The Wee-whoa's

He sure can laugh

2012-01-26T20:05:00.002-06:00

Chloe sure knows how to make Espen laugh...and I really mean laugh!

Enjoy...

and I hope you laugh too!

Espen Dancing?

2012-01-26T16:16:00.003-06:00

Please enjoy this brief video of Espen doing his first dance the "baby bounce". Boy can that lil guy drop it like it's hot (:

A Beautiful & Grown up Birthday Gift...

2012-01-26T15:57:00.002-06:00

While visiting MN in November we were lucky enough to be there the same weekend some awesome friends of ours were having a crafty garage sale to raise money for the adoption of their twin boys from Haiti.

While browsing around we saw this amazing hutch (minus the glasses and glass shelves) and both Chandra and I fell in love with it!

Our mom said she'd buy it...Chandra didn't have room in her house BUT I did (: so I won (sorry Cha) and mom bought it as a birthday gift for me! I absolutely love it!

Thank you mom...for my very grown up gift (:

FYI

2012-01-16T18:12:00.004-06:00

If you're reading this thinking to yourself "Oh look Crysta finally updated the blog" then make sure you go back to atleast October 27 th, 2011...I've updated...finally...slowly...but I'm working on it.

Enjoy!

Yeah...Yesh...Hahahaha

2012-01-16T16:41:00.002-06:00

Espen recieved several phones for Christmas...toy phones of course...
Little did we know he pays more attention to us than we knew...
Enjoy this video of him talking to...well we're not sure...on his toy phone!

He's just so darn cute!

Espen Walking

2012-01-13T16:01:00.002-06:00

I have a lot of catchup work to do on this blog...and I may not get caught up to this point at all...
but from today on out I hope to get things posted....

So to begin the blog-o-rama...here's a video of Espen walking...yes he walks now...crawls too but walks most of the time...and it's quite cute!

Enjoy...

Halloween 2011

2011-10-31T18:14:00.000-05:00

Chloe was a Snow Princess for Halloween...

She wasn't sure if she wanted to go out Trick or Treating but at the last minute she decided that she DID want to go...

So we headed outside...all bundled up...

Espen had a batman costume but it was a little cold for it...so he wore his Raccoon hat...

voila...Raccoon baby!

Chloe's Rainbow Cupcake 9th Birthday Party

2011-10-30T17:01:00.000-05:00

Chloe asked for a birthday party...

Then she asked for a Rainbow Themed birthday party...

Then she asked for cupcakes...

Then she asked for a Rainbow Cupcake birthday party...

Then she asked for the cake...

not just any cake...

A giant cupcake that's rainbow inside...

Enjoy a photos of her party...

Some of the favors...

Playdoh cupcakes...

you don't eat them...

you pop the tops off and play with the playdoh!

The cups...Chloe insisted I write every girl's name...

rainbowy
The birthday banner I made...
I also made an Espen one so we can use it on his big day too!

The birthday cake...
Being Cut...after being cut...
and me serving it (:

Getting ready to sing...

Grace opera singing "Happy Birthday" to Chloe...

Chloe just wanted to show you how good the cake was...

All the girls...

All the silly girls...

All the sassy girls! (:

The girls played charades, did scratch art, danced to Smurf Dance Party game on the wii & giggled a lot!

It was a good party!

Arriba...Jena's Birthday...

2011-10-27T19:44:00.000-05:00

Jena turned a year older and had a Mexican fiesta at her house...

Awesome food, lots of laughs, mini sombreros & mustaches...

Ever wonder what Espen would look like wearing a mustache and sombrero?

Enjoy...

I'd say he looks like Mario...
Me and my little guy...

Is that Cha and Chloe??

Or their Mexican doppelgangers?

Hahahaha...had to be there...

Me, the kids, Jena and Jena's friend...Hello Kitty (:

It was a fantastic night!

Moose Jammies

2011-10-27T19:35:00.000-05:00

Chloe had a sleep over with Kayla & the next morning Emily was over early for me to watch her. Chloe was still asleep...the girls watched cartoons with Espen...

How cute is this...

So cute!!
My handsome little man!

I LOVE these moose jammies!!

A Special Tour...

2011-06-30T15:40:00.000-05:00

When we got home from The Gingerbread House and I uploaded my pictures I found this video...

I did a little editing...

Enjoy your own personal tour by Chloe (: and an introduction to some of her new "friends"

The Gingerbread House a.k.a. Heaven

2011-06-29T19:14:00.005-05:00

Cha, Chloe, Espen & I drove past this coffee house that I've been DYING to go to...

Cha really needed coffee and you know me...I can always use some caffeine these days...

So we stopped!

BEST. DECISION. EVER.

Yep...these are photos of chickens...they live at The Gingerbread House...

Chloe took the photos of these chickens. She thought they were hilarious! I have a 5 minute video of Chloe talking to the camera and laughing at the chickens...

Cha enjoying her cappuccino, Chloe had a donut & a cherry "silly soda" as we call them (sparkling water & cherry syrup), and I had an almond latte and a citus green iced tea (i couldn't decide!). Later in our visit Cha and I shared a piece of Flourless Chocolate Cake...by piece I mean BRICK! It was HUGE!

Me and my little man!

Don't you just LOVE the mugs & mason jar cups?!? I sure do!

mmmm....flourless chocolate cake!!

and that is how Cha usually poses for her photos! Peace...

Espen LOVED sitting outside...so much he needed a little nap!

While we had our visit there (on June 25th) we came up with a list of people we NEEDED to bring there. The first on our list...Grandma Judy! SO, we called her up and she said "Wednesday works..." so there we went with her...

When we got there and found the perfect table Grandma said "This is what Heaven HAS to be like..." we agree...

Here are some photos taken by Grandma Judy...

We sat on the front porch...there was a swing! So Cha had some time with Espen there.

Our table in the front....

If you're lucky (: we'll invite YOU to The Gingerbread House with us!

Memorial Day Group Shot

2011-05-31T23:03:00.003-05:00

Back Left to right: Gerri (in the white tank and black PANTS), Seth, Angie, Tom, Josh, Amy, Adam, Espen, Me

In the front row: Maya, Ariana & Chloe!

For some reason this picture didn't show up on the last post...

It's an important picture!

It's got Grandpa "Buddy" & Grandma Gerri with all 6 of their grandkids (3 boys & 3 girls) and his 3 kids and me!

A Very Special Memorial Day

2011-05-31T22:07:00.006-05:00

This Memorial Day was an extra special one for us...

to be honest it might be the only Memorial Day so far in my life that I have ever really THOUGHT about it being a special day...not just a day that makes it a 3 day weekend for most people.

We had the honor of watching Tom, my father in law, march in the Mukwonago Memorial Day March (don't call it a parade...it's not)

He served in the army years ago, had one tour in Vietnam and looks very handsome in his uniform!

He carried the American Flag and I got teary watching him march down the street! He stood proud and strong!

Here are a few photos of our morning....

The girls waiting to see Grandpa Buddy (:
During this part they had a little speech and a few veterans fired the guns in the cemetary across the street.
it was loud and didn't really phase Espen!
Adam said it gets him ready and used to the noise for hunting...(:

The first group of Veteran's carrying their flags...

See that handsome man holding the American Flag...

That's my father-in-law!

After the last veteran's had marched by we all followed them down the street for a ceremony...

Ariana & Chloe (Maya's behind Ariana)

They let go 7 black balloons representing 7 soldiers that are MIA from last Memorial Day until now...

And they had a flyover with some amazing airplanes!

They were all different colors!

They were really cool!

That American Flag holder is Tom!

At the end of the ceremony the girls rushed over to help Grandpa Buddy aka Tom fold/roll up his flag...

Adam supervised (:

Almost rolled up!

Espen just hanging out....

Flag is all rolled up...hug time!

After we took pictures we got to have ice cream bars! YUM!

The Itsy Bitsy Spider Makes E Laugh!

2011-05-31T21:49:00.002-05:00

While making dinner tonight Espen was getting fussy so Chloe decided to sing The Itsy Bitsy Spider...the Go Fish version...

Enjoy!

