Brooklyn made three but Braxton makes four...

Happy Halloween!

2009-11-01T05:57:00.000-08:00

Brooklyn and Braxton trick or treating last night! Hope that everyone had an awesome night!

3 Month Old...when did that happen?

2009-10-16T10:41:00.000-07:00

And I thought that Brooklyn's first year went by fast. Braxton's first year is going even faster if that is even possible.

What have we been up to - well, in one word surviving.... I know that sounds dramatic, but really that is what we are doing. Braxton is so much more different than Brooklyn than I had ever thought would be possible.

Currently, we are trying to understand/deal with his sleeping habits. During the day he is so random in his sleeping habits that it is hard to know when and how long he is going to sleep. Then like a flip of the switch at night he sleeps from 8ish pm until 6 or 7ish am. I know - crazy right.

I was telling Dave the other day that it seems like he only sleeps X amount of hours and when those hours are up he is done sleeping for the day.

Who knows what his little mind is thinking....We are dealing with it and hoping to start understanding him more the next several months.

I dont have his 3 mth stats - but his next pedi appointment is next Friday so I will update this blog post then.

Random Pictures...Enjoy!

2009-09-20T12:28:00.000-07:00

Biggest Pumpkin 2009 Contest

2009-09-20T12:18:00.000-07:00

We entered Brooklyn in the Southern States Biggest Pumpkin Contest after going to the WVU Farm Day back in May.

At the farm day, they gave every child a few pumpkin seeds and instructions how to plant them. The goal was to simiple - grow the largest pumpkin possible.

Brooklyn getting her pumpkin weighed...

Brooklyn with her reward...

All the kids that participated in the contest...

In the end Brooklyn DID NOT win. We were VERY proud of her though...she grew a pumpkin that was 25lbs. Very big for a almost 2 year old. The largest pumpkin was 103lbs...I know, that is HUGE. We will be participating next year so maybe we could win then!

First WVU Footbal Game of 2009

2009-09-20T11:59:00.000-07:00

OMG - it was HOT! Thankfully, Braxton was a tropper through the whole game. He basically slept between eating and looking around at the game. Here are some pictures...

Diggs - Thomas Family Reunion 2009

2009-09-20T11:47:00.000-07:00

Enjoy the pics -

Braxton is One Month Old!

2009-09-20T11:41:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it...it has already been one month since Braxton FINALLY graced us with his presence!

Here are his belated stats -

Weight - 12 lbs 7 ozs. (95%)
Height - 22.2 in. (50%)

I will update at 2mths!

Just so you know...

2009-08-12T12:25:00.000-07:00

I am taking a little break from blogging over the next couple of months. Between Brooklyn, Braxton, keeping the house in decent shape, getting a few minutes a day to myself and also tring to by with my husband...something just has to fall to the way side for a little while.

I promise that I will be posting cute pictures as I get them and not to be away too long. I am guessing that within the next couple of months our life will settle down to a more managable life and I will be able to get back to blogging.

Hope that everyone is well and enjoying the last few weeks of summer (now that it actually feels like summer!).

Until then blog at you later!

Braxton's Birth Story....Finally!

2009-08-05T11:16:00.000-07:00

Sorry that this took so long blog readers...like I said before, having 2 kids under 2 is harder than I thought and a lot my busier!

Enjoy -

Since I was going on 9 days late, Dave and I were trying everything to induce labor naturally. After Dave got home from work, we decided to take a LONG walk with Brooklyn.

The walk was wonderful! Dave and I were able to talk about the pregnancy, how we think Brooklyn would act after the baby came, and lots of other things. After walking 4+ miles on the Rail Trail we decided to take Brooklyn home and get her ready for bed. She was starting to get fussy and my pelvis was starting to really ache.

During the walk, I started having a few cramps but nothing that I haven’t had over the last several weeks. On the way back home, I started to have contractions…or what I thought were contractions. I didn’t say anything to Dave as not to jinx myself, so I just watched the clock. Over the 20 minute ride home, I had about 4 or 5 contractions. Yay!

We got home about 8pm, so I quickly got Brooklyn ready for bed and put her to sleep. I wanted to track the contractions that I was having and sit on my birthing ball in hopes that they would continue. Well they did and they actually got lots stronger as we relaxed on the couch and watched TV. The contractions ranged from 8 minutes apart and 15 minutes apart. The contractions weren’t too bad pain wise but I definitely knew that I was having contractions.

By 10pm, they started getting further and further apart and I was getting more and more frustrated by that. I decided then take a shower and go to bed instead of thinking about how the contractions were fizzling out. By the time that I got out of the shower, I was feeling loads better and was ready to go to bed. As soon as my head hit the pillow I was sound asleep. That is something that hasn’t happened in a ~long~ time.

The sound sleep didn’t last very long as I was awaken with very strong contractions by 11:50pm. I actually remember thinking to my self – “Am I dreaming that I am going into labor?” After about 3 or contractions I realized that I was indeed actually pregnant and having contractions. I tried laying there for a few minutes to see if how far apart they were. As I watched the clock I realized that they were only 2 minutes apart or less. I also realized that they were very uncomfortable while lying in bed. I got up to use the bathroom and say blood when I wiped. All I could think is “Yay…blood! This must be it.”

I walked out into the living room so I could call Teresa. I wanted her to tell me that I was indeed in labor. I didn’t trust myself and didn’t want to look like an idiot waking up Dave just to have them fizzle out again so I called. I got a hold of Teresa of and she confirmed that I was most likely in labor. I tried to be tuff and told her to that I would call her back when I was ready for her to come. After waking Dave (10 minutes later) I called her back to tell her to come. I needed and wanted someone there that has been through this before.

While we waited for Teresa to get there, I called my mom, sister Trieva and sister-in-law Shannon. I wanted to make sure that they knew that I was labor and to start praying for the delivery that I wanted. I also wanted to get some encouragement and I knew they would all give me what I needed.

By the time I got off the phone, the contractions were starting to get lots stronger. I actually had to stop and breathe or sway through them. On a pain scale they were probably at about 4ish, so not horrible at all but enough to tell me that we were getting some where. Yay! About 15 minutes later, Teresa got there with a slurpee. Let me tell you, I was excited about that. I have been craving them this whole pregnancy and it seemed so fitting to have one on the last day that I would be pregnant.

Over the next 2 ½ hours, I labored at home. I wanted to stay longer but since I was so dilated already we didn’t want to be put in the situation of delivering in the car. The contractions continued to get stronger and started lasting longer and longer over that time. Teresa also started showing Dave different pressure points on my tailbone and back to push on while I was having a contraction. Using the counter – pressure really helped and let me relax as much as I could during each contraction.

About 15 minutes before we left for he hospital, Teresa side that she thought that I was transitioning. I had NO clue what that meant but knew that you wanted to be in the hospital when it happened. Dave went to wake is mom (she had been staying with us waiting for the baby to come and take care of Brooklyn while we were in the hospital) to tell her that we were heading to the hospital and that she was on Brooklyn duty. She wished us luck and we were on our way.

While I walked to the car, Teresa pulled Dave aside to tell him what to listen for and when to pull the car over…just in case. That FREAKED Dave out and he has never driven so fast to the hospital. I think that we were there within 7 minutes…I laughed the whole way!

Once we got to the hospital, we had to check in and wait for transport to take us up to the labor & delivery floor. I went in to check in and Dave went to park the car. I got myself checked in and was waiting for transport by the time Dave and Teresa got in from parking the car. When they got in they found me hovering over the trash waiting to puke. I knew that I didn’t want to start puking but it made me feel SO much better.

As I was finishing up my puking session, transport came with a wheelchair. He took one look at me and left not saying anything. I was a little irritated thinking that he didn’t want to deal with me but he returned quickly with a vomit tray for the ride. I finally got in the wheelchair and we were finally off to the 6th floor.

Once we got to L&D, they put me in the triage room to change, get monitored for a little bit and wait for Betsy to come. The room was SO small and I was happy that we didn’t stay in there too long. Before we left, Amber (my L&D nurse) asked about a billion annoying questions and Betsy checked me. When she checked me she confirmed that my water still hadn’t broken, that I was 5 cm dilated and 100% effaced. I remember being bummed that I was only 5cm dilated, but everyone encouraged me and that helped. Then we got into our room. I felt so relieved once we were there. I think that I just didn’t want to move again. I wanted to be in the place that we would have our baby.

Over the next 4ish hours (I really couldn’t tell you how long…labor land is a crazy place) I labored. I labored all throughout the room and in the shower. Teresa, Dave and Betsy tended to me as I walked around the room trying to find a comfortable way to have a contraction. At some point Betsy checked me again and I was 7cm dilated. I spent the most time sitting in the shower having Dave spray water on my lower back in between contractions. I was bliss when the contraction stopped and the water started spraying me again. I would just close my eyes, chant to myself, and sway.

While I was in the shower, Betsy was talking about how the baby was having heart deciles but she wasn’t too concerned since the baby was descending AND the heart rate was coming back up really well after each contraction.

I started having the urge to push and needed to walk about so I got out of the shower. I walked around the room for a while, trying my hardest not to push (it didn’t work very well). Betsy decided to check me again (I think that she checked me about an hour earlier) and I was 9 ½ cm dilated. She said that I had a tiny lip left and that she was going to push it back while I pushed. I think that was the only part of the labor and delivery that REALLY hurt. She pushed it back and I pushed and screamed. That pain was crazy.

Once the baby was pushed past that lip that was left, Betsy told me that we were going to have a baby. I started pushing but wasn’t really sure if I was doing anything so I asked for a mirror so I could see what was going on. That was really cool and I am so glad that I asked to see it.

After pushing for 20 minutes or so, the baby’s heart rate was continuing to have deciles. My calm midwife knew that everything was fine but since I was the dreaded VBAC the OB on duty was starting to get nervous. He came in threatening to use a vacuum to get the baby out. I knew that I didn’t want that so I started pushing again but was now giving it all I had. The OB also showed me another to push that really did help.

I think that I continued pushing for another 30 minutes or so when someone said “Amber your baby is right there…it is going to come soon!” And the next thing that I knew, I looked at the mirror and there was a head between my legs! Betsy told me not to push, the shoulders popped out and then he was here.

Betsy laid him on my chest and I thought to myself…”what did I have?” I didn’t here anyone call anything out. I lifted its leg and saw a penis. IT’S A BOY! I knew it! After that, I remember just looking around the room and thinking….I did it! I couldn’t believe that after all of my stressful, drama filled pregnancies….I had the exact birth that I wanted. Praise God!

IT'S A BOY!

2009-07-25T11:52:00.000-07:00

Alright, I know that I am a little late posting this BUT having 2 kids under the age od 2 is more crazy than I thought. HA!

Braxton Everett Shrewsberry was born via completely natural VBAC (vaginal birth after c-section) on Wednesday, July 15th, 2009 at 7:19am. He weighed a whopping 8lbs 9 1/2 oz and was 20 1/2 in. tall. The labor was EVERYTHING that I had been hoping and praying for. With Dave and Teresa (my doula) there it was just the perfect birth experience for me.

I am writing out my complete birth story and will post that in the next few days to a week. I am sure that it will be crazy long as I dont want to forget anything about it. Check back later next to read it!

Here he is...isnt he super cute!

Just Born...

Meeting his BIG sister for the first time...

The new family of FOUR...

One week old... I think that he is starting to look more and more like Brooklyn!

40+ weeks pregnant

2009-07-08T18:15:00.000-07:00

Yeah - I never thought that I would type those words out. HA! I should have known that MY children would be the ones that would prove everyone wrong.

Here is my latest (and hopefully last) belly pic -

Just for giggles, here is my last belly picture with Brooklyn. I think that it was taken 2 days before my water broke.

I think that I am carrying this baby a little different because I cant tell if I was bigger NOW or with Brooklyn. What do you think?

Other than that - not too much to report. I am having some contractions but nothing that I would write home about. Dave and I are trying to walk as often as possible, so hopefully this baby will be out sometime soon!

Keep the prayers for peace (for me) and for the baby to come out WITHOUT interventions.

Thanks!

Fourth of July 2009

2009-07-08T18:05:00.000-07:00

Fourth of July was really up in the air for us. We weren't sure if I would still be in pregnant, in labor or at home with a very small baby.

Since I was still, indeed pregnant, we decided to go to the parade in the early evening followed by some yummy Cold Stone ice cream afterward. YUM!

Here are some pics from the parade...there arent too many but enjoy!

Brooklyn & Daddy - Brooklyn was watching for more firetrucks. She DID NOT like the loud noises that they were making.

38 week update -

2009-06-26T05:02:00.000-07:00

Nothing crazy exicting but wanted to let everyone know that I am STILL pregnant. Had an appointment yesterday and here are my newest stats...

3cm dialated
70% effaced
baby is at -1 station
lots of cramping/aches
no real contraction but LOTS of braxton hicks

Anyones guess know...so we wait. Dave, Brooklyn and I are probably going or a walk tonight as long as it doesnt rain.

Send LOTS of prayers our way, we will need them!

End of an era...

2009-06-09T17:21:00.000-07:00

That's right...it's the end of an era!

So sad!

The truck is no more. Never to haul anything again. :(

I am sure that you all heard about the Toyota Tacoma Truck recall last year. Well, to make a long story short - in Tacomas made betweeen 1995 - 2000 the frame of the car may or may not be safe. Basically, the frame would rust completely away leaving the car undrivable.

The way that they checked to make sure YOUR truck was 'safe' to drive was that they hit the frame with a hammer (not really sure what kind of hammer). If the hammer put a whole in the frame the truck would be unsafe, if it didn't you were alright until next year.

Last year Dave took it in and it passed with flying colors. Yay! Dave was very happy as he REALLY did not want to lose his truck. He really loved it...he has even had it since college.

So Dave took the truck in for its annual frame check and this is what happened...

