Our first 2 weeks as a family of 4

 Well - I have to say - I am just in Mommy heaven these last couple weeks.  I have just really tried to sit back and count my blessings and realize how lucky I am to have such a beautiful, healthy,  happy family.  We have gotten so lucky to have some gorgeous weather - and we started enjoying it all together pretty much from the start!

Saturday - our first day home all together!! We were giddy driving home - with our sweet family ,and it was a gorgeous day outside, we felt on top of the world! We picked up some Jimmy John's on the way home, and once both kids were down for naps - I got in my 'nesting' mode - I was putting away/cleaning/organizing the house like crazy.  I had so much energy and I guess sitting in a hospital bed for 2 1/2 days straight will make you want to get up and move around!  After naps - we actually walked up to the park and got some good play time - this first picture is Ellie all snug in her stroller (don't worry, I rested on the bench and let P chase Will around) 

Sunday - We were a tad tired on Sunday (we mostly were taking turns holding Ellie in the big chair in our room and dozing with her, as she doesn't really like to be put down :))  But, we had another great day - but we had some visitors coming - Lindsay and Chad Kobus came down from Lincoln to visit!! We were SO excited to see them and get to spend some time with them - and agian, enjoy a beautiful day and playing on the swingset in the backyard.  Uncle Cody also came by to meet Ellie - and both were so generous to bring dinner for us. 

Monday - Monday morning was Ellie's first doctor's appointment - and I took her to that, while Patrick took Will up to the park.  She had a great report - weighing in at 7 lbs 15 oz, stable from when we left hospital and that is great!) Then, we picked up a prescription for Will at CVS (and I got asked for the 2nd time already when I was due with my baby....ugh, excuse me people, do you not see me carrying/holding the baby i JUST had?!  I mean, I realize i still look pregnant people, but really, it's probably best to just not say anything!) 

First doctor's appointment



Silly brother riding his bike



Tuesday -  we enjoyed a nice trip up to the firestation to visit Uncle brett and see some firetrucks.  Will was a little apprehensive at first, and then started to warm up to it all, but still didn't want to sit in the firetruck :)  He was holding on to Patrick for dear life!  But, it was fun and appreciate Brett taking the time to show us around and put on all his gear for us!



Looking so pretty to go see the firetrucks




Playing at the park with Daddy

 Wednesday - Will went to St. Luke's and had a great time playing with his friends - and Mommy and Daddy got to love all over Ellie all day!  We were both able to 'get some things done' and be productive - at least mommy felt like it!  Just doing the laundry, and emptying dishwasher can be huge accomplishments these days!

Thursday - we enjoyed an awesome day at Deanna Rose farm!  This is an awesome place for kids to visit!  They have animals, you can feed the goats, see cows, ride bikes, play in the playground - just all sorts of fun things for kids.  Another gorgeous day - and I had my first real hormonal/emotional moment - where I felt this overwhelming feeling of happiness and love for my sweet family.  There are lots of stay at home Mom's there also, and I was so wishing that I could do this with all my family, all the time.  I know we still have time to do that on the weekends, and I could tell I was being very emotional, it was just a great moment and I felt just incredibly happy and had such a full heart.  (big fat tears were streaming down my face there - whoops)

Friday - we went up to see Mimi and Grandpa - and play with Emma.  We had a nice lunch and then took Will to get his haircut. 

Sweet Emma and Will enjoying some play time together

Saturday - we started off by doing our usual Eggtc for breakfast!  It was so fun to see our normal waiters and people at Eggtc - (we definitely started going every Saturday morning!)  So, Will got his French Toast - I got a hug from our normal waitress, and we had several compliments on our sweet girl (who slept through it all - you really forget how much they sleep so early on.....and how much they poop!!)

Then, Amy, Daniel and Gwyn came over to play!  We had a great time playing at the park, getting a Starbucks drink and playing in the backyard.  Amy and I even got a little time in the sun while all the kids were sleeping..... or supposed to be.  * Funny story - Daniel was in the pack and play upstairs in our room, well, we have Will's monitor on up by our bed, and instead of sleeping, Will was singing some songs in his crib - Patrick, who was inside, hears Daniel yell down " STOP SINGING BUBS" :)  HAHA!! So funny!  Those kids are so funny together - glad they get along so well, but neither of them slept, so they didn't stay too long, as that's never a good combo.