Just a few sweet Espen photos...

2011-04-30T11:05:00.004-05:00

here's a few photos of our little man...

most of them taken by Great Grandma Judy!

They are from the past month.

Enjoy!

Our little man sure knows how to make an entrance!

Uncle Skip & Espen meeting for the first time!
I love E's expression.

Smiling for "Grandma" June...

Like his tie?

Like his gcamper? That would be his Plaid gdiaper and shirt!

The shirt says, "I'm having an environmental movement".

This could be one of my most favorite pictures I will ever have...

Me, my boy and My great grandma GG...

My kids!

Smiles

2011-04-07T21:17:00.002-05:00

We shot this video in hopes to email it to our Minnesota family members BUT...

it was too big to email...

AND too cute not to share.

This video was shot by our lovely little girl Chloe...

Enjoy.

Maya & Ariana Meet Espen

2011-03-20T17:44:00.000-05:00

Angie, My sister-in-law, brought our nieces over to meet Espen...

Here's a few pictures of them holding him!

Maya & Espen...

While she was here she was asking "Can he walk yet?"

"Why isn't he talking to me?"

"Can't he sit up?!"

Ariana patiently awaiting her turn!

She was sooo good with him!

Ariana was trying to calm him down (which she did!) and Maya wasn't such a fan of him crying!

They brought him a super cute onesie with chip & dale on it!

And I got a cool bag that you put photos into...that had awesome pictures of Espen!

A Sweet Night of Friends

2011-03-18T15:49:00.000-05:00

My lovely friends Maggie & Deziree & awesome sister Cha came to visit us and meet Espen!Deziree's kids Ruthee, Joanee & Nehemiah came too!

They brought some yummy soup, fresh baked bread & brownies! YUM!

It was a wonderful evening of the kids giggling & playing and us ladies just hanging out!

Here are a few shots from the night....

Nehemiah hanging out in the swing....

What a ham!

Joanee...

Cha & Joanee hanging out...

GIRL PILE!

This shot would have been great...if only my camera focused on the girls not the sunglasses.

SMILES!

It was a great night! It's always great with this group!

Espen visits Auntie Cha's Apartment

2011-03-12T10:38:00.005-06:00

Espen came with Grandma Judy & I to Auntie Cha's apartment...

Chloe was already there...

she got to have a sleepover with Cha!

While there I helped Cha FINALLY hang photos and rearrange her place.

It was so cozy when we left!

(I'll have to go take pictures and post them so you can enjoy too.)

Here are a few photos from our afternoon there...

" I'm awake...can I come out now?"
Chloe took him out...he wasn't too happy at that moment...

Auntie Cha got some snuggles in...

Like his shirt? It says "Wild About Mommy"....

Thanks Maggie O! (:

He needed a diaper change (yes CLOTH gdiapers) and it was warm in Cha's apartment...

SO...

He got to have some diaper time...

Here he is showing off his muscles....

LIke his round belly?!?

He looks so happy holding sister's hand!

I love this one!

Cheese...

Grandma took this one for us! It's one of my favorite pictures!

I love this one too...

Great Grandma Judy & Espen!

He still had the chicken pox...

and took a great nap all snuggled up with his grandma Judy!

Great Grandma and her two great Grand Kids...

Chloe was going snap happy with the picture taking....

Snuggling with sister...

see his spotty face? Poor little guy...

Still napping with Great Grandma!

Aw...finally awake!

My little Pox Prince!

We had a great afternoon at Cha's!

Moose Kissing...

2011-03-11T14:31:00.002-06:00

...Or perhaps Espen was just hungry...

Chloe put Mortimer the Moose's nose next to Espen and...

Espen gave him a little smooch (:

So cute!

Big Sis & Lil Bro

2011-03-09T19:07:00.003-06:00

I'm very lucky because I get to witness so many sweet moments between my kids...

yes it's still strange to say my kidS...

Here are just a few that I've gotten to see...

and I know there will be many more to come!

This is just a few days after we were home from the hospital...

she was trying to lay just like him...

and was mimicking him while he squirmed!

Snuggling her little bro!

She was holding him for me while I ate my dinner that had to be reheated 3 times that night...

It's so funny how he covers his face!

When I peeked into their room I saw this...

Chloe rubbing Espen's head to put him to sleep...

And he slept...not for very long...but he slept!

Doesn't he look sweet in these pjs?

I love my kids!

Hitting the Bottle...

2011-03-07T19:33:00.000-06:00

Espen got to try a bottle...

the first one didn't go so well...

Daddy fed him his first bottle...
and instead of taking a sweet picture of course Chloe had to ham it up!

Chloe trying the second bottle with Espen...

he ate half an ounce for her...

but got too squirmy so she gave up...

and I took over...

He was holding my hand and trying to push it away...

he drank the rest of the bottle but really didn't like it that much...

burping...

let me clarify...

I was burping Espen...

I wasn't burping...

and then he fall asleep...

the life of a baby...

First 3 Weeks being a Family of 4...

2011-03-02T20:20:00.007-06:00

I am writing this blog strapped to a handsome little man...

we quite enjoy our Moby Wrap (thank you Grandma & Grandpa Wheaton!)

Here we are...

Our first three weeks at home have been great...

Espen eats well.

He sleeps pretty great at night.

He's just so cute!

So here are a few photos from the past few weeks...

Like my hoodie?

First time in camo...and in my Little Brother onesie!

Sleeping Handsome Little Boy

I love my blankies!

Relaxing on the couch like my daddy!

First time big sister held him up on her shoulder!

So sweet!

(Espen's got his crazy eyes going on)

Chloe looks so grown up now!

Me and my little monkey boy!

Our gdiaper Adventure!

2011-03-01T18:27:00.000-06:00

So we began our Espen in diapers adventure by deciding to go cloth...

we chose gdiapers (check them out at http://www.gdiapers.com/)...

and we LOVE them...

(and you'll be reading and hearing more about them in future blogs!)

Here are some photos in his fabulous tinyg's!

special cloth diapers for newborns...

that have g words on them like:

goo goo, green, giddy, giggle...

In this one he had his thumb hooked into his mouth...and couldn't figure out for a while how to get it out!

We love cloth diapers!

Yes I do laundry more often...

but we make less stinky trash now...

AND Espen has not had ANY blowouts...

Plus...

My baby's diapered butt looks cuter than your baby's disposable diapered butt!

Cookies Anyone?

2011-02-28T19:52:00.000-06:00

It's cookie season again...

Chloe's goal this year was to sell 200 boxes and Chloe totally surpassed her goal...

she sold...270 boxes...

AND

She was top seller in our troop!

Go Chloe...

So here Chloe sits next to piles of boxes of cookies that we had to go through and organize!

Thank you to all who ordered from Chloe!

Brother & Sister

2011-02-27T17:58:00.000-06:00

Chloe was helping to burp Espen....

What a ham!

Look at his cute little smooshy face?!?

Espen's First Bath...

2011-02-27T09:35:00.000-06:00

Espen's umbilical cord thingy came off FINALLY on Feb 26th so he could enjoy his first bath...

I was bracing myself for screaming as soon as he was set in the water but he LOVED IT!

And the best part is all 3 of us (me, Adam & Chloe) were all home to watch!

Here's a few photos!

Look at that cute round belly!

All Packed Up...

2011-02-11T20:06:00.000-06:00

It was quite nice to FINALLY be able to use the carseat we've had for the past month or so...

he's all packed up...

ready to head home!

Opening Day as Adam likes to Call it!

2011-02-10T16:44:00.003-06:00

Well, He finally came...

our little Bean...

our Son...

little brother...

he's here...

and here is his arrival story...

Around 2:30 am, February 10th, I woke up with a backache...

now Wednesday (the day before) I had dr. visits where they were really pressing around on my belly and I was laying on my back for almost 3 hours...so I thought this backache was just because of all that...so I grabbed the heating pad and went back to bed only to reawaken at 3 am.

This time my back hurt even worse and I felt like I was having back spasms so I dealt with the pain for a little while longer and then close to 4 am realized...the "spasms" were happening closer together...I might just be having contractions...

