Princess Lulu and Jacky Handsome...

happy valentines

2011-01-25T22:31:00.001-06:00

Falling Hearts Valentine's Day Card

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xmas card

2010-11-22T22:30:00.001-06:00

Good Blessings Religious Christmas 5x7 folded card

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2008-11-11T14:51:00.000-06:00

As of today : )
Jack
At 6.35 months:
your child is 17.75 pounds, and that is
at the 70th percentile for weight.

your child is 27 inches, and that is
at the 76nd percentile for height.
----
Julia
At 33 months:
your child is 31.5 pounds, and that is
at the 69th percentile for weight.

your child is 38 inches, and that is
at the 80th percentile for height.

In a nutshell, we are all sick to varying degrees. Say a few prayers for us.

the ninja and the princess...

2008-11-10T15:18:00.000-06:00

towers...

2008-11-10T15:12:00.000-06:00

Except for the "leg" parts the tower was built entirely by Julia. : )

Jack's Dedication

2008-11-10T15:01:00.000-06:00

This past month Jack Solomon got dedicated at our church. He was really "off his game" that whole weekend. We thought it was teething and a week of company. We found out the day after that our poor son had a double-ear infection. All in all we got through it. We were SOO blessed to have all of our family (minus my brother Sam) there for the special day.

playing with Daddy...

2008-10-29T21:45:00.000-05:00

this and that...

2008-10-29T21:32:00.000-05:00

painting her pumpkin...

2008-10-29T21:19:00.000-05:00

pumpkin "farm"...

2008-10-29T21:08:00.000-05:00

todays fun play ... deux...

2008-10-07T21:26:00.000-05:00

today's fun play...

2008-10-07T21:16:00.000-05:00

this last weekend...

2008-10-07T21:07:00.000-05:00

random late sept...

2008-10-07T20:58:00.000-05:00

Julia's Preschool Co-op Class...

2008-10-07T20:48:00.000-05:00

photo shoot?

2008-10-07T20:35:00.000-05:00

last weekend, the zoo trip...

2008-09-16T21:58:00.000-05:00

We went to Brookfield Zoo with our friends Scott and Jenny. Had a ball. Jules LOVED it! We'll have to go again soon.

playdough kiss + clean-up...

2008-09-16T21:46:00.000-05:00

"get your brother a toy" and oatmeal playdough...

2008-09-16T21:35:00.000-05:00

the ark...

2008-09-05T22:26:00.002-05:00

So Julia has a Little Peoples ark that she loves to play with. She dropped it and the top came off tonight.
Jason: What is that Julia?
Julia: A ark.
Jason: Who lives in the ark?
Julia: Noah.
Jason: Who else?
Julia: Kids.
Jason: Noah kids?
Julia: Yep.
Jason: Who else?
Julia: Ducks.
Jason: And?
Julia: Cheetas.

I was looking at some old photos of Julia today and ran across this old video.
http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m291/lisajoy2/?action=view¤t=MPEG0003.flv
SOOOOOOOO darling. I can't believe how "grown-up" she has become

like brother, like sister...

2008-09-04T20:50:00.001-05:00

Jack and Julia three months : )

wednesday, jack more.

2008-09-04T13:32:00.000-05:00

wednesday, jack.

2008-09-04T13:18:00.000-05:00

tuesday (jack)

2008-09-04T13:05:00.000-05:00

jack @ preschool : )

tuesday.

2008-09-04T12:52:00.000-05:00

Julia started preschool on Tuesday! A friend of ours from church is a preschool teacher and she is leading a mini co-op one. The first week was at Julia's friend Chloe's home. Next week is ours. Julia really liked the concept and is doing really well.

monday.

2008-09-04T12:42:00.000-05:00

pizza making, bumbos, rollerskates

2008-08-26T13:37:00.001-05:00

Potty training is going well. The sticker reward beat out the skittle reward : ) Jack is starting to work on sitting up. He continues to be the happiest baby ever. Julia is a ham as always. It's amazing to see Julia and Jack's differences in preferences and personalities already. For example, Julia loves to be sung to sleep and will sing herself to sleep often (like her mommy did when she was little). Jack is like daddy he wants NO singing but wants lots of background and white noise. It's SO fun to see Jack and Julia interact. Jack ADORES his big sister and she ADORES him. We had our FIRST (of many) "he's kicking me" moments while I was giving them a ride in their double stroller last night. Jack was bracing himself on the back of Julia's seat. Well she didn't like that. Jason was laughing while I told him and only says "and so it begins".
Jason is doing well. Moving along on outside house projects (new fence, painting the house).
I am trying to get as much outside time as possible. It's hard the kids are on opposite schedules. Some day they may nap at the same hour.... some day.
Jack will be starting rice cereal soon. YIKES. I was packing up his 0-3 month clothes to pass along to Jason's cousin (her little one is due early December) and tearing up the whole time. My baby is growing up SO fast. It went quick with Julia but MUCH faster with Jack.
Well I need to take advantage I hit the nap lottery today. Julia and Jack are sleeping along with Luke who is over for a visit today. Ooops... spoke to soon I hear one, wait two. Shoot three. And that's the ballgame.

the many faces of Jack...

2008-08-22T13:28:00.001-05:00

a few moments from yesterday...

2008-07-31T07:03:00.000-05:00

Our little Miss Piggy Bank...

