Sad News

As much as I enjoy my blog as being a great forum for sharing happy news and thoughts with family and friends; it also works in the same way to share not so good news.  We found out today that I'm having a miscarriage.  Considering that I was 12 weeks pregnant, and I'm still having morning sickness, it comes as quite a shock.  

Interestingly, my situation is very similar to another friend who recently lost her pregnancy.  It's sad, I'm somewhat in shock, but it's not devastating.  I experienced another miscarriage before Brooklyn was born, and it was much harder.  At the time, I had been trying to get pregnant for over three years, and I didn't know if I could get pregnant again or carry a baby to full term.  This time, as soon as I walked though the door having come home from the doctor, Ty and Sadie as were eager and happy to see me as ever.  Ty had saved a prized piece of candy to share with me.  Sadie was all smiles.  I couldn't help but count my three beautiful blue-eyed blessings, knowing that another baby will come when in the Lord's time.  

One More Note about Christmas Cards

I love them!  Maybe that's why I get so worked up about getting them out; I love to see pictures of all of our friends and family...near and far!

T-R-O-U-B-L-E

Ty is so cute, and so much trouble.  Yesterday alone, he:

• Took Froot Loops and Frosted flakes from his breakfast, and Nerds from his candy calendar treat (Christmas countdown calendar) and filled Brooklyn's boot.  She was not very impressed when she stuck her foot in.
• Ate a handful of butter (he did this over the weekend too, he loves it)
• Was getting into my stuff while I was on the phone with my mom...as I tried to correct him while still talking, he turned around and beamed and said "I'm a stinker!"

Answer My Poll -- Christmas Cards

Just curious....it's not a popularity contest....

I just want to know what kind of numbers other people work with when sending out Christmas cards.  At my house, it's always seemed to be a bit overwhelming.  

Do you send to friends that live close or just far away?  (For me, only 'far away')

What justifies 'far away'?  (Someone I don't see on a regular basis, ie: my West Bend friends are now 'far away and get cards...but then I try to do something else for my 'close' friends, like a plate of cookies)

Do you keep sending cards to people who never send you a card?  (Yes, for the most part)

I'm Alive!!!

I'm barely alive, but I'm alive! I have missed blogging (along with clean laundry, using something other than paper plates, and seeing the floor in my house). Morning sickness has me pretty down, but I'm okay with it. You know, I was pretty naive posting something about my kids cutting back on TV. We're watching world record amounts of TV these days and I'm just grateful that we have OnDemand on our cable. So spoiled! I take it all back. I've been humbled! We're living happily off of a steady diet of frozen entrees, cold cereal, and Blues Clues. It's the kind of thing that should probably bother me, but I'm way beyond that at this point.
For Thanksgiving, we had a wonderful visit to St. George and up to see the BYU-Utah game (not so good). We loved seeing family and it was fun to have everyone together. Overall, we didn't have any disasters and only had to make one trip to the doctor (Ty picked up some weird rash...I love vacationing and waiting 2+ hours in an instacare the day after Thanksgiving; some Black Friday...mine had a lacey red rash all over his arms and legs). The only bad part about vacationing in St. George in November is coming home to snow. We could barely pull into the driveway. Ugggh...I'm just not getting this marshmellow world, dreaming of a white Christmas, let it snow kinda feeling this year. I'm feeling quite Scroogey about the whole thing. Not Christmas as a whole, just the snow and cold.
I had the best pick me up yesterday. I was feeling pretty sorry for myself. Being sick and the cold weather has somewhat dampened our social life (plus, in the two weeks since we've been home from Utah, Jake has had two big finals and Ty has had the stomach flu). Needless to say, I've had some discouraging moments and not always been sure that anyone can understand. (I'm not begging for sympathy...I'm about to make a happy point). Yesterday, I was in the bathroom throwing up. Brooklyn stood at the door and kept asking, "Mommy, are you done?" Had I not been puking, I would have probably said something unkind and smart alecky in return. But, I didn't. When I opened the door, she was standing there with a baby wipe; "here Mommy, here's a wipe to get the throw up off of your face". Not exactly a Kodak moment, but I was overcome to realize how much my little four-year old understands about me not feeling good and how much she wants to offer support. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family. Jake has been nothing but supportive...he's doing late night with school, middle of the night with kids, and early morning with work/school...but he lets me get hours of uninterrupted sleep at night 'cuz he knows how much that helps me.
I guess the only other news is that Sadie saw the genetics clinic again at Children's Hospital. She's doing great. The doctor there is amazingly brilliant and it's been interesting to work with doctors who are literally working on the edge of new medicine. When they talk about disease and available tests, the doctors were literally correcting each other, "no, last week..." regarding changes in the testing. I had this awful, funny moment at the office that bears mentioning. I'm a big fan of the series "House". Sadie's doctor was telling me that he doesn't see any need for further testing, though I remind him of a syndrome because of my facial features, he doesn't see it so much in her. I came home and looked up the 'syndrome' out of interest. It's not really a good thing...symptoms include mental retardation. So, back to my "House" moment. I read the info on the internet, and could totally see Hugh Laurie (main doctor on House) looking me in the eye and saying "Good news is, your baby is fine. Bad news is, you're mentally retarded". Bummer!

