Our Journey So Far

Haven't slept

2012-01-29T19:51:00.003-05:00

...in 3 days...

because of the super, cute, little guy!
After the 3rd night of Dane waking up around 11 p.m. screaming bloody murder, we finally decided to take him to the emergency room.
After an x-ray of his belly and an enema and follow up x-ray, he is doing much better!
He had what was called an intestinal intusseception--basically his intestines had a 'kink' in them and needed to be straightened out!
Typically, the ER Dr. has to send a pediatric case like ours to Riley Hospital, but we were fortunate that the radiologist came in to do the procedure at 3 a.m.
The Dr. evaluated him today around noon and said everything looked good, and that there is a SMALL chance that this could happen again.
Praying for a full nights sleep!!!

Playing in the bed today at the hospital!
Thanks for all of your kind messages and concerns!!!

Better late than never!

2012-01-25T21:53:00.003-05:00

SEVEN MONTHS OLD!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dane turned 7 months old this past weekend. He wasn't in the best of moods....He wasn't sleeping, eating or feeling well--even ran a fever. My first thought was....teeth? Ears?

Dane is a total mama's boy.
Loves to blow raspberries.
HATES to be left alone.
LOVES when Mia talks to him.
Loves a nice, warm bath.
Hates having his shirts pulled over his head--he kinda freaks out on me.
LOVES to eat.
Has his 2 bottom teeth in!!

Dane has had peas, green beans, carrots and sweet potatoes so far in the vegetable department.
He has had pears, apples, bananas, peaches and applesauce in the fruit department.
We haven't found a food that he doesn't like--yet ;)

He's still nursing....I have been supplementing a bit of formula in his bottles to help him get ready for the transition off of breastmilk--I'm almost ready to be done...(I have a lot of boob issues--mastitis, clogged milk ducts--and I'm sick of fighting it!!) :) My goal is to have him off nursing by March!

He seriously has to MOST beautiful blue eyes....

Happy boy after eating dinner!!!

Chews and drools on EVERYTHING!

Trying to figure out this pincer grasp and self feeding thing.....hmmm. Might need a bit more practice!

And here was Dane on his actual 7 month birthday--sick boy :(

We went to the Dr. first thing this past Monday--and he has ear infection #5.
We go see a specialist in February to talk about the next step....possibly tubes.
We'll see.
Other than that, he's so wonderful!

A day in the life...

2011-12-21T22:37:00.002-05:00

of a cute little (well, not real little) 6 month old baby boy!

6:30 a.m. up to eat.
8:00-9:40 a.m. nap.
9:45 time to eat!

10:00....diaper change AND

Posing for a picture on his changing table

10:30-11:00 playing in my crib while mommy gets rid of all of my clothes that are TOO SMALL!!

11:00 Lunch

11:30 chill on the couch while mommy cleans up the kitchen

12:30 time to eat again.
12:45-1:30 short nap.
1:30-3:00 cuddled with mommy because I had a tummy ache.
3:00-3:30 took a quick nap until I pooped! :)
3:30-5:00 lots of playtime on the floor--practicing sitting like a big boy!

5:00 dinner
5:30-6:30 more playtime!!
6:30 bathtime!
7:00 jammies and time to eat!
7:20 PASSED OUT!

Life is rough when you're 6 months old! :)

Not possible!!

2011-11-21T22:07:00.002-05:00

Dane Alexander is 5 months old today!!!
Time flies where you're busy....
GROWING like crazy!!!

We actually went to see Dr. Reyes today to check on his ear (he had an ear infection at his 4 month well check. After 2 rounds of antibiotics and many sleepless nights, all of the fluid behind his eardrum is gone!)

17.5 lbs of squeezable lovin'

Drools like crazy--but no teeth.

Getting stronger each day!!

Always has some smiles for his mama ;)

....and still love ms. sassy pants to the moon and back.

SORRY

2011-11-02T20:26:00.002-04:00

For the lack of posts!!!
Life is busy!!
But I love it :)

Dane's 4 month stats:
15 lbs 8 oz
26 inches long
ear infection (oops) :(
Totally lovable and a definite mama's boy!
:)
LOVE my little man!

Dane trick or treating at the Walton Library!

And of course--my sweet girl, Mia.
She's so smart, so sweet, and has Quite an attitude ;)

Busy

2011-09-28T21:57:00.003-04:00

I'm a week late posting Dane's 3 month photo shoot we had one morning.
Things have been pretty busy here!
Dane is a wonderful baby.
He's just a little over 14 lbs
Sleeping about 10 hours at night.
FINALLY started taking naps for his sitter.
ROLLED OVER for the first time tonight!
Loves to snuggle with me :)

He's just so sweet, I can't stand it :)

A day late

2011-08-22T21:16:00.002-04:00

Due to a dead camera battery--Dane's 2 month post is a day late!!!!

Here's our little chunk!
Sitting like a big boy in his bumbo seat!

Mia going in for a smooch! (imagine that!)

My babes have the most BEAUTIFUL blue eyes :)

The best smile we could get out of him tonight! Guess his sister got the photogenic gene ;)

see.... :)

Happy 2 month birthday to our sweet, Dane Alexander!
Love you so....

love

2011-08-08T14:07:00.002-04:00

That's it, just love.....

1 day shy of 7 weeks--and has almost doubled his birth weight!

Bath for 2

2011-08-02T20:04:00.001-04:00

This is serious stuff, people.

Juuuuuust kidding! :)

My little loves

...that keep me very busy!

2, 1

2011-07-21T21:05:00.002-04:00

Mia and Dane went to go see Dr. Reyes yesterday for their 2 year and 1 month checkups!!!!
Happy to report that both kids are healthy and growing just like they should!!

Here is Mia on the exam table saying, "cheese!"
She impressed Dr. Reyes with her talking skills and wild memory!

You know, she's SO BIG! :)

And Dane, content as can be. This boy HARDLY ever cries. He's so laid back and has stolen his mama's heart, for sure!!

