Giggle's N' Giggle's

On our way home yesterday from Chicago I had to jump in the backseat to entertain Chase. Here is a video of him giggling. He was laughing so much more before I hauled out the camera and then he became interested in the silver thing in his face, but he still did pretty good :-). Sorry for the bumpy ride...we were on the last stretch of 94. Enjoy!!

Chicago in March!

This weekend we took a family trip to Chicago! I was so excited to see the Shedd Aquarium. I don't believe I've ever visited there before, but we definitely chose the wrong day. Apparently the nice 60 degree weather and Spring Break brought in thousands of people. With 3 toddlers and an infant it was almost impossible to enjoy any of the attractions. In addition, the Oceanarium was closed so the whales, dolphins, and penguins were on "vacation". Bummer! Anyway, we got a GREAT deal on a nice hotel (The Blackstone) so we checked in and relaxed for a couple of hours while the kids (and all adults but me and my mom) napped. Our room was gigantic. That evening we went to Ed Debevic's and had a great diner dive meal. Alison of course was bored so she decided to dance to the music and had our entire area cheering her on. One waitress asked me if she was for sale. Ha! I can't imagine what God has in store for her someday in some type of performing arts. On Sunday we walked to the Corner Bakery to have some breakfast (didn't feel like spending $22.50 on 2 eggs, 2 slices of bacon, toast and OJ at our hotel)and then to Millenium Park. Alison LOVED the Big Bean. Again, it was a gorgeous day. Enjoy the pics.

This is what you've missed...

My baby boy sleeping so soundly.

My neice Gwen when she first learned to sit up on her own...a day or two before.

Best friends and cousins, Alison & Lola!

Chase getting so strong!

Lola turns 4!!!

Henry turns 1!!!

Aunt Jennifer & my little stud!

Alison dancing in front of the crowd during the baptism song for Chase & 3 other babies. She stole the show.

Family pic at Chase's Baptism

Grandpa Denny & us!!

My first TIFFANY!

I am SO excited. My sister Jen for no reason at all (other than to be sweet)gave Sheri & I a Tiffany necklace with our first initial. I absolutely love it!! She already had the letter "J" and thought it would be nice for each sister to have their own as well. It's my first Tiffany anything so it was a GREAT surprise. Thank you so much Jen. You are such a sweetheart!

The other pictures are of Alison in the tub when I gave her the sunglasses that have been at Betsey's for quite a while now. She had forgotten all about them and was excited to put them on.

The other is Chase chillin' in an outfit that Keely bought for him laying on the quilt that Becky hand made for him. Thanks guys!!!

You could win it!

Thanks to my friend Keely I was able to enter to win this fabulous double stroller. You could win it too. Just follow the instructions on the following website for your chance to win! Good luck!
http://inevergrewup.net/giveaway-25-bumbleride-indie-stroller/#comment-6394

Go Alison!

I don't have any pictures to share with you at this time however I wanted to share Alison's great success! She is almost completely potty trained! Yea! Shortly their will be no more diaper changing for two or the expense of diapers for at least one of my children. I've struggled with training Alison. She showed interest back when she was 19 months and unfortunately my doctor said to wait until spring so I didn't give the attention to it that I should have. Why did I listen to this doctor?? I missed that glorious window of opportunity. Alison then decided to take it into her own hands. Anyone who knows Alison knows she likes to be mostly in control and I think that's what she's been doing since. She absolutely refused to try (except when she was about to go in the bath at my mom's).
Since it is my last week of maternity I've decided it needs to be done while I'm still home with her. On Monday I simply told her she has no more diapers and she has to use the Big Girl Potty. She rested her elbows on the ottamon, cupped her chin in her hands, and sighed "Okay mommy". Anyone who knows her also knows she's a bit dramatic.
As I'm writing this I heard Alison crying in her room. It is 7:45 AM. I go to her room and ask what is wrong. I thought she said "I want my mommy" so I told her I was here. Then she said it again and I realized she said "I have to go potty". Alison had a dry diaper from all night of sleeping for the first time EVER so she must have held it!
GO ALISON!!!!!!!!!! I'm an "extra" proud mommy this week!

2009

It's 2009! I can't believe how fast time is going. It seems like just yesterday that Alison was as small as Chase and now she has grown so much and turned into such a wonderful little girl. Alison is getting through the adjustment of a new baby and mommy having to share her love. The first month was a little rough, but I only see small instances lately. Normally when she is overly tired. I try my best to do little things with her throughout the day. Alison loves Chase and I see him watching her and falling in love with her too.

I have a lot to be thankful to God for. He has blessed me with so much over the years. A wonderful family, friends, a job, a home, and a church where I love to go.

I've been praying for people lately who have not had anything close to a perfect 2oo8. People who have lossed loved ones and lost jobs, but have still maintained and even intensified their faith through it all. They are true inspirations despite the grief and emptiness they must be feeling.

I have one week left of maternity leave. I go back to work on January 12. Although it will be very hard to leave the kids after spending so much time with them I am also looking forward to it. I am going back 32 hours so it will be a nice schedule.

Here are a few more pictures for you to enjoy.



This is Alison (above and below) just a couple of

months old.

Chase at one month. He's becoming so alert.

Lately he's been smiling a lot more and starting

to talk (coo) when he's happy...not sleeping.

Here is Ethan playing on the snow tube my

mom bought for the kids.

Mom in her glory.

It's a little too stimulating yet but Chase has fun

on his Einstein mat at least for a few minutes.

Chase in his PJ's that Aunt Sheri bought

for him when I found out I was having a boy.

She had predicted that from the beginning so

she had them ready when I made the announcement.

Chase sleeping soundly.

Merry Christmas to all of our loved ones!

Here's for you Becky!

I meant to post updated pictures of Chase last week however Alison erased it and I haven't had time to repost until this morning. Chase is already 1 month old if you can believe it. Here are a few pictures of the past month's events. He's still a little angel.



This is a house in Chicago with a decorated tree out front. The ornaments were huge lit up balls and I thought it was pretty so I had to take the picture.


I saw this building on our walk in Chicago and had to take the picture. It is pretty much my life right now. Feeding a newborn around the clock is no easy business.


Alison LOVES the Holland Parade of Lights...actually any parade with a marching band, but she was extra excited to see Santa this year.

Aunt Sheri, mommy, and Alison all bundled up. It was a chilly night. My mom spent the whole parade waiting for our coffee's in JP's. Sorry mom! But thank you SO much!

Alison got "sick" one night and we had to strip her bed. Our only alternative was to put her back in the crib for the night since Chase doesn't use it yet. She was excited for the "Good old days".

Since she had so much fun on Ethan's sled I thought I would buy her her own sled. Since we're cooped up in the house all day we had to make the best of it and act like we were all outside.

Holy cats he looks like Mike in this picture.

"I'm not sure I want to wake up yet"

Chillin'...something he rarely does these days. Needs to be held if he's awake.

Unfortunately we needed to take Chase to the ER when he was under 2 weeks old. I came down with Mastitis and was put on an antibiotic that Chase was allergic to. He was extremely fussy and had a full body rash. Poor little guy.

Ali was so excited to help with Chase's first bath.

He didn't like it so much but now that he can be submerged he loves it!!