Baptized into Christ

Eli, Daddy, Momma, RJ, Opa, Uncle A w/JoJo, Auntie K

Opa, Nana, Daddy, Momma w/JoJo, Grandma, Grandpa

JoJo with her sponsors, Uncle A & Auntie K

w/Big Brothers Eli & RJ, all dressed up for Easter

Grand-Daughter

Opa & Nana

Grandpa & Grandma

Home

His first car ride, a waving brother, welcoming signs on the door - LittleE's day has been full of excitement already, and now we're home, together again as a family. RJ has decided that he likes this tiny person who has invaded his family, and is glad to have Momma & Daddy home with him again - three days with Grandma & Aunt Boo (and Grandpa) was fun, but he was more than ready to have us back. So we settle in, practicing our balance of two boys while we still have helping hands nearby. Twice the diapers, twice the feedings, twice the loves. My heart, which now resides in two little bodies outside my own, overflows.

Impending Birth

It's 4:45 on Friday morning, and I can't sleep because the child in my belly will very soon be out. Grandma snores in the living room, ready to take over Toddler duty as Husby and I venture off to the hospital's birthing center. We had planned to go into labor naturally, on our own, but lately my blood pressure, protein, and sugar numbers have been concerning, and my doctor has scheduled us for an induction this morning for our safety. Technically, today is our 39th week & 4th day of this pregnancy (although if you count by my dates instead of the ultrasound, we're really at 41 weeks & 5 days), making it reasonable to ask Baby Boy to leave his current residence and enter the world with the rest of us. Nervously excited, I sit here typing in the dark while Husby catches a few more minutes of sleep. In just a few more hours, I'll be able to sit back and marvel as my husband holds his second son for the first time.

Visiting

 

 

 

 

 

Movers

After 3 weeks of "camping", our moving truck arrived ready to be unloaded. Grandpa & Uncle A drove up to help with the move 

(and pick up a table we've been holding for them), and the men worked through the heat advisories to get all our belongings unpacked.

Some of our things are being kept in storage for now, and we had the truck parked at the unit for ease of unloading. 

Thus, Grandpa's van became a sudo moving truck, transporting pieces to our home. 

A day & a half later, we have an empty truck and a no-longer-empty living space.

Auntie K

Class of 2011

We are proud to announce Aunt Boo's graduation from High School! 

One over-two-hour ceremony later, she's officially a graduate and couldn't be happier.

RJ, Daddy, Momma, Auntie K, Auntie A & Baby Kay, Uncle A
Grandma, Aunt Boo, and Grandpa

RJ, unfortunately, didn't fare quite as well today. The Texas heat got to him, and our poor baby boy ended up overheating. The drive home from Graduation was accompanied by much complaining and a bought of throwing up, followed by a fever we just couldn't bring down. Being away from home, and thus without a pediatrician, Husby and I decided to take him up to the local ER (again) just to be sure there wasn't anything else to be concerned about. The doctors and nurses poked and prodded him, checked his mouth injury to make sure it wasn't infected, and prescribed 'round-the-clock Tylenol to keep the fever down. He just can't catch a break.

Shopping

With a Great-Aunt here to visit, we're doing a lot of running around and showing her the town. After a lunch date with all the aunties (and Grandpa), RJ and I walked around some shops in his new umbrella stroller. He loves watching people as we walk around, and was even more thrilled when we stopped for ice cream. It was a hot day, and the cool treat was just what we needed. And though nothing was purchased, we saw many nice shops and ooo-ed and aahh-ed over lots of fun things.

Grandma's House

After a nearly-sleepless night with a toddler in my hotel bed, we were up at 4:30 this morning (thanks, RJ). Resigning that we were not going to get him back to sleep, we dressed ourselves and went looking for breakfast. The hotel provided waffles, which are a favorite around our house, and between the three (four) of us, we inhaled more than 4 full waffles - yum!

Just over three hours on the road, and we've arrived at Grandma's house. A Great-Aunt is also visiting this week, and limited bed space has put us with Auntie A & Uncle K for the week. They love playing with RJ, which allows me plenty of snuggle time with Baby Cousin. 

On the Road, Again

Since Husby went on ahead this morning, Grandpa volunteered to fly in and drive with us back to Grandma's house. We picked him up from the airport, had a quick lunch, and hit the road at about noon. RJ was a wonderful traveler, with toys and drinks and snacks available to him whenever he needed, and we managed to get more than halfway through the drive this afternoon and evening. We're stopped for the night in Shreveport, Louisiana, leaving only about 3 hours of travel to finish the trip tomorrow morning. We're almost there!

Grief

We left Texas for Wisconsin this morning, to be greeted by family in preparations for tomorrow. Not a happy trip, but a needed one. So much is different now, and yet it's all the same. You were loved dearly, Grandpa, and you are missed.

**Happy Birthday, my love!**

Showcase

RJ and I left Daddy home alone this weekend, and flew to Texas today. While the trip in it's entirety is not expected to be 'fun', we're enjoying ourselves at Grandma's house tonight. My High School puts on a Showcase every year, in which the Drill Team and Color Guard put on a display of their talents. Since Aunt Boo is the Color Guard captain this year, my sisters were featured in more pieces than normal, and I was glad to be able to be there and support them. The captain is given a solo, and this year Boo decided to include Auntie A & Auntie K, her sisters who have also been in Guard, to perform along with her. Set to "Butterfly Kisses", it was a touching piece. I'll blame the pregnancy hormones for the tears.

"So Big"

Flights

This morning, we headed to the airport with Grandpa to catch our respective flights - his back to Wisconsin for another short visit, and ours home to Daddy. We grabbed a quick donut before sending him off and settling in for our flight.

Finally home, we're enjoying some quiet time with Daddy and looking forward to sleeping in our own beds for the first time in over 10 days. Whew!

Lunch Date

As a rare treat, Grandpa was off today and able to meet with all four of his girls for lunch at Chick-fil-A. RJ tagged along, of course, and we enjoyed a lovely meal with the aunties. We'll be lonely once we finally get home!

Going Home

We all left Wisconsin today, but Daddy was the only one to make it home. RJ and Momma are stopping in Texas for a couple more days before we end our trip. At this point, we're not sure when we'll make it home, but we'll sure enjoy our own beds once we get there.

What a Day

Recombobulation

After the discombobulation of yesterday, we're back on track with our travel and visit plans today. Opa was gracious enough to pick us up this morning (over an hour's drive each way for him) so we could spend the weekend with him at Nana's house. Daddy flew in to a nearby airport, where Grandpa (who rode with us) was able to catch a flight home. I accompanied Grandpa into the airport to switch him out for my husband, and on our way through security we found this appropriate sign:

Post-Security at MKE
(Perhaps the TSA's idea of an April Fool's Joke?)

Ah, just what I needed - a place to recombobulate myself after the last few days (and, of course, the security check-point). With a quick trade-off, Husby and I were back on our way out to Opa and RJ, who were waiting in the car. Moments later, we arrived at Nana's house, to be greeted by the snuggles only a grandmother can give. 

Uncle Art also joined us a few hours later. Finally able to relax and enjoy our time together, we headed out for a tour of their locale and a family dinner at Cracker Barrel.

Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary
(Daddy & RJ, Momma, Opa, Uncle Art)

Out to Dinner
(Opa, Uncle Art, Daddy)

(RJ, Momma, Nana)