Definitely doing well nursing. He has chunked up quite nicely!
Weighing in at 9 lbs 13 oz, 21.5 inches long now!
Eating every 3 hours during the day.
Sleeping between 6-7 hours at night!
I'm one happy mama!

It's pretty exhausting doing all this growing!

A baby story

2011-07-13T14:52:00.004-04:00

Just like TLC!

So here is how our sweet baby Dane came into this world......

Monday the 20th I had a doctor's appointment 1st thing in the morning. I was dilated 2-3 cm and 50% effaced. It was my doctor's first day back after his 10 day vacation. Jeremy was kind of bummed because he really didn't want to have to go back to work--he wanted it to be baby time!!! So I told my dr. that I was going to go to bootcamp Monday afternoon--he says, "ok, if you go, I may see you tonight!"

Well, I went to bootcamp. Came home, cooked dinner. I had a lot of contractions while I was working out, but I would usually have a lot when I was at bootcamp. While we were eating dinner, I noticed 4 or 5 pretty good contractions, but nothing really seemed timeable. So we went about our evening....

I had class from 9-10 that night. Was counting my contractions...they were 5 minutes apart, 12 minutes apart, 7 minutes apart. So I thought, bummer....this isn't labor.

10:30 Monday night. We go to bed. I can't get comfortable....feeling more contractions starting up. They were 5 minutes apart for about an hour. 11:30 I get up to go take a warm shower to see if they would go away. JUST as I was getting ready to text my friend and nurse, Cyndi, I get a text from her husband...."if you need cyndi, text my phone-her phone is dead." Crazy. I had her call me, explained my situation and proceeded with my shower. I called her after my shower and said, ok, contractions are 4 minutes apart. She comes over to my house to pick me up and take me up to the hospital to just check and see if this is real labor. (I didn't want to get everyone out of bed at midnight if this was just a false alarm!!!)

We arrive at the hospital around midnight.

Get to my room at 12:15.

We get up to my room and the nurse checks me.

You're 6 cm.

Woah, no way!

The nurse asks Cyndi if she wants to double check.

Cyndi checks me.

Yep, 6 cm!

I call Jeremy....Hey, I'm 6 cm. You might want to get out of bed and get ready to come up to the hospital!

I call my mom, you need to get dad out of bed and have him stay at my house--it's baby time!!

I call my sister--who is just so conveniently up feeding Lynnsey (who is only 13 days old!). I told her I totally understand if she couldn't make it for the delivery --but I REALLY wanted her there!!! (She got to the hospital when I was 8 cm) Phew!!!

Everyone who is supposed to be in the delivery room arrives and I am feeling much more relieved now!!

I make it to 10 cm with my bag of water still in tact!!! My AWESOME dr. makes a special trip to the hospital at 3:00 a.m. to break my water and deliver my 3rd baby! I'm forever grateful for him!

I pushed for about 10-15 minutes and at 3:38 a.m. my 3rd baby, 2nd son, entered this world!

This was, by far, the most relaxing and FUN delivery! (Probably because I was only in labor for 3 hours!)

--Dane Alexander--

VERY proud dad and grandma watch as Dane arrived!

My mom got to cut the cord....I thought that was pretty darn cool :)

Hello sweet, baby boy!

Nanaw even made it up during the wee hours of the night!!!!!

(The hospital has the mommy do kangaroo care immediately after delivery--the best hour of bonding time I have spent, yet! It was so awesome!)

Our family....

although we are -1

I'm soooo very thankful that I have been blessed with 2 beautiful babies with us here and 1 sweet little angel watching over us in heaven.

Little Connor, you would have been one heck of a big brother.

Our family.

June 2011

Welcome

2011-06-22T12:55:00.003-04:00

DANE ALEXANDER HALL

Born 6/21/2011

3:38 a.m.

6 lbs 13 oz

20.5 inches long

He is perfect! We feel so blessed. My heart is filled with so much love.

(and Mia is a pretty awesome big sister!)

Our family is now complete :)

Could it be?

2011-06-16T21:29:00.003-04:00

The last belly shot?!?!

Only time will tell!

All I know...is that I'm ready to meet this little guy!!!

37 weeks!!

I can't wait to come home with our little family and enjoy this new life together.

I'm so very thankful that Jeremy gets a 2 week paternity leave through his work. We will get to enjoy the kids and start another crazy strict routine (because I'm psycho! haha) And start writing the next chapter of our lives.

Hope you keep reading....I'm sure things are going to be fun and interesting with the Hall's :)

....feeling so very blessed.....

.....loving all 3 of my babies.....

2 down

2011-06-09T20:53:00.002-04:00

Jenn and Haley have both delivered--that means, I'm next! :)

Welcome to the world, Lynnsey Dyann Ramer!!!!!!

It was so neat being on the 'other side' this time. Watching Haley give birth was simply amazing.

Love this little gal :)

Proud parents with their newest addition!!!

And one proud mama of 2

Congratulations Haley and Justin. Love you guys!!!!

19 days?

2011-06-02T21:15:00.004-04:00

Ok, so Haley is making me look like a major blog slacker!!! I haven't posted many belly pics this pregnancy--partially because I feel huge and, well, I've just been lazy about it!

Here we are at 35 weeks. According to my latest ultrasound, baby D was measuring a little ahead of schedule--and the tech said that he could be here June 21st. I was 16 days early with Mia. June 21 would make me 16 days early with baby D. SOOOO?? We'll see.

35 week belly with my sweet, Connor James.

35 week belly with my sassy, little Miss Mia

and drumroll, please.....35 week belly with baby D!

All 3 pregnancies have been very similar, yet very different!!! The 3rd has definitely been a little harder on my body, I think. But I am still feeling wonderful. Just normal pregnancy aches and pains of things not moving as quickly as they used to.
I love being pregnant, but I'm also very ready to have my body back :) I miss running and swimming and biking!!! My goal is to be back in shape for the triathlon next June! Let's hope 2 kids, grad school and a full time job will allow for that!