Beware of the Doghouse

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_F2md4uGmMU

We're Expecting!!!

It's pretty early to make a big announcement, but we've had several 'leaks' due to the fact that I have been terribly sick.  "Fake it 'til you make it" only goes so far, and I feel like in the past few weeks I have ended up looking flaky because I just couldn't "make it".  I'm only about 8 weeks along, and I don't know that we'll tell the kids until Christmastime.  But, I wanted to get the word out to family and friends; it's hard to start telling some and not telling others (that's dangerous).  So, I'm just making the announcement.  It's such a long time for our kids to wait, so hopefully we can keep it under wraps a little longer for them.  So, anyway, if I have "flaked out" on you in the past few weeks and given some lame excuse, please accept my sincere apologies.  We are so excited to add another little one to our family and feel so blessed (so long as I can get something to get this 'morning' sickness under control).  Seriously, who came up with the name 'morning sickness'?  It must have been a guy, 'cuz I don't think I honestly know any woman who has ever gotten sick with pregnancy that is sick only in the morning...

I Liked This

Copy and paste this to your blog and bold the ones that you HAVE done.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Cutting Back

Since Brooklyn starting going to preschool, we've been able to cut back a lot on TV time.  It has been a huge blessing.  I think it was just the change in routine that motivated me to turn off the tube.  What's nice, is that now it is MORE effective at entertaining the kids when I absolutely need a minute to have a conversation on the phone or make dinner etc.  Whatever we were doing before just wasn't working.  Honestly, why put them in to watch TV so that you can get something done, when every two minutes someone is coming in and needing you...might as well not watch TV.  It wasn't that we were huge TV viewers ever to begin with.  But when Ty was able to recite, verbatim, one of those creepy "I see dead people" (dead zones) commercials from Verizon, I knew we had to cut back.  So far, it's working out okay.  I'm finding myself turning to it more now that the weather is turning for the worse, but I'm trying to keep a balance and not overuse it.  Somedays, I wish they could just watch it ALL DAY...but that wouldn't be good for anyone (well, I guess it would be kind of a break for me....)  I'm certainly not posting this to say that TV is awful or to condemn anyone for how much/little TV they watch.  I'm finding it's a personal thing, and I'm just better when I am aware of how much we are watching.

Funny Ty

Yesterday, I was in Ty's church nursery class to help with singing time.  I was singing with the kids at the end of church, so after we finished singing, I asked Ty to come with me so we could go home.  He flatly refused and kept trying to get away from me.  I finally let him go and he ran to the child gate at the door of the nursery where parents pick their kids up.  I smiled at his teachers and walked out another door (the room has two doors).  As soon as I took a few steps down the hall and stood at the second door, where Ty was standing at the child gate, he yelled "mommy, mommy!".  It was like my alter-ego had been the singing teacher.  He acted as if he hadn't seen me for the whole church meeting and was so excited to have his teacher lift him over the gate, just like he does every week, and come to his mommy.

That's All I Have to Say About That...