If you look close - you can see the large, circular whole covered with rust. That's right...it didnt pass! Dave was 'allowed' to drive the truck home to clean it out, etc. I was happy about that since I wanted to see the truck one last time.

RIP Truck....you will be missed!

Just ~another~ way to sleep!

2009-06-09T17:16:00.000-07:00

Yup! That's right, Brooklyn has found a NEW and IMPROVED way to take a nap.

Sitting Up!

Dont worry I took pictures to share...Enjoy!

And YES, I did lay her down before leaving the room! What kind of mama do you think I am?

Maternity Pictures

2009-06-08T11:42:00.000-07:00

I was so excited to get maternity pictures done for this pregnancy! Since Brooklyn's pregnancy was SO stressful we never got around to it. Since Keena was here this weekend through Tuesday we decided to pack Brooklyn up and go get some pitures taken. I think that they turned out great....

Enjoy...

Not too much longer fellow bloggers....it is getting SO close!

The Biggest Pumpkin Ever!

2009-05-24T18:28:00.000-07:00

That is what Brooklyn and I would like to grow! I would settle for a pumpkin that is larger than my hand so we will see...

When I took Brooklyn to the WVU Family Farm Day they were giving away pumpkin seeds for a Pumpkin Growing Contest that they were having. I thought that Brooklyn would have a good time playing with the dirt and it could be something the we (as a family) together.

The rules of the contest are that we have to take pictures of our pumpkin throughout its growing process. Here are the pictures that we have so far!

Enjoy...

Brooklyn planting the pumpkin seed in the cup -

Getting ready to plant the seedling -

Putting the pumpkin plant in the ground with Daddy! -

Watering the garden -

Yard Sale Season....Yipee!

2009-05-24T18:06:00.000-07:00

Well, it has FINALLY happened. Yard Sale season has started...and we are LOVING every Saturday of it! Dave and I are very proud to say that 95% of Brooklyn larger toys (any Step2 OR Little Tikes equipment) were either bought at yard sales OR given to us for free! The other 5% were presents either given at Christmas or Birthdays.

The fact alone that we can either sell the same things in several years for a portion of what we paid for it is really exciting. Heck, if our kids destroy the stuff we are only out $10 at most.

We love yard sales!

Anyway - here are some of our latest finds over the last couple of weeks.

Toddler Baby Stroller - $1.50

Ball Popper - $1.00

Little Tikes Drawing Table - $7.00

In addition to those super finds we have also gotten a bunch of clothes, letter & shape wooden puzzles, some board books.

Morgantown has the BEST yard sales!

Baby Shower - May 3rd, 2009

2009-05-04T10:21:00.000-07:00

I had my first of two baby showers this yesterday evening. It was really low key since this is my third pregnancy (2nd baby). Shannon planned and threw it for me. We invited a bunch of people expecting most of them NOT to come. Well, we needed up with a huge crowd...I think like 17 people all together.

We had it at Panera Bread at dinnertime...So Yummy! We just ate, chatted and ate super yummy cake! Here are some pics - ENJOY!

My 31wks pic - Before I left!

The girls -

Me and the yummy cake!

All the pregnant people that were at the shower! LOL I swear that it is in the water here!

Me with the presents before I opened them.

We had a great time! I feel so blessed to even be having ONE shower let alone TWO!

Oh yeah - I registered for CD and got my first set of NB prefolds from GMD! They are already in the wash getting soft and cute! Yay!

Shannon made a baby pool and had everyone sign up! They had to guess when, what and how big the baby would be. It was really interesting to see what everyone thought.

There was a tie on boys vs. girls.
The dates ranged from June 27th to July 10th...the most popular was July 9th (3 days PAST my due date) LOL
The weight ranged from 7lbs. 10oz. to a whopping 8lbs. 15oz. (Who knows...Brooklyn was 7lbs 1oz at THREE weeks early and this baby is measuring 3 - 4 ahead ...I have another U/S on Friday for growth.

WVU Farm Day - April 2009

2009-04-28T11:14:00.000-07:00

This morning MOMS Club went to the WVU Farm for their annual Family Farm Day. It was crazy busy with every preschool/daycare there! Kids were EVERYWHERE! Brooklyn had a great time after she learned not to run down the rocky hills. She fell twice and skinned one of her knees!

Mommy & Brooklyn with the cows!

A few friends from Brooklyn's playgroup...

Jenn and Bella with the cows...

30wk Midwife Appointment

2009-04-24T09:53:00.000-07:00

I have not posted about this pregnancy in a while so I thought that I would update everyone.

This pregnancy is proving to be very much LESS stressful than Brooklyns. Praise God! I know that many of you have been praying for me and this pregnancy and it seems to be working. Yea!

I had my 30wk appointment this morning. I still cant believe that I am ALREADY going to every 2 week appointments and that this baby could be here in as little as 10 WEEKS. Crazy but exciting!

My weight and blood pressure were good! I ~was~ up 6lbs total from my last appointment but have seemed to lose 2lbs in the last 2 weeks. I really don't know what I am doing to NOT gain weight. Ask Dave, I eat EVERYTHING! hehehe

My urine had some protein in it AGAIN! Ugh...I swear that I drink water! They want to test my urine for a silent UTI just to rule it out. Other than that, they are NOT worried about it.

The baby is STILL measuring 3 - 4 weeks ahead. I am 29wks 4days and the baby is measuring at least 32wks. Not a huge difference, but big enough that they went ahead and scheduled a ultrasound for sizing. She asked how big Brooklyn was at birth (I told her...7lbs 1oz - 3 weeks early) and she told me that I could just have big babies. I guess only time will tell. They scheduled that ultrasound for 2 wks from now (with my next appointment). I will be sure to update after. I have to say that I am excited to see this little person again.

They baby is currently HEAD DOWN! I was so happy to hear that. I have been stressing and stressing about it for weeks. He/She is head down with its back to the left side and feet on the right. Please pray that he/she stays that way!

I am still meeting with Teresa (my doula) and getting ready for my VBAC (vaginal birth after c-section). I have a new belly pic that needs to be uploaded...hopefully, I will be able to do that later today or tomorrow!

Hope that everyone is enjoying the wonderful weather, I know that we are!

~ Easter 2009 ~

2009-04-16T10:28:00.000-07:00

I hope that everyone had a great Easter with friends and/or family. We had a great and most important relaxing Easter Sunday.

Dave, Brooklyn and I went to a new church in the morning. The service was nice and Brooklyn enjoyed the nursery there. I was surprised when the service was over and I had NOT been called to the nursery to retrieve a screaming toddler. We had communion at church that really grossed me out but that is another blog post all together. Yuck!

Like normal, I made Easter dinner. I was so excited to sit down and eat! Having food/dinner holidays are so good to have while pregnant. I wasn't really able to enjoy my hunger at Thanksgiving since I was still little queasy part of the pregnancy, but I made up for it on Easter. Woot!

After dinner, J and Brooklyn were begging to play outside. Shannon and I were eagerly trying to convince them that it was too cold but they didn't care. Outside we went... While outside Brooklyn and J hunted for Easter eggs and played until Shannon and I were begging to go back in. The sun was starting to go down and it was SO cold.

By the time that everyone left I was beat and ready for jammies and bed. Which is exactly what I did! Until next year!

On the hunt for eggs!

2009-04-09T16:34:00.000-07:00

Today our MOMS Club - East group had their Easter Egg Hunt. I was wondering how Brooklyn would react to hunting for eggs, but she had a great time.

I was planning on having to carry her Easter basket around for her but she insisted that she could do it. She did a great job even though the basket was ~almost~ as big as she was. hehehe

I cant wait until next year...

Easter Fun...

2009-04-09T16:12:00.000-07:00

Shannon, an online friend and I were planning on taking a trip to Pittsburgh to visit the Children's Museum there. Michelle and I have been there before and Brooklyn and Caitlin had a blast. We couldn't wait to get back. I am sure that Brooklyn couldn't either, judging from the amount of fun that she had last time.

Well, when Tuesday rolled around and we all woke to find SNOW on the ground, we knew that it wasn't the best day to be driving over an hour.

Shannon had the brilliant idea to have a Easter Party! It was so much fun...a few friends came over with their kids and we hung out, ate and make Easter eggs!

I had the idea to make Rice Crispy Easter Eggs and dip them in chocolate, sprinkles, fruit loops, etc.

The finished chocolate dipped eggs....they were YUMMY!

Hunter seems to really like the eggs and I couldn't believe that he kept his bunny ears on the whole time he was there.

We also decorated hard boiled Easter eggs. I must say that the type of decorations that are available these days are VERY different from what I had to use growing up. Maybe that is why I don't remember decorating eggs when I was younger. It was because I was so BORED doing it.

Here is a pic that I took today - I call it pregnant Brooklyn. LOL

18 Months Well Visit at the NEW Pedi!

2009-03-31T10:38:00.001-07:00

I still cant believe that Brooklyn is 18mths old! That is just CRAZY!

She had her pediatrician appointment with her NEW pediatrician yesterday! We ~had~ to switch since I was losing my mind continuing to go there. We LOVED her doctor at the P.O.C. but hated that we could only see her when Brooklyn was well. Everytime she was sick, I would call and be forced to see some other random doctor. Other than Dr. Clawges, I really didn't want to see anyone else.

So we switched! I love the new place. It is a very small practice with only a 2 or 3 doctors. It actually reminds me of the pediatricians office that went to when I was little.

Brooklyn walked right in and started playing with the toys. She was sold from the beginning! LOL

Before walking to the room, Brooklyn weighed and measured...She did surprisingly well. She normally doesn't like the temperature taking part but she did well!

18 Mth Stats:

Weight - 28lbs. 3oz. ~ 90th percentile
Height - 32 1/2 ins. ~ 75th percentile
Head - 43 cm ~ 90th percentile

While we were there she had to get a shot (DTAP) and was given the once over to make sure that everything was good. Dr. Wood was SO nice and Brooklyn went right to her when she came in. She was checking out her laptop that she brought in AND the doctor actually let her explore without telling her NO, its not a toy! She was very sweet to her.

My list to talk about -

1. Possible Milk Allergy - I asked about this and she confirmed that the constant loose stool is a sign. Since we have already tried switching from Organic Milk to NON-organic milk, she would like us to try switching to Soy Milk. We are going to try this for a month to see if anything changes. If it doesn't, then Brooklyn will be sent for allergy testing next month. I will be SO glad to figure out if this OR something else is causing it. It totally sucks cleaning that kind of poo off cloth EVERYDAY!

2. Refusing the Chicken Pox Vaccine - Since she is a new pediatrician, I was ready for a fight. She just looked at me and said hopefully she will get it on her own soon. That is exactly what I want. Dave and I both had the chicken pox's and are totally fine...Brooklyn will be too!

Then of course, there are MORE things that I forgot to ask about. Am I then only one that does that? I hope not! She doesn't go back until September, so hopefully I will remember all those extra things next time! Yeah right! ;)

Lots of pics!

2009-03-17T10:13:00.000-07:00

Dave and I ~finally~ finished Brooklyn's new room. It took us longer than we thought since we were dealing to lots of sicknesses going through our house. We moved Brooklyn into the guest and are giving her old room to the new baby. Since her old crib would have been a pain to move we thought this would be easier.

I love her room and I think that she does too. She will wander back to her room and sit in her little chair and read! It is so cute to see...I have video of it and need to upload it still!

Here is the new room!

View from the door -

View from the dresser/changing table -

View from the crib -

Some other random pics from the last few months -

Playing in the tub -

Playing outside - Gotta LOVE springtime!

I also added a belly pic from 22wks pregnant! I am planning on taking another on this week....I cant believe how FAST this pregnancy is going. I have a little over 15 wks left! CRAZY!

There's a question...

2009-03-11T10:35:00.000-07:00

that I find that I am always asking myself. You wanna know what it is....

"Why do I do this to myself...it is NOT worth it!"

Now that you know the question, here is a wonderful story that in the end I was asking myself that very question.

Brooklyn had yet another stomach bug (maybe the flu..I just don't know) this past weekend. She was puking up everything, even water for a good 36 hours. Loads of fun. Patty (Dave's mom) we up to watch Brooklyn, since Dave and I were going to the WVU/L'ville game on Saturday Night. Thankfully, Patty was eager to help clean and didn't care that the house smelled like vomit.

The weekend came and went when Brooklyn finally stopped puking. Unfortunately, the puking was followed by a high fever that wouldn't respond for anything. After, almost 48 hours of 102+ temperature, I decided that I should probably call the doctor just so could tell me that something was going around and to keep an eye on her.

So I called...
Left message for nurse to call me back...
She called me back after awhile...
During the call back she didn't tell me to just wait and see...
She actually freaked out, telling me that a temp 'that high for SO long' was not alright and that the pedi needed to see her...

FINE...I WILL BRING HER IN!

Of course, the next appointment that they had open was 35min later. After I explain to the "pleasant" appointment lady that Brooklyn and I were both still in our PJs and that an appointment 35min later would probably be pushing it for us. She responded with "Mam, WE are trying to help you out...I hope you understand we are all booked up."

WHAT???? I didn't even want to come...

So, I tell her that I will do my best to get there! After running around the house like a crazy women getting dressed, getting Brooklyn dressed, grab the diaper bag, and head out the door. To my surprise, we were actually there at 11:03. WOOT! I did better than I thought.

As soon as we get there, checked in, seated waiting to be called back I hear Brooklyn poo! That's right, I heard her poo. If you are a mom, you know what kind that would be.

Found a bathroom with changing table, changed her and found our seat again to wait. We were called back super fast. The nurse checking Brooklyn's weight, temp, etc was nice and didn't bother Brooklyn too much. She showed us back to the room where we proceeded to wait....and wait...and wait....and wait some more. Well actually waited for 50 minutes (that's right..after I hauled ass to get there, they made us weight 50min before seeing anyone)

While we waited in the 5 x 5 room with a toddler Brooklyn blew out her diaper 2 times and cried for 30 min.

