W's First Day

Today Mel sent her oldest, W, to kindergarten which is absolutely unbelievable to me. How did these kids get to be so dern BIG? When Mel and I met Iz was about 10 months, Roo was about 6 months and W was almost 2. Now they're not babies...they're big kids.

So, Iz and I headed over to consol Mel (who was actually FINE) and play with Roo (who was a bit of a mess when faced with endless days without his big brother) and the weather was nice and the kids played so well together as a pair instead of a trio and we're planning all the things we'll do next year when ALL the kids are in school all day! LOL

Party!!!

Yesterday we threw a party at SnL's for UJ's graduation and Nannie's 70th Bday. the Weather was great, the food was great and the people, well....lol, they were great too!

Me & my momma!

Being silly with Papa!

Cutie!

Typical Hubby...would one smile kill him?

The requisite self-portrait :)

UJ & D ... cute!

FUN!!!

Wordless Wednesday: Monarch Butterfly

Underwater!

Iz has, until camping last week, refused to even TRY going underwater. I kept trying to convince her that being able to go underwater is important if she wants to learn to swim.

Three days at a campground with a pool and this is what happened...

LOVE the way she throws her hand in the air and yells "YEAH!" at the end...

ADORABLE!!!

Camping 2010 :)

We spent last Wednesday thru Saturday camping here...what a GREAT time we had!!!

Home Sweet Home

Wednesday's Dinner...YUM!

"Late" Night dancing at the campsite

(okay..it was only 9pm, but that's late for Iz!)

The chef....isn't he cute?!?

Relaxing in the hammock.

More relaxing...

Callie...surprisingly enough, just about the best behaved dog at the campground!

Watching a movie in the van Thursday afternoon :)

She was too tired to do anything else, but refused a nap!

I, however, did NOT refuse a nap :)

Down at the river!

Getting Callie to chase sticks into the water...NOT easy, but she tolerated it!

Cutie :)

Trying to avoid getting wet!

Hubby see-sawing with Iz and her camp buddy!

The weather was GORGEOUS the whole time we were there. We spent a ton of time at the pool, the playground, the river and just relaxing around the fire. Iz had her first s'more (until now she's refused to taste a cooked marshmallow - little did she know what she was missing!) AND she finally decided that going underwater was not a bad thing (more on that tomorrow!).

A fun time was had by all!!!

Hubby mentioned that the next tent we get should be a big 2-room style....I said the next "tent" we get should be a pop-up camper :) I'm getting too old to sleep on an air mattress!!! Sheesh!

Wordless Wednesday: Buddies :)

34 Things...Update #2

Forgot to do a July update...oops! See the complete list HERE ... see my progress as of June HERE :)

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#3 Go camping.

YES! Reservations are made... we're going this week :) Can't wait!

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#5 Talk Hubby into letting us get a couple of kittens.

Done ... well, half done, but as done as it will get :)

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#6 Grow more in my garden.

Ugh! My poor garden! It has been seriously neglected this summer though we have had green beans with one meal (yum!) and peas with THREE meals this summer :) I have a couple squash going and a pumpkin or two started but my zucchini and summer squash did NOT appear. Blah! I have not been diligent about watering and weeding and tending so it's my own fault. Ho hum....there's always next year, right?

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#15 Walk more.

This hasn't happened yet (it's been unbearable HOT and HUMID, remember?) but I have a definite plan in place for when Iz starts preschool next month (next month? YIPE!) and WILL be walking at least 3 times a week!!!

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# 28 Laugh even MORE!

This is an on-going thing but was considerably helped along a couple weeks ago when I went out with the "Ballet Moms"

50 Years!

This weekend we celebrated another 50th Anniversary....with a lot of the same people we celebrated with last year :)

This party was for "Smarty Marty" (my mom's sister) and Uncle D....Marty makes all the cakes in the family, beautiful AND yummy!, and actually made the cake for her OWN party!!!

The weather was gorgeous, the food was delicious, the bar was O-P-E-N! and we had a fantastic time!!!

I'm not-so-patiently waiting for some one to post pics on FB since I was lazy and didn't drag my camera out! Maybe in a couple days!