I went into the bedroom and woke up Adam by saying "Babe, I think I'm having contractions..." to which he responded, "Really? Like it's Go Time?" he got up called the hospital at 4:12 am and we prepared to go to the hospital. I called Aunt Chrissy to meet us at the hospital to get Chloe and I worked on trying to walk out to the car.

Chloe was a total trooper. Adam went in to wake her up. She got dressed and got her bag and she was trying to be as helpful as she could be!

By the time we got to the Bypass in Burlington I knew one thing...HE WAS COMING!! It was a scary thought especially when we were still about 10 minutes from the hospital.

When we finally got to the Hospital I wasn't sure if I could make it into the hospital. Adam helped me in and I tried my best to sit in the wheelchair. The lady at the emergency room check in desk was moving at a very slow pace...apparently she didn't belive me when I said he was coming...

Into the maze of hallways and elevators we went and FINALLY got up to labor and delivery. They checked us in at 5:02... I got out of the wheelchair. My water broke. They got my shoes and pants off and he was here. I didn't have to push...he was determined to make it out on his own.

Two amazing nurses, Sally & Shannon delivered him...as the doctor wasn't there yet...

Espen Brown Akre Wolter was born at 5:08 am, Thursday February 10th, 2011.

He was perfect...he was here...

Our doctor got there at 5:16 am...shocked...she couldn't believe that I had just had a baby.

Here are pictures of his first day with us...

Opening day...

His very first picture...

and it's with his very proud big sister.

Proud daddy!

We're so happy to have a boy...

Now we have evened out...2 boys and 2 girls.

There's me...telling the good news to my mom...

around 6am...

Just 2 or 3 hours after Espen came...

our first family photo...

such a proud big sister

our little man...

We had plenty of visitors Opening Day...

Kacey

Curly Haired (the Wisconsin air agrees with her hair) Chrissy

Check out his little body...

He sleeps liek this all the time!

Dani & Myles came too...

Mason

Grammy Sandy

Grandpa Mark

Another family shot...

It seemed like such a long day...mainly because we only got a few hours of sleep Wednesday night...and then all the comotion of our little man coming here and visitors we were so tired.

But he's here...

He's perfect...

he's fantastic...

and we love our little Bean...

we love our little Espen Brown Akre Wolter!

I think we got some snow...maybe...just a little...

2011-02-02T13:25:00.005-06:00

It snowed a little the past few days...then the wind blew (we couldn't see across the cul-Du-sac last night) and this morning we woke up to a great winter wonderland of fun...for Adam and Chloe!

I however am staying inside (except to go out and take pictures from time to time) because shoveling would just make me tired, my back hurt more, and possibly induce labor...and with our cars snowed/blocked in by other cars we won't be making it to the hospital...

also our street isn't plowed making ambulance driving here a little more challenging..

so inside I stay...cozy, warm, with some fabulous peanut butter chocolate chip cookies I baked last night and a few last sewing projects to finish...

Here are some photos of the brilliant white that is outside!

Chloe right outside our front door. Luckily our neighbors have little dogs and had to shovel a path of sorts for those little pups to piddle on...

Right outside our door...

I think the snow drifted just a little bit...

The path out our front door to the cars...

(our car out front is still not shoveled out...

the plow hasn't come to plow our driveway so there is still a good 3 ft. of snow out there...

our car in the back...one of our neighbors got stuck right behind us...so we're not sure how we're getting out of that situation...)

the view from our bedroom window...

Chloe playing in the drifts...

she got stuck once...

Adam had to climb in and rescue her...

I just giggled about it all inside.

That tree like thing is supposed to be standing up straight (it's right outside our bedroom window) it's so heavy with snow that it's drooping...

Chloe and Adam...he's making her the sweetest snow fort ever!

The view of our building from the front...

The makings of the snow fort...

"mom, there's even two chairs!"

Our bedroom windows....

the path on the left is what Chloe's been sledding on!

Our front door and the neighbors...

If our neighbors have a fire they're in luck...they have a fluffy snow cushion to land on in case they need to jump!

Adam just came in for a break (he obviously won't be making it into work since we're still snowed in) and Chloe's still playing outside...She'll have to come in soon...

We have homework to do on this snow day...

Hope you are all safe and warm today!

Preparing for Baby Bean's Arrival

2011-01-24T18:02:00.003-06:00

Along with getting the kid's room all painted, re-arranged and organized I've been busy doing other projects too...

I made my first diaper bag this weekend...

and plan on making several more...

so I have color choices and options for my moods (:

This one was made from left over fabric from our wedding (the teal fabric)

and I found a table cloth on CLEARANCE for $4 at Target...

so it was probably made for $6 total...

take that $80 diaper bags....ha!

This is the front...it was one big pocket BUT I sewed it into sections...

so now it's 4 smaller pockets...

perfect for cups, bottles, and other little things!

The Back....

was supposed to have a pocket but I didn't want to cover up the patterned fabric! (:

So I added one big pocket inside!

And I made this zipper pouch...

Here's Bean's future bed...
He's got a great mobile...some cute toys...and very manly sheets...
the ones currently in the crib are rockets (:

Chloe can't wait to see him in his crib...
neither can we!

Along with all the organizing and crafty projects, I've been getting his diapers all prepped and ready! Wipes too!

If you haven't heard yet we are going CLOTH...we will be a cloth diaper family...
a gDiaper family to be exact!
We're excited to a) save money, b) have a cute little Bean in a cute little diaper, and c) go a little greener...less trash...
I even made cloth wipes!!

Here's the front of the newborn (tiny) size diaper he will be sporting for a while...
it has snaps in the front that snap the front down a little to not irritate the cord...

The back...

The front of the small size gDiaper...

in "guppy green"

the back!

We're excited to start not only the next chapter in our family's life...

but to start the adventure of the Cloth diaper!

Check out the gDiaper website:

http://www.gdiapers.com/

it's fantastic and very informative!

I can't wait to post photos of Bean IN the diapers!!

He'll be here before we know it!

We're in the process of getting our hospital bag packed and ready...

I've packed the diaper bag with a few things we'll need for bean...

and as soon as we get our new car (thanks Grandpa & Grandma) registered we will be installing Bean's car seat...so it's all set and ready to go!

Little Dresses for Africa

2011-01-23T17:32:00.000-06:00

Saturday morning Chloe, Cha & I drove up to Mercy Hill Church to sew!

They were having a Little Dresses for Africa event...

sewing little dresses to send over to Africa!

check out this site:

www.littledressesforafrica.org/blog/

We got to meet and sew with many crafty women...

well I sewed...

Cha helped cut and iron...

and Chloe played!

I didn't finish a dress there but I brought home 7 pillow cases to make more dresses...

Here are the first 4 that I made...

This one is a lavender color...

Chloe's already putting in her orders for dresses she wants me to make her this summer!

Interested in making some of these dresses OR donating supplies to have someone else make them?? Mercy Hill Church wants to make this a quarterly event...

AND I will gladly make more dresses to donate if you would like to donate pillow cases, ribbon...or whatever else!

Baby Bean's First "Shower"

2011-01-18T13:14:00.007-06:00

On Saturday my fabulous sister threw me and Baby Bean a baby shower!

Here are some photos from the day!

ChaCha, Me and the Bean!

Amber & Maggie came down from Minnesota!

Amber & Chloe

Amber, Maggie & Chloe

I love this one!

Jena & Cha...

My sisters!

The Maggies or as Chloe called them...

"Black Maggie" (she used to have very dark hair)

& "Blonde Maggie"...

Now they are just Maggie...

Deziree!

She made the amazing food for the shower!

It was PERFECT & DELICIOUS!

So Happy Deziree could come too!

Me, Bean, Maggie & Bean's Future Wife (:

Just kidding! Although an arranged marriage could happen...

Like our baby bellies? Pretty cute huh?!?

Mom & Jenny...

Mom was Jenny's maid of honor...

And Jenny was Mom's MOH...

Cute!

Me, Bean & Jena!

This one is cute!

Maybe the best part of the shower...

The Flourless Chocolate Cake!

SO YUMMY!

Thank you Deziree!

