Two VandenBergs make Three (and now 4!)

Blake Michael

2011-06-08T10:42:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the world, Blake Michael VandenBerg!!

(Named after my Dad, of course :-)

We decided not to tell anyone except our parents that we were having our baby on Monday, May 23rd. So on that morning, at 5:30AM, we left our house in anticipation of having a c-section at 7:30. We got to the hospital and got all hooked up to IV's and monitors and in no time, we had another baby boy in our arms! Blake Michael came into the world at 7:54AM. He was 8 pounds 13 ounces, 22 inches long. He had a healthy set of lungs too!! Steve and I spent a few hours with him on our own and then at about 10AM we called our parents and they came up to see him. I was VERY out of it until about 3PM when I started to feel semi-normal. We called our friends and just enjoyed sitting with our new little boy.

Charlie came up to the hospital with my mom and at first, he wasn't sure what to think. I think that he was a little scared because I was in a hospital bed and had IV's in and I didn't look quite right to him. He came up again the next day and then he wanted to hold him and touch him. He's been great with him ever since! We are such a happy little family! I think that these two boys are going to be great friends!

On thursday, we got to take Blake home. It was a little nerve-racking thinking about taking on another little life, but it has been great. Charlie is a little impatient with me cause I'm always feeding Blake. Well, I feel like I'm always feeding him :-) But I think in time, Charlie will be fine. Grandma Gallup has been great in helping me out too. She'll come and take Charlie on bike rides and to play with her so I can have a little peace during the day. I'm VERY thankful for that! By the end of this summer, he'll probably be glad for me to go back to work so that he has someone to play with other than me!

Thanks to everyone for their prayers and well wishes during and after this pregnancy. It was a hard one, much different than Charlie, but in the end...it was totally worth it!

A picture for you

2011-05-20T08:46:00.000-04:00

Pics from an ultrasound I had a few weeks ago. These pictures look just like Charlie's ultrasound pictures! They estimated 8lbs 6oz, give or take a pound. They also told me that the baby has tons of hair! I'm looking forward to meeting him/her!

Counting Down the Days

2011-05-19T23:10:00.001-04:00

I haven't blogged much about this pregnancy and I can tell you why. I don't think that I ever wanted to admit that I was pregnant, or to get my hopes up! Well, I can tell you now that I am for sure having another baby and it's due in less than a week!! We didn't find out what we are having, and I'm DYING to know! Everyone is guessing and about 80% of people say it's a girl. I change my mind on a daily basis. I don't really care what I have, as long as it's healthy.

Everyone has said that every pregnancy is different and that is an understatement. My pregnancy has been not only different, but completely opposite.

With Charlie:
I had NO morning sickness. None. Not even a gag.
I had horrible back pain, starting at around 16 weeks.
I gained a TON of weight, and I showed it. I like to say I was "a house".
My wedding ring didn't fit as of January 27, and I was due April 3.
I slept awesome and never got up to pee.
I never worried about a thing

With this one:
I had nasty morning sickness, even as of one week ago I still took Zophran.
I had some back pain, but it went away around 20 weeks (Thank the Lord.)
I have gained weight, but I "don't look pregnant from the back" which makes me smile :-)
I'm still wearing my wedding ring and no, I didn't get it re-sized.
I sleep like crap, and get up to pee probably 2 times each night.
I am a complete worry wart this time, but I think I have good cause.

That makes me think that this one is a girl, but I don't want to get my heart set on one, cause I really truely don't care which one it is. I hope to get a girl someday, but if this one isn't I won't be heartbroken. I've been measuring big almost this whole pregnancy even asking if there is more than one in there (which I've been told there is NOT) I'm scheduled for a c-section but my OB says I could go on my own. I find that hard to believe since, with Charlie, I didn't go on my own no matter what we tried! Even at the end in the hospital, I still didn't do anything on my own.

I'm getting to the stage where I think, "Whoa, this is really happening" I'm going to have 2 kids in a week or so, and that is scary! How can I possibly love this baby as much as I love Charlie? I don't want Charlie to feel neglected but being 3, I don't know if he'll understand that I'm pretty much tied to this baby for a while. I hope he adjusts well, but you never can tell.

I can't wait to meet this little miracle and finally tell everyone if I get another son or a daughter!!

We'll keep you posted!

Transformation!

2011-05-15T21:19:00.000-04:00

This weekend was transformation weekend over here! We moved Charlie into our old bedroom in a twin bed and then converted his toddler bed back into the crib. Charlie was giggling and jumping up and down the whole time we were putting his bed together. It was really cute! He was loving his new room and playing on the bed, so Steve started to change the crib back.

My parents were here helping out and my Dad was occupying Charlie in the living room. He wanted a juice box, so my dad said to go ask your mom. So, Charlie walks into the nursery and says, "Mom, could I have a Jui-WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MY OTHER BED!!!??"

After explaining that this wasn't his bed anymore and he had a new room, we all just cracked up! It is probably one of the funnier things that Charlie has ever said!

I think he's getting used to the fact that he has a new room. Sometimes when he is excited he still runs into the other room, but mostly he knows his new room is where he goes now. We can also fit two kids in the room easily, so that's a relief for the next time around :-)

Now if only we could get something to fill that other room.....

Renovations!

2011-05-07T21:34:00.000-04:00

As you know, we have a baby on the way. Well, there wasn't enough rooms renovated in our house for the kids to have seperate rooms. Steve and I decided to redo the upstairs and use that as our room for now. When the kids get older, we can probably put a few of them up there, cause it's huge!! Above is the "BEFORE" shot..

After the blown-in insulation and the half wall built.

Steve took out the chimney too, for added space!!

Paint on the walls!

New stairs!

Trim and carpet

And we are done!! We made it, just in time for the baby to be born! There are a few things that we need to get for upstairs, but it is structurally done! I'm so excited! What a talented hubby I have!

Snow Storm!!

2011-02-15T20:52:00.000-05:00

That huge snowstorm we had two weeks ago?? Charlie decided it would be a fun time to take out all his toys. They weren't exactly the toys I thought that he would get out...but whatever floats his boat!!

We did do some shoveling first....

Then a little teeball...Spring Fever anyone?

Then came the tractor with the trailer..he did haul snow!

And lastly, the car! It was cracking me up that all he wants to do was play with all the toys he plays with in the summer. We went on the sled for a little, but he was enjoying the other toys WAY better!

Just a little picture of our super high snow piles!!

Just like his Daddy

2011-01-23T21:18:00.003-05:00

Steve has had this ongoing battle about Charlie liking Mommy more than Daddy. Well, I have noticed lately that Charlie is really starting to cling to Daddy, and I LOVE seeing it! He is a spitting image of Steve and it makes my heart swell watching the two of them together. I don't know how Steve is going to be able to split him time if this next one is a boy!

Shoveling after the first big snow

I asked for a smile instead of just saying, "Say Cheese!" I love the smile better!

This was the "Say Cheese" picture. Charlie wanted to have popcorn for snack and then said, "I want to watch football with Daddy." So they did!

Saying goodnight and a quick cuddle with Daddy before bedtime! So cute!

Big News!

2011-01-09T22:25:00.003-05:00

Yup, you read that right. Charlie is going to be a big brother! We are past the scary part this time around and had our ultrasound this past week. Everything is on track with the little one and it is comfy in my belly. We didn't find out what we are having and it's driving Steve nuts! He REALLY wants to know! But I laid down the law and said no! So we have a little surprise coming to us around May 25th!

Helicopter sighting!

2011-01-09T22:18:00.003-05:00

We had an auction at our church for our new building and there was a helicopter ride that was won by a few couples. I thought it would be a fun thing for Charlie to watch so we met at the church when it came time to pick up the couples. He loved it!! He was laughing and pointing, but he definitely didn't want to sit in it!! It was a fun day for all!

THERE IT IS!!

Kids learn quick

2010-09-25T14:10:00.003-04:00

At the cottage this year, Candy Bars were a huge hit! The kids went crazy when we took them out. I was trying to get a good picture of all the cousins and I got a few. Then Janna said,

"Who wants a candy bar?"

This was the next picture. Kids crack me up!
(I personally thought Charlie's face was the best, but that's just me :-)

Catching up

2010-09-24T21:53:00.002-04:00

So it's been a LONG while since I've gotten on here and posted! Sorry about that, I'll try to be better. Here's a snippet of whats been going on lately.

Charlie had his first black eye. He hit his head while jumping off something (big surprise, I know) and his forehead quickly healed and his black eye appeared.....

We bought a new "family" vehicle. Really, Steve just needed a new truck and the ranger didn't fit us all. So we considered this and upgrade. :-)

The "August Birthday Girls" and our hubbys went on our annual birthday dinner to the Melting Pot. It was good and Fondue was better than I thought! It was a fun night!
Dinner!

I promise I'm going to try to keep up on the blog! Don't give up on me yet!

SLACKER!

