Heather Louise Rhoads

Valentine Project

2012-02-09T14:08:00.005-06:00

Today was craft day, in the Rhoads' household! The girls each made a card for Mike, a bouquet of paper hearts for me, and then we made door-hangers, too! Here are some pictures of our day!

We used the foam 5x7 sheets and made tissue-paper hearts. Then, used stickers to write the "I LOVE YOU" message. I sealed it with a kiss (a stamp), and finally attached the pipe-cleaner with hot glue. The best part of this project was that it took a long time for Abby to glue all the tissue paper to fill in the heart!

A nice day in February...

2012-02-06T18:26:00.000-06:00

It was nice outside, and all of us had cabin fever! I took the girls outside and let them run. It was a little wet, and a little muddy, but since it was our first time playing in the yard in almost a month, no one cared! They got to run off some much needed energy and breathe in fresh air. It was really nice. I noticed that the sun was low in the sky, and ran inside to grab my camera. Surprisingly, the girls had a little patience with me, and let me snap a few pictures of them. I don't know what is going on with Livi's expression...maybe she's learning to "smile"...sigh, I already can't wait for that to pass! Abby's smiles are finally getting good again, and she's even learning different favorite poses when she sees me with my camera.

Craft time!

2011-12-28T18:43:00.000-06:00

Aunt Pat and Uncle Vic bought these for the girls for Christmas, and we took advantage of this cold December day to color and decorate them! The girls had a great time, and got permanent marker all over my kitchen table! Tis okay, I hate that table anyway!

December update

2011-12-17T09:45:00.000-06:00

We had a great Halloween, though I didn't take any pictures. Abigail was a beautiful Snow White, and Olivia was Buzz Lightyear! They both really enjoyed trick-or-treating this year, and really seemed to understand the concept.

We've already had a few rounds of runny noses and coughs this season. Being stuck inside is hard on all of us. The girls have been bickering a bit, and hate to clean their rooms. I am trying to come up with some fun indoor activities for us, and hoping that crafts and games will help entertain them.

We're staring down the barrel of Christmas now. We're in good shape - have most of our stuff done. Our Christmas cards went out in the mail today, and it feels good to cross that off my list. I haven't figured out what to do for Mike yet...

Tomorrow, we're going to get our Christmas tree. I am really looking forward to that, but I feel bad for Olivia and her snotty nose. I am wondering if her and I should stay home and let Mike and Abby get our tree this year. I remember going with my Dad to get our tree, and always enjoyed that (of course, Mom made him take me because he was grounded from going with Rick - but that's another story).

The girls have started gymnastics since the last post and they both love it! Abigail really seems to enjoy it, and I am really happy about that. I was a little worried that she would be too scared to try the skills, but I have been pleasantly surprised. Olivia runs wild through the gym and climbs on everything that she can reach. This week, I glanced her direction and she was hanging on a bar with her feet dangling two feet off the ground. That baby knows no fear!

Wow - it's been a while since I posted!

2011-10-20T07:56:00.002-05:00

The rest of the summer came and went, and we're staring down the barrel of the holidays! I can't believe how long it's been since I blogged, but I have been focused on a lot of other things - Tomorrow's Treasures, our anniversary, preschool, and more.

Summer 2011 - slideshow dvd

This includes most of the stuff we did this summer - a lot of playing in our backyard or the girls riding their bikes and their jeep...but a camping trip with the Williams family is included, too!

I will do another post for our autumn images soon!

July 4th and Glasses

2011-07-05T07:57:00.006-05:00

On July 2nd, Mike and I took Abby to get her glasses. We took her to LensCrafters, because they could do them in an hour. She picked out a cute purple pair of glasses, and we picked them up after dinner. She's been really good about wearing them already - she wore them all day yesterday. She isn't used to it, so it's still normal for her to not wear them. When she first put them on, she looked over at me and exclaimed, "Mom, you have teeth!!!". I had no idea that her vision is as bad as it is. The doctor told me that her level of functionality for her lack of sight is astounding. He told me that she was going to have to learn how to see. Her brain is going to have to learn to interpret a new way of seeing.

Yesterday was July 4th, and we spent the afternoon at Holly's. After dinner, we went outside and started lighting fireworks. Holly held onto Olive so that Abby could participate in the festivities. This was the first year we have let her light smoke bombs or bottle rockets. I don't think she's ever seen a sparkler. She was very focused yesterday, and the pictures show her concentration and excitement at the fireworks. I went out last night and bought more, so that we could spend a few more days letting her light stuff. It was really neat to see her intense concentration.

Staycation is over

2011-06-26T07:24:00.005-05:00

On Tuesday, we went to the City Museum with the girls, and we all had a great time. The girls were running and climbing and sliding all over the place.

We spent most of our time in Toddler Town, because it was more contained. There was a ball pit and a few slides - enough to keep the girls busy.

We also spent some time in the Art Center - painting. We stopped by the Skate Park, too. The girls were tuckered out, and Livi took a great nap that day.

Wednesday, we took the girls to a few parks to play in the morning, meeting up with Trish and Jase and Gabby.

By the afternoon, Abigail had come down with a stomach bug, and it kept us homebound for the rest of the week. We had great plans to do more fun stuff with the girls, including the spa day for Abigail and me, but we postponed all of it and spent a lot of time watching movies with Abby.

Friday evening, Mike and I went out to Joannie's for pizza, and then found ourselves at the International Tap House. We had a great time and the weather was wonderful!

Yesterday was Pam's wedding. Abigail's stomach wasn't fully recovered, so I stayed home with the girls while Mike went to the ceremony. My mom stayed with the girls while we went to the reception last night - that was a lot of fun. Pam was a beautiful bride, and I can't wait to see her pictures! I only took my point-and-shoot camera, and didn't take very many pictures with it. It felt really nice to be a guest at a wedding for a change!

Today is the last day of Mike's time off, and we're going to have dinner with friends that we haven't seen in a long time. I am not ready for Mike to go back to work tomorrow, but all good things must come to an end. He starts his new job tomorrow, and I am very excited for him - he's waited a long time for this!

Good luck tomorrow, Babe! I love you!

2011 Staycation

2011-06-20T15:42:00.002-05:00

We are enjoying our stay-cation this week! We spent last weekend visiting with Holly and Gary and the boys, and Danielle and Steve and Shelby. It was a very nice weekend with friends and family.

Yesterday was Father's Day, and we all celebrated with ice cream at Ginny's after dinner. Yum! The girls made quite the mess with their cherry sundaes - their choice! Abigail finished her sundae and moved right on to my Oreo concrete!

Today, we took the girls to the pool, and they wore us out. It seemed backwards - I thought it was supposed to wear them out - that they were supposed to come home and nap. Boy, was I mistaken!

Now, we're getting ready for our evening out. I am taking Olive to dinner with family, while Mike and the girls are heading out for a 5:30 dinner reservation (at Chick Fil-A!). Should be lots of fun!

I have to get us all ready now - we're going to get some pictures of this before we head out the door!

Happy Father's Day to my Dad - and the 1982 World Series!

2011-06-19T06:26:00.002-05:00

This Father's Day, I decided to share my favorite story, as told by my Dad. Please enjoy!

It was Game 7, of the 1982 World Series. Dad and his brothers had gone to see the game. They were seated in the upper level. During the 6th inning, my dad and his brothers began discussing how to get closer to the field, in hopes of the Cards win. They all walked down to the railing, at the lowest part of their level, and Dad turned to his brother, Ronny, saying, "Hold my beer." And over the railing he went!

He turned back to Ronny, with his hands held out in front of him, "drop my beer!" - and he did. One by one, his brothers did the same thing, and they moved down to the railing of that section. They did the same thing again, until they were finally down to the front row of seats.

Dad, a friendly and outgoing person who was loved by all, approached an older man sitting in the front row, watching the 8th inning.

"Excuse me, are you going?"

The older man looked at my dad, and said, "Going where?"

Dad said, "On the field...when we win, are you going?"

The guy smiled, and said, "No, I am not going out there."

"Can I have your seat?" Dad replied. I don't know how, but Dad talked this guy out of his seat, at Game 7, during the 8th inning.

Dad watched, as Bruce Sutter pitched the 9th inning. He watched the first two strikes of the final out, but as Sutter pitched the final strike of the final out, Dad went over the wall. He never saw the strike called. He was already on the field, running directly to Sutter.

In the video, you see Sutter pitch, and all of the Cards players rush to Sutter - and the whole group of them are celebrating and jumping up and down. In that scene, my Dad runs into the group of the Cardinals players - the only one not wearing a jersey - and join in the celebration.

The camera cuts away before Dad made it to Sutter, and when he did, he grabbed his hat (and, according to Dad, a healthy handful of Sutter's hair). As he turned to run with his souvenir, a cop finally caught up with him, and knocked him out with his night stick. Dad said that cop hit him, and he saw his feet fly out in front of him before he hit the ground. When he came to, the hat was gone. Poor Dad (and poor Sutter, who had less hair than what he started the game with)!

I have tried a hundred times to find this video online, so that I could post it to Facebook - but I have had no success.

Anyway, this is my tribute to my Dad, on Father's Day. I love you and miss you, Dad!

Spring!

2011-03-21T23:16:00.001-05:00

We are ready for spring! The girls are ready to play outside, run and jump, go to parks and feel the sunshine!   I am ready, too!   They've bounced off the walls, beds, floors, and couches all winter.   They've watched tv and movies, and colored almost an entire ream of paper.   We have danced, sang, played games and tickles for hours on end.   It's been a long winter in this house, complete with several rounds of runny noses, and head colds.

Now, we have been playing outside, and it feels great! Duke, who spent most of the winter in his own seasonal depression, has spent the past few days chasing his favorite Frisbee and chewing on sticks.   He has also taken notice of the squirrels in our yard, and it seems to have stirred him up a bit!

Abigail is a bit more adventurous than she was last fall, and will explore the yard without me, if I don't stop her. I have already had to holler her name as she runs around the house.   She is 3, going on 8. She is still a very affectionate girl, and always finds ways to surprise me. She tries very hard to learn new words the first time she hears them.   Today, she asked what it meant to be confident.

Olivia is also mastering words at an astonishing pace.   She strings words together to make 3 or 4-word sentences.   She follows Abigail all over the place, and mimics her every move.   She is the happiest person I have ever known, and loves to make people laugh.   She is sure that she is too cute for trouble, and will often try to melt me with giggles.