Sophia even got to come to the shower!!

Chloe & Sophia helped with gifts and then spent the rest of the time playing and being silly!

Chloe was very happy that she could have a friend come to her brother's baby shower...

Sophia's mom Michelle came too...because she's MY friend (:

The girls were wrestling on the couch...

silly girls!

Danielle & Myles were there too...

Myles was the only boy..besides Bean that was invited (:

I love pictures of Myles eating!

He's just so cute feeding himself!!

Yum...fruit & yogurt parfaits!

Cha & Amber

The only game we played...and it was fun!!

The Price is Right...

You had to guess how much each baby item cost...

Can you guess the prices??

Beans future bathtub!

Reading Cards...

Opening Gifts...

Like Chloe's shirt? (:

Teething ring...

Chloe kept saying, "It's a chew toy for brother." to which our friend Michelle finally said
"Chew toys are for dogs...Teething rings are for babies."

Chloe still thinks that it's funny!

This morning she was giggling about it and said "I'm still calling them chew toys."

More gifts....

I was getting very warm...can you tell by my very pink cheeks?

Chloe

Golf anyone?

Chloe & Sophia reading the cards...

This awesome towel Deziree MADE for baby bean! It's incredible!!

Adorable! Cute! And Beans going to LOVE running around after his baths in his MONSTER TOWEL!

We got some great things at our shower...

the funniest gifts were the PeePee TeePees (thanks Maggie O & Deziree)

and Chloe & Sophia thought the Butt Aid was funny too!

Adam was quite happy that we got our "travel system" aka the stroller car seat set (so was I...that means Bean can come...we have a car seat to bring him home in now!)

We got some of our gDiapers that we are using...yes that's right...we are using cloth diapers!

And some cute clothes!

Everything is washed & put away!

And pictures of the Kid's room will be added here shortly!

As well as photos from the shower my Mother in Law Sandy, Aunt Cindi, Abi & Megan threw for us Sunday!

The Phantom of the ChaCha...and Chloe...

2011-01-12T13:02:00.000-06:00

While at JoAnn Fabrics (love that place) Chloe and Cha had a fabulous surprise for me when I looked down the isle at them...

It's a little creepy...

isn't it?!?

I love them! They alwways make me smile!

Another Tooth...Missing...

2011-01-10T10:20:00.003-06:00

In between Chloe sewing and playing yesterday I managed to get a little nap...

During my nap I heard quite a commotion from the other room

(but was too tired to get out of bed yet...)

Chloe came quietly into our room and said in a very quiet yet excited voice,

"Mom, I lost my tooth...actually I ripped it out."

This loose tooth has been loose for MONTHS now...

and it's finally out...

She put the tooth in her special "Tooth Fairy Pouch" and set it next to her bed...

This morning when she woke up she found a DOLLAR and a trail of sparkles from that Fairy...

(seriously what was the Tooth Fairy thinking when she first came and left glitter sparkles everywhere...?!?)

She also must have kissed Chloe on her forehead because there is a small amount of glitter in her hair too...

She's now lost 8 teeth...EIGHT TEETH!

Chloe's Sewing Project...

2011-01-10T09:28:00.004-06:00

Chloe got a sew your own stuffed animal raccoon kit for Christmas from Santa...

it came with two forms to sew...

one big raccoon and one small one (for her little brother she says!)

She's been working on it little by little for the last week or so...

but yesterday she was on a mission...FINISH THE BIG ONE!

So we lounged in my bed and she sewed...

(and giggled as she watched the remote control on my belly jump around while her brother was squirming around)

Here are a few photos of her progress while sewing...

sewing on the raccoon's "mask"

Sewing the tail's stripes on...

Finishing the last stripe...

Sewing on the cute belly...

And after sewing the front and back together...

(and a little help from mom)...

She got to stuff her stuffy...

More stuffing!

Pushing the stuffing into the tail, legs and belly...

So cute! All done!!

Tah Dah!!!

After he was finished she said "Mom, it's so cute and soft...and squishy!"

I can't wait to see what the mini one looks like finished!

Great job Chloe!

New Year's Eve...WAIT...Where did 2010 go?

2011-01-01T16:59:00.000-06:00

Chloe was the photographer of the night...

She took over 150 photos...

Here's a good chunk of them!

Self portrait...

Juli, Sandy & BettyAnn

Sitting in the back room chatting...

Playing Blitz...

Chloe helping Adam make faces...

It's after mid-night...

And Baby Bean is wearing his first party hat...

Chloe's New Years Eve Hat...

Ole'!

Chloe was giving Dave bunny ears....

And then he noticed...

Playing more cards...

The last 3 left chatting at the table...

Love this one!

And this one!!

A family shot...

with a cheesy smile...

A nice smile family shot...

Chloe & Me showing off our "bellies"

More after mid-night shots...

Cheese...

Happy 2011!!

It's going to be a great year!

A Can of Paint & A Mission

2010-12-31T12:03:00.007-06:00

So we FINALLY decided on a paint color and GUESS WHAT best part...the paint was on SALE yesterday!!

So we came home...Chloe cleaned her room up...and this crazy pregnant woman decided that she HAD to paint the room last night...and get the room set up...

DON'T WORRY...it was ZERO VOC paint...safe for the crazy pregnant woman to paint with...

Here's the photos...

Chloe had the honors of applying the first bit of color...

She's painting a whale...that "disappears" in the water...

Almost done with the first coat!

touching up near the ceiling...

And of course Chloe took some time to have a little self portrait photo shoot...

she thought her face was "too pink" in this one...

she kept saying "mom just look at the camera so there is one picture of your face..."

I was on a mission...but had time to smile...

Then after the room was painted with two coats...the walls were dry-ish...this fantastic man and soon-to-be-dad of two (: and his awesome new cordless drill...screwdriver thingy (thanks mom...he loves it!)...came in and started to put together the crib...

And Chloe put on a show...

Almost all the way together...

I even used the drill thing to help put the crib together...

watch out world!

This morning I took pictures of the room...with daylight...

I LOVE THE COLOR!!

Baby Bean's future bed...

The room feels complete now...

well..it will feel more complete when we have pictures and shelves hung...

and when Bean finally arrives!!

This crazy pregnant woman is happy...but sore from all the painting!

Dinner at Ferch's with Cha

2010-12-29T16:46:00.000-06:00

We had fun with Cha the other night...we went to JoAnn Fabrics and picked out yarn, then to dinner at Ferch's where we shared a chocolate oreo malt for dessert, followed by almost 2 hours walking around Target...

Here's a few photos of Ferch's and their Fabulous MALT!

Thanks to Cha we even got a photo of me and Chloe!

We love date nights with Cha!

Chloe's First Official Friend Sleep Over

2010-12-28T16:08:00.000-06:00

It was a big day around here Monday! Chloe had her first official friend sleep over here at our house!

We went to pick up Kayla from her house and then came back to our house where the girls played wii, Barbies, put on several dance shows and even a fashion show! We had pizza & Sprite for dinner...warm brownies and Cheetos for snack and the girls didn't actually fall asleep until after 11:30pm.

Here are a few pictures from the sleepover insanity! (:

Shaking their groove thangs!

The next group of photos is something special the cousins like to do in our family...
the crazy hair flip photos...
Chloe decided to start doing them with her friends now too...
1...2...3...flip!

Then shortly after dinner...they played Twister...

But first had to strike a pose!

"Right hand RED"

Oh...Chloe fell...

her response "it doesn't count"

Then the fashion show...

Model #1...

Model #2

Model #2's second outfit...

Model #1's second outfit...

Model #1's third outfit...

Chloe and Kayla both had cozy pjs on...

this was their list of who gets to wear the crown...and when...

It was a great morning too...

we had duck and cow shaped waffles & hot cocoa.

Then the girls went outside to play until Kayla got picked up!

Chloe can't wait to have another sleep over!

Christmas with the Wolter's

2010-12-26T21:15:00.000-06:00

Today we had our final Christmas...ending with the Wolter Family.

It started with some visiting...

the girls Chloe, Ariana & Maya were off playing babies...

and I was sitting next to a bunch of candy...yum!