Caught her with her eyes open! So pretty!

It's SO tough being a sweet baby!

Love these silly, fun, sweet, onery boys!! BFF's

Sunday - we got to enjoy celebrating Elaina's 5th birthday!  It seems so crazy that she is already 5!  Will loved spending the time playing with his cousins and singing to Elaina - and of course, enjoying some birthday cake :) 

Monday - I was somewhat anxious for this day to come - with Patrick going back to work (we had such a FUN stay-cation as we called it - doing something fun everyday - as you can read)  So, knowing also that it was supposed to SNOW on Monday, and it would likely be too cold to go out and play - I was a little nervous as to how the day would go.  Well, we had our ups and downs - Will slept in pretty late, which was nice and woke up in a great mood.  (see pics below) and he spent some time loving on Ellie (he is ALL about her - and will always ask to see her.  If she is sitting in her bouncy chair - he will crouch down and say ' Hi Ellie in this funny little voice - almost kind of nasally and whining, something that Patrick and I laugh about and imitate how he says it!)  But, he is definitely smitten with her and just loves being around her. Couldn't have asked for better reaction from him!

Anyway, I should have just recognized that Will didn't nap at all on Saturday or Sunday = not a happy, rested todder = him pushing my buttons all day and trying to see what he could get away with = a very bossy, demanding, temper-tantrums type of day = made for a long day = we do better when we get outside = me having my 2nd hormonal night, when after Patrick got home - he is playing with Will and they are having fun and I felt like all I really did all day was nag at him or make him try to listen.  I was all sad that I was going to be the not fun parent, all the while realizing I was having a hormonal moment and that was silly.  Let's just say - with her needing to be held almost all the time, unless in a really good sleep - and him being super needy - it was a little challenging, but we made it!

Be still my heart - my sweet babies

Love

Only way I could get Will to get his diaper changed - if he could lay next to Ellie

Watching a movie on this cold day - stuck inside

Tuesday - today we had Ellie's newborn pictures.  Again, I was a little nervous with getting both kids out, ready, clean and out to pictures (it's a 45 min. drive) all by myself.  But, it's AMAZING what a good night's sleep does for Will - and he woke up today and was just the normal sweet boy that I know.  He listened well all day - we had fun playing in the morning and we giggled together a lot.  He is so funny right now, and I was so glad to remember that he's usually like that (not the bi-polar boy he was the day before)  Anyway, he did great on the drive out - and thankfully, she slept the whole time too - and was a GREAT model for the photo shoot.  I'm so excited to see how they turn out!

Well - that's about it for now..... I just wanted to make sure I documented how much fun we have been having - we have been out and about and living like we usually would.  It's crazy how much more you do when you have another kid to entertain/look after.  I know we would have never gotten out so much when Will was that newborn, but with her, we are just kind of staying active and busy - which is how we like to be!  We had a wonderful time together - the week that Patrick took off - and made some very sweet and special memories that I never want to forget. 

Will is going to St. Luke's still on Wednesday's, so I'm excited tomorrow to just snuggle up with my sweet girl and focus 100% just on her :)

We are very blessed.  Thank you God for all that you have given us.

Elizabeth 'Ellie' Grace has arrived!!

Well our sweet girl has finally made her debut into the world - on Thursday, April 3rd to be exact.  The funny thing is, I was scheduled to be induced on her due date (Friday, April 4th) and had finally realized that I was ok with knowing that we would be induced and we were making plans for that. 

