Trying to get back in the saddle

So I know that there are some people out there who are not too happy with my lack of posting. June was the last time I posted and a lot has happened since then. We have a new President, I have switched jobs and am now working with middle school students in east Aurora and am taking classes to get my middle school endorsement, Lauren is talking up, and singing up and laughing up a storm, Nathaniel is going crazy with the overwhelming amount of girliness in our house, and most importantly, Emma Grace Addison Feltmeyer joined our family at 12:02am on October 16, 2008. She has been a joy to have in our family and Lauren loves her like crazy. They are beautiful together. We continue to be blessed with the love of our friends and family and I am going to try to get back into the swing of blogging again. Just FYI, my camera is messed up, so pictures may not be as frequent, but I will try to at least post little updates on us. Love you and thanks for still checking in even though I suck!

SUMMER... FINALLY!!!!!!!

So it was pretty hot and humid here today. After Lauren took a super long nap when we got home from Marcia's, we went swimming in the pool. I think Lauren needs a bigger pool. It was kind of cold (the water) but she splashed her hands first, then put her feet in, and then next thing I knew it she was dumping buckets of the water on herself. She had a blast. It's so nice to be outside, doing things together and getting fresh air and sunshine. After swimming, we came inside and dried off and Lauren and I watched a few minutes of hockey since Ryan and Tyler (Marcia's sons) have "taught" her to play hockey. I said, "Oh, Lauren, look! They are playing hockey!" to which she said, "Hockey? Nooooooo." She was so serious that they were most definitely not playing hockey. It was pretty funny.

A cool note for me, I got a job working as a teacher's assistant for summer school this summer. It will be nice because it's only 8am-noon Monday-Thursday and it's only from June 23rd-July 31st. It will be nice to have some extra money coming in. We had to change the date for our Michigan trip, but we are still planning on going, so that is exciting. Only a half day left of school and I'm outta there! :) I got some really thoughtful gifts from the kids/families I work with today and it was kind of overwhelming. The kids at my school are amazing. I wish things would work out so I could stay there. We'll see. Nathaniel is doing well. He is looking forward to us all having more time together now that school is out (me too!). He's been super busy with overtime, and he has been helping out around the house more since I'm supposed to be off of my feet more (doctor said). I really appreciate how hard he works for our family! Hopefully I can work out something cool for Father's Day! He really deserves it!

BUBBLES!!!!!!

Here are some new pictures of Lauren doing what she loves to do best now on lovely, sunny, breezy days... BUBBLES! It's pretty much all she talks about. She has been loving getting to be outside lately and has had fun with her sidewalk chalk, too. She also loves hanging out outside with the babysitter and her sons. Lauren is talking up a storm now and starting to ask and tell the silliest things. Tonight she kept saying "Gracie mowing?" I had mentioned that they had mowed the prairie grass behind our house and I guess Lauren thought Gracie was out doing it. I couldn't get her to understand that Gracie didn't do it. LOL. She's been very huggy lately, too, and is asking for hugs all of the time which is fun. She also had her first "international teleconference" the other day when we did a video call to her friend Claire in the UK. Claire was teaching Lauren the ABC song which was super cool and now Lauren can sing it up to ABCD. :D Thanks, Claire!

The rest of us are all doing well. Only a day and a half more of school for me... WOO HOO! I'm ready to have some Lauren time! We've got some fun things planned for June, so we'll keep you posted!

Skywalker update

I had another doctor's appointment yesterday. It went well. Blood pressure is good, baby's heartbeat was good (in the 150s), and that was pretty much it. My "big" ultrasound is scheduled for June 16th at noon. I have a follow-up appointment with the perinatologist (the Dr. who did my cerclage) on June 9th and my next Dr. appointment is the end of June. Things are looking good. I'm 17-18 weeks now depending on what due date you go by.

Lauren is doing well, although she isn't sleeping the way she usually does. She's been skipping naps which makes for a very hysterical and crabby little girl. Hopefully once school is out (NEXT THURSDAY!!!!) she will get back into a sleep pattern that is a little better.

