Taking Stock in Motrin

I took Olivia to the doctor again this morning for her 15 month check as well as an ear recheck. To bring some of you up to date Olivia has literally been congested since I started school the last week in August. I assumed it was just a cold but she spiked a fever about 2 weeks ago so I took her in. She had a double ear infection. We started medicine and a week later (last week) she still had a fever so Steve, bless his heart, stayed home and took her to the doctor. The doc thought she had a virus on top of the ear infection because her ears were starting to look better.

Okay that brings me to today. I explain to the doctor that she is still VERY congested. Sometimes a runny nose and other times just deep congestion that prevents her from breathing well. He looks at her ears and of course...she has another double ear infection. AHAHAH I went through this with Braden so really shouldn't be surprised but it certainly doesn't make things any easier.

On my way home from the appointment I called Children's Hopsital Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic to make an appointment with the doc that Braden saw. It's in two weeks. I'm sure that come appointment time she'll be totally healthy - perfect ears and no congestion but at least they can take a look and let me know what they think. In the mean time we'll continue to single handedly keep the company that makes Motrin in business! Poor thing. Please keep her in your thoughts!! She's pretty miserable today.

Take me out to the ball game!

Steve, Mike, Matt, and Kelli went to the Brewer game today.  I stayed home with the kids and switched between the less than stellar Packer game and the AMAZING Brewer game. WOW!  Steve said it was THE most exciting game he's ever been to which if you knew the number of games Steve has been to - you'd realize that it must have been pretty spectacular!  He's got tickets to the playoffs so hopefully they'll keep going for a while.  It's really fun to live in a community that gets so excited about a team.  You can feel the spirit everywhere you go.  GO BREWERS!! 

A Busy Auburndale Weekend!

We traveled up to Darryl and Judy's this weekend for Steve's 15 year high school reunion. It was too quick as our weekends away always are but it was really nice to be back. We haven't been there for quite some time as a whole family.

Saturday Judy and I took the kids to the zoo and then on a nature hike. It was beautiful outside - perfect fall weather! Steve and Marc helped Darryl cut down two trees in the yard. Marc had brought up a big lift to help so we all went for rides. Braden said we were, "higher than a transformer," aka - REALLY high in the sky!

Saturday night we visited Grandma Grete and then went into Marshfield for Steve's reunion at the Elks Club. It was a fun night catching up with friends that we hadn't seen for a while.

We left EARLY this morning so that we could get back in time for Steve to go to the Brewers game and what a game it was!

Trip to the Zoo

We met the Wroblewski's at the zoo today!  Charley and Braden had wonderful time zooming around and studying all of the animals.  The best part was hearing the lion roar!  Henry and Olivia were troopers, sitting in their strollers the whole time.  It was fun to catch up with Sarah! We love comparing mommy notes and I always walk away feeling like we are kindred spirits.  We have more in common than not I think!  It was a beautiful day to spend part of it outdoors - thanks Sarah, Charley and Henry.  We can't wait to see you again.

World's Greatest Family Invention...The Meal Co-op

If I haven't already told you about it ... listen up!  I am involved with something that I think is the greatest thing since sliced bread.  It has saved hours upon hours of time each week and has taken away loads of stress from our household.  We thought it might save on our grocery bill which it hasn't as of yet but that's besides the point. It's definitely not more expensive than what we were doing previously.  

Sara brought the idea to me in August and we decided to give it a try. We invited Kristin and Stacy to join us thinking that four families would be a good number.  Sara, Kristin, Stacy and I met at Alterra to discuss parameters, expectations and came up with a chicken/beef/pasta/potpourri rotation. Each week a family is assigned one type of meal.  

We grocery shop and cook for four families.  We then meet on Sunday nights (rotating houses) at 9pm for an exchange.  We visit quickly, praise each other on amazing meals from the week before, talk incessantly about how awesome this co-op is and then head home with 4 full meals for the week, and a small dose of girlfriend bonding! The meals inevitably provide leftovers so I haven't made but one additional meal each week since we started.

I can't tell you enough how wonderful I think this has been for our family.  I feel so fortunate that Sara brought the idea up and included us.  Not only does it alleviate the stress of having to cook on busy weeknights but I know I am providing my family with healthy home-cooked meals almost every night.  

While not saving money on our grocery bill, we have saved money on not eating out!  Who wants to eat out when they have a beef tenderloin with mango salsa waiting at home for them?  I would encourage any of you working mommies who think you might have others interested to give it a try.  I'd be happy to tell you more about it.

Just a sampling of our meals from the last two weeks.... Buffalo Chicken Pizza, Artichoke-Tortellini Pasta with bread, Beef Chili with cornbread muffins, Vegetable Calzones, Cheeseburger Soup, Grilled Tandoori Chicken with Red Onion Skewers on rice, Vegetable Lasagna, and Italian Beef Sandwiches.  Sound delicious?  It is!