Between them, I do have my hands full!

Abigail and Olive

2011-01-16T22:04:00.001-06:00

They are growing up so fast!

Abigail is enjoying preschool!   These past few months, she has really been playing with others more and seems to be developing more social skills. She finally enjoys being around other kids, and even plays with Olive. We have been trying to get her to read, and I think she can, but she doesn't always cooperate. She memorizes her books and recites stories to us without looking at the pages.   She has a large vocabulary, and often surprises me with her newfound words and phrases.   She has recently told me that she misses dance class, so we are going to find another activity for her. She is a very lovey girl, and is happy to share hugs, kisses, and germs! Abigail is funny, loves to make people laugh. She wants to play all day, and hates cleaning her room.   She loves to do crafts, and thinks that scissors, glue, and tape are the recipe for fun!   She hates sleeping; she sees it as a waste of great play time!   And stubborn... I don't know where she gets that!   But, quick to forgive, doesn't hold grudges.   The way to her heart is through paint, puzzles and play!

Olive is growing and changing right before my eyes. She doesn't seem like a baby anymore.   She has her own ideas and opinions on everything, and shares them freely.   She climbs wherever she wants to be and knows no fear or limits.   She believes herself cute enough to melt trouble away with giggles and kisses.   She is still the happiest person I have ever known, and doesn't dwell on bo-bos or hurt feelings.   Her cries are brief and never without cause.   She loves Abigail very deeply, and stands next to her in time-out, voluntarily.   Her latest words are Shrek, bed, outside, brush, up, and down.   She has a handful of words that she has been repeating lately, but I haven't figured out what they are.   I am trying to get her to say "I love you", without success.

Mike and I are very blessed to have such beautiful girls! They definitely keep us on our toes.

Fire destroyed my cousin's house

2010-11-22T20:40:00.005-06:00

I found out today that my cousin, Angela, lost her home in a fire. It is a complete loss. Her, her husband, Greg, and their three children, Gregory, Caleb and Aiden, are in desperate need of clothes at the present time. If anyone has any clothes in the following sizes, please let me know!

Women's: size 16 pants, Large or XL shirts
Men's: 34/32 pants, XL shirt
Boy's: 4T pants and shirts
Boy's: 12 pants
Boy's: 16 pants
Men's: M shirts

In addition to clothes, they need beds and dressers. If you can help at all, please contact me. My email is Heather@therhoadsonline.com.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated. Please feel free to pass this on.

Williams family weekend

2010-09-16T21:44:00.001-05:00

This past weekend, the Williams family met at a campground for good times, and we were not disappointed! On Friday night, we swapped stories of soggy camping trips gone-by, while trying to stay out of the mud. We stayed up late, and met the rain on our way to bed.

Saturday morning breakfast was biscuits and sausage, with mom's gravy! Life doesn't get better than that! After cleanup, mom took the kids to the playground, while many waited to find out their float-fate. A few hours later, it was announced that the waters were too high for floating, so we cooked lunch and started playing beer pong.

The day lazed along, and we all cooked, ate, and cleaned up dinner. Then, Holly brought out a cookie cake, decorated with "Good Luck, James" in orange icing. There were horseshoes and washers, and more beer pong.

Then, Gary, Sam and Mason serenaded us with music old and new. We laughed and sang all the words we knew.

We found some nearby campers from Ste. Genevieve, where our family is from, and drank a beer with them too.

There was also a wedding reception in the campground that night, and from what I hear, that was a good time, too!

Sunday morning was all business, as one-by-one each tent was folded, campers were hitched, and family members left for home. We missed all of the absentees, and hope to have an even better turnout next year! We've decided to do this again next summer, and not wait another 5 years!

Abby and Gramma

2010-09-06T07:46:00.001-05:00

On Friday, mom and i took the girls to see Gramma. Abigail was very friendly, and talkative, even singing songs to Gramma. The song she chose to sing to Gramma was the Bushel-and-a-peck song that she learned from her Great Grandpa. Olivia was also friendly, and her giggles made Gramma laugh. I spent a short time reading to her, out of her brother's book.

After we left Gramma's, mom took us out to lunch. Olivia figured out quickly that her high chair was on wheels, and she was mobile. She would push herself away from the table and then kick and flail to try to move forward. She eventually tired of that game.

August

2010-08-18T07:39:00.000-05:00

Here are some pictures of Abigail and Olivia, taken yesterday. I did take some video, too, and I am going to try to get that posted, too.

Tomorrow's Treasures Photography

2010-08-17T12:46:00.004-05:00

So, the past few months have been really busy. Trisha and I have been putting in countless hours each day, and doing a lot of shoots to get ourselves established. We've been working on the website, the facebook page, and our portfolio. We have a lot of work ahead of us yet, but we're starting to get some exposure and have booked some appointments, too. I want to thank all of my friends who have visited our sites, and become fans on facebook. For those who don't know or haven't seen either, both websites are listed below.

www.tomorrowstreasuresstl.com
Tomorrow's Treasures on Facebook

Test

2010-08-05T16:09:00.003-05:00

Olivia's One-Year Pictures

2010-07-24T13:17:00.000-05:00

Dietrich Dance Recital, 2010

2010-06-13T09:15:00.001-05:00

Abigail's dance recital

2010-06-13T06:58:00.000-05:00

Here is a picture of us at Abigail's dance recital tonight! She did so well - and had a lot of fun, too! She performed three times - one ballet, one tap, and one tumbling. All three were precious!

June

2010-06-10T22:11:00.001-05:00

Wow. It is already June! Spring seemed to fly by. We had a great spring, and are looking forward to summer. Our yard is fixed, the swing set built, and the girls are happiest playing outdoors.

Olivia is walking really well...really taking off around Memorial Day weekend. Olivia is also on a great nap and sleep schedule, finally going to sleep on her own when we put her in her crib. She babbles a lot, says "da-da", but not "ma-ma". She plays games, loves to roll and tickle on the floor. She is by far the happiest baby I have ever known. She loves to explore and has yet to meet a stranger.

Abigail is having a great spring, too. She has been in dance since February, and her recital is this weekend. She seems to enjoy it, and is excited to come home and show off what she learns. She has also been going to preschool since February, and she loves it! She loves her teacher, and doesn't really understand summer vacation. Potty training has gone really well, and as a reward, Mike and I took Abigail to see Shrek at the movie theater. She thought it was too loud, but enjoyed the movie and the popcorn!

Mother's Day was quiet and relaxed here. We spent the weekend at home, for the most part, and I enjoyed my roses from Mike and the girls. My kitchen smelled of roses for almost a whole week!

Both girls are enjoying the new swing set - and Abigail wants all of her friends to come play with her. Now, we are looking forward to some camping and float trips later this summer.

Abigail's preschool progress report

2010-05-17T19:29:00.002-05:00

Today was Abigail's last day of preschool for this school year. Here is a picture of her with Mrs. Clouser, her teacher. I received a progress report today and wanted to share it. Following is a breakdown of categories along with Mrs. Clouser's comments:

Spiritual Development: Abby seems to enjoy "Jesus Time", she listens quietly and follows along with songs and simple prayers.

Cognitive/Language Development: Abby can also identify 12 basic shapes, a few numbers, and letters A,B,C,E,O,M. She can match all colors, shapes, numbers and letters 1-1, consistently.

Fine Motor Development: Doing great!

Gross Motor Development: We have been working with getting our feet off the floor and getting them to do what we want them to. Doing great!

Self Help: Abby seems to be very independent and takes care of most of her personal needs herself.

Social Development: Abby seems to enjoy school and fit right in with her new friends. Abby jumps right in when there is something she wants to do, but is also content to play by herself. Abby also talks and asks questions of her classmates as well as her teachers. Abby is a beautiful little girl and a joy to have in class. Have a great summer!

G & G Lawn Care and Tree Service

2010-04-13T07:32:00.003-05:00

Yesterday, the guys from G & G arrived around 8:30 a.m. and stayed here working all day until 6:30 p.m. They got a lot accomplished - delivering 8 truck loads of dirt and digging trenches to get my downspouts buried. They cleaned out the hole before filling it, finding large pieces of trash that the builders left behind, including a small refrigerator! They also hauled away a large stump - which wasn't in the contract - but that made me very happy and changed the way my yard looked. I can't believe how much bigger the yard appears - and can't wait to see grass grow on all this new mud...er...dirt! After they finish today, I will put up a slide show that shows the transformation of the yard!

Abigail said...

2010-03-28T22:32:00.005-05:00

Abigail said, "You and my poops are the same, but my poops are brown."

I think my daughter called me a pile of shit.

Conversation with Abigail...

2010-03-15T08:14:00.000-05:00

Abby: "My butt hurts..."

Me: "Why does your butt hurt?"

Abby: "Because I poked my eye..."

This is a true conversation - I can't make this stuff up!

March updates

2010-03-11T20:02:00.004-06:00

It is so horrible that I only seem to log in here and post once per month, and each time I do post here, I vow to update this more often. Fail, Heather!

February was a busy month for us - with Abby's preschool and dance classes, and also having to renew our license plates, and two huge car repairs. Plus, Mike's birthday was also last month - happy belated birthday, babe!

Now, it's already halfway through the month of March, and we are finally enjoying some nicer weather. This week, we've been playing outside and hitting the park. The kids are enjoying it and so am I. Abby spent yesterday splashing in puddles, and the day before jumping on a trampoline.

Olivia has become much more efficient at crawling, and has her own definite ideas and opinions about what she wants and is learning how to replicate paths to the cat food, power cords, computer buttons and cabinets. She needs to spend this time on the floor, but it is exhausting for me to try to keep her in one area! She has also started pulling herself up to a standing position, too. That seems too fast! She hasn't been truly crawling that long, and BAM - she's already trying to stand! Oh my!

We have scheduled some landscaping to be done to the yard, in hopes of providing more play area for the kids and the dog, and also to prevent water from gathering in our backyard. I am really looking forward to having a usable play space for the kids, and even considering some cosmetic improvements to add curb appeal to the front of the house, too. I am inspired! :)

Below is a slideshow of our recent outings - enjoy! :)

Abigail - February update

2010-02-18T10:44:00.002-06:00

So Abigail finally started school yesterday. She was supposed to start last week, but the school was closed due to snow. She is going to Good Shepherd, and she seemed to really have a lot of fun. Yesterday was their Valentine's Day party, so she came home with candy and presents. The teachers gave out pencils, and she LOVED it!