Fun in the Sun

This weekend we went down to visit family on Sunday. We started out at Grandma Lois' house and Grandma Lori came over to visit too. We had a really nice visit, although Lauren got rather grumpy because she refused to nap! From there, we went over to Uncle Rich and Aunt Linda's to stop in and see Lauren's newest little cousin, baby Parker, for a few minutes. He's adorable and stupid me had no batteries for the camera! I'm telling you, those batteries are the bane of my existence! AUGH! Anyway, then we went and got some Happy Joe's pizza (Taco Supreme!) and went over to Grandma Patsy and Grandpa Richard's to help celebrate Grandpa Richard's birthday. Lauren loved her pizza, and then was so delirious from no sleep that she was up until after 10pm... over 15 hours of no sleep for a 21mo old is not GOOD!!!!! The next morning we got up and got ready for the Memorial Day parade. I took some pictures of Lauren at the festivities and then a few pics from playing in the back yard at Grandma and Grandpa's. She also celebrated the humid heat today with some yummy vanilla ice cream! It feels like summer (although I think tomorrow is supposed to be chilly again...) Lauren started saying "Nathaniel" and "Carey" this weekend which has provided for some good laughs. She's also getting more articulate in saying "Grandma" and "Grandpa" which is good since she has several of those! We're praying she starts sleeping again (she went to bed at 8pm tonight, thank goodness!) Hope everyone had a beautiful day. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow and Nathaniel and I will be back to work (only 8 more days for me!). Lauren's looking forward to spending some more time with Marcia, Mr. Steve and Ryan and Tyler (the sitters) before I am done with school. Take care and have an awesome week! Lauren sends loves to everyone!

Thank you.

I get emotional on Memorial Day. I don't understand war, nor do I think I ever will, and taking a day off to cook out and attend parades in honor of people who have died at war and who are currently fighting seems odd to me when the people fighting don't get a day off. I didn't originally want to go to the parade today, but changed my mind at the last minute and I'm very glad I did. Here is the spot where I'm going to put just a few pictures of things from the day that moved me. The first is of the beginning of the parade with the color guard, the second is of Janet Wehrly, wife of SSG Kyle Wehrly who died in Iraq in 2005 (I went to church with Kyle in high school and ended up finding out we were distant cousins) and the last one is of the boy scouts carrying the flag. I hope everyone, regardless of their view on the war, was able to take time to reflect upon what today meant and the sacrifices that are made by soldiers, spouses, significant others, siblings, parents, children and anyone who may have a veteran/soldier in their life.

Opa!

Well, we went to the Greek Festival at the fairgrounds today. We didn't quite know what to expect, but it was smaller than we thought it would be. There were a few stands selling goods like jewelry, t-shirts, Greek fun stuff, etc, and then there was a large room with Greek folk dancing and music and TONS of food. Lauren really enjoyed watching the folk dancers and got her own dance on and had a blast shouting out "Opa!" every time the emcee did. We had some good food and just enjoyed the sunshine coming in and the cool breeze and each other's company. I took the camera, got it out, and the batteries were dead. I swear those batteries are the bane of my existence. So, sorry no fun Greek festival pics, but I will have Nathaniel charge up some batteries for me so we can take some Memorial day pics.

I haven't been posting much as I am exhausted lately with the craziness of the end of school getting so near. Hopefully as school ends (8 more days!) I will be able to post more. Skywalker is doing well, I have a doctor's appointment on Tuesday. Send me some ultrasound vibes! I want to get my "big" ultrasound scheduled so we can find out if Lauren will have a brother or sister!

Nathaniel is doing well. Work keeps him busy. He is excited to have taken this weekend off and Lauren and I are thrilled to have Daddy home with us. We did bubbles and sidewalk chalk tonight when we got home, so Lauren was definitely ready for bed when 8pm rolled around. Hope everyone has a great Memorial day weekend!