Welcome to the World!

Our nephew and Godchild, Da'Montae Marcus, was born to Caitlyn Ruckman (my sister!) and DaMeon McGee last night at 11:50 pm. He weighed 6 lbs, and was 18 inches long, and sports lots of black curly hair! Caitie did an amazing job with only 8 hours of labor (hooray for chiropractic care!), no epidural, and a phenomenal performance, according to her doctor! I got to be there only by phone, but got the call 6 minutes after he was born, and remained on the phone for the next 2 hours (thanks Mom!). I feel like I still got to experience it all, although it is killing me not to be there physically. I cannot wait to hold this precious bundle next weekend, and begin to watch his life unfold. God has made himself evident on many levels throughout Da'Montae's growth and entrance into this world, and we know that He will continue to bless him, Caitie and Da'Meon. Thank you to all of my blogfriends for your prayers and support through all of this--your love and concern has truly been a blessing. Cait, thank you for giving Josh and I the opportunity to be Baby D's Godparents--we are honored and will be there for you and your precious bundle every step of the way. We love you all.....

Da'Montae, you are blessed (and A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E.!) [Pictures to follow when I meet him!]

Kendra Lynn

Kendra and Eva, Easter 2008
Kendra & I, February 2006






Our Goddaughter, Kendra, is starting her first day of "Kendra-garten" next week. Where have the years gone? It seems like yesterday that we were running to the hospital to meet our first Godchild. Kendra, you are such a special gift to us. With a smile that lights up any room, and your beautiful crazy curls, we pray that God goes with you as you begin this adventure. We can't wait to see where life takes you!

Kendra & I, Cait's graduation, May 2008

Conversations of a Football Widow.....

Tonight is Josh's Fantasy Football Draft. I anticipate having these conversations in the near future....

"Emma, I am sorry that we don't have as much food to eat right now--Daddy's fantasy "ante was upped" this year."

"I know, your light-up Chicago Bears shoes don't fit anymore. Don't worry, when we go to Chicago next, we will buy you a bigger size so your feet won't hurt anymore. You can try to put them on Eva, but I am pretty sure that Daddy will notice you aren't wearing them, unless Rex Grossman is actually having a good game, then he for sure won't notice."

"Em, if Daddy asks you if you want to go to Buffalo Wild Wings on a Sunday afternoon, go at your own risk. Yes, he will buy you wings and pop, but please understand that you will be there for at least four hours, and then he might want to stay and see how Jet Favre is doing in the second game....."

"Girls, I know you are tired of wearing jerseys & cheerleading outfits every Sunday, but believe me, you do look cute!"

"Em, I know that Daddy has the TV, computer, AND laptop, but he is watching the live game on the flat screen, has his fantasy live scoring on the computer, and the Bears game on the laptop....."

"Eva, Daddy really needs you to quit crying so he can concentrate on picking his line-up."

"Yes, girls, we will have family day on Sundays again, but not until next February....."

Okay, so I may be exaggerating a bit. This is all in good fun. Mostly. I am glad that Josh has something to be passionate about!

Go Bears!

A Day at the MN State Fair

Squish is ready for a fun day!
Emma enjoying one of her favorite treats!
Going down the Giant Slide with Mommy!
Excitement!
Exhausted!
While Monday night was Mommy's Girls Nite Out at the fair with friends, yesterday was our family day at the fair! We spent over 10 hours there, and the girls were awesome. We had so much fun! We shared all the fun favorites to eat (Australian potatoes, deep-fried turkey sandwich, deep-fried oreos, raspberry Dole Whip, Sweet Martha's bucket-o-cookies, foot-long corn dog, cheese curds, Mac & Cheese on a stick, etc., etc.), watched the Kare 11 news live, visited our favorite radio stations for live broadcasts (KS95 and KFAN), watched a ewe give birth to twins, went down the Giant Slide twice, walked miles and miles, and had such a great time that we are trying to figure out when we can return for more! We truly had "fun-on-a-stick!"

Tag!

Jodi tagged me on her blog, so here goes.....

Ten Years Ago
I was starting my junior year of high school. I played basketball this year, and threw shot put and discus in track. I worked as a server at Monical's Pizza. where Josh was my boss, however, I was dating my high school sweetheart at the time.

My To-Do List Today
1. Enjoy my week off!
2. Buy Eva some baby food.
3. Fold laundry.
4. Get cash for the MN State Fair tomorrow!
5. Make a meal, I suppose.
6. Call my friend Megan.
7. Submit questionnaire for my IRB proposal and research project.
8. Go through the pile of mail.
9. Vaccuum.
10. Go to the post office and mail a package.

Snack that I Enjoy
Chocolate Chip Cookies are my all-time fave!

Things I Would Do if I was a Millionaaire
Go on a real vacation. Pay off my school loans. Buy a house on a body of water. Share some moolah with my family that has helped us so much! INVEST! Give to charity. Open my own business, named "Snack and Crack," with a healthy snack, juices, supplements and cafe (snack portion) and a chiropractic clinic (crack portion). Above all, I would keep working.....

Places I've Lived
Springfield, IL
Fort Wayne, IN
Osage, IA
back to Fort Wayne, IN
Alta, IA
Lowden, IA
Peoria, IL
Herscher, IL
Mequon, WI
back to Herscher, IL
Prior Lake, MN
Richfield, MN
Shakopee, MN
Maplewood, MN

Tag! You're It!
Erin
Naomi
Liz
Katie

Clogged Ducts

Warning: Graphic Content Follows.....

I am currently nursing (no pun intended) my 5th clogged duct THIS WEEK alone. Something is seriously wrong. We aren't talking a minor duct that is clogging. We are talking my boob going 24-48 hours without producing, engorgement city, tears, hot packs, massages, frustration, and did I mention pain? Anybody got any ideas? I am tired of trying to be my own doctor. I am sure that one is leading to another via scar tissue, but come on. Thankfully, none of them have turned into mastitis. Been there--done that--almost died. Please help. I know the logical solution is to quit nursing. I won't. Don't even suggest it. I insist on going a year.

This is seriously getting ri.dic.u.lous.

Bike Ride!

Ready to ride!
All snuggled up and ready to go!
Eva attacking Emma.....

We decided to give a bike ride a try last weekend. Emma LOVES bikerides, but since Eva arrived, we were apprehensive about putting her in the trailer with Em. She is able to sit quite well, so we thought we would give it a try! Minus a few stops to see what the crying was all about, it was so fun! What a great summer activity!

Cereal Queen!

Notice the blurry bowl because it was kicked by happy feet!
As Josh would say, "Eva loves her food!"

Eva had her first bites of rice cereal this week. She loves it so much that the bouncing in between too-slow bites causes spill-age on Mommy! She has been so much more content throughout the day with this extra organic treat! Did I mention, though, how smelly her poop is?

Where is the Pause Button???

Emma: two-and-a-half

Emma is now two-and-a-half. For the first time in motherhood, I want to push the Pause button..... Don't get me wrong, every stage of parenting is a blessing, but Emma is so much fun right now. Everyday is an adventure to see what funny thing Emma will say or do next. She seems to be past the terrible part of the "Terrible Twos," she is so helpful with the baby, she can fully communicate anything she wants to say, she listens and obeys, and gosh darn it, she is hilarious. I am trying to savor these moments, but I know that before we blink an eye, she will be even more grown up. I really need that Pause button.



How about for you other mothers out there--when did you want to push the Pause button??? Does it really get better than this?



I don't see how!

Sisters & Friends.....