2010-07-26T00:23:00.005-04:00

I have been seriously slacking in the blogging department....

Here's a few pics from camping at the end of June!

Running down the beach with Daddy

Making a monkey face for mommy!

Sitting by the pool.....

Jumping in the pool, this kid has no fear!

More to come!

And there he was

2010-05-12T12:47:00.002-04:00

Charlie had been climbing out of his crib for about a month now but we have refused to change his crib over to a toddler bed, just cause most times he does stay in. Well, last night he decided to climb out repeatedly, 9 TIMES!! So I finally told him if he comes out again, he gets a spanking. He didn't come out of the room, but I knew he was out of his crib. I just let him be and finally didn't hear any noise coming from his room. When I went to bed, I checked on him. Sure enough, he wasn't in his crib. I looked all over and found him under the chair fast asleep.

I guess we are converting the bed today, so he doesn't break his neck!

Mother's Day Blues

2010-05-09T21:13:00.005-04:00

Mother's Day is supposed to be a great day when moms don't have to do much. Today was a day that I realized that I should have almost a mother for the second time around this mother's day. I feel like I'm holding on too hard, but I'm hoping with time that this pain will fade.

You never said you're leaving

You never said goodbye

You were gone before I knew it

and only God knows why

A million times I needed you,

a million times I cried

If love alone could have saved you

you never would have died

In live I loved you dearly

In death I love you still

in my heart you hold a place

that no one else can fill

It broke my heart to lose you

but you didn't go alone

For part of me went with you

the day God took you home.

I Love you Baby V, and miss you on this mother's day.

My Cool dude and his sweet new wheels

2010-04-22T21:32:00.003-04:00

Charlie got a haircut tonight at Salon500 (yay Judy H.!) and he looks like such a big boy! Of course when we got home he wanted to go outside and ride his new tricycle! And everyone knows you can't ride a trike and not wear your sunglasses. So here are some pictures for your entertainment! My cool dude on his new trike.

"Come on Mommy! You're holding us up!"

Charlie's 2nd Birthday party

2010-04-18T23:13:00.003-04:00

Friday night, we had a family birthday party for Charlie. We had burgers and cake and opened presents, but NO SINGING! We sang to him Sunday at my grandparent's house and he started bawling! So we decided not to ruin his party! :-) We had a great time with the family and Charlie got COMPLETELY spoiled! Thanks to all our family for all the love you have for Charlie!

Happy Birthday Little Man

2010-04-14T22:13:00.009-04:00

Dear Charlie,

Today you are 2! Can you believe it? Your Daddy and I can't. It seems like just last week we were anxiously awaiting your arrival, and planning for a new little life in our family. Time has flown by since then, and you are one busy boy! You have grown up so much in the past year, and it has been incredible. You started out your second year barely walking, and now you are running around, jumping and even riding a bike! You could talk before you were one, but now you talk in sentences and articulate your words like a kindergartner!

When I told you this morning that it was your birthday, you said "Nooooo!" I had to agree because you are growing up too fast! You barely want to cuddle by me, and I have to put in a movie just so you'll sit still for longer than 2 minutes!

I love it when I get to put you to bed. We cuddle and sing together. Last week, you even sang "Jesus Loves Me" for me. Tonight I let Daddy put you to bed because you didn't get a lot of together time on your birthday. I told you that I loved you, and you said "I Love you, Mommy" and melted my heart. I heard you singing with daddy and I hope you will always continue to sing to Jesus, and give your life to Him. We hope for the best for you all the time and pray for you daily.

You love to read books and you already know your nursery rhymes! I can start them and you can finish them. You know which books you like and which ones you don't. Everyone who hears you talk in stores or out and about thinks you are way older than you actually are. They tell me your "advanced", but I try not to get a big head about it. :-) Sometimes Daddy and I look at each other after you say something and wonder where you get it from! You say things that surprise us sometimes, but we love how well you are doing.

Your fascination with big trucks and loaders is just like your daddy. If you had to pick between candy and a big truck, you'd probably pick the truck. You'd probably come back for the candy too! You love to be outside and play all day. Even if it is freezing cold, you are still out there, runny nose and all!

You try to be just like your daddy all the time. With your "baby" wheelbarrow and your shovels, you do exactly what daddy is doing. I love the fact that you love your daddy and want to be like him. If you turn out like him, we have done what we should have as parents. I really hope that for you.

I love watching you grow and enjoy each new day with you. There will be a day when you will think that your mom is a crazy woman, but I hope you know it's because I would do give my life for you. Your Daddy and I love you very much!

Happy birthday buddy,

Love, Mommy

Just like Daddy

2010-04-11T20:36:00.004-04:00

Charlie is just like his daddy. He loves to be outside and do all things boy. The only thing that is different about him is that he does NOT like to be dirty! It's kinda funny actually, everytime he falls, he needs his hands brushed off before he will go on playing.
My mom and I were shopping at Kohls one night and we found this small shovel and rake and it was probably the best investment I made so far this year! He loves to help daddy dig in the dirt, and in his new sandbox. Steve's mom also sent Steve's old wheelbarrow home with us one day, and now Charlie loves to push dirt around. I'm not sure if it helps or hinders Steve, but he is a good sport and helps him out, and tries to work around him.

They are cute together aren't they?

Chocolate Yogurt

2010-04-09T09:24:00.004-04:00

That's what we call it at our house, Chocolate yogurt. It doesn't matter the flavor or the color, if it's pudding or really yogurt...everything is chocolate yogurt. He is now starting to ask for "blue chocolate yogurt", which is blueberry yogurt just so you know! He eats it like a madman too! I have proof!
It's even in his hair!!!

Charlie's 2 year pics

2010-04-05T21:03:00.002-04:00

Friday April 2nd, Steve, Charlie and I went to get his 2 year pics taken. I was having Amy Carroll take his pictures. I met Amy at a wedding that I was in a few summers back. She did a great job for this wedding, and as I checking out her website, I saw she did kids too. I tried to get her for his 18month pics, but she was booked up. You will see why in a few minutes! She did a great job! Charlie didn't really smile that much, so I hoped that we got some good pictures, even without his cooperation. Amy was AWESOME! I recommend her to anyone! She isn't that expensive either. She does a blog post on each session, and so I got a little preview. I can't wait till the proofs come back!!!

Check it out!

www.acarrollphotography.net/2010/04/charlie-2-years/

I would recommend her for ANY type of picture that your family needs!

Full Time

2010-03-31T21:41:00.002-04:00

This week has been crazy busy! I am working 4 days this week, and that's a lot for me! I'm also on call this week and weekend! I have had an ongoing headache for 3 days and I'm PMS-y! YIKES! The good news??

Charlie's sand for his new sandbox is coming tomorrow! He's going to be so happy! I can't wait. I have to get some pics so that I can post them! (First I have to figure out how to get my camera software onto my computer...hmmmmm)

That's all for now!

8 Years

2010-03-11T23:29:00.002-05:00

8 Years.

It was 8 years ago today that my uncle Tim passed away. I think about it all the time. My sweet, fun loving uncle, who was taken much too soon. Even though people would characterize him as "mentally handicapped", us as his family did not see him that way. There are a lot of things that remind me of him everyday.

Everytime I drive by the cemetary on 68th st, I think of him, because that's where he is now.

Everytime I think about March 11th, I think of him, because it was the day he died.

Everytime I see an Emerald, I think of him, because his birthday is in May.

Everytime I see Jeff, his old roomate, I think of him.

Everytime I see something about Jurassic Park, I think of him, because that was the movie we watched together.

Everytime I see Glenn Moredyk, our music director at church, I think of him. Glenn walks and is shaped just like my uncle was. :-)

There are alot of things that remind me of Uncle Tim. He was a big part of our lives and in some respects, he still is. Even Charlie knows him, by his picture. It hurts my heart to think about him never getting to meet my Uncle. He was such a loving guy, he had a huge heart! For a long time I wondered if there was something I could have done differently to prevent his death, but I know that I would have done something if I could have.

(*For those of you who don't know, my uncle was in the back seat of my car when he had a massive heart attack. He died instantly.)

I know that it was God's plan for him to only live till he was 37, but it still leaves loved ones here behind to wonder what would have been if he was still here. It makes me so sad because he would have loved hanging out with all his great nieces and nephews! I have no doubt that he would always want to have one of them on his lap at coffee time. He loved kids, so it's sad that he's never going to meet the kids he would have loved so much, and would have made him so happy.

But in other ways, I know where he is and that makes me happy. My uncle is in heaven, and part of me wants to believe that he is holding and loving our baby until we can get there. That is what gives me hope when I get sad and reminiscent in times like these. I know I'll see him again someday!

His favorite thing was to have hamburgers and chocolate milk. So I didn't have a hamburger, but I had some chocolate milk for him today.

Love you Uncle Tim! Save me a place up there!

Show off.

