Giggles and Coos

Maddie is 7 weeks now. Its so hard to believe how time is flying already! She still has her days and nights mixed up, but I'm hoping that by the time Stacey and Brandon go back to school, (Monday!) she will be be on a better schedule.

Maddie has been smiling up at Nick and I for a couple of weeks now. It is just the sweetest thing in the world. She just looks up at me and gets this great big grin on her face, like she is saying "Mommy I love you so much, and I'm SO happy to see you!" That certainly makes things easier when she is wide awake at 3am!

She is getting so big too! She is wearing 3-6 months already!

Last night she started to coo, she is really working on finding her voice.

I'll be posting more pictures soon, just have to finish getting my new computer set up!

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday!

Video for Moms

To all the Mom's in the world, this says it all!

Santa Babies

When getting out the Christmas decorations today the kids found one of our Santa hats.

What's my name again?

I'm sure you have noticed I'm still MIA. Maddie seems to sleep the longest in the afternoon, AFTER I have picked Stacey and Brandon up from school. She is awake long enough in the morning that if I were to try to go to sleep I wouldn't wake up in time to pick the other 2 up. She is waking up every 2-3 hours through the night as well.

So, needless to say I'm not getting much sleep! That does make it a bit interesting around here, I have been doing things like finding the car keys in the fridge.

But I guess I can sleep in another 4 years or so once she is in school! LOL

This little face makes it so worthwhile!


How I feel:

Who Is That and What Have You Done With My Son???

Well after 3 years Brandon has finally had his first haircut.

This is a before picture:


And from behind:


He did wonderfully, sitting still while she cut his hair. He did squirm a little, the clippers kind of scared him.

When she was done he looked like a totally different child.





And just because he is so darn cute!!!

A Comparison

I knew that I had this picture of Brandon:



But then I was going thru the pics of Maddie that were taken the day she was born.



Its simply amazing how much they look alike!

Baby, Where are you?

Brandon for the most part has just ignored Maddie. Every now and then when he sees her, either when I'm holding her or she is in the bouncer, he will say something like "Awwww, she's so cute!"

Well earlier today he went upstairs. Maddie had been sitting in her bouncer but she started fussing so I picked her up. When Brandon came back downstairs he went straight over to the bouncer and said "Where's Baby?"

He then started walking all over the house calling "Baby, where are you?"

Then he walked over to me and said "I can't find Baby."

I showed him that Maddie was in my arms and he exclaimed "I FOUND HER!"

She's Finally Here!!!!

Madison Amelia was born Monday November 10, 2008 at 5:36 pm. She weighed in at 10lbs 1.6oz and was 22in long!

Update for being MIA - and will continue to be MIA.

For a little while anyway.

I ended up making my first trip to L&D, my BP has been elevated and there were trace amounts of protein. So I have been put on complete bedrest. My due date was Monday. I was really hoping that I would be talking induction, because of all of this and her size I'm so done being pregnant!

They will not induce until I'm 42 weeks. She was 8lbs 9oz according to the ultrasound I had 2 weeks ago. I thought Brandon was big at 9lbs 6oz - looks like this one is going to be much bigger.

I have to go for a NST twice a week and I might be able to sched the induction at my next appt.

I'm still not dilating or anything so I've pretty much given up the hope of going on my own. She is going to be as stubborn as her sister! LOL

Looking at my calendar 2 weeks from today is the release party for Capture Cincinnati. Looks like I might not be able to make it.

Just a small update.

I had an ultrasound yesterday. At 38 weeks 3 days this "little" girl is already weighing in at around 8lbs (give or take 1lb.)

At this point she has dropped so I'm really hoping that she comes any day now, though a LOT of people are pulling for Halloween!!!

I'm just wondering if she is 8lbs already, whats another week going to do?

It seems the baby watch is on!!! LOL I know that we have been getting a few calls everyday, just to see if I'm in labor yet! At least its not to the point where I'm going to change the outgoing message on our voicemail, YET anyway! LOL

5 Years Ago Today!

My beautiful little princess came into this world.



Its so hard to believe how fast the time is going, how fast she is growing.