Here are two pictures of her in tumbling class. She is sitting next to Maddie, who just might be her best friend! She does really well, listens to the teacher, and likes to practice when we get home. She wants to be the teacher and teach me how to do cartwheels and bridges and forward rolls. She doesn't understand that Momma is too old for that stuff!

She has been learning how to do a variety of different tumbling moves, and she's taking a dance class, too. I haven't seen the dance class yet, but she seems to really enjoy it.

We're still fighting with Abigail's sleeping habits. She has good days and bad days...but I am trying to give this some time. I know she needs to spend more energy and I am really looking forward to warmer days and spring and time outside!

Olivia - 6 months

2010-02-18T07:29:00.001-06:00

Olivia is growing so fast! Here are some pictures I took of her this month. She is sitting, but not for long, she dives forward and starts to crawl toward something she wants. The top picture was pure luck. Once she found her shoes, she chewed and gnawed on them like crazy!

She's started exploring now, too. Instead of me being able to put her down in the middle of the floor with a toy, she's now quickly propelling herself to the perimeters of the room, finding electrical cords, cat food, and anything else that she's not supposed to have.

Her tastes in food have broadened a bit - she now likes oatmeal, squash and carrots, too. She is getting better with Cheerios, and tries to pick them up to feed herself. It's comical, though, because she gets it inside her fist, and then, because she can't see it, thinks it's gone, so she lets go to get another one. Cheap entertainment!

Her sleeping habits are still hit or miss. Last night, she went to bed at 8 p.m., but was in my bed by midnight. She didn't sleep peacefully after that, which meant I didn't either. The night before, she slept in her bed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. - I could do that every night...why can't she?

She is still a very happy baby. She flirts with anyone who looks at her, and her laugh is contagious. Abigail fascinates her - although lately Abigail seems less interested in Olivia.

She has started having her own ideas - wanting things she can't have, and spins like a top in my arms looking for the remote control, the phone, or my glass of tea.

She doesn't have any teeth yet, and there are no signs of them popping up in the near future. I don't see anything when I look at her gums, and she hasn't seemed to feel sickly at all. I am not in a hurry for her teeth to come in - I am still enjoying her being my baby! I am afraid that when the teeth come in, she'll start to look like a little girl!

February...already?

2010-02-09T15:02:00.003-06:00

I can't believe it is February already! Olivia is 6 months old now - and crawling! She has spent the last month scooting and rolling and pulling herself along the floor, but the past few days she's actually pulled her knees underneath of her and used them to propel her forward. She's not proficient, and it seems accidental at best...but within the next few days, I fully expect her to get faster and be crawling down the hallway after Abigail! As it is now, if she spots something across the room that she wants, she makes a dash for it, grunting and panting along the way. It is too cute - she is working so hard and growing so fast!

Tomorrow, Abigail starts preschool! She will go from 9 to 11:30 on Wednesdays, and we're both looking forward to it! She has also been in a dance and tumbling class for a few weeks now, too - and really enjoys that. She got up from her nap yesterday and told me that she wanted to go to dance class. I am really glad that she's been enjoying that!

Olivia has also started talking - making more pronounced sounds, repeating consonant and vowel sounds over and over again (da da da da - and Mike hears "Dadda"). She is also eating solid foods now - rice cereal and fruits...she hates the veggies! She is still a very happy baby - even after getting her vaccinations yesterday. She handled the first shot like a trooper...didn't cry...but cried with the second one, and by the third shot, her head was purple and she was so mad she couldn't draw a breath! I felt so bad for her! Within 3 minutes, though, she was smiling and cooing at me again! She is such a happy baby!

January 2010

2010-01-31T07:15:00.002-06:00

Wow...where does the time go? I can't believe that Olivia will be six months old next week! How is that possible? And...we're starting to plan Abigail's third birthday...she'll be three years old in April. Oh my!

Olivia is growing and learning so much right now. It's really fun to watch her play and learn. That has been one of my favorite things with Abigail, and it holds true for Olivia, too. There is something very amazing about that expression that they get when they are learning and figuring out how to do something - an expression of deep concentration and a glimmer of purpose and self-achievement all rolled into one. She is on solid foods now - has been since right after Christmas. She's eating apples, bananas, pears, and to a lesser extent...squash, carrots and sweet potatoes. She has also been pulling her knees underneath her on the floor, and rocking back and forth - I think crawling is coming fast! She can sit unsupported for a brief time, but then slowly rolls back down to her side/back/front. She is still a very happy baby, smiling and cooing and laughing and singing - as long as she has an audience. If you're looking at her, she'll perform! Also, she is grabbing at EVERYTHING! I can't multi-task anymore - I can't hold Olivia in one arm and open mail/talk on the phone/use the computer/eat/read a book for Abigail at the same time...she will grab whatever I have and try to eat it. My only complaint with Olivia is her current sleep habits, but we're working to fix that and making some progress. She wants to sleep with me, and I want her in her crib. She doesn't sleep through the night anymore, and it makes for a very tired mommy during the day. There are nights that she gets up three or four times, and those nights are very hard on me. But, like I said, we're working on it and trying to get her back to where she was before she got sick.

Abigail's sleeping habits aren't much better than Olivia's. She fights sleep during each nap time and each bedtime. She is overtired much of the time, and fights sleep with her iron will. At our PAT visit last week, my parent educator recommended some more physical activity for Abigail, so we've signed her up for a dance class. On Thursday nights, Abigail has a tumbling class. She went for the first time last week and they worked on forward rolls, log rolls, cartwheels, and elephant walks. It was really cute to watch! She's also signed up for an hour-long class on Saturday mornings which focuses on tap, ballet and more tumbling. Her cousin, Maddie, is in both of these classes with her, too. We're still looking into preschools and it is really looking like that will wait until the fall, which was my original plan anyway. Her vocabulary is growing at an astounding rate. She hears a word one time, and begins using it. She picks up phrases, too, and will tell me, "I don't know the word" if she can't communicate what she wants. I LOVE that! She is still a wonderful big sister to Olivia - she hugs and kisses her often, and last week held the spoon and helped feed Olivia. I mentioned above that we're planning Abigail's third birthday party. We're hoping for a party at the skating rink on April 10th - so mark your calendars!

Christmas Thank You

2010-01-04T18:23:00.003-06:00

I wanted to express our gratitude to everyone who helped make this Christmas special for both Abigail and Olivia. Our girls received many presents this year, and we thoroughly enjoyed spending time with all of our friends and family. Abigail tore through presents faster than I could keep up with, and in all of the chaos, I am not even sure who bought each present. There are a lot of clothes for them both, and toys to keep them entertained - and I want to thank each of the following: Mom, Debbie, Pat, Holly and Gary and the boys, Michele and Mike, Dave and Tracie, Pat and Vic, Sherri and Bryan, Gina and Irfan, Amanda and Andy and family, Danielle and Steve and Shelby, and Chris and Stephanie and Shelby - Thank you all so much for your gifts! There are some pictures posted on www.therhoadsonline.com - Please feel free to check them out.

Olivia's Baptism

2010-01-03T21:21:00.000-06:00

I promise to post more pictures later, but wanted to get this one posted today - thank you so much Pat and Vic - it means a lot to us to have you as Olivia's Godparents. You both are very important people in both our children's lives!

The ceremony was beautiful, and Olivia didn't cry when the water was poured on her head, even though it woke her from a very sound slumber!

Abigail was also well-behaved in church today. I was very proud of both of my girls!

Santa Picture

2009-12-18T13:54:00.000-06:00

Mike and I took the girls to see Santa Claus this morning. Abby was willing to talk to him - she asked him for more snowflakes, more toys and brand new books! She wasn't really willing to sit on his lap, though. We're at least one more year away from a great "Santa's Lap" picture!

Our family pictures

2009-12-04T16:35:00.002-06:00

Taken by David Denagel Photography.

PAT - Santa's House

2009-12-04T14:42:00.003-06:00

I took Abigail and Olivia to Santa's House today. Abigail wrote a letter to Santa Claus - asking for toys, pens, snowflakes, and "anything I want."

Olivia waited patiently while Abigail wrote her letter to Santa. Abby was having so much fun writing her letter to Santa that I had trouble getting her to leave that room. There was so much more to do, but Abigail was happy to spend all of her time playing with pens.

The girls got to see Santa Claus - and Abigail talked to him a little bit. She told him what she wanted for Christmas, and he told her that she needed to be good - with my gentle prodding.

Abby also picked out some Christmas gifts for her grandmas and for Mike and me. She seemed to have a lot of fun doing that.

After that, she also got to listen to a story read by Mrs. Claus - and then Mrs. Claus handed out some cookies that she baked - and Abigail told me it was delicious!

When we left there, we went to have lunch with Mike - and then finally came home. It was a long and busy morning - but we all had a lot of fun!

End of November

2009-11-30T07:13:00.003-06:00

We spent the day outside - throwing the ball and sticks for Duke. He enjoyed the freedom to run without being tethered to a leash. He is responding very well to the electric fence, though we have more work to do before we can trust him to stay in our yard. When we throw sticks or his ball past the electric fence, Duke doesn't even try to chase them - Good boy, Duke!

Abby enjoyed being outside, too. She's been asking to go outside a lot lately, and I am trying very hard to oblige, if possible. I know that the number of days with beautiful weather will be limited - so I try to get her outside when I can. We spent a lot of time playing in her sandbox - she loves that! She also spent some time running from Duke - he chased her and tried to steal her sticks. She would yell, "No Duke...that's my stick."

Olivia had a lot of fun being outside, too. We had her swaddled and had her hat on, but after a few minutes, decided that she didn't need all that bundling. She enjoyed the fresh air and was quite curious about everything she could see.

It was a great way to spend the morning - and when both girls were down for their naps, Mike and I got out our Christmas decorations and decorated.

We ended the evening watching Rudolph with Abigail - and I think we'll end up watching that many more times before Christmas!

We did have a great Thanksgiving - spending Thursday with Mike's family at Pat and Vic's - the food was excellent! Friday, we went to Holly's and helped make food there, and Saturday, did the whole routine again at Holly's - more great food! I ate way too much - but loved every minute of it!

Yard work - before and after, 11/09

2009-11-15T19:39:00.000-06:00

Here are some before and after pictures of the backyard. The first picture was taken June 2008, the second taken this morning. Mike and Gary worked all day yesterday to clean up all of the brush and clear out the hole - getting it ready for the landscaper to be here sometime tomorrow. There is a lot to do yet - getting dirt to fill the hole and then getting the fence put up. I will put more pictures up as we progress.

