Don't call it a comback.....yet!

Although, I'm really hoping to be! I've been getting a lot of flack from a fellow blogger and VERY good friend about how non-existent my blog has been this year. I'm not naming any names....Denise....but she has some very good points, and I really have don't have any good excuses! The thing is, is that I read HER blog and she writes so eloquently and has such great wit that I felt like I just couldn't compete. But, once she told me that I can actually print this and my kids can read all my thoughts and stories about our family, THAT was a clincher! How wonderful to be able to read all of this someday! I may not be a quick wit or a very eloquent writer, but I love my life and my family more then anything and DEFINITELY have a lot to say about that!

Originally I started a blog to be able to update friends and family about our lives and post pictures of the kids, since the whole sending out pictures every few months just isn't my thing. My comeback is more of an outlet for me to just put down whatever comes to mind, not just "updates", but stories, hopes, fears, complaints, WHATEVER!! So, although I'm fairly certain no one reads my blog anymore, I'm totally okay with that, because that's exactly what it is....MINE!

So, without further babbling, here's just few random pictures from the summer and fall.

A trip to John Ball Zoo in Aug. Addison 11months, Ethan 3 1/2. We had a great day with friends Marcy and her 2 boys Ben and Eli; Denise and her 3 - Max, Leah, and Sarah; Amy and her Daughter Ryann.

Ethan LOVED the camel ride! Here he is with Max and Ryann.

Ethan started 3-school this year! I was SOOO nervous since he hadn't been in daycare or anything before. I knew he really needed it, but I was really worried about how the separation thing would go. Here's his 1st day, just before we left. He was really excited. When we got outside, lots of other parents were standing around watching their kids, which I was glad about, because I didn't think I could drop him off and run! He went to play on the jungle gym and grabbed a stick on the way, he kept checking to make sure I was there. Then, out of nowhere, another little boy started yanking the stick out of his hand! He was so confused, yet tried to hold his ground, I went over to mediate, and tried to tell the little boy that he was fine. But he took one last big yank on Ethan's stick, ripped it out of his hands and said "my mom said we can't have sticks on here!!" Well, poor Ethan just burst into tears! It was awful! There was no calming him down either. The little boys mother came over too, but did nothing! I was so annoyed. That little boy totally ruined Ethan's 1st day! So, finally I get him calmed down, but then had to have his teacher assistant, Mrs Brandt come help me leave. She took him and some other kids to a different area of the playground and Ethan said, "bye mommy" and waved and I TOTALLY lost it! I walked away, and turned around and he was sheepishly looking at me waving still. Balled all the way to my car! Called Derek and balled some more! He did so great though and I was so proud of him! The 2nd day was WAY worse then the 1st day though, they had to peel him out of my arms crying for me. THAT was totally hard for me! But we made it and now he looks forward to and has a great time at school!

The View from our cabin at Harold's Resort in TC. Our Mommy/Daddy weekend get-a-way at the end of Aug. It was a much needed respite!

Addison 10 months

So many faces!

This was probably one of the cutest things I've watched yet. Ethan mowed every step with Derek with his little lawn mower! I just loved it!

This is actually an outfit that my mom bought in Germany when I was a baby. It was mine and I was excited to put it on her...good thing it was stretchy! Ha! Now, I just have to find a picture of me in it!!

A Day Late and A Dollar Short....

I feel like that's the story of my life these days....I can't ever seem to catch up! I'm ALWAYS behind! It really does bother me to some extent, but then I ask myself what's more important. A clean house or coloring with Ethan? Folding some laundry or making faces with Addison as we all laugh? Updating my blog or taking a nap? Since I'm fairly certain that most people have TOTALLY given up on my blogging abilities, I usually opt for the nap! I can already tell a huge difference in the amount of pictures and videos I've taken of Addison vs Ethan and I feel bad! Anyway, here's an update on how much she's changed the past couple months. I can't believe she's 5months old already!!! Of course I don't have those pictures uploaded on my computer yet, so here's 3 and 4 months!! Enjoy!