Actually, it's not wholly true.  I have a lot to say about the elections...but what's done is done.  But, honestly, I had to laugh tonight when I read this article on Foxnews.  Apparently, before the elections, President Elect Obama promised to get his girls a dog after the elections were over.  He has now cited the search for a dog as a "pressing issue", as his daughter is allergic to dogs and he would like to find a shelter dog (hard to find a dog in a shelter that you know what breed(s) it is so that you can avoid allergies).  Hence, the buzz!  Obama himself said that the search for a dog has generated as much traffic on his website as anything.  After all that we just went throught to elect a president, and now the people of this country have their man, and one of their biggest concerns is helping him choose a dog!  Yes, getting a dog for your family is a big issue, but seriously.  I understand that the search for a dog is a major concern for his family, but it blows my mind that we've gone what we've gone through over the past forever months to choose a president...now, the biggest concern isn't 'what is he going to do to the economy?' or 'what are his first priorities in office?'...we're all worried about what kind of dog Pres. Obama's family is going to choose.  All I can do is laugh...we live in a great country, and we are so blessed that despite all the the fact that this election got pretty nasty; and we are now looking at a historical event come inaguration day, that we are most concerned with what kind of dog Mr. President will choose.  God bless America!

Beautiful Day

We had plans to get some much-needed grocery shopping done today.  But the weather for November 1 in Milwaukee was so fabulous, we headed to the zoo last minute (it was just over 70...you should have seen it...everyone out in shorts and tank tops!  Only in Milwaukee!)  I got some shots of the kids with the leaves....testing, testing...we're supposed to go back with Jenni for more family pics later this week.

Happy Birthday Brooklyn

It's Brooklyn's birthday today--hence the name change with the blog.  I survived and conquered "three under three".  With Brooklyn turning 4 today, and Sadie is almost 18 months, all I can say is, "you've come a long way baby!!!  We celebrated on Saturday, she honestly has no idea it's actually her birthday today...but we had a lot of fun.  We had a 'surprise' party (Jake took her shopping while I decorated with crepe paper and yelled 'surprise' when she came into the room), went out to eat, and had cake and ice cream.  It's fortunate she's so easy to please!

Sadie is Walking!!!

At almost 18 months, our little peanut is walking!  It's a big milestone for us, she's been so behind on other physical development.  She's still only taking 10-15 steps on her own, but we're so pleased!  Her physical therapist says she's still within 'normal' range and we expect her to be walking all the time within the next few months!  Go girl!  (Notice her Halloween tights in the picture...I put these on her the Sunday before Halloween!)  I wish I could get away with fun stuff like that!

Halloween -- Round 3

On Halloween, we went to a 'party' in the morning at Maggie Moos.  Are you kidding?  These kids are MY kids.  They ate ice cream at 10:00am...what a start to Halloween.  They had fun mixing their own ice cream and making a huge mess.  After that, I met a friend at Betty Brinn Children's Museum (she was supposed to be able to come to the party at the ice cream store, but we had a mix up...so we changed plans).  The kids of course enjoyed the museum, which also was having Halloween festivities.  Ice cream for breakfast...candy for lunch....they're living the dream!  Saturday (November 1) we had another Halloween party with a friend of Jake's from work...we were so burned out on Halloween, we didn't get pics!  I'm so glad its all OVER!  The best part...not wondering 'is that person dressed up or not?"  Fashion sense is non existant in Milwaukee.  Anything that isn't the 80's is high-fashion!

Halloween -- Round 2

On last Wednesday night, we carved pumpkins with the kids.  We did most of the gutting, my kids, of all kids, were grossed out by the 'slimy' insides of the pumpkins.  Honestly, this morning Ty was slurping rain water off of the ground outside...and you're grossed out by pumpkin guts?  They had fun anyways...

Halloween -- Round 1

Halloween here this year lasted all month, I'm sure.  The weekend before Hallween, we had the ward party on Friday.  I dressed up like a zookeeper, Jake was a donkey, and he pulled a cart/cage with all our our wild animals in it (Brooklyn-giraffe, Ty-elephant, Sadie-croc).  Everyone loved our costumes...the kids had so much fun going from door to door in the church trick-or-treating.  Then, on Saturday, we went to "Boo at the Zoo".  I was a sport and wore Jake's donkey costume...the kids went to different stations around the zoo to get candy.  It was a good time.  

In Wisconsin, most cities have designated trick or treating  hours.  In Wauwatosa, it's always a Sunday.  This year, it was the Sunday after we went to the zoo (the Sunday before Halloween).  It was a freezing day, and the trick or treating hours coincided with church, so aside from a special visit we made after hours to two close neighbors, the kids didn't get an authentic trick or treating experience (although the loot that our neightbors had ready for them made up for what they could have got by going for blocks!)  