2008-07-26T21:43:00.000-05:00

SOOOOO Julia swallowed a penny today. After a call to my mom (no answer), my mil (good advise) and the Peds Nurse (whom gave same advise as MIL and mom later)... this too shall pass. Sheesh. It was my fault. She was playing with it, which is a common toy. She LOVES pennies. Not any other coins, just pennies. I was changing her diaper. Heard a clanking in her mouth which I relized was the penny on her teeth. Told her to spit it out, startled her and VIOLA scared she tried to say sorry mom, while I was picking her head up, down the hatch. Poor baby. Mommy learned a few lessons today. Dearest daddy gets a call at his office about the whole ordeal. He was setting up for the Symphony concert at his work tonight, which for the first time in six years I skipped : ( too humid for the bambinos. Last year the crowd was between 4,000-6,000 people. So we'll see if he beat his old record. : )

mini-reunion and prayers...

2008-07-23T20:17:00.000-05:00

Yesterday the kids and I sans Jason went to my Uncle and Aunts house in Gurnee, IL. My cousin Beth was in town with her two kids sans her husband. Julia is four months older than Chloe. Amelia is two months older than Jack. It was an experience. Much "lessons in sharing", screaming happy screams, diaper changes. My grandparents came over for dinner and enjoyed a night of cheap entertainment. Today Beth and I and the four kids caravanned to our cousin Aprils home. To join her two kids ages 3 and less than one, and another cousin Rebecca and her TWO, Jaymin now 13 months and womb-baby. The FOUR moms and EIGHT kids ages 3, 2, 2, 1, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4 went to a local mini-zoo in Wheaton. Wow, two SUV's and two minivans now in the caravan. THREE double strollers and one single with a preggo lady. WE WERE A SIGHT TO BEHOLD. And must I add a WONDER! NOT a single whiny, crying or misbehaving child! WOW OH WOW! Blog worthy to be sure.

Tonight when Julia was saying her prayers she prayed "Dear God. Thank you for Jason(nice), Daddy, Howie (my dad), Grandma, and Grandma, Papa, Jack and Jaymin, The End... oh mommy no end, Jesus' name, Amen."

Julia June 2008

2008-07-21T13:50:00.000-05:00

Jack June 2008

2008-07-21T13:44:00.002-05:00

Minnesota June 2008

2008-07-13T23:13:00.003-05:00

that and this...

2008-07-01T21:30:00.001-05:00

Julia and Jack with my littlest cousin Allison. She is SO grown up. Jules just adores her and her brother Chris.

Julia LOVES LOVES LOVES her Uncle Sam. They were playing a form of May Pole meets Ring-around-the-Rosie meets tag. Julia loved every minute with her Uncle.

Okay so the last two months have FLOWN by. Jack is officially two months old. We are going tomorrow for his official two month check-up. At one month he weighed 11 lbs. and had grown 1 1/2 inches since birth : ) So we'll see the progress. He is a SUPER happy baby but has a set of pipes/lungs like none other. He is currently a HUGE mama's boy. We have been trying to adapt him to take an in case of emergency bottle... ironically he will only take a bottle from me. And held out for mommy during his first baby sitting experience (with Grandma and Papa Dananay). We went out on June 28th for our FIVE year wedding anniversary. Time flies when you are having fun. We went to Meyer's Castle for dinner. It was very nice. I took Jason I think our sixth anniversary is the "McDonald's anniversary".
Julia is great but she's definitely been more of a challenge lately. She loves to assert her opinions and makes her wishes known very freely. She goes toe to toe with me and Jason. It gets old. Consistency is hard but I feel we are doing well in the marathon of child-rearing. We are trying now to teach the concept that "delayed obedience is disobedience". Yeah... that's not going so hot. All in all she continues to excel in everything. She is the life of the party and the apple of our eye. We recently went to my parents and baby brother, Sam, in Minnesota. We all had a great time. Julia even got to meet the nice nurses and doctor in the ER after taking a dive into the parking lot at a music festival. She did awesome and when we left she even parade waved and told the nurses thanks and have a nice day. Too funny. Her favorite words lately having been delicious and hippopotamus. Her most favorite thing to do is prepare meals in her play kitchen and then call us to "dinner" to have a picnic she sets out. It is the MOST precious thing ever. Jason and I have feasted on spaghetti, brownies and tea, which Julia personally blows so it's not too hot and adds milk and sugar in her moms.
Jack is settled into a groove. He has become more and more predictable in sleeping patterns and the like. He is SOO tolerant of his sisters "affection". He coos and smiles daily at Jason, Julia and I. It is SOOOO cute. He loves to be held and we are mastering tummy time. He LOVES his little activity mat and kicks away at his feet chimes while he bats his giraffe and elephant hanging toys. He just learned how to splash with his hands and feet in the tub.

More photos to be uploaded soon. My new card reader is in the mail. : )

this and that...

2008-07-01T21:26:00.000-05:00

updates...

2008-06-03T12:49:00.001-05:00

So first of all, our card reader is on the fritz so no new photos today.

