Memorial Weekend

Our first weekend at the cabin. Leah was so excited to go. She asked about a month ago, "when do we get to go to the cabin again." So, even though the weather wasn't great (60s and rainy/sunny/rainy/sunny/cloudy...), the girls still had on their swim suits and played in the water. Meanwhile, mommy was in pants and a sweatshirt most of the weekend! Sunday was the better of the two days, the girls spent most of the day playing down at the lake in and out of the water and sauna. Too fun. Looks like grandpa has some company for the sauna! Oh, and they also did plenty of fishing, but they were disappointed that they did not catch any fish. They remembered how they caught lots of fish last year.

Amber had fun playing near the lake, but she did not attempt to get in the water. She did have fun running on the dock. Yep, running. Ugh. Oh, and she was a climbing machine this weekend- chairs (indoor and outdoor), kitchen table, end tables, and stairs. Yep, this one keeps us on our toes!:)

Delila's 3rd Birthday Party 5/14/11

I can't believe that little Delila (our lovely niece and goddaughter) is already 3. We had a fun time celebrating her birthday last Saturday. She has so much personality. She is going to be a joy to watch grow up!
Hard to get 4 young ones to cooperate at picture time...

Amber would not stay on the step, she has mastered going downstairs, and now just is a show off!!!

Beth's Wedding Shower

My great friend Beth is getting married on June 26!!! Her sister, Suzy, and her Mom, Marlene, hosted a fabulous bridal shower for her. My mom, Leah, Amber and I drove to Glen Flora, WI for the occasion. So glad that we were able to make it. We had a great time!

Mother's Day 5/8/11

It is fun to celebrate Mother's Day when you have a child that is old enough to understand the day. Leah made me 3 cards on her own!! The first she was too excited to give me, so I got it early (on Thursday), the next one (that she had made at school) was given to me on Saturday, Then on Sunday morning before waking me up, she made another one. They were all so precious. Here is a picture of the first card she gave to me.

March for Babies

We did it! In the cold and wind (with even an occasional flurry), we walked 4 miles. Those babies are worth it! I did feel quite bad though, Amber was absolutely miserable. For the first three miles so cried, no screamed would be a better description. I carried her for at least 2 1/2 miles (yup, I got a good arm workout). She had not been herself since last Thursday, so, today, Joe and I brought her in. Explanation for her misery on Sunday (remember it was WINDY), DOUBLE ear infection. Poor baby, guess I don't get mom of the year...taking a baby out for a 4 mile walk in the cold (less than 40 degrees) and wind. My mom was joking through the walk- Who is more stubborn? The mom or the baby?

Around mile 3, she FINALLY gave in and fell asleep!

Kaylee and Leah walk the entire 4 miles, Thea walked most of it, and Delila tried to walk for some of it! Amazingly enough, Leah was not even tired at the end of the walk, she wanted to go to Adventure Park. So, after the walk, we went to Adventure Park for almost 2 hours. She certainly got her exercise!

Our group - Amber (sleeping), Kaylee, Jaclyn, Andrea, Thea, Barb, Tiffanie, Leah, and Delila (sleeping)

Other weekend activities:

Friday night: Leah wanted to watch some of the Royal Wedding Coverage. We watched a special on NBC from 7-8 that summed it up, but the girls just couldn't make it to the end! Yep, we know how to do a Friday night!! Leah did mention that she wanted a dress like Kate's!

Saturday: After raining all day, if did clear up late afternoon, but was still quite windy, so we made the best of it, and flew the kite. Leah was a great kite master!

March for Babies - May 1, 2011

This is going to be my last plea for donations, I promise. We walk on Sunday May 1.

Supporting March of Dimes became near and dear to my heart 6 years ago when my first baby girl was born premature. Luckily, she was a "healthy" premie, but she did spend 17 days in the hospital as she needed to get stronger.

It actually wasn't in the NICU that I became aware of the March of Dimes, but at Motherhood Maternity. You see, I was not prepared to be a nursing mom at 33 weeks. I was still supposed to be pregnant for 7 more weeks. I did not own a nursing bra, so when I got out of the hospital, my mom and I went to Motherhood Maternity to get a nursing bra. It was there, when Leah was 3 days old in the NICU, that I first really HEARD about March of Dimes. I guess I knew the organization existed, but maybe, I just was not paying attention to what it was doing. So, back to my story. We were buying the bras and the cashier asked if I wanted to buy a March of Dimes bracelet. I said, I guess I better! That is when it all started for me. Yes, in the NICU, I did hear more about the March of Dimes, but it was Motherhood Maternity that really started it for me.

Leah was so tiny when she was born at 33 weeks, weighing 4lbs 14oz, but in the NICU, she seemed like a giant. So many babies there that were struggling to survive. Tiny babies with a lot more gadgets hooked up to them, and, believe me, Leah had a lot of stuff attached to her the first few days.

We were lucky, we left the hospital with our healthy baby girl after only 17 days. The baby next to her in the NICU had already been there for 3 months. I still wonder sometimes if he made it.

We have walked March for Babies for 4 years. I did not walk last year because Amber was too little, but I want to come back strong this year, so please help me reach my goal. I know I set it high, but I have wonderful family and friends!!:)

The money that is raised in March for Babies funds important research and programs that help babies begin healthy lives, and what is better than healthy babies?

THANK YOU for your support!

Click here to donate.

Easter

Last evening, we went to Perkins for dinner. It is kid's night and they had the Easter Bunny. Leah was very excited and not at all scared!! Amber never cried, but she did not take her eyes of the bunny. At one point, when the bunny was far from her, she did wave and say "hi."

Easter

Leah was the first one up (no surprise there) at about 6am this morning. Ugh. But this is normal for her, so it really should not surprise me. After I got up, she started "looking" for her Easter Basket. Really all she was doing was wondering around the house, as if the Easter Bunny was going to make it that easy for her! I suggested that maybe she start looking under, in and around things. It wasn't too long after that she opened the bench and found her basket. The Easter Bunny had left her candy, 2 baseballs and a bag for her bat and balls. She loved the bag. She is very excited to start T-ball soon! Leah did notice that the Easter Bunny only left 2 carrot crumbs on the plate!

Amber was up shortly after, the bunny didn't hide her basket, so she had no trouble noticing it. Of course, her sister made sure that she was aware of her basket!

Amber playing around as we get ready for church.

Decided to try to get a shot of the girls before the chaos of the day begins!:)

Church was nice, but Joe had to spend most of the time with Amber in the lobby. Why? Well, she just couldn't sit still. Usually I can get her to sit on my lap and chill, but not today. Not sure why, but she was hyped up!

After church, we headed over to my parents for eating and celebrating. Since we were the first to arrive, I decided it was best to get some basic photos. Not too great of a family shot, but it works. Love the grandparents with the girls!

After everyone arrived, we attempted a group shot. This one turned out pretty good, but Delila was a bit antsy, so I used photo shop!!!

Joe and his big girl!

The girls had a blast on their Easter egg hunt around Grandpa and Nonna's yard.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter day!