Addison 4 months

Addison 4 months

Addison and Daddy

"Drooly Julie" as Daddy calls her (4 months)

Sitting up on her chair already at 3 months!

Big Brother Ethan and Addison at 3 months

Addison 3 months

Addy 3 months

Ethan hanging out with Addy in her crib!

Cutie Patootie in Ethan's robe (3 months)

Ethan reading to Addy....he's the sweetest big brother!!

It's a New Year!

Well, now that the Holidays are over and my house is starting to resemble a house again, maybe - just maybe I can stay on top of my blog! What a wonderful holiday season we've had and we SOOOOOO much to be thankful for! The kids survived all the parties and there were only a few "ugly" moments of tantrums! Out of pure exhaustion mostly (mommy may have had a couple of those too!).

Ethan FINALLY got into opening presents this year!! YAY! I felt like I've been anxiously awaiting the day for him to tear open presents with glee and it finally happened this year! He got bored with it quickly and just wanted to play with whatever he opened, but that's okay! He received so many fun gifts this year. A keyboard (he LOVES music), a sing-a-long video thingy, a camera, lots of play-dough, blocks, clothes, Mr Potato Head, a little laptop, some computer games....I'm sure I'm missing stuff, but as you can see he's got MANY things to entertain himself with and has been playing with all of his new stuff daily!

Addison just loves to watch and is really starting to talk now. She was given a few toys and oodles of clothes! We have so many toys from when Ethan was a baby, that she really doesn't need any of those - but girly clothes, we DEFINITELY need those!! Whenever Ethan is around she looks for him and grins when she sees him. She's really starting to kick a lot and likes to be in her swing or bouncy seat. She's really starting to find her voice now too - she gets pretty loud and it's really cute! She's been sleeping through the night since about 8wks, which I'm very grateful for (I'm sure daddy is too!). She doesn't nap that great yet, but she's getting there, I think she just doesn't want to miss anything! Ethan is such a sweet big brother, he just loves her and is really starting to be a big helper. He's starting to actually "listen" when we talk to him too, it's so fun! I just love the age he's at!

Well, I just turned 33 and when I look at where my life has taken me in my 33 yrs, I'm pretty happy with where I am. I have a career that I love; a wonderful husband that has stuck by me through many adventures; a great home that we've completely made our own; and 2 beautiful, amazing, healthy children. Now there are certainly days that I feel every bit of my 33 yrs (and then some), but mostly I'm living in the moment and loving the now because I know how quickly this will all be in the past and I'll be wondering where it all went. So before I turn into a blubbering idiot, I better end this post with a Happy New Year to all!

Thanksgiving Day

Derek's Iron Chef Pose

The Christmas Card Photo

Addison's Newborn Pictures

Here's a little slideshow of a few of Addi's newborn pictures. She's already changed so much! I can't believe how fast she's growing! Ethan's doing much better with her - even giving her kisses now and wanting to "pick her up". That makes me a little nervous, but so far he always waits for Mommy to "help" him pick her up! I'm still getting up once or twice a night with her, but I'm working hard at getting her on a schedule! More pictures to come...Enjoy!

Adjusting

Well, here we are 1 month into being parents of 2 children and it's going really well, but we're DEFINATELY still adjusting! Derek said to me last night that I was "slacking" on my blog...well, what else is new! I feel like I'm slacking on EVERYTHING lately! I'm lucky to get a shower before noon these days! And if I have to be out of the house before noon with both kids, we're lucky if it happens! I'm finding it so hard to juggle Ethan, whose mood can go from good to bad in the blink of an eye, to Addison's every 2 1/2 -3hr eat schedule! I think that's my problem, she has NO schedule really, but I'm working to change that VERY soon!