Meet Duke!

2009-11-02T18:44:00.001-06:00

Meet Duke - our newest member of the family (Olivia didn't hold that title for long!). He's a lab-collie mix, and is 6 months old. He is a very sweet dog, though still nervous about his new home. He's warmed up to Mike and me, but isn't comfortable with the cats - and they are REALLY not comfortable with him! Duke has already had physical altercations with both Bart and Wally - but I expect the cats to put him in his place soon!

He doesn't seem to pay much attention to the girls - which is fine by me, and actually the way I would prefer it (at least until he's more comfortable here). Abigail is only peripherally interested in Duke, preferring her stuffed dogs and mocks our interactions with Duke.

He is scared of the television, and the ceiling fan. He is also nervous about the highway noise, and the ice maker, too. I can't wait until he feels more comfortable here and the cats can come back upstairs!

Halloween 2009

2009-11-01T09:44:00.000-06:00

Here are a few pictures of Abigail and Olivia in their Halloween costumes. Abigail made the prettiest Ariel, and my Lovebug was the most cuddly bug ever! We had a great time walking around our neighborhood, and talking with our wonderful neighbors - we really do have the best neighbors!

In addition to seeing our neighbors, we had a few visitors at our house - including Danielle, Steve and Shelby, and Patti, Jenna, Josh and Katie. Shelby was dressed as Big Bird - and she looked absolutely adorable! Danielle got a few pictures of the girls together, and I can't wait to see them. Patti and the kids came by a little later - Josh was a Ninja, Katie was a cat, and Jenna - well...she was just too grown up!

After trick-or-treating, we came home and watched It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown - and that was fun. Abigail ate a bag of M&M's and then went to bed quickly and quietly - it was the best I could've hoped for!

Olivia was very patient riding in her stroller. She was bundled quite a bit - with a layer of clothes under her very warm costume, and a thick blanket wrapped around her, too.

Having fun is messy business!

2009-10-29T10:51:00.000-05:00

Today, Abigail has been painting a wonderful masterpiece (never mind that to her, that means painting her hand). She is singing and talking and painting and mixing colors. She is experimenting with her brush and watching the marks that the brushes leave behind. She has gotten more paint on her than on the paper...yes...that IS paint on her lips...

I wanted to capture a video of this - and maybe I still will - but my battery for the other camera is charging right now - so the still picture will have to do...ENJOY!

Craft time

2009-10-27T10:55:00.000-05:00

Today, we made a mask and a sock puppet! Abby loved the process, but more than that, she loves the puppet! She has not taken it off since we finished it an hour ago! I think it turned out great...for our first attempt! I will be better prepared next time! :)

Olivia

2009-10-22T11:30:00.000-05:00

Happy Anniversary, Babe!

2009-10-19T07:10:00.002-05:00

Today is our 8th wedding anniversary. Eight years ago today, we vowed to spend our lives together - and had no idea what wedded bliss would follow! We have been through a lot in eight short years, and time is flying by so fast. It's hard to believe that we've gone through five job changes for me, six job changes for Mike, moving three times, our fathers' deaths, two of Mike's grandparents' deaths, two births, countless friends and relatives getting married (and some getting divorced), and five holiday seasons at CCC!

Happy anniversary, babe! I love you!

Pumpkin

2009-10-19T07:09:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, Mike and Abby carved our pumpkin. Abigail was fascinated by it, and happy to be involved in the project. She told Mike where to put the eyes and nose and mouth - and watched intently as he cut out each piece. She didn't want to help me pick out the seeds - she thought that it felt gross and slimy in her hands. She waited patiently for Mike to finish carving the face, and then asked if she could paint it - so we let her paint the pumpkin since she had so much fun painting her pumpkin last weekend. All in all - it was a lot of fun!

Stuckmeyer's Farm

2009-10-11T20:57:00.002-05:00

Mike and I took Abigail to Stuckmeyer's today for some fall fun! We left Olivia with Grandma Debbie and took off for the farm! Abby was scared of the inflatables when we got there, and scared of the corn maze and dark tunnels - I thought she wasn't going to have any fun...until she found the slide. She played on the slide for quite a while, and then explored a little more. She found a playground, with the yellow tunnel - and stayed there for a bit, too. After that, we found a wagon, some pumpkins, and some lunch. After lunch, she found a sandbox with lots of toys, and she stayed there for almost an hour. We finally decided to come home - but not without buying some apple butter and pumpkin paint! When we got home, we let Abigail paint her pumpkin - and she says it is a very scary pumpkin!

All in all - we had a very nice day with Abigail. She wanted to paint the big pumpkin - but we told her that Daddy is going to decorate his pumpkin next weekend! I will post pictures of that soon!

2009-10-10T11:46:00.000-05:00

Here is a Halloween preview!

Olivia update

2009-10-05T20:13:00.005-05:00

Olivia is 8-weeks old now - it is hard to believe that the time has gone by so quickly! She is doing really well learning to hold her head up - with looking at her daddy being the best motivation. She is social smiling now, and giggling at people when we talk to her. She is a very happy baby, and only fusses when she is hungry or needs a new diaper.

She weighs 12 lbs now - and that puts her in the 81st percentile for her age. She is also 24 inches long - putting her in the 96th percentile for height. She got her first round of shots today - three shots and one oral dose. She was quite pissed off about the whole experience and it took longer to soothe her than it did Abigail when she was the same age.

Her next doctor visit is at 4 months.

PAT - 1st visit

2009-10-05T19:58:00.002-05:00

Abigail and Olivia and I had our first appointment with our Parents As Teachers Educator this morning. It was a lot of fun! Her name is Sarah - and Abigail really liked her!

She got here around 10:30 and she started playing with Abigail. She brought a teddy-bear puzzle that helped Abigail learn matching and social-emotional skills. The bears' faces had different expressions and Abigail was identifying their emotions very well. They read a book together and then played another matching game with colors and shapes. Sarah spent some time talking to me and answering my questions about potty-training, discipline for this age, and handling naptime/bedtime changes in Abigail.

While Abigail continued playing with Sarah's toys, Sarah tried to play with Olivia for a little while. She brought a black-and-white outline of a face, glued to a paper plate - and Olivia was very interested in it! As long as I held it up for her, she stared at it. I read a book to Olivia, and she was staring at the picture faces and bold colors on the pages. It was really neat to watch Olivia study the faces.

Sarah gave me a lot of reading material, and set up an appointment for mid-November. At the November appointment, she is going to do some screenings on both girls. In the meantime, she gave me a calendar of PAT events that we can participate in - and they seem to be exciting, too. This Friday, we're attending a gymnastics event for Abigail, and next Tuesday, there is a fall festival with crafts and prizes that we'll also attend. I am hoping that the girls enjoy the events and their time with Sarah.

Olivia's Birth Story

2009-08-08T08:22:00.000-05:00

I spent all day Thursday walking. I had Shelby Kohler for the day, and Patti and her kids came down to keep us company, too. We walked around the neighborhood, joined by Margaret and Brianna, too. We walked up and down the street, over and over. I just kept praying that the contractions would start before 5:30 a.m. on Friday, when I was scheduled to be induced.

At 5:00 Thursday evening, Holly came and picked up Abigail to keep her for the weekend. We kissed Abby goodbye, and tried to tell her that she would meet Olivia very soon. A little while after they left, the contractions started. They were ten minutes apart, and pretty regular. We ordered pizza and watched The West Wing to kill time. By 10:00 p.m., the contractions were still ten minutes apart, so we went to bed.

At 1:00 a.m., Mike woke me up to tell me that he thought I was having a contraction, and I was. It was intense, and lasted for over a minute. I got up to go to the bathroom, and had another contraction, that lasted just as long. I told Mike that I thought it was time to go, even though I had only had two contractions, because of how long they lasted. We called our moms and threw the last few items into the hospital bag. We loaded up the truck...and the contractions stopped. I ate a peanut-butter sandwich and then Mike and I went for a walk. We walked two laps around the subdivision to try to get the contractions going again, and then headed for the hospital. We stopped at Mobile to kill a little time - and Mike wanted a soda for some caffeine.

We didn't arrive at St. Anthony's until 3:00 a.m., and my contractions were four minutes apart. It was almost 6:00 by the time they checked me again, and I was only dilated to 4. It was then that they decided to start pitocin and give me my epidural. By eight o'clock, I was dilated to 8 cm. I thought for sure that Olivia would be born soon. Mike was joined in the delivery room by my mom, his mom, and our friend Danielle, who took pictures for me.

My labor stalled, and I stayed at 8 cm for the next 6 hours. Olivia was also at a -2 station, and my water hadn't broken. It seemed that my body would've stayed this way forever! My doctor came in, broke my water, and left.

By 2 o'clock, the nurse came in to check me, and Olivia had finally moved down the birth canal. They told me to push a few times, and my doctor came in right away. Her head was right there! I pushed a few times, and her head was out - I have never been more grateful in my entire life than I was at that moment! I knew I didn't have the power in my body to push for three hours like I did with Abigail - I was in so much pain!

When Olivia's head came out, the cord was wrapped around her neck, so the doctor tried to clamp and cut the cord. As she had an awkward hold on Olivia, I had a contraction that pushed Olivia the rest of the way out - it looked as though she was shot out of a cannon! The doctor lost her hold on Olivia and it seemed to happen in slow motion! I thought that Olivia was going to hit the floor - but the doctor recovered, and was able to keep her in her hands! She was born at 2:34 p.m. on August 7th, and shares her birthday with my mom's brother, Jerry!

Olivia was crying instantly, another thing I was grateful for - as it meant that she wouldn't have the same respiratory problems that Abby had! By then, I was holding her and trying to look at her - but the pain in my neck and shoulders was really awful and it was hard to look down. My first thoughts were that she was healthy, and that she looked A LOT like Abigail!

The next hour zoomed by - with the nurse poking and prodding Olivia - and getting her footprints. My doctor was stitching me up, and then the nurses brought me dinner. I was starving! My mom helped the nurse with the footprints, and Danielle got a lot of great pictures of Olivia's first moments. She was 21 1/2 inches long - which was the same as Abigail. Olivia weighed in at 8 lbs 5 oz, and her feet were 3 inches long! My kids have big feet!