Before gifts the girls got WILD...

Spinning...

And of course they had to fall...

Grandpa "Buddy" & all his grand kids...

Including Bean (:

Grandpa "Buddy" and Grandma Gerri and their grand kids (:

It was a great afternoon of visiting, laughing, me eating candy, our Christmas pizza dinner (YUM!!), ice cream cake for the December Birthdays, and Chloe having lots of fun with her cousins!!

A Wheaton Christmas...

2010-12-25T23:30:00.000-06:00

After Aunt Max's house we drove over to the Wheaton's for our next Christmas...

I only got a few photos of the time there...

Chloe taking over the job of passing out gifts with our cousin Quentin...

Cha and I used to do that when we were little!

Cha...a tired Cha...

Adam got Hooked On Math...
just kidding...he got a sweatshirt...

Quentin with his Nerf gun...
Scary (:

We had a great visit over there too! We got to see Susan & Larry & Great Aunt Connie! Plus spent a little time visiting with Grandma & Grandpa Wheaton! Dad, Holly, Jules, Karen & Uncle Scott were all in attendance too!

Christmas isn't complete without a visit to the Wheaton Abode!

Chloe and Cadence

2010-12-25T22:00:00.000-06:00

What are the chances that Chloe would get a red headed cousin?

Well she has one!!

Chloe LOVES Cadence (who is also going to be a big sister to a little brother! but for her it's happening in March)

and the girls loved playing together at Aunt Max's house...

and with Cadence's new Lite Brite.

First some beautiful smiles...
the first silly face picture...

and the second silly face picture!

Christmas Morning with the Wee-Whoa's

2010-12-25T21:00:00.000-06:00

Christmas morning was not to start until 8:00 am. Mainly hoping I could get a few extra minutes of sleep..

the clock went from 7:59 am...

to 8:00 am...I heard feet shuffle on the carpet...

rolled over...

and there was Chloe-eyes WIDE open...

"it's Christmas..."

so we all crawled...or in my case rolled...out of bed...

Santa always takes some time to kick back and relax while eating cookies...

he found a great recipe in one of my magazines...

and also apparently read up on duck hunting.

Chloe...she's SO excited...

Pointing to her "angel" and her gifts...

First she went through her stocking...

and she found this little onesie in a mini stocking...

an early gift for her little bro...

and she's completely ecstatic to FINALLY have her bib sis t-shirt...

tah-dah...

is the candy scary?

Now on to the gifts...

Smiling with her gifts...

Notice the VERY cute blanket spread out under her...

that was her Christmas gift that Maggie & Amber made for her and sent her from MN!

She LOVES LOVES LOVES it!

The first gift from Santa...

A pillow pet...

she knew it was a pillow pet by it's shape...

and she loves it...

Next a cute gift from ChaCha...

Paul Frank pj pants and a VERY cute tank top!

Another Santa gift...

a Barbie wii game...

I got a VERY SOFT COZY hoodie...

and I can just barely zip it up right now...

ChaCha got an "iou" gift from me...

an i owe you a date to a craft store to pick out yarn to customize her very own scarf...

Chloe taking a minute to snuggle with her pillow pet...

Cha is so talented at opening gifts she can do it without looking...

YAY! Glasses for her new apartment!!

Santa got her a new case for her DS...

it holds 24 games, came with a car charger, headphones, and some cool stylus pens...

Cha got her some new clothes for her dolls...

and this one was a little hard to open...

like the face?

What?!? Mom & Dad found the ZhuZhu pet hamster ball!!

We've been looking for one since before her birthday in October.

Adam found the last one on the shelf the day we finished our shopping!

Score!

Adam & Chloe got me a warm vest!

Chloe got a woodland creature ZhuZhu pet...

he's super soft and fuzzy...

Oh my...look at what ChaCha got her...

a big Paul Frank pillow for her bed!

hahaha where's Chloe?

using hands and feet to open this gift...

fuzzy soft pink pants from mom and dad...

she couldn't stop rubbing them on her face...

and look how not excited she is about getting tights...(:

Cha got me a FABULOUS green tea pot!

I can now heat water for more than 3 cups of tea...or cocoa...

Adam loving his gift card from Cha for Menards...

she really did like the coloring book (:

along with it she got kitchen towels...

an oven mit, pot holders and a big bag of gum balls...

the ZhuZhu pet Woody Wagon from Santa... that sounds so wrong...

A Paul Frank blanket from Cha...

a DS game from Mom & Dad...

Cha opening up her gift one handed again...

these were the towels...

cleverly disguised in a kleenex box...Santa got her a sew your own stuffed animal kit...

you can make one for yourself and one for a doll...
OR one for yourself and one for your baby brother (:

they are super cute raccoons...

as soon as they are finished you know that there will be pictures posted! A friend of ours Elise, made a headband for Cha to give to Chloe...

She first put it on as an eye patch...

if she had the big thick glasses she could have been a mini-Cha...

She even looks cute when she just throws it up into her hair...

what's in this box...

a big bag of gum balls!

Another DS games from Cha

And Adam got the new James Bond game for the wii and a new "crossbow gun" too!

It was a great start to our day!

Then the house was quiet...

Chloe was playing her games...

Adam played his game...

and the best gift of the morning...

Cha unloaded and reloaded the dishwasher!!

After this is was time to get ready for the next adventure of the day...

off to Aunt Max's house...

Chloe's Christmas Eve 2010

2010-12-24T22:00:00.000-06:00

Our Christmas Eve day was lovely.

Big Fat Flakes were falling from the sky. My husband got to go to Cabela's with a friend for a part of the day. Chloe played in her room...then cleaned it up so Santa could see her room all nice and I sewed.

Christmas Eve we went and had dinner at the Minta household and Chloe got to FINALLY open gifts! She's been so excited to do that!

While looking through all of our photos from the night I came to realize...they are all of Chloe...

So here are some wonderful (: photos of Chloe. Enjoy.

Chloe got a cute pair of black boots...

Striking a Lady GaGa like pose...

Showing off her new bride barbie and her reindeer purse...We had ham for dinner...

I think it affected her...

Chloe took a few of the following pictures (with my NEW CAMERA!!)

Chloe and Barbie waving hello...

Her ZhuZhu pet must have scared her (: what a face...
Chloe got a lot of GREAT toys and a cute dress!

She also got Fuzzoodles...

and made herself...

a halo...

Of course...

Every angel needs a halo (:

By the time we got home Chloe was too tired to leave the cookies and milk for Santa so I got them ready for her...

And Santa REALLY enjoyed the cookies and milk...

More Creativity for Bean & Chloe...and a little for me too

2010-12-21T09:38:00.005-06:00

I have been doing project after project lately...

nesting in my own crafty way perhaps?

So here are some photos of some of my finished projects...

This was supposed to be a surprise for Chloe but she saw them while I was working on them...

We couldn't find a Big Sister shirt so I made her own...

and her little brother gets one too (:

a close up of the big sis...

and a close up of lil bro...

another shot...

Some bibs...

Baby Bean's Business Bib...

for serious drooling...

And one to show his Team Spirit...

and root for his FAVORITE baseball player...

his Dad!

another shot...

and here are some hair things I made for Chloe...

Chloe picked out the fabrics and I assembled them...

The roses clip we made last night...

she said she needed something festive but girly for tomorrow at school...

I've also crafted for myself...

I added some embellishments onto a sweater I had...

Up close...

and after my Birthday dinner I knit this cowl scarf...

Then added some embellishments...

It's very cozy...

My fingers hurt from all the stitching on the bibs...

so today my crafting will take a break and I will be baking instead...

gingerbread cookies for Chloe's teachers and Chocolate Chip Brownie Double Deckers for her class party tomorrow.

and I'm sure I'll have to taste test them (: YUM!

Christmas with the 4 C's...and an A, B & S...and I turned 27

2010-12-19T09:18:00.000-06:00

Here are a few photos of our little Christmas with mom & Steve.

So we had the 4 C's, A for Adam, B for Baby Bean & S for Steve.

Chloe took this one of our tree...
Chacha Showing off her ornaments Chloe made her
and
Chloe showing off her peace sign.