Pumpkin Patch

I'm obviously catching up...October was a long month in many respects.  These are some pictures of picking out pumpkins at the pumpkin patch.  The kids had a blast and we always enjoy the drive out to the 'country' to find our pumpkins!

Be Careful What You Teach -- Even the Good Stuff

As I listened to some friends at a birthday party tonight singing some songs that they sing for birthdays and other holidays, I laughed and warned them that when their baby comes, they'll be singing ALL THE TIME and EVERYWHERE....

You have to be careful what you teach your kids, good and bad.  Monday I 'rewarded' the kids with a trip to McDonalds' and we went inside to eat (a rare treat indeed, I can count on one hand the times I've braved that...the whole point of eating at McD's is to lessen the stress in my life, not multiply it).  Anyway, we stood in line, got our food, and got settled without incident (and with only one high chair).  Our booth was next to the drinks, so I stood up to get our drinks after loading the kids up with nutricious, delicious chicken and fries.  Brooklyn then started yelling, "Mom, you forgot to say the prayer!"  Okay, cute, we'll say a short prayer; we won't attract a lot of attention.  I figured I'd certainly attract more attention by trying to talk her out it.  Here comes the problem...we sing a short little song at our house to help the kids get ready for prayers and to remind them to fold their arms.  As soon as I agreed to a prayer, Ty started singing our little song at the top of his lungs, insisting that I join in, much to the delight of the tough construction guys sitting next to me.  

It's cute, it could be more embarrassing I guess, at least they were behaving and didn't throw food at someone, or puke, or any other number of embarrassing things kids regularly do in public.  Amen to that!

More Pictures From Jenni

We got more pictures back from Jenni, the hard part is going to be making some choices on prints!

Tagged -- Flashback

Lis tagged me and I was supposed to choose the sixth photo from the sixth folder in my "My Pictures" file.  This is it.  This is a picture from the summer of '07.  We went to Utah on vacation and had a family reunion with Jake's family in Park City.  Here's Ty, chowing on Cheetos at the beach of Jordanelle.  It was such a fun day!  I really look back on that with more fondness, while I'm whining about being cold today.  (Note: Obviously, if this was in my sixth folder, I'm not very organized with my photos.  Technically, if I was organized, I think it should have taken me back to about '04!)

I tag...Melinda, Linda, and Becky

You Know You're a Nerd If...

We went to the zoo on Saturday for trick-or-treating.  While many parents are good sports and dress up, I saw one couple who did not have kids that were TOTALLY dressed up....nerdy?  I think so!  I understand someone who likes to dress up, but if you go to all of that work, as an adult, wouldn't you want to go somewhere more "fun" where you can show off your duds?  I don't get it.

I Hate the Cold

Everytime I've said this in the last few weeks, the people around me just smile and laugh, as if I don't know it's going to get worse.  But honestly, I haven't been warm for 3 days!  I've just completely forgotten how uncomfortable it is to be cold.  I know that I will get used to it, and that 30 degrees will start to feel "warm", but it's an awful adjustment!  Why do I live here?

Fall Pictures

Jake set up this "new" swing for Miss Tarzan in the backyard.  It scares me to death, but she's pretty coordinated and has a lot of fun on it.
Ty loves to hold Sadie in the swing.  Sadie's apprehensive, but compliant.  Ty just beams, he's so happy to be a big brother and to be allowed to hold her!
Sadie is getting bigger, I think.  Her attitude certainly is!  She's learned to say her own name now, the word "cougars", and how to snort like a pig.  Brooklyn likes to help her get up to their little table and she runs back and forth from the kitchen bringing her "snacks".  Sadie thinks she's the Queen.
We went apple picking this weekend...for all the things that Sadie won't eat, she can eat an entire apple all by herself.  If I don't watch her, she'll eat seeds, stem, core, and all!!!
Brooklyn decorating some cupcakes...I think I've started a bad thing.  I decided to let her and a friend decorate cupcakes as a special treat.  Now, I'm afraid she'll expect a production every time we have a friend come over from now on.  Oops...

Freebie

I found this on a friend's blog, and it seemed worth trying...one free handbag given away every hour...

www.handbagplanet.com

Pull Out the "Fat Pants"!