We're camping this week so don't expect too much (like you ever do, right?)

HAPPY MONDAY!!!

Flashback Friday - IzzyB's Birth Story

*Originally written January 20, 2006

I can't believe IzzyB is 10 days old already!
I finally have the chance to post delivery details (for those of you who want to know). I went into the hospital on Sunday, January 8th because I thought my water had broken. The doctor said it hadn't but kept me overnight for observation. They sent me home at 2pm on Monday the 9th and after eating dinner around 5 the fun began! It started with some bad lower back pain (which I had on and off so I didn't think it was a big deal) and then I got sick and up came dinner :) (sorry for the graphic details). Hubby called the doctor for me and I pretty much sat on the bathroom floor in severe pain. We were back at the hospital by about 7pm (5 hours after we left) and I was on an IV of Stadol by 8ish - that stuff doesn't help at all, by the way. It felt like someone had smacked me in the lower back with a shovel (constant pain) and then when a contraction would come, pretty much all I could do is cry and try to breath through it. By 11pm I was 5 cm dilated and offered more pain relief - I told the nurse I didn't care what they did, I just wanted the back pain to stop. I ended up getting an intrathecal (one shot to the spine as opposed to an epidural, which is a constant drip) and within 10 minutes I was sitting up, and able to hold a conversation. The nurse told me that an intrathecal would provide pain relief for four to five hours so we thought I would be all set. I started pushing at 4:30am and by 6:30am had made very little progress (and the intrathecal had worn off!). The nurses shift change is what saved my life! I think that if I was still dealing with the nurse that was there overnight that I would STILL be trying to push Iz out. The morning nurse came in at 6:30 and IzzyB was born at 7:10am. She did end up needing a little help from the vacuum which left her with a terrible conehead but that is almost gone now. I can honestly say that it was the most amazing experience I have ever been through, When she finally came out and they laid her on my chest I just couldn't believe that she was here and I was finally getting a look at my little girl.
We brought her home on Thursday the 12th and the last 10 days have been great. The lack of sleep is a challenge but it's worth it. Hubby took all of last week off from work and when we brought her home the two of us just spent hours looking at her. I never could have imagined the love that I feel for this little one. There are absolutely no words that can describe how I feel every time I look at her. I am so looking forward to watching her grow up (not too fast, though!) and can't wait to discover her personality.

So, that's it - that's how Iz entered this world and changed my life forever :) Hoping to drag some wedding pictures out soon so I can share that story with you too!!!

Happy Birthday RBB...missing you...and wishing Iz and Hubby had been lucky enough to know you :(

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!

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Wordless Wednesday: The Cutest Ballerina EVER!

More of the Same

Last summer was pretty much the shortest summer on record around here. It rained for most of June and July, we had the one scorching hot day in August which happened to be the day of my parents anniversary party, then it was September and things cooled down.

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This summer? Long. And H.O.T.

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Now, don't get me wrong...I don't want to wish summer away because I know that I will blink my eyes and it will be Ellie's Birthday, then Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and *gulp* Iz's FIFTH birthday! There will be snow soon and I'll be freezing and not want to go outside EVER, even for essentials like food and t.p. but...

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Could it just be NICE for a couple weeks? Not 90 degrees with 250% humidity....I'd like to be able to get out of the shower and actually be able to dry off. I'd like to be able to go outside without feeling like I'm breathing underwater. Most of all, I would like to, for the love of all things, STOP SWEATING! Just for one day...please?

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Okay, I'm done whining....we now return you to your regularly scheduled blog :)

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On a side note, I think I might make THESE cookies this week....aren't they adorable?

