Nemo milkshake

One evening while I was making supper, Trevor decided it would be fun to put his Nemo into my blender. He then proceeded to make the noises that the blender would make. He informed Ray and I that he was making Nemo milkshakes. Of course, they were orange and white and quite delicious.

Anytime he hears the blender running, he takes off to the kitchen like there's no tomorrow just to make sure I'm not putting Nemo in it. Silly boy! Never a dull moment in this house. :)

Party time

Miss G had her party this past weekend. Of course, it had to be all about princesses. The girls loves her princesses. I think the house is now going to explode with all of the princesses.

She loves her pinks and purples.

Trevor had to come investigate the new doll.

A princess purse. So exciting!!

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday dear Gretchen,

Happy birthday to you.

WE LOVE YOU!

5 years ago

5 years ago today my life changed forever. (A GREAT CHANGE)

I remember not sleeping very well the night before. I thought I had an upset stomach and didn't think much of it. I woke up in the morning as if nothing was wrong. I got up and did my cardio like I did everday. I ate some breakfast and took a shower to get ready for work. It was while I was getting dressed that I realized there was no way I was going to make it at work. I called in sick that day. The first time ever. I called Ray at work to let him know I didn't feel good and decided it was best to call a doctor. I called the doctor's office to schedule an appointment. The earliest they could get me in was in 2 weeks. I then proceeded to take a bath (bad mistake). After that I discovered some bleeding. Called the doctor's office again and they could get me in that afternoon.

I couldn't get myself to eat anything for lunch, just wasn't hungry. Drove to the doctor's office to wait for a few minutes. The nurse proceeded to ask me to pee in a cup, that wasn't happening. The doctor then came in to see me. They determined that yes indeed I was pregnant and an ultrasound would have to be done immediately. The ultra sound tech could not find the baby. She was already down and ready to come out. The doctor called an ambulance and I called Ray. Ray left work in Elkhart and flew to Goshen. The doctor arranged for a midwife to ride with me in the ambulance just incase. Julia Gautsche rode in the ambulance with me to the hospital. We found out later that the doctor (who's name I can't remember) turned in his retirement letter the next day.

I was rushed up to the labor and delivery room where the nurses were frantically getting everything ready. Ray made it into the room as I was getting ready to push. The nurses knew right away where to send him since he looked dazed and confused. :) Dr. Vancuren was on duty and the hospital and didn't get a chance to change out of his suit. Nope, Gretchen was ready to come and there was no stopping her.

3 pushes later out came a beautiful and healthy baby. She was immediately given to the pediatric who was in the room for a full checkup. She was just fine. Her parents, however, were still in shock as well as the nurses. Calls were made to parents and workplaces and visitors started coming. As the snow continues to fall outside, I am reminded of that day 5 years ago. Ray left the hospital to go home and check on the dogs and didn't come back for quite awhile. Little did I know we were having a snowstorm.

5 years later she's still full of surprises but will have one of the most interesting birthing stories ever.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRETCHEN

Random tidbits

Things have been quite busy around here lately. Ray just got home from work so mommy gets a few moments of "me" time. :) I figured I'd give you all an update on what's going on around here and other random tidbits.

• Trevor has figured out that the volume/channel and other buttons are on the side of the tv. You may be in a middle of a show and bam it's on something else.


• Trevor's personality has grown leaps and bounds within the past few weeks. He's such a little talker. The terrible two's have set in as well. His new thing lately has been to say "soon." "I'll go wash my hands soon." In other words I'll do it when I'm ready. :)




• Gretchen is going to be a great mommy some day. She just needs to realize it's not time yet. No more yelling and spanking Trevor.


• I've watched Cars enough in the past few weeks to cover me for the rest of my life. Trevor wakes up in the morning and from nap time and wants to watch Cars.


• Gretchen deems it necessary to collect every princess thing made.


• I'm finding it more and more difficult to watch tv with the kids when every commercial is trying to sell them something.


• I'm trying to explain the difference between wants and needs with Gretchen. It's quite difficult.


• I made some bars last week and realized that we go through at least one 18 oz jar of peanut butter a week! Peanut butter sandwiches for the kids and Ray takes them to work most days. Good thing Kroger's had them on sale and I stocked up.


• After having dogs for 6 years, I think I'm more of a fish/turtle owner. I'm tired of the dog hair. Maybe a cat in the future.


• Gretchen is more like me everyday and it's SCARY!!
  


• Everything has to be green for Trevor. Green silverware, green glass, green shirt and green candy. It's all about the tractor color.


• Trevor informed me Saturday morning that he wanted yellow pants for Christmas. He yelled at me again this morning about yellow pants. Crazy kid.


• Ray is working full time at ITC and then going to the rv company for a few hours to help them out which means he doesn't get home til supper. Last week he worked at ITC for 42 hours and then Glacier Bay for 19. I think the kids are handling that better than mommy.


• Gretchen is learning that mommy doesn't buy everything, only if it's on sale. She knows about the yellow and blue signs at Meijer's.


• Trevor loves cheese. I was making supper and he informed me he needed cheese. I gave him some; he ate it and then told me his hand was empty, he needed more.


• Trevor loves to give kisses and hugs. He also tells him stuffed animals that he loves them but refuses to tell Ray, Gretchen or me that he does.


• My kids give the best hugs and kisses!!


• Trevor loves to listen to Keith Urban at bedtime and nap time. At nap time he has this unbelievable ability to know when the CD is over and cries bloody murder as if someone has stolen his music.

Trick-or-Treat

Cinderella (with her Lilo pumpkin) and turtle (with Mator)

It was a chilly evening. We only made it around the block but the kids' bags were half full. They were thrilled and had a blast. She had to put the Mickey Mouse gloves on once we got back to Ray's mom's house.

Time to try out the candy.

Hurry up dad!! Open up that candy.

Good ol'e candy corn. YUMMY!!

Silver Beach

Last Sunday, we ventured up to St. Joseph, MI for a beach day. The kids have never been to a beach and Trevor loves playing in his sandbox at home. We decided since it was going to be over 90 it would be a perfect day for the beach. The water was a little chilly at first but felt great anyways. The kids loved the waves. We spent most of the time in the water jumping over the waves.

This is sand I know exactly what to do with this stuff. I love it!!

You can't go to the beach and not get a sandy bottom. Mommy also got a nice diaper full of sand too. :)

Look at the waves, mom. Let's jump again.

Building together peacefully; a nice change.

It was a nice, relaxing day at the beach. Gretchen is ready to go again. :)

Mr. T turns 2

First off we are all okay. No one has fallen off a cliff; we've just been busy. At the end of June we had a garage sale at our house and now last week and this week it's at Ray's mom's house. Tomorrow the fair starts and the kids are excited about that. Saturday Ray and I get some much needed us time. We're going to Chicago for our BIG concert (Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker and Vince Gill.) We're both thrilled about that. And now on to the exciting pictures. Mr. T turned 2 on the 6th of July. Here are his pictures.

Just look at those big blue eyes. :)

He loves his tractors.

Trying to look innocent.