Baby Blessings--another sneak peak

For those who wanted a follow-up, we had our ultrasound last week.  We are happy to report that the doctor is pretty sure that baby Schnake #3 is just fine.  The doctor took a further look at the echo seen on the heart and verified that it was an area of rapid muscle growth.  She said this is very common throughout people's lifetimes and is often seen on ultrasounds of babies--because that is when pictures of the heart are taken. 

It was wonderful seeing our little one again.  The baby was suckling--and even the doctor was in awe of how young our little had already started this.  The baby also yawned and sucked his/her fingers.  The picture above is a 4D picture--the first one we have ever had--and how cool is it to get a sneak peak of your little one in utero. 

I personally thought the baby looked like any other baby and then a friend mentioned how much he/she looked like Ky & Alaina.  So that started me thinking...and I put pics of Alaina & Ky next to the ultrasound and sure enough--that is definitely the same nose! :)  (Just a little smooshed as it's lying against the uterine wall...)

The doc & nurse also verified that yes the baby is indeed a ____.  I was pretty sure the first time I saw the gender--and yup--nothing has changed.  It is kind of reassuring to know we don't need any back-up other gender names and clothing items.  Speaking of which..I am working on gathering what I need.  I also recently started watching a friend's twin baby girls (6 months old!), so I started pulling out all the gear.  I am glad I did too!  It gives the kids time to get used to having the stuff around--and with the girls around, I am also working on showing Alaina how to be gentle with babies.  WOW!  Twins are a lot of work--but DOUBLE the blessing--the smiles, the coos...oh they are too cute!  They just melt your heart!

Anyway back to the pregnancy. So the ultrasound was all good--however the baby's abdomen did measure a little small.  The doc said our little one is thin and they want to keep an eye on it.  So we will be returning for another ultrasound in a month.  As long as the baby grows on a curve they will not worry.  But like I said it is just something to keep an eye on...

Speaking of which...I hardly EVER wake up in the middle of the night hungry.  I just don't have the cravings and such with this one that I did with Ky and Alaina.  Sweets are definitely what I long for, but I don't feel super hungry or anything (kind of disappointing).  Perhaps that is why the baby is thin, however, my weight gain is still unexplained then...hmmm....

Rob and I continue to play tag with this one and enjoy the kicks and turns.  Speaking of which, if I ever want the baby to move, all I need to do is eat chocolate or ice cream--And I am serious!  I can eat other food and the baby does nothing--but there is something with the sweets...

So here I am at week 30.  I see the doc tomorrow and will hopefully start discussing dates for delivery.  I am betting that no plans will be made though until the next ultrasound.  I am sure the baby's growth is vital in determining when they want to do it.  So there's my baby update!  Next blog will be for January!  And hey---maybe I will get it done before March!  HA!

Christmas 2010

Yeah!  Last blog of 2010!  Let's begin...

So Nana stayed with us the night of the 23rd after the ultrasound and Grandma Jan joined us the next morning to celebrate Christmas Eve together.  The kids, of course, kept all of us busy by just being themselves.  They pulled out a lot of card games and read books and Alaina was on the "phone" a lot.

Rob made home made whipped cream for our traditional stuffed fruit french toast Christmas breakfast--and I had fun decorating Ky's face.  Hey--what else should you do with whipped cream! :)  We had a wonderful brunch!  (And it is all the more wonderful when it is a meal that you only have once a year on such a special day!) 

After brunch, Ky was getting very impatient to open the gifts (and what 4 year old wouldn't be?!)  We finally gave into him and let him have at it. Alaina of course followed suit and got into the spirit of things.  Nana & Grandma Jan got Kylan a very cool frog game, and the next hour or so was spent tossing and catching frogs.  (I snoozed briefly--hey I'm growing a child here!) 

It was a nice afternoon and we all had a nice time visiting and appreciating family and its blessings.  Nana & Grandma Jan left in the late afternoon and we all got ready for the Christmas Eve service.  We had put Alaina & Ky down for a late nap (they needed one) and by the time they got up we had 2 crabby kids.  It was quite the ordeal getting them dressed and ready to go (as well as feed them some food.)  I attempted to then get some nice pics of the kids in front of the tree before we left--they actually did better than usual!