AND--here's a collage :)

The first

2011-05-30T21:44:00.003-04:00

This weekend we traveled to Washington D.C. because Mia and I were in a wedding. This was her first time as a flower girl--and she did AWESOME! :)

She's so grown up-it makes me a little bit sad! She won over the hearts of many on our trip with her bubbly personality and big, blue eyes.

Love this girl so much....

CONGRATULATIONS to Sara and Shawn. What a beautiful wedding--so glad we were able to be a part of it!!!

Guess who?

2011-05-19T19:51:00.002-04:00

Is not getting any smaller?? ;)

33 weeks--measuring about 35 weeks!!

He could be here in about 4-5 weeks! Crazy!

Feeling great! I'll be curious to see what happens when the Dr. checks me at my 36 week appointment--with all of the contractions I have, I'm hoping I'll have dilated and thinned out some by then! I'm thinking mid-June, he'll be here :)
YAY.
So, so excited for this!

31

2011-05-08T20:07:00.004-04:00

belly comparison between Mia and #3!

Had an ultrasound Thursday--baby is weighing in at 4 lbs 7 oz

Could be here around June 22nd!

Sooo ready to meet him!

She

2011-04-28T21:02:00.006-04:00

Is by far the most amazing woman.

The most gentle hands.

The kindest heart.

The most heartwarming smile.

A hug that cures all.

A positive outlook on life.

Non-judgemental.

Great sense of humor.

Made one hell of batch of amish butter cookies.

An animal lover.

A green thumb.

A caretaker.

A follower of Christ.

A daughter.

A sister.

A wife.

A mother.

A grandmother.

An aunt.

A friend.

She's the one. The "Only." Annie.

There's no doubt....

2011-04-24T13:02:00.001-04:00

that these 3 absolutely adore their papaw.

Fills my heart with so much love.

A one time occurrence

2011-04-10T21:19:00.004-04:00

Haley, Jenn and myself (my sis and sis in law) are all three pregnant!!! We are all due within 10 weeks of one another. This is the only time this will probably ever happen!!! (I think Jenn and I are done having kids after these?!?!)

Anyway, it has been so fun being pregnant with these 2 girls! Our kids have an absolute blast together and get along SO well. After these 3 babies are born, my parents will have 7 grandkids all ages 3 and under! WOW! We've been busy ;)

Thanks to my mom, she snapped a few pictures of us girls the other night.

Won't be long and it will just be Haley and myself....Baby Maleigh is coming SOON!!! Can't wait for all of these new babies!

27 weeks!

2011-04-07T21:15:00.003-04:00

HELLO 3rd Trimester!!!

Can you believe it!?! This baby could be here in 13 weeks or LESS!! (I'm guessing less--my other 2 came 2+ weeks early!)

Some interesting tidbits:

--I have gained about 20 lbs. (oopsie)

--I feel like this baby is hanging out LOW in my pelvis.

--Baby is super active all day long and sleeps when I sleep.

--Mia knows she has a baby brother in my belly, told us a couple of weeks ago his name was, "Justin Bieber."

--I have no major complaints! I am probably the pregnant woman everyone hates.

--Still working out 4-5 days a week doing Shelly's bootcamp class.

--The kids at work are actually realizing (as of today) that I'm really having another baby!

--This baby still has no name! We are having a slight disagreement :)

--I think it's so awesome to be pregnant with Haley and Jenn :)

Baby Hall #3 at 27 weeks

Here was the 27 week belly with Miss Mia Can't wait for this next bundle of joy to arrive. Our lives will be crazy busy, but

I wouldn't have it any other way :)

Chicago

2011-04-03T22:10:00.002-04:00

Went to Chicago this weekend for Sara's bachelorette party and bridal shower! We aren't able to get together very often, but when we do, we always have a great time!

Can't wait to head to D.C. in May for the big wedding!!!

Mia's 1st

2011-04-01T21:13:00.002-04:00

1st time holding a REAL baby, "baby camera". (Camryn Lowry) :)

She was very gentle, very interested. Not too terribly jealous! Checking with mommy to make sure things were ok.

Admiring this precious little life.

It melted my heart to see how awesome she did with a tiny baby.

Also calmed my fears a bit, too. :)

She's going to be the best big sister!

And I can't wait!

The best

2011-03-29T21:30:00.002-04:00

sister and friend a girl could ever ask for.

Plus, she makes a mean cupcake ;)

3

2011-03-28T21:55:00.003-04:00

3 years ago today at 8:54 a.m., Jeremy and I welcomed the most beautiful baby boy into this world. Just an hour later, we had to say goodbye.
They say time heals, but today seemed just as hard....like when the nurses took him from our room for the last time.
I hate that we have to visit him at the cemetery.
I hate that we don't get to have a party and buy him the coolest new toys.
I hate that I have a very empty spot in my heart.
I hate that he's not here with our family making memories.
I love knowing he has lots of friends in heaven he can play with.
I love that he will take extra special care of his sister and unborn brother.
I love when his pinwheel spins next to his headstone.
I love Connor, his sister, his brother and especially his father.

Happy 3rd birthday up in heaven, my son. We love and miss you dearly.

The one and only

2011-03-24T19:35:00.002-04:00

Annie.

She's heavy on my heart.

Praying she is healed. She's the most amazing woman, ever.

Love you, Only Annie.

Spring break!

2011-03-21T13:35:00.004-04:00

Doesn't matter that we're not in Florida like the rest of Logansport....as long as I'm with her all week, I'm happy :)

Maybe next year we will get to go with our friends and enjoy the warm Florida beaches!

Love her

2011-03-13T20:49:00.001-04:00

so much, it hurts.

She's READY!

2011-03-10T20:17:00.003-05:00

2 days, 5 potty stickers! She has YET to go potty at home for her mommy or daddy, but she will potty at Nina and Poppy's!

