Who's who?

Can you guess which Christmas baby is which?

My 2 Front Teeth...My 2 Front Teeth!

All I got for Christmas were my 2 front teeth.....knocked out! Ouch!

Well, I am a toddler now and accidents are bound to happen. I was kneeling on Grandma's nice new chair in my jammies and I leaned over to get a better look at Elise who was in her moses basket on the table. Just as I leaned down, out slipped my knees and in went my teeth smack into the edge of the wooden table covered with glass. I am probably pretty lucky my lips weren't all busted-up too! Mommy was out shopping and she raced home to comfort me, but I was already smiling and playing once again by the time she got home.

I go to the dentist tomorrow to get them fixed. I can't wait to see how they intend to hold me down. Good luck Dr. Dentist!!!

Messy house, little sleep, but making time to blog!

Here are a few pictures of sweet little Elise. She really likes sleeping right now and eating about every 3 hours. She is doing very well. I have caught her smiling a few times and making some cooing sounds. I love it!!!

It's is hard to find time to do all the things I want/need to get done in a day. Today, I am foregoing a clean house for a little blog update. It will be quick, but I hope you enjoy...

(this is all out of order now, but I am in too big of hurry to fix: this paragraph should be at the very top) :)

Addison loves to play "Mommy" around the house. Every single animal, doll, even Christmas tree ornament (if in the shape of an animal) gets diapered, cleaned, and swaddled with loving care. Dave and I used to have to help Addi pull the straps on the diapers, but as you can see from the pics, she has now mastered that skill. Geoffrey, the giraffe, was very patient as Addi practiced time and again on him. Look at what a spectacular job Addi has done!!!

So, as most of you know Addison has been sleeping in her new twin bed for about 2 months. She was off to a great start and Dave and I thought we were so lucky to have such an easy transition from crib to bed. Well, about 2 wks before Elise arrived our luck started to run out slowly. Addison decided that she should start taking advantage of her newly found freedom.

It started out ever so benign...

a little movement her and there, kicking the bed, playing with the few toys in the room,

then on to....

playing with the monitors, setting up camp outside the bed somewhere, staring out the window for who knows how long, probably even sleeping while standing-up looking out the window

eventaully getting a little braver by the day...

opening and closing the door, to insisting the door always be open, taking all shoes, diapers, pajamas to door, diapering Geoffrey at the door,

to finally.....

pushing 2 big boxes of diapers to door, stacking them and proceeding to climb on them over the gate that had been at the door.

NICE!!!

Our little problem-solver!

Ever soooo proud at 6:45 in the morning.

Happy Birthday 2 You!

That's right, Addison turned 2 years old this past weekend. She had a Farm Themed Party and loved every minute of the celebration. I don't know if I have ever seen her that excited before. I was afraid she was going to be shy with all of the people around, but she was just the opposite. Her "Pig" birthday cupcake was also a big hit. She really liked the frosting. We also celebrated Addison's good friend, Sawyer's, birthday too. He was also a big fan of the frosting on his "Cow" birthday cupcake. Thank you to everyone who came to the birthday parties and to those of you who wished Addie a Happy Birthday across the miles! It was a great day!

Elise even dressed-up for the occassion in her cow onesie! Moo!

Look At How I am Growing!

At my 2 week check-up I weighed 8 lbs 10.5 oz. The doctor said I looked great. Here are some pics of me from the past 2 wks!

Look at all my dark hair!

Sleeping peacefully!

Big sis Addison still loves holding me!

Snug as a bug in my car seat!

Name

a word or words by which an entity is designated and distinguished from others

Meet the newest member of our family

Elise Marie

It's a GIRL!!!

Yesterday, November 21st, 2008 we were blessed with our 2nd baby girl. She was born at 9:18am and weighed 8lbs 7 1/2 oz. She is 21 inches long and has a full head of dark brown/black hair. The doctors say she is doing very well and looks great!

Big sister Addie loves her new little sis and is eager to hold her any chance she gets. Last night she didn't want to set her down. Addie even wore her very own pair of "Big Sis" scrubs to the hospital. It was so neat to watch how she cared for her new little sister so delicately.

Many of you have asked about her name. We think we have decided, but we are going to try it out one more day to be sure. When we know I will post it!!! Sorry to keep you all waiting.... In the meantime, enjoy these pictures!

Ribbit Ribbit!

This is one of my 1st knitting creations. The frog's eyeballs need a little help, as Addie has tried to pull them off, but at least they are still attached. Addie really likes wearing this hat too, which makes me happy. Everytime she puts it on she makes a really deep cave-woman like sound...such as to sound like a frog I guess. Anyhow, stay tuned for more knits by Julie Tabulie! I am almost finished with a set for the new little guy or gal!

Atlas Steel, how may I help you?

Addison is such a great employee. I don't know how anything gets done when she is away? This is a picture of Addison working hard at the helm of Atlas Steel. Addison is always watching what everyone is doing, even down to the smallest detail, so it was funny to see her imitating a little bit of everyone: Grandpa with the glasses, Grandma working hard on the laptop with cup of coffee close by, and Uncle Russ with his signature "annoyed look," that says...what could you possibly want now?

Look what we found!

Grandma Z, Addie and I went to a Pumpkin Farm in Omaha, NE. Although most of the farm was disappointing, I enjoyed getting to snap a few pictures of an old Volkswagon van. Addie seemed interested in it too.

New Layout!

So after looking at some friends' blogs, I wanted to change mine. It is just too plain.
Stay tuned for updates!!!

Okay, got some color finally. What do you think?

What do you think?