Overall, Addison has been a really easy baby. She's been feeding about 2 1/2-3hrs right from the start. Ethan was eating about every hour the first several days and that was REALLY hard on me, so she's been much easier thus far then he was! Ethan is very interested in "baby Addi" and wants to see what we're doing with her most of the time. I had to put a step-stool up to the changing table so he could watch as I change her diaper! He loves to throw her diapers away for me, so that has become his job! He also loves to sanitize his hands afterwards (since mommy does), which I'm glad about too! He definately has his jealous moments in which he acts out (usually while I'm nursing and can't get him!), especially if his grandma's are paying attention to her. That's one thing he's not willing to share right now! It's hard for them to just pay attention to him when they come over, but they're doing a great job! He likes to get right in her face, like inches away, I'm not sure why but I'm always telling him not to get so close to her - especially if I've just gotten her to sleep! He likes to point out her "tiny hands" and "little ears" and "blue eyes". He's really been quite sweet to her for the most part, in fact yesterday his beloved puppy gave Addi a kiss. He's certainly not ready to give her kisses, but I loved that his puppy could! He's had a few times when he wants to get in my lap while I'm nursing her and that's hard for me to know what to do. He's not really a cuddler at all, so when he wants to get in my lap, I really want to let him!

Derek and Ethan are kind of having to adjust together with the night-time routine. It was really hard the 1st week, b/c bathtime etc always seems to fall around one of Addison's feedings so Derek was having to give Ethan his bath and put him to bed when this is something that I have ALWAYS done. Ethan was having none of it at first and giving Derek a really hard time, but he's getting better. It's usually still a challenge to get him to bed, but it's hard to know if it's b/c of Addison or b/c he's 2 1/2!

All in all things are going very well and love our new family! Here's a few more pictures. I'll really try to post more often!

It's a Girl!

Please join us in welcoming Addison Taylor Eade to our hearts and home. She arrived at 0525 on 9/16/09, weighing 8lbs, 9oz and 21 inches long!

It's been a bit of a roller coaster week for me! I had been getting so frustrated b/c I had so many signs of labor this weekend that I felt like my body was just teasing me to death!! Just when I would start timing contractions they would stop. This went on Sun, Mon and Tue. I was so ready for my OB apt on Wed b/c I thought for sure I had progressed, maybe even enough that she would tell me just to head to the hospital! (Hey, a girl can hope right?!) Well, I almost missed my apt b/c I had it in my brain that it was 1:30pm when it was at 11:45 am, which I realized at 11:40!!! Thanks to Derek for calling to see what time it was b/c he thought he'd go too since he was still in town! I'm telling you this little girl took every last brain cell! Anyway, they squeezed me in at noon. She checked me and said that I was b/t a 2 and a 3. I was so bummed. Then she said since I was so uncomfortable and would be 39wks on the 16th, she'd see if we could induce on the 16th. Nope, the birth center was WAY to full and busy to schedule an induction so she said we'd just plan on Friday. I left there in tears b/c I was just so ready to have this baby. I think had I not been so uncomfortable, not sleeping, etc. I could have dealt with it much better, but I was so ready to be done!

The last thing Dr Gootjes said before we left was, "maybe this check will be all you need to get things going". Well, she was absolutely right! By 6pm that night, I was having really regular contractions and they were getting pretty comfortable, but not regular enough. By 8pm they were getting much more intense and Derek had to take over Ethan's bath and stuff. (Which Ethan gave him a pretty hard time about). I was trying to plan ahead for someone to watch Ethan the next day just in case I was ACTUALLY, FINALLY in labor. Of course, of all days, Bonnie had to report for jury duty the next day and my mom had dr's apt at 0830 for her neck/head pain that she'd had for several days and I didn't want her to have to cancel. We worked out a plan but I still burst into tears because this wasn't how I wanted it to go. I had to get over it real quick though because it was out of my hands now and I was in way too much pain! By the time we got Ethan to bed, my contractions were about 5 mins apart and almost unbearable. I finally decided to call the Dr on-call when I started feeling like a needed to push a little with each contraction. He recommended that I come in. Derek started getting everything ready and in the car almost immediately. Then I started second-guessing myself. I didn't want them to say that I wasn't really in labor and send me home, so I waited for a while to make sure that they weren't going to stop again! They didn't stop in frequency or intensity so I called Bonnie and she came over right away. Then I called the Coordinator for the hospital to make sure that they'd have a bed for me and not closet when I got there (sometimes it pays to have a few connections !), since I knew they were really busy. She assured me that I wouldn't have a closet to deliver in!

