This week's adventures

Nothing much, actually. But it was a fun week.

It started out with last weekend; we went to see Dustin and Mandy and the kids. SO FUN. We were there for less than 24 hours, but it was so worth seeing little Josie! She is beautiful. We didn't do much while we were there, just hung around and held the baby and played with the kids and ate food. Abel made the trek with me, and he did a great job! Much better than when I took him out there at 4 months. :)

Then the beginning of the week was fairly normal. Tuesday night's I've been going over to Lumpy & H's for American Idol. This week I went over and it was just me and Lump :) Then Bev showed up with some cherry pie for us and then my mom came...so it turned out to be a real party!

Then Thursday and Friday I had company. Thursday night was girl's night with my out-of-town potluck girls. LOTS of fun. They are always so easy to be with and talk to. We ended up watching a movie and then we talked until 11:00-11:30! Pretty late for me :) It was nice, and I was so glad we did it!

Friday was our Roanoke potluck kick-off. We've been getting together with the same group of friends for a few years, now...and never did anything official. So then time would go by and we'd realize we hadn't done anything together in a long time. This is just a way for us to make sure we see each other more often! I had a roast and the rest of the meal was fantastic! They were here until 11 or so, too. So I am beat today!

On to my favorite subject, Abel! He is almost 8 months! Can you believe it? I hardly can. He cracks me up. He loves to make noises and test them out. He is blowing raspberries right now. He's such a happy, fun little boy. He loves to laugh. And his laugh cracks me up! I can tell he understand more and more each day, and it's fun to watch him learn new things. My favorite thing is to watch him play with toys. He's very observant and looks each toy over very carefully before moving to the next. It also all goes in the mouth...sigh...

The other day, I was feeding him breakfast. He was just staring out the window, not paying attention to what I was doing. So I said, "Aaaaabbbeeeellll.....Aaaaaaaaaaabel..." I kept saying it and he was just so intent on this window! All of a sudden, he just got this itty bitty smirk on his face. He knew that I wanted him to turn, but he was just being ornery! Little stinker. It's fun to see his personality continue to come out!

God has certainly blessed me with this little duffer!

Here and Gone

Christmas has come and gone...it's always kind of nice when it's over! The hustle and the bustle has settled down and we are getting ready for a new year. Ahhh...

We had an eventful/uneventful Christmas weekend. I know that doesn't make much sense. We had something to do each day, but a lot of what we had to do involved lounging around. :)

The festivities started with Hodel Christmas on Wednesday. It's always a favorite, but there were a few faces missing, so that was kind of sad. We had riblets for supper, which were not my favorite. As my mother says, it's a glorified hot dog...but oh well. Then we always go up and sing. Then Grandpa reads the Christmas story out of the Bible inserting little bits of wisdom (which I think are the same each year). Then it's present time, which has really diminished in recent years. Even the itty bitty kids didn't get any toys from Grandpa and Grandma. Usually they go out and buy them something. Really is showing their age! After that it's snacks...and then all the cousins went out to Ed and Boni's for a movie. We were hoping to watch Night at the Museum 2, but long story short it wasn't available. So we watched Cool Runnings...always good to revisit an old classic! he he...

Thursday night we ended up at Mom and Dad's. Just hung out for the evening...nothing too special. Bev and Scott and their kids came over and that was fun. We played a game that sort of bombed...but Bev sure tried!

Friday, which happened to be Christmas, we went to church in the morning and then home for a little (and I do mean little) nap. Abel did not let us sleep too long. Then we had our family Christmas which consisted of one toy for Abel...he doesn't know what's going on anyway, why spend the money? Then out to Mom and Dad's again. We had stromboli and potato soup. Everything was great! Then we just hung out again. The kids ran around entertaining us...and they got to open a few presents since we weren't going to do the big Christmas until Sunday.

Saturday I met Sarah and Mandy for breakfast at the new Roanoke restaurant. A good time was had by all, except for corned beef hash. Sarah likes it. It looks like puke.

Then Mandy, Erin, Mom, and I went shopping. Without Abel. OH ... IT WAS FABULOUS! It was so nice to go look for things for me without worrying about him. Robey was gracious enough to watch him :) I even bought myself some clothing and a most awesome hat...

Then Sunday was the big day..."Christmas"! We went to church and then afterwards came home and napped a little. Then off to Mom and Dad's for a delcious meal of ham, creamed spinach, potatoes, corn, AND GRANDMA'S RICE. One of my all-time favorites, but we don't get it very often because it takes a long time to make. It was so good...

We cleaned up, sang, read the Christmas story, and then it was present time. Libby and Caden were at good ages this year for it...they just went flying into those presents opening one after the other! Fun to watch :) I love watching people's reactions to gifts...even if I didn't get them that specific item!