2010-03-11T15:50:00.002-05:00

Charlie has been told many times that he is advanced. I'm not trying to brag, because I'm positive there are things that he is not going to excel at! But for at least 6 months, he's been able to count to 10. I finally got him to do it for me, without trying to just grab the camera! He was a little preoccupied by the TV being on (I know, Mom of the year!) But at least he did it!

For you all to enjoy!

He finished it in this one:

Maybe I'll be able to get him singing his ABC's next time!!

Hattiesburg, MS

2010-03-04T22:23:00.002-05:00

Steve and I just went on a trip to Hattiesburg, Mississippi for some more Katrina relief. Can you believe it? After 5 years, people still need help. We went with our church's Master's Builders group. We left friday night at 6PM and arrived around 10AM-ish in MS. Marv and Donna Helder were there to greet us! Sunday we went to a local church that had 12 people in the congregation! Can you imagine that?? There was literally 12 people! A 5 person choir! When we walked in, we tripled the congregation! It was pretty unbelievable. Some of the guys went driving around sunday afternoon and went by Tiger's rehab facility and Brett Favre's house. They were pretty psyched about it! Jenni, Jaclyn and I stayed back and did some hair and then took naps. (I know, a rambunctous crew)

Monday morning we started working. The guys went right away and us girls stayed back and planned the dinner for that night. We went to walmart to get the necessary groceries to make dinner. We went back to the camp, made dinner then headed out to join the guys.

We had two sites this year. One started as a concrete slab and one started as an open field. By the end of the week, one house was ready for drywall then paint, and the other was up and needed the roof on. I think they will be able to be livable pretty quickly! We got to learn about one of the homeowners. He is a single guy, about 60 years old. He lost some of his house in Katrina. By "some" I mean that his roof is half caved in. He is still LIVING in that house! He also has had some health issues and in now in a wheelchair. He has to drag himself up the stairs to get into his house! Can you imagine?? I wish I could see his face when he actually gets to move into the house we built with the RAMP into the front door. It's such a rewarding feeling, doing that for others.

On friday, after we got dinner ready in the morning, us girls went to see how we could help. We did a few odds and ends, but then most of the easy work had run out for us. So we decided to spend some time with Donna before we left. We went out for chinese food for lunch and then we headed over to the mall and got pedicures! It was the first time Donna had gotten one, so it was a real treat for her!

We had a great time that week. We had a lot of fun times and TONS of laughter! Talk to any of us girls and we will tell you about some serious inside jokes that we had!

And Now for Jaclyn, Jenni, Janelle and Donna:

Random Policeman we met at Cuppy's coffee: I been born and raised here in mississippi 32 years and I ain't seen snow... but 3 times!

Donna: We got all week!

Donna: Canoe Canoe!

Mason: I can't get any work done around here with all these girls in the way!

Jennie: Get your own corner!

Jennie: I'm going to go try and be victorious...

Jenni: Hey! Hey! You! You! I cuubafhydbaweuyvbinaskfe.......

Janelle: Those are Ginormous! Is that a word? I don't know, but I say it all the time!

Janelle: OMG Batman!

Jaclyn: I am Kanye's sister, Kan-Yeaka!

Jaclyn: Did she just say this is a sh*tty pan?
Jennie: No, she said Shine-y! Donna wouldn't say sh*t.
Donna: I say Sh*tty!

I love you girls!!

A Few Funnies

2010-02-10T21:55:00.002-05:00

Sorry about the vacation from blogging....

Charlie is talking up a storm. He started talking about 4 months ago and has not stopped! Here's a few of his latest funny conversations...

Me: we are going to go home to Charlie's house.
Charlie: Nooo!!!
Me: Well, where else do you want to go?
Charlie: Abbie's house (friends from church)
Me: I don't think Abbie is home, we have to go to Charlie's house....(An excuse cause it was almost nap time)
Charlie: Go to Sophie's house! (another church friend)
Me: No, I think Sophie is napping (Another excuse)
Charlie: Paige's house?

I couldn't help but laugh cause he lists of all these friends he wants to play with....silly kid

As I was loading the dishwasher, Steve was talking to me and Charlie proceeded to take a dirty diaper off the counter (one that was meant for the dumpster) and opened it up (Eeeww!!)

Steve: Oh sick! Don't do that! (takes diaper away) Honey, wash his hands!
Me: (Wiping his hands)
Steve: No, I mean with soap and water, he was touching the turd!
Charlie: I touching a turd!!!
(Laughter)(Laughter)

At the post office, an old women, probably about 90, hunched over walking to her car got in and pulled away...

Charlie: See ya Great Grandma!

With Thanks

2010-01-17T23:01:00.002-05:00

Thank you.

It's really all we can say to everyone who has been praying for us during the past month. We are doing much better, and are moving forward. Not in a sense that we are forgetting, just learning how to cope. It is much better now that the holidays are over. I just wanted to make sure that you all know that I appreciate all the cards, prayers, visits, goodies and hugs from all! We couldn't have made it without you!!

Just those few weeks

2010-01-01T23:06:00.004-05:00

I wanted to share a poem that I recieved from a church member that blessed me in this time of grief.

JUST THOSE FEW WEEKS

By Susan Erling

For those few weeks-

I had you to myself.

And that seems too short a time

to be changed to profoundly

In those few weeks-

I came to know you...

and to love you.

You came to trust me with your life.

Oh what a life I had planned for you!

Just those few weeks-

When I lost you,

I lost a lifetime of hopes,

plans, dreams, and aspirations.

A slice of my future simply vanished overnight.

Just those few weeks-

It wasn't enough time to convince others

how special and important you were.

How odd, a truly unique person has recently died

and no one is mourning the passing.

Just a mere few weeks-

And no "normal" person would cry all night

over a tiny fragile baby,

or get depressed and withdrawn day after endless day.

No one would, so why am I?

You were just those few weeks, my Little One.

You darted in and out of my life too quickly.

But it seems that's all the time you needed

to make my life so much richer and

give me a small glimpse of eternity.

We love you Baby VandenBerg, and we can't wait to meet you someday.

Love,

Daddy, Mommy and Big Brother Charlie.

Gallup Christmas

2009-12-27T22:43:00.008-05:00

WARNING!! THIS POST IS LONG AND HAS TONS OF PICTURES!!!

Today, we had our Gallup Christmas party. We got together for lunch at my parents. We ate lunch and then got to the presents! Charlie was the only grandkid at this one, so he was spoiled rotten! He got so many presents! We opened all our presents, and then Charlie went down for a nap. We played LCR, a dice game for those who don't know. Then my mom pulled out 3 gingerbread house kits. Each couple got to put together their own house, which was really fun! Steve and I put ours together and then we tried to get a good picture, but people kept making me laugh and Steve was making faces....you will see the progression....

After the houses, we watched UP, a DVD that I got for a gift. After Charlie woke up, we went to the Stob's house for dinner and games. It's something we like to do each Christmas when all the Stob kids are back in Michigan.

All in all, it was a great day! Thanks again everyone for all the great gifts!!

And Now, the Gingerbread Saga:

We tried to get a cute picture of us and our house after we were done with it. Jonathan took the first one, I started laughing cause of Steve's face he made, and then it just kept deteriorating.....

Through the whole thing, Steve is making me laugh and he manages to keep a good smile on each time the picture is taken! We did end up getting an ok one....

VandenBerg Christmas

2009-12-27T22:31:00.004-05:00

This year, we didn't have a super busy Christmas. Don't get me wrong, ,we had a busy few days, but all in all it wasn't bad. We had nothing on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day! The day after, we had Christmas at Steve's family's house. We had a big morning brunch party. There are so many little kids that need naps and to be in bed on time, that we decided to do it in the morning. We started out the morning with breakfast and then headed to the presents! The kids went crazy! 6 kids under 6 is a very busy time! I welcomed nap time for Charlie, that is for sure! We hung out there the rest of the day and headed home later that night. It was a good time!

All the grandkids

Charlie and all his paper

Grandma helping Charlie open his firetruck

Surgery

2009-12-23T14:05:00.002-05:00

I'm feeling ok, just so you all know.

Yesterday, I had a procedure to clean out everything that was "left over" from the miscarriage. We had a big fiasco trying to schedule it, and get everything figured out, but after that was straightened out we were set to go. We went into the hospital at 12:45 for a 2:15 procedure time. After we got there and got registered, Steve was hungry (and how he dared tell that to the girl who had nothing to eat or drink since midnight monday I don't know!) so we went to the coffee bar so he could get something to drink till I went in. We got in pretty much right away, and taken back to a bay to get ready. I had all my vitals taken and made sure I was healthy enough to have surgery. I was....Yippee! Then the nurse came in to start my IV. OK, I hate needles! I know I work with them, but I hate being poked by them. So where does she try to start my IV? My HAND! Ouwie!! My veins are notorious for rolling and there was no difference yesterday either. She was digging in there and I was trying not to scream! Finally she stopped, and got another nurse, who specializes in IV's to come start mine. She got in right away, which I was very thankful for. After that, my OB came in to talk to me about my procedure and settle any nerves that I was feeling. She also warned us that they were about 30 minutes behind. A little bit later, the Anesthesiologist came in to talk to me about sedating me. I told him that I did not want a tube down my throat, and he said he wouldn't do that. The procedure itself only takes 10-15 minutes, so he said he would breath for me for that amount of time. He asked why and I said I had to sing on Christmas and didn't want a sore throat! I know, it's selfish, but hey, I'm the patient!! About 2:45 they came back to get me, and take me away. Right before I left, Steve asked me if I wanted to tell him the password to the online banking.

