Survival

You've got to love those lovely summer flu bugs, right? Not so much. Unfortunately, over the course of the last two weeks Mikey and I have been sick, sick, sick. First of us was Mikey. Just as Grandpa was leaving town, Mikey started developing mild fevers on and off. The poor kid was congested and it looked as though he had a flu.... no big deal. About a week later he looked like he was doing better so we decided to join Daddy for a few days in Chicago. We drove down Thurs afternoon and had a good day. Mike had a work dinner to go to so Mikey and I strolled up and down the Magnificent mile and went to dinner together. It was a nice evening. We went back to the hotel and we played trains and watched Thomas together. I was happy as I even had Mikey sound asleep by 8:15 which left me some quiet time. However, I was exhausted. So I decided to take advantage and go to bed early. I was asleep by 9:00. It was lovely. By 10:30 I received a text from my hubby saying he was going to have another beer with the guys. In this hour and a half, I woke feeling not so lovely. I could feel the congestion in my head and man was my body ever aching. Crap! I was getting sick. So I closed my eyes in hope that a bit more sleep might leave me waking next time feeling better. Not so much. Long story short I woke the next day sick. I tried my best to suck it up and packed Mikey up in the stroller and went out for some breakfast and shopping. I quickly realized that I was in no shape to keep up with my 3 year old in Chicago. By the second store and the 10th time losing Mikey in a game of hide and seek I did NOT want to play, I strapped him back in the stroller and called it quits. We went to the hotel where I took some tylenol and dozed on and off for the next few hours waiting for Daddy to come and provide some much needed help with our kid. By the time Daddy got back I'd had a bit of rest and decided that I was up to venturing out with him again. We went shopping and out to dinner. I must say that even though I was under the weather it was a lovely evening. Little did I know what was in store for us.... Mikey woke around 11:30 screaming bloody murder. I had a fever and I had a kid who desperately needed his Mommy. I sat in bed holding him and trying my best to console my inconsolable boy. He keep saying over and over, "my ear, my ear hurts Mommy!" The poor kid had a nasty ear infection. Chicago was not proving to be good to either of us. We made it through the night and first thing in the morning I looked at Mike and said let's get outta here. I want to go home! We made the 5 hour drive back with Mikey and myself sleeping most of the way. Luckily, with the help of some antibiotics Mikey was feeling more like himself by the following evening. I, however, am just now starting to feel better. 10 days later.

So that is my survival story... at least part of it. I figured no one cares to hear about the boring week we had while Mommy laid on the couch only to get up to feed Mikey and take him to the potty. I was pathetic. Mikey was wonderful though. He would come over to me every hour or so and ask if I was still not feeling well. I would confirm, "No honey, Mommy is still not feeling well." He would then say "Mommy needs to sleep" and I would agree and close my eyes. He would go back to playing trains so nicely by himself. Poor kid... he was a trooper and I will never forget what a good boy he was for me so I could get better.

Once feeling human again I must admit I've been trying to make up for lost time. I took Mikey to a strawberry patch and we picked berries. We've played trains together for many, many hours. We've gone on walks and are starting to get back to a normal life.

So here are some pics from the last month.

Let's catch up with photos... my favorite way!

We did a 2 mile walk for the Cheese Chase. A local charity to help kids. Yup, we were the last ones to cross the finish line. We were enjoying the scenery. The walk wrapped around the zoo... it was pretty cool.

After there was a fair and did Mikey ever have fun. Mikey kept sneaking in all the bouncy houses. We had tickets but he refused to wait in line. Anytime we would look away he would kick his shoes off and sneak in the bouncy house. Crazy kid.

Pop balloon!


His favorite in the whole world... vanilla ice cream!

We found a good buddy of his while strolling around. They were so happy to see each other.

Happy guys!

The next day there was the Marshfield parade.

Of course there has to be a cow... we are in dairy land right?

Father and son

My patriots

My American boy...