They took Olivia to the nursery to give her a bath and finish poking her with needles - while they cleaned me up and took out my epidural and IV. It was 4:30 or so by the time I was moved to post-partum and Mike and I ate fast food from Jack In The Box, and then Mike went home and I went to bed.

There is so much more to tell, but here is at least, the story of Olivia's birth!

2009-07-28T22:02:00.001-05:00

I had my doctor appointment today. I am 70 percent effaced and dilated to 1! The news isn't as good as I had hoped, but its better than nothing. Dr. Hulbert made the comment that the baby was big enough to come now, and maybe she would see me before my appointment scheduled for next Tuesday, August 4th. I can only hope! In the meantime, I am walking each day now. I would really like to have this baby by the weekend, but we'll have to see how it goes. Abby seems eager to meet her baby sister, and I hope she likes her as much as she likes Max!

Ultrasound and baby update

2009-07-10T13:33:00.003-05:00

Mike and Abby and I went to St. Anthony's today for my final ultrasound. The baby is measuring right on track, and is currently weighing in at 6 lbs. 4 oz. The level of amniotic fluid is perfect, and she is head-down - everything we had hoped for! Also, the tech verified that Olivia is still a girl, and we aren't expecting any surprise Olivers in the delivery room!

I will post pictures soon!

Congratulations Becky and Johnny!

2009-06-15T11:52:00.002-05:00

We went to Arkansas for the wedding this past weekend - and it was a lot of fun. Friday afternoon, on our way there, we drove right into a monster thunderstorm, with 80 mph straightline winds. Mike and Abby and I were racing to our hotel - and we made it at the same time as the storm. I had gone into the lobby to try to check us in before the front came through, but the storm came through right then - while Mike and Abby were still in my truck. I was terrified for them - and they had to make a run for the hotel doors against the wind. There were trees coming down and sheets of aluminum siding flying by. Mike and Abby came sliding through the front door and I was never so relieved in my life!

Friday night, we attended the rehearsal dinner - which was a delicious cook-out at Aunt Susie's house! We visited for awhile, and then we took Abby back to the hotel room. She fell asleep on the way, and slept through the night.

Saturday, we visited with Grandma and Grandpa during the morning, went back to the hotel for naptime, and then got ready and went to the wedding. The ceremony was beautiful and the reception was a lot of fun. Shelby was dancing and having so much fun - she wore herself out! Abby didn't dance as much as I thought she would, but she did spend the evening on Grandma's lap - and that was pretty sweet! The food was excellent, too! Becky was a beautiful bride - and she looked a lot like Grandma!

Bedtime was more challenging with Abby - she stayed awake all the way to the hotel and was overtired. We got up Sunday and drove home. We're all exhausted - and there is so much to do. I haven't unpacked at all, but I did get Becky's pictures posted online. Now, to deal with the video...

8 weeks to go...countdown!

2009-06-15T11:47:00.002-05:00

I am 32 weeks along, and can't hardly believe that I have 8 more weeks to go. I have started lying to myself and telling myself that I only have 3 more weeks - what the heck...it makes me feel better! :)

Everything is going really well, though. Baby Girl Rhoads is moving along, kicking and rolling and keeping me up at night. She is measuring exactly where she should be, and I will have another ultrasound sometime in July. I don't have that appointment set yet, but anticipate it will be scheduled for after the holiday.

I have another appointment with Dr. Hulbert tomorrow. The closer appointments do help the time go by - so I am grateful for that.

We still don't have a name that we agree on - and the nursery is still miles away from being ready. Hopefully, we can make some progress on that this week!

24 weeks!

2009-04-21T06:48:00.002-05:00

I am 24 weeks along - officially hit 6 months - and the baby has been moving all over the place. I have been able to share it with a few people - Abby, Mike, and Debbie. I LOVE LOVE LOVE feeling her move around in there. It is the most amazing feeling - wierd, but absolutely amazing! She moves a lot in the evening, it seems, usually after I eat dinner. Abigail was the same way.

In the next three months, Mike and I have a lot of work to do. We haven't started on the nursery - and it is currently wall-to-wall crap! It has servers and bookcases, file cabinets, photo albums, camera gear, clothes, a bed and bed-clothes, and that is just a list of the stuff I can still see! Our first order of business is to get rid of the double-bed that is in there - that will give us some space to even get into that room and move stuff out.

I also need to bring all of the totes of Abby's clothes upstairs and sort through them. They weren't packed away well - by that I mean that I didn't sort them by size. Every 6 months or so, I would just go on a rampage and take stuff out of Abby's closet. There are probably five totes of clothes to go through, and it will be an all-day, cover-the-entire-living-room-floor, mind-numbing chore!

I will also need to go through the gear - car seat, swing, bouncer, and changing pad to clean them for the new baby. I will need to wash the clothes and blankets, too.

Last, but certainly not least, we need to come up with a name for this baby! She needs a name! Mike and I aren't very good at doing this together, because we typically don't like the same names - so it's probably going to be a struggle for us! Wish us luck!

Short video of Abigail

2009-03-19T08:15:00.000-05:00

Spring Break '09

2009-03-19T07:39:00.002-05:00

This week, Mason and Brandon are on Spring Break. I have had them all week, and we've been trying to find some fun stuff to do. On Monday, we spent the day at Suson Park, with Patti and the kids. We walked through and looked at the animals - Abby thought that was neat! - and then we played on the playground for hours. The kids ran off a lot of energy and had a lot of fun. On Tuesday, Jess came up and we went to Forest Park. It was packed and took us two hours to find a parking spot. We went to the Science Center for a little while, but Abby was already crabby by the time we got there. We did play outside on the playground at the planetarium for a little while, though. On Wednesday, we went to Mastodon Park with Patti and her kids, and we played on the playground, climbed trees and played in the creek. All the kids were having a blast, and we met some other people and dogs to play with, too.

With the cold front here now, I don't know what we're doing today, but I am hoping we can continue to find some fun stuff to do. I have had as much fun this week as they have, and it feels really good to spend some time outside, running and playing. We haven't watched Shrek all week! That's awesome!!!

Visit www.therhoadsonline.com to see the new pictures posted, and the video should be up sometime later today!

18-Week Appointment

2009-03-10T08:00:00.002-05:00

Mike and I went to see Dr. Hulbert yesterday for my 18-week check-up. We heard the heartbeat - still fast and strong - and then I got a flu shot. My next appointment with Dr. Hulbert isn't until April 6th, but I do have the ultrasound this Friday.

Also, Dr. Hulbert speculated that I might have an anterior placenta, which would explain why I am not feeling the baby move. I will find out more on Friday!

Monkey Joe's

2009-03-06T09:11:00.002-06:00

Abby and I went to Monkey Joe's to play and see my friend, Trish, whom I hadn't seen in almost two years. Her son is a month younger than Abby, and she has a daughter who is 5 months old. She had some other mom-friends meet us there, and we played and ran and jumped. Abby had a blast and I can't wait to take her back there. I did snap a few pictures with my point-and-shoot camera, but I haven't uploaded them to the computer yet. I did upload a short video to youtube - you can find that here:

Woo-hoo!

2009-03-06T09:06:00.002-06:00

There is a little overlap here - I posted some on MySpace this morning, but there are people who visit my blog that don't read our MySpace account.

Our work situation is all straightened out! Mike and I are both breathing easier knowing that this is over. He's still at St. Anthony's, which I am happy about, and I have been substitute teaching. This works out well for all of us, because I am only working part-time, which has allowed me to be home with Abby when she is sick and also to set up play-dates with friends. Since I am subbing at Windsor, I also get to spend more time with Mason and Brandon. When they don't have school, they come here to play with us and that make Abby very happy! She LOVES her cousins!

Also, stay tuned for the ultrasound results - next Friday afternoon!

It isn't working!

2009-02-18T09:10:00.002-06:00

This morning, I decided to play Dad's DVD for Abigail (for those who don't know, I had a DVD made with pictures of him and songs that reminded us of him), and my DVD errorred out and wouldn't play. It played for a minute, and then froze, and I couldn't get it to go again. I paid several hundred dollars to have this DVD produced, and I am aggravated that my copy isn't working. I had copies of this DVD made for Mom, Holly, myself, and all of Dad's siblings. I wonder if anyone else's DVD's have screwed up and I don't know about it. Not to mention, that we haven't watched this DVD - ever, I think...

I am very frustrated. I know that I can get my hands on another copy of the DVD, and I am grateful for that. I wanted to show Abby all of these pictures of him and see if she recognized all of us. Oh well. Grrrr.

Dr. Appt update

2009-02-10T07:16:00.002-06:00

I went to the doctor yesterday, and there is little to report. Mike and Abby were both there with me, and we all got to hear the baby's heartbeat. Abby seemed fascinated by it - her expression was so priceless. She didn't move a muscle, she just sat and stared at my belly.

I opted not to do any genetic testing, and my next appointment is March 9th.

So, I have been a slacker

2009-02-09T08:18:00.002-06:00

I haven't posted anything on here in quite awhile, at least not regularly. I haven't been busy, in fact, just the opposite. I have been at home with Abby, and we haven't done anything. I have been a stay-at-home mom for about a month, and I am loving it. Abby and I spend time singing, dancing, reading, watching Sesame Street, and cleaning my house. She has been "helping" - she is really helpful when it comes to making my bed. After I straighten the sheets and blankets, she hands me all of the pillows. She will also help me sweep the floor - although, I prefer to do that by myself. :)

I am really looking forward to some warmer weather. This past month, we have had snow and sickness, both of which has kept us homebound. I am looking forward to getting together with some friends for playdates, but with the snow and sickness keeping us homebound, it just hasn't happened. We are both getting a little stir crazy, though, and some time outside this past weekend helped a lot!

On Saturday, Mike and Abby and I spent some time walking outside, and Abby discovered mud puddles! She loved to walk in them and watch her reflection. She didn't like it so much when she found the deep puddle that got her feet and pants wet, but she had fun anyway!

We have all been sick for about a week now, and I am looking forward to feeling better. Yesterday we opened all the windows and had the attic fan on for a short while. It was chilly, but it was really nice to have fresh air flowing into the house!

I do have an appointment with Dr. Hulbert today. I am 14 weeks along, and this will be a very routine visit. I will update later, if there is anything significant. I have over a month left to wait for the big ultrasound.