So I ordered her some potty training pants. I'm skipping the pullups. I think they're a waste of money. And I mean come on, how CUTE are these!? ;) haha

My little girl is growing up, sigh. But she's soooo much fun and she makes her daddy and mommy so proud and oh, so happy.

My Family = love.

Here we go again.

2011-02-27T21:11:00.002-05:00

We went to a beautiful wedding for Melissa and Billy this weekend. CONGRATS!

Mia LOVED the "princess" and the sparkles on her dress ;)

She danced the night away!
Showin' up her dad's moves!

And making her mama and papa so, very proud!

THEN, Then.....we wake up in the middle of the night and spend 3 hours in the ER because Mia was having troubles breathing.....after bloodwork and a chest x-ray, she has pneumonia, AGAIN.

We. Can't. Win.

Pure Joy.

2011-02-24T20:08:00.002-05:00

She's a perfect mix of both of us. Sometimes she favors her daddy's looks, other times, she a spitting image of her mama :)

Love, love, love.

Family

2011-02-20T13:20:00.002-05:00

Although it was still a bit chilly yesterday, it was so heartwarming watching all of our kids play together. The love that my parents have instilled in us is definitely carrying on to our children. They love each other so much, and days like yesterday make me so thankful for my parents and sister and brother...and the crazy, close-ness we've got. I think we're one of a kind ;)

The looks on their faces, well, it just says it all....

I can't wait until summertime when these 3 fish can swim together at mimi and papaw's :)

Time flies....

2011-02-17T21:40:00.003-05:00

when you're having a smooth, happy, healthy pregnancy! :) (sorry Haley!)

The ever growing baby bump #3 at 20 weeks! (Feel free to cue Bon Jovi's Livin' on a prayer)

I'm amazed every day. This sweet little baby growing inside of me....kicking, rolling, dancing, swimming. He's the first thing I feel when I wake up and the last thing I feel when I go to sleep. I sure hope he calms down once he arrives, or I may be in trouble! :)

Pregnancy is going great! I've been a little bit of a bad eater. I'm a bottomless pit right now. I think I think about food more than I think about anything. I've put on 10 lbs so far. I started at 130 and weighed 140 this morning. Only 1 lb is baby, oops! :) I started at 142 with Mia and only gained 23 lbs. My goal is to not gain over 30.....we shall see!? I guess the numbers really don't matter, I'm growing a healthy baby and that's really all I care about, truly.

I have just a little over a month before my spring break--and do I have some MAJOR plans!

1. Potty training Mia. I think she's more than ready, but waiting for a good week to hang out at the house in some big girl undies.

2. Painting Mia's room. She's graduating to a more "big girl" style. I'm thinking a light purple or a yellow (since that seems to be the only color she knows) or maybe both? :)

3. Getting baby #3's room ready. Taking the bed and dresser out. Moving the changing table and crib (maybe). No painting in his room, it's already a pretty yellow color and that will be good--especially when we give him a big boy "purdue room" :)

4. Testing out Mia in a toddler bed. I'm going to attempt for a couple of nights and see how things go. She has no desire to climb out of her crib, so if the toddler bed doesn't work, then she's staying in her crib and we will put the pack and play in place of the crib for now!

5. Spending some quality time with my Mia. I hate leaving her everyday to go to work. She fills my life with love and she holds a very special spot in my heart!

So it will be a busy week of painting, moving beds and furniture, lots of trips to the potty, and lots of loving on my Mia! I CANNOT wait!

John Mayer - Heart of Life (Acoustic)

2011-02-16T21:14:00.000-05:00

Good song.
Love turns the whole thing around.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-14T00:00:00.000-05:00

The ONLY time Mia will be seen in red and white ;)

Will you be my Valentine??
She's my valentine ;) and so is her daddy, too.

No fun

2011-02-12T12:49:00.002-05:00

My baby, well she's actually becoming mommy's big girl, is sick. And it is No. Fun. It first started back in January, had a head cold for two weeks. It got better the week we got snowed in and we were home for a few days. Then it came right back, worse than before. After Mia spiked a fever at Nina and Poppy's, I decided we had better get her in to see Dr. Reyes to see what was going on. (I'm thinking, they're just going to tell me it's a viral cold and to do the normal routine we had done before.)

We got in the Dr. that very next morning. To my surpise, she looks up at me and says......yikes, Mia has pneumonia! I was SHOCKED! And to top it off, she has a double ear infection, too! UGH! Talk about feeling like mother of the year!

Thank goodness I stuck with my intuition and took her in to see the Dr. I didn't want to be one of those parents who takes her kid to the Dr. with every sniffle, but I just had a feeling this time around.

Needless to say, I've been a nervous wreck every night I put her down. I can't even tell you how many times I go in at night to check on her when she's coughing or crying in a pitiful cry..."moooooooooooooooommmmy" Hopefully when we got back to the Dr. next week her lungs will be clear and her ear infections will be getting better!

She's been a trooper and take her medicine like a champ.

Love you my baby girl!

This happens to be one of my favorites....she's totally looking like her mama here. Those big blue eyes and that sweet innocent face ;)
Can't wait till she's back to 100% and cheesin it up for me. Although, I'll take her clingy-ness to me for nowbecause I'm sure she'll be back to running and doing everything on her own!

Love you my sweet little gal!

Relief

2011-02-04T08:55:00.003-05:00

This, my friends, is a BEAUTIFUL umbilical cord placement directly in the center of the placenta!!! That was first and foremost for the ultrasound. Once I saw this, I could breathe a little easier.

Here is our little BOY waving hello! :)

Nice side profile
Sucking his thumb.

I am so relieved that we had an amazing ultrasound. No findings to worry us at all. We have a healthy little boy coming late June/early July I presume! Actual due date is 7/7/11, but chances of delivering on that day, well, is pretty slim to none!

Time to dig out some of the boy clothes we have leftover and do a little shopping :)

Thanks for all of the happy thoughts and prayers. We feel so blessed to have another little boy to add to our family!