We finally got here around midnight. A few people I work with saw me and were really excited for us, that was neat! We got right up to a room and the nurse helped me right away. She checked me and said I was around 4cm, so I had progressed since the afternoon. She talked to Dr Gerard (the Dr on-call) and he said to go ahead with an IV and epidural... YAY!! I couldn't wait to get some relief from these contractions. I was finally comfortable around 0200. Everything went really fast and smooth. Then, Derek and I watched TV for a while and tried to just relax and close our eyes a little. It was hard b/c the nurse had to turn me every hour and so we didn't really get any actual SLEEP, but at least we rested for a while. Around 0450 Dr Gerard came in to tell us that everything was going really well, and Dr Gootjes was planning on coming in first thing to deliver me. Before he left, he asked if I'd been feeling any "pressure". I said that I could feel my contractions were coming really fast now and with the last couple, I felt A LOT of pressure "down there". He thought maybe he should check me so he went to get my nurse. He didn't even put his hand in, he just looked and said, "whoa, the head's right there, I think we're about to have a baby". I was shocked! My whole body started shaking. I wanted my mom and Karen to be there for the birth, but it didn't look like that was going to happen! I called them both and when he came back, he said we could wait just a few mins to start pushing, but Derek and I decided we didn't want to make our little peanut wait!!

I was a little worried about Derek b/c he had a little trouble when we were pushing with Ethan and my mom had to take over holding my leg. He assured me he'd be fine. I really wanted to see things this time so I asked for a mirror. Unfortunately, Derek could see it too, but he did a good job of looking at the wall while holding a leg and my hand. She was out in 4 pushes! Dr Gerard held her up so Derek could announce that she was a girl! It felt like it took him FOREVER to say it and her leg was blocking my view so I couldn't see!! I couldn't believe it when he said girl! I didn't want to admit it, but I was really hoping that we'd have a girl. Not that I would have been "disappointed" if she was a boy, but I REALLY wanted a girl!! Derek did just awesome and I LOVED being able to watch the birth! It was so cool! Looking back on everything, I'm also really glad that it was just us. It was a very intimate, private birth and I will cherish it!

Sorry for the book, I just couldn't leave anything out! I still can't believe that she's HERE and that she's a SHE! She's doing just amazing too, nursing is going just fabulous, she's just a perfect little miracle! Can't wait for everyone to meet her!

Labor Day Weekend

Well, I think I scared Derek this week. On Wed, I had my 37 wk check and I was dilated to a little more then 1cm "but not quite a 2" and about 50% effaced. Roughly the same as last week. But Thur, I had worked pretty hard around the house (I'm nesting something fierce and have this sense of urgency that just won't let me relax!), so I decided to lay down for just a little while. Derek, got Ethan up from his nap a while later and brought him in to me and Ethan just loves playing our bed, so I let him before I had to get up again. But as he was playing, I started having contractions and they felt MUCH more like contractions then Brackston Hick's I've been having. I looked at the clock and I had about 5 of them that were exactly 5 mins apart! I started getting excited and nervous and scared to death all at the same time! I called for Derek to take Ethan b/c he kept laying on me and it was making it a little more uncomfortable then they already were. The look on Derek's face said it all! But after those 4 or 5, they just stopped and I haven't had anything else since.