New pictures up

2009-01-29T11:13:00.001-06:00

Hey - I got some cute pictures of Abigail in the snow yesterday - they're posted on my Picasa account. Just go to www.therhoadsonline.com to view them!

No news on the job front yet. I will post as soon as I have some exciting news.

10 Weeks Today

2009-01-11T10:00:00.002-06:00

Today, I am 10 weeks along! Mike and I have already started discussing names, how we'll decorate the nursery, and who will be in the delivery room. I am really looking forward to feeling the baby move, although I am probably a month away from that.

I also have my appointment with the OB on Tuesday, so if there's anything to tell, I will post an update then, too.

Abby Update

2009-01-07T19:47:00.002-06:00

I can't believe that Abby will be two years old in only three months. Tonight, she has figured out how to open interior doors by turning the door knob - this is a horrible event, because now she can escape out the front door, or hide herself in any room/closet we have in the house! I prayed this day would never come.

Also, her vocabulary has grown at an asounding rate. She uses phrases instead of words, including things like "just a minute", "I don't know", and "Daddy's working". I don't know if I can count the words anymore - her newest ones would probably be sorry, dancing, singing, and Big Bird.

There is almost no limit to her physical abilities right now. She can climb, run and even tumble on the living room floor. She tries so hard to get herself dressed, but hasn't quite figured out which holes go where.

Abby got a LOT of Christmas presents - and her favorites are two movies - Follow That Bird (a Sesame Street production from 1985) and Abby (Cadabby) in Wonderland. She wants to watch them over and over again. Sadly, Mike and I already know them by heart.

I will try to get some new pictures of Abigail this weekend - after I cut her hair again - and then get some posted. In the meantime, I just posted the pictures from New Year's Eve on my Picasa page - you can find it by visiting www.therhoadsonline.com.

Ultrasound Update

2009-01-07T07:44:00.002-06:00

On January 2nd, Mike and I went for an ultrasound for Umbert (for those who don't know, that's our nickname for the baby until we have a real name). Everything looked great - we even got to hear the heartbeat (163 beats per minute, I think...). Dr. Webb (who is the greatest) told us that the size and proportion of everything seemed healthy, and that the chance of miscarriage is pretty low at this point. My next ultrasound is scheduled for Friday, March 13th at 11:00 a.m.

Updates

2008-12-16T21:46:00.002-06:00

So I went to see my doctor today and my due date is August 8th. I am 6-weeks along, and I will have an ultrasound on Jan. 2nd to check my due date. I am feeling really good, but a little tired.

Mike and I are surving my Christmas at CCC pretty well - and I only have a short time left there. I don't have my schedule for the next week, but I am pretty focused on taking things day-by-day.

Abby has been sick for a few days but seems to be feeling much better. I stayed home from work yesterday and she spent most of the day sleeping on me. I loved (almost) every minute of it.

I am still angry about my situation, and now Judy is using my pictures on her website without my consent. I have no one to blame but myself for the situation that I am in, because I should've put the evolutions site in my own name instead of hers, and I should've taken the pictures at my house, off the clock. I will know better for next time not to be so giving and trusting. Thanks Judy - I am a better person for having known you.

I still haven't finished my Christmas cards, either. I usually have them mailed out by now, but I ran out of cards and haven't gone to the store to buy more.

A post full of venom

2008-12-06T20:21:00.003-06:00

Boy, I wish I had seen this post before I started working for Judy at Evolutions Salon and Day Spa...(wink, wink...)

Please pardon the hateful spite, but both Mike and I are very hurt by Judy's thoughtless and irresponsible actions. I will update on the paycheck thing later...

Wow! Unbelievable!!!

2008-12-03T21:11:00.001-06:00

So I went to work on Dec. 1st and found out that I no longer had a job. I walked in and never even took off my coat. I asked my boss how she was this morning, and she said that she was wonderful, and then she told me that I wasn't making enough progress with the team and that she had made up her mind. She outlined the reasons why she didn't think I was working out, and I made a few rebuttals. After a few minutes I realized that it was a done deal, and I chose to leave rather than to stay there for as long as she would talk (for those who don't know, she "interviewed" me for 2 1/2 hours!). I left there and went to see Holly. She was home today because Brandon was sick. I was shocked.

Holly forwarded me a few job listings to apply for, which I did. I spent the evening updating my resume and applying for jobs on Careerbuilder, Hotjobs and Monster. I can't believe I am in this position, but am trying to make the best of it.

I called Pete at CCC and asked if he needed sales help for the Christmas season. I am very fortunate to have that relationship, because I have something lined up for the next three weeks, at least. It will be strange, working at my old store and not being in charge - at all. Maybe I will take a lesson from Allen and just enjoy the liberation of not being in charge...

In the meantime, Mike and I had started refinancing our house and I am praying that we will still be able to get that done. It will allow us to skip our December and January house payment, plus lower our house payment by $100.00 each month. If we can skip December and January's payments, then that will ease our financial burden with my work situation.

I am not sure how I feel about Judy and Evolutions. I had started building relationships with my team, and I enjoyed working with them. I feel that Judy cut me off at the knees and didn't give me the opportunity to do what she wanted. She told me when she hired me that she sucked at coaching, but when I came in and started doing it, she wasn't happy that I didn't do it her way. I guess, she might be the clinical definition of insane - doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. No offense, Judy, if you're reading this - I just think you're not doing it right.

Anyway, there is more to type, but I am too tired to do it now. Wish me luck!

Abby-fix

2008-11-16T07:43:00.003-06:00

Abby is saying so many words now - and she sometimes attempts to talk in complete thoughts or sentences. She will drop her head into her hands and say "Gosh" - which is her shortened version of hearing me say "Oh my gosh". It's cute!

She has done really well in the last month or so learning her body parts - elbow is one of her favorites, and it sounds the same as when she says "noodle". For those who haven't heard it, Abby actually yodels when she says certain words - noodle, elbow, color - pretty much anything that has an "L" in it.

She's also been learning the names of different animals, and some colors, too. She has a huge coloring book and a box of crayons - and that is her favorite pasttime right now. She will sit at the kitchen table for an hour or more and do nothing but color her book.

Her favorite foods right now seem to be macaroni and cheese, pizza, and peanut butter and jelly (note that the peanut butter and/or jelly do not need any sort of bread or biscuit - she just wants to lick it off her fingers).

I can't believe that November is already half over - I haven't even thought about Christmas. I guess I need to get started on that...

Check out my new MySpace page for Evolutions

2008-11-10T07:37:00.001-06:00

http://www.myspace.com/evolutionspasalon

It is a work in progress.

Update

2008-11-10T07:22:00.002-06:00

So, I have worked at Evolutions now for two weeks and I am having a wonderful time! I really enjoy my job - and feel BUSY! I never really felt this way at Clarkson. Last week, for example, I had three tasks that I wanted to complete, and I only finished two of them. I know, coming into this week, that I have a big job waiting for me to accomplish and I am looking forward to it.

I am really enjoying working for Judy - she is very laid back and gives me a lot of freedom to do the things I think need done. She didn't really feel the need to proofread the job description that I was posting or any of the emails I have sent out. I offer for her to look at them, and she sometimes does, but seems just as happy to let me drive. I really enjoy that.

My new coworkers are fun to be around, and they're a wealth of new product knowledge for me to learn from. I learned more about photography from my CCC coworkers than I did in everything I ever read on my own time. I think that's cool!

Speaking of CCC, my friends Keith and Mandy are the proud new parents of a baby girl! I visited them yesterday and really enjoyed getting to see them! I still miss my friends at CCC, and would love to crash the managers meeting tomorrow, but Mike thinks it would be inappropriate...we'll see. I think it would be neat to see everyone, but I don't want to be in the way, either.

From Michele's Wedding

2008-10-29T21:26:00.001-05:00

I am so grateful to have gotten a copy of this picture!

My first (and second) day of work...

2008-10-28T21:16:00.002-05:00

So, yesterday I started Evolutions - and I am having a great time! I have been reading some books written to salon managers - and after that, I ate lunch - which one employee was kind enough to bring in homemade lasagna - and then I had a pedicure. Apparently, the newer stylists needed some practice, and I ended up being a guinea pig - this job will definitely have some perks.

Today I received a shipment of product and checked it in, priced it, put it away. I feel good to be useful - it sucks being new and feeling helpless.

Our computer software is so much easier than either ASA (CCC) or CMS (Clarkson), that I have been teaching myself how to do the things like receive product or run reports. I am eager to hit the ground running.

I will post more later.

Michele's wedding

2008-10-27T05:56:00.003-05:00

Michele and Mike were married on Saturday, Oct. 25th. They had beautiful weather - sunny and 62 degrees. The ceremony was at the Jewel Box in Forest Park. The ceremony was beautiful and wonderfully smooth. Abby did not walk down the aisle - I carried her. She was a gorgeous flower girl - though uncooperative at best.

We left the Jewel Box and rode around on a party bus stopping to take pictures at the Muny, the Grand Basin, the Arch, the Stadium, and Kiener Plaza. I can't wait to see the pictures - there are a LOT of them!

The reception was at the Franklin Room - in Soulard. The Franklin Room had hardwood floors and high ceilings. Elvis made a guest appearance - and he sang for us. The food was excellent!

I didn't even take a camera with me - I didn't feel like myself all day - I hope to post some pictures but I will have to rely on other people to get them to me. Congratulations Michele and Mike!

My new job

2008-10-26T20:32:00.002-05:00

So, tomorrow I start my new job - for those who don't know - I have quit Clarkson Eyecare. Last Friday was my last day there, and I will miss my coworkers there.

Tomorrow, I start working for Evolutions - a day spa. I am looking forward to my new position - as a performance coach. I will be challenged, that's for sure. I already have many ideas about what needs to be done, and how to do it. I can't wait to get through training and start being a part of this team. I am very excited and a little bit nervous about it.

Wish me luck!

Our new family pictures

2008-10-26T20:31:00.000-05:00

These are the pictures that Sam took of our family. I love the way that they turned out! Thanks for checking them out.

Our 7th Anniversary

2008-10-19T20:48:00.002-05:00

Today is our 7th wedding anniversary, and we celebrated with a mini road trip. We left our house yesterday around 3:30, and we dropped Abby off with Grandma Pat. We drove to St. Charles and checked into a hotel - Town Suites by Marriott, room 101. The studio suite had a full kitchen, a queen size bed, and many other ammenities. Tracy, at the front desk, was wonderful!