The next morning we woke up to Ky working hard on his Cars picture.  I find this picture rather ironic since I have  a picture taken of me when I was 4 on Christmas morning.  I had woken up, got myself dressed and was coloring at the dining room table and that is where my parents found me....now if I can just find that picture. 

While breakfast was heating the kids were excited to open there presents, so we let them start a few.  This year Ky was quite the excited boy.  He was so excited that he had trouble containing himself.  He wanted to open even Alaina's presents, but of course she was NOT about to let that happen.  All in all it was a fun time.  Ky received several CARS toys including a bunch of games from Uncle Adam & Aunt Liz and a book with mini CARS figures from Grandma & Grandpa Vander Heyden--and I just have to add that Ky and Alaina spend a lot of time fighting over Sally....I have tried to find another Sally--but the stores I have been to have been sold out...Well--it's best they learn to share anyway! :)

Alaina got TONS of girly stuff.  Three tutus!  YES 3!  And she loves them all.  She loves to dress up so Rob and I got her various dress-up items.  She received these adorable butterfly wings with skirt & wand from Grandma & Grandpa Vander Heyden as well as a "Mr. Potato Head" Elmo, and lots of dressup shoes.  The girl is set!   When she opened her butterfly towel from U. Adam & A. Liz she spent a lot of time dancing around the house in it saying "I'm a butterfly!" 

Both kids also received personalized ornaments from A. Janice & A. Linda & A. Liz & U. Adam.  Alaina attempted to "eat" the icecream cone ornament from U. Adam & A. Liz.

As far as gifts for Rob and myself--we try to minimize that.  Dates or big other purchases are what we consider gifts for each other.  We both exchanged slippers and another small item.  Rob's big gift will be a new tv in the next several months--and my gift was our beautiful wood floors.  Otherwise just having each other and time together is gift enough!

After our own little family Christmas, we headed out to Rob's Dad's house to celebrate.  It was a very nice relaxing evening.  The kids had a great time playing with their cousin Dominic and then opening presents.  Alaina's favorite gift, by far, was the princess car she received.  Even today she takes that vehicle for spins around the house.  *very cute* 

For New Years Eve we had good friends over for dinner.  Celebrations are limited when you have small kids, but we made the most of it.  I even managed to stay up until midnight this year :)  2010 was definitely a good year--and I know 2011 will only be better as Rob & I continue to watch our kids grow and we meet our new little one.  We are truly blessed with all he has given us.  As far as New Year's resolutions--we don't really do that--however we do have a goal to GIVE MORE every year--and we will continue with that.     

A Christmas Ultrasound...our little bundle of joy

December 23rd was supposed to be a wonderful day--and in the end it was--but it didn't start out well.  We were on our way to ring bells and that was when I realized I had lost my camera.  I ended up dropping Ky & Rob off to ring bells and Alaina and I retraced our steps from the day before and asked our gym if anyone had found our camera.  I was in tears.  How forgetful of me!?  And it isn't like I haven't done this before--seriously...so I have driven off with the phone on the car (we heard it fall though and were able to retrieve it --and surprisingly it wasn't broken.)  And I have driven off with mail on the car...yeah, I am not sure if we found all of it.  It's just one of those things--the kids are out playing and there aren't a lot of safe places to put these items.  So I put them on top of the car where the kids can't reach.  ARGH!  So yeah, I cried.  Rob was very understanding of it all--almost too understanding--I needed to be yelled at.  I loved that camera--not to mention it is how I blog.  ARGH!  Yeah--here it is Feb and I still have yet to take the time looking for a camera.  I will soon enough--before the new baby comes.  And speaking of which...

So after bell ringing we ran home and picked up Rob's mom.  We invited her to come and see the ultrasound and help watch the kids during it...and we doubled that up with celebrating the Christmas the next day with her. 

This ultrasound was a BIG ordeal...First of all, since I was "late" scheduling all my appointments, this ultrasound was being done late.  When I originally called to schedule it, they would not schedule it because the referral had not been received.  I called back and forth between the two clinics AT LEAST 6 TIMES before they sent the referral.  (The clinic would say they sent it, radiology said they did not receive, yadda yadda.)  So I finally had it scheduled and then was called because they wanted to reschedule.  When I called them back they told me it was fine and they didn't need to reschedule me after all.  When we got there, they were not expecting me (of course.)  They said they had called me to reschedule--and of course I informed them that I had called back and they told me I was fine and didn't need to be rescheduled.  ARGH!  (Okay raging hormones and bad morning and you add this...I was VERY angry!)  Not to mention if they rescheduled, I would be "later" than the time frame they had wanted this ultrasound AND Rob's mom had driven out for this.

