons of fun and also got to show off their Halloween costumes. We had a great time thanks Carli for hosting it.

Areya had her first field trip this week. It was to the Suzanna Farms, which has a pumpkin patch and hay maze. The kids learned about what they grow on the farm (soy beans, corn & pumpkins) and got to see the animals that they have there. (chickens, lambs, horses and Scottish cows)

After we learned all about what they do on the farm we took a hay ride around the farm to see the crops. (well, what was left of them) Then they got to go through a corn maze and pick out a pumpkin.

It was so muddy from all the rain that we have been getting that the kids were covered by the time they were done. Areya fell down twice and had mud from head to toe.

I did learn some interesting information on this field trip. One of the little boys in Areya's class has a crush on her and kept trying to sit by her and gave her to goo goo eyes look. She told me that he takes her jacket and backpack on the bus and also takes and eats her snacks. I told her that this is how boys act when they like you. She got red and told me not to talk about it any more. I sure trained her well not to like boys, well see if that sticks in a few years.

Pregnancy Craving

Along with pregnancy comes cravings and man have I had a lot so far. Potatoes any way I can get them. ( I get this one with every pregnancy) Next was Peanut butter bars, then came rice crispy treats which I have never made myself so that fun to learn.

Apple pie sounded really really good so I tried my first attempt at home made apple pie. It turned out pretty good.

Doughnuts were next, then tuna fish with pickles. Let's see I have also been craving avocados, apples, fruit smoothies, and anything salty.

I wonder what crazy craving I will have next and what fun thing I will get to learn to made because of it.

Another little one

Just in case you haven't heard we are having another baby. According to my calculations we are due around May 17th. I still have not been to a doctor yet (it's hard finding a new doctor) but after I do I will let you know our official due date. We are hoping for a boy this time around. Either way this will be our last. I will do my best to keep you posted.

Areya keeps telling me she wants twin girls and Aniela changes her answer every time you ask. She is so funny because she keeps telling me that she has a baby in her tummy too. Kids are so fun at that age.

Oh just a side note, we are having a hard time coming up with uncommon names we like. For girl names we want to stick with A ____ A names. (Starts and ends with an A) For the boy names we are open. So if any of you have an good names you wouldn't mind sharing I would love to hear them. Just leave me a comment. Thanks

Damian health update

I guess I should catch you up on the test results. He called the doctor that had him got to the hospital for all the testing to see if they had found anything. The tests came back with a big fat NOTHING! Not helpful! I don't know I guess I should be happy that they didn't find anything big like cancer or a bad heart but at the same time it is a little frustrating that we still don't know what is wrong.

Anyway he went to a new doctor while we were gone and she told him that she believes he has a Serotonin imbalance. The doctor put him on a medicine that is suppose to help balance the levels and hopefully get him feeling back to normal. Let's hope this one works! He has another appointment with her next week.

She can't be 6 already!

Happy 6th Birthday Areya!!!

September 23rd

While we were in Tennessee visiting, Areya had her 6th birthday. We drove to Gatlinburg and went to the Ripley's Aquarium and also stopped in Pigeon Forge to ride go carts. Areya had such a great time she even got to touch a sting ray!

After we got back from the Aquarium and go carts we had really yummy ice cream cake and Areya got to open her presents. (That's the only candle we had)

She was very spoiled this year and got tons of presents from everyone. Mommy, Daddy, Grandma & Grandpa got her a new bike. Uncle Matt & Aunt Amy got her a fishing pole and cute dress. Cousin Chase & Jen got her a barbie movie. Grandma Great got her an outfit and movie. Tj & Shaylee sent a cute outfit and bead set. Aunt Kim & Uncle Mike got her little pet shops.

She loved all of the gifts and I just want to say thank you to everyone for making her day so special. She really did have a great birthday!

Areya,

You're such a sweet girl with a good heart and a beautiful smile. You have brought so much joy to our family and I am so happy to have you as my daughter. Thank you for being a great big sister and a big help to mommy and daddy. We love you very much!

Niagara Falls

The day after the wedding we all took a trip up to Niagara Falls. It was amazing how much water goes over them every second. They do have the boat ride where they take you right down next to the falls but I decided that with the girls it would be better not to go. Maybe when they get older we will have the opportunity to go.

Next time we'll have to take our passports and see the Canadian side.