Jack is doing great. He is a pretty laid back child. But oh my when he wants something he can out yell the best of them. No baby monitor needed.
He loves to be held by mommy 24/7. We are trying to find that line between "he's a newborn" and "let's not set up a bad habit". He has his one month check-up tomorrow. I am sure he will prove to have packed on the weight and added some length. He has quickly outgrown his newborn clothes and diapers. He is very long waisted like mommy and sissy.
Julia has been a trooper. She loves to help fetch things for "Uncle baby Jack" we don't know where that one came from. : ) She helps bathe her brother and loves to dump water over his head and wash his body naming each part as she does. She loves to give him power swing pushes in his swing telling us he needed it. This weekend she busted out with singing the entire ABC's by herself twice and then counting to 13 by herself. WHOA! Just when you think they aren't getting it. Also apparently Old MacDonald has goats, bees and giraffes on his farm. At least that's what we are being told. I had a "teachable moment" this week with Julia I hope not to repeat EVER. Let's just say it involved a carpet cleaner, a bath and the phrase "we don't fingerpaint with poop". Ahhh memories.
We head out to my parents in Minnesota on Thursday in our NEW VAN, a 2006 Town and Country mini-van. Shattering one more "I'll never" phrase. It is so nice. Julia calls it "Lulu's cool van". Whatever, just get in it kid. : )
Jason is busy with work (June fiscal year) and keeping up with me and the kiddos.
I am doing good... just trying desperately to find the "new normal". Jack is sleeping better at night, a work in progress. He had his first bottle today. So mommy can maybe be out of sight for more than a 20 minute Target run : ) Well Jack's 'calling'.

happy boy...

2008-05-16T21:49:00.000-05:00

happy girl...

2008-05-16T21:44:00.001-05:00

happy girl...

2008-05-16T21:34:00.000-05:00

Jules and Jack Tuesday...

2008-05-14T08:48:00.000-05:00

jack monday...

2008-05-12T20:40:00.000-05:00

Jack Friday...

2008-05-09T21:22:00.000-05:00

Well today Jack Solomon is ten days old. : ) He had his first doctors appointment. Since birth our little man has grown 1/2 inch and gained a whopping 6 ounces.
He loves to talk like his sister. Even his doctor noticed how verbal he is already : ) He is so strong and rocks/rolls himself onto his side to sleep. He is SUCH a cuddler and loves to hear and be around his sister. He is a very good and mellow child. He loves to sleep during the day and stay awake at night for one on one time with mommy.

julia friday...

2008-05-09T20:57:00.003-05:00

She is doing pretty well with the whole "big sister thing". She loves giving her brother kisses and touching his eyes. I think the hardest thing this past week has been hearing her say good bye to my parents. It's hard to explain that Grandpa and Grandma can't live downstairs forever. She is VERY attached to 'Grandpa Howie' and Grandma. Hearing her say "No go, Grandma. I love you." Was one of the HARDEST things ever!!!! Then after they had left her yelling at the top of the stairs "Grandpa Howie, where are you?" Heartbreaking. But we are SOO thankful for the extended time with my parents. We are planning a Minnesota adventure in June. : ) Until then, Julia calls Grandpa and Grandma every day.
Newest accomplishments:
Counting to eleven by herself. Singing 75% of the Abc's. Drawing a circle and almost a heart. : ) Recognizing several letters and numbers names.

random wednesday...

2008-05-08T15:39:00.000-05:00

sunday...

2008-05-04T21:16:00.002-05:00

first big boy bath...

2008-05-04T21:09:00.000-05:00

cousins...

2008-05-04T21:05:00.001-05:00

On Saturday, Jack met his cousins for the first time. Brandon, Christopher and Jack seemed to instantly bond. His cousins couldn't get enough holding, kissing and hugging in. It was SOO precious to see.

Our two babies...

2008-05-02T20:42:00.000-05:00

Julia wanted to be a baby too today. So she was a "pretend baby".

Jack Solomon is Here!

2008-05-01T13:30:00.000-05:00

Jack was born Tuesday, April 29 at 1:07 AM. He was 7 pounds and 14 ounces. He was 20 1/2 inches long. It was a long and at the end VERY hard labor. He did technically break Julia's record (39 hours), deciding to come after 40 hours start to finish. But we did it! Jason is the birth coach of the millenium and SUCH a great partner.

Jack is sooooo cute and already SUCH a good baby. He took to nursing right away. He loves to coo and cuddle. Julia is "warming up" to him. She will sing to him and give him five, but she isn't ready for any holding yet. We are taking it easy and slow.
Jack and I came home from the hospital this morning. They were going to keep us another day, but we talked our way home. : ) Julia was LOVING all the one on one from her four grandparents, but missing mommy and daddy.
I'm tired. Jules and Jack are sleeping. I soon will be too!

Baby Dananay...