When the doc finally came in, she checked Brooklyn out and told me that it was a bug and to watch her.

That's right....all that to tell me something I already knew. I got in the car and said "Why, do I do this to myself?"

Just letting you know...

2009-03-08T09:53:00.000-07:00

I have been stressing and stressing about making a blog post to update everything that has happened in the past 3 weeks.

I have just decided that I am NOT going to update. I am going to move on....start a new post about what is CURRENTLY going on and forget that I was stressing about the update post.

Just letting you know...

PS..........I am SO freaking happy that spring is almost here....the time change and 72 degree weather is the best! Yay!

Getting to know you...Ugh, I mean ME!

2009-02-21T10:57:00.000-08:00

This is from my friend Nancy's blog...she wants to get to know all of her blog friends. SO here I go...ENJOY!

Q1: Let's say you are driving by yourself in the middle of a long drive. You are in a good mood and you have every album ever made available to listen to. Name 1-3 albums you would choose to listen to.

A1: I cant think of the albums BUT I do have the Top 3 singers/bands/eras...

1. Any thing from the 90's. It ALL rocks!

2. At the moment Taylor Swift

3. All American Rejects

Q2: Let's say you have been dating a guy for 1 year and he just broke up with you. What ~sad~ break-up music would you listen to?

A2: Probably something from Mariah Carey (back when she was still cool though)

Q3: Now you are more pissed for him breaking up than sad. What ~angry~ music would you choose?

A3: Alanis Morissette - she has some good angry music

Q4: You are on death row and have been offered a last meal. What would you pick?

A4: Oh my...My Aunt Debbies potato salad, burnt hotdogs, corn on the cob and my Grandmas kinklins YUM-O

Q5: You have a free night to hang out with your friends and you get to pick the night. What would you choose to do? If you would go somewhere to have drinks, what kind of club/bar would you want to go? Would you rather have a girls only night? Or mixed company?

A5: I would probably pick to go shopping in another city followed by dinner/drinks (if I wasnt knocked up, of course) Always a Girls Night. Those men can fend for themselves!

Q6: You are on your night out with friends and someone else is the designated driver. You have all night and nothing to do in the morning but sleep. What would you choose to drink? What level of drunkenness would you chose to achieve?

A6: I would drink...I probably wouldnt get 'drunk' since Brooklyn would still be there in the am!

Q7: Your designated driver is now driving everyone home and offers to stop anywhere you want to feed your drunk ass. What would you pick?

A7: Always McDonalds! YUM-O

Q8: You have a gift certificate for 2 pairs of shoes to a shoe store that carries every brand of shoe in the world and every shoe costs the exact same amount. What casual shoe would you pick? What dress shoe would you pick?

A8: I am not really into shoes...now if we were talking purses or clothes then that would be a different story all together!

Q9: Let's say these things all cost the exact same and you are told to pick ~three~ things. What would you pick?: Pair of shoes. Handbag. Bundle of craft items. Outfit at your favorite store. Day at the spa. MP3 player. Dinner & drinks at your favorite restaurant. Concert tickets to your favorite band. 3 month gym membership. Hotel room at the city's fanciest hotel. Makeup/beauty bundle. Haircut and color. A kitchen appliance like an espresso machine, something frivolous.

A9: something frivolous, a kitchen appliance & a tie between a spa day and a handbag.

Q10: What do you do for a living? Is it your dream job? If not, what is your dream job?

A10: I stay at home...Yes, it is my dream job! Now only if it paid actual money! LOL

Q11: Do you have a college degree? If yes, what is it in? If no, are you planning to go back?

A11: Yes, Elementary Education K - 6

Q12: If you could start your education over, would you change anything? If so, what?

A12: I might have a double major also major in Photography.

Q13: What are your summer hobbies. (Things you actually do, not things you would like to do but rarely do them. For instance, many people say "hiking" although they can't remember the last time they went.)

A13: Playing Co-ed softball, swimming, walking, and eating loads of yummy summer foods.

Q14: What are your winter hobbies?

A14: Staying warm, going to WVU football & basketball games, hanging out with friends.

Q15: Are you ~happy~ with your life? If not, what would make you happy?

A15: Yes, I have a awesome husband, beautiful daughter and another exciting blessing on the way. I really cant complain...well, at least not that much!

Impressed!

2009-02-13T19:48:00.000-08:00

I am not one to ~ever~ be impressed with something that a celebrity does or says but finally I am.

After hearing about so many celebrity moms having elective c-sections (at 37wks) to fit the birth into there schedule, lying about the obvious fertility treatments that they have used, and refusing to nurse their children for silly reasons FINALLY a celebrity mom that is actually doing something that I am proud of.

http://celebrity-babies.com/2009/02/11/salma-hayek-nurses-baby-on-nightline/

Selma Hayek not only is ~proud~ to be STILL nursing her 16mth old and gladly does in public. She actually was taped nursing a 1 week old sick baby in Africa. She wasn't worried about what the world would think, if she would still be able to get into the coolest restaurants and about what acting gigs this would get her. She wanted the BEST for this baby and gave it to him because his mother couldn't.

I just hope that others read this article and they start to think that maybe this sound be the norm and NOT the other way around.

Just in case Selma ever reads my blog....Great Job...As a fellow nursing mom, I am hope that more people start to think like you and I!

Puke Fest 2009

2009-02-09T10:38:00.000-08:00

It finally happened...after almost 17 mths of no puking Brooklyn ~finally~ caught her first stomache bug.

It hit her really fast and really came out of no where. We went to the WVU basketball game on Saturday afternoon (a 4pm game) and then went to dinner with the 'other' Shrewsberrys. We were having a great time. Brooklyn and J were playing like always. They actually got in trouble a few times for being loud in the resturant and running around.

We all ate a good meal...Brooklyn probably ate more than anyone (nothing odd about that). Dave, Brooklyn and I got home, changed Brooklyns diaper and put her to bed. She was really tired and seemed happy to see her crib.

About 10ish, I was tired and went to bed. Went to check on Brooklyn (cover her up again, find the pacis that are thrown out, etc.) when I moved her she felt a little warm and then I found the puke.

There was a huge pile of it! Thankfully, there was none on her just in the crib. I called Dave in and while I held the puke girl he cleaned the crib and put new sheets on it. While he was doing that, Brooklyn puked again, and again, and again.

Basically, the lag time between puke sessions was just long enough to change her sheets, clothes, and put her back to sleep. This continued until about 2am when she was just SO exhasted that she couldn't keep her eyes open. Poor thing....

Sunday, she slept in until after 11am and then took another 3 hour nap in the late afternoon. Today, Monday, she is still moving slower and not eating as much...but other than that she is great. We have done a lot of TV watching on the couch this morning and will probably do that this evening too.

I hope that everyone elses weekend didnt include puke!

Baby Ticker

2009-01-27T10:31:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to add....I have not looked a the baby ticker in a few weeks and it REALLY freaked my out when I did today.

It has gotten SO big...maybe that is why my stomache is really growing. And I thought that it was fromt the Oreos that I have been eating. huh...

Black Belt Testing...

2009-01-27T10:25:00.001-08:00

After 3 long years, one pregnancy with bedrest and now another pregnancy I have completed my Black Belt training and PASSED my test.

I was super worried all week but everything went really great! I broke my boards and completed all THREE of my forms. Now, to get my actual black belt! Casey's ATA should be having a Black Belt Ceremony either this week or next.

I have most of the testing uploaded on facebook but will just post my board breaking video.

Enjoy!

Brooklyn in the snow...

2009-01-23T10:37:00.000-08:00

Enjoy...

OMG...

2009-01-22T10:46:00.000-08:00

I cant believe that the temperature is actually ABOVE FREEZING!

Crazy....it hasn't been above freezing in about a month. I guess I should get my maturity bathing suit out and hit the pools.

Enjoy the heat wave fellow Morgantowners!

15 mth Well Visit

2009-01-14T16:32:00.000-08:00

This is going to be a quick post. I just wanted to update everyone with Brooklyn's 15mth stats.

Here we go!

Weight - 26lbs. 12oz. (90%)
Height - 32 1/4 in. (95%)
Head - 43 cm (90%)

Dr. Clawges walked in, sat down and said " I can't believe that I was every worried about her weight looking at her growth chart!"

She say something very similiar at EVERY visit! I just laugh and say yeah me too!

My girl can eat....

On the search...

2009-01-13T10:47:00.000-08:00

for a Doula!

I had NO idea it was going to be this hard. Well, I shouldn't say that...we do live in West Virginia. When I began the search I started with DONA (Doulas of North America International). They have a search engine that you can use witht the state that you are in. So, I typed in WV and about 5 doulas came up. Thats right 5! There was ONLY 1 in the Morgantown area.

***If anyone reading this, knows of a doula in our area....PLEASE refer them to me. I am due at the beginning of July.*** Thanks guys!

The reason that I want a doula with this pregnancy and birth is because with Brooklyn ended up with a C-section because she was breech. Even though we tried everything and then some to turn her, she refused to turn for her mothers. After the section, we found out why she was wouldn't turn. She was SO far down in my pelvis that she was born with bruises on her thighs. Poor thing!

Attempting a VBAC (vaginal birth AFTER C-section) is not easy. Most people want to scare with fact that you and the baby could die during this process. Why in fact, you ~could~ die during any birth; vaginal or C-section. For me - the vaginal birth is what my body is supposed to do....who am I to not even TRY to. Know what I mean?

While searching, I decided to take a closer look at what a doula would actually be doing. Attempting a VBAC is going to be hard enough on me and Dave, it might be good to have someone else their that is JUST their for me and the newest addition.

Prior to the birth the doula would:

-come to the mothers home for prenatal visits.

-talk with the mom about HER needs now, during and after the birth.

-discuss any fears that they may or may not have about the birth.

-talk with the partner (dad or other labor coach) about their needs during the birth and what they would like to do (and comfortable with doing) during the labor.

During the birth:

-tend to the moms needs (emotional, physical, etc.)

-show her different positions that may ease labor pains.

-explain all of her options to make sure that everyone understands (sometimes docs are in a hurry and dont explain everything well enough).

After the birth the doula will:

-Aid in getting the breastfeeding process going and continue to help if there are any problems (ie. latching, sleepy babies, etc.)

-Help the new parents cope with the newest addition to the house.

I was a little sad to find out how much $$$ doula actually cost. Being a one-income household you dont always have an extra $500 laying around. At least if we do it is normally ear marked for some WVU sporting event. Dave always says the same thing though...lets just see what happens. In Dave that means "If we really need it we will find a way." I am not worried about it, I know that it will all work out one way or the other. If everything was perfect I would have a guarentee that my Midwife (Kelly) would be there for whole birth. That way I know she would be able to help out and stick up for me is necessary.

I have an OB appointment with her on Friday so my plan is to ask her about all of this then. If she something really great....I will update you guys on what she says!

And here is a few random pic just for Heather.....She was complaining that I haven't posted any pics in 4 posts. Happy now! ha hahaha

They are NOT new but I like them.

Me knocke up with Brooklyn....that shirt did fit at one point!

Itty Bitty Brooklyn...I think she was 3ish weeks old. So CUTE!

15 wks & 15 mths...

2009-01-11T09:37:00.000-08:00

Hello out there!

Not too much going on here in the Shrewsberry house and I have never been more grateful for peace, quiet and relaxation.

The weather people ~said~ that Morgantown was going to get hit with 4inches of snow and at least 1/10inch of ice after that Friday night and throughout Saturday. Dave and I were psyched to hear this...being 'stuck' in the house is something we both love. We had planned for Dave to run to Ray's Pastries for doughnuts to last us the weekend on Saturday morning if the forcasted snow wasn't too bad. After that we planned to just relax, play with Brooklyn (maybe break in her new snow boots), and just stay inside for days. This was very welcome for me. I have been battling a headache from HELL for the last 4 days. Being pregnant and only being allowed to take regular strength Tylenol really wasn't going to do anything for this headache. I might as well have been rubbing water on my forehead. LOL

Well, if live in Morgantown you know that we woke up to NOTHING! Not even a drop of snow to see. Well, we didn't let it mess up our weekend though. We still did everything that we planned just minus the snow. Man, those doughnuts were good. I must say, Brooklyn is definitely my child...she ate an entire doughnut herself. Just like mama, well I had 2!

Dave and I have been slowly decorating the house. We painted the living room and dining room about 2 months ago and did other odds and ends around the house. A week or two ago, we ordered some custom made vertical wood blinds for our sliding glass doors in the dining room. They were finally delivered this week so Dave installed them on Saturday too. I am happy with the way the binds look and Brooklyn will not have to be blinded in the morning while eating with the sun coming in.

I also realized this weekend that Brooklyn is 15mths old and I am 15wks (on Monday) along in my pregnancy. I thought that was pretty cool and I don't think that it will happen again.

That reminds me that I wanted to say a HUGE CONGRATS! to Nancy. She just gave birth to her first son Karl yesterday! The link to her blog is on my sidebar if you would like to say Congrats yourself. She has been struggling with infertility for a long time and I am just so happy that she finally is holding that third child that she has dreamed about for so long. Congrats again Nancy!

I think that is all for now...The Steelers play this afternoon so you know where I will be!

Baby Planning

2009-01-07T06:10:00.000-08:00

I know, I know, some of my blog readers probably don't care what I need to remember for this next baby ~BUT~ I care and it is MY blog. haha!

I was going to make a word document, save it, etc...but I thought this would be easier. Plus, when the grandparents start to ask what we need, I can just refer them to my blog post.

Here I go. I am going to break the items down in categories and will also list websites & stores of where we plan on buying them. Oh yeah, for all those BTDT (Been there done that) 2nd time moms find that I have left something out PLEASE leave a comment. Like I have said before, this baby is sucking out my brain cells and I can not remember anything.