I actually wasn't feeling very well on the Wednesday before - started having a bad head cold, and stayed home from work that day to try to rest and get better - knowing she would be here soon.  SO glad I did that - b/c it seemed to work!  Anyway, late in the night that night, or early Thursday morning - at about 2:30am I started having contractions (I had had some the week prior, that didn't turn into anything) so, I waited until several had come and gone until I started tracking the contractions on my app I had loaded on my phone.  Well - those puppies were coming pretty hard, and at about 4-5 minutes apart.  In between these, I went to the bathroom, and lost my mucus plug (sorry if it's TMI, but hey - it's my birth/labor story and I'll tell it like it is :))  So, anyway, at that point, I got a little excited thinking maybe this was really going to happen.  I went back and laid in bed, after waking Patrick up - and was already feeling like I needed to breathe through the contractions.  I waited an hour, and then called the Dr. on call that night (which just happened to be Dr. Wittek!) and she said - alright, I'll call the hospital and tell them you are coming in!  Oh my gosh!!!!  Here we go!!!!!!  So, Patrick called Bill - who got up and came down at 3:30am to stay with Will (thanks again Bill!)  I proceeded to take a shower, wash my hair, dry it and straighten it (for those of you who know me, this takes quite a bit, but knew I would feel better going in with clean hair that wasn't all frizzy and gross looking)  Anyway, so we left for the hosptial at about 4:30 and went right to triage. I have an old co-worker who is now working nights at Shawnee Mission - so I sent her a message saying we were coming in and while I wanted to catch up with her, I didn't really want her doing my 'exams' :)  So, I got checked and was at a 2-3cm - so they basically make you wait in that room for an hour to make sure you really are in labor.  Ugh - what?? Last time I walked in and was able to get epidural right away.  So, I'm thinking, ok, I can do this - but really, I didn't remember the contractions hurting as bad when I had Will.  After some major "ow ow ow ow ow's" and "I just feel like i have to poop!" comments through contractions - they said, ok you seem to really be in labor, we'll get the IV started and get you into a room (Thank you Jesus -- please get that epidural in my ASAP!)

We got settled into room around 6am - and I got the epidural around 7am - the anticipation of that huge needle (not like i look or have ever seen that needle - I can't even think about it!) is worse than the actual stick.  Now it does burn for a bit, but I was very ready for the burn and the contraction pain to be done, I didn't care at all.  Luckily that kicked in pretty quick and by 7:30 was sitting pretty comfortable and we even tried to close our eyes for a bit.  Dr. Wittek came in and broke my water around 8am, where I was a 5-6cm  when she checked, and said that since I was at that point when the nurse last checked, that I may need some pitocin in a bit.  So, I figured we were going to be there for a bit, and Patrick and I turned on a movie and the nurses were joking that it's funny you have to go into labor to have a little date night/alone time together! ha!  Well, next time I got checked, I was at a 9cm!  Whoa- what happend to 7-8?!! Guess breaking my water made things happen fast.  They called Dr. Wittek to tell her to come back and told me that I would start pushing soon.  Once they go through instructions again on how to push, and told me I was ready, I still laugh to myself b/c when they said we are ready to push, Patrick takes off his NorthFace jacket and puts it on the couch, like he was all ready to do this!! :)  Haha--still have that visual in my head and found it so funny.  Anyway, after pushing once, I had that feeling again that her head was basically out - and when I asked if it was, they all said, yes it was.  One more push and she would be out!  It really is such a surreal experience and thought, that I would push one more time and this little human being would be in our lives forever.  Well, that was all it took - and out come our Ellie!  This time I was more aware of how she would look coming out - and they cleaned her off quickly and then had us do skin to skin for awhile.  I just kept staring at her, but couldn't figure out who she looked like, and was just trying to soak her all in.  Then, they let me try nursing her - and as the nurse took her stats, she noticed that she was shaking and they checked her blood sugars, which ended up being pretty low.  So, they had us do more skin to skin time, and really once all said and done, it was about 1 1/2 hours that I was holding her, and I realized Patrick hadn't even gotten to yet!  We were almost ready to be moved to our new room - and luckily he got to hold her for a bit before Bill, Marilee and Will all came in to visit. 

Will was a VERY tired boy - as he woke up at 4:30am when Grandpa Bill came down - so he didn't know what to make of everything . He is pretty apprehensive of new situations/places anyway, and he was very clingy to Patrick.  He liked looking at his sister - and luckily went to me right away and I got some snuggle time with him too.  They didn't stay long - as he was very tired - and had a great time staying with Mimi and Grandpa - although Patrick and I both said that it just didn't feel 'right' in the hosptial without having Will there with us.   We had lots of visitors including: Grandma Bobbie and Grandpa Don, Aunt Amy, Brett & Angie, Brady and Emma, Uncle Joe, Grandpa D, Breane Lucas, Michael, Debra, and Ben.  Thanks for all the sweet thoughts and wishes. 

During our short stay Ellies blood sugars were going a little up and down- which they say is pretty normal the first day or so and then should start regulating.  Anyway -they had to poke her lirrle, tiny foot every time before AND after feedings to check her count and had to have three in a row over 45.  After having two in a row, she would dip again and we would start over.  By about 6pm on Friday we were finally done with that and she passed that test!