Chloe opening her second gift...
the first was a very cute ornament...

Oh my....it's a...it's a...

NEW CD PLAYER with a RADIO!

YAY!

Cha opening her new George Foreman Grill

More peace signs...

Cha got some GREAT gifts for her new apartment!

Chloe opening her new Travel DVD player...

She also got some new DS Games,

and we got a great Wii Game for us to play as a family!

I was there too...I was the one taking the photos...

I received some awesome cookie pans...

to make sweet girly cookies for our sweet little girl...

and some rockin' awesome boy cookies for our little man...

when he's big enough to have cookies (:

A cake pan that makes ball cakes (like a baseball...or even an ornament)

some pj pants (which i am currently wearing)

and my face wash & lotion (happy face!)

And then Sandy and Mark came over to see me (because it was my birthday)
and they gave me a very soft pretty cranberry colored maternity sweater

and a brand new food processor (yay!! )

Then Chloe opened her Beauty Salon where she dyed Steve's hair and in the photo above she is waxing his face...(:

What a good sport...

The evening ended with a great dinner at Olive Garden (thank you mom...that craving has now been fed!!) and Adam and I were up late watching Modern Family, I knit & we ended the night playing our new Wii Game.

I'm now 27 years old...in case you were wondering (:

First Snow Play & Christmas Concert

2010-12-07T09:12:00.002-06:00

Here's Chloe all bundled up for playing outside in the snow...

right after this photo she fell... (:

Chloe didn't smile during the concert. She was sick over the weekend and

said that after she sang in the first concert that morning at school her voice was missing.

So she didn't smile. And she was lip singing...

But they did a great job!

Creativity for Baby Bean

2010-12-06T21:17:00.005-06:00

Here are a few things I've been working on for Bean's arrival...

oh deer...

it's my first bib!

This is the fabric for the rocking chair...

it's corduroy...

the chair...

and i know these don't match but i love them together!

don't mind the laundry in the back (:

Now Bean's Bassinet...

we have a wonderfully soft cashmere baby blanket tucked in there right now...

mostly for looks...

here's a look at the fabric up close...

a little button on each side allows us to remove the cover if needed to wash...

tucked off into the corner right now...

I'm working on a special shirt-onesie gift set for Chloe and Bean right now...

along with knitting a hat for myself & one for Chloe...

and eventually a little knit hat for Bean!

I'll be posting pictures of those soon!

Allie's Confirmation Cake

2010-12-02T19:43:00.002-06:00

A friend of our family's asked if I would make a cake for her daughter's confirmation.

It was my first cross.

Here are some pictures.

It was a marble cake with vanilla buttercream frosting.

It was very tasty...and a very moist cake.

The cake was a hit at the party too!

Yum!

Haircuts, laughter, & whale blubber

2010-11-15T18:14:00.000-06:00

We had a great weekend! Mags & Ambie came down for a visit.

Friday night I was lucky enough to get some time with just them while Chloe had a play date at a friends & Cha & Adam were at work.

Saturday morning I made animal face pancakes & other breakfast foods and we all enjoyed breakfast together.

Then the Salon opened and Adam was first in line for a cut!

(sorry if you hate the pics girls...but they're the only ones from the weekend)

Mags is combing out Chloe's snarls after having her hair washed

and Adam's enjoying watching the football game in the reflection off the microwave.

Chloe getting her cut.
Then came my turn and I LOVE having my hair cut so I took that time to relax and enjoy.
ChaCha finished up the day in the salon before closing time.

Saturday night was great too! Adam was working again and Cha was out...
So Chloe, Mags, Ambie and Myself (Baby Bean was there too) watched Ramona & Beezus and ate homemade pizza (meat free of course) and had super tasty Oreo Malts. YUM!

Sunday morning we enjoyed breakfast at Marty's then us girls went to the movies and watched Megamind!
We had Tacos for dinner because we all love eating tacos (hahahaha)
and FINALLY dug into some Whale...yes I said we ate Whale...

Chocolate Whale Cake to be exact.
Chocolate cake with a chocolate butter cream filling and vanilla butter cream frosting on top.
So good.

We were celebrating Mags, Chloe's and my birthdays since we would not all be together for them. So in honor of all of us ladies and our creative sides...we used many different candles...

Yes those are Lamb Chop Candles...Jealous?

The girls left shortly after cake time. I hope the sugar gave them a little extra energy to drive home.

We had a great weekend. I needed some time with them! Can't wait to see them again soon!

We love you Mags & Ambie!

Baby Bean Update

2010-11-02T18:05:00.002-05:00

We are now 24 and some days along and Baby Bean is growing very rapidly. He actually measures as being more like 26 weeks along...

On October 12th we went into get the ultrasound and found out that we are having a wonderful baby boy! He was 1 pound 4 ounces the day we went in.

He has LONG fingers, toes, legs, arms...shocking I know. (:

We got to watch him open and close his mouth, stick out his tongue, and THEN he put his whole fist into his mouth.

Today we got to see him again and he is weighing in at a whopping 2 pounds, 1 ounce. He's probably about 8-9 inches long. So go hold something that is 2 pounds and imagine it's adorable little baby bean.

He's growing just perfectly and I have not been gaining weight...so we just say he's eating me.

hahaha. He's gaining weight just fine so they're not worried about me...I'm chopped liver now.

We'll keep you all updated. We won't however be sharing any first names! So far his name is Baby Bean Akre Wolter. I'm pretty sure he would NOT like it if we officially named him that.

Well off to eat a little dinner.

xoxo

Daphne is missing the rest of the gang...

2010-10-31T17:30:00.000-05:00

Chloe was Daphne from Scooby Doo for Halloween.

I was a bad mom and didn't take more pictures.

Luckily Grandma Judy did so I will get those from her and post them here!

Isn't she adorable?!?

Chloe's 8th Birthday Friends & Frosting Party

2010-10-30T17:15:00.001-05:00

On Oct. 30th my little girl officially turned 8...EIGHT! That's nuts.

I allowed her to invite 3 girls over for a small birthday party.

Here's some photos from the crazy day...

Chloe opening her gift from ChaCha...

What's in there?

Earrings!!

And Super cute boots!!

Plus she got 2 pairs of tights and a t-shirt that says, "ChaChi" on it.

The girls arrive...and wanted to have Chloe open her gifts right away.

So she did.

She got ZhuZhu pet stuff & a very cute My Generation Doll.

Next the "craft" decorating sugar cookies!

Emily and Kayla frosting and sprinkling away....

Chloe and Sophia...the main frosting queens...

Check out all that frosting, sprinkles, and the extra frosting on the face....

Sophia needed a little face frosting too...

Her cookies were piled HIGH with frosting too...

and more frosting on her face...

and more sprinkles and frosting on her face...

Emily & Kayla joined in the frosting face frenzy...

Emily couldn't find the yellow frosting knife...

Kayla had it.

Emily's fabulous cookies....

Fabulously Frosted Girls!

They're so colorful!

Silly face time!

Kayla favored the Chocolate Frosting.

Chloe enjoyed the Orange and Yellow Frosting...

and Ghost sprinkles.

Sophia loved ALL the colors of frosting....and the ghost sprinkles.

And Emily opted for blue lips, a yellow beard and a little ghost sprinkle for the nose.

Time to wash up!

Scrubbing away!

(ps I am still finding bright colored frosting on things in Chloe's bathroom)

Giving ChaCha bunny ears!

The birthday Brownies...

a close up.

The girls' amazing creations.

Starting with the top right going clockwise...

Sophia's, Chloe's, Emily's, & Kayla's

Blowing out the candles...

She was nervous the would start on fire...

Happy Birthday To YOUUUUUUUU!

Blowing out all the candles....

Then the girls played.

Chloe, Sophia, & Kayla were dead and Emily was a zombie.

This is no girly girl party...

Emily's awesome zombie face.

Isn't it cute....the girls are holding hands. (:

The decorations...

Tah-Dah!

Chloe had a fabulous birthday.

After her party we had a surprise visit from our friend Maggie O.

We visited with her for a while.