Are gifts appropriate for your pregnant wife?

I recently spotted a pair of Armani sunglasses that I am in love with for the moment, possibly for longer if I don't find anything else that I decide I need more in the meantime. I was just thinking that since I have given up alcohol, allowed my body to be morphed into an unrecognizable shape, and endured morning sickness and other pregnancy symptoms with very few complaints that maybe I deserve a little "something special" from my wonderful husband. I think he has it pretty easy compared to what other pregnant wives make their husbands do or listen to. What do you think?

Total # of times DH has had to run to the store: once for Ginger Ale, Emetrol and Vitamin B6
Total # of mommy meltdowns endured: two
That is about it!!!

At least that's all coming to mind right now.... I guess lots of "Pregnancy Brain" too!

No Baby Yet!

So at my appointment on Friday, things were sounding like they were moving along pretty quickly. I was guessing to have a baby in my arms by now, but I was wrong. I have an induction scheduled for the 21st (this coming Friday), so if not on his/her own we will force that baby to come out and meet the world soon!!!

Here is the latest picture of me! I am exactly 38 weeks!

Add a comment and tell me if you think this baby is a boy or girl and write in a guess as to his or her weight at birth. You could receive a special gift from me if you are right!!!

K-Fed and Britney...together again?

Our friends had a Rockband Party the day after Halloween and we were supposed to come dressed as music stars. Being 8 1/2months preggo limited my costume choices somewhat, but Dave and I managed to pull it off. We had a lot of fun at the party and there were lots of great/funny costumes. My favorite part was getting to put lots of black eye makeup on, and the major "score" we found for Dave's costume were the "K" diamond earrings. Thanks Nate and Beth for a fun night!!!

"Ti - Teat!"

Addison dressed-up as a bumblebee this year for Halloween. I was not feeling up to going out, but Dave took Addie around the neighborhood with some friends. She had lots of fun adding candy to her pumpkin. She calls her candy "chew toys" for some reason...not sure where she came up with that? The dark lighting made for some pretty red eyes in the pictures...sorry about that. I posted them before fixing that.

It's Not Hawaii, but Close!

This past weekend was the wedding reception for Dave's younger brother Anthony and his wife Jeni. The reception was in Lincoln, but the wedding took place in Hawaii. I didn't get to go to the wedding; being 71/2 months pregnant, but Dave was able to make arrangements to go. I know he had a lot of fun meeting Jeni's friends and family and seeing Hawaii for the first time. Dave's older brother and family also came into town for the reception in Lincoln and it was nice getting to visit with them too. Addie really enjoyed playing with her older cousins. I wish they lived closer. Anyhow the pictures were taken at the Sunken Gardens. A beautiful place in Lincoln, but not quite Hawaii!!!

Tickle, Tickle!

Can you hear Addie's giggle? I just love these pictures of Addison and her friend Brooke tickling each other with a fuzzy weed from the park.

A Final Visit to Oklahoma Before Baby #2!

I made one final trip the other weekend to see my friends in Oklahoma before baby #2 was to arrive. Addie stayed at my parent's house and I got to enjoy a little peace and quiet during the long trip. It was great to see all of my old friends and their little ones. I had so much fun catching up it was hard to leave. I wish you all did not live so far away. I miss you lots. Anyhow, thanks for a great mini vacation!!!

While in Edmond I got to go to all of my favorite old hot spots:
Sushi Nekko, Shopping at Penn Square Mall with Becky and the adorable Miss Molly, I was treated to a pedicure by my friend Heather and we visited The Market too, I got to see all my old playgroup buddies and their gorgeous kiddos, Jen W. treated me to an unplanned pizza dinner, I got to have a famous Sunday night dinner with the Riley family, and a fun night just chatting with the girls. Oh, and a trip to Edmond is never complete without going to Ted's at least once.

Thanks again for a great time everyone!!! Also, Becky, thanks for letting me stay at your beautiful new home. Talk to you all soon.

I'll have to post a picture later. I can't find the file folder on my computer.

Twin Bed

Addison slept the past two nights in her brand new twin bed.

Night 1:
The 1st night was a little rough for me, as I awoke to every little sound on the monitor with adrenalin induced alertness. She did get out of her be 3 times; upon which, I was there to greet her at the bedroom door. Each time she greeted me with a simple "Hi," as though this was the usual nightly routine. After putting her back in bed the 3rd time, it must have worked because I did not hear from her again until 7:00am. Yay!

Night 2:
Ahhh! Who could ask for a better night's sleep? My little angel slept the whole night in her bed and didn't attempt to come out of her room once. She did wake up crying in her sleep around 4:30 though; she had flipped around enough to get herself wedged in the corner with the pillow flopped over her head. I turned her over and put her under the covers again and I don't think she ever even woke up through the process. That mean pillow was just being a bully I guess!

Addie's Pet "Kat"

This past weekend was spent at my parents' house in Omaha. Addison loves going there and getting to play outside so much. Saturday, she caught her 1st pet. It was a CATERPILLAR!!! After we put it in a jar with some grass and twigs I asked Addie what she wanted to name it and she said "Kat." So from that point on, it was Kat the Caterpillar. Addie took Kat for rides in her cart and loved to look at her in the jar. One time Addie even dropped her out of the jar and ever so delicately picked her up and placed Kat back in her new home. I was amazed Kat survived all of that! Nevertheless, there was a strong wind Saturday night which flung Kat's new home off the deck and onto the ground. When Addie and I came out in the morning to find Kat, she had already crawled away. Addie was glad to have had Kat as pet...even if it was only for a few short days. Goodbye Kat!