The rest of the evening was spent lounging around enjoying each other's company.

I guess that's all for Christmas. I actually started this post before the New Year, but had to leave it. So it's a Christmas post.

The end.

Christmas-time

Christmas is only 5 days away...I can't hardly believe it! This also means that my son is 6 months old...crazy.
We had Aeschleman Christmas tonight and my cousin Jodi brought her brand spankin' new baby...and it was like...he was that only 6 months ago! (Well, not QUITE that; she's a month early!) But it is crazy to me how fast they grown and learn in the first year.

I'm listening to him cry himself to sleep right now. It's been a trial. Well, mostly. Night is a trial. He usually does pretty good during the day. But last night I came to a breaking point and decided it was time to let him cry himself to sleep when he woke up in the middle of the night. IT IS SO HARD. And it all kind of happened stupid, but he eventually did put himself to sleep. He woke up at 3:30 a.m. I sent Robey in to go pat him down. A half hour later, I went in to try because he wasn't going. As I was patting him, he was stirring and moving and just not going down. So finally I thought, this is stupid...I'm letting him cry! That was at 4:15 a.m. He cried until 5:00. I went in to check him then because a lot of times he will flip over on his back and he sleeps better on his tummy. If he's on his back, I'll flip him. Anyway, I went in and he wasn't quite asleep yet and he heard me. So back to the beginning we went. He cried for another half hour and fell asleep at 5:30 a.m. So he was up for 2 hours through the night. He slept until 9:30 (usually gets up at 8) and when I went in and got him, it was obvious he had a rough night. His eyes were all red and terribly puffy. The poor guy.

I had a very hard time. I just laid in bed and cried and cried. I know it's what he needs and in the long run it will be so great, but it's so hard to listen to him cry for so long.

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On another note, we had Aeschleman Christmas tonight. It was fun, as always. Highlights of the night were:

1. Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer game
2. Lots and lots of Christmas goodies
3. Poetry contest

I want to win the poetry contest so bad, but Erin started crying in the middle of hers, so she won. Stupid. I think that's cheating...lol.

Much fun was had and Abel got a bunch of stuff...and he will get more at the next 2 Christmases. Oh the joys of having kids! Wash basket to Christmas...

I am hoping I can do some holiday baking before Christmas. I'd really like to do it Christmas Eve. Dustin and Mandy will be home by then, so Mandy can join in the fun...and our family Christmas isn't until Sunday so we will still be able to enjoy them for "Christmas"! We'll see, though. It could just be a busy busy week.

Well, I guess that's all for now. I am still listening to my son scream...it's been 20 minutes so far.

Merrrry Christmas!

I am getting in the mood for the holidays...now if I could just get the time to do what I need to do...

Actually, I do have the time. But I have a little buddy that makes it a whole lot different (a.k.a. harder) this year! I don't know how or when I will do my shopping. And I really wanted to get the Christmas decorating done today, but he is a little fuss-bucket, and won't let me leave him. I don't necessarily have to hold him, but if I walk out of the room he starts crying. Besides all that, he had a terrible night last night, so I am a walking zombie...

It will get done, but I'd like it to be sooner than later!

We had a nice Thanksgiving. Dustin and Mandy were home from Monday to Saturday. I kind of liked that, because they were home before all the family things started so we could have a few "normal" days. Next time we see them will be for Christmas. It's getting easier adjusting to them being out in Indiana, but some days I just ache for them to be home! I'm sure the holidays will make it a little harder, too.

Thursday we had church in the morning and then went to Mom and Dad's for lunch. We ate light so we could store up for supper :) Hodel's was at Boni's this year. It was a nice evening, accompanied by Dustin throwing a huge green ball onto the table, spilling hot coffee onto Jamie's sisters...boys will never grow up!
That night, Abel started sleeping badly. He slept until 3:30 and would not go back to sleep until 5.

Friday I had to work. At 7:15. It was a bear! That night was Aeschleman Thanksgiving at the park building. It was a little depressing to say the least. If everyone in the area can attend, we have about 40 people (including kids). Friday night we had around 30. 10 people might not seem like a lot, but it seemed really small and sad.
Friday night, Abel had another bad night. He fell asleep about 10-10:30. Then he was up: 12, 1, 2, 4, 6:30. And I had to be at work at 7:15 again. MISERABLE.

Saturday after work, I came home and Robey was just at his wit's end with Abel. He was fussy all morning and he didn't know what to do with him. Well, the minute I picked him up, I could tell he had fever. And so I came to the very smart conclusion that he is teething. OH JOY.
Then I left and went to meet the J.U.G.S. for our yearly trip! Which now consists of going out to eat and a stop at WalMart...but still loads of fun. Alecia picked restaurants this year, and decided on Monical's. It was delish, as always. I had a ton of fun this year...highlight was singing loudly and offkey with Alecia and Sarah in the back seat on the way home. :)
That was my Thanksgiving weekend. Blessed with wonderful family!