Buddies

Braden and Evan have grown up together.  Evan is as close to a brother as Braden has right now and they have the same love/hate relationship that all siblings do! Today after preschool they had a picnic in the swingset house.  They had a surprise lunch waiting in their superhero lunchboxes when we got home and truly enjoyed eating outdoors, up off of the ground.  The lunch ended in Braden having a time out as he thought it would be funny to start throwing his food off of the swingset but hey - it was fun while it lasted!   

Movie Night

We had to cancel our plans to have Dick, Naomi, Peter, Chris and my mom here last night due to Olivia's sickness.  She is hanging in there but is still pretty miserable at times.  That stubborn fever pops back up as soon as her tylenol/motrin wears off.  We had a very low key day which turned out to be nice.  

After she went to bed, I asked Braden if he wanted to make some popcorn and he decided we should have a movie night and watch Cars!  We cuddled on the floor and ate yummy popcorn!  I love those snuggly moments.  

He is wild and crazy much of the time but then can be so sensitive and have the biggest heart the next.  He was explaining to me how he felt bad for Sally when she missed Lightening.  He doesn't like it when shows are sad or scary and will ask to turn them off.  He truly feels for them - so sweet.  Ironically he doesn't seem to mind when Olivia is sad...oh siblings!

Sharing

Sharing is something that we work on daily!  Steve was home with the kids while I was grocery shopping yesterday and was taking some cute shots of them.  Braden was smiling at the camera and while he wasn't looking, Olivia snuck some fruit loops from under his legs.  This photo is him telling her she wasn't nice and she enjoying her new found treat!

My Disappearing Act

I tend to disappear starting on Wednesday and I don't appear again until Saturday morning.  I am horrible at returning phone calls, I don't always answer emails, and I certainly don't socialize.  What's the problem?  Balance!  I don't have any idea how mommies work full time nor do I know how single mommies do it.  I apologize to all of my friends and family who I bombard with attention Saturday through Tuesday and then I fall off the radar the three days I am at work.

Today I am thankful, grateful, appreciative...I could go on...that I am able to work part time, that it's Friday, and that Steve was able to stay home with Olivia today.  She has a virus on top of her double ear infection so isn't feeling well.  I am also excited that it's not too far from my bed time as I am absolutely exhausted and technically I don't have to log back into my life until tomorrow morning! Ha!

Naked

We've been working with Braden on learning to take off his own clothes.  He's doing a great job but still needs help sometimes with his shirt.  He often can be found now walking around the house with no pants or underwear on.  That's how he likes it he explains to me.

Today I went in to get Olivia after her nap and she had no shirt or slippers on - both of which I put her to bed with.  So my one year old had taken off her long sleeve shirt and her slippers!  Crazy.  

What is it with kids liking to be naked??  Maybe she can teach Braden now now to take his shirt off! Ha!

A Packer Sunday!

We had a really fun day cheering for the Packers! Braden slept through most of the game but as you can see Olivia was up to cheer them on.  She LOVES hats and found a helmet that I had in the house and insisted on wearing it around for a while. I remember Braden doing that at his first birthday party.  

Braden and I have played together a lot today.  It's been really nice. He even came to me just a little bit ago to ask if I would build him a farm for his animals so that is exactly what we did.

Go Packers!

Quiet Mornings

I'm up early this morning and the rest of my family is still sleeping.  My grandma and my mom used to do this and I never understood why.  I've always been a morning person but since becoming a mommy myself I've learned to cherish this time as "think time." The house is quiet, the lighting is low, I have beautiful piano music on and I am baking popovers. :) I feel so peaceful and it allows me to think clearly about things that otherwise get pushed to the back of my already full head.  

My thoughts this morning are on Braden.  I was reading an article in a magazine last night about parents playing with their children.  I am a great organizer and plan wonderful things for us to do together but I don't get down on the floor and simply play with him enough.  He is constantly asking me to play dinosaurs or bobcat.  To be completely honest - I don't know what to do!  Sounds silly right?  Well I growl a little and our animals talk for about a minute and then I find my mind wandering to all of the other things on my to-do list which sadly seem more important.  So I am going to work this week on letting Braden lead our play and maybe then it'll feel more natural.  I'll regret that I didn't do this more if I don't start now before he is in school full-time!  So my goal is to "play" more.  Can't be too hard can it?   

Congratulations!

We have three friends who have just had babies within the last week!  Jenny, Luke, Owen and Nate Gendrich welcomed another little blue bundle - Luke - into their family last Friday.  Jason, Lisa and Matt Hartland welcomed Margaret on Monday.  Finally, Kevin, Emily, Jack and Charlotte welcomed Lucy on Monday as well.  How fun and exciting.  We can't wait to meet all of them.  Now we're eagerly anticipating the birth of babies from the Galligans, Axe's, Norman's and the Busch's.  WOW!  