Celebrating, Connor James. 3/28/08

2011-02-01T10:19:00.005-05:00

A day that has forever changed me. My heart still hurts, my anger is still there. My love for my son will never fade.

But this year, we are here to celebrate the lives of all of the precious babies who have left their parents all too soon.

Come out and celebrate your child's life on March 27, 2011 at 3:00 p.m.

(details below)

Here is what we are doing to celebrate our little man's birthday this year. And we would like to invite all grieving parents out for a community balloon release to remember their babies as well.

Here is the information:

Too many babies are lost each year. Too many babies go forgotten. Too many parents are left with an empty heart and a life full of grief.

Jeremy and I are organizing a community wide balloon release for ALL parents who have lost a child. A miscarriage, stillbirth, infant death, disease, trauma, accident, etc. A child should never leave this earth causing pain for his/her parents. We want to make a day for all parents to come tog...ether and remember their precious babies/children. Each parent that sends us the name and date of loss of the child (if it was a miscarriage, just the date-unless you have named the loss) and you will receive a balloon to release in honor of your loved one. There will be no charge.

We wanted to do something special again to remember our son, Connor James. His short time with us has affected us forever. Grieving is such a long and hard process to go through alone. Meeting people who have gone through something simliar has helped us in grieving Connor's death. By having a day for all of us grieving parents to come together may open up the opportunity for someone else to meet another set of parents who share a smiliar situation.

Feel free to invite any family members or friends out to the event to help you celebrate the life of your child. Support from family and friends will help you on this day.

Hoping to share this special day with other parents. Thank you in advance for those who are willing to participate!

If you would like a balloon to release in memory of you child, please leave me a comment or send me an email to:
loganballoonrelease@yahoo.

Please have your child's name, birthday and name of the parents submitted to me by March 15, 2011 so that we can have an accurate balloon count.

THANKS!

Hello baby!

2011-01-29T10:45:00.001-05:00

amazing how much it can change in just over a week!!!

Filled with love

2011-01-25T19:45:00.003-05:00

all because of my beautiful daughter. Seriously, seriously love her......

"cause everything I do, I do it for you"

"Bump" Collage

2011-01-20T14:49:00.004-05:00

(not sure why it's so blurry, but if you click on it, the quality is better)

Post Bath Baby (Big girl)

2011-01-18T21:16:00.003-05:00

My sweet (most of the time) Mia, right after bath.

She sat on daddy's seat and said cheese for me:)

I said, show me your funny face....this is what I got!

I love her to the moon and back. I can't wait to be able to love another one just as much!
Funny Mia: every night in the bath, when I'm washing Mia, we go over all of her body parts. Face, mouth, cheeks, ears, elbows, knees, back, belly, armpits, hands, legs, feet, butt, vagina. I'm all for her learning the correct names of everything. She was so darn cute tonight....we were doing our normal washing routine and she looks at me and says, "butt" and "baginey" (vagina). It was so cute that I just had to share. Some may think it's inappropriate, but every chance we are together, I try to make it worthwhile so that she can learn something. And now, she knows her anatomical parts.....even if the pronunciation isn't quite right ;)

My New Year's Celebration.

2011-01-05T21:51:00.002-05:00

Mom, dad, Haley, Justin, Jayden, Blaine, Jenn, Brennan, Mia and myself all started the night off at the Pizza King in Flora! It was good and I ate WAY TOO much pizza and garlic bread!

Here the kids are "sitting" so nicely... (notice mine is the only one not sitting!)

This picture was requested by Brennan. He wanted to be in the middle with his cousins ;)

Brennan--letting us know we have only 1 minute until midnight! hehe

Toasting in the New Year with our sparkling grape juice! (Bren says, mommy said I can't drink this)

And we got this accomplished all before...

8:30! :)

busy

2010-12-30T13:35:00.003-05:00

We had a busy Monday and Tuesday!!!!

Monday we went and had an overnight with Maria!

Tuesday Mia and Fletcher exchanged gifts and played :)

Mia hammed it up for me.
Then cleaned out her nose.
.....and here is the belly at 13 weeks. Heading into the 2nd trimester!! WOW!

haven't really "popped," but I do feel a little bit thicker around the waist!!!!

18 month pics-a week early.

2010-12-28T20:42:00.003-05:00

A troublesome photoshoot, these were the best 2 shots ;)

(Aunt Kate, is Mia a "mini-maddi" in the first picture??)

Motherly instinct....

2010-12-26T21:04:00.002-05:00

Mia got a baby (with accessories) from her mimi and papaw for Christmas. It giggles and cries, too. When she plays with her baby, it is so stinkin' cute to watch her take care of her.

I think she's going to be a GREAT big sister :)

We may have to have a talk about how Mia won't be able to drink out of the little one's bottle....

and that the new baby will not be taking naps in the crisper in the fridge ;)

Ohhh my sweet, sassy Mia...mommy loves you!

In a year....

2010-12-21T21:28:00.001-05:00

She has changed SO much.

And I have loved every second.

So blessed to have this sweet one in my life. She'll never know how much she has helped mend my heart.

'tis the season

2010-12-19T21:49:00.002-05:00

It was hard enough trying to get these 3 to pose. Can you imagine next year when there are SIX!?!?!?! :)

I may be a little biased.....but dang, do we make some cute kids ;)

Details

2010-12-16T23:01:00.002-05:00

Baby Hall #3 has a due date of July 7, 2011. Sound Familiar? It should! It's MIA'S BIRTHDAY!! How did we plan that? Very carefully ;) Haha, as it turns out, we didn't plan it. It's just fate!

Based on my last 2 pregnancies/deliveries--I'm guessing this baby will come in late June. I tend to go a couple of weeks early, and still have healthy sized babes :)

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I'm 11 weeks, have gained 2 lbs, and can still button all of my pants :)

So far, so good!

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I'll post a belly pic when it decided to pop...give it a couple more weeks!

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Thanks for all of the congrats!

My girl.