Now to think about that Christmas shopping...

New things

Actually, not a whole lot is new. The newest is that Abel has started eating fruits and veggies. He really enjoys eating, which is obvious if you look at him. :) I think he is even weaning himself a little. He nurses in the morning, but not as much as he used to. Then he gets oatmeal and fruit mixed. Then he barely nurses for lunch time. I feed him one fruit and one veggie, no cereal. Then he's usually hungry 3-4 hrs later, and he nurses very good then. Then supper time (which is usally 6 or 7). He nurses pretty good and then gets rice and a veggie mixed together. Then he nurses right before he goes to bed.
It was very obvious the other day that he preferred his solids over me. I usually try to plan my lunches at work around when he eats. My mom just calls me and says he's ready and then I go. Thursday, she called and I went to feed him. He nursed for maybe a couple minutes and then WOULD NOT nurse any more. But he was still fussy! I knew he was hungry so I kept trying and trying...finally I ran home, got some sweet potatoes and fed him those. It was like he hit the jackpot! He was mmm mmm and ohhhhh...and all about it! I was a little sad that he didn't want me, but in the end it will be nicer for me because my lunchtime is fully consisting of him right now. If I eat at my mom's, I am late back to work. If I don't eat, I take something and then I'm eating on the job. So I think it will be a good thing, but it's like, "My baby doesn't want me anymore!" :(

He is laying on the floor right now under his playmat/gym and screaming/laughing/talking. He gets cuter and cuter each day. He is still an infant, but sometimes he just looks like a little boy to me! My favorite times with him are cuddle Fridays. Monday is usually an awful day because Sunday is the day before that...I work Tuesday...Wednesday I usually get up and go with errands or cleaning... Thursday I work...but Friday is a relaxation day. And when he wakes up, I go get him and bring him into my bed and we cuddle. I love it so much. And he is a very cuddly little boy, so it's such a joy!

I guess that's all for now. Just watching my little man continuing to grow!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from Superman!

Fall is Here!

I can't believe it's already October. I am not really ready for fall and winter to come. Summer just wasn't summer! Besides the obvious fact that it was a very cool, very rainy summer, I was so occupied with Abel that I wasn't able to really even enjoy the nice days! I am really looking forward to next summer...he will be one and we can go swimming at Grandma's and things like that!

We had quite the adventure when we went out to Dustin and Mandy's last weekend. This was planned a long, long time ago...a potential surprise for my dear sister-in-law. We made it to the week before, and she figured it out! But that was OK, and I was sort of glad for her that she could feel like she could have time to get her house ready for us.
We left on Thursday night, just Mom, Erin, and I. And the little guy, of course. The trip is 5 hours and I was a little worried about traveling with a 4 month old. And rightly so...he was really good until it was time to eat. Then he was so strange! I thought he was hungry, so we pulled off the road, I got him out...and he barely ate. He was so happy to be out of his car seat! It really was kind of cute. He just had this huge grin on his face! So I put him back in the car seat, we drove for a little while longer...then he's fussy again. So we did it again...and again. Finally the 3rd time he actually ate.
After I fed him and put him in his car seat...it was DOWNHILL. He cried for and hour and a half. Straight. He was so mad. I felt so bad for him! He FINALLY fell asleep for the last 15-20 minutes of the drive. Once he was out of his car seat, he was a happy little booger!
Anyway, we got to bed pretty late (their time). And Abel stayed up till 1:30 a.m. But he redeemed himself. He slept till 8 and then fell asleep until 10! I was actually rested!
Friday the rest of the crew showed up. First, Sarah...then Bevy, Lydia, and Maggie...and Jamie and Hayley. Let me just say...it was crowded! We had 8 adults and 6 kids in a 3 bedroom 1.5 bathroom house! There were points of the weekend that were a little crazy and a little stressful, but overall, it was fun. And I really enjoyed seeing D and Mandy's house and where they work. And it is always good to see the kids.

My highlights for the weekend:

1. Cake decorating with the Hickory girls.
Erin showed the girls in Dustin and Mandy's house how to use cake decorating tips. They each decorated their own cupcakes. I really enjoyed seeing the girls and the house.

2. Friday night gym night.
I didn't go...Abel was sleeping or eating or something, I can't remember. Mom and I stayed back and it was a nice, quiet evening! :)

3. Sunday morning.
It was NUTS. Jamie had left by then (they had baptisms in Junction), but it was still PLENTY of girls getting ready in 1.5 bathrooms!

