Well ...

Obviously there has been a lot of happenings since the last post. Most recently, Maelle had tubes put in and her adnoids taken out this past Thursday. She is doing great and already sleeping better ... we think this is due to the adnoid removal.

Amelia has been practicing her dancing skills and is very excited to show them off at her dance recital in May. She loves to sing and dance and practices almost everyday. I am so excited that she is going to be a dancer! Amelia will also be attending St. Peter the Fisherman in fall for their 4K program. She can't wait to go to scool (that is they was it sounds out of her mouth) at Peter the Fish.

Mom has decided to take the next year off of work. I am going to try the stay at home mom gig and cannot wait. I will miss teaching, but my girls are only little for so long. With this endevour, I am also working on my cooking skills. Thanks to Rachel Ray (and Hillary) I have some confidence in the kitchen and am learning some new recipes.

Tim has been accepted into the SRO (I think Shift Reactor Operator) class. So it will be off to training next year at this time. Until then, he continues the shift work and daddy duties around the house.

As a family, soon we will be joining the YMCA to learn to swim, tumble, and exercise! I am looking forward to work as a family toward better health and learning to swim better than a rock with my girls.

Till later ...

Just a Quick Note

Craziness is always a good way to put our lives. Between the kids, work, house chores, and sanity, the blog has lost its flow. Hopefully soon I will kick it in gear and post weekly. But for now, a slightly new picture of the girls. We took them to the beach to take 3 month shots of Maelle and 3 year 3 month of Amelia. Amelia thoroughly enjoyed it, but Maelle, not so much. Good thing 6 months is around the corner.

3049 Farwell

A highlight of summer is getting together with my roomies from college. This year was special because we even got to see Sadie and some new babies. We all met in the Milwaukee area with the kiddos... Mel & Carter were home from Alabama, Amy & Drew drove down from Appleton, Hillary, Gabe, & Claire drove over from River Falls, and Sadie & Emma were home from New York. You can't ask for much more than good friends and good conversation! (ok ... maybe a good ride on a pepper!)

Hillary, Claire, Gabe, Mel A., Carter, Sadie, Emma, Amelia, Mel B., & Maelle

Maelle, Amelia, Carter, Drew, Gabe, & Claire

We've Been Busy

Needless to say, I have neglected the Blog. However, I have been busy cuddling my girls and trying to savor every last day with them before I must return to work. We have been busy taking many mini-trips...Manitowoc Zoo, Bay Beach, NEW Zoo, Children's Museums, Mini-Golf, Parks, the Beach, and Chucky Cheese. Out of all of our little trips, I would have to say Amelia's favorite was Bay Beach. She enjoyed riding the toddler size rides and her favorite, the carousel. Tim's favorite would be Chucky Cheese for sure. I don't know how many tickets he was hoping for, but he kept trying to win the bonus on every game! Maelle was content with everything, but I think she really enjoyed Chucky Cheese too. There was so much going on there that she was busy taking all the sights and sounds in while her sister and dad played! I can't pick one favorite ... I was just happy having family time and new adventures.

I have attached some of the pictures to highlight such adventures...

Maelle Jo 5/12/08

She's here! Maelle Jo was born Monday May 12th, at 11:10am. I started having contractions at 6:45 in the morning and was to the hospital by 9am. The labor was fast and thank goodness for Dr. Paul making just in time (7.5 cm dilated) to get some fast acting drugs in me before I had to push. Maelle was 8 pounds and 20 inches long. She has been an exceptional baby and her big sister is very protective of her. The girls are keeping us busy and dad is already feeling out numbered ... I guess we will have to get another male cat!

Amelia's Birthday Party 5/4/08

Well I stressed about the party for no reason ... all went well and there was no baby ahead of time. Amelia loved being the center of attention and wearing her dress; she was upset though that she couldn't wear her "dancing shoes." It seemed that they were a tad too big on the carpet and she just kept taking diggers as she tried to run through the house. Here are a few photos of Amelia at the party, her first haircut, and the one pregnancy picture of mommy prior to Maelle entering the world.

I'm 3 ... Am I Big Kid?

Well it's official. Amelia is now 3 and in the big kids club. This has been a great thing for us though because she will do things because "Big Girls Do This ... Right Momma?" We're not complaining ... it has reduced the number of times we have had to "count" during a day.

Amelia had a great time celebrating her birthday with her friends at daycare and at home with Momma, Daddy, Nana, and Papa. She got cake, presents, and was able to help daddy "build" some of her presents because she is a "Fix-It Girl."

The big party is coming up on Sunday with more cake and presents! We can't wait!

Silly Girl

Just some highlight pictures of what a "ham" we live with. Amelia likes to pretend that she is a super-hero/mommy (yes, those are swim goggles on her head)and likes to wear her towels around after the bath too. Hopefully she will pass some of her super powers to her mommy once there are two girls to chase around.
Just a note on swim goggles ... used for super heros and bath time. However, make sure you have a suitable size for your child otherwise they will have rings around their eyes, and look crazy when the goggles are actually over their eyes!

Let's Paint

With busy times around the house (Daddy working 84 hours a week, Mommy finishing her boards, and Amelia ... well she's just busy) we managed to find time to boil and color eggs. Dad is the master boiler of the house while mom got to take care of the messy coloring. Amelia enjoyed helping out with both.

Amelia has also been busy helping finish Maelle's room before she comes. The doctor says she is measuring big, but the ultrasound said that she was only measuring one day big ... thank goodness! Maelle's room for the most part is done, and Amelia is ready to "help clean poopies and puke." Yeah for a big helper ... we will see if actually happens.

Amelia has been busy working on her second round of music school which finishes up in a couple weeks. On Daddy's day off she has been his big helper in the yard, running errands, and keeping him busy (so mommy can put her kankles up). She's up for nap and getting ready for the grocery store now ... after fruit snacks!

I'm Gonna have a Baby Sister

Well, it's official. Tim will be surrounded by women ... estrogen as he likes to put it. December 27th was the official date of the ultra-sound. Everything is in its place, the normal size, and where it needs to be. Oh yeah, "Do you see those 3 little white spots", said the ultra-sound tech. We replied, "yeah ... it's a boy." Good thing that is not our job because 3 little white spots mean IT'S A GIRL! Bonus for us, we get to reuse everything! Amelia is especially happy that she will have a sister to put crowns, dress, sparkles, and pig tails on. Boy, is she going to be bummed when a little tiny person comes to the house instead of another doll for her to play with. Actually she is very excited and cannot wait to help daddy paint her sister's new room.