The other little challenge was that she wasnt latching on as easily as it was with Will (guess thats more rare and I shouldn't have taken for granted how easy it was for us to get started.  Well, after two days of very sore, blistered nipples (she has a VERY strong, tight-lipped suck), and workign with the nurses and lactation consultant on some suggestions - our new pediatrician that we started seeing said she could possibly need her tongue clipped.  What?!  I had never heard of that - Dr. Slaymaker said that basically it's kind of a lost art, and they don't really even teach it anymore, - so it's not a procedure that he does, but another doctor that would be in that morning could look to see if it's something she would recommend for Ellie.  Basically, they reassured that's a very painless process, there are no nerve endings in that lower tissue of your tongue - and they could do it that morning if we wanted.  Well, after consulting with this next doctor, we thought we should go ahead and see if it would help - and they took her to nursery (we didn't really want to watch/see it )  - although we were told she did great and hardly cried at all.  Phew. So, they brought her right back in to nurse and it was AMAZING!! It made a huge difference and so glad we did that. Turns out being tongue-tied is very herditary and come to find out - Grandpa Bill also is tongue tied. 

So, we got to go home then after that procedure, at around 10am on Saturday morning (after taking some adorable pictures of Will (in a good mood this time) checking out his new sister :)

FINALLY.....Spring has arrived!

We are so excited that Spring has finally arrived in Kansas City - and we can get out of the house, play outside, it's lighter out later, and we welcomed losing an hour of sleep this past weekend for more light at night and the fresh air :)

Will loves: riding his bike up and down the street
Will does NOT love: having to turn around and go back towards home, or having to go inside

I'm so thrilled that Patrick is going to get our swing set up this weekend!! I am really hoping Baby girl likes being in a sling (I have about three different baby carriers, so hopefully one will be comfortable for her) and we can spend a lot of time outside while I'm on maternity leave.

Speaking of..... I'm at 23 days and counting until due date.  I am getting SO excited to meet her, to see what she looks like, etc.  I am now on weekly appointments with my doctor, she is measuring right on track, and they were guessing she's probably about 6 lbs. 9 oz or so :)  (I have NO idea how they even guess this, but I'll believe it!)  She is definitely a little mover, and I'll always be amazed at how funny it looks/feels when pieces of her are sticking out oddly from my belly.  I can tell  her little booty is sticking out, or right where her kicks/jabs are coming from - it's so funny to be, but also it puts so much pressure on my bladder when she's in different positions.  Poor girl is just running out of room at this point!  At my last appointment though, we got to do a quick sonogram, and found out she was no longer breech!! (good girl!!) and saw a very brief look at her profile (then she turned of course :))  but her little lips were moving, and was so sweet!! We have'nt had very good luck getting good sonogram pictures of her, but that's ok.  Just come out so we can meet you (in about another week or so!)  If she comes as early as Will did, it would be next Wednesday (less than a week)  So, we will see, and likely my next post will be after she comes!!

I do have to say - I have always wondered how it can be possible to love another child as much as you love your first.  I have no doubt I am capable of it, just hope I am able to give both kids the attention they both need and deserve.  So, I have been extra lovey on Will - but he is growing more and more independent, and sometimes tells me that Mommy hugging too hard :) Haha--oopsie!  He really says the funniest things - I just love hearing him jabber away, or sing in the car (that kid will sing at the top of his lungs, but always gets camera shy when I get it out to record him!)  Favorites to sing lately are:

- ABC's
-Twinkle, Twinkle
-Old McDonald
-Frosty the Snowman (all year round :))


Other favorites for Will:
-playing cars
-playing Animal game on the iPad
-watching anything on the iPad (usually Mickey or Cars movie)
- playing with his trains/train set
-wrestling with Daddy (LOVE watching them together)
-getting tickled (and I just LOVE tickling him and hearing him giggle uncontrollably)
-playing with his cousins: Emma, Brady, Elaina, Daniel and Gwynnie - he loves them all!!
-school!! (lately when we pick Will up from Daycare, he doesn't even care that we are there, and just wants to keep playing!  Shoot - I basically got ignored when I walked in the other day, and Patrick said he is like that all the time!  Darn it, and so it begins :))

Happy March, and March Madness soon to all (one of my favorite times of the year) and hopefully soon I will post about Baby Girl's arrival :)

Silly boys!! 