(I have always said if I die, he wouldn't know what to do, cause he doesn't even know the password to our online banking and bill pay!)

That made me feel great! Seriously, I'm not going to die! I got wheeled away and into the OR room. I don't remember much about that. I remember moving to the bed and seeing my doctor in there, and she came over and held my hand. The anesthesiologist gave my an oxygen mask and my arm started to BURN! It was the white stuff! (the stuff Michael Jackson died from!) I can't spell it, but it is good stuff. The next thing I knew, I was in the recovery room. It was a nice nap. I stayed there till about 4, then I got moved to the post surgery room and they got me something to eat and drink. They helped me get up and change so that I could go home. All in all, I was pretty happy about how it all turned out.

My doctor told me that we would have to wait probably 3-4 months before we try again, so it'll be a while till there is any sort of announcement.....

The post I don't want to make.

2009-12-16T21:44:00.003-05:00

Well, I see I haven't posted in a while. And I'm really not looking forward to this post, but it has to be done.

For the past few weeks, I have not felt "pregnant". You know, the typical tired all the time, kinda gross feeling in the morning, pants getting tighter.... I just thought that maybe this time, it was different. They always say each pregnancy is different, so I just thought this one was. I even emailed my OB to ask her about it. (That's what happens when you are friends with your patients on facebook :-) She told me it can be normal to not feel sick and not show yet, even on my second pregnancy. Then on sunday, I was singing in praise team at church and another expecting mom came up front to light an advent candle and she is majorly showing!! Plus she is due after I was. Well, then I got nervous. I knew I had an appointment on the 22nd, so I would have to wait and see. Monday morning rolled around and I went to work. At about 3:30, I went to the bathroom and saw that I was spotting a little bit. Then I knew. Something is not right here. I called my OB's office and I was scheduled for an ultrasound originally for Thursday, but I got in Tuesday due to a cancellation.

All day Tuesday, I was preparing myself that it was not good. I was trying to steel myself against heartbreaking news that I did NOT want to hear. So when 1:45 rolled around, I just told my coworkers I'd be back in a bit, I was going to get and ultrasound. I was nervous sitting there waiting, and then Joy called my name to come in. Joy is an old coworker of mine who moved from the ultrasound dept at Metro to my OB's office. She asked me a bit about what was going on, and I told her. She said it doesn't mean that it is bad that I'm spotting, apparently when the baby implants, you can spot. So I thought, "ok, maybe that's what's happening". Well, as soon as she started scanning, I didn't want to look at the screen. I did for a second, but I didn't see anything moving, no heart beat. I looked away, and she said, "I'm sorry, but it looks like the baby stopped progressing around 9 or 10 weeks."

I lost it.

If you think that you can prepare yourself for something like that, you can't. Even though I had pretty much told myself already that I had miscarried, I was not prepared to know that I was right. Even though I hadn't ever felt the baby move or heard a heart beat, I still had plans and dreams for that baby. People say, "you can have another one". I know I can, but I really wanted that one!

I don't understand the plans that God has for us, but I know he has something better planned for us. He obviously needed this child with him more than we needed him/her. We have the hope of knowing that we will meet this baby someday. It gives me something more to look forward to, knowing that when I die, I will finally be able to meet our child.

Thank you all for your prayers. It means a lot to us to have such great friends and family that we can lean on in times like this. Hopefully, I'll be posting soon about another brother or sister for Charlie.....

Rumor has it....

2009-11-23T21:23:00.001-05:00

Well, many of you have probably heard already, but to make it official............

Yes, we are having another baby!!

We are due June 25th!

I'm going to have to change my blog name.........

Charlie's 18 Month Pics!

2009-11-05T15:39:00.003-05:00

A huge THANK YOU to Kat McClure from my church for taking Charlie's pictures! They turned out great! Check them out by clicking on the link below!

http://www.pictage.com/747067

The Event Key is Charlie Robert

Side note:

If anyone wants Kat's name, give me a call! She is very reasonable and will take pics till you are happy!

If you step in a puddle...

2009-10-11T22:14:00.005-04:00

If you use my bathroom and you step in a puddle, I'm sorry.

But now you know why.

He looks sweet and innocent huh?

A New Post

2009-10-05T21:22:00.003-04:00

I figured it was time for a new post. Nothing is really new for us. I guess I'll just tell you what's happening.

**A girlfriend of mine had a baby last week! Jason and Katie Ruis has a new baby girl, Ella Mae, on Monday Sept 28th. She was 9lbs 12oz! All I have to say about that is, GOOD JOB KATIE!!

**We went to visit some friends of ours in St. Joseph this past weekend. We were the best of friends when we lived there, and once we sat down to talk, it all came back. It was a great time and they will be life long friends!

**One of my favorite nurses is leaving. I'm sad sad sad. She will be sorely missed, cause she was a great IR nurse. :-(

**I'm getting the hang of the Lia Sophia thing. I'm loving selling it and having parties. It really is just a great excuse to have a girls night out! (If anyone wants a party, let me know!)

**Charlie is getting teeth. Lot's of teeth. I think that he's getting his canine teeth (sorry Kara, I'm not sure what the proper name is for those pointy ones!) He's always chewing on his finger and drooling everywhere!

**Steve is getting busier! He's volunteered to be on the committee at church for the building addition and for the building fund. He also has a class on Monday nights so he's a busy boy all the sudden!

**I start volleyball next week and I can't wait! It's the best workout I get all year and I love playing it anyways, so it doesn't feel like a workout!

**Speaking of working out, I went to Zumba last week with a friend, and it was super fun! If you have a choice, try it!

**I've been told(by someone who shall remain nameless)that I have too many shows that I watch. Do you think? Monday-Trauma and Gossip Girl. Tuesday-Biggest Loser. Wednesday-Law and Order SVU. Thursday- The Office and the occasional Grey's Anatomy. Friday-I got nothing! See not too many....right??

**Steve and I had an anniversary this weekend. 5 Years, WOW!!

**My girlfriend Amber comes back to work tomorrow. Her wedding was beautiful, but I miss her at work! I'm so glad she's back!!

**I miss summer already and I think I might have missed fall in there somewhere...

**I wish I was 15-20lbs lighter. I gotta work on that one.

**I love watching hospital/medical shows. I love the new show Trauma, but Mercy needs something. I'm not sure what, but I don't care for it.

**Starbucks is my crutch. If I'm feeling bad, or fat or tired or moody, starbucks always makes it better.

That's all for now, hopefully I can get some new pics up, but I gotta take some new ones!!

Weekend Vacation

2009-09-28T20:53:00.005-04:00

Last weekend, Steve and I went to a wedding of a friend of mine in Sutton's Bay, MI. It is about 20 miles north of Traverse City. We left Friday after work, and came home sunday afternoon. It was a great weekend away! We stayed at Leelanau Sands Casino, which was really cool. I don't have any pics of that, because they don't allow cameras in a casino. We arrived at the hotel Friday night at about 1000PM. We stopped in Long Lake at Boone's Steakhouse. It was really good! Steve has been there and wanted to take me there too. When we got there, we checked in and then went down to the casino. We lost $20 and then left. I thought it was kinda boring. Casino's don't really excite me too much. Saturday we got up (late, no kids!!!!) and went into Sutton's Bay and walked around town and out by the marina. Around noon we went back to the hotel and took naps (weird huh?) and then got really for the wedding, which was at 3PM. We headed to the wedding, which was at a beautiful cherry orchard on a bluff overlooking Grand Traverse Bay. After the wedding, we went to the marina and hung out on another one of my girlfriend's boat. Then the reception. It was at the Field of Flowers Farm in Leelanau. When we walked down to the barn, which was decorated in white christmas lights, we were surrounded by all different types of flowers. We had a great night hanging out with my friends and coworkers and dancing the night away! Sunday morning, we got up (late again!) and went into traverse city, got some coffee and walked around that marina and on the piers. They have a great park right in downtown Traverse. We walked around there for a while and then started to head home. It was a great time away, and a beautiful wedding!

The Bluff where the ceremony took place

Mr. and Mrs. John and Amber Guinan!