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Flashback Friday - Pregnancy

I kept an informal on-line journal while I was pregnant with Iz and through the first couple years of her life...here's the pregnancy part :) Saturday, June 11, 2005 Tomorrow marks 8 weeks...on one hand, time is dragging and on the other, I can't believe it's been over a month since we found out and it's been over 6 weeks since this little one was created :) We still have not seen the doctor. June 22nd is my first appointment but that's only with a nurse (to take samples and get a medical history). the first "real" appointment is on June 29th. That's the one I'm really excited about! I'll be almost through my first trimester and, hopefully, we can hear a heartbeat and, FINALLY, get some confirmation that there really is a baby in there! Not that I'm complaining about my lack of morning sickness (or any other symptoms, for that matter) but it will be reassuring to hear a professional say "yes, you are pregnant, it's not some fluke" :) Wednesday, August 10, 2005 Okay...I'm not good at keeping up with this but I will try and get better. At my appointment on July 22nd (?) Hubby and I heard the baby's hearbeat for the first time! A strong 160bpm. My next appointment is August 19th and then I have an ultrasound scheduled for September 6th. We are still undecided about finding out the sex of the baby but I am fairly certain we will end up wanting to be surprised :) Sorry to disappoint all of you who HAVE to know . . . Sunday, August 21, 2005 At my checkup Friday, the doctor barely pressed the monitor to my belly before he picked up baby's heartbeat! A relief after my trip to the ER last week (just a VERY painful UTI nut still scary!). Only about 2 weeks until our unltrasound and both Hubby and I are so excited to see this little one and get an update on his/her progress. We have definitely decided to be surprised about boy/girl instead of finding out at the ultrasound...pink or blue?

Wednesday, September 14, 2005 We had the ultrasound done last week - we have a nice, big, healthy baby in there. 13oz! Boy or girl? We didn't find out. We really want it to be a surprise! Tomorrow is my glucose test, to check for gestational diabetes. Not really looking forward to that, since I've heard all kinds of terrible things about the stuff they make you drink. I promise to keep more up-to-date with this (especially after the scolding I got last night from SK!). I think Hubby and I will be hitting BRU and setting up a registry within the next week or so, so keep your eyes peeled for that! Sunday, September 18, 2005 Well, well, well...yesterday was a pretty exciting day for all three of us, as well as our family and our closest friends. For those of you who couldn't make it, Hubby and I had our wedding celebration and revealed to everyone (including ourselves) that we are expecting a Baby Girl! It was the best way to be surprised, but also to know in advance. It was so exciting to open the "present" from our ultrasound technician and pull out a pink bib with everyone watching and waiting . . . It was amazing! Friday, October 7, 2005 We have decided on a name for this little one inside of me...IzzyB :) We finally made the decision yesterday when we got tired of referring to her as "the baby." Things are going very well. Iz is getting very strong. She kicked me so hard that she almost knocked me over in the shower the other day. and she kicked Hubby in the back the other night when I curled up behind him to fall asleep! I have an appointment next Wednesday and will have my glucose test to check for gestational diabetes and I only have 16 days left of my second trimester - time flies when you're having fun!!! Monday, October 31, 2005 I had my glucose test done and have not heard anything back from the doctor - no news is good news!!! I have a prenatal class at the hospital tomorrow night and next Tuesday and an appointment next Wednesday - then I'll be going every 2 weeks! Hopefully at my next appointment they'll give me an idea of how big Iz is . . . my guess is around 3 pounds!!! Less than 3 months to go - I can't wait! Wednesday, November 9, 2005 I had a doctors appointment today - everything is going along perfectly. My BP was 130/73, Iz's heartbeat was 147 BPM, I gained 1 pound in the last 4 weeks (16 pounds total so far), my fundal height was 29cm and the results of my glucose test were right on the money! The doctor says that whatever I'm doing, keep on doing it! I start going every 2 weeks now, until the week before Christmas and then it's EVERY week until I pop! Wednesday, November 23, 2005 Hubby asked the doctor at my appointment yesterday if she knew how big Iz is right now. She said the average baby is 3 to 3-1/2 ponds . . . and Iz is bigger than that! She told me that unless I go really early that I shouldn't hold my breath for a 6 pounder - more in the 8 to 9 range. YIPE! But, as long as she's healthy, I'm okay with that. Everything looks good. My BP is staying steady and Iz is head down (and she's using her little legs to push herself further down all the time. The result? CONSTANT heartburn and the feeling that she's going to pop out about 6 inches above my belly button. I keep checking my belly for a bruise - that's how hard she's pushing !) She's a strong, healthy, BIG baby. Eight and a half more weeks!!! Sunday, December 11, 2005 With 6 weeks left (maybe less) I am definitely ready to have this baby. She is so high up that my chest and belly have merged into one :) At my last appointment (on the 12th) I had lost 2 pounds, bringing my total weight gain to 18 pounds at the 33 week mark. I'm totally okay with that! My blood pressure looked good and Iz's heartbeat is nice and strong! I have another appointment on the 19th and then it's every week until this little one makes her big appearance!!! Monday, December 19, 2005 I had another ultrasound on Friday and then my doctor's appointment today. Here's the deal...everything looks great. Iz is nice and healthy - amniotic fluid is okay, her digestive system is okay and blood flow through her umbilical cord is okay and she's DEFINITELY a girl! Guesstimated weight (drum roll please!) 6 pounds! 12 ounces! This could be off up to a pound either way, but with average gain of 1/2 pound a week she will be an 8-9 pound baby!!! Yipe! Her heartbeat is nice and strong - 142 on Friday and 136 today. She's healthy and that's all I can ask for. I'm not dialated yet, but I am 50% effaced so things are progressing. The docotr could feel a head so, although i feel liek Iz is up in my throat, she's ehad down and ready to be born. I have an appointment set up every week for the next 3 weeks, but let's hope for labor a couple weeks early :) We got a great new ultrasound pic, it's a profile of her face - she has the cutest little nose! Her lips are puckered and there's a blur to the left which, I think, is her thumb which she's getting ready to suck!!! Friday, December 30, 2005 Went to the doctors on Tuesday afternoon (12/27) and there has been a little progress. 80% effaced and less than a cm dialated. She also went over the ultrasound results in more detail and said that everything is perfect except the baby's size which is big but fine for now! Iz is officially full term on Sunday so if she's born any time after that then she should be fine. My last day of work is Friday the 6th and then I'll just eb home waiting for this not-so-little one to arrive. So...here's to hoping for an early labor! Next appointment - Wednesday, January 4th Wednesday, January 4, 2006 1 full cm dialated...that;s it! A little discouraging but I am still 18 days from my due date. My BP still looks good (138/73), Iz's heartbeat was a strong 152 and I gained 2 pounds, bringing my total to 26 - Yipe! My next appointment is Monday the 9th and the doctor said today that she doesn't think I'll be seeing them any earlier than that :( But she did say that things look good and I am progressing well for a first baby. Friday is my last day at work which is good, because no matter what I am doing or what position I'm in, I'm uncomfortable. So, at least I'll be uncomfortable at home instead of at work. Thursday, January 12, 2006 IzzyB was born Tuesday, January 10, 2006 (her Daddy's birthday!) at 7:10am. She weighed a whopping 8 pounds, 10 ounces and was 21.5 inches long. We brought her home today and all three if us are doing great! I will definitely post a longer entry later with more details but I wanted to get the word out that she's here!!!