2008-04-26T09:58:00.001-05:00

Well, it's been a while.
Baby Dananay is due May 13th. So 17 days from today. Not that we are counting down or anything. Last weekend I had contractions for two days on and off. My doc said if I wanted to I could go in to the hospital and be monitored overnight I could, it was up to me. We opted to stay home, and viola contractions stopped at 11PM. I am in the exact same boat I was with Julia with my progress at this point. We are trying to avoid another 39 hour induction. : )
We found out in late February that the "we are probably having a girl" was wrong, probably. My doctor isn't a 100% type of guy. So 99% we are having a boy. The frontrunner name is Jack Solomon.
I am big on name meanings, Jason not so much. But his name would mean: God is Gracious, peace. Julia's is: youthful/soft-haired, hope. My is: promise/oath of God, Joy. Jason's is healer, wealthy guardian. Not to shabby.
Anyways, I digress. Little Jack's room is all set. Julia moved into her "big girl room" across the hall. The office is now where ever the laptop is. The guest room is now in the basement. Jason worked for DAYS priming and painting Julias new room. She LOVES it and shows it and her new "Princess Lulu bed" off aka a toddler bed to everyone.
Jason's new-old job is going well. He drove into the deep end of the pool and is swimming again like a pro. : ) He still works a lot but is home more, which is great. It's a good fit for our family.
I am officially popped with child. My long waisted torso serves me well until the last trimester when mysteriously I pop out with child. It's funny how week after week people are surprised to see me all of a sudden big with baby. I think the Chicagoland bulky clothes conceal too. If the old wives tale is true that heartburn is a sign of kids that will come out with hair, Jack will need a haircut on day one. I am holding in there. It's hard to not overdo it. My last day watching Luke was yesterday. It was very bittersweet. He is such a special little boy and has been such a special part of our family and daily routines now for nine months. : ) We will still get to see him every Sunday at church and playdates.
I think that about brings everything up to speed. Stay tuned. Hopefully we will have our big baby news and update soon : )

MIA

2008-04-26T09:18:00.000-05:00

The other day I could find Julia. She was in our closet playing "boat". : )

fair oaks dairy "field trip"...

2008-04-25T13:30:00.001-05:00

Easter...

2008-04-25T10:16:00.000-05:00

Julia is TWO!

2008-04-25T10:06:00.000-05:00

Our little princess is growing up SOOO fast!

last, this, next...

2008-02-08T14:36:00.000-06:00

Last weekend
Jason and I had the privilege of taking 25+ Jr High Students, 8 Sr High student leaders, and two more "adults" to our annual Winter Retreat with our church group that we lead. It was an AMAZING time. We got a wonderful snow dumping before going and arrive in South-western Michigan to a foot of new snow. The tubing hill was in great shape. We even broke this years camp record with 22 people in a tube train. It was a sight to behold. We were so proud.
We had great times of teaching, worship and prayer. It was very evident that God moved strongly and deeply in the hearts of all who went. At the end of the second day during our music time the kids encircled us and prayed for Jason and I, and also Julia and Baby "on the way". It was a time we will never forgot as student after student shared their hearts and earnest prayers on our behalf. Needless to say there wasn't a dry eye in the house. We are SOOO proud of our Jr High students. I often tell them that they are all OUR kids... and I am SO glad I didn't have to deliver them all.
Mom and Dad drove down from Minnesota to watch Julia at our house. Eight hours each way. What a blessing! Julia LOVED every minute of it and I guess didn't ask for me or Jason once during the three days. When we came home she made it clear that she was glad to see us, but wanted Grandpa and Grandma to do the normal routine. Nice.

This week
Julia decided to potty train herself!?! She told me that she was now going to go "on potty". So after telling her to go for it. She did. The next day she did again four times. Yesterday only one diaper change. We are floored. I am SO under-prepared... no pep talks, no books, no research. So typical of our brilliant child. I actually asked if she could wait a week to start because we are going out of town next week. To that Julia replies, "umm, no mama. Potty today."

This next week
Jason will be unemployed, don't worry it's a planned thing. After much thought and prayer, he is returning to his job in Crown Point. Leaving downtown for now. We are thrilled. Among the perks is going to back to school for Masters (again) in the 'art of arguing' and getting home at 5:30 every night, instead of the "good night" time now of 6:55!
Monday is Jason's 29th Birthday. We will be the same age for 30 days. Then I turn back into his 'old lady' on my birthday (March 11th).
Tuesday is Julia's 2nd birthday. : ) We are going on a quick three day trip to stay at a 'lah-dee-dah hotel' and go to the Children's Museum. One of our last three Amigos trip, before we become the fearsome foursome.
Speaking of bebe... is doing great. I am starting to gain some weight and do look preggo now. Next week I start our home stretch/third trimester! Next ultrasound will be around 35-37 weeks to check on breech, placenta previa and hopefully confirm or deny the sex. Not that it SUPER matters, baby will be moving into the nursery. Julia is moving in the next couple weeks to her "big girl room" across the hall complete with toddler bed and light purple walls that she picked out.

sticker face daddy...

2008-02-05T08:49:00.000-06:00

Jason awoke from a nap to his daughter putting stickers all over his face while he slept. Then after he was awake she removed them and put them on her face. I guess daddy's only need them when they sleep? Toddler logic.

naughty and clean...

2008-02-05T08:48:00.001-06:00

The other day Julia was playing quietly in her room. I guess she was playing dump truck? She was NOT happy that I busted her as you can tell by the facial and body expressions. So after several choruses of "Clean up, clean up, everybody, everywhere. Clean-up, clean-up everybody do your share". Tah-dah.

a few moments...

2008-01-23T17:17:00.000-06:00

The Artist...

2008-01-08T16:33:00.000-06:00

one yielded kisses. one yielded a time out.

big girl sunday school...