2010-12-15T20:07:00.001-05:00

...or maybe girls??? We shall see! ;)

Like mother, like daughter.

2010-12-13T20:35:00.003-05:00

...this picture needs no caption....

Christmas 2010

a different view

2010-12-11T23:16:00.000-05:00

ahhhhhh.......

2010-12-10T13:28:00.002-05:00

Christmas :)

The 3 of us are going to have a lot of fun Christmas morning. As Mia would say, "HOORAY!"

Love her.

2010-12-07T14:58:00.000-05:00

Flashback

2010-12-06T22:41:00.004-05:00

Seriously.....who has awesome themed birthday parties like this?

Answer: THE DEETERS!

Happy 40th ERICA!!!!!

My Birthday

2010-11-16T21:45:00.002-05:00

I had a wonderful birthday today! :)

Got flowers at work.

Received every type of reeses made from a great group of gals I work with! YUM
Got a really beautiful gift from Jeremy--I may have him go back and get another one because I love it so much!

Playing with my favorite baby girl tonight.

This must be her "Happy Birthday Mommy" face...

Thank you everyone for making my day special!

Halloween

2010-11-01T22:06:00.001-04:00

That's our lil ladybug. She LOVED trick or treating. She caught on to it very quickly ;)

I'm ready!

2010-10-28T20:27:00.002-04:00

For the craft sale in November!!!

3 other girls and myself are renting a booth at the craft fair! I'm selling infant-3 month headbands and hats!!! Of course, the headbands can fit larger, but the hats probably won't be big enough past 3-5 months, I would guess.

I hope we are all successful!! The profit from my portion is going to go into the vasa previa account for a donation in March for Connor's bday.

So BUY BUY BUY!! :)

THIRTY

2010-10-21T13:16:00.002-04:00

I would say HAPPY 30th Birthday to my beautiful sister, but she has the flu on her stinking birhtday :(

So we will just say ______ Birthday HALEY!

We will have to celebrate on Saturday when she's feeling better :)

LOVE YOU SISTER!

Car ride

2010-10-19T19:35:00.003-04:00

Mimi, Papaw, Mama, Dada

Ohhh do I love her so....

Day of Remembrance

2010-10-15T22:06:00.004-04:00

I remember Connor's birth day every single day. Today my heart felt extra full of love for my sweet baby boy, knowing that there is a special day to remind everyone to remember all of the babies that are taken away from their mothers and fathers all too soon.

I miss him more than words can explain.

I hope Mia knows how special she is......having this little guy watching over her every second of every single day.

...sometimes I wonder if she already knows......

My baby

2010-10-10T21:43:00.003-04:00

Is 15 months old...

Has the most contageous smile and laugh
Is beautiful inside and out....

Knows how to get what she wants ;)

and has my whole heart-forever.

She's my baby. I love her. And she's getting SO BIG!

"Combine"

2010-10-05T20:16:00.002-04:00

This one is for Uncle Justin :)

Ponytail

2010-09-28T19:23:00.002-04:00

It's small, but it's a cute little ponytail!!

My almost 15 month old going on 5.
I see a bit of her mama here :)

She sang a song all the way home from the Y tonight. The words? All "mama" at various pitches, it was way too cute....and I SO wish I would have had my video camera with me!

family

2010-09-22T22:21:00.000-04:00

without them, I'd be nothing...

She's everything.

2010-09-17T22:52:00.000-04:00

1st Family Vacation to Florida

2010-09-15T21:32:00.002-04:00

We took a vacation to Naples, FL Labor Day week/end. We went to visit my cousin, her husband and their little girl. We had such a great time visiting, laughing and doing a lot of NOTHING :)

Here we are at sunset

Jeremy and Mia on Lincoln Ave in Miami, FL

Mommy and Mia in Miami :)
Holding on to Mia for dear life at the beach. She's her father's daughter (still hates the sand and ocean!)

I think it's safe to say that Mia enjoyed miss Macy :) She's not pinning her in a wrestling match here, she just wanted a big smooch so she sat on top of her to get one!

Minus the CRAPPY flights we had, it was a great trip! No more flying until May when we head to Washington D.C. for my best friend's wedding!

Happy (4 years!) Anniversary!

2010-09-02T10:18:00.003-04:00

4 years of marriage.

2 beautiful babies

He's a great husband, father, singer, jokester, actor, announcer. You name it, he's pretty good at it :)
Love you Jeremy!

To many more exciting, funfilled years with you and our beautiful little family!

9/2/2010

man

2010-08-30T22:31:00.003-04:00

I love this girl.

Already looking forward to a break from work....if only there weren't any bills to pay!

It's almost time

2010-08-28T22:27:00.002-04:00

For some PURDUE FOOTBALL!!!

I can't wait to see Mia's face when we take her into the stadium this year! :)

She will be attending as many games as we can get her into this year....she's gotta learn early!

Happy

2010-08-11T22:08:00.002-04:00

because of these 2.

He loves

2010-08-10T20:49:00.002-04:00

to swim!

ready.
set.

SPLASH!

watch out michael phelps.

Mia's 1st

2010-08-08T21:47:00.003-04:00

Trip to the zoo!

Cincinnati Zoo on Saturday and then we are heading to the Indianapolis Zoo on Thursday :)

Pregnancy

2010-07-30T20:24:00.002-04:00

Pictures.

I took some pregnancy pictures for a friend of a friend. She's glowing with pregnancy beauty and made me totally jealous of her belly :) We had so much fun and now I cannot wait to meet her little Lilli!

It's time....

2010-07-28T11:53:00.002-04:00

To say goodbye to the pacifier!!

We have successfully completed one full day and one full night paci-free! Naptime and bedtime aren't nearly as easy as they once were.....Instead of going right to sleep, she cries for 5-10 minutes. It's heartbreaking, but I can't send my 5 year old to school with a paci! :) It will only get harder the longer I let her have it, so we just decided to do this cold turkey!