This Week

Sunday: Iz and I went to HC's house for some fun in the sun/pool/slip'n'slide then came back home, picked up Hubby and went to Friendly's for dinner!

Monday & Tuesday: Home....cleaning, playing, catching up on my shows and being SILLY with my favorite little girl!

Wednesday: Typical Wednesday with Auntie D and Ellie though this week Auntie D played hookie from work (shhhh....don't tell) and we skipped story time at the library in favor of getting our errands done early so we would have more time to play with the girls!!!

Wednesday Night: Hubby was gone overnight for work (boo!) but Iz and I made the most of it with a relaxing dinner, movies, treats and lots of cuddles!

Today: Iz and I slept in 'til 8 (!) then went to hang out with Mel & her boys, blackberry picking at Mel's in-laws, we're home for a quick dinner then I'm headed out to meet up with the "Ballet Moms" for a couple of drinks and, I'm sure, LOTS and LOTS of laughs!

Tomorrow: Catching up on laundry, grocery shopping (ugh!) and getting ready for the weekend...no plans yet and I am looking forward to some relaxing with my fam :)

I took ZERO pictures this week (in a rut, I guess) but I think it's because the weather has just been unbearable - too hot, too humid and too much for me to deal with. The temps and humidity are supposed to drop tonight into tomorrow and the weekend is supposed to be PERFECT! Have a great one!

Wordless Wednesday: Wahoo!