Ok so he just loves flags

Yea! Grandpa Mike is here!!!

Mikey had a great time playing with his Grandpa

Good times around the kitchen table.

Mikey's first time fishing....

First, Grandpa showed him how to find his own worms.

Mikey at the fishing site.

They caught at least 10 fish... no joke!

Mikey discovered that fish are slimey and sharp... those are his words.

A big one.

Mikey showing me his worms that came with the fishing pole.

Helping Grandpa

Pretty amazing, huh?

Mikey was sooo proud of himself.

A little sun fish.

The strawberry patch

Mikey did not like how muddy it was

I think he had fun but he just could not get over the fact that he was so dirty.

First thing we did was shower up when we got home. Then he got down to eating lots and lots of strawberries.

Not too bad...

Delicious!

We went to our friends b-day party Friday night. Mikey and their son are good friends so Mikey was more excited about the party than we were. This is him as we were leaving the house.

Mikey and Henry attacking Daddy.

Get him boys!

That night there was a pretty bad storm. No big deal...

This is what we woke up to.

At least Mike had a good sense of humor about it.

Muscle man!

Half way!

Can you hardly believe it? We are already half way through the year and today I'm half way through my pregnancy. I'm growing more and more excited with the thought of meeting my daughter. This is probably also due to the fact that two of my nearest and dearest friends both had baby girls this past week. Becca welcomed her daughter, Lola, to her family on May 29th. Colleen welcomed her daughter, Coco, to her family on May 24th. All of them are healthy and just a beautiful as can be.

How can I not be excited at the prospect of meeting my little girl for the first time? Of course, I want to meet my baby girl. Just in 17-20 weeks from now. No sooner. I think that would not need to be said but maybe if I say it (write it) that is how it will happen. So far this pregnancy is going well. I'm only getting big in the proper places. I feel very pregnant as of the last few weeks. I've also started getting braxton hicks contractions in the past few days. This concerns Mike, however there is nothing concerning about them. The contractions are mild, in the front of my belly and not frequent. All text book, nothing to be alarmed about. However, with Mikey making his debut 8 weeks early it seems we are all very nervous about this pregnancy. Luckily, I love my doctor and trust her completely. I have complete faith that if there is some sign that we missed during my pregnancy with Mikey it would be discovered this time around. I'm currently on week 4 of 20 for my shots to help keep baby girl inside my belly. It is no fun at all. I would be lying if I said it doesn't hurt like hell. It's worth it though so I'm not complaining. Every time she kicks me and I can feel her rolling around is what I remember when Mike is administering my weekly dose. I love feeling her wiggle and kick. It's probably my favorite part of pregnancy. Anyhow, that is my baby girl update.

20 weeks

this pregnancy

20 weeks while pregnant with Mikey.

(My belly is bigger with her than I was with him)

Peanut playing inside for a bit, escaping the summer heat.

The happiest hard hat wearing boy around.

Don't forget your safety goggles!

Last weekend we all went to Mikey's friends 4th b-day party.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HENRY!!!!

These kids loved, loved , loved trying to hit that pinata.

The hit of the day was the bouncy house they rented. The kids played all day. When the people came to pick it up at 8:00 poor Henry was so sad they were taking his bouncy house. The children just sat in the grass and watched the fun house deflate. I guess we know what to get for the next b-day party or any party for that matter.

too funny

Yesterday we were killing time, via facebook, as the rain was falling steadily outside. I found a video of my friends daughter singing and so I played it. Mikey was sitting at the table coloring and overheard her singing. Next thing I know he's at my side pulling up his stool so he can see. At first he just sat and listened. Then he clicks replay (by himself). Anyhow after the second time through he started dancing and wanted to play it over and over. Luckily, I had my camera so I switched it to video and in a rarity he actually kept doing what he was doing for all to see. This is too funny!

IT'S A GIRL!!!!

