A very wet weekend!

This weekend was wet, wet, wet! It has rained since Saturday morning almost constantly. At times it's torrential downpour, and at other times it's just a mist but there's precipitation in the air almost any time you stepped outside during the last 48 hours.

Normally this is something I'd grump about but it's been nice to have some indoor family time. We've also had a few excitements. Last night Jennifer came to babysit and Steve and I went on a date. We had dinner downtown at The Wicked Hop (yummy food) and then we met Brady and Kelly (who ironically were also on a date) at Blu at the top of the Pfister. I hadn't ever been there before but it was so nice to sit in a nice lounge with live music and catch up with friends.

Today, my friend from growing up, Jenissa came down with her children, Tommy and Jillian. We played around the house and were able to catch up. She's one of those people who I haven't talked to in years (literally) but we can pick up and jabber for a few hours without blinking an eye. I really appreciate her making the effort to come down and reconnect. She's such a great person and I enjoyed getting to know her little cuties.

We all had a 2 hour nap and now we're hunkered down in the living room coloring on the aqua doodles. Hopefully the sun will be back soon and we'll be able to play outside. Until then I'll take advantage of Braden and Olivia snuggles :)

Before and After

We bought a "new to us" kitchen table and chairs today. The pictures are a little dark due to the light coming in our kitchen window but I am super excited about them. The table is higher and more narrow which opens up our kitchen a little more. Now all I need is a flat screen mounted in the corner and it'll be perfect. :)

A December Celebration

I've been waiting to post our great news until after my first doctor appointment which was last Thursday. We are going to have another baby!!!

I've been a nervous wreck, sick, sick, sick and very anxious but it looks like all is well. The doctor did an ultrasound right away to confirm a due date, make sure that everything was implanted correctly and the heartbeat was strong. He double checked for twins - twice because I wanted to be sure - and thankfully there is only one beautiful button which is the size of a kidney bean right now.

The heart rate was a strong 158, I could see the head and the little arm buds and brought home sketchy pictures to share with Steve and the kids. We told them Thursday night. Braden cried and said he didn't want another baby brother or sister. Olivia smiled and just kept saying, "baby, baby." She obviously doesn't get it and Braden does. :) I'm hoping over time he will warm up to the idea.

We're by no means in the clear but I'm feeling so much better and am going to try to stay confident and enjoy this journey rather than worry about it. I'm looking forward to getting past the fist trimester and starting to feel better. I'm much more sick than I was with the other two (which is one of the reasons I wanted him to check for twins!) I'm already bellylicious and trying to love it :) I always love it later but it seems a little early and I'm feeling more fat than beautifully pregnant.

I was 8 weeks on the dot on Thursday which puts my due date on December 3rd. WOW - another baby. We can't wait to meet him or her (I'm guessing "her" at this point due to my sick tummy) and add to our already wonderful family.

Proud Mommy

Braden had his preschool open house last night. It was really a nice evening. We arrived and Braden immediately began playing with many of his buddies. Olivia found her post with the babies and kitchen area. It was fun to see Braden so confident and engaged in another environment.

One of his teachers made a point to talk to Steve about how much she enjoys Braden and what a great job he's done this year. She feels that he's come so far and grown so much. I overheard part of the conversation as I was visiting with another mom. She then came up to me and said many of the same things. I could feel my heart swell inside my chest with pride.

For those of you who follow our blog closely you will recall that last fall during his conference and then again later on in the year Braden had some troubles with transitions and sharing. Not uncommon for a preschooler but worrisome for Steve and I (okay, mostly me). I was so proud of him and how hard he has worked and I don't think I give him enough credit. She said that she'll really miss his spunk - that he really is one of her favorites. He's always thinking she mentioned and the wheels are turning constantly. She spoke highly of the types of questions he asks. I know this about him. He is a deep thinker especially when it comes to animals and nature. He likes to understand and likes to think but doesn't always want to engage in conversation when it's not lead by him. This is of course frustrating for someone like me who likes to talk about absolutely everything!

I arrived a few minutes early today to pick him up and she was in the hallway again. For the second time she reinforced how she felt about him and what a joy he's been this year. Ugh - makes me teary eyed. I am often too hard on him - I know that. This was a good reminder that he is four years old and doing a wonderful job growing up. What a proud mommy I am! :)

Could it really be over already?

I am having a hard time coming to grips with the fact that spring break is over and I have to go to work tomorrow. Work? What's that? I've done a great job of pretending it didn't exist during the last 11 days. I guess all good things must come to an end. :)

We had a wonderful time playing, enjoying the sunshine, and visiting with friends and family. On Friday we drove up to my mom and dad's house in Appleton. My mom and I took the kids and dogs out to a hiking trail where the dogs can run off leash. It was a lot of fun and was a mood-lifter. It always makes me feel so rejuvenated when I spend time hiking/walking out in nature. I think it does the same for Braden and Olivia too. Saturday we went out to Bubolz Nature Preserve and did more hiking. It was really beautiful and we were able to see a bunch of turtles floating in the pond. It was a great time. We haven't spent much time at home in Appleton and it is always nice to catch up with my mom and relax.

I LOVE Spring Break

I LOVE spring break! I love being home with the kids. I love that they are really my only "to do" list. I love that I don't have the stress of school and the early, rushed mornings. I love that it's getting nicer outside and that it should be 60 degrees by the end of the week. I love quiet mornings with coffee and stolen time to do a few things I need to get done.

Yesterday felt like the first day of my spring break. We were gone on the weekend and Monday was spent running errands and catching up. Yesterday we played here in the morning and then went over to Braden's friend Daniel's house. We met Kristin and the boys there. It was really fun but pretty rushed. We had to leave at 11:30 where I dragged a screaming, crying Braden out of the house. Transitions are always hard for him and because he'd been looking forward to this playdate ALL morning I think it made it that much harder.

We rushed home, threw some lunch down and then headed to Lele's birthday party. Kristin, bless her heart, took Olivia for nap time so Braden and I could go by ourselves. It was at "Pump It Up" in Brookfield and was a great time. Half of the time he adoringly followed Lele around being sure to watch her every move. The other half he wanted me to play with him which I happily did. Who doesn't want an excuse to jump on a big bouncy basketball court and climb up a huge inflatable mountain? :)

After enjoying cake and presents we came home. The rest of the day was spent playing, coloring, and making dinner with Olivia's help. Jen and Katie joined us for dinner. It was nice to have time to visit and after the kids went to bed we watched our Tuesday night shows.

It's Wednesday morning and I'm excited to see what today has in store. It looks like the sun is peeking through the clouds so hopefully we'll be able to play outside today.

Easter

Our trip to Arpin this year for Easter was my favorite one yet! We left Friday morning, dropped Magnus off at my mom's so "Nana" could babysit, and headed up to Darrell and Judy's. We did an Easter Egg Hunt at the nursing home where Steve's grandma lives. It was fun, the kids had a good time and Olivia happened to win a HUGE easter basket filled with princess things and lots of unneeded candy!! The next morning the kids were delighted that the Easter Bunny had come. He had hidden presents all over the house so they searched high and low to find them. Olivia wore her new Easter Bonnet all morning and Braden had fun with his new game, Hullabaloo!
We had such a busy day after finding our presents. We decorated carrot cake cupcakes to look like birds nests (delicious by the way!!), Braden learned how to fly a kite, throw a frisbee and hit a baseball! It was a glorious day and we spent much of it outside.



We feel so lucky to have such wonderful family to spend the holidays with. We love you all and really thank you for the love and attention you give our children each time we are together. You take them as though they were your own and they never want the time to end. Can't wait to see you all at 4th of July!!