Her first Halloween - she was only 3 weeks old.


Unfortunately I don't have very many pics of her on my computer when she was a baby as I didn't have a digital camera at that time and well, my scanner isn't the greatest.

Stacey on her 2nd birthday




Another picture of Stacey at age 2



Stacey on her 3rd birthday




More pics of Stacey at age 3




Stacey on her 4th birthday






More pics of Stacey at age 4



















My little princess today

Is it November yet?

Well I went to the Dr yesterday. Nothing is happening yet. I was like this with Stacey and she was 10 days late.

I don't think that they will let me go that far over, especially considering Brandon was 9lb 6oz!

I'm really hoping to actually go on my own and not be induced this time, but I guess all we can do is wait and see.

4 weeks left!

Its been a little while since I have updated on how things are going with the baby. I had an ultrasound earlier this week because I was measuring big. Everything looks great, she is about 6 lbs right now. They said that I could have just been measuring big because of the way she was laying.

I'm 36 weeks now so I get to start my weekly visits!!! It won't be too much longer now!!!

I still have so much to do to prepare, though I did finally get her bassinet and get it put together. I still need to pack my hospital bag and wash all her clothes.

I'll update again after my next appointment on Tuesday!

Tony needs a new heart.

Benefit to help 29-year-old

By William Croyle
wcroyle@nky.com

John "Tony" Rieger needs a new heart.

The 29-year-old has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a disease in which the heart muscles thicken, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood.

He's been on the national transplant list since April.

"I think I'm doing all right," Tony said. "Sometimes I have to stop and take a breather, like if I go up stairs, but it's just life. I don't want anybody to feel sorry for me."

But his brothers and sisters are doing everything they can to help.

Tony's five siblings are hosting a benefit for their brother 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Oct. 25 at the Bellevue Vets hall, 24 Fairfield Ave.

A $25 donation at the door will include food, soft drinks, beer, wine, bourbon and music.

There will be raffles, and a silent auction that will include a $400 set of golf clubs and a motorized cooler.

All proceeds will go toward Tony's medical expenses.

The disease is hereditary. Tony's mother, Evelyn Rieger, died from it when Tony was just 10 years old in 1989.

It was diagnosed in Tony in 2004 when he took a physical to become a UPS truck driver.

He had been loading and unloading UPS trucks prior to that. The diagnosis forced him to eventually quit working.

"There are good days when he can do some things, but other days where just running the vacuum or doing the dishes wears him out," said his sister, Tonya Rieger.

She said he can quickly get light-headed, dizzy, experience shortness of breath or feel chest pains.

"He just can't exert a lot of energy," Tonya said.

Tony said doctors have not been able to give him a timeline of when he will have to have a new heart.

"It's just a waiting game," Tony said.

In the meantime, he's joined "Change of Heart," a support group based in Oxford, Ohio, for heart transplant recipients, their families and those waiting for a transplant.

His siblings have also kept his spirits up with this fundraiser, which he will attend.

"They've been amazing," Tony said. "I'm very thankful."

What: Benefit for John "Tony" Rieger of Bellevue, who is waiting for a heart transplant.

When: 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Oct. 25

Where: Bellevue Vets hall, 24 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue

Cost: $25 per person

Information: Call 859-992-7099 or 859-760-6247.

Donations also can be made in Tony's name at any Fifth Third Bank.

Simply Speechless.

I was on my Flickr account tonight when I noticed I had a new comment, so I went to check it out. It was Melissa congratulating me for getting the cover of the Capture Cincinnati Book!!!!

I couldn't believe it! And I'm still in shock!!!

Go here to check it out and to order the book!!!

Growing up.

Stacey started Pre-school today. She was so excited, even though it doesn't show in the picture! She just isn't used to getting up that early - but then neither am I! LOL

Its hard to believe she is getting so big!

Coming down the home stretch!!!

I know its been awhile since my last update! Things have been simply CRAZY around here!

I'm now 32 weeks. My Dr appts are every 2 weeks now instead of every 4! That just means we are getting closer!!! Woo-hoo! I can't wait to meet this baby girl!

