Merry Christmas

Well Brett's third Christmas came and went, and I did the math more than once, it is his third Christmas and he is only 2. He definately has more of an understanding of gifts than ever before. He had a lot of fun opening and started out very grateful and modest. He even appreciated clothes with dump trucks and loaders, but as the toys began to get out of control the clothes were mud and he just wanted more, more, more. I think that is par for the course at his age, but I definately want to nip that greedy behavior in the bud, while not taking away the fun for a 2 year old; and I think he had a great time. The pictures include my mom and David with their dog Duke while they were at our house for Christmas Eve, and Scooby enjoying her gift from Grandpa on Christmas day. After a day trip to Green Bay and back for Christmas with my grandma on the 23rd, his Christmas Eve afternoon nap ended for church, Christmas Eve gifts at home, Christmas morning at the Waldvogel's, with a brief stay at Laurie and Steve's it was no wonder he slept the rest of the day after that. I was glad to see so much of Mark's and my family over Christmas. It seemed that I was able to see everyone, even the relatives who live in Madison and Alabama made the trip to this area. And just as early as my decorations went up, they will come down. I am always trying to stay one step ahead and be prepared, just in case I get another kidney stone or baby comes early....not that I have any indication for either, I just like to be prepared. Mark continues to work consistently on the theatre. I will post some updated pictures soon. And we are not only trying to name our next son, but I was informed that we should come up with a name for the theatre too. Any suggestions? I hope everyone had a nice Christmas, I know we did, and we are looking forward to a Happy New Year.

Lights, .....

Well Mark and Brett finished building the sofets, or sophets, around the perimeter of the room this weekend and installed the lights. Mark is anticipating 2 more weeks of work and then showtime. You can check back for the first showing of the Big Lebowski, and we'll follow that with the first showing of something for the kids. Although we haven't picked out a carpet yet, I'm not so sure about the two weeks. I've included a picture of our tree this year. We go artificial because I do all the work and I like to put up my tree so early a real one just doesn't hold up. With all the lights I use I'd probably burn down the house. The presents are piling up underneath. Brett shows very little interest. I think in a year or two he may get more excited. And it is also hard because between home and two grandma's there is not much he is missing out on for toys. I recovered completely from my kidney stone; what an expreience. My OB is out of town the last week in December so my next follow up is with an ultrasound Jan 3, to check on that placenta previa, nearly marginal, hopefully completely marginal or better by then, and to discuss when to call if I think labor is coming. I have no strong feelings for an early or late baby with this one. And I thought for sure Brett would be early, and he was 2 weeks late and still induced. And I'm still searching for a name that I just love, and now the pressure is on. I hope something comes to me soon. We are all getting ready for a busy holiday weekend and hope to see as much family and friends as we can. I enjoy getting all the Christmas cards with pictures. Wow you all have beautiful kids.

Ouch!! Kidney Stone

OK, Well no picutre necessary for this one. I awoke Sunday morning hoping to have a nice quiet day with family and at 7:20 decided that the pain in my lower back was telling me to get out of bed. Although as the pain intensified and wouldn't let up I gave in and called my doc. I'd heard horror stories of kidney stones, and this is what I thought I had. Dr K said come on in I'll see you, it could be a ligament pull too, yeah right. So as a benefit of pregnancy I skipped the 6 hour stay in the ER and the trip to a medical floor and went right to OB. After a series of tests the kidney stone was not ruled out, but was not certain either, although my physical signs pointed in that direction. So Sunday was spent in bed, with my friend Morphine and reglan (morphine makes me sick, the reglan is to prevent that) and my immediate family. Mark held a bedside vigil most of the day with relief from my mom. And Don and Jan took Brett for the whole day and night. Brett did not mind visting me in the hospital, the OB floor has toys! Well right before my discharge on Monday morning, there it came. A stone about 1mm by 2 mm. Yes not much bigger than the head of a pin, but let me tell you, ouch! So now I officially have a drinking problem, water, water and more water. I will be sure to get more than enough water the rest of this pregnancy, I don't want that kind of intense pain ever again. I came home on Monday lunchtime and still have some soreness in my back, but that should resolve in a few days. And I told the nurses on OB that I would see them in 8-10 weeks or so. And as we left, Brett looked back and said in a very loud cheerful voice, "see you later ladies". I'm not sure where he learns this cute stuff. And I'll eventually get to that holiday posting!

Cookie Party

Wow, I t has taken me forever to sit down. The cookie party was a success. Thank you to all who participated. It was great to see people I haven't seen in too long and I'm sorry I didn't see others who couldn't make it. I'm not sure how many dozen cookies we made, but the kids had a great time cutting and decorating; well it was funny that the girls gravitated toward the kitchen and the boys gravitated to the toys. And the preview of the unfinished theater room was also a hit, I think the kids will love that too. There is even a stage for karyoke. I only have about 10 weeks to go in my pregnancy. This one went very fast for me. I had another ultrasound on Monday regarding that darn placenta previa. I don't have an explanation yet, my OB is on vacation, but the radiologist said it is making some progress for the better, but wouldn't elaborate on his explanation. So I patiently await. Mark is in Madrid, London, Dublin, and other places I can't remember this week. He'll be disapointed if the snow melts on Saturday in the rain, he loves snowmobiling.