I think they sensed my anger and frustration so they did accommodate.  One of the techs stayed over her lunch to do our ultrasound--and she did a nice job.  She was very thorough and took a long time.  The baby wasn't the most active, but moved enough to entertain.  It is so neat watching your child yawn and move hands and feet (and yet feel nothing!)  It is funny because I normally think the baby is only awake when I feel him/her--which you then discover is not true.  The baby measured pretty much right on for everything.  Ky, Alaina, and Nana got to come in at the end of the appointment and watch as well.  I think Ky got it and understood what was going on.  Alaina was clueless.  (Who wants to watch black & white fuzz?!)  We had the tech write the gender on a piece of paper and seal it in an envelope, however I was pretty positive that I saw what gender the baby was in the ultrasound...

When we got home, Rob and I went out for a short "date".  We went to one of our favorite coffee houses (no, I don't drink coffee--but they have good chai's and good hot cocoa).  I told Rob to open the envelope there.  (It was his turn--I opened Alaina's.)  Well-I was correct in what I saw (I should become a sonogram tech!)  because we are having....a boy or girl!  (You didn't think I was really going to tell you did you?)  HA HA!
It would have been nice to keep this pregnancy an ultimate surprise, but I have WAY too much clothing in the basement and I want to start getting rid of the gender clothing we are not having.  I won't be getting rid of it until the baby arrives (just to make sure--since they do occasionally make mistakes.)  But I have already done a big sort and put things aside.  (5 years of boys clothes and 3 years of girls clothes is a LOT of stuff!   Not to mention, I have some bins for Ky & Alaina in bigger sized clothing AND think about how they go through 4 different sizes of clothing in the FIRST year alone! CRAZY--yeah I need some space in my basement.)  And--I wanted to know what I needed to get...If the baby is a boy--we are pretty on-season with Ky's old clothes--however if we have a girl--we are TOTALLY off-season for the first 2 years...since Alaina was a fall baby and this one is spring. 

So pregnancy thus far (it's Feb as I write this.)  I would say this has been the easiest of all my pregnancies as far as sickness and continuing on with day to day life.  If you have talked to me recently, you know that I have had one small thing that the doc mentioned at my last appointment.  It should be nothing--but still as a mom it has me worried.  Basically, they saw something on the ultrasound.  If it is actually there--it is probably no big deal.  Many go away, many babies are born with one and are perfectly fine.  However there is this teeny tiny chance that it could be something.  (And I mean like 0.5% that is how small.)  Since all my other ultrasounds have gone fine and have never had this revealed, it is a stresser.  I honestly wish they had never told me--because it is not worth the stress it has put me through, and no matter what, we would keep the baby so why even mention it.  Even the doc said it is most likely nothing.  However, Rob and I have scheduled a follow-up ultrasound for next week.  We are meeting with a specialist.  Hopefully what they saw is gone!  (And there is also a good chance that the ultrasound machine produced what they saw.)  And if not, at least we will be talking to a specialist who will most likely be able to say yea or nea to any concerns we have.  Please keep us in our prayers for that appointment and for peace in my heart. 

On top of that, I took the diabetes test this past week.  With Alaina's pregnancy I was borderline so I had to come back in for the 3 hour fasting test--and let me tell you it was quite a miserable fasting--and I had Ky with me at the clinic the whole time.  This time I had a plan.  I went in first thing in the morning and I ate NOTHING!  This way I either pass or fail. I did this test on Friday morning and my blood draw was done around 10 AM.  Well you know, no news is good news..so that was what I had hoped for.

The next day I took Ky to the movie "Despicable Me".  The movie was starting late so I looked at my cell phone to see the time and noticed I had a voice message from Friday.  (Always try to reach me on the landline--I am HORRIBLE about checking my cellphone!)  Turns out the clinic had called me within 4 hours of my blood draw and said I needed to call them back ASAP.  Yeah--that pretty much ruined the day for me.  I was panicked--why would the call me back so quick.  I was praying that I was not diabetic.  I also had a thought that it could be my iron count--which I ALWAYS struggle with.  But mostly I was praying it was not diabetes.--ugh....You know I shouldn't have to worry about diabetes, but I think my mom had gestational diabetes with all of us kids and was undiagnosed.  How else did such a tiny woman have 2 10 lb babies and 2 9 lb babies. 