Playing with Emma at Mimi's



My sweet sleeping boy

Coloring at our favorite breakfast spot - Eggtc!

Cheesin'

Watching some Jayhawk basketball with Daddy

Watching some Cars or Mickey in the morning while Mom/Dad get ready

Big boy!!

Tired feet

Funny thing - whenever Will gets tired or hasn't napped well that day, he always complains of his feet hurting.  It took us awhile to realize thiat he's not hurting and just tired, and we have heard it from both Marilee and daycare as well.  For some reason it's so funny to me!! Why he thinks his feet hurt - i have no clue! It's not like we say that when we are tired or anything.  At first, we would be all concerned and take his shoes and socks off, and inspect his feet really well to see what was wrong, now we just roll our eyes and laugh a little, because we know he's just tired :)

Just one of the funny things that I want to remember to tell him when he gets older and tease him about. 


So far, Will has still seemed excited about his baby sister coming.  The more we are getting her room ready, and getting stuff set up - we say Baby Sister coming soon.  And he really wants her to be here RIGHT NOW (me too buddy, but we have to be patient)  I'm excited to see how he will react - will he be really loving to her, will he act out, will he be indifferent?!! It'll be fun to see. 

I'm pretty ready to meet her too!!  For some reason, while I realize the awesome miracle of being pregnant and life growing inside me, and what a blessing it is to experience, I'm not quite enjoying pregnancy as much as I did the first time around.  As i have mentioned, it's mostly night time, when I'm resting/relaxing that I feel almost clausterphobic in my own body.  Let's just say, I'm ready to feel 'normal' again, start getting in a better eating/workout habits (although I know that won't really happen for awhile afterwards, but even a little bit is better than I've been lately)  I feel like I have been really eating whatever I want this pregnancy, which may come back to bite me (pun intended) when I'm trying to get the baby weight off, so I need to stay patient with that, but I'm hoping I can get back into my old clothes eventually :)

Well, we are at 43 days and counting - I'm almost 34 weeks pregnant and deifnitely getting some looks/stares :)  It's sweet all the nice smiles from other Mom's, blissfully reliving being pregnant, as they have likely forgotten the non-fun parts - I like the kind of bond you have with other expectant Mom's/friends of mine.  It's fun to talk baby and whine together :)  I think I scared Jack Kirby this weekend, (he's almost 5) and when he noticed my big belly - he just looked at me with wide eyes and says' WHOA'.  It was pretty funny!! So, yes, no hiding it these days - large and in charge, and cooking up a baby.

Hope all is well!

Giggles

Just wanted to take the time to jot down some funny things that Will says that I want to remember some day... (It would help if I could video him doing some of this - b/c it's so much funnier to hear it come out of his mouth and with his sweet little voice, but still...better than nothing)

• He responds with a 'Yeah, ok'  - very matter of fact
• He wakes up, stands up in his crib, and cocks his head to the side, furrows and brows, and says/stutters - "I want, I want, I want to go pllllaaayyy." Or another funny was "I want to go to Target" :)  Haha, cracks me up!
• When a song with a good beat comes on in the car on the radio, he starts dancing and says "I like this song"
• He imagines that there are lions, giraffes, elephants, tigers at different places in the house - and will say 'Lions!  Over there!' - and him and Patrick put up their pretend binoculars to see them.  He usually ends up saying they are getting a drink of water, but he doesn't even want to go near them to feed them any food :)
• For some reason (perhaps the above?!), he thinks there are tigers in his room, especially when dark and going to sleep - and he'll point out the window or by the door, and say "Tigers?!"  So, we have told him there are no tigers, and he will reassuredly look at us and say "No tigers, today?!"
• When leaving church this past Sunday he says "Bye Jesus!  Have a good day!" - so sweet!

This past weekend we had a nice day or weather and Will actually rode his Strider bike!!  He did a great job and enjoyed riding down to the park with Amy, Cody, Daniel and Gwyn (although it took Will a LOONGG time, as he gets very easily distracted, pauses to take in anything going on) - it's good for our patience :)

Otherwise, I'm feeling pretty good, but pretty pregnant :)  I'm almost 30 weeks, and have just recently been having problems sleeping all night long.  Seems like hormones, and frustrating when I can't get back to sleep!  Restless leg makes the evenings frustrating as well.  I have been saying, the days go by quickly, but the nights can seem endless!  I know this will pass soon - so I am trying to remind myself to enjoy all the movements (they are pretty much full out kicks/jabs now!) and the miracle of having a baby growing and living inside me! 