Olivia's Favorite Chore

Olivia LOVES to help when I empty or fill the dishwasher.  We took these photos tonight to capture what can be the cutest and most frustrating event when she is around.  If she hears me open it she runs from wherever she is and whatever she is doing to "help."  She crawls on the top and takes out whatever she can - especially appealing when the item still has food on it!  Hopefully she'll continue and when she's old enough we'll make it her first chore!!

Happy Birthday Love!

Happy 34th Birthday Sweetie!  It's crazy to think that we've celebrated 10 years of birthdays together.  I chose some pictures from the last few years to look back at and think about all the wonderful blessings we have in our life.  I love you with all of my heart - I love the kind of father you are to Braden and Olivia.  I love the son and brother you are to your family but most of all I love the husband you are.  You challenge me in ways I need to be challenged and comfort me in ways I need to be comforted.  I thank you for all that you are and all that you do.  Happy Birthday Love - Here's to MANY, MANY MORE! Love, Me

Thankful

I am thankful for my time at home today. I tend to take it for granted over the summer months since I am home every day and today, after having worked almost full time over the past 2 weeks, and then a busy day yesterday - I am thankful to have the whole day with Braden and Olivia. The only thing on my agenda today is them - making them happy, playing with them and of course my favorite - snuggling!

This morning we went for a hike at Hawthorne Glen. Braden LOVES hiking and so I pledged to myself that on the one day that I am home with just them (Tues or Thurs depending on the quarter) I am going to do something outside. It is so good for all of us to head out for fresh air for the sake of enjoying nature - not on our way to and from the car and Target! Ha! That means I'll have to invest in some warm winter clothes and we may want to rejoin the Schlitz Audobon Society for great trail hiking, but it'll all be worth it. I want them to grow up experiencing the curisoity that nature invokes. To listen for new sounds, see things from new perspectives and smell all of the wonderful smells each season. You can all keep me grounded to this goal as I think it's a good one.

Olivia is napping and Braden and I are going to go read some books so enjoy the fall weather everyone!

First day of Preschool!

Wow - I can't believe that we dropped our little guy off at preschool this morning. It seems like yesterday that we were bringing him home from the hospital - where does the time go? He couldn't have been more excited. Braden walked right in, handed his teachers some flowers and was ready to play. There was no separation anxiety or sadness - just pure excitement for what was to come. I have no doubt that he is fully ready and will enjoy school ... what to do with myself now. Home seems quieter this morning but Olivia has had fun monopolizing the sun porch toys! This time will be nice to have with her as well. I will pick up Braden and Evan in about an hour to come home for lunch, playtime and then naps. What a special day.

Fabulously Fun Weekend

We had such a wonderful weekend - I don't want it to be over!

Judy came down on Saturday morning and we played around the house until the kids took their naps. Then Judy and I went to the grocery store (we always have fun shopping and running errands together!). When we got back, we played for a while and then Steve and I got ready for Greg's (Steve's boss) 40th birthday party. It was aboard a big boat that left from Riptide, a restaurant downtown. We had a blast listening to great music, watching an amusing video of Greg growing up, talking, eating, drinking and laughing. Matt, Kelli, Ryan, and Brian always ensure a great time!

This morning we woke up, went to church and then walked to Alterra for brunch. The rest of the day was spent relaxing, making my co-op meals, napping, and watching football. Steve is very excited that it's fall and football is back on! Tomorrow is a big day for Braden - first day of preschool. I'll be sure to let you all know how it goes.

We survived week #1!

Well - We all survived week number one! Steve survived having to get the kids ready each morning and off to Heathers, the kids survived without me (which makes me happy but of course there is a little part of me that wants to think they need me and can't live without me), and I survived my first week back at school. All in all everything went great.

Steve, bless his heart, finishes getting the kids ready which includes getting dressed, fed, sometimes bathed, and then in the car and over to Heathers. He drops off which is hard because Olivia is at the age where she cries and holds on tight when he tries to leave. Thankfully that's not my job or I don't think I'd ever get to school. :)

Braden and Olivia had a great week. They are really enjoying spending the days with Heather, her 3 year old daughter Hannah, and another little boy, Jacob, who is Olivia's age. I often find them playing outside and I have a hard time convincing Braden that it's time to head home.

School this week was wonderful. Kristin and I had a blast teaching together and are really excited about our class this year. It'll be challenging as usual but it's a group of really neat, kind students. I realized how lucky I am to be able to be home part-time. I felt so disconnected from them this week and can't wait to wake up tomorrow morning and snuggle as a family in bed with nowhere to go and rush off to.

Life is good - change is always hard - but we are in a good place and things will settle into routine soon!

Labor Day Weekend Part 2

We had another exciting day today. We drove up to Oshkosh and rode on Uncle Marc's boat. Unfortunately my camera seems to have something wrong with it and we only got half of the pictures that we took. It was a beautiful day on the lake and both kids loved to go "really fast." After, we drove up to Appleton for lunch and some time with my parents. It was a great weekend and as usual - went way too fast!