Clothing:

* 4-6 plain white short sleeved onies (Target or Wal-mart)

* 4-6 plain white long sleeved baby gowns (Target or Wal-mart)

* 12 - 24 infant socks (neutral colors - white, black & tan) (Target or Wal-mart)

* 4-5 gender neutral summer outfits (outfits should include shorts, t-shirt & summer hat) (Any children clothing store)

Bedding:

* 2-3 x-small or small "Swaddle Me" Blankets (Target Online Only)

Diapering:

* 1 dozen Orange Edge Newborn prefolds (Green Mountain Diapers Online)

* 2 dozen Yellow Edge Small prefolds (Green Mountain Diapers Online)

* 1 dozen Preemie Prefolds diapers and/or doublers (Green Mountain Diapers Online)

* 7-10 X-small Thirsties Diaper Covers - any gender neutral color (Cottonbabies.com)

* 7-10 Small Thirsties Diaper Covers - any gender neutral color (cottonbabies.com)

* 3-5 Snappis (cottonbabies.com)

* ~~7-10 Size 0 Unbleached Kissaluv Cloth fitted diapers~~ (cottonbabies.com)

* 4-7 Kissaluvs Boosters cloth Inserts Unbleached (cottonbabies.com)

* ~~1 Dry Whammies Diaper Pail Liner~~ (cottonbabies.com)

* 1 Lg. Dry Diaper Pail (Target or Wal-mart)

Bath time:

* 10 baby wash cloths (Target or Wal-mart)
* Large bottle of California Baby Liquid Soap (Amazon.com)
* Baby grooming kit (brush, comb, etc) (Wal-mart or Target)

Feeding & Nursing:

* Breastmilk storage bags

Playtime:

* Boppy Comfort in Comfort Bouncer (Target)
* Moby Wrap Infant/toddler carrier (MobyWrap.com)

Furniture: (Since the new baby is getting all of Brooklyn's nursery furniture, this is mostly for Brooklyn's Big Girl room)

* Convertible Crib, dresser, bookshelves & night stand (IKEA)

Happy, Happy Birthday Baby!

2009-01-02T04:48:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Dave!

New Years Day is my husbands birthday. He is the BIG 31! In honor of his day....I found the Funny Birthday Poem to share with you all and give to him.

I found is very funny...hope you enjoy!

Ode to An Aging Man

Oh how your bones creak as you rise from the couch.Or how you make a grunting sound even when no poop comes out.Hark! Our king is rising to go to the kitchen for another beer.Let's celebrate this special day your liver made it another year.

Happy Birthday!

Hope that everyone had a safe and happy new year! Can't wait to see what happens in 2009!

Christmas Pics - ENJOY!

2008-12-30T11:12:00.000-08:00

Sorry that there isn't too many words but I have taken about 200 pictures in the last 2 weeks....the pics say it all!

My Moms Christmas Tree

Brooklyn & Mommy decorating Christmas Cookies

The "Boys" Christmas morning

Dave's Family during their Christmas

Brooklyn & Santa - 2008

2008-12-30T10:40:00.000-08:00

Every year, our next door neighbor (Hoppie - dont ask...) comes over dressed up as Santa for the kids. J (our nephew) and Brooklyn both met him last year. Brooklyn didn't care AT ALL but J wasn't really excited to see him.

This year I was exicted because Brooklyn would actually know what is going on. When 'Santa' rang the doorbell, I was a little nervous about what J and Brooklyn would do. Not so much fearful of the crying but I wanted to be able to get a few good pictures.

J went right up to Santa and was so exicted to see him. Brooklyn not so much...she really didn't dislike him but didn't really wnt him there either. As long as she was with me (or on me) she was alright.

'Santa' gave out gifts and asked questions to the kids. It was really cute! Toward the end of the trip Brooklyn started to warm up. 'Santa' had jingle bells that Brooklyn fell in love with. She was having a great time making 'music' and dancing around.

Right before 'Santa' left, I got brave and sat her on his lap. To my surprise, no tears. No nothing.... we even got a cute photo.

But don't worry it only lasted a few minutes before she realized that 'Santa' was NOT Mommy and she leaped off his lap to me. Ha hA!

~Merry Christmas~

2008-12-23T07:40:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that it is Christmas already! (well, in a couple of days) Dave, Brooklyn and I are spending this Christmas in Frederick. If you didn't already know that is where I grew up.

Every year my whole family comes over Christmas morning to open presents, eat some yummy food and relax. Did I mention the food! I am really excited that my morning sickness is starting to end and I will be able to eat it all. Yum!

This past weekend, we had Christmas with Dave's family. It was great. I haven't uploaded pics yet but will when we get back from Friday.

I didn't send out Christmas Cards this year...I just plum ran out of time. Most were already addressed but couldn't complete the whole process. Anyway, maybe next year...

I wanted to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and an even better New Year. If you are going to the WVU Bowl game...cheer loud and make sure that we win. If we don't, it will be your fault. :)

Since it is the holiday season, I uploaded Adam Sandlers Holiday songs for your veiwing pleasure. I know that you have probably heard them but they are my FAVORITE songs during the holiday!

Enjoy..

The Christmas Song -

The Hanukkah Song - really my fave!

Pregnancy #3 Belly Pics

2008-12-16T10:48:00.001-08:00

Here is my 11wk belly picture. Dave and I also took one at 6wks and then again at 8wks. I wont bore you with those since is jst shows all my bloating. hehehe

We 'plan' on taking belly pictures every other week. Instead of making a post everytime, the pics will be on the side bar on my blog. If you want to look you can, if not then dont!

Hope that everyone is enjoying the snow and ice in Morgantown today!

Chistmas Tree Cutting 2008

2008-12-16T10:34:00.000-08:00

We do this every year...and EVERY year is snows a few days before we go. This year was NO execption. This year though, we now have a walking toddler with us. Brooklyn does not have snow boots yet (her feet are super small and we couldn't find any) and of course she wanted to walk aroung like she did. Not really my idea of a great time.

Anyway, here are the pics for our family outing!

We went to the King's Tree Farm in Preston County:

Brooklyn and Daddy with his eyes closed!

Brooklyn and Mommy - Excuse the rolled pants straight from the 90's. Snow was getting in my boots!

Brooklyn playing in the snow...

Brooklyn running away...

Our Tree all decorated...Isn't she awseome!

New Camera

2008-12-09T10:45:00.000-08:00

Well, I ~finally~ got my new camera and I am IN LOVE! I am not kidding...if I wasn't alredy married I would totally be preposing to the camera. It is so great!

It always amazes me when I get new technology. I always think back to what I use to have and think the same thing.

How did I ever survive without this before? ha!

I upgraded to the Nikon D60. I got it a few days before Black Friday since BestBuy as having a kick ass deal on it. It came with 2 different lenses (the standard 18 - 55 lense & the 55 - 200 lense) My favorite so far is the 55 - 200. I can take some really close pics of Brooklyn's face with that one.

Anyway, here are some reent pics that I have taken. They are mostly of Brooklyn but there are a few of the WVU Home Basketball game for last weekend.

Enjoy!

Love the snot and drool in this pic...it really shows the TRUE Brooklyn! lol

Baby, It's cold outside!

2008-12-09T10:27:00.000-08:00

Well, not really so cold today (for God only knows why, it is almost 60 degrees today) but the past few days have been COLD! When the weather changes every year then same thing happens but I always forget.

August comes around and I am sick and tired of the heat. I then start wishing for 60 degree days where I can wear a comfy sweatshirt and curl up under a blanket at night. Football starts and we finally get those cooler nights that I just love. All is great for about 2 minutes...ugh!

That lasts for about 3 weeks in September THEN October and November come and the weather goes from cool to bitter cold. Not any fun at all!

So NOW I am where I am every stinkin year...wishing for warmer weather but knowing that true winter weather hasn't yet to even begin.

Any one else feel this way? Anyone have this winter weather amnesia?

I am over it...

2008-12-04T13:07:00.000-08:00

I am OVER it...

I am over the spotting.
I am over the bleeding.
I am over being scared to wipe.
I am over thinking about it.
I am over worrying about it.
I am over people telling me that everything will be alright.
I am over stressing.
I am over crying about it.
I am over ALWAYS having a stressful pregnancy.
I am over constantly watching other pregnancies be worry-free.
I am over wondering why me.
I am over people telling me to not think about it.
I am over wanting something that I may never have.
I am over being optimistic.
I am over being pitied.
I am over thinking that this time might be the last time...it never is.

I am over it.

To all of those that understand where I am coming from, I am sorry! I hate to think that I am not the only one who deals with this. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

To all of those that have no clue where I am coming from...be thankful! Trust me...it can always be worse.

I am not looking for sympathy...I just don't want to think, worry, cry about it anymore.

Bad, Bad Blogger..

2008-11-30T12:29:00.000-08:00

God, I have been sucking lately.

Sorry about that...We have loads going on but can't find the energy to type.

Only enough energy to lay, eat when I am not nauseous and go to WVU sporting events.

You gotta have priorities.

Will update soon. Promise! Until then...

Meet Our Newest Bean...

2008-11-14T17:42:00.000-08:00

After some haggling to get an appointment earlier than January, I was "squeezed in" this morning to see my midwife Kelly Gevas.

It was a good appointment but LONG. I think that having a 13mth old along for the ride made it a tad bit longer. Oh well...I guess that I should get use to that. It is too big of a pain to drop her somewhere for an hour just to go to the doctor.

Anyway, All the normal first appointment stuff happened. I answered all the questions about Daves and my medical history, signed a bunch of papers, learned how to eat while knocked up, and gave (well, they took) some blood.

On a side note, the lady (Olivia) that took my blood was GREAT. If you know me, you know that I hate needles. I hate looking at them, getting them, watching others get them. I make it a rule to tell the person sticking me that I am not a needle person and if they could do a good job that would be great. Olivia was very nice but didn't really instill confidence in me at all. She took a long time while feeling for my vein and that freaked me out. Let me tell you though, when she stuck that needle in....I felt nothing! Not even a poke, not a pinch, not even a tad bit of burning. I ~heart~ Olivia!

Kelly had given me lab orders to set up an appointment for my follow-up and for my Ultrasound. I kind of fibbed and told her that since I was nursing, I wasn't completely sure when I ovulated. OK...it was a big lie. I know the exact day that I ovulated. I feel bad about it...well, I dont. I needed to see my bean sooner than later. I think that Dave would have gone insane listening to rant about all my worries.

As I was making appointments, the appointment guy asked if I had time to get my U/S before I left. I would love to see what my face looked like when he said that. He probably knows that he made my day.

About 5 minutes later I was in my U/S room getting all checked out. They did the normal stuff before showing me anything good. I saw my ovaries and the tech told me which one I ovulated from. Finally, she said and this is the baby. After she said that, I immediately saw a small black/white flicker. If the stress that I was having would have made me purple, you would have been able to see the purple drain out of me.

I was really excited to just SEE the heartbeat but we were also blessed enough to hear it too. I also thought that it was cool that Brooklyn was able to hear it too. I don't think that she cared because by that point she was trying to get UNDER the exam table. ~~rolling eyes~~

I know, I know...This next one is going to be just as crazy!

Oh yeah, I forgot to say that my due date was changed from July 6th to July 8th, 2009. My mom thinks that a July 4th baby would be cool but I would like to see the fireworks. The last 2 years we havent been able to see them. I hope that '09 is not the same!

After 13 months...

2008-11-06T11:41:00.000-08:00

Brooklyn's milk bar is finally closing. Brooklyn was born about 3 wks early and that made her extremely lazy at everything. From nursing regularly to sleeping ALL DAY. Since she had NO desire to eat and only wanted to sleep she lost a lb in the hospital. Her ped. was worried about her but she knew how badly I wanted to nurse her. Dr. Clawges stick by us and gave me hope that it would all work out.

The first 4 weeks of waking Brooklyn every 2 hours day and night was SO hard. Being a first time mom, recovering from C-section and battling all these new hormones was awful. Wait..Awful isn't right, it was more like torture with a coating of awful just for fun. Just imagine, trying to nurse a sleeping baby, while trying to wake her with cold wash cloths. Sound fun? Hopefully this next baby will come out a little more awake. I can always dream, right?

We were down to one nursing session in the morning since she turned one. Once I found out that I was knocked up again, I wanted to get my boobs back for a little while before this baby is born.

Her last nursing session was on Sunday morning, October 26th. Leading up to this, I knew that Brooklyn didn't ~really~ care. It was me that was going to have a hard time. NOT that I wanted her permanently on my boob but that it really meant that she was growing up and not needing me as much.

Well, just like I thought, Brooklyn did fine! And to my disbelief so did I. I was so nice not to worry about yet something else in the morning. Before then, I felt like I couldn't get my day going until I nursed her. Which was hard on days that she decided to sleep until 9am. Now there is no need to think that way. Whenever I wake, is when I can get ready. It was SO freeing.

Now if you are reading this wondering how ~not~ breastfeeding anymore can be freeing then you have never done it. I can't say that Brooklyn never had formula (she had to in the hospital) but I can say that she has had my very best for 13 beautiful, blissful, stressful, loving months. I wouldn't change anything about my breastfeeding experience.

Here is a picture of Brooklyn in a boob comma when she was just 3 mths old.

Adios!

Brooklyn has something to say...

2008-10-31T18:30:00.000-07:00

The 'floor' is yours Brooklyn...

Also, wanted to say Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T18:25:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween Everyone!

Tonight Dave, Brooklyn and I went over to the 'other' Shrewsberry's house to trick or treat! We had loads of fun....It wasn't too cold to start out but once the sunset, man did it get cold!

Here are some pics....Hope you enjoy!

Brooklyn's FIRST Trick or Treat Experence!
http://s157.photobucket.com/albums/t75/ashrewsberry/?action=view&current=100_1514.flv

Walking back....Brooklyn was tired!

Hope that everyone had a spooktacular night! I can't wait until next year!