My goal over the next couple weeks is to get her nursery ready - we luckily aren't goin gto paint and keep the grey color on the walls from the spare room, and add some pink/white accents.  I'm excited to see how it will all come together - I have ordered bedding and a wall decal from Etsy - and then mostly just need to get the glider and a small dresser and just adding a few touches here and there. We are SO lucky we got Gwynnie's hand-me-downs, and they are hanging up in her closet, just so I get to walk by and see them at times and makes me smile.  I'm loving the pink - we can't wait to meet our sweet girl!!  75 days (says my BabyCenter app)  Let's see how close she will be to her due date... Will was 17 days early. 

Happy Holidays!

We had an awesome Christmas this year! It was really nice to have so much time off work to spend with each other.  As I write this - we are getting prepared to go back to work for our first full work week in 2 weeks.  Will is going to be somewhat shocked (and not just from the VERY cold weather we are expected to have tomorrow, uh hum - like -25 below zero windchills - what??), to not get to wake up and watch the Tow Mater Tall Tales episode on Netflix that he got to watch pretty much every morning of break (do we spoil him?? Ok, maybe a little!)

Anyway, our break started with a trip up to NE.  We got up there Friday night, and woke up Saturday to host all of the Mack's at Mom's house.  It's always so nice for everyone to get together - even though we were missing several Mack's, our house is always full, and lots of love and laughs.  Sunday - we got to spend the day and have lunch with Don's two daughters, their spouses and their kids.  We somehow got it to work that most of the kids were taking naps while we enjoyed a pretty mild/quiet lunch, and we started opening gifts and gradually the kids woke up and opened gifts.  It was really nice and Mom/Don currently have 5 grandkids (with Baby #6 in my belly) 

Monday, we drove down to KC and met Dad there to celebrate Christmas with him.  Unfortunately - over the night Sunday night, Will woke up just screaming, and was burning up hot.  I don't know exactly what his fever was (left our dang thermometor at home in KC) but he definitely had one.  Once we got that somewhat down with Tylenol, he basically tried to kind of sleep with us/on us, and frankly none of us slept well that night.  Turns out Will just caught a terrible head cold, was coughing and just really misreble.  We tried to hang out at Amy and Cody's on Monday as long as possible, but thought it best to take Will in to the Dr. since the next day was Christmas Eve and likely closed.  He didn't have an ear infection, which was my fear, and basically told us to bring him in one week from then to check again.

Tuesday was Christmas Eve, and we decided to do our stockings from Santa at our house that morning.  Unforuntely, Bubs was still feeling very sick, his poor nose just couldn't stop running.  He would tell me 'boogers' if he wanted his nose wiped.  And really, it was about every minute he needed a kleenex.  We went up to Bill and Marilee's around noon - and got to see all the family!  Brian, Michaela, and Lily were all there and was fun to get to spend some time with them, Angie/Brett and the kids, and Joe and Elaina (Michelle had to work ;( )  Anyway, we had a light meal before mass, and then went to church at 8:00pm.  I was pretty worried with how Will was going to do, because he had been so misreble, just whining and sick, but he did pretty well at church and just was really wanting to snuggle with Mama (only good thing about them being sick is all the cuddles I get, but I always just want to take the sick for him - breaks my heart!)  Anyway, we spent the night up at Bill and Marilee's Tuesday night.  Will woke up once crying, and really wanting milk - so I ran down there, and then I really didn't sleep well or get back to sleep then.  So, Will slept in a little bit on Christmas morning (not too long - the kids were waiting patiently downstairs!!)  Even when he woke up, he was still in a pretty sick mood - but was fun to see Brady, Emma, Elaina open their gifts - the kids were all very blessed!  Finally, finally after Will's nap that afternoon, he woke up and seemed to be feeling much better.  Could have been the allergy medicine that Brett had us try for him - it really seemed to help clear him up quite a bit.  So, Will opened gifts then - it was just a long drawn out day for presents!  We all stayed in our pajamas for most of the day and just relaxed with each other. It was a great way to celebrate Christmas.