No, I don't have any special "fat pants" announcements.  We won't be welcoming another little one home in the near future, though I will be needing those fat pants to usher in fall/winter.   Some animals store up fat before winter because food is scarce.  Scarcity isn't a huge problem at my house, and I tend to store up my fat during winter.  This weekend alone, I baked two batches of cookies, some homemade cinnamon rolls, and a pan of apple crisp.  Fortunately, it's already nearly gone (and not because I ate it all).  I was careful to plan and make sure that each cooking episode involved sharing.  So, technically, I'm doing my part to not only store up my own fat stores, but to help my friends out too.  What is it about the cool, crisp air outside and warm cooking inside?  I haven't cooked all winter.  If we couldn't grill it, we didn't eat it.  We've lived off of the grill and cold cereal all summer...now what?  I enjoy it!  Happy Fall!!!

New Family Pictures

My brave friend Jenni did some photos for our family a few weeks ago. She did a fabulous job and was so patient with the kids! Click here to check out the first few pictures she has done! (What would we all be without Photoshop anymore? We're so spoiled having little kids and being able to take several shots and then swap heads around!)

The Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing But...

If only our politicians (and all of us for that matter!) were as honest as my Brooklyn.  After waking up from a rare, rare nap (it was the first time I let her and Ty try to nap together...they share a room and sleep at night, but napping is a different ballgame)...Brooklyn said "I'm sorry Mommy, we jumped-ed on the beds a little bit.  I'm sorry."

For the Hair Handicapped

I honestly struggle to come up with cute ways to do Brooklyn's hair.  Part of the problem is that despite adorable curls, it is very short and thin.  Her hair is always in her eyes if I don't pull it back, but we're getting bored with the same clips.  My friend has a link to this on her blog...great source for styling ideas!

Farewell to Summer

We're bidding farewell to summer...last week, it felt so Fall-like.  We did the following:

• Ty lost his long, blonde, curly summer locks (for not too short fall locks...still have the curl for now!)
• We went to our last Brewers game of the seaon
• Brooklyn starting going to dance class and preschool, we'll be in a group with other moms and taking turns playing "teacher" 

Bird Brains

This site is a sight of significant sorrow for Milwaukee-ans.  I honestly mourn everytime I see that first flock of Canadian Geese headed south for the winter.  I have never shot one of God's creations; but if I had a shotgun....not that it would make anything better.  I had this awful, ironic thought this year as I've seen the geese headed for their vacation homes in sunny Florida.  Geese, historically, are pretty dumb creatures.  Being called a "bird brain" is an insult.  However, geese are apparenly smart enough to head out-of-town to escape a Midwest winter.  If a "bird brain" is smart enough to skip town, what does that make me?  (No offense meant at all to the rest of you who read my blog and find yourselves in the same predictament).  It's truly sad.  I love fall.  I love the chill in the air, beautiful crisp leaves, football season, and all else that comes WITH fall...it's just what comes AFTER Fall, and the fact that the season never lasts long enough.  Wo is me!

More Cubs Pictures

I had to add a few more pictures.  Ty sleeps with his Cubbies hat on now every night.  Yes, he does sleep with his eyes open.  So creepy!  

Harley Parade

Last Saturday, during the 105th celebration, Harley riders sponsored a "parade".  I think in all, the parade included 7,500 bikes.  Whew!  We saw everything, from bikers who had put more money into their biker chicks than their bikes; to a 5-seater Harley.  It was fun, again, a "cultural experience" so to speak.  We didn't make it though the whole thing...

On Monday, we took Jake's parents who were in town for the weekend, to a Cubbies game. Though we now proudly call ourselves Brewers fans, it was fun to visit a historic field like Wrigley.  Ty and Sadie loved the ride down on the "train".  Too bad the Cubbies lost!  We really enjoyed spending some time with his parents!  They had to leave too soon!

More pictures

I caught a rare moment on "film".  Brooklyn and Ty chose on their own accord to sit and read stories together, it was adorable!

The other picture is of Sadie eating great-grandma Morton's famous homemade raspberry ice-cream.  She loved it!

Camping

Every year we try camping, every year we cave.  This year, we did it again.  We went out with some friends to a nearby campground.  The kids loved playing with footballs, fishing, cooking on the fire...didn't love sleeping.  By midnight, Brooklyn was snoozing away while the other two were bouncing off the walls of the tent.  So, sadly, we packed up everyone and headed home so we could SLEEP.  I feel like such a loser leaving a campout, but it makes no sense for four of us to just stay up all night when we could be getting a good night's sleep.  Sorry, Brooklyn, maybe next year!