Officially a TODDLER!

2008-10-19T18:23:00.000-07:00

That is right folks, Brooklyn is officially a TODDLER! She is walking...well, 40 % walking and 60 % cralwing but she can walk.

Here is some video that Dave and I took this evening....Enjoy!

What do you mean she is ~60~

2008-10-19T17:56:00.000-07:00

That is something that have been asked for the last few weeks....Who is 60, you ask?

Well, it isn't me! It's my MOM! Here she is, you let me know what you think...

See I told you.

Anywho, since ~60~ is such a milestone birthday, my sisters and I decided to throw our favorite mom a birthday bash.

We actually decided to have a Murder Mystery Themed Party. LOTS of fun! The mystery was called...Murder of the Millionaire. Basically, a dude with millions was killed and everyone that knows him (family, friends, employees) is there to see what he left them in his will. They all want money of course.

Trieva (my sister) and I were a little worried about our family 'getting into character' but they surprising did well. Well, my Grandma was the one who was killed but when the lights went out and came back on...no one had died. It took a few minutes before she realized that she was indeed 'killed'. LOL

After all the killing, mystery solving and yummy cake eating...we found out who killed the Millionaire and the maid (my grandma). You know who it was.....can you guess....

Yup, that is Dave getting arrested for killing the Millionaire and the Maid. I never new that he had that in him. I guess that I should watch my back! HAHHAHAH

When we all finished playing mystery solvers, we sang the Happy Birthday Song and ate cake.

<3 Happy Birthday MOM! You are the best and deserve only that!

It was bound to happen sometime...

2008-10-19T17:44:00.000-07:00

Well....it was bound to happen sometime! Everyone around me, told me that it happened to them and that I should just expect it. I thought, "Not me!" I am aware of everything that goes on.

Well apparently, I am not aware of everything because Brooklyn rolled off the couch not once but TWICE in a period of 4 days.

Ugh.....I know mother of year, right here!

To my defence...the second time it happened it really wasn't MY fault. We were at my parents and Brooklyn was having a rough night sleeping. I decided to sleep on the living room couch with her. Well, she went right to sleep but I laid there listening to her breath.

Here is where it took a turn...

I order to get some sleep myself I needed to leave her on the couch and sleep on the floor next to the couch. So I quietly slipped out from underneath her and laid on the floor to sleep. Finally I could get some sleep too. Everything was great for about 2ish hours...I heard her wake up roll a little. I was able to catch her and move to where she should be.

Well, about 30 minutes later, I feel something fall on me and hear a loudish cry. I awaken from my slumber and realize that Brooklyn had rolled off the couch onto the hardwood floor. Thankfully she took her paci and threw herself on my chest and was out like a light.

Oops....I never thought that maybe I should have kept her awake after hitting her head.

Isn't Brooklyn lucky!

The First Annual Great Pumpkin Patch Maze Race....

2008-10-14T09:54:00.000-07:00

Let me first say that, I said this is th First Annual because Shannon and I decided that we need to do this every year! I was so much fun! Shannon, Georgie and I decided that we would continue this race every year and maybe even include a corn stalk torphey to the winning team. That team could even keep the trophey throughout the year. Sounds like a recipe for fun, if you ask me!

Anywho, we went to Rich's Farm GIANT corn maze. The maze was SO big! I was actually nervous about how long it would take us to get done.

Here are the teams:

Men vs. Women

Men's Team - Dave and Doug
Women's Team - Amber, Georgie and Shannon

Goal- To make it through the maze first AND collect all 9 clues in the maze.

Pics during the race! Sorry, boys I don't have any pics of you guys since you were not on our team!

Shannon checking out clue #3...

Georgie and Shannon looking for the next clue...

Me collecting clue #6...

And the winners of the First Annual Great Pumpkin Patch Maze Race are -

Drum Roll Please...........

Here is the picture of Dave and Doug realizing that they LOST....I think that they smelled the sour scent of defeat! LOL

Women - 1 Men - Zip

Same time, Same Place, Next year! I wonder who will win! I bet it's me! LOL

Pumpkin Patch Fun

2008-10-14T09:20:00.000-07:00

Last week (I know this is late, but I have been busy) Brooklyn, some friends and I went to Rich's Farm Pumpkin Patch. They have "Kid's Day at the Farm" with lots of super cool activities for the kids.

I was really nervous about going. Not because I thought Brooklyn would be fussy but because I wasn't ready to know this wouldn't be her first time there. Shannon, Patty and I went there LAST YEAR when Brooklyn was only 4wks old.

Yup...that is Brooklyn at 4wks old! Isn't she super yummy and cute! I remember strolling her around 'trying' to get her involved while she wanted to sleep. I even had to nurse her at the pumpkin patch because she was nursing around the clock back then. (Didn't miss that though, LOL)

Even though Brooklyn had a wonderful time playing and trying to walk, I had a hard time dealing with the fact that this first was long gone. I know, I know, I can hear you all saying "It's alright, she will have lots of other firsts!" I know that is true BUT it is still a bit sad to think that her number of firsts are getting smaller and smaller.

Anyway, on to happier things! Brooklyn had a blast! At the farm they had pigs, geese, and a little baby cow. The cow was SO cute and Brooklyn enjoyed "talking" to them. I wish that I would have gotten a video of her "talking" to the animals. To know what she was saying would be awesome!

The farm also had a cool train that was pulled by a tractor (maybe a big lawnmower, I dont know). Each child was able to have their own car and pretend to steer themselves around the farm. I wasnt going to put Brooklyn on at first but I thought, "What the hell...If she doesn't like it I can get her off." I think in my brain I thought that she would secretly hate it and I would have to sweep into the rescue! But I didn't she loved it! I even got it on video!

After the train ride, the kids were ready to go into the kids corn maze that lead to the pumpkin picking patch. Thankfully, we didn't get lost! Shannon lead the way so we made it out pretty fast. Yeah Shannon!

After we made it out, Brooklyn 'picked' a pumpkin and we were off to lunch! When we got to the farm it was really chilly and we needed jackets BUT by the time that were ready to leave it was a steamy 75.....October, My butt!

Well, Brooklyn's Second trip to the pumpkin patch is complete and onto the third trip! EEK!

Just a Quickie....

2008-10-01T17:29:00.000-07:00

Man, I really need to get on the blog posting kick again...sorry that I haven't posted as much. I ~promise~ that in the next few weeks I am going to try to post at least once a week.

Anywho, Top Model is on and I am writing during a commerical so....here is the quickie post!

Brooklyn had her 12 month well baby visit yesterday. Here was the play by play:

* Weight 23lbs 10 1/2 ozs (between 75% - 90%)
* Height 30 1/2 ins (between 75% - 90%)
* Head 46.2 cm (between 75% - 90%)
* Iron checked through finger prick...normal
* OKed to have full diet excluding peanutbutter and strawberries.
* Refused MMR vax. we wanted to get it separated out but it is not available so Brooklyn will get the MMR at 2 1/2 years old.
* Got her second round of Polio.

Well, Top Model is back on! Later Gators!

Happy ~1st~ Birthday Brooklyn!

2008-09-23T07:35:00.000-07:00

I can not believe that Brooklyn is ONE today! This time last year I was sleeping off my spinal from Brooklyn's C/S. She was breech and no matter how much we tried to turn her she refused to turn. Strong willed even in the womb! Not much has changed though....she still screams when she wants something and smiles at you when you jump up. I swear she is saying "That's right...I said Jump!" LOL

Here is a video montage that I made. It is a bunch of pictures from birth to now! I hope that you enjoy...it makes me tear up almost everytime I see it.

Brooklyn's Birthday Bash!

2008-09-21T13:39:00.000-07:00

Thank God that is over...we had an AWESOME time but it was SO time consuming and stressful (planning, getting ready).

We had beauitful weather...I think it was 78 at the most. We had about 68 people there (about 50+ adults and 12 kids). We had a ton of food but it went really fast! Everyone ate like there had never eaten before. We had 2 crockpots of sloppy joes AND a 200-count nugget tray from Chick-fil-a plus snacks and it was gone in about 45 min. Oh well!

Since there was SO many people, I didn't feel like I got a chance to talk to everyone. I felt bad and continualy said sorry to everyone...of course everyone understood. Almost everyone came that was invited and I made a simiple speech at the begining telling them that they were ~every~ important to Brooklyn, Dave and I and that is why I wanted them there.

So I just wanted to say a HUGE Thanks again for coming and celebrating Brooklyn's first year with us. You will never know how blessed Dave, Brooklyn and I feel that you ALL showed up for us and most importantly for Brooklyn. Thanks Again...

I can't believe that Brooklyn is going to be ~1~ in a matter of days, what happened to my baby girl.

She went from this....

To this...

Finger Painting Fun

2008-09-15T08:54:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago Micheal's was having a great sale on finger paint and water colors. Since they were only 99 cents a bottle I got a few for Brooklyn. Even if she didn't like it now she would like it in the next few weeks, I thought!

Since J was haning with Grams this weekend (Shannon & Doug away...don't ask where. It was another state...the one with the arch. I don't know why I can't remember.) and hanging out with us too, I thought that it would be a great time to get messy.

Here are the pics.....Enjoy!

Yum-o .....non-toxic paint! Better than breastmilk!

Hasta pastas!

Random, More Random, and the Most Random

2008-09-13T19:27:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that it has been so long since I have updated....Things are crazy right now, so bare through this post.

**Brooklyn is turning 1 in 10 days, that is less than 2 weeks from now. I can't believe that she will be 1... The thought of this is just completely foreign to me. Almost like I haven't been watching her this year and I just met her a few ago. I can't think about her turning 1 for too long because I tend to start obsess about her going off to college, getting married, and not being my little girl anymore. Ugh...stop think thinking about it. Dave is ~so~ excited about her getting bigger. I wish that I thought the same way that he does. He is looking at all the cool and interesting things that she is starting to do instead of looking at it like she is never going to do them again. Don't tell him that I said that though.

**Breastfeeding is getting harder and harder as Brooklyn gets closer to 1. I think that I am drying up or Brooklyn is not as interested or maybe some of the both. Either way, I have had to start giving Brooklyn some Organic Whole Milk in addition to nursing her. She is almost down to 3 nursings a day instead of the 4 that she has been having for about 6 mths. I can't believe with all the problems that we had in the beginning that we are getting closer and closer to our 1 year milestone. If you have never breastfed then you might not understand but if you did (even for a short time) you understand. LOL

**Tae Kwon Do is going well. I have my first of 3 belt testings on Wednesday. This will be the first step in getting my black belt. I can't believe that in about 4 mths I will be a black belt. A black belt! After more than 2 years of training, getting knocked up, going on bed rest, and coming back after having the baby I will be a black belt. Freakin awesome. I wonder if I will have to register my hands as 'deadly weapons'. That would be so cool!

**Brooklyn and Dave both have Hand-Foot & Mouth. HA! Brooklyn is totally fine with it and isn't really complaining about anything. Dave on the other hand- he is a little concerned about the pain that he is going to be in. Several times this evening I caught him checking out the palms of his hands and using his tongue to check his lips and inside his mouth. Every time I just chuckled and smiled at him. I think that he thought that it was funny but was still a little nervous. He went to bed early this evening, I think that he didn't want to think about it anymore tonight.

**Brooklyn has her next well baby visit on the 3oth of this month....I will update weight, height, etc after that appointment. Let me just tell you that Brooklyn is huge and I would not be shocked if she tipped the scales at 22lbs. At the MedExpress today she was 23+lbs with her cloths on and a new diaper. My guess is about 22lbs. 7 oz. Any other guesses.

**We have been having some problems with heat rash while she is sleeping at night. For this reason we have had to use prefolds during the day and a sposie at night. I was a little worried to go all prefolds but they have not been bad at all. They clean up great, don't smell bad while in the bin and they fit under her clothes so trim. LOVE THEM...

Well that is all for now, I will be super busy next week getting ready for the First Birthday party on Saturday. If you are coming and haven't RSVPed yet, get on it already! It should be fun and the food is gonna be super yummy!

Later Gators!

I just love it...

2008-09-02T13:03:00.000-07:00

Check out my daughter cracking up...She's just crazy. Yes, I think that she sounds like she smokes a pack a day too.

Enjoy...

What would I do with out them...

2008-08-31T19:28:00.000-07:00

If you know me, you have heard me talk about my September Mom's Group that I ~love~. We met on Fertility Friend when we all became pregnant and due in September of 2007.

They are a group of women that, put simply ROCK. We are always supportive, honest, and kind to each other. During our pregnancies and throughout the past year of our babies lives we have really grown close.

After trying to figure out how/when/where to meet someone said that we should write to "Ellen" and see if she will bring us all together. Everyone loved the idea, so we put together a video montage of everyone and their little ones to send to her.

Here it is....

So, if you know anyone that has ~any~ connection to Ellen please pass this along to her. We can't wait to see what happens with this....maybe it will actaully happen and I will be able to meet this group of women that I have grown to call family.

I don't know what I would do without them!

It's GAME DAY.....

2008-08-30T08:49:00.000-07:00

We are SO excited to start off this WVU football season today....Kick of is at 3:30, so if you are anywhere near a TV you should watch it.

This is just to get you excited...

***this is from last year but is still awesome, I will update when 6'6 240 puts the new one on youtube***

IT'S GAME DAY.....

LET'S GOOOOOO MOUNTAINEERS!

Tag your it!

2008-08-26T12:44:00.000-07:00

I have been tagged! Oh crap I forgot the rules....looking up rules...please wait....

I am back!

The Rules:

1. Post the rules on your blog.
2. Write 6 random things about yourself.
3. Tag 6 people at the end of your post.
4. If you're tagged, DO IT and pass on the tag.

Here I go:

Random thing #1- I don't like loud noises when it is dark outside...it's just creepy.

Random thing #2- I am crazy excited about the new series of 90210 that will be coming on in less that 2 weeks. Woot...