I hope she learns a new way of self-soothing real soon....her cries are pretty pathetic, but I have been able to resist the urge to go get her out of bed and plug her up with her paci! Wish us luck!

12 month checkup

2010-07-20T13:53:00.002-04:00

Great report from Dr. Reyes for Mia's 12 month wellness checkup!

20 lbs 7 oz

30 inches long

No more bottle.

No more baby food.

Working, well thinking about, getting rid of the pacifier! :)

She showed off for Dr. Reyes with her sign language, walking, fine motor skills and talking. Jeremy told Mia to say 'doctor' and it came out pretty clear! She was impressed!

Here are some pictures of Mia waiting for the Dr. to come in!

South Haven, MI

2010-07-20T13:38:00.003-04:00

Jeremy, Mia and I, along with Justin, Haley and Jayden, all took a trip to South Haven, Michigan. This is the first of many multi-family vacations to South Haven! We absolutely love it there! Hopefully mom and dad and Blaine, Jenn and Brennan will join us next year :)

The kids got along great and had tons of fun together!

We enjoyed each others company. Sitting on the deck having a few drinks, riding bikes, hanging outon the beach and playing some scrabble!

Daddy admiring his beautiful little girl.

Beautiful sunset.

Family pic on the beach--Mia HATES the sand :(

At dinner at a fabulous Italian restaurant.

After breakfast at the Phoenix Street Cafe!

Mommy & Mia!

Our family...watching the beautiful sunset.

....until next year, South Haven.

Seven/Seven

2010-07-07T21:21:00.005-04:00

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIA!!!!!!

What a beautiful year it has been watching my daughter grow, and learn many new things that she has learned from her daddy and mommy.
She's got a LOT of personality :)

Won't let anything get in her way.

Loves Dora, the dogs, eating crackers and stealing daddy's remote control!

We celebrated her actual birth Day at her mimi and papaw's house. We had yummy sandwiches from hometown pizza and cake.

We tried....again....to get her to eat her cake.

Apparently, she doesn't want anything to do with it.

Really could care less about the yummy chocolate cake.

Not even a taste. She would rather...

Watch her cousins demolish her cake!

SO GOOD!

Mia's birthday ended with a sleepy car ride home from Walton. Then mommy sat in the chair and held her for awhile and watched her sleep. Just like I did 1 year ago. She's pretty much, well, perfect.

A year ago.

2010-07-06T22:27:00.002-04:00

I became a mom, again.

We became a family, again.

And without all of these special people in the delivery room.....

My mom...
My sister...

My favorite OB nurse, Cyndi...

walking the hallway all day long

...and most importantly, my husband.

Without them, I couldn't have done it. So thank you.

A year ago my awesome baby girl was born. And she has forever changed our lives. And it's awesome.

Happy Birthday, Mia.

Mommy and Daddy love you so very much.

Happy 4th of July!

2010-07-06T19:40:00.001-04:00

It was a crazy busy 4th of July weekend, more pictures to come :)

Enjoying.....

2010-06-29T22:50:00.004-04:00

Life. Summer. My awesome daughter. The park.

She's just amazing.

Mudathlon

2010-06-28T20:53:00.002-04:00

We traveled to Anderson this past weekend to participate in a "Mudathlon" :) It was such a great time with a great group of girls! I think our next one, we will include our husbands!

There were all kinds of obstacles and 3.5 miles of running!

This one scared me the most

Getting a big hug from my muddy friend, Shelly :) She dove face first into the mudpit, I crawled!

I think there is another one in the fall in South Bend. Count me IN!

Whenever I'm feeling down....

2010-06-21T12:37:00.003-04:00

I just have to pull up these pictures.

Because she lights up my life like nothing I can explain.

Jeremy and I have been swept off of our feet :)

If you give a pig a pancake

2010-06-17T23:23:00.004-04:00

...that is one of my favorite books :) Although she's not a pig, she has the cutest little piggytails EVER. And boy does she love her banana, oatmeal, chocolate chip pancakes!

Seriously so in love with this sweet little gal!

I mean really....like sooo in love.

and I get to get these big blue eyes out of bed every morning....

and kiss on this sweet little face everyday....

and wonder what she could possibly be thinking about...

and...well, give her an occasional bath :)

Feeling.....

2010-06-10T22:25:00.001-04:00

loved.

Pretty sure I'll cherish this moment forever :)

11 months!

2010-06-08T07:39:00.002-04:00

My baby is 11 months old. She's cute, she's sassy, loves kisses, is learning to throw fits, wants to be more independent than she should be and is LOVING all of the time she's getting to spend with mommy over the summer :)

I think she would take this spiderman 4 wheeler to bed with her if she could!

Later guys, I'm outta here!

Oh those chubby cheeks and beautiful blue eyes....
Clap, clap, clap!! :)

So fun, mommy!!!!

Time to start preparing and organizing her 1st birthday party!

A visit

2010-06-01T15:12:00.003-04:00

To seeMia's GREAT Only Annie!

Walked around everywhere!

Played on the slide!

Sat on the swing with Only Annie!

Jumped on the trampoline!
Fed the fish some bread! & Enjoying time with great family!

=) Summer

4

2010-05-21T22:45:00.002-04:00

.....4 more days of work until I get to spend the WHOLE summer with my babe. Everyday with her. All. Summer. Long.

I wanted last summer to go by quickly so I could hold her in my arms. This summer I don't want to end!!!!

10 months, a few days late!

2010-05-11T22:46:00.003-04:00

2 more months until my baby turns ONE! AH!

Guess that means it will be time for another! ;)

Little miss Mia at 10 months old!

We were hanging out at my friend, DeAnna's house!

Mia kissing on Fletcher! (6 months!)

I think she loves him :)

BIG DAY!

2010-05-02T19:12:00.005-04:00

My sweet little girl :)

My sweet little girl....

WALKING!

GO MIA, GO!

Deep

2010-04-24T10:33:00.002-04:00

A book every mother who has lost a baby should read....

I have learned a lot in the past 2 years.