We left the hotel and went to dinner at The Millhouse, in the historic district. We had an appetizer of Cajun shrimp. For dinner, Mike had a glazed beef tip meal with mushrooms, potatoes and vegetables. I had a grilled beef tip meal with vegetables - both were delectable!

We went back to our hotel, and planned our route for today. We watched Saturday Night Live and went to bed. This morning, we got up at 7 o'clock to get ready for church. We left St. Charles and drove to Hawk Point, Missouri, just outside of Troy, where the priest that married us 7 years ago is now the pastor.

St. Mary's is a very small parish - less than 200 parishoners, I would guess. The church was very cute and very old. We chatted breifly with Father Frank, and then went on our way. We stopped in Troy for breakfast at Denny's, and then we were back on the road for Augusta - the Busch Wildlife Reserve.

We drove around the Wildlife Reserve for two hours - taking pictures of the little remnants of fall color that I could find. We didn't see much wildlife, or fall color - so we left there and decided that a midday coffee would re-fuel us both.

We drove down to South County and stopped at Starbucks on Tesson Ferry. We had a quick bite to eat, and then headed over to downtown Belleville, thinking we might find some other picture opportunities there. Belleville was a bust, though, so we headed the Creve Coeur Camera in O'Fallon and met up with Allen and Laura.

Allen, Laura, Mike and I all went to Chevy's for dinner, and had a great time. We ate and laughed. I could've stayed out for another hour, but the girl was waiting on us to come home.

We are now home and Abby is in bed - both of us are exhausted! I can only imagine that we drove more than 200 miles today - but we had a lot of fun. Abby had fun, too - because she got to see all of her Grandmas this weekend - I am sure she was spoiled rotten!

Updates

2008-10-18T13:42:00.002-05:00

It's been a long time since I posted anything here -

We've had a busy two months, and it's not over yet. I have had two cousins get married, and next weekend, Mike's sister is getting married. Mike, Abby and I have all been sick, too.

We finally bought more shelves for the basement, prompted by our Hurricane Ike flooding fiasco. Almost everything in the basement is up off the floor - I think we will need one more shelf to get the job done.

I also joined team CCC and worked my first event last Thursday. I enjoyed the evening, and hope that they will keep me on for future events.

Abby is talking now - and I can understand her occasionally. Her vocabulary expands every day, and it is fascinating to watch her learn. She really enjoys playing outside, coloring, and taking care of her Ruperts. I need to capture some of this on video before she outgrows this phase and I am forced to rely on my own memory (which I don't find very reliable).

This weekend is our 7th wedding anniversary - and we are getting ready to take a mini road trip - more details to follow tomorrow. I wanted to leave here before 3 o'clock, and I haven't packed or anything, so I guess I should get started.

I have a new job!

2008-09-28T20:19:00.000-05:00

I called Pete and asked if I could join the street team! I am really excited about this. I will represent CCC at different events in the community, while taking pictures and having fun! I feel really good about this!

Guess who pottied in the big-girl potty!!!

2008-09-28T19:37:00.002-05:00

No, it wasn't Mike. It was Abby! She has done it twice now! I am so proud of her. She did it on Thursday night and again tonight. I guess we're officially potty-training now. Yeah!

Trip to Arkansas, Labor Day, 2008

2008-09-02T21:33:00.001-05:00

Abby and Shelby Free

2008-09-02T20:25:00.000-05:00

Here is a picture of Abby and Shelby. We took Abby to Arkansas for the weekend, and she had a great time. She warmed up to Shelby after awhile, and they actually played together.

New videos, too

2008-08-26T19:56:00.000-05:00

There are also new videos on YouTube - check 'em out!

New photos of Abby

2008-08-26T19:35:00.001-05:00

I have posted some new photos of Abby on my Picasa page - just go to www.therhoadsonline.com for the link!

Work work work

2008-08-17T07:58:00.002-05:00

And I am talking about home! We are steam-cleaning our carpets this weekend, so yesterday, Mike and I cleaned our house from top to bottom, and today, we're steam cleaning. I am going to need a weekend to recuperate from my weekend. I really hope that this works on my carpet, because it is trashed and only 3 years old.

In addition to that, Abby is sick. She's had a runny nose and been crabby for a few days now. I don't really think it's teething, because her eyes look sick. She is handling it well, but I know she still doesn't feel good.

Also, we're having trouble getting our reservations for the third weekend in August. Holly and Gary, Danielle and Steve, and Mike and I and all the kids are supposed to go camping. Washington State Park and Hawn State Park are all booked up. I will keep trying but I am discouraged. I am thinking about going next weekend, too. We'll see how it goes.

This weekend...

2008-07-27T20:57:00.003-05:00

So, Malcome Blitz didn't play Friday night like we thought. The show was cancelled, and we found out when we drove by the bar and their marquis named a different band as Friday's entertainment. About half of our crowd chose to go anyway, while Mike and I went to the City Museum. THAT WAS COOL!!! I loved climbing around on the contraption outside, and the slide was exciting. I can't wait to go back and take some kids! and my camera! I think I could get some really cool pictures of the boys at this place!

After we left the City Museum, we headed to the bar and met up with the rest of our crowd. We got there just in time to see some drunken hot chick twirling across the dance floor topless. That isn't the type of place this bar is, and she was kicked out after that song. She was part of a bachelorette party, and the party stayed, while topless dancer left.

The band didn't suck, but they weren't as good as Malcome Blitz. I was stupid, and didn't eat very much, so I ended up sick on Saturday. I was miserable until probably 4:00 or so - and regretted every beer I drank on Friday night! Well, not really, because I had a good time, I just should've eaten dinner before I went out.

Uncle Jerry was there, along with Gina and Tim, Roseanne, Tim's dad and dad's buddy, Holly and Gary, Danielle and Steve. Gina had me out on the floor dancing - a rarity, at best! (Believe me, that is better for EVERYONE)

We ended up barbecuing on Saturday. Mike barbecued rib steaks, pork steaks, brats, hamburgers, hotdogs and chicken - seeing as how Abby is only 2'4" and not really into beef or pork or chicken, I would say we completely overdid it. He totally takes after his dad.

We went to bed early last night. We were both exhausted. Today, we did laundry, grocery shopped, and ordered some shelving for our basement. I can't wait for that to come in - I have wanted to order it for a long time! I will feel so much better about the basement when we get everything organized! I don't know if we'll ever finish the basement, but to get it organized will make it feel bigger down there - and I want the pool table set up down there so bad!

Anyway, today was fairly mellow. Abby took about an hour-long bath, and then we all had cookies and milk before bed. I hope to get another video of Abby sometime this week - she's learning "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" and it's really entertaining!

Also, I haven't yet taken her 15-month pictures yet, so look for those coming soon - hopefully by next weekend.

Tomorrow night

2008-07-24T21:00:00.003-05:00

Mike and I are going to 5 O'Clock Somewhere to see Malcome Blitz play. I always look forward to seeing them - and know we'll have a great time! The bar is close to home - so close we could walk home if needed.

After that, our weekend is open. That's still a strange feeling to me.

What are you willing to go through to get rid of hives?

2008-07-20T21:26:00.003-05:00

So...my allergist prescribed a medicine for my hives - called Doxepin. Supposedly, it is an older medicine. I read the side effects and this is what it lists:

Side effects that may occur while taking this medicine include dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness, headache, nausea, weakness, diarrhea, excess sweating, heartburn, unpleasant taste, weight gain, or an increased appetite especially for sweets.

These are pretty standard side effects for most medicines these days, and didn't alarm me too much.

The next section reads:

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you experience constipation blurred vision or other vision changes, eye pain, fast slow or irregular heartbeat, hair loss, shakiness, fainting, twitching of the face or tongue, mood swings, loss of balance, uncontrolled movements of arms and legs or stiffness, difficulty speaking and swallowing, unusual bleeding or bruising, sore throat or fever, skin rash and itching, swelling of hands, face, lips, eyes, throat or tongue, irritability, ringing in the ears, seizures, yellowing of the skin or eyes, hallucinations or chest pain.

Holy shit! I don't even know where to start...I mean, eye pain sounds horrible - like my eyes could pop out of my head because of this medicine. I don't think that's cool, man. Where it says "uncontrolled movements of arms and legs", I read: flailing appendages. Yellowing of the skin sounds as though my liver is going to fail. Also, if I have difficulty speaking and swallowing, you can bet I will be irritable! I am not sure what would be classified as unusual bleeding...and if I have a skin rash - well, that's what I am taking this medicine to get rid of. You know what I mean? This sounds horrible.

And it gets better!

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience severe nervousness or anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, feelings of irritability or hostility, impulsive behavior or other unusual changes in behavior, severe restlessness, worsening feelings of depression, thoughts of hurting yourself, or any other mental or mood changes.

I think that any of the previously discussed eye pain, flailing appendages and difficulty swallowing - those would probably make me feelings of irritability and hostility! I might have a panic attack if I think my eyeballs are going to pop out, and believe that it could be pretty depressing to think my liver gave out on me, too.

Next,

An allergic reaction to this medicine is unlikely, but seek medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Now, seeing as how I am taking this to treat an allergic reaction, I think it would be a horrible twist of fate to have an allergic reaction to this medicine. But, what I would really like to know is what other effects do they think I will have that are too horrible to list here? Really. They have mentioned heart problems, liver problems, central nervous system problems, and difficulty breathing. What is worse than that? The diet aid Alli comes to mind...

And, when was the last time you tried to get ANY drug information out of a pharmacist? I have noticed that pharmacists are not at all the resources that they used to be. I assume that it is because they are too worried about getting sued to give advice, rather than that they are too stupid about their profession. During the past few years, any time I have asked a pharmacist questions about medicines, I get the most ridiculous answers. For example:

Heather says - "I am 6 months pregnant, and have a cold. Is there anything I can take to feel better?"
Pharmacist says - "Have you called your doctor? You really should check with your doctor."

Hello - you can't tell me what medicines are safe for a pregnant woman to take? What the hell?

Heather says - "I have a 6 month old baby who hasn't had a bowel movement in 4 days. Is there any medicine I can give her? Suppositories that would be safe for her age and weight?
Pharmacist says - "You should check with your doctor about that. I can't really tell you what you can give her."

Heather says - "I have been taking benadryl for an allergic reaction. I have hives covering my body and with the doses that the box lists, they aren't going away at all. Can you tell me how much benadryl I can take?"
Pharmacist says - "You can take one to two tablets every four to six hours." (For those who don't know the benadryl box by heart, like I do, this is reading the box to me.)