I was glad for Will that he got to sleep in his own bed Wednesday night, and by Thursday he seemed much more back to himself.  We had a nice, relaxing day - Patrick and I have been watching Breaking Bad series, so we watched several of those during Will's naps during our break, and later that evening, Will and I met up with some of my college girlfriends at Harry's Country Club.  We started a somewhat tradition to meet over Christmas at Harry's - with Erica, her son Beckham (who turned 1 end of Oct.), my friend Carlie and her son Miller (turned 1 in July), Caitlin, Susan, and Janelle.  Anyway, great to spend time catching up with them and getting all of the little guys together.  Patrick went to see Anchorman 2 with his brothers - and enjoyed that of course!


Friday night - we celebrated and got together with Patrick's friends over at Brad's house.  Annie McKenzie came over to stay with Will - and we had a great adult night out!  We had our annual gift exchange and played Cards Against Humanity and had lots of laughs! We stayed out pretty late, well, of course, we got home around 11 and then had to watch some Breaking Bad.

Saturday - the big Altenhofen Christmas get together - which was up at Bill and Marilee's.  Was really great to see everyone there too, and got to spend some good time seeing everyone and catching up.

Sunday - Lily's baptism day!  We woke up and went to St. Therese for mass and got to be there for Lily's baptism.  We went to Michaela's uncle's house for baptism lunch (um, probably the most gorgeous house I have ever been in or seen in real life. It's in Briarcliff (next door to Dwayne Bowe the Chief player's house) and just everything was so well decorated, intricate, and just beautiful!!  The only NOT beautiful thing, during Mass Will was being quite a pistol. He usually is pretty good in church, but was very whining and just out of sorts.  Well, turns out, he started having bad diarrhea, and the Flu of Christmas 2013 hit him.  Poor guy - he could NOT stop pooping :(  Horrible smelling, and just you could tell making him misreble.  Well, that fun little bug hit me Sunday night.  I could tell before bed I was feeling pretty nauseous, and was praying it wouldn't turn into throwing up (I HATE throwing up).  I definitely was in and out of the bathroom most of the night Sunday, and ended up having to run downstairs to other bathroom to throw up around 3am.  Right around that time, Will had pooped through 2 different PJ's and sets of sheets.  Bless Patrick - he kept running down there to take care of him, while I was getting sick and could barely move.  It was pretty bad.  My stomach was very unsettled all of Monday still - and I was nervous to eat anything or drink water even, but mine wast mostly through.  Will kept pooping though.  I was going to take a vacation day, but ended up taking a sick day all day on Monday.

Tuesday was New Year's Eve - our only plan was to really just to go to Amy and Cody's and hang out, have dinner, but decided not to do that, since we were all sick.  So, we basically got out of house, only to grab some dinner at Governor Stumpy's in Waldo---I was still not sure what sounded good to eat, but thought we should try to do something.  Will's diaper had to be changed twice just at the restaurant, and of course by then, it was not fun for him, as his little bottom was SO red and sore.  Patrick and I tried to be as festive as possible, and we played a round of Gin Rummy, watched some football, and stayed up for the ball drop and to kiss/wish each other a Happy New Year!

Will's favorite things during/around Christmas break 2013:

• Watching Cars the movie - or specifically the Tow Mater episode on Netflix - he wakes up asking to watch this, and even includes Cars or McQueen in his nightly prayers
• Eating waffles, maccaroni, and cookies - hard for this guy to eat when he was sick so much, but he did manage to do well with the foods listed above
• Playing cars, Thomas the Train, wrestling with Dad, building tunnels/forts, doing flashcards, and playing the 'animal' app on my iPad, play dough, finger painting
• Going to Target and riding in the cart, which always turns into him pushing the cart by himself of course
• Reading Curious George and the Puppies - I swear, we have read that book to him each about 50 times alone, just over this break!  That kid seriously loves the book and says George and puppies over and over through the day :)  Other fave book is Big Red Barn.  I love that he loves books though, and even starts reading them himself, and he really does know several of the words that go on each page - so fun to watch him learn, retain and understand things we just tell him, and watch his vocabulary grow and him start speaking in full sentences (one day he just says to me, "What's happening Mommy?" - and just cracked me up!) 