We also got to swim in Lake Erie while we we there. For then next part of our trip we drove down to Tennessee to spend some time at my aunt and uncle's. (Not to bad only a 720 mile trip)

Dj & Melissa's Wedding

Dale and Melissa Wickline

September 19, 2009

My cousin got married in Buffalo, NY a few weeks ago and we were able to attend. It was a beautiful wedding . Thank you for inviting us to share your special day.

My Aunt Kim is my mom's sister and these are her kids, in-laws and grand-babies.

I have be luck enough to attend all of my cousin's weddings.

Here is a picture in the church of the wedding party.

I just want to tell them Congratulations and wish them both the best in the years to come! I hope you have a long and happy life together.

A few pictures from our Utah trip

My cousin Heston, Brandi and their kids, Amanda (my best friend) and her 3 girls, Sam, Dawn, the kids and Tj & Shaylee all came over to roast hot dogs and marshmallows over the fire. Yummy, Smores!!

BBQing in my mom's back yard.

Brandi, Shaylee and myself at the park.

(Baby Addy is there too)

Mom, Dad with the kids

We took a few family pictures at the park. We we able to get everyone except for Damian who had to stay in IL for work.

Family picture summer 2009

Congrats to Matt & Amy!!! Matt surprised us all and proposed to Amy one of the nights after a family BBQ. We are so happy that Amy will officially be part of the family. They still have not set a date but we are guessing it will be late spring or early summer.

Matt proposing to Amy

We had lots of fun activities planned for the whole 2 weeks. We were able to see lots of friends and family. We went to the dinosaur park, mini golfing, the hot air balloon festival, Lagoon, Seven Peaks, a Raptors game, the fair and demolition derby, canoeing, play dates with friends, fishing at the trout farm, and to a splash park. We had movie night at the Hawks cousins and so so much fun! Thank you everyone for spending so much time with us, it was great seeing all of you.

Hot air balloon festival

Papa & the girls fishing

Tj & Shaylee at the derby

Us at a Raptors game

Sam & Tj at their Birthday BBQ

Happy Birthday boys!!!!

Dawn & the kids

Areya's first day of Kindergarten

Areya started her first day of Kindergarten on Aug 25th. (I know, I'm a little late posting) She has morning Kindergarten and goes from 8:30 - 11:00. We are far enough away from school that she has to ride a bus. (which she loves) The only part I don't enjoy is being at the bus stop an hour before school even starts. Wow, that's so early for me!

Areya loves school and really likes her teacher. She comes home with tons of stories of what they learned and all the exciting things she saw on the bus ride. (like a dead deer)

Aniela on the other hand is not sure she likes her big sister gone for so long. She still looks around the house for her and you can hear her talking to Areya's empty bed in the morning. (Areya has a loft bed and so Aniela never knows if sister is up there or not)

It is hard to think that my baby is old enough to start elementary school. I know, I got an extra year because of her late birthday but still it happens way to fast.

Another trip to the hospital for Damian

On Wednesday Damian went to the doctor because he is still not feeling well. He is still having dizziness, some pain in his side, heart palpations, weight loss, and tightness in his chest. He as also been having non stop adrenaline go through his system so the doctor decided to admit him and run a series of tests. So as soon as he got back from his appointment (which is in downtown Chicago) we had to find someone to watch the kids for that night and the next day. Luck for us we have some really great friends in Arlington Heights who were willing to help us out. Thank you to both the Smith and Peterson families!!!!! You were a huge live saver. After dropping them off we drove back downtown to St. Mary's Hospital to be admitted. After about 30 min they were able to find him a room and got things underway. They took blood, did an EKG, CAT scan, urine test (2) 24 hour tests), took more blood, and was hooked to a heart monitor the whole time. By the time every thing was said and done we were there just over 27 hours.

And what did we find out?

1. His heart is healthy
2. He dose not have diabetes
3. His thyroid is fine
4. They found a mass in his stomach and we have to follow up with another doctor to see what it is.

That's just about it. We are still waiting for the results from some of the blood and urine tests which should be back in about 2 weeks.

We are thinking at this point that he may have an over active adrenal gland or that the mass in his stomach may be pressing on the adrenal gland. The doctor did mention that there may be a tumor some where which is causing the problems but was not able to see one on the CT so we are really praying that there isn't one.

This has been going on since April and we both really want some answers. He has missed a lot of work and never feels good anymore so if you could please keep us in your prayers we would appreciate it. Thank you to all of you for the support and help and prayers we have received, it really means a lot.