Random thing #3 - I can't eat melted icecream...it grosses me out.

Random thing #4 - When I am at the movies and have to use the bathroom, I check ~all~ the stalls before choosing one. I have to make sure that there is no one that is going to get me.

Random thing #5 - I get nervous before every softball game. I want to make John proud, I guess! LOL

Random thing #6 - I think that only 'cool people' get tagged, so now that I am tagged I feel 'cool'!

Alright, who to tag? who to tag? who to tag?

1. Trieva - you need to update anyway.
2. Shannon - You should start a blog, I am sure that you have lots of funny things to say.
3. Christina - You know you wanna be one of the cool ones! LOL
4. Heidi - I would love to hear from you too!
6. Leslie - Yeah, you too!

Alright people....get blogging!

Thank You...

2008-08-26T12:37:00.000-07:00

Thank You- Aunt Shannon, Uncle Doug and Cousin J for my super cool swing set. I really love it! I like that I can swing in it AND look around at the same time. I am a little scared of the slide still, but Mommy says that I will grow into it sooner or later. I also like getting on top of the playgym part and looking down. I am so tall up there.

Here is a video of me that my super cool Mommy took of me....

Thanks again!

Love~ Brooklyn

~100 Posts~

2008-08-20T20:00:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that I am at 100 posts....really I can't believe that I have had that much to say.

I have been thinking all week about what to write for my 100th post, nothing came to me. I wanted it to be meaning, funny, and memorable. Still nothing came to me!

So, since I can't think of anything else and in honor of writing 100 posts; I will tell all you fine blog readers out there ~100~ things about me.

I hope that I can do it...that is a lot of things!

Here we go!

1. My middle name is Michelle.

2. My sister in law and I share the same middle name. I take it that we were meant to be sisters.

3. I love to pick things. (scabs, fingers, other people I don't care)

4. All of Dave and I's children will have the same initials of BES.

5. I hate taking showers when no one is home.

6. I think that my birthday should be a holiday for everyone.

7. In the winter I only shave a few times a month.

8. I have never been in an airplane.

9. I am terrified of storms. (mostly tornadoes, hurricanes, etc.)

10. It annoys me when people ask me to repeat myself. Listen the first time!

11. I hate being cheap and things that look cheap.

12. I would love to have twins, triplets, etc....I think that Dave would die though.

13. I didn't really understand or like football until after I met Dave.

14. My first child's name was Skylar Elizabeth.

15. I graduated in 1997 and was born in 1979. Cool hun!

16. I ~never~ brush my teeth at night.

17. I can wear (and do) my contacts for months before taking them out and cleaning them.

18. My favorite season is Fall. I love everything about...cloths, weather, trees turning colors.

19. There are many foods that I say that I don't like but I have never tried them.

20. I can't eat any foods that have more than 5 ingredients in them that I can see.

21. Dave and I watch 3 hours of prime time TV each night.

22. I can't spell at all...if it wasn't for spell check everyone would know.

23. I am the youngest of 3 girls.

24. Yogurt, milkshakes, and pudding make me want to vomit.

25. I haven't had milk since I was 5 years old.

26. I am terrified to fly.

27. I would love to have as many children as possible, maybe like 10. Dave would never let me though.

28. My favorite ice cream is Chocolate with peanut butter.

29. I really think that it is all about me....maybe that is why I have a blog about me.

30. I would love to open a photography studio one day.

31. I hate to read!

32. I love to teach because I can play all day.

33. I had my first kiss when I was 12.

34. When we were younger, we played hide-and-go-seek at night in our neighborhood. Some of those kids did ~naughty~ things when they found each other. (not me though...)

35. I sleep til at least 8 every morning.

36. I love to get mail.

37. Christmas is my favorite gift getting holiday.

38. Thanksgiving is my favorite food eating holiday.

39. Halloween is my favorite all around holiday.

40. I always wonder what happen to the dead bodies after God flooded the earth. Really, what happened to them?

41. I have never been stung by a bee.

42. My BFF is Kathleen. She rocks!

43. Now that I am older, I am glad that the things that I wanted then are NOT what I actually have now. Thank God!

44. I love chick flick movies because I know how they are going to end and that makes me happy.

45. I hate when women (or men) sit in the middle seat of a truck. It is just weird!

46. I greatest fear is dying alone.

47. Lost is the best show on TV. Well at least in the top 5!

48. My favorite food is potato salad. Well, my Aunt Debbie's version of it. Yum-o!

49. I eat cereal without milk.

50. When it storms, I don't like any loud noises going on. (ie. screaming, laughing loudly)

51. Naptime is my favorite part of the day.

52. I am an online junky...I could be on all day and night!

53. I don't want Brooklyn to get bigger, I want her to stay a baby forever.

54. I love to cook but hate to clean up afterwards.

55. I don't do laundry unless it is cloth diapers.

56. I was attacked by a rockweller when I was 14. It really sucked and sent me to the hospital.

57. I am terrified of dogs.

58. I am addicted to scrap booking.

59. Dave and I worked our way up to children, starting with a hermit crab (it died though...)

60. I am scared of the dark and still like a night light on in the evening.

61. I love the snow but hate the cold.

62. I think family pictures in which everyone is dressed in the same color are a little weird. I don't like matchy-matchy things.

63. I don't like scary movies because things pop out at you. eek!

64. I have my own violin, that I can only play 3 songs on.

65. I hate needles and typically cry when they are administered.

66. I don't go to the dentist unless it really hurts.

67. TiVo is the best invention ever!

68. My favorite number 4.

69. I have a tattoo. Dave calls it my tramp stamp. (Not nice, is it?)

70. I am 28 years old.

71. I love to people watch and discuss what they are wearing is not flattering.

72. My high school experience rocked and I loved every second of it.

73. Coach is an addiction, I know that now!

74. Seth Green is my celebrity crush. So HOT!

75. Freak is a term of endearment to me.

76. I can quote most Friends episodes.

Alright, this gonna sound lame...but I cant think of anything else. So in honor of my 100th post I told you 76 things about me. It is almost 100! lol

MOMs Club ~ Milan Puskar Stadium Tour

2008-08-12T12:21:00.000-07:00

Today Brooklyn and I went to tour the Milan Puskar Stadium. I was SO excited to see all the cool things that were there and ~maybe~ meet a few of the players.

I couldn't believe everything that that they showed us. Everyone was so nice there, willing to answer a ton of questions by adults and kids! I will give you some of the highlights of the tour.

~We went in the Hall of Fame Room - It housed all of the trophies the team has won. This area is open to the public and is free to go in. The tour guide (Brandon, I think) told us that it is open before and after every home game.

~ We were able to tour the Press Box, President's Suite and the Coach's Wifes Suite. They were awesome! In these suites the occupants are given a buffet of food, drinks, and whatever else they want. Brandon also told us that the cost of these suite is a mere $40K with a 3 year commitment. WOW...I know what will be saving my money for. I think that I might need a bigger piggy bank though!

From one of the suites we were able to watch the players practice on the field. Pat White threw some passes and ran a little. It was a great preview to the coming season. We even saw his little brother, who looks exactly like Pat; only a little smaller. As the players were walking into weight room, the Moms were trying to get there attention. We probably looking like some love struck teenager banging on the glass and waving.

~Finally, we were able to run and play on the field. It was GREAT!!!! In the beginning of the tour the tour guide said that if the players were on the field that we wouldn't be able to tour the field.

Side note--Apparently, last week there was a tour. During that tour they went on the field ~during~ practice and ALL the little boys ran onto the field wanting to get Pat's autograph...Easy to say that, practice was over after that! LOL

Fortunately, the players high tailed it off the field before the tour was over and we were able to play on it for a while. Let me tell you...walking out onto the field was SO great and surreal. I always wanted to "rush" the field after a game (ask Dave, I am always telling him that I want to rush the field) to feel the field under my feet and look up to the stands. Well it was awesome . Brooklyn even loved putting her bare feet on the turf and trying at the black pellets that makes the field softer. Yuck!

I can't wait to go back! Lets Go.....Mountaineers!

A Night of Mystery, an Afternoon of pottery and a weekend with my BFF...

2008-08-11T18:20:00.000-07:00

That's right, my BFF (best friend forever) Kathleen came to visit us this weekend. She is ~so~ good about coming to see us instead of having us pack up Brooklyn with all her baby crap and driving to Frederick.

It turned out to be a great weekend for her to come since Dave had a man date with some friends from work to play golf. If your husband plays golf you know that golf on Saturday means that you will be alone for the better part of the day. This golf trip was even worse though...He was playing an hour away, after 1pm, with 3 other people, AND there was a special deal. He left at 11am and we didn't see him again until I was getting Brooklyn ready for bed at about 7:45. All was good though, my Kathleen was here. Woot!

On Friday Night, my MOMs Club had a Mom's Night Out (I planned it...go me!). For this night out, we were all participating in a Murder Mystery called "Killing for the Crown". We were all Miss America Contestants trying to win the coveted crown and willing to do ~anything~ to get it.

I was a little worried going into the mystery since the party required everyone to FULLY participate. To my pleasure and surprise, everyone came dressed, in character and ready to mingle.

I was Miss California...Candy California actually. I was a busty (surgically enhanced) women, hows Mom is a former Miss America. My big scandal was that I have had surgeries to improve myself...the pageant didn't agree with my methods so I had to keep them secret. LOL

By the end of night, half of the guests realized that Amy Arizona killed the pageant contestant. I am sure that you are wondering who Amy Arizona was....it was KATHLEEN! She apparently came all the way from Maryland to kill someone. hehehe... After lots of eating, drinking and laughing Kathleen and I headed home. By the time that we got home it was getting late...we sat on the couch and chatted all by ourselves. It was so nice to just chat without being interrupted by anyone.

On Saturday, we lounged around in the morning eating donuts and playing with a cranky Brooklyn. When we finally decided to get out of our PJs and take a shower it was already lunchtime. We had decided early in the week that we would go paint some pottery, so after the sitter got there...of we went.

It was lots of fun concentrating on something other than washing diapers, making baby food, or making sure that there is no toxic material on the floors. It was nice to do something that was just for me....something that I did because ~I~ liked it and not because it is what it best for someone else.

In the end, Kathleen made a teardrop bowl and I made a drinking picther. What I wanted to make at first they didn't have...so I had to go back to figure out what I wanted.

Overall, it was a great weekend and I can't wait for another girls weekend!

Random Summer Pics...ENJOY!

2008-08-07T08:08:00.000-07:00

Dave and Brooklyn in the backyard -

Brooklyn's first put (Shannon said when she is on the PGA tour they can show this picture)

She must be really tired to be able to sleep like that -

Carrots from the garden -

Brooklyn says...Man my teeth hurt! It sucks to be cutting 4 teeth at a time.

Brooklyn checking out the cat door!

There's lots going on at the Shrewsberry Farm!

2008-08-07T07:53:00.000-07:00

HA! I would love there to be an actaul Shrewsberry Farm but alas there is not! We DO however have a little family garden. As you all know, last year I was knocked up and couldn't have to complete gardent that I really wanted. Instead I had to settle with pots and such to grow my garden in. Over all, it went well but I was still super excited to get a huge garden this summer.

So far, we have harvested a TON a greeneans, cucumbers and a few tomatoes (we think that our peppers are making the pepper grow funny). Yesterday we found out that our corn is almost finished and that I carrots are ready to be picked. Woot!

Here are some pics:

Trieva's Birthday Luau!

2008-08-01T07:40:00.000-07:00

My favorite sister Trieva {Oh Keena, I am just kidding, sort of!} turned 40 this past week! Since she is SO awesome, I decided to throw her a 40th Birthday Luau with all the fixins.

She doesn't look 40 at all does she....talk about hot mama! I hope that I looked like that at 40!

I was so happy that it turned out so great! Almost everyone that RSVPed yes came and everyone that did come had a great time. Overall, what I envisioned happened except for the thunderstorm half way through the party. oh well....we had canopy's up and everyone else went inside to cool down from the heat.

Keena {my other sister} made the cake. Isn't is beautiful....and it was yummy! I wish that I would have brought some home with me...ugh! Now I am sad. I can't wait to see what she makes for Brooklyn's Birthday....hint!

Trieva blowing out the candles...there were only 4 candles so we joked that she was only turning 4 this year. I wonder what we happen next year?

Trieva and her hubby Mike -

Everyone piled into the house during the cake cutting....mmmmm cake!

In honor of Trieva turning 40, we thought that it would be cute to have some 40's {achoholic 40 oz bottles} available for guests to drink and take pictures of them drinking.

ONLY Trieva and I would think that this is a great idea. As we walked around shoving the 40's into people's hands, they would look at us like we were insane. Little did they know, that we are insane....and we enjoy our insaneness {is that a word...anyway} with each other.

The funniest part was when Trieva handed the bottle to our ~grandma~. My sweet, Innocent, 80 year old grandma! And what did she do...

She took that bottle and started chugging! Only in my family.... at least it makes for interesting family functions!

This will probably be Brooklyn in about 3 years...

2008-07-31T19:15:00.000-07:00

The way I see it....vaccines!

2008-07-30T09:01:00.000-07:00

Recently, my very good friend Nina had a post about vaccines {her blog is linked on my sidebar, Baby Hancock}. In her post it linked to an article about how there was an out break of Measles in 15 US states. Here is the article...

http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSN0943743120080709?feedType=RSS&feedName=healthNews&rpc=22&sp=true

After reading the article, thinking about what she wrote and researching vaccines for MYSELF; I figured that I would write a post about the way that I feel about vaccines. Side note: Brooklyn is selectively vaccinated, meaning that there are vaccines that we refuse all together and the vaccines that she does get are very much delayed. Just so everyone knows this is NOT a post to bash anyone. Every single parent is doing what they feel is the best for THEIR child and family. In the end what they do will only effect them, their child and their family. Who am I to tell them that they are doing something wrong. I just want to voice my opinion on the subject and maybe, in turn, clear up any confusion about vaccines that someone out there in blog land might have.