We are having a sweet baby girl. I must say she is a little shy already as she made the doctor work very hard to see her little girl parts. A lady already. I'm very happy and still in shock. I can't believe I'm going to have a little girl. Really? Mikey is very excited about his little sister and he has somehow seemed to know that she was a "she" before anyone else. Since he found out we are having a baby he's been saying he was having a sister. I just know he's going to be the World's BEST big brother. He loves her already, just as we do. We can't wait to meet you baby girl!!!

In the meantime we made a trip to Madison to kill time while Daddy was in Texas taking his vascular boards. Mikey had (and Grandma and I) a wonderful time visiting his bestest friend Joe-Joe. I got to spend some quality time with my near and dear friend Danika (which I miss so much not living next door to anymore).


I really believe these two are going to be friends forever. They met just after they turned 1 and still even after months apart they pick up right where they left off. Beautiful friendship.

Grandma Robin had been visiting for the last week. We had the chance to go to the Zoo. We had great weather and a great time.

The ducks have a busy spring ahead with all these beautiful little ducklings to look after.

Spring is in the air!

Everything is in bloom. The flowers, the trees.... my belly. It's all blooming! The weather has been up and down still with one day warm the next cold. It has starting to rain finally which we desperately needed. Mike has been suffering from pollen allergies this year and it's been painful to just watch him. Now that we've had a bit of rain he is seeming to get a little relief. Mikey had a cold since we were in Florida and he was just finally able to shake his cough this past week. Thank heavens for that... it was tough listening to him try to sleep. Anyhow, he is better now and as spunky as always. I'm doing well myself. I'm into the second trimester and I'm feeling good. I'm getting bigger, luckily just my boobs and belly so far and even better is I don't feel big... yet. I'm in no disillusion of any sort, I know what is around the corner for me. Right now I'm enjoying being able to keep up with my 3 year old and hubby. Are we ever enjoying how beautiful nature can be. Here are a few pics from around my yard.

My tulip garden I planted in the fall. We had to put a fence up to keep Misiu out. I actually changed the fence out yesterday to something much more aesthetically pleasing.

I'll show you next time.

Even the weeds are beautiful

Almost every one of our trees are in bloom. It is just breath taking. I took these pictures on Sunday and since this tree has bloomed light pink flowers all over it. AMAZING!

A different tree on the side of our house.

This tree is huge and on the corner of our lot over looking a park across the street.

This tree makes me proud... I know people look at it and smile. I do.

On Saturday we went to a local trail and went for a family walk. Mikey and Misiu had a blast running freely through the trails.

This is what we are competing with right now. Mikey LOVES to pee outside. We are trying to get him to realize that there are places that are ok and other places that are not.... i.e. the Zoo. Yup, Mikey dropped his pants in the middle of the Zoo in front of a good number of people and started to pee before Mike or I even had time to react. (Sigh)

Mikey's crocodile pool.

It's still a little cold but I couldn't resist putting it up for him to play with.

Even though he didn't get in, he had a lot of fun playing around it.

Mikey smiling before his swim lesson.

Unfortunately, he would not get in the pool at his swim lesson because I wasn't getting in. This is his first lesson that his not parent/child and it's proving to be difficult. I will not be defeated. We will keep trying as I believe that it is very, VERY important my child knows how to swim.

This was Sunday, exactly 2 weeks from the last photo. As I said earlier, I'm feeling good. I like this stage of pregnancy where you look pregnant but your not huge. I remember with Mikey I was 6 months and strangers would ask me if I was going to 'pop' yet. I'm sure this one will be even more extreme as I'm about the same size now (just under 16 wks) as I was at 20 wks with Mikey. I go in this coming Monday for my 16 wk appointment and to start my progesterone shots. I'm not looking forward to Mike giving me a weekly shot in the tush, but I'm hopeful as to what the shots will do. My doctor has had phenomenal success rates with it. Almost 100% of her patients on it, who delivered preterm before, went past 37 weeks. So we all march happily forward optimistic for what may be ahead of us.