Christmas...Round #2

After celebrating with my side, we hosted Eddy's side on Monday, Dec 30. We had an early dinner and then got to the presents! After the chaos, we decided that next year we'll have the kids open their gifts, then let them watch a movie/play/put them to bed, so we can enjoy opening our gifts. It is fun watching the kids interact... and next year we'll have two more babies joining the party!
Eddy's parents with their grandkids
Isaac got a chainsaw for Christmas and figured out pretty quickly how it works
Eddy's younger brother Bob and his wife are expecting a baby in June. Bob's made it pretty clear that he'll hold a baby when he has one of his own. But, we made up suck it up and hold his nephew, Derek!
Isaac with two of his cousins

Christmas...Round #1

We hosted my side of the family for Christmas. We had a great time! Isaac was all about opening presents. He'd look at the contents of the box/bag for about 1.5 seconds, then it was on to another present. A collection of pictures...

first present

Isaac's Great Aunt Diane and Uncle Lee have been giving Isaac a new book each Christmas. A special package arrived a couple days ago, and rather than waiting, we decided to let Isaac open it. When we used to ask, "What do you want for Christmas?" he'd look at us and say "I don't know". Well, now when we ask, he gets a great big smile on his face and says "presents!!". I think he's got the hang of it...

The Polar Express

Make a Smilebox photobook

Our News

Yep, we're expecting! I'm 12 weeks pregnant and due June 24. We are really excited to be expanding our family. Eddy and I heard the baby's heartbeat the day before Thanksgiving, so the holiday was especially meaningful. Just like when I was pregnant with Isaac, I have no appetite. And maybe it's because I have a 2 year old to chase around, but I am extremely tired. I'm not a "napper", but the past several weeks, when I'm home with Isaac and he goes down for a nap, so do I.

What's also exciting is that we have several friends and family who are expecting, as well. Eddy's brother and his wife are due with their first baby three weeks before us! So, Grandma and Papa will have grandbabies #5 and #6 coming in June. Eddy's best friend and his wife are expecting two weeks before us--they have a 3 year old and 5 year old...and are due with twins. I also have several mom friends who are pregnant. Babies everywhere!

Updates in the Kitchen

We've made a few small changes in the kitchen over the past couple of days. I finally turned a tablecloth into a valance! I had enough left over to make a table runner and cloth napkins (I already have placemats). Eddy's dad, Steve, came over and helped (ok, fixed what we did wrong!) put up a new kitchen light AND install a new microwave. Yeah!!

The "before" picture was taken when the house was on the market (note ugly light and archaic microwave).

Our new "after"!

the new valance

New Phrases

I finally captured a few of Isaac's new phrases. The video is sideways--sorry. We love listening to him talk!

Isaac

I put up our Christmas decorations last week, and since then, Isaac has been very interested in everything santa and snowmen. He walked into the kitchen recently with the hat and scarf on from my 1986 Santa Bear! I quickly grabbed my camera because I remember putting the hat and scarf on him last year and trying to get the "perfect picture". I thought it'd be fun to have a side-by-side comparison.

YEA!!!!

Our daycare provider called me at work today (usually not a good sign). However, she called to say that Isaac WENT POTTY ON THE POTTY CHAIR!! Even better, he went a total of THREE times today! Now, coming off my "he actually peed in the potty" high, I'm realistic enough to think this may not be the start of anything...but hopeful enough to think that it is! Way to go, buddy!

Isaac's room

Eddy and I (finally) finished putting up shelves/decorations in Isaac's room. Now I can officially say it's done...until he's not in his crib anymore! The last picture is of Isaac and Eddy after Isaac's bath last night.

last weekend and a project completed (almost)

Last weekend we drove to my parents' place. Saturday morning, Eddy and Isaac left for his best friend, Craig's house to visit him and his wife and two boys. I stayed back for a cookie-making day with my mom and sister. We made 8 different varieties and made double or triple batches of each kind! Holy crap, that's a lot of cookies. They're in the freezer now and waiting for the Christmas season!

Then, this morning, Isaac and I went to Michael's to work on a project I've been meaning to get to for quite some time. A friend of mine is a direct-sales rep for a company that makes vinyl clings (they have premade designs which you can choose size/color, or you can make your own). I've wanted a sign that says "Isaac" to put above his crib since we moved into our new house, but haven't found the letters (thought I would use wooden letters) I wanted. So, I special ordered from Jenni. Then, the next dilemma was I didn't want to put it directly on the wall. Knowing that some day Isaac will not be in a crib and the bed might not be in the same place, I'd like to be able to move the sign. This is getting long...anyway, I found a frame at Michaels. Then, I was going to spray paint the center of it, so it'd be light blue with navy "Isaac" and a white frame. But what was I going to use as the backdrop? Luckily, I found a very smart lady at Michael's and she suggested buying a matboard in the color I wanted. I was going to have the store cut it for me, but the guy said I could do it myself and save a bunch of money. So, I finished it while Isaac was sleeping. I LOVE the way it turned out! Now I just have to get it on the wall....
(The material in the background is a quilt we got as a hand-me-down from our friends the Mattsons. It will be what we use after the baby bedding goes away.)