Chloe was quite raspy voiced that day so we took it easy.

She did have a great birthday!

Chloe's Family Style 8th Birthday

2010-10-25T17:05:00.000-05:00

We had a family bday party for Chloe the weekend of the 23rd.

We only have a few pictures because our camera decided to stop working...

but grandma Judy got a few so I'll have to scan them and get them posted here.

Chloe didn't want a big fancy cake this year. We made cupcakes and Chloe helped frost and sprinkle them. Easy for me! Fun for her!
I still can't believe she is 8!

Myles loved the cupcake...

he didn't pick it up...

he just bent down and bit into it with his mouth!

He's got a cute frosting mustache!

It was a great birthday party. We had alot of family and some fabulous friends who came...good food, great conversations and if you ask chloe "awesome gifts."

Chloe and Myles at the Park...Grandma Judy Played too

2010-10-20T16:44:00.001-05:00

Grandma Judy brought us to the park one afternoon...

and they all played.

Hang on Chloe....

Look at those long legs and arms...

Had our camera worked on time you would have seen grandma ON the other side of the rockin' teeter totter...

This is the moment i mentioned to grandma that she and chloe matched in their peaches and pinks....

Weeeee.....

Check me out! I'm standing on the slide....

Grandma is taking her turn on the swing.

So cute!

Nice static hair!

Big boy!

Our Cranes

2010-10-15T16:12:00.000-05:00

Through out September on our walks to and from school Chloe and I would run across 5 Cranes.

There were 3 in the morning that would enjoy the large grassy area across the street from our house and then they'd make their way (walking) over to Chloe's school.

In the afternoon there would be two that would be in the grassy area that would just wander around.

So Grandma Judy and I took a moment one afternoon and took a few pictures.

Happy 1st Anniversary!!

2010-10-11T16:59:00.000-05:00

Grandma Judy surprised us with an anniversary cake.

We brought it over to our friends house on Oct. 9th and they were having a party. So we got to celebrate with our friends. We also had lunch together...Adam, Chloe & I...at Bruno's (where we got married) and on our Actual Anniversary Oct. 10th we got up and had breakfast together the 3 (or should I say 4) of us at Marty's...where we had breakfast together the morning after our wedding.

Just a baby update...

2010-10-03T12:48:00.002-05:00

So a little baby update...

Today I am officially 20 weeks...halfway there...

Baby is growing great, flipping around...but still causing me to be sick.

I am still on meds to help with that and working on eating more often...

the meds definitely help me feel more human so

I can actually function and do things around the house now!

We go in for the ultrasound on Tuesday, October 12 at 1:00 to see how well baby is growing...

and we hope that baby bean cooperates so we can find out if bean's a boy or girl!

Chloe is VERY excited to actually SEE her baby sibling and hear the heartbeat!

So you can expect an update after that date and time as to what is growing inside of me!

xoxo

Lady GaGa Style

2010-10-03T12:39:00.002-05:00

No she didn't wear a dress made out of meat or wear 8 inch heels...

I told her to get ready because we were running errands...

15 minutes later she came into our room...

sporting her very own, just crafted eye patch...

She said, "Look I'm like Lady GaGa..."

I let her wear it for the day...

but she decided that it was too hard to walk with only one eye...

She she used it as a headband.

She is my child...

She is super crafty...

Chloe's Second Grade Style

2010-10-03T12:16:00.004-05:00

Chloe has decided to become her own stylist this year...

Here are a few photos of key days of styling of her second grade year!

Notice she added a red headband...

She needed her hair in a braid to finish off this look...

Cute belted shirt with sassy shoes...

Along with just looking cute she needed her travel coffee cup filled with OJ for our walk to school...

She made this one all her own...

She took off the belt and had me tie it in her hair for a head scarf sort of look...

and finished it off with a pearl necklace.

Bright and full of happy polka-dots...

Some days we argue on what she's picked out...

she hasn't quite realized that zebra print and polka dots don't quite go together...

and shorts and flip flops are not okay to wear when it's 50 degrees outside...

but on her stylish creative days she really comes up with some great outfits!

Pizza Anyone?

2010-09-27T12:09:00.000-05:00

I recently was asked to make a pizza...

an eggless pizza cake for our lovely little friend Audrey's 5th birthday...

Here are some photos...

Marshmallow "Mushrooms", Fruit roll up "pepperonis" & "green peppers", black frosting piped on "black olives", white chocolate "cheese" and frosting "pizza sauce"...

We had to order pizza the next night...we were all craving pizza!
And the pizza was a hit at the birthday party!

Pizza Anyone?

Chloe and ChaCha moments

2010-09-16T12:00:00.000-05:00

We finally got some photos off of Adam's Camera...

This one is from last school year right before Chloe's Music Concert...

they were pointing to Chloe's name...

the wall had every kid from school's name on it!

Chloe reading to ChaCha last time she was over to visit!

(notice the book's title dad?)

ChaCha looks like she could totally take a nap.

It's the First Day of Second Grade

2010-09-01T08:47:00.002-05:00

Chloe woke up bright and early and SUPER excited for her first day of Second grade.

She had some breakfast, got dressed brushed her clean fabulous hair (we did have to wash a few ends of hair that were caked with last night's toothpaste), and we packed up her lunch.

As we waited for our ride I remembered....OH PICTURE!

So here are a few shots of Chloe's first day of school outfit.

She's super excited about her teacher Mrs. Rose and the great class she got this year.

She has some fantastic girls in her class and "the best desk...it stays open when you open it so it doesn't crash down on you if you forget to hold it open."

So to celebrate her first day of school I'm hoping to find the energy to clean up a little around the house and I am toasting with a mug of hot earl grey tea.

Hope you all have a fabulous first day of September!

Two Wheeler Rockstar

2010-08-30T09:46:00.003-05:00

Chloe decided last night was the night she was going to seriously start working on riding a two wheeler...

She was working so hard at finding her balance...

She needed some extra help from Adam...

Look at her face in this one...she is concentrating so hard!

Then we went out this morning...

and she showed her bike who was boss...

daa daa daa daaaaaa

riding on two wheels!

So proud of her! It's a big day here!

She is outside right now riding around!

ECHO EchO Echo echo PARK ParK Park park

2010-08-30T09:32:00.003-05:00

Grandma Nonnie & Auntie Cha just happened to be here in WI at the same time SO I requested a girls day!

We started off at the Charcoal Grill for some tasty lunch (although I couldn't eat a whole lot)...

Followed by a walk and playing at Echo Park and the "bridge park" as we call it.

While walking at Echo Park we had a photo opp...

Chloe, Cha, Me and Baby Bean
Chloe, Cha & Grandma Nonnie!

Chloe fed the ducks some crackers too!
And this little guy was very brave, he came up to take the cracker OUT of Chloe's hand several time!
So Cute!
Here he comes!

Total off story about ducks..well sort of about ducks.
Adam was outside last night working on some decoys...geese decoys for hunting and Chloe asked him how he was doing with his "duckoys". So cute!

Our first outing at the park...

2010-08-17T18:15:00.003-05:00

Today we had our first park outing and picnic with Grandma Judy, Chloe, Myles, Dani and Ginny.

Here are just a few pics of the kids playing.

Myles ran, giggled, skipped, hopped and played hard!

Chloe loved being the "watcher" of Myles...

Chloe holding Myles on her lap...so cute!

She was trying to get his attention to take a picture. He was busy. He wanted to play.

Climbing onto Chloe's lap....

Chloe the Robot.

Chloe the alien...

Where is Chloe's head?

Train down the slide.

Chloe's self portrait.

We had a great day.

Express Baseball 2010...

2010-08-17T17:51:00.004-05:00

I'm bummed that the Express Baseball season is over already...

here are a few pics (I didn't take any of them...but enjoy anyway.)

This amazing pic was taken by Amber when she, Mags & Cha came to visit.

My husband is so smokin hot...

There is my man...

(the rest of these pics were taken by either Jeff "JT" Tess & Laura Wruck)

Sometimes baseball looks sketchy...
he just hit the walk off home run to win the game.
That's his coach Kurt...that's in the awkward position with him...
hahahaha
the teams shaking hands...

at the end of their games the guys all change right there on the field.