Well, it is Monday now, and I called.  It is all good.  My iron is VERY low.  They told me that I HAVE to get it up.  There would be concern for me and blood loss at this time if I were to have the baby with my iron this low.  So that is good news (really--it is!).  However now I must turn to prune juice or something since the iron supplement AND the prenatal vitamin are not doing it for me.  I eat lots of greens--this has just always been something I have struggled with.  Let's hope I can get it up.

I am at week 28 today. The baby is very entertaining.  I watch him/her move my stomach around and kick various areas.  There is just something so special about having God's creation in you.  Each movement is within me, yet I have no control over it.  I am cherishing this pregnancy as I did the others and am trying hard not to let the past month of upsets get in my way.  I will enjoy this precious time God has given me.  Whew...so that is my baby blog update.  I look forward to sharing real pictures of our new little Schnake in the next couple of months. 

December 2010

Before I get going with all the details--it is actually the beginning of Feb as I write this.  I want to start with just some fun new sayings the kids have and then of course the pregnancy update.

Alaina--she is truly my tomboy princess.  This girl will wrestle with the best of them (yes--she can still easily take her brother down) and then cuddle right up to you.  She LOVES dresses.  She calls them princess dresses.  If you want to reward this girl, you either give her a marshmallow, high heel shoes (by the way--the girl walks better in heels than I do!), a purse or a dress.  She LOVES baby dolls.  She rocks them and covers them up with blankets.  It is so precious to watch.  She gravitates to girl things--for example--Ky likes the movie Cars and has a lot of the figures.  Her favorite figure is Sally--it is like she instinctively knows that it is the girl in the movie.  One of Alaina's favorite sayings right now--and she tells me it often is--"I lub you sooooo much!"  It truly melts my heart every time she says it.  As much of a lady as she wants to be, she SERIOUSLY lacks table manners.  Meals are a struggle with her.  Food is EVERYWHERE by the time she is done.  Of course most of it makes it to her mouth, but we are having issues with her keeping her plate on the table and then her hands out of her hair.  UGH!  We moved her back into her highchair for a while, but now she is back at a booster seat at the table.  Hopefully in time she will ACT more like the lady she wants to be...(boy this sounds like a familiar blog...)

Ky is amazing.  I think I can safely call him a reader now.  We will pick out beginner level books and he can proficiently read through them by himself having never heard the story before.  The other day he asked me why there was "Fruit" in his underwear.  (He read the Fruit of the Loom label.)  He picks up on things so quickly it truly amazes me.  It must be a combination of that Schnake/Irvin genius blood that runs through him.  He just finished swimming.  Unfortunately, they did not pass him to the next level.  He does almost everything EXCEPT back float well.  I am disappointed--but hey he is doing much better than me at that age :)  We have been dealing with some "attitude" with him lately.  This has been really rough for me.  I am assuming he sees some of the other kids do this to their parents so he is following suit??  I don't know--however we are working hard to get him to see that that attitude will NOT be permitted.  He has spent a lot of time on time out and then in his room.  UGH!  I hope this phase ends soon!

Baby #3 is active and moving.  We finally got some baby books and started looking at names.  We do know the gender and such--but I will wait for the Christmas blog to give more details on how the ultrasound went.  I can't say I have had a ton of cravings with this child anymore.  However, I do have a sweet tooth that has lingered even after Christmas, so maybe that is what I am craving?  I love this part of the pregnancy where I can now watch my stomach move as the baby shifts and kicks.  As far as measurements and such the baby is right on.  I do not have a delivery date yet, but I am assuming they will give me one in March.  I am cherishing each moment of this pregnancy as I know it will be my last.

Now on to December... Nov 29.  It was a CRAZY day.  I had so much to do and the next morning I needed to hit the road to Chicago.  I was up late packing and then Alaina did not sleep well, so I did not sleep well.  I was exhausted.  However, the next morning the kids and I were off.  First stop was Rockford to play at the Children's Museum.  I love that museum.  It is awesome.  We bought a membership there and it gets us into so many different museums for free--it has been well worth the membership.  Anyway, so the kids played. There was no one there--it was nice...and then I woke up to an employee asking me if I was okay. --so here is "terrible" mom moment 43,857.  I had fallen asleep supervising my kids play.  They were in the same room as me so it was all good..but still...I felt a little guilty.