2008-01-06T16:26:00.000-06:00

The first picture Julia did at "big girl Sunday School" aka the TWO year old class at our church. Given how verbal and social she is, we moved her up a month early : ) I think her nursery teachers were ready for her to move up much earlier... given her love of playing baby dolls with the REAL babies. She did really well, at least that's what we told, today in her new class. Jason hit the nail on head that I was more nervous and worried about it then Julia was. I just can't believe our little baby is becoming such a big girl!
On an unrelated note, my cousin Laurie has has joined the pregnancy ranks. So ALL four of the girl cousins on my dad's side are pregnant at the same time for the SECOND time. : ) How fun! The first is due March, second April, third (me) May, and now July! We live coast to coast (Florida, California, Indiana, California), so I believe that a family gathering is in order for maybe summer 2009 ; )

The BIG stuff...

2008-01-02T16:32:00.001-06:00

Well on Monday Jason, Julia and I went to my big la-dee-dah doctors/ultrasound appointment. All three of us were under the weather plus Julia is getting her two-year molars in. So needless to say tired, hungry, sick, new teeth and being told she can't take mommy out of the exam room or sit on my stomach during the ultrasound sent her over the edge. Poor Jason. It's AMAZING that our little precious girl can create such a temper tantrum and noise which btw ended the second she was back in mama's arms. S-t-i-n-k-e-r! Then I give her "the look" she turns to Jason and says "I sorry dada. I love you". OH BOY! She is smart! Because of our daughters behavior Jason missed 80% of the ultrasound. We will be looking for sitters from now on for appointments. So much for a "family bonding moment". Well I take that back we got one all right
All in all the appointment went very well. Just like Julia this baby is breech, so our doctor was able to see a lot of the organs and limbs. Just like Julia the cord was in the way for determining the sex of the baby. Warning TMI: I also have a condition called placenta previa. In a nutshell, it is on the bottom, it's supposed to be on the side. 99% of cases corrects on it's on with growth. 1% end up c-section.
BUT *drumroll* Doc said if he had to guess the sex, he'd guess...

girl! So it looks like Jason will more out numbered.

snow bunny...

2007-12-25T21:21:00.000-06:00

lulu the busy girl...

2007-12-25T21:10:00.000-06:00

Christmas @ home...

2007-12-23T17:38:00.000-06:00

A little bit of everything, yes, everything...

2007-12-20T08:14:00.000-06:00

19/40 weeks
This is day number 135 and 19 weeks pregnant!
145 days or 20 weeks left, and are 48.2% of the way there.

Fetal Development
Our baby weighs approximately 7 ounces and is about 5.2 to 6 inches from crown to rump. The exterior layers of skin tissue are developing to form our baby's one-of-a-kind fingerprints. The amniotic fluid that surrounds our baby allows for the free movement of the arms and legs and is also sometimes swallowed to practice digestion.

Exciting!
I am feeling good. First trimester trials are a faint memory. : ) Jason starts a break until January 2nd after today! So exciting to spend some great time together. We were trying to think back to the last time we had more than 7 days together. It was our honeymoon. You kidless ones: travel, travel, travel. When you have kids you still do. It's just so much more work and $$$. Julia took her first flight in-utero and has a least a dozen under her belt. Taking advantage of the free before two policy. Although my disappearing waist doesn't have another long torsed almost two year old trip in it I don't think : )
I can feeling bebe Dananay daily kicking around. Faintly can I feel it from the outside. Julia LOVES to put on the heartbeat listening equipment headphones... even when they are not hooked up. She tells me "mama, ssshhh see baby". Translation: I am trying to hear the baby, hush mom.
Julia is growing like a weed again. Her vocabulary grows by the day. She is starting to put more and more together. Having conversations with her is quite fun for Jason and I. She LOVES to play babies with us. We go in her room. She chooses which babies we will tend to. Asks for music: either to dance with babies or rock them to sleep, while patting their backs and saying shh-shhh. It is quite precious to watch and participate in. The other day at snack time after her nap, I asked her what she wanted to eat. She said almonds and celery. So almonds and celery it was. Nice and healthful compared to the WWIII we had earlier that day over her not being able to choose Goldfish crackers, pop and suckers for breakfast. She LOVES Christmas lights. I think maybe tomorrow we will take a spin to do some lights looking with Jason. She can name and identify three colors: blue, yellow and purple. And ANYTHING that is those colors feels she needs to point them out to me (and Jason AND Luke) in case we have missed them.
On another note, Jason got me a fancy-dancy new camcorder for Christmas. I am SOOOO excited! I will be able to share with my family and friends 'Julia moments'.
My mom, dad and Sam are driving to my house on Saturday. Adam and Sondra are flying in... so all now NINE of us will be together for Christmas. We will be at our house for a couple days then up to the big Christmas gathering of my mom's side at Grandpa and Grandma Marsh's. Not a ton of my extended family are able to make the trip. We are now spread out coast to coast with a bizzillion kids. Okay well I am one of 16 grandchildren. Julia is #16 of the great grandkids. Bebe will be #24 I believe. WOW! My Grandparents just have a permanent grin on the whole time, with tears in their eyes saying wow, look at the blessings of the Lord.

I can say that Jason and I have had many mountain tops and valleys this year. But with a smile on our face, tears in our eyes, can truly say wow! Look at the blessings of the Lord.

We wish you a Merry, Happy Christmas!

delay, dreams, and dancing...

