Rhylan's First Pictures

Finally got around to scanning some ultrasounds of Rhylan and thought that we would post a few:
12 weeks- profile










21 weeks- Face

21.5 weeks- 3D Ultrasound. If you look closely, his face is looking to the left (and buried in my uterus). You can clearly see closed eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and his arm bent at the elbow and hand tucked behind his head.



25 weeks- Profile of face and hand waiving



11.5 weeks to go!!!!

Long Time no Blogging

We got a new digital camera for our anniversary, and I have been waiting to "figure out" how to get pictures off of the camera to update the blog. Well, after many hours of Jason and myself trying to figure it out, we realized that it wasn't that we were technological idiots, but rather that we got a defective camera. It wasn't that we couldn't get the pictures off of there, it was that the camera mysteriously deleted them- however we were able to retrieve 3 pictures from the memory that were not taken by us. In fact, these pictures were of someone's home, and were taken over a month prior to us owning the camera. We are now aware that someone else had previously owned this camera, and must have returned it, presumably for the same defective reasons that we are having to do the same! It was purchased in Rockford, so I will have to wait until next week to get the situation remedied. I am so angered by this- there were pictures from my birthday party, as well as a picture of Brayden with Gramps (Jason's Grandpa) taken last week, the day before he died, and several other things! GRRRRR!

So, now for an update on our crazy lives, minus any pictures for the time being:

Last week was absolutely insane for our family. We got a call last Sunday that Jason's Grandpa (Gramps) wasn't expected to make it through the day. We had been planning on going down to visit this past weekend, but instead packed our bags and were out the door within minutes. By the time we got down to Marion, Gramps had become unconsious. The next day his condition remained the same and we decided to head home. No sooner did we walk in the door, and we recieved the call that Gramps had just passed away.

I had not been doing well the few days prior to this, and by that night was showing signs of severe dehydration again. The following morning I was hospitalized, yet again (7th time this pregnancy). I had very high ketone levels, and fluid backed up in my right kidney. I was released late in the day on Wednesday because my doctor wanted me to be seen by the Perinatologist in Peoria again. At that time, he had told me to plan on being admitted to the hospital there. We were really stressed because Gramp's visitation was Thursday night and funeral on Friday. I had told Jason to go without me if I had to stay. Luckily, all looked good with the baby, and I didn't have to be admitted despite my continued weight loss and numerous hospitalizations. He still opted to not place a PICC line or other form of nutrition for me because of the risks associated with it- however, he did say that I will probably continue the pattern of dehydration and so on and continue bouncing in and out of the hospital until delivery. (Oh joy!!)So, we drove back from Peoria that afternoon, came home and packed, and were out the door again for Marion. Everything worked out and we were able to make it in time to be with Jason's family for the visitation and so on.

This week has been much more calm and "normal"- whatever normal may be these days!

What would you do with $30?

If you were a three and a half year old, and were given a $30 gift card to Toys R Us from grandparent's for Easter, what do you think you would get? Brayden was in such a situation today when I took him to choose what he wanted. I figured maybe a new game for his Leapster, Legos, a movie, books, arts and craft stuff, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (been talking about them non-stop since Daddy took him to see the movie), possibly Woody from Toy Story since he has been telling us that his Buzz needs Woody to be his friend, more accessories for his Imaginext Castle or T-Rex Mountain, or some sort of car or super hero action figure. Nope, I was wrong on all accounts! After combing through the entire store, twice, this is what he chose to purchase with his money.....

That's right, a singing, talking, motion activated, with no volume control, Sportacus Costume!! Just what Mommy and Daddy were hoping he would choose (or not so much)!

(For those of you who aren't familiar with Sportacus, he is a very active hero sort of guy on LazyTown, a show on Nick Jr./Noggin. He's hard to explain- really the whole show is- without actually experiencing the show!)

Brayden's School Pictures

Brayden's school had picture day a couple of weeks ago. We had forgotten that it was picture day until after he came home that night and told us, so we had sent him off in his normal "school clothes". You know, the ones that we don't care as much if they come home covered in paint, spaghetti sauce, or any other unidentifiable substances!?!? At least it was NCAA playoff week, so he was donning his SIU Saluki apparel with pride. (As he says "Go Doggies!")