There is A Lot of information out there about vaccines...some that is true and some that it just crazy! In my opinion there are people out there who are extreme on both sides of the vaccine debate coin.

The majority of my research comes from The Vaccine Book by Dr. Sears in addition to other mothers who have been there, done that with vaccines. I think that the easiest way for me to explain my thoughts is to just go through each vaccine and explain why, why now, or when our child/children will be getting them.

But first, let me talk about some of the problems I have will vaccines and the rate that they are given.

- People will tell you that ~no~ vaccines contain mercury or thimerosal anymore...that is not true. Several vaccines still contain trace amounts of this toxin. In my opinion, if it is bad for you it just plan bad for you, no matter how much is in there. A lie is a lie is a lie, no matter how big or small it is still a lie.

- Doctors {some doctors, but not ours, feel the need to belittle or disrespect a parent for not vaccinating or selectively vaccinating their child. They can trust that all parents that do this are not looking for the easy way out, they have done the research and have come to a decision. Trust me when I say, it is a load easier to just trust what the doctors tell you. It is a lot harder to go out on your own and do the research.

- The ingredients. Some of the ingredients in vaccines are completely revolting...they range from formaldehyde to fetal cow blood and monkey kidney cells. Brooklyn eats mostly organic foods so why would I put monkey kidney cells in her little body.

- When I was young, (that comment makes me feel really old) we received 10 vaccines throughout our childhood. Now children are receiving more than 10 vaccines during the first year of there life. I ask why? Were we not safe back then...

- People assume that if they get the vaccine that they will be fine. That is just not true! All vaccines only offer up to a immunity 90% rate. That means that there will ~always~ be 10% of the population that will not be immune.

- The amount of Aluminum that some vaccines contain. The FDA states that the minimum amount of Aluminum a ~healthly~ (not preterm, premature) baby's body (at 2 months and 12 lbs.) can handle is 30 micrograms. 'A newborn who gets a hepatitis B injection on day one would get 250 micrograms of aluminum. When a baby gets there first big round of shots at two months, the total dose of aluminum can vary from 292 micrograms to a whopping 1225 micrograms is the highest aluminum brands are being used.' {Taken from Dr. Sears Book} Now remember that the FDA has already stated that they know that a limit of 25 micrograms is safe....but still have not required vaccines to change. 'To put this information in perspective, an average newborn has a blood volume of a third of a liter. So having more than 30 micrograms floating around in his bloodstream at once could be toxic if the baby's kidneys weren't working well.' {Taken from Dr. Sears Book}

The schedule that we are using comes from the Vaccine Book with only a few changes...

Birth - Hep B received before I was able to research fully...now am refusing until much older
2 months - DTaP refused Rotavirus
3 months - PC & HIB
4 months - DTaP refused Rotavirus
5 months - PC & HIB
6 months - DTaP refused Rotavirus
7 months - PC & HIB
9 months - Polio
12 months - refuse the MMR until after 3 years old
15 months - PC & HIB
18 months - DTaP refuse chicken pox
2 years - Polio
2 years, 6 months - refuse Hep A & Hep B
3 years, 6 months - MMR
4 years - DTaP, Polio
5 years - MMR booster
10 years - Blood test for hep A immunity. Consider vaccine IF NOT immune.
12 years - refuse HPV {not enough research yet, would like to see what happens to the girls that are taking the vaccine now.}
13 years - refuse Meningococcal, same as HPV

I hope that I didn't offend anyone with my post...like I said, It is up to every parent what to do for their child.

Hugs!

SO busy...no time to blog!

2008-07-28T12:47:00.000-07:00

OMG....we have been so busy, crazy, and busy some more!

I guess that I can't really act like I didn't know this busy time was coming, all the dates were on the calender at the beginning of the month. I guess I didn't realize what it would actually feel like to be So busy.

If you haven't gathered already...Our family of three has been on the move. Going places, seeing family and trying to get to bed before 11pm each night with little success. This last weekend marked started our 6 weekend straight with already planned plans. Does that make sense???

Don't get me wrong though, I like having things to do but the grass is always greener, right?