2007-12-14T16:42:00.000-06:00

We were supposed to have our "big" ultrasound this coming Monday but I had to go in for some 'issues' this week. Doc put me on some meds for five days. Then told me he would see me in five weeks! Delaying the big reveal. Hormonal lady that I am, I negotiated for Dec. 31 AM instead. Jason is off that day and we won't have to wait SO long : )
I am beginning to think more and more it's a boy... but have had a day dream, not exactly vision type ; ), that I had three girls (even before I miscarried). That would make sense too because pregnancy #2 was a girl.... SO WHO KNOWS?!?
I am feeling the baby move around daily. We bought an inexpensive doppler kind of thing to listen for the heart-beat. Julia thinks it is very cool and likes to have her and daddy listen together while I am hooked up. While I watch their funny listening faces.

Julia just LOVES getting and looking at our Christmas cards. She tells me little stories about each one. She was especially excited that my friend Matt sent pictures of his 'kids': a huge dog and two cats. Julia goes on and on about how it is a dog and it is sleeping.

She continues to get more and more independent. She and her father went toe to toe this last weekend. Julia wanted to touch the ornaments in the tree, aka take them off, sing to them, throw them, and show them to us. Jason lovingly would tell her no Julia. No touching. Fast forward. Julia is yelling at her father "I touch, dada. I touch". Jason "No Julia, just look." In steps mom, both telling me the play by play that I had heard alreay from the next room. I told Julia she needed to obey her dad. And before I can get the words out of my mouth, "Julia you really need to say..." She walks over to her daddy and says with big tears in her eyes "dada, sorry dada". He scoops her up, kisses her head, tells her he forgives her and off to play they go. Leaving me tearing up at the precious sight in the living room. One of those I never want to forget moments.

Last weekend we had our annual Fuel (Jr High Student Ministries) Christmas party. We had 22 students. I think they all had a great time. Julia came and after telling a few of the girls that she could drink pop "mama, pop yeah". Her answer to the girls when asked if she could have pop. She dined on a second dinner of pizza and oreos.
The games of choice this year were eat a banana with a pair of nylons on your head. Making bologna snowflakes, even though they were my ideas, that about did the preggo lady in. And lastly, the infamous gift stealing, err exchange. Jason and I had to do a big speel about how this is JUST a game because in years past, at least three of the five years we have done it, someone at the finish of the game is crying. Great fun. No tears this year.
The also kids played a Christian version of Dance-Dance-Revolution that we bought. Pitting four players against each other. Julia, Jason and I each took our turns. I think Julia beat both Jason and I. Having him do a pre-party trial run one-man demo in the kitchen to Zoe Girl was priceless.

Us...

2007-12-01T13:14:00.000-06:00

Well, week 15 of this pregnancy has brought on daily kicking of mommy. Julia and her sibling are the one-two punch. One gets me from the inside, one gets my from the outside.
Tuesday starts week 17! Jason and I are excitedly anticipating our next doctors visit and ultrasound in ooohhh 16 days. If baby cooperates we may found out if we will be taking over the world... ahh house completely with three girls and one boy. OR if Jason will have a balancing partner-in-crime : ) I have been going back and forth with feeling if this child is a boy or girl. With Julia and her sister, I KNEW they were both girls. This pregnancy I don't have that deep down gut feeling. I guess it's due to lack of sleep and energy. Morning sickness is down to once or twice a week. And all three of us have been having an on and off cold. Julia has been taking the midnight shift of feeling miserable. So in turn we have been joining the party at 2 AM the last few nights. I do not want to party anymore tonight. Neither does Jason. Don't be surprised if one of you gets a door bell ring at 2AM with a big basket with a beautiful wrapped talking present in it. : )
Speaking of talking, Julia is getting very good at repeating words and phrases. But her newest "on her own" words are pie, potty (which she gladly tells us and points to it every two seconds), (the funniest Elmer Fudd type) hello, and light.
I should be taking advantage of this quiet time to nap or something. Julia is fast asleep napping (so she is rested for 2AM) and my darling hard-working husband is installing the electrical everything with my fatherin-law in our new garage. Which is a sight to behold. Please feel free to schedule a time to tour it and be sure to include MANY MANY ohhhh and ahhhhs.

she can dance. she can smile. she can swim!

2007-11-26T10:43:00.000-06:00

We have had a busy past few weeks. My cousin Michael got married in Michigan. My parents and brother (Sam) were able to spend a few days with us before the wedding. Julia REALLY enjoyed the quality time. She also enjoyed the access to "cousins" especially my cousin Heathers kids: Ava, 3, and Roxy, 2 in Jan. and a month older than Julia. We Roxy and Ava were swimming in the pool at the hotel... so little Miss Dananay decided SHE could swim by herself if her cousins could. So Julia+two water wings=swimming girl. Amazing! I was blown away. Julia has been asserting her "no's" more and more. She also is letting is know what her way to do this or her preferred order to them is... it's getting old.
We had Thanksgiving during with Jason's extended family. So MORE cousins, more bonding. Julia was in heaven. She has no problems jumping right into the mix with the big kids. Jason is back to work today. Back to the 'normal routine'. Julia was sad daddy wasn't home, but glad after a five day break her buddy Lukey ('Ookey')was.
I took a vacation from the normal day to day stuff and have the mountain of laundry and dishes to prove it. Duty calls.

this and that...

2007-11-13T11:51:00.000-06:00

Julia and her buddy Luke, her full-time play companion, playing in the leaves. Julia is a dive under the pile kid. Luke is a run through them as fast as you can kind of it.