After the Children's Museum, the kids and I were off to my cherished shopping trip to IKEA!  I love that store.  We got there and I had fun browsing.  As much as I talk about this store,  I was a bit disappointed in my trip.  I really didn't buy much.  Oh, well--the kids and I (okay...really it was just me) had fun and I treated them to ice cream when I was done.

From there, we were off to Arlington Heights to spend the night and the next day with Aunt Janice & Aunt Linda.  I was so excited.  They invited us to take part in their family tradition--the first Wednesday in December they take the train to Chicago and enjoy the Christmas lights and have lunch in the Walnut Room.  I was really honored to be invited to this family tradition.

I was pretty tired by the time I got to Aunt Janice's, but we had such a nice time.  The kids enjoyed munching on Aunt Linda's oyster cracker mix and then pizza.  I was ready to get them to bed--they were a bit overtired.  I got them down to bed, however, they did not want to go to sleep...Hmmm...They finally did fall asleep, but it took FOREVER and since we were getting up early the next day I was really concerned that the kiddos were not going to do so well.

In the meantime, I had a great time bonding with Aunt Janice and then turned in myself.  I figured I would share the bed with Alaina--well sharing was not what she wanted to do.  I don't really sleep with my kids at all.  I have tried with Ky--but he kicks and moves.  Alaina likes to sleep in her own bed, so I had never pushed it--but now I know why.  She kept turning sideways and (in her sleep) tried to push me out of the bed!  Seriously!  My 2 year old was using her legs to shove and push me!  I would turn her back the right way and within 30 minutes she would be sideways again with her feet in my side.  Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep that night either.  And...I won't be attempting to share a bed with her again any time soon!  Next time she is on the FLOOR!

The next morning we got up early.  Aunt Janice packed a breakfast for the train ride and we headed out.  When we got to the station, the kids were SO excited!  They watched out the door and waited for the train.  We had to move them out of the way occasionally for travelers coming and going, but they LOVED it! 
(Sidenote...I wish I had more pictures of this trip, but I forgot to pack extra batteries for the camera! UGH!)

When we got there, it was blustery.  It had started snowing.  We walked quickly to Macy's to get our reservation in for lunch.  When the kids saw the tree in the Walnuts Room they were in awe.  Alaina was especially excited to see "princesses" who put sparkle dust on the children. 

After we put in our reservation we walked around the store a bit.  The kids were excited to see the toy section (and what kid isn't!)  Alaina of course picked out all the princess toys and Ky picked out all the CARS related toys.  From there, Aunt Linda went to purchase some pajamas.  Well, the next thing I know, Alaina had discovered the lingerie section and was walking around with a rather "sexy" bra around her neck.  Yeah...and she didn't want to put it back.  Go figure.  You know...having a girl scares me sometimes.  I swear I feel like I see glimpses of the future....and arguments I don't want to have...

Anyway--lunchtime came soon and we were seated.  And of course during that time, both kidsw had to go to the bathroom separately.  I totally missed Alaina getting "sparkled" by the fairy princess.  From what A. Janice & A. Linda told me, she was pretty awestruck.  And when the Fairy Princess asked how old she was--she lied and gave Ky's age "4".  Pretty funny! 

The Fairy Princess came back for Ky and he became very shy.  He got some sparkles on his hand and he enjoyed that.  Aunt Janice and Aunt Linda then bought the kids snowman sundaes.  They loved them (and look at how cute they were!)

After lunch we walked outside and looked at the window displays.  We also strolled down to a small German festival.  It was pretty neat with all the shops-and the hand carved ornaments were so cool!  Ky had fun chasing the pigeons in the square (and at that age, I would have too :) ).  I purchased some German chocolate for Rob and then we stopped at a one of Aunt Janice's favorite coffee shops that serves her favorite Chai tea (and you know I am a Chai lover!)  The kids had hot cocoa--Alaina didn't really appreciate hers though.  Kids are so funny when it comes to warm drinks.  I think it is so unexpected that it just surprises them.  From there we grabbed the train to head home. 