We continue to laugh at him all the time, at the funny things he says and remembers, and just how sweet he is.  He really is a sweet, kind-hearted boy (for the majority of the time, when he's not getting possesive about his toys and not wanting to share, most of the time he does pretty well though)

2014 has started off great - we are all on the mend, we have had some good times just playing, and lazing around the house, getting ready for Baby Girl to make her arrival (3 more months!!) and feel very, very blessed with all God has given us.  I am anxious to get some things going at work, before having to tie them up for awhile, and anxious for this sweet girl to come and to get to meet her.  I love wondering what she will look like, will she have lots of hair like Will, how he will react to her, and just how much more love has and will fill my heart.  I love feeling her kicks!  They are definitely getting stronger and can see them outside my clothes now too!  I'm feeling pretty large, and other than the restless leg and the pressure when I lay down at night, I'm feeling great otherwise!! It's fun though - lots of friends and co-workers are pregnant now too, all at different stages, but fun to experience it with them!  So far, this girl has lots of boys around her, so we are hoping for a few girlfriends :)  But, we have warned Gwynnie that her new bestie is coming soon ;)  The girls will be about a year apart - so that'll be fun!! Who would have thought - my sister and I both having a boy, and then a girl - my Mom called it when she predicted girl, b/c 'I do everything like Amy' :)  True Mom, very true :)

Anyway, hope this finds you well (if you are indeed still reading this novel of a blog entry) and wish you all the best in 2014! My 'word' or phrase for the year is Confidence.  Just to put that in writing for when I need to come back and remind myself.   Hope you have a year of blessings, love, and laughter.  Cheers! 

Happy 2nd Birthday Will!

(Apologies for the side-ways pics - I have no clue why that keeps happening...sigh)

Anyway - Will had a great 2nd birthday!  This year his birthday was on the Tuesday of Thanksgiving week.  So Patrick and I took the day off work, and wanted to spend a special day with our Bubs.  And it really was. 

- We started off the day, both of us going in to sing Happy birthday to Will in his crib :)  Then, we had a Strider bike for him sitting out in the living room - he wasn't really sure entirely what to think - but we are hoping he warms up to it a bit more. 

- Then, we went to our fave spot for breakfast, Eggtc :)  Will had his favorite French Toast, and we all had a nice meal.  (Was so funny, as we were leaving, Will tells a table of adults, likely having a work meeting, 'Bye Bye kids' - cracked me up!  And them too!!) 

- Next, we headed down to Crown Center to see SeaLife Aquarium.  It was a very cold, windy day, so we were fast outisde, and had to wait in quite a line to get in (outside for some of it)  I was surprised, that it was on a weekday and that long of lines, but maybe since it was a holiday week. Anyway, Will LOVED all the fishies!  It was a perfect spot for him, and he loved pointing at all the fishes and seeing them all.  We brought a stroller of course, but most of the time, he wanted to be out running around.  I was pretty impressed with the aquarium though, it's really nice, and actually only been in KC for about a year - a great addition.

-Then, we walked over (thank goodness for the Link, that's covered :)) from Crown Station to Union Station, which was all decorated with it's Christmas decor.  It was BEAUTIFUL!  We definitely wanted to see all the trains, and Will loved, loved these!!  There are just tons of different trains all over the place there - any 2 year old boys' dream!  He made a friend, and the two of them were running around chasing the trains all over.  It was adorable.  I highly recommend this spot though, as it's free, and lots of fun.  (I can't imagine going on a Saturday, but was only a little crowded with school kids/field trips and such.)

- By that time, we were all pretty worn out, and went home for nap time.

- We went to try a new pizza place for dinner in Downtown OP, but Will I thnk was starting to catch a cold, and wasn't wanting to be there at all.  So, we got our pizza to go, we put candles on a cake, sang, and let Will open his gifts from us.  So, we somewhat rushed that part, but he was ready for bed!

All in all, a great day!  And pretty much a celebration all week - Mimi and Grandpa came down and we went to Blue moose for dinner and opened some presents the Saturday before his bday.  We celebrated witih Mom, Don, Amy, Cody and the kids the Friday after Thanksgiving at mom's, and then my Dad came over to celebrate Sunday when we got back from NE!  Haha--Will was starting to get pretty spoiled with all the gifts and cake that kept coming his way! ha!

Cheers to year 2 my sweet boy!!  We love you more and more everyday.