Our next door neighbors tree that drops 90% of it's leaves and buckeye seeds on our lawn. : )

The REAL cookie monster. Julia and I share a passion for Oreo cookies. They don't last but a day or so around our house.

Lastly, here it is "the bump". Amazingly I didn't start really showing and wearing maternity clothes with Julia until I was SIX months. This kid is maternity clothesing (new word) me a three months. : )

Tonight my parents and my 'baby' brother Sam are coming into town to stay with us for a few days. Then we are all off to Michigan for my cousin Mike's wedding. I am excited for the break, to see family and spend some good quality time with Julia, Jason and baby.

TOMORROW is day 100 of my pregnancy! Is that the Oreo anniversary? ; )

our kids...

2007-11-01T11:36:00.000-05:00

Well tah-dah... we are expecting. Baby Dananay is due May 12th. Julia is already talking to her little brother or sister. It is so cute. She will walk up to my stomach lift up my shirt. Look at me like 'mom this is private conversation' and jabber away. She always begins the conversation with a big smile, a "hi baby mama's belly". The ends it most of the time with a kiss, belly raspberry and a "bye-yee", sticks her finger in my belly button as if she is giving it a high five or something, then puts down my shirt and continues playing.
We heard the baby's heartbeat for the first time on Monday. Jason and Julia were with to share the moment. The baby kept kicking and swimming away when the nurse would get to close. I can remember Julia was quite the active soccer playing baby, still is. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if her brother/sister was the same. : )
All in all I have been sick quite often, tired pretty much all the time from chasing Luke and Julia around. They are so much fun and keep the joint VERY lively. Jason is SOOOO excited about the baby. He has been making the appointments with me to experience everything as he did with Julia. It is such a wonderful thing to share as a couple and now family.
Here is the development of baby dananay now:

our new shirts...

2007-10-30T11:59:00.000-05:00

tinkerbell...

2007-10-23T14:25:00.001-05:00

a day in the life of lulu...

2007-10-23T14:23:00.000-05:00

expressions...

2007-10-03T10:38:00.000-05:00

summer is ending slowly...

2007-09-11T16:30:00.000-05:00

can you believe...

2007-09-06T20:42:00.001-05:00

Last weekends new words included: cookie, car and butt.
This weeks newest words: Papa, roar (well the noise), tree

We have been, I hate to use the word, busy lately. I started watching a little rambunctious boy, Luke, from church full time. This the close of week #2. He is three years old. Julia is one. They're 3+1=4. And they're kicking my 29 yo butt and winning the war. Luke is totally boy. He has already taught Julia how to jump from the side of the banister onto the leather chair, hide behind doors, jump on the second floor and be heard on the 1st floor, how to chase me with a hose in the backyard...
All in all Julia is learning about sharing her things and her mommy. Luke is a sweet boy. I am looking forward to many, many great memories.

summertime fun in Illinois...

2007-08-21T09:14:00.000-05:00

Illinois State Fair

summertime fun in Minnesota...

2007-08-10T15:06:00.000-05:00

the hinnenkamp crew.
julia hope and chloe elliot (my cousin beth's little girl)

we're back again...

2007-08-09T09:56:00.000-05:00

We started with a family vacation (Jason, Julia and I) for eight days. We were home for five days. Then Julia and I took flight to Minnesota for a week for some Hinnenkamp family bonding and my mom's 60th Birthday party. Jason flew up for the weekend. All in all. Fun was had. Memories were made. We are ready to spend some time at home. Sheesh. Julia was "a trooper" as Jason puts it. She had a great time and I am sure after a few days rest at home will be wondering when we leave for the next adventure.

I come from a long line of "characters". My grandfather recently had an article in the local paper where my dad grew up: Blacksmith Dillo Hinnenkamp, a colorful character. He is also going to be featured in a book coming out soon on *whisper* moonshiners. So proud. He was a man with a wonderful sense of humor, a bounty of talents: musician, artist, inventor, a teller of tales - true and wild, and athlete - baseball star, part time pro-boxer/wrestler.
Who would have guessed the the grandson of gypsies and the granddaughter of "colorful character" would have a daughter that is fiesty and funny named Julia.
PS My dad carried on the canon shooting tradition of celebration at my mom's birthday party talked about in the article.

some more door county photos...

2007-08-09T09:51:00.000-05:00

we're back...

2007-07-25T10:47:00.000-05:00

door county was great. we are rested and tired all in the same moment. we have many photos to share. i plan on doing a vacation book (like julia's auntie sondra does). we made loads of memories and laughed until our sides hurt.

like mother, like daughter...

2007-07-17T23:25:00.000-05:00

the head band bandit...

2007-07-17T12:34:00.000-05:00

Julia loves purses and LOVES to play in/with mommy's wallet.
Julia and her friend Joshua. Meeting giraffes at the Brookfield zoo. : )

Tomorrow starts a long overdue family vacation to Door County, Wisconsin. We are staying in a cabin and plan on sleeping, eating and playing much : )

she smells of sunscreen and popsicles...

2007-07-06T15:47:00.000-05:00

Julia with some '4th of July battle wounds'.

We had so much fun today playing in her pool, splashing, watering mommy's plants and giggling our heads off.

pigtails + parties

2007-07-03T20:47:00.000-05:00

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the last days of june...

2007-07-01T21:49:00.001-05:00

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four years - roses and the ritz

2007-06-28T21:12:00.000-05:00

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Today marks our four year wedding anniversary.
Time has flown. Our love has grown.

big girl eater...