It was a really fun time and I look forward to doing it again next year.  And the best part was bonding with my Aunts!

When we got back, I packed up the kids and planned to hit the road.  I wanted to be home back in my own bed (go figure after the previous night's sleep.)  On our way out, I stopped at McD's to get the kids some food.  Unfortunately for me it had a playland, so I got stuck a little longer than I wanted...and then Ky locked himself in the bathroom. 

This bathroom had a lever for a doorknob.  The problem was, you could lock the door by pushing the button in, but then to unlock the door you had to turn the lock (you couldn't just push on the lever.)  Well, poor Ky did not understand this.  He was in the bathroom (near my table) and I could hear him yelling to Alaina that he was going potty.  Well he kept yelling and I just took my time eating and watching Alaina play.  Next thing I know, this lady walks up to me and says "I think something is wrong with your son."  And sure enough his cries turned into sobs.  I tried to direct him on how to get out, but he couldn't get the door open.  I would like to say, I was totally calm in this situation.  I went to the counter and let the employee know that we needed a key for the bathroom.  For some reason, the employee didn't believe me.  They followed me and came to the conclusion that, yes, my boy was indeed locked in the bathroom and they needed a key.  (Poor Ky--this took way longer than it should of.)  It took a while then for them to even find a key, but we got the boy out!  Now whenever I see that McD's, I will have a special memory. :)

On our way out of town, I turned the wrong way and got lost.  ARGH!  I had to call Aunt Janice and she redirected me to get back on the interstate.  Thank goodness I had someone to help me!

It was a long drive home and at one point I called Rob to let him know that I was going to be a bit later than planned--and to ask him a hypothetical question...I believe it was something like this...

"Suppose you are a pregnant woman, driving alone by yourself with 2 young children in the backseat that are sleeping and you really really REALLY have to go to the bathroom bad.  Do you A.) stop at a gas station, wake up the sleeping children to take them in and go--and you know that they will each be screaming and insisting on being carried and then will probably lay prostrate in exhausted tantrums on the nasty gas station floor screaming as you use the restroom or B.) park close as possible to the gas station and run in, leaving the kids in car, and hurry."   Well--luckily there was no need to figure out an answer--because yes, I was able to hold it!-WHEW!  But seriously, what would you do??
The adventures after that did not stop.  On Friday, right after I subbed and then we went to ring bells.  And let me tell you--these kids really know how to work it.  Of course, they did not keep it up the WHOLE 2 hour shift, but they had their moments.  After the ringing bells, we were off to the Olbrich Train Show.  With Ky's love of trains, this event is top-notch.  We had some Christmas cookies and then sat and watched the trains until the Garden's closed.  (A great excuse to have to leave!)

On Saturday, we took the kids to Rob's work's Christmas Breakfast.  The roads were a bit slick, but we figured it was close enough we would just go.  Well--the funny part was when we got there, Rob realized he forgot his work badge so we had to go back home to get it.  :)

We enjoyed our big breakfast and then the kids had fun seeing Frosty and Clifford.  Alaina seemed a bit scared as she didn't want to get near them.  The kids then also got tattoos and their faces painted.  Alaina enjoyed getting her tattoos and face painted this year (last year she screamed like she was getting a shot.)  

The next weekend we put up the tree.  The kids had fun helping daddy sort the branches and then they hung their ornaments.  We ran out the next day and let the kids pick their annual Christmas ornaments.  Ky picked a snowglobe with a snowman in it.  Alaina picked--yeah you know this was coming--a bright red purse.  Yes they had a purse ornament and she was SO ecstatic about it.  I showed her so many other different ornaments, but she didn't want them--she wanted the purse ornament.  And so we bought it...and well it didn't get put on the tree for a week (when I finally had the opportunity to nab it and put it high on the tree where she couldn't see it or reach it.)  Crazy kid!

The next week, we were off to the Milwaukee Public Museum.  Ky had just gotten done working on an Amphibian preschool unit and I had seen that there was a frog exhibit at the MPM.  And with our family membership we could get in the exhibit for 1/2 price AND the museum for free.  Rob's mom had also seen the exhibit and actually called me asking about taking the kids.  Since, I was already planning on going, I figured we could just go together, making it easier to chaperon the kids and then getting in some great Nana time!  (Note there are no pics of the frogs because cameras are not allowed in the exhibit.)