My Big Boy

2009-09-13T21:36:00.003-04:00

Wednesday, Charlie got his 4th haircut! Can you believe that? He's only 17 months old, he shouldn't have needed any haircuts yet! He really needed it bad though! We went over to the Henion's house and got to work! It was quite a challenge but I think Emily did a great job. Good thing that we know them so well too, because I just threw him in the tub at their house and put him in his jammies. Now that's a full service salon! Afterwards, he looked like such a little man! My baby is growing up! He's still cute though!!

Camping 09

2009-08-31T21:01:00.004-04:00

At the beginning of August, we spent a week at the conference grounds with some of the other families from Providence. This is our second year doing this, and it was really fun! Charlie was at a great age, and he loved the beach! He didn't like the water so much as the sand! Each time we lugged a TON of toys, water, snacks, beach chairs, a beach umbrella, sunscreen and towels. We were quite a spectacle! But Charlie had a great time each time, so that's all that matters. He had fun with all the other kids there, and if I counted correctly, there were 17 kids in our group! That's a lot of kids to keep track of! We did lose a few a couple times, but they were only as far away as the playground. Steve got to enjoy the week this year with us too! Due to his job change, he was "in between" jobs that week! It worked out great! We had a great time as a family, and I can't wait to do it again next year!

It's been a while!

2009-08-24T22:27:00.004-04:00

It has been a while since I posted on here, sorry!! Too much vacation! We have been at the cottage for three weeks, then we went to Sand Lake for a day. The weekend after that, we went to a family reunion in Iowa for the Jansen family. Then, the week after that we were at the conference grounds for a week camping. Phew! I'm tired just talking about it! Charlie has been busy too! He is growing up BIGTIME!! I have yet to catch him on video doing all his animal sounds that he knows! It is so cute, and I'll get it for all of you! In the meantime, he is just a busy boy! I'm posting a video or him on the beach with Steve at the conference grounds, cause it is so cute. I will post more later, but for now....here's a taste of cute!

Our "Youth group" tubing trip

2009-07-28T20:41:00.004-04:00

Saturday, we went to Sand Lake. It was scheduled to be a youth group activity, and it was really popular last year, but no one signed up this year! So, the leaders and some of our friends went instead! We had a great time tubing and hanging out. Steve is and has always been a serious tuber, but Bruce found out how serious he was! He got crushed a few times by a flying tube (With Steve on it!) Bruce was also impressed by my tubing skills! I don't think he's ever seen a girl hold on for so long, I just wouldn't let go! Here's some of the high flying pics!

Back from the lake!

2009-07-26T21:03:00.006-04:00

We are finally back from Barlow Lake! It's our yearly stay with Steve's parents. I took the first week off from work and then the next two weeks, because she is one of Charlie's babysitters, we stayed for most of them too! We talked it over, and we figured out we stayed all but two nights the whole three weeks! Whose vacation was it again? :-) Here's some pictures, enjoy!

As you can see, we had a great time! Charlie had a great time playing in the water with his cousins, and in the cottage too! We had great weather and we were always in great company. Next year is just too far away!

The Epitome of Lazy-ness!!

2009-07-01T21:06:00.003-04:00

I found Charlie like this one day....

Lazy little thing!

(Cute though.)

My new favorite place

2009-07-01T20:56:00.003-04:00

Charlie's new favorite place to play is in my easy-reach cabinet! I think that he likes that he fits into it without hitting his head. He just crawls in and plays with all my small kitchen appliances. Tonight, he only dropped the coffee pot once....That is the only thing that makes me nervous! I don't want him to break it! But nonetheless, he is very cute sitting in there! I won't fight him for that one, at least I know where to find him!

Who doesn't think that this is cute???

Our Garden

2009-06-28T14:50:00.002-04:00

With the economy the way it is, and Steve's job loss this winter we decided to have a garden this year. It'll save money and we can have fresh veggies! After church this morning, we went out to check out the garden. We planted it on Memorial Day weekend, and already we had to pick beans! So I took out a bowl and started picking!! We have more than enough for supper, and we even got some sugar peas too! (which I already ate!) I'm sure that this garden will turn out to be a great investment.

Here's our first pickings!

Summer Fun

2009-06-24T22:45:00.003-04:00

It's been a while since I posted here! Sorry about that!!

A few nights ago, when it was super hot, we had Charlie outside when we were watering all the flowers and he wanted the hose. So we let him play with the hose and he thought it was the greatest! We almost got him to drink out of the hose, but he would just giggle and back away. Regardless, it was really cute! I'm sure there will be more days like that one!

Have I ever told you?

2009-05-18T22:37:00.003-04:00

Have I ever told you I love coupons?? Oh my word!! I had my best trip to meijer ever tonight!! I'm not listing what I bought, because you will be able to see in my picture, but I spent......

$31.28

And I saved.....

$79.50!!!!!

BBQ sauce anyone??

Starting him young!!

2009-05-06T16:44:00.003-04:00

Steve is making sure that Charlie is all boy, for sure!! This past week, Steve had a bobcat home from work, (to start yet another project, a shed!) and he had to have Charlie sit in it! I guess it is to get him started in his love for big machinery. I took a few pictures, and I think that Steve was enjoying it more than Charlie. Oh well, Charlie will soon learn that is just how it is around here. Big Machines=Great times.

A Quick Bargain

2009-05-06T16:33:00.003-04:00

My Target Trip:

2 Lysol toilet bowl cleaners

1 Lysol All purpose cleaner

8 Johnson's Buddies Bar Soap

2 Pedigree Dentastix (George gets neglected :-)

$5.93, plus I'm sending in for a $3 Lysol rebate, so really it cost me $2.93!

Check out my sidebar to find these good deals too!!

My Baby

2009-04-14T21:23:00.004-04:00

A letter from mommy:

Charlie,

Today you are one!! I can't believe it! It has gone by so fast, almost too fast for me. You are growing up into a little boy and you rarely ever let me hold you like my baby anymore. Every once in a while, when you are really tired, you will cuddle. I always take those extra minutes and stay with you as long as I can.

You are becoming more independant everyday and not needing me as much. You are starting to have some separation issues though, and secretly I like it. You love to eat anything you can get your hands on, and all the time too! You love to play with daddy and have been able to share a lot of time with him this winter. He might not think it's a blessing, but I think it is! Not many little boys get to spend so much time with their daddy. I look forward to playing with you everyday and love listening to your giggles and jabbering. My favorite thing is listening to your imitation of daddy when you drive your cars. The constant rumbling of your trucks is music to my ears. You love your toys and could play for hours! You also love all your grandparents and your playmates, Ethan and Micah. If you had big brothers, I think that you would like them to be like your cousins. Hopefully, someday you will be able to be just like your cousins when you have younger siblings... (no announcement here...)

You are curious and love to explore. You love climbing stairs and your newest passion, walking! You are getting very good at it too! Pretty soon, you will be running around outside with daddy and George. You love getting "scared" by daddy and crawling toward me at breakneck speed. You love feeding George from the dinner table. You love your praise baby videos and "dancing" to your drums. You absolutely love reading and have even mastered the act of sitting in the lap of the reader.

Sometimes, when I check on you before I go to bed for the night, I just stare into your crib. I wonder how God could trust me with something so precious. He gave me this perfect little boy for me to teach about Him and so someday that little boy will be able to share his faith with others who don't know about Him. He gave me you, and for that I will be forever grateful.

Charlie, you amaze me everyday with the new things you do. I look forward to having many more days being pleasantly surprised by you. I am so blessed to be your mommy and to say I love you would be an understatement.

I love you little man!

Love,

Mommy

My New Pantry

2009-04-07T23:14:00.003-04:00

As many of you know, Steve has been finishing our basement over the course of this winter. My pantry is in the basement and it had to be disassembled due to construction. Well, this week, Steve built me a brand new one!! I cleaned everything and rearranged all my stock. I have been meaning to post these pictures and tonight I had a request to do it. So Tara, this is for you!!

The large part of the pantry, toiletries on top and food underneath...

The laundry/partial cleaning area

Most of my shampoo/haircare...I'm surprised it fit on one shelf!!

Shavers/Candy/toothbrushes/misc items

All for the love of coupons!!

Tara, I hope you can put your eyeballs back in the sockets... :-)

Back to Bargains!

2009-04-01T14:38:00.004-04:00

I took a little bit of time off from couponing since we have been going full tilt on the basement in order to get it done for Charlie's birthday party. But I have been starting back at it! Today was actually pretty fun! Charlie and I went to Target with an empty cart and a whole lot of coupons. It really only took me about 20-30 minutes to get everything. At the end, I had a full cart and the cashier was impressed with the amount I saved! That's always refreshing to hear instead of the sigh when they see my coupon pile. (I can't say the same about the woman in line behind me) Oops. She thought she got in the short line.... Anyways, This is what I got:

2 Huggies mega pack wipes

2 Aveeno baby washes (with bonus travel lotions :-)

3 Johnson's baby washes

2 Pledge Multi-surface cleaner sprays

3 Boxes Pop secret popcorn

5 boxes Fruit snacks

5 Gillette Body Washes

4 Gerber Graduates cheese puffs (Charlie's Fave!)

5 12-Packs of Pepsi products

My total before Coupons was 105.04

After coupons: $35.82!!