Our Easter

We had a low key Easter this year. Our friend, Rob, had his son, Austin, visiting for the weekend, so we shared the holiday with them. Brayden and Austin get along so well and love spending time together, so it worked out well. On Saturday the boys decorated eggs together.
Brayden spent the night at Austin's on Saturday night. While the boys were there, the "Easter Bunny" visited our house to hide all of the eggs that they had decorated, and leave them each a basket of goodies. They both really enjoyed their baskets- Brayden especially loved the fact that the Easter Bunny must have known how much he has been wanting the Jack's Big Music Show CD. He was so excited to see it in his basket! He also got a 2 CD set of Disney's Greatest Hits, 2 computer games (Dora and Finding Nemo), Play Doh, Bubbles, and of course candy!

After all of the eggs had been found, the boys enjoyed breakfast of Easter Bunny Pancakes. Mommy enjoyed the fact that they LOVED them, and she was able to make them the night before and just reheat them! (Also the fact that pancakes don't make any smells in the kitchen since I am still having a rough time with the HG!)

After breakfast we went to church for Easter Mass, of course. After the service they had an appetizer buffet. What started out with him wanting a muffin, resulted in Brayden finding out that Brie is his new favorite cheese. It was so funny to see this 3 year old, sipping on punch, and requesting "More Brie with crackers and grapes please".

Hope everyone had an enjoyable Easter this year!

Five Years Ago Today.....

.... I said "I do" to my best friend!

I can't believe that five years have come and gone so quickly, and yet it is still only the beginning! So much has happened in that time, but we still have so much to do, experience, and explore in our adventure of life together. I can't imagine sharing that adventure with anyone else by my side.

Five years ago today we took our vows to one another, and have put so many of them to the test: "For better, For worse" (check!), "For richer, for poorer" (check!), "In sickness, and in health" (double check!!) and still come out stronger by the day.

We are truly blessed to have found each other in this world- we make a great team! I never knew what true love was- until Jason. I fell in love with him for so many reasons. He is such a wonderful man in so many ways, but little did I know how much more that love would deepen when I had the privilege of seeing this wonderful husband become even a better dad! My heart just lights up with joy when I think of our family and how lucky I am!!

So, here is to the last 5 years, and today being the first day of the rest of our lives!

Grandma's 90th Birthday

Grandma and Grandpa Joe at our wedding (April 6, 2002)

Grandma being surprised with her birthday cake

Blowing out her candles

Brayden with Laura and Jeff

Grandma and her grand-daughters

My Grandma (Dad's mom) turned 90 years old yesterday! I was so happy to be released from the hospital, and able to make it up to Rockford in time for the celebration. My cousin, Laura, and her husband, Jeff had flown in from California for it- I hadn't seen her in 15 years, and had never met him. It was really nice to catch up with them, and has made us all the more anxious for August to get here, when we are taking Grandma and Grandpa out there to visit that whole side of the family for a week and half!

For any of you that have never had the pleasure of meeting my dear Grandma, words can't even explain what a wonderful, wonderful woman she is. She has a heart of gold, always has been the best Grandma in every sense of the word. She is caring, loving, strong, a good listener, a terrific friend (I used to spend every Friday night with her when I was little- just as our special time), and of course, spoiled us all rotten as kids! She has been through so much in her lifetime, from losing her husband, and both sons (one at 3 years old, only 6 weeks after having my dad, and then of course my dad 6 1/2 years ago). But she has also lived such a rich, fulfilling, blessed life in so many ways. Even now, at 90, I think she has a more active social life than most teenagers! She gets together with her "club" every couple of weeks. "Club" is a group of girls that have been friends since high school. She and my Grandpa Joe still have a weekly standing date night with friends. They are both are in great health, live independently, as sharp as a tack, and so adorably in love with each other. Thier love and zest for life show through in everything they do. I only hope that I can be so happy, healthy, and surrounded by so many wonderful friends at half her age! She is truly an inspriation in my life, and I can't imagine where I would be without her!