We did do the butterfly exhibit.  However, Alaina was freaked out by the butterflies.  A couple of times one would come and land on her and she would scream and yell and bat at the butterfly.  I hope she didn't hurt any.  I took her out early and let Ky & Nana finish enjoying the butterflies together. 

The kids had a great time, and it was even better having Nana with us.  We explored most of the musem--and while--with kids you can't really stop and read the info, you do learn some things and even better, the kids walk away knowing and having seen more than they did before. 

The last pics I have are of the kids making snow angels.  Sadly these are my last pictures I got from that camera.  The kids and I were playing in the snow and I put the camera on top of the van--and forgot about it.  I drove off and in a parking lot I remember hearing a thump that was probably the camera.  I looked behind me, but didn't see anything.  I didn't realize that I had lost it until Dec 23, the day of our ultrasound.  In the meantime, I lost a lot of pictures of the kids finishing their ornaments and making Christmas cookies.  ARGH!  Yeah I cried.  I loved that camera, and now I have to go take the time to find another one that I like and spend the money to buy it.  Luckily, I still have my old camera so I was able to take some pics for Christmas and stuff.  However, the old one does not have video capability and I feel like I have lost out on so many video opportunities.  It's really a bummer.  The funny thing is--I lost the camera in the parking lot of our gym.  Right before I lost it, I was in the gym and found someone's very expensive watch.  I didn't think twice--and I turned it in.  I would have hoped that someone had had the same honesty and integrity to do the same with my camera--especially when they saw all the pictures of the kids on it--however they didn't.  BLAH!  I'm a bit angry with myself, and the person who chose not to turn it in, but life goes on.  And so stay tuned for the Ultrasound/Christmas blog.

Thanksgiving 2010

Thanksgiving always seems like a LONG holiday.  I think that is because it is a busy one for the Schnake's.  We spend the morning at Nana's, the afternoon at Grandpa's, then we deal with the horrors/deals of Black Friday, and finally we round it out with a visit from good friends, Jared & Deb.

Whew!  Doesn't that just SOUND exhausting.  Add two kids under 5 and one on the way and it is a busy time! 

T'giving morning we arrived for brunch with Nana & G'ma Jan.  There was LOTS of love to spread around and we enjoyed a very nice and relaxing breakfast. 

After that we were off to Grandpa & Grandma Debi's for dinner.  We were hoping that Alaina would take some sort of nap so the day did not TOTALLY exhaust her--and well the 5 minutes in the van between families was about all she allowed herself to get. 

My goal once at Grandpa's was to get a few nice pics of the kids in front of the tree.  Whew!  You know that is a lot of work.  I think this time I was much more realistic realizing that a "nice" pic with the 2 of them just isn't going to happen.  (Okay--so I made that realization after I tried several bribes with candy & chocolate covered pretzels.) 

This Thanksgiving the boys, Rick & Ry, attempted to carve the turkey.  This was quite entertaining for all onlookers.  My favorite part was when Ryan was looking up inside the turkey like he expected to find something in there.  Ah--and then there was the search for the wishbone.  Thankfully Uncle Kirk stepped in to help out.  He guided the boys on slicing the turkey.  I took mental notes.  I bought a turkey at a great price and I have it in the freezer right now.  I plan to cook it up in the next month and have a fabulous dinner and then use all the turkey leftovers to make some casseroles that I can freeze and use once the baby comes.  I think this will be my first turkey ever (that I cooked!) I am excited. 

Overall, the boys did a nice job carving the turkey.  Dinner was fabulous.  I ate lots.  Alaina also had her fair share of food and especially enjoyed when Grandma Debi shared dessert with her. 

On Friday, we avoided the stores until later.  When we did go out, we weren't surprised to see the few things we had planned on getting were gone.  We then returned home and did some online shopping instead--getting the same deals with free shipping!  Woo-hoo!  (Why deal with the horrors of leaving the home anymore!?)

Saturday, Jared & Deb came to stay with us for the night as they were driving through visiting the family.  We had a very nice family visit.  The kids really got Uncle Jared playing and suckered him into reading lots of stories.  We went to church the next morning together and then returned home for a good lunch before they hit the road.  It was a wonderful long weekend.  It doesn't get better than good times with friends and family.