Just for perspective, this is what I would have gotten for $35 with NO coupons:

I'll take the sigh from the lady behind me anyday!

Too Fast

2009-03-29T16:12:00.004-04:00

Do you ever think that your kids grow up way too fast?? I'm sure you all do because plenty of you have told me so! Well, our little guy is growing up! He's starting to walk and he likes to take naps with a pillow! Some of my friends have had babies recently, so that gives me my baby fix because Charlie won't cuddle much :-( Here's his latest accomplishment for your enjoyment!

And the picture of him napping with his pillow. (Don't worry-he doesn't sleep with it!)

Where is your tongue?

2009-03-24T22:01:00.004-04:00

Charlie has found his first body part! I know that sounds a little sketchy, but everyone likes it when you ask your child, "where is your nose?" and they point to it. Well, this is Charlie's version!

Our Mission Trip

2009-03-11T16:13:00.002-04:00

I know that it's been a week and a half since we've been home, but I can't leave this off the blog. Steve and I went on a mission trip with our church's group called Master's Builders. This year we went to Folsom, LA to work with Habitat for Humanity. We drove down to Louisiana on Friday night after work, and stayed for a week. We built a whole house in three days! My girlfriends, Jaclyn and Emily, also went. Since we were the only girls, we also had a fun time making supper and baking goodies with Donna for all the guys! It is a very rewarding to go on trips like these to help out people who are less fourtunate and have been through devastating things like hurricaines. It makes you very thankful for what you do have, even if it isn't much. If you ever have a chance to do something like this, it's 100% worth it!

The cooking and working girls!

We are painting the outside of one the the bunkhouses at the place where we stayed

Our first day of work

After the second day...

The third day!

Jaclyn (left) and I building an inside wall

The girls installing the hurricaine brackets

My hubby, looking buff...

Jaclyn and I tearing of melted siding from Pastor Ray's house

The Providence CRC Master's Builders 2009

P.S. Charlie spent the week with both sets of grandparents and did just fine, and I'm pretty sure all the grandparents still love him...:-)

Vacation #1

2009-03-04T10:39:00.005-05:00

Well, we are finally back in Michigan! (For a while at least :-) I'm way behind in blogging and I'm sorry for that, but I'm going to try to make up for it! Steve, Charlie and I had the chance to go to Florida for a week with my parents, so we went! It was Charlie's first plane ride also. It went ok...he was beside himself for a while in the plane, but he eventually fell asleep. We arrived in Orlando, Fl to 70 degree plus temps! That was great! We really didn't have a whole lot planned, just hanging out. We had to make sure to visit with my grandparents, Cec and Barb Harkema and Heather Price. Other than that, we did nothing too special. That was perfect. We made sure that Charlie got his naps and got plenty of pool time! We had a great time and hopefully someday we can do it again!

Hanging out in the pool...with Grandpa's sunglasses

Floating in his crab

Walking in the Ocean

My poor baby!

2009-02-18T09:58:00.003-05:00

First of all, we had a great trip to Florida! It was sunny and nice each day. I will post more about that when I get some of my mom's pictures. For now, you get to experience my poor baby's sickness. Charlie has hives! If you have never seen hives before, they are really scary! They are patches of reddened and raised skin, and they can cover your entire body! Charlie started getting them when we were at the airport coming home Saturday morning. Well, that is when we noticed them! We changed his clothes and gave him a bath when we got home at noon. They weren't so bad at that point, but the next day...WOW!! They were all over, red and hot! He never acted like he was sick, but he looked horrible! My mom took a few picture of him while she was babysitting so I could show people at work and get their opinion.

Here's my disclaimer: Some of these images may not be suitable for younger viewers...

Don't worry, he's much better since these pictures have been taken! He only had a few little spots on his tummy left.

9 Months

2009-02-04T16:12:00.004-05:00

Charlie was nine months old in January, so of course we got pictures taken! We tried JC Penney this time and they did a great job! I guess one benefit of Steve not working is that he could come with so we could get some pics with him. Well, here they are!!

He had had it by this one, but it's still funny! Possible black mail for when he's older...

Mommy's little helper!

2009-01-29T21:45:00.003-05:00

Charlie has been getting into EVERYTHING!!! You name it, he's into it. The fireplace, the wood bag, the newspapers, the half bathroom, the vanitys, and ALL the kitchen cupboards. I think he thinks that he is helping, especially when he stood on the dishwasher door to "help me" unload them. All he really did was shake the shelves so that the glasses would clink together. Regardless, it is cute. Steve wasn't too happy about him standing on the door, but I'm sure it wouldn't be the first thing that will break around here. Ahh...the joy of children!

Here Mommy, now we are going to make cookies...

Here's some dishes Mommy!

What??

Charlie's New Favorite Toy!

2009-01-16T10:55:00.002-05:00

This is the newest sound around our house! That, or clanging of my cookie pans! But whatever keeps him happy! I think it is hilarious how he has his mouth just wide open, like he is making the noise or something. Quite cute, if I do say so myself!

An Answer for you

2009-01-16T10:53:00.002-05:00

"What could you possibly need that many coupons for??" This is the question I get when my coworkers see the pile that others bring me. Let me show you....

This was all free...

Enough said.

Charlie's First Haircut!

2009-01-12T09:17:00.003-05:00

Last week Friday, we were hanging out at Bryan and Emily Henion's house. It just turns out that Emily is a cosmetologist, and Charlie needed a haircut. Bad. His hair was hanging in his eyes and always in the way. Unfortunately, there is no proper way to pull back a boys hair. No cute barrettes, headbands, or pony tail holders. Also, I hate it when celebrities (i.e. Kate Hudson) let their sons hair grow out and it's long. SO....with that, I said let's go for it! Charlie did really well, for being only 9 months old! He really just wanted to grab her scissors, other then that, it all went well. Kudos to Emily for doing a great job on a wiggly baby!

Before...

I want your scissors!!

Look what I got!

All done! Doesn't he look much older??

The best thing

2009-01-07T10:16:00.002-05:00

Thanks to Uncle Jonathan and Aunt Sarah for the coolest Christmas present! Charlie loves to ride on his Tonka truck! Steve says that he is going to be a bruiser when he grows up....I wonder who he gets it from?? He's only 9 months old, but he's riding this thing like he's 2! Still, I love watching my boys play together! Very cute!

You know you are tired when...

2009-01-03T16:58:00.004-05:00

You know you are tired when you are sitting in your crib crying because you "aren't tired", and then you fall asleep sitting like that.Don't worry, I fixed him.

Charlie's First Christmas!

2008-12-27T13:27:00.008-05:00

This year is Charlie's first Christmas! He actually liked opening presents AND playing with them. Granted, he did like the paper, but he also played with the toys he got. Boy, did he get toys too! What a spoiled little boy! His Grandpas, Grandmas, Aunt, Uncles, and cousins got him lots of new, fun toys to play with. He got books, clothes, trucks, and even a big Tonka truck to push around! It was a great Christmas and I can't wait to see him grow up and enjoy many more Christmases.

In Front of our Christmas Tree with his favorite ornament! (and the loudest one!)

Opening his Tonka truck from Uncle Jonathan and Aunt Sarah

Opening a present from Grandpa and Grandma Gallup

Riding his new truck

Opening one from Grandpa and Grandma VandenBerg--a circus train!

Sitting in his new swing! (he can't use it quite yet...)

With all his cousins

Getting tangled in ribbon...Hilarious!

Last weeks deals!

2008-12-19T22:12:00.003-05:00

I went shopping last week monday and hit all the stores! Target, Walgreens, CVS and Meijer. I got a heck of a deal too!

I got:

2 jumbo packs of Huggies

2 tubs of huggies wipes

2 flameless candles

4 coffeemate liquid creamers

1 Brut Deoderant

3 rolls of Reynolds Wrap

(2) 3-packs of Scotch Tape

1 Scotch wrapping paper cutter

2 mini puzzles

4 packs of Energizer batteries

6 bags of Bliss Chocolate

1 bag of Rolos

5 sets of goody hair ties

The book "Twilight" (if I didn't buy this book, I would have saved myself $8.79, but I wanted to try it!)

My out of pocket cost: $13.37 --Not kidding! It would have been $4.05 if I didn't want that book! We all deserve a little extra every once in a while!

Like Father, Like Son

2008-12-19T21:57:00.002-05:00

We have a little Steve on our hands! (As if I haven't been told that by EVERYONE who sees Charlie!) He wants to be by Daddy all the time! I caught him "watching" TV next to Steve. I'm not sure if he was really watching or he just wanted to be like daddy.

They are pretty cute though....