All About Trains

Well, it's been some time since Isaac has been infatuated with something...but it's safe to say, he's found an obsession. He loves, loves, loves trains. My parents got him "The Little Engine That Could" when he was an infant. Then, we signed up with Imagination Library/United Way program that gives kids a free, hardcover book every month until they turn five! Well, the first book every child receives is "The Little Engine That Could". I think that may have triggered the fascination. So, every night, we read this book. Then a couple weeks ago, we met some friends at the Duluth Children's Museum, which also gets you into the Depot Train Museum. Safe to say, Isaac was in heaven. Then we went to my sister, Lindsey, and her husband, Paul's house. They have two other nephews and have started a toy collection at their house. This collection has, you guessed it, some wooden trains. I can't escape them! In all fairness, it could be a lot worse. Here are a few train-themed pictures from that weekend.
Paul reading *the book* to Isaac

Paul's leg being a train track

Isaac getting into "choo-choo!!"

Trick or Treating

Isaac had a great time trick or treating on Halloween! Eddy and I took him around the neighborhood in his wagon. The downfall, every time he sees the house across the street, he says "trick or treat" and thinks he should get candy! We also had to hide the candy, otherwise he stands at the pantry and cries "treat...treat". And Teddy Grahms aren't cuttin' it.

Happy Wedding (part 2)!

So, now that the bride has updated her blog, it's safe for me to post a few pics! It was such an awesome day. Megan did an awesome job planning this event!



I realize that these pics are pretty self-explanatory, but the last one deserves a few words. The women in this picture met at St. Scholastica and have known each other (as a group) since fall 1998. Between us, we have 6 bachelor's degrees and 4 master's degrees (all of which were obtained at CSS). Heidi started off the weddings by getting married to Trevor August 1999. Sara was next in January 2002, marrying Kyle. I was the third in August 2003, marrying Eddy. Courtney followed shortly after marrying John in October 2003. Molly followed in April 2007, marrying Dave. And last (but certainly not least) Megan marrying Paul October 2008. Sara, Heidi, Courtney, and I are nurses; Megan and Molly are physical therapists. Between all of us, since getting married, we've moved 6 times (if I'm counting correctly), changed jobs 8 times (I think I'm right!), and have 4 children. I am so incredibly blessed to be surrounded by such smart, brilliant, and caring women. We've been through a lot, but we've been together through it all. Ladies, thank you for being who you are.

A Weekend with Family

Eddy's sister and her husband came up from Iowa for the weekend. They had a wedding to attend on Saturday, so I kept the two girls (baby Derek stayed with mom and dad) for the day. A friend, Bob, also came over to keep the kids entertained. We had fun racing in the driveway, taking wagon rides, blowing, bubbles...and RAKING (I swear it was their idea!).


I was able to capture a sweet moment between the two male cousins--Isaac is so sweet when he holds babies. He'll rub his cheek against his head and give kisses. It was interesting trying to get the four kids to cooperate for a picture.

Dinner Party

Eddy has been wanting to have the baseball team over for dinner for quite some time. So, two days ago, we had 37 ball players and 3 assistant coaches over for spaghetti. The pic above is obviously the group of shoes that were in our front entryway. We had 15 cars in front of our house. I should have counted the jars of sauce and packages of spaghetti we went through...and I'm sure they would've eaten more! It was a fun night and hopefully I'll be able to learn all the players names this year!

Happy Wedding!

One of my bestest friends, Megan, married her sweetheart this weekend. Congrats, Megan and Paul! I have some fun pics I want to post, but because several people who read this blog also read Megan's, I want to make sure she posts on her blog first. But, here's a few I don't think are spoiling anything!

This picture was Saturday morning, before the wedding. Heidi and Sara were Megan's personal attendants (and did an awesome job!)

There have been occasions where I've paid to have my hair done, and felt that I could have done a better job. This is not one of those times! I was really happy with how it turned out.

Today, the morning after the big shin-dig. Molly and Courtney were also bridesmaids.

It's in the Genes

My Dad recently went for a 3-day hike up the north shore on the Superior Hiking Trail. Of course, he brought his camera. He is the reason I too, usually have a camera with me. The subject of my pictures is usually Isaac. Dad takes his fair share of Isaac pictures too, but he does amazing things with flowers and landscapes. Nice work, Dad!