4. Dustin.
I love my brother anyway, but he was so helpful this weekend, taking Abel when I was getting ready, when I wanted to be doing something other than taking care of him, etc. It was so nice!

5. Mandy.
I miss her all the time...enough said.

6. The drive home.
The child was excellent!


OK, so there's the trip.

In new news for our family, Abel is eating baby cereal! He had his first taste of rice last night. He was a little unsure about it, but I think it was just new textures and tastes that he wasn't used to. I think he will like it in the end. :) He is growing so quickly...the other day he rolled over again...but didn't quite get all the way to his stomach and freaked out. He'll get there! We had his baby well check on Friday. He was such a good boy through the whole thing! The doctor even said he wished that all of his baby patients were as good as Abel...made mommy proud! He is a big boy. Head: 44 cm. Weight: 16 lbs 5 oz. Height: 27.5 in. He is in the top percentiles for height and head, weight is a little above average. What a growing boy I have!

Laptop Typing

I am posting this blog on Robey's laptop. I really like typing on the laptop. I feel super important.

My in-law's are up for the weekend. Diana had an angiogram in Peoria on Friday, so they came up Thursday night and are staying till tomorrow morning. I was a little dissapointed that they came up this weekend...I forgot that it was this weekend and Dustin and Mandy also are up this weekend. So my time is split in to. Oh well, that's the way the cookie crumbles. :)

Abel is graduating, as Robey says...he rolled over the other night! He hasn't done it since, but it was so fun to watch! We were hollaring and clapping and saying GOOD BOY GOOD BOY! He could've cared less :) It was just like, NO BIG DEAL, MOM. He is cuter and cuter every day. I am so blessed by him!

It has been so nice to have D and Mandy home, even if I don't get to spend as much time as I would like with them. Going to Chicago was fun, but having them home to do some of the old normal things is great. I love having them home...and it makes me sad when they leave...

Went garage sale-ing with Mandy and Jamie on Friday. I feel like I got quite a bit, so hopefully I'm pretty set for the winter. It's hard to know what I'll need.

Well, I guess that's that. A new update. :)

No news....

So I figured I should post something, but I really have nothing much new to report. Most of you who read this know my news as it happens, anyway :)

Let's see...currently, my son is screaming. I decided to try to let him cry himself to sleep...again...I tried to do it over a month ago, and it just didn't go very well. I'm hoping now that he's a little older he'll be able to do it. I've already accomplished one nap this way. He cried about 15 minutes and then was out for 45 minutes to an hour. I think he's actually going through a growth spurt today (he woke up at 3 a.m. last night...hasn't done that in awhile) so he's been eating more often...I'm not a big fan of growth spurts!

We went to the doctor this past Friday to discover that he had an eye infection. He was born with clogged tear ducts, and I just was used to seeing gunk in his eye. But all of a sudden, it started to get thicker and stickier. I, being the new inexperienced mother I am, chalked it up to the tear ducts. My mom called me one day when she was babysitting and informed me that he needed to get something done for them. So we went to the doctor the next day, and sure enough, he had an infection...what a great mom I am! I've been giving him the eye ointment since then, and it really has cleared up. He's so much cuter with clean eyes! :)

This week Dustin and Mandy come home for the weekend...they will be here Thursday by noon...whoooo hoooo!

Labor Dabor

We had a wonderful Labor Day Weekend. We left Thursday night (after waiting for Robey to get home from WalMart...we left an hour and a half later than everyone else). We stayed in Lombard at the Embassy Suites.

Friday we went shopping in the morning/early afternoon and then on to indoor go-kart racing! It was a blast. I, of course, was the slowest. Everyone else went....fast. I was hitting the brake quite a bit! :)
Saturday we went and played laser tag. It was loads of fun. I sat out two of the three rounds...Mom and Mandy had to sit out from go-karting, so I let them go twice at laser tag. It was fun though...
Saturday evening we went to Lucky Strike bowling alley. We ate there (which was surprisingly good) and then bowled. I got one round in before Abel woke up and got hungry. Woot woot...
Sunday everyone but Robey and I and Mom and Dad and the kids went downtown Chicago. It would've been fun, but trying to take care of a three-month-old and walking around on Michigan Ave wouldn't have been so much fun. So we just hung around the hotel all day. I think it was good for Abel to have a "normal" day...the other days we were go go going and I think it messed him up a little.
Monday we came home...too soon, too soon!

I am ill and dying today...not really. But sick. I have the aches, chills, and a sore throat. I haven't checked my fever, so I don't know if I have one or not. It has been a trial taking care of the little duffer today...and he's not been the best child, either. Of all days...

I guess that's it...farwell!