On Sat, Derek was up before all of us and he started getting the rest of the stuff out of the spare bedroom and down stairs. He had vacuumed and was putting the toddler bed together before Ethan was even done with breakfast! I'm really glad too, b/c I wanted to be home with Ethan a few days to ease him into his "Big Boy Bed". Ethan could not wait to climb in the bed once Derek had it put together. I didn't have sheets or anything on it and he was laying on the mattress! As soon as he got in there, he was calling it "Ethan's Big Boy bed" and then he was telling Daddy to get all of this "friends" out of his crib. His pillows, his puppies, his teddy bears etc.. Later that morning I got all of his bedding washed and thought now or never by nap time. He must have been so ready to get out of that crib, because he did just awesome! What I love is that (so far), when we're all done reading books and giving kisses etc and leave the room, he stays in his bed! He'll call out for stuff he wants, but he hasn't gotten up to get it himself or leave the room when he knows he can! We'll see how long this lasts, but what big boy!! Here's some pictures of his new room and bed!

Daddy's little helper!

So excited!!

1st successful ni-night in the "Big Boy Bed"! (Ethan after his 1st nap)

He wants nothing to do with keeping "the blankies" on, so we're still wearing a sleep-sac for now!

I'm so excited and relieved with how well this transition has gone! I've been so worried about it! Mostly, that it wouldn't happen before the baby arrived and that he would feel like he got kicked out his bed by the baby! He absolutely LOVES being in his new room now, we have to wake him up from his naps and sometimes even then, he doesn't want to get up or much less leave the room! It's so cute! I can't believe how big he is! I know he's going to look even bigger to me when #2 arrives!

Sunday my mom had a cook-out and unfortunately, the pool was just a little too cold for swimming since the weather was so cool the past week or so! But we had a great time any way and Ethan splashed on the edge with Grandma and then played in his little pool so all was good! That evening Derek and I went to the Yacht Club for dinner and Ethan was a little charmer as usual!

Today, I was up around 5am (yes, on purpose) to get ready for a little marina fishing tournament! When we had a boat, we slipped it on A-dock and we still have a lot of great friends, most of them all fish, and we came up with having a Labor Day Fishing Tournament, this year being the 1st! Team Pier Addiction was a little short on crew since Mom and Dad Eade are on vacation and Cory had to work, so it was Derek, Brian, Sara, Heidi (Cory's wife) Me and Ethan! I got Ethan up around 5:30am. I rubbed his back and said "Ethan do want to go fishing with Mommy and Daddy?" He almost immediately sat up and said in his sleepy little voice, "Ethan go fishing, Ethan reel, reel, reel?" It was so sweet. He did not care how early it was at all! We got dressed real quick and Daddy was hounding us to get going!

I would have thought for "fun" tournament, maybe a 6am start time was a little early, but I wasn't there during the negotiations.... What a beautiful day! I've been a little apprehensive about fishing this late in my pregnancy b/c I have issues with sea-sickness usually and I can't take anything for it right now! I was totally unaffected today, which was wonderful! Ethan was such a trooper, except when I went to reel in a fish, then he wanted me to hold him, and well, I can't do both so he had a little melt down there. But, I landed the fish (a really nice Lake Trout) and that was the only one for me unfortunately, but I loved cheering everyone else on throughout the day! We ended up with 10 fish. This was the most fish you could weigh according to the rules so we thought we were sitting pretty since it was sort of struggle to get 10 today! Most of the boats we talked to didn't have that many. Unfortunately, a couple others did and we ended up 3rd b/c a lot of our fish were small! Oh well, it was GREAT day with family!! I only wish someone had grabbed a photo of me at 9mos pregnant reeling in a fish!!

Here's a couple pictures of Ethan and Daddy from today that I just thought were too precious. Ethan's really getting attached to Derek recently. He can't wait for Derek to get home and pretty much won't leave his side until he goes to bed! I knew these days were coming as I've been warned by my friends, but so far he still wants his Mommy too! I'm sort of glad that he's wanted to be with Derek more b/c I think that's really going to help when the baby's here and I can't be 2 places at once!