Let's see what has happened since my last post.

~~~~~thinking~~~~~~

My nephew J {Jonathon...is it with an A, I can never remember}turned 2 and we had his birthday party in out backyard. It was loads of fun, and J seemed to enjoying playing in the kiddie pools with his friends and family. I still can't believe that he is 2 already! I remember when Shannon {sister in law} told everyone at Christmas. Dave and I were so excited and then when we decided to move closer to them, we were just elated to be able to have a relationship with him.

Brooklyn turned 10 months old on the 23rd. If you are bad at math, that means that in less than 60 days my baby girl will 1. That is 52 weeks, 366 days {leap year}, 12 months. I don't know how many minutes or seconds that is...if you know you can leave a comment all let me know.

She isn't doing too many NEW things. She IS getting better at pulling up, her version of crawling and babbling to anyone that will listen. She has started to use sign language, which is so cute. Right now all she can sign is more. Over the next few weeks I plan on teaching her the signs for finished, {if you know Brooklyn's eating habits you know that sign won't be used too often} eat, Mommy and Daddy. I don't like to teach infants too many signs for fear that there language will be delayed. I know it doesn't always do that BUT I have seen it... She has also went to doctor or her 10 mth well baby visit. She still weighs a bunch and in the 90 % for both height and weight. She current has 3 teeth and cutting 3 more. Fortunately, the teething isn't effecting her sleeping too much. Thank God...I don't think that could handle a teething baby and all of our running around too!

I am a black belt - to - be now! After a year and a half, one pregnancy and 7 weeks of bed rest I will start my black belt testings next week. With ATA {my black belt academy}, I have 3 testing cycles in which I am required to complete 3 forms at each testing. It is a 6 month process but the most stressful. I also have a required amount of classes that I need to take before testing. Another cool part of these testings are that I will also be required to break 2 boards at testing. I will make sure that I get video of the board breaks and post them. I have been breaking boards since becoming a yellow belt but will now have only 3 chances to break. I will be updating my progress other the next few months. I can't wait to finally reach my goal of becoming a black belt.

I think that is everything that I missed!

Hope that everyone is enjoying there last few weeks of summer...

Sucks to be Dave...

2008-07-19T19:10:00.001-07:00

Well, it would if we were still living in the 1930's!

I found this test to see if I would be a good 1930's wife....I scored a 16. I think that it was out of 100.

Oops!

As a 1930s wife, I am
Very Poor (Failure)

http://www.magatsu.net/maritaltest/">Take the test!

Feel free to take the test yourself and comment on what your score was! Should be interesting...you should at least score better than me!

Peace...

Running update...5wks down and 4 wks to go~

2008-07-15T17:54:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to give everyone a quick update on our running progress!

Dave and I have been running for about 6 weeks and are currently on week 5 of our 9 week 5K program.

This week it has really stated to become harder! Just to be clear; when I say harder I mean that it kicks my butt and I am seriously wonder while running if I am going to die! Ha.... alas, I am still here, heart beating, lungs working and really not too sore. Go me!

Over the next few weeks, the program starts to get harder and harder!

I am still planning on taking pictures of where we run so everyone can see...maybe during my next I will be able to do that.

Adios!

1st Harvest...

2008-07-15T08:27:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, Dave and I walked out to our garden as we always do to check on the weeds, new growth, etc. Much to our surprise, we had vegatables that we could actually eat.

We had greenbeans! I was so excited...so I picked them, Dave helped a little to! {I was crazy excited, so I didnt want Dave to help!}

Anywho, they were great! I steamed them in my Ziplock Steam bags with a little seasoning {garlic powder, salt, and pepper}. We had them along side a salad and some meatloaf.

Yumm-o

My 'lil Rocker...

2008-07-08T13:12:00.000-07:00

Who is ready to ROCK....

Brooklyn is!

DIY weekend...

2008-07-08T08:24:00.001-07:00

I'm sure that everyone has seen the shows on the DIY channel and the ommericals from Lowes/Home depot telling you...."It's a holiday weekend, pick a project or two and Do it yourself!"

Well, instead of 1 project Dave and I picked quite a few to do. Dave had a 4 day weekend so we went crazy trying to get things done around the house.

We relaxed a little on Friday {4th of July}, hung out with the other Shrewsberrys and eating a ton of food. We tried to go to the Morgantown 4th of July parade but with all the rain it was cancelled at the last minute. Since we were all out anyway, we all met up with the Pecks for dinner. There weren't too many restaurants open so we went to Chili's. It was SO yummy!

And then the DIY weekend started... {not everything that we did was DIY related, some things we just had to do and never had the time to.}

Saturday we...

- Went back Target {was looking for a foam pad for Brooklyn's play room - Dave looked in that section and 'didn't see it'.}

- Went to Sam's Club

- Went to Best Buy { Seasons of 24 were on sale....normally $50 on sale for $20}

- Went to Lowes to get Chalkboard paint, magnetic paint, dry erase paint, painting supplies and paint chip ideas for the living and dining room.

-Came home and started to reorganize the basement. In order to make Brooklyn's play room in the basement we had to move all of Dave's exercise stuff, computers, and scrap booking table. This took so long....Dave had to condense two desks down to one desk with a desktop computer on it too. Thankfully, it was all 'his' stuff so I didn't have to help.

-I reorganized my scrapbooking stuff and moved my table to a different section of the basement. I also finally got some totes with drawers too...it looks so mush better and I can find everything now. Woo Hoo!

-Taped the walls where the chalkboard and dry erase board will be.

- Did the first coats of magnetic paint {had to wait 30 min between each coat...ugh}

- Played with Brooklyn and went out to dinner.

On Sunday we...

- Started on the other coats of paint {dry erase and chalkboard}

- Started to stencil a border around the boards.

- Dave finished moving everything around in the basement.

- Washed/dried many loads of laundry including really stinky cloth diapers.

- Went to the grocery store and did the food shopping for the next 2 weeks.

-Played with Brooklyn and relaxed in the evening.

On Monday we...

- Dave cut down a huge bush from the front of our property and carried it to the back yard to dry up.

***Side Note - Once the bush has dried up (along with our Christmas Tree) Dave and I will be having a bon fire in our backyard. More details to follow in the coming months.***

- Weeded the garden...we haven't done this in FOREVER and I REALLY needed it. Thanks goodness it is finally complete.

Check out my corn! Can't wait to eat that...

- Finished painting in the playroom and load up the room with all Brooklyn's toys.

Magnetic Chalkboard Wall...

Dry Erase Board Wall...

What did everyone else do????

We have a new blogger....

2008-07-05T19:05:00.000-07:00

....MY SISTER

She has finally succumb to my will and started her own blog. I am so excited....so go check it out and give her some love! Tell her that I sent you...

Trieva's Blog

I have also linked her blog on the sidebar too!

A little late....9 month stats

2008-07-05T18:52:00.000-07:00

I took Brooklyn for her nine month appointment on Monday...I think, maybe it was Tuesday.

Anyhow, she went!

Dave and I were wondering how big she was getting. We have started to comment on how our arms are hurting while carrying her around. I thought that she probably had crossed into the 20+ lbs area but still we weren't sure.

Here it is in all its glory!

Weight: 20 lbs 4 1/2 oz (75%)

Height: 28 1/2 in. (75 - 90%)

Head: 43 cm. (75%)

Above average in every category!

This is just a side note: I thought that I would be happy that I have a healthy, chubby, chunky baby but it kind of worries me. Instead of having to worry about her not getting enough to eat, I am instead worrying that I am feeding her too much.

The girl can eat....When people ask about her eating habits I normally give one of the two examples.

- She is just like a fish. If there is food in front of her, she will eat until it gone. There have been times that we have touched her stomach and it was completely hard.

- She is the girl on Willy Wonka that ate all the blueberries. Eventually she is going to turn into a {insert what every Brooklyn is eating}.

If you have a child that won't eat, you are probably reading this saying "What is she complaining about, at least she eats anything." I am grateful that she isn't picky but with the obesity rate the way that it is....I just don't when to start watching it. I don't want it to be a habit...you know?

Attention Cloth Diaper Mama's

2008-07-04T19:41:00.000-07:00

Win a Bum Genius 3.0 Starter Kit from Nature's Child - Wholesome Goods for Mothers and Babies

Just thought that I would let you know....

She's on the move!

2008-06-26T08:10:00.000-07:00

Enjoy!

Way to go Joe!

2008-06-24T16:09:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, June 26, Joe Alexander (Former WVU Forward) will be participating in the NBA Draft. He was invited to New York for the draft so if he is selected he will be shown on TV.

I hope everyone will be watching. Lets Gooooooooooo Mountaineers!

He also rang the bell for the New York Stock Exchange today...here are some pictures!

Brooklyn's First Blog...

2008-06-24T15:42:00.000-07:00

jg xzcb v mjkjq 3'2

{I guess she didn't have a lot to say.}

9 Months~

2008-06-24T13:27:00.000-07:00

yep, you heard right! Brooklyn is 9 months old! She has been in as long as she has been out. (well, to be specific she has been out longer, she was 3 weeks early.)

I can't believe it! So much has changed ~but~ so much has also stayed the same too!

Here is Brooklyn's Nine Month Update on skills/developmental milestone:

* Still nursing strong at 9 month and still sleeping through the night.

* Still taking 3 naps a day (am nap - 2.5 hours, pm nap - 1 to 2 hours and evening nap 45 min.) I would have thought that she would be down to 2 naps by now but she just won't drop the 6 pm nap. I am assuming that she will not be napping 3 times each day in college. hehehe

*Starting to crawl but is perfecting the art of army crawling. I will have to upload a vid of it...it is SO cute!

* Still not saying any words in English, but is communicating in her own 'Brooklynise'. She has started to say "ba, ba, ba" but it hasn't turned into anything as of yet.

* She is loving her play groups and has started to watch other children as the play. She thinks that they are playing with her....it is really very cute to watch.

* Cloth diapering is still going great! I have found that I LOVE prefolds and covers. They wash and wear so easily! On most days I will just have a prefold on her around the house and only put a pocket diap on if we are going to be out for a long time. We have also started to use fleece soakers and wool shorties for summer. They are super cute and are loads less hot in the warmer weather.

* I am still making all of Brooklyn's baby food and she is still eating everything in sight. {I weighed her on our scale a few days ago, she weighed 21 lbs.} We also have tried giving her grains again and she seems to be tolerating them well. Fingers crossed for no more bad reactions.

* She is trying to pull herself up but not doing so great. I think she is having a hard pull that large gut of hers. LOL

* Separation Anxiety has hit in full force. She wants me to hold her whenever I am around and won't even go to Dave if I am around. If she can't see me then she is fine (out of sight out of mind, I guess.) but if she can, watch out! I am guessing that this is something that we just have to deal with. Hopefully it is just a phase and she will grow out of it soon! Oh well, I am enjoying her wanting to love on me!

later bloggers!

Still running...

2008-06-24T12:41:00.000-07:00

Dave and I are still running and doing great! We have moved onto the second week of the training and seem to be getting better and better with each run. Hopefully is keeps up! (fingers crossed)

Well, Brooklyn is screaming in her crib, so I am off to get her....

{side note - I hope that her brain is not damaged while I am writing this...some of you know what I am talking about, everyone else I will explain later.}

More pictures of Brooklyn...

2008-06-16T12:38:00.000-07:00

This is what we did when the power was out yesterday!

Father's Day, No Electricity, and Run #4..But not in that order!

2008-06-16T11:52:00.000-07:00

Let me first wish all those awesome Dad's out there a Very Happy Father's Day! I hope that you all had a great day..you all deserve it!

I think Dave had a pretty great First Father's day! At least I think that he did. I kept telling him that it was 'his day' and he should let me pamper him. He didn't want anytihng to do with that. He continued to say that he had things that he needed to get done.

What Dave wanted to do: Watch the Masters and drink beer.

What actually happened:

On a sidenote, if it were Mother's Day I wouldn't have done ANYTHING! I don't think that I should do anything (exercise, house work, etc.) on special days. Dave knows that, so he thought it was funny that I kept saying; "I wouldn't be doing that." LOL

8:30 - I woke up and Dave was already out of bed. I went back to sleep...LOL
a little after that, Dave woke me up by putting Brooklyn in bed with me.

He opened Brooklyn's card that we got him. He had already opened his big present earlier that week. We got him a MR. BEER Home Brewery Kit that he LOVED! I was a little worried that he wouldn't like but he did.

9:00 - he started doing the luadry (This is his normal Sunday routine every week.)

9:30 - We went for a run. Run #4

Since Dave and I are not runners YET, we decided to extend the 1st week routine for this next run as well. We are hopping on our next run (Tuesday barring any rain) we will move onto week 2 of the program.

I got some new running sneakers and they were AWESOME! It felt like I was running on a cloud. When we started running, I even told Dave and it was so much easier running with these sneakers. Well at least for the first 10 minutes...

We did have a little drama during this run though. You all know that we run in a neighborhood near our house. Well, in a neighborood you normally will find dogs. Most homeowners will either chain their dogs in the front yard OR keep them inside. Well as Dave and I are running past these houses, every house has at least 2 dogs that would basically chase us. Some houses would have a sign stating that they had an electric fence but others didn't. Since I had such a tramatric expereince with a dog when I was younger,(I was attacked by a dog and had to get stitches) Dave knew that this place wouldn't work.

We ended up going to the beginning of the neighborhood and running at the beginning of the neighborhood. It worked out great and since the enterance area is shaded it was a COOL run!

10:20 - 12:00 Laudry, Luadry and more Luandry

12:00 - Lunch

12:20 - 3:30 - Mow the lawn and help me weed the garden

At about 3:30 our power went out! Ugh...Dave and I laid around hopping that it would come back on. After about an hour, Dave called and they said that it wouldn't be on until after 6:30.

Since we didn't want to open the frig or freezer to make dinner, we went out for dinner. We went to Damien's and after that we stopped at Kroger to get Dave some beer. Gotta have the beer.

The power was still not on when we got back, so we went outside to play. It was starting to get warm in the house with no AC so we called the power people again. This time they told us that it should be on by 8pm.

At 7:58pm the glourious power came back on.

After the whole day of doing stuff that he didn't really want to do, Dave got to sit and watch the Masters and drink a beer.

I guess he could always try next year, right?

Run #3

2008-06-13T08:46:00.000-07:00

Dave and I went for our 3rd run yesterday evening before dinner. We are still on 60seconds of running then 90 seconds of walking for 25 minutes.

There really isn't much that I can say about this run. I will leave you with 3 words that will sum up out run.

1. HILLS

2. HEAT

3. SWEAT

That is about it! I think that I lost about 3 lbs. just from sweating! hehehe

It's Official!

2008-06-13T08:29:00.000-07:00

Well, last week I mailed in my resignation letter to Mon. County Public Schools and today Dave and I will finish cleaning out my classroom. As of this afternoon, I will be a SAHM (Stay At Home Mom) to Brooklyn and any other children that we will have after her. ~~No, I am not pregnant~~

I went in on Wednesday afternoon without Brooklyn to get the process started and to get the first car load. As I walked in, I thought that maybe I would miss it a little bit. But then I realized that there were also no kids in the room causing havoc, no parents complaining about grades and no principals volunteering me to do even more work throughout the day.

If you are a teacher, you now know that is when I realized that I wouldn't miss at all! LOL I'm not going to miss all the 'crap' that comes along with teacher. If you ask me what am I going to miss, there are a few things. I will miss meeting new students at the beginning of the year, decorating my classroom in August; day dreaming about what cool things might happen that year, and teaching interesting subjects and watching their eyes light up when they finally understand what I am saying.

So nursing Brooklyn, changing & washing diapers, and play dates will be my life for next several years. It will be a change I am sure but a fun, excited and interesting change. This is what I was born to do, I feels SO natural and that is what is most important.

Weekend Trip

2008-06-08T18:45:00.000-07:00

As I wrote on Friday, Dave and I were going away this weekend and leaving Brooklyn overnight for the first time. Ugh...

Overall, everything was great! Brooklyn never cried while we were leaving which I thought was just great. I didn't think that I would have been able to handle that.

Friday -

During the afternoon, Dave and I hung around my parents house. It was 99 degrees in Frederick so we weren't really trying to go any where. While Brooklyn napped, I headed out to the MOM's Organic Market. Let me tell you, Morgantown ~needs~ one of these. I loved it! They had everything that I needed/wanted/never knew that I needed. I got Brooklyn some Yobaby Organic Yogurt and a Organic Pesticide. Something has been eating my basil so I needed something that would deter them but wanted my garden to stay organic.

In the evening, I met a bunch of friends to see Sex and the City. I give it 2 stars out of 5. It was just alright, not great but alright. I actually thought that it was too long really. It could have been a whole lot shorter but they dragged it out. After the movie we went out to Friday's. Yum-o! It was so good. I wish that there was a Friday's closer. Ugh...

Saturday -

Dave and I left Brooklyn with Aunt Keena (my sister) and went to a community yard sale. I was so great! We got so much that the everything almost didn't fit in the car. LOL

Yard Sale Finds - I haven't gotta pictures yet but will get them and post later!

Toddler Pool - Pool has two separate pools, one slide and a dinosaur that sprays water all around.

Cost - $3 (talked down from $5)

Little Tikes Picnic Table

Cost - $6 (talked down from $10)

Little Tikes Push Car - The kids feet go through the car and they push it. For ages 2 and up.

Cost - $6 (talked down from $7)

Electric Chain Saw

Cost - $15 (Dave didn't try to make a deal...ugh)

After Yard Sailing, Dave and I played with Brooklyn, feed her and headed out to Gettysburg. She was smiling when we left so that made me really relaxed.

By the time that we got to out B&B The Brick House Inn it was 2pm.

We weren't allowed to check in until 4 so we walked around downtown Gettysburg. We went in a few shops and bought some presents.

After we checked in we laid around until dinner. In our room waiting for us were chocolate covered strawberries and a chilled bottle of wine!

We ate at the Dobbin House. Let me just tell you that it rocked! The food was awesome and the atmosphere was great. After dinner, we went back to the B&B hung out in the garden, talked and took some cool pictures. Overall, very relaxing!

Before we went to Gettysburg, we decided that we would take a haunted walking ghost tour while there. There were about 10 different places that did them...crazy, I know! We finally decided to take a tour with Gettysburg Ghost Tours. They have been on TV and got really great reviews.

Let me tell you, It was great. Before the actual walk, I asked the ticket taker if anyone every sees anything on the tour and he immediately said YES! Apparently they often see orbs and other things that they couldn't explain. By this point, I was excited! I really wanted to see something but even more I wanted to catch something with me camera.

Well, let me say....I totally caught something in a few pictures.

In the first picture you can see "orbs" all around the area. The area shown was where many bodies were left to die after being injured.

In this picture you can see something (a face maybe??) in the window of the Rupp House. I have also magnified the picture to show it more clearly. What do you think that it is??????

After the really creepy tour, it was getting really late. Dave and I headed back to out B&B and went to sleep. We knew that our Three-course breakfast was being served at 8:30 and we wanted to be on time. yumo...

First course - Friendship Bread and Fruit Salad
Second course - Eggs & Sausage (They had a fancy name for the eggs but I can't remember it, sorry)
Third course - Shoefly Pie (Never had it before but was freaking good!

After breakfast, Dave and I were really missing Brooklyn so we packed up the Envoy and headed back to Frederick.

That was basically it. Good times had by all...we really recommend the Brick House Inn. I was so great!

It's Our Anniversary

2008-06-08T18:24:00.000-07:00

Woot!

Dave and I have been married for 6 years today! In honor of my wonderfully terrific husband I am going to list 6 things that I love about him. Here I go...

#1 - I love that he always says I love you when getting off the phone no matter who is around.

#2 - I love that he misses Brooklyn and me while at work and tells me.

#3 - I love that he opens doors for me and other women while out. He is such a gentlemen.

#4 - I love that when there is a spider he doesn't ask me to kill it...he just comes and kills it.

#5 - I love that I have never taken out the trash while married...have never even been asked. To tell you the truth, I don't know where the trash bags are are. Oops!

#6 - I love that he loves me passionately, completely and he doesn't care who knows it.

Couch to 5K - Run #1 & #2

2008-06-08T18:04:00.000-07:00

Run #1 - Friday, June 6th...

Dave and I decided that we would run in the Woodlands development with Brooklyn. We picked this area because it is a beautiful development (houses range from 500K - 1 million), it is on the same street as us, and wouldn't cost a lot in gas to get there.

If you live in Morgantown you know about the hills! There are hills every where...you can't get past them unless you are REALLY looking for them. There are a few hills (I think, 2 small and 1 huge) but in the end we knew that it would make us better runners, so we pressed on.

Today the training was....60 seconds running and 90 seconds walking.

If you are a runner, I am sure that you are looking at that and laughing BUT it is a COUCH to 5K NOT a mile to 5K.

Even though Dave and I a VERY active, that 25 minute run kicked out butt. I said to Dave as we were driving back home, "I thought Zumba was bad...it is easy compared to this!"

Run #2 - Sunday June 8th

First let me say that I have NEVER exercised on vacation/holiday/birthday! I always say to Dave...."It's Labor Day...that means no exercising."

Since we were in Frederick, there were hardly any hills to worry about. We were able to run in my parents neighborhood while Brooklyn napped. Let me tell you, running with a jogging stroller in tow and running just by yourself is VERY different. Our stroller is really nice and moves great but that extra 30ish really makes for a harder run.

Today we had the same training as before...60 seconds running and 90 seconds walking

Gotta love the walking.

Our next run will be on Tuesday...stay tuned we are back at the Woodlands.

Oh yeah...if anyone would like to join us, let us know. The more the merrier!

Couch to 5K....Here we go!

2008-06-08T17:53:00.000-07:00

On one of my many message boards that I peruse while Brooklyn is napping was talking about a running program. I bookmarked the site a few weeks ago and thought that I would just look at it later. www.coolrunning.com

A few days ago, I decided that I wanted to try it but was worried about where/when/how I would fit ~yet~ another activity into our families already busy schedule. I randomly told Dave about the program and his ears perked up!

After I showed him the program, he decided that he wanted to do it with me. Woot! I was worried that me leaving him and Brooklyn would take away from our evenings together but now we are working out together.

The program looks really fun. It is a 2 month program where at the end you should be able to run a 5K without stopping or walking.

Here's hopping.

I will be updating our progress and telling you what hurts.

This should be fun...

I don't think that I am ready!

2008-06-06T06:33:00.000-07:00

We are getting ready to leave for Frederick! While leave Dave and I are planning on leaving Brooklyn with my Mom and Dad for OVERNIGHT. I might not sound like much for anyone else put I have ONLY been away from her long enough to see a movie then come home. Ugh...

Please send me all your; ~good thoughts~, ~prayers~, and ~happy thoughts~ this weekend. I am sure that Brooklyn will have a grand ole time with Grammy and Pop Pop. Her mother for another hand, will not be so great!

I will update on our romantic getaway later!

Have a great weekend...it looks like it is going to be beautiful!

The Importance of Extended Rear-facing...

2008-06-05T15:18:00.000-07:00

As Brooklyn comes closer and closer to being a year old, Dave and I have been talking/planning lots of things. Before we had her we never heard about extended rear-facing. Now that we know about it, Brooklyn will be rear facing for as long as possible.

If you don't know much or anything about it, check out this video on YouTube. It shows actual test crashes and how the children's little bodies react to it rear-facing and front facing.

Please check this out...I think it is SO important to have ALL the facts.