Someone call America's Funniest Home Videos! (or social services:-)

2008-12-18T22:26:00.003-05:00

I was secretly taping my boys playing together because I think that it is so funny that all Charlie wants to do is pull up on everything! This is what I got...you think we could win $10,000??

Don't worry, Charlie didn't even cry!

Who poops in his sleep?

2008-12-13T22:33:00.003-05:00

As Steve went to cover Charlie before going to bed, he noticed an interesting odor. I went in to assess the situation, and discovered Charlie has pooped in his sleep. This is something I will never understand. I thought everything kind of took a rest while you slept, but I guess not. I've never done it, but I guess it can be done. The best part about this story is that I changed his diaper so that he wouldn't wake up in the middle of the night, needing a diaper change. He slept through the whole thing!!! What?? He stirred a bit when I dropped the diaper in the diaper champ, but he just turned his head to the other side and kept sleeping!! I couldn't believe it! But I guess I'll take that instead of waking up and thinking it's play time. I just thought it was a little wierd....

My Thanksgiving

2008-12-05T20:50:00.004-05:00

I forgot to blog about my Thanksgiving trip to CVS! How could I forget?? Well, I woke up before either of my boys to head to CVS and get all the free stuff! I arrived at CVS to two other cars of "coupon Moms". How I know this is that we all had lists and paper clips full of coupons! I went directly to the razors because they never have a lot of those! Good thing I did because I am the only one who got the limit of 2. So I ended up spending $4.57 of my own money and receiving $58 in ECB's!! For those who don't know, those blessed ECB's print on the end of your receipt. Well, as you can see, mine was as tall as me. The cashier mentioned to me that she would probably be changing the paper roll a lot that day. I agreed of course! :-)

This is Charlie--All day long!

2008-12-04T21:11:00.008-05:00

Here's a glimpse into everyday with Charlie. He pulls himself up all day long! It's better now that he doesn't just fall over and cry. At least now, he just falls onto his butt and goes on to the next thing he is going to pull up on!

Playing

2008-12-04T21:11:00.003-05:00

Charlie is SO busy!! He plays with his excersaucer, his jumparoo, his toys, the dog and even the air vent! He is never in the same spot anymore! The only way I can find him is because I can hear him grunting while he tries to pull himself up on things! Here's a few busy poses...

2008-11-22T14:19:00.004-05:00

Here's some Christmas fun for all of you and you can do it too!

http://www.elfyourself.jibjab.com/

It was definetly worth the 4 bucks to download! Hilarious, I was laughing so hard I was crying!

Awesome Autumn

2008-11-19T10:54:00.002-05:00

On one of the last nice days of fall, before all this cold snow, we took some pics of Charlie in the leaves. All he really wanted to do was eat them. But regardless, they turned out cute!

6 Months

2008-11-16T21:31:00.002-05:00

Charlie's six month pictures are here! Click on the link below to see them!

http://www.davinciphotography.net/charlievandenberg-6months/charlievandenberg-6months.htm

He's on the move!!

2008-11-12T22:35:00.005-05:00

Charlie is quite the mover now-a-days!! He's pulling himself up on things and crawling all over the place! He just doesn't stop! Gone are the days where I could put him down and come back to him in the same placeAt Grandma G's house

Under the coffee table...Under Grandma's coffee table...he must have a thing for coffee tables...Trying to pull himself up on the coffee table!! I thought he was 7 months, not 10 months!In the rocking chair, playing with daddyHappily crawling in the kitchen

He's growing up way too fast!

How do you "excersaucer"?

2008-11-08T13:18:00.003-05:00

Charlie has found a new way to play with his excersauser.

Whatever keeps him happy...

Quick Pic

2008-11-03T09:38:00.002-05:00

Here's a snapshot of my little dragon. I can hear him talking in his crib right now, so I just thought I would throw a picture up here and I can blog later!

Gum or Chocolate anyone??

2008-11-03T09:17:00.003-05:00

I got to visit Walgreens and CVS this AM cause Steve was home for a while. I had a great time!! There was a great deal on gum at walgreens and I got some shavers(which I don't need!) for free! I'll give them for college care packages or something. I was just looking at my receipt and it says "your total savings: $100.37"! I didn't think I saved that much! I only spent $9.60 on my rebate gift card! Plus I am getting $6.99 back on a rebate for the mascara! So I spent $2.61. Wow, what a trip!

Here's what I bought:

1 Dawn dish soap

1 Almay mascara

10 packs of Schick Quattro Razors

18 packs of Wrigley's gum

2 bags of Dove Chocolate

Here's how I did it.

Dawn soap had a wags cp for .99 ea and there was a MF cp for .20 off(10/12 P&G)

Almay Mascara-no cp, but full rebate

Schick Razor ESC coupon and BOGO MF cp (10-19 ss)

Gum BOGO wags cp and BOGO MF cp, so free!! (10-5 ss)

CVS

Diapers were on sale and there was a great deal on chocolate bars.(Which a REALLY don't need! :-)

Here's what I got: 2 Pampers Jumbo packs (2/$20)

20 Hershey Bars (2/$1)

Here's How I did it:

Pampers: $1.50 off one (x2) from home mailer *if you buy $20, you get $5 ECB

Hershey BOGO (9-7 ss) *if you buy $10, you get $5 ECB

I spent $13.40 on my CVS gift card and got $10 ECB back! So I spent $3.40

CVS

2008-10-22T10:45:00.004-04:00

I have a few blog watchers because of my couponing, so I have to post for them too! But I will try to keep it at least equal between my purchases and my family!

Here is my CVS Trip for this week...

I purchased: 4 boxes of Kleenex with Lotion

2 packages of Huggies Diapers

1 Tub of Wipes

2 Colgate Toothpastes

1 bottle of Excedrin

1 Box of Qtips

2 CVS Bar soaps

My total would have been $54.48. Just by using my CVS card, I saved $14.70. With my coupons and ECB's, I saved another $26.39. My total OOP was $14.77 and I earned $15.00 in ECB's for my next trip. So all in all, I made a profit of .23 cents!

Happy Birthday Steve!

2008-10-22T10:38:00.004-04:00

Happy Birthday to my hard-working man! Today is Steve's 26th birthday, and he is working hard! Last week while I was at work, he tore out the entire basement and brought it to the landfill! Now he is rebuilding it so we can have a nice big area to hang out. We were talking about doing redoing the basement, and with him being laid off, he has lots of time! So he's working hard at home. Along with taking care of Charlie, he is also cleaning, cooking and remodeling! What a great guy! I can't tell you how much I appreciate him around here!

Seriously though, he is such a great husband and daddy! He loves to help others (as seen in the picture on Sarah and Jason's roof) and to help his family. I am so blessed to be married to him and I can't wait to see what God has in store for him the the coming years!

I LOVE YOU BABE!!

My curious crawler...

2008-10-22T10:19:00.005-04:00

Charlie has begun doing a crawl/scoot thing this week! Now we can't just leave him somewhere and come back to him, so we have to be careful. This morning, Steve told me that he had left him on the floor in our room for a minute while he was doing something and came back and he was inches from the power strip to the TV! He put him on the opposite side of the room too! I got a few pictures of him and we don't have a video camera, so this will have to be sufficient!

And he gets his target!! My camera string!

What can you get with $5?

2008-10-15T22:27:00.003-04:00

My co-workers are very impressed with my coupon-ing skills! So one of them gave me five dollars and wanted to see how many groceries I could get with it. Well, she picked a bad week to challenge me!! There is a great deal at Meijer that is a huge money maker if you do it right!! You will never believe it, but I filled Charlie's wagon with all the groceries I got for $5! And I haven't even spent it all yet!!!!

This is what I got:

1 Bottle of Apple Juice

1 Gerber Sippy cup

2 containers of Veggie/Fruit Puffs

8 Glade Scented Oil Warmers

22 Boxes of Jello

2 Boxes of Microwave Popcorn

1 Taco Bell Dinner Kit

1 Taco Bell Salsa

10 Bags of Vegetables

Can you believe it??? I still have money left! Amber, I hope you are proud of me.

P.S. Anybody need any Jello??

My boy in a box

2008-10-13T22:26:00.003-04:00

Charlie is on the move! He is starting to scoot around and tonight, Steve and I wanted to get a few things organized. We had to contain him and he did not want to be in his jumper because he couldn't see us. So this was our fix for that problem...

Hey, he was entertained!! That's all that mattered!

Not my best, but still good!

2008-10-13T22:15:00.004-04:00

I went to Walgreens tonight and got a pretty good deal. It wasn't my best, but it was still a good one! This is what I got:

6 rolls of Bounty ($1.49 ea regularly)

5 bar of Dove soap (3 were $1.39, 2 were $2.99 regularly)

3 100ct Ibuprofen ($6.99ea regularly)

1 Always Infinity ($8.99 regularly)

My total should have been $51.99 if I bought this with no coupons. Well including coupons, register rewards used, register rewards received and rebates I will receive I only spent $2.62! They didn't pay me totally, but it was pretty close!