I wear a pair of shoes that I want to throw out. This pair of shoes will never leave me. I have learned to live with a new "normal", whatever that may be. Each day is a new day filled with love, hope, smiles, laughter,anger, frustrations, tears and sorrow. I have been reading Angie Smith's book, I Will Carry You. She wrote a book about her daughter, Audrey, who died shortly after she was born. With Angie's story, she knew that her daughter wasn't going to live, and instead of terminating the pregnancy, she carried her. She carried her daughter so that she and her husband could meet her and let Audrey's sisters meet her. She wears the same pair of shoes I wear. A lot of other mothers wear these shoes, too. And it wasn't until we lost Connor did I realize how many moms have to walk in them. every. single. day. We are all part of a club that noone wants to belong to. A club we all wish we could leave. A club for moms whose babies have died. Reading Angie's story has opened up a whole bunch of emotions that I realized I have been sweeping under the rug. I wake up, put on my happy face, go to work and get through the day. Some days it feels like it's all I can do--get through the day. Another day without my son. Another day trying to feel normal again. Normal. I don't think I will ever know what that's like anymore. I try to be the old me. But something is missing. My sweet boy.
I ask the question everyday. Why. Why me. Why didn't this happen to an unfit mother who was on drugs her entire pregnancy? I know. It's not right. But I feel like I'm still searching for answers. God needed another angel just isn't cutting it for me. I feel like if I knew why this happened, I could find some closure. But I'll never know. All I know is that it happened and I don't think it's fair. Not fair at all. But apparently, life isn't fair. I am pretty sure my parents taught me this at a young age. And I'm just now realizing how unfair it really is.
This isn't a post for you to feel sorry for me or to make someone reading it upset. It's a post for me to get out my anger and frustrations; my feelings (that I apparently haven't been dealing with head on). I've been bottling it up, and I'm afraid if I don't let some of it out now, I'm going to have to pay the price. I want to be a good mom, wife and friend. And I feel like I'm not doing the best job I can do right now. I feel like I'm at the deep end of a pool, on my tiptoes, with my mouth just skimming the surface. I want to be on top, breathing easily.
If only I could turn back time. For another hour to hold and look at him.
Angie listed all of the things that she wouldn't be doing with her Audrey. And it dawned on me...All of the things that Jeremy and I had planned and couldn't wait to do with Connor. We planned for 9 months. He won't say his first words. He won't take his first steps. He won't dip his feet in the ocean for the first time. He won't get to wave to us from the bus on his first day of kindergarten. We won't get to see him score his first goal or point, or win his first race. We won't get to teach him how to drive. We won't send him off to his first prom. He won't become a Boilermaker. He won't get married. And we won't get to meet his grandkids. All of these things that we sat and dreamt about.....all of our hopes.
We have new hopes, new dreams. But it's hard to dream about the future. That constant fear. I can't lose another baby. I can't physically and emotionally do that again. I was ready to hold Mia in my arms from the moment I saw that positive line. It was really hard to get excited though. So I almost feel like she's missing out.... It's not fair to her either. I don't want to plan for everything. I've learned that what you plan, well, it doesn't always work out like you had planned it. I had to learn the hard way. And it totally sucks.
Don't get me wrong from reading this. Mia lights up my life and makes me smile. She has definitely landed a huge spot in this broken heart of mine. She's perfect and exactly what I need. But she makes me miss him more. She makes me wonder about Connor. And this wonder makes me sad.

But this. This beautiful, blue eyed little girl. She makes me so very happy. I can't wait to tell her all about her big brother.

Love you sweet baby girl.

Blue

2010-04-17T21:38:00.002-04:00

Eyes.

At least she is taking after me with this one. :) (and her feet and fingers) :)

Welcome

2010-04-17T21:22:00.003-04:00

Quinn Brookelyn Roberts!

Congratulations Mike, Rachael & Fallen!

She's beautiful!

It never

2010-04-17T20:54:00.002-04:00

....gets old listening to this.

:)

2010-04-13T21:01:00.001-04:00

you can only imagine

2010-04-11T21:14:00.002-04:00

what I have been doing in my free time. (I'm on a break from classes until May) :)

There's no love

2010-04-09T23:22:00.002-04:00

like the love a mother has for her child.....

Next appointment will be

2010-04-07T20:41:00.004-04:00

at her 12 month checkup? WHAT!!!

No way is my baby 9 months old!!!

18lbs 7oz

27 3/4 inches long (seriously a hair shy of 28-she wouldn't give it to her!) :)

Growing in the 50%ile in both height and weight curves!

This face....she cracks me up and lights up my life!

Her alltime favorite snack..

I have the best job in the whole world, taking care of my sweet babe.
Paging Dr. Reyes....we are ready for our checkup!

9 amazing months with the sweetest, most awesome little girl, that brings her daddy and I more happiness than we could ever have dreamed of.

Thank goodness I only have 6 1/2 weeks of work left. Then Mia and mommy have 11 full weeks to spend every second of every day loving and learning from each other. Hurry summer, hurry!

2

2010-03-28T21:17:00.006-04:00

I didn't spend the day working out details for a birthday party. I didn't get to watch my son blow out his candles. I didn't get to watch my son unwrap his presents. It's his birthday and it's not fair that he's not here. I made it through the day, but it was hard. It was especially hard when we went to visit him. I shouldn't have to go to the cemetary to visit my son on his birthday. It shouldn't be like this, but it is what it is and I have to deal with this everyday, every birthday. I'm angry, sad, upset, heartbroken, jealous, but I'm also proud. Proud to be the mother of a beautiful boy who has changed my life forever.

Happy Birthday to my sweet baby boy on his 2nd birthday.

Definitely miss you......

My new bracelet from my parents...

A little gift for Mia from her mimi and papaw..

Visiting Connor tonight.

His little sister will never know how much she means to us....

A day I will remember and relive forever and ever....

I love you baby.

Mommy and daddy miss you and long to hold you just one more time...