I still have a ton of stuff to do to get ready for her arrival, mass amounts of clothes to go through and wash, the bassinet to put together.

I have been sick with a cold, so on top of not being able to sleep well because of the pregnancy, I have been kept up all night coughing and sneezing. Needless to say I'm in a constant state of exhaustion. Hopefully I can shake this, and soon!!!

The Capture Cincinnati contest is coming to a close, be sure to click the link to the right and VOTE for my pics!!! Also keep checking back as I will be adding more in the next few days.

I'll be posting another update soon, with pics!!!

The joys of pregnancy!

First I just wanted to mention that the blood work and everything came back normal! Woo-hoo! I don't have to go back to the Dr till the beginning of Sept. and I will be 31 weeks then.

I have started having those wonderful Braxton Hicks contractions, the ones that don't hurt but can be annoying!! I didn't have them with Stacey, and I didn't have them until later with Brandon. Hey maybe this time they will actually turn into something at the end of the pregnancy and I will have her on my own instead of being induced!!

This little girl is VERY active. She also seems to have a routine down. Active in the morning after I have been up for about an hour. Then in the evening after dinner. THEN all night long when I'm trying to sleep!!! LOL

Stacey has felt her move, and is still excited about her baby sister. She is always talking about how she is going to have a tea party with her and share her dolls and toys with her. She also insists that she is going to change her baby sister's diaper "all by myself."

She was talking to a little boy about her baby sister, she talks about her to everyone she sees! But she happened to mention the fact that she is going to change her diaper and the little boy responded "No that would be too stinky." Stacey still insisted she is going to do it though!

I have a feeling that once the baby gets here she will change her mind really fast!

Learning Manual

I got my Nikon D80 back in March, but have just recently been trying to learn to use the Manual settings on it. Here are some pics so far;







(I'm not sure why its cutting the first 2 off on the right, but you should be able to click on it to see it larger.

Another (sorta) update.

I have had a headache that started on Monday and has not gone away. I have also had a couple of episodes of spots before my eyes. So far my BP has been OK but they are having me do a 24hr urine and then some blood work just to be on the safe side.

Other that getting the order for that and being told to rest as much as possible. Things were uneventful at the Dr.'s office today.

If things look ok with the tests then I don't have to go back until Sept. otherwise they will have me in a lot sooner.

I'll update once I hear something.

Not much, but it is an update.

I haven't been feeling too great recently, thats the reason for no real posts. I have a Dr. appointment on Wed. so hopefully I will have more of an update then.

I did go for my 1hr glucose test this past Wed. I haven't heard anything so I'm guessing it went well. I know I will find out for sure at my upcoming appointment, but I would think that if I had failed it they would have called.

I'll be posting some more soon!

A baby's laugh

A baby's laugh is the sweetest thing, but when you have 4 thats down right funny!!!

Capri - Colbie Caillat

I found this song today and I love it!! It is a perfect song for any mother to be. I think that this video I found on YouTube fits the song perfectly as well.

Purple Coneflowers

Lilly

Can't keep it quiet any longer!

It has been 3 weeks since my ultrasound. The day of I wanted to immedietly get online and tell the world the big news. However there is something to be said about having that piece of information and keeping it quiet.

I'm so horrible at keeping secrets I'm surprised I lasted this long!

ITS A. . . .















GIRL!!!!

Fireworks

I wasn't able to actually get any pictures on the 4th, but I did get out last night!

4th of July

I hope everyone has a great Independence Day!

Who's on first?

We have really been working with Stacey on her alphabet in anticipation of her starting pre-school in the fall.

For the past couple of days she has been asking what does _____ start with? She was doing this earlier today and our conversation went like this:

S: What does bunny start with?
M: B
S: Oh just like baby!
M: Yup
S: What does why start with?
M: W. W-H-Y spells why.
S: OK
M: What starts with W.
S: I don't know.
M: No the word what starts with W. Just like when you asked me what bunny starts with, the word what starts with w.
S: But I don't know what starts with w.

It really felt like the who's on first conversation!!!

All the pretty flowers.

I was going through some of my CDs of pictures I took last year.




These were all taken with my Canon PowerShot S2 IS