Screw the pharmacists! And, it is no mystery why they don't prescribe this medicine anymore. I think I will live with benadryl and/or hives, thank you very much!

My trip to the ER

2008-07-13T14:01:00.002-05:00

On Wednesday, just before I left work, I realized that I had a small patch of hives on each of my forearms. I came home, took some Benadryl, and went on about my night - having dinner with Mike and Abby, giving Abby a bath, etc. I took more benadryl at 8 p.m. and then went to bed. I woke at midnight, so I took another full dose of Benadryl. When I woke at 2 a.m., my hives had spread all over my body. I was nauseous and light-headed. I woke Mike, and asked him to put the Benadryl topical cream on my hives that I couldn't reach and he commented that we should go to the ER. I asked him to get online and find out what kind of hives wouldn't respond to Benadryl. He found information on anaphylactic shock - which I always thought was when your throat swelled shut and you couldn't breath. In fact, there are 6 different signs of it - including hives, nausea and dizziness or light-headedness.

Add to this that I had at one time been in my doctor's office with hives and blacked out because my blood pressure bottomed out (and the doctor called an ambulance to take me to the ER), and Mike felt that we should go. So we did.

I received steroids, more Benadryl and Pepcid AC - which is also a histimine-blocker. I didn't go to work on Thursday - I spent much of the day in a Benadryl-induced coma - except for the time we spent at the funeral home for Mikey's wake.

Friday I felt pretty good - good enough that I didn't take much Benadryl at all that day. But, that night, around 3:00, I woke with hives covering my body and it took 4 doses of benadryl over the next 12 hours to make me feel better at all. It was ugly.

The last time this happened to me, it lasted a month. I had to take Benadryl every night because if I didn't, I would wake with hives that night. I am tired of this already.

Mikey

2008-07-08T20:32:00.004-05:00

Last night, Mike Heavey, 23, died in a motor vehicle crash. He was the only person in the only car.

I laid awake after I got the phone call - with my arm around my husband - and cried. I cried for the family I know he left behind. I cried for his mom - who didn't know that the last time she saw him was the last time she would ever see him. I cried for my brother-in-law, Gary - who is Mike's older brother. Gary was 12 years older than Mikey, and always felt more paternal and responsible for him. I cried for my two nephews, Mason and Brandon, who are old enough to miss him, and too young to understand why. I cried for Mikayla - his 2-year old daughter who will not ever remember her father.

I have been obsessed today with how fragile life is. I think that most people, when they lose someone, will think about it for a few days, weeks or months. Most people will hug their friends or family before they leave the funeral home - with the image of life's delicate fragility fresh in their minds. But, after a week, two weeks, a lot of people get back to taking life for granted.

Four years ago, my father-in-law died in a motor vehicle crash. He left for work one morning, and never made it to his job. He was driving his motorcycle – which he had wanted for years and had only owned for a week – and he evidently braked hard enough to lose control of the bike, and his injuries were fatal. The accounts of this accident are fairly sketchy, because the ambulance arrived at and left the scene before the police arrived. When the ambulance took my father-in-law away, all of the witnesses got in their cars and left for work. Weeks after the accident, a witness contacted the family and explained that, from her point of view, it looked as though someone cut him off. Some person in front of him slammed on his brakes without regard for how his actions would affect other people, and because of that single, thoughtless action – my father-in-law died.

When Mikey died last night, his actions affected his siblings, nephews, daughter, mother, friends. How many times do people act without thinking about their effect on others? How many times have you been driving down the road, and for whatever selfish reason, you drive erratically - maybe you're late for work, on your way to a wedding, have a lot on your mind, are anxious to get out of town for vacation - without thinking about the danger you put others in?

This is something that I have been thinking about pretty consistently since Abby was born. I have had people cut me off, tailgate me, slam on their brakes in front of me, and drive 50-mph in sleet on the same highway I am on. Every time something like that happens, I yell out "what right do you have to endanger my life?" If Abby is in the car with me, I don't yell, normally, but I really do question when God gave them the right to endanger my baby's life? Or my baby's mommy's or daddy's life? I get really pissed off about it. I think that a lot of people don't drive considerately - and sadly, if something would happen to you or your loved ones, you don't get a second chance. If you're the driver who kills or maims someone, you don't get a second chance to do it right.

I am an extremely passionate and emotional person. The old adage about wearing one's heart on one's sleeve - that was written about me. I am far too emotional to be able to think about this all the time - I guess, getting back to normalcy at some point is a coping mechanism - at least it is for me. It’s scary to realize that you can close your eyes forever without any warning. I can't leave for work in the morning while I am mad at my husband - because I am afraid one of us won't come home that night. I can, and have, laid in bed and worried about that stuff. I am afraid that the friend I have been meaning to call will die before I make that call.

I know, everything I am typing is pretty cliché - and it is something that makes rounds in emails every day. I know that life is too short – and try very hard to enjoy it. My dad, who also died four years ago, was very good at this. He was happy to be alive, every day of his life. When he was driving to work, he was happy to be going to work. He enjoyed his job – and I believe he would’ve enjoyed whatever job he had, because that was the kind of person he was. He embraced life. I hope that Abby thinks that about me someday.

RIP, Mikey.

Abby playing outside

2008-07-05T13:16:00.000-05:00

Bathtime Abby

2008-07-05T12:03:00.001-05:00

Abby eating spaghetti

2008-07-02T18:55:00.000-05:00

30 Days.

2008-06-30T19:28:00.003-05:00

So today is day 30. I am a happier person overall - spending more time at home makes a world of difference for me. I feel that I get to spend SO MUCH MORE time with Mike and Abby - and I wish Rio were here, too - I always wanted to spend more time with him but never had the chance.

Thinking about the last month, I feel sort of bittersweet. I miss my friends at CCC. I miss my job at CCC. I miss the responsibility and being in charge (even if it was only a mirage).

I have spent the last four weeks playing with Abby outside, cleaning my house, cooking dinner, having dinner with Mike and Abby, visiting with family on the weekends, and being a better and more-involved mom.

At this time, I feel like Clarkson Eyecare is not a long-term solution for me - which is fine with me because I am planning to have another baby sometime next year. I am enjoying my summer - and see myself staying here until after the next baby is born. We'll see. Today was sort-of rough - I was bored and crabby at work...but isn't that the way most of America feels?

We went camping!

2008-06-30T19:23:00.003-05:00

I haven't posted in a while - believe it or not, my new job keeps me pretty busy! That sounds strange, I know.

This past weekend, Mike and I went to the property that my mom's family owns - and used our pop-up camper for the first time. It was really fun! We played washers and horseshoes and ate really good food. There was a big storm on Friday night that kept Mike up almost all night - I, myself, had consumed enough beer to sleep through it. It rained on us on Saturday afternoon, but it was brief, and helped to keep it cool enough outside to be comfortable.

We packed up and came home on Sunday - we were home, showered and unpacked by noon. I didn't take many pictures - I was having too much fun to stop and document the weekend.

Abby stayed with Mike's mom for the weekend, which turned out to be a good thing, because there were LOTS of ticks and chiggers at the property. Mike and I were both really lucky with the ticks - neither of us had a single one - but the chiggers on the other hand, we both have some bites. I am glad that Abby doesn't have any of this.

Two weeks in

2008-06-17T20:45:00.003-05:00

It's been really nice having time at home with Abby and Mike. We've had dinner together like a family almost every night. I've been able to give Abby her bath and put her to bed. I am really enjoying having more time with her.

I am getting more comfortable at my job. I really need a vacation, but that's a pipe dream for me right now. I have a list of things I want to do - mainly cleaning my house.

I haven't had a paycheck yet - and there is still a big part of this that seems surreal to me. I am looking forward to July 4th for a 3-day weekend. I think that will be really nice!

Happy Father's Day to Mike

2008-06-15T20:25:00.000-05:00

Mike's second Father's Day was spent mostly driving home from Arkansas. He did have two un-interrupted hours of nap-time with Abby, which was really nice. She fell asleep on his chest - which doesn't happen much anymore. We got home around 7 p.m. and Abby went to sleep pretty well. I thought we would drink a beer together, but we were both exhausted from the weekend. Mike and I drove to Little Rock to surprise his Grandpa for Father's Day - and it worked like a charm. Grandpa was very surprised to see us (not that it had anything to do with the fact that it was almost midnight when we got there Friday night). Before we left, I gave Mike his Father's Day present - a humidor, finally. I bought him 3 cigars to keep in there and he was VERY excited. I think he's a dork, but he's my dork!

The car situation, thanks Topher, Danny and Joe!

2008-06-06T21:59:00.004-05:00

So, we've been looking for a car. For me. Two nights ago, we went to Boemler Chevrolet on Telegraph, and test-drove a Chevy Trailblazer and an Isuzu Trooper. We decided that we wanted both vehicles, and strategized about how to best handle it. I called my uncle Danny and my friend Topher. Mike called his Uncle Joe. We talked about it and this is what happened.

I went in, with my game face on. I asked for his best deal - and when he came back with an almost insulting amount, I said thank you for your time, and he offered me something more than 2K over my asking price. I said no thanks and left.

Within two hours, he called and met me more than half-way. We haven't signed the papers yet, but will head up there in the morning. I am happy with the deal we made, and thank our friends and family for their advice and support.

My new job

2008-06-06T21:53:00.003-05:00

Hi. It's Friday. I have made it through one week. I feel like i have screwed up a lot. I don't yet know what I am doing. I miss my old job and my friends. I concentrate on telling people that I am from "Clarkson Eyecare" and not "Creve Coeur Camera". I focus on the phone number that I tell people to call me back at. I know I will screw up those things - but it happens. How many people have never switched jobs? Really.

I don't know if this is the job that is made for me. I think being manager at East was made for me - but I do feel like I have spent more time with Abby, and I am looking forward to the first weekend of the rest of my life. This week, I have had time to go see Brandon play ball, shop for a car, and even barbecue one evening. This is much more time than I had at CCC - I wouldn't ever have been able to accomplish all of that in one week there.

I don't really feel like someone else is driving my body - which is how I felt Monday and Tuesday. I feel more like a square peg in a round hole. I will give it another week, and hope it gets better. I figure that being at my own desk and working on my own offices will make a difference. I have always hated training - at every job I have ever had.

Wish me luck!