Adam and Todd (one of the teams pitchers)

I'm so bummed I missed this...

They shaving cream pied Adam...

There he is in all his shaving cream glory...

Until next season...

American Legion Baseball Recognition...

2010-08-06T18:10:00.000-05:00

finally recognize the State Championship Winning Team of 1999....only ten-ish years later...

Here are a few pics of most of the guys.

Can you spot anyone you know?

The reason why I'm so behind posting...

2010-08-03T17:16:00.000-05:00

Well, I am announcing this on our blog so the few of you who actually read this can be in the know...we are not posting things on Facebook right now...just an fyi.

Around Father's day we found out that we are going to be adding to our family. We are so excited...here are the first pictures of the the little child floating around inside of me.

My due date is February 19, 2011.

Chloe is totally stoked to be a big sister...

Adam is excited to be an official daddy...

and I am NOT enjoying being so sick.

I am on a new medication to help so i can keep food in. Once we get past this part I will be much happier!

For those of you who are not Ultrasound Reading Savvy...

the baby's head is on the right...

This is a straight on shot...head is down...notice the nubs for arms and legs...

I think it looks like a balloon animal baby...

Head on the right again!

We're excited.
I am taking my time tonight updating our blog...although since I've been so sick lately we have not done a whole lot of things...

Relay For Life 2010

2010-07-17T16:59:00.003-05:00

So at the end of June we went up to Relay for Life in Rosemount MN...Here are a few pics of the Event. Instead of it being outdoors and lasting all night...it was inside due to BAD storms...we had Relay in a bubble!

My Sister is such a gangasta...and we are such dorks...

Maybe dorkism runs in the family...

makes more sense...

Some of the bags...in honor of those who are fighting cancer, have won the battle and in honor of those who didn't win the battle.

Cozy in the car...

2010-07-08T09:34:00.003-05:00

On our drive up to MN for the Relay for Life...

Chloe and her monkey Gonga got quite cozy...

They are both sporting headphones (although Gonga's is made of twist ties), sleep masks and have their blankets on...while they watch Scooby Doo.

Then it was time for a nap. The headphones came off, the pillows came out, and the sleep masks went on.

Nap time Gonga.

So cute!

100 Ft. Slip-N-Slide...

2010-06-20T08:13:00.000-05:00

Recently we went to our nephew Josh's graduation party.

There was a HUGE 100 foot Slip-N-Slide...

The kids were SOOOO excited!

My sister-in-law Amy (: with all the kids at the top of the slide.

That's Chloe next to the inflatable turtle.

There she goes on the turtle!!

Taking turns...

Chloe & Arianna (Amy's daughter) going down together with the turtle...

Bringing the turtle up to the top....

Notice the two kids at the very top of the hill...two boys...they charged down the hill....flopped on the Slip-N-Slide...and down they went.

Chloe's turn again...

This time with Maya....

Chloe with one of the new friends she made that day.

Plus there was a pool there...

The kids splashed really far!

We had a great day. Great food, meeting new people, and having fun!

Tea Party with Fabulous Friends!

2010-06-01T10:01:00.000-05:00

Our fabulous friend Courtney was in town May 20 from New York so Chloe got a half day that day and we went out to Milwaukee to see here and our other fantastic friends...Maggie, Deziree, her beautiful little girls Ruthee and Joanee (and her son...who is still in her belly) and Desiree's husband Adam!

Courtney stole Deziree and Adam away for a while for a photoshoot and we got to spend some time with the girls out front. We had amazing chicken salad, fresh fruit & veggies, and some lovely pastries from a little bakery.

Here are some photos from the day...in no particular order...really no order to these at all...

All us ladies!

Courtney brought Chloe some jewelry...

She now accessorizes every morning...

We had a fantastic afternoon with them....

I love all of those beautiful ladies!

Bridging...it's a big deal!

2010-05-20T13:18:00.000-05:00

If you haven't heard yet our wonderful Girl Scout Troop of 11 girls are now officially Brownie Girl Scouts!

We had our bridging ceremony May 18th and it was Hawaiian themed...it was a fantastic time. Great food, our table decorations won us 2nd place! and the girls are now Brownies!

Here are some pictures from the night. I still have to find out who has a picture of our decorations. They were fantastic!

Here they are all lined up. And yes that is me speaking to over 100 people.

I earned my Courageous and Strong patch that night!

Public speaking makes me SO nervous!

Chloe walking over the bridge...She is a brownie now!

Like all their cute headbands (i made those!)

Here they all are! All 11 Brownies.

Congratulations Girls!!

Here is my brownie!

I love her!

Myles...laughing?

2010-05-13T13:12:00.001-05:00

Chloe was making Myles laugh and he started doing this....
Notice his face at the end...I always say, "Oh....the camera is on...."
He is SUCH A HAM!!
Enjoy!

Chloe gets her ears pierced...woah

2010-05-12T12:55:00.000-05:00

May 7th we were at the mall with friends and ran into Sophia, her sister Audrey & mom Michelle....I did Sophia's birthday cake (see previous blog post). They were in Claire's and for Sophia's birthday she was getting her ear's pierced. Michelle offered to pay for Chloe's ears as payment for the cake. Chloe was nervous...but wanted them pierced. So we watched Sophia & after a very long time to decide Chloe got her ears done too!!

"Mom, don't take pictures right now!"

The girl marking the spots on her ears...
She was a very nice girl!

Yep...they are even!

Chloe waiting patiently...and nervously as the girl gets the earrings ready to go...

She just squeezed her eyes shut really tight and they shot the earrings right through.

Done...

Getting her ears cleaned...

TahDah!!

The newly pierced girls!

Sophia, Chloe J, Chloe & Audrey...isn't Audrey's hair hilarious like that! she was leaning on Chloe J's leg..

Cheese...

The girls then tried on a bunch of things...they came back with these glasses and Chloe said, "look they are big fancy glasses like grandpa Jerry." so the girls posed for the picture and yelled "grandpa Jerry".

I think he would have gotten a kick out of this picture!

It was a great day for Chloe. She got over her fear of getting her ears pierced AND loves her earrings!

Now it's time for me to get mine pierced!!

Sophia's 7th Birthday Cake

2010-05-05T22:13:00.004-05:00

My friend Michelle asked if I would make her daughter Sophia's birthday cake.

I said "Yes!"

The cake requirements....EGGLESS and Musically Themed.

Sophia played in the variety show tonight at the girl's school and she played great.

I made her a piano cake...eggless of course (her little sis Audrey is allergic to eggs).

So here are the pics of the process.

It was a devil's food cake with butter cream frosting.

All 3 layers are frosted.

Now the frosting is nice and smooth!!

Starting to put on the "keys"

Piping the lines for the white keys....

Music anyone?

A little more detail....

TA-DA! All done!

(I am still working on my lettering...it took 18 years to get my handwriting to look good...

piping on letters will take a little while too!)

Side view.

Another side view...

The cake's backside...

All boxed up waiting to be picked up and eaten!

So cute!

I was very nervous that it wouldn't taste that good...

But Audrey ran up to me tonight...I picked her up and she said "The cake was so good. It was the best cake ever."

That boosted my confidence for sure!

I am SO happy I could make this for them!

Sophia is so sweet and her family is fantastic!

Michelle has named my new business.... Crysta's Cakes. And she now refers to me as "the Cake Lady".

I am okay with that! (:

Now...who's birthday is next

Grandma Judy & I make "no-sew gift bags"

2010-05-05T22:00:00.002-05:00

I love going to crafty classes with Grandma Judy!

These are our "no-sew giftbags".

They were easy...

and are SO CUTE!

This one is mine...I had to search my fabric cupboard before our class to find something.

I found this fabric that looks like jacks.

Cute!

Sideish View.

That cute peach one is Grandma Judy's!

Cute!

Place your orders now people! xoxo

We had to stay after school...

2010-05-04T22:06:00.002-05:00

...So that Chloe could show me her mad monkey bar skills!

Enjoy the pictures!

We love springtime!