Thanksgiving... I am so Thankful!

The colic has ended... phew. Now, I will know what this is like. One of the worst experiences!!!

We are here at my Mom's for Thanksgiving and I am so Thankful for my family! I have 2 very healthy and (now) happy little girls. Thank God for this. I am so Thankful that Gina's colic was finally fixe for good too.

I feel like I've sort of adjusted to having 2 kids now too! Hooray. It's quite difficult with them being 14 months apart, but I hear that this does get easier. Stay posted for new pictures soon!!!

Whenever we tell Valerie to smile - she makes this funny face. Here's Gina in one of her better moments... sleeping. It has been TOUGH.

Yesterday was so hard - Gina had the usual fussies most of the day and Valerie started to whine around 1 PM and didn't stop until bedtime. 2 kids constant crying/whining at the same time slowly drives you insane. Gina started up around 8PM and didn't stop until 12:30AM. Horrible... Sorry this post sounds so bad, it's just been a rough weekend.

I called my friend Kris who told me - it DOES get better!!! She had 2 colicky kids who are 19 months apart (I think that's right) and now she gets to do the fun stuff with them.

We are truly blessed with these girls - Thank God they are healthy and happy (sometimes). I know that this too shall pass...

Welcome Gina!

Here's Gina Lynn who loves to eat and be held by Mom. Sorry these took so long. She still has her days & nights mixed up! Mom is VERY sleep deprived. In fact... duty calls again!!!

Happy 1st Birthday to Valerie

Wow, a 1 year old. The time has flew by, it is so weird and I heard the time just keeps on flying. It's been a great year and so glad that Valerie has been so easy on us being new parents. She seems like such a little girl now. The party was great! The weather was hot and humid, but Thankfuly, there was never any rain.... phew. It was a great time celebrating with family, friends and neighbors.

The 4th of July

Here we are at our neighborhood's picnic at the park just 1 block from our house. We think Valerie had a pretty good time of it. Then, in the evening, we woke her up for her very first fireworks show which we also got to walk over to. She did really well, jumped a bit at the noise at first, then she was fine and dandy.

Strawberry picking!

In Mid-June we went Strawberry picking with Madtown Moms (my Moms group). It was very nice and while Valerie was in her white shirt, she decided to start eating by herself. It's funny - she won't eat the strawberries now, only while we were out in the field!

So, she is starting to drink from her own sippy cup and feed herself. Mostly cheese! This girl loves cheese and ALL KINDS... havarti, havarti w/ dill, english cheddar with chives - you name it. And, we found out tonight that she like ham too. So, ham & cheese. I think the eating fruits and veggies phase is over with for now and who knows if it'll ever return... oh well. One of the Mom's, Rebecca - recommended a great book called - My Child Won't Eat. It is wonderful and I think I am going to end up buying it as a reference.

It's another GIRL!!!

It's another girl!!! I am so shocked, I thought for sure it was a boy. Although I thought Valerie would be a boy too, but this time I was SUPER SURE. Here are 2 of the 3D shots. Thefirst is pretty good and the 2nd, she is covering her face with her hand. The ultrasound went great too - no red flags or any concerns. As my Doctor keeps saying - "You're boring and boring is a very good thing." We are thrilled for another girl and are so glad to hear about the healthy part.

Eta Kappa's 20th reunion in So. California!

Our reunion was in Riverside, CA on 4/18 - it was a whole weekend of activities. It was great to be out there and see everyone I hadn't seen in around 15 yrs. California seems so BIG after living in Madison.

The first picture is Jean & me at the 20th banquet. Jean and I have kept in touch after all these years, it was so great to hang out and finally meet her kids.

The 2nd picture is a bunch of us "older" sisters. And the 3rd picture is Jody & me. Jody was one of my very first roommates. I can't wait to go to the 25th reunion! This next time I'll be bringing my whole family.

Outside finally!

Here's Valerie's Aunt Diane and me! And a picture with her Aunt Ann's pink knitted dress on. Valerie's bundled up, it was the first nice day around here and I just couldn't wait to get outside to hang out. More nice days soon here in Wisconsin... we hope!

Easter Sunday

Here's the Easter dress and then another picture with Grandma Mary Ann. We went to church first and Valerie fell asleep on Paul for about 20 minutes and then we went to Milwaukee for Easter brunch. It was so nice to see Rob & Mel and Betty. Valerie didn't do too well in the afternoon nap department which was a bit tough on this first time Mom. She's turning into a shy girl at first in new situations... I wonder if this is a phase thing??

Easter egg coloring time

We thought we'd color a few eggs for Easter and Valerie wanted to eat the pretty eggs. She's doing this very happy, full face smile now. She started it with the crazy cats, now she pretty much does it for everyone.

Finally! New stuff... sort of.

Here they are in their Wisconsin attire! Dad is now a student and he won a bet with Ken (a Michigan grad), so instead of wearing a Univ of Michigan onesie (OUCH!) she is wearing her Wisconsin gear -phew!

Not too much new and exciting around these parts. My Mom is still here from Michigan. It is such an enormous help to have her here, I don't know what I am going to do when she leaves.

It looks like Spring *might* be around the corner. You don't want to say those things too loudly here in the snowy tundra of Madison, Wisconsin as you might jinx things. It has been the snowiest winter I ever can remember. I am sure there were some as a kid, but it's been tough with the new baby to get out when it's nineteen below with forty below windchills!

I promise to be better about my updates here! Stand by for more news and pictures!

Hanging around the house...

Valerie is now 6 months old! Wow! Here we are just hanging around the house... Luna loves to just hang out with Valerie... she doesn't mind getting grabbed at just yet.

We can't wait for spring! It's going to be 40 degrees on Sunday and I am so excited to get outside and walk around. Feel so bad that Valerie hasn't been able to go anywhere, but didn't think it was such a great idea when it's 10 below and with a 30 below windchill factor. Probably not the best idea when you're six months old.

Valerie is taking her first airplane ride for Groundhog day! I am a bit nervous as I will be doing this all by myself. We are going to help my Mom after her ankle surgery. Then, my Mom will be coming to stay with us for 6 weeks! Yay!

Then our major ice dam repair work will begin - probably April-ish. Yikes... how will I live without a kitchen and with my house being ripped apart for who knows how long. This makes me very nervous! We have decided to take the plunge and get new cabinetry for the kitchen, I hope it turns out great. There will be some major roof repairs and our bedroom will also be ripped apart somewhat - walls, ceiling, new paint. Yikes. I am frightened!