P.S. The Always are for someone at work because she can't believe what kind of deals I get, and that is what she wanted. All you have to do is ask....

Sleepy....

2008-10-07T22:21:00.003-04:00

Did I ever say how funny I think it is that Charlie can fall asleep anywhere??

Five Generations

2008-10-07T22:12:00.003-04:00

This past Sunday, my parents, Charlie and I went to my Great Grandma Baker's 96th Birthday party. We finally got to take that coveted "5 Generation" picture that I have been wanting. How many families can say that there are five generations alive in their family? I can! I was very excited that I got to get this picture!

Clockwise from top (what Charlie would call them :-) Great Grandma Gallup, Grandpa Gallup, Mom, Charlie and Great-Great Grandma Baker. That is so cool!

Looks like Charlie likes his Great-Great Grandma!!

TV Time

2008-09-26T10:41:00.001-04:00

Charlie is obsessed with TV! I know it's bad for him (Per all the books I read) but anytime we have it on, he's trying to look at it. Well, the other day I caught him and Steve watching together. He didn't even look at me when I took his picture! Oh boy, I think we are going to have some trouble with this!

The Stock Pile

2008-09-26T10:35:00.003-04:00

About a month ago, my mom brought an article in the paper to my attention. It was about SavingsAngel.com. There was a family's pantry on the front of this section and it was amazing! I wanted to have one just like it! I've been stocking up with my coupons and deals and here's the work in progress:

Mac and Cheese anyone??

You'd think I would have smooth legs with all these shavers.....but I have a baby too....

All Smiles!

2008-09-15T22:13:00.005-04:00

Charlie is really smiley lately! Which is really good, cause I think he's getting some teeth soon! I'll take the smiles while I can get them.

What a happy guy! I actually think he kinda looks like my brother in this picture....

In Honor of Janna

2008-09-12T16:34:00.007-04:00

This blog started off all about Baby, but it's also turning into how I save money I've been blessed with. So I met with the Thrifty Mama herself, Janna. My Sister-in-law taught me all about coupons (as you all know!) I'd like to honor her with my purchases today!

Walgreens

This is what I got:

2 Action Scrubbers (3.79 ea)
Fantastik Cleaner (2.49)
2 Windex (2.49ea)
2 Windex Antibacterial (2.49ea)
2 Robitussin (3.99ea)
Dimetapp (3.99)
Sunsilk Shampoo (4.29)
Sunsilk Conditioner (4.29)
Sunsilk Volumizing Mousse (Free! It was connected to the conditioner!) BONUS!
2 Oust Sanitizers (2.99ea)
2 Schick Quattro Razors (4.99ea)
12. Revlon Nail Polish (4.79)13.
2 Degree Men's Deoderant (1.99ea)
13. Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner (19.99)

My Total was $40.71 after coupons/sales/etc... and I paid $21.29 out of pocket after part of a gift card I had left. BUT! The best part was a recieved $30 in Register Rewards to use next time and the Nail Polish is free after rebate and the Automatic Shower cleaner is free after rebate too! So actually I made a profit of $28.49!!

Meijer

4 cans Dog Food (.69ea)
5 Boxes Electrasol Tabs (4.99 on sale 2/$6)
5 Bags Veggie Steamers (1.69 on sale $1 ea)
6 Boxes Hamburger Helper (2.19 on sale $1ea)

All for $8.31 after my coupons!

All because of Janna.....Man, I love her!

Charlie's New Toy

2008-09-12T16:21:00.002-04:00

We got Charlie a Jumparoo! He loves it! (Even at 7:00AM) We put him in it and when his hits this little blue button on the front, it plays music. We'll let me tell you! I hear it in my sleep! I think we might actually cut down on "Jumparoo time"!!

My Cutie

2008-09-12T16:19:00.002-04:00

I just had to post this picture of my cute little boy! Sorry, but I know I'm biased!

I caught ya!

2008-09-03T21:53:00.003-04:00

This past week, Steve was watching Charlie while I was doing some grocery shopping and he had put him in his car seat on the counter (I know, a no-no) to watch him while he made some lunch. He was falling asleep holding on to the toys that dangle from the handle. Steve tried to get a picture and as he was taking it, he opened his eyes, but you get the point. Plus, it's cute! Just imagine him with his eyes closed!

George meet Charlie

2008-09-03T21:46:00.002-04:00

This monday, we finally got Charlie down to George's level! George was being very calm and we thought it was probably a good day for us to introduce them face to face. It was a good thing he was calm because he got a poke in the eye and his ears pulled! He did really well though, he just laid there and took it! Which is a good thing for him, cause the minute he bites/nips/growls/etc. at Charlie, he's going to find a new home! I love him, but I can't take the chance!

Here's a few pics of them "Playing"

Guessing Game!

2008-09-03T21:26:00.003-04:00

I have to catch up, so I'm doing a few posts in a row.....

Recently, I have gotten into couponing! (Is that a word?) My sister-in-law Janna is really good at dealing with all these coupons and deals and I asked her to help me out! I want to be able to store up a pantry type stock of things so that I can not worry about buying things if we are short on cash. Due to the nature of Steve's job, that it is seasonal, that might be soon! So, Janna has been teaching me how to get the best deals and I see it kind of like a competition. Anyone who knows me knows that I am really competitive!!!

So here's the game. These are a few deals that I have done this week, and you guess how much I paid for them.....

Got a guess??

22 cents!!

Ok next one!

Think Hard.....

$1.99! Pretty good huh??

Moral of the story: If you have coupons from the Sunday paper and you aren't going to use them, get them to me please!!

Cereal!

2008-08-09T23:29:00.004-04:00

Yay for cereal!!

Charlie's not so sure about it though! We have started to give him some rice cereal at night, like a bedtime snack almost! :-) This first time he had it, more got on us then in his tummy, but regardless of that, he slept better than ever! I think he went to sleep around 10PM and didn't get up until 9AM!!! What a good boy huh?? He just keeps getting bigger and stronger everyday! Before you know it, he'll be walking!!

The story of Charlie's first taste of cereal

This is gross!

Just try it, you'll like it!!

But MOM!!!

Finger-lickin good!!

Busy Summer Days

2008-07-28T22:03:00.003-04:00

SORRY!!

I know it has been a while since I blogged anything!! Our Family has been busy camping, playing softball, and hanging out at Barlow lake. Charlie is getting so big! He's SO CLOSE to rolling over! He still loves the bath and loves to splash around and cries everytime we take him out! At the Annual VandenBerg Barlow lake vacation, he got some serious cousin time! He loved to hang out with his cousins, and loves his kisses from Micah. Next year he will be quite a handful!

What a lazy boy!

Getting some valuable insite from Ethan and Daddy

He was NOT happy with Grandpa on the hammock!

He liked the lake until a huge wave hit him right in the face.... Oops, Daddy wasn't watching for waves!

Watching TV was a favorite activity for Charlie

Bathtime!

2008-06-20T16:02:00.004-04:00

Charlie LOVES his baths! He just hangs out, sometimes we will get a little whimper from him, but he cries when it's done! What a funny little boy!

He starts out with crazy hair! (His expression says, "Who are you lookin at?")

Then we wash it....
He loves his hair washed!
Who doesn't love baby butts??
See! He's done so he gets upset about it!

Daddy makes his hair nice and neat.

We are working on that "budda belly"

Charlie's Baptism

2008-06-12T10:31:00.003-04:00

On June 1, We had our little guy baptized at our church, Providence Christian Reformed Church. It was a great service and Charlie did so good, until I stopped singing and he realized he was in a strange guy's (Pastor Bob) arms. He screamed and screamed until Pastor Bob gave him back to us. Regardless of the crying incident, it was very special. I'm glad that we have that promise from our church family that they will help us raise him in the way of the Lord. If we need help, we know who we can go to. I can't wait to see this little man grow to know the Lord like his parents do.

This outfit was worn by Steve when he was baptized back in 1982. It was pretty tight on Charlie but we made it work! It was very special to be able to use that!

Our Family by Charlie's banner

All the grandkids with Grandpa and Grandma VandenBerg

What I love about you

2008-06-02T22:45:00.001-04:00

Being Charlie's mommy has brought a whole new perspective to my life. Sometimes I find myself staring at him and wondering why God gave him to me. I can't name all the things I love about him, but I can share a few......

How he smiles in his sleep and peeks just to see if I'm watching him

Yes, I even love his crying!
How he is just this cute little dude. Peace.
How he can sleep in ANY position and seem like he is comfortable!
How much he loves napping with his daddy
I love (but secretly hate) how he is growing so fast and acts like such a little man!
His big blue eyes that fixate on you
I love how he blows his nose. Who knew sneezing was so cute??

I thank the Lord that I can have this time with my sweet boy. I know that he is growing up and eventually he won't be so dependant on us, but I hope that he will always love us as much as he does now. I know I always will.