2007-06-25T10:53:00.000-05:00

two little monkeys jumpin' on the bed...

2007-06-25T10:46:00.000-05:00

2007-06-25T10:18:00.001-05:00

Chicago Children's Museum and misc.

2007-06-18T11:00:00.000-05:00

Julia, my friend Michelle and her two, Adeline (2) and John Michael (almost 1) and I went to the Chicago Childrens Museum. All three kids really enjoyed themselves. Who wouldn't though? An afternoon free of the phrase "don't touch that" and "no-no" and all the McDonalds you can eat!?!
Jason and I have been working on the massive project of re-doing our landscaping. I think at last count Jason had about 30 hours of "rock picking". Not the best way to spend Saturday after Saturday. We are more than half done with the prepare and "clean slate" side of the project.
Julia continues to toddle around calling for Lisa. She is becoming very good at speek walking. She continues to get new scrapes and bruises about every third day. As of last night, she has 16 teeth! Two in the last week, EIGHT in the last three weeks! WOW! Poor kid!
Julia LOVES playing with baby dolls. She rocks them, hugs and kisses them. Puts them to sleep with a blanket in a doll bassinet, and loves taking them for rides with her while mommy pulls the wagon for rides a couple times a day all around South Hammond. : )

cousins and Grandpa...

2007-05-26T21:50:00.000-05:00

Julia got to play with a bunch of cousins this weekend that were in town. MY cousins (Kim, Heather and Jaimie with their kids (Kim's #4: Soren 2 months, Heather's kid's Ava 3yo and Roxy 16 months as pictured with Julia, and Jaimie's Bun in the Oven Baby Beckett) flew in from CO. As you can see Jules warmed right up to Ava and Roxy. Roxy is three weeks older than Julia. They 'talked' for hours and had some serious playtime. Julia in her own way was asking for more of the cousins. : ) I think a trip to Vail and Littleton is in order soon.
We also got to meet my cousin Melissa's new bambino: Lilian (Lily) Hope (less than a month old). What a little dolly! I can't leave out seeing Rebecca with bun in the oven Jaymen Carter Saunoris and my cousin April with cooking baby girl bun and her wonderful daughter Aubrie who's now 2 yo. SOOOO there was A LOT of little feet and giggling. We were trying to figure out how many great-grandkids there are with the ones on the way. Julia was #16. I think it's at 21.

Great news: My grandfather (Edwin) is out of the hospital and back home. More testing and figuring out the root of some things are in order. But it looks like no surgery. Again, prayer works. God comes through for my family. As I was praying for my grandpa this last week God put a song in my heart that I sang when I was a lot younger. It says, "Rejoice for the steps of a righeous man they are ordered of God. They are ordered of God. Rejoice for the steps of a righteous man they are ordered of God. And in the trouble God will uphold him. God will preserve him. God will sustain him. In the time of trouble God will lift him up. So REJOICE for your steps are ordered of God."
Amen!!!

outside fun...

2007-05-23T12:37:00.000-05:00

masterpieces...

2007-05-23T12:36:00.000-05:00

Julia's first masterpiece on canvas. And her first fingerpainting experience!

new baby doll...

2007-05-23T12:33:00.000-05:00

some random moments...

2007-05-19T13:38:00.000-05:00

outside art...

2007-05-10T10:13:00.000-05:00

Julia painted a new masterpiece for the mantle in the living room. I would put down a glob of paint she would rub it in. Great teamwork produced a beautiful result on the canvas and on us!

priceless...

2007-05-09T11:09:00.000-05:00

Julia's first masterpiece.

water + dirt + baby = fun times!

2007-05-08T21:11:00.000-05:00

Julia and I were playing outside today. I was picking leaves out of the rocks. Yeah fun. Julia was playing in her new sandbox, which she LOVES! Then she came over to me to help. She picked about 20 leaves off the plant. I was trying to tell her mommy was putting the dead, brown leaves in the bucket. She smiling keep picking the green new leaves off the vine and put them in the bucket. What a little helper, : )
Then she started putting the rocks in the bucket after I emptied it. That progressed to transfering the dirt from the rocks to switch with the clean from Julia and vica-versa. I was laughing so hard. She thought it was fun to make mommy laugh and keep the good times coming. She is SO much fun. My friend Michelle said it only keeps getting better, I can't wait!
She is taking about 6-8 steps when she chooses and can say 20+ words. Her new ones include Lita (for Lisa, nice Julia, real nice), dank-you (thank you), keys, uh-oh (we hear that often), ohb-duwhnn (Brandon, her cousin), Dah (for man, not really a real, real word, but hey she's 14 months!), shoe-ish (Juice) and the much used Ohh-kay and cheese! She also knows ear but it comes out as Ehh. She can point to her ear 100%, nose, eyes and mouth 75% when we want her to, 100% when she wants too. She is also intruiged by belly buttons.

I told her today I was going to spank her little butt when she was doing something sassy. Smiling she pointed right to her butt and said uh-oh. Little stinker. That just send me into some serious laughter, she joined right in. So much for serious mom. Julia had a doctor's appointment today and has seasonal allergies.

Prayer requests: My grandfather's health, a friend's mom was just diagosed with stage 4 cancer and is not a Christian, another friend is in need of a job.